Chapter Six: Mixed Reactions

Xiao Zhi turned to Mu Weihu and said, "Leave some men behind to inventory the assets, and have the rest escort them back to the Imperial City Guard headquarters. Don't be afraid of making a scene; I want everyone in this capital to know that the Imperial City Guard is out on official business."

A few steps later, Xiao Zhi reined in his horse and added, "One more thing. Tell the men that if I find out anyone has been pilfering or skimming off the top during the confiscation, I will use them to sacrifice to the banners."

Xiao Zhi’s principle was clear: rewards and punishments must be distinct. If the work was done well, rewards were guaranteed; if their hands were dirty, the punishment would be merciless. This rule had to be established now. While it could not entirely prevent greed, it would go a long way toward ensuring the integrity of his team.

The Imperial City Guard marched in a grand procession, dragging the ninety-plus members of the Bai family through the streets and alleys, drawing countless side-glances. Those with sharp eyes could see that Xiao Zhi was the Emperor’s blade, and now, with the Imperial City Guard in his hands, that blade was even sharper. Xiao Zhi’s goal was to instill fear in the court officials, the noble clans, and the aristocrats.

In the dungeons, the women were herded together, while the Bai family members, from the stewards upward, were placed in individual cells for immediate interrogation. Xiao Zhi did not need to give orders for this; Mu Weihu handled it naturally. Of course, this was not a modern age; various "memory recovery" techniques were inevitable, and no one would care if a few people died in the process. In short, Xiao Zhi had only one principle: move fast, act with flair, focus only on the results, and ignore the means.

While the Imperial City Guard was busy, fast riders crisscrossed the capital. The news of Bai Yan’s house being raided swept through the city like a gale. The first to know was his direct superior, Minister of Revenue Shi Weigong.

Shi Weigong, the current head of the prominent Shi clan, sat at the head of the table, surrounded by the clan's senior members. They had been discussing Xiao Zhi’s Salt Industry Law.

"Huai Zhong is dead, and the most powerful figures in the court are you six ministers. Weigong, do you think our clan can seize control of the capital region?"

"That may be difficult," another man replied, stroking his beard and shaking his head. The capital region was a fat piece of meat, and everyone was eyeing it.

"This Xiao Zhi has not had much of a reputation in the past. Is there any way to influence him? If we could learn the regulations of the Salt Industry Law in advance, it would be a great help."

Shi Weigong said, "I have already asked those familiar with this Halberd-Bearer. He used to be silent and unremarkable. Now it seems he is a man who knows how to hide his light. This person is not simple; he is the type who, once he speaks, shakes the world."

"True. He dared to kill the Prime Minister during the Grand Court Session and walked away unscathed, leaving the noble clans unable to touch him and forcing the Emperor to rely on him. Such courage and talent are truly extraordinary."

"Do you think this move by Xiao Zhi was ordered by the Emperor?"

Shi Weigong shook his head. "If it were the Emperor, he wouldn't have waited until today. Furthermore, after the court session, the Emperor issued a decree appointing Xiao Zhi as a sixth-rank Halberd-Bearer and assigning him to the Imperial City Guard. I can understand giving him a rank, but he hasn't been given a real position; he is still called a 'Halberd-Bearer.' That is truly baffling."

An old man laughed, "The Imperial City Guard is just a bunch of useless gluttons living off the state. If it weren't for the fact that the Founding Emperor established it, it would have been disbanded long ago."

"It seems the Emperor is wary of him as well, tossing him a sinecure to get rid of him, with no intention of using him in the future."

Shi Weigong frowned in thought. "Perhaps not. After the court session, I kept feeling that something was wrong. Could there be a problem with the Salt Industry Law?"

A servant hurried in, looking grave. He leaned toward Shi Weigong and whispered a few words.

"What did you say?" Shi Weigong stood up abruptly. "Xiao Zhi, what a swift hand."

So that was why he felt something was off. Shi Weigong could never have imagined that only hours after Xiao Zhi pierced Huai Zhong with a halberd, he would be leading the Imperial City Guard to raid Bai Yan’s home. The operation was so fast that Shi Weigong absolutely did not believe it was unplanned. In his eyes, Xiao Zhi had long been secretly controlling the Imperial City Guard under the Emperor’s orders, making preparations before the Grand Court Session and striking at Bai Yan immediately afterward.

If Xiao Zhi knew what he was thinking, he would probably laugh out loud. The Minister was standing too high up to understand that efficiency is directly proportional to money.

"What happened?" the others asked, alarmed by Shi Weigong’s loss of composure.

Shi Weigong sat back down, brow furrowed, and explained the situation.

"The Imperial City Guard? How is that possible?"

"Who gave the Imperial City Guard the nerve? A Vice Minister is a third-rank official! What right do they have to raid a house?"

"Exactly! Even if a house is to be raided, it must go through the proper legal channels, with the final judgment made by His Majesty."

Shi Weigong told his steward, "Immediately notify the officials of the Ministry of Revenue and tell them to go to the Imperial City Guard to demand the release of the prisoners. Tell them I will be going as well. Also, notify some of the 'pure' scholars and censors to go to the palace and petition the Emperor—bring plenty of gifts. Also, send my calling cards to the other ministerial residences."

Similar scenes played out in the mansions of the high officials, though everyone’s reaction was different.

Song Qi, the Minister of War, was also discussing the Salt Industry Law. Upon hearing the news of the raid, he was first shocked, then gave a knowing smile. The development seemed to match his expectations. The young Emperor was extremely capable and bold. Previously suppressed by Huai Zhong and the clans, he had been unable to make any progress. Now that Huai Zhong was dead, he was acting with impatient urgency.

Soon, Shi Weigong’s card arrived. Song Qi didn't even glance at it, tossing it aside. He knew exactly what Shi Weigong wanted. As Minister of War, how could he not have heard such big news? He didn't need Shi Weigong to inform him. Shi Weigong was merely trying to pull him onto his sinking ship, either to demand the prisoners or to beg for mercy from the Emperor.

However, Song Qi planned to take a third path.

Seeing Song Qi sitting there unperturbed, several officials from the Song family urged anxiously, "Xiao Zhi is a madman; he cannot be judged by common sense. He raided Bai Yan today; tomorrow it might be us. Minister, when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold!"

Song Qi sneered, "You seem to have forgotten what the Imperial City Guard is. It is the surveillance agency established by the Founding Emperor, empowered to monitor the entire realm and execute first, report later. Don't talk to me about a Vice Minister; even if they were to take me away, they would only need a pretext! Who is superior and who is inferior has never been about the official rank; it depends on who has the thicker arms and the harder fists."

"That may be so, but those gluttons in the Imperial City Guard—who would dare?"

Song Qi picked up a brush and began to write on a scroll. "The Imperial City Guard used to have thin arms and soft fists because they lacked strong backing. Now, a madman has entered their ranks—a madman who bites everyone he sees."