The First Lackey Under The Empress

A centurion named Zhou Cang sat respectfully opposite him and said:

"As you instructed, I've investigated. Zhang Changji has been on sick leave these past few days, rarely stepping out of his home."

Took leave?

Zhao Du'an raised an eyebrow. He knew the power of his punch that day.

Although Zhang Changji was KO'd with one blow, with his martial arts foundation, apart from needing to rest his palm for a while, the rest shouldn't be a big problem.

Was he warned by his elder brother? Avoiding the limelight? Doesn't matter.

"Is that so?" Zhao Du'an said thoughtfully.

Centurion Zhou asked curiously:

"How does Your Excellency plan to investigate? This person is hiding at home, making it difficult to secretly tail him. Or should we start with his network of relationships? Or perhaps, trace back from the broken clues and people involved in the case..."

He was using "inquiry" as a way to subtly explain his own ideas for handling the case.

Before departing, Supervisor Ma Yan had personally instructed him that in handling this case, he should both get the job done and take Zhao Du'an's face into consideration.

To put it bluntly:

"That Zhao knows nothing about investigating a case! He doesn't understand it at all! The reason he wants 'leadership' is just to get his name on it and reap the rewards."

In officialdom, this kind of operation is common.

The leader takes command, but the people who actually do the work are those below. It sounds very unfair.

But conversely, if the matter is botched, the leader bears the biggest responsibility, not the small soldiers.

Therefore, Ma Yan never expected Zhao Du'an to investigate the case, only treating him as a lucky charm.

If the matter is successful, giving him the credit is fine. If the matter is botched, there is someone to share the blame.

The two of them were mutually beneficial.

"Hmm?" Zhao Du'an, who was well-versed in this, glanced at Zhou Cang and, instead of going along with it, said:

"There's no need for such trouble. I have simpler investigation techniques."

Zhou Cang's heart skipped a beat, vaguely sensing something was wrong:

"What does Your Excellency mean?"

Zhao Du'an smiled enigmatically:

"Since the suspect is at home, wouldn't it be better to just go to his door, arrest him, and interrogate him in prison?"

...

...

Around noon, a group of Embroidered Uniform Guards rode mightily through the main street of the west city.

On both sides of the street, pedestrians were terrified.

"My Lord, are you sure you want to do this? Won't it stir up the grass and startle the snake?" Zhou Cang was a little panicked, trying to dissuade him.

Zhao Du'an gripped the reins and said calmly:

"When the Imperial Tribunal investigated with great fanfare, it had already stirred up the grass and startled the snake. Or did you think the Holy One would give you enough time? To wait until the storm has completely passed before the other party re-emerges?"

Zhou Cang was speechless.

Zhao Du'an continued:

"Moreover, such a thing happened right under our noses, yet the clues could be cut off so cleanly. Do you think the enemy has no 'accomplices' in the court?

The longer we delay, the greater the risk of the news leaking. Striking a snake requires not only aiming at its vitals, but also being quick, accurate, and ruthless, so fast that the other party can't react."

Zhou Cang was stunned, lost in thought.

At that moment, his gaze towards Zhao Du'an changed.

Even if he didn't completely agree with this logic in his heart... could the one who could clearly articulate these words really be the pretty boy with just a good face in the legends?

"Stop talking nonsense. We're here. Listen to my orders in everything. I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

Zhao Du'an left a sentence, fiercely clamped his legs on the horse's belly, took the lead, and crashed towards the front of the residence.

The Zhang brothers had already "separated the family." Zhang Erlang's house had three courtyards and was located in a good area.

Zhao Du'an led a group of Embroidered Uniform Guards straight to the gate.

While still on horseback, he held the hilt of his saber in his right hand, drew it with a "clang," and poured rolling qi into the blade, stimulating a sharp saber aura.

"Bang!"

With a loud explosion, the tightly closed gate was forcibly torn open in the middle.

Zhou Cang's eyelids twitched, thinking that His Excellency was blatantly retaliating.

After all, a few days ago, Zhang Changji had trampled on the Zhao family on horseback. This wave, ah, was a replica of the original.

"Follow me!"

Zhou Cang was eager to show off, grinned, and jumped off his horse with a saber in hand: "Anyone who dares to resist, beat them hard!"

"Yes, sir!"

A group of living Yama's wearing flying fish robes behind him were like wolves and tigers, surpassing Zhao Du'an, vying to be pioneers.

"Ah, you are..."

"Someone come!"

"Quick, go call the young master..."

