Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 201 Investigating the Case! Jiang Xingzhou Recommends a Cruel Official!

Luoyang, the capital of China.

Outside Chengtian Gate.

The snow fell silently.

After returning to the palace to report to the emperor, Nangong Wan'er stood on the palace steps again with the imperial edict in hand, the heavy register in her hands trembling slightly in the falling snow.

The ink on the vermilion annotations, still wet, was soaked by snowflakes, spreading out in a glaring scarlet, like undried blood.

She looked up at the sky, and a fine snowflake landed on her eyelashes, instantly turning into a cold drop.

"His Majesty is not satisfied with this list!"

Unconsciously, his fingertips traced the edge of the roster, where there was a barely noticeable crack—scratched by a shard of a teacup that His Majesty had smashed in his rage in the Imperial Study.

In the corner of the palace wall, the maids were hurriedly cleaning up the broken Jun porcelain teacup.

This list, along with countless secret letters and incriminating evidence, clearly shows that Wuxin Palace Master Fei Wuxin was trying to confuse the public and cover up the real traitor!

"By order of His Majesty—"

She suddenly spoke, her voice colder than falling snow.

The officials below knelt down in unison, the snow creaking under their robes.

“The Censorate and the Ministry of Justice will mobilize harsh officials to continue the thorough investigation of this case.”

Commander Tian Qian of the border town failed to properly guard the prison cart, allowing the wolf general to escape. He is now imprisoned and awaiting punishment.

She paused for a moment, then added, "Lord Tang of the Ministry of War and Lord Wei of the Ministry of Rites, focus on preparing for the imperial examinations."

The imperial examinations for selecting virtuous and capable officials are of paramount importance to the court; this case must not be allowed to affect our decisions!

"Yes!"

In the snow-covered landscape, the figures of the two ministers visibly relaxed.

Regardless of how this case is ultimately decided, at least the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites will not be affected for the time being.

The snow on Minister of Rites Wei Shili's official hat slid off in a flurry, revealing his long, half-white eyebrows underneath.

"Go back."

Nangong Wan'er turned around.

She pulled her fox fur coat tighter, leaving a trail of footprints in the snow that gradually faded into the distance.

In the distance came the sound of a night watchman's drum, mixed with the crisp sound of snow breaking dry branches.

This Lantern Festival night was ultimately too long.

"We, your humble servants, take our leave!"

The officials prostrated themselves on the ground and bowed twice, the snow on their official hats falling in a flurry.

When they straightened up, an unyielding gloom hung over every one of their faces.

Minister of War Tang Xiujin strode quickly through the snow for a few steps, then suddenly stopped and sighed.

He looked back at the palace gate, its vermilion lacquer and gold studs gleaming eerily in the snowy night, like the fangs of a giant beast.

"We've temporarily passed this hurdle tonight."

His Adam's apple bobbed, and the white mist he exhaled was instantly torn apart by the north wind.

Minister of Rites Wei Shili's hands trembled slightly within his sleeves, and the hem of his dark official robe was covered with icicles. He smiled bitterly, "Although His Majesty did not mention the three-day deadline for punishment again, he was quite dissatisfied with the imperial edict."

His words abruptly stopped there, as if his tongue had been frozen by the wind and snow.

Several high-ranking officials slowed their pace and gathered together in the shadows cast by the palace walls.

In the distance, the torches of the Imperial Guards flickered, casting their shadows in fragmented patterns.

"A shocking incident occurred on the Lantern Festival: barbarian assassins massacred the Imperial Street!"
Where is His Majesty's dignity? Where is the dignity of the court?!

Zhang Jianzhi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, suddenly lowered his voice, his frozen purple lips parting and exhaling white breath, filled with bitterness, "If we can't find a few culprits of sufficient importance in the end, I'm afraid many people will lose their official hats."

Before he could finish speaking, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Minister of Works Yao Zhen subconsciously touched his neck, where he seemed to feel the biting cold wind.

"Let's go."

The Grand Chancellor, Chen Shaoqing, suddenly broke the silence, his official boots crushing a broken lotus lantern on the ground. "We'll discuss this again tomorrow at dawn."

He paused, his voice heavy as if weighed down by lead, "The Ministry of Justice has dispatched a group of elite officers to interrogate the prisoners immediately. Let's see if we can extract any clues."

