The First Lackey Under The Empress

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, before dawn, the yamen runners of the county government, carrying notices and paste, posted the news of the Purple Cloud Palace's destruction in places where pedestrians were sure to pass throughout the county seat.

Not only that, but the prefect even ordered the notices to be sent to all the counties under the jurisdiction of the prefectural city, ensuring that the matter would be known to everyone within seven days.

As expected.

When the common people saw the notices, they were all in an uproar, shocked and dismayed, and the teahouses and taverns were filled with discussions.

"The Purple Cloud Palace's Immortal Lu colluded with rebellious traitors? And was thrown into prison? Is that really true?"

"How could that be? What kind of figures are the immortals of the Purple Cloud Palace? Not to mention rebellious parties, even if the officials wanted to arrest them, could they even catch them?" Someone questioned.

"Heh heh, you don't know, do you? The prefect has already come to Fengcheng, and not only that, but there must be powerful experts in the batch of government soldiers who entered the city yesterday. The immortals on Purple Cloud Palace have powerful immortal techniques, but doesn't the imperial army have experts too?"

"The notice also said that the Taoists on the mountain abducted and defiled women… If that's really the case, then they should be killed! Public beheading in seven days? I'll go watch when the time comes!"

The attitudes of the people in the city varied, and even those who were indignant because their revered immortals were arrested, wisely hid their curses in their stomachs when they thought of the government soldiers in the city.

In a corner of the teahouse, Wu Ling finished his large bowl of tea, put down a few copper coins, and got up to leave.

After many twists and turns, he arrived at a private residence in the city.

After knocking on the courtyard door, more than a dozen local branch leaders, including Lin Yuebai disguised as a man and the young Kou Qichi with the temper of a little tiger, or people of small leader level, gathered around a stone table, rising to their feet at the same time, with pairs of eyes looking over.

"What's the situation on your side?"

A middle-aged man with a beard asked. He was the branch leader of Fengcheng.

Wu Ling took off his straw hat and mask, and said solemnly:

"It seems that the Grand Tutor's prediction was correct. That Zhao thief has indeed come, and not only that, but he has also captured Alliance Master Lu."

Lu Zhengchun's code name within the Assist the Righteous Society was "Alliance Master".

"Bang!" Another small-eyed branch leader from Linfeng Road slammed the table and said:

"Too much! The Zhao thief is vicious, clearly trying to use Alliance Master Lu's life to lure us out."

Lin Yuebai, with her big and bright eyes and a cloth bag hanging from her waist, frowned and said:

"It seems that the Zhao thief deliberately spread the news everywhere. Now we can't act rashly and must ask the Grand Tutor for instructions."

Among the crowd, a middle-aged woman, also a backbone member of the society, said:

"Everyone, don't panic. Since the beginning of the year, the Grand Tutor has secretly ordered us to mobilize the members of the society around Binhai Road, as well as the peripheral Jianghu people, to secretly gather in Fengcheng, waiting in hiding. Isn't the purpose to deal with the court's dogs?

With the Grand Tutor's wisdom, there will definitely be arrangements. We just need to obey orders."

The young Kou Qichi looked excited:

"Then what are we waiting for? Quickly report to the Grand Tutor.

Last time at Huting, we failed to kill that Zhao thief. This time, the Grand Tutor has been planning for a long time, deploying troops and generals. Now our large number of people are hiding in various parts of Fengcheng, just waiting for the Grand Tutor's order to rise up and kill the thief!"

The crowd was excited, rubbing their fists and palms, with both resentment and excitement.

Wu Ling glanced at the crowd and sneered in his heart:

Do you really think that Lord Zhao is easy to deal with? Just wait, in seven days, it will probably be your day of destruction.

… …

… …

Inside a grape manor somewhere in Fengcheng.

Many of the members who were exchanged back were still being kept in the manor, and they were still unaware of the changes that had taken place in the city.

At noon, Yun Xi silently took her lunch from the dining hall back to her room.

After recuperation, the scars on the girl's body had gradually faded, but her beautiful face showed a coldness and maturity that was different from before.

No one was surprised.

After being released from the government prison, it would be abnormal if she didn't become more mature.

