Before Yan Bingyun left, he was stopped by Fan Xian. Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He then asked in a low voice, "Is there any news of Hong Changqing and the Qinian Unit?"
After escaping from Dong Mountain, Fan Xian had charged straight toward Danzhou. The trusted aides on the white sailboat had all been scattered in that chase. Although Yan Xiaoyi had died to Fan Xian's assault rifle, Fan Xian had been worried about the lives of Qing Wa and his trusted subordinates. Since the rebel army had the power to seal off Dong Mountain and the provinces had given their reward as the Eldest Princess had wished, they had a way to seal off the road back to the capital.
Yan Bingyun's thin lips pressed together tightly. A moment later, he said, "No news." He glanced at Fan Xian, indicating that he had already left Council affairs for a month and did not know enough about this area of intelligence.
Fan Xian shook his head. "Don't comfort me. No news is bad news."
"Alright, I admit that I still have channels to know about the Council's intelligence." Yan Bingyun looked at him and said, "There is a very strange matter. The intelligence system on Dongshan Road, and I'm not just talking about the Council's, but all of the intelligence feedback systems, seems to have stopped working. The most recent news came three days ago."
Hearing this news, Fan Xian's heart tightened. Sweat gradually seeped out of his palms. His mouth was dry, but he forced his expression to remain calm. Forcing a smile, he said, "For now, we can't worry about other places. Let's first settle the Jingdou matter."
Yan Bingyun brushed away the dust on his light robe and lowered his head. "You've given me the token, which is the same as giving me the authority to command over a thousand people. Do you want to give me a strategy?"
Fan Xian lowered his head and was silent for a moment. He then said, "Follow the established plan."
Yan Bingyun glanced at him and furrowed his brows. "A lot of people will die."
"I don't want to die myself." Fan Xian glanced back at him with a cold expression. "I want you to control the 13 city gate guards. This is the crux of the problem."
Yan Bingyun did not show his loyalty. He only shook his head straightforwardly and said, "The Overwatch Council alone cannot control the 13 city gate guards."
"The empress dowager controls the city gate guards. She will not allow the Qin and Ye families' armies to enter the capital," Fan Xian said as he looked at Yan Bingyun. Fan Xian looked at Yan Bingyun and said, "He doesn't want Jingdou to sink into the flames of war. What we need to do is help the Palace control it."
The 13 city gate guards were actually just a yamen that controlled the nine city gates inside and outside Jingdou. If the Eldest Princess's side had continued to infiltrate the thirteen city gate guards, they would have already taken control of the city gate guards from the empress dowager's hands.
Yan Bingyun shook his head. "Betting one life on one door. This is a very foolish plan."
Fan Xian smiled bitterly and said, "There's nothing I can do. I only have the Imperial Army at hand, which I can't fully rely on. I don't dare to clash head-on with the Qin and Ye families in Jingdou. Everyone says that Ye Zhong has returned to Dingzhou, but who would believe that?"
"What if the thirteen city gate guards can't hold the fort?" Yan Bingyun said with slight mockery, "As for cultivating trusted aides in the court, you and I are no match for those of the older generation. The Eldest Princess must have people in the city gate guards."
Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly. Standing up, he patted Yan Bingyun's shoulder. "Even if we can't stop the Qin family's army from entering the capital, at least you can find out when the Qin family will arrive, how many people will arrive, and how they will arrive."
Yan Bingyun's shoulder felt cold. He looked at Fan Xian with a slightly shocked gaze.
Fan Xian gazed at him calmly. "You said before that the older generation loves to play this kind of betrayal and death trap. I know there are people under the old cripple who are preparing to kill the old Qin family's death trap."
Yan Bingyun smiled bitterly.
"If I guessed correctly, your father is the chess piece the Director has buried on the old Qin Master's side for decades," Fan Xian said with a slight smile. Fan Xian smiled slightly and said, "Thus, whatever the Qin family's army wants to do will be within our grasp. It should be possible to fight for a perfect time difference."
Yan Bingyun sighed, bowed, and silently left the Sun manor.
…
After Yan Bingyun left, Fan Xian sat in Sun Pin 'er's boudoir and began to count his fingers. He wasn't calculating how much silver he had earned after his rebirth. Rather, he was calculating time, calculating the power he could control in his hands, and what kind of ripples he could create in Jingdou. After thinking it over and over again, he had to admit that if the Qin and Ye family's army entered the capital, he could only fight guerrilla warfare.
Thus, before the army entered the capital, he had to launch a thunderous attack on the powers in the Royal Palace. Wan 'er, Lady Ning, Yi Guipin, and the Third Prince, whose state of mind was unknown, were the people he had to save.
