The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 198 The High Official Has Arrived—! The Heavenly Court Has Arrived!
Hong Wu's eyes were wide open, staring intently at Shi Wengong. He gripped the ghost-head knife tightly in his hand, his veins bulging, looking like a wicked judge in a temple, ready to take away souls and lives.

During the most intense fighting, a few of the windows on the second floor of Tongchifang, which were originally tightly closed, were quietly pushed open.

Inside were gamblers who had been alerted and couldn't contain their curiosity to watch the spectacle. They had assumed it was just a common street brawl and wanted to see how Hong Wu would deal with the intruders.

However, what they saw was a one-sided massacre that resembled a battlefield!

The neatly arranged forest of spears, the unpredictable marksmanship, the lime powder and fishing nets flying everywhere, and the bloodied and agonizing bodies rolling on the ground... these bloody and cruel scenes instantly shattered the nerves of these gamblers!
"Oh my god—!" A distorted scream rang out from a window! "Murder...murder! Run!"

A terrified scream came from another window.

Suddenly, a series of loud crashes and thuds echoed through the gambling den! It was the sound of gambling tables being overturned and chairs being kicked over! Immediately following were countless chaotic footsteps and terrified shouts, like a swarm of wasps that had been disturbed!
The gamblers dared not look any longer. Terrified, they scrambled and fled deeper into the neighborhood, afraid of being noticed by the murderous god and his gang of evil spirits outside!
The place instantly descended into chaos. All traces of the casino's hustle and bustle vanished, replaced only by terrified cries of agony!
The thick, pungent smell of blood in front of Tongchifang had not yet dissipated, and the wounded man groaning and rolling on the ground was still convulsing. Then, a series of heavier and more frequent footsteps, like muffled thunder, came from afar and instantly broke the brief, suffocating silence!

"Surround them! Don't let a single one escape!" A stern shout, full of official authority, rang out! Immediately following was the clanging of countless armor plates clashing and swords and spears being drawn!

Hundreds of men surged in from both ends of the long street!

First came the yamen runners, dressed in black robes and wielding fire and water sticks, iron rulers, and chains, who were as fierce as wolves and tigers;
Closely following behind were soldiers wearing half-body leather armor and carrying long spears and waist knives, exuding a murderous aura!
In the blink of an eye, the entire Tongchifang, along with the carnage in front of it—a scene of severed limbs, blood, and carnage—was surrounded like an iron barrel!

Swords, spears, clubs, and other weapons, dense as thorns, gleamed coldly, and the chilling aura made one's scalp tingle. Even the smell of blood seemed to be suppressed by this official's imposing and menacing presence!

Two riders emerged from the crowd. The one in the lead rode a tall, strong horse. He was around thirty years old, dressed in a blue satin official robe and a cross-legged turban. He was of wiry build and had sharp, hawk-like eyes. He was none other than Wang Xian, the clerk of the Shandong Provincial Judicial Office.

He rode a sturdy horse, pointed his whip at the mess in the arena, and shouted sternly: "Wang Xian, the clerk of the Shandong Provincial Criminal Investigation Bureau, is here! Who are you madmen who dare to gather a crowd to fight, kill and injure people, and disturb the peace in broad daylight, showing no respect for the law! Put down your weapons immediately and kneel down to be bound! If you dare to delay even for a moment, I will make sure that you are beheaded!"

Before he could finish speaking, a burly officer in military uniform beside him suddenly pulled on the reins, and his warhorse reared up and let out a long neigh. It was none other than Commander He.

His voice boomed like thunder, carrying the murderous aura honed on the battlefield, as he roared: "By order of the Chief Justice, suppress the unrest! Everyone, drop your weapons and lie prone! Anyone who dares to make a move will be killed without mercy! Archers, prepare—!"

With his command, dozens of guards in the back row raised their crossbows in unison, the cold arrowheads aimed at everyone in the field!

The sudden encirclement by government troops was like a bucket of ice water poured over someone's head, instantly freezing the tense atmosphere in the room.

Shi Wengong's eyes sharpened, and he pointed his spear diagonally at the ground, blood dripping from the tip, but his body remained as still as a rock.

