Fu Mansion, Afternoon
From his current point of view, the Fu Residence was a little small. But even though it was small, the pavilions and rockery were arranged in picturesque disorder. The concept adopted was "creating the universe within a short distance". Within the limited space, the mountains and rivers were stacked, flowers and trees were planted, and the winding paths led to a secluded place. There were a few cloudy days, and occasionally a few snowflakes would fall.
A young man rode on a donkey and entered. It was a Daoist. He had taken off his raincoat and wooden shoes. He had just sent off a few people. Yu Yun Jun was deep in thought as she stared at the courtyard. A Daoist walked in and bowed. With one look, she could tell that he had been sent to observe the situation.
Yu Yunjun furrowed her brows and said, "It's raining and snowing. You must be tired from the journey. Let's sit down and talk!"
He then ordered, "Serve the tea!"
"Elder Yu, according to your instructions, I've made some inquiries." The Daoist sat down, his face was pale from the cold, "There's something wrong with Ji Bei Hou Mansion."
The serving maid came over and served some tea. The Daoist took a sip, and his face brightened up, "Firstly, Ji Bei Hou's fleet is acting strangely. There are many more people on board, including the elderly and children."
"Because of this, I specifically investigated and discovered that many people had boarded the ship but did not return. After further investigation, I discovered that many family members of soldiers who had been discharged from the army had boarded the ship."
"Investigate further. The fleet has been buying grain and iron from other provinces. The amount is huge. I don't know about the iron, but there are at least a few thousand dans of grain."
"What?" Yu Yun Jun's reaction was sharp. She stood up and thought for a moment before asking, "What about the other movements?"
"Our Free Cloud Sect has very few people to send. If we go deeper, we won't be able to find out anything."
Yu Yun Jun nodded her head. She turned around a few times and realized the severity of the situation. She then said, "The Imperial Envoy should be arriving soon, right? Not good, there might be changes in Ying Prefecture. "
"Hurry up and give the order. Everyone in the Daoist temple, as long as they are our disciples, should pack up their belongings. We're leaving the city and hiding in the Anliang Temple."
The Daoist's face froze as he looked at Yu Yun Jun and nodded frantically.
"Don't be afraid. Anliang Monastery is only ten miles away from the city. If nothing happens, it will be a false alarm." Yu Yunjun thought for a moment and said, "Let's split into several groups."
Governor-General's Office
In the dark of the night, the cold wind blew, bringing with it a desolate rustling.
Night had just fallen, but the study room was still brightly lit. The light shone on the ground, and the armored soldiers patrolled the area. Not even a mouse could get in.
The Governor Gong Yun sat upright as he placed his teacup on the table before speaking, "A letter has just been delivered, saying that the Imperial Envoy has already arrived at the relay station about twenty miles away from the Prefecture City. He will be able to enter the city tomorrow morning and announce the Imperial Edict. All of you are officials of the Imperial Court, if you have anything to say, feel free to speak."
As he spoke, Governor Gong Yun toyed with the teacup in his hand and swept his gaze across the crowd.
Hearing this, the official sitting on the right was startled. "I didn't expect the imperial court would really remove the vassals," he said.
As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up and bowed, "Congratulations your excellency. With the removal of Ji Bei Hou, there are no longer any strong and unyielding warriors in Ying Prefecture. These crude warriors can be used to conquer the world. But now is a time of peace. Holding military power for too long would be a disaster. The imperial court has removed the vassals.
To the officials, meritorious officials were the same as rebels. Three years ago, meritorious officials held seventy percent of the power in Chengping.
Seven years later, the first thing that changed was the administration system. All the meritorious officials had been removed. Next, it was the military power. All these positions were left to the scholars.
Although the meritorious officials couldn't be considered good officials, the removal of the vassals was something to be happy about.
Another official spoke out, "The old official (referring to the previous Governor) has done many things, but this removal of the vassals was not completed. Your excellency has only been here for half a year, and you've managed to get this done. Your excellency is truly a capable official!"
"You flatter me, you flatter me. This is all thanks to the Emperor's good fortune. How can I be considered a capable official? It's just that I've received the Emperor's kindness, and am loyal to my duties." Gong Yun spoke humbly, his eyes narrowed into a smile.
