Chapter 196: Just This Reckless

In the Northern Garrison Command.

Mou Bin personally took charge of the office and had been there for half a month.

Over the past half month, he did not enter his own home, eating and sleeping here.

His Majesty had given a strict order, and the required deadline had already passed by six days. Mou Bin felt like he was going crazy, as if his whole being was about to collapse.

So far, although many “rebel faction” members had been captured, the rumored leader of the thieves was still missing, as if he had vanished from the world.

His nerves were tense. Almost all the commandants and enlisted soldiers of the Northern Garrison Command had been sent out, but to this day… there was no news.

He even began to doubt his own existence. Did the rumored wicked and evil leader of the Beggar Sect, Wu Xinjie, really exist?

He felt troubled…

The Emperor kept the Brocade Guard, with over ten thousand personnel, known as the Imperial Guard, what a glorious title. The amount of money and grain spent each year was immense.

But what was the result? During the great drought, the Brocade Guard was helpless against the rumors. Now that the drought was solved, the person still couldn’t be captured.

It was shameful.

Such incompetence in handling matters.

How would His Majesty view the Brocade Guard?

The entire Capital was in chaos. Many people had been captured and put in the Imperial Prison, but under harsh interrogation, it was found that eight or nine out of ten had no connection to the Beggar Sect. More people were just using the Beggar Sect’s name to swindle others.

Thinking of this, Mou Bin couldn’t help but rub his forehead. He felt a terrible headache.

He didn’t want to create unjust cases on such a large scale, so he had no choice but to release those people.

Mou Bin, among the Commanders of the Imperial Guards, was relatively upright. He always aspired to emulate the former Commander of the Imperial Guards, Yuan Bin, as his idol. Therefore, for any imperial case, he would investigate repeatedly, afraid of making the slightest mistake.

Over the past few days, he had been sitting in his official chamber, going through documents every day. His eyes were red from exhaustion, only to find that it was all in vain.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside.

“Commander Mou.” A clerk hurried in and bowed to him. “The Tuntian Hundred-Household Office of the Imperial Forest Guard…”

“What?” Mou Bin was stunned. His sharp eyes showed confusion as he coldly retorted, “What Tuntian Hundred-Household Office?”

The Imperial Forest Guard was part of the Imperial Guard, just like the Brocade Guard, both were the Emperor’s own forces. What farming were they doing?

The clerk smiled wryly. “Have you forgotten? His Majesty previously specifically ordered Fang…”

Upon hearing “Fang,” Mou Bin recalled. He suddenly understood, and his gaze softened a little, though his tone remained somewhat cold. “I know. Let him farm his land, what does it have to do with me?”

Mou Bin was extremely anxious, his eyes red with stress. How could he have time to deal with some Tuntian Hundred-Household Office? Moreover, he had heard a little about how Fang Jifan’s disciples had bragged excessively last time. Mou Bin did not have a good impression of Fang Jifan.

It must be known that Mou Bin was actually a man who hated evil. He had always looked down on the bullies and nobles in the Capital. He even privately kept a list of villains. Fang Jifan used to be number one, but this guy had been behaving well recently, so he dropped to seventh. The current top spot was held by Shouning Hou, Zhang Heling.

In the past, when Zhang Heling acted lawlessly, Mou Bin had punished him.

Seeing Mou Bin’s indifferent attitude, the clerk couldn’t help but speak up.

“They sent a Deputy Hundred-Household Commander, saying… the leader of the Beggar Sect has been captured.”

“Captured… captured…” Mou Bin’s thick eyebrows furrowed. Then he laughed heartily. “Why was there no news beforehand? Does his Tuntian Hundred-Household Office also meddle in such matters? Young people really love to fool around. Don’t bother with them.”

The clerk, however, was serious. “They specifically submitted an official document.”

Submitting an official document… made it completely different. That meant they had followed the proper procedure; they weren’t joking.

Mou Bin snorted coldly. He thought to himself, if it weren’t for the fact that Nanhe Bo was considered loyal and good, a lawless bully like Fang Jifan would have been beaten to a pulp long ago, given his temper. Later, this guy did a few good deeds, but they were limited.

Now…

Hearing that the criminal had been caught, Mou Bin became interested. His eyes lit up as he seriously questioned the clerk.

“So where is the criminal?”

“They said he was taken to the Western Hills.”

“Has the criminal’s identity been confirmed?”

“They said it’s confirmed, guaranteed by Fang Jifan’s character…”

“…”

Mou Bin’s mind went blank for a moment, seeming somewhat incredulous. But since they said they had caught him, he couldn’t very well doubt it and immediately took action.

“Send someone immediately to the Western Hills to bring the criminal…”

“The messenger said it’s not possible. Newly Established Count has to teach his disciples first. Tomorrow, after instructing his disciples on how to behave and conduct themselves, then they will escort him to the Imperial Prison.”

Mou Bin’s face instantly turned red. Fang Jifan gave him no face at all. His eyes widened sharply, and he said angrily.

“Nonsense, absolute nonsense. This definitely isn’t the imperial criminal. This guy probably captured some innocent commoner to claim credit. Don’t pay him any mind.”

“But…” The clerk looked deeply at Mou Bin. “Whether it’s true or false, since it has been reported to the Brocade Guard, shouldn’t the Brocade Guard take some action?”

