PC Chapter 50

“Before nightfall, I will definitely bring back the culprit who killed the Young Heir.”

“No way!” As soon as Su Cen finished speaking, the black-robed man, who had been silent for a long time, immediately voiced his objection. “What if he goes back to gather reinforcements? No one here today can be allowed to leave!”

Li Shi glanced at the black-robed man, showing no interest in engaging with him. Instead, he turned to Qi Lin and said, “Chase the dog out.”

“You!” The black-robed man stepped forward, but Qi Lin’s blade was already drawn.

Seeing that the two sides were about to clash, Xiao Yan’s face darkened, and he stepped in front of the black-robed man. “This man is my strategist and is only thinking of my best interests. Let him stay.”

Li Shi didn’t push the matter, raising his hand slightly, and Qi Lin sheathed his sword and stepped back.

Xiao Yan still seemed conflicted. Letting Su Cen go was risky, but he couldn’t stand the thought of his son’s death remaining unresolved. After much deliberation, he couldn’t make up his mind.

Li Shi smiled slowly, “It’s been a few years, and it seems your courage has shrunk. I’m still here—what are you afraid of?”

Finally, Xiao Yan made his decision. Holding the fate of the Great Zhou in his hands, he wasn’t worried that a young man like Su Cen could pull any tricks. Waving his hand, he said, “By nightfall, I want to see the one who killed my Yuancheng.”

Su Cen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately cupped his hands in respect. “I will not fail in this mission.”

“Come,” Li Shi beckoned, and Su Cen hurriedly moved closer, kneeling before him.

Li Shi used the pad of his finger to gently rub the wound at the corner of Su Cen’s mouth and asked, “With these injuries, can you manage?”

Su Cen froze for a moment, the sensation almost feeling like a kiss, with a faint cold sandalwood scent. For a brief moment, he didn’t want to leave. It wasn’t until Li Shi withdrew his hand that he snapped back to reality and nodded. “I will definitely return.”

Li Shi took off the ink jade thumb ring on his hand and slipped it onto Su Cen’s finger. “Investigate freely. The Three Departments and Six Ministries will cooperate with you.”

“Understood.” Su Cen nodded, then turned to Qi Lin with a serious expression, speaking clearly, “Make sure you protect him.”

Qi Lin nodded, and only then did Su Cen turn to leave. His steps were unsteady, and Qi Lin lightly helped him. Su Cen whispered softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Watch out for that strategist.”

Qu Ling’er escorted Su Cen out of the military camp without anyone daring to stop them. However, to reach the main road, they still had to pass through a dense forest. With no carriage or horses, they could only travel on foot.

It was nearly noon, and by the time they reached the city gates, it would likely be afternoon. Qu Ling’er glanced at Su Cen, genuinely impressed. Despite having no real leads, Su Cen had made such bold promises.

Curious, he asked, “Brother Su, where are we going to start investigating?”

Su Cen glanced at Qu Ling’er and replied, “Investigate what?”

“Huh?” Qu Ling’er was confused. “Aren’t we supposed to find the culprit who killed the Young Heir?”

Su Cen smiled at him. “I lied to them. I’m going to get reinforcements.”

“…” Qu Ling’er was left utterly speechless.

Su Cen let out a soft sigh. “The culprit is right by his side. What’s there left for me to investigate?”

He deliberately didn’t mention that he had already sealed off the information early this morning. So aside from him, Xiao Sun, and two jailers, the only person left who knew about Xiao Yuancheng’s death was the murderer. It was clear that Xiao Yan’s intelligence came entirely from that strategist. Even if the strategist didn’t kill Xiao Yuancheng himself, he was definitely involved.

The reason Su Cen hadn’t revealed this was because it was the last bit of leverage he held. He was betting that Xiao Yan wouldn’t let his son’s death go unanswered, which is why he would be released to investigate. If he had spoken up, no matter who Xiao Yan ended up believing, Su Cen would have become worthless.

“What?” Qu Ling’er clearly didn’t understand. Just as he was about to ask further, his expression suddenly became alert. His hand swiftly moved to his waist, and almost simultaneously, his butterfly dart shot out, intercepting two hidden arrows.

Qu Ling’er frowned. “Brother Su, it seems someone doesn’t want us to leave.”

After they had left, Xiao Yan ordered the camp to be tidied, leaving Li Shi sitting at the main seat while he took a subordinate position, providing him with the best tea and service.

Li Shi used the lid of his cup to brush away some tea froth and said, “Now that the youngsters are gone, let’s talk business. What do you want?”

Xiao Yan sat up straight, not beating around the bush. “I want Suzhou and Ganzhou.”

“Hmph,” Li Shi sneered, slamming the tea cup down on the table, causing tea to splash everywhere. He laughed coldly, “It’s not just Suzhou and Ganzhou you want. You’re after the entire Longyou Road, aren’t you?”

During the Wude era, Emperor Taizu unified the land and established ten roads and three hundred prefectures. After expansion and consolidation during the Yonglong and Tianshou eras, this grew to fifteen roads. The Longyou Road, named for its location west of Longshan, borders Qinzhou to the east, crosses the shifting sands to the west, connects to Shu and Tubo in the south, and reaches the northern desert, often dealing with the Tubo and Turkic forces. Its strategic significance is undeniable. More crucially, Longyou Road connects directly to the Guannei Road to the east, meaning that losing Longyou would leave the capital region vulnerable to threats from the Turkic and Tubo forces.

