Chapter 231: Failure Is Rebellion, Success Is Founding A Dynasty! Seeking Monthly Tickets
Old Zhu was a man who could be called history’s most famous “evidence emperor.”
When he wanted to kill someone, especially someone he deeply hated, he never did it directly. Instead, he would thoroughly investigate them until everything was clear, and then kill them with great fanfare.
Moreover, once he started killing, he couldn’t stop. The longest period spanned over a decade, such as the **Hu Weiyong case**.
But there was one person who was an exception. To kill him, Old Zhu would fabricate “evidence” out of thin air, even if he couldn’t find any.
This shows how deeply he was obsessed with “evidence.”
And that person was—
Blue Dragon…
Zhang Biao’s mind swirled with this name, carrying the weight of history and the strangeness of reality.
He tried hard to recall the beginning and end of the **Blue Dragon Case**.
Blue Dragon was a famous general from the founding of the Great Ming, with illustrious military achievements, especially in his decisive defeat of the Northern Yuan at Buyan Lake, which brought his prestige to its peak.
He was arrogant and overbearing, proud of his achievements, kept many enslaved laborers and adopted sons, and acted unlawfully; these are all clearly recorded in historical texts.
Finally, in the 26th year of Hongwu, Old Zhu executed him on the charge of “rebellion,” flaying him and stuffing his hide. Over fifteen thousand people were implicated and died. This was known as the **Blue Dragon Case**.
Rebellion…
Zhang Biao sneered inwardly.
Given Old Zhu’s extremely suspicious nature and his control over the Imperial Guard, if Blue Dragon truly harbored disloyal intentions, even the slightest hint would have been discovered and crushed long ago.
Why would he have to wait until the 26th year of Hongwu, and need the Imperial Guard Commander Jiang Huan to “falsely accuse” him?
He carefully analyzed Blue Dragon’s character and the nature of the **Blue Dragon Case**.
Blue Dragon’s character flaws were obvious: haughty, arrogant, greedy, and lawless.
He allowed his subordinates to encroach on civilian land, beat up censors, and even upon his return from the northern expedition, because the border officials at Xifeng Pass failed to open the gate in time, he ordered his troops to destroy the pass and enter by force…
Every single one of these actions was a path to death.
But, was this “rebellion”?
No, it was more like a military man, intoxicated by immense military achievements and imperial favor, recklessly squandering his political capital and challenging the boundaries of imperial authority.
He perhaps believed that as the Crown Prince’s uncle and a pillar of the state, Old Zhu would always tolerate him.
Did Blue Dragon have the audacity to rebel?
Zhang Biao carefully pondered.
Perhaps he did, but he definitely lacked the brains to rebel! Much less to orchestrate such a meticulous scheme of “raising bandits”!
Blue Dragon’s thinking was typical of a military general.
He was straightforward, believing in strength and merit on the battlefield.
For him to manage a vast network spanning Grain Transport, garrison systems, and princes, through controlling military equipment and supplies, possibly influencing border situations for immense profit, and balancing court factions?
What kind of profound cunning, meticulous planning, and long-term political patience would that require?
This was absolutely beyond Blue Dragon’s capabilities!
He was more like an incomparably sharp, yet uncontrollable, wild saber.
Used well, it could expand territories.
Used poorly, or if it was perceived that it might harm oneself, the wielder would unhesitatingly destroy it.
And Old Zhu was the wielder who ultimately decided to destroy this saber.
The essence of the **Blue Dragon Case** was a political purge by Old Zhu to consolidate imperial power and clear obstacles for his descendants.
The so-called “rebellion” was more of an excuse to involve and thoroughly eliminate his faction.
Precisely because Blue Dragon may not have had any truly organized rebellious actions, Old Zhu needed Jiang Huan to falsely accuse and fabricate specific “evidence” to carry out a large-scale purge legitimately.
Therefore, Blue Dragon was unlikely to be the top planner of this “raising bandits” chain. He lacked the cunning and vision.
Zhang Biao reached a preliminary conclusion.
He was more likely to be an exploited, or partially involved, “beneficiary” or “cover” for some people within his ranks.
Someone used his arrogant and difficult-to-control border army, as well as his tenuous connections with court nobles and possibly even certain princes, as a cover to engage in more clandestine dealings.
Perhaps…
A more terrifying thought emerged in Zhang Biao’s mind.
The mastermind might have welcomed Blue Dragon’s arrogance, because his very existence served as the perfect target to attract the Emperor’s and the court’s attention!
Once discovered, the first person to be suspected and pushed forward to take the blame would likely be a prominent noble like Blue Dragon, who was conspicuous and not entirely clean!
