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

Chapter 231 Failure makes one a traitor, success makes one a follower of the dragon! [Requesting monthly votes!]

Zhu Yuanzhang can be considered the most famous "Emperor of Evidence" in history.

He never kills people directly, especially those he hates to the core. Instead, he investigates thoroughly before making a big show of killing them.

Moreover, once they start killing, they can't stop; the longest can last for more than ten years, such as the case of Hu Weiyong.

But there was one exception. In order to kill him, Old Zhu would fabricate 'evidence' out of thin air, even if he couldn't find any.

This shows just how deep his obsession with 'evidence' goes.

And this person is—

[Blue Jade...]

The name lingered in Zhang Biao's mind, carrying the weight of history and the unpredictability of reality.

He tried hard to recall the whole story of "The Case of Lan Yu".

Lan Yu was a famous general who helped found the Ming Dynasty. He had made great military achievements, especially after defeating the Northern Yuan at Buyur Lake, which brought him to the peak of his fame.

He was arrogant and domineering, complacent about his achievements, kept slaves and adopted sons, and acted lawlessly, all of which are clearly recorded in historical books.

Ultimately, in the twenty-sixth year of the Hongwu reign, he was skinned alive and stuffed with straw by Zhu Yuanzhang on charges of 'treason,' which implicated and led to the deaths of more than 15,000 people. This case is known as the "Lan Yu Case."

【rebellion……】

Zhang Biao sneered inwardly.

Given Zhu Yuanzhang's extremely suspicious nature and his control over the Embroidered Uniform Guard, if Lan Yu truly harbored any rebellious intentions, even the slightest hint of it would have been exposed and crushed to dust long ago.

Why wait until the 26th year of the Hongwu reign, and still need the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jiang Huan, to make a 'false accusation'?

He carefully analyzed the person of Lan Yu and the nature of "The Case of Lan Yu".

Lan Yu's character flaws are obvious: he is arrogant, conceited, greedy, and lawless.

He tolerated his subordinates encroaching on farmland, assaulting imperial censors, and even, on the return from a northern expedition, when the officials guarding Xifeng Pass failed to open the gate in time, he ordered his troops to destroy the pass and enter the country...

Every single one of these actions is a path to certain death.

But is this 'treason'?

No, it's more like a military man blinded by his great military achievements and the emperor's favor, recklessly squandering his political capital and challenging the bottom line of imperial power.

He probably thought that as the maternal uncle of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, a pillar of the state, the old Zhu would always tolerate him.

Does Lan Yu have the guts to rebel?

Zhang Biao carefully considered the matter.

[Perhaps he did, but he absolutely lacked the inclination to rebel! And it's even more impossible that he would orchestrate such a meticulously planned scheme of 'nurturing bandits'!]

Lan Yu's thinking is typical of a military general.

He was straightforward and believed in strength and merit on the battlefield.

Let him manage a vast network spanning the Grand Canal, military garrisons, and vassal kings, profiting immensely by controlling military supplies and potentially influencing border situations, while also balancing the power within the imperial court.
What profound cunning, meticulous planning, and long-term political patience this requires?

This is far beyond what Lan Yu could achieve!

He is more like a wildly sharp but uncontrollable blade.

If used properly, it can expand territory.

If the knife is not used properly, or if the person feels that it may harm them, they will destroy it without hesitation.

And Old Zhu was the one who ultimately decided to destroy the knife.

The essence of "The Case of Lan Yu" is a political purge carried out by Zhu Yuanzhang to consolidate imperial power and clear obstacles for his descendants.

The so-called 'treason' was more of an excuse to facilitate the implication of others and the complete elimination of their power.

It was precisely because Lan Yu may not have been involved in a truly organized rebellion that Zhu De needed Jiang Huan to fabricate specific 'evidence' so that he could legitimately carry out a large-scale purge.

Therefore, Lan Yu is unlikely to be the mastermind behind this "bandit-raising" chain. He lacks the cunning and vision.

Zhang Biao drew a preliminary conclusion.

He is more likely a victim, or a beneficiary or cover for someone else, who was manipulated or had some of his subordinates involved.

[Someone is using his arrogant and unruly border army, along with his connections to court nobles and possibly even certain regional princes, as cover for more clandestine activities.]

【even……】

An even more terrifying thought surfaced in Zhang Biao's mind.

The mastermind behind this might be pleased to see Lan Yu so arrogant, because his very existence makes him the perfect target to attract the emperor's and the court's attention!

