Chapter 94: Chief Lin, We’re Not Releasing Him, Don’t Keep Beating Around The Bush
Prefect Zhao learned that Commander Song, who was by the Prince’s side, had arrived.
He was ecstatic.
The Ximen family was truly capable; they had managed to get the Prince to actually care about them and send someone to help with a request. It seemed the Ximen family held more weight in the Prince’s heart than he had imagined.
He straightened his clothes and quickly entered the living room, his face already brimming with enthusiastic and eager smiles. He cupped his hands and said, “Commander Song, you’ve traveled a great distance. It is my failure not to have welcomed you sooner; I am truly remiss.”
Commander Song rose to return the bow, a smile on his face, and spoke familiarly, “Prefect Zhao, you are too kind. Brother Qin and I have a lifelong friendship forged in shared peril. He often speaks of you as his confidant and close friend in Anzhou. Since we are all friends, why must we be so formal with each other?”
“Haha, good, good!” Prefect Zhao nodded repeatedly. “Brother Qin and I have governed Anzhou together, supporting each other through thick and thin for many years. Since that is the case, I will take the liberty of calling you Brother Song.”
“Good, Brother Zhao.” Commander Song was impeccable in his social interactions.
More brothers meant more paths.
Especially given his current predicament, there was always the possibility of his entire family being implicated.
Although if such a situation were to truly occur,
Prefect Zhao wouldn’t be much help.
However, knowing more people never hurt.
After a brief period of aimless chatter,
Commander Qin spoke, “Brother Zhao, Brother Song is here on official business. You know our Chief Lin best, so please tell Brother Song thoroughly about who this person is and what he is like.”
Mentioning the name ‘Lin Fan’.
Prefect Zhao was enraged, as if facing a mortal enemy.
Commander Song naturally took note of Prefect Zhao’s expression.
Seeing a prefect become so furious at the mention of a name was enough to indicate how unwelcome this Chief Lin was in Anzhou, and that he might have done something unimaginable to Prefect Zhao.
“Brother Song, Brother Qin,” Prefect Zhao pointed to his own face, “look closely at my face. Do you notice anything?”
He was about to reveal his shame.
Commander Qin and Commander Song stared intently.
Commander Qin said, “There is slight redness and swelling.”
Commander Song added, “Faint finger marks are visible. Could it be, Brother Zhao, that you had a conflict with your wife at home?”
“No! Brother Song, you’ve guessed wrong.” Prefect Zhao’s voice suddenly rose, filled with grief and indignation. He barely managed to squeeze the words out through gritted teeth, “This was inflicted by that Lin Fan yesterday.”
An uproar!
Commander Song was greatly shocked.
“Brother Zhao, how is this possible? You are the prefect of a prefecture, a position of high status. He is merely a chief officer. How dare he strike you? Does he have no regard for the law? Does he not understand what an imperial official is? Is he truly so arrogant?”
Even though he had seen many grand occasions.
He was still astonished by this news.
Prefect Zhao seemed to have found someone to vent his frustrations to. He said mournfully, “Brother Song, he is not merely arrogant; he is utterly lawless, disregarding all discipline. Yesterday, he came to find me and produced a verdict document, forcing me to sign it. It turns out he went to Pingcheng County and executed the local county magistrate. Without due process or review, he took it upon himself to execute him.”
“If I refused to sign, he hit me. If I wanted to impeach him, he threatened me.”
“Brother Song, would you say he is even human?”
After pouring out his heart.
Prefect Zhao seemed to have vented a good deal of his pent-up frustration, and his complexion softened slightly.
Commander Qin feigned great anger, his grip on his teacup making it creak, clearly conveying his understanding of Brother Zhao’s plight.
In contrast, Commander Song’s expression was grave.
“Brother Zhao, what is his background that he dares to be so lawless? Even a prince would be severely reprimanded by His Majesty if they casually beat an imperial official. A prefect represents the face of the imperial court. To strike a prefect is to strike the imperial court’s face.”
He only wanted to know the other party’s background.
Without a powerful backer, one couldn’t do such things.
“What background? He has none! He’s completely reliant on brute force and unreasonableness, charging ahead recklessly. It’s only because I’m old and easy to bully. Let him try to bully a prefect in his prime, or Brother Qin. He’s just picking on me!”
