From cute to empress

Chapter 146: Hidden Reefs

As soon as Chairman Zheng and Merchant Liu left, I eagerly opened the secret letter from the border. It was written by General Li, who guarded the frontier, and detailed the latest developments in the war with a neighboring country. I skimmed through it, my brow furrowing ever deeper.

The letter mentioned that the enemy had obtained a large amount of our advanced weapons and food from an unknown source, causing our army to retreat at every turn. My heart sank. Could it be that someone in the court was secretly colluding with the enemy and selling military supplies?

I forced myself to calm down and carefully recalled recent events. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck me: I remembered an anonymous letter I'd received a few days earlier. It mentioned that someone had witnessed the president of the Zhengzhou Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Liu, a wealthy businessman, meeting privately with foreign envoys, and their behavior was extremely suspicious.

At the time, I didn't take it seriously, thinking it was just someone jealous of their wealth and deliberately spreading rumors. But now it seems that the two things are inextricably linked.

I quickly dug out the anonymous letter and examined it carefully. It contained no concrete evidence, merely a few vague descriptions of events. But for some reason, I had a vague feeling that its contents might be true.

"Translator Li!" I called out loudly.

A moment later, a young woman in a cyan official uniform walked in quickly and bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

"Come and take a look at this letter," I handed her the anonymous secret letter, "and see if you can find any clues from it."

Translator Li took the letter and read it carefully. She frowned slightly, as if she also noticed something was amiss.

"Your Majesty," after a moment, Translator Li raised his head and said solemnly, "Although this letter contains no direct evidence, it is clear from the words that the writer is very familiar with Chairman Zheng and Merchant Liu, and is fully aware of the locations and times of their meetings with foreign envoys."

I nodded. Translator Li's analysis coincided with my thoughts.

"Go check immediately," I ordered in a deep voice, "and see if you can find out the identity of the person who wrote the letter, as well as the details of the meeting between Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu and the foreign envoys."

"I obey your command!" Translator Li took the order and left.

I paced back and forth alone in the imperial study, my mind racing. If Chairman Zheng and the businessman Liu were indeed colluding with foreign forces, things would be troubling. Not only were they among the wealthiest businessmen in the country, they also held considerable influence within the court. If their crimes were exposed, it would undoubtedly cause a stir within the government and the nation.

But I knew even more clearly that if I left them alone and allowed them to continue their evil deeds, the consequences would be disastrous. I took a deep breath, and my eyes gradually became firm.

"Sir Wang," I called over Diplomat Wang, my tone calm but with undeniable authority, "Pass on my decree. Tomorrow's trade negotiations are temporarily canceled. I want to personally review all the terms."

Although Diplomat Wang looked troubled, he still obeyed the order and left. I knew this move would cause a huge uproar, especially among the foreign envoys, who would probably not let it go.

As expected, within an hour, the foreign envoy arrived, threatening to see me. His words were filled with doubt and dissatisfaction with my unilateral interruption of negotiations. I had anticipated his coming to question me, so I rubbed my temples with feigned fatigue and said calmly, "Your Excellency, you have come a long way and are exhausted. I should have discussed diplomatic relations with you as soon as possible. However, I have been ill recently and am unable to handle government affairs. I ask your understanding and we can discuss this later."

Seeing my tough attitude and the excuse that the "dragon is not feeling well", the foreign envoys had no choice but to return in disappointment, even though they were dissatisfied.

After seeing off the foreign envoys, I secretly summoned General Li's confidant and ordered him to secretly investigate the caravans of the Zheng Chamber of Commerce and Liu Da Merchant, especially their recent movements to and from the border areas, and to find out whether they really have any connection with the enemy country, as well as the specific content, time and place of the transactions.

At the same time, I continued to instruct Li the translator to expedite the investigation into the source of the anonymous letter. I also secretly summoned several palace guards skilled in criminal interrogation and instructed them to be ready to interrogate the prisoner at any time.

