He immediately became alert and looked at Zhu Tu with a hint of apprehension.
"So, you intend to hold this official accountable?"
"Your Excellency, what are you saying? How dare we. We merely wish to inquire if there is anyone else in the Naval Camp who can be mobilized, and whether there might be some misunderstanding."
"Impossible! Without my personal seal and order, the Naval Camp would not act rashly!"
"Then, Your Excellency, could you, for the sake of the Zhu and Chi families, release those people? If there is any misunderstanding, our Zhu family will explain it properly to you."
With that, he handed over a pouch. They both knew very well what was inside.
Liang Quanbin calmly picked up the tea by his hand and took two sips. He did not accept the pouch. Zhu Tu, however, was beginning to misunderstand. Was he unwilling?
He looked up at Liang Quanbin, hoping he would be discerning enough to accept it and release the people. Otherwise, if things truly escalated, he would not have an easy time either.
Liang Quanbin knew exactly what Zhu Tu was thinking.
However, he had to feign ignorance. "This matter, I will investigate thoroughly upon my return. If the Naval Camp has indeed arrested the wrong people, they will be released. Brother Zhu Er, you need not worry."
"Your Excellency! This not only slaps the face of our Zhu family, but also that of the Chi family. I implore you, for the sake of the relationships, to order their release. Otherwise, subsequent events will be unpredictable, won't they?"
The threat in his words was obvious, and Liang Quanbin was infuriated.
But he was at the Zhu family's residence and could not afford to fall out with them directly, as it would endanger his life.
He inwardly made a mental note of the Zhu family's threat. Then, he accepted the pouch from Zhu Tu and said with a forced smile,
"I am tired. Send me back to my residence. As for the people you want, you can go to the prison to collect them!"
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
It was best that the matter could be resolved peacefully.
Therefore, before the banquet had completely concluded, Liang Quanbin was sent home by the Zhu family under the pretense of being drunk.
They then eagerly awaited to collect the people from the prison, but unexpectedly, things took a turn!
Upon returning to his residence, Liang Quanbin flew into a rage and smashed things. The housekeeper, unsure of what had happened, stood by trembling, not daring to speak.
Only after his anger subsided did he calm down.
"Have someone come to clean this up."
"Yes!"
He then walked to his study, where his personal seal was kept.
He had questions about today's events.
He himself had not given any orders, so why had the Naval Camp gone to seal and arrest people?
Could it be that someone had stolen his personal seal?
Thinking of this, he hurried to his study and took out the very well-hidden box. Upon inspection, the personal seal was still there.
While he breathed a sigh of relief, he became even more confused.
"Lord Liang, are you perhaps wondering why the Naval Camp arrested those people?"
He was so startled by the sudden voice that he almost jumped out of his skin!
Turning to look at the newcomer, his expression of fear relaxed.
"So, it's someone from the Duke's side. You nearly scared me to death."
The person looked at Liang Quanbin with a stern expression and took out a letter from his怀, handing it to Liang Quanbin.
"The Duke has something to say to Lord Liang!"
Liang Quanbin was puzzled. Usually, the Duke of Wei would convey his instructions verbally. Why would he write a letter today?
As he opened the letter, his eyes nearly popped out.
"The person behind the Zhu family is the First Prince?"
"Mm."
"So, today's events were orchestrated by the Duke, with the intention of suppressing the First Prince's influence?"
"Correct!"
Hearing this, Liang Quanbin understood.
He had heard about the Ninth Prince's triumphant return to the capital even from a thousand miles away. However, the First Prince was also at the height of his power. If they could remove this thorn in the side of Jiangnan at this time, it would be beneficial to them.
But he had just accepted money from the Zhu family. If the Duke of Wei found out, he would surely think he was playing both sides. For the sake of his family and his future, he gritted his teeth and handed the pouch to the man.
"This is the bribe money from the Zhu family. Please convey this to the Duke. My loyalty to the Duke and the Ninth Prince is as clear as the heavens and earth!"
A flicker of surprise flashed in the man's eyes, and then he accepted the pouch.
It didn't look large, but given the Zhu family's usual behavior, they wouldn't be stingy.
He tucked the pouch into his robe and then leaped into the air, leaving the study as if he had never been there!
He crumpled the letter in his hand and burned it to ashes.
"Damn Zhu family, you almost led me into disgrace! This time, you will pay for your arrogance!"
After leaving the Governor's mansion, the man vanished.
When he reappeared, he was standing before Prince Ding. Su Cheng looked at the returning man and the pouch in his hand and immediately stepped forward to take it.
"One hundred thousand taels. For such a trivial matter, such generosity. This Jinling city is truly full of hidden talents!"
The man tore off the human skin mask from his face. It was Xu Lin.
"Everything has been handled as Your Highness instructed. The Zhu family and Liang Quanbin will be at each other's throats."
Xiao Tingyi's eyebrows remained unfurled, his expression cold, as if his emotions were only revealed to Feng Jin Yao.
He picked up a cup of tea by his hand and took two sips.
Before arriving, he had thoroughly investigated the communication channels between the Duke of Wei and Liang Quanbin. Coupled with Xu Lin's masterful disguise skills, as long as he didn't linger, there would be no slip-ups.
The person who had actually delivered the message had already been cleverly sent away by him. Currently, he was fully focused on investigating who was behind the Zhu family, with no time to spare for Liang Quanbin!
"Your Highness's tactic of drawing the fire from the hearth and framing others is truly masterful!"
Xu Lin used three idioms in a row and looked at Su Cheng twice, as if appraising why he had suddenly become so eloquent.
Su Cheng returned a broad smile and then continued to ask Prince Ding flatteringly,
"But Your Highness, we haven't actually found out who is behind the Zhu family. Why did we frame the First Prince?"
"Do you think his subordinates are clean? It's just that the Wei family has controlled the Grand Canal Administration for years, and he hasn't been able to infiltrate it. However, his subordinates have committed various wrongdoings elsewhere. Using his name in this manner is not entirely unjust!"
Yang Zhao explained. He truly detested these corrupt officials and wished they would all die!
But he also knew that if the higher-ups were not removed, killing more of the lower-ranking ones would be useless.
Letting them find trouble for each other, or letting these two factions fight it out and expose more hidden matters to disrupt the situation, would be even better!
After listening to Yang Zhao's words, Su Cheng felt even more that his decision to serve under Prince Ding was the wisest choice he could have made!