Chapter 139: Will Old Zhu Silence Them? 【 Seeking Monthly Tickets 】
Inside the Huagai Hall, candlelight flickered, casting Old Zhu’s gaunt silhouette on the wall like a silent, oppressive demon.
On the imperial desk before him, the stack of memorials was higher than usual, but he had no mind to review them.
His fingers tapped aimlessly on the desk, producing a monotonous and chilling ‘tap-tap’ sound.
Before long, Jiang Huan entered the hall silently and prostrated himself.
Although Old Zhu had not spoken a word, he could clearly feel the invisible yet substantial pressure from the dragon throne.
He had just finished another round of secret interrogations of the two officials ‘appointed’ by Zhang Biao, obtaining some disturbing fragmented confessions pointing to old affairs in Shaanxi and corruption, and was about to report.
“Your Majesty!”
Jiang Huan’s voice carried a trace of exhaustion and caution.
Old Zhu did not look up, his gaze still fixed on a point in the void, his voice hoarse and flat: “Speak.”
Jiang Huan took a deep breath and began to carefully report the progress of the interrogation, mentioning the tricks in the ‘local specialty’ tribute process in Shaanxi, and some irregularities in the allocation of military equipment.
Old Zhu listened quietly, his face expressionless, only the fingers tapping on the desk occasionally pausing slightly.
However, just as Jiang Huan was about to report the next trivial clue, he seemed to suddenly remember something and added in a tone as calm as possible, as if mentioning it in passing:
“Furthermore, Your Majesty, this subject received a small matter reported by my subordinates today, which I find somewhat peculiar. I wonder if I should speak of it.”
“Speak.”
Old Zhu’s voice remained without any ripple.
“Yes.”
Jiang Huan lowered his head and spoke at a steady pace: “Last night, Shen Lang and Sun Gui infiltrated the Ministry of Revenue Archives.”
Old Zhu’s finger tapping on the desk abruptly stopped.
The air in the hall instantly became a bit more solidified.
Jiang Huan seemed oblivious and continued in that calm tone: “It is said they intended to steal treasury silver and were discovered and apprehended by the guards in time. They have now been thrown into the Ministry of Justice Prison. It is a common public order case, but…”
He paused at an appropriate moment before continuing:
“But according to reports from below, there was a slight accident during the apprehension. Shen Lang, in desperation, threw something out of the archives over the wall; it seemed to be a… rusty iron box.”
“Another accomplice, Zhao Fengman, was waiting outside and took the box and fled. Vice Minister Fu of the Ministry of Revenue is quite anxious about this and is secretly sending people to investigate.”
After speaking, Jiang Huan said no more, merely bowing deeply and awaiting the thunderous wrath.
However, the expected rage did not immediately descend.
The hall fell into a deathly silence, more terrifying than any roar.
Old Zhu raised his head extremely slowly, his deep-set, bloodshot eyes like two bottomless abysses, staring intently at Jiang Huan.
His face remained expressionless, but an extremely terrifying, ice-cold killing intent instantly permeated the entire Huagai Hall.
“An iron box?”
Old Zhu’s voice was so light it was almost inaudible, yet it pierced like an ice pick: “An iron box that Shen Lang threw out of the Ministry of Revenue Archives? Fu Youwen is very anxious?”
Every word was squeezed out from between his teeth with difficulty.
Jiang Huan felt a chill shoot up his spine to the top of his head. He gritted his teeth and said, “That is what my subordinates reported. What exactly it is, is not yet known. Perhaps… it is merely stolen goods hidden away…”
“Stolen goods?”
Old Zhu suddenly let out an extremely brief, yet ice-cold laugh: “Heh.”
He slowly stood up and walked before Jiang Huan, looking down at him.
His gaze seemed to penetrate flesh and bone, directly into the soul.
“Jiang Huan, you have followed Us for many years.”
Old Zhu’s voice was still not loud, but it carried a pressure like the wind before a storm:
“Do you think that people like Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, Zheng Ci, and Zhai Shan would make such a fuss over ordinary ‘stolen goods,’ even making you, the Imperial Guard Commander, feel it was ‘peculiar’?”
