The skies over Luoyang had changed.
When news spread that Mouqiu Dian had been arrested, Luoyang was stunned.
Hadn't the General of Chariots and Cavalry just won great merit in Huainan?
Why had his son been arrested?
Then the Imperial Court issued two imperial edicts.
"For his meritorious defeat of the Wu Kingdom, General of Chariots and Cavalry Guanqiu Jian shall receive a higher noble rank and an increased fief, and be promoted to General of Chariots and Grand General."
"Chief Imperial Censor Mouqiu Dian failed to discipline his subordinates, wrongly employed villains, and failed to distinguish reputations. He shall be stripped of his office and noble rank and reduced to a commoner."
When these two imperial edicts arrived, the ministers were dumbfounded.
So rewards and punishments really were being kept distinct??
They could actually do that?
They soon learned that Zhong Hui was thoroughly investigating the Censorate, and before long, the Ministry of Justice's hawks and hounds began to move.
The setting sun hung at the edge of the sky, and the evening clouds gave off a gentle glow.
A carriage slowly approached, followed by several hundred fully armed guards, men who were plainly armored guards of the Central Army.
They followed the carriage in orderly ranks, their armor clattering in unison. Together with their footsteps, it made a dull rumble like war drums, and soon the carriage stopped before the gates of an imposing mansion.
By the time Zhong Hui stepped down from the carriage, seven or eight men were already standing at the entrance, watching him warily.
The steward frowned, glaring furiously at Zhong Hui.
"What do you intend to do?!"
The steward was not afraid of Zhong Hui. Several household servants beside him even raised their weapons.
Zhong Hui ignored them and simply ordered, "Charge inside.