Free Web NovelChapter 2418: Chapter 2417: Empress Wei’s Usurpation of the Court
A woman like Lin Yingying with such cultivation, these rough soldiers usually have no chance to encounter.
When she came, to avoid standing out, she concealed her aura, making herself more down-to-earth.
Otherwise, she should be cloaked in radiant light, untouched by any mundane atmosphere, and the ordinary people here would likely worship her as an Immortal.
The soldiers surrounded her, laughing disorderly and reaching out, trying to take advantage of Lin Yingying.
The Chaos Beast opened its mouth in the shadows, showing no interest in these common mortals.
At that moment, the street suddenly rang with the sound of gongs.
A team of soldiers from the City Defense Camp arrived, wearing uniforms different from those of the Yuzhou Army, followed by an official sedan chair.
Someone descended from the sedan chair and sternly ordered the Yuzhou Army, "I am Guo Weiyi, Prefect of the Capital of Chang’an. You disorderly soldiers are causing chaos in the Capital City and disturbing the citizens. If you do not cease, I will hold all of you accountable!"
A line of soldiers from the City Defense Camp brandished long swords and soon surrounded the Yuzhou Army.
The soldiers of the Yuzhou Army roared with laughter.
The officer leading them sneered at Guo Weiyi and said, "Lord Guo, a pleasure to meet you, a long-cherished name. I have heard of you while in Yuzhou. We can stop now, but we hope Lord Guo can provide our brothers with some food. You Chang’an people deployed us to guard the city, yet you give us no pay, no food; you can’t expect us to protect you on empty stomachs?"
A group of soldiers laughed uproariously, "Exactly, you Chang’an people are too stingy. You use us to guard the city for nothing, without providing even a morsel of food and drink. Are you trying to bully us honest soldiers of the Yuzhou Army?"
A soldier extended his hands and said, "Lord Guo, if you wish to hold us accountable, go ahead! Should we end up in prison, at least our meals will be settled today!"
They appeared utterly reckless, not taking Guo Weiyi seriously.
Guo Weiyi’s face turned ashen as he shouted to the soldiers of the City Defense Camp, "Soldiers of the City Defense Camp, hear my order. These disorderly soldiers ignore military law and intentionally rob the citizens. According to the Great Tang’s legal code, they are subject to execution by decree."
Swish,
Swish,
Swish!
A group of soldiers from the City Defense Camp simultaneously drew out their Tang Swords from their waists.
The leader of the Yuzhou Army looked at Guo Weiyi’s serious demeanor and panicked, shouting at Guo Weiyi, "Guo Weiyi, don’t be reckless. I am a Capital Commandant of the Yuzhou Army, a Fourth-Rank Military General. Do you dare to kill me, without fearing the wrath of the Empress?"
He specifically mentioned the Empress, reminding Guo Weiyi that the current political affairs were under the Empress’s control.
Guo Weiyi paid no heed to this, responding stoically, "You have violated national law, and it cannot be tolerated by the heavens. Even if the Empress herself comes, I will handle it according to the law!"
He waved his hand and commanded softly, "Take them down!"
The hundreds of soldiers from the City Defense Camp, all possessing cultivation, would not regard these dozen disorganized soldiers as a threat.
They had long disliked the Yuzhou Army, and with Guo Weiyi’s command, these wolf-like soldiers charged instantly.
The flash of blades and swords filled the scene as chaos erupted.
Several soldiers from the Yuzhou Army were quickly slain amid the chaos, leaving only one Capital Commandant pinned to the ground.
He cursed at Guo Weiyi, "Guo Weiyi, you will die a terrible death. My brother-in-law is the Empress’s brother-in-law; if you kill me, he will undoubtedly not spare you!"
Guo Weiyi’s expression remained stoic as he signaled to his subordinates with his right hand.
With a crisp sound, a blade sliced through the air.
A subordinate, with cultivation at the Soul Ascension Stage, slashed his long sword across the Capital Commandant’s neck, wiping out his Golden Core as well.
