When Meng Jian appeared at the temporary camp, he was greeted with thunderous cheers and applause.

The great hero himself looked embarrassed and subconsciously glanced to the side.

Qin Zhaoyue immediately slowed down and fell behind, whispering, "If you dare turn around, I'll kill you."

Meng Jian: ...

He was indeed the most suitable person to perform that play. What else could explain the thunderous roar that resounded through the clouds and the miracle of the instantaneous flood release, besides the "Divine Martial Realm"?

However, with the first merit in disaster relief and the love and respect of the people, especially the officials of the Heavenly Works Bureau whose careers were saved, if handled properly, the Sixth Princess could completely restore her reputation in one fell swoop.

Why avoid a good reputation like the plague?

Meng Jian silently accepted the admiring gazes of the crowd, clutching his chest as he walked slowly.

If you're going to go all out with an act, how could a drug that allows you to advance to the "Divine Martial Realm" in a short time possibly have no side effects?

He didn't explain, but everyone had already guessed and firmly believed it.

Commander Meng not only provided incredibly precious elixirs, but also bore the unspeakable consequences.

Great hero, great hero!

The main tent still had four people.

Having witnessed the power of gunpowder, the three of them looked at Qin Zhaoyue with mixed feelings.

How did she obtain it? Did the sorcerer she had just taken in really get it by chance?

But what can she do with such a powerful weapon in her hands?

Qin Zhaoqiong suddenly snapped to attention, stopping herself from continuing to think.

No way. If Sixth Sister really had that kind of intention, she would never have used the gunpowder formula to control the flood.

"What's wrong? Are you all stunned?"

Qin Zhaoyue understood what they were thinking, but she didn't intend to discuss anything about gunpowder.

Meng Jian regained his senses and once again used his true energy to seal the tent.

I didn't expend much energy while acting, except for shouting that strange move name that resounded through the heavens and earth.

“Your Highness, when the dam was breached, I was in the air and caught a glimpse of a special piece of equipment in the surging floodwaters: a furnace... a furnace for smelting iron.”

"What!" Qin Zhaoqiong suddenly took a step forward, staring intently into Meng Jian's eyes. "Are you sure? You really saw the furnace?"

Meng Jian nodded. "I'm sure."

Among the Meng family's businesses was an arms manufacturing workshop, which cooperated with the Tiangong Division and the Wubei Division.

For example, the light armor he was wearing came from the Meng family workshop.

When the heirs of the Meng family reach adulthood, they all have a special privilege: to have custom-made armor and weapons.

He spent more than three months in the workshop and saw the iron-smelting furnace.

At the beginning of the flood discharge, he was in the air and clearly saw the furnace being washed out by the flood. Although it was not a full view, he would never mistake it.

It was precisely because they were so shocked that they forgot to defend themselves against the splashing pebbles.

Upon receiving another affirmative reply, Qin Zhaoqiong's heart sank even further.

The underground cavern, with its five-zhang-thick dam, was enough to isolate the sound of iron smelting.

Such a grand undertaking could not possibly be something that can be accomplished overnight.

According to the old tea farmers, rumors of ghosts have been circulating for seven or eight years.

Further along, not far from Mingyan County is Chiyan County, which is the largest iron ore producing county in Qingyao Prefecture.

Chiyan County is even upstream of Mingyan County, with the Qingyao River running through it!

The three people present looked extremely pale, even worse than when they learned that the flood discharge point could not discharge water smoothly.

Qin Zhaoyue never expected that a simple flood discharge would lead to such a big incident.

The Great Gan Dynasty was similar to the ancient times of the previous generation, with salt and iron both being state-run monopolies.

The elaborate furnace built in the cave couldn't possibly be for secretly forging sickles and hoes; it must be for weapons and armor.

"We must immediately suppress the news." This matter was too big; Qin Zhaoqiong's first reaction was to suppress the news and investigate secretly.

Qin Zhaoyue shook her head. "It's too late. Too many people know there's mortar in the cave. It's impossible to completely seal it off. It's better to guide than to block."

"Sixth Sister, please tell me if you have any ideas!"

She actually solved all three major problems in Mingyan County. Now Qin Zhaoqiong completely trusts her sixth sister and even has a kind of blind faith in her.

"Simple, continue the investigation openly."

In any case, only Commander Meng saw the furnace; everyone else only knew about the rammed earth dam.

That guy... that official who surveyed the soil, he made a big mistake, so he was punished by being sent to Mingyan County to investigate this matter.

The flood diversion relocated downstream villages, so it's reasonable for the eldest sister to leave some soldiers behind to assist with reconstruction.

All three of them understood.

If a sudden order is given to block the news, it is more likely to arouse suspicion. It is better to make it public and lull the other party into a false sense of security.

"I understand, but who will actually investigate this case?"

Three gazes suddenly focused on her, and Qin Zhaoyue rolled her eyes.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm fine with joking around, but I can't handle a big case like illegal iron casting."

Qin Zhaoqiong's first reaction was, "Here we go again," and "Sixth Sister can't come again."

Purifying water, treating illnesses, and using black powder to flood control—such a comprehensive performance, and she calls it just fooling around?

What am I then? Useless? And what about my fifth brother?

"Sixth Sister is too modest. I think you can do it."

Qin Zhaoyue waved her hand dismissively, "I don't care what you think, I care what I think. I'm really not good at investigating cases."

Are you kidding me? Putting aside whether she has the ability, is it possible for her to investigate underground forces that dare to privately cast iron products?

We haven't even found the mastermind behind the scheme to frame the original owner yet, and now we're getting involved in something that's "rebellious"?

Seeing her resolute attitude, Qin Zhaoqiong looked at Meng Jian.

"Um... Your Highness, I'm good at leading troops into battle, but when it comes to investigating cases... I really don't know how."

Qin Zhaoqiong thought about it and agreed, then looked at the last person.

"Your Highness, I am just a lowly commander of the Azure Phoenix Guard..."

The Azure Phoenix Guards, whose duty is to provide close protection, indeed lack the ability in this area, and Qin Zhaoqiong was somewhat desperate and grasping at straws.

But this matter is far too important, even more so than disaster relief, and it is impossible to abandon it.

"Don't rush, elder sister," Qin Zhaoyue gently patted her shoulder, "We may not have the ability, but we have readily available helpers around us."

"That's right!" Qin Zhaoqiong suddenly realized.

When it comes to investigating cases, who in the world is more suitable than the Xuanji Guard?

With his gaze refocused, Meng Jian raised his hand. "I understand. Leave it to me."

[P.S.] Thank you so much for all the contributions!

There haven't been any major fluctuations yet, so it's hard to tell what level we've reached. I don't know if this is the end of the story or if there's been some lag.

However, everyone's continued reading and feeding of content definitely helped, at least the data hasn't dropped.

Hopefully not bronze level, o(╥﹏╥)o