Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 228 Old Zhu: Zhu Fu—! How dare you!! [Bonus Chapter 30 for Monthly Tickets]

As dawn broke, Zhang Biao and his group arrived at the outskirts of Raozhou Garrison, where they successfully met up with Lao Qian, Lao Sun, and others who had been anxiously waiting there.

The sight before him made Zhang Biao's pupils shrink.

Inside the makeshift, simple shack, a dozen or so men and women, who looked like ordinary people, were helping each other treat their wounds.

Some had cuts on their foreheads, some had bruises on their arms, and some even had makeshift splints on their legs. The air was filled with a faint smell of blood and wound medicine.

Several blue-covered copies of "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" were torn to shreds and scattered on the ground, covered with dirt and some dark red bloodstains, like trampled beliefs.

"grown ups!"

When Old Qian saw Zhang Biao, he rushed over to greet him, his one eye filled with resentment and lingering fear: "You've finally arrived! These soldiers are completely unreasonable!"

"We had just taken out the 'Ancestral Instructions' and hadn't even read two sentences when they rushed out and started beating people. They were really vicious!"

“They didn’t even spare women and children!” He pointed at the injured civilians, his voice choked with emotion.

"We identified ourselves as the Anti-Corruption Bureau, but they acted as if they hadn't heard us!"

Old Sun chimed in, his one eye turning red with anger: "They said that without documents from the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions, even if the Heavenly King himself came, they wouldn't allow us to investigate!"

Zhang Biao listened expressionlessly, bent down to pick up a fragment of "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" from the ground, rubbed the dirt off it with his fingers, and looked cold.

He didn't immediately lash out, but instead asked in a deep voice:

"Since you were attacked, has any stranger entered Raozhouwei? Or has anyone come out?"

Old Qian and Old Sun exchanged a glance, thought carefully, and then shook their heads firmly.

"No, sir. Our men have been keeping an eye on the entrances and exits, and apart from their own soldiers' routine patrols and rotations, we haven't seen any unfamiliar faces go in."

"The people inside... don't seem to take us seriously at all; not even an official came out to question us."

"Oh?"

Zhang Biao's lips curled into a cold smile: "No strangers went in, and no one came out to talk to you... Interesting."

He straightened up, his sharp gaze sweeping over the towering gate of Raozhou Garrison and the tightly closed city gate.

The other party is determined to play dead, trying to use delaying tactics and intimidation to make them back down or wait for new instructions.

Ordinary methods, such as reasoning with the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" or forcibly breaking through the barriers, will not work here.

The former will be ignored or even violently suppressed, while the latter will play right into the other side's hands, allowing them to be accused of attacking a military stronghold.

Song Zhong whispered from the side:

"My lord, it seems Geng Zhong is determined not to see us. Forcing our way in is too risky. Perhaps we should retreat to a safe distance and await the Emperor's decree..."

"wait?"

Zhang Biao scoffed and interrupted him:

"All we'll get in return is for them to build an even stronger wall of defense!"

"Aren't those people just pretending to be stupid and acting like we don't exist? Then let's make a scene for them and force them to 'see' us!"

He wore that signature smile on his face, a smile that Song Zhong and the veterans knew well—a smile that was a mix of madness and wisdom that sent chills down their spines.

"Old Qian, Old Sun!"

"exist!"

"Take our people with us, and these wounded villagers too!"

Zhang Biao waved his hand and pointed to an area on the side of Raozhou Garrison: "Come with me! We're not going to the gate!"

The group was puzzled, but they followed as instructed.

Zhang Biao led them around the heavily guarded main gate and arrived at a relatively flat open space near a water source outside the Raozhou garrison city wall.

"That's it!"

Zhang Biao stopped, put his hands on his hips, and looked like a foreman about to start work.

"Sir, what...what are we doing?"

Old Qian asked blankly.

Zhang Biao grinned, revealing a set of white teeth that looked somewhat sinister in the morning light.

"What? Isn't Raozhouwei a big place with many rules that prevents us from going in? Well, let's 'help them out' right here at their doorstep!"

He suddenly raised his voice and shouted to all the civilians and his men who had followed him:
"Fellow villagers! Brothers! You've all seen it, the military officers of Raozhou Garrison are arrogant and can't be persuaded!"

