met free Chapter 28 Network
Chapter 28 Network
After the initial construction of the fortifications and training grounds in Moyuan, order within the villa gradually stabilized.
With clear division of responsibilities, the refugees practiced, patrolled, and worked every day, their lives became more regular, and their faces regained some vitality.
But Lin Mo knew that having a strong nest and basic military strength was far from enough.
In this treacherous world of martial arts, especially when operating under the noses of the four great families, intelligence is as indispensable as eyes and ears.
On this day, just as dawn was breaking, Lin Mo summoned Shi Yong, A Fei, and the taciturn but sharp-eyed scarred old man surnamed Li to the only well-maintained main hall in the manor.
The room was simply furnished with only a few old tables and chairs. On a rough wooden table in the center, a simple map drawn by Lin Mo based on his memory and recent explorations was laid out, roughly marking the location of Qinghe Town, surrounding villages, main roads, and Mo Garden.
"The defenses of the mountain villa are taking shape. Next, we need to see further and hear more clearly."
Lin Mo got straight to the point, pointing to the location of Qinghe Town on the map, "We must keep track of the movements of the four great families, as well as any other forces that may exist."
Shi Yong's expression hardened, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Chief, please give the order if you need anything from my guards!"
Afei's eyes gleamed: "The patrol team brothers are most familiar with the surrounding mountains and forests, so we can expand the exploration area."
Lin Mo nodded, but then turned his gaze to the elderly man surnamed Li, who had remained silent until now: "Elder Li, you are very experienced, what are your thoughts on this?"
The scarred old man, Li Qianchuan, raised his eyelids slightly, his voice hoarse: "Intelligence is not something that can be gathered in a day. It requires people, leads, and money. Currently, most of our people are refugees, hardly fit for any major task; we have no leads; and although the leader has some savings, it's already straining to support the manor's daily operations and purchase medicinal herbs."
His words directly pointed out the predicament, and Shi Yong and A Fei frowned upon hearing this.
Lin Mo was not discouraged and calmly said, "Elder Li is absolutely right. That's precisely why we can't just sit and wait. We need to build it up step by step, from scratch. People can be trained; cables can be laid; money will come."
He paused, then looked at Afei, "Afei, select five of the most alert, fast, and familiar brothers from your patrol team who are also familiar with Qinghe Town and the surrounding area. They will no longer be responsible for patrolling fixed areas, but will be dedicated to external reconnaissance. Their primary targets are to keep an eye on the main properties and mansions of the four great families in the town, and record the vehicles and people entering and leaving each day, paying particular attention to any unfamiliar faces or frequent movements of martial artists."
"Yes!" Afei replied, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. This mission was clearly more challenging than simply patrolling.
"Shi Yong,"
Lin Mo turned to him, "The guards' daily training must not be relaxed. At the same time, select three to five brothers who are articulate, have ordinary appearances, and are not likely to attract attention. You will personally lead them, and they will take turns entering Qinghe Town every three to five days. There's no need to deliberately investigate. They should mainly stay in teahouses, taverns, docks, and other crowded places, listening to the rumors and gossip, especially any news about the four great families, the canal gang, or even the government. Remember, only bring your ears, and don't cause trouble."
"Understood, leader. I will select a few reliable ones," Shi Yong solemnly agreed.
Lin Mo finally looked at Li Qianchuan: "Elder Li, you have the most experience and a unique ability to observe people and their expressions. The information we have gathered so far is a mixture of truth and falsehood, and someone needs to sort it out and identify the valuable clues. I would like to entrust this matter to you."
Li Qianchuan gave Lin Mo a deep look, seemingly surprised to be entrusted with such an important task. He remained silent for a moment and slowly nodded: "Okay."
With the division of labor settled, the group immediately got to work.
……
Afei's scouts brought back the first batch of scattered news: Zhao's grain store recently purchased a batch of high-quality fodder, far exceeding the needs of its mules and horses; several unfamiliar guards have moved into Qian's silver shop, exuding a strong and capable aura; among the merchant ships recently docked at Sun's wharf, one was flying a flag from another region, but the unloaded boxes were directly transported into Sun's inner residence; Li's pharmacy acquired several uncommon medicinal herbs, in small quantities, but of peculiar varieties.
