When the carriage stopped at the Second House's gate, Oldest Song couldn't help but lecture Second Song.
"Second Brother, you need to keep an eye on Yaozu's studies. Getting detained by Scholar Zheng every single day, he'll definitely fail the child scholar exam in three years."
Second Song's face darkened, and he planted his hands on his hips, glaring at Song Yaozu. "You got detained again?"
Song Yaozu wore a sullen expression, sulking. "Why only pick on me? Brother Qiming got detained by the teacher too."
Innocently implicated, Song Qiming blinked in confusion before urging Oldest Song.
"Uncle, I'm so hungry. Sister must have already finished cooking and is waiting for me at home."
Upon hearing this, Oldest Song flicked the reins, driving the carriage towards Song Jinzhao's house.
They had indeed dragged on for quite a while today; it was almost dark.
After arriving, Oldest Song still mentioned that Song Qiming had been called over by Scholar Zheng after school.
Song Jinzhao lowered her gaze, seeing Song Qiming smiling, and guessed it wasn't bad news.
"I understand. Thank you, Uncle."
Once the courtyard gate was securely closed, Song Qiming immediately pulled out a book of past examination questions given to him by Scholar Zheng from his book bag.
"The teacher wants me to take the county-level exam next February. He says the prefectural-level exam is very difficult and wants to give me special training."
Song Jinzhao took the book and flipped through it, memories from her high school days flooding her mind.
Every era has its own version of endless practice tests; no one escapes the sea of questions tactic.
"After you finish reviewing, you can also try writing practice essays yourself. Write them and give them to the teacher for his feedback."
Song Qiming nodded emphatically. "That's what I was thinking too."
Since it was confirmed he could take the exams next year, he had to work even harder. Otherwise, if he failed, he'd have to wait another two years.
Xining County Magistrate's Office.
Chu Liuyun tore at his collar in anger. "We still haven't found him yet? Could he have flown away!"
Qin Yunqian caught the armor, not daring to retort loudly. "The wanted posters have been up for days. We've sent people to ask in every village outside the city too, but there's no trace at all."
Chu Liuyun pressed his fingers hard against his brow, his heart extremely agitated.
"Order the constables in every city to search house by house. I refuse to believe we can't find him."
Qin Yunqian was worried. "Wouldn't that be too heavy-handed? It could easily cause panic among the people."
Chu Liuyun's tone was low. "According to the second captive's testimony, the escaped man is a Commandant from the Colonel's office, holding a lot of intelligence."
"If we can capture him alive, we're bound to gain unexpected rewards."
Zhang Yuanzong, wearing an official's black gauze cap, rushed in from outside, saying excitedly, "Duke, we've found him."
The two quickly pressed, "Where?"
Zhang Yuanzong pointed outside. "Right outside. I've already ordered the constables to bring the body back."
Chu Liuyun planted his feet and spun around sharply, his expression changing. "He's dead?"
Zhang Yuanzong was startled, leaning against the door. "Bitten by wild animals, only bones are left."
The body on the stretcher was merely a skeleton, with bits of rotten flesh clinging to the bones, already maggot-ridden.
"A hunter found the body while hunting in the mountains. These are the clothes and token left beside the remains."
Chu Liuyun picked up the token on the tray. After confirming the identity, he clenched his fist, almost crushing the token.
"Such a death was too easy for him."
If it were just an ordinary spy, it might be one thing, but this was a significant fourth-rank official.
Qin Yunqian waved his hand, having the body carried away. If he kept looking, he'd vomit up the meal he just ate.
Chu Liuyun threw down the token and spread his hands disdainfully—a foul smell lingered.
"We depart for Hanyan City tomorrow. Magistrate Zhang, the funds for grain have been raised across the thirteen border cities. Purchase the grain as quickly as possible."
Zhang Yuanzong bowed respectfully with clasped hands. "This official obeys."
The next morning, Chu Liuyun and Qin Yunqian left Xining City on horseback.
The wanted posters in the city's streets and alleys were also taken down by the constables. Everyone now knew the Northern Barbarian spy was dead.
Two days later, on a cliff behind Liujia Village, a man draped in wolf skin turned and limped down the mountain.
In the courtyard, an injured rabbit was tied to a wooden board. Song Shixue's needle struggled to pass through the rabbit skin.
"Your hand must be steady. Don't tie the knots too tight, or the surrounding flesh will necrotize."
Song Jinzhao had never taken on an apprentice before and several times had to stop herself from taking over midway.
"Nor can they be too loose, or the wound won't close properly."
Although she was working on a rabbit and not a person, Song Shixue was still so nervous she broke into a sweat.
It looked so easy when Sister did it. Why was this needle so disobedient?
Finally finishing the sutures, the wound looked uglier than a centipede.
Song Jinzhao comforted her. "Sewing clothes and sewing skin are ultimately different. To achieve this without practice is already very good."
"Tomorrow I'll buy some pigskin for you to practice on. Practice makes perfect; you'll get it with more practice."
With a rabbit being stitched and unstitched repeatedly, Song Jinzhao was afraid it would die after a few rounds.
Reluctantly, Song Shixue put down the tweezers and placed the rabbit back in its cage.
...
Helan Xiao walked into an inn on South Street.
The clerk at the front desk heard footsteps and looked up warmly. "Will you be dining or staying, sir?"
Helan Xiao took off the straw hat on his head, his eyes fixed intently on the clerk. "Staying. I want the Celestial Number One room."
The clerk clearly saw his face, and the smile instantly vanished, replaced by caution.
"Of course, sir. I'll take you up right away."
Entering the room and locking the door, the clerk turned around, asking in disbelief, "Lord Helan, aren't you... dead?"
Helan Xiao wiped the black grime from his face and took off the stolen clothes he was wearing—they didn't fit and were uncomfortably tight.
"I found a scapegoat. That corpse wasn't me."
"Where's Shan Lie? Have him come see me immediately."
The clerk said, "The manager went to the canal dock. I'll go call him back right now."
Shan Lie was hastily summoned back by the clerk.
Helan Xiao asked, "When does the next trade caravan heading to the Northern Barbarian lands depart?"
Shan Lie scratched his head, looking troubled.
"My lord, a few days ago, to capture you, Chu Liuyun stationed heavy troops to guard the trade route from Hanyan City to the Northern Barbrian lands. They haven't withdrawn yet. We can't get through."
Helan Xiao frowned. "How many troops did Chu Liuyun bring to the border this time?"
Shan Lie shook his head. "He didn't bring troops, only a few dozen attendants."
"The Emperor of Dongzhao doesn't want war. Right now, the granaries of their thirteen border cities are empty. The magistrate's office has been raising funds for grain these past days. They set off by waterway yesterday to buy grain from the south."
Helan Xiao punched the table, splitting the wood plank by a third.
"We can't let them procure the provisions. Approximately when will they return by water?"
Shan Lie said gravely, "This official thought the same. I've already scoped out the situation at the docks these past days."
"The grain will be unloaded at the canal dock in half a month. The granary defenses are tight; we can't get in. The only place we can strike is the canal dock. We can disguise ourselves as porters, sneak into the ship's hold, and burn all the grain."
Helan Xiao's fingers tapped incessantly on the tabletop.
"Do as you say. The Second Prince will personally lead troops to attack Hanyan City in early autumn. With the border lacking grain, even the mighty Thunderclap Army will be no match for us."
