"Brother Yan, you are really miserable this time. The family fortune you have accumulated for so many years was actually burned down by Li Jiangyao."
"All of this is easy to say. Money is an external possession and is nothing. It's just that Li Jiangyao also killed Taro Sawakawa. If the emperor's important events are delayed, I will be blamed for his death."
"Indeed. You have to hurry up on this matter. The Imperial Capital is still waiting for news."
"Please rest assured, Mr. Zheng, I am trying to find a solution."
"Can you tell Zheng what good solutions are available at the moment?"
"To tell you the truth, the current problem is really troublesome. Originally, the Japanese had a secret stronghold in Changzhou, and I usually communicate with them there. However, now that the Zhenjiang Army has approached Changzhou, they may besiege the city at any time. I don’t dare to go there easily.”
"Is there no other way? Over there in Hangzhou?"
"It is true that there are Japanese craftsmen in Hangzhou, but they are not the same as Zechuan. I am worried that if the news is leaked, it will affect the previous plan."
"Obviously, you should be more cautious. According to what you said, it is difficult to contact the other party now, isn't it?"
"I'm going to go to Jiangyin. Maybe I can gain something."
"Jiangyin, Jiangyin...you mean, through Bao Yuchun's Kuohai Fleet?"
"Absolutely. Zechuan mentioned to me that there is a person in the Kuohai Fleet who is related to him. In case of emergency, you can go to that person."
"Okay, in that case, Zheng will not delay Brother Yan. You must be careful when you go to Jiangyin. There are only the remnants of the rebel navy there, and they will also be attacked by the Kunpeng Army at any time."
"Well, it's better than being besieged in Changzhou. Mr. Zheng, please report to the emperor. I will do my best and live up to my trust."
"That's for sure. The emperor also knows that Brother Yan is loyal and worthy of such a big responsibility, so he entrusts you with such an important mission. Oh, by the way, you should also pay more attention to Li Jiangyao's whereabouts. It's best to take advantage of the opportunity. Take advantage of the opportunity he has here and use the hands of the rebels to get rid of him to avoid serious trouble."
Yan Chongxi smiled bitterly: "Kill Li Jiangyao? Alas, I'll be lucky if he doesn't kill me. Mr. Zheng, since Li Jiangyao dares to show up behind enemy lines, it means that he is not afraid of the rebels at all. Now Lao Jianhua and others are in decline, We are about to run out of energy, so why should we get rid of the general guardian of the Zhenjiang Army? Do we seek death in advance? In my opinion, it is better to avoid provoking that evil star less."
Mr. Zheng nodded when he heard this. He didn't say anything more. He just patted Yan Chongxi's shoulder gently, then boarded the car and left.
After the other party left, Yan Chongxi sighed quietly, then took off his outer clothes and put on a set of plain robes.
Since he learned martial arts and came down to join the world, with his ruthless character and sinister methods, he has managed to build up such a large business and gain a foothold in Jiangnan. He is even very comfortable in front of the emperor and Lao Jianhua.
Unexpectedly, one day I was unlucky and met Li Jiangyao out of nowhere, and ended up in this miserable situation out of nowhere.
To be honest, Yan Chongxi wanted to tear him apart now, but he still had a trace of reason and knew very well that a terrifying existence like Li Jiangyao could not be treated as an enemy at all, otherwise he would have to die very ugly.
This is like an elephant crushing a rabbit's nest with one foot. As a rabbit, you should have the consciousness of a rabbit, instead of going to the elephant with a kitchen knife to fight.
That's not desperate, that's risking one's life.
Yan Chongxi did not want to die. All he wants is to serve the emperor or do things for the rebels, and then exchange for their secret support to continuously strengthen his own strength.
That's all.
In other words, if the commander-in-chief of the Zhenjiang Army is willing, he, Yan Chongxi, can still work for Li Jiangyao.
Now, Yan Chongxi has a very important task: to negotiate with the Japanese bandits on behalf of Emperor Li Bing and implement an extremely secretive plan.
If the matter is completed, not to mention being promoted to a higher position, or rising to prominence, at least after the imperial court pacifies the south, his position here will be more stable, and he can even do whatever he wants.
Because of this, he had to disguise himself and venture to Jiangyin to find Taro Sawakawa's hidden stake there.
-
Among Li Jiangyao's escorts, there are two accompanying liaison officers from the Intelligence Department. Their duty is to communicate with the Intelligence Department and provide the Imperial Guard with enemy intelligence information at any time.
Li Jiangyao led his team back to the vicinity of Batuou, and while resting in hiding, he asked the intelligence officer to release carrier pigeons, contact the Zhenjiang Army Intelligence Department, and ask for information related to Yan Chongxi.
The next evening, the homing pigeon returned successfully, bringing the information needed by the governor.
After Li Jiangyao read it, he couldn't help but frowned: This Yan Chongxi is indeed extraordinary.
According to a report from the Intelligence Department, Yan Chongxi was indeed born into the Yan family in Ganzhou, and was of the same clan as Yan Huiqing, the general of the auxiliary state. This man was smart since he was a child, and passed the examination as a scholar at the age of thirteen. Since then, he has been helping the family with the business, practicing literature and martial arts, and is quite talented.
