Chapter 806: Lest We Alert Them

Moreover, the Xuzhou salt market and the general market were money-printing operations, a major source of revenue for all sides. The shops held no small stock of goods, gold, and silver. If any real danger arose, word would certainly reach their own businesses to evacuate first — just like the last time Ma Chonghao led his men to threaten them.

Precisely because of this, both the Internal Guard and Cloud Mountain Company had planted overt and covert informants among the merchants in the market and salt market. These informants could provide a considerable amount of intelligence and movement reports.

A major rebellion case would surely shake the court and the realm. The backers and patrons of these merchants were all exceptionally well-informed. There was absolutely no reason they would learn of it later than Zhao Jin's side.

Yet the current situation defied all common sense.

"Master, with so many people and so many factions involved, they couldn't possibly be colluding to put on a show for us. They don't have the skill to pull off such a performance either," Nie Hei said cautiously.

Zhao Jin walked on in silence for a while before finally speaking. "I'll have Ma Chonghao's side send men to the capital to make inquiries. But your Internal Guard will also dispatch men. Do not mix them in with Ma Chonghao's group. It must be fast, it must be thorough, and do not worry about spending silver."

Nie Hei immediately nodded in agreement. Zhao Jin then went to the training grounds, where he saw that Chen Sheng's expression was no different from before, while Ji Xiang was sporting dark circles under his eyes and looked utterly sleep-deprived.

At the sight of this, Zhao Jin's brow immediately furrowed. He knew Ji Xiang had two lovers, and he even knew exactly who they were. Young men were full of vigor, and these were his own brothers, so Zhao Jin had turned a blind eye. But at such a critical juncture, to still be exhausting himself over women — he truly had no sense of priority.

"I tossed and turned all night and couldn't sleep. My mind kept racing with thoughts, so I just came over to the personal guard to watch them on night patrol and did an inventory of the weapons and equipment," Ji Xiang explained with a sheepish laugh.

Seeing Chen Sheng nod beside him, Zhao Jin confirmed it. If Ji Xiang had truly been neglecting his duties, Chen Sheng would not only have scolded him but might well have resorted to physical discipline.

Still, Zhao Jin understood Ji Xiang's mood. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Watching the personal guard soldiers filing out of camp in orderly ranks for their run, he said slowly, "I've said it a few times — at our age, there's no need to rush. When the conditions are ripe, it will happen naturally."

"Big Brother, I understand that reasoning, but it's been so long since I've been in a real fight. My whole body feels out of sorts," Ji Xiang replied, still with that same sheepish laugh.

After observing the drills of the personal guard and the First Regiment, Zhao Jin went to the blacksmith workshop near the He Family Village. The foreigner Louis now knew where his priorities lay. What the future held was uncertain, but for now, producing firelocks with consistent quality and quantity was his fortune and his future. Yet when they met, Zhao Jin could detect a trace of unease on the foreigner's face.

A man knows his own affairs best. Since leaving the seminary, Louis had not been without opportunities to make money, but every time things began to look up, some calamity would strike and scatter it all like smoke. The foreigner Louis had seen far more of the world than most people in Xuzhou. The sudden tension in the air yesterday — others might not have noticed it, but Louis had sensed it. He thought to himself, had he just glimpsed the dawn of wealth only to have it all turn to nothing again? Because of this, Louis had, uncharacteristically, prayed several times the night before, even though he could no longer quite remember the full prayers.

Zhao Jin paid no mind to the man's mood. He simply stressed that quality and quantity must be maintained, that standardized measuring tools must be used, and that there must not be the slightest carelessness with the gunpowder and lead shot. He then handed over five taels of gold and fifty taels of silver.

At the sight of the gleaming precious metal, Louis's foul mood vanished like smoke. He immediately made vows and swore oaths of assurance. Zhao Jin also gave a reward to the interpreter, making his words very clear: no matter how troublesome it was, he must teach Louis's old servant the Mandarin tongue. What the old servant knew was equally valuable.

The blacksmiths forging the firelocks also received good news. The reward for crafting a firelock had been increased. Previously, it was one tael of silver per firelock; now it was three taels of silver for every two firelocks. This was a truly generous reward, and everyone's motivation surged to full again.

At the same time, a rumor was circulating among the Xu family craftsmen: whoever understood how to cast cannons, or knew someone who did, could make a fortune and never have to toil before a furnace for the rest of their life.

Some said the young master was interested, others said it was outsiders making inquiries. But the information was all very vague, and no one could say for sure. After all, cannons were critical instruments of state and war. Privately casting cannons was truly a capital crime that could lead to the extermination of one's entire family.

Taboo or not, the blacksmiths had forged so many implements for the Zhao Camp that even the dullest among them could vaguely guess at something. Once the cannon rumor emerged, everyone began making inquiries with great diligence.

Riding back to the personal guard encampment, Zhao Jin found Ma Chonghao already waiting in the council hall. As with the day before, only Zhao Jin, his brothers, and the guards were inside the room. Everyone outside had to keep a set distance away.

"If silver is used to grease every palm from top to bottom, can a person be extracted from the Imperial Prison?" Zhao Jin asked directly.

"Yes. With enough silver, in the capital, in this realm, there is nothing that cannot be done," Ma Chonghao answered with absolute certainty.

Wang Zhaojing, who had been listening intently at the side, was instantly invigorated. Zhao Jin narrowed his eyes and studied Ma Chonghao for a moment, then slapped the armrest of his chair and said in a deep voice, "In that case, we'll send another team. The moment the person is out of the Imperial Prison, they are to be rushed out of the capital by fast horse immediately. Once they're out of the capital, there won't be nearly as much to worry about."