Jiang Huan’s forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He knew his little trick had been seen through.
“Your subject…”
Jiang Huan quickly kowtowed: “Your subject is dull-witted!”
Old Zhu ignored his plea for forgiveness and continued in that cold, analytical tone:
“Corruption in Shaanxi at the Ministry of Revenue Archives… the Crown Prince’s inspection, and now an iron box thrown from the archives that makes the Vice Minister of Revenue anxious…”
His voice grew lower and lower, but increasingly dangerous: “Jiang Huan, tell Us, are these all coincidences?”
Jiang Huan lay on the ground, not daring to breathe.
Old Zhu slowly sat back on the dragon throne, his fingers starting to tap the desk again, but the rhythm became slow and rhythmic, as if he were deducing a complex chess game.
Zhang Biao had just named Shaanxi and those few people, and his five young subordinates immediately went to break into the Ministry of Revenue Archives, and coincidentally found an iron box that even Fu Youwen cared so much about?
Did Zhang Biao know about the iron box’s existence beforehand and guide them there?
Or was this all another scheme set by Zhang Biao? A series of schemes?
His suspicious nature made Old Zhu unwilling to easily believe any apparent coincidences.
The more plausible the clue seemed, the more he suspected that deeper calculations lay behind it.
Zhang Biao, are you trying to use Us as a knife to kill, or are you trying to drag Us into your game with this iron box?
A thought flashed through Old Zhu’s mind like lightning.
Those five young subordinates were Zhang Biao’s weakness, and also his extension.
A cold light flashed in Old Zhu’s eyes.
He stopped thinking about the connections between the intelligence and instead turned his gaze to Jiang Huan, who was still kneeling on the ground, not daring to breathe.
“Jiang Huan.”
Old Zhu’s voice returned to its previous calm, even carrying a barely perceptible fatigue, but his authority was in no way diminished.
“Your subject is here.”
Jiang Huan responded immediately, but his heart was even more on edge.
The calmer the Emperor, the more violent the storm usually implies.
“What you just said, about the theft case at the Ministry of Revenue and the lost iron box…”
Old Zhu’s tone was as flat as if he were discussing the weather: “For now, there is 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 criminals.”
“Hmm?”
Jiang Huan slightly startled and looked up in confusion.
His Majesty actually told him not to investigate?!
Old Zhu offered no further explanation, merely continuing his orders:
“Don’t Fu Youwen and the others want to find it themselves? Let them find it. You just need to keep a close watch on them for Us! Keep a close watch on the Ministry of Justice Prison! Keep a close watch on all possible hiding places for Zhao Fengman!”
“Let’s see what methods they can use, and what they are trying to conceal.”
“Your Majesty is wise!”
Jiang Huan instantly understood Old Zhu’s intention.
To remain still and wait for the enemy to reveal themselves.
Let Fu Youwen and the others reveal their true colors in their fear.
“However.”
Old Zhu’s tone shifted, his gaze becoming unfathomable: “There is one more thing that requires your immediate attention.”
“Please, Your Majesty, instruct me!” Jiang Huan quickly replied.
Old Zhu leaned forward slightly, his voice lowered, carrying an irrefutable tone: “Go to the Imperial Prison and see Zhang Biao.”
Jiang Huan’s heart leaped.
Go see that lunatic again?
He was already somewhat intimidated by Zhang Biao.
Because he feared that Zhang Biao’s next ‘appointment’ might be himself.
But he dared not disobey Old Zhu’s orders, so he could only lower his head and listen to the imperial decree.
Old Zhu then said heavily: “When you see him, do not ask about his confession, nor mention Shaanxi or the Crown Prince even half a word.”
“Just…”
He paused, then calmly and indifferently said:
“As if by accident, let slip to him the news that there was a theft case at the Ministry of Revenue last night, that a criminal was caught, and another accomplice escaped with an iron box, and that a city-wide search is now underway.”
