Chapter 86: Yu Wenshuai (Three Updates for Monthly Votes!)

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After reading the text Song Duanping had written from memory, the room fell silent. It wasn't until a sudden pop from the lamp flame startled the two young men, who had been bold enough to face any danger, causing them to shiver. //.com Novel Network//

The two exchanged glances, seeing the utmost gravity in each other's eyes.

"Leave no trace, this thing can bring disaster." Chen Ke picked up a pen and wrote a line. After finishing, he handed the stack of papers Song Duanping had written to the flame. The yellow fire quickly devoured the words.

Writing notes was a common method for discussing secrets among the Song people. Chen Ke originally thought it was overly cautious, but after being frightened by the little monk Xuanyu, he finally understood what "walls have ears" meant.

Song Duanping had no objections. He knew Chen Ke's photographic memory and wrote, "What do we do next? Go find Yu Wenshuai?" Yu Jing was appointed as the Governor and Pacification Commissioner of the Two Guangnan Roads, and the title "Pacification Commissioner" was respectfully called "Great Commander." When a civil official led the army, he was also called "Civil Commander."

"Seems there's no other way..." In fact, Chen Ke had thought of someone else, but that person was currently in mourning, and there was no reason for him to seek him out, making the possibility of getting involved extremely small.

"If we had those pieces of evidence..." Song Duanping wrote, "Yu Wenshuai would definitely believe us."

"My father didn't tell you because he was afraid we would rashly go to retrieve them, risking our lives." Chen Ke wrote, "But if Yu Jing is as rumored, the information you wrote from memory is enough to catch his attention."

Song Duanping nodded and wrote, "How do we find him?"

"I heard his ship will arrive in Hengyang soon." Chen Ke wrote, "I plan to set out tomorrow to meet him."

"We need to act before the local officials and military see him." Song Duanping nodded in agreement, "How do we approach him?" Even a county magistrate is hard for ordinary people to see, let alone the highest military commander of two regions.

"We'll figure it out when the time comes." Chen Ke wrote, "There's always a way when you reach the mountain."

"Alright, we'll think of a way when the time comes."

"No, I'll only take Xuanyu. If anything happens, you can try to rescue us."

"What could happen?" Song Duanping couldn't help but ask.

"Human hearts are unpredictable." Chen Ke said softly.

"Um..." Song Duanping sighed and nodded, writing, "Be careful."

"Anything else?"

"Such a big case, the other side will be highly alert." Song Duanping slowly wrote his concern, "I'm afraid they'll find out about our prison visit today."

"Right." Chen Ke nodded and wrote, "We can't stay here."

"I need to stay here, or they'll suspect something when they come to investigate." Song Duanping wrote, "Besides, if they try to harm Old Wang, I can protect him."

"Understood." Chen Ke wrote, "I scouted around today, and a house behind us is for rent. I'll rent it tomorrow and move in. If anything happens, I can respond in time."

"That's best." Song Duanping nodded. Even they didn't realize that the two usually carefree individuals had become incredibly calm in the face of such a major event.

The next day, Chen Ke rented the house and had Wulang stay there, keeping an eye on the front yard. Wulang wanted to go with Chen Ke, but the big, dark man was too conspicuous, so Chen Ke only took Xuanyu.

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Chen Ke wore a black headband, a short-sleeved black robe, and carried a book box, looking like a refugee scholar. Behind him, at a distance, was a monk with a bamboo hat, wooden clogs, and a Zen staff, naturally Xuanyu.

The two, strangers to each other, arrived at the dock and boarded a civilian boat heading north. After a day's journey, they still hadn't seen any official ships with banners... For Song Dynasty officials, face was the most important, so there was no possibility of a secret passage.

Chen Ke got off the boat at Xiangtan dock, the headquarters of the Hunan Waterway Office, which had the largest official inn within two hundred miles along the river. If a southern official needed to stop and rest, he would likely choose this place.

As soon as he arrived at the dock, he noticed many soldiers and officials busy cleaning and setting up. When he asked out of curiosity, he learned that they were preparing to welcome a high official. He tried to stay at the inn but was refused, as they had a reception task and were not open to the public.

Chen Ke had to take out a gold coin... He had already found out that with this coin engraved with the character 'Shao,' one could ask the famous diviner Shao Yong for a reading. Shao Yong was so legendary that, for example, if you wrote a character or let him read your face, he could predict your entire life. He could even predict the future of the world with a single divination... Chen Ke listened to his stories as myths, but from the highest nobles to the lowest soldiers, everyone believed in him without doubt.

It was said that Shao Yong rarely gave out these coins. Some people spent a fortune and years trying to get one, but for some reason, he favored Chen Ke and gave him seven.

The effect was immediate. The inn manager immediately prepared a room for him, but warned him not to leave under any circumstances.

