Three days later.
A fine drizzle fell in the early morning.
Outside the Jiangnan Guard Station, crowds of commoners had already packed both sides of the broad official road.
Everyone wanted to see the good official who had rid the people of their tormentors!
As soon as he arrived in Jiangnan, he had arrested every corrupt official who committed evil and oppressed the people.
Those corrupt officials normally threw their weight around, but when they met a truly formidable man, they were dragged away like stinking rats from a gutter.
Over a hundred mounted Embroidered Uniform Guards came galloping up, and the man at their head, wearing an Azure Flying Fish Uniform, leaped from his horse.
"Lord Jia!"
"Lord Jia is so young!"
The commoners eagerly pressed forward, overflowing with warmth. Some even carried baskets of eggs.
"I appreciate everyone's kindness, but I have important duties to attend to today."
Jia Huan bowed deeply, ordered his men to disperse the crowd, then headed for the prison.
The interrogation room was filled with officials in python robes and purple sashes, chiefly Jiangnan's senior garrison officials and resident eunuchs, including two Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-Household Commanders.
Jia Huan entered and saluted with cupped hands.
"My respects, my lords."
Everyone rose to greet him.
As for who had truly masterminded the assassination attempt?
No one cared anymore.
Former Canal Transport Governor Zhao Hong and former Zhejiang Governor Dai Chaozong had committed towering crimes. It was entirely plausible that, like cornered dogs leaping over a wall, they had resorted to assassination in broad daylight.
Resident Eunuch Wang Teng cleared his throat and said gravely:
"The Capital has sent a dispatch. These criminals defied the law and committed treasonous evil. Nothing short of execution will quell the people's outrage!"
Jia Huan nodded.
More than seventy