Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 139 Would Old Zhu kill someone to silence them? [Seeking monthly votes]

Inside the Huagai Hall, the flickering candlelight cast Old Zhu's gaunt figure onto the wall, making him appear like a silent and oppressive demon.

The imperial memorials piled up on his desk were higher than usual, but he had no interest in reviewing them.

His fingers tapped the table unconsciously, making a monotonous and unsettling 'tap-tap' sound.

Before long, Jiang Huan quietly entered the hall and knelt on the ground.

Although Old Zhu didn't say a word, he could clearly feel the invisible yet substantial heavy pressure on the dragon throne.

He had just finished another round of secret interrogations of the two officials "handed over" by Zhang Biao, and had obtained some disturbing fragments of confessions pointing to old Shaanxi affairs and corruption, which he was about to report.

"emperor!"

Jiang Huan's voice carried a hint of weariness and caution.

Old Zhu didn't look up; his gaze remained fixed on a point in the void. His voice was hoarse and flat: "Speak."

Jiang Huan took a deep breath and began to carefully report on the progress of the interrogation, mentioning the shady dealings in the process of presenting Shaanxi's "local specialties" as tribute, as well as the anomalies in the allocation of certain military equipment.

Old Zhu listened quietly, his face expressionless, only occasionally pausing slightly as he tapped the table.

However, just as Jiang Huan was about to report the next insignificant clue, he seemed to suddenly remember something and added in as casual a tone as possible:
"Furthermore, Your Majesty, I received a report from my subordinates today about a minor matter that seems rather suspicious. I am unsure whether I should speak of it."

"speak."

Old Zhu's voice remained completely calm.

"Yes."

Jiang Huan lowered his head and spoke steadily: "Last night, Shen Lang and Sun Gui broke into the Ministry of Revenue's archives."

Old Zhu's fingers, which were tapping on the table, suddenly stopped.

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze for a moment.

Jiang Huan seemed oblivious, continuing in his calm tone, "It is said that they attempted to steal treasury silver but were discovered and apprehended by the guards on duty and are now imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. It was originally a routine public order case, but..."

He paused at just the right moment before continuing:

"But according to reports from below, a small accident seems to have occurred during the arrest. In a moment of panic, Shen Lang threw something out of the archives and over the wall; it appeared to be a rusty iron box."

"Another accomplice, Zhao Fengman, was outside to meet them and ran away with the box. Vice Minister Fu of the Ministry of Revenue is quite anxious about this and is secretly sending people to investigate."

After Jiang Huan finished speaking, he said no more, but lay prostrate on the ground, waiting for the thunder to erupt.

However, the expected anger did not immediately erupt.

A deathly silence fell over the hall, more terrifying than any roar.

Old Zhu slowly raised his head, his deep-set, bloodshot eyes staring intently at Jiang Huan like two bottomless abysses.

His face remained expressionless, but an extremely terrifying, icy killing intent instantly filled the entire Huagai Hall.

"A tin box?"

Old Zhu's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, yet it pierced like an ice pick: "The iron box that Shen Lang threw out of the Ministry of Revenue's archives? Fu Youwen is in a hurry?"

Every word seemed to be squeezed out with difficulty from between his teeth.

Jiang Huan felt a chill run down his spine to the top of his head. He forced a smile and said, "That's what my men reported. What it actually is is still unknown. Perhaps... just stolen goods."

"swag?"

Old Zhu suddenly let out a very short, yet extremely cold laugh: "Heh."

He slowly stood up, walked to Jiang Huan, and looked down at him.

That gaze seemed to pierce through flesh and skin, peering straight into the soul.

"Jiang Huan, you've been with us for so many years."

Old Zhu's voice was still not loud, but it carried a sense of impending doom:
"Do you think that Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, Zheng Ci, Zhai Shan, and others would go to such lengths for a mere piece of 'stolen goods,' to the point that even you, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, find it 'suspicious'?"

