Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Shan Huafeng was deeply moved by Xu Yunzhen's generosity. He saw the bright yellow gold in the bag gleaming with dazzling light, as if countless little suns were jumping in the bag, emitting an alluring glow! He weighed the heavy weight and estimated that it was at least fifty taels. Such a generous gift was enough to make many people excited.

However, Shan Huafeng did not dare to accept this generous gift easily. He hastily pushed away Xu Yunzhen's right hand and the cloth bag, frowned, and said in embarrassment: "My Lord, since I eat the salary of the king, I should share the worries of the king. The assassination of the king is a national event. According to the rules, this house should be thoroughly searched to find possible clues or suspects."

"Oh!" Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen seemed a little surprised by Shan Huafeng's reaction. He pushed the gold bag to Shan Huafeng again with a bit of urgency on his face, "General Li Qian misunderstood. I meant that you should search as soon as possible and find the assassin to eliminate the harm for the country. This gold is just a little gift for you and your brothers. Thank you for your hard work."

Shan Huafeng was stunned, his eyes moving back and forth between the gold and Xu Yunzhen, with mixed feelings in his heart. In the end, he still took the gold into his arms as if nothing had happened. After all, his subordinates also needed to be taken care of. After getting Xu Yunzhen's permission, he ordered in a deep voice: "Search!"

After a while, a soldier came running back from the side yard in a panic, his face terrified, his voice trembling: "Captain Qian, a dead body was found in the side yard... the side yard!"

Shan Huafeng and Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen were shocked at the same time. The former had a complicated expression on his face, wondering whether the dead body was related to the assassination case; while the latter's expression changed drastically, with a barely perceptible panic flashing in his eyes.

At the same time, the residence of Wang Zhengzhi, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was also in chaos.

Lang Jiwu and Gu Chaosheng stood face to face, both with serious expressions, carefully examining the account books in their hands. No one was better than them at confiscation of property, and their years of experience made them extremely sensitive to every account.

In less than half a day, the residences of former cabinet chief Tang Xingjia and left vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue Wang Zhengzhi were completely confiscated. Tang Xingjia had already sent his family back to the countryside, and only a few servants were left in the house, which seemed deserted. However, his property was still considerable, with a total of 25,000 taels of silver, as well as many famous calligraphy and paintings, antiques and jades, each of which was priceless.

Next, Wang Zhengzhi's residence was searched, with the Jinyiwei responsible for the outer perimeter security and the Dongchang responsible for searching the family property. Hundreds of factory guards swarmed in, aggressively, first capturing the criminal, then rummaging through the cabinets, digging the ground and ponds, searching thoroughly, leaving no corner untouched.

It took nearly two hours to finally complete the inventory. Lang Jiwu looked at the account book and said to Gu Chaosheng, "Admiral Wang, today we found 25,428 taels of silver in Tang Xing's house, and 13,229 taels of silver from famous calligraphy and paintings, antiques and jade, totaling no more than 40,000 taels. Tang Xing was the top scholar in Lin Xiaofeng's thirteenth year, and entered the cabinet in his sixteenth year, so it's reasonable to find such a family property."

Gu Chaosheng glanced at the numbers on the account book and nodded slightly. However, when he saw the account of Wang Zhengzhi, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he couldn't help but frown. The account book clearly stated a total of 157,826 taels.

"It's quite a bit," Gu Chaosheng swallowed greedily, a gleam of greed flashing in his eyes, "Wang Zhengzhi only started working in the Ministry of Revenue in April of the fifteenth year of Lin Xiaofeng. Confiscating so much silver is enough to cover the task."

Lang Jiwu smiled bitterly and shook his head. He was obviously not satisfied with the number. "Before he came to the Ministry of Revenue, he was the Minister of the Imperial Household Department. This position is a lucrative one."

Gu Chaosheng frowned for a moment, realizing the seriousness of the problem. What kind of position is the Taipusi? It is in charge of the horse policy and animal husbandry of the Ming Dynasty, and holds the power of horse households, pastures, and horses across the country. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War, and the official rank is from the third grade, which is a real lucrative position.

