Qin Xiao remained silent, but there was a hint of satisfaction in the princess's eyes.
"Jiangnan is the richest place in the world, and it is also a place where merchants gather." The princess pondered for a moment, and finally said slowly: "The inner treasury has a turnover bank in Jiangnan. Most of the time, the silver inventory in Jiangnan far exceeds that in Kyoto.
Library."
Qin Xiao was silent for a while and finally said: "Is there something wrong with Jiangnan's internal treasury?"
The princess was very satisfied with Qin Xiao's alertness, and a charming smile appeared on the corner of her lips: "Yes. The Jiangnan inner treasury has been operating normally for many years. The accounts sent a month ago showed that there is a cash in the Jiangnan inner treasury."
One hundred, four hundred and thirty thousand taels."
One million in cash is certainly not a small amount.
"That's right." The princess nodded slightly, but she was still very calm: "The imperial merchant from the inner treasury made a big deal and needed a sum of cash, at least hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. When the inner treasury allocated the silver,
Only then did I realize that of the more than one million taels of silver stored in the treasury, there was not a penny left."
Qin Xiao took a breath of cold air.
"Two days ago, Fei Ge sent a secret letter from the Jiangnan Neiku." The princess's beautiful face turned grim: "The secret letter said that more than one million taels of silver from the Jiangnan Neiku were transferred overnight.
, disappeared."
Qin Xiao was shocked and lost his voice: "Missed?"
"Jiangnan Neiku is an important royal place. It is very secretive. Few people know the specific location." The princess's beautiful eyes became cold and stern: "There are many entry and exit checkpoints, and they are heavily guarded. Not to mention millions of cash, just want to
It is absolutely impossible to take away a tael of silver from the inner treasury of Jiangnan."
Qin Xiao was shocked, frowned and fell silent, and then asked: "His Highness and the minister mentioned this, I wonder... what are their orders?"
One million taels of silver, piled up like a mountain of silver, disappeared completely overnight, which is simply unbelievable.
Even if a large amount of manpower is used, it is almost impossible to move millions of cash overnight.
However, such a major case occurred in Jiangnan's inner treasury. Of course, the princess must find the missing silver and find out the truth.
If the loss of the money was carefully planned by someone, then this major case is not just about the money, but also a threat to the imperial power.
"The stolen cash from the inner treasury of Jiangnan not only caused heavy losses to the inner treasury, but also directly caused the imperial merchants in the inner treasury in Jiangnan to be unable to operate." The princess looked serious: "If the silver cannot be recovered quickly and the imperial merchants of Jiangnan can maintain operations, then
It is very likely that the inner treasury will not be able to sustain the expenditure of kilometers this year, and there are tens of thousands of people in the palace, and I am afraid that they will really go hungry."
The palace is hungry. This is of course an exaggeration made by the princess. If it is really a last resort, the court cannot really let the saint have no food.
The princess nodded slightly: "Yes, I will leave this case to you to investigate, and you must find the missing silver and investigate the truth of the case."
"The princess is so complimentary, so I am flattered." Qin Xiao smiled bitterly and said: "I dare to ask, why did the princess choose me? I am stupid and incompetent. It is really difficult for me to take on such a shocking case." Seeing the princess.
His eyes became sharp, and he immediately continued: "The princess has given orders, and of course I will go through fire and water without hesitation. However, the theft of the inner treasury is extraordinary, and my talents are limited. If I can't handle this case well, it will be a waste of time."
, delaying in finding the truth will be unforgivable even if it means death."
"Does the princess mean to let the minister investigate the case?" Qin Xiao was surprised.
At this time, he finally understood that the reason why the princess announced that she came here today was really not for the Tsing Yi Hall. The internal treasury was stolen, which would be much more serious than the Tsing Yi Hall being liquidated.
"You are very courageous. If you commit this crime, I will immediately take your head." The princess glanced at Qin Xiao coldly and said, "If you want to protect them, get to the bottom of this case.
"
"Princess, this is something that is difficult for a strong person." Qin Xiao knew that his arms could not hold his thighs, so he smiled bitterly: "The people in the Criminal Department are experienced in investigating criminal cases, and Lu Butang will definitely be invincible...!"
"Yes, you also know that if you fail to handle this case, you will die." The princess snorted coldly: "In this trip to Jiangnan, if the truth cannot be found out, not only will you be killed, but Gu Baiyi's sister and brother will also be implicated.
Cut it off."
Qin Xiao's heart trembled, and he said angrily: "What does this matter have to do with them? Princess, don't kill innocent people indiscriminately."
"Don't avoid hatred when doing external affairs, and don't avoid relatives when doing internal affairs." Qin Xiao said seriously: "Lu Butang has been in charge of the Criminal Department for more than ten years. All major and important cases have been solved in his hands. I sincerely believe that he is above criminal investigation, so that
Even if you are trying to impress someone, it is not as good as Lu Butang. Now that Her Royal Highness has to investigate the case of the inner treasury, there is no more suitable candidate than Lu Butang."