The twenty or so young men's hearts pounded wildly, their palms sweating as they gripped their cudgels, and they instinctively looked at Ximen Qing.

A gleam of joy flashed in Hong Wu's eyes.

He Qianhu's hawk-like gaze swept across the scene of corpses strewn everywhere, finally landing on Ximen Da Guanren, who sat calmly on his horse in the middle of the field.

He was slightly taken aback at first, then his brows furrowed, and with a mixture of surprise and disbelief, he blurted out, "Ximen... Brother Ximen? What are you doing here?!"

The official put on a friendly smile and clasped his hands in a fist salute on horseback: "This time, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again, brother, to take care of everything!"

Commander He was completely baffled and said urgently, "Brother, I received a warrant from the Criminal Investigation Bureau saying that a large group of desperate bandits had attacked Tongchifang, killing countless people. That's why I mustered my troops and rushed here to suppress them! This...this ground is covered in blood gourds..."

He pointed his riding crop at the chaotic scene, his voice rising, "What on earth is going on here?!"

Looking at Ximen Qing's confident demeanor, and then at the group of young men behind him who, though somewhat inexperienced, still exuded murderous intent and maintained their formation, as well as Shi Wengong's blood-dripping spear and the guards wielding lime fishing nets with fierce eyes, Wang Yashi felt a surge of doubts, and his face darkened.
"Master Ximen! How dare you! How dare you be so arrogant in front of the Chief Justice! As a scholar of the Imperial Academy, instead of serving the country, you have gathered private soldiers and committed violence in the streets, killing so many people! Do you have no respect for the law?! Immediately drop your weapons, dismount, and be bound, and come with me to the Chief Justice's office for questioning!"

Just as Wang Yasi was shouting angrily and the atmosphere became tense again, a series of hurried and slightly shrill footsteps came from inside the half-smashed vermilion gate of Tongchifang.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dark purple brocade robe, with an overbearing black brocade bullfighting suit over it, and a wingless gauze hat, strode out, surrounded by several pale-faced, beardless, and nervous-looking attendants.

This man was around fifty years old, with a fair and clean face, no beard, and very well-maintained. However, he had puffy eye bags and a sinister look in his eyes with a hint of barely perceptible fear.

He carried a hand warmer in his arms. Upon entering, his gaze was initially drawn to the horrific scene before the door, but he quickly regained his composure, forcing a formulaic smile onto his face. He repeatedly bowed towards Wang Yashi, his voice high-pitched and carrying a affected tone characteristic of the palace.

"Oh my! Clerk Wang! Clerk Wang, you've finally arrived! You scared me to death!"

As he spoke, he glared at Hong Wu out of the corner of his eye.

Then he turned to Wang Yashi, his tone deliberately conveying lingering fear and gratitude:

"Wang, the clerk! He, the commander! It was our messenger who risked his life to break through the siege and deliver the message to the judicial office! If it weren't for the divine intervention of Wang, the clerk, and He, the commander, arriving in time, our Tongchifang would have been massacred by this group of... this group of lawless thugs! Please, Wang, do us justice for our family and for all the aggrieved people here!"

He emphasized the word "villain" and his gaze was filled with resentment when he swept it over Ximen Qing.

Upon seeing this man, Wang Yashi's expression grew even more solemn, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible respect. He said in a deep voice, "I received an urgent report from your steward, stating that a large group of ruthless bandits had launched a fierce attack on Tongchifang, causing casualties and creating an extremely critical situation! That's why I dared not delay and quickly mustered my troops to come to the rescue!"

His gaze flashed like lightning as he glared at Ximen Qing again, shouting loudly, "Ximen Qing! Eunuch Chen is here! What else do you have to say?! The Chief Justice and the Imperial Guards are here! Drop your weapons and dismount immediately! Otherwise, don't blame me for treating you as someone who has gathered a crowd to plot rebellion and resist arrest, and for killing you on the spot!"

