After I stopped being a lady from a rich family, I fought all over the capital

Chapter 392 Found

"what?"

"How could such a thing happen under the very nose of the Emperor, in broad daylight!"

"This is really unreasonable!"

Upon hearing this, the young emperor was naturally furious.

Then, recalling the words of the Prefect of Jingzhao, he frowned slightly: "Song Lan only said that digging three feet into the ground would suffice?"

"Yes!"

The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture reiterated, "Lord Song also said that this matter has nothing to do with evil spirits."

The young emperor frowned: "If it has nothing to do with evil spirits, how could it be possible to make hundreds of people disappear overnight?"

"I find that very strange."

The Prefect of Jingzhao said, "However, Lord Song personally went to the homes of those who went missing and said that he did not find any trace of evil spirits."

"They also said that if we find anything, we'll naturally come looking for her..."

The Prefect of Jingzhao paused slightly: "I believe that the people of the Song Dynasty must have seen something, which is why they said that."

"It's just that there's no concrete evidence yet, so it's uncertain. I'm afraid that if I said it, you wouldn't believe me, so I'm saying this."

The young emperor remained silent.

He stared at the Prefect of Jingzhao for a while.

"So, you think we should follow Song Lan's suggestion and dig three feet into the ground in a big way?"

The Prefect of Jingzhao did not state his own opinion first, but simply relayed Song Lan's words again.

"What Lord Song means is that there is no wall that cannot be sealed."

"The truth will eventually come out."

"It's better to guide than to block!"

"Rather than let this matter spread, be speculated about, or even be sabotaged by those with ulterior motives, it's better for us to say it ourselves first."

"It also saves those with ulterior motives from taking advantage of the situation."

"Secretly mixing in with the crowd and stirring up trouble."

The young emperor pondered for a moment: "But if hundreds of people suddenly disappear, no matter how you explain it, it will cause panic among the people."

"That's exactly what's going on."

The Prefect of Jingzhao was well-versed in the art of conversation and blindly flattered the young emperor.

"But Your Majesty, could you consider this from a different perspective?"

"This matter cannot be hidden! So many people have suddenly disappeared. It's okay for three or five days, but as time goes on, even if these people are here and don't have any relatives or friends, they will still have acquaintances."

"For example, the person who came to report the case this time, wasn't it because he used to often be at the alley entrance sewing shoe soles with those missing women?"

"It's hard to guarantee that there aren't others who are just nodding acquaintances like this."

"The slower we respond, the more baseless and malicious speculation will arise."

"Therefore, I believe that what Lord Song said is not without reason."

"Furthermore, we can use this opportunity to remind people to pay attention to safety when traveling, to always inform their families of their whereabouts, and to travel in groups if possible."

"In that case, those people will only hope that we solve the case as soon as possible."

"Instead of thinking up bad schemes."

After the Prefect of Jingzhao finished speaking, the young emperor pondered for a long time and finally decided: "Then let's do as you say, and as Song Lan said, dig three feet into the ground and see if we can dig up anything."

"In addition, notices will be posted throughout the city to explain the matter and remind people to pay more attention to safety when traveling."

"Yes!"

Once the Jingzhao Prefecture received the approval, they immediately began to take action.

He also requested that the emperor appoint a team of imperial guards to assist the Jingzhao Prefecture in excavating the houses near the West Market where missing persons had been reported.

"...Besides the necessary excavation work, the Imperial Guards will probably also be needed to maintain order and prevent anyone from causing trouble."

The young emperor nodded and agreed to everything.
-
"...My lord, what do you think Lord Song wants us to dig up?"

After a period of digging, everyone's initial anticipation turned into deep despair and exhaustion.

They dug into several places, but found nothing.

"What do you care what you're digging for?"

Jiao Bubai was also a little irritated: "If I tell you to dig, then dig."

It's as if he knows exactly what Song Lan is mysteriously asking them to dig for.

He had no idea, okay?
The subordinate got a scolding, touched his nose, and left looking dejected.

"Hurry up and dig, hurry up and dig, don't be lazy."

If you're angry but can't vent it on yourself, you can only vent it on your subordinates.

The people from the Jingzhao Prefecture, along with the Imperial Guards, spent a full day digging in the houses near the West Market.

