The matter had started last night. In Fomonlința's residence, the old kitchen maid, who had been preparing meals for everyone, had suddenly noticed that several dishes were missing. The old kitchen maid had followed Fomonlința for decades, and she knew everyone's preferences like the back of her hand.
The people at Fomonlința's side were very picky when it came to food, and it was very difficult to satisfy them. Each of them had a special dish that they liked to eat, and they would eat it at every meal. Over the years, only the old kitchen maid's cooking had been able to satisfy their tastes.
This was also why, despite her age, Fomonlința had kept her by his side.
Fomonlința was very cautious. He never allowed others to interfere with important matters, much less let them know. Thus, although the old kitchen maid had been with him for decades, she had rarely come into contact with his core secrets. But no matter how careful Fomonlința was, he still had to have three meals a day.
The old kitchen maid only needed a glance to know which dishes were missing and which were missing to know which of Fomonlința's people were present and which were not.
But this sort of thing could only be used as a clue, not as solid evidence. Thus, Zhang Que had been confirming it since yesterday. In the morning, when he was almost certain, he immediately reported it to Wang Chong.
"How many people are missing from Fomonlința's residence?"
Wang Chong asked, his brow tightly furrowed.
"Five! At the very least, it's five, because five dishes are missing. But it might be more than that, because we can't rule out the possibility that some people might have left during the meal. In short, this matter is very unusual. At the very least, it's definitely not normal for five people's dishes to suddenly be missing. "
Zhang Que sternly said, his expression solemn.
Zhang Que had been rushing back to the City of Steel after confirming the matter and sending the messenger pigeon. Not long after, he arrived at the City of Steel. The Young Marquis would never do anything without reason. Whether it was before the southwestern war had even begun, he had spent all his wealth to build some strange steel walls, or not too long ago, when he had suddenly led an army to Longxi, only to find a secret path to attack Zhangzhung and destroy one of their training camps …
After spending so much time with the Young Marquis, one would unwittingly become accustomed to his style.
Although Wang Chong had not explicitly said that this matter involved the Imperial Protector-General Fomonlința, even the stupidest person would know that this was no small matter. The slightest carelessness could result in a landslide that could alter the entire structure of the empire.
And Marquis's influence might also reach its limit in this matter.
Because of this, Zhang Que had immediately rushed to Wang Chong's side to report what had happened.
"Xu Keyi, how many do you have on your side? Have there been any oversights? "
Wang Chong solemnly turned his head to Xu Keyi. Zhang Que was far from the only one who had noticed the anomaly. Xu Keyi had also noticed it. After this incident, Wang Chong decided to summon him over.
"Marquis, according to your orders, we've already used the Thousand Li Incense to tamper with all of Fomonlința's trusted subordinates. As soon as they leave Qixi and get within a certain distance, we'll immediately sense them. "
Xu Keyi was speaking of a special kind of incense, a method used by those of the martial arts world to track their targets. The person who used this Thousand Li Incense would first place a base incense on the target and then have a well-trained mastiff smell it. Once the target was a certain distance away, the scent would fade and the mastiff would begin to madly bark, completely different from its usual quiet and docile self.
Xu Keyi did not know how to use this sort of thing. This method had been suggested by The Eagle. Wang Chong had entrusted this task to Yang Hongchang of the Western Regions. The Yang Clan had been operating in the Western Regions for many years and knew all sorts of methods. In less than a day, Yang Hongchang had sent over all the mastiffs and Thousand Li Incense that Wang Chong needed.
"… I've already confirmed that there are at least seven mastiffs barking at the same time. Seven of them should have already left the Western Regions. "
Xu Keyi said.
The mood in the room was extremely solemn, and Wang Chong's brow was deeply furrowed. When he said nothing, no one dared to even breathe too loudly. All of them could sense a hint of tension and gravity from Wang Chong's body. It was clear that this matter was extremely serious.
"Five, seven … Fomonlința, just what are you doing? Which one is your true goal? Or have you already sensed something? "
Wang Chong raised his head, the index and middle fingers of his right hand unconsciously tapping against his palm as countless thoughts flitted through his mind. If everything went as expected, the 'Xueyang Palace Incident' that would shake the entire court was about to take place. As Qixi Protector-General, Fomonlința was now embroiled in the War of the Princes of the capital. This was a major taboo for a Great General of the border.
In any dynasty, this was a taboo that the sovereigns and important ministers of the court would censure. Countless generals in the army had been removed from their positions because of this reason. But when this incident broke out, although it had shaken the world and Fomonlința had received a flurry of impeachment letters, he had been lucky enough to escape the calamity because he lacked the most crucial evidence.
