flstandardbreds Chapter 113 The Worst Strategy
Chapter 113 The Worst Strategy
Li Wanqing sighed softly and replied, "Nanjia, the princess is well-mannered and we should not interfere. Besides, the princess has already helped Wei Xiuying before, and bringing it up again might put her in a difficult position."
Upon hearing this, Lin Nanjia sighed deeply.
Seeing Lin Nanjia's low spirits, Li Wanqing gently comforted her, "Nanjia, the time is not right yet, and we must not act rashly. When the time is right, I will naturally find a way to help her. There's no need to rush. Now, let's go back first."
After hearing this, Lin Nanjia nodded. She knew that Li Wanqing was the most loyal of the three.
She will do her best to fulfill her promises.
Meanwhile, Liu Shan's plan to investigate the Kang Prince's personal guards had already been placed on Yin Nantian's desk.
Yin Nantian summoned Li Polu to discuss the matter together.
After reading the secret letter written by He Qiong, Li Polu was completely dumbfounded.
He never expected that Liu Shan would be so bold as to secretly investigate the Prince Kang's personal guards.
This can no longer be described as "a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger." Liu Shan was simply audacious, and even Li Polu was shocked by his courage.
That's so awesome!
After a moment of contemplation, Li Polu said to Yin Nantian, "Prefect, this matter is of great importance. We should dissuade Liu Shan to prevent him from getting into unnecessary trouble."
Yin Nantian frowned and said to Li Polu, "He Qiong has already tried to persuade him, but it's no use. Liu Shan seems to be stubborn and insists on investigating Qu Dacheng."
Helpless, Li Polu asked, "Prefect, is there a soldier named Qu Dacheng among Prince Kang's personal guards?"
Yin Nantian nodded and said, "Indeed, he is also a capable aide of Prince Kang and is deeply trusted by Prince Kang."
Li Polu painfully tugged at his beard, "Then we can't let Liu Shan investigate any further. I'll set off for Jinhua County tomorrow to dissuade this scoundrel in person."
Yin Nantian sighed, "Given the blacksmith shop case, and with this stubborn kid's temperament, he might not listen to your advice."
Li Polu said angrily, "Prefect, no matter what, I will try my best. Liu Shan is young and impetuous, and inexperienced in the ways of the world. If he really angers Prince Kang, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Yin Nantian pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "In that case, you should go and return quickly."
Li Polu accepted the order, but as he was about to leave, Yin Nantian stopped him: "Never mind, I'll go with you. With one more person to persuade him, perhaps we can change his mind."
The two then packed their bags and set off that very night.
The following morning, Jinhua County was shrouded in a thin fog.
Li Polu and Yin Nantian went straight to the county government hall without stopping.
Upon meeting Liu Shan, Li Polu cut to the chase: "Liu Shan, the Prince Kang's personal guards are no ordinary men; your actions are far too risky."
Liu Shan's attitude was firm: "Sir, Qu Dacheng must be involved in the blacksmith shop case. I must find out the truth."
Li Polu sighed, "Do you know how powerful Prince Kang is? If we anger him, the consequences will be unpredictable."
Liu Shan's gaze was steady: "That's precisely why we must find out the truth, otherwise there will be endless hidden dangers."
Yin Nantian said in a deep voice, "Liu Shan, if you insist on doing this, you need to be fully prepared."
Liu Shan nodded: "I have made all the arrangements, please rest assured, my lords."
Yin Nantian retorted angrily, "Don't worry my ass! Otherwise, why would the two of us have come here in person? If something happens to you... well, since I'm here, I certainly won't let anything happen to you."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shan felt a warmth in his heart and said with gratitude, "Thank you both for your kindness."
Yin Nantian said helplessly, "Liu Shan, you misunderstood me. What I meant was that since I'm here, I certainly won't let you investigate Qu Dacheng."
Liu Shan was taken aback upon hearing this, but quickly regained his composure and replied, "Your Excellency, I understand your concerns. However, I have made up my mind, and I am willing to bear any consequences."
Li Polu and Yin Nantian exchanged a glance, knowing that Liu Shan had made up his mind, but a hasty investigation might bring great risks to Liu Shan and them.
Yin Nantian remained silent for a moment, then finally decided to take a different approach: "Alright, in that case, give me a copy of the relevant evidence, and I will personally present it to Prince Kang for his judgment."
With respect in his eyes, Liu Shan cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency is truly righteous. I will go and make preparations immediately. If the truth about the blacksmith shop case can be revealed, those twenty-five souls will surely find peace."
That afternoon, Liu Shan handed over the copied evidence to Yin Nantian.
After carefully checking and confirming that everything was correct, Yin Nantian said to Liu Shan, "You stay in the county office and wait for news. Do not act on your own."
Liu Shan nodded in agreement.
Yin Nantian and Li Polu then set off for the Kang Prince's Mansion.
……
Three days later, Yin Nantian arrived in Jinhua County with the outcome Liu Shan least wanted.
Yin Nantian said softly, "King Kang is unwilling to issue an order; this case will be handed over to Princess Changning for investigation."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Liu Shan's eyes.
He felt that he knew Princess Changning quite well; she was always fair and just, and perhaps she could bring justice to the blacksmith's case.
However, the reply from Princess Changning that Yin Nantian handed over clearly stated: "This case has many suspicious points, and the investigation is suspended."
Liu Shan took the document, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. Shouldn't the more suspicious the matter, the more carefully it should be investigated?
Why has the investigation been suspended?!
Yin Nantian knew the inside story; both Prince Kang and Princess Changning used the tactic of "delaying" to quell the storm.
Unfortunately, he couldn't tell Liu Shan this.
Looking at Liu Shan's bitter eyes, Yin Nantian sighed inwardly and patted him on the shoulder: "Liu Shan, you've done your best. Now, all we can do is wait and see."
Liu Shan took a deep breath and slowly nodded: "I understand. But no matter what, I will not give up."
Yin Nantian was stunned. He had already run into obstacles everywhere, so why was Liu Shan still so persistent?
A resolute glint flashed in Liu Shan's eyes: "Since both His Highness Prince Kang and His Highness the Princess have chosen to recuse themselves, then I will petition the court to send an imperial envoy to thoroughly investigate this case."
"Snapped!"
Li Polu slammed his hand on the table and said in a deep voice, "Liu Shan, I think you've gone mad! You're so desperate you're trying to die!"
Yin Nantian frowned, saying with disappointment, "How could you come up with such a foolish plan? This is the fiefdom of Prince Kang! With the arrival of the imperial envoy, not only will the case become more complicated, but the three of us will likely be drawn into an even bigger vortex. You are digging your own grave! You are playing with fire and getting burned!"
Liu Shan, however, did not back down. "This won't work, that won't work, what do you want me to do? I can't let those twenty-five officials die with their eyes wide open in disbelief!"
Yin Nantian really wanted to retort, "Why not?"
But as the prefect of Cangzhou, and the one who died was one of his own officers, he couldn't say such cold-hearted words, both morally and logically.
He took a deep breath and said slowly, "Liu Shan, we really shouldn't act impulsively. Submitting a petition to the court is the worst possible course of action."
Liu Shan clenched his fists, his voice choked with emotion: "Then what should we do? Prefect Yin, please teach me?"
At this moment, Yin Nantian remained silent for a long time. He was deeply moved by Liu Shan's persistence and helplessness, and his heart was filled with conflicting emotions.
Finally, he sighed and said, "Never mind, I will go and beg Princess Changning again."