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

Chapter 227 One Shot, One Kill; Great-Grandma Can Be Hit! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

On the official road leading to Raozhouwei, the moon was bright and the stars were few, and the sound of horses' hooves was particularly clear in the quiet night.

A cold wind swept across his face, but it couldn't dispel the throbbing in Zhang Biao's heart.

He gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning white, his mind replaying uncontrollably the gunshot inside the post station and the blood blooming between the assassin's brows.

I killed someone...

I fucking shot and killed someone!!

Although he had witnessed murder before, and had even been murdered himself, seeing someone kill or being killed is different from killing someone with one's own hands.

He didn't know how the protagonists in those online transmigration novels managed to travel to another world and be so decisive in killing, but his personal experience was that such people were either perverts or just pretending to be calm.

He clearly belongs to the latter category.

[But...the feel of my touch back then...it seemed pretty accurate?]

[When I practiced with the target in the basement, I wasn't this accurate... Did I transmigrate into this world and become a shooting prodigy?]

This discovery acted like a shot in the arm, temporarily suppressing some of the discomfort.

He couldn't help but look around.

The shadows of the trees under the moonlight seemed to him like potential targets, and an impulse to test them again, even with a touch of showing off, quietly grew.

Just then, Song Zhong, who had been closely monitoring his condition, spurred his horse closer, lowered his voice, and asked with utmost caution:
"Sir, have you discovered anything unusual?"

He noticed Zhang Biao's slightly tense body and his eyes scanning around.

Song Zhong's question immediately put the already tense Imperial Guards on high alert.

"An ambush?!"

"Where?! Protect the adults!"

With a few clangs, the embroidered spring knives were drawn instantly. Several men reined in their horses, forming a makeshift protective circle, and nervously surveyed the dark woods on both sides of the official road.

Zhang Biao was taken aback by this sudden reaction, and then realized that his subconscious action had caused the misunderstanding.

The thought of 'testing his talent' that had just arisen in his mind vanished instantly, replaced by a feeling of being both amused and exasperated.

"Uh……"

He cleared his throat, quickly adopting his usual arrogant and reckless expression, and deliberately raised his voice to reprimand:

"Look at you all, so easily frightened! So what if there really is an ambush?"

"Is this 'thing' in my hand just for show? I'll shoot them one by one and send them to meet their great-grandmothers sooner!"

He patted the spot where he had hidden the gun in his arms, making an exaggerated gesture, trying to cover up his earlier loss of composure and to embolden himself and his men.

Sure enough, seeing his 'calm' demeanor and his mention of the mysterious and powerful firearm, the Imperial Guards breathed a sigh of relief and wore smiles of awe mixed with a hint of flattery.

"My lord is mighty!"

"Yes, sir! Your musket... is truly amazing! It sounds like thunder and moves like lightning!"

"This humble servant has never seen such a powerful firearm before. I wonder which ordnance bureau manufactured it?"

"Sir, if only we could get one for the brothers too..."

"Noisy—!"

Zhang Biao interrupted them irritably, thinking to himself, "Fifty thousand yuan apiece? I'm already feeling the pinch myself, why would I offer it to you? You're dreaming!"

"Hurry up and get on the road! We need to reach the next inn before dawn to rest. Everyone, keep your spirits up!"

"Yes!"

The Imperial Guards, seeing that they had gained the upper hand, chuckled and sheathed their swords, then spurred their horses on again.

Song Zhongze gave Zhang Biao a deep look, asked no further questions, and then silently returned to his seat.

He instinctively sensed that Zhang Biao's unusual behavior just now was not simply a matter of discovering an ambush.

The secrets surrounding this Imperial Censor Zhang, as well as the unpredictable power of that firearm, deepened his suspicions and apprehensions.

But he chose to remain silent, only becoming more vigilant in observing the surrounding movements.

Before long, the caravan set off again, and the sound of horses' hooves became regular once more.

However, about an incense stick's time after they left, two figures that were almost blending into the darkness silently appeared in the dense forest beside the official road.

One of them gently pulled down his mask, revealing a slightly confused face. Under the sleeve of his left arm, the outline of a bluish-black Bi'an tattoo was faintly visible.

