The Red Mansion

Chapter 162 Jiang Qin Envoy's Prestige Shakes the Suzhou Camp
Jiang Nian ordered his men to escort Murong Zheng and a group of Luojiao believers, along with a million taels of gold and silver, back to Puji Temple.

The gold and silver chests were extremely heavy. The soldiers carrying them were all red-faced, sweating profusely, with veins bulging on their necks, and panting heavily.

Murong Zheng was bleeding from an arrow wound in his leg, and his face was ashen. Other Luo Sect followers were also injured.

Seeing this, Jiang Nian summoned a captain from the Suzhou garrison and ordered, "Quickly find a proper doctor nearby to treat these traitors. Don't let them die easily."

Upon hearing this, the officer said, "Why should Your Excellency go to the trouble of treating these rebels?"

Jiang Nian said calmly, "A living person is always more useful than a dead one."

The sergeant then accepted the order and left.

Before long, a middle-aged doctor arrived in a hurry, carrying a medicine box, accompanied by a young apprentice.

When the two entered Puji Temple, they saw soldiers standing in the courtyard, their swords and spears gleaming. Upon learning that the person they were to treat was a traitor from the Luo Cult, they were both terrified and trembled with fear.

Jiang Nian said gently, "Sir, there is no need to panic. Just help them stop the bleeding and bandage the wounds."

The middle-aged doctor repeatedly agreed, and cautiously examined Murong Zheng first. With a determined heart, he pulled out the arrow stuck in Murong Zheng's leg. Murong Zheng immediately groaned, the veins on his forehead bulged, and then screamed in agony.

As Jiang Nian was watching the middle-aged doctor treat the patient, a Jiangning cavalryman rushed in to report: "Your Excellency, the leader of the Naluo Sect has escaped, and Commander Shi has come to see you."

Jiang Nian frowned immediately and then summoned Shi Xiao to a side hall.

Shi Xiao hurried inside, beads of sweat still clinging to his forehead, indicating he had rushed there. Upon closer inspection, a few withered leaves and mud stains were visible on the hem of his official robe, likely from his journey through the mountains and forests.

Jiang Nian, with her keen eyes and sharp mind, had already seen it all, but pretended not to know. She stepped forward with a smile and said, "Guerrilla Commander Shi, you've worked hard. How is the situation at Yunyan Temple? Have you captured Yao Jisheng, the leader of the Naluo Sect?"

Shi Xiao had just learned that Jiang Nian had seized a million gold and silver and captured more than ten Luo Sect believers. He was shocked, but when facing Jiang Nian, he could only force himself to remain calm.

Shi Xiao clasped his hands in a salute, his voice slightly hoarse: "Reporting to Your Excellency, when I arrived at Yunyan Temple, the Luo Sect leader, who was disguised as the visiting monk 'Miaodi,' was no longer there! The monks said he suddenly left today and no one knew where he went. I searched the meditation rooms and scripture pavilions but found no trace of him. There is a pine forest behind Yunyan Temple, and I was afraid that Yao Jisheng might be hiding there, so I specially led men to search it, but we couldn't find him either. Fearing that this would delay important matters, I ordered a group of my subordinates to guard Yunyan Temple, and I have come to report back!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nian frowned, already suspecting that Shi Xiao might be colluding with the Luo Cult.

However, Jiang Nian deliberately did not show it on her face and said gently, "As the leader of the Luo Sect, Yao Jisheng is naturally cunning and treacherous, so it is not surprising that he escaped."

……

……

Puji Temple was originally an ancient temple outside Suzhou, with its ancient Buddha statues and the sounds of morning bells and evening drums. Who would have thought that it would become the central secret cave of the Luo sect?

Today, Jiang Nian has turned this place into a courtroom for interrogating traitors.

Jiang Nian suspected that Shi Xiao was having an affair with Luo Jiao, so she avoided interrogating Shi Xiao.

At this moment, a chilling atmosphere permeated the side hall.

