Chapter 77

The prison was dark and terrifying, with the prisoners, who had been locked up for who knows how long, resembling little devils, their eyes vacant and their bodies emaciated. Whenever footsteps echoed, these people would extend their pitch-black claws, weakly roaring.

"Innocent! Let me out!"

Hong Fugao waved his sleeve in disgust, and the jailer behind him immediately raised his whip.

"Get out of the way, all of you! I'll chop off your dog paws!"

While lashing the prisoners, he bowed and said, "Sir, this way, be careful of the slippery ground!"

Hong Fugao and Zhang Ke walked one after the other to the innermost Tianzi cell. This room was larger than the others, with a bed inside. A disheveled person sat on the bed, and through the wooden bars, a stench pierced their nostrils.

Zhang Ke frowned. From the figure, it was clearly Zhu Jinhai. In just two days, the once wealthy young master had become a beggar on the street.

He laughed foolishly, then suddenly pulled out a few strands of hair, still attached to a piece of scalp. Ignoring the pain, he stuffed it into his mouth!

Hong Fugao watched for a while, then shook his head in pain, "Yongzhen, your teacher is powerless. We finally found Zhu Jinhai, but he has gone mad in my hands. Such a good lead is now broken. I have let you down!"

Zhang Ke also sighed deeply, "Teacher, it's only because our opponents are too powerful. If we hadn't acted unexpectedly, even my brother might not have been saved. Now that they have recovered from the surprise attack, they are counterattacking. I don't know what vicious moves they will use next."

"Alas, Yongzhen, I truly wish to take this opportunity to purge the corruption in Liaodong. Without eliminating internal threats, how can we expel the Tartars! As a man of Liaodong, if I cannot protect the country and its people, how can I face the official robes I wear!"

Hong Fugao was filled with righteous indignation, raising his fist and slamming it on the wooden bars, leaving a bloodstain. His hands were bleeding, and his heart was bleeding too!

Zhang Ke understood his teacher's feelings but thought his teacher was still too naive!

"Master, I have a few words from the heart. Please consider them. The corruption in Liaodong has not happened overnight, nor is it the fault of one person. If we truly follow your plan, there might be no capable generals or officials left in Liaodong. Even the Emperor would have to weigh the pros and cons and not act rashly. However, through this case, we can expose a bit of the corruption in Liaodong. I believe that with over forty years of wise rule, the Emperor will not allow such corruption to continue. He will certainly investigate the situation in Liaodong. With the Emperor's support, the truth will eventually be revealed, and traitors will face the punishment of extermination!"

When Zhang Ke mentioned the extermination, he deliberately raised his voice and glanced at Zhu Jinhai in the cell. Hong Fugao did not notice his disciple's small action but sighed dejectedly, "I also believe that day will come, but now the leads are all broken, and we can't even take down a corrupt official. I have no face to show!"

"Hahaha, Master, don't worry. Since Eunuch Zhang has gotten involved, the palace cannot be unaware. The reputation of Governor Zhou Yongchun and Deputy Inspector Ge Chunfang is not good. Once the court focuses on them, their positions will surely be lost!"

Hearing Zhang Ke's analysis, Hong Fugao nodded but still felt frustrated.

"If the root problem isn't solved, who takes the position makes no difference!"

"Hahaha, I don't see it that way. I think it's time for you to show your skills. If you sit in that position, you won't be part of the corruption!"

Hong Fugao couldn't help but laugh, "Yongzhen, I originally thought you should take the imperial exams, but now I see you are both literate and martial, and full of clever ideas. After we return to Dashing Fort, work hard and get promoted soon. I can't do without your help!"

The teacher and student talked for a while, and Hong Fugao's mood improved. He turned and left the prison.

Zhang Ke deliberately slowed his steps, standing outside Zhu Jinhai's cell. He looked at Zhu Jinhai, who seemed to have grown tired of eating hair and was now chewing on straw on the ground, as if no one else was there.

"Zhu Jinhai, whether you are truly mad or pretending, I have a few words to say. Based on my analysis, the mastermind behind this case is Jin Wanguan, the top merchant in Liaodong. From the governor to the inspector, even the eunuch supervisor, everyone must follow his orders. This time, sending iron to the Jurchens might have been his plan. Now that the case has reached this point, the court will certainly investigate, and your family might become a sacrifice. If you stay mad, stay mad until everyone forgets you, and then wake up. Otherwise, you won't escape the executioner's blade!"

