Isolated town in northern border region

Kyoto, the back hall of the Youzhou government office.

Jiang Min sat at the desk, with a letter she had just received delivered by carrier pigeon spread out in front of her.

Her intelligence network has already established a preliminary framework. She has regrouped a group of former members of the Bureau of Gathering Information, and with Xu De's connections in the martial arts world, news from all over the country is flowing into the capital.

After reading the secret report in her hand, she remained silent for a while, then burned the paper to ashes over the candle flame. She then looked up and spoke to the guards outside the door.

"Summon General Shen."

Shen Chongyuan arrived quickly, the empty sleeve at the severed arm swaying gently with his steps.

He didn't exchange pleasantries after entering the room.

"Your Highness, what has happened?"

Jiang Min pushed another secret report that had not yet been burned in front of him.

"The source of the destruction of steel mills and railways across the country has been traced...it's Xiao Mu!"

"He secretly contacted Chen Guo's spies and handed over the factory's location to them."

After reading the secret report, Shen Chongyuan put down the paper.

"Is the evidence conclusive?"

Jiang Min nodded.

"Xu De's friends in the martial arts world intercepted the old steward who was delivering a letter for Xiao Mu. The steward also had Chen Guo's reward on him."

Shen Chongyuan remained silent for a moment, then stood up.

"This subordinate will go and arrest them immediately!"

When Shen Chongyuan and his men arrived at the old house, night had already fallen completely.

He pushed open the courtyard gate. The courtyard was empty, but the door to the main hall was wide open, and candlelight shone through, illuminating the blue bricks outside the threshold.

Xiao Mu sat in the hall, wearing an old dragon robe that he hadn't worn in a long time. The fabric was dusty and the cuffs were slightly yellowed, but he sat very upright.

Shen Chongyuan stepped through the door, with soldiers lined up behind him at the entrance.

Xiao Mu didn't look up; he was looking down at his hands resting on his knees.

"General Shen, are you here to arrest me?"

Shen Chongyuan did not respond.

"The prince said that the Great Chu currently has no emperor."

"You sinner, Xiao Mu, surrender now!"

Xiao Mu raised his head, the candlelight casting flickering shadows on his face.

"I knew you would come."

"I knew Jiang Min would find out this way."

He stood up, walked into the hall, looked at the soldiers with knives, and spoke in a low voice.

"Xiao Lie will destroy the Great Chu!"

"He defied the laws of his ancestors, engaged in endless wars, handed over the technology of the northern frontier to those peasants, and distributed the land left by his ancestors to the common people!"

"He thought he was a god who would save all people, but he will drag the Chu Kingdom into the abyss!"

"I am a foolish ruler, but Xiao Lie will become a ruler who brings about the downfall of his kingdom!"

Shen Chongyuan did not answer; instead, he raised his hand to signal the soldiers to come forward.

Xiao Mu did not resist. He straightened his collar as if he were attending a court banquet.

When the news reached the clan, the elders of the Xiao clan gathered together overnight.

Xiao Gui sat in the main seat, his cane planted firmly on the ground, his knuckles turning white.

"Xiao Mu... how dare he!?"

"He's treasonous and disloyal; he's completely ruined the Xiao family's last shred of dignity!"

Someone nearby whispered.

"Uncle, now is not the time to scold him... If Xiao Lie thinks we're all involved now that he's been arrested... then our Xiao family is finished!"

Xiao Gui remained silent for a moment, then stood up.

"Prepare the sedan chair; we're going to the Princess's residence."

Jiang Min received Xiao Gui in the back hall of the government office.

Xiao Gui bowed as he entered the room, and immediately clasped his hands in greeting.

"Your Highness, I have come tonight to apologize on behalf of that good-for-nothing from the Xiao family."

Jiang Min did not get up, but simply raised her hand to gesture for him to sit down.

"Uncle, you're too kind. Xiao Mu's matter has nothing to do with the clan."

Xiao Gui did not sit; he stood in the hall.

"Your Highness, I dare not plead for mercy. I only beg Your Highness to consider the Xiao family... and the fact that the Prince also shares the surname Xiao, and leave a way out for the clan."

"These things were all done by Xiao Mu alone; we had no idea!"

"We old bones won't live for many more years, but what about those children..."

