Governor Shang slightly frowns as he dislikes the pressure that General Ling was placing on him. He was aware that it was unconscious and stemmed from how he usually acted. However, Governor Shang was not his subordinate, but his equal during the operation, despite him being a lower ranked official.
"Fine, I will take care of the matter. However, you must warn the civilians before you draw your weapons the next time. Is that understood?" Governor Shang gave in because he knows that such things cannot happen again, but also gave his own condition to remind General Ling that is not his subordinate.
General Ling nods and says "I will pass your instructions to my soldiers. Regarding the Crying God Church, I have given orders to infiltrate it and we will get detailed information about what goes on inside the church soon."
"I will try to infiltrate it myself as well. Later tonight I will be having dinner with an old friend who is part of an influential family in the city. I will ask if they can recommend me to the church. Let's go meet the directors of the six ministries." Governor Shang says as he ends the conversation and heads towards the yamen.
…
Inside the yamen, the directors of the six ministries are waiting for Governor Shang and General Ling. They are already aware of what happened yesterday and knows that Governor Shang holds the emperor medallion. The law states that the person holding the medallion is carrying out the emperor's will, and therefore proper respect should be paid to him.
As Governor Shang and General Ling walk into the yamen, the six directors give a deep bow to the both of them, as they are aware that these two people have the authority to execute them right now.
Once Governor Shang walks up to his seat, he does not sit but turns around to face the six directors and ask, "Who here are members of the Crying God Church?"
The six directors look at each other and two directors stand out and say, "We are the only ones who are not members of the Crying God Church…"
"Men, place the four directors under house arrest, lock down their entire family and make sure to cut any contact they have with the outside world."
"What?!" the six directors were shocked and exclaimed loudly.
The soldiers who were on duty at the yamen quickly pushed the four directors onto the floor who were struggling and screaming.
"You can't do this! We are directors of the six ministries! Let us go or we will complain to the emperor and punish you for your impudence!" they shouted.
Some even started cursing at the soldiers who were pushing them down. "Let us go! My official rank is higher than that governor over there! Let me go now or I will kill your entire family!" one of them shouted but the soldier just used for force, causing him more pain and the director starts screaming in agony.
"My Lo...Lord…Why are you doing this? The empire allows us to believe in whatever religion we want to." One of the directors who is not a member of the church stutters as he asks, afraid that he too, will be treated like them.
"Knock those out who are still screaming or struggling and throw them into prison instead. We are here to investigate the Crying God Church. If the church is found to be just another religion, we will let everyone leave. The two of you will take over the duties of the other four for now and should not speak about what happened here or of our purpose. Do you understand?" General Ling says fiercely at the trembling directors.
Governor Shang slightly frowns as he dislikes the pressure that General Ling was placing on him. He was aware that it was unconscious and stemmed from how he usually acted. However, Governor Shang was not his subordinate, but his equal during the operation, despite him being a lower ranked official.
"Fine, I will take care of the matter. However, you must warn the civilians before you draw your weapons the next time. Is that understood?" Governor Shang gave in because he knows that such things cannot happen again, but also gave his own condition to remind General Ling that is not his subordinate.
General Ling nods and says "I will pass your instructions to my soldiers. Regarding the Crying God Church, I have given orders to infiltrate it and we will get detailed information about what goes on inside the church soon."
"I will try to infiltrate it myself as well. Later tonight I will be having dinner with an old friend who is part of an influential family in the city. I will ask if they can recommend me to the church. Let's go meet the directors of the six ministries." Governor Shang says as he ends the conversation and heads towards the yamen.
…
Inside the yamen, the directors of the six ministries are waiting for Governor Shang and General Ling. They are already aware of what happened yesterday and knows that Governor Shang holds the emperor medallion. The law states that the person holding the medallion is carrying out the emperor's will, and therefore proper respect should be paid to him.
As Governor Shang and General Ling walk into the yamen, the six directors give a deep bow to the both of them, as they are aware that these two people have the authority to execute them right now.
Once Governor Shang walks up to his seat, he does not sit but turns around to face the six directors and ask, "Who here are members of the Crying God Church?"
The six directors look at each other and two directors stand out and say, "We are the only ones who are not members of the Crying God Church…"
"Men, place the four directors under house arrest, lock down their entire family and make sure to cut any contact they have with the outside world."
"What?!" the six directors were shocked and exclaimed loudly.
The soldiers who were on duty at the yamen quickly pushed the four directors onto the floor who were struggling and screaming.
"You can't do this! We are directors of the six ministries! Let us go or we will complain to the emperor and punish you for your impudence!" they shouted.
Some even started cursing at the soldiers who were pushing them down. "Let us go! My official rank is higher than that governor over there! Let me go now or I will kill your entire family!" one of them shouted but the soldier just used for force, causing him more pain and the director starts screaming in agony.
"My Lo...Lord…Why are you doing this? The empire allows us to believe in whatever religion we want to." One of the directors who is not a member of the church stutters as he asks, afraid that he too, will be treated like them.
"Knock those out who are still screaming or struggling and throw them into prison instead. We are here to investigate the Crying God Church. If the church is found to be just another religion, we will let everyone leave. The two of you will take over the duties of the other four for now and should not speak about what happened here or of our purpose. Do you understand?" General Ling says fiercely at the trembling directors.
