In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 970 How can a person be so courageous?

News of the Crown Prince's return to the capital quickly spread throughout Yingtian City.
The somber atmosphere eased slightly.
But soon, less than an hour after the Crown Prince returned to the capital...
Even harsher policies followed!

Officials in the capital, their faces grim, carried notices and posted them everywhere.

The words above are few, but every word is clear!

"Anyone suspected should be reported to the prefectural government office in the capital."
If it is confirmed that the person has committed a crime, a reward of one tael of silver will be given.
A reward of a thousand taels of silver will be given if the murderer is found!

Below the notice, there was also a drawing of a very strange, long and narrow object.

It looks like a bare wooden stick with a broom head on it!
"This object is forged from refined iron; it is the murderer's weapon."
Whoever finds this item will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver and appointed as a clerk in the government office!

The officials who posted the notices looked on with burning desire as they saw the lines of text!

The officials in the capital were not like those in ordinary prefectures or county offices.

To serve as an official in the capital, one must be literate and understand principles.

One must also have connections to become an official!

Especially officials such as coroners, jailers, executioners, and yamen runners in the government office.
Traditionally, it has been passed down from father to son, and from son to grandson.

It's a livelihood that's guaranteed by drought or flood for generations!

Every year when the various government offices in the capital summoned their officials, the crowds were enormous, with everyone displaying their unique talents and abilities.

Now, all we need to do is find this strange thing.

You could get a thousand taels of silver and a livelihood.
The clerk who posted the notice wished he could run home right then and there.

Mobilize relatives and family members to quickly search the streets!

Meanwhile, the Imperial Guards in the capital, led by the yamen runners of the capital government,

They went directly into the core strongholds of various gangs in the capital.

Without saying a word, he immediately started issuing orders to find the person!

Xingyuan Tea House at No. 3 Hubu Street!

Shen Zhengxin, the leader of the Sanxian Gang, was sitting in the main hall.
Holding a teacup, his face was blank, and he seemed lost in thought.

He appeared to be in his early thirties, with a handsome and refined appearance; after some grooming, he looked quite dashing. (This sentence is accurate.)

But when passing tea drinkers saw him, they couldn't help but shrink back.

This man controls the largest card and mahjong parlor in Beijing.
They also did a lot of business with Yingtian Trading Company, and I heard they had military connections.

They held the most power in the Dagongfang Hubu Street area.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
A group of more than ten armored soldiers, led by yamen runners, arrived at Xingyuan Tea House.

The constable spotted Shen Zhengxin immediately and rushed over:
"Master Shen, you...you...you must come quickly, there are orders from the army!"

The junior officer leading the group glanced at Shen Zhengxin, his expression not arrogant, but he stepped forward and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:
"Manager Shen, I've long admired your name."

"What's the matter?"

Shen Zhengxin didn't look up, but just stared quietly at the tea in his cup, lost in thought.

This scene shocked many of the tea drinkers present.
It is rumored that Shen Zhengxin has a military background.

Seeing it today, it was just as expected!

The junior officer didn't hesitate; he pulled a piece of white paper from his pocket and handed it over.

"Manager Shen, the Governor's Office has issued a strict order..."

All the gangs in the capital mobilized their members to search for this item and the person who was carrying it.

Anyone who disobeys will be arrested. We ask for your cooperation, Manager Shen!

Having said that, he stepped forward and lowered his voice:
"This matter is related to Lord Lu's assassination attempt. General Xu is on duty at Lord Lu's residence. Manager Shen, you need to get moving quickly."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhengxin frowned, abruptly stood up, and gave an order to the waiter behind him:

"Tell all the brothers to search every house within a five-mile radius of Hubu Street. If you find the murderer and the murder weapon, I will add another thousand taels!"

"Yes, shopkeeper."

The waiter hurriedly ran out.

A hint of worry flashed in Shen Zhengxin's eyes. He lowered his voice and asked:
"Is Lord Lu alright?"

The junior officer gave a strange smile, somewhat embarrassed:
"Manager Shen, how would someone as insignificant as me know about such things?"

Shen Zhengxin nodded and waved.

