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

In the following period, local government offices were making arrests and pursuing fugitives for compensation.

Luo Yangxing appeared quite relaxed while waiting for news at the post station.

In reality, Tian Dunji, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had already arranged for people to go to various prefectures and cities to begin secret investigations.

On the fourteenth day, Tian Dunji rushed back and reported truthfully: "Left Provincial Administration Commissioner Zhang Bingwen, Shandong General Liu Zeqing, Dengzhou and Laizhou Governor Zeng Hualong, and Jinan Prefect Xiong Hua, among others, are all implicated; it's just a matter of how much they received!"

"Um……"

Luo Yangxing pondered for a moment, unable to make a decision.

Tian Dunji added, "I've also discovered something else: Liu Zeqing's and Zeng Hualong's troops have begun mobilizing around Jinan Prefecture. It seems they've made contingency plans. If we're content with this, we can leave it at that. But if we persist in investigating, it could lead to even worse consequences..."

Luo Yangxing then asked, "Is there any news from the capital?"

Tian Dunji said, "Li Yan, the prefect of Zhengding, and Miao Gang, the commander of Changshan Guard, are on their way!"

Luo Yangxing slammed his hand on the table: "Then what's there to hesitate about? Let's just do it!"

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and at the appointed time, Zhang Bingwen, along with Xiong Hua and other officials, paid a visit.

Behind the two men followed bailiffs, escorting more than a dozen officials in shackles. These men included clerks from the county government's household registration office, granary officials from the prefectural government, and clerks from the provincial administration office, as well as several centurions and captains from the garrison—all low-ranking officials in charge of money and provisions. They were all ashen-faced, some even with trembling legs, needing the bailiffs' support to stand.

"Commander Luo!"

Zhang Bingwen bowed respectfully and announced loudly, "Your humble servant has not failed in his mission! After a thorough investigation over half a month, we have uncovered thirteen corrupt officials who embezzled pension funds and recovered 650,000 taels of silver, all of which has now been sealed up. Please review it, Commander!"

As they were talking, Xiong Hua hurriedly handed over a thick account book.

The document is filled with detailed records of the origins and destinations of every single silver coin, and even includes the signed confessions of the convicted officials.

Luo Yangxing took the account book, flipped through a few pages at random, and said with a smile, "Provincial Governor Zhang is indeed decisive and efficient. He can even investigate the officers of the garrison so thoroughly."

Zhang Bingwen remained expressionless and solemnly said, "To dare to embezzle the money earned by soldiers who risked their lives is an outrage against Heaven! I have already sent a letter to the Ministry of War requesting that these men be dismissed from their military posts and escorted to the capital for questioning!"

Luo Yangxing did not respond, his gaze slowly sweeping over the dozen or so convicted officials.

"I've read the confessions. The highest-ranking official among them is the county magistrate of Qidong County, and a centurion of Dengzhou Guard. The others are all eighth or ninth-rank officials, or even no rank at all. I'm wondering how they managed to embezzle the 650,000 taels of pension money?"

Zhang Bingwen said with a forced smile, "Commander Luo is right to reprimand us. This whole thing was due to our dereliction of duty, which gave our subordinates an opportunity to take advantage of us."

Then, changing his tone, he continued, "Most of my colleagues in Shandong's officialdom are still innocent. The fact that we were able to quickly clarify this is largely thanks to the assistance of General Liu and Governor Zeng."

These words were already a reminder to Luo Yangxing that the case was over!

If the investigation continues, it will involve far more than just these few small fry.

Luo Yangxing gave a half-smile: "Now that Governor Zhang has investigated thoroughly, this commander should return to the capital to report!"

Zhang Bingwen was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "Shandong has been plagued by natural disasters in recent years, and we are already overwhelmed with work. Now, this case has caused widespread panic. If disaster relief, land reclamation, and defense are delayed, His Majesty will also be worried..."

