Zhu Liuhu worked as a peddler. Every day, he would carry his load through the streets, or mingle with the crowd, hiding in the streets not far from the Mu Palace to observe what was going on.
He used the pseudonym Zhu Liu, had an ordinary face, behaved in a low-key manner, went out early and came back late with a load on his shoulder, greeted neighbors with a smile, and gave the children a handful of free oil fruit and candy beans. When women asked him to buy needles and thread, he would not accept the money. Neighbors all said that he was a honest man from the country who wanted to save money to marry a wife. Who could have imagined that he was a bandit who killed people without blinking an eye
He settled down in the alley near the palace. Half a year passed in a blink of an eye, and he didn't notice anything unusual. Only one thing caught his attention.
He had long heard that the Mu royal family was building a royal mausoleum in Rudi. Since there was nothing unusual in the city, out of caution and in order to give the governor an explanation that would satisfy him, he planned to leave Yuecheng soon and go to Rudi to find out what was going on.
Having made the decision, he came back early that day with his carrying pole. He distributed all the remaining oil beans to the children who ran towards him, then went into the house with the empty pole, closed the door, drank a few sips of cold water, and then lay down on the bed which was temporarily made with the broken door panel. When he closed his eyes, he heard several knocks on the door.
The knock on the door was gentle and familiar to the ears.
The man's heart skipped a beat. He immediately opened his eyes and went to open the door.
Standing outside the door was a young woman in a coarse green dress, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with fair skin and gentle eyes. In her hand was a large coarse porcelain bowl that was steaming. When she saw Zhu Liuhu open the door, she smiled and said, "Brother Zhu, I'll make some noodles tonight. I made a lot, so I'll give you a bowl as well."
This young woman was a widow who lived across the street. Her name was Hua Niang. She said she had fled here because her family had all died. She made a living by washing clothes and doing embroidery for others. She rarely went out. Zhu Liuhu settled down here and often saw her when he went in and out every day. The woman also bought needles and thread from him. After a few visits, they got to know each other. After knowing that he was single, she often sent him some food she cooked herself or helped him mend his clothes.
"Eat it while it's hot. It won't taste good if it's burnt." The woman urged him when she saw him staring at her without moving.
Zhu Liuhu finally came to his senses, responded, took the food with both hands, placed it on the small table against the wall, sat down, lowered his head and began to eat slurpingly.
Hua Niang did not leave immediately. She stood at the door, looking at the empty pole in the corner and the bag on the table, and said, "Brother Zhu, do you have any clothes to wash? Bring them to me. I will do the laundry for others tonight and wash yours as well."
Zhu Liuhu shook his head.
The woman nodded: "Then take your time eating. When you're done, just leave the dishes there. I'll come and collect them." Then she turned and left.
Zhu Liuhu then raised his head and watched her walk into the door across the street. The door closed and her figure disappeared.
He stopped the chopsticks in his hand.
Having followed the Jiedushi for many years, when I think about it, I was either on the edge of a sword or running around everywhere. Until today, it seems that the life in the shabby alley for the past six months is the most stable.
He didn't know from which day on, but coming back in the evening with his load on his shoulder and waiting for the young woman who lived across the street to knock on the door and bring him the hot meals she had cooked that night became a secret expectation in his heart every day.
After he left, no woman would make him hot noodle soup, and no woman would sew or wash clothes for him.
Thinking that this would be the last time they would eat together that night, the man couldn't help but feel a little lost.
But there was no way. He was not the peddler named Zhu Liu. He had his own things to do.
He lowered his head, finished his noodles, drank the last mouthful of soup, scooped water to wash the bowl and chopsticks, and waited for her to come and get them. After waiting for a long time, she still didn't come, so he got up and walked to the shoulder pole, opened the lid, took out a few silk threads that he had left behind during the day and the several hundred dollars he had saved up during his days as a peddler, took the bowl and chopsticks together, and walked to the door diagonally opposite.
When Zhu Liuhu walked to the door of Hua Niang's house, he heard a faint groaning sound coming from the house, which sounded very painful.
Zhu Liuhu was startled and immediately pushed the door open.
The door was ajar and he pushed it open.
There was an oil lamp on the table, the dim light illuminated a small and simple room. Some unwashed clothes were placed on the floor outside, and groaning sounds came from the inner room.
Zhu Liuhu called her, put down what he was holding, walked in quickly, and saw Hua Niang lying on the ground wet. There was a foot basin next to her, and the water in the basin had spilled out, making a mess on the ground.
"Brother Zhu... I was careless just now and fell down. I'm afraid my leg is broken..."
Hua Niang looked painful, raised her face and spoke to him with tears in her eyes.
…
The next day, when Mu Fulan received the message from Hua Niang, she was teaching Xier calligraphy in the room.
The sun shone in through the flower window, the air was filled with the faint fragrance of spring flowers, and the sound of birds chirped in my ears. Mu Fulan asked the maid to accompany Xi'er first, and she came out and unfolded the letter she had just received.
Hua Niang is indeed a widow whose husband died early, but her real identity is a teaching aunt in the palace, alert and capable. After taking on the task, she left the palace and settled down to monitor Zhu Liuhu.
