The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 83: A Cold Blade Rises in Xuanfu, a Python Robe Guards the Nine Borders (8k6)

Act Two

[In the halftime showdown, a thunderclap in Xuanfu: a land investigation.]

In 1524, Tumu Fortress was once again captured by the Mongols, a humiliating repetition of history.

Eighty years ago, Emperor Yingzong of Ming was captured here, and now even the fort has been lost.

In the sixth year of the Jiajing reign, Altan Khan attacked Mao'erzhuang. Although the scale of the attack was small, Jiajing, through intelligence, saw the shadow of collusion between local powerful families and the Mongols.

Now, in the eighth year of the Jiajing reign, five years after the victory of the Great Rites Contest, Jiajing has strengthened his authority and wants to begin to reorganize military affairs.

The excuse was readily available: when the garrison of Xuanfu was defeated in the third year of Jiajing's reign, the Ministry of War's report clearly mentioned that "soldiers were suffering from cold and hunger" and "supplies and wages were insufficient."

This is precisely the disastrous consequence of the neglect of land reclamation!

There were many similar reports. Emperor Jiajing found one report from court meetings, the cabinet, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War, which reported that the military farms in Xuanfu and other places were being seriously encroached upon, and that military households were fleeing, affecting border defense. He used this as a starting point.

The struggle over the Great Rites Controversy taught the Jiajing Emperor a lesson: the celestial dog eating the sun must be done one bite at a time!

It was decided to conduct a pilot investigation first.

However, Xuanfu was a military town, and the military farms were military farms. Converting military farms into private farms inevitably involved multiple forms of corruption and interests. Xuanfu was also one of the nine important border towns.

We have to move, but we can't move lightly.

Based on joint intelligence from the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a point was chosen as a breakthrough point, and Liu Bapi, a typical powerful and resentful figure, was chosen as the target to make an example of him.

"Liu the Skinflint" was a commander of a thousand households in Huailaiwei, a region severely affected by the loss of military farmland and located at a transportation hub, where military farms were concentrated.

To do this, we need to use force to deter, and also have a sharp knife to stab the garrison officers.

The Imperial Horse Stables would be a good fit.

They were in charge of the imperial guards, pastures, some imperial estates, and ranches, and were closely associated with military affairs.

The Jiajing Emperor summoned Chen Hong, who had become the Director of the Imperial Horse Administration, and asked him if he had any recommendations.

Chen Hong recommended Chen Mo.

The position of Assistant Director was too low; promoting him to Junior Director would be more appropriate. This position was high enough to represent the authority of the Emperor and the Imperial Horse Administration, but it was more low-key than that of senior eunuchs such as the Seal Keeper and the Supervisor, which suited the purpose of "probing" and spying.

This would prevent a strong backlash from the entire border town bureaucracy and nobility from the outset.

The junior prisoner was also "sharp-witted" enough to be suited for carrying out this kind of task that would offend people.

The key is that if the opponent is too tough, Chen Hong can protect himself.

The Jiajing Emperor thought so too.

Chen Hong found Chen Mo, talked to him, and encouraged him to become a sharp sword.

"Those who achieve great things in ancient times, are they not only blessed with extraordinary talent? They also need to be like refined iron tempered a hundred times, or plum blossoms braving the frost! Look at the stone steps of the Forbidden City, which one was not hammered and chiseled countless times to be square? Where there is a will, there is a way; no distance is too far, no mountain too high, no sea too wide, can limit one's ambition!"

Chen Mo has been given a new job.

Emperor Jiajing, through the Directorate of Ceremonial, first promoted Chen Mo to the position of Junior Supervisor, and then appointed Chen Mo, Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Horse Administration, as "Imperial Commissioner to Supervise the Investigation and Inspection of the Military Farms in Xuanfu Garrison," granting him full authority to handle the investigation and inspection of the military farms in Xuanfu.

Chen Mo then accepted the official seal and an imperial edict specifying his duties, authority, and the scope of officials required to cooperate.

Before leaving.

Xu Zhicui had some concerns, but Chen Mo remained resolute.

A simple ceremony upon leaving Beijing.

Chen Mo's status has been significantly elevated to Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Horse Administration, and his attire has been upgraded to the blue robes of a mid-level eunuch.

