Chapter 1009

Pan Yun was working hard to clear the sky, while An Chen and the others sought out military households willing to cooperate, and Xue Shao would strike from the front lines to bring Cao Rong and his associates to justice.

However, after Xue Shao accepted the military households' petitions, the Command Headquarters, though resentful toward him, still cooperated with his investigation and did not give him any leverage to seize.

Of course, nothing incriminating could be found in what Xue Shao was investigating within a short time.

Why were the military households living in such poverty?

The answer was that the state was at war, the imperial court was levying taxes, and a natural disaster had struck, hence their hardship.

This was not the Command Headquarters' fault, but the imperial court's—more precisely, Wang Zhen's and the late emperor's.

Wang Zhen was dead anyway; everything could be blamed on him.

During the Luchuan Campaign, Wang Zhen forcibly conscripted Guangdong's military households to reinforce the front, forcing them to bear heavier grain and fodder burdens…

In short, it was all the treacherous eunuch Wang Zhen's fault.

Cao Rong personally met Xue Shao, examined the petitions, and feigned deep remorse, claiming it was his failure in duty.

Fortunately, Wang Zhen was dead and the Luchuan Campaign had ended, granting Guangdong's military and civilians a chance to breathe; he vowed he would properly manage the military households and help them recover their strength within two years, asking the Emperor and the imperial court to grant him more time.

Pan Yun didn't know what Xue Shao was thinking, but after hearing Xi Jin's recount, she immediately went and emptied one of Cao Rong's three storehouses, then slipped into his bedroom, taking all the valuables inside and opening several hidden compartments—regardless of what they contained, she bundled everything and took it all.

When Cao Rong returned home after dark and pushed open his bedroom door, the entire Cao mansion was thrown into chaos.

Xue Shao and Pan Yun sat atop the Provincial Administration Commissioner's office roof, watching Cao's mansion illuminated by lanterns, soldiers coming and going in panic, and couldn't help turning to look at her.

Pan Yun wore an innocent expression: "This isn't my fault—Wang Zhen is dead with no one to contradict him, your case has stalled, so I had to make him move."

She pointed to the bustling Cao mansion: "Look, isn't he moving now?"

Xue Shao: "You moved too far. What did you find in his bedroom?"

Pan Yun handed him the items: ledgers, letters, but mostly banknotes, land deeds, and property deeds—including those from Jingcheng, San Bao Ding, Guangdong, and even five estates in Jiangnan, each no less than five hundred mu.

Pan Yun had been deeply tempted upon seeing them, but remembering that land deeds, once one reached a certain status, could be quickly reissued, she abandoned the idea of keeping them for herself.

Xue Shao frowned deeply as he examined them.

Pan Yun said: "I've given you these. Use them if you can; if not, seal them away. When your people conduct the official search, I'll slip them back in so you can uncover them openly and solidify his guilt."

Xue Shao's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea."

Pan Yun glanced down, rose, and vanished, leaving only these words: "I'm going to keep causing him trouble—hurry up, Chaozhou is waiting for us."

After Pan Yun disappeared, Jiao Tong walked to the eaves, tilting his head up to look at Xue Shao on the roof, frowning: "Wen Shao, what are you doing up there?"

Xue Shao: "Enjoying the view."

"What view? Get down—I have something to ask you."

Xue Shao glanced eastward and smiled faintly: "The view from up here is beautiful."

Jiao Tong had a ladder brought, climbed onto the roof, followed his gaze, and fell silent for a long while.

Xue Shao pressed: "Uncle Jiao, what do you think of the view up here?"

Jiao Tong frowned: "What did you do to provoke such chaos in the Cao mansion?"

Xue Shao replied coolly: "The military households who came today to petition were filled with grief and resentment they could not vent. Tonight, Commander Cao has merely felt one ten-thousandth of that grief."

"I wanted to see: if military households can endure ten-thousandth of pain, how will Cao Rong react to one ten-thousandth? Can he still endure it?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a thunderous crash echoed from the front of the Provincial Administration Commissioner's office, followed by a great clamor.

Jiao Tong whirled around.

From above, they saw Cao Rong leading a squad of soldiers storming into the compound.

The mansion's steward was terrified and unable to stop them; guards rushed forward with swords but were forced to retreat step by step.

Jiao Tong's expression darkened; he turned and glared at Xue Shao, whispering sharply: "What did you do?"

Xue Shao raised an eyebrow, smirking: "I just took a stroll through Cao Rong's bedroom, found a few hidden compartments—didn't expect him to react so strongly."

Jiao Tong nearly spat blood—bedrooms were private spaces! How could anyone just barge in?

And he'd rummaged through his hidden compartments!

If it were him, he'd want to kill someone too.

