Chapter 144: The House Raid!

Having survived a brush with death, some advised Zhao Shaozhu to return to Xinzhou City or go to another town, as Shuo City was too dangerous.

This incident exceeded everyone's expectations, so everyone would understand if he left Shuo City.

However, Zhao Shaozhu refused.

Considering safety, it was actually the opposite; this place was the most reliable.

The greatest crisis had already passed, and the other disturbances in the city had been cleared; if he went to another town, who knew if there were even greater ambushes?

The incident in Shuo City this time was clearly premeditated, with the timing perfectly calculated.

They used a swarm of Plague Ghosts to attack the city, stirred up unrest in the urban districts to disperse the troops, and forced him to return to the Gao Family Old Residence. Even if Zhao Shaozhu had been unwilling, someone would have persuaded him.

Then they intensified the unrest to force him to hide in the cellar, using a feint to lock the main gate, intending to suffocate him inside.

For this series of schemes, the spies had already been exposed for the most part. Staying here was the most appropriate choice.

At the same time, Zhao Shaozhu also used a messenger bird to send a letter to Xinzhou City; a series of purges would follow there, and there might even be a counterattack, which was far less stable than Shuo City.

The men from the Patrol Guard Division searched the Gao Family Old Residence again and soon made a discovery.

"There was originally another secret passage out of the city in the Gao family's cellar!" the Patrol Guard Division men reported on the search progress.

It was a very narrow, easily overlooked secret passage, and it was hidden extremely deep.

Neither the old nor the new versions of the cellar blueprints provided by the Gao family showed this secret passage.

This time, after the ambush in the cellar and an explosion, the garrison men searched inch by inch, only then discovering it.

"This secret passage should have been dug in recent years, but before you, Young Master, came to Shuo City, that secret passage had already been filled in," the Patrol Guard Division men said.

Around the time Zhao Shaozhu came to Shuo City, the inspection intensity was at its highest; only by completely filling in the secret passage could it avoid being easily discovered.

When the Gao family gave up this residence back then, they had buried a hidden mine!

The garrison men also speculated: "These spies were planted a long time ago, even before the chaotic times!"

Zhao Shaozhu agreed with this point. He knew very well how strict he had been when choosing guards and how meticulous he had been in checking their identities!

Therefore, these problematic people had been planted in the Border Army long ago, surely for other purposes at the time, but no one had expected the chaotic times to come and the Zhao Family to take control of Xinzhou.

Now, the other side wanted to eliminate the Zhao Family, pull up the flag and change the banner, and replace the Zhao Family!

Furthermore, the other side was stimulated and urgently wanted to eliminate one of the Zhao Family's leaders as soon as possible to make Xinzhou fall into chaos!

In fact, if the other side had just waited a little longer, and a personal guard like Xiaotian could have advanced further, the assassination would have been even easier.

Could they not wait?

Had the Zhao Family's secret actions poked the other side in the heart?

Zhao Shaozhu pondered.

There were only two people truly in power in the Xinzhou Zhao Family now: Lao Zhao and Xiao Zhao.

In such times, someone had to come to the front line to oversee the battle. Lao Zhao's leg had been injured; he could walk now, but it was still inconvenient for him to travel far.

Therefore, the one most likely to come out to oversee the battle was Xiao Zhao, which was beneficial for increasing his prestige.

"It is indeed aimed at me!"

Zhao Shaozhu rubbed his brow wearily.

Having experienced a high-intensity crisis, not sleeping for a night, and then dealing with affairs for most of the day after the quarantine ended, even an iron man could not hold up!

In just one day, his face was visibly more haggard and weathered.

"What is Wen Gu doing?" he asked.

"The cousin is currently sleeping," a trusted aide said.

Zhao Shaozhu smiled: "He certainly sleeps soundly! Very well, let him continue to sleep; don't let anyone disturb him."

The aide advised: "Young Master, you should also rest for a while!"

Zhao Shaozhu waved his hand, letting his subordinates go out first; he wanted to think about some things quietly.

Having suffered this disaster, he had to find a way to strike back!

At the same time, people in other parts of Shuo City were whispering.

"If Zhao Shaozhu were to rank his inner circle by closeness now, Wen Gu would definitely rank first!"

"Even if Wen Gu does nothing in the future, just by saving the Young Master's life this time, he can obtain top-tier treatment in Xinzhou!"

"How high can the treatment get?"

"Let's put it this way: in the past, Wen Gu had to pass the personal guards' inspection just to carry two firecrackers, but in the future, even if he hangs twenty firecrackers on his body, the Young Master will still have to considerately ask him if it's enough! That's the level of trust!"

The person next to him disagreed: "It's not that low! If Wen Gu hangs a string of firecrackers on his body, the Young Master will not only not blame him, but will also concernedly ask him why he lacks a sense of security, and then turn around and fiercely investigate his own personal guard team!"

Xinzhou City.

