The Golden Age - Chapter 65: Wolf Riders
The nights in Gui City have always been quiet. Even if something terrible happened, they were always done secretly.
But this quiet night had been broken by the sound of horses coming from outside of the city.
People living near the west gate were all awakened by the sound of horses. They leaned on their windows, trying to take a look at what was going on. In front of their eyes, horses after horses zoomed past by. On the horses were fully armored soldiers, each looked incredibly strong and powerful.
The black riders passed by the window like a river of water, and it lasted for a long time. It was impossible to count how many people there were.
After seeing such a scene, the peasants thought that it was the Wutuo army who came.
Back during the Wutuo war, thousands of riders entered the city. They killed and robbed at will. Thankfully, General Hei Yu got them out of the city. But the Wutuo army still left a terrible memory for the people of Xiling.
Hundreds of riders arrived in the city. As they reached the end of the street, the leader raised his hand, signaling them to split into two. And so, the riders separated and each went on a different street.
The leader of the army seemed to be very familiar with the roads of Xiling. He led more than three hundred riders in his group directly to the Manor of Marquess Zhen.
All the space in front of the Manor of Marquess Zhen was now filled with riders. The riders were organized as they dismounted their horses and stood beside it, one hand on the handle of their swords. They were very well trained.
The leader of the group got off the horse and walked up to the gate of the Manor. Someone has already opened the door to greet him, “Commander Shi, the Marquess is waiting for you. Please follow me.”
The person led the army’s commander, Commander Shi into the Manor, across the yard, and into a quiet small building near the side.
The person went in and soon came out. “Commander Shi, please go in.”
Commander Shi had very dark skin. He was very tall and when he walked, his armor rubbed loudly. He quickly removed his sword and handed it to the person before entering the room.
There was a lone lamp lit in the room. After Commander Shi walked into the room, he knelt down on one knee and reported, “Commander Shi is here.”
“Arise.” An old and scratchy voice was heard from inside. Then, a beautiful teenage lady servant who was helping the old man walk appeared.
The old man was dressed in a gray robe, he had a pale face and under the help of his servant, he slowly sat down on his chair.
Shi Ling stood up and said, “Marquess, I was ordered to bring the army into the city. I heard that…”
“There are rebellions in the city.” The Marquess replied calmly, “Lang Shenshui died and my son’s right arm was sliced off, with also a cut on his face.”
Shi Ling frowned and asked, “Marquess, was the assassin caught?”
“Shi Ling, have you blocked off all exits of the city?” The Marquess did not answer his question.
Shi Ling immediately replied, “Before entering the city, I have already sent people to every single gate of the city. No one will be able to leave. I have also sent a number of people to surround the Manor of the Governor.”
The Marquess nodded. “My son, Jiang’er said that the assassin was from the Manor of the Governor. One of them must be the officer, Meng Zimo. But he failed and was saved by someone else. Other than Meng Zimo, there was another assassin.”
“Has the young master said who the other person was?”
“Although he wasn’t sure, the figure of that man looked like a jailer also from the Manor of the Governor.” The Marquess continued calmly, “The jailer was a young man, who’s named Qin. It was said that Meng Zimo once saved his life before.”
“So that’s why the Qin Jailer helped Meng Zimo.” Shi Ling thought about it and then said, “Marquess, are these two the only ones you want me to kill?”
The Marquess replied, “Jiang’er is my own son. I will not let go of anyone who tries to kill my son. I have been the Marquess of this county for so long, so I must get rid of the evil. I must find the assassin who tried to kill my son in my own county.”
Shi Ling bowed. “I understand. You can rest here while I bring their heads over.”
“Go get Meng Zimo.” The Marquess said, “I have already sent someone over there. They’ll kill him as long as they find him. If they can’t find them, you go find evidence.”
Shi Ling was a bit confused, but then immediately understood what he meant. He bowed again and left.
When the first light of dawn fell on Gui City, the Marquess’ Wolf Rider Army had already surrounded the entire Manor of the Governor.
Out of the eight hundred Wolf Riders, six hundred were brought back to Gui City this time.
The four gates of Gui City were supposed to be guarded by the guards of the Manor of the District’s Defense. But after the Wolf Rider Army arrived, they immediately took over the control of the gates. Usually, the doors should be open before dawn, but even after the sun had risen, the gates were still tightly closed.
The Manor of the Governor, in addition to the prisons behind it, were all tightly surrounded by the Wolf Riders.
The sudden appearance of this army shocked the current cops who were on duty.
