Chapter 294: The Hour of the Tiger (2)

Chapter 294: The Hour of the Tiger (Part Two)

"All of you have graced me with your presence to welcome and cleanse my dust. Even if I am weary, this sentiment must be borne."

Yang Bai Ze rose slowly, approaching the banquet table to lift his wine cup. "Yet I now carry a matter as heavy as a fishbone in my throat, and I cannot drink."

"Oh? What troubles you so, Yang Tongzhi?"

Yang Bai Ze enunciated each word, "The Honghu Rebel Army's assault in the southern district of Quan Shan City!"

"This incident has only just occurred, and you already know of it? Truly, you labor through the night and day for the people's sake."

Huang Yue nodded slightly, stepping back two paces and resuming his seat.

At the same time, the five who had risen with him returned to their original places without a word.

Just moments ago, all had stood, leaving Yang Bai Ze alone seated.

Now, it was he who stood isolated, while others sat.

Huang Yue's rise and fall seemed careless, yet it struck Yang Bai Ze with the force of a venomous blow.

"I have already dispatched guards to investigate this matter. However, the findings differ somewhat from what you have described."

Huang Yue smiled, "This was not a premeditated attack by the Honghu Rebel Army, but rather the Jinyiwei of the Xijiao Bureau slaughtering innocent peasants in violation of law during their mission."

Yang Bai Ze glanced imperceptibly toward Li Jun, noting his lack of overt reaction, before softly inquiring, "What evidence do you have for this claim, Huang Commander?"

"What need have we for evidence? Is this not the truth before our eyes?"

Huang Yue surveyed the room, and none failed to nod in agreement.

"The Ghost King of the Xijiao Bureau, Gwai, departed for Jinghu City not long ago, no doubt to face the Chungho Bureau's inquiry. Even the Jinyiwei have reacted thus internally; the truth speaks for itself."

"But from my understanding of the Xijiao Bureau, they are not ones to violate the law."

"You are new to this place, and your knowledge is likely hearsay. Hearts are separated by bellies, and those Jinyiwei who wear their 'Four Beasts and Qilin Robes, Dragon-Belt Spring Blades,' appearing human yet inwardly ravenous butchers—killing a few peasants to claim credit for the Honghu is nothing remarkable."

Huang Yue sneered coldly, "Before the new dawn, our own Qingdu incident at the Pardon Office was halted by them on charges of harassing local businesses, and they were thrown into the Imperial Prison. Had it not been for the Pardon Envoy's earnest pleas to stop me, I would have led three thousand guards to assault the Xijiao Bureau!"

His righteous fury masked the guard accompanying Yang Bai Ze, who was stretching his neck and shoulders in preparation.

"Huang Commander claims my knowledge is hearsay. Have you yourself visited the crime scene?"

"That I have not." Huang Yue's expression faltered, "Though..."

"You have not, but I have!"

Yang Bai Ze snapped his fingers, and a dim image projected from his black hat.

The scene showed shattered walls and debris, chaos everywhere.

With a spread of his five fingers, the projection split into five distinct scenes, each enlarging to reveal different vistas.

Though eroded by heavy rain, the blast craters and scattered remnants were still discernible.

"I consulted the Ministry of Works' Moxu craftsman. To create such a scene, the only possibility is from within outward."

"In other words, the victims were not killed by external explosions, but by detonating bombs concealed within their own bodies."

Huang Yue sneered coldly, "Self-detonation is nothing unique to the Honghu. Could it not be the Jinyiwei who forced the bombs into their mouths and triggered them?"

"Your reasoning holds, Huang Commander. Those Jinyiwei are infamous for their ruthlessness and mastery of killing techniques. Framing such a scene would be child's play."

The one who echoed this was none other than the refined Luo He!

The four men of the Wo people remained silent, their gazes fixed intently on the projected image.

"Gentlemen, let us not rush. I have not claimed that this proves the Xijiao Bureau guilty rather than the Honghu."

Yang Bai Ze spoke calmly, waving a hand to project another image.

A twisted metal fragment appeared.

"The craftsman I consulted not only deduced the peasants died by self-detonation but also identified this shard as not part of the Imperial Court's 'Golden Black' grenade series, but a modified version by the Moxu craftsmen."

Yang Bai Ze smiled faintly, "Not long ago, the Quan Shan City Jinyiwei intercepted a shipment of smuggled arms from the Imperial homeland. Among the buyers was the Honghu!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Yue's face darkened, and even Luo He's expression grew grave.

The two exchanged glances, each seeing unease in the other's eyes.

"Yang Tongzhi, the Empire sent you to implement new policies, not to investigate cases. Is your tireless concern not misplaced?"

Luo He grasped his chin's long beard, speaking with a sly inflection.

"Lord Luo, Quan Shan City now seethes with public outrage and undercurrents. If we do not apprehend the true culprit, how can we soothe the people's hearts? Without their trust, how can the Court's new policies take root?"

Luo He snorted coldly, "Capturing the culprit is Huang Commander's duty, and soothing the people is my responsibility. There is no need for Yang Tongzhi to trouble yourself."

"The current situation already impedes the implementation of new policies—this is my concern!" Yang Bai Ze stood firm, replying clearly.

Bang!

Huang Yue slammed his palm down, and the carved wooden table beside him shattered into pieces.

"Yang Bai Ze, are you accusing Commander Huang and Lord Luo of dereliction of duty?"

Yang Bai Ze met his gaze without fear, "Is that not the case?"

"Well, we were foolish to host a midnight banquet for you, only to welcome a wolf cub."

Huang Yue rose abruptly, snarling, "Do not think that wearing the skin of a 'Minister of Governance' grants you license to act recklessly in our Quan Shan City Pardon Office! The Wo people have long valued martial might over culture. Now that the Pardon Office's leadership is vacant, and we share the same rank, who holds authority over whom is yet to be determined!"

"Is that so?"

Yang Bai Ze smiled slightly, "It seems you are truly afraid the arms smuggling case will be unearthed. Had I known, why would I have accepted this ill-gotten money?"

"Your words are reckless. Do you know the consequences of slandering a colleague?"

As Huang Yue finished speaking, an electronic tablet clattered at his feet.

"Slander? These accounts were extracted from that fellow Qing's mind. How much did you and Luo He take from Huang Shiqiu? It is all written here!"

Yang Bai Ze's words dripped with provocation, "Have you the courage to lay it bare here for all to see?"

"Impossible!" Luo He cried out in alarm.

There is another chapter, to be posted shortly.