Chapter 118: Playing Hard to Get

After a satisfying meal, Li Yuanjing arrived at the county government office. A layer of snow, thick as a finger, had already accumulated on the streets, lending the world a pristine, holy appearance.

However, this sight only caused Li Yuanjing to frown. Given the current weather, he feared the harvest in the coming year might be...

One must understand that Fengcheng County is situated in a small basin within the mountainous region of central Qizhou. Its climate is typically quite pleasant—warm in winter and cool in summer. Yet, if such heavy snow had already blanketed the county seat, one could only imagine the conditions in the wilderness of Quanzichun Village.

"Master Li, you have arrived. The young duke does not seem to be in the best of moods..."

As Li Yuanjing hesitated for a moment before entering the office, Zhang Wuwei, the guard on duty, hurried over to greet him with a look of profound respect. This was no longer the formulaic, polite deference of before, but a genuine, heartfelt reverence. Li Yuanjing, naturally sharp, noticed this shift. He nodded gratefully and asked, "General Zhang, how is that red-haired scoundrel faring?"

Zhang Wuwei’s spirits lifted at the mention, and he whispered, "He is doing quite well, though he keeps clamoring for wine."

"That is good." Li Yuanjing gave Zhang Wuwei’s shoulder a firm pat before heading directly toward the administrative office. Zhang Wuwei could not help but smile; everything was understood without further words.

...

"Useless! All of you are useless! Zhang Yuzhu, you son of a donkey, tell me—what use do I have for you?!"

As Li Yuanjing reached the door of the administrative office, he heard Zhang Zhiji roaring in a fit of rage, accompanied by sharp, slapping sounds, as if he had resorted to physical violence against Zhang Yuzhu. Li Yuanjing frowned deeply, unsure of what to say.

Although in the current dynasty civil officials were held in higher esteem than military officers—to the point where civil officials would often publicly flog military officers, even high-ranking ones, without apparent consequence—human hearts are made of flesh and blood. Who does not keep an internal tally? The military officers dared not resist only because they lacked the proper channels and platforms. But once they possessed them, the consequences would be far from trivial; the destruction of an entire clan would be a minor outcome. Were there not countless such examples at the end of the Ming Dynasty? Even in later generations, such things occurred often, with countless heroes eventually falling at the hands of seemingly insignificant people. It was like that celebrity from the island in later times—after she had her fill, she smashed the rice bowls of all her fellow countrywomen... With such a narrow perspective, could she expect a good end?

Just then, Zhang Zhiji received word from the guard at the door. He dropped his whip, kicked Zhang Yuzhu aside, and hurried out to greet him.

"Master, why didn't you get more rest? I thought you wouldn't come until tomorrow morning."

Zhang Yuzhu, his face marked with several whip welts, hurriedly bowed to Li Yuanjing and carefully retreated from the room.

...

Li Yuanjing smiled. "A nap this afternoon was enough; I couldn't have slept any longer. Is the young duke still troubled by the matter of the assassins?"

"Master, don't mention it! It makes my blood boil just thinking about it!" Zhang Zhiji slumped onto the heated brick bed in frustration, picked up a bowl of wine, and downed half of it in one gulp before spitting out, "That fool Zhang Yuzhu—it's been over two days, and that scoundrel hasn't even caught a single hair of the assassin! How am I supposed to answer for this?!"

Although Zhang Zhiji’s words were somewhat ambiguous, Li Yuanjing’s mind sharply grasped the core thread. As he had previously surmised, Zhang Zhiji’s arrival in Qizhou was likely under the orders of Emperor Longtai.

"Young Duke," Li Yuanjing said, bowing respectfully after a moment’s thought, "I recall you saying your primary purpose in coming to Qizhou was to consolidate military power and train troops. I wonder, between clearing out these assassins and training the troops, which task is of greater importance?"

Zhang Zhiji was about to say both were equally important, but having been influenced by Li Yuanjing for some time and having shared life-and-death situations, he began to grasp the intent behind the question. He quickly replied, "Master, naturally, training the troops is more important. My Zhang family’s status today was earned through the grit and steel of our men on the battlefield!"

Li Yuanjing nodded. "Young Duke, then, is there a time limit for capturing these assassins?"

Zhang Zhiji’s eyes sharpened. He began to understand Li Yuanjing’s drift, though he still lacked the final, crucial insight. "Master, there is no set time. Please, enlighten me."

Li Yuanjing nodded. "Do you remember the book *Guiguzi* that I mentioned to you?" Seeing Zhang Zhiji nod like a chick pecking at rice, Li Yuanjing continued, "The *Guiguzi* records a military strategy called 'to let go is to catch.'"

"What does that mean?"

"It means that if you want to achieve a goal, you don't necessarily have to keep your eyes fixed on one spot. You can go elsewhere and attend to other matters, making those at your target location believe you have stopped watching them. They will relax, and in doing so, they will naturally reveal their flaws. Once you find their weak point and grasp their lifeline, will it not be easy to defeat them in a single stroke?"

"This..."

*Clap, clap, clap.*

Zhang Zhiji was well-educated and far from dull. He understood the strategy immediately and couldn't help but applaud. "Meeting you, Master, is truly Heaven’s great favor to me! Please, allow me to pay my respects!"

...

Although the grand strategy of "letting go to catch" was decided, there were many details Zhang Zhiji needed to consider first. Li Yuanjing was in no rush; he would wait for Zhang Zhiji to think it through before refining the plan. After all, if the subordinate did all the leader's work, what use was the subordinate?

Li Yuanjing shifted the topic to the matter of the Qiu family.

"Haha." Zhang Zhiji, his mood much improved and his sense of effortless control restored, said, "Master, that is a minor affair; you may decide it as you see fit. As for the profits, we shall split them equally."

Li Yuanjing shook his head firmly. "Young Duke, that would be inappropriate."

"Oh? Why so?" Zhang Zhiji asked, intrigued to hear what new perspective Li Yuanjing had.

Li Yuanjing said, "Young Duke, I once wrote a song containing the line, 'Life’s scenery lies in the journey.' You have shown me great kindness, and I wish for our friendship to be that of gentlemen—long-lasting and enduring. Therefore, I dare not be the slightest bit negligent in this matter."

Seeing the gravity in Li Yuanjing's tone, Zhang Zhiji grew serious and nodded, signaling for him to continue.

Li Yuanjing smiled. "Young Duke, do you wish for a long-lasting relationship with me, or merely a passing acquaintance?"

Zhang Zhiji replied hurriedly, "Master, you are a noble benefactor to me; naturally, I wish for a long and enduring bond."

"That is good." Li Yuanjing nodded. "Since you hold me in such high regard, I dare not hide anything from you."

With that, Li Yuanjing recounted his meeting with Liu Yun and the situation involving the virtuous Mr. Xue.

Zhang Zhiji looked perplexed. "Master, isn't this a good thing? Since matters have come to this, we can take the opportunity to fleece the Qiu and Xue families."

Li Yuanjing laughed. "Young Duke, the logic is sound, but as I said before, if we are to 'let go to catch,' we must be strategic in how we fleece them. Furthermore, regarding the piece of land I mentioned earlier, I no longer want it. Instead—I want to ask the Liu family to exchange it for silver!"

"Hm?" Zhang Zhiji widened his eyes and stared at Li Yuanjing.