Chapter 455
The chaos in Minhe Prefecture came to an end with the arrest of Master Jin Jiu. Simultaneously, Commander Xie of the Commandery was also imprisoned. With irrefutable human and material evidence, coupled with the vast amounts of gold and silver discovered in Xie's residence, Commander Xie was escorted back to the capital by the Imperial Guards that very day.
"The Imperial Guards took Jin Zhang away," a voice, filled with indignation and dissatisfaction, rang out. What Xiao Zibai didn't say was that the Imperial Guards' actions completely disregarded their lord.
Upon Jin Jiu's arrest, he should have been handed over to the prefectural yamen for interrogation. The Imperial Guards taking him away without so much as a word to their lord was simply too arrogant.
Lord Yao, having been in officialdom for many years, had long passed the age of petty squabbles. The Imperial Guards answered directly to the Emperor, and their actions of overstepping his authority in their investigation were beyond reproach, especially since Jin Jiu was apprehended by the Imperial Guards themselves.
His writing movements remained fluid. After carefully reviewing it once more to ensure there were no errors, Lord Yao finally put down his brush and, with a solemn expression, spoke, "These words must not be uttered outside."
The Imperial Guards were ruthless killers. Even before Commander Xie's crimes were fully investigated, the Imperial Guards had dared to publicly execute over a dozen experts from the Commandery. Although Lord Yao was a high-ranking official of the second rank, Xiao Zibai was, after all, merely a subordinate. If the Imperial Guards retaliated, it was feared that not even their corpses would be found.
"Yes, my lord." Despite his lingering resentment, Xiao Zibai was not foolish. He couldn't help but grumble, "The Jin family's affairs have been investigated thoroughly. With the Imperial Guards detaining the person, I fear new troubles may arise."
If they had detained Commander Xie, Xiao Zibai could understand. But Jin Jiu was, ultimately, just a merchant. Moreover, the Jin family had already fallen, their assets confiscated into the Minhe Prefecture treasury, and their remaining properties were divided among various factions. What value did Jin Jiu still possess that warranted interrogation by the Imperial Guards?
"We shall observe the situation," Lord Yao admitted to having some suspicions as well. The Imperial Guards were a blade in the Emperor's hand. It was rumored that the Commander of the Imperial Guards was deeply trusted by the Emperor. As a close confidant of the Son of Heaven, he likely understood the imperial will better than himself. Since they had detained Jin Zhang, there must be a reason.
Meanwhile, at Muxiang Residence.
Having finished her morning studies and stretching her shoulders, Zhan Feiyu's eyes widened in surprise, "They want to see me?"
"Yes, Seventh Master just sent word back. Jin Zhang demands to see Miss before he will confess, even if he dies," He Nuan also expressed surprise when she heard the message. However, with Master Jin Jiu now a prisoner, there was no need to worry about him harming their young lady.
"Then I shall go," Zhan Feiyu agreed without hesitation. As she took a step, she couldn't help but ask, "Could there be an ambush along the way?"
Muxiang Residence was heavily guarded. Whether it was the Jin family's loyalists or men sent by Commander Xie, none could infiltrate Muxiang Residence to assassinate Zhan Feiyu. However, once she left, anything was possible.
He Nuan couldn't help but chuckle at her young lady's apparent fear of death, "Seventh Master has made all the arrangements."
The Imperial Guards' stronghold was located in a two-courtyard residence just one street away from the pier. From the outside, it appeared to be an ordinary dwelling, with two large rooms in the front serving as shops, and the back housing storerooms and living quarters.
The carriage stopped in the back courtyard. As she lifted the curtain, Zhan Feiyu saw Yin Wuyan waiting for her and grinned. However, mindful of eavesdroppers, she quickly suppressed her smile, adopting the air of an arrogant and noble young mistress, "Help me down."
Yin Wuyan looked at the young girl in the carriage. A gentle breeze lifted the stray hairs around her ears, making her delicate face appear even fairer and softer. Coupled with her imperious demeanor, she was both charming and a little mischievous.
He extended his long hand, grasping the small hand that rested in his palm, and with a deft movement, helped her alight from the carriage.
"Lead the way." With her chin held high, Zhan Feiyu let out a soft哼, exuding an air of authority.
Watching their Commander walk ahead and lead the way, the Imperial Guards hidden in the shadows were so astonished their eyeballs nearly popped out. They all said their Commander doted on Miss Zhan immensely, but seeing it firsthand was still incredibly shocking.
As they watched Zhan Feiyu and her companions enter the residence, the Imperial Guards, no longer able to contain themselves, gathered together to gossip. "I remember last year, that garrison commander's daughter tried to seduce our Commander, and he almost sliced her throat with his sword."
