Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 159 Turmoil in Jiangnan

Early summer in Jiankang City was sweltering, with an unsettlingly sticky heat. More than a month after Governor Wang's sudden death, the chaos stemming from the power vacuum in the prefecture had not subsided but had intensified. On the surface, the most senior chief clerks and military commanders continued to follow the old system, maintaining the basic operation of the government, handling daily official documents, and even jointly issuing several "public proclamations." But behind the scenes, the power struggle had gradually spread from secret meetings to the streets and alleys.

The relationship between the local powerful clans of Jiangdong, represented by Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang, and some aristocratic families who had migrated south from the north, as well as military officers who held some military power in the prefectures and counties, became extremely delicate. All parties were trying to win over allies and attack rivals, vying for the power pie and practical benefits left behind after the governor's sudden death—fertile estates, the lucrative salt and iron monopolies, control of trade routes and checkpoints, and even indirect control of the prefectural and county troops.

Rumors, like mosquitoes and flies breeding in early summer, were impossible to dispel. Some said Governor Wang was poisoned by a powerful clan in an attempt to install a puppet ruler; others said it was the work of a secret envoy from the northern court, aiming to directly take over Jiangdong; still others, more outlandish, pointed the finger at the forces in Jingzhou and Xiangyang in the west, or at the newly rising star Chen Xing in the north. Each rumor seemed to have some basis, yet none could withstand close scrutiny, but their common effect was to intensify suspicion and tension.

The Misty Rain Pavilion, a decadent establishment located on the banks of the Qinhuai River that has always been a place for discussing romance and not politics, was inevitably drawn into the center of the vortex.

In the most exquisite room of the building, "Listening to the Rain Pavilion," Su Xiaoxiao sat alone by the window. She wore no heavy makeup, only an elegant moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), her long hair loosely tied up, adorned with a jade hairpin. Outside the window, the murmuring of flowing water and the hustle and bustle of passing pleasure boats filled the air, but inside, all was quiet. Before her lay several sheets of paper resembling account books, along with a small stack of visiting cards, but her gaze was not on them. Instead, through the half-open window, she looked at the hazy rooftops in the direction of the prefectural capital in the distance, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

At the tender age of eighteen, she had already witnessed too much of the treacherous nature of humanity and the coldness of the world in this world of pleasure. Her stunning beauty, exceptional musical skills, and mastery of both poetry and painting made her famous throughout Jiangnan, attracting the attention of countless high-ranking officials, nobles, and literati. But deep down, she always knew she was like a rootless duckweed, all her glory built on sand. Therefore, she secretly paid attention to economic affairs, learning the ways of business, and even, through her extraordinary talent and keen observation, mastered financial management skills far exceeding those of an ordinary accountant, which she used to gain a moment of peace and respect from Governor Wang.

However, with Governor Wang's fall, all the "respect" instantly turned into greedy covetousness. In the past half month, the threshold of Yanyu Tower has been worn down by all sorts of people. There are wealthy young men who bring pearls and jade, promising to keep a mistress in a golden house; there are officials with real power who send their stewards, implying that they can provide "protection" on the condition that she becomes their private property and advisor; and even worse, there is Zhou Tong, the Tiger General known for his arrogance and greed, who has sent messengers several times with rude and direct words, giving her a deadline to "think it through" and move into his villa, his tone almost like robbery.

The madam was both greedy for the huge profits promised by these powerful figures and afraid of their power. She was also worried that Su Xiaoxiao, her cash cow, would really be forcibly taken away. She sighed all day long and used both soft and hard tactics on Su Xiaoxiao, advising her to "make plans early" and "choose a reliable support".

"A reliable support?" A barely perceptible sneer flickered across Su Xiaoxiao's lips. In this chaotic Jiangnan region, where was there any real security? Those so-called supports were nothing more than larger cages. She had witnessed the shocking corruption in Governor Wang's treasury and vaguely knew about the sordid deals being made by various factions in Jiankang. Entrusting herself to any of them would ultimately lead to becoming a plaything or a tool, or even worse, bringing death upon herself for knowing too much.

She had considered escaping. But where could a frail woman, trapped in this bustling yet dangerous place, surrounded by countless eyes and ears, possibly go? The world was vast, but where could she find a safe haven? The north was embroiled in endless war, and the newly established Western Liang was said to be another battlefield…

Just as she was pondering, her personal maid Yun'er tiptoed in, a hint of nervousness on her face, and whispered, "Miss, it was handed in by Granny Zhang at the back door." As she spoke, she placed a tiny wax pill rolled into a thin tube in front of Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao's gaze sharpened. Granny Zhang was a rough, honest woman responsible for laundry at the Misty Rain Pavilion; she had no prior dealings with Su Xiaoxiao. But this was the third time she had received these mysterious wax pills. The first two times, the silk strips inside contained brief but alarming notes: "Zhou Tong and the Gu family have a grudge; this can be used to delay them." "Evidence of the grain transport official Li's embezzlement is at 'Qiutang's' place in the pavilion; perhaps this can be used to restrain his forced marriage."

