Chapter 471: Laying the Groundwork

Chapter 471: Chapter 471: Laying the Groundwork

He’s been a Small Banner Officer of the Xuanqing Guard for so long, but only accepting benefits without having to do any work—this uneasy feeling gradually built up into fear. That’s exactly why Liu Hengyi took the initiative to deliver money: he’s scared.

Is it really so easy to take advantage of the Xuanqing Guard? Not in a hundred years, Liu Hengyi thought. On the contrary, whatever the Xuanqing Guard gives you, you’ll have to pay back in full—or maybe even double. Just because they haven’t come knocking yet, maybe they’re planning something big? When they finally make demands, will he be able to handle it?

Now, things are clear: Shen Hao flashed him a smile, first spelling out the situation—was the money for his personal use, or to beg for safe passage—then, without much hesitation, accepted the "share." That let Liu Hengyi breathe a huge sigh of relief. If it weren’t so out of place, he’d have pulled out paperwork and had Shen Hao sign and seal right here and now. The actual money could wait, or even never arrive; as long as Shen Hao took his share, that was enough.

Shen Hao saw all of this—he could guess exactly what was on Liu Hengyi’s mind. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken the share in the first place.

People need to feel secure before they’ll work hard for you. As for the money, Shen Hao honestly didn’t care; in the end, it would just go to the Black Water Plan’s public funds.

"In a few days, I’ll have someone contact you. We’ll gradually send some personnel into your Carriage and Horse Shop. Don’t worry, it’ll mainly be drivers and crews; I’ve no interest in meddling with your stewards. Of course, if some transfer stations have vacancies, we’ll place people there. Everything will be handled according to your shop’s usual procedures—papers complete and official, nothing to make anyone suspicious. Got it?"

Liu Hengyi was overjoyed; he thought: this feast really paid off, finally a task delivered! If you take the benefits, you need something to do, then you can sleep easy—otherwise, Liu Hengyi felt he wouldn’t rest well at all.

"Rest assured, my lord, I’ll get everything arranged, there won’t be any mistakes." Liu Hengyi had figured it out: he was being used as a channel for Secret Agents. He could accept that. The Carriage and Horse Shop was his turf; placing people there would be simple enough.

The details didn’t need Shen Hao and Liu Hengyi to haggle over—Wang Jian would handle all the follow-up directly.

Once the business was done, Shen Hao removed the Array he’d set up in the room. Now, Hong’en Hall was much more than just a Flower House in Shen Hao’s eyes, with many hidden undercurrents inside; every matter required caution.

As soon as the Array was withdrawn, the Guard outside sensed it and invited the madam in to start serving the dishes.

And the companions came in along with her.

A figure in fiery-red dress darted in from outside, landing right on Shen Hao, fragrant air swirling with a coquettish tone of blame: "Did you forget about me?"

Lowering his gaze to her pretty face so close, Shen Hao took a deep breath, resisting the urge to kiss her, and laughed, "Nearly died! Would’ve come sooner otherwise."

"Hmph! You’re not dying anytime soon. Anyone who tries to kill you always ends up killed by you. I heard about it earlier, but I knew you’d be fine. Was going to find you, but worried I’d be a distraction, so I kept waiting for you."

"You trust me that much?"

"Yeah."

For some reason, Shen Hao felt this "fairy" wasn’t lying—she really believed he could slaughter all his enemies.

Besides Lian Xiang, two others came in.

One was the songstress already sticking to Liu Hengyi, drinking and chatting; the other surprised Shen Hao—it was actually Ning Ziye.

This woman hasn’t left Fengri City?

"Ms. Ning heard the famous scholar was here and came to perform a zither piece for you! What luck you have!" Lian Xiang smoothed things over from the side. She knew her senior sister and Shen Hao didn’t get along, but with Ning Ziye insisting on "watching her," there was nothing she could do—she just hoped Shen Hao wouldn’t blow up.

Ning Ziye also greeted Shen Hao with a beaming smile and polite bow, then exchanged pleasantries. On the surface, nothing showed her dislike of Shen Hao; after all, there were "others" present.

Shen Hao smiled and nodded to Ning Ziye—not someone he wanted much to do with; even in the future, he’d wait for some real intel from the Imperial City before bothering further.

Now Liu Hengyi, as host, took charge of the scene. Whether it was Lian Xiang or Ning Ziye, he handled their words and manner gracefully, almost like an urbane gentleman—not what you’d expect from a merchant reeking of copper coins. No wonder the man had such a successful business.

"Lord Shen, look, these are the three Cold Moon Fish I worked so hard to procure—they’re all alive and frisky, a total of seven jin and five taels!"

Seven jin, five taels—doesn’t sound much, but it depends what it is.

Before coming, Shen Hao had asked Steward Hu Tian about this fish he’d never heard of before; word was, one tael could fetch a thousand gold pieces, and that was no exaggeration. It was the most extravagant, expensive, and rare delicacy—a single fish could set a modest three-person family for ten years. Not just unaffordable for ordinary folk—even powerful nobles and big merchants rarely got to taste it.

Beside him, Ning Ziye was well-traveled; wherever she went, she was a VIP. Her Master of the Zither status earned her top-shelf eats and drinks. Naturally, she knew of the Cold Moon Fish, yet she still exclaimed, "So many?!"

Obviously, Liu Hengyi was pulling out all the stops to curry favor with Shen Hao tonight.

The first ones in were a chef and two helpers—the chef standing properly to one side, the helpers bringing in a water tank, with three fish the length of a ruler inside.

Seeing the fish, Shen Hao finally understood why they were called "Cold Moon." These fish were transparent! Aside from bones and innards, scales, skin, and flesh were all see-through; at a glance, they looked like a crescent moon on a misty night.

Just as Liu Hengyi said, the fish were lively, constantly patrolling in the tank—one even leapt out, splashing water everywhere.

"Few chefs in Fengri City can handle Cold Moon Fish right. The best is this Hong’en Hall’s head chef, Zhang He," Liu Hengyi had done his homework, and pointed to the chef standing in the guest room to introduce to Shen Hao, "Chef Zhang will start with sashimi—best for the opening course. Lord Shen, watch his saber technique and give it a review, eh?"

But he’s no fighter, and however slick he is, there’s bound to be a misstep sooner or later—comparing a chef’s saber technique to Shen Hao’s? Obviously, Liu Hengyi didn’t really get it.

"Ha! Old Liu, you’re really putting me on the spot. Chef Zhang’s blade is for food; mine’s for chopping off heads. Nothing in common—how am I supposed to ’review’ them? Unless you stick your neck out so I can chop it for you?"

Liu Hengyi paused, realizing Shen Hao was joking but still broke out in cold sweat, hurriedly apologizing for "misspeaking."

Meanwhile, the chef finished preparing, bowed to the group, and began his performance.