Chapter 744
Let's hand over the management of Da Liao Fang to Gongsun Rong!
Gongsun Rong spoke with certainty, a hint of arrogance on her face:
“What’s so difficult about that? When I opened the Da Liao Fang, all the start-up capital and subsequent working capital were provided by him. It was something that ordinary officials and merchants could not afford.”
She paused, then continued:
"But apart from that, he never interfered in any management matters of the Da Liao Ward. Whether it was the business layout and the flow of goods, or the personnel arrangements in the ward, I made all the decisions myself. He never interfered or questioned me in the slightest."
"To be so generous and yet to completely relinquish such a vast empire, without clinging to power or harboring suspicions—such a mindset and strength are not something an ordinary person can possess. This person must be extraordinary."
After hearing Gongsun Rong's words, a look of understanding flashed in Fei Yi's eyes.
Gongsun Rong may just be a pawn carefully planted in Fangcheng.
Fei Yi's gaze fell on Gongsun Rong in the prison cell, and he could already tell that this woman was no ordinary person.
Despite being imprisoned, he remained defiant, clear-headed, and articulate. Even when questioned, he remained calm and composed, demonstrating his considerable abilities and proving he was not merely a weakling who relied on his connections to bully others.
Having grasped this point, Fei Yi no longer hesitated and immediately asked:
"Then how do you contact the person behind it?"
Upon hearing this question, Gongsun Rong's arrogance instantly faded, her previously tense back slumped slightly, and her eyes dimmed, losing their previous haughtiness.
“We only do what the person in charge asks, and we always have a single-line contact with him. Moreover, the way we contact him is not unique, and there is never a fixed method.”
Her voice was a few decibels lower, no longer as sharp as before.
"What do you mean?"
Fei Yi originally thought the other party would have a fixed way to contact him, but he never expected it to be so strange.
In this way, trying to trace the person behind the connection is undoubtedly as difficult as climbing to the sky.
Gongsun Rong glanced at Fei Yi, and seeing that he remained calm and showed no sign of reproach, she slowly explained:
“The methods of communication were never fixed. Sometimes it was by carrier pigeon, and sometimes it was by stuffing secret letters into ordinary objects, such as under the stone slabs on the street or on the roof beams of inns, and then having a special person retrieve them.”
"Sometimes, we ask strangers to deliver the mail. They only know the delivery address and not the contents of the letter."
She paused, then added:
“Since we were ordered to come to Fangcheng, we have contacted the person behind us seven times. The method of contact was different each time, and there was no pattern to it.”
After hearing Gongsun Rong's words, Fei Yi frowned deeply, raised his hand to rub his temples, and felt as if his head was about to explode.
He had originally thought that he might be able to find a breakthrough by looking at the means of communication and track down the person behind the scenes, but now it seems that this path has already been blocked by the other party.
Fei Yi calmed down and pondered carefully, his conviction growing stronger:
It seems that the person behind this is not only extremely capable and wields considerable power, but is also very cautious and meticulous in his actions, calculating every step flawlessly.
Even something as small as making a contact is considered so thoroughly that no one is left with any clues to investigate.
Even so, Fei Yi did not give up. He composed himself and continued to press for answers:
"Have you thought about who's behind this? Even just a clue would be helpful."
In fact, Fei Yi had already made plans in his mind. Gongsun Rong was a Liao person and had long served the person behind her. Even if she had never seen the other party's true face, she should have been able to detect some clues from some details.
Compared to others, she must know more about the person behind the scenes, and perhaps she can get useful information from her.
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Rong slowly shook her head:
"I don't know, I don't know anything. We were locked in a secret place from childhood and received rigorous training. We had to follow the rules in everything we said and did. Our only mission was to work silently for the Liao Kingdom."
"As for who is behind it, his background and his power, we have never dared to ask, and no one has told us."
Upon hearing this, Fei Yi's face immediately showed shock, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He never expected things to turn out this way.
The other side had been training people since they were young. This kind of strict and closed training was clearly training assassins, cultivating a group of pawns who only knew how to obey and not how to resist, and who knew nothing about their own origins.
But then Fei Yi thought again that Gongsun Rong was different from those ordinary assassins, most of whom were numb, dull, and obedient.
Gongsun Rong, however, had her own ideas. She spoke eloquently and even had a touch of arrogance, and was by no means the kind of merciless and self-willed assassin who could be manipulated by others.
His doubts deepened, and Fei Yi immediately voiced his confusion:
“Since you were trained as assassins, and now that you are imprisoned here, you could reveal clues about the people behind you at any time. Logically speaking, you should be silenced, so why are you still alive?”
In his view, the person behind the scenes was so cautious that they would never leave Gongsun Rong as a potential threat. However, Gongsun Rong is now imprisoned here unharmed, which is really illogical and makes him even more suspicious.
Upon hearing Fei Yi's question, Gongsun Rong appeared somewhat puzzled, her brows furrowing slightly, and her gaze towards Fei Yi held a hint of confusion.
