Rising Phoenix

"Thirteen military officials were involved, and I have already sent a letter requesting General Commander Lyu's assistance in the matter." Tao Shifeng explained. "We are unable to casually intervene in military matters, and even Master Zhou needs to negotiate with General Commander Lyu."

The Tian Sheng Dynasty's military was separated into border armies and provincial troops. Every province hosted local government forces controlled by the General Commander, the highest local military authority and direct subordinates to the Five Armies Department of the Imperial Court. Although the Commissioner was the head of the three local departments, some powers were still outside their control. It was no wonder that Zhou Xizhong and Tao Shifeng had not already acted on the military forces involved in dispossessing the land.

"What has General Commander Lyu said?"

"The General Commander is watching the Minnan border. As soon as the army marched, the Imperial Court had General Commander Lyu assume personal command over Hui Long County and the grain supply. But Master Wei can rest assured, as soon he received the letter he began rushing back. He is probably already meeting with Master Zhou." Tao Shifeng replied. "Master Lyu is a just man and has never practices nepotism or colluded for personal game. Trusting him with this matter will surely lead to a fair outcome."

"En."

Feng Zhiwei turned back to the files; as she worked her way through, she noticed a faint nail mark underneath the case involving the Qianshi Official of Military Commission.

She paused a moment before reaching for the man's file; he had a perfectly normal personnel record. He began his career as an ordinary soldier in Shannan Province, and after many achievements, he was promoted over and over until he transferred to South Sea Province and took on the position of Qianshi. All of his battles were detailed: all three battles against the Da Yue Dynasty in the First Year of Chang Xi; the battle against Xi Liang in the Fifth Year of Chang Xi; and the battle against the barbarian tribes of the Hundred Thousand Mountains in the Seventh Year of Chang Xi.

Everything was there. Was something wrong?

"This Qianshi is quite the character." Tao Shifeng commented, looking over her shoulder. "I hear he's quite short-tempered and has quarreled often with Master Lyu. The Commander dislikes him greatly, and he probably deserves what's coming."

Feng Zhiwei had already closed her eyes, slowly thinking back to the different officials Ning Yi had introduced her to when they arrived in South Sea.

Ning Yi must have been listening to Ning Cheng read the files and heard something peculiar, but had no time to figure out the matter so could only make a mark.

So what was wrong?"

"Master Tao, I wish to borrow your fourth-rank and higher Official personnel files." Feng Zhiwei asked a moment later.

"Impossible." Tao Shifeng immediately replied. "The personnel files of our officials cannot be leaked."

"As the Imperial Envoy to the South Sea Province, I order you." Feng Zhiwei commanded, thrusting the Imperial Envoy Seal into Tao Shifeng's face.

The man's expression grew troubled, and finally he replied: "I cannot be…"

"I will take full responsibility." Feng Zhiwei interjected firmly.

A large stack of personnel files were brought over and Tao Shifeng respectfully took his leave. Feng Zhiwei ignored the huge mountain of paper and went directly to Lyu Bo's file.

She had lied about needing the files of the other officials, she only wanted to check Lyu Bo.

As she flipped through the pages, her pale face illuminated only by the oil lamp, a cold smile grew on her face.

All three battles against the Da Yue Dynasty in the First Year of Chang Xi; the battle against Xi Liang in the Fifth Year of Chang Xi; and the battle against the barbarian tribes of the Hundred Thousand Mountains in the Seventh Year of Chang Xi… Lyu Bo's file was almost identical to the Qianshi official's.

Feng Zhiwei turned back to the Qianshi's file, and as she had expected, she found a dismissal in the Eighth Year of Chang Xi.

The barbarian tribes of the Hundred Thousand Mountains had rebelled in the Seventh Year of Chang Xi. It was only after the Imperial Court sent out armies three times that the rebellion was suppressed — taking advantage of familiar terrain and harsh mountains, the barbarian tribes successfully defeated and killed many Imperial Court Generals. After the first two disastrous battles, many people were punished and dismissed.

This Qianshi faced dismissal and was sent to South Sea. The next year, following his victory in the third suppression battle against the barbarian tribes, Lyu Bo was assigned General Commander of the South Sea Province.

Feng Zhiwei shut the files, sending up a puff of dust. With the two files in hand, Feng Zhiwei exited the study and called to Tao Shifeng. "Remind me, Master Tao, where did your people capture this group?"

"Mount Wu Ji and the Minnan border."

Feng Zhiwei nodded, striding towards the gates. As she reached the doors, she suddenly stopped and turned thoughtfully: "Master Tao, please bring your Judicial Commissioner Seal and my Imperial Envoy Seal to Hui Long County and capture all military officials involved in the Land Dispossession Case. Immediately send a fast horse to call back the army supplies heading to Minnan; if they cannot bring it back, destroy it."

"You're insane!" Tao Shifeng cried out in disbelief, stumbling back pale faced. "Do you know what you are saying? Intervening in military affairs? Arresting on-duty military officials? Hindering army provisions? Even destroying them? These are all capital offenses!"

"I know what I said." Feng Zhiwei replied decisively. "Master Tao, even though you and I are equally ranked, I am empowered as an Imperial Envoy to make emergency decisions. You must listen to me, and I will take full responsibility for what happens."

"This is not a small mater like reading the personnel files! This can lead to the death of my entire family!" Tao Shifeng raged, flicking his sleeve in disdain as he turned." I will not stop you from courting death, but do not drag me into it!"

He angrily swept past Feng Zhiwei, abandoning this crazy fool.

Feng Zhiwei watched silently as he moved, smiling gently as Tao Shifeng passed her.

"Apologies."

Her fingers silently struck out to his neck.

Tao Shifeng only felt a cold breeze before his eyes went dark.

Catching Tao Shifeng's collapsing body, Feng Zhiwei quickly shuffled back towards the study. A moment later, Feng Zhiwei rang the golden bell hanging beside the study door.

The bell called for the subordinates of the Judicial Commissioner, and very quickly a small group of Qianshi Officials approached. When they saw that the door was shut closed, none of them dared to enter the room without permission; through the paper door, they made out the shadows of Master Tao and the Imperial Envoy in deep conversation, the two men's voices so quiet none of the Qianshi Officials could make out what was said.

They only heard: "Since it's come to this… depend on Brother Wei… a time of emergency…" They could not understand the full matter being discussed, but it was immediately clear that something secret and incredibly serious was happening. All of the Qianshi Officials steppe back in fearful awe.

Immediately after, Feng Zhiwei exited the room, saluting the room as she called out: "No need to send me out Master Tao, leave this matter to me. You must write the Memorandum to the Throne and inform the Imperial Court of this matter."

Then she shut the door.