"Beat them! Beat them hard!"
Tuoluo, a household servant of the Right Xian King's estate, was beaten black and blue for a mere stream of urine. Utterly humiliated, he was accustomed to his privileged status, where he acted with arrogance and high-handedness. Having never endured such indignity, the supervisor of the river, upon hearing of the incident, arrived with his men. Without regard for justice, they stormed into the home of Zhang Laohan, a commoner from Youzhou, beating anyone they saw and smashing everything in their path.
The screams of misery and agony from Zhang Laohan's home soon echoed out. In the end, Zhang Laohan was beaten to death by the river supervisor and other household servants of the Right Xian King's estate. The supervisor, consumed by lust, then proceeded to sexually assault Zhang Laohan's female relatives along with his accomplices. Zhang Tu, the eldest son of the Zhang family, was forced to flee by his father's desperate pleas and thus escaped the tragedy.
Such horrific events were commonplace in the Central Plains, which were ravaged by the Hu people.
...
"Bang!" In the Youzhou Prefecture Yamen, Simaling, the Vice Governor, slammed his hand heavily on the table and roared, "Brutal and tyrannical, savage and presumptuous, it is outrageous!"
The tragic events at Zhang Laohan's home were quickly discovered by the Youzhou Inspector. As the case involved the Right Xian King's estate, and even the Empress of the Great Yan Kingdom, these minor inspectors dared not make decisions or interfere. They could only promptly report the details of the case to the Youzhou Prefecture Yamen.
"Vice Governor, what do you intend to do?" Yin Mo, the Grand Administrator of the Imperial Secretariat and Chief Clerk of the Youzhou Prefecture, was startled by the sudden outburst. After hearing about the tragedy at Zhang Laohan's home, Yin Mo had been calmly sipping his tea. Simaling's sudden explosion of anger startled him, causing him to spill a bowl of fragrant tea onto the low table.
The Xianbei people oppressed the good and bullied men and women, committing all sorts of evil deeds. Yin Mo and others were already desensitized to such matters. To say nothing of beating a few people to death, even a case of massacring an entire family would be downplayed and eventually forgotten, as long as there were powerful figures backing it.
If every incident were met with the righteous indignation of Vice Governor Simaling, Yin Mo would not be holding the position of Chief Clerk in the Youzhou Prefecture Yamen.
Simaling was not a loyal or upright person who dared to speak out for justice. Instead, he was a shrewd and sophisticated individual. Although he appeared to be filled with righteous anger at this moment, a hint of joy flickered across his face, which made Yin Mo feel uneasy and alarmed.
At this very moment, the capital of the Great Yan Kingdom was like a pile of autumn grass, where a single spark could ignite a raging inferno.
"What crime have the common people committed to suffer such undeserved disaster!" Simaling roared with feigned indignation. "This official will surely capture these wicked slaves and bring them to justice!"
"You... Vice Governor Sima, you must think thrice before acting," Yin Mo said hastily. "Even a dog needs to be seen by its master before being beaten... What is said today, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know!"
"Grand Administrator Yin..." Simaling shook his head upon hearing this. "As officials, we should not fear the powerful and should speak righteously for the people. Regarding today's matter, even if I lose my official hat, I will impeach them for their negligence in allowing their slaves to commit violence."
Emperor Murong Xi of Yan had long harbored the intention of deposing the Empress, but the time was not right, or perhaps there was no excuse. At least, that was what Simaling believed.
Therefore, if Simaling were to risk his life to impeach Empress Murong Qing, Murong Xi and others would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to depose Murong Qing from her position as Empress. Upon success, Simaling would be credited with the greatest achievement, leading to future prosperity and advancement.
Generally speaking, those who jump out first rarely have a good ending. However, "rarely" does not mean "never." There are indeed a select few who win their gamble, and there is no shortage of gamblers in this world. Simaling was one of them.
"Oh, I see. Vice Governor Sima, my old illness has recurred recently, and I need a few days to recuperate. I shall entrust the affairs of the prefecture yamen to you. It's a burden, a burden indeed," Yin Mo said, nodding.
Simaling was a disciple of Tang Qingsi, a trusted confidant of Murong Bole, the Left Xian King. The implications were self-evident, and Yin Mo did not wish to be involved.
To protect oneself might mean losing many opportunities for advancement, but it was a long-term strategy. It would not be too late to add flowers to the brocade once the situation became clear.
After speaking, Yin Mo "staggered" out of the prefecture yamen.
"Sly old fox," Simaling muttered as he watched Yin Mo's retreating back, then dismissed him from his mind to carefully consider how to handle the matter.
The immediate priority was to gather more allies and rally support to bolster his influence.
...
"Creak!" With a sound, the heavy back door of the Left Xian King's estate in Youzhou opened. Murong Bole, the Left Xian King and Prince of Guanning of the Great Yan Kingdom, along with his second son Murong Ya and five hundred warriors from the Fire Blaze Camp, entered in a single file and quickly took their positions within the estate. The back door was then closed, making their entry seemingly unnoticed and undetected.
The matter that Murong Huiying feared the most had indeed happened; Murong Bole had returned to the capital.
