Being able to serve as Shen Qingshan's Deputy General meant he already had some control over the overall situation.

Naturally, he also knew how important this matter was; it was not a trivial issue.

As the saying goes, it's not about scarcity, but about inequality.

Being part of the Great Wei's army, how would the soldiers feel while other armies enjoyed better treatment?

"First, quell the rumors within the army, and we'll discuss further once I've investigated the situation."

The Deputy General, hearing this, also withdrew from the tent.

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Qingshan picked up the Sound Transmission Magical Artifact and summoned Shen Lingsheng to his tent.

About two quarters later.

Shen Lingsheng, riding his Red Lightning Horse, had already arrived in the tent.

The defense line of the Eastern Garrison of Great Wei was long, so it took some time to get there.

"Father, you've returned. Why didn't you inform Lingsheng in advance, so your son could greet you?"

Shen Qingshan waved his hand: "What's the point of those formalities? I called you urgently because there is an important matter to ask about.

The army's pill matter has always been under your management.

Have you noticed anything unusual?"

Seeing Shen Qingshan's serious expression, Shen Lingsheng immediately understood what his father was referring to.

"Father, are you referring to the issue of the Northeast Garrison and the Forbidden Army switching to using Middle Grade Pills?"

Seeing Shen Lingsheng's reply, Shen Qingshan was slightly relieved.

This son of his had some capability and had already noticed these issues.

"Exactly, Deputy General He mentioned this to me just now; is this true?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingsheng's expression became more serious.

"Nine days ago, Brother Bai Lin discovered this strange matter.

After finding the problem, two waves of Dark Scouts were sent to investigate the reason.

The Ministry of Revenue has confirmed that there has been no change in the grain and supply for each military division.

And the Dark Scouts dispatched to the Northeast Garrison returned yesterday, confirming this matter.

In both the Northeast Garrison and the Forbidden Army, including the new recruits, they have already started using Qi-Enhancing Pills and Replenishing Pills..."

Mentioning this brought a more solemn expression to Shen Lingsheng's face.

After leading troops for so many years, he could naturally see how severe this matter was.

"Did you find out how the Forbidden Army managed to have such abundant resources to purchase so many Middle Grade Pills?"

Shen Lingsheng shook his head: "We have already sent out the most skilled Dark Scouts, but from the information retrieved, it's clear that neither of the two armies could afford that many Middle Grade Pills.

And it's not just Middle Grade Pills; it's heard that even the position of Yazheng and Squad Leaders in both armies has access to High Grade Pills..."

High Grade Pills are exceedingly expensive, and their output in all of Great Wei is low.

Martial Artists and scholars longed to have them but couldn't attain them.

How could the soldiers afford to use them...

The scattered pieces of information made things seem chaotic.

But Shen Qingshan slowly pieced together a line of reasoning.

"If the grain and supply provisions for all the armies haven't changed,

then there's only one reason: a batch of low-priced Middle and High Grade Pills has entered Great Wei..."

The Ministry of Revenue had loyalists from the Shen Family within.

Shen Qingshan also didn't believe that any changes in the grain and supply provisions would leave the Shen Family in the dark.

"Dispatch all the Dark Scouts. They must find the reason no matter what.

Focus on gathering information from drug merchants, especially those who had dealings with the Northeast Garrison.

I'll remain in the tent these days; report as soon as there is any news."

Shen Lingsheng bowed and, with a grave expression, exited the tent, immediately arranging for secret investigation.

Inside the tent, Shen Qingshan leaned back in a rattan chair, growing increasingly worried.

The Forbidden Army and Eastern Garrison, both armies directly controlled by the Imperial Family.

Other armies did not enjoy this special treatment, yet the armies directly controlled by the Imperial Family were enhanced.

This likely meant that the medicine-refining power under the Imperial Family had received significant growth!

Thinking of these, Shen Qingshan's brow remained tightly furrowed.

Should this be the case, the Imperial Family's control over the court will experience another substantial increase...

Outside the tent, the accumulated snow had begun to melt.

At the end of January, there was already a hint of spring, and in the mountain forests, many dead branches started budding new leaves.

These days, Shen Qingshan occasionally walked out of the tent, observing the budding new leaves on the surrounding dead branches.

Yet he didn't feel the vitality; instead, a hint of deathly stillness welled up in his heart.

In a foul mood, everything seemed vexing.

At 3:00 PM, Shen Lingsheng arrived riding the Red Lightning Horse.

Seeing his third son arrive, Shen Qingshan was somewhat anxious.

"Did the Dark Scouts bring back any information?"

"Indeed, as Father suggested, a batch of pills has surfaced in Great Wei from an unknown source.

Those Qi-Enhancing Pills and Replenishing Pills can now be bought for less than sixty percent of their previous price.

The price of High Grade Pills has also dropped by ten percent!"

As he spoke, Shen Lingsheng further took out a small bag of pills.

Inside were the Qi-Enhancing Pills and Replenishing Pills that the Forbidden Army and Northeast Garrison used.

Picking up one, Shen Qingshan sniffed it, finding the fragrance relatively faint compared to pills obtained previously.

Gently splitting the pill's surface refilled the tent with a sudden burst of medicinal fragrance.

"Indeed, as suspected...

These pills are made using the secret techniques of the Xue Family from the Yan Country.

Their potency is at least twenty to thirty percent more effective."

A look of astonishment spread across Shen Qingshan's face.

After saying this, he once again turned to Shen Lingsheng.

"You mentioned these pills are priced below those sold by other families?"

Hearing Shen Qingshan's question, Shen Lingsheng nodded, realizing something was amiss.

Logically speaking, the quality of these pills far exceeded those manufactured by any other family in Great Wei.

Instead of lowering prices, they would be fortunate not getting a price increase.

However, instead, not only were the prices reduced, but they were cut by forty percent...

"Father, Lingsheng doesn't understand, what sort of plan is this?"

With his eyebrows still furrowed, Shen Qingshan's military experience far exceeded Shen Lingsheng's.

What Shen Lingsheng didn't grasp, he somewhat figured out.

"The reason is actually quite simple; without a price reduction, it doesn't matter if the pill quality improved; the army wouldn't consider buying.

The grain and supply provisions couldn't accommodate such enormous expenditure.

However, with a four percent drop in prices, the army is willing to replace the low-grade pills...

The faction behind refining believes in the superiority of their technique and thinks their pill output is ample to support the army's consumption..."

Understanding this, Shen Qingshan realized the severity of the situation.

"Immediately go, capture a couple of drug merchants, and even use torture if necessary to find out where these pills came from."

These matters concern the foundation of the Shen Family Army, and Shen Qingshan was no longer inclined to discuss morality.

The sky grew darker.

At night, Shen Qingshan couldn't sleep.

At 5:00 AM, it was still pitch black outside the tent.

The sound of horse hooves approached, and Shen Qingshan immediately got up.

The person who came was indeed Shen Lingsheng.

Accompanied by Shen Lingsheng, there was also an incredibly shocking piece of news.

Those pills...

Were circulated by the Yun Family.

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