Chapter 219 – Going Together

Xu Chun ordered fifty thousand taels of silver from the moneylender, which took quite some time. In the end, it was Lady Sheng who heard about it and urgently transferred some from the Duke’s mansion’s treasury, allowing them to gather fifty thousand taels of silver. It was heavy, filling several large carriages.

The guards of the Duke’s mansion, the bodyguards hired by the Sheng family, as well as the Fengxiang and Hugeng troops were all ready. Everyone was fully armed, their faces stern.

Pei Dongyan couldn’t help but privately say to Qi Luan, “This is the first time in my life I’ve seen so much silver. I’ve never seen this much even when escorting the treasury silver.”

Qi Luan whispered, “I’m afraid there isn’t even this much silver in the imperial treasury right now… It’s just the time when funds are being allocated to the various states and counties… I saw the Minister of Revenue with a worried face; they’re said to have disappeared.”

For a moment, both of them couldn’t help but laugh.

Inside, Xu Chun had changed into a bright red robe and jade crown, wearing a jade pendant at his waist, and holding a fan in his hand. The tassel hanging from the fan was the carnelian phoenix-patterned pendant he bought the other day, making him look like a dandyish young man. Sheng Changtian and Sheng Changyun also walked out, both dressed in bright robes. The three brothers standing together were truly extraordinarily handsome, waiting at the second gate for the carriages to arrive.

Xu Chun talked to Sheng Changyun as he did so, “I wonder how Cousin Changzhou is doing now. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

Sheng Changyun ignored him, saying instead, “Youling, listen to your older brother’s advice. This won’t work today. Changtian lets you run wild, but I can’t stand by and watch you do this. I don’t believe His Majesty would let you personally risk danger? Listen to me, Changtian and I will go. You should stay here.”

He glared angrily at Sheng Changtian. Was this person stupid? If something happened to the person in front of him, the Sheng family would be devastated! Those who dared to sell military equipment were desperadoes! They had long been blinded by wealth, how could Youling be allowed to take risks?

Sheng Changtian was helpless. Changyun hadn’t gone on a campaign with Changtian, how would he know that this person didn’t listen to advice? Moreover, Xu Chun was his superior, this was a military order, how could he not obey? Anyway, there was His Majesty above them.

Xu Chun just smiled, “Older Brother, everyone says I’m a lucky general. You have to believe me. Replacing people isn’t safe. That shopkeeper talked with me and Jiu-ge for a long time that day. The other side must be like a frightened bird now. If we don’t go ourselves, they’ll definitely escape.”

Sheng Changyun wanted to persuade him further, but he saw Dingshai and Chunxi personally escorting a pearl-beaded carriage with a silver canopy and dark blue trim over from the second gate. He was worried, thinking that although he didn’t attend court usually, he had seen the Emperor a few times. This Emperor was meticulous and thorough, never making mistakes, how could he allow Youling to be so willful? Could it be that he was also charmed by Youling and lost his mind?

The carriage stopped, and the guards set up the footstool. Xu Chun looked at the sky, anxious. Without waiting for someone to lift the curtain, he lifted it himself and was about to get in, but as soon as he stepped onto the footrest, the curtain was raised, revealing someone already sitting inside. Looking closely, it was Jiu-ge wearing a pale white casual robe, smiling slightly at him inside.

Sheng Changyun and Sheng Changtian bowed deeply, “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Xie Yi ordered them, “No need for such formalities. I’m in disguise, don’t alarm the locals.”

Xu Chun’s expression changed. In a few steps, he entered the carriage, the curtain falling. Sheng Changyun and Sheng Changtian looked at each other, retreating far away, not daring to listen to what they were saying inside.

Xu Chun sat next to Xie Yi, “Jiu-ge, why did you leave the palace?”

Xie Yi said, “I heard that the fish has taken the bait, I’m very happy. That shopkeeper was seen by you and me that day. Today, you and I should go together to complete the transaction. Only then will the other side not suspect anything. Besides, I also find the palace boring. This matter is quite interesting. Since I’m idle anyway, I might as well go with you.”