Jiang Huan's forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat; he knew his little trick had been seen through.

"A disgraced official."

Jiang Huan hurriedly kowtowed: "This humble subject is foolish and dull!"

Old Zhu ignored his apology and continued in that cold, analytical tone:
"The corruption in Shaanxi's archives at the Ministry of Revenue. Now, during the Crown Prince's inspection tour, there's another piece of trouble—an iron box thrown out of the archives that's causing even the Vice Minister of Revenue to worry."

His voice grew lower and lower, yet increasingly dangerous: "Jiang Huan, tell me, are these all just coincidences?"

Jiang Huan lay prostrate on the ground, barely daring to breathe.

Old Zhu slowly sat back on the dragon throne, his fingers tapping the table again, but the rhythm became slow and rhythmic, as if he were deducing a complex game of chess.

As soon as Zhang Biao mentioned Shaanxi and those people, his five underlings immediately broke into the Ministry of Revenue's archives and even found an iron box that even Fu Youwen cared about so much.
Did Zhang Biao already know about the iron box and guide them there?
Or is all of this just another scheme set up by Zhang Biao? A series of interconnected schemes?

Old Zhu's suspicious nature makes him unwilling to easily believe any apparent coincidences.

The more plausible a clue seems, the more suspicious he becomes about whether there is a deeper scheme behind it.

Zhang Biao, do you want to use us to kill someone, or do you want to use this iron box to drag us into your game?
A thought flashed through Lao Zhu's mind like lightning.

Those five little brats were Zhang Biao's Achilles' heel, and also an extension of him.

A cold glint flashed in Old Zhu's eyes.

He stopped thinking about the connections between these intelligence reports and instead turned his gaze to Jiang Huan, who remained kneeling on the ground, barely daring to breathe.

"Jiang Huan".

Old Zhu's voice returned to its previous calm, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue, but its authority remained undiminished.

"The minister is here."

Jiang Huan immediately agreed, but his heart was even more anxious.

The calmer the emperor is, the more violent the storm is likely to rage.

"What you just mentioned, the theft case at the Ministry of Revenue, and the loss of the iron box..."

Old Zhu's tone was as calm as if he were discussing the weather: "For now, there's no need to make a big fuss, nor is there any need to directly interfere with the Ministry of Justice's interrogation of those two thieves."

"Ok?"

Jiang Huan was slightly surprised and looked up in confusion.

The Emperor actually told me not to investigate?!

Old Zhu didn't offer any further explanation, but simply continued to give instructions:

"Fu Youwen and the others want to find it themselves, right? Let them go. You just need to keep a close watch on them! Keep an eye on the death penalty prison! Keep an eye on every place where Zhao Fengman might be hiding!"

"Let's see what tricks they can use and what they're trying to cover up."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Jiang Huan instantly understood Zhu's intention.

Use stillness to control movement, and lure the snake out of its hole.

Let Fu Youwen and his men, out of fear, reveal their true colors.

"but."

Old Zhu changed the subject, his gaze becoming deep and unfathomable: "There's one more thing that needs your immediate attention."

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty!" Jiang Huan quickly replied.

Old Zhu leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said with an unquestionable tone: "Go to the Imperial Prison and see Zhang Biao."

Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat.

Go see that madman again?

He's starting to feel a bit intimidated by Zhang Biao.

Because he was afraid that Zhang Biao would choose him next.

But he dared not disobey Zhu's orders, so he could only lower his head and listen to the imperial edict.

But then Old Zhu said in a deep voice, "Go see him, but don't ask him for his confession, and don't mention Shaanxi or the Crown Prince at all."

"Just"

He paused, then said calmly and indifferently:
"As if by accident, I let slip to him the news that a theft had occurred at the Ministry of Revenue last night, that some thieves had been caught, and that an accomplice had escaped with an iron box and was now being searched throughout the city."