Ma Chonghao bowed slightly and spoke again. "Master, getting someone out of the Imperial Prison is not difficult, but there are risks involved. After the extraction, if anything goes wrong — even the slightest chance — if someone stirs up a commotion, then you won't be able to leave the city. Originally, being held in the Judicial Prison and Imperial Prison isn't a major issue. But after an attempt like this, he might truly become a serious criminal. Third Master has lived long in the capital and surely understands this principle. The Imperial Prison and Judicial Prison sound terrifying by name, but inside, one doesn't really suffer much. Everyone is waiting for the outcome of the power struggles outside, or for silver to clear the way. But if a prison break fails..."

He trailed off, but everyone understood his meaning. The situation was still unclear. If they resorted to a forceful prison break, it might actually confirm certain suspicions.

"As long as the person can get out of the Judicial Prison, with the elite strength of our men, we can escort him out of the city. Even if someone tries to stop us, as long as it's not an ambush, in a brief encounter we can break through," Wang Zhaojing said. He was growing agitated.

"Third Master, if I may be so bold, following the Master's approach — truly spending enough silver, greasing every palm thoroughly — the chances of a successful rescue are very high. The capital is a thousand li from Xuzhou. If anything goes wrong, it will be a great calamity!" Ma Chonghao's voice rose slightly.

"If there's any alert raised, there are only so many roads out of the city. What if the capital dispatches cavalry? Then escape would be even more impossible. The cavalry of the Four Great Camps of the Imperial Guard, the cavalry of the Brocade Guard, the capital garrison cavalry, the cavalry of the Five Wards Military Command and Shuntian Prefecture — all of these mounted men are elite troops."

At this point, Zhao Jin made a cutting gesture with his hand. Seeing this signal, Ma Chonghao immediately stopped speaking. Wang Zhaojing's expression had already turned very grim.

"Hurry and make contact with the capital. There are also many critical matters here that you must keep a close eye on. If this mission is accomplished well, a position as a company commander will be yours!" Zhao Jin finished curtly and waved his hand for Ma Chonghao to leave.

Though Ma Chonghao's words were the truth, they had provoked Wang Zhaojing too greatly. There was no need to say more. In any case, arrangements for this had already been made.

Hearing Zhao Jin's promise, Ma Chonghao's face broke into a broad smile. He bowed and took his leave. His words had never been meant for Wang Zhaojing. It was enough that Zhao Jin recognized his meticulous and thorough thinking and his understanding of the capital's situation.

"Ma Chonghao cannot be fully trusted yet, but he must be given sufficient standing. His talent and ability are adequate. If we don't value him, we can't keep him loyal, let alone make use of him," Zhao Jin explained.

Wang Zhaojing sat there in a daze, silent for a while, then suddenly spoke. "Big Brother, I want to lead a team to the capital. I hold the rank of a Provincial Graduate. A son showing up would be more convenient and natural than sending others. I..."

"What are you thinking? Stay obediently in Xuzhou!" Zhao Jin barked.

"This is my unfilial failure. I have dragged my father down. Unfilial, I..." Wang Zhaojing's emotions were beginning to crack.

"Ridiculous! What use would you be if you went? If you got trapped in the capital too, would that be filial piety?" Zhao Jin said bluntly. Wang Zhaojing was about to speak when a report came from outside that Chen Sheng had arrived.

Chen Sheng, of course, needed no permission to enter here; it was merely a courtesy announcement. Pushing the door open, he saw Wang Zhaojing's state and asked with a frown, "What's wrong?"

After hearing Zhao Jin's explanation, Chen Sheng said coldly, "Usually your mind works well enough, but at critical moments you lose all sense. This isn't the first or second time. If you dare go, I'll lock you up."

"Big Brother, Second Brother..." Wang Zhaojing said hoarsely, covering his face with both hands.

Chen Sheng shook his head and turned to Zhao Jin. "I thought about it last night as well. If the court intended to move against us, the Xuzhou Assistant Regional Commander would certainly have word. Even if they felt Zhou Baolu was unreliable, they would have sent someone to replace him. But there's been no word from that quarter at all. It truly is peculiar."

Zhao Jin raised a hand and patted his forehead, smiling bitterly. "The darkest place is under the lamp. I'd completely forgotten this Assistant Regional Commander even existed."

The Xuzhou Assistant Regional Commander's defensive jurisdiction was vast. Centered on Xuzhou, it stretched north to Jining Prefecture, west to Guide Prefecture, south to Fengyang Prefectural City and Qingjiangpu, and east to the coastal line of Haizhou. It effectively choked the vital hub of the eastern part of the Great Ming. In the Ministry of War and in the minds of the court ministers and grandees, the Xuzhou Assistant Regional Commander was a powerful garrison of considerable weight.

Such a force, located right in Xuzhou, would naturally be the main strength to suppress any rebellion in Xuzhou. Speed is paramount in war. If they made a move, this side would certainly get word. Even if they distrusted this Zhou Baolu, the replacement personnel or arrangements should have been made by now.

But the Xuzhou Assistant Regional Commander was here in Xuzhou, with his advisors and staff around him, yet he had only a dozen or so guards and a total of four cart-pulling horses. His every move was under the surveillance of the Zhao Camp. If he made any move, the Zhao Camp's various posts would have known long ago, rather than being overlooked as they were now.

"Send Nie Hei to investigate this immediately. Perhaps we missed something!" Zhao Jin said in a muffled voice. After speaking, he took the token from his waist and handed it to Meng Zhiqi. When delivering a verbal message, Zhao Jin's token was mandatory, and afterward, the person who received the message would come to Zhao Jin to verify it, ensuring no errors occurred at any link in the chain.

Thanks to the four old friends "Yuan Heng Li Zhen, Mu Ming, Wu Liulang, and Qi Sanwen" for their tips. Thank you all for your double monthly tickets and subscriptions.