In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 971 Thunder and Rain, All are Imperial Grace

When Du Pingping came out of the imperial city, the sun was past noon, and the wind in the capital carried a sense of bleakness.

The imperial guards on the bluestone road were still stationed every three steps.
A crowd had gathered at the corner where the notice was posted.

The common people craned their necks to look at the reward notice, while merchants gathered together to discuss it.
Many people gloated, secretly cursing Lu Yunyi for not being dead yet.
Most of these people were merchants who had suffered losses in the previous turmoil.

Du Pingping gripped the document in her hand tightly.

This was a specially obtained imperial edict, allowing him to visit the Lu residence.

The Imperial Guard's carriage carried him towards the Third Alley of Xi'an Gate.
When I passed by Yingtian Trading Company, the bloodstains at the entrance had been cleaned up.

It was still packed with people, but for some reason, there was a sense of desolation.

Du Pingping leaned against the car wall, Mao Xiang's words replaying in her mind.

And then there was his own absurd speculation.

Directed and acted by himself?

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he suppressed it.
Who would shoot themselves in the chest with a flintlock pistol?
Unless you're crazy.

When the carriage stopped outside the Lu residence, the gates were tightly shut.

The brass rings on the vermilion door panels gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and there were more imperial guards than yesterday standing at the base of the courtyard wall.

The silver armor gleamed in the sunlight, exuding an air of majesty.

Xu Zengshou stepped forward, long sword in hand. Upon seeing him, he frowned.
"Lord Du, the Crown Prince has decreed that no unauthorized persons are allowed to visit."

"Greetings, General Xu"

Du Pingping took out His Majesty's edict and handed it over.

Xu Zengshou carefully checked the documents, then ordered two imperial guards to search the person. Only after confirming that everything was correct did he step aside.

"Go inside. Don't say what you shouldn't say, and don't ask what you shouldn't ask!"

"General Xu, rest assured."

As soon as I entered the mansion, I saw a young figure standing under the eaves, a long sword drawn and held in his hand.

Basong, a stranger from out of town!
Upon seeing him, Du Pingping's expression turned strange.
It seems that the original guard commander has indeed disappeared.

After the documents were presented,
Du Pingping followed him inside; the courtyard was eerily quiet.

The maids passing by all lowered their heads and walked quickly, not daring to breathe.

Upon entering the main room, a faint medicinal smell wafted through the air.

Basong stopped and lifted the curtain:

"My lord, Lord Du of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has arrived."

Du Pingping walked in, first looking around.

The main room wasn't large; a bed was placed near the window.

Lu Yunyi leaned against the headboard, his face still pale, a white gauze covering his chest.

He was wearing loose, plain-colored casual clothes.
Her hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and she looked more energetic than I had imagined.

A woman was sitting on a low stool in front of the bed.
Wearing a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and with her hair simply styled in a bun, it was Mu Jinghe.

She was holding a bowl of herbal medicine, gently blowing on it with a small spoon; her eyes were red.

Upon seeing Du Pingping enter, he paused, a hint of wariness appearing in his eyes.

Lu Yunyi looked up at him, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"Lord Du is a rare guest. What brings you here today?"

Du Pingping quickly bowed in greeting:
"Lord Lu, I have come to inquire about your injuries on His Majesty's orders."

His gaze swept over Mu Jinghe.
Seeing her put down the medicine bowl and stand aside, it was clear that she did not want to leave, but she did not dare to say anything.

"The injury is not serious, thanks to the soft armor."

Lu Yunyi pointed to the black iron soft armor hanging above the bed.
The holes were still clearly visible, and although the dark red bloodstains had dried, they were still shocking to behold.
"Judge Li said that he would recover in three more months."

Mu Jinghe then spoke softly:
"The adult has only recently woken up and cannot speak much yet."

"If Lord Du has finished asking your questions, please leave early so as not to disturb your rest."

Her voice was choked with emotion, and her eyes were filled with worry.

The gazes directed at Du Pingping also held a hint of hostility.

Judging from the recent rumors, there is no doubt that it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard who did it!
Du Pingping ignored her and only looked at Lu Yunyi:
"Lord Lu, I have another question."
The assassin who tried to kill you has not yet been found.

Did you see the killer's face clearly that day? Or did you hear anything?

