Qiao Chu

Although the military officer's words were blunt, everyone present understood their implication.

The officials on the high platform showed subtle shifts in their previously indifferent expressions, surprised that these Capital Garrison soldiers would step forward to intervene.

It was truly baffling.

"Lin Kun!" Director Zhu called out the officer's name. Though Lin Kun was merely a Captain like many others in the capital, he came from an aristocratic family and they were acquainted. "Your unit will face punishment from the Capital Garrison."

Lin Kun showed no fear, replying with a grin: "What have we done? It was just some pushing and shoving after an argument - quite common really. Last month, some soldiers from the Southern Army and Northern Army had a similar scuffle that even reached the Vice Minister, who declared it nothing serious."

By invoking the Vice Minister's authority, Lin Kun demonstrated the cunning typical of Capital Garrison officers stationed in the capital. Director Zhu stared at him: "An argument? Some pushing and shoving? That's not what was reported earlier."

Lin Kun widened his eyes in feigned ignorance: "It was just a disagreement about whether the food was tasty or not." He turned to the soldiers, "Isn't that right?"

Several soldiers stepped forward - disheveled, with bruised faces - the five cooks who had started the whole affair and naturally participated when the two sides confronted each other.

When questioned, all five spoke up eagerly: "Yes." "That's exactly what happened." "To be honest, our cooking really isn't good." "They criticized it, we didn't want to hear it, so we cursed at them."

This version differed significantly from earlier accounts.

Director Zhu looked at them coldly: "Have you been beaten into submission?"

Lin Kun responded: "Sir, you underestimate us. We're all soldiers of Great Xia - how could we be intimidated by a fight? Who have we ever feared? Didn't we face Prince Zhongshan's troops when they attacked?" Before Director Zhu could reply, he continued: "We've long admired the Border Army's reputation. Since we've met, we had to test each other. We're all brothers here - what's wrong with a friendly sparring match?"

He then bowed ceremoniously.

"We apologize for disturbing the senior officials."

"So if there must be punishment, let it be shared equally to ensure fairness."

Surrounding Capital Garrison soldiers joined in the chorus: "Punish us all together!"

Amid the commotion, Xie Yanlai turned to study Lin Kun: "I never realized you had such nerve."

"Xie Yanlai," Lin Kun retorted, "with that attitude, we could fight you again right now."

Xie Yanlai snorted: "Bring it on."

The area fell silent abruptly, then erupted in noise again. Distant observers couldn't discern what was happening, but Zhang Gu and nearby soldiers could both see and hear clearly.

"Captain Lin is being surprisingly reasonable," one soldier whispered, sighing in relief. "Last time I delivered dispatches to him, I saw him smash a table in rage, then chase people around - it was terrifying."

Zhang Gu chuckled: "Reasonable? Hardly. It's just that A Jiu has a particular talent for winning people over."

Another soldier nodded: "If you're talking about being likable, A Jiu definitely isn't. His words can infuriate people. But actually, he doesn't bully others - he's very fair. If you hit him, he'll hit back. If he hits you, you can hit him too. Whether you can beat him or not depends on your own capability."

Zhang Gu shook his head: "Actually, this time he's not doing it for himself. If it were just about him, he wouldn't bother confronting these people."

The truth was, A Jiu was fundamentally lazy."That's true," the soldier who spoke first nodded. "They said it started over food and drink. Even if he's taken away by Ministry of War officials, can they really convict him for eating and drinking? At most, he'll just get a warning."

"Then why did he start this fight?" another soldier still didn't understand. "To show off his power?" Then he grew nervous. "And now with all this commotion, they could really charge him with inciting soldiers to brawl."

Zhang Gu looked at the soldiers gathered ahead. They were all covered in dust, no longer clearly separated into distinct groups as before. Now they stood mixed together, even talking to each other.

"He did this for the Border Army," Zhang Gu said. "He doesn't care about himself, but he doesn't want the Border Army to be resented by the Capital Garrison, nor does he want the Border Army's reputation damaged."

So how to resolve this? By fighting fiercely, letting everyone vent their anger, fighting until they submit. Starting with a fight and ending with a fight - only then would this matter be truly settled.

......

......

"Sir, you can't take them all away," an official whispered to Director Zhu. "If we involve the Capital Garrison too, this matter will become too big."

Just as Director Zhu was about to speak, the watching crowd outside, unaware of what was happening, began making noise.

"Are they going to fight or not?"

"We've already placed bets! Hurry up and fight!"

Director Zhu's face darkened. What kind of situation was this!

"The common people are treating this as entertainment," another official whispered. "If we take away so many soldiers, rumors will spread everywhere."

Director Zhu looked down from the platform at Xie Yanlai. The young man was already chatting arm-in-arm with Lin Kun, as if the matter was already settled, completely disregarding the officials on the platform.

"But we can't just let this go!" he said coldly. "As an Army Envoy of the Border Army, no matter what, he can't escape responsibility. He must be taken away!"

That was true too. The officials fell silent.

But then someone else spoke.

"Director Zhu, since this was merely military sparring, let's consider the matter closed here."

Director Zhu's expression darkened. Who? How dare they give him orders like this!

He first looked at the red-robed eunuch standing nearby. The old eunuch had a kindly face and gestured with his eyes that he hadn't spoken, helpfully pointing toward the area below the platform.

Seventh Master Xie had already come up.

"Director Zhu, although this caused some misunderstanding, military sparring can hardly be considered a violation of military law," he continued. "So let's forget about punishment."

