Chapter 137: Riddled with Doubts (Part Two)

Puyang Kai shuddered violently, and his face instantly turned pale with terror.

"How could Maren not recognize his own father?"

Wang Mai argued.

"Yet Maren lives in a drunken stupor day after day... He seemingly cares nothing for Fang Cheng either; he has only come to plead on his behalf out of obedience to Master Mai's command."

"Yuxue!"

"Student is here."

Puyang Kai showed a look of agitation, pacing back and forth in the room.

"This matter, you know, and I know! Hutou knows... Do not let anyone else know for the time being. We will discuss it further when Magistrate Deng returns."

Cao Peng nodded. "I understand."

After pondering for a moment, he said to Puyang Kai, "However, I intend to begin monitoring the Mai family estate starting today."

"Hmm... Be careful, make sure you're not discovered." Puyang Kai was now persuaded by Cao Peng's thoughts and spoke in a soft voice, "Mai Xiong is, after all, a Grand Palace Grandee, and Maren is also a Filial and Incorrupt. They hold considerable status in Haixi! If they detect this, it will be disadvantageous to us."

"I understand."

"Go to sleep."

Puyang Kai tapped his forehead, clearly struggling for a moment to process so much information all at once.

However, when he pulled open the door, he found that the rain had stopped. Outside, at some unknown time, a light mist had risen, hazy and ethereal.

"Dawn is breaking!"

Cao Peng stood up and walked over, standing side by side with Puyang Kai on the porch.

"Sir, the moment before dawn is also the darkest time."

Puyang Kai glanced at Cao Peng, suddenly smiled, and turned to leave.

Though he had not slept all night, Cao Peng did not feel overly fatigued.

On the contrary, he was exhilarated!

His work experience from his past life had cultivated his habit of "bold hypotheses and careful verification." The current hypothesis, at first glance, seemed incredible and even somewhat absurd. Yet, various signs suggested that this hypothesis was very likely the truth. How to verify it was a question, and moreover, time was running out for Cao Peng. As Deng Ji established his footing in Haixi, the eradication of the sea bandits was also imminent.

As soon as dawn broke, Cao Peng took Feng Chao, along with Wang Mai and Deng Fan, to the North Market.

After signing contracts with the Nine Great Merchants of Haixi, the task of explaining the changes to the other merchants in Haixi was left to the Nine Great Merchants to resolve; Cao Peng would not get involved. In any case, in the end, all market entry audits had to go through Cao Peng, making it difficult for the Nine Great Merchants to meddle behind the scenes.

Wang Mai and Deng Fan were appointed as Cao Supervisors, tasked with the management of the North Market.

Along the way, Cao Peng repeatedly instructed the two on matters requiring attention and reminded them not to underestimate this task.

"The law enforcement team must be established as quickly as possible."

Cao Peng exhorted, "The men brought by Brother Hutou should be temporarily transferred into it. Get the framework set up first! Remember, standardize the uniforms of the law enforcement team, and try to avoid using weapons at the very beginning!"

"If we don't use weapons, what should we use?" Deng Fan asked. "Bare hands?"

Cao Peng said, "I have already ordered some suitable tools to be crafted, called law enforcement staves. They should be ready by tomorrow! You can use the law enforcement staves then. There is one more point: expanding the manpower must not be too fast, nor too slow. In short, you must not draw the attention of others while growing as quickly as possible... Beyond that, you must communicate more with Huang Zheng and the others, and win their trust. Do not underestimate these merchant scoundrels! Without their help, establishing a foothold in the North Market will not be an easy task."

Wang Mai and Deng Fan noted everything down one by one.

They escorted Wang Mai and Deng Fan to the North Market and introduced them to Huang Zheng.

Huang Zheng's primary business was gold and iron trade. After Chen Sheng's death, no one in the North Market possessed greater strength than this man.

However, unlike the arrogant Chen Sheng, Huang Zheng was smooth-mannered and kept a low profile. He recognized both Wang Mai and Deng Fan, eliminating the need for lengthy introductions.

This man knew how to get things done.

Having signed the contract only yesterday, he had already taken action upon returning.

Moreover, he had specifically cleared a building in the North Market for the use of the Cao Supervisors.

All things considered, Huang Zheng did not suffer a loss.

Having swallowed Ye Bei's grain shop, his strength had increased considerably.

Cao Peng had also dropped a hint yesterday that Chen Sheng's properties would soon be put up for sale. By offering a house to build a closer relationship with the official authorities, Huang Zheng could be said to be entirely willing. The location of the house was excellent, situated right at the entrance of the North Market. It was a two-courtyard compound, very spacious. All the furniture was complete, allowing Wang Mai, Deng Fan, and their men to move in directly without any trouble.

To this, Cao Peng expressed his appreciation!

Upon emerging from the North Market, the mist had completely dissipated.

The sun hung high, shining brightly over Haixi.

Riding on horseback, Cao Peng suddenly said, "Feng Chao, let's go up to the watchtower and take a look."

"Understood!"

Feng Chao hurried forward to lead the way.

Cao Peng's party arrived at the Haixi watchtower once more, finding it as desolate as before, with no figures in sight.

