Chapter 144: Infiltration

It is truly impressive martial arts for Your Excellency to kill two ambush assassins underwater.
Dugu Jiali exclaimed in admiration.
If she had been in the water and two aquatic assassins had suddenly emerged, she would surely have been done for.
After inspecting the bodies, Wu Jian said, They are definitely from the Imperial City Department, likely the Water Division.
The Imperial City Department was divided into several sub-divisions, with the Water Division specifically responsible for assassinations in regions crisscrossed by waterways.
Long Chen remarked, Since they heard I came to suppress the maritime pirates, it makes complete sense for them to dispatch operatives from the Water Division.
With a look of self-reproach, Dugu Jiali said, The assassins managed to infiltrate the military camp without my detection. This is my dereliction of duty.
Long Chen smiled and said, It is no fault of yours. The agents of the Imperial City Department manage to infiltrate everywhere; it is entirely normal that you could not guard against them.
Inside the military tent, Bai Tingting, bound tightly by ropes, wriggled her body like a caterpillar as she crawled out and laughed hysterically, Serves you right, you corrupt eunuch! Everyone wants you dead!
Frowning slightly, Long Chen ordered, Gag her mouth and hang her up. Do not take her down except for meals.
The soldiers immediately complied, hanging Bai Tingting from a tree beside the military camp.
Throw the bodies into the water.
Long Chen entered the tent, followed by Wu Jian and Zhang Xi. The soldiers disposed of the corpses, while Dugu Jiali led her troops to search the surrounding area.
Seated inside the tent, Wu Jian said with a worried expression, The Imperial City Department has started making their move. Your Excellency must exercise caution.
Both he and Long Chen hailed from the Dragon Family Army, and they knew very well that the Imperial City Department had been personally forged by Li Chengdao and was no mere rabble.
Long Chen glanced at the darkening sky, mentally calculating the matters for the next day.
...
Inside the city, within a private room of the marketplace inn.
Chief Inspector Hou Ping and Clerk Zhang Peng sat on stools, a nondescript man standing before them.
I told you to keep Long Chengen under surveillance. Who gave you permission to strike?
Hou Ping's voice remained calm, yet the man trembled with terror.
The secret service apparatus held the power of life and death; if someone died, they simply died, and no one would ever pursue the matter. Hou Ping could execute him at any moment.
Lord Inspector, while we were maintaining surveillance, we happened to see Long Chengen enter the water alone with zero protection nearby. This subordinate thought the opportunity was once-in-a-lifetime, and therefore... gave the order to attack.
The man before them was the leader of this assassination attempt. He had been hiding in the woods keeping watch, and when the crossbowman on the bank was shot, he had slipped away quietly, which was why Long Chen had not discovered him.
With a cold look in his eyes, Hou Ping said, You thought? You thought you could make a move, so you made a move. Why don't you take over my position as inspector?
The man slowly dropped to his knees, kowtowing in surrender: Spare my life, Your Excellency! This subordinate knows his fault!
Zhang Peng slowly rose and walked toward the man, who felt the breath of death and shook violently from head to toe.
Approaching the man, Zhang Peng drove a black toxic needle into his neck. The man's body instantly went limp as he collapsed onto the floor.
Returning to the table, Zhang Peng asked, Long Chengen has undoubtedly discovered our presence. What shall we do now?
For assassins, the element of surprise was paramount. This failed attempt had exposed the movements of the Imperial City Department, and Hou Ping felt extremely passive.
More trouble than you are worth.
Hou Ping let out a sigh, his mind racing as he figured out how to readjust their plans.
The plan to infiltrate the Governor's Mansion will proceed. The rest of you are to remain in hiding temporarily; no unauthorized actions are permitted. Anyone who violates this order will be executed on the spot!
Clerk Zhang Peng acknowledged the order, hoisted the corpse from the ground, carried it out of the room, leapt onto the rooftop, and vanished into the pitch-black night.
...
The Xu Residence.
Xu Zhi sat prominently in the center, flanked by Yuan Tengfei and Wang忠, with the monk Fayin occupying the lowest seat, while Chen Zu stood nearby pouring tea.
