The Red Mansion

Chapter 158 Luck Helps Me
After the rain, the sky cleared, and a refreshing west wind blew.

Wearing the uniform of a second-class imperial guard, Jiang Nian led He Yun, Ren Pijiang, and other guards and personal soldiers, trudging through the still-damp rain, toward the Governor-General's office in Liangjiang.

Where the horses' hooves passed, they splashed up sparkling water droplets, which, reflecting the sunlight, resembled scattered jade fragments, a truly beautiful sight.

Upon arriving at the Governor's Office, Chen Bina came out to greet them. He saw that the guards behind Jiang Nian were all dressed in guard uniforms and carrying weapons, and the elite officers and soldiers of the Imperial Guard were also fully armed. He immediately understood and thought to himself, "This kind of formation means they're really going to get serious."

Jiang Nian didn't exchange pleasantries with Chen Bina and went straight to the point: "Your Excellency, I have discovered a key stronghold of the Luo Cult, and troops must be dispatched immediately to raid it." Although her voice was not very loud, every word was firm and resounding.

Chen Bina asked, "How many troops does Your Excellency intend to mobilize?"

"One hundred elite soldiers, please have the governor muster them immediately." Jiang Nian's eyes flashed like lightning. "Only those who are capable of fighting, not those who are all show and no substance."

Upon hearing this, Chen Bina dared not delay and ordered his generals to quickly mobilize troops. He then asked Jiang Nian curiously, "Where is the Luo Sect's lair located?"

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Please forgive me, Governor, but this matter is of great importance and should not be disclosed at this time."

Upon hearing this, Chen Bina felt somewhat uneasy, but he understood the implications and secretly admired the young imperial envoy's meticulousness.

In less than a quarter of an hour, a hundred elite troops of the governor's battalion had arrived in formation. These soldiers were all fully armored, some carrying bows and crossbows, others with sharp blades at their waists, their military bearing was impeccable, and their ranks were imposing.

Jiang Nian's eyes flashed like lightning as he scanned the surroundings. Seeing that the weapons were gleaming coldly in the sunlight and the morale was still good, he nodded slightly and thought to himself, "This operation should be able to capture them in one fell swoop."

The large entourage set off, their horses' hooves thundering, the sound echoing through the streets. People along the way quickly gave way, while some bolder individuals secretly followed, eager to see what the spectacle was like.

The autumn sun cast the silhouettes of this group of people onto the wet bluestone road, making them resemble a swimming black dragon, winding its way forward.

……

……

During the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang listened to his advisor Zhu Sheng's strategy of "building high walls" and built Jiangning City. It took 28 years and a million laborers to build the four-layered city walls of the palace, the imperial city, the inner city, and the outer city, making it as solid as a rock.

Among them, the south gate of the inner city wall, named Jubao Gate after its proximity to Jubao Mountain, was expanded from the original south gate of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang regarded this gate as a southern shield, so he devoted himself to its construction, investing heavily in it. The gate tower was magnificent, the battlements were imposing, and it stood as a powerful stronghold in the region.

At this moment, Jiang Nian rode his horse forward and could already see the towering Jubao Gate tower in the distance, its flying eaves and brackets exuding an imposing aura. Inside the city gate was a "Qian Family Scripture Printing Shop," a two-courtyard complex. The shop doors were currently tightly closed, seemingly an ordinary scripture printing shop, but who knew it was actually the lair of the Luo Sect?
Jiang Nian suddenly reined in his horse, raised his hand, and two guards, Dai Shijiao and Zou Jianyuan, immediately obeyed the order, each leading a squad of men to surround Qian's Confucian temple like an iron barrel. Several other personal guards and archers, with agile movements, leaped onto the roof, drew their bows, and blocked all exits.

A chilling atmosphere suddenly descended, and even the birds on the treetops seemed to fall silent in fright.

Only the autumn wind could be heard whistling past the corner of the flag.

Jiang Nian dismounted and walked to the shop door. Looking up, he saw a gilded plaque that read "Qian Family Scripture Workshop" hanging above the door. Although the sun shone on it after the rain, it shone with an eerie light, as if it had been coated with a layer of cold oil.

