Chapter 101: A Lasting Solution

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Zhao Hengyi took Lu Jiuniang’s warning very seriously.

If someone was called a master by Lu Jiuniang, it was unlikely anyone in this world could afford to ignore them.

Zhao Hengyi was once again grateful that Miao Xiaoyu and her sisters remained at the Xiangcheng Prefecture Lord’s residence. Had they been in Yushu Bay, he would have been overwhelmed, unable to attend to both sides.

When life was on the line, Zhao Hengyi found himself growing increasingly calm.

That Royal Guard of Prince Qi was indeed powerful, but not invincible to blades and swords; he was still human, and crossbows could threaten him.

As long as Zhao Hengyi stayed in Yushu Bay, with guards protecting him and with a master of Lu Jiuniang’s caliber present, safety would be assured for the time being.

From the descriptions given by the guards who had encountered that expert and from Lu Jiuniang herself, the Prince’s personal guard excelled in agility and speed, wielding two short blades capable of ending a life in an instant.

Zhao Hengyi immediately donned his self-made bulletproof vest. The sturdy coarse fabric lining contained sewn pockets for thin iron plates to be inserted, sufficient to resist ordinary slashes and stabs.

He even had fine iron wire armor woven into his collar to prevent a throat cut.

Such fearfulness, combined with his unflinching and unyielding behavior, created a striking contrast. The guards were accustomed to it, but Lu Jiuniang was thoroughly amazed!

Zhao Hengyi surmised that this master would not leave so easily; he would likely attempt at least one genuine assassination before returning to Jiangling.

Lu Jiuniang agreed with Zhao Hengyi’s assessment.

Although the opponent had revealed himself, unaware of Lu Jiuniang’s presence—a fierce bandit he had once crossed swords with—he must have believed his identity remained undisclosed.

Freed from the constraints of being recognized as the Prince’s guard, the enemy could now do many things: linger around Yushu Bay, occasionally making his presence felt, steadily increasing pressure on Zhao Hengyi.

Of course, to truly eliminate Zhao Hengyi, the master would wait until Zhao Hengyi left Yushu Bay and was no longer protected by numerous crossbow-wielding guards.

Yet Zhao Hengyi could not conceive a reason to leave Yushu Bay, thus exiting his protective guard.

Despite this, Zhao Hengyi refused to wait passively for death. He summoned blacksmiths Zhang Daniu and Wu Ren into a secret chamber and issued detailed instructions. The two left solemnly, each clutching a blueprint.

Matters of life and death left Zhao Hengyi with little room for scruples; he subjected Yuan Mei, the head constable of Dangyang County, to interrogation by torture.

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Previously, to intimidate Zhou Xingwang, Yuan Mei had taken a beating, but those were superficial wounds; the veteran’s battlefield skills had yet to be tested.

Now things were different. With their master’s life hanging by a thread, no one showed mercy.

After relentless torment until dawn, when Zhao Hengyi was assured all secrets were extracted, Yuan Mei was finally released like a tattered rag doll by the guards.

“That ‘Barber Yuan’ is actually connected to the Young Prince? I truly did not expect that!”

Zhao Hengyi recalled the noble youth he had seen in the Moonwatch Tower—stern demeanor, honest face, yet radiating a sinister aura, unlike any other spoiled aristocrat!

Prince Qi, as the Military Governor of Ningwu Army, needed to maintain appearances, but his influence permeated every corner of Jiangling’s officialdom.

For minor matters and petty figures the Prince could not appear publicly, his treasured son acted without restraint.

Even the Prince’s personal guard had taken direct action, so it was no surprise that Yuan Mei, controlled by the Young Prince, had surfaced.

Zhao Hengyi’s only lingering question was whether Prince Qi was collaborating with Su Shenchang or if he himself was part of the vast human trafficking network.

If it were mere cooperation, the Prince’s personal guard might abandon the mission if it could not be completed swiftly.

If Prince Qi was also an accomplice of Su Shenchang, however, the situation would be more complicated; that master, who even Lu Jiuniang could not defeat, might relentlessly pursue Zhao Hengyi.

After much pondering, Zhao Hengyi could not fathom why Su Shenchang was so determined to settle scores with him. He could only prepare for the worst, assuming his crackdown on those deserters had been exposed.

If so, the enemies he would face in the future would be far more numerous than just Su Shenchang, the Prefect of Jiangling.

A network smuggling people through the heartland of the Great Yan Kingdom and selling slaves across barbarian territories was not merely a scourge on innocent civilians.

Anything desired by the barbarians—salt, iron, tea, cloth, grain, even weapons and armor—could be continuously funneled through this vast network.

To call it treason was putting it mildly.

If exposed, it would spiral into a life-or-death conflict. Some would stop at nothing to destroy Zhao Hengyi and obliterate Yushu Bay.

Having lived two lives, Zhao Hengyi shuddered at the thought of the immense power that might lurk behind this vast web.

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He absolutely could not sit idly by.

Though the guards were strong, they were too few in number, and Yushu Bay was far too small when facing a colossal foe.

To quickly gain the means of self-defense, the captured villagers of the Zhou family presented a valuable opportunity.

Dangyang County had to become as solid as iron.

“Er Hu, instruct the Zhou family people not to idle. Send them all to work. No wages, but their food and drink will be the same as ours.”

A vague idea growing clearer by the day, Zhao Hengyi, who had previously avoided causing a stir, was now taking action.

“Let our men talk among themselves about their usual wages… If the Zhou family or anyone else comes to claim their people, have them pay silver for redemption—two taels per person.”

Wang Erhu stuck out his tongue and obediently went to carry out the orders.

The master seemed intent on working these Zhou people to the bone!

Two taels of silver?

The Zhou family would certainly not spend to ransom those villagers; heaven only knew how long these folks would be forced to toil in Yushu Bay without pay.

However, for villagers who lacked food and warmth, working in Yushu Bay might not be a bad fate. After all, just the food supply there could absorb countless hungry laborers.

As for head constable Yuan Mei and other officers, Zhao Hengyi locked them up directly. Until Prince Qi’s personal guard was dealt with, these men would remain confined in Yushu Bay.

After long reflection, Zhao Hengyi rose and went directly to find Zhou Yonglin, who was still familiarizing himself with teaching materials in preparation for night school lectures.

“Mr. Zhou, since you risked coming here to warn me, I assume you have already made up your mind to sever ties with the Zhou family.”

Zhao Hengyi looked at the somewhat bewildered middle-aged scholar before him.

“But a centipede dies with its legs still twitching. If the Zhou family remains too stable, you will find no peace… I have a permanent solution here. I wonder if you have the courage to carry it out?”