Chapter 48 Departure for Licheng

Duan Jing flicked the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand, unable to suppress his surging high spirits. Duan Yue, meanwhile, burst into hearty laughter. "Those people probably never dreamed in their wildest nightmares that we would get our hands on such an ample amount of wealth."

Duan Jing also curled the corners of his mouth, wearing an expression of high satisfaction. "Still, we need to dispatch people out."

"Indeed, absolutely." Duan Yue voiced his agreement. However, whether those dispatched would be vanguards or a merchant caravan remained a mystery to outsiders.

***

Duan Yue stood at the city gate, watching Zhou Hu's merchant caravan gradually recede into the distance. The caravan consisted of thirty sturdy soldiers dressed in coarse cloth garments and carrying bamboo baskets, looking indistinguishable from ordinary itinerant peddlers. Zhou Hu walked at the very front with a steady stride. Duan Yue watched them until they vanished onto the distant main highway, his heart gradually settling.

"I hope everything goes smoothly," Duan Yue muttered to himself, turning around to head back into the city.

The people inside the manor had already begun to bustle about. Ever since Duan Yue and the others brought back that sum of wealth, the prospects for surviving the winter had finally taken a favorable turn. The grain crisis was temporarily alleviated, and everyone's spirits had lightened considerably. Duan Yue walked along the city streets; even though the surroundings still retained a desolate air, he couldn't help his pleasant mood.

When Duan Yue returned to the estate, Duan Jing was sitting in the study, holding a scroll of a map with his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly deep in thought. Seeing Duan Yue enter, Duan Jing looked up and smiled faintly. "Elder brother, has the caravan set off?"

"Mm, Zhou Hu is leading the team—twenty elite soldiers disguised as peddlers. It shouldn't draw too much attention." Duan Yue walked over to the desk, lowering his head to look at the map in Duan Jing's hand. "What are you looking at?"

"The map of Licheng." Duan Jing unfolded the map entirely, pointing to a mountain range upon it. "The terrain of Licheng is perilous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. If we were to rashly send troops, we would likely suffer heavy casualties. Fortunately, we won't need to attack Licheng."

Duan Yue also felt lingering fear. His gaze fell upon the map, and after pondering for a moment, he asked, "Who is the garrison commander of Licheng?"

"According to reports from our scouts, it is Sun Chong. This man is cautious in nature and strict in military discipline." Duan Jing believed this point could serve as a breakthrough. "However, his father has an obsessive love for rare treasures."

"Then your meaning is...?" Duan Yue looked at Duan Jing with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Duan Jing smiled slightly, a flash of shrewdness crossing his eyes. "Elder brother, do you still remember that batch of goods we previously seized from those mountain bandits?"

"You mean those silks and teas?" Duan Yue was startled for a moment before instantly grasping Duan Jing's intent. "You want to make use of this batch of goods?"

"Precisely." Duan Jing decided to sacrifice this inventory. "Although Sun Chong is strict in governing his troops, he has a weakness—his father. He is exceptionally filial, even to the point of blind devotion. We can utilize these goods, disguise ourselves as a merchant caravan, and knock on the doors of Licheng to trade for a sufficient quantity of refined grain."

"A brilliant strategy!" Duan Yue had absolute, unreserved trust in Duan Jing.

Duan Jing put away the map and stood up. "Elder brother, this is the best method. If someone were to suddenly purchase grain in massive quantities, it would inevitably draw attention. It is far better to pose as a merchant caravan that conducts trade year after year, exchange for enough fine grain, and then head to Hongcheng—a major grain-producing city—to acquire an even greater supply."

Duan Yue closed his eyes briefly, recalling the distance to Hongcheng. "Have you considered just how far Hongcheng is from here? It's going to snow soon. Even if we manage to secure enough grain, what will we do if we get blocked on the road by the snow?"

Duan Jing produced a booklet which recorded the historical climate patterns of Pingcheng. "There is always a transitional period after the first snow in early October. As long as we can seize this window of opportunity, we can transport the grain back."

Duan Yue took the booklet and examined it thoroughly. "Very well, we will do as you say. I will go arrange the personnel right away and prepare the second caravan."

After Duan Yue left the study, Duan Jing sat back down at the desk, his gaze once again falling upon the map of Licheng. His fingers gently traced several main roads on the map, his brows knitting together slightly as if pondering something. After a moment, he picked up a brush, marked several points on the map, and then opened the climate record booklet again, carefully cross-referencing dates and weather changes.

"After the early October snow, there is indeed a transitional period, but it won't last long," Duan Jing muttered to himself softly. "If the caravan can arrive in Hongcheng before mid-October and return before the early November snow seals the roads, the time should be sufficient."

He closed the booklet and stood up, walking over to the window. Outside, the sky was gradually darkening, and the distant mountain peaks appeared exceptionally desolate in the twilight.

