Chapter 351: Expedition

Bailong stood by the shore of Taiye Pond, his hands tucked into his wide sleeves, silently replaying events and pondering. Chen Ji sat in the shadow of the rockery, waiting patiently, no longer uttering a word.

When planting seeds of suspicion in the mind of a superior, one only needs to hint; any additional word would be superfluous. Those in power have their own pride; they never trust others' answers, only their own conjectures.

Bit by bit, time passed, and Bailong stood motionless, like a statue.

After a long while, Bailong slowly spoke, "You are right. Only by concealing the poison within a person's body can it be brought into the Huiguan Lodge."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Bailong pondered for a moment longer, "Who would employ such a dangerous maneuver? The Jing Dynasty's Military Intelligence Bureau? The Chen and Xu families also have the motive and the capability to do this."

Chen Ji's heart sank, fearing Bailong would again suspect the Chen or Xu families, unwilling to believe it was the work of the Jing Dynasty's Military Intelligence Bureau.

But then Bailong's tone shifted: "However, it's better to believe it exists than to deny it; if it is a Jing Dynasty trap, it could lead to a great disaster. You may go back; I will make my own decision. If this matter is confirmed to be the work of Jing Dynasty spies, I will credit you with a meritorious deed."

Chen Ji hastily said, "Your subordinate does not want this merit; I only ask that Your Excellency keep your promise and grant me convenience at the salt fields."

Bailong glanced at him. "Tomorrow, send me an imprint of your personal seal. I will then dispatch fast horses to those fifty-nine salt fields. From now on, any salt vouchers bearing your seal will be given priority for salt exchange."

Chen Ji sighed with relief and cupped his hands in a bow. "Thank you, Your Excellency. Your subordinate takes his leave."

Bailong suddenly called out to him, "Wait."

Chen Ji's retreating steps abruptly halted. "Does Lord Bailong have any other instructions?"

Bailong calmly said, "The promise between you and Mr. Feng is still valid between you and me. You work for 'Bailong,' and 'Bailong' will help you rescue Princess Baili. Furthermore, don't always gamble with your life. One victory may not settle everything, but one loss can end everything."

Chen Ji was slightly startled. Who was this Bailong? Why did he always have the illusion of facing an acquaintance?

What was strange was that this new Bailong's posture and demeanor were identical to the previous Bailong's, and even their voices were exactly alike, yet the person beneath the mask had clearly changed.

He quietly looked up at the mask. Could it be because of the mask?

Bailong sneered, "You've got some nerve, daring to look up at me."

Chen Ji lowered his head again. "May I ask, Lord Bailong, how is the Princess faring in Jingyang Palace?"

Bailong said indifferently, "Currently, Wu Xiu controls the Jiefan Guards and has forbidden spies like us from moving around in the palace. Don't worry, she won't die in the palace; she'll just suffer a bit."

Wu Xiu.

Chen Ji whispered, "Your subordinate understands."

Bailong observed him for a moment, then surprisingly asked, "I heard the Chen family intends to marry into the Qi family and wants to adopt you into the first branch under Chen Lizun's name. If nothing unexpected happens, in a few years, you'll inherit the vast Chen family fortune. From then on, a concubine's son would rise. Why continue living this life of licking blood from a knife's edge?"

Chen Ji's heart stirred.

Mr. Feng wouldn't care about his life or death; the other party only cared if he was useful and if he could serve them.

But this Bailong seemed to think more deeply. First, he told him not to gamble with his life, and then advised him to properly inherit the Chen family fortune?

Who exactly was this Bailong now?

Chen Ji pondered for a moment, then carefully probed, "Lord Bailong, outside Luhun Villa, your subordinate once promised Prince Jing to take good care of Princess Baili..."

Before he finished speaking, Bailong instantly saw through his thoughts and sneered, "You haven't formally held a substantial position in my Secret Service. That's why you don't know that my Secret Service has ears and eyes among the scholars of Luhun Villa and within the Qianzui Army. If you lie again, or if I find you probing me with words again, you won't need to keep your life."

Chen Ji lowered his head. "If Your Excellency has no other matters, your subordinate will take his leave."

Bailong waved his hand. "Go."

