Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  Opposition was pointless. Admiral Chang Kun had been assassinated. Adding to that fact, when the black-clothed assassin had escaped, there was something strange going on among the naval archers. As the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, Fan Xian was the highest-ranking official on site and noblest person, coincidentally. Being in charge of the aftermath, he used this excuse to forcefully reject Dang Xiaobo’s suggestion. Although the officers of the Jiaozhou Navy were fearful, there was nothing they could do. 

  In a moment, 300 provincial soldiers directly subordinate to the Jiaozhou Zhizhou imposingly surrounded the admiral’s manor. The navy soldiers and archers originally stationed outside the perimeter looked at each other and, finally, on receiving Deputy General Dang’s glance, gave up their weapons. For the moment, they were watched in the large garden in the back of the admiral’s manor. 

  At this time, the Jiaozhou gates were closed. Another 200 provincial soldiers began to trace that black-clothed assassin. However, the officials and generals earlier had all watched Sir Fan junior battle that assassin. The thought, if Commissioner Fan could not hold down the assassin, what good was it to send out these provincial soldiers who only had normal martial ability? 

  Dang Xiaobo glanced at his disarmed subordinates and then looked at the provincial soldiers, who had finally turned the tables and were excitedly stationed outside the garden. A quickly hidden glimmer of cold flashed through his eyes. The admiral had died too strangely, and Sir Fan junior had come too strangely. Furthermore, after the Overwatch Council had arrived, the assassination had happened. The other party had used this major event to forcefully take away the weapons of the navy soldiers and moved the provincial guards to surround the admiral’s manor. All these strange things meant that matters were not that simple. 

  It was not until now that Fan Xian let out a breath. As long as he trapped the important generals of the navy in the city, he had reached one of his goals. 

  This was a proper beheading tactic. First, he killed Chang Kun, who had the deepest manor of the Jiaozhou navy officials and held the highest official position, then he shut the various heads and brains of the navy into the admiral’s manor. Even if the tens of thousands of navy soldiers were one giant dragon, at this time, the dragon had no head. Even if they made a clamor, they had lowered the damage to the lowest point. 

  For this goal, Fan Xian had truly worked very hard. Yan Bingyun was far away in Jingdou and could not help plan the details of this event, so the entire order of events was arranged by Fan Xian himself. Because of Jiaozhou navy’s connection to the Junshang Conference, Fan Xian had been wary. He did not want to disturb the grass to startle the snake. Adding to the fact he was not very confident in his plan, he did not bring the people of the Qinian Unit. They were all his trusted aides. If something went wrong and they had to die with the Jiaozhou navy, Fan Xian could not give them up. He had come alone with the Shadow to cooperate with the Jiaozhou plan. If they really could not control the tens of thousands of people, he and the Shadow had enough power to lead the 400 Black Knights and ride away. 

  In order to ensure the surprise of the move, he had purposely spent a few more days in Wuzhou and used the excuse of visiting relatives in Danzhou to hide his true movements. 

  What he wanted was the element of surprise. If people on the Eldest Princess’ side had come too, although he was a fake prince and Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, he could not wipe clean the Jiaozhou Navy. 

  This was a last resort. If they had investigated the case properly, even with the Overwatch Council’s aid, Fan Xian would still not be able to find evidence to use against the cunning Chang Kun. Once the true martial force clashed and caused a mutiny, Fan Xian and the 400 Black Knights with him would not be able to defend against 10,000 soldiers face to face. Although the Overwatch Council had hidden members in Jiaozhou, other than the eight people with him, Fan Xian did not want to use them until it was the most important moment. 

  He slowly turned around and looked coldly at the navy generals behind him, whose faces were either the color of dirt or very angry. Laughing coldly, Fan Xian thought that since the Emperor had wanted him to steady Jiangnan and subdue the navy, most of these familiar faces had to die. 

  He knew that the Jiaozhou Navy couldn’t have completely been controlled by Chang Kun alone. There had to be some generals and soldiers who were loyal to the court. When the Jiaozhou Navy had gone to the little island on the East Sea to silence everyone in spring, for this almost rebellious act, Chang Kun must have only dared to mobilize troops under his personal command. Tonight, he wanted to see clearly, of the navy generals standing in front of him, which were loyal and which were traitors. 

