CHAPTER 450: 346. EXPEDITION

Lord Bai Long stood on the bank of Taiye Pond, his hands tucked quietly in the wide sleeves of his robe, deep in thought. Chen Ji sat in the shadow of the artificial hill, patiently waiting without uttering a single word.

When planting the seeds of suspicion in the heart of those in power, it’s best to touch on it lightly; anything more would be superfluous. Those in power have their own pride; they never trust others’ answers, only their own conjectures.

Time passed little by little, and Bai Long stood motionless like a sculpture.

After a long while, Bai Long slowly spoke: "You are correct; only by risking one’s life to conceal poison can it be brought into the Huitong Hall."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Bai Long pondered for another moment: "But who would dare to make such a risky move? The Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department? Both the Chen family and Xu family have motives and also the capability to do this."

Chen Ji’s heart sank, fearing that Bai Long would once again associate the act with the Chen family or Xu family, unwilling to believe it was the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department’s doing.

However, Bai Long shifted his tone: "Yet, it’s better to believe it exists than not. If it’s a Jing Dynasty trap, it could lead to a great disaster. You go back; I will make my decision. If it’s proven that it’s indeed done by a Jing Dynasty spy, I’ll credit you for it."

Chen Ji quickly replied: "I do not want the credit, only for you, my lord, to keep your promise and grant me the convenience at the salt yard."

Bai Long glanced at him: "Bring the shadow map of your seal tomorrow, and I’ll send it by fast horse to the fifty-nine salt yards, where they will prioritize your salt permits bearing your seal."

Chen Ji breathed a sigh of relief, bowed, and said: "Thank you, my lord. I take my leave."

Bai Long suddenly called him back: "Hold on."

Chen Ji halted abruptly: "What other instructions does Lord Bai Long have?"

Bai Long calmly said: "The promise between you and Mr. Feng still stands between us. You work for ’Bai Long,’ and ’Bai Long’ will help you rescue Princess Bai Li. Also, don’t always gamble with your life; winning once doesn’t mean victory, losing once means the end of everything."

Chen Ji was slightly taken aback. Who is this Bai Long? Why does he always give off a familiar impression?

Strangely enough, the posture and demeanor of this new Bai Long were exactly the same as the previous Bai Long, even the voice was identical, but the person behind the mask was clearly different.

He glanced up at the mask, wondering if it was the mask’s doing.

Bai Long sneered: "Quite courageous to dare look at me directly."

Chen Ji lowered his head again: "May I ask if Princess Bai Li is doing well in Jingyang Palace?"

Bai Long replied indifferently: "Currently, Wu Xiu controls the Jiefan Guard, prohibiting our spies from moving within the palace. Rest assured, she won’t die in the palace, but she may suffer some hardship."

Wu Xiu.

Chen Ji murmured: "I understand, my lord."

Bai Long scrutinized him for a moment, then unexpectedly asked: "I heard the Chen family plans to form an alliance with the Qi family, and they intend to adopt you under the name of Chen Lizun in the main branch. If nothing unexpected happens, in a few years you’ll inherit the vast estate of the Chen family, lifting the status of a bastard son. Why live such a perilous life by the tip of a knife?"

Chen Ji’s mind stirred.

Mr. Feng does not care about his life or death; he only cares about his usefulness and ability to serve.

But this Bai Long thinks a bit further, first advising him against gambling his life, then encouraging him to properly inherit the Chen family’s assets?

Now, who exactly is this Bai Long?

Chen Ji pondered carefully for a moment before tentatively saying: "Lord Bai Long, I promised Prince Jing outside Lu Hun Manor to take good care of Princess Bai Li..."

Bai Long immediately saw through his intent before he finished speaking and sneered: "You have not officially held a position in our Spy Department, so you’re unaware that both the scholars outside Lu Hun Manor and the Thousand-year Army have our department’s ears and eyes. If you lie again, or if I find you probing for information, your life will no longer be needed."

