Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Why did he come to Jiaozhou? Why did he have to defeat the Jiaozhou Navy? Actually, the origin of all of this was because of the little island on the East Sean, that little island that had been washed with blood.
The pirates on the island were the Ming family’s secret army. When the court was investigating rigorously, they had been completely wiped out. Fortunately, a spy of the Overwatch Council managed to survive with difficulty and had reported the bloody scene of that night.
It was the Jiaozhou Navy; it could only be the Jiaozhou Navy. In the months after, the Overwatch Council increased their investigation of Jiaozhou. Although to this day, they still did not have hold of any evidence they could present, the knowledgeable people at the topmost level of the court had determined that the Jiaozhou Navy was the Ming family’s hand, the Junshang Conference’s hand, and the hand the Eldest Princess nurtured.
No matter how much the Qing Emperor could silently endure, he could not endure such a thing happening. So, he had sent a secret letter to Fan Xian giving him full authority to handle the matter. As for how to handle it, he did not specify.
Fan Xian had a great headache. He had no evidence at hand, yet he had to bring the Jiaozhou Navy back under the realm of the court’s control. How exactly should he do that?
The navy was not the Ming family, the Cui family, or the Second Prince…it was a truly powerful martial force. If he did not handle it well and caused clamor and raised arms, no matter whether or not the court could subdue it in the end, he would make a great deal of trouble for himself.
He also knew that in the Ming family’s smuggling business, the Jiaozhou Navy played an important role, particularly on the route toward Dongyi. If there wasn’t the Jiaozhou Navy’s protection, it would certainly not have gone this smoothly for over 10 years.
The role the Jiaozhou Navy played in the smuggling route on the sea was just like the role Fan Xian’s Overwatch Council as well as Wei Hua’s Northern Qi Brocade Guard played in the land smuggling route.
However, on that island, the navy killed too many people…
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Hou Jichang had already gone to the feast. In the little courtyard was only the disguised Fan Xian. Hou Jichang had come to Jiaozhou on orders to investigate the matter of the Navy smuggling, however, he had not made any progress. He had to do a lot of things in secret, so it was not convenient to hire too many servants. Thus, the little courtyard was completely silent.
Without lighting any lights, Fan Xian sat in the dark, calmly thinking. He ran through each step of his plan. As he thought, he couldn’t help smiling bitterly. In a moment, what he had to do would be certainly be considered childish in politics and rude in terms of style. However, the Emperor had given him full authority to deal with this matter. It was easy to see how much the Emperor cared about what he would do when he was forced to Jiaozhou.
If they followed the usual route of investigation and questioning…the generals of the navy were not stupid and would not admit the crimes that could wipe out their families. Furthermore, once the military and the Overwatch Council stood in confrontation against each other, it would be easy for the military to slide toward an explosion. If they rebelled, tens of thousands of navy officials would surround Jiaozhou. How could Fan Xian and his subordinates survive then?
So, they had to take the dangerous path.
Coincidentally, it was the birthday of the Navy Admiral, Chang Kun, so all of the high-level navy officials were gathered in Jiaozhou and far away from the squadrons they controlled. Although there were still tens of thousands of sailors in the Jiaozhou Navy, there were only a few garrison officials. Once they moved and those inside the city could not easily communicate with those outside, the sailors’ reactions would be a few beats slower.
Fan Xian could use this opportunity to clear out all of the leading officials at the feast in one fell swoop. His appetite had always been big, but even Hou Jichang was curious as to where Fan Xian got his confidence from.
He was only one person.
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Chang Kun gazed at the hall of guests with his face full of smiles, however, in this smile was one-part aloofness and two parts arrogance. He was smiling because today his mood was very good. He had lived over 40 years, and everything was smooth sailing. He held a high position. All these officials and wealthy merchants from inside and outside of the city had come to fawn over him. Even major figures from the distant Jiangnan had sent gifts. This feeling of pride, how could he not smile to express it?
But, he couldn’t enjoy himself to the fullest because of his position. As the highest military commander in Jiaozhou, and the local Emperor in name and reality, each of his words and actions could affect tens of thousands of people. He couldn’t help but be wary and had to put on a severe and solemn expression.
He could maybe pull in around a few hundred thousand liang of silver from the feast today. He calculated in his heart as he raised his cup to drink. The noble guests below all stood up and raised their glasses in response, praising endlessly.
Chang Kun’s gaze slanted toward the seat to his left in the corner. He saw the official had an unconcerned expression and felt a great unhappiness in his heart. This official had been in Jiaozhou for some days and not only had he not come to pay his respects to him, he hadn’t even performed the nominal greeting.
