Bao Xiren had been in charge of the capital office for many years, and his reputation was known throughout the imperial capital.
During his political career in the capital, he had dealt with all kinds of people. There were good people, but there were even more bad people. There were crafty idlers, shrewd women, greedy mediocre people, and even domineering second generations, unruly servants who relied on their master's power, ignorant and incompetent members of the royal family, and even important ministers in the imperial court.
He felt that he had seen all kinds of people.
He felt that he had seen all kinds of weirdos.
However, this was the first time he had seen a treacherous official who was so arrogant. He was so arrogant and daring that he called a deer a horse, and he had inverted right and wrong. It was so outrageous that it made one's hair stand on end.
Thus, Lord Bao was enraged. "How can you convince the world without these three words?"
Sun Lang laughed inexplicably and asked, "Have you heard the Emperor and Empress explain the Great Desolate Mountain incident to anyone?
Who do you think you are? Why should I care what they think? "
He had no respect for the law to this extent. He was so rampant that he was lawless.
However, Lord Bao had nothing to say.
The battle of the Great Desolate Mountain had ended the chaos of the Tianyuan Era. It was an unprecedented victory. The whole world celebrated, and the empire was in a state of euphoria. Under the influence of martial arts and endless glory, many mysteries were covered up, including the disappearance of the Commander Of War, Jia Ying … His death in battle was too bizarre.
Many people did not believe that he died in the Great Desolate Mountain, and they had not given up on investigating the truth. Lord Bao was a straightforward boy. He had written to the Emperor directly, but all his letters had been ignored. What followed was the hints from the Martial Arts Hall and the advice from his teacher. He understood the Emperor's attitude from these.
The answer he was looking for might never see the light of day again.
But it was just a possibility.
There were too many variables and bizarre things in this world.
The person who should have died long ago had returned with the truth and anger …
This person was standing in front of him at this moment, patting his shoulder. His tone was gentle and patient as if he was talking about something very normal. "Old Bao, Heizi, let me teach you a lesson. When it comes to this matter, whatever I say is what it is. Whether I believe it or not, you have to believe it."
They despised order, harbored evil intentions, and were bossy and domineering.
Such a person was what Bao Xiren, a loyal subject, hated the most. He looked at Sun Lang with extremely disappointed and sorrowful eyes. He was heartbroken that the former Commander Of War had become like this — anger, determination, and unforgiving. His love for the common people had all turned into hatred for the Imperium.
But no matter what, he couldn't say it out loud. Perhaps loyalty and righteousness were difficult answers to both sides. Who was the main culprit that made Sun Lang become like this? He already had an answer in his heart.
But even so, Bao Xiren couldn't just stand by and watch, and Bao Xiren couldn't blaspheme his duty.
But even so, the flames of war must not be ignited on this land again.
He took a deep breath and slowly said, "Sun Lang."
Sun Lang nodded calmly. "Hmm?"
"Those shameful people committed great crimes in the Copper Sparrow Pavilion. As the Capital Magistrate, I must bring them to justice and make them pay the price for their crimes … this is my mission."
Sun Lang said, "I also believe that they must pay the price for their actions."
"Then hand over the witnesses and evidence to me. The rest will be left to the Capital Magistrate."
"I refuse. I don't believe in your laws. Your justice is already late. What is the point of a late justice coming here?
Justice will not be absent, but right now, it is my justice. "
Bao Xiren coldly said, "Could it be that your justice is to create something out of nothing, to pin these people's actions on the Sky Demon, to threaten them, to use them, and to make them your tools and claws for revenge?"
"No," Sun Lang calmly said. "My justice is to let the dead rest in peace."
"Without rules, nothing can be accomplished."
"Then let the Emperor first issue an edict to punish himself. Otherwise, what right do you have to talk about rules with me?
Murdering a meritorious official and killing a general, Li Guangyuan is still in the right! "
Bao Xiren sternly said, "How dare you!
How dare you call the Emperor by his name! "
Sun Lang's eyes were as calm as usual, but no one doubted his will. "I will let you see even more impudent. Don't worry, it won't be long."
"… Sun Lang."
"Hmm?"
"I will stop you."
"You can't do it."
"Then I will bet my life."
"But you can't even pass the test of these aristocratic families."
"Then I will bet my life."
"Go ahead."
"You have done a lawless and crazy thing tonight. Don't think that everyone will stand by and do nothing."
Sun Lang dug his ears. His expression changed for the first time. "Wait, wait. Sir, what are you talking about?
What did I do tonight? "
Bao Xiren's anger rose again. "You led a group of people to attack the Copper Sparrow Pavilion …"
Sun Lang yawned. "This was a decision made on the spot. I am the Shentse General. Why would I make things difficult for a brothel?
Of course it was because the Sky Demon was hiding there … "
"… You even publicly chased and beat up Prince Zhongshun and forced him to the Gate of Sky Bearing."
