Chapter 259: Going to the Prince of Fu's Manor to Make Arrests

Chen Sihai sat there quietly, watching Liao Zhong confess his crimes one by one.

When Liao Zhong finished, Chen Sihai nodded expressionlessly, then said flatly to the clerk on the other side: "Have him sign and press his fingerprint."

Without the slightest hesitation or delay, Liao Zhong readily reached out, dipped his hand in red ink paste, pressed his fingerprint, and signed the confession—the whole motion done in one smooth flow.

Chen Sihai glanced at Liao Zhong's confession, gave a slight nod, handed it to the man behind him, and said directly: "Alright, file it away."

Hearing this, Liao Zhong immediately breathed a sigh of relief and was about to say something more when he saw that Chen Sihai had already left.

Leaving the interrogation hall, Chen Sihai arrived at the second hall in the rear.

The interrogation there was also continuing—all of those being questioned were officials under Liao Zhong, as well as clerks of every rank.

These people confessed far faster than Liao Zhong, but they shared one trait in common with him: shifting the blame.

Liao Zhong had shifted the blame onto the Prince of Fu; as for these men, they naturally shifted the blame onto Liao Zhong.

Chen Sihai said nothing about any of this. Everything would come to light in time; right now he held the evidence in hand, and everything could proceed smoothly—there was no need to waste too much effort wrangling with these small fry.

Who was he?

Assistant Director of the Inspection Section of the Office of Transmission.

Arguing with them would be beneath his station.

So Chen Sihai went directly to find Chen Baili, the Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Luoyang. He stepped before Chen Baili and said: "Chiliarch Chen, come with me on a trip—we're going to make an arrest."

Chen Baili was stunned for a moment.

More arrests?

Hadn't they already arrested enough?

He looked at Chen Sihai with some hesitation, then quickly came to his senses, and his heart immediately filled with trepidation.

In fact, when Chen Sihai had first spoken to him about these matters, Chen Baili had already formed a guess.

After all, with Chen Sihai's high official rank and his importance as a figure, he couldn't possibly have come all this way just for the officials of Henan Prefecture.

Though these officials were also important, they simply didn't warrant someone like Chen Sihai.

Chen Baili had guessed at the time that there must be some other big figure they were going to move against—he just hadn't expected it to come true.

In Luoyang, who counted as a big figure?

Anyone could figure that out with half a thought—it could only be the behemoth of Luoyang city: the Prince of Fu's manor.

Under such circumstances, Chen Baili felt that Chen Sihai was about to make a move against the Prince of Fu.

Cold sweat broke out on him instantly. He felt he was done for.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was indeed the Son of Heaven's personal army, and indeed fearsomely renowned—the great cases they had handled and the great men they had struck down over the years were very numerous.

But he was only a Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. This was not an easy line of work.

"What, is there a problem?" Chen Sihai looked at Chen Baili with a frown.

In truth, Chen Sihai had already formed an idea in his heart. He felt that relying on the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not the way; once he returned, he would definitely have to form his own team dedicated to making arrests.

Using Embroidered Uniform Guard personnel was far too inconvenient—first, for fear of leaks; second, for fear they wouldn't obey orders.

Though the Embroidered Uniform Guard's official orders were worded very sternly, Chen Baili was still agonized, because he was truly afraid.

This Chen Sihai from the Inspection Section had stirred up such a huge affair—who knew what the higher-ups in the Embroidered Uniform Guard would say?

If something went wrong, the responsibility would certainly fall on him; it was impossible that the people above would take the blame.

Just as Chen Sihai was about to speak again, a somewhat deep male voice suddenly sounded from outside.

"No problem." Just four words, yet they struck like iron, shaking everyone in the hall.

Then a crowd of people came rushing in with a clatter.

Unlike the men Chen Baili had brought, these people were far better equipped—all uniformly clad in flying-fish robes and embroidered spring sabers.

The man at their head wore a red qilin robe, with an embroidered spring saber at his waist as well.

The newcomer was an unfamiliar face—many people didn't recognize him, and even Chen Sihai only felt he looked vaguely familiar.

But this man's qilin robe was no ordinary thing—it was clearly not standard issue for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but rather personally bestowed by the Emperor.

During the Jiajing reign, Zhang Jue, Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had received from the Jiajing Emperor the gift of a four-beast qilin robe, a gilded embroidered spring saber, and a silver gourd-and-square-pouch set—three items in all.

When the Jiajing Emperor made his imperial tour to Chengtian, he specially ordered Zhang Jue to "serve as vanguard commander, with all confidential matters entrusted to his reliance, and additionally granted him the salary of an Assistant Regional Military Commissioner."

