Chapter 2812 A Cluster of Bamboo Leaves
Nan Yan continued, "By the way, that Jinyiwei you sent out—Tao Jianbai—was he really killed? Did he leave behind any clues?"
When this was mentioned, Fang Buyuan's expression darkened.
He whispered, "Although we haven't found a body, there's blood where the problem was discovered. I'm afraid it's a grave situation."
As he said this, he lowered his head.
Nan Yan listened and frowned. After a while, she sighed softly.
He said, "After this matter is over, explain it to his family properly and don't let them feel disappointed."
Fang Buyuan said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty."
After he finished speaking, he looked up at Nan Yan again, revealing an expression that seemed to want to say something but hesitated. Seeing him like this, Nan Yan said, "What's wrong? Is there any other clue?"
Fang Buyuan said, "I don't know if it can be considered a clue."
"Um?"
"When I was searching that hall last night, I went to the room where Tao Jianbai was staying. Of course, all his belongings had been cleared out, leaving no substantial clues. But there is this—"
As he spoke, he took something out of his sleeve and placed it in front of Nan Yan.
Nan Yan hurriedly took it and took a look.
It is a cluster of bamboo leaves.
Nan Yan took a look, then looked up at Fang Buyuan, who said, "There's really nothing in Tao Jianbai's room. I just saw this bamboo leaf at the door when I was leaving."
“…”
"I had someone check inside and outside the hall, and they found no bamboo planted there, so this piece of bamboo leaf..."
When he said this, he smiled bitterly.
This clue can be said to be negligible.
Even if there were no bamboos planted in that hall, there were many places in the capital where bamboos were planted. It would not be surprising if a piece of bamboo floated from somewhere and landed at Tao Jianbai's door. Or, since there were people coming and going in that hall, it was possible that someone who lived in an area with bamboos could have brought a piece of bamboo with them.
And the person who brought the bamboo leaves might just be their ordinary believers.
This cluster of bamboo leaves really doesn't mean anything.
However, they checked so many halls and found no clues. This cluster of bamboo leaves was the only thing that could be called "strange", so he brought it back.
Looking at his somewhat frustrated expression, Nan Yan probably knew that they would get nothing, so they could only grasp this thing that could barely be called a "clue".
So he said, "Well, let's keep this for now."
"yes."
Fang Buyuan said, "I intend to continue searching the city with my men, so I will take my leave now."
Nan Yan nodded.
Fang Buyuan turned and walked away. Just as he reached the door, he seemed to remember something and stopped. He walked back to Nan Yan and said softly, "Your Majesty, the closure of the nine inner and outer gates can cut off the inner and outer cities from each other, but when I left the outer city, I saw many people gathered at the gates, very dissatisfied."
“…”
"I am worried that if this continues, it will soon arouse public resentment."
“…”
"Your Majesty and Your Highness, please prepare early."
The preparation he was talking about was nothing more than preparation to suppress those who caused civil unrest.
After all, even if it wasn't the Earthly Immortals' Association at this time, even if ordinary people made trouble, it would give the people of Dian outside the city an opportunity to take advantage of it.
Hearing his words, Nan Yan's expression became even gloomier.
She said, "I know, you can go and get busy."
"I will take my leave."
After saying that, he left.
Zhu Chengxuan watched Fang Buyuan's back disappear out the door, then turned around and saw Nan Yan staring at the cluster of bamboo leaves with a frown, as if she was still pondering something. He whispered, "My Lady, are there any clues to this bamboo leaf?"
"this--"
Nan Yan smiled bitterly: "I don't know either."
It's just like there is a little dirt in front of everyone's house, but no one can tell clearly who the dirt came from and which wind will blow it away.
She only said: "Let me think about it again."
Zhu Chengxuan hummed, then stood up and said, "Well, I'll go back first. I still have some memorials to review."
Nan Yan nodded and reminded him, "Don't forget to use the blue batch."
Zhu Chengxuan said, "Don't worry, Madam. I dare not forget this."
After saying this, he bowed and left.
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The streets of the capital are much quieter than usual.
Ever since the nine inner and outer gates were closed and there was a curfew at night, everyone knew that something big had happened in the palace. The timid ones stayed at home, and even many shops were closed.
People were unable to go out or come in. Those who had nothing to do were fine, but those who had something to do wanted to guard the city gate for twelve hours every day, just hoping that an order would come to open the city gate so that they could go in and out smoothly.
In the afternoon, a lot of people gathered at the east gate of Beiyuan again.
When several tall civilians saw that the city gate was closed again, they started cursing at the soldiers guarding the city, saying that they were acting arbitrarily and ignoring the suffering of the people, which caused the surrounding people to cheer.
There were also some brave ones who joined them in cursing the soldiers guarding the city.
Several young soldiers with bad tempers also got angry and drew their swords: "What are you doing? Are you going to rebel?"
The civilians immediately asked, "What? You still want to chop us down? You want to kill us?"
Several women immediately started shouting, "Murder, murder!"
For a moment, the crowd around was extremely excited.
Jiang Shan, standing on the city wall, frowned at the sight. He said, "Get some water to irrigate the fields and chase these people away. If they keep making trouble, something bad will happen."
"yes!"
The soldiers around him immediately brought several buckets of water and started pouring them everywhere. Everyone was frightened and quickly dispersed.
A few people felt bored and turned away.
Jiang Shan then walked down and said to the soldiers who had just drawn their swords, "I've made it clear to you all. Your enemies are not the common people. Are you trying to force the common people to rebel by drawing your swords so casually?"
Several soldiers complained, "But their insults were too harsh."
Jiang Shan said with a sullen face, "It may sound harsh, but if it stirs up public resentment, it won't be enough to just curse. If I see you casually drawing your swords on the people again, I won't let you off!"
Several people could only bow their heads and admit their mistakes: "Yes."
Seeing this, the guards beside him hesitated and said, "But... My Lord, the people's dissatisfaction is getting worse day by day. If this continues, something bad will happen sooner or later. Are we really not going to draw our swords?"
“…”
Jiang Shan did not answer this question immediately, but just looked at the people with angry expressions.
After a while, he let out a long sigh.
On the second floor of a restaurant not far from the east gate of Beiyuan, a man was drinking by the window, watching the situation at the city gate while drinking.
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