The door to the study was tightly shut like the mouth of a man with lofty ideals that would never open in the face of torture.
Dang Xiaobo and the other admiral's trusted aides were being tortured in the back garden. However, their mouths had long been stuffed with smelly rags, so they did not make a wretched cry.
Hong Changqing vigilantly watched the darkness around him. Leading a few bailiffs the Jiaozhou Zhizhou had sent, they scattered around the study, preventing anyone from approaching the room.
The study sank into a death-like silence. No one knew what Fan Xian and Xu Maocai were talking about, discussing, arguing, or arguing inside.
Following the faint candlelight, Yang Ling could see that the two of them were getting more and more serious, and their eyes were carrying a trace of coldness.
Fan Xian lowered his head slightly. The shadows on the sides of his nose were very conspicuous. In a quiet voice, he said, "This matter ends here. It ends here."
Xu Maocai thought for a bit and nodded. "Yes, sir."
The conversation between the two of them about the past and the future temporarily came to an end. Other than forcefully suppressing his excitement, Xu Maocai also recovered the calm he had these years and changed his way of addressing Fan Xian from young master to sir. He knew how treasonous his conversation with Fan Xian was. If other people knew what he had said to Fan Xian, he would certainly die, and Fan Xian would certainly not have good days ahead of him.
"We'll talk about the future in the future," Fan Xian calmly said. "How do we deal with the problem at hand?"
Xu Maocai had been in the Jiaozhou Navy for 20 years. Back then, he had been at the lowest level of soldier and had worked his way up step by step to the important general he was now. In the navy, he had a reputation and network that others could not hope to reach. If Fan Xian had his help in dealing with the Jiaozhou Navy, it would certainly be much simpler.
"I will go contact the people in the military," Xu Maocai said after thinking for a bit. "If you need someone to appear, I can try."
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and thought for a bit. If he could subdue a large group of middle and lower ranking officers in the navy, it would be much smoother. Since the general of the old Qin family was not willing to appear, and Xu Maocai was willing to help him, presumably the effect would be similar. After thinking for a bit, he shook his head and said, "Don't appear personally."
Xu Maocai looked at Fan Xian with some surprise.
"I don't want people to be able to detect a single problem. After all, you came from the Quanzhou Navy. Since you've been well-behaved these years, you won't come out today."
Unless it was a critical moment, Fan Xian's pawn in the military could not be exposed. However, to deal with a deformed arm like the Jiaozhou Navy, he would certainly not use the sharp cleaver he had picked up with great difficulty by the roadside.
"But … help me think of a way to deal with the middle and lower ranks of the military." Fan Xian continued, "Influence some of the people you can influence, at least make them behave. After daybreak, I have to go to the navy to announce the edict. I don't want tens of thousands of soldiers to surround and attack me."
Xu Maocai smiled, bowed, and said, "Don't worry, sir. In fact, I feel that you seem to be thinking too hard about this matter tonight."
"Oh, what do you mean?" Fan Xian raised his eyebrows, interested.
"You underestimate the army's loyalty to the court and the Emperor's influence on the soldiers," Xu Maocai calmly said. "Perhaps Chang Kun can control a portion of the army, or perhaps his trusted aides can incite soldiers who don't know the truth to make a ruckus … but the current situation is that Chang Kun is already dead, and Dang Xiaobo and the others have been imprisoned by you. Regardless of whether they are soldiers or commoners, if they have the courage to act against the imperial envoy, then they will need someone to take the lead."
Xu Maocai finally said, "If the sheep dare to rise up and rebel against the wolf, there must be a wolf hiding among the sheep."
Fan Xian's eyes lit up. He looked at Xu Maocai and didn't speak for a moment. Only now did he realize that this lucky child his mother had left behind indeed had a unique way of looking at things.
"But, I am a wolf from outside," he said with a smile. "These old wolves in the navy cherish their feathers."
Xu Maocai lightly said, "If you take them there, they have no choice but to go … they don't need to say anything. As long as they stand in the camp, the navy soldiers will naturally know where they stand. If there are still people making trouble in the army, you can kill them."
"Kill to establish might?" Fan Xian furrowed his brows. "What I'm afraid of is startling a mutiny. The smell of blood is very pungent and can easily make people dizzy."
