Chapter 122: Old Chen, One of the Three Great Masters

In the political structure of Daqing.

The Inspection Bureau, the Western Depot, and the Dalisi, they have both conflicting powers and mutual oversight.

The Inspection Bureau is responsible for monitoring all officials, ensuring the court's integrity and fairness.

The Western Depot is an institution established by eunuchs, directly accountable to the Emperor, specializing in investigating hidden cases and holding the right to submit secret memorials.

The Dalisi reviews and oversees all cases nationwide.

These three have conflicting powers!

Since the previous emperor's death, the Western Depot's authority has gradually shifted into the hands of the Grand Empress Dowager.

This woman, long secluded within the deep palace.

This Grand Empress Dowager, a mysterious presence in the capital.

When Lu Chen and his two sons entered the capital, this Grand Empress Dowager once stepped outside the inner palace.

To this day!

Fifteen years have passed, and she has never left the palace's inner courtyard.

Even in seclusion, her influence is everywhere.

She holds partial military power and commands support from court factions, maintaining a degree of control over the current emperor.

Yet, strangely enough!

Despite holding immense power, the Grand Empress Dowager never interferes in court affairs.

Yet no one in court dares to dismiss her words.

After the Second Prince ascended the throne, he attempted to reestablish the Eastern Depot to counterbalance the Western Depot and curb the Grand Empress Dowager's power, but failed utterly.

The Eastern Depot's strength is far inferior to the Western Depot's; over these years, the people.

"Only know the Western Depot, not the Eastern Depot."

This is not merely due to the Grand Empress Dowager's deep power, but also because within the palace there exists a Nine-Thousand-Year-Old.

The Nine-Thousand-Year-Old—Chen Sanzhong!

Ma Bao's master, a centenarian, the Grand Empress Dowager's personal eunuch.

His other identity is one of Daqing's Four Great Masters.

His status is exalted beyond measure, even revered by all eunuchs as "Old Ancestor."

At this moment!

In the capital, the Western Depot.

Located south of the capital, this area is mostly inhabited by "middle-class" people, covering more than eight hundred mu.

The main gate is grand, no less imposing than the capital's government office.

A figure slowly approaches!

An ordinary-looking, medium-built old man, pale-faced and beardless, with white hair and a youthful complexion.

His gaze is remarkably kind.

Around his waist is a jade belt glittering with jewels, its intricate and exquisite patterns revealing its preciousness.

Yet!

In this prosperous capital, few give it more than a passing glance.

Since the peace between Bei Feng and Daqing was sealed, under the mediation of the former Bei Feng Princess, relations between the two nations have reached unprecedented harmony.

Many capital residents now refer to the two nations as "brothers."

Border markets have been opened, allowing resource exchange; Bei Feng's specialties now flow smoothly into the capital for sale.

Carriages laden with jade roll continuously from the north; camel caravans from the desert trudge slowly forward; veiled Bei Feng women enter the gates of Daqing's capital.

Adding a unique hue to this bustling city.

The capital's prosperity is unmatched in the world.

The massive influx of Bei Feng jade has gradually made these once-precious stones commonplace in the capital's markets, their value correspondingly diminished.

Now, one can easily purchase these once-coveted stones for only one-tenth of their former price.

In the flourishing capital, such jade belts have become ordinary, drawing no attention.

The capital is full of nobles!

Drop a brick, and you'll hit someone whose ancestry reaches back three generations of imperial relatives.

The old man strolls leisurely down the street, carrying a paper-wrapped bundle of steaming buns.

The buns inside the oiled paper jiggle gently, oil seeping out, their aroma rich and enticing.

At the prison gate, the guards recognize the old man and let him pass without obstruction.

The old man also serves at the Western Depot.

He holds a clerical post, primarily verifying the birth dates and monthly stipends of the palace ladies, reconciling accounts monthly with the Ministry of Rites.

Though seemingly a leisurely task, it demands extreme precision—no error is tolerable.

For if a mistake occurs, the palace consorts whisper in the emperor's ear.

Minor errors bring severe punishment; major ones cost lives. Over the years, many have died here over trivial mistakes, instilling deep fear among eunuchs for this position.

