Dragon Squad

Fang Zheng spent the night at the Eastern Palace but didn't sleep well.

Li Yuanzhao actually ground his teeth, the crunch crunch noise making it impossible for Fang Zheng to fall asleep.

He had no choice but to move to the study and make do for the night.

But it wasn't entirely without benefits. At least it saved him a lot of trouble for attending morning court the next day.

After court ended, Fang Zheng immediately rushed back to Banshan District.

He needed to make plans for the Liu Xun case early, but he didn't intend to run around personally this time.

After all, the journey would be long, and with the textile factory about to be completed, it made no sense to travel far.

Inside the Banshan Newspaper Office.

Fang Zheng sat facing Xie Xian.

After briefly explaining the situation, Fang Zheng said with a serious expression: "This time... I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to make a trip."

"This matter is no small affair. It concerns whether I, your Master, can get a wife. Understand?"

"Understood."

Xie Xian sighed helplessly.

He didn't really want to go. A long journey would nearly cost him half his life.

But since the Master wanted to get married, he had no choice but to go on this errand.... Only now thinking about marriage, really...

"I never expected the Liu Xun case would involve salt administration. Local salt merchants are all regional tycoons."

"These local snakes control countless salt workers and transport workers, and they've long been in cahoots with local officials. If they really have problems and we discover them, they'll definitely send people to hunt us down!"

"First go back to the county and bring more people. Take weapons and head to Jianjiang first. Start investigating from Jianjiang southward. Don't overlook any important salt-producing areas in the south."

"We at least have some foundation in Jianjiang. Use all possible channels among the local merchants and commoners."

"Also, His Majesty mentioned that you can borrow men from the Eastern Depot if necessary."

"But we shouldn't trust local forces. If the mastermind behind this could corrupt Liu Xun, the local Eastern Depot officials would surely be no exception. Unless it's an emergency, try not to contact them."

"Do you have anything to say?" Fang Zheng finished and took a sip of tea, looking at Xie Xian.

Xie Xian pondered: "If there's no clear evidence, why is His Majesty certain that the problem lies with salt administration?"

Fang Zheng chuckled lightly: "Heh, is there any business more profitable than salt in the world? If someone is both corrupt and powerful, how could they not covet this piece of fat meat?"

"Moreover, even if it's not related to the Liu Xun case, local salt administration still has many issues. The treasury has been constantly short of silver. Taking this opportunity to crack down would kill two birds with one stone."

Xie Xian nodded: "I understand now, but further south we'll reach former Qian Dynasty territory. I'd like to bring two suitable people."

"No problem. I've already prepared this for you. Go back to the county and find Zhou Tie and Qian Desheng. They should be more familiar with the situation."

"For this mission, you have one year. Report back promptly if you discover useful information. Success or failure, come back when the time is up."

"Also, when traveling, say you're from the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Embroidered Uniform Guard? Xie Xian was clearly hearing this term for the first time and asked puzzledly: "Master, what is the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Fang Zheng smiled slightly: "When the Eastern Depot can't solve a case, the Embroidered Uniform Guard comes to solve it. When the Eastern Depot doesn't dare kill someone, the Embroidered Uniform Guard comes to kill them. When the Eastern Depot doesn't dare handle something, the Embroidered Uniform Guard comes to handle it. In one sentence: execute first, report later, with imperial authorization! Understand?"

Such heavy authority and responsibility?! Xie Xian was deeply shocked: "This... isn't this like establishing another agency outside the Eastern Depot? But why have I never heard of it?"

"It was just mentioned yesterday. After you complete this mission, it will be announced to the world."

"If you kill someone while carrying out your duties, say it was done by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. As long as the reason is sufficient and the evidence is reasonable, go ahead and do it. I'll speak to His Majesty about it."

"I understand!"

Xie Xian took a deep breath, only now feeling that the severity of this matter might exceed his imagination.

A task the Eastern Depot couldn't complete! The Emperor delegating his authority, giving life-and-death power to the Master... this wouldn't be easy!

Seeing his nervousness, Fang Zheng smiled: "Don't feel too burdened. No one will blame you if you find nothing."

