Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 362: Chapter 362: Not Taking the Bait

It’s not like the entire root of the Ministry of War has rotted, but as far as the "Ma San Case" is concerned, it’s highly likely that the Ministry of War has been the secret hand helping the Barbarian Race recover its primordial qi for years. Who can guarantee that this secret hand won’t switch sides when the war breaks out?

No need for much, just quietly open Zhuo Huo Pass in the middle of the night and let the Barbarians in—that alone is enough to give the whole Jingjiu Dynasty a taste of disaster.

But it’s impossible to sit on the information and not report it—this is a matter of duty, can’t be avoided because of fear.

However, how to report it is a real question. It can’t be reported directly with Xuanqing Guard’s wording, or else, if the bad worms in the Ministry of War think about it even for a moment, they’ll discover Xuanqing Guard has been secretly investigating the Barbarians. Then they’ll raise their guard, which would hurt the "Ma San Case" under investigation—could even cut off all leads from the top down if things go bad.

So Shen Hao came to find Jiang Cheng for precisely this issue—how to present the report.

"You just brought up the Slave Trade Association on purpose—planning to use them to report the issue?" Jiang Cheng wasn’t stupid. He’d never heard of Shen Hao having dealings with the Slave Trade Association. How could this guy suddenly start feeling kindly toward those fat and greedy killers? Clearly, he’s talking in circles.

"Heh heh, my lord, you see things clearly. I think reporting through the Slave Trade Association makes things look more reasonable. Our scout up front captured an old hand from one of the Slave Trade Association’s hunting teams. We can use this guy as a mouthpiece to pass off the story: say he wandered too far while hunting, saw a moving Barbarian battle array and military camp, then reported it."

At the very least, before this news comes out, even if the Ministry of War has problems, they wouldn’t dare blatantly ignore it, right?"

Jiang Cheng sat back down in his chair and nodded in approval, "Reporting through the Slave Trade Association is indeed relatively appropriate and won’t raise suspicion from the Ministry of War, so it won’t threaten your task. But don’t underestimate the Ministry of War. Even if there are bad worms hiding inside, most of the men in the military are loyal to their bones."

Getting the military to switch sides in a matter of such grave importance? Highly unlikely, in my opinion.

But once the news spreads, some change could happen—you might even see new developments in your case."

Shen Hao understood what Jiang Cheng meant; once things start, the military system will have to move into wartime mode, and their attention will get pulled away internally. For Shen Hao’s investigation, that could actually bring unexpected gains.

"But connecting with the Slave Trade Association, you can handle that yourself. It’s the lord’s request, after all. At least it’ll save a lot of their people and money, and besides, they can stash their slaves and play some tricks—maybe even make a big profit." Jiang Cheng smiled at Shen Hao, clearly not intending to take that ball Shen Hao just threw over.

"My lord, I..."

"Enough, I know you have no real connections with the Slave Trade Association. But you have channels, right? Otherwise, how’d your three scouts worm their way into the Hongli Trading Company hunting team?"

"I got an introduction through Fengri City’s brokerage. As for Hongli Trading Company, I really don’t know anyone there," Shen Hao explained with an embarrassed smile. The backers of Slave Trade Association are bottomless pits, and skinny as he is now, he doesn’t want to get involved.

But Jiang Cheng was stubborn and refused to take the bait—instead, he swept the map on the table into his drawer: "Handle it yourself. If I do it, I’d have to go around in a big circle, and it’d be more likely to raise suspicion."

First, arrange a meeting with the people from Hongli Trading Company, then spread the news through the mouth of those scouts you sent out—no, not your scouts, just the guy your scouts captured, let him spread the story."

"Wouldn’t this be too vague?"

"A little vague is better—and more genuine. If you spell everything out in perfect order, that’s when they’ll get suspicious. Do you get me?"

Jiang Cheng laid out the reasons, leaving Shen Hao no room to argue. It was true—according to Jiang Cheng’s theory, this was more realistic and less likely to arouse suspicion.

But... Shen Hao was a bit frustrated. Doesn’t this mean the task landed back on his lap?

Then Jiang Cheng added, "I know what’s bothering you. But don’t worry. You’re not the same as before. Some relationships are better to build up in advance, so you won’t be clueless later."

Hearing this, Shen Hao was startled inside, secretly weighing Jiang Cheng’s words. Was Jiang Cheng giving him a hint? That getting in touch with Hongli Trading Company would benefit him in the future?

"Anything else?"

Shen Hao quickly replied, "One more small matter."

"Speak."

Shen Hao grinned and handed over a stack of bright red invitations with both hands.

"What the heck is this? You aren’t getting married, are you?"

Huh? Married?!

Shen Hao was about to explain but got cut off by Jiang Cheng, left speechless. Just because he saw a red invitation, why jump straight to marriage? He doesn’t even have a partner, and if he needs something he has to go to the Flower House. How could he get married just like that...

After flipping open the invitation, Jiang Cheng realized he’d guessed wrong but asked suspiciously, "April 15th, Fengri City, Black Banner Battalion’s military drill? Inviting me to attend and observe? Tsk tsk, who are these for? Oh, you even invited every big name in the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office?

Hmm? Even to Lord Pang?

You really have guts, kid!"

The bottommost invitation was boldly marked: Sincerely invite Lord Commander to attend.

After so many years as an official, Jiang Cheng had never seen a low-level officer brazenly send invitations several ranks upward all the way to the top boss. No sense of restraint?

"My lord, please don’t misunderstand. This military drill isn’t a private event—it’s official business. You could see it as a direct way to check results. Sort of like a ’battle array simulation’ in the military."

"Battle array simulation?" Jiang Cheng was intrigued, guessing this was another new trick from Shen Hao. He urged, "Explain it in detail."

On cue, Shen Hao briefly explained his plan for the ’military drill initiative’—the outline he’d mapped out, supplemented and polished by Wang Yiming, to Jiang Cheng.

Finally, he added, "My lord, since Fengri City is a testing site, whether it’s resource allocation or authority rules, there’s room for trial and error. So why not be even bolder: showcase those things hard to measure directly through a competition. Good or bad, it’s clear as day. That way, you and Lord Pang can see the real effects of the plan—not just copper rod paperwork."

After hearing Shen Hao’s summary, Jiang Cheng’s eyes shone with interest. He liked this hardline, ’show it and compare, sink or swim’ style.

"Good idea, but if you mess it up, it’ll do you no favors. Think it through carefully."

"I’ve thought it through, my lord. Fengri City’s Black Banner Battalion will not let you down."