Fish in the pond startled
The special task force, composed of officials from the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War, was like a catfish entering a tranquil pond, stirring up years of silt. They reviewed old account books, verified documents, questioned relevant officials, and so on. While seemingly calm, the series of actions left many on edge.
Inside the special task force's office, lights often burned brightly throughout the night. The air was thick with the scent of stale paper and ink, punctuated by the subdued chatter of officials. Progress was proving more difficult than anticipated. The accounts were meticulously kept, but many crucial documents had been lost or destroyed by accident. The lower- and middle-level officials who handled the accounts had been promoted, transferred, or retired due to mourning, leaving them scattered and difficult to trace. Even if they were found, they were often veiled in secrecy.
However, a Ministry of Revenue official assigned to the special task force by Han Mingyuan "accidentally" discovered, amidst a pile of seemingly unrelated correspondence, copies of several private letters between the Ruichanglong Trading Company and the quartermaster under a certain border garrison commander. While the letters didn't explicitly mention "northern specialties" and "fur trade," the quantities and timing of these mentions coincided intriguingly with the shipments of military supplies that had resulted in significant shortfalls on the balance sheet.
This discovery was like a stone dropped into a deep pond. While it didn't cause a huge wave, it sent chills down the spines of the officials investigating the case. Were imperial merchants colluding with border commanders to smuggle military supplies? If confirmed, it would be a heinous crime of treason and collaborating with the enemy!
The news was strictly suppressed, but the winds of change were already brewing. The focus of the special investigation team, without making a sound, began to shift towards the communication channels between the imperial merchants and the border.
How could this subtle shift be hidden from the eyes and ears of those who are paying close attention to this matter?
Inside Yonghe Palace, Lin Wanru listened to the confidential eunuch's report, her slender fingers gently tracing the edge of the chaise longue. Rui Changlong... Marquis of Anping... She sneered inwardly. Her father had previously hinted that these imperial merchants were deeply entangled, with some inexplicable connection to the north, and had told her to avoid any involvement. Now it seemed true. Was Lu Qinglan's move aimed directly at this? She was quite bold!
"What's going on with Zhao Kai recently?" Lin Wanru asked.
"Your Highness, General Zhao appears to be training his troops as usual, but according to our observations, he has been secretly meeting with several trusted subordinates, seemingly planning something. Furthermore, several unfamiliar faces visited his residence a few days ago. Judging by their posture and gait, they appear to be from the underworld."
"Someone from the underworld?" Lin Wanru raised her eyebrows, then understood. Was Zhao Kai, cornered, about to resort to some shady tactics? Well, the muddier the waters, the easier it would be for her to profit. She just had to make sure this fire eventually spread to Kunning Palace.
"Let our people keep an eye on him. If necessary... we can give him some convenience, but it must be clean and must not implicate Yonghe Palace."
"I understand."
Meanwhile, inside the Zhenguogong Mansion, Wei Zheng, his left arm in a sling, was listening to the deputy general's report in his study. His wounds hadn't healed yet, and his face was slightly pale, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.
"General, the nuclear clearance task force seems to have found Ruichang Longtou. The hidden clues we suspected before may be at risk of being exposed." The deputy general looked worried.
Wei Zheng was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "We have no overt connection with Rui Changlong. Even if we find out about their dealings with the Northern Di, it won't implicate our border troops. It's just that..." His eyes narrowed, "The Empress's actions are aimed at Pei Gong. She wants to use this incident to hook the real big fish behind the scenes. We can just wait and see. Order all secret agents to remain silent for the time being, and not pass on any information unless it's extremely urgent."
"yes!"
After the deputy general withdrew, Wei Zheng walked alone to the window, gazing at the swaying bamboo in the courtyard's autumn breeze. Lu Qinglan... This Empress's methods were truly drastic and reckless. Didn't she know that forcibly tearing the branches apart like this could easily lead to a complete loss of control? Or did she already have a handle on any potential chaos?
In Kunning Palace, Lu Qinglan was flipping through an ancient book, Guiguzi. Fu Yu quietly entered and reported the special task force's latest findings and the appearance of a quack in Zhao Kai's residence.
"You've lost your patience, as expected." Lu Qinglan closed the book, his expression calm. "Now that the Ruichanglong connection has surfaced, it won't be easily severed. Inform our people. While ensuring their own safety, you can 'send' some more 'clues' to the special team regarding the preferences of Beidi merchants and their trading habits with the specific Ruichanglong owner. Be sure to do it naturally."
"Yes. As for Zhao Kai..."
"Zhao Kai is nothing more than an impetuous pawn." Lu Qinglan's eyes swept over the words "Nothing is more difficult than a thorough plan" on the page, and he said lightly, "If he takes action, his goals are nothing more than the following: destroying evidence, assassinating key witnesses, or... desperately taking a risk. Let our people increase their vigilance, especially the safety of Han Mingyuan and several core officials of the special team. Also, be careful to collect evidence of Zhao Kai's contact with those underworld people."
She paused and added, "Also, have our people stationed in Duke Cheng'en's Mansion pay attention to Concubine Lin's recent correspondence with her mother's family. I really want to know what role Duke Cheng'en's Mansion plays in this game."
"I will do it immediately." Fu Yu accepted the order, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, isn't it too risky to press so hard? What if Zhao Kai..."
Lu Qinglan raised his eyes, his gaze filled with a bottomless, cold pond. "Fuyu, in this place where people are eaten alive, taking a step back will never lead to a vast ocean and sky, but only to a bottomless abyss. Since there is no way to avoid it, let what is coming come faster. Only by thoroughly piercing the abscess can there be a chance of recovery."
Her voice was low, but it carried a resoluteness. A storm was brewing, and instead of avoiding it, she was determined to ride the wind and tear a rift through the murky sky!
Even a small fish in a pond can stir up waves. And beneath these waves, the giant crocodile hidden will eventually be unable to restrain itself and reveal its ferocious outline.
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