Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 135 The Horrifying Battle Royale Begins! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Although Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, Zheng Ci, Zhai Shan, and others had no way of knowing about the earth-shattering changes that had taken place in the Huagai Hall and the drastic shift in the emperor's mindset, they keenly noticed another signal.

The emperor seemed to be in a very bad mood because of Zhang Biao, and even suspended the handling of daily government affairs.

In their view, Zhang Biao was both imprisoned in the imperial prison and about to be executed in the autumn, yet he was still restless, and they also felt that this was a golden opportunity.

"It seems His Majesty is quite angered by that madman Zhang Biao, and has even lost interest in handling state affairs!"

During the secret meeting, Ru Chang whispered excitedly, "This is the perfect opportunity for us to completely eliminate those five little beasts!"

"Excellent! Strike while the iron is hot and kill him!"

Zheng Ci nodded with a sinister smile: "The more the Emperor doesn't want to deal with these trivial matters, the more we need to act decisively and make it a fait accompli!"

"By the time the Emperor came to his senses, Shen Lang and his associates were already utterly disgraced, and their fate was sealed!"

"Humph!"

Fu Youwen snorted coldly, his tone filled with murderous intent, and said, "Those five little beasts, even after being suspended, are still restless. They've been quite active lately!"

"The faster you jump around, the faster you'll die! The Ministry of Personnel is all prepared!"

Zhai Shan was very enthusiastic about this: "The memorials impeaching them are piling up, and more than a dozen charges have been fabricated! We can launch the final blow at any time and imprison them to bring them to justice!"

"it is good!"

Fu Youwen's eyes flashed with a cunning and cold light: "Since the Emperor has no interest in governing, then we will share the Emperor's burdens!"

Then he looked around at the three men and said, "Immediately mobilize all our forces and submit a joint petition first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Not only should we impeach Shen Lang and the other four for forming cliques, inciting popular uprisings, and overstepping their authority, but we should also definitively characterize the conflict outside Chengtian Gate as a malicious incident orchestrated by them to force the emperor to abdicate!"

He paused, then added the most insidious part: "At the same time, have our people in the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review prepare!"

"Once the order is issued, immediately raid Shen Lang and his companions' residence! Search for 'evidence'!"

"At that time, the secret letters they've prepared beforehand, accusing them of 'colluding with vassal kings' and 'resenting the court,' will be their death warrant!"

Upon hearing this, the group exchanged smiles, as if they could already see the tragic scene of Shen Lang and his four companions being imprisoned and tortured into confessing.

They decided not to give these five people any chance to breathe, and to take advantage of the window of opportunity when the emperor was "too busy to attend to other matters" to crush them completely with overwhelming force.

Meanwhile, Shen Lang and his group of five were unaware that an even more insidious trap was tightening around them, and even less aware of the turmoil that Zhang Biao's words had unleashed deep within the palace.

They continued to act separately, utilizing every possible opportunity and resource to launch a difficult counterattack.

Shen Lang tried to see Jiang Huan and wanted to see Zhang Biao again, but the reply he always received was, "The Commander is too busy with official duties to receive you."

The atmosphere at the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters had become noticeably more somber and xenophobic; he could hardly even get close to the door.

Wu Naida used his old connections to get in touch with some lower and middle-ranking officials who were dissatisfied with Fu Youwen and Zhai Shan, and obtained some scattered information about their factionalism and bribery.

However, most of them lack crucial evidence, making it difficult to deliver a fatal blow.

Li Mo stayed up all night writing several satirical and mocking "folk tales," turning the corrupt deeds of Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and others into anecdotes.

Zhao Fengman mobilized his network of connections across all walks of life, and these anecdotes spread like wildfire through teahouses, taverns, and streets, indeed causing much discussion and ridicule among the people, and also tarnishing the reputations of Fu, Ru, and others.

But they are still far from shaking their foundations.

Sun Gui contacted several of his old comrades from the military.

However, when the other party heard that they were investigating Ru Chang, the Minister of War, they all looked hesitant and became very secretive, at most providing some trivial information, clearly fearing Ru Chang's power.

Progress has been far more difficult than they imagined.

Having lost their official positions, they faced immense difficulties. The Fu Youwen Group's influence was deeply entrenched, far exceeding their expectations.

A sense of powerlessness and urgency enveloped the five people.

"No, this is too slow!"

Sun Gui growled impatiently, "By the time we find the evidence, it'll be too late!"

"Fu Youwen and the others won't give us time."

Wu Naida's expression was grave: "I've received word that they may soon be planning something bigger to deal with us."

We have to find a way to see Brother Biao!

Li Mo said worriedly, "Only he knows the most secrets! And only he might be able to tell us what to do next!"

"Meeting Jiang Huan is as difficult as climbing to heaven, and meeting Brother Biao is even more of a pipe dream."

Shen Lang took a deep breath, his eyes resolute: "There's only one way left now."

