Golden Branch

"The Hundred Cavalry Division is investigating the case. All outsiders, please retreat immediately!"

A guard behind the man in red official uniform was shouting loudly as he walked.

The pedestrians passing by the Zhaixing Tower and the guests in the lobby all changed their expressions when they heard the sound.

"Damn it, it really is this cruel official!"

"Why did the Baiqi Division come to Zhaixing Tower? Could it be that Zhaixing Tower is involved in some important case?"

"Hush! Speak softly, are you trying to kill yourself? If someone hears you, you'll be in trouble."

The reputation of the Hundred Cavalry Division was known to everyone in the Dayu Dynasty.

The cruel officials mentioned by passers-by have even had the effect of stopping children from crying in the past one or two years.

The Xin Dynasty of the Dayu Dynasty was established. The sage was wise and powerful, and was an unparalleled wise ruler.

However, no matter how bright the sunshine is, there is also darkness.

A saint also needs a force that is secretive and capable enough.

The Hundred Cavalry Division has existed since the previous dynasty and has never been abolished by either the Emperor or the Sage.

At most, a saint will not rely too much on this dark force, but will rely more on the many forces that are visible.

Originally, the common people didn’t know much about the Hundred Cavalry Division. They were more familiar with the Sixteen Guards of the Southern Court and other royal guards.

The reputation of the Hundred Cavalry Division spread among the people two years ago when a case of some importance occurred in the court. The ruthless actions of the person involved, Zhou Jiming, made the world know that there was such a mysterious force in the Dayu Dynasty.

……

"What? Zhaixing Tower was surrounded by soldiers, and the person behind this was Zhou Jiming?"

Wang Mian had just finished breakfast and was organizing teaching aids and preparing for the afternoon class when he received this message.

Wang Mian has no feelings for her "ex".

The reason why Zhou Jiming was chosen was simply because he was suspected to be the male protagonist of the imperial examination essay, and his conditions in all aspects were suitable for himself, so he wanted to hold on to his golden thigh in advance.

"Unfortunately, I'm not the heroine, at least not Zhou Jiming's heroine. Moreover, I've mixed too many interests into this marriage, it's not pure enough, and I'm bound to fail."

Zhou Jiming found another man, but Wang Mian was not sad or resentful. Instead, she reflected on herself.

Since I haven't given my heart, I shouldn't stand on the moral high ground and demand others do this or that.

People do need to love themselves before loving others, but this does not mean that they can only take without giving.

After learning from Zhou Jiming's lesson, Wang Mian was no longer so cautious and restrained when interacting with Xiao Wuzhi.

She was still able to keep her true heart, but also gave her feelings... and it finally came to fruition.

The couple loves each other and has a child. Wang Mian, who is open-minded and kind, will not dwell on his past experiences.

Zhou Jiming is also a fellow townsman to her.

Occasionally, when meeting at palace banquets or banquets of the powerful circle, Wang Mian was always graceful, polite and aloof.

There was no so-called love, hate, or vengeance, so Wang Mian didn't care too much about Zhou Jiming.

But, after all, they are all in the capital, and they are all wealthy families with close ties with the royal family.

Even if Wang Mian didn't deliberately inquire, he could always hear some news about Zhou Jiming.

Especially two years ago, Zhou Jiming did a "feat" that shocked the whole Chang'an -

He sacrificed his own family for the sake of justice and exposed the illegal activities of his father-in-law and uncle.

This is not the most surprising thing. What is even more amazing about Zhou Jiming is that he did not make a mindless false accusation, but was well prepared.

Zhou Jiming had thoroughly investigated all the illegal activities of Princess Pingyi's husband and eldest son.

From small things like occupying people's land and robbing people's property to big things like colluding with the Turks and trafficking in salt and iron, Zhou Jiming not only found physical evidence for all the crimes, but also had enough witnesses.

In some cases, even old cases from a few years ago, there was not much evidence left. However, Zhou Jiming still relied on his intelligence and skills to unravel the case, follow the clues, and firmly convict the son-in-law and his son.

The sage was furious because among the many crimes of this father and son, one was that they were traitors to the King of Chu.

Although they failed to stir up any trouble, when the sage was still the King of Qi, he was targeted by the Emperor, the King of Chu and others, and several of his confidants were framed.

Among them was the work of Prince Consort Pingyi.

It’s just that the son-in-law hides his true identity so well that on the surface he might even be mistaken for a saint.

When the sage was clearing out the former emperor's confidants and the remnants of the King of Chu, he also missed out on Pingyi's family.

Zhou Jiming's report awakened the saint, and he very considerately packaged and sent evidence sufficient to convict him.

The saint was pleased, and he became more tolerant of Zhou Jiming.

Reporting one's close relatives is somewhat cold-hearted and unkind.

However, Zhou Jiming does have real talent and knowledge.

Moreover, the Saint also received all the investigation data about Zhou Jiming afterwards——

Born into a farming family in Yizhou, he was smart and studious since childhood.

Relying on his outstanding talents and character, he was recommended by the local official school as a tribute student and came to the capital to take the imperial examination.

In the capital, Zhou Jiming was quite active and often appeared at various banquets and gatherings.

Not only did he spread his talent and fame, but he also got a good marriage——

Pingyi's daughter, Princess Kangning, fell in love with the talented and handsome Zhou Jiming at first sight.