Xu Chun became anxious, “No! Those people are desperadoes. For money, they have lost all sense of shame and loyalty. They dare to steal machine guns, how can they be law-abiding anymore? What if they have explosives in their hands and decide to blow themselves up along with us when they realize they’re caught? Jiu-ge is the Son of Heaven, the fate of the people rests on you. How can you risk yourself so lightly?”

Xie Yi looked at him without speaking.

Xu Chun, under the gaze of his deep black eyes, gradually felt guilty, his face getting hotter and hotter. He lowered his head and whispered, “I know Jiu-ge is worried about me… But if someone else pretends to be us, I’m afraid the shopkeeper will notice something wrong.”

Xie Yi said, “It’s a small matter.” He raised his voice slightly and called, “Dingshai, call Ji Er and Ji San out.”

Xu Chun was surprised. Seeing Xie Yi lift the curtain and motion for him to look, he saw another identical carriage come over. Two people got out, wearing clothes similar to his and Jiu-ge’s, including the same hats, boots, belts, pendants, and fans. They looked very alike.

They bowed to this side from afar.

Xu Chun jumped out of the carriage in surprise, walking over to take a closer look. Even Sheng Changyun and Sheng Changtian, standing under the eaves, were quite shocked.

Xu Chun approached them and indeed saw that their faces were made up. At a glance, they looked very similar, but looking carefully, some differences could still be seen. However, it would require someone very familiar with them to notice. He asked them, “Are you both secret guards?”

Both bowed, “Reporting to Marquis, we are both secret guards.”

Xu Chun recognized their voices as being about seventy to eighty percent similar, even more stunned. Turning around to see Xie Yi walk behind him, he exclaimed, “Truly amazing!”

Xie Yi said, “Ji Er has always served by My side, observing My behavior. He trains every day to try to be exactly like Me. Ji San was chosen a few years ago and has been serving by your side for a few years. You just haven’t noticed.”

Xu Chun was speechless.

Xu Chun looked at them, “Does Jiu-ge mean for them to impersonate us to deliver the goods?”

Xie Yi knew that Xu Chun, being young, liked excitement. If he was replaced directly, he would probably feel unhappy. He said, “The place for the delivery must not be in the store. They wouldn’t dare show their faces either. I will talk with you in the store first and inspect the silver. After getting in the carriage, they will set out to deliver and inspect the goods.”

Xu Chun said, “Good, this is indeed more stable. I assume that in the capital city store, they wouldn’t dare to do anything, they must also fear a trap. Therefore, they wouldn’t dare to make any moves in the store.”

Xie Yi nodded slightly.

The two indeed got into the carriage together, bringing the carriage with fifty thousand taels of silver slowly to the antique shop from that day.

It was completely dark. Their convoy of carriages, protected by guards, was led to the backyard. The shopkeeper was already waiting at the door. Seeing the two of them come together again, and noticing the deep carriage tracks and the sturdy horses, although the number of guards was significantly greater than that day, this was fifty thousand taels of silver after all! How could it not be heavily guarded? He didn’t doubt this and was reassured.

That day, they sent someone to buy the pair of fans again, making him even more confident. It was said that the southern wind in Minzhou was the strongest. These two men looked extraordinary and had outstanding appearances. Indeed, he hadn’t misjudged them. But this also proved that they shouldn’t be officials. Indeed, they were merchants and dandies. Otherwise, how could they disregard their future?

Later, he found out that the alley was indeed where a merchant from Minzhou surnamed Fan stayed. The house had been owned for many years. Only then did he feel relieved enough to pass on the information. Sure enough, after a few days, the other side sent word that they had goods and could make the exchange.

Thinking about the fact that if he completed this business, according to the rules, he could receive ten percent of the profit, that was five thousand taels! His heart burned with desire. He stepped forward and saluted, “Brother Fan, I have not failed my mission. I finally managed to get the goods. However, the other side is cautious and insists on checking the silver first.”

