Two Faces of Diplomacy

The days that followed passed in deceptive tranquility. To the citizens of Xingzhao, the presence of Envoy Zhang Yu and his delegation quickly became a quiet curiosity.

With their restricted Smart ID Cards, the envoy and his aides could be seen browsing markets, buying preserved goods, admiring the intricate craftsmanship of textiles, and sipping warm herbal tea in outdoor cafes.

Zhang Yu, ever the composed emissary, adopted the mannerisms of a curious foreigner. He made polite conversation with shopkeepers, asked subtle questions about production methods, and expressed admiration for Xingzhao's architectural symmetry.

Many citizens mistook his presence as a sign of peace, an olive branch from the very empire that once cast Yun Zhen aside. But what the town could not see was the second face of Zhang Yu, the one that emerged at night.

Each night, under the cover of darkness and behind the thick stone walls of the envoy residence, Zhang Yu's suite transformed into a command post.

Wen Ji, his assistant, had been collecting murmurs from the outskirts.

Whispers of unease, subtle resentment among older villagers who feared the unfamiliar tools, who couldn't understand the invisible networks that powered the town. Some believed the Smart ID system was a mark of surveillance by the heavens. Others saw Song Lian's innovations as witchcraft.

Zhang Yu was careful not to stir panic but only doubt. In private meetings with merchants and traveling peddlers who had yet to fully trust Xingzhao's leadership, he fanned the embers of fear.

"Do you know where your thoughts go when your identity card lights up?" he would whisper to them. "These systems are not of this world. What will happen when Lady Song turns them against you?"

Carefully, he sowed seeds. And carefully, he documented everything. Packages containing small, round transmitter stones were embedded into inconspicuous items he purchased woven into clothing or placed in the base of ceramic vases.

They were mundane in appearance, but Zhang Yu was confident they would serve as passive data collectors once he returned to the Yun Empire. By the seventh day, he had what he needed.

On the eighth morning, Envoy Zhang Yu formally requested a departure meeting with Song Lian and Yun Zhen. The atmosphere in the administrative hall was calm but tense.

"Your hospitality has been noted with great respect," Zhang Yu said with a deep bow. "Xingzhao is a jewel, and I will be reporting my admiration back to the court."

"We will ensure a safe escort beyond our borders," Song Lian replied coolly.

But Zhang Yu wasn't finished. "As a gesture of continued goodwill," he added, "I would like to leave behind my assistant, Wen Ji, as a diplomatic liaison. He will help coordinate further dialogue between us."

There was a flicker of calculation behind Song Lian's eyes.

Yun Zhen spoke first, voice even. "He will be granted a monitored residence, subject to the same identification protocols. No exceptions."

Zhang Yu bowed again. "Of course. Transparency ensures trust."

Before envoy's departure, his smart Card ID was deactivated and destroyed. His departure was swift and ceremonial. His convoy left the southern gate under escort, and as the dust settled behind them, Wen Ji remained silent, courteous, and smiling.

Wen Ji was given modest quarters near the western district, close enough to the diplomatic quarter but far from key administrative or military areas.

His Smart ID card bore more limitations than Zhang Yu's had but that did not mean Wen Ji was powerless. He immediately began integrating himself into the fabric of the town.

He visited the markets in the morning, sat at tea houses in the afternoon, and struck up idle conversations with craftsmen, builders, and young students. Always friendly, always listening.

At night, he wrote detailed reports hidden behind benign sketches, tucked away in scroll tubes meant to be "artistic studies" of Xingzhao's streets.

Song Lian sat in the upper chamber of Xingzhao's main tower, watching the city lights glow beneath her. She had watched the envoy leave with a narrowed gaze, and now her attention shifted to Wen Ji's subtle movements.

A live feed hovered over the wall of one of many displays hidden within the tower, each powered by a combination of soul-bound data crystals and modified tech. Wen Ji's movements were already under watch.

"He's good, we should make sure to change the content of his report when he decides to send them back to Yun Empire," she murmured.

Yun Zhen stepped into the room. "Too good. He doesn't ask questions, he waits for them to come to him."

Song Lian nodded. "I've placed him in a dead zone. No access to infrastructure. Every object in his quarters has layered sensors. He can try all he wants."

Yun Zhen watched her quietly for a moment before speaking.

"You're doing everything to protect them."

She turned to look at him, surprised by the softness in his voice.

"So are you," she replied. Their eyes met.

"I'll speak to the inner council about our next move," he said. But before he could step away, she stopped him. "Yun Zhen." He turned.

"Thank you. For believing in this place... and in me."

He smiled faintly. "Always."