Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 132

Chapter 132 I Can’t Leave
The rain was about to blow, and the dark clouds crushed the city.

The previously sunny Beijing City suddenly changed after noon, and it was completely dark. The strong wind completely blew away the summer heat that had gathered for half a day. At some unknown time, several pea-sized raindrops had already fallen from the sky, causing several dust bubbles to appear on the ground.

Looking at the sky outside, Lu Zhen felt more and more uneasy. He always felt that things would not go as smoothly as he had imagined.

Although he had set up this escape plan with great effort, and Lin Lie had perfectly executed it, and even left Wang Zhen’s side’s control now, he felt that it was not optimistic just to think about the power the other party held and the reputation left behind by the factory guards in history. At the very least, there can be no relaxation or joy until one really leaves Beijing safely.

Chu Yunrong seemed to have sensed his nervousness as well. She unconsciously frowned and asked worriedly, “What, is there any danger?”

‘”I don’t know” Lu Zhen subconsciously replied. Then, he regained his senses and smiled in relief, “We should be able to leave the capital soon. Don’t worry.”

Seeing that he was still relaxing at this time, Chu Yunrong felt both happy and worried. Because from his reaction and smile, she could clearly feel that a strong pressure was constantly being placed on Lu Zhen. However, Chu Yunrong couldn’t help him at all. Only then did she realize that she was so useless. She couldn’t help but ask him to distract her mind and comfort her.

Lu Zhen could no longer care about the little self-pity of the woman beside him. His gaze had been fixed on the outside of the courtyard door, waiting for Zhu Chang to appear. Although he was only at the end of the day and was still some distance away from Heavenly Darkness Pass City Gate, the strong sense of unease still made him hope that Zhu Chang could bring good news quickly.

As if his expectations had worked, a figure suddenly walked in front of the door, and Lu Zhen saw his appearance clearly. It was Zhu Chang. Seeing this person arrive, Lu Zhen’s expression immediately relaxed. Since they had rushed over, it meant that they had arranged everything properly and were here to pick up a few of them from the city.

But when Zhu Chang approached, Lu Zhen’s smile stiffened again. Because he noticed that the other party’s expression was filled with deep helplessness. Seeing that he was looking at him, he also lowered his gaze and avoided the line of sight he was looking forward to. This reaction caused Lu Zhen’s heart to sink, “Brother Zhu …”

Since there was a problem, there was naturally no way to avoid it, so Zhu Chang smiled bitterly, “This time, my Green Bamboo Gang is embarrassed. I can’t do what you told me this time.”

“What?” Lu Zhen was shocked and couldn’t help but take a step forward and ask. Hearing this, Lin Lie, who had been silent all this while, raised his eyebrows. His expression became serious as he placed his hand on the hilt of the saber at his waist.

‘”There are countless people entering and leaving the nine gates of Beijing every day. I thought that there would be a way to send you out even though it’s a bit difficult. But I didn’t expect that the nine gates would suddenly be ordered to close today. Not to mention us, even ordinary officials are unable to leave the capital at this time!” Zhu Chang looked at Lu Zhen with a hesitant expression. He really wanted to ask if this matter had anything to do with him, what he had done, and what great figure he had offended.

If it was really because of this person in front of him that he was ordered to close the nine doors, Zhu Chang would regret it, and he shouldn’t have accepted this deal! However, the most important thing in Jianghu was a letter. Now that everyone was here, could he still go back on his word? Once this was done and spread out, the Azure Bamboo Gang would no longer be able to gain a foothold in the capital in the future.

Lu Zhen’s expression tightened. He hadn’t expected that the other party’s movements would be so fast, and he had done it so well. He actually closed the nine gates of the capital immediately after discovering that he had escaped. This was a big matter that would shake the world. Perhaps only eunuchs like Wang Zhen, who had monstrous power but liked to use his emotions, could do it.

In fact, as long as one thought about Wang Zhen’s evil deeds left behind in the history of the Great Ming Empire, one could accept his reckless actions. This was a fool who could ignore the lives of Emperor and hundreds of thousands of soldiers and a great battle for the sake of his prestige in front of his hometown’s elders. Compared to this, ordering the nine sects to be sealed was simply too insignificant.

But even if he could accept his opponent’s actions, Lu Zhen still felt a burst of intense danger approaching him, and his expression became extremely serious. Of course, if the other party wanted to capture him, it was impossible for him to just seal the nine doors. There must be a large number of factory guards searching for him in the capital. With these people’s ability to see through the heavens, even with the help of the local snake-like Green Bamboo Gang, they might not be able to hide for long.

