In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 938 Fire Moon Fire Sun Fire Hour Ablaze
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was already late April.

Spring plowing, which began in late March when the land thawed, lasted for nearly a month and is now drawing to a close.

The fields outside Daning City were flat and orderly, with neat furrows crisscrossing the land.
Many laborers and ordinary people stood on the ridges of the fields or by the roadside, quietly gazing into the distance.

No matter when, the endless fields can always soothe the soul.

Especially after sweet potato planting,

The people are eagerly anticipating a bountiful harvest in the second half of the year.

West of Daning City, on the sprawling construction sites,

Lu Yunyi, leading over a hundred men, rode slowly forward on warhorses.
The wide cement road is undergoing trial operation, with more than a dozen horse-drawn carriages traveling side by side on it.

The neat and orderly appearance left everyone in awe.

They looked back at the west gate of Daning City.

Typically, when a city is built, a wide open space is left outside the city gate.
It can be used for both temporary stops upon entering the city and troop mobilization.

These squares are often much larger than official roads.
It is as expansive as a stream flowing into a pool.

But now, the cement road in front of us is almost as wide as the West Gate Square, and the sense of openness that once filled the water with the flow of a stream is gone.

Instead, it created a strange contrast where the road was the same width as the city gate.

Seeing this, many people had the same thought in their minds.
The city gate seemed a bit narrow.

Even if all the main gate, side gates, and back gates of the western part of Daning City were open, enough to accommodate twelve carriages entering the city at the same time,
However, they still found themselves stretched thin in the face of the massive flow of merchants and their vehicles.

The closer you get to the city gate, the stronger the feeling of crowding becomes.

Gong Xianzhi stood to the side, scratched his head, and asked in a low voice:

"Sir, once the road is truly open, will it become a bottleneck at the city gate?"

Lu Yunyi glanced back at the crowded scene at the city gate, his expression slightly strange, and said with deep sympathy:

"The city gate is indeed a bit narrow; we'll find a way to fix it later."

At this point, he suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but laugh:
"The city gates of Beiping are not much different from ours."
Once the road is completed, they'll have even more trouble than we do.

Upon hearing this, the accompanying guards all burst into laughter.
I'm going to Beiping this time to see what's going on there.

Sitting on horseback, Lu Yunyi gazed at the densely packed construction tents in the distance, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

From initial skepticism to the current widespread belief that it will succeed,
In just a year and a half

In the past year and a half, the road has extended 400 li (approximately 200 kilometers) from Daning City.

If we hadn't worked day and night, without stopping even during holidays, we would never have achieved this level of success.

The initial estimate of 20,000 participants increased to nearly 30,000.

Only in this way can the construction site be kept running and the construction progress maintained.

After all, the farther away from Daning City, the more difficult it is to resupply and the slower the project progresses.

Fortunately, the road from Daning to Liaodong was being constructed from both ends, proceeding in opposite directions.

This construction method is not only more efficient, but also twice as fast.

If all goes well.
The roads on both sides may be completed one after the other next year.

In just three years, a place can be completely transformed.
The hardships involved are truly indescribable to outsiders.

Lu Yunyi gently tugged at the reins.

He turned to look at his spirited guards and said with a smile:
"Let's go, full speed ahead, and reach Beiping within five days!"

"Yes!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yunyi took the lead and rode his warhorse Beixiao out.

He leaned forward, pressing himself against the horse's back.

Feeling the wind brush past my ears, my gaze gradually sharpened.

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves rang out beside me.
But it did nothing to interrupt his deep thoughts.

This trip to Beiping was uncertain, but I had no choice but to go.

The details of trade, the truth about Guanzhong, and the changes in the imperial court can only be roughly understood by going to Beiping.

Although Da Ning was a good place, it was located outside the Great Wall and far from the imperial court.
Although they can develop with peace of mind,

However, they were also isolated from the center of power.

By the time news of many events reached Da Ning, they were often nearing their end, leaving them with no choice but to passively accept them.
There are very few options available.

Thinking of this, the sharpness in Lu Yunyi's eyes turned into determination.

Grip the reins tightly.

The knuckles made a soft "crunching" sound as they exerted force.

