Chapter 39
Face-Slapping the Son of a Concubine and a Transmigrating Girl (13)
Editor: ghost
“Esteemed Inspector, it was them who…” a Ding Min soldier who was unconvinced wanted to lodge a complaint to Zhou Zong Han.
However, Zhou Zong Han glared at him, “Shut up. Apologize to them.”
The Ding Min troops did not make a sound. Zhou Zong Han continued to order, “Apologize, otherwise you will be disciplined when we get back.”
The few Ding Min troops were helpless and could only lower their head to admit their mistakes. The Zhen Nan King’s people coldly harrumphed and left without turning back.
Naturally, they did not leave behind any silver. Zhou Zong Han walked to the owner of the tavern and said, “We will pay for the damages. Keep these ingots of silver, if they are insufficient then go to the Ding Min military camp to claim more.”
The tavern owner was grinning from ear to ear as he took the silver, replying, “Aiya, don’t mind it. It is already very tough for all of you to train for the country every day, these ingots are enough.”
“I’ll have to thank you Owner.”
Zhou Zong Han led the Ding Min troops to leave. Zhou Xu slightly adjusted his face mask before holding hands with the crown prince to leave. Observing the direction where Zhou Zong Han left to, the two made eye contact and nodded. They had formed some plans in their heart.
They requested for two rooms and let Ye Qi stand guard. When he confirmed that there was no one eavesdropping, Zhou Xu asked the crown prince, “Where do you want to take action?”
“We can meddle in the Zhen Nan King and Ding Min troops’ relationship. What about you? Do you think this is feasible?”
Taking off his disguise, Zhou Xu restored his original appearance: a slightly frail but unusually seductive man.
“I think the same.”
The two discussed what to do in detail, especially on how to ruin the Zhen Nan King and Ding Min troops’ relationship.
In the end, they decided to first understand more about the situation before acting. They only knew the direction in which to head, but not the exact relationship between the two parties.
On the second day, Zhou Xu, the crown prince, and Ye Qi disguised themselves as street vendors selling vegetables. Following the information they heard, they went to the reserve area of the Ding Min military camp.
It was very easy to sneak into this area. The soldiers had not fought a war and were merely receiving training, hence they were not vigilant. Seeing that they were selling vegetables, the soldiers simply inquired a bit before letting them through.
Each person pulled a cart with rows of fresh vegetables and the three split up to head in three different directions.
Zhou Xi met a soldier not long after they parted.
“Ai ai ai, this vegetable seller, where are you going?”
Zhou Xu’s disguise was a hunchback with a face full of scars. He looked pitiful and frightening. His voice was hoa.r.s.e and his tone was nothing like his original one.
“Esteemed Sir, I am here to deliver vegetables. It is my first time here and I do not know where to go. If this esteemed sir knows, then please point out which way to go. This commoner’s legs are weak, the less I have to walk the better.”
“Oh, I was wondering why such a vegetable seller was heading to our general’s residence. Come here, I will point out the route to you. Walk this way, there is a large canopy in front. Turn right there and you will arrive.”
Zhou Xu looked at the route the soldier pointed out. It seemed to be a bit strenuous. In the end he shook his head and said, “Esteemed Sir, my eyesight is not good; I cannot see clearly. If you have time, could you guide me? I’m afraid that if I walk the wrong way, I may b.u.mp into some important personage. It is my first time here, what would I do with no one to speak up for me?”
“Fine, I will send you there.”
“Many thanks to Esteemed Sir then.” Zhou Xu pulled his wooden cart to follow the soldier. As he walked, Zhou Xu asked, “Esteemed Sir, how many people are there here? If there are many people, we will send more vegetables next time.”
“Oh, we have roughly twenty thousand soldiers. Your cart of vegetables is definitely just some sc.r.a.ps.”
“Correct, correct, it is definitely just some sc.r.a.ps. These vegetables were grown by my family. Ai, this is quite good. In the future we can grow more seeds. We will sell everything to the troops at that time, earning a bit more money.”
“En, go ahead and plant. Our general has never mistreated farmers.”
“True, true, he really is a good person. Right, do you want grain? My family still has some grain to sell.”
“You have really asked the right person. Not only do we want it, we will also buy however much you are selling at a reasonable price. I heard the general say that we may go to war soon hence the more rations we can store, the better.”
“Really? That’s great! I can let my neighbours sell their grain.”
“Yes. Inform them when you return; sell everything to us.”
“Then where will you store the rations? How do we find the place? Aiya, this commoner is just a boor, not knowing anything. Esteemed Sir, please do not be irritated.”
“It’s fine. The rations are stored there, do you see it? However, you cannot go there. Even if you are selling grain, you must go to the collection point we set up in Min Nan; don’t come directly to our warehouse.”
“Ha ha ha, right, right. Look at this commoner being stupid. Esteemed Sir, you are really warm-hearted. You will definitely become someone important in the future.”
“I will take advantage of your auspicious remarks then. We have arrived. Go ahead, it should be fine for you to directly find Steward Song.”
“Yes, yes. Esteemed Sir, please take care.”
When he found Steward Song, Ye Qi had already arrived but not the crown prince.
Steward Song was thin, small and wizened. His face looked like it was only left with a layer of rough skin but despite this, he seemed to be filled with energy. His voice carried vigour in contrast to his withered body.
“Where are you from? Why do I not remember the higher-ups saying there were still vegetable deliveries?”