With this realization, Zhang Biao became less worried about Blue Dragon’s appearance.
Blue Dragon, this great tree, could barely protect himself. The threat from his adopted sons was more a matter of tactical recklessness than strategic conspiracy.
The current key is still Raozhou Guard, and Geng Zhong!
He pulled his thoughts back to the predicament at hand.
Geng Zhong had prepared a flawless storeroom in advance, indicating he received precise pre-warning and had the ability to “clean up” within a short period. This implies three crucial points.
1. Smooth information channels: The mastermind has informants in the Capital City or within the Imperial Guard, capable of timely relaying Zhang Biao’s movements and intentions.
2. Strong execution: The Raozhou Guard has an efficient emergency mechanism, or Geng Zhong has absolute control, enabling swift concealment of traces.
3. The problem is not obvious: The real loophole must be hidden in deeper layers.
Zhang Biao’s eyes refocused, shining with calmness and determination.
He turned to Song Zhong and said, his voice low but firm, “Old Song, we don’t have time to be dejected.”
“The more Geng Zhong tries to drive us away, the more it proves he has something to hide, and that ‘ghost’ is deeply buried!”
“If we can’t find anything in the visible storeroom, we’ll start from somewhere else!”
Song Zhong reacted for a moment, then cautiously asked, “Sir, do you mean to investigate openly and secretly?”
Zhang Biao thought for a moment and nodded, “I have three orders, please remember them.”
“First, let our men break up into small groups, posing as traveling merchants and refugees, and keep a close watch on all outward channels of Raozhou Guard.”
“Especially at night, or on secluded paths leading to mountains or waterways. Record all unusual convoys and personnel movements.”
“Second, focus on investigating blacksmith shops, cobblers, and woodworking workshops around the garrisons, especially those that undertake business for the garrisons.”
“Ask them if they’ve had a lot of work repairing or modifying military equipment recently? Or, if they’ve dealt with any special ‘waste materials’?”
“Third!”
A cold glint flashed in Zhang Biao’s eyes:
“Find a way to contact the lower-ranking military households within the garrison, especially those who are disgruntled or have been squeezed out by Geng Zhong and his cronies. Offer them substantial benefits, or promise protection, and get them to talk!”
“Ask them if there are any ‘small storerooms’ in the garrison that are kept out of sight? Are there any irregularities in the maintenance or disposal procedures for military equipment? Which officers have been particularly well-off recently?”
After finishing, he paused and added:
“Also, investigate the correspondence and accounts between Raozhou Guard and the local government, the River Gang, and even nearby mines, to see if there has been any unconventional flow of funds or materials.”
Hearing these clear instructions, Song Zhong was filled with admiration and immediately took his leave, “Yes! Sir! I’ll arrange it immediately!”
Zhang Biao cast one last glance at the seemingly impenetrable Raozhou Guard, a cold curve forming on his lips.
Geng Zhong, you thought driving me away would solve everything?
The more you try to cover up, the more flaws you reveal!
If we can’t do it openly, we’ll do it covertly. If we can’t find anything in the storeroom, I’ll dig from your roots!
I want to see how much unspeakable stuff this Raozhou Guard of yours is hiding!
He turned and disappeared into the wilderness outside Raozhou Guard, with a suppressed yet more determined aura.
…
On the other side.
Although Blue Dragon had rudely “escorted” Zhang Biao and his party out of the gates of Raozhou Guard, the anger in his chest had not completely subsided.
He returned to the secluded courtyard arranged for him by Geng Zhong and did not rest immediately. Instead, he dismissed his attendants and paced alone in the courtyard.
The night breeze was cool, dissipating some of the alcohol and clearing his mind further.
Zhang Biao’s cold and profound gaze as he left, and his warning, “You are pushing your adoptive father and the entire Duke of Liang’s Mansion into a fire pit,” echoed in his ears like a curse.
The Duke of Founding several times wrote to remind my adoptive father that Zhang Biao is a man who bites readily and should not be provoked easily… Was what I did today truly impulsive?
Blue Dragon’s brow furrowed, his thoughts in a turmoil.
Brother Geng, when he complained to me, his words were earnest and he swore oaths, seeming genuine.
But why is Zhang Biao fixated on him? Could it be true, as Zhang Biao said, that Brother has a problem…
He dared not think further, a sense of unease about being caught in a whirlpool gripped him.
He, Blue Dragon, was not afraid of death, but he was afraid of bringing immense trouble to his adoptive father, Blue Dragon.
Just then, the courtyard gate was gently pushed open, and Geng Zhong entered alone, carrying a small wine jar.