One should know that although the Embroidered Uniform Guard wore flying-fish robes, "flying-fish robe" was a broad designation—any garment decorated with flying-fish patterns was called a flying-fish robe, and the patterns included over-the-shoulder styles, badge styles, and so on, while the garment cuts could be of any kind.

A true flying-fish robe had to be personally bestowed by the Emperor.

As far as Chen Sihai knew, the current Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Luo Sigong, had only received a qilin robe from the Emperor's gift.

The man before him was wearing a qilin robe as well—this was highly unusual.

This man was not Luo Sigong.

Then who was he?

Chen Baili of the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the side felt his eyes about to pop out. What was going on?

Why did every big shot imaginable come running to Luoyang?

Looking at the men who had arrived, there wasn't a single one he could afford to offend.

The newcomer paid Chen Baili no attention at all, walking straight up to Chen Sihai and bowing: "Xu Xianchun, Assistant Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, pays respects to Lord Chen."

Xu Xianchun.

Chen Sihai had heard that name before, and he finally remembered where.

Some time ago, there had been some disturbances in the capital—Luo Sigong had incurred His Majesty's displeasure, and at that time Xu Xianchun had been summoned by His Majesty to the palace. What was said there, no one knew.

The matter hadn't blown up too greatly, since they didn't much concern themselves with Embroidered Uniform Guard affairs. He just hadn't expected to encounter Xu Xianchun here.

Judging by his manner, he had clearly come for Chen Sihai's sake. So Chen Sihai said: "May I ask what business brings Assistant Regional Commander Xu here?"

"In reply to Lord Chen, this humble officer has received a sacred edict from His Majesty to come to Luoyang to assist you, my lord." Xu Xianchun said slowly: "His Majesty was concerned that after you arrived in Luoyang, my lord would have no capable men at his side, and also worried that the local people would be too pedantic and useless, so he specially dispatched me. If there is anything needed, please command me freely, my lord."

Though Xu Xianchun only looked at Chen Sihai as he said these words, Chen Baili at the side felt as though he had just been insulted.

Wasn't he himself the pedantic waste he was talking about?

But Chen Baili didn't dare step forward at this moment—he even instinctively shrank back, making sure no one could see him.

After hearing Xu Xianchun's words, Chen Sihai's expression relaxed considerably. So this really was His Majesty's arrangement.

Silently praising His Majesty's wisdom, Chen Sihai said to Xu Xianchun, "This official is going to the Prince Fu's manor to make arrests. Do you dare to follow me?"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard sees only His Majesty's imperial edict." Xu Xianchun said slowly, his tone utterly flat, as if merely stating a fact.

After a pause, Xu Xianchun continued, "His Majesty ordered me to obey your commands, so naturally whatever you instruct, I will do."

Hearing this, Chen Sihai nodded with satisfaction and said, "Then let's set out."

Neither man wasted another word—they had come here to do business, and there was no need for further pleasantries.

They were partners in this endeavor, after all. When people can't see eye to eye, there's no point in pretending to friendship.

News of the Prefect's office being seized had naturally spread throughout the city of Luoyang.

After all, this was a major event. A crowd of onlookers had gathered at the entrance of the Prefect's office.

Of course, many had also come to fish for information.

But with Embroidered Uniform Guard officers standing at the entrance, they couldn't even approach, let alone ask questions. So no one knew exactly what had happened—only that the Prefect's office was in trouble.

While everyone was puzzled, a group of people suddenly burst out from inside the Prefect's office.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard cleared the way in full force, and the group marched along the main road toward the other side.

At first everyone was bewildered, but their destination was soon revealed.

The target was Prince Fu's manor!

Once they realized the group was heading for Prince Fu's manor, countless people panicked, others were shaken to the core, and speculation about these men multiplied.

Who were these people?

They had arrested every official right in the Prefect's office, and now they dared to go to Prince Fu's manor? Weren't they afraid of anything?

Inside the Luoyang County office.

Chen Qiyu was drinking tea.

His advisor Li Fang sat beside him, his face still carrying shock, wearing an expression of utter disbelief.

After a long moment, Li Fang said, "Sir, this Chen from the capital is truly extraordinary."

"That's not what concerns me. They took down the Prefect quickly enough, but that was within their authority."

"What I didn't expect was that they could mobilize the Embroidered Uniform Guard—that's genuinely surprising." Chen Qiyu set down his teacup and said slowly.

Beside him, Li Fang nodded with great solemnity and remarked admiringly, "I suspect the name of this Inspection Office under the Office of Transmission will frighten quite a few people from now on."

