Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 541 - 433 Disaster Relief for Others_1

Chapter 541: Chapter 433 Disaster Relief for Others_1

On the early morning of January 16, in a study on the east side of Fuguogong’s mansion, Huangfu Xuanji, the Dudu Tongzhi of the Left Army Dudufu, looked at the people in front of him with a calm demeanor.

About seven people stood in front of him, apart from his trusted strategist Sun Ran, the rest were his old subordinates and confidants in the army.

The one speaking was a Canjiang dressed in the attire of a 3rd-rank military officer, discussing matters related to Earl Chengyi, Li Chengji.

"—Last night, while my subordinate invited the Yuanwai Lang of the Ministry of War’s Wuxuan Division, Master Li, for a drink at the Drunken Moon Tower, those seventy thousand taels of silver were handed over to him.

Master Li has already explicitly promised to recommend Li Chengji for promotion to the position of Dudu Tongzhi of the Right Army Dudufu during the First Hope Dachao today. Sir, this is a copy of the report written by Master Li."

This man, with respect, handed a parchment full of words to Huangfu Xuanji.

Huangfu Xuanji, however, snorted with dissatisfaction: "Ever since Yu Jie took control of the Ministry of War, these civil officials have become braver. In the past, who needed their help?"

Huangfu Xuanji indeed had a reason to be dissatisfied. Before Tumu Fort’s incident, the promotions and demotions of Jin Dynasty’s military officials were originally handled by the Five Armies Dudufu. But ever since the Tumu Fort incident, this authority has been increasingly encroached upon by the Ministry of War.

They, the Five Armies Dudufu, are still in charge of the military affairs of local defense institutions, but now all personnel promotions and transfers must be endorsed by Wuxuan Division.

Then, Huangfu Xuanji picked up that piece of parchment and examined it carefully. After a while, he smiled with satisfaction: "The literary skills are still quite sharp, befitting of a person who graduated second. But just one Yuanwai Lang from the Ministry of War is not enough. We have to mobilize more people in the court and make a big fuss.

Before the court meeting, the few of you should go and greet those familiar nobles, and the colleagues from the Five Armies Dudufu on my behalf. Also, those civil officials who are on good terms with our Fuguogong mansion, Sun Ran, leave this to you, try to get them moving for me."

The military officials present all promised in agreement, and the strategist Sun Ran also gave a slight bow: "This task falls upon me, sir, you can rest assured."

Hearing these words, Huangfu Xuanji gave a slight nod: "In any case, you all should give the benefits that should be given, and you can promise any commitments they want for now, there’s no need to be stingy. This time, no matter what, we must get Li Chengji off the position of Tidu of Caojiang Navy—"

But at this moment, he noticed a hint of worry on Sun Ran’s face. He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows, and his eyes showed displeasure: "Master Sun, do you think there’s something inappropriate?"

Sun Ran was deterred, his expression solemn: "Sir, your move can be described as brilliant. The position of Dudu Tongzhi of Right Army Dudufu is indeed a dream-come-true for ordinary second-rank military officials. But for Li Chengji, it’s a demotion under the guise of a promotion. Once this man leaves the Yangtze River and is transferred north to the capital, he will be like a tiger entering Pingyang, from then on he can only be manipulated by you.

I’m just worried about the current situation in the court. Minister of War, Yu Jie, will surely intervene, and His Majesty is most likely not going to allow you to have your way, this may not succeed."

"That’s why I want you all to make a big fuss." Huangfu Xuanji laughed, not seeming concerned at all: "Earl Chengyi has resolved the water disaster of Yangtze River, saving millions of people, his contributions are immeasurable. Can the court not reward such merit? With all the ministers making a fuss, even the Emperor will have to think carefully.

And do you think His Majesty doesn’t have any apprehension about Li Chengji and his son, Li Xuan? Do you think the cabinet ministers aren’t worried about this? As far as I know, the old ministers of Zhengtong Emperor now hate them to the bone."

"Sir, your insight is astute!"

Sun Ran agreed with Huangfu Xuanji’s words. Their Emperor had always lacked authority in the court due to the irregularity of his ascension to the throne, and it wasn’t until recent years when his influence expanded, that the situation gradually improved.

