41: Chapter 39 Disposal 41: Chapter 39 Disposal “`html
Chu Zhiyuan immediately frowned, “Thick Earth Hall?”
“Precisely Thick Earth Hall!” Gao Lingfeng sneered incessantly, “Arrogance to the sky, I knew they would cause big trouble one day!”
Chu Zhiyuan sat back behind the desk and gestured, “Lord Gao, sit down and speak specifically.”
“Yes.” Gao Lingfeng cupped his fists, sitting in the Taishi chair at the foot of the platform.
“Bring tea,” Chu Zhiyuan called out loudly.
A small official quickly came in and served tea.
Gao Lingfeng took the teacup, lifted the lid, sipped gently, and placed it on the table, cleared his throat, and said in a deep voice, “This happened last night.”
“Last night, disciples of the Thick Earth Hall and the Flying Flower Sword Sect had a dispute over a woman in a book library, which eventually turned into a fight.
Two Flying Flower Sword Sect disciples were injured, one lightly and one heavily, while two Thick Earth Hall disciples were lightly injured.”
“How many people in total were involved?”
“Two disciples from the Flying Flower Sword Sect versus two from the Thick Earth Hall.
That Linglong girl from the Zhenlong Pavilion is the sweetheart of a Thick Earth Hall disciple.
It happened when she was drinking with a disciple of the Flying Flower Sword Sect, and a Thick Earth Sect disciple happened to come over.
They first had an argument and eventually fought…
Hey, these people from the Martial Arts are all of this disposition—quick to draw swords and won’t stop until blood is shed!”
“How serious is the injury to the Flying Flower Sword Sect’s heavily injured disciple?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.
“Lost an arm, bled heavily, the person is considered crippled.”
“Is life no longer in danger?”
“At least no one died.”
Chu Zhiyuan let out a breath.
Someone dying or not dying is of a completely different nature, like a criminal case versus a civil one in the past.
“Where are they now?”
“All detained in the Military Suppression Department.”
“How does the Military Suppression Department plan to deal with it?”
“In such matters, when there’s no death and it’s a Sect conflict, the Military Suppression Department first needs to see what our Sect Martial Department’s intention is.”
“What is the intention of the doctor then?”
“The doctor wants you, sir, to decide.”
Heh!” Chu Zhiyuan laughed and shook his head.
They’re all old foxes.
Gao Lingfeng said, “Sir, this time we must not be lenient.
We need to give them a bit of a tough lesson and establish some rules for their Sect!”
“What kind of rules?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.
Gao Lingfeng straightened his expression and said seriously, “Everyone, no matter who it is, must obey the law, according to the Court’s rules.
Otherwise, if the disciples are unruly, it would implicate the Sect!”
“These rules…” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “If we really do this, it will probably be troublesome everywhere, endless.”
He had thought, why did the Court condone the Martial Arts Sect so much, managing them so loosely?
With the Court’s power, it could enforce submission with them obediently and compliantly.
But in reality, the Court does not suppress the Martial Arts Sect, the Military Suppression Department only deals with those who commit crimes.
He didn’t know the specific reasons, but knew there were surely reasons.
As a Princely Heir, he shouldn’t oppose the Court to strictly manage the Martial Arts Sect and tighten their restraints.
Gao Lingfeng cared for the country, upheld justice, wanting to clear the adverse effects of the Martial Arts Sect, but it was an idealistic view.
He and Gao Lingfeng were not of the same path.
Being selfless and upright is certainly good, but his goal was not to be a good official, but to become a Great Grandmaster.
To become a Grandmaster, focus on cultivation; the official position was only for merits to acquire cultivation resources, there’s no need to contend with various Martial Arts Sects.
Blending with the world saves the most worry and trouble.
Gao Lingfeng said seriously, “Sir, could it be that you’re afraid of trouble?”
“I am indeed afraid of trouble,” Chu Zhiyuan nodded without hesitation.
“Sir!” Gao Lingfeng hurriedly said, “Sir, you are of royal blood, so noble, how can you fear these guys?”
“Alright, Lord Gao,” Chu Zhiyuan gestured, “Let both sides wait for now, just don’t let the Military Suppression Department release them.”
“Let’s see who steps out,” Chu Zhiyuan said.
Gao Lingfeng widened his eyes and swallowed.
Holding them without release will build up pressure.
The Flying Flower Sword Sect, not to mention, would bring out the Great Grandmaster Song.
As for the Thick Earth Hall, the Thirteenth Prince Prince Huai might emerge.
Chu Zhiyuan seemed to smile, “Lord Gao, how about it?”
Gao Lingfeng was not optimistic about this idea and said, “Sir, think thrice.”
“Inappropriate?” Chu Zhiyuan’s smile widened.
Sir, the Military Suppression Department probably doesn’t want to take on this responsibility.”
“Then what’s the proper way to handle it?”
Sir, in fact, there are precedents for dealing with such matters.”