The joy of reunion had faded from his face, replaced by fatigue and a hint of melancholy.
“Younger brother, you haven’t rested yet?”
Geng Zhong walked to the stone table, set down the wine jar, and spoke with a slightly hoarse voice.
Blue Dragon turned and looked at Geng Zhong, his eyes complex, “Brother, I… I feel uneasy.”
Geng Zhong gave a wry smile, sat down by himself, and broke the clay seal on the wine jar. A rich aroma of wine immediately spread.
He didn’t look at Blue Dragon, but stared at the swirling wine in the jar and slowly said, “Is it because of what Zhang Biao said?”
Blue Dragon was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, his voice low, “Brother, it’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just… that Zhang Biao is a madman, and my adoptive father and the Duke of Founding are quite wary of him.”
“Although I drove him away forcefully today to stand up for you, Brother, I fear… that this madman will go back and spew nonsense to the Emperor, slandering my adoptive father.”
He paused, then sighed, “I cannot bring trouble to my adoptive father.”
Hearing this, Geng Zhong’s eyes narrowed. He knew he had come at the right time; Blue Dragon was beginning to doubt him because of Zhang Biao’s words.
But he did not rush to respond.
Blue Dragon hesitated slightly, then suddenly raised his head, looking directly at Geng Zhong with scrutiny, and said, “Brother, tell me the truth, is Raozhou Guard… truly clean? Is there not a single handle that madman can grasp? That ‘Beast Token’… it truly has nothing to do with you?”
Hearing these three soul-searching questions, Geng Zhong’s hand holding the wine jar paused slightly.
Immediately, he slammed the wine jar onto the stone table with a muffled ‘thud’.
Then, he raised his head, his eyes instantly reddening, his face a mixture of the pain of being doubted by his sworn brother, anger, and an indescribable sorrow.
“Blue Dragon! No. Wang Dalong!”
Geng Zhong’s voice trembled:
“We met when we were nobodies. Our hometown was ravaged, our families scattered, and we were two orphans struggling for survival on the battlefield!”
“Back then, when swords were swung, who took the blow for you? When arrows flew, who pushed you aside? We prostrated ourselves in mountains of corpses, became sworn brothers, and vowed to live and die together!”
He became more emotional as he spoke, suddenly stood up, and tore open his collar, revealing several hideous old scars on his chest:
“Look closely!”
“This one was left saving you!”
“This one was from the Tatars’ curved sabers when we charged together!”
“Our blood has flowed together!”
He pointed to his chest, and tears actually rolled down his face:
“In this life, Geng Zhong may have wronged others, but when it comes to you, Blue Dragon, I have a clear conscience!”
“Today, you doubt me this much?!”
After saying this, Geng Zhong abruptly drew the saber from his waist and threw it with a ‘clang’ at Blue Dragon’s feet. He himself then knelt on the ground with a ‘plop’, raised his head, closed his eyes, and said in a deathly voice:
“If you truly believe your brother is the one aiding the enemy and harboring bandits, and will implicate the Duke of Liang, then act!”
“Use this saber to cut off my head! Take it to Zhang Biao, take it to the Emperor! Consider it that your brother Geng Zhong… died on the battlefield back then!”
“And save… save my good brother from being put in a difficult position!”
This tearful performance, vowing loyalty unto death, combined with the shocking scars and memories of shared life-and-death struggles, struck Blue Dragon’s heart like a heavy hammer.
Blue Dragon looked at his sworn brother kneeling on the ground, ready to die, at the tears on his face and the scars on his chest. His doubts of moments ago were instantly scattered by immense guilt and brotherhood.
“Brother! What are you doing! Get up quickly!”
Blue Dragon rushed forward, helped Geng Zhong up, his voice choked with emotion, “My brother… how could I not believe you!”
“I was just… just worried that madman Zhang Biao would bite indiscriminately and implicate my adoptive father!”
He kicked the saber aside, gripped Geng Zhong’s shoulders firmly, and said, “Brother, I believe you! I will always believe you! I misspoke just now, you can hit me or scold me!”
Geng Zhong took the opportunity to rise, wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, and clasped Blue Dragon’s arm tightly, his tone heavy, “Younger brother, Big Brother doesn’t blame you. It’s just that Zhang Biao is too cunning and skilled at sowing discord! Big Brother is just… just heartbroken!”
The two sat down again, but the atmosphere was even more somber than before.
Blue Dragon took a deep breath and made a decision:
“Brother, it’s not advisable to stay here long. I will leave first thing tomorrow and report this matter to my adoptive father so he can be prepared.”
“If that Zhang Biao dares to act recklessly, my adoptive father will handle it!”
