Chapter 272: Suspicions Cast Upon Xiao Moting

A motorcade pulled onto the road.

The road was newly built by the Beijiang Army; the surface was smooth, and although it could not compare to the roads on Bai Wei's side, the vehicles traveled very fast, more than ten times faster than on the Post Road.

By the time evening approached, the motorcade finally arrived at the Snow Mountain Mine.

It was already spring, and there was no more snow at the mine; the mountains were covered in vast stretches of green trees.

The motorcade could not drive up the mountain, so Xiao Moting ordered the vehicles to stop by the roadside and commanded the soldiers to unload the cargo on the spot, then transport the supplies up the mountain using hanging baskets.

Just then, several garrison soldiers hurried down from the mountain.

One of the garrison soldiers came before Xiao Moting and lowered his voice.

"Reporting to the Prince, General Zhang Zhao has asked this subordinate to report to you that the Imperial Guard from Jingcheng is also at the Snow Mountain camp."

"The Imperial Guard?" Xiao Moting raised his sword-like brows in surprise. "Why are they here?"

Shengjing had eighty thousand Imperial Guards, led by Commander Meng Ming, elite troops in heavy armor, guarding the Emperor.

Why had they come to the remote Snow Mountain Mine?

The garrison soldier said, "Reporting to the Prince, the Imperial Guard came to the Snow Mountain Mine because they were pursuing thieves who stole the Tribute..."

After he finished speaking, Xiao Moting understood what was going on.

Every year, the vassal states of the Western Regions presented a batch of precious fruits to Daliang; these fruits were juicy and delicious, and Emperor Xuanjing liked them very much.

This year, the vassal states had presented another batch of Tribute Fruit, but unexpectedly, half a month ago, near the Snow Mountain Mine, they were robbed by a group of rebels who had appeared out of nowhere.

Upon learning that the Tribute Fruit was lost, Emperor Xuanjing was furious and ordered a strict investigation on the spot.

The Imperial Guard then dispatched a force of two thousand elite soldiers, led personally by Commandant Zhao Wei, to the Snow Mountain Mine to thoroughly investigate the loss of the Tribute Fruit.

After the garrison soldier finished speaking, he leaned close to Xiao Moting and lowered his voice.

"Prince, General Zhang asked me to tell you to be careful."

"He drank with Zhao Wei, got him drunk, and pried quite a bit of information out of him."

"Zhao Wei inadvertently let it slip that Emperor Xuanjing suspects the lost Tribute Fruit was stolen by you; the thorough investigation of the Tribute Fruit is just a pretext. In reality, sending them here is to secretly probe the true strength of the Beijiang Army and see if this rebel force is actually the Beijiang Army in disguise."

Qin Zhan stood beside Xiao Moting, and upon hearing this, his anger flared.

"What? The Emperor suspects that the lost Tribute Fruit was stolen by us? We have plenty to eat and drink in the Beijiang, even things that aren't in the Imperial Palace; who would want his lousy Tribute Fruit?"

Xiao Moting's expression turned cold, and he raised a hand to stop Qin Zhan.

Now that the power of the Beijiang Army was growing larger and larger, and they had captured several cities in succession, it was only natural for the Emperor to suspect him.

It was just that the Emperor would suspect him of stealing the Tribute Fruit was truly disheartening.

What use would he have for that Tribute Fruit?

It could only be said that the Emperor had no father-son affection for him at all; he merely treated him as a son out of consideration for his birth mother.

Several officers looked worried.

"Prince, Commandant Zhao has brought two thousand elite soldiers to the Snow Mountain Mine; do you still intend to go up?"

"Of course I must go," Xiao Moting said in a deep voice. "If I leave now, wouldn't it look like I have a guilty conscience? Like 'there is no silver buried here,' they would only think the Tribute Fruit was stolen by our Beijiang Army."

"Then our Military Truck..." Qin Zhan said, turning to look at the Military Truck.

These two Military Trucks, as well as the Minivan, were all things sent by Bai.

