Shen Xitang’s fingertips traced the files of the Ministry of Works, the particles of pine soot ink glinting coldly in the morning light. Xiao Jingming stood beside the bronze Armillary Sphere in the state mansion’s underground chamber, the cold flame of his Haihun Marquis lamp illuminating the intricate web of the Canal on the sand table.
"The collapse of the Cangzhou Post Station in the seventh year of Yonghe," Shen Xitang said, pulling out a yellowed copy of the *Records of River Works*. "The Ministry of Works claims thirty thousand jin of iron were used, but a survey of the actual canal site suggests not even half that amount."
She scattered magnetic powder over the pages. The iron filings clung to the vermilion-inked note reading "Supervised by Xiao Heng," revealing fine, deliberate scratch marks.
Chapter 45