Chapter 662: Chapter 662: Victory Report

Everything was proceeding smoothly.

After being confined to the palace to recuperate from his long illness, this trip out had significantly lifted Emperor Muwu’s spirits.

However, this relaxed mood did not last long.

The very next morning, a memorial presented by Xu Fengchi once again filled the imperial court with tension.

And this time, it was not about a specific person, but rather...

"Your Majesty, after this humble official’s investigation, and with repeated verification from Lord Mou, it has been confirmed. The weapons sold to Master Wa did not come from the Ministry of War, but from an iron mine outside Shiluan City!"

Emperor Muwu almost thought he had misheard. "What did you say?!"

These weapons were supposed to be produced under unified state control, yet Xu Fengchi was now saying that they were being made elsewhere!

The implication could not be clearer: someone was illegally forging weapons!

This was a capital offense!

Emperor Muwu snapped back to his senses and immediately turned to Miao Sheng. "Miao Sheng! Is what he says true?!"

Miao Sheng stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Your Majesty, every word Lord Xu has spoken is true. This humble official can attest that the weapons confiscated from Master Wa’s men were not made by the Ministry of War. Although they look very similar, the craftsmanship and precision are somewhat lacking. They are comparatively crude."

He paused for a moment.

"In other words, someone approached Zheng Baosu and asked for his help in this transaction. We still do not know just how many weapons have fallen into Master Wa’s hands."

The court officials erupted in an uproar!

"Someone is actually forging weapons in secret? How incredibly audacious!"

"It’s simply unthinkable! The designs are top secret, especially for the new crossbows... Even many soldiers in the army have not seen them, yet someone has already managed to create imitations and sell them to Wazhen!"

"How despicable! The person behind this is no ordinary figure! So brazen and audacious! It’s a crime punishable by death!"

"Your Majesty! This matter has grave implications! It must be investigated thoroughly!"

Listening to the clamor of the officials below, Emperor Muwu’s expression was as dark as a thundercloud.

Shen Yanchuan glanced up, then quickly lowered his eyes.

He was not surprised by Emperor Muwu’s reaction.

This was indeed a shocking scandal, but he had already detailed everything he had uncovered at the iron mine in Shiluan City in a memorial and placed it on Emperor Muwu’s desk long before.

Yet, Emperor Muwu had taken no action afterward.

At the time, all the evidence pointed to Xiao Chengxuan. More importantly, while Shen Yanchuan had seen some arrows forged from fine iron in the mine, he hadn’t seen much else.

Furthermore, with the unexpected incidents that night, he didn’t want to tip them off, so he hadn’t returned. Instead, he had merely sent men to watch the place in secret.

He hadn’t expected that after so long, the breakthrough would come from Master Wa’s side.

Emperor Muwu only needed to connect the dots to understand what was happening: someone had opened an iron mine outside Shiluan City, was secretly forging weapons, and then selling them to Wazhen.

Previously, Emperor Muwu had dismissed it as nothing more than Xiao Chengxuan’s petty dabbling and had paid it no mind.

But today’s evidence was enough to prove that the iron mine was involved in something far greater than Emperor Muwu had ever imagined!

What sent a chill down the spine was this: Xiao Chengxuan had already been exiled to Yizhou! And yet, the iron mine was completely unaffected! It was still operating as usual!

The officials were outraged, but they had no idea that Emperor Muwu’s heart was filled with even greater shock and fury than their own!

Perhaps... there was also a hint of regret?

Shen Yanchuan stared at the floor, thinking quietly.

’If Emperor Muwu had acted decisively back then and sent people to investigate thoroughly, this news probably wouldn’t have been delayed until today.’

’In all that time, who knows how many more weapons were produced and sent to Wazhen?’

...

Emperor Muwu was indeed about to explode with rage.

His mind was not yet addled. In an instant, he understood the cause and effect of the entire affair.

His hand, gripping the Dragon Throne, trembled slightly from anger and regret.

Standing beside him, Eunuch Li saw this clearly and grew worried.

"Your Majesty?"

Emperor Muwu closed his eyes and raised a hand, signaling that he was fine.

The many officials standing below finally noticed that something seemed wrong with the Emperor. They fell silent, their faces filled with worry and concern.

"Is Your Majesty feeling unwell?" Chen Songshi asked.

Emperor Muwu shook his head. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze had returned to its usual profound, inscrutable depth.

"We are fine. Miao Sheng, dispatch men to Shiluan City immediately! We want this matter investigated thoroughly! Find out exactly how many weapons have been forged in that iron mine, how many have been shipped to Wazhen, and who is truly in control behind the scenes... Investigate every last detail! If anyone dares to obstruct you, We grant you the authority to execute first and report later!"

Many officials were startled, but on second thought, the security of the nation was at stake. Failure to conduct a strict investigation would lead to endless future troubles.

Miao Sheng immediately replied, "Yes! I shall not fail my mission and will give Your Majesty an answer as soon as possible!"

Emperor Muwu leaned back on the Dragon Throne. After the initial shock and rage, all that remained was an endless exhaustion.

His gaze swept over the crowd below.

These were all his subjects. He had always believed he had everything perfectly under his control.

But only now did he suddenly realize that, silently and without his notice, things had long since slipped from his grasp.

The feeling made him anxious, even... fearful.

He had not experienced such an emotion in so many years that for a moment, he found it hard to accept.

Emperor Muwu pressed his fingers to his brow.

"Does anyone else have a memorial to present?"

Many of the officials looked hesitant.

No one had expected Xu Fengchi to drop another bombshell like that. Compared to this, the matters they wished to report on were merely trivialities.

Besides, anyone with eyes could see that Emperor Muwu was in an extremely foul mood. To step forward now would be asking for trouble, wouldn’t it?

’It’s best to bring it up another day,’ they thought.

And so, a tacit understanding fell over the great hall as everyone remained silent.

Emperor Muwu couldn’t be bothered to press the matter. He waved his hand dismissively.

Eunuch Li understood and, in a high-pitched voice, began, "Since none of you have anything to report, then—"

"Report!"

A hurried cry suddenly echoed from outside the hall!

"An eight-hundred-li express report!"

Emperor Muwu, who had been about to rise, froze at the sound. He frowned toward the entrance. "What is it? Announce him."

A soldier in full armor strode into the hall. He was covered in dust from his journey, but his expression was one of great excitement.

He dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty! A message from the Southwest! A group of Nanhu bandits attempted to seize Long City but have been annihilated by the combined forces of King Yan Nan and Lord Feng Zhang! The enemy’s five-thousand-strong force has been completely wiped out! Their leader was captured alive and is now a prisoner in our camp! King Yan Nan will soon personally lead his troops to escort the prisoners back to the capital!"

As his words fell, the entire hall erupted with excitement!

Emperor Muwu was overjoyed and shot to his feet.

"The letter? Bring it here for Us to see for Ourself!"

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