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

Chapter 240 Zhang Biao: Basic stuff, don't be ridiculous! [Seeking monthly votes]

After the brief and neurotic "food sharing and reminiscing about the bitter past" in the mountain valley, exhaustion surged back like a tide. The four of them leaned against each other, trying to recover their strength.

As night deepened, the rustling sounds in the mountains and forests became clearer, making one's heart tighten involuntarily.

After an unknown amount of time, a series of footsteps, deliberately kept quiet but still audible, approached from afar.

"Who?!"

The middle-aged Imperial Guard instantly became alert and gripped his waist knife tightly.

"it's me."

Song Zhong's voice came through, tinged with weariness, but more so with solemnity.

Zhang Biao and the others were also awakened at this moment.

Song Zhong quickly walked back to the ravine and whispered, "The code was left, but something's not right."

Zhang Biao sat up straight: "What?"

"I found our Jinyiwei's emergency evacuation markings at the agreed location!"

Song Zhong said in a deep voice, his face appearing particularly gloomy in the night:

"It means... the base may have been exposed, and the personnel are scattered and hidden. Communication should not be activated unless it is an extremely urgent situation."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured on the hearts of everyone who had just warmed up because of the Snickers bar and the brief relaxation.

"Damn it! This is never going to end!"

Zhang Biao cursed, feeling that the Snickers bar he had just eaten no longer tasted sweet.

"So, you can't count on your brother who'd risk his life for you anymore?"

Song Zhong nodded heavily: "At least, we won't be able to contact them through conventional channels in the short term. As for Wuchang City... I'm afraid we can't easily enter it either."

These words immediately created a tense atmosphere.

With unknown obstacles ahead and fierce pursuers behind, they are now truly like rats caught in a bellows, suffering from both sides.

"My lord, what do we do now?" The young Imperial Guard's voice carried a hint of panic.

Zhang Biao scratched his hair in frustration, making his already messy hair bun look like a bird's nest.

He stared into the dark forest, his mind racing with calculations.

Going directly into the city would be like walking into a trap.

Staying in the wild is tantamount to waiting to die.

Should we go to other government offices? Does anyone know if there are any 'Bi'an' or 'princes' among them?
"Gan!"

He cursed again, then suddenly, as if remembering something, he abruptly looked at Song Zhong:

"Old Song, you said before that Chen Qianxiang, the deputy commander of Wuchang Garrison, was your brother who would risk his life for you?"

“Yes, absolutely reliable!” Song Zhong affirmed.

"That's fucking right!"

Zhang Biao slapped his thigh, a gambler's ruthlessness on his face: "The more critical the moment, the less you can play by the rules! Don't you Imperial Guards love to play dirty tricks?"

He lowered his voice, a sly glint in his eyes:
"Where does your brother Chen Qianxiang live?"

"Or rather, does he have any secret hideouts in Wuchang City, besides the garrison headquarters, that only you guys know about?"

"For example... a mistress's boudoir? Or the backyard of his brother-in-law's pawnshop?"

Song Zhong was taken aback by the question. After thinking carefully for a moment, he said uncertainly:

"He...he has a mistress in Osmanthus Lane in the west of the city...but that place is very secluded, even his wife doesn't know. I only found out because he was drunk one time..."

"That's it!"

Zhang Biao interrupted him: "The most dangerous place is the safest place!"

"They must have thought we would try to contact the local Imperial Guard or other official channels. They would never have imagined that we would stumble into the cage where Chen Qianxiang was keeping his mistress!"

"But my lord..."

The middle-aged Imperial Guard hesitated, saying, "What if... what if Magistrate Chen... what if..."

He didn't dare to continue, but his meaning was clear: what if Chen Qianxiang also betrayed them?

"bet!"

Zhang Biao said decisively, "I'll bet on whether Lao Song's eyes are blind every time he judges people! I'll also bet that Chen Qianxiang hasn't been completely infiltrated!"

"Besides, do we have any other choice now? To wait to be eaten by wolves in the mountains, or to go to the city and turn ourselves in?"

Everyone was silent.

Given the current situation, they really don't have a better option.

"Done!"

Song Zhong gritted his teeth: "I know how to avoid the patrols and get to Osmanthus Lane! But it's too dangerous to move at night, there are wolves in these mountains!"