Li Fang's tone carried a hint of excitement, along with a touch of schadenfreude.

Hearing this, Chen Qiyu smiled as well.

He was about to say something, but before he could speak, footsteps suddenly sounded outside, and someone stopped at the doorway.

Li Fang hurried out, and quickly returned.

He came before Chen Qiyu, his face full of shock, his voice disbelieving as he said, "Sir, Chen has already taken his men to Prince Fu's manor. Word is that quite a few Embroidered Uniform Guard officers are with him."

"The Guard officer leading them is a high-ranking official in red robes. Liao Zhong, Luoyang's Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, could only follow behind."

Hearing this, Chen Qiyu's expression turned serious as well. He said, "Clearly these men were prepared for exactly this moment. His Majesty is truly wise!"

After saying this, Chen Qiyu rose to his feet and declared, "Bring our men. We're going to Prince Fu's manor too."

Li Fang looked at his master hesitantly and said, "Sir, didn't that Chen say we shouldn't get involved? Besides, the target is Prince Fu's manor—our men won't be of much use there."

Turning to glance at Li Fang, Chen Qiyu said with a grim face, "This time they're moving against Prince Fu. Who knows what chaos might break out. We'll take our men to observe. If nothing happens, all the better; but if something does go wrong, I, Chen Qiyu, will definitely help out."

After saying this, Chen Qiyu strode out the door.

His mind was already made up—if everything went smoothly, he wouldn't interfere; but if real trouble erupted, he would certainly step in.

His Majesty is wise. Chen Sihai has set aside his personal reputation and interests—under such circumstances, how could he, Chen Qiyu, stand by and watch from the sidelines?

It was only a bit of reputation, an official's cap. What did it matter if he lost them?

By the time Chen Qiyu set out with his men, Chen Sihai had already arrived at Prince Fu's manor with his own.

Prince Fu's manor was a tyrant in Luoyang, so its gatekeepers were naturally arrogant as well, looking down on ordinary folk.

But at this moment, the gatekeepers felt a twinge of unease, because they knew very well that this group was different.

The others all stood in the back; the one who stepped forward to announce their arrival was Chen Baili, a Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

That was a Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—if someone could send him to call at the gate, their status was clearly extraordinary.

Especially with Embroidered Uniform Guard officers among them—that meant these people's rank was far above Chen Baili's. Which also meant one thing: these people had come from the capital.

On the ground of Luoyang, no one outranked Chen Baili.

Those who could serve as gatekeepers at a prince's manor were naturally sharp-witted fellows, and they hurried forward with smiles.

Chen Baili wasted no words and said directly, "Chen Sihai of the Inspection Office under the Office of Transmission, and Xu Xianchun, Deputy Guard Commander of the Northern Provost Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, request an audience with Prince Fu. Please announce us."

Hearing this, the gatekeeper gave a start.

Truly important figures indeed.

He hadn't heard of the Inspection Office under the Office of Transmission, but the Northern Provost Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not an institution he could claim ignorance of.

The gatekeeper quickly said, "I'll announce you at once."

With that, he turned and sprinted inside.

Soon there was movement from within the gates, and an old eunuch emerged, a smile on his face.

Smiling, he clasped his hands toward the assembled Embroidered Uniform Guard officers and said, "I am Li Xuan, steward of the prince's manor. Greetings to the two gentlemen. May I ask what business brings you to the manor today?"

Chen Sihai glanced at Eunuch Li before him and said expressionlessly, "The Inspection Office is conducting official business. Unrelated parties are not permitted to inquire. I wish to see Prince Fu."

Hearing Chen Sihai's words, Eunuch Li's eyes narrowed as he said slowly, "This is Prince Fu's manor. Not just anyone can see His Highness."

Chen Sihai was about to speak when Xu Xianchun stepped forward.

Xu Xianchun grabbed Eunuch Li by the collar, yanked him downward, drove his knee hard into Eunuch Li's stomach, then tossed him behind like a burlap sack, and directly ordered his men, "Slap his mouth."

Coming to Luoyang this time, Xu Xianchun knew very well what he was here to do. Plainly put, he was here to take the blame—to carry the black pot for this Lord Chen Sihai.

His Majesty had sent him here precisely for this. All the offending and offending-people work had to be done by himself.

In Xu Xianchun's view, the Prince of Fu's manor was about to collapse—how dare a mere eunuch of the Prince of Fu's manor make trouble here? Did he really think he was one of those eunuchs in the palace?

With this kind of person, there was no need to be courteous.

The men behind him hauled Eunuch Li up and laid into him with a storm of slaps across the face, showing no mercy whatsoever.