Watching Fan Yu driven to near madness by Meng Shuping, Jiang Cihe almost burst out laughing. Yet, with Fan Yu still present, he had to exert every ounce of self-control to conceal his amusement.
He struggled to maintain a stern expression, telling Fan Yu, "Since that is the case, you will pay the fine and compensation today, and submit your written statement of reflection in three days."
Fan Yu clenched his fists, suppressing his rage with immense effort, and replied, "Understood."
Having settled that matter, Jiang Cihe brought up another topic: "Lord Fan, how fares the spy we apprehended a few days ago?"
At Jiang Cihe's question, Fan Yu momentarily forgot about Meng Shuping. His body stiffened slightly as he replied with a hint of trepidation, "Your Highness, the spy is exceedingly tight-lipped. We have extracted nothing from him."
Meng Shuping scoffed inwardly, *Tight-lipped? More like he's incompetent! I mean, it's been days, and he hasn't gotten any information. Isn't his efficiency abysmal?*
Fan Yu was so incensed his hair nearly stood on end. What did this greenhorn know? Spies weren't easily broken! And as an outsider, what right did he have to judge?
He took a deep breath, using all his strength to keep his voice steady. "Your Highness, there are many interrogation methods you forbid. If you would permit me to use all available means, I guarantee that within three days, that spy would confess everything!"
Meng Shuping grew even more disdainful. *Seriously? Is this what a professional interrogator looks like? How utterly unprofessional! Does he only know this one trick?*
*No wonder his efficiency is so low—he truly doesn't use his brain at all! I see it clearly now; he's nothing but a mindless brute who only knows violence!*
*Tsk, tsk, tsk, I knew he was a backdoor hire! He's not cut out for intelligence work, and he can't handle interrogations. What else can he even do? Just dead weight here?*
Fan Yu could no longer restrain himself and glared furiously at Meng Shuping. *If you're so capable, why don't you try? Anyone can talk big!*
Jiang Cihe coughed lightly, drawing Fan Yu's attention back. "Lord Fan, it is not that I intentionally restrict you, but the prisoners we hold here are all important. If the interrogation methods are too harsh and they die, can you bear the responsibility, Lord Fan?"
Meng Shuping couldn't help but chime in. *Exactly! What if he kills the prisoner? Wouldn't that put the blame on His Highness? He's bold enough to cause trouble but can't handle the fallout, and now he wants others to take the fall? How sneaky!*
*Not to look down on him, but with no ability, no loyalty, and a mind full of schemes—this kind of career bureaucratic leech should be shown the door ASAP!*
Fan Yu was so enraged by Meng Shuping's words that his face twisted. With reddened eyes, he cupped his hands toward Jiang Cihe and said, "Your Highness is right. I am incompetent. However, this young man here is quite eloquent and has earned Your Highness's favor as a personal guard. He must be truly capable. If he were to conduct the interrogation, I'm sure he could get a confession quickly!"
Meng Shuping didn't expect the topic to suddenly shift to him. He quickly refused, "I can't do it, Your Highness! I'm not cut out for this. How could I interrogate anyone? No, no!"
*Besides, as a civilized person, how could I possibly handle such work?*
Hearing this, Fan Yu scoffed. He knew it—this rookie was all talk. When it came to actual work, he'd fail!
But just as he thought this, he saw Meng Shuping glance at him sneakily. *What if I, an amateur, manage to get a confession? How would Lord Fan ever show his face here again?*
Fan Yu's smug expression instantly vanished. He looked at Meng Shuping with disbelief. *Hah, ignorance truly is bliss. This rookie, still wet behind the ears, actually dares to claim he's better than me? Has he lost his marbles?*
He immediately sneered, "Hmph, if you can truly get a confession, I'll give you my position!"
Meng Shuping looked surprised, "Ah? That wouldn't be appropriate, would it?"
Fan Yu taunted him, "What? Admitting you were boasting now?"
"Of course not," Meng Shuping said sincerely. "I just think that even if you want me to take your place, His Highness and the Emperor would never agree. Can you really make decisions for the Emperor?"
*Is he trying to fool me? A bogus promise like that, just to make me do his work? That kind of talk can only fool a child!*
Fan Yu jolted and quickly turned to Jiang Cihe, "Your Highness, that's not what I meant! What I meant was…"
His mind raced, and he quickly came up with an excuse. "I meant that this young man seems so confident, he must have a way to make the spy talk. Why not let him try? If he truly can extract information, it shows he's highly capable, and I'd be willing to recommend him for a minor official position in our Military Hall Department."
