Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 112 Red and warm

"Father, we must prevent Wu Liang from resorting to desperate measures."

Inside the Wuying Hall, Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, who had already returned, and said in a somewhat anxious voice.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Wu Liang is fine; he's right under our noses."

Even though the fire at Longjiang Shipyard didn't catch fire, it still made him anxious.

He couldn't stir up any waves, nor could he escape the hook.

When fishing, take it slow, give it more hope, give it some false hope, and let it think that things aren't too serious.

Don't pull it into the net bag all at once.

Then it won't struggle so desperately from the very beginning.

Loosen the rope when it needs to be loosened, and tighten it when it needs to be tightened.

If you loosen the tension slightly and put in more effort, it will be much more stable.

Once they're in the net and realize things are bad and they're really about to get serious, it's too late to escape, no matter how hard they struggle.

It's all too late.

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang paused, then continued:

"Compared to Wu Liang, we are more concerned about Wu Zhen."

If Wu Zhen, this big fish that is heading towards the nest, gets disturbed by the sound of the wind and stops coming, it would be a bad situation.

Of course, the most important thing is the fourth brother.

That's where the real deciding factor in this battle lies.

If this incident causes many shrimp soldiers and crab generals to escape and hide in the sea, things will not look good.

While Wu Liang and Wu Zhen appear to be important, they are not actually so.

The shrimp soldiers and crab generals of Chongming are just as important.

Scattered are stars in the sky.

If they escape, it won't be so easy to retrieve them from the sea later.

"Then... how about we send some more people to Fourth Brother's side?"

Zhu Biao was clearly anxious because it concerned his younger brother.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "No need, the distance is too far, there's no time."

Moreover, there's no real information available right now.

They only saw the piracy of the ships, unaware that there was an even more important layer behind it—the Maritime Trade Office—that we had already seen.

They might not dare to fight to the death.

This is similar to waging war.

Often, once the troops are deployed, the battle begins in chaos, and the situation becomes unmanageable. Even for a commander, it becomes difficult to coordinate and deploy them effectively.

At times like these, unless there are particularly good solutions, avoid making significant tactical or strategic adjustments, otherwise you risk losing your composure.

They messed things up.

It's not that we're not going to do anything.

Instead, some minor adjustments can be made.

We have some concerns about Chongming, but not those kinds of concerns.

We have a lot of confidence in the fourth one.

This guy is even better than we thought.

Even if things change a bit, the fourth brother should be able to handle it.

Ever since I learned in modern times what the fourth brother had done after my death.

Zhu Yuanzhang had great confidence in his fourth son.

Although at this time, the fourth prince was not yet the Yongle Emperor.

It lacked much of the tempering and refinement.

But what he is facing now is not the Jingnan Campaign or the Northern Expedition, nor are they grand events.

It's just that there are some disobedient naval forces on our side in Chongming.

Moreover, he had made some backup plans in Chongming...

"Send someone to the shipyard immediately and tell Lan Yu to do it this way..."

As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, he lowered his voice and said a few words to Zhu Biao.

As for Zhu Di, Zhu Yuanzhang did not make any arrangements for him.

After all, he had given instructions beforehand that any relevant information received this time should be sent to the fourth brother as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao immediately went out to make arrangements as Zhu Yuanzhang had instructed...

……

"Go, arrange two more groups of people to go and welcome Second Master immediately."

Tell Second Master this news right away.

What to do next? Let him decide for himself!

At the Jiangshui Waterway Administration, Wu Liang barely managed to calm himself down. After some thought, he gave instructions to Lao Gao, who was standing bowing to one side.

Upon hearing this, Lao Gao immediately agreed and went to make the arrangements.

"Someone, convey my order: have Qian Cheng immediately gather his troops!"

Wait for my command!

"Put on your armor!"

After Lao Gao left, Wu Liang slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

The voice carried a resounding clang.

The guards standing at the door immediately perked up upon hearing this.

It should have been done a long time ago!
The Marquis has finally risen to power!
What can the Embroidered Uniform Guard do?
These people, like everyone else, have tasted blood on the edge of a knife and rolled around in piles of corpses.

They've gone too far!

He immediately went to fetch the armor and helped Wu Liang put it on.

Some of his personal guards also went to gather troops.

The personal guard who went to gather the troops appeared very worried.

