Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 199

Chapter 199 The Only Chance

If someone else said this, no one would take it seriously and think that it was just a false threat. But the meaning of Lu Zhen’s words was different. He had just beaten the Dengwen drum and told the Imperial Court in front of Emperor. The same words that came out of his mouth naturally had an extraordinary deterrent effect.

Whether it was Qu Ping or Han Yue, when they saw Lu Zhen’s solemn appearance and heard him say this resolutely, their entire bodies panicked, and their eyes were already filled with fear.

When Lu Zhen saw this, his momentum became even stronger. He slapped his palm again and said, “Tell me, why did you set a fire to frame others? What kind of conspiracy is there in this?” This time, he didn’t even say anything suspicious and directly determined that these people were the culprits.

There was now material evidence–the box of treasures had been taken from them, and there was evidence that they did not know what to say, even if they wanted to argue.

Although there were still many doubts in this case, it was different from a few hundred years later. To the government, being able to produce such substantial evidence was enough to thoroughly convict the charges. So in a sense, regardless of whether they admit it or not, as long as Lu Zhen reported the case, it would knock down everything that had been broken before, and they would replace the people from the Green Bamboo Gang as the main culprits for arson and theft.

Knowing this, the few embroidered guards were so scared that their faces turned ashen. They lowered their heads and trembled, but they were unable to say anything. In fact, their only hope now was for their lord to step forward and snatch the case from Daxing County before hearing it again. But is that possible?

Lu Zhen could also see that they were still holding onto their last bit of hope and didn’t want to give up, so he smiled again, “It seems that not only are you not unable to see the coffin without shedding tears, you are even still holding on when you see the coffin. Since that is the case, this official can only report truthfully and let the Ministry of Justice and the other yamen make the final decision. Come on, take them down first!”

As Lu Zhen slapped the woods again, the interrogation ended. Although they hadn’t really admitted their guilt, it seemed that the matter was settled.

@ @ @ @

Nothing in the capital could be hidden for too long, especially this kind of thing that could attract the attention of the crowd. It was only in the evening that the news that the Daxing County Yamen had captured several brocade guards had spread throughout the city.

Afterwards, an even more incredible piece of news spread out. Those brocade guards who were using the banner to salvage people were also trapped in it. It seemed that they were also detained by the Daxing County Government.

This was truly beyond everyone’s common sense. In the past, they had only heard that the Royal Guards would take people. Who would have thought that one day they would be taken as well? Moreover, even if it was just a county government, they would dare to detain all the people of the Royal Guards in succession. This was equivalent to directly slapping the Royal Guards in the face with a big slap on the face.

At this moment, Xu Gong’s face already had a few bright red palm prints. It was precisely the result of someone slapping him fiercely. However, the head of the Royal Guards didn’t dare to complain at all. He didn’t even dare to dodge when he slapped him earlier. Because the one who slapped him was Wang Zhen.

After slapping him a few times, Wang Zhen hatefully said, “Trash, this Brocade Guard has become a bunch of trash in your hands. You actually dared to bring a person from the Brocade Guard into a small Daxing County, yet you still have no choice. You actually have the face to ask our family to help you. Tell me, what’s the use of our family wanting you for?”

Xu Gong, who had been sprayed with saliva, lowered his head and could only say yes, not even daring to say a single word of injustice.

To be honest, he did feel a little resentful. Everything was done behind his back by those fellows, including his previous actions and his trip to the Daxing County Government to cause trouble today. But now, Wang Zhen blamed everything on him, as if it was all his responsibility.

Who would have thought that Ma Shun, who really caused trouble, was Wang Zhen’s trusted aide? Moreover, Wang Zhen intentionally stood Ma Shun up to replace Xu Gong, so he naturally had to blame all of his faults on him, Commander Xu.

Although Xu Gong was very dissatisfied, he didn’t even dare to retort in front of Wang Zhenzhi. This was because Wang Zhen was powerful enough to suppress him, but his cowardice was also an important reason. As the leader of the Royal Guards, he had completely become Wang Zhen’s subordinate. He didn’t even have the slightest bit of autonomy. As a Royal Guard commander, he had truly failed a little too much.

“Right now, my family has two choices. Either go to the Daxing County government and retrieve those people for me, then teach Lu Zhen a hard lesson and let him know the name of the Royal Guards. Either directly resign, and our family will find another person with responsibility to take up the position of Commander of the Royal Guards!” Wang Zhen finally snorted.

Well, this is an ultimatum, which makes Xu Gong feel a chill in his heart. Although he said so, it is actually forcing him to go to the end.

