Chapter 45: Cleanup

“My Lord Hou, you’re unharmed—what a blessing!”

Upon hearing of the banquet ambush, Li Mu abandoned sleep and rushed over at once with his men.

“Enough of this nonsense—quickly deploy men to take control of Yangzhou’s defenses; don’t let the rebels escape!”

Receiving the order from Marquis Wuyang, Li Mu knew the farce of tonight’s banquet had ended in victory for the Five City Garrison.

“My Lord, the city is in chaos, and I’ve brought only a few soldiers.”

“First, escort you and the other officials back; once we’ve gathered our forces, we’ll pursue the rebels.”

Li Mu gently advised.

Just as trouble arose, a band of rebels conveniently appeared—targeting the imperial envoy’s party.

The timing, location, and occasion were all perfectly chosen—it was too convenient to be coincidence.

Who knows if they’re real rebels or fake ones.

If we trap them and uncover information we shouldn’t know, it’ll blow the lid off everything.

“Hmm, reasonable. First, take us back.”

“See to the safety of all Yangzhou officials—under no circumstances must anything go wrong!”

Marquis Wuyang smiled knowingly.

Protecting their safety was a pretense; the real goal was to imprison Yangzhou’s officials.

The court planned a major overhaul of the Two Huai salt administration, inevitably threatening these local powers.

With everyone gathered here, strike first—detain them before they can react.

"My Lord, we have yamen soldiers guarding us—let your men go hunt the rebels first!"

“Many colleagues are still trapped in Changchun Pavilion; if we move quickly, we might still save many.”

Hao Xingfeng firmly refused.

This was outright bullying—he’d kindly arranged the reception for the imperial envoy, received no thanks, and now faced house arrest.

If he tolerated this, he might as well rename himself “Turtle Magistrate” of Yangzhou.

“Someone in Yangzhou has colluded with rebels—Li Battalion Commander, investigate thoroughly and bring this traitor to justice!”

Marquis Wuyang’s threat instantly silenced the furious Yangzhou officials.

A wise man doesn’t provoke immediate danger.

All around them were soldiers of the Five City Garrison; their own yamen runners stood no chance.

If they turned hostile, these Beijing-bred soldiers wouldn’t fear their status.

Being beaten or humiliated was minor—they feared most that Marquis Wuyang would frame them with charges of colluding with rebels.

“My Lord, rest assured—I’ll spare no effort to root out the traitors!”

Li Mu immediately agreed.

With Marquis Wuyang’s order to investigate the rebel faction, Li Mu gained greater initiative in his future operations in Yangzhou.

Investigating a case requires evidence; arresting rebels only requires suspicion.

…

Across the Qinhuai River, a middle-aged man peered through a telescope imported from the West, watching the slaughter inside Changchun Pavilion.

“The battle’s over, yet Yangzhou’s troops haven’t arrived—looks like the hostages won’t be useful after all.”

“Enough. The mission’s complete; no need to waste more time.”

“Ding Yang, signal them—take the surviving hostages and evacuate Yangzhou immediately!”

More than an hour had passed since the battle erupted.

Under normal circumstances, officials fleeing Changchun Pavilion would have already led Yangzhou’s troops back.

The original plan was to use the hostages to force the troops to clear a path for their escape.

But plans change faster than expected—they had a plan, and so did the Five City Garrison.

From Marquis Wuyang’s perspective, legally seizing control of Yangzhou was paramount; rescuing cannon fodder was secondary.

Every Yangzhou official of any weight had been imprisoned by Li Mu’s men; all government offices were gradually taken over by the Five City Garrison.

Troops who had gathered upon receiving the alert were now being absorbed and reorganized by the Five City Garrison.

They had no time to spare for this side.

“Your subordinate…”

“Mr. Zhou, rest assured—we brothers are professionals at this kind of work.”

Who on the Two Huai salt routes doesn’t know our methods are the cruelest?

Not just capturing a few nobles—we can deliver even the dog imperial envoy’s head to you!”

Realizing his slip, Ding Yang quickly raised his voice and shifted tone.

“Big Eye Dragon, I admire your style.”

Don’t worry—after this job, you’ll be one of the Seven Families of the Two Huai Alliance.”

Future private salt trade in Da Yu will always have a share for you.”

If things go smoothly, you might even become one of the kings, marquises, and generals!”

The middle-aged man laughed heartily.

These treasonous words were spoken without any regard for bystanders—those in nearby private rooms heard every word clearly.

After boasting, the two leapt straight out the second-story window and vanished from the scene.

…

Time passed second by second; sunlight pierced the darkness.

After a sleepless night, Li Mu and his soldiers slowly appeared at Changchun Pavilion.

Facing the throngs of onlookers—three layers inside, three layers outside—Li Mu was speechless.

The Chinese appetite for spectacle was insatiable; even a murder scene drew crowds.

“Yamen investigation—onlookers, clear the way!”

At the soldiers’ shout, the crowd quickly parted—but the gawking continued.

“Examine the scene. Search for survivors.”

“Pay close attention to evidence—leave no trace unexamined!”

Li Mu emphasized his orders.

If the night’s operation was orchestrated by the Eastern Depot or Embroidered Uniform Guard, the scene would bear clear, incriminating evidence.

With rebels involved, the investigation must go to the end.

With suspicion alone, suspects can be summoned for questioning.

Once the principals are imprisoned, the court holds the upper hand in this game.

For this kind of work, speed is essential.

Once these people realize the court intends to strike hard, they won’t sit idle.

“Commander, Deputy Commander Chu is still alive!”

Hearing his soldier’s report, Li Mu frowned.

Surviving such a massacre? Truly, evil men live long!

This Chu, younger brother of Imperial Consort Chu, was a notorious playboy in the capital—every vile deed done.

He’d remained free not only due to his sister’s influence, but because he was a coward who bullied only the weak.

Most infuriating—he’d dared call Li Mu “Little Li,” utterly ignorant of his own place.

“Lead the way.”

Li Mu said, expression unchanged.

No matter how unwilling he felt inside, appearances had to be kept.

“What are you waiting for? Carry Deputy Commander Chu out and take him to the yamen for treatment!”

“Wait—Deputy Commander Chu’s wounds aren’t fully sealed.”

“Moving him now will cause bleeding—first, bandage him.”

Li Mu casually pointed to the soldier leading the way.

“My Lord, I don’t know how to bandage wounds!”

The young soldier replied, face twisted in distress.

“Do it! Who’s born knowing how? There are plenty of corpses on the ground—rip a piece of cloth from one, wrap it twice around his wound!”

There are so many corpses on the ground; couldn't you just tear off a piece of cloth from any of them and wrap it twice around Deputy Commander Chu's wound?

Under so many eyes, this was all he could do.

If Deputy Commander Chu survived this, he’d truly be blessed by fate.

If Deputy Commander Chu can still survive after all this, he's truly lucky.

(End of chapter)