"Commander Albuddu," Zhou Fugui approached Albuddu, who lay on the ground, his blade in hand. Stopping before him, Zhou Fugui sneered, "I don't care about other matters, but the lives of over a thousand brothers. Today, Zhou will settle this with you properly. We won't say much, but how about one cut for each life? Commander Albuddu, you're not losing on this deal."
Hearing this, Albuddu's face instantly contorted with extreme fear.
...
"Shields up!"
"Spears ready!"
"Advance!"
Upon hearing of the shocking case at Duanmu's estate, where nearly two hundred members of the Duan family were massacred, the Prefect of You Prefecture, Cui Tianqiu, was so terrified he soiled himself. After his initial panic, he immediately led his troops to the scene. Upon witnessing the grim state of the Duan family manor, he nearly fainted. Now, leading his soldiers into the estate to confront only Zhou Fugui, he still acted as if facing a formidable enemy, his troops forming ranks, cautiously advancing into the manor with spears and shields.
You Prefecture was the capital of the Great Yan Kingdom, the imperial city. For such a shocking crime to occur here, with most of the victims being Xianbei, Cui Tianqiu was naturally shocked and fearful. At the very least, he couldn't escape the charge of negligence.
Cui Tianqiu, a Han man who had lived in Yan and Yun his entire life, had climbed to the position of Prefect of You Prefecture with great difficulty. If he could remain in this post for a few more years, Cui Tianqiu would be transferred to an official position in court, a significant one at that, and would rank among the important ministers of the Great Yan Kingdom.
But now, such a monumental crime had happened, filling Cui Tianqiu with shock, fear, and anger.
Fortunately, Zhou Fugui had not escaped and was waiting alone within the Duan family manor.
"You've arrived?" Zhou Fugui chuckled as he glanced at Cui Tianqiu and his men, then calmly took a large swig of wine.
At this moment, the entire courtyard was filled with corpses, along with some dragon robes, dragon flags, and other regalia. This sight filled Cui Tianqiu and his men with bewilderment.
*Did Zhou Fugui intend to rebel? But if he wanted to rebel, why would he stay put after killing so many people?* Cui Tianqiu and his men mused inwardly.
"Are you General Zhou Fugui?" Cui Tianqiu, seeing that Zhou Fugui had no intention of resisting, ordered his soldiers, yamen runners, constables, and patrol officers to lower their weapons before asking.
Zhou Fugui was already renowned throughout the land, at least within the Great Yan Kingdom, for having killed Pu Yijian, the Grand General of the Left Guard, in the training ground. Therefore, Cui Tianqiu recognized Zhou Fugui.
"Indeed!" Zhou Fugui nodded and was about to drink again, but as he raised the wine flask, it was empty. He reached for another flask, beside which lay a bow and arrows – the Moon-Chasing Bow.
With a "clatter!", everyone present was startled and immediately raised their swords, spears, and shields again.
*He's like the Great Yan's Yang Youji, his archery skills are not to be trifled with! Even if Zhou Fugui couldn't shoot everyone, whoever he hit would be unlucky!*
With a "whoosh!", Cui Tianqiu, over fifty years old, agile as a young man, dashed and hid behind a large shield...
"Hahahaha!" Zhou Fugui, seeing this, grabbed the wine flask, took another large gulp, and burst into laughter, "And who might you be, my esteemed superior?"
"This official is Cui Tianqiu, the chief official of the You Prefecture yamen," Cui Tianqiu replied, peeking from behind the shield.
"Oh, so it's Prefect Cui..." Zhou Fugui smiled upon hearing this. "Prefect Cui, why are you so flustered? Zhou is already a turtle in a jar, waiting for Prefect Cui to apprehend him."
"You won't resist?" Cui Tianqiu, hearing this, felt greatly relieved about this intimidating "turtle." He coughed, stepped out from behind the shield with a wide stance, and asked.
"My great revenge has been served, why should I resist?" Zhou Fugui spread his hands and smiled.
Upon seeing this, everyone present was deeply impressed. Regardless of Zhou Fugui's fate, he was undoubtedly a hero!
*To laugh in the face of vengeance, fearing neither life nor death! This must be Zhou Fugui.*
"Alas, General Zhou, why did you have to do this?" Cui Tianqiu signaled for several yamen runners to step forward and put shackles and a wooden yoke on Zhou Fugui, then sighed. "You are a dignified general of our Great Yan Kingdom, and still so young. This... wouldn't it ruin your future?"
"The revenge for my brother's death and my sister's humiliation must be avenged!" Zhou Fugui did not resist, allowing the yamen runners to place the shackles and yoke on him. He shook his chained hands and said, "If this revenge is not taken, what am I? What is a mere future compared to this?"
"Good, good, General Zhou is indeed no ordinary man!" Cui Tianqiu praised him, then pointed at the dragon flags and robes and asked, "How do you explain these items?"
"Do you think I would carry such items when coming to seek revenge?" Zhou Fugui retorted with a smile.
"Guards! Take him away!" Cui Tianqiu nodded and instructed his men, "Treat him well, do not harm a single hair on General Zhou's head, or you will be held accountable."
The shocking crime committed by Zhou Fugui would undoubtedly stun the world and shake the imperial court. This was like borrowing money: if you borrow a little, you are the master; if you borrow a lot, you become the master.
For minor thieves, the authorities could humiliate them as they pleased. But for a great bandit, the authorities would treat him with courtesy, ensuring he was comfortable, at least until his execution.
