Chapter 76: Falling into a Trap During a Crisis.
On a spring afternoon, the ground resembled a cluster of giant, newly blooming flower buds, and the sunlight, like the stingers of wasps, pierced down densely, leaving sweat stains on the forehead like wounds.
The council hall of the Jin Mansion, bathed in light and shadow, was already full of people.
Yue Yining was the last to arrive. Seeing that everyone had arrived, Ye Miheng couldn't sit still any longer and frowned, saying, "Lord Yue is here too, Lord Zhao, can you speak now? What is it that requires everyone to be gathered together to explain?"
Jin Yuanxiu, sitting at the head of the table, stroked his beard, glanced at Zhao Xu, and echoed, "Yes, Lord Zhao, these two gentlemen have investigation duties to perform, and I also have official business to attend to. It is quite a troublesome thing to have us gathered together. If it is not important, it may take up everyone's time."
"Don't worry." Zhao Xu smiled smugly, looking completely confident. "It won't delay you two. After all, after today, you won't have to work so hard investigating the case anymore."
Upon hearing this, everyone present changed their expressions.
Yue Yining lifted her eyes and gazed intently at Zhao Xu opposite her, taking in his arrogant demeanor.
Ye Miheng's expression darkened: "What do you mean by that, Lord Zhao?"
“It means that I have found out the truth about the Green Ghost case,” Zhao Xu raised his eyebrows and said. “I’m not just saying this without evidence; I have solid and compelling evidence before I dare to say it.”
Fu Yao was standing next to Yue Yining. Upon hearing this, she suddenly looked up and stared intently at Zhao Xu.
Jin Yuanxiu spoke up: "Oh? I wonder what evidence Lord Zhao has found? Could you show it to everyone present?"
"Of course."
Zhao Xu stood up from his seat, clapped his hands with a smile, and his adjutant, who was standing beside him, came forward with a long wooden tray. On the tray were a string of copper coins, two thin booklets, and a note.
The familiar indigo-covered diary and the Fanjiang paper with Jin Yuanxiu's handwritten instructions were the two pieces of evidence that Yue Yining and her companions had lost today.
Fu Yao could no longer hold back. Her eyes blazed with anger, and she was about to rush out to confront Zhao Xu when Yue Yining quickly pulled her back. Fortunately, everyone's attention was elsewhere, and no one noticed that something was wrong with Fu Yao.
"Miss!" Fu Yao tried to keep her voice down, but her eyes were full of anxiety. "We found it! He stole our evidence!"
Yue Yining held her wrist with unwavering strength: "I know."
"So we have to expose him! We can't let him keep talking. He's definitely planning to claim that he found all of this himself. We've already investigated quite a bit, but we haven't stepped forward yet because we're being cautious. What if he steals the credit if we don't speak up...!"
"I know." Yue Yining comforted her, but her eyes were looking in Zhao Xu's direction. "Yaoyao, it's easy to expose him. There's no need to rush. Let's see how things go first."
Yue Yining had been observing Zhao Xu since the beginning. This was the first time she had seen this Lord Zhao. Although the bridge of his nose was high, it was lined with horizontal lines, like a jade belt around his waist, indicating that his official career was over. His eyes slanted sharply at the corners, and his pupils, which should have shown a noble and refined look, were covered with a layer of greasy, turbid light, a characteristic of greed and indulgence. Most strangely, his nose tip was full and prominent, which should have indicated abundant wealth, but his nostrils were as thin as cicada wings, like two money charms hanging from a gold ingot, meaning that as much as he gained, he would lose as well.
A rough and ugly face indicates a shallow and lowly fate.
This is not the kind of person who can accomplish anything. After making this judgment, Yue Yining devoted some attention to Jin Yuanxiu.
From the moment Jin Yuanxiu sat down, his expression remained largely unchanged. Even when Zhao Xu said he had uncovered the truth, Jin Yuanxiu still chuckled heartily, showing no sign of being in a hurry.
Yue Yining narrowed her eyes, having already made up her mind.
Zhao Xu took the string of copper coins from the tray, held it between his fingers, and showed it to everyone, his voice ringing out: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the truth behind the Green Ghost case. It is the culprit behind the frequent sudden infant deaths!"
