Chapter 384: The Twenty-seventh Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World

Chapter 384: Day 27 in a Warring States Novel

On this day, the spring chill was still biting. An Yi summoned several officials in charge of promoting the new waterwheel to the study of the Yangyi County magistrate's residence, asking in detail how well it worked in the mountainous terrain of Zhao Province and what improvements could be made.

The meeting lasted nearly an hour and wrapped up in the early afternoon.

An Yi rubbed his temples, which were starting to throb, a look of relief spreading across his face. Everything was moving in the right direction.

After the officials left, Bai Ji cleared his throat to announce his arrival and pushed open the door to come in.

Seeing An Yi rubbing his forehead, Bai Ji's fingers curled unconsciously. *Is he that tired?*

"Lord..." He stepped forward, his voice barely above a whisper, full of concern: "Would you like to rest for a while? I'll have someone prepare something soothing to help you relax."

An Yi lowered his hand, waved it slightly, and curved his lips into a smile: "No need, just a little tired. Has Mr. Dou's draft proposal on the spring tax adjustments come in?"

"It just arrived; I'm putting it together," Bai Ji replied, retrieving a fresh scroll still smelling of fresh ink and handing it over with both hands.

An Yi took it but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he looked at Bai Ji and then asked out of the blue: "Ruzhi, you look paler than usual. Have you been pushing yourself too hard lately?"

Bai Ji was taken aback—the Lord actually cared about him.

A sudden pang of something bitter rose in his chest, making his throat tighten.

He instinctively dropped his gaze, avoiding An Yi's eyes, and said quietly: "Thank you for your concern, Lord. It's nothing serious—I just... didn't get much sleep last night."

He certainly couldn't say that it was because he had dreamed of An Yi last night... cough! After waking up from that, he couldn't get back to sleep and lay there until dawn.

"In that case, you should get more rest," An Yi's voice remained gentle: "Even with all the state affairs, you can't run yourself ragged. Have the kitchen make some nourishing soup, and have some too."

"Thank you, Lord," Bai Ji replied in a low voice.

The Lord was so good to him.

He was about to leave to make arrangements when An Yi spoke again, as if offhandedly: "By the way, in a few days I'm heading to Zhuangdong County on the northern border of Zhao Province to check on the spring plowing and the new irrigation canals. That area borders Die Province, and things are a bit complicated there. You'll come with me—it'll be a chance for you to get some fresh air too."

The northern border of Zhao Province? Zhuangdong County? Bai Ji's heart skipped a beat.

That was indeed a border region where things weren't fully settled, and it bordered the powerful clans of Die Province, which was currently a free-for-all between several factions.

The Lord going there personally obviously meant something deeper, and having him tag along...

Getting to leave the busy administrative hub and travel alone with the Lord for days, together day and night... For him, this was practically a gift.

"Yes! I'll make sure to arrange the travel plans and security details," Bai Ji responded quickly, a hint of cheer creeping into his voice.

An Yi glanced at him, not surprised by his sudden burst of enthusiasm, but just smiled with his eyes and nodded: "Mm, go prepare then."

"Yes."

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Several days later, a convoy departed Yangyi City openly, heading south toward Zhuangdong County on the Zhao Province border.

An Yi's trip was ostensibly to inspect the spring plowing and irrigation projects and to get a feel for the border folk, so he made no effort to hide his movements—in fact, he deliberately let word get around.

On the surface, he traveled light, with only a few essential clerks, guards, and his strategist Bai Ji in tow.

The day-to-day governance of Yangyi Prefecture and the whole three provinces was temporarily handed over to Dou Chuang, Han Fu, and the others.

The secret thrill Bai Ji had felt about traveling alone with the Lord soured considerably after he saw An Yi's detailed itinerary and special orders.

He pressed his lips together, not liking that the Lord was putting himself in danger.

But once An Yi had made up his mind, no one could talk him out of it. Only after An Yi put on a little show of his "god-given strength" did the others reluctantly go along with the plan.

But Bai Ji was still worried. No matter how strong the Lord was, two fists can't beat a crowd. What if something happened?

If danger really came... he would definitely throw himself in front of the Lord, even if it cost him his life.

Not out of duty, but out of personal feeling.

In truth, An Yi's trip wasn't just about inspecting the plowing and irrigation or checking on the border folk—it was also to lure the snakes out of their holes.

Besides Copper Province, since pacifying Pu and Zhao, An Yi had mostly ruled with a light hand, but he'd never stopped going after vested interests, cleaning up the bureaucracy, and cracking down on the powerful clans.

During the war, he'd taken care of a lot of them in the chaos, and later cleaned up a few who got too bold. But there were still those who bowed on the surface while nursing grudges underneath, some even in league with outside forces.

These people were like hidden sores—if not cleaned out completely, they'd fester into real threats.

Zhuangdong County, on the northern border of Zhao Province next to Die Province, had rough terrain and a tough local population—the perfect spot to draw out these troublemakers.

By coming in person and putting on the appearance of an inspection tour, An Yi was basically putting himself in a risky spot.

For the enemies hiding in the shadows, this was a golden opportunity to take out the young lord and throw the three provinces into chaos.

And what An Yi wanted was exactly for them to show themselves.

Bai Ji went to arrange the public itinerary, escorts, and receptions, while also—on An Yi's orders—quietly activating the spy network, keeping a close eye on any suspicious movements within the three provinces, and staying in touch with An Shu's troops already secretly stationed nearby, so that if anything happened, they could react fast and hit the enemy from both sides.

The convoy moved at a steady, unhurried pace.

Spring came late to Zhao Province. Patches of leftover snow still dotted the mountain fields, and the wind was biting.

Zhuangdong County sat in a river valley between two mountains. The land wasn't all that fertile, but it had gotten better in recent years thanks to the irrigation projects.

The county magistrate was a plain, honest local who'd been promoted from the ranks. He was a bundle of nerves about An Yi's arrival, went all out on hospitality, and gave pretty thorough reports.

An Yi stayed in Zhuangdong County for several days.

During the day, he checked the fields, looked over the canals, visited villages, and chatted with old farmers, asking about taxes, public safety, and other things. He was warm and down-to-earth, no airs at all, drawing a crowd of locals to watch from a distance, marveling at how handsome and friendly the young lord was.

Everything looked perfectly normal.

But An Yi, Bai Ji, and the hidden Cha Jiang and An Shu could all feel the undercurrents stirring.

The local bigwigs and gentry of Zhao Province were being a little too "enthusiastic" and "cooperative"—that alone was a red flag.

On the ninth day, An Yi decided to go check out a newly built dam at the northern tip of Zhuangdong County, near the Die Province border.

The area was more remote, with rough mountain roads.

Before setting out, An Yi sent everyone away except Bai Ji, keeping him in the study of the back courtyard at the county magistrate's temporary lodgings.

"Ruzhi." An Yi stood by the window, staring at the gray sky outside, his voice calm: "Think the fish will bite?"

Bai Ji stood three steps behind him, eyes down, replying: "The bait's been laid, the waters stirred. According to reports from our undercover agents over the last two days, members of the Zhou, Yang, and Tian clans in Zhao Province—the ones with close business ties to Die Province—plus two minor county clerks, have been unusually busy. There's also been movement on the Die Province side, with troops gathering near the border. All signs point to them being about to make a move."

"Is that so?" An Yi turned, one eyebrow raised.

Die Province, huh. Die Province. What a great place.