Chapter 27: with translation of chapter title

When the envoy set out again, its size not only did not decrease, but appeared even more orderly.

Zheng Hao not only supplemented Wang Jin with ten elite guards, but also replaced his two burned-out carriages with four brand-new blue-canopied wagons; the bodies were solidly built, the axles wrapped in wrought iron, obviously extremely sturdy.

The convoy slowly traveled along the official road, the newly added Zheng family guards and the original Imperial Guards were clearly separated on either side; although they exchanged no words, their eyes held a hint of scrutiny and vigilance.

Wang Xiu controlled Wang Jin, sitting in the lead carriage, whose interior was lined with thick soft cushions, making the ride almost free of bumps. He had no mind to enjoy this comfortable setting, but instead opened the game interface visible only to him.

On the 【Family Panel】, the data showed slight changes.

【Wang Family】

【First Generation Head: Wang Jin】

【Family Prestige: 60/100 (Renowned in the Divine Capital)】

【Family Influence: 15/100 (Just Taking Shape)】

【Family Assets: ……】

【Family Relations: Ally - Yingyang Zheng (Runzhou branch), Relation: Bond of Life and Death】

Prestige and influence both saw a weak increase, and below appeared an entirely new "Family Relation"!

The four words "Bond of Life and Death" obviously carry great weight in the game system's judgment.

Wang Xiu's heart stirred slightly; this was not merely a verbal promise bought with bloodshed, but also recognized by this mysterious "Family Legacy Game Machine" as a quantifiable family asset.

His gaze fell upon the jade pendant he had strung with a red cord and worn close to his chest; the pendant was warm and smooth, and even through his clothing one could feel a hint of coolness.

This is the key he uses to pry open the massive machine of the Zheng family.

But Wang Xiu clearly understands that having been given the key, whether one can use it well—or even avoid being backstabbed by it—is another matter; he must quickly verify the sincerity of this alliance.

After traveling for about two hours, the convoy saw a modest county town ahead. Wang Jin halted the convoy and said to Lieutenant Li beside him: "Lieutenant Li, take your brothers here to rest and replenish water and rations; I will go into town to handle some matters."

Lieutenant Li's wounds were still bandaged; hearing this, he immediately became alert: "Sir, these are not ordinary times; for you to enter the city alone is dangerous! I will accompany you."

"No need." Wang Jin shook his head, pointing to the ten silent Zheng family guards in the convoy: "Having them with me is enough."

He turned to the leader of those ten guards, a middle-aged man named Zheng Ping, a close confidant of Zheng Hao, whose skills were the best and whose demeanor was the most steady.

"Zheng Guard, pick two men and follow me into the city."

"Yes, Wang Secretary." Zheng Ping said nothing more, immediately selecting two capable guards to follow.

Lieutenant Li watched this scene, his eyes somewhat complex, but in the end he said nothing more. He understood that Wang Secretary now trusted the Zheng family people more.

Wang Jin entered the county town with three Zheng family guards. He did not go to the magistrate's office nor the post station, but according to the map Zheng Hao gave him before parting, he went straight to a shop called "Listening Wind Trading House" in the east of the city.

The shop's storefront was small, dealing in various sundries from north and south, appearing quite ordinary.

Wang Jin stepped inside.

The shop's assistant was dozing on the counter; seeing a customer enter, he lazily lifted his head: "Sir, what would you like?"

Wang Jin said nothing, merely walked to the counter and gently placed the warm jade pendant upon it.

The assistant's gaze fell on the jade pendant; his previously sleepy eyes instantly sharpened, and he snapped them open.

He silently picked up the jade pendant, turned it over twice, confirming the private seal and special markings on it.

"Please come inside, sir; our manager has prepared fresh tea in the back hall." His attitude did a 180-degree turn instantly, becoming exceedingly respectful; he personally lifted the curtain and led Wang Jin inside.

Zheng Ping's three guards wanted to follow in, but the assistant stretched out a hand to stop them.

"Gentlemen, the back hall is a confidential area; please wait here."

Zheng Ping glanced at Wang Jin, saw him nod, and no longer insisted; the three stood like iron towers at the doorway.

The back hall was much more spacious than the front; a middle-aged man resembling an accountant sat behind the desk; seeing Wang Jin enter, he immediately rose and bowed deeply to him.

"I am Liu Quan, manager of the Listening Wind Trading House's Runzhou branch; I greet the envoy of the Eastern Lord."

"No need for excessive courtesy." Wang Jin got straight to the point: "I need to know the latest developments of all Prefectures and Counties offices, garrisons, and jianghu forces along the route from here to Jiangling Prefecture, especially news about the 'Unorthodox Persons'."

Liu Quan's face showed no surprise, as if he had expected this question.

"Replying to the envoy, the news was transmitted yesterday from the main office. Lord Zong Chuke and Wu Sansi, the day after you left Luoyang, activated the moles they had planted among the 'Unorthodox Persons', mobilizing at least three 'Night Owl' squads southward."

"Night Owl?"

"They are the elite of the Unorthodox Persons' shadow forces, most skilled at aquatic assassination." Liu Quan's tone was calm, but the content was chilling: "They are equipped with specially made 'fire dragon boats' and 'water ghosts'; ordinary official ships cannot withstand them."

Wang Xiu's heart sank; Zheng Hao's guess had been completely confirmed.

"The site of their attack has also been ascertained." Liu Quan took an extremely detailed map from under the desk, spread it on the table, and his finger pointed to a wide expanse of water on the map.

"Han River, Fisherman's Ford."

"Here the river is widest, the current swiftest, with reeds growing thick on both banks—ideal for an ambush. When an official ship reaches midstream, unable to advance or retreat, that is the perfect moment for them to strike."

Wang Jin stared at the map, his mind racing. He realized that the Zheng family's intelligence network was even more terrifying than he had imagined. They could not only ascertain the enemy's identity and equipment, but also deduce the exact location and timing of their attack with such precision.

"Is there any countermeasure?" Wang Jin asked.

"Yes." Liu Quan's reply remained brisk: "According to the Eastern Lord's intention, after you reach Xiangyang you must no longer travel by water. We will arrange for you and your core guards to don our merchant convoy's attire, carry forged travel permits, and take a detour by land to secretly enter Jiangling Prefecture."

"As for your overt envoy," Liu Quan's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, "we will find people to impersonate you, board an official ship, and openly cross the river at Fisherman's Ford as bait, drawing all the attention of the 'Night Owls'."

Abandon the carriage to save the commander!

What a ruthless tactic!

Wang Xiu's heart was again shaken by the modus operandi of the great aristocratic clans. To preserve an ally, they would not hesitate to sacrifice a squad of their own people masquerading as others.

"No need." Wang Jin, however, slowly shook his head.

Liu Quan froze: "What does the envoy mean?"

"The bait—I will be it myself." Wang Jin's eyes flashed with a hint of icy coldness.

He cannot hide.

His journey to the southwest is to establish merit and make his name known. If he chooses to flee like a stray dog at the first sign of danger, how will he ever establish authority? How will his subordinates be convinced?

More importantly, he wants to use this opportunity to see how much power his personally forged 'Wang Family core' and his newly acquired ally can unleash when faced with a real bloodbath.

He looked at the astonished Liu Quan and said, word by word:

You only need to tell me the terrain, hydrology, and... wind direction of Fish Weir Crossing.

I not only want to cross the river, I also want to leave all those 'Night Owls' hiding in the water behind!