CHAPTER 791: CHAPTER 790: YOU ARE REALLY MY LUCKY STAR

Wufu and the great talent Yan Er enjoyed themselves immensely every day, having toured through the entire Nanyang Prefecture and visiting countless scenic spots, which left Ah Jiu consumed with jealousy, looking at Yan Er with displeasure and irritation.

Yet Yan Er didn’t find anything wrong with that look, merely considering it envy from Ah Jiu.

"Has there been any word from Jin Yu about when we can set off?" Ah Jiu felt that if he allowed Wufu to continue staying alone with the others, his Wufu would be swept off his feet by someone more opportune.

Yuan Ye, sensing his master’s irritation without understanding its source, replied, "Young Master Jin has indicated that the ships and such are all prepared and we can depart at any time, it all depends on your wishes, my lord."

"Let’s leave tomorrow then, gather all the documents and send them back to the manor," he didn’t want to watch someone else having a good time while leaving him behind.

Yuan Ye responded with an acknowledgment.

"My lord," Tang Shi came in from outside to report, "There seems to be an issue with the military strength in Nanyang Prefecture."

Ah Jiu was taken aback, "What issue?"

Tang Shi pulled out a small scroll from his sleeve, spread it out, and said, "Please look, my lord, I think there’s something fishy with these numbers in the two battles."

As Ah Jiu examined the data, he noticed a discrepancy between the reported casualties after the battle and the actual headcount, with the former being excessively higher.

"My men and I have investigated, and the actual casualties are far less than this number. Yet, the current military strength of Nanyang Prefecture nearly matches the actual headcount," Tang Shi added.

Ah Jiu’s eyes narrowed, and he chuckled, "Are you suggesting that these ’dead’ soldiers have been hidden by Zhao Mingjun?"

Tang Shi replied, "This is a bold speculation on my part."

"Heh, so you’re saying Zhao Mingjun intends to raise these men as his private army? A full ten thousand of them. He really dares!" Ah Jiu counted on his fingers, "This Zhao Mingjun has quite the nerve, I’ve underestimated him!"

Daring to falsify records and hide a private army of ten thousand, what is he planning, a rebellion?

Once or twice, he could slowly conceal them, but who knows if this ten thousand could become twenty or thirty thousand?

"My lord, the Tenth Prince’s private army far exceeds the appropriate size for his royal residence. Should this get out, he would surely be in trouble," Yuan Ye said.

"Uncover these soldiers and send them to the Crown Prince of Nanyue as a dowry for marrying his concubine," Ah Jiu said coldly.

It wasn’t that he wanted to assist the Crown Prince of Nanyue, but leaving these private troops to grow stronger could one day become a threat to Beiyan itself; it would be better to eliminate them now. Besides, he wouldn’t be the one to suffer if the situation blew up.

"My lord, I have a rough idea of where they might be," Yuan Ye suddenly said.

"Hmm?"

Yuan Ye spoke somewhat guiltily, "It’s also a matter that I failed to consider at the time. Here’s what happened: a few days ago, miss and the teacher were visiting the City God Temple outside the city, and as they passed through a village, the teacher casually mentioned that it looked as though it were inhabited by soldiers. I thought it was a place for their families, so I didn’t pay much attention."

"Yan Er discovered this?"

"It was probably the miss who first noticed the details, but it was Qing Feng, who accompanies the teacher, that said those people seemed like military men."

After hearing this, a warmth entered Ah Jiu’s eyes, "Wufu noticed this?"

Yuan Ye nodded. He hadn’t paid much attention when he heard them discuss it, thinking it was just where the soldiers’ families lived. Now, considering Tang Shi’s intelligence, if troops were indeed being hidden, those people might not be mere families after all.

"Whether it’s true or not, verify it and prepare to present the finding to the Crown Prince of Nanyue," Ah Jiu instructed.

"Yes, my lord."

After the two left, Ah Jiu picked up his tea and took a sip, his lips curling into a smile, "Wufu, oh Wufu, you truly are my lucky star."