Chapter 13 Dai Qiuyan Found It Difficult to Write

Dai Qiuyan found it difficult to write, but Ye Tao didn't think so. After casually chatting for a while in the small building where a few close young ladies and noblewomen were gathered, Ye Tao used his skillful techniques to create a pencil and watercolor bust of Song Xiangjun. Although it was just a simple combination of lines and color blocks, it fully demonstrated Song Xiangjun's unique temperament. The simple portrait, completed in a few minutes, won a lot of praise. And Ye Tao's explanation, without any hint of teasing, caused bursts of laughter. What he said was: "Compared to women, men find it easier to discover the beauty of women."

Before returning to his residence in Yu杭 (Yuhang), a guard who had been stationed at the courtyard galloped over to report: Chen Kai had been arrested by the Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guards and was now in the dungeon of the Imperial Guard's Capital Commandant's Office.

Speaking of which, Ye Tao had almost forgotten about Chen Kai due to the increased number of things he had to consider recently. Although Chen Kai's identity was quite unique, Ye Tao hadn't really taken him too seriously. Since not many people knew Chen Kai's identity, Ye Tao hadn't taken too many protective or surveillance measures. In fact, Chen Kai himself found it very strange. Although he was always followed by a guard or a soldier from the Special Operations Camp whenever he went out, he wasn't confined but allowed to freely enter and leave the courtyard Ye Tao had rented. This was beyond his expectations. And Chen Kai naturally made full use of this trust... or indulgence.

Chen Kai went out every day, strolling around the bustling Yu杭 (Yuhang), occasionally sitting in restaurants and tea houses, listening to various opinions among the common people. He didn't have much money originally, but now he could even draw a not-so-generous but sufficient allowance from Ye Tao's accounts to go shopping, drinking and eating tea. This kind of life, free from worrying about safety, not entangled in complicated struggles, and without having to think about anything complicated, made him feel very happy... although, it was indeed a bit boring. In these few days, Chen Kai even mixed with the Dong Ping (Dongping) scholars twice to participate in activities such as garden parties.

Naturally, Chen Kai knew that his freedom was conditional: he couldn't try to escape. For the time being, he had no intention of doing so. There was no benefit to him in breaking away from Ye Tao's control.

While strolling on the streets of Yu杭 (Yuhang) today, Chen Kai suddenly noticed, when he turned around, that the guard who had greeted him in the morning was gone. He didn't think he should or could have shaken off the guard, so he immediately turned back to find him. Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped into a relatively quiet alley, he was blocked, and then a group of guys dressed in Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guard uniforms grabbed him and took him away...

Although the guard who had been following Chen Kai was quite skilled, he was no match for numbers. He was blocked in the alley by a group of Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guard experts, knocked down, and knocked unconscious. He woke up an hour after the Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guards had kidnapped Chen Kai, thanks to a kind passerby, and quickly rushed back to the residence to report the situation. As soon as the stationed guards received the report, they immediately notified Ye Tao. Chen Kai's importance was self-evident. Ye Tao's not confining Chen Kai was his own business, but letting Chen Kai fall into the hands of others was another matter entirely.

After the guard explained the situation in a few simple words, Ye Tao asked, "How do you know Chen Kai is in the Imperial Guard's Capital Commandant's Office?"

The guard reported that he had received the information from Huo Dong. After arriving in Yu杭 (Yuhang), Ye Tao took out one hundred thousand taels of silver and gave it to Huo Dong and Zhao Yan to distribute as rewards to the guards who had accompanied them along the way. Naturally, Huo Dong received a considerable share. Although Huo Dong's position wasn't very high, he could still inquire about such unimportant news. Huo Dong had chatted with Chen Kai a bit on the way from 万科 (Wan Ke) Villa to Yu杭 (Yuhang) and had a good impression of the young man.

"Go to the Imperial Guard's Capital Commandant's Office," Ye Tao ordered calmly. "Send Princess and Qiuyan to the Seven Seas Trading Company branch. Immediately notify everyone to prepare for battle!"

"Yes!" The guard turned and went to deliver the order.

Ye Tao was clearly prepared to do whatever it took to retrieve Chen Kai. This tough stance seemed to be expected by everyone, and Liu Yong didn't even show any surprise.

The Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guard's Capital Commandant was a short, fat old man named Ma Kun. He was greatly surprised to see Ye Tao barging in. Although they were in Yu杭 (Yuhang), Ma Kun was somewhat nervous.

"General Ma, return the man to me. I won't pursue this matter," Ye Tao said bluntly.

Ma Kun said with a smile, "Envoy Ye, what are you talking about?"

"You didn't dare to simply kill my guard and destroy the body to leave me with no clues, and you expect me to just accept this? Do you think that's possible?" Ye Tao asked.

"Envoy Ye, this man is a fugitive... it's not worth it for you to stand up for such a person, is it?" Ma Kun said cautiously. Ma Kun had no reason or position to explain the situation in detail, but he also didn't want to argue with Ye Tao head-on. He knew that really angering Ye Tao would be a big problem.

