Chapter 684: Zhao Jin Invites

The middle-aged man set down his brush with a smile and said, "Truly good luck. These days, He Family Manor has more and more wealthy guests. If you keep your eyes open, there's always profit to be had. But if you go over to the salt shop, what does that even count for..."

"Don't mention the salt shop business. Today's wealthy guest is a bit odd—a young man in his early twenties, a private secretary in his forties, and six capable-looking guards. They have a Shanxi accent, clearly hail from a prominent household, and carry themselves with a heavy air of wealth and nobility. They've already taken rooms at Cloud Mountain Inn!" Qi Wu mused thoughtfully.

The middle-aged man picked up his brush again, made a note in the ledger, and said easily, "That's fairly ordinary. More and more wealthy merchants are coming from Shanxi, so it's only natural for their sons and juniors to come as well. Still, it's worth noting—why bring so many guards?"

"It's not just that. Xiao Liu, think about it. Coming all the way from Shanxi, crossing prefectures and provinces, they'd surely need to carry plenty of travel funds and luggage. Yet these eight men and eight horses are traveling very light—their packs and saddlebags aren't carrying much at all. Their mounts are in good spirits too, not looking like they've traveled very far."

"Maybe they stopped and rested along the way, maybe they switched horses. Besides, with silver, what can't you do on the road? But we should still check it out. Tonight I'll report to the Chief Steward and arrange for someone to keep watch." Xiao Liu spoke as he wrote.

Qi Wu's face had lost its joking expression. He said thoughtfully, "They didn't seem to care much about business matters. They were talking about militia and household troops instead. And another thing—when they saw the returning patrol company marching back to camp, that young master was clearly badly startled, his face drenched in cold sweat..."

"Our Zhao Battalion is so imposing, anyone would be startled at the sight." The middle-aged man, Xiao Liu, teased with a grin.

"No. To be frightened like that, you have to know what you're looking at. So many people come and go, plenty of them just here to see something new—has any of them ever been frightened? Only those who understand know they're looking at a beast of prey. Do you remember when that man under Vice General Zhou came here on official business?"

At Qi Wu's words, the middle-aged man, Xiao Liu, turned serious. He said in a deep voice, "You mean the one who was so shocked he sat down on the ground?"

Seeing Qi Wu nod, Xiao Liu fell into thought. A moment later he rose and said, "You head back first. I'll go look into this in detail and report it at once."

Inside He Family Manor, there was a residence that had originally been Zhao Jin's private home. Since the camp was rebuilt at a nearby estate, this residence had become a place where Zhao Battalion handled its affairs. Ru Hui and Wang Zhaojing both came here often. Information that did not come through the Internal Guard was gathered and collated here. And now, this place also served as the center for the entire Xuzhou census. Even at night, it was brightly lit—lanterns were lit as if money were no object. Accountants gathered from all over, their eyes bloodshot, worked abacuses and kept records, the clacking and clattering merging into one continuous sound.

In this residence, there were also two dedicated rooms where five clerks were always stationed. What they gathered was not census information, but reports sent in from Zhao Battalion's various related enterprises across Xuzhou.

"... Qi Wu's reasoning is sound. I also think we need to pay attention..."

"... Just now I went to Cloud Mountain Inn. The name this man registered in the guest book is Wang Tong, said to be from Fenzhou, Shanxi. As it happens, there's a guest at the inn from Fenzhou. Afterwards, he told our innkeeper that the man's accent is from north of Taiyuan Prefecture. We sent someone to listen in, and they all address this person as Young Master Sun. They also mentioned something about Yongcheng..."

"... Concealing one's real name isn't necessarily a big deal, but what they're discussing are our Zhao Battalion's household troops and deployments. And those guards he brought with him act as if they're facing a formidable enemy. We don't know if he's a spy, so we're reporting it and requesting a thorough investigation..."

By now it was very late. The middle-aged man, Xiao Liu, had laid out his assessment in a clear and orderly fashion. The five clerks sat and listened carefully. One of them pondered for a moment, then rose and went to a chest in the corner, pulling out a stack of papers. He flipped through a few and said, "On the southwest route, about halfway along the official road from Yongcheng to Xiao County, someone at an inn felt something was off. They didn't seem like an ordinary wealthy young master traveling for business or study—there was more of an official's bearing about them. They wondered if he might be a spy sent by the authorities, but then thought perhaps he was just passing through. Besides, this group hasn't done anything out of line, so they simply sent the information along as a routine report."

That clerk pulled out one sheet, glanced over it, and nodded. "It's the same people you mentioned, Old Liu. It seems they're not just passing through after all. We'll have to send someone to keep a close watch."

"Xiao Feng, you're going to have a little brother or sister. Are you happy?" Zhao Jin asked his daughter, who lay in the small bed.

Other infants cried the moment they woke, but Zhao Feng's spirits were always excellent. Upon waking, she simply looked around curiously. Of course, she could not understand her father's words; she just saw Zhao Jin and smiled, waving her hands ceaselessly.

"At her age, what could she possibly understand?" Xu Zhenzhen chided gently from the bedside.

To oversee the major undertaking of the Xuzhou census, Zhao Jin had been staying at He Family Manor this entire time. As a result, the time husband and wife spent together was much longer than before. Just half a month ago, Xu Zhenzhen had felt unwell. They called for a physician, who examined her and announced she was with child.