The blue is deeper, close to indigo, and the fabric is a brocade with a subtle pattern, giving it a better drape.

Although there is no golden python on the front, exquisite dark cloud pattern embroidery can be faintly seen.

The leather belt around his waist was wider and thicker, the belt buckle was plain and gilded, the hanging ivory plaque was larger, and there was also a dark red brocade purse given to him by Xu Zhicui.

The metal fork on the official hat gleamed coldly in the morning light.

His Hidden Scale Sword has been upgraded to a more powerful weapon. He stands with his hand on the sword, and the holster of the Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun hangs on his waist, symbolizing his status and power.

The size of the retinue expanded rapidly.

In the courtyard, dozens of people were busy preparing to depart.

At the core were more than ten eunuchs from the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Horse Administration, dressed in dark blue and green everyday clothes, surrounding Chen Mo and awaiting his instructions with respectful expressions.

More than twenty clerks from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War were sorting through the mountain of files, account books and lists of confiscated items.

Fifty elite soldiers from the Tengxiang Fourth Guard Battalion, clad in armor and armed, stood in formation, their gleaming armor exuding a chilling aura.

They are not only ceremonial guards, but also protectors.

There were also a dozen or so local temporary firemen and servants on the periphery responsible for carrying luggage and taking care of the horses.

Chen Mo stood on the steps, looking down at the orderly line in the courtyard.

Lu Bing, dressed in a flying fish robe, spoke to him in a low voice. The black flying fish robe made its first appearance, and the embroidered spring knife gleamed coldly.

Lu Bing joined as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard system, and Chen Mo did not neglect Lu Bing, who was only a deputy commander.

Lu Bing's official position was not high, but his status was very high.

His mother was Jiajing's wet nurse. This trip was Lu Bing's training and a chance to gain experience. He was to serve as Jiajing's eyes and ears to understand the situation in Xuanfu.

On one hand, it shows Jiajing's strong support for Chen Mo; on the other hand, it shows surveillance.

The positions of Chen Mo and Lu Bing were balanced. Chen Mo had a higher rank, but Lu Bing held more weight in the Jiajing Emperor's heart.

Lu Bing was close to the emperor, but the eunuch system was superior to the Embroidered Uniform Guard system.

Overall, Chen Mo is the main figure.

In the morning mist, the blue-clad figure appeared exceptionally tall and majestic.

With just a glance or a brief command from Chen Mo, someone would immediately respond and move.

This team of hundreds of people was assembled because of him and operated because of his status as an imperial envoy.

At this moment, it represents the authority of the imperial court and its unquestionable executive power.

The officials and soldiers around him looked at him with awe, a stark contrast to when he was in the corner of the imperial kitchen.

[Attacked!]

The reception at the post stations along the way was conducted according to the standards for imperial envoys.

Chen Mo brought his entourage, including agents from the Eastern Depot for protection and espionage, low-ranking officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War familiar with land reclamation records as advisors, and a small number of elite troops from the Tengxiang Four Guards directly under the Imperial Horse Administration as ceremonial guards and protectors.

On the road.

They spotted Lu Qingluan, who had been following them and trying to infiltrate their ranks. She was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, carrying a short sword, and looked incredibly dashing.

Lu Qingluan repeatedly claimed that she was appointed by imperial decree as the first female member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Chen Mo quietly dealt with the matter, intending to send Lu Qingluan away through the post station. He knew that this trip was dangerous, and it would be difficult to explain if something happened to Lu Qingluan.

Lu Bing objected, arguing that they were approaching Tumu Fort, a place rife with bandits, and sending his sister away at this time would weaken the team.

Seeing Lu Bing's insistence, Chen Mo finally agreed.

Moreover, the fact that Lu Qingluan was able to follow them for so long before being discovered shows that she is quite capable, and staying behind would be a help to them.

The reasons are readily available: this trip involves both overt and covert investigations. Covert investigations require individuals who can protect themselves with force and also lower people's guard.

The opening digression has been retracted.

Near Tumu Fort, in the strategically important section of Huailaiwei and outside Juyongguan Pass, the imperial envoy's entourage was attacked.

As the train carriage overturned.

Chen Mo drew his sword and flew out of the window, slaughtering his enemies.

This seems to be an accident.

