Aoyama

Chapter 238: Breaking into the White Tiger Hall

The streets of Kucha were already bustling in the evening. The dancers put on light gauze and leaned against the railings as if they were not afraid of the cold.

When guests came, they threw down their handkerchiefs from upstairs.

The handkerchief with a fragrant breeze fell right on the pedestrian's head. The pedestrian took the handkerchief off his head and saw the white belly when he looked up.

Chen Ji rode his horse out of Longmen Inn at full speed. When the dancers leaning on the railing of the building saw him, they threw their handkerchiefs to him.

But Zao Zao was too fast, and before the handkerchief fell, she ran away with Chen Ji. Pieces of the gauze handkerchief fell into the air, landing on the bluestone road like petals.

The madam of the brothel came out, bent down and picked up the handkerchiefs one by one, cursing: "Next time, throw them away carefully. If you see someone like this again, stop being so wild!"

Chen Ji had no idea what was happening behind him, he just bent over and hurried on his way, in a hurry.

But outside Qiuci Street, the vendors who had set up stalls during the day had not yet closed their stalls, and the streets of Guyuan City were so narrow that only one or two people could pass through. Even if Zaozao was a supernatural being, he couldn't run fast.

Chen Ji rode Zaozao through the crowd, from Qiuci Street to Qiemo Street, from Gushi Street to Xuwei Lane. The blood-red setting sun gradually set behind the city wall. When he arrived at the gate of Dusi Mansion, it was already dark.

There were four big fires burning in front of the Dusi Mansion, illuminating the three large gold-plated characters "Dusi Mansion" on the gate.

Dozens of frontier soldiers were patrolling around the palace. When they saw Chen Ji coming, they raised their halberds from a distance and said, "Dismount if you come here!"

Chen Ji jumped off his horse, walked closer holding the reins and said, "Generals, I have something important to report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

The soldiers of the border army remained unmoved. One of them slowly put away his halberd and said sternly, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is discussing important matters with the generals of the Imperial Guards. Anyone outside please stay away."

Chen Ji took a step forward, and several soldiers holding halberds crossed their halberds in front of him and shouted in unison: "Get out of the way!"

He frowned, wondering whether to force his way in.

But the Dusi Mansion was of great significance. It was the seat of the central army of the Guyuan Frontier Army. Breaking into the Dusi Mansion was considered treason. Moreover, with dozens of frontier troops, he was afraid that he could not break in.

Chen Ji looked around, wondering if he could climb in from the side.

While he was thinking, he heard someone say, "Hey, why is the third son of the Chen family here?"

Chen Ji looked towards the source of the sound, and all the muscles in his body suddenly tensed up.

The person who spoke was the border soldier who was previously identified by Zhang Xia as the person suspected of poisoning the 34 members of the Chen family.

The scar on the other person's right cheek extended from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe, which was extremely eye-catching.

Seeing Chen Ji's gaze, the scarred soldier touched his scar subconsciously and explained with a smile, "This scar was left when we fought against the Tiance Army of the Jing Dynasty at Quwu Mountain in the 25th year of Jianing. At that time, General Zhou led us to kill the central army flag of the Jing Dynasty thieves. On the way, we were stopped by an officer with a knife. He chopped at us with his knife. If General Zhou hadn't pulled me back, half of my head would have been chopped off."

Chen Ji clasped his fists and said: "General, you defend the border, sacrifice your life and shed your blood. I admire you."

The scarred soldier waved his hand and said, "No need to call me General. I am just a small general under General Zhou. Just call me Old Wu. I don't know what the Third Master Chen wants. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is indeed discussing important matters with the Yulin Army. If it is not a major matter, I can pass on the message for him."

Chen Ji shook his head: "I'm sorry, I must report this to His Highness in person."

Old Wu was a little embarrassed: "But Commander Li Xuan has specially ordered that outsiders are not allowed to enter the Dusi Mansion. Now even our border soldiers are not allowed to enter and can only stand guard outside."

Chen Ji's heart sank. Not allowing him to see the prince?
He glanced at the sky and saw that time was running out.

Chen Ji said tentatively: "Old Wu, you also know the relationship between me and General Zhou. Please be flexible. I do have something important to report to His Highness."

Old Wu hesitated and asked, "Is it really that important?"

Chen Ji observed the other party's expression and said, "It's very important. It concerns the safety of Guyuan!"

Old Wu thought for a moment, then waved to the soldiers at the door and said, "Let them pass."

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers of the border army raised their spears in unison, and there was no more tension.

Chen Ji was stunned. Just let him go like that?

Old Wu signaled the soldiers of the Border Army to push open the gate of the Dusi Mansion, and said reluctantly: "Since it is an important matter, I will make an exception for you. In fact, it is not that my Border Army wants to stop you... Mr. Chen, you will understand in a moment."