They knew that this was the strongest army under the Marquess. But this army should be outside of the city. If it wasn’t for something big, they wouldn’t have come to the city.
Right now, not only were they in the city, but they even surrounded the Manor of the Governor. This made them surprised and angry.
There were at least three hundred Wolf Riders around the Manor of the Governor. Yet, there were only a total of fewer than one hundred people who worked the Manor, including the jailers.
On top of that, half of the people were off duty. Right now, there were less than thirty people in the Manor of the Governor.
Thirty to three hundred. Not considering the wolf rider’s skills, they were already severely outnumbered.
The Marquess’ Wolf Rider Army was like the Joker in a deck of cards. After they had negotiated many times with the Imperial Court, they have decided to keep this army no more than eight hundred. And of course, the Marquess took all of it.
Not only were these riders well equipped, but they were also very loyal.
And when the Zhen Family was recruiting riders, they made the requirements very strict. These riders were all basically willing to sacrifice their lives for the Marquess.
This army trained day and night. Even if it was a one-on-one, the officials at the Manor of the Governor stood no chance. Let alone this one to ten ratio.
The Zhen Family had been able to be the head of the Zhen County not only because they were rich and powerful, but it was also because they had this army.
Now, not only were the cops outnumbered, but they were also much weaker. They were not sure what to do, so they just kept the gates tightly closed.
The Marquess’ Wolf Rider Army didn’t do anything either. They just stood around the Manor of the Governor. After the sun got even higher, a small group of riders arrived.
The one leading it was Commander Shi Ling.
Shi Ling led his people to the front gate and another rider immediately came to greet him. Shi Ling threw the horse’s rein to the man and asked, “Yan Qing, what’s the situation here?”
The man holding the horse’s rein immediately replied, “Commander, we have already surrounded the Manor of the Governor. Unless they fly or dig holes, there is no way any of them is coming out.” Then another rider came up, Yan Qing threw the horse rein to him and then followed Shi Ling. “One word from you and we can go in and kill them all.”
Shi Ling suddenly stopped and turned around staring at him. Yan Qing knew he said the wrong thing and immediately apologized, “Sorry.”
“The Manor of the Governor is not our enemy. Our enemy is the rebels in the Manor of the Governor.” Shi Ling said, “If they can find the assassins for us, that would be great!”
Yan Qing knew what Shi Ling meant.
The Marquess’ Wolf Rider Army was much more powerful than the people in the Manor of the Governor. If a fight really occurred, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
But the Manor of the Governor represented the Imperial Court. Without evidence, they can’t just go into the Manor and kill them. Then the rebels would not be the Manor of the Governor, instead, it would be the Wolf Rider Army.
The Marquess’ Wolf Rider Army was the most powerful force in Zhen County. If they angered the Imperial Court, then General Hei Yu would bring his army over. At that point, even if there were eight thousand Wolf Riders, they’d still be annihilated by the elite soldiers under General Hei Yu.
Shi Ling walked up to the front gate and then stopped. He stared at the thick black gate of the Manor of the Governor and asked quietly, “No one came out yet?”
“Commander, no one came in or out, nor did anyone ask us what’s going on.” Yan Qing whispered back.
Shi Ling nodded and pointed at the door. “Go knock and tell them that the Wolf Rider Commander Shi Ling wants to meet Han Yunong of the Manor of the Governor.”
Yan Qing speed-walked to the front of the gate and knocked. “Wolf Rider Commander Shi wants to see Governor Han. Please get Han Yunong out to talk.”
Nothing. Yan Qing frowned and looked back at Shi Ling. He raised his hand to knock again when creek! the door suddenly opened.
Several of the Manor’s Government officials rushed out first, all with swords on them. Then followed by Han Yunong. He seemed to have just woken up.
Since Han Yunong was the Governor of the Manor of the Governor, he also lived in the Manor.
“Wolf Rider?” Han Yunong looked around and landed his eyes on Shi Ling. He smiled. “I heard the horses a long time ago. I thought something big was going on that needed the Wolf Riders. I didn’t receive any orders from the Defense General.” He looked at the soldiers and smiled again. “Commander Shi, what’s this? Is it really what I heard, you want to be our government’s enemy?”
Although he was smiling, Shi Ling knew well what his last sentence meant.
The Manor of the Governor represents the Imperial Court. Being the enemy of the Manor of the Governor was basically being the enemy of the Imperial Court. Being the enemy of the Imperial Court meant that they were rebelling.
Han Yunong did not say the word “rebellion”. But that was what he implied, basically asking the Marquess’ Wolf Rider Army whether they were going to rebel or not.
Edited by: Eyljee