What Shi Yong and his men overheard in teahouses and taverns was even more varied. Some were stories of internal strife within the canal gang due to the lingering repercussions of the incident involving the third leader, with several branch leaders' positions vacant and undercurrents swirling; others were about the government's recent increased checks at the city gates; and still others were gossip about how the black market in the south of the city seemed to have become more regulated after the change of ownership, but that discontent still lingered.
These messages, like scattered beads, were gathered and brought to Li Qianchuan.
With the limited amount of money provided by Lin Mo, the old man found a quiet room in a corner of the manor and spent his days pondering over these fragmented pieces of information, occasionally calling in the person who reported the news to ask a few questions in detail.
A few days later, Li Qianchuan took the initiative to find Lin Mo.
"Chief, most of this information is useless, but there are a few points that you might be able to take note of."
Li Qianchuan spread out several slips of paper he had hastily jotted down notes. "The Zhao family's large-scale purchase of fodder, combined with the recent lack of news about large-scale merchant caravan activities, suggests they may be stockpiling supplies in preparation for some kind of operation, or... raising extra horses. The Qian family's newly arrived guards, judging from their descriptions, don't behave like ordinary guards; they seem more like skilled individuals trained by some powerful force. The Qian family's hiring of them indicates they have no small ambition. The Sun family's merchant ship from out of town carries goods directly to their home without going through the market; these are either extremely valuable items or illicit goods. As for the medicinal herbs the Li family acquired..."
He paused, then looked at Lin Mo: "Several of them overlap with the medicinal herbs on the list you had me identify a few days ago, Chief. Although not all of them are listed, they are similar in direction."
Lin Mo's eyes narrowed slightly.
Although he was collecting the medicinal herbs he needed to cultivate the incomplete technique through the black market, he did not make it public. Was the Li family's sudden acquisition of similar medicinal herbs a coincidence, or... did they also obtain some clues about the technique? Or was it related to the strange phenomena of heaven and earth that night?
"In addition," Li Qianchuan added, "there are rumors in the city that about half a month ago, shortly after you, the leader, caused the strange phenomenon that night, a person who looked like a star official appeared at the Xishan Star Observatory outside the town and stayed for several days before leaving."
Star deity?
Lin Mo felt a chill run down his spine as fragments of his past life memories surged within him. He immediately thought of certain extraordinary individuals skilled in astronomical tracking.
Could it be that the tentacles of our enemy's lineage have already reached here?
"Continue to follow up on these leads."
Lin Mo said in a deep voice, "Especially the news about the Star Officials and the Li family's medicinal herbs. Tell A Fei and Shi Yong to focus their investigation on these two aspects, but be extra careful. It's better to get nothing than to expose yourselves."
"Yes." Li Qianchuan responded and withdrew.
Lin Mo stood alone in the hall, staring intently at the dot on the map that represented Qinghe Town.
The intelligence network that has been initially established is still very crude, with slow transmission, narrow coverage, and limited analytical capabilities.
He realized that simply passively accepting gossip and superficial observations was not enough.
We need to plant deeper "nails" at key junctures.
He thought of the Grand Canal Gang.
Although I've left the canal gang, I still have some connections and a few trusted lower-ranking brothers. Perhaps I can find a way in there and develop one or two informants who can provide inside information.
There's also a black market.
Now that he controls some channels and has a diverse network of contacts, he has become a hub for information. He can take advantage of these transactions to consciously gather intelligence and even develop the buying and selling of information.
My thoughts are gradually becoming clearer.
Building an intelligence network is not something that can be done overnight; it requires patience, money, and the right people.
He walked to the window and looked out at the undulating mountains in the distance.
Beneath the seemingly calm surface of the four great families, something seems to be brewing. And the possible existence of "star officials" is like a sword hanging over their heads.
"It has to be faster..." Lin Mo muttered to himself.
The resort needs to grow faster, its intelligence network needs to be improved more quickly, and its own strength needs to be enhanced as soon as possible.