Chapter 138: Strategist

As the dawn broke, Shen Zechuan finished his breakfast and, accompanied by Kong Ling, set off for the cosmetics shop they had visited before. The front of the shop was conducting business as usual, while Qiao Tianya and Fei Sheng stood guard in the back courtyard. The Imperial Guards kept a watchful eye on both the inside and outside.

At around ten in the morning, Luo Mu's palanquin arrived. He was dressed in a dark brown robe with a slanted collar and wide sleeves, a simple yet refined attire. The shopkeeper, quick-witted, noticed the unfamiliar servants following Luo Mu and announced, "The sun will be scorching soon; it'll be hard work standing outside. Please, bring these gentlemen to our rooms for some tea and rest."

The servants exchanged glances, reassured that Luo Mu couldn't escape, and followed the attendant into the room. Once inside, they insisted on hanging up the curtains so they could keep a constant eye on the entrance to the main hall.

The attendant stood by Luo Mu, offering him a handkerchief to wipe his hands. Luo Mu did as he usually would, then surveyed the merchandise on display. The shopkeeper greeted him with a smile, saying, "Last time you visited, we were not fully prepared, but this time, we've been ready since early morning. We even have some new jade trinkets that just arrived from the east; please, follow me!"

Luo Mu seemed hesitant, glancing at his servants.

The shopkeeper continued, "It won't take much of your time, sir. Some items are rare and wouldn't look proper if displayed upfront for you to choose from."

Reluctantly, Luo Mu nodded and followed the shopkeeper to the back yard.

Qiao Tianya personally held the curtain aside, and Luo Mu thanked him repeatedly before bowing to Shen Zechuan upon entering. After finishing his greeting, he turned to Kong Ling, noticing their relaxed expressions before finally taking a seat.

Shen Zechuan observed that Luo Mu was dressed in scholarly attire today, suggesting he had carefully chosen his clothes and shoes before leaving home. Although he sat upright and formal once inside, during conversations, he couldn't help but glance at Kong Ling. Whenever Kong Ling spoke, Luo Mu's attention was entirely focused.

"Recently, Cai Yu has been actively suppressing minor factions. However, he's cautious, understanding the principle of interdependence and fearing that excessive action might lead to betrayal. Hence, while cracking down, he's attempting to win over the remaining younger generation with the 'Benevolent Grain Ration' method," Luo Mu said, having restrained his gaze due to Shen Zechuan's presence. "This method is essentially providing discounted grain to those factions who haven't engaged in mischief."

Kong Ling asked, "How much of a discount?"

Luo Mu replied, "One tael for five bushels."

Kong Ling smiled slightly and said, "That's not much of a reduction. The so-called 'benevolent grain' merely means he earns slightly less than the market price. In the past, Cai Yu was generous, not valuing wealth as much. Now that he's older, he's become rather stingy."

This price couldn't be called 'benevolent grain'; it should be labeled 'expensive grain.' Currently, in Tea State, rice costs two bushels per tael of silver, while in Qu City, it's two piculs. Cai Yu was making exorbitant profits, pushing ordinary citizens to desperation. Yet, to win hearts and minds, he only reduced the price to five bushels per tael, indicating his greed for money and reluctance to lower it too much.

Shen Zechuan swirled the froth in his cup and said, "Cai Yu is in a difficult position. People both within and outside the city are complaining about high rice prices. If he were to reduce the price significantly to appease small bandits, ordinary citizens would resent him even more, so he dare not do that."

"Not just Tea State, Fan State is also experiencing public outrage," Luo Mu, well-versed in Cai Yu's business, explained. "At the beginning of this year, for some reason, Lei Changming severed ties with the Yan family. Yan Heru stopped funding the Luoshan bandits, which led them to consider invading Chizhou to seize its granaries. One reason for their action was their inability to afford Cai Yu's grain."

