“Is that person sick or something?!”
Just after stepping out of the council hall and turning into the winding corridor leading toward the rear courtyard, Su Mu-chen finally could not hold back any longer and cursed in a low voice after confirming that there were no outsiders around to hear them.
Back in the hall, if he had not taken Xiao Yuan’s situation in the court into consideration and did not want to create unnecessary trouble, then with the temper he had developed dealing with unscrupulous conglomerates in modern times, he would have already smashed the dossier straight into Qu De-tao’s face.
Hearing this, Xiao Yuan, who was walking beside him, not only showed no displeasure at his lack of decorum, but a faint smile instead spread through his deep eyes, a kind of indulgent pleasure.
Pei Yi, following behind them, nodded repeatedly in deep agreement.
“Military Advisor Su cursed him well! Qu De-tao is, after all, His Majesty’s die-hard loyal hound; in his mind, he recognizes only the emperor’s orders. Now that he finally caught an excuse he could make use of, naturally he had to treat a chicken feather as a command arrow and make a huge fuss about it. Even I was sweating for you just now. Fortunately, Military Advisor Su reacted extremely quickly and blocked that old fox until he was left speechless with just a few sentences.”
Ever since this supervisor had arrived at Linbei City, he had spent his days picking faults and checking accounts everywhere, throwing the entire administrative office into a state of panic. Pei Yi had long since found him displeasing.
“However, Military Advisor Su truly must be more cautious from now on.”
Xia Lanshi slowly stepped forward, an uncommon seriousness appearing between his normally elegant brows.
“Now that the open and covert struggles have all been placed on the table, Qu De-tao’s openly picking faults is still easy enough to deal with. It is the insidious methods used in secret, which are impossible to guard against, that are truly fatal. From today onward, anything you handle or any food you consume must first be checked and tested. Only after confirming that it is harmless and free of poison may you accept it.”
This warning was not without reason. It was Xia Lanshi’s own blood-and-tears lesson bought with his life, which he was now earnestly impressing upon Su Mu-chen.
Several months ago in Linzhou, while checking account books, he had turned a page of paper soaked in a deadly poison with his fingertips and had nearly lost his life on the spot.
Listening to Xia Lanshi calmly recount the experience, Su Mu-chen felt a slight chill run down his spine and truly sensed the danger of the ancient world’s arena of political schemes.
In modern times, although Sheng Cheng-xiu had pressured him at every turn and threatened him in countless ways, because of the existence of that “door,” Sheng Cheng-xiu knew very well that he was an indispensable “key to the door,” so he had never truly posed a substantial threat to his life.
But this was Da Sheng, a whirlpool of power that devoured people without even spitting out their bones. If an enemy hiding in the shadows wanted to eliminate him, they would have absolutely no scruples.
“Looks like… I’ll have to prepare a few more sets of poison-testing reagents and specialized emergency medicines.” Su Mu-chen muttered to himself.
Xiao Yuan heard his murmuring and turned his head, his tone low and solemn.
“The meals at the administrative office are strictly tested for poison by designated personnel every day. You do not need to worry about that. But remember this: when outside, never casually accept anything handed to you by another person. Always remember that even if something is handed to you by someone you ‘trust,’ before accepting it, you must first run it through your mind.”
Su Mu-chen’s heart trembled slightly as he met Xiao Yuan’s gaze.
Within those eyes like cold stars churned a profound darkness.
Su Mu-chen instantly understood that these words were not merely a warning, but also a painful lesson Xiao Yuan had paid for with his own past.
In the years gone by, Xiao Yuan had perhaps once been brutally betrayed by someone he trusted deeply beside him, which was why he had developed such deeply ingrained vigilance.
Xiao Yuan did not linger on the heavy subject. Instead, he stopped and turned to give an order to Mu Li, who had been following behind like a shadow all this time.
“Mu Li, from now on, all documents and objects presented to Military Advisor Su, regardless of who they come from, are to be inspected by you first. Only after confirming that there is absolutely no problem may you hand them over. Furthermore…”
Xiao Yuan paused, his gaze falling upon Su Mu-chen.
“When Military Advisor Su is treating seriously wounded patients, his mind is highly concentrated, and he will inevitably neglect the defenses around him. At such times, you must guard all his blind spots for him and not leave his side even a step.”
Xiao Yuan understood Su Mu-chen’s temperament too well.
