Chapter 477: Infiltration

Inside the Dengzhou Water City government office, a man dressed like a porter sat opposite the imposing Lu Zhi, speaking in a calm tone.

Lu Zhi sat in his chair with a mild expression, offering no opinion. The man before him was one of the Eastern Depot's senior lieutenants, named Jiang Yuegui, around forty years old. In his youth he had been a capable officer under Luo Yangxing's father, and after Luo Yangxing took over he continued serving in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, later being promoted to the Eastern Depot.

This time the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had dispatched ten groups to the Dengzhou and Laizhou areas. The other lieutenants had gradually been bought off by the Dengzhou Garrison, but this Jiang Yuegui was quite cunning. He had traveled south from Jinan Prefecture disguised as a cotton merchant from Yanzhou Prefecture, infiltrated Qingzhou Prefecture via Yizhou, and shaken off the Dengzhou Garrison's surveillance to reach Dengzhou Prefecture.

What he had seen along the way was rather startling. The Dengzhou Garrison had already gained a firm foothold in Qingzhou Prefecture, with large numbers of settlement households moving into those fortified villages, and many fortified villages were still drilling troops. In places like Pingdu Department they only spoke of certain offices and certain fortified villages, and he heard nothing of how the department or county offices were faring.

There were some places he wanted to go but ultimately could not reach. For instance, there was a large encampment area at Pingdu; the day he passed by, a large number of soldiers were entering. He only heard that the Dengzhou Garrison had lost troops in Henan and needed to recruit in Pingdu, but this single batch numbered as many as two to three thousand men. Additionally, there were some large workshops near Daze Mountain that he was unable to enter, but the roads were thick with carts and horses coming and going, the wheel ruts were extremely dense, and the flat-bottomed boats hauling goods on the various waterways traveled in flocks.

He noted and listened all along the way, but he always felt he had not grasped the most essential core of the Dengzhou Garrison, something those settlement households could not know. With the sensitivity of an intelligence operative, he believed that if he could unearth the secrets of the Dengzhou Garrison, it would absolutely be a great achievement when reported to Cao Huachun, and Lu Zhi happened to be an acquaintance from Lu Zhi's time in the Directorate of Palace Eunuchs. So he left behind the accompanying Eastern Depot agents, disguised himself alone as a porter, and entered Water City. At Lu Zhi's official gate he revealed his Eastern Depot waist badge and requested an audience with Lu Zhi, hoping Lu Zhi could provide him with convenience.

But the Lu Zhi before him was superficially warm. The moment he asked about the core issues of the Dengzhou Garrison, Lu Zhi would claim ignorance or deny the matter, which made Jiang Yuegui somewhat suspicious in his heart.

He lowered his voice and probed Lu Zhi: "Eunuch Lu, you must know the purpose for which we have come this time."

"I know, I know!" Lu Zhi nodded repeatedly. "But it wasn't Eunuch Cao who told me; it was other eunuchs who kindly warned me, and also told me to offer you pacification. Later I heard that Eunuch Cao forbade me from contacting you. So as for this, you are still the first to come, and an old acquaintance of mine. Tell me, this — I am in a position where helping is wrong, and not helping is also wrong."

Jiang Yuegui suddenly understood — no wonder Lu Zhi had this attitude. He bowed and said, "The Depot Director did indeed say so. Before I left, I went to pay my respects to the Depot Director and told him my plan. The Depot Director instructed me that I could come to Eunuch Lu at the appropriate time."

Lu Zhi narrowed his eyes and asked, "You speak empty words. The Depot Director acts with caution. Why would he let you alone come here? If it were not so, when Eunuch Cao lays blame..."

"Eunuch Lu, please hear this humble one out. This humble one stated his attitude at the time: I would absolutely not accept benefits from the Dengzhou Garrison. Nor would I enter Dengzhou and Laizhou the same way as the other lieutenants. This humble one came disguised as a Yanzhou merchant. Therefore Eunuch Cao believed this humble one could obtain what he wanted, and specifically asked Eunuch Lu to assist."

Lu Zhi gave an "Oh," and said, "So that is how it is." He lowered his head in thought, and after a moment looked up resolutely and said, "Since that is the case, then I must disregard the rest and help a bit. You may bring the Eastern Depot agents you brought with you into Water City. Everyone here is my trusted man, so it will be more convenient for you to operate. Or you may tell me your residence, and I will place eyes and ears. Should any misunderstanding or conflict arise, this official can also rush over in time."

Jiang Yuegui's pupils contracted. Several thoughts quickly turned in his mind, and he somewhat regretted coming to Water City. He quickly said, "In reply to Lord Lu, at present in Dengzhou there is only this humble one alone. The three accompanying Eastern Depot agents have all gone to Laiyang and other places to listen and take note. They already have quite a bit of information in hand, and they are all this humble one's trusted men. They act very cautiously and will not come into any conflict with the Dengzhou Garrison."