"any solution?"

The other four looked at him.

Shen Lang lowered his voice and revealed an extremely risky plan: "We must find a way to obtain something that can prove Fu Youwen and Ru Chang's crimes with irrefutable evidence! Something that can bring them down instantly! And then make it public!"

"What is it?" everyone couldn't help but ask.

"The ledger!"

A sharp glint flashed in Shen Lang's eyes: "Fu Youwen embezzled funds for river repairs, and Ru Chang resold military equipment; there's no way there weren't some shady dealings!"

"If we find just one of these books, we can ensure they'll never recover!"

"But...where can we find it?"

Wu Naida found the plan too difficult and frowned, saying, "Their mansion is heavily guarded, and the secret accounts must be hidden in an extremely secret place."

"There is a place where there might be an opportunity."

Shen Lang's gaze drifted in a certain direction, his voice low and deep: "We went to the Ministry of Revenue twice. The first time, it was to demand our unpaid wages; we were just busy making a fuss. The second time, although it was still a hassle, our goal was clear: we went straight to the Ministry of Revenue's archives. That's how I accidentally discovered a hidden compartment in the archives."

"Hidden compartment?"

Li Mo was suddenly surprised: "Then why didn't you tell Brother Biao?"

"It's not that I didn't tell you, it's that I simply didn't have the chance."

Shen Lang shook his head with a wry smile: "Back then, Jiang Huan was watching us the whole time. Later, Brother Biao ordered us to investigate the Ministry of War, while he investigated the Censorate himself. Then, Brother Biao went to prison, so there was even less of a chance."

"This"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

But then Wu Naida asked again, "How can you be sure that what we need is in that hidden compartment?"

Shen Lang thought for a moment and said, "I really can't be sure, but Brother Biao often says that the most dangerous place is the safest. If Fu Youwen is being too clever for his own good, he might very well put those accounts he handled that he couldn't keep under the radar right in front of everyone!"

“But this is too risky!” Sun Guidu felt a chill run down his spine.

We have no choice!

Shen Lang gritted his teeth and said, "This is the only way to break this deadlock the fastest! I'll go find a way to infiltrate the Ministry of Revenue! The others will provide support!"

The group exchanged tense glances, but undeniably, they had reached a point where they had to burn their bridges. Meanwhile, on the other side…

Deep within the imperial prison, time seemed to stand still.

Zhang Biao could clearly sense that the guards outside had been replaced by a group of absolutely elite, sharp-eyed hawks who were loyal only to Jiang Huan.

There was even a silent, highly vigilant sense of oppression in the air.

It was as if this was not a prison cell, but a sleeping powder keg.

Seeing this, Zhang Biao was not afraid at all; on the contrary, he seemed as comfortable as if he were in his own living room.

He started humming those off-key tunes again, and used a brush to draw symbols on the wall that no one could understand.

"Tap, tap"

Footsteps suddenly approached, steady and restrained.

Jiang Huan arrived outside the prison gate, but did not speak immediately.

He simply stared intently at Zhang Biao with those eyes that could chill the hearts of all officials, trying to find even the slightest flaw or fear in this madman.

"Commander Jiang, you wouldn't have fallen in love with me, would you? Why are you staring at my back so intently?"

Zhang Biao didn't turn around, but his mocking words rang out: "So, tell me, does Old Zhu have some new instructions? Like, arrange a few maids for me? Or add an extra hour?"

"."

Jiang Huan's jawline tightened almost imperceptibly.

He suppressed his surging anger, his voice low and cold, carrying a businesslike tone:
"Zhang Biao, the confession His Majesty asked you to provide needs to be delivered as soon as possible. Do not delay any longer."

"Confession? Oh, you mean that?"

Zhang Biao slapped his forehead as if suddenly realizing something, then turned around, a troubled expression on his face: "But you know, when I think about serious matters, I easily get sidetracked. Especially since this prison is filled with a heavy, gloomy atmosphere, it keeps reminding me of old grudges."

As he spoke, he walked step by step toward Jiang Huan, neither looking at Jiang Huan nor wasting words, but stroking his chin as if trying to recall: "Hey, Commander Jiang, isn't it strange?"

"When I was going through old account books a few days ago, I seemed to see that after the Crown Prince passed away, there was a provincial governor surnamed Wang in Shaanxi who was promoted and returned to the capital not long after?"

"He got a lucrative position in the Ministry of Revenue? This promotion speed is ridiculously fast."

"Did he send some lavish gift to Vice Minister Fu Youwen? Like, several truckloads of Shaanxi 'local specialties'?"

"This"

Jiang Huan's heart clenched.

A provincial governor surnamed Wang? Promoted to Minister of Revenue? Fu Youwen?
He identified the person almost instantly and immediately realized that if he investigated further, there was definitely something fishy going on.