Horse households are households that raise horses. They are assigned by the government to jointly undertake the corvée of raising horses and need to deliver a certain number of horses to the court on time. Because of the task of raising horses, their corvée and land tax were exempted by the court. However, during the Chenghua period, with the implementation of the system of converting taxes and labor into silver, the horse policy system, which was essentially corvée, also began to be converted into silver through various channels. Therefore, the task of handing over horses to the court can be converted into silver for payment. If horse households do not raise horses but still enjoy the privilege of exemption from corvée and land tax, the Imperial Household Department will collect fodder silver from them. Vacant pastures can also be rented out to collect silver. Over time, the position of the Imperial Household Department became a lucrative position in the eyes of everyone.

Wang Zhengzhi was first the Minister of Imperial Household Department and later the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. It was unreasonable to find only 150,000 taels of silver in his home. Gu Chaosheng thought for a while and said, "If you think it's too little, you can get it back from Zhu Chunchen later!"

"Two different things!" Lang Jiwu raised his voice and warned, "I think His Majesty is different today. Don't lose your favor because of this little money. His Majesty attaches great importance to this assassination incident. We can't let greed ruin the important matter."

"If you don't tell me and I don't tell you, how would His Majesty know?" Gu Chaosheng obviously didn't take Lang Jiwu's warning to heart.

Lang Jiwu was choked, and sighed to change the subject: "The next one will be the Chengguo Mansion, what are your plans?"

Gu Chaosheng smiled sinisterly and said, "We are your majesty's sword. We can kill anyone you tell us to kill. Not to mention Duke Cheng, even Earl Jiading is no problem." Earl Jiading Zhou Kui is the father of Queen Zhou and Lin Xiaofeng's father-in-law, and he holds a prominent position.

Lang Jiwu was frightened by Gu Chaosheng's words. He put his index finger on his lips to keep quiet. "Admiral Wang, be careful. Too much talk will lead to mistakes! The Earl of Jiading is not someone we can discuss casually."

Lang Jiwu didn't really care about Gu Chaosheng. He was able to take the position of Jinyiwei Commander only because of Gu Chaosheng's support. If Gu Chaosheng was convicted, he would also be implicated. Therefore, his words were more about worrying about his own future.

Gu Chaosheng didn't take it seriously at all. He ordered the factory guards to divide the property into two parts, one part was registered and handed over to the Ministry of Revenue, and the other part was moved to the secret warehouse of the East Factory to wait for distribution. These silver and property were a huge fortune for them, enough to make them excited.

Afterwards, the group arrived at the gate of the mansion of Duke Chengguo Zhu Chunchen. The clean and tidy streets, the towering courtyard walls, and the imposing gate of the mansion came into view. The mansions of Duke Chengguo, Duke Dingguo, and Duke Yingguo were all on this street. The three mansions complemented each other, highlighting the noble status of the Ming nobles.

Gu Chaosheng gritted his teeth and ordered, "Boys, here comes the tough part. This is the residence of Duke Cheng, the twelfth Duke Cheng of the Ming Dynasty. If we do it well, we will not get any credit, but if we don't, it will all be hard work. You all better cheer up and don't make any mistakes."

"Do you know what to do?" He glanced at the factory guards sternly.

"All under the supervision of the factory supervisor!" The factory guards answered in unison, their voices loud and firm.

Gu Chaosheng swallowed his saliva, feeling a mixture of uneasiness and anticipation. He walked up the steps and was about to knock on the door, but was interrupted by the sound of horse hooves behind him. He turned his head and saw two horses galloping from the same direction. The sound of horse hooves was like thunder, breaking the tranquility of the early morning.

From the clothes of the people coming, one can tell that he is a Jinyiwei and the other is a Dongchang guard. They came to Gu Chaosheng and Lang Jiwu respectively and said a few words in a low voice. There was a bit of urgency and uneasiness in the words, which made Gu Chaosheng and Lang Jiwu change color at the same time.

"Your Majesty was assassinated?" Gu Chaosheng was stunned, unable to believe his ears. This news was like a bolt from the blue, shocking him.

"Say it again!" Lang Jiwu thought he had heard wrongly, so he asked the Jinyiwei who delivered the message to repeat it. The emperor was assassinated? This was a big news in every dynasty, no, it was a big scandal! If the emperor had any mishap, those ministers and nobles would crush to death those who were responsible for the emperor's safety. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a palpitation.

