The sky was still beginning to brighten when the group of people from Jingdou rose and washed up. This time, Fan Xian had brought all of the Council's people. Other than Mu Feng 'er, who was now in charge of the Qinian Unit's matters, the rest of the people were made up of members of the Second and Sixth Bureaus. The semi-military management of the Overwatch Council made these people's auras steady and taciturn. There was only the sound of water and the creaking of the door opening, but there was no conversation.
It was nearly 20 li from the courier station to Dingzhou. Speeding along the eight-horse wide road, it didn't take much time. Furthermore, they didn't need to cherish the horses. When this group of people arrived at the east gate of Dingzhou, the sun had not risen very high. There was a glimmer of coldness in the warmth. However, the vegetable farmers lining up to enter the city, as well as the merchant groups from the central plains, had already formed a long line.
Autumn had not yet deepened in Jingdou, but the soldiers of the large city on the border had already begun to put on armor padded with layers of cotton. Fan Xian glanced at them inconspicuously and then indicated for Mu Feng 'er to prepare the documents for customs.
From the beginning of his trip to Dingzhou, Fan Xian had not prepared to reveal the imperial envoy's honor guard. Of course, there were only a dozen people. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't. This group of people disguised themselves as Jiangnan merchants. In their hands, they held travel passes and tea contracts issued by the Ministry of Revenue and the palace treasury transport company. The reason they had to disguise themselves like this was not because the court had any suspicions about the inside of Dingzhou. Rather, it was because Fan Xian wanted to meet someone in private. In order to ensure that person's safety, it was best not to go through the court's channels and meet in private.
After all, the Hu people had suddenly become enlightened. The Emperor and Fan Xian both suspected that there was a capable person in charge in Xi Hu. Who knew if there were spies planted by the Hu people in the military and political manors of Dingzhou?
The soldiers at the east gate did their inspection work very meticulously. Fan Xian did not line up. He stood to the side of the line and watched with cold eyes. He quietly nodded his head. The Ye family had operated on the Western frontier for decades, yet they had not slacked off at all. No wonder the Emperor appreciated them so much.
The deputy at the courier station wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and followed behind Fan Xian. His heart was pounding. He had also changed into merchant clothing. His face had been tampered with by the Overwatch Council officials, making him appear even more wretched. However, he didn't understand why the noble in front of him would bring him into the city and why he had to dress like this.
The line quickly reached Fan Xian's group. Fan Xian noticed that although the Dingzhou soldiers were strict in their inspection, they did not take the opportunity to collect any benefits. Furthermore, they did not purposely make things difficult for the merchants and farmers from all over. Their speed was very fast.
Mu Feng 'er handed over the customs documents, travel passes, and tea deeds that he had prepared. The official stilled slightly and furrowed his brows. He seemed to find something strange.
Fan Xian watched from the side with narrowed eyes. He didn't know what had gone wrong, but he didn't panic. In any case, in the afternoon, he was going to the Governor's manor in Xiliang Road to reveal his identity. There shouldn't be any misunderstandings between the two sides.
The official's surprise was not because there was something wrong with the documents. Rather, it was because they were too beautiful, particularly the seals and signatures. They were all from the heads of the yamens. Thus, it meant that the identities of this group of merchants were very important. Otherwise, why would the old officials in court personally inspect these documents?
Fan Xian and his group had not expected that they would attract other people's attention. It was very simple for the Overwatch Council to make these documents. However, the Imperial Censorate had been keeping an eye on them recently, so they had simply gone to the various yamens to find the real thing. However, if it was too real, it would be too eye-catching. If it was still Wang Qinian responsible for all the details around Fan Xian, presumably he would not make such a mistake.
The official glared coldly at Mu Feng 'er and then unconsciously glanced at Fan Xian. He understood that this noble and beautiful young man was the true leader of this group of merchants.
Fan Xian did not look back at him. He was looking with interest at the Dingzhou city walls in front of him. He wondered to himself, Dingzhou is surrounded by plains or wasteland. Where did these large rocks come from? Is there yellow soil stuck between the rocks? Can this be used to build city walls?
