Chapter 233: Lan Yu: How Is This Censor More Wicked Than The Old Executioners In The Army?! Seeking Monthly Tickets
Just as Geng Zhong was cornered and about to risk a desperate struggle, the cry of “The Duke of Liang is here!” struck like thunder!
From the direction of the official road, a troop of elite cavalry, escorting a great general, galloped into view.
The general was powerfully built, with a resolute face and eyes as sharp as an eagle’s. Though not in full armor, an aura of battle-hardened courage emanated from him, befitting someone accustomed to high command. It was none other than Lan Yu, the Duke of Liang.
He had finally been persuaded by Mr. Liu, worried that Lan Long would cause unmanageable trouble at the Raozhou Guard, and decided to come and investigate personally.
He never expected, however, to stumble upon such a scene right outside the garrison.
Lan Yu’s arrival was like a stabilizing force, and also like the final straw that broke the camel’s back.
The instant Geng Zhong saw Lan Yu, the last flicker of hope in his eyes was extinguished, replaced by boundless despair.
He knew it was over, completely over.
With the Duke of Liang himself present, all his schemes would be laid bare.
His survival instinct drove him to make one last, fatal decision—
【Run! 】
He shoved a nearby guard fiercely and attempted to mount his horse, planning to retreat into the garrison for a final, desperate struggle, even if it meant destroying only some of the key evidence.
However, just as his foot landed on the stirrup and his body was suspended in mid-air—
A sudden change occurred!
The confidant guard, who had stayed close by his side and followed his orders to plant false evidence the night before, had a look of resolve and ruthlessness flash through his eyes.
He swiftly drew his saber and, with lightning speed, plunged it deeply into Geng Zhong’s side from behind.
“Ahhh—!”
Geng Zhong let out an extremely piercing scream, his body stiffening. He looked back in disbelief at the familiar yet utterly strange face.
“You… why…”
Before he could finish speaking, the guard violently twisted his wrist, shredding internal organs, and then yanked the saber out forcefully.
Geng Zhong fell to the ground like a discarded sack, blood instantly staining the earth. After a few twitches, he lay still.
This sudden turn of events stunned everyone.
Zhang Biao, Song Zhong, Lan Yu, and all the soldiers on both sides stood frozen on the spot.
No one had expected Geng Zhong to die at the hands of his most trusted subordinate.
After killing Geng Zhong, the guard wore a chilling, twisted grin.
He slowly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd to fix directly on Zhang Biao, his voice hoarse but carrying a spine-chilling tone:
“Censor Zhang… we… truly underestimated you!”
“However, farewell.”
Before his words had even finished, he flipped his bloody saber and brought it across his own neck, intending to commit suicide.
“Trying to die? It won’t be that easy!”
A cold shout rang out!
Beside Lan Yu, a young general with a stern face and a hard bow already drawn was ready.
“Swoosh—!”
The arrow flew like a meteor, hitting the guard’s sword-wielding wrist with pinpoint accuracy!
“Splat!”
Blood spattered!
The guard cried out in pain, and the saber clattered to the ground.
“Seize him! I want him alive!”
Lan Yu roared the order, his voice booming like a bell.
His cavalry swarmed forward like wolves and tigers, instantly pinning down the guard who had attempted suicide and tying him up.
The other confidants of Geng Zhong, seeing their master dead and the greatest “reliance” they had, the Duke of Liang, personally present, no longer dared to resist. They threw down their weapons and begged for mercy.
The situation was completely under control the moment Lan Yu appeared.
Lan Yu didn’t even dismount. He rode slowly into the center of the scene, his gaze first sweeping over Geng Zhong’s still-warm corpse on the ground, his eyes cold and devoid of emotion.
Then, his sharp, falcon-like gaze fell upon Zhang Biao, filled with scrutiny, inquiry, and a hint of indescribable complexity.
He ignored the Imperial Decree in Zhang Biao’s hand and didn’t ask about the shocking autopsy and confrontation that had just occurred. Instead, he directly addressed the kneeling and surrendering confidants of Geng Zhong, his voice carrying unquestionable authority and suppressed wrath:
“Where is my adopted son?!”
One of Geng Zhong’s confidants, kneeling on the ground, trembled violently. He quickly pointed towards the depths of the garrison and stammered,
“R-reporting to the Duke… General Lan is… is in the cellar behind the Commander’s yamen…”
“Cellar?!”
A terrifying cold light erupted in Lan Yu’s eyes. He was enraged: “You scoundrels! How dare you insult my Duke of Liang’s mansion like this!”
In his fury, he drew his sword with a “clang” and was about to kill the Geng Zhong confidant before him.
