Chapter 351: A Flawless Performance

351. Chapter 351: A Flawless Performance

"Just give the word, and the message will arrive when you want it," Ruhui answered without a moment's hesitation. Zhao Jin nodded and continued, "You know everyone in Xuzhou. Go hire boats now and wait north of the ferry crossing. Paying a bit extra doesn't matter, just make absolutely sure they don't leave."

"Rest assured, Master," Ruhui replied solemnly, accepting the order.

Zhao Jin swept his gaze over his companions and said in a grave tone, "I never considered Kong Jiuying a real opponent. Once we grew strong enough, we'd crush him like an ant. But if he gets his hands on the Xu family, even if he only takes a fraction of their coal, iron, and manpower, it'll be a huge problem. We have to eliminate him quickly. This is our chance. Once we take down Kong Jiuying, we'll rise to the next level."

Everyone nodded. Chen Sheng thought for a moment and said, "We need to leave someone to watch the home front this time. If anything happens, we'll at least need someone to coordinate a response."

"Shitou?" Zhao Jin asked. Shi Manqiang's face immediately flushed bright red as he protested, "Big Brother, you can't leave me behind every single time!"

"It was only Gaos' Village you missed. Daxiang, you stay behind and keep a tight watch on the hostages," Zhao Jin said with a smile to Ji Xiang. Ji Xiang was about to argue, but Zhao Jin's gaze turned stern, and Ji Xiang had no choice but to agree.

"Xiaoyong, you and Mister Zhou will inspect the equipment tonight. The rest of you, go to your respective companies. Don't breathe a word of what's happening, but get the soldiers ready. Now go!"

His companions answered in unison and turned to leave. Zhao Jin hung back and said in a low voice, "Arrange for Li Can to guard the inner residence tonight."

Chen Sheng didn't look back, only nodded.

When Cloud Mountain Temple had besieged the He family compound, the Kong family had sent their cavalry to take part. When the refugees besieged Xuzhou City, the Kong family cavalry had joined in as well. But Zhao Jin hadn't rushed to settle accounts, because they were far apart, separated by two county seats and the Yellow River, with who knew how many powerful factions blocking the way. With such distance and obstacles, Kong Jiuying simply couldn't bring much force to bear, so he posed no real threat.

Moreover, Kong Jiuying was, to put it bluntly, just a fence sitting on his turf dividing the spoils. Under these circumstances, Kong Family Village wouldn't see any explosive growth—it might even shrink and wither. Meanwhile, the Zhao Battalion's power was expanding at breakneck speed. As one waned and the other waxed, it wouldn't be long before the Zhao Battalion gained the upper hand and could effortlessly crush Kong Jiuying's faction.

But the Kong family scheming for the Xu family was a different matter. The Xu family represented the means to manufacture large quantities of arms and armor, and a source of excellent soldiers—to say nothing of the wealth involved. What was even more alarming was that if Kong Family Village and the Xu family of Mount Jing merged, their power would swell, and they'd face Zhao Jin across the river. At that point, it would be direct confrontation and conflict. When that happened, the Zhao Battalion would have to devote its full attention to dealing with Kong Jiuying, suffering losses and leaving no room to look elsewhere.

A secondary threat was in danger of becoming a major enemy, and Xu Zhenzhen had provided such a perfect opportunity. Of course Zhao Jin wouldn't let it slip by.

Zhao Jin wanted to deal with Kong Jiuying, and Kong Jiuying surely wanted nothing more than to see Zhao Jin dead. Both sides understood each other's intentions. But after the siege of Xuzhou, the Zhao Battalion had displayed formidable combat strength, intimidating all sides into staying put. Kong Family Village's cavalry, however, had barely participated in the actual fighting—they'd just made a wide circle from a distance and left. Zhao Jin hadn't pursued the matter afterward.

