Chapter 125: Peril at the Secret Gathering, Clever Maneuvers Break the Surveillance

Chapter 125: Perils of the Secret Assembly, Clever Evasion of Surveillance

Upon returning to her residence, Lin Shiya immediately took up her brush. She wrote several small notes, tucked them into specially crafted bamboo tubes, and handed them to her trusted secret guards, instructing them to deliver the messages to Master Fang, Scholar Hong, and the others.

"You must deliver these into their own hands. Do not let a single whisper of this leak out," Lin Shiya cautioned solemnly.

The guards departed to carry out her orders. Lin Shiya rubbed her brow, yet her heart remained unsettled. The shadow of the strategist Yuan lingered in her mind; she felt an intuitive sense that something was about to happen.

By dusk, Lin Shiya went alone to a tea house in the west of the city called "Breeze and Elegant Rhyme." This tea house was tucked away in a remote location and rarely saw many customers, making it the secret meeting place of her own choosing. The proprietor, Dr. Qin, was a man over fifty, known for his cautious and low-profile nature. Lin Shiya had visited often, and over time, they had become well-acquainted.

She ordered a pot of tea and sat in a corner, waiting quietly. The curling steam of the tea could not mask the tension in her heart. Subconsciously, she scanned her surroundings, her eyes sweeping over every corner, searching for anything suspicious. Yet, all seemed peaceful and calm.

As the hour of the dog approached, Master Fang, Scholar Hong, and the others arrived one after another. Their expressions were grave, and they spoke in hushed tones, the atmosphere thick with oppression.

"Gentlemen, I have asked you here today because there is a matter of great importance to discuss," Lin Shiya said, coming straight to the point.

At that very moment, outside the tea house, Guard Wei and his men silently surrounded the building. He watched every movement inside with cold, calculating eyes, a sinister smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"My lord, Dr. Qin said there would be a secret meeting here tonight..." a subordinate whispered to Guard Wei.

Guard Wei gave a slight nod. "Excellent. Tonight, they shall not be able to sprout wings and fly away!"

Inside, just as Lin Shiya was about to elaborate on her reform proposal, she felt a sudden unease. She whipped her head up, her gaze sharp as a torch, and through the window, she spotted Guard Wei standing at the corner of the street.

"Gentlemen..." Lin Shiya’s voice turned heavy. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and a chill raced from the soles of her feet to the crown of her head. She had keenly caught the cold, sinister smile on Guard Wei’s face and the predatory guards lurking behind him.

"Gentlemen, the situation has changed!" she said, lowering her voice rapidly. Her eyes swept over everyone present. "We must relocate immediately!"

Master Fang and Scholar Hong looked at each other in astonishment. Clearly, they had not expected that an ostensibly peaceful meeting would be fraught with lethal danger.

"No time for explanations, follow me!" Decisive, Lin Shiya stood up and led the way through the side door of the tea house’s backyard.

The group crouched low, swiftly navigating the narrow back alleys and taking several turns before finally arriving at a dilapidated wooden shed. Originally a collection point for scrap metal on the outskirts of the city, Lin Shiya had temporarily commandeered it as their new meeting spot. The shed was piled high with discarded planks and rags, and a musty odor filled the air. Crammed into the tight space, the group felt the crush of the crowd.

"What kind of place is this?" Scholar Hong frowned, murmuring with dissatisfaction. "Lady Lin, how can we discuss state affairs in such a crude place?"

"Indeed, Lady Lin, this place is far too..." Master Fang also grumbled, casting a look of discomfort around him.

The others chimed in with their own complaints, and the previously heavy atmosphere was diluted by this sudden chaos. Lin Shiya took a deep breath, trying to soothe their nerves. She knew that maintaining composure was paramount.

Meanwhile, Guard Wei and his men burst into the tea house. "Where are they?" he roared, his face twisted with rage. He grabbed Dr. Qin by the collar and demanded harshly, "Where have they gone?"

Dr. Qin, trembling with fear, stammered, "I... I don’t know... They... they were just here..."

Guard Wei threw him to the floor and stomped his foot in frustration. "Damn it! They’ve escaped!" He looked around; the tea house was empty, left in a state of disarray. Tables and chairs were overturned, tea was spilled across the floor, and the air was still heavy with the faint scent of tea mixed with an unsettling tension.

"My lord, it seems they went toward the back alley," one guard said, pointing toward the rear door. Guard Wei immediately led his men in pursuit, but they found only an empty alleyway and scattered debris.

Back at the shed, as Lin Shiya prepared to explain, she was interrupted by an abrupt cough. The sound was stark in the cramped space, successfully drawing everyone’s attention. Lin Shiya looked toward the source: the frail Scholar Hong was covering his mouth, coughing softly, his face deathly pale.

Lin Shiya frowned, but her expression quickly softened. She gestured for everyone to be silent, her clear voice carrying an undeniable authority. "Gentlemen, I know you have your doubts, but the most important thing right now is to keep your wits about you. Although our meeting was forced to relocate, our goal remains the same." Her gaze was firm as she looked at each person. "What we must do is find a way to carve out a sliver of hope for the people in these troubled times."

