Chapter 243: Managing Others Without Being Managed by Others (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 243: Control Others Rather Than Being Controlled By Them

Liu Lang was on the verge of departure, yet seeing Chen Yi standing there with a cold and detached demeanor, he found himself somewhat loath to part.

"Master, you promised me a duel of blades before. I wonder when that might be?"

Chen Yi paused, tilting his bamboo hat slightly upward, and asked with a faint smile, "Are you truly in such desperate haste?"

Liu Lang gave a low chuckle. "In this life, I hold only two passions close to my heart. The first is the pleasure quarters, and the second is the duel of the blade. Therefore..."

Before he could finish, Chen Yi cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Understood."

"On the eighth day of the ninth lunar month, at the first quarter of the hour of the rat, by the banks of the Chishui River—I shall await you."

Liu Lang was momentarily stunned, but upon realizing the words, immense joy washed over him. "Ten days from now?"

"Master, this is the date of your own choosing. You must not break your word."

Chen Yi cast a sidelong glance at him. "I hope you will still be smiling so joyfully when the time comes."

He would have to contest with Liu Lang sooner or later; a bit earlier or a bit later mattered little.

Moreover, with his current martial cultivation and mastery of technique, to say nothing of a guaranteed victory, he harbored confidence in prevailing within ten moves.

Of course, this was predicated on his utilization of the way of the spear.

Were he to employ the blade, he estimated he would require a few more days of diligent practice.

Liu Lang remained entirely unaffected by the warning, his hand reversing to grip the hilt of his saber as he spoke with fervent enthusiasm:

"The victor lives, the vanquished dies. To witness the Dao in such a manner, what absolute exhilaration!"

Chen Yi gave him an exasperated glare. "Begone."

It was merely a bout of mutual sparring, yet how did it transform into a matter of life and death through Liu Lang's lips?

"Understood."

Liu Lang smiled, entirely unbothered, and flicked his form away, blurring through the air toward the residence of the Liu family.

Chen Yi watched him vanish into the curtain of falling rain, shaking his head inwardly.

It was no wonder Liu Lang had forged the moniker of 'Saber Madman' during his wanderings through the northern deserts; his mind was missing more than a few essential strings.

Yet looking on the brighter side, a man like Liu Lang possessed a remarkably pure disposition.

At the very least, he was far easier to deal with than Liu Hong, the Jizhou Trading Firm, or the White Tiger Guards.

At the thought of Liu Hong and the Jizhou Trading Firm, a torrent of thoughts instantly flooded Chen Yi's mind.

Liu Hong, Ma Shuhan, the annual examinations...

Liu Taofang, the Jizhou Trading Firm, the soaring price of grain...

Lin Huai'an, King Landu, heavy iron armor, refined iron...

And the connection between the general stars of the White Tiger Guards and King Landu, among other things.

Every single event that had transpired of late surfaced one by one in Chen Yi's mind like a revolving lantern, rapidly weaving into a vast, intricate web.

They resembled pieces scattered across a chessboard, complex and bewilderingly entangled.

Vaguely, he discerned certain crucial joints within it, as though a single thread were binding these disparate elements together.

Yet it remained profoundly indistinct, failing to run cohesively from beginning to end.

Chen Yi tilted his head back to gaze at the bleak, lightless night sky, permitting the scattered raindrops to strike his face.

"A few clues are still missing, just a few."

"Perhaps I must churn these waters a little."

The art of war dictates: Control others rather than being controlled by them.

The essence lay in mobilizing the enemy, rather than allowing oneself to be mobilized by the enemy.

Only by seizing a degree of initiative could one cause them to turn from order to chaos, from courage to timidity, and from strength to weakness.

Fishing in troubled waters was precisely of this nature.

Chen Yi withdrew his gaze, pulled his bamboo hat slightly lower, and turned his steps toward the Spring Rain Pavilion within the pleasure quarters.

"For a task like muddying the waters, there is no candidate more fitting than the Hidden Guards."

A brief moment later.