Yun Xi took a sip of soup, then grabbed a steamed bun and ate it with pickled vegetables, but after taking a few bites, she suddenly frowned.

Lowering her eyes, she found that there was actually a paper roll sandwiched inside the half-eaten steamed bun.

"… …" Yun Xi was silent for a moment, then got up and went to the doors and windows, carefully looking around to make sure that no one was around, before quickly taking out the paper roll stained with oil and unfolding it.

On the paper roll, a string of strange numbers and symbols was written.

Yun Xi silently recalled the "codebook" that Zhao Du'an had told her to memorize before she was released from prison, and deciphered the symbols using a special pattern.

After a moment, she understood the information in the secret letter.

Yun Xi repeatedly confirmed that there were no mistakes, decisively stuffed the paper roll into her mouth, swallowed it down her throat, and then picked up the soup bowl to wash it down.

Then she sat down again, calmly finished her lunch, and sent the tableware back to the kitchen.

During the process, she stopped a member of the Assist the Righteous Society in the village who was responsible for taking care of (monitoring) the prisoners:

"Uncle Wu, I have something important I want to notify the Grand Tutor about."

The bald middle-aged man named Uncle Wu was stunned for a moment: "What is it?"

… …

Purple Forbidden Mountain Manor.

In the pavilion next to the cliff, Zhuang Xiao became sat cross-legged inside, with a chessboard placed in front of him.

There were no pieces on the chessboard, only the latest intelligence sent by the members of Fengcheng was placed there. Qi Yuchun and Ren Kun were standing in the pavilion.

"Beheading in seven days, just as you predicted. This Zhao Du'an does indeed have a backup plan." Qi Yuchun, whose spear never left his hand, looked grave.

Ren Kun, who was hugging his arms, looking slightly frivolous, and wearing a khaki-colored robe, glanced at the Grand Tutor, whose demeanor and bearing could be called "unparalleled in the country":

"What to do? People have already set up their formation, just to use Lu Zhengchun and others as bait, openly asking us to save them. How are you going to respond?"

Zhuang Xiaocheng looked calm, seemingly not surprised:

"Lu Zhengchun must be saved. But although we have many people, most of them are Jianghu people, not good at fighting the government army head-on. If we rashly charge over, we will only be defeated."

"So?" Qi Yuchun asked, he was a little anxious, because of the failure at Huting last time, he really needed to kill Zhao Du'an to wash away the shame of his failure.

The Grand Tutor with fluttering sleeves was about to speak, when he suddenly paused and looked into the distance.

A member of the society was seen running straight along the winding corridor, stopping in the pavilion:

"Reporting to the Grand Tutor, Commander Qi, Immortal Master Ren… Lao Wu from the prisoner camp sent a message, it was… sent by your disciple Yun Xi."

Zhuang Xiaocheng's eyes lit up: "What did she say?"

The latter said: "Yun Xi said that she suspects that there are several people who have problems. She said that last time you told her to keep an eye on the surrounding prisoners, and she has been paying attention…"

As he spoke, the member presented the intelligence provided by Yun Xi.

Zhuang Xiaocheng took it, unfolded it, and found that it was a list of suspected personnel, and several names on the list were already known to Zhuang Xiaocheng, and he guessed that they were court spies.

And at the top of the entire list, the name ranked first was:

"Wu Ling."

Zhuang Xiaocheng's eyes were deep, and he crumpled the letter into a ball, murmuring:

"He really has a problem! This old man suspected it from the beginning. When the bewitching real people died in Zhao Du'an's hands, how could Wu Ling have successfully escaped? The bewitching Taoist is someone who would rather die than drag others down with him…

After that, the assassination at Huting was suspected of leaking information… Fortunately, this old man never really trusted him, so he never let him know the location of the headquarters."

Qi Yuchun's face sank: "Wu Ling has a problem? I'll go capture him."

"No need!"

Zhuang Xiaocheng shook his head, and said lightly:

"It's not appropriate to startle the snake at this time. Didn't you ask me how to respond? Pass down the order to disperse the people in the grape garden prisoner camp and integrate them into the various departments waiting for orders in Fengcheng, and divide the people down the mountain into multiple teams.

