Chapter 5 If Apologies Work, What's the Use of Power?
evening.
As the afterglow of the setting sun faded and the deep chime of the Shenlong Temple clock resounded throughout the city, night fell.
The capital city of Dayu unveils its prosperous and bustling veil.
The streets are crowded with people and the shops along the streets are brightly lit.
Dingfenglou is one of the famous restaurants in the capital, and the Ning'an County Magistrate is holding a banquet here tonight.
"Sigh."
The carriage stopped, and a servant in blue lifted the curtain. Zhao Duan, who had changed into casual clothes, stepped out of the carriage. He looked up and saw the big red lanterns hanging high in the restaurant, the red lacquered wooden pillars, and the carved attic. He said:
"Wait outside."
"Yes!" the servant responded.
Then the owner of the restaurant came out with a small hat and a big smile on his face:
"Envoy Zhao has come to visit me, and this humble building is blessed."
Zhao Duan imitated the original owner's manners, without even looking at him, walked straight in and headed towards the private room upstairs.
…
In the private room.
A table was filled with delicacies, but there was only one person at the table, drinking alone.
Wang Xian, the "Ning'an County Master", is a middle-aged man of about forty years old.
He was thin, dressed in silk and satin, and sat in a very stylish manner, with his hands hanging down at his knees, holding a folding fan with ivory carved ribs.
It’s very expensive.
Seeing Zhao Duan coming in, he said coldly:
"Your Excellency is such a busy man. I thought you wouldn't come."
Zhao Duan pretended not to hear anything and went straight to the table. He put his sword aside and started to pick up some dishes with ease.
He hadn't eaten or drunk anything since he came here, and he was indeed hungry.
"Wait a minute!"
However, the next second, the chopsticks he was using to pick up the food were suddenly pressed down by a folding fan!
Wang Xian had a cold face, with a hint of anger:
"Your Excellency, can't you hear me? Do you really think I'm treating you to a meal? You should know that there is no such thing as free food or free money in this world."
Zhao Duan raised his eyelids and finally looked at the other party:
"What's the meaning?"
It seemed that his calm appearance made the other party feel annoyed as if being ignored. Wang Xian's cheek muscles twitched and he said in a low voice:
"Are you playing dumb? Do you not know why I came? Why haven't you taken any action on the task I asked you to do a few days ago?
In the capital, rules must be followed. You took the deposit without hesitation, but the person has been slow to come to the rescue. I urged you repeatedly, but you just prevaricated and ignored me. This is inappropriate, isn't it?!"
He narrowed his eyes and said half-threateningly, half-sarcastically:
"Don't forget, I have evidence that you took advantage of me... Today, I'm going to ask you face to face: is it that you don't want to do it, or that you don't have the ability to do it?
If it's the latter, then just return the deposit quickly and avoid wasting other people's lives!"
Get straight to the point!
Anyway, the private room is well soundproofed, so there is no need to hide.
Zhao Duan calmly opened his folding fan and slowly picked up a piece of Dingfenglou's signature lamb, which was soft, tender, fragrant and melted in the mouth.
When the hunger subsided, he put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and said:
"You didn't have this attitude when you met me before."
Given his status, it would be reasonable for the other party to have such a bad attitude even if he didn't do anything.
Wang Xian snorted coldly, saying sarcastically:
"I know that the envoy has great reputation. I heard that he even dared to seize the case of the imperial court and got rid of the rebels."
...The news spread so quickly? So, they thought something bad was going to happen to me, and that's why they changed their attitude? They're asking for a deposit because they're afraid of losing both their money and their lives?
Zhao Duan said calmly:
"It seems you are not very well-informed, otherwise you would know that I will go to the palace to see the emperor this afternoon."
Wang Xian was stunned for a moment, then his expression relaxed: "Envoy...are you alright?"
Zhao Duan glanced at him and asked, "If something happens, can I still come to the banquet?"
What he was betting on was that Wang Xian only had a vague understanding and was still unaware of the situation.
The capital city is very big. If a brick is thrown down, it can hit four or five corrupt officials. Not to mention that the incident happened only half a day ago and the news spread slowly.
Even if the news spread, most officials would not be able to reach the top of the government due to their low rank.
Many people in later generations always have the illusion that important people are very close to them.
But in fact, the resources that a boss who is ridiculed as Lei Zi by netizens, or even a top internet celebrity, can mobilize and the class he belongs to are unimaginable to ordinary people.
