Chapter 184 : Chapter 184
Chapter 184: If Humans Cannot Endure It, It Is Perfect for Criminal Vermin!
“That little beast! He is merely a Commandant, yet he dared to act so arrogantly toward me. This is simply outrageous!”
“He had just arrived, yet he already disrespected his superior. If Lu Zhi, that hypocritical fellow, had not still been watching, I would absolutely have taught that brat a lesson!”
Zhang De slammed his palm heavily onto the table, his eyes nearly spitting fire.
He was already a Deputy Commander in the Jinyiwei, second only to the Commander in status. Added to that, he had also become connected to the Jianghu forces.
Ever since he had thrown himself under Elder Grand Secretary Qi’s faction.
Even Lu Zhi, the Commander, did not dare to show him displeasure.
Whenever matters were discussed, they first had to consider his opinion, Zhang De’s opinion.
With such status.
Who within the Jinyiwei did not respect him? Who dared to defy him?
Yet he had not expected Cheng Yu, who had just arrived, to be this arrogant, and to dare display such obvious hostility!
“Elder Brother, calm down. He is merely a Commandant. We have plenty of ways to deal with him.”
Zhang De’s younger blood brother, Zhang Fen, advised him.
He also held office in the Jinyiwei. He was at the Early Eighth Rank and served as an Assistant Commissioner.
In the Jinyiwei.
The status of the Zhang brothers was second only to the Lu Family, which had inherited the position of Commander from generation to generation.
It would be far too simple to deal with a Commandant.
When Zhang De heard this, not only did his anger fail to subside, it grew even more intense.
“That is exactly why I am angry! That brat has received great attention from His Majesty, and there are even rumors that his background is extraordinary. If we truly deal with him, there will inevitably be no small amount of trouble.”
“Recently, Elder Grand Secretary Qi and the others have all been restraining their momentum for fear of angering His Majesty. How can we give others leverage against us?”
On ordinary days.
Dealing with a Commandant would have been an exceedingly simple matter. But now, the situation was different.
The Great Qian Emperor had rather opposed Elder Grand Secretary Qi’s attitude and still heavily rewarded and promoted Cheng Yu.
That showed his attention and expectations.
How could they touch His Majesty’s sore spot at a time like this?
When Zhang Fen saw that even his elder brother was this helpless, a faint chill also arose in his eyes.
The moment Cheng Yu arrived.
He had become trouble for the Zhang brothers!
A sinister smile appeared on his face. “Elder Brother, there is no need to worry. Did you not say that brat was assigned to manage the Imperial Prison?”
“Yes. What of it?”
Zhang De nodded, his expression turning doubtful.
Cheng Yu had indeed been assigned to the Imperial Prison, the most futureless place among the Command Office’s duties.
But that did not mean it would be easy for the Zhang brothers to deal with Cheng Yu.
Zhang Fen’s smile, however, became savage.
He lowered his voice and said,
“Elder Brother, there is something you do not know. Recently, the young lord of Duke Dingguo’s household has been staying in the Imperial Prison. If Cheng Yu knows how to conduct himself, he will naturally serve him good food and drink.”
Zhang De nodded. After Elder Grand Secretary Qi and the others rose in the court.
Some people, even if they were thrown into the Imperial Prison, would soon be fished out. The Jinyiwei simply could not afford to offend them.
Rather than offend such people.
It was better to serve them well with good food and drink.
Zhang Fen continued, “We will order Cheng Yu to torture that man heavily. He will certainly not dare to do it. Then we can use that chance to punish him for dereliction of duty and disrespect!”
“Would Cheng Yu really do that?”
Zhang De recalled Cheng Yu’s violent deeds and became somewhat doubtful.
That vicious man killed people and raided households at the slightest provocation.
Would he really not dare to torture a prisoner inside the Imperial Prison?
Zhang Fen was clearly confident. “I have already seen through him! That fellow seems violent, but in truth, he is crude on the outside and meticulous within. He can always identify the advantage. From Sword-Forging Manor to Prince Qing’s Remnants, he has always used great merit to cover his mistakes.”
“A man who never rises early without profit—what benefit would he gain from offending Duke Dingguo’s young lord? He would not even be able to curry favor with His Majesty through it. Surely it cannot be simply because he dislikes the man?”
