Black hair hides a sharp edge, and the first cry
After Shi Xiu, the mute servant, brought back news of Zhang Qing's distress, Qiongying sensed a palpable sense of urgency. Time waits for no one, and the uncertainties ahead require information from behind to support judgment.
She accelerated the operation of the Tongxin Society. Through Shi Xiu's direct line of communication with Zhao Da, Sun Er, and others, a simple and effective information transmission and reward and punishment mechanism gradually took shape. She didn't require them to spy on military secrets, only to report any unusual details they saw or heard in their daily lives.
At first, most of the information was just gossip and neighborhood disputes, but soon, some valuable information began to emerge.
The peddler Sun Er reported that recently several groups of unfamiliar faces with Hebei accents have appeared in Yuncheng. They are generous, but not like ordinary businessmen. They often ask in wine shops and teahouses about the old camp of Liangshan Lake and the surrounding terrain.
The beggar Xiaoqi's men discovered that near the "Shunfeng" warehouse in the east of the city (which has been basically idle after Li Kui and others evacuated), unidentified figures occasionally spied at night.
The inn clerk Zhou Wu noticed that two silk merchants who claimed to be from Tokyo showed unusual concern for the war on the front line. They repeatedly asked passing merchants for details about the expedition against Wang Qing, and were particularly concerned about the casualties of the Liangshan generals.
Individually, these pieces of information might seem insignificant, but pieced together, they paint a picture of turbulent undercurrents. Someone is watching Liangshan's rear, while others are gathering information on the front lines. Are they remnants of Tian Hu's forces? Wang Qing's spies? Or perhaps... spies from other factions within the imperial court?
Qiongying sorted out the information one by one and asked Shi Xiu to find a way to pass it on to Zhang Qing in the front. She didn't know how much effect this information would have, but a little more vigilance might reduce the danger.
Meanwhile, her leg injury had largely healed. She resumed her duties as "Doctor An," but she no longer sat in a regular clinic. Instead, she would occasionally offer free medical treatment to coolies at the docks, or visit the poor in the alleys. While practicing her medical ethics, she also expanded her intelligence network to even wider areas.
One day, she was examining the pulse of a feverish child at the dock when she heard the rapid clatter of horses' hooves approaching from afar. A dusty messenger, with a banner on his back, galloped into town and headed straight for the county government office, drawing the attention of many.
"It's the military newspaper from the front line!" someone exclaimed.
Qiongying's heart stirred, but she remained expressionless as she continued to prescribe medicine for the child. However, she secretly glanced at Zhao Da, who was not far away. Zhao Da understood and quietly followed.
In the evening, Zhao Da returned with news: the messenger had brought victory reports: the Liangshan army had severely defeated Wang Qing's forces at a certain pass, beheading thousands. However, Zhao Da also learned an unconfirmed detail: in this battle, General Zhang Qing had once again performed a significant feat, wounding several of Wang Qing's lieutenants with flying stones, but he himself had been wounded by a stray arrow, and the extent of his injuries was unknown.
Injured again?
Qiongying's fingers tightened slightly around the prescription. This time it was a stray arrow, last time it was an ambush... His situation seemed more dire than he'd imagined. Did Wang Qing have a plan to target him, or... was there something else going on?
An urge to do something surged within her. She couldn't just passively wait for news and gather intelligence. She needed to be more proactive, at least to ensure Zhang Qing returned alive and fulfill their agreement on the "third way."
A few days later, a bold plan took shape in her mind.
She asked Shi Xiu to find a blue cloth gown of better quality, befitting her current position as "Doctor An," and she carefully prepared some hair-dyeing concoction. Facing a blurry bronze mirror, she carefully applied the concoction to her hair.
A few days later, her long, cascading black hair had turned a rather natural grayish-white, somewhat inconsistent with her youthful features. She also used a special glue to slightly alter the contours of her eyes, giving them a slightly weathered look.
When she appeared in front of the mute servant Shi Xiu again, Shi Xiu's eyes widened in shock. It took him a while to react, and he gestured awkwardly: "It's like... a different person... much older..."
Qiongying looked at herself in the basin. The person in the mirror was a scholar in his thirties, with a gaunt face and a touch of elegance and mystery. Although the original outline of his face and eyebrows could be vaguely seen, his temperament was completely different.
"From today on, there will be no 'Doctor An'," Qiongying said calmly, "only the wandering Taoist priest, whose Taoist name is... 'Qingshizi'."
She needed an identity that would allow her to better connect with the inner circle. The reputation of "Dr. An" was limited to the lower classes, while a wandering Taoist with some skills and eloquence would be more likely to attract the attention of certain people.
