Chapter 248

Chancellor Tian's words were naturally very threatening. If he was really angered, he wouldn't care even if Zhang Hongxuan was the son of a minister, much less Kuai Peng, a member of the Brocade Guard. Not only could he use his power to drive Zhang Hongxuan and Liu Junyang out of the Imperial College, it wouldn't be difficult for him to impose more sanctions.

He didn't even need to show himself. He only needed to incite the hot-blooded students to passionately carry the statue of Confucius and parade it through the streets. This would immediately become a major event that would shake the entire country. Perhaps even the careers of Zhang Hongxuan and Liu Junyang's fathers would be affected.

Tang Xianzu was also a scholar and naturally knew the power of this Chancellor in the era of civil officials. He hurriedly assured him again and again that he would definitely put the reputation of the Directorate above all else. Only then did Chancellor Tian wave his sleeves and leave.

He wanted Le Siye to accompany Ye Xiaotian and the others to investigate the case because Le Siye was the one who took on this task. Now that he had caused such a big trouble, he naturally couldn't let him stay out of it.

Le Siye also knew that after this matter, Chancellor Tian was very unhappy with him. However, he had no other choice but to bitterly accompany Kuai Peng, Ye Xiaotian, and the others to investigate the case.

The Directorate had a total of four doors, but usually only the front and back doors were open. In the Directorate, there were officials such as Chancellor, Siye, Supervisor, and Keeper. These were the officials in charge of management. In addition, there were Imperial Academicians, Head of Studies, and Records of Studies. These were the true teachers in charge of teaching.

Other than these two types of people, there were also officials such as Kitchen Storekeeper, Case Manager, Supervisor, and Bookkeeper. There were also odd jobs such as night patrol, night watchman, gardener, and cook. There was even a library in the Directorate responsible for engraving historical books. Because the engraving was exquisite and the paper quality was excellent, the Directorate Library was the largest engraving library in all of Jiangnan. Naturally, there were many workers here.

Although the composition of the Directorate was so complicated, there wouldn't be too many people going in and out of the Directorate in the evening. Le Siye's face darkened as he led them to the front door. He had Xu Zuo, who was guarding the front door, bring over the list of people who went in and out yesterday. He also asked Xu Zuo if there were any special circumstances after Kuai Peng delivered the silver last night.

Xu Zuo didn't know what had happened, but seeing Sir Siye's serious expression, he didn't dare to slight him. He carefully recalled and replied with certainty, "Sir Siye, there really weren't any. There were more than forty people who went in and out last night. At most, there were only three or four people. No one carried any heavy items, nor did anyone use carriages."

Unable to restrain himself, Kuai Peng asked, "Did come and went?"

Xu Zuo replied, "This, I don't remember. If someone repeatedly entered and exited, this record would naturally have a record."

Just as Kuai Peng was about to flip through the booklet, Ye Xiaotian said, "I've already taken a look just now. Only one person has entered and exited twice. The reason is that he left something in the tavern after getting drunk."

Tang Xianzu frowned. "Only twice? That's impossible."

Le Siye saw that there were no questions on the list and couldn't help but sigh in relief. His words were tough, but he was worried that some student or servant had noticed the silver they had delivered yesterday and had stolen it out of greed. If that happened, the Directorate would be the ones to lose face.

Le Siye couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief when he saw that there were no more questions on the register. Although his words were tough, he was actually worried that some student or servant had noticed the silver they transported yesterday and stole it out of greed. If that happened, the Directorate of Directorate would be the one to lose face.

They passed through the entire Directorate area and arrived at the back door. There were even fewer people going in and out of the back door, no more than twenty people.

They then passed through the entire Imperial College and arrived at the back door. There were even fewer people going in and out of the back door. There were only about twenty people in total, so there was no doubt about it.

After a careful inspection, Kuai Peng did not give up. He asked Le Siye to take him to the two doors on the left and right that were usually not opened. Because the two doors were usually not opened, the locks were rusted. Taking a closer look at the keyhole, there were absolutely no fresh scratches. Naturally, they could not have been opened before.

Mao Wenzhi couldn't help but say, "Big Brother, this is strange. The doors on the left and right have never been opened, and no suspicious person has gone in or out of them. Could the silver have flown into the sky?"

Kuai Peng said with a gloomy expression, "If the silver hasn't been shipped out, then …"

Ye Xiaotian and Tang Xianzu glanced at each other. The words were at the tip of their tongues, but they didn't come out.

If the silver hadn't been shipped out of the Directorate, then it was naturally still in the Directorate.

Le Siye clearly understood Kuai Peng's unfinished words and said with an ugly expression, "What? Do you want to search the Directorate?"

Ye Xiaotian sighed and said with great sincerity, "Le Siye, you're a person of virtue and prestige, and have students all over the world. You're a man of great virtue and respect. If we don't get to the bottom of this case, not only will countless refugees suffer, but the reputation of the Directorate and you, Le Siye, will also inevitably be tarnished … "

Le Siye said, "Deal, deal. You don't have to say anymore. I … promise you!"

…

There was a wheel next to the well. A burly man wearing a square headscarf, a multicolored shirt, and straw sandals carefully climbed into the well. He stood in a bucket and slowly loosened his hands.

Above him, a young man wearing a short brown shirt, pleated trousers, and a jacket struggled to shake the wheel, slowly lowering the taut rope.

