Chapter 118: Deputy Envoy

During the change of seasons, the movement of merchant caravans and northward-migrating groups becomes active.

Under the chaos of the Evil Plague, the two best times of year for traveling are now, which is the best period of the first half of the year.

The number of outsiders entering and leaving Jingxing Fang every day has increased; the Clerks within the ward and the people from the Huwei Escort Agency have collected quite a bit of information during this time.

On the surface, the Jingqing Public Office and the Huwei Escort Agency currently have no employment relationship, nor any exchange of money or grain, but the conveniences provided are not few at all.

As for the higher-level sources of information that Wen Gu obtains, they are provided by Lady Shen.

Every few days, Wen Gu would run over to Zhao Fu to keep his aunt company and listen to the latest news. Occasionally, he would run into his uncle and cousin; if they were free, they could chat for a while, but most of the time, these two were busy.

This day, Wen Gu came to Zhao Fu again.

First, he accompanied Lady Shen to practice tea art.

Literally.

In these chaotic times, material conditions have greatly declined; regardless of how difficult life is for those at the bottom, the powerful and wealthy still maintain their pursuit of an exquisite life. They might not be able to manage other luxuries, but whisking and tasting tea is still something they can afford to play with.

This link is indispensable in daily social activities. One may not like it, but one cannot be unable to do it.

During this time of practicing tea art, the aunt and nephew would also chat about official business.

Between whisking and tasting the tea, Lady Shen's tone sank slightly: "Your uncle is not in a good mood today."

To be precise, he is in a state of rage.

"It seems an important mission of the Patrol Guard Division failed, and the person in charge of this matter is an adjutant of the Patrol Guard Division, Cheng Xu."

The three highest-ranking officers in the Patrol Guard Division are one chief and two deputies. The chief officer is Pei Jun, and there are two other deputy officers.

These three are all entrusted with heavy responsibilities by the Head of the Family, Zhao.

Therefore, any mission that can be handed to them must be closely linked to the layout of the Head of the Family, Zhao.

When an important link goes wrong, he is bound to be furious. Even if his temperament were usually excellent, he would not be emotionally stable at this time.

With his uncle in a bad mood, Wen Gu naturally would not go up to him at this time. Therefore, after leaving Lady Shen, he intended to head straight back.

Just as he was walking out, he saw someone standing in the corridor ahead.

With a tall, straight figure and unique attire, equipped with standard armor, he should have looked imposing and extraordinary, yet he exuded an air of gloom.

Oh, it is that person—the Patrol Guard Division adjutant who just got a dressing-down from Zhao Laoda.

"Ward Chief Wen!" The other party came toward Wen Gu.

"Deputy Envoy Cheng." Wen Gu offered a polite bow.

The Patrol Guard Division's Deputy Patrol Guard Envoy, Cheng Xu, was waiting here specifically.

He had botched an important errand and received a dressing-down. Being scolded was secondary; what he feared was losing the trust of the boss.

His position as an adjutant in the Patrol Guard Division could not be kept. This was certain.

However, if it were merely a demotion, there would still be a chance to rise again. He had the means and the daring to fight! But if trust in his ability to handle affairs were lost, and he were kicked out of the core circle of power, it would be extremely difficult to return!

Cheng Xu only felt heavy-hearted, his path forward dim.

At the same time, he carried a strong sense of unwillingness.

Xinzhou is not lacking in people now; there are plenty of people who want to squeeze him out!

He must think of a way as soon as possible!

What should he do?

How can he continue to be entrusted with important tasks?

His footsteps were heavy, and his mood was even heavier. After much thought and rapid mental shifts, he finally thought of something before leaving the residence.

It just so happened that Wen Gu also came to Zhao Fu today, so he specifically stood here to wait.

This cousin-nephew is quite talented, and the Young Master once praised Wen Gu for his rich experience from his Study Tour, his erudition, and his talent, and he is highly valued by the Head of the Family.

If he were not in a hurry to resolve his current predicament, he would certainly have prepared a gift and paid a visit.

But at this moment, he could not be so particular.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Deputy Envoy Cheng went straight to the point.

Naturally, he did not rashly say that he had handled things poorly or just been reprimanded. He did not mention the previous mission either, only saying that he might have more free time coming up and thought he could contribute to the matter of the Defense Post.

