CHAPTER 451: 347, CHARACTER

In the crowd, Mr. Feng didn’t look back again.

The person sat on the horse, swaying as he passed through the grand Yongding Gate. This Mr. Feng, clearly wearing the armor of a Guerrilla General, was, at heart, still that aspiring Confucian scholar.

At this moment, the people followed behind the commander’s flag for ten miles to send him off, some offering eggs they cherished, others freshly steamed cornbread.

Forty miles away by the Zhangjiawan Pier, literati from the Imperial Capital waited at a pavilion to offer a cup of light wine and write a beautiful poem. They would not care about the harshness behind this journey, nor would the distant war affect their romantic musings.

Chen Ji did not see Mr. Wang and Mr. Feng off again.

Upon seeing Mr. Feng, his anxious heart instantly calmed, as if the other was a stabilizing pillar; as long as he was in the expeditionary force, Chen Ji knew there was still a chance for things to turn around.

As for how to lead forty thousand Cao Yun Officials to win this battle and return alive, that was not something for Chen Ji to consider.

Nor did he wish to consider it.

Chen Ji tightened the reins and turned his horse back, letting the people seeing him off pass by.

However, at that moment, he saw from afar a person wearing a bamboo hat, with sharp eyes like a knife lingering beneath it, staring at him.

Si Caogui.

Seeing Chen Ji looking over, Si Caogui raised his hand to signal to follow, then turned towards Zhengnan Fang, walking unhurriedly. Chen Ji paused for a couple of breaths, dismounted, and led his horse through the crowd, following behind.

The two passed through Yangyang Alley, one after the other, the sound of hooves with iron shoes echoing in the deserted small alley.

They came to the front of a household, the door without a lock; Si Caogui, without minding Chen Ji behind, pushed the door open and entered.

Chen Ji led his warhorse into the cramped, narrow courtyard, surveying the scene within.

The courtyard gate, made of two thin wooden planks, had long lost its paint. The courtyard was empty, with only a half-person-high broken earthen jar, the rim missing a section.

Inside, the broken wooden bed was covered with straw, and next to it was a square table with one leg propped up by a piece of broken brick.

No wonder the door didn’t need a lock; with such desolation, even Old Rong of the city wouldn’t know what to steal.

"Close the door," Si Caogui pulled out a broken earthen pot from under the bed, placing it in the courtyard. He then took out several stacks of yellow paper from beneath the bed and lit one with a fire inch, tossing it into the pot.

Si Caogui handed Chen Ji a stack of yellow paper: "Burn some for Old Wang too; there’s no one left in his family. If you and I don’t burn it, no one will."

Old Wang?

Chen Ji realized it was Wang Peng, the secretary of Huitong Hall.

Si Caogui found two bricks and sat on them. He sat in front of the pot, throwing sheets of yellow paper into it, the firelight flickering across his face.

A moment later, Si Caogui looked up at Chen Ji: "There’s more bricks over there, find some to sit on."

Chen Ji released the reins, found a few green bricks to sit on, and threw the yellow paper in his hands into the pot: "It’s not been seven days since the funeral yet, burning paper now is a bit early."

Si Caogui watched the flames in the pot: "We spies can’t tell if we’ll be alive tomorrow, so we burn whenever we can. I think Old Wang would understand."

Chen Ji acknowledged with a hum.

Si Caogui watched the flames: "Old Wang and I trained in the Military Intelligence Department the same year, came to Ning Dynasty in the same year, both tutored by your uncle. I remember hiding on a smuggling merchant ship with him, starting from Lushun, and floating for thirty-one days at sea before reaching Dongying Port. Old Wang got seasick, vomiting terribly every day, even vomited clean whenever he drank a sip of water."

"At that time I asked him if he regretted becoming a spy, and he said no, our Jing Dynasty people were still suffering hunger, some families, only had one pair of pants for everyone, who could only wear them when going out. Why should Ning Dynasty people occupy the fertile southern lands?"

Chen Ji hesitated to speak.

Si Caogui spoke again: "After arriving in Ning Dynasty, we found out that Ning Dynasty people also lived hard lives. Later, we understood what your uncle said, as long as the two dynasties don’t unite, all under heaven shall suffer. Your uncle vowed early on, while the dynasties stand divided, he would forever wear plain clothes, drink no wine, and only eat half a bowl of simple fare each day. On the day of unification, he’d drink three cups of strong wine in celebration."

Si Caogui’s paper was burned out, he fetched a bamboo tube, poured the cloudy wine on the ground, murmuring: "Walk slowly across the Naihe Bridge, wait for us to unite the dynasties so you can be reborn into a good family without suffering."

The murky wine splashed on the ground, making a splattering sound.

When the bamboo tube was emptied, Si Caogui casually brought it to his lips, licking a drop of wine hanging on the edge.

Chen Ji watched Si Caogui, noticing he was wearing a dozen patches, his feet in straw sandals, hands full of calluses.

Si Caogui sat back down, staring directly into Chen Ji’s eyes: "Don’t blame me for testing you, I’m just worried you, born and raised in this Southern Dynasty, now valued by the Chen family, might slowly forget our original intentions. Also, don’t blame me for not letting you return to Jing Dynasty; with your current status and position here in the Southern Dynasty, you have great value."

