Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 1126 Blocking the Way on the Street
Over Beijing

Dark clouds covered the sky.

The light gray clouds hung low, and the wind swirled fallen leaves in the courtyard, bringing a touch of coolness to the previously sweltering weather—a harbinger of an impending storm.

Seeing the person in question appear, Zhao Cheng felt relieved. Since the person hadn't run away, he would give Eunuch Chen an explanation. Behind him, fifty Imperial City Guards stood in two teams. Their black outfits covered their feathered robes, and the long swords at their waists clashed with the armor plates on their bodies, adding to their murderous aura.

"My lord, the time has come,"

A centurion behind him quickly spoke up to remind him, since Eunuch Chen had given instructions before he arrived.

Zhao Cheng raised his hand to stop him, his gaze sharp as he stared at the figure in front of the main hall.

"Lord Xu, I have come here by imperial decree to confiscate your property. I request that you come with me."

At this moment, Xu Changwen was dressed in a gray long robe, with a plain wooden hairpin in his hair. His face was somewhat thin, and he had a light beard. Standing in front of the door, he seemed to be dozing off.

"Then please come in, sir."

Ignoring everything else, he turned and walked into the main room. Fearing that Xu Changwen might commit suicide, Zhao Cheng quickly waved his hand and followed him in with his men.

He had expected the house to be magnificent, but upon closer inspection, it was surprisingly simple, with only tables and chairs serving as the facade and no other items. Yet, the person was right in front of him, and what shocked Zhao Cheng the most was that there was a coffin on the ground beside Xu Changwen.

His face was dark, clearly newly made. In the light and shadow of the main room, the coffin lid was half-open, revealing a small gap. Two white candles were stuck in front of the coffin, their flickering flames casting long shadows on those present.

On the central octagonal table, there was a brand-new set of official robes and seals, as well as transfer documents. Beside it was a bronze incense burner, from which sandalwood incense smoke wafted, swirling around Xu Changwen's eyebrows and eyes, making him seem as if he were in a thin mist, unlike any ordinary person.

"Lord Zhao, this is Changwen's residence. There is my mother, a maid sent by my fiancée's household to serve me, as well as salary ledgers, official robes and seals, and nothing else."

Xu Changwen slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as calm as a deep pool, without the slightest ripple. He bowed slightly, as if greeting a guest.

"If you have time, please have a seat."

Zhao Cheng gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his fingertips turning slightly white from the force. He had seen all sorts of things in the Imperial City Guard, and had raided countless homes, but he had never seen anything so bizarre.

"Lord Xu has quite the refined taste,"

His tone turned colder, and his gaze swept over the coffin.
"Even on the verge of death, they still have such a grand display?"

"It is my fault for not being able to attend to my funeral arrangements. I still have an elderly mother who has passed away, and I have not been able to see her off. So be it."

At this moment, Xu Changwen saw his mother's worried eyes outside the courtyard, and he knelt down and kowtowed three times.

Zhao Cheng moved his lips, but ultimately said nothing.

"I am acting on imperial orders to confiscate your property and arrest Lord Xu, imprisoning him in the imperial jail. Forgive me, guards, search him!"

"Yes, my lord."

The soldiers behind him rushed in, first taking Xu Changwen outside the courtyard, while the others searched each room.

After a while,

Then the soldiers searching for them reported back;

"Reporting to Your Excellency, there is only a box of old books in the east wing."

Zhao Cheng was somewhat skeptical. He lifted the curtain and saw two soldiers rummaging through chests and cabinets in the east room, with books scattered around their feet, including "The Analects, Mencius, and the Essentials of Agriculture and Sericulture."

Near the paging area on the kang (a heated brick bed), there were some crude inkstones, the ink inside already dried, and another writing brush with a crack in its handle, clearly indicating it had been used for a long time.

Before he could turn around, another soldier came to report from behind;
"Sir, there's nothing in the west wing either, just some rotten wood left over from the construction work by the Ministry of Works craftsmen, and a box covered with straw."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng quickly turned and left the courtyard. He saw that the box had already been moved inside and was secured with a brass lock. He tried to twist it, but couldn't budge it. Suddenly, Zhao Cheng drew his long sword and cleaved the lock open with a single stroke.

When the box was opened, the contents inside stunned the people who were confiscating the property—a neatly folded blue official robe, with frayed edges on the collar and cuffs, and the egret embroidered patch on it faded from washing. Next to it was a bronze official seal, still covered in mud, and at the bottom was a blue jacket.

