In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 979 The Rebels in the Army Are in a State of Desperation!

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The somber atmosphere in the capital city not only did not lessen, but became even more intense!
The root of it all stemmed from the Embroidered Uniform Guard's rampant arrests in the capital.

They weren't arresting small, insignificant families, but rather large merchants from various regions.
Even several prominent merchants in the capital were arrested, and no mercy was shown.

The reason given was simple: it was related to the anti-government party.

At this moment, the stench of blood permeated the Jinyiwei prison. The ground was wet, mixed with foul-smelling blood, yellow urine stains, and countless beads of sweat.

Screams rose and fell, echoing from the once powerful managers and wealthy landowners.
He was tied to a wooden stake and was being tortured.

The barbed whip lashed across his body.
Not only does the whip cause excruciating pain, but the barbs also tear at the flesh, and each lash is accompanied by a heart-wrenching scream.

Du Pingping was sitting in the innermost cell, quietly watching the middle-aged man being tortured.
He was Yan Han, a silk merchant from Suzhou and Hangzhou.
In this land price dispute, more than 500,000 taels of silver were transferred, and all accounts are verifiable.

"Tell me or not! Who else is your accomplice!"

After lashing the victim more than a dozen times, a member of the Imperial Guard began to curse loudly.
Then they brought over a bowl of boiling hot chili water from the side.
Under Yan Han's terrified gaze, it was splashed hard.

"what!"

The piercing screams were particularly jarring in the prison.

Du Pingping frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes, and said coldly:

"Don't kill him."

"Yes, my lord!"

Despite responding in this way, his actions did not falter at all.
The whip continued to lash at Yan Han, who was writhing on the wooden stake.

Yan Han opened his mouth wide. The scalding chili water and the excruciating pain from his wound almost made him lose his voice. He was even forced to hold his breath, and his face turned bright red.

He barely regained consciousness when the whip fell again, and his body began to writhe violently.

"Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"

"It was Zhao Mian! It was Lord Zhao who ordered us to do this! How could we dare to defy the imperial court?"

Amidst the wailing, Du Pingping raised her hand and let out a long sigh:
"Okay, stop now. Write down everything he says."

"Yes!"

Yan Han began to confess, trembling, and the officials carefully recorded his words.

After listening for a while, Du Pingping realized that they were all trivial matters and immediately questioned:
“Say something else! Where did the 550,000 taels of silver you used come from?”

"I"

Yan Han suddenly looked up, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.
"It belongs to the villain himself! It's the villain's property!"

"fart!"

Du Pingping suddenly stood up, walked up to him, and stared down at him:
"Your business is worth only 50,000 taels of silver at most, where did you get 550,000 taels?"
I don't need to say more, you know the answer in your heart.

Someone in the local area paid for it, right?
Name those people, and I won't make things difficult for you.
"They'll even treat your injuries, how about that?"

As he spoke, he gently tugged at a piece of skin on Yan Han's chest that had been burned off.
Without saying much, he pulled down hard. At first, the burn was pale, but then bright red blood seeped out, with fine blood droplets constantly oozing out.

Yan Han trembled all over, his voice trembling with sobs:

"No, it's not that no one supports me."

A shadow of gloom flashed across Du Pingping's eyes. She gritted her teeth and yanked again, a silent tearing sound echoing in the heavy air.
A large chunk of flesh was forcibly torn off and hung on Yan Han's chest.

"Ah! Spare me! Lord Du, spare me!"

Du Pingping took the salt box handed to her by a nearby clerk.
While sprinkling salt onto Yan Han's wound with a small spoon, as if adding seasoning, she said:
"I know you are worried about your wife and children at home."

But you should also consider that if you don't speak up, they will also be seen as rebels.

When the three clans are exterminated in the future, they will be among those affected.

Yan Han suddenly looked up, his face covered in blood and sweat, filled with fear, his pupils trembling violently.

Seeing his expression, Du Pingping suddenly laughed:

"Do you really think the imperial court is a benevolent bunch?"
Since they dared to commit treason, they should have expected this fate.

