The moonlight was like water, and the night was like the wind!
The Jiang City Garrison Mansion was brightly lit, as if it was daytime.
The long hall of the Garrison Mansion was full of friends, singing and dancing. The guests were exchanging cups and drinking wine. The atmosphere was at its most lively.
Junior Leopard gently shook the golden cup in his hand. The golden wine in the cup flashed with a bewitching luster, emitting a mellow aroma. When he smelled it, strand by strand, it went straight to his heart and lungs. "This Xi, what medicine is he selling in the gourd?!"
The discussion the night before did not come to any conclusion. Except for Zhu Ba, who was shouting that he wanted to teach Zheng Xi a lesson, the others, including Junior Leopard, did not have any good ideas.
They understood that the Navy of Jiang City, in the eyes of the high and mighty big shot, was nothing more than a small stall. Not to mention changing a commander, even if the Navy of Jiang City was abolished, it was just a matter of a word.
Since this matter was implicitly linked to the fatal fight for the throne, then even if they were not angry in their hearts, there was nothing they could do.
They were not fools. Naturally, they would hide from this kind of life-threatening matter if they could.
What Junior Leopard did not expect was that on the second day, Zheng Xi, the new Garrison of Jiang City, received the news of his return and sent someone to invite him to attend a banquet at his mansion. In addition to Junior Leopard, there were also a few leaders of the Navy of Jiang City, including Wang Cheng, Jiang Xiao, and Zhu Ba.
Since he was already back, he could not refuse this kind of thing. Since he could not refuse, then he would attend the banquet on time. Junior Leopard also wanted to see what kind of person this new Garrison Chief was.
Unexpectedly, after he came here, he only said one sentence to Zheng Xi, sang a promise, and saluted. Zheng Xi left him to the side and went to greet other guests, not giving Junior Leopard any face.
Junior Leopard was also mentally prepared for this. Although Zheng Xi had only been in office for a few days, the strength he showed was obvious to all. Not only did he want to control the entire military strength of Jiang City, but he also wanted to control the Navy of Jiang City. Junior Leopard was a special factor in the Navy of Jiang City, so it was not easy to control it.
Not to mention Junior Leopard's terrifying cultivation, the series of benefits he brought to the Navy after he took office were enough to tie the soldiers of the entire Navy Camp to his chariot.
Therefore, if he wanted to control the Navy, he had to control Junior Leopard. But was Junior Leopard that easy to control?
Junior Leopard knew his own affairs. Even though Zheng Xi was a higher official than him, he could not so easily hand over the power of the Navy. Especially the River Island, which he had painstakingly conquered. Therefore, there was no possibility to resolve the conflict between the two.
Since there was no possibility to resolve it, there was no need to do superficial work.
Zheng Xi did not want to do superficial work. He even wanted to take the opportunity of the banquet to suppress Junior Leopard. Junior Leopard, of course, would not give him a good look. Therefore, from the beginning of the banquet until now, he just sat there without saying a word, waiting for Zheng Xi to speak. Even Zhu Ba, Wang Cheng, and Jiang Xiao wanted to propose a toast to Junior Leopard was stopped by Zheng Xi's meaningful eyes. As a result, the three of them could only sit on the chairs and drink in silence.
If Zheng Xi wanted to make things difficult for Junior Leopard, he had to find an excuse, right?
As soon as he came in, Junior Leopard already knew what excuse Zheng Xi would make, because the person sitting opposite him was Shopkeeper Ding of the South Bay Warehouse.
Junior Leopard's eyesight was very good. He had a 360-degree field of vision. Therefore, although he seemed to be drinking silently, he could see everything that happened at the banquet. From the beginning of the banquet until now, Zheng Xi had not said a word to Junior Leopard, but Junior Leopard could clearly see that Zheng Xi had secretly glanced at him several times during the banquet. From time to time, he would exchange glances with Manager Ding, who was sitting opposite Junior Leopard. However, because Junior Leopard did not speak or even propose a toast to him, he could not find a chance to do so.
