Chapter 77: Rallying

Luo Sigong looked at Luo Yangxing, sighing inwardly, yet his face betrayed nothing as he said: "The Empress is using Prince Hui's hand to round up the former eunuch faction. This is a time when she needs people, and I intend to send you to help."

Help — to put it more directly, it meant throwing in one's lot with them.

Luo Yangxing looked puzzled and said: "Father, haven't you always abhorred involving yourself in factional strife? Why would you have me..."

Luo Sigong gave a cold laugh and said: "You think your father has truly never dipped into factional strife? How else do you think our Luo family has managed to hold the post of Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard generation after generation? Do you know that the Empress is already with child?"

Luo Yangxing's heart tightened with awe, and he said: "Father, you mean... the merit of supporting the dragon's ascent?"

Luo Sigong picked up his teacup, calmly swirling the tea with a composed expression.

Luo Yangxing understood at once and immediately said: "Your son understands. I'll go find that Manager Zhou right now."

"Go on." Luo Sigong raised his head and glanced at him, his eyes carrying an indescribable meaning.

Luo Yangxing kept his head low and did not notice. He rose and hurried out the door.

"Cough, cough, cough, cough..."

The moment Luo Yangxing left, Luo Sigong gripped the table and coughed violently. It went on for quite a while before stopping, with a trace of blood still hanging at the corner of his mouth.

"My lord, are you alright?" Yang Zhe ran out from the side door, supporting Luo Sigong.

Luo Sigong coughed for a good while before sitting down in the chair. He took a sip of tea, wiped his mouth, his face still flushed, and sighed slowly: "I'm fine. I can still hold on for a while yet."

Yang Zhe looked worried and said cautiously: "My lord, the young master — are you truly at ease letting him wade into factional strife?"

Luo Sigong's breath was ragged, as if he were very tired. He looked at Yang Zhe and sighed: "Yangxing — he's not exactly one whose ambition outstrips his ability, but neither is he the sort who can do great things. Since the Empress has already begun her maneuvering, this is precisely a time when she needs people, and Yangxing's position matters greatly. Once this matter settles down, I'll go see Prince Hui and transfer Yangxing into the Ministry of Justice. As for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I can only rest easy if I hand it to you."

A flash of excitement passed through Yang Zhe's eyes, and he said: "Rest assured, my lord. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to the young master."

Luo Sigong nodded calmly and said: "You were raised by my own hand. You are the one I trust most. Go now. Keep a tight watch on the Embroidered Uniform Guard — don't let anyone slip a needle in."

"Yes." A flicker of excitement crossed Yang Zhe's face as he rose and took his leave.

Once Yang Zhe had gone, Luo Sigong's expression turned dark and brooding. In a low voice he said: "Have you finished investigating?"

As his words fell, a young man walked out from the other side door. Judging by his attire, he was a Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He stood at a respectful distance from Luo Sigong and said: "Reporting to my lord, everything has been investigated thoroughly. All of Lord Yang's confidants within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, as well as his offenses, have been fully uncovered."

Luo Sigong nodded and said: "After I die, tell Yangxing to make his move — it must be clean and swift."

"Yes, my lord." The young man showed no expression, nodding calmly.

Not far from the Ministry of Justice, at a tavern, Zhu Xu was eating at a leisurely pace. Not far off, Feng Zhu, Cao Wenzhao, and the others had taken several separate tables, having reserved the entire second floor.

A young eunuch hurried up the stairs and whispered a few words into Feng Zhu's ear. Feng Zhu hastily set down his chopsticks, came to Zhu Xu's side, and said: "Your Highness, Zhou Jianyu has sent word that Luo Yangxing wishes to see you."

Zhu Xu's chopsticks paused. His gaze shifted with interest, and he said with a light smile: "Good. Bring them to see me."

Before long, Zhou Jianyu and Luo Yangxing came up the stairs and bowed together, saying: "Your subordinate (this commoner) pays respects to His Highness Prince Hui."

"Sit down, eat with us." Zhu Xu smiled slightly at the two of them.