As the secret letters from Shuo City arrived one after another, Xinzhou City also stirred up a turmoil.

Ordinary people might not feel it so intensely, but those with even a slight source of information would perceive the bloodiness within!

During a crisis, to ensure internal stability, that group of elites did things strictly and swiftly!

They had excellent reactions and intuition; before others could react, the "elimination game" had already begun!

Bang!

——

At the Gao family's large residence in Xinzhou City, the door was suddenly kicked open.

The servants in the residence did not have time to stop them before they were knocked to the ground, tied up, and dragged away.

When Gao Laoda was dragged out, he was limp all over, his face deathly pale.

He looked up at the person in the lead.

Pei Jun, the head of the Patrol Guard Division, showed no obvious signs of anger on his face.

Gao Laoda closed his eyes, already clear on what the outcome would be, looking resigned to his fate.

Pei Jun walked over.

Like a hunter poised to strike, and like a blade already drawn from its scabbard: "Don't be anxious, we are also having your son brought back from the farmstead outside the city, so you can be reunited!"

The head of the Gao Family turned deathly pale.

According to the original plan, his eldest legitimate son was supposed to have used the excuse of inspecting the farmstead to run away!

Without looking at the head of the Gao Family again, Pei Jun walked toward the other side.

Gao Lao Er had been dragged out of a concubine's room, reeking of alcohol and babbling nonsense, looking like a complete, dissolute scoundrel.

But when his jaw was dislocated and he was fully restrained, only then did he reveal a ferocity that was anything but ordinary!

Pei Jun lowered his eyes to watch. His emotions were faint, yet he possessed a focus filled with killing intent.

"Take Second Master Gao to sober up!"

Seeing this, the head of the Gao Family's expression grew even more haggard, and he collapsed to the ground, completely drained of strength.

Wails and cries from the men, women, and children of the Gao Family mansion in Xinzhou City rose up, and the Patrol Guard Division headed to the next house. Yet, no one around dared to look, not even daring to poke their heads out.

Some spectacles could be watched, but others—one should avoid them as far as possible!

This time, Pei Jun was leading the team in person!

The former captain of the Huangcheng Imperial Guard raids, now the chief captain of the Patrol Guard Division raids—the job was a perfect match, and the skills were practiced!

Every raid was a direct hit!

Guangning Commandery Princess Mansion.

Crack!

Guangning Commandery Princess was furious, and an exquisite, expensive teapot was smashed to pieces.

She had her own channels of information.

"Dead soldiers?!"

——

Under these circumstances, those capable of raising special dead soldiers and making such choices were highly likely to be members of the imperial family!

And not some transparent figure of the imperial clan, but very likely someone with ambitions to seize the throne who had hidden deep enough in the past!

An attendant ran over and reported: "Commandery Princess, Seventeenth Master and Eighteenth Master have arrived."

At this moment, a commotion broke out outside, with someone shouting: "Yin Zhen! Yin Zhen, come out!"

Guangning Commandery Princess tapped her fingers, signaling the guards to let them in.

Soon, two middle-aged men rushed into the room. They were also members of the imperial clan, from the same branch as Guangning Commandery Princess, and closer in blood relation; at this moment, their eyes were full of anxiety and unease, as if they had been greatly frightened, their heads covered in beads of sweat.

"The people from the Patrol Guard Division are raiding houses everywhere, we heard some news————"

When they were inquiring for news, they had also encountered successive probes and those meaningful gazes.

Anyone would be suspicious in this situation!

One of them grabbed Guangning Commandery Princess's arm, his voice taut: "The matter in Shuo City, was it you?"

Guangning Commandery Princess frowned: "It was not."

The man did not believe her: "Look me in the eye!"

Guangning Commandery Princess brushed the other's hand away, but her gaze did not waver: "It was not done by me. Nor was it done by our branch!"

The two finally let out a long breath, but their complexions remained pale.

They did not have much ambition, nor did they have any grand designs; now, they only wanted to keep their whole family alive.

Having been passed down for many generations, there were too many people in the imperial clan. Although their branch had once produced an emperor and enjoyed special treatment, there was still a distinction between the main line and the secondary branches!

Some people lived comfortably, such as the family of Guangning Commandery Princess.

Some people lived in poverty, such as them!

Before the chaotic times, they were all peripheral figures of the imperial family, cowardly, not daring to stir up any major events, and could only live in a wretched manner.

At the beginning of the chaotic times, they were scared out of their wits by the tragic situation in Huangcheng, and for the past two years, there had been constant rumors that it was the infighting of their Yin imperial clan that had caused this chaotic world where Plague Ghosts ran rampant————

They had no great ambitions, living in fear and trembling every day; they had no, and dared not have, any other thoughts!

But now!

Other members of the imperial clan were causing trouble, implicating their entire family?

"You don't include me in the glory and wealth, but when disaster strikes, you want us to take the blame?!"