Xu Maocai looked at him and smiled. In an even voice, he said, "Sir, the smell of blood can also easily make people timid, particularly those of the lower class who are not very brave to begin with."
These words were spoken calmly, but they carried a glimmer of strangeness and resentment. Presumably, when the Ye family and Quanzhou Navy were purged 20 years ago, this person had seen too much blood and was scared silent out of fear, unable to move.
Fan Xian thought for a bit and nodded.
Xu Maocai saw that the worry between his brows had not faded and knew what he was worried about. After thinking for a moment, he probingly said, "Even if I don't show myself today, I can still try after this."
Try what? Naturally, it was to try to control the Jiaozhou Navy in Fan Xian's hands. Given Xu Maocai's present qualifications and position, as long as he performed outstandingly in the court's investigation of the Jiaozhou Navy case and appeared more loyal to the Emperor, even if Fan Xian didn't help, presumably, he would still have a large chance of being promoted to admiral of the navy.
For Xu Maocai, this suggestion was not for the sake of his own career. Rather, it was because he wanted to help Fan Xian obtain a powerful aid.
However, Fan Xian only shook his head.
"I knew about your matter too late," he said. "That's why I didn't make any arrangements beforehand. The funeral of the Jiaozhou Navy has long been decided in Jingdou. In 10 days, someone from the Bureau of Military Affairs will come to take over. As for you … I will think of a way for you to not be implicated and remain in Jiaozhou. However, there is no way for the position of admiral."
Xu Maocai nodded. He knew that regarding the navy's subsequent arrangements, the Palace had certainly long decided. Since Fan Xian did not know of his background, he had not made any arrangements beforehand.
"Who is the next admiral?"
"Qin Yi," Fan Xian slowly said. "Qin Heng's cousin."
Qin Heng was the present commander of the Jingdou garrison. He was an outstanding figure in the second generation of the old Qin family. When he was in the capital, his relationship with Fan Xian was considered harmonious.
However, when Xu Maocai heard this name, his expression became slightly strange.
"What is it?" Fan Xian saw his worry and asked curiously.
"Why would the Emperor have someone from the old Qin family take over?" Xu Maocai furrowed his brows. "Even if the Ye family has lost favor, there are more than just these two families in the military. There are still a few generals in the Western expedition army that have not found suitable positions."
"I don't really understand either," Fan Xian replied with a smile. In his heart, he was thinking that for such an important place as Jiaozhou, the Emperor would certainly choose his most trusted aide to hold it in order to prevent something like Chang Kun from happening again.
Xu Maocai gazed at Fan Xian, wanting to say something but then hesitating. A moment later, he made up his mind and said, "The old Qin family is not simple."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't have proof, but I always feel that the old Qin family is not simple," Xu Maocai furrowed his brows and said. Xu Maocai furrowed his brows. "As you know, the person ranked third in the navy is a member of the Qin family. Chang Kun has done so much in the navy and led thousands of soldiers South. How could it be hidden from him? Why has he never reported it to the court? If he has told the old Qin family, but they did not tell the Emperor … then this matter is a bit strange. "
Fan Xian calmed down and carefully calculated the details in his mind. He then said, "That is why you have to stay in Jiaozhou and keep an eye on the admiral who is about to arrive. I believe the old Qin family will not betray the Emperor because, no matter how you look at it … this is not something that has any benefits."
Xu Maocai thought that this was indeed the case. The Great Prince was currently in control of the Imperial Army. The Ye family had been scolded by the Emperor to the point of not making a sound. They could only hole up in Dingzhou and raise horses. In the entire Qing military, the one with the most power was the old Qin family. If they betrayed the Emperor, it would be impossible for them to obtain a higher position and honor.
The choice in politics was the same as doing business. No one was willing to do things that did not benefit them.
"Go do your work," Fan Xian said with a warm smile. "Pay attention to your own safety. In the days to come, as long as I don't actively seek you out, don't do anything for me."
Xu Maocai also smiled. He walked in front of him and knelt down. Respectfully kowtowing once, he didn't say anything more and turned to leave.
Watching the departing figure of this general in his early 40s, Fan Xian put his hands behind his back and narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew that the other person's kowtow was done willingly and probably even joyfully. An event from 20 years ago had happened 20 years later. There were not many 20 years in one's life, yet this person had waited for so long. It was truly not easy.
