Chaotic World Book-Chapter 525 - 511: Tread the Bones of Lords and Nobles under the Heavenly Streets

Chapter 525: Chapter 511: Tread the Bones of Lords and Nobles under the Heavenly Streets

Zhai Muzhi seemed to have timed his arrival perfectly, just as the military camp was set up, he arrived right on schedule.

Soldiers started to light fires and prepare meals, while Zhai Muzhi, donning a Confucian robe, sat in the Commander’s Tent drinking wine. A bonfire was lit inside the tent where a trusted aide was roasting meat, and two Maids stood by his side, refilling his cup with wine. The surrounding generals chuckled and made merry, each entertaining themselves.

His Chief Historian, Xie Ruhai, was in attendance beside him, along with another Scholar occupying a seat of honor whom Zhao Changhe did not recognize.

Zhao Changhe stepped into the Commander’s Tent, his eyes scanning around without a trace of emotion.

You’re in the middle of a war, and you treat it like a bonfire party?

"I was wondering which Demon Suppression Department secret envoy with the Jade Token it could be, turns out it’s Zhao Changhe." Zhai Muzhi laughed heartily, "Please have a seat. Haven’t had dinner yet, have you? Join us?"

Zhao Changhe sat down nonchalantly at a lower guest seat, "Prefectural Magistrate Zhai knows me?"

"Pshaw, Blood Shura Zhao Changhe, a name known across the land, who wouldn’t recognize you? It’s no secret that Young Master Zhao has close ties with Chairman Tang, so being a secret envoy is quite natural for you!" Zhai Muzhi enthusiastically introduced the Scholar sitting beside him, "Allow me to introduce Deputy Imperial Envoy Lu Shouyi from Fanyang!"

Lu Shouyi, aware of the sensitivity of Zhao’s identity, stood up with a beaming smile and clasped his fists in greeting, "Mr. Zhao, your name is thunderous, delighted to make your acquaintance."

"Pleasure to meet you." Zhao Changhe greeted Lu Shouyi perfunctorily, thinking to himself that as long as Lu didn’t recognize him as the previous Wang Daozhong, it would be fine...

But then Zhai Muzhi unexpectedly brought up, "Did Young Master Zhao know that a few days ago, Wang Daozhong ran to me..."

Zhao Changhe was taken aback, "A few days ago?"

Wasn’t it over a month ago? Why would he suddenly bring up Wang Daozhong...

Zhai Muzhi continued, "Wang Daozhong, not sure what injury he sustained, was being pursued by the Blood God Sect led by Sect Hierarch Xue Canghai, and entered Ba Shu seeking help from me. I heard that during the battle of Xiangyang, the Blood God Sect had already surrendered and stood with the Imperial side, right? That must have been thanks to Young Master Zhao’s efforts?"

Zhao Changhe was even more surprised, thinking damn, old Xue actually had a day when he chased down someone from the Earth List. He’s come a long way... But how did Wang Daozhong get injured?

"The Blood God Sect has indeed surrendered; what happened afterwards?"

Zhai Muzhi said, "Since the Blood God Sect has surrendered, and the Wang Family has shown apparent rebel intentions, Wang Daozhong is even a recent jailbreak; well, that is Imperial business catching a rebel... How could I possibly help Wang Daozhong? Of course, no offense to Young Master Zhao, I cannot outright offend the Wang Family, so I simply avoided Wang Daozhong. Out of options, with Xue Canghai hot on his heels, he had no choice but to flee south and is probably heading to hide in the Miao Region... Didn’t Young Master Zhao encounter him on your journey north?"

"With so many different paths, it’s hardly a sure thing to run into him." Zhao Changhe replied offhandedly, feeling perplexed.

Maybe Zhai Muzhi has guessed that the last Wang Daozhong was me... but it seems it’s no longer important.