"Your Highness, you have returned?" Murong Bole was completely swathed in a black cloak, the hood of which almost completely concealed his face, leaving only the area below his nose exposed. However, as his wife, the aged Madam of the Left Xian King, Madam Heluo, could she not recognize him? Madam Heluo, who had received news in advance, was waiting at the entrance of the estate. She recognized Murong Bole, who was hidden among the guards, and went to greet him.
"Yes, my lady. Let us go inside and talk," Murong Bole said in a low voice to Madam Heluo.
The two then entered the inner chambers for a private discussion.
"Where is Chi'er?" Madam Heluo asked in the inner chamber, not having seen their eldest son, Murong Chi.
"My lady..." Murong Bole replied after drinking some yellow wine from the Southern Dynasty, "Do you not know the current situation? Chi'er is leading troops outside. This will make them cautious. The more cautious they are, the safer we will be."
"Mmm..." Madam Heluo nodded and, after changing Murong Bole into a comfortable silk robe, said, "Yingying said you should not return to the capital. Why have you suddenly returned?"
If I don't return now, the kingdom will change hands, Murong Bole sighed inwardly and replied, "As a subject, one must be loyal to the king's affairs. Yingying? Why haven't I seen Yingying? And where is the third one?"
"This..." Madam Heluo hesitated and then recounted the matter of Murong Rui, the third elder brother of Murong Huiying, to Murong Bole.
Murong Rui had become increasingly unruly lately. He used to enjoy collecting inscriptions on metal and stone, antiques, calligraphy, and paintings. But now, he frequented brothels and gambling dens with a group of dissolute friends, indulging in drinking and merrymaking, never wanting to leave. He even ignored his father, Murong Bole, upon his return.
"This unfilial son! Let him die outside!" Murong Bole cursed after hearing this and then asked, "And Yingying? Where has she gone?"
"She... went... to the Northern Frontier..." Madam Heluo replied hesitantly.
"The Northern Frontier? The border? What is she doing there?" Murong Bole asked, and then he immediately understood. He pointed at Madam Heluo and angrily said, "Yingying is ignorant, but are you ignorant as well?"
What else could Murong Huiying be doing at the border if not meeting her lover, Zhou Fugui...
Murong Bole had also heard of Prince Cheng of Yan's desire to take Murong Huiying as his Crown Princess. However, Madam Heluo and Murong Huiying were unwilling, and this matter could be discussed slowly. Such an impulsive departure would ruin everything. What would Emperor Murong Xi of Yan think? What would Prince Cheng think? Murong Xi and his son would surely develop a rift. At this critical juncture, if the Left Xian King and the Emperor developed animosity, wouldn't that play right into that person's hands?
Murong Bole suspected that Murong Huiying's departure was a scheme devised by that person.
"Your Highness..." Madam Heluo, seeing Murong Bole's anger, dared not argue with him and only explained in a low voice, "Regarding our affairs, this concubine does not wish to involve our children."
"Alas, my lady..." Murong Bole sighed. "You say you don't want to involve them, but can you prevent it? In this world, many things are beyond our control."
"Mmm, Your Highness, but things have already happened..." Madam Heluo nodded.
"Let her be," Murong Bole sighed again. "I suppose she will not be bullied at the border."
As the Great Yan Kingdom's foremost general, a pillar of the state, and the awe-inspiring Left Xian King Murong Bole, he was inexplicably filled with many emotions today.
"Yingying is Your Highness's beloved daughter, who would dare bully her?" Madam Heluo finally revealed a hint of a smile and said after Murong Bole had been back for some time.
"Do you think my influence reaches that far?" Murong Bole shook his head and replied, "Her well-being at the border is not because of me."
"Oh? Your Highness... What do you mean by that?" Madam Heluo asked in surprise.
"It is because of that person..." Murong Bole continued to shake his head. "He has been granted an official title by the court. The court has enfeoffed him as a General of Valorous Might of the fourth rank, a Baron, and a Cavalry Commandant."
"What?" Madam Heluo exclaimed in surprise. "He, a Han man, actually... actually became a General of Valorous Might?"
Although Madam Heluo was Murong Bole's wife, she was, after all, a woman, and she was unaware of many matters.
"Do you think this is a good thing?" Murong Bole glanced at the surprised and delighted Madam Heluo and said indifferently.
Empress Murong Qing was undoubtedly trying to win over Zhou Fugui, and even attempting to win over the Han group. If Zhou Fugui became Empress Murong Qing's man, then the situation would become complicated...
If Zhou Fugui became Empress Murong Qing's man and then married Murong Bole's daughter, who would he truly belong to...
At this time, Zhou Fugui had already gained widespread fame and had become an official. Therefore, Murong Bole had an inkling of wanting to betroth Murong Huiying to Zhou Fugui. However, the matter between Zhou Fugui and Murong Huiying was insignificant compared to the larger scheme.
This fleeting thought in Murong Bole's mind flashed by.
Yet, in this world, things are often such that a seemingly trivial event or an insignificant person can sway the entire situation, only to be overlooked by many.
"Your Highness..." Madam Heluo understood Murong Bole's thoughts and nodded. "This concubine will write a letter immediately and tell them not to return."
"My lady, he is a subject of our Great Yan. Can we allow him to act as he pleases?" Murong Bole said, then stood up and continued, "My lady, order that the gates be closed and no visitors be received, except for Master Tang."