Shi Tianming knelt down on one knee with a thud, his face filled with undisguised grief and indignation, and shouted loudly.
Guo Tianyi stared intently at Shi Tianming, his eyes sharp, and sneered inwardly: This Shi Tianming didn't mention a word about why Shi Wenshan and Shi Yujiao were crippled, but immediately started shouting about revenge. His intentions are sinister.
He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and said slowly, "Tianming, privately mobilizing troops is a serious violation of military regulations. If Prefect Han Wentian finds out, not only you, but even I, the Prefect, will be in deep trouble!"
Shi Tianming was prepared. He calmly raised his head, a sly glint in his eyes: "Lord Commandant, this matter may seem like a private affair of my Shi family, but it is not. Those who injured my nephew and niece were from Yanming City. Not only did they commit such a heinous act, but they also embezzled a large quantity of my Shi family's goods. Our going to seek justice is perfectly justified. How can it be considered unauthorized troop deployment or breaking the law?"
In the past, Guo Tianyi might have been deceived by Shi Tianming's words.
But at this moment, Fang Han's letter in his hand seemed to still be warm. The various evil deeds of the Shi family in the letter made Guo Tianyi clearly know that Shi Tianming was turning black into white and confusing right and wrong.
Guo Tianyi sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. After a moment's thought, he said, "Since that's the case, then you should go and return quickly, and make sure there are no unforeseen complications."
Shi Tianming was overjoyed, but on his face he feigned a grateful expression: "Thank you, Commandant! I will remember your great kindness!"
He was secretly pleased with himself, thinking that Guo Tianyi was too easy to fool and had been persuaded by him so easily.
In his view, once he gained Guo Tianyi's trust, a meteoric rise to power was just around the corner.
Moreover, he had already planned to curry favor with Prefect Han Wentian in the future, replace Guo Tianyi's position, and become the ruler of this region.
"Take this and take it to the drill ground to muster the troops."
Guo Tianyi took the token from his waist and handed it to Shi Tianming:
Shi Tianming accepted the token with both hands, bowed, and stepped back.
On the drill ground, flags fluttered in the wind, and Shi Tianming, clad in armor and holding a long spear, stood majestically on the command platform.
At his command, a thousand county soldiers quickly assembled, their orderly footsteps echoing across the empty drill ground.
After the provisions and weapons were loaded onto the wagons, Shi Tianming waved his hand, and the mighty army set off towards Guyue City.
During the march, Shi Tianming rode his tall horse, his thoughts drifting far away.
He knew the deeper meaning behind his brother Shi Tianyong's decision to send him back to Guyue City with his troops.
The news of Shi Wenshan and Shi Yujiao's demotion was bound to come out eventually, and once it spread throughout Guyue City, the Shi family's prestige would plummet.
Those forces that usually fear the Shi family will surely be eager to make a move and try to take their place.
His purpose in leading his troops back was to give these unscrupulous people a warning, to deter their ambitions, and to solidify the Shi family's position in Guyue City.
He was still on his way when he sent a message back to Guyue City via Qingniao.
What Shi Tianming didn't know was that while he was reviewing his troops at the drill ground, the Prefect Guo Tianyi had already taken Fang Han's handwritten letter to Prefect Han Wentian.
Guo Tianyi passed through layers of guards and stepped into the main hall, where he saw Prefect Han Wentian sitting upright on a carved sandalwood chair, wearing an official robe embroidered with golden python patterns. The jade pendant at his waist swayed gently with his movements, exuding an aura of authority without anger.
Han Wentian was in charge of the affairs of Tianyuan County, and in terms of power, he was the absolute number one person in Tianyuan County.
Although the three major sects—Dragon Origin Sword Sect, Azure Profound Sect, and Limitless Sect—are aloof and unapproachable in Tianyuan County, the people of these three sects would never easily offend the county governor.
The prefect is the head of a prefecture and a high-ranking official in the Yanlong Kingdom.
Behind the Yanlong Kingdom, there are also cultivation forces belonging to the royal family. These three major sects will not be able to do whatever they want in Tianyuan County.
"Your Excellency, Guo Tianyi has come to apologize!"
Guo Tianyi suddenly knelt down on both knees, his forehead almost touching the ground, his voice filled with deep self-reproach.
Han Wentian put down the celadon teacup in his hand, which collided with the table, making a crisp sound.
He frowned slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Guo Tianyi, you have always acted with composure, why are you suddenly apologizing today? Please stand up and speak first."
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