Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Fie Jie looked silently at the old man in the wheelchair. He knew that Director Chen had sufficient understanding of his own body, so he couldn’t say any of the comforting words he had thought of.
The Overwatch Council was the darkest part of the newly born Qing Kingdom. Of those who could truly understand much of its history and sense Chen Pingping’s thoughts, in this world, there was only this poisoner Great Grandmaster.
In the middle of the year,
Chen Pingping weighted his tone to put emphasis on the time,
leave Jingdou and never come back. I know that you’ve been everywhere in your life, and your only wish is to one day take a boat to where the foreign people live and see how they make their medicines. Since you have this wish…it is better to go early.
For a while, Fei Jie didn’t speak. He understood that given his usefulness in the past in the military, the matter in the Palace could not affect him. However, the Director was urging him to leave Qing Kingdom and take a ship because he wanted him to complete his life’s dream before the matter blew up. He wanted him to be removed from it.
Although he was old, he still had dreams.
I should have gone long ago,
Fei Jie smiled and said.
But, I took on a student, and I’m always a bit worried.
Go,
Chen Pingping said sincerely.
There is only one life, so go do what you like. Don’t wait until you’re old and crippled. Then, you can’t go even if you want to. Although I don’t believe in the karma the temples talk about, you’ve killed a lot of people in your life. It will eventually catch someone’s attention. Of the three poisoners, Xiao En is already dead. I heard the one in Dongyi also suddenly fell ill to some strange sickness. There is only you left. You have to live on.
Fei Jie was silent for a moment. He then said,
I’ll listen to you. In the middle of the year, I will go to Dongyi and out to the sea.
Chen Pingping glanced at him and smiled tiredly.
Why aren’t you leaving from Quanzhou?
That place has the scent of the past, and I don’t like to remember the past,
Fei Jie said.
Plus, since I am leaving alone. I don’t want the Emperor or Fan Xian to know where I went.
Chen Pingping nodded his head.
…
…
Fei Jie had a special role in the Overwatch Council. He had quit the Third Bureau many years ago and now could be considered an offering in the Council. The current head of the Third Bureau was one of his juniors. Commissioner Fan was his student. Through all these years, he was always Chen Pingping’s right arm and good friend, so his status in the Council was extraordinary.
Although there was still an empty medicine research room left for him in the basement of the square building, he rarely went there. His daily work in making medicine and creating poisons were all done in a courtyard in a corner of Jingdou.
This courtyard was a solo research department. All expenses were covered by the Overwatch Council, and all servants and students were also members of the Overwatch Council.
The results of a great poisoner’s research were very precious. Regardless of whether it was the arrow poison that the military needed or the poisons that the nobility in the rear of the Palace needed in their rivalries to kill people, it was something everyone salivated over.
However, the defenses around this courtyard were not very strict. Since Fei Jie’s reputation for viciousness and poisons were well known outside, including his enemies in Northern Qi and Dongyi—as well as the nobles within Qing Kingdom––no one had the boldness to enter the courtyard and play thief. No one knew what venomous bugs Fei Jie kept in his yard or what poisonous powder he had scattered around.
The disciples serving Fei Jie did not have to worry about this. They all carried a poison antidote on them. Even if they mistakenly took it, it would not cause a danger to their lives.
However, the people in Fei Jie’s courtyard often faced financial dangers. Since they were creating poisons, a great deal of money was needed to purchase rare materials. For a few years, the palace treasury didn’t make enough silver and sometimes the Overwatch Council didn’t transfer the silver quickly enough. If Fei Jie was in the midst of an experiment, he would not wait. So, his disciples’ monthly pay would be cut. Afterward, Fei Jie would forget to make up for it again. The students were also too scared to ask for it, so their lives were not so rosy.
Cats have their roads and mice have their way. As long as one was part of the giant organization that serviced Qing Kingdom, people always found ways to make some extra money to supplement their wallets.
