Jinyang City, the residence of Yinji.
The flickering candlelight illuminated Yinji's slightly thin but determined face.
He sat behind his desk, stroking a warm jade pendant in his hand.
That was the coming-of-age gift given to him by Prince Yinxi of Jin when he came of age.
He was not the only one in the room. Sitting below him was an old man in plain gray cloth.
The old man's surname was Zhou. He had served as a recorder and military officer in the five camps of the capital and was a close friend of the King of Jin.
Because he was old and had always kept a low profile, Xiao Lie didn't pay much attention to him and he was able to survive.
"Mr. Zhou!" Yinji spoke in a very low voice. "Have you heard the rumors in the city recently?"
Mr. Zhou nodded slightly, a gleam in his eyes. "I heard it. Rumors may be false, but they often have roots. It seems that General Zhenbei's men have begun to take action."
"Sir, do you think Xiao Lie would really collude with Beidi?"
Although Yin Ji was dissatisfied with Xiao Lie's tyranny and monopoly of power, which had sidelined Emperor Yin Zhao and himself, the Prince of Jin, he still did not believe that Xiao Lie would collude with the Tartars.
After all, Xiao Lie had fought with the Tartars with real swords and guns in Xinzhou and Shuozhou before.
"With such power at his disposal, General Xiao... may not be able to control himself."
Mr. Zhou sighed, "He now holds great power. The only things he fears are lack of legitimacy and powerful external enemies."
"If he could really use the power of the Northern Di to drive Li Jingang out of the capital and support Dayin, even if it's just drinking poison to quench thirst, he would still give it a try."
Yinji was silent for a moment, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes:
"My father's whereabouts are unknown, and his life or death is uncertain. Xiao Lie is nominally assisting the government, but in reality, he is sidelining me and my uncle."
"As the Crown Prince of Jin, I cannot sit idly by and watch him hand over my father's legacy, and even half of Dayin, to the Tartars!"
"What are your plans, His Royal Highness?" Mr. Zhou asked.
"Master reminded me through secret channels to be patient and contact reliable people."
Yin Ji raised his head. "Mr. Zhou, you are my father's best friend. How many people in Jinyang City are still loyal to the Yin family, and how many are dissatisfied with Xiao Lie's actions?"
Mr. Zhou pondered and said:
"Several veterans in the army, such as Captains Zhang Huan and Wang Ben, and Cavalry Captain Li Mao, have long been dissatisfied with Xiao Lie's monopoly of power and have a deep hatred for the Tartars. They would certainly detest any attempt to collude with them."
"There are also several officials who can be contacted secretly. However... Xiao Lie's control is extremely strict, so we must be extremely careful."
"It's natural to be cautious."
Yinji stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the dark night. "We can't just passively wait for Master to assist us from outside. We must also make preparations internally."
"Sir, please find a way to secretly contact Captains Zhang, Wang, and Li for me. Remember, be cautious and prudent. Better slow than wrong."
"I understand." Mr. Zhou responded solemnly.
Just then, there was a slight knock on the door, three long and two short, which was the agreed code.
Yinji and Mr. Zhou exchanged a glance.
Mr. Zhou quickly stood up and hid in the shadow behind the bookshelf.
Yinji composed his expression and said in a deep voice, "Come in."
The person who came in was Wang Wei, the leader of Yinji's personal guards.
His expression was solemn as he quickly approached and whispered, "Prince, I just received news that General Xiao has increased the guards inside and outside the palace."
"Especially on our side, the number of visible and covert sentries has nearly doubled."
"Also... one of our spies stationed outside the palace has lost contact."
Yinji's heart sank suddenly.
Xiao Lie moves so fast!
The rumors worked and made him wary.
"Got it. Let's suspend our activities. No one is allowed to act rashly without my order." Yinji ordered calmly.
"yes!"
After the head guard left, Mr. Zhou stepped out from the shadows, his face filled with worry. "Sir, the situation seems to be getting more serious."
Yin Ji took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "The more Xiao Lie behaves like this, the more it shows that he has something to hide, and the more it shows that he is afraid of us."
"This means we're not without a chance. Mr. Zhou, the contact needs to be kept secret. Perhaps... we can make use of the people Xiao Lie sent to 'protect' us."
Mr. Zhou was stunned at first, but then he understood Yinji's intention and his eyes lit up with admiration. "Your Highness, are you trying to do the opposite? Use them to spread false information, or paralyze Xiao Lie?"
"Exactly." Yin Ji's lips curled up in a coldness that didn't match his age. "Doesn't he want to spy on me? Then I'll let him see what he wants to see: a prince who has temporarily accepted his fate and done nothing."
"And the real action must take place out of his sight."
…
A few days later.
Late at night, in Jinyang City, in a seemingly ordinary house.
The most capable night spy leader under Shen Qian was listening to the report from an insider who was planted in the military headquarters of Xiao Lie.
"The second contact between the Canjun and the Northern Di emissary has been completed. It took place in the backyard of the 'Drunken Immortal Tower' in the west of the city, disguised as a caravan transaction."
"It's unclear what the two sides discussed, but when he returned from the army, he brought back a heavy box and sent it directly to General Xiao's treasury."
The spy leader's eyes were sharp. "A box? How big is it? How many people will it take to carry it?"
The insider gestured and said, "It's about three feet long and two feet wide. It looks quite heavy, even with two people carrying it. According to the warehouse manager I spoke to, who got drunk and made a slip of the tongue, it seems to be filled with... gold and silver."
The spy leader pondered, "It's not war horses or ironware, it's gold and silver... The Tartars are directly funding the military. It seems their collusion has gone even deeper."
He made a quick decision: "I must report this matter to Captain Shen and the general immediately. You continue to lie in wait and focus on finding out where the Northern Di envoys are and when they will make their next contact."
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