In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 991 Not an Inch to Retreat!

The place where the Duke of Song lived was an ordinary village outside Jurong County.

Lu Yunyi, who had followed Tang Yanbo to this place, looked around.
The night was deep, and the silvery moonlight spread across the sky and earth, like fine salt swaying gently in the wind.

At the edge of the horizon, a small village sits quietly.

The dim candlelight diffused through the paper window, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Seeing this, Du Pingping felt somewhat uneasy.
This place looks like the perfect spot for murder and body disposal.
If they were killed and buried in the ground, perhaps no one would ever find them.

Tang Yanbo glanced at the guards and attendants behind him and said calmly:

"My lords, please follow me."

"Please restrain your entourage, sir. The village is mostly inhabited by commoners. Duke Song is only staying here temporarily, so there is no need to disturb them."

Lu Yunyi nodded and waved his hand:

"Ten men will follow, and the rest will wait outside the village."

The guard, Basong, was somewhat anxious. He unconsciously gripped the long sword at his waist and followed closely behind.

Seeing this, Du Pingping also left most of her people outside.

She followed closely beside Lu Yunyi as they walked into the village.

His gaze swept rapidly, intently scanning every corner where an ambush might be hidden, and he whispered:

"Lord Lu, I've heard that you possess unparalleled bravery on the battlefield."
If anything really happens, you must protect me, for I am no warrior.

Despite his best efforts to lower his voice,

Tang Yanbo, who was walking ahead, paused slightly before continuing forward.

Lu Yunyi merely glanced at him indifferently.
Feeling slightly helpless, Du Pingping stood before him.
It's clearly an honest person who's gone all out, but it's neither open nor natural.

Before long, the group arrived at an ordinary courtyard at the east end of the village.

Calling it a small courtyard is actually an exaggeration.
It was just three small mud houses surrounded by a fence.
Looking from the outside in, you can still see the dilapidated donkey cart and the long-abandoned millstone.

At this moment, lights were on in all three rooms of the earthen house.
Two guards stood silently at the door of each room.
Although he was dressed in black, one could tell that he was wearing armor underneath.

Seeing this, even Lu Yunyi felt puzzled.

What is going on?
Why would someone choose to come to a place like this instead of staying in a perfectly good house?
But as they entered the house, the decorations that caught Lu Yunyi's eye greatly shocked him.
The floor was paved with bluestone slabs, and the interior walls were plastered with cement and polished smooth.
The tables, chairs, and benches placed there were clearly not ordinary items.
There was even a large porcelain vase, as tall as a person, standing to the side, with several willow branches inserted inside.

This was completely different from the desolate and dilapidated scene outside.

Duke Feng Sheng of Song was sitting at a square table against the wall.

Holding a teacup in his hands, he squinted and listened quietly to a mature woman playing the piano.

That appearance had a certain air of being hidden away from the world.

However, Feng Sheng was over sixty years old, with gray hair and beard, and wrinkled skin.
His physique also appeared somewhat shrunken, coupled with his dark complexion.

If it weren't for the luxurious brocade robes he was wearing, he would look no different from an ordinary farmer.

"My lord, Lord Lu and Lord Du have arrived."

Tang Yanbo walked up to Feng Sheng, bowed slightly, and reported.

Hearing the noise, Feng Shengcai slowly opened his eyes.

His cloudy eyes held a calm, like a still lake that had never been disturbed for millennia.

He merely glanced at Lu Yunyi and Du Pingping indifferently.
The two of them immediately felt a sense of oppression coming towards them!

This feeling is completely different from the calm and composed demeanor of the Korean public.

Instead, it carried a hint of heat and a chilling aura.

It felt as if you were personally stepping into a bloody battlefield.

Lu Yunyi had never met Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, or Deng Yu.
In his memory, the only person who could rival him was Duke Fu Youde of Ying, but even he was slightly inferior.

After a pause, Lu Yunyi collected his thoughts and stepped forward, saying:

"This humble general, Lu Yunyi, pays his respects to the Great General!"

Du Pingping also realized what was happening and quickly stepped forward to bow in greeting:
"Your humble servant, Du Pingping, pays respects to the Duke of Song."