The snow fell even harder.

The figures of the ministers gradually disappeared at the end of the long street, leaving only messy footprints on the ground.

Suddenly, the bronze bird-startling bell under the palace eaves rang, startling a flock of crows. As their black feathers swept past, the outline of the high walls of the imperial prison could be vaguely seen through the snow.

Snowy Night on the Heavenly Street

The ministers of the three provinces and six ministries departed the palace in a grand procession.

As the carriage of Grand Secretary Chen Shaoqing rolled over the bluestone slabs, a strong smell of blood suddenly wafted from outside the window.

He frowned, and with his long, slender fingers lifted the embroidered carriage curtain—

Blood stained the bluestone of the Heavenly Street.

A golden line cleaved through the snow-covered landscape.

At the end of the long street, a golden-armored youth stood holding a bow and spear, the golden threads fluttering in the north wind, and the tip of the dragon-fish spear still dripping demon blood.

Beneath his feet lay the corpse of the Snow Wolf Demon Lord, its body stiff and its silver fur stained dark red with blood.

The remains of the rebellious scholar and dozens of barbarian assassins were scattered around, staining the bluestone of the Heavenly Street black.

The scholars helped the injured, and an old man with white hair trembled as he hung a perfectly intact lantern back on the dilapidated eaves.

The surrounding scholars and common people were busy cleaning up the mess, but they all unconsciously maintained a respectful distance from the young man.

Chen Shaoqing seemed to have thought of something and smiled, "You are Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar of Jiangnan Circuit!"

The boy turned around at the sound, his fish-dragon spear drawing a half-arc of cold light on the bluestone slab.

Jiang Xingzhou saw the carriage of Chen Shaoqing, the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and noticed the jingling of the gold silk wristband on his wrist. He sheathed his gun and bowed, saying, "This humble student greets the Grand Secretary."

The night wind whipped up his blood-stained clothes, revealing a deep, bone-revealing claw mark on his waist.

Chen Shaoqing's gaze swept over the pear blossom bow in the boy's hand, which was inscribed with the poem "Qing Yu An: Lantern Festival".

"[The east wind at night releases a thousand trees of flowers, and blows down stars like rain.]"
Indeed, heroes emerge from among the young!

Talented individuals emerge in every generation!

A glint flashed in Chen Shaoqing's eyes, and he suddenly chuckled. His dark official sleeve brushed against the carved window of the carriage, and his knuckles tapped the carriage shaft.

The white-haired old man by the street saw Chen Shaoqing's entourage, staggered a few steps, and fell to his knees in the pool of blood. His withered hands trembled as he clasped them together and hissed:

"Your Excellency, the Grand Chancellor! The entire city is in turmoil, corpses litter the ground, and blood flows through the streets... What... what should we do?!"

Chen Shaoqing frowned slightly, raised his hand to signal the servant to help him up, and spoke in a low and solemn voice:
"Please rise, sir. Tonight, demonic calamity rages, and the imperial court will not stand idly by—blood debts must be repaid in blood!"

The carriage curtains slowly fell, and the ornate canopy and red wheels rolled across the long bluestone street, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Jiang Xingzhou stood still as a pine tree, his fingertips slowly wiping the dried bloodstains on his cheek. His eyes were cold and sharp, like a drawn blade, piercing straight towards the receding red carriage and canopy.

His five fingers tightened inch by inch, and a blood-stained fish-dragon spear emitted a faint clang in his palm, as if sensing its master's surging killing intent.

The night wind howled, carrying the lingering stench of blood across the celestial street.

—A bloody night on the Lantern Festival, a demonic calamity ravaged the city.

If it weren't for the fact that high-ranking officials in the court secretly colluded with the treacherous prince Fei Wuxin of the Wuxin Palace.

If no feudal lords or powerful families stood idly by.

Given the heavily guarded city of Luoyang, how could so many assassins have entered as if the city were empty?

but……

Who is it?

Langya Palace.

under night.

The music suddenly stopped.

Prince Li Chong of Langya pressed his fingertips to the strings, raised his eyes to look outside the mansion, and heard the gradually subsiding sounds of battle. A mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"They suppressed the demonic chaos in half an hour... I overestimated Fei Wuxin and his bunch of good-for-nothings."