But…

What exactly was in those hidden compartments that made Cao Rong lose control and storm into the Provincial Administration Commissioner's courtyard with soldiers?

Jiao Tong's mind raced—he didn't hesitate, couldn't hesitate; his instinct was to protect Xue Shao.

When Jiao Tong realized this, he sighed deeply and looked at Xue Shao: "Did you plan this all along—that I'd protect you?"

Xue Shao: "Uncle Jiao, I am the Imperial Inspector, acting on behalf of the Son of Heaven. To kill me is treason. Perhaps you'll weigh the costs—but you are loyal to the Emperor and devoted to the state; you won't let traitors succeed."

Jiao Tong snorted, swept his sleeve aside, and descended the ladder, stomping toward the front courtyard, leaving only his back and one order: "Stay put!"

Xue Shao stayed put—he had no intention of going to the front courtyard unless Cao Rong truly dared to rebel and harm Jiao Tong inside the Commissioner's office.

But he believed Cao Rong wouldn't.

They say military officers are careless, but that's a prejudice.

Any general who rises to become a regional commander is no fool.

Long-term victories are never achieved by martial prowess and bravery alone—they require wisdom and cunning.

Xue Shao stood with his hands clasped on the roof, watching Jiao Tong block Cao Rong's attempt to storm inside, watching Cao Rong rage uncontrollably yet unable to break through and seize him…

Only when Cao Rong turned away in fury did Xue Shao leap down from the roof.

Xi Jin ran up, beaming: "Master, are you hungry? Want some late-night snacks?"

Xue Shao glanced at him: "Next time you gossip with her without my permission, I won't take you out again."

Xi Jin wiped his mouth with his hand: "I'm sorry, Master—I won't dare again."

With the items Pan Yun had retrieved from the hidden compartments, Xue Shao's case advanced rapidly.

After letting Cao Rong cool off overnight, he sent messengers the next day to summon him to the Prefect's office for interrogation.

Cao Rong claimed illness and refused to appear.

Xue Shao heard and asked An Chen: "Did you catch everyone who left the Cao mansion last night?"

An Chen: "Not a single one got away. They, and the letters on them, never left the city."

Xue Shao: "What about the pigeons?"

"The State Master shot them all down. The letters are here, and the pigeons are all in the pot." An Chen paused, then asked: "The porridge made from them smells delicious. Would you like to try some?"

Xue Shao actually felt a bit hungry. After thinking it over, he nodded: "At noon."

Since there were plenty of pigeons and a large pot of porridge had been made, An Chen agreed on Pan Yun's behalf.

Xue Shao said: "Pick one to release. Let him go back to report. You go to Prefect Song and demand the people on the list be brought in for interrogation."

An Chen took the list.

Xue Shao said: "Remember, it's for interrogation. If you can't persuade them to come, bring them back by force."

He lifted his eyes with a faint, mocking smile: "An my lord, it's time for you to fulfill the purpose of your coming here."

An Chen's face turned solemn: "We, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, operate with your lord's confidence."

An Chen tucked the list into his robe and left.

First, he went to the jail and selected the man to be released, handed him to the jailers, ordered them to let him go after noon, then gathered four brothers and, with the manpower provided by Song Hao, went to summon the others.

Naturally, not all went smoothly. Fortunately, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had high martial skill, ruthless hearts, and powerful backing. They beat two men half to death and dragged them back, one with minor injuries was forced back, and two others, upon seeing the terrible state of the three men already in the cart, promptly chose to be wise and obediently followed An Chen to the Prefect's government office for interrogation.

When he brought everyone back to the Prefect's government office, it was precisely noon—the jailers released the man.

The man did not stop running; he headed straight for the Cao mansion to report. When he reached the street, the cart carrying the five prisoners entered the Prefect's government office.

Xue Shao glanced at the two severely injured men, raised his hand, and ordered someone to fetch the coroner to treat them.

As for the one with minor injuries, he was directly forced down to kneel with the other two.

All three were military officers. Forced to kneel, they struggled fiercely, refusing to lower their other knee, keeping only one knee on the ground.

They glared at Xue Shao: "Xue Shao, we are imperial officials like you. How dare you force us to kneel!"

Great Ming did not favor the kowtow. Except in formal audiences before the Emperor or when pleading for his favor, ministers typically bowed with a hand gesture.

Xue Shao did not wish to humiliate them. He raised his hand to the government office Runners holding them.

The government office Runners loosened their grip. The three men sprang up, broke free, and stood glaring.

Xue Shao tapped his fingers lightly on the desk: "Last night's commotion at the Cao mansion was loud. I assume you know why I summoned you?"

All three showed confusion in their eyes.

Xue Shao raised an eyebrow: "What? Didn't Commander Cao tell you?"

