Chapter 75: The Hidden Trick

Night had fallen, and two swift horses galloped through the thick darkness, soon entering the urban area of Shangmu County. The two riders pulled their mounts to a stop, looking both exhausted and excited.

The middle-aged man at the front slapped the dust off his clothes and said to his companion, “Damn it, we rode all day just to get here—I’m worn out.”

His companion, a young lad, clenched his fists in excitement and replied, “Finally made it to Shangmu County! Once we take care of Jiang Mingyu, our good days are here.”

Back in the lavish, spacious study of the county yamen, Jiang Mingyu immediately picked up the neatly arranged wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and began writing furiously.

His eyes fixed on the paper, the brush tip glided across the rice paper, leaving behind neat, fluid characters.

Zhu Ge Yu, standing beside him, stared without blinking, mouth agape, murmuring to himself, “Master is too powerful—his prose technique is so refined, truly unprecedented!”

“With us working together, we’ll dominate the Da Feng literary scene—what do you say?”

Jiang Mingyu casually tossed the finished essay into Zhu Ge Yu’s arms; the paper fluttered through the air before being caught. “Take it,” he said dismissively.

“You go get the fame—I have no interest in such empty honors. Remember what I told you? Under no circumstances can you say these essays were written by me!” Jiang Mingyu warned sternly.

Zhu Ge Yu nodded vigorously, beaming. “I remember, I remember—don’t worry, I won’t say you wrote them. I’m counting on these essays to make me famous—you’re overthinking it!”

After receiving the essay, Zhu Ge Yu immediately took his leave. “Then I’ll take my leave, Master!” He was eager to depart.

Zhu Ge Yu’s eagerness made Jiang Mingyu chuckle. “Why not stay a few more days in Shangmu? Take a stroll around.”

Zhu Ge Yu snorted, rolling his eyes. “No thanks—this Shangmu town is in ruins. What’s there to see?”

“I’d rather return to the provincial capital and expand my reputation as a literary prodigy tenfold.”

Seeing Jiang Mingyu’s helpless expression, Zhu Ge Yu grinned. “Don’t worry, Master—I’ll get that poetry collection done soon, and I won’t forget promoting your coal either. I’m off now!”

Just as Zhu Ge Yu turned to leave, Jiang Mingyu called out: “Wait.”

Zhu Ge Yu turned back, puzzled. “What is it?”

He saw Jiang Mingyu’s sly gaze. “Well… once you’ve posed as a literary prodigy in the provincial capital, visit other counties in the prefecture. Use your fame to help me promote this coal.”

Jiang Mingyu spoke with gravity: “This cannot be delayed—if spring comes, this coal won’t sell.”

Zhu Ge Yu glanced out the window at the heavy snowfall and sighed. “Master, you’re really going to kill me.”

Then he grinned. “Fine, fine—for the sake of letting more people admire my literary brilliance, I’ll take the deal.” He said the word “prodigy” without a hint of shame.

After Zhu Ge Yu left, Jiang Mingyu returned to the streets to supervise the people repairing homes.

Seeing more and more damaged houses restored, Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction. “This winter, we’ll finally make it through.”

“Once spring comes and we survive the foreign invaders’ full-scale assault, everything will be fine.” He chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. “To withstand the invaders? That’s no easy feat—relying on Prince Qi? Ridiculous!”

Jiang Mingyu offered a faint smile and muttered to himself: “It’s time to pay a visit to Prince Qi.”

His tone was calm, but a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes—he was already plotting something.

Jiang Mingyu turned and strode toward the county yamen…

In a dilapidated inn in Shangmu City, the smallest room at the back held two men in black robes, sitting silently beneath flickering candlelight.

The middle-aged man on the left, with a sinister face and a messy mustache, grew restless and tapped the table. “Hey, have you thought of a plan yet? We’ve been sitting here for hours!”

The tall, thin man across from him lifted his head slowly, snapping out of his thoughts. “Hmm… killing Jiang Mingyu won’t be easy.”