……

……

Without waiting for the door to be completely opened, Chen Ji had already stepped over the threshold and walked in with big strides.

But as soon as he turned around the screen wall, he was stopped by a Yulin soldier.

The Yulin Army frowned and looked at Old Wu behind Chen Ji, reprimanding him, "Didn't I tell you that this Dusi Mansion is now the Crown Prince's headquarters, and no one is allowed to enter without the permission of our Yulin Army! How do you do your job?"

Chen Ji subconsciously turned his head to look at Old Wu. It turned out that it was not the border troops who intended to make things difficult for him, but the Yulin Army controlled the entire Dusi Mansion and did not allow outsiders to enter, and did not give the border troops the power to release people.

At this time, Old Wu frowned and said, "Mr. Chen San is a relative of Lord Chen. Why can't we let him in? This Dusi Mansion originally belonged to our Guyuan Border Army. General Hu moved out of the Dusi Mansion to show respect to the prince. Do you really think this is your territory?"

Chen Ji stood between the two and said kindly, "Generals, calm down. This matter was caused by me, so you can blame me. But I have something urgent to report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and there is no time to waste."

"What urgent matter do you have?" The Yulin Army glanced at Chen Ji and said, "Didn't you run away earlier? Why are you back now? Why, seeing that the Jing Dynasty army didn't come to besiege the city today, aren't you afraid of being implicated by us? Go back, the Dusi Mansion is not the place for you."

Chen Ji didn't care how the Yulin Army planned to arrange his move behind his back, and he just kept walking inside.

The Yulin Army drew the long sword from his waist and blocked Chen Ji's way: "Stop, can't you hear me talking to you?"

However, Chen Ji did not stop. When the tip of the sword was about to touch his chest, he slightly turned sideways and passed by the Yulin Army.

The Yulin Army was furious: "Grandson, I told you to stop!"

As he said that, he turned around and kicked Chen Ji in the right hip.

Chen Ji grabbed his ankle and flicked his wrist casually, and the Yulin Army stumbled out like a top.

When the Yulin Army stood firm, Chen Ji's figure was no longer in front of him. He turned around suddenly and saw Chen Ji rushing into the depths of the Dusi Mansion.

The Yulin Army wanted to chase after him, but Old Wu grabbed his wrist and said to Chen Ji, "Go!"

The Yulin Army struggled several times but failed to break free from Old Wu's iron grip, and immediately shouted angrily: "There is an assassin! Catch the assassin!" As soon as these words were spoken, they caused a huge uproar.

The sound of dense footsteps and the rubbing of armor could be heard, and the Yulin Army gathered around from the houses and corridors on all directions.

Seeing that more and more Yulin soldiers were blocking the way, Chen Ji jumped onto the corridor and ran towards the White Tiger Hall on the gray tiles.

Chen Ji ran on the eaves, and the Yulin Army ran parallel to him below.

One of the Yulin soldiers shouted angrily: "Send me up!"

In an instant, a colleague in front of him squatted down, and when he stepped on his colleague's shoulder with his black boots, the colleague below suddenly stood up and sent him into the air.

The Yulin soldiers drew their swords in mid-air, their white cloaks fluttering behind them: "Die!"

The bright sword light slashed down, crossing Chen Ji's path.

Chen Ji suddenly stopped, crushed five or six pieces of gray tiles to stop himself, and the sword light missed his nose by a millimeter.

The Yulin Army was shocked.

At this time, Chen Ji took advantage of the fact that the Yulin Army's sword was exhausted, grabbed the opponent's wrist, swung it in a circle, and threw it back into the crowd below, knocking the Yulin Army to the ground.

By the time the Yulin Army helped their fallen colleague up, Chen Ji had already approached the White Tiger Hall of the Dusi Mansion!
Chen Ji saw from afar that the prince was sitting at the head of the long table in the hall, with Li Xuan and Chen Liqin sitting on his left and right, and it was unknown what they were discussing.

A Yulin soldier shouted behind him: "There is an assassin, protect His Highness!"

Everyone in the hall was startled by the sound and looked towards the roof, but they could not see clearly in the darkness.

Li Xuan immediately stood up, put his hand on the long sword at his waist and walked out of the White Tiger Hall: "Protect His Highness!"

Qi Chenzhuo led more than 20 Yulin soldiers to form a battle array in front of the hall, and they all drew their swords: "Kill!"

Chen Ji jumped down from the roof and looked at the well-refined military formation that connected the more than 20 Yulin soldiers' spirits, covering each other's weaknesses and making them impeccable.

However, in front of the forest of long swords, he stepped forward step by step, and cast his eyes across the Yulin Army towards the White Tiger Hall: "Your Highness, I am Chen Ji, and I have something important to report!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Liqin stood up and looked outside. He took the hem of his official robe and walked a few steps quickly, then stood on the steps and shouted angrily, "Chen Ji, what are you doing? What is your crime for disturbing His Highness?"

