Zhou Sui nodded: "So, Qu Zhao will most likely still attack Ze'a Commandery first, because as things stand, Ze'a is the weakest, and it also has a dock and a salt works—both things Qu Zhao needs most right now."
At present, Fengzhou could be said to be split in two by the Jin Yang Army. Qu Zhao's ability to transport grain and salt was severely hampered; if he took Ze'a Commandery, he would not only gain a dock and ships for water routes, but also an additional salt works.
Although he had attempted the water route twice before without success, that had been due to improper handling. If he could capture Ze'a's crew members, the situation would be different.
Jiang Jin looked up and swept her gaze across the room: "Keep a close watch on Qu Zhao's movements. No matter which faction he ends up clashing with, that's when we make our move."
She then turned to Mu Ning: "Have Xie Nanxiao send two ships to Yan Gui Mountain in two days. We need to transport some supplies to Sizhou and the contact points along the way."
Yan Gui Mountain was where the Jin Yang Army usually docked.
"Notify Sizhou of our arrival time so they can make preparations."
Chen Xi quickly received the message and began to take action.
"Send word to Ying Commandery, tell them to prepare—our ships will reach Sizhou soon."
"Also pass a message to General Hua, inform him of this matter, and see if there's anything he wants to arrange."
Li Tong grunted in acknowledgment, a hint of anticipation in his expression: "Speaking of which, it's been months since anyone came from Gefeng. I wonder who they'll send this time?"
Chen Xi shook his head: "This time is different from before—they're sending ships, so there should be quite a few people."
He let out a long breath: "I hope the shipment is big enough. We've been out of stock for months now."
Perhaps it was because winter was so dull, but business had been even better than usual; the goods sold out quickly. For the past two or three months, he had kept his doors shut, only occasionally stepping out for social engagements.
Li Tong chuckled: "I know—using ships means bigger loads and faster delivery. It should take about four or five days to reach Jiu'an."
"Arriving at Ying Commandery would be even quicker, probably two days at most." He remarked with feeling: "Once we take Xianglu County, traveling by water will be even more convenient."
Chen Xi smiled and shook his head: "It's not that easy. All the workshops are in Gefeng; going to Xianglu County's dock would actually be a longer route."
"However, based on my understanding of our lord, once she takes Xianglu County, it will become a city even more prosperous than Gefeng. It just needs time."
He had never before felt so keenly the importance of having a dock.
Chen Xi looked at the two Mei brothers: "Are you two going back this time? If so, you can return to Gefeng with the ships. Come to think of it, you haven't seen your parents in a long while."
Mei Sheng lowered his head in thought, then shook it: "Better not go for now. Once the goods arrive, we'll be busy, and we'll be short on hands."
Mei Ren nodded: "Right, and besides, now that our lord has ships, we can go back anytime we want."
Chen Xi smiled: "Good."
Hua Yuanyi soon received Chen Xi's letter. His heart stirred with emotion, wondering whether his daughter had sent him a message this time.
Just as he was thinking, the steward hurried in: "General, Lady Yan and the others are here again."
Ever since Hua Ruo had "disappeared," those who had come looking for her included not only Qiu Tai but also her three closest childhood friends.
Hua Yuanyi then remembered he still had letters to give to those three—he had nearly forgotten.
"Let them in."
Yan Ke hadn't expected General Hua to allow them inside this time.
They had been close to Hua Ruo, but they were somewhat intimidated by General Hua.
If it weren't for how long it had been since they'd seen Hua Ruo and their worry that something had happened to her, they wouldn't have kept coming to the general's residence time and again.
Hua Yuanyi ignored their nervousness and directly handed them a slip of paper.
"This is for you. It concerns her safety. Whatever decision you make, I hope you'll keep her secret."
Yan Ke's heart skipped a beat; she had a sudden intuition that something major had happened.
With trembling hands, she took the note. After reading its contents, her heart beat even faster. She looked up at Hua Yuanyi in shock: "General, A Ruo... has been gone for a long time?"
Hua Yuanyi nodded: "More than half a year now. If you intend to go find her, make your preparations as soon as possible. The people sent to receive you should arrive in a few days."
"If you choose not to go, just pretend this never happened." He tapped the table, signaling for them to return the note to him.
He naturally wouldn't allow such "evidence" to be circulated; burning it was the safest option.
"No need to think it over—I'll go." Mo Susu spoke first.
Yan Ke and Su Zhenxue both looked at her.
Mo Susu smiled: "What are you looking at me for? You should know, I just want to do some business and travel around. Now that I have the chance, of course I want to try."
She was the granddaughter of Mo Qi, the Registrar of Jiji Commandery.
Mo Qi was extremely rigid in his thinking, believing agriculture to be the root and commerce to be the dregs—a staunch supporter of emphasizing farming over trade. As a result, none of his descendants were permitted to engage in commerce.
Yet out popped Mo Susu, the exception. Under pressure from her grandfather, she had never dared to make a move.
More than wanting to leave Sizhou, she wanted to escape her grandfather's control.
Yan Ke and Su Zhenxue exchanged a glance, understanding passing unspoken between them.
Compared to Mo Susu's goals, they needed even more to break free from the constraints this world placed on women.
Coming out of the Hua residence, the three were both excited and a little uneasy. After all, they were women who had never left home before.
Mo Susu looked around left and right, making sure no one was nearby, and lowered her voice: "Since we're leaving anyway, how about we... borrow some traveling money?"
Her family relied solely on her grandfather's and father's salaries, plus income from a few village estates. They weren't well-off.
Yan Ke paused, then her eyes lit up: "Who did you have in mind to borrow from?"
Mo Susu grinned: "How about Hong Qilang, or Zhang Sanlang? What do you think?"
Both families had fled from Dingyang to Sizhou. They were extremely wealthy, and reportedly had embezzled plenty back when they served as officials.
Those two were the most pampered sons of their respective clans, spending their days in dissipation and debauchery, doing nothing productive.
Looking at them, one couldn't help but want to rob them.
Su Zhenxue paused: "Is that such a good idea?"
"However," she shifted her tone, "if you two really intend to do it, count me in."
Yan Ke stroked her chin: "But they always go out with servants."
Mo Susu looked smug: "You don't know this yet—Hong Qilang keeps a male lover outside. Every time he goes to meet him, he goes alone. That's our chance."
She had discovered this by accident.
Su Zhenxue drew in a sharp breath: "A male lover?"
These days, keeping dancing girls wasn't unusual, and there was no need to hide it. But keeping a male lover was a different matter altogether—it was hard to judge, and seldom done openly.
Mo Susu nodded: "So, what do you say? Don't worry, you two just assist on the side. I'll do the striking."
They had never robbed anyone before, but they had fought people—mostly with Hua Ruo doing the heavy lifting while they provided support.
Mo Susu's martial skill wasn't as impressive as Hua Ruo's, but she did know some boxing and footwork—and she wasn't weak at it either.
"Don't underestimate me," Yan Ke said with a laugh.
Her riding and archery were also fairly decent.
Su Zhenxue kept her smile: "Then I'll leave it to you two. I'll stand watch."
Early April in the south—the ice and snow had already melted, but the weather was still cold, and the streets seemed quite deserted.
Green Bark Lane was not very wide, and at this moment there was not a single soul in sight.
Hong Qilang waddled down the lane with his little potbelly, a smug look on his face. It had been a few days since he last came to see his little darling, so she must be missing him by now.
He hugged the box in his arms—inside were special gold ornaments he had custom-made for her.
They were crafted even larger than his own size. With these, he was sure to drive his little darling wild with pleasure.