"Then let's wait!"

Zhang Biao glanced at the sky: "It's still early before dawn. Everyone take turns resting and stay alert!"

After saying that, he tossed the last Snickers bar to Song Zhong and instructed him, "Enough talk, eat this to replenish your strength!"

Song Zhong took the Snickers bar, paused for a moment, and then glanced at his three subordinates swallowing hard, realizing that this was definitely a magical item like the firearm in Zhang Biao's hand.

So, following Zhang Biao's example, without saying a word, I tore open the packaging and put the Snickers bar into my mouth.

The taste immediately assaulted Song Zhong's taste buds.

He looked at his three subordinates with surprise.

All three of his subordinates nodded and chuckled at him, their eagerness resembling that of Pigsy after eating the ginseng fruit, watching Monkey King eat it.

However, they dared not ask Song Zhong for any more; they could only watch helplessly as he finished eating.

And so, the five of them began another period of anxious waiting in this desolate wilderness.

The mountain wind was exceptionally cold in the latter half of the night, making people shiver.

The three Imperial Guards huddled together for warmth, while Zhang Biao leaned against a rock, gazing at the stars, and began his routine 'spiritual homecoming' ritual.

"Sigh, a few months ago, I was probably in a sauna at the club, lying on a massage chair, having technician number 88 give me a foot massage..."

He muttered under his breath, a look of nostalgia on his face: "Unlike now, we're like cavemen, counting stars and waiting for dawn, and we still have to be careful not to get sneaked up and hacked to pieces..."

"I wonder if the money in my bank account misses the days when I could spend it..."

"Now I understand what it means to die before you've spent all your money... What a tragedy!"

His eccentric manner was no longer surprising to the others; in fact, they even found it somewhat endearing.

After all, although this man sometimes goes crazy, he can actually pull out something and save their lives when it really matters!
Finally, as dawn broke, morning mist began to rise over the mountains and forests.

"action!"

Song Zhong gave a low shout.

Like ghosts, the five men stealthily made their way towards Wuchang City, taking advantage of the fog and the terrain.

They dared not take the main roads, choosing instead deserted paths to avoid all possible checkpoints and patrols.

The process was thrilling, with several near misses with the enemy searching the mountain. They only managed to escape thanks to Song Zhong's extensive experience and everyone's incredible luck.

It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that they finally made their way to the west of Wuchang city without any major incident.

Song Zhong pointed to a quiet, even somewhat dilapidated alley in the distance.

"Sir, it's there, Osmanthus Lane. The house at the very end, the one with the crooked jujube tree in front of it."

Zhang Biao squinted at the seemingly ordinary courtyard, then looked at the account book in his arms that seemed to weigh a ton.

"Let's go! Let's meet Old Song's... brother who's keeping a mistress in a golden house!"

He took a deep breath, and with the same determination he had when heading to a gambling table, he walked first toward the crooked jujube tree.

Soon, the five of them stealthily made their way to the courtyard gate under the crooked jujube tree deep in Osmanthus Lane.

The courtyard wall was not high, but the gate was tightly closed, and it was quiet inside.

"Old Song, should we knock or climb over the wall?" Zhang Biao asked in a low voice.

Song Zhong hesitated for a moment: "If we just knock on the door, what if there are outsiders...? If we climb over the wall, it won't be good to disturb those inside."

Just as the two were debating whether to use words or force, the seemingly flimsy wooden door creaked open a crack on its own.

A pretty woman wearing a coarse cloth dress, with a blue floral cloth wrapped around her head and carrying a vegetable basket peeked out.

She was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. Her simple clothes and hairpins could not hide the charm in her eyes. At this moment, she was looking at the few disheveled and furtive men outside the door with a wary and impatient expression.

"Who are you? Sneaking around in front of my house and doing something suspicious?!"

The woman spoke fluent Wuchang dialect and had a loud voice.

Zhang Biao and the others were startled and almost drew their swords.

Song Zhong reacted the fastest, stepping forward and lowering his voice: "Are you Miss Cuilian? I am Song Zhong, Chen Qianxiang's brother."

