In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 966: The Mist Lost the Tower, the Moon Bewildered the Ferry

A sudden chill descended from the sky, freezing the entire capital city in place.

All the city gates of Yingtian were sealed off, and even a full caravan would not be allowed to pass.

Centered around Fudong Street, the inner city was densely packed with imperial guards standing at the entrance of every building.

The long sword was already drawn, and his eyes grew even sharper!
what happened?
This is the question on everyone's mind.

However, news soon began to circulate in the city.

It is said that the head of the Market and Commerce Bureau was assassinated at the Yingtian Trading Company.

A question that followed filled the minds of the people in the capital.

Who is the Chief Justice of the Market and Trade Bureau?

Who is this deity?
Soon, as Lu Yunyi's name spread,
Everyone was shocked.

This name is known to everyone!
At a young age, he conquered many places and achieved numerous military exploits.
He is the youngest commander-in-chief in the entire Ming Dynasty, and also the leader of the young generals in the entire army!

He also founded the Yingtian Trading Company!

He can be described as a rising star.

This guy... was actually assassinated?
Who did it?
The news spread quickly, with some expressing regret and others applauding.
Some people looked terrified and prepared to leave Yingtian as soon as the city gates opened.

This place of trouble is not a place to stay for long!
At the entrance of Yingtian Trading Company on Fudong Street,

Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding donned armor and stood before the gate, holding a long sword.

Guo Zhen rushed over, his voice heavy:
"Father, the entire city is sealed off and can be searched at any time!"

"Search! Search every street, every house, every person. Find the murderer!"

"Yes!"

Guo Zhen ran away quickly, shouting as he ran:

"The Marquis of Wuding has ordered a search!"

Guo Ying glanced around and saw a series of solemn faces, and some people looked flustered.

A military general was assassinated using top-secret military equipment.
If this were to get out, the entire Five Armies Commandery would be utterly humiliated.

How ridiculous!

At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on the bloodstains on the ground, their expressions inscrutable.

Minister of Rites Li Yuanming sat on the steps at the entrance without any regard for his image.
His white beard trembled with heavy breathing, and his eyes burned with uncontrollable anger.

Fu Youwen, the Vice Minister of Revenue, walked over and sat down beside him, lowering his voice:

"Lord Li, this matter is serious. Aren't you going to the palace?"

"Enter the palace?"

Li Yuanming glanced at him:
"What use is there for me, an old civil official, an old man about to go home, to enter the palace?"

Fu Youwen sighed:
"His Majesty is bound to be furious this time."

If we don't try to dissuade them, I'm afraid another bloody purge will be launched.

With the capital in turmoil, the three chief officials have been placed under house arrest.
If chaos erupts at this point, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Isn't it chaotic now?
Why would someone assassinate a high-ranking official of the imperial court in the street?
This is treason!

Since it's treason, you should be prepared to lose your head!

"Let it be chaotic, let it be chaotic. I've figured it out: in chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary. Killing some people is better."

This was overheard by many people around.

Their faces were solemn and shocked.

This Minister of Rites consistently advocated for recuperation and minimizing military conflict.
Now that his attitude has changed, he must be quite angry about this matter.

Li Yuanming glanced at everyone present and spoke calmly:
"Some of you have been involved in the turmoil to varying degrees."
I can pretend I didn't see what happened before.

But from today onwards, I must remind you!
Once such methods are used, there is no room for easing off.
"Take more guards with you when you go out."

The atmosphere in the room froze, and everyone looked on with bewildered expressions.

Fu Youwen pursed his lips even more tightly.
Because his elder brother was the Duke of Ying, he knew many military secrets.

He knew perfectly well who had come up with the idea for the flintlock musket and who had refined its technology.

Such assassination techniques can be used by anyone else, and Lu Yunyi can use them just as well.

Moreover, he believed that such firearms should be more advanced in Daning.

The Imperial City and Imperial Palace were so quiet that only the rustling of documents could be heard inside the Wuying Hall.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice and shone on the planning map of the Northern Commercial Center submitted by the Left Army Governor's Office.

The official road outlined in red is clearly visible.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the official roads one by one, his face showing deep thought.

Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps came from outside the hall.
Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly raised his head, his brows furrowed, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

The head eunuch tumbled in, his robes torn by the threshold, his voice trembling like a leaf:
"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!"

"Lord Lu! Lord Lu has been assassinated at the Yingtian Trading Company!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback. He gripped the vermilion brush tightly, and it broke with a snap, splashing ink everywhere.

