The vast wind and snow obscured everything. After three consecutive days of heavy snowfall, the snow finally stopped.
"This is truly living!"
After eating his fill and drinking his fill, soaking his entire body in a brand new pine tub and feeling the comfortable sensation of hot water penetrating every inch of his body, even Han Mo couldn't help but sigh.
"Young Master, Young Master, have you finished bathing?"
Just as Han Mo finished his exclamation, Jiang Yan's hurried voice came from outside the door.
"Why the rush? How long has it been? Can't whatever it is wait a while?"
Having been busy for over a year, it was finally a chance to relax. Being interrupted at such a time, Han Mo couldn't help but grumble indignantly.
"Young Master, something big has happened!"
"Come in first!"
Hearing him say that, Han Mo immediately frowned.
"What happened?"
"Your subordinate just received news that Wang Fu was assassinated on his way to Bozhou to take up his post. His head is even gone, and his body was hung on a roadside tree. When it was discovered, the corpse had already frozen into dried meat!"
"That's it?"
"Ah?"
Seeing Han Mo's disdainful expression, Jiang Yan was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
Wasn't this matter significant enough?
That was Wang Fu!
"Go to the study in the back later and have Manager Wang teach you what it means to remain calm when Mount Tai collapses before you, and not to blink when a deer appears to your left! Copy those two sentences a hundred times!"
After talking for so long, only to be disturbed for such a matter, Han Mo's temper flared up.
"I..."
At this, Jiang Yan was completely stunned. Was his young master's self-cultivation so profound?
Such a major event had occurred in the imperial court, yet his young master showed no reaction and was even contemplating punishing him by copying characters!
"What are you looking at? Add some hot water for me, then get out quickly! Don't believe every rumor you hear from now on. Is such a small matter worth you making such a fuss?"
After grumbling at him unceremoniously, Han Mo closed his eyes again.
What could be more comfortable than bathing in the dead of winter?
Of course, if he could have a cup of iced fruit wine at this moment, it would be even more perfect!
Although Han Mo didn't take it seriously, the entire city of Bianliang was shaken by Wang Fu's death.
Even though Wang Fu had been demoted, he had once served as Prime Minister. The death of such a person within the jurisdiction of Kaifeng was a shocking event!
Yang Chengchou, who had been considering finding connections to further his career, gasped when he heard the news.
Fortunately, he had some reservations and had not dared to act directly. Otherwise, if he had been in that position, he would have been the one used as a scapegoat at this moment!
The position of Deputy Governor of Kaifeng Prefecture was good in every aspect, but it was most feared for such incidents!
After three consecutive days of heavy snow, not only were there no traces left, but even if there were, they would have been gone by now.
Although Yongqiu was under Kaifeng's jurisdiction, it was nearly forty li away from Bianliang City. The area was vast and sparsely populated, and coupled with the three days of blizzards, not a single person could be seen, let alone a ghost.
Wang Fu had enjoyed immense glory throughout his life, but he had also offended many people. Although the number of people who dared to kill him was certainly less than 10 when counted carefully, who among them were not people of high status and power?
Investigating such a case under these circumstances would be nothing short of a miracle if any results were found!
"This is outrageous! Such a thing happening under the Emperor's watchful eye! Is there any law and order left? Are the fellows in the Kaifeng Prefecture all eating dry rice?"
In the imperial palace, after hearing about Wang Fu's assassination, even Emperor Zhao Ji was furious.
Although Wang Fu deserved to die, he should not have died in such a manner!
If a Prime Minister of the dynasty was allowed to die so silently near Bianliang, then who else would dare to be an official in this world?
Regardless of the purpose, Zhao Ji had to find the mastermind behind this incident at this moment.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. The Kaifeng Prefecture is currently leaderless..."
After hearing Liang Shicheng's words, even Emperor Zhao Ji was taken aback.
It was only then that he suddenly remembered that not only was there no Deputy Governor in Kaifeng Prefecture, but the Ministry of Justice was also short of a Minister!
Although the affairs of the Ministry of Justice were shared by two Vice Ministers, and no major issues would arise for the time being, the situation in Kaifeng Prefecture was different.
Kaifeng Prefecture governed eighteen counties and twenty-four towns. Although there were over six hundred officials of various ranks, in the face of Bianliang's millions of soldiers and civilians, this number was truly insignificant.
The staff were already insufficient, and now that the leader was gone, it seemed difficult to even find someone to blame...
"Have Prime Minister Cai discuss this quickly and come up with a list!"
After pacing back and forth a few times, Zhao Ji finally gave the order with annoyance.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, not only is this matter thorny, but Master Yuan Miao has already sent people to urge us four times. The relocation of the Great Xiangguo Temple cannot be delayed any longer..."
Seeing the Emperor about to pass the buck to Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng quickly added behind him.
"This matter is indeed somewhat tricky..."
Hearing him say that, Zhao Ji began to feel that it was indeed tricky.
It was not difficult to find a seasoned and prudent person; the imperial court was not lacking in such individuals. It was not difficult to find someone who could solve cases; there were plenty of such people in the Ministry of Justice.
If absolutely necessary, a few could be transferred from the judicial departments of other regions.
Finding someone who was adaptable was also easy, with many such individuals in the Court of State Ceremonial. However, finding someone who was both seasoned and prudent, adaptable, and capable of trying and investigating cases was truly difficult.
At the very least, even he, the Emperor, could not think of a suitable candidate for the moment.
If such a person truly existed, they would have already become a frontier official of the court, and would not be languishing at this time!
"Do you have any suitable candidates in hand?"
After racking his brains for a long time, Zhao Ji once again looked at Liang Shicheng with a frown.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is indeed difficult to find such a person in a hurry. However, while organizing the memorials today, your old servant did discover an interesting person!"