NFBE Chapter 188 Severing Arms and Legs with a Sword
Chapter 188 Severing Arms and Legs with a Sword
Madam Ren, the prefect's wife, quickly realized that the Gu Lin the other party was referring to was Gu Fulang, the uncle of Zheng Jianjun.
General Yu's wife continued, "Ever since his Baiyulou opened, the business of my porcelain shops has been affected, with profits reduced by half compared to before!"
Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. If General Yu's wife had no feelings for Gu Lin before, she now hates him so much she wants to devour his flesh and blood.
Seeing the other party's angry appearance, Madam Ren frowned, and impatience flashed in her eyes.
If Prefect Ren and General Yu weren't in cahoots, she really wouldn't want to deal with this idiot in front of her.
She calmly asked, "What do you want to do?"
Given the other party's intolerant nature, Madam Ren never expected that he would swallow his anger in this matter.
General Yu's wife sneered, "They really take his nephew, the military supervisor, seriously. As a nephew, he's used my husband's reputation to his advantage, and as an uncle, he's cut off my source of income. I'll let them know who's in charge in Jibei Prefecture!"
As soon as she said this, she didn't notice the coldness that flashed between the brows of the Prefect's wife.
Unlike General Yu's wife, who acted impulsively without thinking, Prefect Ren's wife sensed that Supervisor Zheng and Gu Lin were not easy to deal with, so she reminded them, "Don't act rashly."
However, it was not General Yu's wife who was willing to listen to advice. In addition, General Yu fell ill and was bedridden because of Zheng Hao, which made her hate the uncle and nephew even more.
She said to the wife of Prefect Ren, "You don't need to worry about this matter; I will handle it myself."
After saying this, General Yu's wife got up and left, completely unaware of the annoyance that flashed across Prefect Ren's wife's eyes.
On his way back from Baiyulou, Gu Lin bumped into Niu Qiang. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu Lin noticed that Niu Qiang seemed to be in a hurry, so he didn't keep him waiting.
As Gu Lin entered the room, he saw a young man standing by the window with his back to him. Before he could speak, the young man turned around, the coldness on his jade-like face fading, and his dark eyes fell on him. He suddenly said, "I would like to ask Uncle Gu to stay in the manor to recuperate in the coming days."
Upon hearing this, Gu Lin's brow twitched. He opened his mouth slightly as if to say something, but seemed to be mindful of something else and ultimately remained silent.
Seeing through Gu Lin's thoughts, Zheng Hao said, "The spies in the courtyard have all been dealt with, Uncle Gu, you don't need to worry."
Gu Lin frowned. They had been afraid of alerting the enemy, so apart from not allowing their spies to enter the house to serve them, they had not taken any action against them.
It seems something really big is about to happen, otherwise Zheng Hao wouldn't have taken down his spies and prevented them from spreading news outside the mansion.
Seeing the worry on Gu Lin's face, Zheng Hao walked towards him. A cool, refreshing scent wafted into Gu Lin's nostrils. He looked up and saw the young man reach out and grasp his hand. Gu Lin did not refuse and let the other lead him to the table to sit down.
A deep, slow voice reached Gu Lin's ears. Zheng Hao said, "Uncle Gu can ask whatever he wants. I won't lie to you."
Gu Lin's lips moved slightly, but he ultimately did not question him in detail. He looked up at the young man and asked seriously, "Will you be in danger?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Hao's heart stirred, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on the other's hand. Gu Lin felt the sudden increase in strength from the young man but did not struggle. He stared intently at the person in front of him.
Zheng Hao did not evade the question, as if making a guarantee or a promise: "I will not be in danger."
No... there is no danger of death. Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly. He had finally reached a point of understanding with Uncle Gu. How could he put himself in danger? What would happen to his Uncle Gu then?
With his eyes slightly lowered, Gu Lin said, "Then follow your own heart."
