A thousand-mile dike crumbles from an ant's nest

Xu Qi'an was taken aback, thinking to himself, "When did I lie? If there's any deception, it's the persona of the Cloud Deer Academy."

Has my public image crumbled without me even realizing it? That doesn't make sense. And it shouldn't be Number Five saying this; it would be more reasonable for Number One or Number Six to make the accusation. It's not like it's a girl from the far south of Southern Frontier who has the right to speak.

He held the fragment of the Earth Book, pondering without replying, while the other members of the Heaven and Earth Society remained silent, observing how things would unfold.

Number Three is a liar? He's the one who found the silver. How did Number Five know about this? They didn't communicate much during the exchange of messages. In other words, Number Five found out about Number Three's mistake from some past statement. No, if there was any mistake, it was someone else who noticed it, not Number Five... Number Four thought to himself.

Number Three is a nice person with a kind heart. Everyone has secrets. Number Five is such a foolish woman... Number Two thought to herself.

Number Three kept picking up silver, and Monk Hengyuan didn't know what expression to make.

Number One smiled without saying a word, silently watching the screen.

At this moment, Master Jinlian was lazily lying on the roof ridge, basking in the sun, her cat eyes comfortably closed.

Number Five didn't keep them waiting long; she sternly accused Number Three of being insincere. "[That friend you mentioned who always finds money, is that you? I checked, and my information is correct.]"

Xu Qi'an: "."

[5: Hey, you're speechless now, aren't you?]

"You're a long-time anime fan too?" Xu Qi'an pursed his lips, letting out a sigh of relief. Yes, he was lying. But whether he lied or not was irrelevant.

For example, Song Tingfeng often said, "I have a friend who is in poor health."

Everyone knows it's him, but does anyone accuse him of lying?

As expected, no one responded to Number Five in the Earth Book chat group; everyone had their own ideas.

Number Two sincerely thought, "I really envy Number Three. He can find money every day when he goes out. I'm almost unable to pay my soldiers' salaries."

It turns out that number three is the one who finds money every day. Hmm, I've always suspected that if I could find money every day, I could save more widows and lonely people. Number six is extremely envious.

The one who picked up the silver was Number Three himself. Who could be so unusual as to pick up silver like that? I don't recall the Confucian School system of the Cloud Deer Academy having such a mysterious aspect. Number Four was startled, realizing a certain possibility, and quickly sent a message: [Number Three, when did this phenomenon begin?]

Xu Qi'an hesitated slightly before answering. "[About a month and a half ago.]"

He deliberately shortened the time frame to avoid anyone later discovering that his unusual behavior occurred after the tax and silver case was concluded.

Number Four's heart pounded, because he had a guess, a guess so absurd and audacious that it sent shivers down his spine as if an electric current was coursing through his body.

If I remember correctly, the extraordinary phenomenon of pure energy soaring into the sky at the Cloud Deer Academy also occurred a little over a month ago. At that time, Number Three had not yet joined the Heaven and Earth Society, and Master Jinlian solemnly entrusted Number One to investigate within the Heaven and Earth Society.

As everyone knows, Number Three is a student of the Confucian School Academy. One thing that is extremely unusual is that Number Three is not very strong, yet he has received too many resources and knows too many secrets that only the higher-ups of the Cloud Deer Academy know. This is very unreasonable. Number Four, as a former scholar, had long noticed this slight asymmetry. He was not questioning Number Three's identity as a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, but he felt that his treatment was a bit exaggerated.

But what if Number Three is related to the soaring aura of the Cloud Deer Academy? Would it make sense for it to receive such attention from the higher-ups at the Cloud Deer Academy?

However, the connection between finding silver and soaring high in the sky remained unclear to Number Four.

"It seems I need to find some time to go back to Beijing and visit Dean Zhao Shou." Number Four secretly decided to return to Beijing before the end of the year.

Thinking this through, Number Four, who felt he had some understanding of Number Three's secrets, smirked and sent a message: [Interesting. I've underestimated Number Three before. Looks like I need to reassess your value and potential.]

Did Number Four know why Number Three was frequently picking up silver? And the reason behind this involves some major secrets, otherwise Number Four wouldn't have made such a comment. Apart from Number Five, everyone else sensed something was wrong from Number Four's words.