As long as he could save these people, he was not afraid of anything. Holding a sniper rifle and fighting guerrilla warfare, Fan Xian could not imagine who could do anything to him.
However, he still felt a bit sullen. At least, he was unable to have a head-on confrontation with the Eldest Princess's side on the battlefield. He had no choice but to choose to strike and retreat. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shake his head. He wondered if the Emperor knew that the Qing Kingdom had fallen to such a state, would he regret forbidding him from having any contact with the military?
There were seven Roads of elite soldiers under heaven. None of them could be used by him. Fan Xian smiled bitterly and was speechless.
However, Fan Xian was still full of confidence. He stood up and walked to the window. Glancing at the gradually extinguishing lights outside, his expression was calm. He began to have some optimistic judgments about this matter. His confidence in some of the elders also grew.
"Sir Fan junior." Seeing Yan Bingyun leave, the young lady of the Sun family, who had been sitting quietly in her room, walked out slowly. She was no longer as excited and terrified as she was earlier. She had recovered the pride and restraint that a lady of a noble family should have. It was only the occasional glance she gave Fan Xian that revealed the complicated emotions in her heart.
"You can call me An Zhi." Fan Xian returned the bow warmly.
Sun Pin 'er's heart was filled with emotion. She also faintly guessed what Sir Fan junior had been discussing with the famous Sir Yan junior earlier. She couldn't help but feel afraid. She also felt excited because she could help Sir Fan junior. She lowered her head and quietly said, "Sir Fan junior, I am only a girl. I don't know exactly what has happened in court, but I …"
She raised her face and looked bravely at Fan Xian. "But, I trust you. So, if you need me to do anything, please speak frankly."
Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He then smiled and said, "Traitors are currently in power in the court. The ruler is not a ruler, the officials are not officials, the sons are not sons, and the country is not a country. Even if I have to give up this body of flesh and blood, I will try to pull down those traitors and evil sons from the dragon chair in the Palace. If you are willing to help me, you don't need to do much. You just need to let me stay here for a few days. "
Sun Pin 'er was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected Sir Fan junior to ask for so little. She was faintly disappointed. Pressing her lips together, she summoned up her courage and said, "Sir, my father should be able to help you."
Fan Xian smiled and didn't explain anything. Right now, having the Sun manor as a middle ground had already helped him greatly. At least, from now on, he could easily contact his subordinates in Jingdou through Yan Bingyun. The beginning of the entire plan would begin in this young lady's boudoir.
"If there is a chance, I will indeed need you to introduce me to your father. There are many things that I will need Sir Sun's help with." Fan Xian did not completely believe that a girl could persuade the Jingdou magistrate to change his stance. However, with Sun Pin 'er acting as a bridge, as long as the opportunity changed and Fan Xian's side held the advantage, Sir Sun might be able to add some flourishing flowers, and Fan Xian would not refuse.
The shame on Sun Pin 'er's face grew stronger. A moment later, she bit her lower lip and said, "Actually, Pin' er is truly unfilial. Sir Fan junior, please be more tolerant of my father."
Sir Sun had followed the empress dowager's edict to capture Fan Xian, but Sun Pin 'er had hidden him in her boudoir. Once Fan Xian truly turned the tables, who knew how he would deal with the people who had once harmed him? Sun Pin 'er knew just how bloody the battle for royal power was. Her impulsive actions would probably harm her father greatly in the future, which was why she said she was unfilial.
Fan Xian sighed and looked tenderly at this weak girl. Involuntarily, a slight sense of guilt welled up in his heart. Comfortingly, he said, "Don't worry, if the court's righteousness is restored, An Zhi promises that at least your father's life will not be in danger. If he is willing to suddenly repent, then he will be a meritorious official."
Having received his promise, Sun Pin 'er happily wiped away her new tears. She had not thought about whether or not the promise of a political figure would count. She bowed deeply toward Fan Xian. "Thank you, Sir Fan junior."
"I should be the one thanking you." Fan Xian bowed deeply and solemnly toward Sun Pin 'er. Gently, he said, "Although I cannot be considered a good person, I am not someone who likes to kill. I also hope that the empress dowager can see the truth of the Jingdou matter and resolve everything peacefully without the need for bloodshed."
The two of them bowed toward each other. It looked like they were bowing to heaven and earth. Fan Xian felt it was inappropriate and hesitantly rose. Fan Xian turned and looked at the lonely sky and moon outside the window. He thought self-mockingly, How could such a quiet night be a day for killing?
…
…
There were some mysterious shadows moving back and forth outside Prince Heqing's manor. The guards responsible for protecting the manor didn't even glance at them because they knew they were spies from the internal court. Perhaps there were also some spies from the Bureau of Military Affairs. However, everyone knew each other's existence, so no one would take the initiative to provoke anything.