  As for the man called Dang Xiaobo, Fan Xian warmly said, “Deputy General Dang, how do you think this matter should be dealt with?” 

  Dang Xiaobo was panicking in his heart. He was calculating whether or not the trusted aide he had sent out had made it before the city gates were closed. Suddenly hearing this warmly asked question, his heart stuttered and he answered sorrowfully, “The admiral has unfortunately been assassinated. Everything is up you to decide……this matter is a major one, I think that an extra urgent post should be immediately sent to report this matter to Jingdou.” 

  Although he said for Fan Xian to take charge, he kept saying this ought to be reported to Jingdou. As long as the news of the Jiaozhou admiral’s death was immediately spread out, Fan Xian, being in Jiaozhou, would be hard put to avoid suspicion for simply being there. He would probably act more carefully when handling matters. Fan Xian understood the man’s meaning and couldn’t help but nod his head in approval, but he was thinking that if he had known there was such a talent in the Jiaozhou Navy, he would have taken him for himself rather than sending in Jichang to brave such danger. 

  However, Chang Kun had already died, so this case had to be investigated. Fan Xian knew that Dang Xiaobo was someone he had to get rid of immediately and made up his mind to not allow him to leave his side. He lightly said, “This is a serious matter, of course, it must be immediately reported to the Emperor, however……” 

  The direction of his words changed and drew the attention of everyone in the garden. 

  “The admiral has unluckily been killed by traitors,” Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and said with incomparable chilliness. “Once this news gets out, I’m afraid it will shock the court and have a had effect on the people. Putting aside the court’s dignity, even for the peace of the country, to prevent those sinister traitors outside the city from using this matter to cause mischief, this news must be suppressed……the Jiaozhou Navy and Overwatch Council will send a secret memorial to Jingdou at the same time to relate the whole story of tonight clearly to the court.” 

  He coldly stared at the people. “But, within three days, if I hear that the Jiaozhou people have learned of the specifics of tonight and any negative rumors, don’t blame me for being merciless.” 

  The generals thought about it for a bit. Such handling of the matter indeed made sense, so they all nodded. Only Dang Xiaobo cried out bitterly in his heart. He gave meaningful looks to Admiral Chang’s trusted aides. If the matter was handled as Fan Xian wanted, the outside world would not know what had happened in the admiral’s manor, news inside and outside would be completely severed. Looking at the attitudes of the local Jiaozhou officials, he and the other navy generals were going to be like turtles in a container, nowhere to stick their mouths and no way to escape. 

  Not giving Dang Xiaobo too much time to think, Fan Xian coldly said, “Everyone, for such a thing to happen tonight……it’s truly……” His brows did not affect a sorrowful expression, on the contrary, it was self-mockingly helpless. “None of us can escape responsibility. I’ll have to trouble everyone to stay in this garden for a few days to wait for things to be cleared up.” 

  Once this order went out, it was effectively putting the navy generals under house arrest. 

  Immediately following this was arranging the admiral’s funeral matters. Fan Xian no longer interfered. He stood to the side to watch the navy generals sorrowfully handling the matter. He absolutely did not allow that Dang Xiaobo to leave his line of sight. As for the matter of purchasing, it could temporarily be put on pause. But looking at this scene with cold eyes, looking at Chang Kun’s body that had already been lifted onto a bed, Fan Xian couldn’t help being a bit distracted. This general was one of the old people from the Northern expedition all those years ago. From these generals’ heartfelt sorrow, it was possible to see that Chang Kun’s prestige in the military was very high while the washing of the little island on the East Sea with blood showed this person’s ruthless’ methods. 

  He had died just like this. 

  Fan Xian shook his head self-mockingly. His favorite quote from his previous life was, “Those who wield the pen will, in the end, not defeat those who wield the gun.” No matter what schemes and plans, nothing was as useful as martial power. Of course, this required the martial power to be sufficiently strong. Plots and martial power each had their uses. His assassination of Chang Kun, just which side did that lean to? 

  Tossing these random thoughts from his head, he related to Jiaozhou Zhizhou Wu Gefei in a low voice some matters to pay attention to, then he led a few of the important figures of the navy generals along with Wu Gefei toward the meeting room in the back of the admiral’s manor. 

