“If I dared to burn Xinyang, I’m not afraid to kill a couple more useless officials!”
These words sent shockwaves through everyone present. They suddenly looked up at the cyan-robed woman whose beautiful features were as cold as frost and felt chilled by her palpable killing intent. Any remaining traces of contempt vanished instantly. Sun Xingzhi’s face turned pale, then quickly flushed red. They hadn’t yet received news about Xinyang and had only hurriedly arranged this welcome when they heard Ye Li was approaching. Though shocked by her revelation about burning Xinyang, he was unwilling to lose face before Hongzhou’s officials and merchants. After all, he was the court-appointed official overseeing the Northwest, the highest-ranking official in the region.
Slightly changing color, Sun Xingzhi said, “State Preceptor’s Lady! Xinyang is our Northwest’s greatest city. You burned it without even consulting this official – do you have any respect for the court and emperor?”
Ye Li smiled faintly, “Consult? I did want to find someone to consult with. But… where was Inspector Sun at that time?”
“This…” Sun Xingzhi faltered, his eyes darting around before he righteously declared, “This official is the Northwest Inspector – naturally, I cannot remain stationed in Xinyang permanently.”
Ye Li sneered, “Yet I heard Inspector Sun left the day before Xinyang fell. Does Inspector Sun know how many civilians were massacred when Xinyang fell?”
“This…” Before he could respond, Ye Li continued, “Nine out of ten civilians in Xinyang perished – over a hundred thousand dead or wounded. Inspector Sun, as the parental official of the Northwest, you should share the people’s fate. They died – why are you still alive?” These words left Sun Xingzhi’s face alternating between green and white. He finally noticed the killing intent radiating from the Mo family soldiers around Ye Li and trembled, not daring to say more. Qi Anrong hurriedly stepped forward, “Please calm your anger, My Lady. Please enter the city to rest first…” Ye Li gave him a cold glance that successfully silenced him before stepping toward the city gate. Zhuo Jing, following behind Ye Li, stopped before Qi Anrong and said coldly, “You officials may return to your duties. The Lady likely won’t have time for your welcoming banquet.” Without waiting for Qi Anrong’s reaction, he turned to follow Ye Li into the city.
Qi Anrong stood dumbfounded, looking helplessly at Sun Xingzhi, “Inspector Sun, this…”
Sun Xingzhi snorted, “The Northwest still belongs to His Majesty!” He swept his sleeves and followed them into the city.
Once inside, the state of Hongzhou City enraged the Mo family commanders. While not exactly a scene of revelry, looking at the city’s defenses and garrison, no one would believe this was an army and city about to face a powerful enemy invasion. The defenses were sparse, the soldiers and commanders completely lacking vigilance. The commanders following Ye Li all wore dark expressions. That Hongzhou hadn’t already fallen to the Western Ling was truly heaven’s blessing. Before they could reach the Governor’s mansion, Ye Li said coldly, “Bring me Hongzhou’s garrison commander.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Upon entering the Governor’s mansion, crowds of maids and servants rushed to greet them. Leading them were several richly dressed noble ladies accompanied by young women adorned with pearls and jade, “We welcome the State Preceptor’s Lady…” Ye Li casually glanced at them, immediately recognizing from the leading lady’s elaborate dress that these were the wives and families of Sun Xingzhi and Qi Anrong. Sun Xingzhi’s official residence had originally been in Xinyang, but since fleeing to Hongzhou with his family, they had been staying in the Governor’s mansion. Somewhat disgusted by the bejeweled women before her, Ye Li waved her hand, “Take them away!” She then walked past the stunned group toward the main hall.
The Mo family army’s efficiency was beyond question. By the time Ye Li’s group reached the main hall, Hongzhou’s garrison commander had already been brought to the entrance. Ye Li noticed he hadn’t been among those greeting them at the city gate. Entering the hall, Ye Li sat behind the desk while Sun Xingzhi and Qi Anrong entered one after another. Seeing Ye Li seated in the position of authority, Sun Xingzhi’s expression changed as he said, “My Lady, how can a guest presume to lord over the host!” Ye Li’s elegant brows furrowed, growing quite tired of this fearless Sun Xingzhi. Did he think she wouldn’t dare touch him just because he was Mo Jingqi’s man?
“Inspector Sun, if you have nothing to do, please sit to the side. I’ll speak with you after I’ve handled these matters.”
Sun Xingzhi protested, “My Lady is but a woman who should content herself with managing the State Preceptor’s household. By what right do you sit in judgment here and have General Wang arrested?”
“By what right?” Ye Li smiled coldly, “By right of being the supreme commander of the Mo family army in the Northwest.”
Sun Xingzhi’s eyes widened in disbelief, “What nonsense! How could a mere woman be the Mo family army’s commander? Even as State Preceptor’s Lady… you have no authority to meddle in Hongzhou’s affairs!” Ye Li couldn’t be bothered with him anymore and gave Qin Feng a look. Qin Feng understood and waved his hand, sending two guards to flank Sun Xingzhi and force him into a chair at the side. As a scholar, Sun Xingzhi couldn’t resist two strong young guards no matter how hard he struggled. He glared at Ye Li, who took a small sip of tea and smiled faintly, “If Inspector Sun insists on interfering, don’t blame me for being discourteous to a court official.” Sun Xingzhi ground out, “This official will certainly report the State Preceptor’s household to His Majesty!”