After confirming the news was correct, Gu Chaosheng was the first to react. He shouted, "Men, someone dared to assassinate His Majesty, follow me to catch the assassin!" His voice was filled with anxiety and anger, as if he wanted to concentrate all his strength at this moment.

"Yes, sir." The factory guards answered in unison, their voices full of firmness and determination. They knew the severity and importance of this moment, and everyone was tense and ready to act.

Lang Jiwu also drew out the Embroidered Spring Sword from his waist, raised it above his head and shouted: "Jinyi Guards!" His voice resounded through the sky, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

"Here!" The Jinyiwei responded in unison, their voices like thunder. They knew the severity and importance of this moment, and everyone was prepared.

"There is a thief trying to assassinate your majesty. According to reliable information, the assassin is hiding in the mansion of Duke Dingguo. You must surround the place immediately and don't let even a fly escape!" Lang Jiwu's voice was filled with anxiety and anger. He knew the difficulty and danger of this mission, but he also understood the responsibility and mission on his shoulders.

"Did you hear that?" he asked again, scanning the Jinyiwei with a sharp gaze.

"As you command." The Jinyiwei responded in unison, their voices full of firmness and determination. They knew the severity and importance of this moment, and everyone was tense and ready to act. An unprecedented storm was about to sweep across the entire capital, and they would be the strongest shield in this storm.

Dingguogong Mansion is no ordinary place! It is located in the heart of the capital, covering a vast area. The mansion is majestic, and the red walls and green tiles sparkle in the sun, like a small imperial palace. The pavilions and towers in the mansion are scattered and the exotic flowers and plants compete for beauty, giving it a rich and prosperous atmosphere. However, behind this prosperity, there are unknown secrets hidden.

Someone said there was a dead person hiding here? As soon as this was said, Shan Huafeng, the captain of the Yongwei Battalion, started shaking, and the bag of gold ingots fell to the ground silently, making a clang sound that was particularly harsh in this quiet mansion. His face turned pale in an instant, and his eyes widened, as if he had seen something horrible.

At this moment, Gu Chaosheng and Lang Jiwu just walked into the mansion, and by chance, they just heard the word "dead". Their steps paused involuntarily, and they looked at each other, with a hint of doubt and vigilance in their eyes.

"Hey, Admiral Wang, Commander Lang, what brings you here?" Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen came up with a panicked look on his face. He was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe and a jade belt on his head, but at this moment, his face was full of smiles, and a hint of barely perceptible panic flashed in his eyes. If it was just Shan Huafeng alone, maybe he could still fool around. But now that the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang people are here, it's impossible to hide it.

Gu Chaosheng was much smarter than Shan Huafeng, and he didn't dare to respond to Xu Yunzhen's words. He was tall and had a dignified face, but at this moment, his brows were tightly furrowed and his eyes were deep. This matter was too big. If it was found that Duke Dingguo was related to the assassination, then the person who talked to him would also be in trouble. It's better to be careful to stay safe!

He leaned close to Shan Huafeng and asked in a low voice: "General Li Qian, where is the emperor?" His voice was low and powerful, as if it contained some irresistible majesty.

"I don't know." Shan Huafeng answered with a bitter face. He was a burly man, wearing armor, but he looked a little embarrassed at this moment. Gu Chaosheng was a third-rank official, while Qianzong was only a small official of the sixth rank. According to the rules, Shan Huafeng had to call himself a "lower general". His heart was full of regret and uneasiness. If he had known earlier, he should not have coveted that little bit of gold. Now, he might get into big trouble!

"Where is the dead man?" Lang Jiwu asked. He was thin and had a sinister look, but he seemed particularly excited at this moment, as if he was full of anticipation for the secret that was about to be revealed.

Shan Huafeng was so angry that he slapped his armor on his chest. He had no choice but to order his men: "Lead the way!" There was a hint of helplessness and anger in his voice. If the murderer can't be found, this dead man will have to take the blame! There is nothing he can do about it. The court officials want an explanation, and the emperor wants one too! The Yongwei Battalion, Jinyiwei, and Dongchang have to give an explanation to the emperor! If the murderer can't be found, this dead man is the best explanation!
The group hurriedly walked through the corridors and courtyards of the mansion and came to a remote corner. They saw a thin male corpse lying in the corner of the yard, his face pale, his eyes closed, as if he died with his eyes open. His clothes were tattered, and his body was covered with scars and blood, which made him look particularly miserable.