  The meeting room was actually the study, however, the space was very large and the candle holders were very extravagant. 

  Fan Xian narrowed his eyes like he had not seen the furnishings inside and sat down in the main seat, calling for the others to sit as well. Wu Gefei sat silently at Fan Xian’s side. At this moment, the Jiaozhou Zhizhou had woken from the earlier shock and Fan Xian’s trust, and felt that today’s matter was indeed too startling. 

  The navy generals’ expressions were even more complicated. They didn’t know what Sir Fan junior would say. 

  “The Emperor had a secret edict……for Sir Chang Kun.” Fan Xian sighed. Standing up, he took out a sealed letter from his clothes. Looking at it, he said, “However, as Sir Chang suddenly met an unfortunate end, this secret letter can only be read to you all.” 

  Dang Xiaobo started. Raising his sleeve to wipe at the beads of sweat on his forehead, he didn’t know whether it was because the weather was too hot or because he was sorrowful over his superior’s death. In any case, his spirit was a bit tired, he said, sincerely, “Sir, it does not fit precedent.” 

  Fan Xian’s gaze flickered down and he lightly said, “Shut up, it is enough to keep your ears open.” 

  Having already reached this point, what else was there to say? With Zhizhou Wu Gefei kneeling first, Dang Xiaobo gritted his teeth and knelt at the same time with the other two navy generals in front of Fan Xian. 

  Fan Xian glanced directly at the people kneeling in front him, coughing lightly, he said, “Imparting the Emperor’s verbal orders, listen to each word carefully.” 

  \r \r \r 

  “Yes.” The four people replied in unison. 

  “Chang Kun, it has been two years since we saw each other. I have three things I don’t understand and cannot rest well. Turning it over and over, I had to speak directly to you to feel at ease, thus I have had Fan Xian come ask you face to face in my stead.” 

  Fan Xian lowered his brows, reading. On this letter was written the Qing Emperor’s own words that had been directly sent over from the Palace. It was truly a verbal order. 

  The four people below listening to this verbal order felt a chill run through their hearts. They could tell that when the Emperor had said these words, his mood had been very bad. 

  Particularly Dang Xiaobo felt that the sweat on his back had formed a small river only to hear Fan Xian’ voice ring out coldly again. 

  “The first thing I do not understand, are you lacking for money? Have I neglected your official salary? Or is the manor that the capital gave you too small? 

  The second thing I do not understand, are you old and muddled? Back during our Northern expeditions, you were a clever fellow, how could you be so stupid now? 

  “The third thing I do not understand……” 

  Reading to here, Fan Xian paused slightly and sighed in his heart. Although the Qing Emperor was not in front of him at this moment, and Chang Kun, who was originally meant to hear this verbal order, had already been assassinated by him, Fan Xian still could feel a thread of the Qing Emperor’s anger and strong disappointment. 

  The Admiral Chang Kun was a close official of the Qing Emperor when he went with him on the Northern expedition, otherwise, it was impossible for him to control such a military power like the Jiaozhou Navy alone. Jiaozhou controlled Dongyi to the North and Jiangnan to the South. It was very important. 

  But, such an official that the Emperor trusted without question had betrayed the Emperor and secretly sent out soldiers to help the Jiangnan Ming family and had massacred countless souls on the little island. 

  Fan Xian looked at the letter. Hs eyelids drooped weakly, quietly thinking that the Emperor was so hurt and disappointed because of the reason Director Chen had once said. What the Emperor could accept the least was someone he trusted betraying him and lying to him. 

  So, Chang Kun had to die, except the Emperor was still not satisfied and wanted to viciously scold him before he died. Unfortunately, Fan Xian did not have the desire to help the Emperor complete his wish. 

  He composed himself and continued to read. 

  “.……your heart, has it been eaten by a dog? If you don’t answer well, I will have Fan Xian take your body to feed it to the wild dogs on the Northern plains, that place where you had once risked life and limb with me. You know how those wild dogs love to bite at people’s faces.” 

  A sinister wind seemed to start up in the study after Fan Xian imparted the Emperor’s verbal orders, cold and wet. 