"Let Cai Yu sell for a few days," Shen Zechuan flipped his fan open and tapped the table lightly. "Whether it's one tael for two bushels or five, ordinary families and small bandits can't afford it. By reluctantly showing mercy, Cai Yu hopes his subordinates will comply and not oppose him. But if his gesture isn't humble enough, it may backfire."

"Even for noble households," Kong Ling lamented, "with the monthly stipends provided by the government, they can't afford it either. On our journey here, we saw people outside Tea State selling themselves by biting grass, even selling their children, hoping for a chance at survival."

"Currently, human life holds little value. They're selling their children for next to nothing," Luo Mu, familiar with such tales, commented. "Moreover, who in Zhongbo would still spend money buying people? Only brothels in Fan State are willing to take them, but even then, a transition from registered to unregistered status wouldn't fetch more than a bushel of rice."

Shen Zechuan, being unfamiliar with the circumstances in Fan Prefecture, inquired, "If dining is already a struggle in Fan Prefecture, where do they find the funds to operate such brothels?"

Luo Mu replied, "They're bandits as well, specializing in the flesh trade for the bandits in Luo Mountain and Dengzhou. The prices are incredibly low, but even those meager profits are gobbled up by the brothel madam."

Kong Ling inquired with curiosity, "If they purchase so many people to engage in business, they must support them, right? Do they also buy grains from Cai Yu for that purpose?"

Luo Mu shook his head and said, "Human lives are cheaper than dogs. They're fed on scraps and wild grass. If they starve to death, you can always buy another one. They're inexpensive, so there's no real loss either way."

Kong Ling sat in a daze, his expression gradually turning pained as he said, "If Zhongbo hadn't ended up in this situation, the court would have lent a helping hand, and it wouldn't have come to this. Years ago, I said that Hua Siqian..."

Cheng Feng's name was still stuck in his throat.

Luo Mu, understanding the situation, feared that Kong Ling might say something hurtful, leaving a burden on Shen Zechuan's heart. He quickly changed the subject, asking, "According to the Associate Censor's plan, what should we do next?"

Shen Zechuan, however, replied, "If it weren't for Shen Wei's cowardice and refusal to fight, Zhongbo wouldn't have suffered such a devastating defeat. Mr. Cheng Feng cares deeply for the common people, and I admire him greatly. There's no need to avoid certain topics."

Shen Zechuan's sincerity made Luo Mu feel uneasy. Kong Ling's heart sank. Lately, he had been both following and avoiding Shen Zechuan. As an intelligent man, he had chosen to follow Zhou Gui due to his understanding of his character. But he still held some fear towards Shen Zechuan, mainly because he sensed great danger in aligning with him. A master whose intentions were inscrutable was the hardest to serve, and the calm before the storm only made one feel as if they were standing on the edge of a precipice.

Kong Ling could choose sides, but he was reluctant to support Shen Zechuan as he had Zhou Gui. Despite Shen Zechuan's repeated hints during this journey, Kong Ling had pretended not to notice, acting oblivious. Seeing now that Shen Zechuan wasn't angry and was even offering him a way out, his anxiety only grew.

Shen Zechuan noticed the flicker of emotion in Kong Ling's expression. With a gentle flick of his long fingers, he opened his folding fan and paused before speaking, "Delay the news about Caiyu's grain sales for a few days. Release it when the bandits refuse to be manipulated by Caiyu any longer due to their own interests. When the time comes, the reserve grain carts shouldn't enter the city. Set up soup kitchens outside instead, and inform the refugees that Caiyu is selling grain at fair prices."

Luo Mu ventured a question, "What if they have no money?"

Shen Zechuan smiled and turned to Luo Mu, "Isn't this what the Chazhou garrison and settlers will eventually become? Common folk might not have money, but you've already taken quite a bit from Caiyu with your cooperation. Besides, once Caiyu is out of the picture, most of his assets will likely fall into your hands. Using that silver to do business with Caiyu and win the people's favor will solve your future troubles. Let me remind you, Caiyu is here to trade, not tighten its belt to support others."

