Chapter 340: Cleaning Out the Rebels

"Bring up the battering ram." Huang Kezuan ordered directly.

Following Huang Kezuan's order, his men quickly pushed a flatbed cart forward. On the cart was a log as thick as two men could wrap their arms around, its front end already sharpened to a point.

"Ram the door." Huang Kezuan said without the slightest hesitation.

At Huang Kezuan's words, seven or eight men pulled the cart back a short distance, then suddenly pushed it charging toward the door before them, slamming into it with force.

With a boom, the wooden door shook violently and caved inward, even letting out a crack as some of the planks were clearly snapped.

Inside the courtyard, everyone's expression was grim.

A man in his forties stood behind the crowd, gripping a blade with a dark face, his expression extremely anxious.

A man ran to his side and asked directly: "Hall Master, what do we do now? They're ramming the door—they'll be charging in soon."

Hearing this, the Hall Master gritted his teeth and said angrily: "How did these people get here so fast?"

"Word just came in—apparently things already happened last night, but the news was kept sealed. Now that they've mobilized, the news finally got out." The subordinate said urgently.

"We can't stay here!" The Hall Master said furiously: "Block the door, then we escape through the back gate. If the back gate is blocked, climb over the walls on both sides—we can't just wait here to die!"

Holding this courtyard to the death was basically impossible. As time passed, more and more Ming troops would arrive, and this courtyard simply couldn't hold out—when that happened, all of his few dozen men would die here.

Hearing this, the subordinate quickly nodded and said: "Right away."

At the same time, at the back gate of the courtyard.

A young commander led a dozen or so men creeping up silently.

These dozen or so men were equipped differently from the Ming troops in front—all in black leather armor, long blades in hand, daggers strapped to their legs, and on their heads nothing but an iron plate bound across the forehead, no other protection—clearly finding helmets too cumbersome; steel crossbows hung at their waists, and two short muskets were tucked behind their backs.

The commander leading them was in his twenties. He glanced at the men behind him and said directly: "The front's already kicking up a fuss. Have the households on both sides been cleared?"

"Yes, Centurion—all cleared and our people placed inside." The subordinate said quickly.

The Centurion nodded and said: "Fire the signal arrow. Begin the operation."

After he said this, one of the men beside the Centurion produced a signal arrow and lit the fuse at its rear.

The hissing burn quickly ignited the arrowhead above.

"Shwoosh!"

A sharp whistling cry rang out as the signal arrow shot into the air, then burst with a pop, shattering into pieces midair.

These dozen or so men stepped back, took a running start toward the wall, kicked off it hard, grabbed the top with both hands, kicked the wall again with both feet, and vaulted straight up onto the parapet.

Seeing the poles thrust out from below, these men remained calm, raising their hand crossbows and firing downward.

The bolts flew true, striking the man below directly in the throat—he toppled over on the spot.

The men on the wall leaped down, raised their crossbows, and fired at their surroundings. Similar men dropped down from the walls on both sides as well.

Covering each other in turns, they advanced quickly with crossbows raised, loosing a bolt the instant they spotted someone. Those behind carried blades and finished off anyone still alive with a cut—their movements were extremely swift.

The group rapidly converged toward the center—not only fast, but without a single mistake. Clearly these men had received professional training.

The Hall Master up ahead was leading his men in an orderly retreat toward the back gate when he suddenly saw a man running over in a panic.

"What are you running for?" The Hall Master kicked the man and said angrily: "Panicking like this—what kind of example is that? The most important thing right now is not to panic."

The man said hurriedly: "Hall Master, people are attacking from behind! And they're coming from both sides too!"

"They really are ruthless!" The Hall Master said through gritted teeth: "At this point we have no way back—we'll fight our way out through the back gate together! Only by fighting out do we have a chance to live; otherwise it's death for all of us!"

At this moment, the Hall Master simply couldn't understand—how had this place been discovered?

Though his men had been plotting rebellion, they hadn't made any moves—in Jining they'd done nothing but collect some grain, not a single thing else. How had they been found out?

That someone had tried to assassinate the Emperor in the palace—the Hall Master had only just learned of this. But this matter had nothing to do with him; even if someone had done it, he knew nothing of it.

