Incitement

Third Watch

When Sun Shaozong and Yu Qian came out, Huang Bin was being surrounded by several officials and interrogated.

Though he had clenched his teeth and would only repeat empty platitudes, his legs were trembling so badly that he could barely hold himself together.

After all, he was merely an unranked constable, while every official surrounding him, high or low, was far beyond his ability to offend.

Fortunately, Sun Shaozong appeared in time and eased his predicament.

Even so, an eighth-rank clerk still threw down a threat in indignation. "Fine, fine, Head Constable Huang, you've found yourself a powerful patron. But don't forget that Vice Minister Sun defied an Imperial Order today. Later..."

Before he could finish, the people around him scattered with a whoosh, leaving an open space.

Fools and troublemakers could be found anywhere, but those who managed to survive in officialdom generally possessed passable social sense.

Whether Sun Shaozong would be severely punished for defying the Imperial Order remained uncertain. But anyone who dared display gloating delight before his trusted subordinate certainly would not come to a good end.

Setting aside that minor interlude, Sun Shaozong stood on the steps with his hands behind his back. The officials below knew he had something to say and hurriedly formed two rows according to rank.

As for people like Huang Bin, who had no official rank, they were not even qualified to join the formation. He could only follow the miscellaneous clerks and gather along the outer edge.

Once everyone had lined up and the courtyard had fallen silent, Sun Shaozong said solemnly, "Let us set aside why I came here today. First, I wish to speak of what I have seen, heard, thought, and felt since taking office."

"When I first received word that I was being