Chapter 338: Smoke Bomb

Under the triple eaves of the Bell and Drum Tower, the bell-and-drum official watched the water clock nearing its end. Holding a vermilion brush, he stood by his desk, his eyes fixed on the water clock.

When the last drop of water fell from the water clock, he circled 'Mao Shi' (5-7 AM) in the day-and-night ledger with his vermilion brush. Two other bell-and-drum officials then pulled up massive wooden mallets and struck the eight-thousand-jin bronze bell.

The sound wave from the bronze bell spread outwards like an iron plow, signaling the start of a new day.

Chen Ji walked through the main gate. On the training grounds, Li Xuan saw him enter and inquired, "What important item did you forget that you had to go back specifically to retrieve it?"

"I forgot my silver," Chen Ji replied.

Qi Zhenzhuo, who was fastening his arm guards, heard this and said helplessly, "Master, you should have said so earlier! I could have lent you some; there was no need to go all the way back for it."

Chen Ji smiled and explained, "I don't like owing favors, and going back wasn't much trouble at all."

Li Xuan asked worriedly, "You didn't run into any difficulties, did you? If you did, you can tell us, and we can all help brainstorm solutions."

Chen Ji's heart tightened. Li Xuan was more perceptive than the average soldier; he must have noticed something was off when Chen Ji left earlier.

He shook his head. "It's nothing. We just got promoted; what could possibly be wrong? I'm going to put on my armor."

Concerned that further explanation might reveal a flaw, Chen Ji walked into the Imperial Forest Army Governor's Residence without waiting for Qi Zhenzhuo to speak again. He signed for and retrieved his silver armor from the armory.

When he emerged after changing, Li Xuan was watching the Imperial Forest Army lined up on the training ground. There were only 241 men left, a far cry from their peak strength of 5,000.

The Imperial Forest Army soldiers, having been promoted, looked dignified and proud. Their silver armor had been specially polished, and they wore brand-new, pure white pheasant tails on their helmets.

A centurion wore a long white pheasant tail. A chiliarch wore one long and one short pheasant tail. A commander wore one long and two short pheasant tails. Li Xuan's helmet, however, was adorned with a unique white tassel.

In contrast, the Imperial Forest Army soldiers who had been demoted to common ranks looked disheveled. Even the white pheasant tails on their helmets had been removed. From then on, they would only be allowed to wear them temporarily for major ceremonies, for the sake of uniformity.

Qi Zhenzhuo raised his hand and touched the white pheasant tail on his head, beaming with joy.

Chen Ji's thoughts, however, were elsewhere. He merged into the formation and stood still, pondering how to deliver the wooden box to the Huizhong Pavilion scribe.

Logically, the simplest method would be to ask Jin Zhu to help deliver it.

Previously, when he raided the internal prison and blew up the Yunyang Jiao Tu, the other party was fully aware, and they were already in the same boat. If something happened to him, their path to becoming an escort official would be hopeless. Therefore, he didn't need to worry about Jin Zhu turning against him until he reached the Dao Realm.

However, this was Commander Cao Gui's loyalty test. If the Military Intelligence Bureau discovered his identity within the Secret Agents Department, complications would likely arise.

He had to deliver it himself.

At this moment, Li Xuan slowly addressed the assembled soldiers. "From this day forward, I, the Governor, will be in charge of the Imperial Forest Army. No one is to be absent without cause, and daily training will commence..."

Before he could finish, a middle-aged man, walking with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, entered the main gate.

The man had a square, angular face. He wore a blue official robe with a black bear insignia on the chest, a golden litchi leather belt around his waist, and black official boots. He was a fifth-rank military official.

His imperial-bestowed golden litchi belt indicated he was a formidable character who had performed great deeds and received imperial commendations.

As he walked past the Imperial Forest Army formation, his sharp gaze swept over the soldiers, like a steel blade scraping across each man's face.

He approached Li Xuan, cupped his hands, and said, "Your humble subordinate Wu Xuange greets Lord Li."

Li Xuan calmly replied, "Lord Wu's distinguished reputation in the Myriad Age Army precedes him; I have heard much about it. There's no need for excessive formality."

