Chapter 92: The Nine Ministers: The Chief Justice

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At this moment, Fang Xu was completely deaf to any advice from others, and even if he did hear it, he would pretend not to. What Fang Xu intended to do was actually very simple. As previously mentioned, the only thing he knew now was that he wanted to kill someone.

“Fang Xu! Stop this at once! Do you want to die?!” Zhang He couldn’t help but shout angrily. After all, if Fang Xu really killed Lord Zhao right before his eyes, how could he face his own backers? Although Lord Zhao was somewhat useless and weak, it had to be admitted that he was quite adept at extorting from the people. That alone was the critical reason why Lord Zhao could not be allowed to be cut down by Fang Xu at this moment.

Fang Xu’s falling embroidered spring knife stopped right above Lord Zhao’s neck, and the latter was so terrified that he wet himself. After all, death was only a moment away, and Lord Zhao even wondered if he was already dead.

Seeing Fang Xu pause, Zhang He let out a sigh of relief—perhaps Fang Xu hadn’t completely lost his mind yet? But just as he thought this, Fang Xu gave Zhang He a strange and unfamiliar smile. Zhang He couldn’t describe it; all he felt was fear, as if something was about to happen.

The smile vanished from Fang Xu’s face the next second, and what followed was a roar from Zhang He that he himself could hardly believe. Fang Xu hadn’t stopped his knife; instead, he slashed sharply across Lord Zhao’s fat neck. The blade of the embroidered spring knife cut through flesh as easily as tofu. Lord Zhao’s eyes bulged in disbelief at what was happening.

Instinctively, Lord Zhao reached out with both hands to try to stem the gushing blood from his neck, but no matter how hard he tried, the result was the same. Fang Xu quietly watched as Lord Zhao’s face twisted with pain and he struggled.

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Blood sprayed from Lord Zhao’s neck, splattering all over Fang Xu’s body, yet Fang Xu seemed completely unfazed.

“Thud!” Lord Zhao’s corpulent body collapsed backward, and the spurting blood gradually ceased. It was clear that Lord Zhao was now dead beyond any doubt.

Once certain of Lord Zhao’s death, a faint smile appeared on Fang Xu’s previously cold face. He then plunged the embroidered spring knife into the ground and slowly walked toward Old Sun nearby.

“Are you crazy?! Do you really dare kill him?!” Zhang He finally snapped out of his shock, still unable to believe what he was seeing. It was unbelievable that Fang Xu actually dared to kill Lord Zhao—and right before his eyes.

“Someone! Arrest this murderer! If he resists, shoot to kill on the spot!” Zhang He roared furiously. At his command, the guards behind him surged forward.

Old Wu stood in front of Fang Xu, while the other guards drew their embroidered spring knives, ready for battle. At Fang Xu’s order, they intended to fight their way through in a bloodbath if necessary.

“Oh? You intend to execute me on the spot?!” Fang Xu squatted beside Old Sun, gently closing his eyes, then stood up and asked coldly.

“How dare you kill a royal official! Even if you are of imperial blood or a nobleman’s son, you cannot escape the law!” Zhang He’s veins bulged as he grit his teeth, staring at Fang Xu.

Zhang He truly did not expect Fang Xu to act like a madman and actually go through with it.

“Open your dog eyes wide! Look clearly at what this is!” Fang Xu nodded at Old Wu, who was already displeased with Zhang He’s attitude. Now that Fang Xu had given permission, why should he show any courtesy to Zhang He? Zhang He was already prepared to execute on the spot; was there any room for negotiation?

A clear clanging sound rang out. Zhang He, who was still angry, was stunned when he saw a badge drop not far from him. He could hardly believe his eyes. After rubbing them, he realized the inscription on the badge had not changed.

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“Impossible! How could this be possible?!” Zhang He refused to believe what he was seeing, while Fang Xu revealed a mocking smile.

“Did you see the Imperial Guards and assume that I’m either imperial kin or a noble’s son? You didn’t even consider that I might be the Chief Justice!” Fang Xu taunted.

“Do you really think I could so boldly purge the corrupt officials in court without a legitimate identity? If I had no powerful backing, would those corrupt officials’ patrons just turn a blind eye?” Fang Xu’s every word struck Zhang He like a heavy blow.

The Chief Justice was the second highest office among the Nine Ministers established by Qin Suwen. Although Zhang He’s father, Zhang Chang, was the Minister of Ceremonies—the highest rank among the Nine Ministers—the power between the two was worlds apart. The Minister of Ceremonies was mainly responsible for rituals, holding high status but little real power.

But Fang Xu’s role as Chief Justice was different; the Chief Justice oversaw judicial trials and wielded absolute authority over life and death. He did not need to report before acting; even if he didn’t report afterward, so what? Who would dare question the Chief Justice’s authority? That’s why in Qin there was typically only one Chief Justice; now, with Fang Xu, there were two.

The Chief Justice must uphold judicial impartiality and hold no personal bias.

“How could you be the Chief Justice?! That’s impossible! Qin only has Yuan as Chief Justice! I’ve never heard of a second one! You’re a fake! Yes! You’re definitely a fake!” Zhang He was losing his mind, his reason collapsing.

There was no other explanation. If Fang Xu was truly Chief Justice, he had the power to remove and investigate the prefect. Losing the position of Danyang Prefect, even if Fang Xu did nothing to Zhang He, those forces Zhang He had offended would never let him off. That was simply impossible.