Firefly Journey

Chapter 254 Thunderous Sound from an Earthenware Pot (1)

"Then what are you?!"

Duan Feibai, who had been silent all along, took two steps forward and said angrily.

Duan Feibai's rhetorical question had a touch of magic in it, and his voice was even louder, making him sound like someone who could tear your eardrums.

A sentence as sharp as thunderclap exploded in He Changqing's ears. He was just an ordinary person, and he was almost shocked into internal injury.

He subconsciously took a step back: "I am an official appointed by the imperial court, serving in Yunzhou to govern the people on behalf of the emperor. How dare you order me around like this!"

Come on! Take it down!

Swish swish!

Behind He Changqing, a group of soldiers drew their blades, and the two squadrons of riflemen raised their guns slightly. However, although He Changqing's order was to take them down, they dared not move.

The reason I dare not move is simple.

They were all just ordinary mortals trying to make a living in the state government, and they didn't want to risk their lives.

Lin Yuanran stood to the side and conjured a fireball the size of a sieve. The others weren't stupid; how many people could survive such a fireball?

The idea that a superhuman can take on a hundred opponents is not just a legend, it's a fact, and that's even an oversimplification.

"Don't come any closer. I'm warning you, this is Yunzhou, protected by the laws of Chu. Think about the consequences before you act."

He Changqing had initially pointed his finger, but Lin Yuanran's ambiguous smile and Duan Feibai's indifference filled him with extreme fear. He was terrified that he would die here today. His finger trembled as he pointed at the two of them, and he retreated, losing all his imposing presence.

Duan Feibai pressed closer and closer.

"Laws? You know the Great Chu has laws? Don't you want to see what you've done?!"

Duan Feibai's eyes were like knives, as if he wanted to pierce through him.

He Changqing lost all his momentum. Faced with the accusations of a young man, he couldn't find a single word to refute them. He retreated all the way until his back was against the wall, with nowhere left to go.

Duan Feibai said sternly: "He Changqing is from Yantian County, Fengzhou. His ancestors were farmers for three generations. Throughout the years, he passed the imperial examinations and stood out in the palace examinations, and entered the Hanlin Academy to compile books."

During his hospital stay, he was unknown. Five years ago, he was promoted by the Left Prime Minister of the current dynasty and appointed to Yunzhou, where he became a local ruler.

Seeing him today, I thought he was some capable minister or outstanding talent, but it turns out he's nothing but a lackey of a powerful family. He's a disgrace to scholars!

Duan Feibai's words stripped He Changqing bare, leaving him with nothing but utter devastation. Hearing this, He Changqing's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.

The young man in front of me could easily reveal his background. Even the most foolish person could guess his origins. He must have some connection to the capital. Information about every official is kept in the Ministry of Personnel. The fact that he knew so much about it meant that he came from the capital.

Who is it that recently came to Yunzhou from Danyang?

It is naturally the governor.

It turned out that the imperial envoy had been delayed because he had gone on a private visit to the countryside. He Changqing's reputation in Yunzhou was not good, and his current protection of the Lu family further confirmed his crime of forming cliques and engaging in corruption. Under multiple pressures, he collapsed and could not get up again.

An official reached out to help him up, but He Changqing, his face pale, waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need it, and then sat in the corner, seemingly lost in thought.

After reprimanding He Changqing, Duan Feibai turned to Lu Xianju and said, "Minister Lu's retirement life is truly unique. But if His Majesty knew, wouldn't he be disheartened?"

Even though Lu Xianju had guessed Duan Feibai's identity, he still held a sliver of hope and sneered, "Who exactly are you, daring to speak ill of an official of the imperial court?"

Lin Yuanran withdrew the fireball. He knew that Duan Feibai would reveal his identity next, and the pressure of that identity would be more effective than the fireball in his hand for these officials and aristocratic families.

Duan Feibai reached into his robes, pulled out a jade pendant, and then held it high above his head.