"I wouldn't dare," Wu Xuange said, handing a document to Li Xuan. "This is the Ministry of War's order appointing me as the Imperial Forest Army Commander. From this day forward, I shall command the Left Valiant Guard's forces."

Li Xuan took the document, glanced at it, and with full respect, said, "We will be colleagues from now on. Brother Xuange, please wait a moment. I still have some matters to..."

However, Wu Xuange interrupted Li Xuan, stating sternly, "My apologies, Lord Li. Since I have arrived with the Ministry of War's deployment order, I must first assemble my subordinates."

Without waiting for Li Xuan's reaction, he turned to face the Imperial Forest Army and unfurled another document in his hand. "Those whose names are called, step forward! Zhuang Wen!"

The Imperial Forest Army soldiers exchanged glances, unsure whether to step forward.

Wu Xuange sneered. "You can't even follow orders? It seems you lack daily training and possess no soldierly spirit or vigor. Others might not dare to discipline you, but I do. I'll call one more time. If you don't step forward, you can go home to your mothers! Zhuang Wen!"

A soldier stepped out of the formation. Wu Xuange strode forward and slapped him on both cheeks. "Learned your lesson?"

Zhuang Wen lowered his head and said, "Yes, I've learned my lesson."

Wu Xuange roared, "Lift your head! My Great Ning Dynasty has no soldiers who cower!"

Zhuang Wen raised his head and said, "Yes, I've learned my lesson!"

Wu Xuange took the document and called another name. "Yuan Xi!"

Yuan Xi quickly stepped forward. "Here!"

As the roll call continued, Li Xuan's face remained as calm as still water.

Chen Ji quietly asked Qi Zhenzhuo beside him, "What's his background?"

Qi Zhenzhuo explained, "This man is a chiliarch of the Myriad Age Army. In the 21st year of Jianing, he encountered the Vanguard Tiger-Leopard Cavalry of the Jing Dynasty outside Chongli Pass. He achieved the feat of seizing their flag, was commended by His Majesty, and received a golden litchi leather belt. The key is, he's Wu Xiu's cousin. It was precisely because of this achievement that Wu Xiu emerged from the imperial court, caught the Emperor's eye, first serving as an Inspector Eunuch, then becoming the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial."

Duobao, who was nearby, reminded him, "Wu Xiu became Chief Eunuch not just because of Wu Xuange; he himself is very capable. Additionally, the Wu family has another member named Wu Xuanyi, who is now the Transport Commissioner of the Lianghuai Salt Administration, a third-rank official. Wu Xuanyi increased salt tax revenue by twenty percent within four years of his appointment and is highly regarded by His Majesty."

Chen Ji wondered, "Since Wu Xiu has a family background, why did he enter the palace to serve?"

Qi Zhenzhuo explained, "The Wu family was previously implicated in a case, leading to their decline."

"What case?" Chen Ji asked curiously.

Qi Zhenzhuo lowered his voice. "Back when the late emperor was alive, a concubine gave birth and bribed Xu Shi, the Imperial Astronomer, to misinterpret the Ziwei constellation. This matter was discovered by the Empress Dowager. All adult males of the Xu family were beheaded, the women exiled to Lingnan, and all un-capped males were castrated and sent to the Imperial Household Charcoal Bureau to guard the hunting grounds. The Wu family's involvement is unclear, but Wu Xiu's father was exiled to Lingnan and died en route, and Wu Xiu himself was castrated and sent to the Charcoal Bureau."

Chen Ji continued to ponder how to get the wooden box to the scribe, ignoring everything else. Whether Wu Xuange was there to divide power or rectify military affairs, it concerned the Left Valiant Guard and had nothing to do with his own Right Valiant Guard.

An incense stick later, Wu Xuange had assembled his men. He turned to Li Xuan, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Li, the Imperial Forest Army's discipline is lax. Your humble subordinate must now rectify military discipline. Other matters can be discussed another day."

Li Xuan was silent for a moment. "Very well."