Although the other party did not say it explicitly, Gu Lin sensed the danger hidden beneath the calm surface, like the overcast sky before a storm, with countless thunderstorms brewing behind it.
After a long pause, Zheng Hao said, "Okay."
The following day, a group of government officials rushed into Baiyulou, saying that Baiyulou was selling fake porcelain and that it needed to be rectified. The shopkeeper's attempts to explain were to no avail. Upon receiving this news, the owner of Baiyulou immediately led a group to find the wife of Prefect Ren to inquire about the situation. When Gu Lin left the Ren residence, he was dejected. That night, he was so angry that he fell ill and was bedridden.
Upon hearing this news, General Yu's wife's face, which had been pale for several days, brightened up, and she scoffed, "How petty! It's just a shop, and she's gotten so angry that she fell ill."
The maid replied, "I heard that Supervisor Zheng's uncle is frail and sickly. He takes good care of him, and even Supervisor Zheng doesn't dare to raise his voice in front of him."
“Ha!” said General Yu’s wife. “Meeting me made him realize that there are people better than him, and not everyone is like his nephew, who is bound by filial piety and pampers him.”
The maid echoed, "Madam is brilliant!"
The Red Army camp in Zhen.
A few days ago, after the army learned that His Majesty would send an imperial envoy to Jibei Prefecture to bestow rewards, everyone in the camp became restless. This morning, the soldier who was sent to gather information returned on horseback. General Yu quickly asked him to explain the situation, and the soldier replied, "The imperial envoy will be at the camp in a while."
General Yu immediately ordered everyone in the camp to wait outside.
After waiting for about an hour, just as everyone was about to lose patience, the imperial envoy arrived with the imperial edict to award the Red Army in Zhen.
Just as General Yu was about to step forward to greet the other party, the imperial envoy who stepped down from the carriage glanced at him and said loudly, "The imperial edict has arrived! Why don't you all kneel down to receive it?"
General Yu paused, his smile freezing. Being ignored in front of everyone made him angry, but remembering that the other party had come to bestow an award upon him, General Yu knelt down: "Your subject Yu Feng receives the decree!"
The young military supervisor and a group of generals behind Yu Feng all knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
The imperial envoy opened the imperial edict and read in a deep, steady voice: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
I have heard that the peace of the nation depends on loyal and virtuous ministers, and the urgency of war relies on wise and courageous generals. Now, there is the military supervisor Zheng Hao, who possesses unwavering loyalty and exceptional talent. He remained fearless in the face of danger, strategizing and planning with remarkable skill. He cleverly devised a listening device, thwarted the night raid by the Red-Clad Warriors, protected the borders from peril, and averted a catastrophe. He is truly a peerless national hero, his achievements shining like the sun and moon.
I hereby bestow this special honor to recognize your outstanding achievements:
A reward of a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of brocade;
He was awarded the imperial plaque of "Guardian of the Nation" and appointed as an advisor on important military affairs.
*Strive diligently, my lord! May you continue to employ your strategic brilliance to secure our land; uphold your unwavering loyalty and forever safeguard the nation. So be it!*
Zheng Hao remained calm and composed, bowing respectfully: "Your subject Zheng Hao receives the imperial decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"
The imperial envoy who read the imperial edict was quite familiar with Zheng Hao. Even though Zheng Hao had left the capital, His Majesty still remembered him. He truly deserved to be a favorite of Emperor Jian'an.
His expression was gentle as he personally handed the imperial edict to the young military supervisor: "Lord Zheng is indeed a young scholar who is both literate and skilled in martial arts. He has defeated the Red-Clad Army in just half a month since arriving in Jibei Prefecture. His reputation for wisdom and courage has spread back to the capital, earning the admiration and love of many young ladies and gentlemen."
Zheng Hao: "Your Excellency, this is a compliment."
The imperial envoy said, "I will read out the other imperial edicts first, and then catch up with Lord Zheng later."
Zheng Hao nodded.
