Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Fan Xian looked at him and said,
I am here to investigate the case. For such things as evidence, how can any be found if there isn’t an investigation? However, you can rest assured, I am not stupid enough to shoulder the crime of privately killing a general.
Dang Xiaobo’s heart suddenly chilled. Concerning the admiral’s unusual death, he thought of a possibility that had not occurred to him before.
The navy, for at least tonight, will not be entering the city,
Fan Xian said.
I have one night of time to make you all confess.
Thinking of the Overwatch Council’s rumored methods, the three navy generals couldn’t help but feel their blood run cold. Dang Xiaobo’s eyes were bulging. Staring at Fan Xian’s eyes, he viciously said,
Are you planning to beat out a confession? Are you not afraid…
Of causing a mutiny?
Fan Xian rubbed his fingers.
If you have the ability to cause a mutiny, show me.
Although the words were spoken casually, he still felt some worry in his heart. He didn’t know whether or not those 400 Black Knights could give him enough time. He had to purge the Jiaozhou Navy, but he also couldn’t allow the most important town in Qing Kingdom to break out into chaos. He had to have the navy generals’ confessions before daylight came. At the same time, he had to find the trustworthy generals and have them reassure the tens of thousands of soldiers outside the city.
This was truly a difficult problem.
Dang Xiaobo’s face was deathly pale and flickered through a number of expressions. He seemed to be balancing the loss and gains of the matter. However, he knew that the city gates were now closed and the admiral’s manor had already become isolated. If their own people wanted to rescue them, it was impossible for them to arrive immediately. To suffer at the hands of the Overwatch Council for a night, even immortals couldn’t stand that.
However, there were still a dozen navy generals outside. Although those close navy soldiers had been relieved of their weapons, they still had battle power.
A glimmer of solemnness flashed through Dang Xiaobo’s eyes. He finally saw clearly the young noble’s true thoughts. In a slightly raspy voice, he clearly stated,
Sir did not come to Jiaozhou to investigate a case…rather, you are here to kill people.
Fan Xian lowered his head slightly. He didn’t refute his words. He smiled slightly and said,
You’re not completely wrong. The crimes I listed earlier, you know the truth in your heart. Even if heaven and earth do not know what you have done, someone still knows. It is an old account, and it’s time to repay it today.
Dang Xiaobo lost hope. As Chang Kun’s foremost confidant, he knew about the navy interfering in Jiangnan matters as well as the various secret acts against the court. He knew that it would be difficult for him to escape this, so he was determined to have one fight.
Fan Xian seemed to have seen the thoughts in the depths of his heart. Slowly, he said,
Touch me…and that’s truly a rebellion.
Dang Xiaobo’s expression changed again. Suddenly, he rose tall and angrily said,
Even if you are a prince, even if you are a ninth-level ace, if you want to beat out a confession…it’s still impossible!
As his words fell, he struck toward Fan Xian with one palm.
…
…
The person who had truly struck was the cowering general kneeling on the ground. This general had gotten a straight knife from somewhere. With a wild cry, he slashed toward Fan Xian’s throat. His strike made the wind whistle. It held an aura of metallic blood that came from the military. It was very terrifying.
Dang Xiaobo, unexpectedly, flipped his body. With one palm raised in defense in front of his body, his entire body broke through the study’s door. Escaping into the garden, he began to yell in a loud voice.
Fan Xian looked at the approaching knife with cold eyes. With the touch of his finger, he touched it to the general’s wrist. His left hand flipped and lifted the desk beside him, easily throwing the heavy wooden table over.
With a muffled crash, the wooden table fell apart and woodchips flew everywhere. Fan Xian extended his hand into the flying pieces. When he drew it back, there was an extra knife.
Fresh blood poured out from the general’s head and his arms were full of splintered wood. His head seemed to have been smashed into his shoulders.
The dying general gazed dumbstruck and speechlessly at Fan Xian in front of him. His brain buzzed and disturbed his last thoughts. He could not understand why the strike he had sent out only had the appearance of power. Where had all his internal strength cultivation gone? Even at this moment, he still did not know that there was a big problem with the wine he had drunk tonight.
