Transcending the Rural Life: The Healer's Space is Igniting the World!

Chapter 509 A Bet on Trust

Before leaving, Yang Jinfan secretly sent someone to the entrance of the phosphate mine. The location was extremely well hidden and guarded by people on a rotating basis, but it was no obstacle for Lan Pingxuan's assassins.

After dealing with the guards, the secret agents entered the mine overnight to start mining. They first mined a batch and handed it over to the Mu family in southern Yunnan to show their sincerity and also to relieve the people of the plateau who were eager to plant crops.

When Mu Xiao led his men to bring the newly mined phosphate mine to Ami, the female ruler bowed deeply towards the direction of Shu, expressing her sincerest gratitude to the tolerant and magnanimous young princess.

Upon receiving news that the phosphate ore had been safely delivered, Yang Jinfan visited Shen Cai'an again before setting off. Shen Cai'an was hanging on the city wall, looking emaciated. If it weren't for the slight breath still lingering in his slightly open mouth, people would have thought he was dead.

Yang Jinfan ordered him to be put down. This man, who had once secretly commanded the entire Shu region, was now lying prostrate at her feet in such a sorry state, eerily quiet.

She slowly squatted down, admiring his haggard, delirious old face, his eyes vacant, tormented by two days of hanging, bringing him to the brink of death.

“Shen Cai’an, do you want to try to redeem yourself? For example, tell me where the entrance to the phosphate mine is, and where the entrance to the coal mine is.”

The person lying on the ground twitched his fingers and strained to lift his head: "Your Highness is learned and talented, and your geomancy skills are superb. There is no need for me to say more."

After saying that, he lay down on the ground again, seemingly having exhausted all his strength. He then closed his eyes, looking as if he was determined to fight to the death.

When Yang Jinfan asked him again, he explained that his boast about his knowledge of geomancy was just to scare him. Now they really needed him. As long as he didn't give in easily, these two days would be the hardest he had ever experienced, and they would never have to go through them again.

If conflict were to break out again between Yunnan and Sichuan, the eldest princess would have no choice but to come to him for help.

Shen Cai'an continued to play dead, when he heard a girl's soft laughter, which carried a hint of 'I knew it'.

She ordered someone to place a piece of phosphate ore that had just been mined in front of him, and said, "I didn't expect Lord Shen to be so stubborn. Very well, if you don't want to talk, then don't. Since Lord Shen doesn't even want this last chance, I won't force you."

Noticing his slightly furrowed brows, Yang Jinfan spoke softly, "Better safe than sorry. I truly admire Lord Shen's meticulousness. However, your assassins are far too weak. So what if you surround the entrance like an impregnable fortress? They're still no match for my men."

"What did you say?!"

Shen Cai'an suddenly looked up, her bloodshot eyes filled with disbelief. How could she know that there were assassins guarding the phosphate mine entrance?
Is it...

"I said before that I know geomancy. Lord Shen, you don't think I was just bragging, do you? I came to ask you today just to give you a chance to redeem yourself. Tsk tsk, I underestimated Lord Shen's character."

Yang Jinfan got up to leave, but Shen Cai'an panicked and quickly blocked her way: "Your Highness is kind-hearted and will certainly not hold a grudge against me. I was just distracted. I hope Your Highness will forgive me and give me another chance!"

If she was being coy before, now she's begging. The fact that she described the entrance to the mine in such detail means she wasn't bluffing; she really found it!

Yang Jinfan looked at him with clear eyes, feigning innocence, her eyes curving upwards into crescent moons, and spoke the most despairing words in the most melodious voice.

"It's too late, you only get one chance."

What's missed is missed.

Shifting his gaze away from his pale face, his vision improved considerably. Yang Jinfan gave an order, summoning officials from all over Sichuan to come and listen to his instructions, and to pack their belongings for the return journey.

The army had only been assembled and set off for two days, and before they even reached the capital, news of Yang Jinfan's alleged collusion with foreign tribes and betrayal had spread like wildfire throughout the city. Impeachments and criticisms against her in the court were growing louder and louder. Halfway through their march, they stopped to set up camp around a small town. The local people passing by looked at them with strange eyes, as if they had encountered some kind of venomous beast, avoiding them at all costs.

Realizing something was amiss, the guards stationed in the capital promptly relayed the message to Yang Jinfan. Her beautiful eyes gazed up at the distant mountains and rivers, her expression unchanged.

After a long while, the corners of her lips slightly curved upwards. She hadn't expected the He family to be nothing more than a paper tiger. They seemed intimidating on the surface, but in reality, it was she who was feared by others.

Yang Jinfan said he felt extremely honored to be treated like a thief by others.

However, their actions were hardly shrewd; allying with her defeated rivals was hardly enough to warrant a fight to the death with her!
Yang Jinfan paid no attention to the rumors and strange looks from the people along the way. The court did not give a clear conclusion, and the officials guarding the city did not dare to block her way back to the capital. They had the air of letting her go whether she wanted to or not.

Feng Yiyao and Qi Lang, who were accompanying them, were extremely anxious. Rumors can kill without leaving a trace. The Huai family and the Song family, the two most prestigious families in the capital, both succumbed to rumors and the emperor's suspicion.

Whether or not one has done the things others are talking about, it ultimately depends on whether the emperor believes it or not.

"Junior sister, why don't we have the people from Lanpingxuan spread some false information? When all sorts of information are mixed together, it will be impossible to tell the truth from the falsehood. Perhaps this will alleviate the emperor's paranoia a bit."

During a break, Feng Yiyao came to Yang Jinfan to discuss countermeasures. If they waited until they returned to the capital to make plans, they would probably be caught in a trap.

"Haha, Brother Yao, don't you trust your father that much?"

Yang Jinfan smiled, his eyes crinkling, his tone as light and calm as ever.

Feng Yiyao sighed. His junior sister was usually so shrewd, so how could she be so confused about this?

“Using rumors to frame innocent people with fabricated charges is a tactic my father often used.”

He was adept at this kind of dirty trick: eliminating dissidents while gaining a reputation for doing good for the people.

"Yes, I know. But Brother Yao, I did a divination last night, and it says our trip will be very auspicious, and there shouldn't be any major problems. Although things are changing in the capital, I think it's just some minor disturbances that make a lot of noise but don't actually happen."

Feng Yiyao was slightly taken aback, then gave a faint smile. Yes, he could distrust his father, but his junior sister's divination skills were personally taught by Guihun Valley. No matter what happened, they would be safe and sound.

Thanks to the nourishment from the spiritual spring water secretly provided by Yang Jinfan, the team's progress was much faster than usual. In less than five days, they had already arrived at the outskirts of the capital. The court was in an uproar for several days, with everyone waiting to see the princess and the imperial envoy make a fool of themselves.

The aristocratic families in the capital both hoped the rumors were true and feared they were true.

It's not a good thing for someone to rise to a high position at such a young age through their own abilities. It easily attracts jealousy, and if they were to rebel, it would be a great threat to the country!

Yang Jinfan sat firmly on his tall horse, gazing at the distant city wall.

She was gambling, gambling on trust.

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