"But our Anti-Corruption Bureau is here on the Emperor's orders to help our Great Ming Dynasty eliminate corrupt officials and reorganize military affairs!"

"They won't let us in, but we can't just sit here and wait!"

He pointed to the ground beneath his feet, his voice booming so that the faintly visible defenders atop the city walls could hear him:
"This place has excellent feng shui! It's close to a water source and the transportation is convenient! I've decided to set up the framework of our Anti-Corruption Bureau's temporary headquarters in Raozhou Guard right here!"

"Old Sun! Take some men to find timber and stones, and mark out the foundation for us first!"

"Old Qian! Take some men to dig soil and build a stove! There are so many of us, we can't afford to delay eating and drinking!"

"Injured villagers, don't just sit idly by. Those who can move, help pass things to us. Those who can't move, cheer us on from the sidelines!"

"Let's raise our banner high again! Let the brothers of Raozhouwei see that our Anti-Corruption Bureau has no intention of leaving once we've arrived!"

This series of orders completely baffled everyone.

[To build houses? To construct government offices?]

What the hell is this?!

Song Zhong stared in disbelief, almost thinking he had misheard:

"Sir... this is against regulations! This area is near a military zone; how can we build something here without permission..."

"Is it not in accordance with regulations?"

Zhang Biao turned to look at him and said confidently, "Which article of the Great Proclamation stipulates that it is forbidden to set up a shed for resting in the open space outside the garrison?"

"This is a temporary office, to facilitate 'official communication' with the military officers of Raozhou Garrison!"

"If they won't open the door, we can't just stand in the open and get chilled, can we?"

"But……"

Song Zhong opened his mouth, but hesitated and stopped himself from speaking.

Zhang Biao replied without hesitation, "There are no 'buts'!"

After saying that, he waved his hand dismissively:
"Get to work! All of you, get moving! Let's get the foundation and stove ready today! We'll start building the walls tomorrow!"

Although his order was absurd, the veterans and civilians under his command had long been holding back their anger. Now that they saw something to do and a chance to annoy the people of Raozhou Guard, they were immediately filled with righteous indignation.

"Time to get to work!"

"Build a government office for Lord Zhang!"

"Let those bastards inside see what we're made of!"

Everyone immediately got to work with great enthusiasm.

Some were cutting down trees, others were digging soil. Although the tools were simple, there was strength in numbers, and soon dust was flying everywhere and a great commotion was taking place.

The banner of the "Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau" was also raised high, fluttering in the morning breeze.

The garrison troops on the city wall of Raozhou were dumbfounded.

What... what are these people doing? Building a house right under our noses?!

They quickly sent someone to report to Commander Geng Zhong.

Inside the commander's office, Geng Zhong was leisurely sipping tea, listening to his subordinates' report that the group outside had been driven away and hadn't made any further moves. He was quite pleased with himself.

Upon hearing the new news, he almost spat out his tea.

"What?! Building a house?!"

Geng Zhong suddenly stood up, thinking he had misheard: "What are they trying to do? Settle down right in front of my garrison?!"

"Judging from the situation..."

"Sir. They've even started using the guise of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, saying they're going to build some kind of temporary audit office..."

"Bastard thing!"

Geng Zhong's face instantly turned ashen.

He had intended to play dumb and make the other party back down, but he never expected the other party to pull such a shameless and underhanded move!
This is like a toad crawling on your foot—it doesn't bite, but it's disgusting!

If we ignore it and let them build the 'government office' outside, what kind of order would that be?

Where would he put his face in Raozhouwei? If the news got out, wouldn't Geng Zhong become a laughing stock for the whole world?
He said he was so frightened by an imperial censor that he didn't dare leave his house, letting the censor set up his own office right outside his door?!

But if we send people to drive them away... they are using the banner of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and they haven't stormed the garrison. They're just building houses on the vacant land they've 'claimed'. What reason can we use to drive them away?
Does that mean this land is also a military restricted area of ​​your Raozhou Guard? Wouldn't that make you seem even more guilty?!