The official furrowed his brows. Unconsciously, he did not want to provoke this arrogant young man. He nodded and let them pass. After the group of merchants entered the city, he called over a subordinate and said a few words in a low voice.
…
…
Fan Xian didn't know that his appreciation of the city walls would give the Dingzhou soldiers the impression that they were arrogant. He truly liked to use his own eyes to see everything in this world. After all, it was a rare second life. He always had a strong desire to explore the beauty, history, and existence around him.
He had seen Shangjing's centuries-old city walls and was very familiar with Jingdou's heavily guarded city walls. It was rare for him to come to the westernmost city of the Kingdom, Dingzhou, so he was curious. Furthermore, he still felt some regret in his heart. He didn't know when he would have the opportunity to see the legendary largest city in the world, Dongyi.
The deputy, who had followed him into the city with a long face, gradually understood why the Duke of Danbo had brought a minor character like him into the city. The Duke was preparing to go shopping. The streets in Dingzhou were a mess with all kinds of streets intersecting. Without a local leading the way, there were many nameless places that would be impossible to find.
What gave him a headache was that it seemed to be the first time the Duke of Danbo had come to such a remote place, yet he was interested in everything. He wandered everywhere and did not find it tiring. In particular, the Hu people's weapons that had been shipped from the Hu people's tribes by Xichi River attracted his attention for a long time.
In about half a day, Fan Xian and his group had strolled through the Dingzhou trading market area. They had perfectly carried out the enthusiasm a merchant group should have.
Under a mud wall, Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked at the distant city gate tower of Dingzhou. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Has the news been sent out?"
Mu Feng'er carefully looked around and nodded. "According to the agreement between the two sides, it has already been sent out. However, we came two days early. I'm afraid the other party hasn't entered the city yet."
Fan Xian thought for a bit and said, "We had to come two days early. There's no way to block the news of me leaving the capital. Hongcheng must know I'm coming. If I'm delayed by this kid, he will certainly force me to drink. How would I have time to do anything? Besides, who knows if there are Hu spies in the camp and the governor's manor."
Mu Feng'er glanced at the nervous deputy at the back of the group and said, "If I wasn't unfamiliar with the terrain, I really wouldn't have called for this person to lead the way. I don't know how to handle it in a bit."
Fan Xian smiled and said, "It's not like it's a beheading. We just have to ensure the other party's safety. That's why we have to be so careful. As for the deputy, when we leave another day, we'll just send him two beauties."
Although he said this, Fan Xian still felt some regret. The Emperor had long forbidden the Overwatch Council from extending their tentacles too deeply into the military. Regardless of whether it was the Fourth Bureau, which was in charge of the various roads, or the Second Bureau, which was in charge of gathering intelligence, the Overwatch Council did not have any capable people in Dingzhou.
Of course, the Overwatch Council had certainly buried spies in Dingzhou. Fan Xian thought that the inside of Dingzhou was very safe, so he did not want to use these spies in case the military and political yamen were unhappy afterward. The ones who would suffer would be the lower level officials of the Overwatch Council.
The group of people stopped the carriage in a shady place and silently waited for the sun to slowly move. For lunch, they casually bought some sesame seed cakes and ate them with water. Fan Xian was no exception. Each time he moved, his actions always made the Overwatch Council subordinates feel closer. However, when the deputy saw the little Duke also struggling to eat the sesame seed cake, he secretly sighed in amazement.
When the shadow of the mud wall behind the carriage gradually grew longer, one of Fan Xian's subordinates returned humming a little tune. In his hands, he was still carrying the special Hu products he had bought along the way. It looked like he had been very careful along the way. At the back of the carriage, he threw these items back into the carriage and lowered his voice to say something to Fan Xian.
Fan Xian raised his head and glanced at Mu Feng'er. With a smile, he said, "Looks like they're more anxious than us. Let's go see them."
Mu Feng'er thought for a bit. This shouldn't be a trap. After all, Dingzhou was the Qing Kingdom's world. No one would have the guts to set up a trap for the Overwatch Council. He nodded and went to call for the deputy.
