Chapter 394
After Zhan Feiyu left Lord Yao's residence, someone immediately reported the news to Commander Xie, who was staying at the inn.
Candlelight illuminated the room as Commander Xie personally poured two cups of wine. "Brother Zhu, I trust you are well. Please."
He downed the strong liquor in his cup, his face grim and devoid of any joy of reunion. "Lord Xie is indeed well-informed. It seems no ripple in Suzhou Prefecture escapes Lord Xie's eyes."
After the Zhenbian Marquis's estate fell, Zhu Xiao had secretly fled to the barbarians. His current return to Suzhou Prefecture was discreet, and he had only met Zhan Feiyu privately. The fact that Commander Xie could deliver a calling card to his lodging suggested he had known Zhu Xiao's whereabouts from the start.
Having also finished his cup, Commander Xie laughed heartily and declared, "A person in office must fulfill their duties. As the Commander of Longyou Dao, if I cannot detect such movements, I would not be worthy of this position."
When the General's estate was accused of colluding with the enemy and treason, the Zhenbian Marquis's estate had sought to seize control of the military power in Longyou Dao. However, the soldiers remained loyal to the Yang family, and despite years of effort, the Zhenbian Marquis's estate failed. Over the years, Zhu Xiao and Commander Xie had some dealings, though not close ones.
Thirty years east, thirty years west. Upon meeting again, Commander Xie remained a powerful regional official, a third-rank minister of the court. Zhu Xiao, the heir of the Zhenbian Marquis's estate, was now a fugitive wanted by the court, forced to hide among the barbarians to eke out a living.
"Let's speak plainly, Lord Xie. What is your intention?" Zhu Xiao asked coldly, his tiger-like eyes flashing with sharp, cold light.
It was not surprising that Commander Xie had discovered Zhu Xiao's whereabouts. As the head of the Commander's Office, the security of the entire Longyou Dao was under his control. All local garrisons were under his jurisdiction, and his informants were everywhere in Longyou Dao.
However, if Commander Xie intended to capture Zhu Xiao and claim credit from the court, it would not be easy!
Not to mention that Zhu Xiao was a formidable general, and he had taken the elite forces of the Zhenbian Marquis's estate with him when he fled to the barbarians. Now that he appeared in Suzhou Prefecture, he would undoubtedly be accompanied by these elites.
Even if Commander Xie deployed the troops of the Suzhou garrison, he might not be able to apprehend Zhu Xiao. If the capture failed, he would instead be branded as incompetent.
Commander Xie poured two more cups of wine and picked up his chopsticks to eat. "I wonder if Zhu Xiao would be willing to do business with me? May I borrow your men?"
"Who do you want to kill? Lord Yao?" Zhu Xiao asked, looking at Commander Xie with a cold gaze. At first glance, he appeared to be a rough and uninhibited military officer, but who would have thought he was so ruthless? Over the years, countless people in Longyou Dao had died at his hands.
A booming laugh echoed as Commander Xie toyed with his wine cup, looking up at the stern and imposing Zhu Xiao and smiling as he denied it. "Lord Yao is a trusted confidant of His Majesty. If anything were to happen to him, I, as the Commander, would also be finished."
Lord Yao was responsible for the civil affairs of Longyou Dao, while Commander Xie was in charge of military affairs. If Lord Yao were killed, His Majesty would first hold Commander Xie accountable. He would not commit the foolish act of shooting himself in the foot.
Furthermore, Lord Yao was a trusted confidant of His Majesty and an isolated minister who had not pledged allegiance to any prince. Therefore, Commander Xie and Lord Yao had no direct conflict. If another commander, perhaps someone loyal to a prince, were in this position, Commander Xie would truly suffer a loss.
Zhu Xiao frowned and began to ponder. He knew it couldn't be Lord Yao, but it also couldn't be Lord Zheng of the Surveillance Department. The Surveillance Department was only responsible for criminal justice and did not interfere in the power struggles of Longyou Dao.