Chapter 13: Execute First, Report Later, Imperial Prerogative (Part 2)
"Where's Zhang Anwu?"
The official's expression became even more troubled: "Master Zhang... should be on his way."
"Alright, then this Marquis will wait for him."
Li Fei said calmly, without any intention of getting out of the car.
Meanwhile, inside a building of the Military Supply Headquarters.
Zhao Hongcai, the Transportation Commissioner responsible for the entire Northern Border Military Supply, was playing chess with someone.
"Aren't you going to do something about it, and just let Marquis Jing'an embarrass the Military Supply Office like this?"
The person playing chess with Zhao Hongcai asked.
Zhao Hongcai had a very joyful face, making people feel naturally cordial at first glance.
He smiled and said: "Everyone is a Level 16 official, not only is he a Martial Arts Master, but also a Blue Patrol Envoy, and now he holds military power, how dare I intervene?"
The person playing chess with him glanced at him: "Didn't Vice Admiral Luo just call you?"
Zhao Hongcai's expression remained unchanged: "What call? I didn't hear anything at all."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Let's first observe this Marquis Jing'an's methods."
"..."
And so this Transportation Commissioner continued playing chess in the room.
In the entire Military Supply Headquarters, he was the only one qualified to speak on equal terms with Li Fei.
Since he did not appear, the other officials were even less capable of standing firm in front of Li Fei.
Thus, the car remained parked in the open space, and the entrance to the Military Supply Office continued to be blocked.
When Zhang Anwu's car arrived near the Military Supply Headquarters, he saw the completely blocked entrance.
It was even clogged from the gate all the way out to the street.
This caused many vehicles needing to enter the Military Supply Office to be stuck outside, and the blockade increased.
Zhang Anwu couldn't help but feel a headache, quickly getting out of the car, leading his driver and guard, forcefully squeezing inside.
"Make way, this is the supervisor of the Military Supply Office!"
"Make way..."
With great difficulty, Zhang Anwu finally squeezed into the gates of the Military Supply Office with his guard.
He immediately spotted the car surrounded by his subordinates, took a deep breath, and walked up with determination.
"I am Zhang Anwu, supervisor of the Military Supply Office, greeting Marquis Jing'an."
Zhang Anwu approached the rear of the car and saluted at the open window.
"Are you Zhang Anwu?"
Li Fei glanced at him, "You seem quite impressive, not only making this Marquis come to see you personally but also having so many people wait for you."
Zhang Anwu's body shook:
"Marquis, perhaps there has been some misunderstanding? This humble official never requested the Marquis to come to the Military Supply Office personally, and I don't understand why Marquis has brought people to block the entrance of the Military Supply Office today?"
"The other day, I sent people to the Military Supply Office to collect supplies, and how did your people respond?"
Zhang Anwu's expression remained unchanged: "As your humble servant handles numerous affairs daily, for a moment I don't know which matter the Marquis refers to, allow me to inquire first."
After finishing speaking, he turned to ask the troubled middle-aged man who had just saluted Li Fei:
"Wang Yankang, do you know about this matter?"
The middle-aged official named Wang Yankang quickly responded:
"Indeed, Marquis Jing'an did send someone to collect Replenishing Essence Elixir the other day, but three days ago, Panshi City had just sent people to take away a batch of Replenishing Essence Elixirs. This time they requested a large quantity, nearly clearing the stock, so this humble official told the man sent by Marquis Jing'an that the stock was tight, temporarily without Replenishing Essence Elixirs, and needed to wait for some time."
"I see."
Zhang Anwu appeared to understand, turned around and saluted Li Fei:
"As you heard, Marquis, it was not our intention to make things difficult; the stock is indeed tight. If Marquis doesn't believe, this humble official can show you the detailed records of the batch of elixirs leaving the warehouse.
If Marquis urgently needs Replenishing Essence Elixir, this humble official will immediately have someone inspect the warehouse, gather all remaining Replenishing Essence Elixirs for Marquis. Later, this humble official will ensure to urge the rear, and as soon as new Replenishing Essence Elixirs are stocked, the first priority will be to send them to Marquis!"
He lowered his stance significantly, his words flawless and smooth, leaving no room for leverage.
Li Fei looked at him expressionlessly:
"So you're saying, there are indeed no Replenishing Essence Elixirs currently at the Military Supply Office?"
Zhang Anwu nodded: "Indeed, there's hardly any stock left."
With a click, the car door opened.
Li Fei, who had been sitting in the car, finally stepped out.
He walked step-by-step to Zhang Anwu, looking at the Military Supply Office supervisor who bowed his head:
"Zhang Anwu, do you know the penalty for embezzling military supplies?"
