Ji Bozai listened intently, sensing something was amiss. Mingyi’s residence was filled with men, each holding an official position. Her audacity was remarkable, allowing the inner court to meddle in state affairs. A simple morning greeting in the rear courtyard resembled a court assembly.
However, this moment quickly passed, and the men reverted to their jealous banter. One complained that the Secretary hadn’t visited him in a while, while another remarked on how favored Lord Zhou was.
Zhou Zihong stood beside Mingyi and remarked, “In a crowded place, gossip is inevitable.”
Mingyi smiled, patting his arm, and introduced him to Ji Bozai, “I haven’t formally introduced him yet. This is Zhou Zihong, my man.”
Ji Bozai’s fingers twitched on the armrest. He lazily lifted his gaze, meeting Zhou Zihong’s slightly challenging eyes, and chuckled, “I’ve heard much about you.”
Zhou Zihong returned the gesture with a bow, “The Secretary is busy with affairs. He can instruct me to handle any tasks if His Majesty has any tasks.”
There’s no need to summon people to the Qingming Hall daily for discussions.
“A minister is still a minister. Many things your Secretary can handle, but you cannot.”
“Indeed,” Zhou Zihong smirked, “Who would dare disobey His Majesty’s orders?”
He could only rely on orders to make her see him; otherwise, the Secretary wouldn’t even spare him a glance.
Ji Bozai understood his implication, his lips tightening slightly.
“It’s getting late. After paying respects, everyone should return to their duties,” Mingyi stood, gesturing with her hand, and bowed to Ji Bozai, “Recently, there have been trade frictions between Cangxue and Chaoyang. I must attend to official duties.”
In most households, this would be an excuse to leave, but Ji Bozai asked, “What kind of friction?”
Mingyi hesitated momentarily before replying, “Merchants from Cangxue violated the ban, smuggling women in cargo during canal transport. They were caught red-handed, causing a conflict at the dock.”
Ji Bozai’s eyes darkened as he stood, “I’ll accompany you.”
“Your Majesty holds a high position, making travel inconvenient. I can go with the Secretary,” Zhou Zihong interjected, “Such incidents are not new. I’m well-versed in handling them.”
With that, he led Mingyi out the door.
Ji Bozai watched Zhou Zihong’s hand on Mingyi’s wrist, narrowing his eyes slightly. He couldn’t afford to be angry or lose composure; he didn’t even have the right to be angry now. He could only endure.
Taking a deep breath, he followed them, ensuring that no matter how fast they walked ahead, his carriage followed closely behind.
As Zhou Zihong mentioned, this wasn’t the first time such an incident occurred, especially after the new laws were enacted. It seemed as if these people were provoking Chaoyang City, hiding over two hundred women in a single cargo ship.
Upon reaching the dock, Mingyi was so furious her hands trembled. Many of these women were abducted, wearing expensive clothing, with their wrists bloodied from struggling against ropes.
The detained merchant was defiant, shouting, “Why should Chaoyang’s laws punish us Cangxue people?”
Mingyi stepped forward and punched him, knocking out two of his teeth and sending him sprawling.
“Secretary,” Zhou Zihong quickly intervened, shaking his head gently, “You mustn’t.”
The man wasn’t wrong; Chaoyang’s laws couldn’t prosecute Cangxue people. Previously, they would secretly rescue the victims, leaving the merchants to suffer in silence. Bringing it to light would complicate matters.
“Assaulting people? You, the esteemed Lord of Chaoyang City, bullying a Cangxue merchant?” The man got up, blood in his mouth, raising his hand to shout, “Cangxue merchants, take note! Chaoyang City doesn’t want to trade with us. We Cangxue people are being beaten here for no reason!”
Cangxue was a major trade city, as was Chaoyang. The difference was that Chaoyang thrived on merchant profits, while Cangxue relied on its own city’s production. Without trade with Cangxue, many in Chaoyang would suffer financially.
The surrounding Cangxue merchants grew indignant, but Mingyi sneered, “No reason? You abducted the wives and daughters of Chaoyang, turning over two hundred lives into commodities. Is that no reason? If you say one more word, I’ll drive to Cangxue City myself, take your uncles and nephews, and sell them to the slave market in Muxing City as laborers.”
The Chaoyang citizens around them began to shout, “Kidnapping wives and daughters deserve divine retribution!”
“Were you not born of a woman? Don’t you see women as people?”
“If you claim Chaoyang’s laws don’t apply to you, fine, but the laws can protect Chaoyang’s people. You imprison our innocent citizens; I have the right to rescue them,” Mingyi waved her hand, and the guards rushed forward, untying the women from the carts.
The Cangxue merchant was furious, “Trade involves buying and selling. I paid for these; they’re my property. How dare you take them? I’ll report you. I’ll have our Secretary report you to His Majesty!”
“There’s no need to go back and forth,” a voice softly interjected from the crowd, yet it resonated throughout the dock.
Everyone turned in surprise to see the Lord of Six Cities standing on a beast-drawn carriage, lazily waving at the Cangxue merchant.
This was the legendary God of War. Even in his luxurious attire, his imposing presence was undeniable.
The citizens knelt in respect, and Mingyi and Zhou Zihong stepped aside to clear a path.
Ji Bozai dismounted and approached them, smiling at the somewhat fearful Cangxue merchant, “During the council, your envoy pleaded with me to maintain the original laws within Cangxue’s borders. It seems he hasn’t fulfilled his promise to me.”
“Your Majesty, she was the one who…”
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do. In any place, you must follow the local rules. The Lord of Chaoyang City did nothing wrong. Even if your city lord came, you’d still be in the wrong,” he said gently, “I’ll plead with the Lord of Chaoyang City on your behalf. You’ll be spared the death penalty, but a two-year imprisonment will suffice. How about that?”
The Cangxue merchant was utterly confused, “I still have to go to jail?”
“This is already a lenient act beyond the law. If we catch the Chaoyang people who sold these women to you, they’d be executed immediately.”
As he spoke, he scanned the crowd with a smile, lingering on a few who appeared uneasy.
It was just a glance, but those individuals panicked and tried to flee.
“Seize them,” Mingyi ordered coldly.
The guards moved swiftly, capturing them immediately. However, those involved in such deeds were ruthless, and upon exposure, they recklessly attacked Mingyi with their weapons.
Zhou Zihong stood behind Mingyi, but he lacked Yuan Power and didn’t know how to react, helplessly watching the light fly toward the Secretary.