Zhou Xu’s hunched body bent at the waist, saying, “Esteemed Sir, we also do not know anything about this matter. The first time we started selling vegetables, a customer came and directly bought everything with a silver ingot. That customer didn’t say anything, only that we should send it here. I even almost went the wrong way.”
“Oh, the money has been paid. Since this is the case, then unload the vegetables. Ah, these vegetables are still quite fresh, are they growth by you? It’s not resold?”
“No, it’s not resold. We grew them, they are quite fresh.”
At this moment, the crown prince arrived. He also joked around as he went over. No one was suspicious and no more questions were asked in the reserve area. In any case, as long as they were not paying money, they would unhesitatingly accept any goods.
After sending the vegetables, the three returned to their lodging. They put together the information they gathered. They realised that the Ding Min general was very lax towards the troops and his treatment of commoners also was not bad. Although he was not a qualified general, he was not a completely bad person.
“Also, I managed to investigate another point.” The crown prince said.
“What?”
“The general is a romantic. His relationship with the Zhen Nan King is stained because he and the Zhen Nan King’s son both took a fancy to the same female singer.”
“Oh?” Zhou Xu was piqued.
“The singer is called Ruan Hua. She is allegedly as beautiful as a flower. Every month she would perform for only four days – the first, seventh, thirteenth, and twenty-second days. The general and the Zhen Nan King’s son would certainly go to watch her in these four days. The two fought over her until their faces became red, often resulting in a physical fight.”
“Since this is the case, it will be good for us. They will definitely rage and fight for the beauty. At that time, we just need to sit by the sides and wait.”
“En, I think the same. However, Ruan Hua may not be open to persuasion.”
“Let me handle it.” Zhou Xu smiled; he had a card up his sleeve.
A few days later, it was the seventh day of the month. Zhou Xu disguised as an unrestrained n.o.ble son, holding a few ingots of silver and paper notes to visit Ruan Hua’s residence in the Yi Hong building.
The Yi Hong building had a pleasure boatthat rich n.o.ble sons naturally could spend money to bring their favorite singer to play. There were many n.o.ble sons who were willing to pay, but it was up to the singer to choose.
At present, Ruan Hua stood on the boat wearing pink robes. To the boat’s side were the Ding Min general and Zhen Nan King’s son. They glared and scowled at each other.
Zhou Xu covered his forehead with a hand. It was no wonder Ruan Hua could not choose a person. One was short and stout like a pumpkin, while the other was thin and tall like a bamboo pole. The stout one had a face full of pockmarks while the other had one of moles. The two together were really ugly and repulsive.
Because both of them were present, the others who wanted to request for Ruan Hua did not dare to go over, resulting in her gloomily standing on the boat, seemingly troubled over who to pick.
Zhou Xu leisurely walked over, his casual manner exuding a kind of n.o.bility.
An elderly woman wearing a skirt with large red peonies raised her hand to hold back Zhou Xu, “Yo, this young master, that is our Yi Hong building’s star lady Ruan Hua. If you want to go over, you must first pay two hundred taels of silver. I will say it first, even if Ruan Hua does not choose you in the end, this money cannot be refunded. Have you made your decision?”
Faintly smiling, Zhou Xu opened his fan then took two silver notes out and pa.s.sed it to the old lady, “The Zhou Family Bank’s notes. You can exchange it for silver anytime, is that fine?”
The elderly woman’s chubby face lit up, s.n.a.t.c.hing away his silver notes. She let him pa.s.s, saying, “Aiyo aiyo, quickly go inside. Our lady Ruan Hua is accomplished in all the arts, I hope you will be chosen.”
Folding his fan, Zhou Xu used it to push away the old lady’s arm that was blocking his way, then walked over to General Hu Yue and Prince Qin Zhong.
Their faces changed the moment Hu Yue and Qin Zhong saw Zhou Xu. His every move had presence and his every expression carried poise; the two completely could not compare to Zhou Xu. Hence in an instant, they formed an alliance. But no matter what they did, Ruan Hua was already attracted by Zhou Xu.
Ruan Hua’s maid was standing on the boat and said, “That blue clothed young master, Lady Ruan Hua has invited you to the boat to chat.”
Zhou Xu cupped his hands towards the remaining two, “These two young masters have shown me generosity. I will accompany Lady Ruan Hua today.”
Zhou Xu leisurely walked up the boat. Like buffoons, the remaining two people watched as the boat slowly got further away.
Behind a sheer curtain, Ruan Hua asked, “Young Master, what song would you like to hear?”
Her voice was gentle and moving. Even separated by the sheer curtain, her upright posture behind her lute could be seen. She was truly an outstanding beauty.
Zhou Xu did not care about that, directly drawing the curtain and entering. The girl was slightly shocked. She opened her mouth to say something but Zhou Xu swiftly inserted a pill into her mouth.
“The Five Poisons Pill: festering of the skin in three days, going blind and deaf in five, limbs festering in seven then death by organ failure on the tenth day.”
Her limbs went cold. Merely the festering of skin made Ruan Hua collapse. Frightened, she looked at Zhou Xu, “You…you…Who are you?”
“I will give you two options: listen to me or die.”
Translator’s Note:
seems like I’ve baited everyone… I forgot chapter 40 was an especially long chapter (4200 words ++) so the conclusion of the arc will only be released next monday (chapter 40 is split into 2 parts, one part released on thursday and the second on monday)! ><