“As you wish.” In the current situation, what difference would an impeachment make? Ye Li turned her attention to the military commander being held at the side, “General Wang? Hongzhou Garrison Commander Wang Duo? What relation are you to Noble Lady Wang from the palace?”
After struggling futilely, Wang Duo raised his head to glare at Ye Li, “Noble Lady Wang is this general’s cousin. What does My Lady mean by this? Release me at once – don’t forget that I am Hongzhou’s garrison commander.”
Ye Li flipped through some documents on the desk, then tossed them down before Wang Duo, saying, “From now on, you are no longer Hongzhou’s commander. See for yourself.”
Wang Duo didn’t pick up the documents, instead angrily declaring, “What does My Lady mean by this? This general’s position was granted by His Majesty and the court. Does My Lady think a single word from you can remove me?”
Ye Li smiled and held up a jade pendant, “Then does this have the authority to remove you? By decree of the Founding Emperor, in times of great crisis, the bearer of the State Preceptor’s Eye of Heaven jade pendant may command all Da Chu military officers below the rank of Grand General. Or is General Wang, not a Da Chu officer?”
“This…” Wang Duo certainly knew of this decree from the Founding Emperor. Although officers loyal to the current emperor might not truly accept it until the emperor explicitly revoked the Founding Emperor’s decree, they could at most pay lip service while secretly resisting – they absolutely could not openly defy it.
Ye Li put away the pendant and said to Feng Zhiyao, “Feng San, Hongzhou’s defenses are now your responsibility.” Feng Zhiyao smiled pleasantly at the somewhat dazed Wang Duo and nodded, “This humble officer accepts. I will immediately reorganize Hongzhou’s defenses.” With that, he waved his hand and left with several officers. After Feng Zhiyao and the others had gone, Ye Li looked back at Wang Duo and the others, smiling sweetly, “Now then, General Wang and Inspector Sun may speak freely.” Wang Duo said resentfully, “Hongzhou’s troops won’t follow a commander who doesn’t even have an official court rank!” He was referring to Feng Zhiyao. Although Feng Zhiyao was widely recognized as Demon Cultivator Yao’s right-hand man in the Mo family army, he was indeed their only general without an official rank. Ye Li smiled, “Whether troops will follow his command is Feng San’s concern – no need for General Wang to worry about it.” Wang Duo snorted but had nothing more to say.
Ye Li turned to look at Sun Xingzhi sitting to the side, smiling, “Does Inspector Sun have something to say?”
Sun Xingzhi sneered, “With My Lady being so intimidating, how dare this official speak?” Ye Li smiled, pressing her lips together, “If you don’t dare speak, then there’s no need. Inspector Sun can stay comfortably in Hongzhou. When the fighting ends, I’ll have someone escort you back to the capital. If unfortunately… Hongzhou falls, I’ll give Inspector Sun the chance to share its fate.” Hearing this, Sun Xingzhi’s face contorted as he ground out through clenched teeth, “Many thanks, My Lady!”
After Sun Xingzhi and Wang Duo were sent away, only Qi Anrong remained in the hall, trembling slightly as he looked at the woman seated above. With a fawning smile, he said, “My Lady…”
Ye Li looked at him with an ambiguous smile, “Governor Qi, you seem exceptionally comfortable in your position as Hongzhou’s governor. Even His Lordship might be quite envious.”
“I wouldn’t dare… wouldn’t dare…” Qi Anrong smiled apologetically. Ye Li flipped through the documents in her hand, saying, “Six years in office, wealth of a million taels. One wife, twelve concubines, four sons, and six daughters… No wonder I’ve heard that a clean magistrate makes a hundred thousand in silver – Governor Qi must make more than that in a year?”
“My Lady… this official… this official…” Qi Anrong kept wiping sweat from his brow. Ye Li casually set aside the documents and smiled, “No need to be nervous, Governor Qi. I have no interest in your wealth, wives, concubines, or children.” Hearing this, Qi Anrong’s eyes lit up hopefully as he looked at Ye Li. She lowered her gaze and said quietly, “War with Western Ling is imminent, and Hongzhou…” Qi Anrong caught on quickly, hurriedly saying, “Cooperating with My Lady to resist the Western Ling bandits is this official’s duty. Please feel free to command me.” Ye Li looked up, raising an eyebrow as she smiled, “It won’t be too difficult for Governor Qi?”
Qi Anrong smiled, “How could it be? Hongzhou’s safety benefits everyone, doesn’t it? Please just tell me what needs to be done.”
Ye Li nodded with satisfaction, “Very good. If Governor Qi accommodates me, I won’t make things difficult for you. Just manage Hongzhou City well – I’ll handle everything else.”
“This official understands and will certainly not disappoint My Lady.”
“Very good, Governor Qi may retire now.”
After Qi Anrong left, Zhuo Jing watched his departing figure with contempt, “My Lady, are we letting Qi Anrong off so easily?” Ye Li’s smile turned cold, “Let him off? That depends on whether he knows what’s good for him. We’ve just arrived in Hongzhou – we can’t afford to offend everyone at once, can we?”
“This servant understands.”