Persimmons are poisonous.

Chapter 1085 The Grandson of Han Qi

Mo Qixie hailed from the ranks of the Imperial Examination candidates. His early career saw him appointed as the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Huguang, where he aligned himself with Qin Hui, subsequently serving as Censor and Right Palace Attendant.

Initially Qin Hui's most devoted lackey, his ambition swelled significantly after the Fengting Pavilion incident. Bolstered by an unknown surge of courage, he began to contend for power with Qin Hui, ultimately resulting in his dismissal.

It was only after Qin Hui's death that he was recalled to court to serve as an Assessor of the Council of State, a position equivalent to that of a Deputy Prime Minister.

Sixteen years later, he was promoted to Minister of the Right and Grand Councilor, the position of Right Prime Minister. During his tenure, he continued his policy of appeasement, earning the hatred of the populace.

Yet, for such a figure, he was posthumously awarded the temple name Zhong Jing, a grave injustice to the fallen heroes!

Fang Er alighted from the car, his expression placid as he fixed his gaze upon the man.

"You are Mo Qixie?"

Mo Qixie blinked in surprise, perplexed as to how this person knew his identity.

However, he quickly adopted the airs of a Censor, pointing at Fang Er and barking, "How dare you! Is my esteemed name something you may utter?!"

"Guards, seize this scoundrel!"

Yet, the jailers and bailiffs, casting glances at the Caterpillar beside Fang Er, hesitated. Not a single one dared to step forward.

Fang Er let out a cold laugh and patted the car door, "Go, tie up that wretch and toss him into the truck bed!"

"Yes, Lord!"

Xue Rengui leaped from the car and with a swift stride, charged towards Mo Qixie.

The bailiffs, seeing this, drew their sabers and positioned themselves before Mo Qixie. They might fear the truck, but they would not stand idly by while Mo Qixie was captured.

Xue Rengui wasted no words. He closed the distance, swung the AK behind him, and charged at the bailiffs bare-handed.

He would not stoop to using a gun to bully these men.

The bailiffs, however, showed no restraint. Seeing his advance, they raised their sabers and swung them down towards him.

Xue Rengui shifted his footing slightly, twisting his upper body. The blade grazed past his nose.

In that instant, his left fist struck the bailiff's ribcage.

With a muffled thud, the bailiff cried out in pain, his grip loosening on the saber. Xue Rengui, quick as lightning, caught the falling saber and used it to block the next attack.

Then, he kicked the man flying.

With the saber in hand, he was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep. With a strike left and a strike right, in a mere moment, the bailiffs lay defeated on the ground.

Mo Qixie, witnessing this, was struck with terror and turned to flee.

Xue Rengui bent down, grabbed a bailiff, and casually hurled him forward. The man, weighing over a hundred pounds, was like a plaything in his hands.

Mo Qixie, however, lacked such skill. After taking just two steps, he was knocked to the ground by the falling bailiff.

"You dog, why don't you keep running!"

Xue Rengui kicked him in the backside, hitting the mark precisely. The sensation was one that those who had not experienced it would never understand.

"Ooooh~~~~~"

Mo Qixie's eyes widened in an instant, and a cry of agony escaped his lips.

In the bitter cold of winter, large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead. He covered his backside with his hands, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.

After pushing the bailiff off him, Xue Rengui grabbed him by the back of his collar and strode towards the truck.

During his exchange with the bailiffs, he had avoided vital points and used the flat of the blade. Though they might have suffered serious injuries, they were not fatal.

These were men who had no choice in their actions; they did not deserve death.

Reaching the truck, he tore off Mo Qixie's belt, bound his hands securely, and with a heave, tossed him into the seven-meter-high truck bed.

This feat stunned even Fang Er standing nearby.

He stared at Xue Rengui dazedly and asked, "Kid, did you sneak some fertilizer from the farm?"

Xue Rengui scratched his head, "Heh heh, your subordinate is naturally strong~"

He was immensely proud of Fang Er's reaction. Of the many men in the Heavenly Fire Army, how many could surprise the Lord?

Meanwhile, back at the imperial palace.

Yang Yizhong, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, had mobilized three thousand elite troops, tightly securing the Wende Hall.

From Xuande Gate to Wende Hall, one passed through Lihua Gate.

As Li Shimin and his retinue crossed Lihua Gate, they saw hundreds of powerful bows and crossbows aimed in their direction.

Xie Bian was startled and reached out to pull Li Shimin back.

However, Old Li flung him aside, looking at him with great displeasure.

"What are you so nervous about?!"

"What kind of scene have I not seen? A few hundred archers, and you think they can threaten me?"

"Zhao San'er, Xu Xu, you two walk in front. Those sitting in the hall are descendants of your Zhao family!"

Zhao Guangyi's forehead was covered in black lines. Why was he so nervous that he wanted me to walk ahead!

He suddenly realized that his ten million taels of travel expenses were not only exorbitant but that this entire journey had been a massive pitfall!

He subconsciously rubbed his backside. The old injury lingered, causing itching and discomfort whenever the weather turned cold, and seeing those arrows only made it worse.

Li Shimin stared at him in bewilderment. What was this fellow doing?

If you're going to rub yourself, why are you bringing your hands up to your nose afterwards? What does that mean?

Are the people of the Zhao family this disgusting?

Disgusted, he slapped Zhao Guangyi on the back of the head, "What are you gawking at? Hurry up!"

Zhao Guangyi felt terribly wronged. Walking in front, what if he were shot and killed by the descendants of his descendant seven generations removed? How unfair would that be!

"Xu'er, you go in front!"

"Didn't General Liang say it? The emperor of this dynasty is your great-grandson!"

It's just passing the buck, who can't do that!

Now it was Zhao Xu's turn to be dumbfounded. But given his low辈份 (generations) among these people, what choice did he have?

Thus, he walked ahead with a pounding heart, shouting towards the guards as he went.

"Don't shoot!"

"For Heaven's sake, don't shoot!"

"I am your former Emperor Shenzong!"

"Quick, tell Zhao Gou to get out here!"

Upon hearing this, the guards almost dropped their arrows on the spot.

Where did this lunatic come from, daring to impersonate Emperor Shenzong?

Everyone knew that Emperor Shenzong had been dead for decades! His bones should have rotted by now!

Yang Yizhong, hearing this, pointed at his nose and berated him, "How dare you! In broad daylight, within the imperial palace, to utter such reckless words! You truly do not know the meaning of death!"

"Guards, shoot him!"

"Hold!"

Just as the guards were about to release their arrows, an aged voice called out from not far away.

Yang Yizhong followed the sound and saw an old man, dressed in the robes of a third-rank official, stumbling towards them.

He recognized the man. His name was Han Zhi, the Vice Minister of Personnel.

As he approached, he did something that left Yang Yizhong dumbfounded.

He first examined Zhao Xu for a long moment, then fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing three times.

"Grandson of Han Qi, Han Zhi, pays his respects to His Majesty Shenzong!"

"Heaven is my witness, that I, in my lifetime, am able to see the spirit of Emperor Shenzong descend to the mortal realm."

"May I ask Your Majesty Shenzong, how fares my ancestor in the afterlife?"