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

Lin Xiaofeng sat on the warm couch, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, but the chill in his heart made him unable to feel a bit of warmth. After traveling through time for so long, this was the first time he was so close to death. Although he was mentally prepared, it happened too suddenly. If he hadn't dodged sideways at that time, the arrow might have penetrated the armor and injured him.

He closed his eyes, and the image of the thin male corpse and the prosperous scene of the Duke Dingguo's Mansion emerged in his mind. There seemed to be some mysterious connection between the two, which made him feel palpitations.

"Gongsun Yuchun..." Lin Xiaofeng silently repeated this name in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. This person was too ruthless, saying that he was just gesturing, but in the end he really did it! No, he must be punished! A trace of anger flashed in his eyes, but was immediately suppressed by reason.

"Your Majesty..." Guo Tianyang's hip injury had been treated. Two young eunuchs supported him as he walked into the palace gate despite the pain. His face was pale, but his eyes were unusually firm.

Lin Xiaofeng saw Guo Tianyang and asked with concern, "Are you okay?" There was a hint of worry and concern in his voice.

"Your Majesty, I only suffered some minor skin injuries, it's nothing serious!" Guo Tianyang said with a grin, but his eyes revealed an unyielding will.

"That's good. Come, please give him a seat." Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand, signaling the eunuchs to prepare a seat for Guo Tianyang.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I...can't sit down." Guo Tianyang shook his head with a wry smile. Although the injury on his hip was not serious, the pain prevented him from sitting down.

"Then stand still. Has the assassin been caught?" Lin Xiaofeng asked in a pretended angry tone, but his heart was filled with anticipation and anxiety. Although Gongsun Yuchun had gone too far, Lin Xiaofeng still hoped that he had not been caught, otherwise the Jinyiwei would really have no one to use.

"The Yongwei Battalion, Jinyiwei, Dongchang, and Wucheng Bingmasi are all investigating. I estimate that there should be results by now." A young eunuch hurried into the hall to report.

"Well, I have summoned Gongsun Yuchun to see me. I have something to tell him." Lin Xiaofeng nodded, already having a plan in mind. He wanted to see how Gongsun Yuchun would explain what happened today.

Not long after, Gongsun Yuchun hurried into the hall and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I, Gongsun Yuchun, pay my respects to you. I heard that your Majesty encountered an assassin on the way back to the palace. I am terrified and have come to pay my respects." There was a hint of trembling and uneasiness in his voice, as if he was really worried about the emperor's safety.

Lin Xiaofeng seemed to have seen and heard nothing, and casually picked up the memorial on the table and flipped through it. In the Ming Dynasty, official business was called a memorial, and the memorial used when asking for favors or confessing guilt was called a memorial. He deliberately ignored Gongsun Yuchun, wanting to see how this cunning guy would respond. Gongsun Yuchun knelt on the ground and didn't say anything. Of course, he knew why the emperor didn't let him get up. He secretly regretted his impulsive behavior today, but at the same time he was somewhat glad that he shot the assassin in time, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

After kneeling for about half a quarter of an hour, I heard Lin Xiaofeng say, "Stand up. All of you step back, and no one is allowed to come in and disturb us without my order." There was a hint of majesty and an unquestionable air in his voice.

After the eunuchs and the people in charge of the daily records had left, Lin Xiaofeng put down the memorial and said calmly: "Gongsun Yuchun, you are so brave!" His eyes revealed a complex emotion, including anger and expectation.

"I am guilty!" Gongsun Yuchun did not get up, but knelt on the ground and kowtowed to admit his guilt. His heart was filled with regret and uneasiness, knowing that his actions today had angered the emperor.

"Guilt? Tell me yourself, what crime have you committed!" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was filled with a hint of sarcasm and dissatisfaction. He wanted to see how Gongsun Yuchun would defend himself.

"I failed to rescue Your Majesty in time and almost got Your Majesty injured." Gongsun Yuchun said with a serious face, as if he really felt guilty for his dereliction of duty.

Lin Xiaofeng was almost amused by Gongsun Yuchun. He stood up and walked to Gongsun Yuchun, patting him on the shoulder: "Are you too immersed in the play? There are no outsiders here now, so don't act stupid." There was a hint of teasing and dissatisfaction in his voice.

