Xiao Jingyun nodded, "Very well. Then this matter will be yours to command. Also, remember this: after the net is closed, interrogate them thoroughly to see if they know the whereabouts of your beloved minister, Fang Zhengfang."
Tian Wenhao received the order and left. Xiao Jingyun then looked at Zhu Ziming beside him, "Go and keep Bei'er steady, don't let him suspect anything."
With all arrangements made, a hint of relief appeared on Xiao Jingyun's face. Zhou Quan, seeing this, cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness's foresight is remarkable. The Kingdom of Dalin will surely not expect you to see through their scheme, so Ji Prefecture can rest assured."
Xiao Jingyun, however, waved his hand, "We must not let our guard down. The situation in Ji Prefecture is more complex than we imagine."
As they were speaking, hurried footsteps sounded from outside. Bai Han rushed in.
Seeing it was Bai Han, Xiao Jingyun quickly stood up, as Bai Han represented his father.
Bai Han cupped his fists towards Xiao Jingyun and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence in the palace for a meeting."
Bai Han personally coming to invite him made Xiao Jingyun realize the gravity of the situation. He quickly dressed and followed him into the palace, asking as they walked, "Guard Bai, what exactly has happened?"
Bai Han lowered his voice, "Your Highness, you should be aware of what happened outside the city today, shouldn't you?"
Xiao Jingyun nodded, "I did hear. Fish schools have gathered outside all four gates, and even the monks and Taoists who were performing rituals have fled."
Hearing this, Bai Han sighed, "Yes, Your Highness. His Majesty ordered me to find people to perform rituals again, but we've searched for monks and Taoists within a radius of two hundred li, and none are willing to come."
Xiao Jingyun understood at this point. His father must be looking for him to discuss this matter.
As he walked, he pondered internally, this matter is unsolvable. If the monks and Taoists are unwilling to come, what good method could he have?
Xiao Jingyun entered the Imperial Study and saw his father, bowing respectfully, "Your unworthy son greets His Majesty."
Xiao An nodded, "Rise. You have been in charge of state affairs for the past few days. How do you find it? Have you encountered any difficult matters?"
Xiao Jingyun cupped his fists again, "Replying to Father, I have only handled ordinary official documents these past few days, and there have been no difficulties."
"Oh, yes. A few days ago, Crown Prince Qiao Sen of the Kingdom of Dalin sent a messenger, requesting an exchange of Zhu Meng and fifty thousand Han soldiers for his master, the Taoist Master Jueding."
Hearing this, Xiao An's eyes lit up, "Oh, such a thing happened? How did you handle it?"
"Replying to Father, I ordered people to secretly track the movements of the envoys and have learned all about their secret communication points in our capital. If nothing unexpected happens, these points will be uprooted tonight."
Xiao An nodded approvingly, a smile appearing on his face, "Good, you handled this matter beautifully. However, it is best not to alarm the envoy, otherwise, it will make us appear petty."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. As for that envoy, Bei'er, I have already instructed Zhu Ziming to keep him occupied. He will certainly not suspect anything."
After discussing this topic, father and son fell silent simultaneously.
Xiao An hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
"Have you heard about the events outside the city today?"
Xiao Jingyun bowed slightly, "Your Majesty, I heard about it early this morning. I believe that rather than relying on monks and Taoists who cannot control the situation, it would be better to let it be and let them gossip."
Xiao An's eyes widened, "Nonsense! If we let them spread rumors, who knows what they will eventually say? This matter must be resolved quickly."
Xiao Jingyun was very helpless, spreading his hands, "But I just asked Guard Bai, and there are no more monks and Taoists in the vicinity willing to perform rituals. What should we do?"
Xiao An looked at Xiao Jingyun and said word by word, very seriously, "Tomorrow morning, you will issue an imperial decree under the name of the Crown Prince's Mansion, offering a reward to any extraordinary individuals in the populace who can break this fish school gathering and the evil sorcery. There will be generous rewards."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun finally understood why his father had urgently summoned him. He wanted him to take the lead, while he himself remained in the background. In other words, if his plan failed, his father would still have room to maneuver.
Thinking this, Xiao Jingyun felt a sense of admiration for his father. This method was indeed good; at least it left an escape route for the royal family.
But while his father had an escape route, he did not.
The next morning, the fish school still gathered at the city gates, and the city was in greater panic.
Xiao Jingyun knew that if he didn't post this notice soon, the people would be in a state of panic. Helplessly, he ordered the imperial decree to be posted, promising a generous reward to anyone who could break this demonic phenomenon.
Chen Xiaobei mingled with the crowd, looking at the imperial decree posted by Xiao Jingyun. He secretly rejoiced that everything was under his control.
He was not in a hurry to claim the reward, because he had just received news that morning that Yang Chun and the others had escorted Cui Hongyu away from Hetou Village the previous afternoon. It would take him two days and two nights, nearly three days, to reach Wannian City at full speed. Cui Hongyu and the others, even with a carriage, would take at least five or six days, and that was traveling day and night.
Therefore, it wouldn't be too late to claim the reward after three days.
Chen Xiaobei could wait, but Liu Kai could not.
That evening, Liu Kai personally came to the inn to visit Chen Xiaobei.
"Village Chief Chen, when do you think we should make our move? The city is in chaos."
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, poured a cup of tea, and placed it before Liu Kai.
"Head Steward, why are you so anxious?"
"Let the common people be in chaos for two more days. The more chaotic, the better. It's like a boil; once the pus is out, it will be easier to treat, won't it?"
Hearing his words, Liu Kai was stunned for a moment, then gave Chen Xiaobei a thumbs-up.
"What Village Chief Chen said is indeed true. I am ashamed to be inferior to you. Then we shall wait for two more days."
By the end of the day, no one had come to claim the reward, and Xiao Jingyun felt deeply disheartened.
In the evening, facing a large table of wine and dishes, he had no appetite. He picked up his chopsticks and sighed repeatedly.
Seeing this, Captain Zhou Quan couldn't help but try to persuade him, "Your Highness, please eat something. Your health is important. I believe someone will eventually step forward to help you."
Xiao Jingyun, however, shook his head and put down his chopsticks heavily, "Zhou Quan, do you think these two matters might be related?"
Zhou Quan was stunned and did not quite understand Xiao Jingyun's meaning.
"Your Highness, you mean..."
"I mean, could this strange gathering of fish schools and the disappearance of the esteemed minister Fang be the work of the same group of people?"
"Your Highness, you mean this fish school gathering is caused by someone's mischief, and not..."
Xiao Jingyun nodded, "The Great Cang Kingdom has never experienced such strange occurrences in all these years, so I believe someone must have used some kind of evil sorcery."