Chapter 152: Death and Chaos, Corpses Litter the Ground

June 1, minor heat.

In a tavern in Prince Wugang Prefecture.

It was high noon, and the main hall was packed with guests.

Prince Wugang Prefecture lies at the border of Huguang and Guangxi, a mix of military households, barbarians, and merchants.

Added to that, the onset of summer heat made everyone restless and irritable.

Thus, at every eight-legged table, drinkers sat bare-chested, arms exposed, faces flushed, voices loud and lively.

"That's the real deal! You wouldn't believe it—when a bunch of people stormed into Master Wang's mansion, they saw someone and—crack! —one slash, right here!"

A bearded giant stretched out both hands, thumb to thumb, index finger to index finger, forming a circle.

He stood up, gesturing directly to his tablemates, spittle flying.

Mid-gesture, he glanced at his own hands, thought the circle too small, and switched to his middle finger.

One companion played along, exclaiming: "Killed them outright? No trial at the Prefectural Yamen?!"

The bearded giant sneered dismissively: "Trial? Look who you're talking about. Do you even know what the Embroidered Uniform Guard is?"

The companion nodded obediently.

Another companion couldn't take it anymore and cut in: "You're not even getting the point."

"They're the Northern Surveillance Office! They interrogate and execute on the spot—don't say they didn't try them!"

"My third aunt's neighbor's daughter's master—he's a wealthy merchant in the county—this time, I heard he got tangled up too, and got…"

He raised his palm and slashed hard through the air.

As they chatted merrily, guests at a nearby table couldn't resist joining in.

A short, stout middle-aged man leaned over and interrupted: "Wealthy merchant? You're still off the mark!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard marched from Daozhou all the way to Yongzhou Prefecture, then cut through to Prince Wugang!"

"Forget wealthy merchants—even retired officials, county and prefectural clerks, battalion commanders—all who had any connection to that affair…"

He lowered his voice, made a silent hand gesture, eyes wide: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard burst in and cut them down on the spot!"

"Threw the corpses like dead dogs onto the market square."

"The scene—tch."

He smacked his lips, thoroughly satisfied with his own storytelling.

He finished with a final piece of advice: "Those killers just arrived in Prince Wugang today—wait and see. You'll get a real show."

Hearing the topic grow increasingly dangerous, some nearby drinkers feared trouble.

They dropped their wine and slipped away quietly.

The bearded giant, offended by the condescending tone, bristled.

He stuck out his neck and shouted: "Show Jianshi? I've seen more than you'll ever dream of, you ignorant youth!"

"I've traveled south and north—what haven't I seen?"

"Let me tell you, in my view, the ones in Prince Wugang tied to that affair are probably…"

He feigned importance, pointing toward the central royal citadel in town, his expression smug.

Other guests were about to respond.

The waiter rushed over, grabbing the bearded giant's collar.

He bowed to all sides, pleading: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, don't speak of nobles, don't speak of nobles."

Then, in a low voice, he gifted each of them half a jug of wine, showing full courtesy.

As the saying goes, no one strikes a smiling face—the guests, appeased by the waiter's tact, fell silent.

The main hall grew quiet, but the private rooms upstairs had no such restraint.

Behind the half-open door of one private room, low voices murmured.

"Brother Zong, I truly can't hold on any longer."

A burly, bandit-like man stood below, urgently begging.

Though born of the imperial clan, he'd long mingled with bandits—his habits were utterly different.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao's fingers kept tapping the table, his displeasure plain on his face.

"Who's your brother Zong? You're already dead on the clan register! Remember who you are now!"

"And I've told you countless times—don't meet me lately! Wait until the storm passes!"

He slammed the table, barking: "Why must you insist on seeing me today? Do you not understand me—or what 'death sentence' means?!"

The bandit-like man clenched his teeth, swallowing his rage.

Thankfully, he kept his composure, growling: "Your Excellency, the Assistant General, is right."