This is hardly a case of ransacking a house.

"Reporting, sir, in the main hall, there are only a few quilts and mattresses, some clothes, some IOUs, three taels and four mace of silver, and twenty copper coins,"

The captain in charge looked incredulous, but after searching everywhere, there was no hidden compartment.

"Grandma, is this all your son has?"

Zhao Cheng took the IOU, which stated that he had borrowed two hundred taels of silver from the Marquis of Luoyun's mansion to settle down, and also included an IOU for a loan from the Ministry of Revenue. He was taken aback. He wasn't afraid of confiscating the homes of corrupt officials, but he was afraid of confiscating the homes of honest officials. But now he was in a bind and didn't know what to do.

Xu's mother clutched the unfinished shoe sole in her hand, the spool of thread dangling from her sleeve.

"Your Excellency is wise."

The old woman bowed shakily.
"Changwen was frugal since childhood. After passing the imperial examination, he went south to serve as an official and brought his wife from the mountains to this place. Fortunately, he started receiving a salary from the imperial court, but he has only received it twice and that's all he has. However, Zhang the butcher next door sent him a piece of lard, which is still in the kitchen."

"Stop rambling,"

Unwilling to be interrupted, Zhao Cheng personally led his men to the backyard kitchen. What greeted them was a dilapidated table with some cheap vegetables and a still-warm stove. The rest of the place was clear at a glance; there was nowhere to hide.

"Search carefully, don't miss any nooks or crannies."

Zhao Cheng stepped back, his feet sinking into sawdust.

"You lot, carefully search through the books in the study, and also wrap up all the official robes and other items, and bring them back with you."

"Yes, my lord."

The soldiers behind him immediately sprang into action, rummaging through boxes and cabinets. Several captains even personally checked the letters they had found. After a long period of activity, only Li Yun, the commander of the thousand households in the courtyard, stood motionless with a dozen or so men.

The captain behind him whispered;
"Commander, wouldn't it be inappropriate if we didn't go? Lord Zhao is probably getting anxious."

Hearing his subordinate's words, Li Yun snorted coldly.
"What, you can't hold back anymore? Don't you think about it? Palace affairs are of great importance. Putting everything else aside, you've all seen how powerful Marquis Luoyun is. Offending him won't end well."

Li Yun's face was grim. A search was one thing, but why dig up all of someone's belongings? If they found anything, that would be fine, but if they didn't, he feared things would get out of hand.

inside the house,

The roof, cabinets, and floor had all been searched. On the table in the main room, there were several letters, but they were all account books for household expenses, such as "Mother's medicine money, etc.", along with a doctor's prescription, which contained the cheapest ingredients, such as Bupleurum and Licorice.

There were also several letters, all filled with densely written policy discussions, on the advantages and disadvantages of the canal transport in Jiangnan, and on the fact that seventeen households in the village were in arrears with grain this summer, for which the letter was advanced with three taels and two mace of silver. There was also a small sigh next to the letter.

Even the coffin in the house was opened, and it was empty.

Looking at the items found on the table, Zhao Cheng's face turned ashen. He gritted his teeth and continued searching, but his voice was several decibels lower. After a while, the captain behind him pulled a letter from the bedding; the envelope was worn smooth.
"Sir, there is also a letter."

Zhao Cheng quickly took it in his hand, opened it, and saw that the handwriting was neat and the ink was clear.
"To my dearest mother, I am currently very busy with official duties, and I have not yet received my full salary. I fear I will not be able to send money home at the end of the month. I have heard that we are running out of firewood, so I have asked a fellow villager to bring me two bundles. I hope you will take care of yourself and not overwork yourself."

"My lord, it's really gone," the captain replied in a low voice, his tone tinged with reluctance. Having served Lord Zhao for many years and witnessed the corruption of officialdom, he was speechless at the sight of the desolate garden.

Zhao Cheng held the letter, remaining silent for a long time. He glanced at the poplar coffin, then at the three taels of silver he had found on the table, before finally placing it on the old woman's withered hand, where a trace of a tear was still smeared. Her face was wrinkled and she looked so frail.

"Take the official seal, official robes, transfer documents, and all those manuscripts and letters with you. Leave the loose silver there, but make sure it's recorded."

Finally, Zhao Cheng spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"Everyone else, retreat."

"Yes, sir. Shackle Lord Xu, shall we?"

