Chapter 341: Smoke Bomb

Under the triple eaves of the Bell and Drum Tower, the bell-drum officer watched the water clock, which was almost empty. He stood by the desk, a vermillion brush in hand, his eyes fixed intently on the water clock.

When the last drop of water fell, he circled 'Mao Shi' (5-7 AM) in the day and night ledger with his brush. Two other bell-drum officers then raised giant wooden mallets and struck the eight-thousand-pound bronze bell.

The sound waves from the bronze bell swept outwards like an iron plow, marking the start of a new day.

Chen Ji walked through the main gate. Li Xuan, standing on the parade ground, saw him enter and inquired, "What did you forget that was so important you had to go back for it?"

Chen Ji replied, "I forgot my money."

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

Chen Ji smiled and explained, "I don't like owing favors. Going back to get it wasn't much trouble."

Li Xuan asked with concern, "You didn't encounter 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, and he must have noticed something amiss when Chen Ji left earlier.

He shook his head, "No, nothing. We've just been promoted; what trouble could there be? I'm going to put on my armor."

Fearing he might reveal something if he said more, Chen Ji entered 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, dressed, Li Xuan was observing the Imperial Forest Army lined up on the parade ground. Only 241 men remained, a stark contrast to the five thousand at its peak.

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

A centurion wore a long white pheasant plume. A chiliarch wore one long and one short pheasant plume. A commander wore one long and two short pheasant plumes. Li Xuan's helmet, uniquely, bore a white tassel.

In contrast, the Imperial Forest Army soldiers who had been demoted to common soldiers looked disheveled; even the white pheasant plumes on their helmets had been removed. From now on, they would only be allowed to wear them temporarily during major ceremonies for the sake of appearance.

Qi Zhenzhuo, beaming with joy, raised a hand to touch the white pheasant plume on his head.

Chen Ji's thoughts, however, were elsewhere. He merged into the formation and stood firm, pondering how to deliver the wooden box to the scribe at the Ministry of Rites Guest House.

Logically, the simplest method would be to have Jin Zhu deliver it. Jin Zhu was aware of his previous actions—the prison break and the explosion at Yunyang Palace. They were already in the same boat. If Chen Ji got into trouble, Jin Zhu's path to becoming an official would be jeopardized. Therefore, Chen Ji didn't need to worry about Jin Zhu betraying him before he found his own path to the Dao realm.

However, this was a loyalty test from Si Cao Gui. If the Military Intelligence Bureau discovered his identity within the Secret Agents Bureau, it would likely complicate matters.

He had to deliver it himself.

At that moment, Li Xuan slowly addressed the assembled men, "From today onwards, I, the Governor, will be in charge of the Imperial Forest Army. No one is permitted to be absent without cause, and daily drills will be conducted..."

Before he could finish, a middle-aged man, striding with a powerful gait, entered through the main gate.

He had a square, sharply defined face and wore a green official robe with a bear patch on the chest. A golden lychee leather belt was fastened around his waist, and he wore black boots, identifying him as a fifth-rank military official.

Given his imperial-bestowed golden lychee belt, he was clearly a formidable figure who had performed great deeds and received imperial commendation.

As he walked past the Imperial Forest Army formation, his gaze swept sharply over the soldiers, like a steel blade cutting across each of their faces.

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

Li Xuan calmly replied, "I have long heard of Lord Wu's distinguished reputation in the Ten Thousand Years Army. No need for such 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 Commander of the Imperial Forest Army. Effective today, I will oversee the Left Valiant Guard."

Li Xuan took the document and glanced at it, showing respect. "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 gravely, "Please forgive me, Lord Li. Since I have arrived on the Ministry of War's orders, I must first take roll call of my subordinate troops."

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 they should step forward.

Wu Xuange sneered, "You can't even follow orders? It seems you lack daily training and the spirit of true soldiers. Others might not dare to discipline you, but I do. I'll call out again: if you don't step forward, you can go home to your mothers! Zhuang Wen!"

A soldier stepped out of the ranks. Wu Xuange strode forward and slapped him on both sides of his face. "Have you learned your lesson?"

