Green Mountain-Chapter 705 - 561: Three Waist Tags

For some reason, when Lord Jin Zhu saw Chen Ji's resolute demeanor, he suddenly sighed inwardly. He had seen this expression before.

The last time he saw Chen Ji like this was in Luocheng City.

The Liu Family was annihilated in the seven-year scheme of the Prime Minister, powerless to resist, with Prince Jing's entire household imprisoned. That night, Chen Ji hosted a banquet for him, Jiao Tu, and Yun Yang, then used firearms to blow up Qingyin Small Building.

He still remembered Chen Ji's gaze amidst the ruins, as decisive as it was today. This determination was not about assured victory, but calmness in betting his life and fortune accepting the outcome.

Lord Jin Zhu began to look around his surroundings, noticing a few boxes scattered in the courtyard, filled with ledgers. The door to the main house was tightly closed, and the contents inside remained unknown.

The Jiefan Guard surrounded Chen Ji in a fan shape, and Wang Zhao looked at the situation in the courtyard with some uncertainty: "Whose residence is this? Why is Marquis Wu Xiang here?"

Chen Ji leaned on the Whale Blade and raised his eyes to look at him: "Wait."

Wang Zhao asked in confusion: "Wait for what?"

Chen Ji calmly said: "A mere Household Commander of the Jiefan Guard is not qualified to ask about this matter. Wait for the main figure to arrive."

Wang Zhao clenched the handle of his knife, his face filled with anger: "Marquis Wu Xiang, you brutally killed the Imperial Censor in public, now dozens of Imperial Censors kneel before the Imperial Palace Gate. It won't be long before someone brings a coffin to make a death petition. Now is not the time for you to be arrogant."

Chen Ji smirked: "Don't rush. Just wait a little longer, many want to see me dead, one by one."

The next moment, hurried footsteps echoed outside the residence, and Zhou Biao led the Five Cities Military Department to the entrance. He cautiously observed the courtyard before looking at Wang Zhao: "What's going on? Why haven't the criminals been apprehended?"

Chen Ji leisurely stood up: "Finally, you're here, go ahead and pay your respects."

Zhou Biao frowned: "What are you saying?"

Chen Ji stared directly at him, tightly gripping the Whale Blade with his right hand, speaking in a deep voice: "I am granted the title Marquis Wu Xiang by Your Majesty, even if guilty, the rank must be stripped by him before the Three Judicial Departments can prosecute... Why does a mere Fourth Rank Right Assistant Minister of the Imperial Supervision Office not pay respect upon seeing me?"

Zhou Biao's face twitched slightly, but ultimately he bowed and saluted: "Greetings to the Marquis."

Chen Ji grinned: "The title is rather useful, indeed I should make more use of it. In the boxes are evidence of Yang Zhong and his father and brother embezzling military pay for the Henan Province Guard, withholding repair funds for the Jinling Five City Military Department, seizing the Liu Family's private mining assets, and privately forging copper coins. Thirty-seven ledgers, twenty-four secret letters, all here."

Zhou Biao's expression changed, he glanced sharply at Chen Ji, examining his demeanor. If true, Chen Ji would not only be innocent but deserve merit.

Yet, thinking again, despite Chen Ji publicly dragging and killing Yang Zhong, even vast accomplishments can't outweigh brutal murder in public: Chen Ji is merely a noble, with a distinguished status but without the official right to kill.

Furthermore, this evidence is suspicious, Yang Zhong is dead with no testimony, who can guarantee this residence belongs to the Yang Family?

Thinking of this, Zhou Biao immediately said: "Chen Marquis' words are flawed, whether Yang Zhong is guilty is for the Three Judicial Departments to investigate. You used private punishment, brutally killing a court official which is solid evidence, now you wish to confuse matters with unknown items to escape liability? Commander Wang, apprehend him! Or will you wait until the Imperial Censors crash into the Imperial Palace Gate with their coffins before you arrest the culprit?"

Wang Zhao hesitated for a long time, eventually gritting his teeth: "Apprehend Marquis Wu Xiang, escort him to the Imperial Palace Gate to await Your Majesty's judgment."

"Wait," Chen Ji slowly bent down and took out a waist tag from his sleeve.

Zhou Biao said sternly: "Mr. Zhou knows Marquis Wu Xiang has a palace travel waist tag granted by the emperor, but this tag allows entry through the West Gate to report matters, it's not a license for violence."

Chen Ji glanced at the waist tag: "Apologies, wrong one."

Zhou Biao was surprised and then watched as Chen Ji stuffed the tag back into his robe sleeve, took out another tag, studied it, and then returned it to the sleeve. Chen Ji pulled out a third tag, holding it up for all to see.

Chen Ji calmly said: "I am Hai Dongqing of the Spy Department, on Imperial Inspection, report major issues, decide minor matters instantly, and in the presence of criminals may execute first and report later."

Everyone froze in place, none expected Chen Ji to have so many waist tags, nor that he would pull out one from the Spy Department.

Since when did Chen Ji become Hai Dongqing of the Spy Department?

In the yard, only Lord Jin Zhu looked conflicted, knowing that revealing his identity meant no turning back for Chen Ji, the civil servants would no longer tolerate him, leaving him to join the Eunuch Party.

Chen Ji truly left himself no retreat.

Zhou Biao instinctively glanced at Lord Jin Zhu: "Is this true?"