Still, the Hall Master couldn't be entirely certain it wasn't done by someone else in the sect. What if someone had done it without his knowledge?

Besides, he had quite a few blades and spears here, even armor—there was no way they could let people in.

If they really conducted a search, none of his men could escape. Now all he could do was take things one step at a time—fight out of here first and beg for a chance to live.

"Go!" After saying this, the Hall Master led his men in a charge toward the rear.

The group rushed into the back courtyard and saw a dozen or so men clad in leather armor.

Everyone was stunned for a moment at this sight—what was going on? But they didn't dare stay stunned for long, and charged forward with blades drawn.

In a life-and-death struggle, you couldn't afford to lose focus.

The black-armored men across from them reacted just as quickly—they swiftly pulled out two short muskets from behind their backs and squeezed the triggers without the slightest hesitation.

Bang bang bang bang bang bang.

Gunsmoke rose, bullets flew, and those charging in front were instantly struck down to the ground.

These black-armored men moved extremely fast—they tucked the short muskets back into their belts, raised their crossbows, and loosed bolts.

Though the short crossbows could only fire five bolts in succession, they still dealt plenty of killing damage.

After emptying their bolts, these men drew the blades from their waists and charged straight in. Coordinating with each other, covering in turns, their blade work was polished—in an instant they slaughtered everyone who rushed at them to the last man.

The battle lasted only a brief moment before the men around the Hall Master were mostly dead.

Looking at the mere seven or eight men left beside him, the Hall Master's face was black as the bottom of a pot, his eyes filled with utter despair. Clearly these men's skill was not something his own people could contend with.

This time it's over—my life ends here!

Then a resolute look appeared in the Hall Master's eyes. Since things had come to this, death was all that remained.

With that thought, the Hall Master gripped his blade and charged forward.

Kill one and it's a gain; if he couldn't kill any, they'd kill him—every extra one he took down was profit.

These black-armored men were highly experienced—one behind raised his crossbow and fired two bolts straight at the Hall Master's legs.

With two thuds, both of the Hall Master's knees took bolts, sending him sprawling face-first to the ground, his blade flying from his hand.

Two black-armored men in front rushed up, quickly pressing their knees against the Hall Master's neck while wrenching both his arms behind his back. One produced a hemp rope, looped it around the Hall Master's wrists, and pulled it tight, binding his hands fast.

At the same time, someone grabbed the Hall Master's jaw, pried open his mouth, and stuffed a wad of cloth inside.

Someone quickly searched the Hall Master's body, tossing aside the short knife they found, then hoisted him up and set him to one side.

The Centurion stepped forward, knife in hand, and said, "Surrender and you won't be killed. Kneel down and drop your weapons!"

The remaining few were already terrified out of their wits. Hearing this, they hastily threw their blades to the ground, knelt down, and surrendered obediently.

At that moment, the men on both flanks pressed in and seized them all.

Just then, the front door was battered open, and Huang Kezuan led his men inside.

Seeing these black-armored men, Huang Kezuan furrowed his brow and asked directly, "Who are you people?"

Looking at the state of the fighting, Huang Kezuan knew these men were no ordinary soldiers. Moreover, judging by the situation, they were friends, not foes.

Look at their equipment — even he envied and coveted it. Steel crossbows, short muskets, and brand-new regulation sabers — truly extraordinary.

"Your subordinate is a Centurion of the Dragon Soaring Guard. I pay my respects to Grand Secretary Huang." The Centurion stepped forward and said.

Hearing the man's words, Huang Kezuan furrowed his brow.

This man had only reported his official rank without giving his name — clearly this was no oversight but deliberate.

"Why are you here?" Huang Kezuan looked at the man and said directly.

"We are acting on General Qi's orders to arrest the rebels." The Centurion said directly: "We will take the prisoners with us. Lord Huang may search the scene thoroughly — I believe you will find plenty of evidence of their rebellion here."

"You cannot take the prisoners," Huang Kezuan said directly, looking at this Centurion of the Dragon Soaring Guard.

Though facing a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, the Centurion remained unhurried and said with neither arrogance nor servility, "We are acting on His Majesty's sacred decree. Grand Secretary Huang should not make things difficult for us."

Huang Kezuan believed the man's words — no one would dare forge a sacred decree. Besides, these men were clearly soldiers. From their equipment and combat ability, they should be His Majesty's personal guards.