But since the news of the Crown Prince, Yu Jianji’s death on the 7th of the first month this year surfaced, the court officials who supported the Emperor have been in constant worry and anxiety.

Even though later on it was announced that the Imperial Physician had misdiagnosed, and the divine physician from Jiangnan miraculously revived Yu Jianji, this still wasn’t able to steady the hearts of the Emperor’s ministers.

This was because Jingtai Emperor only had one son, Yu Jianji, and he had fought with Taishi Yexian many times, causing his injuries to accumulate within his body and his health to deteriorate.

And if anything untoward happens to this Emperor, the only ones who can inherit the throne are the sons of Zhengtong Emperor.

So as long as there is a consensus among the officials in the court, there’s no need to fear that His Majesty won’t compromise.

However, not only was Sun Ran worried about Yu Jie and Jingtai Emperor, he then knitted his brows: "Aside from this, I’m also worried about Earl Chengyi, Li Chengji. This man is cunning and tricky, he might not comply. And since he knows that the issue of lifting Wu Zhiqi’s exile might be related to you, he will surely strike back.

And also Earl Jingan, Li Xuan. Earlier this year, he almost single-handedly took down many ministers from the Dali Temple and the Inspectorate, and even orchestrated the change of the Crown Prince. He is not only deeply involved with Longhu Mountain and the dragon clan, but his own strength is also impressive, it’s said that when he combines forces with his subordinate, their power rivals the heavenly level.

Therefore, in my opinion, we need to take some precautions."

"Li Chengji?" Upon hearing these words, Huangfu Xuanji sneered contemptuously: "The old dog who used to grovel and beg in front of my mansion, what can he do?

As for that Li Xuan, he’s merely relying on that Kylin. But the situation now is different from before. Let him try to bring out that Kylin again. What do I have to fear? The Crown Prince and the Empress Dowager fear him because they are worried about damaging their reputations. But what do I, Huangfu Xuanji, need a good name for?

As for their martial strength, they have a heavenly level warrior, does my Fuguogong mansion not have one? As a Dudu Tongzhi of the Right Army Dudufu, would he dare to attack me, wouldn’t that be treason?"

He then slightly flicked his sleeve, interrupting Sun Ran: "Master Sun is really overthinking, in fact, as long as we remove Li Chengji from the position of Tidu of the Caojiang Navy today, we can diminish nine-tenths of Li family’s power. At that time, even if the Li Family retaliates, what is there for me to fear?"

Sun Ran pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands in agreement without saying another word.

Indeed, as Huangfu Xuanji had spoken, the reason why the Li Family was so powerful, rested entirely on the position of the Tidu of the Caojiang Navy.

At this moment, Huangfu Xuanji looked over at the map beside him, "By the way, where is Si Zhengliang now?"

"He escaped to Ningbo yesterday and might have set sail for Goryeo last night."

The one who answered was another of the same rank, donned in the uniform of a 3rd-rank Canjiang. His expression was cold, "Master, should we silence him? One of my men is on that ship, it would be easy to sink him in the river."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Huangfu Xuanji gave him a sideways glance, "Am I such a cold-hearted person? This man has served me for many years, even if there’s no merit, there’s hard work. Besides, since he’s already set sail, there’s no harm. Later, you will send him some money—"

As he was saying this, the sound of a bell rang from the palace city. This was the first bell ring of the Hour of Mao (exactly 5 a.m.), the time when the palace gates would be unsealed and opened.

The postponed First Hope Dachao due to the Lantern Festival will commence shortly thereafter.

Huangfu Xuanji instantly became spirited, along with his subordinates, and they walked towards the main entrance of the Fuguogong’s mansion.

He was full of confidence, looking forward to the upcoming court meeting.

But just as Huangfu Xuanji left his mansion and mounted an Earth Dragon, a Baihu dressed in the garb of the inner Jishi Office came sprinting from the street and knelt down before Huangfu Xuanji’s horse.

"Sir! My master asked me to tell you that about two hours ago, Li Wenyu, a Yuanwai of the Wuxuan Division of the Ministry of War, committed suicide in fear of his guilt!"

Huangfu Xuanji was slightly taken aback, and then looked at his strategist, Sun Ran, in utter bewilderment.

