Lian Qin and Qinglong had gone to secretly visit the people whose land was confiscated.

Lian Jie and Xuanwu had gone to the mining sites.

It turned out that just moments before, Lian Qin said the people had no complaints about the officials. Lian Jie frowned and rubbed his nose, saying: “We also couldn’t gather much information on our end. When we inquired with the miners, we heard no rumors. Later, Xuanwu and I simply captured the mine owner at night and threatened his life, but still couldn’t extract anything. Several people all said there was no collusion between them and Huang Tianba.”

Listening to this, Lian Yu raised his hand to rub his brow, saying nothing. He and Si Lanfeng had dealt with the families of those wrongly sentenced to death, and the information they received was much the same. Though the family members were overcome with grief, they said the punishment was deserved.

Beside them, Si Lanfeng sighed softly and explained the situation.

Thus, everyone’s faces showed displeasure and shock.

Having worked together for many years, there weren’t many things that could surprise Lian Jie and make Lian Yu frown in silence.

Qinglong said in a low voice: “How did this Huang Tianba… how did he manage this? If it’s appeasement, there are so many wronged people – did he appease them one by one?”

At this moment, there were sounds outside the door. Everyone tensed, and Xuanwu and Qinglong placed hands on their swords as they went to open the door. When the door opened, it was Yan Da and Gao Chaoyi coming to meet them.

The two relaxed.

After Yan Da and Gao Chaoyi greeted Lian Yu, Yan Da immediately said with an anxious tone: “Quan Feitong has come and went directly to find Huang Tianba.”

Someone among them gasped.

“Sixth brother, you guessed right – Quan Feitong really came!” Lian Jie looked at Lian Yu.

Lian Yu curved his lips slightly. “Unfortunately, I’m still not as cunning as Chancellor Quan. This chancellor has such audacity, daring to appear so brazenly at the prefectural office.”

On the other side, Si Lanfeng told Yan Da and Gao Chaoyi about everyone’s secret investigations.

Both Yan Da and Gao Chaoyi showed surprise, their eyes widening slightly.

Yan Da, having spent decades in court, was also slightly unsteady at this moment, anger flaring: “That treacherous minister! He’s openly challenging His Majesty again.”

His face was already lined with wrinkles, and now deeper furrows appeared between his brows. “Your Majesty, originally we divided into two routes – you would conduct secret investigations first to gain the advantage, while Gao and I would visit the people after meeting with Huang Tianba. But now we can’t find a shred of evidence.”

Lian Yu said nothing. Lian Jie pondered briefly and continued: “According to Chancellor Yan’s meaning, this Huang Tianba received advance information from Quan Feitong and Li Zhaoting, prepared in advance, and used threats and bribes to make all those people give false testimony. When we investigated, we were already a step behind.”

Gao Chaoyi was shocked and blurted out: “Your Majesty, this minister is at fault. This minister learned too late that Li Zhaoting had withheld the memorial. Chancellor Quan and the others had already made preparations – we’ve been outmaneuvered by Chancellor Quan.”

Si Lanfeng glanced at Lian Yu and said resentfully: “No wonder this Quan Feitong dared to be so confident this time.”

Generally speaking, documents sent from lower officials to the Ministry of Personnel were first organized by various clerical officials, then submitted to the two vice ministers. For major matters, the vice ministers would then submit them to the minister, who would then forward them to the chancellor.

Once documents reached the vice minister level, they were randomly distributed. Since Ministry of Personnel Minister Xia Yida was about to retire, Gao Chaoyi and Li Zhaoting were competing for the new minister position. Having pledged loyalty to Lian Yu, Gao Chaoyi was also keeping an eye out to catch Li Zhaoting’s mistakes. Having longer tenure in the Ministry of Personnel than Li Zhaoting, he had connections with lower officials and gave them some benefits, so documents that went to Li Zhaoting would also be reported to him.

From this perspective, these clerks had long been bought by Li Zhaoting. The memorial impeaching Huang Tianba had been suppressed by Li Zhaoting early on, but when the clerk informed Gao Chaoyi, he said it was a recent matter.

This created a time gap.

Therefore, Quan and Li had long notified Huang Tianba to prepare, so even if investigated later, they wouldn’t fear anything. Lian Yu’s secret journey to Minshan seemed to gain the initiative, but in reality, the initiative had long been in the opponent’s hands!

“And Quan Feitong’s other intention is that this memorial impeaching Huang Tianba must be seen by Your Majesty. This way, for Huang Congyue’s group, he’s done them a great favor, while you’ve played the villain. Having arranged everything in advance, he’s helped Huang Tianba once again. Huang Congyue originally had a temperament of being neither hard nor soft, offending no one, but after this, won’t Huang Congyue and his subordinate officials follow Quan Feitong’s lead in the future!”

Lian Jie spoke slowly, and everyone immediately fell silent.

This time, Quan Feitong was determined to win back a round. This trap was played brilliantly.

Lian Yu had remained silent, only quietly listening to everyone’s analysis and explanations.

Everyone knew this represented his intense contemplation of problems and countermeasures. This true and false clean official case wasn’t as easy to handle as previous national cases.

In the first national case, Lian Yu could still make arrangements in secret, but now Quan Feitong held all the advantages. How could they turn the tables?

But at this moment, no one had any solutions. Everyone looked to this sovereign, even seasoned veterans like Yan Da, sharp minds like Lian Jie, and the promising young talents Gao and Si in tomorrow’s court.

Lian Qin was impatient by nature and couldn’t bear this suffocating silence. She couldn’t help saying: “Sixth brother, say something! Tell us what you want to do. Whatever it is, we’ll go through water and fire to accomplish it for you. We must deal with this Quan Feitong!”

Lian Jie pulled her back and scolded: “Lian Qin, aren’t you annoying? Is this a problem that can be solved with force? Shut up and let sixth brother think properly.”

Yan Da was even more unable to swallow this insult, but this veteran minister understood the situation. Gritting his teeth, he said: “Your Majesty, should we let Quan Feitong have this round first?”

“Really let him have it?” Si Lanfeng asked uncertainly. Everyone was slightly shocked to hear this and looked at Lian Yu again. At this moment, Lian Yu’s expression became even more inscrutable, but he finally broke his silence: “Quan Feitong seems to have anticipated my every move this time. If there really is no other option, even if it hurts your morale, I must concede. However, I’ve been thinking – it’s not difficult for one person to tell a lie, but for so many people to lie simultaneously isn’t easy.”

Everyone was surprised. Xuanwu said: “Master, you mean…”