The woman named Cuilian sized Song Zhong up and down a few times, then glanced at Zhang Biao and the others behind him who looked like refugees. Her wariness lessened slightly, but her suspicion deepened.

“Brother Song? What happened to you all? You look like you’ve rolled off a battlefield! Chen Lang, he…”

"Sister-in-law! It's an emergency! Let us come in and talk!"

Song Zhong hurriedly interrupted her, afraid that she would shout Chen Qianxiang's name out at the door.

Cuilian was a quick-witted person. Seeing their appearance and hearing Song Zhong's anxious tone, she didn't ask any more questions and quickly stepped aside, saying, "Come in! Come in!"

The five people filed in, and Cuilian quickly closed the courtyard gate and bolted it.

The courtyard is small, but it is kept clean and tidy.

Cuilian ushered them into the main room, quickly poured several bowls of cold tea, and watched them wolf it down before asking with concern:
"Brother Song, what happened? Chen Lang... has something happened to him too?"

"He hasn't come for several days, and I'm really worried..."

Song Zhong put down his teacup and said in a deep voice:

“Sister Cuilian, don’t worry. Qianxiang may be in trouble, but we don’t know the specifics. We’re being chased by our enemies and had no choice but to come here for refuge.”

"Pursuit?!"

Cuilian turned pale with fright, nearly dropping the rag in her hand: "My God! Then...then you didn't attract our enemies, did you?"

“Don’t worry, we shook off our tails before we came here,” Zhang Biao replied.

He glanced around the simple yet vibrant courtyard, then looked at the still-attractive woman before him, her face etched with worry. He inwardly praised Chen Qianxiang's taste, but aloud said with utmost seriousness:
"Don't be afraid, sister-in-law. We just need to rest here for a while. We mean no harm."

"You are."

Cuilian saw that Zhang Biao had delicate features, and although he was also dressed in rags, his official robes and demeanor were very different from those of Song Zhong and the others, so she couldn't help but be full of curiosity.

But then Song Zhong hurriedly introduced, "Sister Cuilian, this is Imperial Censor Zhang Biao, an imperial envoy specially dispatched by the Emperor!"

"Zhang Biao, Imperial Censor? The Imperial Envoy?"

Cuilian frowned, scrutinized Zhang Biao for a moment, then suddenly seemed to remember something, her eyes widened, she pointed at Zhang Biao, and said in a trembling voice:
"You...you're that...that crazy Zhang?!"

"Uh"

Zhang Biao's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "Is my reputation that great?! Even a country woman knows about me?!"

He couldn't help but turn to look at Song Zhong and the others, only to see that the four of them were all looking up at the roof, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

It was obvious that Zhang Biao only realized how famous he was after leaving Yingtian Prefecture.

So, he could only helplessly cup his hands and say, "I am but a humble person, and that is none other than myself!"

"Ah! It really is you, Zhang Qingtian!?"

Cui Lian exclaimed in surprise:
"I've heard Chen Lang mention you many times! He said you've caused trouble for many important figures in the capital, including dukes and marquises. You said you'd audit them, and you even stood up for us common people, even the Emperor—" She wanted to say that you dared to scold even the Emperor, but she immediately stopped herself, then awkwardly laughed and changed the subject:

"Um, Zhang Qingtian, you must be hungry, right? We don't have much good food at home, but it'll fill you up. Please wait a moment, I'll go get you something to eat."

"Hehe, thank you very much, sister-in-law."

Zhang Biao smiled and nodded, then watched Cuilian hurriedly run to the kitchen.

Song Zhong and the other three stared at Zhang Biao in disbelief, too shocked to speak.

Zhang Biao shrugged and said, "There's nothing I can do. I just have this many fans. They're everywhere. It's basic stuff. Don't be ridiculous!"

Song Zhong: "."

Three Imperial Guards: "."

They looked at each other, speechless with disbelief.

When others gain power, it's mostly for their own benefit!

Only when Lord Zhang obtains power will he be truly serving the country and its people!

Otherwise, how could it have resonated so deeply with the people?

On the other side, in Kaifeng, at the Prince Zhou's Palace.

The once solemn and dignified Yin'an Hall remains unchanged in its layout, but the person sitting in the main seat has been replaced by the spirited Zhu Youxun.