Chen Ji lowered his head: "If there is nothing else, my lord, I will take my leave."

Bai Long waved his hand: "Go."

Chen Ji slowly retreated until he exited Taiye Pond, suddenly feeling a wave of lightness, but his mood soon grew heavy again.

The task forced upon him by the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department required him to spend several times the effort to bring it back on track. He wondered when this cautious, narrow survival would end.

Chen Ji looked up at the sky, only to see it covered with dark clouds, the long night unresolved.

...

...

The next morning, Chen Ji left the house after fetching water.

As he pushed open the side door of Qingzheng Garden, expecting to see Qi Zhenzhuo and others, he found the entrance completely empty. The small alley of gray tiles and white walls was serene, with only the Chen family’s two stone lions standing, devoid of past bustling.

Chen Ji took no heed and walked alone towards the Governor Mansion along the damp cobblestone path under the morning mist.

Upon reaching the Governor Mansion, only the Left Brave Guard was on the drill ground; the Right Brave Guard was nowhere to be seen.

Chen Ji looked questioningly towards the Left Brave Guard, and a Yulin Army member silently pointed towards the Covered Building of the Governor Mansion.

He walked to the Governor Mansion and pushed open the vermilion wooden door, a mix of sweat and alcohol scent hitting him in the face.

Chen Ji frowned, seeing Qi Zhenzhuo leaning on a chair, sound asleep, while the Yulin Army in the building lay sprawled on the ground, including Li Xuan among them.

It seemed these people had been out all night at the Eight Great Hutongs, returning to check-in only when the inner city gates opened in the morning.

Upon hearing the door open, Qi Zhenzhuo slowly lifted his head.

He saw Chen Ji standing in the doorway, silhouetted against the light, his expression obscured.

Qi Zhenzhuo leaned slantwise in his chair, drunkenly giggling: "Master, you’re here. You really missed out by not joining us at the Eight Great Hutongs yesterday. Liu Xingshou from Jinling came to Baishun Alley. She sang ’Four Seasons Song,’ and her voice was like a golden oriole, extremely pleasant. The southern women sing so softly, causing the soul to float onto the beams, and if not for the roof, the soul might have flown up to the Ziwei Star."

Chen Ji ignored him and walked straight to the table, picked up the teapot, uncovered the lid, and splashed the cold tea on Qi Zhenzhuo’s face.

"Ah!" Qi Zhenzhuo wiped his face: "Master, what are you doing?"

Chen Ji calmly asked, "Sobered up? If you don’t handle your drink well, you shouldn’t drink. Is the Ziwei Emperor Star a place for you? Do you want to be the ruler of fate, to possess an imperial destiny? Are you worthy? If this word gets out, even the Qi family can’t protect you."

Qi Zhenzhuo immediately sobered, filled with dread.

He said softly, "Master, I don’t want to be part of this damned Yulin Army anymore."

Chen Ji turned and walked out the door: "Mud is mud. If you don’t want to be in the Yulin Army, resign with dignity; no one is stopping you."

Qi Zhenzhuo stood up to follow him: "I used to envy the Imperial Three Camps for their chance to achieve honors, but I knew I was like mud that couldn’t be propped up; even if my elder brother agreed, I didn’t dare to go. Now, although I have the heart to strive, my family has cut off my and my brother-in-law’s hopes."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment and said without looking back: "To achieve merits, one doesn’t have to be on the battlefield, nor does it require killing."

Qi Zhenzhuo’s eyes lit up: "Does Master have a new idea, requiring my services?"

Chen Ji said casually, "I need you to go and pour a few basins of cold water to wake those drunkards."

Qi Zhenzhuo hesitated: "Isn’t this bad...?"

Chen Ji said sternly: "Go."

Qi Zhenzhuo hastily fled to find a basin.

