Undercurrents surge, each taking action

Chapter Quote:

Bai Sheng was ordered to spread rumors, and Xiao Yi used a clever trick to confuse the enemy;

Wu Yong couldn't take care of both sides, and the people in the stronghold gradually became divided.

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The news brought by Ma Lin did indeed throw a stone in Wu Yong's heart.

"Gao Qiu's position is unstable?" Wu Yong twirled his short beard and paced around the study. "Are you serious? What else did that officer say?"

Ma Lin bowed and said, "The officer's explanation was vague. He simply said that General Gao had made many enemies in the court in recent years. Grand Tutor Cai and his followers had long been dissatisfied with him. In addition, he had not handled several tasks properly in recent years, and the court seemed to have some complaints. He also vaguely mentioned... that Gao Qiu's early years in the Ministry of Internal Affairs seemed to be not very clean, and there was a risk that old cases would be brought up."

Wu Yong's brow furrowed. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have fully believed the captive's words. But now, this news seemed to be vaguely connected to Yan Qing's "Qinghui Pavilion" case—and didn't that case involve Gao Qiu's early years in the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Could there really be a political shift at court?

He pondered for a long time. If Gao Qiu truly lost power, Liangshan might have one less major obstacle on the road to amnesty. But what if someone deliberately spread rumors to disrupt the situation?

"Brother Dai Zong, what did the constables from Jizhou Prefecture find out?" Wu Yong asked.

Ma Lin shook his head. "Brother Dai Zong said that the official only knew a limited amount. He only said that the prefect was cleaning up the old files and found something unusual in the dossier, which seemed to be related to an old palace case. However, the prefect didn't specify the details."

Wu Yong snorted coldly, "That's a clean shove." He was already 70% certain that the official from Jizhou Prefecture had come with ulterior motives, and that someone was behind the scenes. However, the matter of Yan Qing's background was currently difficult to force due to Lu Junyi's unwavering stance and the backlash from the other leaders. However, Gao Qiu's matter, however, was crucial to Liangshan's plan to recruit Liangshan troops, and he had to pay close attention to it.

"Forget it," Wu Yong waved his hand. "Let's put the Yan Qing matter aside for now. Brother Ma Lin, go and ask Brother Dai Zong to come over. We need to reconsider the direction of the court."

"What about Brother Bai Sheng..." Ma Lin hesitated. Wu Yong had previously instructed Bai Sheng to secretly collect "evidence" that was unfavorable to Yan Qing and wait for an opportunity to spread rumors.

Wu Yong's eyes flashed with annoyance: "Let him stop for a while, don't make any more trouble."

"yes."

However, Wu Yong wanted Bai Sheng to stop, but Bai Sheng had already taken action.

That afternoon, outside the village kitchen, several small leaders on their day off were chatting. Bai Sheng, carrying a small wine flask, staggered over.

"Brothers, what are you talking about so excitedly?" Bai Sheng sat down with a smile and poured himself a bowl of wine.

"It's Chief Bai." Seeing him, several people greeted him. Although Bai Sheng's abilities were ordinary, he was old and well-known, and he was quite popular among the lower classes in the village.

"What else can we talk about? It's all about the recent events in the village." A fat leader lowered his voice. "I heard that Chief Yan Qing's life story... is involved in a major case in the palace?"

Bai Sheng took a sip of wine, looked around mysteriously, and then whispered, "That's right! I heard that the fire in the palace twenty years ago killed more than just one female official! It's also said to be related to... the disappearance of a secret treasure!"

"Secret treasure?" Several people immediately became excited.

"Shh—keep your voice down!" Bai Sheng gestured for silence. "It's said to be a treasure left behind by the previous dynasty, priceless! That fire might have been set deliberately to cover up the theft! And Chief Yan Qing's relatives, it's said... hehe, might know the inside story, or even..."

He left his words unfinished, leaving room for endless speculation. Several people exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise and suspicion. If Yan Qing's background truly was connected to the palace's secret treasure, then it wouldn't just be a matter of origin; it could also bring endless disaster to the village!

Similar rumors spread quietly among the lower-ranking soldiers in the mountain stronghold through Bai Sheng and a few idlers he was close to. The versions of the story became more and more numerous and increasingly bizarre—from "knowing the inside story" to "possessing a treasure map" to "possibly an orphan of the previous dynasty," the rumors snowballed.

These rumors naturally reached Yan Qing's ears.

"Brother Xiaoyi, this Bai Sheng is truly despicable! How dare he slander you like this!" Hu Sanniang was so angry that her eyebrows raised and she held the Sun and Moon Swords. "I'm going to go find him right now and see how brave he is to speak nonsense!"

"Wait a minute, Sanniang." Yan Qing stopped her, his expression still calm. "Rumors stop at the wise. If you go to him now, it will only make us look guilty."

"Are we just going to let him talk nonsense?" Hu Sanniang was puzzled.