In Zhao Xu's palm was only a string of copper coins strung together with a red cord, gleaming with a thick metallic luster.
Ye Miheng found it absurd: "Are you saying these copper coins can kill children? Lord Zhao, you're not joking, are you?"
Several high-ranking officials from Suyang were sitting in the hall. They had come to discuss matters with Jin Yuanxiu, but Jin Yuanxiu was invited away by this Lord Zhao halfway through. They had no choice but to come along as well.
At this moment, the officials were also whispering among themselves.
"Yes, does he not know that copper is actually non-toxic?"
"Everyone uses these copper coins, what problem could there be?"
“That’s the problem,” Zhao Xu said. “What you may not know is that pure copper coins are indeed harmless to the human body, but the copper coins produced by the Suyang Mint are not made of pure copper. Instead, they are mixed with lead far exceeding the standard. Each coin contains at least 40% lead!”
Like a drop of cold water falling into hot oil, the crowd in the hall immediately erupted in uproar.
Among the officials were members of the Jin family. Upon hearing this, they immediately stood up and rebuked, "Lord Zhao, watch your words! These copper coins are all officially minted. How could they possibly contain 40% lead? Do you know what you mean by that? Are you implying that the mint tampered with them?"
"If you have no evidence, these remarks are slander!"
"Proving this is easy enough?" Zhao Xu grinned and waved his hand, saying, "Bring up the matches!"
So, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhao Xu lit the string of copper coins in his hand.
In an instant, the leaden tears melted away before the bronze bones could dissolve.
Forty percent of the lead poison transformed into indigo snake tongues, licking the flames until they suddenly turned purple. The waxy lead liquid gradually melted and dripped down the coin's eye. The four characters "Jiahe Tongbao" on the coin swelled up first, with dense lead beads seeping out between the strokes, like mercury flowing from the seven orifices of a suddenly deceased person.
Among the officials, some were ashen-faced, some were dumbfounded, and some were dazed and flustered. Yue Yining scanned the expressions on their faces one by one and tapped the rim of her teacup.
"If any of you do not believe me, you may lend me your copper coins. Real copper is not afraid of fire. Whether they are inferior coins mixed with lead or not, we can find out with one test." Zhao Xu threw a string of copper coins on the ground and spoke arrogantly, but none of the officials who were just discussing it dared to stand up now.
Zhao Xu said loudly, "As you can see, what I was holding just now was not a string of ordinary copper coins. New coins tied with a red string are often used as amulets for newborns in Suyang."
"It was precisely because lead coins and inferior currency were rampant that many infants died from lead poisoning after accidentally licking coins off their necks. The so-called green ghosts that feed on infants' souls at night were just a cover-up, intended to conceal the truth about the infants' deaths and divert the public's attention."
An official voiced his doubts, though his tone seemed unsteady, "If... if it really is such a simple reason, why couldn't any of the doctors in Suyang find it?!"
“That means the problem lies with the doctor,” Zhao Xu chuckled. “If Lord Jin were willing to grant permission to allow doctors from outside Suyang City to enter the city for treatment, I believe the outcome would be completely different.”
The hall was completely silent. Zhao Xu turned around and spoke directly to the person sitting calmly at the head of the table:
"Lord Jin, things have come to this point, are you still planning to remain silent?"
Ye Miheng was completely dumbfounded. His eyes widened, and he turned to Yue Yining, repeatedly asking in a shocked voice, "What's going on? Is what he said true? How could he find out so quickly??"
He hadn't found any clues at all, and he thought the case was very difficult to investigate, with no one making much progress.
As a result, no sooner had Xie Qingyu's people left than the new ones arrived and solved the case in less than half a day, having already gathered all the clues. Could it be that the Seventh Prince's side had already thoroughly investigated the case last night?!
Yue Yining was annoyed by him again and again, but remained unmoved: "What else could it be? It just means that he is more capable and smarter than you."
Ye Miheng was choked by her words and gritted his teeth: "Yue Yining! I don't believe that someone as skilled in physiognomy as you can't see the clues. This guy surnamed Zhao has a sinister look to him and is definitely not a good person. How could I be worse than him!"
Yue Yining: "Since you already have the answer in your heart, why are you asking me?"
Seeing that she was unmoved by his words, Ye Miheng knew that she was not going to explain to him, so he could only turn away angrily.