To hell with it!

Get out!

All of you get out!!

They stared fixedly at Guangning Commandery Princess, wanting a guarantee: "You promised your father that you would protect us!"

Guangning Commandery Princess had indeed made a promise when she took over the forces left behind by her father.

"Of course," she said.

The two wanted to say a few more words, but seeing the impatience in Guangning Commandery Princess's eyes, they did not dare to continue forcing her to state her position.

At this time, another attendant entered, looking grave: "Commandery Princess, Commissioner Zhao requests your presence!"

The two clan uncles trembled in fear: "Guang————Guangning, what should be done about this?!"

Guangning Commandery Princess showed no surprise, slowly pouring tea for the two: "Seventeenth Uncle, Eighteenth Uncle, do not panic. The more it is a time like this, the less we can show a guilty conscience!"

The two drank the tea in large gulps to steady their nerves and nodded repeatedly: "Right, right! We haven't done anything, we cannot show a guilty conscience!"

Guangning Commandery Princess said: "I will go talk to the Zhao Family; this time, I am afraid we will have to bring out more goods to appease the Zhao Family's anger."

The two hurriedly said: "Are the goods in your hands enough? We can also bring out some grain and medicinal materials from our side!"

After all, they were members of the imperial clan; whether their lives were poor depended on who you compared them to. Moreover, when they evacuated Huangcheng————they had taken the opportunity to pry away the farmsteads of brothers from other branches.

Guangning Commandery Princess then said: "With the support of my clan uncles, that would be best! This matter really has caused quite a stir!"

The two clan uncles now only wanted to ensure their safety: "As long as we can clear our names as soon as possible, what does it matter if we give up some grain!"

The two did not dare to stay here long; although they were apprehensive when they left, there was no longer any guilty conscience in their eyes: "Anyway, the blame absolutely cannot be dumped on us; whoever it belongs to, it belongs to!"

Princess Guangning stared at the two as they left with a dark gaze, then gave a few instructions to her attendants before heading to the Zhao Family.

This matter truly had nothing to do with her. Expecting her to take out grain and goods alone to ensure everyone's safety was impossible!

Since they all belonged to the same branch, everyone had to contribute!

Qingyun Fang.

Ever since Wen Gu left Xinzhou City, Qingyi Daozhang felt the light in the room was even brighter, and his whole body felt the relief of shackles being removed!

He was in an excellent mood; although there was quite a lot of work assigned from above, who was he?

This Daoist Priest has plenty of ways to make time for himself!

Anyway, no one was watching. The people sent from above were easy to fool, and without extensive Study Tour experience to expose some of his "divine skills," he could handle them in two or three moves!

Today, Qingyi Daozhang cleared his schedule, rubbing his hands together, ready to stir up some trouble. For example, organizing a small-scale Dharma assembly or something to connect heart-to-heart with the benefactors and believers.

As for that additional task list Wen Gu gave before leaving?

Pfft!

Do you take me for a Yellow Cattle?

Go eat dust! If I even glance at it again, I lose!

Qingyi Daozhang was busy planning important matters when a young Daoist acolyte ran over in a hurry: "Master, it's bad, it's bad!"

Qingyi Daozhang was greatly alarmed, reacting entirely out of reflex; he sprang up from his seat and asked urgently: "Has Wen Gu returned?!"

The young Daoist acolyte: "————No!"

Qingyi Daozhang sat back down with a dark face and scolded: "What is the matter that has you so flustered?"

The young Daoist acolyte looked left and right outside the door with a furtive air, then closed the door and leaned in close: "I heard that Zhao Shaozhu was attacked in Shuo City!"

He briefly told his master the news he had gathered, including the movements of the Patrol Guard Division in the city.

Qingyi Daozhang was lost in thought.

By the time they could hear news here, many things must have already reached a conclusion, and based on the reactions of the Patrol Guard Division and the Shen Family, "Zhao Shaozhu should be unharmed, and Gou Shusheng is very likely alive as well."

How should he put it? Disliking him was one thing, but Gou Shusheng being alive could provide him with an extra layer of security.

He wondered if he had been injured; surely he wouldn't still be jumping around, would he?

The young Daoist acolyte had limited status and knew only a one-sided account. Thus, Qingyi Daozhang went to inquire for more news himself, and subsequently made a decision.

The original restlessness was suppressed once again.

"The city is in turmoil recently; for the sake of safety, be more low-key."

He could not know exactly what had happened in Shuo City and could not find out the detailed situation, but based on the news he had obtained, he speculated: Gou Shusheng was not only unharmed, he might have even performed a great service!

As for Qingyi Daozhang, although he occasionally wanted to take some crooked paths, he was quite adept at gauging the human heart.

Weighing the benefits, he became as steady as an old ox again and said to the young Daoist acolyte: "Where is that dog————ahem, the additional task list from Wen Gu? Bring it here for me to see————"

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