v6c46: Senior Brother’s Day at the Office

Two weeks ago, Lu Ri had been approached by Elder Ge to discuss the matter of the explanation of recent events to the people of the Azure Hills. They sat together in their current base of operations in the north, while Su Ge listened in.

 

“I would normally not bother informing those who could not contribute, but the Grand Marshal did ask politely… and judging by those around Rou Jin, the ‘weakness’ of the Azure Hills is either false or fading,” Elder Ge said, rubbing his beard.

“That does seem to be the case, Elder,” Lu Ri replied. “The entire province has been overlooked. Upon deeper inspection, it has produced things of note and interest.”

 

“Yes. We will be leaning upon your little Plum Blossoms in the future, to truly take this province’s measure,” Elder Ge intoned, and Lu Ri felt satisfaction that once more the wisdom of the Founders was vindicated. “That is also why I am sending you. Convey my words so there is no room for misinterpretation. Emphasize our relationship here with Young Jin but do not directly claim him. Give them enough to know that if they wish to violate his privacy… we won’t look kindly on it.”

 

“I hear and obey, Elder Ge,” Lu Ri replied. “But who shall assume my post while I am gone?”

 

“Su Ge,” Elder Ge turned to his granddaughter.

 

“Yes, Elder Ge?” she asked, bowing.

 

“Take over the duty of guarding Hong Yaowu while Lu Ri is completing his assignment,” came the command.

 

“It will be done, Elder Ge.”

 

Lu Ri nodded. Their obligations would be satisfied with another defender in the village.

 

“I have full confidence that you will both bring honor to the Founders and their teachings. You are both dismissed,” Elder Ge commanded.

 

Lu Ri and Su Ge rose, journeying south. He smiled at Su Ge.

 

“If you are in need of stimulating conversation, do ask Hong Xian for tea—it is most agreeable.”

 

Su Ge returned the smile and nodded. “I’ll be sure to—especially since the mortal is growing Lowly—” she paused and looked around for Elder Shou. “Seven Fragrance Jewel Herbs.”

 

Lu Ri chuckled. The man was quite adamant that they call them by their proper name.

“Then… I will see you soon.”

 

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Lu Ri travelled with Cai Xiulan’s party for the first part of their journey—it was quite fun to watch over the Younger Generation, especially one with such camaraderie. The songs and stories they told were amusing. He left them mostly to themselves, for he was an imposition on their group… but they still invited him to sit with them by the campfire. Bi De made very good tea, and Tigu had a stash of sweets she shared with him.

 

He twice was goaded into playing the pipa for them, and three times was entreated to share his experiences on the road to the Azure Hills. His travels with Shen Yu proved to be most popular, especially when he reached the part about the caravaneers who had been harassed by the Earth-Crushing Devil Serpent.

 

“Wait, she said she was going to marry Master?!” Tigu demanded, sounding impressed. “This Ai has guts!”

 

“Hells, if I was a girl I’d say the same!” Rags said, shaking his head. “That’s the kind of heroism that’s attractive!”

 

“Like Master, like disciple,” Ri Zu chuckled, shoving her elbow into Bi De’s side and sticking her tongue out at him.

 

“Of course. It’s only natural,” Bi De said with an air of arrogant assuredness. Rags, Loud Boy, Gou Ren, and Tigu all made rude gestures at him.

 

Cai Xiulan had an amused smirk on her face. “I’m going to tease Meiling with this later,” she giggled to herself.

 

Ah, youth.

 

But as they neared Pale Moon Lake, Lu Ri had other plans.

 

“I will meet you at the Dueling Peaks. I have matters I need to attend to,” he informed Xiulan. Both she and Rags regarded him with knowing looks.

 

“Then we’ll see you there, Master Scribe,” she told him. Lu Ri smiled enigmatically at them both.

 

And so Lu Ri took a different path, accelerating far past what the slower members of the group could manage. He slipped into Pale Moon Lake City, his Qi suppressed so as to not rattle the few detection stones that remained. With casual, practised ease, he went down an alley until he stood before a drunkard who had eyes that were entirely too sharp.

