Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 313 The Wrathful Dragon
The so-called "dragon's roar and tiger's howl" can also be seen as a loud shout that breaks through defenses.

However, the breach of the defenses of the supreme ruler can indeed cause countless people to suffer.

A massive manhunt began.

When the imperial palace mobilized, Lu Bing was finally able to enter the palace.

Passing through the many palace gates, the entire journey was filled with a somber and desolate atmosphere.

Armored guards, like wolves and tigers, kicked open room after room, roughly dragging out the palace servants who were still asleep.

The disheveled eunuch was forced to kneel on the white marble steps by being grabbed by the back of his neck.

A palace maid with her hair disheveled was pulled up by her hair, her neck stretched into a desperate arc.

"Speak! Where is the traitor?!"

"This servant doesn't know—ah!!"

Shouts and screams echoed through the corridors.

A heart-wrenching wail suddenly echoed from afar, and the familiar tone made Lu Bing pause slightly—

It was a scream unique to torture.

Lu Bing's thick eyebrows were furrowed.

Historically, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was responsible for arresting those involved in palace coups, while the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was responsible for interrogation.

The division of labor is clear.

Since the Embroidered Uniform Guard was originally responsible for protecting the inner court, it was one thing to let them arrest people, but if the interrogation was also carried out by this group of people, there was a possibility that they would try to exonerate themselves and cover up their crimes.

But now, arrests and interrogations are done together.

It was all done by...this group of people!

"Secret Guard!"

Lu Bing ground those two words between his lips and teeth, subconsciously gripping the hilt of his Embroidered Spring Knife, his knuckles turning white from the force—

That deep-seated hatred, like a venomous snake, climbed up my spine, spreading a shadow over my eyes no matter how I tried to suppress it.

This clandestine force might be able to deceive the officials of the outer court, but it can never escape the eyes and ears of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After all, in order to control the secret guards, many elites of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were also transferred, without the consent of the previous commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Sun Weixian.

The only person in the world capable of doing this is the absolute ruler of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Sun Weixian knew that there was a difference between close and distant relatives and did not want to investigate further. However, Lu Bing's trusted confidants in the capital, such as Zhu Qi, saw this and were very indignant.

Isn't this a clear indication that they're abandoning the Embroidered Uniform Guard and starting from scratch?
This was the case for both the Eastern Depot and the Western Depot in the past.

When the Eastern and Western Depots were at their peak, the Embroidered Uniform Guards were also ordered around, far from their current prestige.

Lu Bing wasn't worried about these things, but he knew that the days of one company dominating the market were likely over.

In the past, he might have been very sad, feeling that His Majesty did not trust him.

But this time he was surprisingly calm, as if he had known deep down that this trend would happen.

Of course, his attitude towards His Majesty does not mean that he would look down on this secret guard.

The composition of the secret guards, in particular, is probably related to that faction...

That is an irreconcilable hatred!

Composing himself, Lu Bing straightened his hat and robes, hurried inside, and knelt before the imperial bed: "Your Majesty, I am late in protecting you, and deserve to die!"

"Wenfu?"

Zhu Houcong's voice was hoarse, his eyes slightly narrowed: "When will I summon you to the palace?"

Lu Bing felt a chill run down his spine—after more than a decade of brotherhood and twenty years of being ruler and subject, this was the first time he had seen such clear suspicion in this man's eyes.

He immediately touched his forehead to the ground and said, "I heard about the incident from the Imperial Medical Academy and stopped outside the Donghua Gate. In order to protect Your Majesty's health, I dared to enter without permission. I humbly beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

"That's it!"

Zhu Houcong was still somewhat surprised and uncertain, but he didn't say much. He raised his hand slightly, and his mouth twitched, which seemed to aggravate his wound, making his expression even more gloomy.

Lu Bing also slowly got up as instructed and stepped aside.

However, just as he stood still, he suddenly felt a thorn in his side as Zhu Houcong's gaze fell upon him again: "The former dynasty's officials know about the affairs of the inner court?"

Lu Bingdao said, "While I was waiting outside Donghua Gate, I dared not be negligent. I secretly informed Grand Secretary Yan and kept the news secret so that none of the officials would know."

"Well!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong's expression finally softened somewhat, and he nodded slightly.

Based solely on this reaction, Lu Bing was certain that it was utterly impossible for Xia Yan to replace Yan Song as the Grand Secretary.

Clearly, the emperor knew that Yan Song knew when to advance and when to retreat, and in this crucial matter that was bound to affect the court and the country, he informed the chief minister that the situation could be stabilized.

No one else can do it.

Indeed, Zhu Houcong was becoming increasingly at ease with Yan Song.

This chief minister has been acting with the utmost respect and professionalism lately.

That perfectly timed foolishness, that measured and appropriate fighting, was all in accordance with the Emperor's will.

As for this kind of behavior, is it from the heart, or is it deliberately concealing one's shortcomings?
unimportant.

Not important at all.

As long as Yan Song continues to act responsibly, he can naturally remain in his position as Grand Secretary for a long time.

On the other hand, Xia Yan dared to secretly collude with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which was truly presumptuous.

Tonight, Lu Bing spoke only to Yan Song and not to Xia Yan, which precisely proves his keen eye for talent.

In this chaotic situation, there is at least one thing that goes well.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhu Houcong spoke: "Wenfu! Take men to investigate and capture the mastermind behind tonight's assassination attempt!"

"I accept the decree!"

Lu Bing entered the palace for this very reason. Upon hearing this, he took on the responsibility without hesitation, quickly left the palace, and after asking a few questions, headed in a clear direction.

The secret guards have already searched the entire palace. The Imperial Guards arrived late, so there's no need to compete with them and cause a conflict at this critical juncture.

