Frontier Hero: From Receiving a Convicted Woman to Becoming an Emperor for All Time

Lu Chenzhou's face turned ashen.

Han Shi'an is not here to investigate a case today, but to establish his authority.

Continuing to resist will only bring more trouble to Shen Chuxiao.

Shen Chuxiao understood as well.

He did not argue, but simply clasped his hands in a salute and said, "This humble general obeys."

Han Shi'an seemed somewhat surprised and gave him another look: "You're not convinced?"

"This humble general is compliant." Shen Chuxiao raised his head, his gaze calm as still water. "Lord Han has acted according to the rules, and this humble general has nothing to say. I only have one request—please give me a deadline. The case must be investigated thoroughly; I cannot be suspended indefinitely pending trial."

"Then three days it is." Han Shi'an held up three fingers. "Within three days, I will ascertain the authenticity of your evidence. If it is true, you will be reinstated. If it is fabricated—"

"This humble general will bring you his head."

Han Shi'an stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"You've got guts." He patted Shen Chuxiao's shoulder, quite forcefully. "I like people with guts."

After saying that, he led his black-armored guards away.

Less than an hour after the news of his suspension spread, Tie Niu smashed the table in the barracks.

"On what grounds!" His voice was so loud that even the neighboring camp could hear him. "Captain Shen killed a traitor! A spy! Is that Han guy blind?"

Sun Ergou squatted in the corner without saying a word, but his face was so gloomy it looked like it was about to drip water.

Having followed Shen Chuxiao for so long, he'd tasted the benefits—the captain position offered significantly higher status and pay than before. Moreover, he could sense that Shen Chuxiao was genuinely nurturing them. If he were to be taken down by Han Shi'an like this, wouldn't he be ruining his future?

Oh shit.

Zhao Wu, the most composed of them all, grabbed Tie Niu's shoulder and said, "What's the point of smashing the table? Will it bring justice?"

"Then what do you suggest we do? Just watch the captain get messed with?"

"If you keep quiet, that's the biggest favor you can do for the captain."

Tie Niu opened his mouth, but a breath caught in his chest, and his face turned bright red.

This is the scene that Shen Chuxiao saw when he entered the barracks.

He stood at the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the three men before finally settling on Tie Niu's hand—his fist was bleeding, with beads of blood dripping down.

"Finished smashing?"

Tie Niu was taken aback: "Captain Shen, what brings you here? Weren't you suspended—"

"Suspension isn't like going to jail." Shen Chuxiao walked in, found a stool, and sat down. "Can't I even come to see my people?"

One sentence warmed the hearts of all three.

Zhao Wu quickly poured him a bowl of water: "What about Han Shi'an—"

"Call him Lord Han." Shen Chuxiao took the bowl. "He was sent by the military governor of Shuofang, so he should be given the respect he deserves."

Tie Niu retorted, "Still calling him 'sir'? He's nobody!"

Shen Chuxiao glanced at him.

The look wasn't harsh, but Tie Niu immediately shut his mouth.

"Han Shi'an came to Ling Shuang Pass to investigate a case—the case of Zhou Henian's collusion with the barbarians." Shen Chuxiao took a sip of water. "We know in our hearts that Zhou Henian deserves to die, and his men deserve to die too. But the evidence is indeed not strong enough."

Zhao Wu frowned: "The barbarian weapons found in Zhou Hu's house in Qing Shi Village aren't considered evidence?"

"Han Shi'an said that Qingshi Village is my hometown, and the villagers dare not offend me, so this piece of evidence does not count."

Shen Chuxiao put down the bowl, his face calm and composed.

"His tactic is called 'cutting off the fuel supply'—instead of arguing about the authenticity of your evidence, he directly denies the source of your evidence."

Sun Ergou finally spoke: "Then what should we do?"

Shen Chuxiao looked at the three people in front of him, his gaze gradually sharpening.

"I thought about something on my way here."

