Chaos of Ming 1628

He's gone mad!

From Cui Chengxiu to the onlookers, at this moment, only these three words were on everyone's mind.

When Zhu Youjian first ascended the throne, Wei Zhongxian still controlled the Eastern Depot, and Cui Chengxiu was the head of the Five Tigers of the Eunuch Party, wielding immense power.

Let alone an acting county magistrate, even if he were a seventh-rank county magistrate, Cui Chengxiu would not need to report to the emperor. He could order his arrest on the spot, remove his official seal, put on his shackles, and immediately escort him to the imperial prison in the capital.

As for Meng Zhaoxiang and Su Jiuda, they can be taken down together.

At this moment, Zhu Youxiao was deliberately holding back and would never break ties with the eunuch faction just because of Sun Qing.

The Sun family name was more than enough to intimidate a minor official like Zhou Ji. But to think it could frighten Cui Chengxiu and his ilk was simply wishful thinking.

Everything Cui Chengxiu encountered after arriving in Jiahe County overturned his understanding of the world.

"Very good, very good," he said three times in a row. "If I hadn't come to Jiaohe County today, I would never have known that a high-ranking official like myself could be compared to a dog."

"Sun Qing, I was unable to invite Sun Chengzong to my place before, so today I can only invite his descendants to visit."

Sun Qing found it amusing and asked unhurriedly, "Minister Cui, have you forgotten why you've come here today?"

"You're inviting me to visit you in the capital?"

Sun Qing had already predicted the direction of the eunuch faction. If he only wanted to capture an arrogant person, why would Cui Chengxiu have come here in person?

Looking at the two carriages, only Cui Chengxiu got out. Who was the empty carriage prepared for?

Zhu Youjian had rejected the proposal to build a shrine in his honor, and the political winds had shifted, leading to a backlash from the court officials. Wei Zhongxian began to panic.

Cui Chengxiu's expression changed as expected.

"If you come in, I will never leave this door again." Sun Qing said matter-of-factly, "If you want me to go to the capital with you, Minister Cui will have to step back a few steps."

What an insult this behavior is to them!

Even from a great distance, one could hear the grinding sound of Cui Chengxiu's back teeth.

A surge of anger welled up within him, and he could no longer maintain the composure and dignity befitting a high-ranking official. With a fierce glare and a wave of his hand, he declared, "This brat is so insolent! Arrest him immediately!"

The imperial guards beside him had been waiting for this order. If their leader was humiliated, what about their lackeys?

The imperial guards immediately drew their swords and stepped forward, with Meng Zhaoxiang and Su Jiuda stepping forward to protect them. Fortunately, Sun Qing reacted quickly and pulled the two men behind him, thus preventing bloodshed.

But because of this, he was left empty-handed and was lifted up by the two men, who pinned him to the ground, pressed his neck tightly, and bound his arms behind his back, rendering him unable to move.

Cui Chengxiu stood in front of him, staring down at the person on the ground: "You bastard, I can tolerate Sun Chengzong cursing me, but you're just a descendant of the Sun family, how dare you be so arrogant in front of me?"

"Does he really think he can disregard the laws of the imperial court just because he has some local prestige?"

"Even Yang Lian, that tough nut to crack, couldn't beat me, so who are you to challenge me?"

Mentioning Yang Lian, how could the scholars not know his tragic end? The crowd immediately stirred.

Meng Zhaoxiang and Su Jiuda desperately rushed forward to pull people apart, and the crowd surged forward in anger. The Imperial Guards, brandishing their swords, tried to separate them, but the group, undeterred by death, charged forward.

Before long, someone might die.

"Get back! All of you, get back!" Choi Seong-soo roared. "If you dare take another step forward, I'll kill you all!"

Such intimidation only made them flinch, but they still went ahead without hesitation.

"Listen to me, everyone, I'm fine." Seeing this, Sun Qing hurriedly said, "Everyone, step back, please don't get hurt."

"They can do nothing to me."

As soon as Sun Qing spoke, the restless crowd dispersed like a flood and immediately calmed down.

They spontaneously surrounded Cui Chengxiu and others, completely blocking their way.

Choi Seong-soo's face turned completely dark.

Staring at the boy in front of him again, a sense of fear arose in his heart.

"Minister Cui, do not forget why you have come today!" Sun Qing said solemnly, each word distinct. There was even a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Cui Chengxiu was truly starting to panic. He had no choice but to do what Wei Zhongxian had ordered him to do.

Even though Cui Chengxiu now holds the highest rank and wields immense power in the court, acting tyrannically in the provinces, he still doesn't need to be respectful even to Zhu Youjian. Yet, when facing Wei Zhongxian, he must remain obsequious and report everything to him.

He was as arrogant as he was outside, but as humble as he was in front of Wei Zhongxian. After all, his arrogance was entirely due to Wei Zhongxian's power; he had no real power base of his own. In fact, Wei Zhongxian held many incriminating evidence against him.

The reason for coming to Jiahe County is to follow orders and bring Sun Qing here.

How can one disobey the factory director's orders?

This kid is so confident, could he really be a fortune teller?

Cui Chengxiu stared at Sun Qing with a complicated expression, while Sun Qing looked back at him without any fear.

Finally, Choi Seong-soo was defeated.

The young man's eyes were too certain, as if he had seen through everything. Coupled with the support of the surrounding crowd, this made Cui Chengxiu even more suspicious.

"Enough!" Cui Chengxiu took a deep breath, waved his hand, and signaled the imperial guards to release Sun Qing: "Hurry up and pack your things, and come with me to the capital immediately."

The onlookers looked at each other, completely bewildered. Although they were also going to the capital, it didn't seem like they were going to arrest Sun Qing.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, at least Sun Qing's life wasn't in danger. And they expected Sun Qing to refuse to get up, remaining seated on the ground.

He still wore that nonchalant smile: "My legs are numb, my hands are sore, I can't stand up."

"Then have someone lift you up." Choi Seong-soo's temper flared up.

Not to mention the people from the Eastern Depot, even the onlookers gasped in shock. What exactly was Sun Qing trying to do?

"Is this how you treat your guests?" Sun Qing shook his head and said slowly, "Disaster is imminent, our luck is about to end, and we only have two days left to try to defy fate and turn the tide. It all depends on this moment, which will be fleeting."

His voice wasn't loud, just loud enough for the two of them to hear.

Cui Chengxiu's face paled; Sun Qing had indeed predicted it correctly. Just as he left the palace to look for him, memorials impeaching him were already piled up on Zhu Youxiao's table.

The eunuch was anxious, but repeatedly urged Sun Qing to go to the capital.

Right now, Sun Qing's attitude clearly indicates that he is trying to make things difficult for him.

Cui Chengxiu truly wished he could tear the person in front of him to pieces. Back then, when he was desperate, he was still able to kneel down and weep bitterly, abandoning all dignity, and beg Lord Wei to take him in.

How can we save face today? As long as we can keep him in his high position and let him suffer some humiliation, we can get revenge later!

"You..." Cui Chengxiu began to speak, but then noticed Sun Qing's furrowed brows. He gritted his teeth and uttered each word slowly and deliberately: "Young Master Sun, I was impolite just now."

"Please don't take it to heart, young master. I implore you to come with me to the capital."