Chapter 2736: The True Culprit Surfaces

"That day I drank a bit too much, I asked Wu Laosan, not telling me what the mission was, but at least say where I was sent—domestic or overseas?"

"Wu Laosan said, south, overseas."

"South of Balin State, overseas—isn't that the territory of Shen State?"

"Heishuicheng is right in the far northwest of Shen State."

"The next day, Wu Laosan was transferred; a few days later, news came that the Shen prince was assassinated in Heishuicheng." The first captive swallowed, "When we heard that, wasn't that just overseas to the south?"

"How do you know the one who killed He Changjue in Heishuicheng was Wu Qisheng?" He Yue kept calm, deliberately asking, "Perhaps Wu Qisheng was reassigned to another dangerous mission."

"When news of He Changjue's death returned home, we heard a description saying the killer knew he couldn't escape and also, also committed suicide."

"Actually, the killer of He Changjue was at least three people: one died in the explosion, one was shot dead, and the last one committed suicide."

"But the captive saying that isn't wrong either—after all, the information they gathered was limited."

"A few days later, Wu Laosan's pension arrived, and we few fellow townsmen and friends escorted it back to his home in Luanping—indeed, indeed it was unusually generous. If he hadn't done something major, but merely died like others on the battlefield, he wouldn't deserve such a pension. Moreover, moreover, General Zhao himself gave fifty taels of gold to Wu Qisheng's family, with the comment: 'Received orders for the state, faced death with composure.'"

"Fifty taels of gold." He Yue's hand, holding the jade paperweight, snapped with a crack.

The two captives exchanged glances: "If Wu Laosan didn't commit suicide after carrying out his mission in Heishuicheng, why would General Zhao praise him as 'faced death with composure'?"

"The phrase 'faced death with composure' is usually used in special circumstances, such as behind enemy lines, not in direct battlefield sacrifice."

"'Received orders?' Hmph." He Yue gave a low laugh, "And what else?"

"'Just, just these.'" The captive said cautiously, "This should be useful intelligence for you!"

"Of course it's useful—it directly points to the killer of He Changjue—if the information these two give is true."

He Yue's aide beside him said, "Words without proof—how to verify?"

"How do we know these two aren't just spouting nonsense to save their lives?"

"It can be verified, it can be verified—the marshal can send people to Luanping Town to investigate, we're all from Luanping Town, one check and it's certain!"

He Yue thought for a moment, then said: "Escort them to Luanping Town, have locals confront them. If even one word is false, chop off their heads."

"Yes."

"Luanping Town isn't far from Wancheng—fly there and back, plus time for on-site investigation, that's seven shichen."

"During those seven shichen, He Yue handled military affairs as usual, outwardly calm and composed, but inside it felt like a fire smoldering, restless and agitated."

"Time dragged slowly until near noon the next day, when the aide finally returned and reported."

"How was it?"

"After escorting the two back, twelve Luanping Town residents could accurately state their names, nicknames, and point out their homes; most also recognized Wu Qisheng. We had the town's militia guide us to the Wu family."

"When we went to the Wu family to inquire, these few boys indeed returned to town two months ago with military personnel, reported Wu Qisheng's death to the Wu family, and delivered the substantial pension, with Zhao Shuo additionally contributing fifty taels of gold himself, and indeed they were to relay those two phrases."

"'Received orders for the state, faced death with composure'?"

"Yes."

"The aide further said: 'We brought those two heads back, separately presented them to the Wu family, townspeople, and the town customs office for identification—they all identified which one was Wu Qisheng.'"

"Aside from the one who was blown to pieces in the explosion, the other two killers of He Changjue had their heads severed after death and preserved with cold-ice talismans."

"He Yue thought of revenge and wanted to leave evidence—now it finally came in handy."

"So those two captives weren't wrong—the killer of the eldest son was indeed from Luanping Town, indeed Wu Qisheng, indeed……sent by Zhao Shuo!"

He Yue clenched his fist again, low voice: "Zhao Shuo, good, very good!"

"His enemy is Zhao Shuo!"

He stood up, about to give the order, but swallowed the words back to his mouth.

"His father and elder brother had repeatedly warned him: don't act impulsively, don't act impulsively."

"His father and elder brother also believed the mastermind behind this was Between Between Between Beijia, but now, after receiving clues and tracing them, the result turned out to be Zhao Shuo, the great general of Balin?"

"'Why would Zhao Shuo kill Chang'er?' Before this, Balin and Shen had only national enmity, no personal grudge."

"The aide immediately said: 'Last year, Zhao Shuo's army was defeated by you on the Zhao River, and at that time he shouted harsh words on the battlefield.'"

"'Anyone can say battlefield talk—this means nothing.' He Yue waved his hand, 'Scores on the battlefield are settled on the battlefield; Zhao Shuo has fought and killed for years on the sand field—he should still have this breadth of mind. Besides, I originally had no personal grudge with him.'"

"As a general of Balin, why would Zhao Shuo specifically assassinate He Changjue, and why provoke Shen to keep attacking Balin?"

"'Isn't this just opposing Balin?' It doesn't make sense, does it?"

He Yue pondered for a long while: "Have the flying message sent to Gu Changshi, ask about Zhao Shuo's background."

"Many commanders were sent by Balin to resist He Yue's army, and He Yue couldn't know every one by name. This Zhao Shuo, he's not among Balin's famous generals."

"Yes."

"Handling this matter takes longer than sending his subordinates to Luanping Town and back."

"During this period, He Yue had no heart to attack Wancheng, so he held his forces in place, also repelling a night raid sent out by Wancheng."

"Finally, Gu Changshi's message also arrived:"

"Zhao Shuo rose quickly in the Balin army, promoted to his current position after only a few victories. Though he indeed has some command ability, the reason for his repeated promotions was mainly that his great-uncle Zhao Huanrong once served as Balin's vice premier, retiring this year."

"Zhao Huanrong repeatedly recommended him; Zhao Shuo's several victories were all opportunities Zhao Huanrong secured for him to take the field."

"Thus, this uncle-nephew pair should have very close political ties, and their usual relationship is also very good. Zhao Huanrong, whenever he celebrates his birthday, Zhao Shuo personally attends and presents a heavy gift."

"'So he's Zhao Huanrong's nephew!' He Yue hearing this, suddenly understood, 'Then it's still connected to Between Between Between Beijia!'"

"He Yue knows Zhao Huanrong's background—this man, though Balin's vice premier, is believed by Balin's upper class to be close to Between Between Between Beijia, devoted to the Jia Lou Tian. When young, he was exposed and reported, with solid evidence, but the Balin monarch merely gave a light reprimand, docking his salary for a few months, ordering him to face the wall and reflect at home for a year, without damaging his tendons or bones."

"Had it been another official who committed such an offense, he'd probably have been stripped of office and exiled long ago."

"Balin officials are certain: it was Between Between Between Beijia who helped mediate from behind."

"As the Crown Prince of Shen, He Yue understands Balin officials better than many: actually, Zhao Huanrong's backing isn't entirely Between Between Between Beijia—mainly it's the Tiangong!"