Gongsun Yuchun raised his head. Although he did not dare to look directly into the emperor's eyes, he said with a serious expression: "Your Majesty, I am not pretending to be stupid. I was just trying to launch a sneak attack on your Majesty's carriage, but suddenly I saw someone on the wall of Duke Dingguo's Mansion aiming a crossbow at your Majesty." There was a hint of trembling and uneasiness in his voice, as if he was really scared of the situation at that time.

"It was too late for me to stop him, so I could only shoot the man first. Fortunately, Your Majesty was not injured, otherwise I would not be able to wash myself clean even if I jumped into the Yellow River." Gongsun Yuchun continued to explain, his eyes revealing a sincerity and earnestness.

Lin Xiaofeng stood there, his whole body cold. Waves of fear surged up from the bottom of his heart, pounding around in his body, and his limbs became stiff. It turned out that the arrow was not shot by Gongsun Yuchun, but by someone else! Who could it be? His heart was filled with doubts and uneasiness.

The first person Lin Xiaofeng thought of was Duke Dingguo, but he immediately overturned this guess. This guess was too obvious, and anyone with a little common sense would not believe it. However, he could not completely rule out his suspicion! His heart was full of contradictions and entanglements.

Lin Xiaofeng turned around and sat back on the warm couch, stretched out his hand to signal Gongsun Yuchun to get up, and asked him to sit on the stool next to him. Gongsun Yuchun was extremely excited after being granted a seat! What does being granted a seat represent? Looking at the civil and military officials in the court, how many people have been granted a seat by the emperor? Very few! This is a great honor and trust!

Before Gongsun Yuchun could sit down, Lin Xiaofeng asked, "Who do you think is the murderer behind the scenes?" There was a hint of anxiety and expectation in his voice, as if he wanted to get the answer from Gongsun Yuchun.

Gongsun Yuchun suppressed his inner excitement, thought for a while and said: "I don't know who did it, but I think the most urgent task is to find the murderer behind the scenes. Don't arrest him after you find him. It won't be too late to arrest him after Your Majesty has finished other things!" There was a hint of caution and rationality in his voice, as if he was really concerned about the emperor's safety.

Lin Xiaofeng narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you teaching me how to do things?" There was a hint of dissatisfaction and majesty in his voice, as if he was dissatisfied with Gongsun Yuchun's proposal.

Gongsun Yuchun was so frightened when he heard this that cold sweat broke out on his back. He was so proud just now that he got carried away! Your Majesty has his own plan, and even if he doesn't, it's not his turn to make decisions! His heart was filled with regret and uneasiness.

"I shouldn't have said that. I deserve to die!" Gongsun Yuchun was so frightened that he kowtowed and confessed his guilt. His heart was filled with fear and anxiety, knowing that he had angered the emperor.

"Forget it, forget it. You are someone I trust, so I won't punish you this time. Some things can only be understood but not expressed in words. Do you understand?" Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand and said, with a hint of tolerance and depth in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng was stunned, thinking to himself, Gongsun Yuchun, a man with a strong body and a resolute face, was really rude. He knelt on the ground without hesitation, revealing an indescribable determination in his eyes, and continued: "What I said is the truth, Your Majesty, please punish me." There was an unquestionable sincerity in his words.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled bitterly, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. He patted Gongsun Yuchun on the shoulder and said, "In the Ming Dynasty, it is rare to find someone as honest as you." There was some emotion and relief in his tone.

"I am terrified." Gongsun Yuchun bowed his head and responded, his voice was a little humble, but more determined. He knew that his honesty might win the trust of His Majesty, which was what he had always pursued.

"In a few days, I want you to take charge of the Jinyiwei. What do you think?" There was a hint of expectation in Lin Xiaofeng's words. His eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, and he stared straight at Gongsun Yuchun.

Gongsun Yuchun's sturdy body shook slightly. He didn't expect that His Majesty would think so highly of him. The sense of loss from the previous dynasty instantly disappeared. An indescribable excitement surged in his heart. This had always been his dream, and now it was about to come true!

In fact, when Lin Xiaofeng asked him to assassinate, Gongsun Yuchun had already had a premonition. But he didn't expect that this trust would come so quickly! He felt the burden on his shoulders was extremely heavy, and knelt down again and said: "I accept your order and thank you!" There was a little trembling in his voice, but more determination.

