Cyan Dragon Bureau.

It was already night, but the Guard Captain Hall was still lit.

From afar, Chen Tang and the two others saw Cai Yin sitting alone at a round table. There were no other dishes on the table, only a bowl of thin millet porridge.

Seeing Chen Tang and the others return, Cai Yin finally picked up the large bowl and started sipping the porridge unhurriedly.

The carriage they took came back late.

Normally, the news of Duan Zhao's murder should have reached Wu'an County by the previous day.

Being so late, Cai Yin waiting here clearly meant he had received the news.

The three exchanged glances, mentally prepared, and stepped forward to salute.

Cai Yin pretended not to hear and didn't even look up at them, continuing to drink his porridge.

They couldn't say anything and could only patiently wait on the side.

Cai Yin drank the porridge very slowly. The porridge had been sitting for who knows how long, and it was evidently cold without any steam.

Yet, he picked up the large bowl, sipping it with a slurping sound.

With each sip, he'd smack his lips a few times, as if savoring it thoughtfully.

Chen Tang watched closely. There were no other ingredients in that bowl of porridge, just millet, and it was more water than grain, definitely not tasty.

But for some reason, watching Cai Yin drink that bowl of porridge, it seemed extraordinarily appetizing.

After a long while, Cai Yin finally finished drinking.

The bowl was spotlessly clean, not a grain of millet left, not even a drop of the watery broth.

After finishing the millet porridge, Cai Yin raised his head, looked at the three in front of him, suddenly slapped the table, and shouted with a dark face, "What a fine mess you three have made!"

Chen Tang said in a deep voice, "This matter started because of me alone, and it has nothing to do with Brother Wei and Sister Li."

"You still know?"

Cai Yin pointed at Chen Tang, reprimanding, "On your first day at the Cyan Dragon Bureau, you shirked your duty, and after just a few quiet days, you've caused trouble again! You dare to kill a County Captain before even becoming an official Cyan Dragon Guard. Once you are a guard, will you dare kill the County Captain too?"

Chen Tang remained silent.

Wang Yanli couldn't help but speak, "Cai, it's not Xiao Chen's fault. That Duan Zhao was abusing his power for personal vendettas, and we did not contend with him. We took a step back intending to negotiate a promotion yet he reneged and suddenly wouldn't release the person."

"Xiao Chen wanted to reason with him, but who knew why he drew his sword and attacked Xiao Chen, utterly lawless, disregarding the Court, and despising the Emperor."

"Hmph!"

Cai Yin sneered, "Duan Zhao isn't a fool. Would he dare go against the Cyan Dragon Guard?"

Wang Yanli replied, "It wasn't just me who said it, everyone present saw it."

Cai Yin continued to sneer, "Saying this, never mind I don't believe it, do you believe it yourself?"

Wang Yanli fell silent.

Wei Qun had anticipated this.

Such matters might fool others but wouldn't escape Cai's notice.

"You all!"

Cai Yin pointed at Wei Qun and Wang Yanli, somewhat helplessly saying, "He just arrived in Wu'an County, knowing nothing of the stakes here. Aren't you aware of the force behind Duan Zhao?"

Chen Tang spoke, "Brother Wei reminded me, Duan Zhao is one of County Captain Han Lang's people."

"A mere County Captain is nothing to fear, but do you know who Han Lang's sponsor is?"

Cai Yin asked.

Chen Tang responded, "I heard he's affiliated with Marquis Wu'an."

Cai Yin asked again, "And do you know who's behind Marquis Wu'an?"

Chen Tang shook his head slightly.

Although Marquis Wu'an held the title of Marquis, he was in a remote commandery and lost his Commander position years ago. He seemed to be in decline.

Yet, observing the Huo Family's control over Wu'an County, bypassing Commanders, freely placing County Magistrates and Captains in Changze County, it seemed like the power of Marquis Wu'an's Mansion was rather extraordinary.

At least in the conflict within Wu'an County, Commander Li Yan was entirely at a disadvantage.

Cai Yin said, "In recent years, Marquis Wu'an has aged and probably won't live much longer. Moreover, his family's decline seemed evident. But several years ago, Marquis Wu'an's Crown Prince married the daughter of the Pingzhou Governor!"

Chen Tang realized suddenly.

No wonder the Huo Family had such power in Wu'an County.

A Governor was akin to a satrap.

Pingzhou Governor, He Yeqian, reportedly at the Second Grade of cultivation and an Innate Expert.

If the backing of Marquis Wu'an's Mansion was the Pingzhou Governor, indeed, no force in Wu'an County could contend with it.

Cai Yin continued, "Moreover, I guess there's something else you might not know."

"One of Pingzhou Governor's daughters was a concubine of the late emperor, from the He Clan, who bore a son—the current Prince Qinghe!"

Chen Tang was astounded.

This Pingzhou Governor was not only a regional power but also had ties through the maternal family to the imperial lineage!

Wei Qun suddenly said, "I heard that not long ago, after the late emperor passed, Prince Qinghe almost succeeded to the throne."

"Because the long-missing Crown Prince appeared in the Capital City, forces from all sides clashed fiercely, and many died in the Capital during those days. Eventually, the Crown Prince, with support from the Black Tortoise Bureau, secured victory and succeeded to the throne, becoming the new emperor."

Chen Tang had read about this record, but it wasn't detailed.

The Second Prince mentioned should be this Prince Qinghe.

Chen Tang asked, "What happened to Prince Qinghe?"