The surrounding soldiers suddenly noticed something was amiss.

They all looked toward the figure at the front of the group.
They could clearly sense that the adults seemed to have changed.
No longer the composed and calm person he used to be in the government office.

Instead, they resemble soldiers about to go to battle.

But they looked around blankly.
This is clearly still a flat official road; there is no trace of a battlefield.

Yingtian Capital!

Compared to the areas outside the Great Wall, this place is warm in spring, with flowers in bloom, pleasant temperatures, and blue skies and white clouds.

But the city lacked its usual springtime ease.

Instead, an extremely oppressive atmosphere permeated the air.
The number of guards at the four city gates was more than double what it usually was.
Anyone entering or leaving the city must undergo rigorous questioning.
Merchants' carriages must be thoroughly unloaded and carefully inspected.

Even people who went out of the city to plow in the spring could not escape the inspection.

Everyone was filled with anxiety, though they didn't know what had happened.

But the common people in the capital are closest to the imperial court and can always keenly sense that something big is about to happen.

Puzikou City on the north bank of the Yingtianfu River
Marquis Yongding, Zhang Quan, had not left the city for half a month, spending his days in the city in armor, organizing military affairs.

The new military equipment, which was supposed to be distributed in the summer, was also issued ahead of schedule and fully deployed.

An unusual tension was felt throughout the military.

It was like the deathly silence before a great battle.

However, this unusual behavior left many generals puzzled.

What happened?

Inside the Puzikou City Government Office, Military Officer Tan Wei sat in a chair.

He held a letter in his hand, his face extremely solemn.

The letter was sent from Daning.

The question was whether there were any unusual changes in Beijing.

Tan Wei stared at the letter for a long time without saying a word; he really didn't know how to reply.
The changes in Beijing recently have been too great.

So large that everyone could notice something was wrong.

Even though he was the military officer stationed in Puzikou City and a second-rank general in charge of protecting the country, he couldn't explain what had happened.

After hesitating for a long time, Tan Wei carefully put the letter away.

He picked up the cool tea on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

Then he got up and went straight to the office of Marquis Yongding, Zhang Quan.

Before long, he saw Zhang Quan sitting behind a table in the yamen office.
The veteran general, who was over fifty years old, was still wearing armor, and his desk was piled high with military documents.

"My lord, there is something I don't understand and would like to ask you for your guidance."

Zhang Quan looked up and, seeing it was Tan Wei, his expression softened slightly.

"Please sit down and wait for me to finish processing this document."

"Yes."

Tan Wei sat down to the side, his gaze sweeping over the furnishings in the yamen.

The changes are enormous compared to the time of the Lunar New Year.
All festive decorations have been removed.

Even the two paintings by famous artists that hung on the wall have disappeared.

Instead, there was a long sword and a large bow, exuding a sharp and murderous aura.

This change left him even more confused.

What happened?

Nearly a quarter of an hour later, Zhang Quan finally finished processing the documents.

He sat down in the chair next to Tan Wei, grumbling and cursing.
"These people in the Ministry of Works are truly unyielding; they won't budge even when you lead them, and they'll only push you further away!"

The promised delivery of the military equipment was scheduled for the end of the month, but now it's going to be delayed by another half month. It's absurd!
That old bastard Qin Kui, we'll have to report him to the authorities sooner or later!

"My lord, it is understandable that the Ministry of Works cannot produce the weapons in time given the urgent need for them."

Zhang Quan shook his head, a helpless expression on his face:
"If it weren't for an emergency, who would have the patience to rush him?"

What brings you here today? Speak quickly, I need to inspect the camp soon.”

Tan Wei's expression turned serious, and he tentatively asked:
"My lord, the brothers in the army are in a state of panic lately."

Yesterday, several commanding officers approached me, asking what had happened.

This humble general is at a loss for words.

I couldn't hold back any longer and wanted to ask the Marquis,

If something truly serious happens, I can prepare in advance.

To avoid being caught off guard and missing important matters.

Zhang Quan frowned, glanced at him with a meaningful look, and his voice turned cold: "Generals in the capital are usually calm and composed, they wouldn't be so impatient. Who sent you to ask this?"

