Chapter 497: Strive for One Day

The outer courtyard, where the kitchen was located, also housed one person: Fan Wuzhe. Although he was a relative, he hadn't been able to secure a room in the inner courtyard. Fan Wuzhe, who had been tossing and turning on the couch, didn't even realize when he had drifted off to sleep.

Shi Chun, having come out of the kitchen and returned to the front hall, soon slipped back into the courtyard. This time, instead of going to the kitchen, he walked to Fan Wuzhe's room door, pushed it open gently, entered, and quickly closed it behind him. He then approached the couch and checked Fan Wuzhe's pulse and breathing. After confirming he was in a deep sleep, Shi Chun acupunctured him before bending down to pick up a spherical, hollow metal pellet from under the couch.

It wasn't anything precious; just a common, decorative item often hung in carriages to burn incense for fragrance. He had simply filled it with a tranquilizing incense. He had prepared this during the earlier city guard inspection. When the guards deemed him, as a mere employee, insufficient and ordered him to call out everyone from the library, he first called out Fan Wuzhe. Then, while going to the inner courtyard to summon the Dong Wenshu family, he used that brief interval to perform this trick.

After putting away the incense pellet, he quickly moved to the couch and thoroughly searched Fan Wuzhe. Fan Wuzhe didn't have any spatial bags or similar items, so his possessions were limited. Shi Chun wasn't interested in what he found and didn't touch them, until he felt a parent-child talisman. He took it out and set it aside, then continued to search Fan Wuzhe's entire person, not even missing the bed, room furniture, or any nooks and crannies. After confirming there were no other hidden items, he stopped, picked up the parent-child talisman, and examined it.

He was certain of one thing: a parent-child talisman was definitely not something someone from Fan Wuzhe's humble background could afford. He guessed it was for communicating with Mei You. Ordinary tax officers typically weren't authorized to use such a valuable item unless they had an assignment; they were only issued for specific tasks, usually with temporary usage rights, and had to be returned afterward.

He had not initially intended to search Fan Wuzhe, nor was he particularly concerned about whether Fan Wuzhe had a parent-child talisman. He had planned to approach certain matters using other methods. It was the city guards' inspection that presented him with an opportunity. He had the idea to check for a parent-child talisman connected to Mei You only when he saw the opening. If there was none, he would proceed with his original plan; if there was, it would lead to a different course of action. He hadn't held high hopes, thinking it was just a long shot because those people were willing to pay a high price for the residence, suggesting they might be willing to go to great lengths, potentially giving Fan Wuzhe a parent-child talisman. It was purely an opportunistic check since the opening presented itself.

As it turned out, he actually found a parent-child talisman on Fan Wuzhe. Well, in that case, he couldn't pass up a more convenient approach. After noting the primary identification number on the side of the talisman, Shi Chun put it away. He then took out another pair of parent-child talismans, separated them, and slipped one back into the spot where he had found Fan Wuzhe's talisman. It was a deliberate swap.

The method was quite crude. Most people probably wouldn't attempt something like this, as the identification numbers on the two talismans were different, making it easily detectable. However, he thought differently. In his view, Fan Wuzhe only had one parent-child talisman, and who would constantly pull it out to check if it was the original? Furthermore, Fan Wuzhe wasn't someone who could afford a parent-child talisman in the first place. With a guilty conscience and fear of being seen, he would be even less likely to constantly retrieve it for inspection. Moreover, with Shi Chun keeping an eye on things at the library, he would be able to observe any signs if Fan Wuzhe discovered the talisman had been swapped. In any case, whether it was discovered or not, Fan Wuzhe was destined to be a pawn in this game. At most, the method would change, but Shi Chun wasn't giving Fan Wuzhe any choices.

Inside the inner court hall, Mei You, who had been summoned, bowed in greeting. Lou Xiu descended from the high seat and approached him. Gazing at the brightening sky outside the main gate, he asked, "Regarding this city lockdown, do the major businesses within the city have any complaints?"

Mei You paused slightly, then thought for a moment and replied, "It doesn't seem like there are any complaints."

Lou Xiu cast a sidelong glance. "How can there be no complaints when it affects their business?"

Mei You hesitated, then said, "There probably are, but I haven't heard anyone voice any yet."

Lou Xiu said earnestly, "How can you hear anything staying on the mountain? If you can't hear it on the mountain, go down. Wander around the major businesses. If people ask when the lockdown will be lifted, tell them the time is uncertain. When their business is affected, they will definitely have something to say."

Mei You was somewhat confused by this. He cupped his hands and said, "Commissioner, I am dull-witted and don't quite understand what you mean. Please enlighten me."

Lou Xiu leaned close to his face and whispered, "I want to know what complaints the major businesses have about the city lockdown. Is that clear enough for you?"

Mei You was still a bit bewildered. He hesitated and said, "I understand the literal meaning..."

Lou Xiu cut him off. "Just the literal meaning. You have one hour!"

"Uh, alright, I'll go down the mountain and wander around now," said a somewhat embarrassed Mei You, retreating with a heart full of questions.

He was obedient. When told one hour, he took exactly one hour, no more, no less. After touring the city, he returned punctually to the sun-drenched mountain to report. Lou Xiu, having collected the relevant information, immediately went to the mountaintop. After being announced, he met with the City Lord once more.

Li Xianghong waved a hand at the bowing Lou Xiu. "State your business."

Lou Xiu immediately reported earnestly, "City Lord, businesses below the mountain are all asking how long the city will remain sealed. I am unsure how to respond."

Li Xianghong: "We're still investigating the culprit. Why are they in such a hurry?"

