SBMT Chapter 59

It wasn’t until the sun was about to rise on the horizon that Shen Ziqin left the Flying Tiger Gang.

 

After hearing Shen Ziqin’s arrangements, Flying Tiger went from being dumbfounded to anxious.

 

He was dumbfounded because he never imagined things could be done this way. Having never considered it, he felt uneasy, but he had to admit that if it worked, better days would come to Yuzhou.

 

Could it really go so smoothly?

 

Flying Tiger nervously rubbed his hands, but it seemed he had no choice but to trust him.

 

After so many years, they finally saw a glimmer of hope again.

 

Shen Ziqin had stayed up all night. When he returned to the estate, he almost fell asleep immediately, but he forced himself to stay awake to give instructions first.

 

Struggling to keep his eyes open, he said slowly: “Go to the city and buy some fireworks. Have the purchasers chat with the shopkeeper, saying that Prince Qin’s consort is feeling better, in good spirits, and wants fireworks at the estate for good luck… And what else, ah yes, our signals, signals…”

 

Hei Ying continued: “I understand. According to the original plan, we’ll mix our signal flares with the fireworks.”

 

Prince Qin’s residence had a variety of signal flares modified by Chu Zhao, with different types for day and night use, suitable for various scenarios-essential for home and travel.

 

Shen Ziqin: “Mm, right, you…”

 

After the word “you,” Shen Ziqin said nothing more. Propping up his head, he had fallen asleep just like that.

 

Xiao Zhen was heartbroken: “The marquis hasn’t rested well for days, and last night he didn’t sleep at all.”

 

“Help the marquis to bed first,” Hei Ying said. “I heard all his instructions clearly and will handle the rest.”

 

Xiao Zhen: “All right.”

 

Shen Ziqin was helped to lie down, his breathing steady as he slept.

 

While he slept, things continued to proceed methodically according to his plan.

 

The servants quickly bought back the fireworks. The prefect’s spies had been watching them and naturally heard their reason for buying fireworks. Despite this, the prefect was still uneasy and told his men to stay vigilant.

 

As dusk approached, Shen Ziqin woke up, just in time to see the estate setting off fireworks, which exploded into the sky with a rumble.

 

Shen Ziqin got up and went outside, watching the brilliant and gorgeous fireworks filling the sky.

 

The signal flares mixed with the fireworks weren’t conspicuous at all, but Prince Qin’s guards could spot them at a glance.

 

This was the signal to raise the curtain.

 

Xiao Zhen brought dinner, urging Shen Ziqin to eat more. Picking up his chopsticks, Shen Ziqin’s mind, which had stopped functioning due to exhaustion during the day, was now clear. He said to Xiao Zhen: “By the way, don’t tell Chu Zhao that I stayed up all night.”

 

Xiao Zhen’s hand paused: Oh, he had originally planned to tell the prince the truth when he arrived…

 

Shen Ziqin seemed to see through him: “Tell the others too, there’s no need to mention such a small matter.”

 

If it was such a small matter, why specifically mention it? Though concerned, Xiao Zhen’s master was Shen Ziqin, and he couldn’t ignore a direct reminder. He could only bow his head and say: “Yes.”

 

The fireworks continued to bloom in the sky. Outside the city, Prince Qin’s guards who had remained outside Yuzhou saw the signal flares and released several pigeons.

 

The pigeons didn’t carry any messages tied to their legs, but they looked remarkably alike-all snow-white with a tiny yellow spot under the feathers of one wing. Anyone who didn’t look closely would think the pigeons had just gotten dirty and wouldn’t be suspicious.

 

But it was a special dye that would become colorless when wiped with a corresponding special liquid.

 

The prince had mentioned something about reagent neutralization or the like-they didn’t quite understand, but knowing how to use it was enough.

 

The pigeons departed from outside Yuzhou, flew for a day, and arrived at a post station in neighboring Qingzhou.

 

The Embroidered Uniform Guards had been waiting there for a long time. They tested each pigeon with the distinctive markings, and after confirming they were correct, set out from the Qingzhou post station with pre-prepared letters, heading straight for the capital.

 

Magistrate Cao indeed kept a tight watch on Yuzhou, preventing anyone from reporting to the imperial court and strictly examining all outgoing letters. But what if the letters didn’t originate from Yuzhou at all?

 

How could he stop that?

 

Shen Ziqin had set up the chessboard. To deal with Yuzhou, he couldn’t just place pieces in Yuzhou. One piece was placed with the Flying Tiger Gang, while several others had already been moved in advance. Magistrate Cao thought he was the one controlling the game, not realizing he had already fallen into the trap, gradually being surrounded by Shen Ziqin until there was no way out.

 

Shen Ziqin picked up a chess piece and gently placed it down. The next step: the capital.