The cold glint of hundreds of crossbow bolts instantly focused on Ximen Da Guanren, like the eyes of a venomous snake!
The air seemed to solidify into lead, so heavy that it was hard to breathe, with only the faint groans of the dying man on the ground and the affected, high-pitched, shrill breathing of Eunuch Chen.

Upon seeing this, Commander He's heart tightened. He quickly waved his hand on horseback and shouted at his menacing guards:

"Men! Get your fingers off the crossbows! Don't let them go off!"

He then turned to Clerk Wang, his face serious: "Lord Wang, although I am under the command of the Provincial Judicial Commissioner, Master Ximen is a prominent figure in Qinghe County, and is even an Imperial Academician of the Xianmo Pavilion, a man of great status! This matter... there must be some misunderstanding involved, perhaps there are other hidden reasons, we should at least get to the bottom of this..."

"What Lord He said, 'His status is high and there may be hidden reasons,' I naturally understand!" Wang Yasi paused, then his tone suddenly changed, with the force of thunder. He raised the black lacquered and gold-painted fire token, which symbolized the life and death power of the Chief Justice, high in his hand and shook it violently!
The crimson characters on the token were shockingly bright in the dim light!

"No matter what!" Wang Yashi said, enunciating each word clearly, his voice booming, "He privately keeps armored soldiers and raises such desperados, armed with sharp blades and weapons, gathering in the bustling streets and markets!"

He pointed his spear at the group of greenhorn youths behind Ximen Qing, who still exuded murderous intent, Shi Wengong wielding a blood-stained spear, and the fierce guards with lime bags hanging from their waists, and shouted sternly:

"Such behavior is tantamount to treason! Let alone the fact that you, Ximen Qing, are merely a mere Imperial Scholar of the Xianmo Pavilion! Even if you were a member of the imperial family, with such evidence, you would not be able to escape the law!"
He shook the token violently once more, and Wang Yashi's hair and beard bristled as he uttered a final, sharp shout at Master Ximen:

"Ximen Qing! This is my last question to you! The Imperial Censor's warrant is here, issued on orders to suppress bandits and eradicate lawlessness! You have privately amassed henchmen, gathered desperados, and in broad daylight, armed yourself and committed murder, killing and injuring dozens of people, destroying shops, and staining the streets with blood—the evidence is irrefutable! Now, with Eunuch Chen here personally representing the victims! What else do you have to say?!"

"Dismount immediately, lay down your weapons, and submit to the law! Do you really want me to order an arrow to be fired and kill you all here before you know the severity of the law?!"

Taking advantage of the situation, Eunuch Chen shrieked and echoed, his voice trembling with sobs: "Wang, you are wise and discerning! This scoundrel is vicious and unruly! Look at all these lives on the ground, look at our business that has been smashed to pieces! He must be severely punished!"

He pointed at Ximen Da Guanren, his fingers trembling, as if he were seeing an irreconcilable enemy.

The high-ranking official sat upright on his horse, his smile undiminished, and casually pointed his riding whip at the pale-faced Earl Ying and his companions huddled in the corner.
"Wang, you are mistaken! I was informed by someone that this Tongchifang is harboring and raising notorious thieves and desperate bandits, and even wanted criminals with their names on warrants are gathered here! These thugs run rampant in broad daylight, wantonly kidnapping innocent people, cutting off their limbs, ruining their reputations, and committing all sorts of heinous crimes that are too numerous to mention!"

"As an official appointed by the imperial court, I am paid by the emperor and must serve him faithfully! How could I stand idly by upon hearing of such a heinous act? In order to uphold the law and order in He County and protect the peace of the people, I mobilized the local militia and militia to arrest these bandits in accordance with the law! This is my duty, what crime have I committed?!"

"Ximen Qing! Stop using your clever words and twisting the truth!" Wang Yashi was so enraged by his high-sounding words that he roared throughout the entire hall.
"Even if... even if you find some clues! Even if these scoundrels have indeed committed some illegal acts! You... you are just a scholar with no official position or title, what right do you have to mobilize manpower without authorization, make unauthorized arrests, engage in street brawls in broad daylight, and kill dozens of people?! Who gave you such audacity?! This is a blatant trampling of national law! A contempt for the imperial court's discipline! It's tantamount to rebellion!"