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

Wu Xuange retorted angrily, "Lift your head! My Great Ning Dynasty has no cowering soldiers!"

Zhuang Wen looked up and said, "I've learned my lesson!"

Wu Xuange then called another name from the document: "Yuan Xi!"

Yuan Xi quickly stepped forward, "Yes, sir!"

As the names were called, Li Xuan's face remained grim.

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

Qi Zhenzhuo explained, "He was a chiliarch in the Ten Thousand Years Army. In the 21st year of Jianing, outside Chongli Pass, he encountered the vanguard of Jing Dynasty's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. He distinguished himself by capturing their banner, for which he was commended by the Emperor and awarded a golden lychee 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 Household Department, caught the Emperor's eye, first becoming a Supervising Eunuch, and then the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial."

Duo Bao, nearby, added, "Wu Xiu's rise to Grand Eunuch wasn't solely due to Wu Xuange; he himself is highly capable. Furthermore, there's another member of the Wu family named Wu Xuanyi, who is currently the Transport Commissioner of the Lianghuai Salt Administration, a third-rank official. In just four years, Wu Xuanyi increased salt tax revenue by twenty percent, earning him the Emperor's strong trust."

Chen Ji wondered, "If Wu Xiu has such a family background, why did he enter the palace as a eunuch?"

Qi Zhenzhuo explained, "The Wu family was implicated in a case before, which led to their decline."

Chen Ji asked curiously, "What case?"

Qi Zhenzhuo lowered his voice, "Back when the late Emperor was alive, a concubine gave birth to a child and bribed Xu Shi, the Grand Astrologer of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, to falsely interpret the Ziwei Imperial Star constellation. The Empress Dowager discovered this, and all adult males of the Xu family were executed, the women exiled to Lingnan, and all un-capped males were castrated and sent to the Imperial Household Department's Fuel and Charcoal Bureau to guard 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 Fuel and Charcoal Bureau."

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

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wu Xuange had finished the roll call. He turned to Li Xuan, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Li, the Imperial Forest Army's discipline is lax. I must now rectify the military discipline. Other matters can be discussed another day."

Li Xuan remained silent for a moment, then said, "Very well."

Wu Xuange turned to face the soldiers of the Left Valiant Guard and stated sternly, "From tomorrow onwards, all Left Valiant Guard soldiers will reside in the Governor's Residence barracks. You may only leave camp for three days of rest per month. Do you think you can be soldiers and still go home every day to your wives, children, and warm beds? The army's morale is completely dispersed! Furthermore, if I discover any gambling or patronizing of prostitutes, you will be immediately expelled from the Imperial Forest Army. Now, take off these flashy armors. Here, everything is practical; nothing is for show."

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

Qi Zhenzhuo watched Wu Xuange's retreating back and angrily said, "Governor, everything he said was an insult to you! He's acting as if he's the Imperial Forest Army Governor!"

Li Xuan stated calmly, "It's normal for someone from the Ten Thousand Years 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 enforce strict discipline."

Qi Zhenzhuo muttered under his breath, "How can he be the Governor yet still only manage thirty or so people? I thought our Qi family would be in charge of the Imperial Forest Army from now on."

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

Qi Zhenzhuo paused, "So that's how it is!"

Li Xuan had been watching Wu Xuange's side. Seeing that they had begun training, he took a deep breath immediately. "Remove your armor. Our training cannot stop either. We can't let them surpass us."

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

Qi Zhenzhuo, with Duo Bao and others, walked arm-in-arm towards the exit, calling out to Chen Ji, "Master, let's go eat at Bianyifang on Chessboard Street!"

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

Qi Zhenzhuo turned and saw Xiao Man standing outside the main gate, holding a food box. "No way, Master! The food will be cold by the time it gets here from the Chen manor. Without the fresh aroma of a hot wok, will it even taste good?"

Chen Ji smiled, "It saves money."

Qi Zhenzhuo was surprised. "Master, are you short on money? Didn't you just confiscate Wang Huan's estate?"

