In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 786 Counterattack in Silence
As dawn approached, Mao Xiang left the Lotus Pavilion on the Qinhuai River and hurriedly returned to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters in the capital.

Throughout the journey, his face was so gloomy it seemed like it could drip water, and the Imperial Guards beside him dared not breathe, for fear of incurring his wrath.

As soon as he stepped into the government office, Mao Xiang went straight to the prison.

The prison was filled with a pungent stench of decay and blood.

The dim candlelight flickered, reflecting the mottled bloodstains on the wall, making it look particularly eerie and terrifying.

The agonizing cries of prisoners echoed from the cells, adding to the tragic atmosphere.

Mao Xiang hurried to a cell and stared coldly at Liu Zixian, who was huddled in a corner inside.

At this moment, Liu Zixian was dressed in rags, his hair was disheveled, his face was covered in dirt, and his eyes revealed fear and despair.

"Open the door!"

Mao Xiang coldly gave the order.

The jailer rushed forward and opened the cell door with trembling hands.

Mao Xiang strode into the cell and kicked Liu Zixian.

Liu Zixian screamed and rolled several times on the ground.

"Spare me, sir! I don't know anything!"

Liu Zixian begged for mercy in terror, showing none of his former arrogance.

Mao Xiang squatted down, grabbed Liu Zixian by the hair, lifted him up, and said viciously:
"Liu Zixian, do you think you can escape this? Today's events are all because of you!"

Liu Zixian looked bewildered, his eyes filled with fear, and quickly said:
"Sir, I don't understand what you're saying! I've never caused any trouble since I entered this prison!"

Mao Xiang sneered:
"Hmph, your dear relative Lu Yunyi has made me lose face!"

All of this is thanks to you!

Liu Zixian's eyes widened, and he quickly waved his hand: "Lord Mao, what... what does this have to do with me?"
"I have absolutely no control over Lu Yunyi's actions!"

Mao Xiang forcefully threw Liu Zixian to the ground, stood up, and looked down at him:
"Damn it, wasn't it you who used to go around Beijing saying that..."
Lu Yunyi rose to power thanks to your Liu family. Since you say so, I will believe you.

Today, I will teach you a lesson!

Having said that, Mao Xiang turned to the jailer and shouted:

"Bring the instruments of torture!"

The jailer hurriedly ran to fetch a pile of instruments of torture, including whips, branding irons, and clamps, and laid them out on the ground.

Liu Zixian collapsed to the ground, soiling himself, his face filled with despair, his body trembling violently…

He didn't beg for mercy because he knew it was useless; it was better to save his strength to hold on a little longer.

Mao Xiang picked up a leather whip and waved it gently, making a "whoosh" sound.

"Liu Zixian, I'm giving you a chance."
"If you admit to secretly colluding with Lu Yunyi, smuggling goods, and plotting a rebellion, I will spare your life."

Mao Xiang said coldly.

Liu Zixian stared wide-eyed in horror, shaking his head frantically:

"Lord Mao, how could he... He wouldn't even look at such a small amount of money."

Mao Xiang's face darkened: "You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Mao Xiang lashed Liu Zixian hard with his leather whip.

Liu Zixian screamed, his body trembled violently, and a bloody gash appeared on his body.

The whip fell again and again.

Liu Zixian's screams echoed through the prison, sending chills down everyone's spines.

"Speak! Was there any collusion?!"

Mao Xiang roared as he whipped the animal.

Liu Zixian gritted his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain, and wailed:

"Lord Mao, I am only trying to make some money; I would never dare to rebel."

Seeing that Liu Zixian was stubborn, Mao Xiang became even angrier.

He threw down the whip, picked up a red-hot branding iron, and slowly walked towards Liu Zixian.

The soldering iron emitted a scorching heat that distorted the surrounding air.

"Liu Zixian, if you don't admit it, this branding iron will be branded onto your body!"

Mao Xiang said fiercely.

Liu Zixian stared at the red-hot branding iron, his eyes filled with terror:

"Lord Mao, I'm just trying to make money, I wouldn't dare to rebel. I wouldn't dare."

Mao Xiang laughed in extreme anger:

"Very well, what a fine example of 'preferring death to surrender'! I'd like to see how long you can hold out!"

