Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Infantry Department.

After lunch, Chen Mo went to the training grounds of the Infantry Department.

The banners waved vigorously, the Golden Drum resounded in unison.

On the high platform, Chen Mo, in his lightweight armor, frowned slightly as Gao Zheng jogged over, face full of flattery, and before he could speak, Chen Mo slapped him hard.

Gao Zheng looked at Chen Mo with a pitiful expression, ”Sir...”

”Who told you to assemble the entire army?”

”Didn’t you say there was something important, Sir...”

”Still arguing.” Chen Mo kicked Gao Zheng and then said, ”Muster a battalion of soldiers and follow me.”

Gao Zheng quickly sent his subordinates to gather them and then followed Chen Mo with a fawning smile, ”Sir, is there a rebellion somewhere?”

”It’s not a rebellion,” Chen Mo replied.

”Not a rebellion?” Gao Zheng furrowed his brow. If it’s not a rebellion, why activate the Imperial Guard?

It’s important to know that the Imperial Guard can’t be mobilized casually. Unwarranted deployment, at the least, could lead to impeachment, and at worst, could be accused of treason.

”This time we’re collaborating with the Imperial City Department on a case. Don’t ask too many questions, and tell the brothers not to act hastily when the operation begins.” Chen Mo had to brief Gao Zheng on the details first.

Hearing this tone from the superior, Gao Zheng became serious and retreated.

Soon, hundreds of Fire Qilin Army soldiers poured towards the east of the city.

...

The Ministry of Works is subdivided into the Ministry of Industry, Tuntian Bureau, Yu Bureau, and Water Department.

Among them, the Tuntian Bureau controls all land reclamation and is undoubtedly a powerful department.

And Hong Qianyan, as the Director of the Tuntian Bureau, had people seeking his help every day. Initially, people offering gifts entered through the back door, but after allying with Cai Si and Gao Qiu, his behavior became arrogant and undisguised.

Not only did he have people delivering gifts enter through the main gate, but he also blatantly demanded them, openly listing prices.

For example, how many silver taels were needed to get something done...

If you didn’t have the silver taels after seeking him out,

Well, you could forget about getting anything done, and he would forcibly make you gather the silver taels.

However, in this regard, he was honest; as long as you paid, the matter would surely be handled.

As a result, people flocked to him endlessly, nearly trampling down his doorstep.

...

At this moment, outside the Hong Mansion, a crowd had gathered to watch the commotion.

”Oh, the Hong Mansion is in trouble, daring to provoke the Imperial City Department.”

”The Imperial City Department is not to be trifled with; anyone who enters is either dead or will lose a layer of skin.”

”I heard that two days ago, an old man selling fruits on the west side of the city angered the Imperial City Department for some reason and was beaten to death by their people, which was a terrible fate.”

”Hush, keep your voice down. If they hear you, you’ll get a thrashing.”

The onlookers backed away a little.

The Imperial City Department deals with shady business and is notoriously ruthless in Bianliang, earning a reputation that isn’t much better than notorious infamy.

Upon seeing the people of the Imperial City Department outside the Hong Mansion, seemingly in significant numbers,

the citizens knew that the Hong Mansion was nearly finished.

”The Imperial City Department is here under orders to investigate. How dare you block our way? You must have a death wish!” Qi Sanfan, the commander overseeing the case, shouted at the guards of the Hong Mansion who obstructed the investigation.

The guards of the Hong Mansion, accustomed to arrogance due to the family’s connections, weren’t afraid even of the Imperial City Department. The steward of the Hong Mansion said:

”Under orders? Whose orders? Do you have a warrant? My master is currently a guest at Chancellor Cai’s house. Yet you come to the Hong Mansion to investigate; if Chancellor Cai finds out, he won’t spare you.”

With that, the doors of the Hong Mansion slammed shut with a bang.

Qi Sanfan’s expression darkened. These were the orders from above; there were no warrants.

The plan from above was to raid the Hong Mansion first and then present evidence of Hong Qianyan’s crimes.

Just then, an official from the Imperial City Department ran over and whispered something in Qi Sanfan’s ear.

The next moment, everyone felt the ground shaking.

”Thump, thump, thump...”

Orderly steps approached slowly from the end of the street.

”Is it the Imperial Guard?”

”Why has the Imperial Guard been mobilized!”

The townspeople were astonished, feeling the situation had escalated, and the number of onlookers noticeably decreased.

”Surround them; surround the Hong Mansion. Don’t let any of them escape.”

”Disperse, disperse; blood will be shed later, so stop watching.”

Gao Zheng dismounted and began directing.

Upon hearing there would be bloodshed, the onlookers quickly scattered.

Then the Imperial Guard cleared a path, and a white horse rode forward slowly, the man atop particularly striking.

Qi Sanfan hurriedly approached, ”Commander Qi Sanfan of the Imperial City Department, at your service, General Chen Hong?”

However, Chen Mo merely glanced at him indifferently, while Gao Zheng somehow handed over a cup of tea. Chen Mo took it, gently touched the lid over the cup, and then blew onto it softly, ”Let’s begin!”

”Yes, sir.”

Qi Sanfan, feeling emboldened, knocked on the Hong Mansion door again with the Imperial City Department’s henchmen.

”Haven’t I already said...”

”Bang...”

As soon as a crack opened in the Hong Mansion’s door, and before the steward could finish speaking, Qi Sanfan pushed it open forcefully, and the people from the Infantry Department and Imperial City Department surged in.

The steward and guards tried to block them, but Qi Sanfan swiftly beheaded him, shouting:

”Hong Qianyan is guilty of accepting and soliciting bribes, selling official positions, and colluding secretly with merchants of illicit salt. Now that Hong Qianyan has been executed, anyone daring to obstruct will be killed without mercy!

Search the premises!”

”No, stop them! Hurry, notify the madam...”

”Seeking death.”

”Slash...”

”Kill them all!”

...

”These guards of the Hong Mansion are quite bold, daring to resist,” Gao Zheng remarked upon hearing the shouting and killing inside.

”They surely took part in many of Hong Qianyan’s actions, and that’s a capital offense. Fighting back might give them a chance at survival,” Chen Mo replied.

Soon, a blood-stained officer emerged, ”Sir, it’s done.”

At this point, Chen Mo had finished his tea, ”Let’s go inside and have a look.”

Saying that, he rode into the Hong Mansion.

...

Meanwhile.

Prime Minister’s Mansion.

After the morning court session ended, Hong Qianyan was called to the Prime Minister’s Mansion by Cai Si.

He had been there since then.

No matter how he asked, Cai Si wouldn’t say.

Even a fool would sense something was amiss, and Hong Qianyan was about to ask again.

Cai Si finally spoke, ”It’s about time.”

”Benevolent one,” Hong Qianyan was stunned.

”Qianyan, your matter has been exposed,” Cai Si said solemnly.

Hong Qianyan’s expression changed, then he said, ”With you, Benevolent One...”

Yet before he could finish, Cai Si raised a hand to stop him, saying, ”Listen to what I have to say.

Qianyan, you have been with me for a long time, and you should know the rules.

Hold your tongue, and I guarantee the safety of your family.”