Chapter 48

The good news is that this team seems to have enough background; the local garrison only sent a small squad of soldiers to inquire, and then there was no further action.

The bad news is that the plan to cross the Huai River from here is about to fall through, as it is clear that the waterway on the opposite bank has been sealed off. Even at night, the numerous torches and lanterns patrolling throughout the night can be seen clearly across the wide river.

Well, in times of chaos, there are always unexpected events and variables. I have already gotten used to it. While they were staying locally and trying to figure out a solution,

I took the opportunity to bring Bao Tou out for some fresh air, to try the local fish head pot and grilled meatballs, as a way to improve our living conditions. The daily routine of dry cakes, soy sauce, salted meat, and preserved flavors on the journey had become somewhat monotonous.

Since we were near the river, even in these turbulent times, there were still several restaurants and eateries specializing in river fresh dishes. I randomly chose a medium-sized establishment near the street market entrance and went inside.

There were already a few scattered diners inside, but most of them did not look relaxed, instead, they appeared uneasy and worried.

On the greasy table, which was still oily even after being wiped, a pot of white soup and some grilled meatballs, which were golden and fragrant, were quickly served.

Sipping the soup that had been simmered to a milky white, I used my chopsticks to pick out the tender fish head meat, and then I specially picked out the fish lips and skin to give to Bao Tou. Seeing her obediently holding the bowl and drinking the soup, she was indeed very cute.

The meatballs were made from aquatic products, so they contained a lot of fish meat, and were grilled with fish sauce and shrimp paste, making them very savory and quite satisfying.

Suddenly, several soldiers walked in, their boots thudding on the ground. They wore leather helmets, armor, and short boots, and carried rusty and faded sabers. They scanned the room, and after a moment of silence from the diners, they chose a spot at a large table nearby and sat down. They then started tapping the table, calling for river fresh soup and cakes.

Everyone then breathed a sigh of relief and continued eating, but at a much faster pace. Bao Tou, after glancing at me, also drank her soup quietly in small sips.

As the pot was almost empty, I was about to ask the shop owner to pack the remaining meatballs,

but then I heard the soldiers, who were eating their greasy cakes dipped in soup with great enjoyment, gradually becoming louder after drinking the extra wine provided by the shop owner.

"Has the reward been increased again?"

"What is it this time? An advisor to the court?"

"This is the fifth time..."

I was startled and noticed that the items they carried, such as brushes, buckets, and large rolls of paper, indicated that they were just errand soldiers.

Through the shop's entrance, I saw a large wooden board on the street corner, with a fresh official notice that had not yet dried. It was a wanted notice for the rebels who had betrayed the emperor and massacred the people during the Lu Capital Incident.

I couldn't help but open my mouth. The efficiency in Lu Capital was so high that the wanted notices had already spread to here. Upon closer inspection, the first part of the content was similar to what I had seen in Haishi, but the reward had been increased significantly, and the descriptions of the relevant individuals were much more detailed.

I then asked the shop owner to bring another plate of grilled meatballs, while the soldiers continued their conversation without regard for others.

They rambled on, saying that if they got the reward, they would take three wives: one to warm the bed, one to massage the legs, and one to rub the shoulders; they would eat meat pies and rich soups every day; and they would make seven or eight sets of silk clothes for the whole family, without fear of them tearing during work. These were typical daydreams of the common folk.

Just as I was getting impatient and was about to pay and leave, one of them finally got to the point I was interested in.

"Do you know..."

An older soldier, with a look of secrecy, as if he was the only one who knew, spoke in a voice that could be vaguely heard by nearby people, to his companions in a mysterious manner.

"Why is the Lu Capital court repeatedly increasing the reward... showing a determined and generous attitude?"

"Why?"

Someone responded appropriately, and the diners around also perked up their ears.

"It's because... there is a compelling reason."

"What reason could be so significant that they are unwilling to let it go?"

"According to rumors, among the remnants who escaped from Lu Capital, someone obtained the secret treasure of Liang Gong."

He revealed a certain "truth" with a hint of drunkenness and satisfaction.

"Another Liang Gong secret treasure, how many times has this been rumored?"

Another soldier sneered.

"At least it's part of the secret, which is why they were able to break through the city's defenses and escape from the encirclement of the army."

The old soldier, feeling challenged, blushed and said,

"That's why the Lu Capital court is sparing no effort, offering high ranks and titles as rewards, to capture the leader of the rebels, Amro."

"Apparently, even the slightest clue can earn a substantial reward and an official position from the Lu Capital authorities."

Hearing this, I felt as if a thousand grass mud horses had just galloped through my heart. I didn't expect that they would go to such lengths to chase after my fabricated identity, even inventing such a ridiculous reason.

Fortunately, I had an accident halfway, otherwise, if I had continued with those people, more secrets would have been leaked, and more people would have known. Not only would everyone outside be on the move, but there would also be trouble within. That would truly be a situation where everyone is after you, and you would never have a moment's peace.

In that case, perhaps I should consider the saying, "A loss may turn out to be a gain."

...

In the distant Lu Capital, it was also early spring, with tender buds blooming.

The former site of Liang Garden, once known as the most magnificent scenic spot, was now occupied by a cluster of towering mansions.

Of course, those who could reside here and have a corner of their own were either blood relatives of the regent's family or other close kin, or a few trusted and rewarded confidants, often holding important positions.

Zhang Dekun, the newly appointed Governor of Dujidao, acting as the Lu Capital garrison commander, and holding the titles of Weiweiqing and Chief of the Secretariat, and recently ennobled as Lord Ling, was hosting a private banquet.

