Chapter 893: Aftermath

At a time like this, no one spoke of goodwill bringing wealth. The investigation was thorough and showed no favor whatsoever. Even those merchants who had already been doing business in He Village for some time were no exception—they had to be sifted through again and again.

No one voiced any complaints. Never mind the sudden assassination attempt last night, in which Third Master Wang had nearly lost his life; there were also rumors that Master Jin was furious and would no longer show anyone any consideration.

Zhao Jin was indeed enraged. The sudden attack had not angered him, and he had remained very calm in the battle's aftermath. But when he called his wife and children out from the cellar and saw Mu Shulan nervously clutching a dagger, and Xu Zhenzhen covering Zhao Feng's and Zhao Long's mouths, terrified the children would make a sound and be discovered by those outside—only then did his fury erupt.

Just as the sky began to brighten, fast riders galloped out from He Village in all directions. Some were sent to notify the city of Xuzhou, while others went to track down those merchants who had left during the night. Heaven only knew whether they truly had private business or had fled in the chaos.

Upon receiving this news, Xuzhou city immediately imposed martial law. Household troops and militia all entered combat readiness. Runners from the Xuzhou magistrate's yamen went everywhere beating gongs and shouting orders, demanding everyone stay in their own homes or bear the consequences themselves. Everyone knew what the so-called consequences meant: kill on sight.

At this juncture, everyone gained an even clearer confirmation of Ma Chonghao's standing, because as soon as the incident occurred, Ma Chonghao immediately rushed back to He Village. There were many matters there that required his handling.

"Master Jin, this does not look like something the Embroidered Uniform Guard could pull off." This was Ma Chonghao's first judgment.

"... All told, there were over a hundred men, and among them roughly sixty were death warriors resolved to die. In the entire capital, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has no more than two hundred such operatives at best, and those are all private soldiers held tightly in the grasp of various high officials. Moreover, from the moment they dispatched men until now, the expense has been enormous. Who in the current Embroidered Uniform Guard would be willing to spend so much silver? If they had this sum, they would certainly split it among themselves to buy land and houses, and to pay tribute to their superiors..."

The second matter was to investigate those managers and clerks who had been "coerced." It was said that some might well use this as a chance to slip away. The investigation quickly yielded results. The capital side probably knew Ma Chonghao was here, so they hadn't sent any familiar faces. But their methods of operation were hard to change—their manner of dress, the items concealed in hidden places on their bodies. Once one was caught, the others were soon tortured into confession. Over a dozen were taken alive.

Xin Qitao's page and attendant had also failed to get away in time. This Recommended Man Xin had planned for absolute certainty, and so had not allowed his servants to do anything that might give them away. Though these two did not know the inside story, they had more or less seen and heard certain things. They did not possess the will to grit their teeth and endure torture.

"... A commercial enterprise like Daxing Firm—even the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot move against it lightly..."

The collaborators this time were mainly merchant houses from the capital. Several of them had such profound backing that even the Embroidered Uniform Guard had to treat them with a measure of wary respect.

The valor that does not blink at three blades and six holes on the battlefield is one thing; the resolve to keep one's mouth shut in the face of severe torture is another. Ma Chonghao, his face dark, paced a few rounds. Many confessed before torture was even applied.

The results were much as Ma Chonghao had said. It was driven by Eunuch Wei Zhongxian, His Excellency Wei. Under Wei Zhongxian's strict orders, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had orchestrated this night raid and assassination. Only with the impetus of His Excellency Wei, who controlled the central power as weighty as a mountain, would the Depot and Guard grit their teeth and commit their own capital. Only then would those merchant magnates in the capital with profound backing break open their purses in support—and act so swiftly. Originally, according to those familiar with the capital's pace of doing things, the earliest reaction from the capital side would not have come until the third month of next year.

What was extracted through interrogation went beyond this. A certain centurion, hoping to suffer less, volunteered a piece of information. He had vaguely learned from his superior that although the number of men deployed this time was large, they were not the truly critical element. His superior had also said that the target's defenses were tight, and throwing so many brothers over there would surely be sending them to their deaths. But this time, they were not counting on the brothers.

"Could it be that they really were targeting you?" This conclusion made everyone look at each other in dismay. The joke they had traded that night might well be true. The most important target of this night raid and assassination was Wang Zhaojing.

The interrogation of Xin Qitao's servants also quickly yielded results. All they knew was that their young master harbored a fervent desire to serve the country. However, due to his father's generation's connections, he had met with obstacles everywhere in the capital. Just when he was in a slump, several dignified, eminent gentlemen had sought him out, after which their young master had become exceptionally energized.

"It's very likely that outsiders truly believe all these affairs were planned by Third Master, with you, Master Jin, pushed to the forefront. Master Jin, please do not take offense. In this present age, civil pursuits are esteemed and martial ones scorned. Everyone thinks military men lack brains and cannot accomplish great things. Who could know that Master Jin is a heaven-sent genius, capable of such grand strategies without even leaving Xuzhou? When outsiders speculate about you gentlemen, they surely believe Third Master is the backbone." As Ma Chonghao said this, he kept watching Wang Zhaojing's expression, ready to stop at any moment.

In the past, upon hearing such things, Wang Zhaojing would certainly have felt awkward and offered a few words of explanation. But now he was all laughter and unconcern. After Ma Chonghao finished, he even chimed in, "Outsiders all think I possess the strategic talents of a Sleeping Dragon or Fledgling Phoenix, but they don't believe I truly know swordsmanship or can actually kill. In this Great Ming realm, how many scholars are truly accomplished in both pen and sword? With Xin Qitao's sword skill, killing me would surely be as easy as slaughtering a chicken. Hence, they made such an arrangement."