"How many death warriors do you have among the Jinyiwei in the capital?" Lin Xiaofeng asked, with an indescribable light flashing in his eyes, as if he could see through everything.

"Your Majesty, there are more than a hundred people." Gongsun Yuchun answered respectfully, with a hint of pride in his voice, but more of loyalty to His Majesty.

"That's enough!" Lin Xiaofeng's mouth curled up into an excited smile, and his eyes flashed with an indescribable ambition. He came here with his memories, and only wanted to do two things: rob money and kill people! Now, he seemed to see his plan being realized step by step.

"You don't have to find the murderer. I have three other things for you to do." There was a hint of majesty in Lin Xiaofeng's words. His eyes seemed to be able to see through everything, staring straight at Gongsun Yuchun.

"I accept your order." Gongsun Yuchun responded without hesitation, his voice was firm and full of loyalty to His Majesty. He knew that this was His Majesty's trust in him and an opportunity for him to show himself.

"The first thing you should do is to find out which businesses are transporting food and fodder to the Ministry of Revenue and armor, weapons, and firearms to the Ministry of Works. Then find out which ministers in the court have close contacts with them, especially the merchants from Shanxi and Jiangsu and Zhejiang." Lin Xiaofeng gave detailed instructions, his eyes flashing with an indescribable cunning.

Gongsun Yuchun silently kept it in mind. He knew that this was a very important matter and understood His Majesty's expectations of him. He would definitely go all out to complete this task.

"The second thing is to imitate the handwriting of these people and write a few secret letters." Lin Xiaofeng said, picking up a pile of memorials from the table and handing them to Gongsun Yuchun. There was an indescribable coldness in his eyes, as if he had seen the fate of those people.

Gongsun Yuchun opened the memorial and took a quick look. He felt his scalp tingling. There were nobles, court officials, and even deceased people. The deceased was the former cabinet chief Tang Xingjia, and his memorial was also among them. He wondered in his heart, what crimes did these people commit to make His Majesty so angry?
He asked respectfully, "Your Majesty, what are the requirements in the secret letter?" There was a hint of caution in his voice, but more of it was awe for His Majesty.

"These people are colluding with the bandits. I need evidence." Lin Xiaofeng said coldly, with an indescribable chill in his eyes. He knew that these people were his enemies, and he must catch them all in one fell swoop!
"I obey your order!" Gongsun Yuchun hid the memorial in his arms without hesitation. He knew it was a very dangerous thing, but he was willing to take the risk for His Majesty!
Lin Xiaofeng was very satisfied with Gongsun Yuchun's performance. He nodded and continued, "The third thing is a bit tricky and there may be casualties." There was an indescribable worry in his eyes, as if he had seen the coming storm.

"I have received your grace, and I am not afraid of life or death!" Gongsun Yuchun responded firmly. His voice was a little excited, but more of it was his loyalty and determination to His Majesty. He knew that this was a test from His Majesty, and also a chance for him to show himself!
"Okay! The third thing is a big event that will shake the capital!" Lin Xiaofeng's words were full of mystery. His eyes seemed to be able to see through everything, staring straight at Gongsun Yuchun. He knew that this matter would definitely shake the capital, and would also make those people terrified!

Big news? Gongsun Yuchun was shocked and immediately became energetic. An indescribable excitement and anticipation surged in his heart, as if he had already seen the upcoming victory!
"Tonight at midnight, you must massacre the residences of former Cabinet Prime Minister Chen Yan and Military Secretary Guang Shiheng. Remember, do it quietly and cleanly. All men, women, old and young in the residence must be executed, leaving no one alive. All property must be looted, don't give it to me, just keep it for yourself." Lin Xiaofeng's words were a little cold, and his eyes seemed to be able to see through everything, staring straight at Gongsun Yuchun. He knew that this incident would definitely scare those people!

Gongsun Yuchun was silent for a moment. He did not expect that the emperor would kill people in such a low-key way. No matter who he killed, he should not hesitate. However, he hesitated for a moment and said with difficulty: "Your Majesty, there are patrols from the patrol camp and the Jinyiwei in the capital at night. Although my people are good at fighting, if they are discovered by them, they will inevitably have a hard battle. Life and death are small matters, but ruining your majesty's plan is a big deal." There was a bit of worry in his voice, and more of loyalty and caution to your majesty.

