AWB Chapter 279 Immortal Master, would you be willing to investigate this matter?
Chapter 279 Immortal Master, would you be willing to investigate this matter?
With trembling hands, Eunuch Li took the secret letter, quickly unfolded it, cleared his throat, and began to read aloud:
"Your Majesty, I, Yu Miaoyan, report: After several days of investigation by the Black Ice Guard, we have finally found traces of the remnants of the Chu Kingdom!"
"This group of rebels is currently roaming between Shangdang and Kuaiji counties, their movements shrouded in secrecy. Their main plot is... to secretly steal coal from the coal mines of Shangdang County!"
Upon hearing this!
The entire court was utterly shocked, and gasps of astonishment filled the air!
Zhang Fan, who was comfortably napping against a pillar, was jolted awake the moment he heard the words "stealing from a coal mine"!
Holy crap!
Zhang Fan felt a cold sweat pour down his back!
He swallowed hard, his heart pounding like a drum.
Could it be that the coal transactions he and Mi Yueyao were secretly conducting have been discovered?
Is this a public reprimand?
Or are you going to just chop off my head?
wrong……
Just as Zhang Fan was filled with doubt and uncertainty, Zong Yu, the Imperial Censor who was standing at the forefront of the civil officials, was also full of doubts.
He frowned, glanced at Zhang Fan suspiciously, and was full of doubt.
Remnants of the Chu Kingdom...
Could it really be a coal mine stolen from Shangdang County?
If it really was stolen, wouldn't that mean that Zhang Fan had nothing to do with this?
Wouldn't I have wasted my time?
Zong Yu thought about it more and more and it seemed reasonable. In an instant, most of his previous doubts about Zhang Fan were cleared up by this secret letter!
at this time.
The officials in the hall had recovered from their shock and were immediately filled with indignation!
"Bang!"
A military officer stepped out of the ranks, knelt on one knee, and loudly requested permission:
"Your Majesty! These remnants of the Chu Kingdom are utterly audacious! They dare to steal vital resources from our Great Qin!"
"This humble general is willing to lead 30,000 troops to immediately march on Kuaiji Commandery, to completely wipe out these coal-stealing thieves and remnants of the Chu state, and to uphold the might of our Great Qin!"
"The general is also willing to go!"
Several more military officers followed, exuding a murderous aura.
Meanwhile, within the civil service camp, discussions were rife, and their expressions were extremely grave.
"Why would the remnants of the Chu state steal coal? Coal is crucial for steelmaking!"
"Could it be that they stole the coal mine in order to illegally replicate the Immortal Master's steel mill in the Jiangnan area, to mass-produce steel and forge weapons?"
"If they were to actually forge high-quality steel blades from coal, the harm to our Great Qin would be immeasurable!"
"But they don't have steel forging technology either! Has that technology been leaked?"
"..."
In an instant, everyone was in an uproar.
The newly appointed Imperial Censor Ding Chen was sweating profusely, and his legs were trembling!
To know!
Since taking office, the guarding and defense of the coal mines in Shangdang County and the First Steel Plant of Daqin have been his responsibilities!
Such a huge blunder has occurred!
They actually let the remnants of the Chu state steal the coal!
If this is investigated, I will definitely be guilty of dereliction of duty. Even if I don't lose my head, I will be severely punished!
"thump!"
Ding Chen's legs went weak, and he stumbled out of the ranks, kneeling heavily on the ground, wailing with a mournful face:
"Your Majesty! I am innocent! How could these remnants of the Chu Kingdom have caused such trouble... I truly know nothing about it! Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly!"
Look at Ding Chen below, trembling like a leaf!
Ying Zheng's expression grew cold as he scanned the main hall.
An emperor's anger is imposing even without outbursts!
The once noisy court suddenly fell silent!
The officials all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.
At this time.
Standing at the front, Shao Fu Zongyu felt a sense of satisfaction looking at Ding Chen kneeling and begging for mercy.
But then!
His doubts only grew deeper!
"No! This is absolutely wrong!"
Zong Yu reviewed the intelligence that his spies had previously sent back.
"If the coal is mined illegally and clandestinely, at most you can only carry it in a basket through rugged, deep mountain forests!"
"But my spies clearly reported that the coal was being transported out openly, truckload after truckload! How could thieves be so brazen? How dare they openly use the official road?"
"This isn't stealing! This is blatant smuggling!"
Thinking of this, a sharp glint suddenly shot out from Zong Yu's eyes!
Explain what's behind that coal mine!
There must be someone covering up the truth and protecting them!
Looking at the entire Qin Dynasty, who else besides Zhang Fan could have this ability and be inextricably linked to coal mines?
"This must be thoroughly investigated! This is absolutely a golden opportunity to bring down Zhang Fan!"
Think of this.
Zong Yu could no longer contain himself and immediately stepped forward, proclaiming in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty! This matter is highly suspicious and far from a simple theft! I believe this matter must be thoroughly investigated and eradicated!"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to personally travel to Shangdang and Kuaiji Commanderies to investigate..."
however!
Before Zong Yu could even finish uttering the word "check"...
Prime Minister Li Si immediately stepped forward without hesitation and loudly interrupted:
"Your Excellency is mistaken!"
Li Si turned around, looked intently at Zong Yu, and said with righteous indignation:
"The Minister of the Imperial Household is currently in full charge of overseeing the construction of the paper mill. With the imperial examinations just around the corner, the progress of the paper mill is crucial to the fate of the Qin Dynasty. How can the Minister of the Imperial Household easily extricate himself from this situation?"
"Furthermore, Lord Shaofu is not familiar with the terrain and defenses of the mining areas in Shangdang County. What if we alert the enemy and allow the remnants of Chu to escape?"
Having said that, Li Si turned to face Ying Zheng and bowed deeply:
"Your Majesty, I dare to recommend someone to investigate this matter!"
Ying Zheng frowned slightly, his gaze deep, and asked in a deep voice:
"Who?"
Li Si responded with remarkable ease, "The Great Qin Immortal Master, Zhang Fan!"
The words had barely left his mouth!
Zong Yu's expression changed drastically, and he cursed inwardly that Li Si, that old fox, had ruined his plans!
He hurriedly and anxiously retorted, "Your Majesty, no! The Immortal Master..."
"Why not?"
Before Zong Yu could finish speaking, Li Si suddenly turned his head, his eyes as cold and sharp as knives:
"Does the Lord of the Imperial Household perhaps believe that the Immortal Master lacks even this much ability, unable to investigate a mere few petty thieves?"
Or perhaps...
Li Si paused, his voice echoing in the hall, "Does Lord Zongyu believe that these remnants of Chu are being secretly condoned by the Immortal Master?"
These are words that strike at the heart!
Having said all that, Zong Yu was put on the hot seat!
Zong Yu's face instantly turned ashen, and he could no longer utter a single word in rebuttal.
Without solid evidence, the current dynasty would not dare to falsely accuse the Great Qin Immortal Master of treason even if they had ten lives!
He could only grit his teeth and reluctantly retreat to his original position.
At this time.
Zhang Fan, who had been leaning against the pillar, was pounding his heart!
"That was close!"
Zhang Fan secretly rejoiced.
But I also know that now is definitely not the time to be nervous or afraid.
Ying Zheng sat on the dragon throne, his fingers lightly tapping the table. After a moment of contemplation, he turned his gaze to Zhang Fan, his tone calm.
"Immortal Master, would you be willing to investigate this matter?"