"Although we won't discuss national affairs, I feel it's necessary to mention some local matters to you."
Zhao Cheng stood up, walked to the window and closed it, and slowly said, "After Lord Huang Zhen was promoted to Prefect of Jingdong County, General Yue Jiti took over the position of Prefect of Qingdong City. Speaking of General Yue Jiti, I met him in Qingdong City two years ago, and we got along quite well."
“Back when Marquis Qingdong was in Qingdong City, the two of them were close friends. When Young Marquis Xu saw him, he would call him ‘Uncle’ with great affection. You all know the relationship between Xiao Luomu and Young Marquis Xu, so Prefect Yue will definitely give Xiao Luomu his full support in this matter of money lending.”
"I have spoken with Prefect Li about Yanchuan City. He thinks this is a great thing that benefits the country, businesses and people. He not only fully supports it, but also appointed Registrar Cheng Xu to assist him."
At this point, Zhao Cheng smiled slightly at everyone and said, "So you can rest assured. Once you get home, get to work. There's no need to wait to see the results of the money shops in Qingdong City and Yanchuan City. Money shops rely on networks. If you're a step behind, it will affect the overall progress of the network's expansion."
"certainly……"
"If you don't want to take the risk, you can tell me now, and I can find someone else to work with in your area."
"Haha, young prime minister, you flatter me!" Yin Nan quickly replied, "From now on, I'll be the first to cooperate with you on any business you have!"
Song Baiyu said, "Young Prime Minister, don't worry, I'll start making arrangements as soon as I get home."
Yan Lü said, "Me too!"
Zhao Cheng picked up his wine glass, smiled slightly, and said, "In that case, I'd like to propose a toast to all of you bosses."
At this moment, Zhao Hu came in and whispered something to Zhao Cheng.
After bidding farewell to the merchants, Zhao Cheng led Zhao Hu and Deng Yanjiao to their residence at the Yasu Manor.
Yuan Fei, Yan Zheng, and Cheng Xu were already waiting in the courtyard.
After listening to Yuan Fei's brief account, Zhao Cheng pondered for a moment and said, "While Chen Changyun was investigating Chen Ke's case in the Imperial Prison and the Ministry of Justice, he was also dealing with Zuo Faction officials and investigating the Left Prime Minister's residence?"
Zhao Cheng shook his head and said, "Chen Changyun wouldn't be that bold. It seems this was Prince Xin's idea."
Yan Zheng said, "If Prince Xin is eager to take action against the Left Chancellor, the political situation in Changsui may change."
Zhao Cheng looked at Cheng Xu and asked, "Registrar Cheng, what do you think of this matter?"
When Yuan Fei summoned him, Cheng Xu had no idea why Zhao Cheng wanted to see him. But when Zhao Cheng asked for his opinion, Cheng Xu became very excited.
He knew that Zhao Cheng regarded Yan Zheng, this failed scholar, as a staff member, and now that he was asking him, Zhao Cheng was also treating him as a staff member.
He desperately wanted to join Zhao Cheng's advisory group!
Cheng Xu calmed his excited emotions and said seriously, "First of all, I agree with Mr. Yan's opinion, but if we think about it carefully, if it was Prince Xin who wanted to take action against the Left Prime Minister from the beginning, then Minister Chen's case... is probably not so simple."
Zhao Cheng waved for everyone to sit down and said, "Continue."
After Zhao Cheng sat down, Cheng Xu continued, "There are two suspicious points in this case."
"Firstly, assassinating a high-ranking official during such a critical period is unlike the Left Chancellor's composed style. When the emperor established the Central Secretariat, although the Left Chancellor clearly opposed the reform of the court assembly, he ultimately could not prevail against the emperor's will, and he has always kept a low profile since then. He should not have made such a foolish move."
"Secondly, with Minister Chen's death, Chen Changyun immediately filled the vacancy of Minister of Personnel. Wasn't that... too hasty? It gives the impression that Minister Chen's death was simply to make room for him."
Zhao Cheng said, "Yuan Fei found out that Minister Chen died by the Unpredictable Sword."
