Green Mountain
Chapter 307 - 245, Intercepting the Hu

Chapter 307: 245, Intercepting the Hu

The newly replaced Tianzi Room C was clean and tidy, with a firethorn bonsai that stays green in winter placed inside, and the beddings had been changed to silk. On the table were arranged melon seeds, candied fruits, desert dates, and pastries, and even two charcoal braziers had been brought in.

Xiao Man looked on as Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu got busy for a while, then pointed to a brazier and said, "One brazier is enough for the room; we are not paying for the superfluous one!"

Xiao Wu hurriedly bent over and smirked, "The shopkeeper feels extremely guilty for startling all the honored guests just now and has specially instructed this lowly one to prepare these to apologize. Moreover, your room fees have been waived from now on, stay as long as you wish."

Zhang Zheng grabbed a handful of melon seeds from the table, cracking them one by one and mused, "Don’t your inn want to make money? Why always do this kind of loss-making business?"

Xiao Wu’s face turned bitter, "This lowly one does not want to engage in loss-making business either, but who knew what madness those Jing Dynasty spies would get into."

Chen Ji’s mind stirred, leaning against the window sill, cradling the Whale Blade in his arms, he casually asked, "Did you know from the beginning that the brothel owner of Red Sleeves was a Jing Dynasty spy, or did you just find out? Can you talk about it?"

Xiao Wu hesitated for a moment.

Zhang Xia took out a silver ingot from his sleeve and placed it on the square table.

Xiao Wu waved his hands in haste, "There’s no need, there’s no need. The shopkeeper has just instructed that if you have any questions, this lowly one will tell you everything, with nothing held back. No need for silver!"

Chen Ji exchanged a glance with Zhang Xia; this Xiao Wu in the afternoon insisted on receiving silver before revealing information.

But they heard Xiao Wu explain, "Red Sleeves has always been a den of thieves for the Jing Dynasty. The trade caravans from the north of Jing Dynasty would travel a detour through Yinchuan and take a rest in Red Sleeves when they arrive in Guyuan. Those caravans seemed to be patronizing prostitutes, but in reality, they were exchanging information."

Chen Ji curiously asked, "How did you find out?"

Xiao Wu boasted, "What you are talking about, when has the secret of Guyuan ever been hidden from our Dragon Gate Inn?"

Chen Ji bewildered, "You only provide a place for trading messages, without participating in the exchange of messages. All those people dealing in information never go through you."

Xiao Wu said mysteriously, "The guest does not know, below the floor of our inn there is a large urn buried. By sitting in the urn, you can hear clearly the conversations in the main hall no matter how soft the voices."

Chen Ji knew of the use of such eavesdropping devices, usually employed in the military.

The city defense forces would bury a large urn under the city walls, covered with a thin layer of cowhide, and soldiers sitting inside could hear horse hooves from twenty kilometers away.

Some even buried large urns next to foreign envoys’ quarters, and found someone who was blind but had exceptional hearing to sit inside and note down the conversation contents of foreign diplomats.

Unexpectedly, the Dragon Gate Inn had such a device underground, listening in on all the trade of information.

However, Chen Ji looked at Xiao Wu with a complex expression; his doubts had now thickened to the extreme: Can such a secret be told to himself? He was just a guest.

Unaware of Chen Ji’s expression, Xiao Wu went on saying, "Depending on what kind of information a guest likes to inquire about, we can indirectly deduce his identity. Merchants who buy information do so for their business, and only a few would pay attention to the military intelligence of the border army. We keep track of such people secretly."

All of a sudden, Chen Ji asked, "Who has been inquiring about military intelligence?"

Xiao Wu draped a white towel over his shoulder and began counting on his fingers, "The young clerk from the glass shop in South Luo Square, the shopkeeper of Yang’s Fur on Dohun Street in Luoshen Square, and the brothel owner of Red Sleeves... Guest, do you have anything else to ask? If not, Xiao Liu and I will step out, the shopkeeper has other things for us to take care of."

Chen Ji bowed, "Thank you, I have no other questions for now."

Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu exited Tianzi Room C, carefully closing the door behind them before letting out a breath of relief.

Xiao Liu muttered beside him, "What madness has struck the shopkeeper? Just a bastard of a Secondary Fourth-rank official, is there a need for us to go to such lengths to fawn over him?"

Xiao Wu quickly slapped the back of his head, "Do as instructed and ask less questions!"

Inside the room, Chen Ji silently moved to the door, pressing his ear against it to confirm that Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu had gone downstairs, then turned back to Zhang Xia and asked, "Do you think they told the truth?"

Zhang Xia sat at the square table, still fiddling with the silver ingot that hadn’t been given away, "It seems they have no reason to deceive us... Strange, why would they even tell us about the eavesdropping urn hidden underground? This is a matter of great importance to the inn’s reputation. If we spread the word, who would come to the inn to trade in information? Maybe only the shopkeeper and the inn’s owner are supposed to know such things?"

Zhang Zheng lay sprawled on the floor mat, crossing his legs, "It took forever to get a basin of hot water earlier, and then they were overly attentive, which makes one frightened...Why the initial haughtiness followed by obsequiousness? Could there be an ulterior motive? We must be careful, let’s not get slaughtered by this black inn!"

Zhang Xia thoughtfully said, "You think, could it be that Third Master Hu specially notified the inn to treat us well, and the shopkeeper is selling his face?"

Zhang Zheng turned over and lay on his side, propping his head on his hand, "But what is the background of that Third Master? Why would he go out of his way to help without any reason?"

"He must have come for Chen Ji," Zhang Xia analyzed seriously, "According to the lad, Hu Junyuan, Third Master Hu was formerly a deputy general under General Wen Tao and later left Guyuan to follow a significant figure... A deputy general of the border army is a Standard Fourth Rank, holding a slightly higher position than Mr. Chen. What kind of figure would he deem worthy to abandon his office and follow?"

