PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 51.1

An Ruochen straightened her face and asked, “Does Daniang know about the Zhaofu Restaurant?”

“Of course. Old Lu, who supplies the vegetables to the restaurant, is familiar with me. He has the best selection of the best ingredients in the city. Sometimes I need to go to him for some stuff. He is a hard worker and somewhat greedy for profit. Also, Tiezhu, who runs the restaurant, is a child of my neighbor’s cousin, who often goes to my neighbor’s place to send some delicious food. He often greets me.” Lu Daniang paused and said, “Miss, if you need to socialize with important people, I can’t handle it. But I was born and raised in Zhonglan, a genuine Zhonglan citizen. As a woman who wants to make a living, I naturally must deal with all kinds of people in the community. I know a lot of peddlers, village girls, and peasant women.”

“Then, do you know about the Jubao Gambling House?”

“I do. My husband’s comrade in the army broke his arm on the battlefield and was jobless, so he used to guard the door of the gambling house for a living. I used to bring him some food. I knew the people there quite well. Unfortunately, he died of a serious illness last year. He adopted an orphan named Qi Zheng, and the boy remains there as a handyman. The boy is almost fourteen, and I often visit him, intending to help him make a living outside. After all, a gambling house is a chaotic place, it is not a sustainable plan to make a living out of it.”

An Ruochen contemplated for a while, it seems there’s some hope in exploring this path.

“Daniang, these matters I am involved in are related to Xu matchmaker.” An Ruochen told the story, omitting the various contacts between herself and General Long in the middle of the process, only mentioning that the military was alarmed by the involvement of spies. When she reported to the authorities, she begged to serve in the army, so the General took her in. She also told her about the current situation and the clues.

Lu Daniang felt emotional after listening to the story: “The spies probably also took a lot of effort to make Xu Matchmaker control the girls. From the selection to the arrangement, which is not an easy task.”

“They also have people in the military, and they must have arranged people in other places as well.” An Ruochen stressed again, reminding Lu Daniang that the South Qin spy forces were extraordinary.

Lu Daniang’s brain turned fast: “Now, to avoid the prying eyes of the army’s spies and to find out the clues that would allow to identify the spies in Zhonglan City, Miss intends to become like Xu Matchmaker.”

“I have learned from the General and the lords, and I know a little about how the spies act. The spies are now keeping an eye on the military movements and my movements. But they cannot envision us using their techniques to check them out.”

Lu Daniang nodded energetically: “Who will pay attention to the rough ladies, vegetable farmers, and beggars on the street? Miss, I’m not exaggerating. But the eyes and ears on the street are no worse than those in the mansion. Those Generals came from far away and rely on the Governor’s arrangement if they want to operate inside the city, but as Miss said, the power of the spy runs deep. I believe the military also has some concerns. The spies couldn’t achieve this level of infiltration only in a few days. They have become the city’s local snake, and to fight against them, we need the local snake’s help.”

“What Daniang said is correct.” An Ruochen lowered her voice: “We can’t let the military know about this. We can only act in secret. We can catch them only after we find the evidence that exposes them.”

Lu Daniang nodded her head.

“Zhao Jiahua’s illness must be a lie. I’m afraid she’s no longer at liberty to act.”

“I have no dealings with the Liu family. I have no idea how to investigate the affairs of Mrs. Liu for the time being.” Lu Daniang said, “But I can inquire about Boss Liu. Old Lu has been working with him for many years, so he knows him well. And, I can find out about the relationship between the gambling house and the Zhaofu Restaurant.”

“Daniang, you must be careful. This Old Lu routinely travels around various provinces. He can travel outside the county due to his identity as a trader. He will not arouse suspicion if he leaves the city. It is convenient for him to pass on news and items. For the spies, this is a person worth recruiting.”

Lu Daniang suddenly realized: “Miss is right.”

“There are two more clues that require Daniang’s attention.” An Ruochen said, “One is Liu Family’s Nanny Chen and the maid, Ping’er. Zhao Jiahua would not have given her daughter to them if she didn’t trust them. After the incident, Liu Ze said he would send them away. Not two days after that, Liu Yin disappeared. Another, which is also the one I think is the priority, is Li Xiu’er.”

An Ruochen told Lu Daniang about the connection between Li Xiu’er and Zhao Jiahua. She said, “Zhao Jiahua didn’t mind exposing her connection with Li Xiu’er to me. So Li Xiu’er is also a clue. She must know something.”

An Ruochen had already thought of how to deal with Li Xiu’er. Once she relayed the plan to Lu Daniang, Lu Daniang thought it was feasible.

The two discussed these matters in detail, and then An Ruochen said: “When Daniang acts in the neighborhood, you can spread some words out. Say that the South Qin’s and our Daxiao’s current situation is tense. Rumor has it that the government prevented the spies from transporting people and goods everywhere. If they have something dubious on their hands, they must quickly take care of it. Do not be caught with a ready-made handle on yourself. Now the government wants to find some people out to punish them as an example. Killing the chicken for the monkey to see.”

T/N:  ????? (To make an example of someone; to punish someone as an example to frighten others).

“What is this for?”

“Amongst those wealthy merchants and officials, which one of them does not have some dirty business? Some may help Mr. Xie to sneak in and transport things. Those who have ghostly ideas in mind will be on guard. If this matter spreads in the community, everyone will be running to tell each other, and each family will be busy dealing with it. The attention of the community will be on this one thing. My father must also be among them. That old man Lu you spoke of might also be interested in this matter.”

Lu Daniang understood: “This way, I will have something to discuss when I go snooping. Moreover, people will focus more on this matter than on our actions. They would think you will use this opportunity to deal with the An family and ignore Zhao Jiahua.”

An Ruochen nodded: “It may not be effective, but it is good to stir some things up. Daniang, you must spread the word more secretively, do not let people know that the source is you.”

Lu Daniang responded: “This is easy to do, do not worry.”

“Also, you and I can’t see each other too often. We need to maintain our contact as before. Otherwise, it will cause people to be suspicious. I remember that Daniang can read and write?”

“I can read a bit.”

“When you send the vegetables, do you take them directly to the back courtyard, put them in front of the guards, and then take the list of goods to the bookkeeper in the west courtyard?”

“That’s right.”

“When you go to the west courtyard, do any guards follow you?”

“Not necessarily. The guards know that my husband’s family was from the military, so they are concerned about me. Sometimes the vegetables are too heavy, and they help me carry them.”