The burly man standing to the side stepped forward.
He took out a tael of silver from his pocket and stuffed it into the junior officer's hand.

"Brothers, you've been very busy lately. I'll treat you all to tea after we find the murderer. Please keep up the good work."

Shen Zhengxin cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards them.

The junior officer took a deep breath; he was indeed generous!

"Don't worry, Manager Shen. How could we not take such an order seriously? We'll be going now."

"No delivery!"

Before long, the soldiers hurriedly left to report to the next gang.

Shen Zhengxin plopped down on the stool and sighed heavily.
The adults have been in the capital for almost four months now.

He was assassinated before he even had a chance to meet her. It's absurd!
The Imperial Prison is located on the southernmost side of the Imperial City, near the North Gate.

This is the headquarters of the Left and Right Guard Offices of the Imperial Guards.

The imperial prison is located here, making it very safe.

There weren't many prisoners in the imperial prison, because most of the convicted officials were held in the prisons of the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice.

In the past, the security here was not so tight.
But at this moment, because the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Mao Xiang, and two ministers were imprisoned here,

The Imperial Guard dispatched over a hundred soldiers to stand guard, day and night!

At this moment, Du Pingping, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, hurried over with a document in his hand.
After verifying his identity, he entered the prison and went to the innermost cell.

This is where Mao Xiang was imprisoned.

Aside from being a bit damp, it was no different from an ordinary government office.
The room was furnished with all sorts of tables, chairs, and benches, and was quite presentable.

Du Pingping spotted Mao Xiang sitting on the bed at a glance.

He was dressed in prison clothes, his hair disheveled, and he looked out of place in the environment.

The soldiers opened the prison cell doors wide.

Du Pingping went inside, nodded to the soldiers who remained behind, and thanked them.

Hearing the noise, Mao Xiang suddenly raised his head.

Upon seeing that it was Du Pingping, a sharp light suddenly flashed in her dry eyes, and she stood up abruptly, her voice urgent:

"How's it going? Has anyone been found?"

Du Pingping stepped forward and shook her head:

"My lord, the person has not been found, nor has the murder weapon, but the capital city is no longer under lockdown."

Mao Xiang frowned, a flash of annoyance in his eyes.
What if the person runs away?
He knew perfectly well that as long as the murderer and the murder weapon were not found, the fight would continue.
He cannot clear his name of suspicion.
Given his past record, His Majesty will surely abandon him.

Only heaven knows what will happen to me then.

Seeing his expression change repeatedly, Du Pingping moved closer and whispered a reminder:

"My lord, the Crown Prince has returned."

"what?"

Mao Xiang's heart skipped a beat, his fists clenched tightly, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.

"What did the prince say?"

"The Crown Prince said that if the murderer is not found within three days..."

"Then execute you, sir, to give Lord Lu an explanation."

Mao Xiang swayed and took two steps back abruptly.

I plopped down on the bed, breathing rapidly, my mind racing and I was in a state of panic.

"Your Majesty, what did Your Majesty say?"

A hint of helplessness flashed in Du Pingping's eyes, and she sighed softly:
"My lord, over the years, His Majesty has always listened to whatever His Highness the Crown Prince says."

This time will probably be the same.

"It's over. It's completely over."

Mao Xiang completely abandoned all his illusions.
He feared the Crown Prince more than His Majesty.

He suddenly looked at Du Pingping, his voice somewhat anxious:
"Then what are you still standing there for?"
"Go and arrest them! If we don't catch them this time, I'll be finished!"

This was the first time Du Pingping had seen him so flustered. Although she was secretly pleased, she remained outwardly unmoved.
"Sir, please don't be in such a hurry. We can't rush to catch such a person."

"How can I not be anxious!"

Du Pingping gestured for him to stop and then explained her purpose:
"My lord, I have come to ask you something."
Since the murderer and the murder weapon cannot be found, could we start from the source?
Let's see who has the ability and motive to assassinate Lord Lu.

Noticing that Du Pingping's gaze was a little strange,
Mao Xiang, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly became agitated:
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you also think I did it?"