When this news spread, there was jubilation throughout the Zhao Battalion system. Xu Zhenzhen was pregnant. Though it was still uncertain whether the child would be a boy or a girl, there was now a possibility. With an heir, the Zhao Battalion's situation would be thoroughly stabilized. Even if this child was also a daughter, it still showed that the couple was young and could conceive and bear more children. The more offspring, the more stable the situation. The more Zhao Jin's line flourished and spread, the more the entire Zhao Battalion, from top to bottom, would prosper and thrive.

As for Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua, there was no need to elaborate. He Cuihua had rushed over from Xiao County to He Family Manor without delay. The Xu family had also sent matrons over, all intent on taking good care of Xu Zhenzhen so she could safely and peacefully deliver this child.

Zhao Jin was also delighted by this matter. He had grown accustomed to being a father and looked forward to having more children. Yet he also found it strange, because from his memories of a past life, he habitually felt he should only have one child. Beyond that, there was worry—childbirth in this era carried great risk, a fact Zhao Jin had come to recognize more and more clearly. The elders around him, however, were quite optimistic. They all said that once the first birth went smoothly, the ones that followed would be much easier.

"... If Second Brother's family has a child, it will surely be steady and honest, able to yield to Xiao Feng and protect her. Third Brother's family will likely have a child with ambition, though they probably won't get along well..." Xu Zhenzhen had said this at night. These words greatly irritated Zhao Jin. Though they sounded amusing on the surface—Chen Sheng and Wang Zhaojing didn't even have children yet, and Xu Zhenzhen was already thinking about marriage alliances—listening closely revealed the truth: she was once again arranging her affairs as if preparing for death.

The Zhao household had a joyous occasion, but the Chen household had a funeral. When they gathered in the morning to discuss matters, Chen Sheng sat upright and composed, showing no sign of anything amiss. His grandfather had always seemed hale and strong, but at his advanced age, the slightest disturbance had caused him to collapse entirely. When they had brought Chen Hong over, the old man had still been fine, but within days his condition had become critical. By the time a fast horse had rushed him home, the old man was already delirious.

Delirious as he was, he still recognized people. Yet he urged Chen Sheng to go back, shouting, "Where is the general who leaves his troops unattended in camp? What if something happens? Go back at once!"

The ever-composed Chen Sheng could only stand before his grandfather's bed, tears streaming down his face. Chen Hong wailed in grief, but Chen Sheng made no sound, only wiping away his tears. Not long after speaking those words, the old man seemed to have a moment of lucidity before death. He slapped the bed board and laughed heartily, saying, "Who could have imagined our Chen family would know such wealth and honor? Our ancestors surely would never believe it..." And with that smile, the old man's breathing ceased.

The old man truly had been delirious. A leader of a local militia, the second-in-command of a regional power—how could that be considered wealth and honor? Strictly speaking, it was not even equal to the old man's former post as a Patrol Inspector, and it even fell short of Chen Wu's position as Chief Constable and Head of Runners. The entire Chen household, along with the relatives who had come, simply pretended they had not heard those words and wept as they kowtowed their farewells.

As the eldest son and eldest grandson, according to local custom, he was supposed to keep vigil for seven days. The Chen family was a prominent clan in Xuzhou and certainly could not break this tradition. However, on the second day, Chen Wu sent both Chen Sheng and Chen Hong back to Zhao Battalion, saying that following their grandfather's orders was the greatest filial piety.

Now, whenever Zhao Jin was in Xuzhou, meetings were held in the discussion hall in front of his residence every morning and evening. None of the core members of Zhao Battalion would ever miss these two gatherings. And down through the ranks—company commanders, squad leaders, shopkeepers, and managers—all took pride in being able to attend these meetings.

"Big Brother, do you still remember that Shanxi provincial graduate, Sun Chuanting, whom we met back in the capital?" Wang Zhaojing spoke first.

Seeing Zhao Jin nod, Wang Zhaojing continued with a smile, "It really is quite a coincidence. This Sun Chuanting has actually become the magistrate of Yongcheng—he's the one who took up the post this year."

"That coincidental?" Zhao Jin laughed as well. Wang Zhaojing went on, "An even greater coincidence is yet to come. Before coming here, your younger brother stopped by Cloud Mountain Inn for a look. This Sun Boya has come to our He Family Manor."

Zhao Jin frowned and said, "I recall there's a rule that a presiding official charged with guarding the land and shepherding the people cannot leave his jurisdiction. Crossing the border means forfeiting one's post—is that correct?"

Seeing Wang Zhaojing and Ru Hui nod in confirmation, Zhao Jin's puzzlement deepened. He said, baffled, "If that's the case, why would he take such a great risk to come here?"

"According to reports from the scouts we planted, he came to see you, Master, about the matter of the Liaodong levy. Isn't Yongcheng exempt from collection this year?" Ru Hui added.

Zhao Jin made an "Oh" sound, then smiled and said, "I wonder, in coming to find me, does he want to collect it, or does he want not to collect it?"

"Last night, a letter came from Ice Peak. It said that at the new refugee stockade—the Luoma Lake estate—new people have begun to pour in, all coming from Yanzhou Prefecture in Shandong. Also, the Third Regiment at the Luoma Lake estate is now completely self-sufficient. The estate can fully supply the Third Regiment's military provisions without needing to dip into the tenant households' own winter stores..."

They had been discussing for roughly half a shichen when Nie Hei announced from outside the door that this Sun Chuanting had been invited over. Nie Hei had gone with a few men, and their attitude had been very courteous.

Thanks to the three old friends "Yuan Heng Li Zhen, Book Friend 1287208672, and Xuan Yuan Fei Long" for their tips. Thank you all for your subscriptions and monthly tickets. Cast your monthly tickets for Ming Dynasty Warrior at the start of the month!