Meanwhile, Cao Rong learned from the escaped messenger that his men had been captured and the letters intercepted.

Cao Rong smashed a table in rage, his entire arm numbed by the shock.

He struggled for half a minute before finding his voice: "The pigeon messages—were they sent?"

A guard immediately checked. Nearly twenty minutes later, the steward entered, drenched in cold sweat, holding a few feathers: "Master, we found these near the estate. Those carrier pigeons are likely dead."

Cao Rong clenched his fists in fury: "It seems Xue Shao was prepared all along. This is aimed directly at me."

The strategist couldn't help asking: "Master, have you offended him before?"

"He's a Jiangnan Inspector. I'm the Guangdong Commandant. Where would I have offended him?" Cao Rong snapped. "I think it's those civil officials wanting to strike at our military. It must be because the new Emperor, after his personal campaign, intends to strengthen the army, and that's angered them."

"Hmph. Afraid to touch the northern armies, afraid to strike Jiangnan or the southwest—so they turn on Lingnan, thinking I'm a soft target!"

But the strategist sensed something wrong: "If that were true, his speed is too fast, and his precision too ruthless—he shows no mercy at all. This doesn't look like an attempt to use you to target the capital's military nobility. It looks like he wants a swift, decisive end, to prevent the matter from spreading."

The strategist frowned, hesitated, then fell silent.

Cao Rong urged: "Speak plainly."

The strategist said: "If you haven't offended him, then it's for public reasons. After thinking it through, the only possibility is that your subordinate officers have oppressed the military households too harshly—that's what provoked the Inspector's wrath. So…"

Cao Rong spun around, glaring at him like a wolf: "Are you saying it's my fault?"

The strategist bowed quickly: "What I mean is, it's the men under you who acted too cruelly, deceiving you."

He paused, lowering his voice by a full octave: "Master, Xue Shao is impervious to flattery or threats. He has an excellent reputation in court, is favored by the new Emperor, and has Xue Xuan in high office, plus the State Master as a friend at the Emperor's side. Confronting him directly will only backfire."

"But didn't you say he doesn't respond to flattery?"

"He doesn't respond to flattery, but he respects the greater good," the strategist whispered. "Master, you must consider cutting off your own arm."

Cao Rong remained silent for a long time, then said in a low voice: "The items were taken from the hidden compartment in my bedroom. Besides the treasure vault, I lost other things. Cutting off an arm may not be enough. I think we must eradicate the root."

Cao Rong made a slicing motion with his palm across his throat: "When the man is dead, everything can start anew."

"No!" the strategist cried urgently. "Master, he has Embroidered Uniform Guards around him. And he emptied a treasure vault without a sound—he must have many men. Who knows if any escaped? If they carry even a scrap of paper accusing you of assassinating an Inspector, it's equivalent to treason—punishable by extermination of nine clans!"

Of course, in reality, few were truly exterminated in full nine-clan fashion—but exterminating three clans was standard practice.

Cao Rong's descendants for three generations would have no chance of survival.

Cao Rong's face turned ashen.

The strategist stared at him, hoping he wouldn't act rashly and drag them all into irredeemable ruin.

After a long while, Cao Rong exhaled slowly: "Then tell me—how do I cut off my own arm?"

The strategist immediately laid out exactly which arm needed to be severed.

Cao Rong listened, each word cutting deeper into his heart until he could barely breathe.

The strategist watched his face darken, his entire body radiating malice, unsure whether he had accepted it.

When Cao Rong finally left, his gaze at the strategist was icy and cold—the strategist felt as if he had become a corpse.

It was long after Cao Rong departed before the strategist's body warmed again.

Slowly, he sat on the chair and pondered. After a long while, relying on his understanding of Cao Rong, he rose quietly and slipped out the back courtyard, crossed the alley, found his wife, and told her to pack their belongings and leave immediately with the family.

"Don't stop for a single step. Go straight to your eldest sister's. Don't return to your hometown or your natal home."

His wife: "Why so suddenly?"

"Don't ask so many questions. Go now."

His wife asked worriedly, "What about you?"

"I still have some matters to handle. You all go on ahead, and I'll come catch up with you later. At the fastest, five days; at the slowest, one month. If after a month I still haven't come to find you, take the children and move somewhere else. Don't tell me, and don't tell anyone else where you're going. Find a place on the spur of the moment — it has to be somewhere completely unfamiliar. Keep the money and valuables I gave you safe."

"Husband~~"

The advisor sighed and said, "From the very first New Year when I recorded the gold Cao Rong brought into the household, I foresaw this day. Heaven's Way keeps balance — how could it possibly let one person stay so triumphant forever?"

"It's not that there is no retribution; the time simply hadn't come. And now, his time has come, and I've reached the end of the road."