Chen Yi quietly arrived outside the Spring Rain Pavilion, studying the courtesan house adorned with lanterns and colored banners.

After the summer grain of the three towns had been incinerated, Xiao Jinghong had led his men to sweep through this place once because Hei Ya and others from the Mingyue Pavilion had concealed themselves within the Spring Rain Pavilion.

Those who deserved arrest were arrested, and those who deserved death were slain.

The Spring Rain Pavilion, now reopened, retained its name, but the proprietor behind the scenes had already changed hands.

As to who it specifically was, Chen Yi had no way of knowing.

Yet judging by the intelligence gathered tonight, since Liu Yuxue could arrange to meet the man from the Kingdom of Poshipo here, it was not difficult to deduce that the Spring Rain Pavilion remained within her grasp.

Chen Yi scanned his surroundings, then stepped into the Spring Rain Pavilion as if no one else were present.

He paid not the slightest heed to how his attire differed from those scholars and refined gentlemen who fancied themselves romantically elegant.

However, the madam and the brothel servants within the doors could not afford to ignore him.

The madam fixed her gaze upon Chen Yi, appraising him for a moment before casting a meaningful look at a male servant.

The servant hastily stepped forward, bowing with a practiced smile as he inquired, "Respected guest, do you seek pleasure, or do you seek a specific person?"

Chen Yi did not halt his pace, removing the bamboo hat from his head and tossing it to the man. "I seek a person, and I also seek pleasure."

Perhaps because his disguised face was incomparably handsome, both the madam and the servant let out a sigh of relief.

"Whom do you wish to find, sir? This small one shall inquire for you."

Chen Yi ignored him, raising his eyes to look toward the upper floor—where the quiet rooms were situated.

Behind one of those walls, the voice of the Tigress, Liu Yuxue, was currently audible, seemingly imparting instructions to someone.

"...Invite the guest in, and avoid the patrons downstairs."

Having overheard a couple of phrases, Chen Yi turned his head to look at the flattering expression of the servant and uttered, "Hei Ya."

The smile on the servant's face froze instantly, and he subconsciously glanced back at the madam who was watching from behind.

The madam caught on immediately, stepping forward with a brilliant, charming smile to subtly nudge the servant aside.

"This guest wishes to find Little Blackie? What a coincidence, that girl has just learned to play the zither; I shall have her attend to you tonight."

She spoke in this manner on the surface to avoid alarming the surrounding patrons.

Yet once she finished, the madam lowered her voice to a whisper: "Sir, Hei Ya is already dead. You have come to the wrong place."

Chen Yi smiled faintly and said, "Then, Lady Liu Yuxue should be present, correct?"

The madam's expression shifted slightly, and she stared at him in astonishment. "You, you..."

Before she could speak further, Chen Yi pointed toward the upper floor. "She has arrived. It seems the person is indeed here."

In the very next instant, Liu Yuxue, dressed in a splendid red gown and exquisitely adorned, appeared behind the balustrade of the third floor.

Just so.

Lou Yuxue’s expression clearly showed some irritation as she lowered her gaze, as if to ask, What brings you here, you mangy dog?

Chen Yi dismissed it with a casual wave. “Shall I go up, or will you come down?”

“Climb up.”

The words were rough, blunt.

Fortunately, Chen Yi didn’t mind such things. He waved goodbye to the renowned sister, and walked straight up the three flights of stairs.

In the distance, he could still hear murmurs from the hall below, people inquiring about Lou Yuxue’s identity. Some, particularly urgent and well-off individuals, had already begun haggling with the sister.

“Could that miss might perform a dance for us this evening? I’ll pay fifty taels of silver.”

“I’ll offer a hundred!”

“Gentleman, forgive me, but that lady is a specialist in music and singing taught exclusively at Chun Yu Lou—”

A chorus of sighs and lamentations followed.

Chen Yi couldn’t help but chuckle, watching Lou Yuxue from afar. “Not unfitting for Lady Yuxue, a hundred taels for a tune.”