Seeing that his expression was uncertain, Zhu Chang’s heart sank even more. However, for the sake of their reputation, they can only walk one path until it gets dark. “Don’t worry, although you can’t leave the city today, no one can seal the capital’s nine gates for two days. Otherwise, there will be trouble in the capital. So tomorrow, we will definitely send you out. Besides, this courtyard is safe enough and there are our people guarding it. You can just wait here for the night.”

“That’s the only way.” Lu Zhen sighed, but his tone wasn’t very confident. Although the night wasn’t long, it was enough for the factory guards who had spies all over the capital to turn the entire city upside down. I only hope that this Green Bamboo Gang really has some ability.

Looking at Lu Zhen again, he forcefully suppressed his desire to ask him what was going on-it was no longer helpful to ask him now, it was just adding to his frustration-Zhu Chang nodded at Lin Lie and left. Obviously, he still had to run for Lu Zhen to see how he could safely leave this place.

Lu Zhen murmured, “Things aren’t going to be easy. I’m afraid …” Lin Lie heard this and couldn’t help but take a step forward. “Sir, this shouldn’t be the case. This city is too big. Even if the government wants to find us, it won’t be possible in a short period of time.”

‘”I hope so” Lu Zhen sighed softly, but he thought to himself, “You don’t know how terrifying the factory guards are. There’s nothing in the capital that can really be concealed from them. Too many official and unofficial histories have recorded this point. I just hope that it’s really made up by some people, right?”

At this moment, a muffled thunder rang out, and the raindrops, which were originally just a few, suddenly began to grow heavier. The moment the thunder exploded, the courtyard door that Zhu Chang had closed when he left rumbled and was knocked back into the courtyard, revealing the situation outside.

Even though they were separated by the rain line, the situation outside the courtyard entrance was still clearly seen by Lu Zhen and the others. In the middle of a torrential rain, several men fell in all directions. The blood flowing out of their bodies was washed away by the rain and flowed in all directions like a stream. Beside them, there was a group of grey-clothed, pointed hats and gloomy-faced fellows. Everyone held sharp steel sabers and stared at the surroundings like wild beasts.

Zhu Chang, who had just stepped out of the courtyard, had already thrown a bamboo stick on the ground. He raised his hands in horror, not daring to resist at all. Because he could clearly see that there were dozens of bows and arrows pointing at him. As long as he dared to resist, there would be a few more things on his body.

A man with a cold and solemn expression walked forward after his subordinates took action to tear down the courtyard door. When he arrived in front of Zhu Chang, he casually kicked him out and kicked him aside like sweeping garbage. As the deputy leader of the famous Green Bamboo Gang in the capital, Zhu Chang did not even dare to dodge when this person moved his feet. He was kicked over in the rain and looked extremely miserable.

Then, a few of his subordinates followed him into the courtyard and slowly walked towards Lu Zhen. Although their footsteps weren’t fast, the pressure they felt was still obvious to the people inside.

Lu Zhen’s expression darkened. The thing he was most worried about had finally happened. The two women were so frightened that their faces turned pale. They subconsciously retreated. Although the other party did not look at them, the cold feeling was still frightening even this summer.

Only Lin Lie didn’t retreat at this moment and instead stepped forward to meet those people, blocking Lu Zhen’s path.

This action of his caught the eyes of the leading man, causing his eyes to become a bit more sinister. Did anyone dare to be enemies with him? You really don’t know how to live or die.

But because of his identity, he didn’t want to fight this guy, so he completely ignored Lin Lie and turned his gaze to Lu Zhen. “County magistrate Lu, you really made it easy for us to find you.”

“Who are you?” Lu Zhen asked calmly. This person’s gaze was as sharp as a knife, coupled with his cold and solemn appearance, it was very easy for people to feel fear when facing a poisonous snake.

‘”Qianhu, Mo Cang, you actually want to hide after committing a crime? Do you really think that my East Factory is for food? But don’t worry, the meaning behind this is to bring you in for questioning, so I won’t hurt you right now.” ‘”County magistrate Lu, let’s go now!” He said softly, as if licking his lower lip with some regret.

“What have I done? I am the official of the Imperial Court. You must prove it, right?” Lu Zhen naturally wouldn’t yield easily and snorted. His official body was his last resort.

“Dongchang will never give you any proof. What, do you want to resist?” Although Mo Cang had said this to Lu Zhen, his gaze had always been focused on Lin Lie, who was not far away from him. He could clearly feel the killing intent and fighting spirit emanating from Lin Lie’s body, and this feeling was not inferior to his own!

Dongchang Fanzi, who was behind him, also sensed this and immediately pulled out his steel saber without saying a word. Following their actions, the group of people surrounding them also quickly stepped forward, and several bows and arrows had already been shot in …