“Jiang Mingyu is an imperial envoy. Killing him in broad daylight is impossible.”

After entering the city, they inquired around and learned he was not only alive but had revived Shangmu from ruins and won the people’s deep admiration.

Killing him under the people’s watch was unthinkable.

The mustached man frowned, his expression grim. “Then what? The Chief Secretary ordered us to kill Jiang Mingyu—no delays.”

“If we return empty-handed, our heads are forfeit.”

After circling the issue for a while, the tall man finally spoke: “Daylight’s too risky. We strike at night.”

“We heard from locals that the Shangmu yamen has only a few gate guards—child’s play for us two.”

“Rest well tonight. Tomorrow night, sneak into the yamen and kill Jiang Mingyu while he sleeps.”

“If necessary, eliminate the guards too—they’re just expendable lives, not worth sparing.”

“Complete the Chief Secretary’s order and return to the provincial capital immediately—that’s the priority.”

“I can’t stand another minute in this desolate Shangmu—too cold, my chin’s nearly frozen off.”

The mustached man’s eyes glinted coldly. “Fine. We follow this plan.”

Inside the Shangmu yamen, night had fallen. When Tu Kesiluo returned, Jiang Mingyu noticed his face looked grim.

Jiang Mingyu smiled. “What’s wrong? You look so troubled.”

Tu Kesoruo brushed snow off his clothes and sighed heavily. “Those civilians training with me are so clumsy—they can’t even learn to handle weapons. It’s driving me mad.”

He looked more like a petulant maiden than a soldier.

Jiang Mingyu sighed. “They’re farmers—never held a sword or spear in their lives. The fact they train through wind and snow is already remarkable. Don’t expect too much.”

“They’ll defend Shangmu in the future. Be patient. Take it slow.”

Tu Kesoruo sighed again. “You’re right, my lord—I was too impatient.”

“By the way, my lord, good news: the number of trainees has grown from thirty to fifty-eight.”

“They’re grateful you repaired their homes and helped them earn a living, so they joined the training.”

Jiang Mingyu nodded. “Good. In just a few days, the numbers nearly doubled. If this continues, we’ll soon have our own armed force—Shangmu’s defense will be secured.”

Tu Kesoruo frowned. “That’s true, but what if someone finds out we’re recruiting soldiers illegally?”

“Especially Prince Qi—you’ve already clashed with him. He’ll seize this as grounds to destroy you. This is a capital offense!”

Jiang Mingyu smiled. “Don’t worry—I’ve already thought of a solution.”

“I’ll claim they’re all civilian laborers. Only when the enemy attacks will we organize them into a fighting force.”

“Even if Prince Qi complains, what can he do? What law in Da Feng forbids commoners from training in arms?”

Seeing Tu Kesoruo nod, Jiang Mingyu continued: “Speaking of Prince Qi, I plan to meet him tomorrow.”

“Ever since the coal mine incident, I’ve sensed something suspicious in the border garrison.”

Tu Kesoruo recalled the scene and asked: “You mean the reported troop numbers don’t match?”

Jiang Mingyu nodded. “Exactly. I suspect Prince Qi has been falsifying troop numbers to embezzle imperial pay.”

“The yamen’s payroll records list 11,238 border troops, with 872 assigned to Shangmu’s city defense—this is the number paid.”

“But think back to that day—Prince Qi was desperate for the coal mine. If he truly had so many men, why would he hand over the mine just because he lacked miners? Doesn’t that seem odd?”

“Tomorrow’s pay day—let’s go see what’s really going on.”

“If he’s truly doing this, I’ll have no choice but to remove this corrupt worm. It’ll benefit us—and Shangmu.”

Tu Kesoruo agreed. “Absolutely. He’s useless at everything except stealing silver and sabotaging others.”

“Get rid of this nuisance soon, and we can finally fight the invaders with real weapons.”

Jiang Mingyu chuckled. “The truth will reveal itself tomorrow.”