The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 286 Li Fusheng

While the two were bewildered, the soldiers of the Nanjing Garrison re-laced them with shackles, an action that immediately made them feel uneasy.

Are these shackles or chains?

This is clearly evidence of a crime.

As expected, the people coming and going at the city gate all looked at them with curious and pointing eyes. In just a moment, it was as if they were naked and exposed to the world, making the two of them feel extremely humiliated and lower their heads in shame.

A surge of anger suddenly rose in his heart.

This is outrageous!

The soldiers carried out their orders and led the two men to the Nanjing Garrison Headquarters. After bringing them into the courtyard of the government office, they made the two men wait. All the officials passing by looked on with curiosity.

A prisoner in shackles?
How would it appear here?

Most people naturally did not know the identities of the two men, but when the soldiers escorting them arrived at the front of the house, they announced loudly: "The prisoners Hu Rong and Sun Guangzong, who have been exiled from the capital to Nanjing, have been verified. Please give instructions, Commander."

This loud shout immediately silenced the surroundings, and instead of a great uproar, a chill ran deep.

Immediately, some people pretended to be busy and left, while others stood there stunned, but no matter who they were, their hearts were filled with turbulent waves.

The astute among them had already noticed something amiss. Even if the two dukes wanted to see the emperor's father-in-law and brother-in-law, they wouldn't be wearing shackles. They didn't believe that the shackles hadn't been removed during their journey.

Looking at the clothes the two were wearing, it was clear they had been changed. So what about these shackles?

Could it be that it was added at the last minute when we entered Nanjing?
What are those two dukes planning to do?
These thoughts lingered in his mind, making him extremely uneasy. Historically, it was always the work of gods and the misfortunes of little devils that caused this. Some people were already trembling with fear and dared not think any deeper into the matter.

At this moment, a middle-aged man with a mustache under his nose walked out of the house. He looked at Hu Rong and Sun Guangzong, who were standing in the courtyard, and stepped forward to clasp his hands and say, "Father-in-law and Uncle-in-law, the two gentlemen are dealing with military affairs with their superiors. We will have to trouble you to wait a little longer."

Wait a little longer?

This is clearly a deliberate act of humiliation!

Hu Rong and Sun Guangzong could no longer tolerate this. Even though they were exiled, their status was still prestigious, and they could not possibly endure such humiliation.

Sun Guangzong, a spoiled brat, could only barely endure the journey in the capital because he was suppressed by his family and feared Li Xianmu. Now that he has arrived in Nanjing, it would be truly not in his nature to continue to endure it.

He immediately roared, "Xu Xianzong! Li Fang! How dare you humiliate me like this?"

Hu Rong shook the chains on the shackles violently and angrily questioned, "My daughter is the Empress. How dare you do this? Aren't you afraid of being questioned?"

Let Xu Xianzong and Li Fang come out and see me!
Is the Duke truly so lawless that he dares to act so recklessly?

Having left the capital, the two had regained their courage. Although the Duke held a high position and wielded great power, his relationship with the Emperor was not as close as theirs!

Especially Sun Guangzong.

He knew better than anyone that if he hadn't faced Li Xianmu this time, even if the Duke of Yingguo had been there in person, he would have been fine. For a favored member of the imperial family like him, angering a noble family was the least of his worries!

Standing here in Nanjing, he was fearless, including the Duke of Wei and the Duke of Han!

Upon hearing this, the officials in the courtyard changed their expressions again. This was truly a battle of gods. They wondered how the two dukes would respond.

"You two really change your tune quickly."

A faint voice echoed from inside the house, sounding somewhat childish, clearly belonging to a young boy.

How could there be a teenager here?
Everyone turned their attention to the source of the sound, and saw two servants come out of the house, then open the door, and a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old came out of the door.

The young man wore a purple-gold crown on his head, inlaid with beautiful jade, a headband between his eyebrows and on his forehead, and a long tasseled sash with colorful silk flowers. He wore a silver-red coat and was adorned with pearls, precious jade, name locks, and amulets all over his body.

His face was as radiant as the moon, and his eyes as bright as the sun. Although he was still young, the handsome features and imposing manner of his entire being gave him a commanding presence. He was clearly a young master from a wealthy and noble family.

Sun Guangzong was already furious. When he saw that the one who spoke was a boy much younger than himself, he guessed that he was just a rich kid from Nanjing. He immediately shouted angrily, "Whose brat is this? How dare you speak here! Call your parents! How dare you!"

He failed to notice the look of surprise and doubt on the faces of everyone in the courtyard. They had never seen this young man in Nanjing before, and more importantly, how could he be here? Could he be the young master of one of those two noble families?
Upon hearing this, the young man chuckled, but quickly suppressed his smile and said calmly with his hands behind his back, "Your Excellency, you are truly a man of great importance who has a short memory. You have forgotten my father's words so quickly that you have to ask my father to come and inquire about them yourself. If my father goes to Nanjing, then Your Excellency will not be able to stay here."

The calmness and confidence in his words were palpable, showing a complete disregard for the emperor's father-in-law and brother-in-law, which was quite unsettling.

Hu Rong was not a spoiled brat like Sun Guangzong. Seeing that this young man was so confident, he was immediately intimidated. He was about to speak, but stopped abruptly. He glanced at Sun Guangzong, who was completely enraged, and decided to let Sun Guangzong test him.

Sun Guangzong was already blinded by rage and roared, "In this city of Nanjing, even the Duke of Wei and the Duke of Han cannot speak to me like this! Who is your father? I want to see who dares to be so arrogant!"

"Young man Li Fusheng, my father is known as Mr. Shouzheng, who is the Minister of Personnel and Grand Secretary. Does the Imperial Brother-in-law know this and remember it?"

Li Fusheng slowly uttered these words with a slight smile.

The entire government compound seemed to be paused, and for a moment all was silent except for the echo of Li Fusheng's words.

Hu Rong remained motionless, his expression unchanged, though his eyes seemed somewhat vacant.

All the officials in the courtyard were stunned on the spot, and then looked at the young man in shock. This was actually the eldest son of Lord Shouzheng.

Did you come all the way from the capital to Nanjing specifically for the Emperor's father-in-law and brother-in-law?

Then what happened today is perfectly normal.

It is likely that Lord Shouzheng knew all along that Hu Rong and Sun Guangzong would not repent after arriving in Nanjing, which is why he deliberately orchestrated today's events.

Sun Guangzong felt somewhat devastated. He had only embezzled some money; did Li Xianmu really have to send his son all the way here to hunt him down?
What should we do now?
A wave of helplessness and fear washed over him, along with a deep chill towards Li Xianmu.

This person is absolutely terrifying!

(End of this chapter)