Chapter Forty-Nine Clues

  Just then, someone came to report that a man named Zhong Sunqi had come to see him. Gao Yuan listened and knew that Zhong Sunqi must have found some clues, so he immediately asked someone to invite Zhong Sunqi in.

  Zhang Sun Qi walked in and first paid his respects to Li Mu and Gao Yuan before saying: "Your Excellency, Honorable Gao, we've found a lead."

  Li Yinghong listened and immediately opened her eyes wide, saying: "Quickly speak, what clue did you discover? Have you found Huan'er?"

  Li Mu waved his hand and said, "Ying Hong, don't be impatient, let him speak slowly."

  Zhang Sun Qi said: "After Mr. Gao left the martial arts hall, we made a round of ambush points outside the city, but didn't find anything. So we followed Mr. Gao's suggestion and started from the clothes and weapons used by our opponents, and indeed found something."

  "After our investigation, it was found that their clothes were made from a fabric woven in a workshop called × Brocade Workshop, and the bronze swords they used were cast in a foundry called × Foundry. There are over ten households that have had significant transactions with these two workshops, but after our investigation, only three of them have the capability to attack Lady Wenqing. I ordered a thorough investigation into these three households, and finally discovered that one of them, a martial arts school called Qingfeng Guild, is the most suspicious."

  "Firstly, this martial arts hall is located just outside Handan City to the southwest, which coincides with the direction those people were fleeing. We secretly caught two of the hall's servants, and although they didn't recognize the deceased after being interrogated, one of them said that at noon, he indeed saw a group of men in gray clothes returning from outside, carrying a large sack, and also heard the sound of children crying. However, the master of the hall told him not to meddle, so it seems that this Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall is the most likely suspect. We have already sent people to stake out the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall and will immediately rush back to report to Your Excellency and High Official."

  Gaoyuan Dao: "What kind of martial arts school is Qingfeng Hui Guan?"

  Zhang Sun Qi said: "In Handan city, inside and out, there are more than 20 big and small martial arts schools. Qing Feng Hui Guan is one of them, but it has always been unknown, in the Handan area, it can't even be ranked. We have also had two dealings with Qing Feng Hui Guan, and we didn't find any masters in this school either. However, maybe they intentionally hide their strength."

  Gao Yuan nodded, using the Wu Guan to hide these skilled swordsmen was indeed a good idea. It seemed that this Qing Feng Hui Guan was a hidden power in the shadows. This was also consistent with some powerful figures who would secretly support or build up their own forces. However, being able to discover so many important clues in such a short amount of time, despite having enough manpower from the Lie Wu Xing Guan, was also due to Zhong Sun Qi's observational, action and analytical abilities. It seemed that this person was quite capable.

  Suddenly, Gaoyuan's heart moved and he said: "What is the relationship between Qingfeng Guild and the Grand Marshal?"

  Zhong Sun Qi was taken aback, although he had also thought of it, that the Qingfeng Pavilion must have been backed by some powerful force, but he hadn't expected it to be Grand Marshal Zhao Cong. He wasn't a fool either, and naturally knew that if this matter was related to Zhao Cong, it would cause a huge stir, which would be even more severe than the confrontation between Li Mu and Guo Kai. Although Guo Kai was the Prime Minister, he didn't have military power, and despite his attempts to extend his influence into the military, the two pillars of the military, Zhao Cong and Li Mu, had never given in to him.

  But Zhao Qian was different, because Zhao Qian was the Grand Marshal of Zhao State and a high-ranking minister of the imperial family. His conflict with Li Mu meant that the number one and two figures in the military of Zhao State had completely split and were heading towards complete opposition.

  In the second year of Zhao Xiao Wang (244 BC), King Zhao Xiao Wang listened to Guo Kai's slander and removed Lian Po from his military post, appointing Yue Chong to replace him. As a result, Lian Po was furious at being ostracized and launched an attack on Yue Chong, triggering a major split within the Zhao army. Later, Lian Po killed Yue Chong but himself fled in fear of punishment to the state of Wei, never to return to Zhao again. Originally, after twenty years of recovery from the Battle of Changping, Zhao had gradually regained its strength, but this internal conflict dealt another heavy blow to the state. Now, the situation in Zhao is even more precarious than it was back then; if Li Mu and Zhao Qian were to clash again, it would be disastrous for Zhao.

  Moreover, although the Liemu Hall's power is great, they also do not dare to easily provoke Zhao Cong, so if they really want to take action against the hall, they must have Li Mu make a move, so Zhong Sun Qi is also looking at Li Mu, listening to his decision.

  Li Mu naturally understood his meaning, but this matter was too big, and Li Mu couldn't make a decision lightly either, so he also fell into deep thought.

  Li Yinghong's expression turned serious as he said, "Father, what are you waiting for? This matter must be related to Zhao Qing. We should go find him immediately and bring him back."

  Gao Yuan stopped Li Yinghong and said: "Yinghong, the general is now somewhat hesitant to throw out the rat, we must consider the overall situation of Zhao Guo."

  Li Mu glanced at Gao Yuan and also brought out a hint of approval. He said, "You still understand."

  Gao Yuan continued, "Although General Zhao is a formidable opponent, if we constantly retreat for the sake of the overall situation, it's not a solution. Not only would it be unfair to Madame Wen Qing, but it might also embolden Zhao Cong, and who knows what even more outrageous actions he might take next time."

