Chapter 143: Shrouded in Mist

A single sentence had completely awakened him.

Especially now, when the entire interior of the State of Qing was in a state of considerable turmoil.

Moreover, the people of Chu were eyeing them with hostility from across the borders.

They did not dare to act recklessly or fabricate excuses at will.

It was merely that the current situation had grown slightly more tense.

However, after Han Qing resolved that stubborn affliction,

he immediately drew the attention of the Emperor.

Who would have thought that a scholar would possess such profound knowledge of medicine,

while also being able to compose prose effortlessly on the spot?

This was sufficient to demonstrate that this man's talent was far beyond what ordinary people could ever hope to match.

For the State of Qing to possess such a talent was a true blessing to the nation.

"Brother Han, the Emperor has specially summoned you into the palace. Is there something he intends to use to make things difficult for you?"

He asked with a hint of anxiety.

Furthermore, over the past few days, they had been entirely consumed by affairs of the imperial court, leaving them virtually no time to attend to anything else.

Why would he suddenly be summoned into the palace?

Could it be that another major crisis had erupted?

Yet, Han Qing simply shook his head.

He did not feel that there was anything amiss with this.

Judging by past experience, it should be related to that matter regarding the poisonous herb from the Southern Frontier.

It was only natural for the sovereign to harbor some suspicions.

It was even possible that the Emperor wished to know how the antidote had been discovered.

"Not at all."

Once he had properly attired himself, he proceeded directly into the imperial court.

"Minister Han, you truly make Us look at you with new eyes. We originally thought your depth lay solely in literary studies, yet you have given Us yet another pleasant surprise."

The Emperor wore an expression of profound gratification.

Especially after the events that had transpired recently,

it was amply evident that there remained truly capable individuals within his court.

"This subject does not know for what matter Your Majesty has summoned me here today?"

He asked with absolute composure,

though his gaze was tinged with a trace of wariness.

Particularly at present, when countless watchful eyes were staring at them covetously.

"Your current position is far too humble for someone of your talents. Would you be willing to concurrently assume duties within the Imperial Medical Academy?"

"Your Majesty, this subject merely stumbled upon that medical formula by pure coincidence. Compared to the imperial physicians, I am vastly inferior."

He flatly declined the offer.

Moreover, his focus had always lain elsewhere, and he had no intention of involving himself in this.

How could he suddenly take charge of affairs within the inner palace?

"Very well. If you have any other thoughts, you may freely share them with Us."

The Emperor projected the image of a ruler deeply receptive to the counsel of others.

Yet who in the world did not know that serving a monarch was akin to sleeping beside a tiger?

The slightest misstep in one's words could instantly result in the loss of one's head.

***

From the very beginning, they ought to have understood this truth.

This was by no means mere random speculation.

Upon returning to his residence,

Lord Gao was already waiting there.

It seemed he had matters to discuss with him,

otherwise he would not have appeared in such an urgent manner.

"Why aren't you tending to your Ministry of Punishments instead of running over here?"

Han Qing asked abruptly,

his tone laced with a hint of incomprehension.

"Brother Han, you have no idea. A grave disaster has struck Luojing, and my days as Minister of Punishments may not last much longer."

He spoke with a panicked expression,

his eyes reflecting unmistakable unease.

"What has happened?"

"I know not why, but suddenly a number of menial servants have vanished. In particular, several major marquis estates in the city have each lost dozens of bondservants alone."

Lord Gao could do nothing but voice his grievances incessantly.

Originally, such matters did not fall under his jurisdiction, but who could have foreseen that another official would be reassigned recently?

And so, he had inexplicably been forced to take over these responsibilities.

The whole affair left his head spinning in bewilderment.

When all was said and thone, they could only resign themselves to bad luck.

"What is the situation? You mean to say that dozens of servants have vanished?"

"Yes. Furthermore, Luojing is only so large. For such a massive number of people to be spirited away, there surely should be traces to follow. Yet, as things stand, we are completely unable to unearth a single clue."

This...

was nearly impossible.

unless someone was maliciously covering up the truth.

"Yet, upon careful reflection, no one would have any use for these low-ranking servants. They possess virtually no practical utility and would only bring trouble to others."

Lord Gao pondered the matter carefully.

He had indeed never heard of criminal cases of this nature, yet the whole affair had occurred so inexplicably,

leaving them with grievances they could not voice.

"You may not know what use these servants serve, but others might not be entirely unaware."

Young Master Zhu slowly chimed in.

What?

This remark left the others dumbfounded.

Menial servants could actually serve a specific purpose?

From what they had always known, these people were only fit to be used as laborers, and they had never realized they held any hidden value.

"Our State of Qing possesses an abundance of population, so naturally we do not believe a few missing individuals could alter the outcome. But what if the perpetrators are from elsewhere?"

Lord Gao felt a glimmer of comprehension, though he remained half-enlightened.

He still truly did not understand.

Initially, he might have harbored doubts,

but upon reflecting more deeply—

what if it was a nation plagued by a shortage of population?

***

Then, would that not present an enormous advantage to them?

"Putting it that way does make sense. However, the populations in the surrounding regions are all quite substantial, and moreover, that hostile State of Chu is currently waging war."

At the mention of this,

Han Qing's thoughts quickly shifted.

Could it truly be the Southern Frontier?

They had always been renowned for training venomous Gu worms, and even possessed terrifying poisonous herbs and flora.

Now they dared to stretch their hands into the State of Qing?

Their audacity was far too great.

Yet, there was no concrete evidence at present.

They could only temporarily set out to apprehend those trafficking in bondservants,

in order to ascertain whether they had already been transported beyond the borders of Luojing.

If that truly proved to be the case,

then the situation was far more severe than anticipated.

"Won't you two help me out?"

"Every time trouble arises, you come running to us for help. Can't you offer some tangible benefit for a change?"

Young Master Zhu bantered playfully.

"My duty is to investigate homicide cases. Could it be that there are murders occurring in your household as well?"

Lord Gao shot him a sideways glance.

Countless officials prayed for nothing more than to stay as far away from him as possible,

for once one became entangled in his affairs, things invariably grew infinitely more complex.

"Let us first go to Qianye Tavern and make inquiries. There are certain matters they should be better informed about."

"Very well."

Lord Gao nodded in agreement,

and decisively led a group of men to investigate their movements.

And indeed, they uncovered something amiss.

The tavern had actually closed its doors.

Had it not been bustling with patrons just a short while ago?

Why had all activity suddenly ceased without a sound?

It was evident that something must have transpired to bring about this state of affairs.

"Go question the neighboring shops to find out what on earth is going on."

Lord Gao commanded coldly.

A quarter of an hour later,

they managed to extract some crucial details.

Last week, Qianye Tavern had apparently become embroiled in a dispute with the creditors of the Wang Family Pawnshop.

Word had it that they had fallen behind on their rent,

and being unable to settle the debt, they had no choice but to mortgage the establishment right there.

In a few days' time, the Wang Family Pawnshop would likely put the property up for sale.