 

*

 

The Embroidered Uniform Guard rode alone, galloping day and night without rest, changing horses at post stations, barely resting along the way. In just two days and two nights, he returned to the capital.

 

Due to lack of rest, he looked haggard. Before entering the city, he deliberately threw away his hat and smeared mud and dust on his robe, making sure he appeared travel-worn and disheveled.

 

His timing was perfect, coinciding with the court assembly.

 

Halfway through the court session, a eunuch hurriedly whispered to Emperor Cheng’an that one of the Embroidered Uniform Guards escorting Prince Qin’s consort and the princess to Yuzhou had returned, saying he had an urgent matter to report.

 

Emperor Cheng’an frowned: “Summon him.”

 

Then the disheveled Embroidered Uniform Guard entered the hall and fell heavily to his knees: “Disaster has struck, Your Majesty! Prince Qin’s consort has been taken hostage by bandits in Yuzhou!”

 

The court immediately erupted in an uproar!

 

Chu Zhao had been waiting for this news. His spirits lifted as he stepped forward to play his part, frowning as he grabbed the Embroidered Uniform Guard and demanded harshly: “What did you say!?”

 

Chu Zhaoyu glanced at Emperor Cheng’an from the corner of his eye, putting on a reassuring manner: “Sixth brother, don’t panic. Let him explain clearly first.”

 

The Embroidered Uniform Guard: “Yes.”

 

The moment he spoke his first words in the great hall, Grand Secretary Wei Changhai thought to himself: this is bad.

 

He knew about the bandit problem in Yuzhou. The biggest bandit leader colluded with Magistrate Cao, and the other small gangs followed along, generally obedient. How could they possibly kidnap Prince Qin’s consort? Were they tired of living?

 

And why hadn’t Yuzhou sent any message about such a major incident? How could they in the capital have received no news at all?

 

When something is this unusual, there must be something sinister behind it!

 

If the bandit problem in Yuzhou was exposed, not only Yuzhou but he himself would be in danger!

 

The Embroidered Uniform Guard continued his report.

 

“The consort’s health had improved somewhat, so he went out in a carriage to see the scenery of Yuzhou. But when they reached Feng Mountain, they were stopped by a group of armed mountain bandits.”

 

The guard described it vividly, as if he had witnessed it personally. When Shen Ziqin had instructed Yin Lie to select someone clever from the Embroidered Uniform Guard for this task, he had truly chosen a talented individual.

 

“The consort didn’t want to make a scene, so he hadn’t brought many people. Our brothers fought to the death to protect him, but the consort was frightened, and having just recovered from illness, couldn’t run fast. He volunteered to go with the bandits in exchange for sparing the guards’ lives. The most skilled brother broke through according to the consort’s instructions and returned severely wounded to report.”

 

It was thrilling and intense, with special emphasis on the clash of blades, making Chu Zhao’s heart pound.

 

…Surely Shen Ziqin hadn’t actually gone to meet the bandits?

 

He had promised not to put himself in danger, and this wasn’t part of the plan he had shared.

 

If he had really done this, Chu Zhao would know with just a simple inquiry later. Shen Ziqin wouldn’t do such a thing.

 

Chu Zhao set aside his concerns for now, thinking that this Embroidered Uniform Guard was truly talented-it was a shame he wasn’t a professional storyteller.

 

“All useless, can’t even protect one person,” Emperor Cheng’an said coldly. “Then what?”

 

Up to this point, though surprised, Emperor Cheng’an wasn’t particularly angry. Even if Shen Ziqin unfortunately died in Yuzhou, that would be his misfortune.

 

Chu Zhao had already married a male consort, and even if his current consort died, according to ancestral rules, he had already lost his right to inherit the throne. If necessary, Emperor Cheng’an could bestow another male consort upon him-it wasn’t a problem.

 

The Embroidered Uniform Guard’s next words were what Shen Ziqin had specifically instructed to stab at Emperor Cheng’an’s heart.

 

“After receiving the report, we immediately requested the Yuzhou prefect and the military commander to send troops for rescue. We confronted the bandits at the foot of Feng Mountain. The bandits demanded weapons, food, and money in excessive amounts. No one dared to agree, but we were truly concerned about the consort’s situation, so we asked Magistrate Cao to report to the court.”

 

The guard continued: “But Magistrate Cao said he would think of a solution, perhaps without needing to alarm the court, to rescue the consort.”

 

Chu Zhao asked: “What solution did he come up with?”

 

The guard: “While the magistrate was thinking of a solution, we didn’t want to sit idle, so we secretly monitored the bandits’ movements on Feng Mountain, trying both approaches.”

 

The guard’s voice was already hoarse. His exhaustion wasn’t an act-it was genuine, making his performance all the more convincing. He swallowed, lowering his head further under Emperor Cheng’an’s gaze. His increasingly hoarse voice, seemingly at the end of his strength, made the situation even more heart-stopping.