She pulled a drafted manuscript from her robes; even in the dim light, the writing remained clear. "I have drafted a preliminary reform proposal detailing the path we must take. Please, hear me out." Her voice was steady and clear, possessing a persuasive strength. She began to expound on her plan point by point, from the integrity of the civil service to tax reform, and from improving the imperial examination system to enhancing the people's livelihoods. Every point was logical and addressed current ills. She used analogies to make complex principles easy to understand. Her voice was not loud, yet every word rang out with resonance, striking the hearts of her listeners like a mallet against a drum.

Master Fang stood to the side, watching Lin Shiya with gentle eyes. Occasionally, he would pick up where she left off, adding details. The two worked in perfect harmony, like confidants of many years. Their eyes met, filled with mutual trust and admiration, creating a touch of warmth within the dilapidated shed.

The complaints and dissatisfaction of the others gradually dissipated under Lin Shiya’s logical explanation. They were infected by the passion and conviction in her words, and their restless hearts began to calm. They started to listen intently, their eyes tracking the manuscript in her hands as if they could see the hope of the future.

Lin Shiya’s voice echoed in the shed like a clear spring, washing over everyone’s minds. She spoke with eloquence, unfolding her ideals, and the eyes of the group shifted from initial doubt to admiration and conviction.

"...What we must do is prevent this nation from rotting further and ensure the people no longer suffer." Lin Shiya’s voice rose sharply, imbued with a sense of resolute power. She scanned the group with a firm gaze. "I need your help. Are you willing to walk this path with me?"

The shed fell silent, save for the sound of heavy breathing and the wind outside.

"I am willing," a low voice broke the silence. It was Master Fang.

"I am willing, too," Scholar Hong added. His voice was still weak, but it carried a firm resolve. One by one, the others expressed their commitment, their faces alight with excitement and anticipation.

Lin Shiya revealed a gratified smile, yet a string in her heart remained taut. "Good. Since you all understand my vision, the next step is—"

Lin Shiya had just begun to speak when Master Fang’s expression changed. He looked warily outside the shed, his brow furrowed. Subconsciously, he grabbed Lin Shiya’s sleeve and whispered, "Someone is coming..."

Outside the shed, the faint sound of footsteps approached from the distance, clearly reaching everyone’s ears. The shed was dilapidated; the door panels were loose, creaking with every gust of wind. Mixed with the commotion outside, it left everyone feeling anxious.

Master Fang felt a slight tremor in the sleeve he held—the involuntary tension of Lin Shiya’s fingers. Though she struggled to remain calm, Master Fang knew that ripples of concern were stirring within her.

"Let me go take a look," Master Fang whispered. Before Lin Shiya could respond, he stepped lightly to the door and peeked through a crack. Outside, it was pitch black, with only a few stars illuminating the alleyway, making it impossible to see clearly. He listened intently; the footsteps seemed to have receded slightly, and he let out a small sigh of relief.

"It seems to have been a false alarm," Master Fang whispered, turning back to Lin Shiya.

Lin Shiya, however, remained deep in thought, her brows still knitted. She felt that something was not quite right, an unsettling sensation that made it hard for her to be at peace. But for now, the most important thing was to keep everyone steady.

She took a deep breath and turned her gaze back to the group. "Next, let us discuss the specific details of the tax reform in greater depth..." Her voice remained steady, yet everyone present could sense a hint of heaviness in her tone.

Just then, the usually reticent Scholar Hong coughed a few times, an unnatural flush appearing on his pale face. "Lady Lin," he spoke weakly, yet his tone held an unquestionable firmness, "regarding the tax reform, there is something I would like to say."

Lin Shiya signaled for him to continue. Scholar Hong pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his robes, densely packed with writing. "I have studied the tax systems of previous dynasties and found many flaws. I suggest that, alongside the redistribution of land, we adopt a 'tax based on labor' method. Let the people pay taxes according to the fruits of their labor, rather than blindly taxing based on land area."

His words struck like a bolt of lightning, shattering the stifling atmosphere of the shed. Master Fang’s eyes lit up as he carefully pondered the suggestion, and the others fell into deep thought.

"Scholar Hong’s words are excellent!" Master Fang was the first to agree. "A tax based on labor would encourage the people to farm while avoiding certain injustices. It is a solution that achieves two goals at once."

Lin Shiya nodded slightly, a light of appreciation in her eyes. "Scholar Hong is indeed well-read. This plan is feasible!"

Encouraged by Lin Shiya’s affirmation, the color returned to Scholar Hong’s pale face, and his eyes shimmered with excitement. The group began to passionately debate the specific details of the tax reform, the atmosphere becoming unprecedentedly high-spirited.

Lin Shiya looked at the hopeful faces before her, feeling a sense of comfort. At the same time, she realized clearly that while this meeting had successfully avoided Guard Wei’s surveillance, the old guard would never let it go. They would certainly resort to even harsher measures, and the next meeting would likely be even more difficult.

The shed was filled with the sounds of discussion, and everyone’s faces were aglow with longing for a better future. Lin Shiya knew that the burden they shouldered had grown heavier.

"Very well, it is getting late," Lin Shiya interrupted the discussion. Her voice remained steady, but carried a trace of irrepressible worry. "Let us stop here for today. Next, we shall..."

Before Lin Shiya could finish, a slight thudding sound came from outside the shed, followed by a blurry silhouette casting a shadow through the gaps in the wooden planks.

"Who’s there!" Lin Shiya snapped, her eyes turning sharp in an instant.