Lu Zhi let out a long breath of relief. "That is good. In truth, you should just listen and take note as you please. Even if Chen Xin finds out, he will bear you no ill will. This is a fierce general who has repeatedly dealt heavy blows to the Jianzhou Bandits and has always been utterly loyal to His Majesty. As for the reason you came here, I have also heard about it. It was all stirred up by that Zhong Caisheng at the instigation of Liaozhen. If there is to be an investigation, Liaozhen should be investigated first. Look at the things they do — grain prices in Guanning have soared to the heavens. Compared to Commander Chen, Wu Xiang is nothing but a dog of a talent."

At this moment Jiang Yuegui felt a sense of danger lurking on all sides. He steadied his nerves and said to Lu Zhi, "This subordinate believes that this time His Majesty also has some misunderstandings about Commander Chen. This humble one thinks that what we have heard and noted are not major matters. Truly speaking, as for things like embezzling payrolls, which garrison does not do the same?"

Lu Zhi nodded with satisfaction and said, "Commander Chen is a man who leads troops into battle. To demand that he speak to people as honestly and obediently as a civil official is also unreasonable. Although he sometimes likes to take a bit of others' territory, every garrison does that, and Dengzhou is not the worst offender."

"Yes, but His Majesty's intention is to uphold the authority of the imperial court. If the court has no authority, it is no good thing for anyone. It is not that he is bent on dealing with Commander Chen. Dengzhou has illustrious battle achievements, and Commander Chen cannot be dealt with." Jiang Yuegui pondered for a moment, then still invoked the Emperor, making one last effort to persuade Lu Zhi, reminding Lu Zhi that his position in Dengzhou actually came from the court and the Emperor.

Lu Zhi looked at Jiang Yuegui, his eyes shifting several times before he said, "The Dengzhou Garrison has many men formidable in battle, all roughly equal to one another. Some have rather large tempers and have offended certain lords in Dengzhou. However, if some could be transferred out to help train the Capital Garrison, that might be better — for instance, that Vice Regional Commander of the Dengzhou Right Wing, Lu Chuanzong."

Jiang Yuegui felt he had grasped something. At the very least, Lu Zhi had given him a target.

Lu Zhi saw Jiang Yuegui out. At the doorway, Jiang Yuegui pointed to his own clothes and said, "This humble one is dressed as a porter, so I will not trouble my lord to see me off, lest it cause Lord Lu to lose face."

Lu Zhi knew he was being guarded against, avoiding Lu Zhi giving a signal to anyone at the gate, so he laughed heartily and said, "Very well then, take care yourself."

Jiang Yuegui stopped at the doorway and said, "Then how should this humble one seek an audience with Lu Chuanzong?"

"He has a residence outside the Chunsheng Gate. As for the rest, you will have to figure it out yourself."

Jiang Yuegui thanked him and left. Lu Zhi returned to his room. The young eunuch who had been following him came over and said, "Eunuch Lu, if this causes offense to Commander Chen, it would be somewhat not worth it."

Lu Zhi turned to look at this young eunuch and scolded with a laugh, "Do you think I don't know how much silver you receive from Song Wenxian each month? And you still come pretending to care about me."

The young eunuch hurriedly knelt. Lu Zhi waved his hand and said, "Stop pretending. You know my affairs. In this matter, neither side can be offended."

"Then what should we do?"

"The matter of Jiang Yuegui coming here is known only to me and him, with no one else to corroborate. You go make a trip to Song Wenxian's place and tell him that someone from the Eastern Depot is going to seek out Lu Chuanzong. Who dies and who lives will depend on their own abilities. In any case, whoever wins will owe me a favor."...

Qingzhou Prefecture, inside the main tent of the Qingzhou Regional Commander's Main Battalion. Chen Xin sat in the seat of honor, with Wu Jianzhong standing beside him, and a powerfully built man in plain clothes standing below.

"Li Erbai, this official has already heard Wu Jianzhong's report. You have done well in Qingzhou."

The short, stocky Li Erbai stood obediently before Chen Xin, as docile as a little cat. He was none other than Xiao Qi, the adopted son of Zijin Liang, who had entered the service of the Dengzhou Garrison by betraying Zijin Liang. Brought back to Dengzhou and Laizhou by Chen Xin, he worked under Wu Jianzhong in the Intelligence Bureau, responsible for suppressing the gentry within Qingzhou Prefecture.

In a soft, careful voice he said to Chen Xin, "That was Lord Wu's cultivation. This humble one dares not claim credit."

Chen Xin smiled and said, "Well done is well done. Not a single gentry household in the vicinity dares to stir up trouble."

"This humble one actually... actually has no special knack. I just do whatever I think of doing. I have seen the faces of these gentry plenty of times. Back when I was under Zijin Liang and the Eighth Great King, wherever we went, those gentry would come out with grain to buy peace, and even call the Eighth Great King and those men brothers. But the moment we turned around, if our numbers were few, they would come up to attack and kill us. So this humble one is never polite to them."

