Chapter Sixty-One: Prophecy Like Smoke

Zhao Shisheng looked at the seal script on the note, compared the size of the jade with his hand, and said, “Rest assured, Steward, in seven days I will deliver the carved jade to you.”

Li Wenyuan nodded in response. “Very well, I leave it in your capable hands.” With that, he led his retinue back to Wuwei County to see Qiuniang.

Following the address Qiuniang had given him, Li Wenyuan wandered through the winding alleys of Wuwei County for quite some time before finally locating a modest and inconspicuous house with a small entrance. Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open. Focusing his gaze, Li Wenyuan saw that it was none other than Qiuniang herself.

Surprised, Li Wenyuan asked, “Qiuniang, are you heading out on business?”

Qiuniang smiled and shook her head. “I’ve come especially to welcome my esteemed steward.”

Li Wenyuan grew even more curious. “Qiuniang, how did you know I was coming?”

Qiuniang gestured toward the entrance of the alley where Li Wenyuan had approached. “Steward, I knew you had arrived the moment you reached that spot.”

It dawned on Li Wenyuan then that, though the house appeared unremarkable, Qiuniang had managed it as the headquarters of the Night Owl organization, loose on the outside but tightly controlled within. No doubt, when she referred to knowing he was at the mouth of the alley, it was deliberately understated—she had likely known of his arrival from the moment he entered Wuwei County.

Li Wenyuan smiled and said to Qiuniang, “Qiuniang, this is no place for conversation. Might I trouble you to invite me inside for a more thorough discussion?”

Qiuniang glanced at the guards behind Li Wenyuan, remaining silent, but Li Wenyuan understood her meaning. He turned and said, “Wait for me here.” Then he followed Qiuniang into the courtyard.

Upon entering, Li Wenyuan felt an immediate sense of openness. Unlike the cramped, closed alleys outside, the interior was spacious; stepping past the vestibule, he found himself facing a wide courtyard. People of various sorts moved in and out of the rooms. Qiuniang smiled as she introduced them:

“These are the Night Owl’s administrative staff. They are chiefly responsible for organizing the intelligence gathered by our spies. Each piece of information is cross-checked from multiple sources before any conclusions are drawn. In fact, this courtyard is the very brain of our Night Owl organization.”

Li Wenyuan nodded. “To have accomplished so much in just a month, Qiuniang, you’ve already far exceeded my expectations. Now, tell me about Night Owl’s current situation.”

Qiuniang nodded and led him to the inner chamber, pointing at a map on the wall. “This is a map of the entire Western Region. Our Night Owl’s foundation is shallow; for now, reaching the areas surrounding Wuwei County is our limit. Of course, we have our own people in Gold City. Our next plan is to extend our intelligence network further west to other counties. Once we are firmly established in Bazhou, we will expand further, perhaps to the Turks or even the Central Plains.”

“You’ve already exceeded my expectations with such achievements in so short a time. Truly, entrusting Night Owl to you was my best decision.” Li Wenyuan smiled. “Since you’ve expanded your influence around Wuwei County, I have a task for you.”

Li Wenyuan revealed his plan, explaining everything to Qiuniang. Concerning the arsenal under Li Gui’s control, his own scouts would investigate. He produced a note from his sleeve, marked with the same script as the one given to Zhao Shisheng—but for secrecy, the note for Qiuniang was written in simplified characters incomprehensible to most. Qiuniang took the note, studied its contents, then looked at Li Wenyuan.

He instructed her to find trusted associates to spread the prophecy written on the note among the populace, preferably using children as the main carriers.

This was Li Wenyuan’s scheme: prophecies, like smoke, are elusive and hard to trace, yet they are often the greatest concern of those in power. For an empire that has ruled the Central Plains for decades, the emperor’s spies and informants are everywhere. Once the prophecy spreads, it will inevitably reach the emperor’s ear. There was no need for Li Wenyuan to risk clever tricks to alert the emperor; he need only wait a month or two, then submit a memorial to the court, mentioning the prophecy in passing.

Moreover, Li Gui’s family had long resided in the frontier. After so many years in the Western Region, how could the emperor not harbor suspicions? At present, the emperor only lacked a suitable pretext to deal with their clan. Once the prophecy surfaced, the emperor would surely seize the opportunity, uprooting the Li Gui family and eliminating the threat to his rule in the Western Region.

This was precisely the outcome Li Wenyuan desired. Once Li Gui was removed from military affairs in Wuwei County, Li Wenyuan could freely exercise both benevolence and authority, ensuring the civil officials sided with him. If he gained full control over Wuwei County, he could sever the connection between the Western Region and the Central Plains at will—then the entire Western Region would be his to command.

Qiuniang glanced at the prophecy, and some things became clear to her. Though she lacked Li Wenyuan’s grand ambitions and could not see as far ahead, she was exceptionally clever and sensed that this chess game he played reached far beyond Wuwei County.

Having finished his instructions, Li Wenyuan was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something. He turned back to Qiuniang and said, “Recently, I rescued a girl from the Byzantine Empire at the market; her family was killed by bandits. She possesses some martial skill and is quite shrewd. See if you can find a suitable position for her.”

Qiuniang smiled. “You mean that young girl named Ellie, don’t you? You had her sent here ahead of time, so I already guessed your intention. I’ve met her—she has a natural charm, making her ideal for gathering intelligence among high-ranking officials and nobles. However, I’ve heard your subordinate Zhang Juntai seems quite fond of her. I wonder if he’ll accept the role I assign Ellie?”

Li Wenyuan slapped his forehead. “Ah, how could I forget Zhang Juntai? I’ll speak to him. In any case, Ellie won’t be doing such work immediately. The priority is to find people to teach her our language.”