Leaving the carriages, Fan Xian, Mu Feng'er, and the deputy passed through the mud wall and through the bustling streets. They walked through the curious streets like merchants coming from the mainland for the first time. After walking for an indeterminable amount of time, they finally arrived at a lamb shop.
Fan Xian looked at the shop without a signboard and couldn't resist smiling. "Damn, this place is really hard to find." He patted the deputy's shoulder. "Looks like you're not bad. You even know these places."
The deputy felt his entire body go limp. He thought to himself that this shoulder had been patted by the duke. It looked like he couldn't bear to bathe for half a month. No, he only bathed once a month. It should be because he didn't look for a woman for half a month. Not looking for a woman did not seem to be worth it.
Just as the deputy's thoughts were running wild, Mu Feng'er had already walked into the lamb shop. Turning his body sideways, he walked through the inner door of the mud room. Covering his nose, he walked into the inner room and sat on the mat he had arranged with the person.
There were four mats in the inner door of the shop. On the mats were small tables that provided meat, food, and wine for customers. Each mat was separated by a thin cloth, but it could not block out the sound. It was just barely enough.
Fan Xian sat in the innermost area. The deputy only dared to sit half on the outside. He muttered to himself, unsure why this noble figure had to come to this unremarkable shop. Was he here to see someone?
Then, he fearfully accepted the bowl of wine the duke handed over and carefully took a sip. He then fell into a deep sleep.
…
…
After eating a few pieces of lamb and drinking two bowls of strong wine, Fan Xian's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He glanced at the thin cloth curtain beside him and gave Mu Feng'er a meaningful glance.
Mu Feng'er thought for a moment and then picked up the wine bowl. Standing, he lifted the curtain and went to the mat on the other side. When the curtain was raised, Fan Xian's eyes were sharp. He saw that the person was about 40 or 50 years old. However, his face was dark. After all, he was a Hu person, so he couldn't see clearly.
The sun was high in the sky and gradually rising. The mud room was still quiet. It was not the right time to drink, so the shop was particularly quiet. There was only Fan Xian's group and the mysterious Hu person.
No one knew what Mu Feng'er said to the Hu person. After a long time, the curtain was pulled open. Mu Feng'er nodded at Fan Xian to indicate that he had confirmed the other person's identity.
Fan Xian turned his body and stared at the calm-looking Hu person. He found that the other person's hand was holding the wine bowl steadily. There was no change in his eyes.
He slowly opened his mouth and said, "You are the foremost ace under the Left Virtuous King's banner. Why change your appearance and act so sneakily?"
The Hu person put down his wine bowl and glanced at Fan Xian as if he wanted to know this young man's true identity. This gaze was like lightning, piercing straight to the heart and intimidating.
However, Fan Xian's expression was cold and he did not react at all.
The Hu person's brows rose slightly. It was as if he had not thought that a random official from the Qing Overwatch Council would have such unfathomable shrewdness and power.
"Correct, I am Hu Ge." The Hu person, who looked to be 40 or 50 years old, stared at Fan Xian's face with a hawk-like gaze. "He says you are the leader, so I will talk to you."
Fan Xian smiled and raised the wine bowl in his hand. "There's not much I want to know."
"I must first confirm the Princess's safety." Hu Ge, the foremost ace under the Left Virtuous King's banner of the Western Hu Kingdom. His reputation shook the Western frontier and was deeply respected by the Hu people. His bearing was extraordinary. However, when he opened his mouth to speak the language of the Central Plains, he always felt awkward. For some reason, his aura weakened a bit.
Fan Xian reached into his clothes and took out a jade hook, which he handed over. After Hu Ge accepted the jade hook, his brows furrowed tightly. It was as if he had sunk into deep thought. Fan Xian did not disturb his memories. He only watched this scene quietly.
The Overwatch Council had made contact with this foremost ace under the Left Virtuous King's banner not because Fan Xian had exceptional abilities. Rather, he had used a troublesome method to come to them. Toward such people who came to them of their own accord, the Overwatch Council's usual way of dealing with them was not to be proactive, not to make promises, and not to take responsibility.
It was not until he had indeed given the Overwatch Council some useful intelligence that the Overwatch Council began to follow up on this path. Other than Fan Xian himself, there was no one else who could follow up on this path. The reason for the relationship between Hu Ge and the Overwatch Council was Ma Suosuo.
