In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 776 Drawing Sword, Looking Around, Heart Filled with Confusion

After a passionate encounter, Su Wanheng collapsed onto the bed, utterly exhausted.

Lu Yunyi became increasingly clear-headed, his mind replaying the events of the day, and his expression grew increasingly grave.

"My lord, what's wrong?"

Su Wanheng, slightly out of breath, lay on the bed, turning her head to look at Lu Yunyi with eyes full of infatuation.

He was handsome and young, held a high position of power, and was in good health. How could there be such a perfect man in the world?

This was almost unimaginable in the first half of Su Wanheng's life.

Lu Yunyi didn't answer for a long time, but just looked at her skin, which was as red as a shrimp.

He pulled the blanket over her and said:
"You should rest first. The manor will send you some tonics tomorrow to help you recover."

"Yes"

Su Wanheng's eyes were alluring; she knew the man before her had something on his mind.
He then silently closed his eyes.
A sweet smile appeared on her lips.

After she closed her eyes, Lu Yunyi narrowed his eyes and silently stood up.

He grabbed some clothes from the side, put them on, and walked straight out of the room to the study.

Feng Yunfang had been waiting there for a while, holding nearly ten letters in his hand.

Upon seeing his arrival, his expression immediately turned serious, and he said in a deep voice.

"My lord, many officials in the capital have sent letters, most of which are about what happened at the port of Yingtianfu River."

"Many adults..."

Feng Yunfang lowered his voice and spoke in a tone that could only be heard by the two of them.

"An adult suggested burning the seized goods."

"As long as you give the word, someone will take care of it. Those Imperial Guards are not worth mentioning."

Lu Yunyi looked at him with some surprise and asked.

"Who's so arrogant?"

Feng Yunfang cautiously looked around and whispered:

"It is the Marquis of Wuding."

Lu Yunyi looked enlightened.
He knew this was a reward from Marquis Wuding, but he did not intend to accept it.

He took the letter and sat down behind the desk.
He picked up the tea that had been prepared beforehand and gave the order:

"Investigate Su Wanheng's identity carefully. If anyone asks about Yingtian Trading Company, ignore them."

"Yes!"

Feng Yunfang nodded, walked to the desk, and said in a low voice:

"My lord, if we don't address the matter of the Yingtian Trading Company, won't it implicate Lord Liu?"

Lu Yunyi pursed his lips, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

He was somewhat speechless about his father-in-law.

This is probably a common problem among people from large families: they only trust their own family members.

If it were anyone else in Liu Zixian's case today, they would have been kicked out of the business as soon as the problem first appeared.

How could it have been delayed until today?

They wouldn't be in this limbo state now; they only have themselves to blame.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Yunyi spoke softly.

"We have no say in how the Embroidered Uniform Guards operate, nor do we care whether it will implicate the Yingtian Trading Company. We don't need to worry about it."

Let them make a scene; someone will take care of him.

Feng Yunfang looked completely bewildered, clearly not understanding the deeper meaning.

But he was already used to it, and nodded emphatically.

"Yes, sir, I'll go now."

"Go ahead."

After Feng Yunfang left,
Lu Yunyi sat behind his desk, the dim candlelight casting flickering light on his face, adding to his cold and sinister air, as if he were lost in thought.

In the Crown Prince's residence, Zhu Biao took a summary document handed to him by a eunuch and quietly flipped through it.

It not only records what happened at the port of Yingtianfu River, but also describes the ins and outs of the Jinyiwei's operation.

And the reactions of many officials in the capital to this matter, down to the smallest detail.

If others saw this, they would surely be horrified.

Even Zhu Biao, upon seeing this document, looked at the eunuch in front of him with some surprise and asked:
"Is this a document sent by the Imperial Shrine?"

The eunuch in red bowed slightly and said softly.

"Your Highness, it was sent by the Palace Attendant Wen, who said that His Majesty would like you to see what has happened."

Zhu Biao held the document in his hand and let out a soft hum:
"This Wen Cheng must have wanted to get his hands on things outside the palace for a long time. It hasn't been long, and the information he has is already so detailed."

