I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

On the evening of the third day, Liu Zeqing and Zeng Hualong arrived at the same time.

The two met on the road, exchanged a few words, and neither knew what had happened.

However, the messenger spoke of something very serious, as if something major had happened, so I had no choice but to come and see for myself.

Zhang Bingwen and Xiong Hua led the two to the living room, where Liu Zeqing and Zeng Hualong took their seats.

Liu Zeqing spoke first: "Zhang Fantai really knows how to pick his timing. I was just about to set sail. If your men arrive two days later, they won't be able to see me. Hurry up and tell me, why are you in such a hurry? What happened?"

Zhang Bingwen looked at Xiong Hua and said, "Prefect Xiong, why don't you speak?"

Xiong Hua wiped the sweat from his forehead and then recounted in detail how Luo Yangxing had personally led the raid on Qidong County and the arrest of Zhang Dequan.

After hearing this, Liu Zeqing and Zeng Hualong looked at each other in bewilderment.

"This is utterly absurd! Is the pension for a mere soldier really worth the personal intervention of the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"That's right! Just who is this Chen Dayong? Could he be the son of some noble family?"

"Reporting to the two commanders, this humble official has confirmed it multiple times!"

Xiong Hua, with a bitter face, said, "Luo Yangxing only said he was an ordinary military household member with no background whatsoever."

Liu Zeqing squinted, stroked the stubble on his chin, and said, "Let's leave Chen Dayong aside for now. Isn't Luo Yangxing here to investigate the pension funds? Let's talk about the pension funds!"

Xiong Hua had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "To be honest, all of you gentlemen also..."

"shut up!"

Zhang Bingwen sternly stopped him, then angrily rebuked, "What's the use of saying all this now? The key is that Luo Yangxing gave us three days. That scoundrel Zhang Dequan has already been escorted to the capital. If he can't hold a grudge and confesses..."

Before he could finish speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was the emperor's personal guard, and the cases handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard were those personally dealt with by the emperor.

This matter must be handled properly, otherwise no one will be able to escape responsibility.

After a long silence, Liu Zeqing suddenly said, "I have an idea."

The three of them immediately moved closer, waiting for what would happen next.

Seeing this, Liu Zeqing said directly, "Firstly, we need to find a few scapegoats. One county magistrate alone is not enough; it would be best if Jinan Prefecture sent two more."

Xiong Huawei hesitated, "Sending two people would be feasible, but... the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigates the entire Shandong province; just Jinan Prefecture might not be enough!"

Liu Zeqing looked at Zhang Bingwen: "Send some people from other prefectures and the provincial administration, and a few from each garrison!"

The group looked at each other, realizing that in the current situation, sacrificing the pawns to save the king was the best course of action, and that was the only option.

"Secondly..."

Liu Zeqing looked at the three men and continued, "This hole must be patched up. Let's all name a price!"

Zhang Bingwen pondered for a moment and said, "I can offer 15,000 taels."

Xiong Hua stammered, "This humble official... this humble official can only scrape together eight thousand taels at most..."

Zeng Hualong sighed and said helplessly, "I'll offer ten thousand taels!"

Seeing this, Liu Zeqing shook his head and said, "Can't you all see the situation clearly? All compensation must be paid in full, not a single tael less!"

Xiong Hua hurriedly said, "But..."

Liu Zeqing raised his hand to interrupt, and said, "From the Provincial Administration Commissioner's office to the local government offices, county offices, and all the garrisons, everyone who took this money must return it. There's no room for negotiation!"

"Well... okay then!"

Zhang Bingwen sighed helplessly and said, "I will send someone to inform the prefectural government, and the county governments will do the same. I'll leave the responsibility for the garrisons to you two!"

Everyone present knew that no one, no matter who, would want to give up money once they had it in their hands.

But there was no other way; if he wanted to keep his official position, he had to spend money to avoid further trouble!

After discussing their options, the group decided that Zhang Bingwen and Xiong Hua would go to find Luo Yangxing.

The two arrived at the post station, and Xiong Hua bowed and stepped forward, saying first, "An official has embezzled the pension funds. This is no small matter! My subordinate and the Provincial Governor investigated overnight and found that this is likely not limited to Qidong County. The entire Shandong Provincial Administration Commission must be thoroughly investigated!"

Zhang Bingwen took over the conversation, speaking with righteous indignation: "Our soldiers have shed blood on the frontier, yet these parasites have embezzled their hard-earned money! I have already issued orders to the six prefectures, fifteen states, and eighty-nine counties to submit their annual pension and compensation accounts as soon as possible. Those involved will be severely punished!"

Looking at the two men's indignant expressions, Luo Yangxing asked with a half-smile, "Prefect Zhang is certainly decisive, but as far as I know, the distribution of pensions requires verification by the garrison. Those widows haven't received their money; are the garrisons unaware? Are the officers in those garrisons blind, or did they also pocket the money?"

Xiong Hua stole a glance at Zhang Bingwen, only to see Zhang Bingwen forcing a smile: "Commander Luo, you are wise! I have already sent someone to urgently report to Liu Zeqing, the Shandong General, and Zeng Hualong, the Dengzhou-Laizhou Governor, to jointly investigate the garrison accounts! As long as they are found out, no matter who it is or what their official rank is, they will all be severely punished without exception!"

Luo Yangxing nodded and asked, "This commander cannot wait any longer. Give me a definite answer: how long will the investigation take?"

Zhang Bingwen gritted his teeth and slowly said, "If we were to thoroughly investigate all six prefectures, fifteen states, and eighty-nine counties under the jurisdiction of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission, it would probably take... at least a month!"

Luo Yangxing shook his head: "It's been too long!"

Seeing this, Zhang Bingwen quickly changed his mind: "Then half a month! Half a month will do! No less than that..."

"Okay, half a month it is!"

Luo Yangxing looked at the two men and said, "I'm making this clear beforehand: if I can't deliver the results by then, I'll have to invite you to have some tea at the Northern Garrison."

"Please rest assured, Commander Luo, we will definitely give you a satisfactory result within half a month!"

After they finished speaking, they clasped their hands in a gesture of respect, then turned and left.

Walking down the street, Zhang Bingwen whispered, "Immediately send people to all the prefectures and counties! Redo all the account books, and make up for every penny of the silver! As for the scapegoats... find some clerks and granary officials without any backing, and have a few unrelated minor officials die of illness. Even if their ranks aren't high enough, at least make up the numbers so they can report back!"

Xiong Hua nodded repeatedly: "This subordinate will take care of it immediately. Also... regarding Commander Luo, should we make some arrangements?"

Zhang Bingwen was in a dilemma. If he continued to make the usual arrangements, he was afraid of running into trouble!

If I don't make arrangements, I'm afraid I'll be targeted and made things difficult for others...

"Let's prepare for both possibilities!"

Zhang Bingwen quickly made up his mind and said, "Prepare a grand gift beforehand, but don't reveal it yet; wait for the right opportunity!"

Xiong Hua looked troubled and asked, "This... what kind of time is appropriate to take it? Please enlighten me, Your Excellency!"

Zhang Bingwen said, "If he accepts our outcome, just arrest a few scapegoats and send them back to complete the investigation—that'll be a huge reward! If he insists on continuing the investigation, don't take anything, or it will become leverage against us!"

Xiong Hua's expression hardened, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "This humble official will remember!"