Lu Jingze and Wang Xiuxiu returned to Beijing first, while the remaining guards stayed in Dayong Mountain to continue the follow-up work.
Lu Jingze ordered his men to dig three feet into the ruins of the Forget-Worry Pavilion, and finally found half a charred sheepskin map in the ruins of a secret passage, which was then sent back to the capital.
"This is..." Wang Xiuxiu took the fragment of the map, her fingertips tracing the blurred ink marks on it. "Is this the Northern Border?"
Lu Jingze's eyes narrowed: "Yes."
He pointed to the tattered markings on the edge of the map, "I had previously suspected that the war between the two nations years ago was suspicious, and now it seems that Dayong must have instigated it between the two countries."
That national war was a lifelong wound for Lu Jingze. Wang Xiuxiu moved closer and gently hugged him to comfort him.
After a long while, Wang Xiuxiu turned and asked, "Are there any survivors from Dayong Mountain?"
"Yes, but these traitors from Dayong are very tough, and there aren't many that can be pried open."
Wang Xiuxiu reached out and smoothed his furrowed brows; she knew his worries.
It's not just because Zhou Yun'an managed to escape, but also for the safety of the entire Dagan area.
Although the rebel stronghold of Dayong was destroyed by a scheme, Dayong had been operating for many years. Judging from the numerous evil deeds they had committed over the years, it was clear that they had planted countless spies in Da Gan.
These hidden agents, deeply ingrained, are like ants that gnaw at the heart of the nation, the true root of the problem threatening Daqian's rule.
That night, the study in Prince Jing's mansion was brightly lit with candles.
Lu Jingze spread all the secret reports about Zhou Yun'an in recent years, as well as all the information he had collected from Dayong Mountain, on his desk.
The two compared the clues until the third watch of the night, and finally discovered something amiss.
"Thirty catties of Ice Soul Grass, fifty catties of Crimson Blood Vine, and twenty stalks of Seven-Leaf Black Ginseng..."
Wang Xiuxiu tapped the ledger on the table with her fingertip, her brows furrowing slightly: "Every new moon, a batch of medicinal herbs is transported into Dayong Mountain, and each time it includes 'Cold Marrow Grass' and 'Red Blood Vine'."
Lu Jingze's gaze darkened: "These two herbs, one cold and one hot, clash and counteract each other; ordinary doctors wouldn't use them together."
The candlelight flickered, and Wang Xiuxiu frowned slightly.
"Zhou Zhao has controlled the Dayong rebels for so many years. Besides the favors left by his ancestors from the previous dynasty, he must have some other means of winning people over."
She murmured thoughtfully.
Lu Jingze's eyes flickered slightly. "Zhou Zhao is ruthless and stingy, never trusts anyone, and would never do favors for no reason, nor would he use money..."
Their eyes met, and they spoke almost simultaneously—
"Rely on poison. Use poison."
Wang Xiuxiu nodded, "Zhou Zhao has Chen Yixian under his control. Using poison to control people's hearts is the safest approach!"
"That's right!"
"Do you know where the prescription ledgers found in Chen Yixian's medicine shop in Mingzhou are located?"
Lu Jingze understood her intention and said in a deep voice, "They're all sealed up in the Ministry of Justice. I'll order someone to retrieve them immediately."
Wang Xiuxiu suddenly grabbed his hand: "Go secretly and search without alerting anyone."
Lu Jingze smiled slightly.
Their tacit understanding needs no further explanation.
Lu Jingze understood her meaning almost instantly: if Zhou Zhaozhen used poison to control the spies, then after the destruction of Dayong Mountain, those lurking spies would definitely try to find the antidote in order to survive!
The most crucial clue among Chen Yixian's belongings is that he is missing!
---
Late the next night, in the study of Prince Jing's residence.
The guards silently delivered the copied prescriptions and account books of Physician Chen, and reported: "Your Highness, as you instructed, we have set up sentries outside the Ministry of Justice's evidence room, keeping watch day and night."
Lu Jingze nodded: "Just keep an eye on it, and don't stop anyone from trying to touch the evidence."
The guards acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Wang Xiuxiu was already bent over the table, comparing Chen Yixian's prescription with the purchase order from Dayong Mountain.
