Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 212 - 211: Denial

Zhu Yu wasn’t really bothered by Zhu Cheng’s scrutiny. She also knew why he wasn’t happy at this moment, but since she had achieved her goal, it would be unreasonable to fuss over the attitude of someone she had outmaneuvered.

So, she respectfully saluted Zhu Cheng with a bow.

As the saying goes, "One doesn’t hit a smiling face," no matter how displeased Zhu Cheng was, seeing her so courteous, he didn’t have the heart to truly complain. After all, he had his pride to maintain. So, he nodded to Zhu Yu and glanced with some surprise at Lu Qing, who had also changed her appearance.

The group mounted their horses and set off, galloping all the way; they reached the barren land where the canal was being dug before the sun had climbed high in the sky.

From a distance, they saw a bustling scene of labor ahead. Not only were there craftsmen organized by Ding Qian, but many local villagers had also eagerly joined in. Some jumped into the ditch to help chisel stones and dig dirt, while others stood at the edge, passing baskets of dirt to be moved elsewhere. They seemed to have been busy for quite some time, as everyone was drenched in sweat.

Nearby, some women and elderly ladies brought clear water and some flatbreads in baskets, offering them to the busy family members and craftsmen to fill their stomachs.

Zhu Cheng hadn’t come out in disguise for inspections like this for a long time. Seeing this scene now filled his heart with immense satisfaction. Watching the people work so energetically, he felt he was doing a decent job as Prince Shuo.

As his mood improved, the frown he wore throughout the journey softened. Looking at Lu Qing and Zhu Yu, the two who had facilitated getting this great initiative to Shuo Country, he felt even more gratified.

They dismounted, tied the horses to a grove nearby, and walked over on foot. As Zhu Cheng walked, he observed the busy crowd around him. Gradually, his recently relaxed brows furrowed again.

"Why are the people helping out here all elderly?" he curiously whispered to Lu Qing beside him, "And over there, those are clearly kids in their teens.

This is absolutely ridiculous. For such difficult labor, where are the able-bodied men? How can they hide away, leaving the elderly and young ones to suffer here?"

When Zhu Cheng said this, the confusion in his expression was genuine, not feigned.

As a Vassal King of Shuo Country, his views were deeply rooted. Since young and strong men were considered the ones capable of achieving great things, they should naturally be at the forefront of such hard work, taking on the toughest tasks. It made no sense for the elderly and young children to suffer here.

Lu Qing noticed Zhu Cheng’s reaction, glanced at Zhu Yu beside him, and subtly moved aside, giving Zhu Yu space next to Zhu Cheng.

"Father, we did come across some things on our way here," Zhu Yu said to Zhu Cheng, slowing her pace discreetly.

Zhu Cheng sensed that Zhu Yu clearly had something to say, so he stopped. The group stood at a distance from the craftsmen, and Zhu Yu recounted the stories they had heard on their way to Shuo Country.

Upon hearing that many young adults within Shuo Country had inexplicably vanished, Zhu Cheng initially looked bewildered, and then gradually his brow knotted.

When he further heard that similar weapons, suspected to be manufactured in Shuo, were discovered at the Jie Country and Jin Country borders, as well as in Lan Country, his expression grew increasingly grim.

"How audacious! They dare leave Shuo Country for personal gain, going to other vassal states to secretly manufacture weapons!" He was out on an inspection incognito, so even though he was fuming, he had to lower his voice to avoid alarming the craftsmen and villagers digging the canal nearby.

"This situation might not be so simple," Zhu Yu said, shaking her head, "I’m afraid even the Black Iron mines in Shuo Country have been stolen. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Since quite a large portion of those illicitly manufactured weapons were made from Black Iron."

Hearing this, Zhu Cheng’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Nonsense! That’s absolutely impossible!" he exclaimed incredulously, waving his hand, "Black Iron is incredibly important. Do you think I would carelessly let it be handled that way?

I’ve assigned specialized personnel to guard the Black Iron mines, and even with them, I’m not at ease. I’ve also specifically instructed the Pang Family to help conduct regular inspections to ensure everything’s foolproof. There’s absolutely no way anyone could approach, let alone steal it!"

If he hadn’t said this, it would have been fine. But he was so certain that Zhu Yu and Lu Qing felt validated in their judgment.

It seems the Pang Family is indeed involved, consistent with their earlier suspicions. But exactly what the Pang Family has done and who they’re collaborating with, and for what purpose, remains unclear for now.

Zhu Yu’s expression grew increasingly severe.

Lu Qing, being the Prince Xiaoyao of Jin Country, hadn’t previously ventured into Shuo Country and was naturally not privy to local matters. However, Zhu Yu had some understanding over the years.

Zhu Cheng was quite righteous in his dealings. Back when the Pang Family supported him in inheriting the Vassal King’s title, he had treated them generously in return, allowing the Pang Family to leverage their connection with Prince Xiaoyao to expand their business. He even let them intervene in the annual military procurement Jin Country conducted with Shuo Country.

Usually, such matters required open competitions and qualifications to decide who would undertake the contracts, but given the Pang Family’s significant influence, Zhu Cheng initially observed formalities, later growing so lax that he nearly handed these contracts directly to the Pang Family.

Thus, in Shuo Country, the Pang Family was like the imperial merchants, with access to many lucrative opportunities.

Therefore, if anyone in Shuo Land should have been most loyal to ensuring Zhu Cheng’s peaceful reign as Prince Shuo, it should have been the Pang Family.

However, in this world, people are typically ashamed but not content. Even when they’ve profited handsomely, faced with greater temptations, they can’t help but feel tempted and sometimes take action.

What if someone offers the Pang Family even greater benefits and temptations?

With the Pang Family’s traditional behavior, it’s probably hard for them to resist.

The current issue then is, who could offer the Pang Family such significant benefits and temptations, convincing them to take such risks and betray Zhu Cheng for their gain?