Yu Zhen's iron plaque held a certain magic, silencing even Li Lai. The assembled commoners were greatly invigorated, feeling that the day's events had taken a series of reversals, and now with the appearance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, everything should be settled.
The older soldiers like Ma Lu, who had felt ashamed for involving Zhu Mo and forcing him into a difficult position, compelling him to fight Li Lai, were now overjoyed to see the Embroidered Uniform Guard step forward, believing they could resolve the predicament. Zhuang Yidong, a lifelong soldier who had nearly been forced to commit suicide in his old age, was now somewhat dazed by the turn of events.
Zhu Mo was even more delighted, thinking—
Yu Zhen, Yu Zhen, you only show yourself now… If you had been a step later today, though you thought you were seeking survival, you would have truly courted death.
With the authority of the Embroidered Uniform Guard now present, Zhu Mo did not hesitate. He declared loudly,
“Zheng Qin! Arrest Li Lai!”
With a few clatters,
Zheng Qin and four or five spearmen rushed forward, disarmed Li Lai, and pinned him to the ground.
Li Lai shouted, “Brothers! Attack! Hurry and attack! They are fake!”
But his words were no longer believed. With a hundred dark bird muskets trained on them, and an Embroidered Uniform Guard watching, who dared to cause trouble? Although his private soldiers were usually under his complete control, they dared not utter a sound now.
The commoners, too, were silent at this moment! They all watched Li Lai’s pleas, seemingly unable to believe what was happening before their eyes.
After all,
For the past four or five years, Li Lai had been the undisputed emperor of Datong city. Wherever his private soldiers went, the common people felt as if they had seen ghosts. Li Lai held great power and became increasingly tyrannical. In the past few years, he had caused the deaths of dozens of people, most of whom were veteran guards.
Considering that he dared to openly threaten and shout at veteran guards who had military merits, how could the common people dare to speak out? Under the weight of his accumulated power, they truly could not believe that Li Lai had been apprehended.
Zhu Mo, no stranger to this situation, knew that he had to act immediately; even a slight delay would mean all his efforts would be in vain.
He immediately gestured to everyone and announced loudly,
“Li Lai has insulted the Great Ming's official army, as everyone has witnessed… Not only did he refuse to admit his guilt, but he also incited the volunteers to attack the imperial envoy, as you all saw earlier. I, Zhu Mo, am not making trouble for him alone today. It is because Datong is a crucial strategic point for the court, concerning the safety of the entire realm! For the sake of the court, for the sake of the realm, and for the sake of all the people of Datong city, I can only enforce the law impartially today!”
He surveyed the surroundings, let out a long sigh, raised his right hand, and then brought it down sharply, speaking word by word,
“Execute, On, the, Spot!”
Boom~
Clatter~
The surrounding crowd of commoners gasped in unison. Their eyes widened, disbelieving that this could truly happen before them. After all, his father was a close confidant of the Provincial Governor, a powerful figure in Datong city!
Zheng Qin did not hesitate, ordering three musketeers to aim at Li Lai's chest and shouting,
“Fire!”
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
A puff of smoke rose, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air.
Li Lai fell to the ground without even a grunt.
…
And the entire scene
was enveloped in silence…
After an unknown length of time, someone suddenly shouted, “Heaven has eyes…!”
Rumble~~
The commoners erupted into a thunderous cheer—
“His Majesty is wise!”
“The villain is truly dead!”
“This scourge has met his end!”
“Retribution is swift! He deserved to die here, at the entrance of Huayan Temple!”
“His Majesty sent Young Master Zhu, and then the Embroidered Uniform Guard, before they could apprehend that villain…”
“The skies of Datong have finally cleared today…”
“His Majesty is wise!”
“His Majesty is wise!”
“…”
Many people knelt facing the direction of the capital, one after another, and soon, everyone was kneeling.
A mournful atmosphere permeated the entire scene. Countless people had been oppressed by these private soldiers, and now, with the reversal, their hearts felt a complex mix of emotions…
“Wuwuwu…”
At some unknown moment, the sound of sobbing began,
and many people burst into tears again.
Li Lai’s more than a thousand private soldiers all knelt down, heads bowed, enduring the angry gazes of countless commoners, no longer daring to look up.
Zhu Mo said to the private soldiers, “Today, I only hold the ringleaders accountable! You will immediately return to your barracks and are forbidden to leave without the order of the Governor's office!”
Whoosh!
The private soldiers all stood up and, with a rustling sound, fled in disarray.
…
At this moment,
Zhu Mo saw tears streaming down Yu Zhen’s face. He couldn’t help but pat his shoulder and say with a smile, “Old Yu, if you hadn’t stepped out today, I would have been in a difficult situation…”
Yu Zhen was deeply moved by the scene. In that instant, he felt that his entire life had been a mistake. If Zhu Mo hadn't been so loyal and righteous today, who knew what the outcome would have been? If a conflict had truly erupted, or if Zhu Mo had been suppressed by them, it would have been a great disaster… And he, who had always thought of survival and future prospects, had actually been walking a path of death…
At this moment,
He was filled with shame and sighed, “If not for Young Master Zhu’s great benevolence and courage today, the heavens of Datong would have fallen. Alas, I am ashamed, truly ashamed. My heart only held ambition and no concern for the common people. From today onwards, I, Yu, shall reform myself completely…”
Mm-hmm,
Seeing that someone like him could genuinely repent, Zhu Mo was overjoyed. He repeatedly patted his shoulder and said, “Good, good, excellent! With talent like yours, the resurgence of the Great Ming is within sight…”
As the two spoke and laughed,
The assembled commoners gradually dispersed.
…
Zhu Mo sighed with emotion for a long time,
feeling that he had truly seen through life and death today.
But then he thought: Li Lai's father and Yang Xuan are likely discussing countermeasures now… Although the situation is currently in my favor, they still hold the Thirteen Guards. If they truly become unruly, I will have to bear the immediate disadvantage. The best course of action now is to find either Ma Fang, Li Wenjin, or Wang Chonggu as soon as possible. If I can gain the support of the veteran soldiers of the Right Guard, then I can truly stand firm…
While deep in thought,
The four soldiers of the Wulao Guard helped Zhuang Yidong up, and another carried his burden. They bowed to Zhu Mo and Yu Zhen, then turned and left without a word.
Ma Lu was the last to leave. As he passed Zheng Qin, he gave his shoulder a heavy pat, then suddenly turned his head and strode away in pursuit.
Zhu Mo suddenly remembered that they were from the Right Guard. Ma Lu was already a Deputy General. Perhaps he knew Ma Fang and the others? He immediately quickened his pace, calling out, “Deputy General Ma, please wait!”
Ma Lu walked over and asked, “What does Young Master Zhu require?”
Zhu Mo stated directly, “I wish to inquire about a few people. Are Ma Fang and Wang Chonggu in Datong at the moment? Do you know them?”
Oh?
A look of eager anticipation flashed in Ma Lu’s eyes. “Young Master Zhu knows Ma Fang?”
“Haha, to be honest, it was Ma Fang who informed me about matters in Xuanda, which is why I came… Brother Ma is currently beyond the frontier… But I have a very urgent matter… Uh, Deputy General Ma has been in the Datong area; do you think it’s possible to find him?”
Upon hearing this, Ma Lu immediately understood. He remained silent for a moment, but then patted Zhu Mo’s arm and turned to leave. After a few steps, he suddenly burst into laughter for no apparent reason:
“Hahaha…”