Chapter 518: Mother's—!

Mao Qiguang was truly helpless about this situation. He wanted to resist, but there was no way—he didn't dare. After all, the other man was his superior.

As the saying goes, one rank higher crushes a man to death. With Xu Xianchun, it wasn't merely a matter of being one rank above Mao Qiguang. Mao Qiguang was only a Chiliarch; there were still several ranks above him.

Besides, Xu Xianchun was a favored minister of the Son of Heaven. This time when the Son of Heaven made his southern tour, he brought Xu Xianchun directly along. What did that mean?

That was what favor and trust looked like. How could an ordinary person have that kind of pull?

Mao Qiguang could not afford to offend him. What had happened before was in the past. The way things were now was for the best.

Just then, an Embroidered Uniform Guard ran in from outside and came straight to Xu Xianchun's side, saying: "Sir, Zhang Wei, the eunuch garrison commander of Yangzhou, has arrived."

Hearing this, Xu Xianchun was startled for a moment, then a smile spread across his face.

He raised his head to look at Mao Qiguang, tossed the chess piece in his hand onto the board, and said: "I truly didn't expect it would be him who came. It seems things are getting interesting. I really didn't think these people would have such skillful methods."

But as he said this, Xu Xianchun kept staring at Mao Qiguang, his expression utterly peculiar.

Mao Qiguang felt somewhat awkward. His heart was anxious right now; he wanted to leave this place, wanted to get word out—but he couldn't.

He had effectively been placed under house arrest, with none of his own people around. Under such circumstances, Mao Qiguang could do nothing.

Though Mao Qiguang feared Xu Xianchun before him, he also knew that none of those people outside were easy to offend. Even the Han family—if he offended them, and they struck ruthlessly, he would have no recourse.

In such a situation, he couldn't afford to offend either side. What was he supposed to do?

Now hearing that Zhang Wei had arrived, Mao Qiguang naturally understood—this was the Han family's doing, or rather, someone they had brought in.

Xu Xianchun was moving against the Han family—Mao Qiguang knew this much. After all, Han Guotai was still in custody, and the charge spread abroad was actually that he had falsely accused Mao Qiguang. What kind of charge was that?

Once the Han family found out, no explanation from Mao Qiguang would do any good. Now Mao Qiguang could only hope that Xu Xianchun just wanted to squeeze out some benefits; otherwise, things would get troublesome—he wouldn't be able to explain himself no matter what.

When it came down to it, the Han family would likely sacrifice the pawn to save the rook. The one abandoned would certainly be him, while the one protected might be Han Guotai, or the Han family itself.

How could Mao Qiguang not be frantic?

"How about this humble official lead the way?" Mao Qiguang looked at Xu Xianchun and said directly.

"No need for that—I'm already familiar with this place." Xu Xianchun stood up and shook his head, saying: "You should keep studying the chess game. When I return, we'll continue playing. Look at how you've been losing every game these past two days—that won't do."

Having said this, Xu Xianchun stood up and walked out.

Mao Qiguang rose and made a gesture of respectful farewell.

After Xu Xianchun left, Mao Qiguang sat back down. His expression was dark and shifting, but in his heart he was already cursing up a storm.

Chess, chess—chess your mother's! Who do you think you are, playing the wise master?

You're just the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Holding a knife to kill people and frame them—that you can do. But playing the wise master? You think your chess skills are so impressive?

If I hadn't let you win, you'd have lost long ago! And now you dare mock me—utterly clueless!

Damn it all!

After venting his fury inwardly, Mao Qiguang's expression finally settled. Now that the cursing was done, it was time to think of a way out. He didn't know what was being discussed outside, but he had to find a way to leave this place.

Meanwhile, Xu Xianchun arrived at the front hall and met Zhang Wei.

After the two exchanged formal greetings, they began their conversation.

Xu Xianchun looked at Zhang Wei and asked: "Yangzhou seems like a fine place. Your Excellency has a splendid complexion. It's been years since we last met, and you remain as distinguished as ever."

"I'm getting old." Zhang Wei said with a smile: "Life hasn't been easy. Though Yangzhou looks bright and sunny on the surface, there are some things that can't be spoken of. If anything truly went wrong, this old servant would be in trouble too. Living in constant fear every day—how could life be good?"

A threat? A warning? A veiled metaphor?

Xu Xianchun processed this rapidly in his mind, but it didn't matter.

He had long since learned one trick: no matter which way the wind blows from east, west, south, or north, he stood firm as a mountain. Do whatever you like.

Whatever tricks you pull, I'll just throw one punch—and if it kills you, so be it.

"I see. Your Excellency Zhang serves the state and the sovereign—truly admirable, truly admirable." Having said this, Xu Xianchun leaned back, settling against the chair's backrest in a tactical recline, and said: "May I ask what brings Your Excellency Zhang here? Is there something you need the Embroidered Uniform Guard's help with? Whatever it is, Your Excellency, please speak freely—we can discuss it."

