The four gate officers trembled.
None of them was a fool. With a scene like this, they certainly couldn't admit to having dealings with Guo Cai.
But Bai Xiaowen had sharp eyes. He could tell who was lying from the rhythm of their heartbeat, breathing, and pulse, and his words cut like blades. Within a few exchanges, he had singled out the culprit: Deng Shouxian, the north gate officer.
"Deng Shouxian, cooperate and confess now, and I can spare your life. If you delay the capture of these bandits, I'll charge you with colluding with the Yellow Turbans. That crime will wipe out your entire clan. Think carefully!"
"Don't imagine I can't find out! If you refuse to confess, I'll question the soldiers guarding the north gate. It'll just take more time!"
Deng Shouxian shook and dropped to his knees with a thud.
"Governor, I lost my head for a moment. I took Guo Cai's gold and pearls and allowed him to leave the city at night..."
Bai Xiaowen snorted. "He wasn't leaving alone, was he? Did a convoy go with him?"
"Yes... yes..."
"And tonight was the same?"
"Yes. Tonight was the same. Around the second watch, Guo Cai personally led more than ten carts out of the city."
Wang Lie said angrily, "You're a gate officer, yet you let convoys pass through the gates at will? What if bandits were hidden inside? Such dereliction of duty deserves execution!"
Deng Shouxian hurried to defend himself. "My lord, I inspected them every time. I only let them through after confirming they carried millet and other goods. I would never dare let bandits into the city."
Bai Xiaowen asked gravely, "When does Guo Cai return each time?"
"Around the fourth watch," Deng Shouxian answered at once.
Bai Xiaowen calculated the time