Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 251 Not just anyone can be Xu Jie

Liangxiang Imperial Palace on the outskirts of Beijing.

This imperial palace was built specifically for the emperor's travels. Later generations called it "Xiuyun Temple" and it was commonly known as "Old Man Temple". It was the only imperial palace in the southern part of Beijing during the Ming Dynasty and is also a valuable source of material for studying the architectural techniques of the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, after the years of war, very few buildings have survived to the present day. This real palace is the truly magnificent one.

Covering an area of ​​nearly 100 acres, the main palace complex along the central axis is laid out in a five-courtyard layout, with a side courtyard to the east, an imperial garden to the west, a vegetable garden at the back, and palace walls surrounding it.

At the very front is a small square, with a palace gate on each of the east and west sides, shaped like a city gate tower, where the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Army were stationed.

Yan Shifan hurried to the palace gate, observed the area from a distance, spotted a familiar figure, and called out, "Commander Hong! Commander Hong!"

Hong Qi, who was leading his men on patrol, turned around, strode over, and clasped his hands in greeting, "Young Master Yan!"

Yan Shifan smiled broadly and casually pulled out a handful of gold coins, handing them over: "Commander Hong's night watch and protection of His Majesty is truly admirable. This small token is just a token of my appreciation, and I hope you will accept it with a smile!"

He didn't have the same deep friendship as Haiyue with Lu Bing, so he naturally had to be polite to Lu Bing's confidants and take the opportunity to befriend them.

Lu Bing originally had eight followers, who were jokingly called the Eight Vajras. However, before Annam, they did not hold any positions in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. At most, they were junior officers or captains. After all, Lu Bing was only a minor official at the time. The people he selected could not be in high positions. They were all selected from the bottom, kept by his side, and carefully trained to ensure their loyalty.

After the battle of Annam, not only did Lu Bing make great contributions, but Hong Qi and others also beheaded many members of the Mo family and were promoted to centurions based on their military achievements.

Once Lu Bing rises further in rank, this group of trusted confidants will become powerful commanders, ensuring his future leadership of the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be as solid as a rock.

Yan Shifan was well aware of this. Moreover, at the crucial moment when Yan Song was promoted to Grand Secretary, the Ouyang family's merchant wealth was also fully mobilized. He had been carrying a lot of money lately, and whenever he saw these key figures of low rank but great power, he would give them a handful.

If it were Haiyue, Hong Qi really wouldn't dare to take such a benefit casually; he would have to ask Lu Bing for permission when he got back. But Yan Shifan didn't care at all and skillfully accepted it, saying, "Young Master Yan is too kind!"

"No one visits the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. This Grand Secretary's son must have important business to attend to in the territory guarded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Hong Qi didn't mince words and immediately led him aside: "I wonder what brings you here so late at night, young master?"

Yan Shifan said, "I have something to discuss with Brother Wenfu, but I cannot get close to the palace. I would like to ask Commander Hong to help me pass on a message."

The southern tour party consisted of as many as five thousand people. Not just anyone was qualified to be by the emperor's side. Lu Song and his son Lu Bing were undoubtedly close ministers. They were currently in the emperor's bedroom, talking with Zhu Houcong.

However, the chances of the father and son staying overnight were slim, and they would still need to return to their cells in the Embroidered Uniform Guard to rest. So Hong Qi nodded: "I remember, Young Master Yan's instructions!"

Yan Shifan pursed his lips and, without beating around the bush, said directly: "Marquis Guo Xun of Wuding is putting on an act, plotting something sinister, harboring rebellious intentions, and attempting to get close to the Emperor. We must be on high alert!"

"Oh?"

This matter concerns nobles, so Hong Qi's expression became serious: "I will definitely deliver the message!"

Yan Shifan knew that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had played a crucial role in Guo Xun's downfall, and using them to deal with Guo Xun would be the most effective way. However, he couldn't appear to be completely exploiting Guo Xun in such a significant matter, so he added, "If anything happens, I live in the side courtyard of the imperial palace. You can come find me anytime!"

Hong Qi nodded: "Please rest assured, Young Master Yan, I will definitely deliver the message!"

He was indeed reliable in his work. After the Lu family father and son returned, he patiently waited for Lu Bing to help his father, Lu Song, to bed before coming to his side and relaying the story verbatim.

"Guo Xun!"

Lu Bing's eyes flashed, and he said coldly, "Yan Donglou was right after all. Today, someone really did mention that old Marquis to His Majesty!"

Given Guo Xun's former power, it was inevitable that the eunuchs around Zhu Houcong would be bribed, and they mentioned Guo Xun's existence intentionally or unintentionally. At that time, Lu Bing and Lu Song heard it clearly and also noticed that His Majesty's gaze turned to Guo Xun's old body, paused for a moment, and there was a sense of emotion between their brows.

This sentiment was not only directed at Guo Xun, but also at the old officials who had guarded the throne when he first ascended the throne.

Now, some have passed away, others have returned to the forest, and they have gradually faded away.

Even the most powerful emperor could not escape the desires of the mortal world, and given that this was a journey home, Zhu Houcong could not help but feel melancholy.

Therefore, Lu Bing felt that Yan Shifan's concerns were not without merit. If things continued this way, Guo Xun might actually regain the emperor's favor.

If it's just about stopping...

There doesn't seem to be any good solution!
We can't prevent His Majesty from seeing his subjects, can we? The Embroidered Uniform Guard may be by his side, but they don't have that kind of power.

After a moment's thought, Lu Bing turned his gaze to a house not far away and asked in a low voice, "Is the master asleep?"

