Chapter 87

Chapter 85: Assignment

With such a major incident occurring in the Xi family and Xi Hongxuan having no children, all their shops across the land temporarily closed their doors. The managers sent letters home, preparing to set up a mourning hall and discuss future arrangements.

Seated in his chair, Shen Zechuan said, "Your journey is long and you'll be traveling with female relatives. I'm concerned for your safety. Xiao Wu, take a few brothers with you to escort this Elder Brother Xi."

Xi Dan understood Shen Zechuan's intention and hastily kowtowed in gratitude, not daring to question it.

"Given the current situation, the Xi family can only be led by the First Lady," Shen Zechuan said, looking at the account book before him. "When you return, put some effort into it. Don't worry about other matters; first, stabilize the situation and avoid chaos. The business we discussed earlier can be put on hold for now. Once you have the keys, don't make a fuss about it. Check the money repository's transactions. An ordinary man is guilty by possessing wealth. Now, you're in charge of such a large business and must manage the money repository. You'll inevitably encounter some trouble."

Xi Dan naturally understood that he could only seek Shen Zechuan's protection. As an intelligent man who knew how to read the situation, he had worked hard for Shen Zechuan to ensure he wouldn't be discarded.

"I dare not neglect Master's trust in me. When I arrive at my hometown, I will do my utmost to stabilize the business for Master."

"Xi Hongxuan trusted you because you possess real abilities. In the past, he was tyrannical and only allowed you to handle accounting tasks. Now, things are different, and I'm giving you the chance to prove yourself." Shen Zechuan set down the ledger without casting a glance at him. "Act according to the rules, and there will come a time when you'll take charge. But if you deceive me, even one word, I'll make sure you lose your tongue."

He spoke casually, but Xi Dan felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly kowtowed again, not daring to meet Shen Zechuan's gaze.

After dismissing Xi Dan, it was noon, and Ge Qingqing returned. He entered, removed his saber, and a servant brought him tea, which he drank in one go.

"No one," Ge Qingqing pulled out a chair and sat down, saying, "We've searched every residence the Xis have in Qudu, but there's no trace of Teacher or Master."

Shen Zechuan remained silent, leaning back in his chair with a troubled expression.

"Could they be in one of the family's manors outside the city?" Ge Qingqing wiped his sweat. "The Xis have many manors outside, so it's possible he was hidden there."

"Master isn't like Teacher. It's been so long; he would have found a way to come see me by now if he could, but he hasn't," Shen Zechuan said, focusing. "That means he's trapped somewhere and can't return."

Ji Gang wasn't Qi Huilian, powerless and vulnerable. In Qudu, few were his match. Perhaps there were skilled mercenaries among those Xi Hongxuan had hired, but with Xi Hongxuan now dead, those men would scatter like birds and beasts, more concerned with evading the imperial pursuit than guarding captives.

"Summon Fei Sheng," Shen Zechuan instructed. "I have a mission for him."

Ge Qingqing hesitated before asking, "Will he take on this task?"

"Since he's put up a sign at the Imperial Prison," Shen Zechuan lifted his gaze, his eyes cold, "there's no reason he wouldn't. If these people can't be of use to me, they'll become liabilities."

Talents abounded within the Imperial Guards, but few were as skilled as Gu Jin, who could gather intelligence simply with his eyes and ears. Fei Sheng was a bastard son from a secondary branch of the Fei family, inheriting his father's original post as an inspector. His greatest talent was in investigation. However, he'd been overshadowed by Qiao Tianya for eight years, finally reaching a point where he could advance, only for Shen Zechuan to suddenly appear and dash his hopes of concurrently serving as North Inspector. Now, he was stuck waiting for orders in his original position.

Unlike Ge Qingqing, whose background was humble, Fei Sheng understood the intricacies of officialdom better. He could engage Han Cheng in conversation and was considered half a disciple. Thus, unlike Ge Qingqing, who had a history with Ji Gang, Fei Sheng didn't owe him any favors. He was currently the top figure in the Imperial Guards who held a grudge against Shen Zechuan. During Shen Zechuan's recent rise to prominence, Fei Sheng had avoided direct confrontation, but tensions between them had been escalating over the past few days.

