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Jin Chunzhong came to Hu County first, and another group of Censorate officials rushed to Donghai Kingdom first to investigate the bizarre disappearance of General Lou Ship and a navy army.

A general who was personally appointed by the emperor, thousands of soldiers and dozens of warships disappeared on the sea inexplicably, which was amazing. Qu Zixi was so difficult to take over the first case as the right censor of the censor. He was so energetic that he did not dare to omit any omissions.

To be precise, the Censorate is not responsible for finding the missing persons. Their duty is to supervise the work of relevant yamen and officials. In this case, the main targets are the Ministry of War and the Donghai Kingdom.

King Donghai has never been involved in the country and has never participated in his own affairs. He has handed it over to the Prime Minister Yan Kang to handle it, which has saved all the relevant parties a lot of trouble and no longer has to look for him.

The emperor and his party were getting closer and closer, and Qu Zixi was staring at him. It has been more than a month since he had not had any accurate news except for rumors, so he really couldn't explain it to the emperor.

That afternoon, Yan Kang sent someone to invite him, saying that there was finally a definite news.

Officials from the Ministry of War had arrived and stood outside the gate with Yan Kang to welcome the right censor and his party.

The right-hand censor is only one step away from the prime minister. He is an important official in the court. He is highly respected whether in the capital or in other places.

Although Yan Kang was a child of a noble family, he studied classics hard in his early years and passed the imperial examination. He always respected Confucian scholars. Although he was old, he always held the etiquette of his disciples every time he saw Qu Zixi and was very respectful.

Qu Zixi always returns the courtesy, not being arrogant because of his position. When he enters the yamen, he refuses to sit in the main seat. "It's all for you to do things. The Censorate just follows in advance and takes on the post of supervisory duties, and cannot be surpassed."

After giving in modesty, Yan Kang still sat in the main seat, Qu Zixi was on the right, and the position was slightly closer. A minister came to the Ministry of War and sat sideways, not daring to be on par with the right censor.

After another politeness, Yan Kang finally talked about the main business, "General Lou Chuan attacked Gumu Island before, but did not return after the deadline. The official immediately sent someone to investigate, but there was no one on the island and there were no signs of fighting. So the official expanded the search scope and offered a reward for clues. Just this morning, a boat of fishermen returned to the port and said they had seen General Lou Chuan with their own eyes."

"How is it? Is it dead or alive?" asked an official from the Ministry of War.

Yan Kang sighed heavily, "It's better to die than to be alive."

The Ministry of War officials were stunned, "Can they..."

Yan Kang nodded, "What the fishermen saw with their own eyes that the general of the Louchuan had surrendered to the pirates and became one of the leaders."

"What? How could such a thing happen?" The official of the Ministry of War was shocked and glanced at the right inspector.

Qu Zixi didn't speak, and listened silently.

"Donald Huang Pu was named General of Louchuan, and his future is promising. Why did he betray the court?" The official of the Ministry of War asked in confusion.

Yan Kang shook his head, "I am also puzzled. The fisherman just glanced at him from a distance and did not dare to approach him. He ran away immediately. I have sent someone to sea again. This time I have a direction and I should get the exact news soon."

The official of the Ministry of War frowned, "It's better to die, the Prime Minister of Yan State, Huang Pugong was once a servant of your family. Guess why he did such a treacherous act and abandon the open and the dark?"

Yan Kang pondered for a long time, "It's hard to say that Huang Pugong is calm and stubborn, and brave and fearless. He is really a rare general. The only thing is that he is good at gambling by nature, so he is fine if he is gambling in daily life. On the battlefield, he is also difficult to change his gambling nature. However, he won a lot of times and others can't see any problems. This time, he probably lost the bet."

Officials of the Ministry of War shook their heads repeatedly, "To be honest, when Mr. Huang Pu formulated his strategy for going to sea, the Ministry of War felt that it was inappropriate. Wait for another year or two, the imperial naval army will completely gain the upper hand and sweep the pirates in one fell swoop. Why should we rush to fight when there are insufficient warships? Mr. Huang Pu respects his courage and bet on His Majesty's trust and the imperial naval army... Alas, if this is true, how can we report it to the upper hand?"

Both officials looked at the right censor.

Qu Zixi said, "Report it to the truth, what Your Majesty wants is the truth, not the false."

The two officials said yes, and Yan Kang said: "I only know one thing now. Huang Pugong is still alive. Other things are all speculations of my official. I cannot do it accurately. According to the itinerary, Your Majesty will arrive in five days. If there is no accident, there should be a definite news before this."

Qu Zixi nodded and said, "That boat of fishermen, the Censorate wants to meet you."

"Of course, they are in the city and will arrive as they pass."

The three of them chatted for a while, and Qu Zixi said goodbye, left the yamen, appointed a censor to meet the fishermen, and returned with a confession.

When he returned to his residence, Qu Zixi buried his head in the old official documents to find clues about Huang Pugong's disappearance.

Huang Pugong was indeed a bit gambler, but his preparations were extremely sufficient before going to the expedition, so small that he had to bring a lot of fresh water and spare wood were marked clearly.

Qu Zixi didn't understand military affairs, but he also felt that such a general should win every battle. Being defeated by pirates was a strange thing, and it was even more incredible that he surrendered.

Someone knocked outside.

"Come in."

The censor Nan Zhijin pushed the door and bowed, saying, "Sir, look for a low position?"

Qu Zixi nodded and pointed at the piles of official documents under the table, "Have you read them all?"

These official documents are copies of the Donghai Kingdom and the Ministry of War. The time span is nearly one year. Huang Pugong's experience is almost all on it, and the search process after his disappearance is also recorded in detail.

"I've seen it." Nanzhijin was transferred from the Central Province to the Censorate. Because of his rich experience, he was designated as a human being.