Geng Zhong was startled inwardly.
He’s leaving tomorrow?! How can this be?!
I was ordered by the Prince to bring down the Duke of Liang. If he leaves, won’t the Prince’s plan be ruined?!
Moreover, that scoundrel Zhang Biao is still out there; he won’t give up. With Blue Dragon present, he might hesitate to act too recklessly out of consideration for the Duke of Liang.
No! I absolutely cannot let Blue Dragon leave! I must keep him here!
Although he had made up his mind inwardly, Geng Zhong’s face showed understanding and reluctance, and he sighed:
“Younger brother’s concerns are valid. It was Big Brother’s oversight that caused you difficulty.”
“If you want to leave, Big Brother can’t force you to stay, but…”
He changed the subject, pointing to the wine jar on the table, a reminiscing smile appearing on his face:
“Do you remember, Younger brother? After we fought that tough battle back then, we were lucky to survive and found a jar of wine hidden by someone in a ruined temple. You said that when we became successful in the future, we would drink to our heart’s content.”
“Big Brother told you then that when we brothers reunited, Big Brother would treat you to a jar even better than that one!”
He stroked the wine jar and said with utmost sincerity:
“This jar of ‘Zhuangyuan Hong’ was buried by me, Big Brother, when I was promoted to Commander. I always intended to share this joy with you, Younger brother, one day.”
He changed the subject, pointing to the wine jar on the table, a reminiscing smile on his face:
“Brother, do you remember? After we fought that fierce battle back then, we were lucky to survive and found a jar of good wine hidden by someone in a dilapidated temple. You said that when we made something of ourselves in the future, we would have a good drink.”
“Brother, I said back then, when we brothers reunite, you must let me treat you to an even better jar of wine!”
He caressed the wine jar and said with utmost sincerity:
“This jar of ‘Zhuangyuanhong’ was buried by me, your elder brother, when I was promoted to Commander. I always thought that one day, I could share this joy with you, my worthy brother.”
“It’s quite fitting now. After finishing this wine jar, I, your brother, will personally see you out of the garrison system! Consider it a farewell feast!”
Blue Dragon looked at the wine jar, then at Geng Zhong’s sincere and lonely eyes. Recalling their shared past in the ruined temple, his heart warmed, and a surge of heroism rose within him:
“Great! Brother! Tonight, we brothers will not stop drinking until we’re drunk!”
“That’s right! Not until we’re drunk!”
Geng Zhong laughed heartily and personally filled two wine bowls: “Come, dear brother, let’s finish this!”
The wine bowls clinked as they both drank it down in one gulp.
Geng Zhong kept urging him to drink while recounting amusing anecdotes from the past, and the atmosphere seemed to return to those pure times.
However, after a few bowls of wine, Blue Dragon gradually felt his head growing heavy, his vision began to blur, and his limbs became weak.
“Brother… this wine… the after-effects are so strong…”
He shook his head, trying to stay conscious.
Geng Zhong’s face remained with a concerned smile:
“Yes, it’s aged fine wine, its after-effects are potent. Dear brother’s tolerance for alcohol isn’t what it used to be.”
“Nonsense… nonsense…”
Blue Dragon tried to hold on, but his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Finally, his body went limp, and he slumped onto the stone table, completely losing consciousness.
Watching Blue Dragon lose consciousness, the smile on Geng Zhong’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, gloomy expression.
He stood up and gently kicked Blue Dragon, confirming that he had been completely subdued by the Meng Han Medicine.
“Someone.”
He said in a low voice.
Several trusted personal guards appeared in the courtyard without a sound.
“Is everything handled cleanly?” Geng Zhong asked.
“Reporting to you, Sir. The personal guards brought by General Blue have all been plied with drink.”
The leader of the personal guards made a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes fierce.
Geng Zhong nodded, glanced at Blue Dragon slumped on the table, his expression complicated for a moment, but immediately replaced by resolve.
“Take him to the secret room in the cellar, guard him well. No one is to approach him without my orders!”
“Yes!”
The personal guards quickly stepped forward, lifted the unconscious Blue Dragon, and disappeared silently into the dark corridor.
Geng Zhong stood alone in the small courtyard, looking at the empty wine bowls and the wine jar on the table. Moonlight shone on his face, half light, half dark.
He had used decades of brotherhood to put on a tragic performance, ultimately using the most despicable means to imprison the sworn brother who had come to help him.
【Dear brother Blue Dragon, failure makes one a rebel, success makes one a follower of the dragon! 】
【Don’t blame your brother for being heartless… Blame Zhang Biao for pushing people too hard! Blame this world that allows no room for even the slightest misstep! 】
【 Don’t worry, once this hurdle is passed, your brother will definitely release you and apologize… 】
He rationalized to himself, but the lingering guilt, and the fear of Zhang Biao investigating the ‘Beast Token’ for collection, still coiled around his heart like a viper.
