If you don't bring disaster to the world, what kind of henchman are you to be?

The shouts subsided, and everyone present was astonished.

While Zhu Qing was still in surprise, Zhao Chongwen beside her had already transformed into a gust of wind and rushed out of the main tent, and then everyone else followed suit.

In the west, amidst the golden glow of the sky, flames shot into the heavens, thick smoke billowed, and a long dragon rose into the air.

"Fire!"

……

Fifteen minutes later, the fire was extinguished.

Zhu Qing stood on the wooden platform and gazed into the distance.

The warehouse, which had been stockpiling discarded military equipment, was now charred black and filled with smoke.

Everything inside was burned to the ground, leaving ashes everywhere and the smell of burning filling the nostrils.

Zhu Qing frowned slightly, and the people around him also looked solemn. Only Zhao Chongwen cursed loudly at the soldiers guarding the warehouse beside him.

"Well, they've brought us back to square one again." Zhang Sanshi gritted his teeth, his mouth twitching with anger.

Zhu Qing was also very helpless.

The fire happened so coincidentally and suspiciously that even a fool could tell it was Liu Shichang's doing.

Once the fire was raging, it became impossible to verify whether what he said was true or false.

Moreover, since Liu Shichang was able to make such preparations in advance, the military rations in Nantun must have already been transferred out. Even if they go to check now, they will most likely return empty-handed.

The group had just arrived and were immediately taken advantage of, with no way to deal with the situation. They had no choice but to accept Zhao Chongwen's arrangement and rest temporarily at an inn in Taoyuan Town.

As night falls, the lights flicker.

Zhu Qing, Zhang Sanshi, Zhan Hongyu, Yang Ting, and Wang Wenqing, his trusted confidant who had followed him for many years, sat around the table.

A moment later, the door opened, and a member of the Imperial Guard knelt and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Reporting to you gentlemen, I am certain that there is no military rations in Nantun."

Zhan Hongyu nodded slightly: "You may step back."

"yes!"

After he left, she spoke in a somber tone: "The witnesses have vanished, but the physical evidence is still out there. What solutions do you all have for this case? Please share your ideas."

The men exchanged glances. Yang Ting took a deep breath and crossed his arms. "Officer Zhan, do you really think Liu Shichang was reselling military rations?"

"If this case is entirely a misunderstanding, and Liu Shichang, a general who has rendered meritorious service, has been wronged, how will the Northern Garrison and the Six Doors deal with the Imperial Guards stationed in the capital?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to him, and Zhu Qing also looked at him coldly.

"What do you mean, Lord Yang? Are you saying that this case is over and will no longer be investigated?" Zhang Sanshi clenched his fists.

"Is there any point in continuing the investigation?"

Yang Ting looked around at everyone: "You all witnessed General Zhao's attitude just now. Even if we have found out something, General Zhao will definitely protect Liu Shichang. May I ask, who is General Zhao?"

"He is the sworn brother of Grand Secretary Tang. Last year, when he met the Emperor, His Majesty personally bestowed upon him the title of Earl of Loyalty and Bravery. Moreover, he now holds real military power. All of you present here combined cannot oppose him."

"Instead of making enemies, why not do a favor and close the case here, so everyone can be happy?"

"Lord Yang, do you see this as a win-win situation?"

Zhang Sanshi leaned forward, showing no politeness whatsoever, even when facing his superior directly.

"You just went to the garrison of the capital and saw what the ordinary soldiers there look like. Now that food is scarce, it is a luxury for them to be able to eat their fill, let alone train in battle."

"If this case is closed, that batch of military rations will never reach them. How can they defend themselves against foreign invasion while hungry?"

"Not only would it easily trigger a mutiny, but these starving men would definitely plunder surrounding villages and towns, and in the end, it would be the common people who would suffer."

Zhang Sanshi's words were all profound and insightful, which deeply moved Zhu Qing.

Just today, when he went to search for the previous batch of Imperial Guards, he saw that dilapidated scene in the village.

It's hard to imagine that there could be so many starving people right under the emperor's nose, with corpses everywhere on the roads.