If he's allowed to develop further, he might steal the jobs of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The chief eunuch in crimson robes chuckled slightly, a hint of teasing in his voice, and replied:

“Your Highness, Wen Shaojian is still family no matter what. He won’t cause any trouble and has no disloyal intentions.”

This is unlike Lord Mao, who would do something so outrageous without prior notification.
The lackey believes that

"This is because Lord Mao has done a good deed and has become somewhat presumptuous."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao paid no heed to the eunuch's wanton slander.
They were all palace servants, and naturally, they were vying for the emperor's favor.
If they were to mix together, that would be a truly serious matter.

After a moment's thought, Zhu Biao suddenly laughed, leaned back in his chair, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.

"You're wrong. Maybe Mao Xiang acted so hastily because he wanted to punish someone."

He always thinks things through carefully; don't be fooled by him.

Upon hearing this, the head eunuch looked surprised and slowly raised his head.

"Your Highness, are you saying that Lord Mao's anger today was all an act?"

"Anger was there, of course, but so was acting."

His subordinates were inexplicably killed.

If he doesn't react, that would be a terrible disaster.

Coincidentally, he's been riding high these days.

It is only natural to ask for some punishment.

Otherwise, all the high-ranking officials in the court would consider him a thorn in their side.

The eunuch was taken aback, but quickly understood Mao Xiang's purpose. He shook his head with a wry smile.

"Your Highness, Lord Mao is still too cunning. This servant just can't understand his complicated ways."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao smiled, but the smile quickly faded.

"Since Mao Xiang requests punishment, then so be it."

Orders were issued to Chen Gong, the commander of the Wude Guard, to lead his men to the port of Yingtianfu River to jointly investigate the case with the Jinyiwei.

To investigate every detail,
All those involved have been apprehended; not a single one should be let off the hook.

The chief eunuch was somewhat surprised by the order, as the crown prince did not seem to intend to stop Mao Xiang.

This only made him more radical and ruthless.

However, the chief eunuch did not hesitate at all and bowed deeply.

"Yes!"

As midnight approached, the port of Yingtianfu River remained brightly lit.

The sweltering summer heat did not spare the night; instead, it became even more oppressive.

Fortunately, there was a gentle breeze blowing from the river, but even so, it could not dispel the restlessness in the hearts of the adults present.

As more and more people arrived, the various types of guards filled the entire field of vision.
Their eyes were fixed on the overflowing goods.

At this moment, the few remaining open spaces in the port were filled with wooden crates, stacked higher than a person.

As the group of Imperial Guards walked by, they all had to look carefully at the sky above them, for fear of being hit by something falling on them.

Every time they looked at the high stacks of goods, a glint of greed flashed in their eyes.

Thinking to myself, I wish there weren't so many adults here.

If even 10% of these goods are kept, the government will have enough for this year's rewards and expenses!

Commander Mao Xiang remained seated in the shaded pavilion.

He was no longer as composed as he had been in the evening; his expression was equally grave.

He looked at Liu Zixian, who was tied to a rack not far away.

I admire his audacity; he actually dared to transport so much smuggled goods.

They dealt with contraband six times simply to clean up their messes and prevent the situation from escalating.
Mao Xiang now regretted his decision; he should have done some research first and hadn't come so blindly.

Moreover, what annoyed him was that...
Why hasn't Lu Yunyi arrived yet?
With such a major incident, why is the founder of Yingtian Trading Company still nowhere to be found?

As he was lost in thought, the sound of rapid hoofbeats rang out. Mao Xiang was startled at first, then his eyes flashed with wild joy.

coming!

But when he stood up, rushed out of the awning, and saw the person who had come, a sense of disappointment enveloped him again.

The people who came before them were dressed in silver armor, and the leader wore a red helmet. Their warhorses were also covered with iron armor, on which the two characters "Martial Virtue" were particularly eye-catching.

This attire clearly identifies it as that of the Imperial Guards.

"Xu~"

At the leader's command, the hundred or so men behind him all stopped and dismounted. Many of them reacted the same way as Mao Xiang upon seeing him arrive.