Wang Yashi grew angrier as he spoke, as if he had finally found Ximen Qing's Achilles' heel, and his voice suddenly rose to its highest point:
"You, without any real official position, have arbitrarily mobilized troops, killing and wounding dozens, and destroying people's property. This is tantamount to treason! This is the most heinous crime! According to the law, you should be executed by slow slicing, your property confiscated, and your entire family exterminated! Guards!!"

He swung his hand sharply, as if issuing a decapitation order, "Seize this scoundrel! Lock him up! Take him back to prison! Any hesitation or resistance will be considered treason! Kill him without mercy..."

"Wang Yashi—!" Ximen Da Guanren suddenly shouted, like a thunderclap from the heavens, abruptly cutting off Wang Yashi's murderous "Kill without mercy" in mid-air!

The nonchalant smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by the imposing authority of a superior, his gaze like two cold lightning bolts piercing Wang Yasi's heart.
"Who—says—I—am—not—an—official—person?!"

That shout, each word carrying immense weight, struck everyone's eardrums like a hammer blow! The entire place fell silent! Even the groans of the wounded on the ground seemed to be cut off! All eyes, as if drawn by invisible threads, were fixed intently and incredulously on Ximen Qing!
Ximen Da Guanren remained calm and composed, his demeanor as steady as a mountain.

He first solemnly took out a scroll of official appointment document from his bosom, with a bright yellow silk background, a bright red Ministry of Personnel seal, and a vermilion title!

Immediately afterwards, he calmly untied a silver fish-shaped tally pouch from his waist, which was as bright as frost and snow, engraved with fine cloud patterns and the words "Chief Justice Officer," and tied with a purple silk sash—this was the identity certificate bestowed by the imperial court upon officials of the fifth rank or above!
He held the official document and the fish-shaped tally bag high. In the dim lantern light, the bright red seal and the gleaming silver light were so dazzling that Wang Yashi and Eunuch Chen could hardly open their eyes!
"Wang, the clerk! And this Eunuch Chen!" The high official's voice, like the clash of metal, carried an absolute authority that pierced the heart, resounding throughout the entire hall:
"Open your eyes and see clearly! This is an official appointment document signed by the Ministry of Personnel, stamped by the Minister, and directly addressed to the Emperor! I, Ximen Qing, have been bestowed the title of Deputy Commander of the Shandong Provincial Judicial Office by His Majesty's boundless grace! This is a silver fish-shaped pouch, made under the supervision of the Ministry of War and bestowed upon me by the court, serving as proof of my identity! You—do you still recognize it?!"

He thrust the heavy official document and the silver fish-shaped pouch symbolizing power forward, and sneered:
"Wang, the clerk! As the clerk of the Provincial Judicial Office, you are in charge of criminal law! Don't you even recognize the official document from the Ministry of Personnel and the imperial silver fish?! Huh?!"

Wang Xian, the clerk, was completely stunned by this sudden turn of events! As if he had been hit on the head with a blunt object, he froze on his horse, even his breath caught in his throat for a moment!
Almost instinctively, he spurred his horse forward a few steps and snatched the official document from the official's hand!
Those hands, which were originally as steady as a rock, were now trembling slightly as they eagerly unrolled the scroll of bright yellow silk document.

By the flickering torches and dim lamplight in front of the Tongchifang, the familiar format of the Ministry of Personnel's documents, the blood-red seal of the Ministry of Personnel, and the eye-catching characters such as "Ximen Qing," "Deputy Commander of the Criminal Investigation Department," and "Fifth Rank" shot towards him like a barrage of arrows.

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets, and stared intently at the silver fish-shaped pouch in Ximen Qing's other hand, which gleamed in the firelight and was engraved with intricate patterns of torture and rank insignia!
Its unique shape and the fish-shaped ornaments symbolizing officials of the fifth rank or above are cold, hard, and chilling to the touch—it's absolutely impossible to fake!
This token, representing the laws of the court and the authority of the emperor, is now in Ximen Qing's hands!
"Ah?! This...this...this is impossible!" The overwhelming rage, chilling murderous aura, and arrogant official demeanor on Wang Yasi's face vanished instantly, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head!