Chen Ji reached the outer gate, and saw across Daming Street, the stone steps of the Ministry of War, where clerks in green robes were coming and going incessantly, along with red-robed officials hastily boarding carriages with imperial decrees and military registers.

Soon after, soldiers donned in armor arrived at the gate, took orders, and left again.

It was the first time Chen Ji had seen such hustle and bustle in front of the Six Ministries’ offices, not even during dispersal hours.

War was about to break out.

Chen Ji then looked towards the north at the Imperial Palace Gate, but it was silent and still. He waited for a long time, but no edict was issued.

He stepped forward and grabbed a green-robed clerk: "What’s going on here?"

The clerk, carrying documents, gave Chen Ji a puzzled look, shrugged to indicate him to let go: "What are you gripping me for? You’re pulling my clothes askew."

Chen Ji clenched his hands and asked sternly: "I’m asking you, what are you all doing here?"

The clerk’s arm ached sharply, and he quickly answered with a crooked body: "Of course, it’s the Pingdong Army’s deployment. The Grand Departure Ceremony will be held at the Mountain and River Altar at noon to pray for favorable winds and smooth seas. Let go quickly, it’s already 9 to 11 AM, and I need to report back to the Honglu Temple."

Chen Ji slowly released his hand and turned to look at Zhengyang Gate.

A Grand Departure Ceremony?

He turned back and mounted a horse from the Governor Mansion’s stables. At this time, Qi Zhenzhuo ran out from the Covered Building, shouting: "Master, where are you going?"

Chen Ji did not answer and sped off on his horse.

After exiting Zhengyang Gate, heading south along Zhengyang Street leads to Tianqiao, with the Heavenly Temple on the east side and the Mountain and River Altar on the west. Inside Mountain and River Altar, there are the Flag Temple, Divine Altar, Earth God Altar, Tai Sui Altar, Xiannong Altar, and Zhai Palace, dedicated to the gods of wind, cloud, thunder, rain, and various sacred mountains.

Chen Ji leaned low and shifted his head, galloping through Zhengyang Street, with the wind almost forcing his eyes shut.

As he neared Tianqiao, he saw countless citizens gathered outside the Mountain and River Altar to watch the excitement, when suddenly three shots of cannon fire were heard from inside the altar, and a loud voice declared: "With the three cannon blasts, commence the march!"

Then soldiers shouted in unison: "Victory!"

Chen Ji felt his heart sink.

Outside the Mountain and River Altar, an executioner led out a white ox, severing its head with a single stroke. The gushing blood seeped into the gaps between the bricks.

A procession slowly emerged, stepping through the white ox’s blood toward outside Yongding Gate.

At the forefront was Wang Daosheng, his saddle covered in tiger skin, and reins adorned with red tassels. Following him were the assistant general and guerrilla fighters dressed in armor, one of whom held the Five-Colored Dragon Flag symbolizing imperial power, another bearing the "Pingdong" command banner, with the flagpole wrapped in vermilion and topped with tiger-head copper ornaments.

The crowd outside the Mountain and River Altar, filled with patriotic fervor, shouted: "The Heavenly Troops are mighty, the flag leads to victory!"

The shout surged like a tidal wave.

No one thought this would be a losing battle.

Chen Ji tightened the reins, standing stunned on horseback among the crowd.

Could it be that Bai Long never reported this matter?

Or is there a hidden conspiracy?

Chen Ji wanted to ride forward, approach the procession, and find a way to warn Wang Daosheng of the trap, but the crowd was so dense that it pushed him further away.

Yet, just as he prepared to dismount, he saw amidst the accompanying guerrilla generals, a man in iron armor, hidden among the crowd, looking back with a smiling face as if bidding farewell to the people, gently waving his hand.

The man’s face was adorned with a patchy beard, and Chen Ji almost didn’t recognize him. But that courteous, confidently assured smile was unmistakable to Chen Ji.

It was Mr. Feng.

In the crowd, Mr. Feng mouthed silently, saying, until we meet again.