What is he here for?
Mao Xiang had already crossed the wall of men and looked at the leading general, who was over fifty years old, and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Lord Chen, what brings you here so late at night?"

Both men were commanders of the Twelve Upper Guards and should have been of equal rank, but the Embroidered Uniform Guards were engaged in special duties and had no troops under their command.

His status was slightly lower than that of the other commanders.

The commander of the Martial Guard in front of us is one of the generals who leads the troops. He is responsible for guarding the imperial treasury and a number of important documents. He is a high-ranking and powerful official who is deeply trusted by His Majesty!

Chen Gong also cupped his hands in return and said in a deep voice:

"Lord Mao, I have come here to deliver the Crown Prince's oral message."

Mao Xiang was taken aback, straightened his body, and then bowed again, even more respectfully than before.

"Mao Xiang, obey my command."

"The Wudewei and Jinyiwei are jointly investigating the case, leaving no stone unturned, and none of the people involved will be let off the hook!"

Chen Gong's words were firm and resolute, his expression serious.

After he finished speaking, his expression softened slightly, and he looked at Mao Xiang.

"Lord Mao, what's the progress? How many people have been arrested?"

Mao Xiang was still reeling from the order he had just received and was momentarily dazed.

The crown prince's orders were also quite different from what he had expected.

Why didn't they help? Instead, they kicked him when he was down.
Could it be that I've been wrong all along?

A question arose in Mao Xiang's mind, but after a moment of thought, he confirmed that there was nothing wrong with his actions!

Taking a deep breath, Mao Xiang looked at Chen Gong and spoke with considerable apprehension.

"Lord Chen, the Yingtian Trading Company has a powerful background."
So far, only some of the people involved on the merchant ships have been arrested.

Then there's Liu Zixian, the mastermind behind the case, while some other people in the city haven't been arrested yet.

"Why weren't they arrested?"

Chen Gong frowned, and the ferocity of the soldiers instantly surfaced.

He originally had a somewhat favorable impression of Yingtian Trading Company.

But following today's meeting...

Chen Gong had no goodwill towards Yingtian Trading Company and even wished that Mao Xiang would continue to arrest people.

They will bite out all those who can bite, thus clearing obstacles for him.

Seeing that Mao Xiang remained silent, Chen Gong said in a deep voice:
"If Lord Mao has any concerns, he can give me the list, and I will order my men to arrest them!"

No, no, no, no.

Mao Xiang quickly waved his hand.

"Lord Chen, this matter requires further consideration. Let's first interrogate those involved in this case."
The rest... we'll investigate slowly.

Anyway, they're in the capital, they can't escape.

Chen Gong could sense Mao Xiang's apprehension, glanced at him suspiciously, and nodded slightly.

"Then let's do as Lord Mao said, arrest the people on the merchant ship now, follow the clues, and if anyone is implicated, we will not let them go!"

"Um"

Mao Xiang breathed a sigh of relief and gestured for him to proceed.

"Lord Chen, this way please. We have the finest tea. I also wish to inquire about today's court meeting. I heard that Lu Yunyi interfered?"

As Chen Gong walked, his brows furrowed, and he glanced at Mao Xiang.

"Lord Mao, surely the Embroidered Uniform Guard knows about the affairs of the Left Army Commandery, so why ask me?"

Mao Xiang chuckled twice.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot place personnel in government offices of officials of the fourth rank or above."

"I do not understand what Lord Chen is saying."

"Humph"

Chen Gong snorted lightly, not pursuing the matter further, but instead pointed to the goods in front of him.

"Let's go see how bold these people from Yingtian Trading Company really are."

The Wudewei and Jinyiwei mingled together, circling around the overflowing goods and pointing and commenting from time to time.

Upon witnessing this scene, Liu Sili felt a sudden darkness engulf him, and the hope that had just ignited in his heart was instantly extinguished, leaving only a deathly silence.

He sighed deeply and looked at the waiter to the side.

"Has Yun Yi not arrived yet?"

"Uh"

The waiter standing nearby froze, unsure how to answer, and could only stammer out a reply.