Prefect Zhao became more agitated as he spoke, veins visibly bulging on his forehead.
Commander Song frowned, still not entirely convinced.
No background?
Impossible, surely.
Commander Qin, standing nearby, interjected, “His identity has been investigated. He was a refugee, from a low-status household, who drifted to Yong’an from who knows where, joined the local gang, and later, after passing the law exam, became a member of the Public Security Bureau.”
“He made rapid progress in a short period, rising from a commoner constable to deputy squad leader.”
“Then, after his merits in bandit suppression, he was promoted to Anzhou Chief Officer and awarded the title of Loyal and Brave Colonel.”
Commander Qin recounted Lin Fan’s experiences.
He and Prefect Zhao had concealed one matter.
That was Ning Yu.
But there was no need to mention it. Both Prefect Zhao and he wished for this Lin to be gone quickly, preferably to be demoted to the lowest rank.
They were not easy to deal with.
So they would leave it to the Prince to deal with him.
Surely someone of higher status would have to handle him.
This was Commander Qin’s thought, and also Prefect Zhao’s, especially as Prefect Zhao’s thoughts went much further.
You’re so arrogant and overbearing, always hitting people, aren’t you?
If you’re so brave, why don’t you go hit the Prince?
Commander Song tapped his fingers lightly on the table and mused, “To be promoted so quickly… it seems His Majesty was in an excellent mood at the time to grant such an exceptional commendation.”
If it were truly as Brother Qin said,
then it would be easy to handle.
With this thought, Commander Song decided to engage with this Chief Lin a bit, to test his mettle.
…
Public Security Bureau.
“You all still need to train more.”
Lin Fan looked at the panting crowd. They had barely started exercising.
The constables looked at their Chief Officer. He wasn’t even out of breath, nor was he sweating. They had run the exact same distance, yet they returned with legs like jelly, feeling like their legs no longer belonged to them.
But who would have thought.
Chief Lin was completely fine.
Just then, Li Zhengdao approached Lin Fan and whispered, “The Ximen family’s butler has returned, bringing a group of men on horseback with sabers. They don’t come with good intentions.”
“Oh, they’ve brought reinforcements.” Lin Fan smiled.
Li Zhengdao continued, “The group didn’t go to the Ximen residence but to the Qin manor. Not long after, Prefect Zhao also went there. Sir, this is clearly aimed at you.”
Lin Fan didn’t take the matter to heart. Instead, he called out to Xu Ming, instructing him to bring Ximen Hai out of the prison and escort him to the courtyard.
Since they had come, he naturally had to prepare to humiliate Ximen Hai in front of them.
To see what this was all about.
Could people with connections really do as they pleased?
When they made a mistake, instead of admitting guilt, they would seek out this person and that person, using their influence to threaten him into releasing them.
If he released anyone they asked him to,
what kind of chief officer would he be?
In the prison.
Ximen Hai, locked up here, was in extreme despair. He had been imprisoned for a long time, and now there was no sign of release. Huang Shan and Zhou Hanshan had also been imprisoned here earlier.
But they had both been taken to Caishi Mouth and executed.
This had left a great psychological scar on him.
He was afraid he would also be executed.
“Brother Ximen, are you also unable to leave?” the young gentlemen, also imprisoned, asked.
Their families were prominent households in the area.
Whenever they had committed offenses in the past, they were always resolved easily.
But now, they were also afraid.
The stench pervading the prison, along with the ruthless methods the constables used during interrogations, made them tremble, and they all wished to be rescued quickly.
But even a prominent figure like Ximen Hai.
was still obediently locked up.
Naturally, they couldn’t imagine being released before Ximen Hai.
“Nonsense! Who says I can’t get out?” Ximen Hai suddenly looked up and roared, putting on a brave front, “My father will definitely get me out. You can’t imagine how noble our family’s backer is.”
He firmly believed.
His current imprisonment was only temporary. Once his father sought help from that person, all problems would cease to be problems.
Suddenly, footsteps approached.
Xu Ming walked up to Ximen Hai and unlocked his shackles. Ximen Hai was bewildered by this turn of events, but soon, it seemed he realized something.
“Hahaha, they’re letting me out?”
“Are they going to let me out?”
Ximen Hai felt it was definitely so.
Xu Ming glanced at him expressionlessly and said calmly, “We’re taking you out for beheading.”
In an instant.
