Chapter 1381

Fifty miles away, He Lingchuan closed the door and was observing a sand table with Dong Rui.

"Xue Zongwu has already set off. I just received news that he spent the night in Qiucheng and should continue his journey this morning, entering the territory of Yaoguo by evening."

So, according to He Lingchuan's plan, they themselves would soon set off for Yaoguo.

The sand table had been prepared several days ago, showing several possible paths Xue Zongwu could take from Shuangxi to Yaoguo. The mountains, rivers, and forests on the table were all rendered in great detail.

"Where do you plan to make your move?"

"Here," He Lingchuan said, pointing to a river within Yaoguo's borders, "the Taoshui River."

Dong Rui examined the sand table: "If we don't insist on staying within Yaoguo's borders, this place is quite good... this Yanmu Cliff?"

This was a narrow, long valley, with towering peaks and sheer rock faces. The sand table wasn't detailed enough to show every winding path, but Dong Rui could roughly imagine that with proper arrangements, it could be turned into a perfect trap, inviting the target right into it.

He Lingchuan had long ago noted this location and shook his head upon hearing this. "Not suitable," he said.

"This terrain resembled Dragon's Throat Pass in the Panlong World. Back then, to launch a surprise attack on Xiji State, General Hong had to dispatch He Lingchuan and several small teams to infiltrate Dragon's Throat Pass first, to seize the checkpoint; otherwise, it would have been an impregnable stronghold."

"Such places have a 'first-mover' advantage: whoever sets up their arrangements first gains a complete topographical advantage."

Dong Rui was puzzled. "Why?" he asked.

"You yourself think this is an ideal place for an ambush, so why wouldn't Xue Zongwu see it?" He Lingchuan stated the most obvious logic. "He has commanded troops for many years and has set many traps for others in the past. Why would he take such a dangerous route and give others the opportunity to ambush him?"

"Uh, he can avoid it?"

He Lingchuan casually drew a path. "It's an extra sixty *li*, first by land then by water, but he can still enter Yaoguo's territory. The journey is a bit longer, but it's safe," he explained.

"In the past, Xue Zongwu might have taken the Yanmu Cliff route without a second thought, for one cannot always be on guard," He Lingchuan said, shaking his head. "But his financial advisor was just ambushed and killed a few days ago. Although I've put in some misdirection, it's hard to guarantee that Xue Zongwu won't raise his guard. How could he possibly take such a dangerous path again?"

"They've alerted him; those black-clad men were too sloppy."

"Uh, Xue Zongwu really won't take it?" Dong Rui pressed. "After all, Yanmu Cliff is much closer, and people tend to take chances. He can't be sure that people there are planning to ambush him, can he?"

He Lingchuan pulled out ten *liang* of gold. "Care to bet?" he asked.

He intended to add a few more dishes to their dinner tonight.

Dong Rui thought for a moment and sullenly said, "Forget it."

He rarely won when betting against He Lingchuan, so he might as well not give him more money.

"A wise man avoids obvious danger," He Lingchuan continued. "Knowing Yanmu Cliff could be dangerous, Xue Zongwu won't go there.' Xue Zongwu was in a hurry, but not overly so. A general of his high rank and influence has a much sharper sense for danger than ordinary people. 'If anyone is foolish enough to lie in ambush there, they'll likely be waiting in vain.'"

Only then did Dong Rui carefully examine the chosen location. "What's so good about Taoshui River then?" he asked.

"You can tell from the name," He Lingchuan explained, "it's a place with an extensive water network, perfect for you to operate.' No more needed to be said; both knew He Lingchuan was referring to the Snail Toad."

The Snail Toad can travel fastest and furthest only underground in damp conditions, making it safe, efficient, and covert.

"I inquired beforehand," He Lingchuan explained. "Normally, Yaoguo experiences heavy rain and floods from late spring to midsummer. However, that's just usually; there are occasional dry seasons, so for absolute certainty, we need to consider special circumstances. Outside Taoshui are three connected lakes, and the plains are full of ditches, rivers, and streams. Regardless of whether we succeed, escape afterward will be relatively easy."

Killing someone isn't just about a single, decisive blow; He Lingchuan prioritized a clean escape.

"Furthermore," He Lingchuan continued, "although we can roughly calculate Xue Zongwu's route back to the capital, we can't precisely determine which cities he'll choose to stop in. He comes from a military background, and his cultivation is high, so it wouldn't be strange for him to travel a hundred *li* before finding a place to spend the night."

Dong Rui scratched his head. "Right! So what do we do about that?"

He Lingchuan smiled. "There's another way: observe the customs and connections within officialdom."

"Ah?" Dong Rui exclaimed. The mention of 'connections' touched on his weak point.

"For years," He Lingchuan explained, "the route for military generals returning to Yaoguo's capital from outside the pass has been largely fixed. They are not allowed to change course without authorization. If an unexpected event, such as a mountain flood or landslide, genuinely requires a detour, they must report it to the local officials, who will then escort them throughout the journey.' This was a Yaoguo regulation that had been in place for decades, and there was no need for Xue Zongwu to be an exception."

"So, along this route, there are specific considerations regarding which places can be bypassed and which must be visited or stopped at," He Lingchuan told him. "There are places with influential noble families, retired high-ranking officials, and others where benefits can be gained. Military generals are very likely to stay in these cities and counties, and the locals will warmly receive them. Throughout the journey, social courtesies are observed, and the Yaowang's birthday celebration itself is a grand stage where people of all kinds will put on a show. The 'performance' begins not upon reaching the capital, but from the start of the journey itself."

Dong Rui listened for a while, and then said, "Oh! So Xue Zongwu will definitely go to Taoshui River, right?"

"The Feng family in Taoshui has produced three high officials in the past thirty years," He Lingchuan replied. "The current Left Chancellor is also a member of the Feng family. Do you think Xue Zongwu should pay them a visit on his way?"

"He should," Dong Rui laughed. "If he doesn't visit Taoshui, then he shouldn't visit any other places either."

Otherwise, it would give others cause for criticism.

Hearing this, Dong Rui also felt that He Lingchuan's chosen location was well-considered. "At that time, Taoshui will be chaotic, with people and retinues heading to the capital for the birthday celebration everywhere. If something happens to Xue, who would know who did it!"

"Exactly," He Lingchuan said, moving his fingertip down the sand table. "While Xue Zongwu is in Taoshui, we must reach Dou County. It's a small place, which seems close to Taoshui, but by mountain roads, it's fifty or sixty *li* away. I estimate that fewer influential figures will choose to stay there, resulting in less interference for us."

As foreign merchants, not military generals, they could travel wherever they pleased, without needing to follow the prescribed routes designated for generals by Yaoguo.

He had considered all factors: heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human elements.

Dong Rui felt that, given He Lingchuan's meticulousness, the plan should proceed smoothly, as always.

Just then, a knock sounded from outside, and Jiang Lishui entered to report:

"The goods and gifts have been loaded onto the carriages, and the guards are ready."

When He Lingchuan stepped outside, he saw Fan Shuang and several burly, unfamiliar men standing by the carriages.

"Brother He," Fan Shuang called out, "come, let me introduce you. This is Zhao Song, Commander Zhao, the Commander of the Blade-Wielding Imperial Guards of the Yaowang's Palace!"

The two parties exchanged greetings, and He Lingchuan smiled. "Commander Zhao and all of you will be troubled by us throughout this journey," he said.

With a wave of his hand, the merchant guild manager presented wicker baskets to the imperial guards, one for each man.