"That's nothing. Think about how ferocious our Commander is during the annual assessments. A few of the timid ones were so scared they couldn't sleep for nights," the subordinate who replied thought of the Imperial Guards' assessment at the beginning of the year, when a group of children were also selected for the first time to enter the valley.
The Imperial Guards had strongholds in every prefecture. Besides gathering intelligence, they were also responsible for selecting promising talents. These children were generally no older than five years old. For the first two years, they received their initial education in literacy at various strongholds, strengthened their bodies, and had their character assessed. Only if they passed were they sent to the valley for unified training.
Although it was other Imperial Guards being assessed, the intensity and bloodiness of the combat still left these five-year-old children pale with fear. Especially the final step of the assessment, which involved the slow slicing of an Imperial Guard traitor to death. These children, who had never seen blood, not only couldn't sleep at night but some were so terrified they wet themselves and were eliminated on the spot.
Descending the stairs into a secret chamber, the candles on the walls cast a dim, yellow light. The cell where Jin Jiu was held was not large, but the door was secured with iron bars as thick as an arm. Without a key, escape was impossible.
"You've come." Perhaps having moved past the stage of hatred, Jin Jiu, sitting on the ground, had a calm demeanor. If not for his ragged clothes, one would hardly guess he was a prisoner.
Looking at Jin Jiu, who was sitting on a pile of straw leaning against the wall, through the cell door, Zhan Feiyu also spoke, "I am here. I wonder what Master Jiu wishes to say."
After all, Zhan Feiyu and Jin Jiu had only met twice. This was their third meeting.
"The former Hegemon King of Chu, trapped in Dongcheng, once said, 'Heaven intends to destroy me, it is not my fault in battle.' Zhan Feiyu, my Jin family did not fall at your hands, but by the will of heaven!"
Jin Jiu's voice was hoarse and strained as he uttered the last word. Gone was his earlier placid demeanor. His eyes were filled with venom, as if he wished to flay Zhan Feiyu alive to vent his hatred. Who could have imagined the Jin family would fall so quickly, leaving them no room to resist?
"Is not 'unfavorable times' also the will of the people and the will of the Emperor?" Zhan Feiyu retorted crisply. She could understand Jin Jiu's immense hatred. It could be said that the Jin family's downfall was due to the Imperial Guards' pervasive investigations. With irrefutable evidence, coupled with the pressure of the Wei Prefecture army, the Jin family's collapse was swift and decisive.
However, these incriminating evidences were not fabricated by the Imperial Guards. It was because the Jin family had committed numerous wicked deeds, their transgressions piling up. It was just that previously, the Jin family had held absolute sway in Longyou Circuit.
...
Chapter 455
The chaos in Minhe Prefecture came to an end with the arrest of Master Jin Jiu. Simultaneously, Commander Xie of the Commandery was also imprisoned. With irrefutable human and material evidence, coupled with the vast amounts of gold and silver discovered in Xie's residence, Commander Xie was escorted back to the capital by the Imperial Guards that very day.
"The Imperial Guards took Jin Zhang away," a voice, filled with indignation and dissatisfaction, rang out. What Xiao Zibai didn't say was that the Imperial Guards' actions completely disregarded their lord.
Upon Jin Jiu's arrest, he should have been handed over to the prefectural yamen for interrogation. The Imperial Guards taking him away without so much as a word to their lord was simply too arrogant.
Lord Yao, having been in officialdom for many years, had long passed the age of petty squabbles. The Imperial Guards answered directly to the Emperor, and their actions of overstepping his authority in their investigation were beyond reproach, especially since Jin Jiu was apprehended by the Imperial Guards themselves.
His writing movements remained fluid. After carefully reviewing it once more to ensure there were no errors, Lord Yao finally put down his brush and, with a solemn expression, spoke, "These words must not be uttered outside."
The Imperial Guards were ruthless killers. Even before Commander Xie's crimes were fully investigated, the Imperial Guards had dared to publicly execute over a dozen experts from the Commandery. Although Lord Yao was a high-ranking official of the second rank, Xiao Zibai was, after all, merely a subordinate. If the Imperial Guards retaliated, it was feared that not even their corpses would be found.
"Yes, my lord." Despite his lingering resentment, Xiao Zibai was not foolish. He couldn't help but grumble, "The Jin family's affairs have been investigated thoroughly. With the Imperial Guards detaining the person, I fear new troubles may arise."
If they had detained Commander Xie, Xiao Zibai could understand. But Jin Jiu was, ultimately, just a merchant. Moreover, the Jin family had already fallen, their assets confiscated into the Minhe Prefecture treasury, and their remaining properties were divided among various factions. What value did Jin Jiu still possess that warranted interrogation by the Imperial Guards?