Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

In the main hall of the Fang residence, Fang Congzhe was still holding a teacup in his hand when he heard the sounds of people, muskets, and swords clashing in the front yard. Tea spilled all over his clothes, and the porcelain cup fell heavily to the ground.

Sitting opposite him was a man in a sapphire blue brocade robe, who was none other than Liu Banu, and three men in blue brocade robes, who were the heads of the Zeng, Chen, and Huang families in Jiangnan in Shenjing City.

Today, a group of people gathered together to plan a major assassination, waiting for news from various factions.

Hearing the commotion in the front yard, Fang Congzhe's heart sank. Just as he was about to get up and order someone to investigate, a servant stumbled in, shouting:

"Master! Disaster has struck! There are soldiers everywhere outside! They're killing everyone they see, and they've already advanced all the way from the front gate!"

Fang Congzhe was jolted awake, his face instantly filled with panic, helplessness, and disbelief. He hurriedly asked in a trembling voice:

"What's going on? Where did these troops come from?"

"Master, I heard they've been ordered to arrest a wanted criminal and confiscate his property! The entire mansion is surrounded! I think there are even Imperial Guards there, at least several thousand!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Congzhe's face turned deathly pale, his vision blurred, and he nearly fainted. Trembling, he pointed at Liu Banu and demanded sharply:

"Wasn't it supposed to be a meticulously planned scheme? Wasn't it supposed to be foolproof? Weren't you all supposed to be loyal assassins who wouldn't betray us even if captured? How come the Imperial City Guard has come knocking on our door so quickly? What exactly is going on?"

Liu Banu, however, seemed even more flustered than him, muttering to herself:

"How could this happen? How could this happen? I don't know, I don't know at all!"

Huang Yan, the head of the Huang family, forced himself to remain calm and said seriously:

"It's impossible for something to happen to us so quickly. The men we sent out were all elite assassins, and they were prepared to catch us off guard. Even if the assassination attempt failed, they wouldn't have been caught so quickly, much less betray us so soon!"

"Those useless bastards from the Imperial City Guard are utterly incompetent! Elder Fang, have you done something else behind our backs, or harbored someone else? You've really put us in a terrible situation!"

Fang Congzhe was so angry his nose was crooked, and he roared fiercely:

"Screw your suffering!!!"

As a high-ranking cabinet minister, I have been held accountable by them, and I have been led to this point of no return. I feel miserable just thinking about it. Now I am even being falsely accused!

However, Fang Congzhe didn't have time to argue with them at this moment. After finishing his rant, he suddenly stood up, causing his chair to tip backward.

"Quick, everyone follow me out the back door, let's get out of here first!"

As long as we can escape today, and return to our base in Jiangnan in the future, even if the imperial court wants to capture us again, it won't be so easy!

Seeing Fang Congzhe hurriedly leave, the others exchanged glances, and without hesitation, quickly got up, walked around the screen, called to the dozen or so guards outside the door, and followed him into the side corridor.

Driven by a strong will to survive, the group ran for their lives, with Fang Congzhe even forgetting about his wife and children who were still in the inner quarters!

But as soon as they stepped out of the side gate, their gazes froze, and they had no choice but to stop.

On the steps of the side gate stood a row of tall, burly, menacing soldiers in black armor, stained with blood, forming a silent iron curtain, their blades gleaming coldly in the torchlight.

Fang Congzhe, drenched in sweat from running, took a deep breath. His heart sank, and he tried his best to maintain the composure of a cabinet minister, but his voice was noticeably strained:

"You...which government department's soldiers are you from? If you're from the Five Cities Military Command, then find Qiu Liang; if you're from the Five Armies Commandery, then find the Prince of Nan'an!"

"Do you know this is the residence of a Grand Secretary of the Imperial Cabinet? Breaking into the residence without an imperial decree is a capital offense!"

Unfortunately, no one answered him. The guards simply formed a quiet circle, neither advancing nor retreating.

Fang Congzhe shouted the question again, but the guards on the other side simply surrounded them with their knives and no one spoke.

Fang Congzhe and his companions were caught in a dilemma, wanting to continue their escape but fearing being hacked to death!

At this moment, footsteps came from behind the guards, approaching from afar. Each step was steady and even, the soles of their boots treading on the blue bricks illuminated by the torchlight, like an iron law approaching step by step.

Fang Congzhe turned around and saw a figure in black armor in the torchlight. The figure had distinct features and a calm gaze like a deep pool of water. He held a long knife dripping with blood.

Fang Congzhe's expression turned complicated when he saw the newcomer. His eyes flashed, and he said in a trembling voice:

"Marquis Weining, what do you mean by this? I am a Grand Secretary of the current court..."

Before Fang Congzhe could finish speaking, Zhuque shouted:

"Fang Congzhe, you harbored a wanted criminal, colluded with rebels in Jiangnan, twice attacked and killed important court officials, and plotted to wreak havoc in the capital. Your crimes are exposed."

"Guards! Seize these treacherous dogs who tried to murder the Duke and interrogate them severely."

Fang Congzhe immediately shouted:

"Who dares to act recklessly! I am a Grand Secretary of the court, what right do you have to arrest me? I demand to see the Emperor..."

Suzaku sneered:

"What kind of damned cabinet minister are you? To plot against the Duke is a crime deserving of death! I hope you'll still be so stubborn after we've used torture!"

