Chapter 975: Chapter 975

Sun Lianying took a deep breath and continued quickly, "And after you came back, you arrested a bunch of extra officials. It was for a time , to release them and show the entire Capital, to explain to the Pure Stream Party, to give Yuann Li an out?!"

Zhao Douan smiled and nodded: "Just like two armies in battle, if Yuann Li were utterly defeated and couldn’t save anyone, how could he maintain his position? How would those beneath him respect him? Conversely, with the release of these officials, Yuann Li becomes the Party Leader who snatched food from the tiger’s mouth of Your Majesty. Even if only a batch was saved, it would be enough to silence those who doubted. The fear of comparison is universal. Li Yanfu could only retreat when his subordinates were captured, yet Yuann Li could save a batch...at least stronger than Li Yanfu. And for Your Majesty, the goal is achieved; clearing out traitors and showing forgiveness to the innocent demonstrates magnanimity...in this play, the only one who needs to be sacrificed is me. But I am merely a ’Deputy Arresting Officer.’ Once it’s over, if someone won’t let go, worst-case scenario, I request Your Majesty dismiss me...yes, even kill me, it doesn’t matter; right now, I am but a substitute."

He paused, then added calmly, "Of course, all of this is based on the premise that Yuann Li is innocent. Fortunately, after our interrogation, there’s no evidence yet that Mr. Yuan is colluding with the rebels."

When he finished speaking, the only thing in Sun Lianying’s eyes was astonishment.

This complex situation had been resolved by Zhao Douan with such means, and the entire process spanned just a few days.

Comparatively, Zhao Douan, during his early confrontation with Pei Kaizhi and Zhou Cheng, while dealing with the Young Master Li Yinglong, solicited help everywhere, facing personal danger, winning narrowly.

Now, he acts with greater ease, more relaxed and confident.

With a mere gesture, he stirs the court’s winds and clouds.

How is he even slightly similar to the favored minister once despised by both humans and ghosts?

"If I hadn’t seen you grow till now with my own eyes, I would doubt what kind of person you really are." Sun Lianying praised.

...Zhao Douan was silent for a moment, then handed over a pear, "No matter when, I’m always the White Horse Envoy, always your subordinate."

The old eunuch laughed, "You, you..."

Laughing, he felt touched, "I’m old now, can’t help His Majesty much, but with you and Mo Chou by His Majesty’s side, he won’t be so burdened."

Not really... don’t compare me to a eunuch... Zhao Douan complained to himself.

At this point, Zhao Douan suddenly heard footsteps outside, he picked up the white mask on the table and put it on, waving his hand.

The door creaked open on its own.

Qian Kerou and others came back: "Sir, the people have been released."

"Good, it’s done, it’s time for me to return to the palace for a report." The Old Director subtly wiped his eyes with his robe sleeve, stood up, and flicked his horsetail whisk with a smile.

Zhao Douan hurriedly said, "I’ll see you off, Eunuch."

The two walked outside.

The autumn air in the government office was already desolate, with yellow leaves scattered on the ground.

The two walked in front, followed by several eunuchs and Lihua Hall’s Jinyi.

Sun Lianying gazed at the golden autumn breeze and suddenly remembered something, "Recently, the street folks have been comparing you with Xue Shence; a group of people are both openly praising and secretly belittling you. I’ve heard the Golden Autumn Gathering is to be held, and they might invite you."

Golden Autumn Gathering? Zhao Douan was stunned for a moment, the term sounded familiar, he strained his memory and recalled it was a common name for the autumn gatherings in the Capital each year.

Climbing high in autumn, or "autumn outings," composing poetry, or playing games in groups...it was a custom in Yu Country.

Even amidst current conflicts, the Capital city remained stable. Even for consolation, the court didn’t interfere with such autumn gatherings and even encouraged them.

Last autumn, Zhao Douan was absent from a bunch of literary societies in the Capital due to investigating the "Silver Mine Case" in Taicang.