It's alright if you don't want to tell me; I've already sent someone to the Hangzhou prefecture.

"Bring your wife and daughters to the capital for trial then, and I bet you'll talk!"

"Speak! I'll talk!! No, Lord Du, please don't make things difficult for them! I have money, I'll give you money!!"

Du Pingping threw down the salt shaker in her hand and cursed:

"What the hell were you doing all this time!"
"Tell me the truth, remember everyone who gave you money. If you miss even one, you're as good as dead!"

"Yes, yes, I confess! I confess! I committed all the crimes myself, they have nothing to do with me!"

Yan Han hurriedly said.

"By the way, you weren't the one who assassinated Lord Lu and Zhou Lin, were you?"

Du Pingping then changed the subject.

"No! No! My lord, I didn't even know the imperial court had such weapons, how could it be me!" Yan Han hurriedly shook his head.

"Oh~ So who do you think did it?" Du Pingping asked, her face showing realization.

"I...I don't know," Yan Han said, looking completely bewildered.

"Alright, let me rephrase my question: Did any soldiers send you money to instruct you to plot a rebellion?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Han's expression immediately turned grim.

Even the Imperial Guards present looked up abruptly, their expressions changing drastically.

During this incident, everyone tacitly controlled the scale of the conflict and never directed their anger at the military.

But now.
Most of the officials present were intelligent men; a glint of shrewdness flashed in their eyes, and they quickly lowered their heads.

They understood that Lord Du was preparing to escalate the conflict in order to solidify his own position.
This was both to consolidate his current power and to curry favor with the emperor.

"Say!"

Du Pingping's loud shout abruptly interrupted everyone's thoughts.

Yan Han shuddered in fright, and the fear in his eyes flashed by.

Even if I wanted to refuse, I couldn't find a suitable reason.

We're all human; since merchants and officials are unwilling to go to the icy north,
Those soldiers who spend their days in armor and training are naturally even less willing!
"Sir, please stop asking. Please stop asking."

Yan Han suddenly felt a pang of grievance, his heart filled with regret.

Why did you have to be the first to stick your neck out? Why did you have to become someone else's weapon?

Now that I've ended up in this state, I deeply regret my past actions.

Du Pingping, however, showed no intention of letting him off the hook, and said calmly:
"Who paid for it? Tell me honestly."

Under his icy gaze, Yan Han trembled all over and stammered as he spoke:
"I only know one person; I really don't know any others."

"Who?"

Du Pingping's face was extremely solemn, and her breathing became rapid.

Things have come to this point, even if there's an abyss ahead...
He could only keep moving forward!

If the investigation doesn't continue, the real culprit will remain at large after two assassination attempts.

Not only will Mao Xiang be doomed to die, but he himself will also be implicated.

For a loyal minister like him, the only way to survive is to gamble everything and move forward at any cost.

A sudden silence fell over the cell.
Although the officials present were all busy with their own things, their attention was entirely focused on Yan Han.

Yan Han was unaware of the strange atmosphere.
He felt the pain in his body was about to devour him, and all he wanted was to end it all as soon as possible.

He took a deep breath, a ruthless and resolute glint in his eyes:

Three months ago, a sum of money entered my workshop through the Pingsha Trading Company in Zhongdu.
Ostensibly, they were purchasing finished silk products, but in reality, they were secretly smuggled into the capital through various channels.

"How much money? Who gave it to you!" Du Pingping pressed.

"Seventy thousand taels of silver belong to the Red Leaf Shipyard in Zhongdu."

A hint of doubt flashed in Du Pingping's eyes. She searched her entire mind but couldn't recall any details about the Red Leaf Shipyard.

But he knew that since it was a shipbuilding workshop, it must be registered with the imperial court, which always had the strictest control over such industries that concerned people's livelihood and military equipment.

"Someone! Investigate! Investigate the owner behind this shipyard, investigate his entire background!"

"Yes!"

The clerk left in a hurry, and Du Pingping gave Yan Han a cold look, leaving behind a single sentence:

"You'd better not be lying, or your three clans will be finished."