Chen Ji glanced at him, "It's just about satisfying hunger. 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. Xiao Man 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?"

Xiao Man smiled, "My second sister reminded me. She also told me that the Second Branch of the Chen family suffered heavy losses this time, so I had to personally select the ingredients and cook the food myself, to prevent anyone from secretly harming you."

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

Xiao Man shook her head, "No, Lady Wang was put under house arrest by the Second Branch this morning."

Chen Ji paused, "Why?"

Xiao Man slowly explained, "It was originally a marriage alliance between the Chen family and the Shuntian Prefect. With the Prefect gone and the Wang family ruined, Lady Wang no longer serves a purpose. These grand mansions are often heartless; useless people are naturally discarded. I imagine Lady Wang will 'die of illness' before long."

Chen Ji put down his chopsticks. "She's Chen Wend'e's birth mother, isn't she?"

Xiao Man replied, "Second sister said that Chen Wend'e is already the Vice Minister of Rites. If he wants to advance further, he cannot have someone like Lady Wang as a stain on his reputation. Perhaps he is the one who most wishes for Lady Wang's death."

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

Xiao Man asked curiously, "What does Young Master need?"

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

Xiao Man'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."

Xiao Man said, "Oh, it's good to give it to second sister; she's reliable with tasks."

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

The Ministry of Rites Guest House was right next to the Six Ministries' offices, only about a li (approx. 0.5 kilometers) from the Imperial Forest Army Governor's Residence.

Pedestrians came and went on the street. Chen Ji slowly followed a carriage, passing by the front of the Guest House, his peripheral vision constantly scanning the passersby.

Peddlers carried their poles but made no calls, merely circling the vicinity. A coachman wiped his carriage at the street corner, but his collar was remarkably clean.

There were many secret agents, all from the Black Serpent.

Over twenty secret agents were ambushed around the Guest House; it was unknown how many more were inside.

He couldn't get in. Unless Chen Ji produced his Sea Eastern Falcon waist token, entry was impossible.

Chen Ji then looked at the rooftops. To the west of the Guest House was the Imperial Park Directorate, and to the north was the Hanlin Academy, both patrolled by the Five City Garrison Command. Going via the rooftops was even less feasible.

He did not linger there, walking away without looking back, still following the carriage.

Now was not the time.

At Shen Shi (3-5 PM), three strikes of the bronze cloud board echoed from across the Imperial Forest Army Governor's Residence, signaling the end of work for the Six Ministries' offices.

Under the setting sun, green silk palanquins filed out of the offices, their curtains held down by Xiangfei bamboo strips. The bearers, wearing fast boots, hurried as the officials and nobles inside were eager to visit the Imperial Entertainment Bureau. Word had it that the Prefect of Shuntian's female relatives had recently arrived there.

Female relatives of such high-ranking officials were rarely seen at the Imperial Entertainment Bureau on ordinary days.

Once the palanquins and carriages had departed, scribes emerged from the offices in groups, heading straight for the tea houses and taverns on Chessboard Street. The street immediately bustled with life, and lanterns were hung at every household.

Inside the Imperial Forest Army Governor's Residence, Qi Zhenzhuo had just changed his clothes and curiously asked Duo Bao, "Where's my master?"

Duo Bao looked around, "Hmm, he was just here a moment ago."

Qi Zhenzhuo was surprised. "Why did he leave by himself? He said he'd come to my Qi manor for the literary gathering tonight."

At this very moment, Chen Ji walked silently through the bustling crowd, trailing behind the palanquin of a Ministry of Works official. As he passed Bianyifang, Xiao Man approached him, handed him a package, and then walked away without looking back.

Chen Ji reached into the package, pulled out a bamboo tube, lit the fuse wrapped around its exterior with a small fire stick, and gently placed it by the roadside.

He continued walking, but behind him, the bamboo tube began to emit dense smoke, first white, then red, quickly enveloping an area of about three zhang (approx. 10 meters) radius.

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

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

The secret agents on the street, no longer concerned with concealment, sent 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 Ministry of Rites Guest House, lit the last bamboo tube, and threw it through a second-story window.

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