That afternoon, a hundred riders changed course for Yuzhang, the ancient commandery and foremost city of Jiangxi.
Across from the Pavilion of Prince Teng stood the Misty Rain Tower.
Jia Huan climbed to the fifth floor.
Gazing out from the window, he took in the magnificent scenery. It truly embodied the immortal lines of Wang Bo: sunset clouds and a lone wild duck flew together; autumn waters and the endless sky shared a single hue!
"Lord Jia, please."
The branch steward brought him a cup of hot tea.
"Do me a favor. The Misty Rain Tower will be well rewarded." Jia Huan came straight to the point.
"I'm all ears." The steward did not agree outright.
Jia Huan said unhurriedly:
"Secretly invite the renowned martial elders of Jiang-Gan and its major Jianghu factions in the Misty Rain Tower's name. Ask them to head to Southern Gan immediately. The more, the better."
As the largest temple in Jiang-Gan, the Fortune and Prosperity Zen Temple housed nearly ten thousand monks, with numerous experts among them!
He had brought only three hundred elite men on this expedition. A reckless assault would inevitably cost his brothers their lives.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards under his command were not only highly capable executors and accomplished investigators; most importantly, they were utterly loyal. Losing even one would pain him.
Of course, he could send an urgent pigeon message ordering everyone at the Qi'an Office's Guard Station south. He could even request an official troop deployment order from the court, mobilizing Jiang-Gan's forces to excise this malignant tumor for the State and Altars.
But that would easily stir the grass and startle the snake, and could take ten days or half a month.
Better to use the old trick: entice them with profit.
"Lord Jia, this..." The steward