The Western Depot decided to recruit outsiders for this role.

Unexpectedly!

This former dynasty's old eunuch "volunteered"—and has served fifteen years without a single error.

Quite remarkable!

The Western Depot calls him Old Chen.

Perhaps he's on early shift and didn't sleep well!

Two guards yawn repeatedly, eyeing the old man's oiled-paper bundle of fragrant meat buns.

They don't hesitate.

Grab one casually.

Bite into it.

One word: delicious—faces filled with bliss.

"Old Chen, you're here so early today?" one guard asked with a grin.

The old man chuckled: "Ma Zhangyin's back, so I came to see."

The two guards ate buns while chatting.

"Old Chen, I'll say this for you—you've given us plenty, so I'll give you a tip today."

"Ma Zhangyin may be powerful now, with some swagger in the Western Depot, but do you know? The emperor died right before his eyes—that's a grave sin for a servant."

"He's long been distrusted by the emperor; he might be forced to retire within these few years."

"Don't waste your efforts—when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter."

The old man still smiled: "I know what I'm doing."

The left guard reached for the remaining buns, but the old man stopped him.

Six buns—four vanished in two hands.

Only two left!

The old man guarded the remaining two, smiling: "One for Ma Zhangyin, one for this old man."

The right guard seized one.

"Just leave one for Zhangyin, Old Chen, you don't need it."

The old man stared at the single remaining bun, sighed helplessly.

"This won't end well!"

The guard who got no bun grumbled:

"If Ma Zhangyin weren't Old Ancestor's disciple, he'd have been expelled from the Western Depot long ago."

"And Old Ancestor is already over a hundred and twenty—he won't live much longer."

The nearby guard immediately cut in: "Don't speak nonsense—that's a head-offending remark!"

The guard quickly apologized, pretending to slap his own mouth:

"Old Ancestor, may you live ten thousand years—forgive my mouth!"

He then glared sternly at the old man: "Old Chen, don't say such things. Don't listen to what you shouldn't—if you do, we won't be gentle with you."

Old Chen quickly replied: "Didn't hear a thing. Heard nothing."

The two guards then urged:

"Get inside!"

The Western Depot is designed like a deep palace courtyard.

Divided into outer and inner courtyards: front for administration, back for interrogation.

Also two levels: below lies the dungeon, holding prisoners.

The layout is convoluted, windows few, no sunlight—strangers often get lost.

The old man, without notice, had already passed the outer courtyard.

Entered the stern inner courtyard.

Pushed open a door inside.

Three men were already inside.

Ma Bao, the newly returned Zhangyin eunuch from Mount Zhongnan, immediately bowed respectfully to the old man:

"Pay homage to your master."

The old man nodded faintly and handed the steamed bun in his hand to Ma Bao.

"You did well. Eat it while it's hot."

"Leave none of those little eunuchs alive who came this way toward Mount Zhongnan."

Ma Bao naturally understood his meaning; though unwilling, he nodded reluctantly.

In the Western Depot, the master is heaven itself.

The old man was none other than the Nine-Thousand-Year-Old, Chen Sanzhong.

Besides Ma Bao and Chen Sanzhong, there were two others in the room.

One was an elderly monk with a kind and benevolent face; the other was a stern middle-aged man.

Their gazes were fixed on Chen Sanzhong, awaiting his next words.

Chen Sanzhong spoke slowly:

"The Grand Empress Dowager has summoned the two of you here to kill one man."

Upon hearing this, the old monk frowned slightly and asked in a hoarse voice: "To kill one man to save the world—do you call this good or evil?"

The middle-aged man, however, was more direct and cold. He spoke in a flat tone:

"I only need what was promised to me."

Chen Sanzhong nodded.

He continued:

"The Junior Protector is already on his way."

"This Lu family's young marshal, Lu Yu, is also a Grand Master."

The middle-aged man spoke coolly:

"To die at the hands of three Grand Masters is already an honor for him."

The old monk and the middle-aged man were none other than:

Jiang Xiaoyue, who built his hut on Pingniu Ridge and was hailed as "The First Palm of the World,"

and the Foolish Monk of Lingxi Temple.

(End of Chapter)