The first time in history

"The day after tomorrow, I will offer sacrifices to the water god and become Mr. Zhang's disciple."

Qian Mingduo clearly remembered what Xi Shi said to him when he was about to leave.

That morning, after Qian Mingduo inspected the Guanwa Palace, he left the palace and first paid off the money owed to the "restaurant".

He hired a donkey from a mule and horse shop outside the city and asked the owner of the mule and horse shop to put two more quilts on the donkey's back.

Qian Mingduo carefully put the remaining silver in his waist and borrowed a few taels of silver from Xi Shi, who gave him a priceless gold hairpin for his emergency use.

In this era, Qian Mingduo had almost no concept of "money" at the beginning.

But ever since he experienced the embarrassing situation in the "restaurant", the famous saying of the time, "You can't do anything without money", has taught him this truth.

The skinny donkey carried Qian Mingduo and trotted all the way to his destination. The bells on the donkey's neck jingled, and Qian Mingduo was also cooled by the morning breeze.

When they reached the foot of the hill, Qian Mingduo stepped over the donkey's head with his right leg and got off the donkey gracefully. He then led the donkey slowly up the hill.

A pair of focused and vigilant eyes were staring at Qian Mingduo from afar at the foot of the mountain. When he disappeared around a bend, the tracker walked up the mountain cautiously.

The stalker walked lightly and cautiously. He kept observing the surroundings and was in a state of high alert.

Qian Mingduo walked slowly and steadily towards the top of the quiet hill. He seemed to be completely unaware that someone was following him, and he just kept moving forward without looking back.

The tracker took every step very carefully, and the occasional rustling sound of gravel made him nervous.

Qian Mingduo suddenly stopped and listened for a while, as if he had noticed something. The stalker quickly stopped and hid behind a tree, not daring to make a sound.

It was not until Qian Mingduo continued to move forward that the follower quietly followed him.

After turning a corner at the foot of a mountain, Qian Mingduo's figure disappeared from the sight of the pursuer. His heart tightened, and he quickly quickened his pace to catch up. "Where is he? How come he suddenly disappeared?" He whispered to himself while looking around nervously.

Just when Xiao Wuzi was suspicious, a cold voice suddenly came from behind him: "Are you following me?" The follower was frightened and trembled all over. He slowly turned around and saw Qian Mingduo with fierce eyes, staring at him closely.

"Xiao Wuzi?" Qian Mingduo said with some surprise.

Xiao Wuzi pretended to be calm and said, "Sir, I... I was just worried about your safety, so I came to check on you."

Qian Mingduo snorted coldly and said softly: "Really? Are you really worried about my safety?"

Xiao Wuzi was flustered, but still said stubbornly: "Yes... I am loyal to you and always care about your safety!"

"Do you know why I want to go up this mountain?" Qian Mingduo said with a faint smile, "Do you know what dangers I will encounter?"

"Sir," Xiao Wuzi bowed and said, "I don't know why you want to go up this mountain, nor do I know what dangers you will encounter."

"You don't know anything, but you're worried about my safety?" Qian Mingduo said slowly, "Are you talking nonsense to me?"

"Sir..." Xiao Wuzi was speechless for a moment. The scene of Qian Mingduo interrogating the female assassin that night emerged in his mind.

His treacherous and cunning style, which was as powerful as thunder and lightning in the gentle breeze and drizzle, made everyone that night respect and fear him.

"Why are you following me?" Qian Mingduo noticed that Xiao Wuzi was trembling all over and sweating. "Since you just said that you are loyal to me, then you shouldn't hide anything from me?"

"Subordinate..." Xiao Wuzi glanced at Qian Mingduo secretly and found that he was looking at him with a smile, but that smile had an indescribable weirdness and gloom.

"The land of Jingchu has magnificent mountains and rivers," Qian Mingduo said leisurely, "Jingchu culture is broad and profound. The people of Jingchu are smart and talented. They also value friendship and loyalty."

"Xiao Wuzi." Qian Mingduo patted his shoulder gently. "Is that right?"

"Yes..." Xiao Wuzi's sweat was already dripping down his nose.

"Are you ready to kill me now?" Qian Mingduo stared at Xiao Wuzi, who was bowing his head. "But... do you think you are my opponent?"

Xiao Wuzi knelt on one knee and said anxiously: "Sir, you misunderstood. I have no second thoughts."

"If you have no second thoughts, then why are you following me?"

"I have discovered that you have been going out alone frequently recently, and every time you go out, you look solemn, as if you are planning something important." Xiao Wuzi said, "I followed you here out of curiosity."

Xiao Wuzi has been suspicious these days, worried that his identity may have been discovered. He followed Qian Mingduo, on the one hand to confirm whether he had been exposed, and on the other hand to find an opportunity to eliminate potential threats.

If Qian Mingduo really discovered his identity as a spy, he must think of a way out before being exposed or take action to prevent Qian Mingduo from exposing him.

"Is your mother...well?" Qian Mingduo said slowly, "You came to Wu to work, and your mother is the only one left at home. Is there anyone who can help her from time to time?"

"Sir." Xiao Wuzi knelt on his knees and said in surprise: "You... have you already seen through my identity?"

"As a spy, you are forced into this situation, right?"

"Sir." Xiao Wuzi burst into tears. "I dare not hide the truth from you. I only have my mother at home, and the King of Chu is recruiting spies..."

In order to support his mother, Xiao Wuzi became a spy sent by the State of Chu to the State of Wu. However, he was always concerned about his mother and had long wanted to return to his country. However, under the coercion and inducement of his superiors, he had to continue to lurk in the palace of Wu and gather intelligence and news for the State of Chu.

Xiao Wuzi knew that being a spy for an enemy country was a dangerous job, as if walking on thin ice. Accidents could happen at any time.

If he made a mistake, he would be doomed. And his mother would be left without support. Although his superiors promised him that they would often help his mother, Xiao Wuzi could already feel from their attitude and words that they had been deceiving him.

But he had no choice but to grit his teeth and hold on.

"Do you miss your mother?" Qian Mingduo asked.

"I do." Xiao Wuzi's snot and tears were flowing together.

Qian Mingduo was silent for a moment, then said, "Since you once followed me, I'll give you a chance. Leave here and never come back."

"This golden hairpin is worth some money." Qian Mingduo put the golden hairpin given to him by Xi Shi in Xiao Wuzi's hand. "You can take your mother away from Chu State, buy a few acres of thin land, and work hard. Let your mother live out her days in peace!"

"I will never forget your kindness, sir." Xiao Wuzi kowtowed several times towards Qian Mingduo's back, and finally turned and left.

Qian Mingduo looked at Xiao Wuzi's receding back, feeling filled with emotion.

Although his spy was a fake, he truly felt the hardships and pains of being a spy in the past few days.

They cannot tell their true selves to anyone and live their lives wearing false masks all the time. They look at others laughing and talking, but can only hide their inner fear and fatigue silently.

From the moment they set foot on the road of espionage, they are always on the brink of life and death. Every action they take could be their last.

Once their identities are exposed, they will be subjected to brutal interrogation and endless torture. They are walking on thin ice, not knowing when these terrifying days will end.

"Go!" Qian Mingduo sighed, and continued to go up the mountain with the donkey. "Go home and take good care of your mother! Xiao Wuzi, you are blessed!"