He switched his address outright—no one knew whether he was mocking someone or not.

"This matter is grave. Ever since that incident, I said nothing, abandoned my old nest entirely, and hid only my core men—never once thought of getting entangled."

"Even when several battalion commands, driven by Liu Zhen, went mad hunting everywhere, I stayed cautious, terrified of exposing myself and dragging the mansion into it."

"But now I have no choice!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard ignores Great Ming law entirely—any wealthy merchant or Dahu they suspect, they destroy outright!"

"My hundreds of men haven't had a full meal in days without these wealthy patrons to support them!"

"If this continues, once unrest breaks out, I can't control them—and dragging the mansion into it is only a matter of time!"

Though framed as a plea, his tone grew harsh by the end.

He too was a Min princeling; years ago, through carelessness, he killed someone and the Provincial Governor reported it.

When the Emperor Jiajing Emperor ordered his execution, the officials and eunuchs sent to deliver the poison were bribed heavily, allowing him to fake his death and escape.

Afterwards, he took over the river pirates maintained by the mansion, engaging in shadowy operations.

The banditry on Dongting Lake was carried out under the mansion's orders.

They'd only planned to stir up trouble—but it exploded into something far bigger!

Now under unprecedented pressure, he could no longer manage it, and was forced to seek aid from the mansion at this critical moment.

Assistant General Zhu Zhu Dingyao's face darkened.

The Prince of Min entrusted him with raising bandits precisely because he was a trusted pillar of the Min clan.

He knew far more than this cousin before him.

Last month, the Prince of Min went to Wuchang to negotiate with Wu Wu Jinghe—but the talks ended in acrimony.

Since then, Liu Zhen personally led the capital troops, replaced the Yuezhou Guard, and under the pretext of training the capital forces, followed Li Li Zaiting in indiscriminately accusing others.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Cheng, elusive as a dragon, let his son lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard to set up private prisons and harm civilians.

Under these conditions, the Min clan dared not reveal the slightest flaw, terrified of being caught.

The mansion's secret river pirates could only be slightly sustained through wealthy households under the Prince's control.

Now, with the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigating without evidence, torturing confessions, and cutting off the mansion's hands and feet—what could he do?

Could he really risk appearing in person?

At this thought, he finally made his decision.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao suddenly lifted his head, teeth clenched, words forced through them: "Cut off the arm to save the body!"

Zhu Dingchan stared in shock: "Brother Zong?!"

He'd built it up so vigorously—abandon it all now?

What then of Zhu Dingchan's influence? Would he not be reduced to a stray dog again?!

Zhu Zhu Dingyao shook his head, solemn: "Eliminate every one of your 'brothers' and hall masters who know the truth."

"Let the rest fend for themselves."

Seeing his cousin's reluctance, Zhu Zhu Dingyao frowned, about to rebuke him.

Then he paused, fearing it might provoke rebellion and ruin everything.

He paused, then softened his tone: "Brother, our dynasty never lacks bandits. As long as the Min clan remains stable, losing this is nothing—we can rebuild anytime."

Zhu Dingchan resented it, but knew the logic was sound.

After thinking, he reluctantly nodded.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao exhaled, stood, and patted his shoulder: "When it's done, go out and enjoy yourself—you've worked hard these years."

These years, he'd raided, looted, set up roadblocks—how much had he handed over, how much had he hoarded?

Yet, not only was he needed to carry out tasks—his escape routes and backup plans had always been well-prepared.

Otherwise, Zhu Zhu Dingyao might have already considered killing him after using him.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao shook his head, dismissed the thought, and ordered someone to escort his cousin out through a secret passage—the tavern, unbeknownst to all, was also Min princely property.

He planned to wait until the timing was right, then leave the tavern openly.

But just then, a eunuch burst into the private room, panicked: "Assistant General! The Embroidered Uniform Guard has arrived at the mansion!"

Zhu Zhu Dingyao's heart skipped—he instinctively asked: "What?"