Seeing the crowd of officials flattering him, an official pondered for some time before stepping forward, "Governor your excellency, Ji Bei Hou controls an army, and has many henchmen. This matter has to be handled carefully. If something goes wrong, it would be difficult to appease them."
The entire hall fell silent. The Governor looked at another official, "Your excellency, what do you think?"
A sixth ranked official on the left chuckled, "The new dynasty has been established, and the world is at peace. Do you think Ji Bei Hou would dare to disobey the imperial edict? Besides, Ji Bei Hou only has one prefecture left, and his army isn't in the city. What can he do? "
"If your excellency is worried, you can summon ten men to the city gates, and announce the imperial edict. If Ji Bei Hou refuses to comply, you can arrest him for disrespecting the imperial edict."
The entire room was silent. Governor Gong Yun sat upright, and held a string of pearls in his hands. He kept spinning them, and his eyes were closed, as if he was deep in thought. All of a sudden, he opened his eyes, "Alright, we shall do as your excellency suggests. Tomorrow, all the guards in the prefecture shall await my command."
"Yes, your excellency."
Midnight, Army Camp
The night sky was filled with stars, and the shadows of the trees in the camp swayed in the wind. It was a scary sight. The army camp was brightly lit. All of a sudden, the sound of drums could be heard, startling everyone.
In one of the tents, a Corporal was startled awake. He looked around and shouted, "Listen to my command, wake up."
His voice was loud and clear, waking up the soldiers who were sleeping. One of them was in a deep sleep. The Corporal was already halfway through putting on his armor. When he saw that the soldier was awake, he slapped him, "Wake up, the army is calling for you. Do you want to die?"
The soldiers who were sound asleep were startled awake, and immediately got up and put on their armor. They held their spears in their hands, and formed into groups as they left the camp. Outside the tent, there was a huge crowd of people.
Halfway through their journey, they formed into groups and headed towards the battlefield. At this point, there were a thousand men standing on the battlefield. Apart from the sound of the wind, there was only the sound of breathing. There was also the sound of footsteps on a tall platform. A general stood on the platform, clad in heavy armor. His army flag fluttered in the wind. Bonfires were lit up all around the battlefield, illuminating the entire camp.
The armored soldiers had machetes on their waists, or were armed with long spears and bows. Their eyes were sharp, and they lined up neatly.
"Let's go!" The general didn't bother to explain as he pulled out his machete and shouted.
Thousands of soldiers lined up and set off. In the dark of the night, they were like a black snake slithering across the ground. By the time they were a thousand steps away from the city gates, it took them about an hour.
The general's expression couldn't be seen clearly in the dark. He looked at them and said, "Let's go into the forest. Nobody is allowed to make any noise, and nobody is allowed to light any bonfires. Also, bring my personal guards and follow me."
The general looked up at the sky, and noticed that the entire sky was filled with dark clouds. At this point, the sky was just beginning to brighten. He exhaled deeply and waved his hands. A deputy general by his side led a hundred soldiers out of the forest.
The hundred soldiers arrived at the city gates. The deputy general stretched out his hand and knocked on the city gates. According to the agreement, after knocking a few times, the city gates started to open.
A guard at the city gates led over ten soldiers guarding the gates. When the two of them met, the guard at the gates didn't say a word and welcomed them into the city.
The sun gradually rose, and it was a rare sunny day. White clouds floated in the sky.
All the officials in the city had been informed to head to the city gates to receive the imperial edict. They changed into their official robes and ate some food before heading towards the city gates.
Before long, Governor Gong Yun and Ji Bei Hou led a group of officials to the city gates, waiting for the imperial edict.
Ji Bei Hou's personal guards stood on both sides of the road. Ji Bei Hou was dressed in Hou robes, and a blade hung from his waist. The scabbard was adorned with gems. The officials of Ying Prefecture stood behind him.
Ji Bei Hou took advantage of the convenience and walked about twenty steps before asking softly, "How is it? Has everything been prepared? "
"Master Hou, everything has been prepared. The guards at the city gates have been replaced by our men. It's just that Governor Gong Yun has sent more than ten men over. Master Hou, you have to be careful." The personal guard spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
"Hm, I'm careful!" Ji Bei Hou's face turned red as he cursed out loud. He then swallowed his words.
