pappabearbooks Chapter 24 This World Is Sick
Chapter 24 This World Is Sick
The capital city.
The Duke of England's mansion occupies a vast area, located between Jiaozhongfang, Fuxue Hutong, and Tieshizi Hutong in Dongcheng District. It also includes a new garden south of Yinding Bridge and north of Haichao Temple.
At this moment, the vast Duke's mansion was deserted, with only a few dim lamps remaining in the main hall.
The sound of galloping hooves approached from outside the gate.
The Duke of Cheng, dressed in white robes and holding a folding fan, pushed open the gate of his mansion.
"Shameless!"
Where are the weapons, armor, and muskets in the armory?
Before he arrived, he was already there, and his furious voice echoed throughout the mansion.
Duke Zhang Shize of England closed his eyes and lowered his head, saying, "You are the supervisor, the Left Pillar of State, the Governor-General of the Capital Garrison, and the Grand Tutor. This warehouse is on fire; why aren't you catching the thieves? What does that have to do with me, a commoner?"
Zhu Chunchen understood this principle well.
In weather like this, they can still perform the trick of burning down a warehouse with a fire dragon.
In reality, the so-called imperial edict was not as effective as the Duke of England's face.
Duke Zhu Chunchen gazed at the heavy snow outside the window, closed his eyes to suppress his rage, and said, "I don't understand, what kind of fire could burn all the weapons and armor inside to ashes?"
"I don't understand at all, when did the Duke of England's mansion fall to such a state of decline?"
"The building was deserted overnight."
"When the country is in trouble, people flee to other places to avoid disaster."
"They're truly birds of a feather, equally treacherous and cunning."
"In the past, my great-grandfather, Duke Cheng, Zhu Xizhong, was the only Grand Protector during the reign of Emperor Shizong. After Emperor Shizong abolished the Tuanying and the East and West Offices, he was appointed to oversee the Rear Army."
"My great-great-uncle Zhu Xixiao was appointed as the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and was in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He personally led the guards to patrol the Western Garden."
"The late Emperor Shenzong was six years old at the time, and the late Emperor Muzong and his great-grandfather died at the same time."
"My great-great-uncle Zhu Xixiao was in charge of the Rear Army Commandery, but he died of illness in the second year of the Wanli reign."
"By the end of the Wanli reign, the titles in my family had changed hands six times, and my father and grandfather died suddenly or committed suicide one after another."
"This rear army was eventually controlled by the British government."
"Your current predicament is entirely of your own making; why bother pretending to be loyal subjects?"
Zhu Chunchen's face was somewhat ferocious.
If the successor to the title dies suddenly, he will either commit suicide.
He endured it, and it was so hard for him.
But patience is not admitting defeat.
He endured until the Duke of Ying, Zhang Weixian, became paralyzed, and until Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne.
Watching his guesthouse rise and fall, I'm afraid they'll run away, otherwise how can this hatred be resolved?
Zhang Shize sneered, "Now, you're finally smug. But the country is about to perish, and we will all perish with it."
Zhu Chunchen leaned down. "What does this Zhu family matter have to do with me? I only ask you, where is the armory?"
Zhang Shize threw his head back and laughed loudly, "Naturally, he's reached where he belongs. Does the Duke truly believe that this bandit will act as you wish?"
"Those who betray their origins will ultimately be rejected by the world."
"Even on the ships to the south, there's no place for the Duke to stay. They've already moved on, but why aren't they including you?"
"see a visitor out!"
"Where are the samurai?!"
Zhang Shize turned around.
Large amounts of black shadows flowed out from beneath Zhang Shize's feet.
Night watchman!
"Here!" The flowing shadow warriors condensed into human form, lined up, and occupied the key points of the Duke's mansion.
The Duke of Cheng crushed the jade thumb ring in his hand into powder, stood up angrily, and walked out of the Duke of Yingguo's mansion.
Stepping out of the mansion, one finds a completely different face.
"So this is what you've come to be?"
"Hahaha."
The carriage arrived at a separate courtyard, flanked by people on both sides.
Luo Yangxing, the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Li Cunshan, the Marquis of Wuqing, Zhang Guoji, the Earl of Taikang, and Zhou Kui, the Earl of Jiading, had been waiting for a long time.
Duke Cheng waved his hand, dismissing the beautiful women on the field.
The smell of perfume lingered in the room for a long time.
Luo Yangxing, the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, narrowed his eyes and asked, "My lord, what's the situation?"
"What else can we do? The Duke of England is young and impetuous, and he's made up his mind to do things his own way. You all should hurry and find where these weapons are."
"But how are we going to explain this to the emperor?"
