Trying to frame Zhan Feiyu based on a single life without evidence, especially with Lord Qiu clearly showing favoritism, was a dead end.
Lord Qiu, usually gentle in his actions, was remarkably swift this time. In less than an hour, the assassins who had attempted to kill Zhan Feiyu were once again locked away in prison.
As for Lord Cai attempting to shirk responsibility by claiming faulty intelligence, Lord Qiu spoke with a deep voice, stating, "Confine Cai Zhiyuan and apprehend these twelve individuals as well!"
Formal sentencing would have to wait until they returned to Qianzhong Prefecture. However, as the saying goes, when a wall falls, everyone pushes. Not only did Lord Cai have enemies accumulated over the years, but within the council hall itself, Vice Prefect Yin would undoubtedly kick him while he was down, seizing the opportunity to crush Lord Cai completely.
The same calculations were being made by Commander Xu, Deputy Commander Zhu, and Deputy Commander Cao. Previously, with Commander She protecting them, they naturally dared not "commit insubordination." But now that animosity had flared between the two sides, it was a matter of life and death. They were certainly determined to deliver a fatal blow, preventing Lord Cai from ever recovering.
Two quarters of an hour later.
Watching the group speed away under the bright sunlight, Deputy Commander Cao finally breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his brow. "These ancestors have finally departed!"
He usually carried himself with an air of self-importance in his official attire, but today he realized that in front of these "ancestors," his rank of Deputy Commander, a mere fifth grade official, was nothing. He had almost been swatted to death like a fly!
"When gods fight, mortals suffer. Just wait, this is only the beginning; there will be much chaos ahead," Deputy Commander Zhu said, patting Deputy Commander Cao on the shoulder. He narrowed his eyes in thought, realizing he needed to write a letter back to the Zhu family. The situation in Qianzhong Prefecture was likely about to change drastically.
Commander Xu, his face grim, remained silent, watching the departing convoy until the dust kicked up by the horses' hooves had completely vanished. Only then did he slowly speak, "Regardless of what happens, we must strictly control our subordinates during this period. If they get caught up in this, they won't even know how they died!"
Cai Zhiyuan was the prime example. Yesterday, he was a fourth-grade Assistant Commander in the Commandery, and today he was a prisoner. Once convicted, his punishment would range from exile to beheading.
In the carriage, Lord Qiu allowed He Nuan to take his pulse and said gently, "Time takes its toll, and this morning's jolt has really worn me out."