Tan Wei's expression froze, and he scratched his head somewhat sheepishly:
Nothing can be hidden from the Marquis.
I have only recently arrived in the capital and this is the first time I have seen such a scene; I am inevitably flustered.

I haven't slept a full night in days.
I couldn't contain myself any longer, so I mustered the courage to ask today.

Upon hearing this, the office fell silent instantly, and the atmosphere gradually became heavy.

After a long while, Zhang Quan finally let out a long sigh:
"I understand your thoughts."
However, this matter is too big and involves too many people, so the Governor's Office has strictly ordered that it not be disclosed to outsiders.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Tan Wei's eyes, and he quickly stood up and bowed:

"It was this humble general who overstepped his bounds."

But Zhang Quan changed the subject, saying calmly:
"If you want to know, it's not impossible."

But remember, never reveal this to unrelated people; the more people who know, the easier it is for things to escalate.

Upon hearing this, Tan Wei's heart tightened suddenly, and he quickly said:
"Please rest assured, my lord, I will not divulge a single word of this."

"Hmm, please sit down."

Zhang Quan pointed to the seat next to him, his expression complicated.
"You know about the fire at Yingtian Trading Company's warehouse a few days ago, right?"

Upon hearing this, Tan Wei's expression immediately turned serious, and he nodded slightly:
"I know that the warehouses that the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue had just built were burned down before they were even finished."

Fortunately, no one was injured and no goods were lost; it was just a waste of time.
Could this matter really have such a wide-ranging impact?

"Hehe." Zhang Quan chuckled and waved his hand:

"If things are burned, they're burned. It's not worth making such a fuss. The key issue isn't the fire, it's the person who set it on fire."

"people?"

Tan Wei looked puzzled.

"May I ask, Your Excellency, who set the fire?"

Zhang Quan's expression was serious, his fingers lightly tracing the edge of the table as he said softly:

"They are from the palace."

"what?"

Tan Wei was stunned at first, then exclaimed in shock:

"Someone from the palace?"

Zhang Quan nodded:

"His status is also quite extraordinary; he is an eighth-rank supervisor of the Imperial Horse Administration."

The man was caught red-handed by the Imperial Guards and interrogated for almost half a month before he finally confessed.

They said that Yingtian Trading Company had stolen their business.
They took advantage of the opportunity to leave the palace to set fire to the warehouse.

I intended to return to the palace after burning it all, without anyone noticing.
Unexpectedly, the Imperial Guards had been watching the merchant guild and caught him red-handed.

Zhang Quan's voice carried a strange tone, even a hint of relief.

But Tan Wei's expression was extremely serious.
He immediately sensed that something was wrong.

A palace eunuch broke into the palace and set a fire? And it took him half a month to confess?
How could such an absurd argument possibly convince the public?

"My lord, there's something fishy about this!"

"Yes, everyone knew something was amiss. After the eunuch confessed, he died mysteriously in the Jinyiwei prison not long after."

"died?"

Tan Wei's voice suddenly rose in pitch.
A chill ran from the soles of my feet to the top of my head, making the hairs on my body stand on end.
"Dead. Mao Xiang still hasn't found out who killed him." Zhang Quan leaned back in his chair and murmured.

"To die in the Jinyiwei prison. That's a truly ruthless method."

Tan Wei remained silent for a long time, desperately processing the information. He suddenly grasped the key point.

Those in the palace who dared to set fires outside the palace dared to take action inside the palace.

The problem is even more serious if someone dies in a Jinyiwei prison.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, as one of the Twelve Upper Guards,

It has always been the most strictly controlled department in the palace.

For nobles, placing their own people in positions of power is an incredibly difficult task.

Now it has become a sieve, capable of killing people in prison in broad daylight.

The power of the person behind him made him afraid to think too deeply.

What alarmed him even more was that
This series of events has a hidden thread, all connected to the palace.

The eunuchs, the Yingtian Merchant Guild, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were all once powerful forces in the palace, but now they are killing each other.
How could this not be terrifying?
"This this."

After a long while, Tan Wei finally suppressed his shock, his voice trembling:

"My lord, I regret asking."

