The Empress's No.1 Lackey

"How dare I claim to instruct, I merely understand a bit of it."

Gao Lian smiled faintly, his demeanor calm and composed, fully embodying the poise of Linfeng's leading figure,

"The silver mine case is of utmost importance. As a governor, I take it very seriously. Haha, even out of personal interest, I wish to uncover the truth as soon as possible to clear my own name, as well as that of Inspector Liu, Governor Sun, and all the officials and gentry of Taicang Prefecture."

A light remark, yet it included everyone present, consolidating them into one group.

Zhao Douan also took a silk cloth from beside him, wiped his hands leisurely, and said,

"Since Governor Gao hopes for it, he should avoid suspicion even more."

Gao Lian sighed and said,

"How could I not know? However, though Liu, Governor Sun, and I cannot involve ourselves in the affairs these days, we've heard some rumors and incidents in the city. Such verbal attacks on the imperial envoy are not a concern.

Yet, when it reaches the point where citizens petition, as a local leader, I cannot turn a blind eye."

What a way of not turning a blind eye!

First, he gathered the local officials present as one, pointing out their opposition to me, then used the citizens as a reason to strike back... understanding rhetoric well...

The smile on Zhao Douan's face faded away, and he said indifferently,

"Mr. Gao, there's no need for such obfuscation. I don't like beating around the bush, so just say what you really mean. I'm curious, too, how a group of citizens had the courage to besiege the post station."

Gao Lian feigned helplessness, his words sincere yet gradually more pressing,

"Mr. Zhao misunderstood. I bear no other intentions, and my sole concern is for Your Majesty's realm and state. Since Mr. Zhao wishes for transparency, let's speak clearly.

The silver mine case was conducted by County Magistrate Wang Chusheng, and this has been concluded. I believe the urgent task is to capture Wang Chusheng. However, Mr. Zhao, you have taken no action these days and are instead investigating the various government offices in Taicang Prefecture, causing unrest among the people and unease among the officials.

Even a just person such as Governor Sun has been suspended due to suspicion, leading to citizens petitioning under his jurisdiction... Mr. Zhao, this matter is truly inappropriate!"

These words seemed to turn on a switch.

For a moment, the entire hall was as if prearranged, and officials began to speak in agreement one after another.

"Governor Gao speaks rightly. Wang Chusheng has escaped, and he should be the focus, not us."

"Governor Sun's conduct as an official is evident to all. When news of his suspension broke, it caused chaos beneath."

"...The instability of the people's hearts in the city cannot continue..."

It was as if it had become a marketplace, in chaos.

Officials from different government offices successively spoke out, venting their grievances, focusing mainly on "citizen spontaneity" and "official unease."

Even many gentry voiced their dissatisfaction.

There was a strong intent to attribute the recent unrest in the city to Zhao Douan.

Amid the clamor, only Zhao Douan remained expressionless.

Seated next to him, Xu Junling glanced at him, simultaneously expressing pity and some schadenfreude, as if saying:

I told you before that they would retaliate.

The scene in this hall was clearly prearranged. Zhao Douan had intended to use the crab feast as an opportunity to clarify rumors and be open.

The local officials, on the other hand, seized it as a chance to counterattack.

Seizing momentum brewed over the past few days, using today as an opportunity, once Gao Lian fired the first shot, the crowd had the posture to rise against him.

Clearly showing an attitude:

If you keep holding on, you're forcing the entire Taicang Prefecture into chaos for you to see!

And if the court's structure in one province collapsed, Zhao Douan could not bear the responsibility.

Open plot!

A coup!

At this moment, though far less severe, Zhao Douan had a fleeting feeling like that of the former empress at Xuanwu Gate, facing thousands of rebels.

A coup… is not merely a violent political upheaval of swords and flames, but can also be a play of power without smoke and blood, remaining in speech yet still powerful.

"Sir..."

Beside him, even the seasoned and experienced Imperial Censor Chen Hong broke a sweat on his forehead

— He worried that Zhao Douan might obstinately create real chaos in the locality. If so, once back in the capital, facing impeachment by all the civil and military officials, the empress might very well throw him, the "deputy imperial envoy," under the bus to appease the anger of the court officials.

Even the Jinyi Captains standing behind Zhao Douan, serving as guards without taking seats, appeared tense.

Yet, amidst the storm, Zhao Douan seemed like a dark reef, standing firm against the raging sea.

His right hand resting on the table was merely tapping gently, as if calculating time.

Suddenly, from outside the Chrysanthemum Platform, came the neighing of a horse.

Subsequently, a minor official came running in hurriedly, pale and sweating, nearly losing his boots,

"Not... not good..."

In an instant, the tide of accusations against Zhao Douan in the hall momentarily paused.

Gao Lian turned his head to look, frowning tightly, harboring intense unease,

"What's happened? Why so flustered?"

That minor official almost shrieked,

"Sold... the soldiers are arresting people in the city!... The city gate guards and the government officers have all been taken control of!"

What?

Like a stone thrown heavily into a lake.

At this moment, disbelief surged in the hearts of the officials.

Coupled with intense confusion.

"What soldiers? Where did the soldiers come from?!"