"No, no, no, sir, you've misunderstood."

Although you have a grudge against Lord Lu, you would not stoop to such an overstepping of boundaries.

But now the rumors are rampant outside.

The Six Ministries and the Governor's Office both insisted that it was the lord who did it.
Liu Sili even submitted three memorials in a single day, requesting His Majesty to execute you.

That's why I'm so anxious to ask you.

If there's no breakthrough soon, His Highness the Crown Prince will truly have to resort to drastic measures.

Mao Xiang was breathing rapidly, but he gradually calmed down.
He knew Du Pingping was right.
Regardless of the truth, the court officials will spare no effort to bring him down!

Now that this has happened, the former traitor has fallen out of favor.
Even Qin Kui and Shen Jin, who had lost their weapons, were ignored; all the blame was directed at him.

"Let me think about it."

Before long, Mao Xiang revealed an expression that was both crying and laughing, his eyes welling up with tears:

"No. There are too many, far too many!"
He's offended so many people, each one incredibly powerful; how would I know who they are!

"My lord, please don't worry. This is a very important matter. Even if there's a limit, that will do."

Du Pingping was secretly pleased, but her face showed eagerness.

Mao Xiang thought for a moment, then his face lit up with excitement:
"I've got it! Those who don't support moving the capital!"
Lu Yunyi is one of the few staunch supporters of relocating the capital in the current court.
He was bound to be seen as a thorn in everyone's side.

Du Pingping's face darkened. How could she investigate this?
Currently, nearly 90% of the court members do not support moving the capital, and even His Majesty must avoid their criticism.
How could a mere deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard dare to investigate from this angle?

Once investigated, he'll be the next one to fall on the street.

Mao Xiang was still talking to himself:

"Zhan Hui! That old fellow controls the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate, and he's from Zhongdu."

He has remained silent, which suggests he opposes moving the capital!

Li Yuanming! He also did not support moving the capital!
And Yang Jing too!

He used to be the Minister of Revenue and had a conflict with Lu Yunyi.
He's from Jiangsu, so he certainly wouldn't support moving the capital.

Mao Xiang wanted to continue speaking, but Du Pingping interrupted him:
"My lord, even if these officials really did it..."

"I cannot possibly investigate openly; two days are simply not enough time."

"Yes, there's not enough time."

Mao Xiang staggered back down, looking utterly dejected.

Am I just going to die such a pathetic death?

The next moment, Mao Xiang suddenly remembered something, looked sharply at Du Pingping, and asked:
"Is Lu Yunyi dead?"

"No, out of more than forty flints, only a dozen or so penetrated his body. He's awake now."

"not dead?"

Mao Xiang frowned deeply: "They're still not dead?"

"Lord Lu was wearing soft armor at the time, a gift from the General."
Now even that soft armor is in terrible condition.
Without this soft armor, they would certainly not have survived.

"Such good luck? They're still alive." Mao Xiang muttered to himself.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed through my mind.
His eyes widened suddenly as a possibility occurred to him.
"Tell me... do you think it's possible that Lu Yunyi did it himself?"

"what?"

Despite Du Pingping's extensive travels and broad experience, she was still quite frightened by Mao Xiang's words.
Has this usually composed Chairman Mao lost his mind?
However, he soon remembered the secret conversation from that day.

Lord Lu's expression at that time
He was clearly very confident that he could bring down the man in front of him, Lord Mao.

After returning home, he thought it over carefully. As long as Lord Mao remained trusted by His Majesty...

Even if the entire Six Ministries, Nine Ministers, and the Governor-General's Office exert pressure together,
On the contrary, it will make His Majesty trust Lord Mao even more.

At the time, he thought it was just a casual remark.
but now.
Du Pingping looked Mao Xiang up and down; he was in the imperial prison, on the verge of death.

Although His Majesty cherishes past favors, he no longer offers the same level of protection as before.

It all stemmed from the fact that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was involved with the rebels and also involved the loss of top-secret military equipment.

This...this.
Thinking of this, Du Pingping couldn't help but have a thought arise in her mind:
Why couldn't the murderer be found even with the combined efforts of the entire imperial court?

