Chapter 166: The Imperial City Department is all trash

"What's going on?" Chen Wuji forced himself to keep his expression under control, he asked.

"My stronghold was discovered by Zhang Mingyuan; three scouts were killed and the rest were all captured." Qin Zhanhong's expression was grave, "Just a moment ago I was still proud of my arrangements, and in the blink of an eye the other side destroyed them."

"Although those scouts never saw your true faces, they know me inside out; through me they could probably find you. It's my fault for dragging you into this—hurry up and leave,"

Chen Wuji, who had just taken a few calming pills given by Zhang Lao and Yang Tiejiang, felt his head swell immediately upon hearing this.

That day, he, Xiaoyu, and Lao Yang never took off their masks the whole time.

But their build and facial features could not be hidden; at least they were still recognizable as half a person.

If there were a skilled painter, even with this information they could draw the likenesses of the three of them to about seventy or eighty percent accuracy; exposure would not be a distant matter.

The Imperial City Department really is a bunch of good-for-nothings!

…except for Qin Zhanhong.

As for this woman, I haven't noticed anything else about her for now, but her combat ability in male-female matters is fiercely strong.

"Did the other side leave any clues?" Chen Wuji thought quickly, asking in a low voice.

Qin Zhanhong kept a straight face, shook his head, "Their throats were all slit, killed with a single blow; aside from that, there are no other clues. By the way, the room had been ransacked—the other side seemed to be looking for something."

Chen Wuji said, "What else could they be looking for? Surely the account books and testimonies."

"Why couldn't it be weapons?" Qin Zhanhong asked doubtfully.

Chen Wuji gave Qin Zhanhong a deep look, "Of course it's also possible, but the account books and testimonies are more likely; you've been having people watch the movements of the xianya and the Zhang family these past two days, and you clearly know they haven't turned up anything substantive, right?"

"Yes."

"If that's the case, why would they come straight to your stronghold looking for weapons? That explanation doesn't quite make sense." Chen Wuji explained.

"The only possible explanation is that your stronghold has long been exposed to the Zhang family's eyes. Finding no substantive clues, they fixed their suspicion on you, decided to first strike with a blow to see what would happen—luckily, their blow hit the mark!"

Clearly there were no clues, yet they found the target so precisely, as if they already knew a lot—there can only be one answer.

They had long mastered the stronghold of the Imperial City Department.

They simply hadn't acted because nothing major had happened.

Qin Zhanhong was somewhat agitated, seeming to have lost his bearings, "What should we do now?"

Chen Wuji chuckled, "You're the official; I'm just a little hunter—what do you expect me to suggest?"

"Are you my dad or my half-husband? Can't you give me some ideas?" Qin Zhanhong said resentfully, "Hurry up—it's already this late, and you still have the mood to quibble about these things?"

This outburst made Chen Wuji feel quite theatrical.

In such a serious discussion, inserting such a term of address is too jarring.

Seeing how smoothly and sweetly she called out, I'll help her a bit.

"Does the Imperial City Department have the authority to execute first and report later?" Chen Wuji asked.

"No!"

Chen Wuji choked, "Then what would happen if we executed first and reported later?"

"They would probably be executed." Qin Zhanhong said after thinking.

No one before had done this, and she didn't know what consequences would follow.

"If the other side is plotting rebellion, what if you execute first and report later?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Perhaps the punishment would be lighter." Qin Zhanhong said, "Do you want me to execute first and report later?"

"Exactly, trust me—this time, if you execute first and report later, His Majesty the Emperor will certainly not punish you, and may even promote you." Chen Wuji said, "Openly and aboveboard, go arrest Zhang Mingyuan at his door, execute first and report later."

Qin Zhanhong hesitated, "Zhang Mingyuan fears nothing from the Imperial City Department; if I go to his door to arrest him, I'm afraid it would be like sending a sheep into a tiger's mouth."

Chen Wuji asked, "How many people can you currently mobilize?"

"Inside and outside the city, about thirty people." Qin Zhanhong said.

"Enough." Chen Wuji said, "Zhang Mingyuan couldn't possibly stay holed up in his residence forever without coming out, nor could he constantly have a retinue around him. Wait for the right moment, seize him alone—it shouldn't be too hard, right?"

"That's not difficult, but what then after we catch him?" Qin Zhanhong asked.

Although she holds an important post in the Imperial City Department, she has never experienced a situation like that in Nan Jun.

In this completely passive situation, after being here so long she still hasn't figured out where to start. Obtaining the Zhang clan's smuggling account books is actually just her first step.

But this first step seems to be quickly becoming her last step as well.

In the cases she handled before, investigating a case was just investigating a case.

Unlike in Nan Jun, where these people are lawless, they say they'll kill the emperor's lackeys at the drop of a hat, caring nothing for the emperor's authority.

"Just interrogate them and then kill them outright—what else could there be?" Chen Wuji said matter-of-factly.

"Huh? Kill them outright?" Qin Zhanhong was startled.

The Imperial City Department is merely the emperor's eyes and ears; it fundamentally lacks the authority to carry out executions.

What's more, the other side is a third-rank capital official.

If this caused a disturbance, their office could possibly be investigated and shut down by the Ruan clan faction; that consequence, Qin Zhanhong could not bear.

Chen Wuji laughed, "Don't be overly scrupulous; His Majesty certainly doesn't want you to be overly scrupulous in this matter. What His Majesty wants to see is evidence that can topple Ruan Xiang, or at the very least to resolve the troubles in Nan Jun—without killing anyone, relying only on covert investigation, how would you achieve that goal?"

"Zhang Mingyuan colluded with the barbarians, intending rebellion; after you found the corresponding evidence, he personally led men to raid your stronghold, only to be counter-killed by you. With both human and material evidence complete, how much more reasonable could it be?"

Qin Zhanhong's mind was a bit in a tangle.

Once this decision is made, the ensuing consequences are too complicated.

It's also too huge!

"Take your time thinking; if you can't accept this, then hurry back to the capital and await the emperor's orders." Chen Wuji waved his hand, "As for me, you don't need to worry about anything—even if I really get implicated, I have a way to deal with it."

"In this place of Nan Jun, the Zhang family may seem dominant, but they haven't yet reached the point of controlling everything single-handedly; everyone still has some tricks up their sleeve."

This is indeed a place of exile.

Qin Zhanhong nodded with a troubled expression, "I need to think carefully; let's head back first."

"Let's go."

Shopkeeper Li personally sent Chen Wuji and another person out of Li Si Fencha, and enthusiastically asked Chen Wuji when he would have free time, then to teach his kitchen staff a few dishes, and at one point raised the price of the recipes to twelve taels per dish.

This price made Chen Wuji feel that Shopkeeper Li seemed to be treating him like a fool.

You fucking have already tested the gold content of these recipes, yet you're only willing to add two taels of silver.

Who are you trying to piss off?

Chen Wuji casually responded with a few sentences, and did not hastily agree.

Lao Deng probably needs some time to calm down.

The lively scene at Li Si Fencha has surely already been seen by other peers; Chen Wuji just needs to explain all this, even if he randomly picks another place, dozens of taels per recipe the other party should be very willing to pay.