"What did you see?"

Nan Zhenjing kept silent.

"What, can't you say?" Qu Zixi was a little dissatisfied. Although he was younger, he was also the right censor. He was the immediate boss of Nanzhijin and should not be treated coldly.

Nanzhi politely politely, "I dare not be rude, but what I say is all speculation. I wonder if the adults want to hear it?"

"Since it's a guess, it's better to treat it as a reference and will not record it."

Nan Zhijin saluted again, "As far as he saw his humble position, General Lou Chuan was defeated strangely."

"How do you say this?"

"For more than a year, the general of the Tower Ship won consecutive victories. The thieves on the sea had already scattered a few months ago. They suddenly gathered together and defeated the Da Chu naval army. It is really hard to believe. I believe that the thieves gathered again, perhaps because they had the certainty of winning, and this thieves were afraid of coming from the government."

"Someone leaked the secret and the general of the building ship came out?"

“There is this possibility.”

"Who will it be?"

Nan Zhijin pointed to the official documents, "General Huang's pre-war plan was quite detailed. This was a good thing, but it was easy to be used by others. Those who have the opportunity to see the plan in advance will naturally have the opportunity to leak the secrets."

Qu Zixi pondered for a moment, "National Prime Minister Yan Kang claimed that Huang Pugong was gambled by nature, what do you think?"

"If you only read the battle written by General Huang, this is not a gambling person."

Qu Zixi nodded, feeling that Nanzhijin is worthy of being an old official in the Central Provincial Department. "You have heard of it. The news that just came said that Huang Pu surrendered to the pirates."

"Everyone is greedy for life. If General Lou Chuan chooses to surrender after being captured, it is not impossible. But the Censor's duty is only to find out why he was defeated before."

"Well, it makes sense. Go to the Prime Minister's Office and find out who can see Huang Pu Gong's battle in advance."

"Yes, sir."

Qu Zixi felt that he was getting closer and closer to the truth.

During dinner, a servant frequently looked at the right censor, as if he had something to say. Qu Zixi noticed it. After the meal, he left this person alone, "Your name is Zhao Hao?"

Zhao Hao was a servant assigned by Donghai Kingdom and immediately knelt down, "Adults have a good memory and still remember the villain's name."

"Um."

Zhao Hao raised his head and said anxiously: "The villain has something to say to the adults."

"Tell me."

"There is a person in the East China Sea who is about to endure the injustice of eternal times, and only the adults can save him."

"Who?" Qu Zixi immediately thought of Huang Pugong.

"Lu Dapeng, the commander of the East China Kingdom."

Qu Zixi frowned. He had seen Lu Dapeng. The commander was nominally the highest military general of a country. In fact, he didn't have many soldiers and horses in his hands. He was only responsible for collecting food and grass and dealing with documents. He was no different from the military officer. After the Censorate came to Donghai Kingdom, he never suspected that this person had any problems.

"Who wants to wrongly accuse him?"

"It's you, sir."

"Are you a bastard, when will I check him?"

"It's going to be checked soon."

Qu Zixi was furious at first, then moved his heart, "Explanation clearly."

"Someone has already told the Lord that General Lou Ship was defeated because he was defeated?"

Qu Zixi did not answer.

Zhao Hao continued: "No matter who the Lord doubts now, he will point to Duwei Lu in the end. He is the prepared scapegoat and give an explanation to the Censorate and the court."

Qu Zixi's face changed slightly, "How could you know these things?"

Zhao Hao kowtowed, "To be honest, the villain and the chef in Lu Duwei's mansion are sworn brothers. Lu Duwei was forced by the prime minister and had agreed to admit his guilt. He is saying goodbye to his family these days. After hearing about this, the villain saw injustice on the road and came to tell the great man that, on one hand, he did not want to see good man wronged, and on the other hand, he did not want to see the great man deceived the imperial court."

Qu Zixi was very surprised, "Okay, I understand. If the matter is really as you said, I will never sit idly by. If you are lying, the Censorate will not only govern the officials, but also the unruly people like you."

Zhao Hao kowtowed repeatedly, "Even if the villain has a hundred courages, he will not dare to lie to the adults."

"Get out, don't mention this to anyone, especially to the Lu Duwei's family, do you understand?"

"I understand, sir, villain understand. If an adult is the master, the villain feels at ease." Zhao Hao withdrew respectfully

Qu Zixi thought for half a night, and the next day he read the fisherman's confession, and then sat back and waited for a reply.

Before noon, Nan Zhijin came back and handed over a list. They all had the opportunity to see Huang Pugong fighting in advance. There were seven people in total. The name of the commander Lu Dapeng was listed, but the first one was the Prime Minister Yan Kang.

Qu Zixi put down the list and asked, "Who is the most suspicious?"

"The Prime Minister of Yan State and the Duwei of Lu."

Qu Zixi was slightly shocked, "What's the reason?"

"Hong Pu Gong was originally a servant of the Yan family, and now he has risen to the top and has a bright future after he eliminated the pirates. It is said that he may be in charge of the Southern Army and has a higher status than his old master, which inevitably attracts jealousy."

"Well, what's the reason for Captain Lu?"

"When Duke Huang Pu first returned to the East China Sea to suppress bandits, he had many conflicts with Duwei Lu because of the arrangement of warships. The two were well-known to the people of the East China Sea. Now that the pirates have been eliminated, a large number of warships are about to form an army, and no matter who commands the battle, he may win. Duwei Lu may want to take revenge and seize the credit."

Qu Zixi nodded, but thought to himself that Nanzhi Jin is so bold. He just offended His Majesty in the capital and has not been forgiven yet, so he dared to deceive the emperor again in the East China Kingdom.

Nan Zhijin remained silent, and no one could guess his thoughts. (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!