Chen Ji didn't look at him, but continued to speak loudly: "I found a piece of news in the market that someone is secretly collecting gold juice, and the number is more than ten jars. I suspect that it is a spy from the Jing Dynasty who wants to pollute the well water in the city and help the Jing Dynasty's Tiance Army to besiege the city!"

What should be cut off first when a siege is launched in this era? Water and supplies!
Some armies would bury carcasses of cattle and sheep upstream of a river, which would pollute the water of an entire city in just seven days. Some people would also poison wells, destroying the water source of an entire city.

But what is the most convenient thing to contaminate the well water? Not poison, but feces.

Arsenic is naturally more effective, but at least two to three pounds of arsenic must be poured into a well. The cost of extracting arsenic and other arsenic-containing drugs is extremely high and the noise is huge, so it is difficult to cover the hundreds of wells in Guyuan City.

If feces are used to cause bacterial contamination, it will not only save time, effort and money, but the E. coli in feces can survive for five to ten minutes even in 100-degree water. Even after being inactivated by high temperature, the microorganisms will reproduce rapidly again after the water temperature drops, making people sick.

Therefore, the defenders of the city boiled feces into golden juice and poured it from the top of the city. Any soldiers who were scalded by the attacking soldiers would have their wounds rot and would not heal.

Extremely vicious.

Extremely disgusting.

A Yulin soldier looked at Chen Ji sternly: "What nonsense are you talking about? You dare to disturb His Highness just because you heard some gossip in the market? What crime should be punished! Besides, do you think the Guyuan border soldiers are fools? Every well in this city is guarded by two soldiers. How can the thieves of Jing Dynasty pollute the well water?"

Chen Ji retorted: "Since the Jingchao thieves have made such preparations, they must have the support of the officials. Can the border troops send hundreds of officials to guard the wells?"

Qi Chenzhuo sneered, "This is the White Tiger Festival Hall, it's not a place for a kid like you to talk about military strategy on paper!"

As he was speaking, the prince slowly walked out of the White Tiger Hall. Li Xuan wanted to put a white fox fur coat on him, but he raised his hand to stop him.

The moment the prince walked out of the White Tiger Hall, Chen Ji felt his eyebrows throbbing vaguely, as if there was a murderous aura locking him in the side room, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

He did not go to the side room, but he was suspicious. Could it be that there was an official hiding in the side room to protect the prince? Who was it?
Are they the assassins of the Eastern Palace?
At this time, the prince stood on the steps, looking at Chen Ji who was fearless in the face of danger in front of the army, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.

He consoled her gently, "I know that the Third Young Master of the Chen Family has good intentions and believes what you said. If the thieves of the Jing Dynasty really have an official who is planning this, I'm afraid the soldiers guarding the well will find it difficult to stop them. But... this is the duty of the border troops, and I can't overstep my authority."

The prince didn't want to care.

Seeing this, Chen Liqin waved to Chen Ji and said, "Why don't you leave quickly?"

However, Chen Ji suddenly said, "Your Highness has received the imperial edict to investigate the case of killing Liang for false merit, but there has been no progress. If the border troops have killed the clerk who wrote the memorial to silence him, this matter may become an unsolved case. If Your Highness does not make a great contribution by then, how can you return to the court, and how will His Majesty look at you? Now that we have the clues from the Jing Dynasty spies, why not give it a try?"

Chen Liqin was furious: "Shut up, is this something you can comment on?"

After that, he hurriedly bowed to the prince and said, "Your Highness, don't listen to his nonsense. You will definitely be able to find out the case of killing innocent people and claiming credit for their achievements."

Chen Ji continued, "Catching the Jing Dynasty spies and protecting Guyuan is naturally a great achievement. By then, everyone will forget about killing innocent people and taking credit... Maybe we can even find out that there is a connection between the border troops and the Jing Dynasty spies."

The prince remained silent and fell into deep thought.

The area in front of the White Tiger Hall became quiet. At the foot of the stone steps, Chen Ji stood still facing the Yulin Army.

The prince asked curiously, "You have a past with Deputy General Zhou, why don't you tell him?"

Chen Ji had his own reasons, but he couldn't say it clearly... He bowed to the prince and said, "The Chen family is a subordinate of the Eastern Palace. When something happens, we should report it to the prince, not to others."

The prince smiled slightly, turned to Li Xuan and said, "General Li, prepare the horses. Let's go and see if the news this little brother said is true."

Li Xuan asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, do you believe what he said?"

The prince hummed, "I believe it. If it was just hearsay, he wouldn't risk his life to break into the White Tiger Hall. Besides, all of you didn't stop him, and he got to me. Doesn't that show how capable he is?"

Li Xuan looked ashamed.

He turned his head and took a deep look at Chen Ji, then led the Yulin Army outside: "Prepare the horses!"

(End of this chapter)