Chapter 129 Uprooted
In the alley at night, the black-clad spies surrounded the place from front to back.

Chen Ji leaned against the eaves of the wall, silently watching Manager Yuan in the encirclement through the gaps in the crowd.

He suddenly realized that he might not have the chance to kill the other party in the future. The importance that the Secret Service attached to this shopkeeper Yuan was far beyond his imagination.

This is the first Jing Dynasty official captured by the Secret Service. If they make good use of him, they will be able to tear a huge wound in the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department.

Jin Zhu ignored Manager Yuan, but squeezed out of the crowd and pulled Chen Ji aside.

He lowered his voice and said, "You are too brave! You dare to chase him alone before you even start practicing? What if he has the energy to resist? Even a trapped beast can still fight back. If he is really determined to use you as a scapegoat, where can you go to seek justice?"

Chen Ji explained: "Sir, this beast is very special. We need to use him to find out new things. How can we let him escape?"

Jin Zhu didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "It's my mistake. I didn't tell you about this plan because I was worried that you wouldn't be able to act like him. Everything tonight was planned. He won't get away at all."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "I'm glad it didn't delay your plans."

The Golden Pig warned him repeatedly: "Don't be so reckless!"

He turned back to the alley and dismissed all the spies. He squatted in front of Shopkeeper Yuan and said solemnly, "Shopkeeper Yuan, have you recovered? If Tianma hadn't fed you the 'Divine Bridge' made by the Taoist Master Huangshan, you would have died by now."

"I know, I know, I recognize 'Shenqiao'," Shopkeeper Yuan nodded hurriedly.

Jin Zhu smiled and said, "Do you have anything you want to tell me now? You have also seen the handwritten instructions from the Minister of Internal Affairs. As long as you are willing to cooperate, a bright future is waiting for you."

Shopkeeper Yuan lowered his head and struggled for a few seconds. When he looked up again, he said, "I'm in Luo City, and there are still many accomplices who haven't been caught!"

The corners of the golden pig's mouth slightly raised, and the smile in his eyes could not be hidden: "Oh? Tell me about it!"

Manager Yuan gritted his teeth and said, "Mengjin County Chief Clerk Kang Bo is our man!"

Jin Zhu winked at the spy, and someone immediately left in a hurry and rode at full speed to Mengjin County to arrest Kang Bo and bring him to justice.

Manager Yuan continued, "The guys in Yingxianlou, Zhang Tong and Zhao Guang, are all our people."

Golden Pig exclaimed: "This is a place where a little effort can achieve great results. The Yingxian Tower is full of dignitaries and nobles. Anything they talk about during the dinner could be confidential."

Manager Yuan shook his head and said, "Those gentlemen always like to brag after drinking. We who hide there hear great intelligence every day, but it is often proven to be false later. Previously, a young scholar said that he had a relative who was the governor of Liangjiang after drinking, and he also told a lot of Liangjiang secrets. We approved funds to approach him, entertain him, and persuade him to defect, but later we found out that he had only met the governor of Liangjiang once from a distance!"

The golden pig opened his mouth but couldn't say anything for a long time.

Manager Yuan continued, "We also opened the grain and oil shop next to the government office."

"We opened Mingquanyuan in Baiyi Lane and Hongxiuzhao in Hongyi Lane."

As Shopkeeper Yuan spoke more and more, Jin Zhu became more and more frightened. He had not expected that there were so many thieves from the Jing Dynasty hiding in Luo City. As soon as Shopkeeper Yuan opened his mouth, he cleared out the entire Luo City Military Intelligence Department!
However, this was not what Jin Zhu wanted to know most. He asked in a cold voice, "These scraps can be caught at any time. I just want to know, is the big shot in Prince Jing's mansion who is in contact with you Prince Jing?!"

But then I heard Shopkeeper Yuan say, "It's not Prince Jing, it's a princess."

Chen Ji's heart was in suspense again, and his eyes were fixed on Manager Yuan.

If the other party betrays Concubine Yun, what should he do? Should he find a way to kill Concubine Yun, or should he escape before she is arrested?

In front of Shopkeeper Yuan, Jin Zhu narrowed his eyes and asked, "Which princess? Princess Yun or Princess Jing?"

Shopkeeper Yuan said, "I don't know either."

Jin Zhu was furious: "You are Si Cao, and you say you don't know?"

Chen Ji stepped forward and said, "Sir, it must be Concubine Jing."

Jin Zhu turned his head slowly: "Because she is Liu Mingxian's sister?"

"Yes."

Jin Zhu said, "But my informant said that Concubine Jing and Liu Mingxian have been at odds for a long time. They had an argument in the Liu family ancestral hall earlier this year. Concubine Jing will definitely not cooperate with Liu Mingxian's plan."

Chen Ji thought for a long time: "But what if the mastermind behind the rebellion was Liu Gun, the old man Liu? Concubine Jing can refuse Liu Ming's order, but she may not be able to refuse her father's order. If the Liu family doesn't even trust their own people, how can they trust outsiders?"

Jin Zhu thought for a moment, "Yes, we are a family after all. Then let's investigate Concubine Jing first and put everyone around her under surveillance. Anyone who leaves the palace should be followed to see where they go, who they meet, and what they say."

Chen Ji breathed a sigh of relief.

Golden Pig turned around, stared at Shopkeeper Yuan and said unhappily, "As a dignified Si Cao, how could you not even know who you are connected with?"

Manager Yuan hurriedly explained: "I just took office, and just became the chief." Jin Zhu raised his eyebrows: "What do you mean?"

Manager Yuan said, "Luocheng was originally under the charge of Si Caogui, who was a direct descendant of the previous military strategist Lu Jin. After Lu Jin stepped down, Si Caoxin was transferred to Luocheng to replace him. Later, Si Caoxin was killed with firearms, and Si Caogui disappeared. This is when I had the opportunity to become the new Si Caoxin."