All that remained was a deathly pale white! Immense fear, like a cold, venomous snake, instantly coiled around his heart, almost suffocating him!

Large beads of cold sweat streamed down his forehead and temples, which had instantly lost all color, soaking through the lining of his official hat!
He never dreamed that this arrogant and extravagant official, Ximen, who was known throughout Qinghe County, would transform into his superior—the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Criminal Court, wielding real power over criminal cases and holding the power of life and death!
It’s over! It's all over!

The thought exploded in his mind like a thunderclap!

The power of Eunuch Chen, the bloodshed at Tongchifang, the grievances of the "victims" on the ground... all of these became as insignificant as a feather at this moment!
Having offended such a ruthless and legitimately powerful superior who held his future and even his life in his hands, Wang Xian's fate was unimaginable!
"Hmph!" Master Ximen sat upright on his horse, looking down at Wang Xian with a cold sneer. The laughter was like an ice pick, making Wang Xian tremble all over. "Wang, what a show of official power you have! You have arbitrarily mobilized your yamen runners and soldiers, with swords and spears drawn and bows and crossbows ready, to surround and annihilate me, the deputy commander of the criminal investigation department! What is your punishment?!"

"Your humble servant... Your humble servant Wang Xian!!" Before the official could finish speaking, Wang, the clerk, let out a mournful cry that sounded out of tune, as if his spine had been removed!
He practically tumbled off the saddle, his official boots caught in the stirrups, and he stumbled and fell in a sorry state into the blood-stained mud in front of Ximen Da Guanren's horse!
He prostrated himself on the ground, his forehead hitting the earth, his voice trembling like autumn leaves in the wind, filled with desperate sobs: "This humble servant was blind! This humble servant was audacious! I did not know that Lord Ximen had arrived! This humble servant spoke rudely and offended your majesty! I deserve to die! I deserve to die! I beg you, my lord, have mercy! I beg you, my lord, spare this dog's life! My lord, please forgive me! My lord, please forgive me!!"

He begged for mercy in a hoarse voice, kowtowing frantically like a pestle being pounded, his forehead slamming heavily against the cold stone floor with a dull "thump-thump" sound. Where was the slightest trace of the "acting on behalf of Heaven, having the power of life and death" he had just displayed?

This sudden turn of events was even more astonishing and shocking than the blood and gore and the clash of swords that had just occurred!
He Qianhu, who was standing to the side, also suddenly jolted awake, snapping out of his shock. His face instantly drained of color, and he was filled with terror!

He practically tumbled off his horse, then knelt down with a thud, bowing deeply in the direction of Ximen Qing, repeatedly saying, "This humble servant greets Lord Ximen! This humble servant failed in his duty, please punish me!"

The entire scene fell silent! The yamen runners and guards who had been so menacing and ready to pounce turned ashen-faced and utterly terrified at the sight before them!

Without anyone noticing who started it, with a "whoosh," hundreds of people knelt down in unison, like wheat being cut down, bowing and paying their respects to Ximen Qing on horseback, not daring to even breathe loudly!
Even the strong servants that Ximen Qing brought with him, including arrogant figures like Shi Wengong, felt an immense, invisible pressure under the sudden reversal and the imposing, unapproachable atmosphere of the superior's authority. They involuntarily knelt down and bowed their heads to show their respect!
Apart from Ximen Qing, who was sitting upright on his horse, and a few pale-faced eunuchs, no one else was standing in front of the entire Tongchifang!
All of a sudden!
The area in front of Tongchifang was deathly silent, like a tomb! The glint of swords, the cold light of bows and arrows, the official shouts, and the wails and groans that had just passed seemed to have been wiped away in an instant by an invisible giant hand!
Among the dense crowd kneeling in the dark, only Master Ximen sat firmly atop his magnificent chrysanthemum-patterned horse!
He held the reins, his posture upright, like a deep pool and a towering mountain. The steed seemed to sense its master's supreme power, which held the reins of life and death, and suddenly reared up, letting out a loud neigh that pierced the clouds and split rocks!
Its two front hooves, each as big as a bowl, were raised high and then slammed down, splashing up a cloud of mud and snow mixed with blood!

