Fu Shanhe

Chapter 45 Sweeping the End
"My Lord, I'm so lucky you're okay!"

Upon receiving the news of the attack at the dinner party, Li Mu did not even bother to sleep and immediately brought people over.

"Stop talking nonsense and quickly arrange for someone to take over the defense of Yangzhou. Don't let the rebels escape!"

After receiving the order from Marquis Wuyang, Li Mu knew that in tonight's Hongmen Banquet farce, the Wucheng Bingmasi was the victorious party.

"My Lord, the city is in chaos right now, and I don't have many soldiers with me.

I'd better send you and the others back first, and then go and capture the rebels after we have gathered our troops."

Li Mu persuaded tactfully.

When something was supposed to happen, a group of rebels just happened to show up and target the imperial envoy's team.

The time, place and occasion were all just right, it was a perfect coincidence.

Who knows whether he is a real traitor or a fake one.

If we block people and find out some information that shouldn't be known, it would be a huge expose.

"Well, that makes sense, send us back first.

The safety of my colleagues in Yangzhou Prefecture is now in your care. No mistakes can be made!"

Marquis Wuyang said with a knowing smile.

The purpose was to protect safety, but to place all the officials in Yangzhou Prefecture under house arrest.

If the imperial court were to make major changes to the Lianghuai salt administration, it would inevitably affect the interests of these local tyrants.

While everyone is here, we should strike first and arrest them first.

"My Lord, we have soldiers from the government office guarding us, so let your people catch the rebels first!
There are still many colleagues trapped in Changchun Tower. If we go quickly enough, we should be able to rescue many of them."

Hao Xingfeng refused decisively.

This is simply too much. He arranged to entertain the imperial envoy with good intentions, but not only did he end up in trouble, he is now under house arrest.

If he had to endure all this, he might as well change his name as the Yangzhou prefect to the Turtle Prefect.

"There are people in Yangzhou who are colluding with the rebels. Captain Li, please investigate carefully for me and make sure to find this traitor!"

The threat from Marquis Wuyang quickly calmed down the excited Yangzhou bureaucrats.

A good man does not suffer immediate losses.

All in front of them were soldiers from the Five Cities Military Division. The few yamen runners around them were no match for them at all.

Once they turn against each other, these soldiers from the capital will not be afraid of their identities.

Being beaten and humiliated is the least of their worries. What they fear most is that Marquis Wuyang will really frame them and accuse them of colluding with rebels.

"Don't worry, my Lord. I will live up to your expectations and catch the traitor!"

Li Mu immediately agreed.

Receiving the order from Marquis Wuyang to track down the rebels meant that he gained greater initiative in subsequent operations in Yangzhou.

Investigating a case requires evidence, but arresting a traitor only requires suspicion.

……

Across the Qinhuai River, a middle-aged man was watching the slaughter in Changchun Tower with a telescope imported from the West.

"The battle is over, but the soldiers from Yangzhou City haven't arrived yet. It seems the hostages are of no use for the time being.

Never mind. Since the mission has been completed, there is no need to waste time.

Ding Yang sent them a signal to take the surviving hostages and evacuate Yangzhou City immediately!"

More than an hour had passed since the battle broke out.

Under normal circumstances, the officials who escaped from Changchun Tower would have already brought the officers and soldiers in the city to attack.

The original plan was to use the hostages in their hands to force the officers and soldiers to give up the road and withdraw from Yangzhou City.

However, plans cannot keep up with changes. They have an action plan, and the Wucheng Bingmasi also has its own plan.

From Marquis Wuyang's perspective, the most important thing is to legally seize control of Yangzhou City, and rescuing cannon fodder is a secondary task.

All officials of some importance in Yangzhou Prefecture were placed under house arrest by Li Mu and his men, and government offices of all sizes were gradually taken over by the Five Cities Military Affairs Department.

The soldiers who had gathered after receiving the news were just incorporated into the Wucheng Bingmasi and were now busy with the reorganization.

I can't take care of this side for the time being.

"This General...

Mr. Zhou, please rest assured that we brothers are all professionals in this kind of work. Everyone in the Lianghuai Salt Road knows that our methods are the most ruthless.

Not to mention capturing a few nobles, even if you want the head of that dog imperial envoy, we can send it to you!"

Realizing that he had said something wrong, Ding Yang quickly raised his voice and changed the tone of the conversation.

"Big Eye Dragon, this master admires your style.

Don't worry, after completing this deal, you will be a member of our Lianghuai Seven Families Alliance.

In the future, you will certainly have a part in Dayu's private salt trade.

If the plan goes well, maybe you can become one of the kings, princes, generals and ministers!"

The middle-aged man responded with a laugh.

Such outrageous words were spoken without any intention of avoiding outsiders, and the guests in the nearby boxes could hear them clearly.

After pretending to be cool, the two men jumped directly from the second-floor window and quickly disappeared from the scene.

……

Time passed minute by minute, and the sunlight broke through the darkness.

After a busy night, Li Mu slowly appeared in Changchun Tower with his soldiers.

Looking at the three layers of onlookers in front of him, Li Mu was speechless.

The Chinese are so keen on watching the excitement that they even don't let go of the crime scene.

"The government is investigating a case, everyone please get out of the way!"

Hearing the soldiers' voices, the crowd quickly made way, but the crowd continued to gather.

“Check the scene and search for survivors.

Pay attention to the evidence at the scene and don't miss any clues!"

Li Mu gave the order with a deliberately emphasized tone.

If the factory guards were behind last night's action, there would definitely be clear evidence left at the scene.

If it involves traitors, we must investigate it thoroughly.

If there is suspicion, you can invite the person over to investigate first.

All the parties involved were imprisoned, and the initiative of this game naturally fell into the hands of the court.

To do this kind of work, you have to be fast.

Once these people react and realize that the imperial court is going to kill them, they will not sit idly by and wait for death.

"Master Qianhu, Deputy Commander Chu is still alive!"

Li Mu frowned when he heard the report from his soldiers.

They were able to survive such a big scene last night, which really proves the saying that scourge will last for a thousand years!
The younger brother of Concubine Chu was a well-known playboy in the capital, and he did all kinds of bad things.

The reason why he can live freely all the time, apart from the Imperial Concubine's face, is mainly because this guy bullies the weak and fears the strong, and always picks on the weak to bully.

The most infuriating thing is that this guy, relying on his title as deputy commander, dares to call him "Little Leo". He is simply ignorant of his own limitations.

"Lead the way!"

Li Mu said without changing his expression.

No matter how reluctant you are, you still have to do the face-saving work.

"Then what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and carry Deputy Commander Chu out and send him back to the government office for treatment!
Wait, Deputy Commander Chu’s wound has not healed completely yet.

If we move his body now, he will definitely bleed. Please bandage him first."

Li Mu pointed at the soldier leading the way and gave an order.

"Sir, I don't know how to bandage a wound!"

The young soldier who was named responded with a sad face.

"Just do it if you're told to do it, no one is born with the ability to do it!
There are so many corpses on the ground. It would be easy to just tear off a piece of cloth from them and wrap it around Deputy Commander Chu's wound twice."

Li Mu scolded immediately.

There is only so much that can be done under the watchful eyes of the public.

If Deputy Commander Chu can survive after all this, he is really lucky.

(End of this chapter)