“Your Grace, spare my life!”
The Geng Zhong confidant was terrified beyond measure, tears streaming down his face.
Just at this critical moment—
“Fire! The Commander’s yamen is on fire—!”
A shrill cry came from within the garrison.
Everyone looked up sharply. From behind the Commander’s yamen, thick smoke billowed into the sky. Immediately after, orange flames rapidly surged upwards, illuminating half the sky.
Zhang Biao’s pupils contracted sharply.
【Murder to silence, destroy evidence! 】
He instantly understood the meaning of the fire.
Geng Zhong was dead, but the mastermind behind him was still at large.
This fire was meant to burn Lan Long, who might know what happened, and even more so, to burn the genuine evidence that had not yet been dealt with.
“Duke Lan!”
Zhang Biao, disregarding Lan Yu’s attitude towards him, quickly turned to him, his voice urgent and firm:
“Now is not the time to investigate! Save the people first! Save General Lan Long! Saving the evidence is paramount!”
Lan Yu, a veteran of many campaigns, immediately grasped the priorities.
He shot a furious glare at the Geng Zhong confidant, sheathed his sword, and roared at his cavalry:
“Quick! Put out the fire! Save the people! Control all exits, no one is allowed to leave!”
“Lan Que! Take a squad and come with me to the rear yamen cellar!”
With that, he hesitated no longer, spurred his horse, and charged towards the direction of the fire.
Zhang Biao immediately ordered Song Zhong:
“Old Song! Take our men, assist in fighting the fire, and secure the scene! Focus on searching documents, account books, and storerooms! We cannot let the evidence be destroyed!”
“Yes!”
In an instant, the previously tense confrontation between the two sides was put aside in the face of the sudden fire, and both threw themselves into the efforts of extinguishing the flames and rescuing people.
The flames blazed, illuminating Zhang Biao’s solemn and resolute face.
He knew that the struggle with the mastermind had entered its most intense and dangerous phase.
The other side was doing everything in their power to erase all traces.
And he had to win the race against time to secure the most crucial witnesses and evidence.
The sky over Raozhou Guard was shrouded in fire and smoke, and a struggle for life and truth unfolded fiercely amidst the flames.
However, despite the vigorous efforts of Lan Yu’s cavalry and Zhang Biao’s men, the fire in the Commander’s yamen started suddenly and fiercely, clearly having been accelerated by the prior use of accelerants like oil.
When the conflagration was finally extinguished, the areas around several rooms and the cellar entrance, where crucial evidence might have been hidden, had been reduced to scorched ruins.
Lan Long was rescued from the cellar, alive but having inhaled too much smoke. Additionally, he may have been administered drugs that damaged his nervous system. He was listless, drooling from the corner of his mouth, and responded slowly to external stimuli, appearing to be a broken man.
Seeing his once spirited adopted son reduced to such a state, Lan Yu’s face turned ashen, his chest heaving. The hand gripping his sword hilt was white-knuckled from exertion.
He suddenly turned, his gaze slicing towards Zhang Biao like a knife, his eyes filled with the pain of a son’s suffering and resentment towards Zhang Biao for involving Lan Long in this matter.
“Zhang Biao—!”
Lan Yu’s voice was like the roar of a wounded beast:
“If you hadn’t stirred up trouble here, why would my son suffer such a calamity?! You owe me an explanation for this matter in Raozhou Guard!”
Facing Lan Yu’s furious glare and aggressive questioning, Zhang Biao showed no fear. Instead, he let out a cold laugh.
“An explanation?”
He met Lan Yu’s gaze without flinching, even taking a step forward and raising the Imperial Decree in his hand again:
“The Duke of Liang is mistaken! I am here by Imperial order to investigate military affairs, and I need not explain myself to you!”
He then lowered his tone, his words sharp and unforgiving:
“Rather, shouldn’t the Duke of Liang properly discipline his adopted son?”
“Lan Long, without understanding the situation, believed Geng Zhong’s one-sided account and attempted to interfere with the Imperial Envoy’s investigation, even resorting to force!”
“How is his conduct any different from obstructing the investigation and harboring a criminal?!”
“I haven’t even pursued him for obstructing official duties and assaulting an Imperial Envoy, and yet the Duke of Liang is already demanding an explanation from me?!”
With each sentence Zhang Biao spoke, Lan Yu’s face grew darker.
Especially when Zhang Biao clearly listed Lan Long’s rash actions one by one, it left Lan Yu speechless.
He had already vaguely heard Mr. Liu analyze these matters on the way. Zhang Biao’s public revelation of them now solidified Lan Long’s foolishness and his being manipulated.