Ximen Hai’s face turned ashen.
“Impossible, impossible…”
Xu Ming ignored the wailing Ximen Hai, thinking he was too easily frightened. He had learned some of Brother Lin’s communication methods.
Just playing around, livening up the atmosphere.
At this moment, the people in the prison turned pale as paper, each huddled in their cells and trembling.
Beheading?
Is Ximen Hai really going to be beheaded?
For them, this was like the sky falling.
…
Courtyard.
Ximen Hai was tied to a wooden stake, crying out, “You can’t kill me! My father is the president of the Anzhou Chamber of Commerce! Chief Lin, don’t be impulsive! Let’s talk this through properly, don’t be impulsive!”
Lin Fan looked at Xu Ming and asked with a raised eyebrow, “What did you say to him?”
Xu Ming scratched his head and replied innocently, “Sir, he asked if we were going to let him out, so I said we were taking him out to be beheaded. I didn’t mean anything else, just wanted to liven up the atmosphere. Who knew he was so easily scared.”
“You’ve learned well.” Lin Fan couldn’t help but laugh when he heard this.
Xu Ming said, “By your side, Sir, I learn new things every day to arm myself.”
Good heavens.
Indeed, those who could follow him were all people with a strong desire for progress.
He gathered all the constables in the courtyard and had them stand in two rows.
All eyes focused on Lin Fan, standing in the center, and Ximen Hai, tied to the stake and wailing.
Lin Fan toyed with a whip in his hand, pacing slowly around Ximen Hai, his voice clearly reaching every constable’s ears, “You have been members of the Public Security Bureau for some time now. From now on, you will interact most with prisoners. To interrogate prisoners and extract information, you don’t rely on shouting or technique, but on the tools in your hands.”
Saying this, he raised the whip in his hand.
“This is a whip, our Public Security Bureau’s preferred instrument for interrogating extremely wicked prisoners. Why choose this one? Does anyone know?”
Lin Fan’s gaze swept across the crowd.
“Sir, because whipping with it is particularly painful, more so than willow branches.”
“Yes, that’s well said, but that’s not the main point. The key is that it’s very energy-efficient. After all, as constables, we interrogate many prisoners every day, so it’s impossible to exhaust ourselves interrogating a single prisoner.” Lin Fan explained.
The constables watching nodded.
They understood that the chief officer was imparting his experience to them.
They listened very attentively.
Ning Yu, in particular, took out a small notebook, and on the first page, she wrote:
【 Whether the other party is willing to confess or not, use torture first, and don’t let them have any false hope】
【 As a leader, one must consider the overall situation, observe the surroundings, and let subordinates go first】
【 It’s just for fun, to liven up the atmosphere】
【 Whether you admit it or not, if I say you did it, then you did it】
…
For Ning Yu, these contents were the essence imparted by her master, worth her careful contemplation in the quiet of the night.
At this moment.
Ximen Hai was silent.
He realized something was wrong and that they weren’t going to kill him.
But the situation wasn’t much better.
Lin Fan continued, “There are two types of damage a whip can inflict: one with a water-soaked whip and one without. Of course, unless it’s absolutely necessary, there’s no need to soak it in water.”
Saying this, he moved behind Ximen Hai.
“You must listen carefully and learn closely. Anyone can swing a whip, but to swing it well and beautifully requires skill.”
“The power of swinging a whip comes from the waist, passes through the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and finally to the wrist. Then, with a flick of the wrist, like this…”
*Crack—!!!*
A dull, breaking sound echoed through the air.
The tip of the whip landed heavily on Ximen Hai’s back.
“Ah!!!”
Ximen Hai let out a piercing scream. His back was torn open by the whip!
“Did you all see that clearly?” Lin Fan asked the constables.
He was genuinely teaching them a skill.
Interrogating in the confined space of a prison required skill.
“Sir, could you slow down? I didn’t see it very clearly just now,” a constable asked weakly, raising his hand.
Lin Fan smiled, “It’s alright. If you didn’t see it clearly, then Sir will whip again until you do. If you don’t understand anything, don’t pretend to understand. It’s okay, Sir will teach you slowly.”
“Watch carefully.”
This time, Lin Fan slowed down his speed. He tapped his waist, then his shoulder, down to his wrist, and with a gentle flick, the whip instantly transformed into a viper, opening its gaping maw, and landed on Ximen Hai’s shoulder.