A faint white rose in the distant horizon. Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked at it. His thoughts had floated somewhere. His brows were furrowed tightly. He felt a glimmer of pressure in his heart as well as a glimmer of excitement. He would not do something like rebellion. Just like what Ye Qingmei had said in her letter, unifying the world? She didn't want to do it. Fan Xian also didn't like playing this kind of game. However, in the days to come, other than rebellion, there would always be many meaningful things he could do.
For example, living well, having the person who had just left live well, and making some people live very unhappily.
There was no clamor in the admiral's manor. There was only silence surrounding it. Many people had not slept. The day had just broken.
… …
As the morning light gradually brightened, the closed Jiaozhou city gates were slowly pulled open. The provincial soldiers, who had tightly sealed the city for an entire night, tiredly withdrew and stood weakly on the two sides of the city gates. They used their gazes to send the group out of Jiaozhou and toward the navy camp not far away.
In the middle of the group was Fan Xian. Mounted on a horse, he had already changed into an official's robe. It was unusually luxurious and full of dignity. On the left, Hong Changqing held the Emperor's sword with a cold expression. On the right, an Overwatch Council official held a golden imperial edict.
In front of them, there were soldiers opening the way. They carried a sign and panted as they walked. Behind them was a golden umbrella with a crank handle.
No one knew where the Jiaozhou side had gotten a string and bamboo band. They played and beat gongs and drums. It was lively without end.
It was a simple and crude imperial envoy's honor guard. Fan Xian looked at it with cold eyes and couldn't help but feel it was funny. That Jiaozhou Zhizhou indeed had some skill. It had only been half a night and he had managed to create such a thing. However, why did this string and bamboo band smell so strongly of cosmetics? Had it been borrowed from a brothel?
He had always kept the imperial envoy's honor guard in Suzhou. He had never thought it would be used by the seaside. However, since he was going to the navy to announce an edict, putting on this kind of ostentatious display had its benefits. However, Fan Xian was a bit worried for Wu Gefei. Would such trickery make those old scholars in Jingdou unhappy?
All of the Jiaozhou officials and navy generals who had not been convicted followed obediently behind Fan Xian. Just from their expressions, it was impossible to tell if these people were happy or sad. However, after a night of torment, not many of them were in good spirits.
The Jiaozhou people who had woken up in the morning had already vaguely learned of last night's events from the breakfast stalls. They all crowded inside and outside the city gates to watch this scene. The daring people pointed at the imperial envoy's honor guard and spread the word that the young noble, who was as handsome as a girl, on the tall horse was the rumored Sir Fan junior.
Fan Xian's reputation among the people was truly too great.
However, the reputation of the Jiaozhou Navy in the city was not very good.
No one knew who started it, but the thousands of people outside and outside the city gates all cried out and wished the imperial envoy well. They then knelt down and bowed in different ways.
Fan Xian looked at the black mass of heads and couldn't help but feel a bit absent-minded. Thinking of the words Xu Maocai had said in the early morning, only then did he understand that the people at the lowest level of society indeed had an instinctive fear and respect for the high and mighty angels.
This kind of understanding did not make Fan Xian feel very comfortable. He unconsciously glanced at Xu Maocai.
Xu Maocai pretended to be fawning and smiled.
Without a choice, Fan Xian waved his hand to stop the group's advance. Piling a warm smile on his face, he dismounted under the protection of the officials. With light steps, he walked in front of the people outside the lines and warmly returned the greeting. With great politeness, he helped up a few elders. After exchanging a few pleasantries and saying a few useless things like "good health" and "good will", he returned to his horse and started the group.
…
…
On the navy field, Fan Xian sat calmly on a chair and looked at the soldiers below from the high platform. The soldiers' expressions were different. Some were excited, some were angry, and some were afraid. However, their gazes flickered as they looked at the imperial envoy and officials on the platform.
Most of the navy soldiers already knew what had happened last night. However, because time was too tight, Chang Kun's trusted aides among the middle-ranking generals did not have the opportunity to stir up the emotions of the entire camp. They had only brought a group of soldiers to enter the province to save people. However, that group had suddenly disappeared into the darkness.