Feng Sheng did not look at Du Pingping.

He merely glanced at Lu Yunyi, a ripple gradually stirring in his calm eyes, and nodded almost imperceptibly.
"As expected, heroes emerge from among the young; you are even younger than my grandson."

"Reporting to the General, I was just lucky."

"Being able to seize opportunities is itself a kind of strength."

Feng Sheng waved his hand and pointed at Du Pingping, saying:

"Like him, even Mao Xiang was imprisoned in the imperial prison, yet he still couldn't seize the opportunity and was slow to rise to a high position, making him unsuitable for important tasks."

Du Pingping had been secretly gloating.
Upon hearing this, his face instantly froze, and he stood there, at a loss for what to do.

Feng Sheng sat up from his half-reclining position and waved his hand:

"Alright, stop playing and go outside."

"Yes"

The mature woman got up and left, and Tang Yanbo followed her out, closing the door behind him.

Seeing that there were only three people left in the room, the two-on-one situation made Du Pingping breathe a sigh of relief and feel more confident.

"Please sit down. I've invited you here today just to have a casual chat."

Duke Song waved his hand, and Lu Yunyi, without any formalities, took a square stool from the round table and sat down not far away.

Seeing this, Du Pingping followed suit and sat down as well.

After the two were seated, Feng Sheng picked up his teacup and spoke calmly:
"I've heard that a rebellious faction has recently emerged in the capital, and they're even plotting to assassinate His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Lu Yunyi remained silent, while Du Pingping respectfully replied:
"Reporting to the General, this is indeed the case."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard has obtained some evidence and arrested some traitors.

"Um"

Feng Sheng nodded, looked at Du Pingping, and said calmly:

"It's a good thing to arrest traitors, but don't arrest the wrong loyal officials. Your Embroidered Uniform Guard is too hasty in its actions."

"Please rest assured, Duke Song, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will always act with meticulous care and strict discipline."

We will neither let any traitor escape, nor will we wrongly arrest any innocent person.

"is it?"

Feng Sheng glanced at him indifferently:
"It is true that Lianbao Trading Company is Ye Sheng's business."
But is there evidence to prove they did it? Or is the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigating based solely on speculation?

Upon hearing this, Du Pingping felt a tightness in her heart.
coming!

He took a deep breath and said in a low voice:

"Duke Song, the Jinyiwei's arrest of people is naturally based on solid evidence."

"lie."

Feng Sheng glanced at Du Pingping indifferently, then turned to Lu Yunyi and asked:
"Do you think the Embroidered Uniform Guard's practice of arresting people without solid evidence deserves to result in execution?"

Lu Yunyi remained calm and replied softly:

"This humble officer is a soldier and is unfamiliar with such case-handling procedures. For specific details, you will need to consult the Three Departments and the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"hehe."

Feng Sheng smiled and looked at Du Pingping:
"Those two brothers didn't confess, did they?"

Du Pingping's face looked rather grim.
"He hasn't confessed yet, but I believe it will happen soon."

"Your Embroidered Uniform Guards tortured him severely for a whole day."
Their continued refusal to confess speaks volumes, doesn't it?

Continue with torture and forced confessions. Even if they didn't do it, they'll be forced to confess. Is that the outcome you want?

"Duke Song, you flatter us. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has its own procedures for handling cases. When nobles are involved, we will certainly enforce the law strictly."

"Knowing that nobles were involved, you dared to arrest people without any evidence?"

Feng Sheng glanced at Du Pingping indifferently, picked up a document from the table beside him, and handed it to her:
"Look, Ye Qifeng, the manager of Huangyao Saltworks, I've already arrested him for you."
He has confessed to all his crimes; this is his confession.

The person is being held in the nearby house. Tomorrow, I will escort them to the capital for you.

Investigate thoroughly and review the case carefully.

If this has nothing to do with the Ye brothers, release them immediately; don't let the court officials and the army lose heart.

Du Pingping looked up abruptly, her face filled with shock, and took the document in a daze. Upon opening it, she found detailed records of how Ye Qifeng learned of the toxicity of the red tide algae, how he arranged for the algae to be planted at the Huangyao Saltworks, and how he used an inside contact in the capital to send the algae into the palace.

