This Great Yu Needs a Bloody Purge

Wei Shuo's words mildly surprised Ren Tianye.

After all, Wei Shuo was an imperial son-in-law who had been loyal to the Great Yu imperial court his entire life. Even though Ren Tianye had saved his life, could a mere life-saving grace make a man of such integrity change his allegiance and join him?

In some ways, this was no different from betraying Great Yu!

Seeming to see through Ren Tianye's thoughts, Wei Shuo immediately said, General Ren, the reason I am so willing is, on one hand, because you saved my life.

The doctor just told me that I, Wei Shuo, will live.

With such a great favor, even if I have to climb a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of fire in the future, I will never frown.

On the other hand, it is because I have the utmost respect for you, General Ren.

I have stayed in the northern frontiers and know the ferocity of the northern barbarians. I also know that once the north is in chaos, it is full of arrogant soldiers and fierce generals, making it incredibly difficult to subdue. Yet you, General Ren...

You subdued the entire northern frontier and even sent troops straight into the barbarian heartland. Such a great achievement is something I could only dream of but never accomplish. Therefore, it is my honor to serve under your command.

Hearing this, Ren Tianye could not help but chuckle.

Actually... it was not as hard as imagined!

Whether it was Yunji City, Sifang City, Shanhe City in the north, or even the surging barbarians, fighting them was quite easy.

Especially since he had a lucky general like Wang Ming by his side.

It made things even easier.

Of course, Ren Tianye had thought about it afterward. Why could he always get what he wanted without shedding blood? After pondering it, he felt the biggest reason was that he had mastered the underlying codes of this world.

There is another reason... Wei Shuo continued, However, please allow me to keep you in suspense about this matter for now.

When the current affairs are settled, I will explain everything to you in detail, General Ren, including... why you can never recruit any manpower in this vast capital, a place teeming with civil and military officials and prominent noble families.

Ren Tianye looked into Wei Shuo's eyes and, seeing no deceit, nodded and said, Alright, I, the Grand Commandant, must still give General Wei Shuo face.

It is just that I am somewhat curious.

What matter is so important that General Wei Shuo absolutely must do it.

In truth, Ren Tianye already had his suspicions, but he did not voice them directly, preferring to observe Wei Shuo's reaction.

He saw a sharp glint suddenly shoot from Wei Shuo's eyes, like two soul-piercing blades. His emotions surged instantly but were quickly suppressed as he replied, General Ren, it is a family matter.

I have lived a cowardly life for the first half of my years. For the rest of my life, I want to live a completely new way. You have given me an opportunity, General Ren, and I will definitely seize it well.

Ren Tianye smiled.

It was roughly what he had expected.

He also felt quite comforted in his heart.

Saving Wei Shuo had not been in vain.

He reached out and patted his shoulder, saying, Just focus on recovering from your injuries. Once you are healed, I have an important task for you.

There is a large army stationed outside the capital gates. When the time comes, I will give you a chance to mount a horse and wield a blade once again.

Wei Shuo naturally understood what this meant and instantly grew excited.

This excitement even made him want to climb out of bed to thank Ren Tianye.

He never expected that in his old age, when he was on the verge of death, he would still be able to maneuver freely and charge into battle with a blade just like in his youth. This life had not been lived in vain!

Ren Tianye offered a few more words of comfort before getting up to leave.

After stepping out the door, he said to Wang Ming beside him, Go and investigate something for me.

Great General, is it to investigate the matter regarding General Wei Shuo's daughter?

Yes, go investigate.

This subordinate will definitely investigate it thoroughly and clearly!

Wang Ming emphasized the last few words heavily.

This brought a wave of satisfaction to Ren Tianye. Wang Ming was becoming more and more handy to use.

...

Pei Manor, the separate courtyard.

Pei Jingzhi, carrying a jug of wine, staggered unsteadily to Wei Chengye's door and called for it to be opened.

Wei Chengye usually managed the armory and the inner treasury. Although his position was important, it was relatively leisurely. He often woke up late and took a long while to open the door.

Seeing Pei Jingzhi before him, he was instantly startled.

Lord Pei, what happened to you?

Come, come, come, drink, drink with me.

What is going on?

Wei Chengye was astonished. In his impression, Lord Pei had always possessed the demeanor of a gentleman and was extremely particular about his attire. Lord Pei's wife was especially skilled in this regard, always tidying Pei Jingzhi up so immaculately and handsomely that he looked many years younger.

Why...

Was the man before him so disheveled?

His hair was scattered all over, as if he had been freezing in the cold wind for half the night.

Drink!

Pei Jingzhi slammed the wine jug onto the table. As soon as he sat down, his face turned flush red, and he immediately began cursing profusely. Damn it, she is just a singing girl, a mere singing girl raised in my manor.