With a flick of his finger, the strings vibrated, the lingering sound chilling.

"Father?"

Crown Prince Li Yiguang bowed and awaited orders.

Li Chong rose with a flick of his sleeve, his black python robe fluttering in the night wind: "Take three hundred retainers and servants out of the manor immediately and carry out a large-scale purge of the remaining rebels—and on the way, repair the houses for the people and reassure them."

Upon hearing this, Li Yiguang was taken aback: "But didn't you just say you wouldn't interfere... letting the demons run rampant and causing the emperor to lose face?"

"fool!"

Prince Li Chong of Langya sneered, "The chaos caused by the demons has not yet been quelled, so we will naturally sit back and watch the situation unfold, and enjoy the spectacle."
Now that the chaos has been quelled, it's only right that we claim a share of the spoils and gain fame. You can even snag some credit!

He slowly closed his five fingers in his sleeve. "At this time, instead of trying to earn a merit for protecting the country and saving the people, clearing his name and reporting his achievements to His Majesty, are you waiting for the Censorate to impeach you?"
"Hurry up and take your men there!"

Li Yiguang suddenly understood, clasped his hands and retreated quickly: "Your subject will go and do it right away!"

A moment later, the vermilion gates of the Langya Prince's Mansion opened wide.

Three hundred armored retainers and servants of the Prince's Mansion, holding aloft lanterns that read "Langya Prince's Mansion," surged like a tide toward the still blood-stained long street.

"Capture the barbarian assassin!"

Anyone who dares to harbor a monstrous assassin will be executed without mercy!

Li Yiguang smeared demon blood on his face and armor, looking as if he had just gone through a bloody battle.

In a short while, the entire imperial city seemed to have been transformed once again.

"Pursue and wipe out the remaining savage demon assassins! Leave no one alive!"

The vermilion gates of various mansions opened one after another, and the private soldiers of powerful families and noble clans, as well as the servants of princes and dukes, surged onto the streets like a tide. The clanging of swords and shouts rose and fell, making it even more lively than the previous fighting.

Everywhere you look, you can see the thunderous figures of the Imperial Guards.

On the long bluestone street, the bloodstains were still wet when craftsmen shouted as they brought in new bricks, and in the blink of an eye, the ruins were restored to their original state.

The taverns and teahouses have been re-hung with colorful lanterns, and even the flagpole that was severed by the sword energy has been replaced with brand new silk.

The people hiding in the shadows cautiously peeked out, and seeing the banners proclaiming "Protect the Emperor" all over the streets, they dared to gather in twos and threes on the side of the road.

"Thank God!"

"Those damned demons and barbarians, how dare they cause trouble during the Lantern Festival!"

"Thanks to Jiang Jieyuan," someone whispered. "I saw him write a masterpiece called 'Green Jade Table - Lantern Festival,' which brought down a rain of stars, and the Snow Wolf Demon Lord was riddled with holes on the spot!"

On the second floor of the teahouse, the storyteller, still shaken, had already struck his gavel and was narrating "Jiang Jieyuan's Battle Against the Demons" with spittle flying everywhere.

The waiters of the restaurant moved among the guests, serving each table a pot of "calming wine" free of charge.

At the end of the street, the last trace of blood was washed away by clean water, and the cold and solemn atmosphere was finally dispelled by the newly hung colorful lanterns.

As night falls, the streets are brightly lit.

A gilded and jade-inlaid carriage slowly drove away from the palace gate, the phoenix bells hanging from the eaves tinkling softly in the night breeze.

Sixteen Imperial Guards, halberds in hand, led the way, their black armor reflecting the lamplight and casting a chilling glow on the bluestone slabs.

The chariot suddenly stopped in the middle of the heavenly street.

A delicate hand lifted the curtain of the woven silk carriage, revealing half of Nangong Wan'er's beautiful face hidden behind the tassels, her eyes as clear as autumn water reflecting the moon.

"Mr. Jiang."

Her voice was soft, yet it silenced the noisy street around her.

Jiang Xingzhou was tidying up the messy street with a group of scholars when his hand holding the salute paused. When he looked up, he met the starlight in her eyes: "Miss Nangong."

The carriage curtain was lifted a third, revealing wisps of tea smoke rising from a gilded small table.

