Chapter 476: Yu Sicheng

A huge scroll of the Divine Jingcheng.

It hung on a cleared wall. Even with such a scale, many layers of detail were still omitted. The hundred wards were divided into huge grids, each depicting the basic terrain and architecture.

But it was enough.

Di Jiu held a cinnabar brush, gazing at this city map. There were already many red circles drawn on it. Li Zhao recited from behind: "... Request to set up a Winter Prison, with specifications of fifteen zhang north-south and nineteen zhang east-west, eighty prison cells, and three hundred prisoners..."

Such a private prison could not be built just anywhere in the Divine Jingcheng.

Yang Juhu had been a newcomer nine years ago, and there wasn't a single confidant of his in the Jin Wu Guard. He had requested the establishment of the Winter Prison at that time, but he wasn't worried about being unable to control it.

Because there were already people he trusted in the Divine Jingcheng.

Qiu Tianyu, who had arrived in the capital three years ago, had already pulled together a foundation for the Cao Gang, waiting only for the power within the yamen to be in place to rise with the wind. They were comrades of many years, from the same place, and even for the same purpose.

Although this private prison bore the name of the Jin Wu Guard, it was actually a convenient place Yang Juhu had gifted to the Taiping Cao Gang.

No matter how one looked at it, this was the most reasonable model. The Jin Wu Guard could ignore it or cover it up, but they could not personally commit these dirty and evil acts. Similarly, the Taiping Cao Gang, which personally handled the entire process, would not go to the trouble of sending people to the Jin Wu Guard's great prison in batches.

Therefore, this "Winter Prison" was, of course, not under the control of the Jin Wu Guard, but under the Taiping Cao Gang.

How many territories did the Taiping Cao Gang have that could hide a private prison of "fifteen zhang north-south and nineteen zhang east-west"?

Once they knew what they were looking for, such work for the two of them was just a step-by-step walk toward the end.

Li Zhao stood behind him, and the two of them eliminated many ambiguous places bit by bit... Finally, Di Jiu let out a deep breath, picked up the brush, and heavily circled an area on the left.

Li Zhao looked at it in a daze, and then his expression gradually became solemn.

There were no industries there, or rather, it was the Cao Gang's largest industry.

That was the back of the West Pool in the Divine Jingcheng, the loop of the thirty-zhang Cao Canal. The largest inner-city wharf in the Divine Jingcheng was built there, and the Taiping Cao Gang had controlled this area for nine years.

"Goods come and go, and the flow of people is mixed. Strangers don't recognize each other," Di Jiu said. "No one knows if things are privately loaded or unloaded when cargo ships go up and down."

"... This area is called the Cao Transport Hub. It is blocked behind the Flying Mirror Tower of the West Pool and has always been almost the private land of the Cao Gang. People are usually not allowed to approach, and even seeing it is very difficult."

"That must be it," Di Jiu said, putting down the brush. "Neither king nor duke, what private land—grind the ink, submit the search warrant."

Li Zhao went to the table and spread out the paper. Di Jiu picked up the brush. "Is the contact with the Gate Guard made?"

"It's settled. Zhonglang General Hong Xingping is my fellow townsman. The official document will be submitted to the Southern Yamen tomorrow, and he will immediately take people to seal the Taiping Wharf."

"Good."

Just as everyone saw, the Three Departments investigating this case were isolated outside the Southern Yamen, and the fourth-rank Magistrate Di had no troops under his command. When it came to using people, he still had to mobilize the capital's garrison from the Southern Yamen.

However, how could the Jin Wu Guard investigate itself?

Even though, theoretically, the Three Departments had been formed and the case had been established, the Jin Wu Guard should cooperate when the Three Departments requested a search or arrest. But since the executors were people, there were always ways to refuse or resist.

Therefore, Di Jiu had sent Li Zhao to contact people in advance, not giving the Southern Yamen time to react. The document was submitted, and the Gate Guard immediately sent people to cooperate with the search. Everything was compliant.

"Mobilize some people from the Dali Temple as well."

"It's been arranged. I will go and lead them personally tomorrow."

"Good."

Di Jiu lowered his head and finished writing this perfunctory document in a few strokes, raised his head, let out a light breath, put down the brush, and leaned back in his chair.

The two of them sat and stood in silence in the quiet room. Di Jiu poured a cup of tea and said somewhat exhaustedly, "Then... it's time to guess who we are going to face."

Li Zhao didn't say a word. Their actions of retrieving files from the Ministry of War last night could not be hidden from those with ulterior motives. And although Yang Juhu had reached a high position, he was by no means the supporter behind the Taiping Cao Gang.

Because it was very simple: Yang Juhu had been promoted to Jin Wu General nine years ago, so he must have had support in the imperial court.

The Divine Jingcheng was a water area filled with whales, sharks, and dragons. It was absolutely impossible for Yang Juhu and Qiu Tianyu to occupy such a rich area as newcomers.

Now that their investigation progress had indeed posed a threat, it was normal for this water beast that dominated one side to be unable to sit still.

"... What if it's that Prince?" Li Zhao asked in a low voice.