Zhang De’s eyes widened, and a sharp light shot from them.
That was right!
His second brother had still considered things thoroughly!
Zhang Fen continued to sneer. “Aside from that, we can also send word to Duke Dingguo that His Majesty wants to use Cheng Yu’s hand to get rid of his son. Aside from Elder Grand Secretary Qi, no one can save his son...”
Zhang De’s eyes immediately widened, and he made the decision.
“Then it is settled!”
One had to know that Duke Dingguo held high status and great authority.
Right now, he was still undecided in his attitude toward the Jianghu. If they could win this man over for the Moderate Faction.
It would absolutely be a great merit.
“Second Brother, you truly are a talent. I trust your judgment!”
This scheme concerned Duke Dingguo’s only son.
That duke had no connection to Cheng Yu, and he did not dare casually seek out the Great Qian Emperor to verify it either. He could only choose to believe it.
The Zhang brothers could perfectly deceive those below and conceal things from those above, killing two birds with one stone.
They would both punish and take revenge on Cheng Yu, and also transmit false information to force Duke Dingguo into Elder Grand Secretary Qi’s faction!
It was absolutely a great merit!
“Then next, it will depend on Cheng Yu, that little whelp. Does he not love saying ‘Execute First and Report Later, with the Throne’s Special Authorization’? When facing such a thankless matter, let us see whether he can continue saying it!”
...
Great Qian Capital Imperial Prison.
Cheng Yu walked in under the guidance of two Jinyiwei Hundred-Household Commanders.
Of the two Hundred-Household Commanders, one remained silent, while the other wore a fawning expression.
He took the initiative to speak to Cheng Yu.
“Lord Cheng, the place where the prisoners are held is ahead. Would you like to look there first?”
“There is no rush.”
Cheng Yu frowned as he looked around. “Why is this place so bright? And why is there the smell of incense?”
The Jinyiwei Hundred-Household Commander froze, then explained, “The Imperial Prison is built underground. It is damp and dark, with many mosquitoes, insects, and rats, and it also easily produces a foul stench. The lord who previously managed it opened quite a few light wells and ordered incense to be lit everywhere.”
When Cheng Yu heard this, he raised his eyebrows.
Light wells? Incense?
Was this still the Imperial Prison? Were they planning to let prisoners take a holiday here?
“Seal all the light wells and remove all the incense!”
The Jinyiwei Hundred-Household Commander in charge of managing the Imperial Prison froze. “Without light and incense, could people even stay in this place?”
Cheng Yu revealed a cold smile.
To think they still considered these things for the Imperial Prison. Was that not far too considerate?
“If humans cannot endure it, then it is just right for criminal vermin. If you do not believe me, you can try it yourself.”
“No need to try! I will go handle the matter you arranged, my lord!”
The Jinyiwei who had spoken immediately left.
Only the other man remained.
Cheng Yu smiled faintly. In his heart, he knew clearly that his name still carried no small amount of deterrence.
When he said he would kill or arrest someone, he did not hesitate.
He looked toward the other Hundred-Household Commander. “You are not leaving? Are you not afraid I will let you try living in the Imperial Prison too?”
The Jinyiwei who remained was still silent and sparing with words. “If this humble subordinate does not do anything wrong, my lord naturally will not do that. I will accompany my lord and continue looking around.”
Cheng Yu revealed a satisfied smile. “What is your name?”
“Song Nian.”
The moment the two finished speaking, a burst of dissatisfied shouting suddenly came from the depths of the Imperial Prison.
“Where are the Jinyiwei? This young lord is thirsty! Hurry and bring wine!!”
When Cheng Yu heard this, his gaze immediately changed.
How was there still someone this arrogant in the Imperial Prison?
“Who is that?”
Song Nian’s expression instantly turned cold as frost, and he gritted out a few words.
“Duke Dingguo’s only son, Ning Cen...”
When Cheng Yu heard this, his expression immediately became strange.
How had the only son of a duke’s household ended up in the Imperial Prison? Could it be that he had committed some grave crime?
“How did he get here?”
Song Nian clenched his teeth tighter and tighter, his whole body trembling. “Abduction, rape, and murder in the street...”
Cheng Yu’s brows immediately rose, and coldness appeared in his eyes. “Take me to see him.”