Lou Yuxue glared sharply at him. “Come along with me!”

Chen Yi smiled and followed her into the rear chamber.

Surveying the room, he remarked, “There have been some changes here. The willow wood, iron-sinking wood—it’s cost a fair bit of silver.”

Lou Yuxue paid him no heed.

Chen Yi, undeterred, chattered on unabated.

From the chamber’s arrangement to the servants wearing black iron masks, he offered his observations.

“This is the Moon Palace, back in Shu Zhou again? Where are those foreign devils now?”

Lou Yuxue halted, her patience worn thin, and abruptly pulled him into the nearest chamber.

The door shut behind them in an instant. She stared at Chen Yi, her teeth grinding. “Tell me—how did you find me?”

“Tonight’s the first day this place has become the Moon Palace’s stronghold again!”

Chen Yi’s eyes widened in realization, muttering to himself, Ah, no wonder no foreign forces had come. Then he smiled. “Finding you in this Shu Zhou—hardly a thing. Forgot about the wonton shop, didn’t you?”

Lou Yuxue naturally hadn’t forgotten.

Yet her—trained as a White Tiger Guard—had been found so easily, again and again. It was hard to explain.

“You—you say nothing?”

“Want to know?”

Chen Yi circled around her, settling into a chair, and regarded her with relaxed interest. “Not telling you. If it weren’t for the intelligence tip, I’d never have known where she was.”

Though he said it, she probably wouldn’t believe it.

So he decided not to say.

“You—!”

Lou Yuxue glowered at him, yet she could do nothing.

After all, she should’ve been the one in control, yet every time, she was the one who’d been bested by Chen Yi.

After a moment.

Lou Yuxue drew a deep breath. The dim candlelight cast her silhouette against the wall, her form tall and imposing.

Then she sat across from Chen Yi. Her face, painted with dark makeup, regained its composure. “Speak. What brings you here this time?”

“Has what we agreed upon finally come to pass?”

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, surprised she’d quickly regained her composure. After a moment, he continued.

“It’s somewhat, but not entirely.”

Before Lou Yuxue could ask, he went on. “I’ve made some progress on that matter, but I’m still missing a few conditions.”

“I came to ask for your help.”

“Say.”

“How to procure some grain.”

“How much?”

“At least ten thousand sheng, more than enough.”

Lou Yuxue’s eyes widened instantly. “Ten thousand sheng? More than enough? Do you take me for the head of the group?”

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head. “Can’t let the child play with the wolf.”

“We both want to make some silver—there must be something we can use to lure those people in.”

“Those people? Who exactly do you intend to deal with?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Lou Yuxue had an idea. “Grain? You’re after the grain trade?”

“Don’t tell me it’s those few merchants in Dongshi.”

Chen Yi smiled inquisitively. “Why not them?”

“Believe me, the recent fire at the Dongshi grain depot—you’ve heard of it, right? Even a few barbarian slaves dare to attack them. Why can’t we?”

Lou Yuxue’s brow furrowed instantly. “Do you know who they are?”

“The Ji Zhou Commercial Group.”

“You… you know, then why…”

Chen Yi spread his hands, his smile ambiguous. “Of course because they have money.”

Looking at Lou Yuxue, she must know something about the Ji Zhou Commercial Group.

Even if not everything, at least some of it.

Good.

That saved him the trouble of explaining further.

Thinking this, Chen Yi continued. “I’ve heard that, aside from what was burned, they still have over a million sheng of grain.”

“At today’s market price, that’s nearly three million silver taels. Unmoved, are you?”

Upon hearing that number, Lou Yuxue remained unmoved, instead staring at him intently. “I advise you to abandon this plan—it’s too dangerous!”

“How? Are you, a White Tiger Guard official, afraid of the Ji Zhou Commercial Group?”

“Afraid! Of course I’m afraid!”

Do you know what kind of people make up the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank? Do you understand who stands behind them?

Chen Yi, honestly shaking his head: "I don’t know, and I don’t care."

