If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Zhang Fan is dead?"

Zhou Wu wasn't even mentally prepared when Zhang Fan died like that?

Although Zhang Fan had long been condemned to death in Zhou Wu's mind, he didn't expect it to happen so quickly and unexpectedly.

Where is the person now?

"Sir, General Zhang's body is still in his tent."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wu immediately rushed over.

Zhang Fan's tent was already surrounded by people. After all, the death of a general of Zhang Fan's caliber was a major event in Dalong.

"Zhou Wu, you've arrived."

There were too many people, and Zhou Wu squeezed his way in, only to find that Crown Prince Li Junren was already there.

"what happened?"

Zhou Wu looked bewildered, but Li Junren stared at him for a long time.

"What do you mean by this? You don't suspect me, do you? I have no grudge against him whatsoever."

"Look at you, I didn't say anything."

Li Junren was only slightly suspicious just now. After all, Zhang Fan and Zhou Wu had spent a long time alone together yesterday, and Zhang Fan died the next day, while Zhou Wu was unharmed.

However, Zhou Wu was right. As far as he knew, Zhang Fan and Zhou Wu really had no grudges. They had only had one unpleasant encounter in the capital, but no one would put someone to death over such a trivial matter.

"Is His Majesty aware of this?"

"My father has already come and asked me to investigate Zhang Fan's cause of death thoroughly, whether it was due to his own actions or murder."

"Is there any result?"

"Still waiting for the coroner."

"Oh."

Zhou Wu remained calm, showing no signs of tension or fear, just like everyone else, merely an observer.

The coroner was soon brought in.

"Everyone else, go out first."

"Yes~"

Everyone was cleared out, including Zhou Wu. Only the coroner, the crown prince, and a few imperial guards remained inside.

. . . . . . . .

Outside the tent, everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts. After all, there were many intricate relationships among the higher-ups, whether individuals or groups.

"I say, General Zhang, he was fine when he came back yesterday, how could he suddenly die?"

Everyone was discussing it privately in twos and threes, and Zhou Wu also took the opportunity to join a gossip group.

"I don't know, but I heard that yesterday the Emperor had the imperial physician examine General Zhang's injuries, saying they were very serious and he might be bedridden for the rest of his life. Then General Zhang started drinking, and this morning he was found dead."

Drinking? So he really did drink.

Zhou Wu initially thought Zhang Fan had died of natural causes, but it turned out he had actually been drinking.

A few days ago, Zhou Wu's subordinates presented him with a poison that, when taken with alcohol, would cause poisoning, and the poison would be impossible to fake.

Yesterday, Zhang Fan stole Zhou Wu's rabbit, and Zhou Wu had already put the drug in the rabbit beforehand.

Zhang Fan thought he would drink alcohol at least a couple of days later, but when he heard that he might be bedridden for the rest of his life, he was filled with grief and indignation and drank heavily that very day.

Zhou Wu was still somewhat flustered. Although the drug was colorless and odorless and wouldn't be discovered, he had never done it before, so who knew? If the coroner was a capable person, Zhou Wu would definitely be the prime suspect.

When the sun was high in the sky, he finally came out. Li Junren's face was expressionless, and he didn't say anything to anyone. He took the coroner and went straight to Li Tiancheng's tent.

"What did you say you discovered?"

"It's hard to say. Yesterday, General Zhang was injured, but he was still perfectly healthy and active."

"But who would dare to murder him in this camp?"

"It looks like he died from poisoning?"

Everyone was gossiping, and when one of them mentioned poisoning, Zhou Wu's toes clenched tightly.

"With so many imperial guards in this camp, they wouldn't be able to hear a fight. So, if it was murder, it could only be poison."

"Damn it," Zhou Wu cursed under his breath. He thought someone had discovered something, but it turned out they were just reading gossip and making things up on their own.

. . . . . . .

Everyone is waiting for the final result.

The group followed the Crown Prince and the coroner to wait outside the Emperor's tent.

It's unclear what exactly was said, but in the end, Li Tiancheng himself came out to make the announcement.

"According to the coroner's examination, Zhang Fan died suddenly from excessive drinking after being injured. It was not a homicide. My dear ministers, do not spread rumors. Disperse."

Zhou Wu, who was mingling in the crowd, finally felt relieved after hearing the answer.

However, just as Zhou Wu was about to turn and leave like everyone else, he was quietly stopped by the Crown Prince.

"what?"

"Your father is calling you."

My heart, which had just settled, jumped back into my throat. What did this mean? Had we really been discovered?

Zhou Wu was already thinking about how to explain himself, or whether to just stick to his guns.

"what's up?"

"I don't know, you'll find out when you get there."

For Zhou Wu, those few steps were as difficult as a pilgrimage.

Why are you walking so slowly? Are you injured too?

Li Junren turned around and saw Zhou Wu still dawdling there, and said somewhat impatiently.

. . . . .

Upon entering the main tent, Zhou Wu cautiously looked up at Li Tiancheng, who was actually reading a book.

There was no excessive sadness on his face.

"I see your Majesty."

"sit down."

Li Tiancheng didn't look up at Zhou Wu, but simply greeted him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Zhou Wu, do you know why I summoned you here?"

Li Tiancheng's voice was very calm, but when it reached Wu Zhong's ears, it seemed to have a hidden meaning.

Zhou Wu always felt that Li Tiancheng might know something and was deliberately trying to get him to confess, which was probably a sign that he had something to hide.

"I truly do not know."

"Hmph, you don't know? You actually say you don't know?"

It was too late; the truth had already been revealed.

"I am guilty."

“You are indeed guilty. Tell me yourself, why are the tributes from the South China Sea three days late this time? They always arrived ahead of time before.”

"Tribute?"

"Yes, do you know that I've been driven crazy by the harem these past few days? The Empress is a little better, but the other concubines are now eating all kinds of fruits and seafood snacks from the South China Sea every day. They say that, as you South China Sea people say, the food is pleasing to the eye and won't make you fat."

Since Zhou Wu went to the South China Sea, he has noticed that due to the unique equatorial weather in the South China Sea, many fruits are not available in the mainland.

In addition, Zhou Wu developed some small seafood snacks on his own, such as dried shrimp and squid strips.

In order to make these products sell well, Zhou Wu made sure to send tribute to the palace every month, hoping to open up sales channels. This method did indeed boost the sales of special products from the South China Sea.

"Uh~"

Zhou Wu knew this; these were the very words he had taught everyone to say back then. After all, no matter how good a product is, advertising is still essential.

"Even the autumn hunt is no peace after you've trained. The imperial harem has sent word all the way here, asking me to urge you on. Aren't you just causing me trouble?"

Damn, so that's how it is. Zhou Wu's mood was like a rollercoaster.

"Your Majesty, it was my fault. I am guilty. I will take care of it immediately and guarantee that such a mistake will never happen again."