Chapter 150: Incompatible Auras

Wen Gu first wrote a secret letter to Shuo City.

The talisman must be found at the Gao Family Old Residence; he sent a message via flying servant to have Xiao Zhao quickly take men to dig the item out.

Afterwards, Wen Gu took Ming Tiao, Yu He, and others to flip through case files to see if they could find any records related to Jinchan Hu.

Unfortunately, they found nothing substantial for the time being.

Wen Gu also went to ask Lao Zhao.

Lao Zhao could not answer either. He had offed too many people back then; who would remember a demonic path in such a remote corner?

Wen Gu could only investigate it himself.

"Is there anyone who used to be from that area? Or who has had some understanding of it? Go and ask."

The two Commanders, Ming and Yu, took their subordinates and went to ask around before returning.

None.

At the beginning of the chaotic times, too many people died due to plague and war.

It was impossible to catch every resident of Xinzhou City to ask them one by one. It would be time-consuming, and one might not necessarily get an answer.

Even if someone had worshipped an evil cult before, they would not dare to say so now. Who didn't know that Lao Zhao had offed many people back then because of evil cult matters?

Wen Gu felt it was a great pity. Cheng Zhi could not be exposed to these things yet.

Otherwise, tasks like flipping through archives and case files could be left to Secretary Cheng alone.

Cheng Zhi was currently in a probationary observation period and could only do some work that did not require confidentiality, doing some odd jobs.

There were many restrictions during the probation period, but Cheng Zhi himself was quite happy, coming to the Patrol Guard Division every day full of enthusiasm.

Watching his work state, Wen Gu felt it was even more of a pity—if this enthusiasm were put into practical matters, how efficient that would be!

Sighing, Wen Gu continued with the work at hand.

Based on the existing maps and the gathered information, he took out a new sheet of paper and drew Xinzhou City, Shuo City, and Yuecheng to the northwest on it.

He then drew the imperial road and the main mountains.

He also marked the location of Jinchan, which was situated between Xinzhou City and the city.

Jinchan Hu was not the mountain closest to the imperial road, but the distance was not far.

Ming Tiao, who had leaned over, found it more suspicious the more he looked: "This road is also one of the routes for merchant caravans to head to the border Quechang. Merchant caravans that need to trade at the Quechang must take the designated route, and this road is among them!"

"The Gao Family's merchant caravan also takes this way!"

One must know, merchant caravans not only have their own trading activities, but they also contract the transport of official goods!

With a noble person as a backer, it is not difficult for the Gao Family to want to contract the transport of official goods!

Even if they didn't do it openly, they would do it in secret.

Yu He agreed, saying: "Frequently traveling back and forth on this route, they must also be familiar with the busy periods of the imperial road and can easily avoid them."

No one knew how much cargo the Gao Family's caravan had delivered, nor did they know what they had actually done on the road.

Ming Tiao was so excited his face was glowing, eager to try: "Deputy Envoy Wen, shall we go and dig?"

Commander Ming didn't think much of the potential "clients" within the city anymore.

Deputy Envoy Wen was right; how much grain could be hidden in the city?

It had to be the big warehouses outside the city!

Yu He, standing nearby, also caught on; even if he didn't know the full story, the part he cared about most was already clear.

At this moment, a beast-like fierce light flashed in his eyes: "Jinchan Hu is not particularly far from the provincial city, and there are relatively fewer Plague Ghosts in the northwest now, with troops from the two cities patrolling and clearing them from time to time. Deputy Envoy Wen, we really can go and take a look!"

Dig!

Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must dig it out!

Looking at the map, Wen Gu said calmly: "No rush. Sharpening the knife will not delay the work of cutting wood; let's investigate a bit more. If it's unclear and"

vague, going over there would just be a waste of time."

Ming Tiao and Yu He could only suppress the restlessness in their hearts and set about investigating more information related to Jinchan.

With a big warehouse dangling in front of them, they were now full of motivation!

In the process of continuing to investigate clues, Princess Guangning paid a visit.