A Soul Ascension Stage cultivator slaughtering a Core Formation Stage cultivator was like slicing through a chick.
Guo Weiyi did not spare a glance at the fallen soldiers and ordered his subordinates, "As I am Prefect of the Capital for one day, I must protect the tranquility of the Capital City. Should further soldiers seek trouble, you need not ask permission; arrest them directly."
"Yes!"
A group of soldiers from the City Defense Camp vented their anger and, led by their commanding officer, went to patrol elsewhere.
Long Fei admired Guo Weiyi and was about to leave with Lin Yingying.
Guo Weiyi approached respectfully, blocking the way with a cupped fist and asked, "Sir, do you have time for a discussion?"
Long Fei looked at him and asked, "What is it about?"
Guo Weiyi replied, "It concerns the life and death of Duke Di."
Long Fei nodded and, under Guo Weiyi’s invitation, entered a small tea house to sit down.
The establishment had been closed recently, and upon witnessing the street fight, the manager was ashen-faced with fear.
Seeing Guo Weiyi enter, he quickly cupped his hands in salute, saying, "Lord, we’ve been suffering terribly because of these Yuzhou soldiers! We are grateful for Lord’s action, which avenged us Chang’an people; I wished to rush out myself to support you just now."
Guo Weiyi smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No need for that, it’s my fault for not protecting everyone properly. Go and brew some good tea; I need to talk to someone."
"Yes, yes!"
The tea house owner hurriedly instructed a shop assistant to brew tea in the kitchen.
Long Fei and his group, along with Guo Weiyi, sat in a private room.
Guo Weiyi cupped his hands, performed a grand salute again, and asked Long Fei excitedly, "Heavenly Master Long, when did you return?"
"You recognize me?"
Long Fei raised his hand, urging him to sit.
Guo Weiyi nodded his head, "I know of you. When I was serving in the Jinzhou Prefecture army, I heard of the Heavenly Master’s renown. Later, under Duke Di’s promotion, I rose to be the Prefect of the Capital. Duke Di often speaks of you, saying if the Heavenly Master were present, the Great Tang Empire would not be in such chaos."
Long Fei asked him, "You just mentioned that Di Renying is in danger?"
Guo Weiyi replied anxiously, "Indeed, Duke Di and Lord Wen Jianzhi are seen as grave threats by Empress Wei and have been framed and imprisoned with various crimes. In recent days, I have entrusted people to inquire and heard that Wu Shansi personally handles this case, intending to execute both families completely."
"Wu Shansi?"
Long Fei was not yet familiar with the circumstances here, so he let Guo Weiyi explain the recent happenings briefly.
He nodded and told Guo Weiyi, "Empress Wei’s misrule is different from the Heavenly Empress. Though the Heavenly Empress violated etiquette by ascending the throne as emperor, she has been diligent over these years, letting the Great Tang’s legacy continue for thirty thousand years. If Empress Wei is not removed, Demon Soldiers might invade, putting the entire Great Tang Empire into devastation!"
"Exactly!"
Guo Weiyi nodded and spoke softly, "However, the Five Clans’ army has entirely gone to support the two passes, leaving the Capital defenseless. I only have about ten thousand troops from the City Defense Camp, which is nowhere near enough to confront the Yuzhou Army."
Long Fei patted his shoulder and smiled gently, saying, "Rest assured, I have already made arrangements. During these days, as you remain in the court, try your best to maneuver with Empress Wei and protect Renying and Jianzhi’s safety. I will go to Shu State to have someone return order to the chaos and restore a bright future to the citizens of the Great Tang Empire!"
"Shu State?"
Guo Weiyi raised his eyebrows, thrilled, "Heavenly Master, are you referring to Princess Taihua?"
Long Fei chuckled lightly, saying no more.
The shop assistant served the brewed tea, and after enjoying a cup, Long Fei and Lin Yingying took their leave.
Guo Weiyi watched him leave, clapping his hands, silently hoping that Tianyou would bless the Great Tang Empire and prevent further suffering of the populace.
