Green Mountain-Chapter 664 - 521: Zhang Hui

The backyard of Wenyuan Bookstore is much larger than imagined.

Near it were more than a dozen desks, with the four treasures of the study placed on them. In the distance, dozens of craftsmen sat in the corner, carving their pear wood printing blocks.

Qi Zhaoning stood less than half a step away from Lin Chaojing. When Chen Ji's gaze swept over, she slightly raised her chin and met his eyes.

But Chen Ji's gaze didn't linger on Qi Zhaoning; instead, it swept across everyone in the backyard, trying to quickly memorize each face.

He vaguely suspected that many spies from the Military Intelligence Department would come to the Glass Factory today, and these people would surely find an appropriate excuse to cover up their true motive... a literary meeting at Wenyuan Bookstore couldn't be more suitable.

Among the dozens of people present, there might be spies from the Military Intelligence Department.

No, there must be.

At this moment, the fact that the landlord of Wenyuan Bookstore was caught trying to seize the newspaper business didn't make him feel embarrassed; instead, he stepped forward and smiled, cupping his hands: "I am Xu Bin, the landlord of this Wenyuan Bookstore."

Chen Ji glanced at him without speaking.

Shen Ye smiled teasingly, "Were you all just discussing newspaper publishing? Perfect timing, I've brought along an expert in publishing. I believe you all have read the Capital Morning News he worked on. You can consult him if you have any questions."

This remark made the literati turn their heads in displeasure, cursing their bad luck under their breath.

Lin Chaojing suddenly said with a smile, "Brother Shen, you are mistaken. The official gazette has existed since ancient times; it is not unique to the Marquis of Wuxiang. Look at that Brother Qiao Zhan on your left; he has been writing the official gazette since the Jianing 27th Year for five years now. He is the true expert in publishing."

Shen Ye laughed heartily, "So, you all want to publish an official gazette?"

Lin Chaojing chuckled, "Did you come today to speak up for the Marquis of Wuxiang, Brother Shen? I serve as a scholar at the Hanlin Academy with Brother Shen, so I kindly remind Brother Shen that the Marquis of Wuxiang sought favor with the enemy for his temporary safety, wholeheartedly supporting the release of Jing Dynasty's treacherous Yuan Cheng. All literati in the world should sever ties with him!"

Shen Ye feigned astonishment and turned to Chen Ji, "Did the Marquis of Wuxiang really do this? How do I remember that the one presiding over the treaty signing was our Crown Prince?"

Lin Chaojing's expression gradually turned stern. Standing behind the desk, he said coldly, "Brother Shen, don't play dumb. The Crown Prince was also forced. Nowadays, not only are there rumors that the Marquis of Wuxiang accepted bribes from Jing Dynasty, but also that he has an ambiguous relationship with the Jing Princess. How can Brother Shen associate too closely with him?"

Shen Ye replied leisurely, "You also said they are just rumors..."

Chen Ji suddenly interrupted from the side, "No need for more words, Brother Shen. It seems I am not welcome here, so I shall leave on my own, and you all need not ruin the harmony."

With that, he turned and left Wenyuan Bookstore, taking a long breath.

At Wenyuan Bookstore, no matter how many suspicions there are, they are just suspicions. To find Si Caoding, one must rely on Wenchang Bookstore.

But just then, Shen Ye chased out from Wenyuan Bookstore, smiling and saying, "Since my dear brother doesn't wish to stay inside longer, I won't either. Rather than listen to their endless complaints, it's more interesting to be with you... are you heading to Wenchang Bookstore, I shall accompany you."

Chen Ji continued towards Wenchang Bookstore, but his heart resounded like a copper bell. Shen Ye's previously submitted manuscripts were all printed by Wenyuan Bookstore, so why the sudden visit to Wenchang Bookstore today? And Shen Ye had studied in Jinling for several years!

Is he Si Caoding?

No, the age doesn't match. Si Caoding became famous twenty years ago when Shen Ye was still a child.

