The moment the convoy was intercepted, Zuo Jinwei learned of the situation and felt an indescribable excitement and anticipation in his heart.

His memorials should have all reached His Majesty, right?

Pang Zhixi’s achievements threatened his master, yet he didn’t know restraint—any perceptive person could see the general trend.

Having just taken control of the Huben Army tiger tally, he immediately provided His Majesty with such a big handle against Pang Zhixi. Regardless of what rewards he might receive, his position in His Majesty’s heart would certainly advance another step.

Didn’t those brats in the Huben Army refuse to submit to him? Didn’t they rush into fire and water at Pang Zhixi’s single word?

He would make them see exactly who their true commander was!

Zuo Jinwei spiritedly spurred his horse forward, ordering the troops to wait in place.

The Five Military Camps, Firearms Camp, Three Thousand Camp, and ten thousand Longxiang Army troops had now formed a massive formation before the outer city gates.

Seeing the military assemblage here, the common people weren’t panicked, because recently both the Huben Army and Longxiang Army had returned to the capital in formation. There were continuous military encampments outside the city, and soldiers commonly entered the city.

However, a situation like the current standoff between forces at the city gates was unprecedented.

At this moment, sudden commotion arose at the city gates.

Zuo Jinwei sat upright on his horse, curiously craning his neck to look toward the city entrance.

He saw the newly appointed Minister of Justice, Qi Rugang, leading a group of Justice Ministry officials out of the city gates, firmly ordering the gate-guarding soldiers: “Watch the gates well! Today all city gates in the capital are only for exit, not entry!”

“Yes!”

With such tense conditions outside, the gate-guarding soldiers didn’t know what had actually happened. Fearing they might delay important matters, they hurriedly passed word to all the other city gates.

Zuo Jinwei excitedly clenched his fist. This way, Pang Zhixi couldn’t sneak into the city! When His Majesty questioned him later, let’s see how he’d evade responsibility!

Zuo Jinwei quickly turned and gave his deputy general a meaningful look.

Understanding, the deputy general approached quietly: “We’ve been watching the carriage closely. He’s still sick inside.”

Zuo Jinwei nodded with satisfaction, then dismounted and walked forward to greet them, putting on a confused and angry expression: “Minister Qi, what is the meaning of this?”

Qi Rugang looked down at Zuo Jinwei condescendingly, paused briefly, then dismounted.

Zuo Jinwei silently cursed Qi Rugang as a cunning man.

Between people like Qi Rugang—surrendering officials from the Northern Ji Kingdom—and people like Zuo Jinwei—meritorious officials who had fought alongside His Majesty to conquer the realm—there had always been divisions.

However, the conflict between Northern Ji surrendering officials and Pang Zhixi was even greater.

Qi Rugang’s presence today was exactly like a blade to kill Pang Zhixi.

Zuo Jinwei suppressed his anger and said calmly: “Minister Qi has closed the city gates—are you trying to bar my Huben Army from entering? This behavior is quite inappropriate!”

Qi Rugang watched Zuo Jinwei’s excellent performance as a commander wholeheartedly concerned for his troops and felt contempt in his heart. He cupped his hands: “General Zuo need not be anxious! This official has come today because of Prince Zhongshun’s matter of privately mobilizing troops!”

At these words, the surroundings fell silent.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, Prince Zhongshun Pang Xiao’s reputation was truly resounding!

Especially in the capital territory.

Because it was Pang Xiao who had captured the Northern Ji capital, in enemies’ eyes he was a fierce demon, while in his own people’s eyes he was an undefeated war god.

More and more common people, delayed by the blocked gates, gathered around. Everyone curiously watched the scene before the city gates.

Being observed by so many people, Zuo Jinwei expended great effort not to let any gloating expression show on his face.

Zuo Jinwei appeared puzzled: “Prince Zhongshun privately mobilized troops? But Prince Zhongshun told this general that he was leading twenty thousand troops out for training by His Majesty’s edict.”

At this, the surroundings erupted.

If what the Minister of Justice said about privately mobilizing troops was true, then Prince Zhongshun also telling the current Huben Army commander about “training by imperial edict” would be blatantly falsely transmitting imperial edicts!

Many people already knew that Pang Zhixi was no longer the Huben Army commander. Privately mobilizing troops without the military tally could be considered treason, and now he had not only privately mobilized troops but also deceived the current Huben Army commander.

This way, with the three major charges of defying imperial orders, mobilizing troops for treason, and falsely transmitting imperial intentions pressing down, this person would certainly be doomed!

Among the crowd, common people discussed animatedly.

Huben Army soldiers looked grave.

The scene became chaotic again, with discussion growing louder, threatening to develop into an uncontrollable situation.

Seeing this, Zuo Jinwei laughed inwardly while maintaining a grave expression: “Minister Qi must be clear—this matter is no small thing. If there’s no evidence, you mustn’t speak carelessly or wrongly accuse Prince Zhongshun.”

As an old official from the Northern Ji Kingdom faction, Minister of Justice Qi Rugang looked down on both Pang Xiao and Zuo Jinwei.

Therefore, he had no patience in speaking now: “No evidence? Didn’t General Zuo’s secret report say that Prince Zhongshun privately mobilized troops and then lied about training by imperial edict? The evidence came from you. This official merely learned of the clues and came out to arrest the treasonous official. Why are you playing riddles with this official!”

With one sentence, he publicly revealed Zuo Jinwei’s secret memorial submission before the Huben Army.

Zuo Jinwei instantly felt countless pairs of eyes staring at him from behind. If gazes could become substantial, he would probably be subjected to death by a thousand cuts from the Huben Army soldiers’ stares.

Though somewhat embarrassed at being exposed, since he was busy with serious business, he didn’t waste energy arguing with Qi Rugang, merely saying:

“This general is only stating facts. As His Majesty’s subjects, we must fulfill our duties and absolutely cannot commit acts of deceiving the emperor. Since Minister Qi has come, then proceed according to your Justice Ministry’s methods. To avoid suspicion, this general will absolutely not interfere or obstruct today’s matter.”

After speaking these fine words, Zuo Jinwei retreated to one side.

Qi Rugang glanced sideways at Zuo Jinwei, then ordered his subordinates: “Go invite Prince Zhongshun out.”

“Yes!”

Those who came with Qi Rugang were all originally surrendering officials from the Northern Ji Kingdom. These people all had grudges against Pang Xiao and naturally didn’t want him to have an easy time.

Therefore, at Qi Rugang’s command, these people immediately led others in a carpet search, heading straight for the twenty-thousand-person convoy that had returned today.

At the same time, among the watching crowd, Emperor Zhou Li Qitian was making a private inspection visit, wearing a dark green cotton cloak and accompanied by Head Eunuch Li Guanwen, hiding among the people and craning his neck to watch the excitement.

Li Qitian’s inner excitement was no less than Zuo Jinwei’s.

Since he had arranged such a grand spectacle today, he wanted to make Pang Xiao’s crimes of defying orders and deceiving the emperor known to the world. Then even if he killed Pang Zhixi, no one would say he was wary of meritorious officials and putting away his bow once the birds were gone—instead they would curse Pang Zhixi for not knowing his good fortune and actually deceiving the emperor and planning treason.

In a place neither Li Qitian nor others noticed, Ji Zeyu, wearing a black cotton cloak with half his face hidden in the fur collar, frowned tightly.