"Let's go up."

Cao Peng dismounted, handed the reins to an attendant, and instructed, "You all keep guard down here! If anyone comes up, report it immediately."

"Understood!"

With that, Cao Peng stepped into the watchtower, closely followed by Feng Chao.

Neither of them spoke as they silently climbed to the top of the tower. Feng Chao felt somewhat apprehensive in his heart; he was unclear about the young man's intention in dragging him here. Toward Cao Peng, Feng Chao currently felt more fear than respect. In the eyes of many, Cao Peng was merely Deng Ji's executor, someone who had risen solely by relying on Deng Ji. Yet Feng Chao knew that many of Deng Ji's decisions depended on the youth before him. Despite his young age, he was extremely astute. Furthermore, his ruthless methods filled Feng Chao with dread...

"Feng Chao!"

"Understood!"

"Tell me about Haixi."

Feng Chao was slightly startled and asked curiously, "What does the Young Master wish to know?"

"Oh! For instance, strange tales and anecdotes about Haixi?"

Cao Peng smiled faintly, leaning against the window and looking at Feng Chao.

"I recently read some local legends and strange tales of Haixi and found them quite interesting. So I would like to hear what other bizarre occurrences there are in Haixi County."

"Bizarre occurrences?"

Feng Chao found himself in a difficult spot.

He had no idea what medicine Cao Peng was selling in this gourd, yet he could not refuse to answer.

"If we are talking about bizarre occurrences, Haixi indeed has quite a few legends."

Feng Chao thought for a moment. "But as for anything truly strange... Oh, this subordinate does know of one. That was from several years ago, roughly four or five years back. For a period of time, people frequently saw individuals throwing themselves into the lotus pond. Yet when people went down to dredge it, no bodies were found. Local rumors claimed that the lotus pond seemed to connect to the netherworld... Heh, grievances in this world can only be reincarnated by casting oneself into the pond... When my late father took office, he also heard about this and even brought me to dredge the lotus pond to investigate."

"And what was dredged up?"

Feng Chao smiled. "Aside from silt, more silt..."

"And then?"

"Later on, it seemed to fade away. After my father took office, no one was seen doing such a thing anymore, nor did I ever witness it. Following that, the matter grew increasingly obscure, until now, many people have probably forgotten it altogether. If the Young Master had not asked, I am afraid I would not have remembered it either."

A most interesting legend, is it not?

Cao Peng narrowed his eyes, turned around, and gazed into the distance.

"Feng Chao, where is the Mai family estate?"

"Oh, just outside the south gate are the fields of the Mai family estate."

Cao Peng offered no comments, merely nodded, turned silently, and walked down the watchtower.

"Young Master, where shall we go next?"

Cao Peng said, "Let's go take a look at the lotus pond."

"The lotus pond?" Feng Chao said. "The lotus pond has no scenery to speak of in this season and is very desolate. If the Young Master wishes to admire lotuses, it would be better to go in the summer."

"Ah, I'm just going to take a look."

Cao Peng smiled as he walked down the watchtower.

He mounted his steed and had Feng Chao lead the way.

Feng Chao was truly bewildered by this point, having no inkling of Cao Peng's intentions. However, Cao Peng was his superior; since Cao Peng was interested, he could not refuse. Thus, Feng Chao also mounted his horse and traveled alongside Cao Peng toward the lotus pond...

It was nearing the eleventh month.

The ancients said: In the eleventh month, the yin principle is born, desiring to cast off the old and take in the new.

The waters of the lotus pond rippled gently, sparkling in the light. However, the lotus leaves on the water's surface had long since withered, and the lotus flowers had fallen, leaving only solitary, lonely stems standing in the water.

However, Feng Chao was mistaken!

When Cao Peng and his party arrived at the lotus pond, they unexpectedly encountered someone.

"Master Wang!"

Cao Peng dismounted to exchange pleasantries, a smile on his face.

By the pond's edge, Wang Cheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Hearing someone call out, he turned around and looked startled upon seeing Cao Peng, but immediately wore a full smile.

"Young Master Cao!"

He hurried forward, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "What elegant leisure brings Young Master Cao here today?"

"Oh, I had some free time and realized that since arriving in Haixi, I have yet to properly appreciate Haixi's scenery, so I asked Feng Chao to show me around."

"In this season, there is hardly any scenery to speak of."

"Is that so? Master Wang seems to enjoy it quite a bit..."

Wang Cheng was startled, then burst into hearty laughter! "To not conceal it from Young Master Cao, ordinary people love lotuses for their beauty. I alone love the desolate scenery of this lotus pond; whenever I see it, I invariably gain some insight. Young Master Cao, look, this withered expanse is precisely preparation for next year's bloom—is that not beauty itself?"

"Ah..."

Matching wits with the ancients over literary interpretations was truly agonizing.

Especially given their diverse and eccentric aesthetic tastes and perspectives, Cao Peng considered himself knowledgeable about this era, but some things still eluded his comprehension.

"Master Wang's perceptions are truly unique!"

"Is that so?"