Zhang Anwu's body trembled, and he suddenly looked up at Li Fei with a bewildered expression:
"What is Marquis Jing'an saying? How could I do such a thing?"
Li Fei stared into his eyes:
"Zhang Anwu, I'm asking one last time, is it true that the Military Supply Department has no more Replenishing Essence Elixir?"
Zhang Anwu stood straight in front of Li Fei and said resolutely:
"I already said, even if the Military Supply Department has any Replenishing Essence Elixir left, it's only a small amount, absolutely not more than ten boxes!"
"Alright."
Li Fei nodded and turned to look at the people outside the door:
"Come in, all of you!"
Swish—
Upon hearing his words, everyone squeezed into the doors of the Military Supply Department.
Li Fei stepped past the crowd of officials from the Military Supply Department, looking like he was about to lead the more than three thousand martial artists further inside!
Zhang Anwu's expression changed, and he shouted loudly:
"Guards!!"
As his voice fell, over a hundred guards immediately rushed out, blocking the way of Li Fei and his people.
He ran to stand in front of Li Fei: "What does Marquis Jing'an mean by this?"
Li Fei: "Since you say the Military Supply Department has no Replenishing Essence Elixir, then I'll bring people to search it myself."
Zhang Anwu's face turned livid:
"Marquis Jing'an, you are too outrageous!"
His sudden burst of anger startled many present:
"Today, this officer has been repeatedly tolerant, but you keep pushing forward. What do you think this place is? This is not your Marquis Mansion; it's the Northern Border Military Supply Headquarters!"
"You asked this officer so many questions earlier, now let this officer ask you, do you know the crime of trespassing in the Military Supply Headquarters? Do you know that military law is merciless!"
Zhang Anwu loudly rebuked without any courtesy.
It's not that he suddenly became arrogant, but if Li Fei really forced his way into the Military Supply Headquarters, even if this matter reached Prince Cheng, he would still have the upper hand!
If Li Fei dared to force his way in today, he would have nowhere to stand in the Northern Territory in the future!
The martial artists following Li Fei also started to stir, with many showing signs of unease.
If Li Fei didn't provide an explanation and led them to force their way in, they certainly wouldn't dare continue.
Ultimately, Li Fei might be unaffected, but these people would lose their heads!
Li Fei looked at the righteously indignant Zhang Anwu and laughed:
"Who said that today I was forcing my way into the Military Supply Headquarters? I received a report that someone embezzled military supplies, and I came here today to apprehend them!"
Zhang Anwu's expression changed, glaring at Li Fei:
"Who reported it? Who was accused? Is there concrete evidence? Even if this is true, it's under the jurisdiction of the Military Court; what qualifications do you have to meddle in Northern Territory military affairs?"
"It's you, Zhang Anwu, who was reported!"
Li Fei's voice was not loud, but it was clear enough for everyone present to hear:
"You embezzled military supplies, with evidence inside this Military Supply Headquarters. As for what qualifications I have to handle this matter? I am the Blue Patrol Envoy, personally appointed by Your Majesty, and concurrently the head of the Blue Patrol Pavilion Inspection Team. Regarding matters related to Blue Patrol Pavilion, I have the authority to supervise!"
The Blue Patrol Envoy oversees all officials but cannot manage the military. Normally, Li Fei would indeed have no qualifications to interfere in Northern Territory military affairs.
But now, the Blue Patrol Pavilion has recommended more than three thousand martial artists to the Northern Territory.
These more than three thousand people have not yet been formally incorporated into the Border Army and are still nominally part of the Blue Patrol Pavilion.
This gives Li Fei a reason to interfere!
He is the head of the Blue Patrol Pavilion Inspection Team, and matters related to the Blue Patrol Pavilion are within his jurisdiction!
Upon hearing this, Zhang Anwu felt a bit panicked but still did not concede:
"This is the Northern Border Military Supply Headquarters, a military stronghold; without an order from the Military Department, no one is allowed to trespass!"
He raised his hand, and the hundred-some guards behind him drew their swords!
The atmosphere instantly became tense and confrontational.
"Under Heaven, all realms belong to the king! No matter Northern or Southern Territory, is military law greater than royal law?!"
Li Fei's voice was like thunder, echoing throughout the entire Military Supply Headquarters:
"Today, I act according to the law, executing first and reporting later, as specially permitted by royal authority! Who dares to stop me?"
As he spoke, he stepped forward.
As he took a step, Zhang Anwu and the hundred guards behind him fell one after another!
PS: Today, the parents from both sides met, drank a bit too much, so that's all for today~