Every step of the process is detailed to the extreme.

The names involved are accurate down to their place of origin and official position.
Such a detailed account would be considered a perfect confession if it were submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

Even Du Pingping asked herself,
This is far more rigorous than the testimony given by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who arrested people first and then tortured them.

Lu Yunyi, who was standing to the side, lowered his head in thought and did not speak.

The Duke of Song's stance was clear: he was determined to protect the Marquis of Jingning to the death.
Perhaps what he was protecting was not the Marquis of Jingning himself, but the entire group of nobles.

These founding nobles, after experiencing the Hu Weiyong case and the Li Shanchang case...

There were not many people left to begin with, and they had nowhere left to retreat.

The dimly lit room remained quiet for a long time.
Du Pingping forced a smile and said:

"Duke Song, I have accepted this confession. I will definitely interrogate you thoroughly when I get back."

As for the Ye brothers, if they are innocent, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will release them.

"However, His Majesty has already ordered the Marquis of Yongding to go to Luzhou to bring the Marquis of Jingning back to the capital. This matter..."

"This is not your concern. I have already sent people to stop Zhang Quan."

"As long as you release the Ye brothers, this turmoil can be quelled, and things won't escalate too much."

The two looked shocked!

The Duke of Song before me is truly audacious to the extreme.

Not only did they come to the capital without an imperial edict, but they also dared to send people to prevent the Marquis of Yongding from arresting people.

Before the two could speak, Feng Sheng, with a sigh, leaned back in his chair and said softly:
"The founding nobles are either old or dead, and now only a few remain."

If this killing continues, it will be detrimental to the country and also damage His Majesty's reputation.

Du Pingping didn't know how to respond, so she could only look at Lu Yunyi with pleading eyes.

Feng Sheng's gaze slowly shifted to Lu Yunyi, awaiting his answer.

Lu Yunyi pondered for a moment, took a deep breath, and said softly:

"General, future generations will judge right and wrong, merit and demerit. It is too early to make any judgments now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Du Pingping's eyes widened. This person was really bold!

Upon hearing this, a hint of appreciation flashed in Feng Sheng's eyes, and he nodded slightly.

"Well said. You are in positions of power and are doing your job. Arresting and killing people are all within the bounds of the law. I will not make things difficult for you."

However, as the head of the nobility, I should also fulfill my duties in this position.

His Majesty has already killed enough people.
If further bloodshed occurs, our brothers in the afterlife will be heartbroken.

Therefore, I will not allow you to continue your investigation, and I hope you will not make things difficult for me.

"General, plotting to murder the Crown Prince is a top-priority crime. How can you expect to be punished leniently?"

Lu Yunyi frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled as to why Feng Sheng was being so forceful.

Even in the most absurd dynasties, such acts would result in the execution of a number of people as a deterrent.

Moreover, this was a unified dynasty like the Ming Dynasty, which was founded on benevolence and filial piety.

If those responsible are not punished, the legitimacy of the imperial court will be damaged.
If this continues, the social order will inevitably collapse and chaos will ensue.

Feng Sheng spoke calmly:
"I have already found the murderer for you."

He was a pawn planted by Li Cunyi next to Ye Sheng.
The entire plot to murder the crown prince has been explained clearly. Isn't that enough?

After speaking, Feng Sheng fixed his heavy gaze on Lu Yunyi, his tone full of meaning:

"You are the leader of the younger generation in the military."
Countless eyes in the world are focused on you.

You must set an example by moving forward steadily and focusing on fighting the war, without getting too involved in court politics.

Moreover, you will one day join the ranks of nobles.

Why cut yourself off from the nobility and end up all alone?

Lu Yunyi had not yet reacted.

Du Pingping, who was standing to the side, caught her breath and clenched her fists slightly at her sides.

Now all the officials in the court know this.
The young man beside him will become a nobleman once the time comes.

That time was when the crown prince ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty!
But now, everyone is avoiding talking about it.
Even though the memorials impeaching him piled up like mountains in the imperial court,
There were many who called him a traitor, but no one dared to criticize his military achievements.

