131: Chapter 131 The Huai Party's Schemes

Chen Fan sat at the table. The night was deep, and the moonlight spilled onto the dossiers, making the handwriting clear.

He flipped open the intelligence sent by Staffer Wang. Those densely packed characters gradually pieced together another story in his eyes.

He discovered that this intelligence regarding the White Lotus Sect's strongholds, while seemingly detailed, was eerie in every respect.

The White Lotus Sect's activities within Huai Prefecture were not a recent development.

The dossiers recorded many instances of the White Lotus Sect plundering official grain, yet the amount of grain stolen each time seemed insignificant.

This was completely inconsistent with the momentum the White Lotus Sect had stirred up among the people and their massive number of followers.

The provisions required by a massive sect and a constantly expanding rebel army could never be sustained by these sporadic raids.

The only explanation was that the White Lotus Sect was not plundering official grain—or rather, plundering official grain was merely a front.

What they truly needed was the batch of "private grain" hidden by Prefect Zhao.

And this "private grain" likely did not belong solely to the White Lotus Sect, but was strategic material that the Huai Party had been privately hoarding for a long time.

The dossiers also mentioned that in recent years, merchant caravans of "unknown identity" often appeared in Huai Prefecture, purchasing various materials at extremely high prices, with grain being the most prominent.

The backgrounds of these caravans were blurry; they came and went in a hurry, and the records at the Prefectural Office were vague.

As Chen Fan connected these pieces of information, a bold guess surfaced in his mind.

The Huai Party embezzling official grain and hoarding materials was definitely not just for lining their own pockets. They might have a much larger plot, perhaps even closely related to the "struggle between the Imperial Observatory and the Huai Party" mentioned by Mr. Know-It-All that day.

As for the White Lotus Sect, as a force resisting the Imperial Court, the growth of its rebel army could not be separated from the support of provisions.

Plundering the Huai Party's private grain could not only weaken their rivals but also strengthen themselves. It was not without reason that Su Xin chose to cooperate.

Chen Fan closed the dossier, having already made up his mind.

He was now within the chessboard. Since he could not stay out of it, he could only go with the flow and utilize every available force.

At dawn, the sky was faintly light.

Chen Fan gently withdrew his arm from beneath Hong Shao's neck, his movements light so as not to wake her.

Hong Shao was still curled up by his side, her sleeping face peaceful, with a trace of satisfied moisture at the corners of her eyes.

He got up, dressed, and put the pale mask back on. The mask concealed all emotions and blocked out the scrutiny of the outside world.

He walked to the window and pushed it open.

The morning in Fuyang City was full of the bustle of daily life. Pedestrians grew more numerous on the streets below, and the shouts of vendors rose and fell. Those few men who seemed to be wandering the streets were still at their respective posts, their steps steady and their breath restrained. The "protection" of the Shadow Hounds never left his side.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Master Luo, the Prefectural Office's carriage is waiting downstairs," the waiter's voice sounded from outside the door.

Chen Fan pulled open the door, nodded to the waiter, and went straight downstairs.

The Prefectural Office's carriage was already waiting at the inn's entrance. Staffer Wang was standing by the carriage; as soon as he saw Chen Fan, he broke into a smile and bowed.

"Master Luo, the Prefect is waiting at the residence," Staffer Wang said politely.

Chen Fan said nothing and went straight into the carriage. Staffer Wang followed him inside, and the carriage slowly started moving toward the Prefectural Office.

In the inner hall of the Prefectural Office, Prefect Zhao was already waiting. He was wearing his official robes, sitting upright in the main seat with a gentle smile on his face.

"Master Luo, please sit," Prefect Zhao gestured to the seat beside him.

Chen Fan took his seat.

"Master Luo, you worked hard regarding yesterday's matters," Prefect Zhao picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

"You are too kind, My Lord," Chen Fan's voice was calm, devoid of any emotion.

"I have already sent men to interrogate those White Lotus Sect members one by one," Prefect Zhao set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly. "Their testimonies are consistent; they all say the White Lotus Sect intended to plunder the official grain at Dahe Ferry."

Chen Fan remained silent, merely looking at Prefect Zhao.

"However, what Master Luo mentioned yesterday about the 'private grain' from that minor leader's mouth has left me somewhat confused," a well-timed look of doubt appeared on Prefect Zhao's face. "The White Lotus Sect always acts openly; plundering grain is plundering grain, so where does this 'private grain' talk come from?"

Chen Fan sneered in his heart. Openly? If the White Lotus Sect acted openly, they wouldn't be called a demon sect. Prefect Zhao was testing him.

"Perhaps that minor leader was speaking recklessly and talking nonsense," Chen Fan spoke plainly, then changed the subject. "However, while reviewing the dossiers provided by My Lord, I discovered some suspicious points."

Prefect Zhao's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

"Oh?" Prefect Zhao's smile remained on his face. "What has Master Luo discovered?"

"The dossiers record that the amount of official grain plundered by the White Lotus Sect over the years is not much," Chen Fan said slowly. "Yet the White Lotus Sect has massive influence and numerous followers in Huai Prefecture. Relying solely on these spoils, I'm afraid it would be difficult to sustain their consumption."

He paused, observing Prefect Zhao's reaction. Prefect Zhao's smile faded slightly.