The group, who had been on guard all the way, captured a few survivors, but they were just bandits.

However, this place is a notorious "no man's land".

Juyongguan Pass belonged to the Changzhen Defense Zone, Huailai belonged to Xuanfu Town, and Yanqing Prefecture in the middle belonged to Shuntian Prefecture.

Chen Mo knew very well that this was a warning!
News of the investigation into the military farms reached Xuanfu through the official postal system and unofficial channels, and some people were making threats!

This time it was just a mob of bandits causing trouble; next time it might be different.

The road ahead is fraught with danger.

Chen Mo had made up his mind, and the crisis actually lessened his confusion.

I'm just worried about the safety of Lu Bing and his sister.

Despite their low rank, the Embroidered Uniform Guards and eunuchs were not judged by their official titles, but by the emperor's favor.

Therefore, Chen Mo arranged for Lu Bing and Lu Qingluan to return to the capital to report.

Lu Bing refused on the spot, declaring firmly, "Swords may break my bones, but no one can take away my patriotic spirit and my indomitable soul! Retreat or not, it's up to you! Fight or not, it's up to me!"

Not only did Lu Bing stay, but Lu Qingluan also insisted on staying, saying that she could not disgrace the family name.

The presence of Lu Bing and his sister was not only a source of military strength, but also a powerful source of political support.

Chen Mo solemnly replied: "The world laughs at my crippled body and slanders my delusions, but my heart's desire remains unwavering, even unto death! This fervent passion and loyal heart will not betray the grace of my sovereign and my country!"

then.

Chen Mo ordered an immediate report to the emperor and cabinet via the express post station, and then, without stopping, marched straight to the town and charged forward!
[Bureaucratic shirking of responsibility!]

Xuanfu Town, the seat of Wanquan Commandery.

The governor of Xuanfu, the garrison commander of Xuanfu, the imperial inspector of Xuanfu and Datong, the commander of Wanquan Commandery, the deputy commander of Xuanfu, the circuit intendant, the prefect, and other local military and political officials came out of the city to welcome them.

They were not welcoming Chen Mo, but rather the symbolic representation of an imperial envoy.

The ceremony was grand, but undercurrents were brewing.

Chen Mo announced the imperial edict in the governor's office in the town, publicly reading the decree to clarify the tasks and authority, thus intimidating local officials.

When local officials took Chen Mo to the headquarters, he casually mentioned the attack he had suffered on the way.

Then he continued to observe everyone's expressions without making a sound.

Everyone in the house was shocked!

The governor of Xuanfu was furious and vowed to conduct a thorough investigation.

As the highest-ranking civil official in a town, he has overall responsibility for maintaining public order in his jurisdiction and neighboring areas.

However, the governor also stated that the attack occurred on his way to his post, and in an area that was difficult to govern, where the roads were indeed in disrepair.

In April, Xuanfu submitted a memorial requesting the repair of bridges along the Huailai Road to facilitate grain transport.

The initial assessment suggests that the attack was caused by bandits due to the dangerous road conditions.

The commander-in-chief of Xuanfu also stated that he would definitely investigate.

As the highest-ranking military officer, he bears military responsibility for the security of his jurisdiction and key transportation routes.

However, he also stated that since the defeat at Tumu Fort a few years ago, the bandit problem has become serious, and he admitted that "the area west of Huailai is particularly difficult to control."

This also initially identified the matter as a banditry, implying that it was caused by forces outside the Xuanfu system.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Wanquan Military Command also made successive statements, all indicating that they would investigate.

They're all good officials!
[Visits, Fury! Heroes Awaken!!]

Upon receiving the report of the attack on the imperial envoy, the Jiajing Emperor was furious at the court meeting, ordered a thorough investigation, directly named and punished the local officials along the route, and praised Chen Mo for remaining calm in the face of danger.

the other side.

The nationwide eunuch system was abolished by the Jiajing Emperor, and Chen Mo lost his most important source of information.

We can only start by gathering intelligence from the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and then conduct inquiries in Xuancheng.

shocking.

The garrison system was in a state of decline.