The matter he was about to mention was interrupted by Li Yun, a commander who had just walked over.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Although Lord Xu has been arrested, he has not been convicted. What shackles are you wearing? Please get in the carriage, Lord Xu."

The carriage was ready outside the courtyard. Xu Changwen stood in the courtyard, kowtowed three times to his mother, and then left without a word. The soldiers behind him also remained silent, with only the sound of footsteps on the bluestone path, much lighter than when they came. Zhao Cheng finally walked out of the courtyard gate, looked back at the lonely old woman in the courtyard, and finally sighed. Eunuch Chen was probably going to suffer a loss. The words of those princes were absolutely not to be trusted.

This thought flashed through my mind, and I stepped out of the courtyard gate.

On the street, more and more people came after hearing the news. They gathered around the street and watched from a distance. No one dared to make a sound. The old man selling vegetables squatted on the ground, his pole falling to the ground. The peddler carrying his load stopped and didn't even notice the carrying pole slipping off his shoulder. Even the most mischievous child was held tightly by his mother, staring wide-eyed at the small courtyard.

The news from the palace in the capital had already spread to teahouses and taverns. Many curious people came to see for themselves and found it to be true. Some neighbors even exclaimed in surprise.
"Lord Xu, a man of such integrity as Lord Xu, can't even afford a coffin."

"Yes, a few days ago, Lord Xu went to the coffin shop and bought the cheapest coffin, which he exchanged for with his calligraphy. How could his property have been confiscated?"

"That's right. If even honest officials are going to have their homes confiscated, then it's better to be a corrupt official."

The commotion grew louder and louder. Zhao Cheng's face turned ashen. After forcing the man into the carriage, he brandished his whip and shouted angrily.

"Get out of the way, all of you. The Imperial City Guard is handling a case. Anyone who dares to obstruct it, get out."

Then, the guards behind him drew their swords, frightening the people into retreating. In this way, the group gradually walked out of the alley.

"Boom!"

I had only taken a few steps when a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, tearing through the heavens, followed by a deafening clap of thunder that grew louder as it approached.

In an instant,
The drizzle grew heavier, sprinkling down on the earth and splashing up tiny droplets. Zhao Cheng directed his men to load the confiscated "belongings" into a carriage, the wheels rumbling dully as they rolled over the wet, moss-covered bridge.

Xu Changwen sat in the carriage, guarded by two Imperial Guards. His gray robe was soaked through by the rain, clinging tightly to his body and outlining his thin frame, yet he still kept his back straight and gazed calmly at the curtain in front of him.

"Sir, everything has been counted."

The centurion approached Zhao Cheng, not daring to take out the roster from his bosom, but instead putting on his bamboo hat.

"Apart from the coffin in the main hall, there are a total of one hundred items, regardless of size. Among them are three taels of loose silver, which were marked but not confiscated. The rest are all on the cart."

"Okay, let's go."

As the rain intensified, suddenly, a dark figure appeared ahead through the misty rain, accompanied by the rapid sound of hooves and the clanging of armor plates. It was as if a chilling killing intent was piercing through the rain, making the warhorse beneath them feel uneasy.

"My lord, it is Marquis Luo Yun's men."

The captain behind him, with sharp eyes, exclaimed in surprise, then looked uneasy. He knew the name of Marquis Luo Yun, especially since some of his elite troops were still in the capital.

Zhao Cheng reined in his horse, squinted, and took the money. He saw a fluttering flag appear in the rain, and hundreds of golden-armored cavalrymen escorted a carriage at high speed. Beside the carriage were soldiers in full armor, and an oppressive feeling as heavy as a mountain came over him.

The men of the Imperial City Guard were on tenterhooks, unconsciously gripping the hilts of their knives and holding their breath. They had just captured a Marquis's protégé, which would obviously incur their wrath. At this moment, Zhao Cheng realized that this mission was likely to be a huge disaster.

Inside the carriage at the front,
Zhang Jinyu and the Marquis of Xiangyang sat facing each other, one with a gloomy expression and the other with a worried expression. Bai Guangju noticed that the carriage was gradually coming to a stop and knew that they had arrived at their destination, so he spoke.

"My lord, don't rush things. This joint trial must have a reason. Although the Emperor Emeritus is furious, His Majesty has not punished anyone. The people under your command are just following orders, so you must not be impatient."

This admonition was given in case Marquis Luo Yun couldn't help but take action and escalate the situation, since the entire court and the public were watching.