Now that she has been assigned to Fangcheng, she has to do all the trivial things that she used to not have to worry about. Not to mention, the situation here is complicated and every step is like walking on thin ice.
At the same time, Gongsun Rong also shed her former secrecy and became the person in charge in the open. Her every word and action was watched by all parties, and the burden on her shoulders suddenly became several times heavier.
Fortunately, Gongsun Rong was always quick-witted and insightful, and also possessed extraordinary courage and ability. Even when she was in a predicament, she never panicked in the slightest.
She followed the secret instructions and did everything herself.
In just three months, a luxurious and magnificent Liaofang (Great Liao Ward) rose from the ground in Fangcheng.
Hearing Gongsun Rong's explanation.
Fei Yi was shocked.
The regulations for the Great Liao Ward could not be completed even in a year or two, let alone Gongsun Rong accomplished it all in just three months on her own.
This further convinced Fei Yi that the person behind Gongsun Rong must have unfathomable power; otherwise, there would be no way they could support such a massive project.
Faced with Fei Yi's astonishment, Gongsun Rong remained calm and slowly spoke:
"Three months ago, I first arrived here..."
These few words perfectly encapsulate the hardships of these past three months.
Upon hearing this, Fei Yi's appreciation for Gongsun Rong grew even stronger. Even with the help of powerful forces behind her, it would have been impossible for her to complete such a difficult task in such a short time if she hadn't been exceptionally capable and efficient.
Such courage and talent are truly rare.
After a moment's hesitation, Fei Yi solemnly said:
"Are you willing to serve my great Han Dynasty?"
In short, this was his most straightforward recognition of Gongsun Rong.
Gongsun Rong was shocked and looked at Fei Yi with disbelief in her eyes:
"You want to persuade me to submit to the Han Kingdom?"
She never imagined that, as a Liao citizen, after being captured by the Han army, she would not only not be mistreated, but would instead receive such an invitation.
Seeing this, Fei Yi said loudly:
"Someone, untie them and warm the wine."
The soldiers beside her immediately stepped forward and untied the chains binding Gongsun Rong.
Fei Yi stepped aside to invite Gongsun Rong to sit down, and then personally poured her a full glass of wine.
Gongsun Rong looked at the warm wine in the cup, then at Fei Yi's sincere expression, and without hesitation, picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
The prison cell was damp and cold all year round, and the chill had long since seeped into her bones. This cup of warm wine dispelled some of the chill and also slightly lowered her guard.
Fei Yi watched her finish her drink, his smile widening.
“You are a talented person, intelligent, capable and decisive. Our great Han Dynasty is in need of people, and we need someone like you.”
Gongsun Rong stared at Fei Yi, her astonishment still lingering, and asked:
"I am a Liao citizen. Are you sure you want me to serve the Han Dynasty?"
She could never let go of her identity, nor was she sure if there was any other purpose behind the invitation.
Fei Yi, with a calm and indifferent expression, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and slowly said:
"So what if you're from Liao? In my opinion, it doesn't matter what your nationality or background is. As long as you have good intentions and don't do anything to harm the people or interests of the Han Dynasty, you deserve to be given important positions."
His frank words instantly dispelled some of Gongsun Rong's doubts.
Gongsun Rong remained cautious, her brows slightly furrowed as she said:
"Why did you choose me? There are many talented people in Fangcheng, and it's not necessarily true that I'm the only one who can do it."
"I told you, you are a talented manager."
Fei Yi put down his wine glass: "In these three months, you built the Great Liao Warehouse amidst numerous difficulties. This ability and resilience are not something that ordinary people possess."
"The Great Han needs you, and the Great Liao Warehouse needs you too."
Gongsun Rong was startled.
For the past three months, she had worked tirelessly day and night, giving it her all, but as soon as the Han army arrived, she became a prisoner.
He thought that what awaited him was endless torment and suffering, or even death.
Fei Yi's appreciation and invitation suddenly brought a ray of light to her bleak future.
"Daliao Ward has just been built and is in need of careful management. You are the most suitable candidate."
Fei Yi continued:
"I believe in your abilities, and I hope you can give yourself a chance and give Dahan a chance."
Events have long since deviated from Gongsun Rong's original plans.
As she gazed into Fei Yi's sincere eyes, her doubts gradually dissipated, replaced by a touch of emotion.
After a long silence, she finally nodded slowly.
"Okay, I'm willing."
...
That night, the moonlight was bright and clear.
Fei Yi stood in front of the gate, looking at Gongsun Rong beside him, his tone solemn:
"Gongsun Rong, the Daliao Warehouse is now returned to you. From now on, you will be in full charge of managing it. Do not fail this trust."
Gongsun Rong looked at the magnificent Liaofang, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
There were feelings of emotion, gratitude, and above all, determination.
She nodded slightly and responded solemnly:
"I understand, sir. Rest assured, I will not let you down, nor will I betray the trust of the Great Han."
"That's good."
Fei Yi nodded, said no more, and turned to leave.
Gongsun Rong walked into the Daliao Ward and looked at everything familiar inside.
