Secret alliances to spy on secrets

Chapter Quote: Where can a tiger live in peace? A clever act of kindness can create good relationships. Occasionally, I hear a shocking secret, and secretly pass on information to escape from a critical pass.

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While his duties in the back mountains were leisurely, they also gave Yan Qing the opportunity to observe the inner workings of Liangshan. He assisted Tao Zongwang in supervising the construction, treating people with neither servility nor arrogance, and showing no airs towards the lower-level minions. He occasionally offered guidance on civil engineering techniques (aided by his past life's knowledge and experience in the Lu Mansion), gradually winning the favor of some of the down-to-earth craftsmen.

One day, he was inspecting a newly dug canal when he suddenly saw several minions carrying a man hurriedly coming. The man was covered in blood and unconscious. It was Bai Sheng, the "Daytime Rat" who had provoked him in the gathering hall the day before.

"What's going on?" Yan Qing asked with a frown.

A lackey quickly replied, "To Chief Yan, Chief Bai was ordered to go down the mountain to buy some things. On his way back, he was ambushed at the foot of the mountain. All his companions were killed, and he was the only one who escaped at the risk of his life..."

Yan Qing went forward to examine Bai Sheng. He saw multiple stab wounds, the most serious of which was in his abdomen. He was bleeding profusely and was barely breathing. He had some medical experience and saw that the wounds had been crudely treated. It was clear that the military doctor had limited skills. If left untreated, Bai Sheng would be in grave danger.

He thought of An Daoquan, but then he thought again, although Bai Sheng was a bad man, he was Wu Yong's confidant. If he could show him some favor, he might be of some use. Even if it was useless, saving lives would be in line with his heart.

"Carry him to my place," Yan Qing ordered. His place was relatively secluded, making it convenient for him to carry out his mission.

Although everyone was surprised, seeing Yan Qing's serious expression, they did not dare to disobey and carried Bai Sheng over.

Yan Qing took out the golden wound medicine he had brought with him (a gift from Doctor Xue), and ordered someone to bring hot water and clean cloth. He personally cleaned Bai Sheng's wound, applied the medicine, and bandaged it. His technique was skillful and gentle, far beyond the reach of ordinary doctors.

After nearly an hour of work, the wound was finally healed. Although Bai Sheng hadn't woken up, his breathing had become much more stable.

In the evening, Bai Sheng woke up slowly and saw Yan Qing standing by his bed. He was shocked at first, but then he felt that the wounds on his body had been properly treated and the pain was greatly reduced. A complex look flashed in his eyes.

"It was... you who saved me?" He said weakly.

"It just happened to happen." Yan Qing said calmly, "How do you feel, Brother Bai?"

Bai Sheng struggled to sit up, but Yan Qing held him down. "Brother Yan... Brother Yan Qing, thank you so much! You saved my life!" Although he was a mean man, he knew what was right and wrong. With his life on the line, his gratitude was genuine.

"Brothers from the same camp, why be polite?" Yan Qing waved his hand. "But Brother Bai, do you know who did it?"

Fear and resentment flashed in Bai Sheng's eyes. "Judging from their skills... they seem like experts from the government, but also somewhat unlike... their attacks were brutal, as if... as if they were trying to silence us!" He suddenly lowered his voice, "I vaguely heard them say something like 'something'... 'No one should be left alive'..."

Something? Yan Qing's heart moved. Could it be related to the "Netherworld Palace"? Or did Bai Sheng accidentally get something he shouldn't have when he went down the mountain?

He didn't ask any further questions, but simply consoled him, "Brother Bai, take good care of yourself. I will report this matter to Brother Gongming and the military advisor, and we will get to the bottom of it."

Two days later, Bai Sheng's condition had stabilized somewhat, and he was already filled with gratitude towards Yan Qing, their conversation becoming much closer. One day, Yan Qing was patrolling the back mountains when Bai Sheng approached him on crutches. He dismissed his attendants and whispered mysteriously, "Brother Yan Qing, there's something important I need to tell you. I'm not sure if I should speak to you or not."

"Brother Bai, please feel free to speak."

"I was injured the day before yesterday, and the military advisor came to visit. From his words... he seemed a little worried about you, brother." Bai Sheng said carefully, "I vaguely heard that the military advisor seemed to be planning something big, seemingly... related to the north. He also mentioned Mr. Lu and Daming Mansion... He asked me to keep an eye on you over the next few days."

Yan Qing was in awe, but remained expressionless. "Thank you, Brother Bai, for telling me. I act with integrity and am not afraid of the military advisor's investigation. I just don't know what the important matter you're talking about is."

Bai Sheng shook his head. "I don't know the details. The military advisor is very tight-lipped. I only heard that they're going to mobilize a large number of cavalry, led by Hu Yanzhuo and Guan Sheng. It seems... they're going to attack the north!"

Sending troops to the north?! Yan Qing was shocked! Was the target Zengtou City? Daming Prefecture? Or some other force in Lingzhou?

Wu Yong's evil intentions are unwavering! Fresh off the defeat at Zengtou City, he's already planning another large-scale attack! Furthermore, he's mobilizing elite cavalry like Guan Sheng and Hu Yanzhuo, so his plans must be significant!

The news must be spread as soon as possible!

He calmed himself and said to Bai Sheng, "I will remember your kindness, Brother Bai. This matter is of great importance, so please do not mention it to anyone else."

Bai Sheng nodded repeatedly: "I can save it, I can save it! Don't worry, brother!"

After seeing Bai Sheng off, Yan Qing was in a state of turmoil. He had to pass this news to the "Hidden Post" and Lu Junyi immediately! But how could he pass it on when he was in Liangshan, with spies everywhere?

He remembered that when he had been assisting Tao Zongwang a few days ago, he had discovered an abandoned pigeon house in the back hills, where wild pigeons seemed to occasionally roost. Perhaps... he could make a story out of this?

That night, Yan Qing quietly set out again. He didn't go to the pigeon house, as that would be too conspicuous. Instead, he went to a remote cliffside in the back mountains, a place rarely visited. He took out a tiny, resilient piece of oil paper and wrote a few words with charcoal: "Liangshan intends to mobilize its cavalry, their target is suspected to be north. Prepare quickly." Then he rolled it up tightly and stuffed it into a specially made small bamboo tube.

He imitated the call of a night owl, alternating long and short calls, repeating it three times. This was the highest-level emergency communication signal agreed upon with the "Hidden Post", indicating that top-secret intelligence was being received and must be received at all costs.

A moment later, from the darkness below the cliff, there was an almost inaudible response, like a stone falling into a deep pool.

Yan Qing no longer hesitated. He used all his strength in his wrist and threw the small bamboo tube accurately in the direction where the response sound came from!

After doing all this, he turned around and left without any reluctance, as if he had never appeared.

He knew that once the Hidden Post received the signal, its personnel would relay the information as quickly as possible. As for how they would circumvent the Liangshan blockade, that was not his concern. Gongsun Sheng, having established an organization like the Hidden Post, must have possessed extraordinary means.

Although the intelligence had been sent, Yan Qing's sense of crisis remained undimmed. Now that Wu Yong had begun his plan, time was running out. He had to quickly establish a more stable foothold within Liangshan, or... create some chaos to delay Liangshan's actions.

His gaze once again turned to the gathering hall that symbolized the power core of Liangshan, and to those leaders who seemed united but actually had their own thoughts.

Perhaps, it’s time to visit the “Leopard Head” who drowns his sorrows in alcohol all day long.

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Chapter 39 End