I Don't Agree to the Terms
Chapter 509 - 280: Imperial Guard, Patrolling and Arresting_2

Chapter 509: Chapter 280: Imperial Guard, Patrolling and Arresting_2

If he could really succeed within ten tries, he would have begun to suspect that someone was setting him up.

Despite his numerous successes, his failures were even more numerous, to the point where he himself was starting to lose count.

Without materials, Gu Shanhai could only continue to perfect the "Thirty-Six Stratagems," specifically the defeat stratagems; after all, he was idle anyway.

"Mr. Gu, Mr. Li Yu requests an audience," a house servant came to report.

"Let him in. What could possibly be the matter this early in the morning?" Gu Shanhai had no intention of stopping him.

The kid must have something up his sleeve if he was coming to see him; after all, one does not visit the temple without a cause, and he was rather busy.

Li Yu came in hastily and said, "There’s been an incident."

"What is it..." Gu Shanhai felt that lately, it seemed like he was beset with misfortune, with problems cropping up everywhere.

"Over in Min State, Zhang He’s supply lines have been cut off, and now they can’t deliver supplies," Li Yu said.

Gu Shanhai calculated the timing—it didn’t seem right. The disruption wasn’t due yet, or had his spoilers caused the future to change?

"Do you have a solution?" Gu Shanhai asked directly.

Since the man had come, he surely must have prepared two or three solutions; it couldn’t be that just reporting an incident would leave Gu Shanhai to pick up the pieces, especially now when it wasn’t the right time to do so.

"I’ve already ordered Cui Feng to personally escort a supply of grain, but our route for transporting grain is covert. How could it have been exposed so quickly? I suspect there is a mole among the higher-ups." Li Yu had already arranged for people to solve the problem, but they had to find out how their secret supply routes had been exposed.

It was known that every grain transport took a different route.

"How do you plan to investigate?" Gu Shanhai realized, seeing as Li Yu had come to him, that he was asking for investigative authority.

The idea that enemy forces had merely stumbled upon their grain routes was out of the question.

Firstly, the area for the grain transport was occupied by their forces, with a large number of soldiers stationed there, making it impossible for substantial enemy Daoist Soldiers to bypass unnoticed; any movement would be detected by the forward positions.

Secondly, small groups of guerrilla soldiers wouldn’t stand a chance either. Did they really think the grain was escorted by a mere shipment crew? The minimum escort consisted of tens of thousands of Daoist Soldiers, considering the supplies were for several hundred thousand troops. It was unthinkable that they would take such matters lightly.

So if it were just guerrilla soldiers attempting to raid the supply lines, it would be a suicide mission.

The most likely scenario was large enemy forces using some method to bypass defensive positions and precisely locate the supplies for interdiction. Therefore, the most probable cause was betrayal among their own high-ranking officials, though other possibilities were not entirely excluded.

"I need your permission, teacher, to carry out a thorough..." Li Yu had come all the way, obviously with a plan prepared, and it was clear he already had intentions.

"Imperial Guard operations, inquisition, and apprehension," Gu Shanhai looked at Li Yu, not expecting that the young man would go as far as proposing to establish a Jinyi Guard.

"Disciple indeed has these thoughts, from the assassination attempt on the teacher to the raid on the supply route; these are our own shortcomings," Li Yu did not hide his thoughts, but he was also raising the banner for justification.

The authority he sought was not minor: to conduct reconnaissance, arrest, interrogation, and to be involved in collecting military intelligence, turning enemy generals, with the power to arrest anyone, including significant officials, and to conduct private interrogations.

Such actions would be accountable only to the highest power holder.

"We definitely lack in intelligence, but do you think you can handle it well?" Gu Shanhai asked nonchalantly.

The idea was good, but Gu Shanhai wasn’t optimistic about Li Yu’s capability, mainly because he wasn’t quite up to the task. In matters of business and economy, Li Yu really was a professional with no issues there, but when given such broad powers, who knew if he would engage in any underhanded behavior.

Such minor misconduct was of less concern; the real issue was that he was most likely incapable of handling the role properly. If such a significant institution were to be infiltrated by the enemy, it would become a weapon turned against their own forces.

