Chapter 193: Chapter 192: Scared to Pee
"We’ve arrived."
Le Yu lifted the carriage curtain, "her heart fluttering with nerves, like a bride in an arranged marriage walking into the unknown."
"Though, this wasn’t quite an arranged marriage, was it? At least she knew Lan Yan was a deeply calculating schemer. A phoenix who rose from nothing."
The land of Dongyang at dusk had been spread with a blood-red veil by the fading sunlight.
A convoy of horse-drawn wagons loaded with all manner of goods, after two days and nights on the road, finally drew near the temporary Linhai Army camp outside Tongling Town.
The camp was already alight with torches, and from a distance, it looked like some kind of monster coiled between the mountains.
The townsfolk had never seen such a thing. They stood near the entrance of the town, gawking as the caravan arrived. Along with large three-horse wagons heavily laden with cargo, the convoy also boasted several luxurious, comfortable two-horse carriages.
"Welcome to all the members of the Silver Blood Association."
In deep blue military dress, Yin Guyue stood at the main gate of the camp, folding his hands in salute, and said, "I am Captain of the Linhai Army’s First Guard, Acting Major Yin Guyue, Lan General is tied up with military matters and has sent me to play host to you."
"May I ask, who is the president of the Silver Blood Association?"
Yin Guyue watched as eleven young men in splendid dress stepped out from the carriages, raising his brow just a little.
"I am the president of the Silver Blood Association." Ting Chaozao said calmly, "Or rather, all eleven of us are presidents of the Silver Blood Association."
"Heh~" Yin Guyue cocked his head, "That’s honestly a first for me, never heard of anything like this before~"
"It’s like I was set to marry a gorgeous twenty-year-old lady, but now someone’s delivered me two ten-year-old girls instead. This move by the Silver Blood Association... a little sketchy, don’t you think?"
"But you don’t care whether the bride is gorgeous or not," Le Yu said, patting her sore backside, "after all these dozens of hours sitting in a carriage, my ass has gone flat, you really care about the dowry she brings with her."
"All eleven of us are heirs to the major merchant guilds under Silver Blood. Any decisions we make carry the same weight as those of the Silver Blood president. And the things we can accomplish, the president alone might not be able to."
"Plus, compared to some old has-been who could be cast off by Silver Blood at any time, you’re meeting the eleven heirs—the literal lifeblood of each guild. Isn’t this better for your interests, Captain Yin?"
Yin Guyue squinted at Le Yu, "Have we met before?"
"I haven’t met you, but maybe you’ve seen me."
"And you are...?"
"Jing Zhengwei."
Yin Guyue’s face lit up with understanding, "So that’s it, no wonder, no wonder..."
"What, Jing Zhengwei is that famous? Even Yin Guyue knows him?"
"Le Yu had honestly no idea what he was misunderstanding, so she just asked," "When will General Lan have time to meet with us?"
"Let’s talk after we go inside."
A voice that was strange but vaguely familiar spoke up. Le Yu turned and saw a plain-looking staff officer. "There was definitely something familiar about him, but she couldn’t place where. So she just asked openly, ’And you are, General...?’"
"He’s Linhai Army’s operational advisor, Lieutenant Xia Lingguo." Yin Guyue glanced at the two of them, "What? Mr. Jing, do you know him?"
"I don’t," Le Yu said honestly.
"Maybe he was one of those old Statistical Department officers I used to bump into," she thought.
"It’s been more than two months, and Jing Zhengwei’s memories have really pushed aside those from when I was Qian Yuliu, so I’ve forgotten almost everyone I met piloting the Qian Yuliu. The only ones I remember well are Qian Yuya, Big Sis An Qian, Lan Yan, Kui Zhao, and Chen Fu—just a handful."
"Even Yin Guyue, I only remembered because his eyes are as long and narrow as a fox’s. That really stands out."
"Xia Lingguo and I barely ever interacted, his looks aren’t memorable, so of course I forgot him."
Just as everyone was about to head into the camp, a commotion erupted behind them. One young master crumpled to his knees, shaking violently, face dripping with cold sweat.
Yin Guyue squinted, "What’s wrong? You look scared out of your mind~"
"Maybe it’s from sitting for too long, too tired from the journey," Qin Leyin said evenly.
Yin Guyue laughed, "Isn’t Silver Blood Association loaded? Why are you still using horse-drawn wagons, I heard cars in Dongyang are pretty good?"
"Cars go to the military first, and you need fuel. Half of Dongyang’s car output is all sent for trading for crude oil with Tianji and Youyun," Lan Jianbo replied, "For shipments that aren’t urgent, driving is a waste. And..."
"Riding in a carriage is just more comfortable."
Yin Guyue nodded noncommittally, "So he’s just sick from the trip? Still, this is Dongyang too, not far from Xuanzhu County—how’s he suddenly sick from the water and soil?"
Luo Zhen strode over and hauled the young master to his feet, glaring, "What the hell is wrong with you? Trying to screw us, huh? Well?"
"I, I..." The guy was on the verge of tears, stammering, "I didn’t mean to..."
As he spoke, suddenly everyone caught a whiff of something foul.
He’d pissed himself in fear.
"He’s the direct heir of the Zhou family," Qin Leyin suddenly explained, "You probably don’t know this, Captain Yin—Zhou family handles all garbage disposal and fertilizer in Xuanzhu County. He’s always hanging out in the factories, soaking up the fumes. His body’s weak from it. Even a small bump, and he can’t take it."
He waved at the caravan, "Take him back to the wagon to rest."
Quan Xin, toying with a dragon-head pen, remarked, "Anyone else not feeling well and want to stay in the carriage? Speak up now, don’t embarrass yourselves in front of these people later."
The ’pawns’ sent by the Zhao, Fang, and Li families glanced at one another, then quickly said they too felt unwell and would like to return to the carriages to rest.
"You’re handing your voting rights to us, then," Ting Chaozao ’reminded’ with faux gentleness, "Whatever decisions the six of us make, your four families will have to accept them."
"Of course, of course."
"We’ll do whatever Second Young Master Ting says."
They agreed over and over, terrified they’d be dragged deeper into the camp by Ting Chaozao’s lot.
Going or not going didn’t matter for them, there was no way they’d try to bolt anyway.
With those few horses, even if the Linhai Army’s Blade Squad gave them a three-hour head start, they’d still be caught in a flash.
If someone inside died, nobody on the outside would live, either.
"But even if it’s death, there’s a difference between dying now and a bit later. It’s like when a bunch of students get busted for something rotten, and no one wants to be the first into the teacher’s office."
"The later you go in, the later you die. There might even be a twist of fate—the teacher could go into labor, maybe the headmaster calls her away, anything... The ones waiting outside always have a better shot at surviving."
"After all, who knows—maybe."
"You done talking?" Yin Guyue, seemingly unfazed by their infighting, said, "So who wants to see General Lan?"
"The seven of us," said Ting Chaozao.
Off to the side, Xia Lingguo produced a notebook, "Please give me your names and guilds. I’ll bring them to General Lan."
"Ting Family, Ting Chaozao."
"Qin Family, Qin Leyin."
"Lan Family, Lan Jianbo."
"Quan Family, Quan Xin."
"Luo Family, Luo Zhen."
"Jing Family, Jing Zhengwei."
"Chen Family."
With ink-black hair like a waterfall and pale skin, the always-silent noble youth finally spoke, "Chen Chenchen."