*Crack—!!!*
Ximen Hai screamed again.
“Stop hitting me, please stop! It hurts so much!”
Ximen Hai wailed and cried. He had never endured such suffering. With each lash, his scalp tingled, and his soul felt as if it were being squeezed out of his body.
Lin Fan looked at the constable, “Did you see it clearly now?”
“Sir, I think I saw it clearly, but also not clearly.”
“Don’t have such thoughts. Clear is clear, unclear is unclear. Come up and whip him once, let me see.” Lin Fan handed the whip to the constable. “Don’t be nervous. Remember the movements I just taught you.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The constable took a deep breath, mentally rehearsed Sir’s movements, exerted force from his waist, and with a fierce swing, the whip whistled out. It missed Ximen Hai’s back but, like a python, coiled around Ximen Hai’s body.
Suddenly.
The swinging whip tip seemed to have a navigation system and struck Ximen Hai’s groin.
“Ahhh…”
A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the heavens. Even the passersby on the street heard it clearly and stopped to look at the Public Security Bureau.
What had happened?
That scream was too tragic.
At this moment, Ximen Hai’s face was ashen, a mosaic of colors, his features contorted.
Seeing where the whip tip had struck, the constables present gasped. Some clenched their legs, a chill coursing through them to the crown of their heads.
“Sir, I…”
Lin Fan took back the whip and smiled, “Not bad, very good. You have a talent for whipping. Continue to cultivate this skill in the future; you have potential.”
The constable, praised by Sir, was overjoyed and nodded frantically.
He would definitely continue to work hard.
He would never let Sir down.
…
The street, about a hundred meters from the Public Security Bureau.
Commander Song, Prefect Zhao, and Commander Qin set out, followed by the soldiers brought by Commander Song. As they appeared on the street, the surrounding common people immediately made way.
All eyes were filled with worry.
Although the common people hadn’t read much, they knew the current situation. Master Lin had reshaped Anzhou’s security, allowing them to live in peace and free from the harassment of local ruffians.
Prefect Zhao, however, was in league with the Ximen family and had been causing trouble for Master Lin.
Now, this large contingent had appeared, clearly heading for the Public Security Bureau.
At this moment, Master Ximen followed Commander Song, fawning over him and seemingly detailing Lin Fan’s evil deeds at the Public Security Bureau.
He was not panicked at all. Commander Song was a confidant of the Prince.
He didn’t believe that Lin would dare to challenge the Prince.
Suddenly.
A piercing scream emanated from the Public Security Bureau. From the sound of it, it was clearly a tragic cry. However, when the sound reached Master Ximen’s ears, he found it somewhat familiar.
“Father, save me! It hurts so much!”
Master Ximen’s face changed drastically.
He recognized it. It was his beloved son’s voice.
“Commander Song, they are torturing my son!” Master Ximen made to rush into the Public Security Bureau to rescue his son, but was stopped by Commander Qin.
“What’s the hurry? Don’t spoil things.”
Commander Qin’s expression was complicated. His intention regarding Lin Fan was to maintain a distance and avoid excessive interaction. However, given the current circumstances,
this was not something he could avoid just by not wanting to interact.
This Lin fellow was clearly messing with everyone.
When he thought about it,
he would capture someone and break them.
Therefore, he felt that a conflict was inevitable sooner or later. It would be better to completely crush the other party and kill him, leaving no chance for him to recover.
Master Ximen could only nod, suppressing the anxiety in his heart.
His eyes were filled with rage.
He was determined to make Lin Fan pay a heavy price.
…
In the courtyard.
Lin Fan was intently explaining whip techniques to the constables. In his peripheral vision, he noticed Prefect Zhao and his entourage enter, and he also saw Master Ximen, his eyes filled with venom, as if he wanted to devour Lin Fan alive.
The constables in the prefecture also noticed the current situation.
They were slightly startled inwardly.
Lin Fan acted as if he hadn’t seen them, calmly continuing, “Remember, whipping the back is often much better than whipping the chest, as it allows the prisoner to endure longer. Also, the angle needs to be right, like this…”
Before he finished speaking, he flicked his wrist sharply, and the whip, with a whistling sound, accurately struck Ximen Hai’s back.
“Ah—!”
Ximen Hai let out a pig-like scream, his body twisting violently.
