The Eastern Depot.
Cao Zhengchun savored the pre-rain Longjing tea sent as tribute to the Great Ming imperial family by Great Song to the south, feeling thoroughly pleased.
Because Lin Lang had arrested so many fugitives wanted by the court in Pingyang Prefecture, Cao Zhengchun had also earned a reputation before His Majesty for making a meritorious recommendation and having a discerning eye for talent.
Recently, he had planted several more people in key positions at court, all snatched from Zhu Wushi's hands.
But why had there still been no progress on Lin Lang's proposal to use martial-world factions to govern the martial world?
The Five Mountains Sword Alliance and the Sun Moon Demon Cult had certainly not let up, but neither had suffered a crippling blow. If the martial world remained in turmoil like this, ordinary people would be affected too, and Zhu Wushi would surely seize the opportunity to attack him.
"Director, a secret letter has arrived from the Pingyang Prefecture Thousand-household Office."
Pingyang Prefecture? Did Lin Lang finally have good news?
Cao Zhengchun held out his hand. "Quickly, let me see it."
A moment later, Cao Zhengchun burst out laughing.
"I truly didn't misjudge this Lin Lang. It hasn't been long at all, and he's already given me another enormous surprise."
"Have our people prepare evidence of the crimes committed by the three sects of Northern Mount Heng, Southern Hengshan, and Eastern Mount Tai. Make certain it's solid, and send it to the Pingyang Prefecture Thousand-household Office immediately by eight-hundred-li express."
"Deploy the Black-clad Arrow Squad. Not a single carrier pigeon is to fly out of those three places for ten days!"
"Notify the Jinyiwei, prefectural offices, and the others near those three sects to cooperate with Lin Lang."
"Tell Lin Lang that if his work satisfies me, I will never mistreat a man who has rendered meritorious service. Nor will I concern myself with a few minor mistakes of his."
He had only just been grumbling about the lack of progress in Lin Lang's plan, and now Lin Lang had suddenly given him such an enormous surprise.
If everyone under him were as talented as Lin Lang, what could Zhu Wushi possibly use to fight him?
The Dragon Guard Manor.
Shangguan Haitang looked at Zhu Wushi. "Godfather, many of the spies we planted in the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and the Sun Moon Demon Cult have recently lost contact with us. I fear they're already dead."
"If we send more people, they'll need at least a year or two to reach the positions their predecessors held and gain access to core intelligence. I don't know who spread the rumors that stirred up the Sun Moon Demon Cult and the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, but it seems the fighting between these two great martial-world powers won't truly end until one side is destroyed."
Previously, although the major sects of the martial world had fought among themselves, their conflicts had remained within controllable limits.
This time, however, nothing could bring the situation under control. Word had it that the Five Mountains Sword Alliance was about to gather at Mount Song to discuss wiping out the Sun Moon Demon Cult for good.
Zhu Wushi was puzzled too. Zuo Lengchan was proud, but he was not conceited.
The Mount Song Sect had steadily grown stronger over the years, but it still had not reached the point where it could rival the Sun Moon Demon Cult, even with the other four sects of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance added in. The casualties on both sides during this period made that clear.
Whether in the strength of its mainstay fighters, its overall numbers, or its top experts, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance was at a disadvantage. Why had Zuo Lengchan suddenly become so aggressive?
Even if someone had stirred up trouble, it shouldn't have escalated this far, should it?
Why did everything seem to be going wrong lately? His Majesty had clearly favored Cao Zhengchun's counsel in recent days, and Cao Zhengchun had snatched several good positions from him at court.
The spies sent into the two great martial-world powers had suffered heavy casualties, greatly weakening the Dragon Guard Manor's control over Great Ming's martial world. If this continued, his greatest advantage would be gone.
"Then don't send anyone else for now. Let them fight. Once both sides have suffered heavy losses, they'll inevitably need to replenish their ranks. That will be the perfect time for us to plant some new spies."
