Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 353 Western Depot Experts Reach Cooperation

"Since the news of your death spread, the Eastern Depot has been in chaos. That good-for-nothing Liu Xi took the opportunity to cause trouble, resulting in the slaughter of several so-called experts in the Eastern Depot. The remaining few cowardly rats simply went into hiding."

"The Director of Ceremonial Affairs, the Supervisor of Ceremonies, and the Seal Office?"

"How many usable ones are left?"

Yu Huatian's words clearly revealed his contempt and disdain for the Eastern Depot.

Cao Zhengchun frowned, but before he could speak, a eunuch from the Eastern Depot stepped forward and angrily rebuked him, "Insolence!"

"Ok?"

Cao Zhengchun glared disapprovingly at the eager-to-show-off eunuch.

Although he had just returned to the Eastern Depot, he knew that the Eastern Depot was indeed in decline. Yu Huatian's words were harsh, but they were true.

"Although the Eastern Depot is in turmoil, its foundation is still intact. Zhengchun can draw manpower from the Twelve Directorates and the Embroidered Uniform Guard at any time." Cao Zhengchun's face still had a gentle smile, showing no sign of annoyance. He replied with a smile, "On the contrary, apart from Eunuch Wang and Eunuch Yu, I have never heard of any experts in the Western Depot."

"Do you need Zhengchun's help?"

These words seem polite.

In reality, this was a veiled message: what was the Western Depot anyway? Even the Eastern Depot, though weakened, was bigger than the Western Depot.

It's not up to Yu Huatian to worry about the Eastern Depot yet.

As Cao Zhengchun spoke, his gaze swept past the crowd and landed on the two beautiful figures behind Yu Huatian. Although he didn't say a word more, the meaning in his eyes was clear.

It's practically saying that the Western Depot doesn't even have any decent experts, and they've even resorted to using women to fill in!

"Ah!"

Yu Huatian gave a dismissive laugh and said, "Does Supervisor Cao's impression of the Western Depot still remain from the past? I have been favored by His Majesty and temporarily appointed as the supervisor of the Western Depot, and I have selected a group of experts from the Secret Guard."

As he spoke, Yu Huatian turned and pointed to the experts from the Western Depot behind him, introducing them as follows: "Ma Jinliang, the head of the Western Depot, is a master of the Finger Profound Realm. His dual swordsmanship is unparalleled, and he is hard to find an opponent among those of the same realm."

Although Ma Jinliang was blind in one eye, the aura he exuded as he walked out carrying two swords was like that of a fierce tiger.

Apart from Cao Zhengchun, who remained unmoved, the eunuchs and experts from the Eastern Depot who accompanied him all frowned subconsciously, and some were even forced to take a half step back by his imposing presence.

"Tan Luzi refers to a Grandmaster of the Profound Realm."

“Ji Xueyong, a master of the profound realm.”

Yu Huatian then introduced two more experts from the Western Depot, both of whom were masters of the Finger Profound Realm. He then looked at the two beauties of the Western Depot and pointed to one of them: "Liu Ruoxin, the number one expert after Lord Wang, her swordsmanship is Finger Profound. She was fortunate enough to receive a few pointers from His Highness. She once had the feat of killing a celestial being with her Finger Profound Realm swordsmanship."

"Finger-Pointing Sword Kills Heavenly Phenomenon?" Cao Zhengchun's pupils shrank as he looked at Liu Ruoxin, who was as beautiful as a peach blossom, with skin as white as snow and a smile as lovely as a flower, in disbelief. It was hard to imagine that a female swordsman could achieve the feat of "Finger-Pointing Sword Kills Heavenly Phenomenon".

Even he, who had mastered the Heavenly Gang Child Skill in his early years and before entering the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, could only barely contend with a Celestial Phenomenon Grandmaster. He was hardly a match for him!
Liu Ruoxin remained calm, but secretly felt ashamed.

She pointed out that the battle where Xuan killed Tianxiang was purely due to the other secret guards taking advantage of the situation.

If it were truly a life-or-death battle, even if she used all her skills, she would only have a 40% chance of surviving and escaping, let alone winning the battle and defeating a Celestial Phenomenon beyond her level.

However, seeing Cao Zhengchun stunned, Liu Ruoxin pursed her lips and ultimately decided not to be foolish enough to stand up and expose Yu Huatian's rhetoric.

“Su Hui Rong, a master of the Zhi Xuan realm.” Yu Huatian introduced another person, drawing Cao Zhengchun’s attention back to the other party. Both women from the West Depot were masters of the Zhi Xuan realm.

