Chapter 439: Jiang Jinshi Finally Gets Duped

"Master." a low voice sounded at the doorway.

Cui Yan looked up and saw his nephew Cui Hao entering, a barely perceptible tension on his face.

"What is it?" Cui Yan's voice was hoarse.

Cui Hao stepped a few paces closer, lowered his voice: "Your nephew just returned from a banquet at Lu's residence; during the feast… Master Lu Wenchang seemed tipsy and inadvertently mentioned something of great importance, which I cannot conceal."

"Speak."

"Master Lu said… that the Si Military Advisor appears to intend to secretly stockpile a batch of new grain from Jing Xiang in Ying Zui Yu, southeast of Lantian! He also said the garrison there… seems rather weak."

Cui Hao's voice trembled slightly, uncertain whether from nervousness or excitement.

Cui Yan sneered after hearing it: "Heh… just Si Wushuang's trick."

The grain shortage in Lantian is real, the transport from Jing Xiang may also be true, but stockpiling in Ying Zui Yu? A weak garrison?

Hmph, who is he trying to bait? Jiang Jinshi's? Or… ours, the "disappointed ones"?

Without waiting for Cui Hao's reply, he waved his hand wearily: "Leave. Keep this matter in your gut, don't bring it up again. Our Cui family… can't endure another turmoil."

Hearing that, Cui Hao could only bow and step back; Cui Yan watched his retreat, his eyes unchanged, merely humming softly.

"Though bearing the Cui surname, he's a Si family man!"

He closed his eyes, unable to stop his inner sarcasm.

Si Wushuang, you're so ruthless! It's like roasting everyone over a fire!

Whether the news is true or false, once you're involved, it's a stench!

At the same time, inside the Lu family residence.

Lu Wenchang's expression was grim as he looked at his trusted steward: "The information… is it confirmed to have come from Cui Hao?"

"Absolutely certain, sir."

The steward whispered, "When Young Master Cui was waiting in the side hall, he chatted casually with a servant, and in the conversation let slip the matter of Ying Zui Yu, even specifically urging that it not be spread. The servant found it suspicious and reported it."

Lu Wenchang tapped his fingers on the table, producing a steady light rhythm.

Cui Hao is a member of the Cui family, and behind him is naturally Cui Yan!

But Cui Yan… why release this information? Does he truly intend to use a knife to kill, leveraging Beijiang to strike Si Wushuang?

Or… this itself is a trap set by Si Wushuang, with Cui Yan merely a pawn?

Perhaps Cui Yan is the insider, deliberately leaking false news to confuse us?

The more he thought, the more alarmed he became!! The Si, Cui, Fu, and Lu families are now all on edge.

Si Wushuang tossed this bait; whether one bites or not, suspicion may follow.

Not biting appears cowardly! Biting may lead to being trapped.

Even Lu Wenchang can't discern the true motive behind this—whether it's aimed at Beijiang, or…

"Tightly monitor the movements of the Cui residence, especially Cui Hao."

Lu Wenchang finally ordered, "Furthermore, throughout the household, no one may discuss this matter; violators will be dealt with under family law!"

He decided to hold his forces, watching silently. This pool cannot be stirred; it's too murky.

Inside the Si family's study, Si Wushuang was reviewing documents when an uncle entered, a hint of worry on his face: "Wushuang, I just received news that the grain stockpiling at Ying Zui Yu near Lantian seems… to have leaked."

Si Wushuang didn't lift his pen, nor his head: "Oh? From where did it leak?"

"The exact source is unclear, but… Cui Yan's nephew Cui Hao, and even the Lu Zhi household, seem to have heard of it."

Si Wushuang finally set down his pen, his expression calm as he replied: "Understood! I will report to the Prince!"

Seeing Si Wushuang had no intention to say more, his uncle could only nod and then leave.

The study fell silent again, and Si Wushuang walked to the window, gazing at the overcast sky.

"How interesting!"

The Fu family… the Cui family… the Lu family… and our own.

Insider, have you hidden well? This "great gift" you must deliver to Jiang Jinshi's hands!

Two days later, Wang Hou presented a secret report to Jiang Jinshi, his expression solemn: "Lord, top‑secret intelligence has come from within Xiliang, with extremely high credibility."

Jiang Jinshi unfolded the report, his eyes scanning quickly, his brows gradually knitting: "Southeast of Lantian, Ying Zui Yu? Secretly stockpiling a large amount of new grain? The garrison relatively weak?"

Jiang Jinshi looked up at Wang Hou, "Source of the information?"

Wang Hou whispered, "Just like before, it's from our highest‑level insider in Xiliang, never having slipped. This intelligence was obtained at great risk from Xiliang's core circle; it is said Si Wushuang personally arranged it, extremely covert."

Jiang Jinshi pondered, acknowledging that the other party had indeed supplied many key pieces of information, of great value.

But at this moment the intelligence… is so tempting, so much that it instinctively makes him feel a hint of unease.

"The grain shortage in Lantian is real, and the transport from Jing Xiang also makes sense."

Han Xiao analyzed, "Ying Zui Yu's terrain is steep and concealed, suitable for stockpiling grain. The weak garrison… perhaps Xiliang recently suffered defeats, its forces stretched thin, and Tu Fa Yan has just been heavily damaged, inevitably neglecting one side while attending to the other?"

"It could also be a trap."

Bai Ting added calmly, "Si Wushuang is full of schemes; the last time we just cut off his grain route, would he not be on guard? He deliberately exposed a 'weak point' to lure us."

Luo Feng nodded, "Big brother, that Si Wushuang scoundrel is treacherous, cannot be left unguarded."

"But if this intelligence is true, seizing this grain would not only crush Xiliang's morale again, but also ease our logistical pressure. If Tu Fa Yan's remnants lose supplies again, Lantian would fall without a fight!"

Everyone's gaze focused on Jiang Jinshi; the matter held both risk and opportunity.

Believe it, and it may be a trap! Disbelieve it, and we may miss a golden chance, further chilling the hidden insider's heart.

Jiang Jinshi's fingers tapped lightly on the report, his mind rapidly weighing options.

In the end, trust in this person and the craving for a battle opportunity outweighed the doubts.

The other side has never erred; this time… should also be faultless.

"Zhang Honghong!" Jiang Jinshi finally spoke.

"The junior officer is here!" Zhang Honghong's spirit surged.

You lead your headquarters' elite eight thousand, light‑armed and simple troops, march by night, camp at dawn, and covertly infiltrate to the vicinity of Eagle Beak Gorge.

Primarily conduct reconnaissance; if the intelligence is accurate and the defenses indeed have gaps, then strike decisively, burning or seizing the supplies!

If you encounter a strong enemy, do not linger in battle; withdraw immediately! Remember, preserving yourself comes first, the supplies second!

Jiang Jinshi's order was cautious.

"Understood!"

Zhang Honghong was overjoyed, clasped fists to receive the order, and their eyes brimmed with battle fervor.

Jiang Jinshi looked at Wang Hou again: "Inform the other party that this intelligence is of utmost importance, but they must remain hidden for the time being; unless it is an emergency of ten‑thousand‑fold urgency, they must not initiate further contact."

Within Xiliang, rumors swirl like crane cries; their safety is paramount.

Only Jiang Jinshi and Wang Hou know who the scout in Xiliang actually is; even Luo Feng and the others are unaware.

"Yes!"

Wang Hou clasped his fists; in fact, without Jiang Jinshi's instruction, he had already conveyed it.

As the intelligence chief, he naturally understood the consequences of a scout being exposed, so he has already replied that, unless absolutely necessary, he will not send messages lightly, to avoid being captured by Xiliang.