Lu Yunyi remained silent for a moment, his gaze darkening:

"It was a crowded and noisy day. I only saw a horse-drawn carriage run away from the street corner, and I couldn't see anything else clearly."

He paused, then looked at Du Pingping.

"What, still no clues?"

"Yes."

Du Pingping lowered her head, her tone tinged with shame.

"I've experienced the corpse at Sanyuan Pawnshop."
The wound matched the waist knife of the Imperial Guard, but after searching through all of Qian Xinghuai's former subordinates, no one was found to be suspicious.

Wang Huan was also interrogated; he only said the gun was lost and knew nothing else.
Lord Mao is still in prison, and I'm temporarily in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but there's been no progress.

"Mao Xiang."

Lu Yunyi repeated the name:
"Do you think it was Mao Xiang who did it?"

Du Pingping suddenly looked up, meeting Lu Yunyi's gaze. Her eyes were calm yet sharp.

He hesitated for a moment, then answered truthfully:

"I don't think so. It's true that Lord Mao has a grudge against you."
"Given Chairman Mao's intelligence, he wouldn't be that foolish."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yunyi smiled, with a hint of understanding, as if he had already guessed the answer.

"You can see clearly."

He leaned against the headboard, his tone softening.

Do you think Mao Xiang will survive this?

Du Pingping was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.

Yes, regardless of whether Mao Xiang did it or not, he can't escape responsibility.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's waist sword, old debts over land prices, and evidence of his previous concealment of the case...
Each and every one of these things could have killed him.
Moreover, the Crown Prince had just returned and was in the process of establishing his authority and winning over the people, making Mao Xiang the perfect target.

"This humble official does not know."

He lowered his head, not daring to say anything more.

Lu Yunyi, however, had no intention of beating around the bush and said directly:

"Mao Xiang is doomed."

His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable certainty.
"The Crown Prince has returned to the capital to quell the chaos there as soon as possible."
Killing Mao Xiang and taking down the three ministers would be the best way to establish authority.

Even if His Majesty were to consider past favors, he would not protect him.

After all, with the flintlock musket lost and a high-ranking official assassinated, someone had to take responsibility.

Du Pingping's heart suddenly raced.

He looked up and met Lu Yunyi's gaze.

His eyes held a hint of scrutiny and a hint of suggestion.

"What Lord Lu means is..."
"If Mao Xiang falls, your opportunity will come."

Du Pingping opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
My palms started sweating again, and even my back felt a little cold.

Is this a test?

Hearing this, Mu Jinghe was also somewhat surprised, and looked at Du Pingping with a more inquisitive gaze.

She knew that adults never did things they weren't sure of.

If that's the case, then they must be absolutely certain.

Seeing that he was stunned, Lu Yunyi continued:

"Within three days, you only need to do one thing: find the murder weapon. You don't need to find the murderer. That's enough."

Du Pingping frowned: "But where's the gun?"

Lu Yunyi smiled, but didn't answer directly. He simply pointed out the window:

"The capital is so big, with a population of one million. Who knows what a flintlock musket looks like?"
His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince only need an explanation; whether it was truly a flintlock musket is unimportant.

Du Pingping's eyes widened suddenly, and her breathing became rapid!

I immediately understood the key point.
The key is to give an explanation to the people of the capital and the officials of the court!
Du Pingping took half a step forward, her voice so low that only the two of them could hear it.

"Lord Lu, I have something I would like to report to you privately."

Lu Yunyi raised an eyebrow and said calmly:
"You all go out first and stand guard outside the door. No one is allowed to come in."

Mu Jinghe turned around abruptly, her eyes filled with confusion, and was about to speak to dissuade her...
But she met Lu Yunyi's calm gaze.

The words that were on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back, and she only whispered:

"Yes."

She gave Du Pingping a deep look, her eyes filled with warning, before turning and quickly walking out of the house. Basong also bowed to Lu Yunyi and followed her out with steady steps.
Only the two of them remained in the room. Du Pingping walked to the bedside, then glanced at the door to make sure no one was eavesdropping before turning around, a complex expression on her face.

"Lord Lu, do you know the true identity of that shopkeeper Mu from earlier?"

Lu Yunyi leaned against the headboard, his expression remaining calm:
"Tell me."

"She is a commander of the Imperial Guard!"