Gongsun Yuchun's worries were not without reason. Although the patrol camp and the Jinyiwei were weak in combat power, they had the advantage of numbers. If a conflict occurred, if the other side had support, they would be exhausted to death. Not only would they fail to complete the mission, but they would also lose manpower, which would not be worth the loss.

Lin Xiaofeng already had a plan in mind. He shook his head slightly and said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of the others." There was an indescribable confidence in his eyes, as if he had already seen the upcoming victory!
"As you command!" Gongsun Yuchun bowed and left quickly. He knew that time was running out and he had to complete the task as soon as possible!
As soon as he walked out of the palace gate, Gu Chaosheng and Lang Jiwu walked in side by side. They both knelt on the ground at the same time, with different expressions. Gu Chaosheng said with a worried look on his face: "I wonder how your majesty is doing? I am guilty and frightened your majesty." There was a bit of self-blame and fear in his voice. Lang Jiwu's face was full of anxiety: "Your Majesty, I failed in my duty. Please give me a chance, I will definitely bring the murderer to justice!" There was a bit of firmness and determination in his voice.

When the emperor left the palace, the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang shared the responsibility of guarding the perimeter. Regardless of whether they were present at the time or not, they were the first responsible persons. If something like this happened, the emperor would blame them, and they would be blamed.

Lin Xiaofeng had a hint of mockery on his lips: "Okay, I'll let you commit suicide, go ahead." His voice was a bit cold and sarcastic. He knew that these two people were incompetent, and keeping them would only cause trouble!

Gu Chaosheng and Lang Jiwu were stunned. They were the emperor's favorites and were deeply trusted by the king. Although today's incident was serious, it was not a death sentence in their eyes. Besides, now was the time to use people, how could His Majesty be willing to let them commit suicide?
However, since the words came out of Lin Xiaofeng's mouth, they dared not disbelieve them. After a moment, Gu Chaosheng was the first to beg: "Your Majesty, please spare my life! Your Majesty, please spare my life! Although I have failed in my duty, I beg Your Majesty to spare me for my loyalty. I am willing to make meritorious contributions and find the real culprit behind the scenes." There was a hint of pleading and earnestness in his voice.

Lang Jiwu saw this and began to imitate Gu Chaosheng. He kowtowed and cried: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me!" He was not as eloquent as Gu Chaosheng, so he could only kneel on the ground and kowtow to beg for mercy. His voice was miserable and his tears were flowing, which was very touching. However, Lin Xiaofeng was unmoved. He looked at the two people coldly, with disgust and contempt in his heart.

Lin Xiaofeng was upset by Lang Jiwu's crying. What was he thinking at that time? He actually let such a guy become the commander of the Jinyiwei! Sad and hateful! He wanted to let Li Ruo Lian take charge of the Jinyiwei in a few days. After all, the internal relationship of the Jinyiwei was complicated. Once there was a change in the top management, the internal situation would be chaotic for a while. But now, he changed his mind. He wanted to let Gongsun Yuchun take over the Jinyiwei as soon as possible, otherwise under the leadership of Lang Jiwu, the Jinyiwei would be useless.

After a clear analysis, Lin Xiaofeng ordered Guo Tianyang outside the door to draft an imperial decree. His words were filled with an unquestionable majesty and determination: "Lang Jiwu, the commander of the Jinyiwei, failed to perform his duties and failed to supervise. He is now dismissed from his post and sent to the imperial prison to await his fate; Gu Chaosheng, the governor of the East Factory, was convicted of dereliction of duty, but considering his loyalty and donations to the court, he will be temporarily spared. He is ordered to solve the assassination case within three days and make meritorious contributions; as for the vacancy of the commander of the Jinyiwei, Gongsun Yuchun, the commander of the Jinyiwei, will fill it; Pang Zijin, the lieutenant general of the Yongwei Battalion, who has made meritorious contributions to the emperor's protection, will be promoted to a higher rank and awarded 500 taels of silver. The rest of the people will be awarded 5 taels of silver each. That's it for now!"