Murong Zheng was forced to kneel by two burly guards, his hands tied behind his back. Although the doctor had bandaged the arrow wound on his leg, some bright red blood still seeped through the white cloth, spreading into a bloody bloom.

Jiang Nian sat upright in his grand chair. Having already learned Murong Zheng's identity, he immediately said sternly, "What a majestic Protector of the Human Sect! You Luo Cult heretics are bewitching the people and amassing wealth, and you, as a Protector of the Human Sect, deserve to be executed by slow slicing! Today, out of Heaven's mercy, I, the Imperial Envoy, will give you a chance to atone for your crimes. If you confess honestly, I will spare your life. Otherwise, I will make sure you die a horrible death today!"

Murong Zheng's face turned ashen, and he was terrified.

Jiang Nian asked in a deep voice, "How did you know that government troops were coming to encircle and suppress us?"

Seeing that Murong Zheng remained silent, Jiang Nian sneered and winked at her two bodyguards.

One of the guards immediately held down Murong Zheng's left hand, while another guard drew his waist knife with a clang. A flash of cold light, and a bloody little finger rolled to the ground.

Murong Zheng trembled violently, making a "hoarse" sound in his throat, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

Jiang Nian said in a deep voice, "I will ask you one more time, how did you know that the government troops were coming?"

Seeing that Murong Zheng still gritted his teeth and refused to answer, Jiang Nian sighed, "What a pity—cut off another finger!"

Before the words were finished, the blade flashed again, and a second finger fell down.

Murong Zheng finally couldn't help but scream in agony, his body curled up like a boiled shrimp, his ten fingers connected to his heart, the pain almost made him faint.

Jiang Nian coldly watched Murong Zheng convulse on the ground and slowly said, "This imperial envoy will ask ten times. If you don't answer after ten times, all ten of your fingers will be cut off; if you still don't answer, your hands will be chopped off; if you are still stubborn, all four limbs will be cut off before your head is chopped off. Anyway, there are still more than a dozen Luo Sect heretics being held captive, and someone will surely talk. If you don't confess, not only will you suffer torture and die, but you will also give up your chance to redeem yourself to someone else."

Jiang Nian asked for the third time in a deep voice, "How did you know that the government troops were coming?"

Only now did Murong Zheng understand what it meant to be "unable to live, unable to die." The pain, so intense it pierced his very bones, made him realize he still harbored several concubines and children. At this thought, he gasped for breath, looked up, and stammered, "My...my lord, if I confess, will I truly live?"

Jiang Nian's expression was solemn as he said earnestly, "This imperial envoy will do his utmost to save your life."

He thought to himself, "I'm just an immortal being; I'll spend the rest of my life in that dark and gloomy prison."

Murong Zheng struggled and said, "I still have several concubines and children. Can I take them with me and live a good life?"

Jiang Nian said coldly, "I can guarantee the safety of your entire family. Don't push your luck!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Zheng believed that Jiang Nian was not lying. Overwhelmed by pain, he finally slumped down and said, "It was...it was the Sect Leader who came to tell me."

Since ancient times, death has been the only hardship, and very few people can keep their mouths shut under torture. Moreover, although Murong Zheng is a protector of the Human Sect, he is not exactly a tough and unyielding man.

Jiang Nian pressed further, "Where is Yao Jisheng now?"

Murong Zheng paused for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, "They fled to Baiyun Temple on Xuanmu Mountain."

Jiang Nian asked, "When did you escape?"

Murong Zheng replied, "Less than an hour ago."

Jiang Nian's gaze sharpened: "How did Yao Jisheng know that the soldiers were coming to raid the place?"

Murong Zheng suddenly fell silent, fear evident in his eyes. Jiang Nian shouted, "Speak!"

Murong Zheng said in a trembling voice, "If I were to tell you about this... I'm afraid my life would be in danger..."

Jiang Nian understood and immediately said, "Since I, the imperial envoy, have promised to keep you alive, I will naturally protect you. Even if it is the Heavenly King himself who delivers the message, he cannot harm you in the slightest!"