Just as Geng Zhong was pacing back and forth in the hall, feeling conflicted and in a dilemma, the 'construction' noise outside grew louder and louder, and even the faint sound of work chants could be heard.

"Damn it! A madman! He's a complete madman!"

Geng Zhong gritted his teeth; he finally understood how those officials who had been tormented by Zhang Biao felt.

This guy is a madman who doesn't play by the rules at all.

It's impossible to keep playing dead.

If we keep pretending, the other party might actually build a wall tomorrow, and then we'll be in an even more passive position.

"call……"

Geng Zhong let out a long breath of stale air, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

He knew he could no longer hide.

He had no choice but to meet this 'imperial envoy'.

However, before he went to see Zhang Biao, he asked his personal guard one more thing: "Has the message been sent to Lan Long?"

"I'll hand it over later. I'm sure we'll hear back soon."

"Alright! Prepare the horses!"

Geng Zhong felt much more at ease, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes as he said in a deep voice:

"I want to see for myself what kind of extraordinary person this Zhang Biao is!"

As the gates of Raozhou Garrison slowly opened, Geng Zhong, dressed in full military uniform and surrounded by a group of personal guards, rode out with a grim face, only to be met with this absurd scene:

Amidst the swirling dust, a group of civilians and what appeared to be soldiers were busily leveling the land and moving timber.

The young man in the imperial censor's robe was standing with his hands on his hips, gesturing wildly, looking every bit like a construction site supervisor.

Soon, Zhang Biao spotted Geng Zhong.

A bright, harmless smile immediately spread across his face, as if he were seeing an old friend. He cupped his hands in greeting from afar: "Oh! Isn't this Commander Geng? We've been waiting for you, our 'busy man'!"

"As you can see, I was worried that it would be inconvenient to communicate with you on official business, so I specially found a good spot in front of your door to build a temporary residence, so that it would be convenient for us to visit each other often and get closer! I hope you don't mind?"

Geng Zhong remained silent, his face cold.

He simply rode his horse slowly to the front of the 'construction site'.

He didn't dismount immediately, but instead remained on horseback, using his sharp, hawk-like eyes, which held a hint of indifference and roguishness, to sized up Zhang Biao.

He wasn't particularly burly, but he was strong and muscular. There was a noticeable scar on his hand, extending from the inside of his thumb into his sleeve. The depth of the scar was unknown, but it added to his fierce appearance.

Moreover, instead of shouting at the civilians who were 'constructing' like a typical military general, he grinned with a smile that was hardly a smile, carrying a bit of the rogue-like roguishness of a soldier.

"Oh ho? I thought some deity was disturbing the peace at my old Geng's doorstep."

He spoke abruptly, his voice not loud, but carrying a rough, battle-hardened quality:

"So it's Imperial Censor Zhang from the capital? What's wrong? The government offices in the capital aren't enough for you, so you've come to my Raozhou Guard to build houses for fun? This place has good feng shui, quite suitable for burying people!"

The moment he uttered those words, he exuded a reckless and unruly air.

He neither dismounted to pay his respects nor accepted Zhang Biao's official title. Instead, he used a tone almost like a street thug to first make a threatening statement about 'burying people,' attempting to disrupt the rhythm from the very beginning and gain a psychological advantage.

Zhang Biao cursed "old fox" inwardly, but his smile remained unchanged, and he even bowed respectfully.
"Commander Geng is joking. How could I dare to disturb your territory?"

“It was truly a last resort! Your men are hot-tempered and had a misunderstanding with these fellow villagers who hold the ‘Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty’ and are wholeheartedly devoted to the country. They didn’t know their own strength when they attacked them.”

As he spoke, he pointed to the injured civilians cheering them on beside the 'construction site,' and the copy of the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" in their hands, and then sighed:

"Look at all these wounded and crippled people, even the 'Ancestral Instructions' have been torn up... As the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, I can't just ignore this situation. I have to give the court and the people an explanation, can I?"

Geng Zhong chuckled and casually pointed with his riding whip at the injured civilians and scraps of paper:

"Explanation? What explanation? A bunch of troublemakers stormed a military stronghold, and I haven't even settled accounts with them yet!"