 

“The shade under a plum tree refreshes the spirit,” Lu Ri said casually, using his specific passphrase.

 

“And its fruit is a grand prize,” the drunk replied, his smile bright. His forehead touched the snowy ground. “Master Scribe, welcome back.”

 

Lu Ri nodded to the man as the door to the Plum Blossom’s Shadow headquarters opened.

 

It was much the same as the last time he was here—a hive of activity even in winter. Lu Ri noted the maps on the walls now all had street names, and there were lines of yarn connecting the fastest ways through the city. Lu Ri let himself smile.

 

Wonderful.

 

He entered into his office and was soon attended to by a man he recognised. Chen Lianji, who was wearing the new sash of a man who had been promoted to the higher echelons of Lu Ri’s organization. How diligent!

 

“Master Scribe, how may we serve?” Lianji asked, bowing low.

 

“I will need the usual reports,” Lu Ri replied. “And I have a recommendation.”

 

“A recommendation, Master Scribe?” the man asked, tilting his head to the side. “Not an order?”

 

“No, not an order. It would be an insult if I mustered myself for this matter, but I shall say that the Azure Jade Trading Company will soon desire all the information you have on the Wu Clan; and the Wu Clan is about to have… problems.”

 

It was not Lu Ri’s place to interfere with mortal matters, even on behalf of his friend the Lord Magistrate. Nor was it needed. Lu Ri had, after all, full confidence that the man did not need his help.

 

And so the Disciple of the Cloudy Sword Sect would do no such thing. Lu Ri’s information network was a mortal matter; the Lord Magistrate’s cleverness in making use of it, without it ever having been spoken of or offered, was none of his concern.

 

Coming to an understanding of the situation, Lianji let a slow smile cross his face. “Of course, Master Scribe. We are always prepared to dutifully fulfill our customer’s needs. There is, as you say, no need for you to muster yourself in such a trivial matter.”

 

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Lu Ri nodded, pleased at the man’s swiftness of mind. “Now, how goes the classification of the Pale Moon Lake City addresses?”

 

“We’ve completely finished assigning addresses to every street within Pale Moon Lake City itself, and are in the process of explaining the new system to its residents. We’ve already begun limited service within the city, as a cheaper alternative to the standard couriers and as a system open to everyone, not just government officials. We are rapidly building a reputation of trustworthiness and speed.”

 

Lu Ri couldn’t help the renewed smile that crossed his face. Having competent subordinates was a true blessing. “Excellent work on all accounts. Tell me, are there repeat users yet?”

 

“Yes, Master Scribe. Miss Hua and Miss Zhu, both widows. They live on opposite sides of the city. Their requests are a bit…” Lianji paused.

 

Lu Ri leaned forward. “A bit…?”

 

“They’ve made it a game to see what we’ll accept. They have the proper fee and address each time, and we did say we’d deliver anything with the correctly filed paperwork… to date we’ve delivered thirteen letters, a ball, a candlestick, nine sets of chopsticks, a box of beeswax, and a puppy.”

 

Lu Ri blinked. “Well, at least they’re using the service?”

 

“Yes, Master Scribe. They also keep asking when we are going to expand operations. They have another friend on the north shore of the lake. We’ve already mapped out a route, and we think we can get it down to two days with the right men and properly placed waystations…”

 

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An hour or so later, Chen Lianji bowed to his Master as he left. When he rose, he had an expression of pure wonder on his face. He walked back into the main hall, where his fellows were waiting patiently.

 

“Lianji, what did Master Scribe share with you?” came the question when his expression was revealed.

 

“Master Scribe has orchestrated the downfall of the Wu Clan, without ever revealing his—or our—hands,” Lianji said, the words difficult to fully comprehend. It was humbling, his machinations. They stretched so far, and with such silence.

 

The Wus, one of the most powerful families in the Azure Hills. And Master Scribe had just strolled in, announced they were going to be no more, and then continued with the usual briefing.