The moth would carry his instructions to a residence in the western part of the city.
There, the spy he had planted would deliver to Second Prince Zhao Li's desk some evidence "discovered by chance" showing that Minister of Personnel Zhang Qian had embezzled military funds.
The evidence was enough to deal Zhang Qian a serious blow, but not enough to cost him his life.
Its true purpose was to force Zhang Qian, in order to protect himself, to seek out the powerful patron he had relied on all those years ago.
And that patron was one of the masterminds behind the framing of the Chishui Great Camp.
A carefully woven net had begun to unfurl.
And Zhang Qian was merely the first prey to struggle in its web.
"Ten years..."
Chen Ye gazed at the waning moon on the horizon and murmured softly.
"The game has only just begun."
The next day, just as dawn began to break,
a dossier from a secret agent in the western part of the city was placed on Second Prince Zhao Li's desk.
Draped in an outer robe, Zhao Li skimmed through it. His brows quickly drew together.
"Minister of Personnel Zhang Qian?"
He set down the dossier and looked at Wei Zheng beside him. "I remember he's one of Grand Tutor Wang De's people. He's never had any dealings with us. How did we suddenly find evidence that he embezzled military funds?"
Wei Zheng bowed. "Your Highness, this lead came from Mr. Chen. He sent someone over last night. Our men followed the trail and, in just one night, found hidden account books and property deeds at the residence of Zhang Qian's concubine."
"Chen Ye?"
Zhao Li's expression grew complicated.
Only last night, he had agreed to let Chen Ye reopen the