Do you have some free time?

Her fingertips brushed against the pearls on the curtain. "Let's go inside and talk."

Jiang Xingzhou glanced at Nangong Wan'er, chuckled, and stepped onto the sandalwood steps to enter the carriage.

Inside the Seven Treasures Carriage, the fragrance of ambergris mingled with the delicate orchid scent unique to young women, filling the air.

The candlelight flickered, and Nangong Wan'er gently stroked the celadon teacup with her fingertips, the tea reflecting her calm eyes.

"The Lantern Festival case has shaken the court and the public."

Her voice was soft, yet every word was sharp as a blade: "Among the three provinces and six ministries, and among the powerful families, countless people have already secretly been having affairs with Wuxin Gongfei."

Jiang Xingzhou frowned slightly, and a hint of chilling intent suddenly seeped into the aroma of tea.

"His Majesty wishes to dispatch a capable and ruthless official to thoroughly investigate this case—"

She suddenly looked up, the candlelight flickering like two cold stars in her eyes. "But if the one we send is an inside man, then we're in trouble!"

The teacup clicked softly.

"so."

Nangong Wan'er suddenly leaned forward, her gilded hairpin tracing a streak of light in the darkness. "Your Majesty desires to employ a completely unrelated newcomer."

The incense smoke curled upwards, weaving a hazy net between her and the boat on the river.

"Newbie?"

Jiang Xingzhou's Adam's apple bobbed. "A newly appointed scholar?"

"good."

She suddenly laughed, but the laughter didn't reach her eyes. "Ideally, it should be someone who has no connection with any minister in the court!"

A sudden gust of cold wind rose outside the carriage, causing the golden bells on the curtain to tremble rapidly.

"I?"

Jiang Xingzhou gazed at the flickering candlelight in the tea and suddenly felt that this cup of tea was colder than the glint of a knife.

The lantern's candlelight suddenly flickered, making the smile on Nangong Wan'er's lips appear even more profound.

"Of course not."

She smiled, her fingertips lightly tapping the gilded table, producing a crisp sound. "Young Master Jiang is a top contender in this year's imperial examination."

"When the imperial examinations are held in the Golden Hall one day, I might be dressed in a flower-adorned hairpin and a brocade robe, and enter the Hanlin Academy as a distinguished scholar."

The incense burner emitted wisps of smoke, casting a hazy veil over her eyes and brows.

"How can the future path of the prime ministers of the Three Provinces and Six Ministries be stained with the blood of cruel officials?"

She suddenly leaned forward, the pearls hanging from her golden hair ornament almost touching Jiang Xingzhou's sleeve, "But—"

You and Fei Wuxin are sworn enemies, you've killed countless of his subordinates, it's impossible for you to be colluding with him.

The wind chimes outside the car suddenly rang out, as if echoing her suddenly cold tone.

Her fingertips traced a cold glint on the table. "Do you have someone you trust who can recommend you to be an imperial censor and investigate this case?"

Jiang Xingzhou remained silent for a moment.

He originally intended to recommend his fellow townsmen, Gu Zhimian or Li Pan, who were both successful candidates in the imperial examinations, to become censors and investigate the case.

Regardless of whether they could pass the imperial examination and become Jinshi, being an imperial censor was a stepping stone for them.

But then I thought, if I were to be branded a cruel official, having killed countless people and offended many, it would be difficult for me to achieve anything significant in the court.

The faces of many fellow villagers and classmates flashed through my mind, but were replaced by that figure in the miasma of Lingnan.

"Using the Imperial Censor to investigate the case? There's someone ready-made who can be used!"

Jiangxingzhou Road.

"Who?"

Nangong Wan'er said.

"Zhang Ji, a former censor, was demoted to military advisor in Qujiang County, Jiaofu Prefecture, Lingnan Province. He was a poor scholar who passed the imperial examination, but he was a hothead and had no powerful backers in the court."

He was demoted to Lingnan, and his official career was ruined.

If reinstated, I will fight tooth and nail, even if it means being branded a cruel official!

Jiang Xingzhou said calmly.

"Zhang Ji?"

The moment the name was uttered, even the tea smoke seemed to freeze for a moment.