Both pieces of information, at crucial moments, helped her skillfully maneuver, temporarily resolving or delaying the crisis. They were precise and timely, demonstrating the informant's familiarity with the inner workings of Jiankang's upper echelons and even the inner workings of Yanyu Tower, and also suggesting... a certain goodwill towards her, or at least a certain purpose.

Who was it? Su Xiaoxiao had secretly observed Granny Zhang, but apart from handing over things, there was nothing unusual about her; she was clearly just a means of communication. She had also asked Yun'er to investigate carefully, but to no avail. This mysterious "helper" was like a ghost, invisible and traceless.

She picked up the wax pellet, gently pried it open with her fingernails, and took out the plain silk scroll rolled up inside. This time, the handwriting was still unfamiliar, but the content was shorter, containing only eight characters: "The northern guests are approaching; make preparations early."

Northern travelers? Approaching?

Su Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat. Did it refer to the envoy from the northern court? Or... Chen Xing, the "Star Lord" who had just pacified Xiliang and whose prestige shook Jiangnan? Recalling the various rumors circulating recently about Xinghuo Fortress in the north, and the astonishing understanding of the dark side of the Jiangnan officialdom revealed in the previous two pieces of information, a bold guess surfaced in her mind—could it be someone from that northern warlord?

What do they want? To recruit me? That sounds absurd; I'm just a courtesan. But... what if they really know about my hidden "economic abilities"? The matter of Governor Wang, though secretive, is not without flaws.

"Prepare for the future..." Su Xiaoxiao pondered these four words, her heart churning. Was it a reminder to prepare for a possible recruitment? Or a warning that an even bigger storm would be stirred up by the arrival of the "Northern Guest"? She glanced at the aggressive business cards and visiting cards on the table, especially Zhou Tong's overbearing ultimatum.

Perhaps this unknown "northern passenger" represents a crisis, but it could also be a glimmer of hope? It's better than being trapped here and at the mercy of wolves and tigers.

She held the silk strip close to the candlelight, watching it turn to ashes. Then, she picked up a brush and wrote a few lines of delicate characters on a blank piece of floral paper. She blew on the ink to dry it, folded it, and handed it to Yun'er: "Find a way to give this to Miss 'Qiutang'. Tell her I've composed half a new piece of music and want her to appreciate it. Make sure to deliver it to her personally, away from others."

"Qiu Tang" was another courtesan in the brothel, aloof and proud. She had a decent relationship with Su Xiaoxiao, but more importantly, Su Xiaoxiao had accidentally discovered a secret connection between Qiu Tang and Li, the registrar of the grain transport office, and had secretly obtained some incriminating evidence against him. Su Xiaoxiao wasn't sure if Qiu Tang was reliable, but in her current isolated and helpless situation, she couldn't afford to overlook any possible ally or information channel. She needed to ascertain Li's movements and also probe whether Qiu Tang was related to the mysterious wax pill.

Yun'er nodded solemnly, carefully hid the letter in her sleeve, and hurriedly left.

Su Xiaoxiao looked out the window again. Dusk was falling, and the lights along the banks of the Qinhuai River were lighting up one after another, outlining a illusory scene of prosperity. She knew that beneath the surface of peace and prosperity, turbulent currents were surging. All forces—local and foreign, on stage and behind the scenes—had turned their attention to her small "Listening to the Rain Pavilion." And the phrase "Northern guests are coming" seemed to foreshadow that the struggle surrounding her was about to enter a more intense and dangerous phase.

The turmoil in Jiangnan was no longer just a power struggle in the imperial court; it had transformed into countless intricate nets, quietly enveloping her, a seemingly weak woman with extraordinary abilities, who lived a life of pleasure.

Meanwhile, in another inconspicuous warehouse in Jiankang City, "Grey Dove," Li Shu's most trusted leader of the Jiangnan District, had just translated the latest secret order from Starfire Fortress. His expression was grave as he looked at the words on the order: "At all costs, ensure the target's safety and support General Dian's operation."

"Zhou Tong's pressure has intensified recently," the subordinate reported in a low voice. "The Gu family also seems to be secretly contacting the madam of Yanyu Tower. Furthermore, we've noticed that besides us, there appears to be another unidentified force also keeping an eye on Su Dajia, and their actions are very discreet."

"Unknown forces?" Grey Dove frowned. "Investigate! We must find out who it is! General Dian will arrive soon; before then, the target cannot be allowed to escape unscathed! Send more men to keep a close watch on all movements around Misty Rain Pavilion. If necessary..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "we can activate the 'emergency plan,' create chaos, and temporarily remove the person from danger!"

The turmoil in Jiangnan, caused by the fate of a woman, is about to collide with the tentacles reaching out from the north, sparking unpredictable conflicts.