The Ming Dynasty: Reshaping the Land

Chapter 21 Clash

The Marquis of Yichun's Residence.

Huang Bin was sitting in a chair in the main hall, listening to the servant in front of him report on what had happened at the entrance of the Tongzhou granary. His brows gradually furrowed into a deep frown.

"You mean, Liu Chun has already been taken by Li Jinglong?" Huang Bin frowned and asked again to confirm.

The servant nodded: "My lord, this is absolutely true. I saw it with my own eyes. When Liu Chun was taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he was completely paralyzed with fear!"

"Go down! Call Manager Huang here!" Huang Bin ordered, waving his hand after hearing this.

"I'll go right away!"

After the servant left, Huang Bin suddenly picked up the teacup beside him and smashed it on the ground. His face contorted with rage, he muttered angrily, "Li Jinglong, you've gone too far!"

Huang Bin never expected that Li Jinglong would disregard his reputation and personally take action to arrest Liu Chun just because of the caravan incident. This was clearly a move aimed at him.

But Huang Bin was helpless. Li Jinglong had come as an imperial envoy to inspect the opening of the border granaries, and no one could say anything about the officials in charge of dealing with the border granaries.

"My lord, you wanted to see me?"

At this moment, the steward of the Huang family entered the main hall and saw the broken pieces all over the floor. A bad feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

"Has Huang Biao made all the arrangements?" Huang Bin asked after calming himself down.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, it's all arranged. I've sent him to Jizhou to hide for a while!"

"Li Jinglong has taken Liu Chun from Biancang. I'm afraid his next move will be to find Huang Biao. Go and deal with him!" Huang Bin said expressionlessly, his voice cold.

"This...My Lord!" Despite his reluctance, the steward nodded. "I'll take care of it right away!"

However, before the steward could leave, a servant guarding the gate of the Marquis's residence rushed in: "My lord, a group of Imperial Guards has arrived outside, saying they are looking for Huang Biao!"

Huang Bin was startled and gave the steward a look. After the steward left quickly, he ordered his servants to bring in the Imperial Guards.

When Zheng Zheng led his men into the main hall of the Marquis's residence, the broken teacups on the floor had already been cleaned up, leaving only a water stain.

Huang Bin sat solemnly at the head of the table, his gaze fixed on Zheng Zheng as he walked in.

"This humble official, Zheng Zheng, a junior officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, greets Your Excellency!" Zheng Zheng bowed.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is the Emperor's personal army, no need for formalities!" Huang Bin reached out a hand to help him up.

Zheng Zheng cut to the chase: "My lord, I have been ordered to find Huang Biao, the steward of your residence, and to question him at the imperial envoy's post station. I hope you will inform him to have Huang Biao accompany me!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Bin feigned confusion and asked, "Huang Biao is indeed a minor steward in my household. I wonder what he has done wrong?"

Zheng Zheng cupped his hands in apology: "Please forgive me, Your Excellency, but I have no way of revealing this information!"

Huang Bin, having met with a rebuff, gave a dry laugh: "Heh! It was I who spoke out of turn!"

He then changed the subject, "As you know, I'm very busy with military affairs and haven't paid much attention to the stewards in my residence. I'll send someone to fetch them for you right away!"

Having said that, Huang Bin called to his servants, "Go and fetch Huang Biao; the Imperial Envoy wants to question him!"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Steward Huang had some family matters to attend to a couple of days ago and went back to his hometown!" the servant replied, bowing his head.

Huang Bin pretended to be troubled and looked at Zheng Zheng: "Zheng Xiaoqi, you see, this is indeed a bit of a coincidence!"

Zheng Zheng didn't reply, but instead gave his subordinate a cold look: "When the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigates a case, you know the consequences if you don't tell the truth!"

Upon hearing this, the servant shuddered in fright: "Sir, I dare not lie. Steward Huang did indeed leave the manor two days ago!"

Zheng Zheng glanced at Huang Bin, then cupped his hands and said, "My lord, since Huang Biao is not here, I will take my leave! If Huang Biao returns, I hope you will send someone to the post station to inform him!"

"Sure!" Huang Bin agreed with a smile.

