Chapter 36: You framed me, what the hell do you want me to say?

At the government office of the Shanglin Park, Da Niu and the others watched as Qin Feng studied the high-quality rice seedlings, unable to comprehend his actions.

"Sir, what is our official doing? These are top-tier seedlings, and he is just wasting them like this?"

Zhou Huang replied expressionlessly, "Is it for you to question what Grand Tutor Qin wishes to do?"

Da Niu curled his lip, whispering to himself, "What a waste of these seedlings. If we planted them come next spring, we’d be getting two or three piculs per mu!"

Qin Feng, however, was observing the high-quality seedlings with great care. If he could cross-pollinate these varieties, he could develop the first generation of hybrid rice seeds, thereby gradually increasing the yield per mu. This was a process of transitioning from quantitative to qualitative change, one that would require a long time of experimentation. With the land now fertilized by wood ash and the addition of these superior seedlings, increasing grain production was merely a matter of time.

Yet, with such vast farmland in the Shanglin Park, how could he rely solely on grain? Qin Feng pondered selecting a fertile plot for fruits and vegetables.

He gestured to Zhou Huang, saying, "Commander Zhou, come here for a moment."

"At your service!"

"Once your men finish plowing the land at the Shanglin Park, I intend to select a plot for cultivating fruits and vegetables. We must not waste the fertile land provided by the Imperial Court; we must make the most of it. After the plowing is done, your task is to purchase and stockpile as many fruit and vegetable seeds as possible. Come next spring, I want to see the Shanglin Park brimming with new life."

Zhou Huang bowed and said, "Understood!"

"Is the silver allocated by the Court still sufficient?"

"I haven't calculated it precisely, but there is more than enough for seeds."

"That is good. The affairs of the Shanglin Park are temporarily in your hands. Report to me whenever anything arises."

"Yes!"

Qin Feng walked out of the office and gazed at the fertile fields of the Shanglin Park, inwardly lamenting, *How wonderful it would be if I could build plastic greenhouses? If I could create a greenhouse effect, the yield of the crops would be even greater.*

Plastic greenhouses! A flash of inspiration struck Qin Feng. It seemed he needed to develop plastic as quickly as possible; it would have a miraculous effect on farming.

***

Just as Qin Feng was mentally calculating the logistics of building plastic greenhouses, the accountant from the newspaper office rushed to the Shanglin Park in a panic.

"Master Qin! A disaster has occurred! Our newspaper office has been sealed by the Imperial Court! They claim someone reported you for embezzling imperial treasury funds, and they intend to conduct a thorough investigation!"

Hearing the accountant’s words, Qin Feng’s mind began to buzz. What? Who the hell dared to seal the newspaper office? That was a state-run enterprise! Could it be that Old Zhu’s suspicious nature had flared up? Had he actually targeted him?

Qin Feng knew that Old Zhu had zero tolerance for corruption and bribery. He likely heard rumors at court and grew suspicious of the newspaper’s operations.

Qin Feng sighed helplessly, "If the Court wants to audit our books, let them. We have operated with integrity; those who stand straight do not fear a crooked shadow. There is no need for such panic."

The accountant said excitedly, "But... they claim to have already found evidence of your embezzlement and want to take you in for questioning."

Qin Feng slammed the table and cursed, "Bullshit! Who embezzled treasury funds? Every transaction in the newspaper office is recorded, and all profits are turned over to the Court. Whoever embezzled is a spineless coward!"

The accountant said urgently, "Master Qin, we should return to the newspaper office and confront the officials from the Ministry of Revenue. No matter how I explained it to them, they used official seals to shut us down."

They even applied seals? Was Old Zhu serious? Without Old Zhu’s nod, these people wouldn't have the audacity to investigate the office. Qin Feng had always thought of Old Zhu as a heroic figure, but in a critical moment, he was acting like a complete fool! Could Hu Weiyong be the one pulling the strings? Even if he were, how could Old Zhu be deceived by him? Unless the Emperor truly held suspicions.

Qin Feng felt incredibly frustrated. Since ancient times, seeking trust from a monarch was like skinning a tiger for its hide. He had no choice but to return to the newspaper office with the accountant.

Sure enough, a group of people was waiting at the entrance, and the doors were plastered with official seals. Li Tai, the Minister of Revenue, dressed in his dark green official robes, looked at Qin Feng with contempt. "Qin Feng, you managed the newspaper and embezzled imperial funds. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Qin Feng rolled his eyes dramatically and said, "You are framing me, so why should I talk to you at all?"

***

"How bold! You dare to spout such nonsense and express dissatisfaction with the Emperor’s decree! Are you planning a rebellion?"

Qin Feng retorted, "You corrupt official, you frame an innocent man, and I can't even curse you for it? You say I embezzled funds—show me the evidence!"

Li Tai had a chest of silver brought before Qin Feng and sneered, "This is the evidence! Silver found in the office—caught red-handed! Men, take Qin Feng away!"

The enforcement officers behind Li Tai prepared to seize Qin Feng, but were kicked away by the calm and collected Ren Gui. Ren Gui stood expressionlessly, holding a sword to Li Tai’s neck, and shouted coldly, "Back off! Or I will kill him!"

Li Tai was so terrified he nearly wet himself. He shouted to the soldiers, "Back off! Everyone back off! Spare me, mistress! I am only following orders; my hands are tied!"

Qin Feng sneered, "Every transaction at the newspaper is recorded, including the silver provided by the Emperor’s inner treasury. I remember every single penny. And now you say I embezzled? I believe the Emperor is a wise monarch who knows nothing of this. Who exactly sent you to frame me? Speak!"

Trembling, Li Tai stammered, "It... it really was the Emperor who sent me. Without his decree, how would I dare to investigate the office?"

"And framing me—was that the Emperor’s idea too?"

Ren Gui said, "He won't talk. Why don't we just kill him?"

Li Tai clutched his head in terror. Qin Feng waved his hand, saying, "Let him go. If it truly is the Emperor’s decree, killing him is useless."

Ren Gui snorted and withdrew her sword. Li Tai scrambled to his feet, fleeing with his soldiers as fast as possible, terrified that he would lose his life if he were any slower. The cold woman beside Qin Feng was truly terrifying!

Li Tai adjusted his official cap, climbed into his sedan chair, and fled in a disheveled state. Before leaving, he couldn't help but lift the curtain to check if Qin Feng and Ren Gui were pursuing him. Only when he was far away from the newspaper office did he pat his chest, still shaken, and mutter, "That scared me to death! That scared me to death!"