Liu Hong chuckled lightly: "What important matter is it?"
Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai quickly took out a parchment scroll.
"Your Majesty, this was given to me by Miss Xinyue, who asked me to pass it on to you!"
"So mysterious!"
Liu Hong glanced at Xi Zhicai, then took the parchment scroll and unfolded it.
"This is.....?"
Looking at the map drawn on the parchment scroll, Liu Hong was slightly taken aback, feeling that it looked somewhat familiar.
Xi Zhicai said, "Your Majesty, this is a map showing the routes used by the powerful clans of Youzhou to smuggle goods with the Wuhuan and Xianbei, just like the one that Attendant Lü gave you back then!"
"I see, no wonder he looked so familiar!"
Only after Xi Zhicai reminded him did Liu Hong realize what was happening.
Liu Hong then asked, "How did this map end up in Xin Yue's hands?"
"Your Majesty, Miss Xinyue's real name is Li Xinyue. She is from the powerful Li family of Fanyang. Many years ago, her father engaged in smuggling with Lu Qing and others, and had many connections with the Wuhuan and Xianbei."
However, the Li family was law-abiding, only smuggling some grain and salt, but not refined iron.
Three years ago, Lu Qing and the King of Bohai approached the Li family and invited them to join in a rebellion. The Li family refused, so Lu Qing, the King of Bohai, and others plotted to frame the Li family, confiscate their property, and exterminate their clan.
Miss Xinyue also managed to escape and arrived in Luoyang, hoping to clear her father's name.
As Xi Zhicai spoke at length, Liu Hong frowned.
Liu Hong looked at Xi Zhicai and said in a deep voice, "Now that the Lu family and the King of Bohai have been brought to justice, this map is useless. The Li family was involved in smuggling, so how can they be exonerated? Zhicai, don't let a beauty bewitch you!"
Although Liu Hong spoke calmly, his words carried a hint of warning.
Xi Zhicai was always regarded as a confidant by Liu Hong, who also entrusted him with the crucial military and political affairs. Naturally, Liu Hong would not allow Xi Zhicai to make any mistakes.
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