"Bang--!"

The horse's neigh was like a thunderclap, causing the already terrified Eunuch Chen to tremble violently! He could no longer hold onto the gilded hand warmer he was clutching tightly, and it fell to the ground, crashing heavily onto the cold stone slab!

Eunuch Chen's face was ashen, his lips trembled uncontrollably, and his teeth chattered like a leaf. It was as if the thunderous neighing of the horse had shattered his bones, and he could no longer maintain his fragile dignity.
"thump--!"

A dull thud!

He was like a broken puppet with its strings cut, his knees slamming heavily onto the cold, blood-stained, muddy stone floor!

The two eunuchs supporting him and Hong Wu were also pulled off balance by the sudden force and fell to their knees!
The mink fur hat, a symbol of status, slipped off askew, revealing sparse, graying hair underneath, making him look disheveled.

He disregarded the pain and the decorum of a eunuch, gripping the ground with both hands until his nails dug into the cracks in the stone. With all his might, he let out a piercing, shrill wail in his terrified, hoarse voice, directed at Ximen Qing on horseback:
"Master Ximen...please spare my life—!!!"

That cry of "Spare me!" was like the cry of a night owl, filled with boundless fear and despair, instantly tearing apart the suffocating silence in front of the Tongchifang!
The tremor in his voice almost scared the soul out of him!
Ximen Qing sat upright on his horse, his gaze sweeping across the entire scene like a cold pool, finally turning to Commander He, who was also kneeling on the ground, not daring to breathe: "Brother He!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am here! Please give your orders!" Commander He shuddered as if stung by a scorpion, hastily responding with a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Lord Ximen, you flatter me! I was blinded by greed and ignorance before, daring to address you as my brother! Now I would never dare to call you 'brother' again!"

The official laughed and said, "Brother He, you've really embarrassed me! Back then, I, Ximen Qing, was just a commoner, and you were willing to lower yourself to befriend me and call me brother. How come now that I'm wearing official robes, you're not as good as before? Could it be that you think my official position is too lowly and I'm not worthy to be your brother?"

As he spoke, he dismounted and personally reached out to help Commander He.

He Qianhu was helped up, but his bones felt like they were going to give way, and he didn't dare to stand up straight. He hunched over and said repeatedly, "I dare not! I dare not! Your kindness is indeed your kindness, how could I, a humble servant, be ungrateful!"

The official could only shake his head: "Alright, let's follow the rules in official matters, but in private, we'll act as brothers."

Having said that, he mounted his horse, put on a cold, businesslike expression, and with a sharp crack of his whip, pointed it at the smashed gate of Tongchifang. His gaze swept over the wounded and the lifeless corpses lying on the ground, and his voice suddenly rose, each word like ice shards striking the ground: "Commander He!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Commander He respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute.
The official said coldly, "I order you to immediately arrest Wang, the clerk, along with all the people from this brothel, regardless of gender or whether they are alive or dead! And all these 'victims' on the ground..."

He sneered, poking the wailing wounded with the tip of his whip, "...Take them all back to the prison! Have them kept under strict guard until I personally take the court, interrogate them thoroughly, and punish them severely! If even one escapes, or if any of them die or become mute under mysterious circumstances, Commander He, I will hold you responsible!"

"Your subordinate obeys! I would never dare to make the slightest mistake!" Commander He felt as if he had been granted a pardon, yet also as if a thousand-pound burden had been placed on his back. He hurriedly kowtowed, then scrambled to his feet, glaring at his men and soldiers, his voice cracking with rage:

"You bunch of murderers! Have you plugged your ears with donkey hair?! Did you hear Lord Ximen's orders clearly?! Hurry up and arrest them! Lock them up! Lock them up! Lock them all up! Take them back! Anyone who dares to disobey even a little will be skinned alive!"

