Chapter 58

A black official's cap, smudged with dust and a bit of yellow mud, looked filthy.

Dai Li glanced at the cap, not comprehending at first. She looked up at him, puzzled.

Qin Shaozong met her gaze. Seeing her slightly dazed expression, the corner of his eye lifted slightly. "Don't like it? That shouldn't be. Isn't my lady exceptionally hateful of Fan Tianshi, wishing you could devour his flesh?"

Dai Li gave a sudden shudder, her voice rising noticeably. "This is Fan Tianshi's cap?!"

Unless one was beheaded, how could their official cap fall into another's hands.

"It is not."

The joy that had exploded from Dai Li's chest and was about to spread through her meridians came to an abrupt halt with his two firm words. Joy turned into frustration, a lump of air stuck in her throat, neither rising nor falling.

Dai Li was at a loss for words. "...If it's not, then why did my lord show it to me?"

Qin Shaozong watched her ever-changing expressions and couldn't help but chuckle. "Although it's not Fan Tianshi himself, it is somewhat related to him. This is the cap of his legitimate eldest son."

Dai Li was startled, her frustration dissipating instantly by ninety percent. "Truly? Are you certain it's his?"

"I shot him dead myself. How could it be false?" As Qin Shaozong finished speaking, he saw her eyes instantly light up, sparkling as if thousands of stars had fallen into them.

Qin Shaozong stared intently for a couple of breaths before saying, "If my lady wishes to see the head of his eldest son, that is also not impossible."

"The head is unnecessary," Dai Li immediately refused.

"Usually brimming with the courage of a bear and the daring of a leopard, how come you can't bear to see this?" Qin Shaozong's smile deepened slightly.

Initially, he had indeed considered bringing back a head to show her. But later, he thought this fox wouldn't recognize Fan Tianshi's eldest son, and when she was treating Qiao Wangfei before, she had secretly averted her eyes, likely unable to stand the sight of blood.

Fine, he took a step back and brought the cap instead.

Dai Li muttered, "That's different. A dead person's head turns bluish, and he might have died with his eyes wide open. How frightening."

Not wanting to dwell on the topic of heads, Dai Li warmly invited him, "Has my lord had breakfast yet? If not, I'll have the kitchen send it over."

"That's fine," he said these two words and then returned to the main residence.

He removed his armor and took a simple bath.

When he came out again, he happened to meet Nianxia returning with a food box.

Nianxia was about to take the food into the main room when she heard Qin Shaozong instruct, "Take it next door."

Nianxia immediately changed direction.

Dai Li had already finished her breakfast and was about to ask Bipo to fetch some atlases from the study for her to look at when she saw Nianxia enter the room with the food box, followed by a tall figure.

Although Fan Tianshi himself wasn't killed, making him lose his legitimate eldest son was quite satisfactory. In this strictly hierarchical feudal era, the legitimate eldest son was almost always the heir, cultivated with great effort from birth, probably even taught personally by Fan Tianshi.

He showed no mercy in abusing another's son; let him taste the pain of losing a child too!

Dai Li was in a good mood and had no objection to Qin Shaozong having his meal in her quarters.

Nianxia opened the food box, first taking out a porcelain bowl as large as a washbasin, then retrieving many meat buns and steamed buns from the upper layer.

After Dai Li improved the stone mill, flour-based foods became much more common: noodle soup was one, meat buns the second, and steamed buns the third.

When they first tasted the meat buns, both Qin Shaozong and the other military officers were amazed. The buns were steamed to a fluffy texture, delicate to the taste, filled with juicy and delicious mutton. One bite felt like a dance on the taste buds.

Wasn't this much better than steamed cakes?

When they first ate them, every single officer, no matter how much they usually liked to chat while eating, kept their heads down, focused solely on stuffing buns into their mouths.

Dai Li looked at the small mountain of buns and steamed buns, silently marveling at Qin Shaozong's appetite. This man's single breakfast could easily surpass her food intake for an entire day.

The rule of "no talking during meals" didn't exist among military officers; they weren't that particular. Qin Shaozong was the same. Before starting his meal, he pulled out a folded piece of mulberry bark paper from his robe and handed it to Dai Li. "My lady."

"What is this?" Dai Li reached out to take it.

Qin Shaozong didn't answer. Picking up his jade chopsticks, he buried his head in eating the noodles. He was truly starving, having settled the troops today and rushed back without stopping for a rest.