With that, Mao Xiang pressed the branding iron hard against Liu Zixian's chest.

Liu Zixian let out a shrill scream, his body convulsing violently, a wisp of smoke rising from his chest, emitting a burnt smell.

His eyes were wide open, filled with pain and despair.

"Speak! Speak now!"

Mao Xiang pressed the branding iron hard while shouting loudly.

Liu Zixian's body gradually went limp.

Seeing this, Mao Xiang was also somewhat surprised, not expecting Liu Zixian to be so stubborn.

Just then, a member of the Imperial Guard rushed in and whispered in Mao Xiang's ear:

"My lord, someone from Yingtian Prefecture has come to discuss important matters."

Mao Xiang frowned, somewhat displeased, but he still had to give face to the Prefect of Yingtian.

He released the branding iron from his hand, stood up, and said to the jailer:

"Keep an eye on him, don't let him die!"

"Forget it, let's keep fighting!!"

After saying this, Mao Xiang followed the Imperial Guard and left the prison.

Upon arriving at the front hall, Mao Xiang saw Gao Shou, the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, standing with his hands behind his back.

When Mao Xiang saw him, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he quickened his pace.

Although the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture was also a third-rank official, his position in the court was much more prestigious, and he had good relations with many powerful and influential people.

"Lord Gao, it's not even dawn yet. What brings you to my Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters? What are your orders?"

Mao Xiang asked.

Gao Shou turned around, his face grave:
"Lord Mao, you've finally arrived. I've heard about the Qinhuai River incident; is there any progress?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Mao Xiang's eyes, and he gently shook his head:

"It may take some more time; there's no progress for now."

Gao Shou looked enlightened and nodded slightly: "The reason I summoned you here today is not just for this matter."

"What's that?"

Mao Xiang asked.

Gao Shou sighed:

"I heard from the three officials that today is the day to deal with the criminals of Yingtian Trading Company."

I am a close friend of Liu Sili, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. He sent someone to ask me for a favor.

Could you take advantage of these last few days to visit his nephew at the yamen (government office)?
"Don't worry, Lord Mao, we're just taking a look."

Upon hearing this, Mao Xiang's instinctive reaction was to refuse.

After what happened yesterday, Liu Sili still wants to see anyone? That's wishful thinking.

But upon seeing Gao Shou on the opposite side, Mao Xiang hesitated for a moment.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards acted with impunity in the capital largely because the Nanjing Prefecture turned a blind eye.

If every matter is investigated, even the Embroidered Uniform Guard will find it difficult to function.

In return, the Embroidered Uniform Guard turned a deaf ear to some of the affairs of the Yingtian Prefecture, which can be considered a tacit exchange.

Now that Gao Shou has come in person to plead for mercy, Mao Xiang feels that he cannot simply refuse.

After a slight pause, Mao Xiang's solemn expression melted away like ice and snow, turning into embarrassment, as if he were struggling with something.

Seeing this, Gao Shou's eyes lit up, and he continued in a low voice:

"If this matter succeeds, Liu Sili promised to replace all the office supplies for the Yingtian Prefecture government."
Moreover, I'll owe you a favor.
If Lord Mao needs anything in the future, please feel free to tell me.

The person has already been arrested; it wouldn't be good to make things too ugly.
"Don't you agree, Mr. Mao?"

The offer of a generous way out greatly diminished Mao Xiang's reasons for refusing.

He nodded slightly:
"Then let him come. The Three Departments will interrogate the group at noon, so let him come before then."

Gao Shou suddenly laughed, nodded repeatedly, and quietly pointed to the location of the gate:
"The person has arrived; I'll call him in now."

Mao Xiang nodded calmly, glanced at the Imperial Guards beside him, and waved his hand:

"You are in charge of receiving me; I shall avoid this situation."

Gao Shou's smile grew even brighter, and he nodded repeatedly: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Mao."

Mao Xiang strode away from the main hall.

A short while later, Liu Sili, dressed in casual clothes, walked in with a calm expression.

He glanced around the main hall of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and found nothing particularly special about it, except that it had a more serene and solemn atmosphere.

Liu Sili bowed deeply to Gao Shou:
"Thank you very much, Lord Gao. I am deeply grateful."