Once this man entered the state of concentration of a physician, there was only the patient’s life and death in his eyes. Every movement of the outside world would be completely shut out. During emergency treatment, when he was racing against the King of Hell to save a person, the slightest distraction could cost a life. Su Mu-chen could not possibly divide his attention to remain on guard, and that was often the moment when he was at his most vulnerable.
“This subordinate obeys.”
Mu Li lowered his head and accepted the order respectfully.
However, in the depths of this hidden guard’s heart, a considerable wave of turmoil was already surging.
Just now, from the shadows of the council hall, he had personally witnessed Su Mu-chen’s composure and sharp wit when confronting Qu De-tao.
Now he had heard this seemingly gentle and refined young physician casually call the military supervisor “sick.”
Mu Li deeply realized that the sharpness hidden in Military Advisor Su’s bones was far more formidable than what he displayed on the surface.
But what shocked Mu Li most was Prince Su’s attitude.
From personally going to the western courtyard to fetch him and inspect the camp, to forcefully protecting him in the hall even at the cost of offending the military supervisor, and now…
Mu Li slightly raised his gaze and glanced over the two people walking side by side ahead.
Too close.
The physical distance between Prince Su and Military Advisor Su had already crossed the boundary of ordinary master-and-subordinate relations, and even that of close confidants and friends.
It was a kind of tacit understanding that could naturally arise only in a relationship where both parties were completely undefended and extremely intimate.
Even in private, Su Mu-chen would directly address Prince Su by his courtesy name, “Jingyuan.”
And Prince Su’s eyes held nothing but indulgence, without the slightest trace of anger.
These two… were definitely not in an ordinary master-and-subordinate relationship.
Mu Li silently recorded all of this in his heart. At the same time, he quietly raised the priority of protecting Su Mu-chen to the same level as protecting Prince Su.
The group avoided prying eyes and arrived at the study in the main courtyard, the most heavily guarded area, where they began the true core military discussion.
With Qu De-tao watching them openly, many military and political decisions simply could not be publicly issued in the council hall. Xiao Yuan could only move the core decision-making to this important location, where Qu De-tao’s reach could not extend.
Since there was still much information concerning the movements within the Northern Di royal court that had yet to be verified, for the moment they could only begin with the defenses they themselves could control.
Xiao Yuan and Pei Yi stood before the enormous map of the northern frontier, their expressions solemn as they calculated the deployment of the troops.
At present, the number of troops they could legitimately mobilize on paper was extremely limited. Under the military supervisor’s restraints, every troop deployment seemed bound hand and foot.
And this was precisely the situation the emperor in the capital wanted to see.
On the other side of the study, Xia Lanshi was handing over the various military-supply ledgers to Su Mu-chen.
In the past, all the grain, supplies, accounts, and logistics of the entire northern frontier had been placed on Xia Lanshi’s shoulders alone. Now that Su Mu-chen had voluntarily taken charge of the military-supply and medical systems, he had genuinely relieved Xia Lanshi of more than half of his burden.
For Su Mu-chen’s convenience, Xiao Yuan had deliberately added a large desk and chair beside his own main desk.
Only, the arrangement on this desk looked completely out of place in the antique-style study.
There was no brush, ink, paper, or inkstone. Instead, there was a laptop radiating a cold metallic sheen, a small portable printer, several ballpoint pens, and a stack of neatly cut pure-white A4 paper. A power-storage device sat on the floor.
Several personal guards, under Xia Lanshi’s direction, carried several heavy camphorwood chests into the room.
“Military Advisor Su, these are the historical account books and casualty and loss records from the various garrisons throughout the northern frontier that I selected from the past three years,” Xia Lanshi said.
Su Mu-chen looked at the mountain of thread-bound ancient books piled before him, and the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
The workload was truly astonishing.
But he understood that these chaotic historical data first had to be standardized and entered into a database before he could accurately calculate the upcoming supply shortages and formulate medical reform plans.
“If there are any discrepancies in the entries, Military Advisor Su can ask me at any time.” Xia Lanshi’s tone was gentle, and his face was full of smiles.
Su Mu-chen casually opened a yellowed account book and checked it.
Fortunately, since Gui Chen Studio had maintained dealings with Prince Su’s residence for a long time, he had already seen the way these account books were recorded back in modern times, so they were not particularly difficult to handle.
“All right. If I have any questions, I’ll consult Chief Secretary Xia. I’ll enter this data into the system and create the records first.”