“Stop.”
Master Ximen could no longer suppress his rage, letting out a roar as he rushed in front of his son.
Hearing this familiar voice, Ximen Hai seemed to grasp a lifeline, his eyes bursting with a strong will to survive.
The hope of surviving a catastrophe surged within him.
“Father, save me! I’m being whipped to death.”
Ximen Hai wailed with tears streaming down his face.
Master Ximen saw the gruesome state of his son’s back, torn and bloody with not a single patch of good skin left, and his vision went black; he almost fainted.
Without thinking, he reached out to unlock the restraints, intending to take Ximen Hai down.
“How dare you!!!”
Lin Fan roared, and with a whip strike, Master Ximen leaped in place. “Who allowed you to untie a prisoner in a restricted area of the Public Security Bureau? Are you trying to abduct a prisoner?”
This whip strike was forceful, making Master Ximen grimace in pain. He forced himself to stand, pointing at Lin Fan and shouting, “Lin Fan, you’ve been lawless in Anzhou for too long! Today, Commander Song of the Commandery of His Highness the Prince from Zhuoming Prefecture is here to deal with reckless individuals like you who disregard discipline.”
“How audacious! A mere merchant dares to insult an imperial official. You truly have the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard.” Lin Fan’s eyes turned cold, and he swung his whip towards Master Ximen.
“Stop,” Commander Song said.
But his words were useless.
*Crack! Crack!*
Lin Fan lashed out whip after whip at Master Ximen, who rolled on the ground, howling incessantly.
Commander Song’s eyes widened in disbelief as he watched this scene. At the same time, he glanced at Commander Qin beside him with a questioning look. Although he said nothing, his meaning was clear: Master Ximen had just clearly stated his identity.
He had asked him to stop.
Did he not hear?
Or did he hear and pretend not to?
Commander Qin: Of course he heard and pretended not to.
Prefect Zhao pointed at Lin Fan and said to Commander Song, heartbroken, “Brother Song, you saw it with your own eyes. He is truly lawless.”
Commander Song took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and made a gesture with his hand.
Two accompanying soldiers immediately obeyed the order and rushed towards Lin Fan, intending to stop him.
However, with two muffled thuds.
The two soldiers who had just run past were kicked several meters away and fell to the ground, groaning.
Commander Song was stunned.
No… is he really this arrogant?
At this moment, Lin Fan slowly handed the whip to a nearby constable and calmly turned his gaze towards Prefect Zhao and the others, a slight smile even on his face. “Prefect Zhao, Commander Qin, what brings you here?”
Prefect Zhao said with a cold expression, “Chief Lin, you can still smile? This is Commander Song from by the Prince’s side. How dare you lay hands on a commander’s men?”
“Oh?” Lin Fan feigned surprise. “When did I lay hands on them? You mean these two? My deepest apologies, I thought they were two large black rats that suddenly appeared?”
“You…” Prefect Zhao’s chest heaved with anger.
Commander Qin remained silent again.
He adopted a spectator’s stance.
Having Prefect Zhao and Commander Song present was enough. His main principle was to speak as little as possible to avoid any conflict with Lin Fan.
Meanwhile, Commander Song analyzed the situation.
Although they had no prior contact, it was clear from what had just happened that this Chief Lin was a ruthless individual who wielded absolute power, and he possessed considerable strength. The soldiers who were kicked several meters away were trained individuals.
He was very capable.
He did not foolishly get angry, nor did he scold the other party for being audacious, relying on the Prince’s status.
“Chief Lin, I am a commander under the Prince’s Commandery. I have come today on the Prince’s orders to take Ximen Hai back to Zhuoming Prefecture. I hope Chief Lin can be accommodating.” Commander Song said.
Lin Fan stood there without a word, staring with wide eyes and smiling at Commander Song.
Prefect Zhao said angrily, “Chief Lin, didn’t you hear Commander Song? He is here on the Prince’s orders. Are you truly so audacious that you want to disobey the Prince’s command?”
Lin Fan raised his hand and pointed at Prefect Zhao, “Do you feel that your face is itching again?”
Mentioning this made Prefect Zhao’s face turn ashen. However, remembering that Commander Song was present, Prefect Zhao snorted and strode in front of Lin Fan, glaring, “Chief Lin, do you dare?”
