Chapter 383
Chapter 383
Shu Tingyu said.
“For the sake of seizing Raging Tide City, the money our Hidden Yuan Society has spent on lobbying, along with the military funds we’ve already paid, amounts to over one and a half million gold coins.”
Tuo Suo'an’s head throbbed at the figure. As wealthy as the Hidden Yuan Society was, their annual net profit within the State of Yue did not exceed one million gold coins.
“Therefore, the battle for Raging Tide City is like a drawn bow; the arrow must be loosed. Whether Jin Zhuo is dead or alive, this battle must be fought.”
The Hidden Yuan Society had already paid the military expenses required to mobilize an army of thirty thousand a month ago. Shu Tingyu spoke calmly.
“That is all. You have already completed your mission. You may leave the task of confirming Jin Zhuo’s status to me now.”
Tuo Suo'an was startled.
‘What other method has Shu Tingyu devised?’
* * *
After Tuo Suo'an left, Shu Tingyu gave an order.
“Activate Snowman. I must know whether Jin Zhuo is dead or alive!”
His trusted subordinate was taken aback. Snowman was a spy the Hidden Yuan Society had embedded deep within the Jin Clan. They had never used him before, not even when Qiu Tianwei had attacked Mang'ae Island. At that time, the Hidden Yuan Society had believed Qiu Tianwei had an eighty to ninety percent chance of succeeding, so they hadn't activated their deep-cover agent. To finally mobilize him now suggested this was a moment of utmost importance.
* * *
Half a *shichen* later.
A shop not far from the Raging Tide City Lord’s manor had a completely new sign hanging outside. It depicted a three-clawed snowman with one eye open and the other closed. Of course, most people didn’t notice the change. The shop sold various liquors and, on sweltering summer days, even iced plum juice, so a snowman on the sign seemed plausible enough.
Moreover, the shops in Raging Tide City were sensitive to new trends, and some would change their signs after a certain period. So when people saw the new sign with the snowman, they merely thought it was an interesting idea, harboring no suspicion. But someone on the Grand Tower of the Raging Tide City Lord’s manor, looking down from the high walls, saw the new sign and their gaze sharpened, their heart trembling.
‘Has the day finally come? Has the moment finally arrived? Well, that’s not so bad.’
* * *
At dusk.
Shu Tingyu of the Hidden Yuan Society met with Snowman, the spy who had long been embedded within the Jin Clan. To be precise, one couldn't say they met, because they spoke through a thin wall. Shu Tingyu could not see his face at all. This was a protective measure, to ensure that even the slightest slip wouldn't happen if they were to encounter the spy elsewhere. The other person even spoke in a hoarse voice, making it impossible to guess his original tone.
“Has the snowman on the Great Snow Mountain melted?”
“No. The Great Calamity Palace is on the verge of collapse. The Great Snowman has lost two toes; only three remain.”
The two exchanged their code. It was unique, leaving no possibility of impersonation. Shu Tingyu asked him.
“Is Jin Zhuo dead?”
The other person fell silent for a long time, lost in thought. Shu Tingyu pressed him.
“This is a very important matter. It will determine the Hidden Yuan Society’s future arrangements.”
The person on the other side said.
“I have not seen Marquis Jin Zhuo’s body, nor have I seen him for several days. And I saw An Jaese’s body being carried away in extreme secrecy. However, I could tell it was a ploy to ensure I witnessed that scene.”
“Was that man very close to Jin Zhuo?”
Snowman replied.
“They were together at all times. Whatever Marquis Jin Zhuo ate, it was only after that man had inspected it.”
“On the night of the assassination, did you witness the scene?”
Snowman replied.
“No. I was not there at the time. By the time I took over the defense of Raging Tide City, Marquis Jin Zhuo was already gone.”
“Is there no reason for Marquis Jin Zhuo to disappear?”
“No reason at all.”
Shu Tingyu asked.
“Has Raging Tide City mentioned a single word about the assassination?”
“No.”
“What other movements have there been from the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate?”
“Jin Mulan has secretly entered Raging Tide City.”
“Jin Mulan is here?”
“Yes. It is still being kept a secret from the outside world.”
Jin Mulan coming to Raging Tide City was, by any measure, not a normal occurrence. Until now, Jin Zhuo had guarded Raging Tide City, while Jin Mulan guarded the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate. The estate was the root of the Jin Clan, yet now Jin Mulan had abandoned it to come to Raging Tide City.
“When she arrived, did she show any signs of grief?”
Snowman searched his memory, then shook his head.
“There was no such sign. Rather, she seemed filled with suspicion.”
Shu Tingyu closed his eyes.
‘This way, everything falls into place. Marquis Jin Zhuo is dead, so it must be kept a complete secret from the outside. The warriors of the Way of Heaven Society are constantly arriving in Raging Tide City, and the trade fleet has come to a complete halt. Jin Mulan entered Raging Tide City in secret, but even she didn't know of Jin Zhuo's death. She isn't skilled at deception and would easily reveal a flaw, which is why she wasn't told beforehand. But with Jin Zhuo dead, she was summoned to Raging Tide City to preside over the situation.’
Snowman said.
“I must return quickly. I hold a very important position on the city walls, and my absence for even half a quarter of an hour will draw attention.”
“Do you think they suspect you?”
“How could they? I am one of the Jin Clan's most trusted people. Even I feel like I've become the Jin Clan's loyal dog.”