In this age, "accomplished in both pen and sword" was mere flattery. For most, it meant nothing more than being physically robust and able to wave a ceremonial sword a couple of times. Thus, having witnessed Xin Qitao's ability firsthand and heard of Wang Zhaojing's martial skill, they naturally assumed the former was far stronger than the latter.

The outward levity could not conceal Wang Zhaojing's low spirits. After saying this, he could not help but sigh and add, "This Xin Qitao had insight and decisiveness. To penetrate deep into enemy territory and dare to kill within an armed camp—such courage is well worth recruiting. A pity. Truly a pity."

"What's there to pity? Train a few yourself. Outsiders can't be trusted!" Chen Sheng interjected impatiently from the side.

Originally, after his recent wedding, he was supposed to stay a few more days in the city. The moment he heard this news, Chen Sheng immediately rode back. Only after returning and seeing Zhao Jin and Wang Zhaojing with his own eyes did he feel at ease.

"Big Brother, I think those men in the city who took part in the martial contest are also unreliable. We should investigate every single one of them. Any who are disobedient or harbor ill intentions—kill them all!" Ji Xiang said, his voice thick with murderous intent. This time, neither Zhao Jin nor Wang Zhaojing had reprimanded or blamed him, yet Ji Xiang himself felt furious and deeply ashamed. Guarding He Village was the responsibility of his personal guard unit. This incident had happened right under his nose, and Ji Xiang felt as though someone had slapped him hard across the face several times.

Although Zhao Jin and Wang Zhaojing were both safe and sound, and the casualties among the household troops were few, Ji Xiang still felt he had lost face and was determined to reclaim it by some means.

"The prefectural city is not a concern. If trouble truly breaks out there, killing them all would be simple enough. However, the elders of our families can no longer reside inside the city. They must all move here, to avoid giving anyone an opening." Zhao Jin spoke sternly.

Ji Xiang was about to speak but was silenced by a glance from Chen Sheng. Zhao Jin continued, "Assassination is nothing rare. Night raids are nothing rare. Since we engage in such affairs ourselves, we must be prepared for this. What baffles me is that someone among the household troops turned traitor—and a man from the personal guard unit at that. Have they been sent to arrest him yet?"

This question was directed at Liu Yong. After the chaos of the previous night, Liu Yong, who was responsible for the internal security unit, was equally disgraced. Though not exuding the same murderous intensity as Ji Xiang, his expression at this moment was just as grim.

"Big Brother, men have already been sent to arrest him. That Fan Jinbang is already somewhat delirious, nearly driven mad," Liu Yong stood and replied.

"I will only say this here; once it leaves this room, it doesn't count. The majority of the household troops are loyal to us. But we must also consider: for a few taels of silver and a few dan of grain and wheat a year, their families are just as easily bought. There's no reason to assume they are utterly loyal. We must find a way to keep an eye on them." Zhao Jin's tone was very calm. Liu Yong nodded in agreement.

After agreeing, Liu Yong hesitated a moment, glanced at Ma Chonghao, and then said, "According to what Fan Jinbang said, the man who colluded with his family was an operative of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. When traced back, it should have a connection to Squad Leader Ma. Squad Leader Ma, please explain this matter!"

Ma Chonghao stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Master Jin, please do not blame Master Yong for this. In truth, this matter is inseparable from your subordinate. If not for..."

It was indeed a loose end left by Ma Chonghao. Back when he had led his squad north, he had previously dispatched all kinds of scouts into Xuzhou, among whom were quite a few elite and key operatives. After the venture failed, Ma Chonghao himself had fled into Xuzhou, and the others had all scattered like birds and beasts. But these men were very familiar with Xuzhou and had already figured out the ropes.

"... Those file leaders and such whom your subordinate trusted most have probably all fled back to the capital. If anyone there had the mind to recruit them, they could certainly be put to use..."

Everyone's expression turned grim. Ma Chonghao's logic held water, and it was likely not far from the truth. The thought that there might be others working mischief on their own turf—and that this mischief could even threaten them—pleased no one.

"Interrogate that captured Fan Zixia thoroughly! Teach them a lesson, and let all the camp members see this lesson." Zhao Jin let out a long breath as he spoke. Liu Yong hastily acknowledged the order.

Wang Zhaojing and Chen Sheng exchanged a glance, then looked at the other companions. Wang Zhaojing stood and said solemnly, "Big Brother is a person of incalculable worth. His every move affects the entire situation of the Zhao Camp, so no carelessness can be afforded. Big Brother should never have been living in a bustling marketplace to begin with. If Big Brother had been inside the military camp this time, it would not have been so perilous. For the sake of the greater cause, Big Brother's family must endure this inconvenience."

Zhao Jin smiled wryly and shook his head. Wang Zhaojing's words were unpleasant but not wrong. Seeing his reaction, Wang Zhaojing spoke again, "Big Brother, it is actually not that troublesome. Either Big Brother returns to live inside the camp, or we convert this place into a stone fortress. On one hand, it would protect Big Brother's entire family; on the other, it could serve as a stronghold to overawe the whole of He Village."

"I will return to live in the camp. This place has only just begun to prosper and flourish; we must not frighten everyone away." Zhao Jin made his decision.

Everyone in the room nodded helplessly. It could only be so.

Thanks to "Yuan Heng Li Zhen" and "Wu...