The imperial envoy turned and continued reading the imperial edict. All the generals present received their rewards, except for one.
When Yu saw the imperial envoy who ignored him smiling incessantly in front of Zheng Hao, he couldn't help but feel annoyed. At the same time, he couldn't understand why, as the commander of the Zhenhong Army, the emperor didn't reward him first.
When Yu Feng saw that all the generals present had received their rewards while he hadn't, his heart sank. However, when he saw the imperial envoy take out another imperial edict, Yu Feng felt joy and expectation. He thought that His Majesty must be overjoyed after learning that the Zhenhong Army had defeated the Hongyi Army and wanted to reward him greatly. There were too many rewards to read aloud, so the imperial envoy read out his reward at the very end.
As Yu Feng thought of this, the imperial envoy turned to look at him and said in a subtle tone, "General Yu, please accept the decree!"
Yu Feng was completely focused on how His Majesty would reward him, and did not notice the sarcasm on the official's lips.
"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven, decrees:
I, having received the Mandate of Heaven to rule the world, reward merit and punish demerit with strict laws. Now, I investigate Yu Feng, the commander of the Zhenhong Army, who, entrusted with a heavy responsibility by the nation, commands the three armies and should be ready at any moment to wipe out the rebels. However, he has neglected his duties, resulting in the loss of troops and the disgrace of the nation:
Firstly, the enemy was incompetent and cowardly, and the Red Army was rampant. They suffered repeated defeats in battles, resulting in the loss of territory and the displacement of the people.
Secondly, they corrupt the country and enrich themselves, colluding with treacherous officials to embezzle military funds, leaving soldiers hungry and cold, and weapons rotten and dull.
Thirdly, they formed cliques to disrupt the government, secretly colluded with court officials, deceived the emperor, undermined the court's discipline, and disrupted the foundation of the state.
The evidence is irrefutable, and it is an outrage against both gods and men! Justice prevails, how can we allow this scoundrel to defile our uniforms and desecrate our national treasures?
I hereby punish this severely according to the law, as a warning to others:
First, he is stripped of all official titles and ranks, demoted to a commoner, and never to be employed again.
Second, their family property was confiscated and used as military funds. Three generations of male members of their clan were exiled to the frontier, and the female relatives were confiscated and registered by the government.
Third, the Imperial Commissioner shall immediately arrest him and bring him to justice, execute him in the autumn, and hang his head at the gate of the camp for three days to announce this to the three armies.
Fourth, all generals and officials who colluded with him shall be thoroughly investigated by the Court of Judicial Review, and those involved shall be punished according to the law without leniency!
You officials should take this as a warning! Those who receive the emperor's salary must be loyal to the emperor; those who wield military power must have a heart that cares for the people. If you continue to act in this rebellious manner, the laws of the land are like a furnace, and they will surely be consumed!
Admire this. "
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, the generals present looked at each other in disbelief, for the edict had come so suddenly.
After reading the imperial edict, the imperial envoy coldly addressed the distraught Yu Feng, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Yu Feng, have failed to live up to your trust. I colluded with court officials to embezzle military funds and committed numerous crimes. Do you know your crimes?"
Yu Feng gritted his teeth, raised his head, and glared at the imperial envoy with bloodshot eyes, saying, "This general is personally appointed by His Majesty as the Grand General to suppress the Red-Clad Rebels. I have been loyal day and night. There must be some villain who has wronged me!"
The imperial envoy said, "The numerous crimes you have committed have already been presented to the Emperor with irrefutable evidence. His Majesty has personally issued an imperial decree to arrest you and bring you to justice. How dare you try to deny it!"
Yu Feng said coldly, "Even if someone is to be punished, it should be His Majesty who judges me. It's not up to a lowly official like you to be so insolent in front of this general!"
Seeing the other party's arrogant attitude and complete disregard for him, the imperial envoy angrily shouted to his men, "Guards, seize this wicked subject Yu Feng!"