So, could he be a spy under Si Caoding?

Chen Ji spoke calmly, "How does Brother Shen know I am going to Wenchang Bookstore?"

Shen Ye laughed heartily, "Your stay at Wenchang Bookstore for a month is no secret; everyone says after being adopted by the Chen family, you intend to take the Imperial Examination and study diligently. I've also heard that the Chen family intends to invite a Great Scholar to teach you."

Chen Ji rubbed the hilt of a short knife inside his sleeve and asked again, "Brother Shen, you were invited today to see Mr. Wen Xu's personally penned inscriptions. Following me to Wenchang Bookstore now, wouldn't you regret it? Most of the books there are counterfeit; there's nothing special about them."

Shen Ye smiled and said, "No problem, no problem. Wenchang Bookstore is famous, but I've never been there, so it's just right to take a look."

With that, he disregarded Chen Ji's objections and pulled him towards Wenchang Bookstore.

Crossing the threshold into Wenchang Bookstore, Shen Ye smiled and said, "You may go and study, I'll wander around here."

Chen Ji stood behind a bookshelf, silently watching Shen Ye from between the book spines as he looked around. Following Shen Ye deeper into the store, Chen Ji moved along the shelves, his gaze fixed on Shen Ye.

Shen Ye marveled at the books on the shelves, "The books at Wenchang Bookstore are even more comprehensive than those at Wenyuan Bookstore, they even have Luoxi Cottage Notes?"

He picked up a book, leafed through it, then tucked it under his arm and proceeded forward.

Once Shen Ye had taken a full tour of Wenchang Bookstore, he suddenly walked straight to the counter and asked the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, do you have..."

Chen Ji's mind tensed, ready to act the moment Shen Ye mentioned the Four Books with Chapter Notes.

In the next moment, Shen Ye asked, "Shopkeeper, do you have Ten Questions of Zhou and Du?"

Chen Ji's frown gradually relaxed.

The shopkeeper replied, "Yes, guest, we do."

Shen Ye was puzzled, "Do you? How come I didn't see it just now?"

The shopkeeper walked out from behind the dark red counter, went to the third row of bookshelves, and took down a blue-covered book: "Here, this one."

Shen Ye looked at the book titled Li's Ten Questions but upon opening it, it was indeed the text of Ten Questions of Zhou and Du, finding it amusing, "Shopkeeper, your books are quite well hidden."

The shopkeeper smirked, "Guest, it's alright as long as the text matches." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Shen Ye tucked two books under his arm and headed to the backyard, "Do you have old rock tea? I'll read for a while here."

The shopkeeper courteously replied, "Yes, yes, we'll get you a pot... Shi San, take the guest to the elegant seat in the backyard, a pot of old rock tea, a plate of melon seeds and candied fruit."

Through the gaps in the bookshelf, Chen Ji saw that the lamp-lit Shi San was emerging from the backyard, looking like a servant in a gray cotton outfit, leading Shen Ye to the backyard.

As they were about to exit the main hall, Shen Ye lifted the curtain and suddenly turned around to look for Chen Ji's figure.

Chen Ji immediately bowed his head, pretending to flip through a book.

Shen Ye shouted, "Brother Chen Ji, I'm heading to the backyard to flip through the books first, you can come when you find your book."

Chen Ji looked up and agreed, "Brother Shen, please go ahead."

It was only after Shen Ye disappeared behind the bamboo curtain that his gaze finally calmed down as he watched the swaying curtain.

The shopkeeper came to Chen Ji's side and quietly asked, "Could it be him?"

Behind the shopkeeper's face came Aunt Ping's voice, even her posture and demeanor were exactly the same as the shopkeeper Chen Ji had seen before.

Chen Ji whispered, "Hard to say, let's wait a bit longer."