"We...we were really discovered by that guy?"

He asked in a low voice, his tone filled with confusion.

They believed they had concealed themselves very well, and their presence was well-controlled.

Even in the martial arts world, they were known as the "Shadow Duo".

However, Zhang Biao's actions just now really startled them.

If Zhang Biao could even discover their 'Shadow Duo,' then Zhang Biao's true nature was far deeper than they imagined.

Another man in black slowly shook his head, his voice hoarse and solemn:
"Uncertain. But this person is perceptive and acts in ways that defy common sense; he should not be treated as an ordinary civil official."

He paused, then added:
"Especially the firearm in his hand, which requires no match, fires swiftly, and is incredibly powerful, unlike anything ever heard of before."

"This matter is beyond our ability to handle. We must immediately report to the Duke and request additional experts. Perhaps... we will also need to use firearms to deal with it."

"Not bad!"

The man in black who had spoken earlier agreed wholeheartedly: "That Zhang Biao is a madman, and to make matters worse, he has such a sharp weapon on him. He's really troublesome! Let's go without delay!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the two dark figures disappeared back into the shadows of the dense forest like ghosts, as if they had never been there at all.

On the official road, only the cold moonlight and the echoing hoofbeats of horses fading into the distance remained.

As Zhang Biao rode on his horse, he forced himself to stop thinking about killing and focused his attention on the Raozhou Guard he was about to face.

The appearance of the assassins and the confirmation of the 'Bi'an' tattoo weighed heavily on his heart like two massive stones, but they also ignited an even stronger fighting spirit within him.

Suddenly, he remembered something else and asked abruptly, "Vice Commissioner Song! Did the assassins who broke into the Ministry of Justice prison to kill Shen Lang and his men also have 'Bi'an' tattoos?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhong felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but ask, "Does Your Excellency mean that these people are the same group that plotted to kill the Crown Prince?"

"Oh, who knows?"

Zhang Biao sneered, his gaze becoming even sharper.

at the same time.

At an official post station not far from Raozhouwei, however, a completely different scene unfolded.

The brightly lit hall was bustling with noise, the aroma of wine and meat mingling with boisterous laughter and curses, almost lifting the roof off.

In the central seat sat a middle-aged general with a burly build, a resolute face, and sharp eyes like a hawk. He was none other than Lan Yu, the Duke of Liang, who had been summoned back to the capital by Zhu Yuanzhang to report on his duties and was granted the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

He removed his armor and wore only a brocade robe, yet it still couldn't conceal the fierce and valiant aura of someone who had been through many battles.

At that moment, he grabbed a plump leg of lamb and tore into it, not caring at all that the oil stains covered his beard.

Surrounding him were his most trusted adopted sons and trusted generals, all of them burly, men exuding a menacing aura.

"Damn it! The wine in the capital is so much weaker than the wine in the border regions!"

A godson named Lanlong tilted his head back, gulped down a bowl of wine, wiped his mouth, and complained gruffly.

A hideous scar on his face added to his fierce appearance: "Godfather, it's certainly a good thing to return to the capital to receive the reward, but thinking about what happened in Sichuan, it's just not satisfying at all!"

He waved his greasy hands, spitting as he spoke:

"We only captured two rebel leaders and killed some incompetent prisoners. In the Sichuan and Yunnan region, the miasma was pervasive, and the mountains were high and the forests were dense. The rebels were like groundhogs, and we were unable to completely wipe them out!"

"In my opinion, we should stay for another year or two to eradicate those uncivilized barbarians and kill them all. That would be truly satisfying!"

"Blue Dragon is right!"

"Exactly! We haven't had enough killing yet!"

The other adopted sons echoed the sentiment, their faces showing both the excitement of battle and the regret of not having achieved their full goal.

For these military generals who made their name through military achievements, suppressing rebellions and capturing enemy generals and flags was the proper path. Returning to the capital to receive rewards was certainly glorious, but it always felt like something was missing—the thrill of living on the edge.

