Among them, thirty were锦衣卫 generals, and the remaining seventy were ordinary 锦衣卫 members, with only ten possessing innate cultivation.
Chu Chen's gaze meticulously surveyed the assembled 锦衣卫 members.
The 锦衣卫 under the Crown Prince were divided into four groups: Dark Guard, Bright Guard, Feathered Forest, and Imperial Guard.
The Dark Guard specialized in assassination missions, the Bright Guard managed various administrative affairs, while the weakest Imperial Guard were solely responsible for patrols and vigilance.
This 锦衣卫 force was quite small, occupying only about a tenth of the Crown Prince's mansion.
"Young Master Chu, are these our 锦衣卫 personnel?" the Crown Prince asked Chu Chen with a smile.
"Mm," Chu Chen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the 锦衣卫 members.
These 锦衣卫 members exuded a composed and cold demeanor, with robust and sturdy physiques, and sharp, piercing eyes. It was evident at a glance that they were no ordinary individuals.
"Your Highness, your 锦衣卫 can be considered elite, but they lack tempering. If they were to encounter a life-or-death struggle,
they probably wouldn't last even the time it takes for half a cup of tea," Chu Chen stated indifferently.
"Oh?" The Crown Prince's eyebrows twitched.
"How about this, I shall bestow upon you a thousand blades," the Crown Prince said calmly, then beckoned to a eunuch beside him.
"Swish, swish, swish!" In an instant, a thousand steel sabers and long spears were laid out in the grand hall.
"You two, train the new members according to Young Master Chu's wishes. Remember, do not slack off; you must complete his requirements within three days."
The Crown Prince instructed, then waved his hand.
"Yes!" A male and a female eunuch bowed in response, then led the thousand 锦衣卫 members swiftly into the training hall.
"This... how is this possible?" Liu Wenyuan's face was filled with astonishment; he simply couldn't believe his eyes.
"He's just a useless dandy, where does he get the ability to command a thousand 锦衣卫?"
"Could it be that he has a close relationship with the Crown Prince? Otherwise, given the Crown Prince's arrogant nature, would he allow him to interfere with the 锦衣卫?"
"Heh, just a good-for-nothing, yet he actually dares to try and curry favor with the powerful, what a pipe dream!" The crowd whispered amongst themselves.
"Hmph, these 锦衣卫 members are extremely strong. How can a mere bumpkin like him be qualified to command them? Do they really take me for a fool?"
Chu Chen, overhearing the surrounding voices, let out a scoff.
The others present, hearing these words, all stared at Chu Chen with mocking gazes, as if he were a clown performing for attention.
"I have already arranged for wine and food to be prepared. Please wait a moment," the Crown Prince said with a smile, then stood up and exited the Golden Hall.
"Young Master Chu, please!" the eunuch said respectfully to Chu Chen, then led the way.
Without hesitation, he followed the eunuch and went directly to the courtyard outside the hall, where a sumptuous banquet had already been prepared.
"Please be seated." The eunuch pulled out a stool and invited Chu Chen to sit.
"No need to be formal; we can just share a drink," Chu Chen waved his hand.
"Young Master Chu, please." The eunuch flattered him and then retreated to the side.
He did not decline and walked directly over, sat in the main seat, raised his wine cup, and took a sip.
This was a pot of fine wine brewed with spiritual spring water. It was mellow and fragrant upon entry, with a lingering aftertaste.
Before long, Chu Chen had finished a jar of the fine wine. A flush appeared on his cheeks, and he seemed a bit dazed.
"Good wine," Chu Chen praised sincerely. He had never tasted such delicious wine before.
Seeing this, the eunuch was slightly taken aback. He had originally thought that a good-for-nothing like Chu Chen would certainly not appreciate wine, or even know what wine was.
However, to the eunuch's surprise, Chu Chen's posture while drinking was very elegant, like that of a seasoned veteran accustomed to lavish indulgence.
"If Young Master Chu likes it, feel free to take it," the eunuch said with a smile.
"Haha! Thank you very much then." Chu Chen laughed heartily, reached out and grabbed a jar of fine wine, and gulped down several mouthfuls.
"What a good wine!" After finishing one jar, Chu Chen grabbed another.
"Bang!" He smashed the wine jar with his palm and grabbed another, continuing to pour it into his stomach.
The eunuch watched, dumbfounded. In all his years, he had never seen such a bold man!
"Bang!"
Another jar was smashed, and Chu Chen grabbed yet another, tilting his head back and drinking wildly.
"This... what is happening?" The eunuch beside him was utterly bewildered, his head buzzing.
He had never witnessed such a ferocious way of drinking, it was like a cow drinking water!
"Burp~~~~" Chu Chen let out a satisfied burp, exuding the aroma of wine. He pointed at the shattered wine jar fragments on the ground and grinned, "This wine is good."
"Young Master Chu, please drink slowly," the eunuch hurriedly stopped Chu Chen and quickly had people clean up the mess.
"Heh heh, this is good stuff, better than any ambrosia. It's good that His Highness the Crown Prince is wealthy.
He can get such good wine." Chu Chen chuckled, patting his round belly, a look of intoxication on his face, as if he still hadn't had enough.
This scene gave the eunuch a headache; this fellow's gluttonous nature was fully exposed.
"Young Master Chu, I have already made arrangements for this matter. Rest assured, I will send people to observe secretly.
Once any spies are found to have infiltrated, they will be eliminated immediately," the Crown Prince said with a smile.
"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Your Highness." Chu Chen nodded.
"You are too kind, Young Master Chu. I serve in the same court as Liu Wenyuan. If he is in difficulty, it is only natural for me to help him," the Crown Prince said with a smile.
After leaving the imperial palace, Chu Chen wandered aimlessly through the marketplace alone.
"Young Master Chu." Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice called out to him.
"Hm?" Chu Chen paused his steps and looked in the direction of the sound.
"I didn't expect to run into you here. How did you end up here?" Chu Chen asked in confusion.
Chen Yuan smiled and said, "I am a banner officer of the 锦衣卫, responsible for guarding the imperial palace. I come out for patrols every few days. Today, I happened to pass by this place."
"I see," Chu Chen realized.
"Young Master Chu, what did you mean by what you said in the Golden Hall earlier?" Chen Yuan asked curiously.
"It's nothing, just chatting casually. Why are you interested in these matters?" Chu Chen asked in confusion.
"Heh heh, because your words, Young Master Chu, have benefited me greatly. If not for your reminder,
we would have probably overlooked the spies lurking in the imperial palace," Chen Yuan said with a smile.
Chu Chen nodded and said, "Anyone can understand this kind of thing, but many people choose to turn a blind eye. After all, this is the imperial family's empire, and no one wants to offend His Majesty."
"As the saying goes, when a wall falls, everyone pushes; when a tree falls, monkeys scatter. The weaker His Majesty's authority becomes, the easier it is for spies to obtain important secrets," Chu Chen said.
"Young Master Chu speaks the truth. However, I have been paying close attention during this period, and there have been no suspicious signs recently," Chen Yuan replied, shaking his head, feeling a bit disappointed.