Meng Shuping stared at him in disbelief. *This guy is too vindictive! I only crossed him a tiny bit, and now he wants me to become an official? Is he jealous that I have it easier than him? I bet he wants to dump the grunt work on me!*
*Besides, do I need his recommendation? As long as I stick with His Highness, what can't I get? Why would I need him? Does he think I look down on him? How hypocritical!*
Fan Yu had just regretted speaking too hastily when he heard Meng Shuping's disdain. He was furious. *Is this rookie crazy? Who wouldn't want to be an official?*
Jiang Cihe's mood lifted at the closeness in Meng Shuping's words. It was worth protecting him so much. He chuckled and said, "Lord Fan, no need to say more. I understand your meaning."
He then turned to Meng Shuping, "Since Lord Fan has such faith in you, why don't you take a shot at it?"
Meng Shuping was stunned. "You really want me to interrogate him?"
*Oh no, I shouldn't have provoked him earlier! How was I to know they'd actually make me do this? I mean, isn't this pretty irresponsible?*
*What should I do now? I have no experience interrogating people! What if I can't get anything? How embarrassing would that be? No, no, I need to find a good excuse to bail!*
Fan Yu lifted his chin smugly, "You're not backing out now, are you? Who was it that said they could definitely get a confession? Hah, I knew it—you're all talk!"
Provoked, Meng Shuping immediately retorted, "And if I do get a confession, what will you do, Lord Fan?"
Fan Yu said arrogantly, "If you truly can get a confession, I'll do whatever you say!"
Meng Shuping said, "You said it!"
Fan Yu snorted, "So what if I did? I refuse to believe you can get a confession without torture! Do you think everyone in our Military Hall Department is just freeloading?"
Meng Shuping said indignantly, "Just you wait!"
*Let me think carefully. If I can't get a confession later, how can I save face?*
"Ahem!" Jiang Cihe was amused by Meng Shuping's sudden change of tone and coughed to cover it up. He comforted Meng Shuping, "Don't worry, it's fine if you can't get a confession. After all, Lord Fan couldn't either. If you succeed on your first try, where would that leave Lord Fan's dignity? We're just trying everything we can."
Hearing this, Meng Shuping immediately relaxed, "I understand, Your Highness."
*He's right. Even if I fail, it's not like I lose anything. If I succeed, it's Fan who'll be embarrassed. Why should I worry?*
Fan Yu stammered, realizing the rookie had a point. His expression darkened. It was all because this rookie was so maddening—he'd overlooked that.
Since there was nothing else urgent, Jiang Cihe decided to accompany them to the Military Hall Department's prison. They arrived at a room filled with torture devices. As soon as Meng Shuping entered, he felt a creepy vibe and shrank closer to Jiang Cihe. *Ugh, this place looks terrifying! These tools...*
*Yikes...*
*Just looking at them, you can tell they'd hurt like hell!*
Jiang Cihe smirked, allowing Meng Shuping to cling to him. This feisty one—was he brave or cowardly?
Fan Yu looked at Meng Shuping with disdain. This was nothing—just some tools, and they hadn't even been used yet. Look how scared this rookie is!
He was now even more convinced that there was no way this rookie could succeed.
When they reached the table, Jiang Cihe said to Meng Shuping, "Since you're in charge of questioning, you should sit in the middle."
Meng Shuping quickly shook his head, "No, no, I'd rather sit on the side."
Jiang Cihe was surprised. Had this little schemer suddenly learned about hierarchy?
But the next moment, he heard Meng Shuping's voice, *The middle has too much pressure. The side is better—lower profile. Besides, I don't want to sit next to that mindless oaf!*
Jiang Cihe smiled. Still the same bold little guy.
Fan Yu bristled. *Who are you calling a mindless oaf, you rookie!*
The three of them took their seats in the chairs behind the table one by one. Fan Yu instructed the others, "Bring in the prisoner!"
Before long, a man around forty years old, bruised and battered, was brought in. Two guards tied him to a rack before stepping aside.
Meng Shuping cleared his throat and asked the others, "Where are his records?"
The clerk responsible for recording the interrogation quickly placed a few sheets of paper in front of Jiang Cihe. "Your Highness, my lord, please take a look. This is his dossier."
Jiang Cihe pushed the dossier toward Meng Shuping. Meng Shuping picked it up and read it, discovering that the middle-aged man was named Li Bao. He had come to the capital from another region over a decade ago and opened a fur shop. While running the shop, he had also been passing intelligence to the enemy nation of Beixiang to the north.
Upon learning that Li Bao was actually a citizen of their own country, Meng Shuping felt deep contempt. *He sold out his own country? What kind of man does that?*
Seeing that Meng Shuping was still focused on reading the dossier, Fan Yu couldn't help but urge him, "Why haven't you started the interrogation yet? Hmph, don't tell me you're at a loss for words? I say, if you can't handle an interrogation, you shouldn't have boasted!"
Li Bao jerked his head away defiantly. *Hmph, no matter what, he wasn't going to utter another word!*