“Then return quickly. Be ready to receive our new orders at any time.”
Snowman hesitated for a moment before asking.
“Once this is over, where do you plan to place me?”
Shu Tingyu was silent for a moment, then spoke.
“I could make grand promises, even speak of enfeoffing you with a title. But the current situation is extremely complex, so I cannot be entirely certain. This is a grand game involving many powerful figures.”
Snowman fell silent for a moment, then replied.
“I understand.”
“But I can guarantee that you will survive. And the Jin Clan will be the greatest sacrifice in this conspiracy. No one in the world can save them.”
Snowman remained silent.
“In the next few years, we will arrange for you to be in an even higher position. That will be the opportunity for advancement you have so desperately wanted.”
Snowman stood up and said.
“I will take my leave.”
And with that, he departed.
* * *
As Shu Tingyu had said, the State of Yue had now become a great chessboard. For the King, the most critical fronts were the north and the west. Raging Tide City was extremely important to the Jin Clan, but not so much to the King. The King paid no mind to Raging Tide City; his entire focus was on the gamble he had made with the King of Wu.
“A decisive battle! A battle for the fate of the nation, with the King personally leading the charge!”
Ning Yuanxian roared slogans that shook the heavens and the earth. The situation on the southern border with the State of Nanguo had even come to a temporary halt. Zhong Yao of the Western Army received the King of Yue’s decree and held his position firmly, making no move. Ning Yuanxian used all of the two million three hundred thousand gold coins he had borrowed from the Hidden Yuan Society for this expedition. He also requisitioned tens of thousands of troops from the Marquis of Zhenbei, Nangong Ao, and took sixty thousand of Bian Wu’s one hundred thousand-strong army. This left Bian Wu with only forty thousand troops, not even enough to defend Yan Province, and it was rumored that he had smashed a table in fury. That alone showed how enraged Bian Wu was. The most dangerous place in the State of Yue was Yan Province, yet Ning Yuanxian had requisitioned more than half of its main force.
At that moment, an army of one hundred thousand from the State of Yue was arrayed on the defensive line of Tianbei Province, poised for a massive battle that would risk the entire nation. The young King of Wu had not expected such a fierce reaction from Ning Yuanxian and was greatly alarmed. He had defeated Ning Yuanxian in the last battle on the border and, riding that momentum, had led thirty thousand troops south to approach Shangye Commandery, intending only a light provocation.
The King of Wu had come to Shangye Commandery to seek a strategic breakthrough in another direction. He never imagined it would enrage Ning Yuanxian to the point of personally leading an army for a decisive battle that would determine the nation's fate. Not only that, but Ning Yuanxian had gathered his commanders. The Marquis of Zhenbei, Nangong Ao, the Third Prince Ning Qi, and the Count of Jing'an, Wu Zhaozhong, had all assembled in the expeditionary force. The capital was once again left in the hands of the Crown Prince, who had just finished his regency.
The young King of Wu naturally did not want a decisive battle for the nation's fate, but if Ning Yuanxian went berserk, he had no choice but to fight back. So, the King of Wu was forced to desperately assemble a large army on the border between Wu and Yue. However, he would absolutely not attack first. With Su Nan on the brink of rebellion, the best time to partition the State of Yue would be after the armies of Su and Jiang invaded Tianxi Province.
In the short span of half a month, the two kings had amassed over two hundred thousand troops on the border. These great armies drew closer and closer until the two kings faced each other at a distance of five *li* (2.5 km).
* * *
Now, let us shift the chessboard back to the west of the Great Yue Kingdom. Shen Lang, leading over two hundred warriors, charged at the forefront into the main city of White Night Commandery. And behind him, the most ferocious band of looters followed, charging in like madmen.
“Kill! Kill them all! Burn everything, take everything!”
They brandished various weapons and screamed crazily as they poured into the main city of White Night Commandery. The looters were ecstatic with excitement.
‘Finally, we’ve come to this big city where we can plunder as we please.’
“Brothers, let’s go into every shop and take it all! Money, treasure, and women!”
Hearing this, Shen Lang’s expression changed, and he shouted loudly.
“As I commanded before, you may only loot the shops of the Western Region merchants. You are not to take from the shops of our State of Yue. You may kill Western Region warriors, but you must not kill our merchants from Yue, and you are not to defile any woman.”
This was indeed a rule Shen Lang had set before. However, upon hearing his words, the leaders of the looter bands laughed out loud.
“Hahaha! City Lord Shen, things have already come to this, and you still think you can control everyone? Give up your futile delusions. This is the last city we will plunder. You’ve opened the gates for us, so from now on, you are useless.”
“Indeed. If I were City Lord Shen, I’d run away quickly. The farther, the better. Because we might not be able to resist capturing you and presenting you to Lord Su Nan.”
“Brothers, this pretty-boy City Lord is trying to control us, stop us from looting, and prevent us from taking women. Should we listen to him?”
“We shouldn’t!”
“If the pretty-boy City Lord dares to stop us, let’s kill him!”
The frenzied mob of bandits roared. In this motley crew, it was simple to tell who was who. The ones charging at the very front were clearly ruffians and bandits. They were the ones with the most nerve.
“City Lord Shen, get out of the way right now. Don’t stop us from getting rich and taking women. Otherwise, we’ll kill you too!”
“Move, get out of the way!”