I still hold her deed of indenture, yet she dared to make me wait outside the door for half the night, being blown by the cold wind for half the night, only to finally say that Chancellor Han's letter was more important and try to dismiss me?

And that Chancellor Han is just a down-and-out scholar who even has a wife, barely maintaining a glamorous life by living off his wife's family. Is there something wrong with her head?

Wei Chengye was a core member of this secret plot and basically knew all of Pei Jingzhi's plans. Hearing Pei Jingzhi say this, he naturally knew who Pei Jingzhi was referring to.

Hongxiu!

That extraordinarily gorgeous and outstanding Hongxiu!

What?

Was this Hongxiu so audacious?!

A lowly wretch worse than a servant girl dared to be so arrogant in the Pei Manor?

This was outright rebellion.

But... After venting, Pei Jingzhi's indignant tone dropped, but his expression was utterly agonized. But I, as an official, still have to rely on her now. I cannot do anything to her for the time being and must carefully coax her...

Heh, heh...

It is truly laughable!

I have been praised by His Majesty as a pillar of the state. Over the years, I have been building water conservancy projects, providing disaster relief, or benefiting local regions, earning the love of the people. I have reached the high position of Minister of the Imperial Household, yet now I have to coax a lowly singing girl?

And a singing girl from my own manor at that?

Can singing girls nowadays all be like this?

Or is it that this Great Yu is sick, and all the people under its rule are like this?

Pei Jingzhi was clearly feeling aggrieved and wanted to vent.

After all, he had received His Majesty's blood edict and formulated a rather meticulous plan with Chen Liang, but nothing had gone smoothly.

Lu Qing refused to see him, the Eldest Princess rejected him... He thought that once he returned to his manor, he would finally be in complete control, right?

As a result, a lowly singing girl dared to lecture him on grand principles, using the excuse that it was inconvenient for a grown man and woman to interact, forcibly delaying his schemes.

Who could he pour out this grievance to?

He could only speak a few words to this Wei Chengye inside the manor.

Wei Chengye also saw that Pei Jingzhi was merely pouring out his depression, so he spoke little and just drank with him. The two of them did not even prepare any side dishes; they just drank bare wine, and Pei Jingzhi soon became drunk.

Wei Chengye had Cai Genhua go call for people. After sending Pei Jingzhi back, he also quickly fell into a drunken stupor. Just as he lay down, he felt someone gently taking off his shoes, their movements soft, before covering him with a cotton quilt.

Wei Chengye slowly grew groggy and gradually lost consciousness.

When he woke up again, the sky was already dark. A single lamp flickered in the room like a bean. Under the dim light, a woman was sitting nearby, sewing and mending. He only felt his throat burning like a knife, so he forced himself to call out, Water, water...

Master, you are awake?

Cai Genhua hurried over, already holding a cup of hot tea in her hands. After drinking it, he instantly felt much better. Handing the teacup back, he finally noticed that the vomit from his drunken haze had been cleaned up. Everything in the room seemed to have been quietly tidied while he slept, appearing exceptionally bright and clear.

Master, this humble one has prepared some rice porridge. It is keeping warm in the kitchen. I will go bring it for you right now.

The rice porridge was sweet and clear, carrying a slight salty flavor that was particularly appetizing. It made Wei Chengye involuntarily eat two small bowls, and his body felt much more comfortable. Looking again at Cai Genhua, who was busying herself around him, his heart suddenly stirred.

Under the lamp, she seemed exceptionally gentle.

Having listened to the words of the Female Emperor Xiao Mingzhao, Wei Chengye had stayed away from women for many years, not even keeping a maidservant. Yet at this moment, a ripple formed in his heart.

...

The Grand Commandant's Manor.

Great General, General Wei Shuo has recovered about forty to fifty percent of his health. He could not wait to get out of bed and came to find this subordinate, wanting me to beg a favor from the Great General.

Wang Ming knelt on one knee, reporting.

What is it? Men and horses?

Ren Tianye asked, having already faintly guessed Wei Shuo's intentions.

It is men and horses, but he does not want our Northern Frontier Army, Wang Ming said. General Wei Shuo stated that he hopes the Great General can issue an order allowing him to select some of his former comrades from the Imperial Guards.

To go do some things with him.

Ren Tianye understood. It was true that Wei Shuo wanted men, but Wei Shuo was the Marquis of Changping, held great prestige in the army, and had long resided and served in the capital. With his abilities and character, it was impossible that no one would be willing to follow him.

Since this was the case, Ren Tianye naturally would not reject his request.

He immediately wrote a letter and had Ruyue personally deliver it to Lu Qing. The excited Lu Qing immediately treated Ren Tianye's letter as if it were an imperial edict.

