You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Finding a place to live is easy, but taking stock of the treasure is a bit of a hassle.

It wasn't until late at night that Ji Yaohua arrived at Lu Zuopang, who was standing in front of the gate of the An residence, and greeted him with a cupped hand: "Respectfully yours, Young Master."

"The An family's treasury has been roughly inventoried. A total of over 1.27 million taels of gold and over 14 million taels of silver were seized."

"The remaining antiques, jade artifacts, rare treasures, land deeds, and house deeds have not yet been listed in detail."

She paused, then took out a stack of letters and an account book from her bosom and presented them with both hands: "In addition, a large number of secret letters between An Yunshan and officials in the court were found in a secret room in An Yunshan's study."

"And private files recording bribery, manipulation of official promotions and demotions, and even framing loyal officials."

"No fewer than a hundred officials are involved, spanning three provinces and six ministries."

So much money?

Lu Zuo clicked his tongue slightly, thinking that the An family truly lived up to their reputation of being incredibly wealthy.

Now they won't have to worry about purchasing mechanical beasts, mechanical weapons, or even meat and medicine for the new army...

The problem is that the Gongshu family's production is a bit too slow; we still need to find time to talk to the Mo family.

Lu Zuo reached out and took the letter and account book, instructing, "You stay here to handle the rest of the matters; I'm going to the palace."

"Yes."

Ji Yaohua said in a deep voice, and when she looked up again, Lu Zuo had already disappeared.

"Sister Yaohua."

At this moment, several women under her command came out of the gate.

The first to approach Ji Yaohua was a lively girl dressed in purple, named Butterfly.

"An Yunshan has dominated Bianjing for decades, his influence deeply entrenched, yet... he couldn't even withstand a single move?"

"The strength of this new master is simply unfathomable."

The youngest, Qiuyan, asked, "Sister Yaohua, what is the new master's temperament like?"

"And how do you treat us?"

Ji Yaohua's gaze swept over her three trusted confidants, her expression grave: "Listen carefully, all of you."

"From this day forward, the An family is a thing of the past. Our master is only one, and that is Young Master Lu Zuo."

"This new master is completely different from An Yunshan. He is ruthless and decisive, and he tolerates no dissent."

"We have seen it today, the An family father and son. They killed without hesitation. From now on, we must be extremely cautious in our actions, put away all our petty thoughts, obey orders without question, and never disobey or be negligent in the slightest."

"If anyone does something wrong and angers him, then... no one can protect you."

"After all, I'm not valued by him anymore."

"You should assess the situation carefully and think things through before acting. Don't think you can rely on me just because I'm around."

Upon hearing this, Butterfly, Cicada, and Swallow all felt a chill and looked at each other in surprise.

Chun Chan looked puzzled: "Sister Yaohua is exceptionally talented, intelligent, and skilled in martial arts. Why doesn't the new master value you?"

Ji Yaohua nodded and sighed softly, "At least, she's not as highly regarded as Liu Ruyan."

On what grounds?

Butterfly's eyebrows furrowed, her voice filled with obvious resentment: "That Liu Ruyan is nothing but a seductive vixen who relies on disguise and allure to bewitch people!"

"Besides impersonating others and using underhanded tactics, what other real skills does she have?"

"Does she even deserve to be compared to Sister Yaohua?"

Chun Chan also frowned slightly: "Sister Yao Hua, your martial arts skills are solid, you are capable in handling affairs, and you have led us for many years without ever making a mistake."

"That Liu Ruyan..."

"Aside from those two unorthodox techniques, in terms of martial arts or strategy, in what way can I compare to you even slightly?"

"Could the new master be...?"

"Were you deceived by her appearance?"

Ji Yaohua shook her head and sighed softly: "Perhaps it was her seductive arts that pleased the new master."

"The new master was kind to her and taught her martial arts, but he was cold and sarcastic to me and treated me like a tool."

Oh?

Upon hearing this, the three women's eyes gleamed.

The butterfly scoffed, "To please men?"

"Oh……"

"If we're talking about looks and charm, are we sisters really inferior to her?"

"Have we not seen enough of the tricks she uses?"

Chun Chan's eyes flickered slightly, and she replied, "Not bad."

"If the new master truly prefers this path..."

"If Liu Ruyan can do it, why can't we?"

"In terms of looks and figure, we sisters have never been inferior to anyone; we just haven't needed to put in the effort in the past."

The youngest, Qiuyan, blushed slightly and whispered, "Exactly."

"Sister Yaohua, if this is the new master's preference..."

"We can learn that too."

"We can't let Liu Ruyan keep having the upper hand and trample on us."

Ji Yaohua glanced at them: "That may not be the reason."

"After all, Liu Ruyan's disguise skills are an extremely important tool for her new master."

……

After arriving at the palace, Lu Zuo handed over the evidence of An Jia's crimes to Liu Ruyan, gave her some instructions, and then had an in-depth conversation with her until he left the palace the next morning.

Following his instructions, Liu Ruyan announced at the morning court session the destruction of the An family and their collusion with court officials to plot a rebellion.

On that very day, a large number of officials were beheaded and their homes confiscated by the Imperial City Guard.

This matter quickly reached the ears of various factions in the capital.

……

At this moment, at the Divine Marquis's Mansion.

Zhuge Zhengwo stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the swaying bamboo shadows in the courtyard, his expression solemn, remaining silent for a long time.

Tie Shou and Sheng Yayu stood behind him, the atmosphere in the hall somber.

After a long silence, Zhuge Zhengwo slowly turned around, his voice low and trembling with barely concealed shock: "The An family... they've been hiding this for so long?"

"Forming cliques and engaging in embezzlement and corruption are to be expected, but this dossier on plotting a rebellion..."