The eunuch, still shaken, hurried to add: "Just now, Zhu Zhu Shitai led the Embroidered Uniform Guard straight into our mansion! They didn't even wait for announcement—they broke the door down!"

"I dared not look longer—I rushed here to report to the General."

Zhu Zhu Dingyao frowned, suppressing his unease, and asked coldly: "Clarify—was it the Min Mansion, or our Lishan Mansion?"

The former was a princely mansion, representing the Min clan; the latter was a commandery mansion, one of over a dozen.

Their significance was vastly different.

The eunuch finally regained his wits and replied quickly: "Lishan Mansion! It was Lishan Mansion!"

Zhu Zhu Dingyao exhaled in relief.

Fortunately, it hasn't reached the worst point yet.

He forced himself to stay calm and ordered the eunuch: "I'm returning to the Wang City. Catch up with my cousin and make sure he finishes the matter."

He then turned to the clerk beside him and instructed: "Go and pacify those landowners and gentry. Let them keep a branch of their lineage, and send them back to Jinan."

"As for the wealthy families who have cast our weapons and coinage, handle their people—replace their clan heads if necessary, and see to it yourself."

Speaking last, his voice grew quieter as he looked at the Chief Secretary and gripped his hand: "If I meet with misfortune, let the Prince offer sacrifices for my mother."

He spoke rapidly, giving orders to the eunuch, the clerk, the Chief Secretary, and others—as if settling his final affairs.

Seeing this, all of them were deeply moved.

Just as they were about to urge him further, Zhu Zhu Dingjiong pushed open the door, stepped out of the private room, and descended the stairs.

A sharp-eyed patron downstairs noticed a member of the imperial clan descending and fell silent at once, signaling his drinking companion with a glance.

Some of equal status even rose voluntarily to bow: "Assistant General."

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong moved calmly, smiling in reply, and left the tavern with composed grace.

Only after he was far away did the patrons begin whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that the filial son of the Lishan Prince's mansion?"

A knowledgeable merchant explained: "He is the son of the Garrison General Zhu Yujing. The Garrison General died early; this man has shown pure filial piety in serving his mother."

"I heard that earlier this year, the Min Prince even submitted a memorial requesting the Emperor to enfeoff this Assistant General as Garrison General."

The bearded man who had spoken first sneered.

He mocked: "Pure filial piety? More like pure mockery!"

"They say his mother was gravely ill, so he cut flesh from his thigh to cure her."

"If you believe that, your life is already over."

His words had barely ended when the two sides erupted again in heated argument, faces flushed.

The air was thick with summer's heat.

…

The summer's heat was not merely physical.

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong's inner agitation was even greater, so much so that he ignored the sweat pouring from his brow as he hurried forward.

Especially when he stepped through the Lingxing Gate and entered the Wang City.

A stench of blood drifted from the direction of the Lishan Prince's mansion.

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong's face turned pale; he quickened his pace, and his attendants could barely keep up.

Passing through the Chengyun Gate, as he reached the front of the Lishan Prince's mansion, he saw a sight that froze his soul!

Soldiers, mansion guards, and eunuchs had gathered before the Lishan Prince's mansion.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard stood atop the mansion's steps, looking down upon the crowd in confrontation.

The gates of the Lishan Prince's mansion stood wide open; several corpses lay sprawled inside.

Among them were his familiar bodyguards, servants, even… his brothers and nephews!

His favorite rockeries and the mansion's main gate had been splattered with blood, making the red bricks and vermilion doors appear even more lurid.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhu Dingjiong's eyes turned bloodshot.

Without hesitation, he lunged toward the mansion!

The Embroidered Uniform Guard naturally did their duty and moved to block him.

As he took one step forward, a voice came from within: "Let him in."

No matter how sharp-witted Zhu Zhu Dingjiong was, he had no mind to reason now.

Filled with rage, he shoved aside the Embroidered Uniform Guards and charged inside!