With a clang, Yu Feng drew his longsword from his waist, his fierce eyes sweeping across the surroundings as he threatened, "This general will see who dares to challenge me!!"
After saying this, he swung his sword and killed the soldier closest to him. The generals all retreated, afraid that the swords would fall on them.
The imperial envoy was closest to Yu Feng. Seeing that the other dared to stand up and resist, he was both shocked and frightened: "How dare you, Yu Feng! Are you trying to rebel?!"
Yu Feng's body stiffened. He slowly turned to look at the imperial envoy. The imperial envoy felt uneasy, noticing the strange look on Yu Feng's face. Yu Feng slowly said, "Why not?"
He said coldly, "The current dynasty is corrupt and tyrannical, levying exorbitant taxes and levies, causing the people to be displaced and the Great Qian to be in constant turmoil both inside and outside the dynasty. The founding emperor also overthrew the previous dynasty and established the Great Qian. This world has always been ruled by the capable!"
To the astonishment of the imperial envoy, Yu Feng turned to all the generals present and said, "The hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the Zhenhong Army are starving and freezing. We generals are risking our lives on the front lines. The old emperor and his princes and princesses not only enjoy mountains of gold and silver in the capital, but also arbitrarily frame me. If any of you dare to join me in overthrowing this tyrant, you will all be meritorious officials after the success. You will be granted the title of Duke of the First Rank and will be honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple after your death."
The generals present looked at Yu Feng and thought he had gone mad.
Seeing their reaction, Yu Feng sneered and took out the military tally: "The military tally is here, what are you all hesitating for?"
Not everyone is of firm mind. Before, Yu Feng promised them a bright future, and after, Yu Feng held the military seal. The imperial envoy was here with an imperial edict to arrest them and bring them back to the capital, but he was powerless in the face of hundreds of thousands of troops.
Some generals close to Yu Feng were eager to try, and shouted: "The tyrannical emperor is wicked, we are willing to follow the general to punish him!"
The other generals felt a chill in their hearts.
Suddenly, a flash of light appeared before his eyes. Yu Feng reacted quickly and raised his hand to retaliate, but he was no match for the opponent's immense strength. His longsword fell to the ground with a "plop," and bright red blood splattered into the air. Yu Feng screamed in agony as his severed arm rolled several times on the ground before landing in front of the general who had echoed his rebellion.
Everyone's eyes turned to him, and they saw a tall and straight figure standing not far away. The young military supervisor, who was usually gentle and refined, and looked like a frail scholar, held a cold knife and with great speed and force, he cut off the leg of the traitor. Blood fell to the ground and meandered down to his black boot.
Zheng Hao turned around, his jade-like face in the transition between light and shadow. Half of his profile was as white as jade, while the other half was stained with blood, leaving a long mark on his face. The tip of the knife he held beside him was constantly dripping blood.
Raising his eyes slightly and scanning the crowd, Zheng Hao spoke in a calm tone: "Hao has not practiced martial arts for a long time and made a mistake."
Seeing the other party's nonchalant demeanor, the generals present couldn't help but gasp.
They watched with their own eyes as the other side severed General Yu's arm and leg without batting an eye.
General Chang reacted quickly, and without ordering the soldiers, he personally stepped forward to tie up Yu Feng, and then sent someone to fetch a military doctor.
The imperial envoy also realized that although he hated Yu Feng for his resistance, the imperial decree required him to be brought back to the capital, so he had to bring Yu Feng back unharmed.
After the man was taken away, the other generals couldn't help but turn to look at Zheng Hao again. They were stunned to see that the young supervisor had already put down his cold sword, frowned, and was wiping the bloodstains on his face with a handkerchief in his slender, jade-like hand.
Seeing the other party's refined manners, the group of generals breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Lord Zheng was quicker to react and stronger, he was ultimately not as accustomed to fighting and killing as these martial artists.