In Yue Yining's eyes, even when pressed to this extent, Jin Yuanxiu remained remarkably composed.
He smiled at Zhao Xu, his voice deep and resonant: "Lord Zhao is right, these copper coins may indeed have problems. However, allowing non-compliant copper coins to enter the market was by no means the Jin family's intention. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding that has led to the situation we see today."
"Misunderstanding?" Zhao Xu chuckled. "Does Lord Jin think I'm the kind of person who jumps to conclusions without thoroughly investigating the matter?"
"I'm sorry, but the evidence I have here happens to prove that Lord Jin himself was fully aware of the mint's production of inferior currency." Zhao Xu picked up a piece of paper from the tray in his adjutant's hand, spread it out with both hands, and announced loudly, "Gentlemen, please take a look!"
Zhao Xu held up the note and walked past each official, reading aloud the contents of the note without omitting a single word.
"The key to minting coins lies in adherence to standards. Therefore, I hereby issue this decree to all minting departments: from this day forward, all newly minted 'Jiahe Tongbao' coins shall adhere to the standard of 60% copper and 40% lead."
The officials of Suyang had long since fallen silent, but the curious Ye Miheng stood up, staring intently at the name on the note. He exclaimed in surprise, "There really is one!"
Zhao Xu shouted, "It's the real deal. The name of City Lord Jin, the Jin family's patriarchal seal, and the city lord's seal are all clearly printed on this piece of paper! Faced with such irrefutable evidence, City Lord Jin, are you still going to pretend you know nothing?"
Zhao Xu's words were fierce, and each accusation was accompanied by evidence. By this point, the facts listed were almost enough to nail Jin Yuanxiu to the pillar of shame.
Yue Yining didn't care what Zhao Xu said, because so far, everything he said was something she already knew.
She simply stared intently at Jin Yuanxiu, watching how he remained unmoved and expressionless despite Zhao Xu's furious condemnation and criticism.
That's strange, isn't it?
The evidence that would cause him to fall from grace is already laid out before him, so why is he still so calm?
Just as she was wondering how he would get away with it, Jin Yuanxiu spoke up.
“Although I don’t know where Lord Zhao got his evidence,” Jin Yuanxiu said slowly, “I have never signed this instruction, nor have I ordered any changes to the copper coin regulations. I think this instruction was forged by someone with ulterior motives, with the aim of stirring up trouble.”
Yue Yining paused slightly. Was it a direct denial?
Zhao Xu clearly found it amusing as well: "Lord Jin, this is irrefutable evidence! Do you really think that when faced with evidence, a criminal can prove their innocence simply by saying 'I didn't do it'?"
Jin Yuanxiu: "If Lord Zhao doesn't believe me, he might as well ask the craftsmen at the mint. I can't possibly make everyone lie; I don't have that kind of power. The craftsmen will tell Lord Zhao the answer: all the copper coins produced by the Suyang Mint are minted in accordance with the regulations of the Dongxi Code, without the slightest error."
It was only here that Yue Yining understood why Jin Yuanxiu was so fearless.
That's true. The craftsmen in the mint all believed that the copper coins they were minting every day were made of pure copper, because Jin Yuanxiu did not order them to add lead to the coins, but instead used a large amount of a rare white metal in the minting process.
He had Jinlu falsely claim that this metal could be turned into copper under high temperature reaction. In reality, this metal was lead, but it was different from ordinary lead in color and texture, which deceived the craftsmen involved.
If anyone discovers anything unusual and attempts to expose the secrets about the white lead material, that person will be secretly dealt with by Jin Lu, dying silently like Zhang Tiechui did last night.
Even if they found all the artisans in the mint and questioned them one by one, they wouldn't get the results they wanted.
Zhao Xu was unaware of this. He simply felt that Jin Yuanxiu's words contained a trap, so he was unwilling to follow his line of thought: "If Lord Jin can make sure that not a single doctor in all of Suyang dares to tell the truth, what difficulty would it be for him to control the craftsmen at the mint?"
Faced with Zhao Xu's veiled accusations, Jin Yuanxiu remained calm and composed. He even smiled and said, "Lord Zhao is so eager to investigate that it's understandable that he was misled for a moment. Why don't you explain to me first where you obtained this note?"