"A 西凌 (Xiling) fugitive, that's right. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Let me be clear, this is the person I want to protect. Hand him over now, or things won't be so simple," Ye Tao's tone already carried a hint of threat.

Ma Kun suddenly realized how unreliable the person who had told him to do this had been when they said that the person's identity was special and that Ye Tao wouldn't make a big deal out of it. They were harming him. But Ma Kun didn't want to back down either, he just didn't want to make things worse. The place they were in was the Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guard's Capital Commandant's Office, right outside the palace. The Capital Commandant's Office had more than two thousand troops at any time, and the palace had four to five thousand Imperial Guards and palace guards. Not far away was the 玉山 (Yu Shan) Garrison, with more than ten thousand troops garrisoning Yu杭 (Yuhang). He felt that there was no reason to give in to Ye Tao.

But Ye Tao didn't just threaten verbally. As soon as he entered the Capital Commandant's Office, everyone on the Dong Ping (Dongping) side in Yu杭 (Yuhang) began to operate at high speed. 谈玮莳 (Tan Weishi) didn't go to the Seven Seas Trading Company branch in the end, but returned to the Dong Ping (Dongping) envoy's residence. Both the Seven Seas Trading Company branch and the envoy's residence immediately began to dismiss all Chun Nan (Chunnan) personnel within their scope and began very clearly to prepare for battle. Ye Tao's courtyard even began to fully equip its troops and directly marched towards the Capital Commandant's Office, with bright armor and a look ready for battle. The sight of hundreds of cavalrymen galloping in battle formation on the main streets of Yu杭 (Yuhang) would probably leave an indelible impression on the minds of the people of Yu杭 (Yuhang). But the biggest threat from the limited number of Dong Ping (Dongping) troops now seemed to come from the Seven Seas Trading Company's fleet in the harbor.

All fourteen 虎牙 (Hu Ya) class warships forcibly left the dock and entered the harbor, blocking the entire waterway. The torsion springs of all the light and heavy crossbow cannons were fully drawn and loaded with Type II fire oil bombs. The targets of these warships were not only the Chun Nan (Chunnan) warships in the harbor, but also the prosperous streets behind the docks, with the intention of setting fire to the city if they didn't agree...

In a very short time, everything was ready. Rumors immediately spread among the Chun Nan (Chunnan) people who saw this strange sight. The Dong Ping (Dongping) side reacted too quickly, as if they had undergone many coordinated drills, but in reality, they really didn't have the time to do this kind of planning and drilling.

Ye Tao sat comfortably in the Imperial Guard's Capital Commandant's Office, not caring at all about the tense atmosphere around him. Ma Kun nervously accompanied him, not daring to really leave Ye Tao to do anything on his own. If he were really in a high position or just a small official who wasn't involved with dignitaries like Ye Tao, that would be fine, but his power was enough for him to know that Ye Tao was currently the key figure leading the negotiations between the two countries... and today's capture of Chen Kai seemed to be a mess he had made himself. If he left in a huff at this time, it would feel good, but he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.

One by one, Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guards came in, whispered a report to Ma Kun, and then ran out again. Many Imperial Guard soldiers were very puzzled and angry, wondering why this troublemaker dared to sit here so openly, as if he were an observer?

Ye Tao didn't think he was an observer, he just knew that Chun Nan (Chunnan) needed him now. They would definitely not allow a conflict to really happen. Even if he was occupying reason, even if it was really his fault, the Chun Nan (Chunnan) side wouldn't dare to say or do anything. And the greater the pressure now, the more room there would be to withdraw calmly later.

Ma Kun's face became more and more serious and pale. When the bugle call for the 玉山 (Yu Shan) Garrison to assemble sounded not far away, the melodious and melancholy sound floated into his ears, he finally couldn't hold back, jumped up and shouted at Ye Tao: "Envoy Ye, no matter what, you are causing such a disturbance in Yu杭 (Yuhang), are you really bullying Chun Nan (Chunnan) as if we have no one? Think about where you are, this is the Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guard's Capital Commandant's Office. If a conflict really breaks out, can you bear the responsibility? What do you want? Do you really think I don't dare to touch you?"

Ye Tao shrugged, noncommittally, and continued to drink his tea in peace. Liu Yong and Guan Huan, who were standing behind Ye Tao, laughed.

Then, a Chun Nan (Chunnan) Imperial Guard captain ran in with a panicked expression and reported to Ma Kun in a whisper: The 玉山 (Yu Shan) Garrison has sent two thousand men to block Zhu雀 (Zhu Que) Avenue to prevent Ye Tao's guards from entering. The Seven Seas Trading Company's ships have all raised battle flags and ramming flags...

Was Ye Tao really serious or just bluffing? And was that guy locked in the dungeon really that important? Ma Kun was completely unsure.