At this moment, Pei Yi’s slightly worried voice came from before the map.
“Your Highness, we already transferred a round of troops from Hanchuan Guard and Linzhou Guard earlier. If we force another transfer, I fear it will leave local defenses empty and may even provoke a mutiny. Moreover, although Linzhou and Hanzhou are within our control, the Prefect of Cangzhou has always been the imperial court’s eyes and ears.”
The northern frontier was not a single prefecture, but a vast border military and political defense line encompassing Linzhou, Cangzhou, Hanzhou, and the frontline military districts.
Among them, Cangzhou was still under the emperor’s absolute control.
Even though Xiao Yuan possessed the border privilege to “act at his own discretion,” under Qu De-tao’s close surveillance, if he dared to recruit large numbers of troops rashly, he would immediately be accused of the grave crime of “amassing military power and intending rebellion.”
Xia Lanshi slowly walked to the map, his slender fingertip lightly touching the boundary between Cangzhou and Linzhou.
“Cangzhou indeed cannot be moved in the short term, but we can move the troops surrounding it.”
Xiao Yuan and Pei Yi simultaneously turned to look at him.
“To increase the troops available to us, there is no need to openly issue an order to recruit soldiers.” A profound light flashed through Xia Lanshi’s eyes. “We only need to make the various prefectures ‘voluntarily’ send their men here.”
Xiao Yuan’s gaze sharpened slightly, instantly understanding his intention.
He said in a deep voice, “Issue an order to the various prefectures of the northern frontier. Announce that the Northern Di tribes are showing frequent signs of movement and that the entire northern frontier is entering first-level combat readiness. Cangzhou, Hanzhou, and Linzhou all border the northern military line. Order every prefecture immediately to organize the grain routes, repair military equipment, and organize reserve troops.”
Xia Lanshi smiled slightly and followed up smoothly.
“Precisely. When the time comes, we only need to issue official documents downward under legitimate pretexts—transfer some garrison troops to assist in ‘escorting grain routes,’ and order soldiers from the local county inspection offices to the border line for ‘combat-readiness exercises’ and ‘border-defense rotations.’ Using these impeccable reasons, we can gradually bring the troops from the various prefectures into the outskirts of Linbei City. Then, under the name of ‘changing the guard,’ insert these reserve troops into the inner-city defenses, gradually replacing the elite northern frontier troops who are currently tied down by the task of defending the city.”
He slightly raised his eyelids, his tone carrying a calm sharpness.
“On the military registers, these men will always belong to the ‘reserve troops of the various prefectures,’ rather than the ‘personal troops of Prince Su’s residence.’ On the surface, Your Highness’s troop count will not increase by a single man. Even if Qu De-tao checks every item one by one, every step will be backed by official seals and documents from the local prefectures. He will not be able to find anything to use against us.”
Pei Yi’s eyes lit up, and he could not help raising his voice.
“This way, we not only strengthen the defensive line, but also leave that old fox speechless!”
Next, Xia Lanshi took out a thin booklet and handed it to Xiao Yuan.
“Your Highness, these are the details of the Imperial Army that I have secretly investigated over the past few months. I have divided them into four categories: usable, unusable, neutral, and pending investigation.”
Xiao Yuan accepted the roster and quickly flipped through it. It was densely packed with detailed records of the backgrounds and leverage points of the various Imperial Army officers.
Xia Lanshi continued, “Once the fighting begins, we will transfer those ‘usable’ and ‘neutral’ Imperial Army troops to handle the city’s daily security and defensive patrols. This way, Your Highness can completely replace the elite veteran soldiers who were originally tied down inside the city and send them into the main battlefield. After this rearrangement, the actual combat troops Your Highness can mobilize will be far more than the eighteen thousand listed on paper.”
Pei Yi frowned, still looking doubtful.
“But those Imperial Army troops have always been arrogant and undisciplined, with poor military discipline. Even if they are usable, this subordinate still does not trust them.”
“Naturally, we will not entrust everything to them.”
Xia Lanshi calmly explained, “We will deploy them interspersed according to proportion. Key locations such as the city-gate hubs, hidden checkpoints, inner grain warehouses, and core armories will still be guarded by the northern frontier personal troops. The Imperial Army troops will only be responsible for outer patrols and secondary defensive points. On the surface, we will use the excuse of ‘having northern frontier veterans teach the Imperial Army about the city’s defenses’ and mix the two forces together. This will allow them to supervise one another while also preventing internal disturbances among the Imperial Army.”
