The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 1231

The next day, Xu Tian began to take stock of the amount of grain released from the granaries, down to the smallest detail, as if he wanted to point out the reasons for the inexplicable deficit in the national treasury in recent years.

Lan Yingwang stood to the side, watching Xu Tian's tally, his heart pounding with fear, afraid that Xu Tian would discover something.

"Prince Lan Ying, I just checked the number of those gold bars, and it seems there's a problem," Xu Tian said in a deep voice, glancing at the restless Prince Lan Ying beside him.

King Lan Ying was taken aback, and clearly remained silent for a while before stammering, "I... well, I didn't know there was a problem with the quantity anywhere?"

Xu Tian sneered. He didn't know the exact quantity, but it was obvious there was something wrong. He said, "I just said it was gold bars. Didn't Prince Lan Ying hear me?"

Lan Yingwang smiled awkwardly and replied, "My... my hearing hasn't been very good these past few days, so I didn't hear you clearly. There shouldn't be any problem with the gold bars, right?"

Regardless of whether there was a problem or not, Prince Lan Ying was prepared to deny everything. He didn't believe Xu Tian could do anything else, since there was no evidence and Li Zhi was still bedridden.

Xu Tian stared at the gold bars for a long time, while Lan Yingwang's heart had been hanging in suspense for a long time.

After about half a cup of tea's time, Xu Tiantian said "Oh," and then said, "I must have been mistaken; the gold bars are stacked together."

Lan Yingwang was clearly relieved; thankfully, no one had noticed.

Xu Tian continued to take stock of the grain; now was not the time to reveal the truth.

If I were to point out that Lan Yingwang stole the gold bars at this time, then Lan Yingwang would try to sabotage me regarding the grain supply.

Xu Tian wasn't afraid of Lan Yingwang's difficulties, but the people who were suffering from famine couldn't wait; this was their chance to survive.

"Alright, mark these grains. They must be sorted out as quickly as possible on the day of departure, understand?" Xu Tian instructed the guards beside him.

Lan Yingwang didn't hear what came after that, only the word "All done," and his eyes immediately lit up. "Lord Gao, all done?"

Xu Tian hummed in agreement, glanced at Lan Yingwang with an inscrutable look, and walked out without saying anything.

The food supplies have been counted; all that's left is to escort Shen Qing to the disaster area with the soldiers.

"My lord, should we have our men escort Lord Shen there? That would be safer," Lord Gao's personal guard asked.

Xu Tian squinted, pondering the matter. If they sent their men to escort him, it would probably not be so easy for Lan Yingwang's men to get Shen Qing to the disaster area.

"No need, let the troops under these men escort them there." Xu Tian pointed to the names of several people on the list of military officers.

The bodyguard's eyes widened in shock. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, but it was still the same group of people.

"My lord, am I seeing things? These must be the people who always speak up for King Yinglan, right?" The implication was that these were King Yinglan's men.

Xu Tian nodded; he had done it on purpose.