The disciples in the courtyard were not an exception. They depended on their understanding of poisons. Although they didn’t enter the little room to sell off Sir Fei’s precious discoveries, some unremarkable little things became their way to wealth. In these 10 years, assassins, great-aunts, and concubines all over the world had enjoyed the poisons of the Overwatch Council through various channels.
At the same time, money flowed in.
The danger involved in selling poison was very great. No one knew where these poisons would end up. Thus, later, the disciples began to steal Fei Jie’s medical prescriptions to sell. At first, the business was not very good because no one dared to use prescriptions written by Fei Jie. It was not until Fan Xian, in his position as Fei Jie’s disciple, healed himself in the Palace and later, Fan Ruoruo, who had inherited her brother’s skill, began to lecture in the Imperial Academy of Medicine, did Sir Fei Jie’s ability in medicine become acknowledged by the market.
Selling medicine was good. It was safe and caused no trouble later.
About five to six months ago, a disciple close to Fei Jie had sold a prescription, which brought him a great deal of wealth. He sold this prescription to the famous Huichun Hall in Jingdou. He had been very careful when he sold it. He hadn’t left any clues in the prescription and did not reveal his face to the other party. He simply handed over the goods with one hand and received the payment with the other.
Four months ago, this disciple suddenly became heavily ill. Perhaps his long years of contact with poisons had infected him. After a number of ineffective treatments, he coughed up blood in bed and died.
Before this disciple died, Huichun Hall had already successfully created their first medicinal pill from the prescription they had bought. After confirming its effectiveness on the body of one of their experiments, the old shopkeeper of Huichun Hall very wisely made the existence of this medicine Huichun Hall’s greatest secret. Thus, they did not discover the medicine’s side effects.
He knew that many of the nobility needed this kind of medicine. This was the chance Huichun Hall had been waiting for to demonstrate their prowess in Jingdou. Of course, the old shopkeeper wouldn’t be stupid enough to allow the prescription to be leaked. Rather, he sent a pill to their backer through a secretive connection.
Huichun Hall’s backer behind the scenes was a sixth-level official in Taichang Temple. This official had always been very careful and did not let his connection to Huichun Temple become exposed. After he confirmed the effectiveness of the medicine, an excitement surged up within him and immediately took over his expression.
Taichang Temple was responsible for all matters relating to the imperial family and often moved around in the Palace. He faintly knew of the so-called hidden illness the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace had for some years. This official vaguely saw the possibility of his career rising meteorically. However, he was not satisfied with being merely the one to bring the medicine.
In a roundabout way, he found the manor of another member of the imperial family and sent it there. He didn’t clearly say that it was the result of the experiments of his own medicinal hall. He only said that he had searched bitterly for it and had finally found this medicine in the foreign goods in Dongyi.
When the imperial relative heard him say this, his eyes lit up.
The Taichang Temple official said that he did not have the prescription and to continuously look for it.
He knew very well that as long as the medicine was in his hands, the nobleman in the Eastern Palace would always need him. Thus, his present career and future career would expand and grow.
The imperial relative knew clearly what the Taichang Temple official was thinking, but he didn’t expose it. He stroked his beard, smiled, and said a few words of praise. He only said that he would take this medicine himself. Even on the pain of death he would not say that the medicine would be sent into the Palace.
They each understood the other.
From then on, the
personally created
medicine by the shopkeeper of Huichun Hall was delivered to the imperial relative who
needed the medicine to recover his strength
by the hard work of the Taichang Temple official who
worked hard to find
the medicine. It was then sent into the palace through a hidden channel.
Along with some tea, it was sent through the Crown Prince’s thin lips.
One pill every 10 days. Never not taken.
All of this was done in great secrecy. If someone began to investigate, at any moment, a link could be broken. However, what no one in this chain knew was that from the very beginning, all the connections and possibilities in this chain had already been calculated by someone. They thought they were being very secretive and everything was within their control. They had no idea that they were actually pawns being controlled by someone else.