Junior Leopard sat there and sneered to himself. "If you don't speak first, I'll just sit here and drink. When the banquet is over, I won't say a word. Let's see what you can do to me then!"
He had a good idea.
But things had to be solved eventually.
After a round of drinks, the dancing girls in the hall left. Opposite him, Shopkeeper Ding picked up his wine cup and walked over to Junior Leopard unhurriedly.
"Here I come!" Junior Leopard thought to himself.
"Commander Zhou, don't drink alone. Come on, let me propose a toast to you!"
Ding Deshui dragged his fat body to Junior Leopard, his body reeking of alcohol. "Your Excellency, you have to take care of our warehouse in the future. You can't always make things difficult for us like before!"
Junior Leopard smiled, picked up his wine glass, clinked it with Ding Deshui's, and drank it up in one gulp. He did not say a word and did not even look at Ding Deshui.
Ding Deshui was a shrewd man. Seeing this, he just smiled and drank up the wine in his glass. Without saying anything, he turned around and walked to his seat.
"Wait, Shopkeeper Ding. What did you say just now? Why haven't I heard of you before? Why, in Jiang City, is there anyone who dares to make things difficult for you, Shopkeeper Ding?"
As soon as Zheng Xi's voice rang out, the noisy long hall suddenly fell into silence. Those who could be invited by Zheng Xi were all influential figures in Jiang City. They were well-informed as well as Junior Leopard, so they naturally understood the severity of the situation. As Junior Leopard's immediate superior, Zheng Xi had repeatedly said in public that he wanted to replace Junior Leopard before he gained a firm foothold in Jiang City. In this way, even a fool could see that there was a great conflict of interest between them.
It was only because Junior Leopard was absent that there was no conflict. As a matter of fact, as soon as Junior Leopard came back yesterday, the Garrison Mansion held a banquet today and invited so many influential people in Jiang City. It should be known that these people were all influential in Jiang City. Most importantly, they had once plotted to seize the port of River Heart Island. More or less, they had some conflict of interest with Junior Leopard. It was only because Junior Leopard was too strong that no one dared to provoke him.
Now Zheng Xi came and invited them. It was clear that he wanted to support them and bring Junior Leopard down. Otherwise, why didn't Zheng Xi invite Supervisor Zhao of the Wu Family?
Just now when they saw Shopkeeper Ding stand up, they knew that the show was about to begin. However, they didn't expect that Junior Leopard would ignore Shopkeeper Ding. Just when they were disappointed, this new Garrison Commander took over the conversation. How could they not know that this Garrison Zheng probably wanted to use this matter to knock Junior Leopard down.
Hearing Zheng Xi's question, Shopkeeper Ding hurriedly bowed and said, "Oh, it's just a small misunderstanding. I dare not disturb Your Excellency because of this!"
"What are you talking about? As long as it's a misunderstanding, it should be solved. I'm the Garrison of Jiang City. I'm in charge of all the military affairs in Jiang City. The Navy of Jiang City is also under the jurisdiction of the Garrison Mansion. If there's any misunderstanding, you can tell me. Let's see if I can solve it!"
"This …!" Shopkeeper Ding heard this and revealed an embarrassed expression. He looked at Junior Leopard with a pleading look.
"This two-man show is too obvious!" Junior Leopard sneered and cupped his hands at Zheng Xi. "Your Excellency, I'm afraid this misunderstanding is not easy to solve!"
"Oh, it's not easy to solve. Is there any misunderstanding in Jiang City that you, Commander Zhou, can't solve?" Seeing Junior Leopard speak, Zheng Xi smiled as if his conspiracy had succeeded.
"Of course not. I suspect that the South Bay Warehouse colludes with the water bandits in the Luo River. That's why I asked my brothers to check more carefully every time. I didn't expect that this guy would come to Your Excellency to complain. He's a bastard!"
"Ding!" A crisp sound rang out. Someone in the room couldn't hold the wine glass in his hand and fell to the ground, making a crisp sound. This became the only sound in the long hall.