After saying that, he turned and walked away in a hurry.

When Du Pingping returned to the yamen, the stench of blood on her body completely dispelled the elegant atmosphere of the room.

But he had no time to worry about any of that, and plopped down in the chair.
The fierceness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep weariness.

He put his feet on the table, his hands supporting his forehead.

Looking at her noticeably thinner belly, she slowly closed her eyes.

too difficult.

After taking over the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he not only did not feel immense power, but instead felt as if he were walking on thin ice, as if he had walked into a dead end, with pursuers in front and tigers behind, his situation was extremely awkward.

He gained little power, but countless troubles.

Looking around the capital, there are people everywhere you look who you can't afford to offend.

They could neither arrest nor interrogate, and they didn't even dare to ask too many questions.

Du Pingping couldn't help but wonder at this moment,
Were they both serving in the same Imperial Guard? He used to be so unruly.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and just as his thoughts were in turmoil, hurried footsteps came from outside the government office:

"My lord! My lord! We've found it!!"

Du Pingping suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Ji Gang, who rushed in with documents in his hand. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes in an instant:

Who is the owner?

The young Ji Gang stood in front of the table, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes, as if he had something difficult to say.

Seeing this, Du Pingping's expression changed slightly, but she did not urge them; she simply waited quietly.
It was as if they wanted to prolong this moment of peace as much as possible.

Ji Gang took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Red Leaf Shipyard is a subsidiary of the Red Willow Trading Company of the Zhongdu Garrison."

The main business is ship repair and replacement. The owner is…

Upon hearing the words "Zhongdu Garrison Command," Du Pingping felt a chill run down her spine.
The involvement of military personnel was troublesome enough, but it turned out that Zhongdu was also involved!

"Who exactly is the boss?" he pressed.

"It's Zhou Ji."

Ji Gang slowly uttered a name, and seeing Du Pingping's puzzled expression, he added:
"His father was Zhou Dexing, the Marquis of Jiangxia, who was in charge of the garrison in Zhongdu."

After saying that, Ji Gang felt a cold sweat break out all over his body, as if he had mentioned some taboo.

Du Pingping stood there, stunned, the sharpness in her eyes vanishing instantly.

All that's left is a harmless, listless expression; yet another one you can't afford to mess with.

In an instant, the last vestige of hope in his heart vanished completely.
He had assumed that the person behind the scenes was at most a junior officer in the provincial command or a local commander.

In that way, the Embroidered Uniform Guard could still maneuver around and thus demonstrate their value.

But now, it involves the nobles.

He was still the garrison commander stationed in Zhongdu Fengyang, commanding 50,000 elite troops.

Du Pingping felt utterly exhausted, unable to even shed a tear.

Damn it, nothing's going right!

Seeing his expression, Ji Gang deeply sympathized and leaned forward to whisper a reminder:

"My lord, Zhou Ji is currently in the capital. Should we arrest him?"

"Arrest someone? Who? You? Or me?!"

Du Pingping, like a powder keg that had been ignited, stumbled to her feet, her expression contorted in rage.

"You don't want to live anymore, but I still want to live!!"

"Huhu."

Du Pingping's plump body trembled slightly, her swollen belly rising and falling.

A resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice:
"Go! Order Wang Tong to kill Yan Han in prison!!"

All related documents must be destroyed, and no evidence may be left behind!

Oh, and add his name to the final list of those whose entire families are to be exterminated.

Everyone involved with Momiji Shipyard

They all have to die! They all have to die!!

The menacing voice echoed in the yamen.

A hint of fear flashed in Ji Gang's eyes. He quickly replied "Yes," turned around and ran, thoughtfully closing the door behind him for Du Pingping.

Once the room was completely quiet, Du Pingping seemed to have exhausted all her strength.
He slumped in the chair, his eyes lifeless.

He suddenly felt a pang of regret; he shouldn't have stood by and watched Mao die after he was imprisoned.

If we can rescue him, we might be able to shield him from this disaster.

