Chapter 502: The First Cut: Duke Wei's Mansion

"What a fine deal!"

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao walked to the window and pushed it open with his hand.

The sounds from outside immediately flooded in—women's coquettish laughter, men's shouts, all sorts of vendor cries, noisy and bustling, extraordinarily lively.

"Duke Wei, tell me, what sound is that outside?" Zhu Youxiao asked softly, his tone calm.

"Your Majesty, this minister does not know." Duke Wei hurriedly replied.

"Someone told me that this is the sound of the streets, the evidence that the common people of the realm are alive, and also the sound of a flourishing age. Look at how happily they laugh, look at how happily they live."

"But how much suffering of the common folk is hidden beneath this flourishing prosperity. That was what that person advised me at the time, telling me not to let the prosperity of the present age dazzle my eyes."

"But I do not see it that way. He thinks this is flourishing prosperity, yet in my eyes, all of this is the sound of weeping. What flows in the Qinhuai River is not water, but the blood and tears of the people of the Great Ming. The buildings along the Qinhuai River's banks, the painted pleasure boats upon the Qinhuai River—those are not buildings nor pleasure boats, but the flesh and blood of the people of the Great Ming. What flourishing prosperity? This is clearly a hell on earth, where a hundred ghosts wail!"

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao turned his head to look at Duke Wei and said: "But where are the people? Where are they?"

Duke Wei fell to his knees with a thud, the expression on his face collapsing once again.

He raised his head to look at Zhu Youxiao and said: "Your Majesty, all of this, this minister truly does not know. This minister will return and investigate—I will get to the bottom of it!"

Zhu Youxiao looked at Duke Wei, then sat back down in his chair, picked up his tea, and took a sip. His gaze rested upon Duke Wei as he spoke again: "What you say, I believe. After all, you are the esteemed Duke Wei—how could you possibly be involved in such matters? After all, in your household, such things only need to be delegated to those below to handle."

"You are all men of high station. Utter one command, and many people will carry it out. They will handle matters perfectly, handle them beautifully. Under such circumstances, whatever you desire will be delivered before you. Wealth, women—whatever you want, you have it."

"But in my view, some things cannot be taken; once in your hands, they will burn you. You say you will go back and investigate, conduct a strict inquiry—I believe you. But in this world, someone always has to step forward and take the lead."

Having said this, Zhu Youxiao stood up again and said: "I think you are just right for it."

Before Duke Wei could utter a sound, Zhu Youxiao turned to Chen Hong and said: "Take him away, and see to him properly."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong hastily agreed, while signaling to those beside him with his eyes.

The two wooden posts standing at the door walked over, reached down to haul up Duke Wei who had gone limp on the floor, and dragged him out like a dead dog.

Once the man had disappeared, Zhu Youxiao said to Wei Chao on the other side: "Send someone to Duke Wei's mansion with a message. Tell them that I had a most pleasant conversation with Duke Wei, and that he has been kept here to accompany and serve His Majesty these days."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Chao agreed once again.

At this moment, no one in the room dared to defy Zhu Youxiao's orders. Everyone knew that the Emperor was making his move against Duke Wei this time.

This was something none of them had expected. They had not imagined that His Majesty, upon arriving in Nanjing, would strike at Duke Wei's mansion without a second thought.

Zhu Youxiao had no scruples whatsoever—Duke Wei's mansion was his first cut.

For Zhu Youxiao, Duke Wei was an excellent example. Among the several dukes of the Great Ming, Duke Wei could be called cunning and crafty, but it was useless before Zhu Youxiao.

The one garrisoning Nanjing now was not Duke Wei, but Duke Cheng. So Duke Wei held no real military power in his hands, and even if he did, it would be useless.

As for summoning Duke Wei himself first and then detaining him, the reason was simple: to catch the bandits, first catch the ringleader. Seize the man first, then talk.

After arranging matters, Zhu Youxiao said to Chen Hong: "Have Xu Xianchun make the arrests."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong answered once more, then turned and walked out the door.

Chen Hong nodded to a person outside the door.

That person nodded to those downstairs.

Downstairs, Xu Xianchun saw the man upstairs nod, stood up directly, and walked out the door.

When Xu Xianchun arrived outside, many people were already waiting for him there—all of them, without exception, members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Seeing Xu Xianchun emerge from inside, this man hurried forward and said: "Sir, what are we to do now? Our brothers are all ready. At your single command, we will not utter a word of objection."

This man was none other than Zhang Chao, the Guard Commander of the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard.

At this moment, Zhang Chao had no confidence at all. The Emperor had come this time, and the Beijing Embroidered Uniform Guard had also sent people. He had no idea what was going on—if things went wrong, they would all be in trouble.

Compared to those outside, the Embroidered Uniform Guard knew more. They dared not be the slightest bit careless. If something truly went wrong, all of them would be finished.

