Xie Yue nodded and slowly said, "Wang Ye, Wang Fei, this old man thinks that if we want to investigate, we should focus on Danfu County. Danfu County's commoners make up 40% of the population. If we take care of this area, we will have taken care of half of the population. Moreover, the commoners all want to follow the crowd. Danfu County is also the largest county among all the counties. When the commoners come from Danfu County, the other counties will follow suit. "
"Exactly." Xu Weizhi also said, "The most important thing is that Danfu County's County Magistrate Cheng daren has an extraordinary background. This old man and Brother Xie deliberately investigated when we saw the register of commoners. That County Magistrate Cheng is the disciple of Minister Lu's disciple."
Minister Lu was Lu Heng's grandfather, the previous head of the Lu Family.
Qin Yining frowned when he heard this. "Whenever I hear that someone or something is related to the Lu Family, I feel irritated. The commoners have not come yet. Clearly, County Magistrate Cheng has done something. It could be Lu Boye's signal. "
Pang Xiao smiled freely. "It's not important. There's no need to worry. Have we not encountered many difficult situations? It's nothing more than a general blocking soldiers with arms and water with an earth weir. "
Seeing Pang Xiao so free and easy, Qin Yining couldn't help but smile.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi's tense expressions relaxed when they saw this.
Pang Xiao said seriously, "The most important thing right now is to find out why the commoners of Danfu County have not come yet. Then we can find the right remedy. If County Magistrate Cheng has done something, then it's fine. I will have to use my status to pressure him. But if the problem lies with the commoners, then it will be difficult to deal with. "
"Exactly." Qin Yining frowned and said, "Although it is the imperial court's decree to have the commoners build the Imperial Mausoleum, in the eyes of the commoners, you are the person in charge. If the commoners are not willing to come, then if you force them, I'm afraid it will arouse their anger. At that time, it will ruin the reputation we have built up over a long period of time. At worst, it will cause a rebellion. Wouldn't that give Your Majesty a reason to punish you?"
Xie Yue said, "Princess Consort is right. Moreover, if this matter is not resolved properly and the construction of the Imperial Mausoleum is delayed, it will also attract the blame of Your Majesty. "
"Zhong Yibo, good plan." Xu Weizhi sneered. "By killing two birds with one stone, he was able to attract Wang Ye's attention and lead Wang Ye to solve the problem of the commoners, giving him time to deal with the treasure under the pretext of investigating the stone materials. At the same time, he took the opportunity to frame Wang Ye. This person's cunning methods cannot be underestimated."
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "Since we're standing on the opposite side, there's nothing we can do. In order to win or lose, we can only rely on our own abilities."
"But what should we do about the investigation?" Qin Yining pondered for a moment before he slowly said, "I'm afraid that it won't be a good idea to send someone over. If we act rashly and alert the enemy, I'm afraid that it will delay our plans. I have a suggestion. "
"Oh?" Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi both looked expectantly at Qin Yining. "Princess Consort, you've thought of a solution so quickly?"
Pang Xiao looked expectantly at Qin Yining. "Tell me about it."
Qin Yining smiled. "Since Zhong Yibo might be deliberately causing trouble for you in order to send you away, why don't we go along with his wishes and give him time to leave Huichuan County openly? This way, we won't have to be tied up and delay our important matters. We can also concentrate on solving the problem of the commoners and not let Your Majesty punish you."
"Princess Consort is right." Xie Yue also said, "Why don't we beat him at his own game and leave Huichuan County, letting Lu Boye handle the matter of the treasure?"
Qin Yining nodded and said, "As for going to Danfu County to investigate the commoners, I suggest that we work on both sides."
Xu Weizhi stroked his long beard and nodded with a smile. "Princess Consort is right. This old man also thinks that this is a good idea."
When Qin Yining heard this, he knew that Xu Weizhi had the same idea as him. He didn't continue speaking and gave the opportunity to speak to his strategist.
Xu Weizhi said, "This old man thinks that it's best to have one in the light and one in the dark. Wang Ye will naturally be in the light, and the commoners won't go to Huichuan County. This matter isn't a secret, so it's reasonable for Wang Ye to go to Danfu County to investigate. This way, Magistrate Cheng's attention can be diverted, and it'll be easier for the other team to secretly go to Danfu County to investigate. "
"This is a good idea." Xie Yue nodded in agreement. "As for the team that secretly goes to Danfu County, there's no need for them to act sneakily. They can disguise themselves as merchants and openly do business in Danfu County. It'll be easier for them to meet people from all walks of life and gather information."
Pang Xiao nodded and said, "This is a good idea. Why don't Mr. Xie and Mr. Xu disguise themselves as merchants … "
"Wang Ye."
Qin Yining interrupted Pang Xiao and said seriously, "Why don't I disguise myself as a merchant and bring Jing Zhe and the others there? It's most appropriate."
Pang Xiao frowned and said disapprovingly, "You're going? That's too dangerous. "
"What's so dangerous about that?" Qin Yining smiled and said, "Which one of the things that we've encountered in the past wasn't dangerous? This time, we're just pretending to be merchants to do business. It's the easiest. Gathering information is the silver-masked spy's specialty. It's enough for me to bring Jing Zhe and the others. "
Then, he explained to Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi, "The two of you can naturally do this well, but many people know that the two of you are Wang Ye's strategists. Since Wang Ye wants to bring everyone out of Huichuan County, it'll be suspicious if two important strategists are missing from his side. I'm a woman, so I don't need to show myself in public. Jing Zhe and the others aren't people who attract attention. Most people won't notice that Wang Ye is missing a servant. It's the easiest for me to disguise myself as a merchant, and it'll be the easiest for me to gather information. "
Qin Yining explained his idea in one breath, then looked at Pang Xiao questioningly.