These are the Embroidered Uniform Guards!
The imperial envoy was acting on behalf of the emperor.

Does the Marquis dare to lead us to cause trouble for the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Isn't this just seeking death?
Is it time to live?
But he was of low status and his voice carried little weight, so he couldn't say anything at this moment. Even if he was terrified, he could only do as the Marquis said...

"Follow me! Our destination: Longjiang Shipyard!"

A moment later, Wu Liang, fully armed, mounted his horse and gave the order.

Then he suddenly spurred the reins and rode off first.

Two hundred cavalrymen behind him spurred their horses and galloped alongside Wu Liang.

In an instant, the thunder of hooves filled the air, and a murderous aura permeated the atmosphere.

Pedestrians on the road quickly made way for them...

……

"Get out of the way, let me in!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guards are acting on imperial orders to investigate cases; no unauthorized personnel are permitted to enter!"

At the Longjiang Shipyard, the Imperial Guard commander standing guard at the gate remained unmoved and refused to yield an inch in the face of the enraged Wu Liang.

"I am the Marquis of Jiangyin and the Commander-in-Chief of the Jiang Flood Control. The Longjiang Shipyard is under the jurisdiction of my Jiang Flood Control. I am here naturally!"

"Get out of the way of that company!"

As soon as Wu Liang uttered these words, the two hundred Jiangshui soldiers who had followed him all placed their hands on the hilts of their swords at their waists.

The Jinyiwei commander guarding the gate, as well as the Jinyiwei guards behind him and on the city wall, all placed their hands on their weapons.

For a time, the situation was extremely tense.

"Hehe, who is it? It turns out to be the Marquis of Jiangyin."

What an arrogant official attitude!

A cold laugh rang out, and a young general fully armed walked out from inside the shipyard.

He held the gun in one hand and stared directly at Wu Liang.

As he appeared, the Imperial Guards scattered to both sides like a tidal wave.

Make way for it.

"A certain Lan Yu, whose official rank is not high, is only a minor commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

There was no title of nobility.

Her family background was also quite ordinary; her brother-in-law was merely the Prince of Kaiping, and her niece was only the Crown Princess.

The job he was given was rather ordinary.

It was merely an imperial order to investigate the theft of a ship from the Longjiang Shipyard.

Marquis of Jiangyin, you are such a great man that you need not take a nobody like me seriously, nor do you need to take my little job seriously.

Do things the way they should."

Lan Yu walked step by step to the front of the group, raised her chin, looked at Wu Liang, and her cold gaze was filled with arrogance.

Wu Liang also looked at Lan Yu, his gaze unwavering.

For a moment, the atmosphere seemed to freeze!
"Put your hands down! What are you doing? These are the Embroidered Uniform Guards! They are my brothers of the Great Ming! Our comrades!"

Why are you all putting your hands on your weapons?!

A moment later, Wu Liang turned around and looked at the soldiers behind him, and shouted a reprimand.

His voice and expression were both stern.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the Jiang Water Defense Army all lowered their weapons.

"Commander Lan, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"

Wu Liang turned his head, and all the solemnity on his face disappeared.

He smiled ingratiatingly and said, "I was sitting in the naval office when someone came to inform me."

It is said that a large number of Imperial Guards arrived at the shipyard to investigate the theft and sale of ships.

This shipyard is under the jurisdiction of the Jiang Water Defense Office.

As the commander of the river defense, how could I sit still after hearing such news?

Naturally, the first person to arrive arrived during the year, eager to see what was going on.

"Is the Marquis of Jiangyin afraid that something will really be discovered, and he's rushing to obstruct the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation?"

Lan Yu's tone remained icy.

What a bastard! A junior, without even a marquisate, living entirely off the favors left by Chang Yuchun after his death, yet he dares to act arrogantly in front of me!
Wu Liang cursed inwardly.

"How dare I? How could I be such an ignorant person?"
I am shocked that such a shocking thing could happen under the jurisdiction of my Jiang Water Defense Commander!

They actually managed to get involved in the theft and sale of ocean-going vessels.

If this is true, I will not let those who did these things off the hook!

This is right under the emperor's nose, and the ships are important military equipment; how dare they even have designs on it?

And it even appeared under my jurisdiction!

If that's true, I'd beat them to death!

"To commit such a beastly act is a disgrace to His Majesty and the Jiangshui Army!"

Wu Liang gritted his teeth.