Wang Cheng chuckled, and the topic abruptly shifted. "I hear that the Young Master intends to reorganize the North Market?"

"Precisely."

"The North Market is a place where dragons and fish intermingle; setting it in order will likely not be easy."

"Precisely because dragons and fish intermingle, it must be set in order, no?"

"Quite right, well said!"

Wang Cheng laughed heartily, and Cao Peng smiled just as sincerely.

The two conversed by the lotus pond for a while before cupping their hands in farewell.

Yet the moment he turned around, the smile vanished from Cao Peng's face, leaving Feng Chao dumbfounded.

He truly was Magistrate Deng's strategist!

Feng Chao estimated he would never learn this skill of changing faces in his entire lifetime.

"Young Master..."

"Let's return!"

Cao Peng waved a hand, signaling Feng Chao to say no more.

He vaulted onto his horse, while a deep sense of unease welled up in his heart.

"Feng Chao."

"Understood!"

"When we return, find a reliable person and have them keep watch here."

Feng Chao was startled and softly asked, "Watch for what?"

"See who comes here to admire the withered lotuses."

He didn't believe a single word of what Wang Cheng had said. What nonsense! Did he take him for a child? A grown man like him, in such cold weather, running out to this lotus pond? And what about "gained some insight"? Gain insights into your sister! Cao Peng sneered inwardly. Could Wang Cheng be feeling threatened?

"Right, I recall Wang Cheng's estate is also outside the city?"

"Uh... Indeed, it is right next to the Mai family estate."

This Wang Cheng definitely had issues!

Cao Peng could not put his finger on the exact reason, but instinctively, he had already judged Wang Cheng.

After making a round through Haixi, it was nearly midday when they returned to the county office.

The warm sunlight shone upon them, feeling exceptionally comfortable. Cao Peng dismounted at the entrance of the county office and had someone lead Zhaoyebai in through the side gate.

Cao Peng's Zhaoyebai and Xu Chu's Black Dragon were both fed separately.

Both horses had large tempers and arrogant dispositions. If kept together with ordinary horses, they were prone to accidents. Therefore, for safety's sake, Zhaoyebai was housed beside the courtyard where Cao Peng lived. There was a small stable there, perfectly suited to shelter Zhaoyebai.

Gently rubbing his face, Cao Peng walked into the county office.

"Young Master, Master Puyang is waiting for you."

"I know!"

Cao Peng paused for a moment, then walked toward the administrative hall.

At this hour, Puyang Kai and Bu Zhi were generally in the official room of the administrative hall. True to Cao Peng's expectation, when he entered the study, Puyang Kai was speaking with Bu Zhi. It was evident that Puyang Kai's spirits were not particularly good. Yet, upon reflection, that was entirely normal. A man in his forties or fifties, having gone through the entire night without rest, and having to handle official duties early in the morning—how could his spirits possibly be good?

However, upon seeing Cao Peng, Puyang Kai acted as though nothing was amiss and beckoned to him.

"Yuxue, come here!"

"Master Puyang, Master Zishan, do you have something for me?"

Puyang Kai nodded, signaling Cao Peng to sit.

A servant brought a bowl of water. Cao Peng sat down, took a sip, and looked at Puyang Kai and Bu Zhi.

"Word has just arrived..."

"Which Left General?"

Bu Zhi looked at Cao Peng with a strange gaze.

Cao Peng suddenly realized! He widened his eyes abruptly, "Could it be Marquis Wen of Lü?"

"Precisely!"

In late August and early September, Lü Bu, acting upon the imperial decree of the Son of Heaven in Xuchang, assisted Cao Cao in subjugating Yuan Shu.

In the blink of an eye, two months had passed.

Yuan Shu had already fled in defeat to Huainan, thoroughly crushed. Calculating the time, Lü Bu indeed should be returning to Xiapi...

Yet, what did this have to do with him?

Bu Zhi sighed and explained, "Marquis Wen holds the title of Inspector of Xuzhou; though not appointed by the imperial court, he effectively holds sway over Xiapi and Guangling. Upon returning victorious this time, according to convention, officials from various regions must travel to Xiapi to offer congratulations. I was just discussing this matter with Master Puyang, wondering whether we should make a trip to Xiapi. If we go, logically Magistrate Deng should go in person; yet Magistrate Deng is absent. If we wait for him to return before going, it will likely cause delays, for which we might instead face reprimand. But if we do not go..."

"...You also know that Lü Bu possesses the nature of a wolf and tiger, difficult to fathom. Should we inadvertently offend him, it will likely bring no benefit to Magistrate Deng."

"Then let's just go!"

Cao Peng looked at the two in puzzlement, failing to understand what was so difficult about this.

Puyang Kai said, "The problem is, who goes? Both Zishan and I are subordinate officials under Magistrate Deng. If we go, our status is insufficient, which would inevitably leave room for gossip. Therefore, the person going to Xiapi, if not Magistrate Deng himself, must be someone capable of representing Magistrate Deng. Can Yuxue understand this?"

Hearing this, Cao Peng could not help but be startled.

"Master Puyang, you mean to say... you want me to go and see Lü Bu?"