His previously calm expression instantly turned icy, and the anger in his eyes was almost overflowing.

"What did you say? Say it again!"

The head eunuch fell to his knees with a thud, his forehead pressed against the floor tiles, his voice trembling with sobs:

"Your Majesty, it's true!"
Yingtian Trading Company is holding its shareholders' meeting today.

Lord Lu had just reached the door when he was struck in the chest by a firearm.

They have now been sent back to the manor, and the imperial physician is on his way there.
The Marquis of Wuding said that the firearm was very likely the flintlock musket that had been lost from the Ministry of Works' workshop!

"gun?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

He kicked over the table in front of him, scattering documents all over the floor, and smashing the teacup into pieces.

He paced rapidly inside the hall, panting heavily, his white beard trembling.

Lu Yunyi was a young and capable subordinate whom he had personally promoted.

He was involved in everything from market regulation and road construction in the north to flood control in Henan.

Now he was assassinated in full view of everyone.

They were using weapons secretly stored by the imperial court!

Does this mean they treat the imperial laws as mere decorations and disregard the emperor's authority?

"deliver an imperial order!"

Zhu Yuanzhang abruptly stopped, his voice so cold it could freeze the air:
"Send word to summon Mao Xiang, Wen Cheng, Xu Huizu, and Zhang Quan to see me!"

"Yes!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

In less than half an hour, Mao Xiang, Wen Cheng, Xu Huizu, and Zhang Quan had all gathered outside the hall.

Mao Xiang had just been released from the imperial prison, and hadn't even changed out of his prison clothes yet.

He only wore a short robe belonging to the Imperial Guard on the outside.

His face still bore the grime of prison, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.
Lu Yunyi has been assassinated!

Great! Great! That's wonderful!
Wen Cheng gripped the Divine Palace Supervisor's token, his expression extremely solemn.

Xu Huizu was still wearing his armor, the plates of which were covered in dust. He had just returned from Yingtian Trading Company, and his brows were full of anger.

Marquis Yongding, Zhang Quan, gripped his long sword tightly and hurriedly arrived from Puzikou City.

The palace doors creaked open, and the head eunuch came to announce:

"Please come in, gentlemen."

The four filed in, and were about to kneel and worship when...
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, his tone resolute and leaving no room for doubt:
"Enough! I'm asking you, how much do you know about that flintlock musket?"

Mao Xiang spoke first, his voice hoarse yet steady:
"Your Majesty, I have already checked the records of the Ministry of Works' workshops while I was in prison."

At the beginning of the year, Lord Qin took away two flintlock muskets.

Only one was returned; the other was said to have been damaged during testing.

But the workshop has no records of destruction; that's a lie. He must have hidden them!

Xu Huizu stepped forward, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked:
"This gun has now flowed into the capital and is being used for assassination; this is treason!"

Wen Cheng stood to the side and cautiously added:
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Palace Bureau searched all the workshops under the jurisdiction of the Inner Palace yesterday and found no flintlock muskets missing."

"Your Majesty, I request that Qin Kui and Shen Jin be brought in for immediate interrogation!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at the four people below the steps, his breathing gradually calming down:
"Mao Xiang! Go to Shen Jin and Qin Kui's residences immediately, lock them up, and take them to the prison for interrogation!"
Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!

Mao Xiang suddenly looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes, his hoarse voice carrying an unmistakable resolve:
"Your Majesty, I obey! I will bring these two to justice!"

"Wen Cheng!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze turned to the Vice Minister of the Imperial Palace:
"Bring the palace eunuchs to assist in the investigation throughout the entire process, record the statements, and ensure there are no omissions!"

Wen Cheng bowed and accepted the order, gripping the token in his hand even tighter:
"Your subject obeys the decree and would never dare to make a mistake!"

"Xu Huizu!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice deepened further:
"Dispatch three thousand Imperial Guards to guard the Yingtian Trading Company, the Construction Company, the Cement Company, the Market Exchange Bureau, and the Lu Residence!" "Your Majesty, I obey! I will ensure the safety of Lord Lu and his family and prevent the rebels from wreaking havoc again!"

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Marquis Yongding, Zhang Quan, his tone slightly softer but still authoritative:

"Zhang Quan, return to Puzikou immediately."

Ten thousand Beijing troops were transferred into the city and stationed in the northern camp.