Lan Yu listened to his adopted sons' commotion, laughed heartily, took another swig of wine, and a hint of lingering enjoyment flashed in his eyes:
"A bunch of monkey brats, all they know is killing!"

"You have the war to fight! The Emperor has his reasons for summoning us back!"

That being said, the lingering arrogance between his brows revealed that he actually shared similar thoughts with his adopted sons.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not unaware of Zhu's suspicion of his meritorious officials, but he always felt that as long as he did not rebel, given Zhu's reliance on him, he would never touch him.

Moreover, he was the "uncle" of Crown Prince Zhu Biao. Given the Emperor's affection for Zhu Biao, how could he possibly harm a general who was loyal to Zhu Biao?

However, at that moment, a thin-faced scholar with a goatee, sitting below Lan Yu, gently put down his wine cup.

He was Lan Yu's trusted advisor, surnamed Liu, and was known as "Mr. Liu".

Mr. Liu frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible worry:

"My lord, my generals, your return to the capital this time is certainly an honor, but in my opinion, I'm afraid... whether it's a blessing or a curse remains to be seen."

boom!
Upon hearing this, the noisy hall immediately quieted down.

Lan Yu paused in her eating, raising an eyebrow at him:

"Oh? What makes you say that, Mr. Liu? I just won a battle, and the Emperor has appointed me Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and summoned me back to the capital. Isn't this a wonderful thing?"

"My lord, it may not be a good thing. My lord, think about what has happened in the capital recently."

Mr. Liu sighed and lowered his voice:
"Fu Youwen's corruption case has far-reaching implications. The Emperor seems to have been secretly investigating the truth behind the Crown Prince's death. As a result, Prince Qin was dismissed from his post and sent to guard the imperial tombs, Prince Jin was imprisoned in Fengyang, and even Prince Zhou is now under house arrest in Yingtian..."

“Each of these incidents is shrouded in mystery and danger.”

He paused, observing Lan Yu's expression, and continued:
"Furthermore, you also saw the secret letter sent by the Duke of Kaiguo the other day... His Highness the Third Prince is now also effectively imprisoned in the palace. If His Majesty summons the Duke back to the capital this time, it's because he has the intention of... 'Once the birds are gone, the good bow is put away'..."

He didn't dare to say the rest outright, but those present were all people who had lived through the bloodshed of dangerous situations, so how could they not understand?

"When merit is too great, it overshadows the master; when the rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked"—this is an age-old truth. Upon hearing this, Lan Yu's adopted sons all showed expressions of surprise and uncertainty. Even the most impetuous Lan Long restrained his arrogance and looked at Lan Yu.

Lan Yu tightened his grip on the wine glass, and the carefree smile on his face gradually disappeared.

He was silent for a moment, then downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, and slammed the glass down on the table with a loud thud.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Lan Yu's voice carried an unwavering confidence, but upon closer listening, there seemed to be a subtle, almost imperceptible, lack of conviction.

"His Majesty is not that kind of person! The Northern Yuan has not been pacified, and the Southwest is not yet at peace. We need generals who can fight battles everywhere!"

"His Majesty still needs me, Lan Yu, to guard the border and quell the rebellious ministers!"

"Moreover, these are turbulent times; why would His Majesty cut off his own arm?"

Mr. Liu opened his mouth, wanting to offer a few more words of advice, such as the Emperor being old and his temperament becoming increasingly unpredictable, and the fact that a new crown prince had not yet been established, the political situation was turbulent, and military generals needed to be even more cautious.

However, before he could speak, a godson named Lan Que, sitting on the other side of Lan Yu, spoke first.

Bluebird was known among the adopted sons for his quick wit and some cleverness.

"Godfather, what Mr. Liu said makes sense."

Blue Sparrow picked up the conversation, his eyes flickering with a mixture of disgust and apprehension towards the capital:
"If you say that Yingtian Prefecture is now a den of dragons and tigers, in my opinion, that mad censor named Zhang Biao is definitely the number one monster causing trouble here!"

Mentioning the name 'Zhang Biao' is like pouring cold water into boiling oil, causing an immediate uproar.

"That's right! It's Zhang Biao!"