Chang Kun continued to endure it and had even invited the official to the feast today. Although Hou Jichang was only a minor official and Provincial Judge in Jiaozhou, so he was nothing more than a seventh-level small fry, his background was too deep. Everyone under heaven knew he was one of Fan Xian’s four students. Last year, in the spring imperial examinations he had been in the third rank of candidates who passed. Even though Chang Kun was a first-level military official, he still had to give Fan Xian this face.
Furthermore, because of the Jiangnan matter, Chang Kun had long been wary of the Overwatch Council, and the fear in the depths of heart could not be assuaged. He didn’t understand why Sir Fan junior would arrange for his student to come to the isolated Jiaozhou. Perhaps the Overwatch Council had actually come because of the Jiaozhou Navy? But, the Ming family shouldn’t have revealed anything. The old Ming matriarch was already dead, so no one should be able to bring forth any evidence.
So, on his own birthday feast, Chang Kun held his wine cup but let his thoughts float elsewhere. They had not left anyone alive on that island. The people who had acted were his own trusted generals, and those soldiers were shut up in their camp every day. There shouldn’t be a problem.
Chang Kun woke from his daze and smiled self-mockingly. His wives and children were all in Jingdou. He wondered how they were doing. As for Jiaozhou, even if the court had heard some rumor, what could they do to him? Without any evidence, the Overwatch Council would not dare to move against a military elder like himself.
Thinking through the cause and effects, he newly judged the situation. After confirming his safety, the big stone that been pressing down on his heart finally lightened. He nodded to the people beside him and agreed with the idea of bringing in the dancing girls to add to the cheer.
However, looking at Hou Jichang’s calm expression below, Chang Kun still felt a bit uncomfortable. He gently coughed, feeling that his midsection was a bit bloated. He spoke a few words to his subordinate and went to the bathroom in the back courtyard.
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Fan Xian left Hou Jichang’s home and walked to the back wall of the lively admiral’s manor, carefully hiding his figure. Just like how there were very few guards along the top of the Royal Palace’s walls, this almost seven-meter tall wall of the admiral’s manor also had no one watching it.
Using the layer of cloud on a summer’s night as cover, Fan Xian let out a muddy breath and moved the zhenqi in his body. His two hands were placed firmly against the dust-covered wall. With a little push, he confirmed that the thin layer of zhenqi flowing out from his palm could still have the same effect as when he was on the Danzhou precipice.
After the Tyrannical zhenqi blew up in his body, he was fortunate to have Haitang take care of him. However, he was still worried that his specialty, the Spiderman technique, would disappear with the slight changes in the way the zhenqi is moved around his body.
Fortunately, it was still there.
Just like a specter, Fan Xian silently flipped over the tall wall of the admiral’s manor and slid into the brush in the courtyard. Very easily, he tapped out two of the guards and then walked to the kitchen. Removing the Overwatch Council’s special poison injecting equipment from his clothes, he used the thin needle at the front of the tube to inject the pre-prepared sleeping medicine into a sealed vat of alcohol.
To the side was an unsealed vat of alcohol. Fan Xian thought for a bit then spooned some to drink. He felt that the taste of this alcohol was indeed pretty good. As expected, the Jiaozhou Navy’s luxuries could not be supported on just military funds.
As he left, he casually tossed a pill into it.
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Fan Xian stood in the dark of the night and watched a few guards from a distance. He couldn’t hold back a smile. Chang Kun was indeed a coward. Even when he used the bathroom, he had people standing guard outside.
He climbed onto the roof from the back. Somewhat angrily, he pinched his nose and jumped down. The tips of his toes landed on the ground silently. He looked around at this bathroom and found that even the bathroom in the manor was extravagant. It was actually two rooms. Unfortunately, the outer way did not have a toilet. Fan Xian undid his pants and began to take a piss.
The dripping of water startled the admiral on the toilet in the other room.
At this moment, Chang Kun’s pants were halfway down his ankles. He was sitting on the chair, which was hollowed out with a toilet below it. Although his appearance was somewhat miserable, a glimmer of an eagle-like ruthlessness quickly appeared in his eyes.
There was someone outside!
When he found out that someone could get through the manor’s layers of guards and come to his side as he was on the toilet, Chang Kun felt a chill go through his heart. His first reaction was to yell loudly,
Assassin!
But, he was a clever man, so he immediately shut his mouth tightly. If the person who had come was a killer, then they wouldn’t purposely make some noise to startle him. Since that person had the ability to silently come to his side, then even if he did call the guards, they probably wouldn’t be able to stop the assassination.
So, he didn’t say anything. He only waited tensely, wanting to know why the ace outside had come.
A cold and clear voice came from the other room.
Why didn’t you invite me to your feast?