"Tearing up the 'Ancestral Instructions'? Who knows who did it? Is there any evidence? Could it be a group of people with ulterior motives trying to frame my brothers?"

He displayed the scoundrel's shamelessness to the extreme, then stared intently at Zhang Biao:

“Imperial Censor Zhang, you’re new here, don’t let these unruly people fool you.”

"This is a strategically important garrison, not a place for child's play! Without official documents from the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions, let alone building a house here, even if you stand here a little longer, I can arrest you on charges of spying on military secrets and plotting treason!"

"Oh? Attacking a key military location? Plotting something sinister? Commander Geng, that's no small crime!"

Zhang Biao feigned surprise, then immediately said in a serious tone:

"Then I must investigate this thoroughly! Otherwise, if they can attack your Raozhou Garrison today, can they attack other garrisons tomorrow? Who would believe there's no one behind this?"

After saying that, he leaned forward and lowered his voice:
"General Geng, I came from Jiujiang Guard. We found something interesting there."

"Some weapons that shouldn't have been there were taken away just because of a 'beast token,' and it seems that... they were related to some shady ships on the canal."

"Do you think today's 'storming of a key military site' might also be related to that 'beast token'? Is someone deliberately trying to create chaos to cover something up?"

boom!
The words "Beast Token" stung Geng Zhong like a poisoned needle.

His eye twitched almost imperceptibly, but his nonchalant expression remained unchanged; instead, he sneered:

"Imperial Censor Zhang, investigations rely on evidence, not on wild guesses! What animal tag or dog tag? I've never heard of them!"

"Don't try to pin the mess that Jiujiang Guard made on Raozhou Guard!"

He seemed to deny it, but Zhang Biao keenly caught the momentary stiffness in his eyes.

He knew he had touched a nerve.

"Whether it's a label or not, we'll only know after an investigation."

Zhang Biao straightened up, his voice regaining its loudness:

"Since General Geng says that I am 'plotting something sinister' here, then in order to prove my innocence, I must set up this temporary government office!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the 'construction site' and said decisively:

"Right here, in front of you, Commander Geng, and the soldiers of Raozhou Guard, we will publicly try this conflict. We will also take this opportunity to ask Commander Geng some 'minor questions' about the arms accounts and personnel replenishment."

"It will also let the court and the emperor see whether I, Zhang Biao, am here to cause trouble or to help our Ming army 'clean house'!"

Upon hearing this, Geng Zhong stared intently at Zhang Biao, his eyes filled with malice.

He found that his usual tactics of feigning ignorance, acting tough, and labeling were not very effective in front of this madman.

The other party is like a stubborn mule, refusing to be swayed by either soft or hard tactics, and always manages to find a tricky angle to turn the tables on you.

If we continue to let him 'perform' like this outside, public opinion will definitely be against us, and the 'Beast Card' matter is like a sword hanging over our heads. We don't know how much this madman has mastered.

Forcibly stopping them would make them seem guilty and might even lead to them being accused of something even worse.

Letting him in would be like inviting a wolf into the house!
Geng Zhong quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

Let him in. We have plenty of ways to deal with him on our own turf!

[Stage an accident, buy time, destroy evidence, even... make him 'fake suicide'!]

[It's better than letting him stir up trouble outside with impunity!]

Once he steps through this door, whether he's round or flat, isn't it all up to me?

[At that point, whatever he investigates, how he investigates, will all depend on my attitude!]

Moreover, Lan Long is about to arrive. Does he really dare to touch Duke Lan Yu of Liang?

Thinking of this, Geng Zhong's carefree smile returned, but a cold killing intent flashed deep in his eyes.

"Okay!"

He seemed amused by Zhang Biao's persistence, laughed heartily, and pointed at Zhang Biao with his riding crop:

"Censor Zhang is indeed a man who serves the country and its people, undaunted by difficulties! I admire him! Since you've put it this way, if I were to stop you now, it would make me look like I have something to hide!"

His tone changed, becoming somewhat forthright, yet subtly sharp:
"You just want to investigate, right? I'm innocent and have nothing to hide! Please! I'll open the gate right now and invite Imperial Censor Zhang in for a thorough investigation! The garrison post station is all set up for you!"