Zhang Jinyu was getting impatient. Being a nice guy was not easy, and it was often a matter of being forced into it, especially when the power struggles in the court were raging. Everyone was shrewd and calculating. But now that Xu Changwen had been arrested, not to mention saving face, no one would ignore it. But he had no clue what to ask. The key was that Xu Changwen's behavior reminded him of someone recorded in the history books of his previous life: Hai Rui of the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, the world could tolerate a corrupt official and an honest official, but it might not tolerate an upright minister and a remonstrating official.

"My lord, we've arrived at Nantou Bridge. Ahead are the Imperial City Guards, who have already escorted Lord Xu onto the carriage. Several carriages are following behind; they must have already confiscated his property."

Outside the car,

A light drizzle pattered on Ningbian's straw hat, and the armor plates on his body were already soaked. He encountered the procession returning from confiscating property, and his heart was filled with worry for the Marquis.

"Very well, now that the person has arrived, it's only right that I, the Marquis, meet the main figure. Let's proceed."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

With Zhang Jinyu's order, the convoy slowly moved forward, stopping less than five steps away from the Imperial City Guard. After lifting the curtain, it was as if the rain had stopped, perhaps as if the heavens were on their side.

He then stepped down from the carriage and looked at the Imperial City Guard troops in front of him. Most of the leaders were unfamiliar faces, which surprised him. It seemed that the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs also controlled a lot of the Imperial City Guard's strength. It was indeed infiltrated like a sieve.

"I wonder which lord is leading this."

Zhang Jinyu didn't stand on ceremony and boldly asked,
Upon seeing the Marquis alight from the carriage, the entire group dismounted. Zhao Cheng was startled, and found it difficult to hold onto the reins. He had no choice but to push off his horse, dismount as well, and stand still, clasping his hands in response.

"This humble general is Zhao Cheng, the financial officer of the Northern Garrison of the Imperial City. I have come here on imperial orders to search the home of Lord Xu Changwen. The man and his belongings are all there, and everything is recorded. I implore Your Excellency to be lenient."

She had observed all the proper etiquette, but Zhang Jinyu was seething with anger. Ignoring him, she clicked her tongue, walked to the car, and with a single blow, ripped open the curtain. Inside, she saw Xu Changwen, soaking wet, his face deathly pale, only his pride remaining.
"Xu Changwen, oh Xu Changwen."

Zhang Jinyu felt pity, but there was nothing he could do. He knocked on the side of the carriage, and the two armored soldiers sitting inside froze, not daring to move, because Marquis Luoyun's troops had already surrounded them.

Inside the car, Xu Changwen looked up, some raindrops still trickling down his pale cheeks, his voice slightly hoarse.

"My beloved teacher, my student, my student."

His eyes reddened, and without saying anything more, he simply nodded slightly, as if they were old friends from yesterday.

"What's the point of saying all this now? In this life, if you do things right and honestly, you should have no regrets. Throughout history, those who passed the imperial examinations brought honor to their ancestors and at the very least, they could make some money and live comfortably. You, a mere county magistrate, were supposed to be an honest and upright official, but you've fallen to such a state!"

Zhang Jinyu's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly echoed around the water bridge. His tone carried a strange sarcasm with an air of superiority, making the Marquis of Xiangyang, who was following behind him, feel extremely uncomfortable. It was like a thorn piercing everyone's heart. Many onlookers hid in teahouses and taverns, secretly watching this scene, and couldn't help but secretly wipe away their tears with their sleeves.

Seeing that Marquis Luo Yun was blocking the way, Zhao Cheng couldn't help but step forward and said in a deep voice;
“My lord, Xu Changwen is suspected of treason. I am acting on imperial orders. Please do not obstruct official business.”

"To protect your mother."

He turned around and lashed out with his whip, striking Zhao Cheng squarely in the face. Everyone was stunned by the whip. Many of the Imperial Guards tried to move their hands to their sword hilts, but they were unaware that the golden-armored guards around them had already pressed down, and an invisible pressure was pressing in.

"Master Hou."

Zhao Cheng was filled with disbelief. How dare someone disrespect the Imperial City Guard! His face was burning with pain and must be swollen and red. But looking at the golden-armored guards around him and thinking of Marquis Luo Yun's arrogance, he knew better than to suffer a loss. He had no choice but to suppress his anger.

"Who do we have here? It's about Zhao Jian."

(End of this chapter)