*Crack! Crack!*
Lin Fan raised his hands and delivered two slaps, front and back.
The sound of the slaps was loud.
Prefect Zhao, slapped, covered his face with both hands, his eyes wide, and stood there stunned.
It wasn’t just Prefect Zhao who was dumbfounded; even the constables around were stunned.
While they knew their chief officer was formidable, they hadn’t expected him to be this formidable. To slap a prefect in public showed absolutely no respect.
“I, Lin Fan, have heard many strange requests in my life, but a request like yours, to seek hardship when there is none, is a first.”
“Tell me, does your face still itch?”
Lin Fan asked Prefect Zhao.
Prefect Zhao, who was frozen in place as if under a petrification spell, suddenly broke free, and then roared angrily.
“I’ll fight you to the death.”
Prefect Zhao, though physically weak, was now completely enraged by Lin Fan and lunged at him, clawing and thrashing.
The most skillful fighting technique for civil officials was hair-pulling.
Lin Fan grabbed Prefect Zhao’s wrist, gently lifted his foot, and tripped him to the ground. Then he took a few steps back and shrugged helplessly, “You all saw it. Prefect Zhao initiated the physical altercation; it has nothing to do with me.”
As for Prefect Zhao, after being tripped to the ground, he didn’t get up. The more he thought about it, the angrier and more wronged he felt. He clenched his fists, pounded the ground, and whimpered.
Commander Song said, “Chief Lin, but what I saw was you slapping Prefect Zhao twice.”
“Esteemed Commander Song, you mustn’t speak carelessly. What I heard just now was Prefect Zhao saying his face was itchy, so I scratched it for him,” Lin Fan replied.
Commander Qin stepped in to ease the tension, saying, “There’s no need for this. Let’s talk things through properly. Brother Zhao, you should get up quickly. Don’t lie there; it looks bad with so many people watching.”
He helped Prefect Zhao up, then dragged him back, patted his shoulder, comforted him a few words, and then helped brush the dust off Prefect Zhao’s clothes.
Commander Qin understood.
This Lin fellow was a mad dog; he bit anyone he encountered and disregarded all propriety. Beating an imperial official… this was a serious crime. But if two imperial officials beat each other,
even if the Emperor found out, he would inquire about the cause of the conflict.
He might even laugh.
Commander Song decided to handle the matter using a gentle approach. He felt that a more aggressive approach might be dangerous, given the current situation.
This person’s temper was very volatile.
Many things they considered unfeasible, this person did without hesitation.
With this thought, Commander Song took out the Prince’s token, walked up to Lin Fan, and handed it over. “Chief Lin, this is the Prince’s token. I have also been ordered by the Prince to take Ximen Hai away. I hope Chief Lin will cooperate.”
Lin Fan took the token. It felt heavy in his hand.
The golden body of the token was engraved with two ferocious-looking flying dragons, and in the center were the words “Ninth Prince.”
He weighed it and, before Commander Song could react, his five fingers clenched fiercely. With a creaking and twisting sound, the hard token was bent and deformed by his bare hands.
In Commander Song’s horrified gaze, Lin Fan, with a calm expression, shoved the scrap metal back into his hand.
“Cooperate? Cooperate how?”
“You…” Commander Song looked at the damaged token in his hand, shocked. “You dare to destroy the Prince’s token? Chief Lin, do you truly have no regard for the Prince?”
Lin Fan snorted. “Commander Song, I see you are from an outer prefecture. Let me advise you: do not try to push your luck with me in Anzhou Prefecture. You say Zhuoming Prefecture is managed by the Ninth Prince, so I ask, is my Anzhou Prefecture also managed by a Prince?”
Commander Song truly did not expect this Chief Lin to be so defiant. Any normal person would have immediately agreed, and since it was the Prince’s order, then taking him away would be fine.
But now, this Chief Lin in front of him was asking if Anzhou Prefecture also belonged to the Ninth Prince.
What did this mean?
Was he trying to set a trap for the Ninth Prince?
With this thought, Commander Song took a deep breath and said gravely, “Chief Lin, you speak too strongly. Anzhou Prefecture is naturally not managed by the Ninth Prince, but…”
“Since it doesn’t belong to him,” Lin Fan didn’t let him finish speaking. His voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap, “Then on what grounds should I release the guilty prisoner Ximen Hai and pardon his crimes?”
