PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 51.2

“That’s good. There is a pine tree at the second corner of the corridor that you must pass when you walk to the west courtyard. The third stone brick in that corridor is loose. You can press a piece of paper underneath. Yesterday, I left an amulet paper there, the kind of amulet which you can get at any temple. We shall use this for our daily contact. We’ll split the matters into three. First, the gambling house. Second, Liu Ze. Third, Li Xiu’er. To communicate which matter has progressed, just write the number on the paper. If we need to meet, use any temple papers. Write the hour, and we can meet in that temple. Come to me directly if you need to discuss an important matter. Then, push my second sister’s buttons a couple of times afterward. She will come and make a scene, and the matters we say when we meet will naturally be related to the An House.”

Lu Daniang memorized it in her heart and nodded.

“Also, do not spread word about our investigation. Daniang has to be careful to ask people to do things, use a single line of contact, do not involve too many people. We do not know who is trustworthy. If someone asks, do not mention my real name. Say ……” An Ruochen pondered. “Say it is Mr. Ling (?).”

“Mr. Lin (?)?”

T/N : I don’t know if this typo or not, let’s keep it this way for now.

“Yes, and the one who gives me the information about the clues will not be Lu Daniang but Master Tian.”

Lu Daniang wrote them down one by one. After double-checking with An Ruochen about the details of the investigations, she said goodbye.

When she left, she passed by the corridor and observed the stone brick at the second corner. She pretended to look at the pine trees. When no one was around, she squatted down to wipe her shoes, lifted the third stone brick, and saw an amulet underneath. Lu Daniang quickly pulled the paper, stuffed it into her sleeve, put the stone brick back, and left as if nothing had happened.

At this time, Big Long was sitting in the village at the foot of the mountain in Shi Ling County, opposite County Magistrate Wei of Shi Ling County and County Magistrate Chen of Gaotai County. It was one of the essential things that brought him to the Shi Ling Cliff.

The two magistrates looked at each other and were in a difficult position: “We understand what General Long said, but the matter is crucial. The army will enter the villages to prepare for the defense and disturb the people. How can we appease them? How could we dare not report such a big movement to the governor? According to the law, the villages should be closed only during war.”

Big Long said coldly, “I have already arrived here. Is it still not wartime? Does it require the South Qin soldiers to come over and put their swords on your necks before it is considered wartime? This general is not discussing things with you. Rather, this general gave military orders. Shi Ling County is behind the Shi Ling Cliff, and Gao Tai County is right behind it. If the war starts, these two places will be important, so the military needs to make arrangements in advance.”

Chen County magistrate was about to speak but quickly shut his mouth after Big Long swept his eyes over him.

Big Long continued: “The location of the two counties is significant. It concerns the military planning. Even if these movements are huge, we must accomplish them. I put the safety of the people in my heart, so I told you in advance so that you can start the evacuation early. Beginning from today, the military will enter the counties to assist the two lords in settling things within the deadline. Do you understand?”

Big Long waved his hand, and a row of soldiers stood next to the two county officials. One of them raised his baby face and smiled. It was Zong Zeqing.

The two county officials nodded their heads.

Big Long added: “What other questions do the lords have?”

County Magistrate Chen looked at County Magistrate Wei, plucked up his courage, and asked without asking: “However, the responsibility of concealing the matter from the Lord Governor is too much for me to bear.”

“If the governor blames you in the future, take my official letter to him. I will be responsible for everything. It will not be your turn to take responsibility. But if you do not obey the military orders and take unauthorized actions, I am afraid the lords will not have the life to bear it.”

The two county magistrates turned pale.

Big Long said flatly: “Later, when the reward comes, there will be a share for you two.”

The two county magistrates looked at each other, mulling over the issue whether the second half of the sentence was somewhere along the lines: if you do not obey the military orders, you will have no life to receive the reward.

But Big Long said nothing. He just looked at them. They nodded repeatedly and did not dare to say a word. Not only did they not dare to refuse, but they did not even dare to inquire more about General Long’s intentions.

Back in Zhonglan city, after Lu Daniang left, An Ruochen stayed in the Purple Cloud House. After she asked Fang Yuan for advice on stewardship, she went to the training grounds to practice her fist and foot stances. Tian Qing was pointing out the essentials to her. While accompanying her to practice, they started to chat: “What did Lu Daniang want from Miss?”

An Ruochen barely pulled out a sweeping leg movement, only to helplessly watch as Tian Qing playfully lifted his foot and dodged it. An Ruochen squatted on the ground and kicked the air: “It was not her looking for me. I was the one looking for her. My family knows she helped me escape from home, and I was afraid I will drag her down because of it.”

Tian Qing looked sympathetic, turned the topic to An Ruochen’s lack of initiative in fighting, and did not ask about Lu Daniang again.

Later in the evening, An Ruochen received a letter from Big Long. Li Mingyu delivered it. An Ruochen opened and read it. The letter was straightforward, saying that he had arrived and things were going well, and instructing her to study all the skills he taught her.

An Ruochen pondered over it and replied to the letter with only three words: “Yes, I will.”

At noon, Lu Daniang sent some food to Qi Zheng of the Jubao Gambling House. Qi Zheng was delighted. Every time Lu Daniang came, he could eat delicious food. Qi Zheng took Lu Daniang to sit on a stone chair in the backyard of the gambling house and talked to her about family matters. Lu Daniang saw there was no one around and asked him softly, “Are you safe here? I’ve heard something.”

Qi Zheng was stunned and panicked: “What did Daniang hear?”

Lu Daniang also froze. She only wanted to inquire about the relationship between Liu Ze and the casino owner Lou Zhi. But after seeing Qi Zheng’s reaction, she felt he also knew something.

Lu Daniang said, “This time, you must listen to me. You can no longer stay here. Come with me.” She had advised the boy for two years, but the boy refused, could there be something else going on inside?

As expected, Qi Zheng refused again, “No, I won’t go.”

“Why?” Lu Daniang’s face was stern, “How long were you going to keep this from me?”

Qi Zheng lowered his head, hesitated for a long time, and whispered: “Father Yang has been gone for two years. I only have Daniang as my family. I know that Daniang is good to me. I didn’t mean to hide it from you, but this was dangerous. I know you are a good person, and Father Yang often talked to me about his friendship with Uncle Lu. If you knew about this, you would definitely be involved. I didn’t want that to happen.”

Lu Daniang froze. She never thought this would be the reason. She grabbed Qi Zheng’s arm: “Tell me clearly. What is it? What does it have to do with my husband?”

“No, no.” Qi Zheng hurriedly said, “It has nothing to do with Uncle Lu. It’s just that ……” He looked around to make sure no one was there. Then he looked at Lu Daniang, observing her expression. He knew he couldn’t get away this time, so he gritted his teeth and whispered: “There are secrets in this gambling house.”