“You…”
Lan Yu trembled with rage, veins bulging on his forehead.
When had he ever been so directly contradicted by a mere seventh-rank Censor?
But Zhang Biao held the Imperial Decree, stood on the grounds of righteousness, and his words were all true. He found himself unable to retort!
Mr. Liu, seeing this, quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply to Zhang Biao, and said earnestly, with a tone of de-escalation:
“Censor Zhang, please calm your anger! The Duke is also deeply concerned for his son and spoke out of urgency. If his words were abrupt, I hope the Censor will overlook them.”
“General Lan Long is young and impetuous, and was misled by a villain, which was indeed inappropriate. However, my Duke and the Duke’s mansion are absolutely not involved in this matter, and their loyalty to the court and the Emperor is beyond reproach!”
“This time, thanks to Censor Zhang’s sharp discernment, a greater misunderstanding has been averted. We are deeply grateful.”
Mr. Liu’s words provided Lan Yu with a way out and also cleared the Duke of Liang’s mansion of any connection to the crimes in Raozhou Guard, adopting a very humble stance.
Zhang Biao glanced at Mr. Liu, recognizing him as an intelligent person, and not wanting to completely alienate Lan Yu at this moment, he let out a cold snort and said no more.
Lan Yu stared intently at Zhang Biao, his chest heaving for a long moment, before finally gritting out from between his teeth:
“Fine! Fine you are, Zhang Biao! I’ll remember this!”
With that, he stopped lingering and waved his hand fiercely: “Let’s go!”
The cavalry of the Duke of Liang’s mansion, carrying the dazed and foolish Lan Long and gathering the few distinguishable bodies, left the chaotic scene as quickly as they had arrived, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Before leaving, Mr. Liu respectfully cupped his hands to Zhang Biao once more before turning to follow.
In a blink of an eye, only Zhang Biao and his group remained outside the Raozhou Guard, along with the bewildered and leaderless garrison soldiers.
Zhang Biao did not immediately attend to the soldiers.
He stood alone before the scorched and smoking ruins of the rear yamen, his brow furrowed, lost in thought.
【The fire started too conveniently… As soon as Geng Zhong died, the mastermind immediately acted to silence witnesses and destroy evidence, reacting so quickly and acting so ruthlessly… 】
【 There must be their informants within Raozhou Guard, perhaps more than one! 】
【 Lan Yu… his anger seemed genuine, but was he truly completely unaware? Or perhaps, someone under his command was also compromised? 】
【 The clues seem to have run cold… but have they really? 】
He felt he was overlooking something.
Geng Zhong had gone to such lengths, even imprisoning Lan Long and killing Imperial Guards to cover things up.
What he was trying to protect was far more than just the loss of military equipment already uncovered.
There had to be a deeper, more fatal secret behind it.
As he was pondering, Song Zhong walked over quickly, followed by a middle-aged man dressed in ordinary garrison attire but with exceptionally sharp and capable eyes.
“Sir.”
Song Zhong said in a low voice, gesturing to the man behind him.
The man stepped forward, gave Zhang Biao a respectful military salute, and then lowered his voice:
“This subordinate is Zhao Hu, a Squad Leader from the Fire Suppression Battalion. I was sent to infiltrate Raozhou Guard and report directly to His Majesty.”
It turned out to be an Imperial Guard informant planted by Old Zhu in Raozhou Guard.
Zhang Biao’s spirits lifted, and he immediately asked:
“Squad Leader Zhao, have there been any anomalies within the garrison from last night until now? Especially before and after the fire?”
Zhao Hu’s expression was solemn, and he replied in a low voice:
“Reporting to you, sir. About fifteen minutes before the fire started, I saw someone sneak out of the rear yamen’s side gate, appearing hurried and heading towards the west stables.”
“Because he was wearing ordinary soldier’s uniform, I didn’t pay much attention at the time. Looking back now, it seems very suspicious!”
“What did this person look like? Do you remember?” Zhang Biao pressed.
“It was dark, so I couldn’t see clearly, but this person was short and stout, with what seemed to be a broken left eyebrow, and his right shoulder drooped slightly when he walked.”
Zhao Hu tried hard to recall.
“Broken eyebrow… drooping right shoulder…”
Zhang Biao silently noted these two characteristics, which might be important clues.
“Anything else? Regarding Geng Zhong, or any unusual dealings within the garrison?”
Zhao Hu thought for a moment and then said:
“Geng Zhong, outwardly he was rough, but inwardly he was meticulous.”
“He had frequent, but very secret, clandestine meetings with a River Gang sub-leader known as ‘Water Monkey,’ usually at night outside the garrison.”
