Chapter 213: Covert Investigation - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

Chapter 213: Covert Investigation

While Liang Quanbin was happily preparing for his imminent appointment to Jinling, Feng Jinxu and his team had been covertly investigating the city for several days. Xu Lin and his subordinates were indeed extraordinary; within a few days, they had unearthed every detail about Jinling.

When a sea of intelligence landed on Feng Jinxu's desk, he meticulously reviewed each piece, while Fu Yu burned the reports after they were read.

Soon, the intricate details of Jinling’s past and present unfolded in Feng Jinxu’s mind like a painting.

Jinling, once the capital of a dynasty a thousand years ago, had fallen into decline due to prolonged wars and natural disasters. The capital was then moved north to its current location. Free from imperial control, Jinling flourished into a wealthy city over centuries, benefiting the surrounding regions as well.

However, the city's prosperity meant that it was effectively controlled by local merchants and gentry rather than the central government. The establishment of the Naval Transport Command with its 3,000 soldiers was aimed at countering the power of the four major families.

Chi, Min, Cao, and Zhu—the true power holders in Jinling. Even the Naval Transport Commander had to show deference to these families.

For a high-ranking official to bow to merchants was a disgrace, yet no one dared challenge them.

The primary reason was that these families controlled immense wealth, vast lands, and private armies.

With money, land, and soldiers, they had little to fear from outsiders. Among them, the Chi family held the deepest roots.

For 500 years, the Chi family had dominated Jinling. Though initially focused on commerce and farming, they nearly faced extinction during turbulent times until the 21st family head, Chi Chengxu, restored their fortunes. Leveraging maritime trade, he established connections with various island nations, bringing untold wealth to the Chi family.

The exact location of the Chi family's private soldiers was unknown, but an emperor who once attempted to suppress them saw his 10,000-strong army vanish, and he later died mysteriously.

Subsequent emperors, wary of the Chi family's power, adopted a lenient policy, and the Chi family contributed a quarter of the national treasury annually.

Thus, over a century, the Chi family solidified their dominance in Jinling. Even the Cao family, despite producing a Naval Transport Commander, couldn't challenge them.

Now under the 24th head, Chi Zimo, the Chi family’s influence extended far and wide. Jinling had a saying, 'The world may change, but the Chi family remains,' reflecting their enduring power.

Feng Jinxu, born and raised in the eastern capital, had never understood Jinling so deeply until now. Learning about the Chi family’s power, his expression grew grim.

"The Chi family is a force that even the combined strength of the Min, Cao, and Zhu families can’t match. Investigating them is beyond us."

Feng Jinxu’s group, numbering only seven or eight, were mere ants compared to the Chi family.

Xu Lin frowned, "Then what does the master suggest?"

"We’ll target the Zhu and Cao families! The Cao family has just lost the support of the Naval Transport Commander and is weakened. The Zhu family, meanwhile, is basking in the glory of their upcoming marriage alliance with the Chi family. With one on the rise and the other in decline, they are more likely to slip up. Investigating them will be faster!"

"Yes!"

Xu Lin glanced at the mention of the Min family and worried Feng Jinxu might want to investigate them, but Feng Jinxu said, "The Min family has a noble consort, and they are related to Prince Ding. They likely have little to do with this matter, so we won’t waste effort on them."

"Understood."

Feng Jinxu’s intense gaze made even the stoic Xu Lin uncomfortable.

"Master?"

"Nothing. You may proceed."

"Yes."

After Xu Lin left, Feng Jinxu handed the Min family report to Fu Yu. "Burn it."

"Yes."

As the paper vanished in flames, Feng Jinxu pondered a bold theory.

The military, the Min family, corruption cases—perhaps Xu Lin’s backer was someone he had overlooked.

If it was indeed him, why was he involved with his maternal grandfather?

Each solved mystery led to another.

Days later, in the distant Prince Ding's mansion, Yang Zhao presented Xu Lin’s report to Xiao Tingyi.

Reading it swiftly, Xiao Tingyi's eyes gleamed with admiration.

"My judgment was right. Feng Jinxu is meticulous and quick-witted."

Yang Zhao remained silent. Since the prince had defended Feng San at Prince Kang's mansion, he seemed different, paying more attention to those related to her.

"What do you mean, my lord?"

"They’ve been watching the Zhu family for so long without finding evidence, but Feng Jinxu uncovered most of it in a few days. As expected from someone from the Dali Temple, he’s quick at finding evidence."

Yang Zhao was astonished. The Zhu family was notoriously tough.

He wouldn’t have expected Feng Jinxu to find clues so swiftly, making him curious.

"How did Feng Jinxu manage it, my lord?"

Xiao Tingyi handed him the letter, and Yang Zhao's admiration grew as he read.

The Zhu family, though not as powerful as the Chi or Min families, was on par with the Cao family, leading to fierce competition over the years. The Zhu family had been suppressed by the Cao family’s influence in the Naval Transport Command, leaving them with only minor positions in the bureaucracy.