Chapter 1373: Qian Yu

**Chapter 1358: Qian Yu**

"How many opportunities were there along the way to make a move?"

"Quite a few," He Lingchuan whispered. "When an important official like Xue Zongwu passes through, local officials will always extend a warm welcome. Xue Zongwu couldn't possibly bring all two hundred soldiers into the banquets."

Due to protocol, when Xue Zongwu and other dignitaries were feasting and enjoying themselves, his soldiers could only stand guard outside.

"The Black Armored Army has never attacked the Yaoren, so Xue Zongwu would never expect to become our next target," He Lingchuan continued. "However, he should know that he's widely resented and will be on guard. A guilty conscience fears a knock at the door, after all."

"Even if the timing and location are well-chosen, the information we have isn't enough," Dong Rui said, picking up another file and flipping through it. "Xue Zongwu's true temperament, habits, character, and reactions under pressure are incomplete here."He had previously moonlighted as an assassin, taking on contracts, so he naturally knew that assassination work was never simple, especially when the target was a high-ranking general.

He Lingchuan glanced at him. "You're talking a good game, but I don't recall you being so efficient when you assassinated Ke Jihai back then."

With old embarrassing memories brought up, Dong Rui could only glare at him. "I did my homework on Ke Jihai, but not on you! Who knew you'd be there, and who knew you'd interfere?"At that time, He Lingchuan was just an unknown nobody in his eyes, right?

"So, there are many unexpected incidents during an assassination, and the one you've chosen is truly difficult!" Dong Rui said grumpily. "Unless you can get more comprehensive information, I advise you to pick another target. We could just kill more minor Yaoren officials and win by sheer numbers."

"Killing ten minor officials won't have the same explosive impact as Xue Zongwu's death," He Lingchuan shook his head. "Why do you think I chose to make a move before the Yaoren King's birthday?"

Dong Rui thought for a moment. "To give him a big gift?"

"To give the Yaoren Kingdom a grand gift, to stir the waters even further. Otherwise, our entire trip to the Yaoren Kingdom will be within the Yaoren King's calculations, and that would be difficult to handle." Since the monarch of the strongest kingdom in Flash Gold Plains had enticed him to the Yaoren Kingdom, there was likely a series of tactics planned afterward. He Lingchuan wanted to reclaim the initiative, starting by eliminating Xue Zongwu and triggering a chain reaction.He Lingchuan stated each word clearly: "This person, I will kill him for sure."

With his mind made up, Dong Rui could only rub his hands together. "Alright then, where do we start?"If you can't stop them, join them.

"You're right, this person is much harder to kill than previous targets, and we only have one chance. If we fail, Xue Zongwu wins, and the Black Armored Army loses." He Lingchuan took a piece of paper from the files Dong Rui had set aside and handed it to him. "So, we need to do our preparatory work thoroughly."For all targets the Black Armored Army had eliminated, He Lingchuan had made full preparations beforehand. Even for those that seemed easy to handle, "finished in a few cuts" as Dong Rui would say, he still prepared multiple contingency plans.

Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit, because unforeseen events can happen anywhere, anytime. Just like when they entered Green Manor to kill the Wuma father and son, another group of demonic puppeteers unexpectedly appeared, forcing the Black Armored Army to battle both Wuma's soldiers and several demonic puppets simultaneously for several rounds.

"From the moment I began preparing the Black Armored Army, I started considering suitable targets within the Yaoren Kingdom, and quickly settled on Xue Zongwu. Firstly, because his crimes are severe enough, and secondly, because he has sufficient influence in the Yaoren Kingdom," He Lingchuan explained articulately. "However, our reach has only just extended to the Yaoren Kingdom, so gathering intelligence has been a great effort. This information was still obtained from Shuangxi; acquiring intelligence on Xue Zongwu's own territory would be even more difficult."

Dong Rui took the paper and looked at it, quickly finding a name:"Qian Yu?"

"Qian Yu has been Xue Zongwu's financial manager for ten years. He usually stays at properties under Xue Zongwu's name, but every so often, Xue Zongwu sends him to Shuangxi to audit accounts."

"Auditing the accounts of tribute lands?"

"Yes. The taxes and grain submitted by the tribute lands each year have specific designations and quantities, so naturally, they require specialized personnel for auditing," He Lingchuan explained. "Only after Qian Yu and his team verify everything as correct does Xue Zongwu submit the ledger to the Yaoren Royal Court. Therefore, Qian Yu's work is very important."

Important work makes the person important. Dong Rui understood. "So Qian Yu is the breakthrough?"

"Yes, Xue Zongwu would only entrust this kind of work to his own people."

Dong Rui examined the information closely and let out a long "Oh." "So he's a hereditary servant."

Qian Yu was not only the Xue family's financial manager but also the son of Xue Zongwu's mother's second steward.

Both father and son, for two generations, had served the Xue family. Their entire family depended on the Xue family for their livelihood, and their lives were completely in the Xue family's hands. Naturally, they could only be utterly loyal to Xue Zongwu.This was what Xue Zongwu considered his "own people" whom he could trust.

Dong Rui laughed. "He's managed Xue Zongwu's accounts for ten years, and his father served Xue Zongwu's maternal clan, so Qian Yu should have an exceptionally deep understanding of Xue Zongwu. Haha, where is this person now?"

"Shuangxi," He Lingchuan said, feeling fortunate. "He's been auditing accounts in Shuangxi for a while now."

Dong Rui asked curiously, "How did you find this person?"

"Like master, like servant; this person is just as greedy as his master," He Lingchuan chuckled. "The local officials in Shuangxi all know that this Master Qian, who audits accounts, demands enough benefits every time he comes to Shuangxi. Otherwise, the tribute tax ledger for Shuangxi won't balance. If Xue Zongwu gets angry, local officials could lose their heads, with no place to appeal. So, before and after Qian Yu's arrival, the Shuangxi local government has to scramble to raise money... Who do you think they'd approach when they need to get money?"

The answer was obvious: "Local gentry and wealthy merchants? Oh, preferably wealthy merchants!"The gentry have local connections, but wealthy merchants are easier to deal with. If you demand it once, they have to give it.

He Lingchuan spread his hands. "And that's how we got this lead."

Dong Rui stood up and stretched vigorously. "So, shall we depart?"

With the moon high in the sky, Qian Yu emerged from Tongyue Garden, yawning, with a few guards trailing behind him.

The guards were assigned to him by General Xue; they always accompanied and protected him whenever he came to audit accounts.

His carriage was parked at the entrance. As he climbed inside, he couldn't help but rub his lower back, feeling a bit weak in the knees.

The new girl at Tongyue Garden really had some skill; though her legs were slender, her strength was considerable.

His old back ached a little.

This garden had originally only offered aging beauties, and Qian Yu had been disinclined to return. However, someone had repeatedly hinted and suggested he visit, and indeed, upon entering, he received the best possible hospitality.

The person in question didn't appear, but Qian Yu knew perfectly well who had arranged the girl for him.

There was an unclear tribute tax account for two thousand taels of silver. If he didn't approve it and find a way to balance it, the other party would be in deep trouble.

Just now, the girl had also handed him a box with a seal affixed to its lid.