Seeing that everyone had almost finished chatting, Xu Qi'an squinted and used his finger as a pen to write: [Heh, I have a question. Number Five, how did you know it was me who picked up the silver?]

Given Number Five's intelligence, it's impossible that she was bluffing him. This means she really knows why she picked up the silver, or at least knows some inside information.

This was exactly what Xu Qi'an desperately wanted to know; he had always been very concerned about his strange luck.

[Five: I can't say. I promised others I wouldn't reveal it to anyone, not even you.]

Number Five refused decisively.

[Three: Equivalent Exchange.]

[Five: Do not exchange goods; be honest and trustworthy.]

"This silly girl, believe it or not, I'll block you, scumbag you once in the future, and then I'll turn my back on you." Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

On second thought, since Master Jinlian's injuries haven't healed and she can't enable the private chat function, now is indeed not a good time to ask.

Once they can chat privately in the future, he can have a proper chat with Number Five, this silly girl from Southern Frontier, about life and ideals. There's still a lot of room for maneuver.

Imperial study room, small court meeting.

Emperor Yuanjing, dressed in a Daoist robe, sat high at the head of the table, listening to the report from Prefect Chen Hanguang. He remained calm and unperturbed by the throngs of people at the execution ground.

"What are your thoughts on the positions of Minister of War and Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue?" Emperor Yuanjing casually inquired.

Immediately, ministers stepped forward to recommend their own people. Emperor Yuanjing watched the officials' heated debate with a blank expression, wishing he could beat the brains out of the other side for the two powerful positions that were now vacant.

Even powerful figures like Wei Yuan and Grand Secretary Wang Zhenwen could not escape their fate.

Seeing the conflict escalating, and several hot-tempered ministers already rolling up their sleeves, Emperor Yuanjing tapped on the table to stop them.

"Minister Shang, you are the Minister of Personnel, what suggestions do you have?"

Shang Xian stepped forward, and while bowing, he glanced at Grand Secretary Wang Wenzhen out of the corner of his eye. Seeing the latter shake his head almost imperceptibly, he then said:

"Your Majesty, I am apprehensive. There is no suitable candidate at the moment. Please give me your guidance."

Emperor Yuanjing nodded in satisfaction. "This matter will be discussed further."

Sure enough, the ministers slowly exhaled inwardly, exchanging hateful glances.

At this moment, Wei Yuan stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, your humble servant has a report to make."

After Emperor Yuanjing nodded, Wei Yuan said, "Xu Qi'an, the gong-wielding official, has made outstanding contributions in the case of Princess Pingyang. Your Majesty, please reward him."

He had already submitted the corresponding memorial to the emperor yesterday.

Emperor Yuanjing was clearly aware of the details of the case and the contributions made by the gong Xu Qi'an. Whether it was reopening the case of Princess Pingyang or discovering the whereabouts of Monk Heng Hui, and subsequently finding Princess Pingyang's body, the gong Xu Qi'an made an indispensable contribution.

But Emperor Yuanjing was still somewhat hesitant. He didn't like the gong. There was no particular reason; the boy gave him a very discordant and uncomfortable feeling.

I despise it from the bottom of my heart.

When Emperor Yuanjing saw him in the imperial city that day, he witnessed him cleaving the ground with a single stroke, terrifying the spirit dragon so much that it dared not approach him even an inch. At that moment, Emperor Yuanjing felt an uncontrollable aversion to him.

Just as Wei Yuan was about to speak, Minister Sun of the Ministry of Justice suddenly shouted, "Your Majesty, I have a report to submit."

He strode forward, bowed, and said righteously, "Your Majesty, I have been ordered to investigate the Sangbo case, and have devoted myself to it tirelessly for days. My investigation has revealed that Chang Yan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, colluded with the Demon Race race to destroy Sangbo. I beg Your Majesty to dismiss this scoundrel and hand the case over to me for a thorough investigation."

Chang Yan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, squinted and looked at Minister Sun.

He was one of the core members of the Qi Party. Because of the gunpowder issue, another core member of the Qi Party, the Minister of Ministry of Works, had already walked a tightrope once.