The Prince controlled the Imperial Army in his hands. As long as his military power was not reduced, the various powers in Jingdou would have to maintain supreme respect and curry favor with this manor.
Ever since the news of the Emperor's assassination spread, the empress dowager closed the Palace doors and strictly suppressed the restless movements of all sides, Prince Heqing's manor had become the focus of the various powers in Jingdou. The Eldest Prince's protection of the Princess Consort's family and servants in the residence was so strict that it left one dumbfounded.
After all, he had once been the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expedition. At this critical juncture, he had completely displayed his fierceness. He had actually mobilized a group of five hundred imperial soldiers to surround the prince's manor. In this way, even if something were to happen in the palace, the Great Prince's trusted aides would be able to maintain the safety of the prince's manor until the very last moment.
As for whether or not this was in line with tradition and against Qing law, no one dared to say anything. Most of the soldiers in Jingdou were in the Great Prince's hands. If he wanted to do this, no one could do it without the empress dowager's tacit approval.
As for those civil officials who had enough courage to speak … they had all been captured and thrown into prison in Taiji Palace today.
Presently, the Qing Kingdom had no ruler. Whoever had the most soldiers had the loudest voice.
…
…
The second housekeeper of Prince Heqing's manor walked out from the side of the main door. Lowering his voice, he said something to the guards as if to express his condolences. Immediately after, a person walked out from among the guards and went to the back of the manor to arrange for a carriage.
Amidst the clattering of hooves, a carriage painted with the manor's insignia drove out of the darkness and stopped in front of the manor's stone steps. The imperial soldiers guarding around the manor moved their gazes over but did not have any reaction.
Jingdou enforced a strict curfew. Other than the powers chasing after Fan Xian in various workshops, there was basically no one on the streets. Logically speaking, no one was allowed to go out in the middle of the night. However, the person who was about to get into the carriage was the second housekeeper of the Great Prince's manor. The imperial soldiers pretended not to see him.
The second steward warmly greeted the Imperial Army officer. Standing on the stone steps, he narrowed his eyes and looked into the darkness at the end of the street. He knew that in the darkness, there were countless people secretly watching his movements. However, he was not worried about anything. He was going to see the strategist in the Eldest Princess's residence and arrange the next steps for both sides.
This second housekeeper was the head spy the Northern Qi Emperor had sent to Jingdou. He was the person who had secretly sold Fan Xian's movements in Yangcong Alley to the Eldest Princess behind wangfei's back.
The second housekeeper's brows gradually relaxed. He was under the Emperor's orders, so he did not think much of wangfei's anger. There were many things that had to be done first and reported later. Although the Great Prince had sent the imperial soldiers here, he was forced to stay in the Palace. It was impossible for him to know exactly what had happened in the manor. Fan Xian had been betrayed by someone in his manor.
He smiled slightly and raised his foot to walk down the steps, preparing to climb into the carriage.
His steady right hand slowly lifted the curtain of the carriage. The second housekeeper's pupils constricted nervously. There were a few black-clothed people looking coldly at him in the supposedly empty carriage.
The second housekeeper felt a bone-piercing coldness follow the numerous holes in his body and invade his brain. After the coldness, there was a boundless pain.
He opened his mouth wide, but he couldn't shout out a single word. He could only gasp with difficulty and lower his head. Finally, he saw clearly the three metal drills that had suddenly appeared on his body.
The ice-cold metal drills pierced mercilessly into his body and skewered him like an innocent chick waiting to be slaughtered. Warm blood flowed out along the grooves on the metal drills.
"The Fifth Bureau!"
In the instant before his death, the second housekeeper finally recognized the identity of the assassins. He knew that they were his famous colleagues in the South and accepted his fate in despair.
He had betrayed Fan Xian, so he should have known that he would face the Overwatch Council's endless attacks. However, he had not thought that in just a few hours, the Overwatch Council, which had been like a plate of loose sand, would once again have such a powerful ability to move.
There was no time to think. The second housekeeper's hands grasped the metal drill in his chest weakly and fell off the carriage. With a thud, he fell to the ground. Fresh blood flowed everywhere. There was no sign of life.
…
…
The first to discover the assassination in front of the manor door were, of course, the manor guards nearby. They were shocked by the bloody scene and didn't react for a moment. They could only watch as the second housekeeper, who had been trusted by wangfei, was viciously stabbed to death by three metal drills. He fell into a pool of blood and twitched endlessly.
The carriage had already started moving in a very short time. It rolled over the second housekeeper's body and charged into the darkness.