Military officers with hereditary interests used their management power to embezzle military-owned land.
The Ministry of War and the Imperial Inspectorate, among other civil officials, were merely supervising officials, and some even participated in the distribution of spoils.
The judicial system has failed to adequately punish acts of embezzlement.
The civil service in the court used intellectual discussions to create an atmosphere of public opinion that encouraged the embezzlement of domestic products, promoted civilian and commercial land reclamation, and downplayed the military value of military land reclamation.

The specific situation in Xuanfu.

The annual gifts that the commanders gave to the Minister of War amounted to more than ten years' salary.

Even worse, some embezzled funds by using "border repair money" to report the cost of rammed earth walls as the cost of brick and stone.

For example, the Ma family of Xuanfu formed a community of interests through marriage, placing their sons in positions in neighboring garrisons, and protecting each other in case of trouble.

Officials in the Military Selection and Appointment Department of the Ministry of War, who were constantly subjected to their lavish gifts, made the review of hereditary positions a mere formality.

Shanxi merchants further connected the two sides.

Those who controlled the lifeline of salt and grain deliberately suppressed prices and exploited military households when exchanging grain for salt permits.

They even colluded with officers to smuggle military rations to Mongolia, and some caravans even smuggled goods to the Mongolian Tumet, helping them to purchase fine iron.

The civil officials in the court provided political protection for these merchants, not only those from Shanxi, but also those from the south, forming a network of interests through salt permits and money shops.

These things aren't secrets; everyone in the area knows them.

In the areas where exploitation was most severe, the practice of military households self-castrating was rampant. (Analogous to layoffs in Northeast China.)
Chen Mo was deeply shocked by his trip out of the palace.

At the same time, it was faintly illuminated by light, unlike the white steamed buns of yesteryear, unlike Xu Zhicui, and unlike the old eunuch; it was a gathering of faint light, a greater light.

The will to survive of ordinary soldiers, salt workers, and civilians converged into a radiant light.

Chen Mo recalled his own experience. His family came from Hejian Prefecture, a famous "hometown of eunuchs" in the Ming Dynasty, and was a military household under the jurisdiction of Bazhou Guard.

According to the military garrison system in the early Ming Dynasty, military households were hereditary and were allocated farmland to support themselves and undertake military service.

However, by the Zhengde era, the military farms had collapsed, and officers of the garrison troops abused their power to seize and annex the military farms of ordinary military households, turning them into private property.

The Chen family's military farmland had long been seized and plundered by a hereditary commander surnamed Zhang from this garrison through various means.

Military service exploitation was compounded at every level. Even those without land were still required to pay heavy "military pay" and were forced to do hard labor in the homes of military officers to pay off their debts.

In years of famine, they lose their land and can only rent land from Zhang Qianhu's family, which originally belonged to their own military farmland!

Then, towards the end of the Zhengde era, a drought struck, which was a devastating blow to the Chen family, who were already struggling to survive.

Natural disasters are a disaster for tenant farmers.

For landlords, this was a prime time for large-scale land annexation.

Driven to desperation, their family was destroyed and their lives were ruined. Their father was beaten to death because of the compounding interest, their elder brother died of illness, and their mother committed suicide.

Chen Mo was only able to survive by entering the palace and was able to eat a white flour bun.

This time, Chen Mo truly felt the terror of darkness.

Famine and oppression are natural disasters, while corruption and war are man-made disasters.

If imperial power can be effectively implemented, the whole country can act as one, with help coming from all directions when one region is in trouble, and minor natural disasters can be overcome.

Chen Mo strengthened his resolve to fight against darkness.

What they saw and heard also evoked a sense of unease among the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot.

These unfortunate people deeply empathized with this.

[Strong but nowhere to use it!]

August.

The investigation results of the attack have also been released.

Bandits roam beyond the Great Wall!

Xuanfu officials stated that although the attack on the imperial envoy occurred within their jurisdiction, it was adjacent to Juyong Pass, and bandits frequently roamed and committed crimes at the border between the two towns. The Juyong Pass garrison failed to effectively contain the bandits from outside the pass, allowing them to infiltrate their territory and cause havoc.

The general guarding Juyong Pass in Changzhen insisted that the bandits came from Xuanfu outside the pass, and that he was only responsible for the defense of the pass and the area near the pass, while the security outside the pass was the responsibility of Xuanfu.

In the end, both sides reached an agreement: it was the forces outside the Great Wall!
The bandit leader was killed in just one month.