Murong Zheng then stammered, "It's...it's Guerrilla Shi Xiao."

Jiang Nian was not surprised by this, and sighed inwardly, "This Shi Xiao is truly courting death!" But she did not show it on her face and continued to ask, "Is Shi Xiao a member of the Luo Cult?"

Murong Zheng said, "He became a disciple of the sect leader in his early years. Today, he sent his trusted confidant on horseback to deliver the message."

Jiang Nian questioned Murong Zheng for a long time, and Murong Zheng answered all her questions without reservation.

Inside the side hall, Jiang Nianwei stood solemnly, while Murong Zheng looked utterly dejected.

……

……

Although Jiang Nian suspected that Murong Zheng's confession was most likely true, the matter was of great importance, especially since it involved Shi Xiao, the guerrilla commander in Suzhou, and therefore required careful verification.

He immediately ordered that another group of followers of the Roman Catholic Church be brought in for trial.

Two Jiangning cavalrymen escorted in a thin, dark-skinned man. The man was dressed as a boatman, his coarse clothes still covered in wet mud from the mountain pond.

The boatman, Cao Bajin, entered the hall and first saw two bloody severed fingers on the ground. Then he saw Murong Zheng kneeling to the side, his face ashen, while two personal guards stood inside the hall, their blades gleaming coldly. He was immediately terrified and, without waiting for a reprimand, knelt down with a thud, his forehead touching the ground, his whole body trembling like a leaf.

Jiang Nian sat upright in the armchair, pointed at Murong Zheng, and said slowly, "Do you recognize this person?"

"It's...it's Protector Murong..." Cao Bajin lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise his head, his voice barely audible.

"Just now, this imperial envoy chopped off two of his fingers, and he confessed everything." Jiang Nian suddenly raised her voice. "Now I'll give you a chance. Confess honestly, and you'll be spared. If you dare to conceal anything, I'll first cut off all ten of your fingers, then chop off your limbs, and finally behead you!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Bajin kowtowed repeatedly: "My lord, spare my life! I am just a rough boatman, I really don't know anything about any secrets or important matters..."

However, although Cao Bajin was a boatman, he knew one thing: the sect leader Yao Jisheng had indeed fled in panic less than an hour ago. He sneaked from the underground palace of Puji Temple to the Shantang River, and took a group of confidants away in two awning boats. However, his exact destination was unknown.

After Cao Bajin was taken away, two Jiangning cavalrymen escorted in another man. This man was in his thirties, with a fair complexion, and was Murong Zheng's close disciple, whom he trusted most.

The disciple entered the hall and saw that his master had already confessed. Seeing the severed finger and bloodstains on the ground, his face turned ashen. Without being tortured, he spilled everything he knew: Yao Jisheng had indeed fled less than an hour ago; the million taels of gold and silver were originally intended to be transported to Baiyun Temple on Xuanmu Mountain; and Shi Xiao, the guerrilla commander of Suzhou, was indeed a disciple of the sect leader Yao Jisheng. It was Shi Xiao who secretly sent someone to inform him.

At this point, Jiang Nianfang was convinced that every word of Murong Zheng's confession was true.

……

……

While Jiang Nian was being interrogated in the side hall, Shi Xiao paced back and forth in the courtyard outside, like an ant on a hot pan. His boots pounded on the blue brick floor, and the piercing screams of Murong Zheng emanating from the side hall felt like needles pricking his temples. When he saw two more Luo Cult followers being brought into the side hall, he became even more anxious, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Shi Xiao knew perfectly well that his shady dealings would eventually be exposed by the young imperial envoy Jiang Nian. He wanted to go into the side hall to dissuade her, but Jiang Nian wouldn't allow him in, and there was a group of Jiangning cavalry guarding the side hall.

The thought of rebellion and killing Jiang Nian sent a chill down Shi Xiao's spine.

