Chapter 714: Chapter 91: Get in Position! Taishi Ankang is Ready to Lie Down_2
Main residence of the Purple Abode Cao Family.
As a prominent family that has been around for nearly two thousand years, the size of the Cao family’s main residence in Liaoyuan is considered extremely large even among the Grade Five prominent families.
Looking down from the air, you would see a sprawling expanse of houses lined up layer upon layer, with black-tiled roofs and soaring courtyard walls; a spectacular view.
Compared to the flourishing Wang family, the Cao family seems to have their spirits down, giving off a bleak vibe.
A white bird traversing over mountains and rivers, flaps its wings and disappears among the overlapping eaves.
Soon, a small bamboo tube made of spiritual bamboo, slightly thicker than a thumb, was delivered to the “Cang Tan Court” where the Family Head, Cao Bangning, resides.
This spiritual bamboo tube bore simple inscriptions, was enclosed with a seal, and the opening was carefully sealed with wax. At a glance, this was no ordinary object.
At this moment, in the Cang Tan Court, Family Head of the Cao Family, Cao Bangning, was discussing serious matters with his aunt, Cao Youqing.
The faces of both of them were very heavy.
It was clear that the failure of the actions against the Wang family’s merchant fleet in the Qingluo Sea had put them under great pressure.
The head of household left after delivering the spiritual bamboo tube.
Cao Bangning picks up the spiritual bamboo tube, opens it and says solemnly, “Aunt, the current situation is very bad. The Wang family was prepared for our attack. They used the Sky Mechanism Recording Disk to secretly record and tricked out words from Bangyan.”
“I had already made connections beforehand and informed Bangyan to insist that those words he said were just the impulsive boasts made on the spot. They were his personal actions and had nothing to do with our Cao family. Thus, we, the Cao family, would have a chance to discreetly exert our power and rescue him.”
“Now, the courier gull has sent back a message. It should be a receipt.”
Cao Youqing’s face relaxed a little: “Bangning, you handled this matter quite appropriately. We must first clear the Cao Family’s name, only then will we have room to maneuver. Don’t worry, I will use my connections to help secretly. It’s just a pity that Bangyan has to suffer for a few years.”
“Huh, what’s there to feel sorry about? If he hadn’t been so careless at work…” Family Head Cao Bangning was mumbling and opening the letter, only to change color drastically when he glanced at it, “How is this possible?
Cao Youqing also felt a sudden shock, a sense of foreboding overcame her, “Could there be an unexpected turn of events?”
“Bangyan, this spineless idiot!” Cao Bangning was shaking with anger and he slapped the table fiercely. The thousand-year-old Spirit Wood table almost shattered. He blurted out, “He actually couldn’t withstand the pressure and confessed.”
“How is this possible?” Cao Youqing’s face also turned ugly, “How can Bangyan be so immature?”
“It’s all his fault for being spoiled from a young age, he’s never been through hard times in his life.” Family Head Cao Bangning’s face was deathly pale, “Moreover, Prefectural Governor Taishi Ankang of Longzuo County has already written a report and has used the ‘Cloud-Piercing Blue Pigeon’ for urgent reporting! By now, the report should have already reached the Inspectorate in the National Capital. It could be that even the investigating envoy sent by the court is already on its way.”
Thinking of these things gave him a massive headache.
You should know, there are generally two ways for the Prefecture Mansion to present reports to the court.
One, is sending soldiers to ride express horses to the Imperial City, changing horses at every post station along the way. From Longzuo County Town to the Dragon City, it generally takes about half a month. For non-urgent situations, the daily reports submitted by the Prefecture Mansion to the court follow this procedure.
The second, is by courier bird.
The court specially trains a Second Class variant Spirit Bird, the “Cloud-Piercing Blue Pigeon” as a courier bird. This type of courier bird is fast, has a great stamina, and has the habit of returning to its nest after recognizing the direction. After training, even if there are tens of thousands of miles apart, it can accurately find directions and return to its nest.
All local Prefecture Mansions raise a certain number of these “Cloud-Piercing Blue Pigeons”, which are released In case of an emergency, to urgently deliver reports to the Imperial City.
With the speed of the “Cloud-Piercing Blue Pigeon”, it wouldn’t take more than three days to fly from the Governor’s Mansion of Longzuo County to Dragon City.
Taishi Ankang utilised the “Cloud-Piercing Blue Pigeon”, clearly signalling that he does not intend to give the Cao Family time and space to maneuver, and is suspicious of attempting to kill with a single stroke.
In addition, the Inspectorate is always efficient. From receipt of the report to selection and dispatch of the investigator, it generally does not take more than two days.
And the standard equipment for the investigator who leaves the Imperial City is a flying carriage.
At the speed of the flying carriage, it takes at least a dozen days or as quickly as seven or eight days to travel from Dragon City to Liaoyuan County Town.
The local officials of Liaoyuan County need the cooperation of the Cao Family to manage the area well, so they would more or less give some respect to the Cao Family, and can come to an agreement when accidents happen. But investigators from the Imperial City won’t give any such respect to the Cao Family.
Moreover, the crime of colluding with pirates is not a small one. If found guilty, the Cao Family could face severe punishments.
Besides, there is also a big problem with Cao Bangyan.
He’s the Purple Abode seed the family had put great effort into nurturing. He was about to advance to the Purple Abode Realm in just over a hundred years time, preparing to take over the Old Ancestor’s position.
If he can’t be rescued, the family’s investments over the years will all be for naught. What’s worse, the succession of the Purple Abode might also face issues.
The more Cao Bangning thought about all these, the bigger a headache he got. His temples were throbbing in pain. Damn it! What kind of bad luck has he gotten into to run into all these troubles!
On the other side, Cao Youqing’s face had also turned deathly pale: “The letter says that it was Wang Shouzhe, the head of the Wang family, who fanned the flames secretly. What kind of power does Wang Shouzhe possess that he could induce Taishi Ankang to confront our Cao family?”