…
…
In the little courtyard, Fan Xian left behind Wang Qinian, who was sunk in bitter thoughts and walked to the well. Deng Zi Yue had been waiting outside the entire time, waiting for orders. Seeing that he was free at the moment, he quickly came forward to give his report. His face naturally revealed some reluctance and a little nervousness.
He would head toward the distant Northern Qi the next day to take over Wang Qinian’s position as head of the northern spies. Although, this position, in name, was under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Bureau, it had always been directly responsible to the Director or the Commissioner. It was an important position. After Yan Bingyun, it had been Wang Qinian. After Wang Qinian, it had been him. He knew in his heart that his strengths were not in this area and was worried that there would be a significant difference in his handling of the matters in the North. Thus, he sincerely asked Sir Fan junior of the matters he should be aware of for this trip.
Everyone under heaven knows that you are my trusted aide,
Fan Xian reminded him.
It is impossible to hide this from the Northern Qi people, and there is no need to hide it from them. Unlike Wang Qinian, you are unable to throw off the Brocade Guards whenever you want, so you have to be more careful than him.
He paused and said,
You must get used to playing the part of a diplomat. There are many kinds of spies. Back in the day, Sir Yan was a secret spy while Wang Qinian was half secret half open. You can only be a public spy. If there isn’t a special situation, don’t use the network in the North. For related documents, it’s better to send secret letters through the post. You are attentive enough. There are many pieces of information that don’t need to be investigated in secret. As long as you participate in a few feasts and chat with the Northern Qi nobility, you will be able to notice them.
Deng Zi Yue was slightly startled. Sir Fan junior’s new explanation immediately opened a door in his brain. Spies…don’t have to eavesdrop?
At the moment, the two countries are in their honeymoon phase.
Fan Xian smiled slightly.
Everything adheres to this mandate. Don’t make the Northern Qi people lose too much face.
Deng Zi Yue nodded his head and asked,
Then how should I sort out the network in the north? My identity is too public, like you said earlier, so it’s not convenient for me to contact them.
Lin Wen, or was it Lin Qing? He should still be in Shangjing. He’s an old hand and will explain to you the things you need to focus on.
Fan Xian thought for a bit and said,
I’ve already told you about the First Rank in private. However, you shouldn’t go there…if you have something to relay, go find Sizhe. He already has a commercial network under his control, and it would be more convenient to get a message to the First Rank that way.
Deng Zi Yue knew that the First Rank was the oil shop that Sir Fan junior had privately told him about a few days ago. He thought that Sir Fan junior had organized this well and nodded his head.
If there is a private message for me from the South, go through Xia Mingji.
Fan Xian thought for a bit then said,
Baoyue Brothel’s branch in Shangjing is about to open. When the time comes, I’ll have them contact you.
Deng Zi Yue thought to himself that Sir Fan junior had already arranged everything, so he indeed didn’t have to worry too much. Fan Xian looked at his calm face and a faint sense of regret welled in his heart. He had sent Deng Zi Yue, who had such a public identity, to Northern Qi for this very reason. He couldn’t conveniently connect to the spy network in Northern Qi. This would give his brother a chance to extend his hand in and, at the same time, allow Baoyue Brothel to worm in.
Deng Zi Yue had never suspected Sir Fan junior’s intentions, but Fan Xian had a very absurd thought. He wanted to see if he could turn Qing Kingdom’s spy network in Northern Qi into his own family’s eyes and ears.
This network was truly too important for Sizhe’s business and his deal with Northern Qi.
He coughed gently and said,
For your trip North this time, I am sending 300 Black Knights to see you through Cangzhou. On the other side, there will be Northern Qi people to meet you. Other than court matters, the most important thing is that you have to help me bring this guy forcefully into Shangjing. After entering Shangjing, don’t find anyone else. Go directly to the Tianyi Dao Temple to find Haitang. Follow her plans for after.