The spies watching this scene from the dark corners couldn't help but be dumbstruck. They had never thought that someone would be able to kill the housekeeper-like figure in front of the heavily guarded door of Prince Heqing's manor. They didn't know how those people had hidden in the manor's own carriage without leaving a trace.
Naturally, these spies would not rush forward to surround the assassins in the carriage. Instead, they opened their eyes excitedly and watched the show. They all guessed who had made the first move and what they should report to their masters when they returned in a moment.
…
…
"Kill!"
After the Imperial Soldiers stationed outside the manor paused for a moment, they reacted as quickly as possible. With an angry roar, they stabbed toward the carriage with the spears in their hands.
With a number of clicks, the horses pulling the horses began to cry out sorrowfully before they fell to the ground. The lethality of the Imperial Army's encirclement was terrifying. The spears shot out in unison. The horses fell to the ground and sent up a cloud of dust. The carriage was also forced to a stop in the middle of the street.
However, the encirclement had not been completed. There was an opening at the end of the street. With a crash, the carriage shattered into countless pieces. Immediately after, a large amount of thick smoke was blasted out of the carriage. The smoke contained poisonous gas. It forced the surrounding Imperial Soldiers back a little and made them cough repeatedly.
The three Fifth Bureau assassins in the carriage became three black shadows. Using the cover of the poisonous smoke, they charged out of the opening and disappeared into the darkness of Jingdou before the Imperial Army could close in.
They only left behind a sinister and cold announcement.
"This is the result of betraying Duke Fan!"
…
…
At the entrance of the manor, the poisonous smoke had dissipated. The housekeeper had died, and the Imperial Soldiers were being treated for poisoning. It was a sorrowful and tense scene. In everyone's hearts, the last words the assassin had left echoed. Other than the terrifying professional assassins of the Overwatch Council, who had the ability and courage to carry out an assassination at the front door of Prince Heqing's manor?
After the Emperor passed, Director Chen was poisoned by a master from Dongyi, and Commissioner Fan became a wanted criminal of the court. In just one day, the Overwatch Council, which used to have a sinister and intimidating reputation, suddenly became a plate of loose sand. It completely lost its magic.
This sinister and brave assassination and the announcement finally told all the powers in Jingdou that Sir Fan junior was still alive. The Overwatch Council was still here.
Those who betrayed him and those who tried to kill him would slowly welcome the Overwatch Council's endless vengeance. How long would the murders and poison soak this city in the darkness last? How many people would die?
… …
The chaos, panic, and fear outside the manor did not completely spread into the manor. The heavily guarded manor appeared particularly calm. Wangfei's face was cold as she sat in the slightly cool pavilion. Her eyes looked absentmindedly out the window. Slowly, she said, "Is this a warning to me?"
"No." Yan Bingyun slowly rose and calmly said, "This is the Commissioner's sincerity and message."
Wangfei turned her head and looked solemnly into his eyes.
Yan Bingyun was not moved. Calmly, he said, "Wangfei is wangfei, no longer the Great Princess of Northern Qi. No matter how many people like the second housekeeper die, presumably, you would not feel pain."
Wangfei's heart jumped. She knew what he said made sense. Since she had already married into the Qing Kingdom, according to Fan Xian's reminder in Yangcong Alley, she was already a person of the Qing Kingdom. If she continued to think about her brother in the North, it would probably not do her any good in the future.
"The message the Commissioner wants to send is very clear," Yan Bingyun said calmly. Yan Bingyun calmly said, "The people who died tonight will gradually prove this point. He has regained control of the Overwatch Council."
Wangfei was silent for a moment and then said, "I am very willing to work with Sir Fan junior." She suddenly smiled slightly. "Of course, other than thanking Sir Fan junior for his determination to kill, I must also express my admiration. It was truly a good kill."
There was no need for words. They both understood each other. Who knew how many people the shout outside the manor would confuse?
Wangfei suddenly opened her mouth and said solemnly, "But, assassination has never been the right way to solve problems. I hope Sir Yan will be careful."
She knew that Fan Xian was still being pursued. The reason the Overwatch Council's power could be gathered and spread out such a sinister and cold power in such a short amount of time was all because of the ability of the official in front of her. Perhaps Fan Xian had set the policy of assassination to establish power, but the person carrying it out was the person in front of her.
Yan Bingyun quietly said, "The people in the Council have long dispersed. Our advantage is in the darkness."
He bowed to wangfei and slowly said, "Using the Commissioner's words, we don't draw our swords, we only kill. As for the specific consequences and how the empress dowager will react, that is something the Commissioner needs to consider. "
"How many people will die tonight?" Wangfei asked worriedly. If Fan Xian truly raised a storm of blood in Jingdou, was he really not worried that the empress dowager would retaliate with bloody methods? What about the people in the Palace?
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