He knew he had no way back.
He had to thoroughly erase all traces of the Raozhou Guard as quickly as possible, and at the same time, find a way to make Zhang Biao… shut up forever!
At the same time, Zhang Biao returned to his temporary lodging outside the garrison system and began to repeatedly analyze the various doubts about the Raozhou Guard.
Although he had already issued three feasible directives to Song Zhong and the others, he still felt something was not right.
He meticulously reviewed the entire process.
Geng Zhong’s ability to tidy up the storeroom so meticulously before their arrival was astonishingly efficient.
But the problem was, the Raozhou Guard, as a garrison system of the Great Ming Dynasty, could never be monolithic internally; there must be informants planted by Old Zhu.
However, Song Zhong’s side had not received any special reports from informants, indicating that either the informants were kept in the dark, or the information they obtained was limited.
The reports from Old Qian and the others keeping watch on the periphery were also clear: no strangers had entered or exited in the past two days.
This meant that the “clues” that couldn’t see the light of day, or rather, what might be the real hidden accounts, evidence, or even some sensitive military equipment, had not been processed or destroyed.
Because internal processing or destruction would certainly not be hidden from Old Zhu’s informants.
Therefore, they either had to be secretly transported out by strangers, or moved to a more concealed location and hidden away.
Thinking of this, Zhang Biao’s eyes suddenly became extremely sharp.
Geng Zhong, while seemingly in control now, with Blue Dragon’s backing, had driven him out.
But he could never truly be at peace in his heart.
Those hidden “clues” were like time bombs; the longer they remained, the greater the risk.
Blue Dragon couldn’t stay in the Raozhou Guard forever, and he himself would not easily give up.
Geng Zhong would definitely rack his brains to deal with this evidence as quickly and discreetly as possible.
【What method will he use? 】
Zhang Biao pondered hard.
Conventional transportation routes were under his surveillance, and large-scale movements would easily be exposed…
“Old Qian!”
Zhang Biao suddenly called out towards the door.
Old Qian quickly pushed the door open: “Sir, what are your orders?”
“Think carefully again, while you were watching outside the Raozhou Guard these past two days, did you see anything that seemed normal but, upon closer thought, felt a bit off?”
Zhang Biao stared at him with burning eyes: “Remember! Don’t let any detail slip!”
Old Qian heard this and tried to recall. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh:
“Now that you mention it, Sir, I do remember something!”
“Last night, my old injury relapsed, and I was coughing badly. I couldn’t sleep in the middle of the night, so I wandered in the small grove outside the west gate of the Raozhou Guard to get some air.”
He described the scene at the time:
“It was just past midnight, and it was pitch black.”
“The west gate of the Raozhou Guard opened a crack, and more than a dozen manure carts came out one after another! They were the kind of mule carts used to collect feces from the latrines of the various barracks.”
“At the time, I didn’t pay much attention. The garrison system has many people, and it’s normal for waste to be generated daily.”
“It’s just that… the number of manure carts seemed to be more than usual, and they were all packed to the brim.”
“Manure carts?!”
Zhang Biao’s pupils constricted sharply, and he suddenly stood up: “Midnight? More than a dozen? And all packed full?!”
He instantly grasped the key point!
Even if the Raozhou Guard had thousands of people, the amount of feces produced daily would require daily removal. It was impossible for more than a dozen full manure carts to suddenly appear in the middle of the night!
This was too abnormal!
【That’s it! Manure carts! Who would carefully inspect a manure cart filled with filth?! This is simply the perfect cover! 】
【Geng Zhong must have used the manure carts to transport the evidence that needed to be disposed of, or even small items of military equipment, mixed with feces out of the city! 】
“Well done, Geng Zhong! To use such a foul method!”
Zhang Biao’s face turned as dark as water, and he immediately shouted: “Song Zhong!”
“Sir!”
Song Zhong responded and entered.
“Immediately send two of your most observant subordinates along the path outside the west gate of the Raozhou Guard to secretly track the whereabouts of last night’s manure carts!”
“Focus on checking for any abnormal dumping points, or if any vehicles separated or turned midway! Be quick! And be safe!”
Zhang Biao spoke at an extremely fast pace, with an undeniable urgency.
“Yes!”
Song Zhong, seeing Zhang Biao’s solemn expression, knew the matter was of great importance and immediately turned to make arrangements.
He knew that the Raozhou Guard’s end was near.
…
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