Chapter 931: Chapter 539: Secret Investigation, Meeting with Zhao Shixiong
The planned "attack" on Zhao Douan was unexpectedly interrupted by local gang conflict.
However, only Zhao Douan himself knew that this was not a coincidence.
After climbing down the wall, Zhao Douan passed through the fence gate between two courtyards and sat at the Du Family’s table at a "monthly package" price of five taels of silver.
At the dining table.
Penniless scholar Du Ruhui, his fierce wife Mrs. Du, Du Shishi, and Du Xiaobao formed a circle with Zhao Douan.
Perhaps because he gave money, the outspoken Mrs. Du was all smiles, continuously serving dishes to Zhao Douan. Her cooking was indeed good, and she caringly asked how he was adapting.
Du Ruhui, with a plain appearance and a gloomy brow, was taciturn.
Zhao Douan smiled and made small talk, taking advantage of the gang conflict to inquire about the situation in the city.
"The city is indeed unstable; some gangs are bold, partly due to connections with the Yunfu Army," Du Ruhui, with a beard and a desolate look, explained.
Are gangs seeking rebel forces as a shield... Zhao Douan knew the survival rules of bottom-tier gangs well.
Like the Red Flower Society in the Capital, which at the time also sought the Marquis Xiajiang as a shield.
"I heard that General Zhao Shixiong is extremely strict in his military governance. Does he just leave it unchecked when his men become sponsors for gangs to make money?" Zhao Douan asked in confusion.
Du Ruhui seemed to smile: "Therefore, all these dirty deeds below are kept from the top, will not let General Zhao know. Besides, who said the ones sheltering gangs are from the border army?"
Not the border army... then could it be officers from the Mu Prince Manor faction? Or even... some supervisors?
Zhao Douan’s heart stirred, realizing this was useful intelligence.
He continued to probe indirectly, acting curious, asking Du Ruhui for more details.
Considering the persona he established as an outsider seeking survival in the city, his eagerness for news seemed reasonable and would not arouse suspicion.
Du Ruhui, perhaps tired of being at home for a long time, also opened up, sharing much of what he knew, until Mrs. Du and the two children finished dining and left the table. Only then did Du Ruhui stop upon hearing his wife’s dissatisfied coughing.
The sky was pitch black, and the main room was lit by candles.
Du Ruhui sat at the table washing his feet, hearing his wife, seated cross-legged on the bed, complaining: "Talking to that tenant so much, showing off how much you know? He has to pay to gather information outside. You’re just kind-hearted, telling him for free?"
Du Ruhui kept his head down, wiping his feet, suddenly saying: "He’s not simple, definitely not a regular rich kid. His speech and demeanor, presence and manner when talking don’t reveal much, yet his questions are always on point. You should be polite to him but avoid getting too close... Alas, it’s a pity he’s already rented the room; had I known earlier, I wouldn’t have rented to him, perhaps avoiding much trouble."
At this moment, the unremarkable penniless scholar had an air between his eyebrows that was unusually exceptional.
Mrs. Du scoffed, sitting on the bed with hands on hips, cursing: "If you don’t rent to him, would you then go earn money to support the family? Do you think I, a woman, want to penny-pinch a few copper coins? When Zhao Shixiong came, didn’t other officials in the government office continue their duties, receiving even higher salaries? Only you, with not a shred of skill, were driven out..."
Du Ruhui replied silently; he did not explain that he was not driven out but had resigned from the government office before the rebel army entered the city, just to avoid disaster.
"The Mu Prince of Yunfu seems to have a grand demeanor, but he actually has a narrow outlook. Unable to become Emperor, serving the rebel army today, he will inevitably face reckoning tomorrow."
Du Ruhui wiped his feet dry, speaking softly: "I aim to be Prime Minister; currently, I’m merely lying low, waiting for the right moment."
No response came.
Old Du turned his head to find his wife already holding a pillow, asleep.
Du Ruhui: ...
...
Next door in the small courtyard.
Zhao Douan pushed open the bedroom door, the room was completely dark.
He first closed the door, then lit the oil lamp on the table, causing the darkness to recede, revealing Song Jinxi standing in the corner like a jet-black rock exposed by the receding tide.
He didn’t know when Song Jinxi had infiltrated, quietly waiting.
"How are things?" Zhao Douan calmly sat at the table, picked up scissors to trim the lamp wick, not glancing around.
Song Jinxi, dressed in night attire, respectfully replied: "I’ve already taken control of the Night Fragrance Sect, infiltrating within, awaiting your next orders."
Zhao Douan acknowledged with an "Mm," calmly said:
"The Night Fragrance Sect is a good entry point; very convenient for intelligence gathering, but it’s not enough. I need you, in the days to come, to quickly expand the territory and influence of the Night Fragrance Sect, to swiftly take control of the city’s underground forces."
Song Jinxi hesitated for a moment, questioning: "But doing so will necessarily lead to frequent conflicts. Will it not attract the attention of the rebel army’s higher-ups?"
Zhao Douan replied calmly: "Just do it. Remember, what we lack is time, no leisure to slowly build intelligence networks and infiltrate. Everything must be swift and decisive."
The decision was driven by the information provided by Du Ruhui.
The rebel army within the city can be broadly divided into two factions: "border army faction" and "prince manor faction."
Even within the border army faction, there will be no shortage of internal conglomerates large and small.
For fear of accountability, news of gang conflicts at the bottom will be suppressed, Zhao Shixiong won’t discover in the short term.
Just as the Emperor can only control within ten steps around him; once his vision is clouded and ears covered by court ministers, he loses awareness of the outside world.
"Yes." Song Jinxi did not hesitate, nodded and agreed: "Within most ten days, no, seven days, I am confident I can take control of the underground gangs."
Zhao Douan nodded, continued: "While expanding the gangs, I need you to leverage these people’s eyes and ears to investigate certain individuals."