Chapter 121: Embroidered Uniform Guard, Set Out

This time they had stirred up such a major case that the Eastern Depot from top to bottom would surely enjoy countless benefits. Following their own Eunuch Wei, one was bound to have boundless prospects.

Whether it was Sun Yunhe or anyone else in the Eastern Depot, everyone was now brimming with drive.

At the same moment Wei Zhongxian entered the palace, the Embroidered Uniform Guard swarmed out from the Northern Provost Prison.

Leading the team was none other than Luo Sigong, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

At this moment, Luo Sigong wore the standard flying-fish robe of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with a brocade saber at his waist.

Though he had other official robes, at this very moment, he simply wanted to wear the flying-fish robe.

Looking at the Embroidered Uniform Guard standing around him, Luo Sigong's face bore an unprecedented solemnity.

In truth, there was some worry in his heart, but even more than that, there was excitement.

How many years had it been? How many years had the Embroidered Uniform Guard not done things like this?

Finally,

In his own hands,

At this very moment, at this very instant,

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, flying-fish robes, brocade sabers — set out!

Luo Sigong strode toward his carriage.

The breathing of everyone around was very light; not a single person made a sound. All the Embroidered Uniform Guard had their hands on their saber hilts, watching Luo Sigong with excitement and anticipation on their faces.

From this day forward, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would no longer be what it once was.

After getting into the carriage, Luo Sigong gently lifted the carriage curtain and gave the order: "Set out."

After saying this, he expressionlessly lowered the curtain.

The carriage slowly started moving, and the entire formation of Embroidered Uniform Guard fanned out in all directions.

The street instantly fell into chaos as countless commoners scrambled out of the way — the Embroidered Uniform Guard were simply too terrifying.

For the Embroidered Uniform Guard to mobilize on such a large scale clearly meant they were about to do something big. Under such circumstances, who would dare stand in their way?

For a moment, the entire street was in an uproar, which only further highlighted the arrogance and high-handedness of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Luo Sigong lifted the curtain to look outside, and the expression on his face slowly grew thoughtful.

This was what the Embroidered Uniform Guard ought to look like.

Wherever they went, even gods and ghosts gave way.

The large contingent stopped in front of an inn, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly surrounded the entire establishment.

Luo Sigong was helped down from the carriage and expressionlessly looked up at the inn before him.

This inn was called the Prosperity Tavern.

Luo Sigong swept his gaze expressionlessly over the people around him.

Though they had hidden far away, they were still there watching the excitement.

Luo Sigong paid them no mind — though some among them were there to watch the excitement, more of them were there to gather information.

To them, the Embroidered Uniform Guard mobilizing on such a large scale, with even Luo Sigong himself, the Regional Military Commissioner, coming out in person, meant something major was afoot. The capital was currently in a sensitive period, and both his Embroidered Uniform Guard and Wei Zhongxian's Eastern Depot were offices standing at the very crest of the wave.

Now that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had made a move — and a big one at that — it was bound to draw everyone's attention, especially those implicated in this major case. So it was hardly surprising that people were here gathering information.

Luo Sigong lightly flicked his cloak, and with a seemingly casual tone, ordered: "Surround the entire inn. Don't let a single person escape."

The moment the words left his mouth, aside from the guards keeping watch, the remaining men rushed into the inn with a whoosh.

Instantly, the entire inn was in chaos.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard are conducting official business! All unrelated persons, clear out at once!"

The patrons who had been drinking were grabbed by their collars one by one and checked; those unrelated to the case were released, while those remaining on the list were bound and taken into custody.

"Boss! Boss! Something terrible has happened!" A waiter had bolted toward the back courtyard the moment the Embroidered Uniform Guard stepped through the threshold.

Hearing the waiter's shouts, the innkeeper hurried out from the back courtyard, his face full of anxiety.

