NOVEL WEB Chapter 79 - Take Them All Down!
Xia Chen laughed upon hearing these words; he picked up another piece of beef with his chopsticks and once again opened his mouth to ask a question.
“But what if they truly are men of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince—what then should be done?”
Cui Hu and Lu Shen understood that this was no casual inquiry, while Lu Shen, on the side, cast a thoughtful glance at Zheng Ping.
“The Lamplighters are directly subordinate to His Majesty; for the Crown Prince and the Third Prince to meddle in the Lamplighters would surely be a grave taboo. I believe it’s implausible that the Crown Prince and the Third Prince would place their own men within the Lamplighters.”
Zheng Ping smiled, then continued speaking.
“However, Chen Song and Li Yue are both exceedingly arrogant; in my view, they resemble Lu Shen’s faction. Within our Lamplighters, we absolutely cannot permit individuals who form factions for personal gain to remain!”
Zheng Ping spoke with stern decisiveness, his words laced with a chilling intent to kill.
“Hahaha, Lord Zheng speaks truly—how could the Crown Prince and the Third Prince possibly extend their reach into our Lamplighters? One is the Crown Prince, the other the Third Prince; they surely wouldn’t stoop to plotting rebellion. What purpose would infiltrating our Lamplighters serve?
Gossip from the streets—truly, such rumors are utterly unreliable!”
Xia Chen burst into hearty laughter, while Cui Hu and Lu Shen’s expressions shifted, both recognizing the deeper implications beneath his words.
“With Lord Zheng’s guidance, I can rest assured. Cui Hu, Lu Shen!”
Having spoken, Xia Chen turned his head to look at Cui Hu and Lu Shen.
“You both heard my conversation with Lord Zheng just now. Assist Lord Zheng this afternoon—take men to apprehend Li Yue and Chen Song. Furthermore, round up all the Hundred Households and Thousand Households officers from their two halls who failed to attend this banquet; detain them in the Lamplighters’ dungeon. Can you manage that?”
Xia Chen asked calmly, prompting Zheng Ping beside him to interject hastily.
“Oh, Division Head, such a task can be handled by these two young fellows alone! I’m getting on in years, with these old bones of mine; it’s been over a decade since I last led a team. Should I botch this important matter, it’d be quite a predicament!”
“Lord Zheng, precisely because they’re young, I fear they might not command the necessary authority. You’re a veteran of the Eagle Eye Division, a figure of resounding renown throughout the entire Lamplighters with your seniority. This matter demands your involvement—besides, with you and me backing it, what could possibly go wrong?”
Xia Chen smiled, leaving Zheng Ping no room to refuse.
At this moment, Cui Hu began to discern something noteworthy; it seemed their Division Head held a particular regard for Zheng Ping!
In an instant, Cui Hu recalled how Zheng Ping had stood unshaken within the Eagle Eye Division for over twenty years, and a flicker of realization dawned upon him!
Thus, he remained silent, lowering his head to eat his food on the side. He wholeheartedly endorsed Xia Chen’s arrangement—this task required Zheng Ping to take the lead, guiding them to apprehend Li Yue and Chen Song!
…
Xia Chen departed, leaving Desheng Building with Xia Wen, Xia Qian, Xu Xingchen, Xia Xiao, and Li Xi in tow.
“The wind’s picking up!”
Cui Hu pushed open the paper window, standing by the second-floor window; gazing out at the bustling capital of Dawu, he extended his hand, feeling the breeze glide across his fingers, and spoke slowly.
“Have you all eaten your fill and drunk your share?”
Lu Li remained seated at the table, his face a mask of calm; yet at this moment, he let out a resounding shout.
“We’ve eaten our fill!”
Immediately, someone rose to their feet, responding loudly.
Lu Shen turned his head to look at Zheng Ping seated on the other side, speaking earnestly.
“Lord Zheng, the Division Head instructed us both to assist you. Please issue your commands—how should we proceed?”
“Lord Zheng, simply give the orders; we’ll carry them out. You’re our senior, with experience surpassing the salt we’ve consumed in our lifetimes—we’ll follow your lead!”
Cui Hu, standing by the window, clasped his fists and chimed in agreement.
The corners of Zheng Ping’s mouth twitched; these two young rascals were now treating him with such courtesy! Previously, they had scarcely paid him any heed, deeming him a mere relic coasting on his seniority!
Each of them—ordinarily so proud and defiant, looking down on others.
Now, faced with moving against the men of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, aware of the stakes, they shrank back like turtles retreating into their shells!
“Both of you, hasten back to the government office and muster all available men; I’ll arrange personnel to support you. This operation must be swift, causing no disturbances. Once apprehended, disarm them of their weapons and armor, then confine them in the Lamplighters’ dungeon—ensure no outsiders approach!”
Zheng Ping declared in a deep voice.
“Yes, sir!”
Lu Shen and Cui Hu replied in unison.
The assembled Lamplighters exchanged glances; though uncertain of what lay ahead, they all sensed a storm brewing on the horizon!
Yet it seemed this storm bore little direct relation to them—and perhaps… they themselves were transforming into the tempest!
Was this the reward for aligning with the right leader?
Afternoon!
The entire Lamplighters’ organization was somewhat abuzz.
Within the Eagle Eye Division, two halls—from the Hundred Households upward to the hallmasters themselves—were entirely taken down.
Some attempted resistance, only to narrowly escape being cut down on the spot.
Certain Hundred Households officers were even stripped of their armor and hauled away in full view of onlookers.
This stirred a ripple of unease within the Lamplighters, but since the affair was confined to the Eagle Eye Division, it calmed many hearts considerably.
“Good heavens, this new Division Head of the Eagle Eye Division—his methods are far too ruthless!”
“Two halls, more than fifty Hundred Households, over a dozen Thousand Households—all seized outright. Isn’t that a bit too terrifying?”
“This Lord Xia, striking so decisively and rounding up so many at once—does he truly fear no major upheaval?”
“Young men, bold and fearless, their edges yet unblunted by society—of course they’ve no qualms. This time, Li Yue and Chen Song are likely done for!”
…
Those from the other halls remaining in the capital couldn’t help but draw sharp breaths.
They were thoroughly shaken by Xia Chen’s operation!
“But under what pretext? Arresting so many Lamplighters without cause—even as Division Head, that hardly seems proper!”
Some couldn’t help but wonder—what leverage had Xia Chen uncovered on these men to act with such unbridled audacity?
“Let me tell you—and I stress this is hearsay from the grapevine—Chen Song and Li Yue are suspected to be men of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince!”
“Hiss! Is that true or false? What are the Crown Prince and the Third Prince up to? We’re the Lamplighters—that’s a colossal taboo!”
“Wait a moment—if those two are indeed the Crown Prince and the Third Prince’s men, shouldn’t that be a tightly guarded secret? Why does it now feel somewhat like common knowledge?”
…
Some gasped in shock at this revelation, while others, endowed with political acumen, voiced their doubts and inquiries.
“No one knows where it started—anyway, it’s just street gossip; let’s treat it as a spectacle and leave it at that. When the bigwigs above clash, we’d best not get tangled up in it.”
“If Chen Song and Li Yue truly are the Crown Prince and the Third Prince’s men, then it’s no surprise this Lord Xia acts so recklessly—it might well be His Majesty’s intent!”
Someone pointed upward to the heavens; at once, the crowd shrank back, daring not to discuss further.