Of course, the fact that Kong Family Village's forces had so shamelessly interfered in the Zhao-Xu marriage alliance might also have been because they sensed the threat the two families' union would pose. Such a behemoth was something Kong Family Village simply couldn't handle.

Under these circumstances, Kong Family Village wouldn't be too wary of the Zhao Battalion—perhaps not wary at all. Because the Zhao Battalion was primarily infantry, because the Yellow River and two county seats lay between them, with many powerful factions along the way, and because within Kong Family Village's sphere of influence were several hundred cavalry and several thousand able-bodied men—far stronger than the Zhao Battalion. They would never imagine the Zhao Battalion would take the initiative to attack.

It was precisely this "never imagine" that gave Zhao Jin the idea of striking by surprise.

Zhao Jin sat in his room, thinking of that fire lance he still hadn't had a chance to test. The Xu family could keep improving it. The Xu family could produce more and better firearms. For that alone, Zhao Jin could never give them up.

"... Sixth Company arriving..." "... Shift change complete..."

The rotating sentries all had to call out the password. There was no worry about waking anyone, because Zhao Jin needed to know who was standing guard outside.

That night passed with the usual sentry rotations, but the household guard Li Can had a stroke of bad luck—he'd been too lax, and Zhao Jin called him aside and gave him a harsh dressing-down.

Early the next morning, Li Can was sent into the city to stand guard duty. For a Zhao Battalion household guard, going into Xuzhou City was no good assignment, because the soldiers in the city had to rotate through guard duties at the distillery, the goods yard, and the Zhao residence, and had to be ready to handle emergencies at any moment. Things at He Family Village were relatively simple and easy by comparison.

Not many people knew Li Can could ride a horse. Though his horsemanship was mediocre at best, it was enough to ensure Li Can reached Xuzhou City by afternoon.

After entering the city, Li Can didn't report to the goods yard. Instead, he went straight to the constables' office at the Department Magistrate's yamen. The newly appointed Deputy Chief Constable Zhao Zhentang, though his arm was still in a sling, was no longer willing to stay home bored. He'd rather busy himself at the constables' office, where he felt at ease and content.

After Li Can left the constables' office, Zhao Zhentang took a few trusted confidants to see You Zhenrong. Before nightfall, a group of them hurriedly left Xuzhou City.

As for He Family Village, it was outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense. Quite a few merchants and peddlers had come from various places, but none had been around for more than a few days, so they couldn't see anything amiss.

Zhao Jin went to the mule and horse market early in the morning and spoke with Wang Ziyang behind closed doors for a while. Six Tatar hands then went over to Zhao Jin's side to help out, on the pretext that there were too many animals to manage and they needed assistance. The livestock merchants at the mule and horse market were already preparing to leave for the north, because their stock had all been sold. Xuzhou had suffered one disaster after another this past year, yet it had made the livestock trade exceptionally brisk—horses were needed for fast riding, and oxen were needed for the wasteland. Both were in desperate demand.

Having cleared out their cattle, horses, and livestock, and loaded their camels and carts full of Han Well Famous Liquor, they were preparing to head north ahead of schedule. It was easy to predict they'd make a tidy profit when they returned to Xuzhou.

If any He Family Village tenants or brokers who frequented the mule and horse market had seen those Tatar hands, they'd certainly have been surprised. These men were the right-hand men of the cattle and horse merchants—capable managers and skilled guards. How could they be assigned to watch livestock for Zhao Jin? But no one would say a word.

As the sun was about to set, the person Ruhui had invited from Cloud Mountain Temple arrived. This monk was in his thirties or forties, with a countenance of considerable solemn dignity. When he put his palms together and lowered his eyes, he actually resembled a temple Buddha statue, and his voice was deep and pleasing to the ear.

"Senior Brother Runeng has traveled to every household in Xuzhou. He's the one who conducted all the blessing rituals," Ruhui introduced. With such an appearance and bearing, he indeed inspired great reverence and faith.