The crowd looked at each other in dismay. They didn't expect Junior Leopard to say such a thing.
Even Zheng Xi and Shopkeeper Ding didn't expect this. The smiles on their faces froze at the same time. They didn't know how to answer.
How could we collude with the water bandits? This is really a great injustice. Your Excellency, please don't slander us. Our South Bay Warehouse is innocent. We do business with a clear conscience. Do you have any evidence that we colluded with the water bandits? If you don't have any evidence, we South Bay Inn will never let you go! "Ding Ning was stunned for a long while before he responded," Your Excellency, Your Excellency, you're wronged! How could we collude with the water bandits?
"Shopkeeper Ding, you heard me clearly. I just said I suspect, not I'm sure. It's because there's no evidence that I'm tolerant of your South Bay Warehouse. If there's evidence, do you think you still have a chance to speak?"
You …! "
Even though Head Shopkeeper Ding was a man of great self-restraint, he was still angered by Junior Leopard's unreasonable and unreasonable words. He stared at Junior Leopard fiercely and didn't say a word for a long time.
The sneer on Junior Leopard's face deepened. He gently picked up the wine glass, drank a cup, and said to Zheng Xi, "Your Excellency, this wine is really good. Let me propose a toast to you!"
Zheng Xi's face darkened slightly. He also raised his wine glass and drank up. "Your Excellency Zhou, I'm a man of my word. I've drunk the wine, but this matter has to be solved. You're the Navy Commander of Jiang City. What you say doesn't only represent you, but also the entire Navy of Jiang City. You said that South Bay Inn colluded with the water bandits. This kind of thing can't be simply said. Just like what Shopkeeper Ding said, you need evidence. If you don't have evidence, then you can't talk nonsense. If you just suspect, go back and investigate clearly, then talk about it with evidence!"
"I didn't want to say it at first. But Shopkeeper Ding's words came to this point. He said that my brothers in the Navy were making things difficult for him. Your Excellency, you asked me about this matter. You're the Garrison Commander. If you ask me a question, I have to answer. I can't answer you with lies, can I? "
Junior Leopard laughed, casually blocking Zheng Xi's words. Zheng Xi's expression changed. He tightened his grip on the wine glass and raised his hand to smash it.
"Your Excellency …!" Seeing that Zheng Xi was about to lose his temper, everyone's expression changed. The person sitting on Zheng Xi's left hurriedly stood up and tried to persuade him. However, he only uttered two words before his voice stopped.
"Your Excellency, what's wrong with you?!" Junior Leopard's expression changed. He stood up abruptly, but his body didn't move. He just looked at Zheng Xi with a horrified expression. Everyone at the banquet also noticed that something was wrong. They saw Zheng Xi maintain the posture of raising his hand and the expression of anger, but the light in his eyes gradually faded and became empty. Dark red blood flowed out of his Seven Apertures, giving off a pungent smell.
Junior Leopard's expression changed greatly. He immediately covered his nose with his sleeve and said, "Everyone, hold your breath. There's poison!"
Everyone was stunned by this sudden change. Only when they smelled the stench and felt a wave of dizziness did they come to their senses. Everyone covered their mouths and noses, and some of them were so frightened that they left their seats and ran out.
"Guards, seal the hall immediately. Don't let anyone go!"
Junior Leopard, who was covering his mouth and nose, shouted harshly. He used his Internal Qi to shout, which sounded like thunder in everyone's ears.
"Whoosh!" A group of soldiers outside the hall rushed in. At first, they didn't understand what had happened. But when they saw the scene in the hall, their expressions changed dramatically. They stood in a row and blocked the exit of the long hall. They unsheathed their swords, which shone with a cold light.
The guests who wanted to run out were all forced back to their seats. Their expressions changed dramatically.
"Poison, poison, there's poison here!"
"The poison came from His Excellency's blood. It's not strong. It's not a problem!" The man who stood on Zheng Xi's left and tried to stop Zheng Xi from throwing the cup covered his nose and stood beside Zheng Xi's corpse with a cold face.