Zhao Xu ignored him: "Since Lord Jin still refuses to admit it, then I have nothing to cover for you."
"The two ledgers I have in my hands, one records the details of the amount of ore collected and stored by the Suyang Canal Transport Office, and the other is a list of canal transport categories from Luoshui, the largest city in the downstream area of Suyang, to the Suyang wharf every month."
"I carefully compared the two ledgers and discovered the secret. Luoshui transports five boats of lead ore every month, but the Suyang Canal Transport Office only records three boats. There are always two boats missing, every single month!" Zhao Xuyi shouted. "Why not record it truthfully? Are you afraid that someone will check the accounts in the future and find the hidden clues?"
Jin Yuanxiu said, "Perhaps it was just that the official in charge of recording was being lazy. Why does Lord Zhao insist that it was a deliberate concealment?"
Zhao Xu raised an eyebrow, surprised that this person was so shameless. He was about to speak when Yue Yining raised his hand and said, "Lord Zhao, may I take a look at those two account books?"
"Of course, please do as you please, Your Excellency."
Yue Yining approached Zhao Xu's adjutant and took the ledgers of the Suyang Mint from the tray.
This piece of evidence wasn't stolen from her; it was likely left behind by Xie Qingyu before she left, intending to hand it over to Zhao Xu.
This could be considered strong evidence, but it couldn't directly prove that Jin Yuanxiu was aware of the coin adulteration, which is why Zhao Xu arranged for someone to steal her evidence. This fool probably thought he'd try his luck, since he wouldn't lose anything—but he didn't expect to actually get such a good deal.
Yue Yining calmed down and was no longer impatient. She glanced at Zhao Xu and smiled slightly, saying, "But to solve the case so quickly right after taking office, Lord Zhao, you are truly young and promising."
Zhao Xu didn't dare to look her in the eye. Being praised like that, she felt uneasy and said, "Not at all."
After reviewing the ledger, she returned to her seat. Fu Yao, who was sitting next to her, was almost frantic. She quickly lowered her voice and asked, "Miss, when are we going to expose this shameless guy?!" If he really succeeded in stealing the credit from Miss, she would be so angry that she wouldn't be able to sleep!
Yue Yining simply said, "Wait a little longer."
Zhao Xu listed a bunch of reasoning and evidence, and was finally about to use his trump card: "If Lord Jin is still unwilling to confess, then I can only ask you all to watch a good show with me."
"Everyone, please come with me to the North Wharf of Suyang. The Zhao family's carriage is already waiting outside the mansion gate."
Everyone present guessed what he was going to do, and several of the lower-ranking officials looked terrified and panicked.
Zhao Xu looked at Jin Yuanxiu, who hadn't moved an inch, and said with a hint of mockery, "What? City Lord Jin, are you too scared to come?"
Finally, the smile on Jin Yuanxiu's face disappeared.
He stared at Zhao Xu, his expression inscrutable: "Lord Zhao, I, Jin Yuanxiu, am accustomed to treating people with courtesy. I am not a soft persimmon to be easily manipulated. Today, you have unjustly smeared me and have been relentlessly trying to kill me and the Jin family. I have no idea what Lord Zhao's intention is in going to such lengths."
He slowly rose and walked step by step to Zhao Xu, saying in a deep voice, "But no matter how difficult it is for Lord Zhao, I, Jin Yuanxiu, have a clear conscience. I will never admit to something I didn't do."
"What a fine 'I'll never admit it' attitude!" Zhao Xu laughed heartily. "It seems Lord Jin won't shed a tear until he sees the coffin!"
"Once we see the evidence, it would be best if Lord Jin could be just as open and honest!"
Jin Yuanxiu's face was gloomy, but he did not reject Zhao Xu's suggestion. Perhaps he was too embarrassed to refuse, or perhaps he did not want to show weakness. Although his face was not good, he followed Zhao Xu out of the council hall.
Seeing that everyone had moved, Yue Yining also stood up.
Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed. Yue Yining turned around and saw that the person who grabbed her wrist was Ye Miheng. After grabbing her, he shoved her close, his face full of anxiety: "Yue Yining, you must know something. Explain to me quickly. I really don't understand. Is what Zhao Xu said true?"
