Chapter 606: Blind Spot

Chapter 606: Chapter 606: Blind Spot

Yang Yansi’s reaction was faster than that of the guards outside the pavilion, and the person who suddenly appeared was certainly strange: there had been no sign beforehand, as if he’d materialized out of thin air.

"General Yang, I hear things haven’t been easy for you lately."

The newcomer was not stopped by the guards; instead, they bowed slightly towards him in greeting, then retreated to stand at a distance. Matters within the pavilion were handled directly by Yang Yansi, so their presence was unnecessary for now.

"Heh, the Prince must find it amusing. But all within expectation; it’s already been dealt with."

The man whom Yang Yansi addressed as Prince had hair streaked with white, a scar across his brow that looked like a burn. His age was hard to judge—could claim seventy or eighty, could just as well be forty or fifty. Most unnerving were his eyes: one all black with no white, one all white with no iris—a disturbing sight.

"Dealt with? Yang Xiusheng’s Vessel-Cutting Hand isn’t ordinary—how did you manage to fool him?"

"Just borrowed a life, that’s all. The blame lies with Yang Xiusheng being overly confident—he never thoroughly checked my soul, letting me hide away a strand. After returning, I borrowed that life for a reversal; the restriction of the Vessel-Cutting Hand was transferred along with it. Troublesome, and it consumed much, but it was thrilling without real danger."

Once the Vessel-Cutting Hand is removed, the spy from Fenghong Manor assigned to watch me becomes insignificant—a few golden needles make him a puppet, reporting whatever I require. So, thus far, all proceeds smoothly."

Yang Yansi spoke as he picked up a chilled wine jug beside him, poured a full cup for the other, and smiled: "This is Immortal Brew. I only have two jars. Tonight, you and I shall share them alongside these dishes."

"Hahaha! Though my tolerance for wine is modest, even this jar won’t intoxicate me. I’ll accompany you for once." Raising the bowl, he clinked it with Yang Yansi’s and drank it all down. The spicy surge as the liquor burned through their throats drew a loud exhale from both.

They each drank two bowls in succession.

"A pity. The wine is fine but not to my taste—just like the affairs of this world, there’s never a perfect solution."

It was a cryptic remark, but Yang Yansi understood it well.

"Prince, the matter erupted suddenly. There should have been five years before the official launch, but no one expected those pseudo-evil cultivators would slip up, expose themselves, and then the Xuanqing Guard followed the trail all the way to the Ministry of War. In the end, the arrow was nocked and could not be drawn back. We had no choice but to act ahead of schedule..."

The other waved a hand, cutting off Yang Yansi’s explanation. Rising, he took the wine jug and poured Yang Yansi’s cup full, smiling: "Just as I said, affairs rarely go as planned; a few surprises are inevitable. General Yang, pay no mind to it. But what follows absolutely must not go awry."

"You may rest assured, Prince. The following arrangements have been laid out for decades. Every thread has lain dormant long beforehand. Now, all proceeds methodically—there will not be any deviation."

The two clinked another bowl. Afterwards, they picked up chopsticks and began to eat.

Out of courtesy, Yang Yansi introduced the simple homestyle dishes on the table. A few were made by him, and even the vegetables were grown by his own hand. So, though the spread looked plain, nothing about it was perfunctory.

"Of all the years I’ve known you, what I admire most is your cooking. No less than any chef I’ve tasted. Often, these humble dishes display true skill. To be honest, this is the most sumptuous meal I’ve had in days."

"Prince, what does that mean?" Yang Yansi would never believe his guest lacked for food.

"Heh, what else? Money can’t buy it these days. Normally, supply to the City of Unjust Death depends entirely on the Jingjiu Dynasty’s provisions. Now, with war to the south, rice and flour still suffice, prices soaring—but poultry, meat, and side dishes have dwindled sharply. Even the finest restaurants rarely serve pork belly now."

After one attains the Cultivation Yuan Pill, appetite declines greatly; not to mention the Profound Sea stage, when it’s common to go half a month without food or drink. Regular meals are mostly habit, or to satisfy cravings.

But Yang Yansi doubted this man indulged in "cravings." Probably he was just idly making conversation.

Indeed, after Yang Yansi responded, his guest continued, "Now, all policies within the Jingjiu Dynasty tighten to the core—everything, from needles and thread to heavy equipment, even supply to the City of Unjust Death is cut, no favors granted. Their resolve is clear. Are you sure the previous plan will still go smoothly?"

Yang Yansi was not surprised. The other was naturally suspicious, and this was a matter of life and death for many—his own life and the Prince’s included. The utmost caution was warranted.

"Prince, at present the Jingjiu Dynasty is tightening all external resource flows, saying it’s due to the southern conflict—and rightly so. This is because the first line of battle against the Southern Barbarians has been stretched from Zhuo Huo Pass all the way to Jianchuan and Hu Zhu Yuan.

Such a long supply route will devour unimaginable resources; after layered consumption, only a fraction remains for the frontlines. If not for four decades of favorable climate filling the Dynasty’s Official Granaries, this supply line alone would’ve ruined the Ministry of Revenue.

For now, it’s just the beginning—merely restricting resource outflows. If the conflict lasts over half a year, over thirty percent of Official Granaries will be emptied within the Dynasty. At that point, not only outflow but internal allocation will be strictly rationed—like in the last great war, with supplies distributed according to the city’s population.

Prince, think about it: once internal tightening begins, isn’t that an immense authority for local governance? Even if it’s wartime only, it determines the fate of an entire city’s people.

Go deeper, and it concerns every local official’s reputation: whoever can feed their people is a good official, otherwise is inept. "Good or bad"—doesn’t that lie with the command over "tightening" policies?

Such power, in ordinary times, the Emperor would hand over to the Left Minister’s Office as per custom. But this time, inside and outside are both exceptional circumstances. The Emperor, by nature, would never simply follow custom and leave all to the Left Minister’s Office—there’s at least an eighty percent chance of alternative arrangements!"

With sixty percent certainty, one could already roll up their sleeves for action. Yang Yansi had eighty percent confidence.

Seeing the other silent, Yang Yansi continued: "So long as the Emperor presents this authority, competition is inevitable. In the Emperor’s usual practice, it would go directly to the weakest faction to maintain balance, then he’d watch from the sidelines, waiting for the outcome.

Meanwhile, the most threatening military forces are focused externally. The Xuanqing Guard, for appearances’ sake, will certainly feign deafness and blindness. Civil officials can talk all they like, but when it comes to action, they’re easily ignored. Thus, within the Imperial City and even the Dynasty itself, a ’blind spot under the lamp’ appears—our opportunity arises."