Chapter 515: Probing Begins

Chapter 515: The Start of the Probe

“My lord, you seek me?”

Rong Lu, whose head was bowed over the desk, lifted his gaze upon hearing the voice, his eyes settling on the subordinate standing before him.

“Indeed, how fare your injuries?”

Zou Siu smiled, his expression obsequious. “By your grace, I merely took a kick, nothing too grave. I’ve recovered for the most part.”

“Then all is well.”

Rong Lu nodded. “I had intended to let you rest a while longer, but the situation pressing, I’ve summoned you back prematurely. Qin Ge, you hold no grudge against me, do you?”

Rong Lu studied Zou Siu’s face, observing the subtle shifts in his expression, and pressed on: “Yet the facts lie before us. I’ve brought you back to inquire—do you have any strategies?”

“Thank you for your magnanimity, my lord.”

Zou Siu spoke with unwavering resolve: “Scatter the entire city of Jiangnan to find him! Even if we must scrape the ground three feet deep in the whole city, we’ll find him!”

“Based on our deductions, the one who committed the crime at Di Long Station should be him.”

“Of course not. It is my duty to act compassionately.”

Rong Lu’s lips twitched, spitting out two harsh words: “Li Jun.”

Rong Lu shook his head. “No. The city of Jiangnan is a fortress of tigers and serpents, with nine schools of thought and eight clans each holding their own sway. If we make a show of force like this, we’ll only invite more trouble.”

Rong Lu smiled faintly, his expression softened. “Your loyalty I see, yet as a department of internal control, one must still heed such rumors. Often, the most crucial messages lie hidden within them.”

He placed a dossier on the desk before Zou Siu.

Though the Shishi was merely the lowest branch of the criminal investigation division, this seal of authority was enough to strike fear.

“This time, the bureau has decided to entrust the tracking of Li Jun’s movements to you and Han Jin’s Shishi together.”

“Qin Ge, you still speak as you always do.”

Well, if only he were as clever as I imagine.

Rong Lu consoled him gently: “Moreover, this time, the initial breakthrough in finding Li Jun was your Shishi’s doing. If I were to distribute the subsequent commendations elsewhere, it would be unfair to you, and the subordinates below would deem me unprincipled.”

Zou Siu urgently inquired, “But who is this assistant?”

A subordinate of this caliber would look down upon and scorn those who relied on connections.

Rong Lu leaned back in his chair, his head resting against the cushion, and smiled lightly at Zou Siu: “You’d better not disappoint me.”

Zou Siu paused, then said slowly, “Then we’ll just wait. Whoever he is, he’ll eventually show himself. Once he does, we’ll surround him with all our forces and cut him down on the spot!”

“Problem. No issue.”

Zou Siu leaped to his feet, his face pale with fury.

These obsequious words were not his own doing.

“It’s simple. One character: *Kill*.”

“Your words strike a chord. I feel deeply.”

As soon as Rong Lu’s words faded, a short, stout man entered, his eyes fixed straight ahead, barely glancing at Zou Siu.

Zou Siu’s face twisted in horror, his entire being radiating lethal intent.

The cause of the vendetta was simple: Qin Ge had once tried to curry favor with him, but the man had responded by farting in his face.

“A few days ago, disturbances occurred in the Oei region. The provincial court has long sought the traitor Chi Zhu, who fled to Edo. This time, Li Jun entering Jiangnan city, naturally, is to avenge Chi Zhu.”

“You sit and observe this.”

“My lord, it seems I’ve been taught a lesson.”

“The enemy is in the shadows; I am in the light. How do we kill him?”

Zou Siu struck a pained pose, as if in supplication: “I fear I’ll fail and spoil the bureau’s affairs.”

“Indeed, you’re bold to the point of cowardice.”

“The elder Meng, who caused Chi Zhu’s death, has been buried at sea. Now he holds a grudge against the entire provincial court, not just one individual.”

Zou Siu bore a smile in his heart, flatteringly: “Your lordship is wise.”

“Then notify the Buddhist and Taoist sects of his arrival in Jiangnan. They’ve long nursed a grudge against Wu Xu, and now have fresh enmity with Li Jun. Let them all join forces, cast a wide net, and capture him!”

Zou Siu replied without hesitation: “I am but a member of the criminal division. I heed only your lordship’s words. The rest I hear not, understand not.”

“Thus, this task I entrust to you.”

Zou Siu erupted in rage: “We sought no trouble from him. He should be laughing all the way to the gallows! Dare to come here for vengeance? What does he think himself?”

Zou Siu looked utterly perplexed: “Why, what does he hope to gain by this?”

“Han Jin, come in.”

“It’s you?!”

“This matter, which you and your Shishi are to handle, is indeed a heavy burden. Hence, I’ve found you an assistant.”

Qin Ge had always leveraged this ability to establish himself within the Love Protection Society, even gaining favor with influential figures, securing a position as department head.

Zou Siu staggered back, his eyes widening as he stared at the image on the dossier. “His cheeks are sunken, eyes sharp as knives—this man’s a shameless brute! But my lord, why would this Li Jun oppose us?”

The image before them was unmistakably Li Jun’s face.

This was a gamble, a wager placed by none other than himself.

“They lack the time and energy now. Moreover, once the Di Long Station incident is known, they’ll realize Li Jun came to provoke us, and will merely watch as we clash with him, waiting to capitalize on the chaos. Thus, they’ll not interfere.”

Rong Lu rejected this plan once more.

You must hold steadfast confidence within yourself.

That Wok District Brocade Guard!

"You don't know the reason?" Ronglu said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "All sorts of news have been flying through the middle courtyard these days; haven't you heard?"

Yes!

Zou Sihua and Han Xi answered in unison.