"The one in the Yan Prince's Mansion?"

"These two were originally from the Northern Army."

Di Jiu was silent for a moment. "You're saying the one in the north came to the Divine Jingcheng to fight for this rotten meat?"

"..."

"Isn't the thousand-mile northern border more at his disposal?"

"... But aren't these two acting under the instructions of the Yan Prince's Mansion?"

Di Jiu was silent for a while and shook his head. "There's no reason to guess this... In any case, sending two deputy generals from thousands of miles away is probably not to seize the gold and silver of the Divine Jingcheng."

"... Then there is someone else?"

"There must be a local snake." Di Jiu sighed softly.

Just at this moment, a series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. A clerk pushed the door open, sweating. "Magistrate, Magistrate Di, a large line of carriages and horses has driven into the yamen and stopped at the main gate. The people inside specifically asked to see you."

The two were silent for a moment. Di Jiu lowered his head, finished the tea in his cup, stood up, and straightened his collar. "Look, they're here."

"Who are they?" Li Zhao asked the clerk.

"I, I don't know... they didn't show their faces, but they brought a team of armored soldiers from the palace."

Li Zhao pursed his lips. Di Jiu had already strode toward the front courtyard, and he hurriedly followed.

It was only a few steps. Di Jiu crossed the garden gate, and his eyes were immediately filled with brocade clothes and magnificent canopies. Armored soldiers with shining silver scales stood strictly and majestically at every entrance and exit. Attendants and ladies were lined up under the steps. A total of six majestic and beautiful carriages were parked neatly in the courtyard. The horses pulling the carriages had manes like gold, and dense scales clustered around their sharp eyes.

And in the dim, tall main hall, a person was vaguely sitting.

Di Jiu lifted his robes and climbed the steps. When he reached the first step, Li Zhao behind him was blocked.

Di Jiu nodded to him and walked up alone. The dazzling sunlight was left behind. Di Jiu stepped into the main hall and raised his head. A noble person wearing a headscarf and robes of deep purple was leaning on the seat of the Zhaoyin. His face was like an old fox, his eyes deep and narrow, his cheeks already wrinkled, but his skin was still fine and moist, revealing expensive maintenance. His white hair was also tied neatly behind his head.

A piece of exquisitely polished, strange purple gold was embedded in his left cheek, as if the owner's brocade, jade, and gold rings were not enough, and he had to make this body reveal a nobility that the world could not match.

He indeed possessed unfathomable cultivation. As Di Jiu stepped into the hall, he felt the daylight seem to dim, and a cold, gloomy feeling enveloped his body.

The person was looking lazily at the scarlet-robed official under the hall, as if this color representing the fourth rank only made him bored. He tapped the table lightly, but when he spoke, it was a sharp, snake-like hiss: "Magistrate Di, I heard you are loyal to the monarch and love the people. I think I still have to come personally to smooth things over."

Di Jiu took a deep breath, holding his breath and looking straight at this famous powerful eunuch of the Divine Jingcheng. His body felt inevitably cold at this moment.

Yu Sicheng.

If the Saint was the heaven of the Great Tang, then the person in front of him was at least the dark cloud covering the Divine Jingcheng.

Having been a palace servant since childhood, he climbed step by step in the palace where life was as cheap as grass to the very top. Many years ago, he supervised military discipline and led troops to break the enemy in the northern border war, and was granted the title of County Duke. At that time, he was already the Saint's most accustomed arm, while Di Jiu was still wearing light green ninth-rank clothes, drifting in a minor position outside the capital with a meager salary.

Now that he was called "Magistrate Di," Di Jiu gently stroked his official sleeves and bowed. "Greetings, Eunuch Yu. I don't know what brings you to my humble place."

Yu Sicheng was scalding the teacup unhurriedly, sighing sharply: "Magistrate Di, in this imperial court today, how many sycophants, manipulators, and slanderers... are only focused on drilling and flattery, but don't know how to do their own things well. That is true loyalty to the monarch and patriotism. Under a wise monarch, how can there be no reason to promote talented people?"

Di Jiu nodded. "Eunuch Yu's words are very true."

"So when I see an official like Magistrate Di, I am happy for the Saint." Yu Sicheng poured in hot water, and the tea leaves were swirled up. "I remember the first time I led an army, I was entrusted with a heavy responsibility. How dare I use people casually? I was terrified day and night. The Saint warned me: 'A precious jade in a scabbard is not as good as a bright blade.'"

The powerful eunuch sighed softly, looking at the courtyard with indifferent eyes, as if he had returned to that period of time. He lowered his head and said nothing, covered the teapot, and poured the tea into a white porcelain cup.

"The Saint's golden words were just this one sentence. Later, after I had seen enough in the imperial court, I also realized a truth." Yu Sicheng put down the teapot and smiled lightly at Di Jiu. "Would Magistrate Di like to continue the two sentences?"

"I wouldn't dare."

"It doesn't matter."

"... Then the humble official will continue: 'Pearls and jade are passed down for a long time, but bright blades are easily broken and discarded.'"

