I was a little stuck on this chapter, but I still forced it out on an empty stomach.
It was nearly the Wu Hour.
Outside the main gate of the Dali Temple, dozens of bailiffs held Fire and Water Rods, forming a human wall on the steps as if facing a formidable enemy.
Facing them from below the steps was a group of barbarians who kept shouting:
"Facing many alone, occasional mistakes are unavoidable. How can that be used to determine guilt?"
"Release our chieftain right now!"
"&*#￥@, lots and lots of Han Dogs! A Lin Chieftain, chieftain... unfair! Han Dogs unfair!"
Though they spoke it very poorly, more than half of these Tatar Ge Zhizhongs spoke the Great Zhou official language. This was clearly the result of Great Zhou's heyday, when it had spared no effort in promoting Han assimilation throughout its territory.
Right Vice Minister Li Wenshan stood in the gateway with his hands behind his back. Listening to the strange-accented shouting, his brow furrowed tighter and tighter.
Then he looked at the dozens of bailiffs outside, all trembling as though confronting a great enemy, and felt even more stifled—this was the dignified Dali Temple, the supreme authority over the laws and order of the realm, yet it was being blocked at its gates and cursed at by a few Tatar captives. What kind of spectacle would that make if word got out?
At the very least...
They ought to drive them farther away before letting them curse!
"My lord."
Hearing his objection, Hong Jiu, who had been pushed forward to maintain order, could only explain bitterly, "Look closely, sir. Most of these Tatars are hardened men who have seen battle. They are broad-shouldered and burly, with swords at their waists and arrows on their backs. If they