"Damn it! If it weren't for this madman messing around, auditing the Six Ministries and investigating old cases, how could Beijing be in such a mess?"

"Exactly! It's made us people in the capital have to keep a low profile these past few months. We even have to be careful when going out for drinks, for fear of being targeted by that madman!"

"All the shady businesses in the house were thoroughly cleaned up, so much so that even rats would shake their heads and cry when they went in!"

"This life of having to tuck your tail between your legs is fucking suffocating!"

The adopted sons spoke one after another, their words filled with resentment and dissatisfaction towards Zhang Biao.

Clearly, the storm Zhang Biao stirred up in the capital had greatly disturbed them, even those far away on the border. Or rather, they were forced to restrain themselves due to their guilty consciences.

Lan Yu's face darkened as he listened to his adopted sons' complaints.

Although he was far away in Sichuan, he had heard of Zhang Biao's "great achievements".

Auditing the imperial treasury, disrupting the selection of an heir apparent, confiscating the property of nobles, and now investigating the Grand Canal transport... This madman is like a rabid dog, biting anyone he sees, with absolutely no rules.

What Lan Yu hated most in his life were civil officials who didn't play by the rules and always went against them, the nobles and military generals.

"Humph!"

Lan Yu snorted coldly, an air of arrogance naturally emanating from her:
"Zhang Biao? He's nothing but a reckless scoundrel who doesn't know his place because he relies on the Emperor's favor!"

"Back in the day, I was in the northern desert."

"cough!"

He wanted to mention how he dealt with those who dared to offend him back in the northern desert, but another, more composed subordinate next to him quickly coughed lightly and gestured to him with his eyes to be careful what he said.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he didn't say anything more, but the murderous aura of a seasoned battlefield general made the surrounding temperature seem to drop several degrees.

"That kid better not run into my hands, or I'll make him pay..."

After saying this, he let out a heavy 'humph' and then grabbed the wine jar to fill his own cup.

The atmosphere in the lobby, which had been joyous and cheerful, turned somewhat oppressive and resentful because of the name 'Zhang Biao'.

After an unknown amount of time, just as the atmosphere in the hall reached its peak of tension, a guard carefully bypassed the drunken crowd, approached Lan Long, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Blue Dragon was slightly taken aback at first, then a hint of joy appeared on his face, but he quickly concealed it, simply nodding and signaling his personal guards to step back.

Their furtive actions were quickly spotted by the sharp-eyed Blue Sparrow.

Blue Sparrow, already quick-witted, and having had a few drinks, immediately added a touch of mockery, loudly teasing:

"Sixth Brother, look at you sneaking around like this. What's wrong? Did you kidnap another wild woman from some remote mountain village and hide her nearby? Are you in a hurry because spring is coming to an end?"

"Hahaha!"

These words immediately drew laughter from the entire room, with jokes and banter filling the air.

"Sixth Brother! Keep your voice down, or you'll keep the brothers awake tonight and we'll come knocking on your door!"

"What's wrong, Third Brother? You're still going to hang out with Sixth Brother and the others?"

"It's not like we haven't played it before. Haven't you guys played it before?"

"Hahaha!"

The adopted sons burst into laughter again.

The slight gloom that had just arisen because of Zhang Biao seemed to have been largely dispelled by this vulgar joke.

Even Lan Yu, sitting in the main seat, pointed at Lan Long with a chuckle and a hint of mockery:
"You bastards! What did I tell you guys back in Sichuan? Now that we're in the capital, you better keep your tails between your legs!"

"We've only just begun! You dare to act so recklessly? Don't you want your head?!"

Although he scolded them harshly, he had a smile on his face, clearly not truly angry, and even somewhat indulgent of his subordinates' 'energetic' performance.

In his view, military officers are just like that; having some hobbies and romantic affairs is harmless as long as it doesn't interfere with their duties.

Mr. Liu, who was standing to the side, watched this scene and shook his head helplessly to himself.

He knew that Lan Yu was protective of his own, especially of these adopted sons who had followed him through thick and thin, whom he treated like his own children. As a strategist, he really couldn't interfere in these 'family matters'.