Yue Yining was being pulled too tightly by him. She tried to pull her hand away but failed. She was a little speechless: "Don't pull me like that."
"Furthermore, Lord Ye, we are now on two opposing sides. You work for the Fourth Prince, and I work for the Third Prince. How could I possibly explain this to you?"
As the two spoke, they followed the crowd out of the council hall. Outside, the trees were in full bloom, and the sun was setting in the west. The sunlight was scattered by the overlapping petals, giving it a translucent, glassy appearance, which was precious and beautiful.
Amidst the rising clouds and mist, the silhouettes of pavilions and towers occasionally emerge, making one feel as if they are in a fairyland.
Ye Miheng followed behind her, his voice full of flattery: "Anyway, I can't beat you. I'm still completely clueless about this case, so just tell me about it."
"Shh." Yue Yining put a finger to her lips and smiled slightly. "That won't work on me."
"Lord Ye, let's take it one step at a time. There are still two days left. With your intelligence and resourcefulness, you're sure to get to the bottom of this case."
Ye Miheng was furious, but he couldn't get a single useful word out of Yue Yining.
The group arrived at the North Wharf of Suyang. As soon as they got off the carriage and their feet touched the ground, they saw a group of people moving in the distance.
They tumbled off the back of the cart, which was laden with wooden crates, and carried the crates on their shoulders. From inside came a series of crisp, metallic sounds—the rustling of copper coins clinking together.
Several boxes of copper coins were unloaded and transported from the dock to the hold of the nearest cargo ship. They pattered softly, like a grand spring rain, moistening the sunlight that poured down as dusk approached.
Those were the carts and horses used by the mint to transport copper coins, and the workers who carried the coins.
Watching this scene, Yue Yining knew in her heart that Zhao Xu had arranged it all along. His deduction was the same as hers; they both believed that the box containing copper coins contained the copper materials embezzled by the Jin family. They deliberately chose this time to bring a group of people to search the ship directly in front of them, and once they found the genuine stolen goods, Jin Yuanxiu would be speechless.
After all, there was no other possibility. Apart from scrap carts, all that was left to be transported from the mint were these wooden crates of copper coins to the docks.
Gazing at the surging river, Yue Yining looked at the seven cargo ships moored at the dock, his expression somber.
.......Really?
Is there really no other possibility?
Zhao Xu's voice carried from afar: "Zhao family guards, heed my command!"
"yes!"
"Now search these seven cargo ships. Whether they are wooden crates that have just been unloaded or have already been loaded, open them and check their contents! Search every nook and cranny of the ship's hold, don't miss any compartment!"
Zhao Xu brought a guard of about a dozen men. At his command, the guards leaped out and began searching the ship loaded with wooden chests of copper coins, as well as the chests still stacked on the shore. The sound of hurried, powerful footsteps echoed between the wooden planks, carrying a morale that seemed ready to trample through the cargo ship.
The previously soothing and rhythmic rustling sound turned violent, like a sudden, unpredictable thunderstorm on a summer afternoon. Zhao's guards opened the lids of each wooden box to inspect them, turning the copper coins inside upside down.
As Fu Yao watched this scene, she felt a vague unease for some reason. A long while passed, and none of the guards who had boarded the ship came out.
Seeing this, Fu Yao walked to Yue Yining's side, her face filled with worry: "Miss, why have they been searching the cabin for so long...?"
At this moment, Yue Yining looked at Jin Yuanxiu and suddenly noticed that Jin Yuanxiu was smiling as he looked at the Zhao family guards who were busy among the seven cargo ships, his eyebrows relaxed and he was actually smiling.
A sudden clarity dawned on her; things she hadn't understood before instantly became crystal clear.
"Oh no!" Yue Yining frowned. "Zhao Xu has fallen for the trap."
The first guard who searched the cargo ship returned. He knelt on one knee, his exposed nape covered in sweat from the strenuous running. He announced loudly, "Reporting to my lord, the entire hold of the first cargo ship has been searched, and no suspicious stolen goods were found!"
"Reporting to you, sir, there is no second cargo ship either!"
"Sir, the third and fourth ships too..."
Seven cargo ships were searched thoroughly, almost every corner was thoroughly examined, but no copper ore was found. The copper that should have been mixed in with the cargo and shipped to various places for profit had simply vanished into thin air.