Du Pingping lowered her voice even further.
"What Lord Mao just told me was that Manager Mu was once a major client of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

After they met, Lord Mao brought her into the Embroidered Uniform Guard, presumably to use her to keep an eye on your movements.

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Lu Yunyi suddenly laugh.
With an air of understanding, as if he had heard something utterly ordinary.

"understood."

Du Pingping froze on the spot, her hair standing on end.

How could he know something that he himself didn't even know about?
"you?"

Du Pingping opened her mouth, but didn't know how to start speaking.
Lu Yunyi didn't continue the conversation, but instead changed the subject:

"Don't think about anything else, just get things done and send Mao Xiang on his way."
Let's keep to ourselves from now on; after all, you're a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Yes Yes!"

Du Pingping immediately bowed; at this moment, he dared not hesitate for even a moment.

All I wanted to do was get this done as soon as possible and restore peace to the capital!

He bowed again.
"I will take care of it immediately, without disturbing your rest, sir."

After saying that, he turned around and walked quickly out of the house without even looking back.

As soon as I reached the corridor, I saw Mu Jinghe and Basong standing not far away.
When Mu Jinghe saw him come out, her eyes held a hint of inquiry.
Basong remained expressionless, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife.

Du Pingping did not meet their gazes, quickly bowed, and strode out of the Lu residence.

Du Pingping's hands were still trembling as she got into the carriage.
He composed himself and immediately ordered a carriage to be driven to the secret workshop of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

There are artisans there who specialize in forging weapons.

It's not difficult to assemble a decent flintlock pistol.

A day later, Du Pingping left the workshop with a flintlock pistol.

The barrel was a modified old flintlock musket, covered in rust.
The stock was made of hardwood with rough edges, and the trigger was made of brass with unpolished burrs. It looked like a fake no matter how you looked at it.

Du Pingping sat in the car, clutching the black cloth that had been used to wrap the gun.

He didn't know what he would encounter after entering the palace.
It is unknown how His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince will handle this matter.
Upon arriving at the Meridian Gate, Du Pingping alighted from the carriage.
Carrying the package, I strode into the palace.

At this time, a meeting was being held in the Wuying Hall.
With the emperor absent, Crown Prince Zhu Biao paced back and forth at the head of the table, a document in his hand, his face grave.

Ministers such as Liu Sili and Li Yuanming were also in the hall.

As soon as Du Pingping arrived at the palace gate, she was summoned inside by a eunuch.

"Your subject, Du Pingping, pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Du Pingping knelt down and held the package above her head.
"Your Majesty, I have successfully completed my mission and have found the murder weapon used to assassinate Lord Lu!"

The people in the hall fell silent instantly.

All eyes were on the package in his hand.

A hint of urgency flashed in Liu Sili's eyes, and he stepped forward, saying:

"Quickly open it and show it to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Just as Du Pingping was about to get up, she saw Crown Prince Zhu Biao wave his hand, his tone indifferent:
"No need.

Now that the item has been found, keep it safe. Where is the murderer?

Du Pingping was completely astonished; he hadn't expected His Highness to not even glance at him.

"Your Highness, the murderer has not yet been found."

Zhu Biao's face darkened, and he snorted coldly:
"Incompetent! The flintlock muskets have been lost, and officials have been assassinated; this is an act of treason!"
Come, draft an order!"

Wow.
The adults in the room all knelt down, somewhat surprised by this sudden turn of events.
At the head of the table, Zhu Biao spoke in a deep voice:
"The Minister of Works, Qin Kui, and the Minister of War, Shen Jin, disregarded the laws of the land and treated the decrees of the court as nothing."

Considering his meritorious service to the country, he was ordered to retire immediately and leave the capital!

"Mao Xiang, as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, neglected his duties and disregarded the murder weapon."
Zhao Mian, the Minister of Revenue, was guilty of nepotism and rampant corruption. Both he and another official were executed in the autumn to uphold the law!

Du Pingping knelt on the ground, her whole body frozen.
Without even looking at the guns, he directly ordered the two men to be executed?
Perhaps what the palace wanted was never the real murder weapon, but a reason to eliminate the threat completely.

Upon hearing the imperial decree, Liu Sili smiled with satisfaction and quickly bowed, saying:
"Your Majesty is wise! His Highness the Crown Prince is brilliant!"

This move will surely deter the rebels and restore peace to the capital!