Ma Suosuo was still being hidden by Prince Heqing, but in terms of belonging, she was, in the end, Fan Xian's person. This princess of a Hu tribe was a female captive, but also not a female captive. The tribe she belonged to had originally been prepared to surrender to the Great Prince's troops. However, before they could do so, they were exposed. The entire tribe had been completely slaughtered by the Western Hu King. The remaining tribe members could only scatter to the Western Regions and seek refuge with the nobility clans.
Hu Ge was a warrior who had left this small tribe. Before he could reveal his identity and win glory for his tribe, he received the tragic news that his tribe had been slaughtered.
After confirming Hu Ge's identity from Ma Suosuo, Fan Xian began to strengthen his secret connection with Hu Ge.
Not only did Ma Suosuo know Hu Ge, but the two of them had been good friends when they were young. In the words of the Central Plains, they were childhood sweethearts. Fan Xian looked at his old face and muttered to himself. Did the Hu people age so easily when they were exposed to the wind and sun every day?
…
…
Hu Ge carefully put the jade hook into his clothes. Looking at Fan Xian, he said, "I indeed want to avenge my tribe. Don't forget, I am also a Hu person. There are some things I can say and some things I cannot say. You Qing people are too sinister and cunning. I cannot trust you."
Fan Xian understood this. If he wanted Hu Ge to lead the way for the Qing army and launch a surprise attack on the Western Hu King's camp, no one in the court would believe him, let alone whether or not he would be willing. He lowered his head and thought for a moment. He then said, "I don't need you to do anything. On the contrary, I can support you in doing something. I heard that the Left Virtuous Prince's situation is not very good. If you can help him stand firm, presumably, your own power will also rise."
Without waiting for the Hu tribe ace to speak, Fan Xian waved his hand crisply and said, "I don't ask for much in giving you support. First, you must think of all ways to stop the great attack next spring. Even if you can't stop it, I still need your intelligence. Don't worry, the Qing people are straightforward. We won't set up an ambush. We just need to set up a formation and scare each other. You should know how to arrange this."
Hu Ge furrowed his brows and said, "Right now, even the Left Virtuous Prince's words have no power, much less mine."
"That's your problem. Since it is cooperation, you have to show some sincerity," Fan Xian looked at him calmly. "I won't mistreat you. If you want to convince those people, you can't just rely on your fists."
"All the nobles in the world are the same. They all like gold, silver, jewelry, and silk."
Hu Ge glanced at the young official across from him.
"I'll give you as much as you need to bribe." Fan Xian's tone was very normal, but it revealed a powerful confidence. "Furthermore, you want to revive your tribe. Presumably, you'll need a large sum of money. Actually, making a deal with me is very simple. I only need to ask you one question. "
"Do you want to get rich?"
Fan Xian had once asked some people this question, such as the previous commander of the Northern Qi Brocade Guard, Sir Shen Zhong. Sir Shen Zhong didn't want to get rich with Fan Xian. He wanted to get rich on his own, so he died. Then, Fan Xian had asked the Northern Qi Imperial uncle, Marquis Chang Ning. This Marquis was very willing to get rich with Fan Xian. Not only did his family get rich, but Wei Hua also became a high-ranking official.
History had long proven that those who worked with Fan Xian were always very happy.
But Hu Ge did not know the other party's true identity. He said in a cold voice, "Everyone likes gold and silver, but your words are unbelievable … So much silver, and even goods that can't be bought with silver, you want me to agree to it with just one word … Don't lie to me. Although we, the men of the prairie, are straightforward, we are not fools."
Fan Xian's words did indeed sound like a lie. There were many King's tents on the grasslands and countless nobles. These nobles were all insatiably greedy. If they wanted to fill their appetites, they would need the Qing court's strong support. How could a young official of the Overwatch Council make this decision?
"I can give you a good knife produced by the palace treasury." Fan Xian didn't respond to his words. Coldly, he said, "However, the quantity is limited. After all, I don't want the knife I give you to chop at the necks of the Qing people."
