CHAPTER 438: CHAPTER 435: ARREST

Meng Su had made up his mind, regardless of the outcome, he couldn’t stand by idly.

Meng Su looked at Chang Tong: "Have you sent a message to Song Jiedu?"

Chang Tong nodded.

Meng Su inexplicably felt much more at ease, though it shouldn’t be so, as Song Xian clearly seemed like a junior, and he wasn’t previously employed at the coastal garrison, so he shouldn’t be knowledgeable about these matters. But after this incident, he discovered that Song Xian was intelligent and meticulous. If he investigated the case with him, he would certainly be a great help.

The matters Chang Tong mentioned were too cruel, coupled with Meng Su’s continuous investigation into the case in Hai State, causing him several sleepless nights.

After a few days like this, Song Xian finally arrived.

The two met in the courtyard of the Meng Family residence.

Meng Su welcomed Song Xian into the study and seated him: "The eight states must be busy, it shouldn’t have asked the Military Governor to come at this time, but the matter is of great importance. I dare not leave Yuezhou and can only make haste to verify the events that happened years ago in Hai State."

Song Xian said, "Currently, the eight states are managing the Official Medicine Bureau, and there was a storm not long ago. Fortunately, Princess Jia’an was there, otherwise, I couldn’t have come so quickly."

When mentioning the Commandery Princess, Meng Su felt again that among Daqi’s women, there was no one more formidable than Princess Jia’an. He heard that because of the large spinning wheel, many craftsmen went to the North. It’s said that they are now experimenting with making ink with oil smoke in the North, with some medicinal materials added in it, which Meng Su had never seen before.

Moreover, Meng Su noticed that when mentioning Princess Jia’an, Song Jiedu’s expression would become much gentler. It’s said that Song Jiedu and Princess Jia’an had a deep affection as a couple, which seemed true.

You should know that when Song Jiedu got married, even the Liao people knew about it.

After Song Xian finished speaking, he asked Meng Su, "Is what Ah Jing said true?"

Meng Su nodded: "I found a military leader named Yang Wu in the Hai State Army records, and the county’s documentation clearly noted that when Yang Wu returned home, he coincidentally encountered pirates who killed and looted Yang Family Village, and finally burned down the entire village. Actually, even if I didn’t investigate, I remember this matter since it caused quite a stir back then, and the court dismissed two Deputy Generals, who were demoted and later assigned to Fuzhou."

"The one handling this case was precisely the Governor of Hai State, Xue Yuanzong."

Xue Yuanzong was fined some salary because of this, but it didn’t affect his career, and he still serves in Hai State.

There must be something fishy about Xue Yuanzong. Who is behind him? Meng Su frowned slightly and said, "This is the difficult part now. On the surface, Xue Yuanzong seems to be the Emperor’s person. Since entering the civil service, he has been appreciated by the Emperor, who personally promoted him to Hai State."

Song Xian looked at Meng Su: "What does Mr. Meng think? Is all this secretly colluded by Xue Yuanzong and Li Tao?"

If it were someone else, Meng Su would not speak the truth, but Song Xian was different. Meng Su said, "I have been in Yuezhou for many years and have always been concerned about maritime affairs. Although there is no conclusive evidence, I know that many coastal officials are not as loyal to the court as they appear. Whenever I mention maritime trade, they make various excuses to shirk it..."

"When I interacted with the Prefect of Fuzhou, once when he was drunk, he mentioned Prince Lu. Although I had been drinking, I clearly remembered the Prefect of Fuzhou’s appearance, clearly wanting to win me over to work for Prince Lu. But there is no concrete evidence of these."

"Moreover, can just one Governor of Hai State alone wield such power, causing such chaos at sea?"

Meng Su shook his head: "Not very likely."

We have to know that the opposition to the court’s maritime trade is not only from the Governor of Hai State. These people are united, solid as a rock; are they really just doing this for profit?

Meng Su and Song Xian exchanged glances, Meng Su knew Song Xian was also thinking along these lines, otherwise, he wouldn’t be so concerned about this matter.

Just as the two of them finished speaking, they suddenly saw the steward of the Meng family hurriedly approaching: "Master, some people suddenly came to the door, not wearing official uniforms, but claiming to be from the Palace Department... We..."

The steward was about to say: "We couldn’t stop them."

The courtyard was suddenly filled with a cacophony of noise followed by voices. The people the steward mentioned had already broken into the courtyard.

Meng Su quickly looked at Song Xian, who appeared calm, seemingly having expected this.

The heart Meng Su had raised suddenly relaxed somewhat. He took a deep breath and stepped outside.

"Governor Meng," the leading man’s eyes pierced sharply at Meng Su, and after he emerged, the man’s gaze shifted to the room, "Does Governor Meng have a guest?"

Meng Su’s gaze was clear, his expression solemn: "May I ask why you did not wait for the family to be notified before barging into the courtyard?"

The man smiled slightly, though his face was tinged with coldness: "We are here on an imperial order to investigate a case, and we ask Mr. Meng to bear with us."

As he spoke, he handed over the documents and token to Meng Su: "Mr. Meng can personally verify."

The token and documents from the Palace Department appeared to be authentic beyond doubt.

Meng Su’s brows knitted slightly: "Please follow me to the study in the front courtyard; I will compare the seal."

The people from the Palace Department did not move, their eyes still fixed on Meng Su’s back: "No hurry, even if we go to the front courtyard, Song Jiedu should accompany us."

Meng Su’s face grew more unpleasant, and he immediately looked at the steward.

The steward was about to leave the courtyard, but as he took his first step, the people from the Palace Department drew out the steel blade from their waist: "Before the case is clear, no one in the courtyard may leave."

As he finished speaking, the leader of the Palace Department was about to enter the house when Meng Su, in his urgency, blocked his path: "There is no one in this house."

The man frowned: "I need to see for myself to know."

Meng Su still refused to yield.

The man raised his voice: "What does Mr. Meng mean by this? Are you trying to defy the imperial decree?"

"Mr. Meng, there’s no need to stop him."

A voice emanated from within the house, followed by Song Xian stepping out.

The lead man from the Palace Department saw Song Xian, smiled slightly, unsure if he was mocking Meng Su or relieved about the completion of his task: "That’s right... I was saying..."

The man from the Palace Department didn’t finish before a flash of light appeared before his eyes. Instinctively reaching for the long knife at his waist, he didn’t expect a sharp pain in his wrist, his fingers instantly losing strength. When he recovered, Song Xian’s long sword was already at his neck.

The man couldn’t help but shout: "Song Xian, what do you intend to do? Attempting treason?"

Song Xian spoke indifferently: "That depends on whether you are truly sent by the Emperor."

Song Xian then looked at Meng Su: "Mr. Meng, have someone escort the women out, and then verify the documents he brought."

...

Outside the Meng Mansion.

Li You and the eunuch stood there waiting for news.

This time, the Emperor sent Li You to Yuezhou to investigate Meng Su and Song Xian’s affairs.

The people from the Palace Department saw with their own eyes that Song Xian went to the Meng Mansion, and combined with the clues Li You had found previously, there was already enough reason to summon Song and Meng for questioning.

The eunuch whispered, "Does Mr. Li think they are plotting something in private?"

Li You frowned: "Without evidence and without interrogation, it is unknown."

Just after saying this, Li You saw the people from the Palace Department hurrying over to report: "Song Xian has captured Mr. Du Dianjian."

The eunuch’s face changed color: "Isn’t this treason?"