Yu Sicheng laughed loudly upon hearing this, to the point of standing up from the big chair. After stopping his laughter, he quietly straightened his sleeves, but suddenly looked at Di Jiu with an expressionless face: "If a bright blade has no hilt, the fierce energy will hurt oneself first."

Di Jiu remained silent.

"Magistrate Di," Yu Sicheng said softly, "unruly officials are easy to banish, and swords that hurt oneself are easy to discard. Magistrate Di's loyal heart to the monarch is commendable, but a bright blade must be directed outward."

"..."

"Cao transport is a major event in our Divine Jingcheng, and the Cao Gang is an indispensable part. If Magistrate Di stirs it up now, once the Cao transport is in chaos and the Cao workers are derelict in their duties, I'm afraid no one can afford the chaos at that time." Yu Sicheng sighed softly. "This matter, Magistrate Di has also spent a lot of effort. Since there is the reality of human trafficking, today I will make the decision for Magistrate Di. That Qiu Tianyu who dares to set up a banquet and show off his power to imperial officials will be imprisoned today and dealt with according to the law. As for this Cao Gang, Magistrate Di doesn't need to move."

"..."

Yu Sicheng looked at the scarlet-robed official standing quietly in front of him. After a long time, he suddenly smiled and handed the cup to Di Jiu with both hands. "I haven't poured tea for a long time, so I'm a bit rusty. Today, I offer it to an upright official like Magistrate Di!"

The hall was silent. The cup of tea stopped steadily in the air. Di Jiu was silent for a moment, stepped forward, bowed, and took it with both hands. However, the next moment, his hand shook as if he hadn't held it steadily, and the cup of tea clattered to the ground. The broken porcelain was crisp throughout the hall.

Di Jiu bowed his head. "I am ashamed. Di has no cultivation, and this tea was too hot."

"..."

Yu Sicheng looked at him quietly.

Di Jiu raised his head and looked back just as quietly.

Yu Sicheng laughed lowly and changed his tone indifferently: "You don't know whether to live or die."

After speaking, he didn't look at Di Jiu again, as if the scarlet robe had indeed turned into an insect or ant that could be crushed at will. He walked out of the yamen hall indifferently, and the entire team followed the purple robe in strict order.

Li Zhao immediately came to Di Jiu's side, held his wrist, and infused him with true Qi. Facing the unmasked heavy pressure of a cultivator, Di Jiu was indeed pale, and his lips were colorless.

Li Zhao helped Di Jiu sit down, his expression heavy. "... How could this eunuch come personally... I don't know what means he has behind him... Should we ask that Tong Jun for help?"

Di Jiu poured himself a cup of tea, his thick eyebrows twisted into a ball, but he shook his head. "We are in the officialdom, how can we expect Mount Tai to block the giant waves?"

"..."

"If they had such power in the Southern Yamen, this case wouldn't need us." Di Jiu sighed long. "If you have to carry it yourself, you have to carry it yourself."

He drank three cups of tea slowly before his body warmed up. Looking at the sky under the eaves, he muttered: "If a bright blade has a hilt, isn't it a sword in hand? Start the court session immediately."

"... What?"

"Immediately, issue an order to the Divine Jingcheng. The Jingzhao Prefecture will judge the case in the yamen. All those who have been bullied by the Taiping Cao Gang... can file a lawsuit for their grievances."

The next morning, the mansion of the Taichang Minister.

Changsun had dressed up very meticulously today.

It wasn't exquisite makeup or ingenious clothing and accessories. In fact, the young girl wasn't good at those. Her thinking all morning was just to choose a "suitable" outfit.

Because she had agreed with the Cui family sister a long time ago that she would bring her along when she went to the Sword Academy to watch swordplay this year.

Entering such a holy place, scholar clothes would definitely be too abrupt, and ordinary silk shirts, long skirts, and padded jackets seemed a bit too informal. It was best to choose an outfit that was decent enough and wouldn't attract too much attention.

Finally, she remembered that she seemed to have seen those light black, elegant sword uniforms of the sword students, so she chose a similar light-colored one, tied her hair neatly, raised her head and turned around in front of the mirror, and finally felt satisfied.

The carriage outside the mansion had urged her for the third time. Changsun responded and hurriedly left the mansion gate. A clear and noble carriage was parked in front of the gate. Changsun lifted the curtain and boarded the carriage somewhat embarrassedly, politely saying: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Sister Cui."

"What waiting? I'm just a maid for Miss Changsun's sword lecture." The person in the carriage propped up her head lazily, looking like she had just woken up. A pair of glass-like eyes looked up and down at the young girl's attire. "... Did you just come back from participating in a sacrifice in some country?"

Changsun sat upright in the carriage, ignoring her teasing, reached out to pick up the book and paper on the table, and flipped through them. "What is all this?"

"The list of sword students this year that I got a few days ago. Flip through it, and I'll point it out to you in a while."

Changsun's eyes brightened slightly, and she flipped through it as if it were a treasure. But after browsing through it once, she frowned slightly with her beautiful eyebrows. "Is this incomplete?"

"...?" ===== CHAPTER 477 =====