“A beating of fifty sticks each, and then imposing heavy penalties?” Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, “What kind of heavy penalties are usually imposed?”
This Gao Lingfeng, although straightforward, was not really stupid, it was not ignorance but rather disdain, upholding his beliefs.
He had read some records of the Sect Martial Department in the Tongtian Pavilion and knew how to handle disputes over rivalry and battles: a beating of fifty sticks each.
No regard for who wins or loses, if you lose, there’s nothing to say, just blame your skills for being inferior and go practice well.
But it didn’t directly hold the Sect responsible, only targeted individuals.
Gao Lingfeng was too ambitious.
“Deduct merit.” Gao Lingfeng let out a cold laugh, “Merit is their lifeline, their pain point.”
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Deduct two times Ninth Grade Merit from all four?
Are there interrogation records available?”
“Still going through the process at the Military Suppression Department, expected to be presented tomorrow.”
“Then wait until tomorrow, after reviewing the records, to decide.”
Before everything is clarified, a decision cannot be hastily made.
There are precedents, but it must be clear whether it’s really a result of rivalry or something else.
“Wise, sir!” Gao Lingfeng cupped his fists.
“Lord Gao…” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Lord Gao can also be indirect now.
The official circle really changes people.”
“Sir…” Gao Lingfeng hurriedly said.
Chu Zhiyuan said, “Lord Gao, are you afraid I’ll favor the Flying Flower Sword Sect?
Actually, it won’t hurt them to suffer a bit at this time.”
The Flying Flower Sword Sect still hasn’t grasped their position.
The Court does not rely on them but has just opened a convenient door for them because of Great Grandmaster Song, allowing them to join the Military Suppression Department.
And that’s all there is to it.
If they think the Court will provide more assistance in other areas, they are deluding themselves.
The Flying Flower Sword Sect has always viewed themselves too highly, self-sufficiently.
“Yes,” Gao Lingfeng admitted respectfully, “It is indeed thoughtful, with good intentions, hopefully, they can understand.”
Knew this Fourth Prince was intelligent, yet did not expect such intelligence, with actions so meticulous; is this the power of the Emperor’s bloodline?
From birth with wisdom, able to see through people’s hearts.
He originally thought his cultivation and attainments were enough, but in front of him, those experiences seemed like a joke.
Who would have thought he’s only twenty and remained in the Prince Mansion for twenty years?
“Go ahead,” Chu Zhiyuan gestured dismissively.
“Yes.” Gao Lingfeng bowed deeply and retreated.
Chu Zhiyuan watched him leave, furrowed his sword-like brow in contemplation, feeling emotional.
This is the officialdom; even the most straightforward person contemplates maneuvering.
He had just returned to his newly purchased residence when Guo Chi came to report that Huang Shiron had arrived.
Chu Zhiyuan rose to greet her.
Beside the bustling Phoenix Avenue, Huang Shiron stood at the bottom of the steps at the door, dressed in an elegant apricot-yellow robe, her figure graceful like willow branches swaying.
Two young women in white accompanied her.
Chu Zhiyuan stepped out, cupped his fists, smiled to greet her, and led her inside.
Huang Shiron entered gracefully, her bright eyes blinking: “Is this the Princely Heir’s new residence?”
While patrolling the street, Prince Mansion Guards proactively approached her, saying the Fourth Prince invited her, so she came without delay.
Chu Zhiyuan led her to the stone table in the courtyard pavilion to sit.
The bright sunlight spilled into the courtyard, a patch of emerald bamboo at the wall’s base swayed gently, the rustling sounds seemed to isolate outside street noises.
After drinking tea, Chu Zhiyuan slowly put down the white porcelain cup: “Did Master Huang hear about last night’s conflict between the Flying Flower Sword Sect and the Thick Earth Sect?”
“It was in the area of the East First Hall,” Huang Shiron slightly frowned and shook her head, “A rivalry over affections, quite usual.”
“Is there another shadow behind it?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.
Huang Shiron’s bright eyes flashed and softly said, “Does the Princely Heir suspect someone is manipulating from the shadows, deliberately inciting conflict between the two sects’ disciples?”
“We cannot be unprepared.”
I will inform Master He of the East First Hall and give a reminder.”
Chu Zhiyuan pointed around the courtyard and smiled, “Master Huang, how do you find this residence of mine?”
Huang Shiron glanced around, moved gracefully to observe everywhere, and returned to him, pursed her lips, smiled, and said, “Doesn’t the Princely Heir mind the noise?”
This residence opens to Phoenix Avenue, the bustling crowd never rests day or night; even sleeping in the back sections would feel noisy.
“I love the liveliness.”
“Then it’s quite nice here, the busiest spot within the bustling market, indeed very lively.”
After chatting for a while, Huang Shiron bid farewell and left.
Chu Zhiyuan had an overwhelming feeling that this matter wasn’t so simple, hopefully, he was just overthinking.
Finally, he could focus on practicing the Washing Sword Technique!