Conspiracy, Open Conspiracy?

Just as Sun Shaozong had anticipated, stories of 'avenging a colleague in anger and solving a bizarre case in half a day' were the easiest to spread among the common people in ancient times.

Before the next day even arrived, he had just reluctantly sent Ruan Rong home when he overheard people in a roadside tavern discussing the matter, with his title of 'Captain Sun' being mentioned repeatedly.

The only slightly inappropriate thing was that Li Jiuming seemed to have been portrayed as a villainous character who was jealous of talent, used to highlight his and the male second lead Feng Xin's greatness and righteousness—needless to say, Feng Xin must have secretly added scenes for himself, otherwise, with his abilities, how could he possibly be the male second lead?

Now was the time to unite all forces that could be united and build momentum in Qinglin Prefecture. Offending a local strongman like Li Jiuming for no reason was not a good thing, especially since he had helped him once before.

Therefore, Sun Shaozong planned to visit the next day to apologize, and take the opportunity to hype it up again, earning a reputation for 'heroes cherishing heroes'.

Who knew that plans could not keep up with changes.

Early the next morning, Sun Shaozong had just gotten out of bed and hadn't even started washing up when an official messenger delivered a name card, inviting him to the residence of Prime Minister Ruan Fuzhong for a meeting.

This Ruan Fuzhong was truly second only to one person and above ten thousand in Qian Xiang Country. Not to mention Sun Shaozong, a small Commandant, even when Niu Yongxin was still alive, he had to apply to the Ministry of Rites for approval before he could meet him.

How could Sun Shaozong dare to delay when such a big figure sent an invitation?

Besides, his plan of 'raising a big banner and flaunting power' needed such a big figure as a stepping stone. How could he miss such a god-given opportunity?

Therefore, Sun Shaozong had to ask Feng Xin to apologize on his behalf. Anyway, this matter was originally caused by him, so it was only appropriate for him to clean up the mess.

It is said that Sun Shaozong rushed to the Prime Minister's residence. After taking their seats as host and guest in the living room, Ruan Fuzhong first expressed his condolences on behalf of the Qian Xiang Country Court to the people in the embassy, praised the guards led by Sun Shaozong, reviewed the past years of unity and friendship between the two countries, and looked forward to a brighter future.

Finally, Ruan Fuzhong finally began to inquire in detail about the process of Sun Shaozong and others pursuing the remaining assassins.

Until this time, Sun Shaozong felt that this meeting was just a formality, just like the model worker commendation meetings he had attended in modern times—the whole article was full of official jargon, with nothing of substance.

The only difference was that Ruan Fuzhong's words were more elegant, and his attitude was better than those city and county-level leaders. He clearly showed a sense of alienation, but he still made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

However, just as Sun Shaozong gradually lowered his guard, Ruan Fuzhong suddenly threw out a sentence: "My Qian Xiang Country and Da Zhou are as close as brothers, but Zhen Country regards Da Zhou as a tiger and wolf. Those assassins must have come from Zhen Country, and can only have come from Zhen Country!"

With just this sentence, Sun Shaozong felt his hairs stand on end, and he almost broke out in a cold sweat!

What did this mean?

Was he testing whether he had seen through the flaws?

Or was he showing that Qian Xiang Country was actually playing a Conspiracy Overt Plot, and was not afraid of Da Zhou discovering the truth?

Just a short sentence, but it was terrifying to think about!

Fortunately, Sun Shaozong had been tempered in the modern officialdom for a few years and was not a real greenhorn, so he barely managed to steady his mind and did not show any timidity in front of Ruan Fuzhong.

After returning to the embassy.

On the one hand, Sun Shaozong followed the original plan and sent people to spread rumors that 'Prime Minister Ruan has discerning eyes and recognizes talents, and Captain Sun is loyal and refuses to be recruited', falsely claiming that Ruan Fuzhong recruited him with the position of a third-rank general, but he was very moved and refused.

On the other hand, stimulated by Ruan Fuzhong, Sun Shaozong also brushed up on the domestic and international situation of the Da Zhou Dynasty, and found that this Ruan might really be playing a Conspiracy Overt Plot!

