Soon, Jiang Cheng’s expression changed. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The dossier was extremely detailed, listing out every nuance; moreover, Shen Hao had deliberately instilled an urgent tone within, so Jiang Cheng read carefully and slowly, even pondering over certain points multiple times.

From Jiang Cheng’s gradually furrowed brow, Shen Hao could guess that Jiang Cheng had not anticipated the Black Water Plan’s first emergence would drag the Barbarian Race into the fray, and in such an abrupt fashion.

Jiang Cheng closed the dossier and shut his eyes, sinking into deep thought for quite a while.

"How long can you confirm these transactions have existed?"

"As of now, it can be confirmed that clandestine iron sales from Li City’s Xiaoshan Tielu Manor have persisted for quite some time—over five years, occurring every three months. The grain smuggling in Tu Kui City has also lasted nearly five years. As for the general spirit stones in Tan City, this cannot be confirmed—at most, the trail goes back one year."

"Five years?!" Jiang Cheng leaned forward slightly, startled by the duration. Transactions every three months—for five years, how many resources have been transferred?! Especially iron, a resource scarce in Barbarian Territory—enough to equip an entire heavy-armored battalion!

A heavy-armored battalion comprised of the Long-toothed Elephant Race... Even an old hand like Jiang Cheng, who had fought the Barbarians, felt a chill.

Let alone all that grain. The Barbarian Race could be self-sufficient in rations, but due to their way of life, most don’t store food—living for today, drinking for today. However, once there’s a need for large numbers of pure combat units, grain becomes their weak point. Usually, they raid weaker tribes for short-term grain reserves.

This sort of drinking poison to quench thirst is a classic example of internal strife in the Barbarian Race. Jiang Cheng knew this well. Yet, if vast quantities of grain could be secured and stockpiled from the Jingjiu Dynasty, things change. The Barbarians could increase pure combat units without internal strife.

Pure professional soldiers and those who both farm and fight are entirely different—applicable not only in the Human Race, but among the Barbarians as well.

Finally, although it’s highly likely the general spirit stones have also flowed into the Barbarian Race, which tribe’s pocket they ended up in remains unknown. This is another risk. The use of general spirit stones can greatly influence the outcome of a campaign—a critical strategic resource.

"What do you propose?"

"I believe we should dig deeper. The Barbarians have colluded covertly with bad actors within the Dynasty for years, so their motives must be considerable. Moreover, there is a group in the middle threading the needle—this must be clarified. As for internal issues, I suggest either staying still or tracing the thread to the root."

"You think it’s not just Fengri City with these problems?" Jiang Cheng frowned, hearing the deeper meaning in Shen Hao’s words.

"Indeed, sir. Fengri City is located in Jingxi, the only place where the Dynasty borders the Barbarian Race. And with the Bai River flowing downstream, transport is convenient—this is the essential gateway for resource input to the Chao Man Race. According to the scouts’ reports, along the Bai River, many privately constructed small ports exist—most of the docked vessels are smuggling ships, bearing flags of out-of-town carriage and horse shops. Thus, I believe that besides Fengri City, other areas in Jingxi are also experiencing large volumes of resources entering Barbarian Territory.

This is absolutely not an isolated case or a small den of offenders, but a prairie fire already blazing. It’s like an artery—cut once, may not be immediately fatal, but over time, it’s a crisis of life and death!"

A prairie fire already ablaze?!

At these words, Jiang Cheng’s hand trembled. He didn’t believe Shen Hao’s assertion, feeling it was surely exaggerated—forty years ago, the battle at Zhuo Huo Pass was still vivid in his memory. Jingxi then was on high alert; he himself had fought bitterly and counterattacked into the Barbarian Race, sweeping clean the Black Stone Royal Court with his might.

Forty years is not long, especially for a cultivator, so Jiang Cheng was unwilling to believe that hearts could forget pain so easily, healed scars so quickly?

Shen Hao continued, "Sir, as long as we clamp down on the Baijiang Waterway, we can unearth far more—even without alerting anyone, simply matching the count of freighters with issued transport permits will reveal exactly what’s been smuggled."

The so-called permit count refers to approval documents for cargo transport issued by the Government Office—a rule across Jingjiu Dynasty, to streamline official oversight of resource movement. Any cargo in transit, if legitimate, must be recorded at the Government Office—especially key regulated materials.

Jiang Cheng tapped his finger on the table, conceding that Shen Hao’s approach was indeed efficient—hold the most convenient waterway, no need for alarm, just place people at the shore to count vessels, set a time frame, then check against official stubs for a clear comparison.

"Your people are already at work, aren’t they?" Jiang Cheng looked at Shen Hao with a half-smile.

"Yes, sir. I’ve already instructed my scouts to lie in wait near the port close to Xiaochuan, and at several ports in Hai Xia I’ve arranged personnel as well."

Jiang Cheng nodded, aware of Shen Hao’s foresight. "How soon for a report?"

"Results should be back in two days. But on my end, I can only match Fengri City Government Office documents—the rest of Jingxi requires your assistance, sir."

"That’s acceptable. Tomorrow I’ll have someone coordinate with the Government Office, making sure the catalogue of documents gets to you by afternoon. However, Shen Hao, let me remind you—whatever the outcome, you must inform me immediately, and do not act on your own. Understood?"

"Understood, sir."

Jiang Cheng stowed the dossier and changed the subject: "How are preparations at the brokerage?"

"Chief Steward Zhu Shou of Fengri City’s brokerage has been temporarily restrained by me; I’ve deployed all ten of Liu Meng’s squad into brokerages throughout Fengri City’s territory. Early reports show they’ve secured their positions. In addition, our first batch of pharmaceutical-controlled scouts have been released here in Fengri City, though so far, no effective intelligence has come back."

"And those elite scouts you mentioned before—are they being prepared?"

Shen Hao nodded, "It’s underway. Zhu Shou selected two girls as candidates; both are now being personally overseen by Liu Meng with training focused primarily on mental acuity, supplemented with necessary skills. Expect their training to complete before year’s end, after which targets will be chosen and deployed."

Jiang Cheng did not comment, but instead retrieved a copper rod from the drawer, handing it to Shen Hao, saying: "Take a look."

Shen Hao took it; the rod wasn’t locked and opened directly—inside were four portraits, followed by as many as three pages describing the individuals.

"This is... Minister of Revenue, Bai Changqing." Seeing the opening words on the first page, Shen Hao felt the weight in his hands intensify.