He secretly calculated: his officers and soldiers might not be willing to rebel with him, and Jiang Nian was surrounded by elite personal guards. Moreover, once he rebelled, he would surely suffer the calamity of having his entire family executed, including his parents, wife, concubines, children, brothers, and sisters. Thinking this way, his courage to rebel diminished.

Just as Shi Xiao was feeling anxious, he suddenly saw the side hall door open and Jiang Nian walk out with his hands behind his back, followed by two burly bodyguards. Shi Xiao's heart tightened.

Jiang Nian, however, feigned a worried expression and walked towards Shi Xiao, sighing, "Guerrilla Shi, these traitors are too stubborn; we can't get anything out of them."

Upon hearing this, Shi Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and was about to reply.

Jiang Nian suddenly lunged forward, her right hand like a snake emerging from its hole, grabbing Shi Xiao's pulse point, while her left leg swept across his lower body.

Caught off guard, Shi Xiao fell to the ground with a thud, his official hat rolling off to the side.

Two bodyguards pounced on him like tigers, one pinning his arms behind his back and the other pressing his knee against his back, rendering Shi Xiao unable to move.

Shi Xiao was, after all, a military officer, and instinctively tried to struggle. Suddenly, he heard a "whoosh" sound in the courtyard. Looking up, he saw several Jiangning cavalrymen had drawn their crossbows, and arrows as cold as stars were aimed at his vital points.

Jiang Nian said coldly, "If Guerrilla Shi resists, don't blame the arrows for being indiscriminate!"

Shi Xiao was forced to the ground, and the courtyard immediately descended into chaos.

More than ten officers and soldiers from the Suzhou city garrison rushed forward, one of whom, a captain, drew his sword and demanded, "Why has Your Excellency arrested my chief officer?"

Jiang Nian stood with his hands behind his back and shouted sternly, "This imperial envoy has already ascertained that Shi Xiao is in cahoots with the Luo Cult, and is a disciple of Yao Jisheng, the leader of the Luo Cult! He even secretly tipped them off, allowing the ringleader to escape. This is a grave crime, and none of you should be implicated!"

Seeing the officers and soldiers hesitate, Jiang Nian solemnly said, "I am an imperial envoy appointed by His Majesty to investigate this case on behalf of Heaven. You all receive the Emperor's salary; do you intend to become traitors and rebels?"

These words left everyone looking at each other in bewilderment, and even the captain loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword.

The Suzhou guerrilla unit had one fifth-rank garrison commander, two captains, and four lieutenants.

Garrison Commander Situ Jing was present at the scene.

Jiang Nian's gaze swept over everyone with lightning speed, then she called Situ Jing into the side hall and said to him, "Commander Situ, I hereby order you to temporarily lead the city garrison and do your utmost to investigate the Luo Jiao case. If you achieve great merit, I will certainly report to the Emperor and request commendation for you. It is not impossible that you will be officially appointed as a guerrilla commander."

Before he finished speaking, he added coldly, "If you harbor any other intentions... then don't blame this imperial envoy for being ruthless. Not only will you lose your head, but your family will also be implicated."

Upon hearing this, Situ Jing felt a mix of emotions. He and Shi Xiao were old friends, and seeing him fall to such a state, he couldn't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow. However, he then thought: even being promoted from a garrison commander to a regional commander was difficult, let alone becoming a mere third-rank guerrilla general? Such an opportunity was truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance!
Although Situ Jing knew that unless he made a great contribution this time, even if he did his best to help Jiang Nian, the imperial envoy, to suppress the Luo Sect, he would most likely not be promoted directly from garrison commander to guerrilla commander. However, even if he was promoted to the fourth-rank military commander, it would still be very difficult.

Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly saw a cold glint in Jiang Nian's eyes. Situ Jing immediately felt a chill run down his spine. He steeled himself, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said respectfully, "This humble general is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse! I will do my utmost to assist the Imperial Envoy in suppressing the heretical cult!" He sighed inwardly, "If I were smart, I would have done this now!"

Jiang Nian was secretly delighted, but she didn't show it on her face.

(End of this chapter)