Chapter 734
Fei Yi enters Fangcheng, disguises himself as a wealthy businessman, and gathers informa
Inside the sleeping quarters of the Xiangping King's Palace, Gongsun Yuan, dressed in his undergarments, lay obediently on the soft bed, his back wrapped tightly with thick bandages covering his shoulders and waist.
He even unconsciously breathed softly, afraid of aggravating his wound and causing excruciating pain.
Beside the bed, several imperial physicians stood bent over. One gently lifted a corner of the bandage to carefully examine the wound's healing, while another intently felt Gongsun Yuan's wrist pulse.
A moment later, the imperial physicians finished their examination, straightened up, bowed to Gongsun Kang, and reported:
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's injuries are extremely deep and the wounds are extensive. He needs to rest quietly for a long time and must not get angry or engage in strenuous activity, otherwise it may affect the healing process or even cause the wounds to tear."
Gongsun Yuan, who was lying on the bed, had been listening intently. Upon hearing the imperial physician's words, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense all the way, finally relaxed completely, and his shoulders relaxed slightly.
Since returning to Xiangping, he had been feeling uneasy, secretly worried about whether Xu Kuo had been too harsh in his actions.
He feared that the injury was too minor to deceive his father and the others, but he also feared that the injury was too severe and would truly damage his very foundation.
Now that the imperial physicians have confirmed it, his doubts about Xu Kuo have completely disappeared, replaced by complete trust.
Fortunately, Xu Kuo understood him after all.
Gongsun Kang, however, had no time to think about anything else; his mind was filled with his son's injuries. His gaze fell on Gongsun Yuan's back as he pressed the imperial physicians for answers:
"How long will it take for Yuan'er's injuries to fully heal? Can he recover quickly?"
The head imperial physician quickly bowed and reported back, his tone becoming increasingly cautious:
"Your Majesty, fortunately the Crown Prince only suffered superficial injuries and his bones and internal organs were not damaged. He is not in immediate danger of losing his life."
"Just take your medicine on time, rest quietly, and don't get angry, and you will recover in about two months."
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Kang's face instantly darkened, and he questioned sharply:
"You just said that Kang'er's bones and muscles were not injured, but only his flesh and blood. Why has it taken two months to heal?"
The imperial physicians froze in fright when Gongsun Kang glared at them.
The head imperial physician's legs went weak, and he quickly bowed and kowtowed, explaining:
"Your Majesty, we dare not diagnose or treat the prince incorrectly, nor do we dare to deliberately delay. Although the prince's wound has not damaged his bones, it is extremely large, with the skin and flesh severely turned outwards. Healing is inherently slow, which is why he needs to rest for a long time. We dare not be negligent in the slightest!"
"If that's the case, then what are you all standing there for?"
Gongsun Kang roared, his anger intensifying:
"Hurry up and prepare medicine for the young master. Make sure to use the best ingredients. There can be no mistakes. If Kang'er's injury is even slightly damaged, I will make you pay with your lives!"
"We will go immediately!"
The imperial physicians hurriedly kowtowed and accepted the order, not daring to delay for even a moment. They scrambled to their feet, fearing that if they were a step too late, they would be killed.
Watching the imperial physicians leave in a panic, Gongsun Kang's anger subsided slightly.
He slowly turned around, walked to Gongsun Yuan's bedside, gently sat down, and his gaze fell on his son's thin back:
"Kang'er, do you know how heartbroken I was when I learned that you led your army to reinforce Huyang City, only to be completely annihilated?"
"I'm so afraid I'll never see you again."
Gongsun Yuan was just relaxing when he suddenly heard the words "the entire army was wiped out." His body stiffened abruptly, and he was instantly horrified.
His previously gentle breathing suddenly became rapid. He subconsciously tried to look up, but the pain in his back made him gasp.
He only lost nearly 10,000 soldiers, how could it have turned into the annihilation of the entire army?
As Gongsun Yuan turned over slightly, before he could slow down, he abruptly pulled at the wound on his back, and a sharp pain instantly swept through his entire body.
Upon seeing this, Gongsun Kang, who was standing guard nearby, felt a pang of anxiety and, without thinking twice, called out to summon the imperial physician.
Gongsun Kang stood to the side, his gaze fixed on his son's bleeding wound. He felt a mix of emotions and, unable to bear the sight of his son's wretched state any longer, turned and left.
Reaching the door, he turned to the guards standing outside and gave them a stern order:
"If the Crown Prince feels even the slightest discomfort, he must report to me immediately, no matter when, without the slightest delay."
The guard immediately bowed and accepted the order, responding loudly:
"Follow the order!"
Gongsun Kang subconsciously turned his head to look at Gongsun Yuan, who was enduring the pain on the bed. A trace of pity flashed in his eyes. Finally, he gritted his teeth, turned around, and left.