  Jiaozhou Zhizhou Wu Gefei never thought that the Emperor’s verbal orders would be this kind of content. He had no idea how Chang Kun had made the Emperor so mad, and so he could only gape with his large mouth to express confusion and shock. 

  The faces of the three high-ranking navy officials had already become very pale. Dang Xiaobo’s back was still sweating, but it immediately became as piercing as ice water. 

  The three generals kept their heads on the ground and repeatedly kowtowed. They did not dare open their mouths to ask nor open their mouths to explain, Although the verbal orders had been vicious, they had not mentioned Chang Kun’s specific crime. 

  The anger of the Emperor, although it was only on a piece of paper, was still not something these navy leaders could stand against. ……

  Fan Xian had already slowly sat back down. He did not call for the four kneeling people to rise. Faintly he said, “Everything understood? Today, I had come to handle a case, the case was……Chang Kun’s case. However, he had died ahead of time. It has really caught me by surprise.” 

  Dang Xiaobo gritted his teeth and straightened his body. Without any fear, he gazed directly at Fan Xian’s eyes and said, “Excuse me for being so bold as to dare to ask what case the Commissioner was handling by order of imperial edict? The admiral has performed meritorious services for the control and has worked hard guarding the borders. I truly do not understand what crime……I’m afraid that Jiaozhou is far away and the Emperor has been fooled by some evil base person……” 

  Fan Xian’s gaze gradually became icy. 

  Dang Xiaobo’s teeth were about to shatter before he managed to finish his words. “I hope the Commissioner will investigate carefully and give him justice. Do not chill the hearts of the tens of thousands of soldiers who work hard to guard the borders for the court!” 

  Fan Xian was silent. He only looked coldly at Dang Xiaobo’s eyes. 

  After some silence, the atmosphere in the study immediately became tense. 

  “What crime?” Fan Xian icy cold voice broke through the silence. “Does colluding secretly with Dongyi not count as a crime? As a border guarding navy, secretly organizing the smuggling of palace treasury goods, does that count as a crime? Colluding with Jiangnan merchants to become bandits and create chaos……does that count as a crime?” 

  “Secretly moving the navy out of the harbor and killing people on an island in the sea to help traitors cover their traces……” Fan Xian voice grew angrier and angrier. He stared at Dang Xiaobo and said, “The daring of the Jiaozhou Navy……is truly very big. If these don’t count as crimes, then what counts as a crime?” 

  He suddenly rose and looked at the four kneeling people with narrowed eyes. “You ask that the court not chill the hearts of tens and thousands of soldiers, but your actions are even more shameless than those bloodthirsty pirates. Are you not afraid of chilling the court’s heart, of chilling the people’s heart……of chilling the Emperor’s heart?” 

  While Fan Xian was speaking vehemently, his gaze had actually been focused on the three navy generals of the four people. Dang Xiaobo still had an expression of devout loyalty and injustice while of the two other generals, one’s gaze was shrinking while the other was shocked mixed with disbelief as if he had not known of the matter at all. 

  Fan Xian did not care whether or not this person’s acting was first rate, there was time for testing later. 

  Dang Xiaobo said loudly and with great pain, “One can always trump up a charge against someone else. If the Overwatch Council wants to frame us, the navy, we will certainly not be content. The admiral’s body is not yet cold, how could you have the heart to force us so?” 

  Fan Xian smiled coldly, “You want evidence?” 

  Dang Xiaobo gritted his teeth and said, “Yes, even a beheading is only a bowl-sized wound. No matter what, I cannot die without understanding.” As he said these righteous words, his heart was incomparably nervous. He wished desperately that the troops outside Jiaozhou would be able to receive the message, kill their way in, and scoop these navy generals out of the garden. 

  As for whether or not that counted as rebellion, he couldn’t worry about that for now.

  Chapter 418: A Night Of Drugging People But Not Killing Them 

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  Fan Xian looked at him and said, “I am here to investigate the case. For such things as evidence, how can any be found if there isn’t an investigation? However, you can rest assured, I am not stupid enough to shoulder the crime of privately killing a general.” 

  Dang Xiaobo’s heart suddenly chilled. Concerning the admiral’s unusual death, he thought of a possibility that had not occurred to him before. 

  “The navy, for at least tonight, will not be entering the city,” Fan Xian said. “I have one night of time to make you all confess.” 