Fan Xian did not even look at him. He only had the two people kneeling on the ground rise. Looking at Wu Gefei, he smiled gently and said,
You saw it all. I wanted to investigate the case, Deputy General Dang Xiaobo knew that his crimes had been revealed and showed the signs of his treachery in front of the might of heaven. He incited his subordinate to act violently to try and assassinate me.
He rambled on for a while. In reality, it was just to find a not very good excuse. Wu Gefei’s teeth clattered. Unable to say a single word in his fear, he managed with great difficulty to nod his head.
Fan Xian nodded his head with satisfaction. His left hand flipped and plunged the knife in his hand into the chest of that general. Fresh blood sprayed out. The general gave a muffled groan and died.
…
…
By the time Fan Xian led Wu Gefei and the navy general, whose coloring was not very good, out into the garden, the situation in the garden was completely different from earlier. Amid Dang Xiaobo’s random screeching and cries of slander, the navy generals waiting to be investigated in the garden had all gathered to one area. Their eyes were filled with caution and viciousness.
Dang Xiaobo had already made his announcement. He told his colleagues what the Overwatch Council was like, what the civil officials in the capital were like, the admiral’s strange death, and that the Overwatch Council wanted to use this opportunity to capture people and to wipe out the navy generals in one fell swoop.
Some of the generals were confused. The Overwatch Council always had a good relationship with the military side. Although everyone in officialdom knew that the Overwatch Council was the most disgusting and shameless yamen in the world, but…why would the Overwatch Council want to defeat the Jiaozhou Navy? What good did this bring to Sir Fan junior? If Sir Fan junior was here today to take military power, then why did he only bring eight subordinates?
Some of the generals only half believed Dang Xiaobo’s words. The guess that the court would secretly harm the admiral was too shocking a thought, however, the navy leaders still felt that tonight’s atmosphere was not normal. The Overwatch Council people and Sir Fan junior must have had an agenda. Furthermore, there was the body of Chang Kun, who had led the navy for more than 10 years, still lying stiffly on the bed. In the back, the concubines were still sobbing.
Chang Kun had too many trusted aides among the Jiaozhou Navy. Although the situation was still not clear, a few generals had already taken hold of weapons in their hands and stood behind Dang Xiaobo. They all felt the danger. The admiral’s manor had already been surrounded, and the city gates had already been closed. The navy soldiers in the harbor in the sea had no idea their leaders had essentially been put under house arrest in the city. If the Overwatch Council wanted to use this opportunity to kill people, this was the best situation.
Under the drive of the navy generals, the navy soldiers who had originally surrendered their weapons began to make a din and faced off against the Jiaozhou provincial soldiers. Step by step, they pushed forward. The situation appeared to be very tense.
It was only Fan Xian who was not nervous.
He coldly evaluated everyone in the garden. He furrowed his brows and said coldly,
What? Do you want to rebel?
Fan Xian was a full powered Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. At this moment, his position as a Jiangnan Road imperial envoy had not yet been removed. As long as Jingdou did not have a new edict, no matter where he was, his words represented the might of the Qing Emperor. Even those as brave as the Jiaozhou Navy did not ignore this point.
Furthermore, everyone under heaven knew that this young and handsome nobility in front of them was actually a seed of the dragon.
The navy generals couldn’t resist stealing a glance at Dang Xiaobo. They wanted to see how they should act next. Dang Xiaobo’s buttocks were already sitting on the tiger’s body. He knew that if he did not rebel, he would certainly be a ruined body by the end of the night. But, if he was to rebel, what excuse could he use?
It’s him! He killed the admiral!
Dang Xiaobo said wretchedly, smiling like he was crazy.
How there be such a coincidental thing in this world. The moment you, Commissioner Fan, arrived our old general died tragically for no reason…Sir Fan junior! You’re truly ruthless…without evidence, you rashly killed a pillar of the nation. How will you explain yourself to the court in the future?
Naturally, he did not know that Chang Kun had died at Fan Xian’s hands. However, at this moment, he had to frame it in this way. Unexpectedly, it had actually aligned with the truth.
Fan Xian looked at him calmly and said,
The admiral’s death…you know the reason for it the best. You’re right, even if that assassin did not kill him, I…would have killed him.
A clamor rose in the garden. The navy generals looked with great anger at Fan Xian.
