Chapter 244

That night, Jiangzhou City was bustling with activity.

Governor Lu returned home at midnight after an amorous encounter with his favorite courtesan, only to find two people drinking tea in his back courtyard. He thought he must have sleepwalked to the wrong place.

The lanterns outside still hung quietly.

Upon closer inspection, he saw his courtyard was filled with people.

But the two drinking tea stood out in particular.

The household servants had all been roused, tied up, and gagged.

Commander Jiang yawned and said, "Governor Lu, I've always had a habit of sleepwalking. Whenever I'm unhappy, I tend to sleepwalk. My family worries about me, so they follow me at night, concerned I might accidentally harm someone."

Governor Lu, still reeking of perfume and powder, was half-drunk and unsteady on his feet. He leaned softly against the servant behind him, mustering what little strength he had left to say:

"You... you... you wouldn't dare kill an imperial official, would you? Killing an imperial official is punishable by death."

"Governor Lu, don't you know I was originally a rebel? I built my reputation on killing imperial officials!"

"Lord Gong, Lord Gong, please talk some sense into him. My godfather is Eunuch Liu, don't bring ruin upon yourselves." Governor Lu hadn't expected this Jiang fellow to be so reckless, nor had he imagined his many guards would be so useless, allowing intruders to sneak in and capture everyone without a sound.

Gong Qichi shook his head and said, "I'm just following along with the sleepwalking."

Jiang Changtian took his sword and traced it across the governor's neck.

"Swish!"

A lock of hair fell to the ground.

Governor Lu nearly thought his throat had been slit. His body went hot, and he wet himself.

Gong Qichi simply sat there drinking tea, holding his cup but not drinking much, just wetting his throat. He was worried that drinking too much tea at night would make him need to urinate frequently.

He watched the scene unfold with an air of nonchalance.

How refreshing this was.

Still as invigorating as ever.

Serving as an official in court, one had to endure daily indignities.

Smiling at everyone, bowing to all, until eventually, one forgets even their own name.

Jiang Changtian said, "I hear you're quite skilled at amassing wealth. Under your governance, over sixty families have been ruined. That's not a good habit. I too enjoy accumulating wealth, but I always ensure people give willingly. Like right now – Governor Lu, are you willing to give me two-thirds of your family fortune? Are you willing?"

"Yes, yes, yes. I'll never mention it again. I'm sworn enemies with the eunuch faction." Governor Lu swore with tears in his eyes, raising his hand.

Then he was kicked again.

"It's scoundrels like you who ruin the reputation of the eunuch faction. They work tirelessly in the imperial palace, barely able to leave once a year. What wrong have they done? They're simply devoted to serving the emperor. Yet you vermin tarnish their name. You dare call yourself an imperial official? Bah!"

Governor Lu was thoroughly confused by the kicking.

Wait, whose side are you on?!

"I have a half-brother, surnamed Yan, skilled in music. He's in the palace, struggling and trying to survive, yet his reputation is ruined by miscreants like you. What eunuch faction? That's my good brother, and I won't allow you to slander him like this. From now on, if I, Jiang Changtian, encounter anyone causing trouble in the name of the eunuch faction, I'll kill them on sight."

The lanterns swayed.

Commander Jiang finally left.

Governor Lu finally passed out.

...

There was no curfew in Jiangzhou.

The night breeze was cool.

Commander Jiang led his men, slowly walking towards the courier station. Fortunately, it wasn't far from the government office or the officials' mansions. If it had been too far, he might not have bothered coming.

Gong Qichi followed along leisurely, taking a stroll.

As they walked, he fell half a step behind.

Jiang Changtian stopped to wait for him.

Gong Qichi caught up again.

"Brother Jiang, your murderous aura is much stronger than before."

"It's just for show. With a weak wife and children, one must appear fierce when out and about."

"In the future, we should establish a curfew. The security in Jiangzhou is poor. Look at how Governor Lu's entire family was nearly wiped out, and no one intervened."

"Indeed, it's not good. Not as good as Jingzhou. You managed it much better, Brother Gong."

"Yes, before becoming an official, I didn't care much. Now that I'm in office, when I see things that aren't right, I want to fix them."

...