Having said that, he gave Zhang Biao no further chance to perform outside, turned his horse around, and shouted towards the city wall:

"Open the main gate! Welcome the 'Imperial Envoy'!"

The heavy main gate of Raozhou Guard slowly opened with a creak, revealing the imposing military camp inside.

Looking at Geng Zhong's seemingly forthright but actually sinister back, and the wide-open city gate that resembled the mouth of a giant beast, Zhang Biao's lips curled into a cold smile.

[The old fox has finally decided to crack open his shell a little? Is he luring his prey into a trap?]

"Ha, I've fallen into countless traps, and in the end, I smashed them all to pieces!"

Let's see who's fallen into whose trap!

He took a deep breath, waved to the crowd behind him, and stepped into the gate of Raozhouwei with his head held high.

He knew that crossing this door would be the beginning of a true life-or-death struggle.

Geng Zhong's "cooperation" was merely a change to a more dangerous battlefield.

But he was fearless, and even felt a surge of excitement.

Song Zhong glanced at Geng Zhong, then at the slowly opening gates of Raozhou Guard, his feelings a mix of emotions.

[This madman's methods are truly... unfathomable!]

On the other side, in the Imperial Palace, at the Hall of Literary Glory.

Standing alone before the enormous "Map of the Ming Dynasty's Territory," Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze swept across Qingzhou like that of a hawk, his unease growing stronger with each passing moment.

Although Zhang Biao employed a strategy of "openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass," abandoning the main investigation into the canal transport corruption case, it does not mean that the canal transport corruption case has been abandoned.

On the contrary, Lao Zhu's attention was always on the corruption case in the canal transport sector.

Because compared to the case of "raising bandits to enhance one's own importance," Old Zhu could see much more.

After all, Zhang Biao had already uncovered quite a few clues, such as the Zhou Prince's Mansion's grain transport route and the Qi Prince's Mansion, which might be involved.

Old Zhu had very complicated feelings about Prince Qi, Zhu Fu, because he had a younger brother who had also been restless in the past.

"Yunming".

Old Zhu suddenly shouted.

"The servant is here."

Yunming appeared silently in the shadows.

"Has there been any new news from Qi?"

Old Zhu's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

"Your Majesty, the men sent by Vice Commissioner Song should still be on their way, currently..."

Before Yunming could finish speaking, a series of extremely hurried, even slightly panicked footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall, which was extremely rare in a strictly regulated imperial palace.

Old Zhu turned around abruptly, his gaze shooting towards the palace gate like lightning.

Jiang Huan practically rushed into the main hall.

He didn't even have time for a proper bow before kneeling on one knee, holding aloft a secret report with a red feather inserted, signifying the highest level of urgency. His voice trembled slightly from running and tension:
"Your Majesty! An urgent message from Qingzhou, traveling 800 li!"

"Urgent report from our spies in Qi: Censor Zhao Fengman has gone missing on April 12th!"

"what?!"

Old Zhu's pupils suddenly contracted, and he took a step forward, almost snatching the secret report from Jiang Huan's hand.

He quickly peeled off the sealing wax, his eyes sharp as knives, and swiftly scanned the words on it.

The secret report was brief but shocking:

On April 12th, at 3:45 PM, the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Qi's residence invited Imperial Censor Zhao to a banquet at his residence, and Imperial Censor Zhao outwardly agreed. Later, his office was sealed off by the Prince of Qi's guards under the pretext of "protection."

[Upon investigation, it was found that Censor Zhao was no longer in the yamen (government office), and is suspected of having absconded.]

The Prince of Qi's residence is conducting a massive search within Qingzhou City, creating a great commotion. The whereabouts of Imperial Censor Zhao are unknown, and his fate is uncertain.

Most of the documents and records related to the grain transport system that he investigated were destroyed, or have fallen into the hands of the Prince of Qi.

"boom!"

Old Zhu slammed his fist hard on the dragon-shaped desk beside him, causing the pen holder and inkstone to bounce.

His chest heaved violently, and a terrifying aura instantly enveloped his face, with veins bulging on his forehead.

"Zhu Fu—! How dare you!!"

A roar, like that of a wounded lion, shook the entire Huagai Hall.

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(End of this chapter)