At this point, Xia Lanshi raised his eyes and stared at Pei Yi, his tone becoming slightly deeper.
“General Pei, make sure to ‘take good care’ of these people and let them truly experience just how ‘sincere’ our northern frontier brothers are when treating others.”
Pei Yi thought for a moment before immediately understanding.
This was to use the northern frontier’s military culture and methods to subtly assimilate those neutral and usable Imperial Army troops completely, making their hearts turn toward the northern frontier.
He grinned and nodded forcefully.
“Chief Secretary Xia, rest assured. Our northern frontier brothers are naturally sincere when treating people. Leave this to me!”
This was a move of “stealing heaven and changing the sun.”
Without expanding the official troop establishment, they would gradually draw the scattered usable military strength toward the core battlefield while completely freeing the sharpest blades from complicated defensive duties.
Next, Xia Lanshi pointed at the thin booklet and said meaningfully to Xiao Yuan, “What Military Advisor Su said just now was correct. This person, Qu De-tao, indeed ‘has an illness.’”
In a corner of the study, Su Mu-chen was rapidly typing on the keyboard with both hands, quickly entering the treatment data of wounded soldiers from previous years into a spreadsheet. Hearing this sentence unexpectedly, he stopped moving and raised his head to look at Xia Lanshi.
Xia Lanshi met his gaze and smiled slightly before continuing.
“This person is exceptionally loyal and obsessive about his own responsibilities. That is his ‘illness.’ Since that is the case, we shall let him carry out his duties to the fullest.”
As Imperial Censor-in-Chief, Qu De-tao’s abilities were by no means false. He could even be said to be quite capable.
Xia Lanshi had already thought of how to give him a stage on which to display his expertise.
Since the emperor had sent them an excellent talent, then he had no reason not to use him.
A cold, dark glint passed through Xiao Yuan’s eyes, and he gave a cold laugh.
“An illness should indeed be treated. While we are at it, let him treat the people on this list who ought to be treated as well.”
Pei Yi failed to keep up with the rhythm of these two deep-minded men for a moment and asked blankly, “What do you mean?”
“Since Lord Qu likes checking accounts and picking faults, then let him check to his heart’s content.”
Xia Lanshi smiled with gentle elegance, but the words he spoke were as sharp as a blade.
“Is he not worried that there are people in the army abusing their authority for personal gain? Then give him a target truly worth investigating thoroughly. Naturally, he will not investigate the northern frontier, but those who truly violate military discipline.”
He opened one page of the thin booklet and lightly tapped it with his fingertip.
“There are several big fish in this Imperial Army roster that are probably worth Lord Qu personally looking into. For example, this deputy logistics general has been secretly embezzling military pay. This right-wing captain once got drunk and fought in the capital, injuring innocent people. There is also a military supply officer whose family recently acquired a large amount of farmland, the source of which is unclear. And there is a right-wing military officer who, during the previous sporadic clashes on the northern frontier, actually dared to falsely report twelve enemy heads and fraudulently claim military merit.”
Pei Yi frowned even more deeply.
“These rotten affairs… hardly count as major cases capable of shaking the army’s morale for Your Highness, do they?”
Such cases were not uncommon in the military.
As for the incident in which the captain got drunk and fought in the capital, it had not even happened on the northern frontier.
Xia Lanshi smiled.
“Of course they do not count for Your Highness. But for a military supervisor who came here under an imperial edict specifically to supervise military affairs, this is the most legitimate assignment imaginable. Qu De-tao was ordered by imperial decree to supervise the army, and the Imperial Army was personally allocated to Your Highness by His Majesty. If there are truly scandals involving embezzlement of military pay, fraudulent military merit, and violations of military discipline among them, if he does not investigate them thoroughly, would that not mean he has failed His Majesty’s favor?”
Xiao Yuan settled the matter with a single decisive statement.
“Leak these rotten Imperial Army accounts to him. Put out several more baited hooks and give him something to do.”
Xia Lanshi bowed slightly.
“This minister obeys.”
Not far away, before the laptop screen, Su Mu-chen had heard every word of this precise strategic deduction.
He secretly admired the cunning and exquisite ingenuity of Xia Lanshi’s strategy. Every reason was perfectly respectable and impossible to refute.