Shen Zechuan devoted much time to investigating old cases, with half of it wasted on their incompetence. They only half-listened to his instructions and carelessly handled the search for documents. Shen Zechuan, unable to match the dates, had to personally visit the Ministry of Punishment to sort it out.

Tensions were rising between the two parties. Ge Qingqing was well aware of their capabilities but still felt frustrated at being outdone. However, he acknowledged his own shortcomings and understood that finding talent was now crucial. Thus, without objection, he got up to summon someone.

Ge Qingqing stepped out from behind the screen and saw Fei Sheng in another room, drinking and playing dice with others. Standing by the door, he said, "Inspector Fei, please come to the main chamber. The official has summoned you."

Fei Sheng seemed not to hear, continuing to play his game while standing on a chair, creating a raucous atmosphere in broad daylight with no regard for propriety.

Ge Qingqing was never one to lose his temper. Since childhood, he had accompanied his father on missions, encountering all walks of life. He knew how to take care of people and when to step back, even forming friendships with low-ranking guards and servants. Despite his current displeasure, he would never show his anger at this moment. Instead, he entered the room, grabbed the wine pot from the table, poured a cup for Fei Sheng, and politely said, "It's nothing major, nor is it an imperial mission. It won't take long."

Fei Sheng tossed peanuts into the air as he said, "If it's not an imperial order, it could've been delegated to someone else. Why specifically come to me, a ranked officer? That doesn't make sense, does it?"

"Sir has your own plans, and it's all negotiable whether I accept or not." Ge Qingqing poured herself a cup and clinked glasses with him. "These past few days, everyone has been working hard on revisiting old cases. Inspector Fei, your efforts are highly commendable. I salute you; those capable bear the burden. Go ahead."

Fei Sheng didn't fancy doing errands for Shen Zechuan, nor did he consider himself beneath Shen Zechuan as a senior. Nevertheless, they were colleagues, and there was no reason for him to cause a scene without good cause, especially since it wouldn't reflect well if news reached Han Cheng.

After downing the drink, Fei Sheng gave Ge Qingqing a forced smile, not bothering to respond. He picked up his waist badge from the table and left without another word.

Left alone, Ge Qingqing put down his glass and bowed to the Jinyiwei around him, who had various expressions on their faces. He then retreated as well. As soon as he stepped out, his own men stood up.

Ge Qingqing wiped his mouth and said, "Why are you all standing? There's no need for formality among brothers, sit down."

Xiao Wu, being around the same age as Ding Tao, wore his emotions on his sleeve. Frustrated and indignant, he replied, "His eyes are stuck on top of his head, strutting around like a crab. So arrogant, he doesn't fear bumping into a door one day! What kind of a man looks down on others? Pah! Brother Qing, why should we tolerate him? We should kick him out, stuff him in a sack, and give him a good beating. That'll teach him some manners!"

Ge Qingqing scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting? Beating our own people will only make us a laughingstock!" He glanced at everyone and continued, "We're all working together, there shouldn't be any grudges in our hearts. Otherwise, how can we rely on each other when faced with important tasks? If they look down on us, then we must strive even harder."

* * *

Fei Sheng entered, lifting the curtain, and carelessly bowed before the table. The smell of alcohol still lingered on him, reaching Shen Zechuan across the table.

Shen Zechuan didn't lift his head and said, "Drinking on duty, I suppose that calls for a deduction in your salary?"

Seeing that Shen Zechuan hadn't risen from his seat, Fei Sheng pulled up a chair but didn't sit down fully before Shen Zechuan looked at him.

Shen Zechuan smiled gently, "Sit."

Fei Sheng couldn't figure out Shen Zechuan's intentions and sat down, asking, "Your Excellency, what brings you to summon me?"

Shen Zechuan replied, "There's a task that no one else can handle but you."