Upon receiving the command, Ren Tianye stamped it with his Grand Commandant's seal and had Wang Ming hand it over to Wei Shuo. He also ordered Wang Ming to keep an eye on things, curious to see to what extent Wei Shuo could achieve his goals.

After all, this would determine how heavily Wei Shuo would be relied upon by him in the future.

By evening, Wang Ming sent a personal guard back to report.

Great General, General Wang Ming asked me to report to you that General Wei Shuo first went to the Southern Palace Army and then to the Northern Palace Army. Holding the transfer order, he selected one thousand guards from them.

General Wang Ming also asked me to report that these one thousand guards are mostly his former subordinates from when he was the Commandant of Guards, along with a small number of original Northern Frontier soldiers who are General Wei Shuo's old troops.

These people are incredibly loyal to General Wei Shuo!

Ren Tianye nodded. A centipede dies hard; it was perfectly normal that Wei Shuo could mobilize so many people. In fact, even without his and Lu Qing's hand-written orders, Wei Shuo probably could have easily mobilized these men anyway.

And those he mobilized were all trusted followers. This clearly showed he was going to make a major move, and a highly unconventional one at that, otherwise he would not need so many men willing to die for him.

Ren Tianye became increasingly interested.

Early the next morning, Wang Ming sent another personal guard to report.

Great General, General Wei Shuo has driven everyone out of the martial arts arena at the Zhuolong Garden in Shanglinyuan, clearing the grounds. Furthermore, he just sent people to the Eldest Princess's Manor.

Holding your hand-written order, along with General Wang Ming, it seems he intends to invite the Eldest Princess to that martial arts arena.

What?

Ren Tianye could not help but frown.

The martial arts arena at Zhuolong Garden in Shanglinyuan?

Wasn't that the royal family's exclusive martial arts arena?

Why did he go there?

What did this mean?

I heard from General Wang Ming that this arena is the site where General Wei Shuo held his martial arts tournament for marriage proposals years ago. It was right there that General Wei Shuo won the title of martial arts champion and was granted a marriage by the late Emperor on the spot.

Ren Tianye instantly understood.

Then, he frowned again.

What was Wei Shuo bringing the Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi there for?

That was where they began, so he wanted to settle things there?!

But deliberately bringing her to the place where they affirmed their love was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere.

Damn it, will it just end with the Eldest Princess apologizing?

Thinking of this, Ren Tianye's beautiful mood instantly soured.

He still held rather high expectations for Wei Shuo, but it seemed Wei Shuo was going to let him down.

Ren Tianye could only continue to wait for news from Wang Ming.

This time it was fast. Almost as soon as the previous guard left, the next guard rushed in.

Great General, ignoring General Wang Ming's attempts to stop him, General Wei Shuo insisted on leading the one thousand elite guards straight to Censor Wang's manor, and he has surrounded it.

General Wang Ming says General Wei Shuo intends to kill Censor Wang.

As soon as the words fell, Ren Tianye was startled.

What?

Kill Censor Wang?

He looked up out the window. The sun was shining brightly; it was broad daylight.

And he was going to kill Censor Wang?

No way?!

He had led an army of a hundred thousand into the capital, yet considering the issue of public sentiment, he had only dispatched people to patrol and guard. He had never even thought of killing someone in the streets, as that would easily draw the condemnation of thousands.

After all, he wanted the entire Great Yu empire, not just to sit on the throne for a few days before being chased off.

But now...

Wei Shuo wanted to kill someone in the streets?

No wonder Wang Ming tried to stop him!

This Grand Commandant will go see for himself.

Ren Tianye immediately led his men to rush over.

At this time, Wei Shuo stood with his men before Censor Wang's manor. He rode a snow-treading black horse, wearing black iron fish-scale armor, and held a cold iron tiger-head spear. He looked majestic and awe-inspiring. Though no longer in his prime, he still retained the demeanor of his youth.

Under his command, loyal soldiers had already rushed into Censor Wang's manor and dragged Censor Wang out.

However, Wang Ming, standing to the side, was somewhat anxious.

He knew Ren Tianye's plans and attitude after entering the capital, and he knew even better the impact of killing someone in the streets. Therefore, he did not agree with this. It was just that... he had only brought a hundred personal guards with him, while Wei Shuo's one thousand men were absolutely loyal to Wei Shuo. He found himself somewhat unable to stop Wei Shuo.

General Wei Shuo, must you do this?

Having no other choice, Wang Ming asked one last time.

General Wang Ming, I, Wei Shuo, am well aware of your concerns. I have received great kindness from General Ren and will not cause trouble for him. But please, General Wang Ming, trust me.

This Great Yu, this capital...

Needs a great massacre!

...