Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 8 : Suspicion

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The Imperial Army was waiting to rotate shifts. It was so freezing cold that they were all huddled into themselves.

The Imperial Army of Qudu was originally the Imperial Guards of the Eight Cities. They were the impregnable fortress of the Imperial Palace in Qudu. Going by the rules, trivialities such as taking a person into custody would not have been tasked to them. But then the Eight Great Training Divisions of Qudu rose to power, and the duties and responsibilities of both parties were switched around. The Imperial Army was reduced to being the burden of Qudu. It not only abolished the military drills, but even literally became the errand-runner of Qudu. Today, they were all hereditary military households who had never seen real weaponry and were just idling around waiting to die.

Ge Qingqing was the Company Commander of the Imperial Bodyguards. He was not really considered an official in Qudu, but he was just perfect for the Imperial Army in charge of detention.

This was because they had to mutually look out for each other as they patrolled Qudu every day. If it had been an official of a slightly higher rank, they would not have dared to bribe as they wished.

Besides, Ge Qingqing was extremely generous in his treatment of them. So the Imperial Army turned a blind eye and let Ji Gang take on the chores of the original errand-runner. 

Ge Qingqing greeted the Imperial Army and distributed the hot steamed buns he had brought with him. Ji Gang had yet to come out. The Squad Commander saw him looking pensive, so he said, “If Brother Qing is in a hurry, please go ahead and check it out on our behalf.”

Ge Qingqing said, “Wouldn’t that be against the rules?” 

Biting the steamed bun, the Squad Commander waved his hand to motion to the Imperial Army guarding the back door to make way. He said, “Brother Qing isn’t an outsider. Besides, we have surrounded this Zhao Zui Temple until not even a drop of water can trickle through. The man within can’t escape for sure.”

Thus, Ge Qingqing did not decline his offer further. He turned around to enter Zhao Zui Temple. 

Ji Gang was sitting under the eaves. When he saw Ge Qingqing coming, he stood up and asked, “Is it time already?”

“It doesn’t matter since it’s still dark. Uncle Ji can stay a little longer.” Ge Qingqing surveyed the temple courtyard as he spoke. “This place is not fit for human living. And it happens to be in the dead of winter right now. I’ll send some quilts over later.”

Noting that he seemed to have something on his mind, Ji Gang asked, “What’s the matter?”

Ge Qingqing hesitated and said, “It’s not a big deal. It’s just that I met Second Young Master Xiao on the way earlier.”

Shen Zechuan raised his head and said, “That Xiao…”

“Xiao Chiye.” Ge Qingqing said, “He’s the youngest son of the Prince of Libei. He’s also… that same man from the other time. His gait is unsteady, and he reeks of wine. He must have gone drinking last night.”

“As long as it isn’t Xiao Jiming.” Ji Gang turned his head back to say to Grand Mentor Qi, “Grand Mentor has not left this place for twenty years. You probably don’t know the current Four Great Generals of Dazhou. The Prince of Libei has begotten himself a good son. That Xiao Jiming is truly remarkable!”

But Shen Zechuan asked Ge Qingqing, “Brother Qing, did he ask you something?”

Ge Qingqing thought carefully and said, “He asked me where I was going, and I said I was taking a shortcut to get to the command office. Then he said that this road did not seem to lead to Shenwu Street. So I gave him a perfunctory response. I suppose the descendant of a princely noble like him will not personally probe into it.”