Court.

The ministers behind Xuanfu intervened to resolve the situation.

"This is the norm in border areas; we should not overreact, lest we discourage the soldiers."

"The most urgent task is to send more troops to suppress the bandits, not to hold the border officials accountable."

Several people were directly responsible. The inspector of the patrol office was dismissed and questioned, and the chief official was fined, but in the end, the matter was left unresolved.

[Relocation to Huailaiwei: Opening a New Chapter]

Faced with this preliminary investigation result of the attack, and after gaining an initial understanding of the situation in the town.

Chen Mo calmly announced that everyone was a good person.

However, based on the initial information gathered, there were indeed problems with the settlement system, so it was decided to start with a representative garrison to conduct an in-depth investigation.

It was emphasized that this was only a local issue and had nothing to do with the overall picture, nor did it reveal any true intentions toward Huailai.

Then, traveling light and with minimal entourage, they suddenly headed to Huailaiwei.

Chen Mo knew very well that with the autumn harvest just around the corner, this was a time of heightened tensions, and he had to seize the opportunity!

He can't wait to strike at the darkness!
He only brought his core entourage, including capable eunuchs, clerks, a small number of elite guards, flag officers, and Lu Bing of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The superiors of Huailaiwei were notified to appoint the deputy commander and the military commissioner.

However, the commander of Huailai Guard was only notified very shortly in advance.

Upon arriving at Huailai Weicheng (present-day Huailai County, Hebei Province), they first secured key locations.

Immediately send people to seal up the archives of the garrison office, especially the records of military farms, military registers, grain and salary ledgers, and granaries.

An emergency summons was made for all important military officers, including the commander of the guard, deputy commander, assistant commander, and commander of a thousand households.

A second imperial edict was issued to exert pressure. The edict was read aloud again in the garrison headquarters, emphasizing the seriousness of the investigation into the military farms, demanding that garrison officials fully cooperate, and warning of the consequences of concealment or obstruction.

A clear signal has been sent!

This investigation will be extremely rigorous, and any act of misappropriation will be investigated.

Public resentment is boiling! Heroes are on the move!

Lu Qingluan took off her brocade clothes, put on coarse cloth clothes, and quietly sneaked into the fortified village where local military households lived.

What she saw was far more shocking than the reports she heard in the town.

Liu Liang, nicknamed "Liu the Skinflint," was a local tyrant whose evil deeds went far beyond simple greed.

He instructed his clerks to exploit the illiteracy of the military households, either by indulging them in a drunken stupor or by coercion, to trick or force them to put their fingerprints on pre-prepared "transfer documents."

Even worse, some forged land deeds, calling a deer a horse, and falsely claiming that the fertile military settlement was the Liu family's "ancestral wasteland."

The clerk in charge of the military household registers had long been a lackey of the Liu family.

They arbitrarily altered the registers, marking living people as runaways and recording able-bodied men as old, weak, or disabled.

Once someone is labeled a "runaway household," the farmland under their name is "legally" "reclaimed" by the garrison, but in reality, it ends up in the Liu family's pocket.

Being recorded as disabled meant that military pay would be withheld or even that "exemption from service silver" would be forcibly levied.

Loan sharking is the most insidious of all.

Whenever there was a food shortage, a famine, or a wedding or funeral, the Liu family would "generously open their coffers" and lend money at exorbitant interest rates.

Interest rates are shockingly high; compound interest is the norm.

Borrowing a bushel of grain and returning three bushels in the autumn is "benevolence and righteousness"; borrowing ten taels of silver and turning it into several dozen taels a year later is "fairness".

Still can’t pay it back?
Easy, just use your remaining farmland, houses, or even your children as collateral!
Countless military households were thus strangled by this invisible noose, leading to the destruction of their homes and the deaths of their families.

An old soldier, his hair and beard all white and his body emaciated, huddled on the cold earthen bed.

His eyes were cloudy, like glass covered in dust. When he saw Lu Qingluan, his withered hands gripped her sleeve tightly, and he sobbed uncontrollably.

"For a meager plot of land, Liu the Skinflint insisted it belonged to his family! My son couldn't stand it, so he went to the local government office to argue, and they beat him to death! His body was thrown into a mass grave, and they wouldn't even let us collect it!"