Chen Ke stayed in the manager's courtyard for half a day and heard the commotion outside. He had already prepared a clerk's uniform from the clothesline in the courtyard. He quickly changed, opened the door, and saw the inn servants rushing out. He lowered his head and followed them.

When he joined the servants in the courtyard, he saw six imposing guards enter, followed by a group of well-armed, silver-helmeted, long-spear-carrying soldiers... all as tall as Chen Ke, clearly from the elite imperial army.

The atmosphere in the courtyard immediately became tense, and everyone kept their eyes straight ahead, not daring to breathe heavily.

These imperial soldiers were worlds apart from the local militia Chen Ke had seen in Hengyang. But Chen Ke's attention was on the old man surrounded by officials.

The old man looked to be in his fifties, wearing a purple official robe with a gold fish bag, a tall hat, and a slender build. He had a stern face and a serious demeanor, exuding righteousness. Hearing the officials call him "Civil Commander," he must be one of the famous Four Censors, Yu Wuxi!

On the way, Chen Ke had already thought about it. As the commander of three armies, Yu Jing was always under scrutiny, so intercepting him at the inn was no different from intercepting him in the wild. Moreover, with just a Shao coin, it was almost impossible to get an audience with a commander of ten thousand troops. So he shouted, "Heavenly Judge Yu, I have a great injustice to report!"

The previously quiet and solemn courtyard suddenly fell into chaos. "Protect the Civil Commander!" The formation of the imperial soldiers immediately scattered, surrounding Yu Jing and the officials. A tall inn servant stood with his hands up, and the archers aimed at him.

The others also looked over, and the inn manager fainted when he saw Chen Ke.

Several imperial soldiers rushed forward and arrested Chen Ke.

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The inner courtyard of the inn was shaded, and the back hall was bright and clean, a world apart from the scorching heat outside.

Yu Jing had already taken off his official robe and changed into a half-old hemp robe, looking more like a village schoolmaster than a commander of three armies.

He was known for his integrity and disliked such formal receptions. Despite the enthusiastic invitations, he only briefly sat and drank three cups of water wine before leaving. This already delighted the local officials, as ten years ago, this "sweaty man" would not only refuse to attend but also demand to know the source of the expenses. If it was public money, they would be impeached, and even if it was personal, they would be lectured for half an hour on the virtues of frugality and the dangers of extravagance.

After changing into casual clothes and coming to the back hall, Yu Jing sat down and took a sip of tea, then asked the attendant, "Where is that young man?"

"Report to the Civil Commander, he is in the side room."

"Bring him in."

"Yes, sir."

A moment later, the attendant returned, followed by two imperial soldiers escorting Chen Ke. Knowing the Civil Commander's fondness for justice, the soldiers refrained from punishing him immediately.

"Truly a fine young man!" Yu Jing looked at Chen Ke and said, "You're not an inn servant, I hear you're a scholar?"

"Yes, sir," Chen Ke replied respectfully.

"Young man, it's wartime, so I won't offer you a seat."

"There's no place for a student to sit in front of the Civil Commander." He had never been so cautious and respectful to anyone, all for his troublesome father.

"How did you know I would stay at Xiangtan Inn?" Yu Jing narrowed his eyes.

"I heard the officials discussing that the Civil Commander would be here."

"Find out who leaked this information!" Yu Jing ordered the attendant sternly.

"Yes, sir!" The attendant saluted and left.

"Do you know that interrupting an official's journey, regardless of the reason, can result in fifteen strokes of the cane?" After the attendant left, Yu Jing looked at Chen Ke.

"I know, and I'm prepared to take the punishment," Chen Ke said calmly. "As long as I can see Heavenly Judge Yu, I'm willing to suffer any pain!"

"You say you have a grievance," Yu Jing seemed to enjoy the title "Heavenly Judge" and stroked his beard, "Present your complaint."

"My complaint is in my heart," Chen Ke said respectfully, "Please allow me to write it down for the Civil Commander."

Yu Jing frowned slightly but nodded, "Alright, but be brief." He was only stopping here briefly and had to continue his journey.

"Yes." The clerk prepared the writing materials, and Chen Ke walked to the table. The clerk lingered, and Chen Ke looked at him until he reluctantly left. Then he began to write.

After finishing a cup of tea, Chen Ke put down his pen, closed the document, and handed it to the clerk.

The clerk glared at him angrily and presented the document to Yu Wenshuai.

Yu Jing thought it would be a case of murder or arson, but when he opened the document, his expression changed immediately.

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I'm crying, I was first, but now I'm a hundred votes behind. It looks like the monk can only update with blood. I'll write the fourth chapter tonight! I'm crying for monthly votes, subscriptions, and recommendations...