Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 220
Chapter 220 Yuanmen Liwei
“Too arrogant!”
At the same time, Du Chengyuan and the others burst out this sentence in their hearts. They exchanged glances with each other, their faces filled with disdain, contempt, and anger. Pang Fei, who was standing beside them, raised his eyebrows and glared angrily. Many people scratched their cheeks awkwardly and coughed. They turned their faces away to avoid his gaze.
Qin Mubai stood proudly on the podium and waited for a moment. When she saw that no one had come out to speak, she said, “So everyone acknowledged what I just said. That’s good.” The army is not the same as anywhere else. As the saying goes, military orders are like mountains. As a soldier, observing military discipline and obeying orders is the most basic requirement. “If you can’t do these two things, then take off your military robes and scram back to your hometown to farm. The Great Tang doesn’t need this kind of unscrupulous soldier!”
The entire arena was silent. Qin Mubai’s words were loud and powerful, causing many people’s eardrums to ache.
“Last night, something strange happened in the army.” Qin Mubai suddenly changed the topic and said in a harsh voice with some anger, “The Zuoying Navy actually gathered the crowd after the late night sky restriction. They threatened to kill their way out of the barracks and fight with people with weapons.” Apart from that, that leader was also extremely arrogant in publicly insulting Shangguan. His actions were extremely vile, and he had already seriously violated the military order! “Today, I will try him in public according to the law-someone, bring the army criminal Feng Knife Scar up!”
All the soldiers opened their eyes wide and watched as a few hundred cavalry dragged out Feng Knife Scar, who was tied up in all sorts of flowers. After standing in front of the general, Feng Dao Scar, whose mouth was blocked by the rags, still glared at Qin Mubai angrily and cried out.
“Kneel down!” Qin Mubai shouted, but Feng Knife Scar’s eyes widened, his face filled with anger as if he wanted to eat someone. The two Baiji behind him were annoyed. They bent their knees to the left and right and kicked him. Feng Knife Scar was caught off guard and heavily knocked his knees on the ground. The two Baiji grabbed his collarbone pain acupoints and firmly pressed him down, unable to move.
“In public, this thief is already tied up and actually wants to attack this general. How dare you!” Qin Mubai said angrily, “Where is Longevity?”
“This lowly position is here!” A skinny man in his forties walked forward and bowed to Qin Mubai. “I’m Shi Shenyouzhou, Commander of the Xiang Province Army. I greet General Qin.”
Qin Mubai nodded in return and said, “Presiding Judge Shi, you are in charge of military discipline. Please declare Feng Knife Scar’s crime in public according to the military law of the Great Tang!”
“Yes.” Shen Youzhou cupped his hands and unconsciously glanced behind Qin Mubai with his triangular eyes, but he hesitated to say anything.
Qin Mubai knew that he was looking at Du Chengyuan, so he snorted coldly, “Judge Shi, is it possible that there is an inscription of the Great Tang Army Law behind him?”
“No, no, no.” Shen Youzhou awkwardly coughed and straightened his body. He said loudly, “Feng Knife Scar caused trouble after drinking and offended Shangguan. He wanted to gather all the soldiers to fight with weapons but failed.” According to the law, when the brigade marshal rank forfeit salary land, staff responsibility 50. Thinking of his first offense and the heroic battle against the water bandits in the past, this official measured his sentence and decided that he would be dismissed as a soldier, and his staff would be held responsible for twenty. Because of his injuries, the cane punishment was first parked, so as to see the effects of his sins. If there is a repeat offence, the penalty for both offences will not be merciful! ”
Kneeling on the ground, Feng Daoscar straightened his chest and laughed, shaking his head in dissatisfaction. He thought to himself, “It doesn’t matter if I cut off the rank of brigade marshal and take away my salary and land. In the future, the wind will calm down, or if this Qin f*ck off, wouldn’t it be easy for me to return to my original position?” The staff is twenty. Leave it for later … Haha, this is even more like a paper cake! –Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, it’s still you!
Qin Mubai sneered and stared fixedly at Shen Youzhou.
Shen Youzhou’s expression was calm at first as if he had memorized a letter. Later, Qin Mubai stared at him uncomfortably, and then he felt a chill run down his spine, causing his mouth to tremble.
“Are you done?” Qin Mubai said in a deep voice.