Seeing the wolf-like Embroidered Uniform Guard charging in, the innkeeper quickly rushed forward to greet them, humbly bowing his body and fawningly pleading: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, could there be some misunderstanding? This establishment has always operated lawfully, and we've never missed a single tribute payment. I do have some acquaintance with Chiliarch Li Boru of the southern city."

The innkeeper of the Prosperity Tavern was named Liao Yuan, a man in his fifties with a somewhat gaunt frame, a pair of handlebar mustaches, and rather round eyes — the whole of him exuding an air of shrewdness.

Seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guard charging in like wolves and tigers, he knew he needed to invoke the name of someone with real power.

If it had been people from another office, invoking his backing might have worked. But the Embroidered Uniform Guard were different — these people were utterly unscrupulous.

The reason was also very simple: the Embroidered Uniform Guard were not subject to anyone's restraint, nor under anyone's jurisdiction.

You can't control me, so naturally I don't have to show you any face. As the saying goes, the magistrate is not as good as the one who directly manages you — since you can't control me, no matter how high an official you are, I can simply ignore you.

So Liao Yuan directly invoked the Chiliarch of the southern city from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

His inn was located in the southern city, and naturally, one had to pay protection money here — everyone who needed greasing had to be greased.

The Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard naturally also needed to be greased. Though his acquaintance with him was not deep, the shops in the southern city sent him money every year, and there was also a monthly allowance — these sums were by no means small.

We've paid all our money up, so you naturally have the responsibility and obligation to protect us. If the southern city Chiliarch doesn't act this time, then he needn't think about collecting money in the future either.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard who had charged in was a Centurion. Hearing the innkeeper's words, he instantly understood in his heart.

Though they served at the Northern Provost Prison, they were well aware of what went on below, because every year they too received a cut from it.

He glanced at the innkeeper, then secretly looked back over his shoulder, and hastily said in a low voice: "We're not here to cause trouble for you. We're here to arrest a few people. Don't ask about anything else — our Guard Commander is in the back."

After saying this, the Centurion instantly straightened his body, looked at the innkeeper Liao Yuan, and barked loudly: "What's with all this nonsense? The Embroidered Uniform Guard are conducting official business — get out of the way now!"

Since Liao Yuan now knew what was going on and knew they weren't here to cause trouble for him, his heart settled. As for them being here to arrest people, that was beyond his ability or authority to interfere with.

In the capital, there were few places that could stop the Embroidered Uniform Guard from making arrests. Even in the homes of various officials, it was hardly unusual for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to charge in and seize people.

Hearing the Centurion's words, Liao Yuan quickly retreated to one side, bowing his body and speaking submissively: "Yes, yes, yes — this humble one will withdraw at once."

After Liao Yuan retreated to the side, Luo Sigong had already walked in from outside.

Someone hastily brought over a chair.

After removing his cloak, Luo Sigong sat directly in the chair, his gaze slowly sweeping across the faces of everyone present.

After a long moment, Luo Sigong spoke with an expressionless face: "Begin the arrests according to the list."

"Yes, sir!" All the Embroidered Uniform Guard officers responded in unison.

After the words fell, the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not scatter like wolves and tigers in all directions. Instead, they took the list to the innkeeper and directly demanded the inn's guest registry.

Then, people were assigned to begin checking who was in which room. Once a person was identified, a squad of Embroidered Uniform Guard officers would go to make the arrest.

PS: It's another... much-anticipated PY moment.

One, "The Rise of the Humble Clan"

Author: Wang Buguo Ba, who is the author of "Returning to Ancient Times as a Master Craftsman."

Old Wang is a veteran author. Trust Zhou Zhou—his books are truly wonderful to read. I'm also very grateful to Old Wang for looking after Zhou Zhou and recommending the fatuous ruler several times. ⁄(⁄⁄⁄ω⁄⁄⁄)⁄

Two, "The Great Ming Can't Possibly Be This Rich"

Author: Rou Mao Xiao Si.

I am the number one wealth emperor of the ages—if you don't accept it, come argue with me?!