He was grinding his back teeth to powder as he said this.

He looked at him with a disappointed expression.

"So, the Marquis of Jiangyin was in such a hurry to enter the shipyard because he wanted to contribute to the country and serve His Majesty?"
Want to punish the wicked?

Lan Yu's tone also softened somewhat.

"Of course! I, Wu Liang, have always been loyal to my superiors and have never done anything to betray them."

Upon suddenly hearing that the shipyard under my jurisdiction might have actually committed such a heinous act, how could I not be furious?

Wu Liang nodded vigorously, filled with righteous indignation.

"I wonder... has the truth been uncovered? What about that beast Chang Jinshu?"
I need to ask him properly. I recommended him to His Majesty to be the director of the Treasure Shipyard. How did he manage the Treasure Shipyard?
Such a beastly thing has happened!

Whom has he been true to?

"It was Chang Jinshu who did it. As the head of the Treasure Ship Management Office, no one else could have done it without his approval. He was able to quietly transport away a large ship of two thousand liao."

A total of twelve ships were transported away.

He's the director of the Treasure Ship Management Office, and he's not blind.

Of the thirteen large ships, each with a capacity of two thousand liters, twelve were suddenly missing. He spent every day at the shipyard, but couldn't see anything.

Lan Yu's voice carried a hint of mockery.

"That beast!"
That beast!!!

Upon hearing this, Wu Liang was so angry that his body trembled.

"Can I see this beast? I want to beat him to death!"
Twelve large ships, each with a capacity of two thousand li!
That's twelve ships!

There were only thirteen ships in total, and he dared to steal and sell all thirteen of them!

He's really talented!

That's really something!

This is utterly outrageous!

Wu Liang's face flushed instantly, and his entire body radiated a murderous aura.

It doesn't look like acting at all.

"No need. This person knows he is in the wrong and has committed a heinous crime. There is no chance of him surviving."

Before I brought my men in, they had already taken poison and died shortly afterward.

He confessed to his crimes, saying he did it all to earn money for his son's medical treatment.

Upon hearing this, Wu Liang breathed a sigh of relief.

Good riddance! Good riddance!
I knew Chang Jinshu wouldn't let me down, even though the Embroidered Uniform Guard acted too quickly and there was no way to burn down the warehouse and destroy the evidence.

But at crucial moments, he would commit suicide by poisoning himself, taking all the blame.

The accounts at the shipyard would absolutely not implicate them.

At the Longjiang Shipyard, only Chang Jinshu knew that he had secretly instructed Chang Jinshu to do these things.

Once Chang Jinshu is dead, there will be no way to implicate him in these matters. That's why he made such a big fuss and brought so many people here this time.

It was certainly not intended to clash with or oppose the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He's not that stupid.

It was just an excuse to gather some information.

What I really want to know is whether Chang Jinshu is dead, and whether he leaked any information before he died.

Looking back now, Chang Jinshu has proven himself quite capable and hasn't disappointed.

I haven't done anything to betray myself.

He's smart.

Wu Liang already trusted Chang Jinshu quite a bit, and when Lan Yu mentioned Chang Jinshu's son's illness, the last bit of worry in his heart completely disappeared.

"That beast got off too easy! He knows he's not human for what he's done!"

He committed suicide after the incident.

"Damn it!"

Wu Liang was still cursing and swearing here, his anger still not subsided.

"Why don't we go in and whip his corpse a few times to vent our anger?"

Lan Yu saw that Wu Liang was really angry.

He immediately extended such an invitation to Wu Liang.

"That's fine. If I don't give this beast a few lashes, my anger will be hard to quell."

But... this is a case handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard; is it appropriate for me to go in like this?"

"Naturally appropriate."

The Marquis of Jiangyin is a trusted confidant of His Majesty, and the Longjiang Shipyard is now under the jurisdiction of the Jiangshui Flood Control Commander.

Chang Jinshu was recommended to His Majesty by the Marquis of Jiangyin. Now that such a thing has happened, the Marquis of Jiangyin naturally has the right to go in and give this heartless scoundrel a few lashes.

Lan Yu nodded, paused, and then added, "However, only the Marquis of Jiangyin can go in; these people cannot come with him."

He pointed to the two hundred elite river defense soldiers led by Wu Liang.

After this action was made, there was a brief commotion among the Jiang water defense crew behind Wu Liang.