Jiang Nian frowned slightly, raised her hand and waved, and He Yun, Ren Pijiang, and Qi Jianyu led dozens of soldiers, breaking into the door like wolves and tigers.

"Soldiers, arrest him!"

Ren Pijiang's roar was like a bolt from the blue.

The carving knives clattered to the ground, and the scriptures scattered with a clatter, amidst panicked shouts and chaos. In the midst of this turmoil, some even took up weapons to resist the soldiers, but to no avail.

Dozens of soldiers descended the mountain like tigers, and in an instant they captured the shopkeeper, waiters, craftsmen and others in the front yard, either pinning them to the ground or immediately binding them.

In the midst of the chaos, six figures suddenly darted out from the backyard. The first two were dressed in a blue robe, about fifty years old, with a fair face and a light beard; this man was named Cheng Muqian. The other, wearing a brocade robe, was Qian Jingxiu, the owner of the Qian Family Pharmacy. Behind them were four men, two with bows drawn and arrows nocked, and two with knives as guards.

"Go away!"

He Yun was quick-witted and agile. He drew his bow to its fullest extent and shot an arrow with a "whoosh," hitting an enemy archer right in the heart. The archer didn't even have time to utter a sound before he fell to the ground.

Qi Jianyu was not slow either. As soon as the bowstring twanged, another archer on the other side fell to the ground.

Seeing the situation was dire, the two men with knives hurriedly protected Cheng Muqian and Qian Jingxiu as they fled through the back door. Meanwhile, Zou Jianyuan and his soldiers were already lying in wait in the back alley. Upon seeing the four emerge, they immediately swarmed them and bound them tightly.

When the fierce and treacherous soldiers arrive, even birds take flight; when the net is spread, how can one escape?
Jiang Nian walked to the back door and ordered his men to thoroughly search Cheng Muqian and Qian Jingxiu immediately.

Suddenly, a booklet was found in the inner pocket of Cheng Muqian's clothes. Jiang Nian took it, unfolded it, and examined it closely. She was shocked to find that it was the Luo Cult's register of names!
The first page of the booklet bears the inscription "Master Yao Jisheng" in large, powerful characters in vermilion ink, the strokes flowing like dragons and snakes. Below, it lists the three sects of protectors: the Heavenly Sect, responsible for scriptures and doctrines; the Earthly Sect, in charge of water transport; and the Human Sect, managing finances and followers. It also lists important positions such as the Protector of Scriptures, the Chief Transport Officer, and the God of Wealth, and details the names of the elders of 108 different temples and assemblies. Most remarkably, the hiding places of everyone except Yao Jisheng are clearly written in this booklet!

Qian Jingxiu's name was prominently listed under the Heavenly Sect Protector. He was one of the three "Scripture Printing Envoys" and was in charge of three Luo Sect scripture printing workshops, including the Qian Family Scripture Printing Workshop of Jubao Gate, which was responsible for printing the "Five Books and Six Volumes of Scriptures" and other Luo Sect scriptures.

Holding the booklet, Jiang Nian felt her fingertips tremble slightly, and her heart was filled with joy. When she looked up at Cheng Muqian again, her gaze was completely different, becoming meaningful, and she concluded that this person must be a high-ranking member of the Luo Sect, otherwise he would not be able to carry such a crucial register.

"Who are you?" Jiang Nian asked in a deep voice.

Cheng Muqian closed his eyes and lowered his head, remaining silent.

In fact, he was the protector of the Heavenly Sect, second only to the sect leader Yao Jisheng in status within the Luo Sect. He was on his way to inspect the scriptures and doctrines in Jiangnan, and happened to come to see the scripture printing envoy Qian Jingxiu today, but unexpectedly, he was caught red-handed by Jiang Nian.

Seeing Cheng Muqian's demeanor, Jiang Nian knew he was a tough nut to crack and wouldn't be able to get anything out of him quickly. She wasn't in a hurry, and simply instructed her men, "Keep a close watch on him. We'll interrogate him more thoroughly once he's back at the yamen."

Suddenly, Ren Pijiang strode over, clasped his hands, and reported, "My lord, I have found something of great importance in the scripture shop."

Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow, signaling him to elaborate. Ren Pijiang continued, "It is a complete set of pear wood wood carvings of the Five Books and Six Volumes of the Sutra. There are also several boxes of sutras that have already been printed, all of which are hidden in the cellar in the backyard."