"What does Master Luo mean?" Prefect Zhao's voice lowered several degrees.

"I was just thinking," Chen Fan continued. "Could there be something else behind the White Lotus Sect's true source of provisions? If it's not official grain, then it must be..."

Chen Fan did not say the words "private grain." He simply looked at Prefect Zhao, waiting for his response.

Prefect Zhao's fingertips tapped lightly on the edge of the table. He was silent for a moment.

"Master Luo, you worry too much," Prefect Zhao spoke again, his voice returning to its previous gentleness. "The White Lotus Sect uses demonic words to mislead and bewitch people's hearts. Their followers are not all Martial Artists. Ordinary commoners only need a small amount of rations to survive."

Chen Fan did not argue.

"Furthermore, the White Lotus Sect acts secretively. How could their source of provisions be something we can easily uncover?" Prefect Zhao's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "The Imperial Court has invested heavily in bandit suppression, yet the White Lotus Sect is like wild grass—cannot be cut down completely, cannot be burned away."

"I simply feel that if we can uncover the White Lotus Sect's source of provisions, we might be able to solve this once and for all," Chen Fan did not give up, continuing to throw out suspicious points. "The dossiers mention that in recent years, there have often been merchant caravans of unknown identity in Huai Prefecture purchasing grain at high prices. Could these caravans be related to the White Lotus Sect?"

Prefect Zhao's body stiffened again. He did not answer immediately.

"Master Luo, some matters involve a great deal," Prefect Zhao's voice lowered, carrying a hint of a warning. "They are not things we can easily interfere with."

"The Imperial Court's strategy has its own deep meaning. We only need to act according to orders and wipe out the White Lotus Sect," Prefect Zhao's gaze fell on the mask on Chen Fan's face.

Chen Fan understood clearly in his heart. Prefect Zhao was evading and warning him. The interests involved behind this batch of "private grain" far exceeded his imagination. It might even be related to the high levels of the Imperial Court, or even the Emperor himself.

"I understand," Chen Fan nodded slowly, no longer pressing. He knew that asking further would only be counterproductive.

Prefect Zhao's body relaxed. He picked up his teacup and smiled once more.

"It is a great comfort to me that Master Luo can appreciate my difficulties," Prefect Zhao said. "Wiping out the White Lotus Sect is the top priority. As for other matters, the people above will worry about them."

He paused and then added, "Does Master Luo have any arrangements for today? If not, I can arrange for you to visit the major martial arts halls in the city to select elites. The White Lotus Sect has many demonic people; you also need more capable people under your command."

Chen Fan shook his head.

"No need," Chen Fan refused. "I have my own arrangements."

He left the Prefectural Office, boarded the carriage, and returned to Juxian Restaurant.

When he returned to the room, Hong Shao and Qing Luo were already awake and washing up.

"Master Luo, you're back," Hong Shao said softly.

"Master Luo, where did you go today?" Qing Luo asked.

Chen Fan did not respond. He simply walked to the window and looked outside. He knew Su Xin must be somewhere, waiting for his news.

Night fell.

As was his custom, Chen Fan sat in the inn's lobby, watching the passing Jianghu travelers. He did not drink wine, only quietly sipped tea.

An hour later, he stood up and slowly walked up the stairs.

He pushed open his door. The room was not lit. Only the moonlight filtering in from the window spilled onto the floor, a cold expanse.

Su Xin was already sitting at the table, her face covered by that pure white fox mask.

"It seems you've made some gains," Su Xin's voice carried a hint of coldness.

Chen Fan walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

"Prefect Zhao is evading," Chen Fan said directly. "He is extremely tight-lipped about the 'private grain.' He even warned me that some matters involve a great deal and are not things we can easily interfere with."

Su Xin gave a soft snort.

"As expected," Su Xin said. "The Huai Party embezzling official grain and hoarding materials has been a long-standing practice. Behind them lies a massive chain of interests."

"You guessed correctly; what the White Lotus Sect is plundering is not ordinary official grain. It is the 'private grain' hoarded by the Huai Party," Su Xin said. "This batch of provisions is vital to the White Lotus Sect."

"Those merchant caravans of unknown identity you mentioned are also inextricably linked to the Huai Party," Su Xin continued. "They buy grain at extremely high prices and then resell it to the Huai Party, profiting from the transaction."

Chen Fan nodded. His suspicions were confirmed.

"When will this batch of private grain be transported? What route will it take?" Chen Fan asked.

Su Xin shook her head.

"Prefect Zhao won't reveal it easily," Su Xin said. "He will only tell the news to those he trusts most."

"However, I already have a general range," Su Xin said. "Dahe Ferry is the only grain distribution center outside Fuyang City. If the Huai Party wants to transport a large amount of grain, they must pass through there."

"I will send men to carefully investigate along Dahe Ferry," Su Xin said. "Once I find a lead, I will notify you."

She paused, her voice becoming somewhat soft.

"By the way, have you ever heard of a name?" Su Xin asked.

Chen Fan's heart skipped a beat.

"What name?" Chen Fan asked.

"Chen Fan," Su Xin's voice sounded in the darkness.

She picked up the teacup on the table and took a light sip.

"Have you ever known a person named Chen Fan?"

Chen Fan remained silent and could only shake his head.