This move of “giving the military supervisor bait” would not only keep Qu De-tao so busy that he would have no time to keep a close eye on Prince Su’s movements, but would also perfectly turn the enemy’s strength against itself.
Using the emperor’s trusted subordinate, they could openly and legitimately eliminate the spies planted within the Imperial Army by the emperor, the Crown Prince, and the court officials.
It was practically a plan that killed several birds with one stone.
Yet amid his amazement, Su Mu-chen also secretly considered that even if Xia Lanshi’s strategy succeeded in drawing out more elite veteran soldiers, on the actual battlefield, Da Sheng’s military strength was still at an absolute disadvantage compared with the Northern Di’s one hundred thousand iron cavalry.
Since numbers could not provide overwhelming superiority, then they could only work ruthlessly on “troop quality” and reducing “non-combat losses.”
Many of those soldiers who had experienced life-and-death situations still carried lingering injuries that had never fully healed, or were physically weakened by long-term monotonous diets.
Over the next three months, he had to greatly reduce the mortality rate and postoperative infection rate in the wounded soldiers’ camp, shorten the recovery period of the wounded, and comprehensively improve drinking water and camp sanitation.
As long as illness and unnecessary losses were reduced, every healthy soldier who survived would be genuine combat strength on the battlefield.
But besides these things, he also had to find another way to further improve the army under limited conditions.
Providing bombs and firearms was naturally impossible. The moment those things passed through the door, they would cause Xiao Yuan to pay an enormous price.
Then he could only find something else.
“Although our troop numbers are limited, at the very least, we can turn the people we have into the most capable and hardest-to-kill elite force in Da Sheng.”
Su Mu-chen temporarily stopped his work, pressed the save key, and rose to walk toward the enormous map.
“At present, we are already equipped with military binoculars and liquid-damped compasses. In terms of long-distance reconnaissance, distance measurement, and directional identification, we already possess a technological advantage that the Northern Di completely lacks. We may not be able to see farther than an eagle or falcon, but we can confirm targets faster and more accurately, and we will absolutely not lose our direction at night or in the wilderness.”
Su Mu-chen’s gaze swept over the three men, his expression focused.
“And now, I believe we can introduce another key factor that can determine victory or defeat—‘time.’”
As he spoke, he took a wristwatch from the small woven pouch he wore with him.
As a physician, precisely keeping track of time was a habit carved into his bones.
He did not use an electronic digital watch, nor was he accustomed to wearing a smartwatch. Instead, he preferred an ordinary analog watch with hands.
Even though his phone had a timing function, in rapidly changing environments, the practicality and reliability of a wristwatch remained irreplaceable.
Only, so as not to appear too conspicuous in Da Sheng, he usually kept it inside his pouch.
“The construction schedule for Linbei City’s clock tower is complicated, and the emperor’s military order came too urgently. Clearly, it cannot be completed in the short term.”
Su Mu-chen looked at Xiao Yuan.
“Antique mechanical pocket watches are expensive, and wristwatches are more convenient to use. Therefore, I propose that I provide a batch of modern quartz wristwatches specifically for the generals, deputy generals, and military officers responsible for frontline command. With them, the entire army can truly achieve ‘precise coordination on the dot,’ without losing a second.”
Su Mu-chen added seriously, “However, there is one point that must be made clear: these watches rely on internal batteries. Depending on how frequently they are used, their lifespan is approximately one to three years. They cannot serve as long-lasting military equipment to be passed down through generations. They can only serve as ‘special strategic supplies’ for the decisive northern frontier battle over these three months.”
Xiao Yuan immediately understood Su Mu-chen’s intention.
The matter of “precise time” was something he had already begun planning long ago, but at present, only the few people among them who possessed pocket watches could accurately control the time.
Seeing the thoughtful expressions of the three men, Su Mu-chen continued explaining.
“What truly matters is not allowing every officer to know what hour it is at the moment. It is allowing the ambush troops at the eastern watchpost to know precisely at what minute and second the cavalry at the western watchpost will launch a feint; allowing the Divine Arm Crossbow Battalion to precisely know when the vanguard cavalry will disengage from the battle zone and when to unleash the covering rain of arrows; allowing the heavy infantry lying in ambush to know at what minute the enemy will enter the predetermined encirclement; allowing three isolated forces several li apart, whose lines of sight are obstructed, to ignite, encircle, sound their horns, and launch their attack at exactly the same second.”