“As the Anzhou Chief Officer, I hold the authority over the security of the prefecture and its eight counties. Ximen Hai committed evil acts that are unforgivable by heavenly standards. The Ninth Prince now sends you with troops and sabers to break into my Public Security Bureau and threaten me to release this criminal, all for such a villain?”
“If that is the case, I will immediately report this to His Majesty. I would like to ask, what is the Ninth Prince’s intention with this action.”
Lin Fan displayed the characteristics of a shameless person to the fullest.
It’s rolling.
It’s a knife.
No one can stand up straight if they just roll around like a knife.
Battalion Commander Song opened his mouth, speechless for a moment, “Chief Lin, you can’t just say such things. When did His Highness the Ninth Prince ever say he would pardon Ximen Hai?”
Lin Fan said, “Battalion Commander Song, you say I’m talking nonsense? Alright, alright, I heard you clearly. His Highness the Ninth Prince wants to pardon Ximen Hai for his crimes.”
Damn it.
Battalion Commander Song felt a tightness in his chest, almost spitting blood.
He truly didn’t dare to lay a hand on Lin Fan now.
The two people he had kicked away earlier were enough to show how formidable he was, and then there was the matter of him crushing the token. Was that something a normal person could do?
Commander Qin, who had been silent all this time, quickly stepped forward and said, “Colonel Lin, Battalion Commander Song, calm down. There must be a misunderstanding. Chief Lin, don’t fall out with His Highness the Ninth Prince over Ximen Hai. You are young, and your future achievements are limitless.”
Lin Fan squinted at Commander Qin and sneered, “Commander Qin, shut up for me. Are you trying to dig a pit for me? Do you want me to say, ‘So what if I fell out with him?’ Do you think I’m afraid of His Highness the Ninth Prince?”
Commander Qin took a deep breath, suppressing the fury in his heart.
He had indeed guessed correctly.
That was exactly his intention, but he hadn’t expected Lin Fan to see through it.
Just as he thought Lin Fan might show some restraint, he was surprised to hear Lin Fan roar, “Since I learned the truth, I haven’t intended to back down to anyone. His Highness the Ninth Prince? So what if I fell out with him? For a villain who deserves to die a thousand times, he actually sent people to try and make me release him, bringing soldiers with knives?”
“Let me tell you, it’s impossible. No matter who he is, even a prince is useless.”
“Go back and tell your so-called Ninth Prince that these are my words, Lin Fan’s words.”
As soon as these words were spoken.
Everyone present froze in place, staring at Lin Fan blankly.
The constables stared at their chief in disbelief, their scalps tingling.
To them, the royal family was never to be offended; the entire country belonged to the royal family.
Ning Yu was filled with righteous indignation by her master’s words, clenching her fists.
She felt her master’s charisma amplified infinitely at that moment.
The two followers knew Lin Fan was audacious, but they never imagined he would be this audacious.
Those words were tantamount to treason.
Battalion Commander Song looked at Lin Fan, unsure what to say for a moment; he was completely stunned by the aura Lin Fan exuded and the words he spoke.
He had seen countless officials.
As soon as they heard it was a prince’s order, they became more cooperative than anyone else.
“Insolent!” Battalion Commander Song raised his voice and berated, “Chief Lin, how can you show such contempt for His Highness the Ninth Prince? Do you know that showing contempt for His Highness is a crime punishable by death?”
He hoped Lin Fan would quickly back down.
“You are insolent!!!” Lin Fan’s voice was louder than Battalion Commander Song’s. “The first page of the law clearly states that even the Son of Heaven is subject to the same law as commoners. I have studied the law diligently, aspiring to serve as an official, to cleanse the universe, and to bring a bright and just world to the common people. Does His Highness the Ninth Prince wish to place himself above the law and treat national law as nothing?”
Battalion Commander Song’s breathing suddenly became rapid, his chest heaving significantly; Lin Fan was driving him insane.
“Chief Lin, can you stop making things more complicated?”
“Nonsense, you are the one making things complicated. I abide by the law. You keep mentioning His Highness the Ninth Prince. Fine, I’ll follow His Highness’s wishes. Whether it’s legal or not doesn’t matter. Shall I release all the prisoners in the prison and have His Highness the Ninth Prince grant a general amnesty?”
