Volume One, Chapter 19: How Much Skill Do You Have?

"Yes." Cao Huachun bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian continued to examine the system interface:

[Daily Task Update:
- Collect two taels of silver
- Expand the intelligence network
- Develop new intelligence stations]

He pondered briefly, then opened the shop interface:

[Shop Status:
- Teahouse: 2 taels every 100 days
- Tavern: 2 taels every 100 days
- Porcelain Shop: 2 taels every 100 days
Total: 6 taels every 100 days]

"Not bad." Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction. These shops not only gathered intelligence but also generated considerable income.

[Urgent Intelligence:
The Donglin Party is secretly mobilizing a large sum of funds]

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. "It seems these people are planning a major move."

He opened the map interface to carefully review the distribution of intelligence points:

[Intelligence Network Coverage:
- South City: 2 points
- North City: 2 points
- East City: 2 points
- West City: 2 points]

"Wang Cheng'en," he suddenly said.

"At your service."

"Inform Cao Huachun to open more shops in the west city."

"Yes."

Zhu Youjian continued examining the system interface:

[Intelligence Station Recommendations:
- Strengthen surveillance in the west city
- Expand the number of intelligence agents
- Increase the scale of shops]

He was about to issue an order when hurried footsteps sounded outside.

"Your Majesty!" Wei Zhiren came swiftly, "We’ve made a discovery!"

"What is it?"

"Those merchants..." Wei Zhiren lowered his voice, "They really are spies for the Jianchu. We just caught one in the west city."

A cold light flashed in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. "Any confessions?"

"Still interrogating, but..." Wei Zhiren hesitated.

"Speak."

"They seem to have close ties with the Donglin Party. Moreover..."

Zhu Youjian sneered, "Moreover what?"

"They have stockpiled a large amount of military supplies in the west city."

The system immediately issued a warning:

[Danger!
Abnormal quantity of military supplies in the west city
Recommend immediate action]

Zhu Youjian stood up. "Issue orders for the Eastern Depot to prepare for action."

"Yes!" Wei Zhiren bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian walked to the window, gazing toward the west city. He knew a grand drama was about to unfold.

The system continued updating:

[Latest Intelligence Station Report:
- Merchant identity confirmed: Jianchu spy
- Military supplies: sufficient to equip a thousand men
- Donglin Party involvement]

Zhu Youjian sneered, "These people are truly fearless."

He opened the system marketplace interface:

[Items for Purchase:
- Matchlock gun: 20 taels each
- Gunpowder: 20 taels per jin
- Armor: 20 taels per set]

"Buy a batch first," he ordered.

[Purchase Complete:
- Matchlock guns: 20
- Gunpowder: 10 jin
- Armor: 10 sets
Total: [amount]
Current balance: 1020 taels]

"Your Majesty!" Cao Huachun hurried back, "The situation in the west city..."

"Speak."

"Those merchants seem to have detected our men and are preparing to relocate."

A cold flash appeared in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. "Issue orders: action tonight."

"Yes!"

He continued reviewing the system interface:

[Intelligence Station Recommendations:
- Immediately surround the target
- Cut off escape routes
- Launch an all-out siege]

"Wang Cheng'en."

"At your service."

"Go inform Sun Chuanting to prepare."

"Yes."

Zhu Youjian returned to his throne and lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers. The system interface flashed new intelligence:

[Urgent Report:
- Merchants destroying documents
- Donglin Party members moving under cover of night
- Military supplies being transported]

"What’s happening?"

"Those merchants..." Wei Zhiren panted, "They’ve set fire!"

The system instantly issued a warning:

[Danger!
Multiple fires in the west city
Suspected evidence destruction]

Zhu Youjian abruptly stood. "Issue orders: immediate action!"

"Yes!"

He hurried to the window, where flames rose high in the distance.

The system continued updating:

[Battle Analysis:
Enemy: approximately one thousand
Our side: Eastern Depot guards]

"Your Majesty!" Cao Huachun rushed back, "The Eastern Depot forces have surrounded the target."

"Good." Zhu Youjian sneered. "Let none of them escape."

At that moment, the system gave another alert:

[Urgent Intelligence:
Confidants of Wen Tiren detected fleeing outside the city]

A cold light flickered in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. "It seems all these people are connected."

He opened the system interface to carefully check the status of each intelligence point:

[Intelligence Station Status:
- South City: On alert
- North City: On alert
- East City: On alert
- West City: In combat]

"Your Majesty!" Wei Zhiren ran over again, "We caught someone!"

"Who?"

"A leader among the Jianchu spies! He confessed..." Wei Zhiren lowered his voice, "This operation was orchestrated solely by Wen Tiren!"

Zhu Youjian sneered, "Just as expected."

He continued examining the system interface:

[Intelligence Analysis:
Wen Tiren colluding with the Jianchu
Plotting rebellion]

"Your Majesty!" Cao Huachun hurried back, "The west city..."

"What is it?"

"Those military supplies..." Cao Huachun gasped, "Not just enough for a thousand men! Also..."

"What else?"

"A large amount of gunpowder!"

A cold gleam appeared in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. "These people are planning a major strike."

The system continued updating:

[Battle Emergency:
Enemy firepower formidable
Recommend immediate reinforcements]

"Issue orders," Zhu Youjian said in a low voice, "Call in the Imperial Guards for support."

"Yes!"

He continued reviewing the system interface:

[Intelligence Station Recommendations:
- Cut off enemy retreat
- Strengthen fire suppression
- Launch full siege]

"Your Majesty!" Wei Zhiren came running again, "Bad news!"

"What now?"

"Those merchants..." Wei Zhiren panted, "They’re about to detonate the gunpowder!"

The system immediately issued a warning:

[Danger!
Gunpowder depot may explode at any moment
Recommend immediate evacuation]

A cold light flashed in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. "Issue orders: stop them at all costs!"

"Yes!"

He continued scanning the system interface:

[Battle Report:
Enemy surrounded
Fiercely resisting]

Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed from afar.

"Boom!"

The entire imperial city trembled.

"Your Majesty!" Cao Huachun came running, "The gunpowder depot..."

"What happened?"

"It exploded!"

Zhu Youjian’s face darkened. "These traitors!"

The system continued updating:

[Battle Emergency:
Enemy breaking through in chaos
Fleeing outside the city]

"Stop them!" Zhu Youjian commanded fiercely.

"Yes!"

The distant flames painted half the sky red. Wei Zhiren shivered at the sight.

Zhu Youjian stood atop the west city ramparts, surveying the battlefield. The fire cast a crimson glow across the heavens amid the clamors of battle.

"Send my decree," he said gravely, "Order the Eastern Depot guards to divide into three squads and encircle from the east, south, and west."

"As you command!" Wei Zhiren took his leave.

Cao Huachun stood beside Zhu Youjian, whispering, "Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace first?"

"No need," Zhu Youjian sneered. "I want to see just how capable these rebels really are."