books44 Chapter 502 - 359: Arresting the Zhao Family! (Double-Length)
Chapter 502 - 359: Arresting the Zhao Family! (Double-Length)
"That’s truly a pity." Hearing what Yang Zhen said, Xing Tiexin couldn’t stop shaking his head.
He wished for the Zhao Family’s downfall, but the Zhao Family would never truly collapse as he desired.
"Even if I can witness the demise of the Zhao Family in my lifetime, that would be good." Xing Tiexin muttered.
Song Changming heard this and couldn’t help but grin, "Why witness it in your lifetime when you could personally take revenge? Wouldn’t that be more exhilarating!"
Xing Tiexin was startled for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, you’re right, Changming, I can’t compare to you!"
He had ambition but had never thought he could single-handedly overthrow the colossal Zhao Family.
After all, one person’s strength is limited, and it can’t compare to the power of a united noble family.
But the innate confidence and absolute gall in Song Changming always filled Xing Tiexin with genuine admiration.
Yang Zhen also couldn’t help but be slightly influenced by this, revealing a smile.
Perhaps for him and Xing Tiexin, it was impossible, but with someone as immensely talented as Song Changming, nothing was out of the question.
Ten years, twenty years, fifty years!
In their lifetime, they might truly witness Song Changming single-handedly bring down a noble family!
Something that others wouldn’t even dare to think about...
"No, if that day really comes, I want to contribute too!" Yang Zhen held onto this hope.
Then, three more days passed.
The Zhao Family’s countless scandals and vile deeds mysteriously surfaced, or were dug up by those with ulterior motives, and started spreading within the city.
Even the lower-class citizens began discussing these matters.
Regardless of the outcome, the Zhao Family’s reputation and the honor of the noble family could no longer be salvaged.
The past crimes of the Zhao Family were split into minor offenses, sent to the government, and major ones were delivered to the Prince’s Mansion.
Even Song Changming, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but sigh at the truly sinister tactics of the noble families.
When they’re not moving, they’re idle, but once they strike, it’s like a fierce storm, leaving one breathless.
Some of the exposed crimes were so outrageous that Song Changming couldn’t discern their truth.
Under the ’supervision’ of the Wang Family and the Meng Family, Zhao Family members whose crimes had been exposed had to be taken by officials from the Prince’s Mansion or the government for questioning.
Among them were important Zhao Family members.
This day.
Wang Tianshuang gathered his twelve generals at the military camp.
This naturally included Song Changming and Yang Zhen.
"Muster a thousand soldiers and follow me."
Song Changming was puzzled, glancing at Yang Zhen, who was following Wang Tianshuang.
A thousand soldiers weren’t many, obviously not meant for something big.
Yet, all the generals were summoned—twelve commanders and numerous deputy generals.
It could be said that the military elite was all present, indicating it wasn’t a small matter.
Wang Tianshuang remained silent, moving towards the core district after assembling the troops.
Song Changming had a sudden thought, speculation forming.
Could today be the day they would confront the Zhao Family directly?
Deploying troops against the Zhao Family?
That direction seemed to lead straight to the Zhao Mansion.
Xing Tiexin also realized this, exchanging a glance with Song Changming.
They were unsure whether this was the Grand Marshal’s decision or represented the Prince’s Mansion’s strategy.
Deploying troops to the Zhao Mansion was no trivial matter.
In the eyes of outsiders unaware of the situation, this was a grave signal.
They might speculate that the Zhao Family’s sins were so severe that even the Prince’s Mansion couldn’t ignore it, resolving to crush the entire Zhao clan!
But Song Changming thought otherwise.
If they truly wanted to subdue the Zhao Family, it wouldn’t be just a thousand soldiers.
The forty-eight Cuiqi Army banner divisions, with hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers, were stationed near the main city.
The Zhao clan wasn’t a small target to be easily bullied; a true suppression would involve the deployment of a massive army, not a small skirmish like this.
Waging war within the main city would also pose a huge risk to the entire Cui Bai Main City.
Who knows if after suppressing the Zhao clan, Cui Bai Main City would still exist.
"There must be another purpose," Song Changming thought with certainty.
But regardless of how events unfolded, the Zhao clan was certainly in for another heavy blow today.