Blue Dragon, who was being ridiculed by everyone, blushed deeply and hurriedly waved his hands in denial:

"Father, please understand! Brothers, don't make a scene! I know what's important, and I would never dare to act recklessly here!"

He paused, looked at Lan Yu, and explained with a serious tone:
"That's how it is. Geng Zhong, the commander of Raozhou Guard, sent someone to say that he wants to hold a welcome dinner for my godfather."

"My godfather may not know that Geng Zhong is my fellow villager. We were separated when we were young and fled from war. We met again by chance on the battlefield and found out that we were both still alive."

"Neither of our parents survived those years, leaving only the two of us. So we kowtowed to each other in front of the army and became sworn brothers."

A hint of reminiscence and tenderness flickered in his eyes:

“Over the years, I have been fighting alongside my godfather. He has also made some contributions elsewhere and was promoted to commander of Raozhou Guard a few years ago.”

"Although we don't keep in touch often, the brotherhood remains. When he learned that his godfather and son were passing by, he wanted to do his best to be a good host."

After hearing this explanation, Lan Yu and his adopted sons finally understood.

"I see!"

Lan Yu nodded, his expression softening: "It's a good thing that you value loyalty and righteousness. You do have a true brother."

He stroked his short beard, thought for a moment, and then waved his hand, saying:
"However, let's skip the welcome dinner. I'm returning to the capital on official business, and many people are watching me!"

"At this critical juncture, to be secretly associating with the local garrison commander, drinking and feasting?"

"If some blind fool like Zhang Biao finds out and accuses me of 'colluding with the garrison and plotting treason,' wouldn't that just be asking for trouble? It's better to avoid trouble!"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Liu's eyes lit up.

A pleased smile immediately spread across his face, 'This child is teachable,' and he quickly cupped his hands in a gesture of flattery:

"Your Excellency is wise! Your words are very true! At this moment, caution is indeed necessary, and it is best to avoid suspicion!"

However, his relief lasted less than three seconds before Lan Yu abruptly changed the subject, addressing the blue dragon who was staring at him expectantly:

"However... if you want to see your sworn brother and catch up, then go ahead."

"After all, it's been many years since we last met, so it's understandable."

"Remember, it's just a private meeting. Don't make a fuss about it, and absolutely do not accept any invitations or gifts from him!"

"Get back here right now after you're done talking! Don't cause any trouble!"

"Yes! Thank you, Godfather!"

Blue Dragon was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly bowed in response.

Mr. Liu, who was listening nearby, almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He thought to himself, "What's the difference between him going and you going?!"

If someone uses this against you, won't it all fall on your shoulders, Your Excellency?

This is...this is utterly self-deception!

He opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him further: "My lord, this matter..."

"All right!"

Lan Yu impatiently interrupted him, stretched, and looked tired.

"I've had quite a bit to drink today, I'm exhausted! We have to travel tomorrow, so everyone go back to sleep!"

He stood up, glanced around at his still laughing adopted sons, and deliberately put on a stern face, scolding them:
"Especially you bunch of little monkeys, you better behave yourselves tonight!"

"Don't make any noise, or you'll give me a heart attack and keep me from sleeping!"

"Hahaha! Don't worry, Godfather!"

"We promise to keep quiet!"

The adopted sons burst into laughter, exchanging winks and smirks, clearly not taking the words seriously. After bowing and laughing, they scattered, arms around each other's shoulders, and went back to their rooms.

Lan Long couldn't wait any longer. He bowed to Lan Yu again and then turned around and left the hall excitedly, obviously to find his sworn brother Geng Zhong.

Mr. Liu watched Lan Yu walk towards the backyard under the protection of his personal guards, and then looked at the empty, disheveled main hall. He could only sigh helplessly, a sense of powerlessness welling up in his heart.

He had a premonition that this seemingly ordinary meeting with the Blue Dragon could become an unpredictable variable in this turbulent time.

With the Duke being so arrogant and careless, his journey back to the capital will likely be far more perilous than he imagines.

As night deepened, the post station gradually quieted down, with only the occasional sound of patrolling soldiers' footsteps.

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(End of this chapter)