  Thinking of the Overwatch Council’s rumored methods, the three navy generals couldn’t help but feel their blood run cold. Dang Xiaobo’s eyes were bulging. Staring at Fan Xian’s eyes, he viciously said, “Are you planning to beat out a confession? Are you not afraid……” 

  “Of causing a mutiny?” Fan Xian rubbed his fingers. “If you have the ability to cause a mutiny, show me.” 

  Although the words were spoken casually, he still felt some worry in his heart. He didn’t know whether or not those 400 Black Knights could give him enough time. He had to purge the Jiaozhou Navy, but he also couldn’t allow the most important town in Qing Kingdom to break out into chaos. He had to have the navy generals’ confessions before daylight came. At the same time, he had to find the trustworthy generals and have them reassure the tens of thousands of soldiers outside the city. 

  This was truly a difficult problem. 

  Dang Xiaobo’s face was deathly pale and flickered through a number of expressions. He seemed to be balancing the loss and gains of the matter. However, he knew that the city gates were now closed and the admiral’s manor had already become isolated. If their own people wanted to rescue them, it was impossible for them to arrive immediately. To suffer at the hands of the Overwatch Council for a night, even immortals couldn’t stand that. 

  However, there were still a dozen navy generals outside. Although those close navy soldiers had been relieved of their weapons, they still had battle power. 

  A glimmer of solemnness flashed through Dang Xiaobo’s eyes. He finally saw clearly the young noble’s true thoughts. In a slightly raspy voice, he clearly stated, “Sir did not come to Jiaozhou to investigate a case……rather, you are here to kill people.” 

  Fan Xian lowered his head slightly. He didn’t refute his words. He smiled slightly and said, “You’re not completely wrong. The crimes I listed earlier, you know the truth in your heart. Even if heaven and earth do not know what you have done, someone still knows. It is an old account, and it’s time to repay it today.” 

  Dang Xiaobo lost hope. As Chang Kun’s foremost confidant, he knew about the navy interfering in Jiangnan matters as well as the various secret acts against the court. He knew that it would be difficult for him to escape this, so he was determined to have one fight. 

  Fan Xian seemed to have seen the thoughts in the depths of his heart. Slowly, he said, “Touch me……and that’s truly a rebellion.” 

  Dang Xiaobo’s expression changed again. Suddenly, he rose tall and angrily said, “Even if you are a prince, even if you are a ninth-level ace, if you want to beat out a confession……it’s still impossible!” 

  As his words fell, he struck toward Fan Xian with one palm. ……

  The person who had truly struck was the cowering general kneeling on the ground. This general had gotten a straight knife from somewhere. With a wild cry, he slashed toward Fan Xian’s throat. His strike made the wind whistle. It held an aura of metallic blood that came from the military. It was very terrifying. 

  Dang Xiaobo, unexpectedly, flipped his body. With one palm raised in defense in front of his body, his entire body broke through the study’s door. Escaping into the garden, he began to yell in a loud voice. 

  Fan Xian looked at the approaching knife with cold eyes. With the touch of his finger, he touched it to the general’s wrist. His left hand flipped and lifted the desk beside him, easily throwing the heavy wooden table over. 

  With a muffled crash, the wooden table fell apart and woodchips flew everywhere. Fan Xian extended his hand into the flying pieces. When he drew it back, there was an extra knife. 

  Fresh blood poured out from the general’s head and his arms were full of splintered wood. His head seemed to have been smashed into his shoulders. 

  The dying general gazed dumbstruck and speechlessly at Fan Xian in front of him. His brain buzzed and disturbed his last thoughts. He could not understand why the strike he had sent out only had the appearance of power. Where had all his internal strength cultivation gone? Even at this moment, he still did not know that there was a big problem with the wine he had drunk tonight. 

  Fan Xian did not even look at him. He only had the two people kneeling on the ground rise. Looking at Wu Gefei, he smiled gently and said, “You saw it all. I wanted to investigate the case, Deputy General Dang Xiaobo knew that his crimes had been revealed and showed the signs of his treachery in front of the might of heaven. He incited his subordinate to act violently to try and assassinate me.” 