He was the nephew of the current regent, the posthumous son of Zhang Sun, the former Three Palaces Selection Commissioner who was assassinated by political enemies over thirty years ago. Therefore, he was raised from a young age by his powerful uncle and groomed as a protégé. He had recently been specially transferred back from his post as the Governor of Pinglu Circuit in Ji Prefecture, and was considered a talented young member of the Zhang clan.

So, after Lingbao Gong went out to command the Tianping Army, Zhang Dekun took over the important duties of overseeing Lu Capital and cleaning up the mess left by his predecessor.

Since this was his first private banquet since taking office, although it was limited to a small, exclusive circle, it was still extremely luxurious. Various decorations and utensils that would be considered excessive, presumptuous, or even treasonous in peaceful times were casually displayed among the guests.

But what was even more eye-catching were the women at the banquet. Unlike the somewhat worldly courtesans or the privately kept concubines and singing girls with distinct personal marks,

these women, dressed in light, revealing gowns, were of noble birth. They included daughters of ministers, ladies of high-ranking officials, and even princesses, county ladies, or concubines summoned by the Zongzheng Temple.

These noble women, all dressed to highlight their beauty and figures, were forced to smile and dance gracefully or sing softly in the music and laughter, trying to display their charms to gain some favor and promises for their future. From the moment they were brought here, they had prepared for anything to happen.

Zhang Dekun sipped from a purple-red flower-shaped carnelian cup, glancing at the noble women, some standing, some sitting, all anxiously waiting for their fate, enjoying their fearful, anxious, or slightly hopeful expressions.

He suddenly grabbed a woman's chin. Her light purple silk gown accentuated her delicate features and fair skin, giving her a delicate and charming appearance.

"I heard you've seen that person..."

"Tell me, what kind of person is he, to make my elder brother, who was so confident, end up in such a humiliating defeat?"

"Did he not touch you when he took you in?"

The woman slightly turned her head, and tears rolled down, instantly wetting the exposed part of her chest.

"Do you regret it?"

Zhang Dekun poked at her pain with interest.

"I heard he had already sent you out of the city..."

"But the person you trusted and ran to was just a cowardly opportunist."

"Not only did he betray his companions in Bianzhou, but he also sent you back as a gift."

"Although he is a hypocrite, I still have a use for him."

While saying this, the other women, who did not understand the situation, looked at this seemingly lucky favorite with a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

"From today on, you will stay in the back garden."

The woman's body trembled.

"Don't worry, I won't touch you, nor will I let anyone else touch you. I will take good care of you."

"Once my people catch him, I will use you to bring him back."

"I am not like my elder brother."

He, slightly tipsy, suddenly poured the wine over the woman's head. She did not dare to move, allowing the red wine to flow over her carefully styled hair, staining her beautiful half-face and snow-white shoulders with a vivid color.

"Seeing a slightly more outstanding opponent, he wants to eliminate them completely..."

"But he doesn't understand that the true skill in controlling people is to win their hearts. Being able to win over the talented among his enemies and use them for oneself is the true mark of a leader."

"To be honest, I am looking forward to seeing his expression when he sees you again in my hall."

"Linghou, you have spoken out of turn."

Someone nearby whispered a warning.

"If this reaches the Great House, there will be trouble."

"I want the Great House to hear it, to be reassured."

He waved his hand, signaling the end of the banquet.

"Everyone, you may leave."

He then looked at the woman, who was still motionless on the ground, either from sorrow or shock, and felt a bit bored, so he ordered her to be taken away.

"How can the family say they don't care?"

A short while later, Zhang Dekun, drinking a cup of tea to sober up, sat with a few confidants.

"Besides my own troops, the secret camp and Changfeng people have already been dispatched."

"Even the retainers and heroes kept by my cousins have been secretly mobilized."

"According to the inner chamber's message, the Great House seems to be treating this as a test for the various branches."

"But we have the first move. From the people captured in Bianzhou, we have already extracted his appearance and identity."

"The arrest of other related individuals is also underway."

"Wasn't it said that he could be dead or alive?"

A trusted advisor cautiously asked.

"The Great House is making a big fuss, but what they want is a result that can be reported, not necessarily the so-called truth, understand?"

"Yes."

The person thought for a moment and asked again,

"Why are you secretly spreading the rumor about the Liang Gong secret treasure?"

"It's just that wealth and profit move people's hearts. The world is full of greedy and profit-seeking individuals. With enough time and preparation,"

"Using this as a pretext, even our family's enemies or the stubborn ones in the south will help me force the person hiding in the city to come out."

"Whether dead or alive, they will be under our control."

...

Then I saw again the influence and energy of the person behind this convoy, named Dog Dahu. Although the waterway on the opposite bank was sealed off, the local navy offered to provide a regular river boat to take us eastward, following the Linhuai-Huaiyin route, and entering the Hongze Lake or Chengzi Lake basin.

This way, whether we continue by boat from Shanyang in Chuzhou along the canal, or travel overland via Xuyi on the Huaiyang direct road, we can more easily reach our final destination, Yangzhou.

Of course, apart from me and a few necessary laborers, the ordinary travelers and merchants traveling with us did not have this privilege. They had to be left behind, waiting for the next opportunity or finding another way.

Later, I gradually understood that

the ability of such regional guilds or merchant groups to operate between various warlord-controlled territories is mainly due to two factors: the mutual checks and balances among the various forces, and their possession of resources and channels that others cannot easily replace, making these local forces somewhat cautious or dependent, and not daring to arbitrarily plunder or have malicious intentions.

Under the pretext of purchasing medicine, I bought a large amount of items, which were transported back by the convoy.

Since the journey ahead might not be easy, and we needed to save space and transport capacity for other things, I had to reluctantly part with the Red Tiger III, which I had only ridden for a short time. It was sold for five and a half small silver coins, and it was said that it was bought by a cook in the local navy for a feast.

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