A woman standing nearby, equally pale and thin, looked around in terror, then pulled Lu Qingluan away, her voice trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"Stop talking! You old fool! Are you out of your mind?!"

"Officials? What officials! They...they're all in cahoots! They're all in cahoots! Sue them? Sue them where? They're all Liu the Skinflint's lackeys! If you sue them, you'll die even faster!"

An old woman, dressed in rags and with disheveled hair, somehow recognized Chen Mo, who was traveling incognito.

With her last ounce of strength, she stumbled and collapsed at Chen Mo's feet.

"My lord, my lord, the upright and just official!"

His voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible; every word was uttered with great effort.

She kept repeating this one sentence over and over, as if it were the only glimmer of light she could see in the boundless darkness.

Several guards from the garrison, with knives at their waists, spotted the situation like vultures.

They rushed over, cursing and swearing. The leader, a man with a fierce face, kicked the old woman hard in the shoulder.

"You old geezer! Get out of my way! How dare you offend an important person like me?! You're tired of living!"

Whoosh!
A soybean flew out, and the person who did it immediately clutched their foot and howled in pain.

The others looked at Chen Mo with fear in their eyes.

The old woman instinctively curled up, only to find that the beating had not occurred. Instead, the arrogant and domineering scoundrel was kicked to the ground like a broken sack, curling up and groaning in pain.

Chen Mo stood still, his cold gaze sweeping over the arrogant faces of the constables, over the helpless old man on the ground, and over the soldiers who silently observed, daring not to speak out.

He personally stepped forward and helped the dying old woman to her feet.

At this moment, the last trace of confusion in Chen Mo's heart shattered and melted away like thin ice.

He will wage the most naked war against darkness!

He will thoroughly settle accounts with injustice!
This is a call to duty to the land beneath our feet, to the military households before us, and also to our own parents and brothers!
A torrent of both heat and cold surged and churned within his chest.

Ultimately, this coalesced into an unbreakable will of steel.

He held the old woman's arm firmly, his voice deep and clear.

It is not only a vow to the elderly, but also a vow made to one's own soul.

"There will be a way out."

His gaze pierced through the desolation before him, landing on the Liu family manor, a symbol of sin and decay.

"I'll drive this road!"

"I'll collect this debt!"

This is the entire meaning of Chen Mo's existence at this moment—a junior supervisor of the Imperial Horse Administration, a man whose fate had taken something away from him!

He can't choose his birth, but he can choose his future!

What is he fighting for?

The purpose is to transform this desperate plea into the dignity of living!
Liu the Skinflint's Unbridled Recklessness

News of the imperial envoy's arrival spread, and the gates of the Liu family manor remained tightly shut.

Liu Bapi himself and related personnel were summoned.

He refused to be summoned, citing his illness as a reason that he might offend the imperial envoy.

Liu Bapi was initially somewhat apprehensive, but after being comforted by the staff of the commander in charge of garrison affairs, training troops, and land reclamation, he became quite smug.

Similar investigations have occurred before, but they all amounted to much ado about nothing.

Moreover, the imperial envoy should have known the consequences of investigating the attack.

However, Chen Mo's main characters acted more quickly, taking advantage of the time difference.

[Explosion! Hero's Debut!]

Night attack!

Chen Mo and Lu Bing led a team to surround the Liu Family Manor at night!
Torches are burning brightly!

Break the door!

Apart from the Liu family, the military households in the garrison kept their doors tightly shut and completely ignored Liu the Skinflint's orders.

Fairness and freedom!

Only the Liu family's servants put up a stubborn resistance!

Chen Mo's python-patterned robes flowed like life in the firelight, and the Hidden Scale Sword was drawn from its sheath!

The high-frequency vibrato disturbs the mind, and the sword light is like a venomous snake, specifically targeting joints!
Lu Bingxiu wielded his spring knife with wide, sweeping movements, the blade flashing like a bolt of lightning!

Lu Qingluan protected her flanks, her short sword moving swiftly!

This is Chen Mo's heroic debut!

The python-patterned robes swayed like dragons and pythons in the firelight, the Hidden Scale Sword's trembling sound created a huge deterrent, and the Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun fired with precision, each shot aimed at disarming the servants.

