Chapter 45: Cleaning Up

"Marquis, it is truly fortunate that you are fine!"

Receiving the news of the attack on the banquet, Li Mu couldn't care about sleeping and rushed over for the first time.

"Stop talking nonsense, immediately arrange for people to take over the defense of Yangzhou, and don't let the rebels run away!"

Receiving the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang's order, Li Mu knew that the farce of the Hongmen Banquet in Yangzhou City tonight was a victory for the Wucheng Military Commission.

"Marquis, the city is now in chaos, and I didn't bring many soldiers.

It's better to send you and the lords back first, and then go to arrest the rebels after gathering the people."

Li Mu persuaded tactfully.

It was just when something happened that a group of rebels popped up, and they were aimed at the imperial envoy team.

Time, place, occasion, all were grasped just right, simply a coincidence to the home.

Who knows if it's a real rebel or a fake rebel.

In case people are blocked, and some information that shouldn't be known is found out, then it will pierce the sky.

"Hmm, reasonable, send us back first.

The safety of the colleagues in Yangzhou Prefecture is entrusted to you, and there must be no mistakes!"

The Marquis of Marquis Wuyang smiled and said.

Protecting safety is fake, soft-detaining the Yangzhou Prefecture officials is the purpose.

The imperial court wants to perform major surgery on the Lianghuai Salt Administration, which will inevitably touch the interests of these local tyrants.

Taking advantage of the fact that everyone is here, take the initiative first and detain people.

"Marquis, we have the soldiers of the Prefect's Yamen to guard, let your people go to arrest the rebels first!

There are still many colleagues trapped in Changchun Building, if you go fast enough, you should be able to save many people."

Hao Hao Xingfeng refused decisively.

Simply bullying people too much, he kindly arranged to entertain the imperial envoy, not only didn't get good, but now he has to be soft-detained.

If this can be endured, then he, this Yangzhou Prefect, might as well change his name to Turtle Prefect.

"Someone in Yangzhou Prefecture colluded with rebels, Battalion Commander Li, you handle it carefully for me, and you must pull this rebel out!"

The Marquis of Marquis Wuyang's threat made the excited Yangzhou officials quickly calm down.

A good man doesn't suffer immediate losses.

In front of them are all soldiers of the Wucheng Military Commission, and the few yamen runners around them are not opponents at all.

Once they turn their faces, this group of hillbillies from the capital won't fear their status.

Being beaten and suffering is small, the most afraid is that the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang really plays framing, and puts a charge of colluding with rebels on them.

"Marquis, rest assured, the subordinate will definitely live up to expectations and pull the rebel out!"

Li Mu immediately echoed.

Getting the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang's order to pursue the rebel party means that in the subsequent actions in Yangzhou, he has obtained greater initiative.

Investigating the case requires evidence, and arresting rebels only requires suspicion.

Opposite the Qinhuai River, a middle-aged man was holding a telescope passed down from the West, enjoying the slaughter in Changchun Building.

"The battle is over, and the soldiers of Yangzhou City haven't come yet, it seems that the hostages are temporarily useless.

Forget it, since the mission is completed, there is no need to waste time.

Ding Yang, send a signal to them, take the surviving hostages, and immediately withdraw from Yangzhou City!"

From the outbreak of the battle, more than an hour had passed.

According to normal circumstances, the officials who escaped from Changchun Building should have brought the soldiers in the city to kill them by now.

The original plan was to force the soldiers to give up the road and withdraw from Yangzhou City by relying on the hostages in their hands.

It just so happened that the plan didn't change fast, and the Wucheng Military Commission also had its own plan.

Standing from the perspective of the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang, legally taking over the control of Yangzhou City is the most important, and rescuing cannon fodder is a secondary mission.

The officials with a little weight in Yangzhou Prefecture were all soft-detained by Li Mu, and the yamen of all sizes were also taken over by the Wucheng Military Commission one after another.

The soldiers who gathered after receiving the news were just taken over by the Wucheng Military Commission, and they were busy with reorganization at this time.

For a while, they couldn't take care of this side at all.

"Subordinate...

Please rest assured, Master Zhou, for this kind of work, our brothers are all professional.

On the Lianghuai salt road, who doesn't know our means are the most ruthless.

Not to mention catching a few nobles, even if you want the dog imperial envoy's head, we can send it to you!"

Realizing the slip of the tongue, Ding Yang raised his voice and changed the tone of the conversation.

"Big Eye Dragon, this master appreciates your style.

Rest assured, after finishing this job, you will be a member of our Lianghuai Seven Families Alliance.

In the future, the private salt business of the Great Great Dayu will definitely not lack your share.

If the plan goes smoothly, maybe you kid will also become one of the kings and marquises!" 【45-55

The middle-aged man responded with a loud laugh.

His treasonous words, spoken without the slightest intention of avoiding outsiders, were heard clearly by the guests in the nearby private rooms.

After showing off, the two leaped directly from the second-floor window and quickly disappeared from the scene.

Time passed second by second, and the sunlight pierced through the darkness.

Li Mu, having been busy all night, appeared at the Changchun Tower at a leisurely pace with his soldiers.

Looking at the three layers of onlookers inside and outside, Li Mu was speechless.

The people's enthusiasm for watching a spectacle is truly too great; they won't even spare a crime scene.

"The yamen is investigating a case, bystanders move aside!"

Hearing the soldiers' voices, the crowd quickly cleared a path, but the spectating continued nonetheless.

"Inspect the scene and search for survivors.

Pay attention to evidence at the scene; do not miss any clues!"

Li Mu ordered, deliberately emphasizing his tone.

If last night's operation was orchestrated by the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard behind the scenes, then the scene would surely contain evidence with clear pointers.

Since it involves rebels, it must be investigated to the very end.

Once there is suspicion, one can first invite the people over for investigation.

With the parties involved already in prison, the initiative in this game of chess naturally falls into the hands of the imperial court.

When doing this kind of work, speed must be fast.

Once these people react and realize the court intends to strike hard, they will not sit and wait for death.

"Battalion Commander, Deputy Guard Commander Chu is still alive!"

Hearing the report from his soldier, Li Mu frowned.

To be able to survive such a major scene last night—it truly lives up to the saying that a scourge lasts a thousand years!

This younger brother of Imperial Consort Chu is a famous playboy in the capital, and one could say he has done every evil thing imaginable.

That he has been able to remain carefree all this time, besides the face of the Imperial Consort, is mainly because this fellow bullies the weak and fears the strong, always picking on the small and weak to harass.

What is most infuriating is that this guy, relying on his title as Deputy Guard Commander, dares to call him "Little Li," which is simply being ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.

"Lead the way!"

Li Mu said with a straight face.

Regardless of how reluctant he is inside, appearances must be kept up.

"Then what are you standing there for? Hurry up and carry Deputy Guard Commander Chu out and send him back to the prefectural yamen for treatment!

Wait, Deputy Guard Commander Chu's wounds haven't fully healed yet.

Moving his body now will surely cause bleeding; you help him bandage it first."

Li Mu pointed casually at the soldier leading the way and ordered.

"My lord, I don't know how to bandage wounds!"

The young soldier who was singled out responded with a mournful face.

"If I tell you to do it, you do it! Who is born knowing how to do these things?

With so many corpses on the ground, just tear a piece of cloth from them and wrap Deputy Guard Commander Chu's wound twice; surely you can do that."

Li Mu immediately reprimanded him.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, this is all that can be done.

If, after being tossed about like this, Deputy Guard Commander Chu can still survive, then he truly has great luck.

(End of chapter)