Chapter 110: What Is the Western Depot Worth?
“Empress Zhang’s letter?”
“Yes, and the Empress Dowager also entrusted me to bring clothes for the overseer, all of which have been stored at the base…”
Xu Boqing nodded slightly and waved his hand, signaling them to lead the way.
It was common for the Empress Dowager to send clothes. Although Empress Zhang was reserved and spoke little, their dealings were purely transactional, and they had clearly parted ways amicably afterward. So what was the meaning behind sending a letter now?
But thinking it over, after all, she had helped him greatly. Writing a thank-you letter was only natural…
He didn’t dwell on it and casually asked, “When did you arrive at Xingyuan Prefecture?”
“Reporting to the overseer, I arrived just five days ago…”
“How is the matter with the Fierce Tiger Sect progressing?”
There was a pause.
Jiang Jin and Kong Qing exchanged glances, both looking embarrassed and unsure how to respond.
Xu Boqing frowned slightly, glancing at them and asked, “Did something unexpected happen?”
“Reporting to the overseer, yes, there was an unforeseen incident…”
Jiang Jin spoke cautiously, “About a month ago, I received secret intelligence from our undercover agents that the Fierce Tiger Sect had already fled their manor at the beginning of last month…”
He paused, then continued, “After arriving at Xingyuan Prefecture, I personally led a team to investigate the manor of the Fierce Tiger Sect. Indeed, there was no sign of anyone, and their belongings had long been moved.”
“Fled at the beginning of last month?”
Xu Boqing halted, brows tightly knit. “Are you saying that the Fierce Tiger Sect packed up and left along with their possessions last month!?”
“Yes…”
Seeing the overseer’s unreadable expression, Jiang Jin hung his head in shame. “I wanted to inform you earlier, but our men couldn’t find you. Please forgive me.”
“This is not your fault…”
Xu Boqing waved his hand, his gaze deep in thought.
The leader of the Fierce Tiger Sect, Deng Jian, was one of the five assassins targeting Emperor Yonghe and a prime target for the Western Depot’s purge.
Could it be that Deng Jian, seeing the Banruo Temple and the Five Poisons Cult destroyed, knew he was next and fled in advance?
But the timing didn’t add up!
Information rarely traveled swiftly among the common folk. Aside from urgent dispatches covering hundreds of miles, ordinary letters crossing provinces often took months to arrive.
If the Fierce Tiger Sect fled at the start of last month, abandoning their estate and homeland, it must have taken time to prepare…
That would mean they began planning their escape either during or even before the Five Poisons Cult’s destruction.
Surely it wasn’t because of that…
Then…
Xu Boqing’s eyes flickered as another possibility dawned on him…
***
The Western Depot had been established only recently and operated discreetly. Few within the palace, let alone the martial world, were aware of its actions.
Could it be that someone inside the palace had colluded with the Fierce Tiger Sect in advance!?
“Heh…”
Xu Boqing seemed to have realized something and let out a cold sneer. “What about the Chongxu Sect and the Sword Forging Manor? Have they also fled like the Fierce Tiger Sect?”
A bead of sweat broke on Jiang Jin’s forehead as he cautiously replied, “Your insight is sharp, overseer. The Chongxu Sect has indeed emptied, and the Sword Forging Manor has closed up shop, likely to follow suit soon.”
So it was as he suspected.
Xu Boqing sighed inwardly and said, “The Fierce Tiger Sect has many disciples who surely wouldn’t abandon their ancestral home. Have you discovered where Deng Jian went?”
“There wasn’t much time. I only found a few clues. Please forgive me, overseer…”
“It’s alright. Tell me everything.”
Jiang Jin composed himself. “Recently, there has been serious rebellion around Jiangnan Prefecture. Troops are being recruited everywhere…
I discovered that many of the Fierce Tiger Sect’s disciples were disbanded, with most recruited as soldiers and dispatched south.”
He paused, then added embarrassedly, “As for whether Deng Jian was among them, I don’t know.”
“Recruited as soldiers? Sent south…”
Xu Boqing’s gaze sharpened, sensing that something suspicious lay beneath this recruitment.
Scholars may disrupt laws with words, and knights may break rules with force…
Martial artists are often unruly, disdainful of the law, viewing court officials as mere lackeys, especially those from established martial sects.
And yet here they were, conscripted to suppress rebels?
“Reporting, overseer…”
Kong Qing stepped forward, eyes flickering. “I have a military background and some knowledge of the commanders here. Thus, I uncovered some clues.”
“Speak.”
“Jiangnan Prefecture enjoys a favorable climate with abundant food and pasture. The rebels obviously planned this uprising long ago. Since it began, it has spread like wildfire and grown into a serious threat.”
Kong Qing said solemnly, “The emperor sent a great general to quell the rebellion, but it may take a year or two to fully suppress it.
Neighboring Song Kingdom remains stable, but Great Zhou watches intently, and border defenses are strained…
Therefore, the troops sent to suppress the rebellion were mostly drawn from various local garrisons, with General of Trust and Might, Zhou Xuan, overseeing troop deployments around Xingyuan Prefecture and the two adjacent prefectures.
Moreover, I found that the Fierce Tiger Sect’s people were all dispatched under his orders…”
Xu Boqing’s brow furrowed. “If you know General Zhou Xuan dispatched them, why not arrest him for questioning?”
Kong Qing’s expression turned awkward. “Overseer, Zhou Xuan was personally appointed a second-rank military officer by His Majesty. He is also the father of Noble Consort Zhou and the governor-general overseeing Xingyuan Prefecture and the two neighboring prefectures…”
“Oh~”
Xu Boqing nodded thoughtfully, a strange smile playing on his lips. “So our General Zhou Xuan is essentially a regional warlord with military power in hand?”
“Yes…”
Kong Qing’s face darkened. “When I arrived, I presented my credentials and investigated his residence but was refused entry outright and turned away.”
“Did you bring your imperial token?”
“Yes…”
Xu Boqing sneered coldly. “Lead the way!”
Seeing the two still dazed, he raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter? The Western Depot operates under imperial authority. Are we to fear a mere second-rank officer?”
“Understood, overseer!”
Jiang Jin and Kong Qing finally snapped out of it, grinning as they led the way toward the governor-general’s mansion.
Upon arrival, the vermilion gates were firmly closed, flanked by two massive stone beasts and rows of soldiers standing guard, imposing and formidable.
The guards blocked their path immediately, weapons in hand, demanding, “This is the governor’s residence. No unauthorized entry.”
“Blind your dog eyes!!”
Kong Qing, backed by Xu Boqing, glared fiercely and brandished the imperial token. “The emperor’s token is here. Overseer Xu carries the imperial decree to see General Zhou Xuan. Who among you dares to block the overseer’s way?”
The guards glanced at the ‘Western Depot’ inscription on the token and exchanged looks. Knowing the overseer had tried to enter days ago but was denied, they sneered.
“Western Depot? What’s that?”
“Some wildlings dare block the governor’s gates…”
Before they could finish, their bodies were hurled backward, crashing solidly against the vermilion gates. Their fate remained unknown.
While everyone was stunned, Xu Boqing beckoned with a finger. The stone beast by the gate suddenly sprang to life, soaring forward and smashing the governor’s gates to rubble!
With a tremendous roar, the stone beast rolled into the courtyard, scattering stones and dust.
“Go…”
Xu Boqing glanced at the stunned guards, his expression calm. “Tell Zhou Xuan to come out and see me. Inform him that the Western Depot’s wildlings have come to visit.”
“…”