Inside the mansion, the stench of blood grew thicker.

Corpses lay scattered across the courtyard, corridors, and main hall; blood still steamed.

Zhu Zhu Shitai saw the man standing dazed in the courtyard and didn't hesitate.

He pulled his long blade from a man's abdomen, took out a portrait from his sleeve, stepped closer, and compared it to the corpse.

Soon, Zhu Zhu Shitai nodded in satisfaction, his face wearing the look of a spoiled noble: "Zhu Zhu Dingjiong, right?"

"Don't worry. These people resisted to the end. If you surrender peacefully, you won't end up lying among them."

He then stared expectantly at Zhu Zhu Dingjiong, hoping he would say something like, "Do you know who I am?" or "How dare you!"—the usual dramatic lines.

Instead, Zhu Zhu Dingjiong fell silent for a long while, tightly shut his eyes, and took a deep, slow breath.

In a calm voice, he asked: "Commander, may I ask what crime the entire Lishan Prince's mansion has committed that you have slaughtered us without the Emperor's decree?"

His eyes remained bloodshot, yet his expression was calm as he pressed: "To kill imperial clan members without the Eight Deliberations—do the Embroidered Uniform Guard intend to rebel?"

Zhu Zhu Shitai had never encountered such a member of the imperial clan—he could easily carry out killings, but debating was beyond him.

He thought for a moment, then chose not to answer, nodding to his men: "Take him to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Battalion Headquarters."

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the mansion.

A roar thundered out first: "Who dares! Who dares!"

Prince Min Zhu Zhu Dingyao finally arrived.

Clad in armor, sword in hand, he stormed into the Lishan Prince's mansion.

Seeing the scene before him, he lost composure entirely, pointing his sword at Zhu Zhu Shitai and trembling: "You dare intrude upon my Min fief! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"

Saying this, he raised his sword to strike.

Zhu Zhu Shitai quickly stepped back several paces, hiding behind his men, crying out: "Prince Min! The Embroidered Uniform Guard are acting on imperial orders! Don't bring ruin upon yourself!"

He had come to investigate the Lishan Prince's mansion; bullying a Commandery Prince was what his father had instructed.

But a Prince of the Blood appearing—this he could not handle.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao paid him no heed. Unable to strike, he seized Zhu Zhu Dingjiong instead.

With bloodshot eyes, he ordered his personal guards to slaughter the Embroidered Uniform Guard within the Min Mansion: "Kill! What are you waiting for? Kill them! Ten taels of silver for each head!"

He had left the Wang City less than half a day ago to handle other matters—and returned to find this!

Within the Wang City, people had been slaughtered on the spot!

Even if it wasn't his own Min Mansion, but merely the Lishan Prince's mansion—it was still an attack on him, the feudal lord!

At this moment, he cared nothing for the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Even if the Emperor himself came, he would kill them right here in his mansion!

The Embroidered Uniform Guard stood ready; the Prince's guards hesitated.

Just then—

"Cough… cough…"

A weak cough echoed.

The sound was faint, yet like a bucket of cold water dousing the tense standoff.

Everyone turned.

A figure seated in a wheelchair slowly emerged from the Lishan Prince's study.

Zhu Zhu Xizhong sat in the chair, one hand holding a stack of sealed letters, the other clutching a cloth to his mouth as he coughed, his back arched.

He was wheeled into the courtyard, between the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the mansion's guards.

He looked around.

He removed the cloth, revealing a face etched with deep wrinkles, and raised his gaze to Zhu Zhu Dingyao, whose eyes were bloodshot and wet with tears.

He spoke softly: "Prince Min, don't cry yet… I'll return once I've confirmed the Lishan Prince's mansion's collusion with river bandits."

He paused, then tucked the bloodstained cloth into his sleeve.

Zhu Zhu Xizhong continued earnestly: "When I've finished killing them, Prince Min, you can cry together."

(End of Chapter)