Firstly, it was due to natural disasters, and secondly, it was due to speculators hoarding goods and driving up grain prices.

If this batch of military rations cannot be recovered, the situation will only worsen.

"Commander Zhang, what do you care whether they live or die?"

Yang Ting snorted coldly: "It's your business if you have a heart full of compassion for the world, don't drag me into it. I still want to get promoted and make a fortune."

"Besides, what's the use of having a lot of enthusiasm? All the leads have gone cold, what can you do?"

"At least we can't close the case so carelessly!" Zhang Sanshi slammed his fist on the table, his voice hoarse.

"You scoundrel Zhang Sanshi, how dare you be so disrespectful to an adult!"

Wang Wenqing, Yang Ting's confidant, suddenly stood up, drew his long knife from his waist, and held it to Zhang Sanshi's neck.

"Don't forget, you're just a lowly centurion in the Northern Garrison. How dare you speak so disrespectfully to Lord Yang? Aren't you afraid of being punished according to family rules?"

"If you want to fight, go outside and fight. Don't get in my way."

Zhan Hongyu gave a cold snort, her gaze sharp as a sword. Wang Wenqing trembled instantly, and Yang Ting beside him gave him a wink before he angrily sat down.

At that moment, a rustling sound began to come from outside the window, and a little damp rain drifted in.

Zhu Qing looked at it for a moment, then turned to her and said, "Although the warehouse was burned down this time, cutting off the clues, it's not like we're completely without any ideas."

"At least General Zhao was right about one thing: it's the rainy season now, and grain is most susceptible to dampness and mold."

"That batch of military rations is a hot potato now. They certainly wouldn't dare to sell it now. It's probably hidden somewhere dry."

"There aren't many places around Taoyuan Town that remain dry year-round. If we were to search them all..."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, and the table began to quiet down.

Zhan Hongyu pondered for a moment: "That makes sense. The batch of military rations that Zhang Baihu mentioned earlier was hidden in Nantun. It's only been five hours since then, and with the recent rains and muddy roads, the area that this batch of rations can be transported to is limited within this timeframe."

"map."

After she finished speaking the last two words, a constable behind her immediately took out a map of the capital and spread it on the table.

Zhan Hongyu pointed to Nantun and continued, "There are three hayfields and several small valleys within a hundred miles of Nantun."

"Since there are no clear leads right now, let's split up and search, and take the plunge even if we don't know the specifics."

"Chief Constable Zhan."

Yang Ting placed his hand on the map, his gaze fixed on her: "We are both officials in the court, and we should know when to stop. It's better to avoid trouble."

Zhan Hongyu glanced at him sideways, her gaze icy: "You can get lost now."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chill descended, and Yang Ting immediately froze.

Then he suddenly stood up, his teeth grinding, and shouted, "Wang Wenqing, men, search these mountain valleys."

"Since Constable Zhan is so determined, we'll risk our lives to accompany her."

After saying that, he angrily turned and left the room.

Wang Wenqing then stood up, his gaze lingering on Zhu Qing's face: "Commander Zhu, you are also a member of the Northern Garrison Command, and you have no choice but to obey your superior's orders."

Zhu Qing did not answer.

Go with you?

That would be like walking into a trap.

Zhan Hongyu said slowly and deliberately, "I, the head constable, am in charge of this case. Commander Zhu has other uses for him."

"Alright, but he's only at the Refining Flesh Realm, so Constable Zhan can use him." Wang Wenqing didn't say anything more, but after giving Yang Ting a meaningful look, he followed.

"Officer Zhan, thank you," Zhu Qing said in a deep voice.

If it weren't for Zhan Hongyu, Wang Wenqing would have pressured him with his position, and if he hadn't gone, it would have been considered disobeying orders, which would have been severely punished according to the rules of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

If we go, it will surely lead to our death.

Faced with conflicting interests, Zhan Hongyu was fortunate to be there and, with her higher status and position, came to his rescue.

It was just a small favor.

She simply waved her hand and pointed to a haystack on the map called Huangji.

"Commander Zhu, go search this place. I will send two constables with you. I will make other arrangements for the other two places as well."

"The sooner the better, you should set off now."