Yinshan Record

Chapter 212 Creating Pretexts
In the silk shop in Tian'an County, which served as a secret liaison point for the imperial guards, Lu Bai was having breakfast. Across from him was Zhu Yi, who had grown somewhat tired of serving him these past few days.

"Old Lu, give me a straight answer. Where did our Chief Justice go?"

Zhu Yi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Lu Bai slowly picked up a small fried dough stick and dipped it in the hot and sour soup in front of him. After the dough stick had absorbed the soup but still maintained its original crispness, he picked it up and put it in his mouth to chew slowly.

The sensation of crispiness and tanginess combined.

Tsk.

"What's the rush? We're not going to audit your accounts anyway. Besides, your lousy books can't withstand scrutiny."

Lu Bai was in charge of criminal justice at the Cizhou Thousand-Household Office, while Zhu Yi was in charge of the garrison in Tian'an County.

Both were senior members of the Imperial Guard but had not been promoted, and they had been familiar with each other because they shared the same plight.

"What am I afraid of? My accounts are all clear. Old Lu, this is the fourth letter from Commander Shi. If Su Lixing doesn't return to Cizhou City soon, I think Commander Shi will come in person. At that point, not only will we be embarrassed, but even Young Master Su will be in a difficult position. There's no reason for a superior to come and invite him personally..."

"That's why I'm telling you not to rush things, because rushing won't help."

Lu Bai picked up a handkerchief and wiped his mouth.

After living a life of hardship and exposure to the elements for too long, the longing for the simple pleasures of life only intensifies. Even though one can absorb the essence of heaven and earth, how can one so easily relinquish these five flavors of human life?

Therefore, Lu Bai cherished every meal he ate these past few days, savoring each bite. Lu Bai felt that he couldn't be a detached immortal who had seen through the illusions of the world, but being a long-lived, comfortable mortal was quite good to him.

“Don’t be so nonchalant, Lao Lu.” Zhu Yi looked at the man and said, “I have an analogy for you.”

"Appreciate further details."

“Our Su Lixing is like a white cloud in the sky. It’s high, reaching the sky, but you never know when a spring breeze will blow it away. You can’t expect him to shelter you from the wind and rain.”

"so?"

Zhu Yi analyzed it very profoundly.

"Chief Commander Shi is like a small hill. He doesn't look tall, but he stands here solidly. Even if some bastard from some immortal sect wanted to move a tall mountain back to bolster their image, they wouldn't think of touching him. He can still stand here."

“We seedlings with shallow roots need to think this through. We can’t rely on the clouds in the sky, but we can’t stand the slightest movement of the mounds around us, my old Lu.”

"Well, Lao Zhu, you've been in Tianan for so long, you've been thinking about things here all the time."

Lu Bai stood up and stretched comfortably.

The sun is shining brightly outside; it's time to go out and practice.

"Old Lu, you'd better think this through."

Zhu Yi stepped in front of him.

"I'll lay my cards on the table for you. If you're determined to follow Su Lixing, you might not be able to explain yourself to Commander Shi in the future."

"Old Zhu, for people like us who have been stuck in a rut our whole lives, if an opportunity suddenly comes our way, even if it's just a mirage, we have to seize it with all our might."

Lu Bai smiled and said, "What's the difference between me following Su Lixing and following Commander Shi? Aren't we both doing it for the Emperor..."

Having said that, Zhu Yi remained silent.

Since Lao Lu has already made up his mind, then so be it.

There is no use in talking more.

The two fell silent for a moment, then heard a commotion ahead.

"Lu Bai, Zhu Yi".

Lu Bai's eyes lit up.

"Old Zhu, that cloud on the horizon has returned."

The two straightened their clothes and then saw Su Che walk in from outside.

"Li Xing, where have you been these past two days? We've been looking everywhere for you..."

Zhu Yi walked forward with a smile on his face.

"You're a local tyrant, let me ask you something."

Su Che didn't stand on ceremony with him.

Who owns Tongdelou?

"what?"

Zhu Yi was momentarily dazed, not understanding what this person meant by suddenly mentioning that family.

"I've got my eye on it. You should find an excuse to go over and ask them how much they're selling it for." This guy was really blunt.

Zhu Yi took a breath.

Others might not know Tongdelou's background, but he certainly did.

That property belongs to the Langya Wang clan.

"Get me paper and pen, I need to write a letter."

At another command, Zhu Yi quickly got to work. Paper and pen were readily available; he could simply retrieve them from the counter.

Su Che picked up paper and pen and hastily wrote a letter.

"Lu Bai, could you go to Jiankang and deliver this letter to my home? It's not urgent, and you can rest on the way."

As Su Che spoke, he instructed Zhu Yi, "Take fifty taels from the account and give it to Lu Bai so he can use it on his journey."

"well."

Zhu Yi quickly agreed.

“Cizhou has just suffered a disaster, and land prices are cheap. This kind of thing benefits the local tycoons, so it’s better for me to benefit.”

Su Che muttered to himself.

"Old Zhu, what do you think would be a good name for my shop?"

"You want to open a shop?"

"Why not open it? Tian'an County is in such a good location, with Cizhou, a fertile land created by immortals, in front, and Jiankang, a prime location, behind. It is rich in resources and prosperous people. What business can't you do to make money?"

"Never mind, I'll think about it later."

Su Che then said to Zhu Yi, "Do you have any official robes? Give me a change of clothes. Gather all your men and come with me."

"Sir, according to the rules, those of us who are seated are not allowed to participate..."

"Rules are dead, people are alive."

Su Che frowned: "Is Tian'an County peaceful?"

With his haphazard and disjointed approach, Zhu Yi gradually lost track of Su Che's train of thought.

"It's fine..."

"What a load of rubbish! A bunch of corpse demons are eating people right under your nose. I don't know how you became the City God."

Su Che frowned.

"Have you investigated this matter thoroughly and reported it to Cizhou?"

"This, I admit my guilt."

"Concealing information is a serious crime. Of course, you didn't intentionally conceal it, so at most you'll be labeled as incompetent, and demoted one rank, which is a good thing. This job pays little but involves a lot of trouble."

Su Che frowned: "I've always been kind to people. This time, I said it was against the rules, but actually I'm cleaning up the mess for you."

"What does the Lord of Justice mean?"

"Let's take care of those corpse demons first. Isn't that enough?"

Zhu Yi was somewhat apprehensive.

"But here we are..."

My goodness, I am the only official guard in Tian'an County. Perhaps a few of the servants around me can guess what I do, but they are of no use.

"Don't worry," Su Che seemed to see his worry, "I've already checked them out, they're all no match for me."

"You'll come with me to Tian'an County later. Have them send a dozen or so constables to show off their power."

Su Che smiled.

"What about me?" Lu Bai asked Su Che.

He naturally knew about Li Xing's abilities, but Lu Bai was more curious about why Su Che was putting on such an unseemly act.

This is not the Su Lixing he knows.

"You'd better hurry up and go to Jiankang, don't delay my chance to make a fortune."

Su Che waved his hand, signaling Lu Bai to hurry on his way.

(End of this chapter)