"I hope everything goes smoothly," he murmured under his breath.

***

Meanwhile, Duan Yue had already summoned several trusted generals and begun arranging preparations for the second caravan. Standing in the council hall, his gaze swept over the assembled men, and he said in a deep voice, "This operation is of utmost importance; we must ensure nothing goes wrong. Zhou Hu has already led his team out, and the second caravan will be led by Duan Jing. You must ensure all supplies are prepared within three days."

Duan Jing stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, "General, rest assured. This subordinate will not fail your trust."

Duan Yue nodded and continued, "The key to this operation remains disguise. You must pose as ordinary peddlers and arouse no suspicion whatsoever. Especially upon entering Licheng, exercise extreme caution and do not expose your identities."

"Understood!" the men replied in unison.

Duan Yue waved his hand to signal them to withdraw, leaving only Duan Jing behind. He walked over to Duan Jing's side and said in a low voice, "Zhongxuan, the risks of this mission are not small. You must exercise the utmost caution. Should any sudden emergencies arise, prioritize preserving your own safety above all; do not stubbornly force a confrontation."

Duan Jing nodded solemnly. "Elder brother, rest assured, Zhongxuan understands."

A trace of concern lingered in Duan Yue's tone. "Go then, and be careful in all things."

Having just finished dealing with matters concerning crop rotation, Jiang Bai returned to the manor only to hear the news that Duan Jing was about to leave again. Jiang Bai was nearly at her wit's end—couldn't the three Duan brothers find someone else to go for once? Were the strategists just for show? Were the subordinates just for show? Now, whether she wanted to manage it or not, she had no choice. Turning on her heel, Jiang Bai went off to find Duan Yue.

***

Three days later, the second caravan departed on schedule. Leading forty elite soldiers disguised as peddlers and carrying a batch of silks and teas, Duan Jing set off in the direction of Licheng. The caravan's pace was not fast, and along the way, they would periodically stop to converse with passing merchants and gather news.

Several days later, the caravan led by Zhou Hu smoothly arrived at a small town near Licheng. They rested here briefly, preparing to enter the city the following day. Zhou Hu stood by the inn window, gazing at the distant city walls of Licheng, mentally calculating their next moves.

"Brother Zhou, are we really going to enter the city?" A young soldier walked up to Zhou Hu's side and asked in a low voice.

Zhou Hu nodded, his gaze resolute. "We must enter the city. This is the general's order, and it is also our only chance to acquire grain."

"We've clashed with Sun Chong before. What if they recognize us?" the young soldier asked with some apprehension. When they had passed through the southwest on their way to Pingcheng, they had run into Sun Chong's faction. A battle had ensued, ending in a draw where neither side could gain the upper hand, allowing both to eventually retreat and extricate themselves.

Zhou Hu smiled and patted his shoulder. "Rest easy. All of us selected for this team have never been seen by Sun Chong. As long as everyone follows the original plan, there won't be any problems."

***

Early the next morning, the caravan set off for Licheng. The guards at the city gate conducted a routine inspection, and Zhou Hu handled it with composure, successfully passing through the checkpoint. Once inside the city, the caravan dispersed into various markets according to pre-arranged plans to begin purchasing goods.

Zhou Hu, accompanied by several trusted subordinates, headed to the largest restaurant in the city. By the time Zhou Hu had successfully entered Licheng, Duan Jing's vanguard team had also arrived safely.

"Brother Jing, ahead is Licheng," a soldier reminded him in a low voice.

Duan Jing looked up and saw the outline of a distant city gradually becoming clear. The city walls were towering, and the flow of people coming and going at the gates made it appear quite bustling. He nodded and gave a low instruction, "Everyone be careful and act according to the plan."

The caravan slowly approached the city gate, and the guarding soldiers stepped forward to inspect them. Chen Tao stepped forward with a face full of smiles, cupped his fists, and said, "Official, we are a merchant caravan from Shucheng, carrying some silk and tea. We wish to enter the city to conduct some trade."

The soldier eyed them up and down, inspected the cargo, and after confirming everything was in order, waved a hand. "Go on in."

Chen Tao heaved a sigh of relief, leading the caravan smoothly into Licheng. The streets inside were wide, lined with shops on both sides, presenting a prosperous scene. As Duan Jing and his men walked, they secretly observed their surroundings. He noted that the guards within the city were not exceptionally strict, but patrols of soldiers passed by at regular intervals, proving that Sun Chong's military discipline was indeed strict.

"Brother Jing, where are we heading now?" a soldier asked in a hushed tone.

Duan Jing pondered for a moment and whispered, "First, go find Zhou Hu and the others, then send someone to scout out the location of Sun Chong's residence and verify whether his father's preferences are correct."

