Spring always makes people feel very comfortable.
Fang Zhengzhi did not need to rush to the Law of Dao examinations. As such, he was in no rush. In fact, he did not have anything urgent to do at the moment.
"Spring is returning, the grass is fragrant. A beauty from my homeland, a thousand miles away letter to Shen Yinyao. Rain moistens the mist, the night sky is clear, the light shining from the railings. Dreams are few. To Honored Guest Zou Mei, Little Maid Yan Zhao … "
Fang Zhengzhi snorted as he rode the horse.
In his previous world, spring excursions were always popular. Other than the weather, it was also because of the green grass, fresh flowers, and vitality.
"How far are we from the capital?"
"Young Master Fang, we are still over a hundred miles away. If we hurry, we can reach by tomorrow. If …" One of the Yan Cloud Cavalry replied.
"Mm, then find a place to rest for a few days."
"Understood!"
…
Deep into the night, a huge military tent was set up in a quiet valley. Soldiers from the Red Pinion Squad and the Yan Cloud Cavalry stood around the tent.
In one of the tents, a lamp was lit on a table.
Fang Zhengzhi placed his hands behind his head and reclined on the chair behind the table. He looked at the figure who had just walked into the tent.
"My Lord, what is it?"
"Mm, there is news from the capital that the Emperor is holding a banquet at the Ten Mile Lake. As the chief guest, Old Master Yan has accepted the invitation. King Duan has asked us to be careful when we enter the city. I am considering whether we should wait until the banquet is over before entering the capital with Old Master Yan, or what?" Chi Hou said casually as he looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
"Which one does the Marquis prefer?"
"The timing of the banquet is a little too coincidental. To be safe, it is better to wait until after the banquet before entering the capital with Old Master Yan."
"If I wanted to be safe, you wouldn't have come to me, right?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled as he looked at Chi Hou.
For someone like Chi Hou, who was in charge of an entire region …
Safe? Safe?
Clearly, this was not his favorite choice.
"Ahem … what I mean is that according to the rules of the Empire, the Red Pinion Squad and the Yan Cloud Cavalry are both part of the Prefecture Army. The most they can do is set up camp outside the capital." Chi Hou's face showed a tinge of awkwardness.
Just as Fang Zhengzhi had guessed, he did not intend to be a coward outside the Flame Capital City. In fact, before he decided to enter the Flame Capital City, he did not even think that Yan Qianli would come.
Then, why would he retreat?
"And then?" Fang Zhengzhi continued to ask.
"If you enter the Flame Capital City with me and Yan Xiu, I'm afraid that something might happen. After all, you are a criminal. Even if I am the one escorting you to the capital, there are still some procedures that need to be followed."
"Like staying in jail for a while?" Fang Zhengzhi asked casually.
"Cough cough, if it is possible, I naturally will not allow such a thing to happen. However, don't worry, if there are any problems, I will make arrangements with King Duan. After I see the Emperor, I will request for King Duan to interrogate him. The Emperor should not refuse." Chi Hou coughed lightly again.
"My Lord, you are here to tell me this?"
"Yes, based on the current situation, it isn't beneficial for us to go head on with the Crown Prince. So, we have to consider the overall situation and absolutely can't cause any trouble. In my opinion …." Chi Hou spoke with a sincere expression.
"Why do I remember that when we were in the Northern Mountain Village, I did not agree to listen to King Duan?" Fang Zhengzhi interrupted Chi Hou.
"You did not agree, but now that we are entering the Flame Capital City, I have also promised to protect you. You cannot be reckless and make me go against the laws of the Imperial Court, right?"
"My Lord, don't worry, I will not make things difficult for you." Fang Zhengzhi nodded. Of course, he knew what Chi Hou was thinking.
This was a classic example of "pushing you into a pit".
To put it bluntly, he was using his good intentions as an excuse to get you to follow the plot that he had set. Halfway through, you would realise that...
There was no turning back?
"Then you mean... you agree?" Chi Hou's expression was one of anticipation.
"No, but I will keep a low profile." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.
