Zhang Liao had been rather anxious lately.

Especially after Wang Jian was transferred up to Fengri City.

They had both once been Lord Shen’s trusted followers. Now that Wang Jian hadn’t been forgotten by Lord Shen, naturally Zhang Liao wouldn’t be either. Perhaps he’d be next in line?

So when he received a sudden inquiry order, Zhang Liao’s first reaction was: Lord Shen remembered me this quickly?

Then he was notified to bring "The Xiaoshan Tielu Manor False Accusation Accompaniment Case (Conclusion)" to the Thousand Households Station, and not only that, but even Chen Tianwen had to go along. Zhang Liao’s newly rising delight instantly plummeted to rock bottom.

Chen Tianwen didn’t look too good either. He’d warned Zhang Liao before, told him not to touch something as tough as Xiaoshan Tielu Manor, but Zhang Liao wouldn’t listen. The result was predictable—the case was found to be groundless and simply closed. And now, Lord Shen had personally summoned them for questioning.

Alas, seems they were in for a harsh reprimand. So Chen Tianwen thought to himself.

Zhang Liao thought much the same—he figured Xiaoshan Tielu Manor had submitted a complaint against him to Shen Hao, and this trip to Fengri City would be nothing but a scolding.

Both were in poor spirits. Early the next morning, they went to Fengri City Thousand Households Station and waited outside the Public Office.

Shen Hao saw Chen Tianwen and Zhang Liao, who’d been waiting for some time, as soon as he arrived. He said nothing, simply waved for them to enter. After a servant brought tea, the room was cleared.

"Did you bring everything?"

Chen Tianwen and Zhang Liao were both old acquaintances. Shen Hao smiled amiably, skipped the pleasantries, and motioned for them to sit.

Zhang Liao and Chen Tianwen, though they didn’t see any anger on Shen Hao’s face, dared not relax. They handed over the dossier and sat cautiously, only half-perching on their chairs.

Shen Hao didn’t notice their tension. He opened the dossier and leafed through it as he spoke: "Zhang Liao, you handled this case, correct? Tell me what happened at the time."

Shen Hao was deeply experienced and knew many case details never made it into the files; what was written was only what could be confirmed, while anything ambiguous was omitted. But he wanted things beyond just what was on record.

"Lord, this case came in during the second month. Because it was a signed accusation, by your previous rules, such matters must be investigated.

However, the basis of the accusation was actually laughable. Although the steward at Xiaoshan Tielu Manor is an official, he doesn’t hold a formal title, just a quasi-junior seventh grade clerk by analogy. According to the Dynasty’s laws on the conduct of officials, only those with formal ranks are subject; those who are merely quasi-officials are not included.

So we sent people expecting only to go through the motions. But upon arrival, we found the informant, yet the actual victim mentioned in the letter— the informant’s wife—was already dead, and many signs indicated the death was not accidental.

Afterward, I originally meant to reclassify the case and reopen it as a homicide, but the people from Li City Government Office came over, uncharacteristically forceful, saying that we Black Banner Battalion were overstepping authority. In the end, we had no choice but to hand over the homicide to the Local Government Office, and our accusation case had to end there."

Shen Hao frowned slightly and looked at Chen Tianwen, sitting just half a seat ahead of Zhang Liao. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Since when does Black Banner Battalion have to share jurisdiction with the Local Government Office? General Flag Chen, you explain."

Chen Tianwen knew Shen Hao’s temperament—he might look all smiles, but his heart was a battlefield of blades, ready to spill blood at any time. Li City was Shen Hao’s stronghold, a kind of base. Trust and reciprocation were reasons it was handed over to Chen Tianwen, but if he disappointed him, that would be a problem.

"Lord, the circumstances were special this time. First, for ordinary homicide investigations, local offices have initial jurisdiction—unless we have just cause, taking over would be overstepping. Second, Hundred Households Li paid direct attention to the case and said the Xuanqing Guard Black Banner Battalion must not meddle, lest it destroy the Guard’s reputation. His attitude was very firm, so I thought stepping back wouldn’t hurt much..."

Shen Hao waved his hand, cutting him off: "Whether it’s overstepping is not so easily defined with a few words. What are you afraid of? If you hadn’t accepted the case, returning it would be fine; but to take it and then withdraw? That’s losing the upper hand! Next time they’ll only press harder, forcing you back again.

Don’t you understand this? General Flag Chen, you’re good at everything, but you’re too cautious, overthinking, and you still don’t grasp the attitude Black Banner Battalion should have these days."

Chen Tianwen knew he’d embarrassed himself this time. He bowed and said, "I acknowledge my mistake, Lord. Please punish me."

But Shen Hao didn’t take up the subject, instead continuing: "The new Li City Hundred Households, Li Minghui, was formerly subordinate to Commander Wu, clearly his confidant. Did this put so much pressure on you that you misjudged the situation?"

In the past, Chen Tianwen had helped Shen Hao many times. Shen Hao was always kind to him, but now he felt the need to give some tough love—an indecisive, overly concerned man wasn’t fit to safeguard a stronghold like Li City Black Banner Battalion for him.

"I misjudged, and let down the Black Banner Battalion. Please punish me severely, Lord!" Chen Tianwen’s heart trembled, and he dropped to one knee, asking for punishment again. He finally realized what exactly had angered Shen Hao.

Who likes those who can’t pick a side? Of course no one. This was his greatest mistake.

"There’s no need to punish. But I hope General Flag Chen remembers this and learns a lesson from it."

"Yes, Lord! I will never forget your words!"

After giving Chen Tianwen a gentle reprimand, Shen Hao turned to Zhang Liao and said, "Reopen the case."

"You mean the homicide?" Zhang Liao asked cautiously.

"No. Didn’t you already hand that to the Local Government Office? Our Black Banner Battalion won’t go back on our word. But surely you have more than one report about Xiaoshan Tielu Manor? Investigate whatever remains. By the way, is the person who filed the original signed report still alive?"

"Still alive, but he’s been expelled from Xiaoshan Tielu Manor and is now apparently working odd jobs at a tavern."

"Odd jobs?"

"Yes. After his wife’s mysterious death, he lost everything in a fire— all family wealth gone. And since he was expelled, the manor took back his house. Homeless and penniless, he can only eke out a living with odd jobs nearby. But I haven’t seen him in months, so I’m not sure if he’s still working as a laborer."

"Find him. Hold him secretly—have him help you as well. Someone bold enough to submit a signed accusation against a Chief Officer surely knows plenty. And check this for me, too." As Shen Hao spoke, he tossed a copper rod to Zhang Liao, gesturing for Chen Tianwen to look as well.

"Lord, this is..."

"You understand now?"

"You want us to use the accusation as a pretext to secretly investigate Tielu Manor for skimming pig iron and illegal trade?!"