Gongsun Yuan remained lying on the bed, the burning pain in his back unabated, but he could only silently endure it.
...
A hundred miles away, in Fangcheng.
As dawn broke, the city gates of Fangcheng slowly opened.
The guards at the city gate were already lined up and waiting, strictly checking everyone entering the city.
Before long, an inconspicuous little caravan slowly stepped forward, showing their travel permits as required. After being inspected and everything was verified, they entered the city in the morning light.
Inside the caravan's carriage sat Fei Yi.
At this moment, he had shed his usual official robes and was dressed in a brocade robe like an ordinary merchant. His face was calm, and he had gained a sense of composure like a common merchant. He looked like a businessman who had come from afar to do business.
Only one person was dressed as the butler, and seven others were dressed as servants. Although the number of people seemed small, there was actually a hidden secret.
The steward's name was Wu Zhong. He was Fei Yi's trusted confidant, loyal and capable of handling everything for him.
Those seven servants were actually well-trained scouts, each skilled at gathering information.
Fei Yi did not bring only these eight people this time; including the men who accompanied him in secret, there were dozens of people in total.
Apart from Fei Yi's caravan, which was the only visible merchant group, the rest of the members dispersed, changed into different clothes, concealed their true identities, and quietly entered the city by blending into the crowd to avoid arousing suspicion.
After entering the city, Fei Yi and his party did not wander around, but went straight to the most luxurious inn in the city to stay.
This approach not only suited the identity of a wealthy merchant but also allowed him to secretly gather information by taking advantage of the numerous people coming and going at the inn and the good news it provided.
After settling his luggage, Fei Yi went up to the second floor of the inn, chose a seat by the window, and silently observed the layout of the city's streets and alleys, the pedestrians, and the guards in various places.
Wu Zhong remained standing beside Fei Yi, his eyes scanning their surroundings warily before speaking softly after a moment:
"Master, we've been traveling all day, enduring wind and rain, and you must be exhausted. Why don't you have some breakfast first, go back to your room and rest for a while to recharge before making any plans?"
Fei Yi nodded slightly and replied calmly:
"Okay, let's eat something first, nothing too complicated."
As soon as he finished speaking, an innkeeper poured hot tea, his face beaming with a warm smile, and bowed as he asked:
"Sirs, what would you two like to eat?"
Fei Yi remained silent, only picking up his teacup, taking a small sip, his gaze still fixed on the streets outside the window.
Seeing this, Wu Zhong spoke up to answer for him:
"No need for much, just two bowls of meat porridge, a dish of pickles, and a few flatbreads will do."
"Alright, sir! Just a moment, I'll go to the kitchen and urge them on their way!"
The servant smiled and acknowledged the order, then turned and left.
After the servant left, only Fei Yi and Wu Zhong remained in the room.
Fei Yi raised his eyes, looked at Wu Zhong opposite him, and said:
"Wu Zhong, don't be so formal, please sit down as well."
Wu Zhong dared not disobey and quickly bowed in response:
"Thank you, sir."
After saying that, he carefully sat down opposite Fei Yi, still keeping a watchful eye on the movements inside and outside the house.
Before long, the servant brought over a steaming bowl of breakfast. Fei Yi and Wu Zhong ate their breakfast slowly, talking in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally glancing out the window as they secretly observed the surroundings of the inn and the passersby.
After breakfast, the two returned to their room.
Wu Zhong went first and pushed open his guest room door. Several scouts disguised as servants were already standing inside. When they saw Wu Zhong enter, they all bowed and greeted him.
Wu Zhong waved his hand, indicating that everyone didn't need to be so polite. He whispered a few words of advice and then turned to walk towards Fei Yi's guest room.
"Master, it's getting late. Go back to your room and rest for a while to recharge. We'll go into the city to gather information this afternoon."
Wu Zhong bowed and said.
Fei Yi glanced at the sun outside the window and nodded slightly in agreement. At the same time, he and Wu Zhong agreed that after their lunch break, the two of them would go to a large trading company in the city to inquire about the situation.
Meanwhile, the scouts dispersed and went to various parts of the city to gather intelligence on the city's troop deployments, market activities, and other information.
After lunch break, everyone in the room went about their respective tasks.
Fei Yi and Wu Zhong changed into casual clothes and walked out of the inn side by side, strolling slowly along the streets and alleys of the city.
When they came across a large shop, they would go inside, pretend to be selecting goods, chat with the shopkeeper for a few minutes, and subtly inquire about the situation in the city.
Although Fangcheng is a border town, it is quite prosperous. Shops line both sides of the streets and alleys, and pedestrians come and go in an endless stream, creating a lively scene.
The two strolled around the city for half a day, walking through most of the streets and alleys, entering several shops, listening to the idle chatter of the people, and observing the layout of the city. Gradually, they gained a better understanding of the city.
