Chapter 133: Catch Them First, Talk Later

"From now on, increase the number of sentries and carefully inspect all people and goods! If you spot anything suspicious, arrest them first and ask questions later!" Li Zhi commanded.

"Understood!" Both men nodded.

Cheng Yaojin asked, "What about that man in black who just escaped? Will he pose a threat to us?"

"That depends on how much he knows," Li Zhi replied.

He was anxious, but the mistake had already been made; there was no use dwelling on it. Remedying the situation was the priority.

"Your Highness... what are you thinking about?" Seeing Li Zhi sitting there lost in thought, Yuchi Jingde asked.

"I am thinking that in a small place like Hongnong County, even with an army of one hundred thousand stationed here, our secrets were still stolen. If we distribute the sweet potatoes and grain seeds to every region for the local authorities to plant, won't the noble clans find out immediately?"

"This!" The two men looked at each other, neither daring to guarantee that the secrets could be kept from the powerful clans.

"If the sweet potatoes and grain seeds are so important, we shouldn't distribute them to the other regions, lest we let the clans benefit," Cheng Yaojin suggested.

"We cannot afford not to distribute them." Li Zhi sighed. "His Majesty has entrusted the affairs of the clans to me. I must not only manage the agricultural base here in Hongnong, but also consider the grand strategy for the entire nation."

"Do not forget," Li Zhi continued, "there are millions of commoners waiting to eat. Only by promoting sweet potatoes and hybrid rice nationwide can we solve the food crisis."

Even knowing the secrets would be stolen by the clans, the distribution had to proceed. Even if it placed him in a disadvantageous position, it was a necessity. It was the most helpless of situations.

Cheng Yaojin asked, "So, is there no other way?"

"We can only dispatch more experts and do our best to protect them. If we truly cannot protect them, we will find another way then."

Li Zhi realized the orders issued by the Secretariat had loopholes. He felt restless, like a bucket being tossed in a well, unable to find peace of mind. He did not sleep that night in the military camp; his mind was entirely occupied by the threat of the noble clans.

"Come here... someone come!" Li Zhi rolled out of bed. A guard entered and bowed respectfully, "Your Highness!"

"What is your command, Your Highness?"

"Return to the capital immediately and tell Luo Tong and the Golden Blade Guards to come here overnight. I have urgent matters for them to attend to!"

"As you command!" The guard exited the tent, found a fast horse, and rode through the night toward the capital.

Luo Tong and the Golden Blade Guards possessed extraordinary martial arts, making them perfect for assassination missions. Li Zhi summoned them to see if the problem could be solved through assassination. After all, the Dugu Nine Swords were the pinnacle of swordplay, and Luo Tong had mastered them to perfection. If he were determined to assassinate someone, that person would certainly not escape.

At dawn, Luo Tong arrived at the camp with the Golden Blade Guards. Li Zhi summoned Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin. Once everyone was seated, Li Zhi said, "I have thought of a plan last night! It may solve our current predicament."

"Oh?" Yuchi Jingde was surprised. "Your Highness has already thought of a countermeasure? Haha... I knew nothing could stump you! To be honest, since that black-clad assassin escaped, I haven't slept a wink, unable to think of a solution. You are truly brilliant!"

"What is this great plan?" Cheng Yaojin was impatient, and even Luo Tong pricked up his ears.

"My plan is this," Li Zhi said calmly. "We shall send the highly skilled Golden Blade Guards and Luo Tong to the Hedong, Henei, and Taiyuan regions to assassinate the heads of the major clans!"

"What?" The group was shocked.

"You are sending me to my death!" Luo Tong said with a bitter smile.

"To your death? Surely not?"

"How could it not be?" Luo Tong retorted. "The clans have no shortage of money; they have countless death-defying loyalists and experts from the underworld. Wanting to assassinate them is like walking into a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair!"

Cheng Yaojin also felt it was unwise. "Your Highness thinks too highly of Luo Tong. Although his martial arts are outstanding, he cannot break into the clans' strongholds! Even His Majesty once... ahem, His Majesty once sent assassins, and none returned alive!"

"Fatty Cheng, how many years ago was that?" Yuchi Jingde asked, surprised. "How come I don't remember this?"

"His Majesty ordered me to handle it secretly; how would you know!"

Luo Tong, annoyed by the side, snapped at Cheng Yaojin, "What do you mean by 'thinking too highly of me'? In your eyes, am I that incompetent?"

"Little Luo, I am doing this for your own good!"

"Enough!" Luo Tong stood up abruptly. "Even if it is a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, I dare to enter!" He walked to the tent entrance and ordered his subordinates to prepare to depart for Hedong. Regardless of how Cheng Yaojin tried to persuade him, Luo Tong was determined to go; he had to prove himself.

Li Zhi stopped him and said, "Don't be so hasty; I haven't finished! Assassinating the clan heads is only the first step. I don't expect you to actually kill them; just frightening them is enough. Of course, if you can kill them, that would be even better."

"You need to make every clan feel that a blade is hanging over their heads—that if they are not careful, it could fall at any moment."

The plan was now clear. Cheng Yaojin raised an eyebrow and laughed, "Your Highness is truly clever. You are using the 'luring the tiger away from the mountain' strategy?"

"Exactly! When the clans feel their own safety is not guaranteed, they will recall all their expert swordsmen back home. In that case, there will be no one left to spy on our secrets!"

Li Zhi smiled. "This plan was a sudden inspiration and is not yet perfect. Do you see any need for improvement?"

Cheng Yaojin said, "I only worry that Luo Tong might not return, otherwise there is nothing else!"

"You keep saying I won't return!" Luo Tong was infuriated. "What is so great about the clans? They just have some filthy money and hired a few swordsmen. When it comes to swordplay, why should I fear them?"

"General Cheng, General Yuchi, Your Highness... just watch. Once I reach Hedong, I will leave them in shambles. I will not lose face for the imperial court and will prove my strength to some people!" He glanced at Cheng Yaojin, still unconvinced.

What did it mean to think too highly of him? What did it mean to not return? When he returned carrying the heads of the clan lords, he would see who still dared to look down on him!

"Take half a month as the limit. No matter the situation, you must return once so we know if this method is viable. If not, we will have to think of another strategy," Li Zhi said.

"Understood!" Luo Tong bowed and left.

He took the eighteen Golden Blade Guards, disguised as commoners, and set out from Hongnong, heading straight for the counties north of the Luo River in Hedong Commandery. That was where the three major clans were entrenched. They had always been a thorn in the side of the imperial court. Li Shimin had sent assassins before without success; now, it was Luo Tong's turn.