The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Zhu Di had long planned to establish an heir, but Lin Yue insisted on nagging him again and again, even daring to draw parallels with the Xuanwu Gate Incident, which was simply courting death!

But Zhu Di stared at Lin Yue's "loyal" face, and then, remembering his strategy of controlling the vassal states with his navy, as well as the background of three generations of loyal officials, he hesitated again.

Such a person is a pity to kill, but it is infuriating to keep him alive. What can be done?

In the end, Zhu Di made no move, only waving his hand impatiently: "Nonsense! Throw him out!"

Lin Yue wanted to say something more to thoroughly enrage Zhu Di, but was "invited" to leave by the Imperial Guards beside him.

As he struggled, he shouted, "Your Majesty will not heed good advice; you will surely regret it one day! The calamity of princes vying for the throne is far more severe than the rebellions of regional princes!"

As the shouts faded into the distance, Zhu Di sat back in his chair, staring silently at the palace gate for a long time without uttering a word. Then, he slammed his hand heavily on the table: "You brat! One day, I'll make him know how powerful I am!"

That's what he said, but Emperor Yongle had no idea how to deal with Lin Yue.

How can one control a remonstrating official who has no family, is not afraid of death, has some ability, and is extremely stubborn?

Emperor Yongle couldn't think of a solution for the time being.

Lin Yue, having been expelled from the palace, walked dejectedly through the streets of Nanjing.

In the first year of the Yongle reign, Nanjing was at its most prosperous, with Zhuque Avenue bustling with traffic.

Before long, a scent of perfume mixed with the aroma of wine wafted over. Looking up, one could see dozens of red lanterns hanging in the alley ahead, with wine flags fluttering in the breeze.

On either side of the entrance, several heavily made-up women, dressed in fine silk and adorned with fresh flowers, leaned against the door. Upon seeing him approach, they immediately called out in sweet voices, "Young master, please come in! This humble servant will play a tune for you!"

Some even reached out their delicate hands to tug at his sleeve, their eyes brimming with charm.

Lin Yue immediately perked up, his eyes lighting up.

Wow, it's actually Nanjing roast chicken, a specialty of the Ming Dynasty! I must investigate and taste it carefully.

He straightened his blue robe and was about to step into the most welcoming brothel when he was drawn to a series of mournful cries.

"Let go of my daughter! Gentlemen, please don't take her away!"

At the alley entrance not far away, an old farmer in tattered clothes fell to the ground, clinging tightly to the leg of a young man in fine clothes, crying his heart out.

"You old bastard, you're asking for death!" The young man in brocade kicked the old farmer in the chest with such force that the old farmer rolled two meters away and coughed up blood.

He was surrounded by four servants who were holding a girl bound with hemp rope. The girl was crying with tears streaming down her face and struggled, crying out, "Father! Save me!"

"Why are you crying? It's only right to pay back debts. Your father owes me over two hundred taels of silver. Using you to pay off the debt is already a sign of my kindness." The young man in brocade reached out and pinched the girl's chin, laughing arrogantly.

"It's your good fortune to have fallen into my hands! The brothels of Pingkangfang are desperately in need of a beautiful girl like you."

The young man in brocade turned to his servant and said, "Quickly drag this old man away, don't let him interfere with my good time!"

The servants responded with a resounding roar.

There were many onlookers, but no one dared to step forward to stop them.

The silver waist tag hanging from the young man's waist clearly read "Right Pillar of State Guard," and anyone with eyes could tell that he was from the household of Qiu Fu, the Left Commander of the Central Military Commission.

Qiu Fu was the most meritorious minister in the Jingnan Campaign. He had followed the Prince of Yan closely since he raised his army. He was at the forefront of the battles of Baigou River and Jiahe River. At this time, he was enjoying the Emperor's favor. Who would dare to provoke the people in his household?

Even the madams and girls in Pingkangfang hid behind the door, only daring to peek out.

Ordinary people fear these meritorious officials who fought in the Jingnan Rebellion, but Lin Yue is not afraid. He originally wanted to cause trouble and die. This kind of evil act of abducting women in broad daylight by relying on the power of meritorious officials is simply a death sentence handed to him!

