Farmer's Wife Has Magic Skills

Chapter 970: Jailbreak
Editor: Henyee Translations

Under the guidance of Chen Yi and Chen Er, Chu Tang arrived at the military storage area where the arrows were kept.

During the journey, he carefully observed the surroundings and the security measures, which were meticulous and strict. Without internal assistance or some form of underground tunneling, it would be impossible for items to go missing.

Standing in front of the storage tent, Chu Tang inquired, “Who normally has access to this place?”

Chen Er, worried Chen Yi might speak out of turn and offend Chu Tang, quickly answered, “Soldiers from the cavalry unit, officials from the military supply department, and soldiers transporting military supplies to this area.”

Chu Tang thought for a moment, “Are you certain these are the only groups that come here?”

Chen Er nodded affirmatively, “Yes, that’s them.”

Chu Tang then proceeded into the storage area.

The storage was set up within a tent, with no signs of tampering around the perimeter. Arrows were bundled together in large stacks.

The fake bundles meant to mimic full stocks of arrows were piled to one side. Originally meant to fill the warehouse, now less than ten percent remained, replaced mostly by bundles of firewood which sat there mockingly.

There were no signs of disturbance on the ground, ruling out the possibility of tunneling.

After circling inside the tent and then around its exterior, Chu Tang noted that the tent’s edges were buried in the soil. The border army had been stationed here for several years, and grass had grown all around the edges of the tent. Any disturbance would have left marks, yet there were none to be found.

From his observations, Chu Tang concluded that the thieves had taken the arrows outright but without raising any suspicion.

How they managed to do so openly yet unnoticed was something even Chu Tang had to admire.

After pondering for a while without any new clues, Chu Tang asked Chen Yi to fetch the list of soldiers who guarded the storage tent.

Chen Yi quickly returned, “Brother Chu, here’s the list.”

Chu Tang reviewed the list of twenty soldiers, “Bring me the one called Li Qi. Also, can you read?”

Chen Yi responded, “Yes, I can read.”

Chu Tang handed the list back to Chen Yi, “Organize according to this list, and call them one by one for questioning.”

“Understood.” Chen Yi took the list to arrange the questioning.

Li Qi was soon brought in, “You called for me?”

In the storage tent, Chu Tang briefly flashed a light from his fingertip, “Are you the insider?”

Li Qi’s heart tightened, fearing he was being set up to take the blame, and quickly responded, “No.”

Chu Tang waved him away, “Go on, then.”

Li Qi left, confused by the brief interrogation.

Chen Er, witnessing this, was equally puzzled, “Brother Chu, do you really think they’d admit to anything just like that?”

Chu Tang offered no explanation, simply stating, “Hurry up and bring in the next one.”

Chen Er, curious about Chu Tang’s method, promptly obeyed.

Chu Tang continued his straightforward questioning with each soldier. The first seventeen all denied being insiders. However, when he reached the eighteenth, the man admitted, “I am!”

Chen Er was stunned. Was this man foolish? How could he answer such a straightforward question incorrectly?

Qu Wu, upon realizing what he had just confessed, was both shocked and scared, “I… I…” He tried to deny it, but his tongue wouldn’t cooperate, and he broke into a cold sweat.

Chu Tang motioned for him to step aside, “Stand over there. I’ll deal with you after I’ve questioned the last two.”

The remaining two were also insiders. Without additional people involved, it would have been impossible to commit such an extensive theft.

Chu Tang had Chen Yi and Chen Er bind the other two insiders while he continued with Qu Wu.

Pulling up a chair, Chu Tang sat down, “Qu Wu, when did you start working as an insider? Why did you agree to it? How did you collaborate with them? And who else is involved?”

Qu Wu struggled internally, “Half a month ago, I was transferred here to guard the arrow storage. That very night, a masked person approached me to become an insider.”

“They gave me one hundred silver taels and threatened me. If I didn’t comply, they’d kill my younger brother. My parents are dead, and all I have is him. Under threats and bribes, I agreed.”

“When they needed my cooperation, someone would tell me in advance to distract the guards at the door. I didn’t have to do anything else.”

In just half a month, three people had turned into insiders. If more time had passed, perhaps the entire force might have joined the opposition’s ranks.