Hong Qi said, "The commander went back to his room early, but I vaguely heard a cough earlier. Why don't you go and take a look, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Bing's expression changed, and he hurriedly walked towards the door. Before he even reached it, he heard suppressed coughing coming from inside: "Cough—cough cough cough—!"

"Sir! It's me!"

He pushed open the door and entered without announcing his arrival. He saw Wang Zuo curled up on the bed, his body trembling with each cough.

Lu Bing quickly stepped forward to pat his back and soothe him, only to find that his master had lost a lot of weight. His once robust body was now bony and thin. Lu Bing felt both sorrow and anger: "Those good-for-nothings, how dare they leave Master alone!" "It was I... cough cough... who sent them away!"

Wang Zuo, panting, waved his hand. Since his serious illness last year, this once energetic commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had suddenly become weak and frail, and lately he looked like a withered leaf in late autumn, growing more haggard day by day.

"gentlemen!"

Lu Bing felt a pang of sadness. He had originally intended to persuade Wang Zuo to stay in the capital for rest and recuperation during this southern tour, but Wang Zuo insisted on accompanying him, wanting to witness the grand occasion of the emperor's southern tour.

Seeing him coughing until his face was red, he was about to call the imperial physician when a hand grabbed his sleeve: "No need! I know the prescriptions written by those imperial physicians by heart. I just took the medicine. Calling someone over would only be an extra hassle!"

As he spoke, his breathing became more even, and he chuckled softly, "Time waits for no one! I've reached the age of fifty this year, and I have some old injuries from my youth. I'm quite content to have lived to this age..."

"Sir, you should live to be a hundred years old; you must never entertain such thoughts!"

Lu Bing's expression changed immediately, and he said urgently.

"okay!"

Wang Zuo waved his hand: "My only regret is that you are still young. You are about to take on the heavy responsibility of leading the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the age of thirty. Even if His Majesty trusts and values ​​you, you must be very careful and maintain good relationships with both civil and military officials. Hai Yue from the Hanlin Academy is indeed someone worth befriending, but given his rapid rise in rank, you must keep your distance, otherwise you will harm yourself and others. The friendship between gentlemen is about knowing when to stop. You are different from other commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; you can learn the virtues of a gentleman..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Bing's heart tightened. These words sounded like a deathbed instruction, but his master's condition was clearly not that serious. He stood there stunned, at a loss for what to do.

Wang Zuo gently patted the successor on the shoulder: "You've come here so late, is there some other important matter?"

"It's Guo Xun..."

Lu Bing replied in a daze, then quickly realized what he meant and hurriedly said, "Sir, please don't worry about those things. You should focus on getting better!"

Wang Zuo's eyes flickered: "Marquis Wuding... Hmm! This man is indeed a menace, and should not be underestimated! Do you know who has been coming and going from Marquis Wuding's residence recently?"

Lu Bing knew he couldn't dissuade him, and couldn't help but wonder: "Hasn't the Marquis of Wuding's residence been keeping its doors closed and refusing visitors for the past two years?"

Wang Zuo smiled: "It is precisely because of Guo Xun's attitude that you have overlooked him. But don't forget, this Marquis Guo is still one of the very few nobles who keeps a private army. His power has indeed plummeted due to His Majesty's displeasure and the spread of scandals, but as long as his foundation remains, he will have the opportunity to make a comeback at any time! Even a tiger or rhinoceros in its cage can still harm people!"

Lu Bing's expression turned serious: "So, sir, you mean that someone else is helping him?"

"Of course!"

Wang Zuo said, "Otherwise, if he really stayed at home and knew nothing about the news inside and outside the court, he would be completely useless. But in fact, as early as a year ago, someone disguised himself as a servant and secretly entered and exited the Marquis's residence! I'm afraid that the Marquis is fully aware of every move in the court. That's why he can now pretend to be old and frail and hope to arouse His Majesty's pity!"

Lu Bing felt embarrassed: "Sir, you are truly insightful. There is still so much I need to learn..."

"When people gain power, they often underestimate their old enemies. However, the higher one's position, the more one should guard against arrogance!"

Wang Zuo said, "You must remember this lesson from Guo Xun!"

"Yes!"

Lu Bing noted it down, then pondered for a moment and said, "Then we must find out Guo Xun's accomplices and let His Majesty know that this villain has not changed at all and is still deceiving His Majesty..."

"The people who contacted Guo Xun were extremely cautious, and the men I sent couldn't find a single trace of them!"

Wang Zuo slowly said, "Unless this person is a traitor from the Liyuan Society or the White Lotus Sect, His Majesty will not care too much."

Lu Bing frowned: "Then what should we do?"

Wang Zuo thought for a moment and said, "Guo Xun looks older than me?"

Lu Bing hurriedly said, "Sir, you are only slightly dejected when your illness flares up. You are usually full of energy. But judging from Guo Xun's appearance today, he looks old and frail."

"That's good!"

Wang Zuo smiled and said, "Imitating the appearance of someone in their twilight years, harmless to humans and animals, in an attempt to lower people's guard, is a clever plan, but it is not suitable for this Marquis of Wuding."

"Firstly, the time was too short. The arrogant demeanor of Marquis Wuding in the past is still in the memory of the officials and has not faded from people's hearts."

"Secondly, His Majesty does need a trusted confidant who can keep the army in check. He may win some sympathy, but he is not capable of being of great use."

"In that case..."

Wang Zuo's voice suddenly turned cold: "Why not help Guo Xun act even more convincingly—it would be best if he were so old that he could no longer get up!"

(End of this chapter)