Chapter 211: Staged Results

Zhao Shaozhu toyed with a palm-sized, sword-shaped prop.

When he used the sword tip to prod his palm, the blade retracted, yet his palm felt no significant force.

The sword used by the assassin must have been far more sophisticated. But this small prop allowed him to understand the principle at a glance.

The sword used by the assassin could not have been crafted in a short amount of time.

After the prop was crafted, it still had to be practiced with...

Zhao Shaozhu looked again at Wen Gu and Lao Zhao by the tea table.

These two must have been planning this for a very long time!

No wonder the "auspicious day" for the Capping Ceremony was pushed so far back!

At first, Zhao Shaozhu could still distract himself with other thoughts, but soon, his attention could no longer wander; he was pulled into the discussion group by the two of them to plot important matters. The commotion this time was so great because they were planning things on several fronts simultaneously.

These were indeed very important matters, closely related to the future development of Xinzhou, so Zhao Shaozhu naturally needed to understand them.

After nearly two hours of plotting, when Zhao Shaozhu came out again, his footsteps were unsteady.

A hangover, being startled early in the morning and rushing over, and then sitting in on the subsequent layout of his own father and cousin. After the mental shock, he had also expended a great deal of brainpower. When he emerged, his whole person was in a state of being out of his body.

To others, Zhao Shaozhu's appearance was one of bloodless complexion, a dazed expression, and eyes that were dull and devoid of light.

The scholar by Zhao Shaozhu's side had been waiting for a long time. Seeing the young master return in this state, he sighed inwardly: It seems Deputy Envoy Wen's situation is not looking good! Wen Gu's assassination attempt was indeed a heavy blow to the Zhao father and son, but their will must not falter!

The scholar weighed his words, originally wanting to say "my condolences," but as the words reached his lips, he realized something was wrong—that person wasn't dead yet! So he changed his tone to urge: "Young Master, pull yourself together!"

Zhao Shaozhu waved his hand: "Let me have some quiet."

He just wanted to empty his brain and take a breather.

Outside Zhao Fu, the search and verification in Xinzhou City were still ongoing.

It is no exaggeration to say that during this time, even the rascals and scoundrels were as clean as good citizens!

Under the high-intensity search, quite a few people with suspicious identities were indeed thrown into prison.

Many of the various spies who had been sent over because of the *Xinzhou Times* were cleared out during this large-scale search.

There were also some unprofessional spies who were caught while pretending to be impoverished households.

This was actually very easy to identify.

"An impoverished household? Why didn't you go to the porridge distribution point to collect porridge?"

Even if it required a lot of time to wait in line, in such a period of food scarcity, it was absolutely impossible for anyone to pass up a free meal!

"Stop quibbling, there's no stamp on your hand!"

"Washed off? How did you wash it?"

Using only clear water wouldn't clean it off, nor was it easy to wash away.

"Stop quibbling, take them away!"

Each ward also posted rewards; if one discovered a suspicious person and it was verified, one could collect a bounty!

Ren Clan, Jinwu City.

Ren Qigongzi's subordinates received successive messages from flying servants, and they were urgent, so they hurried to report to Ren Qi.

Upon hearing that Wen Gu had been assassinated, Ren Qi could not help but reveal a pleasant surprise: "He is dead?!"

Subordinate: "... The latest message received says Wen Gu remains at Zhao Fu, life or death unknown, but his injuries should be severe. Seventh Young Master, how should we proceed?" Ren Qi suppressed the joy in his heart, and doubt arose, his eyes shifting: "No rush, wait two more days."

Over the next two days, they continued to receive messages from flying servants and learned more details about Wen Gu's assassination.

Only then did Ren Qi show a look of joy.

Wen Gu had guards by his side; to be able to break through the guards' defenses in an instant and still hit the target with two people blocking him was definitely the work of an expert! Once an assassin of that level succeeds, even the gods cannot save the victim!

Perhaps Wen Gu was already gone, and it was just the Zhao Clan suppressing the news.

"Misfortune is what fortune relies upon; fortune is what misfortune hides within!" Ren Qi remarked with emotion.

This person was indeed too prominent, and indeed too easy to attract hatred.

The Du Clan and the person behind the Du Clan, as well as the Dong Clan where Councilor Yao was, who didn't hate him?

However, what Ren Qi wanted to know was, who exactly hired the assassin?

The person behind the Du Clan?

According to news from some channels, that person did indeed have the intention to hire someone for an assassination.

Are killers nowadays this efficient?

He also thought that Xinzhou's growth was too fast, but with Wen Gu's assassination, it would likely slow down.

The more Ren Qi thought about it, the happier he became; no matter who it was, this time they had indeed helped him remove a formidable rival.

Two of his secret agents being caught in Xinzhou City did not affect his good mood at all.

Thinking it over, he still felt that the person most likely to have acted this time was the royal prince behind the Du Clan.

Since that person could raise death soldiers, finding an assassin shouldn't be difficult.

It was not difficult.

Prince Yong received the news of Wen Gu's assassination; after great joy came great alarm!

Because the message that followed immediately told him that it was not his people who had acted!

Then whose people were they?

Just as Prince Yong was in shock and doubt, the Head of the Du Family rushed over.

The Head of the Du Family could not even care about superficial formalities like bowing at this moment; he asked urgently:

"Your Highness, have you heard about the matter in Xinzhou? Even if you were to send someone to assassinate Wen Gu, why do it at the gates of Zhao Fu?!"

This was equivalent to slapping the Zhao Family in the face and giving them the middle finger.

With such a provocation, wouldn't the Zhao Family go even crazier?

Prince Yong grabbed a vase and threw it.

The Head of the Du Family dodged.

Snap!

The vase landed on the floor and shattered.