Su Mu-chen’s tone was firm.
“That is what true coordinated infantry-and-cavalry multi-unit warfare is.”
A sharp glint flashed through Xia Lanshi’s light-red eyes.
“A lifespan of one to three years is already more than sufficient for this decisive battle. If we can truly make multiple routes of troops launch their attacks on time as though they were one body, the Northern Di’s scattered cavalry archers will have no way to defend against us.”
The strategy they had not yet been able to implement had now been given another temporary solution by Su Mu-chen.
This truly was another ray of hope they could create amid this desperate situation.
Pei Yi picked up the light, strangely constructed wristwatch and turned to ask Su Mu-chen, “Military Advisor Su, what is the difference between this and a pocket watch?”
He felt that this timekeeping mechanism was merely different in appearance from a pocket watch.
Su Mu-chen picked it up and put it back onto his wrist, explaining, “The time function is the same, but because it can be worn on the wrist, you do not need to take it out of your pocket and open the cover every time you want to check the time. Moreover, this is not a mechanical watch, so it does not need to be wound.”
Pei Yi immediately understood, but he also immediately thought of another problem.
“Then that will be troublesome. On the battlefield, we usually need to wear arm guards.”
Su Mu-chen looked at Pei Yi’s hand, thought for a moment, and then said, “That is not a problem either. I can have the manufacturer customize longer watch straps and fasten them directly to the outer side of the forearm, at a relatively flat position on the arm guard. When not wearing it, you can also keep it on your person and take it out to check when necessary.”
He explained, “It does not have to be worn on the wrist. As long as you can see it without lowering your head or putting down your weapon, that is enough.”
Pei Yi nodded to show that he understood.
Since he had used a pocket watch before, he now understood the difference between the two.
Su Mu-chen switched back into his rigorous military-supply management mindset.
“In addition, I will provide one high-precision master watch as the ‘Northern Frontier Standard Military Time.’ Every morning, a designated deputy officer will calibrate all officers’ watches together at the main camp. All military orders and troop deployments will use the standard military time as their basis.”
Xia Lanshi immediately added, “These wristwatches are not to be given as ‘rewards,’ but as ‘military equipment.’ All issued equipment must be strictly registered: recipient, serial number, purpose, and custodial responsibility must all be recorded in detail. Private transfers are strictly prohibited, they may not be taken out of the military camp, and unauthorized disassembly is forbidden. If an officer dies in battle, the first duty of his accompanying guards is to recover the wristwatch. If he is transferred or retires, it must be returned to the Military Supply Office. Once lost or deliberately damaged, the offender will be punished directly under military law.”
“Approved.”
Xiao Yuan’s eyes were filled with appreciation and approval as he immediately issued the order.
“The overall demand and quantity statistics will be entirely handled by Military Advisor Su. The procurement designation will be drafted by the Military Supply Office. Final inspection and accounting will be jointly overseen by Chief Secretary Xia and the Military Supply Office.”
Su Mu-chen raised his brows and looked at Xiao Yuan with a teasing smile.
“You trust me that much? At this morning’s court session, I was just accused by Military Supervisor Qu of embezzling public funds, and now Your Highness turns around and hands me the procurement of such a large amount of core supplies. Aren’t you afraid I’ll actually falsify the accounts and embezzle the funds?”
Hearing this, Xiao Yuan let out a low laugh, the coldness between his brows transforming into deep certainty.
“If this prince did not trust you, how could I entrust the lives and livelihoods of the soldiers of the northern frontier entirely to you? If you truly wanted to embezzle, the private seals and keys to my treasury can all be moved to your room tonight.”
Su Mu-chen immediately waved his hand and refused.
“Thanks, but no need. I’m already worrying about how to deal with the gold in Gui Chen Studio.”
He could neither openly deposit that gold in a bank because the Sheng family was watching him, nor leave it at home because he was worried it might be stolen.
Although Xiao had told him that the underground storeroom was very safe, he still did not feel entirely at ease. After all, a large portion of it belonged to Xiao Yuan.
Xiao Yuan found this amusing when he heard it.
Most people loved wealth, but Su Mu-chen felt that having enough was fine, while having too much only created more trouble.
Therefore, he did not believe Su Mu-chen would covet these things.
Xia Lanshi calmly continued from the side, his tone as matter-of-fact as though discussing eating and drinking.
