Chapter 833: I Know Where Your Family Lives

To ensure this memorial could be sent out of South Zhili, Grand Coordinator Guo Shangyou prepared three copies. One took the fastest route north along the official road, by relay horse at top urgency. Another went through Henan before heading to the capital. He also deliberately arranged one copy to go by sea — all to make sure it reached the capital.

He even assigned men specifically to watch whether the memorials could leave South Zhili, because they would inevitably have to pass through Xuzhou and Pizhou. If the other side strictly forbade memorials from crossing the border, that would truly be a disaster. But what let Guo Shangyou and the South Zhili bureaucrats breathe a sigh of relief was that memorials and official dispatches could still exit South Zhili.

Were they really going to let this gang of Xuzhou men block the canal transport, cutting off everyone involved from making their fortunes? The autumn grain and autumn tax season was almost here. If this disruption dragged on, wouldn't this year yield nothing at all? Without even the silver for greasing palms, how would they prosper in the future? How would they curry favor with the big shots in the capital and Nanjing?

Since these Xuzhou men weren't trying to rebel and only wanted someone released, why not just let the man out? Wouldn't that make everything easier for everyone?

Those ball-less eunuchs in the capital are getting bolder by the day. Is a censor from the Chief Surveillance Bureau someone you can just arrest? That's a hornet's nest. Any random seventh-rank censor — heaven knows who stands behind him — and you dare slap a rebellion charge on him and make the arrest?

Even if this censor no longer has a faction or a patron, how do you know it won't ignite the shared righteous fury of those scholar-official purists? If that crowd kicks up a storm, it'll be a catastrophe. These eunuchs have no sense of proportion whatsoever. They must be greenhorns recently promoted by Eunuch Wei, stirring up disaster for everyone.

Yet on closer examination, this reckless arrest of Wang Youshan did not stir up an outcry from the capital's remonstrating officials and purists. Instead, it provoked local magnates to block the river. That was truly bizarre.

Thoughts aside, all the officials and powerful merchants connected to the canal transport no longer saw the Zhao Camp as courting death, a carcass to be carved up and feasted on after the court exterminated them. Instead, they began thinking of ways to go along with the Zhao Camp's wishes, to see whether Wang Youshan could be released from the prison cell where he was locked up.

But everyone also understood that these things had to be done, just not immediately. Though the government troops led by Baoding Regional Commander Lu Qin could not travel a thousand li a day, by current reckoning of distance and time, in no more than half a month, these four-thousand-odd troops from North Zhili and Shandong would enter South Zhili. Once the outcome was decided, that would be the real moment to choose a course of action. For now, everyone just needed to be ready.

North Zhili, Shandong, South Zhili — no one knew how many were watching the progress of the troops Lu Qin commanded. By now, everyone knew this force had already left Dongchang Prefecture and entered Yanzhou Prefecture.

Luan Hong had always thought he'd drawn the short straw when he got this assignment to go to Xuzhou, scout the rebels, and ascertain the enemy situation. If he hadn't drunk a few extra cups of liquor that night and drawn lots with the other company commanders in a daze, he would never have landed this dangerous errand. After leaving the capital, Luan Hong cursed nonstop along the road. When they drew lots, the others must have rigged it.

When the Embroidered Uniform Guard went out from the capital on assignments, the best jobs were, without question, convicting and confiscating property — you could use the fox's borrowed authority and work both ends. Scouting enemy intelligence brought no benefits and risked your life. It was the worst kind.

Company Commander Luan Hong had drawn his blade and seen blood. He wasn't one of those useless wastes who'd been spoiled rotten. He knew that at a moment like this, he couldn't throw around the Embroidered Guard's prestige, so upon entering Shandong, he told everyone to change into civilian clothes.

In truth, Luan Hong understood that in his thousand-man guard unit, he was the only one who could go out and actually handle assignments. The rest were all spoiled useless. Even if he hadn't drawn the lot this time, the assignment would have fallen on his head some other way.

Because the assignment was urgent, they raced by relay horse all the way to Yutai County, where they disguised themselves as traveling merchants and prepared to enter on foot, carrying bundles and the like.

Shandong was no peaceful place either — religious sects and secret societies were everywhere. If those people mistook them for scouts, it would create complications and danger. So Luan Hong had been extremely cautious within Shandong. In Yutai County, the inn where they stayed was tidy enough, but the innkeeper and staff were clearly shady. Though they served them attentively, every word was probing and prying. Some even tried to sneak a look at their luggage.

Luan Hong saw through their tricks but dared not call them out. He simply told his men to be careful and left the establishment early. Before entering Xuzhou territory, Luan Hong specifically instructed his subordinates to move in small groups of three to five, to be extremely circumspect in word and deed, and to make absolutely sure the Xuzhou people didn't spot any flaws.

After passing the checkpoint and entering Xuzhou territory, they had walked just over a hundred paces when Luan Hong and his four men were completely surrounded by Xuzhou village braves holding spears. They were searched, tied up tight, and tossed by the roadside to wait. At first, Luan Hong and the others were baffled, not knowing what they were waiting for. Only when they saw group after group of their comrades being captured and brought over did they understand the other side's plan.

