Volume One, Chapter 11: Acting Rashly

He continued to browse the detailed information of the intelligence station:

【Intelligence Personnel Composition:
- 10 Inn Waiters
- 10 Servers
- 7 Accountants
- 7 Cooks
- 8 General Laborers

Coverage Area:
- Chang'an Street and surrounding areas
- The tea house district in the south of the city
- The eastern city market】

"Your Majesty," Wang Chengen said softly, "Cao Huachun requests an audience."
"Admit him."

Before long, Cao Huachun walked in with quick steps: "Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise and speak." Zhu Youjian gestured for him to be seated. "What news have you gathered over the past two days?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, aside from the three items already reported, there are some scattered pieces of intelligence." Cao Huachun took out a small notebook.
"Speak."
"Huang Daozhou of the Donglin Faction has recently been bribing military generals and has already won over quite a few."
"Oh?" Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. "Who are they?"
"This..." Cao Huachun opened the notebook. "I have already recorded several names."

Zhu Youjian took the notebook and examined it carefully. It was densely packed with various pieces of information, the handwriting neat and the logic clear.
"Not bad." He nodded with satisfaction. "These pieces of information are very valuable."
"This servant does not dare to claim credit," Cao Huachun said respectfully. "It is just that those people, when drunk, let it slip themselves."

Zhu Youjian continued to flip through the pages: "It says here that the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Luo Yangxing, often visits a residence outside the city?"
"Yes." Cao Huachun lowered his voice. "The owner of that residence appears to be a spy for the Jiannu."
"Is there evidence?"
"Not yet," Cao Huachun said. "However, I have already sent men to keep watch."

Zhu Youjian nodded: "Continue the investigation. By the way, how is your shop business doing?"
"Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, it is very prosperous," Cao Huachun laughed. "Every day, many high-ranking officials and nobles come to drink tea. Once they have had too much to drink, they say everything that is on their minds."
"Well done," Zhu Youjian said with satisfaction. "Keep it up."
"Your servant obeys the imperial decree." Cao Huachun bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian watched his retreating figure and opened the system interface again:

【Intelligence Station Status Update:
New Intelligence: 1 item
- Luo Yangxing is holding secret meetings with a Jiannu spy
Credibility: 80%】

"This Cao Huachun," Zhu Youjian whispered to himself, "is quite a talent worth cultivating."

He continued to check the system interface:
【Intelligence Station Upgrade Requirements:
- Number of intelligence personnel reaches 50
- Intelligence credibility maintained above 96%
- No fewer than 30 pieces of intelligence collected daily】

"Wang Chengen."
"This servant is here."
"Go and tell Cao Huachun that he has done a good job. I am very satisfied."
"Yes." Wang Chengen bowed and retreated.

Zhu Youjian stood before the window, watching the palace walls in the distance. The morning light spilled over the red walls and yellow tiles, reflecting a scene of golden splendor.

He opened the system panel to continue checking:
【Current System Status:
Level: LV1 (80%)
Money Generation Speed: 2 taels/minute
Special Function: Intelligence Station Monitoring】

At this moment, the system suddenly emitted a prompt sound:

【Intelligence Station Emergency Report:
Suspicious individuals discovered meeting secretly in the south of the city
Suspected Donglin faction members and a Jiannu spy】

A sharp glint flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes: "Interesting."
He immediately pulled up the detailed information:
【Time: This morning, at the hour of Mao (5:00 AM - 7:00 AM)
Location: Back courtyard of the tea house in the south of the city
Number of people: Approximately 10
Characteristics: One of them bears a resemblance to Wen Tiren】

"Wen Tiren?" Zhu Youjian sneered. "This old fox is indeed not dead."
He was about to look closer when the system issued another prompt:
【Intelligence Station Requests Support:
Target is currently relocating
Recommendation: Take action immediately】

Zhu Youjian pondered for a moment: "Do not alert them yet. Let Cao Huachun continue to watch."
He opened the list of intelligence personnel and carefully checked the status of each person:
【Intelligence Personnel Status:
- Inn Waiter A: Currently following the target
- Inn Waiter B: Monitoring the tea house
- Accountant: Recording suspicious persons entering and exiting
...】

"These people..." Zhu Youjian nodded, "are indeed well-trained."

The system continued to update the information:
【Intelligence Update:
Target has entered a residence in the south of the city
Owner of the residence: Former Ministry of War official, Li】

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes: "Li? Look into this person's background."
The system immediately pulled up the files:
【Li:
Age: [Data missing]
Position: Former Ministry of War Official
Background: Donglin Faction member
Recent activity: Frequent interactions with Huang Daozhou】

"So that's how it is." Zhu Youjian sneered. "These people are truly cunning."