But at a time like this, he had to be careful.

So Huang Kezuan stepped forward and said directly, "If you have a decree, then show it. If you cannot produce a decree right now, I cannot let you take the prisoners away. However, I can go back with you to meet His Majesty in person. These prisoners will be held under our joint custody."

The Centurion furrowed his brow. The decrees they had received were all verbal orders — where was he supposed to get a written decree to show him?

Though he very much wanted to forcibly take the prisoners, the Centurion also knew it was impossible. He was facing a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, and the other side had so many men. If it really came to a fight, it would cause a great deal of trouble.

The other party's proposal was acceptable to him — it was nothing more than escorting the prisoners back together.

So the Centurion nodded and said, "No problem. Grand Secretary Huang, please."

Huang Kezuan asked for nothing more. He gave a few instructions to the men behind him to search the scene thoroughly, then led a squad of his own to follow the Centurion in escorting the prisoners back.

The group soon returned to Zhu Youxiao's residence.

Upon arriving, Huang Kezuan saw a man — it was Qi Yuangong, the son of Qi Jin.

Everyone in the court knew that Qi Jin was the most favored at present. He himself was a Commissioner-in-Chief commanding the new army of the Capital Camps. One of his sons had rendered distinguished service in the southwestern campaign, and another son led His Majesty's personal guards at the emperor's side. One could say he enjoyed the utmost favor and glory.

Seeing Qi Yuangong here now, Huang Kezuan was even more certain that these black-armored men were his subordinates.

"I pay my respects to Grand Secretary Huang." Qi Yuangong came to Huang Kezuan's side and bowed in salute.

His demeanor was very respectful, his tone very courteous, and his posture very humble.

"Are all these men yours?" Huang Kezuan pointed at the black-armored men behind him.

"In answer to Grand Secretary Huang, they are all His Majesty's personal guards." Qi Yuangong said, the meaning quite clear.

What do you mean, mine?

Where would I get men of my own?

These are all His Majesty's men. You may be a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, but you cannot slander a man's integrity.

Glancing at Qi Yuangong, Huang Kezuan nodded.

Clearly this Qi Yuangong was no simple man — very cautious and careful, and also capable, as could be seen from his subordinates.

So Huang Kezuan didn't want to beat around the bush and asked directly, "Did His Majesty send you to take custody of these prisoners?"

"In answer to Grand Secretary Huang, His Majesty has decreed that these men be delivered to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. As for Grand Secretary Huang, His Majesty is summoning you inside. Grand Secretary Xu and the Duke of Ying are already within."

Hearing this, Huang Kezuan nodded.

His purpose was not to take custody of these prisoners, but only to ensure that nothing went wrong with them. Now that he had confirmed there was no problem, it no longer mattered to whom they were handed over.

When Huang Kezuan had gone there, he had discovered that these men were indeed rebels. They had resisted arrest, carried blades and swords, and even wore armor — clearly rebels beyond doubt. Since they were confirmed as rebels, nothing else mattered.

"Then I'll leave these men to you." Huang Kezuan looked at Qi Yuangong and said.

After saying this, Huang Kezuan did not linger at all. He turned and walked straight inside.

Since His Majesty was now awake and summoning his ministers, that was more important.

When Huang Kezuan walked inside, he found that His Majesty had not yet arrived.

Xu Guangqi and the Duke of Ying were both there, but the two of them were simply eating.

On a simple table were set out rice, flatbreads, thin porridge, and a few small dishes.

Seeing Huang Kezuan walk in, Chen Hong on the side said, "Grand Secretary Huang has arrived just in time. His Majesty said that you gentlemen have been busy all night and must surely have empty stomachs. So eat first — whatever matters can be discussed after the meal."

Hearing this, Huang Kezuan also breathed a sigh of relief. He sat down beside Xu Guangqi, and seeing the two men — Xu Guangqi and the Duke of Ying — eating at a leisurely pace, he suddenly felt calmed as well.

Having been busy all night with nerves on edge, he now seemed to relax.

Once relaxed, his stomach truly began to growl. Since His Majesty wasn't present, there was no need for ceremony. So Huang Kezuan ladled himself a bowl of porridge, took a flatbread, and began to eat.