Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 363: Chapter 363: Revelation

Time was of the essence. As soon as Shen Hao returned to Fengri City from the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office, he immediately had Wang Jian contact Zhu Shou. He hoped to reach the shopkeeper of the Hongli Trading Company through Zhu Shou as soon as possible.

As for the invitation to the "big martial competition," Jiang Cheng had already declared on the spot that everyone would be invited by him personally, including Commander Pang Ban.

So Shen Hao felt reassured, and just told Wang Yiming to prepare for the reception. Moreover, once the news got out that Pang Ban himself would attend the "big martial competition," the members of the Black Banner Battalion would absolutely train with the zeal of men on stimulants. The overall quality of the "big martial competition" would only improve.

As for the Barbarian Race secret agents, Shen Hao did not want any complications. The difficulty of infiltrating Sangbi Hill was well-known to be too great. He feared that he would lose an excellent secret agent like Tan Bin and also alarm the enemy, so at the same time, he ordered Wang Jian to send word to Tan Bin, instructing him to abandon the plan to go to Sangbi Hill, and instead go to Hu Zhu Yuan to verify Jiang Cheng’s suspicions.

If there really were Barbarian troops occupying and building military camps at Hu Zhu Yuan, then Jiang Cheng’s speculation would basically be confirmed.

After that, Tan Bin and his team would need to rejoin the Hongli Trading Company’s hunting party, coordinating with Shen Hao’s side to spread the news of "Barbarian unrest," thereby warning all strata of the Dynasty.

It was already late at night when he met Zhu Shou. The two didn’t worry about appearances and simply met in a quiet copse outside Fengri City.

"Lord Shen, what is so urgent?"

Now sitting as Master of the Dental Practice in Fengri City, Zhu Shou carried some official authority. Being called out so late at night was certainly irritating, but given Shen Hao’s position and his own, he could only swallow his annoyance. At the same time, he was also puzzled as to what grave matter could make Shen Hao so eager for a private talk.

"The southern Barbarian Race is making a major move. They’ve been recuperating in secret in the southeast region, and now they are close to reestablishing their Royal Court. The situation is urgent; I need to use the Hongli Trading Company to spread this news. Help me get in touch with the shopkeeper of the Hongli Trading Company, I need to see him as soon as possible."

Shen Hao spoke straight to the point.

Zhu Shou was startled at first, then his face changed dramatically. He was old enough to have lived through the great war with the Barbarians forty years ago. Though he hadn’t personally experienced battle, so he wasn’t exactly haunted by fear, he did know the Barbarian Race wasn’t easy to deal with; their relationship with the Jingjiu Dynasty was forever at odds. Once the Barbarians rose, it would mean bloodshed again.

"Alright, tomorrow I’ll personally go to the Hongli Trading Company and arrange a meeting for you."

"If you’re asked about the reason, just say you owe me a big favor, and hint that it’s related to your past promotion. Don’t let anything else slip."

"Is that...really appropriate?"

"There’s nothing inappropriate. Just allude to it; there’s no need to make things public. Besides, the Hongli Trading Company isn’t a local government office, nor is it a brokerage — if they know a bit of the surface, it won’t hurt us. Rather than letting them guess in secret, it’s better to give them a ’reasonable’ explanation."

"Alright then, I understand. I’ll await your instructions."

After their brief conversation, each returned their own way. On the road, Zhu Shou couldn’t help but turn Shen Hao’s news over in his mind again and again.

If the Barbarians were rising, there would be an uproar. Decades of slave trading would reach an inevitable pause, and those affected would not only be the Slave Trade Association but also the brokerages. Since he’d gotten word before others, Zhu Shou felt he ought to do something—otherwise, wouldn’t this advantage go to waste?

The more he thought about it, the more Zhu Shou smiled, thinking to himself: Looks like being an inside collaborator for the Xuanqing Guard really does have its perks.

Zhu Shou already had some rough ideas in mind.

The next day, Zhu Shou personally visited the shopkeeper of the Hongli Trading Company. The two had been colleagues, now friends, and this was no secret. So when they shut their doors and "caught up" in private, no one suspected a thing.

In fact, the two seemed to be enjoying themselves so much that they agreed to continue their drinking and merriment that evening at Zhu Shou’s home.

But no one knew that, while Zhu Shou was entertaining his guest that very day, Shen Hao slipped in through the back door and held a secret talk in Zhu Shou’s house with the shopkeeper of the Hongli Trading Company.

The news of the Barbarians’ rising was truly of great value to the Hongli Trading Company. According to Shen Hao’s estimate, under normal circumstances, it would take the Hongli Trading Company at least another four or five months to notice the Barbarians’ activity. Now, with a lead time of four or five months, they would have immense room to maneuver.

This counted as a great favor—the Hongli Trading Company must remember it.

That night, Shen Hao did not linger. After saying what was necessary in just a few words, he left Zhu Shou’s house, leaving the shopkeeper of the Hongli Trading Company and Zhu Shou to resume their banquet.

"Old Zhu, you really are something. You even have a connection with Shen Shaxing—you’re impressive!"

The speaker was the shopkeeper, Liu Yuanxiang of the Hongli Trading Company—a short, stout man who’d reached the Qi Refining Realm Third Layer before giving up cultivation to dive into business.

Now Liu Yuanxiang pinched some food, eating and teasing Zhu Shou who was seated beside him with a beaming smile.

"Shen Shaxing? Why didn’t you call him that to his face just now?"

"Tsk tsk, am I stupid or are you? Calling him that to his face—that’s asking to die, isn’t it? From what they say about his temper, he could’ve slapped me to death on the spot. But you haven’t told me how you managed to connect with him. Lots of people try but there’s no way in. And you two seem quite close—he even let you in on a secret this big."

"Old Liu, that’s what you call being lucky. When Lord Shen first arrived in Fengri City, he was short on help. I stepped in and picked some people for him. Things worked out well, and later he practically came to thank me as if I was a housekeeper. After a few favors back and forth, a relationship formed. Besides, Lord Shen isn’t nearly as overbearing as the rumors say—he’s easy to approach."

Liu Yuanxiang kept drinking and eating but still didn’t buy it: "His ’Evil Star’ nickname isn’t for nothing. He probably has over a thousand lives on his hands. Ruthless as hell—what a character. But what I don’t get is, Old Zhu, aren’t you usually the type who keeps to himself and doesn’t meddle? How come this time you dared to take such a huge risk and help make such a connection?"

Zhu Shou thought to himself: Here it comes.

"That’s not so easy to say." Zhu Shou looked troubled.

Liu Yuanxiang lowered his voice, curiously pressing: "What’s the big secret? What’s our relationship, eh? Don’t worry, I’m not one to blab. I’m just curious, that’s all."

Zhu Shou was silent for a long while, looking indecisive. Finally, under Liu Yuanxiang’s repeated urging, he said, "Let’s just say I owe Lord Shen a huge favor. Without Lord Shen’s help, I probably wouldn’t be in the seat I hold now."

Liu Yuanxiang felt he’d uncovered something big: "You mean Shen Hao helped you get your position?! How did he dare..."

But Zhu Shou shook his head, saying, "It’s not what you’re thinking. I can’t tell you the details, but just know that I owe Lord Shen a big favor. Anyway, this is only beneficial to your Hongli Trading Company."