Protect Our Chief

Chapter 1043 - 64: Winds Rise in the Upper Capital! Shouzhe Is Doomed

The Wang Family has been reclaiming wasteland for decades, thinking this method is simply not too easy."In such cases, investigation becomes relatively troublesome, requiring detailed field surveys. Also, mature assessment of the land is needed. However, as long as it’s done, there will certainly be flaws. As long as the visits are careful enough, evidence can eventually be found."

"Thirdly, it is the spirit field tax that is the most difficult to investigate. This is also the major area for tax evasion by noble families." The old tax officer mentioned the spirit field tax with some headache, "Noble families often develop spirit fields with many secrets, either hidden in extremely secluded places or arranged with array restrictions, and they never allow outsiders to enter, making investigation extremely difficult. However, if one insists on investigating, there are indeed ways because if they plant spiritual materials and medicines, it cannot be done without any trace. For example, the Purple-leafed Polygonum multiflorum requires spiritual springs containing Wood Spirit Qi for monthly irrigation. Other various spiritual medicines and materials also have numerous requirements during planting and mostly need to be transported into the spirit fields from outside. We can reverse infer the types of spirit plants planted within the spirit fields based on this information."

"I see. That’s indeed a good method." The young tax officer nodded convincingly, "The purpose of noble families planting spirit plants is nothing more than twofold, either for personal use, to refine into elixirs, or to sell externally for resources they need. If we keep a close watch on their external sales channels, there should also be gains. With both pieces of evidence, the error can be controlled to a relatively small range."

"Exactly, you can be taught." The old tax officer stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction, obviously rather pleased with his apprentice’s inference, "However, this method indeed involves certain errors, unless necessary, it’s best not to use it. Our purpose here is to conduct secret visits, first measure the fields, then secretly investigate, all with ensuring our safety as the main premise, we must act cautiously to avoid alerting them."

"Once evidence is captured, report immediately."

"As for subsequent clearance proceedings, naturally, the senior officials above will handle it. Never be greedy for quick success."

In this line of work, the biggest taboo is being greedy for quick success. Many tax officers who went for secret visits fell into this trap.

The old tax officer worried that the young man, being youthful and impulsive, would lose restraint and consequently lose his life, repeatedly warned him.

While speaking, other carriages came from the opposite direction.

The master and apprentice immediately pretended to be ordinary traveling merchants, calmly covering up.

Soon, the master and apprentice successfully "blended in" with Ping’an Town, starting to investigate secretly, attempting to find evidence of tax evasion by the Wang Family. Unfortunately, they underestimated the defensive measures of the Wang Family and their emphasis on intelligence operations.

If it weren’t for the Wang Family’s deliberate indulgence, they would have been intercepted and captured at Changning Guandu.

...

At the same time.

In the "Immortal-Viewing Pavilion" by the imperial garden in the palace.

This pavilion is entirely constructed from spirit wood, standing several dozen zhang high, allowing a commanding view of most of the imperial garden.

The Immortal-Viewing Pavilion has many rooms, attended to by eunuchs and palace maids, thus making the children living here very comfortable.

Most importantly, the "Immortal-Viewing Pavilion" is one of the few places inside the palace filled with abundant Spiritual Qi, quite beneficial for the children’s development.

On the pavilion top of the Immortal-Viewing Pavilion.

Here, with carved beams and painted rafters, open from all sides, it is the place with the best view in the entire Immortal-Viewing Pavilion, a good spot for drinking and enjoying music, composing poetry and painting, or even hosting a barbecue gathering.

This is not just talk, it is really being grilled.

The top chefs from the imperial kitchen have been summoned to grill various exotic delicacies right on site.

Emperor Longchang is playing chess against Wang Anye, no, to be precise, against Wang Anye’s master Jii Wuchen.

Among those present, apart from Wu Zhixing and Wu Xue Ning who showed some interest in watching the game, figures like Wang Lilong and Wang Yingxuan, as well as the five little wolf cubs, were all eagerly eyeing the barbecue, drooling almost to the point of droplist.