"Low profile?"
"Yes."
"How low profile?"
"Very, very low profile!"
"If that's the case... good, then I can rest assured."
...
Three days later, at dusk, at the eastern gate of the Flame Capital City, a group of more than ten people slowly approached the city gate. Around this group, there were two rows of spectators who stopped to watch.
"Fang Zhengzhi really entered the capital!"
"Furthermore, he entered the capital so openly?"
"He must have been forced by the Divine Constabulary? Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible no matter how I think about it. He is a wanted criminal by the imperial court! "
"Forced by the Divine Constabulary? Does he look like he's being forced to do this? Most importantly, I heard that when we were in Huai An County, he took the initiative to show up … "
"I really don't know what he is thinking. Isn't he courting death? "
The people standing on both sides stared at Fang Zhengzhi, who had a leisurely and lazy look on his face. All of them widened their eyes in disbelief.
After all, they had never seen a wanted criminal of the Empire enter the capital in such a way.
Chi Hou looked at the surging crowd around him. His face was calm, but in reality, he had a vague feeling that something was about to happen.
Fang Zhengzhi had entered the capital.
Such a thing would naturally cause a sensation.
Chi Hou was already prepared for this, but he didn't expect so many people to line up on both sides of the city gate to welcome him.
Why was this happening?
Chi Hou did not think that this was normal. He had already tried his best to avoid the rush hour, choosing to enter the capital at dusk.
However, the number of people in front of him far exceeded the number of people entering the capital in the morning.
As for Fang Zhengzhi...
Chi Hou did not want to say anything else. He remembered that he had looked for Fang Zhengzhi alone three days ago. Fang Zhengzhi had indeed said that he would keep a low profile.
However, what was up with that signature blue gown?
Did he dare to change?!
If not, he could at least keep a low profile and wear a bamboo hat. Even though everyone knew that he was Fang Zhengzhi, it was still necessary to change his attire.
Chi Hou was speechless.
Fang Zhengzhi did not seem to care. More importantly, Yan Xiu did not seem to care either. He walked quietly beside Fang Zhengzhi, not saying a word.
They were getting closer and closer to the city gates.
Chi Hou looked at the figures wearing black hats behind Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu. He gave Li Jingfeng a look.
Li Jingfeng understood what Chi Hou meant. He pulled on the reins of his horse and slowed it down. He blended in with the black-hatted figures.
Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu did not seem to notice this. They continued to walk side by side towards the city gate amidst the chatter of the crowd.
Finally, under the watchful eyes of the guards at the city gates, the group slowly passed through the city gates and stepped into the capital of the Great Xia Dynasty, Flame Capital City!
"Hahaha, Lord Chi is here. Thank you for your hard work!"
Just at that moment, a figure appeared in front of Chi Hou and Fang Zhengzhi. He was dressed in a black official robe and had a smile on his face.
Behind the figure, there were a hundred guards dressed in special metal uniforms. Most importantly, there was an ancient character embroidered on the chest of these guards.
"Arrest!"
They were from the Ministry of Law.
Law Constables!
The person standing in front of them was none other than Minister of Justice Wan Chong.
Chi Hou turned to look at Wan Chong, who was blocking his way. Of course, he recognized Wan Chong, the Minister of Law.
The appearance of Wan Chong, the Minister of Justice, was within his expectations.
However...
He did not expect the Law Minister to arrive so quickly. He was already waiting at the city gates. Shouldn't he be waiting for him at the Ministry of Law?
"Lord Wan, you couldn't have been waiting for this Hou here, right?" A cold light flashed across Chi Hou's eyes and the aura of a battlefield flashed across his body.
"Haha... who said otherwise?" Wan Chong's body trembled. He was not used to this, but he maintained his smile.
"Looks like the official business of the Ministry of Justice is quite idle, huh?" Chi Hou said calmly as he glanced at the crowd of people around him.
When the crowd heard Chi Hou's words, they exchanged glances with one another. When they looked at Wan Chong again, their gazes were a little strange.
Wan Chong had been involved in politics for many years.