Suddenly, the young man let go of his hands and jumped away. The handle of the wheel spun rapidly and a scream came from the bottom of the well. The young man hurriedly rushed to the mouth of the well and looked into the well, shouting, "Old Mao, are you alright?"

The rope on the wheel reached its end and stopped moving. Then, the rope started to tremble. After a while, a large hand suddenly reached out from the well and grabbed a green brick by the edge of the well. Then, a person suddenly jumped up. Half of his body was still in the well, but he was lying on the mouth of the well, and a puddle of water flowed out of his mouth.

Not far from the well, two supervisors in robes and sunhats waved their folding fans and looked curiously at the scene at the mouth of the well.

"Brother Nian, aren't these people hired by Sir Le Siye to kill the rats and cockroaches? Are there rats or cockroaches in the well? "

"Ah! You've lived in the city since you were young, so of course you don't know. When I was young, I stayed at my grandmother's house in the countryside, so I know a little. These rats can dive. Maybe that's why they're so careful. "

"Brother Nian is really knowledgeable. Aiya! There are actually rats in the well. This … this is the tea that we usually drink … Aiya, just thinking about it makes me want to puke. "

"Ai, what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve. Speaking of which, I've been in the Imperial College for more than two years, but this is the first time I've seen people hiring people to kill rats and cockroaches. The Chancellor, Sir Le Siye, and the others really care for us students. "

"Yes, yes!"

The person who climbed out from the mouth of the well was Mao Wenzhi, and the person who put the wheel on top was Ye Xiaotian. Mao Wenzhi spat out the water from the well and shook his head weakly at Ye Xiaotian, saying, "Big Brother, there's nothing down there."

Ye Xiaotian raised his eyebrows and said, "Search again!"

They have all changed into civilian clothes. Helpless, Le Siye helped them find an excuse: to kill rats and cockroaches, and to clean the Imperial College. This allowed them to have a legitimate reason to search.

Not far away, Kuai Peng was holding a long pole that was connected by three bamboo poles. He raised his head to look at the old cockroach nest on the big poplar tree, which was about the size of a pot lid. With a forceful poke, the nest flipped over, and a few eggs fell from the tree. One of the eggs hit his head, and the egg liquid splashed all over his face.

The supervisors next to him looked at him strangely. Kuai Peng wiped the mucus off his face, picked up the bamboo pole, and walked away dejectedly.

In another place, there were two tall houses. Tang Xianzu and Hua Yunfei each popped their heads out from the ridge of a house. Yaoyao looked at each other and shook her head. Very quickly, they left the house and carried the ladder to another building. They climbed up and down, and it was very busy.

… …

Two supervisors were hiding in a room and eating wine. There were a few dishes on the table.

Of the two supervisors, one was about thirty years old and had a thin beard. The other was only sixteen or seventeen years old. She had delicate features and slender shoulders. At this moment, she was sitting on the lap of the older supervisor. He picked up a mouthful of food and gave it to the older supervisor. The older supervisor took a sip of wine and gave him a "leather cup". They were so intimate, and it was obvious that they had an unusual relationship.

"Bang!"

The door opened, and Ye Xiaotian and Mao Wenzhi appeared outside. The two supervising students were stunned. The delicate-looking supervising student who looked like a girl sat in his senior's arms and was so stunned that he forgot to separate himself. The older supervisor had his hands around the slender waist of the young supervisor. His mouth was pouting, and he was about to take a sip of wine when he suddenly saw two people appear at the door. He was startled, and his mouth was still pouting, but wine was flowing from the corner of his mouth.

"Sorry to disturb the two of you."

Ye Xiaotian coughed and said, "We were sent by Le Si Ye to clean the house and kill the rodents and cockroaches. We are just checking and will leave soon. We won't disturb the two of you for too long."

Ye Xiaotian raised his chin at Mao Wenzhi. Mao Wenzhi immediately walked in. He touched the bottom of the blanket, pulled open the drawers, and rummaged through the wardrobe. He also picked up the flower pot by the window and looked at it. He reached out and grabbed the orchid grass, pulling it out along with the soil.

Mao Wenzhi was startled and quickly stuffed the flower back. He turned his head and saw that the two supervisors were dumbstruck and didn't notice his actions. He quickly pretended that nothing had happened and walked away. Mao Wenzhi even flipped the pen holder upside down to check. He shook his head at Ye Xiaotian. Ye Xiaotian politely smiled and said, "Sorry to disturb you. Please continue."

When Mao Wenzhi left, Ye Xiaotian considerately closed the door for these two 'heroes of the dry road'. The two supervisors were still huddled together, staring at the door in shock.

Inside the toilet, Kuai Peng's nostrils were stuffed with paper balls. He angrily stirred the 'golden soup' with a bamboo pole. As he stirred, he gritted his teeth and muttered, "I don't believe that as long as the silver is still hidden in the Guozijian, I will definitely be able to find it!"

Suddenly, footsteps came from outside. Kuai Peng was startled and quickly put the bamboo pole to the side. He took off his clothes and pretended to pee. A supervisor walked in and stood next to Kuai Peng. He looked at him curiously as he urinated. Kuai Peng turned his head and grinned at the person. Two white paper balls appeared from his nostrils.

The supervisor thought that he had met someone crazy. He was so scared that he shivered and almost peed on his robe …