Prince Yong said angrily, "It wasn't me!"

The Head of the Du Family paused his intended interrogation: "Your Highness, what do you mean?"

Prince Yong snorted heavily through his nostrils, clearly also extremely angry: "It wasn't my people who did it!"

The Head of the Du Family looked at Prince Yong, feeling suspicious in his heart.

It wasn't that he doubted Prince Yong's words.

Prince Yong was the type of person who would admit it if he had taken action, and if he hadn't, he hadn't. In fact, if it really had been his people who acted, he should be feeling joyful and smug right now. But currently, anger dominated!

They had indeed sent people to assassinate Wen Gu, but that group hadn't even made a move yet!

The Head of the Du Family's gaze sank: "But right now, it seems everyone thinks it was you, Your Highness!"

After all, there was the precedent of Zhao Shaozhu.

Prince Yong smashed another vase: "It wasn't me! Someone must be framing me! How insidious!"

The Head of the Du Family thought the same at this moment.

The other four clans were all possibilities, and it was also possible that the Zhao Clan was fighting internally and shifting the blame!

The most urgent matter was to clear this up as quickly as possible.

Neither Xinzhou nor Jizhou could afford a large-scale war right now. But if the other side retaliated in kind, there would truly be no peaceful days left! Not to mention, the other side was already implementing a crackdown on the salt industry!

The more he thought about it, the more his head ached; the Head of the Du Family immediately made a statement through various channels:

It wasn't us who did it, it really wasn't!

The other four families in Beidi were all waiting to watch a good show.

They very much hoped that the Du Clan and the Zhao Clan would act on impulse and start fighting directly.

Given the current material conditions, a war could drain both of them dry!

If not dead, they would at least be worn out to the point of near-death!

They were itching to cheer them on from the sidelines.

Stop just talking trash, you cowards!

Fight! Fight!

We want to see rivers of blood!

As others continued to fan the flames, the Head of the Du Family stated firmly: I will not take the blame for this!

Then he exposed some dirt on the other families as well.

The result of this was that the searches in Xinzhou became even more intense.

In the imaginations of others, the Zhao Family must be—their eyes sinister, looking at everyone like a murderer.

After "Wen Gu was assassinated," he had been recuperating in Zhao Fu.

Many people wanted to come to Zhao Fu to visit, but were refused.

All parties probed for news, and the most credible piece was: Wen Gu was indeed seriously injured at the time of the assassination, and he indeed did not die, but he was currently hanging on by a thread, and any slight mishap would mean the end. Only to prevent any accidents did the Zhao Family refuse all visitors. However, there were also rumors in the streets that the assassin had actually succeeded, but the Zhao Family was just temporarily suppressing the news of his death.

There were all kinds of rumors in Xinzhou City, and the news that spread out was each more outrageous than the last.

But many people did believe that Wen Gu was done for. Even if he were saved, it was estimated that for a very long time he would be unable to handle affairs and would be in a semi-crippled state. All in all, that high-spirited young Deputy Envoy who held great power had fallen.

But power would not disappear; it would shift to new hands.

The many noble families in Xinzhou City had ideas and were restless, just temporarily suppressing their voices.

No one dared to provoke the Zhao Family while they were in a rage; that would be seeking death.

Many people were secretly happy in their hearts, but dared not laugh, and could only force a heavy expression.

Until a few days later, news came out of Zhao Fu—

Wen Gu's life was not in danger, but he needed quiet recuperation. Thanks to Huang Dashi!

Originally, many people did not believe Wen Gu had been saved, but once Huang Dashi was mentioned, their hearts wavered again.

Huang Dashi could even treat the Evil Plague; saving Wen Gu, who had been stabbed by an assassin, seemed plausible?

Zhao Fu.

Wen Gu, Lao Zhao, and Zhao Shaozhu were all focused on a newly delivered ice chest.

An ice chest, which was the refrigerator of this era. After putting ice inside, it could be used to store food.

The ice chest placed before them was composed of two layers of wooden boxes, with ice cubes placed in the middle layer.

Yet what was stored inside the ice chest was not food, but a box.

This item was precisely what had been sent over from Huang Dashi's side, the phased result of the second-step plan!

Wen Gu and Lao Zhao had long since plotted this, and in order to push the plan forward, Wen Gu had gone to spur on Huang Dashi.

Now that there were results, some plans could continue to proceed.

"Thanks to Huang Dashi!" Wen Gu said.

This statement was truly not a lie.

As for how people outside associated it, that was their own business.

Regarding the discussions outside, Huang Dashi knew nothing.

The second-step plan finally yielded results; Huang Dashi had people send the results to Xinzhou City, and threw most of the affairs to his apprentices.

News from the outside could not reach here; this place was basically isolated from the world, quiet.

Having been busy for many days, Huang Dashi could finally relax and pick at his feet!

Just as he became leisurely, he suddenly...

Achoo!

"Who is thinking of me?"

Huang Dashi rubbed his nose.

Achoo! Another one.

"Who is cursing me?"

Huang Dashi changed his posture to slack off.

Achoo!

"Who is whispering about me?"

He always felt like many people were gossiping about him behind his back.

The figure of Wen Gu flashed through Huang Dashi's mind, but he quickly chased it away.

Wen Gu had already returned to Xinzhou, so why did he always feel like this guy was haunting him?

Huang Ji shivered, as if shaking off the bad luck from his body.

He decided to think about some pleasant things instead.

Thinking of the second stage of results he had produced, he couldn't help but start to feel smug.

The reputation of us Gu Masters in the South must ultimately be protected by me!

I will slap that group of Physicians in the face again and again!

I'll slap their faces until they're swollen!

This will also dispel the idea of Wen Gu and the Zhao Family going to seek cooperation with the physicians.

I am truly witty!