He had been through a lot of scheming. However, peace was the most important thing in politics. As such, most of the conflicts were hidden behind the scenes.
It was rare for Chi Hou to "greet" someone so blatantly like this.
As such, Wan Chong's expression changed. However, he quickly regained his composure and waved to the hundred constables behind him.
"Arrest them!"
"Yes sir!"
The hundreds of constables responded in unison. Then, they quickly blocked the city gates and surrounded Xing Hou and the rest.
"Don't tell me Lord Wan wants to fight with me?" Chi Hou glanced at the hundred or so bailiffs surrounding him and a disdainful smile appeared on his lips.
"My Lord, you must be joking. I am merely following the laws of the dynasty to arrest the criminal who stabbed the Crown Prince, killed the Crown Prince, and molested the Princess of the Southern Region!" Wan Chong laughed once more.
"Oh, so that's how it is. It seems like … Lord Wan wants to snatch the credit from me?" Chi Hou's eyes flashed coldly when he heard this.
"My lord, you have misunderstood me. I would not dare to steal the credit from you. However, you should know that this is the Flame Capital City, right?"
"So what?"
"According to the laws of the Empire, the State Army should hand the criminal over to the Ministry of Law for investigation. Now that we are in the Flame Capital City, I am in charge of this."
"Lord Wan is right. After I report this to His Majesty, I will naturally follow His Majesty's wishes." Chi Hou continued.
"My lord, Fang Zhengzhi's case has been closed since a year ago. The evidence is clear, there is no need to report this to the Emperor!"
"The criminal has not been caught, how can we close the case?"
"Even if you don't believe me, you should at least believe this conclusion!" As Wan Chong spoke, he retrieved a piece of paper from the Ministry of Law.
At this moment, Chi Hou's expression finally changed a little.
Because, with his eyesight, he could clearly see that Fang Zhengzhi's name was written on the record, and most importantly, at the end of the record …..
It had the word "conclusion" written on it.
This meant that Wan Chong was right. According to the laws of the Empire, the Ministry of Law could not overturn a case unless there was new evidence.
If not, the case would be closed.
And speaking of new evidence of guilt …
Under the current circumstances, there was naturally no such thing. Furthermore, even if there was, the criminal should be handed over to the Ministry of Justice first before reporting to the Emperor for punishment.
"What if I don't hand him over? What can Official Wan do to me? "Chi Hou grit his teeth and clenched his fists.
"My lord, you came to the capital under the guise of escorting a criminal. Now that the criminal has been safely delivered to the capital, I am sure you will not make things difficult for me. Am I right? Chi Hou of the Divine Constabulary will not disobey the laws of the Empire, right? "
Wan Chong chuckled when he heard this. Then, he raised his voice and shouted at the crowd.
"That's right, is the Divine Constabulary going to disobey the laws?" A voice rang out from the crowd.
Then, the crowd looked at each other. Before long, they began to discuss amongst themselves, almost as if they had been incited.
"If the Emperor breaks the law, he will be punished like a commoner!"
"Since Fang Zhengzhi has broken the law, he should be punished by the Ministry of Law!"
"That's right. Even if he did well in the Southern Region battle, it does not make up for the fact that he killed the Southern Region Noblelite, harassed the Southern Region Princess, and injured the Crown Prince!"
As the voices rang out, the crowd began to boil over.
Chi Hou looked at the people around him, and his expression changed again.
He finally understood why there were so many people at the city gate. This was clearly intentional. If he guessed correctly, it was obvious that there were so many people at the city gates.
If he was right, there should be people sent by the Ministry of Law among the crowd.
In other words...
This was a well-planned trap. The moment he stepped into the capital, he would have no choice but to hand Fang Zhengzhi over to the Ministry of Law for trial.
However, why was the Ministry of Law in such a hurry to try Fang Zhengzhi?
Were they going to kill Fang Zhengzhi?
However, since he had arrested Fang Zhengzhi in front of so many people, he should have known that he would be implicated if anything happened to Fang Zhengzhi.
What was he trying to do?
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