"When you're out there, prioritize your own safety and act within your capabilities. Don't be reckless in seeking merit."

Then Fang Zheng took out a letter from under the table: "Take this letter back to the county and get some good equipment from the armory. Everyone who accompanies you should be equipped."

Xie Xian took the letter solemnly: "Master, shall I go back to prepare now?"

"No rush! First finish handing over your current affairs today. I'll give you a month to prepare!"

The next day, Xie Xian appeared at Taoyuan County's government office early in the morning.

Ao Chen took the letter and said with a solemn expression:

"It seems this matter is quite tricky."

"Since the Master said you should recruit people, you can choose freely. Have you decided who to bring?"

Xie Xian calmly replied: "The Dragon Squad."

Ao Chen was silent for a moment: "Very well, wait while I stamp this. They should be at the slaughterhouse now. Go see for yourself."

Xie Xian nodded, waited for a while, then took the letter stamped by Ao Chen and hurried to the slaughterhouse.

Outside the slaughterhouse, a bunch of pigs, cattle, and sheep awaiting slaughter were penned in the corner.

Blood flowed across the ground... several burly men wearing shiny leather aprons were making swift cuts on animal carcasses, chopping down with their knives again and again....

Seeing a stranger approach, they immediately looked up with unfriendly expressions, saying fiercely: "Who's there!?"

Xie Xian carefully stepped on clean spots as he approached, looking up: "Me, Xie Xian!"

The burly man's expression froze, then showed delight: "Oh! Mr. Xie, what brings you here! I'm Zhao Lie, now the team leader! You taught me to read and write years ago, remember me?"

Xie Xian glanced inside, seeing many familiar faces, and replied: "Of course I remember. I taught around a thousand or so people, how could I forget any?"

He took out the letter: "The Master has issued an order. I need to take some people on a trip!"

Zhao Lie took the letter and quickly read through it, then nodded: "Understood. No problem. Will you choose them yourself, or shall I help you select?"

Xie Xian looked Zhao Lie up and down suspiciously, asking curiously: "Does the Dragon Squad still know how to fight after killing pigs every day? This trip might be dangerous."

Zhao Lie laughed heartily, pulled off his apron to reveal a terrifying scar on his chest.

Pointing at the scar, he said: "Mr. Xie, now you're underestimating us!"

"Our two hundred men train every day. Besides killing pigs, we also practice with real weapons against each other, never slacking for a day."

"This scar was made by a brother in the squad just days ago!"

"If you don't trust me, we can test our skills!"

Xie Xian hurriedly yielded.

What kind of sickness is this? Trying to show off like some hero... I'm a scholar, and you want to fight me?

"Fine! Then select some men for me!"

Watching Zhao Lie's retreating figure, Xie Xian felt strangely more confident.

This Dragon Squad was specially selected by Fang Zheng from the county's strongest, healthiest commoners.

They served as special forces, with a constant supply of meat and continuous training.

Zhang Biao and Zhou Tie were the instructors for this Dragon Squad.

Though they were special forces, they clearly lacked real life-or-death combat experience.

Their daily drills consisted mostly of basic training, weapons training, and combat training.... plus moonlighting as butchers.

But they weren't completely without opportunities for actual combat.

Each year before winter, the two hundred men would head into the mountains near Taoyuan County to hunt. They would track and kill all kinds of wild animals, ensuring a plentiful supply of meat for the colder months.

This served two purposes: first, to prevent people from getting injured while gathering firewood in winter, and second, to increase the meat supply.

Shortly after, Zhao Lie returned with more than twenty men.

Twenty-five men stood neatly in front of Xie Xian, a strong murderous aura filling the air.

These men had just slaughtered many pigs, cattle, and sheep, but their methods were extremely brutal!

They'd open the cages, release the animals, then chase after them with knives, causing a lot of blood to splash on them.

What's worse, some were splattered from head to toe, looking like they'd just crawled out of a blood pool. Dried dark red blood was stuck to their bodies in chunks.

Xie Xian's lips twitched a couple of times, wanting to speak but not daring to.

This scene... was a bit disgusting.

And it stank, with flies buzzing around.... He wondered if the quality of the county's meat might be compromised...