A sheen of sweat appeared on Luo Mu's forehead, which he wiped away with a handkerchief. Nodding, he said, "Of course, of course..."

* * *

On this return to his courtyard, Shen Zechuan did not accompany Kong Ling.

Qiao Tianya sat in the carriage, wearing a hat and leaning on his arms. Peering through the curtains, he asked, "Master is giving up on him?"

Shen Zechuan, unable to tolerate the heat, pretended to sleep with his eyes closed. After listening to the street vendors' cries for a while, he replied, "We've tried both persuasion and coercion, but he remains steadfast in his refusal."

Qiao Tianya held a fresh blade of grass between his teeth and said, "That's right. He's hidden his sharp edges in front of you several times, fearing being coerced. When he finished his studies, he didn't follow Zhou Gui or Luo Mu into officialdom; he wanted to remain an independent scholar. People like him are born strategists. Their only pride lies in choosing their own path."

Shen Zechuan cracked open one eye and said, "I, Shen Lanzhou, am not irreplaceable without him."

Shen Zechuan was not so much insisting as he was desperately in need of capable individuals. Initially, he had believed that Kong Ling and Zhou Gui were the most suitable arrangement; together, they could pacify one region, at the very least ensuring tranquility in Ci Prefecture. However, at present, there was no one by Shen Zechuan's side who could devise strategies or counsel him. What he lacked now was not merely an extra pair of eyes or hands, but rather a strategist capable of assisting him in overseeing and coordinating affairs on a grand scale.

In the Central Plains, Kong Ling was widely known for his considerable talent. He was not only a schoolmate of Zhou Gui but also a fellow alumnus of Luo Mu. Simply from the perspective of personal connections, he could effectively coordinate numerous matters on behalf of Shen Zechuan between these two states. As an example, he was able to directly present his visiting card and call upon them personally this time around. Moreover, during his tenure as strategist to Tan Tailong, Kong Ling had established a network of contacts within the Dunzhou military. These individuals, as long as they remained alive, would prove useful in the future. Furthermore, when Lei Jingzhe devised a deceitful scheme against them, Shen Zechuan did not initially favor Kong Ling, as the latter had been duped all too easily. However, it was Kong Ling's resounding shout before the gates of Cizhou City that once again caught Shen Zechuan's attention. This interest persisted until just prior to their departure, when Kong Ling's swift alignment with Shen Zechuan's cause prompted the latter to seriously consider recruiting him.

Yet, Kong Ling had no intention of submitting to another's authority.

Shen Zechuan was far too young. Not only did he possess a tumultuous background, but he was also a disciple of Qi Huilian. Qi Huilian had experienced three rises and falls within the capital city of Qudu, serving as the paramount figure in the Eastern Palace for several years. What sort of student could such a mentor possibly produce? Given that Qi Huilian was a royal tutor, Kong Ling dared not even entertain further contemplation. Most crucially, he feared Shen Zechuan, rendering him unable to place any trust in the young man.

In Kong Ling's eyes, Shen Zechuan was a cold-hearted person who would readily abandon personal feelings at any moment. If it were Zhou Gui today, he would never have spoken those words to Luo Mu.

With an air of vexation, Shen Zechuan lifted his head and gazed at the swaying carriage curtains as they jolted with the ride. Sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting speckles on his knees and diffusing across the pristine white fabric.

After Qi Huilian's demise, Shen Zechuan donned only white. He had never inquired of Qiao Tianya what Han Cheng did with Master's remains after he left. His grief that night had been absorbed into Xiao Chiye's palm, but the names led by Xue Xiuzhuo, Han Cheng, and the Empress Dowager were etched into Shen Zechuan's heart, along with the memory of the city walls drenched in a downpour of crimson.

He needed to stand firm, he required a strategist.

Shen Zechuan muttered to himself.

A strategist who could rival Xue Xiuzhuo.