Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 135

Chapter 135 Hu Butang
Waves of muffled thunder came from the sky, and a gust of wind blew in through the open window, causing not only the books on the desk to crash, but also the temperature of the room to be much cooler.

However, the muscular man who lowered his head and stood beside him was sweating profusely, as if he was being cooked in a hot pot. But even so, he still didn’t dare to make any movements, only letting sweat trickle down his cheeks and finally drip onto the ground.

If anyone who knew him saw this, they would be shocked, because this man who looked trembling but didn’t even dare to move was none other than Xu Gong, the commander of the Great Ming Brocade Guard!

The commander of the Royal Guards was an existence with tens of thousands of Royal Guards in his hands. He was so powerful that even ordinary ministers and assistant ministers didn’t dare to look down on him. Even though the power of the factory guards had greatly decreased, as a special yamen that was independent of the Three Laws Department and could freely capture officials and civilians for interrogation and conviction, the Royal Guards were still an existence capable of stopping children crying at night.

But now, Duchess Xu, who could cause many people to tremble in fear, had actually turned into such a state. This was enough to show how powerful the person he was facing was. This was also the case, because Wang Zhen, who was sitting behind the table and reading a few memorials, was the one who was gazing at everyone in the court and was becoming more and more influential!

After being taken to this study, Wang Zhen ignored him, which made Xu Gong even more uneasy. However, in front of the other party, he didn’t even dare to make a sound, let alone defend himself. The reason why Commander Xu had become like this was naturally because he knew why Wang Zhen had called him here at this time.

After a long period of silence, Wang Zhen finally put down the memorial in his hand and was surprised to discover Xu Gong. “Isn’t this Governor Xu? Why didn’t you say anything? Those people below him are too rude. They actually dare to treat you so slowly. Wang Zhen is here to apologize.” As he spoke, he shook his hands and gave him a small bow. However, although this person’s words were pleasant to hear, his eyes were cold.

Seeing his words and deeds, Xu Gong’s entire body trembled in fear. His legs softened and he knelt down, “Eunuch … Xiaoguan … Xiaoguan …”

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get up. If anyone finds out, our family will suffer. You are the commander-in-chief of the Brocade Guards. We can’t afford to offend you.” Wang Zhen was still shocked, but his tone was filled with dense emotions.

Xu Gong couldn’t help but immediately kowtow to Wang Zhen, who was heading up. He really used enough strength. In just a few seconds, the skin on his head was a little broken. While kowtowing, he also said intermittently, “Eunuch Rong, I really don’t know anything about today’s matter. It was all Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen acted independently and brought people to rob people from Dongchang. If Xiaoguan found out, he would definitely not let them offend Dongchang.”

Originally, Wang Zhen wanted to ask someone that you were from the Royal Guards. Without your acquiescence, who would dare to do such a thing? However, when he heard the name Yang Zhen, his eyes narrowed and his words stopped.

Although Yang Zhen was only a small hundred households in the Royal Guards, there was a backer named Hu Ying standing behind him. Even he himself didn’t dare to let down his guard when facing this Senior Elder of several dynasties, so Xu Gong naturally couldn’t handle this subordinate of Yang Zhen anymore.

“Forget it, don’t act like a kowtow bug. Get up and reply first.” Finally, Eunuch Wang’s expression softened a little as he waved his hand and said.

Xu Gong finally heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. However, he still forcefully kowtowed and thanked her before slowly getting up from the ground. At this time, his forehead had already been damaged, and a wisp of blood flowed down. On the ground paved with white marble, there was also a shocking wisp of blood left behind.

“As the commander of the Royal Guards, why can’t you look down on one of your subordinates? Even if Yang Zhen really has someone supporting him, what about his subordinates? Do you need our family to help you with this kind of thing?” Although it was understandable, the necessary knocks were inevitable.

“I didn’t expect that Yang Zhen would be so bold as to dare to rob someone from Dongchang. Not long before the incident, he was already transferred from the Governor General of Beizhen and was about to go to Jiangnan to become a thousand households. I thought this was a calamity, but I was happy. I didn’t expect this to happen.” Xu Gong hurriedly explained.

Hearing this, Wang Zhen frowned, “Someone has already prepared for this.” Evidently, the other party also knew that this matter would greatly offend him. In order to protect Yang Zhen who attacked, he moved the person out of the capital early.

Xu Gong replied softly and lowered his head again. He was obviously still afraid that Wang Zheng would vent his anger on him. However, this time, Wang Zhen did not intend to pursue him. He only looked at him after pondering for a moment and said, “Then do you know where that person was sent to?”

“It should be in Hu Butang’s mansion.” Xu Gong swallowed his saliva and said.