Shangguan Haitang nodded. "Godfather, should we plant more people in the Jinyiwei? I could personally approach Lin Lang and recruit him for you."
Zhu Wushi shook his head. "With Cao Zhengchun protecting him so closely, he won't be easily recruited. What I can't understand is what makes him worthy of such attention from Cao Zhengchun."
Unfortunately, the people he had planted around Cao Zhengchun had failed to uncover any information either.
Shangguan Haitang suddenly said, "Godfather, if Lin Lang is difficult to recruit, what about the people around him? Recruiting his subordinates would allow us to learn everything about him just the same."
Zhu Wushi smiled. "Haitang, that's a good idea. Arrange for someone to do it. Find ways to keep gathering intelligence on the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and the Sun Moon Demon Cult. Even if we can't obtain core intelligence, we can use ordinary information to infer some of their movements."
He absolutely could not allow Cao Zhengchun to meddle in Great Ming's martial world. His arrangements there would be of great use to him!
Pingyang Prefecture, the Thousand-household Office.
Lin Lang read the message delivered by the Eastern Depot's carrier pigeon.
"Tch... another pie in the sky. How about giving me some actual benefits?"
It didn't matter. If Cao Zhengchun wouldn't give him any benefits, he could take them himself.
With his own hands, he could keep himself well fed and clothed.
"Wang Wu, tell the kitchen I want pigeon soup for lunch. Have them stew the carrier pigeon that just arrived."
Wang Wu froze for a moment. That was an Eastern Depot carrier pigeon! How would they contact the Eastern Depot afterward?
But he immediately said, "Sir, I was just about to report that the carrier pigeon caught a chill during its flight and is already beyond saving. I'll go put it out of its misery right away."
Lin Lang nodded in satisfaction. Having a clever subordinate really saved him a great deal of worry.
Even if the Eastern Depot demanded an accounting in the future, Wang Wu was the one who had ordered the pigeon stewed.
To prevent the Eastern Depot from stopping him when he took his benefits, he naturally had to cut off the channel of communication.
It would also prevent outsiders from meddling blindly. Not just anyone could play this game of chess well.
An hour later, Lin Lang sat in the Thousand-household's office drinking pigeon soup. Plenty of precious medicinal ingredients had been added, making it wonderfully nourishing.
He was also waiting. Once the materials prepared by the Eastern Depot arrived, he would set out immediately.
The following evening, a Section Chief Zhou from the Eastern Depot arrived and handed Lin Lang a bundle.
"Deputy Thousand-household Lin, everything you requested is here. Our brothers worked hard on it. I guarantee it's solid."
"I hear the two Probationary Hundred-households under you practice the Eight-Gate Golden-Lock Saber. Not many people know that saber technique."
"The director instructed me to tell you that as long as you put your heart into your work, he won't take a few trivial matters to heart, nor will he treat you poorly."
Lin Lang said with a warm smile, "Please report to the director that I will certainly fulfill my promises."
Wang Wu and Jia Liu practiced the Eight-Gate Golden-Lock Saber-what did that have to do with me?
Would Cao Zhengchun reprimand a talented man like me over that dead fellow, Hundred-household Li?
"Section Chief Zhou, I need to arrange for my brothers to prepare to depart. I'll have Deputy Thousand-household Sun look after you properly."
If Deputy Thousand-household Sun entertained him, Lin Lang wouldn't have to pay.
Using someone else's money to handle my own business. Perfect!
After the bewildered Deputy Thousand-household Sun took Section Chief Zhou away to entertain him, Lin Lang summoned Wang Wu.
"Wang Wu, select fifty capable men. Take a full set of equipment and head to Hengshan City first thing tomorrow morning."
Wang Wu asked cautiously, "Sir, what should I do once I get there?"
His face was filled with confusion. Hengshan City-wasn't that Liu Zhengfeng's hometown? Why was Lin Lang sending him there?
Lin Lang said with a warm smile, "To uphold justice for the common people, of course."
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