Chapter 141: Chapter 124: Yizhou City (Part 2)

However, there were still a small number of people who forged a new path. Though due to issues with material selection and proportions, they couldn’t replicate the original formula, it was precisely this erroneous concoction that, after consumption, led them into a profound and mysterious realm.

Thus, in the pursuit of that enigmatic and sublime state, this golden stone medicine powder gained popularity among refined and cultured individuals.

Yet, Jiang Wenyuan did not think much of this concoction, as it not only muddled consciousness and caused chaotic thoughts, but also made the body feverish, with vital energy surging — just like now. If he dared to summon someone over to help dress this Commander Qian, the other might just unexpectedly die by tomorrow.

So, since Commander Qian had indulged in the powder, was there even a need to continue this official business?

"Commander, this is the battle report from Yiyang County."

Jiang Wenyuan gritted his teeth and handed over the document from his arms.

Whether Commander Qian had taken the powder or not, the matters of war did not wait for anyone; as the commanding officer of Yizhou troops, Qian Jin must be informed of the latest intelligence.

Upon receiving the battle report and learning that the grassland troops had already entered Yizhou territory, Commander Qian Jin, just as Jiang Wenyuan had anticipated, leapt up from the couch abruptly.

"Oh! How could this happen! How could this happen!"

At this moment, Commander Qian’s tone had lost the leisurely twists and turns from earlier, leaving only an urgent anxiety in his words.

"How could this happen! How did they die!"

"I don’t know either."

Hearing Commander Qian seemingly return to normal, Jiang Wenyuan continued talking.

"That Yiyang County Magistrate Hao Chong, as you know, fled the city, which is understandable. But saying he died in battle, this..."

"Who cares about Hao Chong! I’m talking about Zhang Qi!"

Gripping the document, Commander Qian’s hand was trembling.

"Zhang Qi of the Taiyin Mountain God Temple, how did he die?"

"...Ah?"

Jiang Wenyuan was left speechless.

What’s going on? Isn’t Hao Chong’s death the real concern here? Even though he’s just a mere county magistrate, Hao Chong was still an official of the court, having died under unclear circumstances, shouldn’t it be thoroughly investigated?

Why is Commander Qian more concerned about the Zhang Qi who defected to the grassland people, betraying Da Chen?

"Nonsense, who is this Hao Chong anyway? Just a mere county magistrate, who would know him once he’s out of Yiyang County?"

Commander Qian’s trembling got worse.

"But Zhang Qi...Do you know whose man Zhang Qi is?"

Saying this, Commander Qian bowed slightly towards the direction of the capital, Jiankang.

"That Zhang Qi once discussed profound philosophy with the Prime Minister!"

"...Ah?"

Jiang Wenyuan was at a loss for words.

He could never have imagined that Zhang Qi’s connections would prove to be more significant than those of the court official Hao Chong — considering that the Prime Minister stands as a figure of utmost authority, second only to one, above tens of thousands. How could such an exalted figure engage in philosophical discourse with mere commoners?

Obviously, though the specifics were unclear, Zhang Qi had quietly caught the Prime Minister’s attention.

"Nonsense, if Zhang Qi were just an average person, would he have been able to take over Taiyin Mountain?"

Slapping his forehead, Commander Qian again sat back on the couch, shaking the documents in his hand.

"No, this battle report is absolutely incorrect; Zhang Qi is someone under the Prime Minister, walking a path to transcendence, so how could he lower himself to covertly join the grassland people? This is fake! This battle report is definitely fake! There must be hidden reasons within!"

"Uh..."

Jiang Wenyuan didn’t know how to respond.

He too sensed issues with the battle report, but he hadn’t reckoned that the problem lay here — but thinking this way, things began to align.

Hao Chong, that useless fellow, wouldn’t have died heroically, nor would Zhang Qi have defected to the grassland people. This battle report had significant issues from the start; perhaps even the grassland people’s part was heavily distorted.

So what exactly happened in Yiyang County?

"Investigate! Use every resource at your disposal! Make sure you investigate thoroughly!"

Taking a few deep breaths, Commander Qian finally stopped trembling.

"There must be a resolution to this matter, otherwise, how can I account for someone the Prime Minister has set his sights on dying within Yizhou? How do you expect me to explain this to the Prime Minister? Go investigate! Quickly!"

"Yes, I accept the order."

Bow to Commander Qian, Jiang Wenyuan rose and took his leave.

Said to investigate, but how to do so remained confusing — after all, if this battle report was correct, Yiyang County had indeed fallen to the grassland people. And according to the accounts of locals fleeing from Yiyang, they indeed witnessed grassland soldiers riding through the streets.

These were soldiers, not scouts, implying they were regular troops of the grassland people; it should be true that the report’s record about the grassland people taking Yiyang County is accurate.

So what about the other two?

Both Zhang Qi and Hao Chong, their causes of death remain unverifiable now, since the capturers had long ago transitioned to maintaining public security, they could no longer collect intelligence deep in enemy territory like the scouts of old did. Sending them deep into enemy lines would be akin to sending them to their deaths.

But as for the news from Yiyang County...

"Commander Jiang, I have some business to discuss with you."

Just as Jiang Wenyuan returned to the camp, racking his brains on how to proceed, the principal scribe from the commander’s office arrived.

Clearly, Commander Qian had reached a crucial point with the powder, entering that profound state, thus delegating matters to the scribe — though the scribe’s power was limited, should a significant issue arise, he still needed to consult with the relevant personnel.

For instance, a new influx of refugees outside the city.

"Isn’t it just a group of refugees? What’s the big deal?"

Jiang Wenyuan was indifferent.

Given the conflict up north, it was natural for people to flee south. Although such large groups of refugees weren’t common, they weren’t unheard of — but accommodating some refugees, why trouble a capturer commander like him?

However, Jiang Wenyuan soon realized this indeed wasn’t a minor matter.

"Why are there so many?"

Upon the city walls, seeing the enormous camp of refugees outside, Jiang Wenyuan was stunned.

Judging by the vast numbers...it seemed there could be tens of thousands of refugees!

"Did everyone from Yiyang County flee over here?"

"Some are from Yiyang, but most came from Yanzhou."

Next to Jiang Wenyuan, the commander’s office scribe spoke in hushed tones.

"They all fled from disaster, led by the armament officer from north of Ji County named Du Chengfeng."

"Du Chengfeng...never heard of him."

Speaking, Jiang Wenyuan furrowed his brow.

"Wait, why are there grassland people among these refugees?"

"They say they are war captives."

The scribe continued explaining.

"This armament officer named Du Chengfeng captured them alive in Yanzhou and escorted them all the way here...that’s also why we needed to trouble Commander Jiang."

"Hmm..."

Jiang Wenyuan’s frown deepened.

The situation indeed required his attention, as grassland people entering the city was no trivial matter, naturally requiring the approval of the capturer commander responsible for security — however, this was where the problem lay. Observing the grassland people wrestling freely in the camp below, where was the supposed escort?

"Wait, from which direction did they come?"

"Yiyang, why?"

The scribe seemed puzzled.

"Since the battle started there, they fled this way...why, is there a problem?"

"Yes...there is a significant problem."

Jiang Wenyuan’s gaze fixated sharply on those grassland people.

He felt that perhaps he had glimpsed the truth.