 

“…We discovered that the bandits on Feng Mountain have already reached a scale of ten thousand men, with many fighters and horses, and countless weapons.”

 

At these words, the entire court fell silent.

 

Just moments ago, people had been quietly discussing the kidnapping, but now everyone was quiet.

 

Someone’s cold sweat silently trickled down.

 

Because they all heard the key point-

 

Emperor Cheng’an fingered his prayer beads, leaning slightly forward. He slowly said: “Are you saying that Yuzhou, a land of abundance and peace, has already gathered over ten thousand bandits?”

 

A few scattered groups of bandits weren’t significant, but ten thousand people clearly constituted a major bandit problem that couldn’t have formed overnight. Yet no memorial from Yuzhou had ever mentioned a bandit problem.

 

Wei Changhai cupped his hands: “Your Majesty, ten thousand bandits is no small matter. Perhaps the scout was mistaken? How could they so accurately judge the numbers?”

 

Chu Zhao coldly replied: “The Prince Qin’s household guards have mostly been to the battlefield with me and suppressed bandits. Some were scouts with keen eyes and ears. If they could misidentify this, then all our victories would have been for nothing!”

 

Wei Changhai opened his mouth to say something, but Chu Zhao cut him off: “The size of the hideout, the number of houses, the patrolling men and horses, and the supplies going in and out can all be used to make judgments. The Grand Secretary is a scholar who has never served in the military, which is understandable, but now my consort is in danger. It’s one thing if you don’t worry about the imperial family, but interrupting the key points with this nonsense-what are your intentions!”

 

After shouting at Wei Changhai, Chu Zhao turned to the guard and barked: “Continue!”

 

Wei Changhai: “…”

 

His words had been forcefully cut off by Chu Zhao’s harsh tone. The current Prince Qin appeared to be a husband anxious about his missing consort, his attitude reasonable, but Wei Changhai felt something was off.

 

The guard wiped his sweat, thinking to himself: as expected of Prince Qin-even he was startled by this imposing manner.

 

While secretly admiring him, the guard continued: “We also observed that in the fields surrounding the hideout, some civilians who appeared to be from good families were being forced to work. We captured two underlings who said the Feng Mountain bandit leader has declared himself king. The food they’ve been getting from Yuzhou is no longer enough. Once they get sufficient money, food, and weapons this time, they plan to… they plan to…”

 

Emperor Cheng’an, already on the edge of fury, pressed: “Plan to what?”

 

“Plan to rebel outright.”

 

After speaking, the guard bowed his head deeply.

 

The court was deathly silent.

 

“The bandit problem has reached the point of rebellion,” Emperor Cheng’an said word by word, “and no one in the capital knows about it. I also knew nothing.”

 

“Do you all plan to wait until they reach the capital before deigning to tell me?” Emperor Cheng’an’s veins bulged as he shouted, “Speak up!?”

 

The ministers fell to their knees in unison: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”

 

With everyone kneeling, the Embroidered Uniform Guard straightened up and pulled out a letter from his robe: “We realized the gravity of the situation and couldn’t wait for Magistrate Cao’s so-called solution. As I was leaving Yuzhou with the news, at the city gate I encountered a man kneeling, begging me to carry a blood letter to reach imperial ears.”

 

The guard held up the letter and read deliberately: “Zhao, a scholar from Yuzhou, accuses the Yuzhou prefect of corruption, perversion of justice, collusion with mountain bandits, and exploitation of the people, causing a refugee crisis in Yuzhou where people cannot survive! Zhao died two years ago on his way to the capital to submit a complaint. Before leaving, he left this letter with a friend. This blood letter was passed on by his friend, and I implore Your Majesty to investigate!”

 

From the kidnapping of Prince Qin’s consort to the blood letter accusing the prefect, the series of crises came too quickly, giving no one time to react.

 

The court officials stared in disbelief.

 

But officials from both the Grand Secretary’s faction and the princes’ faction vaguely sensed something brewing.

 

A storm was gathering.

 

Emperor Cheng’an: “Bring the letter here!”

 

The emperor was burning with rage. The eunuch didn’t dare breathe as he took the letter with small, hurried steps and presented it to the emperor.

 

The letter was fake, forged in advance by Shen Ziqin, but the matter was real. There had indeed been a scholar named Zhao who was killed by Magistrate Cao two years ago.

 

Zhao also really had a friend. Shen Ziqin had already sent people to speak with him, and he was willing to cooperate fully. For two years, through countless difficult days and nights, he had constantly thought about how to avenge his friend and petition for the people of Yuzhou.

 

When the court investigated later, he would acknowledge everything, and the court would uncover more of Magistrate Cao’s atrocities.

 

After reading the letter, Emperor Cheng’an shouted in anger and raised his hand wearing prayer beads, looking as if he wanted to throw them down. His target was clearly Wei Changhai.