She chose the Taoist name "Qingshizi" as a subtle echo of Zhang Qing's "Featherless Arrow", and it was also a secret thought in her heart.
Taoist Qingshizi quickly gained fame in Yuncheng County and the surrounding areas. He was not only proficient in medicine, divination, and astrology, but also occasionally offered thought-provoking verses, seemingly possessing unique insights into world affairs. His whereabouts were erratic, sometimes appearing at literary gatherings, sometimes discussing Taoism in teahouses, and sometimes offering guidance to local gentry and powerful figures.
With this new identity, Qiongying gained access to a higher level of information. From the conversations of frustrated scholars, retired officials, and even local tyrants, she pieced together a more complete picture of the court's movements and the local power structure.
She learned that the imperial court was deeply suspicious of the Liangshan army. Powerful eunuchs like Tong Guan repeatedly advised the emperor that the Liangshan bandits were incorrigible and needed to be guarded against. The intermittent supply of food and fodder for the campaign against Wang Qing was far more than a simple logistical problem. She even heard whispers that the imperial court was considering how to divide and weaken the Liangshan army after recruiting it.
This information made her more certain of the correctness of her prediction, but also made her worry about Zhang Qing and the Liangshan heroes on the front line.
One day, Taoist Qingshizi was sitting on the second floor of a well-known teahouse, drinking tea and discussing Taoism with several local scholars. The topic of conversation gradually turned to the war on the front line.
An old scholar sighed, "Wang Qing is powerful, and although the Liangshan army is brave, if this stalemate continues, I'm afraid the losses will be huge, which will not be a good thing for the country or the people."
Another person chimed in: "I heard that General Zhang Qing is brave, but he's often in danger. I'm afraid this isn't the best way for a general."
Qiongying (Qingshizi) held a teacup in hand, her eyes lowered, and seemingly casually interjected, "Fortune and misfortune are interdependent, and the fate of disaster is predetermined. Even a fierce tiger, trapped in a plain, is no match for a pack of dogs. I'm afraid that on this journey, it's easy to dodge an open spear, but it's hard to guard against an arrow from the dark."
Her words were vague, but they hinted at Liangshan's situation and possible internal hidden dangers.
Everyone present was stunned, savoring the meaning carefully.
Just then, footsteps were heard at the stairwell. A middle-aged man in a brocade robe, with a haughty expression, walked up, flanked by several attendants. The teahouse owner quickly bowed and greeted him, "Hey, Liu Yashi, how did you find time to come here today?"
Liu Yasi's eyes swept across the second floor and finally fell on the Taoist "Qingshizi" with a bit of scrutiny and curiosity.
"Is this the Taoist priest Qingshizi, who has become famous recently?" Liu Yashi approached and bowed, his attitude not particularly respectful. "I've heard that the Taoist priest is good at predicting good and bad luck. Could you please tell me a fortune... or rather, for one of my benefactors?"
Qiongying's heart sank with alarm. This Liu Yasi was a powerful figure in the Yuncheng County Yamen, in charge of escorting criminals. The "noble person" he mentioned must be quite influential. Was this a test, or did he have other motives?
She remained calm, put down her teacup, and bowed. "I am a country dweller, my knowledge is limited, and I dare not make any rash judgments about your fortune. I wonder what the bailiff wants to ask?"
Liu Yasi lowered his voice, a gleam in his eyes. "I'm not asking about my personal future, I'm only asking... about the overall success of this southern expedition, and... are there any 'hidden dangers' within the army?"
Hidden dangers in the military!
These four words were like thunder, exploding in Qiongying's ears!
He wasn't asking about the outcome of the battle, but about "hidden dangers"! This was definitely not something an ordinary official would care about! Considering the vague information about "internal support" and Zhang Qing's repeated encounters with danger...
Qiongying's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, but she maintained the calmness of a detached expert. She looked at Liu Yasi deeply and said slowly:
"The heavens are in chaos, and an evil star is looming. The army is heading south, and good and bad are mixed together. Good or bad luck... is hard to predict."
Her words were ambiguous, but they cleverly catered to the other party's hint of "hidden dangers."
Liu Yasi's eyes flickered as he stared at her for a long while before suddenly smiling, "The Taoist priest is truly a master. Someday, perhaps someone truly will want to have a good 'chat' with you."
After saying this, he said no more and turned and went downstairs with his entourage.
Watching his back disappear, Qiongying picked up the slightly cold tea, but her fingertips couldn't help trembling slightly.
She felt as if she had accidentally touched the edge of a huge and dangerous net.
And this net is probably quietly covering Zhang Qing in front and the entire Liangshan Lake.
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