Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"I can't believe this even happened!"

Ma San Kui frowned slightly.

"Unexpectedly, your father, Lord Lu, even appointed Young Master Lu as a member of the Imperial Guard."

Although this strongman's rank was lower than that of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Captain, and was only the lowest-ranking position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he was different from the white-robed guards and had a formal establishment.

If Young Master Lu does not report for duty, that would be considered "evasion of duty," a serious crime.

Ma had seen many "deserted" border soldiers and garrison soldiers who were caught and executed.

For the first escape, one hundred strokes of the cane and sent back to the original post; for the second escape, one hundred strokes of the cane and sent to a remote garrison; for the third escape, hanged.

Harboring and harboring "deserters" is at least a crime of "concealing deserters," punishable by one hundred strokes of the cane and exile for three thousand miles.

If someone were convicted of "harboring a criminal" or "inciting government troops," it would be a capital offense.

To be honest, Young Master Lu, the Chang Le Society has also secretly taken in "deserters" who changed their names and identities.

However, these "evaders" are all poor people, and as long as they are far away from their original place of service, no one will track them down from afar.

For the Chang Le Association, the risk is actually not that great.

"These armored guards are different, aren't they?"

Lu Chen glanced at Ma San Kui, a helpless expression on his face.

"Young Master Lu is right."

Ma San Kui gently shook his head.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard was mainly stationed in the two capitals of Beijing and Nanjing, and was rarely seen in other parts of the country."

Mr. Ma has visited many prefectures and counties over the years, but he has only met them a few times in the provincial capital.

The emperor's personal guards were naturally incomparable to ordinary guards.

The idea of ​​a "deserted conscript" Jinyi guard was something that Ma had never heard of before.

As Young Master Lu just said, even if your father is a captain in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it would still take some effort to get his illegitimate son into the ranks of a strongman.

If you don't want to fill the gap, there are plenty of others who do, and you can even save some money!

Under such circumstances, how could anyone possibly "dodge their military service"?!

If Young Master Lu doesn't report to the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital, it probably won't work!

unless...

"I do have a solution, but I wonder if Young Master Lu would be willing?"

"Please speak freely, Mr. Ma."

Lu Chen was secretly delighted; this guy had finally taken the bait!

The allure of a gambling master who can win every game at the table is simply too great for him.

That was enough to make him choose to take the risk!

As long as you show interest in the pie he proposed—that you join forces to defeat all competitors and monopolize the entire gambling industry in Xiangyang Prefecture.

It was only due to objective reasons that I had to reject his proposal.

This guy will definitely do everything he can to keep himself here!

Openly harboring deserters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare!

Since that's the case, the only option is to make "Lu Chen, the Brocade-Clad Warrior" disappear!

Then, create a fake identity for yourself with complete documentation that can withstand government investigation.

It is not appropriate for you to propose this solution yourself, as it is likely to arouse the other party's suspicion.

This guy has been in the underworld for so many years, he's definitely not lacking in vigilance. Even if he agrees, he might still have some doubts, or even secretly leave some backup plan.

Only when the other party comes up with the idea themselves and proposes the solution will they completely lower their guard!

"Ma's solution is to change his identity!"

After a moment of silence, Ma San Kui finally spoke.

"If Young Master Lu is willing, I have connections to get you a new identity!"

Ma wouldn't be foolish enough to do this in Gucheng County.

The Chang Le Society has connections in the government offices of Nanyang Prefecture and Runing Prefecture.

This matter is between you and me, and must not be known to any third party. Mr. Ma must make the trip himself.

"Rest assured, the person handling this has no idea of ​​Young Master Lu's original identity and will absolutely not leak it."

"I'll leave this matter to you, Mr. Ma."

Lu Chen frowned, pretended to consider it for a moment, and finally agreed.

"Please rest at this post station for a while, Young Master Lu, and do not leave. Also, try to avoid seeing anyone."

Seeing that Lu Chen had finally agreed, Ma San Kui's face also broke into a smile.

"I am quite familiar with this postmaster, Mr. Ma. As long as he is willing to pay, everything will be easy to handle."

"If Young Master Lu needs anything, please just let him know."

. . .

a few days later.