The Suzhou and Ganzhou that Xiao Yan demanded, along with Liangzhou where he was stationed, were the choke points of the Longyou Road. All military supplies and provisions entering Longyou had to pass through these three places. Controlling Suzhou and Ganzhou would also grant him influence over the Anxi and Beiting Protectorates to the west.

“With such a big appetite, I’m afraid you can’t handle it on your own,” Li Shi leaned back in his chair, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Xiao Yan. “How do you plan to split it with the Turks?”

“The territory of the Great Zhou was won by all of us together. I won’t give them land. All they want is tribute.”

“Tribute?” Li Shi laughed coldly. The so-called tribute sounded nice, but in reality, it meant that they would have to provide annual offerings to the Turks. In harsher terms, it would allow the Turks to freely plunder and extort within the Zhou Dynasty’s borders. Li Shi’s gaze grew colder. “The brave General of Wuwei, who once wiped them out without leaving a trace, now licking their boots? The Turks must have a large heart, allowing you to return after slaughtering them back then.”

Xiao Yan, obviously not wanting to dredge up the past, brushed it off and said, “We once fought side by side, so I won’t do anything to you. Just obediently issue a decree handing over Suzhou and Ganzhou, and you can return to being the Regent Prince. I keep my word.”

Li Shi smiled faintly. “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll go back on my word and bring my army to wipe you out instead?”

“You won’t,” Xiao Yan said with confidence. “The Emperor is still young, and you can’t leave his side. Moreover, the little Emperor wouldn’t let you risk yourself in this situation, whether for Longyou or the entire Zhou Dynasty. I believe he can still make the right judgment. Across the entire Zhou, you’re the only one who can truly stand against me. If you don’t take action, I’m confident no one else can take Liangzhou.”

“Times change, Xiao Yan. You’re getting old,” Li Shi said, his gaze drifting out of the tent. “Underestimating the younger generation could cost you.”

Meanwhile, Su Cen and Qu Ling’er were frantically scrambling onto the main road. Covered in dust and dirt, Su Cen was nearly losing one of his shoes. Qu Ling’er wasn’t much better off. Their pursuers were relentless, and he had exhausted all his hidden weapons, sustaining several injuries in the process.

Thankfully, as they reached the main road, the gates of Chang’an became visible in the distance. The road was bustling with traders and travelers, and there were even cavalry patrols safeguarding the capital. The assassins didn’t dare to make a move out in the open, only gritting their teeth from the shadows.

The two, supporting each other, made it inside the city gates. Su Cen glanced back and saw that the assassins had indeed stopped pursuing them. Just as he let out a sigh of relief, a heavy hand suddenly slapped him on the shoulder, almost knocking him to the ground.

Startled, Su Cen turned around quickly, only to be taken aback. The man towering over him was even taller than Qi Lin, blocking out the sky like a mountain. He was muscular, with a body full of bulging muscles, and a hideous scar running across his face, making him look ferocious.

Was the scene at the Eastern Market about to repeat itself?

Su Cen instinctively retreated, but after just two steps, he bumped into someone behind him. He turned and found himself staring into a pair of wolf-like eyes. He looked to Qu Ling’er, who was similarly surrounded by two men, one with a red face and the other with a large beard. Qu Ling’er’s small frame was no match for them.

Were they really about to be robbed at the gates of Chang’an? These bandits were too brazen!

Su Cen swallowed nervously and was about to shout for help when the scar-faced man suddenly grinned at him.

That grin was even more terrifying than the scowl, scaring Su Cen’s cry for help back down his throat.

The man looked at Su Cen and, in broken Mandarin, spoke slowly: “Wu Chiha… Tuo Duo Three Guards… Lord… had us… wait… for Master Su.”

“…” Su Cen tried to translate: “Your name is Wu Chiha, you’re from Tuo Duo Three Guards, and the prince sent you here to wait for me?”

The scar-faced man grinned wickedly and nodded. The scar on his face twisted like a writhing centipede. He raised his hand again, about to slap Su Cen on the shoulder, but Su Cen quickly stepped back. His small frame couldn’t take another blow without falling apart.

The four men formed a human wall, drawing the attention of passersby. Seeing this, Su Cen realized why Li Shi always had Qi Lin accompany him — compared to these guys, Qi Lin seemed almost delicate and refined.

Clearing his throat, Su Cen addressed the four men. “The prince is still in the enemy camp. I need to go to the palace for reinforcements. Please escort me there.”

Though their Mandarin was rough, they understood enough. The leader, Wu Chiha, nodded.

Su Cen then instructed the red-faced and bearded men to take separate tasks: one was to head to Duke Ying’s residence to find Zheng Yang, and the other was to retrieve his official robes from the Su family’s residence. They were to meet at the palace gates.

After assigning the tasks and watching everyone leave, Su Cen had only taken two steps when he noticed Qu Ling’er still standing in place, looking hesitant. Seeing Su Cen turn back, Qu Ling’er finally spoke, “Brother Su, you’re safe here now, and there’s nothing left for me to do… I want to go back.”

Su Cen was slightly taken aback but quickly understood Qu Ling’er’s intention.

Nodding slightly, Su Cen acknowledged his decision. Qu Ling’er grinned, turned around, and left through the city gates.

 

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