[Once the incident comes to light, the first to be suspected and pushed forward to take the blame will likely be someone like Lan Yu, a high-ranking official who attracts attention and is himself not clean!]

Having figured this out, Zhang Biao was no longer so worried about the appearance of the Blue Dragon.

[Lan Yu, this powerful figure, is in dire need of protection himself. The threat posed by his adopted sons is more a matter of tactical recklessness than strategic intrigue.]

The key now lies with Raozhou Guard and Geng Zhong!

He once again brought his thoughts back to the predicament before him.

[Geng Zhong's meticulously prepared warehouse indicates that he received accurate early warnings and was capable of completing the 'cleanup' in a short time. This implies three key points.]

[1. Smooth information channels: The mastermind behind the scenes has informants in the capital or within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who can promptly relay Zhang Biao's movements and intentions.]

2. Strong execution: Raozhou Guard has an efficient emergency response mechanism, or Geng Zhong has absolute control, enabling him to quickly cover up any traces.

3. The problem is not obvious: the real flaw is hidden in a deeper part of the process.

Zhang Biao's eyes refocused, flashing with a calm and determined light.

He turned to Song Zhongdao, his voice low but firm: "Old Song, we don't have time to be discouraged."

"The more Geng Zhong tries to drive us away, the more it proves that he has something to hide, and that he has something to hide very well!"

"If we can't find it in the obvious warehouses, we'll start from somewhere else!"

Song Zhong paused for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Does Your Excellency mean to investigate both openly and covertly?"

Zhang Biao thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "I have three instructions. Write them down."

"First, we must break our people into smaller groups, disguise them as merchants and refugees, and keep a close watch on all the external passages of Raozhou Guard."

"Especially at night, or on remote routes leading to mountains or waterways. Record all unusual convoys and personnel movements."

"Second, we will focus on investigating blacksmith shops, leather shops, and woodworking workshops around the garrison, especially those that take on business from the garrison."

"Ask them if they've had a lot of repair or modification work on ordnance lately? Or, have they dealt with any special 'scrap'?"

"third!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Biao's eyes:
"Find a way to reach the lower-ranking military households in the garrison, especially those who are frustrated or have been ostracized by Geng Zhong and his cronies. Offer them substantial rewards or promise protection to get them to talk!"

"Ask them if there are any shady 'little warehouses' in the garrison? Are there any irregularities in the maintenance and disposal procedures for military equipment? Which officers have been particularly extravagant lately?"

After he finished speaking, he paused, then added:

"Also, check the documents and accounts between Raozhou Guard and local officials, the canal gangs, and even the nearby mines to see if there are any irregular flows of funds or materials."

Upon hearing these clear instructions, Song Zhong was filled with admiration and immediately accepted the order: "Yes, sir! I will arrange it right away!"

Zhang Biao glanced one last time at the Raozhou Guard, which seemed like an impregnable fortress, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.

[Geng Zhong, do you think everything will be fine once you get rid of me?]

The more you try to cover it up, the more flaws you'll reveal!

If open methods don't work, we'll resort to covert ones. If we can't find it in the warehouse, I'll dig into your very roots!

I want to see just how many shady things your Raozhou Guard is hiding!

He turned around, with a suppressed yet even more determined aura, and disappeared into the wilderness outside Raozhou Guard.

……

the other side.

Although Lan Long had 'politely' escorted Zhang Biao and his group out of Raozhouwei with an unreasonable attitude, the anger in his heart had not completely dissipated.

He returned to the secluded courtyard that Geng Zhong had arranged for him, but instead of resting immediately, he dismissed his attendants and paced alone in the courtyard.

The cool night breeze dispelled some of the effects of the alcohol and made his mind clearer.

Zhang Biao's cold and profound gaze before he left, and his warning, "Push your godfather and the entire Liangguo Duke's Mansion into the fire pit," echoed in his ears like a curse.

[The Duke of Kaiguo has written several times to remind my adoptive father that Zhang Biao is a scoundrel who is quick to accuse and should not be easily provoked... Was my action today truly impulsive?]

Blue Dragon frowned, lost in thought.

Brother Geng, when he confided in me, spoke earnestly, swearing oaths and vows; it didn't seem like he was faking it.

Why is Zhang Biao so fixated on him? Could it be true, as Zhang Biao claims, that his elder brother has a problem...?

He dared not think any further; a sense of unease, as if caught in a whirlpool, gripped him.

