Chen Nan shook his head dismissively, "No matter who the real culprit is behind this, the Ma family father and son are bound to die."
"This matter is exceptionally wicked."
"Someone has to be the scapegoat."
"Therefore."
"It would be disadvantageous for us if the Ma family father and son remained alive."
"Because the powerful figures behind them would feel panicked and uneasy."
"After all, if anyone investigates this matter, it's highly likely to lead back to them."
"Conversely."
"If the Ma family father and son are dead, then this case can be considered closed."
Chen Nan thought of the plot in "Let the Bullets Fly."
Others didn't care how many bowls of noodles you ate.
They only wanted your life.
"Of course, the facts will prove my speculation is correct." Chen Nan glanced at the stars in the night sky, "If nothing unexpected happens, Fengdu City will issue an imperial decree tomorrow to thoroughly investigate the Ma family's gunpowder trafficking case."
"If we cannot crack this case within the stipulated time."
"Everyone's heads will roll."
The imperial court's political landscape is too complex.
Not only are there radicals.
But also conservatives.
And within the conservatives, there are two factions.
The situation can only be described as chaotic.
------
The next day.
While Chen Nan was still asleep.
Wu Jiu rushed to the Chen family, "Sir, don't sleep, something big has happened!"
Chen Nan, wearing a disheveled long robe, walked out with sleepy eyes, "What is it?"
Wu Jiu said, "I just received an urgent official document from Fengdu City, ordering us to conclude the Ma family's gunpowder trafficking case within three days."
"If we fail to do so, everyone in the Water Transport Department."
"Every single one of them will lose their heads."
Chen Nan was not surprised by this.
It was all within his expectations.
"Don't rush," Chen Nan yawned. "If nothing unexpected happens, we will receive many more urgent official documents today."
"Haven't you eaten?"
"Let's have breakfast together!"
He was calm and composed.
He felt no pressure whatsoever because of the Ma family's case.
Yet, inwardly, he was very curious.
Who exactly wanted to frame the Ma family?
In the Ma family's gunpowder trafficking case, any discerning person could see.
That the Ma family was framed.
But who was the real culprit behind it?
What was their motive?
Chen Nan couldn't see through it.
Even though his mind was meticulous.
And his intelligence was almost supernatural.
He still couldn't decipher the other party's intentions.
Besides further complicating the political situation at court.
There seemed to be no other benefit.
Just after breakfast.
A yamen runner from the county yamen arrived.
He said that Han Zongyuan had invited him.
Chen Nan went to the county yamen immediately.
Han Zongyuan asked, "Are there any clues regarding the Ma family case?"
Chen Nan smiled wryly, "The manager of the Ma family's cargo ship died on the spot last night. Currently, there are no clues."
He wanted to investigate.
But the manager was already dead.
Even if he wanted to investigate.
It would be very difficult to find useful information.
Han Zongyuan was not surprised by Chen Nan's answer.
Because he knew that the Ma family's case would be left unresolved.
After all, the main perpetrator involved had already died.
Oh...
He was the main perpetrator.
But.
Who could possibly trace it back to him?
No one could trace it back to him.
Because the Ma family would become the scapegoat.
Furthermore.
The higher authorities would not allow Chen Nan to investigate further.
Changing the subject, he asked, "In your opinion, which family in Tongcheng is qualified to take over the shipping rights?"
Chen Nan frowned and couldn't help but ask, "Sir, what do you mean by that?"
Han Zongyuan said, "The imperial court can be divided into three factions: Prime Minister Lin Yuan, Imperial Tutor Zheng Yu, and Prince Gao Xi. The relationships between these three forces are very complex."
"But generally speaking, they exist in a state of mutual checks and balances."
"Although these three forces all desire the shipping rights."
"One point is evident."
"None of them wants the other two forces to obtain it."
"The Ma family is the best example."
"If I am not mistaken, the real culprit behind the scenes is highly likely to be the Prime Minister, or the Prince."
"After all, the Ma family's backer is the Imperial Tutor."
"They couldn't just stand by and watch the Imperial Tutor's faction grow stronger."
"Of course."
"They would absolutely not dare to covet the shipping rights."
"Because whoever gains control of the shipping rights will incur the displeasure of the other two factions."
"Therefore, I conclude that all three parties will relinquish the control of the shipping rights."
"The Imperial Tutor is not involved because he knows the tactics of the other two factions."
"It's fortunate that only gunpowder appeared this time."
"If something related to the Anti-Heaven Cult appears next time."
"Even the Imperial Tutor would be unable to bear it."
"And if the other two factions were to covet the shipping rights, it would be tantamount to admitting that they were the masterminds behind this gunpowder incident."
"Do you think they would admit to being the perpetrators for the sake of shipping rights?"
Chen Nan was enlightened.
The shipping rights were now a hot potato.
No one wanted...
No!
It wasn't that they didn't want it.
It was that no one dared to covet it.
Complex!
Too complex!
So complex that it made Chen Nan hesitate, unwilling to go to Fengdu City.
He had already felt the darkness and danger of the imperial court without even going to Fengdu City.
If he were to go there.
With his naive and kind nature.
Wouldn't he be played like a fiddle?
Han Zongyuan revealed a meaningful smile, "Fundamentally, the control of the shipping rights will still fall into Tongcheng's hands!"
Chen Nan respectfully said, "Sir, you are the magistrate of Tongcheng County. Whoever the shipping rights fall into whose hands is naturally for you to decide."
Han Zongyuan: "The matter of the Leng family building the water transport terminal last time was handled well. Although Miss Leng is a woman, she is exceptionally capable. Handing over the control of the shipping rights to her should be convincing!"
Chen Nan was completely stunned.
Leng Qingmei is my person.
If the shipping rights were given to Leng Qingmei.
Then, by extension, wouldn't the shipping rights be given to me?
This was an inexhaustible treasure trove!
It could help him accumulate a large amount of wealth.
Thus enabling him to afford medicinal ingredients to refine pills for cultivation advancement.
He suppressed his inner excitement and said with a slight difficulty, "Sir, Leng Qingmei is ultimately my ex-wife. If the shipping rights are handed over to the Leng family, I fear others will gossip."
Han Zongyuan dismissed it, "You said yourself she is your ex-wife."
"You are already divorced."
"Who would dare to gossip?"
"Alright, this matter is settled."
Chen Nan bowed, "This subordinate obeys!"
"You may go," Han Zongyuan waved his hand, but inwardly he was puzzled.
Fifth brother, oh fifth brother!
Our identities have long been clear to each other.
Moreover, I have already given you the shipping rights.
Why haven't you acknowledged me yet?
------
Night!
The prison.
Ma Sanyuan and his son were listlessly confined in the prison.
It had been a day and a night since they were arrested.
Yet, they had no sleep.
Because they didn't know what would happen next.
They didn't know if Chen Nan could investigate who had framed them.
Just as the father and son looked disheartened,
A faint sound of footsteps approached.
Following the sound, a man in black appeared in Ma Sanyuan's sight.
The man, holding a long sword, cut through the chains on the prison door and entered the cell with a fierce gaze.
Ma Sanyuan's face was filled with terror, "Who are you?"