Chapter 145: Removing the Thorn in the Eye

When Tang Cheng'an stepped into the Prefect's Yamen, his foot paused, and his heart thundered.

He saw Wang Zhe's old face black as a pot bottom, cold, fierce light shooting from his eyes as he swept Tang Cheng'an from head to toe, as if to swallow him alive.

A shock ran through his heart; he secretly wondered if this old villain had another sinister plot to harm him.

Feigning calm, he walked to Wang Zhe, clasped his hands in salute, and asked with feigned concern: "Prefect my lord, what is wrong? Is there something troubling you?"

Hearing his words, Wang Zhe suddenly wore a cruel smile on his face and said coldly: "Tang Cheng'an, you truly are a fine official. I am utterly in awe of you."

Hearing his words, Tang Cheng'an was startled, unsure whether he was being praised or mocked.

He forced a smile and said humbly: "Prefect my lord, I do not understand your words. I am merely doing my duty and serving the court."

Seeing him play the fool, Wang Zhe's smile grew colder. "You do not understand? Very well, I shall make you understand. Come, bring the man forward." As his voice fell, two burly men dragged a person in from outside. The man wore white robes, had a handsome face, but was bound hand and foot, a cloth gag in his mouth, unable to speak.

Tang Cheng'an recognized the man at once as the White Robe Leader. He was greatly alarmed, wondering how Wang Zhe had captured such a martial expert from the Jianghu.

What made his soul flee his body was that behind the White Robe Leader, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who should have already died by his own scheme, walked in unharmed, his eyes cold as knives, staring directly at him.

Tang Cheng'an shuddered in shock, stepped back, his face pale, no longer able to conceal anything.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled lightly: "Tang Sima my lord, your face seems rather pale. What is the matter? Do you know this man?" His words were full of mockery and venom.

Had Tu Tu Kesiluo not been highly skilled in martial arts, Tang Cheng'an knew he and Jiang Jiang Mingyu would now be cold corpses.

Without hesitation, Tang Cheng'an shook his head violently: "I do not know him. This subordinate has never met this man before."

Wang Zhe let out a cruel laugh: "Since Prefect Tang does not know him, I shall introduce him. This man is named Hu Hu Qiang, a bandit leader. Just over an hour ago, he attacked Lord Jiang, committing a vicious crime."

Tang Cheng'an quickly feigned shock and indignation: "Such a madman deserves to be struck by heaven and thunder! I beg Prefect my lord to execute him immediately by law and avenge Lord Jiang's great grievance!" Then he waved to the Yamen Runners: "Why not drag this man out and behead him at once? What are you waiting for!"

As long as Hu Hu Qiang never spoke again, he would surely escape this calamity.

Wang Zhe, however, spoke slowly: "Prefect Tang, your indignation is great, but you seem rather too hasty, are you not?"

Tang Cheng'an's heart tightened; he forced a smile: "Prefect my lord, you jest. This subordinate merely detests such a traitor."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a cold laugh: "Tang Sima my lord is so agitated. Does that mean your heart indeed harbors guilt?"

A chill ran down Tang Cheng'an's spine; he trembled and said: "This subordinate... this subordinate merely seeks justice for Lord Jiang..."

Tang Cheng'an's face went pale; he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

Wang Zhe sneered: "Hu Hu Qiang, you see, your employer intends to kill you. Having done such deeds, do you truly accept being silenced by him?"

Hu Hu Qiang, bound hand and foot, looked up at Tang Cheng'an, his eyes filled with cold malice: "Very well. Since Prefect Tang wants me to die for you, do not blame me for disregarding the codes of the Jianghu."

Tang Cheng'an's heart pounded in terror; he shouted in a trembling voice: "This man speaks falsely and slanders! These are the delirious words of a dying man; do not believe him!" Then he ordered the Yamen Runners: "Why not drag him out and behead him? Act quickly!"

Wang Zhe's face darkened; he slammed the table heavily: "Prefect Tang, is the Prefect's Yamen ruled by your word alone?" He stared at Hu Hu Qiang: "Speak. Why did you attack Lord Jiang? And who ordered it?"