Lan Long was not afraid of death, but he was afraid of causing his adoptive father, Lan Yu, a huge problem.

Just then, the courtyard gate was gently pushed open, and Geng Zhong walked in alone, carrying a small wine jar in his hand.

His face showed the weariness and a hint of loneliness that followed the joy of reunion.

"Brother, haven't you rested yet?"

Geng Zhong walked to the stone table, put down the wine jar, and said in a slightly hoarse voice.

Lan Long turned around, looked at Geng Zhong, and said with a complicated expression, "Brother, I... feel a little uneasy."

Geng Zhong gave a wry smile, sat down on his own, and broke the clay seal on the wine jar. A rich aroma of wine immediately filled the air.

He didn't look at Lanlong, but stared at the swaying wine in the jar, and slowly said, "Is it because of Zhang Biao's words?"

The blue dragon was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, its voice low and deep:

“Brother, it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just… Zhang Biao is a madman. My godfather and the Duke of the Founding Kingdom are both quite wary of him.”

"I forcibly drove him away today to avenge my elder brother, but I'm afraid... that after this madman goes back, he will talk nonsense in front of the Emperor and slander my godfather."

He paused, then sighed, "I can't cause trouble for my godfather."

Upon hearing this, Geng Zhong narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself that he had indeed come to the right place. This Blue Dragon had begun to doubt him because of Zhang Biao's words.

But he didn't rush to make an offer.

Lanlong hesitated for a moment, then suddenly raised his head, staring directly at Geng Zhong with a scrutinizing gaze, and said:

"Brother, tell me the truth, is Raozhou Guard really completely clean? Is there not a single thing that madman could use against you? That 'beast token'... is it really unrelated to you?"

Upon hearing these three soul-searching questions, Geng Zhong paused slightly in the hand holding the wine jar.

Immediately, he slammed the wine jar down on the stone table with a loud thud.

Then, he looked up, his eyes instantly reddening, his face a mixture of pain, anger, and an indescribable sorrow at being questioned by his brother.

"Blue Dragon! No... Wang Dalong!"

Geng Zhong's voice trembled:

"We met when we were both nobody. Our hometown was destroyed, our families were scattered, and we were left as two orphans struggling to survive on the battlefield!"

"Back then, when the knife came at you, who blocked it for you? When the arrow came at you, who pushed you away? We kowtowed and swore brotherhood amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, vowing to live and die together!"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, suddenly standing up and ripping open his shirt to reveal several gruesome old scars on his chest:
"Look carefully!"

"This dish was left to save you!"

"This mark was made by the Tartars' scimitars when we charged together!"

"Our blood is intertwined!" He pointed to his heart, and tears actually rolled down his cheeks.

"In my life, I, Geng Zhong, may have wronged others, but I have a clear conscience when it comes to you, Lan Long!"

"Today, you actually doubt me to this extent?!"

Having said this, Geng Zhong abruptly drew his sword from his waist, threw it with a clatter at Lan Long's feet, and then knelt down with a thud, tilting his head back, closing his eyes, and awaiting death, hissing:

"If you truly believe that your elder brother is a traitor who aids the enemy and supports bandits, and who will implicate the Duke of Liang, then take action!"

"Use this knife to cut off my head! Take it to Zhang Biao, take it to the Emperor! Consider it my loyalty... that I died on the battlefield back then!"

"It also saves... saves my good brother from being put in a difficult position!"

This tearful, death-defying performance, coupled with the shocking scars and memories of sharing life and death, struck Lanlong's heart like a heavy hammer.

Lanlong looked at his sworn brother kneeling on the ground, awaiting execution, and saw the tears on his face and the scars on his chest. His previous doubts were instantly overwhelmed by immense guilt and brotherly loyalty.

"Brother! What are you doing! Get up!"

Lan Long rushed forward and helped Geng Zhong up, his voice choked with emotion:

"Brother, how could I not believe you!"

"I'm just... I'm just worried that that crazy dog ​​will bite people and implicate my godfather!"

He kicked the knife aside and gripped Geng Zhong's shoulder tightly:

"Brother, I believe you! I'll always believe you! I misspoke just now, you can hit me or scold me, it's all fair game!"

Geng Zhong stood up, wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and gripped Lan Long's arm tightly, his tone heavy:

“Brother, I don’t blame you. It’s Zhang Biao who’s too cunning and adept at sowing discord! I’m just… just heartbroken!”