Lin Fan wasn’t thinking about what he was saying now; he just opened his mouth and let loose, saying whatever came to mind.
With his current strength.
He could certainly do as he pleased.
He feared offending people the least; the more people he offended, the better. When everyone wanted to kill him, he would truly feel the necessity of his own strength.
Otherwise, without any threats, he would feel his strength was superfluous.
Such thoughts must never be entertained.
“You… you.” Battalion Commander Song was going mad, truly going mad. This Chief Lin really wanted the Ninth Prince dead! If this matter reached His Majesty’s ears, the Ninth Prince would surely fall into misfortune.
“You what?” Lin Fan didn’t give him a chance to breathe. “I’ll state my position clearly here: are you going to release him or not? After all, you came with the Ninth Prince’s orders and brought Prefect Zhao and Commander Qin to pressure me. I’ve always been timid, and I can’t withstand threats.”
“Ah?” Commander Qin looked taken aback. “Chief Lin, I haven’t said anything from beginning to end!”
“Whether you said anything or not, your presence here is pressure,” Lin Fan retorted angrily.
Commander Qin had never bowed to anyone in his life, but now he truly admired Chief Lin. This guy wasn’t human; his way of thinking was not what a human should possess.
At this moment.
Master Ximen, who had slightly recovered, stared blankly at the situation unfolding before him.
He hadn’t expected things to escalate to such an intense degree.
Wasn’t it just about releasing my son?
Was it necessary to involve such a huge matter?
Suddenly.
Battalion Commander Song seemed to sense something happening behind him and turned to look. Unbeknownst to him, the entrance to the courtyard was now filled with onlookers, and their expressions were equally stunned.
Some of them even had red eyes, and their gazes towards Lin Fan were filled with unspeakable emotion.
They hadn’t expected Master Lin to dare offend the Ninth Prince for their sake.
He had even completely fallen out with him.
Disregarding any potential repercussions he might face later.
A poor scholar who studied officialdom remarked, “Master Lin is so young, yet he is already a Chief and a Loyal and Brave Colonel. If Master Lin understood a bit of flattery in official circles, reaching the highest ranks would not be difficult. But now… he has personally cut off his path to glory!”
As soon as these words were spoken.
The crowd of common people was moved.
“Master Lin!!!”
“Chief Lin!!!”
They called out with heartfelt concern.
They couldn’t imagine the immense pressure Master Lin was enduring at this moment.
Battalion Commander Song angrily shouted, “Who let you in? All of you, get out.”
He hadn’t expected the words spoken just now to be heard by the common people. If these words were to spread wildly, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Bang!
Lin Fan kicked Battalion Commander Song to the ground.
“Who gave you the guts to yell at the people I protect?” Lin Fan glared furiously. “Anzhou Prefecture belongs to the common people, and the Public Security Bureau also belongs to the common people. The common people have the right to know everything said and done. They can come in whenever they want. When did it become your turn to be so bossy?”
As soon as these words were spoken.
The emotions of the common people were immediately ignited to their peak!
“Sob… Master Lin.”
The common people were deeply moved by Lin Fan’s words.
Some of the more sensitive among them started crying, their eyes turning red.
The soldiers drew their weapons upon seeing their commander being kicked, while the onlookers shouted.
“Fellow villagers, grab your weapons! We must protect Chief Lin and not let him get into danger.”
“Damn your mother, you dare touch Master Lin? I’ll hack you to death with a butcher knife.”
“Son, hurry home and get our splitting axe.”
“Call for reinforcements, quickly call for reinforcements.”
In an instant, the crowd surged. Outside the gate, some of the common people grabbed stools, while others directly dismantled wooden sticks from stalls to use as weapons.
It was as if a conflict was about to erupt.
“Stop.”
Battalion Commander Song scrambled to his feet in a panic. He couldn’t let a conflict truly happen; if blood were shed, it would be completely disastrous.
Not only would he bear an immense burden.
Even the Ninth Prince would likely face great misfortune.
He no longer dared to delay, waving his hands repeatedly at Lin Fan, his tone almost pleading, “Chief Lin, we won’t release him. We won’t release the person. It was my intrusion. Goodbye… I’m leaving now!”
Battalion Commander Song didn’t linger for a moment.
He gestured.
And left hastily with his soldiers.
As they passed through the enraged crowd, they were met with countless disdainful glances and undisguised curses.