Zhao Douan frowned and said, "I remember that the Golden Autumn Gathering is mostly for literati. Why would they look for an Arresting Officer like me?"

Sun Lianying glanced at him, "Ever since you took that position, many have labeled you as ’Young Master Zhao’s running dog. Do you really believe the literati who’ve been criticizing you recently are only railing at you?"

Goodness, I’ve become my own lackey... Zhao Douan marveled.

Sun Lianying sighed, "You are currently a pivotal figure in the Capital, countless people want to figure you out. Even though the incident with the Qingliu Party has been resolved for now, the literati’s frustrations have not been vented. They will keep their eyes on you."

Zhao Douan chuckled, "Worst case, I just won’t go."

At this point, the two walked out of the government office, ending their conversation.

Zhao Douan watched as the old director’s carriage drove towards the palace.

He stretched, and instructed his secretary, "Prepare the carriage. I need to visit the palace too."

Now that the power struggle had reached a conclusion, he relaxed a bit, ready to enter the palace to see Zhenbao.

Simultaneously, he needed Divine Soul to return to Linfeng’s side, to plan the next steps against Xu Jingtang and Zhao Shixiong.

Before long, Hou Renmeng and Shen Juan brought the carriage, the secretary hugged a bunch of pears and boarded, readying snacks for the master.

As the group turned a street corner, Zhao Douan suddenly looked back at a large carriage parked across the street.

Zhao Douan paused slightly, withdrew his gaze, and continued walking away.

Yuann Li, dressed in a green robe, held a Jade Ruyi, lifting the curtain slightly to watch the ’White-faced Arresting Officer’ walk away into the bustling crowd.

From a distance, Imperial Censor Chen Hong returned, climbed into the carriage, and reported, "Mr. Yuan, the Imperial Prison released a large group. As you predicted, this new Arresting Officer seemed prepared. Should we investigate his identity?"

Yuann Li set down the Jade Ruyi, his weary face relaxing slightly, and sighed lightly, "A splendid act of white face."

He turned, his gaze gentle as he looked at Chen Hong, "In any case, this mess reached a satisfactory conclusion, did it not? Why cause unnecessary trouble? Besides... For someone like him, there are already plenty in the Capital investigating his identity. Let us move on."

The coachman flicked the reins.

The carriage moved forward.

Chen Hong remained silent, holding an inkling that Mr. Yuan wasn’t interested in probing further because he might already know the White-faced Arresting Officer’s true identity.

That person’s stationed in Linfeng with many eyes on him, how could he possibly be here in the Capital?

Suddenly, a courier came galloping down the street from the city gate direction, waving a bright red signal flag, shouting while riding:

"Major Victory on the Eastern Front! Minister Xue has led the army to a great defeat of the Jiancheng Rebel Army!"

From both sides of the street, the people were suddenly invigorated and began to cheer.

Yuann Li also told the coachman to pull to the side, opening the curtain to take a look outside. He saw the crowd making way.

He turned back inside, with delight just visible on his face as Chen Hong entered with joy, "Mr. Yuan! A major victory on the Eastern Front! The court has grown again! Minister Xue truly lives up to being our Great Yu’s Military God. It’s only been a short time, and we already have tidings of victory?" Follow current novels on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥

Yuann Li stroked his beard and nodded, calmly commenting, "With Xue Shence’s strategic talents, aided by the new troops of Divine Machine Camp, if he couldn’t defeat Zhao Shixiong, one would indeed need to question if there were issues. Hmm, we’ve won a battle; why aren’t you all happy?"

On both sides of the street, civillians were also uplifted, cheering.

Someone shouted, "Military God triumphs!"

Sparking a chorus among the crowd.

A victory can resolve many internal conflicts. For the entire court, having recently gone through the turmoil of cleaning up the Qingliu Party, a victory is precisely what was needed.

...The formatting will be updated later.