The situation in the capital is unstable; we must be vigilant against anyone taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble. If any unusual activity occurs, act first and report later!

Marquis Yongding, Zhang Quan, had an extremely solemn expression.
The Beijing army is about to enter the city again.
The last time was when they were arresting traitors.

"Your Majesty, I obey! The capital's army will arrive at the northern camp within one hour!"

The four men accepted the order, turned around, and quickly left the hall.

Just as they reached the palace gate, Zhu Yuanzhang added from behind:
"Three days! I will only give you three days!"
"If the whereabouts of the gun cannot be found, and the mastermind behind it cannot be identified, none of you shall come to see me!"

The four paused, then responded in unison:

"The minister obeys the order!"

When only Zhu Yuanzhang remained in the hall,
He walked to the table, looked at the scattered plans of Beiping, and his eyes gradually darkened.

He raised his hand to summon the chief eunuch, his voice extremely low:
"Tell Da'erma to secretly investigate the people Shen Jin and Qin Kui associate with, and also keep an eye on Mao Xiang."

The head eunuch's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed:

"The minister obeys the order!"

At this moment, the Shen residence was completely silent!
Shen Jin sat in his study, a pot of cold tea in front of him, and an unopened letter in his hand.
He had just torn open a corner when he heard orderly footsteps outside the courtyard, mixed with shouts from the Imperial Guards:

"The Imperial Guards are on duty! Make way!"

Shen Jin frowned, got up and walked to the door.

Then Mao Xiang led the Imperial Guards, and Wen Cheng led the eunuchs from the Divine Palace.
Behind him followed the Imperial Guards, who densely surrounded half the courtyard.
"Lord Mao, Eunuch Wen, what is the meaning of this?"
"I have been confined to my residence and have not stepped outside the gates."

Mao Xiang sneered and took out his Embroidered Uniform Guard token:
"By imperial decree, Shen Jin is suspected of illegally possessing military equipment and colluding with traitors. He is to be immediately taken to the imperial prison! Arrest him!"

The Imperial Guards stepped forward, about to make their move, when Shen Jin abruptly retreated:

"How dare you! I am the Minister of War. Without His Majesty's personal edict, who dares to touch me!"

"Imperial decree?"

Xu Huizu took out a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict from his bosom and threw it in front of Shen Jin:

"His Majesty's decree: Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

Shen Jin's fingers trembled slightly as he read the words above, his expression becoming extremely grave.

"what happened?"

He knew very well that, according to what had happened before,
The stay-at-home order is a compromise between the two sides and nothing serious will happen.

But now, how did the situation suddenly change?
Mao Xiang did not answer, but simply waved his hand:
"take away!"

Not long after, Qin Kui, who had been confined to his home, was also taken away.
Half an hour later, Shen Jin and Qin Kui were escorted into the Imperial Prison!

Deep within the Zhaoyu prison, a damp, rusty smell wafted over.

The dim candlelight cast flickering shadows on the stone wall, and the clanging of iron shackles sent chills down one's spine.

Mao Xiang sat in the main seat, with records from the Ministry of Works and signature books from the arsenal laid out in front of him.

Wen Cheng sat to the side, holding a pen in his hand.

Xu Huizu stood in the corner, staring at them with sharp eyes.

"Bring Qin Kui!" Mao Xiang said in a deep voice.

When Qin Kui was brought in, upon seeing this scene, he frowned and spoke with suspicion:

"what happened?"

Wen Cheng didn't hide anything and said calmly:

"Lord Qin, Lord Lu of the Market and Commerce Bureau was assassinated at the entrance of Yingtian Trading Company. The weapon used by the assassin was the flintlock musket that was lost from the Ministry of Works."

"what?"

Qin Kui's face was filled with absurdity, his brows furrowed:

"How can this be?"

Mao Xiang tapped on the table:
"Explain clearly, where did you hide that missing flintlock pistol? And to whom did you give it?"

Qin Kui was forced into a chair by the Imperial Guards.
Seeing that the three men before him looked serious and didn't seem to be faking it, he didn't hide anything and said in a deep voice:

At the beginning of the year, Lord Shen came to me.

They said they wanted two flintlock muskets to keep records for the Ministry of War, and also to test their range and power, so that they could be registered and cataloged, and also to allocate funds and supplies for subsequent research and development.

I then ordered someone to fetch two from the workshop.

He only returned one later, saying the other one had exploded during testing.