“Answer … General Qin, this lowly position is over.” Shen Youzhou took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down as he cupped his hands, “General Qin, do you think this lowly sentence is appropriate?”
Qin Mubai did not answer. Instead, he turned to look at Du Chengyuan and the other officials behind him and said, “Everyone, do you think Presiding Judge Shi’s judgement is fair and proper?”
Everyone handed over their heads and whispered to each other, then nodded their heads and said, “Very good, very good …”
Qin Mubai wasn’t in a hurry. He pointed at Du Chengyuan and said, “General Du, what do you think?”
Du Chengyuan was calm and collected. He took a step forward and cupped his fists. “Chief Judge Shi Dian is in charge of military discipline and is very familiar with military orders. He must have weighed it over and over again. Combined with the just judgment made by the Law of Emotion and Reason, I think it is appropriate and support it.”
Qin Mubai nodded expressionlessly and said, “General Pang, what do you think?”
Du Chengyuan and Pang Fei were both commandants of Guoyi and Qin Mubai’s deputies. It was reasonable to ask Pang Fei after Du Chengyuan.
Pang Fei took a step forward and clasped his fists, “In response to General Qin’s words, I would have thought that Presiding Judge Shi’s judgement was completely unreasonable and unmilitary. It was simply bullshit!”
“You, what did you say?!” Shen Youzhou’s expression immediately changed as he pointed at Pang Fei in surprise.
“Shen Youzhou, let me ask you!” Pang Fei glared angrily at Shen Youzhou and shouted, “As a long history, you are in charge of the internal affairs and military discipline of the army. But are you really familiar with the military rules of our Great Tang army?”
“Of course I know! I don’t know. Don’t tell me you still know?” Shen Youzhou’s face was already flushed red, and he argued angrily with embarrassment.
“Alright then, I will ask you–” Pang Fei pointed at Shen Youzhou and said sternly, “What did I say by the seventh rule of my Great Tang Military Order, ‘Ten Slashes’?”
Shen Youzhou stammered as cold sweat dripped down his red forehead. “Say, what you’re saying is … what you’re saying …” After thinking for a while, he murmured, “It sounds like … the one who lost, sold, deliberately destroyed the ordnance, chop!”
“Bullshit!” Pang Fei shouted angrily, “If you don’t remember, I have a military order here, you can take it!”
After saying that, Pang Fei took out a military order book issued by Baiji from his armor pocket and smashed it heavily onto Shen Youzhou.
One of Shen Youzhou’s old faces turned red and white, and his imposing aura couldn’t suppress Pang Fei, this mighty general. He could only tremble as he opened the military order book and carefully read it in a dazed manner. Suddenly, he was shocked and said, “Ten Slashes Order, Number Seven. Whoever breaks the order below, slash!”
“Humph!” Pang Fei snorted coldly, “Take another look at what Article 27 of the Fifty-Two Punishment says!”
“Yes … Those who leave the barracks will be punished with a staff punishment of fifty and fasted for two days.”
“Article 31!”
“Whoever escapes from the camp to visit a prostitute shall be given a fifty-point staff. He shall be expelled from the camp by cutting off his military status!”
“Flip back again, the second of the Ten Slashes Order!”
“Assemble more than ten people to organize a fight. Slash!”
“Flip it back again. Fifty-two punishments. Forty-six!”
…
Shen Youzhou’s hands and feet were in a state of chaos and sweat. He hurriedly flipped through the pages, trembling. His mouth was already stuttering, “After the Heavenly Restriction, those who secretly leave the camp to clamor will be punished with twenty staff and two meals.”
“Enough!” Qin Mubai shouted as he stared at Shen Youzhou and said coldly, “Chief Judge Shi, I’m going to order you to immediately go back and familiarize yourself with the military rules. You must learn them by heart. In three days, I will personally evaluate you. If you can’t do it, then you don’t have to do it for a long time!”
“What, what!” Shen Youzhou was shocked and said, “General Qin, although this lowly position is of low rank, it is at least Ying Chunwei. He mentioned the official position that was appointed by the Ministry of Officials after he ascended to the first rank. What right do you have to dismiss this lowly official position?”
“Hmph! Then do you want to give it a try? Let me see if I can let you off the hook and let you go back to farming. You will never be able to enter the official career again in your lifetime?” Qin Mubai sneered.