A glint of light flashed in Jiang Nian's eyes.

The "Five Books and Six Volumes of Scriptures" are no small matter; they are the foundation of the Luo Sect. They are divided into five books and six volumes: "The Scroll of Diligent Practice and Enlightenment," "The Scroll of Lamenting the World's Inaction," "The Scroll of the Key to Breaking Through Heresy and Revealing Proof" (two volumes), "The Scroll of True Faith, Removing Doubts, and the Scroll of Freedom Without Cultivation," and "The Scroll of the Profound Roots and Fruition of Mount Tai, Unfamiliar with the Realm." Originally dictated by Luo Qing, the founder of the Luo Sect during the Ming Dynasty, and transcribed and compiled by his disciples, they are revered as the standard by the followers of the Luo Sect.

Jiang Nian accompanied Ren Pijiang to inspect the woodblocks, and saw that they were all made of the finest pear wood, with the characters clearly legible. Looking at the several boxes of scriptures, the ink still smelled fresh, indicating they had been printed recently.

Jiang Nian casually flipped open a book titled "The Book of Diligent Practice and Enlightenment," and in his eyes, the words and phrases therein were heretical and unorthodox.

"Seize all these woodblock-printed scriptures, leaving none behind."

Jiang Nian gave the order in a deep voice.

……

……

Under Jiang Nian's orders, Ren Pijiang, a second-class imperial bodyguard, led dozens of soldiers to surround Qian Jingxiu's residence like an iron barrel.

This residence is only a hundred paces away from the Qian family's ancestral hall. The gate does not look particularly grand, but the interior is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, and winding paths lead to secluded spots. It is even more magnificent than the homes of ordinary officials.

Ren Pijiang stood on the steps and coldly shouted, "Search!" The soldiers surged in like a tide, startling the chickens and dogs in the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, wives, concubines, and maids were wailing, and the servants were in complete chaos.

Ren Pijiang stood with his hands behind his back, coldly observing the chaos, and ordered, "Separate the men and women into two groups and search them thoroughly."

Upon receiving the order, the officers and soldiers immediately began ransacking the place, leaving no stone unturned, even searching under beds and in the cracks between floor tiles.

However, after searching for half a day, apart from piles of gold, silver, jewelry, silk and satin, no secret information related to the Luo Sect could be found.

Even so, it doesn't matter.

The list of names alone that was taken from Cheng Muqian was enough to make Jiang Nian's trip today very rewarding.

Moreover, Cheng Muqian and Qian Jingxiu also need to be interrogated...

……

……

It was already evening.

Twilight Quadruple.

Cheng Muqian, Qian Jingxiu, and the other prisoners have been taken to the temporary detention facility of the Liangjiang Governor-General's Office. It is called a temporary detention facility because, according to the Daqing system, the Liangjiang Governor-General's Office has no right to set up prisons, but can only set up temporary detention facilities.

Jiang Nian didn't even have time for dinner. He ordered people to light lamps and set up a court, and together with Chen Bina, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, he immediately began the trial.

Jiang Nian had interrogated criminals many times before and generally did not use torture to extract confessions.

Today's interrogation will naturally not be lenient.

Following Jiang Nian's instructions, various instruments of torture were brought out and arranged in the dark room.

Under the flickering candlelight, the red-hot branding iron gleamed with a terrifying light, and rows of clamps stood menacingly like the fangs of a ferocious beast. The leather whips soaking in the water vat were fully saturated with moisture, making them penetrate even deeper into the flesh when they were lashed.

This scene is even more spectacular than what is seen in front of the Yama's palace.

First, interrogate Qian Jingxiu.

Although this man was the scribe of the Luo Sect, he was all bark and no bite. The moment he saw the instruments of torture, his face turned ashen. Jiang Nian used a few tricks, applying the torture rack twice, and Qian Jingxiu began to howl like a pig being slaughtered, confessing the locations of the three Luo Sect scripture shops under his control in detail. He also revealed Cheng Muqian's identity completely.

Next, Cheng Muqian was interrogated.

