After all, this money is enough to squander for a lifetime.

For a while, the search operation was in full swing.

That night, the light in the main guest room of the Chaoxi Courtyard in Shen Mansion did not go out. The rumored fearsome and crazed Shen Chen, known for sweet words with a hidden dagger, stared red-eyed at the candle flame, sleepless all night.

Three days later, Ah Zhi seemed to have disappeared into the sea of people, leaving no trace.

Even the largest information-seeking place in Daqing, Lanhua Pavilion, couldn’t find a single clue...

Shen Chen dispatched another third of the Investigation Factory staff for reconnaissance, but unfortunately, it was all for naught.

Days passed by, and the search never ceased.

Prime Minister Shen’s face grew increasingly terrifying each day, exuding an aura that warned strangers to stay away. His methods in handling cases were ruthless, be it killing or using torture, causing even the civil and military officials in court to fear him.

Even Lord Minister, when seeing him, dared only to make a hurried greeting before leaving.

The next month, the charge of Prince An’s intention to rebel was confirmed by Shen Chen. After being hunted by Emperor Jingping, Prince An declared himself king and raised an army in rebellion. In the first battle, due to prior preparation, he controlled Bianliang and established it as his Imperial City. With early preparations, aside from gathering connections in Daqing and secretly amassing power, he also borrowed troops from Ji Country, amassing a force of a total of 150,000.

Prince An attacked from south to north, swiftly capturing Fuyang, Xuan City, and Feng County. He declared to the people that those who surrendered would not be killed, while those who resisted would be executed without mercy. The helpless people had no choice but to submit for temporary safety. From the unwillingly compliant populace, Prince An selected males aged sixteen to fifty for military service, executing those who refused, forcing them onto the battlefield against the court.

The court did not foresee Prince An’s thorough preparations and such grandeur, caught off guard. Because most soldiers were stationed at the borders or distributed elsewhere.

In no time, the forces could not even gather 100,000 troops.

Currently, wherever Prince An’s army seized, they forced the able-bodied men into military service, continuously expanding his forces.

Emperor Jingping, exhausted by the chaos, fell ill inevitably. The rebellious troops were pressing northward toward the Capital City, and once past the Qinling Pass, they would be unstoppable. The Capital City’s forces were already insufficient to resist. He had underestimated Prince An, assuming that stripping him of power would suffice, never expecting this.

Daqing Country was in utter chaos due to the war.

At this time, Shen Chen volunteered to go to war. The Eldest Prince, serving by the Emperor’s sickbed, hurriedly objected: "Brother Shen, you are merely a scholar, how can you lead troops to the front line? Absolutely not."

"Eldest Prince, do not forget, I have studied martial arts at Dragon Tiger Mountain. To capture the thief, capture the king first. I will lead the Investigation Factory personnel to first eliminate Li Shu, then there are ingenious strategies to tackle the rest one by one." Shen Chen appeared resolute; Emperor Jingping, observing from behind the sheer curtains on his sickbed, was greatly comforted. Truly, Prime Minister Shen harbored great righteousness in his heart.

In truth, Shen Chen harbored this thought out of concern that Ah Zhi, hiding unknown, might get entangled in the war. Rescuing the people was merely incidental...

Li Qian still wanted to speak, but the Emperor’s deep voice came through: "Approved, just go; for some reason, I trust you and will have the National Guardian General assist you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The matter was thus settled.

...

Shen Chen deliberately kept himself busy, leaving no time to think about the young girl, drawing military maps, inspecting the troops, ensuring sufficient supplies...

Vermilion Bird and Peng Ran stayed in the Capital City to supervise the Investigation Factory’s operations, while Qin Yin and Guo Hao were taken to the battlefield to fight together.