The night breeze was blowing, and the lights in the distance were bright. Carriages could also be seen passing on the streets nearby. It was not too late at night. Seeing the owner and several companions coming in from the front door, Ning Ji gave up watching the woman. Anyway, he could not see anything after entering the wooden barrel. He quickly went down from the second floor and ran along the dark corner of the courtyard to the front hall.
The decoration of this house was good, but the overall area was only three rows. It was not the first time that Ning Ji had been here, so he already knew the environment inside. He was a little excited and walked very fast. In the blink of an eye, he passed through the middle courtyard and almost bumped into a servant who was coming out of the living room and walking up the corridor. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and hid behind a flowering tree. In the blink of an eye, he stopped moving.
When the servant walked past, Ning Ji poked his head out and glanced at the living room. After a moment, he quickly and lightly scurried into the living room like a mouse, climbed up the beam along the pillar, and hid behind a partition.
The laughter gradually approached the door of the living room in front of him, and then a total of five people came in. Four of them wore long gowns with slightly different colors and styles, but they should all be scholars. The last one wore a relatively noble official's uniform, but he seemed to be a businessman who ran around.
Among the five people, Ning Ji only knew the one leading the way. He was a middle-aged Confucian scholar with a goatee and a kind and reliable appearance. He was also the current owner of this house, and his name was Wen Shoubin.
The few of them entered the living room and started chattering nonsensical words. They were nothing more than polite words praising the elegance of the house. Wen Shoubin gave a brief introduction. This house originally belonged to a businessman, and it was used to raise a mistress. Later, the businessman left the southwest and heard that he was coming over, so he sold the house to him. The land deed was complete, and the price was not high. The Huaxia Army also approved it, so there was no trouble.
Ning Ji, who was hiding on the beam, listened and pulled down the black cloth on his face. He rubbed his cheeks, which were inexplicably hot, and took a few breaths before continuing to cover his face. He looked down from the dark and saw five people sitting down, led by an old Confucian scholar with half white hair. After he sat down, the other four, including Wen Shoubin, dared to sit down. Ning Ji immediately knew that this man had some status. The others called him "Lord Shan", and some called him "Lord Haoran". Ning Ji was not familiar with the literati in the city, so he just remembered the name and planned to ask the people of the Huaxia Military Intelligence Department later.
He had been eyeing this house for several days, of course, not because he was good at martial arts, but because he had a hobby of peeping into other people's privacy. These days, he had taken swimming in the river at night as a boring hobby. Every night, he would swim back and forth in the city of Chengdu. One of his unexpected stops allowed him to overhear the conversation between Wen Shoubin and someone else. Only then did he set his sights on this small courtyard.
For several days, he came to this small house to peep and eavesdrop, and roughly figured out that Wen Shoubin was an old Confucian scholar who was well-read and worried about the country and the people. He was full of schemes and had raised many daughters. He came to Chengdu to make some trouble and avenge the Wu dynasty.
At first, he inquired about the whereabouts of Ning Yi's eldest son. Later, he mentioned that a younger son was fine, and at night, he sighed and scolded those fools for being pedantic and not being flexible. In the process, it seemed that others had some prejudice against him, which made him roll his eyes when he went to visit some Wu dynasty colleagues in the day, and at night, he sighed and scolded those fools for being pedantic and not being flexible.
At the same time, the old man would often sigh to the 'daughter' he had been raising behind him, lamenting that he could not fulfill his ambitions. Others did not understand his heart, and the 'daughter' would tactfully console him for a while. He would also repeatedly remind the 'daughter' that she must be loyal and righteous, remember her hatred, and serve the Wu Dynasty. The scene of the "father and daughter" encouraging each other made Ning Ji sympathize with him, thinking that the group of Wu dynasty scholars should not bully people like this. They were all on the same side, and they should be united.
For such a "stupid thief", there was no point in exposing him now, so Ning Ji came every day to listen to Wen Shoubin's sighs and complaints. Every day, he complained in a new way, and his complaints were very exciting. Sometimes, his sighs and complaints would be mixed with stories from the south of the Yangtze River, which made Ning Ji exclaim in admiration. "Oh, oh, there is such a thing …" He felt that his horizons had been broadened.
In addition to complaining, the old man also fought again and again during the day, looking everywhere for help. Today, it seemed that he had finally found this interested and reliable "Shan Gong". Both sides sat down, and the servants had already served expensive tea and iced drinks. After some greetings and compliments, Wen Shoubin began to peddle his plan in detail.
"… After ten years of hard work, the Black Flag Army has endured hardships and endured hardships to defeat the Jurchen West Army head-on. Perhaps the higher-ups in their army are already invulnerable … This time, they set up a trap in Chengdu, opened the door, and invited guests from all over. Although it is risky, it is indeed for them to formally establish a court and build momentum to compete with our Wu dynasty …"
"That's right, that's right …" Ning Ji nodded silently, thinking that it was indeed like this.