That is how matters stand. I suspect his appetite might be somewhat large. What are your thoughts?
Having finished laying out the situation, Xu Zhi awaited the opinions of the other two.
Yuan Tengfei tapped his fingers on the table, prompting Chen Zu to quickly refill his cup.
If Long Chengen can cover this matter up, I think we can pay him. My only concern is that this fellow might take the money and fail to deliver.
Yuan Tengfei treated Qianjiang Commandery as his personal estate; if he could maintain long-term control over the region, paying off Long Chen.was acceptable to him.
Wang Zhong echoed, I share that concern as well. He is a eunuch sent from the capital. What if he takes our money, runs back to lodge a complaint with the Empress, and then leads an army to attack us? What do we do then?
Chen Zu chuckled softly and said, Third Great-Grandfather, once Lord Long takes the money, would he really dare to go complain to the Empress?
Xu Zhi sneered, Who could prove he ever took money?
Chen Zu smiled awkwardly and shut his mouth.
Fayin suggested, I have an idea. Instead of giving it all at once, why not pay in installments? If we give him a little every year, he will cover for us precisely to ensure a continuous stream of wealth.
Wang Zhong slammed the table in absolute approval, praising, The Master is truly a scholar; looking at things so clearly! Give it in installments, a little every year, and keep up a lasting relationship.
Both Xu Zhi and Yuan Tengfei found Fayin's logic sound.
Smiling broadly, Chen Zu poured tea for Fayin and flattered, The Master's wisdom knows no bounds! As long as Long Chengen's word carries weight, our money will not have been spent in vain.
The monk suddenly raised his head to stare at Chen Zu. Xu Zhi's expression shifted abruptly as well, frightening Chen Zu so badly that he dropped the teapot, fell to his knees, and kowtowed repeatedly: Third Great-Grandfather, this subordinate spoke out of turn! I deserve to slap my own face!
Using both hands, Chen Zu slapped himself across the cheeks repeatedly.
Ignoring him entirely, Xu Zhi let Chen Zu continue striking his own face while addressing Fayin directly, Indeed. What if Long Chengen's word turns out to carry no weight?
Rubbing his bald pate, Fayin replied, According to intelligence from the capital, this Long Chengen is indeed highly favored. He bedded the princess, and it is said the Empress dotes on him as well.
Yuan Tengfei said, Let us see how things go tomorrow. For now, we will proceed with this plan.
All four men agreed.
Seeing that it was getting late, Yuan Tengfei and Wang Zhong stood up to leave for home, while Chen Zu remained kneeling on the floor, still slapping his face.
Stop slapping yourself. No one said you were wrong.
Xu Zhi walked straight past him, followed closely by Fayin.
Once the two men had left, Chen Zu finally stopped, clutched his bruised face, and made his way back to the Governor's Mansion.
The moment he stepped inside, a yamen runner asked, My lord, your face...
Smack!
Chen Zu swung his backhand across the runner's face and cursed, Ask your mother!
Within this yamen, Chen Zu was still considered a master who had the right to beat people.
Having been struck, the runner still had to force a smile as he reported, My lord, a chef arrived today claiming to be quite skilled at cooking...
Smack!
Another slap landed squarely on the runner's face as Chen Zu snapped, You ask me about such trivial matters? I am the governor!
Clutching his cheek, the yamen runner dared not speak further.
Governor Chen Zu stomped indignantly toward the inner courtyard, while the runner muttered under his breath, Acting like he's actually the governor. Bah!
The runner turned and walked into the kitchen, where an honest-looking elderly man was sitting before the stove.
Seeing the runner enter, the old man hurriedly stood up and greeted him, Milord, may I...
Smack!
The runner delivered a vicious slap to the old man's face and cursed, Because of your business, I just took two slaps to the face!
Lowering his head, the old man smiled apologetically and offered, I have put you to trouble, Milord. Please accept this token of my appreciation.
Fumbling inside his tunic for a long moment, the old man produced a handful of fragmented silver pieces and pressed them into the runner's hand.
Accepting the bribe, the runner spat and said, Just stay put, then!
bowing and scraping, the old man escorted the runner to the door.