Chen Ji slowly retreated until he walked out of Taiye Pond. A sudden wave of relief washed over him, then his mood immediately grew heavy again.

The task the Jing Dynasty's Military Intelligence Bureau forced him to complete would require him to expend several times more effort to get back on track. He wondered when these days of cautiously surviving in the cracks would end.

Chen Ji looked up at the sky, only to see it covered in dark clouds; the long night remained obscure.

The next morning, Chen Ji finished carrying water and left his home.

As he pushed open the side gate of Qinzheng Garden, he expected to see Qi Zhenzhuo and others, but found the entrance empty. The small alley with grey tiles and white walls was quiet, with only the Chen family's two stone lions standing there, no longer bustling as usual.

Chen Ji paid it no mind. He followed the bluestone path, damp with morning fog, alone, heading to the Governor's Mansion to report for duty.

Upon arriving at the Governor's Mansion, only the Left Xiao Guards were on the parade ground; the Right Xiao Guards were nowhere to be seen.

Chen Ji cast an inquiring glance at the Left Xiao Guards, and a Yulin Guard silently pointed towards the main tower of the Governor's Mansion.

He walked to the Governor's Mansion and pushed open the vermilion wooden door; a stench of sweat mixed with alcohol assaulted his nostrils.

Chen Ji frowned. He saw Qi Zhenzhuo slumped in a chair, fast asleep. Inside the tower, Yulin Guards lay haphazardly on the ground; even Li Xuan was among them.

It seemed these people had gone to the Eight Great Hutongs and hadn't returned all night, only coming back to report for duty when the inner city gates opened in the morning.

At that moment, hearing the sound of the door opening, Qi Zhenzhuo slowly raised his head.

He saw Chen Ji standing in the doorway, silhouetted against the light; only his outline was visible, not his expression.

Qi Zhenzhuo leaned back in the chair and chuckled drunkenly, "Master, you're here. It's a real shame you didn't come with us to the Eight Great Hutongs yesterday. Courtesan Liu from Jinling came to Baishun Hutong. She sang 'Four Seasons Song'; her voice was like an oriole's, absolutely beautiful. Southern women sing softly, making one's soul float among the rafters; if not for the roof, one's soul might have flown all the way to the Ziwei Star."

Chen Ji ignored him, walked directly to the desk, picked up a teapot, lifted its lid, and splashed the cold tea from the pot onto Qi Zhenzhuo's face.

"Ah!" Qi Zhenzhuo wiped his face. "Master, what are you doing?"

Chen Ji calmly asked, "Are you sober now? If you can't hold your liquor, don't drink. Is the Ziwei Imperial Star a place you can go? You want to be the Master of Astrology, to have an emperor's destiny? Are you worthy? If these words get out, even the Qi family won't be able to protect you."

Qi Zhenzhuo sobered up on the spot, filled with lingering fear.

He whispered, "Master, I don't want to be this damned Yulin Guard anymore."

Chen Ji turned and walked out. "Mud is mud. If you don't want to be a Yulin Guard, then resign. No one's stopping you."

Qi Zhenzhuo got up and followed him. "I used to just envy the Three Imperial Camps for being able to achieve great deeds, but I knew deep down I was useless; even if my brother had agreed, I wouldn't have dared go. But now I clearly have the desire to strive, yet my family has cut off all hopes for me and my brother-in-law."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment, then said without turning back, "To achieve great deeds, you don't necessarily have to be on the battlefield, nor do you necessarily have to kill."

Qi Zhenzhuo's eyes lit up. "Master, do you perhaps have a new idea? What do you need us to do?"

Chen Ji casually said, "You need to first fetch a few basins of cold water and splash all those drunkards awake."

Qi Zhenzhuo hesitated. "Wouldn't that be… bad?"

Chen Ji said gravely, "Go."

Qi Zhenzhuo hastily fled to find basins.

Chen Ji came outside the main gate and saw on the stone steps of the Ministry of War office across Daming Street, clerks from various departments, dressed in green robes, constantly going in and out. There were also red-robed officials holding imperial edicts and military registers, hastily boarding carriages.

Immediately after, more soldiers, clad in armor, arrived at the gates, and then departed with imperial orders.

