Chapter 514: Mao Qiguang Frantically Shifts the Blame

Mao Qiguang had originally wanted to sound out these Embroidered Uniform Guard officers — after all, they were all members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so they counted as acquaintances. If that really didn't work, he could give them some money, and then they could have a proper discussion and work things out together.

But the reality disappointed Mao Qiguang — they simply didn't want to bother with him.

After he'd approached them twice, they hadn't even given him a smile. Clearly, they looked down on him.

Though that was only to be expected — they came from the capital, with high positions, great power, and big incomes, so of course they looked down on a local country bumpkin like himself.

Mao Qiguang was contemptuous in his own heart as well. Who were they trying to impress with all that posturing?

A bunch of people from the capital who looked all high and mighty, self-righteous types — what the hell did they actually know?

Did they know what real enjoyment was? Did they know what real money was? Had they ever seen the world?

Of course, words like that, Mao Qiguang could only grumble about in his own heart — he certainly wouldn't dare say them out loud.

People like Mao Qiguang, in a place like Yangzhou, could be said to have witnessed the height of worldly splendor. The things those merchants gave them — truly, many people wouldn't even dare to dream of such things.

Even just the women — they were specially trained, and not trained halfway through life either, but cultivated from childhood. Whether in temperament or quality, they were first-rate.

What had these fellows from the capital ever seen? Putting on such airs of superiority!

Mao Qiguang thought this as he walked in, mulling over how he'd have those salt merchants send some things over to these people later.

First, to let these capital fellows see the world; second, to let them know what true wealth meant. Most importantly, to make them understand what kind of life they themselves were living. If they still wanted to live that kind of life, then they needed to be a bit more courteous to him.

Mao Qiguang had also seen the type who acted all high and mighty in front of him, but after taking the money, were practically wagging their tails.

Led inside by a guide, the moment he stepped through the door, Mao Qiguang heard sounds of laughter and cheerful conversation within.

The two seemed to be drinking, in a warm and merry state, chatting as if they were having a very good time.

This let Mao Qiguang breathe a sigh of relief — this state was the best; it didn't look like they were setting up some kind of Hongmen banquet.

He walked in with a smile, but after seeing the two people in the room, Mao Qiguang froze.

Of the two, there was one Mao Qiguang recognized — that person was Han Guotai.

As a famously notorious rich playboy in Yangzhou city, Mao Qiguang had naturally dealt with Han Guotai more than a few times, though most of the time it was cleaning up messes for him.

At the same time, Mao Qiguang also knew that Han Guotai was a useless good-for-nothing, but his father's status was anything but ordinary.

His father, Han Shicheng, was a figure with connections on both the black and white paths. In all of Yangzhou city, or even the whole of Jiangnan, there were few who could match Han Guotai's father.

Officials might have great power, but while the yamen was iron, the officials flowed through like water. At most, how long could they stay in Yangzhou?

When officials left, wasn't it still up to these merchants to have the final say?

Even if there was a powerful official, after enduring a few years, the merchants were still in charge. Over so many years of accumulation, they had long since infiltrated every trade and industry.

If officials were willing to cooperate, there would be benefits; if officials didn't cooperate, that official might not even be able to keep his post.

With a father like that, even if the son was somewhat useless, there were still plenty of people willing to show him face.

It was just that Mao Qiguang hadn't expected Han Guotai to show up here, drinking with someone. What was going on?

Could it be that Han Shicheng had already gotten in touch with these people from the capital? Was he that capable now?

Mao Qiguang's heart began to flutter with unease. If that was really the case, then what was his own use?

Seeing Mao Qiguang walk in, Han Guotai breathed a sigh of relief.

The other party had finally said something truthful — he'd finally seen an acquaintance. Now his heart could finally settle back down into his stomach.

Just now, drinking with that fellow, he'd been on tenterhooks the whole time.

Han Guotai stood up, walked over to Mao Qiguang, and said, "Master Mao, you've finally arrived."

Mao Qiguang nodded to Han Guotai, then turned to look at the man he'd never seen before, and hastily bowed with clasped hands, saying, "Your subordinate pays respects to Your Excellency. May I ask how I should address Your Excellency?"

"We're all brothers here, no need for formalities." Xu Xianchun said with a brilliant smile on his face.

Having chatted with Han Guotai for a while, he more or less understood what was going on, so Xu Xianchun was in a fairly good mood.

Looking Mao Qiguang up and down, Xu Xianchun said, "Chiliarch Mao looks quite good. With this spirit and vigor, Yangzhou truly is a fine place — after arriving, one almost doesn't want to leave."

Hearing these words, Mao Qiguang could only smile along with Xu Xianchun.

Even now, the other party hadn't revealed his background, and he wasn't wearing official robes, so there was simply no way to judge his rank. This was quite unsettling.

"I am the Embroidered Uniform Guard Guard Commander and seal-holder of the Northern Bastille, Xu Xianchun."

Xu Xianchun's face carried a brilliant smile as he said directly, "I was just chatting happily with this young brother here, and heard many things about you — of course, all glorious deeds and achievements."