If it were during the era of unity, then such an agency might have been established without much issue, but now, during a period of warlord chaos, an intelligence agency wielding this much power is definitely not a good thing.

Li Yu had also discerned Gu Shanhai’s intention. He was not opposed to the formation of the agency but doubted his own abilities.

"This matter was not proposed by me, but by my daughter, and I would like to recommend her as the commander of this operation," Li Yu spoke up immediately.

Gu Shanhai was, of course, aware of Li Hui, his granddaughter disciple, who, after Jiang Lu became the Liang State Governor, became Jiang Lu’s goddaughter. This strengthened the relationship between Li Yu and Jiang Lu. Furthermore, Li Hui had studied with Gu Shanhai for two years.

It must be said that in terms of abilities, Li Hui was indeed far stronger than Li Yu. The only pity was that as a woman, she could not hold court office or command troops due to societal conventions, not because of any fault of her own.

"As your teacher, I would very much like to agree to your request," Gu Shanhai knew that if he truly let his granddaughter take this position, she might actually succeed, though it would be extremely difficult.

"Hui’er is also of an age where she could consider accepting a suitor."

Following that, Gu Shanhai immediately changed the subject, implying that she should honestly settle down to marry and have children instead of getting involved in such matters.

The reason was simple: there were plenty of capable people available, and Gu Shanhai had no need to choose someone who would only achieve half the results with double the effort, and who might attract criticism and undue problems.

"This... indeed, it is about that time," Li Yu said helplessly, catching the undertone in Gu Shanhai’s voice that suggested he thought this plan unworkable.

"Indeed, if needed, I can consult the oracle on her behalf to find a suitable husband. When Jiang Lu returns, it’s not too late to make a decision," Gu Shanhai didn’t outright refuse, instead, he tactfully passed the decision to Jiang Lu. If Jiang Lu agreed to have his daughter and son-in-law handle this, then he wouldn’t interfere.

However, the condition was that the son-in-law must be chosen by him to ensure the security of the entire intelligence agency.

Upon hearing this, Li Yu perked up. He highly valued the prospect of Gu Shanhai helping to find a son-in-law.

Thinking back to Zhan Yan, recruited by Gu Shanhai and witnessing his formidable ability in effectively upholding an immense power single-handedly.

"Then... I must thank Teacher," Li Yu understood Gu Shanhai’s thinking: to accept only someone reliable and within their circle. Thus, he had secured this advantage and his daughter could indirectly deploy her talent through her husband, thereby obtaining corresponding opportunities for growth.

It was an indirect acceptance of his idea.

But Gu Shanhai had also skillfully shifted the responsibility, implying his blessing was irrelevant. Li Yu would first need to find a son-in-law and then apply to Jiang Lu, as Gu Shanhai would not be involved in this matter.

In this regard, Li Yu knew that Jiang Lu would definitely agree. The only potential variable was Gu Shanhai, so it was essential to gauge his thoughts first.

He was only thinking of holding power, never of rebellion.

Neither Gu Shanhai, Jiang Lu, nor his three sworn brothers were figures whom he could shake. Thus, he had purposely reduced his own share of military power to avoid suspicion.

Currently, his Daoist Soldiers numbered only a hundred, which was not many.

Regarding Li Yu, Gu Shanhai actually only bore the intention of instructing him casually, primarily because Li Yu was too profit-driven. On the other hand, his daughter showed greater respect for her teacher and the path of the disciple; otherwise, Gu Shanhai would not have considered helping at all, aside from finding her a good husband for an amicable marriage.

He was committed to the master-disciple lineage and naturally valued this aspect even more.

The divination results came out quickly, and he soon wrote down the address, name, family members, and other relevant details, even creating a portrait.

"Remember not to be aggressive; favor a gentle approach," Gu Shanhai handed the information to Li Yu, advising him.

His concern was that Li Yu might resort to using force or act arrogantly when seeking a son-in-law, which would surely lead to disaster. Although it was unlikely for Li Yu to behave that way, a warning was still prudent.

"Disciple understands," Li Yu took the information, overjoyed, and immediately departed.

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