"Han Shi'an told me I had three days to investigate the case, but my position as a captain has been suspended. Without this rank, I can't mobilize troops, I can't leave the pass, and I can't even collect evidence."

Tie Niu panicked: "Doesn't that mean my hands and feet are tied up?"

"Yes." Shen Chuxiao nodded. "So I don't plan to follow his rules."

He stood up, walked to the door, and glanced outside. There were unfamiliar faces loitering outside the barracks—not from the scout battalion, dressed in civilian clothes, but their gait suggested they were from the military.

Han Shi'an's men are keeping a close eye on things.

"Zhao Wu".

"exist."

"Go to Liuhe Town after dark."

Zhao Wu leaned closer: "What are you doing?"

"Find the old doctor at the clinic. He was the one who examined Commandant Liu's body after the battle of the granary. The autopsy report said that Commandant Liu was wearing civilian clothes, not armor, when he died." Shen Chuxiao paused, "Ask him if he still has that report."

Zhao Wu's eyes lit up: "That report proves that Commander Liu wasn't wearing armor and wasn't prepared to fight at the time?"

"Of course I can." Shen Chuxiao's lips curled up slightly. "He said I don't have direct evidence to prove that Commandant Liu is colluding with the barbarians. But that report can prove it—when the barbarians attacked our doorstep, Commandant Liu wasn't even wearing armor. A commander, facing the enemy, not wearing armor or preparing for battle, that's cowardice. Cowardice is a capital offense."

Zhao Wu nodded vigorously: "I'll go tonight."

"Ergou, go do something else. Find out if any of Zhou Henian's old subordinates are among the three hundred personal guards the other side brought this time."

Sun Ergou was taken aback: "You mean... you suspect someone close to Han Shi'an—"

"I don't doubt anyone," Shen Chuxiao interrupted him. "I just want to know, why did Han Shi'an bring Zhou Henian's old subordinates with him when he came to Ling Shuang Pass to investigate Zhou Henian's case? It doesn't make sense."

Sun Ergou understood, got up and left.

"tractor."

"exist!"

Go to the post station.

Tie Niu was taken aback: "What would I do at the post station? If I go, won't I just end up fighting with those people?"

"Go and deliver the gift." Shen Chuxiao took out a piece of silver from his sleeve and tossed it to him. "Buy two jars of good wine and deliver them to the entrance of the post station. Tell them that Lieutenant Shen thanks Lord Han for handling the matter impartially, and this is a small token of his appreciation."

Tie Niu took the silver, his face full of disbelief: "Give him a gift? Captain, are you out of your mind?"

"Just go when I tell you to. Drop him off and leave, don't say anything more."

Although Tie Niu couldn't understand it, he still left with the silver.

Only Zhao Wu remained in the barracks.

"Captain Shen, did you send those three away because you have something to say to me alone?"

Shen Chuxiao glanced at him and nodded.

"Zhao Wu, you haven't been with me for long, but I trust you."

Zhao Wu remained silent and waited.

"When Han Shi'an came, you saw his troop of black-armored guards on the training ground. What did you think of them?"

Zhao Wu thought for a moment: "Elite. They're stronger than the soldiers at Ling Shuang Pass."

"That's right, they're all veterans who've seen blood."

Shen Chuxiao lowered his voice, "Han Shi'an said he's investigating a case, but does investigating a case require bringing three hundred elite soldiers?"

Zhao Wu's expression suddenly changed: "You mean—"

"I don't know what he means." Shen Chuxiao stood up, a cold glint in his eyes. "So I need you to keep an eye on them for me—not Han Shi'an, but those three hundred men. Write down every detail about where they are stationed, what they do every day, and who they contact, and tell me everything."

Zhao Wu took a deep breath: "I understand."

Shen Chuxiao looked at the darkening sky outside the door. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling certainty.

"Since some people want to cause me trouble, they should be prepared to shoot themselves in the foot."