Jiang Min looked at him and remained silent for a while before speaking.

"The prince is a member of the Xiao family, and he never intended to cut off the Xiao family's livelihood."

"The clearing of land and the distribution of estates are because those things originally belonged to all the people of the world."

"But if a member of the clan has real talent and learning, the prince is never stingy with rewarding him."

"Uncle went back and told the clansmen that as long as they behaved themselves and did not participate in any acts of treason, no one would harm them."

Xiao Gui bowed deeply, then turned and left.

After he left, Jiang Min did not get up immediately. She sat under the lamp and glanced at a maid who was organizing documents next to her.

"Maintain strict vigilance and keep a close watch on every member of the Xiao clan, including Xiao Ye!"

"If you can find any dirt on someone, find a way to solidify it and delete it one by one!"

"Those who are innocent...find a way to fabricate charges against them!"

Meanwhile, at the Xuzhou camp, Zhou Xun waited for eight days, but neither the Yan nor Shu kingdoms sent anyone to negotiate with him.

He leaned back on the couch, going over Yan Ji's situation in his mind again and again, but he still couldn't find a reasonable explanation.

Tie Muyun sat at the door wiping his knife, glancing out of the tent every now and then.

"Are they that calm?"

Zhou Xun did not answer, but he tapped his knee twice with his fingers.

If the states of Yan and Shu could not manufacture steam engines themselves and did not actively seek him out, then someone must have given them other options!

And the person who can do all of this...

Jingguo! Jiang Jun!

On the morning of the ninth day, Yan Ji and Yang Wei appeared in front of Zhou Xun's camp again.

This time, the two men did not speak in a threatening tone as before, nor did they rush Zhou Xun to sign. After they came in, they sat down, and Yan Ji took out a scroll of documents from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

"Envoy of Chu, we had someone test the blueprints you gave us last time."

He paused.

"It is indeed useful, but we are still missing a material called ironwood."

"That kind of material exists in Chu, but Jing also has alternatives."

"The technology of Jing Kingdom came from the northern frontier. Although Jing Kingdom does not have ironwood, it has countless copper mines."

"An alloy made by melting soft copper and refined steel has sufficient hardness and toughness, and can be used as a substitute for ironwood."

"The price quoted by Jing State is 30% lower than yours, and they have agreed that as long as we do not negotiate with Chu State, they will not only supply materials in unlimited quantities, but also share other technologies."

Zhou Xun's pupils contracted slightly for a moment.

Yanji looked at him.

"However, neither my Yan nor Shu kingdoms wish to be pawns in Jiang Jun's hands."

"Envoy of Chu, I'm giving you one last chance!"

"If we sign this letter of credence and share all the technology, then the war between Great Yan and Shu will cease."

Yang Wei reached out and pushed the letter of state towards Zhou Xun.

"Sign it!"

"If you don't sign, with the support of the State of Jing, the State of Chu won't be able to hold out."

"If we sign, we'll still have a chance to catch our breath."

Zhou Xun did not immediately look at the letter of state; his face still wore that calm and composed smile.

"Gentlemen, there's no rush."

"Now that you're confident, you're not afraid of me stalling for time."

"As the saying goes, 'compare three shops before buying,' how do you two know that my Great Chu doesn't have a better offer?"

Yan Ji looked at him, his gaze shifting slightly.

Yang Wei, who was holding a teacup, paused.

Zhou Xun smiled.

"You two might as well wait a little longer, after all, I also need to consult with my superiors."

Yan Ji and Yang Wei exchanged a glance, both having made their plans. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they left the tent.

As soon as the two left, Zhou Xun's expression turned serious.

Tie Muyun quickly asked.

"What else can we give?"

Zhou Xun shook his head.

"It's over... I'm the only one left alive!"

"Iron Girl, I'm sending you a letter. Pretend to deliver it back home and get away quickly!"

"I'll stay, with them..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tie Muyun drew his sword and held it to Zhou Xun's neck.

"What do you mean?"

"You, a mere scholar, aren't even afraid? Do you think I, Tie Muyun, am afraid of death?!"

"If things really can't be stalled any longer, I'll just chop down that Prince Yong and that Yang Wei!"

"That should buy us a few more days!"