Chapter 338: The Assassin Is Captured

Xu Xianchun, who had been waiting outside, soon got the news he wanted, then hurried off to the Prince of Lu's residence to make arrests.

Because it was a secret arrest, the entire area around Zhou Yi's residence was sealed off by the Embroidered Uniform Guard—no one was allowed in or out.

All around, it was utterly silent; a dropped needle could be heard.

Xu Xianchun arrived outside the room, glanced at the men around him, and asked directly: "No movement from inside?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, no movement," a subordinate quickly replied.

"Then move in." Xu Xianchun didn't delay either; he waved his hand and spoke directly.

Several Embroidered Uniform Guard officers crept silently to the window, reached the door, and reached out to push on Zhou Yi's door, only to find it bolted from the inside.

Someone produced a light knife, slipped it gently into the door crack, then moved it up and down, using the blade to carefully lift the door latch. This posed no great difficulty for the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The instant the door opened, an Embroidered Uniform Guard officer charged in first, and then the window was smashed open as someone leapt in through it.

At that moment, Zhou Yi was sound asleep and hadn't even registered what was happening before he was pinned down on the bed.

Zhou Yi tried to cry out, but how could he be faster than the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Someone went up and clamped a rag over his mouth, then stuffed it in to gag him. Next, they made use of whatever was at hand—the bedding on the bed—and wrapped Zhou Yi up tight and secure, then carried him off on their shoulder.

Watching the man captured with such ease, Xu Xianchun finally let out a sigh of relief.

This arrest wasn't particularly difficult; the key was not making too much noise. Once this one was done, they had to go arrest that eunuch—same procedure, same way of taking the man away.

After the man was brought back to Zhu Youxiao's residence, Xu Xianchun immediately went to report to Chen Hong.

Chen Hong didn't dare delay either; he hurried off to see Zhu Youxiao, reported the matter to him in full, then stood to one side quietly awaiting Zhu Youxiao's orders.

Glancing at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment and said: "These people have far too much nerve—they actually dared to assassinate Us!"

Then Zhu Youxiao turned his head to look at Chen Hong and said directly: "Go and fetch Qi Jin for Us."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong quickly acknowledged.

If you want someone to investigate an assassination attempt on yourself, you need the most professional people, and at the same time people you can trust—to prevent the fake from becoming real.

Zhu Youxiao thought of Qi Jin immediately; he was the most suitable person for this sort of work.

When he was summoned, Qi Jin was still completely bewildered. It was the middle of the night—what did His Majesty want with him?

But as Qi Jin walked over, he sensed something off about the atmosphere—it was permeated by an unprecedented oppression. He had a bad feeling in his heart. Could something have happened?

When Qi Jin stepped into the main hall, he saw a sight he could hardly believe.

Swords and blades were scattered haphazardly across the floor of the hall, and the chairs had all been knocked over, as if there had been a struggle. Qi Jin's heart clenched, and his face immediately darkened.

How had it come to look like this?

How dare anyone brandish weapons in front of His Majesty?

Zhu Youxiao watched Qi Jin approach and gave a somewhat weary smile, saying: "You're here."

"Your servant greets Your Majesty." Seeing that His Majesty was unharmed, Qi Jin's suspended heart finally settled, and he quickly asked with some concern: "Your Majesty, what happened here?"

"An assassin slipped in." Zhu Youxiao said with some helplessness.

Though Zhu Youxiao said it lightly, Qi Jin trembled all over.

Someone actually dared to assassinate His Majesty? Were they tired of living?

And more than that—this was a trap for him!

The security work around His Majesty was all arranged by him—how had an assassin managed to slip in?

Thinking of this, Qi Jin felt terrible all over, and quickly said: "It was your servant's negligence that alarmed Your Majesty! Your servant begs Your Majesty to punish him!"

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand helplessly and said: "How could We blame you, my dear minister? It was Our own negligence."

"Your Majesty, who was it that plotted to assassinate Your Majesty? Your servant will lead men to seize them and put down the rebellion!" Qi Jin said through gritted teeth.

"The assassin has already been captured." Zhu Youxiao sighed, his tone somewhat helpless as he said: "Who could have imagined it was someone close to the Prince of Lu? It was Our negligence as well."

Hearing this, Qi Jin's heart shook violently, and he asked: "Is the Prince of Lu plotting rebellion?"

If the Prince of Lu were indeed plotting rebellion, he would lead men to suppress it right away.

Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said: "The culprit was just captured; we don't yet know the full situation. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has already been sent to interrogate him."

"Then what should your servant do?" Qi Jin quickly asked.

"Take your men and seal off the streets, strictly guarding against any rebel disturbances." Zhu Youxiao looked at Qi Jin and said: "Lock down the entire city of Jining, search for and arrest the rebels—don't let a single one escape."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant will make arrangements at once." Qi Jin quickly nodded.

Watching Qi Jin's departing back, Zhu Youxiao stood up, stretched his limbs, then looked at Chen Hong and said: "Have someone prepare some late-night snacks. After a whole night of work, We really are a bit hungry."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong quickly acknowledged, then had someone go prepare food.

Zhu Youxiao was eating his late-night snack, but news of his assassination attempt spread quickly.

After all, Qi Jin's mobilization of troops couldn't be kept secret—soon, word that His Majesty had been attacked spread throughout the entire city of Jining.

Especially the ministers who had accompanied Zhu Youxiao south—they learned of the assassination attempt on His Majesty at once. On the one hand, they were furious; on the other, they were deeply worried.

After all, those who had been able to accompany Zhu Youxiao south this time could truly be called his trusted confidants. It was because of Zhu Youxiao's existence that they had their current power and status.