Zhang Biao's casual words were like handing an invisible, poisoned dagger to the emperor.

Zhang Biao seemed oblivious to Jiang Huan's sudden change in expression, and continued in his casual, off-the-cuff tone:
"Also, in the Ministry of War, Minister Ru Changru has a brother-in-law who used to work in the Shaanxi Military Command, right?"

"When the Crown Prince inspected that area, it seems he was in charge of some of the guard duties?"

"Later, when the Crown Prince fell ill, he was immediately transferred back to the capital to join the Five Military Commands? That transfer was quite a coincidence, wasn't it?"

Ru Chang's brother-in-law! A bodyguard job!?

Jiang Huan's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

This madman even brought up this kind of connection?! What if the Emperor found out?
"Oh, right!"

Zhang Biao seemed to remember something, slapped his thigh, and looked up at Jiang Huan:

“Minister of Works Zheng Ci, isn’t his hometown Fengyang? He’s from the same hometown as Marquis Wuding Guo Ying, right? The two seem to have a close relationship? Back then, the Crown Prince, ah, look at my memory, I can’t remember again.”

Fellow townsmen from Fengyang! Guo Ying! Zheng Ci!?
Jiang Huan felt a chill run down her spine.

Zhang Biao wasn't reminiscing at all; he was clearly just randomly selecting people from a death list!
Every name mentioned means that person is likely to be caught up in the most terrible and deadly storm of suspicion.

Moreover, the connection is so dubious and malicious that it seems to be entirely unfounded.

"Zhang Biao, the Emperor has decreed that you must immediately write a confession!"

"Oh dear! Look at you! You're in such a hurry again!"

Zhang Biao finally stopped, looked at Jiang Huan, whose face was pale and whose body was stiff as a stone statue, and gave her an innocent smile: "When I think about serious matters, I tend to overthink, and when I overthink, I tend to think about all sorts of random things, you tell me."

He paused, then said meaningfully, "Should I include all of this in my confession, or just consider it as my own wild speculation and let it go?"

Jiang Huan stared intently at Zhang Biao, his throat dry, unable to utter a single word.

He got it.

He got it completely.

Zhang Biao's true purpose.

Zhang Biao was playing an extremely terrifying game.

He himself was imprisoned, yet he casually tossed out one name after another, one seemingly random 'association' and 'question' after another, as easily and casually as a child selecting soldiers!
And if these names, these 'associations,' were to reach the ears of the emperor, who was now driven mad by suspicion, through Jiang Huan's mouth, the consequences would be dire.
Jiang Huan simply couldn't believe it!
The Emperor is now like a wounded and enraged trapped beast, filled with extreme suspicion and murderous intent towards anyone and anything that might be related to the Crown Prince's death!
No evidence is needed at all!
Even the slightest suspicion, or the mere mention of a name, is enough for the Emperor to employ the most ruthless methods to 'investigate'!
Zhang Biao is using someone else to do his dirty work!
Borrowing the Emperor, the sharpest blade in the world, to kill those he desires!

Or what's even more terrifying is that he doesn't care who he kills; he simply enjoys the sense of control that allows him to casually name names and unleash a bloodbath!
And Jiang Huan, the dignified commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the living Yama who strikes fear into the hearts of all, has now become this madman's mouthpiece!
He became the one who handed over the sword in his hand, the one that wielded the power to command troops!
This realization sent a chill and fear through Jiang Huan’s very soul, a feeling he had never experienced before!

This terrified him even more than facing a thousand troops!
"you"

Jiang Huan's voice was extremely dry, with a tremor she herself didn't even realize: "What exactly do you want?"

Zhang Biao's eyes widened in surprise: "I don't want anything? Commander Jiang, didn't you tell me to write a confession as soon as possible? I'm trying my best to remember! Aren't these all very important clues? Maybe they can help the Emperor in his investigation?"

He had a look on his face that said, "I'm cooperating, I'm innocent."

Looking at his appearance, Jiang Huan felt a chill run down her spine.

He couldn't stay any longer; if he stayed another second, he feared he would hear more names that could cause the entire court to bleed.

He turned around abruptly, almost fleeing in panic, his steps even a little unsteady.

He had to report those two names and those associations to Old Zhu immediately!

He knew that whether Lao Zhu believed it or not, these two people, and even Fu Youwen and Ru Chang who were implicated, were bound to face a terrifying nightmare.

All of this stemmed from two seemingly unintentional remarks made by the madman in the imperial prison.

Watching Jiang Huan's retreating figure, which seemed to be fleeing, Zhang Biao's smile slowly faded, replaced by a cold indifference.

[Old Zhu, the roles have reversed!]

From this moment forward, you are my blade. Whoever I touch dies! This is what it means to die together!

He lay back down, closed his eyes, and the 'curse' from that day in Fengtian Hall Square was coming true in a strange way.

The terrifying battle royale has begun.
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(End of this chapter)