“For this kind of military-supply procurement, we and Tingxue Pavilion have long operated so seamlessly that there is nothing to exploit. As long as the flow of funds on the books is complete, the unit prices are reasonable, and the goods are delivered into storage and inspected on schedule, even if Qu De-tao investigates until the end of time, he will not find a flaw.”
“As for those truly unsightly flows of money, naturally there is another set of secret accounts to handle them.”
Chief Secretary Xia said calmly, “The small amount of money Gui Chen Studio openly handles is not even a fraction in the Prince’s residence’s general ledger that would be worth falsifying.”
The intelligence and commercial network “Tingxue Pavilion,” secretly controlled by Xiao Yuan, was already an enormous existence that could not be spoken of openly.
If the imperial court or the Ministry of Revenue caught sight of Prince Su’s true financial strength, then if they truly began investigating, that matter would be a monstrous case far more serious than “military-supply trading.”
Listening to the two men speak about “falsifying accounts to avoid danger” as naturally as eating and drinking, Su Mu-chen helplessly shook his head, yet a trace of understanding surfaced in his heart.
In such a dangerous situation surrounded on all sides, if Xiao Yuan did not know how to adapt and stubbornly adhered to the court’s man-eating rules, he would probably have been devoured alive by that suspicious father-and-son pair in the capital long ago.
Su Mu-chen himself had always maintained a physician’s bottom line in his conduct, emphasizing fairness and reason.
In the past, when purchasing various supplies for Xiao Yuan in modern times, he had repeatedly been complained about by Xiao for “setting the prices too low and making no profit at all.”
But Su Mu-chen had always felt that when it came to life-saving supplies, he simply could not bring himself to take advantage of someone’s desperate situation.
Xiao Yuan stood with his hands behind his back before the map, his gaze sweeping across the entire wilderness like the edge of a blade.
“The Northern Di has one hundred thousand iron cavalry. We do not. Therefore, we will not compete with them in a battle of numbers and attrition.”
“What we will compete in is who can allow their soldiers to live longer, see farther, move more accurately, and, at the same moment, appear where they should be and deliver a fatal strike.”
Su Mu-chen, Xia Lanshi, and Pei Yi had all finally begun to find a direction amid the desperate situation created by the imperial decree requiring them to recover the lost northern frontier territory within three months.
Xia Lanshi silently stroked the white jade peace clasp around his wrist through his sleeve.
He thought that person should also be risking his life and acting for this difficult battle at this very moment.
“All right. Since everything has been arranged properly…” Su Mu-chen turned around and walked back to the specially made desk, pulled out the chair, sat down, and tapped the keyboard. “Then I’ll go ahead and arrange the procurement without holding anything back.”
With that, he once again devoted himself completely to the complicated task of organizing the data, his fingertips moving deftly over the keyboard and producing a regular, crisp tapping sound.
Several steps away, Mu Li stood silently in the shadows, his gaze never leaving Su Mu-chen.
He silently observed every word and action of Su Mu-chen.
The unhurried manner in which he pulled out the grand tutor’s chair and sat down, his habitual movements as he flipped through the account books, and the practiced way his long fingers rapidly operated the glowing mechanism.
The longer he watched, the more an indescribable shock uncontrollably surged through the heart of this deep-minded hidden guard.
Although it was publicly claimed that this newly appointed military advisor came from a medical sect overseas, there were simply too many suspicious points about him.
Aside from that cool, otherworldly temperament, Su Mu-chen’s appearance and build were no different from those of a Da Sheng native.
Even more unbelievable were the divine objects he produced from his hands.
Whether it was the glowing iron box capable of storing countless volumes of documents, the timekeeping mechanism capable of precision down to an instant, or those miraculous medicines, every single one far exceeded the limits of human craftsmen, as though they were immortal treasures from the celestial realm.
An absurd thought even arose in Mu Li’s heart:
Could this Military Advisor Su… truly be an immortal who had descended into the mortal world?
Yet what truly shook Mu Li’s mind was not those extraordinary objects beyond the secular world.
It was the calm concentration on Su Mu-chen’s face whenever he used these miraculous tools, with not the slightest trace of fear, novelty, or reverence between his brows at possessing such priceless treasures.
That familiarity with which he used them as easily as lifting a hand…
It was as though those miraculous objects that ordinary mortals could never comprehend even after exhausting their entire lives were originally nothing more than the most ordinary and commonplace part of his daily life.