"I'm really sorry. It happened so suddenly. His Excellency Zheng was killed. It seems that you have to stay in the Garrison Mansion tonight!"
"What did you say?!" Zhu Ba stood up and shouted.
"You, sit down!" Junior Leopard shouted coldly and glared at Zhu Ba fiercely. Zhu Ba felt a chill running from his tailbone to his head. He sat down and dared not to say another word. "Junior Leopard, you have to be careful," said Zhu Ba.
"Thank you, Your Excellency Zhou!"
"Don't mention it. It's what I should do!" Junior Leopard cupped one hand in the other before his chest. He didn't know this man before. But when he came here, he was introduced by Jiang Xiao and others. He knew that his name was Cao Wenxiang, who was brought by Zheng Xi from the capital city. He should be an advisor. It was said that Zheng Xi trusted him very much. He was in charge of all the affairs in the Garrison Mansion.
"Guards, go to the kitchen at once. Take the cook, the maids, the servants, and everyone else to the backyard. Don't miss any of the dancing geishas!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!" Several soldiers answered and went straight to the kitchen.
"Everyone, don't worry. I, Cao Wenxiang, have no intention of making things difficult for all of you. It's just that Lord Garrison was suddenly killed, and all of you were present at the scene. To put it bluntly, all of you, including me, are suspects. I'm keeping all of you here to clear all of your suspicions and clear everyone's name!"
"That's what I should do, that's what I should do!" Shopkeeper Ding of the South Bay Warehouse said repeatedly. He still covered his nose with his hand and didn't dare to loosen it. So did the people around him. They were afraid that if they loosened their hands, the poisonous gas would rush into their noses and they would be poisoned to death on the spot.
For a moment, the whole long hall fell into silence. Not long after, a soldier of the Garrison Mansion walked into the hall and came to Cao Wenxiang. He cupped one hand in the other before his chest and said, "Your Excellency Cao, everyone has been taken to the backyard. Please instruct us!"
"Go and ask the County Magistrate to come here!" Cao Wenxiang waved his hand and said weakly.
At this time, everyone gradually came to their senses. Some people slowly returned to their seats, while others gathered together and whispered to each other. Their expressions were unsightly, and some were even flustered and exasperated. They were all sensible people, and naturally knew what had happened in this hall. An official of the imperial court, who had just been appointed for a month, was poisoned to death in his own family's banquet. What was even more unbelievable was that they, the unlucky ones, happened to be present at the banquet.
Now, it was impossible to get rid of the responsibility. As for what the final result would be, they didn't know. They could only resign themselves to fate. Junior Leopard sat where he was.
Junior Leopard sat in his original position with a cold look in his eyes. From time to time, he glanced at the crowd as if he was going to devour them. Everyone who was looked at by him couldn't help but shiver, as if he could see through them from inside to outside. They didn't feel safe at all.
Fortunately, this situation didn't last long. There was a hubbub outside the hall. It was the soldiers of the Garrison Mansion leading the County Magistrate in.
"How could this happen? How could this happen? He was fine during the day. How could this happen?"
When the County Magistrate walked in, the blood flowing out of Zheng Xi's seven apertures had dried up. It stuck to his face and formed dark red bloodstains, which made him look even more ferocious and terrible.
The County Magistrate was a scholar. Usually, he didn't see many dead cats and dogs, let alone dead people. Now that he suddenly saw Zheng Xi's horrible appearance, he couldn't help shivering. He first took two steps back and then slowly approached. He kept muttering and complaining as if he was chanting scriptures.
"Your Excellency, Your Excellency, His Excellency was suddenly poisoned to death. There are many suspicious points. Please make a decision!" Seeing the County Magistrate, Cao Wenxiang didn't dare to slight him. He stepped forward and saluted.
"Make a decision, make a decision. I know, I know!" Seeing this scene, the County Magistrate didn't have any opinion. Suddenly, he glanced at Junior Leopard as if he had caught a life-saving straw. "Commander Zhou, you're here too. Great, it's really great. Look, what's going on?"
