Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 130 : Jade Earring

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At the time Bianbo Camp was attacked, Shen Zechuan was taking a nap.   

Qiao Tianya sat under the eaves fiddling with his zither, while Ding Tao and Li Xiong surrounded the copper crock playing with the fishes. It was quiet inside the room. The sunlight spilled over half of Shen Zechuan’s shoulders. He had just settled the details of the census register registration with Zhou Gui and the rest last night, and they had begun to do an inventory count of Cizhou’s granary reserves this morning. Autumn was just around the corner. If they wanted to do business with Chazhou, this was the best time. He busied around until the afternoon, and that was when he took the opportunity to doze off for a moment while he was sitting at his desk. 

An unspecified amount of time later, he woke up. 

Shen Zechuan leaned back against the taishi chair and pinched the center of his eyebrows. After taking a moment to compose himself, he called for Qiao Tianya. 

“The bandits from half a month ago have already returned to Mount Luo. Have there been any movements from Lei Jingzhe?” Shen Zechuan took up his brush and continued to write what he had yet to finish earlier on the paper. 

“Even if there are any signs of activity, it will reach us a few days later.” Qiao Tianya picked a chair to take his seat. “Besides, the marquis is thorough in his arrangements. When Lei Jingzhe returns to Mount Luo, he will be the target of criticism. Just trying to resolve his own internal affairs on Mount Luo alone will take him about a month or so.” 

Shen Zechuan said nothing and continued writing. Finding him to be somewhat distracted, Qiao Tianya added, “Master only slept four hours last night, and you still have to go over to the Zhou’s residence to discuss official matters with them after dinner later. There’s no harm in taking a rest while you can now.” 

Shen Zechuan said, “I’ll sleep after I return. Is Fei Sheng still idling around? Since he wants to do something, give him something to do.” 

Qiao Tianya rubbed his fingers and said. “I’ve been thinking about it these few days. You’ve been leaving him out in the cold for more than a month. If this goes on, I fear he will harbor resentment.” 

“The gears in this person’s brain sure turn fast. He knows Ce’an isn’t willing to take him in, so he wants to remain in Cizhou. Zhou Gui and Kong Ling fear his Imperial Bodyguards background and don’t dare to use him, so he can only follow shifu around, hoping to get a job from me through shifu.” Shen Zechuan set down the brush to let the ink dry and continued, “Now that Gu Jin has returned to Libei, we are indeed short of people to scout for us.” 

When Qiao Tianya and the rest arrived in Cizhou, the various Imperial Bodyguards who had followed them out of Qudu also arrived one after another. But even if these Imperial Bodyguards were to gather, there were only about a hundred or so men, half of which were Fei Sheng’s old subordinates. At first, when Shen Zechuan set Fei Sheng aside without using him, it was because Fei Sheng did not have the intention to follow him; that gaze of his was fixed squarely on Xiao Chiye. A pity Xiao Chiye was unwilling to take him as a subordinate, so Fei Sheng could only settle for the next best option and remain by Ji Gang’s side, deferring to him on every issue. In Cizhou, Fei Sheng was not involved in any of the matters, yet he would often put himself within Shen Zechuan’s sight. His intent was simply too obvious. 

Fei Sheng had it all read pretty accurately. Even if Shen Zechuan left him out in the cold for a moment, Shen Zechuan would eventually have to use him still, because he had observed Shen Zechuan’s every move, and he knew that Shen Zechuan lacked manpower.