Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 160 Sending Envoys South

Starfire Fortress, Council Hall. Although the dust of the Western Expedition had not completely settled, the center of power had been firmly re-established in the core of the North with Chen Xing's return. The atmosphere inside the hall was completely different from the sticky and extravagant atmosphere of Jiangnan, filled with a sense of openness, strength, and even solemnity.

Chen Xing sat upright, his fingertips lightly tapping on the confidential report from the Jiangnan Surveillance Station regarding Su Xiaoxiao's latest situation and the situation in Jiankang. Below, Jia Wen and Zhao Tiezhu stood solemnly, and Dian Xiong, who had just returned from the Xiliang front and whose body was still covered in the dust of battle, had also been urgently summoned.

"Zhou Tong, a Tiger-like General, is violent, greedy, and lustful. He holds partial command of the Jiankang garrison and has a conflict of interest with the local powerful Gu family..." Chen Xing slowly read out the key information from the secret report, his gaze falling on Dian Xiong. "General Dian, the goal of our trip to Jiangnan is to 'invite' this Lady Su back to the North from this man's 'tiger's mouth.' Are you confident?"

Dian Xiong clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice booming like thunder: "My lord, please rest assured! I care not for any general or lieutenant general, I only care about bringing the man back to you! Anyone who tries to stop me, I'll chop them down!" His full beard bristled, and his eyes blazed with fearless valor. In the battle of Xiliang, he had been the first to breach the city walls in the elite vanguard, fighting with great gusto, and was now feeling a surge of excitement. Heading south to rescue someone? Sounds easier than conquering cities and fortresses!

Jia Wen shook his head slightly and said, "General Dian is brave and fearless. However, Jiangnan is not the same as the battlefield of Xiliang. Jiankang is the capital of the Southern Dynasty, with a large population, many spies, and strict rules, at least on the surface. Forcibly seizing it would easily lead to being surrounded. Even if the general can break out, the target is a weak woman, and it is difficult to guarantee her safety. It would also completely expose our army's intentions in Jiangnan and bring unnecessary trouble."

Dian Xiong glared at him: "Then what does Lord Jia suggest we do? Do you expect me, old Dian, to go and reason with those sour-tongued people from Jiangnan and send them invitations?"

Chen Xing raised his hand to stop Dian Xiong and looked at Jia Wen: "Wenhe must have a good plan."

Jia Wen cupped his hands in greeting: "My lord, General Dian, this matter requires a combination of overt and covert operations, and a swift resolution." He walked to the huge hanging map and pointed to Jiangnan. "General Dian's trip is not for conquering cities and territories, but for 'receiving someone.' The various stations of the Surveillance Bureau in Jiangnan are operating at full capacity. First, they are strictly protecting the target to prevent him from being harmed before the general arrives; second, they are gathering detailed intelligence on Zhou Tong and the surrounding forces, including his troop deployment, daily schedule, residence guards, and even his hobbies, personality weaknesses; third, several secret evacuation routes and rendezvous points have been arranged outside Jiankang City."

He turned to Dian Xiong, his tone serious: "General, you must bring elite troops on this trip, but not too many—a hundred will suffice. They must all be alert, skilled in combat, and capable of disguise and infiltration. Once in Jiangnan, their identities must not be revealed; they must disguise themselves as guards of a merchant caravan or wealthy merchants from the north. Upon reaching the vicinity of Jiankang, 'Grey Pigeon' will contact you and provide a detailed action plan."

"Action plan?" Dianxiong scratched his head.

"Indeed." A glint of light flashed in Jia Wen's eyes. "Zhou Tong is not only a womanizer, but also a heavy drinker, a gambler, and especially fond of dogfighting. The Censorate has already investigated and found that his mother's birthday is in five days. Although he is a worthless man, he will still put on a show and will surely host a grand banquet at his residence. At the same time, he recently acquired a Western Region mastiff, which he treasures like a precious gem, and often boasts about its fighting prowess after drinking. This is our opportunity."

Chen Xing already understood: "Wenhe's intention is for Dian Xiong to make his move on the day of his birthday banquet? A feint, a diversionary tactic?"

"Exactly." Jia Wen nodded. "During the birthday banquet, the people in Zhou Tong's residence will be mixed together, and the guards' attention will be scattered. We can have the agents of the Censorate create some 'accidental' disturbances in other key locations in the city to attract some of his forces. At the same time, we can try to provoke him into fighting with someone using his newly acquired mastiff at the banquet, or directly try to make him drunk and out of control, further disrupting the situation. General Dian, on the other hand, will lead his elite troops straight to the Misty Rain Pavilion, take away the target with lightning speed, and immediately withdraw via the route arranged by the Censorate."

He looked at Dian Xiong: "General, remember, the operation must be swift and discreet. Do not linger in battle unless absolutely necessary, and do not expose our standard weapons and armor. After picking up the person, immediately leave Jiankang along the predetermined route. There will be backup along the way. The Jiangnan region is densely networked with waterways, making it difficult for land pursuers to deploy. As long as we leave the vicinity of Jiankang City as soon as possible, the chances of success will greatly increase."

