Wei Che told County Magistrate Chen everything about the adulteration of the medicinal materials and his plan to ask Zhao Xingzhong for help.
County Magistrate Chen frowned after hearing this. "Zhao Xingzhong has committed a serious crime, but if he can help solve the military camp's medicinal material problem, we might consider a lighter sentence. However, Zhao Xingzhong is a cunning man, and it will be difficult for Master Wei to persuade him."
Wei Che said in a deep voice, "County Magistrate Chen, the soldiers in the barracks are in imminent danger. I cannot give up even if there is only a glimmer of hope. I hope County Magistrate Chen can take me to see Zhao Xingzhong."
County Magistrate Chen nodded and brought Wei Che to the prison. In the dim cell, Zhao Xingzhong saw Wei Che and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Master Wei, why are you here?"
Wei Che looked at Zhao Xingzhong and said bluntly, "Zhao Xingzhong, I came here today to ask you for help in getting some medicinal herbs. As long as you are willing to help, County Magistrate Chen has also agreed to give you a lighter sentence."
Zhao Xingzhong sneered, "Master Wei, you know what crime I committed. I can barely protect myself, so how can I possibly help you get the herbs?"
Wei Che's eyes were firm. "Zhao Xingzhong, we know exactly where you got it from. We're just having some trouble right now, so we found you. We're providing it to the southwest garrison. If the camp is in chaos and the enemy takes advantage of the opportunity to invade, do you think you can still live safely in this chaotic world?"
Zhao Xingzhong's expression changed slightly, and he remained silent. Wei Che saw this and continued, "As long as you help us through this difficult time, not only will your guilt be mitigated, but if you can reform yourself in the future, you will definitely have a place to stand in Southwest City."
Zhao Xingzhong weighed the pros and cons in his mind and finally said, "Master Wei, it's not that I don't want to help, but my medicinal herbs..."
He hesitated for a moment and said, "Before, I relied on Elder Cheng. They are well-informed and must know that I was captured, so this method is no longer feasible. I did get a lot of medicinal herbs from Xizhao Country before, but..."
In the past, Wei Che would have beaten him until he foamed at the mouth, and it would have taken him so long to explain the whole story, leaving people in suspense.
"Just what? Tell me!"
"It's just that relations between the two countries are tense right now, and this medicine is for military use, so the quantity must be huge. It's simply unacceptable without a proper reason. Those people are much more sophisticated than us."
Wei Che frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Zhao Xingzhong, the tension between the two countries is only temporary. We can find a way to start with the private trade routes. You must have some merchant friends in Xizhao Kingdom with whom you have secret dealings. We can purchase the medicinal materials in batches under the guise of private trade and then transport them to the southwest garrison. This way, we may be able to avoid the sharp edge of the situation between the two countries."
Zhao Xingzhong gave a bitter laugh. "Master Wei, it's not that simple. Even on a private trade route, when it comes to sensitive goods like medicinal herbs, especially large quantities, the inspections at the Xizhao Kingdom checkpoints are extremely strict. If we're not careful, not only will the herbs be confiscated, but everyone involved will lose their heads."
County Magistrate Chen had been listening quietly. He then spoke slowly, "Zhao Xingzhong, don't keep trying to shirk responsibility. The crime you committed is punishable by death according to the law. But Master Wei is giving you this opportunity. If you can seize it, not only can you save your life, but you may even have the possibility of a new life. We can work together to resolve the risks of this civilian trade route."
Zhao Xingzhong gritted his teeth, a trace of struggle in his eyes: "County Magistrate Chen, Master Wei, it's not that I don't want to help. It's just that the risk is too great, and I have to think about myself."
Wei Che took a step forward, looking at Zhao Xingzhong with a piercing gaze. "We are working for the country, and for your own future. As long as you provide your full assistance, I will cover the necessary expenses and smooth the relationship."
Zhao Xingzhong was silent for a long time, and finally heaved a long sigh. "Forget it, Master Wei. Since you've said so much, I'll give it a try. I do have a few acquaintances in Xizhao Country who are in the medicinal materials business, but convincing them to take the risk will probably be quite a challenge."
Wei Che was delighted and said quickly, "As long as you are willing to help, everything else is easy to talk about. Tell me, how should we act?"
Zhao Xingzhong pondered for a moment and then said, "First, we need to forge a batch of private trade documents and disguise the medicinal herbs as ordinary daily necessities."
"I know someone who's skilled at forging documents. He's incredibly skilled. If we pay him well, he should be able to help us with this. During the transportation process, we need to arrange reliable personnel, divide them into multiple teams, and transport them in batches to avoid attracting the attention of the Xizhao checkpoints."
County Magistrate Chen nodded. "These plans sound feasible, but we need to be cautious in implementing them. Master Wei, what do you think?"
Wei Che frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Although these plans have a certain degree of feasibility, the risks involved cannot be ignored. We need more careful arrangements, especially in the transportation process. I'm worried that the checkpoints at Xizhao Country won't be so easily fooled. Once they discover the problem, all our previous efforts will be in vain."
Zhao Xingzhong said helplessly, "Master Wei, these are the only solutions I can think of. This is an extremely risky undertaking, and it's impossible to guarantee complete safety."
At this moment, County Magistrate Chen, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly brightened up. "I have an idea. We can take advantage of some of the conflicts within Xizhao State to create internal divisions among them, thereby distracting them from our transportation of medicinal herbs."
Wei Che and Zhao Xingzhong simultaneously looked at Magistrate Chen, their eyes filled with confusion. Magistrate Chen smiled faintly and continued, "I've heard that within the court of Xizhao State, the conflict between the pro-peace faction, led by the Prime Minister, and the pro-war faction, led by the General, is deepening. We can find a way to sow misunderstandings between them, keeping them busy fighting among themselves and unable to pay attention to our actions."
After hearing this, Wei Che's eyes lit up. "County Magistrate Chen, this is a brilliant plan. However, we are thousands of miles away. How can we create these misunderstandings?"
County Magistrate Chen pondered for a moment. "We can spread some false news, saying that the general is secretly colluding with foreign forces and plotting rebellion. Once this news reaches the prime minister, he will definitely take action. And the general will fight back with all his might to prove his innocence. This way, they will be plunged into internal strife."
Zhao Xingzhong was a little worried. "County Magistrate Chen, this is a matter of great importance to the situation between the two countries. If Xizhao State finds out that we are behind this, it will probably lead to an even greater crisis."
County Magistrate Chen's face darkened. "Zhao Xingzhong, do you think we have any other choice now? This is the only viable solution. As long as we act carefully and leave no evidence, even if Xizhao State becomes suspicious, they won't be able to find any evidence."
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