He was wearing a hastily made prince's everyday clothes, which, although not the dragon robe of a crown prince, were far more elaborate than those of a duke.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the rosewood chair, listening to his subordinates report on various matters. His eyes held an undisguised sharpness and unquestionable domineering presence befitting a newly appointed official.

"Why are there still three unclear entries in the accounts for the transport of grain in the east of the city? I... cough, didn't I already order yesterday that they must be clarified and reported by noon today?"

Zhu Youxun's voice was not loud, but it carried a coldness, and his gaze shot like lightning towards the military advisor in charge of the matter.

The soldier trembled and immediately knelt down:
"Reporting to the magistrate, it's truly a matter of great antiquity, and the personnel in charge have changed many times, therefore..."

"Excuse!"

Zhu Youxun slammed his hand on the armrest, interrupting his explanation, his voice sharp and stern:

"Change? Then go find them! Investigate! Don't let anyone who was involved escape!"

"If you can't keep clear the accounts, it means you're incompetent! If you dare to shirk responsibility again, plenty of people will want your position as a military officer!"

"Yes, yes, yes! This subordinate will do it immediately! Immediately!"

The soldier was so frightened that his face turned ashen, and he scrambled out of the room.

Upon seeing this, the other officials in the hall were all awed and became extremely vigilant, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

This new 'master' is far more ruthless, decisive, and domineering than the gentle Crown Prince.

Zhu Youxun was very satisfied with the result.

He reveled in the feeling of wielding immense power and having the power to decide life and death. Every order he issued and every tremor of his subordinates greatly satisfied his lust for power.

This is true power! This is the position I, Zhu Youxun, deserve!

"Alright, you can all leave now. But pay attention, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Zhu Youxun sternly dismissed the other officials.

Not long after, a eunuch cautiously entered and whispered something in his ear. His face immediately darkened, and he said coldly:

"Keep a close eye on him and see if Li Mo says anything detrimental to me. Also, keep a close watch on Commander Leng's side!"

"Yes!"

The eunuch responded and then withdrew.

Zhu Youxun narrowed his eyes slightly, snorted coldly, and stood up from his seat, muttering to himself, "What I've obtained, no one can take away from me! Not Li Mo, not even my imperial grandfather!"

After saying that, he went straight back to his study.

"Boom, boom, boom."

After an unknown amount of time, a soft knocking sounded on the door.

"Come in."

Zhu Youxun looked at the document without raising his head, his voice calm.

A woman dressed as an ordinary maid, with her head bowed and eyes downcast, walked in carrying a bowl of late-night snacks, her steps light and graceful.

"Your Highness, it's late. Please have some bird's nest porridge."

The maidservant, with a gentle voice, lightly placed the tray on a corner of the desk.

Zhu Youxun's gaze fell on the document, but his nostrils twitched almost imperceptibly.

In the air, besides the sweet aroma of bird's nest, there seemed to be a very faint, unusual smell that did not belong to food.

"Put it down, I'll use it later," he said calmly.

"Yes."

The maid responded, but did not immediately retreat. Instead, she silently took half a step forward, and a cold glint was faintly visible in her lowered sleeve.

Just as she was about to raise her wrist.

"Pfft——!"

There was a dull sound as a sharp blade entered the flesh.

The maid's body stiffened abruptly, and she looked down in disbelief, only to see a blood-stained sword tip protruding from her heart.

Behind her, a guard dressed in black with a cold expression appeared out of nowhere; he was the assassin secretly trained by Zhu Youxun.

"Drag it down and clean it up."

Zhu Youxun still didn't look up, as if he had only swatted a fly.

The assassin silently obeyed the order, dragging the maid's body into the shadows like a ghost. The bloodstains on the ground were quickly cleaned up, as if nothing had happened.

Silence returned to the room, but Zhu Youxun knew that this was only the beginning.

Sure enough, about half an hour later, the faint sound of clothes rustling in the wind and a few short groans came from outside the room.

That was the sound of his hidden sentries being eliminated.

Here it comes! The real killer move!

Zhu Youxun slammed the document shut, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

He quickly blew out most of the candles, leaving only one in the corner, plunging the study into even deeper darkness.

He then quietly retreated, disappearing behind a large screen behind his desk.