Generally speaking, feudal dynasties pay attention to the fact that there are no two suns in the sky and no two masters among the people, but the Da Zhou Court has two suns: the Retired Emperor who abdicated and the Emperor who succeeded to the throne.

In the face of imperial power, even close father and son inevitably suspect and restrain each other, so the Da Zhou's decrees in recent years have often been changed in the morning and evening, contradicting each other, which has greatly dragged down the efficiency of local governments and reduced the prestige of the court.

Because of this, the suppressed noises have gradually risen again. For example, the Mongol Tribes in the northwest, who were almost exterminated by Da Zhou more than fifty years ago, only dared to regard themselves as servants for decades, but now they are colluding with the Black Water Mohe in the northeast, and they are quite ready to move.

In the southeast coast, the Japanese Pirates and Yellow-Haired Foreigners are also becoming more and more fierce, repeatedly landing on the shore to plunder, making the people along the coast miserable.

With internal troubles and external threats, how could Da Zhou possibly have the spare energy to care about the Six Southern Border Countries?

Therefore, although the middle and lower levels of Qian Xiang Country still maintained their awe of Da Zhou, the upper echelons had developed different thoughts. That's why they secretly used methods to test Da Zhou's reaction.

Anyway, their main target was Zhen Country, and the court and the public showed great respect to Da Zhou, acting as if they were Da Zhou's loyal dogs. Even if someone in the Da Zhou court saw through the flaws, what could they do? Could they possibly turn this only 'respectful and humble' little brother against them for the sake of Niu Yongxin?!

After figuring out these key points, Sun Shaozong felt even more that this pool of muddy water was unfathomable, and it was best for small fish and shrimps like himself to stay away.

Therefore, on one hand, he told Feng Xin and others to stay at home and avoid causing any more trouble; on the other hand, he took the lead in raising five hundred taels of silver to bribe the soldiers and officials escorting the assassins, so that they could spread the story of "Captain Sun Solves a Strange Case in Half a Day, Prime Minister Ruan Discovers Talent with Keen Eyes" to Shuntian Prefecture.

After four or five days of calm, just as the team escorting the assassins finally set off, the embassy suddenly welcomed an 'uninvited guest' - Ruan Rong's own father, Qinglin Prefecture Governor Ruan Liangshun.

Ruan Liangshun used the name of 'thanking' for his visit, but Sun Shaozong really couldn't see any gratitude in him. On the contrary, his old face was tightly stretched, as if someone owed him a lot of money.

At first, Sun Shaozong was very confused, but he didn't bother with the old man for Ruan Rong's sake - until Ruan Liangshun said a word, he understood where the other party's inexplicable hostility came from.

"Captain Sun."

Ruan Liangshun cupped his fist with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, and said, "My daughter was concerned about this old man's safety that day, so she inevitably said something she didn't mean. Captain Sun, please don't mind it - it just so happens that in a few days, my daughter will be engaged to the eldest son of Ministry of Revenue, Minister Pan. At that time, this official will hold a banquet at home, and I would like to invite Captain Sun to take the time to attend."

How clever was Sun Shaozong?

He immediately understood that Ruan Liangshun's words had a deeper meaning. His real intention was to warn him: My daughter is getting married soon, you better not have any more contact with my daughter, and don't have any wishful thinking!

This invitation to attend the engagement banquet was probably just a casual remark and should not be taken seriously.

Although Sun Shaozong had some affection for Ruan Rong, it was far from the level of love between a man and a woman. Moreover, if nothing unexpected happened, he would return to Da Zhou soon, and he probably wouldn't have the chance to see Ruan Rong again in this lifetime.

Therefore, after hearing this warning, although he felt a little unhappy, he sent Ruan Liangshun away and put the matter behind him.

After that, about a hundred days passed, and the Ruan Residence's engagement banquet arrived as scheduled. Most of the relatives and friends received invitations, but Sun Shaozong was indeed left out - but even if he received an invitation, he probably wouldn't have time to attend the banquet, because at the same time as the Ruan Residence sent out wedding invitations, the new Da Zhou Special Envoy finally arrived at Qinglin Prefecture!