The escape of the criminals had infuriated Emperor Huian to the point of thunderous rage. He couldn't bother with punishing the negligent Criminal Department Officials; instead, he decisively issued an order to dispatch eight hundred elite soldiers to guard the four major city gates, inspecting the commoners as they entered and exited. Moreover, another thousand elite troops were dispatched to work with WuChengBingMaSi to carry out a carpet-style search within the city.
However, these spies vanished as if into thin air, leaving not a trace to be found. The soldiers guarding the city gates didn't find any clues among the people they inspected either. If not for the fact that the city gates hadn't been opened at night and no other accomplices could have left the city, it would almost seem as if these spies had indeed managed to escape.