This was because all the young military households in the imperial court were watching this man.

They were looking forward to the day he would become a nobleman.

The military also needs people like this to serve as role models for the world!
Anyone who tries to bring him down is an enemy of the army.

Du Pingping firmly believed that Lu Yunyi must know about this matter and had already made preparations.

At this moment, the pressure on the Duke of Song to say these words can be imagined.

One wrong move and you could lose your current position.

New elites are still just new elites; they can't compare to military leaders like Feng Sheng.

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Yunyi chuckled softly and spoke calmly:
"Thank you, General, for thinking of my future. I appreciate your kindness."

However, the Analects says, "The superior man, in his dealings with the world, is neither for nor against anything; he follows what is right."

I am a border resident of the north and a rough soldier, but I know that "righteousness" is the foundation of one's character.

Today's matter is governed by the law and the safety of the Crown Prince.
The trust that the people of the land have in the imperial court,
Rather than on personal friendships with nobles or future selfish desires.

In the past, when Zhang Shizhi was in charge of the Court of Justice in the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wen of Han, due to personal grudges, wanted to severely punish the person who had bumped into the imperial carriage.
Zhang Shizhi stated frankly that the law is something that the emperor shares with the entire world.

If the current law is already in place, and this is to be made even more severe, then the law will lose the trust of the people.

"The imperial court investigates traitors and distinguishes between the loyal and the treacherous based on the national law and the laws of the Ming Dynasty."

If, because of a general's insistence on protecting meritorious officials, one were to circumvent the law and leniently release a suspect, how would that differ from Emperor Wen of Han's attempt to disrupt the law of the land?

"This humble general has been granted an imperial favor and has been specially ordered to investigate this case."

If the law is abolished for personal gain...
Firstly, I have failed His Majesty and the Crown Prince; secondly, I have let down my comrades in the army who have placed their hopes on strict military discipline.
Thirdly, it would make the whole world laugh at my Great Ming Dynasty.

The law only binds the common people, but cannot govern the nobles. Such an unjust act is something this humble general would never dare to do.

Du Pingping was tense all over, and cold sweat poured down her back.
Lu Yunyi continued:

As the saying goes, "Wealth and honor cannot corrupt, poverty and hardship cannot sway, and power and force cannot subdue; this is what makes a great man."

The general's promise of a path to nobility and wealth was an irresistible lure.
It's only natural to feel sorry for the brothers in the afterlife.

But on the day I joined the army, my father taught me that a soldier should not fear death, nor should he show favoritism.

Even if we defy the General today, we must uphold the integrity of a true man and safeguard the dignity of the national law.

No one but a lowly general dares to contradict the Great General.
"But justice and the law come first, and there is no room for retreat. I hope the General will understand."

A long-lost deathly silence fell over the room.
Feng Sheng looked at Lu Yunyi indifferently, without saying a word, and the atmosphere became increasingly heavy.

Just as Du Pingping was about to break the deadlock under the pressure, Feng Sheng slowly asked:

"Not negotiable?"

Lu Yunyi replied calmly:
"Plotting against His Highness the Crown Prince is a top-priority crime, and there is no room for negotiation."

"it is good!"

Feng Sheng suddenly stood up, his withered body radiating an intense aura that made it hard for people to breathe.

"You've got guts! I never try to persuade people. Since you've made up your mind, then so be it. Don't regret it later!"

Having said that, Feng Sheng flicked his sleeves, strode out of the house, and faint sounds could be heard coming from behind him:

"see a visitor out!"

Tang Yanbo slowly walked in, his expression no longer warm, but serious:
"My lords, it's getting dark. Please leave as soon as possible."
Be careful on the road. I've heard that some people here have lost their land and become rioters, engaging in robbery and extortion!

After saying that, Tang Yanbo turned and left, leaving Lu Yunyi and Du Pingping looking at each other in bewilderment.

Du Pingping felt her calves trembling and looked at Lu Yunyi, asking:
"Lord Lu, what does he mean by that?"

Lu Yunyi narrowed his eyes, his expression grave:

"Lord Du, don't you understand? There are bandits and outlaws on the road; you must be careful!"

(End of this chapter)