"Hey~ Yingtian Trading Company and the capital city help each other out, why be so polite?"

Yingtian Merchants took the lead in paying commercial taxes.
Countless workshops across the area have become much more sensible.

The current state of the government office is inseparable from Lord Liu's help. This small favor today is nothing.
"Hurry inside; the person needs to be interrogated by the three judicial departments before noon."

Gao Shou's voice grew softer and softer as he offered a quiet reminder.

Liu Sili nodded and followed the clerk out of the main hall, heading towards the Jinyiwei prison.

The heavy iron gate swung open with a loud bang, and a dark, damp, and bloody stench immediately rushed out.

Liu Sili remained calm and expressionless as he silently walked inside.

The Imperial Guard standing nearby showed some admiration; not every civil official could remain so calm and composed.

Within the dungeon, darkness and bloodshed are the unchanging themes.

In each cell, several high-ranking officials were chained with handcuffs and shackles. Many of them, upon seeing him arrive, stammered and begged for mercy, hoping someone would come to save their lives.

Liu Sili merely glanced at it and then ignored it.

As they went deeper, the stench of blood grew stronger, and there were torn and bleeding wounds everywhere.

Severed limbs and flesh may even be found in prison cells and corridors.

This scene made Liu Sili think he had come to the slaughterhouse of the merchant guild.

Finally, he found Liu Zixian being tortured in a cell near the inside.

He was hung on a wooden stake, his hands and feet pierced, and he was tightly bound by several rough chains with sharp spikes. Even the slightest struggle would bring forth a cacophony of howls and screams.

This also meant that even though he was being whipped repeatedly, Liu Zixian didn't dare to move, and even his shouts were very suppressed.

Even Liu Sili, with his ruthless heart, couldn't help but feel a slight twitch upon seeing such a scene.
His hands, tucked into his sleeves, clenched tighter and tighter, and his breathing became rapid.

"Go out."

The Imperial Guards who followed waved their hands, and the men who had been torturing him inside dropped their steel whips and left.

"Lord Liu, time is precious. Speak quickly if you have something to say. I will wait for you at the door."

Liu Sili returned a gentle smile, and after the group left,

The smile on his lips vanished instantly, and his eyes turned icy cold.

"Second Uncle."

Liu Zixian could only see half of Liu Sili's body, but he knew who the person was.

Liu Sili stepped into the cell, where the stench of blood was even stronger.

He stood quietly in front of Liu Zixian, his voice calm and unhurried: "Does it hurt?"

Liu Zixian gritted his teeth and suddenly tilted his head back, his flesh and blood digging into the copper nails behind him to stabilize his body.

After doing all this, his body tensed up suddenly, and a surge of pain rushed up like a tidal wave, causing him to break out in a cold sweat...

"got used to."

Liu Sili nodded:

"If only I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place."

Liu Zixian smiled, and blood gushed from his mouth as soon as he opened it.
"Second Uncle, I didn't know it would turn out like this."

"This is the capital of the Ming Dynasty, not my hometown in Liaodong. I told you long ago not to act recklessly, but you wouldn't listen, and now you've ended up like this."

"hehe."

Liu Zixian chuckled twice and then fell silent.

"I will tell your father about your matter. The Three Departments have already made arrangements and will give you a quick and painless end."

As for the Embroidered Uniform Guard… I can’t get involved, so I’m sorry to leave you suffering here.”

Liu Zixian's eyes dimmed instantly, and his previously steady breathing changed.

"Second Uncle, is there no other way?"

Liu Sili pursed his lips and gently shook his head:
"The real conflict isn't between you and me; it's a deadlock."

"understood."

Liu Zixian seemed to have given up, his entire being becoming extremely calm.

He felt that the severe torture he had endured these past few days had made him unrecognizable to himself.
Now that I know the final result, I feel a sense of calm.

Liu Sili looked around and said softly:
"I've come here today to ask you about Yu Qilun. Have you given any explanation?"

“I confessed…I confessed everything, but they wouldn’t listen and told me not to say anything.”

At this point, Liu Zixian finally felt a slight tremor in his heart, and his entire face contorted into a ferocious expression:
"Second Uncle, it was Yu Qilun who said there was good business in Liaodong, so I started to cooperate with him."