A glimmer of viciousness flashed across Chang Kun’s face, but he quickly smiled slightly and said,
I don’t know your name, where could I send the invite?
The dividing curtain was raised. Fan Xian, without one holding his nose, furrowed his forehead and looked at the appearance of this defecating old general,
You are Chang Kun?
Chang Kun was awkward and angry. When has a proper first-level official of the Qing Kingdom been questioned under such circumstances? Furthermore, the tone of the person asking was so arrogant and informal.
He knew this was not the time to be strong-willed. He could clearly feel the danger of the young man in front of him. He narrowed his eyes and said,
I am Chang Kun…this warrior, could you allow me to wash my hands and then talk?
Do you want to yell?
Fan Xian smiled and asked.
Today, you can yell your heart out, and it won’t do anything.
Chang Kun’s forehead was furrowed tightly, and he asked,
Who exactly are you?
I am Fan Xian.
Fan Xian put down the curtain and replied through it.
Chang Kun was greatly shocked, and his hands began to shake…Fan Xian? The Commissioner of the Overwatch Council? How could he suddenly come to Jiaozhou? How could he appear at his birthday feast? How could…he appear in his own bathroom?
Was the person outside truly that young killing star? Chang Kun’s thought flew wildly as he tied his pants and said,
Who exactly are you?
After discovering the person’s identity, Chang Kun knew there would be trouble. He could even begin to smell his complete defeat and fall from grace. He forced his state of mind to calm. As he tried to delay, he began to calculate.
Naturally, it is not comfortable to meet in the bathroom,
Fan Xian said lightly from the other side of the curtain.
In order to fool others, it could only be so.
To fool others? Then, there was another explanation. Chang Kun’s heart settled a little, but he did not dare lift the curtain and go out. He sucked in a deep breath and said,
If it is truly Commissioner Fan, what business do you have here today?
To discuss a deal with you.
What deal?
The deal on the nameless island on the East Sea.
The light and sinister voice floated in from outside the curtain. It was like Chang Kun had been struck by lightning. His mouth was so dry that he couldn’t even smell the stench in the room anymore, and his breathing came anxiously. There was only one thought in his head: The court indeed did know about it. The Overwatch Council had come to deal with him.
But, he was not an idiot. He heard the possibility of a turnaround in Fan Xian’s tone, so he gritted his teeth and said,
I don’t understand what you are saying.
Your collusion with the Ming family, secretly ordering pirates to capture the palace treasury’s merchant ships and organizing the smuggling to Dongyi…this is what I want to talk about.
Don’t spray such venomous slander on me.
Chang Kun’s heart was like the rocks in the toilet pit. He cried out in a severe tone, purposely raising his voice a little, thinking to secretly inform his personal guards outside.
Fan Xian did not seem to have noticed his little plan. He mockingly laughed,
You know yourself whether or not it’s slander.
Chang Kun said severely,
Show your evidence. The Overwatch Council shall not frame me for the crime…I am not so naïve, child. My Jiaozhou Navy is also not like the weak officials in Jingdou. If there is not solid evidence, then don’t even think to try anything. Be careful that it won’t be an easy mess to clean up.
Although Fan Xian’s sinister reputation was known, Chang Kun had tens of thousands of iron blooded men under him, so he indeed wasn’t very scared of him.
Those crimes of yours, it doesn’t matter whether or not I believe them. It also doesn’t matter whether or not the people and officials under heaven believe them.
Behind the curtain, Fan Xian’s voice took on a glimmer of coldness.
What is important is that the Emperor’s believes in your crimes, otherwise, why would he have me come to Jiaozhou to handle this?
Chang Kun’s heart jumped wildly and was knocked down by Fan Xian’s words. As long as the Emperor believed there were problems with the Jiaozhou Navy, then given the Emperor’s methods, even if he didn’t use the law to punish him, he would have other ways to make his life worse than death. Chang Kun was one of the old generals that had followed the Qing Emperor on three Northern campaigns. His worship and fear of the Qing Emperor in the depths of his heart could never be wiped away.
Behind the curtain, Fan Xian continued to attack.
There are very people in this world that can rescue you…other than me.
Chang Kun fell back down on the seat. His eyes narrowed. His thoughts began to spin. A moment he sighed and said,
Commissioner…what exactly do you want?
Admiral Chang Kun was a twice first-level official. Although Fan Xian’s power could not be imagined by a third person, the commissioner of the Overwatch Council was a position with ranking. At the beginning of the conversation in the bathroom, Chang Kun held onto this point and refused to be at any disadvantage in terms of manner. However, at this point, he had begun to refer to Fan Xian as commissioner, which meant his defenses were beginning to loosen.