Even more deadly!

The terrifying nature of martial arts masters is highlighted.

Internal energy surges through the meridians, and severed blood vessels can be forcibly reconnected by internal energy, gathering the wound like silk threads.

With the help of internal energy, shattered bones can rise and reconstruct, muscles can be reorganized under the pull of internal energy, and muscle fibers can automatically suture together like silkworms under the pull of internal energy.

However, no matter how strong the vitality, it must die in front of Chen Mo!
As a violent machine in the hands of imperial power, he was prepared to kill!
There is no principle of protecting life when it comes to darkness and decay; it's simply about sending them to their deaths!
This is a superhero, and even more so, a Chinese superhero!

Confusion is only temporary; the core issue is never confusion, but rather, "fuck it!"
Capture him!

Chen Mo, covered in blood, pointed his sword at the limp Liu Bapi.

"Account books! Land deeds!"

[Local soft confrontation!]

The main characters interrogate Liu Bapi suddenly, and then send people to investigate the site.

Armed with the map and preliminary statements, they went directly to the field that the Liu family claimed to own to conduct an on-site inspection, verifying the boundaries, area, and cultivation status, and searching for evidence of encroachment on the military settlement.

Such as the removal of boundary markers, the destruction of unique markings of military settlements, and testimonies from military households.

However, local officials delayed.

Commandery.

The commander was ill and refused to come out.

The commander shirked responsibility, saying, "The land register was destroyed by fire yesterday! Please allow me to search for it slowly."

The bureaucratic shirking of responsibility, like spiritual pollution, attempted to erode Chen Mo's will.

Furthermore, he directly confronted the eunuch faction, revealing their true identities.

"Eunuch Chen, measurement is a matter of great importance to the state; how can it be rushed? Even His Majesty must abide by ancestral rules and etiquette!"

Chen Mo remained unmoved, like a mountain.

"At least I, a eunuch, know that I must be loyal to the emperor and love my country. Even a dog must love its family."

The commander's face immediately turned red.

[Another outbreak!]

Chen Mo remained calm and collected, utilizing intelligence from the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which he carried with him.

They identified a specific servant who carried out the task and conducted a surprise interrogation.

The cases were solved one after another.

Liu Bapi's psychological and physical defenses were breached simultaneously!
Present the name of a key witness and a hidden copy of the land title.

Genuine account books and land deeds were discovered in the secret room.

Liquidation!

A thorough reckoning is needed!
Commandery.

The commander's face turned ashen.

Chen Mo tossed out the Liu family's account books and confession: "Lord Wang, explain?"

The commander collapsed and begged for mercy.

The commander relented, but the deputy commander who was personally involved remained stubborn.

If anything is found out, he will be the first to be implicated.

Instead of direct confrontation, they had the accounting department mess up the accounts, resulting in a series of falsified and flawed records.

He then incited a civil unrest.

Rumors were spread in the name of the Liu family.

One measure was to increase rents during the autumn harvest, while the military households were also subjected to a three-pronged approach of "regular grain," "increased consumables," and "subsidized allowances," which caused unrest among the military households.

Another version says that the eunuchs were trying to steal the man's testicles and penis.

They instigated their trusted soldiers to cry and block the road.

It's deliberately asking to be beaten, or even killed.

I'm forcing you to take action!

"Your Honor! We can't survive on the rent increase!"

"You eunuch, you spineless thing!"

A letter also arrived from Xuanfu.

He bluntly stated that this matter would shake morale and be detrimental to the border situation.

Memorials impeaching Chen Mo flooded the Jiajing Emperor's desk like snowflakes.

Chen Mo's response was to strike hard!
A brute-force system is necessary!
Ten blows in a second!
Capture the mastermind and torture him severely!

Then, capture the specific mastermind, the local thug, and behead him as a deterrent.

Seeing the rogue kneeling and begging for mercy, Lu Qingluan questioned, "Isn't this a bit too extreme?"

Chen Mo didn't mock him, but explained seriously: "We are the henchmen of the imperial court, the violent machine of the state! We must be more cunning and ruthless than the bad guys, and show no mercy!"

"We live off the people's hard-earned money and repay the emperor's grace and the nation's favor. If we give too much thought to the ideas of these corrupt forces, we will be letting down the silent majority, and they will be disappointed. Those who would have originally been on our side will also be disappointed."