"Tie him up and drag him away!"

After Fang Congzhe and the others were dragged away, a bodyguard ran up to Zhuque and asked:

"My lord, the manor has been basically cleared out. All those who resisted have been killed. We also captured more than twenty of Fang Congzhe's wives, concubines, children, and grandchildren in the inner quarters. What should we do with them?"

"These people are useless; keeping them alive is just causing trouble! On charges of resisting arrest with knives, execute all the remaining members of the household on the spot, leave no survivors!"

Zhuque spoke these words without the slightest hesitation. He was originally from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and it could be said that the work of confiscating property and arresting people today was his true profession!

As Zhuque gave the order, the Fang residence was initially quiet, followed by exclamations and screams.

Soon, the Fang residence truly calmed down, and the thick stench of blood continued to spread in the sweltering air!

An hour later, in the main hall of the Fang residence.

When Zhuque entered the main hall, he still carried the damp smell of ashes and blood from the Fang family mansion.

He paused outside the threshold, wiped the soles of his boots on the blue bricks, and then stepped in, carrying a wooden box and several case files.

"My lord, the entire Fang residence has been searched and confiscated."

Jia Jing, who was sitting on a rosewood chair in the main hall, said in a deep voice, "Speak!"

Zhuque opened the wooden box and took out its contents one by one, arranging them on the table.

"This is the initial clearing; the rest is still being gathered."

Zhuque picked up a thin book and said:

"This is the account book that Liu Ba Nu always carries with her. It records every penny that the Ren family and other officials and gentry from Jiangnan spent to bribe officials in the capital, including the year, month, who received it, how much, and what it was for."

"Among them, there were four payments to Fang Congzhe, totaling 170,000 taels. The most recent payment was in February of this year, a month before Fang Congzhe joined the cabinet."

Zhuque then pointed to a thick stack of letters:

"These are letters exchanged between Fang Congzhe and Jiangnan, which were found in a hidden compartment in Fang Congzhe's study."

"Several of these letters were written by Ren Bo'an and other officials and gentry from Jiangnan to Fang Congzhe. The letters mentioned that 'people need to speak out on matters of state' and 'the benefits of Jiangnan should not be easily abandoned.' Although the wording was veiled, the meaning was clear. Fang Congzhe's replies are also available, and each one is stamped with his personal seal."

Then, Zhuque gently pushed the bottom of the wooden box, revealing the silver notes and gold ingots inside:

"These were unearthed from the cellar in the backyard of the Fang residence. There were twelve chests full of gold, silver, and valuables, including approximately one million taels of silver notes and over three hundred catties of gold ingots. This doesn't even include the paintings, calligraphy, antiques, land deeds, and other valuables. Fang Congzhe has embezzled a considerable amount over the years while in office!"

Zhuque finally produced a confession:

"Fang Congzhe and Liu Banu have both spoken out. Fang Congzhe admitted to accepting bribes from the Ren family, speaking on behalf of the Jiangnan gentry in the court, and knowing about the assassination."

"Liu Banu confessed that he was ordered by Ren Bo'an to come to the capital to take charge of the overall situation, to instigate the coup and assassination. In addition, according to his confession, the records of officials' conduct were deposited by Ren Bo'an at Wanyong Pawnshop outside Chaoyang Gate of Shenjing."

"This shop was opened by Prince Zhongshun. The pawner must present the pawn ticket to collect the money. Both of them have signed the document, and the statement is here."

Jia Jing sat behind his desk, took the evidence and looked at it one by one. After a moment of silence, he looked up at Zhu Que and said in a deep voice:

"Now that we have the confessions, there's no need to wait until tomorrow. Take the men from the Imperial City Guard and the Five City Garrison and arrest them tonight according to the names recorded in the register. Leave no one alive and imprison them all."

"The interrogations will be conducted separately, and collusion is strictly prohibited. I want to see the second statement before dawn."

"Furthermore, send this evidence to Minister Xia, and then have him go to Wanyong Pawnshop to retrieve the records of officials' conduct, and present them directly to His Majesty!"

Zhuque clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble general obeys."

He turned and walked out, his footsteps quickly swallowed by the night under the eaves.

As Jia Jing issued his order, a large number of Imperial City Envoys and soldiers from the Five Cities Garrison began arresting people according to the list in the areas where officials from the East and West Cities gathered!

Teams of Imperial City Envoys kept banging on the doors of the offending officials, shouting loudly. Anyone who refused to open the door or resisted was forcibly broken in by the Imperial City Envoys under the pretext of resisting arrest and killed without exception!

The officials who opened the door in time and cooperated honestly escaped disaster, but they could not avoid being imprisoned!

Some curious officials even sent their servants out to gather information, only to find themselves facing gleaming swords and spears as soon as they stepped out the door!

In an instant, the entire east and west cities were in an uproar, and people were filled with fear. Countless officials were pale and didn't sleep all night, fearing that their homes would also be besieged!

Meanwhile, the Imperial City Envoys were all full of passion, as if they had returned to the peak period of the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu, and once again experienced the awe-inspiring power that made people tremble with fear!

That night, the capital city was filled with the sounds of footsteps, fighting, shouts, and horses' hooves...

The Jia family mansion, the Rongguo Mansion.