Yinshan Record

Chapter 194 Prince of Wuling
Chen Family Old Silk Shop, Luogu Lane, Tian'an County.

Su Che glanced at the sign hanging there; this must be the place.

As an investigative agency, the Imperial Guard had criminal investigation offices in various prefectures and counties, as well as branches in each county. This layered structure formed the entire system.

Due to their special circumstances, Shanyin and Guobei counties did not have any garrison posts for the Imperial Guards. However, Tian'an County was different. It was a vital passage to Jiankang and was also very wealthy, so naturally, the Imperial Guards were stationed there.

Su Che tied his horse to the hitching post at the entrance, while Lu Bai went inside first.

As soon as Lu Bai entered, a joyful shout rang out from inside.

"Old Lu, oh my, it's you! Oh, oh, oh, could it be...?"

Su Che smiled outside and stepped inside.

The silk shop was fairly well-organized, with a sturdy wooden counter in front and shelves stacked with various kinds of silk behind, and wooden plaques hanging on the walls.

Different names for the colors include "plain Shu brocade", "mixed floral purple dye", and "mirage rainbow".

A shopkeeper was excitedly watching Lu Bai shouting and yelling.

Upon seeing Su Che enter, he quickly picked up a horizontal wooden board from the counter, walked outside, and bowed deeply.

The shopkeeper clasped his hands and said, "This humble servant, Zhu Yi, the garrison commander of Tian'an County, pays his respects to Lord Justice."

The Imperial Guards had guards stationed in each county. They were usually seventh-rank cultivators and mainly served as local eyes and ears. If there were any operations, they would also arrange for other experts to take action.

"Buy a three-foot-three-inch-long plain brocade with mixed floral patterns."

Su Che tapped the counter nine times lightly.

This is a secret code used among the Imperial Guards, which varies from state to state and changes monthly.

"Since you're here, sir, there's no need for these."

The guard smiled and glanced cautiously at Lu Bai beside him.

Lu Bai remained silent, and the guard immediately understood the meaning behind it.

"Our shop doesn't have fancy decorations, but it does have aged Shaoxing wine. Please have a drink, sir, and we can discuss business at our leisure."

"Then we need a six-foot-six-inch piece of gold-threaded Shu brocade transported from Jiankang."

After Su Che finished speaking, he pointed his right index finger at his chest.

"Su Che, Deputy Commander of the Criminal Division of Cizhou Prefecture."

"Zhu Yi, the garrison commander of Tian'an County, Cizhou Prefecture."

Then Zhu Yi reached his hand behind him.

"Please move to the back hall, Su Lixing."

The back room of this silk shop was naturally filled with shelves of silk, but what was different was that there were octagonal tables and grand master chairs there.

Several young apprentices were sorting silk when they saw Zhu Yi leading people in. They understood and put down their work, then silently withdrew.

Su Che was not surprised, because according to the internal rules of the Imperial Guard, this was indeed a normally operating silk shop. The shop's profits were divided, with 70% going into the Imperial Guard's public account and 30% left to the guard as a subsidy.

One of my important responsibilities as the Deputy Commander of the Cizhou Criminal Division was to manage the public property here and prevent others from stealing it.

"Since you've come, sir, shall we take this opportunity to settle the accounts?"

Zhu Yi carefully lit the small stove beside him, ignited the flame, and began to brew tea.

"There's no time to ask about that now, Lao Zhu, please sit down."

"Ugh."

Zhu Yi sat obediently to the side.

“If I remember correctly, you also entered the Imperial Guard after completing your father’s post. You’ve served in Jiangzhou for fifteen years and Cizhou for six years. You’re quite a senior now.”

"You flatter me, Li Xing." Zhu Yi waved his hand. "Li Xing, Cizhou has been waiting for your news for a long time, and Commander Shi is getting impatient. Jiankang is sending seven documents a day to inquire about your whereabouts..."

Old Su was getting anxious.

Su Che shook his head at this thought.

"Yu Ze resigned?"

"Yes, the Xuanshan area has just been pacified, and then Vice Minister Yu was dismissed. The court has removed him from his post, and I heard that a new Vice Minister of the Censorate has already been chosen."

"Oh? Which family will take over the position of Vice Minister Yu? The Prince of Langya, or Xie of Chenjun, or Huan of Longkang?" "I heard that the court had originally decided to invite someone from the Yu family of Yingchuan to take up a post, but I heard that His Majesty rejected it. If there are no surprises, the Prince of Wuling should personally take over as the Governor of Cizhou."

It turned out to be a prince.

Su Che pondered for a moment, and it seemed that the imperial court had other intentions.

According to the old system of the Great Liang Dynasty, princes were never granted titles lightly. Even the emperor's own sons among the imperial clan were often only granted the title of Prince of the Commandery, and without any real title.

The Prince of Wuling is the fifth son of the current emperor, and is said to be a young hero.

"The Wang family of Langya has arrived?"

"She is Wang Jian's wife, from the Xie family of Chenjun. The caravan is currently parked at the post station in Tian'an County."

"Oh?"

Su Che thought for a moment, but he couldn't recall anyone like Wang Jian.

“Wang Jian once served as the Prefect of Pengcheng and is now the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Wuling. Since the Prince of Wuling has established his own government in Cizhou, he should be in charge of all the usual affairs, big and small.”

"Has Wang Jian already arrived in Cizhou?"

"The Prince of Wuling and his chief secretary are still in Jiankang..."

After all that fuss, it turns out the lady was put at the forefront.

Su Che shook his head. These powerful families in Jiankang may appear prosperous and bustling on the surface, but their wealth is no longer sustainable.

What is the disaster situation in Tian'an County?

"Tian'an County was not severely affected, but it is a major route to Jiankang, and the influx of disaster victims from various counties has caused some trouble."

Zhu Yi said cautiously, "The others..."

"The cloud overhead."

Su Che tapped the table lightly.

"What do you think?"

"Natural disasters and man-made calamities are unavoidable," Zhu Yi said with a smile. "We just need to focus on slaying demons and eliminating evil..."

Just focus on slaying demons and eliminating evil.

Natural disasters and man-made calamities, endless wars and turmoil—the current imperial court, regardless of north or south, has no time to follow the will of Heaven and the people; all it can do is take things one step at a time.

The best doctors treat illness before it occurs; nowadays, we're just treating the symptoms, not the cause.

Su Che said to Zhu Yi.

"What's going on outside?"

I don't know when, but a strong wind started blowing incessantly outside.

The windows of the silk shop began to shake.

"When dragons move, rain comes; when tigers move, wind blows." Lu Bai replied cautiously, "A dark aura hangs overhead, an unusual omen in the sky; perhaps some evil spirit is at play..."

Su Che remained silent.

Because at that moment, water vapor suddenly condensed on the square table, and the water stains formed lines of small characters.

"The wind and rain will meet at Zhongshan."

Su Che remained calm and raised his hand to erase the line of small print.

Looks like it's that time of year again.

That's right. Zhongyuan was also involved in this change in the Yin-Yang realm. Although we don't know what benefits he gained, the Zhongshan Society must have been behind it.

To be honest, Su Che had never understood why the Northern Mang Ghost Ancestor was involved in this matter, so he guessed that this person should also be one of Zhong Yuan's subordinates.

"Prepare a clean room." Su Che feigned exhaustion: "I need to practice my cultivation techniques to recuperate."

"I will go and prepare immediately."

"Do not disturb me unless instructed to do so."

"Subordinates take orders."

(End of this chapter)