As the candlelight flickered, Jiang Nian looked at Cheng Muqian. Although his hair was disheveled, it couldn't hide his otherworldly air. She sighed inwardly, "This man is actually Cheng Muqian, the protector of the Luo Sect's Heavenly Branch, second only to the sect leader Yao Jisheng. No wonder he carries such a crucial register. I've luckily caught a big fish!"

Cheng Muqian was quite tough. At first, he put on a stern demeanor and said, "I am a person who cultivates purity."

Jiang Nian sneered and waved her hand, immediately placing a clamp on Cheng Muqian. With a "crack" sound, Cheng Muqian screamed in agony, his previous composure completely gone.
Then thirty lashes followed, leaving Cheng Muqian's back a bloody mess. Before the red-hot branding iron could even reach him, Cheng Muqian was terrified, screaming, "I...I'll confess!"

Immediately, Cheng Muqian confessed the whereabouts of the sect leader Yao Jisheng, as well as the whereabouts of Tan Fengchi and Wang Long.

It turns out that Yao Jisheng, the leader of the Luo Sect, disguised himself as a monk staying at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou with the Dharma name "Miaodi," but in reality resided at Yunyan Temple in Tiger Hill, Suzhou.

Tan Fengchi is a follower of the Luo sect and is under the command of the Protector of Scriptures. Tan Fengchi and Wang Long have fled to Suzhou to hide...

……

……

The interrogation was over, and it was already late at night.

As Jiang Nian stepped out of the gloomy temporary detention facility, she suddenly felt a cool breeze on her face. The refreshing air penetrated her heart and lungs, instantly sweeping away the filth of the prison.

Looking up at the sky, one sees the Milky Way casting its reflection, jade dew condensing its light, and countless stars adorning the inky sky, like pearls scattered by immortals.

Jiang Nian stood with her hands behind her back, her heart filled with countless emotions.

This afternoon, he felt that the matter of banning the Luo Sect had reached a stalemate, like trying to see flowers through a fog, with no clues and a sense of unease. But in just a few hours, he had become completely familiar with the Luo Sect, even knowing the details of its leader, Yao Jisheng.

This is only his second day in Jiangning!

He is about to cast a wide net to crack down on the Luo Sect, to capture the thieves, and wipe them all out in one fell swoop!
"It's truly good fortune that's helping me!"

Jiang Nian sighed inwardly.

The night breeze brushed against my cheeks, as if carrying an auspicious aura.

He suddenly recalled that when he dealt with Zhou Sankui, the salt smuggler in Shandong, he also seemed to have divine assistance.

He Yun approached carrying a brocade cloak and said softly, "My lord, it's cold at night, don't catch a chill."

Jiang Nian waved her hand, refusing to take it, but suddenly became interested and asked He Yun, "Do you remember when we dealt with the salt smuggler Zhou Sankui in Laizhou, Shandong, it went just as smoothly?"

He Yun was taken aback. He looked around and, seeing that no one was nearby, leaned forward and whispered, "Your Excellency is a descendant of a dragon and a phoenix, and is naturally protected by Heaven."

Jiang Nian smiled slightly, her heart filled with boundless pride.

At this moment, Chen Bina passed through the moon gate and saw Jiang Nian standing in the courtyard, gazing at the stars. Her tall figure reflected the starry sky, giving her an air of communion between heaven and man.

"Your Excellency the Imperial Envoy." Chen Bina stepped forward and bowed, his gesture surprisingly respectful. He glanced at the young imperial envoy before him and noticed that there was no sign of fatigue in his brows; on the contrary, he seemed quite energetic.

Chen Bina had just interrogated Jiang Nian the entire time and was quite amazed by her. This imperial envoy, only sixteen years old, had already mastered the Luo Sect on his second day in Jiangning; his luck was truly astonishing.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "You must be very tired today, Governor. Please get some rest. You'll be working hard again early tomorrow morning."

Chen Bina smiled apologetically, "The Imperial Envoy is working so hard on official business that he forgets to eat and sleep. How could I dare to go to bed first?" He then took a half step closer and said, "Your Excellency has not yet had dinner. I have ordered the kitchen to prepare some food. You can heat it up and it will be ready to eat."

Under the starlight, Jiang Nian smiled slightly: "Thank you for your trouble!"

(End of this chapter)