As the proposer of the Defense Post, Wen Gu must have more understanding than others, and he had waited specifically to ask for advice.

"The Defense Post?"

Wen Gu was surprised, but quickly understood; Deputy Envoy Cheng just wanted to atone for his crimes as soon as possible rather than passively waiting for his fate to be decided.

At this time of year, the situation changes too quickly, and more and more elite talent is arriving in Xinzhou. If one waits passively, it is easy to be kicked out directly.

Wen Gu did not ask further. Since the other party only wanted to understand the Defense Post, he would only answer questions about the Defense Post.

"The Defense Post does not look difficult, but there are many details that need to be treated with caution..."

The Defense Post is not just about building it as quickly as possible; besides building, it must be guarded, and it would be best if someone could guard it there and experience a monster swarm once.

This is life-threatening!

But crisis is also accompanied by opportunity; for Deputy Envoy Cheng in his current situation, he does not fear danger, only the lack of opportunity!

The two chatted under the corridor for nearly half an hour. This occasion was not a place for a specialized chat, so they set a time to talk in detail.

Deputy Envoy Cheng thanked him solemnly, and then, with a turn of his feet and a resolute, determined expression, he headed toward the courtyard of the Head of the Family, Zhao.

Wen Gu continued to leave the residence.

With Deputy Envoy Cheng's ambi... drive and fighting spirit, he would never dare to be careless in matters concerning his future.

If this person were truly to go and personally supervise the guard, cutting corners or unauthorized changes to the structure would basically be impossible. The first Defense Post might even exceed expectations.

Outside Zhao Fu, several newly built government offices had appeared, and some new faces had replaced others in various positions of varying sizes within Xinzhou City.

Wen Gu came to Zhao Fu every few days, and every time he came, he could always see new faces.

Before the New Year, one could still see scholars strolling leisurely here; how long has it been since the New Year, and now everyone is walking in a hurry.

The rat race is on!

It is no wonder Deputy Envoy Cheng Xu's heartstrings are pulled tight, not daring to delay even a fraction. Perhaps one step slower and he would be replaced by someone else.

Deputy Envoy Cheng Xu's efficiency is indeed high; he turned around at the time to go to the Head of the Family to show his loyalty and beg for an opportunity, and he really managed to snag one!

Zhao Laoda still has two parts more tolerance for this subordinate; he might not be willing to entrust other important matters involving secrets to him for the time being, but as for this matter of the Defense Post, it can be considered.

Deputy Envoy Cheng Xu went home and pondered for another night, then the next day first prepared generous gifts to visit Wen Gu in Jingxing Fang to ask for advice on his doubts. He also requested a small booklet convenient for recording and a charcoal pencil to record key points, carrying them with him.

Afterwards, he reorganized his thoughts and went to Zhao Fu once more, having a secret talk with the Head of the Family for nearly an hour.

A group of people who had received the news, who were originally watching from the sidelines and wanting to take this opportunity to replace Cheng Xu, were quite disappointed to see such a situation.

"It seems this failure is still not enough to kick him out."

Several days later, Cheng Xu took a team of people and left Xinzhou City, heading toward the Defense Post.

The first Defense Post in Xinzhou might become an important node for the Zhao Family's layout in Xinzhou; this time, Cheng Xu is gambling his life and his future!

Not a single mistake can be tolerated, nor is anyone allowed to interfere!

On the day Deputy Envoy Cheng Xu left Xinzhou City, Wen Gu went to see him off. He did not avoid suspicion, and he had no need to avoid suspicion.

He just thought of a few supplementary questions and gave a few more words of instruction.

Even as the proposer of the Defense Post, Wen Gu cannot guarantee that the actual object will be as effective as envisioned.

With Deputy Envoy Cheng Xu going on this trip, no one knows if there will still be a chance to meet again.

At the city gate, there was a constant stream of horses and carriages.

The groups that had just arrived after fleeing north had joy, weeping, and numbness, with their focus all on the inside of the city. Deputy Envoy Cheng Xu's team did not attract much attention among them.

Wen Gu watched as Deputy Envoy Cheng Xu led his people away, then turned and returned to the city.

He planned to go to Qingyun Fang to spur on the Daoist Priest.

Recently, the Daoist Priest has been flattered by the merchant caravans and people of great clans entering the city until he is a bit conceited again; he is likely idle once more.