Obtaining Evidence at the Northern Garrison Office

The successive replacement of three Garrison Commanders over three years had clearly had a considerable impact on the Northern Garrison Office. Though the authority in its hands had not diminished much, its position was far from what it once had been.

Recently, there had even been rumors that the Emperor intended to establish another intelligence agency to replace and restrain the ever-troubled Northern and Southern Garrison Offices.

Thus, as he took in the sights along the way, Sun Shaozong found that while morale within the Northern Garrison Office had not yet sunk entirely, a sense of decay permeated every corner.

If the Northern Garrison Office had once been described as grim and murderous, then now it could only be called desolate.

"Lord Sun."

Just as he was privately lamenting the passage of time and changing circumstances, the Junior Banner Officer leading the way suddenly stopped. Turning around, he said cautiously, "Please wait here a moment, my lord. Allow this subordinate to go in and report—"

"No need."

Before he could finish, a short, sturdy man emerged from the courtyard ahead. He hurried forward, bowed deeply before Sun Shaozong, and said, "This subordinate greets you, my lord!"

"Thousand Household Commander Zhao, there is no need for such ceremony."

Sun Shaozong returned the salute and smiled. "Sun did not come to Sanbao Hall without cause today. If I have been presumptuous in any way, I hope Thousand Household Commander Zhao will be forgiving."

"What are you saying? If not for your righteous intervention back then, I, Zhao Jiayi, might still be eating prison rations in the Imperial Prison! Whatever you need, just say the word!"

This Probationary Thousand Household Commander Zhao Jiayi, thumping his chest in assurance, had been the frontline commander during the bandit suppression at Qingxu Temple.

At the time,