Xu Xianchun glanced at Zhang Chao and said: "Wait here. Do nothing."

After saying this, Xu Xianchun nodded to the few men beside him and walked straight into the Lichun Courtyard.

These Embroidered Uniform Guard members waved to those behind them, and the group quickly strode into the Lichun Courtyard.

All of them were dressed in plain clothes, looking no different from ordinary patrons.

After entering the Lichun Courtyard, they went straight up to the second floor; once on the second floor, they turned a corner and entered Room Son of Heaven Number One.

Inside Room Son of Heaven Number One, seven or eight men were carousing and drinking, while the courtesans accompanied them in song and dance—the atmosphere was extremely lively.

Each man had two courtesans attending him, drinking and making merry. Some even had their hands on the courtesans' bodies, wearing lewd smiles on their faces.

Xu Xianchun led his men inside.

Outside, people had already locked the doors. Men were also stationed in the four corners—anyone who looked suspicious and tried to turn away to tip someone off would be seized on the spot.

Outside the Lichun Courtyard, men had long been lying in ambush. Whoever walked out would be followed, and no matter where they went, everything would be recorded afterward.

It could be said that this operation was clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Ever since Cui Yingyuan had pulled off his job in Liaodong, his position could be said to have been firmly secured. Under such circumstances, Xu Xianchun's days naturally became difficult.

This time, following His Majesty to Nanjing—His Majesty had clearly come to stir things up, which was precisely Xu Xianchun's chance to shine. So Xu Xianchun was very diligent. This matter absolutely had to be handled beautifully, which made him all the more cautious and careful.

He had botched it last time; this time, no matter what, he could not botch it again.

The people inside the room saw these men burst in and were still somewhat dazed.

One man stood up, pointed at Xu Xianchun, and demanded: "How dare you! Who are you people? How do you have the nerve to do this? Are you tired of living?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Xianchun walked straight up, swung his hand, and delivered a resounding slap to the man's face.

With a sharp crack, the room fell silent in an instant.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the scene—this was something none of them could have imagined.

Who on earth were these people? How could they be so bold?

That man was knocked directly to the ground, spitting blood from his mouth. Clearly, his teeth had been knocked out.

Paying no attention to any of this, seeing the courtesans shriek, Xu Xianchun said directly: "Whoever screams again dies!"

As he spoke, he abruptly drew the blade from his waist.

In an instant, countless people covered their mouths, terrified of letting out a sound.

The room instantly fell silent, though the sound of chattering teeth could still be heard.

Xu Xianchun couldn't be bothered to pay these women any mind, and said directly: "You may leave now. This is none of your business."

These girls naturally felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and turned to run out the door.

However, today's affair could not be allowed to leak out, so after they walked out, they were gathered together and taken to the rear under guard.

As for who would guard them, the Lichun Court would naturally handle that matter. After all, with Third Master Qian around, there was no worry about any problems arising.

After the girls had all gone out, Xu Xianchun looked at the several men and said: "Allow me to introduce myself — Xu Xianchun of the Northern Town Fu Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital. Does anyone among you recognize me? If no one recognizes me, then I'll introduce myself."

"We recognize you." The several men nodded, their voices trembling as they spoke.

Their faces had all changed by now. No one had expected that it would be the Embroidered Uniform Guard who came. And most crucially, it wasn't the Embroidered Uniform Guard of Nanjing — it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard of Beijing.

They had all naturally heard of Xu Xianchun's name. Whether among civil officials or among the common folk, this man's reputation was extremely poor.

He was a mad dog kept by the current Emperor — biting whoever he caught, and once he bit down, he never let go.

They had no idea why he had come running here at this time, but it was clear he wasn't here to offer birthday congratulations.

"It seems you all know me, and know some things about me as well. That's just as well — let's not waste words. There are some matters I'd like to ask you about. Will you speak here? Or will you come back with me to the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"The prison of our Embroidered Uniform Guard is easy to enter, but getting back out isn't quite so easy. What do you say?"

"Sir, please ask away — we will tell everything we know, holding nothing back." One of the men stepped forward and said.

Xu Xianchun turned his head and looked at the man who had come forward.

This was a man in his fifties, with a plump build and fair, smooth skin — clearly someone accustomed to a life of ease and privilege. He wore a silk long robe, and one could tell at a glance that he was a man of considerable wealth.

Being able to remain calm and composed before Xu Xianchun showed that he likely had deep backing.

But it didn't matter — whose background could be deeper than Xu Xianchun's?

Xu Xianchun's background was the Emperor, so he paid it no mind.

"Fine then — I can see you're their leader, so I'll ask you."

Having said this, Xu Xianchun sat directly down on a chair and stamped the blade in his hand against the ground.