“This…”
A look of great confusion flashed in Jiang Huan’s eyes, but he dared not ask further, only memorizing it firmly.
Old Zhu looked at Jiang Huan, a cold, almost cruel curve of his lips:
“Then, watch his reaction closely for Us!”
“See if he knows about it? See if he is anxious? See if his first reaction is concern for the iron box, or… his captured subordinates?”
“We want you to record every expression, every word, even every change in his breathing after hearing the news, in meticulous detail, and report back!”
The art of imperial rule was fully displayed at this moment.
Old Zhu did not care about the lives of Shen Lang and the others, nor about the specific contents of the iron box, at least not at this moment.
What he cared about was Zhang Biao’s reaction.
Through Zhang Biao’s most instinctive and genuine reaction, he would judge whether all of this was orchestrated by Zhang Biao and determine the true significance of the iron box.
If Zhang Biao showed unusual concern for the iron box, it would indicate that the item was crucial, possibly directly related to the ‘Crown Prince’ suspicion he had raised, and then Old Zhu would have to obtain it at all costs.
If Zhang Biao cared about the safety of his five subordinates, he would increase his use of Shen Lang and the others, forcing Zhang Biao to reveal more secrets.
If Zhang Biao had no reaction, or an abnormal reaction… the implications behind it would be even more complex and unpredictable.
Regardless of the reaction, it would provide Old Zhu with crucial information, allowing him to play his chess game more precisely.
“Your subject obeys!”
Jiang Huan felt a chill. His Majesty was going to put Zhang Biao on a fire and roast him slowly, observing his every moment of torment to obtain intelligence.
“Go.”
Old Zhu waved his hand and closed his eyes again, as if he had merely issued an insignificant order.
Jiang Huan bowed and cautiously retreated from the main hall, his back already drenched in sweat.
He walked towards the Imperial Prison again, but his mood was entirely different from any previous time.
This time, he was not a simple interrogator or guard, but an observer carrying the Emperor’s cold probe.
…
Deep within the Imperial Prison.
Zhang Biao was boredly drawing patterns on the wall with his finger. Hearing the familiar, deliberately heavy footsteps, the corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.
Here again? What new play did they bring this time?
Jiang Huan stood outside the cell door. Instead of directly demanding a confession as usual, he was silent for a moment, as if distracted, or as if complaining casually from the fatigue of handling official duties:
“Tsk, what a tumultuous time… Last night, the Ministry of Revenue Archives were also not peaceful. Two foolish thieves broke in, wanting to steal something, and were caught on the spot and thrown into the Ministry of Justice Prison.”
Zhang Biao’s finger drawing on the wall paused slightly, but his face showed no expression.
Jiang Huan seemed not to notice and continued in that ‘casual chat’ tone, seemingly unintentionally adding:
“I heard the arrest was quite chaotic. One of the thieves threw an iron box out of the storeroom, and an accomplice waiting outside picked it up and ran.
“Now Vice Minister Fu and the others are searching everywhere. I don’t know what important item it is, to warrant such a grand effort…”
After saying these few words, Jiang Huan immediately shut his mouth.
His hawk-like eyes, like the most precise instruments, were locked onto every inch of Zhang Biao’s face.
Observing his most subtle changes in expression, even the rhythm of his breathing.
Inside the cell, a brief, dead silence ensued.
Zhang Biao lowered his head, his face hidden in shadow, making his expression unreadable.
Jiang Huan’s heart was in his throat, waiting for the other’s reaction.
Suddenly, Zhang Biao let out a very light, ambiguous chuckle.
He slowly raised his head, his face showing none of the anxiety, shock, or concern that Jiang Huan expected. Instead, it carried an almost mocking expression of amusement.
“Oh? An iron box?”
Zhang Biao’s voice was languid, as if he had heard an interesting piece of gossip unrelated to himself:
“That old dog Fu Youwen must have lost some shameful ledger again, eh? Tsk tsk, the older he gets, the more useless he becomes. He can’t even guard a storeroom properly.”
His tone was as relaxed as if he were commenting on a neighbor’s burglary, even finding the time to mock Fu Youwen.