“Additionally, about half a month ago, a batch of timber was brought in under the guise of ‘repairing barracks.’ However, I secretly inspected it and found that the timber was hollowed out, as if something had been hidden inside.”
【Water Monkey… hollowed timber… 】
A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Biao’s eyes.
Although the core evidence might have been destroyed by the fire, these fragmented clues were like scattered pearls. As long as he found the thread, he could string them back together.
“Well done.”
Zhang Biao nodded to Zhao Hu:
“Continue to lie low, keep an eye on any movements within the garrison system, especially anything related to ‘Water Monkey’ and suspicious supplies, and report to Mr. Song at any time.”
“Yes! Your subordinate understands!”
Zhao Hu bowed to receive the order and quietly retreated, re-merging into the chaotic crowd of the garrison system.
Zhang Biao watched his retreating figure, then looked at the scorched earth, and the corners of his mouth slowly curved into a cold arc.
【 Burn? Can dead things be burned away, or clues from the mouths of living people? 】
【 Geng Zhong is dead, Blue Dragon is useless, but ‘Water Monkey’ is still out there, the origin of that timber used for hiding things can be traced, and that arson suspect with the broken eyebrow and sloped shoulder won’t get far! 】
【 And Black Wind Gully, those two Imperial Guards must have found some crucial clues, which is why they were silenced! 】
Thinking of this, his gaze sharpened, and he immediately ordered Song Zhong:
“Old Song!”
“Here!”
“Four things! Make a note!”
Zhang Biao said in a deep voice:
“First, you will personally interrogate Geng Zhong’s personal guards and try every means to make him talk!”
“Second, take over Raozhou Guard completely, inventory all personnel, and verify the status of that soldier with the ‘broken eyebrow and sloped right shoulder.’ Also, use all your power to find that River Gang leader called ‘Water Monkey’!”
“Third, investigate the origin and final destination of that batch of ‘repair timber’ from half a month ago in detail!”
“Fourth!”
Zhang Biao paused, then looked in the direction Lan Yu had left and said heavily:
“Send more people to Black Wind Gully, conduct a carpet search, and see if there are any new clues!”
“This time, we will follow the vine to find the melon and pull out all the grasshoppers on this line, one by one!”
“Yes!”
Song Zhong immediately took the order and turned to leave.
On the other side.
The Duke of Liang’s entourage left Raozhou Guard and proceeded along the official road back to the post station.
The atmosphere was as oppressive as a coming storm.
Lan Yu rode on his horse, his face still ashen, his lips tightly pressed, not saying a word.
The scene they had just witnessed replayed in his mind.
The betrayal and tragic death of Geng Zhong’s confidant, Blue Dragon’s idiocy, and Zhang Biao’s unyielding, even mocking, gaze and words.
Mr. Liu rode beside him, observing his expression, and sighed inwardly, knowing that the Duke was currently tormented by a mixture of anger, humiliation, and heartache.
He chose his words carefully and slowly began to speak, his voice not loud but clearly reaching Lan Yu’s ears:
“Your Grace, today’s events… were extremely perilous!”
Lan Yu snorted coldly and did not respond.
Mr. Liu continued, “I am deeply disturbed upon further reflection. That Geng Zhong, using his brotherhood with Sixth Master, lured him into a trap. The person behind him has ambitions far beyond a small matter.”
“They clearly intended to use Sixth Master, and even… your influence, Your Grace, to create a conflict with that Zhang Biao!”
His tone became serious:
“Your Grace, please consider, if you had arrived a step earlier today and heard that Sixth Master was ‘murdered,’ and in your rage, clashed with Zhang Biao, who held an imperial decree and was equally unyielding, even drawing weapons… what would have been the consequences?”
Lan Yu’s eyebrows twitched violently.
He was not a fool; he had been driven by emotion just now. Now, with Mr. Liu’s point, cold sweat broke out instantly.
“Although Zhang Biao’s rank is not high, looking at the Emperor’s imperial decree, while admonishing him, it grants him the authority to thoroughly investigate military affairs and mobilize the Imperial Guard, which shows he is in the Emperor’s favor!”
Mr. Liu analyzed, “He is like a knife sharpened by the Emperor himself, specifically to cut down those dark and shady elements.”
“If Your Grace had clashed with him today, regardless of who was right or wrong, in the Emperor’s eyes, you would have become an obstruction to the investigation, and possibly even suspected of involvement in major cases such as ‘raising bandits’ and ‘loss of military equipment’!”
“At that time, the Duke of Liang’s Mansion… would be in danger!”
Lan Yu tightened his grip on the reins, his knuckles turning white.