Zhang Zheng sat up, his eyes shining with speculation, "Could he have been secretly protecting the orphan of General Wen Tao over these years? Like in the stories of master storytellers, where the general entrusts his orphan to his subordinates, who then protect the child in secret, devoting themselves with complete loyalty and integrity?"

Zhang Xia shook his head, "General Wen Tao never married; how could he have left an orphan?"

Zhang Zheng chuckled, "Who knows for sure, maybe our father has several bastards outside that we don’t even know about."

Zhang Xia glared at him, "Don’t slander our father’s name."

Zhang Zheng made a face, "Does he even have a name to slander?"

Zhang Xia pondered for a moment: "That’s true."

Chen Ji: "..."

Xiao Man: "..."

Zhang Xia turned back to the topic: "Regardless, the people following Third Master Hu now must be related to General Wen Tao. Perhaps if we figure out who the big shot behind him is, we’ll know why he’s helping Chen Ji."

Chen Ji hummed in acknowledgement: "In the next few days, I will inquire about the rumors surrounding General Wen Tao..."

Just at that moment, from next door at Red Sleeves, there came a sudden burst of wails, running footsteps, and the sound of tables and chairs being knocked over, unceasingly reaching their ears.

The people in the room exchanged glances and crowded by the window.

Chen Ji opened a small crack in the window, and the four peered out, but could see nothing.

Ten minutes later, the commotion in Red Sleeves ceased, only to see Xiao Wu, Xiao Liu, and other inn helpers each carrying a corpse, cursing as they walked into the courtyard.

Under the moonlight, each inn helper held a kitchen knife, their bodies covered in blood.

Drops of blood still dripped from the tip of the knives; Xiao Wu shook the kitchen knife in his hand, then wiped it on his arm, commanding: "Xiao Liu, get everyone a hot bowl of soup to drink."

As he spoke, Xiao Wu turned his head to look up at the third floor, and Chen Ji quickly pulled everyone back. Following that, Xiao Wu led the helpers carrying the corpses, disappearing into the stables.

Zhang Zheng was uncertain and asked in a low voice: "Did Dragon Gate Inn really go knocking on the door, exterminating Red Sleeves?"

Chen Ji pondered for a moment: "You all rest early, I’ll make a trip to the Governor’s Mansion."

...

...

Deep into the night within Guyuan City, no longer could one see the powerful and mighty, hacking and slashing. Chen Ji galloped on his horse, only to see in the distance, atop the city walls, a continuous line of fire braziers burning fiercely, and the border soldiers patrolling back and forth behind the merlons.

Upon arriving in front of the Governor’s Mansion, he dismounted to find that the guards had been replaced by the Yulin Army. Over twenty Yulin soldiers placed their hands on their long swords at their waists, the whereabouts of the border soldiers unknown.

Chen Ji, holding the reins, approached and called loudly: "Generals, please pass on a message for me, I have an urgent matter to report to His Highness the Crown Prince."

One Yulin soldier stepped out from the group, sneering: "What are you doing here?"

Chen Ji saw that it was Qi Zhenzhuo on duty.

He repeated with a bow: "General Qi, please help me convey a message. I have an urgent matter to report to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Qi Zhenzhuo arrogantly tilted his head, his helmet’s white pheasant tail feathers swaying slightly: "What, you want to deceive His Highness into acting, and then sell his information for money again? Chen Ji, I advise you, such money is fine to make once, but don’t think everyone here is a fool."

With a calm demeanor, Chen Ji lowered his hands: "General Qi may have misunderstood me. I truly have a matter of utmost urgency."

Qi Zhenzhuo waved his hand impatiently: "Right now, the Jing Dynasty Heavenly Strategy Army is just ten miles outside the city. We have no time to deal with you. His Highness is already aware that you were selling his information at Dragon Gate Inn. Mr. Chen has ordered that from now on you are not to set foot in the Governor’s Mansion again. Leave at once."

Qi Zhenzhuo continued: "Actually, Mr. Chen is also looking out for you. Selling information about His Highness is a big deal if it’s made out to be big, a small matter if it’s made out to be small. Whether we chop off your head or not is entirely at His Highness’ whim. It’s been overlooked this time, but if there is a next time, be careful of your head."

Chen Ji remained silent for a moment, then mounted his horse and rode back the way he came.

At that moment, Qi Zhenzhuo’s gaze flickered: "Wait."

Chen Ji turned back: "Does General Qi have further instructions?"

Qi Zhenzhuo, nonchalantly digging his ear with his pinky finger, lazily said: "You definitely can’t enter the Governor’s Mansion, but if you have anything urgent, you can tell me, and I’ll report it to His Highness on your behalf."

After pondering for a moment atop his horse, Chen Ji finally said: "Red Sleeves on Qiu Ci Street is a den opened by traitors of the Jing Dynasty, serving as a hub for passing intelligence for the Jing Dynasty."

After saying this, Chen Ji rode off.

Qi Zhenzhuo watched Chen Ji’s retreating figure with piercing eyes.

He instructed the surrounding Yulin soldiers in a low voice: "You stand guard here, I will go and report the news to His Highness! Remember, this is news I found out from agents planted in the streets, not information brought by that Chen Ji... once I have made my contribution, I will surely not neglect you all."

The Yulin soldiers exchanged glances.

Qi Zhenzhuo raised an eyebrow: "What, are you willing to let that youngster steal the limelight?"

The Yulin soldiers quickly saluted: "If His Highness asks, we will follow your instructions."

Qi Zhenzhuo laughed heartily and hurried into the Governor’s Mansion.