Chapter 289

The clamor of the myriad nations coming to court, like the splendid yet fleeting fireworks above Bianliangcheng, gradually returned to tranquility after the grand ceremony and frequent feasts.

The envoys of all nations began to depart one after another, carrying the Great Chen emperor's gifts, the returned state letters, and their own thoughts, heading home.

The operation of the imperial court also seemed to have returned to the track of handling daily affairs.

However, a memorial secretly submitted by Marquis Jing'an and Deputy Chief of the Privy Council, Qian Gui, was like a chunk of cold ice dropped onto a calm surface, instantly shattering the slight ease that Chen Wen had just accumulated in his heart.

The content of the memorial was the final investigation results of the prison break incident in Chan Prefecture.

At that moment, Chen Wen was reviewing memorials in the side hall of the Martial Virtue Hall.

The hall was brightly lit by candles, which illuminated his composed countenance.

When his gaze swept over Qian Gui's memorial, sealed with wax and marked "Top Secret", his brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

He set down the vermilion brush, broke the seal, and began to read carefully.

The memorial, in Qian Gui's usual calm hand, detailed the months-long investigation by the Inspection Bureau into the Chan Prefecture prison break, especially the entire process and conclusion of the search for Zhao Kuangyin's whereabouts.

"I have dispatched capable personnel, dividing them into three routes to pursue."

"One route follows the possible escape path of the prison-breakers that day, visiting villages, towns, passes, and remote mountain spots along the way;"

"One route infiltrates Northern Han and Khitan territories to investigate any traces of Zhao Kuangyin or his former troops;"

"One route closely monitors martial world forces, underground money shops, and private salt routes that may have ties to the Iron Crow Army;"

"Over the past months, leads have repeatedly broken off and then been picked up again."

"After consolidating information from all sides, it can now be determined that:"

"The prison break in Chan Prefecture that day was indeed carried out by remnants of the Iron Crow Army."

"Their action was swift, their plan meticulous, and they were extremely familiar with the layout and patrol routines of the Chan Prefecture prison, indicating inside help (that inside collaborator was silenced after the fact)."

"After succeeding in the prison break, that contingent of the Iron Crow Army did not join the main forces of Northern Han or the Khitan, but instead split up, using some secret application of Nether Energy Crystal Ore to conceal their movements, heading north all the way and sneaking deep into the Taihang Mountains."

"Afterward, all overt tracking leads were completely cut off."

"Based on this, Zhao Kuangyin is very likely to have been successfully transferred by the Iron Crow Army to its secret lair somewhere."

"His current state—whether alive or dead, whether under someone's control, or whether he has reached some kind of cooperation with the Iron Crow Army—remains unknown."

"Yet, the Iron Crow Army does not hesitate to expose its hidden strength and risk rescuing Zhao Kuangyin; what lies behind this is certainly no trivial matter."

"Zhao Kuangyin is both brave and strategic, his former troops still exist, and he holds certain influence in the military; if the Iron Crow Army were to employ him, he would likely become a grave threat to us."

"I have already ordered the branches of the Inspection Bureau in all localities to continue covertly monitoring related developments, and to report immediately at the slightest clue."

"However, if he is indeed hidden in the Iron Crow Army's central lair, without a large-scale search of mountains and seas or waiting for him to reveal himself, it would be hard to achieve any result."

"I am incapable; having failed to capture this villain, I have fallen short of the emperor's grace, and I humbly beg Your Majesty to punish me."

At the end of the memorial was Qian Gui's plea for forgiveness.

Chen Wen slowly closed the memorial, leaned back against the chair, and shut his eyes.

The hall was left with only the occasional soft crackle of the burning candles.

Zhao Kuangyin.

That name had not appeared so clearly in his mind for some time.

Once a rival in the Chan Prefecture army, a powerful commander of the Later Zhou's Palace Front Command, he had tried to seize the yellow robe from him at Chen Bridge Post, but after failing was imprisoned… and ultimately, despite strict guard, was snatched away by a mysterious force.

Now it has been confirmed to be the work of the Iron Crow Army.

This was not entirely unexpected to him.

The Iron Crow Army has been seeking an agent capable of opposing or even replacing him, this "greatest variable".

Initially, they perhaps valued someone like Liu Du Tou, a local warlord, but later they evidently turned their gaze to Zhao Kuangyin, who possessed greater potential and prestige.

"Not hesitating to reveal strength, risking a rescue……"

Chen Wen repeated those words from Qian Gui's memorial in his heart.