Therefore, Lu Bing went to the house where corpses were piled up.

It is not the corpse of the traitor who attempted to assassinate His Majesty.

Those were all moved to another location by the guards for identification.

Instead, they were palace maids and eunuchs killed by the thieves along the way.

The bodies were cleared out and piled up here. Lu Bing entered the house and saw the bodies lying haphazardly, clearly just thrown in without anyone actually collecting them.

The scene was shocking.

Those who had been on the battlefield were not bothered by the blood and filth and went forward to examine it.

"What a ruthless method!"

"To be able to pierce a neck vein so precisely with an ordinary hairpin is something only someone who has practiced martial arts for many years could do!"

"The bruises between the victim's lips and teeth indicate that the assailant was able to subdue the struggling victim with just one arm, demonstrating a strength far beyond that of an ordinary person!"

Lu Bing's fingertips hovered about an inch from the corpse's neck; the wound was as thin as a willow leaf, yet it was deep enough to reach the major artery.

The more he examined the wounds on the corpses, the more his brow furrowed.

"That's strange..."

From a personal perspective, he naturally didn't want the assassin to succeed, but with the calmest analysis, these wounds showed that the assassin was quite skilled. So the question is—

How did Your Majesty manage to survive?

Either the assassin was ruthless and merciless when killing palace maids and eunuchs, but when attempting to assassinate the emperor, he ultimately hesitated due to the emperor's authority.

Or is there another reason?
Just as Lu Bing was investigating the suspicious circumstances, the secret guards finished their initial search.

The two leading generals, Zhang Zuo and Gao Zhong, rushed over, still in their armor, and knelt down beneath the steps.

"Your Majesty—"

Zhang Zuodao said, "After interrogation throughout the night, a total of sixteen members of the rebel group were identified tonight. Six were killed on the spot, and eight were captured alive..."

His voice lowered: "There are still two thieves... on the run."

"On the run?"

Zhu Houcong's knuckles tapped against the armrest of the dragon throne, producing a dull thud: "Is it an ordinary traitor, or the ringleader?"

Zhang Zuo touched his forehead to the ground: "Your Majesty, it is suspected to be... the leader of a bandit."

"Good! Very good!"

Zhu Houcong laughed, but his laughter was colder than the coldest winter: "My Forbidden City has become a marketplace where thieves come and go as they please! We've been searching all night, and all we've caught are some small fry?"

The hall was deathly silent.

"Bring in the criminals!"

His heavy breathing aggravated his wounds, but Zhu Houcong still waved his sleeve and said, "I will personally interrogate that little eunuch!"

Before long, a dying young eunuch was dragged up.

"It's you! It's you! It's you!"

Zhu Houcong leaned forward, looking at the mutilated fire-wielder Zhou Shunli. He recognized him as the traitor who had repeatedly harmed him. A terrifying light flashed in his eyes, but his tone softened: "Speak! Who instructed you behind this? Speak, and I will pardon you!"

Zhang Zuo and Gao Zhong bowed their heads deeply upon hearing this.

The emperor's words are indeed law, and everyone knows that such treasonous acts cannot go unpunished.

So Your Majesty is now trying to induce a confession.

They were willing to disregard everything else just to find out who was behind it all.

Zhou Shunli was on the verge of death, his blood-stained lips moving slightly.

Just as everyone was holding their breath, he suddenly grinned.

A streak of crimson blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth, splashing red plum blossoms onto the golden bricks in front of the emperor.

"Good! Very good!"

Zhu Houcong saw in this a final refusal and resistance: "Even such ants dare to defy the imperial decree, what about the other traitors? Do they all have to learn to be so stubborn?"

This question was directed at the two generals.

The two men exchanged a glance, and Gao Zhong said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, there is indeed a traitor who has confessed, but his confession is absurd, and I... dare not repeat it!"

"You bastards! What are you afraid of? What are you afraid of?"

Zhu Houcong's face flushed an unnatural red: "Speak! I'm telling you to speak!"

Gao Zhong still dared not dictate, so he took out the blood-stained confession from his pocket and silently presented it.

With red-rimmed eyes, Huang Jin took the document. When it reached him, Zhu Houcong practically snatched it away, bringing his eyes close to read it word by word.

“The tyrant is tyrannical and cruel, often abusing us. We have suffered unspeakably, so we killed him…”

"The Crown Prince is benevolent and tolerant, and is fit to inherit the throne. He is a wise ruler. We hope that upon his ascension, the Crown Prince will treat the palace well..."

The hall was deathly silent, like a grave.

The kneeling crowd held back even the rustling of their robes; only the clicking sound of the emperor's knuckles gripping the silk paper could be clearly heard.

But after reading the confession, a knowing glint flashed in his bloodshot eyes.

It was as if these were blasphemous words.

This perfectly confirms the deep-seated suspicions and strikes at the heart of my long-standing fears!
"it is as expected……"

"it is as expected!"

at this time.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, and a commander of the imperial guards rushed in, kneeling on one knee: "Your Majesty! The leader of the traitors has been found!"

Zhu Houcong's pupils suddenly contracted.

If the testimonies of those lowly servants can be questioned, then the mastermind behind such a palace coup must have touched upon the core of the truth.

"What about people?"

"He... committed suicide."

The guard's voice trembled: "The body is currently lying in... Gyeongbokgung Palace."

Gyeongbokgung Palace!
The Imperial Concubine Wang's bedroom!

The Second Prince's Residence!

With a bang, Zhu Houcong suddenly stood up, his chest wound reopening, and his dragon robe was quickly soaked with blood.

He was completely unaware of what was happening. He pushed away Huang Jin, who was trying to help him, and staggered out of the hall.

The bright yellow figure left a thin trail of blood between the pillars, like a wounded, angry dragon.

(End of this chapter)