"Lord Lu is probably busy in the capital, sir, please don't worry."
"Everything will probably be better by tomorrow morning."

Liu Sili sighed deeply, looking past the crowd at the bloodied and mangled Liu Zixian, his voice filled with desolation.

"Hopefully."

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the night was over. Just as dawn was breaking, hordes of armored soldiers poured out of the capital.
Upon arriving at the Yingtianfu River port, they began working tirelessly to unload the smuggled goods.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard acted suddenly, catching the Yingtian Trading Company off guard, they dared not delay the business at the Yingtian Fuhe Port.

If you delay even one day, you don't know how many people in the capital will have their businesses disrupted.

The thousand-plus soldiers acted swiftly, and before dawn, the entire port was restored to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

The hustle and bustle has returned.

Meanwhile, in the capital, an extremely oppressive atmosphere began to permeate the city.

During the court assembly, a group of high-ranking officials, led by Zhao Mian, the Minister of Revenue, vehemently opposed the establishment of the Market Exchange Bureau.

The problem is that although the imperial court has no spare money, it is only a temporary predicament.

As long as the northern expedition ceases and the court can recuperate, the treasury will be full in no time.

This statement was endorsed by most of the ministers of the six ministries, who submitted memorials directly stating that the Market Exchange Office should not be established lightly.

The Five Military Commissions, however, ignored all other concerns and only knew how to demand money from the Ministry of Revenue.

Whether it was replacing weapons in the many garrisons in the south or repairing roads outside the pass, almost everything was brought up at today's court assembly, causing Zhao Mian to glare angrily.

The entire court descended into chaos, resembling a noisy marketplace. No conclusion could be reached for a long time, and the meeting ended in discord.

At three quarters past dawn, a group of officials rushed out of the palace and ran into Mao Xiang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was entering the palace with a solemn expression!

Surrounded by people, Zhao Mian's eyes flashed, and he stepped forward, blocking Mao Xiang's path.

"Lord Mao, may I have a word with you in private?"

Mao Xiang stood there, stunned, looking at the person in front of him with some suspicion.

Scholars like him usually looked down on him and never gave him a kind look.

Mao Xiang was somewhat flattered by this display of kindness.

"Lord Zhao, please come this way."

After the two came to the side, Zhao Mian made no polite gestures and said in a deep voice.

"Lord Mao, I would like to know whether the actions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the port last night were to pave the way for the so-called Market Exchange Bureau."

Mao Xiang hadn't expected him to be so direct. After a brief pause, he smiled and spoke.

"I don't quite understand what Lord Zhao is saying."

The Yingtian Trading Company was found to be harboring smugglers. The Imperial Guards learned of this and arrested them; this had nothing to do with the establishment of the Market Transaction Bureau.

"really?"

Zhao Mian glanced at Mao Xiang, hoping to glean something from the changes in his expression.

But Mao Xiang maintained a warm smile and spoke softly.

"Lord Zhao, even without the matter of the Market Exchange Bureau, are the Embroidered Uniform Guards not going to investigate?"

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Mian spoke in a low voice.

"Lord Mao, I have another question. What happened yesterday? Is it related to Liu Sili?"

Mao Xiang narrowed his eyes slightly, not answering immediately.

After a long while, he chuckled softly.

"The mastermind behind this is Liu Zixian, who is Lord Liu's nephew. How could he not be involved?"

Mao Xiang's answer was flawless, and a shadow of gloom flashed in Zhao Mian's eyes. He cursed Mao Xiang as an old fox in his heart, but continued to suppress his anger and speak.

"Lord Mao, you know that this is not the matter I am asking about."

Mao Xiang stopped being coy and spoke calmly.

"Lord Liu is the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. Even if the Embroidered Uniform Guard wanted to investigate, they would need His Majesty's approval."

Zhao Mian understood. If the palace ignored it, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would definitely investigate thoroughly.

This also indirectly corroborates some of the thoughts and feelings within the palace.

"Thank you, Lord Mao. I will not bother you any longer."

"You're too kind, Lord Zhao."

Mao Xiang cupped his hands in greeting and strode into the palace.

(End of this chapter)