Chen Xin laughed heartily and said, "Just do as you think. You have handled this assignment well. Wu Jianzhong has recommended to this official that you be put in charge of the Tangdihu line from now on."

"This humble one thanks Lord Chen for the promotion! Thanks Lord Wu for the recognition." Li Erbai immediately knelt and kowtowed to Chen Xin and Wu Jianzhong. He had been in Dengzhou and Laizhou for nearly a year. At first he had no idea what the Intelligence Bureau was, thinking Chen Xin had arranged a sinecure for him. Later, as he worked, he discovered that this Intelligence Bureau actually held considerable power, and its style of doing things rather suited his taste.

Wu Jianzhong, who managed him, was even more ruthless than Li Erbai, keeping Li Erbai completely subdued. Yet this Li Erbai carried out his work among the common people of Qingzhou Prefecture with thunderous efficiency, striking down many rural clan and gentry forces, allowing the Dengzhou Garrison's fortified villages to gradually gain a firm foothold. Now the number of fortified villages in Qingzhou Prefecture had reached forty, and Li Erbai had a share of the credit.

Chen Xin gently told Li Erbai to rise and instructed him, "For the specifics of how to do things, ask Wu Jianzhong. But there is one thing you must not forget: Tangdihu is, after all, a bandit. You are a man of the Intelligence Bureau. You are managing him, not becoming a bandit alongside him. There are certain bottom lines you must hold."

Li Erbai answered cautiously, "This humble one will remember. Dengzhou's interests come first. Whoever the lord wants cut, I cut; whoever the lord does not want cut, I do not cut. Additionally, if I want a woman, I go to a brothel; if I want silver, I do my work well and wait for the Intelligence Bureau's commission."

Chen Xin glanced at Wu Jianzhong, and both smiled. Chen Xin did not believe Li Erbai would be this honest, but he still turned to look at Li Erbai and said, "The words are crude but the reasoning is sound. You have roughly covered it all. However, the Dengzhou Garrison belongs to all of us, not to this official alone. Striving for Dengzhou's benefit is striving for your own benefit."

After finishing Li Erbai's matter, Chen Xin dismissed him and said to Wu Jianzhong, "Li Erbai will remain under you from now on. Just give him more guidance. Your main energy from now on should be placed on the Grand Canal field operations, with your station moved to Linqing. You must gather clear intelligence from all regions. This canal is of vital importance to us. But before that, you must return to Dengzhou once to handle this matter of the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"This subordinate understands. I have been paying attention to the canal recently. Everything else is normal, except that commodity prices are somewhat different from previous years. Grain prices have soared to the heavens."

Chen Xin nodded and smiled. "Everywhere is short of grain. Our grain prices in Dengzhou and Laizhou have also risen, but with the Comprehensive Market stabilizing grain prices, it has not exceeded one tael and five mace. You must also strengthen reconnaissance and interdiction in this area recently. In the three prefectures of Dengzhou, Laizhou, and Qingzhou, no one is permitted to send grain to the Grand Canal. Any discovered are to be struck down without exception."

Wu Jianzhong asked in a low voice, "What if it is an imperial court official, or even Prince Heng's Palace?"

"The same. Do it all quietly. Additionally, you can spread more rumors. Grain prices in Guanning are approaching nine taels. I hear that people from Kalaqin went to Ningyuan and could not buy grain even with silver in hand."

Wu Jianzhong said in a deep voice, "It is good that they cannot buy it. The Kalaqin people are wolves that cannot be domesticated. A large part of what they buy is for the Jianzhou Bandits."

Chen Xin said, "Liaodong is suffering a great drought again this year. So in this way, the silver and coin that Huang Taiji plundered in Xuanfu and Datong has shrunk in value. Although he still has many captives, without grain, I wonder how much physical strength will remain."

Wu Jianzhong suddenly knelt and said, "My lord's tiger-like might — the day our Dengzhou Garrison recovers Liaodong draws nearer."

Chen Xin helped Wu Jianzhong up and said earnestly, "The Jianzhou Bandits have always been the primary enemy of our Dengzhou Garrison. Besides striking at them in this aspect, the most important thing remains military strength. In the second half of this year, we must continue to expand the army. The horses purchased from Tumote are also arriving continuously. Once this batch of new soldiers is trained, combined with farming colonies in southern Liaodong, the doomsday of the Jianzhou Bandits will truly arrive."

As the two were speaking, the adjutant at the door announced an urgent report. Chen Xin had the adjutant enter, and after reading the urgent report he said to Wu Jianzhong, "Just now I was telling you about the Eastern Depot. Return to Dengzhou ahead of schedule. Some matters truly cannot be delayed." (To be continued...)