He continued to check the system interface:
【Intelligence Station Recommendations:
1. Immediately surround the residence
2. Secretly monitor and collect more evidence
3. Send someone to infiltrate and investigate】

Zhu Youjian contemplated for a moment: "Let Cao Huachun continue the surveillance. I want to see exactly what these people are planning."
The system responded:
【Order conveyed
Intelligence personnel will continue surveillance
New intelligence expected within the day】

Just then, Wang Chengen walked over quickly: "Your Majesty, the Commander of the Imperial Guard requests an audience."
"Oh?" Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. "Admit him."
Before long, Luo Yangxing walked into the hall: "This subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise," Zhu Youjian said indifferently. "What is the matter?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, I have discovered some unusual movements in the south of the city..."
"What kind of unusual movements?"
"It seems some people are holding secret meetings..." Luo Yangxing said cautiously.
Zhu Youjian looked at him: "Have you clearly identified who these people are?"
"This..." Luo Yangxing hesitated. "Not yet. However, I have already sent men to keep watch."

"Very good." Zhu Youjian nodded. "Continue your investigation. Report back immediately if there is any news."
"This subject obeys the imperial decree." Luo Yangxing withdrew.

Zhu Youjian watched his retreating figure, a cold sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth. He opened the system interface:
【Intelligence Station Emergency Report:
Imperial Guard Commander Luo Yangxing
Just sent someone to leak information】

"As expected." Zhu Youjian sneered. "None of these people can be trusted."

He continued to check the system interface:
【Recommendations:
1. Immediately seize Luo Yangxing
2. Continue surveillance to collect more evidence
3. Take the opportunity to investigate other suspicious individuals】

Just then, the system suddenly issued a prompt:
【Intelligence Station Emergency Report:
Wen Tiren discovered meeting secretly with a Jiannu envoy
Location: Li's residence in the south of the city
Time: Currently in progress】

A cold light flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes.
He was about to issue an order when another message arrived:
【Warning:
A large group of Imperial Guards is assembling toward the south of the city
Suspected to be preparing to surround Li's residence】

"Interesting." Zhu Youjian sneered. "These people really know how to act."
Wang Chengen whispered from the side: "Your Majesty, should we..."
Zhu Youjian waved his hand: "No rush. Let them continue their performance. I want to see how this play ends."

The system continued to update:
【Intelligence Station Latest Report:
Donglin faction members have begun to evacuate
The Jiannu envoy has changed disguises and is preparing to flee】

Cao Huachun's voice came through the system: "Your Majesty, should we act now?"
"No need." Zhu Youjian sneered. "Let them leave first. I have my own arrangements."
"As you command." Cao Huachun's voice gradually faded.

The morning sun rose, and the Wenhua Hall was solemn. Huang Daozhou, dressed in green official robes, was waiting outside the hall.
"Minister Huang." Zhu Youjian's voice came from inside the hall.
Huang Daozhou adjusted his attire and walked slowly into the hall: "This subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise," Zhu Youjian said indifferently. "I have something to ask you."
Huang Daozhou straightened up, his gaze clear: "Your Majesty, please speak."
"What is your take on the matter regarding Wen Tiren?" Zhu Youjian asked meaningfully.
Huang Daozhou pondered for a moment: "I believe that Wen Tiren colluding with the Jiannu is a crime deserving death."
"Is that so?" Zhu Youjian sneered. "And what of the Imperial Guard Commander, Luo Yangxing?"
A strange look flashed in Huang Daozhou's eyes: "Luo Yangxing?"
"Indeed." Zhu Youjian stood up. "He has had close dealings with Jiannu spies; are you aware of this?"
Huang Daozhou's expression changed: "This..."
"What? Are you afraid to speak?" Zhu Youjian took a few steps closer. "Or could it be that you are also involved?"
Huang Daozhou quickly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please discern the truth! This subject has absolutely no connection to this matter!"

Zhu Youjian looked down at him: "Very well, I will give you a chance to perform a meritorious service."
"Please, Your Majesty, give your instructions."
"Go and apprehend Luo Yangxing," Zhu Youjian said coldly. "If you handle it well, I will reward you handsomely."
Huang Daozhou looked up at Zhu Youjian, a flash of hesitation in his eyes: "Your Majesty, this..."
"What? Are you afraid?"
"No." Huang Daozhou gritted his teeth. "It is just that Luo Yangxing is the Commander of the Imperial Guard; if we act rashly..."