  He rambled on for a while. In reality, it was just to find a not very good excuse. Wu Gefei’s teeth clattered. Unable to say a single word in his fear, he managed with great difficulty to nod his head. 

  Fan Xian nodded his head with satisfaction. His left hand flipped and plunged the knife in his hand into the chest of that general. Fresh blood sprayed out. The general gave a muffled groan and died. ……

  By the time Fan Xian led Wu Gefei and the navy general, whose coloring was not very good, out into the garden, the situation in the garden was completely different from earlier. Amid Dang Xiaobo’s random screeching and cries of slander, the navy generals waiting to be investigated in the garden had all gathered to one area. Their eyes were filled with caution and viciousness. 

  Dang Xiaobo had already made his announcement. He told his colleagues what the Overwatch Council was like, what the civil officials in the capital were like, the admiral’s strange death, and that the Overwatch Council wanted to use this opportunity to capture people and to wipe out the navy generals in one fell swoop. 

  Some of the generals were confused. The Overwatch Council always had a good relationship with the military side. Although everyone in officialdom knew that the Overwatch Council was the most disgusting and shameless yamen in the world, but……why would the Overwatch Council want to defeat the Jiaozhou Navy? What good did this bring to Sir Fan junior? If Sir Fan junior was here today to take military power, then why did he only bring eight subordinates? 

  Some of the generals only half believed Dang Xiaobo’s words. The guess that the court would secretly harm the admiral was too shocking a thought, however, the navy leaders still felt that tonight’s atmosphere was not normal. The Overwatch Council people and Sir Fan junior must have had an agenda. Furthermore, there was the body of Chang Kun, who had led the navy for more than 10 years, still lying stiffly on the bed. In the back, the concubines were still sobbing. 

  Chang Kun had too many trusted aides among the Jiaozhou Navy. Although the situation was still not clear, a few generals had already taken hold of weapons in their hands and stood behind Dang Xiaobo. They all felt the danger. The admiral’s manor had already been surrounded, and the city gates had already been closed. The navy soldiers in the harbor in the sea had no idea their leaders had essentially been put under house arrest in the city. If the Overwatch Council wanted to use this opportunity to kill people, this was the best situation. 

  Under the drive of the navy generals, the navy soldiers who had originally surrendered their weapons began to make a din and faced off against the Jiaozhou provincial soldiers. Step by step, they pushed forward. The situation appeared to be very tense. 

  It was only Fan Xian who was not nervous. 

  He coldly evaluated everyone in the garden. He furrowed his brows and said coldly, “What? Do you want to rebel?” 

  Fan Xian was a full powered Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. At this moment, his position as a Jiangnan Road imperial envoy had not yet been removed. As long as Jingdou did not have a new edict, no matter where he was, his words represented the might of the Qing Emperor. Even those as brave as the Jiaozhou Navy did not ignore this point. 

  Furthermore, everyone under heaven knew that this young and handsome nobility in front of them was actually a seed of the dragon. 

  The navy generals couldn’t resist stealing a glance at Dang Xiaobo. They wanted to see how they should act next. Dang Xiaobo’s buttocks were already sitting on the tiger’s body. He knew that if he did not rebel, he would certainly be a ruined body by the end of the night. But, if he was to rebel, what excuse could he use? 

  “It’s him! He killed the admiral!” Dang Xiaobo said wretchedly, smiling like he was crazy. “How there be such a coincidental thing in this world. The moment you, Commissioner Fan, arrived our old general died tragically for no reason……Sir Fan junior! You’re truly ruthless……without evidence, you rashly killed a pillar of the nation. How will you explain yourself to the court in the future?” 

  Naturally, he did not know that Chang Kun had died at Fan Xian’s hands. However, at this moment, he had to frame it in this way. Unexpectedly, it had actually aligned with the truth. 

  Fan Xian looked at him calmly and said, “The admiral’s death……you know the reason for it the best. You’re right, even if that assassin did not kill him, I……would have killed him.” 

  A clamor rose in the garden. The navy generals looked with great anger at Fan Xian. 

  Fan Xian continued in a light voice, “Chang Kun betrayed his country. If he didn’t commit suicide for his crimes, there would be someone who wanted to silence him. Deputy General Dang……” he ridiculed, “perhaps you were also involved? Otherwise, why would you be so scared? Why would you talk so irresponsibly?” 