Liu Sili chuckled softly:
Did you know at first that the goods were being smuggled from Southeast Asia?

"I didn't know at first, but I found out later."

"That's it. The charges are already set, and it won't make a difference to drag more people into it."

"Is Yu Qilun alright?"

Liu Zixian felt indignant; he wanted to curse and get angry.

But the bloody wounds on his body were constantly draining his strength, leaving him exhausted.

Liu Sili sighed deeply and gently shook his head:

"This batch of goods was originally handled by Yu Tongyuan and the Marquis of Pingliang, but due to the long distance, it was not transported to the capital."

By the time the goods arrived, Yu Tongyuan had already jumped ship, and his previous mistakes were forgiven.

"No wonder Yu Qilun said he would no longer deal with these things; it turns out the root of the problem lies here."

Liu Zixian also figured it out and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"In fact, you could have been fine."
Neither the imperial court nor the Embroidered Uniform Guard intended to pursue the matter of these goods.

But the situation changed too quickly, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard acted on its own, which led to the current predicament.

Liu Zixian sighed and nodded:

"I understand, Second Uncle. If there is an afterlife, I will definitely not get involved in the affairs of these important people."

"You know you're wrong?"

Liu Sili asked the question in silence.

"I understand... I've thought it through these past few days, Rong."

Being rich and powerful for a short time is not a real skill; the real skill lies in living a long and successful life.

If I could do it all over again, I would definitely not get involved in such things.
"Just be a good manager of the trading company and earn some extra money."

Upon hearing this, a hint of relief flashed in Liu Sili's eyes, though a fine sweat appeared on his palms.

He said softly:

"Now that you know you're wrong, as your second uncle, I can't just sit idly by."

Things have taken a turn for the better now. Just wait patiently. Whether you survive... I'm not sure either.

Liu Zixian looked up in surprise, a flash of confusion crossing his eyes, followed by a sharp glint.

No longer as lifeless and dull as before, but instead filled with a strong desire for life, which was very eye-catching!

"Really...really?"

"Things have just taken a turn for the better. Stay here and wait for news."

Liu Zixian's expression was complicated, his breathing was rapid, and his parched body showed a glimmer of life.

"Second Uncle, you must save me... Your nephew knows he was wrong and will never do it again."

In an instant, Liu Zixian seemed to have returned to his original self.

"Just wait patiently."

Seeing his appearance, Liu Sili lost interest in saying more to him.

After saying that, he turned and left.

As usual, Liu Sili arrived at Yingtian Trading Company at dawn after leaving the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters.

The shop has opened, and through the wide doors, you can see many employees busy with the final preparations.

He went directly to the fifth floor through the back door.

The managers were already busy, and when they saw him, they all bowed and called him "Head Manager" repeatedly.

Here, the official position of the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies seems to be intentionally forgotten.

Everyone addressed him as "Head Manager," which made Liu Sili feel quite at ease.

He returned to the yamen and said to the clerk at the door:

"Call Steward Bian here; I have something to discuss with him."

"Yes"

Before long, Bian Rong, the accountant of the merchant house, rushed over with an abacus and a thick ledger in his hand, ready to start reconciling the accounts from yesterday, a task that had to be completed every morning.

"sit."

Liu Sili gestured for him to sit down. Bian Rong, as usual, opened the accounting room, set out the abacus, and said:
"Manager, yesterday's total..."

"No... let's not talk about that, I have something else to do."

Liu Sili stopped him from speaking, stood up, took a small box from the top shelf of the carved bookcase behind him, and placed it in front of Bian Rong.

"This is the proceeds of Liu Zixian's smuggling activities through merchant ships on land and sea."
The upstream and downstream distribution channels, as well as the final distribution channels for bulk goods and the destination of some funds, are all recorded. Take a look.

Bian Rong's eyes widened suddenly.

He stared at the wooden box on the table, his face filled with disbelief.

He frantically opened the document and examined it, one entry at a time. The accounts were shocking... each entry involved a huge sum.

"Sir, there... there are still accounts left?"

Liu Sili didn't explain, he just nodded slightly:
"After you've read it once, make a backup and send it to the Censorate. This is the ledger they've always wanted."

Bian Rong swallowed hard, his face filled with astonishment:
"Yes…"

(End of this chapter)