"Reporting to the Young General, the dark guards investigated and found that Bai Li Xi entered the Third Prince's manor late at night and only left at 3 AM."
Lu Shi reported everything he had found.
"Continue to have the dark guards monitor him, investigate clearly who Bai Li Xi is involved with, not a single one can be let go."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"Chu Yan Xi actually colluded with Xi Liang, he dared to betray the country!" Chu Chen Yi slammed his fist on the desk. He had only thought that Chu Yan Xi was a bit too unrestrained, but he never expected that he would collude with Xi Liang and commit treason.
Ling Mo Han cast a look of disdain at Chu Chen Yi, was he really that agitated?
"Calm down first. Since Chu Yan Xi dared to do it, he must know the consequences. What you can do is collect evidence and use this opportunity to overthrow Chu Yan Xi."
This matter was the best opportunity for Chu Chen Yi. Seize the opportunity, overthrow Emperor Chu Yan, and no one would be able to block his path anymore, rather than saying useless things here.
"I understand, I will start making arrangements."
Chu Chen Yi nodded in agreement, "Should we inform Father Emperor about this matter first?"
This matter was of great importance, and he couldn't make up his mind alone. He still felt that he should inform his father.
"Do you think His Majesty, with his favoritism towards Chu Yan Xi, would believe what you say?"
Ling Mo Han's words were like a dagger to Chu Chen Yi's heart. The Emperor Xuanwen's favoritism was obvious to everyone.
"You also..." Couldn't you be more tactful? Must you lay everything bare? Can't you consider his feelings a little?
"You don't have to feel bad. His Majesty favors Chu Yan Xi, but you and the other princes are treated equally in His Majesty's eyes."
Ling Mo Han's words were more piercing than the last, directly crushing Chu Yan Xi's fragile self-esteem.
"Enough, stop talking. Father Emperor loves Chu Yan Xi the most among us brothers. Over time, I've gotten used to it, so it doesn't matter anymore."
Some things, if they were never possessed from the beginning, would naturally not cause sadness due to loss.
When he was bullied relentlessly in his childhood, he had already realized that only power could protect him.
"To be an emperor is to be cold-hearted and emotionless. Any tiny weakness of yours will plunge the entire country into eternal damnation... You must not show any mercy towards Chu Yan Xi."
Ling Mo Han was only worried that at the critical moment, Chu Chen Yi would still consider brotherhood, and their plans would be in vain.
"Don't worry!" Chu Chen Yi said in a deep voice. Even if he considered brotherhood, Chu Yan Xi would not show him any mercy.
"How is the investigation into the iron ore matter progressing?"
"According to the residual account books, every time we got a clue, someone would act preemptively. The enemy is in the dark, and we are in the light. We are always being hindered."
It had been like this many times. As soon as there was a slight glimmer of hope, either the evidence was destroyed or the witness was killed. After several attempts, all their efforts were in vain.
This showed that the mastermind was deeply cunning and had profound backing, no less than theirs.
"You are truly useless, unable to even handle such a small matter."
Ling Mo Han was truly speechless at Chu Chen Yi's efficiency. So much time had passed, and there was still no progress.
"It's easy to say with your mouth. If you have the ability, go do it. You don't know how troublesome the mastermind is. As soon as there is a clue, before our people can even get there, it will all be destroyed. We are always just a step too late!"
Chu Chen Yi was also very troubled by this matter. If it continued like this, even if he searched heaven and earth, he would not find any evidence.
The mastermind's calculations were all precise. They followed him, letting other forces investigate. Once they got the news, they would swoop in and take credit. What a clever plan.
"The root cause is still that your people are too useless and can't even handle this trivial matter."
After a pause, Ling Mo Han continued, "Have someone investigate Chu Yan Xi."
"What do you mean by that?" Chu Chen Yi asked doubtfully, "If I investigate Chu Yan Xi now, won't it alert him? Isn't that counterproductive?"
"Bai Li Xi could persuade Chu Yan Xi to collude with him for one of two reasons: either the benefits offered by Xi Liang were enough for Chu Yan Xi to do anything for them, or Bai Li Xi held something over Chu Yan Xi, forcing him to do their bidding. Which do you think is more likely?"
Chu Chen Yi pondered for a moment and replied, "Both should be true to some extent. Chu Yan Xi is deep-minded and seeks profit. It's not easy to make him willingly do things."
"I've asked Lu Shi to trace the final distribution route of the iron ore. Guess who had the financial capacity to acquire the iron ore?"
To find the whereabouts of the iron ore, he had mobilized the entire dark guard force, spent half a month, and followed the clues to find it.
"Who?"
"Xi Liang merchants."
Ling Mo Han uttered these four words, which greatly shocked Chu Chen Yi.
"All the iron ore flowed into Xi Liang. How did you find out about such an important matter?"
"Xi Liang is deficient in resources, especially iron ore. However, recently, the Xi Liang soldiers were equipped with new weapons, and they did not purchase them from other countries. After investigation, it was discovered that all this pure iron was purchased from merchants. Following the clues, it was found that these merchants had some business dealings with the Zhao family."
Ling Mo Han initially found it strange, so he ordered the dark guards to investigate, and they indeed made some progress.
With so much pure iron flowing into Xi Liang, their military strength was further enhanced. Xi Liang's active pursuit of peace this time was also a smokescreen. Their true objective was to attack Dong Chu.
"Chu Yan Xi actually instructed to sell pure iron to Xi Liang. He is truly deserving of death."
Chu Chen Yi wished he could strike Chu Yan Xi with a sword. He was capable of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, completely disregarding the safety of the people.
"Bai Li Xi will also use this matter to threaten Chu Yan Xi. We investigating Chu Yan Xi for the iron ore matter will naturally make him think that Bai Li Xi leaked the information. Chu Yan Xi, being suspicious, will definitely suspect Bai Li Xi. For his own safety, he will naturally try to get rid of Bai Li Xi to protect himself."
Ling Mo Han wanted to sow discord and scheme against Chu Yan Xi, using him to kill Bai Li Xi.
Bai Li Xi was too ruthless. With him around, there would be endless troubles. Since he had come to his territory, he was determined to find a way to keep Bai Li Xi in Dong Chu forever.
"Killing with a borrowed knife is indeed a good method. Once we link the iron ore matter to Chu Yan Xi, he will definitely think that Bai Li Xi betrayed him."
Chu Chen Yi already had a plan in mind, using this matter to sow discord between them and make them kill each other.