"Well done! Our Embroidered Uniform Guard has been lacking talent like you. You truly deserve to be promoted."

Hearing these words, Mao Qiguang nearly collapsed onto the floor.

He was truly terrified. The current Embroidered Uniform Guard was extremely powerful — this was something everyone knew. And against that backdrop of the Guard's power, a few figures within it had become famous.

Ranked first among them was this Xu Xianchun, the former Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Xu Xianchun had committed a taboo while doing work for His Majesty and had been stripped of his post. But even so, he remained one of His Majesty's confidants, serving as Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in charge of the Guard's most powerful office — the Northern Bastille. His prestige could be said to be unmatched at the time.

The second was the current Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Cui Yingyuan, whose reputation was fearsome, known for being ruthless and merciless.

Cui Yingyuan had originally been Xu Xianchun's subordinate, and later succeeded to Xu Xianchun's position, slaughtering wholesale at Zhangjiakou. In recent years he had also handled many major cases.

Besides these, there was another man who was the seal-holder of the Southern Bastille of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, named Tian Ergeng, a cunning and treacherous character.

Tian Ergeng was also fearsomely renowned within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, because the Southern Bastille he controlled had the primary duty of purging the Guard's internal ranks and investigating corrupt and rotten officials within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

So it hadn't taken long at all for Tian Ergeng to carve out a formidable reputation within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Mao Qiguang had heard of him too — though he'd never met him, just hearing about him was already frightening enough.

He hadn't expected that the man before him was actually Xu Xianchun.

Xu Xianchun wasn't in Nanjing city attending the Emperor — he'd actually come straight to Yangzhou?

This was a truly terrifying thing!

But Mao Qiguang still harbored a bit of wishful thinking in his heart. After all, Han Guotai was here — perhaps the two had some kind of deal, or maybe Xu Xianchun had simply come to ask for money, to put it bluntly, to cadge a windfall.

After all, in their line of work, this wasn't anything unfamiliar.

Judging from the current situation, the two sides were getting along fairly pleasantly, which was very good.

Mao Qiguang hastily said, "I never imagined that Your Excellency Xu would grace us with your presence. Your subordinate has been remiss — I beg Your Excellency Xu's forgiveness. Please, allow me to escort Your Excellency to another venue and give me the opportunity to host a welcome banquet in your honor."

Xu Xianchun glanced at Mao Qiguang and said, "No need for a welcome banquet. Let's get the matter straight first."

Mao Qiguang was taken aback, and a sense of foreboding rose in his heart.

Who was Xu Xianchun?

Countless people cursed him, calling him the current Emperor's most loyal hound—a man who operated without any scruples and dared to do anything.

For Xu Xianchun to come all the way to Yangzhou City this time, it must be for something major.

The faint hope Mao Qiguang had harbored in his heart now vanished completely without a trace.

Mao Qiguang said, "What does Your Honor wish to ask?"

"About what he just said." Xu Xianchun pointed at Han Guotai and said with a smile.

Hearing this, Mao Qiguang's expression changed instantly.

He and Han Guotai had done plenty of dirty deeds together. If he confessed to all of that, nothing would be left for him—he'd probably lose his life too.

Mao Qiguang turned to look at Han Guotai and said directly, "What is Your Honor saying? This subordinate does not know him. Is he trying to file charges against me? In our Great Ming, false accusations are punished with the accuser suffering the same penalty."

Though the two had nodded to each other when they came in, and Han Guotai had even called out his name—so what?

If he said he didn't know him, then he didn't know him. Could the man force a connection? As for him being able to call out his name—Yangzhou City was so big, and so many people knew him. What was strange about someone being able to say his name?

Mao Qiguang made up his mind at once: he had to sever all ties cleanly, or he was done for.

Who knew what that fool in front of him had blabbered to the other party? Judging by how the two had been drinking together just now, they looked like they were having a hearty chat. Clearly he'd been played for a fool, spilling who knows what.

If he admitted to any of this, he would be utterly finished. There was no way he could own up to it.

Mao Qiguang was extremely decisive—he immediately shifted the blame away.

I simply don't know you. Who are you?

You tell me.

Xu Xianchun looked at Mao Qiguang and said, "Chiliarch Mao truly doesn't know him? That shouldn't be the case. He's quite familiar with you—he's said a great deal about you."

"Your Honor, please investigate carefully. This subordinate truly does not know him." Mao Qiguang shook his head, sticking firmly to his story, refusing to admit anything.

"Someone, bring up the testimony." Xu Xianchun waved to the people behind him and said, "Take a look for yourself."

A subordinate brought over the record just taken.

Mao Qiguang took it and read through it once, and his face instantly turned extremely ugly.

What the hell was this?

Sure enough, the man was an idiot—he'd said everything!

Had he been fooled? This was utterly senseless!

Mao Qiguang said with righteous indignation, "This is all slander! Your Honor, you must investigate thoroughly. I simply do not know him!"