Wu Xuange turned to face the soldiers of the Left Valiant Guard and said sternly, "Starting tomorrow, all Left Valiant Guard soldiers will reside in the barracks of the Governor's Residence. You may only leave the camp for three days of rest per month. You're soldiers, yet you still want to go home every day to your wives, children, and warm beds? Morale has completely dissipated! Furthermore, if I find anyone gambling or visiting prostitutes, they will be immediately dismissed from the Imperial Forest Army. Now, take off these shiny armors. Here, everything is practical; nothing is for show."

Having said that, he led over two hundred Imperial Forest Army soldiers to the other side of the training ground.

Qi Zhenzhuo watched Wu Xuange's retreating figure and said angrily, "Governor, everything he said was an insult to you! Why does he act like he's the Imperial Forest Army Governor?"

Li Xuan said gravely, "It's normal for someone from the Myriad Age Army to be domineering. Moreover, what he's doing is correct. The Imperial Forest Army has been too lax in the past. From today onwards, we must also impose strict requirements."

Qi Zhenzhuo muttered softly, "How can one be a Governor and still only command about thirty people? I thought the Imperial Forest Army would be under the Qi family's control from now on."

Chen Ji suddenly said, "It's precisely because they couldn't allow the Qi family to dominate the Imperial Forest Army that Wu Xuange was urgently transferred here."

Qi Zhenzhuo was startled. "So that's how it is!"

Li Xuan had been observing Wu Xuange's side. Seeing that they had already begun training, he immediately took a deep breath. "Remove your armor. Our training cannot stop either; we cannot let them outdo us."

At noon, the Imperial Forest Army's training ceased. Every single soldier was exhausted and collapsed on the training grounds, struggling to get up only after catching their breath for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn.

Qi Zhenzhuo and Duobao, arm in arm, walked out, calling to Chen Ji, "Master, come on, let's go eat at Bianyifang on Chessboard Street!"

Chen Ji shook his head. "I won't go. Xiaoman is bringing me food."

Qi Zhenzhuo turned and saw Xiaoman standing outside the main gate with a food box. "No way, Master! The food would be cold by the time it gets here from the Chen residence. It won't have any 'wok hei'; how can it be delicious?"

Chen Ji smiled. "To save silver."

Qi Zhenzhuo was startled. "Master, are you short on silver? Didn't you just confiscate Wang Huan's property?"

Chen Ji glanced at him. "It's just satisfying an appetite. As long as I'm full, that's enough."

Qi Zhenzhuo scratched his head. "Alright then."

After everyone left, Chen Ji came to the main gate. Xiaoman placed the food box on the head of the stone lion in front of the gate. "Young Master, quickly try this! I personally made this pan-fried tofu and scrambled eggs with chives."

Chen Ji asked curiously, "How did you know I like pan-fried tofu?"

Xiaoman smiled. "Second Sister reminded me. She also told me that the Chen family's second branch suffered heavy losses this time, so she wanted me to personally select the ingredients and cook the meals, to guard against anyone secretly harming you."

Chen Ji leaned against the stone lion, shoveling rice into his mouth. After swallowing a mouthful, he asked, "Are you afraid that Second Madam Wang might retaliate against me?"

Xiaoman shook her head. "No. Madam Wang was already placed under house arrest by the second branch this morning."

Chen Ji was startled. "Why?"

Xiaoman slowly explained, "It was originally a marriage alliance between the Chen family and the Prefect of Shuntian. With the Prefect gone and the Wang family gone, Madam Wang no longer served a purpose. These deep mansions are the most ruthless places; useless people are naturally discarded. I expect that before long, Madam Wang will pass away from illness."

Chen Ji paused with his chopsticks. "She's Chen Wendao's birth mother, isn't she?"

Xiaoman said, "Second Sister said Chen Wendao is already the Vice Minister of Rites. If he wishes to advance further, he cannot have Madam Wang as a stain on his record. Perhaps he is the one who most wishes for Madam Wang's death."

Chen Ji quickly finished his meal. "Xiaoman, go back and help me prepare a few things. Bring them to the main gate before Shen Shi (3-5 PM)."

Xiaoman asked curiously, "What do you need, Young Master?"