Thus, the navy soldiers were a bit afraid. They didn't know why the court would suddenly send an imperial envoy over. They also didn't understand why Admiral Chang Kun and Deputy General Dang were not on the platform. Were the rumors in the military true?
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked at the moving heads below the platform. He found that the black mass stretched all the way to the side of the harbor.
Only now did he feel a trace of worry. He had seen the Imperial Army before, and the Shadow Knights were often by his side. However, when he suddenly saw tens of thousands of soldiers standing neatly in front of him, he felt the pressure brought about by the sheer number of soldiers. If these tens of thousands of soldiers were all his enemies, then he probably wouldn't be able to continue sitting on this platform.
Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly and didn't really listen to the words of the third-ranking general. He thought to himself that his luck was pretty good to have found Xu Maocai within the navy. Although the emotions of the soldiers below the platform were slightly unstable, there shouldn't be any major problems. He guessed that Xu Maocai must have done a lot of secret work after midnight.
Chang Kun was already dead, and Dang Xiaobo had been captured. Without someone to take the lead, no matter how hot-blooded these soldiers were, they couldn't do anything. Xu Maocai was right. He had overestimated the danger of the situation.
Fan Xian touched the thin paper in his clothes. This was the confessions written by the generals involved in the East Sea matter. Dang Xiaobo was indeed stubborn. Even after being knocked unconscious, he refused to open his mouth. However, not everyone in the military was this kind of stubborn man. Under the Overwatch Council's torture, someone finally confessed.
With a confession, he had a righteous reason. Fan Xian didn't worry about anything anymore. He tilted his head to listen to the general's dispirited speech.
This general was the one from the old Qin family. He had not wanted to come forward, but Fan Xian listened to Xu Maocai's suggestion and did not give him the opportunity. He decided to shed all pretense of cordiality and asked him to come forward with a smile that did not reach his eyes. At the same time, he gave him the difficult task of announcing Dang Xiaobo's crimes.
Indeed, as Fan Xian expected, when the general spoke of Dang Xiaobo's three crimes of colluding with foreign enemies, secretly communicating with pirates, and disobeying orders to move troops, the soldiers below the platform all became restless, particularly the middle-ranking officers. There were some bad signs.
Fan Xian watched this scene and slowly left his chair. Walking to the front of the platform, he gazed at the tens of thousands of soldiers below the platform and warmly said, "I am Fan Xian. I have come by imperial edict."
He was not an immortal. He did not have the ability to use his gaze to make everyone fall silent. However, his words contained a sliver of the Tyrannical zhenqi in his body. It quickly spread out and rose up in spirals, ringing through the entire field and making the soldiers pause.
In this gap, Fan Xian opened his report, "Admiral Chang Kun, Sir Chang was assassinated last night."
There was an uproar below the platform. It was full of disbelieving discussions and shocked voices.
Jiaozhou Zhizhou Wu Gefei glanced worriedly at Sir Fan junior in front of the platform. From the beginning, he had not approved of the entire army gathering to announce the edict. It should be discussed separately. He didn't know what Sir Fan junior was thinking.
Fan Xian gazed at the soldiers below the platform and slowly said, "Admiral Chang has been stationed in Jiaozhou for many years and has guarded a part of the country. He is willing to be in a difficult place and is truly a pillar of the country. Each time the Emperor discusses it, he will praise Admiral Chang's service to the country and commendable loyalty."
On the platform, Liao Liao and the other two who knew the inside story were silent. They had long received the result of Fan Xian's announcement on behalf of the court. When the other officials and generals heard these words, they were immediately dumbfounded. Wasn't Sir Fan junior here to investigate Admiral Chang?
The soldiers below the platform gradually quieted down and looked at the platform with confusion. No one understood what the imperial envoy was saying.
Fan Xian's expression carried a glimmer of heaviness. Faintly, he said, "The heavens are blind. Unexpectedly, Admiral Chang died so young … which vicious and evil person dared to do such an evil thing?"
His voice gradually grew louder and filled with anger. His eyes were also filled with ruthlessness. It was as if he wanted to find the so-called true murderer among the tens of thousands of soldiers below the platform.
(To be continued, if you want to know what happened afterwards, please log on to WWW. CMFU. COM. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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