Zhang Ke didn't even look back as he turned and left.

Zhu Jinhai, who was chewing on straw, suddenly trembled. His messy hair parted, revealing a glint of hatred and resentment in his eyes...

Zhang Ke bid farewell to his teacher and immediately returned to their temporary residence. As soon as he entered, his brother Zhang Feng was waiting for him. Seeing Zhang Ke, he pulled him into the room.

"Second brother, you are truly a genius!" Zhang Feng couldn't help but say.

Zhang Ke smiled, "Big brother, what did you find?"

"I and Yang Long circled around the mansion and found many people secretly watching us, at least ten groups!"

"Big brother, are you sure?"

Zhang Feng patted his chest and laughed, "Second brother, do you doubt your big brother? Under Uncle He, I am the best night scout. Reconnaissance is my specialty, how could I be wrong! I even recognized one of the watchers, his name is Liu Laoqi, a subordinate of Li Guangrong. He is skilled, but not as good as me!"

Zhang Feng's words were full of confidence, and Zhang Ke smiled slightly.

"Big brother, they are trying to cover up the case. The captured are either dead or mad. If they kill us, there will be no clues left!"

"Damn, they are so treacherous!" Zhang Feng said angrily, "Second brother, if it weren't for your cleverness, I would have been dead long ago! What should we do?"

"Hahaha, I have a plan. I will make them suffer their own evil deeds!"

...

Creaking, dozens of carriages slowly moved out of the city, with He Shixian's soldiers patrolling and protecting them. The carriages passed through the East Gate, and below the teahouse, Jin Wanguan held a teacup, looking down at the carriages with a faint smile.

"Master, see that carriage in the middle? That's where Zhang Ke is."

Jin Wanguan nodded slightly and smiled, "Friend, I admire your intelligence. Without this matter, we might have been friends!"

As Jin Wanguan watched, the carriages passed through the East Gate and crossed the drawbridge. Suddenly, hoofbeats echoed from both sides. Five hundred cavalrymen split into two groups and charged at the carriages.

Li Guangrong's face was twisted with a sinister smile, and he tightly held an arrow in his hand.

"Brat, if it weren't for you, how would Old He be in prison? You die because you are too smart!" Li Guangrong released the arrow, and it flew out.

As he acted, other archers released a rain of arrows, turning the carriages into porcupines in an instant. Many of the guards were also hit by arrows, falling to the ground and moaning in pain.

Li Guangrong rode his horse swiftly and soon reached the front of the carriages.

"Hahaha, in the hall, you were so impressive, so proud! You caught Zhu Jinhai and even got Eunuch Zhang involved. Unfortunately, you only have a mouth of iron and a jaw of copper, not a body of steel!"

Li Guangrong lifted the curtain with his sword and looked inside.

To his shock, there was no Zhang Ke with arrows in his body, bleeding from all seven orifices. The carriage was empty, with only two large wooden boxes.

Li Guangrong frowned. Could they be hiding in the boxes?

He quickly called a few subordinates, "Quickly, lift the boxes!"

The soldiers struggled to lift the boxes, using all their strength, but the boxes didn't budge. They had to call more people to help.

"Sir, the dead bodies are very heavy. They might be hiding in the alleys, already shot dead!"

As they spoke, the boxes were finally lifted. A quick-handed soldier saw the boxes were unlocked and hurriedly opened them.

As soon as he did, a dazzling light emerged from the boxes. Gold, silver, and colorful gems glittered, blinding the eyes.

These soldiers were used to looting. Seeing the gold and silver, they couldn't resist and started grabbing and stuffing the gold bars and ingots into their clothes. The surrounding soldiers also had red eyes and rushed over to loot, not wanting to be left behind.

Li Guangrong realized something was wrong and quickly raised his saber, shouting, "Stop looting, stop looting!"

The chaotic soldiers couldn't be easily controlled. Just as Li Guangrong was sweating with worry, a thunderous voice echoed.

"Li, you blind dog, daring to rob the silver sent to the palace! Surrender immediately!"

He Shixian led his men like a whirlwind, his face clearly showing he was looking at a group of tasty little rabbits.

...

Just as He Shixian acted, a fleet of carriages quickly left the South Gate. Zhang Ke, with a satisfied smile, was walking arm-in-arm with a young eunuch, laughing heartily.

...

Thank you to Brother Hou Huan and the digital book friends for your support. I am deeply grateful...

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