Soon, Wang Tianshuang led the troops to the Zhao Mansion.
A thousand elite soldiers stood behind him, prepared and full of murderous intent.
A steward from the Zhao Family hurriedly came out from the mansion, nervously cupping his hands in salute, cautiously inquiring.
"Grand Marshal, what is the meaning of this?"
With a cold face, Wang Tianshuang didn’t respond, while the Little Flag Master Wang Shifu stepped forward and unfolded an official document.
"Patriarch Zhao, Zhao Boqi, is suspected of colluding with the Demon Race, plotting against military department officers, and numerous other crimes. By order of the Prince’s Mansion, Patriarch Zhao is to be summoned for investigation!"
Wang Shifu’s words were biting and firm, leaving no room for doubt.
The sound was directed not just at the Zhao Family steward in front, but for everyone within the Zhao Mansion to hear.
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves; within and without the Zhao Mansion, everyone understood clearly.
In a hall within the Zhao Mansion.
Zhao Boqi’s expression turned extremely unpleasant, his hands clenched within his wide sleeves until they turned white.
The air pressure in the entire hall suddenly dropped to freezing.
"Bastard!" Zhao Boqi couldn’t help but mutter, veins bulging on his forehead.
It was clear he was trying his best to control his temper, but the repeated incidents over the past few days were unbearable.
Today, they even came to his doorstep, openly provoking him!
"What exactly is Wang Tianshuang trying to do!" an outraged senior member of the Zhao Family shouted beside him.
Outside, seeing no response from the mansion doors, Wang Tianshuang didn’t wait any longer.
He raised his hand, and the thousand elite soldiers prepared to storm through.
They had the Prince’s Mansion’s mandate to arrest, fearless of reproach, anyone daring to stop them would face severe consequences.
At the gate, the assembled household generals and Zhao clan members stood helpless as the soldiers were about to enter.
"What should we do..."
"Halt!" Just as the soldiers were about to enter, a loud explosion sounded, causing the soldiers’ eardrums to throb painfully and their heads to buzz.
Even some generals turned pale, struggling to stay upright.
Song Changming looked towards the gate, where the Zhao Family’s household generals quickly moved aside, revealing a group of people.
Leading them was the Zhao Family Patriarch, Zhao Boqi.
"Give me the document," Zhao Boqi demanded coldly, stretching out his hand towards Wang Shifu without waiting for a response.
That official document was snatched into Zhao Boqi’s hand.
With a quick glance to confirm its authenticity, he knew it was indeed an arrest order from the Prince’s Mansion.
But he also understood, this arrest order was the result of the Zhao Family’s defeat in political maneuvering!
"Wang Tianshuang, a fine tactic; lead the way." Zhao Boqi said indifferently, knowing he had no other option.
No matter his authority as the Patriarch of the Zhao Family, he could not openly challenge the Prince’s Mansion’s authority, or the Zhao Family’s situation would worsen.
Wang Tianshuang gave a slight smile, speaking no more.
Zhao Boqi’s ability to endure and accommodate was within his expectations. Though the Patriarch of the Zhao clan being arrested was a severe blow to both him and the entire Zhao Family’s prestige, it was preferable to defying orders.
Of course, he would deny all the charges against him.
And he knew that Wang Tianshuang was likely bluffing, merely trying to disgust him.
Which noble family offspring hasn’t gotten their hands dirty or crossed the line?
This was not at all unusual.
And he believed that none of his past transgressions left any trace or evidence.
While unsure how Wang Tianshuang discovered these, he was certain that no conclusive evidence existed against him!
This speculated that Wang Tianshuang was probably grasping at rumors and assumptions to draw these conclusions.
Once he was proven innocent, he planned to counterattack!
As Zhao Boqi pondered, another troop arrived from the opposite side of the road, also stopping outside the Zhao Mansion.
Song Changming looked over, slightly surprised, recognizing Meng Yuan, who had promised to assist him in Feng City, standing beside the commanding Grand Marshal.
Meng Yuan stepped forward and took out a stack of documents.
"Zhao Qing, Zhao Dongshan, Zhao..." he recited a list of Zhao clan names, then continued.
"You are charged with numerous offenses, by order of the Prince’s Mansion, to be arrested and detained, one by one, to be subjected to trial!"
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