Shen Ye didn't mention the Four Books with Chapter Notes earlier, but perhaps the other party is just trying to probe further, which might not mean anything. Chen Ji's suspicion towards Shen Ye was growing strong, but the fact is, this person is the newly crowned top scorer, making it difficult to arrest and interrogate him.

Aunt Ping returned to the counter, continuing her role as the shopkeeper as if nothing had happened.

Chen Ji silently waited behind the bookshelf until noon, when Shen Ye put down the book and came out from the yard, calling to Chen Ji, "Brother, come join me for lunch, I know a good Shandong restaurant at the Glass Factory, used to go there often when I first arrived in the Imperial Capital."

Chen Ji kept his head down reading, not even lifting his head, "Brother Shen, please go ahead, I'm deeply engrossed and can't bother with eating now."

Shen Ye didn't force the issue, only joked with a smile, "Brother, if you participated in the Imperial Examination, what use would there be for me? I'm heading off, will come back later to accompany you."

Chen Ji watched Shen Ye's departing figure, puzzled, could it be that this person came to Wenchang Bookstore purely because of his friendship with him?

After Shen Ye went for lunch, he didn't return. The Wenchang Bookstore was calm without any unusual movements.

Watching the sky gradually change, Chen Ji's mood sank deeper, could it be that Si Caoding, after three probes, still doesn't believe the Capital Morning News? Or perhaps the person was busy today and hasn't had time to look at the gazette?

But today was the last day agreed upon with the Prime Minister, Chen Ji had to catch Si Caoding.

Until the afternoon at 1:00 PM, two short and lean men stepped over the threshold, after entering they dispersed to the left and right, each guarding the most open locations, watching everyone in the bookstore with fierce eyes.

Chen Ji kept his head down reading, yet his gaze suddenly sharpened.

They have arrived.

At this moment, one of the men, after observing for a long time, finally approached the counter and asked straightforwardly, "In the twelfth year of Jia Ning, there was a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue in the Imperial Capital, what was his name?"

Chen Ji was not far from the counter, finding the question peculiar.

The officials in the Ministry of Revenue in the Imperial Capital numbered in the hundreds, and including "supplementary officers", the number wouldn't stop at a thousand. To ask for the name of a Ministry of Revenue clerk without mentioning characteristics or specific jurisdiction, who could know what it's called?

No, wrong.

This particular Ministry of Revenue clerk must be extremely special, perhaps a key figure that neither Si Caoding nor Si Caobing can forget...

Chen Ji quietly looked towards Aunt Ping, these two men were spies paving the way for Si Caoding; if Aunt Ping couldn't answer, perhaps the day was wasted waiting. From thereafter, Si Caoding would be like a startled bird, and it would be very difficult to find him again.

But how could Aunt Ping possibly answer?

Aunt Ping, standing behind the counter, slowly opened her mouth, "Zhang Hui."

Chen Ji was taken aback, Aunt Ping actually answered?

Only to see the man nod, "Wait a moment."

With that, he turned and left, shortly after protecting a chubby figure who stepped over the threshold and entered the door.

Upon seeing this person, Chen Ji immediately retreated behind the bookshelf, using the book to shield his face.

The person who arrived, he had indeed seen before, it was clearly the Divine Chief Eunuch Commander of the Twelve Imperial Supervisors of the Inner Court. Earlier during the Silkworm God's ritual, Chen Ji, to vent for Bai Li, even publicly whipped his face.

Because of this, Chen Ji had inquired about this person, initially served at the Jinling Palace, later valued by Chief Eunuch Wang Bao and transferred to the Imperial Capital to serve, for thirty-two years, becoming the Divine Chief Eunuch Commander.

This person originally intended to be transferred as Salt Field Commander, but was suppressed by the Prime Minister, forced to sit in the Divine Chief Eunuch position for over ten years.

Chen Ji heard that on the day of the Jingyang Palace fire, this person attempted to join forces with Xuanzhen to kill Bai Li, but was stopped by the Empress and then protected by Wu Xiu.

Is this person Si Caoding?