Chapter 70: A Lucrative Deal

Guoyuan personally went to find Bian Que. As luck would have it, he happened to run into Bian Que just as he was about to enter the city, meeting him at the gate.

Upon hearing there was someone gravely wounded, Bian Que, without a thought for his own fatigue, followed Guoyuan back to the residence to treat the patient.

Liuxiazhi was lying idly on his sickbed, half his body exposed and immobilized with wooden boards. There was no helping it—he couldn’t be allowed near his sword, nor did anyone actually give him wine.

After a careful examination, Bian Que nodded and said, “It’s worth a try.”

Unlike other physicians, Bian Que was versed in almost every aspect of medicine. He adapted his methods to local customs, having served as an “eye and ear physician,” a “pediatrician,” and even a “women’s doctor,” treating gynecological ailments.

His greatest skill, however, lay in trauma care—he was famed for his golden needle technique to stop bleeding. From his medicine pouch, he produced several gold needles of varying lengths and thicknesses, which he deftly tapped into Liuxiazhi’s back. Then, with painstaking care, he drew out the sword. Remarkably, no blood gushed forth.

Bian Que breathed a sigh of relief. The man’s life was saved, at least for now. The rest depended on his recovery, but given Liuxiazhi’s robust constitution, the outlook seemed promising.

Several days passed with no sign of Guoyuan, which made Meng Di quietly suspicious. Had something happened at the Guo residence?

Zisu, however, came every day. Amusingly enough, ever since Liuxiazhi had startled her with his sword, her temperament had grown gentle. She brought fruits and snacks daily to visit.

Liuxiazhi, accustomed to the ways of a brigand, paid little heed to etiquette, barking orders as he pleased. Yet Zisu seemed to thrive under such treatment, growing ever more docile.

Meng Di saw through this. Zisu’s diligence was likely not merely out of guilt. Still, it was well enough—Liuxiazhi, though strong, would need much time to recover. With Zisu caring for him, Meng Di could leave with an easy mind.

Affairs had indeed arisen at the Guo residence. Guoxia had hurried back to Linzi because news had arrived concerning the “Sima’s Treatise.”

“You mean you’ve found traces of Wang?”

“Reporting to my lord, Wang was seen in a fishing village in Langya County.”

“Are you certain?”

“I couldn’t be mistaken. I once drove your carriage, my lord, and met Wang face to face. Though many years have passed, I would recognize him at a glance,” replied a servant dressed as a charioteer.

“Wang?” Guoyuan was puzzled. Had his father returned in such haste for this man?

“Wang is the elderly man who served beside Tian Rangju,” Guoxia replied indifferently, casting his son a glance.

“The Grand Marshal’s attendant! Wasn’t the Grand Marshal already… Could it be…” Guoyuan blurted out in shock, but the steely gaze of his father stopped him from finishing.

His heart churned with tumult. Tian Rangju was a hero of Qi, cut down in his prime. There had always been rumors surrounding his death, many of which quietly pointed toward the Guo and Gao clans. Hearing his father mention it now, a thought flashed through his mind: Could the rumors be true?

“I did not kill Tian Rangju. The one who harmed him was someone else.” Guoxia knew his son revered Tian Rangju for his victories over Jin and Yan, and felt it necessary to clarify lest a misunderstanding linger.

Guoyuan let out a breath of relief, but remained puzzled. “I’ve seen old Uncle Wang before—just a servant at the Grand Marshal’s side. After the Grand Marshal’s death, he vanished. Why does Father care about him?”

“A mere servant?” Guoxia snorted coldly. “His martial prowess is extraordinary. After Jin was defeated, they sent assassins several times, all of whom he dispatched. If I hadn’t set eyes on him myself, I too might have thought him a doddering servant.”

Guoyuan knew his father had always harbored misgivings about Tian Rangju’s appointment as Grand Marshal of Qi, and had worked behind the scenes to undermine him. He had often tried to dissuade his father, earning many a rebuke. The so-called surveillance of Wang might well have been to look for an opportunity to strike. But as a son, he dared not voice his objections.

“Guoyuan, my presence would attract too much attention. You must go to Langya yourself,” Guoxia said sternly.

“To do what?” Guoyuan asked, flustered.

“My lord,” a steward interjected, “years ago, Tian Rangju authored a military classic called the ‘Sima’s Treatise.’ After his death, its whereabouts became unknown. The master wishes you to go in search of it.”

So it wasn’t murder after all. Guoyuan relaxed—he was not a rigid man, but he instinctively disliked acting against Tian Rangju.

“You are to depart at once. Officially, you are handling matters at the salt fields. Remember, not a word of this to anyone.”

“Leave now? What of Brother Jing…”

“I will see to his care,” Guoxia dismissed the concern with a wave, sending his son and the charioteer off to prepare. After some thought, he summoned a trusted aide. “Go with Guoyuan. Once the task is done, all involved must…” He made a gesture of silencing forever.

“Yes, my lord.”

By the flickering candlelight, Guoxia’s face was a mask of shifting moods. He hadn’t even told Gao Zhang, not for lack of trust, but because lately Gao Zhang seemed overly taken with Tian Qi.

The Tian clan… Guoxia hesitated. When it came to Tian Rangju, he could never quite tell if Tian Qi’s intentions were genuine or concealed. He had always suspected Tian Qi was not as straightforward as he appeared.

When Meng Di came to take his leave, Guoyuan was already a hundred miles away.

Handling matters at the salt fields? In such haste, without even a word of farewell? Meng Di was puzzled, but as it was Guo family business, he thought it best not to inquire further. He remained at the residence for several days, ever mindful of his trading caravan, and after leaving a few instructions, departed.

“My lord, Tian Chang has come looking for you several times.” As soon as he arrived at the inn, Su’er greeted him. She had already been informed of Liuxiazhi’s injury, so was not surprised at Meng Di’s stay at the Guo residence.

Why was everyone in such a rush? Meng Di sensed a strange tension in the air. As they were speaking, a messenger announced Tian Chang’s arrival.

“Brother Han, you were not easy to find!” Tian Chang called out boisterously before even entering.

“You are too anxious, Master Tian. Though Lu is not far, going back and forth still takes time.”

Tian Chang waved it off. “Let’s not discuss that today.”

“Oh? Then what brings you here, Master Tian?”

“I have a big business proposal for you.” Tian Chang glanced around, hesitated, and asked, “Could we discuss it in private?”

Once inside the secret room, Tian Chang grew serious, drumming his fingers on the desk as if deep in thought.

“Well, Master Tian, what is this great business that warrants such secrecy?”

Instead of answering, Tian Chang asked, “Your caravan is still at the inn, yes?”

“Of course.”

“Your men are all strong and well-armed—not the usual sort for a trading party, are they?”

Meng Di’s expression darkened. “Are you here to investigate me, Master Tian?”

“Please don’t misunderstand, Brother Han. Caravans travel far and wide—without force, how would you fend off bandits?”

“Then what do you want, exactly?” Meng Di narrowed his eyes.

Tian Chang cleared his throat. “It’s like this. I have an adversary who stole a shipment from me. I’d like to borrow your caravan’s strength to get it back.”