  Dang Xiaobo knew that the other general had already died because of Fan Xian’s hands. Feeling his heart grow colder, he gritted his teeth and said, “I still say the same. You can always trump up charges against someone.” 

  \r \r \r 

  Everyone in the garden was dumbstruck while Wu Gefei and that navy general who had already heard the Emperor’s secret edict stood awkwardly not far behind Fan Xian. 

  Betray the country? The admiral betrayed the country? 

  “You want evidence?” Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and said. “Let me ask you. In March and April, did a fleet of ships and soldiers from the navy leave the port for a month?” 

  To the side, immediately someone remembered. At that time, the admiral had used the order for capturing bandits close to shore and framed it as an exercise maneuver. 

  While those trusted aides of Chang Kun who had been involved in this matter had faces the color of dirt. Thinking of the countless people killed on that little island, they unconsciously glanced toward Deputy General Dang Xiaobo again. 

  Dang Xiaobo laughed coldly, “Going out to sea to capture bandits is part of the navy’s duties.” 

  “Capturing bandits? Why has it still not been reported to the Bureau of Military Affairs?” Fan Xian asked with narrowed eyes. “Those pirates were the Ming family’s private army. I went to Jiangnan by imperial edict to investigate the matter. If it were not for you silencing them, the Ming family would have long fallen……you are truly very daring to stand in opposition to the court. If this isn’t rebellion, then what is it?” 

  “Evidence……” Dang Xiaobo cried out loudly. 

  “Is there really no evidence?” Fan Xian suddenly smiled very warmly. “There will always be loose mouths of the thousands of soldiers taken to the island, there will always be those who repent sincerely. Is there truly no one who remembers what that navy squadron did? The gold and treasures that you found on the island, they must have been the reward given to you by those people……do you think it is that easy to wash clean? Do you think that if you sell it, I won’t be able to find where it came from?” 

  Without waiting for Dang Xiaobo to argue in front of the generals, Fan Xian spoke again coldly, “I also have a witness, however……do you want it at this?” 

  Dang Xiaobo shared a meaningful glance with a few of Chang Kun’s trusted aides behind him. He knew that whether or not the court had evidence, in any case, the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council was here to kill. He set his heart and a wretched smile gradually grew on his face, “It’s always that old trick of trying to frame us, then……let us all burn indiscriminately.” 

  Immediately following that, he roared, “Brothers, the Overwatch Council killed the admiral. They are certain to kill us to keep us silent. Fight him to the end!” ……

  Fan Xian watched this scene with the trace of a smile. All was silent outside the city, which meant that everything was under control. There was no harm in enjoying this a little more. 

  “Zhizhou Wu,” he smiled warmly and said, “the court is looking at you.” 

  Wu Gefei felt his heart clench. Chang Kun had already died, and he was a figure without a faction. He knew which team he should stand with. However, in the depths of his heart, he was still very worried about the tens of thousands of soldiers outside the city. Having spent many years under the pressure of the Jiaozhou Navy, he truly did not dare to clash head-on with the navy, however, looking at Fan Xian’s warm but pressuring smile, he finally set his heart. In a stern voice, he called, “Where are the provincial soldiers? Keep an eye on those navy figures!” 

  The provincial soldiers, who slightly feared the Jiaozhou navy, heard the Zhizhou’s shout and forced themselves to attention. They suppressed the navy soldiers who were beginning to stir. After a tussle, knife blades against fists, it was actually the provincial soldiers that injured a dozen people. Fortunately, there were a lot of people and nothing happened. 

  Meanwhile, Dang Xianbo had already taken a few of the generals who had been involved in the little island on the East Sea matter and charged toward Fan Xian with his knife drawn. 

  It was nothing more than your death or mine! 

  Even if you are a prince, you have to pay some price! 

  These navy generals had all been tested through fire and blood. They attacked powerfully. Even Fan Xian, a ninth-level ace, did not overly underestimate them. However, he did not make a move. He just coldly watched as the generals slowly fell down in front of him. 

  Dang Xiaobo already swept to Wu Gefei’s side, preparing to use him as a hostage. He knew that no matter what, it would be impossible for him to curry favor from Fan Xian. To adapt so quickly and think so deeply, he was indeed an incredible figure. 