During this period, even those rebels were mobilizing their forces.

The imperial court, the military, civil and military officials, and powerful nobles have turned the entire capital upside down.

They even searched the Imperial Academy, the Imperial University, and the military camps, but still couldn't find the person.

There are no places in the capital to be searched now.

That leaves only the mansions of dukes and marquises, the imperial palace, and the Lu family mansion.

Was the victim himself the murderer?
Once this thought arose,
Du Pingping felt a chill run from the soles of her feet to her forehead.

How can this be?

Soon, Du Pingping looked at Mao Xiang and asked:
"Lord Mao, where did the Ministry of Works get its flintlock musket technology from?"
"Does this mean the idea came from the military, or did the Ministry of Works come up with it themselves?"

Mao Xiang calmed down, knowing what he was asking, and gave a contemptuous laugh:
"It was after Lu Yunyi returned from Yunnan"
The idea was proposed at the highest military examination held by the Governor-General's Office.
We need to develop a firearm that won't explode in the barrel or injure the user.

Despite strong opposition, the Duke of Ying allocated 40,000 taels of silver, with the Ministry of Works contributing 10,000 taels. After two years of dedicated research, they finally made some progress.

"What?" Du Pingping was shocked.

He was also in Yunnan at that time and personally witnessed the destructive power of firearms.
I've also seen quite a few people die from barrel explosions.

Surprisingly, the flintlock musket was proposed around that time.

In this way, Lu Yunyi, as a skilled firearms user in the army,
It's not impossible to master the craft of flintlock muskets.

"call"

Du Pingping took a deep breath.

In this way, they had the motive, the weapon, and the ability to commit the crime.
He just couldn't understand how people could be so cruel.

How dare you hit yourself with something like that?
"Lord Mao, do you have spies in the Lu residence?"
"This humble official would like to ask, does Lord Lu wear his soft armor every day, or only on that one day?"

Seeing Du Pingping waver, Mao Xiang saw a glimmer of hope for escape and said in a deep voice:

“He wears it every day. He is very cautious. Recently, he has been using a specially made carriage from the palace, which even a heavy crossbow cannot penetrate.”

Du Pingping raised an eyebrow. There were actually spies in the Lu family mansion?
He stepped forward and said softly:
"Sir, could you please send your spies to investigate the Lu residence?"
If we can find some evidence, you'll be able to get away with it.

Mao Xiang's face darkened, and he shook his head:
"It's no use. That person isn't a spy. She never listens to my orders."

But you can check the people around Lu Yunyi.
I remember when he came to Beijing, there was a guard commander named Gong Xianzhi, but he's been missing lately.

Du Pingping's pupils contracted as she recalled the guards she had seen at the Lu residence the day before.

The leader was said to be a Siamese man, and he spoke with a very strange accent.

"Understood, I will investigate immediately!"

Mao Xiang sighed, suddenly feeling somewhat disheartened.
He stood up, stepped forward, and said softly:
"Mu Jinghe of Miaoyin Pavilion is one of the patrons of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

She became close to Lu Yunyi and was forcibly dragged into the Embroidered Uniform Guard by this official.

If you really have no idea where to start, go ask her.

Du Pingping's eyes widened suddenly:
"Does Shopkeeper Mu have some entanglement with Lord Lu?"

Mao Xiang sighed and glanced at him:
"Be serious about your work and pay more attention to the people around you."

Ever since Lu Yunyi returned to the capital, Mu Jinghe has been visiting the Lu residence almost three times a day. Didn't you notice?

Du Pingping was somewhat bewildered:
"I've been investigating the mole within the yamen and haven't paid any attention to Manager Mu."

Since she's one of ours, I'll go and ask her."

"Be careful, it's still uncertain which side Mu Jinghe is on now."

"Yes, then I shall take my leave."

"Go ahead."

Watching Du Pingping's retreating figure,

Mao Xiang walked to the front of the cell, gripped the bars with both hands, and a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes.

This is the first time. The first time I've placed my hopes for life in someone else's hands, and it feels awful.

(End of this chapter)