"… The Black Flag Army's plan has advantages and disadvantages, but the obvious disadvantages are all guarded against by the other side. Although it is lively and noisy, it does not cause much damage to the Black Flag Army. On the contrary, in the incident a few days ago, Duke Huai, as a righteous person, could not bear to see the Black Flag Army spread lies to deceive the public, so he went to the street to argue with them. In the end, ignorant people on the street threw stones, and his head was smashed until it bled. Isn't this because the Black Flag Army has long been prepared … "
"It's not us who smashed it, it's my fault …" Ning Ji pursed his lips, disapproving.
Below, there was a discussion, "A foolish man and a foolish woman, extremely foolish!"
"Perhaps it was done by the Black Flag Army."
"The Black Flag Army spread lies to deceive the public …"
"Their methods are despicable …"
That Shan Gong said, "Starting a debate on the news belongs to a dignified momentum, the Way of the King. Although the effect will not be quick, it will be slowly pushed forward. After all, there are still many people who can be convinced by us." He came to this conclusion, and then said, "But Sun Tzu's Art of War says that in war, one should use the right method to win by surprise. As long as we can use multiple methods at the same time, there is no such thing as too many methods. Brother Wen, please continue."
Sun Tzu's Art of War says that in war, one should use the right method to win by surprise … This sentence is good, I will remember it … Ning Ji silently recited it again on the roof beam.
During this time, the conversation below continued, "… I am despicable, I have not learned anything in my life, and I have taken some unconventional paths, but I have never forgotten the teachings of the sages that I have learned since I was young! The heart of the fist, the heaven and earth can bear witness! The daughters that I have raised are all outstanding, and they all have a righteous heart! Now that the Black Flag Army has killed its way out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, it is the easiest for them to indulge in pleasure. The first generation may be prepared, but Shan Gong and everyone, think carefully, if everyone has risked their lives, suffered for more than ten years, and killed the Female Zhenren, would you still want your children to take this path again … "
"... the Black Flag Army's second generation figures, right now, just happens to be our greatest weakness. Right now, they might not have entered the core of the Black Flag Army, but there will be a day when they will enter. We will plant the necessary spies, and when we truly meet on the battlefield a few years later, it will be too late to make any plans. It is precisely to plant them today, and after a few years, these second generation figures will enter the core of the Black Flag Army. At that time, no matter what happens, we will be prepared. "
"… The five daughters that I've arranged outside have different abilities and looks, but they aren't the most outstanding. These days, I've only had them pretend to be commoners from afar and wander outside. I don't have any reliable information or targets. I only hope that they can use their respective abilities to find one. But if there really is reliable information and good planning, they can be of great use …"
"… As for my sixth daughter, Long Jun, I have placed here. I am not boasting, but she is an outstanding talent. I feel pity for her. If we can really make a good arrangement, think about it, if she enters the Ning family or the Qin family, even if she starts as a concubine, she will be of great use in the future … Although I have these daughters, I have no information and channels. As for the eldest son of Ning Yi, I have only seen him from a distance a few days ago. I am not familiar with the people and the place, I can't find a reliable way, and I can't even make an arrangement … "
"I am by your side every day …" Ning Ji raised his eyebrows.
"… Fortunately, Shan Gong and everyone came today. Shan Gong's knowledge and status are in the ears of all the men in the city, who in the world does not admire you …"
"I don't deserve it …" The old man waved his hand.
"… I also know that this strategy is not good, but in this situation, I am stupid, so I can only think of such a way. Everyone, Ning Yi keeps saying that he wants to destroy the Confucian school, and we students have been blessed by the sages of the Confucian school for two thousand years, how can we swallow this injustice? Dai Mengwei, Master Dai, although your methods are extreme, what you say is right. If you do not use the Confucian school, your methods will be fierce, and it will only be fifty years of war, and tens of millions of people will die … I do not ask for anything in return for the cultivation of these daughters, but I want to repay the Confucian school, so that everyone in the world can understand the disaster of the black flag, so that they can guard against the possible disaster in the future, just for … "
He said a few more words, and everyone's face was full of respect. "Shan Gong" asked, "Brother Wen, we already know that as long as it is for the greater good, there is no difference in the methods used. Now that the world is in danger, in the face of such a devil, it is time for us to join forces and help together … But we naturally trust Master Wen's character, but what is your daughter's background? Is she really so reliable? If we painstakingly plan to send her to the black flag, but the black flag instigates her to defect and use her as bait … we have to guard against this possibility. "
This Shan Gong asked a question that was natural, but Ning Ji, who was on the beam, was slightly stunned, and his eyes lit up. "That's right, there is such a method …" Then, he was distressed. At first, he thought that if Wen Shoubin kept running into walls, he would watch them make a fool of himself. If he caught a few big fish, then he would raise his sword and kill all these fools in one fell swoop, but now … Should he still kill them, or should he expose this matter?
The question was a little out of his scope, and for a fourteen-year-old who was relatively straightforward, it was difficult for him to calculate a result in a short time. Below, Wen Shoubin was already explaining.