Yan Qing smiled faintly. "He's spreading his rumors, and I have my own responses." He turned to Le He and said, "Brother Le He, you've always been good at telling stories. I have an interesting story here. Are you interested in listening to it?"

Le He's eyes lit up: "Brother Xiao Yi has a new work? Tell us about it quickly!"

Yan Qing then whispered a story about a charlatan who framed someone under the guise of treasure hunting, only to have his evil deeds punished. The story was full of twists and turns, and the characters were portrayed vividly. Although Bai Sheng was not mentioned by name, the image of the mischievous clown was a perfect reflection of him.

Le He was a very clever man; he immediately understood what he meant. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! Excellent! Such an interesting story should be shared with all the brothers! I'll make it up right away and make sure it spreads throughout the village!"

Within two days, Le He's new story had spread throughout the village. Its humor and satire were sharp, and its portrayal of the swindler who had spread the rumors and caused trouble was particularly vivid, drawing laughter and deep thought from the listeners.

"Hey, did you listen to the new joke that Lehe and his brother made up? That liar they were talking about really looks like some people!"

"That's right! You're spreading rumors without any evidence. Do you really think our brothers are fools?"

"Leader Yan Qing is such a great man, how can he be slandered by such a scumbag!"

Public opinion shifted quietly. The rumors spread by Bai Sheng seemed clumsy and ridiculous compared to Le He's more sophisticated tactics. Some even began to question Bai Sheng, "Captain Bai, do you have any proof of the secret treasure you mentioned the other day?" "Are you just like the liar in that story, making up stories?"

Bai Sheng's face flushed red as he was questioned, hesitating and stammering, not daring to speak freely anymore. When Wu Yong learned about this, he was so angry that he smashed his teacup and cursed Bai Sheng inwardly for being more trouble than help!

At the same time, another move that Yan Qing had made earlier began to take effect.

Zhu Wu found an opportunity and casually mentioned this to Song Jiang during a casual chat, "Brother Gongming, I've been observing the celestial phenomena and fortune lately, and I've noticed a dark and ominous aura in the southeast, suggesting something sinister is brewing. This seems to be related to changes in the imperial court in Tokyo. Combined with the news I heard from Brother Ma Lin recently, I'm afraid Gao Qiu's story isn't groundless. Perhaps... the opportunity has arrived for our plan to recruit him."

Song Jiang's expression suddenly grew serious upon hearing this. His lifelong wish had been to serve his country through the surrender of the Tang Dynasty, to receive a title for his wife and children. Gao Qiu was the biggest stumbling block in his path to the surrender of the Tang Dynasty. If this stumbling block showed any sign of moving, how could he not be concerned?

"Does the military advisor think so?" Song Jiang pondered. "If so, we need to send more capable personnel to thoroughly investigate the situation in Tokyo. Wu Xuejiu seems to be busy with other things recently. This matter... Brother Zhu Wu, please take care of it."

"I have no choice but to do it." Zhu Wu bowed in response.

As a result, Wu Yong's energy was mostly occupied by Gao Qiu's movements and the matter of recruiting him, and Song Jiang personally ordered Zhu Wu to intervene in intelligence work. It was no longer possible for him to devote all his energy to dealing with Yan Qing.

After a few days, Yan Qing clearly felt the pressure from Wu Yong ease. He continued to train his soldiers daily and discuss martial arts with the other leaders, as if the turmoil surrounding him had never occurred. This calm demeanor actually won him the admiration of even more people.

As autumn deepened, Yan Qing was instructing a small team in a small grappling technique in the training grounds when he suddenly saw Dai Zong approaching with a man at a brisk pace. The man wasn't dressed as an official, but rather as an ordinary merchant. However, his steady steps and sharp eyes made it clear he wasn't an ordinary merchant.

Dai Zong came closer and whispered to Yan Qing, "Brother Yan Qing, can you please spare a moment to talk?"

Yan Qing's heart moved slightly, and he followed Dai Zong to a secluded place.

Dai Zong pointed at the man dressed as a merchant and said, "This is a brother from the 'Hidden Post' in the capital. He has important news that needs to be shared with you in person."

The man clasped his fists in a salute to Yan Qing and lowered his voice to a whisper, "Captain Yan, Mr. Lu has sent me a message: there have indeed been changes in the palace. The Emperor has reprimanded Gao Qiu for some reason. Although he hasn't been dismissed, his favor with the Emperor is no longer as strong as before. Also, regarding the Qinghui Pavilion case... we've found an old palace maid who managed to escape."

Yan Qing's pupils shrank slightly: "Where is the person?"

"He has been placed in a safe place. The official asked if Chief Yan wanted to see him in person."

Yan Qing raised his head and looked towards Tokyo, his eyes deep. The truth seemed to be within reach, but he knew in his heart that the closer he got to the truth, the greater the hidden danger.

"See you." He uttered a word slowly, "I must see you."

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Chapter 56 End