Fei Sheng, upon sensing his interlocutor's reliance on him, involuntarily relaxed his posture and reached into the cuff of his sleeve to caress the opium pipe within, adopting an air of nonchalance. He began, "Is this a matter concerning the prison? If it is an order issued by the Commandant himself, a written edict would suffice for its execution."

Shen Zechuan tapped the tip of his writing brush against the inkwell and said, "It's not a matter concerning the Imperial Prison, nor is it an order from the Commander."

Fei Sheng rubbed his flint stone, clenched his smoking pipe between his teeth, chuckled, and said, "So that's His Excellency's order? It can be done, but I have been assigned with the task of listening and recording recently. Isn't it April right now? The prices of daily necessities in Qu Du, such as firewood, rice, oil, and salt, tend to fluctuate. I need to keep an eye on them."

The so-called "listening and recording" referred to the Jinyiwei's task of documenting every significant event outside the palace, from the prices of rice, wheat, flour, and tea, to reporting them promptly to Li Jianheng and Hai Liangyi. However, this duty wasn't something Fei Sheng, a fourth-rank assessor, would handle personally. His responsibilities were limited to arrests and field assignments in the provinces. By his words, it was clear he had no intention of taking on this task.

"Why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken? It would be a waste of talent for you to take on a mere transcription role," Shen Zechuan remarked.

"I am but an insignificant talent, incomparable to a remarkable figure like Lord Fei Sheng who, at a young age, has already ascended to the rank of Third Rank Tungzhi, favored by the Emperor himself, and possesses an enchanting demeanor." Fei Sheng exhaled a cloud of smoke. "As for us, we can only engage in menial tasks to pass our days. We dare not aspire for more nor do we deserve it. Perhaps in a few days, when there's leisure time."

Shen Zechuan remarked, "This assignment cannot wait."

Fei Sheng moistened his parched throat and leaned forward slightly, fixing his gaze on Shen Zechuan as he said, "What can be done about it? Matters have their degrees of urgency. I must complete my current assignment before attending to yours; this is a rule set by Ji Wufan long ago, unbreakable. Thus, you'll simply have to wait."

Shen Zechuan was greeted by a puff of smoke in his face. Noticing the undaunted expression on his face, Fei Sheng casually tapped the ash onto the edge of the table. Conscious of his status and believing that Shen Zechuan couldn't overpower him, he slid out of his chair, preparing to take his leave.

Shen Zechuan unexpectedly reached out and pinned a slip of paper in front of Fei Sheng, saying, "I can wait, but can an Inspector afford to? This is your year of promotion. Coincidentally, Governor Jiang Qingshan of Juexi is about to come to the capital for his annual report. You understand the cabinet's intentions – he's destined to take charge in Zhongbo. And this man is in need of a supervisor from the Imperial Guards… Is Inspector Fei too occupied for such a task?"

Jiang Qingshan was a powerful provincial governor, renowned for transforming Juexi into the granary of Great Zhou. The military provisions for Libei and Qidong both relied on his territory. Even Xiao Jiming and Qi Zhuyin, formidable figures themselves, could not afford to offend him. Serving under him guaranteed a promising future. As for Fei Sheng, having reached his ceiling in rank, he needed external help. However, with his status as a concubine's son, he couldn't easily align with the legitimate heirs like Han Jin, Fei Shi, and Pan Lin. Without those connections, advancement was impossible, leaving him frustrated and uncomfortable in his current position, which explained his sarcastic remarks towards Shen Zechuan.

Fei Sheng hastily extinguished his pipe, rubbed his palm against his leg, then slightly bowed as he smiled at Shen Zechuan. "My apologies! I wasn't paying attention. What task do you have for me?"

Shen Zechuan replied, "I need you to turn Quiyu upside down to find two people."

"Should I search openly or...?" Fei Sheng gazed at Shen Zechuan, gradually understanding his intentions. "Easy enough, I excel in such tasks. Just give me a description, and within five days, I promise I'll locate them!"

Shen Zechuan's voice turned grave. "You have only two days."

Fei Sheng studied the slip of paper, gritted his teeth, and accepted the challenge!