SWDnovel Chapter 331 Go kill that traitor Zhang Fan!
Chapter 331 Go kill that traitor Zhang Fan!
Meanwhile, in a dark alley south of Wuxian County.
Yu Miaoyan, disguised as a pancake vendor, had just received a coded signal that a secret envoy from Xianyang had arrived.
She didn't bother to clean up the mess, immediately returned to the base to wash off her disguise, changed into a black night outfit, and, under the cover of the night rain, stealthily made her way to the Surveillance Department, which had been completely taken over.
"Your subordinate, Yu Miaoyan, an undercover agent from Jiangnan, pays her respects to Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy!"
Inside the main hall.
Yu Miaoyan knelt on one knee, clasped her hands in a fist salute, and spoke with the efficiency and ruthlessness characteristic of the elite Black Ice Guard.
"No need for formalities, raise your head and answer me."
A lazy yet familiar voice came from above.
Yu Miaoyan obediently raised her head, but when she saw the face sitting behind the table, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning and the sky had fallen!
Zhang... Zhang Fan?!
How could that traitor who mingled with the remnants of the Chu Kingdom and was full of evil intentions be sitting here wearing the official robes of the Qin imperial envoy?
Yu Miaoyan stared wide-eyed in disbelief, her peripheral vision stiff as she glanced at the Black Ice Platform man standing next to Zhang Fan, her heart filled with turmoil.
This is absolutely ridiculous!
Why send a rebel leader with an imperial edict and the Black Ice Guard to investigate the rebels in Jiangnan?
Isn't this just making him investigate himself?
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your illustrious reputation has been completely blinded by this glib and treacherous minister!
Yu Miaoyan was trembling with anger, but her years of self-cultivation made her calm down instantly: she absolutely could not reveal her true thoughts now, otherwise she would never be able to leave this den of dragons and tigers!
Seeing the spies below trembling like leaves, their faces changing unpredictably, Zhang Fan frowned, full of doubt.
Why do these black ice spies in Jiangnan seem so unsophisticated?
However, he didn't think much of it and immediately ordered in a deep voice, "I ask you, have you made any progress in investigating the whereabouts of the Xiang clan in Jiangnan?"
Upon hearing this question, Yu Miaoyan inwardly sneered and complained:
Pooh!
You're all in cahoots. How could you not know where the Xiang family members are?
Don't try to act all high and mighty with me!
But she showed no sign of it on her face, lowered her head and cooperated by feigning shame, respectfully replying:
"Your Excellency, I am incompetent. The remnants of the Xiang clan are extremely cunning. So far, we have only found out that they are hiding in the vast mountains and forests west of Wu County."
However, that mountain forest was vast and boundless, and rife with miasma. With insufficient manpower, it was impossible for my subordinates to pinpoint their exact location.
"The forest on the west side..."
Zhang Fan nodded thoughtfully. Since the general direction was correct, there was no need to rush.
Once the prefecture closes its net, the Xiang family will naturally step forward.
"You did well." Zhang Fan waved his hand. "Be careful not to expose yourself. You may step back now and await my orders."
Another period of waiting?
Upon hearing those two words, Yu Miaoyan felt a surge of anger that was about to erupt.
Waiting?
Are you waiting for me to sell the entire Jiangnan region of Qin to the Xiang family?!
"...Your subordinate obeys!"
Yu Miaoyan gritted her teeth, suppressing the urge to draw her sword and kill someone, kowtowed heavily, and turned to leave the Supervisory Department.
As soon as she left this place of trouble, Yu Miaoyan ran wildly through the rainy night and returned to the dilapidated temple stronghold in the south of the city.
"Commander! What are the Imperial Envoy's instructions?"
Several Black Ice Guard subordinates who were lying in wait immediately surrounded him, their expressions excited.
The imperial court has finally sent people; these undercover agents have finally seen the light of day!
Yu Miaoyan ripped off her mask, her eyes filled with grief, indignation, and determination.