Lang Jiwu had nothing to say, so he could only kneel down and accept the order: "I, the guilty minister, Lang Jiwu, thank your majesty for your grace!" His voice was filled with helplessness and sadness. Before he could finish his words, Guo Tianyang ordered the Jinyiwei outside the door to take Lang Jiwu away. The two Jinyiwei were very realistic. They didn't care about the face of the former Jinyiwei commander at all. They tied Lang Jiwu tightly with ropes and pushed him out of the palace.

Gu Chaosheng first knelt on the ground to receive the order, and then knelt for a long time to report the situation: "Your Majesty, there have been important discoveries in the assassination case. I kneel down and beg Your Majesty to listen." There was some urgency and earnestness in his voice.

"I'm listening." Lin Xiaofeng said calmly, with an indescribable light flashing in his eyes, as if he could see through everything. He knew that Gu Chaosheng would definitely bring some useful information.

"Who do you think is the real culprit behind this?" a man asked cautiously, his eyes flickering in the dim light, as if he was afraid that the answer would bring more anxiety.

"This matter is of great importance. I dare not speak carelessly." Another person answered in panic. His voice was low, as if every word carried a heavy burden.

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! No one can sleep peacefully until the truth comes out!" Lin Xiaofeng ordered angrily. His voice echoed in the empty hall with unquestionable majesty. As an emperor, he was assassinated in the capital, which made him feel unprecedented anger and fear. If he hadn't been wearing armor, he would have met with an accident. This mastermind dared to assassinate the emperor, how audacious!
Lin Xiaofeng's eyes swept across the empty hall. Every light seemed to tremble, reflecting his determined and angry face. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner waves, and then slowly said: "Guo Tianyang, draft an edict: The emperor has been assassinated, the prince will move south immediately, and martial law will be implemented in the capital tonight! To ensure the safety of the prince, except for the soldiers guarding the city, all other people in the three camps will be stationed outside the imperial city; the patrol camp, Jinyiwei, and Dongchang will gather outside the Meridian Gate and wait for orders. In addition, transfer 1,000 people from the Dongchang and Jinyiwei to escort the prince to Nanjing."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Guo Tianyang's voice was crisp and clear. He quickly picked up the pen and began to draft the decree.

After Lin Xiaofeng announced his will, Gu Chaosheng stepped forward respectfully, his eyes revealing a trace of worry: "Your Majesty, the Duke Dingguo's Mansion is now surrounded by heavy siege. I wonder what your Majesty's will is?"

Lin Xiaofeng did not answer immediately. He looked through the window at the dark night sky outside. The moon was blocked by clouds, and only a few sparse stars were twinkling. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "How is the progress of the house seizure?"

"Your Majesty, the homes of Tang Xingjia and Wang Zhengzhi have been raided. Before we could even raid Duke Chengguo's mansion, we heard the news that Your Majesty had been assassinated." Gu Chaosheng's voice was low and powerful, and every word revealed his loyalty to the emperor.

"I'll give you two hours to thoroughly search and confiscate the mansion of Duke Chengguo, otherwise you will be punished for multiple crimes! As for Duke Dingguo... I'm tired, let's talk about it tomorrow." Lin Xiaofeng's voice revealed fatigue and helplessness, and his eyes flashed with complex emotions.

"As ordered, I will take my leave." Gu Chaosheng did not dare to stay for long, and left quickly after bowing. His figure gradually disappeared in the dim light, leaving only a series of heavy footsteps.

After the palace door closed, Lin Xiaofeng closed his eyes and began to review his plans for tonight. This first night was crucial. If everything went according to plan, perhaps half of the Ming Dynasty could be saved. Scenes emerged in his mind: the route of the prince's migration to the south, the fate of Chen Yan and Guang Shiheng's family, and the wealthy mansions of those nobles... Every detail was related to the future of the Ming Dynasty.

"Guo Tianyang, call Pang Zijin." Lin Xiaofeng's voice broke the silence in the hall.

Pang Zijin soon arrived at the Qianqing Palace, where he and Lin Xiaofeng had a secret conversation for a while. The content of their conversation concerned the fate of the country and the life and death of individuals, and every word was full of tension and seriousness. When Pang Zijin left, the sun had already set, and his figure stretched out in the afterglow of the sunset, as if carrying a hint of ominous omen. (End of this chapter)