Fan Xian continued in a light voice,
Chang Kun betrayed his country. If he didn’t commit suicide for his crimes, there would be someone who wanted to silence him. Deputy General Dang…
he ridiculed,
perhaps you were also involved? Otherwise, why would you be so scared? Why would you talk so irresponsibly?
Dang Xiaobo knew that the other general had already died because of Fan Xian’s hands. Feeling his heart grow colder, he gritted his teeth and said,
I still say the same. You can always trump up charges against someone.
Everyone in the garden was dumbstruck while Wu Gefei and that navy general who had already heard the Emperor’s secret edict stood awkwardly not far behind Fan Xian.
Betray the country? The admiral betrayed the country?
You want evidence?
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and said.
Let me ask you. In March and April, did a fleet of ships and soldiers from the navy leave the port for a month?
To the side, immediately someone remembered. At that time, the admiral had used the order for capturing bandits close to shore and framed it as an exercise maneuver.
While those trusted aides of Chang Kun who had been involved in this matter had faces the color of dirt. Thinking of the countless people killed on that little island, they unconsciously glanced toward Deputy General Dang Xiaobo again.
Dang Xiaobo laughed coldly,
Going out to sea to capture bandits is part of the navy’s duties.
Capturing bandits? Why has it still not been reported to the Bureau of Military Affairs?
Fan Xian asked with narrowed eyes.
Those pirates were the Ming family’s private army. I went to Jiangnan by imperial edict to investigate the matter. If it were not for you silencing them, the Ming family would have long fallen…you are truly very daring to stand in opposition to the court. If this isn’t rebellion, then what is it?
Evidence…
Dang Xiaobo cried out loudly.
Is there really no evidence?
Fan Xian suddenly smiled very warmly.
There will always be loose mouths of the thousands of soldiers taken to the island, there will always be those who repent sincerely. Is there truly no one who remembers what that navy squadron did? The gold and treasures that you found on the island, they must have been the reward given to you by those people…do you think it is that easy to wash clean? Do you think that if you sell it, I won’t be able to find where it came from?
Without waiting for Dang Xiaobo to argue in front of the generals, Fan Xian spoke again coldly,
I also have a witness, however…do you want it at this?
Dang Xiaobo shared a meaningful glance with a few of Chang Kun’s trusted aides behind him. He knew that whether or not the court had evidence, in any case, the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council was here to kill. He set his heart and a wretched smile gradually grew on his face,
It’s always that old trick of trying to frame us, then…let us all burn indiscriminately.
Immediately following that, he roared,
Brothers, the Overwatch Council killed the admiral. They are certain to kill us to keep us silent. Fight him to the end!
…
…
Fan Xian watched this scene with the trace of a smile. All was silent outside the city, which meant that everything was under control. There was no harm in enjoying this a little more.
Zhizhou Wu,
he smiled warmly and said,
the court is looking at you.
Wu Gefei felt his heart clench. Chang Kun had already died, and he was a figure without a faction. He knew which team he should stand with. However, in the depths of his heart, he was still very worried about the tens of thousands of soldiers outside the city. Having spent many years under the pressure of the Jiaozhou Navy, he truly did not dare to clash head-on with the navy, however, looking at Fan Xian’s warm but pressuring smile, he finally set his heart. In a stern voice, he called,
Where are the provincial soldiers? Keep an eye on those navy figures!
The provincial soldiers, who slightly feared the Jiaozhou navy, heard the Zhizhou’s shout and forced themselves to attention. They suppressed the navy soldiers who were beginning to stir. After a tussle, knife blades against fists, it was actually the provincial soldiers that injured a dozen people. Fortunately, there were a lot of people and nothing happened.
Meanwhile, Dang Xianbo had already taken a few of the generals who had been involved in the little island on the East Sea matter and charged toward Fan Xian with his knife drawn.
It was nothing more than your death or mine!
Even if you are a prince, you have to pay some price!
These navy generals had all been tested through fire and blood. They attacked powerfully. Even Fan Xian, a ninth-level ace, did not overly underestimate them. However, he did not make a move. He just coldly watched as the generals slowly fell down in front of him.