Jiang Huan’s brow furrowed slightly.
This reaction… was too calm! So calm it was abnormal!
Zhang Biao seemed not to notice Jiang Huan’s probing gaze and continued in that infuriatingly slow tone:
“Commander Jiang, are such trivial matters as this worth your personal visit to tell me about? Could it be that the iron box contains Fu Youwen’s embezzled golden melon seeds? If found, will you give me a few?”
He was still in the mood to joke?!
Jiang Huan stared intently at Zhang Biao, trying to find even the slightest trace of pretense in his eyes, but there was only mockery and an unfathomable indifference.
Did he not care?
Or did he genuinely not know? Or was his disguise too perfect?!
Jiang Huan was filled with uncertainty. According to Old Zhu’s instructions, he could not ask further, only observe.
Just then, Zhang Biao suddenly seemed to remember something, let out a soft ‘oh,’ his tone still flat, but he asked a question:
“Right, Commander Jiang, you just said… the two foolish thieves who were caught are in the Ministry of Justice Prison?”
His gaze seemed to sweep over Jiang Huan’s face inadvertently.
Jiang Huan’s heart suddenly tightened.
Here it comes! He asked about them!
He still cared about his subordinates after all!
“Yes.”
Jiang Huan replied impassively, continuing to observe.
Zhang Biao nodded. The playful smile on his face seemed to fade slightly, but there was no great fluctuation, just a faint comment:
“The Ministry of Justice Prison… that place is far worse than your Imperial Prison. It’s dirty and messy, and the food is bad.”
After speaking, he lowered his head again, continuing to draw on the wall with his finger, as if he had merely casually commented on the prison’s accommodation conditions, and didn’t seem particularly concerned about the fate of the two men.
Jiang Huan was completely stunned.
Zhang Biao’s reaction was completely beyond his expectations and did not align with any of the hypotheses Old Zhu had provided.
He showed no particular concern for the iron box, nor extreme anxiety about his subordinates being caught.
He was terrifyingly calm, even somewhat indifferent.
This reaction either meant he had foreseen everything and was confident, or that he was extremely cold-blooded and didn’t care about the lives of his subordinates.
Or, his disguise was so masterful that even Jiang Huan’s eyes, which had seen through countless criminals, could not penetrate it.
Whichever possibility it was, it filled Jiang Huan with an unfathomable chill.
“Zhang Biao, the two foolish thieves caught were Shen Lang and Sun Gui, and Zhao Fengman took the iron box. Do you really not care about their lives…”
Jiang Huan couldn’t help but want to probe further.
“Commander Jiang!”
Zhang Biao interrupted him, not looking up, his voice carrying a hint of impatience:
“If there’s nothing else, don’t disturb me while I’m contemplating life. Or… do you want to hear me reminisce about some other old matters? For example… I remember you once investigated the Crown Prince…”
“This Commander has official business to attend to! I bid you farewell!”
Jiang Huan’s expression changed, he immediately cut off Zhang Biao, and turned to leave almost as if fleeing.
He dared not stay any longer, who knew what outrageous thing this madman would say next.
Watching Jiang Huan’s hurried departure, Zhang Biao’s finger drawing on the wall slowly stopped.
On the wall was a complex pattern that no one could understand.
He raised his head and looked towards the small ventilation opening of the cell, where a narrow, dim sky could be seen outside.
The playfulness and indifference on his face had long since disappeared, replaced by an extreme coldness and a hint of undetectable solemnity.
【 Shen Lang, Sun Gui Ministry of Justice Prison 】
【 Zhao Fengman Iron Box 】
【 Next, how will you choose? 】
【 And Old Zhu, once the evidence is confirmed, how will you choose? Will you unleash a massacre, or will you silence them? 】
Seeking monthly tickets~
Seeking monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, pre-orders, full subscriptions, and automatic subscriptions.
【 Remember to like the character profiles. 】
Also, there’s one more thing. I’m almost done here, and I’ll be back on Sunday. I’ll see about the possibility of adding more chapters then.
