Green Mountain

A 500-mile urgent handwritten order had thrown all plans into disarray.

Zhang Zhuo looked down at the ’’Patrol Ivory Card’’ of the Spy Department in his hand, engraved with "Imperial Inspection - major issues to be reported, minor ones decided instantly."

He knew well that only Hai Dongqing was entitled to carry such an ivory card. Above that was the ’’Court Appearance Ivory Card’’ of the Twelve Signs, which allowed access to the Forbidden City and the East and West Six Palaces. It’s said that the Top Three Zodiacs had their own unique ivory cards, unseen by outsiders.

Seeing that they were in private with no outsiders around, Zhang Zhuo weighed the ivory card in his hand and sighed lightly, "Chen Ji, what I just discussed with Mr. Chen was not reckless drunken babble."

Chen Ji asked softly, "Lord Zhang, are you worried about the struggle for succession?"

Zhang Zhuo shook his head, "It’s not just about succession conflicts when it involves the Jin Party and the border army. It’s a tangled web of conflicts among the court, the border towns, Jin Party, and Donglin Party, incomprehensible to those outside. The things you can’t understand, try not to touch."

Zhang Zhuo continued in a lowered voice, "I’ve never dealt with the Crown Prince and do not know his character. Everyone says he’s good-hearted and praised by great scholars. In these times, good-heartedness is synonymous with weakness, and such a person investigating the border army’s power will only lead to harm to those around him."

After a long contemplation, Chen Ji replied softly, "Lord Zhang, I understand all that you’ve said, but I have my reasons for going."

"Well then," Zhang Zhuo admonished, "Guyuan has an acquaintance of mine; I’ll write a letter for you. If you encounter unsolvable issues, seek him out; he should be able to see you safely out of Guyuan."

Chen Ji bowed deeply with a cupped fist, "Thank you, Lord Zhang."

Suddenly, Zhang Zheng spoke up from the side, "Father, I also wish to accompany Chen Ji..."