Mou Bin understood. He nodded. “Then submit a memorial to the Imperial Palace. The Brocade Guard is the eyes and ears of the palace. Since… that kid Fang Jifan reported an imperial criminal, His Majesty should be informed immediately. Tell the subordinates to never relax and continue investigating thoroughly.”

“This student understands. But how should this memorial be drafted?” The clerk looked at Mou Bin.

Mou Bin put his hands behind his back and paced back and forth a few steps. “Rumors say that Fang Jifan, the Bai Hu of the Tuntian Hundred-Household Office of the Imperial Forest Guard, was neglecting his duties this morning…”

The choice of words could actually reflect the Brocade Guard’s view and bias on a matter.

Clearly, although Mou Bin was reporting based on facts, he used the style of the Spring and Autumn Annals to tell the Emperor that this matter… was unreliable.

“Neglecting his duties, in the Capital, he claimed to have captured the imperial criminal, the leader of the Beggar Sect, Wu Xinjie. This subject cannot tell true from false, but… since Newly Established Count stated he is willing to guarantee it with his head…”

The clerk was stunned. “Commander, not his head, but his character.”

Mou Bin’s expression remained unchanged. “But what this official heard was ‘head’…”

The clerk broke into a sweat. “Yes, yes, it was his head. Fang Jifan insisted on guaranteeing it with his head.”

“Roughly, write it like that.” Mou Bin kept his hands behind his back.

As an upright Commander of the Imperial Guards, Mou Bin was not a man without tactics. For example, the difference between “head” and “character,” though only one word apart, meant a world of difference.

Of course, he firmly believed that with the influence of Nanhe Bo and Newly Established Count, even if the “guarantee with his head” matter turned out to be a mistake later, the Emperor would not actually cut off Fang Jifan’s head. But because of this one-word difference, at least it would teach Fang Jifan a lesson.

This kid really thought the Capital was his own home, meddling in matters that belonged to the Brocade Guard. Fine, from now on, why don’t you call your rundown Baihu Station the “Full-Time Baihu Station”?

It seemed good to use this opportunity to give this kid a warning. Since his family didn’t discipline him properly, this old man would have to do it for his father.

…

Forbidden City.

Xiao Jing stared in astonishment at the memorial sent by the Eastern Depot.

He originally thought that the god-sons outside had brought good news.

But the result… Xiao Jing was a bit confused.

The person… was captured…

He roughly read through the Eastern Depot’s memorial, feeling puzzled. His eyebrows deeply furrowed as he asked incredulously.

“They just easily captured someone in an inn, then took the person to the Western Hills Baihu Station. Teaching, what lesson? Has Fang Jifan’s brain illness flared up?”

The one who delivered the memorial was Xiao Jing’s god-son, Cheng Qian.

At this moment, Cheng Qian was also confused. He shook his head at Xiao Jing. “Your Servant doesn’t know either.”

Xiao Jing felt his intelligence was being rubbed on the ground. “This Fang Jifan is too frivolous. Even if capturing an imperial criminal, he should make it look good on the surface. For example, find a broken temple, with some signs of a fight inside, dead vicious accomplices, then set a fire to make a bigger commotion. The person chosen is also wrong—just an innkeeper? They say he even has difficulty walking? Why not find a burly man, with a full beard, a ferocious face, and preferably a scar on his body?”

“Godfather’s insight is truly high. Your Servant thought the same.”

Xiao Jing disdainfully glanced at the memorial, snorted coldly, and put it away. “Still too young… no finesse!”

“He’s just a child, what does he know? Since he started farming and taught a few disciples, his tail has been stuck up in the sky.” Cheng Qian smiled and chimed in.

“Can’t say that.” Xiao Jing put his hands behind his back, his gaze carrying a warning as he looked at Cheng Qian.

“One thing is one thing. Fang Jifan is very talented. Everything else is fine, he just likes to join in the fun. His Majesty appreciates him greatly. You are a person of the palace, moving within the palace; you must speak carefully, no wild talk. Otherwise, watch your tongue.”

Cheng Qian cried, tears streaming down as he knelt to the ground, saying gratefully, “Godfather is still good to Your Servant. Your Servant remembers Godfather’s teachings year after year, month after month, day after day, moment after moment.”

Xiao Jing ignored him.

As the most important figure in the palace, Xiao Jing was long accustomed to such matters. He narrowed his eyes, lost in thought. “Fang Jifan guaranteed it with his head?”

“This… came from the Brocade Guard. They said he guaranteed it with his head. Look how reckless this is.”

“Oh.” Xiao Jing didn’t comment but instead set off for the Warm Pavilion.

Upon arriving at the Warm Pavilion, he saw Emperor Hongzhi looking down in confusion at a memorial. In the corner, only a young eunuch was attending. Xiao Jing gave the young eunuch a look, and the young eunuch understood, quietly retreating.

Seeing Emperor Hongzhi’s shocked expression, Xiao Jing merely smiled, cautiously approached, and first tested the tea cup on the imperial desk with the back of his hand. Finding it still warm, he quietly stood behind Emperor Hongzhi.

After reading the memorial back and forth several times with a speechless expression, Emperor Hongzhi suddenly said, “Companion Xiao…”