Chapter 18

After returning to the room, Tang Zheng shut the door heavily, his face full of dejection.

"Sigh, no chance."

Hearing Tang Zheng's sigh, Lin Zuo asked with a smile, "Commander, what's wrong?"

"Miss Xiao Xi already has someone she's fond of. He's an Embroidered Uniform Guard who saved her when she was a child," Tang Zheng said with a mournful face. "I don't think I can compete with him."

"But aren't you also an Embroidered Uniform Guard, Commander?"

Hearing Lin Zuo's words, Tang Zheng was stunned for a moment, then said somewhat guiltily, "That's true, that's true."

Lin Zuo: "Furthermore, Miss Su said that the Embroidered Uniform Guard saved her when she was a child. Calculating the time, it should have been ten years ago. The Zhuque Flag of the North Suppressing Faction of the Embroidered Uniform Guard once wiped out river bandits here. That was a long time ago; they might not even be in contact anymore..."

"What you say makes sense!" Tang Zheng said thoughtfully, his eyes gradually brightening again.

"Commander, I've finished reading the account book," Lin Zuo said, changing the subject and handing the book to Tang Zheng.

"Oh? Did you find anything?"

"No! Looking at the accounts, it's very clean. Su Shanhe did not engage in corruption or break the law. However..."

"However what?"

"However, in the last three years, the imperial court's funding for the Zhenjiang Prefecture water transport has increased year by year, yet the grain turned over by Zhenjiang Prefecture has decreased year after year. As the Grain Transport Supervisor Commander, Su Shanhe has always been the one handling both the grain and the funding. If we can't find the specific reason, his suspicion cannot be cleared."

"Investigate! We must find out!" Tang Zheng's emotions suddenly became agitated. "If we don't get to the bottom of this, how can we face the imperial court and the people of Zhenjiang Prefecture? How can we face Miss Xiao Xi?"

He waved his hands, saying emotionally, "I want Miss Xiao Xi to know that I, Tang Zheng, am also a man who stands tall between heaven and earth."

Seeing Tang Zheng's state, Lin Zuo just smiled faintly and said, "Alright."

"By the way," Tang Zheng suddenly asked again, "I know you are well-read in history and have a great memory. Can you help me check two more things?"

"Please speak, Commander."

"Help me find out who the Embroidered Uniform Guard was who saved Miss Su ten years ago." Tang Zheng paused, then continued, "Also, help me check if there was a person named Tang Xiao in the North Government Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard back then."

Lin Zuo looked at Tang Zheng and asked with a half-smile, "Commander, aren't you an Embroidered Uniform Guard yourself? Just look at the files; do you need me to check for you?"

Tang Zheng was speechless for a moment, then put on a stern face and said, "If I tell you to check, then check. Why so much nonsense?"

"Yes, Commander."

……

Early the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, there was a knock on the door of the small courtyard.

"Who is it?"

Su Xiaoxi asked while going to open the door. However, when the door opened, she found Li Sheng standing outside.

"What are you here for?"

Su Xiaoxi said coldly and tried to close the door, but Li Sheng blocked it with his hand first.

"On the orders of Prefect Zhou, I have come to visit the Commander and provide some news related to the Su Shanhe case."

Although she really disliked Li Sheng, since he claimed to be here on the Prefect's orders to provide information, Su Xiaoxi couldn't stop him and had to step aside to let him in.

"The Commander has just woken up. Follow me."

When Li Sheng was brought to the room, Tang Zheng had not been awake long and was sitting in a chair resting after eating the breakfast Su Xiaoxi had prepared.

"This humble one pays respects to the Commander," Li Sheng said, kneeling and bowing.

"Hmm." Tang Zheng nodded expressionlessly, deliberately putting on airs. He didn't acknowledge him immediately, but instead picked up the teacup on the table and began to sip slowly.

In fact, he wasn't very surprised that Li Sheng had been able to find this place.

Zhenjiang Prefecture was only so big, and Su Shanhe's home wasn't a secret. Someone with intent who couldn't find the Commander elsewhere would definitely come to try their luck.

As for Tang Zheng's posturing, Li Sheng didn't show the slightest impatience. After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Tang Zheng finally put down the teacup and said faintly, "Did Prefect Zhou send you?"

"Yes."

"Then say what you have to say."

"This..." Li Sheng glanced at Su Xiaoxi, hesitating to speak. "This involves the Su Shanhe case. If Miss Su is present..."

"Then I will step aside." Su Xiaoxi left that sentence behind, turned, and left, pulling the door shut.

"Now you can speak." Tang Zheng frowned and looked at him.

"Yes, Commander." Li Sheng said with a fawning smile, "Prefect Zhou ordered me to bring a message, saying he deeply apologizes for the unpleasantness yesterday and hopes the Commander will not take it to heart."

As he spoke, he took a silver note from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

"This is a small token of Prefect Zhou's sincerity. It is not much, but I hope the Commander will accept it."

Tang Zheng subconsciously took it and glanced at it. The string of numbers on it made him a bit dizzy, and his hand trembled slightly, but he quickly pretended to be calm and placed the silver note on the table.

"Three thousand taels. A very generous gesture."

"Not at all, Commander, you are joking." Li Sheng said fawningly, "Commander, you serve in the Capital; this amount of silver certainly wouldn't catch your eye, but it is just our Prefect wanting to express his apologies."

Tang Zheng tapped the table with his fingers: "Your Prefect sending me such a large sum of silver, it shouldn't just be an apology, right?"

"Well..." A fawning smile appeared on Li Sheng's face. "Commander, you are wise. Prefect Zhou says Su Shanhe is just a small character; it's not worth damaging the relationship between our two sides over this. Tomorrow night, Zhenjiang Prefecture will hold a grand River God Sacrifice Ceremony, after which a ship of precious tribute will set sail for the Capital via the Grand Canal. As long as there is no trouble before then, after the ceremony ends, he will definitely give the Commander face and release Su Shanhe."

Seeing that Tang Zheng still seemed a bit hesitant, Li Sheng hurriedly added, "Prefect Zhou also said that he will find a way to cover the account deficit, and he will absolutely not make things difficult for you, Commander."

Tang Zheng pondered for a moment: "This..."

However, before he could finish, he heard Lin Zuo's voice from the inner room: "This, indeed, is worth considering."

Then he saw Lin Zuo lift the curtain and walk out.

"Hey, how did you..."

Tang Zheng subconsciously wanted to ask Lin Zuo, but Lin Zuo had already walked to his side and pressed his hand on his shoulder, patting it lightly.

His movement looked casual, but the force was great. Tang Zheng had been preparing to stand up from the chair, but with this pat, he couldn't help but sit back down.

"I think the Prefect has good intentions, and we shouldn't let him down." Lin Zuo said, while covertly signaling to Tang Zheng with his eyes. "What do you think, Commander?"

Although he didn't know the specific meaning of Lin Zuo's eyes, Tang Zheng still subconsciously said, "Hmm, what you say also makes sense."

On the other side, Li Sheng was pleasantly surprised upon hearing this and asked, "So, Commander, you are accepting Prefect Zhou's suggestion?"

"Hmm."

"That's great." Li Sheng said, bowing and scraping. "Since the Commander has stated his position, I will go back and report to the Prefect."

"Very well, thank you for your hard work." Tang Zheng said to Lin Zuo, "Help me see off Deputy Commander Li."

Lin Zuo: "Please."

Li Sheng: "This humble one takes his leave." ===== CHAPTER 19 =====