Pang Xiao naturally knew that Qin Yining was right, but he really didn't want Qin Yining to leave his side. Just like every other time, he didn't want Qin Yining to take risks, and he was angry at his own incompetence.
Xie Yue smiled and said, "Wang Ye, this old man thinks that the Princess Consort's idea is feasible. If the Princess Consort goes, it'll be better than the two of us. "
"That's true, but …"
Qin Yining smiled and said, "Since you think so, then let's do it. Don't tell me you don't trust me?"
Pang Xiao naturally trusted Qin Yining's ability. However, he was also worried about Qin Yining's safety.
Qin Yining thought for a moment and said, "There really isn't much risk in disguising as a traveling merchant to do business. Wang Ye and I will set off together. When we reach the outskirts of the city, we'll lead the others first. Wang Ye can walk slowly with great fanfare. When I've gathered enough information, I'll come out and meet up with you. At that time, we can enter the city together. "
Pang Xiao thought for a long time in silence. There really wasn't any other more appropriate method at the moment. After carefully considering the situation, he finally nodded.
Since he had made up his mind, he needed to make preparations and disguise himself as a traveling merchant. At the very least, he needed to have a complete set of goods. Fortunately, the local Four-Channel Number was available. Qin Yining arranged for people to act in secret and easily prepared two carts of goods.
Pang Xiao personally went to the yamen.
Lu Heng smiled and came out to greet him. He cupped his hands and said, "Wang Ye has come in person. This lowly official has failed to welcome you."
"Zhong Yibo, there's no need to be so courteous." Pang Xiao returned the greeting and smiled as he followed Lu Heng to a seat in the front hall. Lu Wenru brought the tea over and then respectfully left.
Lu Heng saw that Pang Xiao was wearing an inky blue robe embroidered with dark flowers. He inexplicably thought that perhaps this was Qin Yining's needlework?
Qin Yining was willing to do needlework for Pang Xiao, but he wasn't willing to give him a second glance.
His heart felt even more stifled and he didn't want to be entangled with Pang Xiao any longer.
"Wang Ye has graced us with your presence. Do you have any orders?" Lu Heng got straight to the point.
Pang Xiao naturally didn't want to waste time with Lu Heng. Lu Heng had been coveting his Sister Yi for a long time. If he stayed for too long, he was worried that he wouldn't be able to resist strangling this guy.
"It's not an order. It's just that Your Majesty ordered the construction of the imperial mausoleum. Right now, there have been some problems with the construction of the imperial mausoleum. The citizens have not arrived yet. I'm afraid that the construction of the imperial mausoleum will be delayed."
Lu Heng's expression was grave as he nodded. "Wang Ye is right. This lowly official has also learned of this matter. Right now, I am at my wit's end. "
Speaking to this point, Lu Heng couldn't help but examine Pang Xiao's expression. Seeing him frown and not speak, he couldn't help but say, "However, Your Majesty's decree ordered this lowly official to thoroughly investigate the materials for the imperial mausoleum. This lowly official is already badly battered and truly can't do anything else."
Lu Heng's expression was full of worry and guilt. He asked, "How does Wang Ye plan to handle this matter?"
Pang Xiao said sincerely, "This matter is indeed difficult to handle. This King has already investigated. The citizens selected this time come from this county and the surrounding counties. Forty percent of them are from Danfu County. This King plans to personally investigate this matter."
Speaking to this point, Pang Xiao looked at Lu Heng with a probing and provocative gaze. "This King heard that Danfu County's Magistrate Cheng has some connections with your Lu family."
Hearing this, Lu Heng's heart skipped a beat, but he immediately felt relieved. The fact that Pang Xiao dared to question him meant that he was furious. He probably blamed Magistrate Cheng's debt on the Lu family. If Pang Xiao didn't question or get angry about this matter, he would suspect that Pang Xiao already knew something behind his back.
Lu Heng said fearfully, "That Cheng Weimin is indeed a disciple of one of my family's ancestors when he was alive. However, this relationship can be said to be close, but it can also be said to be distant. At least, this official and Cheng Weimin only have a nodding acquaintance. "
"Is that so?" Pang Xiao's eyes were still doubtful. It was obvious that he didn't trust Lu Heng.
"Forget it. This concerns whether Your Majesty's Imperial Mausoleum can be built smoothly. This King will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly. If there really is someone instigating the people behind the scenes to obstruct the construction of the Imperial Mausoleum in order to achieve their goal, This King will definitely not let it go easily. At that time, I will definitely report this matter to Your Majesty and ask for Your Majesty's judgment. "
Even Lu Heng couldn't help but tremble at the obvious threat.
"Wang Ye's loyalty to the country and selflessness is admirable." He didn't want to pick up on Pang Xiao's words at all.
Pang Xiao sneered. "Being selfless and loyal to the country is the most basic thing that you and I should do. What do you say, Uncle? "
Lu Heng knew that Pang Xiao was threatening him. It was obvious that he blamed Lu Heng for Danfu County's incident.
"Wang Ye is right."
Pang Xiao stood up, snorted, and left with large strides.
Lu Heng went up in fear and trepidation to send him off respectfully. He only slowly straightened his back after seeing him out of the yamen.
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