His authority was even greater than the sum of those two.
Moreover, Ning Changqun was skilled at training soldiers, having swept out all those who were dissatisfied, from deputy generals to commanders, within just half a year of taking office.
Over the years, his reputation had soared, wholly comparable to that of Ji.
Rumors were circulating everywhere.
Once Supervisor Sun retired, it was either Ji or Ning Changqun who would take over as supervisor, and since the latter was the Martial Arts Top Scholar directly appointed by the Emperor, the likelihood was even greater.
Nobody among the ten thousand could have imagined that the mess from nepotism would originate from the Cloud Camp.
According to the official rules,
this kind of incident, even the Main General of the Cloud Camp would be implicated.
But would a man soon to retire really dare to move against his successor?
No, it wasn't about daring or not, it was simply impossible! Since this was the Emperor's man, even if he were to be punished, it could only be a symbolic punishment, not a severe one.
Yet if this matter was taken up only to be lightly set down, what that implied went without saying.
Sun Xiangzong's prestige would be completely lost, and even if he regretted declining to retire, he would have no choice but to do so.
Chen Sansi immediately guessed the intentions of this group.
This game wasn't laid out by Cao Fan, but by the Crown Prince and the Emperor, who had combined forces; he was just one part of it, or rather, because of his appearance, the plan had been slightly hastened.
Even if he had not brought the issue to light today, these people would find other ways to force Sun Xiangzong off the stage. If the Supervisor pretended to be deaf and mute, he would lose control over Liangzhou even more.
Supervisor Sun looked at the soldiers kneeling before him and slowly said, "Where is Ning Changqun?"
"Here at your command!"
Ning Changqun answered, stepping forward and folding his hands in salute, "I was completely unaware of this matter, please feel free to question and deal with them as you see fit, Supervisor."
Sun Xiangzong asked calmly, "Tell me, why did you do this?"
"No need to say more!"
Zou Gengdao resolutely said, "I did it, kill or dismember me, I leave it to the Supervisor to decide!"
"Young man, don't rush."
The coarse-clothed Supervisor Sun did not seem to be interrogating a criminal but instead appeared like a friendly old man chatting, "There's always a reason for everything. Do you have a grudge with that young man named Chen, or were you instructed by someone, or perhaps coerced? Speak clearly, and you might not face death."
Zou Gengdao simply turned his face away as if he hadn't heard, closing his mouth and remaining silent.
Supervisor Sun then turned his gaze to others, "Do you have nothing to say either?"
Thirty or so people, all remaining silent.
Mr. Hou rebuked, "The Commander is speaking to you, didn't you hear him? Speak up! Do you all want to die? Speak out, and maybe you'll find a way to live!"
The silence persisted.
The entire Martial Arts Arena was dead quiet.
Sun Xiangzong, the nominal highest military Commander of Liangzhou and the founder of the Eight Camps, found himself unable at that moment to even utter a word.
The thirty or so kneeling people, all ready to die generously, showed not a trace of fear on their faces, nor any sign of respect.
Meng Guangxin burst into fury, picking up a Crescent Moon Spade and rushing down, "Have you tired of living, daring to show such disrespect to my master!"
Fang Qingyun held him back, giving a sign with his eyes not to act rashly. Although he hesitated, he eventually suppressed his anger.
The other Direct Disciples also had extremely grim expressions on their faces.
Being ignored by the troops was a blow to prestige more severe than losing a battle.
"These men were all carefully selected!"
Sun Buqi remembered, "They were originally brought from the Capital City by Ning Changqun, of course they don't listen to my father. Isn't this just making my father look bad?"
In contrast, Sun Xiangzong's expression remained unchanged, "No one wants to speak?"
"Supervisor, don't blame us."
Ning Changqun spoke up, "They have been with me for a long time, only recognizing my orders and not responding to others. Let me do the questioning."
When the Supervisor asks you a question, you answer!"
As expected, as soon as he spoke, responses started coming immediately.
"Response to General Ning!"
Zou Gengdao, kneeling on the ground, his voice booming like a bell, "We recently had a quarrel with that Mr. Chen, and found him displeasing, so we wanted to stop him from breaking through the ranks and ruin his future!"
"Just for that?" Ning Changqun surveyed the others, asking sharply, "Is what he said true?"
"Response to General Ning, indeed so!"
Ning Changqun spoke with great authority, "I ask you again! What kind of punishment do such actions deserve?!"
"We wish to atone with our deaths!"
"Well said, you deserve to be killed!"
Ning Changqun raised the Mountain-opening Axe and chopped off Zou Gengdao's head. Just before his death, Zou Gengdao didn't even blink, even proffering his neck for execution!
With a single glance, a team of his subordinates came over, handing each kneeling soldier a Liangzhou standard Yan Feather Knife.
"What are you waiting for, do you all need me to act personally?"
"No need to trouble the General!"
The soldiers hesitated not a bit as they picked up the Yan Feather Knives, and, as if they had practiced countless times before, their motions harmoniously and uniformly slit their own throats, committing suicide!
Blood gushed forth, and thirty or so men simultaneously fell, a pool of blood coalescing on the ground.
What a command presence!
easily more than ten thousand people witnessed the scene.
What kind of command presence must a Commander have, that allows for orders to be followed so faithfully, to die without even blinking, utterly akin to the legendary Dead Soldiers!