He was clearly extremely dissatisfied with Lan Yu's suggestion.

They worried that if Wu Liang entered the now-terrifying shipyard, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would seize him.

Who knows if what Lan Yu just said is true?

Is she deliberately trying to seduce her own lord?
Lan Yu remained expressionless, simply watching Wu Liang.

"You all stay here quietly and do not make any unusual movements!"

Wu Liang turned around and spoke to the two hundred soldiers behind him.

"That dog Chang Jinshu, he secretly did something so serious that could get him beheaded."

"I won't be able to get over this bastard until I go in and give him a good beating!"

Seeing this, Lan Yu gestured for him to proceed.

Without the slightest hesitation, Wu Liang took his riding whip and, together with Lan Yu, passed through the numerous Imperial Guards and headed towards the treasure shipyard.

Some of Wu Liang's personal guards were extremely anxious, but there was nothing they could do.

They simply kept praying here, and these people did not cheat.

They wouldn't really do anything to their own lord.

The Marquis was able to walk out unharmed.

But... looking at the menacing appearance of the Imperial Guards, can my lord really walk out safely?
……

Upon arriving at the Longjiang Shipyard, Wu Liang breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Chang Jinshu, whose lips had turned blue, blood was flowing from his seven orifices, and whose blood had already dried.

Just as Lan Yu had said, Chang Jinshu committed suicide by poisoning himself immediately!
Lan Yu did not lie to herself.

"You bastard! You bastard! I'll beat you to death!"

Wu Liang cursed loudly, lashing Chang Jinshu's corpse with his whip again and again.

His eyes were bloodshot.

"I put you in charge of Longjiang Shipyard, and you fucking did something monstrous!"

If I had known you were such a beast, I would have chopped you up with a knife long ago!
I must have been blind to not see your true colors.

How could you do something like this!
If this happens, your death will be the end of it all.

But what about those ships? What about the losses they caused to the Ming Dynasty?

You beast, you bastard!

Wu Liang lashed Chang Jinshu dozens of times before finally stopping, panting heavily.

He still seemed visibly angry.

"Commander Lan, the accounting office, the warehouse, and other places must be carefully guarded. There must be absolutely no mistakes."

In particular, we must prevent anyone involved from becoming desperate and causing a major incident.

That would be bad.

This matter must be thoroughly investigated, and everyone involved must be found.

Not a single one can escape the net!
We must not tolerate this!

Wu Liang looked at Lan Yu and spoke up with indignation.

They acted as if they were mortal enemies with corrupt officials.

"It's natural!"

Lan Yu responded with a solemn expression.

"Commander Lan, please continue with your work. I will leave now and not delay your investigation any longer."

Wu Liang looked at Lan Yu and spoke.

"The Marquis of Jiangyin requests permission."

Lan Yu gestured for him to enter and then accompanied Wu Liang out of the shipyard.

It is unclear whether the gift was given because of Wu Liang's title and status.

It was still a form of surveillance against Wu Liang...

"Let's go, I'll wait for you to go back!"

Wu Liang greeted his soldiers who were visibly relieved when they saw him come out.

Having said that, he mounted his horse and rode away with his men.

Lan Yu stood in front of the shipyard, watching Wu Liang and the others leave, a smile gradually spreading across his face, full of sarcasm.

Once Wu Liang and his group had completely disappeared from sight, leaving only dust kicked up by horses' hooves on the road, Lan Yu silently turned and entered the treasure shipyard...

……

"Stop!"

After galloping for four or five miles, Wu Liang suddenly reined in his horse, turned his back to the crowd, and raised his left hand.

The people behind them stopped.

"Go back!"

Wu Liang gave instructions to Qian Cheng.

"And... what about you, Lord Marquis?"

Old Gao, who was standing nearby, asked a question.

Wu Liang looked up at the sky and said, "I'm going to the palace to request an audience with the Emperor."

"Given what happened at the Treasure Shipyard, I have to go see my superiors no matter what."

Having said that, he spurred his horse and headed towards the palace, with Old Gao following behind...

……

"My lord, you..."

Before the imperial city, Lao Gao took Wu Liang's sword, looked at Wu Liang, and opened his mouth to speak.

"It's alright, an ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws eventually, there's no escaping it."

Don't worry, although there was an accident, it's not that serious.

