Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 343: Chapter 343: Granting Intent

Last night in Fengri City, although it was cold, it was still bearable. After all, the climate there didn’t get snowy in winter—just damp and chilly. But here in the Imperial City, it was a different story. After a night of heavy snow, there were a lot of frozen dead cats and dogs in the streets. As for the rats, those things can withstand the cold and burrow, so they rarely die from it.

Even before dawn, Junhou Street was already bustling. Here, there was a government-organized snow sweeping squad clearing the snow, and they typically made sure to open up a wide road before the morning court session began.

As for the places outside of Junhou Street, those had to wait until daybreak before anyone started cleaning. Every household was responsible for their own bit out front; if anyone dared not to clean or tried to cut corners, the Village Chief would come knocking and give them a proper scolding. Don’t underestimate the Village Chief—they’re much more capable than you might imagine.

Those high-walled, wealthy residences didn’t need the masters to bother themselves, of course. They had more than enough servants and hired hands to sweep everything spotless and save the masters any embarrassment.

Anyway, the moment Shen Hao stepped out of the Teleportation Array, what greeted him was this kind of feverish, bustling activity everywhere.

Breakfast stalls were steaming with fragrant food, the snow sweepers sweat-soaked as they swung their arms, brisk little officials from all over the city hurrying past, while merchants and laborers clattered along, starting to count and fuss over their earnings for the day.

It all felt so vivid—much more interesting than Shen Hao’s brief experiences up on Chang Baifeng.

Walking down Junhou Street for a while, then cutting into an alley, Shen Hao finally reached the entrance to the Jingxi Governor’s Office. Spotting someone shoveling snow at the door, he was momentarily stunned, then rolled up his sleeves and went over to help.

The wooden snow shovel? He just grabbed one from a passing government worker—who would dare refuse Shen Hao?

"Sir." Shen Hao hadn’t expected Jiang Cheng to be out here shoveling snow. He was genuinely surprised.

"Oh, you’re here too? Heh, give me a hand, let’s just get this section clean."

"Yes, sir."

This was the first time Shen Hao had ever shoveled snow, but he could handle a wooden shovel and had the strength for it. He tailed after Jiang Cheng; Jiang swept in front, and Shen Hao scooped it to the roadside behind. They worked pretty well together.

In about as long as it takes for an incense stick to burn, they were finished. This kind of exercise barely made Shen Hao break a sweat, let alone Jiang Cheng. Smiling, they handed off their tools to someone else and went into the office together.

"Back in the army, snow like this could get nasty. Cultivators had to keep watch all night to make sure the tents didn’t collapse and freeze people to death. Staying up night after night was just the way it was. When I was just an ordinary soldier, I almost froze to death in a sentry post once."

Inside the Public Office, Jiang Cheng washed his hands in a basin of hot water brought by the gatekeeper as he chatted casually with Shen Hao. Today, he seemed in pretty good spirits.

"But the heavier the snow, the better next year’s harvest. Ordinary people suffer for it, though. It’s better with the Dynasty willing to extend credit for charcoal now—at least people won’t freeze to death anymore."

Shen Hao had little experience with frigid winters and had never served in the army, so he couldn’t join the conversation. He just stood aside, smiling.

"Sit. Did you read that pilot project document?"

Shen Hao: "I did. It’s much better than what I originally planned. Thank you, sir, for working it out. I will surely..."

"Alright, enough with the flattery. The pilot program was your idea, after all, meant to strengthen the Black Banner Battalion so we can handle all sorts of chaos. Now that the pilot’s going live, the credit’s all yours—don’t butter me up, I don’t need it. What I wanted to ask is, did you notice anything else in that document?"

Shen Hao didn’t dare lie. He nodded directly. "Yes. I was just wondering about it and wanted your advice, sir."

Jiang Cheng pointed at Shen Hao, chuckling a bit, but said gruffly, "You always know exactly what’s going on but love to keep it to yourself. Everything you do and say is airtight—where’d you get that habit?"

He paused, then sat down. "That clause hidden in the document was added by Lord Pang himself. Specifically for you."

"I’m uneasy, sir."

"No need for that. You understand what it means, now that that clause is there, don’t you?"

Shen Hao considered it. "I think the higher-ups want to use this as leverage to continue investigating the Ma San Case, and they want our Fengri City Black Banner Battalion to take the lead?"

"That’s right. Any thoughts?"

Shen Hao smiled bitterly. "I just feel like I’m hoisting a rock and dropping it on my own foot. I thought this was something the higher-ups would handle."

"So you know it’s hoisting a rock to smash your own foot? Too late! Lord Pang’s meaning is that there’s too much heat at the Ministry of War—only by pushing downwards can we find a way in." Even Jiang Cheng started to get a headache talking about this.

"Still, it’s not hopeless. I was thinking about it yesterday—if we have to handle this, we should start with the Border Army."

"The Border Army?"

"Yes. Compared to the Four Major Armies, the Border Army has the biggest personnel shifts and the most complexity. It’s the hardest place for anyone to have total control. If there’s any opening in the military, I think it’s most likely there. Plus, one of your old subordinates is stationed there now—turns out he’s become an informant for Zhang Qian and Gan Lin. I think we can make use of him."

"An old subordinate? Oh—you mean Wu Kai?"

"Exactly. Sir, do you think that’ll work?"

Jiang Cheng thought for a long time before replying, "You haven’t been in touch with Wu Kai yet, have you? If not, hold off. Let me feel him out personally, then you approach. But Wu Kai is ambitious—you need to keep him tightly controlled or he’s useless. So you’d best prepare yourself."

"You mean..." Shen Hao glanced at Jiang Cheng and saw his eyes were cold, so he nodded to show he understood, without spelling it out.

No other way. Too much was at stake—sometimes you had to judge everyone from the worst possible angle.

"Same as always—keep everything secret. If there’s the slightest chance of a leak, move instantly to silence it."

"Understood, sir."

"Another thing—the pilot made the Fengri City Black Banner Battalion the Dynasty’s main focus. Don’t mess this up. We need results, fast, or nobody’s going to look good."

After all this, by the time Shen Hao left the Governor’s Office, it was already noon. He’d planned to return to Fengri City for lunch, but as his carriage neared the Teleportation Array, he caught a whiff of meat—a peppery, savory smell. He couldn’t help but order the driver to stop and followed his nose to a tiny restaurant hidden in an alley.

"No Loss?"

He thought to himself: Now there’s a restaurant name that’s down-to-earth.

So he went on in.

Inside, there were only three tables. One was occupied, the other two were empty.

"Sir, what would you like?" The waiter who greeted him was pretty plump, his eyes turning to slits when he smiled.

"What smells so good?"

"Oh! That’d be our house specialty—pepper-salt chicken. Want a whole one?"

Shen Hao sat down and nodded. "Let me try one. Bring a few more dishes to go with it."

"All right, please wait a moment."

Soon, the chicken and a few side dishes arrived. Shen Hao refused the waiter’s offer of wine, instead taking out a big bottle of Wuliangye from his own Storage Bag, pouring himself a large cup. Piece of chicken, swig of liquor, bite of a side dish—perfect.

"Hey, what’s that you’re drinking? Smells amazing—can I have a taste?"