She brought a team of guards, looking overbearing. As always, she had the demeanor of imperial royalty.

Someone who didn't know the truth asked curiously: "Princess Guangning's carriage?"

Doesn't this imperial princess give no one face except for the Lao Zhao family?

She actually came to the Patrol Guard Division today?

"She wouldn't be here to find fault, would she?" someone guessed.

"When Chief Pei went to the Junzhu Mansion to investigate the case, he was given the cold shoulder by her for a long time. We stayed there for nearly half an hour and didn't even get a cup of water!"

That was truly being unwelcoming!

Another person knew a bit more: "The new Deputy Envoy Wen invited her over."

"So cooperative? Why wasn't it like that when our Chief Pei was there? Is it about looks?"

"Chief Pei isn't bad either."

"Deputy Envoy Wen is more—young! Refined!"

More like a pretty boy; look at the male favorites the princess keeps, most are of this type.

They didn't dare to be too blunt in private, just exchanging glances, able to understand each other.

"It has to be our Deputy Envoy Wen! Rumors in the streets say—"

"Hush! Regardless of whether the rumors are true, don't look at how gentle this newcomer is on the surface; who knows what he is like on the inside?"

Can someone who holds great power in the Patrol Guard Division be truly kind?

A new official applies three fires, and this fire hasn't even started burning yet!

The East Office guest reception hall.

The newly appointed Ward Chief Wen appeared scholarly and amiable.

Yet Princess Guangning, who usually carried herself with arrogance, adopted a detached, strictly professional attitude and remained quite silent.

She had come today prepared to be made things difficult for.

Everyone knew that Wen Gu would certainly want to establish his authority upon taking office; who would he use as his opening act?

As the first to receive an invitation, Princess Guangning was by no means speculating without cause.

Anyone in her position would be just as guarded!

However, to her surprise, Wen Gu was consistent in his appearance and behavior today, truly being amiable and not putting on a hypocritical act.

Wen Gu brought out a broken literary knife, a piece of paper with drawings and text, and the metal sachet that Princess Guangning had originally sent as an apology gift.

Princess Guangning did not look at the metal sachet; she glanced at the drawing on the paper, then picked up the broken literary knife to examine it closely.

Wen Gu had brought this literary knife back from Shuo City to investigate more clues.

After a moment, Princess Guangning said, "This is a type of cloud-dragon pattern, though because it is engraved on a small object, many of the lines have been simplified."

To an outsider, these patterns might appear extremely exquisite, but this was merely a simplified version.

"Those who can use these are all males of high status within the imperial family."

The first batch of this style of cloud-dragon pattern would certainly be made for the Emperor, princes, and imperial princes, as well as a few nobles with special status; even most commandery princes were not entitled to use the first-hand items.

Empresses, princesses, favored palace concubines, and the wives of imperial princes—women of such high status—used the cloud-phoenix pattern.

The items in Princess Guangning's possession that featured various high-level cloud-dragon patterns were all things that had belonged to her father.

Her branch of the family, the An Prince's line, belonged to that special category because someone had succeeded to the imperial throne, and the princely title was hereditary without degradation.

Her family usually paid attention to the patterns on objects to see if the items they received matched their status. If an item was downgraded, they would make a scene!

"A style from at least five years ago," Princess Guangning said.

New patterns came out every year, but those who truly used these items did not pay attention after receiving them; most people never noticed any changes in the patterns.

They had too many good things in their hands; if they didn't like them or couldn't use them, they would consider them a waste of space in the warehouse, so they would give them away as gifts or rewards to buy people's hearts and make full use of them.

As for the people who received these things, whether it was an act of overstepping or a private matter, as long as those above did not pursue it, no one else would.

Knowing that Wen Gu only wanted to investigate the objects and patterns, Princess Guangning cooperated and shared some information.

When she emerged from the guest hall, her expression was much softer.

But it did not stay soft for long.

Wen Gu saw Princess Guangning to the door.

Although Princess Guangning refused multiple times, Wen Gu still upheld the etiquette of receiving guests.