Fan Xian raised his head to glance at the bare-chested young man chopping firewood in the corner of the yard. The young man was angry, but there was still a hint of youth between his brows. No one knew how old he was.
Deng Zi Yue followed his gaze over and furrowed his brows.
Haitang can make the arrangements, but…will the Northern Qi people think too much of it after they find out?
With a calm expression, Fan Xian said,
What the Northern Qi people think has nothing to do with us. I am just sending a person over.
Deng Zi Yue hesitated a little and then asked,
But after you’ve returned him to Si Lili…how will you control him in the future?
He was Fan Xian’s trusted aide, so he knew the story of the Commissioner forcefully taking this young man from the Director. He knew that this unremarkable young man, this young man that had been shut in this yard for almost two years, was actually the young brother of the present Northern Qi’s royal concubine.
There are many kinds of control. I don’t need this kind at the moment, so I may as well be generous. It will also make it more comfortable when everyone works together,
Fan Xian said with a smile. However, he was thinking that he and Northern Qi’s interests had long entwined together. It was not all that different whether or not a hostage was here or not. Si Lili’s brother had long lost his past importance.
Deng Zi Yue had no further questions.
Fan Xian waved his hand and called the young man over. He looked at the indignation and hatred on the young man’s face that had not been smoothed over and warmly said,
You’re about to go to Shangjing. Is there anything you want to buy for your sister?
The young man spat onto the floor.
Fan Xian and Deng Zi Yue both smiled. Fan Xian gazed at him and shook his head.
After you go to Shangjing, change your temper…I don’t want you to bring trouble for your sister. Also, don’t blame me for shutting you up for two years…you know about the problem of your past. If I didn’t shut you up, you would probably have died long ago. Hmm, when you get to Shangjing and see your sister, remember to give her my greetings.
Suddenly, he remembered his ride two years ago with Si Lili in the same carriage. He became slightly absent-minded and then immediately calmed down,
Tell her, thank you from me.
The young man didn’t fully understand and scratched his head. He had only seen Fan Xian a few times. He had long been shut up in the yard and did not know about the rumors outside. However, he was sure that this young noble figure was definitely an important official in Qing Kingdom. Except, he seemed a little too young…he was rather surprised that this powerful noble named Fan seemed to be very familiar with his sister that he had not seen in a long time. It seemed like they were friends.
Hearing him say this, was he actually supposed to be grateful to him? The young man once again scratched his head.
…
…
As the day reached dusk, Fan Xian and Wang Qinian left this courtyard and climbed into the carriage. Fan Xian looked forward and teasingly smiled,
Lao Wang, your home is also around here. Why have you still not invited me to visit?
Wang Qinian looked at the smile on his face. His heart jumped. He thought of when he secretly read the love letters between Fan Xian and Haitang and the final threat Fan Xian had made at the end. In a shaky voice, he said,
Sir, my daughter is still young…maybe in a few years.
Fan Xian paused and almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He glared angrily at the old man and thought, With your appearance, what kind of beauty could you have for a daughter?
It was nothing more than a joke. However, it was clear that Wang Qinian’s ability to be the fall-guy fell a great deal when he was worried.
The carriage stopped outside Wang Qinian’s home’s back door, but it was already empty and there was no one inside the home.
Two commoners with normal appearances and rough-spun clothing appeared in the alleyway across the manor of some imperial relative in the south side of the city. The two men had their hands in their sleeves and were half crouching on the ground while chatting leisurely. The content of their chat seemed to not be very leisurely.
It’s this family. Most of the empress’ relatives have died, this is a very distant relative.
What’s the point of knowing this?
If medicine is being sent in, then there has to be a regular pattern they follow. I want to know how often the person in the Palace needs the medicine.
Fan Xian, disguised as a commoner, spat onto the road.
Although this medicine cannot boost masculinity, it can boost courage. That young master’s bravery is being raised by this medicine. If one wants to catch a traitor, one has to figure out the traitor’s timetable…