Shen Youzhou was stunned, and the military order book in his hand fell to the ground absent-mindedly. He panicked and looked at Du Chengyuan for help, but Du Chengyuan deliberately turned a blind eye to him.
Only then did he panic, thinking in his heart, “This person surnamed Qin is from the capital. It is said that he is Qin Shubao’s son. He is both the son-in-law of the emperor and the general. He must have seen through the heavens in the capital!” Isn’t it just a letter or a sentence that he wants my official? Even in Chang’an, Du Chengyuan has some connections, but how could those big shots who can walk the path of connections run around for me, or fight against Qin Mubai? … Heavens, why am I so stupid, listening to Du Chengyuan’s assignment to do such a foolish thing that would cause trouble?
“No, no, no. General Qin, forgive me! Please forgive me!” Shen Youzhou gulped down a mouthful of saliva. He hurriedly bowed and bowed repeatedly. His mouth trembled as he said anxiously, “This lowly one will immediately go back to study hard and familiarize himself with the military order. In less than three days, I will ask General Qin to examine him in two days!”
“You’re smart. Go!” Qin Mubai shouted in a low voice. Shen Youzhou hurriedly picked up the military order book on the ground and fled.
The scene instantly erupted into an uproar, and all the soldiers were shocked. They all handed over their heads and whispered in each other’s ears. Du Chengyuan and the other generals’ expressions became even more embarrassed and nervous.
“Gentlemen, do you all want to read the military order and judge whether it is appropriate to try Youzhou for a verdict just now?” Qin Mubai asked.
“No need, no need” Many people hurriedly waved their hands and replied.
Only Du Chengyuan remained silent with a livid expression and didn’t look at Qin Mubai properly.
“In other words, do you have any doubts about the military order General Pang Fei just recited?” Qin Mubai said.
“No, no, absolutely not!” The generals answered in a tongue-tied manner.
Seeing that Shen Youzhou had suffered a heavy loss and was almost dismissed by the officials without paying attention, most of the officials present understood clearly in their hearts that Qin Mubai was not a reckless fool. He was completely prepared and had sufficient confidence and strength!
Otherwise, how would he dare to say such a big thing in public? Everyone was no longer a three-year-old child, how could they be frightened by such a sentence? This Qin Mubai did not look like an idiot, so how could he say such nonsense without concealment and teach others a lesson?
Evidently, his naked threat just now was a warning to others! In the past, in the Xiang Prefecture’s military mansion, following Du Chengyuan would make things easier and ensure that his official job would not be lost. But now, if he were to go against Qin Mubai, he would definitely lose his job!
All of the officials present had their names in their hearts. After weighing the two sides, their hearts became clear-if the competition continued, it would be Qin Mubai winning and Du Chengyuan completely losing. After all, he couldn’t twist his thick thighs with his elbows! Alright, alright, even if you can’t betray Du Chengyuan, don’t offend Qin Mubai!
“Then let’s do this!” Qin Mubai said, “Everyone has already seen that General Pang Fei is extremely familiar with the military orders of our Great Tang. Let him temporarily replace Changshi Shenyouzhou and make a new judgement on Feng Daosha. Do you have any objections?”
Everyone was speechless as they looked at Du Chengyuan in unison.
Du Chengyuan was already unable to ride a tiger and swallowed his anger. He forced himself to calm down and said, “General Qin, I have something to say in this humble position. I wonder if I should say it properly.”
“Since you said that, you must want to tell me something?” Qin Mubai smiled, “Since it’s a public trial, let’s treat each other as expressing our opinions. Tell me!”
Du Chengyuan was mocked once. The corner of his mouth twitched and he did not dare to attack. He could only swallow his anger and say, “As the saying goes, the law does not blame the public.” As far as I know, Feng Daoscar was not the only one who went out yesterday to visit prostitutes and engage in fights. If they were to be tracked down strictly, they wouldn’t dare to say that at least half of the soldiers of the Zuoying Navy would have their heads beheaded … General Qin, since the law was strict, why did he only hold Feng Daosha accountable? Even though his actions were the most prominent and hateful, just punishing him alone, how could he comply with the military order? How could he use this to subdue the crowd? ”
Du Chengyuan’s voice was neither loud nor small, and it just so happened that the soldiers in the front rows could hear him. Before he could finish his sentence, the scene was already in an uproar!