This only made Princess Guangning more convinced: she would rather tire herself out by walking a few extra steps than ever let Wen Gu bring people to the Junzhu Mansion!

She could not let this guy latch onto her! Nothing good would ever come of it!

Inside the carriage returning to the mansion.

The trusted maid by Princess Guangning's side said, "I thought Wen Gu was going to use today to establish his authority. I heard that someone in Xinzhou City opened a gambling pool, betting on who would be the first person he used to establish his authority."

"He may not be looking only at Xinzhou City," Princess Guangning said, rubbing the thumb ring on her hand.

After pondering for a while, she said, "The Patrol Guard Division might have some movement soon; send people to watch them. They are the hunting dogs of Xinzhou; whichever way they bark, that is where the prey is!"

Patrol Guard Division office.

After Wen Gu finished seeing off his guest and was about to head back, he encountered another person of real power.

The Patrol Guard Division had one chief and two deputies; the chief was Pei Jun, one of the two deputy envoys was Wen Gu, and the other was the person who had just arrived.

Fu Ju, whom some also called Fu Bailuo or Fu Bolao.

*Ju* (shrike), the *bolao* bird, had slight auspicious connotations or moral symbolism in the poetry of scholars.

But some had seen its fierce nature and called it the *bailuo* bird.

Compared to "Bolao," "Bailuo" was not a good term.

Also coming from Lao Zhao's direct-line army, Fu originally did not have a high background and had truly fought his way to the position of deputy envoy through merit.

And Fu's own style of conduct indeed possessed a ferocity like that of a shrike hunting its prey.

If he were to wear a black eye patch, he would look even more like a shrike.

Wen Gu recalled the information about this person and said as the other approached, "Bailuo Deputy Envoy!"

The pronunciation was standard and clear.

The face of Fu Ju, which originally had no expression, suddenly broke into a smile.

In his position, the more others feared him or felt he was bad luck, the happier he was!

He loved hearing "Bailuo"; he loved hearing people address him that way!

Fu Ju's originally sinister and fierce eyes instantly became much friendlier and more enthusiastic: "Yo, Deputy Envoy Wen, long time no see!"

They had last met at the beginning of the year during a small meeting where everyone was crying poverty.

He walked a few quick steps to walk side-by-side with Wen Gu: "I went out of town a few days ago and couldn't offer my congratulations in time. Congratulations, Deputy Envoy Wen! If there is anything in the division that needs help, don't be a stranger; just give a shout over to the Xiyuan side."

Wen Gu replied just as friendlily: "Many thanks, Bailuo Deputy Envoy! As it happens, I have been a bit troubled lately; if Bailuo Deputy Envoy has a moment of leisure, please come inside for a chat."

Fu Ju, who had originally only been polite with his words:

"..."

During this time waiting for a reply from Shuo City, Wen Gu needed to ask a few more high-status dignitaries in the city, collect more information related to the patterns and the situation among the imperial high-level, and see if he could further narrow down the identity of that noble behind the Gao Family.

The dignitaries of Xinzhou City were not many, but they weren't few either; one more person meant one more source of strength. Hearing that Fu Ju did indeed have some free time recently, he naturally extended a sincere invitation immediately!

Fu Ju was originally grumbling in his heart, but after seeing the drawing with the cloud-dragon pattern, he changed his mind.

He gladly accepted the task and took the drawing back to the West Office.

Recently, some matters had not been going smoothly, and this new clue that Wen Gu brought out would also be helpful for some of the affairs Fu was handling himself.

The subordinate beside him said, "This Deputy Envoy Wen doesn't look like the type to hog all the benefits for himself."

Fu Ju was noncommittal; he put away the blueprints and said, "Never mind what he's thinking; as long as it benefits us, we can proceed. Gather the men, let's go!"

On a certain road within Xinzhou City.

Old Master He went out today to meet friends; he is not a man who can stay cooped up at home, and he has to go visiting from time to time.

After finishing his meeting with friends and returning home, a friction arose between one of the sedan chair bearers and a person pushing a Wooden Board Cart delivering goods nearby.