Cheng Xu said, "But no one saw it with their own eyes, and there is no clear evidence. The martial world is so vast, we don't know if only Xu Qingshan knows how to use the Wuchang Sword Technique, and we don't know if anyone can imitate the Wuchang Sword."
Zhao Cheng looked at Cheng Xu and asked, "So, Clerk Cheng, you believe that Minister Chen was not killed by Xu Qingshan?"
Cheng Xu said, "I don't think this makes sense, because it would be too disadvantageous for the Left Prime Minister. If I were the Left Prime Minister, even if I wanted to kill Minister Chen to vent my anger, I wouldn't send Xu Qingshan. Xu Qingshan is the martial arts champion appointed by the Emperor. If I send him to kill an important court official, the Emperor will only hate me more after the matter is exposed."
Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "Zhao Hu, you understand the affairs of the martial world. Is what Clerk Cheng just said possible?"
“Of course it’s possible,” Zhao Hu said, holding the broken sword. “But it depends on the situation. Some are easy to imitate, while others are not. For example, my Two-Broken Sword. Unless the opponent is a grandmaster, it’s impossible for them to imitate the power of my sword and the damage I cause. At the same level as me, it’s almost impossible to imitate the power of my sword. Because the Two-Broken Sword is a sword technique with the ultimate power.”
"Where the sword's power lies, there I shall be."
"You don't need to force that last sentence on me." Zhao Cheng rolled his eyes at Zhao Hu and said, "Just tell me, is the Impermanent Sword easy to imitate?"
Zhao Hu shook his head and said, "I can't. I use a knife. Even if you give me a sword, I can't imitate it. But Zhou Chuan, who has fought with Xu Qingshan, should be able to."
Zhao Cheng asked, "So you're saying the Impermanence Sword is easy to imitate?"
Zhao Hu explained, “The Wuchang Sword is wide and sweeping, resembling a sword even though it’s not one, which is easy to imitate. But its sword energy is sinister and deadly, like the impermanence of death, which is difficult to imitate. That’s why I need to examine the wounds to know. If the sword intent of the Wuchang Sword is not present, then it is not Xu Qingshan.”
Zhao Cheng narrowed his eyes and said, "He Yin and Dong Xiao are not江湖人 (jianghu people). They can only see the surface, so they are easily deceived."
Zhao Hu nodded.
"Cui Wuming!"
Yan Zheng suddenly said, "Yilun said that Cui Wuming is in Changsui City, and he wants to take revenge on Xu Qingshan."
Zhao Cheng glanced at the night sky and said, "That makes sense. Cui Wuming framing Xu Qingshan is also a form of revenge."
Zhao Hu asked doubtfully, "Could it be that Cui Wuming has pledged allegiance to Prince Xin?"
Zhao Cheng said, "Not necessarily. But if they have a common goal, short-term cooperation is possible."
Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "Back then, Wen Tai sent Xu Qingshan and Chen Jiudao to ambush and kill Su Wansan on the road to silence him. The emperor tacitly approved of this. Cui Wuming also had his arm cut off by Xu Qingshan while protecting his master. In Cui Wuming's eyes, the emperor, Wen Tai, and Xu Qingshan are all his enemies."
"He used the power of Prince Xin to frame Xu Qingshan, make Wen Tai take the blame, and also caused chaos in the Da Jing court. It can be said that he killed three birds with one stone."
"It seems that the person behind Cui Wuming is a strategist who can plan and strategize effectively."
Zhao Cheng looked at Yan Zheng and asked, "Mr. Yan, have you found any leads regarding the investigation into the survivors of the Su family?"
Yan Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Apart from the deceased Su Mingcheng, we haven't found any other members of the Su family. However, I also investigated Cui Wuming's whereabouts back then. I found out that after he lost his arm, he didn't have much time to recover before rushing off to rescue people. But since this person's identity hasn't been verified yet, I haven't reported it to you."
Zhao Cheng's eyes lit up, and he said, "This person is the most important clue!"
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