Lord Jin Zhu forced a smile: "He holds the tag, why ask knowingly. Does Lord Zhou wish to personally inquire with Lord Prime Minister at the Jiefan Building?"

Zhou Biao's face turned ugly, they cursed Chen Ji for being part of the Eunuch Party, now Chen Ji really was and they couldn't act... Hai Dongqing from the Spy Department and the Imperial Censor both have the authority to execute first and report later.

At this point, even the charge of using private punishment cannot be pursued.

Zhou Biao looked up at Chen Ji: "Marquis Wu Xiang has quite the methods, but how did you come to know of this evidence, and who's to say it wasn't forged to frame the Yang Family?"

Chen Ji curiously asked: "How did Lord Zhou become the Right Assistant Minister of the Imperial Supervision Office? Do you need the Spy Department to teach you these matters? Several men in the courtyard are servants of the Yang Family, and I deliberately left some alive; they can identify Yang Zhong."

Wang Zhao quickly squatted down, placing two fingers on a man's neck: "Alive."

Zhou Biao was speechless for a while.

Just as Zhou Biao was pondering how to apprehend Chen Ji, Chen Ji casually said while stroking his sword sheath: "Lord Zhou, Yang Zhong brought these ledgers to the Imperial Capital to offer them as a pledge of allegiance to a certain lord. However, before he could present them, they were discovered. Do you know who this important figure is? Of course, if Lord Zhou does not believe this evidence, we could request His Majesty to investigate; conveniently, I have a waist tag that allows entrance to the palace for official matters... Does Lord Zhou have one?"

Zhou Biao's expression changed drastically, as he knew Yang Zhong came to Beijing to seek association with the Qi family. These ledgers likely contained matters related to the Qi family, and if this reached the court, everyone would be disgraced.

Chen Ji's words left room for both sides.

Chen Ji had more important tasks at hand and didn't wish to create unnecessary enemies. As he mentioned, his goal was to traverse the swamp to reach the other shore, not to deal with every venomous snake in the mire.

Zhou Biao thought for a moment and then firmly stated: "The Hongnong Yang Family's corruption and malpractice evidence is conclusive."

Chen Ji, with interest, asked: "Do you think this should be investigated by the Spy Department or by the Imperial Inspection Office? These ledgers might contain other matters as well."

Zhou Biao cupped his hands: "Marquis Wu Xiang, Yang Zhong is an Imperial Censor of the Imperial Inspection Office; if something happens to him, the office can conduct its own investigation."

Chen Ji asked: "Is there nothing more for me?"

Zhou Biao replied: "There's nothing more for Marquis Wu Xiang."

Chen Ji concealed his smile: "Take care, I won't see you off."

Zhou Biao called for the Five Cities Military Department to hurriedly carry off the boxes and bodies.

Wang Zhao hesitated for a long time until Jin Zhu coldly remarked: "Now even the Commander's position is vacant, and you, a mere commander of households, think you can intervene in this? Get lost."

"I take my leave," Wang Zhao also led the Jiefan Guard to depart.

The courtyard fell silent, and Jin Zhu turned to Chen Ji: "Killing an Imperial Censor and managing to leave unscathed, you've improved."

Chen Ji leaned on the Whale Blade and sat back at the stone table, his gaze unfocused: "Lord Jin Zhu, people always need to improve somewhat."

Jin Zhu inquired: "How did you learn about this residence?"

Chen Ji did not answer.

This was something whispered by the little monk before departing, who had made a significant decision to go against his master's warnings and share what he saw through telepathy.

Each time the little monk divulged his divine skills, he sank further into the mundane mire. No one knew if this was good or bad, or when the consequences forewarned by his master would come.

Jin Zhu sat down beside him, and Chen Ji suddenly smiled and asked: "Aren't you going to ask me if it's worth it, Lord Jin Zhu?"

Jin Zhu was intrigued: "Why ask that?"

Chen Ji laid the Whale Blade across his knee and lamented: "Since leaving Luocheng City, it seems everyone aware of the situation has asked me if it's worth it—some with words, some with their gaze, and some in their hearts. In any case, they always asked."

Jin Zhu chuckled: "I intended to ask too, but upon reflection, I realized I have no right. You have your own burdens you can't let go of, and so do I. Otherwise, why would we entrust our lives to Jiefan Building? Sometimes I wonder if we who emerged from Wunian Mountain are still truly alive, or are we just remnants of our former selves left in this world."

Chen Ji sighed: "Lord Jin Zhu, you're becoming sentimental... Thank you for lending a hand today, and I heard everything you said outside."

Jin Zhu patted his knee: "Kid, I helped you this time; in the future, you must assist me with something."

Chen Ji agreed: "Alright."

Jin Zhu glanced sideways at him: "Not going to ask what it is?"

Chen Ji shook his head: "I won't ask."

Jin Zhu praised: "Refreshing..."

Then he shifted the conversation: "Kid, to save Princess Bai Li, killing just Yang Zhong may not suffice. The Imperial Capital has never been a place of mere violence; those who reach here tread on bones to ascend. You won't intimidate them."

Chen Ji picked up his blade and headed straight for the exit: "Lord Jin Zhu, help me keep the Yang Family's silver in the main house for now. I'll need it in seven days... I've got a lot to do these days and quite a few more people to kill."