"What, say it again?"
Inside the County Governnt Office, Zuo Qiu Ming’s eyes widened, his chest heaving violently, like an enraged demon beast, exerting the full force of his fifth-rank strength without reservation.
The entire main hall of the County Governnt Office was enveloped by an invisible pressure.
And the governnt officials on both sides of the hall were trembling slightly with fear, each lowering their heads, afraid of provoking the furious Zuo Qiu Ming above.
"Sir, it’s true..."
"On the way to deliver this batch of weapons to the Celestial Water Commandery, a group of masked n in black suddenly appeared, seemingly already lying in ambush there waiting for us. Even though we resisted with all our might, we were ultimately outmatched, and among the escorting... soldiers... none survived except for ! Sir!"
The governnt official kneeling below was extrely weak at this mont, speaking in broken sentences, his official uniform stained with blood, his face pale as a sheet.
If not for a few brothers sacrificing their lives to help him break through the encirclent, how could he possibly have had the chance to escape!
Now, after speaking the last word, he seed to have exhausted all his strength, collapsing and almost lying on the ground.
Zuo Qiu Ming at this mont felt as if struck by lightning, his entire body stiff, his face as pale as clay.
"How could... how could this happen?"
In an instant, his whole body felt drained, staggering, his entire form falling backward, fortunately saved from disgrace by the chair behind him.
Who could have done it?
To prevent the news from leaking when setting out to transport this batch of weapons, they chose the dead of night, and not only that, the transport route was also kept secret.
According to him, it seems the escort route had been leaked.
How is that possible? Only he and the commander of the escort knew the route.
At this ti,
Zuo Qiu Ming, sitting in the chair, stared blankly, as if lost.
The day before yesterday, the Yao Family delivered the newly made weapons, a total of 4,000 pieces.
Counting these 4,000 pieces, there were only about 3,000 left until the 20,000-count order from above, definitely enough ti for the remaining weapons.
This made Zuo Qiu Ming extrely happy.
Previously, he had worried that the Yao Family might slack off due to the last incident, deliberately causing trouble for him.
For this reason, he pressured the Pei Family, not allowing any disturbance in the west district belonging to the Yao Family.
It was all to appease the Yao Family.
Unexpectedly, not only did the speed of the Yao Family’s manufacturing not decrease, they even delivered 4,000 pieces ahead of schedule.
Thus, he imdiately expressed that once the task was completed, he would definitely comnd the Yao Family above.
He even feasted with Yao De that very night.
But unexpectedly... a problem occurred on the way to deliver them to the Celestial Water Commandery.
Losing such a large batch of weapons is a major cri.
At worst, it might cost him his position, and at worst, even his head.
Moreover, even if he wanted to redy the situation, there wasn’t enough ti.
"What to do? What to do?"
Zuo Qiu Ming was utterly panicked at this mont. If this matter wasn’t handled well, he would truly be finished.
"Steward Wang!"
He looked urgently at the middle-aged man standing beside him, clutching at him as if grasping at a straw.
Wang Jinsheng!
As Zuo Qiu Ming’s trusted confidant and steward in the County Governnt Office, his position was below only one person but above all others there.
Although his heart was in turmoil, resembling forceful waves that couldn’t calm for a long ti, he forcibly composed himself.
"You all may leave!"
After dismissing all governnt officials from the County Governnt Office, he said to Zuo Qiu Ming, "Sir, this matter is crucial. If not handled well..."
"I know, just think quickly of a way to redy it."
There was no room for idle talk now; he was well aware of the severity of the situation.
But his mind was truly in chaos right now, without a clue, and the only person he could rely on was Wang Jinsheng.
As Zuo Qiu Ming’s strategist, after much contemplation, he finally spoke under Zuo’s hopeful gaze.
"First, seal off the information. Including those still alive, this matter must not reach the Celestial Water Commandery; otherwise, there will be no chance for rediation."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Zuo Qiu Ming quickly nodded, "And then?"
"Second, have the Yao Family continue manufacturing, and quickly! Even if these losses can’t be replaced, it’s essential to make additional weapons before the deadline. When the ti cos, if the superiors bla us, as long as the numbers aren’t vastly different, at most they’ll reproach you for handling affairs poorly. Then you can smooth it over, and the problem will not be too big."
Upon hearing his strategy, Zuo Qiu Ming seed a bit calr.
Losing them was a severe cri!
Poor handling, on the other hand, was at least defensible, as the task from the Celestial Water Commandery was imnse and rushed, warranting so explanations.
Moreover, as Wang Jinsheng said, later smoothing things over with the influential individuals above would downgrade the matter, at worst resulting in his loss of the title of County Magistrate of Yunze County.
Ultimately, he might lose his position, but at least his life would be spared. Besides, the Zuo Family still held so power in the Celestial Water Commandery.
That was sufficient.
"Go, you must handle this personally, and cleanly; leave no one knowing this event!"
Although these governnt officials were innocent, nothing was more important than his life.
At this mont, Zuo Qiu Ming’s intent to kill was rampant. If it weren’t for his status making it inconvenient to personally handle matters, he would have acted himself long ago.
"Yes, Sir!"
