Jiapingguan Chronicle

Chapter 2730 Still Vigorous in Old Age 114.0
“This…” Shen Haolin, Shen Cha, Song Yaojia, and Xia Chen exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Aren’t they thinking too simply? How could they possibly be in charge of uncovering secrets? Besides, it’s not that easy. Isn’t this just wishful thinking?”

"To be honest, I think so too." Xiao Fengqi smiled bitterly. "When my great-aunt told me, my reaction was the same as yours. I thought their brains must have been hit by something to be so wildly imaginative."

“It’s not exactly far-fetched. Using dancers, musicians, and singers to gather information isn’t impossible. But,” Chu Han looked at Shen Cha and then at Qi Zhifeng, and smiled, “if secrets can be found out so easily, we should be cautious. It might be a trap. This is true for both the Great Xia and the Liao-Jin dynasties.”

"Indeed." Shen Cha looked at Chu Han, her smile meaningful. "This must be the empty promise the Shi family is making to them, isn't it?"

"Pretty much." Qi Zhifeng answered Shen Cha. He looked at Shen Cha and said, "My great-aunt said that her uncles told her that the Shi family had expressed their intentions very tactfully, and the atmosphere in the private room suddenly became very lively again. Before, the atmosphere was cold because the conditions were too harsh. Except for families who really wanted to send their children away, everyone's enthusiasm was suddenly extinguished. But once this intention was expressed, it rekindled new hope." He sneered and said, "I have to say, these aristocratic families are really good at manipulating people's hearts. They are not only well-read, but also very good at this kind of psychological warfare. The situation that was about to fall apart was suddenly revived."

“Of course. Having ruled the previous dynasty for hundreds of years, they are already very familiar with such methods, so they are not worried about the talks going nowhere.” Chu Han nodded. “Although the message they conveyed was very far-fetched, it did indeed tempt those people from Liao and Jin. After the meeting, they started looking for the child.”

"So anxious?"

“Because the people sent by the aristocratic families said they would give them definite news in three days, whether they participated or not. Those who didn’t participate could leave it at that, but those who did had to write down the child’s situation clearly on paper. They needed to take it back to the family head and his confidants for the first screening. Oh, and they also had to attach a portrait.” Xiao Fengqi rolled his eyes as he spoke. “Those who knew them would think they had this plan, but those who didn’t would think they were selecting concubines!”

“Selecting concubines isn’t even outrageous; they’re treating children like commodities, not like human beings at all.” Chu Han sneered. “This is the first round of selection. Those who pass will then travel from Liao and Jin to the villas of the Shi family and several other families in Yangzhou.”

“This round of screening eliminated quite a few people. Although my family did not participate, my uncles, at the instruction of my great-aunt, have been inquiring about the progress of this matter. Several families that are on good terms with our family have participated in this plan. The materials they sent included not only those of their own children but also those of their in-laws, but without exception, they were all rejected.”

"They want someone good-looking, with a good figure, and clever, right?"

“That’s not really the point,” Chu Han waved his hand lightly and said, “They require that the child’s personality be clearly described, such as confident, generous, and open-minded, but if any of these kinds of words appear, they are basically eliminated.”

“Those are to be eliminated.” Shen Cha nodded. “What they want is ambition, obedience, and compliance. Although these words don’t seem to go well together, obedient and compliant children are usually those who are heavily suppressed at home. Obedience and compliance are just their outward appearance. They are more ambitious, cunning, and so on.”

“Xiao Cha is absolutely right. Those kids who absolutely refuse to go back are basically all like that,” Chu Han nodded. “However, only we know this. It’s all internal secret. It was only after the Shi family members were arrested that they revealed it themselves.” “They probably weren’t even ready for the next assessment before they were arrested, right?”

"No, it's already finished." Chu Han shook his head slightly, glanced at Xiao Fengqi who seemed lost in thought, and said, "You should have guessed by now?"

“I’ve thought of something, but I’m not sure if it’s right.” Xiao Fengqi looked at Chu Han. “It’s on their way to Daxia.”

"You got it right!" Chu Han snapped his fingers. "The journey from Liaojin to Daxia is long and arduous even for adults, let alone with so many children. Whether these children can endure the hardships of the journey and reach Yangzhou safely is the second test. If anyone gets sick along the way, or cries and makes a fuss, they will be sent home. As a result, by the time this group arrives in Yangzhou, the number of children will be reduced by 30%."

"It really is survival of the fittest!" Shen Cha curled her lips in disdain. "What my great-uncle just said is right. They don't treat these children like human beings at all."

"Isn't that right?" Chu Han sighed. "On the other hand, we found out about that villa by accident, and it was also a very opportune time. Those children had been in Yangzhou for no more than five days. Along the way, apart from those children who couldn't quite understand or express themselves clearly, the others basically knew what they were facing. Of course, some children had been told the purpose of their trip by their families at home, so they were well aware of it and were willing to come."

"Leave your original family and make your own way in the world?"

“That’s true. If they really make it big, they can return home in glory and show off to their original families.” Chu Han sighed. “That’s why they resisted so much when we wanted to send them away. They didn’t want to go back because they would face a lot of ridicule and disdain.”

"They were confident they could make a name for themselves in a foreign land, so why couldn't they believe they could do the same at home?" Shen Cha shook her head helplessly. "And then what happened? How did my uncle manage to capture them? He found their hideout, but just barging in like that probably wouldn't have worked, would it?"

"Of course not. Our group only has about ten people. Although we could contact the government or the local navy, that would easily alert them, so we didn't choose either."

"Did they use the guards from the Prince of Jing's residence?"

"No." Chu Han shook his head gently, looked at Song Yaojia, and then at Shen Haolin. "I personally wrote a letter asking Eagle King to take action."