"Back in Jinxiang, you were all swaggering and full of capital Mandarin. By the time you got to Yutai, you'd turned cautious. Did you really think we were fools?" The head of the capturing party said with great contempt.

Hearing this, Luan Hong finally realized where the flaw had been. In the end, the closer you got to the target, the more careful you became. But who could have imagined that the Xuzhou rebels had their own eyes and ears in Shandong?

Once their waist tokens and commissions were searched out, Company Commander Luan Hong put on airs, ready to gamble on survival in the face of death: "We are the Emperor's own Embroidered Uniform Guard, here on assignment in South Zhili. With this coercion and intimidation, are you planning rebellion? Release us at once and do not bring ruin upon yourselves!"

If he could bluff them, that would be luck. If he couldn't, well, how would he know without trying? After Luan Hong took a heavy slap to the face, he knew the bluff had failed.

He had assumed they would be taken to some mountain stronghold or bandit lair to be dealt with. He never expected to be escorted across the Yellow River like this, into the city of Xuzhou, and then actually brought to the Xuzhou Subprefectural Magistrate's yamen. This left the twenty-some Embroidered Guard agents utterly bewildered. They saw clerks and runners working as usual, though every one of them looked listless. Wasn't Xuzhou supposed to be in rebellion? How dare they bring us to an official government office?

Some Embroidered Guard agents immediately shouted out, declaring their identity. They thought the rebels were trying to muddle things and blur the lines. But the people in the yamen just glanced at them and paid no attention at all.

What threw the agents into even greater confusion was that they were actually locked up in the Subprefectural yamen's jail. Every one of them found it bizarre. Had they come to the wrong place for their assignment?

But soon enough, they had no time to dwell on it. Just as they had once interrogated others, they were now being hauled out one by one for questioning.

Company Commander Luan Hong had a plan in mind. The subordinate agents on this assignment didn't know much in detail and wouldn't yield anything under questioning. As for himself, Luan Hong had some backbone. Since the other side was set on rebellion, there would certainly be no good end for him. Better to grit his teeth and endure it, to die a martyr for the dynasty.

Before long, Luan Hong was brought to the torture chamber. The interrogators were two young runners. They began questioning him, and Luan Hong clenched his teeth and said nothing. The two runners threatened torture, and Luan Hong put on a look of disdain. He thought suffering was next. But what Luan Hong did not expect was that someone outside called the two runners out, and another person came in.

"Ma... Director Ma..." Luan Hong blurted out in shock, calling out the name.

Ma Chonghao, dressed in a runner's uniform, looked at Luan Hong with a grin and said, "When I heard they'd caught agents from the capital, I had to come take a look, to see if there were any old acquaintances I knew. Turns out I do know a few."

At this, Luan Hong finally understood. No wonder this Ma Chonghao, who had been sent to Nanjing, had vanished without a trace after the Wanli Emperor passed away, his family nowhere to be found, leaving the factions preparing to settle scores seething with rage. So he had hidden away in Xuzhou.

Seeing this former superior had actually turned bandit, fury surged in Luan Hong's heart. He spat fiercely on the ground and said through gritted teeth, "You dog traitor. Once the court's heavenly troops arrive, your good days are over. Plenty of people in the capital want your head."

Ma Chonghao's smile didn't change. He said, "You don't need to worry about being tortured, and you don't need to worry about losing your life. That much consideration I can still offer."

"Ma Chonghao, you've served in the Guard yourself. Do you think taking me as a hostage will let you escape the great army's encirclement?"

"I understand that better than you, and I don't need to use you as a hostage. But someday you'll be needed to carry messages. Still, it's best you answer whatever I ask. You're being tough here — do you think I don't know where your family lives? That I don't know how many mouths you have at home? Do you think I can't kill people in the capital?" Ma Chonghao asked back with a smile. Luan Hong's face instantly changed. He knew perfectly well the other man could do it.

"... Master Jin, this company commander they sent doesn't know much either. But the Old Master Wang has been placed under strict guard. To see him or do anything, you'd need to get Eunuch Wei Zhongxian's token. And those with rank and duties in the Embroidered Guard are all wondering what exactly Old Master Wang is involved in, that the Depot Intendant himself personally ordered him to be treated well and guarded tightly..."

After the interrogation, Ma Chonghao raced back to He Village by relay horse to report the results to Zhao Jin.

"... That eunuch who mobilized the Depot and Guard to make the arrest has already been seized and locked up in prison too. I heard he was even tortured. The men the Prince of Lu's estate sent to the capital have also been arrested..."

Hearing these reports, Zhao Jin's expression remained unchanged. He simply nodded and said, "It seems our message was delivered, and they've more or less acted according to our wishes."

"Master Jin, Wei Zhongxian has been handling affairs for many years. He's certainly a meticulous and cautious man. The matter you raised carries too much risk — he may not dare shoulder it. And he's only just entered the Directorate of Ceremonial to take the Depot Intendant's seat. This is exactly when he needs to prove his ability. Whether he defeats and pacifies us in Xuzhou, or offers amnesty, either way it's his achievement. But the risk here is also immense. One misstep on our part, and we could be in dire trouble immediately." Ma Chonghao added a few more words.

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