"These matters shall remain solely between us two; should a third person find out, you know the consequences!"
Zuo Qiu Ming’s words were laden with intense threats.
Wang Jinsheng’s heart trembled upon hearing them and imdiately expressed his loyalty, "Rest assured, Sir. My life is granted by you, and I swear, no third person in this world will know of this affair!"
"Hmm! Go now!"
...
Wang Jinsheng left the main hall of the County Governnt Office, and as a spring wind blew,
suddenly a chill spread across his back.
Only now did he feel that his back was soaked through.
However, at this mont, he couldn’t care about that.
But many people were aware of this matter, and dealing with it would require so effort.
Still in the County Governnt Office hall, Zuo Qiu Ming dared not relax for even a mont and wasn’t planning to go anywhere.
He had to wait here until Wang Jinsheng returned to feel a little relieved.
...
Until dusk, the figure of Wang Jinsheng finally appeared in the County Governnt Office hall.
The first words he said to Zuo Qiu Ming were, ’They’re all dead’!
At this mont, Zuo Qiu Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you for your hard work. You may leave!"
...
For several days in a row, Zuo Qiu Ming’s condition was not good, feeling alard and on edge, afraid that the news would leak out.
He had lost quite a bit of weight.
Fortunately, the days had been calm without any anomalies, which made him feel a bit at ease.
But in the end, paper can’t wrap fire.
Even though Zuo Qiu Ming killed this Governnt Official to seal their mouths, the matter still broke out.
On the tenth day after the weapons were lost, Fengyang County, a hundred kiloters away from Yunze County, fell.
Of course, if it were just like that, it would be fine.
Yunze County might beco the next target of the rebels, but that wasn’t certain, as another county was even closer to the rebels.
But the trouble was that a large batch of brand-new weapons suddenly appeared among the rebels besieging Fengyang County, and each weapon was marked with a "Yun" character.
The news was reported to Celestial Water Commandery by a City Guard who fled from Fengyang County.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the batch of weapons originated from Yunze County.
This led to the outbreak of the stolen weapons affair.
Suddenly, it was unclear who spread the rumor that Zuo Qiu Ming colluded with the rebels, secretly handing over the weapons intended for Celestial Water Commandery to the rebels besieging Fengyang County.
Instantly,
the entire Yunze County was in an uproar!
...
"Husband, husband...."
At this ti, in the study of the Chen Mansion, Chen Xuan was imrsed in cultivation as usual.
Suddenly,
the voice of Pei Yuenan ca from outside.
Moreover, the next mont, without receiving his response, she directly pushed the door open and entered.
Instantly, Chen Xuan frowned.
He had previously instructed that no one should disturb him during cultivation.
However, upon seeing the panic on Pei Yuenan’s face, he imdiately realized that sothing montous must have happened.
Otherwise, given her character, she wouldn’t commit such a rash act.
"What happened?"
"Zuo Qiu Ming colluded with the rebels, leading to the fall of Fengyang County?"
"What?"
Chen Xuan exclaid in shock, his eyes widening.
Zuo Qiu Ming, he was the County Magistrate of Yunze County, colluding with the rebels?
Impossible!
He wouldn’t believe it even if he were beaten to death.
To know that this was a grave cri implicating nine generations.
"Tell the entire matter in detail." He needed to know the complete details.
Then, Pei Yuenan recounted the news that ca from the Pei Family word for word.
At this mont,
Chen Xuan ca over to an armchair and slowly sat down, falling into contemplation.
Pei Yuenan, standing at the side, dared not disturb him.
After a long ti, Chen Xuan looked up at her and asked, "Do you think this matter could be related to the Yao Family?"
"The Yao Family? It can’t be!"
Pei Yuenan didn’t understand why he would ask this, but she didn’t agree with Chen Xuan’s thoughts.
Although the weapons were crafted by the Yao Family, it was the Governnt Office personnel responsible for transporting them.
Moreover, such matters were absolutely confidential; the Yao Family couldn’t possibly know the specific ti and route.
Besides, would the Yao Family dare to fra Zuo Qiu Ming?
"I’m just speculating in my heart." Though he said so, his intuition told him that this matter definitely had sothing to do with the Yao Family.
So he instructed, "Have your father keep a close eye on things, and send any news here imdiately."
"Yes! I’ve already talked to my father about it."
Chen Xuan nodded, feeling assured with Pei Yuenan managing matters.
"Seems like Yunze County is about to beco restless," he showed a worried expression.
A County Magistrate colluding with rebels, this was a serious matter, but he still didn’t believe that Zuo Qiu Ming was colluding with the rebels.
There’s no reason at all.
The batch of weapons was most likely robbed during transportation.
This was the best outco, but even so, Zuo Qiu Ming’s life was hanging by a thread, depending on the strength of the Zuo Family behind him.
Or simply treat him as a sacrificial pawn to protect the Zuo Family!
....
Three days later,
the news ca.
Zuo Qiu Ming was not colluding with the enemy; he was negligent in escorting the weapons, which were seized by the rebels.
Chen Xuan looked at the news that ca from the Pei Family and sighed softly.
"Luckily, he didn’t lose his life!"
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