"What's done is done, there's no use regretting it now."

Zhang Quan's tone was flat.

"When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it. As long as the army remains in order, no one in the capital can cause any major trouble."
But in other places... it's hard to say.

"other places?"

Tan Wei pondered these two words carefully.

He felt his lips were dry and his throat was tight. He thought of something, but didn't dare to say it.

Zhang Quan, however, had no intention of letting him off the hook. He glanced at him and gave a cold laugh:
Why did you stop asking?

Tan Wei stammered as he spoke:
"This humble general...this humble general is a military man, and I have always been dull-witted about these complicated matters. I...I don't want to know too much."

Zhang Quan chuckled lightly and said to himself:
"I always approach things from both an internal and external perspective."

His Highness the Crown Prince's imperial carriage was destroyed by fire a few days ago, killing more than a dozen guards.
This incident occurred on the same day as the fire at the Yingtian Trading Company's warehouse.
Moreover, the Imperial Observatory stated that the day was a Fire month, a Fire day, and a Fire hour, with the exact time precise.

"Click."

Tan Wei's body went limp, and the clinking of his armor made a crisp sound.

He felt a chill run down his spine and was covered in cold sweat.
This is no longer a simple case of ulterior motives!

It was a blatant and naked rebellion, one that didn't even bother to conceal it!
"My lord, this is utterly absurd!"

"It is absurd, but life is unpredictable, and many things are inherently absurd."

Zhang Quan looked at Tan Wei with deep eyes.

"This matter must not be revealed to outsiders. The three judicial departments in Beijing and Shanxi have been investigating the mastermind behind this these days."
Therefore, we must be vigilant and prepared for the worst.

Once a military order arrives from the palace...

We must set off immediately, without the slightest delay.

Recently, Yi Qihong, the garrison commander of the South Gate, took leave to go home, leaving the gate temporarily without anyone in charge.

Now that you're here, you'll temporarily take over as the city's garrison commander and keep watch over the south gate.

Suspicious individuals may be let in, but they must never be let out!

Tan Wei's expression changed drastically; he had seen Yi Qihong just yesterday.

Why did you suddenly take leave today?

But he didn't dare think about it further and immediately bowed in response:
"Yes, my lord! I will go to the south gate now. From now on, I will eat and sleep on the city wall!"

"Yes, it's a crucial time, so it's only right to work harder."

We're getting old, we need to be more tolerant.
Those young men in the military are used to the glitz and glamour of the world; they can't be relied upon.

Zhang Quan's words were pointed.

Tan Wei thought of the newly promoted young generals in the army and instantly understood his meaning, nodding slightly:

"You will finally understand."

"Okay, go ahead and do your job well."

"Yes!"

After Tan Wei left, the guards at the door walked in with serious expressions:

"Master Hou."

Zhang Quan didn't even look up, and asked:
"Have you found out where yesterday's letter asking about the situation in the capital came from?"

"Reporting to the Marquis, the letter was sent from Daning City."

"Da Ning?"

Zhang Quan raised his head slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
He wasn't surprised that Da Ning had connections with the capital.
Surprisingly, the city of Daning was able to detect the unusual activity in the capital so quickly that they even wrote a letter to inquire about it.

Seeing him deep in thought, the guard took a few steps closer and whispered:
"My lord, I can only find out that the letter came from Da Ning, but I can't find out what specific channel it went through."

"Not a post station?"

"Reporting to you, sir, the post station has not received any letters from the government office of Daning City recently."

In addition, my subordinates have also investigated the various channels of Yingtian Trading Company.

There was no trace of the letter.

It's as if this letter appeared out of thin air in the capital.

Zhang Quan's expression turned serious, and he nodded slightly:
"I see, you go down."

"Yes!"

After the guards left, Zhang Quan put down the documents in his hand and fell into deep thought.
With Lu Yunyi's abilities, secretly establishing several undetected message delivery channels would not be difficult for him.
He had no doubt about that.

Yet, despite being located far beyond the Great Wall, nearly ten thousand miles from the capital, the news travels so smoothly.
"Strange. How strange!"

(End of this chapter)