Lou Xiu chuckled, "It's understandable for them to be anxious. Many people's businesses require movement both inside and outside the city. Many goods need to be delivered fresh, and some cannot be delayed past their due date. Some goods are stuck inside the city, and a large quantity is held up outside. Anxiety is unavoidable, and wanting a precise timeframe to make arrangements is also normal."

Li Xianghong glanced at Bai Qiru, who was standing nearby, then her gaze returned to Lou Xiu. "When do you think it would be appropriate to lift the lockdown?"

Lou Xiu quickly cupped his hands and said, "Everything rests upon the City Lord's wise decision. How dare I speak presumptuously?"

Li Xianghong: "I asked you to speak, so speak. Don't be insincere like those humans; I detest that."

Fine, Lou Xiu had no choice but to say with a serious expression, "Yes, I believe that, logically, the lockdown should only be lifted after the culprit is apprehended. However, the problem is that if we continue to investigate this way, I don't think we'll necessarily get results. Furthermore, it's not certain whether the culprit is even still within the city. Could someone who killed Lord Axun still return to the city? My personal opinion is that the investigation must continue, but keeping the city sealed indefinitely might not be appropriate. I believe we should maintain a rigorous and tireless investigation, but there's no need for a prolonged city-wide lockdown. If it drags on, the general popularity and vibrancy of the city might be affected."

Li Xianghong: "I asked you when it would be appropriate to lift the lockdown. Did you not understand?"

Lou Xiu lowered his head, a shadow flashing across his eyes. This was one of the main reasons he had flattered Lord Axun and why he aspired to the City Lord's position: as the City Lord's right-hand man and chief deputy, he was often treated like a mere underling. After seemingly pondering for a moment, he looked up again and said, "I believe that if we maintain the lockdown for one more day, ensuring all necessary checks are completed, that should be sufficient. The city's normal trade should then resume, and it wouldn't significantly impact the ongoing investigation."

Li Xianghong reached for a flask, tilted her head back, and took several gulps directly from the spout before lowering it. "Let's do as you suggested."

Lou Xiu was slightly stunned. He had expected to expend more effort and persuasion with no guaranteed result, yet she agreed so quickly. Recovering, he quickly cupped his hands and said, "The City Lord is truly enlightened. The city's merchants will surely be immensely grateful..."

Li Xianghong, not wanting to hear flattery, waved her hand, cutting him off and signaling him to leave if he had nothing else. Lou Xiu bowed and withdrew.

As soon as he left, Bai Qiru walked to the stone table and expressed his concern, "Once the lockdown is lifted, with people moving freely inside and outside the city, and the area of activity expanding, can his every move still be monitored?"

Li Xianghong looked towards the golden sunrise and said indifferently, "Until the truth comes to light, everyone in the city is a suspect. I trust no one. I have already dispatched a large number of personnel from the Divine Mountain."

Back in the inner court hall, Lou Xiu paid no attention to Mei You, who was waiting there to greet him. He walked directly to the desk at the head of the room and sat down. Taking out a parent-child talisman, he directly sent a message to the mysterious person: "The lockdown will be lifted tomorrow. How do you wish to proceed with the transaction?"

At this time, Chaoyue Hall had already opened for business. Shi Chun was arranging tables and chairs inside the library, preparing for customers. Upon receiving the message, he went to a corner, read the content, and promptly replied: "Then let's discuss it tomorrow."

Lou Xiu, sitting behind the desk, pressed his lips together. Things had come to this point, and the initiative was no longer in his hands. Further deliberation was useless. He put away the talisman and then motioned to Mei You, who was waiting eagerly. Mei You immediately moved closer, craning his neck, waiting for instructions.

Lou Xiu whispered, "Your brothers and friends from Wuyang Mountain—you've taken care of them using your authority behind my back for years. Why are you panicking? I'm not blaming you. I just want to tell you that it's time to put your resources to use. Mobilize all the capable and reliable personnel you can summon from outside, those who can arrive before dawn tomorrow, and have them ready for deployment."

The fierce-looking Mei You appeared quite meek as he quietly asked, "Commissioner, what needs to be done?"

Lou Xiu's eyes darkened. "To cover your tracks. We'll wait for the schemer behind all this to take the bait. As long as the net is large and dense enough, once they're hooked, they won't escape!"

Mei You knew Lou Xiu was hiding something from him, not fully disclosing his plans, but he still had no choice but to comply. He obediently nodded and said, "I understand."

As soon as Mei You left, Lou Xiu took out another parent-child talisman to contact his unofficial forces. The reason he set the lockdown lifting for tomorrow instead of immediately was to gain an extra day to gather forces, hoping to achieve everything in one decisive action.

At the library, Shi Chun was also busy. He found time to send another message to Lao Changtai: "Deliver another letter to the Bai Rice Shop..." Lao Changtai naturally followed orders, but this time, it wasn't a letter in an envelope, but a small box. He was also disguised, but instead of delivering it directly, Shi Chun's instructions were to genuinely hire a passerby to deliver the message this time. Xiao Sheng, who had arrived earlier, was observing near the rice shop.

The Bai Rice Shop was already open, with only one employee inside. The passerby delivered the letter and left, but before going far, was quietly apprehended and taken away by someone who emerged suddenly. Xiao Sheng, observing from the side, saw this scene and was secretly alarmed. The employee inside the shop didn't see this. Having been "trained" by the previous mysterious letter, the employee already knew what to do next: he immediately closed the shop, grabbed the small box, and ran directly towards the mountain in the city.

Soon, the employee arrived on the mountain and met with Bai Qiru again. After opening and inspecting the box, Bai Qiru pushed it towards Li Xianghong. Li Xianghong reached into the small box and picked out half of a parent-child talisman, turning it over in her hand for inspection.