“Mine collapses are nothing new, but that time the tunnel affected a large area, making it very difficult to clean up, so we simply abandoned it.”
But three days later, I met Lao Qi's relative. Strangely, the mine gave us a day off that day.
Whether it's legitimate mining or illegal mining, everyone's on holiday; it's like a young woman getting married for the first time.
"It's a pity that even during holidays, like New Year's Eve, there isn't a full holiday; at most, people take turns resting one shift."
A day later, Lao Qi's relatives left, and the mine resumed operations.
Two strange things happened on the same day, so it's no wonder that Zhao Hengjiang would set his sights on that person.
Liu Yan pondered. Now it seemed that the "lame man" was indeed suspicious, but what could possibly require the entire mine to shut down for a day?
Before he could come up with a solution, Zhao Hengjiang continued:
“I can draw the man’s appearance, but he has a very obvious feature: his left little finger is shorter than usual.”
Huh? Everyone in the hall was surprised.
"Isn't he lame?"
Zhao Hengjiang shook his head. "It's a confidential file. If someone is lame, just write 'lame.' How can it still be a confidential file?"
Qin Zhaoyue: ……
That makes so much sense!
With a quick wit, Zhao Hengjiang retrieved paper and brushes and began to paint on the spot.
Qin Zhaoyue craned her neck to take a few peeks, and to her surprise, the drawing really did resemble a person.
Clearly, Zhao Hengjiang lacked painting skills, but he wasn't entirely useless; he focused on drawing the most important parts.
For example, a face shape that is more square, a black mole on the right side of the nose, and round eyes... Explaining as he draws.
Qin Zhaoyue felt that finding the person with this painting would be a miracle; she would probably have to rely on the information from the little finger.
Liu Yan didn't mind. He took the portrait and confirmed many physical characteristics with Zhao Hengjiang, then picked up his brush and started drawing.
I must say, this handsome old man is really skilled; he drew something quite impressive with just a few strokes.
"Yes, yes, that's it, but make the cheeks a little fuller..."
After three revisions, Zhao Hengjiang nodded repeatedly, saying it looked exactly like the real person.
Qin Zhaoyue pursed her lips: Well, that's what you call professional.
The flame dried the ink, and he carefully put the portrait away. Then he clasped his hands in a fist salute to the person facing upwards.
"I would like to ask Your Highness for a favor. I have heard that the Mo Group has a master of disguise. Could you please help Zhao Hengjiang disguise himself and stay at the manor for the time being?"
Qin Zhaoyue didn't refuse. Her place was practically a shelter, and she was throwing all sorts of people into her care.
Whether you hide one or release two, it doesn't matter.
Zhao Hengjiang originally wanted to bring up the matter of embezzling military funds again, but given the current situation... it's best to discuss it later.
He sighed, carefully took out a small cloth bag from his pocket, and then bowed deeply.
"Your Highness, I have another piece of information that might be helpful in the investigation. I only ask that you protect my son."
Goodness, they actually had a trick up their sleeve.
Zhao Hengjiang unfolded the cloth bag in front of everyone, revealing a bracelet inside.
It was probably made of three different colored ropes, plain and unremarkable, and faded and covered in dust over the years.
He dared not mention any more conditions and instead told the story of the bracelet.
Liu Yan reached out and took the cloth bag, finally giving a promise that he would take care of his son.
Soon, Zhao Hengjiang was taken away.
"Your Highness, please wait." Seeing Qin Zhaoyue about to return to her room, Liu Yan quickly stopped her.
"I would like to discuss with Your Highness how to proceed with the investigation."
Qin Zhaoyue was stunned, then pointed to her nose, "Discuss it with me?"
"yes."
Qin Zhaoyue leaned back strategically, looking the handsome old man up and down. "Are you alright? What are you, a mere commander of the Xuanji Guard, discussing with me about investigating a case?"
Liu Yan: Isn't that right? Even the Sixth Prince himself finds it strange, doesn't he? But this is what His Majesty instructed...
He silently took out the imperial edict from his pocket, and at this point, there was no need to mention setting up an incense table; he simply handed it to the other party.
Qin Zhaoyue's forehead twitched. This thing looked familiar, and she had a bad feeling.
I took it and opened it. I read the two sentences in the blink of an eye, and then I was completely dumbfounded.
Sui Mo peeked out from behind, but immediately shrank back after seeing clearly.
Good heavens, she hasn't even taken out that secret edict yet, and His Majesty has already emboldened the Sixth Prince...
"A general in the field may disobey some military orders!"
Those words were spoken with such conviction.
Liu Yan's lips twitched. "Um...Sixth Prince, this doesn't fit the current situation. If you don't agree, it will be considered defying the imperial decree."
Qin Zhaoyue trembled with anger and cold.
If it weren't for her laziness, she would have loved to usurp power and issue ten or eight imperial edicts to her mother every day.
He sat back down at the head of the table, arms crossed, glaring at the man. "Weren't we supposed to be discussing this? Speak up."
Liu Yan had already prepared his answer and said, "At this point, there are only two ways to investigate the case in secret."
First, we need to find this lame person.
However, the world is vast, and we cannot make a big fuss about it; we can't even mobilize local forces..."
The Xuanji Guard is responsible for monitoring the entire country and is most skilled at investigating cases, provided that they can mobilize secret agents and local forces wherever they go.
However, the illegal mining of iron ore has been going on for seven or eight years without any news of it, which shows how severe the corrosion is.
The fact that Yin Zhe did not mobilize any local intelligence forces and instead sought help directly from the capital shows that she also had this concern.
Finding the "lame man" with only Liu Yan is like finding a needle in a haystack, entirely dependent on luck.
"Secondly, we will investigate shipping."
It might be possible to transport the waste from Chiyan County to Mingyan County via hidden underground waterways, but it's impossible to transport it out of the county without leaving a trace.
However, the three prefectures are currently suffering from floods, and shipping on Tianxuan Road, Canglong East Road, and Zhuque South Road has almost been paralyzed.
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