Sun Lang loudly said, "Fourteen!
Fourteen!
My son Zhongshun! "
The young prince appeared from the side of the room. He was flabbergasted. "Where did Sir Bao hear this rumor?
I feel like old friends with the General at first sight. I see him as both a teacher and a friend. How could I possibly fight with him?
The General's lifelong wish is to eliminate the Sky Demon. I admire him very much and have decided to follow him from now on … "
Sir Bao did not expect that there would be such a shameless person in the world. "You … you even provoked the Tensei Province!"
Sun Lang dug his nose. "Do you have evidence?
Bring the witnesses of the Tensei Province. Ask them if I broke into the Tensei Province alone, destroyed half of the Tensei Main Hall, and then pressed dozens of officials of the Tensei Province to the ground.
Why don't you let them say it themselves? "
He had been in politics for many years. There had never been a treacherous official who could anger Sir Bao to the point of dizziness. However, this also aroused his fighting spirit. "I will definitely stop you!"
Sun Lang spread out his hands. "Fine. I am a good citizen of the Empire. Even if you want to frame me, I have a way to persuade the plaintiff to turn over a new leaf and stop slandering me. I think I am not guilty at all."
As for how to persuade the plaintiff, it was obvious.
Bao Xiren said angrily, "Don't think that you can do whatever you want just because your martial arts are high!"
Sun Lang laughed out loud. Android, who was beside him, also smiled. "I'm sorry. You can do whatever you want just because your martial arts are high. I don't think you will ever understand this realm."
There was nothing else to say.
Sir Bao left the scene angrily as the soldiers of the Luan Feng and Ming Tower sent him off.
Android sighed. He was also a smart person. Bao Xiren's attitude had already foreshadowed what was going to happen to him … Just like Sun Lang said, he would not even be able to pass the test of those aristocratic families.
Fatty An said softly, "No wonder you said that the spear was here when he came over. Bao Hei Zi worked so hard to come here, but you used him as a spear. He knew this, but he still had to …"
Sun Lang answered, "This is a battle of beliefs. These stubborn people will never care about their own lives. They will gladly use their lives to prove that the world has not fallen, that there is still hope in this world …"
Android asked, "Do you believe it?"
This time, Sun Lang did not hesitate.
Ping Yidao, Kong Zhongwu, Madam Qi, Bai Yuwei, Madam Dowager, these people were still in his heart. He nodded and said, "I believe it."
Android was silent. Then, he changed the topic. "Bao Xiren will make things difficult for you after he returns?"
Sun Lang nodded and said, "Yes. He pursues justice. He wants to bring those scumbags to justice and punish them according to the law. He will not agree with my actions of making false accusations and expanding the scope of the attack. Therefore, he will definitely settle this case before I close the net."
Android said, "But those rich and powerful families will not allow Bao Xiren to sully their reputation."
Sun Lang nodded and said, "Yes, but this is also a good thing. Bao Hei Zi helped me block the fire and taught these people what is the lesser of two evils. After all, humans are a kind of creatures that do not know what is good for them. Sometimes, they need a clear contrast to know what is good for them and what is good for them …"
Sun Lang gestured with his hands and explained, "Master Lu once said that human nature is despicable. For example, if you want to open the window in a big room that is airtight and smelly, there will be a group of people who will say, 'Oh, it's so cold outside. It's not smelly here.' Anyway, they will not want you to open the window. But if you say that I will tear the roof down, they will definitely say, 'Don't be impulsive. Let's open the window.'"
Android understood a little, but he was puzzled. "Aunt Lu can say something like that?"
"The other one, the other one. His surname is Zhou and his name is Shaoxing. He is from Dazhao, Zhejiang."
Sun Lang waved his hand and said, "That's not the main point of the problem. The main point is that there's no harm if there's no comparison. Bao Hei Zi is like a catfish, mainly used to liven up the atmosphere. With him jumping around outside, these famous clans will understand a little — they'll clearly understand that Bao Xiren and I, Sun Lang, are easier to deal with. Once they understand this, they'll make a decision."
"The first option is to let Bao Hei Zi reveal this matter and admit that his family has a heartless animal who abused the innocent and humiliated the whole family."
"The second option is to listen to my orders and say that one of the family members was taken over by the Sky Demon. In anger, he put justice before family and actively cooperated with General Shentse's investigation. In order to prove the family's innocence and wash away the shame of this matter, he will enthusiastically respond to General Shentse's summons to fight the Sky Demon …"
"Two options."
Sun Lang said, "Soon, they will know which option is easier to take and which enemy is easier to deal with."
Fatty Android nodded and sighed. "Then Bao Hei Zi will have almost no power to resist."
"That is not necessarily true." Sun Lang's eyes were calm as he said lightly, "Because the Emperor will secretly help him."
He turned to Android and smiled. "So, it is exactly what I want."