“You should know that here, even if those military households remain silent, they will pay the price. If we fail, they will face retaliation.”

"To be lenient with the enemy is to be cruel to the innocent!"

Chinese heroes possess not only martial prowess but also theoretical knowledge!
After achieving victory through a hard-fought battle, the situation in the area was completely turned around.

Chen Mo, in his capacity as imperial envoy, issued a proclamation regarding the reduction or exemption of autumn grain taxes, instantly winning the hearts of the people.

With the offensive reversed, all sorts of evidence piled up on the table without even needing to be collected.

Moreover, there are many clues unrelated to the Liu Bapi case, the furthest of which is a report from a garrison over a hundred miles away.

shocking!

Chen Mo remained calm and did not expand the scope of the investigation, but instead focused on digging into Liu Bapi's one point.

Only those who colluded with them, such as farm managers, garrison officers, village chiefs, and security personnel, were arrested and interrogated.

Gale and torrential rain!

After gathering evidence, Liu the Skinflint's home was searched!
Although the Liu family was only a thousand households, they were incredibly wealthy.

Their wealth is astonishing.

Close-up shots of gold and silver jewelry, land deeds, and house deeds.

After obtaining substantial evidence, the arrogant commander knelt down on the spot!
When the commander knelt down and begged for mercy, Chen Mo felt no triumph, only a heavy heart.

He helped up an old soldier who had been driven to ruin by Liu Bapi, and distributed some of the confiscated money and grain to the most destitute people on the spot, encouraging them to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country.

Put the concept of fighting darkness into practice with concrete actions.

The occupied military farmland should be returned to its owners, allowing the military households to revert from private ownership to ownership of the garrison.

Those who embezzled government land were also investigated and their property confiscated.

At this moment, he no longer felt lost, but rather a faint spark of hope, which brought him more comfort than any victory.

It has begun to exhibit the characteristics of a hero.

shadow.

Upon leaving, an investigation of the correspondence revealed a letter exchanged with a Shanxi merchant, confirming a business deal involving collusion with the Mongols and the sale of ironware.

The amount is enormous!

However, this is not within the scope of this investigation, so the files can only be sealed.

Thanks to the proper handling of this matter, Chen Mo's godfather has been promoted!
Chen Hong promised, "Alright! When I'm transferred to the Directorate of Ceremonial, I'll definitely take you with me!"

Soon after, Chen Hong was promoted to Director of Ceremonial.

Chen Mo and others have yet to issue the transfer order.

"Eunuch Chen has made great contributions and bears heavy responsibilities in the Imperial Horse Administration. He shall remain in his original post for the time being."

Chen Mo stroked his sword by the window; the hidden scales on the sword gleamed with an eerie light, and his eyes were icy cold.

[Transition scene.]

A few years have passed in a flash.

[Knowledge Enhancement!]

To appease Chen Mo, Chen Hong sent him to study at the Inner Academy.

Having supplemented his cultural knowledge, Chen Mo also established friendships with some literary figures.

I met a missionary by chance, and he greatly admired Chinese knowledge.

Some intellectuals generously and proudly showcased Chinese science and technology, and the missionaries expressed that once they learned it, they would definitely repay China handsomely.

Scholars don't care, and our great nation doesn't need it.

The missionary's expression was a half-smile.

This character can be described as both abrupt and not abrupt.

Humans will be fine seeing this, but dogs will be upset.

[Strength Enhancement!]

After years of arduous and unremitting practice, in the fifteenth year of the Jiajing reign, he finally cultivated himself to become a first-rate master of his time!
[Provide care and burial services!]

When the old eunuch Gu An passed away, Chen Mo saw him off on his final journey.

[Help your beloved!]

Chen Mo secretly provides financial assistance to Xu Zhicui and initiates an investigation into clues related to her father's old case.

After the job was offered to someone else, the promise to buy a small courtyard house was fulfilled.

The two gradually became top figures among the eunuchs and palace maids.

In the sixteenth year of the Jiajing Emperor's reign, the "Task Master" Emperor Jiajing once again issued a task to Chen Mo.

Jiajing is about to take action against the south!

(End of this chapter)