Chapter 592 ObstructionChapter 32: Take Them All

This kick, Li Chen kicked out with anger. Xu Jiuan was obese, weighing over two hundred pounds, but he was still kicked by Li Chen and fell to the ground, howling in pain.

Although his shoulder throbbed with pain, Xu Jiuan dared not harbor even the slightest resentment. He hurriedly flipped himself over and scrambled to his feet, trembling as he knelt before Li Chen. With a choked voice, he slammed his forehead against the ground repeatedly, saying: "I deserve death, I deserve death! Please forgive me, Your Highness, please forgive me!"

"Rage!"

Li Chen laughed angrily, pointing at Xu Jiuan and shouting: "The common people are suffering from poverty, many can't even afford a meal, but you eat and drink well, looking like a corrupt official. Your audacity has reached the point of attempting to intercept the treasury silver, a total of four million taels! Xu Jiuan, this palace will peel your entire family alive if I don't get my revenge!"

Xu Jiu'an's face turned pale, and he exclaimed in panic: "Your Highness is indeed wise!"

“My minister's weight is natural, even drinking water makes me gain. Even if I eat more than usual on some days, I would never dare to touch the treasury funds. I simply don’t have the guts for that. Please, Your Highness, see through this!”

Li Chen loathed him to the core, kicking Xu Jiuan aside with a cold foot and saying, “Only you and Xu Changqing know the escort route. You say you have nothing to do with it, then is Xu Changqing being a traitor”

Xu Changqing's face changed drastically, and he immediately knelt down and said: "My heart is clear as the sun and moon. I would never dare to have such a treasonous thought. If I truly did this, the first one to die would be me. Wouldn't that be courting death"

At this moment, Li Chen's mind became clearer and clearer.

He ruled out Xu Changqing's suspicion from the very beginning.

There is no other reason. Xu Changqing's suspicion is too great, but he is not stupid enough to steal from himself. The treasury silver has a problem, a full four million taels. Even when the national treasury was plentiful, it was a huge case. Not to mention that now the imperial court's finances are empty. Losing four million taels would be absolutely unforgivable. Xu Changqing has no reason to do this.

Xu Jiu'an might have that possibility, which is why Li Chen would directly bluff him. But judging by the current situation, Xu Jiu'an doesn't seem to have the guts either.

"Ku Yin was robbed as soon as it left Tongxian County. If there were no traitors involved, this would be impossible. Since you cannot prove your innocence, then you must be responsible for catching this traitor. Otherwise, the two of you will be exterminated along with your entire clans."

Li Chen's eyes were cold, although he knew these two people were most likely innocent, so what

He can't possibly go to Tongxian County himself to investigate the case.

"Starting with Tongxian County's yamen, every single official, clerk, and soldier involved in this matter will be interrogated one by one. If they can't explain themselves, they will all be killed. This palace doesn't believe that under the threat of life and limb, anyone would still cling to that money that is destined to go unspent."

Li Chen finished speaking and shouted, "Come here!"

Behind him, immediately a middle-aged man knelt before Li Chen.

This man is Chen Tong, the commander of the Jinyiwei (elite guards) of the Dongchang. His position is second only to Sanbao, who holds the title of Factory Head. On a daily basis, Chen Tong is primarily responsible for protecting Li Chen closely. If Sanbao is unavailable, he will also temporarily assume Sanbao's duties and await orders from Li Chen.

"Send the Jinyiwei and Xu Jiuan to Tongxian County. Surround the entire county government office. Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy."

Chen Tong bowed and said solemnly, "This subordinate obeys your order."

"And there's the Ministry of Finance."

Li Chen stared intently at Xu Changqing and said, "You take a group of Jinyiwei over there. Anyone who has touched this matter, all be arrested and brought back for interrogation. Not one fish should get away, or you'll have to use your own head to make up the numbers."

Xu Changqing and Xu Jiuan kowtowed simultaneously, "We obey your command, Your Majesty! We obey your command!"

Li Chen believes that under the threat of their lives, they will do everything they can to get things done.

After sending the two away, Li Chen said to Chen Tong, "You send a few more good detectives to the scene and search carefully for any clues. Four hundred thousand taels of silver is a huge sum. Even if one has immense power, it would be difficult to move such a large amount in a short period. Therefore, search thoroughly within the radius around the starting point. The stolen silver couldn't have been transported far. Search every inch of the ground until you find something. Report back to me immediately if you find anything."

Chen Tong respectfully said, "This subordinate takes your order. However, such a great matter involves quite a lot of people, I'm afraid."

Li Chen clenched the jade pendant in his hand and sneered, "No matter who is involved, they will all be taken down. With this palace here, they can't turn the sky upside down.", there was a shortage of grain at border crossings, followed by a once-in-fifty-years drought. A widespread epidemic ravaged the entire country. Emperor Tianqi, who had just ascended to the throne at...