Chapter 109 Parting

Chapter 109: The Departing One

Cheng Ge's current situation was extremely complicated, as the corruption and bribery case had implicated an extraordinarily wide scope.

From the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries, and the emperor's close ministers down to petty clerks in local county offices, nearly every level had personnel involved in the case.

This single move by Cheng Ge had completely overloaded the workload of the Three Judicial Offices, the Eastern Depot, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

People said the arrested officials had filled the Ministry of Justice's main prison and the Imperial Jail so full they could barely hold any more.

The Great Zhou code of law clearly stipulated: "Accepting bribes to pervert justice, with illicit gains reaching one hundred strings of cash, the offender shall be beheaded and their head displayed publicly.

Accepting bribes without perverting justice, with illicit gains reaching one hundred and twenty strings of cash, the offender shall receive one hundred strokes of the cane and be exiled three thousand li; the bribe-giver shall face the same punishment.

For any official convicted of corruption punishable by death, their grandfather, father, son, grandson, brothers, and co-residents, if aged sixteen or above, shall be strangled.

For corruption exceeding one hundred taels, the wife, concubines, and children of the offender shall be given as slaves to the households of meritorious officials."

And the emperor seemed determined to eradicate and purge thoroughly, with the wailing and screaming in the Imperial Jail continuing day and night without rest.

Even the young guard who had come to open Cheng Ge's cell had dark circles under his eyes and walked with unsteady steps.

These corrupt officials naturally hated Cheng Ge to the bone, and probably wished they could flay him alive and break his bones.

Moreover, the cases had not yet been fully tried, and Cheng Ge could not completely clear himself of the suspicion of false accusations, although given the current situation, it was only a matter of time before he was cleared.

But now he was at the center of the storm, with enemies watching him like a hawk.

No one knew what unhinged things those desperate people might do when pushed to the limit.

On the contrary, staying in the Imperial Jail of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which was directly under the emperor's authority, meant that anyone with bad intentions would find it hard to strike, making it safer than outside.

It took about a quarter-hour to go from the Imperial Jail to the palace, and a round trip would take nearly half an hour.

If the emperor approved his request to see off the general, it would take at least half an hour to ride from the jail to the city gate.

Cheng Ge leaned against the wall, staring without blinking at the small window.

From time to time, he lowered his head and sighed, thinking that he probably wouldn't make it, and wondering if Cui Ji would be mad.

As dawn was about to break, a sound of footsteps came from afar, and Cheng Ge's heart tightened.

The footsteps stopped outside his cell—it was actually the chief eunuch beside the emperor.

"Lord Cheng, His Majesty has granted permission for you to see off General Cui."

Cheng Ge was first overjoyed, then his face showed distress: "Your Excellency, I'm afraid there's no time."

The chief eunuch smiled, "His Majesty has already made arrangements. A swift horse is waiting outside the Imperial Jail for you. Just go quickly."

Without time to think further, Cheng Ge followed the chief eunuch out of the jail in haste.

As soon as he stepped out of the jail gate, he saw Lin Nanshu standing tall beside a horse, holding a bamboo-moon blue oil-paper umbrella, waiting quietly.

In addition to a spare horse, there were also about a dozen guards carrying swords accompanying them.

A fine drizzle was falling, the weather was cool, and the stone pavement was wet, faintly reflecting some torchlight.

Lin Nanshu quickly took out new clothes and a veiled hat to dress Cheng Ge, then quickly helped him onto the horse.

Cheng Ge looked straight ahead, his legs gripping the horse's sides, his hand wielding a long whip, the rain soaking his long sleeves, hoping only that the horse would go faster and faster.

The sound of hooves echoed through the long street, the morning bell tolled, its sound lingering long in the night sky.

The Cui family had guarded the northern frontier for generations, experiencing countless battles, with many famous generals spilling blood on the battlefield.

The family's prestige was so great that it almost rivaled the imperial house, making them the most unbreakable shield of Great Zhou.

Hearing that General Cui was leaving the city today, commoners had risen early, holding oil umbrellas or wearing straw rain capes.

From high-ranking officials and nobles to street vendors and beggars, they all stood along both sides of the long street.

Everyone stood in silence, watching Cui Ji's departure, their eyes strained into the distance, unable to see the end of the procession.

Outside the city gate, the great army stood in neat formation, military banners flying high—a magnificent sight.

Cui Ji was clad in heavy armor, riding a Ferghana horse, his posture as upright as a pine, radiating authority.

The steed seemed to understand human intentions, pacing in place with its hooves, occasionally letting out a low neigh.

A deputy general rode forward and respectfully asked, "General, the auspicious hour has arrived. Shall we set out immediately?"

Cui Ji's expression froze slightly, his gaze turning toward the city gate, the reins digging deep into his palm.

The sky began to lighten at the horizon, the curtain of rain was as thick as woven silk, soaking his battle robe.

After a long moment, he slowly looked away, turned to look at the assembled soldiers before him, and gave a loud command, "March out!"

With the order, the great army surged forward, the footsteps thundered in their ears.

"Cui Ji! Cui Ji!!!"

Vaguely, Cui Ji seemed to hear a voice calling him, faint and hard to pin down, yet his heart inexplicably grew restless.

He continued forward, his lips pressed tight, his eyes fixed on the crimson banner.

However, the voice did not fade away; it drew nearer from afar, standing out clearly amid the clamor of hooves.

Cui Ji's heart tightened. At first, he thought he had misheard, but the voice grew increasingly clear, and he turned his head to look back without thinking.

With a loud creak, the city gate slowly opened, a gap appeared.

In that gap, a figure clad in a blue robe, wearing a white veiled hat, galloped toward him on horseback.

The white veil fluttered and fell with each stride of the horse, gently caressing every inch of the rider.

Like an arrow from a bow, it charged straight toward him.

"Cui Ji!!!" Cheng Ge's voice echoed in his ears, loud and urgent.

At that moment, it was as if he wanted to carve his name, stroke by stroke, into his very flesh and blood.

Hearing this call, Cui Ji abruptly pulled the reins. His steed let out a long neigh, its front hooves rearing high.

He swiftly dismounted, his movements smooth and decisive, without a moment's hesitation.

At the same time, Cheng Ge kicked his feet hard, and like a snowflake falling into a lake, he leaped directly from the horse's back.

Upon seeing this, Cui Ji dashed forward, extending his arms to steadily catch Cheng Ge.

As that body crashed into his arms, Cui Ji felt as if he had embraced the moon, holding countless stars.

After landing, Cheng Ge quickly lifted the veiled hat from his head, revealing a slightly flushed face.

His eyes were full of warmth and smiles, like the snow on plum branches in early spring.

"I thought you had left," Cheng Ge said, panting heavily, out of breath from hurrying.

A faint blush still lingered on his cheeks, the blend of red and white was so striking it seemed to outshine the sun and moon.

The guards behind them exchanged glances and discreetly turned their backs.

Cheng Ge planted his feet on the ground, his gaze scanning Cui Ji from head to toe.

He clenched his fist and thumped Cui Ji's shoulder twice, laughing in praise, "You look freaking handsome in this getup."

Cui Ji: "..."