This is black steel jade from Wenzhou. It has limited economic value, but it is a rare carving material that is not easy to imitate, making it perfect for making official seals.

In the State of Chu, officials, from minor clerks in county offices to prime ministers and ministers, all possessed a jade pendant with inscriptions that symbolized their status within the Chu bureaucracy.

The jade that Duan Feibai took out had the four large characters "Governor of Jiangnan" written on it in extremely square Chu characters. On the back, there was also the secondary character "Conquering on behalf of the Emperor to uphold the laws of the country".

Upon seeing the jade pendant, the officials and constables brought by He Changqing knelt down one after another, trembling with fear.

Lu Xianju's face was extremely ugly.

He leaned on his cane, first stood up, and then slowly knelt down.

Lu Huai was already terrified. Seeing that his grandfather had lowered his posture, he also prostrated himself on the ground.

The Governor of Jiangnan held the official rank of the third grade, which was enough to overshadow everyone present, except for Lin Yuanran.

Firstly, he and Duan Feibai were in cahoots and had a fairly good relationship. This wasn't a formal occasion, so there was no need for formalities.

Secondly, as the deputy imperial envoy, he himself was also a third-rank official. Although it seemed like he was half a rank lower, their statuses were actually equal.

Yes, Lü Jianming gave his old classmate a great deal of face, bestowing upon him a third-rank official position. Such a favor was unprecedented in the Chu state's officialdom in recent years.

"This jade was personally bestowed upon me by His Majesty the Emperor. I am here on behalf of the Emperor to inspect the Jiangnan region. Tell me, do I have the right to speak ill of officials appointed by the court?"

Lu Xianju's expression was just as unpleasant as He Changqing's. The difference was that He Changqing was timid and cowardly; if he had been more assertive, he wouldn't have been led by the nose by the Yunzhou aristocratic families.

Lu Xianju was different. He had been in the officialdom for many years, and his experience and shrewdness were far superior to He Changqing's. He calculated in his mind that today's incident was at most a disturbance, not enough to bring down the Lu family.

With his confidence restored, Lu Xianju calmed down considerably and immediately changed his demeanor: "The arrival of the Imperial Envoy in Taiqian is truly a blessing for the people of Yunzhou! Why didn't you inform us? We would have loved to welcome you and give you a proper welcome, wouldn't you say, Lord He?"

Lu Xianju cursed He Changqing inwardly, "You coward, you're scared as soon as you see the imperial envoy? What kind of official are you? You might as well go home and play in the mud!"

He Changqing recovered from his disappointment and forced a smile, saying, "Old Lu is right. How about we go to the prefectural government office? I should host a banquet for you, sir."

Duan Feibai said coldly, "No need to be polite. Let's talk about how to resolve today's matter first."

He Changqing closed his eyes, as if resigning himself to his fate, and said, "It is entirely up to the Governor to decide."

Duan Feibai snorted and said, "To condone a superhuman killing in broad daylight is a serious crime!"

He turned his gaze to the Lu family: "Minister Lu, could it be that you were the one who orchestrated this?"

Lu Xianju said in a gloomy tone: "Of course not. My grandson is young and inexperienced, and he is impetuous. He thinks of revenge after suffering a little grievance. I was deceived because I love my grandson so much and believed his words."

"The country has its laws. As a former official of the Great Chu, now that I know the truth, I cannot bend the law for personal gain. Your Excellency, please don't hesitate to deal with Huai'er."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

Lu Huai, in particular, was filled with disbelief. "Is this really my grandfather? Why did he sell me?"

However, Duan Feibai, Lin Yuanran, and the others all knew that the old man was playing the gamble of sacrificing a pawn to save the king, and that today's events needed to be addressed.

If he were to commit suicide, the Lu family would essentially be finished. However, if he were to only commit suicide against Lu Huai, and Lu Xianju were still alive, then with careful planning and by uniting with other prominent families in Yunzhou, there might still be a chance to turn the tide.