Zhang Wei nodded and said: "Actually, there are some matters I wished to ask Mao Qiguang, Chiliarch Mao, about. But I haven't been able to find him these past days—it's as if he's vanished. Yet this old servant knows he's right here in this office. I wonder if Sir Xu could bring him out so we might all meet?"

Hearing this, Xu Xianchun glanced at Zhang Wei and said: "Of course, no problem."

Having said this, Xu Xianchun turned to look at his subordinate and instructed: "Tell Mao that he needn't study the chess manual for now. Have him come over—say that Your Excellency Zhang wishes to see him."

"Yes, sir." The subordinate acknowledged, turned, and headed toward the back.

Before long, Mao Qiguang arrived.

Seeing Zhang Wei, Mao Qiguang was overjoyed inside.

He was finally out! Never mind anything else—at least he could get word out! Wonderful, wonderful!

Seeing Mao Qiguang, Zhang Wei also breathed a sigh of relief.

If Xu Xianchun had refused to let him see Mao Qiguang, things would have been far too troublesome. Since he allowed the meeting, there was no problem.

Zhang Wei looked at Xu Xianchun and said: "I wonder if Sir Xu would permit me to speak with Chiliarch Mao alone?"

"Of course, no problem." Xu Xianchun said with a smile, standing up and turning to walk out.

Once outside, Xu Xianchun even thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

A subordinate hurried over and said: "Sir, shall we have our people eavesdrop?"

"No need." Xu Xianchun waved his hand directly and said: "Go put Zhang's men at the door."

Hearing this, the subordinate shot Xu Xianchun a suspicious look, but hurried off to carry out the order nonetheless.

Inside the room, Zhang Wei and the other man saw this and were somewhat surprised, but at the same time both breathed sighs of relief.

Zhang Wei hurriedly looked at Mao Qiguang and asked: "What exactly happened?"

"I don't know either." Mao Qiguang's face was equally anxious as he said: "I never figured out what was going on. At the time, someone came to me saying I was wanted, claiming it was Xu Xianchun of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"So I went. When I got there, I saw Han Guotai drinking with Xu Xianchun, the two of them chatting merrily. After that, Xu Xianchun said Han Guotai was bringing charges against me, and he gave me a written accusation with Han Guotai's signature and fingerprint on it. What could I do then? I could only say I didn't know Han Guotai, that none of this ever happened. If I'd admitted it, those charges would have been enough to kill me."

Hearing this, Zhang Wei's expression turned grave. He lowered his head and thought for a long while before saying: "What have you been doing here these past few days?"

"What else could I do? Xu Xianchun had me accompany him playing chess. On the surface it was chess, but in reality? In reality it was to keep me from leaving this place. Plainly put, he's got me imprisoned here. How is a man supposed to live like this?"

"Can you think of a way to get me out of here?" Mao Qiguang said with some urgency in his voice.

"No, it can't be done." Zhang Wei shook his head directly. "There's nothing I can do about this. I can't get you out of here—I have no say in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's affairs. Now that I know what's happened, I can only try to find a solution through other channels."

"You leave first. I'm going to see Xu Xianchun right away to find out what exactly he's up to."

After hearing this, Mao Qiguang, though deeply reluctant, could only nod and say, "Fine, then I'll head back first. You have to tell the Han family that I was forced into this."

"I understand." Zhang Wei nodded, looking at Mao Qiguang, and spoke with a sincere tone.

In his heart, he was rather dismissive. Given the situation before him, would the Han family let you off?

That was utterly impossible. To still be thinking such thoughts at a time like this — you really are stupid beyond belief.

But he wouldn't remind Mao Qiguang. Let Mao Qiguang go die.

And outside the door, watching his subordinate run over, Xu Xianchun asked directly, "How is it? Any news from that side?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Eunuch Chen has already given his reply — he'll be here shortly." The subordinate said, panting for breath.

Xu Xianchun nodded, then said nothing more.

At this moment, he looked at the room before him with great interest, feeling that the matter at hand was truly quite amusing.

Even a Yangzhou garrison eunuch dares to jump out — doesn't know his own place.

For Xu Xianchun, eunuchs were not to be offended lightly.

This wasn't his affair to begin with; there was no need for him to go around offending people. Since you've jumped out, and I can't slap you back down, then I'll find someone who can.

At the very first moment, Xu Xianchun had sent someone to deliver a message to Chen Hong.

This most favored great eunuch of the current court, the Son of Heaven's beloved minister — under such circumstances, summoning him here would solve every problem.

Xu Xianchun didn't dare do anything to Zhang Wei, but that didn't mean Chen Hong didn't dare do anything to Zhang Wei. The infighting among eunuchs — that was truly terrifying beyond measure.

Though Xu Xianchun didn't know the full details, he'd heard of such things even if he'd never witnessed them. With tricks like Zhang Wei's, he wanted to contend with Chen Hong? He must have lost his mind.

The door was pushed open from inside. Mao Qiguang walked out first, cupped his hands toward Xu Xianchun, and said, "Your Excellency, we've finished our talk. Eunuch Zhang invites you inside."

Xu Xianchun glanced at Mao Qiguang, nodded, and said, "Good, you may head back now."