Chapter 392
Chapter 392: Rising Climax
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"Report . "
The carriage stopped at a place only two streets away from the Suzhou government . The Tiger Guards kept an alert out for nearby movements . An Overwatch Council spy wearing common clothing stood closer . After his token was verified, he leaned close to the window in the carriage and spoke in a quiet voice .
In the carriage, Fan Xian was holding something and looking at it closely . He nodded and said, "Speak . "
"The Ming Garden didn't offer any resistance . The people of the Fourth Bureau have already entered and are currently searching . For now, there haven't been any results . "
Fan Xian was silent for a moment then said, "Use appropriate force, tell Deng Zi Yue not to be too aggressive . "
The spy made a sound of acknowledgement . He turned and left the carriage, disappearing into the morning crowd in Suzhou .
The carriage slowly began to move again . It had gone half a street toward the Suzhou government when another Overwatch Council spy flashed out from a corner of the street and approached the side of the carriage . They lowered their voice and reported, "No strange movements at the docks . "
Fan Xian was silent and did not speak . He waved his hand and had the person leave .
To get from Hua Garden to the Suzhou government, they had to cross almost half of city . Along the way, the carriage advanced silently and did not draw the attention of too many people . Most of the people in Suzhou did not know that early this morning, the Overwatch Council officials had already charged aggressively into Ming Garden .
In this distance, the crows that the Overwatch Council had moved at the last minute began to report on information from all quarters . All information relating to the Ming family's reaction was gathered in this moving carriage .
The situation in Ming Garden, the situation of the Ming family's merchants opening shop like usual, and the response of the governor's manor, all of this was sent at the quickest speed to the carriage to be handed to Fan Xian for him to consider holistically .
Today, this carriage was the Overwatch Council's headquarters .
Fan Xian also felt something was strange . Even if the Ming family feigned weakness, they could not allow themselves to be bullied without any sign of a response . To the contrary, it was the governor's yamen that started to tense up . There were already thoughts of mobilizing the military .
In today's plan, seeing the Ming family's reaction was one part, but capturing Zhou was the most important part .
Ming Garden had been under the Overwatch Council's constant and strict surveillance . Zhou shouldn't have had an opportunity to escape . Most importantly, up until now, the Ming family shouldn't have known that the Overwatch Council had the information of Zhou hiding in Ming Garden .
Fan Xian couldn't stop a trace of a self-deprecating smile from rising to the corner of his mouth . For the big clans and families in this world, if they were attacked by outsiders, they were always like centipedes and would not die in an instant . If their internal problems were incited, then they would face true difficulties . These words were said by Cao Xueqin in "A Dream of the Red Mansions . " He was having this feeling now because Zhou's hiding place was told to Fan Xian through some channel by someone in the Ming family, someone very powerful in the Ming family .
Otherwise, given the strict defenses of Ming Garden how could they know so certainly that Zhou was there? The Overwatch Council, over a dozen years, still had not succeeded in planting a high-level spy .
As long as Zhou was in Ming Garden, then today's matter could be considered successful .
…
…
The carriage slowly drove toward the Suzhou government . More Overwatch Council spies came forward to report various pieces of information . When there were no more peculiarities, the carriage burrowed into an unremarkable little alley . Close to a thick wall, the carriage stopped for some unknown reason .
About three meters to the left of the Suzhou government was the jail holding criminals . The prison executed people in the autumn and fed them in the spring . It now was the time when the population was most prosperous . In a single prison, it held 40 to 50 people .
Through the metal doors of the prison and to the end of the path, there was some light splashing through the skylight that carried warmth . It dispersed some of the dampness . Compared to the other cells that did not see the sky or the sun, it was much more comfortable .
This cell had a layer of straw on the ground . Below it, something forbidden, like a cotton blanket, could faintly be seen . A pale-faced middle-aged man was drinking alone, enjoying the treatment not afforded to usual prisoners .
This was the Fourth master of the Ming family . Because the Overwatch Council wanted to defeat the Ming family, he became the first sacrifice that was offered . He was forced into the Suzhou government . It had already been over 10 days, yet there was still no indication of him being let out . However, the Ming family was still a large family with great power . The Suzhou government had practically been supported by them, so there was someone taking care of everything while he stayed there . His days could be considered quite comfortable . There were some infamous bandits in the cell beside his who all looked at him with envious gazes .
The Fourth Ming master couldn't be bothered to acknowledge those petty thieves . He only slanted his eyes to look at the three bailiffs outside of his cell door . A slight mocking smile appeared at the corners of his mouth . "What's happening today?"
The bailiff opened the cell door with a bang and a bailiff bowed . With a flattering smile, he said, "Fourth master, it's been hard on you these days . However, the Overwatch Council keeps a tight watch, so we can't move you to a single cell . "
The Fourth Ming master shook his head and sighed . "The matter at hand is to be able to get out of here as quickly as possible . Has there been no word from the family?"
At this time, two other bailiffs had already brought in good food and alcohol and laid it out in front of him . The fragrance washed over their senses .
The Fourth Ming master was confused . It was not yet time for lunch, why were they bringing food so early? Suddenly, he thought of something and couldn't stop his expression changing dramatically . In a hoarse voice, he asked, "What does this mean?"
"After this meal, it's best to be on your way . " The bailiff sighed .
The Fourth Ming master's face was deathly white . He couldn't quite believe his own ears . At most he was forcefully dominating the market . How could it be a capital offense? Besides, he was of the Ming family . How could the government dare to kill him so casually? He unconsciously backed away and stared at the bailiff with hatred . Viciously, he said, "What you said, I don't understand . "
The bailiff lowered his head and said, "It's the intention of the Overwatch Council . Please don't blame me . "
The Fourth Ming master was not a stupid person . After a moment of thought, he understood the matter from beginning to end . He was silent for a moment then laughed mournfully . "What Overwatch Council? It's probably the family that wants to kill me . "
The bailiff straightened and lowered his voice . "Since Fourth master already understands, then don't take it too much to heart . It's for the good of the family…the Overwatch Council is forcing the family hard right now . Rumors say that they already entered the Ming Garden this morning . If nothing is done and trouble not stirred up, how could the Overwatch Council be willing to draw back their hand? You're the Fourth master . It is worth it to use your life to temporarily ensure half a year of peace and safety for the family . "
The Fourth Ming master cursed in a rage, "Those sons of b*tches! If they need someone to die, why don't they have the old matriarch die? F*ck her ancestors!"
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