Xu Chun smiled and returned the salute, “Boss, you’re indeed capable. Please check the silver. But let’s put it bluntly, if the guns don’t match the description, sorry, I’ll take the silver back as it is. At the same time, your store might have to give me some interest. My brothers and I aren’t people to be trifled with.”

The shopkeeper just smiled apologetically, “Of course, of course!”

After that, someone came forward to check the silver. It took quite some time, but they reported back one by one. Fifty thousand taels of silver, indeed real, and of excellent quality.

The shopkeeper was even more reassured. He bowed again, “Please get into the carriage, guests. We’ll go to the port.”

Xu Chun and Xie Yi exchanged glances, knowing that it was indeed like this. After exchanging the silver, they would immediately board a ship. The rivers and seas were interconnected in all directions, and it must be a military ship, with no one daring to inspect it. In this case, this person’s position in the army must not be low.

For a moment, both sides bowed and got into their respective carriages. Leaving the store, the carriages creaked. On the other side, they had quietly switched carriages, and the secret guards had left.

Here, Xie Yi and Xu Chun returned to the palace. Xie Yi finally brought Xu Chun back safely, feeling pleased, and couldn’t help showing a relaxed expression on his face.

Seeing Jiu-ge like this, Xu Chun felt extremely guilty and could only start a conversation to distract, telling the story of Sheng Changtian and Helan Baozhi that day, whispering, “In the end, this matter is still due to the two families. Cousin thought General Helan wanted to intercept some goods, and Miss Helan brought them from a thousand miles away, keeping some would be normal. Moreover, it didn’t involve military weapons, so he was careless. And Miss Helan’s side assumed that I wanted to keep some of the goods, so she didn’t pay attention. Cousin has been in business for a long time and has seen too many such officials, taking it for granted. He is also lenient towards his subordinates. Also, previously, it was mostly unimportant goods that didn’t match, so he was negligent.”

Xie Yi said, “Indeed, many officials do such things, there’s no need to blame yourself too much. Now that it’s discovered early, it’s a good thing to rectify things early. I guess they really didn’t dare to touch military weapons before, but it was your fifty thousand taels of silver that moved them, making them dare to take such great risks.”

Xu Chun said, “Today, I can move them with fifty thousand taels, tomorrow foreign spies can do the same. This trend must not continue. I’ve already discussed with Cousin. After this case is closed, we will take this as a warning and issue an order to all the camps of Jinhaiwei. If anyone commits such acts, they must return the ill-gotten gains and confess their guilt. Then they can be dealt with leniently.”

Xie Yi said, “There’s no need to wait until the case is closed. After they are all captured, they will inevitably be frightened and uneasy. This is when they are most vulnerable. At this point, you should issue a general order to the entire army. Anyone who confesses and reports such illegal activities will be richly rewarded. Then say that those who voluntarily confess and willingly return the ill-gotten gains can be dealt with leniently. This way, they will worry about being reported and will take the initiative to confess. This is what is known as ‘the unpredictability of punishment makes its power immeasurable.’”

Xu Chun said, “Jiu-ge is indeed wise.”

Xie Yi smiled faintly.

Xu Chun looked at Jiu-ge’s expression and felt even more guilty inside. Whispering, “Jiu-ge, in the end, this is due to my lax military discipline, damaging the integrity of the court and failing to live up to the important task Jiu-ge entrusted to me. That’s why I was determined to personally capture these traitors, not because I didn’t care about my own safety, but because I felt ashamed in my heart.”

Xie Yi reached out and held his wrist, “I know, I didn’t forbid you from going, I just wanted to go with you. If something happens, I’ll bear it with you. Besides, you’re blessed beyond measure, I’m not afraid.”

Xu Chun whispered, “I’m afraid, Jiu-ge is much more important than my life, how could I risk Jiu-ge? I understand Jiu-ge’s feelings for me, I won’t dare to do it again in the future.”

Xie Yi knew that he fully understood his earnest intentions, smiling without a word, only holding his hand, thinking: Even if something happens, I’ll die with you, it will be considered a fulfilled life.