It was a mix of soft and hard language, with a hidden meaning, almost explicitly saying, "You'd better leave now!"

We've caught the man and recovered the money for you, why aren't you leaving? Are you waiting for meals?

Luo Yangxing finally nodded: "In that case, I will set off for the capital tomorrow and report the results to His Majesty."

Zhang Bingwen and Xiong Hua exchanged a glance, a hint of joy flashing in their eyes.

Xiong Hua stepped forward and said in a low voice, "This humble official has prepared some local specialties for Commander Luo. Thank you for your kindness..."

"How could I possibly refuse Prefect Xiong's kind offer!"

"That's good, that's good!"

Xiong Hua, beaming with joy, said, "This humble official will have someone send it over immediately!"

Half an hour later, a carriage slowly drove up, and several servants unloaded five large boxes.

Although I don't know what it's filled with, it looks very heavy.

Luo Yangxing ordered his men to open it, and sure enough, it was gleaming silver!

"People from Shandong are so generous; even their local specialties are dazzling!"

Behind him, Commander Tian Dunji asked, "Commander Luo, are we just going back like this?"

Luo Yangxing couldn't help but laugh, "Even if I wanted to go back, do you think His Majesty... could close the case?"

Tian Dunji shook his head vigorously: "They clearly found a few scapegoats; none of the real big shots showed up!"

"Where is Changshanwei?"

"It's less than a hundred li from Jinan Prefecture; we can reach it in a day or two!"

"Alright! We'll start arresting people tonight, beginning with Xiong Hua, the prefect of Jinan!"

"On what charge?"

Luo Yangxing pointed to the large box on the ground: "Bribing a superior! Obstructing the investigation!"

"Yes, sir!"

That evening, Zhang Bingwen, Liu Zeqing, Zeng Hualong, Xiong Hua, and others gathered at the largest restaurant in Jinan and were drinking heartily.

"Gentlemen, we've finally resolved the matter today, and that plague god should leave now!"

Zhang Bingwen, his face flushed, raised his wine glass and said, "Thank you all for your hard work these past few days. Come, let's drink to this!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

Liu Zeqing put down his wine cup, displeased, and said, "Does he think that just because he serves His Majesty, he can do whatever he wants? If it weren't for the sake of the court's reputation, I would have made him regret it long ago!"

Zeng Hualong shook his head and smiled wryly: "General Liu, that's true, but we've suffered considerable losses this time..."

Zhang Bingwen then sighed and slowly said, "Six hundred and fifty thousand taels, just like that, given away for nothing. In my heart, I truly..."

"It's far more than 650,000 taels!"

Xiong Hua gritted his teeth and said, "The silver we made up is all real money! The assets of those convicted officials are simply not enough to fill the hole; we have to pay the rest ourselves! Also, we gave him a full ten thousand taels of silver before we left!"

Mentioning silver made everyone's faces turn pale. The thought of all that silver was truly painful!

Zhang Bingwen put down his wine cup and said, "Gentlemen, this matter is not yet completely resolved. After Luo Yangxing returns to the capital, that confession will eventually be presented to the Emperor. If His Majesty investigates it thoroughly..."

"Your Excellency is overthinking this!"

Xiong Hua waved his hand and laughed, "His Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state; how could he have time to investigate in detail? Besides, haven't we already investigated thoroughly? The official has confessed, the compensation money has been recovered, and we have witnesses, physical evidence, and confessions—everything is in order. Is there any other problem?"

Liu Zeqing sneered, "Prefect Xiong is quite optimistic, but don't forget why His Majesty is helping those soldiers audit the accounts. I think this matter is not simple..."

Clang!

Before he could finish speaking, the door was suddenly kicked open.

A group of Imperial Guards rushed in, led by Commander Tian Dunji.

"Prefect Xiong, I'd like to trouble you to come with me!"

Xiong Hua looked troubled: "The case is closed, what more do you want?!"