Guo Ji wiped away his tears and snot, then continued: "Ten years ago, I was a magistrate in Xinglin County. During my tenure, I falsified a report about a natural disaster and embezzled a sum of disaster relief funds from the Imperial Court. Prince Xiaoyao got hold of this evidence and used it to threaten me, forcing me to get an orca tattoo on my body so I would serve him from then on. I was forced into it!"
Embezzlement and dereliction of duty—if discovered, it would be a capital crime. Yet, by following Prince Xiaoyao, he had soared to success, becoming the Prefect of Jiangling City. Prince Xiaoyao certainly possessed masterful schemes, having begun his layout a decade ago. If there were no mistake, it was highly likely that Prince Xiaoyao had been manipulating things to ensure Guo Ji could embezzle the imperial funds so easily.
Shangguan Xi took a deep breath and thought to himself, "Yu Zhan'ao started cultivating his own lapdogs ten years ago. I wonder how many officials between Jiangnan and the Capital City have already become his confidants. It seems this orca tattoo will help me identify friend from foe more quickly."
Chapter 321