The Ning'an County Master is a big shot to ordinary people.
But due to his identity, he never had the chance to see the true appearance of the empress in his entire life.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xian's momentum weakened: "So..."
Zhao Duan struck while the iron was hot and gave the other party a reassurance:
"Don't worry, I've been tracking down the rebels these past few days and have no time to take care of other things. Now that I'm free, I'll take care of what you said."
Seeing that he was calm and composed, Wang Xian had already believed him 80% of the time, so he simply took advantage of the situation and said "yes" lightly, and said arrogantly:
"I'm glad you said that."
Having said that, he stood up and was about to say goodbye - as a middleman, if there was any progress, he also had to appease the "buyer".
"Wait a minute."
However, as soon as he took a step, he was stopped.
"Anything else?" he asked with a frown.
Zhao Duan, who was sitting at the table, put down his wine cup:
"You've finished your story, but are you letting go of the yelling and threats you made at me just now?"
Wang Xian looked displeased, but still cupped his hands:
"I have been rude before, and I hope you will forgive me."
"That's it?" Zhao Duan said with a smile.
Wang Xian's face darkened. "Is an apology not enough?"
Zhao Duan did not answer, but slowly stood up and adjusted his belt.
Just when the latter was confused, without any warning, a stream of energy from Zhao Duan's lower abdomen flowed into his meridians, and he kicked out with lightning speed!
"Bang!"
Wang Xian screamed and flew backwards, smashing the door of the private room. He fell in the corridor, hunched over like a shrimp, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, and his face was pale!
"ah!!"
"He hit someone..."
There was immediate chaos downstairs, and the guests screamed. The restaurant owner hurried up the stairs, took a glance, turned back, and forbade outsiders to go upstairs, pretending that nothing had happened.
"Ugh...you dare...you dare to hit a noble?!" Wang Xian struggled to get up and roared in disbelief.
He knew that the empress's favorite had a bad reputation for being arrogant and domineering, but he never expected that he would dare to attack him.
However, the next second, his curse was stuck in his throat. Zhao Duan had drawn out his sword and put it against his neck.
Cold sweat poured down.
"I...I am from Ning'an County..."
Zhao Duan bent down, leaned close to the middle-aged noble's ear, and whispered softly:
"If apologies are useful, what is the need for power?
"Noble? Ha, a poor, impoverished boy from a remote village dares to challenge me? Do you really think that just because you wear silk and satin and work for officials, you are a big shot?
"People, it is important to know yourself."
Wang Xian was trembling and his lips turned pale.
Zhao Duan smiled, patted his face with the blade of the knife, and said:
"I will do what I promised. As for your impoliteness just now..."
He casually picked up the ivory folding fan from the wood chips on the ground and put it away:
"This, take it as an apology."
Immediately, he sheathed his knife and walked downstairs. After two steps, he seemed to remember something and said without turning his head:
"By the way, remember to pay the restaurant for the money to repair the door."
After saying that, he went downstairs and left.
Only County Man Ning'an was left, his face flushed red as he slowly climbed to his feet, his chest heaving, his eyes bloodshot, but he eventually swallowed back his curses:
"A gentleman's revenge is never too late..."
"Those who do evil will eventually perish..."
At this time, the shopkeeper came upstairs cautiously: "County Wang, you..."
Wang Xian was hysterical: "Get out!"
…
…
Outside Dingfeng Building.
The moment Zhao Duan got into the car, all his pretended arrogance and arrogance disappeared. He leaned back on the cushion and let out a deep breath.
He laughed at himself, "In my previous life, I was walking on thin ice, but in this life, I have the opportunity to do whatever I want. Am I considered the most annoying person?"
He shook his head, refusing to waste his energy.
This act was staged not only to send a signal to the outside world through Wang Xian that he was still confident, but also to stimulate the other party in order to gain greater credit.
“Bang, bang!”
Not long after, someone knocked on the carriage, and then the dark-skinned Zhu Kui came in.
Zhao Duan: "How is it?"
Zhu Kui: "Wang Xian has left. Our people are keeping watch as you instructed."
"Well done," Zhao Duan nodded in satisfaction. Seeing that the latter hesitated to speak, he asked:
"What else?"
Zhu Kui said:
"Your Excellency, I have accidentally discovered that Zhang Changshuo's hypocritical subordinates were also spying in the dark. They seem to have used a magic scroll to record your meeting with Wang Xian."
(End of this chapter)
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