Green Mountain-Chapter 711 - 567: Feint Toward the East, Strike Toward the West

At Mao time, outside Chengtian Gate, it became lively, with government officials flowing continuously from each office.

The procedure for responding to Mao call was cumbersome. Officials of slightly lower rank must first go to their respective office's front hall, press their seal on the Mao Book, and then wait for the chief official of the hall to call names one by one.

High-ranking officials of the Six Ministries must go to the Imperial Palace Gate to respond to Mao call, in case Emperor Ning summons them.

This set of procedures originally existed in name only, with Mao Books placed in the front hall, and the earliest person would help colleagues with their seal. If someone did not show up one day, they just needed to inform their superior in advance, who would usually agree.

It was a wonderful time; drinking until dawn the night prior was no impediment... until Zhang Zhuo presided over the Imperial Inspection.

Now, officials throughout the Imperial Capital are bitterly complaining; if they miss the Mao call, they could face a salary deduction at best, or dismissal at the worst. In just a few months, the Six Ministries have cleared out over a hundred people.

In the old days, after responding to Mao call, officials would start their official duties.

Today is somewhat different. Clerks from various offices have been sent by their superiors to the alley by Honglu Temple, whispering to each other, waiting for something.

A clerk from the Ministry of Industry carried a handful of melon seeds in his pocket and gathered with the carriage driver of his own Qingshui Bureau doctor, quietly observing Honglu Temple: "Have you heard? Lord Feng dared not leave the office last night, hiding in the study room, with meals delivered by his family."

The carriage drivers perked up: "How do you know?"

The clerk was cracking melon seeds, eyes still fixed on the front of Honglu Temple: "His family's driver said it. The driver kept watch outside Honglu Temple all night."

A carriage driver extended his hand to grab some melon seeds from the clerk but was evaded.

The carriage driver grumbled: "Do you think the Marquis Wu Xiang will come today?"

The clerk casually replied: "Of course he will come. I saw with my own eyes him getting up after the imperial punishment, King Yan asking questions one by one."

At this point, he imitated Chen Ji's manner, pointing coldly at a carriage driver: "This gentleman, will you go to the Imperial Music Bureau?"

The driver asked in curiosity: "Who did he mention?"

The clerk chuckled: "The Imperial Censor Zhou from the Imperial Inspection Office. Upon being asked, Zhou's face changed and he hurriedly replied 'We, Clean Flow Officials, would never go to a place like the Imperial Music Bureau.'"

Spectators, seeing his vivid portrayal, gathered around him.

The clerk became more enthusiastic in his storytelling: "Then Marquis Wu Xiang called upon Lord Xing of the Ministry of Revenue's Chief Clerk. When Lord Xing also said he wouldn't go to the Imperial Music Bureau, he skipped several people to question Lord Feng Xi."

The clerk imitated Chen Ji's tone again: "Lord Feng, I heard you plan to go to the Imperial Music Bureau? Also heard the Feng Family has an old grudge with Prince Jing, and you want to look after an old acquaintance's daughter?"

Someone exclaimed: "Wow! What did Lord Feng say?"

The clerk laughed heartily: "Lord Feng quickly claimed he had no silver, fleeing in panic. You don't need to guess; with the vengeful nature of Marquis Wu Xiang, today, his target must be Lord Feng, without a doubt."

"Your Majesty will surely downgrade his post as punishment; perhaps more than fifty strokes this time."

"With Marquis Wu Xiang's exceptional official talent, yesterday's ninety strokes were nothing; taking some punishment to trade for a life—worthwhile."

Those enjoying the spectacle never think the matter too big.

The clerk and carriage drivers, having no connection to Feng Xi, thought about Honglu Temple's Junior Minister enjoying luxuries every day, felt it was okay even if Feng Xi died, as long as there was a spectacle.

The crowd in front of Honglu Temple grew as the officials from various offices sent their clerks to wait, ready to report back at any news.

At this time, the Qi family's carriage was quietly parked on Chang'an Street, surrounded by more than ten attendants.

Inside the carriage, Qi Xianzun leaned against the wall with closed eyes, resting: "Are all people positioned?"

Qi Zhenwu lifted a corner of the curtain: "Two people arrived at night, guarding the back door of Honglu Temple. Two others arrived at Mao time, disguised as carriage drivers, guarding the front of Honglu Temple, absolutely secured. Once Chen Ji takes action, he will be seized on the spot and sent to the Imperial Palace Gate."

Qi Xianzun didn't even lift his eyelids: "Not necessary. He will drag Feng Xi to the Imperial Palace Gate anyway. Our Qi family is a noble family; if this matter can be avoided, then don't get involved. Just keep an eye on him."

Qi Zhenwu bowed: "Understood."

Qi Xianzun said no more, patiently waiting.

Yet time passed little by little, and they still didn't see the flash of red indicating Chen Ji at the entrance of Honglu Temple.

Some of the carriage and wagon drivers, anxious from waiting, stood on tiptoe looking down the alley: "Strange, Chen Ji went to the Imperial Palace Gate before dawn yesterday; could he have overslept today?"

Someone else asked: "Could it be that Marquis Wu Xiang dared not come?"

"Impossible. He was so fierce yesterday; how could he be timid today?"

"Maybe yesterday's ninety strokes physically harmed him, so he's resting today."

The clerk from the Ministry of Industry said while cracking melon seeds: "Impossible. I saw him in person yesterday, his face unchanged, not looking injured at all."

"Then why didn't he come?"

"Well..."

Until the infantry on the Zhengyang Gate tower sounded the drum, Qi Zhenwu inside the Qi family's carriage softly reminded: "Second uncle, it's Chen time now, still no sign of Chen Ji. Could he have dared not come?"

Qi Xianzun suddenly opened his eyes: "If you think he wouldn't dare come, you underestimate his courage and resolve. Considering his achievements, all of them were traded with risks; if he backed down even once, he wouldn't have made it here. If he didn't dare come, he wouldn't deserve the old man's praise nor be worth me waiting here for him."

Qi Zhenwu puzzledly asked: "But why isn't he here yet? Surely he didn't oversleep for real?"

Qi Xianzun pondered for a moment: "This young man is adept at unconventional methods. Since he didn't come to Honglu Temple, he must be somewhere else. Quick, dispatch people to find him."