c39 (2/2)

*****

“This official, Lou Mu Hai, greets the Emperor. Long live the Emperor.”

In the Imperial Study, there was a burly figure down on one knee in the middle of the hall. His loud voice shook one’s ears till it hurt, his back was straight and his eyes were bring and piercing. He was above fifty years of age but there was no signs of elderly movements.

Yan Hong Tian sat on the throne and raise his hand to indicate that he can dispense of the greeting as he smiles, “Old General Lou has been guarding the North-western region, with toilsome labour and distinctive unparalleled merits, don’t stand on ceremony. After many years of not seeing, the old general’s health is still tough.” Lou Mu Hai is an upright and honest person and his character is also outspoken and straightforward. Yan Hong Tian often wondered how did Lou Mu Hai, who was born as a military leader, could have reproduce a son like Lou Xi Yan, with such frail body yet have profound thoughts and as cunning as a fox?

Lou Mu Hai heartily laughed and cupped his hands respectfully and replied, “All thanks to the Emperor’s fortune, this old official health is good. To be able to guard Qiong Yue in the North-western region, this old official felt deep glory.” Lightly coughed and dispensing the many pleasantries, Lou Mu Hai sternly reported, “This old official returned to the capital this time, is to discuss about the memorandum that was submitted. This official guarded the North-western region with Imperial orders and over the years even though the North-western region was not completely peaceful, bandits and rebels could be controlled. But for these few years, the actions made by rebels, under the new leaders.h.i.+p of Mu Cang, were weird especially in these two years. They rarely come out to raid the pa.s.sing merchants but instead targeted the court as enemies and provoked the army barracks. In the few interactions lately, this officials found that their weapons, rations and number of personnels have increased tremendously. This official specifically seek an audience with the Emperor due to the worry that if they were to further develop, the North-western region will be unstable and afraid that the rebels have work together with these bandits, thus they were able to gain that much more rations and weapons. If that is true, it would threaten Qiong Yue’s territories.”

After Lou Mu Hai finished talking, Yan Hong Tian dark eyes slightly raised but there was no trace of anger on his face as he asked in a deep voice, “Recently were there any strange happening in City of Pei?”

“This official has observed for more than a year and did not observed any suspicious persons entering the City of Pei or liaising with the rebels. But this official still felt that their actions in the past few year are very suspicious and did not dare to neglect it thus reporting it back to the capital.” Lou Mu Hai raise his head slightly to quietly observe Yan Hong Tian expression and it was still as usual. Lou Mu Hai did not understand, for as long ago, the Imperial lineage did not tolerate cliques being form and army used for personal interests. For the long on-going chaos at the North-western regions and the increasing military power, the Emperor could still be this calm and indifferent. No wonder since the Emperor ascended the throne for nearly a decade, most of the officials and ministers still could not read the Emperor’s intentions.

Yan Hong Tian lean back against the dragon seat and his fingers were gently caressing the ornamental carvings at the side of the armrest. His downcast eyes did not show if there was joy or anger. The Imperial Study instantly became so silent that one can hear their own breath. Lou Mu Hai’s palms were sweating and his heart tremble in fear.

“Emperor, Dan Daren seek an audience for something important.” Gao Jing hurried steps and rapid notification sounded which broke the oppressive atmosphere in the Imperial Study. Lou Mu Hai saw how anxious Gao Jing was and believed that Dan Daren indeed have more important issues to report while his report is more like insinuations. Lou Mu Hai did not want to delay the Emperor’s pressing issues and quickly bowed, “This lowly official will retire first.”

“Old General Lou do not need to retreat and just wait aside. With regards to the chaos at the North-western region, Zhen still want to discuss more with the general.” Yan Hong Tian’s plain words did not match the previously oppressive atmosphere. Lou Mu Hai was unable to get the Emperor’s meaning but he dare not say more and just stood silently at the side.

“Announce Dan Yu Lan.”

“This official, Dan Yu Lan, greets the Emperor. Long live the Emperor.” Dan Yu Lan strode in and there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. Yan Hong Tian motioned him to get up and asked, “What matter does the n.o.ble Official Dan wanted to report in such a hurry?”

Dan Yu Lan stood up and replied, “Answering the Emperor, this official issued an order to retrieve the clues and evidence from the gold case that year. Just as the evidences has pointed, that year the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Ping Ran, was related to the gold case but before this official could interrogate, Ping Ran… Had already commited suicide and left a suicide note which clearly elaborated about that year how he and the Minister of Revenue have collaborated, colluded in the North-western chaos to smuggle the gold and framed the guard thoroughly.”

After Yan Hong Tian finish listening, he asked, “Where is the gold now?”

“The gold was s.h.i.+pped secretly to the North-western region since three years ago.”

The sudden disorder and thieving in the Northwest region and the money was actually… The National Reserves Official Currency? Lou Mu Hai secretly suck down a cold breath and slightly look up at the person who was sitting at the higher position.

Sure enough, Yan Hong Tian slowly got up and stared at Dan Yu Lan words and said, “You are saying that Zhen’s millions of gold from the National Reserves have been smuggled into the North-western region and used by the rebels and these daring rebels actually use Zhen’s money to buy weaponries to attack Zhen?” Yan Hong Tian’s tone was light but Dan Yu Lan and Lou Mu Hai could feel the wave of hostility hitting them at the same time with his eyes that were brewing a storm.

Dan Yu Lan did not know that the information that the North-western rebels were buying weaponries and he did not know how to answer for a moment. Looking at Lou Mu Hai, who was standing at the side, it would seems that this old General Lou also have a look of seriousness on him. Dan Yu Lan then roughly guessed what has happened.

Both of them did not speak a word and only heard a loud “peng” followed by Yan Hong Tian angry voices, “This is preposterous!”

The ink slab on the study table was swipe off the table by the large sleeves. The thick black ink splash all over the follow and small droplets landed on the bright yellow table cloth and also stained the Emperor’s dark brocade robes. Dan Yu Land and Lou Mu Hai were stunned and everyone in the Imperial Study were so scared that they knelt down and cried, “The Emperor please be appeased.”

“Dan Yu Lan.”

“This official is here.” Yan Hong Tian cold voice spoke made Dan Yu Lan approach quickly.

“Zhen command you to pa.s.s Zhen’s decree to the General’s manor, ordering Su Ling to lead the Su family troops this very day out to wipe out the rebels. The gold must be recovered before the ceremony starts! Old General Lou, you are familar with the terrain of the North-western region thus you shall a.s.sist with General Su to eliminate the bandits.”

“These officials have receive the decree.” The two of them dare not delay and approached to receive the decree.

“This case…” Dan Yu Lan hesitantly spoke but Yan Hong Tian impatiently replied, “Is there more doubtful points in the case that required investigation?”

All the people who were involved in gold case from the start to its closure, where the gold went or the possible location of it were all found in the testament clearly. The most important thing is that upon investigation, all the related personnels are all dead and the dead cannot testify. Even if Dan Yu Lan was exceptionally talented, at this moment, he could only spit out a word, “No.”

“Both of you withdraw.”

“Yes.” With the monarch that angry, Dan Yu Lan and Lou Mu Hai looked at one another before leave one after another out of the Imperial Study.

The Emperor who was filled with hostility a moment ago was sitting on the throne with a light scowl on his lips but the look from his dark eyes was daunting and increasingly colder. Xiao Yu who rush over secretly shook her head. Just now she was in the tea house at the side hall taking inventory when the eunuch panicky ran over to say that the Emperor was furious. It scared her to quickly came over to check out what was going on. It would seems that the Emperor was really angry this time.

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