Chapter 1643: Key Evidence

Wanqiu Feng's expression shifted slightly. "Is King Yao trying to get rid of you?"

"Ha, what else could it be? Did Zhao Song suddenly develop malicious intent? Or did Han Zheng want to sneak into Old Dong's kiln and steal some samples?"

Heling Chuan's heart stirred, and he abruptly said, "There are two things you need to do right away—do you know Han Zheng?"

"I do."

Heling Chuan then pulled out the artifact, "The Fig Grotto," from his robe and handed it to Wanqiu Feng. "He went on patrol outside the estate this morning. Arrange for someone to incapacitate him and quietly bring him into my courtyard without being seen. That's the first task."

"Yes, I'll have Ah Liang handle it."

Just then, a guard announced from outside:

"Master, Sir Zhao has arrived."

Although Zhao Song also resided at Yongquan Estate, Heling Chuan's courtyard and study were protected by Yangshan guards. Any visitor had to be announced.

Heling Chuan then took a document from his storage ring, handed it to Wanqiu Feng, and quickly gave a few instructions.

Wanqiu Feng immediately understood the gravity of the matter upon hearing the details and carefully memorized every word.

"Do you understand? This is the second task."

"Understood!"

"Time is short and the mission is critical. Go quickly!"

Wanqiu Feng turned and departed.

Only then did Heling Chuan call out, inviting Zhao Song inside.

This wasn't Zhao Song's first visit; he was even somewhat familiar with the scenery. Heling Chuan's quarters were in the central-west part of Yongquan Estate. It wasn't originally the main lodge, but he preferred the western view and its proximity to the estate's main gate, which is why he specifically chose to stay there.

Zhao Song hadn't thought much of it initially. The western scenery was indeed pleasant, with a profusion of flowers in summer, maples and oaks in autumn, and a spring bubbling year-round in the courtyard.

However, after receiving his assignment from King Yao, he couldn't help but wonder if Heling Chuan's insistence on staying in the western part of the estate had some hidden meaning.

The courtyard was quite large, and he had previously only walked the central paths, never exploring every corner.

Heling Chuan's quarters were guarded at all times.

For instance, could those two rows of dwarf pines near the wall be used as cover to dig a tunnel leading outside?

He had already sent a bird demon to covertly scout the area, confirming no abnormalities, yet the bird demon consistently sensed something watching it within the courtyard. Thus, Zhao Song decided that seeing it for himself was essential.

Heling Chuan strode out to greet him, a wide smile on his face. "Brother Zhao!"

He was always this enthusiastic.

"I hear the grand formation for collecting spirit essence is complete?"

"It's done and has been debugged. Several palace guard brethren came to assist."

Zhao Song rattled the wine jar in his hand. "Brother He, it's rare for you to have free time. How about we share a few drinks? This wine is a tribute from Mang Province this spring; I managed to 'borrow' two jars."

"Oh? Excellent!" Heling Chuan invited him inside. "How are things in the palace?"

"Not great. It's the same in the city and the palace—a bit tense," Zhao Song said, shaking his head. "Everyone is talking about the night of the Emperor's Flow, and honestly, no one knows if it will bring fortune or disaster."

The Emperor's Flow benefits all beings, which is certainly a good thing. However, its timing is somewhat unfortunate, arriving precisely when Tianshui City is in a state of chaos.

With human nature descending into madness and refugees rioting, the Yao Court is also deeply unsettled.

Heling Chuan smiled. "Once we overcome this hurdle, the path ahead will be clear."

Why are the Yao Court and Tianshui City in such disarray? Isn't it because Qingyang is stirring up trouble on the night the Emperor's Flow manifests?

Since Zhao Song had approached him, he didn't hold back, inquiring about the series of high-ranking officials who had recently fallen from power.

As their conversation grew lively, they both drank heavily. The two jars of wine Zhao Song brought were soon empty, so Heling Chuan instructed his subordinates to fetch more from the wine cellar, and they continued their drinking.

At this point, Zhao Song stood up, rubbing his stomach. "I need to…"

Heling Chuan pointed backward. "Walk fifteen paces straight back, then turn left."

Zhao Song used the opportunity to visit the latrine, ambling his way toward the back.

Even in winter, the small courtyard was meticulously maintained. A spring in the backyard emanated warm vapor as one approached. White steam perpetually rose from the water's surface, and even a small cluster of surrounding plants remained vibrant green, untouched by the cold.

Zhao Song quickly circled the backyard. The ground was solid earth, with no hollow spots indicating excavation, suggesting no tunnel existed.

The shaded wall was covered in moss, while the sunny side had mottled plaster. No formations were drawn anywhere.

After a quick trip to the latrine, he returned and said to Heling Chuan, "It's far too warm in your room; I'm breaking a sweat from all the food. How about we go to the outdoor pavilion and warm some wine there?"

Heling Chuan, of course, had no objection. "Let's go."

The two carried the wine table to the outdoor pavilion, brushed thin ice off the stone chairs, and chatted while warming their wine.

They continued for a full hour. This time, it was Heling Chuan who rubbed his stomach, needing to "return the five grains to their cycle."

Just as he was about to reach the latrine, the mirror snorted, "What is this fellow really up to? Is he testing you? Surely he knows his own limitations?"

Its master, who even sent Bai Ziqi away empty-handed after his own probing attempt, surely wouldn't be swayed by someone of Zhao Song's caliber.

"He just used the 'return of the five grains' as an excuse to walk around the backyard, and then, from the outdoor pavilion, he took a good look around," Heling Chuan said with a smile. "It seems I'm not who he's trying to test."