Dai Li unfolded the mulberry bark paper. Upon seeing the words clearly, she couldn't help but gasp. The joy of learning about Fan Tianshi's loss of a son quickly faded.

This was a notice issued by the Fan family, or more appropriately, a wanted poster.

It stated that the Fan family's Quanjie had betrayed his master, absconding east with valuable treasures, but his specific whereabouts were unknown. A heavy reward was now offered for his head.

After briefly describing the "heavy reward," there followed a detailed description of Quanjie, including approximate age, skin tone, height, and... appearance.

This wanted notice actually included a portrait.

Below was drawn a picture of her son's face without scars. Perhaps revised repeatedly for perfection, and coupled with the artist's exceptional skill, this portrait bore a seventy to eighty percent resemblance.

Dai Li clenched her teeth, gripping the mulberry bark paper tightly, hatred welling up so intensely she felt like vomiting blood.

With the Fan family's influence in Yanzhou, this wanted notice would undoubtedly spread throughout Yanzhou, even reaching other provinces.

When she and her son later left Qin Shaozong, to avoid drawing attention, wouldn't they be unable to show their true faces for years, or even longer?

Damn that Fan Tianshi, a lingering ghost!

"This matter has likely already spread throughout Yanzhou," the man across from her said.

Dai Li looked up at the sound and realized that in the brief moment she was reading the wanted notice, he had already eaten more than half of his bowl of noodle soup.

Qin Shaozong continued, "During the previous three-army talks, I told Fan Tianshi that a few days ago I caught a group of assassins in black who infiltrated my residence at night with intent to kill. I also made it clear that after interrogation, one of them confessed his identity: Quanjie, the adopted son he had raised for seven years."

Dai Li had guessed Qin Shaozong would break with Fan Tianshi and that he would use the assassination attempt as a starting point. But now, with the wanted notice in hand, hearing him say he used "Quanjie" as the entry point still made her temples throb.

There was a sequence of events. For this notice to reach Qin Shaozong's hands, it definitely wasn't newly issued today.

Dai Li's expression turned grave. "You mentioned before that there are many spies in Yun Commandery. Now they've issued the wanted notice first, and then you revealed you've caught 'Quanjie.' Besides Fan Tianshi, other enemies will soon know my son is here."

Qin Shaozong said, "Simply hiding won't work. He's not a young maiden confined to the inner chambers. It's inevitable that the boy will show his face outside sooner or later."

This was also why he had previously ordered Kuang Ye to clean up loose ends—because it simply couldn't be concealed. Rather than hiding, it was better to directly eliminate all those coming for revenge, then walk openly outside.

Of course, that was for the future. Before taking Yanzhou, "Quanjie" still couldn't show his face outside.

After all, the public reason for his falling out with Yanzhou was precisely that Fan Tianshi had sent someone to assassinate him. How could he let this "instigator" brazenly walk out of his residence at such a critical moment?

Daili was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "Then could someone infiltrate the residence at this time?"

Qin Shaozong had just twirled a mouthful of broth noodles. Originally planning to continue slurping them down, upon hearing her words, he pulled the noodles just touching his lips slightly away. "My lady, do you think this is a marketplace, where people can come and go as they please? Lately, the only one shuttling back and forth in my residence is that brat. Furthermore, since the first night attack, the patrols and security have been tightened and have not been relaxed. For someone to infiltrate, unless they possess heaven-defying skills, it's impossible."

Daili asked again, "What constitutes 'heaven-defying skills'?"

"First, they would need a layout map of the residence and have figured out the patterns of the city patrols outside. Second, the residence patrols have recently been adjusted. Not only have the shifts increased, but the number of guards has too. Several squads patrol in overlapping, crisscrossing routes forming a net, not even sparing the most remote corners," he explained.

After all, this residence in Guoyun County was just a temporary dwelling, a mere place to stay.

Under normal circumstances, let alone adding personnel, things would proceed as usual. Even after he went on campaign, the vast majority of soldiers left behind here would be transferred away.

But now, it was not possible. She was still here.

"My lady, why is your curiosity so heavy today? Could it be you've learned something?" Qin Shaozong suddenly asked.

His eyes were narrow and sharp, their light amber color like amber. When he stared at someone unblinkingly, they were as sharp as a blade that could dissect one's innermost thoughts, like a great tiger crouching in the jungle.

Daili's mind went blank for an instant, unable to come up with a suitable explanation on the spot.

Unexpectedly, he then said on his own, "I understand."

These four words startled Daili greatly. She subconsciously leaned forward slightly. "Understand what?"