"Checkmate!" Emperor Longchang placed a piece, slaying a dragon of Wang Anye, and laughed heartily, "Hahaha, Anye, even with Elder Jii’s help, you still can’t make it. Who will you send next time? Little Sister Wuliang, Seventh Sister? Or do you have other sisters hidden away? Wahaha~"

"Hey, hey, a dignified emperor, bullying a kid?" Seventh Sister of the Legion Banner snapped, "Is it worth laughing so arrogantly after beating a twelve-year-old kid?"

"I am an emperor who is about to die of old age, why can’t I be arrogant?" Emperor Longchang laughed triumphantly, "Anye, I will teach you something. Although luck sometimes plays a part in chess, ultimately it’s about accumulation and foundation. On your path of life, never let smooth sailing make you complacent."

"Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty." Wang Anye rose and bowed solemnly.

"You can be taught, much better than your great-grandfather." Emperor Longchang said as though he had seen Wang Shouzhe.

During this period, although Emperor Longchang was rather annoyed by these people and the little wolf cubs, these little brats were truly lovable when being adorable.

He just hosted this barbecue gathering. Keeping them all by his side should work, right?

Sure enough, in the temptation of gourmet food and under his supervision, everyone obediently settled down.

Except for being a bit mischievous, these children and little wolf cubs are actually quite good. The tripled compensation from the Yao Family has been collected, the true Divine Dynasty Sunset Painting is in hand, apart from losing half a Dao Artifact... Not thinking too deeply, or else it becomes frustrating upon reflection.

Just then.

Inner guard came to report that Chen Jinglong from the Daqian Chen Family requested to see the emperor.

Chen Jinglong, a divine seed of the Chen Family of this generation, at only three hundred years old is already at the Sixth Layer of the Purple Mansion Realm, well poised to become a future pillar of the Daqian Kingdom. Even now, Chen Jinglong is considered a pillar of talent, with notable accomplishments in civil and martial virtues, having contributed significantly to the Daqian.

Such Junyan, even an emperor values.

"Let him come." Emperor Longchang smiled at Wu Xue Ning, "Xue Ning, what kind of nose does your uncle have? He surely caught the aroma of my carefully prepared barbecue."

Wu Xue Ning’s eyes turned, but she pouted and mumbled, "Surely my mother, fearing I’m mischievous in the palace, specifically instructed my uncle to come and put a Tightening Spell on me."

Few people she feared, Chen Jinglong was one.

In no time, a mature man looking "about thirty years old," led by an eunuch, entered the Immortal-Viewing Pavilion.

"Jinglong greets Your Majesty." Chen Jinglong greeted with cupped hands.

"No need for formalities, Jinglong, you arrived just in time, accompany me to play a game. If you win, I’ll invite you for some meat." Emperor Longchang warmly beckoned, showing his cordiality for the younger generation he valued and continually fostered.

"Your Majesty, Jinglong is currently upset, difficult to calm down for a game of chess." With an unpleasant expression, Chen Jinglong seemed to be suppressing overwhelming anger, apologizing with cupped hands.

"Oh?" Emperor Longchang eyed him up and down, "Jinglong, you’ve come with ill intentions, is this... a complaint? You’re a divine seed in the middle to late stage of the Purple Mansion Realm, a pillar of the nation, who dares to bully you?"

"Your Majesty," Chen Jinglong bowed deeply, his face unpleasant, "The Zhao Family and Prince Dexin actually discussed marrying my niece Xue Ning to Zhao Yuanqing of the Zhao Family."

"Indeed, the Chen Family doesn’t have the right to meddle in Xue Ning’s marriage. But at least seek our opinion or Xue Ning’s opinion beforehand? Even if we are disregarded by Prince Dexin, should he not also inquire Your Majesty’s thoughts? You care so much for Xue Ning, her marriage should ultimately have your consent."

"What?" Wu Xue Ning, who was about to greet her uncle, was dumbfounded.

What nonsense?

During this barbecue gathering, has this Little Princess already been married off??

Her pretty face turned somewhat pale, and at this moment, she involuntarily sneaked a glance at Wang Anye. Although she did not know why she was looking at Wang Anye, she instinctively looked.

"Hehe~"

The warmth on Emperor Longchang’s face gradually froze.

...