As the sun began to set, everyone was exhausted.

Everyone felt that Song Lan was playing them for a fool.
"Dig!! I found it, I found it!"

Suddenly, a sound of digging revealed a hole, causing everyone's faces to light up with surprise.

But when they saw what they had dug up, they couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"What did you dig up that you're going to shout about?"

Seeing the bricks and stones exposed from the soil, Jiao Bubai kicked one of his men who had "reported false information" in a bad mood.

The subordinate couldn't help but feel aggrieved: "But these bricks and stones are really solid, they were cast in one piece, we can't dig them open!"

Jiao Bubai frowned and fell into deep thought.

At first, he thought that he had only dug up some bricks and stones, which did not count as having dug up anything.

At the very least, even if we dig these things up, there's no way to explain the disappearance of hundreds of people!
But soon, Jiao Bubai realized that he had probably oversimplified things.

"I dug it! I dug it!"

Another person raised their hand and shouted, "We found it! We found it!"

Jiao Bubai went over to take a look and found that he had only dug up a stone slab.

This time, however, he was noticeably more cautious.

If finding a stone slab once was a coincidence, what about twice?

Not long after, the third stone slab was unearthed!
"Found it! Found it! I found it here too!"

"And here too, I dug it up here as well."

One shout after another, announcing that they had found something, sounded like tiny hammers, pounding on Jiao Bubai's heart.

He watched as one stone slab after another was dug out.

More than anything, I'm confused.

"Why are there so many stone slabs underground in this place?"

Was this specially arranged when the house was built?

Jiao Bubai asked, and someone immediately went to investigate.

"Your Excellency! According to the records of the Urban Construction Department, these items were not present when these houses were originally built!"

That would be strange.

These things can't just appear out of thin air, can they?

"But burying these stone slabs under these houses is not something that can be done in a day."

Especially since these stone slabs are all whole pieces.

"If it were man-made, such a commotion would have been noticed by everyone!"

But if it wasn't done by human intervention...

Jiao Bubai pursed his lips, repeatedly recalling what Song Lan had said, wondering if he had missed some important information.

But after thinking about it, it's all the same.

Song Lan did indeed say that there were no traces of evil spirits or malevolent forces at this place.

But if it wasn't an evil spirit, how was this possible?

Jiao Bubai was completely baffled.

"Keep digging!"

Jiao Bubai directed everyone to continue digging, while he carefully examined the stone slabs.

However, he wasn't a professional after all, and after looking at it over and over, all he could tell was that the bricks and stones were unusual and very sturdy.

He ordered someone to invite the city's most famous craftsmen over.

After examining it carefully, the craftsman gave a guess: "This brick looks like it was cast in stone, a very complete slab." "Then can you tell what such a large stone is used for?" Jiao Bubai asked.

The craftsman hesitated, "This..."

He seemed very conflicted, unsure whether he should tell the truth.

Jiao Bubai noticed his hesitation and quickly said, "Speak freely and without worry!"

Craftsman: ...

That's really not something you can be too confident or reassured about at all!
Seeing that the craftsman was still hesitant, Jiao Bubai added, "If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility!"

The craftsman still hesitated and dared not speak.

"What are you so afraid of?!" Jiao Bubai, with his quick temper, simply couldn't hold back any longer.

Craftsman: ...

He sighed: "This concerns imperial power; I'm afraid of losing my head!"

What else could they be afraid of?
"What I fear even more is that besides losing my head, my family will also suffer because of me."

"They know nothing!"

"How unjust it would be to be killed for this!!"

Jiao Bubai was slightly taken aback, then frowned.

"What exactly is it used for?"

Why did it suddenly become so serious?

The craftsman looked at him, but did not intend to speak.

"It's a tomb!"

"what?!"

Jiao Bubai was instantly shocked. Someone called a "Ling" couldn't possibly be...

"Don't make such jokes!"

He gritted his teeth and warned the craftsman not to talk nonsense: "This is a capital offense!"

Right under the feet of the emperor, at the very heart of the imperial city, lies a tomb?

joke!

What a joke!

Craftsman: ...

I told you I wouldn't say it, I wouldn't say it, I wouldn't say it, but you insisted on asking. Now look what happened!
I'll get upset if I tell you!

They're so hard to please!