The silence didn’t go on for too long before Fan Xian said quietly behind the curtain,
I have long been confused by one thing…your connection to the Ye family is not that deep to that extent. Your connection to Yan Xiaoyi is also not that great, and, in recent history, there is no connection between you and Her Highness, the Eldest Princess. Although your position is high and you are very powerful, in the Junshang Conference, you could still only play the role of a worker. So, I am very curious who your true master is. Who ordered you to move the court’s troops to help the Ming family to secretly notify Dongyi.
Chang Kun kept his mouth closed. His expression was sinister, and he would not reply. What Fan Xian had said were indeed the things the Jiaozhou Navy had done these years. However, no matter what, he would not reply. Once these crimes were made true, never mind Fan Xian, even if the empress dowager came out, she still wouldn’t be able to protect the lives of him and his family.
I won’t tell my superiors,
Fan Xian smiled slightly and said.
Under these circumstances, you can only trust me…I am truly just curious. Whether or not you die, whether or not your whole family dies with you, do not benefit me at all.
Chang Kun still could not tell him, he smiled coldly and gritted his teeth.
Am I an idiot…Commissioner, what do these things have to do with my Jiaozhou Navy? If you have evidence, then you can use the Emperor’s sword to capture me in the tent, and the tens of thousands of Navy officials would not dare to even fart. If you don’t have evidence, then don’t block me to talk in such a stench filled place.
He sinisterly said,
Sir Fan junior, today is my birthday. If you are willing to give your sentiment and face, you can drink a cup or two at the feast. As for talking, let’s not do that. Whenever your Overwatch Council has gotten the evidence, it won’t be too late to come find me then.
Fan Xian sighed behind the curtain.
Chang Kun narrowed his eyes behind the curtain.
Fan Xian sighed and said,
That’s true, you are a first-level official. The Overwatch Council cannot question you without a special edict…as for evidence, your people killed cleanly. Even if there were one or two survivors, it still wouldn’t be possible to bring down a military elder like yourself. As for the Ming family, I know the old Ming matriarch you had a connection to had unfortunately died. You’re right. Looking around, I indeed don’t have any evidence at hand.
His voice seemed to be a bit worried.
The Emperor does not wish for you to remain with the Jiaozhou Navy, but there is too much opposition in court to transfer you, and the Overwatch Council has not evidence. What do you think? How could you disappear from Jiaozhou?
Chang Kun was startled and suddenly felt an absurd sense of danger. At the same time, he was shocked. Why had his personal guards not rushed in?
Fan Xian finally sighed.
Since you are not willing to accept the exchange, then I have no other way…I can only choose the most straightforward as well as the most absurd method.
Finishing these words, Chang Kun’s pupils shrank like he had seen a strange scene. He stared at the curtain in front of him.
The green colored curtain was like a flat patch of soil when suddenly a bamboo shoot grew out of it. The bamboo shoot was not green; it was black. Moving the green curtain, it came closer to his chest.
Chang Kun was panicked, angry, and dumbstruck, but he was completely unable to move. He could only watch this scene, watch the tip of the black dagger rip through the weak barrier that was the curtain. With a ripping sound, it came toward him. With a splutter, it pierced deeply into his chest.
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At the moment before his death, Chang Kun opened his eyes wide, and countless questions and confusions flashed through his mind. Why was his zhenqi suddenly flowing so awkwardly? Why were his four limbs numb? How could the Overwatch Council dare to assassinate him?
He was the Admiral of the Jiaozhou Navy! He was the local Emperor of Jiaozhou! He had ten thousand soldiers at his command! His unnatural death would cause shock and would incite rioting among troops! He was a full first-level official of the court! How could the Overwatch Council dare to assassinate him?
In the politics of the Qing officialdom, although the Overwatch Council was an expert in assassinations, under the Qing Emperor’s powerful suppression, they had never dared to use this method on the high-level officials. The Qing Emperor knew that once this precedent was set, the entire country could sink into chaos.
So, earlier in the bathroom, Chang Kun was still calm and not very scared because he had predicted that Fan Xian would just kill him like this for no reason. He would not dare.
But, Chang Kun lowered his head to see the black dagger in his chest, and the glimmer of a mournful smile pulled up the corners of his lips.
Fan Xian withdrew the dagger and casually wiped the blood clean on the green curtain before sticking it in his boots. Looking at the blood-covered Chang Kun on the chair behind the curtain, he couldn’t resist shaking his head. He was right, even the Qing Emperor would not dare assassinate a military elder without any evidence, but he was not the Emperor. He was rushing to go back to Danzhou to see his grandmother. He didn’t have the time to waste in a shtty place like Jiaozhou.