All the soldiers were shocked!
“Do you still want to kill people?”
“No way! Could it be that our entire Zuo Ying brothers will suffer?!”
…
Qin Mubai narrowed his eyes and wiped his killing intent. He said angrily in his heart, “You’re ruthless, Du Chengyuan!” You actually wanted to drag so many people into the water with Feng Knife Scar! What are you saying? Are you intentionally provoking all the navy soldiers of the Left Camp to create chaos and put me under public attack? Are you trying to make me their public enemy and isolate me? !
So sinister!
Seeing the intense discussions among the soldiers, Du Chengyuan hurriedly stepped forward and shouted, “Brothers, do you think I’m right? Everyone has committed a crime and punished one person alone. How can this be justified?”
“Yes, yes! General Du is right!” Someone among the sergeants immediately shouted loudly.
Obviously, Du Chengyuan still had many close friends in this army.
“If the punishment is strictly in accordance with the military order, then at least half of the brothers of the Zuoying Navy will eat boards, cut their ranks, deduct their salary, or even land their heads on the ground!” Du Chengyuan won’t let anyone off, and then shouted, “How can you subdue the crowd with such a punishment? Could it be that you want to drive away all the soldiers of our Xiangzhou Military Manor and kill them all before complying with the military order?”
“Yes, yes! How could this be!”
…
Pang Fei stood beside Qin Mubai, one hand holding the hilt of the saber, his eyes filled with killing intent as if he was about to attack at any moment.
Qin Mubai, however, remained calm as before and secretly gave Pang Fei a look, signaling him not to be impulsive.
Du Chengyuan rushed to the front of the stage and shouted for a long time. He really provoked the anger of the soldiers. Seeing that the crowd was already excited, it seemed as if they were about to mutiny!
Du Chengyuan glanced sideways at Qin Mubai with a smug smile on his face. Turning around, he bowed to Qin Mubai seriously and said seriously, “General Qin, this is not a lowly position that intentionally stirs up trouble. Rather, it is the feeling of the people. I ask Qin Mubai to be considerate of the hearts of the people and punish them accordingly. Don’t let the hearts of the brothers get cold, and don’t anger the brothers!”
“Du Chengyuan, are you done yelling?” Qin Mubai cut his hands behind his back and said slowly, “You are trying to force the palace in front of everyone. Everyone here is witnesses. I will deal with Feng Daosha when I’m done!-Pang Fei, don’t sentence me!”
“Yes!” Pang Fei walked forward and stared at Du Chengyuan with a cold gaze. His left hand, which was holding the hilt of the saber, flicked slightly and was about to draw the saber, causing Du Chengyuan to flick backwards with a conditioned reflex. “What do you want?”
“Those who are greedy and afraid of death dare to fight us!” Pang Fei threw his left hand onto the hilt of the saber. The saber was not unsheathed.
“You, you” Du Chengyuan was miserably teased once. He was so embarrassed that his lungs were about to explode with anger. He didn’t know how to attack, so he could only point at Pang Fei and tremble with anger.
Qin Mubai stepped forward and said, “Before General Pang pronounces his sentence, I have two words to say.”
“One, the army has a military code, law is intolerable. Most likely, death row inmates were sent to prison for questioning and beheading. Could it be that because there were still people who hadn’t been captured outside the prison, it meant that the law was unfair to them? Could it be that we have to wait until all the felons in the world have been captured before we can use torture on the most ferocious criminals on death row? Du Chengyuan’s argument was simply a ridiculous sophistry. “Brothers, do not listen to his bewitchment.”
“Second, yesterday feng scar crime, this will see with my own eyes, personally caught. As the saying goes, catch adulterers and thieves in bed to catch spoils, Feng Knife Scar committed a crime with irrefutable evidence. Other accomplices might follow the crowd, but there was no evidence, so they would never randomly arrest people. Du Chengyuan’s words were simply trying to confuse the crowd and sow discord. In the future, brothers, you must be careful not to be caught by me in violation of military orders. Otherwise, the punishment will not be forgiven! ”
The sergeants heaved a sigh of relief. They thought they were going to execute them, but they didn’t!
The mouths of Du Chengyuan’s best friends and trusted aides were also stuffed tightly, and they were too anxious to say anything.