"My lady wants to talk more with me," Qin Shaozong said with a laugh.

Daili: "...You are correct."

Fine. Him understanding it this way was better than him thinking of other possibilities.

Daili lowered her head, not looking at him.

Actually, making a public announcement wasn't entirely out of the question. On the surface, they could be labeled as part of the Northern Army. Then, when the time came for her and her son to make their escape, they could let those enemies and Qin Shaozong fight amongst themselves.

Daili did not see that the man opposite her, who had been wolfing down his food just moments before, did not immediately resume eating. Instead, he gazed steadily at her for several breaths.

Qijiang County was located at the border of Yanzhou, facing Guoyun County across the river. Both were small border counties, their geographical positions remarkably similar.

After Fan Tianshi led his army away from Gaoling County, he set up camp in the outskirts of Qijiang County. Once reorganized, he planned to lead a portion of the troops to the three-party meeting.

Now that the negotiations had broken down, Fan Tianshi retreated in defeat, slinking back to Qijiang County.

On this trip out of Gaoling County, Fan Tianshi had brought two sons. His eldest son, Fan Boliang, whom he had personally instructed, accompanied him. His second son, Fan Zhongmin, was ordered to remain stationed in Qijiang County.

Hearing of his father's return, Fan Zhongmin hurried to greet him. At the sight, he was greatly shocked. His father's armor was undamaged, but his helmet was missing. He was covered in dust, his face sorrowful, presenting a look of dejection Fan Zhongmin had never seen before.

Even after suffering a defeat, his father shouldn't be like this. Could something else have happened?

Fan Zhongmin was just thinking of seeking out his elder brother to exchange a glance, but after looking around, he couldn't find him. Suddenly, he heard someone say:

"Lord Fan, please accept our condolences. You must not collapse at this time. Otherwise, if the Northern Army and Qingzhou Army attack simultaneously, we will be leaderless, our morale will surely collapse, causing pain to our allies and joy to our enemies."

Fan Zhongmin froze. The massive amount of information converged into a torrential flood. His thoughts became a lone boat upon it, first being violently pressed down into an abyss.

His brother, his own flesh and blood, had gone and not returned.

Pain and anger enveloped him.

But soon after, the wooden boat resurfaced on the water, and an irrepressible thread of secret delight crept into his heart.

His brother was gone. He, the second-born legitimate son, was now the son his father valued most.

Having lost a son in middle age, bereft of his heir, Fan Tianshi was almost supported by others as he walked. "Where is Liuxian? Where is Liuxian? Fan Zhong, go and summon Liuxian for me."

The named Fan Zhongmin felt another surge of joy.

Shi Wuji had caught a slight chill the day before, hence his late arrival. Now, hearing his lord's summons, he hurried over. Upon learning of the death of the eldest young master Fan, even the usually unflappable Shi Wuji couldn't help but stagger.

Fan Tianshi dismissed the others, leaving only Shi Wuji behind. "Liuxian, send a letter to him for me."

He only said this one sentence, not naming names nor saying anything else, but Shi Wuji understood.

The loss of his son was the final heavy stone, pressing down on his already wavering thoughts, causing them to tilt completely in another direction.

Shi Wuji pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands in a bow. "I shall attend to it immediately."

A fast horse set out from Qijiang County, heading straight west. Traveling day and night without rest, it crossed a strategic pass and arrived at Gaoling County, where the Governor's residence was located.

A trusted aide knocked on the side gate of a residence, entered directly, and found his target in a certain pavilion.

The trusted aide first gave a military salute, then took out a letter sealed with wax and presented it with both hands. "Marshal Li, this is a letter from Lord Fan for you."

The one addressed as "Marshal Li" was actually Li Zan, the salt smuggler who once dominated a region but was ultimately forced to flee Ying County.

Li Zan took the letter and opened it in front of the messenger. After reading it, he broke into a broad smile. "Go and prepare a horse. I am going out."

The main thoroughfare of Gaoling County was bustling and lively. Shops lined both sides in neat rows, their doors wide open, with a continuous stream of pedestrians coming and going.

Li Zan went to a famous tea house in the county. As soon as he entered, a young attendant dressed in hemp cloth with a towel tied at his waist approached. "Honored guest, will you be sitting in the main hall, or would you prefer a private room on the second or third floor?"

Li Zan: "I'll go to the 'Clear Mirror' private room. A pot of the new tea from the Western Regions, please. Kindly lead the way."