Chen Ji closed his eyes and recalled for a moment. "Willow charcoal, sulfur, rosin powder, oil-soaked hemp paper, cinnabar, bamboo tubes, saltpeter, and arsenic. Remember, buy the arsenic and saltpeter separately from the pharmacy. These materials need to be crushed, then finely sieved twice with a horsehair sieve and placed into bamboo tubes, filling them only six-tenths full..."

Xiaoman's eyes widened. "Young Master, I can't remember all that!"

Chen Ji went back to the Governor's Residence office and wrote a note. "Take this to your Second Sister and have her prepare them. Remember to tell her to burn this paper after reading it."

Xiaoman said, "Oh, it's better to give it to Second Sister. She's good at handling things."

"Go," Chen Ji said, placing his bowl and chopsticks into the food box. He whispered a few instructions to Xiaoman, then stood up and left.

The Huizhong Pavilion was right next to the Six Ministries' offices, only about a li (half a kilometer) away from the Imperial Forest Army Governor's Residence.

Pedestrians bustled on the street. Chen Ji slowly followed a carriage past the front of the Huizhong Pavilion, his peripheral vision constantly scanning the passersby.

Peddlers carried their poles but didn't call out their wares, merely circling the area. A coachman wiped his carriage at the street corner, but his collar was impeccably clean.

There were many secret agents, all from the Black Snake organization.

Over twenty secret agents were ambushed around the Huizhong Pavilion, and it was unknown how many more were hidden inside.

He couldn't get in. Unless Chen Ji produced his Haidongqing waist token, he absolutely couldn't enter.

Chen Ji looked at the rooftop. To the west of Huizhong Pavilion was the Imperial Forest Park Bureau, and to the north was the Hanlin Academy, both patrolled by the Five City Garrison. Going in from the rooftop was even more impossible.

He didn't linger there, turning his back and following the carriage.

It wasn't the right time yet.

At Shen Shi (3-5 PM), three strikes of a copper cloud gong sounded from across the Imperial Forest Army Governor's Residence; it was the signal for the Six Ministries' offices to close for the day.

Under the setting sun, green silk sedan chairs streamed out of the offices, their curtains held down by Xiangfei bamboo strips. Sedan chair bearers, wearing fast boots, hurried along, as the officials inside were eager to rush to the Jiaofang Division. It was rumored that new female relatives of the Prefect of Shuntian had arrived there.

Female relatives of such important figures were rarely seen in the Jiaofang Division.

After the sedan chairs and carriages departed, clerks emerged from the offices in groups, heading straight for the tea houses and taverns on Chessboard Street. Chessboard Street immediately came alive, with lanterns hung from every household.

Inside the Imperial Forest Army Governor's Residence, Qi Zhenzhuo had just changed clothes and looked curiously at Duobao. "Where's my Master?"

Duobao looked around. "Huh, he was just here."

Qi Zhenzhuo was startled. "Why did he leave alone? We agreed he'd attend the literary gathering at my Qi residence tonight."

At this very moment, Chen Ji walked silently through the bustling crowd, trailing behind the sedan chair of the Ministry of Works' Supervisor. As he passed Bianyifang, Xiaoman approached him, handed him a bundle, and then walked away without looking back.

Chen Ji reached into the bundle, pulled out a bamboo tube, used a fire stick to light the fuse wrapped around it, and gently placed it by the roadside.

He continued walking forward, only to see the bamboo tube behind him emit thick smoke, first white, then red, quickly enveloping an area of about three zhang (about 10 meters) in radius.

Cries of alarm rose from pedestrians on Chessboard Street: "Fire! Bianyifang is on fire!"

Chen Ji lit another bamboo tube and threw it among the pedestrians, continuing to walk and toss them until half of Chessboard Street was engulfed in smoke, causing all pedestrians to cough violently.

The secret agents on the street no longer bothered to hide, sending five or six men to investigate.

In the thick smoke, Chen Ji brushed past the secret agents. Covering his mouth and nose, he arrived outside the Huizhong Pavilion, lit the last bamboo tube, and threw it into a second-story window.

Since he couldn't get in, he would make the people inside come out.