If he had not received the news in advance, then by the end of the month, when the provisions ran out and the soldiers mutinied, even with ten mouths he would never be able to explain himself.
"How is Cui'er doing?" Lin Taichu asked.
"Following your instructions, she packed her things and left through the back gate. I arranged for reliable men to escort her to the docks overnight, where she will take the earliest ship south of the river."
"Well done." Lin Taichu held the note to the oil lamp and set it alight, watching it burn to ashes. "Now it is our turn to make a move."
He walked over to the map and pointed at the Minister of Revenue's residence. "Tomorrow morning, go here and deliver this to the Minister of Revenue's steward." As he spoke, he wrote a note, folded it, and handed it to the personal soldier.
"This is..." The personal soldier accepted the note, looking somewhat puzzled.
"You do not need to know what it is. Just deliver it. Tell the steward that this can keep his master safe."
Lin Taichu's gaze was sharp. "The Minister of Revenue is an old fox. He will know what to do."
The personal soldier accepted the order and left. Lin Taichu picked up his brush again and began writing a second note. This time, it contained only one sentence: "If you dare take part in the matter at month's end, Secretary Wang will be your example."
This note was for the officials of the Ministry of Personnel. He had no intention of persuading them; he only needed to make them afraid.
By the time he finished, dawn was close. Lin Taichu pushed open the door of his command tent, looked at the pale light spreading across the