Triumphant undercurrent, goods flow to Jiangnan

Flags fluttered, gongs and drums roared. The Liangshan army finally returned to Yuncheng, where they were warmly welcomed by local officials and citizens. Song Jiang led a group of leaders into the city to receive their rewards. For a moment, Yuncheng was abuzz with activity, as if it were a grand festival.

However, beneath this apparent glory, there are undercurrents.

The imperial decree of reward was quickly issued. As Zhang Qing had anticipated, it was vague, offering only general praise without specifying the officers' specific official positions. More crucially, the decree was accompanied by a garrison document signed by the Privy Council: Liangshan's troops were to be deployed to five locations within ten days, including Jingdong, Jingxi, and Hebei, to be stationed and await further instructions.

Divide the troops! The trend of disintegration is already established!

The atmosphere in Liangshanpo's Loyalty Hall was heavy. Despite having been mentally prepared, many of the leaders still felt a wave of chill and anger when the transfer documents were actually placed before them.

Song Jiang sat at the head of the table, his face serene, though his knuckles, gripping the armrests tightly, were turning slightly white. He surveyed the assembled brothers, his voice a barely perceptible rasp: "Brothers, the imperial court has issued a clear decree, and as subjects, we must obey. Our stationing in various locations is also a way to protect the capital and serve the country. I urge you to prioritize the greater good and fulfill your duties. Do not betray the imperial court's grace, nor betray the reputation of Liangshan as a place of loyalty and righteousness!"

His words were delivered with high-sounding grace, an attempt to appease the crowd and maintain unity. However, the reactions were mixed. Li Kui, Liu Tang, and other fiery-tempered individuals were already furious, and would have nearly burst out in anger had they not been restrained by those around them. Lu Junyi, Zhang Qing, Zhu Wu, and the others remained silent, their glances revealing a tacit understanding.

After the meeting, Lu Junyi and Zhang Qing, following their previous plan, actively leveraged their military prestige and connections, ultimately securing the transfer of Hu Sanniang, Wang Ying and his wife, and their troops to Zhang Qing's command, transferring them to the Jingxi Road, near the Jinghu border. Lu Junyi also secured the services of Zhu Wu, Sun Erniang, Zhang Qing, and others, transferring them to the Hebei Road along with their own troops. This arrangement helped to maintain the core support for the "Third Road" by concentrating its forces and preventing their complete dispersal.

As the army was about to march, Yuncheng was in a state of turmoil. Meanwhile, in a corner where no one was paying attention, the expansion plan of "Sihai Warehouse" was also proceeding at full speed.

Yan Qing displayed remarkable business acumen and drive. Capitalizing on the chaotic period of frequent exchanges following the Liangshan army's triumphant return, Yan Qing, as the owner of "Yan Qi," quickly established trade routes to the south of the Yangtze River. He hired guides and boatmen familiar with the Jiangnan waterways, assembled a skilled caravan, and, under the guise of transporting northern medicinal herbs and furs, headed south, targeting the Suzhou and Hangzhou regions, on the fringes of Fang La's influence.

Before leaving, Yan Qing said goodbye to Qiongying.

"Master, during our trip to Jiangnan, Yan Qing will do his utmost to help our association establish a stronghold there. However, the journey is long and it is difficult to deliver messages, so I hope you take care of yourself. If you have any urgent matters, you can bring the token to the Yuelai Inn in Hangzhou and look for a manager named Chen San." Yan Qing handed over half a jade pendant as a token of trust.

Qiongying took the jade pendant and said solemnly, "Brother Yan, you have a heavy responsibility on this trip. Safety is paramount. The situation in Jiangnan is complex, with officials, bandits, and militias intertwined. Please proceed with caution. The first priority is to establish reliable contact points and intelligence networks. Business comes second."

"Yan Qing understands." Yan Qing nodded and whispered, "Brother Zhang Qing and his men will be leaving for their base in Jingxi soon. Taoist Priest...is there anything else you would like Yan Qing to convey?"

Qiongying was slightly startled, and Zhang Qing's calm and determined eyes appeared before her. She was silent for a moment, then shook her head. "Let's proceed according to plan. Tell him to... be careful."

Some things don't need to be said out loud, they can be understood by both parties.

After Yan Qing's departure, Qiongying focused her energies on the integration of the Tongxin Society and its overseas explorations. Taking advantage of the Liangshan army's mobilization and the relative relaxation of local administration, she tasked her mute servant Shi Xiu with assisting Zhao Da in formalizing the previously trained guard force. From this group, she selected dozens of the most loyal and reliable young men to form a core guard unit, dubbed "Panshi," commanded by Zhao Da. These guards were responsible for guarding key strongholds and providing a mobile force at critical moments.

At the same time, through the connections of seafarers like Chen Laoduo, the "Four Seas Warehouse" began to secretly contact shipbuilders and down-and-out sailors in the Denglai area. Qiongying sketched some improved sails and rigging, claiming they were from rare books abroad, and had the craftsmen build and test models. She knew full well that high-performance ships were crucial for long-distance voyages.

One day, Chen Laoduo excitedly brought news: an old friend, who had ventured eastward several times, claimed to have discovered a string of large islands in the vast ocean. These islands were covered in towering forests and had abundant water. There were no powerful states, only scattered tribes. The location he described matched Qiongying's memory of Liuqiu (Taiwan) quite well.

"My old friend said that if we can organize a fleet and bring enough supplies and craftsmen, it will not be difficult to gain a foothold on the island!" Chen Laoduo seemed quite excited.

Qiongying was overjoyed; this was undoubtedly the best news in recent times! She immediately asked Chen Laoduo to contact her old friend, promising him a large sum of money in the hope of obtaining more accurate nautical charts and navigation information, and inviting him to join a future expedition fleet.

Just when Qiongying was excited about the progress of the overseas base, a secret letter from Zhang Qing's residence in western Beijing was delivered to her by a trusted soldier disguised as a merchant.

The letter was written by Zhang Qing himself, but its content made Qiongying's relaxed mood tense again.

The letter mentioned that upon arriving at their base in western Beijing, they found the situation more complex than anticipated. The local authorities were extremely wary of the Liangshan troops, delaying and withholding supplies wherever possible. Furthermore, the rebel forces of Zhong Xiang and Yang Yao in the Jinghu area were active and quite powerful, and the imperial court was considering assigning Zhang Qing's troops to participate in the suppression of these forces.

The news that Lu Junyi received from his base in Hebei was also not optimistic. They were facing similar local exclusion, and the court's intention to urge him to reorganize his troops and horses as soon as possible and prepare for the southward expedition against Fang La was becoming increasingly obvious.

The pressure from both inside and outside is gradually increasing. Time is running out for them.

Qiongying put down the secret letter, walked to the window, and gazed south. Jiangnan, Fang La... Zhang Qing and his men might soon face this formidable adversary. Before then, her "Four Seas Warehouse" and intelligence network must be fully operational in Jiangnan.

She summoned Shi Xiu and dictated a reply letter, which she sent to Zhang Qing via a messenger. In it, she briefly outlined the progress of the overseas base and solemnly promised to accelerate the development of the Jiangnan intelligence network at all costs, ensuring that they would provide the most timely and accurate information support in the event of a potential confrontation with Fang La.

Like a gust of wind rising from a tiny ripple, a wave forms between tiny ripples. A new clash of forces, a vast imperial machine and a rising grassroots power, is about to begin in the prosperous and peaceful Jiangnan region. Qiongying and the spark she ignited, struggle to find a glimmer of hope amidst this historical rift.