Chapter 18

Xiao Sheng listened with great interest beside him. He asked, "Oh? Meiniang, according to you, how can we avoid being discovered?"

Hu Meiniang bowed to Xiao Sheng and respectfully said, "Your Excellency, to avoid being discovered, it's simply a matter of destroying the evidence. Fortunately, these Donghuang bastards were just causing a ruckus, scaring away all the other guests. Apart from our own people here, who would know that they have already died at your hands?

Therefore, as long as we dispose of the bodies cleanly, it will naturally be unknown to the gods and the ghosts. Everything will be fine, and everyone will be happy. Your Excellency, isn't that the right approach?"

Xiao Sheng laughed and said, "That's correct, that's exactly the right approach. As long as we aren't discovered, it doesn't count as a crime. Of course, even if we are discovered, it's not a big deal. I, the prince, can handle it. But considering you all... well, Meiniang, this matter will be entrusted to you and Qiniang. Try to clean up as thoroughly as possible."

Hu Meiniang and Wang Qiniang both bowed in acknowledgment. Seeing that there was nothing else to discuss, Xiao Sheng nodded to Yu Xuanyi, and the two turned to leave the reception hall, returning to the bamboo pavilion in the small garden.

Just as they sat down again, Yu Xuanyi said calmly, "Lord, today's incident is rather suspicious."

Xiao Sheng pondered and said, "Military Advisor, you know that in the Great Hao Dynasty, princes are not allowed to leave Luoyang without an imperial decree. So, I'm not very familiar with the situation in Donghuang. Could you explain what exactly is suspicious about it?"

"To understand what's suspicious, first, we need to know what the Five Dukes of Donghuang are all about and who they are."

Yu Xuanyi paused and continued, "When the court bestowed the titles of the Five Dukes of Donghuang, it was not done haphazardly. The recipients were carefully selected, representing the most influential figures among the local forces in Donghuang.

Among the Five Dukes of Donghuang, the most powerful is the Duke of Jin Yu, Huangfu Yu. He has a long history and high seniority. He built the 'Jin Yu Man Tang' from scratch.

About a dozen years ago, Huangfu Yu was framed, and his family's fortune was lost. However, he managed to revive his fortunes and has remained unshaken, becoming a legendary figure. The other four dukes of Donghuang were once his guests or subordinates.

The Duke of Jin Lin, Sima Tianxia, was once a general under Huangfu Yu, helping to establish a quarter of the 'Jin Yu Man Tang' territory. Later, he left 'Jin Yu Man Tang' and founded 'Jin Lin Hui.' However, shortly after starting his own business, he was assassinated and almost lost an arm.

There is a rumor among the people that the one who cut off his arm was Huangfu Yu. However, both parties have never admitted to this rumor.

The Duke of Hu Sha, Wen Dahai, is a large, fat man. He once served 'Jin Lin Hui,' but later turned against Sima Tianxia, feeling that his contributions were not recognized. He left and, using his own skills, established 'Hu Sha Island.' Together with 'Jin Yu Man Tang' and 'Jin Lin Hui,' they form the three strongest forces in Donghuang.

His hatred for Sima Tianxia is deep, and conflicts and killings between the two are commonplace, resulting in thousands of deaths. The Great Hao Dynasty has sent officials multiple times to mediate, but to no avail."

The Duke of Yi Liu, Jiuben, has the surname Jiuben. He was once a promising young talent highly regarded and nurtured by Wen Dahai. However, due to ideological differences with the Wen family, he left and founded 'Yi Liu Shan Zhuang.'

Jiuben is a racial supremacist who believes that the people of Donghuang and the people of Zhonghuan are of different origins and thus belong to different races. Therefore, he advocates for the de-Haoification of Donghuang. He is not satisfied with the governance of Donghuang by the people of Donghuang and believes that only the independence of Donghuang or its return to the Eagle Auspicious Kingdom as a colony would be the best.

However, he has some talent, which has misled some people in the court. This is why he was able to become one of the Five Dukes of Donghuang.

After explaining the situations of 'Jin Yu Man Tang,' 'Jin Lin Hui,' 'Hu Sha Island,' and 'Yi Liu Shan Zhuang,' Yu Xuanyi casually picked up a bamboo cup from the bamboo table and took a sip of water. She continued, "Finally, there is the Duke of Yi Qi, Niulao.

Niulao, in his youth, also apprenticed at 'Jin Yu Man Tang.' Later, taking advantage of Huangfu Yu's downfall and the loss of his fortune, he gathered a large group of people and formed 'Yi Qi Men.'

Niulao promotes loyalty and righteousness, attracting ignorant young people. He engages in smuggling, drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, usury, human trafficking, running casinos, and forcing people into prostitution—essentially, he does every evil deed. Relying on the daring and reckless nature of young people, 'Yi Qi Men' quickly unified the underworld of Donghuang. The court bestowed him the title of one of the Five Dukes of Donghuang, hoping to control the underworld through him."