Jin Zhu was puzzled, "So, you were just promoted from Hai Dongqing... But such an important matter, you should know it even if it's your first day as Si Cao."

Manager Yuan explained: "Si Caogui has always had a firm grasp on the Wangfu line. Now that he has escaped, I don't even know how to get in touch with the Wangfu."

Jin Zhu said angrily: "Then why don't you try to contact Prince Jing's Mansion again?"

Manager Yuan said helplessly: "Sir, I haven't figured out a solution yet, but you caught me! As long as you and the Minister can set me free, I can find out who the big shot is!"

Jin Zhu asked casually, "How is Manager Yuan going to try?"

Manager Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Now that the power of the Military Intelligence Department of the Jing Dynasty in Luo City has been uprooted, it is impossible for anyone from the Military Intelligence Department to contact that important person in the palace. Please assign a few people to me, and I will train them well, teach them all the secret codes of the Military Intelligence Department, and ask them to go and test Concubine Jing. When the time comes, we will know whether it is Concubine Jing or not after a test."

Golden Pig smacked his hands, wondering if this was the same trick that Xifeng used to deceive Liu Mingxian by pretending to be Si Zhu.

But this set is really useful.

Manager Yuan asked, "Master Jinzhu, is there an informant in the Secret Service who has close ties with the palace? If so, that would be great. Train him and he will surely be able to deceive that important figure."

The Golden Pig slowly looked at the traces around him...

Isn't this the best candidate?!
Chen Ji hesitated for a moment, but finally took a step forward: "Sir, please take the overall situation into consideration. I can take on this important task."

However, Jin Zhu said angrily: "Are you crazy? Why are you going where there is danger? You can't go!"

After that, he beckoned Xifeng over and said, "Transfer the informant we planted in the palace to Manager Yuan. I want to know the result of the test within half a month!"

Xifeng clasped his fists and said, "As you command."

Chen Ji looked at Manager Yuan deeply and stopped talking.

Manager Yuan asked, "Master Jinzhu, can you spread the news that I am dead? In addition, I need someone to protect me until I recover completely."

Jin Zhu smiled and comforted him, "Don't worry, someone will protect you. Even if a Dao-seeking master comes, he won't be able to hurt you. After this matter is over, the new identity and official position that the Minister of Internal Affairs has promised you will also be given to you."

After saying this, he kindly helped Manager Yuan to get up and get into a carriage.

Chen Ji was about to evacuate with Xifeng, but he saw Jin Zhu lifting the curtain and waving at him: "Chen Ji, get in the car."

He hadn't even sat down in the car when he heard Manager Yuan suddenly say, "By the way, my lords, I know a secret about Lu Jin!"

Jin Zhu perked up, leaned forward slightly, and asked rapidly, "Lu Jin? The military strategist who resigned from office? What secret?"

Shopkeeper Yuan chose his words carefully and said, "There has always been a legend in the Military Intelligence Department of the Jing Dynasty that the military strategist Lu Jin actually has a sister in the Ning Dynasty. His ability to assassinate the Minister of Revenue was also due to the contribution of his sister."

Jin Zhu raised his voice: "Lu Jin has a sister? How come I have never heard anyone mention it!"

Chen Ji's heart suddenly felt tense again, as if someone was holding it.

If Manager Yuan is not removed, there will be endless troubles. The newly appointed military strategist Lu Guanwu is also a fool. He actually sent a spineless person to Luo City!
In the swaying carriage, Manager Yuan leaned against the wall weakly and explained, "This is just a rumor, but I think it is not groundless."

Jin Zhu became serious: "Tell me about it."

Manager Yuan asked, "Does your Excellency know how Lu Jin assassinated the Minister of Revenue?"

Jin Zhu recalled, "I have seen the file. It was Laba that day. Chen Luyi, the Minister of Revenue, and the Chen clan went to Yuanjue Temple to ring the bell and distribute porridge. On the way, Chen Luyi had something urgent to do and returned to the city secretly, but was ambushed by Lu Jin on the way."

He continued, "Based on the results of the battlefield investigation, Lu Jin was alone at the time. It should be difficult to kill a minister of the Ministry of Revenue. But on that day, Chen Luyi happened to leave most of his entourage and guards with the Chen clan, and only brought four guest officials with him. This gave Lu Jin an opportunity to take advantage of. In the end, Lu Jin killed the four guest officials of the Chen clan, cut off Chen Luyi's head, and fled all the way back to Shengjing City of Jing Dynasty."

Manager Yuan asked, "Don't you think it's strange, sir? If no one helped, how did he know Chen Luyi's whereabouts? Lu Jin has been hiding in Ning Dynasty for several years and finally waited for this opportunity. What has he been doing during these years?"

Jin Zhu was puzzled: "That only means that Lu Jin has helpers. How can you be sure that he has a sister? And his sister is in Ning Dynasty?"

Manager Yuan said, "Lu Jin has always had a sister, but he has always told others that his sister died of smallpox when she was young. However, seven years ago, Lu Jin executed a young nobleman by military law. When the man's father learned about this, he went to dig up the Lu family's ancestral tomb to vent his anger. The grave where Lu Jin's sister should have been buried was empty. After the incident, Lu Jin used thundering means to order the assassins of the Military Intelligence Department to wipe out the entire family of this nobleman."

Manager Yuan sneered, "Outsiders think he is angry because his ancestral grave was dug up, but how could a man like Lu Jin be angry about such a thing? I think he just wants to cover up the empty grave. Sir, follow the clues from that year and investigate again. Maybe you can find his sister."

(End of this chapter)