Chen Ji tore a sheet of yellow paper and tossed it into the pot without answering.

Si Caogui said earnestly: "I was initially worried you had turned; now that the Southern Dynasty has gone to war against Korea according to our plan, it proves your continued loyalty. Also, it shows your prowess; while we attempted numerous methods unsuccessfully to get poison to Old Wang, you accomplished it with ease. Don’t rush, with your uncle present, the Chief position of the Military Intelligence Department will be yours eventually. If you don’t wish to be chief, after making earth-shattering achievements like your uncle in Ning Dynasty, you’ll be valued when you return to Jing Dynasty."

Chen Ji feigned displeasure: "If you suspect me, why use me at all? I have been loyal to the Jing Dynasty, doing so much in Luocheng City, and trying all means to approach the Crown Prince in Guyuan, yet now I am met with the suspicion of my colleagues?"

Si Caogui placated, "I heard about your killing of over a hundred enemies when I first arrived in the Ning Dynasty, naturally causing me to have doubts. It would be the same if you were in my position as Si Cao."

Chen Ji remained calm, "So now, are you sure I didn’t do it?"

Si Caogui smiled, "Not exactly sure, but you passing this test shows your heart still leans towards our Jing Dynasty. If you did do something before, it must have been out of necessity."

Chen Ji’s mind raced, and he tested, "If I fail this time, Huitong Hall is under tight surveillance, so it’s only normal I fail. Many of you have failed it too. If I fail, does that mean I’ve turned traitor? Would you come to kill me yourself to purge the door?"

Si Caogui remained silent.

Alertness rose in Chen Ji’s heart.

It seems that Si Caogui would indeed purge the door, regardless of familial ties.

If Mr. Wang and Mr. Feng counter this plan, causing the Jing Dynasty losses, Si Caogui would surely suspect me again.

Chen Ji calculated silently, traveling to Korea would take thirty days at sea, another thirty for news to return to the Ning Dynasty - he must eliminate Si Caogui within sixty days, or it would be dangerous.

Should he make another batch of gunpowder and blow this place up while Si Caogui sleeps soundly?

No.

Si Caogui is inherently suspicious. He wouldn’t simply lead me to his residence. This place is actually a test of loyalty. He intentionally brought me here to see if I would lure someone to capture or assassinate.

It must be so.

Chen Ji tossed the remaining yellow paper into the clay pot: "What do you need me to do next?"

Si Caogui said solemnly, "I heard the Chen family’s main branch intends to adopt you and wants you to marry into the Qi family. You just need to facilitate this. Once you inherit the Chen family estate and have Qi family’s support, you can be our dynasty’s greatest aid in heading south."

Chen Ji shook his head, "Chen Lizun is only forty-seven; the Chen family is not mine to lead yet."

Si Caogui’s eyes flickered with gravity, "Your uncle assassinated the Chen family’s Minister of Revenue in his early years, causing the main branch to always be escorted by a Grand Official. Otherwise, once you are adopted, all we need to do is eliminate the main branch, and naturally, power will fall into your hands. But anyway, once adopted, find a way to take over Dongying Port from the Chen family; it won’t be difficult. By then, our Jing Dynasty’s army will contain the Three Major Camps’ troops at Chongli Pass..."

Si Caogui stopped abruptly, reluctant to continue.

Chen Ji pondered quietly, why does the Jing Dynasty want Dongying Port? Smuggling arms, or is there another objective?

He casually remarked, "Lord Si Cao, there are still obstacles in the adoption to the main branch. The Chen family’s second branch wants to seize the entire Chen family estate citing the lack of heirs in the main branch, and they will definitely try every means to obstruct the adoption. We must find a way to eliminate the second branch."

Si Caogui nodded, "I need to discuss this with someone and weigh it carefully before deciding how to assist you."

Chen Ji’s mind reeled, discuss? Si Caogui is someone with significant power in the Military Intelligence Department, also a trusted confidant of Vice Minister Lu Jin; whom else does he need to consult?

The Military Intelligence Department Chief.

The Chief is probably in the Imperial Capital.

Si Caogui gave Chen Ji a glance, "Go back now; your current status is distinguished. Lingering in this impoverished area might arouse suspicion."

Chen Ji replied with a sound, stood up, and led his warhorse outside.

When he reached the doorway, Si Caogui suddenly called, "Chen Ji."

Chen Ji turned back, "What else is there, Lord Si Cao?"

Si Caogui sat on the stones and looked up at him, saying with deep meaning, "Actors on stage that mess up merely get a few boos and can start over. But if you and I mess up our roles, say the wrong lines, it’s for a lifetime."

Chen Ji softly replied, "I understand."

He led his warhorse out through the small door, turning into the alley.

As he passed Zhengyang Street, a pedestrian hurried by from behind, enthusiastically saying, "Mr. Wang’s expedition to Korea will surely make the Jing Dynasty scoundrels dare not step over the Changbai Mountain Range again!"

"Mr. Wang has been suppressed by the Eunuch Party all these years. Now the court has finally recognized his talent and reinstated him; we just wait for the good news from Korea!"

Jing Dynasty scoundrels? Eunuch Party?

Yet unsure which role he should play well?

Chen Ji laughed self-deprecatingly and slowly led his horse into the shadow under Zhengyang Gate.