"Instructions my ass! Something terrible has happened!"
Everyone was immediately alarmed: "Commander, what's wrong?"
"His Majesty is far away in Xianyang; he must have been deceived by the sweet words of treacherous officials!"
Yu Miaoyan gritted her teeth, her eyes red-rimmed, "Do you know who the imperial envoy sitting in the Censorate is tonight? It's Zhang Fan! That big traitor who colluded with rebels!"
"What?"
The dilapidated temple was deathly silent. All the Black Ice Guard spies gasped in shock.
Appointing a traitor as imperial envoy? Is the fate of the Qin Dynasty about to change?
"What should we do? Commander, should we risk our lives to break through and send a blood letter to His Majesty to inform him?" a subordinate asked anxiously.
"It's too late! By the time the blood-written letter reaches Xianyang, Jiangnan will already be under the Xiang family's control!"
Yu Miaoyan suddenly drew the short blade from her waist, and lightning flashed across the night sky, illuminating her cold and beautiful face filled with murderous intent.
"Having eaten the king's food, I must bear the king's worries! I should rid the wicked and evil for my lord!"
She stared intently in the direction of the Censorate, and said in a cold, deliberate voice, enunciating each word clearly:
"Tonight, come with me to infiltrate the Surveillance Department and kill that traitor Zhang Fan!"
……
Meanwhile, in Ji Honglou, Wu County.
Outside, the autumn rain drizzled and the chill was biting, but inside the elegant pavilion on the top floor of the building, the air was filled with the fragrance of incense and the sounds of string and wind instruments.
Four people sat facing each other at the table, toasting and exchanging drinks.
"Come, come, Lord Fang, let me offer you a toast. These past few days, Wu County has been battered by wind and rain. You have worked tirelessly for the imperial examinations. You must be exhausted."
Xiang Liang raised the white jade wine cup, a warm smile on his face, but his eyes were subtly observing Fang Zhenge, the governor of Kuaiji, opposite him.
Fang Zhengge was fair-skinned and plump, dressed in a loose brocade robe. He smiled and raised his wine glass, looking just like a Maitreya Buddha.
"Lord Xiang, you are too kind. I am merely a local official governing this region for His Majesty. It is the Xiang clan that has been so generous to our Great Qin these past few days, dredging waterways and distributing porridge to relieve the disaster. They have truly worked hard!"
The two looked at each other and laughed. Their wine glasses clinked together, producing a clear, ringing sound.
A few seemingly warm and friendly words were actually all tests.
Two old foxes who had been navigating the officialdom and banditry of Jiangnan for many years reached a tacit understanding amidst their sweet talk.
Beside Xiang Liang, Prince Ji Dan of Yan sat upright, wearing a large crane cloak, his eyes slightly closed.
He held a wine glass in his hand, taking sips every now and then, looking like a hermit sage.
Seeing that the time was right, Xiang Liang dismissed the singing girl who was playing the zither and lowered his voice:
"Lord Fang, the county examination is a sure thing. However, the upcoming prefectural examination is the most important, as it determines whether the young men of Jiangdong can enter officialdom. We will have to ask Lord Fang to intervene on our behalf."
Upon hearing this, Fang Zhengge waved his hand dismissively, stroking his beard and laughing:
"Lord Xiang, please rest assured. As for the so-called 'reference answers,' haven't I already had them secretly sent out? Any literate Jiangdong youth can simply copy those answers onto their exam papers and they'll be on the list without any worries!"
Sitting to the side, Xiang Yu wore a scholar's robe, but it still couldn't hide his bulging muscles.
He frowned, somewhat irritated, and gulped down a large mouthful of strong liquor before hesitatingly asking:
"Lord Fang, Uncle! Our actions are on such a large scale that the imperial court must have noticed. If Xianyang sends its henchmen from the Black Ice Guard to investigate secretly, won't there be any problems?"