Inspector Liu Ji suddenly stood up,

"By whose order? Who allowed them—"

This elder spoke halfway, as if suddenly awakened, turned his head abruptly, looking at someone in the hall.

Among the soldiers in the city... besides a small garrison responsible for the city gates, there were just some bailiffs who couldn't be counted as "government officers"... and then there were the two hundred Iron Cavalry stationed at the post station, brought by Zhao Douan.

"It's you!"

At this moment, Gao Lian and others realized as well, looking at the main seat with terror.

They saw Zhao Douan, who had just been silent, bearing the brunt of everyone's verbal attacks, now appearing unfazed, his mouth slowly curling up, as if about to say something.

Suddenly, again, someone barged in from outside the courtyard.

This time, it was a servant brought by Gao Lian from his home.

The servant of the Gao family rushed in in panic, near tears, and exclaimed,

"Master, a troop of soldiers stormed into our home, sealing everything. All the maids and house servants were tied up, and they pasted seals on the doors. I narrowly escaped outside..."

Gao Lian was shocked, his elegant white face showing true anger, as if ripping off a scholarly guise, staring intently,

"Zhao! Sir!"

These three words were almost spat out through clenched teeth.

"What do you mean by this?!"

Gao Lian, shouting with fury, raised his hand, pointing at him with anger,

"Mobilizing troops without any notice, even to the point of arresting people at my home. What? What crime have I committed? Though you are an imperial envoy, I am also a governor of Linfeng! Under the Great Yu Law, what right do you have to do this?!"

At this moment, he appeared particularly angry and out of control.

As did the others, not faring much better. Inspector Liu Ji's face was particularly dark as he said,

"Mr. Zhao, I hold the responsibility of inspection. What you have done today, I will report truthfully to the court and the emperor! If you can't give an explanation that convinces everyone today, no matter that you are an imperial envoy, such actions are unacceptable under court law and regulations!"

From the start of the banquet, Sun Xiaozhun, unusually silent and in contrast to his normally fiery personality, also stood up, stared at Zhao Douan meaningfully, and said,

"Mr. Zhao, Taicang is under my jurisdiction, please provide an explanation."

Explanation!

At this moment, the officials of Taicang, who had just been attacking and pressuring, almost forcing the palace, all bore expressions mixed with shock and anger.

More accurately, they used anger to cover the fear in their hearts.

A group of civil officials, no matter how sharp their bloodless knives, still quivered slightly in the face of the true threat of violence from Iron Cavalry, from martial artists in the military.

Accompanying this was intense bewilderment.

Wang Chusheng had disappeared, and all clues were severed. Did you truly intend to use those unwritten "grey incomes" of the officialdom as evidence to convict us?

Even Imperial Censor Chen and Xu Junling looked on in amazement, unaware of this action.

"Esteemed officials, please remain calm."

Zhao Douan, under the gaze of all, appeared as calm as a spring breeze, slowly stood up, and wiped his crab roe-stained fingers clean.

He stepped forward, slowly leaving his seat, arriving in the middle surrounded by the banquet.

It was strange.

With his movement, all the clamor ceased.

People closed their mouths, breathed heavily, and every eye in the hall locked onto this renowned and highly influential new noble power.

The situation reversed.

From being attacked by many earlier, it now suppressed the entire room by himself.

He did not even truly do anything, simply waited for news from outside.

"You asked for an explanation, and I will give you an explanation." Zhao Douan slowly paced, his voice deep and powerful.

Having said that, he suddenly looked toward the open hall doors.

In an instant, all eyes followed his gaze, looking out at the courtyard full of golden, brilliant autumn chrysanthemums like a sea.

Then, the sound of iron hooves rang through the wind, while sharp-eyed individuals noticed a corner of a banner above the courtyard wall getting closer.

"Open the door!"

A low shout accompanied by the exclamations of the guarding Protectors.

"Bang!"

The door of the Chrysanthemum Platform Garden was forcibly torn open by a powerful force, allowing the autumn wind to swirl in.

Outside the door stood three people, the rearmost being Yuann Xingjun, wielding a flag and mounted on a horse.

At the front was a scholar who appeared frail, masking their features with a silk scarf, standing only with hands folded, seeming very inconspicuous.

In the lead was a Jianghu-dressed individual, wearing a bamboo hat, a long sword strapped on the back, most of her face covered by a bronze mask, a Royal Gold Shadow Guard.

The armored woman carried a heavy sack in her hands, walking directly through the sea of chrysanthemums under the scrutinized audience to Zhao Douan.

She looked up, seeing Zhao Douan standing with arms folded, observing her with curiosity, compared with a portrait, and cupped her fists,

"Mr. Zhao, the felon has been delivered under my charge."

Thud!

As she spoke, the sack fell to the ground, its mouth loosening of its own accord.

From it rolled out a plump middle-aged man, covered in bloody wounds, ashen from torture, bound with cowhide ropes, only to wake abruptly from a fall, gazing ahead with fear and contraction of pupils.

"This is your explanation,"

Zhao Douan glanced around at everyone, with a nonchalant smile,

"Is it sufficient enough?"

The entire room fell silent.