Qin Mubai waved his hand. Pang Fei nodded and crossed his waist. He loudly said, “This general will declare Feng Daoscar guilty according to the military law of the Great Tang. According to the second and seventh orders of the Great Tang, Feng Daoscar will gather more than ten people to fight with weapons.” He openly committed the following offense and refused to accept the order, so he should be beheaded. “If you go out to prostitute yourself, you will be punished with a staff of fifty …. Combined punishment for several crimes, sentence-Yuanmen Slash Decision, cut off military status, military rank, confiscate property, and pay, execute immediately!”
“Yes–”
The four red-clothed executioners, carrying a knife as long as one person, stepped forward and dragged Feng Scar towards Yuanmen.
Everyone present was shocked!
Feng Scar struggled desperately. One of the red-robed executioners swung the hilt of his saber and smashed it heavily on his head. He fainted on the spot.
Du Chengyuan’s face immediately turned pale. He hurriedly ran to Qin Mubai and said, “General Qin, please let me say a few more words-”
‘”Puchi–” A crisp sound came from Yuanmen not far away. Du Chengyuan’s entire body trembled and his eyes went straight.
Qin Mubai said indifferently, “You’re speaking too slowly, General Du. The dead are already dead, go collect the corpse with sadness!”
The executioners in red were all Hundred Cavalry men. Zhongjun Si Ji, Si Ge, and the other military attaches also had the duties of being in charge of punishment. The top eight slashes of the Zhongjun tent were all carried out by the people of the Hundred Cavalry.
Du Chengyuan felt as if he had been poured a bucket of cold water on the head. His entire body trembled, his face pale, his lips clear, and he turned around to look at Yuanmen. The four red-clothed executioners strode over with a bloody hand and cupped their fists at Qin Mubai. “The prisoner has been given the lead, and the Punisher has come to revive him!”
“Tick, tick …”
Feng Knife Scar’s head was cut off from his neck, and blood kept flowing down his neck. A human head with a scar on its face was so ferocious that many of the officials behind Qin Mubai didn’t dare to reveal their faces.
Everyone present was solemn, and countless people were shocked!
“General, this is the first time that a prisoner has issued an order to the entire battalion! In the future, anyone who dares to violate our order will be with this thief!” Qin Mubai shouted.
‘Yes–‘ the executioners answered, and ran into the array with their bloody hands, announcing their heads.
Du Chengyuan stood there with a cold expression on his face, his lips trembling like ashes. He muttered, “I, how should I explain this to Madam?”
“Don’t worry, General Du.” Qin Mubai said, “I will let you collect the corpse and return Feng Dao Scar a whole corpse after the three armies have been shown to you for the first time.” As for the matter of you confusing the crowd just now, I would have thought that your thoughts of caring for the lives of your loved ones would be confused, so I won’t investigate it seriously. But you must give me a confession of guilt, one of which is an admission of wrongdoing, and the other an assurance that such wrongdoing will never be committed again. Do you have any questions? ”
“Answer, answer General Qin’s question. There is no doubt about my lowly position.” Du Chengyuan did not know how to forcefully raise his spirits. He turned around and bowed to Qin Mubai. He muttered, “Thank you, General Qin, for your forgiveness. This lowly position … This lowly position will be written properly.”
“This is the best way.” The corners of Qin Mubai’s mouth curled into a cold smile as he raised his head to look at the army.
A few executioners ran around the arena, allowing the soldiers to look at Feng Knife Scar’s men before returning to the Dianjiang Stage.
“Let’s call it a day.” Qin Mubai shouted, “This general has ordered all the soldiers to return to the camp and familiarize themselves with reciting the military rules. In three days’ time, the assessment will be conducted uniformly. Those who fail will be severely punished!”
Qin Mubai’s voice fell silent. More than ninety percent of the people avoided Qin Mubai and didn’t dare to look at him directly. Their faces occasionally revealed expressions of fear.
“Do you hear me clearly?”
“Listen clearly …”
“Louder, are you all ladies?”
“Hear, hear, hear, hear, hear, hear–” More than a thousand people shouted loudly, as if they were venting their boundless fear in their chests.
“Very good.” Qin Mubai smiled with satisfaction and waved his hand, “Loose Wood–“