"How's Chen Ping's side?" Ji Bei Hou stared at the personal guard in front of him and asked.
"Master Hou, Mister Shen has sent someone over. He said that General Chen Ping has agreed to respond to the imperial edict. Furthermore, he has used the excuse of leaving his post to contact his former subordinates. As soon as we make our move, they will respond immediately."
"The surrounding forest and houses have more than a thousand men lying in ambush. We're just waiting for Master Hou's command." The personal guard noticed that Governor Gong Yun was looking at them and hurriedly lowered his head and whispered.
"Good!" Ji Bei Hou laughed out as he looked at the personal guards around him. Most of them were the Governor's men, but he didn't care.
At this point, the sound of cannons being fired could be heard as a group of soldiers appeared in the distance. It was the Imperial Envoy. Governor Gong Yun, Ji Bei Hou and the officials of Ying Prefecture all stepped forward to welcome him.
Amidst the music, the ox-cart came to a halt. An official alighted from the cart. This was not a eunuch. This was an official of the state. He was dressed in a fourth ranked official's robes. When he saw the officials and the incense burner, he walked over.
"Subject Gong Yun (Ji Bei Hou) and the officials of Ying Prefecture pay their respects to the Emperor!" Gong Yun and Ji Bei Hou led their men to kowtow.
"Greetings to the Emperor!" The Imperial Envoy acknowledged as he walked over to the incense burner. With a solemn look on his face, he read out the Imperial Edict, "In accordance with the will of the heavens, the Emperor has decreed that Ji Bei Hou has been misbehaving and has misappropriated military supplies. He shall be stripped of his entire mansion and his salary shall be forfeited for half a year." The Imperial Envoy was calm and composed as he read the Imperial Edict out loud. As soon as the words were spoken, everyone turned to look at Ji Bei Hou. Ji Bei Hou seemed to be in a daze as he knelt on the ground motionlessly.
"Ji Bei Hou, receive the Imperial Edict." The Imperial Envoy urged.
Hearing these words, Ji Bei Hou raised his head. All the officials turned to look at Ji Bei Hou. The Governor then rushed him, "Ji Bei Hou, aren't you going to thank the Imperial Edict?"
Far away
There was a tea stall. Although the Imperial Edict had been received, it only prohibited people from approaching the stall. There was no order for the stall to be dismantled. An old Daoist was wearing a bamboo hat, which covered half his face. He held his breath as he immersed his consciousness into his Yin Master.
He saw that Ji Bei Hou was surrounded by golden Qi, with some green Qi in the middle. The Imperial Envoy was even more extraordinary, as he was the complete opposite. His insides were filled with yellow Qi, while his exterior was filled with green Qi. There was even a hint of purple in it. As the Imperial Envoy read the Imperial Envoy's words, the green and purple Qi congregated together and descended upon Ji Bei Hou.
However, the Imperial Envoy's body was filled with a deathly Qi.
"Ai, that's weird." The old Daoist was bewildered as he looked at the Governor. He saw that the Governor's body was filled with golden Qi, but his entire body was filled with deathly Qi.
Seeing this, the old Daoist was shocked, "What?"
He stood up and knocked over the teacup, causing it to roll on the ground.
"How are you? You even broke the teacup? "The shop owner walked out the moment he heard the noise, his expression was unfriendly.
"I'll compensate you." When the old Daoist heard this, he didn't even turn his head. He threw a silver coin onto the ground. At this point, his eyes started to hurt, and he couldn't see clearly. He knew that he was suffering from a backlash.
"How can the number of nobles be spied on so easily?"
"It's just that this is a critical juncture. I need to know the truth and determine the direction of my sect. I have no choice but to spend some precious treasures." As he thought about this, he retrieved a piece of jade and crushed it into powder. As it was crushed, his eyes lit up again. He saw that Ji Bei Hou's official Qi had been shattered, as a yellow snake emerged from it and circled around his head.
The snake inhaled and exhaled at the official Qi, as it transformed into a pale red liquid. Ji Bei Hou's face froze as he made a decision.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