Zhao Xu couldn't accept this result. The more smug and self-righteous he had been before, the angrier and more incredulous he was now.
Just standing there, he felt like the whole world was slapping him in the face.
Zhao Xu was furious. He roared and kicked the nearest guard: "You bunch of useless trash!!"
"Useless! You're all useless! My Zhao family has raised you all for so many years, and now you can't even find a boat?! How could we not have one! Once I find it, I'll take your lives!"
Zhao Xu roared repeatedly, panting heavily, no longer looking at anyone, his bloodshot eyes fixed only on the cabin in front of him.
Just as he was about to approach, two tall figures blocked his way. Then, two long swords slashed past his face, colliding and nearly piercing his nose.
He was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he took a step back and lost his balance, falling to the ground with a thud. He looked around in a panic and realized that, without him noticing, the Jin family's soldiers had surrounded the entire dock.
Jin Yuanxiu came up to him, bent down and looked down at Zhao Xu as if he were looking at an ant that he could crush with one foot.
He smiled and said, "Lord Zhao, I have already said that I have not done any of the things you mentioned."
Jin Yuanxiu sighed slightly, but his tone was more like amusement than regret. "I don't know why you insist on pinning these crimes on me, but Lord Zhao, a fish eye can't be made into a pearl, and a fake will always be a fake and can never become real."
Zhao Xu's eyes were bloodshot. He muttered, "You hid them all, didn't you? You hid all those copper ore, didn't you?! You must have hidden them beforehand!"
"I wasn't wrong! It was you—Jin Yuanxiu! You did it!!"
Seeing that he had gone mad, Jin Yuanxiu stopped looking at him and said in a deep voice:
"Zhao Xu forged official seals and evidence in an attempt to frame the city lord. After his purpose was exposed, he went mad and became mentally unstable."
“As the lord of this city, although I consider myself upright and honest, I cannot be insulted and slandered at will. This would damage my dignity and ruin my reputation. However, I believe that Lord Zhao is innocent. There must be a villain behind this, who made Lord Zhao his tool.” Jin Yuanxiu nodded slightly. “Tie up Lord Zhao and take him back to the government office for questioning. We must find out who ordered this.”
Yue Yining knew that if Zhao Xu entered the government office, he would probably end up like Jiang Chiyin.
Jin Yuanxiu now has a legitimate reason to act, and he is in the right. Moreover, this is in Suyang territory, so Zhao Xu will definitely not live to see the day his father comes to bail him out.
She was about to step forward and say a few words when several tall, burly figures rushed up from behind and seized the maids and guards beside her.
Fu Yao's arms were pinned down by two of the men, her face full of anger: "What are you doing! Let go of me!"
Looking at the Jin family soldiers surrounding him, what else did Yue Yining not understand?
She suddenly frowned, her gaze piercing Jin Yuanxiu like a long nail: "Lord Jin, are you going to lock us all up? Lord Zhao's actions were unknown to Lord Ye and me beforehand, you have no reason to do this."
Jin Yuanxiu chuckled, but a glint of shrewdness shone in his eyes.
He said slowly, "How can the Yue people prove that neither of you knew about this?"
Yue Yining stared at him intently. Ye Miheng, who was never one to tolerate things, was instantly enraged: "You!"
He had only taken one step when the Jin family's soldiers, holding long spears, blocked his way, preventing him from getting any closer.
Jin Yuanxiu sighed and said, "Please forgive me, Your Excellencies, but I am also very afraid! If this accusation of corruption and abuse of power is truly placed on my head, I am afraid that my fate will be nothing but the destruction of my family and death, and utter misery! After all, the three of you are officials who came to Suyang to investigate the case on behalf of the court. Who can believe that you did not communicate with each other?"
"If the two gentlemen cannot prove that they were not involved in Lord Zhao's scheme, I will have no choice but to detain them in the mansion for the time being."
Yue Yining stood still, her gaze passing through the fluttering red tassels and sharp spear blades, which shone with an astonishing brilliance under the blazing sunlight.
She said, "How can I prove something I never did?"
"That's none of my business." Jin Yuanxiu also put away his last smile, finally revealing his true cruel nature.
"Guards, take these two gentlemen back to the city lord's mansion. Without my permission, they are not to step out of their own rooms."
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