  Unfortunately, he was just like his colleagues. He raised his zhenqi and felt a stuffiness in his chest before his entire body softened. 

  Drugs? 

  Dang Xiaobo thought of the rumors of the Overwatch Council’s methods and couldn’t help feeling shocked. 

  Then, a knife was pushed through the right side of his chest. That pain made him curl up like a shrimp, lying limply in front of Wu Gefei.

  Wu Gefei had been heavily scared by Dang Xiaobo’s last struggle for life, and his legs felt a little weak. 

  The person that had stabbed Dang Xiaobo was one of the eight Overwatch Council agents that Fan Xian had brought into the admiral’s manor. He was standing at the very end. 

  The agent withdrew his blood covered short knife and bowed to Fan Xian. Although silent, the hands were holding the hilt of the knife were trembling slightly, whether from fear or from excitement. 

  Fan Xian turned slightly, gazing at Dang Xiaobo, whose eyes were filled with venom, at his feet. Evenly, he said, “This person is called Qing Wa……he is the sole survivor from that little island on the East Sea. He has seen your true appearance. He is a witness. You won’t survive.” 

  Dang Xiaobo lost all hope, thinking, He had combed through the island multiple times. How could there still be a survivor? 

  The Overwatch Council agent that had been directly transferred from Jiangnan Suzhou to go undercover in Jiaozhou, Qing Wa, bowed once more to Fan Xian with slightly red eyes then retreated to stand by Zhizhou Wu. ……

  Fan Xian turned around, coldly watching the provincial soldiers binding up the navy soldiers and gently nodded his head. The matters in the city had pretty much been completed, but what about matters outside the city? 

  The Emperor had sent him to Jiaozhou, but it was not to have him kill the 10,000 soldiers. He also did not have that power. After all, he was not his blind uncle. Purging the top levels of the navy and ensuring that the navy’s military heart was stabilized, that was what was most important. 

  Just like being in Jiangnan, as an Emperor, stability was the most important thing to wish for. 

  Fan Xian took a deep breath. First, he killed Chang Kun, then he subdued the generals. From top to bottom, only this could ensure that the other party would not gather the strength of the military and proceed to counterattack. They only needed to put the control of the Jiaozhou Navy back into the court’s hands. At this moment, they still needed these navy generals to make an appearance. 

  He gazed at those generals who had not participated in assassinating him and were keeping quiet out of fear. He couldn’t stop himself frowning. Who was trustworthy among these people? Were there still any of Chang Kun’s trusted aides left behind? Although the Overwatch Council’s reports were very detailed, this involved people’s hearts and tens of thousands of the Qing Kingdom’s soldiers, so Fan Xian still found it difficult. 

  “Tonight’s matter will have to trouble you all, generals,” Fan Xian said sincerely. “With the court handling a case, even though the chief offender has been taken, there is always some paperwork. Who will come first to have a heart-to-heart with me?” 

  The generals’ mouths were closed tightly. The gaze with which they looked at Fan Xian was complicated. The first was fear, second was anger, and the third was helplessness. 

  The admiral was dead, Deputy General Dang was heavily injured and uncertain whether alive or not, their longtime colleagues had been knocked out by the Overwatch Council’s use of drugs, and the navy’s soldiers had been bound up by those dogs. This sudden storm had shocked the navy generals to their core and brought forth incomparable anger and hatred. 

  They all understood what Sir Fan junior wanted to do. There were still ten thousand soldiers outside the city. If he didn’t have these old bones go out to suppress them, if these navy soldiers knew what had happened in the city, it would certainly cause chaos. 

  The court definitely did not want Jiaozhou to have problems. 

  Thus, the court still needed these people. 

  This only left the navy generals with one reliable path: they had to bargain with Fan Xian. However, in front of everyone with the newly dead admiral, no navy general dared to brave the wrath of tens of thousands of people to come out and negotiate with Fan Xian. 

  Fan Xian immediately understood the reason and couldn’t help smiling slightly. “Then, please return to your rooms to rest. In a while, I……will come personally to talk.” 

  Finishing these words, he glanced at the old general that had listened to the Emperor’s secret edict in the study, the third-ranked figure in the navy.