Chapter 305 - 301: Death
The atmosphere in the study was heavy.
He Mingyun sat stiffly in the Grandmaster’s Chair, his expression shifting, his heart a battlefield.
’Should I go, or not?’
’The enemy had already eliminated Zhangqiu and four Grandmasters without a sound. If I go to that desolate place, the chances of being ambushed and killed are extremely high.’
’But if I don’t go... what if Sun Shouyi’s rebellion is real?’
’If I miss this opportunity, bringing down the Chen Family through official channels will become next to impossible!’
Time trickled by, second by second.
’I can’t go!’
’At least, I can’t go myself!’
Having made his decision, He Mingyun took a deep breath and called out in a deep voice toward the door, "Guards!"
A Constable stationed in the courtyard entered at the call, bowing to await his orders.
"Go and summon the County Captain and the Governor to my residence for a meeting! Be quick!" He Mingyun ordered.
"Yes, milord."
The Constable accepted the order and hurried away.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Constable returned. "Reporting, milord. County Captain Lord Zhao has gone to Jiangkou and hasn’t yet returned to the city. Governor Lord Yan says he will be here immediately."
’Zhao Yuanhong hasn’t returned?’
He Mingyun frowned. ’Could the matter at Jiangkou be that troublesome?’
A moment later, Governor Yan Wenlu arrived at the study, his steps hurried.
He was in his casual clothes, clearly having been about to rest when he was suddenly summoned.
Seeing He Mingyun’s grave expression, he couldn’t help but look surprised. He stepped forward and cupped his hands. "My Lord, to summon me so late at night, is there an urgent matter?"
"Wenlu, you’re here."
He Mingyun nodded, giving a brief explanation without mentioning Sun Shouyi’s name. "I ordered Wang Chengyuan of the Experience Department to go to Mirror Mountain to retrieve a key witness. Unexpectedly, vicious thugs ambushed them on the way back. The situation is critical. I need you to lead a group of men to reinforce them immediately. You must bring the witness back safely. This matter is of the utmost importance; there is no room for error!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Yan Wenlu’s face.
’Wang Chengyuan went to Mirror Mountain to get a witness? For what case? And he was ambushed?’
He knew this matter was far from simple, but he asked no more questions. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "I understand, my lord. I will go and gather my men at once."
"Ping’an, you will guide Lord Yan and explain the location and circumstances of the attack in detail."
He Mingyun gestured to He Ping’an, who was standing to the side.
"Yes."
Yan Wenlu wasted no more time, hurrying off to muster his troops.
「One hour later.」
Yan Wenlu quickly assembled dozens of experts from the Commandery Magistrate’s Office. Led by He Ping’an, their line of torches, like a fiery dragon, disappeared at the end of the street.
Watching the distant lights of the torches recede, He Mingyun felt a bit more at ease, and a cold smile touched his lips.
’So the Chen Family thinks they’ve played this so cleverly, luring me out of the city to be trapped and killed?’
’I’ll just send the Governor instead. Let’s see what they can do about that!’
After all, Yan Wenlu was a Fifth Grade official appointed by the Court—the Governor of an entire commandery.
If he were to die, it would be a completely different matter.
It wouldn’t just be the State County that would be alarmed, but the Court’s Garrison Command.
He had experienced the methods of the Garrison Command firsthand; no one could escape their investigations and interrogations.
At that point, no matter how powerful the Chen Family’s methods were, they would not be able to escape annihilation.
...
The clamor and the sound of hooves gradually faded away, and everything returned to silence.
Returning to the quiet of his study, now that he was completely alone, that inexplicable sense of dread once again tightened its grip on his heart.
The unease in his heart grew more and more pronounced.
This gut-wrenching premonition was identical to the one he’d felt the night his son, He Zhangqiu, had died.
’No, something is still wrong!’
’There must be a problem somewhere!’
He had just sat down in the Grandmaster’s Chair when he shot back up again, pacing around the study.
’What if... the Chen Family’s target isn’t me at all?’
A thought shot through his mind.
’Luring the tiger from the mountain!’
’If the enemy doesn’t dare kill an official, then what is their objective?’
’What could be so important that the Chen Family would go to such great lengths to draw my attention away?’
’Of course! The Sun Family... that shipment of grain!’
A sharp glint flashed in He Mingyun’s eyes.
The reason this case could nail the Chen Family was because of those fifty thousand stones of grain; the sacks had the seal of Ming’s Grain Shop on them.
It was ironclad physical evidence.
’Could the Chen Family be planning to destroy the grain, leaving me with no proof?’
The moment he thought of this possibility, He Mingyun broke out in a cold sweat.
If the grain were destroyed and the physical evidence vanished, his entire plan would be thrown into disarray.
At this thought, he could no longer sit still.
He immediately strode out of the study, not even bothering to have a sedan chair prepared. His figure flickered and vanished into the night.
...
Inside the Sun Mansion, a melodious singing voice drifted through the air. The heated pavilion was brightly lit.
Sun Bingyi, the head of the Liyang Commerce Association, sat in the host’s seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest in time with the song, completely absorbed.
A servant hurried in and reported something in a low voice.
Sun Bingyi’s brow furrowed slightly in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure.
He waved for the opera troupe to take a break, straightened his robes, and walked unhurriedly toward the study.
Entering the study, he saw He Mingyun standing by the window with his hands clasped behind his back.
Sun Bingyi spoke with familiarity, "Brother-in-law, what urgent matter brings you here so late?"
He Mingyun turned around, his face showing clear displeasure. "How many times have I told you? Between us, you are to use our official titles."
Although it was a reprimand, his tone was more of a habitual correction.
Sun Bingyi smiled calmly and explained, "Brother-in-law, we are in my own home, with no outsiders present. When we are out, I know my place and would never breach decorum."
He Mingyun grunted, not pressing the issue of address any further, and asked directly, "Has there been anything unusual at the mansion lately?"
"Unusual?"
Sun Bingyi was taken aback by the out-of-the-blue question.
After a moment’s thought, he shook his head. "Everything is normal, nothing out of the ordinary. The Commerce Association’s operations are all running smoothly. Why do you ask, Brother-in-law?"
"What about the grain? Where is it stored? What is the security like?" He Mingyun pressed.
"The grain is all stored in the western part of the city."
Sun Bingyi replied, "I’ve already assigned double the manpower to guard it day and night. There shouldn’t be any problem."