After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 970 - 955: Spy

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "You are as deep and boundless as the ocean, and have great reputation. Even someone like Shi Le, who hasn’t read books, respects you, so you are the ideal person to restrain him."

Even though Wei Jie knew these were sweet words, he could not help but feel joy in his heart. His lips curved upwards uncontrollably, and he nodded, "Alright, I will stay in Youzhou."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed, speaking softly, "Youzhou is harsh and cold, and your health isn’t good, Uncle. I will gather famous doctors and send them to Youzhou. Please pay attention to the cold weather and dress warmly to avoid catching cold."

Wei Jie felt even more comforted in his heart and nodded in agreement.

"The strategist by Shi Le’s side, Zhang Bin, is clever and wise, a person of integrity, and the best choice to persuade Shi Le," Zhao Hanzhang sighed, saying, "I wanted to recruit him... invite him over, but later thought that Shi Le is unpredictable, and needs someone to persuade him, so I let it go."

"Uncle, while staying in Youzhou, you may interact with him often," Zhao Hanzhang said, "You can also consult him when facing difficult problems."

Wei Jie nodded.

Once all reminders were given, Zhao Hanzhang laughed and asked, "Uncle, what position do you desire? How about becoming a secretary in Youzhou? Hmm, would it be too tiring? How about being the Prefectural Governor of Fanyang?"

The administrative center of Youzhou was in Zhuoxian of Fanyang Country, it seemed Zhao Hanzhang intended to tie Wei Jie to Shi Le’s side tightly.

With the ability to choose his own position, Wei Jie thought for a moment and said, "I’ll be Prefectural Governor then. Since you value Zhang Bin and think he is a rare talent, perhaps you should leave the position of secretary to him."

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily and nodded, "Alright, but let’s leave the favor of recognition to Shi Le."

The next morning, Zhao Hanzhang called Shi Le over to discuss some personnel arrangements in Youzhou.

When Shi Le heard that she had arranged the Prefectural Governor of Fanyang, he was afraid that she had also arranged people for the secretary Sima by his side, and immediately said, "Great General, I have a candidate for the secretary position in the Inspector Mansion."

Zhao Hanzhang responded with an "oh," and smiled, asking, "Who is it?"

Shi Le said, "People by my side should be used, Zhang Bin can fill the role."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Then is there someone suited for the Sima position?"

Upon hearing these words, Shi Le felt a pang in his heart. Many of his beloved generals had been killed by Zhao Family Army; of those remaining... after some thought he said, "How about Kong Chang?"

Zhao Hanzhang detected hesitation in his words, and laughed, "Kong Chang is merely a henchman, I don’t think he’s suitable. But I have someone suitable here; General Shi, why not take a look?"

With that, she called out loudly, and Zeng Yue brought in a person dressed as a colonel. This person entered with a bewildered face, but upon seeing Shi Le seated there, his expression changed drastically.

Shi Le, upon seeing the person Zeng Yue brought in, remained silent for quite some time.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked Shi Le, "What does General Shi think of him?"

Wu Yu maintained his composure, only his face turned slightly pale, and he kept his eyes down, saying nothing, his mind filled with anxiety, unsure about the conversation between the two before entering. Were they asking how his commander would like him executed?

After a long silence, Shi Le nodded, "He is suitable."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed and said to the wildly speculating Wu Yu, "Wu Yu, General Shi recommends you for the position of Youzhou Governor."

Wu Yu widened his eyes in surprise, looking at Shi Le in bewilderment. He, he wasn’t called Wu Yu now; he was called Wu Yong!

Wu Yu’s knees gave way as he fell to the ground with a thud.

Zhao Hanzhang laughed softly, "No need for formalities, you may stand."

Wu Yu braced himself against the ground, staggering a few times before standing up.

Shi Le glared at him with disappointment, and only after Zhao Hanzhang and Zeng Yue left did his expression completely darken.

Wu Yu knelt down again, face bitter, "General, I truly don’t know when my identity was exposed."

Wu Yu, formerly one of Shi Le’s subordinate generals, had a distinguishing feature of being extremely inconspicuous, a face common enough to blend into any crowd.

Although he was Shi Le’s subordinate who had led troops against Zhao Family Army in battle, once he shaved or styled his beard differently, no one could recognize him.

Utilizing this trait, he disguised his face, posed as a refugee to be taken in by Zhao Family Army, intending to act as a spy from within. But witnessing Wang Yang being killed before him frightened him, making him unwilling to continue, especially since Shi Le’s whereabouts were unknown. Concerned for his life, he fled.

He didn’t get far; wearing Zhao Family Army’s uniform resulted in him being treated as a straggler and brought back.

Later, he followed a Zhao Family Army unit to battle the Xiongnu, then Youzhou. Due to his martial prowess and ability to lead, he performed meritoriously, rising from centurion to team leader and then promoted to colonel.

Well, within these six months, he climbed ranks quickly.

Because he became a team leader, he had to attend training sessions and, inadvertently, caught Yuan Li’s attention.

The mismatches Yuan Li noticed caught his eye, despite Wu Yu’s inconspicuous appearance, marking him for scrutiny.

Yuan Li sensed something was amiss and continued watching until he discovered similarities between Wu Yong and Shi Le’s former subordinate Wu Yu.

Coincidentally, Shi Le surrendered, and Shi’s Army became Zhao Hanzhang’s, prompting Yuan Li to investigate further.

Despite his subtlety, those interacting daily could still recognize him, leading not only to his exposure, but also Lu Ming, who likewise sneaked into Zhao Family Army.

However, Lu Ming was discovered as a mere soldier within his unit, without distinction from his peers.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t act against him and let him continue fighting there.

But Wu Yu indeed had talent, so she returned him to Shi Le.

Shi Le: ...

Wu Yu knelt crying, begging forgiveness from Shi Le.

Shi Le had no choice but to calm his nerves, suppressing his chest’s anger, allowing him to rise, "Let it be; the Great General appoints you as Youzhou Governor, indicating she’s not angry."

Feeling wronged, Shi Le thought that Wu Yu was dispatched as a spy, yet he eventually lost contact. Coupled with successive defeats, capture by Zhao Hanzhang left his survival at risk, with countless subordinates dead or wounded, making him forget about the three.

He assumed they were all dead.

Through these months, Wu Yu hadn’t conveyed any information; thus, discovered now means feeling guilty.

After all, inserting spies beside a superior undoubtedly places blame.

Shi Le sighed deeply; now that reprimanded, naturally taking only losses without gain isn’t feasible, right?

He asked Wu Yu, "Have you discovered who made Thunder Shocking Son?"

Wu Yu bowed, replying, "Thunder Shocking Son came from Zhao’s Weapon Workshop under Qiu Wu’s management. Specific formulas are exclusively his knowledge."

Shi Le: "I’m aware of that, but it wasn’t solely Qiu Wu’s creation, was it? Who originally developed Thunder Shocking Son?"

Wu Yu softly said, "I haven’t discovered anything yet; few know, perhaps only Qiu Wu and some leading Great Generals."

Shi Le said irritably, "I’m aware; can I recruit or abduct Qiu Wu? After half a year, what have you found? What about Ban Lun and Lu Ming?"

Wu Yu tearfully answered, "Lu Ming’s whereabouts are unknown; Ban Lun... is dead."

Shi Le: ...