The masked leader undergoing interrogation didn’t know many details, but the few key pieces of information were critical, enough to cause one’s heart to race and even the guards to break out in a cold sweat.
However, Fayue remained composed and unflustered.
Nevertheless, the attentive Xu Qing could still perceive a change in Fayue’s voice, indicating their inner turmoil was significant.
Things had escalated.
The situation involved Marquis Wuding of Yingtian Prefecture and the Garrison Eunuch of the Heavenly Capital.
Marquis Wuding held a hereditary title not subject to reduction and, besides, he also held the military position of the Commander of the Army in the Heavenly Capital. This military position was not very senior—rely at the fifth official rank—but he managed the Five Cities Military Departnt of the Heavenly Capital, which had its own independent Governnt Office and prison, allowing him to conduct arrests, hear cases, and settle them across the entire Heavenly Capital...
Moreover, as a Marquis with a rank above highest regular ranks, he did not show the slightest deference even to Governors and other high officials.
Thus, among the nobles of South Zhili, in terms of power, Marquis Wuding was only beneath a few princes of the state.
Furthermore, according to the national Court’s designation, Marquis Wuding was seen as the Court’s informant in the Southern regions, responsible for monitoring the influential and powerful scholars and nobles of South Zhili...
Such a man was amongst the closest to the Emperor’s heart.
No wonder the Court decided to send Wu Xun’an, an impartial Imperial Censor for South Zhili, to be the Inspector.
Moreover, having served in South Zhili for several years, Wu Xun’an understood the local realities better than officials from the Capital.
Of course, should anything happen to Wu Xun’an, the Court would have a legitimate excuse to intervene directly in the affairs of South Zhili—a win-win situation.
...
...
"Gongming, what should we do?" Wu Xun’an privately consulted Xu Qing inside the tent.
Beside them, Master Qian adopted Xu Shu’s silent mode as if entering Cao Camp, feeling inadequate to intervene or offer profound insights in such a grave matter.
It was ti to step back and let the younger ones lead.
Master Qian felt as though his role had been reduced to that of a re servant, providing tea and water alongside Xu Qing.
Ah...
The world rushed to hear tales of the young and promising, leaving increasingly less ti for old-tirs like him.
How cruel.
Xu Qing pondered for a long ti before saying, "The Lotus Sect bandits attacked the Inspector’s convoy. Today, the Inspector himself was calm and ordered in the face of danger, directing the fight to fend off the bandits and manage the ensuing cleanup, capturing several. However, since the incident occurred in Jiangning Prefecture, I suggest it’s only appropriate that the remaining survivors be handed over to the Governnt of Jiangning Prefecture to handle."
Wu Xun’an’s eyes brightened; indeed, this matter couldn’t be openly discussed at the mont.
For it was rely one side of a story influenced by the Enchantnt technique, liable to change or be silenced at any ti.
Besides, it’s the threat hanging over one’s head that truly terrifies; once it falls, everyone loses.
Magistrate He of Jiangning Prefecture had deep connections and background knowledge on how to manage these situations.
Moreover, once Wu Xun’an entered Yingtian Prefecture, it would be entering others’ territory, and these captives might just disappear upon entering the city.
And handing them over to the Governnt of Jiangning Prefecture could be logically justified.
As the Imperial Censor of South Zhili, Wu Xun’an also possessed the authority to oversee and correct the entire region; this action would not be overstepping his bounds.
"What Gongming suggested is very apt. But how should we deal with their Crossbow Arrows? These are forbidden items," Wu Xun’an asked further.
Xu Qing replied, "I suggest taking a portion and sending it to the Five Cities Military Departnt for accountability."
Hazily, Wu Xun’an clapped his hands, "Excellent, we’re applying pressure subtly. As an official who was attacked, we certainly need an explanation."
He didn’t ntion what to do with the remaining Crossbow Arrows.
Were there any Crossbow Arrows left? Might they not all have been sent to the Five Cities Military Departnt?
This was where Wu Xun’an’s astuteness lay.
It’s known that Crossbow Arrows are prohibited weapons; being caught with them ant one’s property could be confiscated, and executions could ensue.
What comrce is most profitable in this world?
Certainly the business of confiscation and execution.
Thus, the more the Court banned such items, the greater their value among the populace.
Like during the Man Qing era when martial arts were banned, surprisingly, it was the era with the most flourishing martial culture among the populace and even saw the unique developnt of the Escort Agency culture.
Sotis even governors and Governors would employ Escort Agencies for security upon taking office.
Sotis, even the task of transporting Official Silver was entrusted to major Escort Agencies.
Besides, the Crossbow Arrows were captives of Xu Qing and Fayue.
Was Wu Xun’an poor? Most of his money had been spent on bribing for positions; now, this providential turn ant all that spending was in vain, not to be reclaid.
Thus, while Fayue and the guards struggled in combat, he hadn’t even seen proper recompense yet, Wu Xun’an couldn’t afford to covet their spoils.
Therefore, the Crossbow Arrows sent to the Five Cities Military Departnt were sure to be the damaged ones, taken from Xu Qing’s share. Because Wu Xun’an and Xu Qing were bound by shared interests as teacher and student, it was natural for Wu Xun’an to take his share.
These were the unspoken rules that needed no clarification.
...
...
While Xu Qing and others were tallying the spoils, Heavenly King Lin wasn’t idle.
He and his Seven Stars brothers overturned the Salt Gang’s camp on a deserted island in Black Water Lake.
This camp served as a transshipnt point for the Salt Gang’s illegal salt trade; although few guarded it, outsiders found it extrely difficult to discover and penetrate.
Relying on identity tokens provided with Xu Qing’s help and guides from the River Patrol Inspection Office, with Zhao Bao leading the way, they infiltrated the camp smoothly.
Then, under the cover of night, they ambushed and eliminated the sentries.
In less than an hour, the Seven Stars of Black Wind Village had taken care of everyone in the camp.
"Search their storeroom." As dawn barely broke and the stench of blood lingered in the air, Heavenly King Lin commanded, and six deadly stars stord into the storeroom.
As expected, they found two large chests inside.
Not daring to unlock them on their own, they moved the chests outside.
Heavenly King Lin, like peeling noodles, snapped open the copper locks and flung open the chests, the glitter of gold and silver treasures dazzling to the eyes.
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