Dang Xiaobo already swept to Wu Gefei’s side, preparing to use him as a hostage. He knew that no matter what, it would be impossible for him to curry favor from Fan Xian. To adapt so quickly and think so deeply, he was indeed an incredible figure.
Unfortunately, he was just like his colleagues. He raised his zhenqi and felt a stuffiness in his chest before his entire body softened.
Drugs?
Dang Xiaobo thought of the rumors of the Overwatch Council’s methods and couldn’t help feeling shocked.
Then, a knife was pushed through the right side of his chest. That pain made him curl up like a shrimp, lying limply in front of Wu Gefei.
Wu Gefei had been heavily scared by Dang Xiaobo’s last struggle for life, and his legs felt a little weak.
The person that had stabbed Dang Xiaobo was one of the eight Overwatch Council agents that Fan Xian had brought into the admiral’s manor. He was standing at the very end.
The agent withdrew his blood covered short knife and bowed to Fan Xian. Although silent, the hands were holding the hilt of the knife were trembling slightly, whether from fear or from excitement.
Fan Xian turned slightly, gazing at Dang Xiaobo, whose eyes were filled with venom, at his feet. Evenly, he said,
This person is called Qing Wa…he is the sole survivor from that little island on the East Sea. He has seen your true appearance. He is a witness. You won’t survive.
Dang Xiaobo lost all hope, thinking, He had combed through the island multiple times. How could there still be a survivor?
The Overwatch Council agent that had been directly transferred from Jiangnan Suzhou to go undercover in Jiaozhou, Qing Wa, bowed once more to Fan Xian with slightly red eyes then retreated to stand by Zhizhou Wu.
…
…
Fan Xian turned around, coldly watching the provincial soldiers binding up the navy soldiers and gently nodded his head. The matters in the city had pretty much been completed, but what about matters outside the city?
The Emperor had sent him to Jiaozhou, but it was not to have him kill the 10,000 soldiers. He also did not have that power. After all, he was not his blind uncle. Purging the top levels of the navy and ensuring that the navy’s military heart was stabilized, that was what was most important.
Just like being in Jiangnan, as an Emperor, stability was the most important thing to wish for.
Fan Xian took a deep breath. First, he killed Chang Kun, then he subdued the generals. From top to bottom, only this could ensure that the other party would not gather the strength of the military and proceed to counterattack. They only needed to put the control of the Jiaozhou Navy back into the court’s hands. At this moment, they still needed these navy generals to make an appearance.
He gazed at those generals who had not participated in assassinating him and were keeping quiet out of fear. He couldn’t stop himself frowning. Who was trustworthy among these people? Were there still any of Chang Kun’s trusted aides left behind? Although the Overwatch Council’s reports were very detailed, this involved people’s hearts and tens of thousands of the Qing Kingdom’s soldiers, so Fan Xian still found it difficult.
Tonight’s matter will have to trouble you all, generals,
Fan Xian said sincerely.
With the court handling a case, even though the chief offender has been taken, there is always some paperwork. Who will come first to have a heart-to-heart with me?
The generals’ mouths were closed tightly. The gaze with which they looked at Fan Xian was complicated. The first was fear, second was anger, and the third was helplessness.
The admiral was dead, Deputy General Dang was heavily injured and uncertain whether alive or not, their longtime colleagues had been knocked out by the Overwatch Council’s use of drugs, and the navy’s soldiers had been bound up by those dogs. This sudden storm had shocked the navy generals to their core and brought forth incomparable anger and hatred.
They all understood what Sir Fan junior wanted to do. There were still ten thousand soldiers outside the city. If he didn’t have these old bones go out to suppress them, if these navy soldiers knew what had happened in the city, it would certainly cause chaos.
The court definitely did not want Jiaozhou to have problems.
Thus, the court still needed these people.
This only left the navy generals with one reliable path: they had to bargain with Fan Xian. However, in front of everyone with the newly dead admiral, no navy general dared to brave the wrath of tens of thousands of people to come out and negotiate with Fan Xian.
Fan Xian immediately understood the reason and couldn’t help smiling slightly.
Then, please return to your rooms to rest. In a while, I…will come personally to talk.
Finishing these words, he glanced at the old general that had listened to the Emperor’s secret edict in the study, the third-ranked figure in the navy.