The He Daye carriages and servants occupied too much of the road, and the person delivering goods was in a hurry; although they tried their best to avoid it, they still accidentally bumped into them.

The two groups started a dispute.

Old Master He, sitting inside the sedan chair, had just become a little impatient when the noise outside stopped.

"Is it all resolved?" he asked.

An attendant quickly came over and whispered, "Master, this one saw that an acquaintance seemed to have just ridden past!"

"Who? Look at how you've all been scared, you've all gone quiet—"

After Old Master He finished speaking, he felt that this conversation was somewhat familiar.

The attendant said nervously, "Wen Fang—Deputy Envoy Wen just passed by with his men."

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Old Master He immediately lifted the sedan curtain to look outside: "What?!"

The attendant said, "However—they should have had business to attend to; they didn't pay attention to us and have already left."

Old Master He lowered the sedan curtain and told the attendant to quickly resolve the situation with the delivery people: "Fine, give them a few Grain Tickets, tell them not to talk nonsense, and get them out of here quickly!"

It was only for that brief moment just now; they shouldn't have been noticed.

On the other side.

Fu Ju took his men to find the powerful and influential in the city for questioning.

At this hour, those with official duties had already finished their shifts.

Counting down the list, there was no need to ask the members of the imperial family again, so he bypassed them.

He looked at it and said, "Go to the Zhuo Family!"

At the Zhuo Family, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family and Lao Zhuo were both present, but they did not give much face to Fu Ju.

The Zhuo Family had the confidence of an aristocratic family, especially since Lao Zhuo recovered; their confidence was even greater.

Fu Ju also had his own confidence; he was already in the direct line of the Zhao Family, had many past military achievements, and had never committed any major mistakes, so now, facing the powerful and influential, he was not in the least bit intimidated.

One side's smiles did not reach their eyes and carried a hint of ferocity.

The other side could not stand their arrogance and lack of propriety, and refused to cooperate.

The atmosphere suddenly turned rigid.

At this moment, Wen Gu came to visit.

He had ridden past and heard the commotion here. He guessed that Fu Ju would certainly not have an easy time coming to the Zhuo Family first, so he came over to take a look.

Coming to the Zhuo Family, he did not come in the capacity of a Patrol Guard Division Deputy Envoy, but as an acquaintance and new friend.

Upon entering, he first performed the full set of etiquette.

The Zhuo Family's attitude toward Wen Gu was not bad to begin with, and the atmosphere suddenly became much more harmonious.

Both sides exchanged bows and greetings; on the surface, they were very enthusiastic, yet the words they spoke in greeting were seven-tenths restrained.

Dignified and composed, advancing and retreating with measure.

Every sentence from both sides was as if measured with a ruler, rigorous and orderly.

At first listen, it seemed overly polite; upon further reflection, it felt just right; thinking about it more, it seemed to imply something else.

Fu Ju watched from the side, stunned again and again.

Is this the correct posture for knocking open the door of the former Prime Minister Zhuo's family?!

After being stunned for a long while, he suddenly shuddered from the teeth-aching affectation.

No, the flavor is too strong!!

Can't stand it!

Over there, Wen Gu had already finished the initial pleasantries and was about to go into the house to talk with Lao Zhuo; he also made a "please" gesture to Fu Ju, signaling for him to enter the house together for a discussion.

Fu Ju flatly refused: "Better not; you handle this side, I'm going to the next family!"

His aura does not match this place!

He will try again after his cultivation reaches a higher level in the future.

Wen Gu said, "That is also fine. Old Master He went out to meet friends; I saw him returning home when I came over just now."

Fu Ju immediately shifted his target.

Oh, the He Family!

A famous family of imperial in-laws in the Huangcheng; they must be able to provide a lot of information.

Old Master He is even a famous person in Xinzhou City!

Who doesn't know He Mie-mie, who was beaten by Prime Minister Zhuo until he cried "baa-baa"?

It is said that the He Family are not reasonable people.

Just as well, neither am I.

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