The two sat down again, but the atmosphere was even heavier than before.

Blue Dragon took a deep breath and made a decision:

“Brother, we should not stay here any longer. I will set off back first thing tomorrow morning to inform our godfather about this matter and let him be prepared.”

"If Zhang Biao really dares to act recklessly, my godfather will deal with him!"

Geng Zhong was startled.

He's leaving tomorrow?! How can that be?!

【I was ordered by the Prince to drag the Duke of Liang into this mess. If he leaves, won't the Prince's entire plan be ruined?!】

Moreover, Zhang Biao is still outside; he certainly won't let this go easily. With Lan Long around, he might be mindful of the Duke of Liang and not dare to be too reckless.

No! We absolutely cannot let the Blue Dragon escape! We must keep him here!

Although he had made up his mind, Geng Zhong showed an expression of understanding and reluctance on his face, and sighed:

“My concern, my dear brother, is that I haven’t considered things carefully enough and have put you in a difficult position.”

"If you want to leave, I can't force you to stay, but..."

He changed the subject, pointing to the jar of wine on the table, a nostalgic smile on his face:
“Brother, do you remember? After we fought that fierce battle, we were lucky enough to survive. We found a jar of fine wine hidden by someone in a dilapidated temple. You said that when we made something of ourselves in the future, we would drink to our hearts' content.”

"Brother, I said back then that when we brothers meet again, I will definitely treat you to a jar of wine that's even better than that!"

He stroked the wine jar and said with utmost sincerity:
"This jar of 'Zhuangyuanhong' was planted by me when I was promoted to commander, with the thought that one day I could share this joy with you, my dear brother."

"Now... the time is just right. After you finish this jar of wine, your elder brother will personally see you off from the garrison! Consider it... a farewell gift!"

Looking at the jar of wine, then at Geng Zhong's sincere yet forlorn eyes, Lan Long recalled the times they drank together in the dilapidated temple, and a surge of warmth welled up in his heart, a feeling of heroic spirit rising within him:

"Alright, brother! Tonight, we brothers will drink until we drop!"

"That's right! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

Geng Zhong laughed heartily and personally filled two bowls with wine: "Come on, my good brother, bottoms up!"

The wine bowls clinked together, and the two drank it all in one gulp.

As Geng Zhong urged others to drink, he recounted amusing anecdotes from the past, and the atmosphere seemed to return to those pure and innocent years.

However, after a few bowls of wine, Lanlong gradually felt his head getting heavy, his vision becoming blurry, and his limbs becoming weak.

"Brother...this wine...it's really strong..."

He shook his head, trying to stay awake.

Geng Zhong still wore a concerned smile on his face:
"Yes, it's a fine vintage wine, quite potent. My brother's alcohol tolerance isn't what it used to be."

"Nonsense..."

Blue Dragon tried to hold on, but his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Finally, his body went limp, and he collapsed onto the stone table, completely losing consciousness.

Upon seeing the unconscious Blue Dragon, Geng Zhong's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, gloomy expression.

He stood up and gently kicked Blue Dragon to confirm that he had been completely knocked out by the sleeping potion.

"Someone is coming."

he whispered.

Several trusted guards appeared silently in the courtyard.

"Is everything cleaned up?" Geng Zhong asked.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the personal guards that General Lan brought are all drunk."

The head of the guards made a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes fierce.

Geng Zhong nodded, glanced at the blue dragon lying on the table, his eyes showing a complex expression for a moment, but it was immediately replaced by resolute determination.

"Carry him to the secret cellar and guard him carefully. No one is to approach him without my order!"

"Yes!"

The guards quickly stepped forward, lifted the unconscious Blue Dragon, and silently disappeared into the dark corridor.

Geng Zhongze stood alone in the courtyard, looking at the empty wine bowls and jars on the table. The moonlight shone on his face, half bright and half dark.

He exploited decades of brotherhood to stage a tragic drama, ultimately using the most despicable means to imprison his sworn brother who came to help him.

【Brother Blue Dragon, failure makes you a traitor, success makes you a follower!】

Don't blame the older brother for being ruthless... blame that arrogant Zhang Biao for being so overbearing! Blame this world for not tolerating even the slightest mistake!

Don't worry, as long as you get through this, your brother will definitely release you and apologize to you...

He tried to justify himself in his mind, but the lingering sense of guilt and the fear of Zhang Biao finding out about the 'Beast Brand' pickup still clung to his heart like a venomous snake.