Dian Xiong listened attentively. Although he disliked these roundabout methods, he understood the gravity of the matter. His lord and Lady Jia's arrangement must have its reasons. He clasped his hands emphatically: "This subordinate understands! It's about taking advantage of that turtle surnamed Zhou's banquet and the dogs fighting, then leading men in, rescuing them, and running away! Right?"

Jia Wen's lips twitched slightly, but he nodded: "General's understanding is not wrong. The key lies in 'speed' and 'concealment'."

Chen Xing stood up, walked to Dian Xiong, and patted his strong arm: "General Dian, this mission is no small matter. Master Su possesses economic talent and may be of great help to my future endeavors. Although Jiangnan is not enemy territory, it is a dangerous place, fraught with peril. I am confident in your unparalleled bravery, but you must not act recklessly. You must follow the instructions of the Inspectorate personnel, act according to the circumstances, and prioritize the safety of the target and your own safety!"

Sensing the solemnity and trust in Chen Xing's words, Dian Xiong straightened his chest and solemnly said, "Rest assured, my lord! This humble general will not fail in his mission! I will bring Lady Su back to you safe and sound!"

"Good!" Chen Xing nodded. "The necessary manpower, equipment, gold, and silver are all prepared. You, Wenhe, and Zhao Situ will coordinate their allocation. We will depart in three days!"

"Here you go!"

Over the next three days, part of Starfire Fortress's war machine operated efficiently for a special mission. A hundred elite soldiers, handpicked from various armies, were secretly selected. They were not only highly skilled in martial arts but also possessed varying degrees of camouflage, reconnaissance, and adaptability. Their equipment was also specially prepared; weapons consisted mainly of easily concealed short blades and crossbows, their armor was replaced with robes lined with soft armor, and their horses were chosen from unassuming but durable breeds. Large quantities of gold and silver were exchanged for gold ingots, pearls, and fine silks commonly used in Jiangnan, serving both as operational funds and as tools for bribing officials if necessary.

Jia Wen personally rehearsed the operation details with Dian Xiong and several officers in charge, familiarizing themselves with the map routes and contingency plans. The final confirmed intelligence from the Jiangnan Station of the Censorate also arrived in droves, including the preliminary guest list for Zhou Tong's birthday banquet, the latest defense situation of Yanyu Tower, and several carefully designed evacuation routes and backup hiding places.

At dawn on the third day, a seemingly ordinary caravan of northern furs, only slightly more elite in its guards, silently departed from Starfire Fortress and headed south. Dian Xiong, disguised as the caravan leader, had his beard slightly altered with some potion, making him appear more weathered. He had also changed his warhorse, but his tiger-like eyes, which occasionally flashed with a sharp light, remained captivating.

Chen Xing and Jia Wen stood atop the fortress wall, watching the group disappear into the morning mist.

"Wenhe, there are still risks on this journey," Chen Xing said slowly.

Jia Wen's gaze was far-sighted: "My lord, to acquire extraordinary talent, one must take extraordinary risks. General Dian is a lucky general, and with the full support of the Censorate, success is assured. Even if... there is an unexpected incident, it will only result in the loss of some wealth and a hundred elite soldiers, which will not affect the overall situation. But if we succeed, acquiring Su Xiaoxiao may solve our worries about money and food for the next few years, and the benefits will be far-reaching."

Chen Xing nodded. He was not an indecisive person; having made his decision, he would wait for the outcome. However, his gaze involuntarily turned southeast again, as if he could see through thousands of mountains and rivers to the wind and rain on the banks of the Qinhuai River, and the talented woman from Jiangdong whom he had never met, yet who had already stirred the heart of the northern overlord.

Jiangnan, Jiankang.

Inside the Misty Rain Pavilion, Su Xiaoxiao looked at her still calm face in the bronze mirror, but the tension in her heart grew ever tighter. Zhou Tong's three-day deadline was approaching. If there was no "satisfactory reply" this afternoon, Zhou Tong's ruthless servant would come to "pick her up." The madam was already as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, her words practically urging her to give in, lest she bring about her own death and implicate the Misty Rain Pavilion for a moment of impulsiveness.

She received the mysterious wax pill again, this time with more specific clues: "Zhou Shou Banquet, 7 PM, fire on East Street. Under the locust tree at the back gate, a person in gray." This seemed to be... hinting at the timing of her escape and the rendezvous point? Was Bei Ke... about to act?

Su Xiaoxiao clenched the remaining wax pellet in her sleeve, her fingertips icy cold. Should she trust this mysterious instruction and take the risk? Or should she continue to maneuver, waiting for that almost nonexistent turning point? Or... should she truly succumb to Zhou Tong's tyranny?

She knew she had to make a choice. And whichever path she chose, it was destined to be fraught with difficulties.

Dian Xiong's caravan was traveling day and night, passing through the still chaotic prefectures and counties of the Central Plains, heading straight for the Yangtze River. What he didn't know was that his journey was not only about snatching food from the jaws of a hungry tiger, but also about venturing into a dangerous yet glamorous maze that had already been ignited by the gaze of many.