Director Zhu looked at Seventh Master Xie and said, "Is Seventh Master interfering in court affairs? This matter concerns the Grand Tutor—"

Seventh Master Xie wasn't as mild-mannered as Xie Yanfang and interrupted directly: "Stop with that nonsense. Both sides have stated it was a contest, not even a brawl. What court affairs are being interfered with? At most, it's just mischievous behavior. Rest assured, we're not condoning him either. We'll take this mischievous child back and discipline him properly. You can report exactly that to the Grand Tutor. If the Grand Tutor disagrees, let him speak with Yanfang and send the imperial guards to arrest him."

Although the Grand Tutor had raided many homes, the Xie family's gates couldn't be easily touched.

The Grand Tutor could argue with Xie Yanfang, but Director Zhu didn't dare to truly argue with Seventh Master Xie. After all, Seventh Master Xie was the Emperor's elder.

"I will convey this to the Grand Tutor," he said coldly.

Seventh Master Xie turned to look down from the platform and shouted angrily: "Xie Yanlai!"

Xie Yanlai, who had been laughing and joking with Lin Kun, looked up.

Lin Kun also looked at the man and whispered, "That's your uncle. Last time, my uncle hosted a banquet for him."

Xie Yanlai made an "oh" sound, this single sound serving as acknowledgment for both of them."You are unruly and reckless in the military. Although the army doesn't hold it against you, the family cannot turn a blind eye," Seventh Master Xie shouted, then called for others. "Tie him up and take him back to kneel in the ancestral hall."

Xie Yanlai scoffed, "Seventh Uncle, isn't the ancestral hall in Dongyang?"

Seventh Master Xie said coldly, "If the ancestral hall is in your heart, you can kneel anywhere. Of course, you can also return to Dongyang to kneel in the ancestral hall. That's an excellent suggestion."

Returning to Dongyang would mean he would never be allowed to leave again, like an eagle with its wings broken. Xie Yanlai fell silent and stared at Seventh Master Xie.

The Xie family servants had already approached Xie Yanlai and said respectfully, "Ninth Young Master, please."

Xie Xiao, hiding behind the servants, covered his face and said fiercely, "If he refuses to go, tie him up! He has completely tarnished the Xie family's good reputation! If we don't teach him a lesson, what will become of our family's dignity?"

The officials on the platform sneered at Seventh Master Xie's talk of family rules and binding people. They thought to themselves, The Xie family has monopolized all the good reputation without suffering any losses.

Lin Kun could say no more. This was someone else's family affair, and he had no reason to insist on going along.

At least there was no need for a formal conviction. Going home was better than nothing.

Looking at Xie Yanlai's expressionless face, he whispered, "I understand—family can be such a nuisance."

But there was no escaping it. That was family, after all. He reached out and patted Xie Yanlai on the shoulder.

"Go back, admit your mistakes properly, play the obedient grandson for a few days, and then come out to hang with your brothers."

With that pat, Xie Yanlai took a few steps forward and was surrounded by the servants.

Niu General of the Border Army blurted out, "No!" He pushed through the servants and grabbed Xie Yanlai. "You can't go home. You have an audience to attend. You're the Army Envoy."

Seventh Master Xie glanced at the general. None of the other officials had intervened, yet this reckless man dared to say no.

"Don't worry," Seventh Master Xie said with a mocking smile, teasing the brute. "He won't miss his duties. Even if he does, his brother is in the court and can speak for him."

Niu General didn't know why he was objecting. Attending the audience as the Army Envoy was an honor for the Xie family—why would they delay it?

But something felt off. Looking at the Xie family members, both old and young, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were about to swallow Xie Yanlai whole and never spit him out again.

"Maybe it's better to go home after the audience," he insisted.

Seventh Master Xie's face darkened, but before he could speak, Xie Yanlai raised his hand and placed it on Niu General's shoulder.

"Old Niu, why so much talk?" he said. "Can't bear to part with me? Weren't you annoyed with me the whole journey? Before we left, I even heard you complaining to Zhong Changrong about not wanting to accompany me. Now that we're in the capital, are you scared? Need to rely on me?"

Niu General glared and said, "Nonsense! I'm worried about the Border Army's duties. You're completely unreliable—don't you dare delay General Zhong's important matters."

Xie Yanlai laughed. "Don't worry. I am me, and the Border Army is the Border Army. It won't be delayed because of me." With that, he pushed Niu General away.

What does he mean, 'I am me, and the Border Army is the Border Army'? Niu General wanted to ask more, but Xie Yanlai's push was forceful, making him stagger back several steps. Several soldiers from the Border Army surrounded him, signaling for him to say no more.

"His brother is Xie Yanfang, whose status in the court is no lower than the Grand Tutor's. Don't worry needlessly.""Xie Yanlai can speak freely—his family is powerful and influential, so nothing he says matters. But who do you think you are? Keep your words to a minimum. This is the capital."

Seeing the military officer fall silent, Seventh Master Xie smiled faintly and flicked his sleeves. It doesn't matter what captain you've become, how many troops you command, or even if you're an Army Envoy—the Xie family's affairs concern only the Xie family. Who would dare interfere?

"Alright, let's go—" he began.

But as soon as he spoke, another voice interrupted: "Seventh Master, please wait."

Who else is being so blind? Why is taking away one Xie Yanlai turning into such an endless trivial matter?

Seventh Master Xie turned with an irritated expression, only to see a red-robed eunuch bowing to him with a smile.

"Ah, Qi Gonggong," Seventh Master Xie suppressed his annoyance and replied with a gentle smile. "What instructions do you have?"

Qi Gonggong said, "Young Master Yan Lai cannot return yet. The Empress wishes to see him."