Chapter 835: Impersonation
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Not long after, Yu Youyao established a “friendship” with General Black.
Yu Youyao took a sachet and let General Black sniff it. “Big Black, let’s play a game.”
The German Shepherd’s sense of smell was very sharp. It could track based on the smell. The terrain in the stockade was complicated, and there were also hostages. If it could figure out the terrain inside in advance, it would be very beneficial when saving the hostages or attacking the stockade.
Dogs hated stimulating fragrances, but they were more sensitive to sweet fragrances.
She had made a rather sweet and long-lasting incense medicine that she carried with her. Every time she walked past General Black, she would leave behind a fragrance for it to familiarize with the smell. When the time came, it could follow the fragrance.
It was extremely common for women to wear sachets, so mountain bandits would not be suspicious.
General Black liked the smell of the sachet very much and sniffed hard.
Yu Youyao felt that it was about time, so she threw the sachet out.
General Black immediately ran to pick it up.
After going back and forth dozens of times, General Black was familiar with the smell of the sachet. Yu Youyao hid the sachet in a hidden place, and General Black could always find it as quickly as possible.
Yu Youyao got someone to wear a sachet and walked in circles in the courier station.
The courier station occupied a large area, and there were many small courtyards and pavilions inside. The layout was also complicated, but General Black could always follow the fragrance and successfully find the person wearing the sachet.
It was originally to train the dog and familiarize it with the smell of the sachet.
Later on, the man and dog played crazily.
When General An Yuan saw this, he couldn’t help but sigh. “Princess, you have good methods. No wonder you dare to take the risk.”
It wasn’t that they hadn’t thought of using a dog to track others, but the terrain of Anshan was complicated, and there were limited clues they could follow. The fragrance of the sachet was longer-lasting, and it could indeed have the effect of tracking.
The mountain bandits had arranged for an insider in the city to keep an eye on the movements in the city and the merchants coming and going so that it would be easier to rob them.
Since she had put on a show, Yu Youyao immediately ordered someone to prepare the supplies for the three large carriages. She disguised herself as a merchant and entered the city to stay in the inn.
Yin Shi was good at disguising herself. She had prepared a potion to change one’s skin color and asked Yu Youyao to apply it on her body, causing her skin to turn brownish-yellow. The potion would not fade when it came into contact with water. She had to soak in water for half an hour before it could be completely washed away.
Yu Youyao had good facial features. She was bright, beautiful, and elegant. Changing her skin color only made her look less stunning than before. Upon closer look, one could still tell that she was outstandingly beautiful.
Hence, Yin Shi put on an ugly makeup for her and added a light green birthmark on the left side of her face.
Yu Youyao took a closer look at the bronze mirror. Her appearance was a little ugly, but not too ugly.
If she was too ugly, she would also be eye-catching.
After Yin Shi disguised herself as a young miss, her eyes were arrogant and revealed a hint of coquettishness.
As for Huang Wen, who was disguised as a wealthy businessman and the young miss’s “father”, Yu Youyao was even more shocked.
Huang Wenxian sc.r.a.ped the beard around his mouth and changed into a blue silk robe. He smiled like a sly old fox. He no longer looked rough.
Yu Youyao handed a few packets of medicinal powder to Yin Shi and Huang Wenxian respectively. “This is the Bewitching Incense. It tastes similar to dried ginger. After going up the mountain, wait for an opportunity to add it to the oil lamp or mix into food. The targets will be unconscious in 15 minutes.”
When the oil lamp burned, there would be the smell of kerosene that could hide the smell of dried ginger very well. Even though the fishing industry in Liancheng was developed, most of the commoners had the habit of eating ginger. Even if they smelled it, it would not arouse suspicion.
In addition, under Yu Youyao hid all kinds of incense under her nails, in the silver hairpin on her head, and in her clothes. Every incense had its own use. This was also her confidence in taking the risk.
Of course, this confidence depended on the person.
If it weren’t the You army who was suppressing the bandits but the government, she wouldn’t be stupid enough to take the risk.
Yu Youyao said, “When the carriage pa.s.ses by the foot of Anshan, I’ll tear open the sachet I’m carrying. The spices inside will follow the route and spill along the way. The spices are specially made and won’t disappear for at least twelve hours.”
“After entering the stronghold, Yin Shi will find an opportunity to find out where the hostages are being held and sprinkle the spices from the incense nearby. Big Black is familiar with the smell of the sachet and can track the place where the hostages are being held.”
“Think of a way to create chaos in the stronghold. Yin San will take advantage of the chaos to save the hostages. As soon as the hostages are safe, blow the bone whistle and start attacking the stronghold.”
This was the detailed plan.
As for how to do it, it would depend on the person’s reaction.
Yu Youyao was not worried that Huang Wenxian and the others would not be able to deal with the situation. A group of tigers and wolves on the battlefield had lowered their status to attack a group of snakes and rats. They would simply crush their enemies.
After staying in the inn for two days, Huang Wenxian checked out.
The shopkeeper smiled and said, “The guest has traveled all the way from Hebei to Liancheng. I think it must have been a difficult journey. Why don’t you rest for a few more days?”
When Master Huang registered, he was originally a wealthy businessman from Ten Li County in Hebei. He also spoke in a northern accent.
Recently, many wealthy merchants of all statuses had surged into Liancheng. The shopkeeper had seen many of them and did not doubt them.
The three provinces of Liaodong were military towns, so the checks were even stricter. The You army was still guarding outside the city, so they had to interrogate the outsiders. Those who could enter the city were most likely people with clear ident.i.ties and clean families.
Huang Wenxian smiled and said, “I’ve gathered a lot of information in Liancheng over the past two days. Princess Shaoyi is going to vigorously develop the silkworm industry in the three provinces of Liaodong. It’s very possible to raise silkworms. I heard that a new silkworm farm has opened at Xiuyan, so I plan to go over as soon as possible to take a look.”
The shopkeeper understood. Recently, too many wealthy merchants had surged into Liaodong. Many people were asking about the silkworm farms. They were afraid that if they were late, they wouldn’t be able to get anything.
However, due to his benevolence, the shopkeeper kindly reminded him, “Xiuyan is located in the area of Anshan. There have been mountain bandits appearing there recently and robbing pa.s.sing merchants. Guests, you have to be careful. If you’re not in a hurry to leave, why don’t you wait a few days? A large number of refugees outside the city have moved away, and the matters of the refugee camp have also been taken over by the government. I think in a few days, the You army guarding the city will escort Princess Shaoyi to Xiangping City. At that time, it’ll be more stable to follow behind.”
Huang Wenxian smiled and said, “Everyone says that wealth comes from danger. I hired an escort on this trip. With the escort protecting me along the way, it’s quite peaceful. I don’t think anything will happen.”
The shopkeeper couldn’t say anything else. Humans died for wealth, and birds died for food. It was the nature of merchants to pursue profits. The spring silkworms had already sp.a.w.ned. It would be released to the forest at the beginning of March. There were only two days left until March, so it was indeed not good to delay.
In addition, the commoners only knew that there were bandits in Anshan. The government had also released a notice to warn the commoners, but they did not know much about the exact situation.
Huang Wenxian’s words seemed to reveal a lot of information.
However, after thinking about it for a moment, the shopkeeper understood that he had not said a word about his family background and wealth. It suited the image of a shrewd and good businessman.