"Forming cliques and engaging in embezzlement and corruption are to be expected, but this dossier on plotting a rebellion..."

"Its influence has even spread to three provinces and six ministries!"

"If Lian Lu Zuogen hadn't been uprooted this time, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Iron Hand frowned, a hint of shock lingering in his tiger-like eyes: "Just how unfathomable is An Yunshan's martial arts?"

"It is said that he has reached the pinnacle of skill. We have been secretly investigating him for many years, but we dare not claim victory lightly."

"But yesterday's incident at the An residence was actually resolved with a single, fatal blow by him?"

"Such strength... is simply unbelievable."

Sitting in a wheelchair, Sheng Yayu's beautiful face was cold and aloof, and her voice was like ice striking jade: "Uncle, Brother Tieshou."

"How did Your Majesty come to know this person?"

"How could we possibly entice such a person to serve us willingly, and upon his arrival in the capital, to sweep away all his enemies with swift and decisive action?"

"Lu Zuo's appearance was too abrupt; his origins and purpose are shrouded in mystery."

Zhuge Zhengwo sighed deeply, "Yes..."

"His Majesty's recent actions are quite different from usual. The abolition of the Flower and Stone Tribute and the eradication of poisonous beasts are already astonishing."

"And now, out of nowhere, this fiend has appeared..."

"With a single stroke, he severed the malignant tumor that had entrenched itself in the court for decades."

He shook his head slightly, his tone tinged with self-deprecation: "I consider myself to have decent martial arts skills, but compared to Lu Zuo, who could kill An Yunshan with a single strike... I'm afraid I'm far from being his match."

"It seems..."

"It's time for me to retire."

……

Six doors.

The God of Arrest sat upright in the main seat of the hall, his knuckles tapping the sandalwood table, his face ashen.

Several trusted constables stood below the hall, hands at their sides, not daring to utter a sound.

Bang!

Suddenly, the God of Arrest slammed his fist heavily on the table, making the teacups rattle: "The An family is plotting a rebellion!"

"The case files, letters, witness testimonies, and physical evidence are all complete!"

"They've been operating right under our noses for decades!"

"And yet, our entire Six Doors, which prides itself on having eyes and ears everywhere, is completely oblivious, like blind and deaf people?"

"This is dereliction of duty! This is a humiliating disgrace!"

An older constable, looking ashamed, said in a low voice, "Your Excellency, please calm down. The An family's actions are indeed secretive. Your subordinate..."

"alright."

The God of Catchers waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "This is not only your incompetence, but also my incompetence."

At this point, he slowly raised his eyes to look into the distance, murmuring, "Lu Zuo..."

"What level of martial arts does An Yunshan possess?"

"He actually killed him with a single blow?"

"This strength is simply..."

Another young constable couldn't help but interject, "Yes, Constable God, putting aside martial arts skills, just look at these methods..."

"Just yesterday, the Imperial Preceptor was appointed to oversee the Imperial City Guard, and then the entire An family was wiped out on charges of treason. Their faction was destroyed in an instant."

"His Majesty……"

"Where on earth did they find such a person?"

The God of Catchers slowly leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath: "Yes..."

"Just who is he?"

"Lu Zuo's name has never been heard of in the martial arts world before; it's as if he appeared out of thin air."

After a pause, the God of Arrest added, "You've said something wrong. It wasn't that Lu Zuo was so powerful that he wiped out the An family in an instant."

"It's because His Majesty made the excellent arrangements."

The constables were taken aback: "Does the God of Constables mean... this was all His Majesty's doing?"

"Otherwise what?" The God of Arrest glanced at them: "Suddenly appointing this person of unknown origin, suddenly sweeping away his home."

"Oh......"

"I suspect that this Lu Zuo might be one of His Majesty's secret trump cards."

"Our Six Doors, and Zhuge Zhengwo's Divine Marquis's Mansion..."

"Ha, he has long been out of His Majesty's favor."

The God of Catcher's voice was tinged with sadness, and the thought of retiring began to stir in his heart.

After all, in his view, all of this was an arrangement by Emperor Huizong of Song, and the Six Doors and the Divine Marquis's Mansion were just pawns in the open.

The Emperor's true territory, the one he truly trusts and values... is that Lu Zuo!

It is likely that His Majesty had already taken Lu Zuo under his command several years, or even longer, to use as a pawn in a secret investigation into the An family's rebellion.

This made the ever-loyal and self-proclaimed highly valued Catcher God feel like he and Zhuge Zhengwo were clowns...

.......

An Yunshan's letters were a great help to Lu Zuo.

In the following days, Ji Yaohua led the Imperial City Guard in a frenzy of ransacking homes, exterminating families, and seizing illicit funds.

Meanwhile, Lu Zuo frequently traveled between the fictional Song Dynasty and the Qin Dynasty, transporting gold and silver treasures out in batches.

This upheaval of house raids lasted for more than a month before it finally ended.

The proceeds amounted to nearly 18 million taels of silver and more than 1.5 million taels of gold, which was equivalent to three years of tax revenue from the fictional Song Dynasty!

During this period, a minor incident occurred: Zhuge Zhengwo and the God of Catching retired to their hometowns, and the Divine Marquis's Mansion was disbanded.

Lu Zuo then took the opportunity to let Ji Yaohua take over the Six Doors and the intelligence network that the Divine Marquis's Mansion had built up over the years, so that he could continue to investigate corrupt officials and confiscate their property in the future.

……

On this day, in the former residence of a corrupt official, now the residence of the Imperial Preceptor, in Lu Zuo's bedroom.

"It's time to try and contact the Mohists."

dong dong dong...

Just as Lu Zuo was about to take out the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden's Touring Token, he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Butterflies, cicadas, and swallows beseech you, sir."