"He is not suitable." The princess said simply and clearly.
The princess seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and said lightly: "These days,
You and the Punishment Department are incompatible with each other, and you just needed that knife to chop off Lu Junzhong's head. How can you be so reasonable and recommend him now?"
Although Lu Junzhong of the Criminal Department is cruel, he is definitely much smarter than himself in criminal investigation. Of course, the sooner the Jiangnan inner treasury case is investigated, the better. Looking at the civil and military affairs of the dynasty, the most suitable candidate is really Lu Junzhong.
Genus.
But the princess did not hand over the case to Lu Junzhong. Instead, she asked her fledgling self to go to Jiangnan to investigate the case. Apart from being prettier than Lu Junzhong, looking at her horizontally and vertically, she could not see anyone who was more suitable to handle the case than Lu Junzhong.
This mission.
Qin Xiao was startled, but couldn't help but ask: "Why?"
There were doubts in his mind.
The princess obviously heard the profound meaning of his words, glanced at him coldly, and said coldly: "Of course I don't care how many people died in his hands, but I can't let him mess up Jiangnan, let alone
Do not allow the case of the Neiku to become known to everyone."
Qin Xiao suddenly understood something and asked cautiously: "Princess, did you say that this case can only be investigated secretly?"
The princess frowned slightly and said with some displeasure: "You really have a lot of problems." But she still said: "In terms of experience in handling cases, Lu Junzhong and the people from the Criminal Department are indeed far better than you and Dali Temple, but this person has a reputation as a cruel official.
He is evil-minded all over the world, and if he goes to Jiangnan, he will definitely involve too many innocent people and cause rivers of blood."
"Is the princess worried that he will cause a big case and implicate innocent people?" Qin Xiao secretly wondered, would a person in this position really care about the life and death of ordinary people?
The inner treasury is the royal private treasury, and it is guarded by elite officers and soldiers. If anyone knows that the money in the inner treasury is mysteriously missing, the majesty of the royal family will inevitably be hit, and the officers and soldiers guarding it will also be treated as nothing more than nothing. The officers and soldiers of the Tang Dynasty are so incompetent,
There will inevitably be criticism.
"Lu Junzhong's reputation is too great. It would be too conspicuous for him to go to Jiangnan to handle the case. When the people from the Criminal Department arrive in Jiangnan, everyone will know that something big has happened." The princess said slowly: "Only you, Qin Shaoqing, have just taken office. There are people in Dali Temple.
It is your duty to review criminal cases all over the world. It is reasonable and reasonable for you to go to Jiangnan at this time in the name of inspecting criminal cases in Jiangnan. No one can guess your true purpose of going to Jiangnan."
"You still have some sense." The princess said calmly: "Once this case becomes known to everyone, everyone in the world will know that there is a royal inner treasury in Jiangnan. This is not the most important thing. The inner treasury in Jiangnan is heavily guarded and heavily guarded.
Millions of taels of cash have disappeared. If word spreads about this, where will the face of the court and the royal family be?"
Qin Xiao secretly thought that this was the truth.
Qin Xiao gritted his teeth in his heart, but did not dare to break out. He could only say: "Since the princess has made up her mind, I can only do my best." He thought to himself that he had planned to prepare for the marriage with Qiuniang in the near future, which was too sweet and sweet.
Life is good now. The princess will send her to the south of the Yangtze River with just one word. Naturally, the marriage will be delayed.
He also knew very well that the inner treasury in Jiangnan was stolen. The princess must have informed the saint immediately about such a major event. The princess asked him to go to Jiangnan to handle the case. Naturally, he got the permission of the saint. Now the saint and the princess left the matter to him.
, I simply cannot refuse.
Qin Xiao cupped his hands and said, "The princess is wise and indeed very wise."
"Of course, I know that you are going to Jiangnan, so I will do my best." The corner of the princess's lips curved beautifully: "I heard that you and the woman from the Gu family are in love, and in order to protect her, you will not let her go.
I am disappointed, don’t you think?"
When Qin Xiao came out of Sheyue Palace, it was already completely dark. Two Dragon Scale Guards took Qin Xiao out on horseback. Qin Xiao was in a complicated mood. When he returned home, it was already Hai hour and the night was already dark.
He's a little bit
"Get ready and leave as soon as possible. Delaying time will only make the case more and more difficult to handle. Don't worry, my promise will be fulfilled." The princess slowly stood up and walked slowly on the grass: "You find out
If you learn the truth and find the money, I will definitely convince the saint to recruit new soldiers, and I will definitely give you the opportunity to personally avenge General Su. Your future is in your own hands, don't let me down."
Under the light of the palace lantern, the voluptuous and voluptuous Princess curled away like a ball of flame.
