kingnovel Chapter 1198 Fishing Law Enforcement
Chapter 1198 Fishing Law Enforcement
There was one thing that puzzled Shen Zheng for a long time.
More than three hours have passed since the awards ceremony began at Chenshi (7-9 AM), so why has none of Huai Shaoyong's family members shown up?
Is it because the Huai family is so wealthy and powerful that they don't care about those rewards, or is it because the Huai family doesn't care about Huai Shaoyong's ranking and thinks it's unnecessary for him to show up, or... is it that the Huai family nowadays has lost the spirit or desire to go out?
The thought of the third possibility made Shen Zheng feel a tightness in her chest and extreme discomfort.
Upon hearing Shen Zheng's question, Hou Yirui also sensed something amiss and suppressed the shock in his eyes, asking, "Lord Shen, do you mean... the Huai family might also have been infected with the poison?"
"It's just a guess." Shen Zheng looked at a gentleman behind Hou Yirui and asked, "Sir, you said earlier... that you saw Huai Shaoyong taking poison powder, and that he told you that it was a tonic prepared for him by a famous doctor at the request of his family?"
The academy teacher immediately nodded: "In reply to Lord Shen, Huai Shaoyong did indeed say that at the time."
"Approximately when?" Shen Zheng pressed.
The academy teacher thought for a moment: "About four or five months ago."
Shen Zheng paused upon hearing this.
Four or five months ago...
It was around the same time she left the mansion for the capital.
Is it a coincidence... or is the person spreading the "spiritual powder" deliberately targeting her?
Shen Zheng had no idea what was going on, but the most urgent task at hand was to send someone to Huai Prefecture to investigate.
If the Huai family is unaware of this matter, then the only option is to immediately interrogate Huai Shaoyong and trace the source of the "spiritual powder".
After thinking it over, Shen Zheng immediately summoned two guards and ordered them to return to the government office to report today's events to Yi Mingli, and then have Yi Mingli lead men to search Huai Prefecture.
Hou Yirui watched the departing soldiers, lost in thought. After a while, he whispered to Shen Zheng, "Lord Shen, the last time I saw Huai Shaoyong's parents was at the beginning of this year when they brought Huai Shaoyong to the academy to deliver New Year's gifts. At that time... their behavior was proper, their words were inappropriate, and they seemed to be in the same spirit as usual."
At the beginning of the year?
After a moment's thought, Shen Zheng nodded: "I've noted it down. Thank you, Headmaster Hou."
Hou Yirui understood the meaning of "seeing the guests off" in Shen Zheng's words. He originally intended to bow and take his leave, but then he thought that everyone from Luming Academy had received a great favor from Shen Zheng today. If he just left without doing anything to repay her, he would feel really bad.
"Lord Shen, is there anything else I can do to help? If so, please don't hesitate to ask." Hou Yirui's expression was sincere.
Shen Zheng thought for a moment.
To be honest, there really is something that Hou Yirui should do.
"Headmaster Hou, may I speak to you in private?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhiming looked at Shen Zheng expectantly.
Shen Zheng sighed helplessly, "Lord Jiang, please come along too."
"Hey!" Jiang Zhiming followed Shen Zheng and the other person to the backstage area.
The three stopped, and Shen Zheng, her gaze serious, went straight to the point: "Headmaster Hou, it won't be long before news of today's events spreads beyond Liuyang Prefecture and throughout the surrounding states. However, since 'Spirit Powder' has only recently appeared, many students and gentry may not yet be aware of its harm. They may still be deceived by its apparent 'mind-boosting' and 'literary enhancement' effects. Those who sell 'Spirit Powder' might even simply rename it and continue to peddle it to students..."
Upon hearing Shen Zheng's suggestion, not only Hou Yirui but also Jiang Zhiming became restless: "A cunning rabbit has three burrows! I'm afraid those people will use the guise of 'supplements' to harm the students in different places... How can we, with only two or three prefectures, possibly defend against them all?"
It's impossible to defend against it all.
Both Shen Zheng and Hou Yirui knew that there was no way to guard against thieves for a thousand days.
"Therefore, we must prepare early." As she spoke, Shen Zheng's expression turned stern: "Not only that, we must also take the initiative. Headmaster Hou, Luming Academy is renowned far and wide, and its students are spread throughout the surrounding prefectures. Therefore, I have two matters to ask of you."
Hou Yirui straightened his expression and said, "Lord Shen, please speak."
"First, issue a warning." Shen Zheng looked at Hou Yirui: "I hope the headmaster will immediately write a letter, detailing today's events and the harm of 'Ling San'. Then, send all the letters to the surrounding private schools, emphasizing the warning to the students and teachers: 'There is no shortcut to learning; poisonous powder will ruin your life.' Also, have all schools take precautions in advance and strictly investigate whether any students are secretly possessing or consuming poisonous powder. If any are found, I hope the headmaster will immediately send a message to me."
Hou Yirui's idea coincided with Shen Zheng's: "That's exactly what I was thinking, Lord Shen, please rest assured."
He paused, then asked, "What else did you mention...?"
"The second matter is that I hope the headmaster can act secretly." Shen Zheng lowered his voice and said, "'Spirit Powder' is extremely expensive, and those who sell it will definitely make a profit and will not easily give up the market of students and gentry. Therefore, I would like to ask the headmaster to secretly send a few trustworthy students to secretly purchase 'Spirit Powder'."
Hou Yirui was startled upon hearing this: "Lord Shen, are you trying to lure the snake out of its hole?"
Shen Zheng nodded: "We need to use multiple approaches to catch the person behind this as soon as possible."
Entrapment is applicable in any era.
Hou Yirui was about to nod in agreement, but then he hesitated and hesitated again: "Lord Shen, Huai Shaoyong's fate today is obvious to all. If the students of my Luming Academy were to still seek to purchase 'spiritual powder,' wouldn't that be... a bit unreasonable? Would the other party believe it?"
“They will believe it.” Shen Zheng was absolutely certain: “We have called on all students to boycott ‘spiritual powder,’ so their sales space will definitely be compressed, and the money they earn will be much less than before. You know, it is harder than climbing to heaven to get people who have made quick money to give up their profits. They may be wary of what happened today, but in private... they will definitely be more eager to find ‘trustworthy’ buyers.”
Upon hearing this, Hou Yirui's gaze gradually shifted from doubt to astonishment.
The woman before him was no more than twenty years old, but her grasp of people's hearts was far superior to his own.
"I have learned a great deal," Hou Yirui exclaimed in admiration.
Shen Zheng looked at the stage and said, "Furthermore, the students of Luming Academy have a valid reason to purchase 'spiritual powder'."
Hou Yirui thought for a moment, then suddenly felt that Shen Zheng in front of him was somewhat frightening: "You mean... you want them to use 'Huai Shaoyong has made rapid progress in recent months, and his writing skills have greatly improved' as an excuse?"
“Isn’t that a good reason?” Shen Zheng retorted. “I also heard you say before that Huai Shaoyong’s policy essay in this re-examination was his recent masterpiece.”
Hou Yirui choked, and then suddenly started coughing.
He would rather not have such a "masterpiece".
The thought that even Huai Shaoyong's writing after taking medicine couldn't compare to Pei Zhaoqi's made Hou Yirui's heart clench even more. He immediately cupped his hands in farewell and said, "In that case, I... will take my leave now. If there is any news, I will send it to you immediately."