Wang Zhen nodded and didn’t say anything else. Looks like someone wanted to protect Lu Zhen. I didn’t expect these officials to be so quick and actually managed to protect him.

But then, killing intent surged out of his eyes, “Even if you can protect him for a while, can you still protect him for a lifetime? Could it be that he, Lu Zhen, will only stay in Hu’s mansion for the rest of his life and not come out?”

With an idea in mind, Wang Zhen glanced at Xu Gong and said, “We can let go of Lu Zhen’s matter first, but Yang Zhen must not stay. Do you understand what I mean?”

Feeling the killing intent coming from the other party’s eyes, Xu Gong couldn’t help but shiver. In the end, he nodded his head and said, “Xiaoguan understands. Xiaoguan will definitely handle the matter properly.” He also hated this fellow who had always been out of his control, who had clashed with him several times and ruined his own good deeds. Since Eunuch Wang had given the order and Yang Zhen was about to leave the capital again, without Hu Ying as his backer, he naturally had a way to get rid of this fellow.

“Go. Remember, if you can’t even handle such a small matter, you, the captain of the Royal Guards, won’t be able to do it anymore.” A light sentence was thrown out, but the sweat that Xu Gong had just retreated broke out once again. He hurriedly agreed as if he was cursing, “Xiaguan will do everything in his power to get things done, and will not dare to make any mistakes again.”

Seeing Xu Gong leave respectfully, Wang Zhen’s face turned cold. This Xu Gong wasn’t one of his own, so it wasn’t easy to use him. It was time for a more trustworthy person to sit in the position of Commander of the Royal Guards.

@ @ @ @

After entering a side hall, Lu Zhen finally couldn’t help but ask, “Where is this place? I hope Yang Baihu can tell me the truth.”

Before Yang Zhen could respond, an old yet heroic voice sounded from outside, “This is my mansion. County magistrate Lu, you don’t need to be nervous. I don’t have any malicious intentions towards you.”

Along with these words, an old man with gray beard but vigorous spirit walked in with large strides. His face was red and he wore a green robe. He had the demeanor of a famous Wei and Jin dynasty scholar, but his eyes emitted a light that no one dared to underestimate. His every move emitted the noble aura of a long-lived person.

Yang Zhen was originally sitting on a chair, but as soon as he saw him, he quickly stood up and bowed to him obediently, “Greetings, Hu Butang.”

“How many times have I told you to call me Uncle Hu? Don’t always call me that!” The old man glared at him in dissatisfaction and said with concern, “Did anything go wrong with bringing him here?”

“I confronted the people from the East Factory for a while, but those fellows didn’t have the guts to fight me, so I brought them here.” Yang Zhen said succinctly.

“It’s been hard on you, and I’m going to wronge you. Because you can’t stay in the capital anymore. You won’t blame me, right?” The old man asked solemnly.

“How could that be? My father used to be under your command, and after his death, he was Hu … Uncle, you’ve been helping our family, so I should naturally listen to your wishes. Let alone stealing someone from the East Factory, I won’t frown even if I die from the capital to Jiangnan.” Yang Zhen replied seriously.

Hearing this, the old man only sighed slightly. In the end, he said, “The situation is tense, so I won’t let you stay. You should leave the capital now. I also have arrangements outside, so I will protect you to Jiangnan.”

“Yes, uncle, thank you for troubling me.” Hearing this, Yang Zhen nodded and cupped his hands. He then turned to look at Lu Zhen and nodded slightly. Only then did he quickly leave the door.

The conversation between the two made Lu Zhen understand and confused. What he understood was that they should be enemies of Wang Zhen and the others, which was why he rescued him from the hands of Dong Chang. What was confusing was the old man’s identity. Where did he get the confidence to protect himself?

Just as Lu Zhen was pondering and guessing, the old man’s gaze fell on him. He even patted his head with his hand and said, “Old, I can’t care about all of them. I actually left County Magistrate Lu, a great contributor, to the side. I hope you won’t take offense.”

“How dare you? I’m grateful that the boss was able to save Xiaguan Yushui.” Lu Zhen hurriedly bowed and saluted. After that, he carefully looked at the other party and probed, “I wonder which branch in the court the boss is from. After all, I don’t recognize you because of your humble status.”

“Actually, you’ve seen me in court today, but I didn’t say anything. I’m sure you won’t remember me.” The old man chuckled, “It was also my negligence. I never told you my identity. It’s fine to tell you now. My surname is Hu, and I’m currently the Minister of the Ministry of Officials of the Central Government.”

“Hu Ying” Lu Zhen subconsciously whispered, and then a trace of surprise appeared on his face.