"Explain what? Nothing happened today!" Duke Cheng glared. "Didn't that idiot in the city want to kill Zhou Yanru? Have the Office of Transmission submit a few memorials, and I, in charge of the Imperial Guards, will stop that fool."
Duke Cheng picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and then walked away.
Zhang Shize's words reminded him that if the rebel Li Zicheng could not tolerate them, he should make plans as soon as possible.
Transferring part of the family business in advance is not enough.
Send the people out as well.
No sooner had the Duke of Cheng left than two people pushed open the door and entered.
He was dressed like a businessman, but he also held official rank. He bowed as he entered.
"Gentlemen Marquis."
"Mr. Han Kuang wrote to us, urging us to make this happen at all costs. Li Zicheng has already cut off the southern trade routes."
Luo Yangxing, the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; Li Cunshan, the Marquis of Wuqing; Zhang Guoji, the Earl of Taikang; and Zhou Kui, the Earl of Jiading, exchanged glances. "You're really willing to part with the treasure ship that the Heavenly Official wants?"
This is not a very common thing.
The two merchants nodded. "Give it to him."
As one of the wealthiest merchant groups in the world, the Pu merchants had guild halls all over the country, allowing scholars from Shanxi to stay there for free.
There are salt lakes and copper mines in the Zhongtiao Mountains.
It's hard not to get rich then.
Marquis Wuqing, Li Cunshan, nodded. "That makes things easier. I'll go and make the trip again."
Marquis Xue Lian of Yangwu pushed open the door and entered, wearing a tiger-skin hat and a deerskin cloak, covered in snowflakes. "Let's go together."
Luo Yangxing, the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, looked at the two men. They were both greedy and would not act without a reason. They must have found a treasure in Tianjin.
The two set off immediately, coming and going in a hurry.
Luo Yangxing, the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, passed through the Dong'an Gate and the Donghua Gate and entered the palace.
The imperial city was silent, but people were filled with unease.
Since Sun Chuanting's death and Li Zicheng's capture of Tongguan, the world had been preparing for a change of rulers. The Heavenly Official also left the capital in November.
As I passed by the Wenhua Hall, I saw Grand Secretary Chen Yan and cabinet ministers Jiang Dejing, Wei Zaode, Li Jiantai, and Minister of Works Fan Jingwen conversing in the hall.
Wang Chengen, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, greeted them with a whisk.
"How is the situation inside the palace?"
"His Majesty has ordered that Zhou Yanru be executed for his crimes."
"What about the armory?"
Luo Yangxing, the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, laughed and said, "It's nothing, just a false alarm. The Duke of Ying's mansion was simply transferring wealth."
"Traitors! They are truly despicable. They have received the country's favor for generations, and it's one thing for them not to think of repaying the court, but to actually commit such a heinous act."
Luo Yangxing, the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, watched Wang Chengen walk towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
What's gotten into this emperor today?
A man sat alone in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Luo Yangxing gently stroked the python robe he was wearing. It was a pity; he quite liked this outfit.
It's a pity he won't be able to wear it for long; the change of dynasties is the most troublesome thing for a lackey of the emperor like him.
Luo Yangxing slowly pushed open the cabinet door.
Grand Secretary Chen Yan was walking his birdcage, with a parrot in his hand mimicking his speech.
Upon seeing the scene inside, Luo Yangxing couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Gentlemen, you certainly have a leisurely and refined taste."
These civil officials have stopped even bothering to pretend anymore.
"The affairs of the city are to be handled by the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Rites. This is a time of peace and prosperity for the nation, so why is the Commander-in-Chief so troubled?"
That's right, Ni Yuanlu, who holds two positions, is currently busy collecting the remains.
"Then I won't disturb your enjoyment any longer."
Luo Yangxing turned his head and looked at this absurd world.
I almost laughed out of anger.
There isn't a single normal person here.
Luo Yangxing stood in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony for a long time, and was soon covered by heavy snow, turning into a snowman.
Until Emperor Chongzhen left the Hall of Supreme Harmony with a dejected expression.
"Your Majesty," Luo Yangxing finally spoke.
"My dear minister." Emperor Chongzhen was stunned for a moment before recognizing Luo Yangxing. He grabbed Luo Yangxing's arm and burst into tears.
The Duke of England's actions filled him with resentment, yet he had nowhere to vent it, wishing he could kill this villain with his own hands.
As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Luo Yangxing waiting silently outside the hall. It was so heartwarming.
The stark contrast made it impossible to suppress my emotions any longer.
Wang Chengen stood silently to the side, tears streaming down his face.
Three shadows gradually disappeared into the snow.