This was the first time Chen Ji had seen such activity in front of the Six Ministries' offices; not even when they closed for the day was it this bustling.

There was going to be a war.

Chen Ji then turned his head to look north towards the Meridian Gate. But the Meridian Gate was quiet; he waited for a long time, but no imperial decree was issued.

He stepped forward and pulled a green-robed clerk. "What is going on here?"

The clerk, holding documents, looked at Chen Ji in surprise and shook his shoulder, signaling him to let go. "Why are you grabbing me? You're wrinkling my clothes."

Chen Ji clenched his fist and said gravely, "I asked you, what are you doing?"

The clerk felt a sharp pain in his arm and quickly twisted his body to answer, "It's naturally the Pingdong Army's expedition. The grand send-off ceremony will be held at the Mountain and River Altar at noon, praying for favorable winds and rains and smooth sea routes. Please let go quickly; it's already Sishi; I still need to rush back to the Honglu Temple to report."

Chen Ji slowly released his grip and turned to look at Zhengyang Gate.

A send-off ceremony?

He turned back, led a horse out from the Governor's Mansion, and swung himself onto its back. At this moment, Qi Zhenzhuo ran out from the main tower of the Governor's Mansion, still shouting, "Master, where are you going?"

Chen Ji didn't answer and spurred his horse to gallop away.

After exiting Zhengyang Gate, walking south along Zhengyang Street led to Tianqiao. To the east of Tianqiao was the Temple of Heaven, and to the west was the Mountain and River Altar. Within the Mountain and River Altar were the Flag and Banner Temple, the Altar of Deities, the Altar of Earth Spirits, the Altar of Grand Duke Jupiter, the Altar of Xiannong, and the Palace of Abstinence, which were places dedicated to offering sacrifices to the wind, clouds, thunder, rain, and the gods of the Five Sacred Mountains.

Chen Ji hunched low and turned his head away as a fast horse galloped across Zhengyang Street; the wind was so strong he could barely open his eyes.

As he neared Tianqiao, he saw countless commoners gathered outside the Mountain and River Altar, watching the spectacle. Suddenly, three cannon shots rang out from within the altar, and someone inside loudly proclaimed, "Three signal shots have sounded! Commence the expedition!"

Subsequently, soldiers roared, "Victory!"

Chen Ji's heart sank.

Outside the Mountain and River Altar, an executioner led out a white ox. With a raise of his hand and a drop of his blade, he severed the ox's head with a single stroke. Profuse blood gushed out, seeping into the cracks of the bricks.

A contingent of soldiers slowly marched out, stepping through the white ox's blood as they headed towards Yongding Gate.

In the procession, Wang Daosheng rode at the forefront. His saddle was covered with tiger skin, and his bridle was adorned with red tassels. Behind him, accompanying generals and skirmishers, clad in armor and helmets, marched. One carried a five-colored dragon banner symbolizing imperial power, and another carried a commander's banner with the characters "Pingdong" (Pacify the East). The flagpole was wrapped in vermilion lacquer and topped with a tiger-head bronze ornament.

The commoners outside the Mountain and River Altar watched with surging excitement. Someone in the crowd shouted, "Heavenly soldiers are mighty! May your banners triumph!"

Subsequently, a tidal wave of cheers surged like a mountain and a tsunami.

No one thought this would be a defeat.

Chen Ji clenched his reins and stood frozen on horseback amidst the crowd.

Could it be that Bailong hadn't reported this matter at all?

Or was there another hidden reason?

Chen Ji wanted to spur his horse forward, approach the procession, and find a way to warn Wang Daosheng about the trap, but the crowd was so dense that it pushed him further and further away.

However, just as he was about to dismount, he saw among the accompanying skirmish generals of Mr. Wang's retinue, one person, clad in iron armor, hidden within the crowd, turn back and smile as he looked, gently waving as if bidding farewell to the commoners.

The other person had a full beard stuck to his face, and Chen Ji almost didn't recognize him. But that polite, confident smile, Chen Ji certainly couldn't mistake.

It was Mr. Feng.

Amidst the crowd, Mr. Feng's lips moved, silently mouthing, "We'll meet again."