"There’s news! Commander Zhao entered the hall with a sword, angrily rebuked the ministers, and petitioned for the people to go to war. His Majesty agreed... the peace talks have broken down! The emissaries are being escorted to the Heavenly Prison by the King Yan troops from the Imperial Court!"
Boom!
The entire tavern suddenly erupted, with all the patrons looking on in shock, their faces a mix of numb disbelief.
Why is it that every word makes sense, but when put together, they don’t understand?
Commander Zhao? Wasn’t the old man stationed at the Huai River? How could he appear in the hall with a sword?
And what war did he propose?
A crowd gathered around, clamoring with questions.
The informant gesticulated wildly, spreading the exaggerated news they had heard, causing everyone’s blood to boil.
"Good!" A burly man clenched his fist and struck the table, causing the wine cup to bounce three feet high, his face flushed as he declared:
"That’s how it should be! Those princely heirs and commandery princesses are dreaming! Just as it should be! Just as it should be!"
A patron straightened his back, smugly stating:
"What did I say? I said, with Commander Zhao present, the court would never be humiliated into peace talks. Zhao Yan... pfft, Mr. Zhao, what kind of person is he? How could he swallow this insult?"
"His Majesty is wise, Commander Zhao is truly a hero... let’s drink to this!"
In the corner, a scholar who cursed the Confucians in the court a few days ago laughed heartily, stood up, and toasted with vigorous drinking.
Excited cheers echoed aloud.
They still feared Yama Zhao, but when the Little Yama, whom everyone revered, stood on their side and bared his fangs at the enemy, who wouldn’t be pleased?
However, amidst the revelry, so patrons remained sober, their brows tightly furrowed.
Though advocating for war felt exhilarating, was the military pledge Commander Zhao made too risky?
Could it be that after consecutive victories, defeating Mu Prince within months, Commander Zhao beca conceited?
Thinking that similar success could be replicated?
...
Imperial Court.
Zhao Douan left the Imperial Palace in a hurry while Zhenbao was still in a daze, but his journey was not smooth.
At the gate of the Imperial City, a large number of officials were waiting. As soon as he erged, they surrounded him, engaging in pleasantries, complinting him, making inquiries, dropping hints... giving him a headache.
Especially a group from the Peace Faction, who greeted him with smiles, attempting to ease relations.
Zhao Douan dealt with them for a good while before escaping. Upon returning to Lihua Hall, he was surprised to find the small hall already crowded with people.
"Dalang (big brother)!"
He saw that You Jinhua and Zhao Pan had sohow made their way to the governnt office, and the two won ran up to him.
Trailing behind them were Ning Zechen’s wife and daughter, as well as Haitang, Zhang Han, and other detectives who arrived earlier.
"Why are you all here?" Zhao Douan looked at the female family mbers with surprise.
Haitang crossed her arms, her gaze faint as she walked over and explained:
"News of what you did in the court has spread, and they ca after hearing it."
Pausing for a mont, the female detective gritted her teeth, sowhat displeased:
"Well, I always felt that this new detective at Lihua Hall seed familiar. Turns out it was our Great Governor Zhao. You deceived us quite thoroughly."
Zhang Han and the other detectives nodded in agreent, having been utterly shocked by the news themselves.
Not to ntion the ordinary Jinyi guards in Lihua Hall, who were all dumbfounded...
You Jinhua, dressed in a thick cotton skirt and adorned with gold hairpins, looked concerned:
"I heard you made a military pledge to pacify Prince Jing after the new year. If it doesn’t succeed..."
Zhao Pan bit her lip and leaned in, her autumn-water-clear eyes full of worry.
It was clear they were both frightened by Zhao Douan’s words about taking his own life should he fail.
Feeling warmth in his heart, Zhao Douan gave a confident and gentle smile:
"Aunt, sister, don’t worry. When have I failed at what I set out to do?"
Zhao Pan softly murmured, "You keep trying to be with my sister-in-law, and you’ve failed repeatedly..."
Zhao Douan’s expression froze, while the others present maintained a straight posture, pretending not to hear.
With a serious face, watching more and more curious Jinyi crowding outside the yard, he took a deep breath:
"Let’s talk inside!"
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