502 An Incident (2)
“Sir, something happened at the iron mine,” the man hurriedly said when he saw him.
Grand Tutor Zhao had just returned from work and had yet to change out of his official uniform. When he heard this, his heart skipped a beat. “What’s going on? Didn’t I ask you to deal with those people?”
Back then, he had suggested disinheriting the crown prince, causing the entire Duke’s Residence to either be killed or injured. Now that Song Jingchen was back, it was obvious that he wouldn’t let the Zhao family off.
If his hands were clean, he wouldn’t have to be afraid of Song Jingchen. However, he had a private iron mine.
It had to be known that iron was an important material for making weapons. It had always been controlled by the government. It was already a serious crime to hide the iron ore, let alone mine it privately.
Once the higher-ups found out, the heads of the entire Zhao family would probably be chopped off.
As a subject, why did he hide iron ore? Did he want to make weapons? What did he want weapons for? Was he trying to rebel?
Who would believe him if he said no?
“We were indeed prepared to deal with those miners according to His Excellency’s instructions, but someone leaked the news. A few people escaped when we were unprepared. When we found their houses, they were already gone.” As the man spoke, he lowered his head.
Even if someone accidentally overheard their conversation, their people were everywhere around the mine. If no one saved them, it was impossible for ordinary citizens to escape.
“Where’s County Magistrate Yang? Is he dead? He can’t even catch a few people?” Grand Tutor Zhao said angrily.
The private mine was only a day’s journey away from the capital, and it was also where his ancestral home was.
Although it was close, everyone from the county magistrate to the registrar was on their side.
This was also the reason why no one had discovered it.
The man lowered his head even more. “There was a sudden fire in the county office. County Magistrate Yang is dead.”
By the time the bailiffs put out the fire, County Magistrate Yang had already been burned beyond recognition.
Grand Tutor Zhao’s pupils constricted and he slumped back in his armchair.
What he was most worried about had happened.
“Sir, what should we do now?” The man was also afraid. This was a crime worthy of a beheading.
Madam Zhao looked down. “I’ll think about it carefully. You can leave for now.”
“Yes sir.”
After the man left, Grand Tutor Zhao summoned his personal follower and handed him a letter that he had prepared long ago. “Bring people and place this letter in County Magistrate Yang’s residence. At the same time, everyone who knows about it…”
He made a throat-slitting gesture.
He could not keep this private mine anymore. Now, he could only try his best to wash his hands of it. Otherwise, once he was implicated, that person would not be able to protect him, nor would he appear to protect him.
Other than the county magistrate, there were only a few trusted aides he had sent to keep an eye on the operation, the so-called insiders.
At the same time, Song Jingchen also received a letter from Rooster. Looking at the contents, his lips curled into a mocking smile.
Grand Tutor Zhao! He was even bolder than he had imagined.
Unfortunately, all the clues were cut off when they reached Grand Tutor Zhao. The master behind him could not be found at all.
However, he was not in a hurry. A fox had to appear eventually.
Sooner or later, those people would have to pay back the grudges of the Bulwark Duke’s Residence and the lives of their grandfather and father.
None of them could escape!
South Wind stood opposite the desk. When he saw the smile on his face, he inexplicably shivered. He had seen his master’s gentle appearance in front of Young Madam many times. He was not used to such an expression.
“Hubby, come out quickly.”
Shen Yijia’s voice came from outside the door. The killing intent on Song Jingchen instantly disappeared without a trace. He placed the letter on the candlestick and lit it.
He pushed open the study door and walked out.
The sky was about to turn dark. In the courtyard, Shen Yijia was skewering meat on bamboo sticks with Brother Hao and the others.
The meat was sent by Chu Feng. Shen Yijia only found out after hearing him say it. The beautiful uncle found the capital boring and went to the royal hunting ground.
Initially, Xuanyuan Ziming and the others were about to return, but because of Xuanyuan Ce’s sudden visit, they could only stay there for a few more days before returning today.
“Hubby, we’ll have roasted meat tonight.” Shen Yijia waved the skewered meat and said self-righteously, “You roast it.”
Actually, the meat Mo Yuan roasted was also delicious, but it was different from what her beautiful husband roasted.
Song Jingchen’s lips curled up slightly. “Okay.”
South Wind thought, “It’s indeed different.”
There was a charcoal basin on the table. Shen Yijia found an iron net and placed it on top. Song Jingchen looked at the meat skewers arranged beside him, then at the iron net.