Zhu Mo watched Zheng Qin maintain a semblance of order and couldn't help but ponder—
Why these private soldiers, arriving now of all times to cause trouble at my post, aren't they targeting me, Zhu Mo? That kick earlier was aimed at my man; should I apprehend him? Or wait and see?
This time, he understood that the balance of power was the decisive factor. Every inch, every detail, demanded unwavering resolve; the weaker you were, the stronger they became. It was like a clash between great beasts, a test of will.
But Zhu Mo had a concern—
If I apprehend someone now, my authority might not be sufficient…
Firstly, the local customs are strong here, and people don't generally fear the government; secondly, I've only been here a day, and these commoners and various factions don't know me. The people have only heard rumors of Zhu Mo, who fought the Yan family, but they aren't entirely convinced. If I step forward now, I might not be able to suppress them, and instead, they might retaliate, causing me to lose all momentum.
Therefore, the attitude of this Embroidered Guard, Yu Zhen, was crucial.
If he could step forward, the situation would naturally be stabilized. In fact, just his presence by my side would allow me to strike with full force, letting the populace and the old guards vent their frustrations, thereby paving the way for the subsequent full mobilization…
But this fellow remained motionless…
Zhu Mo thought: I can't force him, nor can I drag him along. Any pressure would alienate him, pushing him to the opposing side, and everything depends on his own choice…
As he was contemplating,
The situation took another sharp turn.
Zhuang Yidong had already seen Ma Lu, Guo Zhen, Feng En, Li Gui, and others. Grief overwhelmed him, and two lines of tears flowed, quickly freezing into a thin layer of ice…
These old military households had lived together for generations, fought together after coming of age, and their bonds were deep. He had fallen to such a state and had always refused to beg anyone, nor did he want his brothers to witness his predicament.
And now,
He saw that a few men were about to make a move, knowing full well that if they did, it would only bring greater trouble to the old military households. It was possible that Yang Xuan and the others would use this major case to dismiss even more old soldiers. He neither wished to implicate his brothers nor did he fail to feel immense comfort from them.
With a pained heart, he got up from the ground again, a smile of transcendence on his face. He thought: My path, Zhuang Yidong, has reached its end today… Master Zhu’s men are righteous, and I hope the Datong Guard can improve in the future…
His spirit utterly broken, he suddenly knelt down and bowed three times towards the south.
…
Zhu Mo’s thoughts shifted, and he exclaimed, "Ah—"
Disaster!
He's going to take his own life!
At this point, there was no room for him to hesitate. His mind was suddenly clear, with only one thought—
I, Zhu Mo, am also a man of integrity. Why should I consider so much?
Today, I must save this Zhuang Yidong!
Everything will be decided by fate…
He immediately shouted, "Stop! Everyone, stop!"
Then, he spurred his horse forward and pushed through the crowd.
"I am Zhu Mo! An imperial envoy of the court!"
"Everyone, stop!"
With a swoosh,
He dismounted, helped Zhuang Yidong up, and said firmly, "Brother Zhuang, my name is Zhu Mo, and I am an imperial envoy sent by the court for disaster relief… You, you wait a moment!"
He gestured for Zheng Qin to help support Zhuang Yidong, then turned to face the leader of the paramilitary troops and asked calmly,
"Who are you? Why are you bullying the weak and the old here?"
The man, in his thirties, had a sinister and strong face. His eyes darted, and he suddenly turned to the thousand or so private soldiers behind him and shouted loudly:
"What bogus imperial envoy?"
"Imperial Envoy Master Zhu is currently in deliberation at the Provincial Governor's Yamen; this is an imposter!"
With a clatter!
The private soldiers in the rear immediately started shouting—
"Damn! Impersonating an imperial envoy!"
"The Old Guard Army has rebelled!"
"He's a Tatar, right? What imperial envoy?"
"I think he's some pretty boy actor! Hahaha…"
"Kid, who is this traitorous old man to you?"
"In broad daylight, someone is standing up for a traitor? That's truly strange!"
"Brother Li, take this pretty boy down and hand him over to the Provincial Governor for punishment!"
"Take him down!"
"May those who stand up for traitors die a terrible death!"
"Whoever stands up for a traitor, beat him to death!"
"…"
Zhu Mo couldn't help but feel furious—
These private soldiers are so savage; they have no regard for imperial discipline!
With their words, the commoners were even more afraid to speak.
Indeed,
The onlookers, who had been murmuring just moments ago, were now silent with fear.
If they dare to disregard the imperial envoy, who else can control them?
…
However, Zhu Mo was unaware.
The leader was named Li Lai, a descendant of a civil official's subordinate, and had been in Datong for three generations. His ancestor was a volunteer recruited by Yang Bo among the displaced people. His son was promoted to subordinate in the Provincial Governor's Yamen, a confidant of Yang Xuan, and the third generation, Li Lai, rejoined the army and was promoted to Hundred-Household after thirty-five years.
After Li Lai was promoted to Hundred-Household, he also met Zhao Quan and became a trusted guard of Prince of Raoyang, concurrently serving as the Deputy Commander of the Royal Guards.
Yesterday, Yang Xuan and Wu Ying felt that Zhu Mo was troublesome and refused to station their troops outside, instead staying at the Huayan Temple. They felt that this hundred-man squad was ultimately a problem that could easily escalate into a major incident, thus ruining the situation.
Therefore, the two found Prince of Raoyang and the Princess Consort of Dai, and devised a poisonous scheme last night. They ordered Li Lai to lead the private soldiers to provoke, and then, under the pretense of the Provincial Governor's Yamen, disarm this hundred-man squad and imprison them in the Left Guard. This way, Zhu Mo, deprived of his support and surrounded by all officials, would be unable to move forward, and no major trouble would arise.
When the time was right, the Princess Consort of Dai would frame him, imprison him directly in the Huayan Temple, and when the Anya army arrived, they would set the temple ablaze, kill him amidst the chaos, and deliver his head to the Young Grand Secretary overnight.
Unexpectedly, this hundred-man squad maintained strict discipline, remaining motionless despite all provocations. In the end, Li Lai reluctantly resorted to bullying the old guard soldier Zhuang Yidong, provoking several troublesome guards, and if necessary, forcibly disarming them amidst the chaos.
It should be known that
They habitually harassed and bullied old guards inside and outside Datong city, and were already familiar with these troublemakers. Often, provoking one would incite several, leading to a round-up. Zhuang Yidong, being crippled, would have been killed long ago if he wasn't kept for amusement to humiliate Li Wenjin, Ma Fang, Ma Lu, and others.
As expected, this tactic was very effective. His confidant had already discovered the whereabouts of Ma Lu and others, leading to the scene in Niujiao Lane just now, which almost provoked four or five old soldiers.
But despite all their calculations, they truly did not expect,
That Zhu Mo would step forward!
Has the situation today escalated into a confrontation?