Chapter 79: Schemes and Deceptions

At the banquet, wine cups clinked and laughter filled the hall as the guests drank themselves to a pleasant haze.

Through blurred, drunken eyes, Meng Di inquired, “Young Master Tian, have you gone to such great lengths merely for a trifling bandit leader?”

At that moment, Tian Chang was preoccupied with the whereabouts of Guo Yuan, so he answered the question with little thought.

“That bandit chief is a grave threat to the Tian clan. Unless I eliminate him, I cannot find rest or peace.”

“You’re exaggerating, Young Master Tian. Your family is a leading house in Qi. How could you possibly be powerless before a mere bandit?” Meng Di could tell these were his true feelings, further confirming his earlier suspicions: it seemed the Tian clan itself had moved against Tian Rangju, suggesting a hidden agenda beneath the surface.

Tian Chang was momentarily taken aback by the question, but quickly shifted the topic. “The Tian clan is mostly engaged in commerce, and we have businesses in Langya. These bandits have entrenched themselves here and disrupted our operations, which is why I’ve been so uneasy.”

He changed tack once more. “Brother Han, during your campaign against the river bandits, did you catch any trace of Young Master Guo?”

The Tian family’s reputation among the commoners had already reached considerable heights, but true power in Qi was held by the Gao and Guo clans, who watched over each other, leaving the Tian clan with no path to advance. If they could obtain the Sima Strategies this time and keep Guo Yuan here, then, with some careful planning, they could let the Guo clan believe the Sima Strategies had fallen into the hands of the Gao family, driving a wedge between the two great houses. That would be the Tian clan’s opportunity.

Since the subject of Guo Yuan’s whereabouts had come up, Meng Di immediately understood that Tian Chang’s true purpose for bringing such a large entourage today was not to deal with him, but with Guo Yuan—in fact, to confirm whether Guo Yuan was still alive.

Meng Di feigned regret as he replied, “To guard against the river bandits’ tricks, I led my men straight to Eagle’s Beak Cliff, but, alas, there was no sign of Young Master Guo. I was about to begin a proper search when Young Master Tian arrived.”

Tian Chang was secretly delighted to hear this. It was best that Guo Yuan hadn’t been found yet. After all, the reason he’d brought so many men was to search for Guo Yuan. Since Meng Di hadn’t found him, there was no need to act hastily.

His plan was to dispose of Guo Yuan’s corpse along with Meng Di and his followers, then retrieve the Sima Strategies and present it to the Gao clan. This would allow the Tian clan to achieve their aims ahead of schedule.

But for now, Tian Chang had to bide his time, as he did not yet know where the Sima Strategies was. He drew out the deed for two thousand mu of salt fields from his robe, patting it lightly in his hand.

He then asked, as if casually, “Brother Han, did you happen to find a book?”

“Are you speaking of the Sima Strategies, Young Master Tian? I did hear from the prisoners that Young Master Guo obtained it, but I don’t know what kind of book it is. It seems that’s what he came for this time,” Meng Di said, cradling his wine cup and gazing at Tian Chang with feigned curiosity.

This was not good news. Tian Chang felt a headache coming on. If the Guo clan had gotten their hands on the Sima Strategies, the Tian clan would suffer a great loss.

He found it hard to believe Meng Di’s words, but the man’s demeanor betrayed no falsehood.

For a moment, Tian Chang hesitated. After careful consideration, he made a decision.

“Brother Han, you have just endured a fierce battle. Why not stay in the city for a while and rest? It will also give us time to finalize the transfer of the salt fields, so you won’t have any doubts about the Tian clan’s sincerity.”

His offer was prompted by the need to consult his father. Although he felt his own plan was sound, the clan chief was not him, but Tian Qi. When it came to the struggles between the great houses of Qi, caution was paramount—for failure could mean annihilation.

At the same time, Tian Chang needed more time to search for Guo Yuan’s whereabouts. He was particularly worried that Meng Di might have hidden Guo Yuan away, so keeping Meng Di in the city for a while would serve as a test. If Meng Di refused, then he must have something to hide.

Meng Di stretched his limbs. “I don’t mind staying for a bit, but I have hundreds of attendants. Feeding them and their horses is no small expense. A day or two is manageable, but any longer and I fear I won’t be able to sustain it.”

A greedy sort! That was the impression Meng Di left on Tian Chang, but it also set his mind at ease. A man with weaknesses could be exploited, and nothing in Meng Di’s words seemed suspicious.

“Rest assured, Brother Han. All your expenses here will be covered by the Tian clan.”

“But what about Young Master Guo? We have met before, and I would hate for his life to be lost in vain. Even if he is dead, we should recover his body and return it to Linzi.”

“That won’t be necessary, Brother Han. I brought ample men this time. We will surely find Young Master Guo.”

“Is it possible that you, Young Master Tian, are also here for the Sima Strategies?” Meng Di’s smile was inscrutable, full of hidden meaning.

Before Tian Chang could respond, he continued, “If you are willing to come clean and offer a generous price, I wouldn’t mind profiting a bit more from this affair.”

This made Tian Chang realize that Meng Di must have some leverage and dared to bargain so boldly. “What is it that you want?” he asked.

“Now that I have the salt fields, and soon the trade routes, all I lack is wealth. The Tian clan is renowned for its riches in Qi—surely a little money is a mere trifle to you?” Meng Di replied, grinning broadly.

Meanwhile, Steward Wang was escorting Guo Yuan onto a large boat, his manner far less harsh than before.

“Young Master Guo, I must trouble you to remain aboard for a while. If word comes from my master, you will be free to go.”

By now, Guo Yuan no longer worried about Steward Wang. Rather, he was unsettled by the sight, from his hidden vantage point earlier, of Tian Chang leading such a formidable force here.

Although the Tian clan now behaved with propriety, Guo Yuan remembered that when Duke Ling of Qi was gravely ill, Cui Zhu had installed the crown prince Lü Guang as king—later known as Duke Zhuang. Then Cui Zhu killed Duke Zhuang and installed Duke Jing, throwing the court into turmoil.

Amidst such chaos, Tian Qi’s father, Tian Wuyu, endured in silence for many years, finally waiting for the Cui clan to fall into civil strife. He exterminated their line, became the chancellor of Qi, and took control of the government. That was not so long ago. Guo Yuan did not believe the Tian clan would be content to remain where they were.

Moreover, he had just learned there was something suspicious about Tian Rangju’s death, and the Tian clan was under suspicion. If this were true, Tian Chang would surely kill to cover his tracks.

Thus, staying with Steward Wang was, in fact, safer for now. Guo Yuan sighed softly and said, “I won’t hide the truth from you. I came this time seeking the Sima Strategies, but it seems Brother Han has beaten me to it.”