The officers and soldiers roared in agreement and pounced like wolves and tigers. The managers and thugs of the brothel had long been terrified by Shi Wengong and were as limp as mud; they dared not struggle. In an instant, the chains rattled and the cries of parents filled the air.

Ximen Qing's expression softened slightly, and he turned his horse around to stand in front of Shi Wengong.

This fierce general, who had just fought a bloody battle and killed several people with his spear, was now kneeling on one knee, waiting for orders.

Ximen Qing bent down and patted Shi Wengong's broad, sturdy shoulder heavily, the force carrying both approval and entrustment:
"Instructor Shi, you've worked hard! You deserve the most credit for today's events!" He lowered his voice, carrying a tacit understanding. "Take the militia brothers back first, comfort them properly, and treat their injuries. I've noted this down, and I will reward them double in the near future."

His gaze was deep as he looked at Shi Wengong's resolute yet yearning face, and he encouraged him meaningfully, "Follow me, and one day you will be 'stained with blood on your battle robes, and your wife and children will be honored!' Don't rush, follow me, and your future will be bright and prosperous!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Wengong's eyes flashed with a sharp light! He suddenly clasped his hands and stood up, his voice booming like a bell, filled with an iron-blooded heroism: "Shi Wengong is willing to die for you, my lord! I will brave mountains of knives and seas of fire, even unto death!"

Ximen Qing sat upright on his horse, his eyes sweeping over the chaotic scene at the all-consuming establishment, and then shouted loudly:
"Inspector Dai!"

Dai'an, who was idly standing nearby, was taken aback. Who was Uncle calling?
He only realized what was happening when he saw his father raising an eyebrow at him.

Dai An reacted with astonishing speed! Just moments ago he was hunched over, but in a flash he straightened up!

He bowed respectfully to the official Ximen on horseback, his posture so precise and measured that the angle of his bow seemed to have been measured with a ruler, and his voice was carefully chosen to imitate the affected tone of an official.

"I am humbled to be in charge of Da'an, and I am waiting for your Majesty's instructions!"

The official, barely suppressing a laugh at the fellow's comical appearance, ordered: "I hereby order you to immediately shut down the gambling den, and confiscate all gambling funds on the table, including gold, silver, copper coins, tickets, and deeds. Make sure to register them accurately!"

Then he beckoned to Dai'an, who was standing beside him.

Na Dai'an immediately crouched down and approached the horse, pricking up his ears.

The official leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said, "Take your men and search each of those gamblers thoroughly! If they find any gambling instruments, whether they're banknotes or loose silver, confiscate them! But..."

The official paused and continued, "...If any scoundrel can produce a letter, a badge, or a travel permit stamped with the official seal of a certain magistrate's residence, proving that he is indeed from a respectable family, then, hmph, return his gambling debts to him in full and politely let him get lost! Understand? Don't offend people unnecessarily!"

"Uncle! Don't worry!"

Before he finished speaking, Dai'an suddenly straightened up, his fawning expression vanishing instantly, replaced by a cold and stern face that seemed to be acting like a bully.

He pulled a heavy, black waist token from his pocket with a "whoosh," held it high in his hand, and, facing the still-stunned constables around him, raised his voice in a high-pitched, shrill voice, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on:

"Listen up, all of you! Dai'an, the Ninth-Rank Inspector of the Shandong Patrol Office, is here! By order of Lord Ximen, I am here to raid the brothel! All of you, obey my orders immediately!"

The badge gleamed darkly under the lamplight, and the words "Shandong Inspection" on it were so sharp they hurt your eyes.

He Qianhu and the yamen runners of Qinghe County were standing not far away when they suddenly heard the words "ninth-rank inspector" pop out of Dai'an's mouth. When they saw the waist badge, they were as if they had seen a living ghost in broad daylight. Their eyes widened and their chins almost hit their feet!
"My goodness!" Commander He's heart skipped a beat, and he gasped. "Isn't this Dai'an, the servant boy who used to serve tea and water and run errands for Master Ximen? How... how did he suddenly become an official? A ninth-rank inspector?! This... Master Ximen's influence is truly boundless!"

He felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and the hairs on the back of his spine stood on end.

The numerous yamen runners were utterly terrified, their minds reeling: this cheerful servant boy who had been so friendly in front of them had actually become a ninth-rank inspector! Good heavens! This Master Ximen… even his dog could don this official robe!
Now that Dai'an had gained power, he became even more arrogant and domineering.

He stood at the entrance of Tongchifang, waved his hand, pointed to the dilapidated doorway, and shouted sternly:

"Are you all deaf?! Charge in! Everyone inside, listen up: Don't move! Get off that gambling table! Hands on your heads, squat down! Anyone who dares to move or hide valuables, I may recognize you, but this firecracker won't!"

Seeing that the servant had received a personal order from Master Ximen and had shown his identification badge, the constables dared not be negligent. With a loud "yes," they smashed open the dilapidated gate like wolves and tigers and surged inside like a tidal wave.

Dai'an followed him in triumphantly, only to hear a commanding voice booming out of the house:

"You! Take men and seal the door! Nail it shut!"

"You! You led men to confiscate all gambling funds, not a single bill is to be missing!"

"The rest of you, keep a close eye on these gamblers! Search them one by one! Anyone who disobeys or is found hiding anything, beat them to death!"

"Wait a minute, woman. Such a plump woman is bound to be hiding a weapon. Be careful, let me search her."

In an instant, chaos erupted inside Tongchifang, with shouts, cries, overturned tables and chairs, and rattling chains filling the air.

The gamblers were terrified, their faces ashen. They left the gambling table, crouching on the ground with their hands covering their heads, trembling with fear, hoping that the newly appointed "Inspector" would show leniency.

He Qianhu watched from afar, his heart filled with mixed feelings. He felt even more awe and fear towards Ximen Da Guanren's power.

Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, Chang Shijie, and their gang of sycophants, who were standing not far away craning their necks to watch the spectacle, almost had their eyes pop out of their sockets!
They watched as Dai'an, the servant who had been joking and serving tea with them just a few days ago, was now dressed in official robes and had become a ninth-rank official whom they all had to kneel and bow to.

That envy, jealousy, and hatred were like a hundred claws scratching at their hearts, burning as if their internal organs were being fried in boiling oil!

"My goodness..." Earl Ying licked his dry lips, his eyes fixed on the dark patrol badge on Dai'an's waist. He felt that the badge was more dazzling than the gold hairpin in a prostitute's hair. He muttered in his throat, "...This little monkey Dai'an, he's really hit the jackpot! He's suddenly become a 'master'?"

He subconsciously tugged at his half-new, oil-stained silk shirt, feeling itchy all over. He wished he could immediately rip off this white coat and put on a blue satin official robe, even if it was only a ninth-rank official robe, it would be better than this status of a hanger-on who is ridden by thousands and trampled by tens of thousands!
Xie Xida, Chang Shijie, and the others standing nearby were also watching with envious eyes and pounding hearts, their throats tightening, and their craving for fame and fortune practically turning into drool that dripped from the corners of their mouths.

They exchanged glances, each seeing burning envy in the other's eyes—if even a dog by Ximen Da Guanren could rise to the top following him, wouldn't their brothers also be able to make it big?

tonight.

Night in Qinghe County.

This night of bloodshed and debauchery seemed to have come to a hasty end with the magistrate's swift and decisive actions.

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, all was silent.

The thick, ink-black night pressed down relentlessly, swallowing up all the lingering scents of cosmetics and the aroma of money that hung in the air above the entrances of brothels, theaters, taverns, and gambling dens.

As dawn approaches.

A shout filled with utter obsequiousness and ecstatic joy, like the cry of an owl, instantly tore through the slumbering night, awakening all the sleeping figures of Qinghe County:

"Lord Ximen has taken office! The great official has arrived! Justice has been served!!!!"

Subsequently.

The gongs and drums are noisy! Firecrackers blast!
[Bonus chapter for ranking improvement next month! 3 words already added this month, and all the extra chapters are long!]

We're counting on our bigwigs! We're so grateful!

(End of this chapter)