The exquisite carved beams and painted rafters, the smooth bluestone floor, and the lingering aroma of wood made it feel like a long, unreal dream.
From being a prisoner to managing the Liaofang Ward, from being bewildered to full of hope, the changes on this day were more dramatic than her experiences over the past decades.
...
Meanwhile, Fei Yi returned to the military camp. As soon as he entered, Ma Su teased him, saying:
"Brother, you've been gone for quite some time. Could it be that you've taken a fancy to Gongsun Rong and can't bear to come back?"
Upon hearing this, Fei Yi's expression instantly darkened:
"What nonsense are you talking about? Gongsun Rong is a rare talent. Keeping her to serve the Han Dynasty is a good thing for the country and the people. I am just valuing her talent."
Ma Su looked at his serious expression and couldn't help but chuckle, but said nothing more.
Seeing this, Fei Yi reprimanded:
"You seem to have all the leisure time. Have you taken care of everything in Fangcheng? Have you sent someone to inform the Grand Marshal? If this delays important matters, how will you explain yourself!"
Ma Su's smile froze instantly. He opened his mouth, but could only awkwardly scratch his head.
Fei Yi turned and went into the tent, his expression grave as he pondered.
The person behind Gongsun Rong was able to support the construction of Da Liao Fang within three months, and their financial resources and influence are extraordinary. If we do not find out their background and make plans in advance, it may bring hidden dangers to Fangcheng and even the Han Dynasty.
After a moment, he had an idea and said:
"The person behind Gongsun Rong is quite capable and should not be underestimated."
Upon hearing this, Ma Su's smile vanished instantly:
"Oh? What do you know? Tell me quickly, what is that person's background, and how powerful is he?"
Without delay, Fei Yi recounted the details Gongsun Rong had just mentioned regarding the secret assistance provided by the person behind the construction of the Liaofang.
Ma Su's brows gradually furrowed.
After Fei Yi finished speaking, he pondered for a moment, then slowly began to deduce:
"If that's the case, then the person behind Gongsun Rong must hold a very high position in the Liao Kingdom. Ordinary officials would never have such financial resources and influence. Perhaps, they are even a member of the Liao royal family."
As soon as he finished speaking, he remembered something else and looked at Fei Yi:
"Now that Gongsun Rong has been exposed and knows so many secrets, if she is targeted by the person behind her or the Liao people, her life may be in danger. Shouldn't we protect her immediately?"
Upon hearing this, Fei Yi nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes:
"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements. I've secretly sent people to protect the Da Liao Fang area, keeping watch day and night, and not allowing anyone to get close."
He paused for a moment, then revealed his plan:
"Gongsun Rong doesn't need to be transferred for now. Let her stay in Fangcheng as the manager of Da Liao Fang, serving as our undercover agent to keep an eye on the Liao Kingdom's movements."
Ma Su suddenly realized what was happening and nodded repeatedly.
"I see. Wenwei, you've thought this through very well. You've protected Gongsun Rong and also used her to find out what forces are behind her. It's a win-win situation."
After praising him, he looked puzzled:
"So what are your plans next? The house has just been sold, and there are still many things to deal with."
Fei Yi walked to the table, his gaze falling on the topographical map of Fangcheng:
"The most important thing right now is to stabilize the situation in Fangcheng, appease the people, and rectify military discipline. Once everything is in order, we can then welcome the Grand Marshal."
Upon hearing this, Ma Su wholeheartedly agreed and nodded emphatically.
"That's absolutely right. Stabilizing the situation is the fundamental solution."
Fei Yi looked at him and solemnly instructed:
"You will personally go to the border early tomorrow morning to welcome the Grand Marshal into the city. Make sure it is done properly and there is no room for error."
Ma Su readily agreed, but then hesitated.
"Welcoming the Grand Marshal into the city is not difficult, but after welcoming him, where should we arrange for him to stay temporarily? Please advise, Wenwei."
Fei Yi pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
"The Da Liao Ward has only been built recently, and many facilities have not yet been repaired and perfected. It is empty inside and not yet properly furnished, so it is inconvenient to receive the Grand Marshal."
"You should arrange for him to stay at Yanshan Winery for the time being. The environment there is acceptable and it is convenient for discussing matters."
Upon hearing this, Ma Su was momentarily stunned:
"Wenwei, I'm afraid this is inappropriate."
"The scale of Yanshan Winery is far inferior to that of Daliao Winery. It would be too simple for the Grand Marshal, whose status is so noble, to live here."
"Moreover, the grandeur of the Liaofang will surely arouse the Grand Marshal's curiosity. Why don't I expedite the arrangements for the Liaofang and have it ready overnight, so that the Grand Marshal can see Gongsun Rong's work with his own eyes? Wouldn't that be better?"
Fei Yi pondered for a moment, and finding no fault in Ma Su's words, slowly nodded:
"Very well, you have a point. Let's do as you decide. Make sure to expedite the process and don't delay tomorrow's reception."
"Don't worry, Wenwei, I've got this covered!"
Ma Su was overjoyed and quickly bowed in acceptance. (End of Chapter)