This was the case for the You Prefecture yamen, at least. Whether it was the same in other prisons was another matter.
...
"Giddy up... giddy up... giddy up..."
"Who goes there?"
"Yuwen Qing!"
"Ah, it's Mr. Yuwen. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Speak no more, quickly open the gate! I have urgent matters to report to the Emperor's uncle!"
"Oh, oh, quickly open the great gate!"
Thus, the main gate of Uncle Regent Murong Fu's mansion was flung open, and a rider galloped directly into the mansion.
...
"Mr. Yuwen, what is the matter that you are so flustered?" Murong Fu asked Yuwen Qing, his hands spread wide.
Two female slaves were busy helping Murong Fu change his clothes.
Murong Fu had recently taken in two beautiful concubines and was enjoying himself in his chambers during the day. However, Yuwen Qing had rushed into the mansion to seek an audience, forcing him to dismiss the concubines and come out to meet him. Yuwen Qing, also a Xianbei, was a rare scholar among them and a trusted aide of Murong Fu.
"Uncle Regent, something big has happened!" Yuwen Qing replied.
"What great matter is it? Has the sky fallen?" The female slaves finished changing his clothes. Murong Fu waved them away and sat down, gesturing to another chair and smiling at Yuwen Qing, "Sir, please sit down and have a bowl of tea before we discuss it."
"Alas, my Uncle Regent, how can you be in the mood for tea at this moment?" Yuwen Qing said anxiously. "The new General Zhou Fugui has killed over two hundred people, most of them from the Duan tribe. The entire Duan family, over sixty members, were massacred!"
"What? Duanmu is dead?"
"Dead, his head has been cut off..."
"Bang!"
Now it was Murong Fu's turn to be shocked. He jumped up from his seat, his teacup falling to the ground and shattering into pieces, spilling tea everywhere.
"Is it that Han man Zhou Fugui from the training ground duel?" Murong Fu asked in shock.
"It is indeed him..." Yuwen Qing replied.
"Oh dear, the Left Virtuous King is in danger!" Murong Fu exclaimed.
Zhou Fugui was a subordinate of Murong Boli, the commander of the White Tiger Battalion under Murong Tengge's Valiant Army. After the Yan army returned north, it was Murong Boli who memorialized the court, leading to the promotion and ennoblement of generals like Zhou Fugui. Moreover, Zhou Fugui was rumored to have an ambiguous relationship with Murong Huixing, Murong Boli's legitimate daughter. Therefore, in the eyes of others, Zhou Fugui was Murong Boli's man, a trusted confidant of the Left Virtuous King.
At this very moment, Emperor Murong Xi of Yan's health was declining, intensifying the struggle for the throne of the Great Yan. The primary contenders were the Crown Prince and the Empress's faction.
The Crown Prince Cheng of Yan had lost his mother at a young age. Currently, his main supporters were Uncle Regent Murong Fu and the Left Virtuous King Murong Boli. These two were the Crown Prince Cheng's right and left hands. The Crown Prince Cheng's smooth succession to the throne depended almost entirely on them.
Now, with this incident, the Empress's faction could use it to vehemently attack Murong Boli. If Murong Boli were to fall, the Crown Prince Cheng would lose one of his arms, and Murong Fu would be left to stand alone.
Therefore, how could Murong Fu not be anxious? As for Zhou Fugui's life and death, Murong Fu and his ilk did not care.
"Your concerns are valid, Uncle Regent," Yuwen Qing nodded and continued. "However, you need not worry too much. I have also heard some news."
"Oh dear, Mr. Yuwen, can you not finish speaking in one breath?" Murong Fu, both angry and anxious, supported Yuwen Qing and said.
"Duanmu and his son harbored rebellious intentions; dragon flags and dragon robes were found in their home..." Yuwen Qing said quickly, seeing Murong Fu's anxious expression.
Zhou Fugui's plan for self-preservation had begun to show results.
The dragon flags, dragon robes, and the like were, of course, extracted by Zhou Fugui under duress, with the aim of absolving himself. However, whether he could be absolved or escape death still depended on the outcome of the political maneuvering.
"Wait, wait, let me think, let me think." The matter was too significant, and Murong Fu suddenly felt his mind wasn't enough. He sat down and muttered to himself.
Who was Duanmu? He was the elder brother of Consort Duan of the Yan imperial harem, and the paternal aunt of Duan Tianjuan. Duanmu and his son were indeed imperial relatives, which was why they were so arrogant and oppressive to the common people.
Although Consort Duan of Yan was a fading imperial concubine, her glory and influence were of the past. However, she was currently Emperor Murong Xi of Yan's only nominal empress mother.
Therefore, if Murong Fu and his faction wanted to plead for leniency for Zhou Fugui, thereby absolving Murong Boli of responsibility, they first had to pass the hurdle of Consort Duan of Yan.
However, the matter of treason and rebellion was too grave, making Murong Fu hesitant to make a hasty decision, and his mind naturally felt overwhelmed.
"Dragon flags and dragon robes, why were they found in the home of the Duan father and son?" To confirm this matter, Murong Fu thought for a moment and asked Yuwen Qing, "Is it possible that that Han man framed them?"
"This... I'm not sure either..." Yuwen Qing pondered. "I believe that if one intends to frame someone, why would they kill people? Rebellion is a crime punishable by the extermination of three generations of relatives. However, Uncle Regent, there is another possibility: Zhou Fugui killed them and then framed them to clear his own name."
"Oh, heavens!" Murong Fu's head spun again upon hearing this.