Although Qin Xiao was worried, thinking about Qiu Niang's fright last night, he naturally would not let his emotions aggravate Qiu Niang's worries, and he did not want to directly inform Qiu Niang that he was going to Jiangnan to handle the case tonight. He watched Mei Jiao Niang carefully holding the towel.
Wiping his shoulders, under the light, that pretty face became more and more attractive, and with a strong hand, Qiuniang was dragged into the tub.
The water splashed everywhere, and Qiuniang exclaimed. She was hugged by Qin Xiao and immersed in the water. She looked at Qin Xiao's eyes that were already filled with excitement, and said with a red face: "What...what are you doing?"
When he arrived in the east courtyard tiredly, Qiu Niang was already waiting. Seeing Qin Xiao's face looking tired, she immediately prepared bath water for Qin Xiao with her maid, and asked the maid to go down to rest before taking Qin Xiao's bath.
The two were already married, so Qiuniang naturally took good care of Qin Xiao. Although she was not married yet, she did her best to be a wife and prepared hot water for Qin Xiao to bathe every day.
The next morning, when Qin Xiao woke up, it was already bright, and he turned to look at Qiuniang beside him.
Qiu Niang sleeps lazily, her beautiful face covered by black hair, like a gorgeous peony. It withstood the ravages of the storm last night, and its branches trembled under the impact. This morning, she looked a little sluggish, and she needed to catch up on her sleep to regain her energy.
"Do it!" Qin Xiao was not polite and stepped forward.
Although Qin Xiao was tired, he went into battle as fiercely as a tiger, and the bed creaked all night long.
Qin Xiao immediately remembered what he had told Wu Tianbao yesterday, asking him to select a few people from the Taiping Association to come and look after the home. Unexpectedly, Wu Tianbao could do things so efficiently. He had sent people over very early in the morning to tell him what he had said yesterday afternoon.
Said: "Ask if there is a person named Tu Baoshan? If so, let them wait in the front yard."
When Qin Xiao came to the front yard, he saw Tu Baoshan at a glance. In addition, there were six or seven other people following him.
Qiuniang, who was still sleeping, looked calm, with a happy smile on her lips. Qin Xiao felt relieved, knowing that his efforts last night had soothed Qiuniang's frightened heart.
Qin Xiao couldn't bear to wake up Qiuniang, so he got up and got dressed. After washing up, he was about to have some breakfast and go to the Yamen. The trip to Jiangnan was unusual, so he naturally had to discuss it with Gu Baiyi. As soon as he left the yard, the gatekeeper
Old Shen was waiting not far away. It looked like he had been waiting for a while, but he didn't dare to disturb him. When he saw Qin Xiao coming out, Old Shen hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "Master, there are a few strong men here, they say they are Wu
The second master sent them here, but I didn't dare to let them in. Come and report to the master."
Several other people also raised their hands and said: "I am willing to follow you to the death, and I will fight through fire and water without giving up!"
Tu Baoshan and others knew very well that from being a member of the Taiping Society to becoming a bodyguard of the Shaoqing Mansion, it was like a leap over the dragon's gate for them. Master Xiao Qin supported him so much, so they had to repay Master Xiao Qin's support at all costs.
kindness.
In Wei Bi's case, Tu Baoshan did help a lot. Qin Xiao also had a good impression of this sunny young man. When he saw Qin Xiao coming out, Tu Baoshan immediately stepped forward and knelt on the ground: "Little Tu Baoshan, hello.
Lord Qin." The people behind him reacted quickly and knelt down one after another. However, Qin Xiao had already helped Tu Baoshan up and said with a smile: "Get up, you are here early."
"Sir, the Second Master has told us that he wants to help us, and we are very grateful." Tu Baoshan said respectfully: "These brothers are the most capable in the Taiping Association, and they all put loyalty first.
Brother, the second master told us that from today on, we will have nothing to do with the Taiping Society. From now on, we will obey your orders, even if we go through fire and water."
"We can't talk about support." Qin Xiao said with a smile: "Anyway, if I have something to eat, you will definitely be indispensable. Everyone, from now on, the guards in the mansion will be handed over to you. Baoshan, you will lead these brothers.
Come on, anyway, there are a lot of rooms in this house, you can make your own arrangements later."
Tu Baoshan raised his hand and said yes. At this moment, he heard a "dong dong dong" sound from the door, as if someone was knocking hard on the door.
After Lao Shen let Tu Baoshan and others come in, he immediately closed the door and stood aside. When he heard someone knocking on the door so boldly, Lao Shen looked unkind and thought that this was Shaoqing's mansion. Who was so bold?
As he walked towards the door, he said loudly: "Who is it? Stop knocking."
Tu Baoshan and others had just entered the house and had gathered enough energy to show off in front of the new owner. When they heard the "dong dong dong" knock on the door, they were very rude. Tu Baoshan winked, and several people immediately followed.