Hua Niang said in the letter that she saw Zhu Liuhu emptying his cargo basket and packing his luggage last night. She suspected that Zhu Liuhu was going to leave the city. Because she didn't know whether he was going to leave Changsha or go somewhere else to continue his spying, she made a plan to keep him here first.
What to do next? Waiting for the princess' instructions.
Zhu Liuhu was the spy left behind by Xie Changgeng.
But this person cannot be moved. If he moves Zhu Liuhu, it will be like stirring up trouble, telling Xie Changgeng that he is on guard against him. Given Xie Changgeng's suspicious nature, if he really keeps an eye on him, I'm afraid there will be nothing he can hide from him.
The mines and weapons factories in Rudi Mountain are so big that they can't remain secret forever. Sooner or later, people will know about it.
The key point is to not let him or Empress Liu's people find out before Changsha State completes its military expansion.
This secret is of paramount importance.
Compared to this matter, everything else now is secondary.
Zhu Liuhu is a living person, and since Xie Changgen kept him, he must be no ordinary person. Rather than risk letting him leave Yuecheng to spy on Rudi, it is better to keep him under his nose and eliminate any possibility of being discovered.
Mu Fulan wrote back, asking her to try her best to keep the man in Yuecheng. She also reminded her to be careful, saying that she only needed to keep the man in custody for now, and she didn't need to keep a close eye on him to avoid being discovered by him.
After the letter was sent, Mu Fulan thought of Yuan Handing again.
It has been some time since she came back. Judging from Yuan Handing's round trip journey, if everything goes well, he should be able to come back soon.
Given Xie Changgeng's status, even if he still hated his brother the king and was dissatisfied with himself, he should not deliberately make things difficult for Yuan Handing who came there as an envoy.
He should still have this style.
But recently, for some reason, perhaps because she had some free time, every time she thought of Yuan Handing's trip to Hexi, she was no longer as confident as she was at the beginning, and always felt a little uneasy.
It was a very strange feeling, as if something bad was going to happen, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
Now she only hopes that Yuan Handing can come back as soon as possible and be safe and sound, so that she can feel at ease.
"My lady, His Highness asked you to go to Xuanchong Hall and told you that General Yuan is back!"
A maid came to report.
Mu Fulan was startled for a moment, then she breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to Mu Xuanqing's study, Xuan Chongtang.
Before anyone even walked in, they heard laughter coming from inside.
Mu Fulan quickened her pace and went in, and saw Yuan Handing inside, talking to Brother Wang. Both of them had smiles on their faces.
She immediately felt relieved.
"Brother Wang, Brother Yuan!"
She called out to the two of them.
Yuan Handing had just entered the city, but he came here to report without stopping. He was dusty, but he looked very energetic.
Mu Fulan asked him about his trip. He said, "When I arrived in Guzang, I learned that you, my lady, had returned, so I forwarded your letter to Jiedushi Xie to express my gratitude. Jiedushi Xie did not make it difficult for me, and everything went smoothly."
Mu Fulan finally put her mind at ease. She laughed at herself for being too suspicious and said, "Thank you, Brother Yuan. You have been running back and forth without stopping for a moment. You should have a good rest after coming back this time."
Yuan Handing said respectfully: "My lady, your safe return is the best thing. I won't be tired."
Mu Xuanqing dismissed the people, closed the door, and pulled aside the curtain behind him, saying with a smile: "Sister, Handing, look!"
Behind the curtain was a weapons rack, on which were placed knives, swords, spears, shields, iron bows, and a suit of armor.
He strode over, took the knife, drew it out of its sheath, tested the edge with his fingers, and then chopped at the corner of the table.
The tabletop was several inches thick, made of solid ebony. He cut it with his knife, and the corner of the table fell off. It was very sharp.
"Sister, Handing, these are the first batch of weapons made in your land. Five hundred swords and knives, one thousand iron bows, and a number of spears, shields, and armors. They have all been transported by water. The soldiers used to practice with wooden swords and wooden spears every day, and they have been looking forward to it for a long time. The first batch has been sent to Zheshan Island for distribution, and the rest will be delivered soon."
"It won't be long before all the soldiers will be fully equipped!"
Mu Xuanqing's eyes sparkled. He sheathed the knife and looked at Yuan Handing.
"Handing, you are familiar with the art of war, so I will need you to take care of the training in the future!"
Yuan Handing said: "Don't worry, Your Highness! I will spare no effort!"
Mu Xuanqing nodded and turned to Mu Fulan.
"Sister, you have contributed greatly to the success of Changsha! I'm sure my father in heaven would be very pleased."
Mu Fulan looked at the weapons being crafted in front of her, and her excitement was no less than that of Mu Xuanqing.
Changsha is not poor, and the treasury and granary are full. Now that we have weapons and an army, we can think about other things.
After coming out of her brother's study, she calmed down and was about to go back to her room to accompany Xier again when her sister-in-law Lu came hurriedly to tell her a new news.
The prince of Qi, Zhao Xitai, heard of the name of Yao Weng as a miracle doctor and came here to seek medical advice. The group has reached the outskirts of the city and is about to arrive.