Rumors

Feng Duo immediately took action and carefully started his investigation. He knew that the situation inside and outside the palace was unpredictable. If he wanted to avoid potential dangers for Gao Changgong, he had to rely on multiple channels and obtain information in detail. Therefore, he made a detailed plan and acted separately.

explore the market

First, Feng Duo summoned several trusted young bodyguardss. These bodyguardss were not only loyal and agile on the battlefield, but also smart and intelligent, and knew how to act secretly. He ordered them to change their military uniforms, disguise themselves as ordinary people, and disperse to the busiest markets and teahouses in Jinyang, the capital, to mingle with the crowd to find out various rumors about Gao Changgong.

Jinyang was one of the most important cities in northern China at that time. The market there was prosperous and noisy, with shops lined up on both sides of the street, and the vendors' hawking voices came one after another. The market gathered people from all directions, including vendors, travelers, storytellers, jugglers, and people of all identities intertwined. The guards dressed up as peddlers or craftsmen, pretending to be ordinary people strolling in the market. While bargaining with the vendors, they carefully paid attention to the gossip around them, especially those that mentioned Lanling King Gao Changgong, and from time to time they would initiate some topics to elicit information.

"I heard that when Lanling King came back, the emperor rewarded him generously, but some of the nobles who escaped back said that the war was not so successful..." A small vendor whispered to his friend in a teahouse. Such rumors spread from the crowd like spider silk, and the guards carefully wrote down every word that was unfavorable to Gao Changgong, preparing to go back and report to Feng Duo.

Bribing eunuchs

At the same time, Feng Duo also began to use more secretive means. He sent his confidant to the palace with a generous gift, with the goal of inquiring about the situation in the palace from a eunuch he had already established contact with.

The eunuch was named Liu An, who Feng Duo met when he followed Gao Changgong's father into the palace in his early years. At that time, Feng Duo was still a teenager, and Liu An was a low-ranking palace servant. The two did not have a deep friendship at that stage, but many years later, Liu An became a young eunuch in the inner court by luck and opportunity, responsible for trivial matters in the palace. Feng Duo had already set his sights on this eunuch, and after several intentional and unintentional contacts, he gradually established a connection with him.

The generous gift this time was extremely exquisite, containing a set of precious silk, high-quality jade pendants, and some imported spices and precious medicinal materials specially prepared for eunuchs. These gifts were extremely tempting to the young eunuchs in the palace. Silk and jade pendants could be secretly resold for profit, while spices and medicinal materials were a luxury.

The confidant brought gifts into the palace, found Liu An, and said in a low voice: "Lord Feng specially prepared these gifts. Please take care of them. By the way, ask what major events have happened in the palace recently, especially those rumors about His Royal Highness Lanling King." Although Liu An did not dare to publicly support Gao Changgong, he knew the power behind Feng Duo very well, so he nodded slightly and agreed with a smile: "Don't worry, I will definitely pay attention and bring you news in a few days."

Meeting with the Imperial Guards

Feng Duo's third step was to go out in person. He made an appointment with a young Imperial Guards officer named Sun Hu, who was the son of a powerful noble in the capital Jinyang and had been friends with Feng Duo's family for generations. Although Sun Hu was young, he had a promising future in the Imperial Guards, especially his father's identity, which enabled him to access a lot of internal information in the palace. Feng Duo decided to use this relationship to inquire about the movements of Gao Wei and his advisers indirectly.

They agreed to meet at a famous restaurant in Jinyang City. Located in the west of Jinyang City, the restaurant is called Yunlai Pavilion. It is a two-story building with a towering building and a magnificent appearance. The exterior is painted with red paint and has carved beams and painted buildings. Lanterns are hung high in the restaurant, and the tables and chairs are all exquisite wooden products. The floor is paved with clean blue bricks, and the air is filled with the aroma of barbecue and spices. The lobby of the hotel is well-arranged, with long wooden tables arranged neatly, and there are also private seats and private rooms around, providing guests with a private dining space. In the lobby, the waiters are busy shuttling in and out, and the guests coming and going are talking and laughing.

Feng Duo chose a hidden private seat, close to the window, so that he can observe the surroundings conveniently. He was dressed in ordinary cloth and tried to be low-key to avoid attracting the attention of others. Sun Hu arrived soon after, wearing the casual clothes of the imperial guards, holding a wine pot in his hand, and approached Feng Duo with a smile: "Brother Feng, I am lucky to have you together today."

Feng Duo stood up with a smile and bowed in return: "Brother Sun, you are too polite. Although we have been busy in recent years, our friendship has never been broken. Today is a good time to talk."

The food and wine were served soon. Roasted meat, fresh fish, and several plates of seasonal vegetables were all common dishes during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The wine was the best rice wine, which was mellow and sweet. The two drank and exchanged pleasantries, talking about the recent weather in Jinyang and the daily training of the imperial guards. Feng Duo was very cautious in his words. He did not directly ask about Gao Changgong, but gradually led the topic to the recent developments in the palace.

"The capital seems to be a little uneasy recently. I heard that the imperial guards have also strengthened their vigilance?" Feng Duo asked lightly, raising his glass and drinking it all.

Sun Hu put down his wine glass and nodded, "Indeed. Since His Royal Highness Lanling Wang's triumphant return, there seems to be some rumors in the palace. But I am just a small officer and I don't know too much about the major events in the palace. But I heard that some counselors have many opinions on His Royal Highness's victory, especially..." He paused, as if thinking about how much to say.

Feng Duo smiled slightly, filled Sun Hu's glass with wine, and continued to guide him in a casual tone: "Brother Sun, if you have heard anything, you might as well share it with me. We are also family members."

The conversation between the two continued in the lively restaurant. Feng Duo seemed relaxed, but he had been secretly observing Sun Hu's expression and words, trying to dig out more clues from it.