Cai replied, "I heard that Prince Qinghe and his mother have been temporarily placed under house arrest by His Holiness."

Wang Yanli said, "Although they are half-siblings, they share the same father. After not seeing each other for more than a decade, there is still a familial bond. His Holiness did not eradicate them completely, so he is a benevolent and righteous ruler."

Chen Tang pondered.

Whether today's emperor is benevolent, he did not know.

But the most crucial reason for not killing Prince Qinghe is likely fear.

Pingzhou is located at the border, bordering the Extreme North Cold Domain, highlighting its significance.

Now, with the previous emperor's demise, the daughter and grandson of the Governor of Pingzhou lost the struggle for the throne. If they were killed, it could likely provoke the Governor of Pingzhou to rebellion.

The new emperor just ascended, and the political situation is unstable.

Additionally, the Crown Prince has been missing outside for over ten years, and is not well-regarded in either the court or military due to lack of experience and prestige.

The most important task for the new emperor is to appease the officials and ministers, to reward when necessary, to win over support, and to stabilize the situation as much as possible. Only then can they gradually cultivate their own power.

If they impose too much pressure and slaughter, they might force the opposition to take desperate measures.

Cai Yin said, "Although Prince Qinghe and his mother are under house arrest, the Governor of Pingzhou received a reward from His Holiness and was bestowed the title Duke Jingbei, becoming even more prominent."

At this moment, Yue Shou came to the door and said in a deep voice, "Cai, Captain Tan is looking for you."

"It's definitely about this mess of yours."

Cai Yin shot a fierce glare at the three of them and scolded, "You brought me trouble. Next time such a thing happens, let me know first, got it?"

With that, Cai Yin followed Yue Shou out.

"It's fine now."

Wei Qun exhaled lightly, smiled, and comforted Chen Tang, "Don't mind Cai banging the table and glaring, he's not actually that angry. If he were truly angry, he wouldn't even talk to us."

"When I first came, I saw Cai constantly drinking porridge, ignoring us. I thought he was really mad." Wang Yanli chuckled softly.

Chen Tang also smiled and asked, "Why does Cai only drink a bowl of millet porridge in the evening, is there a reason?"

Normally when you encounter Cai Yin, he's either eating or looking for something to eat, rarely idle with his mouth empty.

At the very least, he would have some peanuts or nuts in his hand.

Tonight he only had a bowl of millet porridge, it was the first time seeing this.

Wei Qun, hearing this, put away his smile and said, "Cai had a poor upbringing, experiencing famine in his childhood, couldn't get food, and his parents starved to death in front of him. Cai mentioned once that the last thing his mother begged for him before she died was a bowl of millet porridge."

Wei Qun sighed and said, "Cai said he will never forget the taste of that porridge."

"So Cai always loves to eat, probably a result of these childhood memories. But every month, he deliberately fasts for a few days, and can't bear it, then he drinks a bowl of thin millet porridge."

Wang Yanli said, "I heard Cai was lucky, had fainted from hunger, and was rescued from a pile of dead bodies by Lord Tan, who was part of the Cyan Dragon Guard then..."

...

Cai Yin arrived at the Captain's Hall and saw that only Tan Wujiu was waiting inside. He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lord, what is it?"

Cai Yin asked with a smile.

Tan Wujiu paid no attention to him and continued practicing calligraphy at the table.

Cai Yin knew Tan Wujiu's hobby and stepped forward to grind ink for him.

About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense passed.

Only after completing a full page of characters, Tan Wujiu looked at Cai Yin and slowly said, "The Cyan Dragon Guard you recruited, got into trouble in just a few days."

"It's just about this?"

Cai Yin widened his bull-like eyes and said innocently, "It's not his fault. I found out that it was Duan Zhao who attacked first, and Chen Tang was forced to retaliate."

"Such lawlessness, disrespect for the court, and disdain for the emperor!"

Tan Wujiu sneered upon hearing this and asked, "You might fool others with that excuse, but don't think I believe it, nor will Han Lang or the Huo Family!"

"Whether you believe it or not, I do."

Cai Yin muttered.

Tan Wujiu then asked, "Was it their private action?"

"No."

Cai Yin said, "Before they went, they told me. I didn't think it was a big deal, so I didn't give them a written order. Who would have thought that Duan Zhao would stir up trouble, damn it..."

Cai Yin was about to curse when he noticed Tan Wujiu's displeased look and quickly closed his mouth, lightly coughing, "It's not their fault. It's just that Han Lang lost face here with me, and Duan Zhao wanted to regain it, which led to a dispute."

"You can protect him for now but not forever."

Tan Wujiu slightly shook his head and said, "Duan Zhao belongs to Han Lang, and behind Han Lang is Marquis Wu'an's Mansion."

"So what?"

Cai Yin glared and said, "Do Han Lang and Marquis Wu'an's Mansion dare to retaliate against the Cyan Dragon Guard?"

Tan Wujiu said, "First, Chen Tang is not yet an official member of the Cyan Dragon Guard."

"Second, do you think Marquis Wu'an, who has operated here for years, and Han Lang, as County Captain, controlling military and political powers in the region, only have their own people? There are plenty of ways to make someone disappear."

Cai Yin's face changed as if realizing something, and he turned to leave.

"It's already too late."

Tan Wujiu glanced at the sky and shook his head, saying indifferently.

Cai Yin paused slightly with his back to Tan Wujiu, then gritted his teeth and left in long strides.

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