Chapter 224: Anomalous Activity Resurfaces

The deep night of Bianliangcheng always seems able to conceal many unknown undercurrents.

Inside the interrogation room of the Inspection Bureau's office, candlelight illuminated Qian Gui's sharp-angled profile half in light, half in shadow.

Before him on the desk lay several dispatches from different channels, like scattered puzzle pieces pointing to a gradually clear and unsettling picture.

One dispatch from Hebei Dao, written in a special code, after decryption revealed brief yet shocking content:

«The target has made contact with an envoy of Chengde Army's military governor Liu Yanzu, the meeting point being fifteen li outside Zhenzhou City at the Puti Hermitage. »

«The secret talk lasted about one shichen. »

«Liu Yanzu has recently been frequently moving his trusted troops under the pretense of patrolling the borders, and grain prices under his jurisdiction have inexplicably risen slightly by about ten percent over the past half month. »

«Chengde Army…… Liu Yanzu……»

Qian Gui tapped the name lightly with his finger, his eyes icy.

This man is one of the stronger figures among the Hebei garrisons, a habitual fence-sitter who outwardly obeys the Bian Liang court while secretly defying it.

When Chai Rong was powerful, he still restrained himself;

But now that the new dynasty has just been founded and its foundations are unsteady, he has begun to stir.

And his contact with the «target» has further confirmed his disloyalty.

«Target», in the Inspection Bureau's internal secret files, specifically refers to the Iron Crow Army.

Another dispatch comes from the Hedong direction:

«Within Northern Han territory, there is suspected to be «cargo» (the codename for Nether Energy Crystal Ore) entering from the direction of Dai Bei, quantity unknown, destination suspected to be Taiyuan Prefecture. »

«The convoy is not composed of Northern Han soldiers, its movements are mysterious, and it appears to be the «Black Sail» transport team belonging to the «target». »

«Black Sail» is the codename given by the Inspection Bureau to the Iron Crow Army's team responsible for secretly transporting Nether Energy Crystal Ore and other supplies.

They are acting again, and transporting the materials to Northern Han—what does this signify?

Is it to strengthen Northern Han's strength and incite it to march south to contain?

Or is it that the Iron Crow Army itself plans some operation within Northern Han?

The third dispatch is even more eerie, originating from an inconspicuous corner inside the palace, transmitted by a deeply embedded mole:

«Recently, several elderly eunuchs in the palace Laundry Bureau have behaved oddly, often gathering at midnight beside the abandoned well, as if waiting for something. »

«One of them previously managed the ice cellar for a period in the Directorate of Palace Attendants during the Early Zhou era. »

Ice cellar…… chill……

Qian Gui immediately linked this information with Zhao Lao Nian's research report on the properties of Nether Energy Crystal Ore.

He had just read that report, which stated that Nether Energy Crystal Ore emits abnormal chill and requires a specific storage environment.

Could it be that the Iron Crow Army's hidden mole in the palace, the fellow codename «Han Ya», is actually connected to those old eunuchs who managed the ice cellar?

Are they waiting beside the abandoned well?

Waiting to receive what?

Or to receive orders?

These scattered pieces of information are like cold snakes in the dark, raising their heads and flicking their tongues.

After the failure of the Chenqiao Plan and the heavy blow to the Bian Liang underground network, the Iron Crow Army did not retreat into hiding but instead became more active.

They extended their feelers toward the powerful factions of Hebei and Hedong, attempting to build a new encirclement from outside;

they accelerated the transport of strategic supplies;

and their hidden pieces within the palace also began to stir silently.

All this points to one conclusion: the Iron Crow Army is plotting a larger-scale, more fierce counterstrike.

Unwilling to accept defeat, they seek to exploit the moment when the new dynasty has just been founded, the emperor is on a northern tour, and internal affairs are not yet fully integrated, striking from multiple directions at once to strangle this newly born dynasty in its cradle.

«A splendid move—blossoming on all four sides. »

Qian Gui gave a cold snort and stacked the several dispatches together.

The enemy's intention is now quite clear.

If Liu Yanzu of Hebei rebels, he will directly threaten Bian Liang's northeastern gateway, cutting off part of the connection with the northern borders;

if Northern Han gains strength and marches south, it will pin down the Shanxi-direction garrison;

and if the palace's hidden agents strike at a critical moment, the resulting chaos would be fatal.

Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor is currently in the northern borders, directly facing possible Khitan forces colluding with the Iron Crow Army.

The situation instantly became tangled and complex, with dangers lurking everywhere.

Qian Gui picked up his pen and quickly wrote several lines of orders on a blank slip, using a cipher only core secret agents can understand.

«Class A Order: Strictly monitor the movements of Chengde Army's Liu Yanzu and his officers, paying particular attention to their grain and troop deployments and the deployment of their trusted units. »

«If necessary, we may «intercept» their messengers to obtain more detailed intelligence. »

«Class B Order: Increase personnel to closely monitor the «Black Sail» movements within Northern Han, ascertaining the final destination and purpose of the «cargo». »

«Attempt to contact those within Northern Han dissatisfied with Liu Jun, spread rumors that the Iron Crow Army intends to use them to execute the clam-and-snipe stratagem. »

«Class C Order: Implement round-the-clock surveillance of the targeted elderly eunuchs in the palace Laundry Bureau, recording all their contacts and abnormal behavior. »

«For now, do not make arrests; play a long game, and be sure to uncover «Han Ya». »

«Class D Order: Send the above information summary and analysis by eight-hundred-li urgent express, secretly to the Emperor's northern tour headquarters. »

«Note: The Iron Crow Army may have intentions to coordinate on all four sides and rise simultaneously; please have the Emperor swiftly settle the northern borders affair and early establish the central authority. »

Having finished writing, he sealed it with wax, stamped it with the Inspection Bureau's unique secret mark, and said in a low voice:

«Come in. »

A subordinate like a shadow appeared silently at the doorway.

«Issue it immediately. »

«The Class A, B, and C orders shall go via the underground channels; »

Ding Ling took the military's fast horse route, ensuring there would be no mistake.

Qian Gui handed over the sealed order, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Yes.

The subordinate took the order, his form flickered, and he vanished outside the door.

In the tally room, only Qian Gui remained once again.

He walked to the window, opened a slight gap, and gazed at the heavy night outside, as well as the faint outline of the palace in the distance.

The wind and rain are imminent.

He could feel an invisible great net tightening from all sides, and the Iron Crow Army was the spider at its center, controlling everything.

Do you want to upset this game?

Qian Gui muttered under his breath, a flash of bloodthirsty cold light flickering in his eyes.

That also requires asking whether I, the one wielding the blade, agree or not.

He knew little time remained for the new dynasty.

The war in the northern borders must swiftly secure a decisive victory; the emperor must quickly return to court and hold the center, in order to face the impending storm surges from multiple directions.

And his Inspection Bureau must, in the final moments before the storm arrives, like the keenest hound, cling tightly to every clue, striving for the emperor and this fledgling dynasty to gain even the slightest edge.

Changes have already surfaced, killing intent rises again.

This is destined to be a night that many will find hard to sleep.