The journey had been rushed, and the jolting of the carriage was unavoidable. Runeng's complexion was terrible, but upon meeting Zhao Jin, he put on an ingratiating smile, pressed his palms together, and said, "To be summoned by Master Jin is truly this humble monk's good fortune. Whatever instructions Master Jin may have, this humble monk will certainly carry them out."

His appearance and his manner of speaking were indeed two different things. Ruhui teased him with a laugh, "If the faithful from all around saw you like this, Senior Brother, they'd be utterly dumbfounded."

"Business is business, proper matters are proper matters. You can't lump them together," Runeng said with a grin, showing not the slightest embarrassment or awkwardness.

"I'll be troubling you this time, Master Runeng. You'll be richly rewarded," Zhao Jin said with a smile. Dealing with someone like this was no trouble—he was easy to communicate with.

At the words "richly rewarded," Runeng beamed even more and nodded repeatedly. Ruhui gave him a few quiet instructions, and then Zhao Jin arranged for Liu Yong to take Runeng to the residence where Xu Zhenzhen was staying.

"Runeng was my father's disciple. After Yuanxin and his faction took over, he naturally had no future. He's always been lining his own pockets, and he's gotten involved with the second daughter of a wealthy family. He plans to return to lay life when the child is ten. He's got plenty of silver saved up, but he doesn't want to sit idle at home. He's hoping to work for you, Master," Ruhui explained with a smile.

"Once this major matter is settled, you can make the arrangements," Zhao Jin replied. A character so adept at navigating human relationships and so smooth in all directions was exactly what the Zhao Battalion urgently needed.

They hadn't chatted long before Liu Yong returned with Runeng. Runeng entered the room and said solemnly, "Master Jin, that is indeed Young Master Xu Housheng of the Xu family. This humble monk has visited the Xu household several times; there can be no mistake."

Zhao Jin pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "Please ask Master Runeng to stay a few more days at He Family Village. See that he's well looked after."

"Master Jin is too kind," Runeng answered with a face full of smiles, not seeming to regard this as house arrest in the slightest.

Liu Yong was just about to lead Runeng away when Zhao Jin called them back. He fixed his eyes on Runeng and said, "Master Runeng, there's something I wonder if it would be convenient for you to do..."

It was already growing dark. The peddlers had all dispersed; most of them lived in the villages and towns around He Family Village, and if they didn't leave early, they'd have to travel in the dark. A few lucky ones, however, had managed to rent rooms inside the village and could close their stalls a bit later.

"Master Jin! Master Jin! Please, you must go save Cloud Mountain Temple! The rioters are rebelling! The rioters are rebelling!" A wail rang out through the village, loud and utterly heartrending.

The young men waiting to sign up, and the idlers hoping to see some excitement, all gathered around. If the Zhao Battalion didn't chase them away, they'd press in closer.

Under the glow of lanterns and the fading daylight, they saw a monk in monastic robes crying out in front of the Zhao Battalion's gate. He'd wailed only a few lines before Zhao Jin strode swiftly out, his expression grave, and asked, "What's happened at Cloud Mountain Temple?"

"Master Jin, among the refugees they've taken in, there are evildoers stirring up rebellion! They say they'll sack Cloud Mountain Temple, then storm into Xuzhou City! Right now, the temple's able-bodied monks are fighting desperately to hold them back. This humble monk stole a horse and slipped out to bring word and beg for help. Master Jin, save Cloud Mountain Temple!"

Such a huge disturbance had broken out. A low murmur of shock rippled through the crowd. Zhao Jin, his expression solemn, said, "Cloud Mountain Temple took in refugees for Xuzhou's sake—that is a great act of charity. I, Zhao, must certainly go to their aid. We set out now. This master should go rest first!"

The monk was so moved that tears streamed down his face. He kowtowed repeatedly, heedless of everything else. Anyone who witnessed this scene would surely say Master Jin was a man of righteousness.