"… My daughter, Long Jun, has been influenced by my teachings every day … She was originally the daughter of General Qu Hanting of the Wu dynasty. This General Qu was originally the deputy general of the Wuxing Army of the Central Plains, but was later recruited by Liu Yu. In the fourth year of Jianshuo, he attacked Little Canghe and died tragically in the hands of the Black Flag Army. Long Jun's family was ruined, so I bought her … She has been well-versed in poetry since she was young, and when her father died, she was already eight years old, so she can remember this hatred, and at the same time feel ashamed that her father listened to Liu Yu's orders … "
"In this way, this girl has a righteous heart, and it must be because Master Wen taught her well."
She had the hatred of her father's death, felt ashamed that her father listened to Liu Yu, and wanted to atone for his sins. Moreover, Wen Shoubin had brainwashed her for eight years, so this matter was relatively credible. Everyone praised her, and Wen Shoubin summoned a servant, "Go and ask Miss to come over and meet the guests. Tell her that they are all distinguished guests, and let her bring her pipa, and not be rude. "
The servant received the order and left. After a while, Qu Longjun, wearing a long dress and carrying a pipa, walked over with gentle steps. She knew that there were distinguished guests, so there was no deep depression on her face. She lowered her head just right, and there was a trace of an immature and shy smile on the corner of her mouth. It seemed that she was reserved but had a sense of propriety as she greeted everyone.
Ning Ji looked at her from above and felt that this girl was indeed very beautiful. Perhaps these stinky old men below were going to be beastly and do some messy things — he had been with the army for a long time, and he had also learned medical skills. He understood the principles of these things, except that he had never done them before — but the old men below were unexpectedly very well-behaved.
That 'Shan Gong' first gently and kindly asked about the girl's name and background, and then praised and encouraged her in a rather decent manner. Since he didn't do anything reckless, the rest of the people also had gentle and decent faces. After chatting for a while, Wen Shoubin asked the girl to sit at the side and began to perform the pipa for everyone. The sound of the pipa was resentful, but Ning Ji felt that she played it well.
After playing for a while with resentment, Shan Gong asked her if she could play anything else. Qu Longjun's technique changed, and she began to play 'Ambush on Ten Sides'. The sound of the pipa became intense and murderous, and her pretty face changed along with it. Her temperament became valiant, like a female general.
When the song was finished, everyone finally applauded, and they were sincerely convinced. Shan Gong praised, "You are indeed the daughter of the Wu family. This song 'Ambush on Ten Sides' is superb, and it makes people feel like they have returned to when the Tyrant was still alive …" After that, he asked Qu Longjun about her views on poetry and Confucian classics. Qu Longjun also answered them one by one with a gentle and beautiful voice.
Ning Ji also had a good impression of her. He immediately made a decision. If this woman really hooked up with his elder brother or someone in the army, she would inevitably be sad when they separated in the future. Moreover, his elder brother already had Sister Chuyi. If he let her down in order to catch a big fish and had to feign civility for a few years, it would be too unacceptable.
Anyway, he wasn't good at catching big fish in the long run, so there was no need to report to the higher-ups too early. When they had used up all their manpower and were ready to take action, he would then report the matter to the higher-ups, and conveniently get rid of this woman and a few other key people. This way, the people in the General Staff Department wouldn't be able to catch big fish, so they could only catch people and end the matter.
— — With this thought, he felt much more at ease.
After a while, Qu Longjun returned to the embroidered building. The five people in the room chatted for a while before they separated. When they were sending them off, it seemed that someone was hinting to Wen Shoubin that he should send one of his daughters to the residence of 'Shan Gong'. Wen Shoubin nodded in agreement, and asked a servant to do it.
After sending Shan Gong and the others off, Wen Shoubin returned to his room with an excited expression. He went to the embroidered building to greet Qu Longjun, and said some encouraging words to her. He told her to rest early, and then went back to drink and celebrate. When he was happy, he didn't nag like when he was sad. When he drank, he would only clap his hands from time to time, looking smug and uninteresting. Ning Ji stopped watching him and went to look at Qu Longjun, only to see the girl sitting by the bed in a daze. He didn't know what she was depressed about.
Ning Ji thought of how she changed her face in front of outsiders, and how she changed her face when playing the lute. He thought that this woman was really an untrustworthy vixen. She wanted to get close to his big brother, so she deserved to be killed.
"Anyway, you don't have long to live, so you can just stay in a daze …"
Thinking of this, he left the courtyard, found a diving suit hidden by the dark river, wrapped his hair, and swam in the water to the place he was interested in. He was not in a hurry to think about the identity of Shan Gong and the others. Anyway, Wen Shoubin boasted that he was "the leader of all the bulls in Chengdu", so he could find out who they were by asking the people in the intelligence department tomorrow.
Near and far, the lights were blurred, and the night was gentle. Ning Ji paddled past a cruise ship in boredom. To him, this night was much more interesting than the day. After a while, the puppy turned into a swimming fish and disappeared in the dark waves …
(End of this chapter)
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