Chapter 27

"Your humble servant greets the大人!" Zhang Ke stole a glance at Wang Huazhen, who was in his thirties, gentle and refined, but with slightly drooping eyes.

Zhang Ke only glanced once and hurriedly bowed respectfully to Wang Huazhen.

Wang Huazhen, barely suppressing his excitement, said, "Get up, follow me, I have some questions to ask you!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Ke quickly got up and followed behind Wang Huazhen, entering a nearby teahouse. Wang Huazhen walked in quickly and immediately ordered everyone to leave, even driving his guards far away.

Wang Huazhen didn't even have time to sit down and directly said, "Give me the item quickly!"

Zhang Ke hurriedly presented it with both hands, delivering it to Wang Huazhen.

The item was not large, only a little over three inches long, made of brass, with a pattern of auspicious clouds, and on the front were five large characters: "Imperial Stables Eunuch." On the back were written: "Loyalty No. 40."

An Imperial Stables badge!

Seeing this, Wang Huazhen's head buzzed, almost falling to the ground.

The two pillars supporting the Ming Dynasty were the civil officials in the outer court and the ten thousand eunuchs in the inner court! The Imperial Stables was a powerful department, second only to the Office of Ceremonial. To put it bluntly, even a dog from there would be a heavenly dog outside.

Moreover, there were two most critical words: "Eunuch"!

Don't think that anyone who is neither male nor female can be called a eunuch. In the entire Imperial Stables, only three people could be respectfully called eunuchs: the Seal Keeper, the Supervisor, and the Director. In terms of status, they were equivalent to the Minister and Vice Minister of War in the outer court.

Wang Huazhen was just a minor fifth-rank advisor, and the gap between them was immeasurable. For such a big figure to become a hostage under his jurisdiction, this was a matter of life and death!

"Quickly, explain what this badge is about, are you from the Imperial Stables?"

You're the eunuch! I, the young master, am invincible with my spear and unparalleled with my hammers!

Zhang Ke, of course, only dared to grumble in his heart, but his face remained respectful.

"Reporting to the大人, I am not from the Imperial Stables, and I just received this badge."

Wang Huazhen barely calmed down, his eyes tightly fixed on Zhang Ke, and he said slowly, "Young man, tell me everything you know, every detail, without omission!"

"大人, the situation is like this. I and my brother went to sell furs and happened to meet two guests with a Beijing accent. One was surnamed Hong, and the other was a tall and strong man, seemingly named Thirteen. While we were discussing the deal, a group of Mongols rushed in, saying they were cheated with fake silver notes and wanted to kill to vent their anger, not sparing us guests."

"Ridiculous!" Wang Huazhen said through gritted teeth. "These Tartars are truly wild and unruly, all of them deserve to die! Speak, continue."

"遵命, the tall man named Thirteen wanted to fight the Tartars, but I thought two fists couldn't match four hands, so I persuaded the Tartars to compensate for their losses first. Then I convinced the innkeeper to pay to avoid disaster. Just as the Tartars agreed and were about to take the silver and leave, the army arrived. The Tartars, frightened, kidnapped everyone as hostages!"

Wang Huazhen picked up the badge and asked, "How did this item end up in your hands?"

"Reporting to the大人, I noticed that Mr. Hong seemed extraordinary. When the Tartars released me, I deliberately said goodbye to Mr. Hong. He indicated with his eyes to his waist. I took the opportunity to take the badge from him while patting his shoulder, avoiding the Tartars' notice."

In fact, Zhang Ke had long suspected that Mr. Hong might be a eunuch. As a minor figure, he couldn't even fart in front of officials, so he had to bluff. However, he didn't expect Mr. Hong's status to be even higher than he imagined!

Wang Huazhen paced back and forth three or four times, cursing, completely losing his earlier refinement. Indeed, anyone would find it hard to remain calm in such a situation.

"No, we absolutely cannot let the Tartars hold Hong Gonggong hostage. We must rescue him quickly!"

Wang Huazhen turned to leave, but Zhang Ke hurriedly stopped him. Joking, he didn't care about Hong Gonggong, but Qiao Fu was still in Jida's hands. Acting rashly would only endanger Qiao Fu.

"Wait!"

"What, do you want to stop me?"

"Reporting to the大人, I have something to say to you."

Wang Huazhen looked Zhang Ke up and down. This boy could escape from the Tartars and bring the badge, showing some cunning. He decided to listen to what he had to say.

"Speak quickly, I don't have much time."

"大人, Hong Gonggong is now in the hands of the Tartars. Acting rashly might force the Tartars to act recklessly, harming Hong Gonggong. No one would escape blame. Additionally, I have a hypothesis, but I'm not sure if I should say it."

"Don't beat around the bush."

"Um, I noticed that the Tartars inside are not desperate. They also want to leave safely. If Hong Gonggong could vouch for them, the Tartars might release him. However, even under threat, Hong Gonggong was unwilling to say more. When I took the badge, he instructed me to show it only to you."