He knew that he had no way out.

We must erase all traces of Raozhouwei as soon as possible. At the same time, we must find a way to make Zhang Biao... shut up forever!
Meanwhile, Zhang Biao returned to his temporary lodging outside the garrison and began to repeatedly analyze the various doubts surrounding Raozhou Garrison.

Although he had already given Song Zhong and his team three feasible instructions, he still felt that something was not right.

He reviewed the entire process in detail.

Geng Zhong was able to tidy up the warehouse perfectly before they arrived, which was incredibly efficient.

The problem is that Raozhou Guard, as a guard post of the Ming Dynasty, could never be a monolithic entity; there must have been spies planted by Zhu Yuanzhang.

However, Song Zhong did not receive any special reports from his informants, indicating that either the informants were also kept in the dark or had limited information.

The reports from Lao Qian and his team, who were keeping watch on the perimeter, were also very clear: no strangers had entered or left in the past two days.

This indicates that those shady dealings, or what may be real secrets, vouchers, or even some sensitive military equipment, have not been dealt with or destroyed.

Because the internal processing and destruction would certainly not escape the notice of Lao Zhu's informants.

Therefore, they either had to rely on strangers to secretly transport the goods away, or they had to move to a more secluded place to hide themselves.

Thinking of this, Zhang Biao's eyes suddenly became incredibly sharp.

Geng Zhong now seems to be sitting on his own two feet, backed by Blue Dragon, who kicked him out.

But he could never truly find peace of mind.

Those hidden clues are like time bombs; the longer they remain, the greater the risk.

Lanlong cannot stay in Raozhouwei forever, and he will not give up easily.

Geng Zhong will definitely try every means to dispose of this evidence as quickly and secretly as possible.

What method will he use?

Zhang Biao pondered deeply.

With conventional transportation channels under our surveillance, large-scale operations are easily exposed...

"Old Qian!"

Zhang Biao suddenly called out towards the door.

Old Qian quickly pushed the door open and came in: "Sir, what are your orders?"

"Think about it carefully again. In the past two days, while you were keeping watch outside Raozhouwei, did you see anything that seemed normal at first glance, but upon closer inspection, something felt off?"

Zhang Biao stared intently at him: "Remember! Don't overlook any detail!"

Upon hearing this, Old Qian tried hard to recall, and suddenly, he slapped his thigh:
"Now that you mention it, I do remember!"

“Last night, my old injury flared up again, and I was coughing badly. I couldn’t sleep, so I took a walk in the grove outside the west gate of Raozhouwei to get some fresh air.”

He described the scene at the time:
"It was probably just past midnight then, and the sky was pitch black."

“A small crack appeared at the west gate of Raozhouwei, and more than a dozen manure carts came out one after another! They were the kind of mule carts that were used to collect manure from the chamber pots of the various barracks.”

"At the time, my subordinates didn't pay much attention. There were many people in the garrison, so it was normal for some filth to be produced every day."

"It just feels like... there are more manure carts than usual, and they're all packed full."

"A manure cart?!"

Zhang Biao's pupils suddenly contracted, and he abruptly stood up: "Midnight? More than a dozen vehicles? And all fully loaded?!"

He grasped the key point instantly!

Even if Raozhouwei has several thousand people, it produces a lot of excrement every day, which needs to be cleaned up every day. It is absolutely impossible for a dozen fully loaded manure trucks to suddenly appear in the middle of the night!
This is so abnormal!
[That's it! A manure cart! Who would bother to thoroughly inspect a manure cart full of filth?! It's perfect cover!]

[Geng Zhong must have used a manure cart to smuggle evidence, and even small pieces of weaponry, out of the city, mixed in with the excrement!]

"That Geng Zhong! He actually resorted to such despicable means!"

Zhang Biao's face was ashen, and he immediately shouted, "Song Zhong!"

"grown ups!"

Song Zhong responded and entered.

"Immediately send two quick-thinking brothers to secretly track down the manure cart that went there last night, following the path outside the west gate of Raozhouwei!"

"The key is to check for any abnormal dumping points, or whether the vehicle separates or turns midway! Be quick! Be careful!"

Zhang Biao spoke very quickly, with an undeniable urgency.

"Yes!"

Seeing Zhang Biao's solemn expression, Song Zhong knew that the matter was of great importance and immediately turned around to make arrangements.

He knew that Raozhou Guard was probably doomed soon.

……

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(End of this chapter)