“Don’t worry, Manager De!” Under the night sky, near the Half-Veiled Tea House in West City.
Wu Zhong, the Deputy Commander of the West City Garrison of the Five Cities Military Commandery, had a fawning smile.
The middle-aged man in brocade robes said calmly, “As long as you handle this well, my young master will surely put in a good word for you before Lord Gao.”
Wu Zhong heard the thing he desired in his heart, and the smile on his face widened. “Manager De, rest assured, this tea house will not be open for long.”
The position of Commander of West City was something he had coveted for a long time.
He had simply lacked the means.
After spending a long time, he finally found a way to advance.
Wu Zhong, with a determined stride, walked towards the tea house.
The Half-Veiled had the backing of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, allegedly a Hundred-Household Officer.
In the past, he wouldn’t dare offend the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
But things were different now.
He was serving the Gao family.
The Gao family, one of the top families in the Great Zhou, with the current head of the family being the Minister of Personnel.
The Minister of Personnel could also be called the Heavenly Official.
Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard, facing this Minister of Personnel, would not dare act rashly.
The Great Zhou Dynasty was not the Great Ming Dynasty.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard remained a sharp sword hanging over the heads of officials, but they did not have the same power as in the Ming Dynasty.
..
Inside the Half-Veiled.
The patrolling soldiers of the Five Cities Military Commandery rushed into the tea house, their eyes landing on Zhao Pan’er, who was arranging pastries for Jia Yu, and San Niang, who turned around upon hearing the sound.
Lust flashed in their eyes, but the thought of the power behind these two women held them back.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard might not be able to contend with the Minister of Personnel, but dealing with these low-level soldiers was a piece of cake.
For the sake of their lives, they wouldn’t dare touch something they shouldn’t.
“Gentlemen, is there something you need? We’ve completed all the necessary procedures.” Zhao Pan’er, placing the pastries, calmly approached the leading soldier, the Corporal, and discreetly placed a silver coin in his hand.
The Corporal, with the silver coin in his hand, whispered, “Manager Zhao, go find your patron.”
Zhao Pan’er’s expression changed upon hearing this, but quickly returned to normal.
The Corporal was telling her that the person behind this was not ordinary.
Everyone knew that the Half-Veiled was backed by a Hundred-Household Officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The fact that he dared to make a move meant he had some confidence in being able to withstand the pressure from the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Hundred-Household Officer.
“The Five Cities Military Commandery is conducting an investigation, any unrelated personnel are to leave immediately!”
A booming voice echoed from outside, Wu Zhong, corpulent, his clothes stretched tight, stepped into the Half-Veiled.
The fragrance in the air made him swallow involuntarily, he had tasted the Half-Veiled’s pastries a few times.
For the same price, the Half-Veiled’s pastries were the tastiest and most fragrant, and their tea was also much better than elsewhere.
Judging from the Half-Veiled’s revenue, it was almost comparable to the old tea houses in the capital.
A pity they had offended someone they shouldn’t have.
And the Half-Veiled’s owner was truly beautiful.
The other patrons in the tea house, seeing the patrols from the Five Cities Military Commandery, looked puzzled.
The Half-Veiled’s patron was a Hundred-Household Officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, not just any ordinary one.
Rumor had it that he had connections reaching heaven.
It was rare to see these dogs from the Five Cities Military Commandery daring to provoke him.
But they were happy to get a free meal of tea and snacks.
Those who liked to take advantage of a bargain immediately grabbed the pastries on their tables and ran out.
Those who already liked the Half-Veiled placed their copper coins on the table and walked out.
The scene became quiet.
“Boss, your pastries are really delicious, better than those from the Rongguo Mansion.”
Jia Yu, after glancing at the patrols from the Five Cities Military Commandery, focused on the pastries on the table.
“What is this called, I’ll have three more.”
Jia Yu pointed to a particularly delicate pastry with a hint of peach fragrance. “Three more for each table.”
Jia Yu’s words drew everyone’s attention. They turned to Jia Yu, and the three other tables were filled with strong men.
“The Five Cities Military Commandery is conducting an investigation, you refuse to leave, are you trying to obstruct the investigation?”
One of Wu Zhong’s men, a Hundred-Household Officer, seeing Jia Yu and the others not getting up, eager to earn merit, ignored their stature and barked loudly.
Zhao Pan’er came to her senses and hurriedly said to Jia Yu, “Sir, here’s your money, consider this a treat from me.”
She placed ten silver coins on the table.
Jia Yu looked up at the beautiful Zhao Pan’er, feeling something was amiss, why did she look so familiar?
He seemed to have forgotten something.
He couldn’t quite remember.
However, he was the Imperial Capital Garrison Commander, and the Five Cities Military Commandery was under his jurisdiction.
“Lao San, who’s the current Commander of the Five Cities Military Commandery?
And does the Five Cities Military Commandery even have the authority to conduct investigations? I seem to recall they don’t have that responsibility.”
Jia San, the head bodyguard, said, “The current Commander of the Five Cities Military Commandery is Qiu Liang.
The Five Cities Military Commandery doesn’t actually have the authority to conduct investigations.
This responsibility came about when the Mongols besieged the capital. His Majesty feared that bandits would take advantage of the situation. Plus, many officials from the Six Ministries were killed or wounded during the battle at Xuanfu.
They were unable to control certain affairs within the capital, so they transferred some of the responsibilities originally belonging to the Prefect of Shuntian to the Five Cities Military Commandery.”
“So, this is just a temporary responsibility? Once the Mongols retreat, this responsibility should be gone, right?”
Jia Yu took a sip of tea. “Otherwise, wouldn’t I be bothered to death in the future?”
Jia Yu thought about it, he had to manage hundreds of thousands of troops, and then there were these trivial matters in the capital, it was daunting.
Jia San was speechless, thinking to himself, it was the people sent by His Majesty who were in charge!
Those people probably wished they had more responsibilities.
That way, they could extend their reach to more places.
Wu Zhong, standing not far away, heard Jia San and Jia Yu’s conversation, and then saw the swords on their tables.
The swords were in standard sheaths, both elegant and fierce.
A fusion of elegance and ferocity.
These were the weapons of elite troops.
He didn’t recognize the handsome young man.
Wu Zhong hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and said, “I am Wu Zhong, Deputy Commander of the West City Garrison of the Five Cities Military Commandery, I’m currently conducting an investigation, please allow us to proceed, young master.”
West City was full of dignitaries.
If he accidentally offended a noble, it would be a huge problem.
“Let them leave.” Jia Yu didn’t like scenes of showing off and slapping faces, he just wanted to eat in peace.
Jia San nodded, tossing a token towards Wu Zhong...