Zhou Jianyu's expression was extremely agitated, and he hastily said: "Thank you, Your Highness." Only after speaking did he carefully sit down across from Zhu Xu. He had seen Zhu Xu before, but only now did he realize that the noble young gentleman he had met back then was actually none other than His Highness Prince Hui before him!

Luo Yangxing, by contrast, was far calmer. He sat at Zhu Xu's side, thinking to himself, and said: "Your Highness, I hear you are hearing a case. If you need the Embroidered Uniform Guard's assistance, your subordinate is at your command."

Zhu Xu looked at Luo Yangxing and said: "How much control do you have over the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Luo Yangxing turned toward him and said: "To answer Your Highness, with my father's support, I can mobilize every resource of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Zhu Xu nodded inwardly. It seemed Luo Yangxing had been sent by Luo Sigong. Still, he had no need to know what schemes that old fox Luo Sigong was cooking up — he only needed to borrow the strength of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Good. Then let's eat. Afterward, have the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard stand by — I have major matters to entrust to you." Zhu Xu said.

"As you command." Luo Yangxing flicked his robes aside, dropped to one knee, and said in a low voice.

Zhu Xu squinted and smiled, saying to the two with an air of courtesy: "No need for ceremony. Eat, eat."

Even though he said this, in this era where the distinctions of rank were most strictly enforced, the two naturally dared not overstep in the slightest. They could only sit quietly and watch Zhu Xu finish his meal at a leisurely pace.

The meal took a full two hours to finish.

Zhu Xu returned to the main hall, where a crowd had evidently been waiting for quite some time. Before anyone could speak, Zhu Xu said lazily: "You all get on with your work. This prince is going to take an afternoon nap."

The Vice Bureau Director of the Ministry of Justice's face twitched. His expression was caught between a smile and a grimace, clearly conflicted. He hurried forward to block Zhu Xu and said: "Your Highness, it's time to hear the case."

"Hear the case? How is it done?" Zhu Xu looked at him with a curious expression.

The Vice Bureau Director bowed and said: "First, the prisoner must be brought up for interrogation."

Zhu Xu nodded with an air of great understanding. He walked behind the case table, slapped the gavel, and announced in a loud voice: "Bring in the prisoner!" Before the crowd could recover from their shock, Zhu Xu craned his neck toward the Vice Bureau Director of the Ministry of Justice and said: "Did this prince say it right?"

The Vice Bureau Director was inwardly torn between laughter and tears, feeling secretly relieved that he had thought to consult the senior officials at home beforehand. Otherwise, if he had let this prince who knew nothing go off for his nap, he would surely catch blame when he returned.

But he still had to play along: "That's correct, Your Highness."

Zhu Xu's face beamed with smug satisfaction. He waved his hand and said: "Then bring in the prisoner."

As these words fell, Zhang Guoji's expression shifted slightly. He stared hard at Zhu Xu, like an old leopard eyeing its prey, not daring to blink.

Soon, the bailiffs pressed Zhang Heming up to the hall. Zhang Heming wore a proud expression — even in shackles and cuffs, his face still carried an air of arrogance. Standing in the center of the hall, he retained the bearing of a second-rank grand minister.

Zhu Xu looked at him, as if waiting for something.

The Vice Bureau Director immediately realized that this prince had no idea what to do next either. He stepped forward and said: "Prisoner Zhang Heming, in the presence of His Highness Prince Hui, why do you not kneel?"

Zhang Heming glanced at him and said with a faint, cold smile: "This official is a Minister of the present dynasty. I bow only to Heaven, Earth, the sovereign, my teachers, and my kin! Moreover, what crime has this official committed? Prince Hui detains a grand minister of the court without authorization — that is tantamount to rebellion! This official demands to see His Majesty in person to root out the treacherous villain!"

The corner of Zhu Xu's mouth twitched. Truly, this was an old bureaucrat seasoned by years in officialdom — in the blink of an eye, he had turned this prince into a treacherous villain.

The Vice Bureau Director glanced at Zhu Xu, then gave a cold snort and said: "Still trying to talk your way out! Detaining a duke of the realm without authorization — we have the Censorate's memorial as proof. That alone is enough to convict you of plotting treason and slandering the Empress — a crime of grave disrespect!"