"Using the underworld to control the underworld? What a joke," Xiao Sheng sneered. "The person who came up with this idea must have a pig's head. The underworld is like a dog, and a dog will always eat shit. Giving them power will only make them more reckless and more vicious, causing more harm to the people. Hey, it seems I was right to take their lives."

Yu Xuanyi nodded and added, "Niulao, who has a long history of bloodshed and numerous crimes, will face severe punishment once the Great Hao Dynasty consolidates its power in Donghuang. To appease the people, he will likely be used as a scapegoat. At that time, Niulao will face execution by slicing, with no other outcome.

Therefore, Niulao has always been extremely resistant to the Great Hao Dynasty, doing everything he can to tarnish the image of the Great Hao in the eyes of the people of Donghuang. In his description, the Great Hao is a hell on earth, filled with demons and monsters, always eyeing Donghuang and seeking to take everything from it."

Xiao Sheng laughed and shook his head, "Ridiculous, ridiculous. However, Niulao's smear campaign against the Great Hao is only because he is afraid. If he is afraid, why did he leave Donghuang and come to Luoyang? Hmm... Military Advisor, when you said it was inappropriate earlier, you were probably referring to this, right?"

Yu Xuanyi nodded and said, "Actually, among the Five Dukes of Donghuang, except for Huangfu Yu, the other four rarely leave Donghuang. Niulao's sudden appearance in Luoyang is indeed a rare occurrence."

Xiao Sheng was puzzled and asked, "Even if it is rare, what does it have to do with me?"

Yu Xuanyi said solemnly, "Lord, you want to know the truth about the death of Empress Mu and seek revenge, right?"

Xiao Sheng replied, "Yes, so what?"

Yu Xuanyi slowly said, "To do that, you need to have your own base. A base is not just a few skilled individuals; it must also include wealth, land, and various industries. Donghuang is a good base."

"The court's rule is that princes, upon reaching adulthood at sixteen, receive a title and a fiefdom," Xiao Sheng mused. "I will be sixteen next year. Are you suggesting that I seek Donghuang as my fiefdom?"

"Exactly. There are three reasons for seeking Donghuang as your fiefdom."

Yu Xuanyi raised three fingers and explained, "First, Donghuang is far from Luoyang, where the emperor's reach is limited. You can develop and cultivate your power there without interference.

Second, Donghuang is in a state of chaos, and the court does not want this situation to continue indefinitely.

Third, you are a deposed prince, not well-liked. For some people, sending you far away to Donghuang is exactly what they want.

Considering these three points, you have a high chance of success in seeking Donghuang as your fiefdom. By taking advantage of the current situation with 'Yi Qi Men,' you can set up several contingency plans, which will be beneficial for you. Therefore, your top priority is to find out why 'Yi Qi Men' came to the capital."

Xiao Sheng frowned and said, "I understand the logic. But... Niulao and his two henchmen are already dead. No matter how skilled you are, you can't make the dead speak, can you?"

"Although we can't make the dead speak, Niulao must have had a place to stay when he first arrived in the capital. He couldn't have come straight to Guose Tower," Yu Xuanyi said calmly. "If we find where they stayed and search their belongings, we might find some clues."

Xiao Sheng smiled bitterly and said, "Luoyang has millions of people, and people come and go every day. We don't know when Niulao arrived. Tracing where he stayed... it's probably as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack."

"Lord, you don't need to worry about that," Yu Xuanyi smiled. She raised her hand and clapped three times, calling out, "Xiaocui, bring Wangwang in."

A moment later, the maid Xiaocui entered the bamboo pavilion with the white Pekingese in her arms. She said, "Miss, I have arrived." Then, with big, excited eyes, she asked Xiao Sheng, "Your Excellency, I heard you killed those Donghuang bastards. Is that true? Your Excellency, you are so amazing! When Xiaocui grows up, I want to marry you!"

"Who you marry is something to decide when you grow up," Yu Xuanyi coldly interrupted the maid, then instructed, "Xiaocui, take Wangwang out and help your lord find where those Donghuang bastards stayed. Can you do that?"

"Of course, I can. Wangwang has a very sensitive nose," Xiaocui proudly stroked the Pekingese in her arms and boasted, "Even if the scent is from months ago, Wangwang can still find it. Those Donghuang bastards were still alive and kicking just now, so their scent is very strong. It will be no problem."

"Very good. We shouldn't delay. Let's go immediately," Xiao Sheng nodded and stood up first.

Half an hour later, Xiao Sheng stood in front of the inn "Ruguiju." The Pekingese in Xiaocui's arms was barking at the inn's entrance. It was clear that this inn was where 'Yi Qi Men' had stayed in Luoyang.

——

The Five Dukes of Donghuang have real-life counterparts. Readers familiar with Hong Kong comics will naturally know who they are, haha. If you don't know, it doesn't matter; it's just a reference. Mobile users, please visit http://m.piaotia.net

Page Flip AD Start

Page Flip AD End