The attendant paused almost imperceptibly. "Please follow me."

This tea house had the main hall on the first floor, private rooms on the second and third floors. The fourth floor was said to be the proprietor's private quarters. Now, after leading the guest to the third floor and seeing no one in the corridor, the attendant swiftly pushed open a certain wooden panel.

Behind the panel, a staircase leading upward suddenly appeared.

Li Zan ascended the steps.

Upon entering this area, the attendant's customer-service enthusiasm completely vanished from his face. He pushed open the door to the private room. "Please wait inside quietly. I will inform the Master."

The formerly imposing Li Zan thanked the young attendant.

Li Zan entered alone and took a seat. Roughly half an hour later, he heard footsteps, followed by the sound of the door being pushed open.

The door swung wide, and a figure in dark jade-green robes strode confidently in.

He was an exceedingly young man, roughly in his early twenties, as elegant as an orchid or a jade tree. His pleasant, amiable face, paired with his gentle voice, gave one the feeling of a spring breeze brushing past.

"Mr. Diting." Li Zan, however, started like a sparrow startled by thunder, quickly rising to his feet to bow in greeting.

Diting smiled at him. "Marshal Li, there's no need for such formality. What brings you to seek me out today?"

Li Zan took a letter from his bosom. "This is a letter Governor Fan of Yanzhou entrusted me to deliver."

Diting took it, his eyes scanning ten lines at a glance, and the smile on his face deepened. "Good. I am now aware of the matter. Write back to Governor Fan, saying I will make a trip to Qijiang County soon. After that, you need not stay at the Fan residence any longer. Head south; there is a new task for you."

A quarter of an hour later, the door to the private room opened again.

The figure in bluish-green jade color departed. He went to the rear of the teahouse and boarded a plain, unremarkable donkey cart. The driver raised a leather whip.

The little donkey clip-clopped away from the inner courtyard, following the main road to a small residence in the city. Diting went straight to the main chamber, where a long, dark underground passage beneath the bed led him to another place.

When he saw daylight again, a clear breeze carried the scent of flowers, birdsong was melodious, and all the hustle and bustle of the mortal world seemed shut out. Moreover, a faint, elusive hint of sandalwood fragrance drifted in the air.

Diting walked to a waterside pavilion. Through the curtains hanging around it, he called out "Liudao" to the figure inside before lifting the curtain and entering.

"Governor Fan of Yanzhou has agreed to cooperate with us. He requests our joint effort against Marquis Wu'an. I intend to go to Qijiang County," Diting said.

Inside the pavilion, the man addressed as "Liudao" looked up from his self-played game of Go. His face bore a sixty percent resemblance to Diting's, similarly refined and gentle. However, the faint lines at the corners of his eyes revealed he was past the age of youthful vigor.

Compared to the young Diting, the warmth tempered by time seemed infused with a Buddha-like quality in the sandalwood-scented air, granting him a composure and self-restraint others lacked.

"Marquis Wu'an killed Governor Fan's eldest legitimate son. Furthermore, he has already allied with Qingzhou. Feeling isolated and weak, Governor Fan would naturally seek our help. His second son, Fan Zhongmin, is impulsive, eager for quick success, and lacks depth. This man can be used. After you go to Qijiang County, make more contact with him," Liudao said.

Diting was surprised and couldn't help blurting out, "Uncle, has news come back from over there?" The letter had only mentioned wanting to cooperate, without stating any specific reasons.

Liudao continued on his own track. "The Governor of Sizhou was taken by a sudden illness a few days ago. His three remaining sons are vying for power. Tell Baixiang to support the third son."

Diting acknowledged the order.

Liudao picked up a black stone and placed it on the northern part of the Go board. With this movement, a string of prayer beads dangled from his slender, pale wrist. "The spy from the northern lands just returned. There's been progress on the matter of 'xianshi' (saltpeter/salty stone). This substance is a type of salt obtained through a special refining method. The process isn't overly complex, and with the salt lake being near mountains and the land vast, it wasn't too difficult to investigate. This method was provided to Marquis Wu'an by a young woman surnamed Dai."

Diting's brows moved slightly. "Uncle, the dragon-bone water lift also came from this person's hand."

Liudao took out a white stone and placed it next to the central black one. "I've heard this woman possesses the beauty of the moon goddess and is deeply favored by Marquis Wu'an. She must be in Guoyun County."

Diting understood the implication perfectly. "Guoyun County is near the border of two provinces. That is indeed a good location."