Li Yuanming stood to the side, stroking his gray beard, his eyes filled with complex emotions, but he didn't say much.
He knew that death was an inevitable outcome; the only difference was who would die.
Mao Xiang ran right into the line of fire; his death was a way to quickly quell the storm.

Zhu Biao waved his sleeve, his expression cold and stern:

"Let's all go back."

The group of officials slowly rose and left the Wuying Hall.
Du Pingping also stood up, still holding the package in her hand, but felt empty inside.

He looked at the ministers in the hall, at the crown prince's imposing appearance, and suddenly felt a chill.
The turmoil in the capital was a power struggle between the imperial court and the rebel faction.
In this turmoil, even the six ministers could fall at any moment.

He was just a minor character who was pushed to the forefront, and he was insignificant.

The high spirits he had when he first returned to Beijing

It's been completely ruined in the last few months.
As I walked out of the Wuying Hall, the sun was setting, and the golden afterglow shone on the palace walls, yet it felt somewhat cold.

Du Pingping glanced back at the majestic palace, then gripped the package in her hand tightly.

Mao Xiang is going to die, and Zhao Mian is going to die too.

If all goes well, he will soon be able to take up the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
But he couldn't feel happy at all.

He suddenly remembered Lu Yunyi's calm expression and Mu Jinghe's identity.
Thinking of those murderers who could not be found
An idea became clearer and clearer in his mind.

This assassination attempt might really have been orchestrated by Lu Yunyi himself.
And he was merely helping Lu Yunyi.
They drove the last nail into Chairman Mao's coffin.

The carriage drove out of the palace and headed towards the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) headquarters.

Du Pingping leaned against the car wall, closed her eyes,

Stay away from Lu Yunyi from now on; he's terrifying.

Du Pingping left the imperial city and took a carriage to Cui Shi Street in the lower city.
We're nearing the city gate, and it's bustling everywhere.
Upon arriving here, Du Pingping realized something.

I shouldn't have come in a carriage; it's too conspicuous.

In the many alleys of this lower town,

Even handcarts and planks are extremely rare, let alone horse-drawn carriages.

"Go, get out of here."

Du Pingping ordered the driver to take him away from the lower city and into Jubaomen Street.
Once there, Du Pingping jumped out of the car and turned into a small alley by herself.

Before long, they arrived at Cui Shi Street again, this time dressed in simpler clothes.

He entered a simple house and closed the door tightly.

The courtyard was no different from any other ordinary courtyard.
But once inside, a completely different world unfolded.

The three rooms were combined, and nearly ten tables were placed in a row.

A dozen or so clerks were moving about in the room, the smell of paper filling the air.
Meanwhile, Daerma Shili sat behind the table in the center, his face grave as he flipped through a stack of documents.
Du Pingping stepped forward and said in a deep voice:
"My lord, there are results from the palace."

"Oh? Who did it?"

Da'erma didn't even raise his head; he remained hidden in the shadows, searching for traitors.

He didn't know much about Lu Yunyi's assassination attempt.

"I don't know."

"Don't know? Couldn't find anything? What are the results?"

Da'erma looked up and glanced at him in surprise.

"After I handed over the murder weapon, His Highness the Crown Prince dealt with the three ministers swiftly and decisively."
They also punished Lord Mao; Lord Mao is to be executed in the autumn.

"what?"

A look of surprise flashed across Da'erma's eyes, and she abruptly stopped what she was doing.

"Execute him? Could he possibly have assassinated Lu Yunyi?"

Du Pingping nodded:
"I believe that Lord Mao has lost His Highness's trust."

Da'erma looked thoughtful, and after a long while, she nodded with difficulty and sighed:
"Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. After so many years of being a powerful figure, Chairman Mao has become somewhat arrogant."

In the midst of such turmoil, he actually thought of keeping himself aloof, unaware that he had become an accomplice of the rebels.

Let's leave it at that. Don't worry about it. The Embroidered Uniform Guard won't fall without Lord Mao.

Are there any suspects in the assassination attempt on Lu Yunyi?

Du Pingping knew the purpose of his question.

Even if they know who did it, they can't do anything about it.

But it's important to know that even a general range is acceptable.

Du Pingping hesitated for a moment, but still didn't voice her guess. She simply shook her head, looking helpless.
"Too many. Lord Lu has offended too many people."

(End of this chapter)