Jiao Bubai also remembered the matter of pressing the craftsman to tell the truth.

He coughed twice to cover his embarrassment.

"Um... are you serious about what you said?"

If it were a tomb, who knows how many heads would be moved?

"All I can say is that large stone slabs like these, cast in one piece, are mostly used for this purpose!"

"But that doesn't stop some people from liking it..."

Even if an ordinary person likes it, they absolutely cannot use it!

Putting aside whether it's auspicious or not, this thing alone is enough to cost you your head for violating the rules!

Jiao Bubai frowned and thought for a long time.

Could this be what Song Lan wanted them to dig up?

He thought and thought, but still couldn't figure it out, so he could only report the matter to the Prefect of Jingzhao.

Jiao Bubai sternly warned the craftsman: "What you just said is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me! If anyone else finds out, be careful, or you and your entire family will lose your head!"

"I understand, I understand!"

The craftsman repeatedly assured him, "I would never speak carelessly, and please remember your promise, sir."

Even if the sky falls, you're the one who has to hold it up, sir!
Jiao Bubai: ...

"I admit, I was a bit pretentious just now. As for all those promises, just pretend I just farted!"

Are you kidding me? A capital offense like this, how could he possibly bear it?

Craftsman: ...

Even though he didn't say anything, Jiao Bubai could tell that the other person's insults were quite vulgar.

After thinking it over, Jiao Bubai decided to report the matter to his superior, the Prefect of Jingzhao.

The decision of whether or not to go to Song Lan rests with the Prefect of Jingzhao.

Otherwise, he would be accused of overstepping his bounds.

However, even if the Prefect of Jingzhao disagreed, he still had to go to Song Lan.
-
"tomb?"

The Prefect of Jingzhao was full of surprise. He stared at Jiao Bubai for a long time, still finding it unbelievable: "Are you sure?"

Beneath the imperial city lies a tomb?

This is a big deal.

"This matter is of utmost importance. You must not make a fuss about it for now, and especially tell those who are working to keep it all a secret!"

"Yes!"

The Prefect of Jingzhao thought for a moment and said, "Wait a moment, come with me to see Lord Song!"

Song Lan wasn't too surprised that what was unearthed might be a tomb.

Instead, I feel like it's as I expected.

"...It seems that Lord Song had anticipated this all along?"

The Prefect of Jingzhao asked tentatively.

Song Lan smiled faintly: "I wouldn't say I expected it, I just had a feeling that it was true. Now it's just confirmed, it really is."

"Could there really be a tomb buried underground?!"

The Prefect of Jingzhao's voice became somewhat shrill, almost turning into a loud bang.

At the foot of the imperial city, there are tombs buried... This, this, this... is this even acceptable?!

"It's not a tomb."

Song Lan spoke in a relaxed tone, a completely different mindset from that of the Prefect of Jingzhao.

"Not a tomb?"

The governor of Jingzhao Prefecture was initially shocked, but was overjoyed and breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's fine, that's fine."

If it's not a tomb, then it's not a big problem.

Song Lan blinked: "It should just be the underground tomb passage. Those who went missing were probably taken away by the tomb owner and buried with him."

! ! ! ! !

"what?!"

The Prefect of Jingzhao lost control completely, and a sharp explosion was heard.

"I suspect there must be some kind of secret agency in these people's homes."

"That's why I was kidnapped by the tomb owner in my sleep."

"So much so that at the same time, so many people disappeared without a sound, without making a noise, and without anyone even noticing their disappearance."

Song Lan said, "However, I don't know what the specific mechanism is, what its function is, or whether it can be used a second time."

"But this mechanism should only be able to be opened from the bottom."

"That's why we've lived in peace for so many years."

But what kind of mechanism could directly lead a person into a tomb passage dug three feet underground?
"...So, are these people still alive now?"

Jiao Bubai frowned and asked, but his heart had already sunk.

Falling into the tomb passage, the chances of survival are probably slim.

Even if they don't suffocate, without food and water, after so many days, they would probably be dead by now.

Song Lan shook her head: "I don't know."

"This place shouldn't have been made by an ordinary person... or perhaps it was discovered and then used by someone."

"This person is very intelligent."

"There must have been some kind of formation that could shield the secrets of heaven, which is why no trace could be found."