Gong Fan nodded, his expression very frank.
"I will tell you everything I know, General. Please feel free to ask."
Cai Ze, Li Qian and Yang Xin went with County Magistrate Liu to help distribute food.
Li Yunhe said a few words to Li Qian, then turned around and followed Jin Ting'an into the county government office.
"Master Li, would you like to take a rest?"
After sitting down, Jin Ting'an looked at Li Yunhe. Luo'er had not rested well, so Li Yunhe must not have rested with Luo'er.
"It's okay. Her Highness is very concerned about the levee collapse. I'll tell her about it."
Jin Ting'an: "..."
If Luo'er wants to know, he can tell Luo'er.
But he didn't say anything in the end.
"Inspector Gong, tell me why the levee collapsed."
Jin Ting'an poured a cup of tea for Li Yunhe and Gong Fan respectively and handed the tea to them.
"General Jin is also aware that I am responsible for guarding the Rui River levee and will report on its condition regularly..."
Listening to his useless nonsense, Li Yunhe frowned.
"Don't say any unnecessary nonsense. Just answer whatever General Jin asks."
"Yes," Gong Fan put his hands on his knees and recalled the night before the levee collapsed.
"The night before the levee collapsed, I was just about to go to bed when County Magistrate Liu came running in to say he heard a loud noise coming from the Rui River. We went there together and found that the levee had been blown up."
"It was dark at the time, and we only vaguely saw a figure. The person seemed to notice us and turned and ran away."
Jin Ting'an looked confused, "Then have you checked who this person is?"
"We did check," Gong Fan said with a look of shame, "but we found that the last trace of his footprints disappeared right at the breach. County Magistrate Liu and I concluded that he panicked and fell in, and was swept away by the water."
"What a coincidence."
Li Yunhe put down his teacup. "Inspector Gong's words may seem flawless, but they are actually full of loopholes."
"Sir Li, I am telling the truth. If you and General Jin don't believe me, you can ask Magistrate Liu. You will know if what I said is true."
"Then Inspector Gong, tell me why the people who blew up the levee did this?"
Jin Ting'an stared at Gong Fan intently.
"And where did the gunpowder in this man's hand come from?"
Not everyone can handle something as dangerous as gunpowder.
"I don't know either. Could it be that General Jin is doubting me?"
Gong Fan bowed and said, "I, your humble servant, have been honored by the Emperor and have been stationed here on the Rui River. I have been diligent in my duties over the years, patrolling day and night during the flood season. How could I possibly do something so detrimental to the people of Tianqi?"
"As far as I know, Inspector Gong previously worked in the Ministry of Works and was later transferred to Ruihe by the Emperor. Is this true?"
"It is true."
As the Minister of Personnel, Li Yunhe was not surprised at all to know his information.
"Then Inspector Gong has some gunpowder on his hands, right?"
Li Yunhe continued to ask.
"Of course, gunpowder will be needed when the levee needs to be reinforced, but the gunpowder I have is all used up during the last reinforcement of the levee."
"Is it such a coincidence again?"
Li Yunhe's smile was not reflected in his eyes. "It seems that Inspector Gong has nothing to do with this matter. There are witnesses, but no explosives."
"General Jin, who do you think is the most suspicious now?"
As he spoke, he turned to look at Jin Ting'an, as if he really no longer doubted Gong Fan.
"Since Inspector Gong is not a suspect, then County Magistrate Liu is the most suspicious."
"That's what I think."
Li Yunhe chuckled, "Inspector Gong, the two of us are here to investigate this matter. Since you are guarding the Rui River area, it's inevitable that we would be suspicious of you."
"I understand."
"Alright, we understand the situation. You should go back and rest. I bet you haven't slept well these days."
Gong Fan stood up and bowed to say goodbye.
After leaving the county government office, he let out a long sigh.
Quickly return to your residence.
When his subordinates saw him coming back, they hurried forward to greet him.
"Sir, you're back. I heard the breach has been blocked?"
"Yes," Gong Fan responded and walked into the inner room.
Not long after he sat down, his deputy came in, closed the door, and said in a low voice, "Sir, I heard that the general and the minister are here?"
Gong Fan picked up the tea, took a sip, and said calmly, "Yes, and that little princess, it's really thanks to her that the breach was blocked."
"Isn't the little princess still a baby?"
The deputy's face was filled with surprise.
"How are you doing with what you were told to do?"
Gong Fan asked about other things with a serious expression.
"Those two people from the capital are suspicious of me."
"Don't worry, sir. I have done everything you instructed. If they suspect you, they must have evidence."
"That's right," Gong Fan said, as if to comfort himself. "Suspicion is a good thing. I have Magistrate Liu as a witness, and I don't have any gunpowder."
The subordinate hesitated for a moment, then spoke:
"Because of Mr. Fang's flood diversion, the casualties among the people were less than expected. Now that the general has come to block the breach, all your previous efforts have been in vain."
"And the Changshan County Magistrate has transferred grain here. Your earlier act of providing grain will probably be completely forgotten by the people soon."
Gong Fan sneered, "That's fine. Let's just wait for the people to make a fuss. This will also let General Jin and Minister Li know that it's not easy to gain the people's gratitude."
…
After Gong Fan left, Jin Tingan asked Li Yunhe directly.
"You also suspect Gong Fan?"
Li Yunhe nodded, "Sometimes picking too cleanly seems more fishy."
"Why don't you go out for a walk?"
Li Yunhe stood up and said, "Let's see what happens, maybe there will be some unexpected gains."
The two of them got up and left the county government office.
The dark clouds in the sky have been blown away by the wind, revealing a clear blue sky, just like the smiles on the faces of the people on the street when they know that the breach has been blocked.
"That's great! The breach has been blocked. We're almost through this."
"The general is truly amazing. Not only is he good at fighting, he's also so capable."
"What do you know? I heard it was the little princess."
The people who were queuing up to receive porridge and steamed buns were talking about it.
"Nonsense! The little princess is so young, would the emperor be willing to let her come?"
"General Jin, Lord Li."
When the people heard Magistrate Liu's greeting, they quickly shut up.
Li Yunhe approached the group, not wanting to hear their doubts.
"Her Royal Highness learned of what happened in Xinglin County and rushed here with me immediately. It only took five days to get here from the capital. Her Royal Highness didn't rest here, but went straight to the Rui River. It was indeed her who managed to block the breach."
"After sealing the breach, Her Royal Highness the Princess collapsed from exhaustion."
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