"Let's go!" Zheng Zheng shouted loudly to the two people behind him, and then stormed off from the Marquis's residence.

Huang Bin's expression was uncertain; Zheng Zheng had clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with him just now.

As Zheng Zheng stepped out of the Marquis's mansion, his expression darkened. He then beckoned, and a member of the Imperial Guard emerged from a nearby alley.

"Any discoveries?"

"My lord, just now, Huang Haishan, the head steward of the Marquis's residence, came out through the back gate with two men and rode away on horseback! Xiao Liu and Xiao Qi followed!"

Zheng Zheng nodded, instructed his men to keep watch, and then returned to the post station.

"You mean Huang Biao left the Marquis's residence two days ago?" Li Jinglong couldn't help but laugh after hearing Zheng Zheng's report.

Huang Bin's move was even more of a cover-up than an attempt to conceal the truth.

"Yes, Your Excellency, that's what Lord Huang said! However, before I went to arrest Liu Chun, I arranged for someone to keep an eye on the Huang residence. When I entered the residence, Huang Haishan, the head steward of the Huang residence, hurriedly left with his men!" Zheng Zheng replied.

"Did you send someone to keep an eye on them?" Li Jinglong looked up at Zheng Zheng.

Zheng Zheng nodded: "Reporting to Your Excellency, I have already arranged for people to keep an eye on things!"

Li Jinglong nodded, then got up and walked to the side hall to prepare to interrogate Liu Chun.

Since being locked in a side hall by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Liu Chun's last bit of hope has been extinguished. At this moment, Liu Chun only hopes that the Embroidered Uniform Guard can give him a quick death. Otherwise, he really can't withstand the various tortures inflicted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Just as Liu Chun was losing his mind, he heard a creak and the door to the side hall opened, revealing a bright light inside.

Liu Chun looked toward the door and saw a tall, slender young man walk in, followed by two Imperial Guards.

Li Jinglong saw Liu Chun hiding by the wall and asked looking down at him, "You're Liu Chun?"

Hearing someone call his name, Liu Chun straightened his clothes, stood up tremblingly, and replied, "This humble official is indeed Liu Chun!"

Li Jinglong nodded, looked him over, and asked, "Tell me! How did you collude with Huang Biao to embezzle and break the law?"

Liu Chun's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to remain calm and replied, "This humble official does not understand what you mean, sir. Since taking office as the granary official, this humble official has always been law-abiding and dutiful..."

"Show him!" Li Jinglong interrupted Liu Chun's nonsense.

Zheng Zheng took the ledger, walked up to Liu Chun, and opened it. "Look closely, this is all evidence of you accepting bribes!"

Liu Chun only glanced at it twice before cold sweat poured down his face and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"It's not too late to talk now, otherwise, don't blame me for using torture!" Li Jinglong's icy voice struck Liu Chun's already overwhelmed mental defenses hard.

Even if Liu Chun was stupid, he knew who the young man in front of him was. With a "thump!", Liu Chun finally couldn't hold on and knelt on the ground.

With snot and tears streaming down his face, he began to plead his innocence: "Your Honor, I am innocent! I was forced into this!"

"Speak!" Li Jinglong shouted sternly.

"I'll tell you right away!" Liu Chun nodded hurriedly and began to explain in detail.

"I had only been in charge of the granary for a short time when Huang Biao, the steward of the Marquis of Yichun's residence, came to my door. He threatened me while promising me benefits, and asked me to follow his orders and selectively open the granary to receive grain."

"Sometimes, Huang Biao, the steward of the Huang family, would tell me in advance to stall until the other party could no longer delay, at which point Huang Biao would step in, buy the goods at a low price, and then deliver them to the border granary!"

As Liu Chun recounted his story, Li Jinglong's expression grew increasingly cold.

Their own caravans simply refused to accept or reduced the amount by half, while those merchants who had no connections and had traveled long distances to transport grain were easily driven to ruin if they were not careful.

After Liu Chun told everyone he knew, he seemed to have all his strength drained away and collapsed to the ground.

After listening, Li Jinglong merely glanced at Liu Chun before ordering Zheng Zheng, "Detain Liu Chun and pursue Huang Biao with all your might!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"