Xu Yi asked, "Have you found anything out?"
The man replied, "I've uncovered a few clues. Tao Jingshan arrived in Jizhou Territory just a few days ago. With Biyou Academy and Old Prefect Tao's name behind him, he's been making the rounds among the officials. He's practically become a well-known figure in official circles."
Xu Yi asked, "Why is he interested in Ming Liding? Is he really planning to visit him? Has he deliberately approached anyone else from Fanyang Prefecture?"
The man replied, "At several gatherings, he did bring up Ming Liding and express his admiration for him. So it does look like he might be fishing for information. But there's one thing I can't figure out. If he wants to learn about Ming Liding, why do it in Zhongshan Prefecture? Wouldn't it be better to go straight to Fanyang Prefecture? Even setting that aside, if he really wants to visit Ming Liding, there's no need to fish for information. He could simply pay him a visit. Wouldn't that be a better way to get a feel for his temperament? If Ming Liding really is his father's trusted aide, as he claims, then the two families ought to be close enough that there's no need to worry about such formalities. Tao Jingshan seems to want to investigate Ming Liding while also keeping his distance from him. It's downright strange."
Xu Yi asked, "Any movement from Sanyang Mountain? Has Ming Liding been in Fanyang Prefecture these past few days?"
The man replied, "There's been no movement at Sanyang Mountain. Not a soul in sight. Ming—"
"Wait. What did you say? There's not a soul in sight at Sanyang Mountain?"
Xu Yi asked in surprise, "Isn't Sanyang Mountain where the Fanyang Prefecture government office is? How could there be no one there?"