Chapter 290: Chapter 259: Harming Others Backfires and Leaves You Dazed

This grain transport task has been the easiest thing for them in recent days.

Jiang Zhan glanced over but didn’t join in the laughter.

Having experienced the two great battles in the West Wind Valley and Yangjia City of the Nine Hordes Kingdom, he had grown a lot.

"Everyone, stay alert."

With one glance, he saw the two people at the very front.

Ink Robe?

It’s the Regent’s Mansion!

Jiang Zhan slightly furrowed his brows.

The appearance of the Regent’s Mansion at the camp must signify something major.

"Roar..."

Underneath him, Blazing Fire Tiger Horse, Little Ba, seemed restless.

Jiang Zhan gently patted Little Ba’s fiery mane, slightly quickening his pace.

In a moment.

The war horse arrived at the camp entrance.

"Dismount."

General Yu Sheng of the Qin Capital Imperial Forbidden Army spoke as a command.

Jiang Zhan paused, then leaped down from his horse.

Glancing back at the expressions of Duan Chong, Meng Zhen, and others, he felt a bad premonition rising.

Seeing Jiang Zhan dismount, Fan Kui and others naturally followed suit.

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

The Blazing Fire Tiger Horse became more agitated.

"Humph!"

Yu Sheng of the Forbidden Army snorted coldly, and an intimidating aura spread out, pacifying the restless Blazing Fire Tiger Horse instantly.

Then he turned and looked at the two people from the Regent’s Mansion wearing Ink Robes: "Gentlemen, Commander Jiang Zhan has escorted the grain back; should we inspect it now?"

The two stepped forward, bowed slightly, and cupped their hands: "General Yu, we are merely ordered to intercept; the inspection must await Lord Liu."

"Inspector Liu came personally?" Yu Sheng was a bit surprised, "Then we shall wait."

"Thank you, General Yu."

Yu Sheng looked at Jiang Zhan again, his expression icy: "Everyone stays put, anyone who moves without orders will be dealt with by military law!"

He mentioned the Tiger Armor Army, but it was a warning for Jiang Zhan, Fan Kui, and others to wait obediently.

Jiang Zhan cupped his hands slightly, saying nothing more, but his heart was even more worried.

He knew that Inspector Liu, being a Senior Third Grade official in Qin Capital, rarely dealt with trivial matters.

But this was the Tiger Armor Army; what would prompt the Regent’s Mansion to come from Qin Capital for this?

Could it be related to this batch of grain?

Being blocked at the camp entrance, not allowing soldiers to enter, the only reason he could think of was a problem with the grain.

Wasn’t this batch of grain transported from Pingzhong County? What could go wrong?

Suddenly, a phrase flashed in his mind, something Chu Ming said to him at the pier after the grain was loaded:

"Commander Jiang, I’ve inspected this batch of grain; there’s no problem."

A keen light flashed in Jiang Zhan’s eyes.

Chu Ming was hinting to him!

Jiang Zhan was aware of the relationship between Chu Ming and Fang Xiao, so he naturally never doubted Chu Ming.

Therefore, when that phrase popped into his mind, his first reaction was that Chu Ming was conveying a message — there’s no problem with the grain, do not panic!

"...Good lad!"

No wonder Commander Fang often praised him!

Upon thinking this, his frown relaxed, and the anxiety in his heart gradually dissipated.

He was no longer worried, but Duan Chong, Meng Zhen, Fan Kui, and others were growing extremely impatient from waiting.

After waiting for half a two hours, even General Yu Sheng of the Forbidden Army became anxious: "Gentlemen, why hasn’t Lord Liu arrived yet?"

"Soon, we ask General Yu and everyone else to be patient.

Time passed; near sunset, finally, there was the sound of hooves from afar.

"They’re here!"

Sure enough, after the sound of hooves, several high-headed horses approached, followed by a carriage and commandery guards.

"Thank you all for waiting."

Inspector Liu Bingmu from the Regent’s Mansion dismounted from his horse and stepped to the front of the crowd.

"General Yu."

"Lord Liu, County Magistrate Xiao, County Governor Baili."

The two parties exchanged greetings.

Jiang Zhan looked at Chu Ming, and Chu Ming also looked over.

Without verbal communication, when Jiang Zhan saw those clear eyes, his worry diminished slightly more.

When Meng Zhen saw Chu Ming and Shen Yu arriving, his troubled heart suddenly felt much calmer.

With the Chu Royal Attendant here, surely everything would be fine.

Compared to others, Meng Zhen trusted Chu Ming more than anyone else.

"Let’s begin." Liu Bingmu wasted no words, directly signaling to start the inspection.

"Yes."

The two inspectors stationed here approached Jiang Zhan, their expressions stern and their voices cold: "Commander Jiang, did this batch of grain come from Baiyun Pier?"

"Yes," Jiang Zhan nodded.

"Did you lead the Tiger Armor Army to rest midway?" the inspector continued with a cold face.

"After exiting the County City, there was a brief rest in a bamboo forest about seventy miles away," Jiang Zhan answered.

After the inspector finished asking, they cupped their hands toward Liu Bingmu: "Lord Liu, we have finished asking."

"Hmm, proceed with the inspection."

This manner of questioning was due to information received by the Regent’s Mansion — after exiting the city, the Tiger Armor Army would use the grain to cover for secretly transporting materials for illicit armor making.

"Yes."

General Yu Sheng of the Forbidden Army maintained a stern expression, staring at Jiang Zhan without a word, clearly indicating that if there’s a problem with the grain, he would personally act.

The Sixth Tiger Camp Commander Duan Chong, Ten Thousand Soldiers Commander Fan Kui, and others were full of anxiety.

Xiao He and Shen Yu were slightly better after previous inspections but still showed concern.

Jiang Zhan, after answering the questions, stepped aside, showing no sign of urgency or anger.

Even more composed than him was Ten Thousand Soldiers Commander Meng Zhen.

Baili Xinghua appeared worried, but deep in his eyes, a different hue flashed by quickly.

Liu Bingmu stared at Baili Xinghua, having a slight suspicion.

Chu Ming did not look, but using the Sword Gourd Spirit also sensed it.

The scheme to frame the master indeed involves Baili Xinghua!

Every armor, weapon, and armor material in the Tiger Armor Army is recorded, whether three thousand sets or thirty thousand sets.

Hiding armor materials in the grain carts and illicitly making armor equates to treason, a grave offense punishable by familial extermination!

The five inspectors began moving, piercing open and checking each grain cart.

The first cart contained only grain; the second had only grain, and so did the third.

The fourth cart... the fifth cart... the sixth cart... the seventh cart...