Not a big problem. "

Wu Liang waved his hand.

He followed Lan Yu alone to the shipyard, which was completely controlled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, not simply to see if Chang Jinshu was dead and to desecrate his corpse.

It was also to test the emperor's attitude towards him.

The fact that the emperor took the risk and emerged unscathed clearly demonstrates his attitude towards this matter.

Having been tested earlier, there is nothing to worry about now when going to the palace to see the emperor.

After saying that, Wu Liang turned and left.

Old Gao didn't look away from his worried gaze until Wu Liang entered the imperial city gates...

……

"I pay my respects to the superior and pay my respects to the Holy One."

Inside the Wuying Hall, Wu Liang bowed and greeted Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang put down his vermilion brush, looked up at Wu Liang who had knelt down as soon as they met, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

"Peace? Peace my foot! With such a huge incident at the Treasure Shipyard, how can we be at peace?"

Being scolded so harshly by the emperor made Wu Liang feel a tightness in his chest.

They hurriedly lowered their bodies even further.

Just then, it felt as if a gust of wind brushed against my scalp.

The next moment it crashed to the ground, making a sound like metal clashing against stone.

However, it was the inkstone beside Zhu Yuanzhang that smashed to the ground.

Wu Liang broke out in a cold sweat instantly.

He touched the ground with his forehead and lay face down on the ground.

"Your Majesty, I have failed you!"

The position was given to me to oversee the flood control efforts in the Yangtze River, and the Longjiang Shipyard was also within my purview.

But then this shocking thing happened!

"I am incompetent; I have failed Your Majesty's grace!"

Wu Liang's voice was choked with emotion.

"Is it simply incompetence?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him sideways.

"I have disgraced the emperor! I was kept completely in the dark!"
Such a scandal has occurred, causing such great losses.

Your Majesty, I beg you to punish me for my oversight.

"The crime of negligence? The crime of negligence? That's a good crime."

You didn't just fail to notice; you were completely blind!
How could such a large ship be stolen right under our noses?
"If we hadn't discovered it here, would the entire treasure shipyard have been emptied out in a few years?"

“If such a thing were to happen after you ascended the throne, I cannot shirk my responsibility.”

I am willing to atone for my crimes by performing meritorious service, even at the cost of my life, to recover all these losses.

These are all powerful weapons for naval warfare; how could they be stolen and sold like this?

"You are the commander of the Jiangshui naval force, and your brother is the commander of the anti-Japanese naval force."

The entire Yangtze River, as well as the sea, are under your control, brothers.

Just like that, someone took away such a large ocean-going ship without anyone noticing.

What do you eat?
"What if one day the Japanese pirates sneak up the river and reach Yingtian City, and you two brothers still don't know?!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Liang panicked instantly and kowtowed repeatedly.

"I dare not ascend to the throne, nor do my brothers."

Your Majesty, I will now thoroughly punish the navy. Those who deserve to be killed will be killed without mercy or leniency!

If this happens again, you, the superior, will not be required to punish me.

My brother and I will slit our own throats!

Wu Liang's attitude was more resolute than ever before.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Wu Liang quietly for a while, then said, "Get up, and remember what you just said."

Go back to your work!

If anything similar is kept from us again, when the knife is on your neck, don't cry foul or say we don't care about past relationships.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

Your subject would absolutely not dare to deceive Your Majesty.

If such behavior is committed, may I die a horrible death!

Wu Liang kowtowed to Zhu Yuanzhang several more times, making oaths and vows to guarantee his success.

Seeing that the emperor was ignoring him and was focused on revising memorials, he realized that the emperor was not paying attention to him.

Wu Liang silently bowed to the emperor and carefully withdrew...

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Wu Liang as he left, then lowered his eyes again to review the memorials...

……

"call!"

After leaving the palace, Wu Liang let out a long breath.

The tension I had been holding in has finally subsided.

The two brothers have completely passed the test!

I knew it. Given the status of the two brothers, they certainly wouldn't hold on to their positions once they were promoted.

"Quickly! Immediately arrange for someone to send a message to the Second Master, telling him all this!"

He gave instructions to Lao Gao...

……

"Go back immediately and tell Zhong'er to take his men and head out to sea right now, and never come back for the rest of his life!"

About two hundred miles from the capital, after several changes in expression, Wu Zhen gritted his teeth and gave this order to those around him...

(End of this chapter)