Fei Yi's expression remained calm, but a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes, and he had already begun to formulate a plan.
Soon a scout came to report.
In the heart of the city, an extremely luxurious tavern quietly opened, named "Da Liao Fang".
From the very beginning of its opening, the tavern widely disseminated information, inviting merchants and celebrities from all walks of life in the city to a banquet and gathering.
It quickly became a hot topic among the city's merchants.
Upon hearing this, Fei Yi immediately made a plan in his mind.
These gatherings of merchants, frequented by prominent figures in the city, are sure to yield a wealth of information about Fangcheng.
This is an opportunity that should not be missed.
He immediately made up his mind to find a way to get into the party.
"Wu Zhong, come with me to Da Liao Fang."
Fei Yi said in a calm tone:
"Let's sound out how we can get an invitation to tomorrow's gathering."
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong replied:
"Your subordinate obeys."
The two then changed into presentable clothes and headed towards Da Liao Fang.
Before long, the Great Liao Warehouse appeared before the two of them.
From a distance, the tavern was impressive; although it was only four stories high, it was far more exquisite and luxurious than other buildings in the city.
Above the tavern's main entrance plaque, the three gilded characters "Da Liao Fang" are written with vigorous strokes, immediately revealing the tavern owner's extraordinary wealth.
At this moment, the entrance to the Da Liao Ward was already a scene of bustling activity. A man in charge was standing with his hands on his hips, methodically directing more than a dozen servants to set up the gate and hang lanterns, not daring to slack off.
The steward had sharp eyes and spotted Fei Yi and Wu Zhong at a glance.
Seeing that the two were well-dressed and had an extraordinary bearing, unlike ordinary people, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet them, a polite smile plastered on his face.
"I'm so sorry, gentlemen, but my Da Liao Fang is not open for business today. It will officially open tomorrow and will be hosting a merchants' gathering. If you would like to come, you can come again tomorrow."
Seeing this, Wu Zhong stepped in front of Fei Yi, his tone polite yet measured:
"We were being presumptuous. This is my master, Mr. Fei. He just arrived in the city today and happened to hear that your tavern is going to hold a grand gathering of wealthy merchants tomorrow. He was curious and came here to inquire."
"I wonder if my husband will have the honor of attending this gathering?"
Upon hearing this, the manager's smile faded slightly, and his gaze swept back and forth between Fei Yi and Wu Zhong:
"Sir, you may not know this, but my tavern's gathering tomorrow requires an invitation to enter. Anyone without an invitation will not be allowed in."
Wu Zhong's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately pressed for an answer:
"In that case, how can I obtain this invitation? Please advise me."
The steward straightened his clothes and said slowly:
"There are two ways to obtain an invitation. One is to be recommended by a merchant in the city who already has an invitation, and then you can receive one."
"Secondly, you can directly purchase an invitation to enter the venue."
"Oh? How much does it cost to buy an invitation?"
Wu Zhong continued to ask.
The manager slowly raised his right hand, extended five fingers, and shook them, but did not state the price directly.
Seeing this, Wu Zhong thought for a moment and tentatively asked:
"Could it be five hundred coins?"
Upon hearing the words "five hundred coins," the manager's face immediately showed disdain, and his eyes revealed a hint of contempt.
"Sir, you are too kind. You will need five thousand coins to purchase an invitation to enter the first floor and participate in the gathering."
In his view, the fact that the two of them had to probe the price of an invitation card of five thousand coins meant they were probably not real wealthy merchants, so his tone naturally became much more casual.
Before Wu Zhong could speak again, Fei Yi said:
"It's only five thousand coins, Wu Zhong, just give it to him."
Upon hearing this, the manager was immediately startled. The disdain on his face froze instantly, and his eyes were filled with astonishment.
He thought the two would hesitate or turn away because they thought it was too expensive, but he didn't expect Fei Yi to be so decisive, without even the slightest hesitation.
Before he could react, Wu Zhong had already ordered his men to hand over five thousand coins.
The manager dared not delay any longer and hurriedly said:
"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I will go and fetch the invitations."
Before long, the steward came out with the invitation in his hand, presented it to Wu Zhong with both hands, and put on a respectful smile again:
"Sorry to keep you waiting, sir. This is the invitation. Tomorrow, with this invitation, you can enter the first floor of Da Liao Fang and participate in the merchants' gathering."
Wu Zhong accepted the invitation, examined it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, he was about to express his gratitude.
Fei Yi, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up, his tone puzzled:
"The first level? Does this invitation only allow entry to the first level?"
The steward nodded, making no attempt to hide anything, and stated frankly:
"That's exactly right, sir."
"This invitation, worth five thousand coins, is only for entering the first level. If you two wish to continue upwards, you will need to spend additional money to purchase it."
How much more will it cost?
Wu Zhongwen frowned slightly, his tone now tinged with anger. (End of Chapter)