Chapter 683 – Principle (2/2)

Mounted on his horse, the deputy general looked at Chen Changsheng as if wanting to say something, but he ultimately chose to keep his silence.

Chen Changsheng glanced at him and knew that his identity had probably been recognized.

However, just a moment ago, he had only looked at Tianhai Sheng's whip, and then the whip had been broken. Right after that, Tianhai Sheng's eye was blinded by a crossbow bolt.

In the eyes of the crowd, he was either a devil or some divine immortal.

The soldiers of the City Gate Department naturally thought him a devil, and when they saw this devil look at their own commanding officer, they instantly became extremely nervous. In a few moments, blades and swords had been unsheathed, spears prepared to stab.

The deputy general, with an extremely ugly complexion, raised his hand to indicate that nobody should move.

Su Moyu finally squeezed out of the crowd. Seeing the scene before him, he slightly relaxed. ”Fortunately, you didn't act blindly without thinking.”

The deputy general replied, ”He did not recognize Principal Chen and even said that Principal Chen was blind. So he was blinded, and it served him right.”

Chen Changsheng was naturally famous, but not many people had truly seen him from up close, even in the capital.

But this deputy general was Xu Shiji's subordinate, so he had naturally paid close attention to Chen Changsheng and the Orthodox Academy. Thus, he had recognized Chen Changsheng.

He said to Chen Changsheng, ”But I must warn Your Eminence, if Your Eminence insists on this, it really will…”

Chen Changsheng answered, ”I will also be accused of plotting rebellion?”

The deputy general's expression turned even nastier as he thought, not even the Prince of Xiang would dare to charge the future Pope with this sort of crime.

”This lowly subordinate cannot take charge of this situation.”

……

……

The City Gate Department was responsible for the peace and safety of the capital, a very important role. Only an important figure, highly qualified and deeply trusted by the Imperial Court, could take charge of it.

Like the Divine General of the East, Xu Shiji, once deeply trusted by the Divine Empress and now highly regarded by the Prince of Xiang.

The crowd had already been driven far away. Madam Xue, who had been in somewhat of a daze ever since she had learned of Chen Changsheng's identity, had been brought by Su Moyu to the side to rest. There were very few people on the road.

This was because Xu Shiji did not want too many people to hear his conversation with Chen Changsheng.

With three years gone by, the relationship between him and Chen Changsheng had gone through many changes.

He could no longer use his capacity as father, nor could he suppress Chen Changsheng with the dignity of a Divine General. If Chen Changsheng persisted, he would even have to bow.

This was impossible for Xu Shiji to accept.

”This is a decree from the palace. Even you cannot defy it.”

He sternly warned Chen Changsheng, and then his expression became a little gentler. ”In addition, were you very close with Xue Xingchuan?”

Today's matter seemed to be rather trivial, but in reality, this was a grand undertaking so that the new government could establish its might.

Xu Shiji knew that he had encountered a complication, but he didn't know why Chen Changsheng was always complicating things for him. Could he still hold a grudge over that matter and would not rest until Xu Shiji's reputation was at its lowest?

He did not want to fall into such a situation, so he forcefully suppressed his anger, attempting to use mild words to persuade Chen Changsheng.

In the view of Xu Shiji and many other people, Chen Changsheng and Xue Xingchuan were not at all close. In the past, they were even in separate factions and enemies, so why was he doing all this?

”I was not close with Xue Xingchuan.” Chen Changsheng looked at him and asked, ”But I hear that Sir was very close with him?”

Xu Shiji's complexion was extremely ugly.

He and Xue Xingchuan had been the two generals the Tianhai Divine Empress trusted in the military. The latter had been in charge of the Imperial Guard while the former led the City Gate Department.

It was only right that he and Xue Xingchuan be close. They weren't just colleagues, but fellow soldiers, comrades, friends.

If one said that Chen Changsheng was not close with Xue Xingchuan and so did not have the duty or responsibility of burying Xue Xingchuan's body, what of Xu Shiji?

Chen Changsheng had not thought this far. He was just speaking according to what he thought in his heart, but he made Xu Shiji speechless.

After a very long time, Xu Shiji took in a deep breath and said, ”This is a decree.”

Chen Changsheng replied, ”But it is without principle.”

Xu Shiji coldly returned, ”A decree is the greatest principle in the world!”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. ”To eat when you are hungry, to sleep when you are drowsy, to take medicine when you are sick, and to bury someone's body after they die, these are truly the greatest principles.”