"Furthermore, his attitude is worth scrutinizing," he continued. Zhao Song and his palace guards have been residing at Yongquan Estate for over two months, and normally, such unusual behavior isn't observed. "These regularly paid officials of the Yao Court, initially somewhat cautious, later treated the estate like a resort, spending their free time eating, drinking, or gambling. Why the sudden interest in every nook and cranny of the estate?"

The mirror immediately asserted, "Zhao Song's attitude reflects King Yao's attitude!"

"Precisely. King Yao has most likely given him a new assignment."

The mirror immediately tensed. "What could King Yao be suspicious of? He's not suspecting you're the Great Emperor of the Nine Hells, is he?"

"King Yao has many reasons to be suspicious. If he suspected I was the Great Emperor of the Nine Hells, Zhao Song wouldn't be here drinking with me; he'd be escorting me directly into the city," Heling Chuan mused. "The most likely scenario now is that he's afraid I'll flee. After all, I still owe him a substantial sum as 'golden tribute'."

The Tianshui Eastern Expansion project has been suspended, leaving Heling Chuan idle. Is he perhaps planning to abscond?

All materials for the Serene Lake Villa had been diverted to the Tianshui Eastern Expansion project, stalling his own progress. Heling Chuan and King Yao had previously made a private agreement: after selling the refined residence, a portion of the profits, termed "golden tribute," would be given to King Yao, though its submission was delayed by three months.

King Yao was likely concerned that with the three-month deadline approaching, Heling Chuan might abscond with the funds.

The mirror gasped in surprise. "Zhao Song and his subordinates are poking around the estate; are they looking for a tunnel? Does King Yao think you'll dig a tunnel to escape?"

It burst into loud laughter. "Ah ha ha ha ha, that old man's imagination is truly wild! Digging tunnels, ah ha ha ha, digging tunnels to escape—"

"—And he actually guessed right!" Its tone abruptly dropped.

Heling Chuan couldn't help but chuckle. The mirror always managed to provide him with some amusement.

Just then, Wanqiu Liang returned from outside and respectfully bowed. "Master, it's handled."

He had successfully completed the tasks Heling Chuan assigned him.

"Go," Heling Chuan instructed, pointing toward the main lodge, before returning to find Zhao Song.

"Now neither Bai Ziqi nor King Yao can tolerate you," the mirror fretted again. "Hey, when are you leaving?"

"You should be asking, 'When are *we* leaving?'" Heling Chuan said, tapping the mirror, which always tried to distance itself from trouble. "I'm waiting for the final signal."

"A signal?"

Wanqiu Feng left Yongquan Estate, spurred his horse into the city, and rode straight to the Yuwen household. Upon dismounting, he immediately requested an audience with Yuwen Xu.

As Heling Chuan's vassal, and given Yuwen Xu's close acquaintance with Heling Chuan (having met Wanqiu Feng countless times), the gatekeeper announced him, and he was quickly ushered inside.

Yuwen Xu was in the process of confirming the position of a formation with his butler, as the Yuwen family was also preparing to collect the Emperor's Flow. Seeing Wanqiu Feng enter, he casually remarked, "Oh, does Brother He have something…"

Wanqiu Feng, however, cupped his fists and stated solemnly, "My master commanded me to ride here urgently to deliver something to Sir Yuwen."

"Brother He has something for me?" Yuwen Xu asked, slightly surprised, extending his hand. "Let me see."

Wanqiu Feng glanced at the butler present and remained silent, standing firm.

Yuwen Xu then realized something was amiss. He waved away the butler and everyone else in the room, keeping only a personal attendant. "Is this satisfactory?"

Only then did Wanqiu Feng retrieve a set of documents and present them with both hands.

Yuwen Xu took them and, after just two glances, paused in surprise. "What is this?"

"Evidence," Wanqiu Feng stated, enunciating each word. "My master says these are proofs that the Shi clan of Xincheng has secretly manipulated shell corporations to frantically purchase millions of *shi* of grain across the three southwestern regions over the past two months!"

As one of King Yao's most trusted official merchants, Yuwen Xu was accustomed to handling large-volume transactions. Yet, hearing this figure, he gasped, "Millions of *shi*!"

Unbelievable, utterly preposterous!

Millions of *shi*! That's enough to feed the allied forces fighting in the west, even if their ranks were expanded several times over! It could make the soldiers fat and healthy.

In the current Yao Kingdom, which local clan isn't desperately trying to "frantically purchase grain"? A nationwide grain shortage has already begun. Tianshui City, as the capital, is doing its utmost to maintain supplies, which is commendable; other regions of the Yao Kingdom face even more severe shortages.

But Wanqiu Feng mentioned "two months ago," a time when the Yao Kingdom was still largely peaceful and prosperous. Why would the Shi clan have purchased such immense quantities of grain then?

Furthermore, the mention of unsettling phrases like "secret manipulation" and "shell corporations" made Yuwen Xu compose himself and read on intently.

The more he read, the faster his heart pounded, and the more he was pleasantly surprised!

The evidence was remarkably solid: receipts for multiple purchases, inventory locations, even letters from the Shi clan instructing the shell corporations, and sworn statements from the companies themselves!

To put it simply, this complete set of materials alone was enough for the Imperial Censor to immediately issue arrest warrants for the Shi brothers!

Having navigated the official circles of the Yao Kingdom for many years, Yuwen Xu understood the current political climate and King Yao's mindset far more profoundly than an ordinary person.

The evidence sent by Heling Chuan pointed to a crucial new lead:

The Shi clan of Xincheng was also involved in inflating grain prices and orchestrating the grain shortage!

The term "involved" was used because Xincheng is merely a small city, and the Shi clan is just a local lineage. While they might exert considerable influence within Xincheng, their power is negligible on a national scale in the Yao Kingdom.

Therefore, the Shi clan certainly wasn't the mastermind, but they represented precisely the "breakthrough point" King Yao had been desperately searching for!