Killing intent flashed in Hu Hu Qiang's eyes: "It was this Tang Sima my lord, Tang Cheng'an! He offered five thousand taels of silver to hire my twenty brothers to ambush and kill Lord Jiang on the official road!"

Tang Cheng'an trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

Hu Hu Qiang continued: "We agreed that if we cut off Lord Jiang's head, another five thousand taels would be given as a reward. The silver notes are in my chest; my lord may take them for verification. This matter also involved Prefect Tang's private secretary; he was the one who found us for this deed!"

With those words, Tang Cheng'an's face turned deathly pale; his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

Tang Cheng'an still could not understand how Jiang Jiang Mingyu had survived twenty assassins, nor how he had secretly brought Hu Hu Qiang before Wang Zhe.

Wang Zhe's voice was like ice and snow: "Prefect Tang, what more do you have to say?"

He ordered his men: "Strip Prefect Tang of his official robes and throw him in prison. Tomorrow morning, escort him and Hu Hu Qiang together to Jingcheng and hand them over to the Ministry of Personnel for severe punishment. Bring that Secretary Ma as well; let him keep his master company!"

Seeing the Yamen Runners approach, Tang Cheng'an knelt and begged for mercy: "Prefect my lord, Lord Jiang, this subordinate admits his guilt! All of this was done by order of Prince Qi; I had no choice. I beg the lords to show mercy in light of past ties!"

He bowed his head violently to Wang Zhe, while tremblingly looking at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, his eyes full of pleading.

Wang Zhe sneered: "Prefect Tang, it is too late to beg for mercy! For years, relying on Prince Qi's favor, you secretly framed me many times. Where are these 'past ties' you speak of?"

"When you sent Hu Hu Qiang, did you ever think of sparing Lord Jiang's life? You ambitious madman, yet you have the face to beg me for mercy. Truly laughable!"

"If you had remained steadfast, I might have regarded you as a hero. But this cowardly, guilt-ridden plea for mercy truly disappoints me beyond measure!"

Wang Zhe feigned a sigh: "Sparing you is not impossible. If Lord Jiang agrees, I shall treat this as if nothing happened."

Hearing this, Tang Cheng'an bowed repeatedly, his voice filled with sorrow as he begged Jiang Jiang Mingyu for mercy...

Tang Cheng'an bowed in sorrow, tears falling like rain: "Lord Jiang, this subordinate lost his wits and was misled by slander, causing today's great error! You are the Imperial Envoy personally appointed by Your Majesty and a Zhuangyuan graduate; you must be magnanimous. I beg you to forget my past faults and grant this subordinate a path to life! From now on, this subordinate will have no second thoughts and will never oppose you again!"

His plea, his words of repentance, were filled with despair and grief.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's smile did not fade: "Tang Sima my lord, I understand your feelings. But a person like you, if left alive, will sooner or later become a disaster. In public duty, I must act according to the law; in private, do you think I am the kind of person who repays hatred with virtue?"

With those words, he coldly ordered those around him: "Why are you still standing there? Drag him away at once!"

Before Tang Cheng'an could beg again, he was seized by the Yamen Runners and dragged out.

Wang Zhe let out a long breath; his face softened slightly. He understood that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had shown no mercy this time, which was precisely revenge for Tang Cheng'an's ruthlessness. He supposed Tang Cheng'an must have been terrified, otherwise he would never have lost face and begged for mercy. Pity that Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mind was made up; this plea was likely in vain.

"Finally, this thorn in the eye has been removed. Lord Jiang, you are truly my lucky star," Wang Zhe remarked.

A lucky star? Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly. Had Tu Tu Kesiluo not sacrificed himself to protect him, this "lucky star" of his would already have turned to dust. Wang Zhe's words were surely excessive praise.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wang Zhe, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt slightly relieved. Eliminating Tang Cheng'an this time, cutting off one of Prince Qi's arms, would surely affect his rebellion plans. Jiang Jiang Mingyu must seize the opportunity and accelerate the expansion of his own power.

Just outside the city, Wu Xiao'er galloped over on horseback, his expression tense: "My lord, grave news!"