"I only know they have a fortune in silver, and they’re not good people by any means. Better to take that silver and do something more meaningful with it."

The words seemed reasonable, yet full of loopholes. He was merely trying to trade words for information, seeking some intelligence on the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank.

Lou YuXue was about to protest, but seeing his smiling face, she suddenly caught herself.

"You’re trying to trick me?"

"Ah, you caught me."

"You…"

Chen Yi waved his hand, saying, "It’s not entirely a trick on you. I do intend to act against them."

"Don’t tell me you don’t know the mastermind behind the fire that burned the summer grain in the three cities—that’s them."

Lou YuXue’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Them?"

She hadn’t really known this before.

Earlier, it had been Black Ya dealing with those financiers, making her believe it was a hostile clan from Shu Zhou against the Xiao family. Now, upon learning the financiers were from Ji Zhou, she suddenly realized many things.

Especially the recent rise in grain prices in Shu Zhou, and the presence of savage slaves and other riffraffles in the eastern markets.

Had the Lan Du king already struck a deal with the Ji Zhou people?

If so, it would be disastrous!

Chen Yi, unaware of Lou YuXue’s train of thought, nodded. "They are."

Then he showed a sly grin. "My lady, given this piece of information, won’t you offer some kind of response?"

Lou YuXue regained her composure, staring at him for a moment before speaking.

"The matter of Ji Zhou Commercial Bank, I suppose I could tell you about it."

"Though they operate in secrecy and low profile, many within the Wei Dynasty court have heard their name."

"However, due to their being untraceable, even those who know some things dare not reveal them easily."

Chen Yi leaned closer, saying, "So their background must be deep?"

Obviously a rhetorical question.

A group capable of smuggling weapons and high-grade steel from the Wei Dynasty—without powerful backers, they wouldn’t dare even ten fingers.

Lou YuXue nodded. "I’ll say this upfront: telling you this doesn’t mean I agree to help you take them down."

Chen Yi nodded, smiling. "I don’t believe you could watch the silver walk right out of your sight."

Lou YuXue ignored his jest, thinking for a moment before speaking. "The Ji Zhou Commercial Bank does have a presence in Ji Zhou, but their internal structure extends beyond that."

"Impossible to be spread across nine provinces and three prefectures?"

"Not far off."

"Outside the three prefectures of Jiangnan, Guang-Yue, and the capital, they have agents in every corner of the nine provinces."

Chen Yi exclaimed, "Is that true?"

Lou YuXue glanced at him. "Knowing this, you’re already afraid. You can still pull back."

Chen Yi didn’t answer. His smile faded.

Lou YuXue saw he wasn’t giving up, sneering. "Do you know why I’m staying in the Mingyue Tower?"

"Actually, the Mingyue Tower is backed by the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank!"

Chen Yi was truly surprised now.

He hadn’t considered that the renowned Mingyue Tower in the martial world was supported by the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank.

Ah, that explains it.

No wonder Black Ya was so desperate for money, treating wealth like life itself—it didn’t seem like the behavior of someone from the martial world.

They weren’t martial artists after all, but merchants.

A moment of silence.

Chen Yi suddenly laughed. "How interesting. I’ve oversimplified them."

He thought the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank had the backing of the court and noble families, but had forgotten about the martial world.

Saying this, he stared directly at Lou YuXue. "So your task is to investigate the Mingyue Tower or the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank?"

Lou YuXue glared at him. "Telling you this already violates the rules of the Baihu Guard. You want to pry into my mission?"

"Fine. If you won’t say, then I’ll continue talking about the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank."

"That’s it."

Chen Yi paused. "Just that? For example, which of their people are operating in Shu Zhou, or their strategies, or their backers?"

Lou YuXue flushed with embarrassment. "If I knew those things, why would I hide in the Mingyue Tower…"

Halfway through her sentence, she realized her mistake.

But Chen Yi had already caught on, smiling. "Oh, your task is exactly that."

"Damn it!"

(Chapter End)