Considering Wuding’s recent actions in capturing Wang Daozhong, it’s quite likely that it was directed by Zhai Muzhi. It shows that Zhai Muzhi’s stance has been consistent; he appears to truly stand with the Imperial side against Wang Daozhong... In that case, he’s probably the most pro-Imperial of all the ambitious lords I’ve encountered over the past two years, possibly even more "loyal" than Cui Wenjing and Yang Jingxiu.

Perhaps the trouble lies in those who truly consider themselves officials of Great Xia behaving this way.

While they were speaking, a Maid came over to pour wine. Zhao Changhe watched her pour the wine, his voice indifferent as he said, "No offense, but Prefectural Magistrate, such conduct... goes quite against military regulations."

"A commander on the field is not bound by sovereign orders, isn’t it so? I am the commanding general, and isn’t it up to me to set the military discipline and regulations?" Zhai Muzhi laughed heartily, "Deputy Envoy Lu doesn’t seem to mind, right?"

Lu Shouyi stroked his beard and chuckled, "It’s tough for the soldiers to be on expedition; they deserve to relax when it’s time to relax."

Zhao Changhe’s expression remained unamused as he thought, those soldiers outside, gaunt and eating spoiled rations, might just want to punch you in the mouth upon hearing your words. He asked expressionlessly, "Maintaining strict military discipline isn’t just for show... Have you considered what you’ll do if we lose?"

Zhai Muzhi and Lu Shouyi exchanged glances before asking, "Does Young Master Zhao bring news of the Miao Region’s military situation with the Jade Token?"

Zhao Changhe replied, "Lei Zhentang has completed the tribal alliances; just around Erhai alone, the tribal forces amount to fifty to sixty thousand, and the entire Miao Region is countless. Add to that the complex terrain, rampant diseases, and bizarre witchcraft. Venturing into enemy territory will make even keeping up with supplies a challenge... In my opinion, I couldn’t win if I were leading the troops, so I’m not sure where Prefectural Magistrate Zhai’s confidence comes from."

Zhai Muzhi lowered his voice, "In Young Master Zhao’s opinion, will they attack?"

Zhao Changhe shook his head, "It’s unlikely that they’ll launch an attack. It’s difficult for us to advance, and it’s equally challenging for them to emerge, especially since doing so would forfeit their geographical advantage."

Zhai Muzhi clapped his hands, "That’s right. According to reports from the Demon Suppression Department in the Miao Region, they’re not even united, having established some sort of alliance among five tribes, likely harboring competing ambitions... This makes the likelihood of them attacking even lower."

Zhao Changhe thought to himself that this must have been reported by Li Si’an. As much as he assists Taoyuan Town, Li Si’an is still a major in the Demon Suppression Department, nothing remarkable there. Thankfully, it wasn’t stated as his accomplishment...

Zhai Muzhi leaned forward slightly, his voice even lower, "Since they can’t strike us, why must we insist on breaking through? We’re not expected to achieve that with just the forces from Shu County alone. All we need to do is to firmly defend our borders, and that in itself would be a great achievement. When the time comes to pacify the Miao uprising, the Imperial generals will come..."

Zhao Changhe felt his heart skip a beat and finally understood the logic of this man.

Clearly, the Miao Region could be considered provoked into rebellion by his exploitation, but envoys like Lan Tiankuo, who could’ve testified, were long dead. The slogans spouted by rebels like Lei Zhentang were meaningless; they could easily be dismissed as excuses for the rebellion and did not shake Zhai Muzhi in the least. Even the reports from Li Si’an were debatable in the court, as the so-called extortion by Lei Zhentang and the other chiefs was not much lighter than Zhai Muzhi’s; the factors were hard to define.

He wasn’t without allies in the court, after all. Lu from Fanyang was right there drinking, still an Imperial Envoy. He must be tasked with investigating the entirety of events. But what investigation? They were all in cahoots.

If Xia Longyuan were in charge, he certainly couldn’t be fooled, but Xia Longyuan truly had no say. One could almost predict that Zhai Muzhi would face little censure in court, and any that arose would be easily smoothed over. Even Tang Wanju’s impeachment would be useless; the Demon Suppression Department’s supervisory rights were not public; officially, they had no such power.

