Xuanqing Guard-Chapter 36: Tightening the Net

"Chief, you should’ve seen the look on Li Bing’s face, hahaha, it was like he’d swallowed shit. He actually got so pissed he tried to scare me with killing intent—heh, I’m not that easy to intimidate, so I just ignored him..."

Wang Jian had been in the Xuanqing Guard for years, but this was the first time he felt so exhilarated. He never imagined he’d have a day he could completely disregard a chief like that.

"You’re ruthless, kid. Who’d have thought to sketch their faces together like that, mixing Wu Sanhe and Li Bing—you know, the blend actually ended up looking way more handsome than Li Bing. Hahaha..."

Shen Hao burst out laughing too. He’d been pent-up these days, finally getting to vent—time to collect a little interest?

As they chatted, Zhang Liao knocked and came in, saluted Shen Hao and Wang Jian, then pulled two orders from his coat and placed them on Shen Hao’s desk.

"Chief, garrison soldiers from Yu City, Five Rams City, Shi Family Castle, Hao City, and four other places are already assembled. They’re stationed at four strategic points within thirty li of Li City, using ’counter-maneuver drills’ as a cover. Once the Summoning Talisman signal drops, they can lock down every road around Li City within an incense stick’s time.

Also, Lord Hundred Households has issued a temporary assessment inquiry just now, mandating all Xuanqing Guard members at Warrior rank and above in every flag not to leave Li City for three days, ready to be questioned at any time.

And this morning, several sentries we planted at the city gates reported back: the Li Family tried to open the gates and sneak out thrice last night, but were stopped each time. With Lord Hundred Households hinting, the garrison soldiers didn’t dare make a move."

Shen Hao’s face was taut the moment business was mentioned, though his demeanor stayed relaxed. He’d quietly been working these days—the big net targeting the whole Li Family had basically been cast. Now it was time to tighten it.

"Earlier, Wang Jian went to rattle the snake. Judging by the reaction, the snake was startled, but not disoriented.

Alright, send someone to Yunyang to get control of Zhang Kui’s family—old and young—he’s sure to have plenty more dirt. Be careful, don’t leave traces or let word leak before you act. That’s Zhang Kui’s turf, he’s bold enough to plot against Court officials, who knows how gutsy he really is—don’t flip the boat in the gutter.

Zhang Liao, just take Han Xin and seven brothers and go personally.

"Yes, Chief."

Zhang Kui was key. No mistakes allowed. If he got detained again, combined with Wu Sanhe’s testimony and money shop’s silver notes records, the Yunyang Smuggling of Forbidden Materials Case would be overturned.

Once that case is overturned, it means Li Bing and most of his Jia Flag will be behind bars. Then, whenever Shen Hao needs, he can use Li Bing as the entry point to shred the Li Family to pieces.

Everything was progressing within controllable bounds.

After Zhang Liao hurried off, Shen Hao sent Wang Jian away too. There were now over ten Black Banner Battalion sentries surrounding the Li Family—Wang Jian’s main task was to keep an eye on every move the Li Family made.

Shen Hao didn’t linger in the Public Office either. The net was tightening, he needed to report updates to Hundred Households Tang Qingyuan—after all, Tang Qingyuan was the nominal commander of this Black Banner Battalion operation.

...

"Last night Households Commander Jiang sent another secret letter—take a look first."

As soon as Shen Hao entered, Tang Qingyuan pulled a Copper Strip Secret Letter from the drawer, opened it with his Waist Token and handed it to Shen Hao.

The letter was handwritten, signed by Households Officer Jiang Cheng from Fengri City Thousand Households Station.

It was brief—Shen Hao scanned it quickly, and basically, it boiled down to three lines:

First: Be careful and don’t let things spiral out of control.

Second: Make sure to strike once and get it done; no fish must slip through the net.

Third: ASAP, ASAP, ASAP!

It was clear the distant Lord Thousand Households cared a lot about this case—maybe saw it as a chance for Black Banner Battalion to make a name for itself under the Dynasty, maybe acted on upper-level hints, or maybe he could get implicated himself.

Whatever the reason, at least from this letter, Households Commander Jiang was standing with the Li City Guard Station—namely, on Black Banner Battalion’s side.

"Lord, that’s good news."

"Hmph, doing it well is good news. Screw it up and it’s a Life-Ending Talisman. How are things on your end?"

"The net’s already tightening. I’m planning to take control of everyone in Yunyang today and completely shut down Li Bing’s escape route. I deliberately startled them yesterday, but the Li Family’s reaction was too calm—I can’t figure them out."

"If you can’t figure them out, don’t bother. Right now all of Li City is in our net. If the Li Family acts crazy, they’ll just die faster. Don’t lose your focus now—stick to your plan, don’t screw up, and everything will be fine."

Tang Qingyuan, rarely, patted Shen Hao on the shoulder, giving him an encouraging look—which Shen Hao wasn’t used to.

The two were about to continue talking when the gatekeeper’s announcement came from outside.

"Lord, Chief of the Jia Flag Li Bing said he has urgent matters to report."

Li Bing?

Tang Qingyuan and Shen Hao exchanged glances. Tang Qingyuan sat back in his chair, and called for the gatekeeper to bring Li Bing in.

Shen Hao stayed—he wanted to see what tricks Li Bing was up to coming to Tang Qingyuan now.

A moment later, the Public Office door opened. Li Bing walked in with a smile, saluted Tang Qingyuan in the chair, and ignored Shen Hao who was standing right beside them.

"Chief Li, you have business with me?"

"Lord, the old man at home recently acquired a few jars of fifty-year aged osmanthus wine. Knowing you’re a connoisseur, we’d like to invite you to the residence for a tasting—do you have time after work today?"

"Well... sure, thank the Lord Li for me in advance, and I’ll thank him personally tonight."

"Then we’ll await your honored arrival, Lord. I’ll take my leave."

Li Bing came and went smiling—no hint of emotion at all, as if he really was just inviting Tang Qingyuan to a banquet.

"What do you make of the Li Family’s intent?"

"Lord, I doubt it’ll be a pleasant banquet. But it’s not a bad chance for you to probe their hand." Shen Hao couldn’t guess the Li Family’s plan either, but since Tang Qingyuan already agreed, what else could he say?

"Just going to see what tricks he’s playing. All right, get to your tasks. Report any developments."

"Yes, Lord. By the way, Lord—be careful at the banquet tonight, the Li Family isn’t exactly stable right now."

...

Late at night, Shen Hao came out of the Public Office, shaking his dizzy head. He’d been run ragged lately—even with a sudden surge in his Cultivation, it was barely enough to keep up.

The new Black Banner Battalion black box carriage was still waiting outside, the driver a Warrior from Black Banner Battalion—both Shen Hao’s driver and his guard.

"Chief, heading back now?"

"Yeah, it’s late. You get some rest too, no need to drive me. Tomorrow’s going to be hectic again."

"No need—it’s not far. I’ll drop you off first, then head home. Won’t take long."