Chapter 574

The convoy that followed Gai Nie to Jiuyuan Commandery was strictly guarded. The guards were, without exception, the elite of the elite. If one observed carefully, they would find that many mysterious individuals were mixed among them.

These people were all from the Shadow Secret Guard.

Although Gai Nie was the one escorting the three-piece cavalry set, and Gai Nie was the head of the Shadow Secret Guard, no one said he couldn't use members of the Shadow Secret Guard to assist.

As for why he didn't use people from the Net?

When it came down to it, it was because the people of the Net could not be trusted.

Back when Zhao Gao was dismissed from his position as the head of the Net, many disturbances had broken out within the organization. Did Ying Zheng really not know about this? The reason he didn't settle scores later was that he had already seized Zhao Gao's position as the master of the Net. Plus, Zhao Gao had only used minor tricks and hadn't caused major destruction, and he had indeed made significant contributions in the past, which was why he was spared.

But in reality, since then, Ying Zheng had lost all patience with Zhao Gao.

If Zhao Gao had been diligent and worked earnestly in Jiuyuan Commandery, Ying Zheng might not have settled scores with him. If he still harbored treacherous intentions, Ying Zheng would not be lenient.

This time, the situation of the war in Jiuyuan Commandery was perfectly clear to those in Xianyang. If Li Mu could deduce that someone had leaked information, how could there be no one on the Xianyang side who could deduce this?

Since they had already deduced this, and Ying Zheng had placed his hopes on the three-piece cavalry set created by Su Xuan, intending to use them to wipe out the Xiongnu in one battle, how could he possibly let the already problematic Net escort these items?

It was also because most of those escorting these items were from the Shadow Secret Guard that Zhao Gao's people were unable to discern the truth.

In the end, he was no longer the master of the Net. Even though he had operated within the Net for many years and had many people he could use, most of these people had been purged during the initial turmoil. Although there were still some deeply hidden individuals, Zhao Gao had to save them for more important times, not now.

Although the people escorting these items were Shadow Secret Guards and he couldn't get first-hand clues, it didn't matter. One had to know that this was Jiuyuan City; he had operated here for many years and had also cultivated many usable people.

The night was deep, and many people in tight-fitting clothes guarded the convoy closely. It seemed there was no slack, but in the end, someone in the shadows still found a slight oversight.

A person dressed in night-traveling clothes sneaked in quickly, took some items directly from the carriage, and without even having time to observe what they were, fled rapidly.

He thought he had succeeded and that it was foolproof.

Yet he did not know that after he took these items away, a figure appeared quietly.

It was... Gai Nie!

No one expected that Gai Nie, as the master of the Net, would actually guard these items himself.

But if one delved into Gai Nie's personality, one would find this not strange.

Although Gai Nie was the master of the Net, his personality was more like that of an ascetic. Wealth and power were like clouds and smoke to him, and he did not covet enjoyment. In the past, he had always silently guarded Ying Zheng's side as his chief bodyguard.

Now, after arriving in Jiuyuan Commandery, knowing that certain people here were problematic, he naturally would not be negligent.

To prevent accidents, he chose to guard these items himself.

However, unexpectedly, even though he had clearly discovered someone sneaking in to steal items, he did not come forward to stop them immediately.

Gai Nie's thoughts flickered, and with an order, someone soon brought Meng Tian.

Li Mu followed quietly by Meng Tian's side.

"Mr. Gai!"

Meng Tian greeted Gai Nie, very curious about the purpose of Gai Nie calling him here.

Gai Nie spoke bluntly, "Someone came here earlier and stole the saddles, stirrups, and horseshoes!"

"What?"

Hearing this, Meng Tian's expression immediately tightened.

They had already verified the function of these items earlier. If used properly, they could serve as a trump card to greatly enhance the strength of the Qin cavalry and subsequently crush the Xiongnu. But before using these items, they had one more thing to do: root out the spy hiding on their side. Otherwise, although these items had miraculous effects, their construction was simple. If leaked by a spy in advance, it was inevitable that the Xiongnu side would imitate them.

As a result, before they could even root out the spy, an accident had already occurred.

This left Meng Tian somewhat shocked and somewhat angry.

Gai Nie saw Meng Tian's anger and comforted him, "General Meng, do not worry; everything is under control."

Meng Tian heard the meaning behind these words and immediately looked at Gai Nie with a gaze full of deep meaning.

In the Commandery Governor's mansion.

Although it was already night, Zhao Gao was not sleeping.

In a quiet room, he looked calmly at the person before him. "Are you sure you weren't discovered?"

"My lord, rest assured, I am certain no one discovered my tracks!"

Only then did Zhao Gao nod with peace of mind, and then he looked at the items stolen by the person before him.

Upon seeing these items clearly, Zhao Gao was stunned.

What on earth are these?

Indeed, without anyone explaining, even Zhao Gao did not know these were meant to be installed on horses. He did not understand what unique use these few strips of cloth and iron plates could have.

Before he could even guess the purpose of these items, someone came to report that Meng Tian was visiting.

Thus, Zhao Gao had to hurriedly end this clandestine meeting to meet Meng Tian.

"What brings General Meng here?"

"Has the Xiongnu launched another invasion?"

After seeing Meng Tian, Zhao Gao immediately put on an official tone and asked Meng Tian.

Meng Tian's expression turned cold. "General Zhao, you know full well why I have come here."

"Oh?" Zhao Gao's heart tightened, but his face remained calm. "I would like to hear the details!"

Meng Tian said, "Earlier, His Majesty the Emperor sent a letter stating that the State Preceptor had created several unique items that could help us defeat the Xiongnu. Today, I secretly inspected them and confirmed they indeed have miraculous uses. I did not expect that as soon as night fell, someone would go to steal them."

"I was wondering why the previous battles were lost, as if the Xiongnu knew our army's movements. Now it seems there is a spy on our side. Zhao Gao, how do you explain this?"

Zhao Gao's heart wavered, but as someone who had once commanded the Net, he quickly calmed down.

He feigned realization. "So that's the reason for the losses in the battles. But General Meng, what does this have to do with me? You must know that since the Xiongnu invasion, I have not dared to be the slightest bit negligent and have been actively preparing logistics for the army. General Meng, you don't think I'm colluding with the Xiongnu, do you?"

Meng Tian did not respond.

Gai Nie, who had come along, said something that made Zhao Gao's heart tremble: "I don't know why you were in such a hurry to have someone steal those things, but you probably don't know that to prevent theft, we had already set a trap on those items from the very beginning. Through that trap, we have confirmed that the person who stole the items is currently here with you!"