Chapter 580 - 468: A Secret (Part 3)

So, if we really want to print books, we need to find a group of skilled printing workers, purchase ink, and also buy paper.

If the mulberry paper used for printing has quality requirements, it may even need special customization...

If this is a book meant to be passed down through the ages, the standards are even higher.

This is indeed a massive project.

To be able to publish a book is to leave one’s name in history, and not everyone has that qualification.

To be honest, Lin Miao does have the intention of printing his medical books, but he hasn’t thought about it yet. For one, he thinks if he does it now, it might be too high-profile and invite criticism, bringing unnecessary trouble upon himself.

Secondly, having experienced two lifetimes, his mentality has become more peaceful, and he doesn’t place too much importance on fame and fortune. Otherwise, why would he put all those businesses under his woman’s name? If he were truly a greedy person, why wouldn’t he hold them in his own hands? Would his senior sisters leave him because of this?

"I don’t oppose publishing, but this matter, let’s do it low-key. At first, print a few copies; in case I become famous in the future, this set could be worth something," Lin Miao said with a smile.

"Mr. Lin, my father wants to take the lead on this matter. He asked me to find out your thoughts."

"I naturally have no problem with it here, but I’ll bear the expenses for the publication myself. I can afford this much money."

"Alright, I’ll tell him later."

...

In the inner courtyard of the Dongshan Prefecture office.

"Mr. Dong, a letter from the capital has arrived." Zhuo Qingfeng walked through the archway of the inner courtyard without hindrance and went directly to Pei Jian’s study.

"Oh, quickly give it to me." Hearing this, Pei Jian immediately set down the brush in his hand and stood up with an outstretched hand.

Zhuo Qingfeng took out a bamboo tube and handed it to Pei Jian.

Pei Jian checked the seal on the bamboo tube and found it intact, indicating it hadn’t been tampered with, and that he would be the first to read its contents.

Of course, there was also a symbol on the bamboo tube that Pei Jian recognized at a glance as belonging to the Crown Prince’s East Palace. This carrier pigeon message was sent by the Crown Prince.

At this moment, the Crown Prince sending a confidential message clearly indicated something very important, as it was easy for the Emperor to become suspicious of the Crown Prince’s contact with external officials.

Usually, even when Pei Jian actively contacted the Crown Prince, it was through official channels.

Pei Jian took out a sharp small knife, specifically used to remove the wax seal on the bamboo tube. It couldn’t be done by hand because the wax seal concealed poisoned needles.

This was also to prevent anyone from intercepting the pigeon message; if the seal was removed by hand, the hidden poisoned needle would injure them.

With the wax seal removed, the tip of the knife gently pried, and the wooden stopper of the bamboo tube fell out—this required skill, with the force and angle needing to be just right.

Then, by gently tapping the opening of the bamboo tube on the table three times, a scroll of paper slid down the tube wall, and Pei Jian reached out to pull the scroll into his hand.

He unfolded it.

The piece of paper was small, containing about a hundred or so words.

However, the content on it caused Pei Jian to show a hint of disappointment.

"Mr. Dong, what did the Crown Prince say?" Noting the change in Pei Jian’s expression, Zhuo Qingfeng took a step forward and asked.

"You’ll understand once you read it."

Zhuo Qingfeng took it, scanned the content, and gasped in surprise, "The Emperor still wants to protect Marquis Lingyang?"

"The Emperor isn’t protecting Marquis Lingyang; he’s protecting Prince Qi. If Marquis Lingyang is convicted, it will inevitably affect Prince Qi. The Emperor still hasn’t fully decided to establish the Crown Prince’s position," Pei Jian sighed deeply.

"How could the Emperor be so confused?"

"Qingfeng, be careful with your words!" Pei Jian promptly admonished, although they were in his inner courtyard, if anyone overheard and spread the words, it would bring disaster.

"Mr. Dong, I’ve actually heard some rumors in the capital, saying that Prince Qi seems obedient and clever on the surface, but in reality, he’s rebellious, cold-blooded, and selfish. At a young age, he’s already brought harm to many palace maids. Young palace maids from Rouyi Palace occasionally go missing, disappearing without a trace, leading to ghost rumors in the palace, but Consort Xue has suppressed these rumors!" Zhuo Qingfeng said cautiously, his heart moved.

"What, such a thing happened?"

"Mr. Dong, rumors might emerge from subtle hints, but our Prince Qi certainly has traces of a small-minded and vengeful personality. Do you remember the incident a few years ago where a young eunuch serving him, in a moment of anxiety, slightly scalded the soup medicine he delivered, and was subsequently whipped twenty times in public?"

Pei Jian nodded; he vaguely remembered that incident, as the Crown Prince had reprimanded Qi, who was still the Fifth Prince, in public.

For such a small matter, to punish a eunuch so severely, showing complete disregard for life, it’s natural for the Crown Prince, as the eldest brother, to discipline him.

"Afterwards, Prince Qi vented his anger on that young eunuch, who is now missing without a trace, probably without even a grave," Zhuo Qingfeng said.

Such brutality and ruthlessness left Pei Jian silent. If the Da Li Dynasty were handed over to Prince Qi, it would likely be doomed.

The investigation into the Xue Family Manor case was almost concluded during the initial stages, with all necessary arrests and wanted notices issued. The Imperial Envoy was merely there to go through the motions to complete the follow-up procedures.

The problem lay in the characterization of the case.

The Imperial Envoy delayed for time under the pretext of not acclimatizing to the local conditions and feeling unwell, likely to observe and listen to the whispers from above.

Mr. Su was also aware that this case was difficult to handle and best to have clear instructions from above.

The Ministry of Justice assistant minister Cui Xiang, being a person of Consort Xue, naturally leaned towards Marquis Lingyang, determining that the Marquis was deceived by the Green Blade Sect and Ye Shengyuan, believing it was merely ordinary smuggling.

Indeed, smuggling some rare medicinal herbs and jade minerals from Beihu wasn’t considered a major crime. The medicinal herbs could heal, and the jade was just an ornament; it was a harmless issue.

But selling weapons and equipment to Beihu was different in nature; this was arming an enemy with weapons. If Beihu invaded the border, these weapons would inevitably harm Da Li’s border troops and innocent civilians.

The criminals associated with Marquis Lingyang naturally knew which crime would result in lighter punishment; at worst, they would sacrifice themselves to protect their families.

Therefore, regarding the private weapon smuggling to Beihu, everyone insisted that they had neither seen nor knew about it.

Of course, Pei Jian also knew that Cui Xiang had hinted during the interrogation, but Pei Jian had no evidence.

After all, he had no reason to stop Cui Xiang from interrogating the suspects, as the Ministry of Justice was professional in investigating and interrogating, and Cui Xiang was Su Mobai’s deputy, so he wouldn’t make it easy for him. In the end, he would be impeached for obstruction and coercion, framed for Marquis Lingyang; how could a suspicious emperor suspect otherwise?

Unfortunately, Su Mobai had clearly retreated; without his persistence, Pei Jian couldn’t prevail despite his best efforts.