81: Two-pronged approach

Having resolved the pressing crisis of the Four Seas Merchant Guild, Qin Feng felt a sense of relief. Although he had temporarily lent out a hundred thousand gold coins, the formal Alliance signed with the guild and Jin Wanguan's heavy gratitude held a value far beyond gold. This was equivalent to severing a powerful arm of the Cao Gang and pulling a potentially formidable commercial partner toward the Hundred Flowers Palace.

As night fell once again, Qin Feng received new intelligence from the System on time.

[Daily Intelligence Refreshed]

[White Intelligence: Jin Buhuan, the Young Lord of the Four Seas Merchant Guild, has fully recovered after consuming the 'Red Sun Calamity-Transforming Pill,' which completely purged the Yin Marrow Cold Poison from his body. Having experienced this life-and-death ordeal and the Family crisis, he has had a sudden realization and repented. He has sworn to quit gambling and has begun to take an active interest in the merchant guild's affairs. Jin Wanguan is greatly comforted, and his gratitude toward the Hundred Flowers Palace has deepened.]

[Yellow Intelligence: The Green Robe Tower has decided to dispatch their gold-tier 'helper,' 'Ghost Hand' Liu the Fourth, to the Hundred Flowers Palace's 'Thousand Gold Workshop' casino in three days. Their intent is to use his superb Cheating Techniques to sweep away a large amount of funds and create chaos. Liu the Fourth's cheating skills are peerless, but he is not a heartless man; his only younger sister, Liu Xiaowan, was secretly kidnapped by the Cao Gang three days ago to coerce him into completing this mission.]

[Yellow Intelligence: Su Xiaoxiao, the F Fang Master of the Wonderful Sound Workshop, has recently been extremely focused on a batch of ancient musical score fragments scattered among the common people. It is believed they may contain remnants of the lost masterpiece 'streams and clouds of the xiao and xiang rivers.' She is willing to exchange heavy gold or a personal favor for them.]

Looking at these three pieces of intelligence, the corners of Qin Feng's mouth curled up slightly.

"So that's how it is..."

The situation with the Four Seas Merchant Guild was temporarily stabilized, and there was even an unexpected windfall. Jin Buhuan's reformation would be of great benefit to solidifying the Alliance.

The next priorities were the Green Robe Tower and the Wonderful Sound Workshop.

The threat from the Green Robe Tower was imminent; in three days, 'Ghost Hand' Liu the Fourth would arrive to challenge the 'Thousand Gold Workshop.' A head-on confrontation was definitely not the best strategy. Liu the Fourth's cheating skills were superb and hard to guard against; even if he were caught in the act, it could easily trigger more violent retaliation from the Green Robe Tower. However, the intelligence revealed his weakness—his kidnapped sister.

"Attacking the heart is the superior strategy..." Qin Feng mused. If he could rescue Liu Xiaowan, he could not only make Liu the Fourth defect but also use the opportunity to show Leng Yue, the Master of the Green Robe Tower, the Cao Gang's unscrupulous and unreliable nature, further shaking the foundation of their cooperation. This was much more brilliant than simple defense or counter-attack.

As for the Wonderful Sound Workshop's needs, they were relatively clear—the remnants of the ancient score 'streams and clouds of the xiao and xiang rivers.' This perfectly matched the intelligence mentioned earlier regarding Su Xiaoxiao's hobby of searching for musical scores from the previous dynasty. If he could find this item, he would have a stepping stone to speak with this well-connected F Fang Master.

With a clear plan in mind, Qin Feng immediately began to act.

Step one: Deal with the Green Robe Tower and rescue Liu Xiaowan.

He first summoned Steward Rong and Tower Master Su Yuetang. He did not reveal the specific source of his intelligence, only stating that he had learned through special channels about 'Ghost Hand' Liu the Fourth's movements and the news that his sister had been kidnapped by the Cao Gang.

"Tower Master, Steward Rong, I believe this is an excellent opportunity for us to drive a wedge between the Green Robe Tower and the Cao Gang," Qin Feng analyzed. "If we can rescue Liu Xiaowan, Liu the Fourth will certainly be grateful and might even be used by us. At the same time, we can 'accidentally' reveal the Cao Gang's despicable actions of kidnapping hostages and using coercion to Leng Yue. Leng Yue is already suspicious of the Cao Gang; upon learning this, she will surely become even more wary."

Su Yuetang's eyes sparkled with brilliance; she hadn't expected Qin Feng to find such a critical Breakthrough so quickly. "This plan is excellent! But... where is the Cao Gang hiding the person? Rescuing someone won't be easy."

Qin Feng smiled slightly. "Leave this matter to me. I need the branch to provide a few experts skilled in tracking and stealth to cooperate, as well as information on several secret strongholds where the Cao Gang might be holding hostages." He naturally wouldn't mention that the System intelligence might soon refresh with the specific location; it was always right to make preliminary preparations.

Su Yuetang immediately nodded. "No problem! I will put the Hidden Guards at your disposal!"

Step two: Befriend the Wonderful Sound Workshop and search for the musical score fragments.

At the same time, Qin Feng did not neglect the line to the Wonderful Sound Workshop. He gave orders for the branch's people to keep an eye out for news on the market regarding ancient musical scores, especially 'streams and clouds of the xiao and xiang rivers,' and to spread word that the Hundred Flowers Palace was willing to pay a high price for such ancient scores.

He also decided to personally visit several of the largest bookstores, antique shops, and the teahouses and taverns where literati and scholars gathered in West Lake City the next day. Relying on the System's hints (perhaps a more specific location would refresh tomorrow), he would see if he could discover anything.

A two-pronged approach: neutralizing the imminent martial (cheating) threat on one hand, while laying the bridge to a neutral power on the other.

After making the arrangements, Qin Feng returned to the Green Bamboo Courtyard. Seeing him busy, Xiaochun thoughtfully prepared a midnight snack.

"Big Brother Qin, are things very troublesome?" Xiaochun asked with some concern.

"A bit tricky, but I have a lead." Qin Feng took the snack. Looking into Xiaochun's clear eyes, his heart stirred, and he asked, "Xiaochun, do you know anything about ancient zithers or musical scores?"

Xiaochun shook her head. "I only recognize some common medicinal herbs and simple melodies; I don't understand anything too profound. Why do you ask, Big Brother Qin?"

"It's nothing, just asking." Qin Feng smiled and said no more. These matters were not yet suitable for Xiaochun to be too involved in.

In the dead of night, Qin Feng enjoyed the heartwarming snack Xiaochun had prepared while carefully refining every next step in his mind. The risk of the rescue, the uncertainty of finding the item, and the feeling of walking on thin ice while maneuvering between various factions... it was all full of challenges.

But there was no hint of retreat in his eyes; instead, they burned with fighting spirit. This complex game of chess was having its mists cleared away step by step, just as he had envisioned. As long as he played the next few moves well, the predicament of the Hundred Flowers Palace in West Lake City would surely see a turning point.