Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 168: Trouble in Xu State

Since the Mid-Autumn banquet, the Southern Country’s Prince’s request for marriage was rejected, causing quite a stir in the Capital. Many skeptics began to believe after frequently seeing Chu Guang appear around Su Juan.

Chu Guang even became more flamboyant, fearing others might not notice his intentions towards Su Juan. Wherever Su Juan appeared, he would rush there, bringing sumptuous food, aged wine, and various jewels.

The attention of almost everyone in the Capital was focused on this matter, discussing it endlessly in the teahouses.

At the Duke Mansion at this time, Su Juan had just returned and went to the rear courtyard to find Shen Ruhui, before even drinking tea, asked, "How is it?"

Shen Ruhui replied, "As you expected, the Southern Country openly sent a diplomatic mission to the Capital, but secretly arranged another team masquerading as a merchant convoy to discuss business. Recently, they’ve secretly contacted people from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Industry, and have been visiting places in the Capital known for trading intelligence, today they even went to Ruyi Building, spending a fortune wanting to buy information regarding our military personnel."

"Following your instructions, I spread out some genuine mixed with fake information."

Typically, such actions from the Southern Country would alert the Court, but due to Chu Guang’s flamboyant behavior recently, most people’s attention was on him and Su Juan, thus lowering the guard against the Southern Dynasty’s mission, with no one noticing the merchant convoy’s unusual movements.

This Southern Country’s Prince is obviously using the marriage proposal to cover his true intentions. Such cunning, if not for Su Juan’s recent reminder, he wouldn’t have detected it. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Su Juan nodded slightly, "You must work hard to monitor Ruyi Building these days, have people pay more attention to the Southern Country’s movements."

At the beginning, the Southern Country provoked war, attacking the wealthy Chu Kingdom first, plundering money to expand their military resources, then swiftly moved north to destroy Jin, directly attacking the Imperial City.

The Southern Country indeed has stronger military power than Jin, but Jin isn’t weak either. At that time, even though the Southern Country marched through smoothly, it was also partly due to the internal chaos within the Court, likely leading to leaked defense maps falling into Chu Guang’s hands.

Now it seems, Chu Guang is indeed ambitious, no one could have thought he hasn’t even ascended the throne yet, but is already preparing for future invasions.

Rather than letting him find other ways, it’s better to go along with his scheme, let him believe he’s winning, provide some insignificant true information, mixed with false information.

Half true, half false, misleading him, ensuring preparedness if war should arise.

Su Juan’s plan wasn’t shared with Shen Ruhui, but he could guess her intention.

Having been with Su Juan for over half a year, during this time he gradually learned that the famous Ruyi Building in Jin is secretly involved in intelligence trading, founded single-handedly by Su Juan. Yet he still wonders how she knows things before they happen.

Su Juan harbors many mysteries that remain unsolved.

Shen Ruhui handed a message tube to Su Juan, "News from Xu State arrived today, I brought it to you immediately."

Su Juan took the message tube and promptly opened it. Since Miaoqing left, no news had come back, she feared something happened in Xu State.

Upon seeing the paper’s contents, her expression suddenly changed, "Something happened."

Shen Ruhui curiously took the paper from Su Juan’s hand, his pupils contracted, "Who dares to rob the relief silver with such audacity!"

According to the paper, the convoy led by Vice Minister Jiang escorting silver taels to Xu State was attacked by rioters, with half killed or injured, Vice Minister Jiang severely wounded and unconscious, Liu Miaoying and others missing, and thirty thousand taels of relief silver missing.

"With such a major incident, the Capital will surely dispatch additional personnel to Xu State," Shen Ruhui said, looking at Su Juan.

Su Juan frowned, "Ordinary rioters wouldn’t dare rob the Court’s relief silver and vanish without a trace. Someone must be behind this conspiracy."

Moreover, the silver escort convoy and Vice Minister Jiang’s team didn’t travel the same path, known only to Jiang, the Ministry of War officials involved, and the escorts. Someone must have leaked the information.

Shen Ruhui spoke solemnly, "Urgent reports from Xu State should soon arrive in the Capital. If tomorrow the Ministry of Revenue dispatches personnel to Xu State, I wish the lady herself could volunteer to go."

Understanding Shen Ruhui’s intended meaning, Su Juan knew not only for the incident but also for Miaoqing’s disappearance. She couldn’t rest easy without personally going to Xu State.

...

Next day, urgent reports from Xu State reached the Capital, the Old Emperor was furious. After the court assembly dispersed, he summoned the Ministers of Justice, Revenue, and War along with the Chief Secretary to discuss the matter.

The Ministry of Revenue was ordered to re-allocate twenty thousand silver taels, escorted by military personnel to Xu State.

The Minister of War was trembling, his hands shaking, never had such a major incident occurred in the last decade, certain to incur the Emperor’s wrath for this negligence.

Taking the opportunity, Minister Mo from Revenue recommended Su Juan, subtly suggesting, "Your Majesty, she’s familiar with all Ministry of Revenue’s matters; previously, when Vice Minister Jiang was here, she assisted in all affairs. Perhaps she should accompany the mission to Xu State to take over Jiang’s duties?"

Normally, the Old Emperor wouldn’t let Su Juan leave the Capital, but this time it concerned disaster victims in Xu State, the missing thirty thousand relief silver, and the disappeared individuals...

The Old Emperor nodded, "Very well, let her go."

The Old Emperor immediately issued two decrees, commanding the Ministry of Justice to fully investigate the relief silver theft case. He appointed Su Juan as a Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, promoting her to Fifth Rank, sending her to Xu State to replace Vice Minister Jiang’s duties and assist local government with disaster relief.

After everyone departed, the Old Emperor’s gaze fell upon the Minister of War, who remained silent and trembling throughout...

Receiving the imperial decree, Su Juan hurriedly packed her belongings.

"While I’m away from the Capital, make sure to keep an eye on Prince Han and Prince Jing Mansion, as well as the Southern Country."

Shen Ruhui nodded, "Rest assured, lady."

Su Juan handed him a token, "You handle Ruyi Building affairs while I’m gone; if necessary, direct personnel from its various locations to take action."

A bit surprised, Shen Ruhui paused momentarily, unexpectedly being entrusted with all these responsibilities, he clenched the token tightly, "Alright, lady, be cautious on your journey to Xu State."

Liu Xuan and Song Qianhang arrived to see her off, witnessing her talking to Shen Ruhui.

Surprised to see them together, Su Juan questioned, [When did these two become so close?]

"Why are you here?"

Song Qianhang spoke first, "News about Xu State has already spread, naturally, I came to see you off."

Without saying caring words, Liu Xuan gave Su Juan a few reminders, "The matter in Xu State surely has a mastermind behind it. Be cautious on your journey and don’t panic when facing challenges."

Standing aside, Shen Ruhui watched, his gaze subtle when looking at Liu Xuan.

Su Juan nodded, "I understand."