The Minister of Ministry of Works snorted coldly and stepped forward, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Justice is engaging in slander and framing of Lord Chang. I believe the Minister of Ministry of Rites is equally suspicious."

The Ministry of Rites immediately stepped forward and cried out, "Your humble servant has been wronged!"

Wei Yuan sighed, somewhat disappointed. Sure enough, Emperor Yuanjing said, "The Sangbo case is not over. I have ordered Xu Qi'an, the Copper Xu Qi'an, to continue handling this case. More than half the month has passed. If he cannot find a clear answer, I will still execute him."

"Your Majesty!" Wei Yuan's brow twitched, and he bowed, saying, "Even if Xu Qi'an failed in his investigation, he still made contributions in the case of Princess Pingyang. How can he be sentenced to death?"

The ministers couldn't help but look at Wei Yuan, their eyes filled with different emotions—some gloating, some surprised, and some pleased.

While outwardly attacking the Minister of Justice, Minister Sun, a member of the Grand Secretary's faction, secretly launched a sneak attack on Wei Yuan. As long as the Sangbo case continues, the official in charge of the Nightwatchers watchman's office, the one who sang the gong, cannot remain uninvolved and will be dragged back into the mess.

Similarly, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review will also be labeled a suspect, and he won't be able to remove the label until the case is solved. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but during the Capital Evaluation, such a major stain can be easily magnified.

If he is included in the Eight Laws, he can be forced to pack his bags and leave, or at the very least, be removed from his position as Minister.

However, the Ministry of Rites of Rites, who was also a member of the royalist faction, was also implicated. In the end, it was a one-for-two exchange, which was not a loss.

Was Wei Yuan overly concerned with a small bronze gong? The ministers astutely noticed this.

Therefore, they increasingly approved of Minister Sun's actions in the Ministry of Justice. Although the civil officials were fiercely competitive, they were willing to do anything to infuriate Wei Yuan Wei Yuan, who was their number one enemy.

"I am tired, you may leave." Emperor Yuanjing waved his hand.

The ministers bowed in unison and left the Imperial Study in an orderly fashion. The ministers left in clear distinctions, and the atmosphere changed dramatically the moment they stepped out of the Meridian Gate.

The tense atmosphere dissipated, as if a grand drama had finally come to an end with a sense of relief.

Those who are hostile remain hostile, but not as dramatically as they were shown in the Imperial Study.

With his graying hair and stern features, Chief Minister Wang, dressed in a scarlet robe, greeted Wei Yuan with a slight smile. "Duke Wei seems quite interested in that little bronze gong. To achieve such a feat through ingenuity is truly remarkable; he is indeed a rare talent."

Wei Yuan smiled gently and said, "It's a pity you don't know how to behave; you've offended people you shouldn't have."

Chief Minister Wang was taken aback. "Duke Wei, what are you saying? We recruit talented people for the sake of the Duke Wei, and it is our duty to protect them. How can we allow them to die prematurely? If you cannot protect them, then let me do it."

Wei Yuan gave him a deep look, his expression remaining gentle, his emotions unreadable. "No need for the Grand Secretary to trouble himself."

Wei Yuan returned to the government office by carriage and ordered the clerks, "Summon Xu Qi'an to see me."

At that time, Xu Qi'an was in the martial arts training ground, sparring with Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng to hone his swordsmanship.

"Old Song, haven't you been to the Imperial Academy of Music lately? Your breathing seems much more leisurely than usual," Xu Qi'an joked as he parried the combined attacks from his two colleagues.

"He basically spends all his monthly salary on the women in the Imperial Academy of Music, without any restraint," Zhu Guangxiao said in a deep voice. "Ningyan, he is you in the future. Take this as a warning."

Of the three young men, Zhu Guangxiao, who buried himself in his work, was the most disciplined. It wasn't that he was abstinent, but rather that he wanted to save money to get married.

Xu Qi'an and Song Tingfeng both love Shen Gongbao; the former is keen on getting things for free, while the latter is dissolute.

After the Essence Refining Realm, martial artists no longer need to abstain from sex, but they still must exercise restraint. A thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant hole, and a body honed through a hundred battles can be weakened by a single flaw.

At this moment, a black-clad official rushed over, stopped at the edge of the drill ground, and called out, "Lord Xu, Duke Wei summons you."