Wen Cheng raised his eyes, his tone indifferent:
"The workshop records state that the barrel of the flintlock musket was made of wrought iron that had been refined to perfection."

"It's a specially made item from the workshop, capable of holding more gunpowder. It's impossible for it to explode. Lord Qin, you'd better tell the truth."

Qin Kui shook his head helplessly and sighed:
"The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War have always cooperated extensively."

Some arsenals needed to rely on the Ministry of War and the Governor-General's Office for funding.

Since Lord Shen doesn't want to return it, am I really going to chase after him for a gun?

The flickering candlelight in the prison cast distorted shadows on the stone walls.

After Qin Kui was taken away, the prison door slammed shut.

Mao Xiang tapped the workshop records on the table with his fingertips, his voice hoarse:

"Bring Shen Jin."

When the Imperial Guards escorted Shen Jin in, he appeared more flustered than when he was in the mansion.

His official robes were stained with dust, and his shackles dragged on the ground.
But he still forced himself to stand up straight, his gaze sweeping over the documents on the desk:
"Mao Xiang, you may examine me."

But if you cannot provide concrete evidence, do not slander officials appointed by the imperial court.

"Empirical evidence?"

Mao Xiang pushed the workshop records in front of him.

"Lord Qin said that the gun you borrowed exploded."
However, judging from the workshop's records, this gun was specifically designed to prevent it from exploding like a musket.
Even with the best ingredients, it simply won't fry.
Tell me, how exactly do you plan to fry it?

Shen Jin's forehead instantly broke out in sweat. He reached out to wipe it, but was jolted by the shackles.

He forced himself to remain calm and said in a deep voice:
"Mao Xiang, there are inherent risks in weapons testing!"
The gun exploded during the test loading of new gunpowder.

Because it's classified, the fragments are buried under the trees in the Ministry of War's backyard. You can go dig them up if you don't believe me!

"The Ministry of War's backyard?"

Xu Huizu frowned, waved his hand, and his personal guards immediately darted out.
Less than a quarter of an hour later, the guards returned again:
"Sir, there's nothing. Not even a speck of gunpowder, let alone any fragments of the gun!"

Shen Jin's face turned pale instantly, and a look of absurdity appeared in his eyes. His voice carried a hint of urgency:

"I'm not lying! It really exploded!"
The person in charge of the test at the time was Qi De, the chief clerk of the Ministry of War. He handled the entire process; you can ask him!

Mao Xiang and Wen Cheng exchanged a glance.
Shen Jin's panic at this moment didn't seem fake; it was as if he had really exploded.

Wen Cheng put down his pen, his fingertips twirling the prayer beads:

"Lord Shen, where is Qi De? If he can testify, perhaps your innocence can be cleared."

"He should be on duty at the Ministry of War! After His Majesty confined me to my residence yesterday, he still came to visit me."

Mao Xiang waved his hand, and the two Imperial Guards immediately obeyed and went out.

Xu Huizu stared at Shen Jin, his tone as cold as ice:
“If what Zid says is different from what you say, you know the consequences.”

Shen Jin opened his mouth, but no words came out.

He just slumped into the chair, clutching his hair with both hands.

He simply couldn't understand how a perfectly good gun could lead to an assassination attempt.

He couldn't understand how this matter had gotten involved with him again.

A quarter of an hour later, the Imperial Guards brought Qi De in.

Qi De was a man in his thirties, wearing a blue robe befitting a sixth-rank official, his face as white as paper.

"What do you want? I am an official appointed by the imperial court, and I have not committed any corruption!"

Mao Xiang didn't waste words with him. He picked up the records on the table and threw them in front of him.

"Lord Shen said that you were in charge of testing the flintlock musket at the beginning of the year, and that the musket exploded. Tell me, how did it explode?"

Qi De was startled, immediately recalling the widely circulated assassination attempt, and his face turned pale.
He made no attempt to hide it, and said in a trembling voice:
"Yes, it exploded!"
That day, after loading the new gunpowder in the backyard of the Ministry of War...

The gun barrel suddenly cracked, scattering fragments all over the ground. I even had them buried under the willow tree.

"Buried under the willow tree?"

Xu Huizu sneered.
"There's nothing under the tree. If you dare to lie again, don't blame the Embroidered Uniform Guard for using torture instruments that don't discriminate!"

Upon hearing this, Qi De's robes were instantly soaked with cold sweat.

"How could there not be? I buried it myself!"

(End of this chapter)