He had to admit that Mr. Liu was right.
The Emperor’s tolerance and trust in Zhang Biao exceeded the norm.
This madman was now a hornet’s nest; anyone who touched it would be unlucky.
“This murky water of Yingtian Prefecture…”
Mr. Liu looked in the direction of the Capital City, his eyes deep:
“It is deeper and more chaotic than we imagined. Someone is playing a very big game of chess, Your Grace. We must absolutely not be used as pawns and be drawn into the vortex before the situation is clear!”
He looked at Lan Yu and said earnestly, “I implore Your Grace, although today’s events are infuriating, you must… be cautious in your words and actions!”
“Upon returning to the post station, we must immediately compile a secret memorial detailing all that we have seen and heard today, especially Geng Zhong’s demise, his confidant’s silencing and attempted suicide, the strange fire in the Commander’s rear quarters, and Sixth Master’s incoherent state when rescued. Send it to the Emperor with haste!”
“On one hand, it will clarify that our Duke of Liang’s Mansion has no connection to the crimes of Raozhou Guard and express our stance.”
“On the other hand, we will also report the ‘results’ of Zhang Biao’s investigation to the Emperor. As for whether his methods were arrogant, that is for His Majesty to decide.”
Lan Yu listened in silence, his chest heaving violently a few times, and finally, he let out a long, stifled sigh.
Reason gradually overpowered anger.
“What Mr. said… is reasonable.”
His voice was hoarse, with a hint of weariness and helplessness, “It was this general… who almost fell into the trap of scoundrels.”
He admitted that Mr. Liu’s judgment was correct.
But admitting it was one thing, the moment he thought of Zhang Biao’s face, the anger in his heart couldn’t help but surge again.
“That Zhang Biao… a mere Seventh Rank Censor, how dare he be so arrogant!? To talk back to this Duke in front of so many people! Does he have any regard for hierarchy?!”
“Your Grace, in extraordinary times, one must act extraordinarily.”
Mr. Liu said with a wry smile:
“Perhaps it is precisely this ‘madness’ and ‘unconventionality’ that allows Zhang Biao to carve out openings in the treacherous court situation.”
“This person… is indeed a formidable character, ruthless in his methods, and meticulous in his thoughts; he cannot be regarded as an ordinary civil official.”
“Formidable? Humph!”
Lan Yu snorted coldly, but his tone was no longer purely angry, with a trace of incomprehensible confusion:
“How can a scholar understand those autopsy techniques? He even subdued the old coroner. How is this like a Censor? It’s more bizarre than us old killers in the army!”
This was indeed the most baffling aspect for Lan Yu.
Zhang Biao’s behavior completely overturned his perception of civil officials.
Mr. Liu pondered, “His actions are indeed unusual. Perhaps… he truly has some backing that we are unaware of.”
Having said that, he looked at Lan Yu again and said earnestly, “Your Grace, regarding this person, even if we cannot befriend him, we must never easily make an enemy of him again.”
Lan Yu grunted, not refuting, essentially admitting it.
After this incident, his feelings towards Zhang Biao were extremely complex; while he still disliked him, his apprehension had deepened.
Finally, his thoughts returned to Blue Dragon, and an inexpressible pain and anger surged in his heart again.
“And that idiot Blue Dragon!”
Lan Yu cursed, regretting his lack of foresight,
“He was sold and still helped count the money! What kind of sworn brother is this? Decades of affection couldn’t withstand someone’s schemes, leading him to this state! Waste!”
He cursed fiercely, but a hint of imperceptible sorrow flashed in his eyes.
No matter how useless Blue Dragon was, he was still his adopted son. How could he feel good seeing him in such a foolish state now?
Seeing this, Mr. Liu could only sigh inwardly and say no more.
The procession continued in silence, only the sound of horse hooves and rolling wheels remaining.
Lan Yu looked into the distance, his gaze deep.
On this trip to Raozhou Guard, he had lost an adopted son, encountered a mad opponent, and glimpsed the chilling undercurrents beneath the surface.
He knew Mr. Liu was right; he had to report everything to the Emperor immediately and distance himself.
But at the same time, he, Duke of Liang Lan Yu, was not a pushover!
He had noted this debt.
Whether it was the mastermind behind the scenes or that lunatic Zhang Biao…
“Speed up!”
Lan Yu commanded in a deep voice, “Return to the post station as quickly as possible and prepare for the return to the capital!”
He needed to write letters immediately, one to the Emperor, and another… to his adopted sons and former subordinates scattered in various places.
The storm was coming, and he had to prepare early.
…
Last two days, asking for monthly tickets~