Nangong Wan'er raised an eyebrow slightly: "That censor who once impeached you for 'overstepping your bounds' in 'Viewing the Sea'?"

She suddenly chuckled softly, the tassels of her gold hairpin rustling. "Young Master Jiang is quite magnanimous."

Jiang Xingzhou paused, his fingers stroking the rim of the cup.

"He dared to impeach me, which shows that he is not lacking in courage and boldness."

He was a poor scholar who passed the imperial examination and became an imperial censor. He offended me, a mere candidate for the provincial examination, and no one in the entire court protected him.

Clearly, he had no connection whatsoever with the government or the public!

When Jiang Xingzhou looked up, his eyes reflected the flickering candlelight. "The person he hates the most—it's not actually me."

Rather, they are the corrupt officials who turn a clear stream into a turbid one.

"This person was demoted to Lingnan early on, so it's impossible for him to have colluded with Fei Wuxin. Perhaps he can be put to use!"

However, even with his talent, he might not be able to uncover the real mole.

We still need Young Master Jiang to offer him some guidance from behind the scenes!

Nangong Wan'er stared at the shattered candlelight reflected in the tea.

The northern desert, beyond the Great Wall.

Wolf Mountain.

The cold wind, sharp as a knife, cleaved the silence of the eternal night.

On the altar atop Mount Langjuxu, an ancient bronze lamp suddenly went out, its wick emitting wisps of smoke that struggled for a moment in the biting wind and snow before finally vanishing without a trace.

"Ow-!!"

The mournful howls of wolves echoed through the valley, and the ice and snow of the entire sacred land trembled in the roar of the demon king.

The Snow Wolf Demon King stared intently at the extinguished soul lamp with its crimson eyes, its sharp claws digging deep into the Xuanbing altar.

"Who is it?! Who dares to kill my son?!"

More than half a month ago, the Seventh Prince led thirty-six wolf demon generals and wolf demon commanders on a hunting expedition, which was supposed to be a routine blood feast.

As one of the five great demon kingdoms in the north, the wolf soldiers of the Snow Wolf Kingdom strike fear into the hearts of all, whether they are barbarian demons or humans.

But now.
Foul-smelling saliva dripped from between the wolf demon king's fangs, and the wolf demon elders around the altar trembled on the ground.

The extinguished soul lamp not only signifies the fall of a prince, but also foreshadows a humiliating disgrace for the Snow Wolf Kingdom!
Wolf Mountain.

Snow Wolf King's Palace.

"Report——!"

A sharp wolf howl tore through the wind and snow.

The wolf demon general, covered in blood, staggered into the temple, his Xuan Yao armor still adorned with unmelted ice crystals.

"Your Highness!"

It knelt heavily before the altar, its sharp claws carving deep marks into the cold jade floor.

"speak!"

The Snow Wolf Demon King suddenly turned around, and a surge of demonic energy around him became so tangible that the ice crystals of the entire temple trembled and hummed.

"Palace Master Wuxin has sent someone with an urgent intelligence report!"

The wolf demon general let out a low whimper, "Bianzhen Tian Qian led three thousand elite soldiers to ambush in the snow forest, and the Seventh Prince..." Its voice suddenly became hoarse, "was captured alive and taken to Luoyang, the capital of the Great Zhou!"

The demon king's pupils shrank suddenly, and the ice pillars around the altar shattered with a deafening roar.

"Upon receiving this news, the Palace Master Wuxin personally led the rebels to Luoyang to rescue the Seventh Prince from the prison cart!"

Unexpectedly, he was stopped by a human scholar named Jiang Xingzhou!

The Seventh Prince... unfortunately perished in battle!

The wolf demon general's sharp teeth clenched together with a grinding sound.

"boom--!"

A violent surge of demonic power erupted into the sky, causing the millennia-old ice on the dome of the royal palace to crack inch by inch.

The Snow Wolf Demon King roared to the sky, and the sound waves shook the snow-capped mountains within a hundred miles, causing the snow to collapse.

"Jiang! Xing! Zhou!—!"

These three words, carrying an overwhelming killing intent, echoed across the icy plains for a long time.

The wolf demons inside the hall trembled and knelt down, knowing that the fate of the Northern Territory was about to change.

The Snow Wolf Demon King would never tolerate such a deep-seated hatred.

(End of this chapter)