That very evening, Duan Jing and Zhou Hu successfully rendezvoused, and the dispatched scouts brought back accurate information. Old Master Sun, Sun Chong's father, indeed had an obsessive love for rare treasures, especially favoring collections of exquisite silk and tea. Hearing the report, a flash of joy crossed Duan Jing's eyes. "Just as expected. It seems our plan can proceed smoothly."

***

Early the next morning, Zhou Hu and several soldiers, disguised as peddlers, went to visit the Sun residence. They brought several bolts of top-quality silk and a jar of precious tea as courtesy gifts. The steward of the Sun residence ushered them into the front hall, and a moment later, Old Master Sun came out to receive them personally.

"I hear you've brought top-tier silk and tea?" Old Master Sun looked at Duan Jing and the others with a beaming smile.

Zhou Hu stepped forward promptly and bowed respectfully. "Indeed. These are rare treasures our caravan brought back from the south, specially offered for Old Master's appreciation."

Old Master Sun accepted the silk, carefully felt its texture, inhaled the fragrance of the tea, and nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad, truly top-grade goods. What is it that you wish to trade for?"

Zhou Hu smiled faintly and cupped his fists. "Old Master is truly straightforward. Our caravan's purpose in coming here is primarily to trade for some fine grain. We heard that the fine grain of Licheng is of superior quality; I wonder if Old Master might grant us a convenience?"

Old Master Sun pondered for a moment, then laughed. "Easily done, easily done. I am very satisfied with the goods you brought; the matter of fine grain is on me."

A wave of joy washed over Duan Jing, and he quickly expressed his gratitude. "Many thanks to Old Master for your grace."

Over the next few days, Zhou Hu's caravan successfully exchanged for a large quantity of fine grain. They transported the grain out of Licheng in batches and concealed it at a hidden location outside the city.

"Brother Jing, the fine grain has already been successfully acquired over there. The next step is to transport it to Hongcheng," Chen Tao reported in a low voice, standing behind Duan Jing.

With things going smoothly, Duan Jing's mood improved considerably. "This plan is indeed viable. However, Hongcheng is a long distance from here, and unexpected events are bound to happen along the way. We should purchase all necessary supplies right here and make thorough preparations."

Chen Tao and Zhou Hu acknowledged the order and headed out. Sitting at the desk, Jiang Bai motioned for Duan Jing to sit across from her. Having followed Duan Jing to Licheng, Jiang Bai wanted to keep an eye on him to prevent any further mishaps. At the same time, this presented a prime opportunity: under the protection of the caravan, she could safely investigate the conditions of Licheng and Hongcheng. If conditions here proved superior to Pingcheng, she would bring Jiang Ye to settle down here.

Duan Jing took a map out of his sleeve and unfolded it on the table. "Jiang Bai, what do you think of this route? We bypass the main highways and take minor paths. Although the distance is slightly longer, it is more covert and less likely to be discovered."

Jiang Bai carefully examined the map and affirmed Duan Jing's idea. "Though it will take a bit more time on the road, we can easily make it in time. By the time we return, the first snow will have nearly finished falling. The early snow doesn't stick long; once it melts, apart from being slightly muddy, it won't delay our journey at all."

"Then let's head back before the heavy snow falls." After confirming the plan with Jiang Bai, Duan Jing put away the map. "Jiang Bai, are you adapting well to the journey?"

"I'm fine, completely adapted." Jiang Bai neatly cleared a space on the table, placed down a wrist pillow, and signaled Duan Jing to let her take his pulse.

Duan Jing obediently rested his wrist on the pillow. Jiang Bai's fingertips gently pressed against his pulse, her brows furrowing slightly as if carefully sensing something.

"Your pulse is still somewhat floating and deficient, and your kidney qi has diminished quite a bit." Her gaze fell upon Duan Jing's slightly fatigued face, and she quietly channeled a wisp of her ability into him. "You look very tired. Would you like to rest for a while right now? There's still quite a long stretch of road ahead to Hongcheng, and you won't get proper rest on the way."

Duan Jing shook his head. "No need. If I sleep now, I'm afraid I won't sleep tonight."

Withdrawing his wrist, Duan Jing gently massaged his temples. Though his gaze held a trace of exhaustion, his tone remained firm. "It's fine, I can hold on. Matters over in Hongcheng cannot be delayed; we must hurry over as soon as possible."

Jiang Bai glanced at him, her brows still not smoothing out. She stood up, walked over to the medicine chest to the side, rummaged through it for a moment, and retrieved a small packet of powder, handing it to Duan Jing. "This is medicine to nourish Qi and calm the mind. Take it first, and we can slowly regulate your body along the way. You cannot stubbornly push your limits; otherwise, before we even finish things in Hongcheng, you'll collapse first."

Duan Jing accepted the medicine packet and smiled. "You always worry so much. Rest assured, I know my limits."

Jiang Bai said no more, quietly packing up the medicine chest and turning away to check on the health of the others. Duan Jing watched her retreating figure, a slight warmth blossoming in his chest.