Zhou Jiming was a smart man. When he noticed the friendship of Lady Kangning, he took the initiative to show his goodwill and finally succeeded.

However, after Zhou Jiming married a wife of noble birth, he was unable to rise to prominence.

Princess Pingyi and her husband are not fools. They know very well that a man like Zhou Jiming, who comes from a humble background but is ambitious, will become rampant once he gains power.

Maybe he won't repay kindness with enmity, but he won't stay in his place either.

What they want is a toy that can make their daughter happy, not a jackal that may kill its owner.

The princess and her husband treated Zhou Jiming like a trained dog, first by giving him a bone, then a stick and a whip.

After Zhou Jiming sees his true identity, he will give him some sweet treats.

Under the intentional manipulation of the eldest princess, two or three years after their marriage, Zhou Jiming's official position was only the sixth rank, which was still an idle job with no real power.

If you are not busy, will not be blamed, have no ambition, or want to retire, this kind of official position is very suitable.

But, Zhou Jiming is not like that.

When he was reborn, what he wanted was to dominate the court and become a high-ranking official.

For this, he even abandoned his "fiancée" who had been kind to him.

Wang Mian did come from a humble background and was involved in business, but she was beautiful and had a good personality, making her a perfect wife and mother.

Unlike Corning, he is spoiled and domineering, and has no regard for others.

Zhou Jiming was not marrying into the princess' family, but he could not stand up straight in the princess's mansion and in front of County Lady Kangning.

If it means just enduring some humiliation but having a smooth career, Zhou Jiming can endure it.

But...

At first, Zhou Jiming did not realize that the suppression he suffered came from the Princess's Mansion.

However, after one or two lessons, and seeing the mockery and disdain in the eyes of his father-in-law, mother-in-law and other "close relatives", Zhou Jiming suddenly realized that the path he had chosen was not a highway to heaven, but a dead end that was destined to be a dead end!

If he continues to rely on the Princess's Mansion, he will never have a chance to make a breakthrough!

He is not the husband of a royal noble lady, but just a dog!

Zhou Jiming was angry, and his heart, which was not as white as snow to begin with, began to emit wisps of black air.

Then, there was the subsequent sacrifice of one's own relatives for the sake of justice.

After reading the information sent by the Hundred Cavalry Division, the Saint felt a little complicated.

If we stand from the woman's perspective, the saint can understand the actions of Ping Yi and his wife.

My daughter is marrying down from her parents' family. If I can't keep her husband firmly in my hands, wouldn't it be a waste of the family's resources?

But if one stands on Zhou Jiming's side, even a saint can understand his anger—

He is not a useless person with only good looks, but a great man with real talents and great ambitions.

If someone treats him like a dog, he might show his teeth and bite people.

It’s all because the Pingyi family overestimated themselves and underestimated the “son-in-law” they identified, which led to the bitter consequences today.

Through this case, the saint dug out a hidden chess piece in his own camp and discovered an extremely useful knife.

Although Zhou Jiming's actions may seem a bit harsh, he has demonstrated a meticulous mind and strong criminal investigation capabilities.

There is indeed a Lou Yu in front of the saint, who is also a very capable and capable minister.

However, due to Lou Yu's background, experience, identity and other reasons, he was destined to stand only in the bright court.

It is impossible for him to hide in the dark and do dirty things for the saints and the royal family.

The appearance of Zhou Jiming made the saint secretly happy: This man is very suitable to be a mad dog that rushes in the front and bites!

As a result, Zhou Jiming was quickly promoted. In just two years, he was promoted from a sinecure of the sixth rank to the fifth rank Chief Censor, and concurrently served as the Captain of the Hundred Cavalry Division.

Princess Pingyi was stripped of her title, and her husband and eldest son were sentenced to exile according to law.

Zhou Jiming and Lady Kangning also divorced smoothly.

Of course, Princess Kangning could stay, but everyone, including herself, knew that if she continued to pester Zhou Jiming, there would be only one result - death from illness!

Furthermore, the two families have already gotten to this point, and even if County Lord Kangning has mixed feelings of love and hate in his heart, he must let go.

Zhou Jiming successfully broke away from his wife's family and rose to prominence step by step.

The price is to become a notorious, cruel and vicious official or a lone minister.

The reputation of the Baiqi Division was also spread by Zhou Jiming through one case after another.

"...How did Zhaixing Tower provoke Zhou Jiming?"

"I was there last night and didn't hear anything happened."

Wang Mian gathered his thoughts and stopped thinking about his ex. He just tried to think about his current situation.

Zhou Jiming is not a fool who would seek revenge without thinking, and he has long known the grudge between the two.

Wang Mian would never feel good about herself and assume that Zhou Jiming still had feelings for her and that his love had turned into hate, and that he would wait for an opportunity to take revenge after gaining power.

Well, even if Zhou Jiming was successful and arrogant, and insisted on doing some old-fashioned love story, he would not attack her for no reason.

She, Wang Mian, is no longer a peasant girl. She is a princess appointed by the saint and the wife of the prince of Changle Marquisate.

She has a princess as her best friend, a husband who holds military power, and the value of secretly raising money and food for the saint... She is far from someone that Zhou Jiming, a "Jinyiwei", can murder.

Unless, Zhaixing Tower is really involved in some major case...