As the sun gradually moved westward, the temperature inside the government office rose higher and higher.
Du Pingping's body heat became increasingly unbearable.

After a long while, he looked out the window at the azure sky.
He pursed his lips, suddenly stood up, grabbed the documents on the table, and strode out of the yamen.

A quarter of an hour later, he arrived at the square in front of the Wuying Hall.
He spotted Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding standing at the door at a glance.
The other person was dressed in silver armor, with white hair and beard, and was gently fanning himself with a fan.

"Lord Wuding".

Guo Ying nodded and waved casually.
Two soldiers immediately stepped forward and began searching Du Pingping's body.

This was a new rule added to the palace after the second assassination attempt.

Anyone entering the imperial city, whether an official from one of the Six Ministries or an ordinary clerk, was required to undergo a body search.

To enter the palace, you must search again.
Finally, if one wishes to see His Majesty or the Crown Prince, a third search must be conducted.

Three layers of protection are in place to minimize the chances of anyone harboring ill intentions.

"go in."

The search lasted for more than ten breaths, and Guo Ying waved her fan.

As Du Pingping entered the Wuying Hall, the blast of cold air made him catch his breath, and his resolve grew even stronger.

He hurried to the main hall and saw Crown Prince Zhu Biao sitting at the head table.

The other person was leaning back in his chair, looking at the documents with a serious expression.

"What's the matter?"

A deep, resonant voice emanated from the head of the table, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Du Pingping took a deep breath, raised the document in her hand high, and said in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, I have recently arrested several traitors and, after rigorous interrogation, have made some new discoveries."

"Oh?"

Zhu Biao was taken aback, moved the document down, and looked up at him.
"What did you find?"

At this moment, the chief eunuch stepped forward, took the document from Du Pingping's hand, and presented it to the crown prince.

Du Pingping continued:

"Your Highness, I recently interrogated Yan Han, a silk merchant from Hangzhou."

They learned that the Red Leaf Shipyard had provided funds to support the rebels in disrupting land prices in the capital.

This Red Leaf Shipyard is a property of the Zhongdu Garrison Command.

"Ok?"

Zhu Biao paused slightly as he took the document.
His previously calm gaze instantly turned sharp, and he exuded a cold aura.

Du Pingping continued:
"After careful investigation, I have found that the owner of the Red Leaf Shipyard is Zhou Ji, the son of Marquis Jiangxia."

Upon hearing this, the head eunuch abruptly lowered his head, pretending not to have heard anything.

Zhu Biao's expression seemed unchanged.
The document held between his fingers was wrinkled deeply.

Du Pingping kept her back hunched over, not daring to raise her head.

He felt a chill run down his back, as if a cold snake was crawling across it, and he involuntarily held his breath.

After a long while, Crown Prince Zhu Biao's calm and composed voice finally rang out from the head of the table:

"How much silver?"

According to Yan Han's confession, the amount of silver produced by Hongye Shipyard was a full 70,000 taels.

"hehe."

Upon hearing this number, Zhu Biao suddenly laughed, a laugh that carried a hint of joy mixed with a touch of melancholy.

He let out a long sigh, his expression complex.
"Understood, you go down."

Du Pingping paused for a moment, then asked:
"Your Highness, I don't know whether we should continue the investigation."

"check!"

A loud shout suddenly rang out.

Du Pingping and the head eunuch knelt down with a thud.
His forehead was pressed against the ground, and he dared not look up.

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly and uncover the truth!"
I want to see just how many rebels there are in this world!

Zhu Biao's expression was somewhat ferocious, and he felt a throbbing sensation between his brows and his temples twitching involuntarily.

Suddenly, everything went black before his eyes, and the scene in the Wuying Hall seemed to spin.
His body swayed slightly, the fierce look in his eyes turned blank, and then he fell backward.

Seeing this, the head eunuch muttered to himself, "Your Highness... Your Highness."

His voice gradually rose, and his face turned terrified. His shrill voice echoed throughout the Wuying Hall:
"Your Highness!!!"

"Guards! Summon the imperial physician!!!"

(End of this chapter)