Chapter 194 Bird Language Encryption
Wen Chengyun casually picked up a stone from the ground and, judging by the force, flung it towards the pigeon. The pigeon's body wobbled and soon fell from mid-air.
When the pigeon landed in his palm, Wen Chengyun knew that his judgment was correct. The pigeon was gray all over, with black ridges between its abdomen, dark gray from its neck to its upper chest, and black at the tips of its wings and tail feathers. This was a typical black-green shell.
The black-shelled bluebird was often used as a messenger bird by high-ranking officials in the capital. Most importantly, it had a bamboo tube tied to its leg. When the bamboo tube was opened, the contents of the letter inside puzzled Wen Chengyun.
The words on the letter paper flowed like wild cursive script. At first glance, they looked like random scribblings, but a closer look revealed that the strokes and pauses were meticulously planned. Unfortunately, even Wen Chengyun, who considered himself well-read, found it difficult to decipher their meaning.
He wanted to try other methods, but paper and ink were common commodities, making it difficult to track down the purchaser. Wen Chengyun could only rely on his photographic memory to write down the entire letter.
"What are you doing, Brother Oda?"
Just as I released the black-shelled green bird again, I heard the patrol soldiers asking questions behind me.
The solemnity on Wen Chengyun's face disappeared instantly. He scratched the back of his head and nodded in the direction of the pigeon.
"I haven't had any meat these days since I joined the army. I saw a bird flying by, so I thought I could have a bite..."
Hearing the soldier's question about the taste, Wen Chengyun probably didn't notice his previous behavior, and his answer was natural and honest.
During the few days since Wen Chengyun joined the army, he was known for his excellent cooking skills. As the soldiers spread the word, most of them had tasted his cooking skills. Therefore, they had a good impression of this fireman.
"You may look silly, but you're actually quite imaginative. Brother, I have to warn you: don't pay attention to the birds in the sky. There are some unwritten rules in the military camp, and this is one of them. As you stay here longer, you'll slowly understand..."
As expected, the soldier didn't suspect anything. Instead, he hooked his arm around Wen Chengyun's neck and quietly began to impart his experience. Because the military rations were always in arrears, the brothers were very hungry and had to hunt game frequently.
The general and his deputy generals usually turned a blind eye, but once a soldier who was hunting birds got into trouble, the general flew into a rage, and the next day no one saw the soldier hunting birds again...
"What kind of bird is so rare? I have to eat it. Um, about tonight's incident..."
Wen Chengyun didn't show it on his face, but he was slightly shocked inside. It seemed that Liao Yu and his group would silence anyone who noticed anything unusual. They really had become local tyrants in the military camp, completely controlling everything.
"Don't worry, we're all brothers, I've got you covered. I'm also counting on you to come up with some new ideas to satisfy everyone's appetite!"
The soldier grinned broadly and released his hand from Wen Chengyun's neck. He still had to stand guard, so he couldn't chat for too long. It was better to be less nosy than more, and he wasn't that talkative.
After being freed from Wen Chengyun's restraints, Wu Keqing flew to Liao Yu's residence according to the originally planned route.
Liao Yu was waiting outside the tent. Based on their usual route, Wu Ke Qing should have arrived long ago. Could something have gone wrong? They'd recruited a lot of new soldiers recently, so there was no guarantee some of them wouldn't be so foolish as to eat the carrier pigeon again...
The more he thought about it, the more upset he became. In addition, there was still no clue about the assassin, so it was hard for Liao Yu not to think too much.
Just when his patience was about to run out, the sound of flapping wings appeared.
After Liao Yu extended his finger, the black-shelled bird stood obediently on his bent finger. Seeing that the letter on the bird's leg was safe and sound, Liao Yu relaxed his guard a little.
All correspondence between him and the Minister of Revenue was encrypted using bird language. The upright officials of the imperial court prided themselves on being incorruptible and honest, and in their eyes, cricket fighting and bird feeding were signs of wasting time. Naturally, they would never have guessed that bird language would be used as encryption, such a brilliant trick.
Even if something really happened to the black-shelled green, and someone picked it up and saw it, they would not be able to understand what was written on it.
The letter from the Minister of Revenue in the capital was mainly to discuss the plan for distributing this year's military rations and salaries. The emperor had already issued an imperial decree, allocating and escorting this quarter's military rations and salaries as normal.
Considering that the situation was getting tense, the Minister of Revenue suggested that Liao Yu take less, appease the soldiers under his command first, and reduce public resentment. This matter would naturally pass quickly.
The moment Liao Yu saw the content, his brows furrowed. "Let me take less? Why didn't they tell me to give you enough when we left the capital?"
During these years of cooperation, the Minister of Revenue had already taken some of the money and military rations from the troops when they left the capital. Now, just because of a small disturbance, he was willing to sacrifice his own interests to settle the matter?
"I have read your letter. There is another solution to the issue you mentioned..."
Liao Yu immediately wrote a letter of refusal. Compared to a general like himself, who was far away from home, the Minister of Revenue, who was right under the emperor's feet, was obviously in greater danger. If he was asked to take less, it should be the Minister of Revenue. If the truth came out, he would be far away from the emperor and could easily rebel or flee.
But the Minister of Revenue and his family live in the capital, so even if the monk can escape, the temple cannot. To be cautious, I'd better not take it this quarter...
While Liao Yu and the Minister of Revenue were using letters to maximize their interests, Cheng Weiyao in the owner's room of Shuntian Restaurant was also waiting for news from Wen Chengyun.
Disguise is risky. Before Wen Chengyun entered, the two had already made a pact: to write to each other every three days to report their safety. But now, three days have passed since the last safe letter, and there is no news from Wen Chengyun.
She couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Most of the people in the military camp were skilled in martial arts and had quick minds. Would Wen Chengyun be at risk of being exposed if he went too deep into the Tiger School?
"Princess, don't wait any longer. There's no news from the prince yet. Everything is normal in the military camp, and with the prince's skills, he'll be fine. There's no reply, so it must be that something has delayed him."
Wu Qi had already returned from the direction of the military camp. Considering the strength of Liao Yu and others, he did not dare to get too close. However, seeing the orderly appearance of the troops, it did not seem like anything had happened.
"Okay. Let me know as soon as you have any news."
Cheng Weiyao felt relieved. She believed in Wu Qi's ability and judgment. Since he was someone Wen Chengyun had chosen, he must be quite capable.
Perhaps as a backup, I can only take good care of my family... Cheng Weiyao returned to the courtyard. Unable to sleep at night, she simply went to QQ Ranch.
Unexpectedly, I heard the system prompt sound as soon as I entered.
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