When he was twenty-one years old, Yan Chongxi was escorting a batch of goods to the south. However, he was robbed by bandits on the way. Not only was the goods robbed, his concubine was raped and murdered, but he also almost died. After Yan Chongxi narrowly escaped death, he went to Wudang Mountain alone to learn martial arts in a rage.
In seven years, he learned enough to go down the mountain and return to the world. He directly found the gang of bandits who had robbed him. He killed fifty-two people in a row and cut off their heads and hung them on a roadside tree for public display.
Because the attack was too ruthless, Yan Chongxi was worried that the government would pursue him and could not return to his hometown, so he went to Batouao Town, where his mother's natal family was located, to join his grandfather and uncle, and started a silk and satin business from scratch.
In a few years, this guy became very successful and gradually became an industry leader in the Jiangnan area, with great prestige.
Of course, there are all kinds of dirty tricks behind this, otherwise it would not be possible to rise so quickly.
In addition, the Intelligence Department reported that the intersection between Yan Chongxi and Emperor Li Bing may have occurred before the imperial court prepared to move to the imperial capital. During that time, Yan Chongxi went to Luoyi to discuss business. According to analysis, he was probably spying on intelligence for the rebels, but somehow he got in touch with Li Bing again.
As for colluding with Japanese bandits. Yan Chongxi has been engaged in overseas silk trade, so he did have the opportunity to deal with pirates. However, Japanese pirates are also divided into many factions. Which party the Taro Sawakawa he met belongs to? Since the Intelligence Department has never been involved in Kuohai intelligence before, it is impossible to make an accurate judgment.
Li Jiangyao took out the fire certificate, burned the secret letter, and turned to Han Wenhao and said: "If Yan Chongxi wants to find the contacts of the Japanese pirates, there are only three places to go. One is Changzhou, one is Hangzhou, and the other is Jiangyin." .Guess where he will go?"
Han Wenyao scratched his head: "This is too difficult to guess. I can't think of it."
"In fact, it's not difficult," Li Jiangyao smiled: "Changzhou will soon be attacked by Du Jian and the others. As long as the attack starts, the city will be besieged. If Yan Chongxi goes there, he might be trapped in the city, which is equivalent to trapping himself."
"Although Hangzhou is safe for the time being, it is more than three hundred miles away from here and can easily delay his important events, so it is not the best choice."
"I understand!" Han Wenhao responded: "He will probably go to Jiangyin! It is not more than forty miles from here to Jiangyin, which is convenient and safe. Moreover, it is very close to the mouth of the river, which is a must for Japanese pirates to come and go. Through the road.”
Li Jiangyao nodded slightly: "The question now is, who is he going to find in Jiangyin? How can we find him in such a big place."
Han Wenhao said: "This is simple. Send people to guard the city gate and dock. As long as Yan Chongxi really goes there, there will be a chance to find him."
The intelligence officer next to him said: "Master Protector, the Intelligence Department also has an undercover team in Jiangyin. It has been in operation for more than a year. They are familiar with the people and can help."
"Okay, then let's go to Jiangyin," Li Jiangyao said with a smile: "First, we will look for that guy Yan Chongxi, and second, we will explore the enemy situation in Jiangyin."
Everyone agreed, got on their horses, determined the direction, and headed towards Jiangyin in the northeast.
Since the journey was not too far, Li Jiangyao and the others arrived at their destination quickly. Entering the city, the intelligence officer led the way and took everyone to the secret stronghold of the Intelligence Department here.
The spy captain here didn't expect the Protector to come in person, so he couldn't help being surprised and happy. While he politely greeted the white-robed brothers to eat and rest, he ordered his men to set up light and dark sentries outside to ensure the safety of most of the guards at the stronghold.
Li Jiangyao took the hot tea offered by the captain's hands and asked with a smile: "I think you look familiar."
"Reporting to the Chief Protector, I was formerly a member of the Metasequoia City Guards. I first followed you and fought against the horse bandits and the Iron Pigeon Army." The captain smiled naively, and his eyes became a little moist.
Li Jiangyao was stunned when he heard this: "Are you from the garrison? Ma Mu's soldier? That's the senior qualification of our Zhenjiang Army. Why are you here?"
The captain smiled and said: "To be honest with the Protector, Bei Zhi is a timid person and is always not very effective on the battlefield. Later, Lord Situ saw that Bei Zhi was quite clever, so he asked me to leave the army and follow him to take care of government affairs. Later, Lord Yudala felt that a humble position was suitable for spying on intelligence, so...hehe, I went round and round, and finally ended up here."
Li Jiangyao heard what he said was interesting and couldn't help laughing: "No matter where he is, he is serving for the Xinjiang Army. He is a brave man who goes deep into the enemy camp. Brother, what is your name?"
"Bizhi's original name was Sha Gouzi, Master Situ changed it to a better name, Sha Cunxiao."
Li Jiangyao nodded: "Cunxiao, what identity are you using as a cover here?"
"Still doing business." Sha Cunxiao replied: "I do some of the two most profitable businesses here, silk and tea."
Li Jiangyao's eyes lit up: "Silk business? Have you heard of Yan Chongxi?"
Sha Cunxiao nodded: "Boss Yan is very famous in the silk and satin industry. I have not only heard of him, but also met him before. Oh, by the way, Yan Chongxi happened to come to Jiangyin yesterday."