Kaifeng Prefecture, Zhuxian Town Patrol Office.

"Reporting to the Emperor, this person has indeed not yet passed through Zhuxian Town."

After the inspector summoned all the archers in the patrol office and confirmed their identities, he respectfully returned the documents to them with both hands.

"I have had some food and drink prepared, but it is just a small token of my respect. I hope you will do me the honor of accepting it."

"Official business is more important; let's talk about this meal on the way back."

The Imperial Guard took the document and put it away.

"It's still early. Have someone get me a better horse so I can reach the next post station before dark."

Inspector Zhou, if this man arrives at Zhuxian Town after I head south, make sure he stays here. Send someone on horseback to the south to find me as fast as possible.

This person must be treated with utmost courtesy and respect; under no circumstances should one be negligent or disrespectful!

. . .

Not far away, inside a teahouse.

"Manager Zhao, it seems that Lu Chen hasn't arrived in Zhuxian Town yet."

Watching the Imperial Guards ride off southward in a cloud of dust, Sun Dexiu picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"Should we continue to follow them from a distance like this?"

"This is a task personally assigned by Eunuch Huang, the Chief of Executions."

Zhao Zhun, the head of the Eastern Depot, glanced at Sun Dexiu.

"What insightful opinion do you have, Eunuch Sun?"

"We've followed you all the way from the capital, and we've gathered quite a bit of information from the checkpoints we've passed through."

Who exactly is this Lu Chen, that he could command such attention from the esteemed Third-Rank Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Sun Dexiu gently tapped the teacup with his hand.

"Zhao Zhangban is also a former member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. We don't need to elaborate on how powerful the Lu family is within the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

The document carried by this Jinyiwei captain was a warrant issued by Lu Bing to the Jinyiwei headquarters on the second day after he had been keeping vigil for his deceased father.

Although we are young, we have been serving under Eunuch Huang since we entered the palace at the age of seven.

We can guess a thing or two about what Eunuch Huang is thinking.

Sending you and me to follow from a distance was just a trial balloon, to test the waters even if there were no real chances.

But the more we follow up these past few days, the more suspicious things seem to us.

"At each checkpoint, the Imperial Guard commander instructed the officers that if Lu Chen came alone, they must detain him and prevent him from entering the capital."

Zhao Zhun pondered for a moment,

"This shows that Lord Lu does not want Lu Chen to arrive in the capital."

Based on the clues we've gathered, Lu Chen is traveling from Chengtian Prefecture to the capital.

Chengtian Prefecture was the former residence of the current emperor and also the hometown of Lord Lu.

Moreover, this Lu Chen also shares the surname Lu; perhaps he is a relative of Lord Lu?

"If Lu Chen is truly just a relative of Lord Lu, why go to such lengths?"

If you don't want him to go to the capital, you can simply send someone to inform him. With Lord Lu Bing's power, which member of the Lu family would dare to disobey?

Moreover, what's wrong with Lu's relatives going to the capital?

Sun Dexiu chuckled softly.

"I believe that before Lord Lu Song passed away, Lord Lu Bing was probably unaware that Lu Chen was on his way to the capital!"

It's even possible that he doesn't even know Lu Chen exists!

Only in this way would it be possible to hastily send someone south to intercept Lord Lu Song the day after his death.

The Imperial Guard officer repeatedly instructed the checkpoint inspectors to treat Lu Chen with utmost courtesy, even using phrases like "never be negligent."

It could only be that Lord Lu Bing had specifically instructed this Jinyiwei captain when he gave the order.

The fact that Lord Lu Bing values ​​Lu Chen so highly shows that Lu Chen is an important person in his heart who deserves respect and kindness.

But he also wanted to send people to intercept Lu Chen and prevent him from entering the capital.

This matter itself is full of contradictions.

We have a feeling that Lu Chen is likely an important figure that even Eunuch Huang didn't expect.

Manager Zhao, I want to ride as fast as I can and get ahead of that Imperial Guard so I can find this Young Master Lu Chen before he does!

When we return to the capital, I will explain things to Eunuch Huang.

"I'll trouble you, Manager Zhao, to take good care of me while I follow this Imperial Guard from afar!"