"This"

A great deal of confusion flashed in Jiang Huan's eyes, but he dared not ask further, only making sure to remember it. Old Zhu looked at Jiang Huan, a cold, almost cruel smile curving his lips:

"Then, keep a close eye on his reaction!"

"See if he knows about it? See if he's anxious? See if his first reaction is to care about the iron box, or his arrested subordinates?"

"We want you to record every detail, down to the smallest expression, every word, and even the slightest change in his breathing, after he hears the news, and then report back to us!"

The art of imperial rule is on full display at this moment.

Old Zhu didn't care about Shen Lang and the others' lives or deaths, nor did he care about the contents of the iron box, at least not at this moment.

What he cared about was Zhang Biao's reaction.

He wanted to judge whether Zhang Biao was manipulating things behind the scenes and to determine the true weight of the iron box by observing Zhang Biao's most instinctive and genuine reactions.

If Zhang Biao shows unusual interest in the iron box, it means that the item is of great importance and may even be directly related to the mystery surrounding the 'Crown Prince' that he has raised. In that case, Old Zhu must obtain it at all costs.

If Zhang Biao is concerned about the safety of his five subordinates, he will increase his exploitation of Shen Lang and his group, forcing Zhang Biao to reveal more secrets.

If Zhang Biao shows no reaction, or reacts abnormally, then the implications become even more complex and unpredictable.

Regardless of the reaction, it will provide Lao Zhu with crucial information, allowing him to make more precise moves in this game.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Jiang Huan felt a chill. The Emperor was putting Zhang Biao on the fire to roast him slowly, observing his every moment of torment in order to gather intelligence.

"Go."

Old Zhu waved his hand and closed his eyes again, as if he had just given an insignificant order.

Jiang Huan bowed and carefully withdrew from the main hall, his back already soaked with sweat.

He went to the imperial prison again, but his feelings were completely different from any time before.

This time, he was not a simple inquirer or guard, but an observer with the cold probing of an emperor.

……

Deep within the imperial prison.

Zhang Biao was idly tracing some pattern on the wall with his finger when he heard the familiar, deliberately heavy footsteps, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.

Here we go again? What new act has he brought this time?

Jiang Huan stood outside the cell door, not immediately interrogating him about the confession as usual, but remained silent for a moment, seemingly absent-minded, or perhaps just grumbling about being tired from official duties:

"Tsk, what a troublesome time. The Ministry of Revenue's archives were also disturbed last night. Two stupid thieves broke in, trying to steal something, but they were caught red-handed and locked up in the Ministry of Justice's prison."

Zhang Biao's fingers, which were scribbling on the wall, paused slightly, but his face remained expressionless.

Jiang Huan seemed oblivious, continuing in that casual tone, seemingly unintentionally adding:
"I heard that the arrest was quite chaotic. One of the thieves threw some kind of metal box out of the warehouse, and his accomplices outside picked it up and ran away."

"Right now, Vice Minister Fu and his men are searching the whole world for something of great importance, which is why they're making such a fuss."

After saying these words, Jiang Huan immediately shut his mouth.

Those hawk-like eyes, like the most precise instruments, were fixed on every inch of Zhang Biao's face.

They observed the most subtle changes in his eyes, and even the rhythm of his breathing.

A brief, deathly silence fell over the cell.

Zhang Biao lowered his head, his face hidden in the shadows, making it impossible to see his expression.

Jiang Huan's heart was in her throat as she awaited the other party's reaction.

Suddenly, Zhang Biao let out a very soft, ambiguous laugh.

He slowly raised his head, his face showing none of the anxiety, shock, or concern Jiang Huan had expected. Instead, he wore an almost mocking, playful expression.

"Oh? A tin box?"

Zhang Biao's voice was languid, as if he had heard an amusing anecdote completely unrelated to himself:
"That old dog Fu Youwen, has he lost some shady ledgers again? Tsk tsk, he's getting more and more useless as he gets older, he can't even keep an eye on a storeroom."