  "So what do you think we should do?"

  Gao Yuan Dao: "It's unclear whether this matter is related to Zhao Cong, it may be that Zhao Yang did it behind Zhao Cong's back, or perhaps it was done by another force intentionally framing Zhao Cong and stirring up a complete split between the General and Zhao Cong. The top priority now is to find Luo Huan as soon as possible, only then can we take the initiative. Therefore, I think we should immediately surround Qingfeng Guild Hall, if we can find Luo Huan there, we can take the next step against Zhao Cong and also have a justifiable reason. However, to surround Qingfeng Guild Hall, we must mobilize troops, and the General can temporarily not show up, we will be the ones to take action, this way we also have room for maneuver."

  Li Mu sank into thought for a moment, then finally said: "Alright, Gao Yuan, take my military token and go to the camp of Yuan Xuan outside the city to mobilize troops. Everything will be under your command. Zhao Xuan, you go with Gao Yuan too, this time maybe you'll come in handy. I'll keep a close eye on Zhao Cong's movements within Handan City."

  Zhao Xuan said: "Yes."

  Li Yinghong said: "Father, I'm going too."

  Li Mu also nodded and said: "You go, but everything must be arranged by Gao Yuan."

  The crowd immediately left Li Mu's mansion and came to Yuan Xuan's large camp outside the city, requesting the mobilization of 3,000 soldiers. After hearing about the entire situation, Yuan Xuan was also shocked and immediately mobilized his troops, indicating that he would wait for orders to provide support at any time.

  Gao Yuan, Li Yinghong, Zhao Xuan, Zhong Sun Qi and others led the troops to Qingfeng Guild Hall.

  It was already the third watch of the night, and Lie Wu had arranged for more than 20 brothers to lie in ambush near Qingfeng Guild Hall, monitoring several doors. When Zhong Sunqi rushed back, they all came out to meet him.

  "Zhang Sun Qi immediately asked: 'What's going on now? Is there any new situation?'"

  One of the younger brothers said: "Just half an hour ago, a team of soldiers went in, and there were several cars, which were private soldiers of the Grand Marshal's Mansion. There were more than 200 people, but I don't know who led the team."

  Gao Yuan listened and knew that things had become complicated, deploying over 200 private soldiers to protect him, definitely not an ordinary person, very likely Zhao Yang. However, this also made things more real, Luo Huan was indeed in the Qingfeng Club, otherwise it wouldn't be so coincidental. Therefore, Gao Yuan thought for a moment and first ordered the sealing off of all roads leading to the Qingfeng Club. Although the Qingfeng Club wasn't well-known, because it was located outside Handan City, it occupied a large area, its scale not inferior to that of the Lie Wu Club, three thousand soldiers might not be able to completely surround it, but as long as they could seal off all roads, it would be almost the same as surrounding it.

  Then the plateau ordered to bring two captured Qīng Fēng Huì Guǎn attendants, and inquired in detail about the layout structure inside the association hall, distinguishing where Luó Huàn might be locked up.

  Two people, of course, did not know they would be locked up there, because Luo Huan was a child and an important person, so it was unlikely that he would be put in the prison gate. However, the layout structure of Qingfeng Guild Hall was still explained clearly, and even a rough map was drawn.

  After finishing speaking, Gao Yuan said: "Alright, we'll start our operation now. Ying Hong will lead the troops to the main gate and make a ruckus. If they don't let you in, don't force your way in, just create a disturbance at the entrance and attract their attention. The longer we drag this out, the better. I, General Zhao, and Brother Zhong Sun will take a few of our most skilled brothers to sneak in through other walls and start searching."

  Li Yinghong reluctantly agreed, knowing that she had to take the initiative to attract attention outside, as she was Li Mu's daughter and her actions would be able to fully capture the opponent's attention, also providing assistance for Gao Yuan's actions. She led a team of soldiers to the entrance of Qingfeng Guild Hall.

  Although it was already the fourth watch at night, the gate of Qingfeng Guild Hall was still brightly lit, and there were more than a dozen people guarding it. When they saw Li Yinghong leading hundreds of fully armed soldiers, they were frightened out of their wits.

  Li Yinghong directly ordered to search the martial arts hall, and the gatekeeper immediately went in to report. Before long, the large gate opened, and Zhao Yang led a team of soldiers to block the entrance.

  After seeing Li Yinghong, Zhao Yang's heart was also very tense, but at this time, he couldn't help but force himself to say: "Miss Li, you brought people to surround the Qingfeng Guild, what do you want to do?"

  Although she had mentally prepared herself, when Li Yihong saw Zhao Yang, she couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. At this point, she was certain that Zhao Yang was involved in the disappearance of Luo Huan. However, she remembered Gao Yuan's instructions and said: "Zhao Yang, we have already obtained sufficient leads, Qingfeng Guild is related to the attack on Wenqing sister, and now Huan'er is inside the guild, so we need to search the guild. You get out of my way immediately."

  Zhao Yang's face also changed greatly, and he said: "Miss Li, who told you these things? I can guarantee that the Qingfeng Guild and the attack on Wen Qing's wife are absolutely unrelated."

  …………

  Just as they were arguing at the entrance of Wu Guan, Gao Yuan, Zhao Xuan and Zhong Sun Qi led five brothers from Lie Wu Guan to flip over the wall in a corner and enter Wu Guan.

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