Junior Leopard rolled his eyes. "What's going on? What are you talking about?"
With a bitter smile, he stepped forward and said, "Your Excellency, I don't know what's going on either. Today, His Excellency invited all of you to a banquet. Everything was fine, but he was suddenly poisoned. Before he could finish his words, he died of bleeding from his seven apertures. We still don't know what's going on!"
"You can't figure it out. Why are you still sitting here? Go and check it out!"
"Ah? Me?" Junior Leopard was really surprised. "Your Excellency, this is …"
Before he finished, Cao Wenxiang said anxiously, "Your Excellency, it's not appropriate!"
"Not appropriate? What's not appropriate?"
The County Magistrate frowned and asked.
"This …!" Cao Wenxiang looked at the County Magistrate awkwardly and then looked at the expressionless Junior Leopard. He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Excellency, His Excellency was suddenly poisoned to death. Everyone here is a suspect. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to let Commander Zhou investigate!"
"Bastard! What the hell do you mean by that?" Hearing this, Zhu Ba suddenly jumped up. He pointed at Cao Wenxiang's nose and scolded him. Then he waved his fist and punched.
"Bang —!" Before he could swing his fist, his body was bounced away.
"You stay there!" Junior Leopard said coldly. Zhu Ba got up from the ground, hummed a few times, and stayed obediently behind Junior Leopard. He did not dare to say a word, but his eyes flashed fiercely, and he stared at Cao Wenxiang from time to time.
"Your Excellency, His Excellency Cao is right. His Excellency died suddenly and everyone here is suspected of murder. Therefore, it's not appropriate to let me investigate. I think it's better for Your Excellency to assign someone else!"
"This …!" Hearing what Junior Leopard said, the Magistrate hesitated. But soon, he rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "Commander Zhou, you worry too much. You're an official of the imperial court and the Navy Commander. How could you poison the Garrison Milord? This matter …!"
"This is absolutely not appropriate!" Junior Leopard said in a resolute tone, "I'm just the Navy Commander of Jiang City. The investigation of the case has nothing to do with me. Moreover, I'm a suspect now. If this matter is handed over to me, it won't be easy to explain in the future!"
Seeing Junior Leopard's firm attitude, the County Magistrate couldn't say anything else. He could only say, "In that case, Commander Zhou, how do you think we should deal with this matter?"
Junior Leopard wanted to kick the County Magistrate to death. "I've made it clear that I don't want to deal with this matter, but you're still pushing it to me. What do you mean?"
"Your Excellency, this matter happened too suddenly. I don't know what to do!" Junior Leopard resisted the urge to kick the County Magistrate and replied as gently as possible.
"Your Excellency, it's better to let everyone move to the backyard and let the County Government send people to investigate one by one until the culprit is found!" At this time, Cao Wenxiang said again.
"What if we can't find the culprit? Do you want us to stay in the backyard of your Garrison Mansion forever?! "
Among the crowd, someone raised an objection. "Your Excellency, His Excellency Zheng died of poisoning. The problem must be with the food and wine. Moreover, so many of us ate the same food and wine, but only His Excellency Zheng was poisoned. If I'm not wrong, the problem must be with the kitchen or the servants who served His Excellency drinking. We didn't even leave our seats, so how could we have the chance to poison him? Your Excellency, please understand! "
The person who spoke was eight feet tall and had an imposing appearance. He had a mustache under his chin and looked mighty and handsome. Junior Leopard smiled in his heart. This person was the brother-in-law of the County Magistrate, Wang Peng. His sister was the County Magistrate's favorite, Madam Ru. Relying on the County Magistrate's influence, he opened several cloth shops and silk shops in Jiang City. For the sake of the County Magistrate, all the businessmen in Jiang City gave him some respect. Therefore, it seemed that his business was doing very well and he had quite a high status in Jiang City.
"This can't be done!"
"That's reasonable!"
Cao Wenxiang and Junior Leopard spoke almost at the same time, but the meaning was completely opposite.
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