The master of the Iron Crow Army suffered backlash from the defeat at Jinzhou, was forced to flee, and his forces inevitably sustained heavy losses.

Even at such a time, they still distracted themselves and expended effort to rescue Zhao Kuangyin, which in itself shows that he occupies a considerable position in their future plans.

A mad notion, uncontrolled, drilled into Chen Wen's mind.

Among the information fragments obtained that day from the leader of the Faceless, there was the term "variable".

He himself was evidently the "greatest variable" that the Iron Crow Army and the rules behind it sought to eliminate.

Then, what is Zhao Kuangyin, whom they carefully rescued and concealed?

Is he another "variable"?

Or is he a…… "substitute" they use to "correct" history?

Upon thinking this, Chen Wen suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of cold light passing through his pupils.

He picked up the vermilion brush and annotated Qian Gui's memorial:

"I have reviewed it. This is not your fault; the Iron Crow Army is secretive and extraordinary. Your investigation has exhausted human effort."

"Now that the approximate whereabouts of Zhao Kuangyin are known, it is like a poisonous snake in the dark—knowing its location makes it easier to guard against."

"Order the Inspection Bureau to continue covert surveillance according to the current deployment, without startling the snake, yet never relaxing vigilance."

"Furthermore, strengthen supervision over the military, especially the former Later Zhou commanders, to prevent their old troops from secretly communicating with them."

"Your subordinates have labored hard; I award one hundred taels of gold and fifty bolts of silk to console their efforts."

He did not blame Qian Gui.

Faced with the Iron Crow Army, an opponent beyond ordinary comprehension, being able to trace this far despite losing some leads, confirming Zhao Kuangyin's general whereabouts and the rescuers' identity, Qian Gui and the Inspection Bureau have already done enough.

Some enemies are destined not to be resolved in a single stroke.

Having finished the annotation, he summoned the attending eunuch, returned the memorial to the Privy Council for filing, and carried out the orders as directed.

After handling this urgent affair, Chen Wen no longer had the inclination to continue reviewing other memorials.

He rose and paced slowly within the hall.

The whereabouts of Zhao Kuangyin indeed served as a reminder for him.

The victory at Jinzhou merely temporarily interrupted the Iron Crow Army's direct intervention, forcing their master to go into hiding.

But this poisonous snake hidden in the shadows of history has not been severed at its vital point.

They remain active, still laying out their plans.

Rescuing Zhao Kuangyin is clear evidence.

Moreover, the direction they chose is deep within the Taihang Mountains.

There the mountains are high and the forests dense, the terrain rugged; it has long been a hideout for bandits and covert forces.

Whether the Iron Crow Army sets its nest there or moves Zhao Kuangyin there, it means they will not abandon Zhongyuan in the short term, but are instead accumulating strength, waiting for the next opportunity.

「End…」

Chen Wen then recalled another word from the information fragments.

Is this so-called 'End' related to the mad ravings of the Iron Crow Army's master before his flight?

Is there some connection between their rescue operation for Zhao Kuangyin?

The mysteries seem to be increasing, intertwining with each other.

He walked to the window, opened it, and the night breeze brought in a chill, stirring the strands of hair on his forehead.

The night scenery of Bian Liang was tranquil and peaceful, forming a stark contrast with the undercurrents surging within him.

He knew that the internal rectification and the implementation of the new policies must be accelerated.

The Ministry of Works' new technology research and development also requires more investment.

Although the threat of Northern Han has been temporarily eliminated, the Khitan still eyes the north covetously.

Moreover, there is now an additional hidden danger of the Iron Crow Army lurking in the shadows, which may erupt together with Zhao Kuangyin at any time.

「There must be no slack at all. 」

He murmured softly to himself.

The Fortune Momentum vortex within his body seemed to sense the gravity of his thoughts, its flow speed slightly increasing, exuding a steady and weighty power.

Unnoticed, the Growth Progress Bar advanced a little further.

This is the accumulation from daily diligent governance and handling of complex state affairs.

He needs greater strength—not just an increase in personal martial prowess, but a leap in the dynasty's overall comprehensive power.

Only thus can he cope with the more severe challenges that may arise in the future.

The night grew deeper.

Chen Wen closed the window and returned to the imperial desk.

He picked up the vermilion brush again, his eyes becoming firm and focused.

No matter how many undercurrents lurk in the darkness, he must first attend to the present matters and solidify the foundation of this dynasty.

Only by being strong enough himself can he fear no monsters or spirits.

Zhao Kuangyin's whereabouts are both a warning and a spur.

It reminds Chen Wen that the road to pacifying all under heaven is far from its end.