Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 375 Food and Grass
The prison doctor tipped off the owner of Cuiwenlou and he fled. When Long Tingwei rushed there, the building was empty.

Upon learning that the owner of Cuiwenlou had not been captured, Yun Hao was disappointed, but not as angry as Wang Yan. He had expected this situation after catching the traitor, the prison doctor.

"Sir, what should we do now?" Wang Yan asked in a deep voice.

Yun Hao pondered for a moment and said, "The owner of Cuiwenlou asked the prison doctor to use fake death medicine to save Jiaoxiao. This shows that Jiaoxiao is very important to him. Now that Jiaoxiao is in our hands, he will show up sooner or later. What we have to do now is to wait."

"Could Jiao Xiao be his woman?" Wang Yan guessed.

"If you have nothing to do, go and interrogate those people who were just captured. They are Xiao He's men." Yun Hao glanced at him and said, "Don't be like those gossipy women in the market."

Wang Cheng touched his nose and said awkwardly, "Sir, I just want to liven up the atmosphere."

"We don't need you to liven up the atmosphere. Go and interrogate the people." Yun Hao sent him away, sorted out Xiaohe's confession, left the prison and went to the palace.

When Yun Hao arrived at the palace, all the officials were waiting for the palace gate to open and enter the palace to attend the morning court. Ling Ze saw him and said, "Lord Yun."

"Your humble servant greets Prime Minister Ling." Yun Hao bowed.

"Lord Yun, can you please have a word with me?" Ling Ze took him aside and asked, "How is the progress of the case of Prince Rong?"

When he learned that Prince Rong was plotting a rebellion, he couldn't believe it at first, but then he learned that it was Long Tingwei who verified it, and he knew that there was no false accusation or murder.

"There has been some progress, but it is not enough. I will continue to investigate." Yun Hao said.

"I didn't expect Prince Rong to be so confused." Ling Ze sighed.

Yun Hao did not respond. After all, Prince Rong's rebellion was a foregone conclusion. What else could he say?

"This matter concerns the stability of the court. Lord Yun, thank you for your hard work." Ling Ze guessed that there were quite a few ministers who were loyal to Prince Rong.

Jackie Chan's achievements were a great temptation to many court officials.

"I eat the emperor's food and bear the emperor's worries. I will do my best." Yun Hao said.

Ling Ze nodded, patted his shoulder, and said: "Your Majesty has high hopes for Lord Yun. I hope Lord Yun will not disappoint His Majesty."

Yun Hao said respectfully: "I will definitely live up to your Majesty's expectations."

The two men talked for a few more words, and the palace gate was opened. All the officials filed in. Yun Hao walked into the palace with the ministers, but he did not go to the Qinzheng Hall.

Although he was a third-rank commander, he had the emperor's permission and did not have to attend the morning court. He went to the imperial study and waited.

As a trusted minister of the emperor, the eunuchs did not dare to neglect him and let him sit in the side hall and drink tea.

At the morning court, the emperor asked about the grain robbery. "The grain price in the capital is getting higher day by day, and the people are complaining. I have asked the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds to stabilize the grain price, but this is only a temporary solution. Only by finding that batch of grain can this problem be completely solved."

"It's been so many days, where is the food and grass? Can anyone tell me?"

The emperor's voice echoed in the empty court, with a hint of dissatisfaction and anxiety. All the civil and military officials in the court bowed their heads and remained silent. The atmosphere was so solemn that even the air seemed to freeze. "Your Majesty, we have tried our best to investigate this matter, but the robbers acted in a cunning way and we still have no clue." The Dali Temple Minister stepped out and said.

"I know this matter is difficult, but I believe that you are all pillars of the court and will definitely be able to find a solution." The emperor's eyes swept across everyone's faces, and his tone revealed his unquestionable determination.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan that may help us recover the looted food and fodder."

The emperor heard this and a hint of joy flashed in his eyes. "My dear minister, what good ideas do you have? Tell me quickly."

"Your Majesty, since the robbers were able to successfully rob the grain, they must have had help from within. I suggest that you thoroughly investigate all personnel involved in the transportation of grain, including the soldiers who escorted the grain, the post stations along the way, and officials who may have access to information about the grain."

"Lord Xu, your plan is too outrageous. Such a thorough investigation will require a lot of manpower and resources, and it may not be possible to find the real accomplice." An old minister stood up and refuted.

After hearing the old minister's rebuttal, the emperor frowned and was obviously weighing the pros and cons.

"Your Majesty, Lord Xu's proposal is a bit aggressive, but as long as we can't find food and fodder, the famine in the city will not be resolved. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be used. I think it's worth a try." Another minister stood up to support Lord Xu's point of view.

"The robbers dared to rob in the important area of ​​the capital because they must have something to rely on. Moreover, the quantity of this batch of food and grass is huge, which is not something that ordinary bandits can do. I guess that there must be someone in the court secretly supporting them behind the scenes. I think this internal support is quite easy to investigate." Another young minister came out to support Lord Xu.

The old minister looked a little unhappy. "Your Majesty, I am not completely opposed to Lord Xu's proposal, but this matter is extremely risky. If the action fails, the consequences will be disastrous. Moreover, there are many ministers in the court. If there is really an insider, how can it be easily discovered? Wouldn't this alert the enemy and give the real mastermind a chance to escape?"

The emperor pondered for a moment and spoke slowly, "What you said makes sense, but there is a serious food shortage in the city. If we can't find food and grass, it will probably cause greater unrest. You don't need to say more. Just do as Lord Xu says and immediately start a thorough investigation of all personnel involved in the transportation of food and grass. I will personally supervise this matter and make sure to find the accomplice and recover the food and grass."

Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, the old minister could only bow his head and say, "Your Majesty is wise, and we will fully cooperate with you."

Just when the morning court was deciding on the issue of food and fodder, Zhao Wangshu received a visiting card from Yun Wanru.

Zhao Wangshu was stunned for a moment. Yun Wanru had been married into the Cao family for several months, but she had never made any move. Now she suddenly sent a visiting card, Zhao Wangshu felt a little surprised.

"Do you want to see the young lady?" Lan Fen asked.

"If I don't see you, it seems a bit heartless," Zhao Wangshu put down the visiting card, "bring me the red-bottomed silver-flowered card, and I'll write a reply."

"Yes, Madam." Lan Fen went to the study to get the invitation.

Zhao Wangshu wrote a reply and sent it to the Cao family, inviting Yun Wanru to come over as a guest the next day. Then he sent someone to the prison to ask Yun Hao to return home for dinner.

When Yun Hao came back from the palace, he saw the servants in the mansion and learned that it was Zhao Wangshu who asked him to go back to the mansion for dinner. Although he did not understand Zhao Wangshu's intention, he still said, "Tell the young lady that I will go back for dinner."

After sending away the servants in the mansion, he entered the cell where Jiao Xiao was. Wang Cheng was guarding there. "How is she?"

"He's been dead for so long, but his body isn't stiff yet. It's like he's asleep." Wang Cheng snorted coldly, "These Northern Di spies are really cunning."

"Hasn't there been any news reported from the people at the mass grave yet?" Yun Hao asked.

"Not yet. I think we have to wait until night time, when it's almost dawn, to transport the 'corpse' over. It's not easy to steal the 'corpse' in broad daylight." Wang Yan replied.

"Keep an eye on her." Yun Hao said, and went out to the torture room where Xiao He was being interrogated.