Chapter 122: Wei Chao Wants to Make a Comeback

For doing this kind of work, the Embroidered Uniform Guard were professionals.

Although the might of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had declined considerably in recent years, handling this sort of matter was still second nature to them, without the slightest difficulty.

Soon, the people to be arrested were escorted out.

The one at the head was none other than Li Ruyu.

As the saying goes, "a gentleman is like jade," and Li Ruyu had always styled himself in exactly that way.

But at this moment, Li Ruyu was in a very sorry state, with none of that gentleman-like-jade feeling about him. A strip of cloth was stuffed in his mouth, and he was held by two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers. He seemed to want to struggle, but every attempt failed.

His Confucian robe was torn in many places, revealing some skin and scrapes. These must have been caused by his resistance during the arrest.

As he was being led out, Li Ruyu still wanted to shout, but his mouth was already blocked, and no matter how he struggled, it was useless.

Besides Li Ruyu, the other Embroidered Uniform Guards also escorted out quite a few people. Judging by their dress, they were all scholars. Some were even disheveled, clearly still dazed when they were seized.

But the Embroidered Uniform Guard showed no courtesy whatsoever. These people couldn't even shout, because their mouths had already been stuffed. Clearly, the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not want them to speak.

This was actually an instruction from Luo Sigong, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. This matter had been led by him in the first place—once the people were taken back, everything would be easy to handle.

If they were allowed to make a racket in the streets, things would become very difficult to manage. So Luo Sigong had their mouths stuffed, and the effect was evidently quite good.

All the people were escorted away, and Luo Sigong also boarded his carriage.

At the same moment, the other Embroidered Uniform Guards who had been dispatched also made their move.

The remaining troublemakers were all arrested as well and taken to the Imperial Prison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In truth, this kind of matter should not have required the personal involvement of Luo Sigong, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. But there was no helping it—Luo Sigong was afraid.

This matter was simply too big this time, especially now that it was a critical moment.

His Majesty wanted him and Wei Zhongxian to contend with each other—this he could see clearly. If it were not so, His Majesty would not have assigned the tasks separately to Wei Zhongxian and himself.

His Majesty simply wanted the two of them to contend. As for whether His Majesty wanted to watch the two of them fight, or wanted to select the best through their contention—that, Luo Sigong did not know.

But this did not stop him from contending with Wei Zhongxian.

If His Majesty wanted you to contend, then contend you must—there was no other room for maneuver.

The competition had now reached a critical juncture. If his side made any mistake, His Majesty would certainly not protect him—he would only think that his side was incompetent, and then the outcome would absolutely not be good.

So this time, for the arrest of the key figure Li Ruyu, Luo Sigong personally led the team, and one could say the commotion was very great.

Now that the people were caught, Luo Sigong could relax. The remaining matters would depend on His Majesty's intentions.

It remained to be seen what His Majesty wanted to do with these people. In any case, Luo Sigong dared not make the decision himself—all of this would depend on His Majesty's wishes.

As for His Majesty not giving him instructions, he could always go find Chen Hong. Since Chen Hong had accepted his gifts, he was naturally one of his own people.

At a time like this, Chen Hong naturally had to help him. By helping him, Old Luo, Chen Hong could rise in position; if he didn't help him, Old Luo, then Chen Hong would be harming himself.

On this point, Luo Sigong was still confident.

The Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard leading men to arrest so many scholars—concealing it was naturally impossible, and besides, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had not tried to conceal it. Thus, within a short time, a huge uproar erupted in the capital.

But this no longer had anything to do with Luo Sigong.

The Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youxiao stood expressionless on the steps, gazing into the distant sky, his eyes without focus. Clearly, this Emperor of the Great Ming was spacing out.

The palace maids and attendants stood far away, none daring to speak, not even daring to make the slightest sound, for fear of disturbing their own master.

"Your Majesty." At this time, only Chen Hong dared to make a little sound.

He walked to Zhu Youxiao's front and spoke softly: "Wei Chao has arrived."

Hearing Chen Hong's words, Zhu Youxiao was slightly taken aback.

Wei Chao.

What a familiar name this was.

Wei Zhongxian's adoptive father, a eunuch of considerable power in the palace. But this name—he had heard it more in his previous life; after coming to this world, he had heard it far less.

Originally, history should not have been this way either. After all, he was also a eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and in the matter of attending to him, he was also on the rotation roster.

It wasn't that he looked down on him or refused to use Wei Chao—it was because he had fallen ill.

After Madam Ke, the Lady of Fenger, died last time, what Zhu Youxiao never expected was that Wei Zhongxian did not fall ill—instead, it was Wei Chao who became sick.

These days he had been languishing on his sickbed. Forget attending to the Emperor—he had nearly kicked the bucket.

After recovering somewhat, Wei Chao wanted to return to attend to Zhu Youxiao, but Zhu Youxiao had not permitted it.

Because Zhu Youxiao was not without misgivings in his heart. How Madam Ke had died—he knew all too well.

Under such circumstances, because of Madam Ke's death, Wei Chao had fallen gravely ill and nearly died of illness. A person of such deep affection and loyalty—how could he dare keep him by his side?

If this man wanted to avenge his beloved, what would he himself become?

For Zhu Youxiao, there was nothing in this world more important than his own life.

So on the matter of employing Wei Chao, Zhu Youxiao's thinking was very simple: he absolutely could not be placed by his side to attend to him—all possible dangers must be eliminated.

Ever since he had transmigrated over, this was how he had operated. Even if there was the slightest threat, Zhu Youxiao would not bother to investigate him.

He also had no time or energy to verify one by one. The simplest method was to nip them in the bud. If there was such a possibility, just kill them directly—as an Emperor, would he ever worry about having no one to use?

This time, Wei Chao had come on his own initiative. What Zhu Youxiao needed to do was arrange a post for him.

For a person like this, he should still be used when needed—just don't let him threaten himself.

Nodding lightly, Zhu Youxiao spoke: "Let him come in."

Before long, Wei Chao walked in from outside.

His body was still somewhat weak, his complexion slightly pale, and his figure had thinned considerably—one look showed he was in the state of just recovering from a serious illness.

"This servant, Wei Chao, pays respects to Your Majesty." Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Wei Chao hurriedly bowed in salute.

Turning around to glance at Wei Chao, Zhu Youxiao's expression grew solemn as he said directly: "Is your body up to it now? If not, continue resting for a few more days. I am not a person without consideration."

Wei Chao hastily replied: "To answer Your Majesty, this servant is already fine now."

Hearing Wei Chao's words, Zhu Youxiao nodded lightly, which counted as acknowledging his return to service.