The evil servants in the house heard the movement, first rushed out with clubs in their hands, but instantly chickened out, decisively surrendering.

Before they could drop their weapons and surrender, Zhou Cang led people to beat them up.

For a time, there was a great chaos of crying fathers and mothers.

"Are you Centurion Zhou? This is the residence of Captain Zhang of the Jing Camp. I'm afraid you've found the wrong person?" The steward of the mansion ran out, flustered.

Zhou Cang's face was ashen, and he drew his saber sheath as if to strike, scaring the steward to fall to the ground:

"The one we're looking for is Zhang Changji. Where is he?"

"Stop! !"

Suddenly, a stern shout came from the direction of the inner house, and a figure darted out, it was Zhang Changji, who had been ordered to rest at home.

At this moment, he was only wearing loose underwear, his chest was open, his hair was not tied up, he was wearing cloth shoes, and his stern face was full of anger.

It seemed he was taking a nap and was awakened.

"Zhou Cang! ?"

Zhang Changji's eyelids jumped, recognizing the person.

The officials of the Imperial Tribunal also belonged to the "Forbidden Army" sequence. Strictly speaking, they were also considered "comrades" with the Jing Camp.

Although the two were not familiar, they had met a few times.

Zhang Changji was originally a violent character, but seeing the flying fish robes on the other party, he also calmed down a bit, forcibly suppressed his anger, and said:

"Why are you breaking into my residence? !"

Zhou Cang ignored him and waved his hand first:

"Seal off the house for me, don't let anyone run away."

A large group of subordinates responded and went, obviously quite familiar with this procedure.

Immediately, Zhou Cang turned back and smiled at the person behind him:

"My Lord, the person has been captured."

"Not bad."

From the direction of the gate, Zhao Du'an came late, strolling all the way, walked closer, nodded in satisfaction, and then teased:

"Zhang Erlang, we meet again."

"Zhao Du'an!"

Zhang Changji was stunned, then furious, his blood rushed to his head:

"You dare come to my house to seek death?"

As he spoke, he took a step forward, his muscles bulged, and his left fist, which was not wrapped in gauze, creaked.

Zhou Cang's eyelids jumped wildly, drew his saber and stood between the two, and shouted:

"Zhang Changji! Do you dare to resist the law?"

Zhao Du'an narrowed his eyes, smiled, raised his hand and gently tapped the back of the saber, pressed it down, and said softly:

"Brother Zhang's house has been broken into, he's distraught and angry, it's understandable, put down your sabers, don't make it seem like I'm bullying people."

After a pause, he pretended to look around curiously:

"Oh, why don't I see the women of this family? I've long heard that the mistress of Zhang Erlang's family is beautiful, and I want to feast my eyes on her."

Zhou Cang smiled and said: "If Your Excellency wants to see her, this humble officer will catch her right away."

The two sang in harmony.

The veins on Zhang Changji's forehead burst out, his bones crackled, and his aura surged, as if he was about to make a move in the next moment.

Zhao Du'an was deliberately provoking him.

Unfortunately, Zhang Changji's face changed several times, remembering his elder brother's instructions and warnings, he finally endured it, gritted his teeth and said:

"Zhao Du'an, what exactly do you want?"

He also looked at Zhou Cang and said in a deep voice:

"When did the Imperial Tribunal become dogs who retaliate for others?"

He felt that, obviously, Zhao Du'an was here to retaliate today.

Zhao Du'an was shocked when he heard this and said:

"What? You're actually slandering the current Holy One for retaliating? Zhang Changji ah, what are your intentions?"

Everyone knows that the Imperial Tribunal is the Empress's dog.

Zhang Changji originally satirized Zhou Cang, but he didn't expect Zhao Du'an to twist the original meaning.

He was so angry that his eyes went dark, knowing that he couldn't win against the other party with words:

"You know I don't mean that!"

Zhao Du'an restrained his exaggerated expression, and was too lazy to tease him, and said lightly:

"I'm too lazy to talk nonsense with you, this official and colleagues from the Imperial Tribunal are jointly handling a case, and I'm here to understand the situation today."

Case?

Zhang Changji was stunned: "What case?"

Beside him, Zhou Cang said:

"We suspect you are with..."

Zhao Du'an interrupted abruptly, and said quietly:

"I suspect you are colluding with Zhuang Xiaocheng and are an internal accomplice of the rebel party. The reason why the other party was able to escape last time was because you tipped him off!"

Zhou Cang:? ? ?

No, this is not what we agreed on!