Now someone actually dared to murder His Majesty—wasn't that cutting off their own futures and livelihoods?

How could such people be let off?

They must be severely punished without mercy!

They didn't care whether it was dark out or whether the Emperor was tired—they all flooded in a mass to Zhu Youxiao's residence.

Zhu Youxiao naturally wouldn't see them. He had just encountered an assassination attempt and needed to recover properly. He'd been busy for half the night and was quite tired—better to go to sleep first.

Zhu Youxiao went off to sleep, while Chen Hong went to deal with the ministers. These were all important court officials, His Majesty's confidants—Chen Hong naturally didn't dare to be remiss.

After receiving them all inside, Chen Hong said: "Gentlemen, there's no need to worry—His Majesty is unharmed. It's just that after all this commotion, His Majesty is a bit tired and has gone to rest. If you gentlemen wish to seek an audience with His Majesty, please wait until tomorrow morning."

Hearing this, Xu Guangqi couldn't hold back. He looked at Chen Hong and said urgently: "Eunuch Chen, at a time like this, don't keep things from us—has His Majesty been injured?"

"Grand Secretary Xu, with something this major, how would this servant, a mere slave, dare to conceal it? His Majesty truly has no serious injury." Chen Hong quickly said.

Chen Hong knew that if someone pinned the crime of concealing His Majesty's injuries and harboring ill intent on him, he would be finished.

Seeing that Xu Guangqi still didn't believe him, Chen Hong hastily added, "His Majesty just summoned General Qi Jin. General Qi can vouch for what I've said."

"Send someone to ask." Xu Guangqi directly waved his hand behind him and gave the order.

Qi Jin was not here at the moment, so he couldn't verify Chen Hong's words. Even though he was speaking right in front of Chen Hong, Xu Guangqi still showed his suspicion of Chen Hong.

To this, Chen Hong had nothing he could say, so he could only listen quietly.

After the man he'd sent had gone out, Xu Guangqi asked again, "Eunuch Chen, what exactly happened with His Majesty's assassination attempt? Who would dare to attempt such a thing?"

"Grand Secretary Xu, the one who attempted to assassinate His Majesty was Zhou Yi, the Senior Administrator of the Prince of Lu's household." Chen Hong said slowly, "As for why he wanted to assassinate His Majesty, I wouldn't know. The man has already been taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard for interrogation. I imagine there will be results soon enough. All you gentlemen need not be too anxious — news should arrive shortly."

Xu Guangqi did not relax because of Chen Hong's words. He stared at Chen Hong, nodded lightly, then turned his head to look at Huang Kezuan and said, "Grand Secretary Huang."

Hearing Xu Guangqi call him, Huang Kezuan hastily said, "What instructions does Grand Secretary Xu have?"

Ordinarily, as Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat, they would occasionally clash with one another, but at a time like this, he could not challenge Xu Guangqi's authority. Because Xu Guangqi held the highest office among those present, everything should be decided by Xu Guangqi.

Under such circumstances, he had to follow Xu Guangqi's direction.

"You understand criminal justice best among those here — why don't you go over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and take a look?" Xu Guangqi looked at Huang Kezuan and said directly, without any ceremony.

"Very well." Huang Kezuan nodded directly, then turned and walked out.

After Huang Kezuan had left, Xu Guangqi turned to Zhang Weixian and said, "Duke of Ying, I will wait here for His Majesty to wake. I will not leave until His Majesty wakes. If there is any news, I will notify you at once."

"You are a Staff Minister of the Staff Office. Now you need to go out and steady the morale of the troops — don't let those with ulterior motives seize an opportunity."

Hearing Xu Guangqi's words, Zhang Weixian hastily said, "Very well, Grand Secretary Xu, I'll go right away."

Seeing Zhang Weixian agree, Xu Guangqi nodded, then added one more instruction: "No one is permitted to leave their post, and no one may act on their own. If anyone disobeys, they are to be killed on the spot without exception."

Looking at Xu Guangqi's cold expression, Zhang Weixian also nodded, then turned and walked out.

The Duke of Ying, Zhang Weixian, could well be called the anchor that steadied the great Ming at present. He had weathered no small number of major incidents before, so facing something like this, he had experience — he would not make any mistakes.

Watching Xu Guangqi arrange matters one by one in an orderly fashion, Chen Hong couldn't help but feel admiration.

No wonder His Majesty thought so highly of Grand Secretary Xu — this composure in the face of crisis, this calm and collected bearing, was something most people couldn't learn in a lifetime.

Although Chen Hong wanted to urge Xu Guangqi to go rest, he didn't dare say such a thing. He feared that saying it might make Xu Guangqi misunderstand, so he had people prepare a midnight snack and tea, intending to stay here and keep Xu Guangqi company.

Chen Hong even prepared not to leave at all — if he removed himself from Xu Guangqi's sight at a time like this, he might well fall under suspicion.

Everyone went about their own tasks — tense, but very orderly.

When Huang Kezuan led his men to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's headquarters, the atmosphere there was also tense. Huge torches had already been lit, crackling and popping with sound.

Huang Kezuan wasted no time on ceremony, directly leading his men inside.

Having heard the news, Xu Xianchun hurried forward to greet him.

Upon seeing Huang Kezuan, Xu Xianchun hastily said, "I pay my respects to Grand Secretary Huang. Might I ask what business the Grand Secretary has in coming to the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Looking at the dozen or so Embroidered Uniform Guards behind Xu Xianchun, Huang Kezuan's expression was very grave.

Clearly, the atmosphere here at the Embroidered Uniform Guard was tense as well.