Fan Xian didn't answer Hu Ge's question. On the contrary, Hu Ge felt even more uneasy. He stared at the young and handsome face and asked in a low and icy voice, "Who exactly are you?"
Fan Xian glanced at him and said, "I am Fan Xian."
…
…
With a crisp clang, Hu Ge's back slammed heavily into the dirt wall. He quickly pulled out the curved knife at his waist and aimed it at Fan Xian. The dust on the dirt wall fell down and stained the food and wine on the table.
Hu Ge looked at Fan Xian with great caution. A glimmer of fear rose in his eyes.
Fan Xian lowered his head and tapped his fingers on the table. He had not thought that his true identity would scare the other party to such an extent. How could this person be called the foremost ace under the Left Virtuous King's banner?
He had no idea that the name of Commissioner Fan of the Qing Kingdom's Overwatch Council had long resounded through the world, far away from where the Hu people lived. In the hearts of the Qing people, Sir Fan junior was brilliant and eye-catching. In the eyes of the Qing Kingdom's enemies, this legendary young man was the number one target to guard against.
Up until now, the Hu people had never been taken advantage of by Fan Xian. However, they had been taken advantage of by Chen Pingping many times. Thus, they had endless fear and wariness toward Chen Pingping's successor. After Fan Xian admitted his identity, Hu Ge's first thought was that today's meeting was a trap. His second thought was that if this was not a trap, then this transaction would also consign the Hu people to eternal damnation.
"Don't be so afraid." Fan Xian raised his head and slowly said, "Correct, I am the head of the Overwatch Council. Don't worry, I am also a good businessman. Don't forget, I control the court's palace treasury. If you don't believe in my trustworthiness, you can send someone to the Central Plain to investigate."
"I'm not afraid." Hu Ge had already calmed down. A wolf-like wildness appeared in his eyes. Staring at Fan Xian, he enunciated each word clearly, "I just didn't think that someone of your status would lower himself to come see me and be so brave."
"This is the world of the Qing Kingdom. This is Dingzhou. I don't think there is anything special about my courage," Fan Xian looked at him and said. "Even a Hu person like you dares to come see me. Why wouldn't I dare to see you?"
"You don't know how much your head is worth," Hu Ge said. "Are you not afraid that I will set a trap here and kill you?"
Fan Xian glanced at him mockingly and wiped the meat oil in his hand onto the cloth curtain beside him. "This shop is filled with your people from top to bottom. If I was afraid of you setting a trap, why would I come in and sit and drink?"
"Besides, do you think you, the so-called foremost ace under the Left Virtuous King's banner, can kill me?" Fan Xian furrowed his brows as if he was looking at an insensible child. "You have a long name, but your courage is not much."
A person's name was like a tree's shadow. The most powerful ace of the younger generation in the Qing Kingdom had long branded his figure in the hearts of all martial artists. Hu Ge indeed did not have the courage to carry out such a dangerous attempt.
Fan Xian stood and stared into his eyes. "I don't care what you're thinking. Since my conditions are out, I want to know that person's name."
This was the piece of intelligence that the Overwatch Council cared about the most in their probing contact with the other party during these three months. The person hidden in the Hu King's tent was hidden very deeply. Furthermore, he had brought great harm to the Qing Kingdom. The Overwatch Council and Bureau of Military Affairs had tried everything they could but were still unable to find out who that person was.
Even the two Councils were not sure if there was such a terrifying military advisor in the Hu tribes or if the two Virtuous Kings and the Chief had suddenly been enlightened.
Fan Xian did not think so. The Qing Emperor also did not think so. The father and son had the same judgment. It was easy to change mountains and rivers, but it was difficult to change a person's nature. The changes in Xi Hu must have been influenced by outside forces. They were certain that that person existed.
This was the most important goal of Fan Xian's trip to Dingzhou. He wanted to dig out that person.
Hu Ge was the highest-ranking figure the Qing court could come into contact with among the Hu tribe. He had been urged for a long time. Hearing these words again, the expression of this Hu tribe ace changed. He knew how much help he would receive from the Qing court. Furthermore, Suo Suo's life and death were in the hands of this young man in front of him. He didn't have much of a choice.
However …
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