Everything was proceeding in secret and at full speed. On the surface, I pretended to be calm, handling government affairs and meeting with ministers on time every day, just like before. But I knew that a storm was coming.

That morning, at court, I sat in the throne room, as usual, listening to the ministers' reports on various matters. Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu were also present. One had a rosy complexion and was full of energy, while the other looked slightly tired, as if troubled. I took in their changing expressions and sneered inwardly.

"Your Majesty," the Minister of Rites said, "The Royal Hunting Competition will begin in three days. Please come to the Royal Hunting Grounds and enjoy the fun with the people."

I pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Permission granted."

My eyes swept over Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu, the businessman, intentionally or unintentionally, and a barely perceptible sneer appeared on the corner of my mouth. "This time, I want to enjoy the hunt with the people. All ministers, merchants, and wealthy people are welcome to participate..."

On the day of the Royal Hunting Tournament, the sun was shining brightly, the sky clear. Dressed in formal attire and mounted on a chestnut horse, I stood at the entrance of the hunting grounds, receiving homage from officials and merchants from all over the country. Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu were among them, naturally. One feigned composure, the other a look of anxiety, their faces at odds with the joyous atmosphere.

I dismounted, took the bow and arrow from the guard, looked around, and said loudly, "Today is a hunting day. I enjoy it with the people. There are no rules. You can all show your skills. Whoever comes out on top will be rewarded handsomely!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, praising my approachability and compassion for the people. Only Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu, the wealthy businessman, forced smiles, their eyes flickering, not daring to meet my gaze.

The hunt officially began. I, accompanied by a team of guards, deliberately headed in a direction where prey was scarce. After about half an hour, I reined in my horse and asked casually, "Sir Wang, I've heard that Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu are both business prodigies, rich enough to rival a nation. Have they ever been to the border trading cities in northern my country?"

Diplomat Wang was stunned for a moment, then reacted and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, Chairman Zheng and Merchant Liu are both patriotic men. Every year they travel to the border trading city to trade with merchants from neighboring countries, earning a large amount of gold and silver treasures for our country."

"Oh? Really?" I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "That's really a coincidence. I received a memorial from a border trading city some time ago, which said..." I paused deliberately, observing the reactions of President Zheng and Mr. Liu.

Sure enough, after hearing what I said, their faces turned pale and their eyes were filled with panic and fear.

I sneered inwardly and continued, "The memorial states that in recent months, a batch of goods of unknown origin have appeared in the border trade city. These goods are cheap, but the workmanship is fine, very similar to our country's traditional craftsmanship. It is very likely..."

I deliberately didn't finish my words, but turned my gaze to Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu and said meaningfully, "It's very likely that someone is secretly communicating with foreign countries, leaking our technology and making huge profits!"

As soon as I finished speaking, Chairman Zheng and Mr. Liu, the businessman, fell to their knees and kowtowed for mercy.

"Your Majesty, please spare my life! I am innocent!"

"Your Majesty is very perceptive! I am loyal to the Great Niu Dynasty and have no second thoughts!"

I looked at the two of them coldly, sneering in my heart.

"Whether you two are colluding with foreign forces, I will investigate the truth!" I shouted sternly, "Come here, arrest them and interrogate them strictly!"

The guards rushed forward, tied up Chairman Zheng and businessman Liu, and took them away.

I looked at their miserable figures and a sneer appeared on the corner of my mouth.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Diplomat Wang complimented him. "Now let's see what else they have to say!"

I nodded and was about to give the order to close the net and catch all the profiteers involved, but suddenly I heard a burst of hurried horse hooves in the distance.

A fast horse came galloping over. The knight on the horse was wearing silver armor and holding a banner. He shouted loudly: "Report--"

"Your Majesty, General Zhen Youcai of Zhenbei has won a great victory on the border, completely annihilating the enemy forces, and has now returned to the capital!"

I was stunned, feeling a mixture of emotions. Zhen Youcai, you're finally back...