If Zhao Wei saw them, he would definitely go back and report to the Emperor.

"Leave the trucks and the minivan here, unload the grain and vegetables, and we will go up the mountain."

After Xiao Moting finished speaking, he set off toward the mine.

How ridiculous!

Rebels appeared and stole the Tribute Fruit, and they actually suspected he had sent the rebels.

He had to find this rebel force and clear his name.

Soon, the group climbed the Snow Mountain and arrived at the Snow Mountain Mine halfway up the slope.

In the mine, a team of Imperial Guards in silver armor stood holding long spears, looking majestic.

In front of the Imperial Guards was a man who looked like an officer, appearing very sharp and capable.

Xiao Moting strode inside.

Zhang Zhao looked up, saw him, and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him with a bow.

"Greetings, Prince."

The sharp-looking man also walked over and bowed to Xiao Moting.

"Jingcheng Imperial Guard Zhao Wei, greetings, Prince."

Xiao Moting nodded slightly. "Commandant Zhao, I heard you are searching for a group of thieves who stole the Tribute? Since they are thieves, you should be searching the surrounding areas; why have you searched your way into my Snow Mountain garrison camp?"

A look of unnaturalness flashed across Zhao Wei's face, and he smiled stiffly.

"Prince, you may not know, but we have investigated, and this group of rebels often appears near the Snow Mountain Mine."

"We came to the Snow Mountain Mine only to search for the rebels and have no other intentions; please do not misunderstand, Prince."

Xiao Moting gave a faint smile.

He had long expected that the other party would refuse to admit it, and he did not expose them.

Xiao Moting looked up and scanned the area, finding it in a state of disarray, so he asked.

"General Zhang, what are you doing?"

Zhang Zhao smiled bitterly.

"Prince, the Snow Mountain camp was robbed again last night."

"This subordinate is having the soldiers take inventory of the lost supplies; among them, three hundred catties of iron ore and over fifty bags of rice and flour were lost, which is quite a significant loss."

Xiao Moting frowned.

The Snow Mountain Mine was under the command of Zhang Zhao, who was steady in his work, and the defenses were arranged very strictly.

How could it be stolen time and time again?

Meeting Xiao Moting's questioning gaze, Zhang Zhao showed shame on his face and cupped his hands, saying.

"Prince, please forgive this general for his incompetence. I arranged for over three hundred guards to patrol at night, yet we still failed to catch the thieves, and they even stole so many things. Please punish me, Prince."

Xiao Moting waved his hand.

At this moment, talking about punishment was of no use.

The Emperor's Tribute was guarded by specialists and the security was very tight; even the Tribute was stolen, so the other party likely had a significant background.

At this time, Zhao Wei spoke up, "These thieves are well-trained, have strong skills, and their movements are extremely coordinated; they are not ordinary criminals. Only those who have undergone long-term training in a military camp would possess such agile skills."

Xiao Moting said indifferently, "Commandant Zhao, are you suspecting me?"

Zhao Wei hurriedly said, "I dare not. It is just that the Tribute has been lost, and the Emperor is furious, ordering this general to investigate strictly; this general dares not be negligent."

"Prince, you have traveled from afar, please rest and eat first; we can discuss the matter of the rebel army after the meal," Zhang Zhao hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over.

Xiao Moting nodded, left Zhao Wei behind, and followed Zhang Zhao away.

After their group had left, Zhao Wei's expression turned cold.

At this moment, one of his subordinates leaned in close.

"Commandant Zhao, Zhang Zhao only sent the letter yesterday, and today the Fourth Prince has already arrived. This speed is too fast; relying on horses alone wouldn't be enough."

Zhao Wei's expression was gloomy, "The Emperor ostensibly sent us to investigate the Tribute, but in reality, he wants us to secretly probe the bottom line of the Beijiang Army. Last time, Yuan Canghai and General Yang joined forces to attack Xiao Moting, but he neutralized them both; his background is not simple."