"Ah!" A hint of doubt flashed across Wang Huazhen's face.

"Could it be that Hong Gonggong has a secret mission and cannot reveal his identity?"

Zhang Ke remained silent. Wang Huazhen would certainly understand this. A high-ranking eunuch from the Imperial Stables would never be idle, just visiting the horse market for the scenery.

Thinking of this, sweat broke out on Wang Huazhen's forehead. The situation was getting worse and worse!

Not revealing his identity and rescuing him from the Tartars, what should he do?

Just as Wang Huazhen was at a loss, someone outside said, "大人, I have something to report." It was Bai Guangshou.

Seeing him enter, Wang Huazhen hurriedly asked, "Bai Beiyu, have the Tartars harmed the hostages?"

"大人, you truly care for the people. I am deeply moved. I have just thought of a good plan to eliminate these audacious Tartars."

"Speak."

"Yes, I have already prepared rockets. At your command, arrows will rain down, burning the Tartars even if they are not killed. I am willing to lead my men to clear out the remaining Tartars, showing your might. With this achievement, the court will certainly reward you, and I congratulate you in advance on your promotion!"

"Shut up, get out!"

Wang Huazhen's face suddenly changed, leaving Bai Guangshou stunned. He had no idea what was happening. Wang Huazhen scolded him mercilessly, "Fool, the Tartars have our people. Killing them in front of so many people, are you fit to be an official of the Ming Dynasty? Besides, the horse market is significant. If hundreds bleed, the court will investigate and even close the market. Then, there will be no credit, only blame! You are digging your own grave, get out!"

Bai Guangshou felt like a hot pot of water had been poured over his head. He was terrified. In the Ming Dynasty, civil officials were esteemed while military officials were despised. These words were almost a death sentence. Bai Guangshou was half-scared to death, stumbling backward.

"Listen! If a single Han hostage dies, I will take your head!"

Bai Guangshou shuddered again, tripping over the threshold and rolling out like a ball.

"Hmph, unwise, unstrategic, and incapable, the Ming Dynasty is being harmed by these fools!"

Wang Huazhen sat down, his head spinning. Tartars causing trouble, an inner court eunuch, each a matter of life and death, and now they were intertwined, a mess with no clear solution.

After thinking for a long time, Wang Huazhen suddenly looked up and saw Zhang Ke, asking casually, "Young man, you understand the situation, do you have any ideas?"

"Reporting to the大人, with all due respect, you are overthinking. This matter only needs to be handled fairly."

"How to handle it?"

Zhang Ke smiled slightly, "The Tartars are causing trouble because of fake silver notes. If you find the fraudster and deal with him publicly, the Mongols will have a way out and trust you. With trust, everything will be easier. Treat Hong Gonggong as an ordinary person and ransom him back!"

Wang Huazhen's frown finally eased. Yes! Since Hong Gonggong's identity is not exposed, and no one has died, if handled smoothly, this crisis can be turned into an opportunity, even earning praise from all sides.

But then he frowned again, "Easier said than done. With so many people at the horse market, who knows what the fraudster looks like? How can we find him in a sea of people?"

"大人, I have a fifty percent chance!"

"Really?"

Zhang Ke nodded, "I have seen the fraudster!"

"Good, excellent!" Wang Huazhen slapped the table and stood up.

"Young man, if you succeed, I will reward you heavily."

With a lighter heart, Wang Huazhen took Zhang Ke back to the front line.

"Friends from Mongolia, I have just understood the situation. There is indeed a reason, but attacking shops and taking hostages is too rash. I will have this young man help you find the fraudster and deal with him publicly, restoring justice. What do you think?"

Jida almost couldn't believe his ears. This boy had actually changed the Ming officials' attitude, perhaps there was a glimmer of hope!

Jida's mind raced, "大人, you can find the fraudster, but what if it takes three or five days? Won't we all starve?"

"This?" Wang Huazhen looked at Zhang Ke, puzzled.

Zhang Ke smiled, "Jida, just one hour, I will bring the person to you!"

"Good, it's a deal!"

The time was too short, Wang Huazhen looked at Zhang Ke doubtfully.

"大人, please rest assured. Just lend me a hundred soldiers, and I guarantee success."

"Good, I trust you." Wang Huazhen signaled for a hundred soldiers. He also called Yu Weiliang, who had bravely stood up against Bai Guangshou, preventing a disaster.

Wang Huazhen admired him more and more, smiling, "Standing up for justice, with courage and spirit, you should also help find the fraudster. I will not hesitate to reward you!"

"Thank you,大人!" Finally, he had a chance to impress a high official, Yu Weiliang's blood boiled.

Following Zhang Ke, he eagerly asked, "Brother, do you really have a plan?"

"Nonsense, it's like finding a needle in a haystack. I don't have Sun Wukong's abilities, how can I find him?"

"Ah! Then why did you bet?"

Zhang Ke suddenly grinned, "What's the harm? Just find a scapegoat, beat him until his face is unrecognizable, and say it's him!"

...

It's a new week, please vote and collect...

;