There was already a straw man, similar in size to him and dressed in his everyday clothes, ready there, which was enough to fool people in the dim light.

"Boo! Hah! Hah!"

Several sharp arrows pierced through the window paper and accurately struck 'Zhu Youxun'.

The arrow gleamed with a ghostly blue light, clearly indicating that it had been coated with a potent poison.

Immediately afterwards, with a 'bang,' the door was violently kicked open, and three figures in black, like ghostly shadows, rushed in, their sharp blades aimed straight for 'Zhu Youxun's' vital points.

Just as their swords were about to touch the straw man—

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, a section of the floor in front of Zhu Youxun's desk suddenly flipped over, revealing a dark hole.

The two assassins at the forefront couldn't stop in time and fell directly into the cave. Immediately below came the terrifying sounds of mechanisms turning and sharp blades cutting through flesh, as well as a brief, shrill scream.

The third assassin reacted extremely quickly, stopping abruptly at the edge of the trap, breaking out in a cold sweat.

But before he could even feel relieved, a sudden gust of wind rose above him.

Zhu Youxun suddenly leaped down from the roof beam, a gleaming short sword in his hand, and like a hunting eagle, thrust it straight at the assassin's skull.

The assassin was also skilled; in a moment of haste, he raised his knife to parry.

"clang!"

Sparks flew everywhere.

Zhu Youxun used the momentum to perform a somersault, landing steadily behind the assassin. His short sword flashed like a venomous snake as he slashed at the assassin's neck.

The assassin twisted and dodged, his blade flashing as he forced Zhu Youxun back.

The two exchanged several blows quickly in the dimly lit study, the sounds of clashing swords filling the air.

Zhu Youxun's martial arts skills were surprisingly strong, ruthless and cunning, completely different from his usual effeminate and treacherous demeanor.

"Zhu Youxun! You've been hiding your true intentions perfectly!" the assassin exclaimed, both shocked and furious.

"Hmph! If I don't hide my true intentions, how am I supposed to catch you stupid fish?"

Zhu Youxun sneered, his attacks becoming increasingly fierce.

He knew he couldn't afford a prolonged battle; he had to end it quickly.

Just as the two clashed again and were locked in a stalemate—

"Crack!"

A soft click of a mechanism came from Zhu Youxun's sleeve.

The assassin felt a tingling sensation in his chest, as if he had been bitten by a mosquito. Looking down, he saw a black needle as thin as a cow's hair stuck in his heart.

"You...you used poison..."

The assassin's eyes were filled with terror and resentment, and his body quickly became stiff and paralyzed.

Zhu Youxun showed no mercy, and with a swift stroke of his short sword, he slit his throat.

Seeing the third assassin fall into a pool of blood, Zhu Youxun finally breathed a sigh of relief, a cruel and triumphant smile appearing on his face.

He walked to the edge of the hole where the person had fallen into the trap, glanced down to make sure there were no survivors, and then clapped his hands.

The assassins reappeared like shadows.

“Clean them all up, make it look like… well, make it look like they were assassinated in retaliation by the remnants of my elder brother’s forces.”

Zhu Youxun instructed casually, "Remember to leave some 'evidence' pointing to my good older brother."

"Yes!"

The assassin bowed and accepted the order.

Zhu Youxun walked to the window, pushed it open a crack, and looked at the deep night outside. His previous smugness was gone, replaced by an extremely gloomy expression.

"Uncle Wang... are you already getting impatient and want to clean house?"

He muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with resentment and an even stronger ambition.

"Very well... Since you're so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless in return!"

He touched the mechanism in his sleeve that fired the poison needle, his eyes cold.

This assassination attempt not only failed to kill him, but also completely shattered his last shred of illusion about that 'Uncle Wang'.

This further convinced him that only by firmly grasping power in his own hands could he survive.

Meanwhile, in another secluded corner of the Prince's Mansion.

Leng Feng, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, seemed to blend into the night, quietly watching the faint commotion coming from Zhu Youxun's study and the quickly subsided silence. His face was expressionless, but his sharp eyes narrowed slightly in the darkness.

This week, the Prince's Palace is destined to be anything but peaceful.

But that second master, Zhu Youxun, seemed to be much more difficult to deal with than he appeared.

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(End of this chapter)