Coupled with the various contributions he had made, the Holy Emperor had ultimately chosen to strip him of his title of nobility, but he had retained his position as Protector-General, calling it 'retaining his position to be discussed'.
If Wang Chong wanted to deal with Fomonlința, this was his last chance. But first, he had to find that trusted aide that Fomonlința had sent out and find the 'pledge of allegiance' that Fomonlința had sent to the prince. Only then could he deal a heavy blow to Fomonlința. Although the Xueyang Palace Incident had caused a huge uproar, involving many Great Generals of the border and enraging the Holy Emperor, the lack of that 'pledge of allegiance' had prevented Fomonlința from being convicted.
And after that incident, Fomonlința had become extremely cautious, even more conservative than he had ever been. He would not allow anyone to use him against him, making it impossible for anyone to find a flaw in him.
If the situation developed once more, all of Wang Chong's previous efforts would have been for naught. Wang Chong's battle at the triangular gap on the Ouzan Plateau would have been pointless, and the entire Qixi Protectorate would be firmly in Fomonlința's hands. And as long as Fomonlința remained in his position, Wang Chong's movements in the Western Regions would be hampered in every possible way, and all his plans for the future would come to a premature end.
Crucially, Fomonlința and Anxi Protector-General Gao Xianzhi had never been on good terms. As long as he remained in his position, the bitter defeat at Talas would probably repeat itself, and the Tang Dynasty of the Central Plains would lose all of its territory in the Western Regions, entering an era of internal strife.
This was something that Wang Chong could not accept.
"Fomonlința is a Hu, but he is an extremely ambitious one. This was the case with the Regional Commanders incident, and this was also the case when he stole my credit at the triangular gap. Everything is for the sake of power and credit. Fomonlința wants to climb even higher as Qixi Protector-General, which is why he colluded with a prince of the imperial household. Wait a moment, Zhangchou Jianqiong's promotion from Protector-General of the Southwest to Minister of War must have provoked him. No, it's not just that. In my last life, I didn't appear here, nor did I take part in the battle of the triangular gap. But now that Fomonlința has stolen my credit, his ambition is bursting, so he's even more ambitious than before, even more impatient … "
Wang Chong muttered to himself, countless thoughts flitting through his mind. He was eighty to ninety percent sure that Fomonlința had sent his trusted aide to the capital to 'prove his loyalty'.
"How cunning!"
Wang Chong mentally sighed. Not many people knew of the matter between Fomonlința and that prince. At the very least, it was still a secret. Even though Fomonlința knew nothing about it and that the outside world was completely 'safe', he had still sent five to seven of his trusted aides. This sort of caution was enough to make one put one hundred and twenty percent of one's attention.
Even though Fomonlința didn't know that Wang Chong had already seen through his secret, just this sort of natural caution made dealing with him no easy task.
"Xu Keyi, take all the men and pursue with all your might! The other two groups of people should go to Sand Pass first! The terrain of Sand Pass is unique. No matter which path they take from Qixi, as long as they reach the capital, they'll have to pass through Sand Pass. But once we miss Sand Pass, there will be hundreds of other paths to the capital, and we'll find it very difficult to catch up. "
Time was of the essence, and Wang Chong quickly regained his composure.
"Yes, Marquis!"
Understanding the urgency of the matter, Xu Keyi hurriedly bowed and acknowledged.
"In addition, Zhang Que, send out your eagle team. Horses can't outrun eagles. No matter what, keep an eye on them from the air. "
Wang Chong turned to Zhang Que.
"Yes! Marquis! "
Zhang Que's reply was crisp and forceful.
"In addition, remember: no matter what, you can't attract their attention! Fomonlința is extremely cautious and paranoid, and his subordinates will definitely be the same. We can't arouse their suspicions during the pursuit. If we miss this opportunity, we can't try again! Otherwise, if Fomonlința notices something, all our efforts will be for naught. "
Wang Chong's expression was extremely grave as he spoke.
It was no fluke that someone like Fomonlința had managed to become Protector-General. Wang Chong did not dare to be the slightest bit careless. If he missed this opportunity, Fomonlința might never be able to move from his position.
"Your subordinate understands!"
Xu Keyi and Zhang Que said in unison.
The two of them had grave expressions, both sensing the gravity of this matter.
"Mm."
Wang Chong nodded.
"Remember, the person you're looking for has a black jade brand on his right wrist. … Now, go!"
With these final words, Wang Chong waved his hand, and a moment later, Wang Chong gave the order. Zhang Que, Xu Keyi, and countless others charged out of the City of Steel.
"Marquis, do you need me to go? With my speed, I can definitely catch up to them. "
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