Chapter 235: On the Importance of Intelligence, Continuing to Copy Lao Zhu

Two days later.

Mirror Office.

Chen Yan was lying on the desk, flipping through the banquet menu prepared by Dantai Mingyue, when his left fingertip tapped his forehead as if recalling something. He looked up at Song Fei beside him and said, "Lao Song, bring the defensive layout for the wedding day's bridal procession and let me have another look…"

"Sir, here!"

Song Fei responded at once and swiftly fetched it.

"No, no....."

Chen Yan closed the menu, paced unhurriedly over the key points from Pei Fu to the chief's residence, pondering briefly, then furrowed his brow and shook his head.

"Sir, do you think there are any oversights?" Song Fei bowed and asked.

This defensive layout for the bridal procession is already the fourth revised version…

"Our direct deployment largely emphasizes guarding against assassinations and the response plans should a sudden attack occur…"

Chen Yan stared at the layout spread on the desk, gently rubbing it with his fingertips, and said in a deep voice, "But we have still overlooked a crucial issue!"

It's not that I'm picking at bones in an egg, nor is it excessive caution…

His marriage alliance with the Pei Clan is too important to tolerate even the slightest slip!

Moreover, Yang Gong died not long ago, the alliance fell through, and we cannot be sure that some malicious individuals won't try to repeat the same trick…

"Please clarify, Sir!" Song Fei racked his brain, still unable to think of what we missed, and respectfully said.

Chen Yan did not withhold, answering directly, "We have omitted the possibility that they might intend to cause chaos on the scene…"

He said this while raising his hand and lightly tapping the sides of the roads on the map.

At the indicated location, given Chen Yan's current reputation, there will be countless spectators…

If any scheming person extends their claws toward them, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Shuyi understands!"

Song Fei understood, nodded heavily, "I'll go redraft it…"

Chen Yan raised his right hand, gave it a slight shake, and reminded, "Also, within my office, the Grand Overseer will come personally that day; safety is paramount!"

Whether due to my own merits, my current status, or because of my mother's influence, the Grand Overseer's and Grand Marshal's presence is inevitable…

The safety of my big brother is above all!

He is even closer than my own father!

"Yes." Song Fei replied.

Chen Yan leaned back in his chair, thought again, and said, "The rear kitchen and the cellar must also be closely guarded…"

The rear kitchen needs no further mention, and the cellar, where wine is stored, must not be left vulnerable.

"Understood."

Song Fei silently committed everything to memory, and after the salute, went to make further arrangements.

Chen Yan also sent the others out.

Zhu Yi and Hongye guarded the doorway.

At this moment, the vast hall contained only Chen Yan.

"The Mirror Office's four guards are still barely sufficient…"

He lazily propped his leg on the desk, looked up, murmuring thoughtfully, "But if we go further, it will become strained."

When Taizu founded the Mirror Office, he considered the situation of the Former Yan (Western Yan) at the time…

Now, as time passes, the four guards—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, Vermilion Bird—are gradually showing decline in numbers.

They can no longer meet the growing demands in all aspects…

The former chief, Yuchi Min, may have noticed, but time was short; before reforms could begin, he left for Jingzhou and became the Northwestern Governor.

"It's also time to consider expansion…"

Chen Yan sat up, took up his brush, and wrote down the list of the new Seven Guards he had devised.

Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, Yao Guang.

These eleven guards can not only strengthen the Court's control over Chang'an and the provinces, but also increase Chen Yan's own authority.

The reach extends further, accumulating more political redundancy.

"Moreover, the current Mirror Office is still far too rudimentary compared to the Brocade Guard…"

Chen Yan again lifted his brush, drew a horizontal line beneath the new Seven Guards, and muttered.

The occurrence of the Yang–Dugu marriage, a time‑lagged event…

…is enough to show that the Mirror Office's grip on Chang'an is still insufficient, far from enough!

Such a thing can happen only once.

Recalling this, Chen Yan's mind conjured a face, and he wrote on the paper, "I must continue copying Lao Zhu's work!"

"Surveillance in this area must be strengthened…"

No wonder Lao Zhu is the timeless emperor who started with a single bowl.

The template he produced is excellent.

Next, we must bribe and turn agents, plant informants among officials at all levels, and conduct secret surveillance.

To achieve the level of Lao Zhu, who can know everything even while eating and chatting…

Chen Yan's peripheral glance caught the few "work uniforms" hanging on the wall; he looked down at his own attire and said gravely, "The clothing must also be updated…"

"The Flying Fish uniform would be fine!"

"Pair it with the Embroidered Spring Sword, perfect!"

Since we're copying the Great Ming's work, we should copy it thoroughly…

Moreover, aesthetically, he truly appreciates the combination of the Flying Fish uniform and the Embroidered Spring Sword!

One word: handsome!

"We also have to start building this nationwide intelligence network…"

Chen Yan pulled out a fresh sheet of paper, lifted his brush, and wrote those five characters.

When it comes to the importance of intelligence, none throughout history have surpassed it!

No need to speak of distant matters; as long as we have this, the Qinzhou incident can be nipped in the bud, preventing the Tongtian Society from developing and giving it an opening, right?

However, to forge a nationwide intelligence network, the silver required would be astronomical…

But Chen Yan, paradoxically, lacks nothing—he happens to have plenty of silver!

The monopolized Qinglou, Fine Salt, and the various upcoming projects that will soon be mounted on Horse can provide ample financial backing.

Then, by spending a fortune to buy off jianghu figures for his own use, he will forge a professional assassin troupe…

"But if the blade sharpens too quickly, it can easily backfire…"

Chen Yan couldn't help but consider the issue of checks and balances.

Indeed, the butt still decides the brain.

Thinking of this, he lifted his brush on the paper and wrote two more characters:

East Factory.

That can be dealt with much later; the pressing priority now remains expanding the family fortune!

"Only after marrying into the Pei Clan can we truly connect with the prestigious families of Guanzhong…"

Chen Yan set his pen down, sighed, his gaze sharp, murmuring, "But it's still insufficient; the previous arrangements must still be implemented one by one!"

Perhaps having spent many years by that big boss's side, even now in a high position, Chen Yan's mind remains filled with a sense of danger…

Still, there's that feeling of being unable to control one's own destiny…

He dares not be even slightly careless!

Chen Yan helplessly shook his head, a bitter smile curling at the corner of his mouth, saying softly, "It's just that now that Suiwan, the official wife, has entered the house, the chances of later going to the Qinglou and being carefree will probably be few…"

"Clang clang clang!"

At that moment, a series of knocks sounded from outside.

"Enter," Chen Yan, still musing, said, pulling his thoughts back.

"Young Master!" Zhu Yi hurried inside, stopping before him.

"What is it?"

"The Duke of Wei's mansion has sent the betrothal gifts to our mansion…" Zhu Yi said, "Chen Gubai also handed over a remark!"

"What remark?" Chen Yan raised an eyebrow upon hearing, and asked.

"He said he had done too many wrongs before, and apologizes to you, Young Master…"

Zhu Yi, after a brief recollection, recounted in detail: "He wishes to invite you, Young Master, to the Jiangnan banks to drink freely, dispel misunderstandings, thaw past grievances, and express brotherly affection!"

"Oh?"

Chen Yan showed no major emotional swing, but a flash of unusual color passed through his eyes as he said meaningfully, "My good third brother, this is a peace offering!"

"Young Master, shall we go?" Zhu Yi asked.

"Go!"

Chen Yan, without any hesitation, said resolutely, "They've already said so much, how could we not go?"