Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 1081 - 123: Zhao Yao’s Speculation (Part 2)

"My lord, the officials in Annan and Johor make their servants try the food before they eat it themselves," the spy reported. "After eating for some time, the doctors take their pulse, but they haven’t found any signs of poisoning."

"It’s normal not to detect poisoning after only a short period," Zhao Yao said thoughtfully. "Many chronic poisons require a year or two of ingestion before poisoning can be diagnosed."

"My lord, do you think it’s a slow-acting poison?"

"It’s very possible." Zhao Yao looked at the spy and instructed, "Continue to investigate this matter, keep a close watch on the Poison Mist Forest, and try to find out the ingredients of the Divine Pill."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhao Yao waved the spy away and then had Tong Xi summon the customs officials, as he had instructions to give them.

When the customs officials arrived, Zhao Yao instructed them to rigorously inspect any drugs coming from countries like Annan and Johor starting today. If anyone is found carrying the so-called Divine Pill, seize it immediately.

Zhao Yao also instructed Wen Daoji and the others to strictly investigate the Divine Pill within Lingnan. If anyone is found selling or consuming the Divine Pill, arrest them. He then issued an order to ban the people of Lingnan from consuming the Divine Pill.

Although this might alert the enemy, in order to prevent the Southern Wei people from harming more individuals, the Divine Pill had to be made a forbidden drug. Otherwise, if it spread unchecked, countless people could be poisoned by it.

Concerned that the emperor might not be aware of the Divine Pill, Zhao Yao quickly wrote a confidential letter and sent it back to the capital by express courier. He also wrote letters to Prince Chu and Prince Wei, warning them about the Divine Pill. If they discover it, they should capture the sellers immediately.

The Southern Wei people are secretly selling the Divine Pill, unbeknownst to Song Dachuan and Duan Jiangcheng. Whether or not my elder brother knows, I must warn him.

That night, Song Dachuan came to meet Zhao Yao in secret. He informed Zhao Yao that the Southern Wei people in Swamp Prefecture had heard of the Divine Pill, but did not know it was made by their own people.

"Duan Jiangcheng doesn’t know either?"

"I tested him; he truly doesn’t know."

"What about the Southern Wei people in other prefectures?"

"I asked them too; they also don’t know."

"None of them know?" Zhao Yao expressed in surprise.

"I even asked the people over in Southern Wei Prefecture; they also claim ignorance."

"It’s their own product. How could they not know?" Zhao Yao thought to himself: a small group of Southern Wei people must be secretly making the Divine Pill without informing their own kind, and they must have significant plans.

"I even asked the people from Southern Wei Prefecture to help me obtain the Divine Pill, and they said they’d assist if they could get it," Song Dachuan added. "I also suggested that since the Divine Pill is so popular and sells for such a high price, we could produce it ourselves."

Zhao Yao immediately asked, "What did they say?"

"They mostly supported the idea and agreed to report it to higher authorities with me." Song Dachuan didn’t understand why making the Divine Pill was kept hidden from so many of them. He too wanted to know who was secretly making the Divine Pill. "I expect a response from the capital in a few days."

"Did you ask your family?"

"Yes, and they aren’t aware of the Divine Pill’s existence either, nor have they noticed anyone trading it."

"Does your elder brother know about the Divine Pill?" This was Zhao Yao’s primary concern.

"I don’t know if my lord knows about it." Song Dachuan’s status didn’t grant him access to Prince Wei’s matters.

"How many factions are there within your Southern Wei people?" Zhao Yao asked curiously, "Which faction do you think might be making the Divine Pill?"

"I suspect it’s Kou Nanyu and his group," Song Dachuan said with a look of resentment. "They don’t respect my lord and rarely interact with us. I heard they cut ties with us years ago, insisting we not meddle in their affairs, and they wouldn’t interfere with ours."

"I never heard of such a situation before; why didn’t you mention it earlier?" Zhao Yao didn’t expect there to be such a group among the Southern Wei people.

"We haven’t interacted with them for decades, and it slipped my mind. When you mentioned the Divine Pill, I remembered them," Song Dachuan and his group regarded Kou Nanyu’s faction as traitors, and normally they wouldn’t associate with them. "I heard they are skilled in pharmaceuticals, so it’s undoubtedly them who made the Divine Pill."

"If your suspicions are correct, wouldn’t my elder brother be in danger?"

"Rest assured, although Kou Nanyu’s group doesn’t respect my lord, they would never harm him as my lord is the last bloodline of the Southern Wei Royal Family."