In other words, the catastrophe that could be attributed to Zhai Muzhi was being covered up, turning into a "merit of defending the territory," resulting in his promotion.

How could there be merit when the Miao hadn’t even attacked? As for the Xia villagers killed outside, just style their hair like the Miao... That would suffice as proof the Miao had attacked and been repelled, wouldn’t it?

Zhai Muzhi indeed had no intention of rebelling; he was a "loyal" bureaucrat of Great Xia.

But such bureaucrats... could give rise to countless rebels.

Zhao Changhe came seeking to unravel puzzles, and in just a few words, it all became clear—there was no conspiracy, nor was there any partnership with Lei Zhentang... Zhai Muzhi appeared quite forthcoming, acting as if this was a matter of common understanding and perfectly reasonable.

I’ve helped you deal with Wang Daozhong; I’m a loyal official, standing firm. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

But the anger within Zhao Changhe grew stronger, his hand gripping the wine cup turning veiny.

I’ve toiled with schemes in the Miao Region, fostering the alliance of five tribes, sheltering countless Xia people, all for you to carry out such deeds?

What if it were without me? Would you care if the Xia in the Miao Region were slaughtered to the last?

Reading his expression, Zhai Muzhi spoke softly, "The credit for this achievement should naturally include a portion for Young Master Zhao... Moreover, I’ve heard that you’ve been troubled by meridian issues, and we have some restorative items here that might be beneficial..."

He couldn’t turn hostile at this moment; one last question needed an answer.

Suppressing his anger, Zhao Changhe spoke slowly, "Then I thank the Governor for the favor. However, I have something else I’d like to inquire about."

Zhai Muzhi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, smiling warmly, "Please, Young Master Zhao, ask away."

"What does the Governor know about the affair with the Ba Mountain Sword House?"

Zhai Muzhi shook his head, "The Sword House has always been a notable faction in Ba Shu with extensive connections. I have no clue why they decided to move to the Miao Region. Speaking of which, I’m curious, how did you manage to offend Sect Master Shi, leading to you and Miss Yue joining forces to slay him? The Sword House should belong to the orthodox path after all..."

Zhao Changhe observed his eyes, slowly saying, "Actually, Shi Wuding was not killed by us, or rather, we merely finished off the severely wounded Shi Wuding. Otherwise, how could Red Feather and I possibly kill the Sixth on the Earth List?"

Zhai Muzhi laughed, "That is already quite impressive... May I ask who first gravely wounded the Sect Master?"

Zhao Changhe articulated, "The Sixth on the Heavenly List, the Lord of Listening Snow Tower, Snow Eagle. Does the Governor know of this?"

Zhai Muzhi paused for a moment, as if in disbelief, then waved it off with a smile, "The Sixth on the Heavenly List, the Lord of Listening Snow Tower, who in the world doesn’t know of him? But I certainly have not had the fortune to meet such a person..."

Zhao Changhe felt enlightened; Zhai Muzhi must have met Snow Eagle and even knew that Snow Eagle wouldn’t have killed Shi Wuding!

Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly felt an earthquake-like tremor coming from afar.

Zhai Muzhi noticed as well, standing up abruptly, showing a level of cultivation on par with Zhao Changhe, perhaps even slightly stronger.

Indeed, he had reached the Second Layer Secret Treasure.

Someone rushed into the tent to report immediately, "Governor, something’s amiss, thousands of soldiers are charging towards our camp!"

"Thousands? We have over forty thousand troops here; are they seeking death?" Zhai Muzhi exclaimed in disbelief, "Could it be an attack from the Miao? Why would it be from the east?"

"It’s not the Miao!" Another soldier burst in, breathless, "We’ve seen their Commander’s Banner, emblazoned with the character ’Li’."

Zhai Muzhi’s expression drastically changed, "Li Shentong!"

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