Xuanqing Guard

"Arrest first? Explain your reasoning."

Though the matter was urgent, it was not yet at the point of utmost crisis. Moreover, the gravity of the case required the chosen course of action to be weighed many times over. As the principal handler of the case, Shen Hao’s opinion carried immense weight. Thus, Pang Ban listened intently for Shen Hao’s justification for "arresting first."

Shen Hao had already prepared his draft before coming, so he cupped his hands and said, "Sir, in my opinion, half of the two-month timeframe has already elapsed. If we delay any further, first there may be unexpected changes, second, I’m afraid we won’t leave enough time for the subsequent apprehensions. Moving promptly—ideally within the next two days—is most proper.

We should first arrest according to the list, then keep tracing the trail, and finally lock onto the leader of the conspiracy."

To put it plainly, Shen Hao’s strategy was "waging war to sustain war": using the intelligence already at hand to seize the initiative, knocking down a suspect to glean new information, then using that information to apprehend the next. This would dramatically accelerate the progress of the investigation, making it feasible to close the case within two months. However, each move must be executed swiftly, leaving the enemy little time to react.

"You want to arrest within two days?"

"Yes, sir. Preferably today or at the latest by tomorrow before dawn. That’s why I was in such haste to report. If Zhang De and Xu Qian do not return to the Imperial City or appear before the Jingxi Army to return those dozens of storage bags at the scheduled time, those worms in the Ministry of War will likely suspect something, and may enact a desperate counterattack. If that happens, all our previous efforts would be for naught."

At this point, the case was like casting a net to catch fish—not for the small fry, but for the big ones. If the net were drawn in too slowly and the big fish escaped, leaving only shrimp behind, it would spell a disastrous failure.

"How confident are you in seizing the mastermind?"

Shen Hao shook his head. "At most, I have fifty percent confidence, sir." He did not ask nor state who the mastermind was, nor did he speculate, but all three in the Public Office tacitly understood.

"Fifty percent... If I assign Golden Sword Cultivators to surveil key targets, how much would that boost your confidence?" Pang Ban paused for a moment and then added this question, his gaze intense as he awaited Shen Hao’s answer.

Golden Sword Cultivators helping to monitor major figures?

Shen Hao’s spirits immediately lifted. By Pang Ban’s implication, as long as he nodded, the operation was all but secured. If so, the time window for arrests and interrogations would widen considerably, and the adversary’s reaction time would shrink further.

Quickly running the scenarios in his mind, Shen Hao bowed. "With the support of Golden Sword Cultivators in surveillance, my confidence can increase by another ten or twenty percent, at least."

"That would yield sixty to seventy percent. And if His Majesty were to summon all the ministers for a day’s hunt in the Royal Forest Garden?"

Shen Hao could only exclaim inwardly: Good heavens!

"If the prime suspects could be held up for a full day, then confidence could rise by yet another ten or twenty percent!"

Only then did Pang Ban nod in approval. With seventy or eighty percent confidence, there was no longer any need to hesitate. Barring extraordinary bad luck, the outcome couldn’t be too bad.

"Very well. You and Lord Jiang return to the Governor’s Office and await orders. I will enter the palace to request an audience with His Majesty immediately. You will be summoned as soon as there is news."

"At your command, sir."

With that, Pang Ban hurriedly changed into his court attire and headed to the Imperial Palace, while Jiang Cheng led Shen Hao back to the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office. Neither dared to wander; they ate lunch at the office and waited quietly for word. Not until the early 3:00 p.m. hour did word arrive that Pang Ban had summoned them again, so the two hurried to the Commander’s Office to meet him.

Pang Ban’s face still bore a smile, yet seemed stern; he handed two orders to Shen Hao: "One is the Commander’s Office granting you temporary authority to arrest the principal offenders. One is His Majesty’s own approved ’arrest warrant,’ with no upper limit placed. As long as you have real evidence or witnesses, you may arrest anyone.

Hundred Households of Shen, you are a wise and capable man. You should know the weight these two authorizations carry. After you receive them, I hope you will do your duty and act strictly according to the law. Do not create unnecessary trouble. Especially now, when the situation is sensitive and the military is in the spotlight, remember not to be overly heavy-handed. Avoid unmanageable complications. Do you understand my meaning?"

Shen Hao cupped his hands and replied, "I understand, sir. I will act with utmost caution and never bring trouble upon your office."

"In addition to these two orders, I’ve also made arrangements with the people at Fenghong Manor. Starting at 9:00 p.m. tonight, every official in the Ministry of War from Junior Fifth Grade to just below Junior Third Grade will be placed under surveillance.

And tonight, all officials of Junior Third Grade and above currently in the Imperial City will be invited by His Majesty to go hunting at the West Forest Garden for one day tomorrow. So control your timing well—use your own phrase—act with blinding speed.

Go then. I await your good news."

Shen Hao bowed and withdrew.

Jiang Cheng, however, was held back by Pang Ban.

"Your disciple has quite the nerve. But he’s also a capable young man with much potential." Pang Ban tucked Shen Hao’s list into the drawer, making casual conversation with Jiang Cheng.

"Heh, sir, you flatter him. That boy Shen Hao certainly is bold—sometimes even I find myself startled by him. But he’s also measured and won’t get into any irreparable trouble."

"You have great confidence in him. If, in this case, Yang Yansi is truly behind matters, much remains uncertain. Regardless of the outcome, your disciple will become a thorn in the side of many. With one misstep, his fate could be dire. You should start planning early."

Jiang Cheng understood Pang Ban’s implication. Whether this "Ma San Case" succeeded or failed—no matter which rank those implicated belonged to—for Shen Hao as the lead investigator, it would be both a tremendous achievement and an immense grudge. The military was an entangled web of interests—pulling one strand could shake the whole structure. By then, the number of enemies Shen Hao would have could be imagined.

If Shen Hao were merely a discardable pawn and could just be abandoned, that would be one thing. But Jiang Cheng was not one to use others and discard them, and Shen Hao was not without potential. As a superior, one must now consider not only the case, but also the post-case prospects for one’s own man.

The military would hate Shen Hao for enmity; the Civil Servant Group would seize the chance to punish him, for he was too capable.

To become the target of all sides is never a good thing, and even with Xuanqing Guard as protection, it remains a major hidden danger. Unless, of course, Shen Hao’s position is raised, so that those plotting against him are forced to think twice.

The so-called strong will grow stronger, but only if there’s room to buffer; without protection, even great potential will be snuffed out.

Jiang Cheng smiled, "I have some ideas on that score as well. But this boy is climbing too fast and lacks a solid foundation. He is now already a Junior Fifth Grade Hundred Households. If we promote him further, there’s hardly much room. I plan to keep him at Hundred Households for now but raise his rank to Senior Fifth Grade."

"Advance his rank without changing his post?"

"Yes, sir. This way, he can continue developing Fengri City as a pilot region, further reduce constraints, and help him withstand troubles in the future. What do you think, sir?"