Hot flashes

The next day, Zhou Heng, sporting dark circles under his eyes, went to the side room of the document room as usual. But instead of starting work immediately, he took advantage of the early morning when there were fewer people and went to find Clerk He.

"Mr. He," Zhou Heng said, his posture extremely humble, his face showing just the right amount of fear and confusion, "Last night... while sorting through old files, I came across a fragment of a local gazetteer from a previous dynasty. It mentioned the terrain around 'Fukou Pass,' saying that the rock strata of 'Black Stone Ridge' on its flank seemed unusual, with many cavities and fissures, and that saltpeter miners used to operate there in ancient times..."

I am but a foolish man, but upon seeing the troop mobilization document mentioning this area today, I suddenly recalled this matter and wonder... if such trivial geographical details might pose any obstacle to military affairs? Which superior officer should I report this to?

He spoke slowly and cautiously, portraying himself as a low-level clerk who had stumbled upon an obscure record, was filled with anxiety, and was unsure how to proceed, hence his request for instructions.

There is no mention of dreams, ambushes, or explosions; the focus is solely on "geographical hazards"—the possibility of natural cavities or fissures in Blackstone Ridge.

The key words are "saltpeter mining". Saltpeter is one of the main components of gunpowder.

While gunpowder weapons may not have been fully developed in this era, alchemists or certain secret lineages may have known their characteristics.

Zhou Heng was betting that someone among Xiao Jue or his core advisors possessed enough knowledge and vigilance to connect the "cavity fissure" and "nitrate extraction" with some kind of potential, unconventional explosive danger!

Upon hearing this, Clerk He frowned. He took the paper that Zhou Heng handed him, which contained a copy of the "Relevant Contents of the Geography Records".

The paper only mentioned that the rock strata of Black Stone Ridge had many cavities and that saltpeter was mined in ancient times, without any military inferences.

"Such trivial old news..." Clerk He pondered. Under normal circumstances, he might have simply put it aside.

But now that the army is about to move, and its destination is Fukouxing, any unusual information related to the area has become sensitive.

It's better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't, especially when it involves potential geological risks, which are not something ordinary soldiers would fabricate.

"You may wait here." Clerk He glanced at Zhou Heng, took the paper, and turned to walk quickly toward Clerk Shen's room.

Zhou Heng stood rooted to the spot, his heart pounding like a drum.

The waiting felt incredibly long. He could hear the occasional hurried footsteps outside the side room and feel the tension that filled the entire document room before a major battle. Every second felt like being fried in oil.

After an unknown amount of time, Secretary Shen, with a stern face, came out personally, holding the piece of paper in his hand. His gaze was sharp as a knife as he looked Zhou Heng up and down, as if trying to see right through him.

"Where is the original text of this incomplete scroll?" Secretary Shen's voice was not loud, but it carried a sense of oppression.

"Secretary Hui, it was mixed in with a batch of damaged old files to be destroyed. It was already incomplete, and only these few words were still discernible."

Zhou Heng lowered his head, trying to keep his voice steady but with just the right amount of tension, "I only feel... that since we are in the territory of a large army, I dare not conceal anything."

Secretary Shen stared at him for a few more seconds, seemingly trying to determine the truthfulness of his words.

It's highly unlikely that a low-level clerk would forge such obscure geographical information, and their motives are unclear. A more probable explanation is that it was simply a chance discovery.

"I am aware of this matter," Secretary Shen finally said. "You may go back and continue with your work as usual. Remember, you must not mention this matter to anyone else."

"Yes! I understand!" Zhou Heng bowed quickly.

Secretary Shen turned around, took the paper, and hurried towards the inner courtyard. That direction led to the staff quarters where core military planning was truly conducted.

Zhou Heng slowly straightened up, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

He knew that the message had been sent, but how much importance it would be taken, whether it would corroborate the military intelligence Xiao Jue already knew, and whether it would ultimately change the nightmarish ambush... were no longer within his control.

The "spark" that Zhou Heng threw out truly stirred up a ripple.

The paper that read "Black Stone Ridge has many cavities in its rock strata and was used for saltpeter mining in ancient times" was eventually presented to the desk of the military advisor in charge of military intelligence analysis after passing through Secretary Shen.

At first, the recruits didn't take it seriously—the fragmented records of the previous dynasty's geography were too vague and unreliable compared to the imminent war.

However, when it is put together with the latest vague intelligence from the front-line scouts, which states that "there seem to be a few mountain people gathering unusually in Black Stone Ridge recently, and there are vehicles hiding there," the words "cavity" and "saltpeter mining" suddenly become shrouded in an ominous shadow.

The recruits argued endlessly.

One side believes it's purely a coincidence, and over-interpreting it would interfere with the commander's decision-making; the other side insists that military operations should be approached with utmost care, especially when unconventional methods are involved, and it's better to believe it's possible.

The debate was eventually brought before Xiao Jue.

In the military tent late at night, after listening to both sides' accounts, Xiao Jue's gaze fell on the thin, neatly written paper, and he remained silent for a long time.

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the edge of the table, the rhythm slow and heavy. The torchlight flickered inside the tent, illuminating his deep-set eyes, revealing little emotion.

"Cavity...salt extraction..." He repeated the two words in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the location of "Black Stone Ridge" on the huge map on the wall, as if he were deducing various possibilities in his mind.

"Pass on the order." He finally spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a resolute force, "The vanguard and scouts, concentrate their forces and, regardless of the cost, thoroughly explore Blackstone Ridge and the three adjacent highlands of 'Eagle's Beak Cliff' and 'Crow's Nest'."

Are there any signs of recent excavation, unusual odors, remnants of flammable materials, or... a network of tunnels or natural passageways that could provide cover and movement for large-scale military forces?

The engineering battalion, carrying listening urns and probes, accompanied the operation.

The command was more thorough and profound than Zhou Heng had foreseen in his dream.

Xiao Jue did not simply regard it as a "geological hazard," but immediately thought of the underground tunnel system that the "cavity" might extend into, as well as the dual conspiracy of explosion and ambush that might be hidden behind the "nitrate mining."

"The main force's marching route remains unchanged, but the vanguard departs a day earlier to secretly control high ground such as 'Qingshipo' opposite Black Stone Ridge."

The central army slowed its advance and increased the distance between itself, but strengthened the reconnaissance range of its flank cavalry to thirty li. The rear guard's supplies were temporarily stationed thirty li outside the Fukou Pass, and their defenses were reinforced.

This is a bold adjustment. While the main force may seem to be venturing into dangerous territory, the vanguard has secretly taken control of key counter-attack points, the central army has a buffer zone, and the rear is secure.

If the enemy's ambush is indeed underground or on the flanks, they will no longer be facing a long snake that is difficult to defend from both ends, but a formation that is slightly more open, yet more resilient and conceals sharp teeth for counterattack.