His tone was as relaxed as if he were commenting on a neighbor's burglary, and he even had the mind to tease Fu Youwen.

Jiang Huan frowned slightly.

This reaction is too calm! It's unusually calm!

Zhang Biao seemed oblivious to Jiang Huan's probing gaze and continued speaking slowly in that infuriating tone:

"Commander Jiang, is it really worth you coming all this way to talk to me about such a trivial case? Could it be that the iron box contains gold seeds that Fu Youwen embezzled? If we find them, can you give me a few?"

He actually had the nerve to joke around?!
Jiang Huan stared intently at Zhang Biao, trying to find even the slightest hint of pretense in his eyes, but all she found was mockery and an unfathomable indifference.

Doesn't he care?
Or do they genuinely not know? Or are they just too good at pretending?!
Jiang Huan was filled with doubt and unease. As instructed by Old Zhu, he could not ask any further questions, but could only observe.

Just then, Zhang Biao seemed to remember something, and softly said "Oh," his tone still calm, but he asked a question:
"By the way, Commander Jiang, you just said that those two stupid thieves who were captured are locked up in the Ministry of Justice's prison?"

His gaze seemed to casually sweep across Jiang Huan's face.

Jiang Huan felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

Here he comes! He asked someone!
He still really cares about those few men under his command!

"Yes."

Jiang Huan replied calmly, "Continue to observe."

Zhang Biao nodded, the nonchalant smile on his face seemed to fade slightly, but he didn't show much emotion, simply offering a brief comment:
"The Ministry of Justice's prison is far worse than your imperial prison. It's filthy and chaotic, and the food is terrible."

After saying that, he lowered his head again and continued to trace lines on the wall with his finger, as if he had just casually commented on the living conditions of the cell and did not seem to care much about the fate of the two men.

Jiang Huan was completely stunned.

Zhang Biao's reaction was completely unexpected and did not conform to any of the assumptions given by Lao Zhu.

He did not show any particular concern for the iron box, nor did he show any extreme anxiety about his subordinates being arrested.

He was eerily calm, even somewhat indifferent.

This reaction either indicates that he had anticipated everything and was fully prepared, or that he was extremely cold-blooded and didn't care about the lives of his subordinates at all.

Either his disguise was so convincing that even Jiang Huan, who had seen through countless criminals, couldn't see through it.

Regardless of the possibility, Jiang Huan felt an unfathomable chill.

"Zhang Biao, the two stupid thieves who were caught are Shen Lang and Sun Gui, and the one with the iron box is Zhao Fengman. Don't you really care whether they live or die?"

Jiang Huan couldn't resist asking another question.

"Commander Jiang!"

Zhang Biao interrupted him, without even looking up, his voice tinged with impatience:

"If there's nothing else, don't disturb my contemplation of life. Or perhaps you'd like to hear me reminisce about some other old stories? For example, I remember you investigated the Crown Prince back then."

"This commander has official duties to attend to! Farewell!"

Jiang Huan's expression changed, and he immediately interrupted Zhang Biao, turning and leaving almost as if he were fleeing.

He dared not stay any longer; heaven knows what shocking thing this madman would say next.

Watching Jiang Huan's hurried departure, Zhang Biao's fingers, which had been scribbling on the wall, slowly stopped.

On the wall was a complex pattern that no one could understand.

He looked up at the small ventilation opening in the cell, where a narrow, gray sky stretched out.

The cynicism and indifference on his face had vanished, replaced by an extreme coldness and a barely perceptible solemnity.

Shen Lang, Sun Gui, Ministry of Justice Prison

[Zhao Fengman's Iron Box]

What will you choose next?

[And Old Zhu, once the evidence is confirmed, what will you choose? Will you go on a killing spree, or kill to silence them?]

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　　Also, there's one more thing. I'm almost done with my work here and will be going back on Sunday. I'll see about adding more chapters then.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)