In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

Upon the issuance of the imperial edict, among those named in the edict, some collapsed to the ground, their legs trembling, wailing and crying out for justice, while others fought desperately to fight for their lives.

Lord Gao, a military man by birth, believed in the principle of "as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn." Knowing that given the crimes he had committed, being captured like this would only mean certain death, he refused to surrender so easily. He immediately jumped up and shouted:

"Gu Shouming, you've falsely claimed to be acting on imperial orders! I won't fall for your trick!"

After saying that, Lord Gao turned to run away, but Gu Zhao waved his hand:

"Take it down!"

Facing the soldiers blocking his way, the unarmed, tall man's eyes widened like those of a demon, and he shouted fiercely:

"Who dares to touch me! Get out of my way!"

Strictly speaking, the soldiers under Gu Zhao's command were originally Gao Daren's soldiers.

The old man's roar still carried a powerful aura, and for a moment no one dared to step forward.

Master Gao laughed three times:

"Hahahaha, get out of the way, you bunch of cowards..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sword pierced his chest.

Master Gao turned around in disbelief, spitting out a mouthful of blood:

"How dare you!"

Gu Zhao drew the sword from Gao Daren's body:

"I forgot to mention that His Majesty has issued another decree: anyone who resists or disobeys will be killed without exception. Is there any other gentleman who would like to test my sword? Let's all come together, so as to save you from having to travel thousands of miles to the capital and suffer the hardships of being displaced and shackled."

If you can live, you don't want to die.

There is no one in this world who is truly unafraid of death.

Especially when they saw someone die right in front of them, with blood splattered everywhere, everyone at the scene was terrified, and no one dared to make a move.

For a moment, the huge venue, with hundreds of people, was completely silent, not making a sound.

Gu Zhao sheathed his sword and gave the order:

"Take it down."

The detention site was unusually quiet. The officials whose names were called did not dare to put up any resistance and were simply dragged out.

Zhang Shen sat in a secluded corner, watching as the two businessmen who had been sitting at the same table were dragged out.

Although he wasn't called out by name, Zhang Shen's heart was pounding wildly, and he couldn't calm down at all.

At this moment, several Imperial Guards dressed in flying fish robes entered, and the leader bowed to Gu Zhao:

"Lord Gu, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is handling this case, please do me a favor."

Zhang Shen's heart pounded even harder, thump-thump-thump, thump-thump-thump, until Gu Zhao nodded and looked at him, until the Imperial Guards walked towards him.

How could it be the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Ever since he wrote down the false account book that accused Zhao Shiyuan, Zhang Shen had been prepared for the truth to come out eventually.

When the people are in distress, they have no way to fight against the officials.

Zhao Shiyuan was eyeing Qingyu covetously, and Qingyu was already prepared to fight to the death. However, he could not bring down Zhao Shiyuan on his own, so he could only rely on his superiors to punish Zhao Shiyuan.

He had thought about it when he wrote the false account book, but even if he was discovered, Zhao Shiyuan's crime was real anyway. At most, he would be charged with forging evidence. According to the law, he would be sentenced to thirty strokes of the cane and one year in prison. He could also redeem himself with silver, so his life would not be in danger.

But how could this have alarmed the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

The Imperial Guard stepped forward and asked:

"But is it Zhang Jingyan?"

Zhang Shen stood up and asked, trying to keep a calm tone:

"It is indeed I, a humble commoner. May I ask, Your Honor, what crime have I committed?"

The leader of the Imperial Guards was quite good-natured, he smiled:

"Master Zhang, for the crime of deceiving the emperor, will you leave on your own, or will we escort you away?"

Like a sudden awakening, Zhang Shen felt his mind buzzing.

Where did the crime of deceiving the emperor come from?

The crime of deceiving the emperor is a crime punishable by the extermination of an entire family. If he commits the crime of deceiving the emperor, what will happen to Qingyu? What will happen to Ruohua?

We need to tell them quickly, run!

With his hands bound, Zhang Shen took advantage of the moment when the Imperial Guards were binding his hands to look to his left and give a deep look to Xue Zongshang, whom he was on good terms with.

There were eight people at the table, and three of them were caught and taken away on the spot. The seats on the left and right were empty, and Mr. Xue was almost paralyzed with fear.

It was one thing for government soldiers to arrest people, but then even the Embroidered Uniform Guard showed up.

When officials and soldiers arrest people, there is a trial and judgment process, and if you are lucky, you might be able to get them out. But in this world, once a person is arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, no one ever comes out alive.

After exchanging a quick glance with Zhang Shen, General Manager Xue hurriedly looked away, fearing that he would be implicated.

Good heavens, this is the crime of deceiving the emperor! This Zhang Jingyan, who usually seems so prudent and cautious, how could he have caused such a big mess?

Mr. Xue, the head of the business in the front yard, was nearly paralyzed with fear, and Mrs. Xue in the back yard was also nearly scared out of her wits.

While they were enjoying their meal and drinks, a group of soldiers suddenly appeared and surrounded the backyard. A dozen or so women were tied up and taken away in public. Even the women of several business owners who were eating at the same table with her were taken away. The backyard was filled with cries and screams.

Even after they stopped tying people up, they weren't told to leave. The eldest daughter of the Xue family, being the boldest, went to ask a tall, burly man who looked like a bear, who was supposed to be the leader:

"Sir, can we go back?"

The soldiers were quite polite:

"Please wait a moment, my lady. It's very chaotic outside right now. For your safety, let's wait until things are calmer before going out."

Madam Xue dared not think about what exactly meant by the so-called chaos outside.

Could it be that those families who were just arrested are having their homes ransacked?

Seeing that the soldier had a good temper, Madam Xue asked another question:

"Madam Zhang, who came with me, is resting in the side courtyard because she's not feeling well. May I go and fetch her?"

The soldier glanced at Madam Xue, his eyes holding a meaningful look:

"Madam, you are kind-hearted. Take good care of yourself and refrain from asking about things that are not your concern."

After being looked at like that, Madam Xue was so frightened that she dared not ask any more questions and quickly ran back to her seat to pretend to be dead and hide.

Tonight, Yangzhou is destined to be a sleepless night, with soldiers from all directions carrying out imperial orders to arrest people and confiscate their property.

In the eye of the storm, a peaceful and tranquil scene unfolded in a small courtyard of the Yangzhou government office.

When the gatekeeper saw Gu Zhaolai, she silently bowed her head and opened the courtyard gate without asking a single question.

The courtyard was quiet, as she was asleep. Only a few lamps were left on, and the maids on duty in the courtyard made no sound, for fear of disturbing the sleeping woman's peaceful slumber.

Gu Zhao entered the courtyard, asked no questions, and went straight into the side room.

Inside the room, on a small couch, the sleeping beauty was completely unaware of the commotion outside the window. She leaned against the embroidered couch like a drunken jade, her black hair half-rolled over her forehead, a scene of spring passion unfolding before her eyes.

Gu Zhao bent down, supported her knees, picked her up, and held her in his arms.

She still had a hint of intoxication on her face, her cheeks as rosy as the morning sun. She leaned gently against his chest, her soft breaths on his neck. She was quiet and docile.

Today, every part of her was meticulously dressed.

There was one time when she went to great lengths to dress up for him.

The predetermined path that will meet her and him.