This Mr. Li Yuanwai was they key in their plan of transferring Li Chengji to the Capital City, but before their plan could take place, the main character of their plot had already died.

Huangfu Xuanji felt a chill in his heart and furrowed his brows, "Is Master Li’s death really a suicide?"

The Baihu replied respectfully, "It’s without a doubt a suicide. Our inner Jishi Institute sent competent people to the scene and found no suspicion. Li Wenyu drank poison in his study and died from poisoning."

Huangfu Xuanji could only find it amusing. Why would such a sound person commit suicide?

And this Mr. Li Yuanwai of the Ministry of War, just last night, had visited a brothel with one of Huangfu Xuanji’s Canjiang. Would such a man suddenly drink poison and commit suicide? And what crime was he afraid of?

"Although he committed suicide by drinking poison, it must be related to Earl Chengyi’s mansion."

At this moment, the Baihu looked up at Huangfu Xuanji again, "We found out that when Mr. Li returned home last night, he was stopped by the Huaiyang merchant Peng Babai for a few words. Not two hours after Mr. Li returned home, he committed suicide."

"Our head of the department estimates that it’s related to yesterday’s incident at the Tianjin warehouse. Yesterday, three councillors from the Ministry of Revenue jointly submitted a petition, accusing Mr. Li of embezzling and accepting bribes during his tenure as the supervisor of the south depot of the warehouse Yamen, which led to the disappearance of forty-seven thousand teals of patterned silver and 150,000 stones of grain. This petition is now at the Tongzheng Division."

"Peng Babai?" Huangfu Xuanji’s face turned ashen. He knew that this man was not only a wealthy merchant from Huaiyang but also one of Li Chengji’s most trusted agents.

But at this moment, he was even more confused, "As far as I know, Li Wenyu is very cautious in his official duties. Before he left his post, he couldn’t have possibly not balanced the accounts. Even if this were the case, there was no need for him to commit suicide, was there?"

The Baihu could only shake his head, "I’m not sure, the only speculation is that Earl Chengyi must have obtained conclusive evidence of Li Wenyu’s guilt."

Strategist Sun Ran’s face changed slightly, "Master, as far as I know, Earl Chengyi has always been ruthless. The reason Li Wenyu committed suicide is probably not just about the evidence of the crime. I guess this Peng Babai might have even threatened his entire family’s lives."

"Once Li Wenyu loses his post, it will be easy for the Chengyi Li family to eradicate his clan."

"Damn it!"

Huangfu Xuanji let out an angry hum, his eyes revealing a hint of gloom. After a moment of contemplation, he said to Sun Ran, "Mr. Sun, you go find Dudu Qianshi Shangguan from the Central Army Dudufu. Tell him to bring up the issue of Li Chengji. That man is greedy, as long as the money is sufficient, he will certainly agree. Mr. Sun, you must make sure that he brings up this matter in today’s court, and remember to bring more guards."

Sun Ran immediately bowed to take his orders, leading his men on horseback to rush away.

The great court meeting was imminent, so time was of the essence. Thus he hurriedly galloped his horse and in a moment dashed out two streets. But just as he veered his horse into the stone stele lane of Shiyong, countless crossbow arrows suddenly spurted out from the corners on both sides.

"Qianjin Crossbow?"

A hint of surprise crossed Sun Ran’s heart, and he was about to defend with his magic. But he found that there were no less than twelve Qianjin Crossbows bombarding him from both sides, using top-grade arrows. The several guards he brought with him were torn apart by thousands of finger-sized arrows in a mere moment. Sun Ran’s defensive magic and the two high-grade magic tools he carried on him were immediately riddled with holes.

The last thing that appeared in Sun Ran’s eyes was a gleam of black sword light.

"Taking people’s money, eliminating disasters for others." There was a figure, about twenty years old, tall and thin like a bamboo pole, covering his face, with eyes as deep and radiant as black agate.

He flashed up quickly, thrusting his sword through Sun Ran’s brow, "Be on your way, someone paid a price of fifty thousand patterned silver for your life, Sun Ran!"

Sun Ran recognized the man in front of him, the twelfth rank of the Black List, ’Only for Profits’, Mei Qingshu.

But now his body was pinned to a stone wall behind him. His eyes full of shock and anger, gradually dimmed.