Chapter 259: Still as shameless (1/2)

Chapter 259: Still as shameless

Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations

”Treason?”

”Executed?!”

The soldiers paled when they heard Ping Yang’s words. They feared for their lives. Ironically, they had planned to pin such crimes on Fang Zhengzhi less than 15 minutes ago.

But now...

These crimes were being pinned on them.

Treason!

This was a crime that would result in the execution of nine relations! [1]

All of the soldiers did not want to die. More importantly, they did not want to implicate their families. However, they were mere soldiers, and they were no longer masters of their fates.

”Mercy, your highness!”

”Your highness, please have mercy on us, we had no idea!”

”General Wang used the power and authority of the military token to command us to kill Fang Zhengzhi. We were just following orders! Please do not execute us and our families!”

All of the soldiers kowtowed and pleaded for mercy. Not a single one dared to look up at Ping Yang.

After all, this was Ping Yang, the most favored princess in the empire. She was the unofficial master of the capital. None of the officials, even the rank one officials, dared to antagonize her.

Chi Guyan saw the scene unfold before her eyes.

She did not answer Ping Yang’s question, neither did she stop the soldiers from pleading. Instead, she walked over to Zhang Yangping.

”Greetings village elder!”

”Ah... prince... princess! I hope you are well!” Zhang Yangping was nervous to see Chi Guyan.

As a northerner, how could he not know Chi Guyan? If Fang Zhengzhi was the pride of the Northern Mountain Village, Chi Guyan was the pride of the five northern constabularies.

”I would like to thank you for taking care of Zhengzhi all these years. I came a little late today and do not know what happened. Could you explain it to me?”

”Yes, yes I will!” Zhang Yangping nodded without hesitation.

Then, he began to recount the story. He told Chi Guyan about the general’s arrival and subsequent clashes.

Chi Guyan listened quietly without interrupting.

Fang Zhengzhi had helped Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian to the side. Then, he quickly arranged for the injured villagers to receive treatment. The rest of the soldiers continued to kneel anxiously on the ground.

When they heard of the general’s heinous deeds in the village, they were all taken aback. They never expected the general to harm innocent villagers so indiscriminately.

Zhang Yangping finished the story in moments.

Chi Guyan nodded and looked at the kneeling soldiers. Her mouth twitched as she contemplated.

”Military token?”

Chi Guyan was there when Fang Zhengzhi had killed the soldiers the night before. She did not stop him because it was within his power to do so.

The soldiers had bullied the villagers. As an official, he had a responsibility to guard their rights. He may be charged for killing people in the process, but it was not a death sentence.

However, if you add in the fact that the soldiers had insulted his parents, then the charge against them would be increased.

As a rank four official in the imperial courts, it was well within his rights to have the two soldiers executed.

However, today was different.

Almost a thousand soldiers had surrounded the village, harming the villagers in the process. Furthermore, they had a military token with them.

This was no small matter.

Last night, Fang Zhengzhi had already declared his position and status. Even if the army did not know his rank, they should have checked it out before charging into the village.

Even if they really wanted to activate the troops, they would only aim to capture Fang Zhengzhi. There was no reason for them to harm the villagers and attempt to massacre an entire village.

This was a path of no return.

Someone must have directed this. The order could not have possibly come from General Wang.

So, who gave the order?

King Duan?

Chi Guyan found that rather unlikely. King Duan had control over the military. He would be the prime suspect whenever something like this happened.

For that same reason, he would never do such a thing.

King Duan was not that stupid. He would not send people to follow Fang Zhengzhi back in an attempt to kill Zhengzhi. Furthermore, he was not one to use such blunt force to achieve such a fine intent.

So...

Could it have been the Crown Prince?

He could potentially kill two birds with one stone. He would get rid of Fang Zhengzhi and pin it on King Duan?

It sounded like a good plan, but it had many problems. Firstly, this would be akin to declaring war with King Duan. King Duan had been in control of the military for so many years. This is not something that the arrival of Fang Zhengzhi could affect. Furthermore, if she could think of this, the emperor himself could too!

Not only would the crown prince fail to rock King Duan’s position in the army, he would risk the emperor’s displeasure. The crown prince loved stability.

He had to seem generous and forgiving.

Furthermore, the empire required balance. Even though he was of a higher rank than King Duan, he would not interfere in the affairs of the military unless King Duan made a grave mistake.

He would be the eventual winner as long as he did not make any unforced errors.

Else, his life would be in danger.

Furthermore, King Duan was carrying himself well in front of the Emperor.

It would not be likely that the crown prince would risk a direct conflict with him right now.

So, who was it?

”Who had given the orders?” Chi Guyan spoke after a long pause.

”We... we do not know. The messenger was dressed in black. He arrived at General Wang’s tent five days ago. At that time, the sky was dark and we could not see well. Then, he never left the camp. Last night, a soldier came to report that the garrison was chased out, with two soldiers killed in the process. General Wang immediately ordered us to come over at arrest the culprit.” One of the deputies replied slowly and deliberately.

”Five days ago?” Chi Guyan frowned slightly. They had chosen to set up a garrison at the Northern Mountain Village in advance. This could only mean one of two things. One, they were afraid that they would be spotted during the railing process. Two, there were other co-conspirators.

Arresting Fang Zhengzhi may have been an on-the-fly decision.

The situation was even more complicated now. If this was a last minute decision, how did they know that something like this would happen in the Northern Mountain Village?

Unless...

This was all pre planned. Were the soldiers ordered to take advantage of the villagers? This was one possibility. The other was that the person had other motives.

Was it for the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?

If it was for the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, why didn’t they enter Cang Ling Mountain? Did they have links to the demons? Who had the power to command the entire army?