Lin Yue had to intervene vehemently in this melodramatic storyline, preferably beating up the younger generation and then the older ones, giving them a good, satisfying death.

Lin Yue strode forward and shouted, "Stop!"

The young man in brocade robes turned his head and saw Lin Yue dressed in a seventh-rank blue robe with the insignia of a Supervising Secretary embroidered on his chest. He immediately sneered, "Where did this pedantic official come from? Daring to meddle in my business?"

"I am Lin Yue, a Supervising Secretary!" Lin Yue straightened his chest and raised his head, his voice loud and clear.

"Who do you think you are? Abducting women in broad daylight, trafficking people, and beating an elderly person—do you have no respect for the law?"

"A Supervising Secretary? He's just a lowly seventh-rank official!"

The young man in brocade robes looked disdainful and patted his waist token.

"Do you know who we are? My father is Chen Xian, a subordinate of the Left Vice Commander!"

During the Jingnan Campaign, my father followed the Duke to defeat the Southern Army, killed generals and captured flags, and was granted the hereditary title of Thousand-Household Commander and promoted to Commander!

You, a mere scholar who's never been to war, dare to meddle in the affairs of the Five Armies Commandery? Get out of here, or we'll beat you up too!

In the Ming Dynasty, a commander of a thousand households was a fifth-rank official, and a commander was an even higher third-rank official. This was the early Yongle period, when military merits and generals were at their most prominent, and their status could not be compared with that of the late Ming Dynasty.

Hearing the young man in brocade robes recite his father's name as if reciting a menu, the onlookers immediately let out a low gasp.

The people of Nanjing had hardly ever heard of Chen Xian, but everyone knew the name Qiu Fu. If Chen Xian was Qiu Fu's confidant, then his son's arrogance was understandable.

Others may fear Qiu Fu, but Lin Yue is not.

Upon hearing about the other party's extravagant family background, Lin Yue was not afraid but rather pleased, and said, "I'm talking about all you high-ranking officials and nobles."

He immediately shouted angrily: "Does being the son of a meritorious official mean you can act with impunity?"

Governor Qiu followed His Majesty in pacifying the country to save the people from suffering, not to let you family members abuse your power and harm the people!

"I'm here today, let's see who dares to abduct a woman in broad daylight!"

Lin stepped forward and reached out to pull the girl, trying to untie the ropes.

"You're asking for death!" The young man in brocade gave a signal, and four servants immediately surrounded Lin Yue, shoving him around.

According to the Ming Dynasty's tradition of using the small to subdue the large, a military officer beating a civil official had a significant impact, but if it was just pushing away a ungrateful censor, it was still not a big deal.

These servants were all veterans Chen Xian had once led; they were agile and far more skilled than ordinary thugs.

Seeing the other party's servants surrounding him, Lin Yue flew into a rage and shouted, "Insolence! How dare these mere servants block an official appointed by the imperial court?"

After saying that, he suddenly swung his fist, aiming straight for the face of the veteran in front.

Lin Yueke aspired to become the champion of free fighting in the Ming Dynasty. He dared to fight even the Yongle Emperor, let alone a few mere servants.

One punch was thrown, and then Lin Yue was knocked out.

"Lin, please calm down and don't make things difficult for everyone." The old soldier stepped aside and grabbed Lin Yue's wrist, thus firmly controlling him.

"Hahaha! You dare to show off with such meager skills?" The young man in brocade robes crossed his arms and sneered. "Gag him."

Amidst the commotion, a rapid sound of hooves suddenly came from afar, the armor plates clanging together.

"Stop!" A sharp shout rang out as the eunuch Huang Yan arrived on horseback with a squad of Imperial Guards.

Huang Yan was a former eunuch in Zhu Di's Prince Yan's mansion. He had served Zhu Di before he launched the Jingnan Campaign and was a core member of the Iron Gang. He was often responsible for secret communications and turning enemy generals against him, and was deeply trusted by Zhu Di.