 

He had already raised his hand, his face purple with rage, but he paused midway and finally slammed his fist on the dragon throne instead.

 

Emperor Cheng’an was breathing heavily, while everyone else didn’t dare make a sound.

 

Seeing the perfect opportunity, Chu Zhao immediately spoke in a clear voice: “Your Majesty, I request permission to go to Yuzhou to rescue my consort and investigate the truth about the bandit problem!”

 

Emperor Cheng’an’s chest heaved as he looked at his son.

 

With the subsequent developments so intense, everyone’s attention had shifted to the Yuzhou administration-it seemed only Chu Zhao still remembered his consort.

 

Chu Zhao wasn’t afraid of his gaze: “The Yuzhou garrison has allowed bandits to form, and the commanders are mostly incompetent. Who knows what kind of soldiers they can lead? To be safe, I request an additional three thousand troops from the southern border garrison to join in suppressing the bandits.”

 

“Your Majesty!” Wei Changhai also knelt properly. “The situation is still unclear. Deploying troops on a large scale might cause unrest and panic among the people of Yuzhou. Moreover, this matter is full of suspicious points. In this old minister’s opinion, the court should send more people to investigate the situation before making a decision!”

 

Chu Zhao said hatefully: “Grand Secretary, give me a specific timeframe. How many more days do you want to investigate? Who else do you want to send? If my consort suffers the slightest harm, will you, Grand Secretary Wei, pay with your own life?”

 

Chu Zhaoyu, in his wheelchair, also saluted: “Your Majesty, rescuing people is urgent. We cannot delay the matter of Prince Qin’s consort any longer. Princess Dongning is also still in Yuzhou, and we don’t know her condition. How can the imperial family’s dignity be violated by mere mountain bandits?”

 

Wei Changhai: “Your Majesty-”

 

Chu Zhao also interjected: “Your Majesty!”

 

If Emperor Cheng’an had been a warrior, he would have crushed the prayer beads by now. He looked deeply at Wei Changhai. He knew Wei Changhai had profited enormously from Yuzhou, but he truly didn’t know about the bandits.

 

There were indeed many suspicious points about this matter, but Emperor Cheng’an coldly thought that perhaps he had been too lenient with Wei Changhai, causing him to forget his place.

 

Taking away Yuzhou would teach Wei Changhai a lesson.

 

During Emperor Cheng’an’s silence, the officials below weren’t idle. Some followed Wei Changhai’s lead, clamoring that they should investigate first, while others echoed the second prince Chu Zhaoyu’s words, emphasizing the imperial family’s face and arguing that rescuing people was the priority.

 

Below, everyone spoke earnestly, addressing the emperor repeatedly, making Emperor Cheng’an increasingly angry.

 

“Enough! All of you shut up!”

 

At Emperor Cheng’an’s shout, everyone instantly fell silent.

 

After several deep breaths, Emperor Cheng’an’s gaze remained fixed on Wei Changhai as he finally made his decision.

 

“Prince Qin, hear my command. I appoint you as imperial commissioner, authorizing you to lead three thousand troops from the southern border garrison and the entire Yuzhou garrison to suppress the bandits with full force, rescue Prince Qin’s consort, and investigate the bandit problem in Yuzhou and the accusations in the blood letter. The Right Deputy Minister of Justice will be your deputy commissioner to assist you. Depart immediately, without fail!”

 

Chu Zhao lowered his head, concealing his expression: “I obey the imperial edict!”

 

“Court dismissed,” Emperor Cheng’an said without any pleasantness in his voice. “Wei Changhai, come to the imperial study!”

 

After court, Chu Zhao received the imperial edict and inwardly laughed coldly.

 

The old man was wary of him, unwilling to give him the tiger tally, only giving an edict, fearing he might bring extra troops from the southern border. He even sent someone from the Ministry of Justice to watch him.

 

Calling Wei Changhai to the imperial study suggested he still found Wei Changhai useful and wanted to give him another chance.

 

But it didn’t matter; everything was going according to plan. It wouldn’t be so easy for Wei Changhai to clear himself.

 

Chu Zhao returned to his residence to prepare for departure.

 

“As previously instructed, use the patrol camp men to watch Wei Changhai and his lackeys. Don’t let them send a single letter out of the capital. Arrest anyone delivering messages, and shoot down any messenger birds to roast for a meal.”

 

Not only were they guarding against messages here, but Shen Ziqin had also left people in Yuzhou to prevent the Grand Secretary’s faction from sending messages in.

 

Using their own tactics against them, it was time for the Yuzhou prefect to taste what it felt like to have communications blocked.

 

Chu Zhao mounted his horse, in high spirits. The jade pendant swayed at his waist: After waiting so many days, he could finally go retrieve his person!

 

Let’s go!

 

#

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)