The candlelight illuminated her focused profile, outlining a resilient yet determined silhouette.
"Found it!" she suddenly exclaimed, her fingertip pointing to a yellowed prescription. "These herbs—Ice Soul Grass, Crimson Blood Vine, and Seven-Leaf Black Ginseng—are the same as those on the Dayong Mountain purchase order; they're regularly purchased every month, and in astonishing quantities!"
Lu Jingze leaned down to look, his gaze turning icy: "It really is poison."
Wang Xiuxiu consulted Nan Wei and learned the answer from her.
These three herbs, when combined, can be made into a poison called "Heart-Eating Powder".
Heart-Eating Powder is a legendary poison in the martial arts world. Those poisoned by it must take a specific antidote every month, otherwise their meridians will be severed and they will suffer unbearable pain.
Zhou Zhao actually used this method to firmly control those pawns lurking in the shadows!
"Now things are clear," Wang Xiuxiu said softly. "We just need to monitor the flow of these medicinal herbs, and we can follow the clues to uncover those hidden agents!"
Lu Jingze had already drafted a secret memorial: "I will go to the palace to meet the Emperor tomorrow."
---
The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.
After hearing Lu Jingze's report, Emperor Lu Nancheng tapped his knuckles lightly on the dragon throne. After a long pause, he said in a deep voice, "This matter has far-reaching implications. I grant you permission to act in secrecy."
He picked up his vermilion brush and affixed his imperial seal in bright red to the memorial: "From this day forward, strictly monitor the circulation of these medicinal herbs throughout the country. Any irregular purchases will be thoroughly investigated!"
"Your subject obeys the decree."
---
Three months later, Lu Jingze entered the palace with an account book.
"Jingze, are you sure these people are all related to Dayong?" the emperor asked in a deep voice.
The people recorded here include ordinary citizens as well as important officials in the imperial court.
Lu Jingze cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, I have verified all the clues. These people either suddenly made large-scale purchases of the medicinal materials needed for the poison formula, or they had secret dealings with Dayong Mountain."
The emperor's eyes sharpened: "If that's the case, then—close the net!"
That night, Emperor Lu Nancheng personally ordered a silent siege to begin.
At dawn, several elite teams quietly set off from the capital, carrying the emperor's secret orders, and headed to various prefectures.
At the same time, local troops coordinated their actions, and an invisible net slowly tightened.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Lu Jingze personally led a team to raid a seemingly ordinary pharmacy and found dozens of packets of prepared antidote for the Heart-Corroding Powder in a hidden compartment.
In Jiangnan, Ye Lanfeng led his troops to surround a manor and captured seven secret agents who were having a secret meeting.
At the border, Lu Jingze's trusted men intercepted a carriage disguised as a merchant caravan. Hidden in the carriage's hidden compartment was the secret formula for the antidote to the Heart-Corroding Powder, intended for military generals!
Teahouses in Qingzhou, salt merchants' mansions in Yangzhou, and even post stations on the northern border... all those connected to the Dayong spy network were captured overnight!
This swift operation lasted for seven days, ultimately wiping out the remnants of the Dayong clique who had been lurking for many years.
As the last informant signed his name at the Ministry of Justice, Lu Jingze stood atop the high city wall, gazing at the rising sun, and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.
Wang Xiuxiu walked to his side and whispered, "It's over."
"No." Lu Jingze grasped her hand, his gaze deep and unwavering. "Only Zhou Yun'an and Xiao Cheng remain, but their time on the table won't last much longer."
---
The emperor issued an edict to publicly execute all the captured Dayong spies as a warning to others.
On the day of the execution, the people of the capital gathered to watch and discuss the matter.
"Have you heard? These traitors have been lurking for years, almost ruining my big operation!"
Wang Xiuxiu stood outside the execution ground, quietly watching everything.
Lu Jingze walked to her side and whispered, "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking..." Wang Xiuxiu said softly, "Zhou Yun'an isn't dead; he probably has a backup plan."
Lu Jingze gripped her hand tightly: "Then continue investigating, until—"
"The world is at peace." Wang Xiuxiu picked up on his words with a slight smile.
The wind rises, stirring up the dust on the execution ground.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com