Although Xu Gong was timid and cowardly, his mind was still clear. Even if he really fought against Lu Zhen as Wang Zhen had said, and won the battle, it wouldn’t be long before he would still be troubled. It was only a matter of time before he was replaced by Ma Shun. Moreover, he did not feel that he was really confident that he could scare Lu Zhen down. This county magistrate was a madman known to everyone in the capital. He did not treat any dignitaries as children at all. Could it be that he could still scare him?

Moreover, if he really did this, what awaited him would probably be even more difficult to blame. Even if Wang Zhen did not take action, the civil servants in the court alone would be enough to impeach him and remove him from office. Since that was the case, why would he go out and be this villain?

Although he had made up his mind, Xu Gong still only said yes, and immediately retreated in a somewhat awkward manner.

Only after Xu Gong left did Wang Zhen’s expression change slightly. He only scolded the trash and then looked at Ma Shun, whose expression was also not too good. “Tell me, what should we do with this matter?” Judging from Xu Gong’s appearance, I’m afraid you can’t count on him anymore. However, Han Yue and the others are all confidants of yours. They know too much about you. Once Lu Zhen asks them something, it will be troublesome. So we must get them out as soon as possible. ”

After pondering for a while, Ma Shun probed, “Eunuch, there seems to be only one way now. That is to send Lu Zhen away quickly. As long as he leaves the post and changes the Daxing County Magistrate, we will be able to get him to let him go. However, this matter is definitely impossible for a small one. Only Eunuch has the face to do so.”

‘”Oh, this is a brilliant plan. This Lu Zhen has been staying in the capital is indeed a problem. I heard that the Ministry of Officials has already transferred him to Jiangnan. Is this really true?”

“Exactly. A few days ago, a transfer order was sent out, saying that he was promoted to Hangzhou Pusher Officer. It seems that the transfer order has already been delivered to him.” After all, Ma Shun was the person in charge of the Royal Guards, and he knew quite a bit about some matters in the officialdom.

“Since that’s the case, it’s really not good for him to stay in the county government all the time. It’s time to leave the capital. How about this, I’ll go find someone from the Ministry of Officials and urge him to leave the capital immediately.” Wang Zhen nodded gently.

“Eunuch is wise!” Ma Shun hurriedly cupped his hands in flattery.

Only then did Wang Zhen reveal a smile, “After this incident, Xu Gong’s position as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Guards also came to an end. I will arrange for you to replace him. As you can see, the Royal Guards are now in the hands of a trash like him. Therefore, you must re-establish the prestige of the Royal Guards after taking office and not cause such a disgrace.”

“Yes, I will remember it.” Ma Shun then said, “Eunuch, please rest assured. Although we can’t save them temporarily, the little one will have someone send a message to Qu Ping and the others, telling them to hold back first and not confess their guilt. Everything will be left to Lu Zhen after he is expelled from the capital.”

Only then did Wang Zhen smile with satisfaction, “Then go and do your job properly. We can leave this account for later and settle it with Lu Zhen.” Wang Zhen’s eyes were filled with deep hatred as he said this. He really hated this person to the bone. It was only because he was afraid of Emperor’s reaction that he was unable to bear it. But he believed that when Lu Zhen left the capital this time, he still had a way to deal with him.

“Yes! Little one, please leave.” Ma Shun quickly replied, but he was secretly delighted because he knew that he would soon be able to completely grasp the power of the Royal Guards.

Some people are happy, while others are worried. Xu Gong, who came out of Wang Zhen’s mansion, was very discouraged and almost fell to the ground when he got on his horse. Fortunately, his trusted aides stepped forward to help him, so he didn’t really make a fool of himself.

“Your Excellency, it was clearly Ma Shun and the others who caused this incident. Why does Eunuch Wang have to blame you?” The subordinate said indignantly.

Xu Gong smiled bitterly, “Who told me that I am not a trusted aide promoted by his father-in-law?” Actually, he wanted to change me two years ago, but he didn’t find a suitable excuse. In addition, I had some trusted subordinates before … Unfortunately, I retreated for a while and took the initiative to transfer all my good brothers out. Now, I’m the fish on their chopping board … “His face was filled with regret as he said this.

“Then, Sir, do you really plan to give up your seat just like that?” The subordinate asked uneasily.

“If that’s not the case, what else can we do? We can’t even twist our arms around our thighs.” Xu Gong sighed. He was already cowardly, so he didn’t dare to argue at this point.

“Sir, we can’t hold back this tone anymore. We have to fight back.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? We weren’t Eunuch Wang’s opponents back then, and it’s even more impossible now. Now that we’re enemies, we’ll only die faster!” Xu Gong’s face immediately sank.

“That may not be the case.” Unexpectedly, this young subordinate with some Hu bloodline whispered, “Perhaps we can’t really fight back, but at least we can make them pay a price. Sir, this may be our only chance.”

“Qinggler, what exactly do you want to do?” Xu Gong asked in shock.