This was quite shocking for Cao Zhengchun.

The world is vast, and there are many skilled women, including Cao Zhengchun himself. However, very few women would dedicate themselves to the imperial court, let alone the eunuch organizations, the Eastern Depot and the Western Depot.

But Cao Zhengchun thought about it again and understood what was going on.

"His Majesty has many experts under his command. Is it because he sees the West Depot as weak that he specially assigned some experts from the Secret Guard to assist Yu Huatian?" Cao Zhengchun thought to himself. "If that's the case, then these experts can only be considered half of the West Depot's people."

"That Liu Ruoxin is as beautiful as a peach blossom, and has even received some swordsmanship instruction from His Majesty." "Her time in the Western Depot will certainly not last long."

"Although we have never heard of Su Hui Rong, we can recruit female experts from the Eastern Depot."

Cao Zhengchun's mind raced, and he quickly thought of his good friend Luo Jusheng and his wife, as well as many famous female masters in the martial arts world, when he was considering expanding the recruitment of personnel to fill the Eastern Depot.

As for whether he had other intentions, only Cao Zhengchun himself knows.

"What do you think of our suggestion, Chief Supervisor Yu?"

"To share His Majesty's burdens?"

“Indeed!” Cao Zhengchun nodded with a smile. “Although I do not yet know what Chief Supervisor Yu has found out, if we only take action after the matter has reached His Majesty’s ears, then we servants are incompetent.”

"Doesn't Chief Supervisor Yu think this makes sense?"

Yu Huatian chuckled and slowly shook his head, reciting part of the list he had found: "Minister of Revenue Yang Tan, Vice Minister of War Zuo Zongyuan, and Deputy Commander of the Five Military Commissions Yao Wenyuan."

“The Prince of Anqing, the Prince of Ning, and the Prince of Taiping are all of great importance.”

"Having heard about these people, does Chief Supervisor Cao still have the courage to share His Majesty's burdens?"

“Chief Supervisor Yu, there’s no need to test me.” Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengchun remained calm and composed, instead smiling broadly. He said, “My lowly life was saved by His Majesty. As long as someone blocks His Majesty’s path or displeases him, there’s nothing I wouldn’t dare to do.”

"Not to mention……"

Cao Zhengchun gave Yu Huatian a meaningful look: "I have heard that His Majesty has given Chief Supervisor Yu the power to act expediently. Not to mention the upright officials in the court, even the vassal kings are within your scope of expediency."

"Could it be that Commander Yu is afraid?"

The last sentence carries a provocative tone.

Yu Huatian naturally understood, and with a cold laugh, he said firmly, "With His Majesty's special permission, I will act against those whom the Eastern Depot, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review dare not touch, and I will kill those whom they dare not kill."

"Let alone the Minister of Revenue, or even a Vice Minister of a certain ministry."

Even... the regional vassal kings.

"As long as His Majesty nods, I will make sure their heads roll."

Behead first and report later, royal authority has granted permission.

This is the Western Depot!
Yu Huatian knew that the Western Depot had been weak for many years. Although the Eastern and Western Depots were on par, they were no match for the Eastern Depot in the eyes of the Ming Dynasty court. Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard was subtly superior to them.

If we cannot seize this opportunity to greatly enhance the prestige of the Western Depot.

How will Yu Huatian establish himself in the imperial court in the future, and how can he share Zhu Jinzhen's burdens?
"Hahaha, good, good, good!" Cao Zhengchun laughed loudly upon hearing this, and gave Yu Huatian a thumbs up: "That's the demeanor of the West Depot's chief supervisor, he should be so domineering."

Wang Zhi, who was innocently caught in the crossfire, couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Is that domineering?
That's the source of their confidence!

If Emperor Xianzong and Emperor Zhengde had given him such confidence, Wang Zhi would have been even more arrogant than Yu Huatian.

But now, he could only stand aside and watch Yu Huatian's high spirits, finding some solace in that.

Yu Huatian's lips curled up as he looked at Cao Zhengchun, his eyes revealing surprise. The other man's praise made Yu Huatian see something different. Cao Zhengchun seemed to have no intention of competing with him in this matter.

Sure enough, the next moment, Cao Zhengchun put away his smile and looked at Yu Huatian with a serious expression: "This time, the Eastern Depot will be responsible for the clues, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be responsible for the coordination!"

"Then my Western Depot will take charge of..."

Yu Huatian raised his head, revealing an arrogant expression, and slowly uttered two words: "Murder!"

(End of this chapter)