In seven days, launch an action according to my orders. As for Wu Ling… Hmph, let him lead the team to rob the execution ground."

"Really going to rob the execution ground?" Ren Kun looked at the old fox suspiciously.

Zhuang Xiaocheng smiled:

"The virtual and the real, the real and the virtual, Zhao Du'an wants to play a game of chess with this old man, can't let him down."

Qi Yuchun and Ren Kun looked at each other, both unable to understand what the old fox was thinking.

"By the way, don't send all of those prisoners out. In seven days, bring the people on this list back to the mountain,"

Zhuang Xiaocheng picked up a pen, wrote a list, and pressed it on the chessboard, pushing it over with his fingers. He said with emotion:

"Always have to leave some useful people."

The two lowered their eyes and looked at the still wet handwriting on the paper, among which was Yun Xi's name.

Therefore, to protect themselves, the surrounding families, Jianghu martial artists, scholarly families, large and small officials… all rushed to Fengcheng upon hearing the news, seeking an audience with Yama Zhao. Those who couldn't get to see him turned to seek an audience with Prefect Luan.

To sever ties with Lu Zhengchun, Zhao Du'an also waved his hand and simply invited this group to watch the beheadings together.

“Killing the chicken to scare the monkey. Among these local forces coming to me, there must be many who are involved with the rebel party.

But it doesn't matter. When His Majesty learned that there were internal traitors in the court secretly helping the Eighth Prince, he did not choose to investigate thoroughly, but instead pardoned them. This official's magnanimity cannot compare to His Majesty's, but I also know the principle that those who gain the Tao will receive much help, while those who lose the Tao will receive little help.”

Zhao Du'an said this while sitting in a rocking chair in the courtyard of the inn, listening to the report.

“Tell Luan Cheng to convey to these people that this official will only punish the ringleaders and will not implicate others.”

“Yes.”

And when Yama Zhao's promise was spread, the heads of those local forces who were anxiously waiting at the Jinfu Inn and outside the county government office all breathed a sigh of relief.

They all scrambled for the spots to watch the beheadings, fearing that their stance would not be clear enough.

……

……

In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the beheadings.

Early in the morning, Jinfu Inn.

When the first ray of dawn shone into the lobby through the crack in the door, Zhao Du'an walked down the stairs and saw Haitang and the others already waiting.

Today, Zhao Du'an had changed into his official robes, and the Jinyi of the Zhao Yamen had also changed into their fish-dragon uniforms, with sabers hanging from their waists.

Lang Shiba and Ji Yue were still dressed as before, mainly to stand out.

After hesitating, Gongshu Tianyuan still didn't wear his divine priest robe. According to him, it was not appropriate to represent the Tianshi Mansion in such matters.

“There may be a fierce battle today, are you all full?” Zhao Du'an joked, looking around at everyone.

Hou Ren patted his belly and smiled at Shen Juan, Qian Kerou and other direct subordinates:

“Don't worry, sir, we've been holding back for a long time.”

“Good,” Zhao Du'an said spiritedly, smiling freely, “Follow this official.”

Haitang suddenly looked at Gongshu Tianyuan: “Isn't Golden Slip Divine Priest going with us?”

The fifth disciple of the Tianshi Mansion said “Oh” and said lightly:

“Junior Sister is too sleepy right now, let her sleep. It doesn't matter, after she advances to the Worldly Realm, she can use the spell 'Moon in the Water' to travel, which is comparable to teleportation. If needed, she can arrive quickly.”

Haitang recalled Jin Jian's habit of “sleeping during the day and going out at night” and accepted this explanation.

She frowned again: “Those two shadow guards aren't here either?”

This time, the one who answered was the little secretary Qian Kerou: “They were sent out by the lord last night, with another mission.”

Mysterious… Haitang muttered, but she also knew that Zhao Du'an was good at scheming, and he must be holding back something bad today.

She couldn't help but feel curious.

……

The group left Jinfu Inn and went straight to the county government office.

When they arrived at the county government office, they found that Vice General Yuanji was leading a large group of soldiers, who had already blocked the streets.

Lu Zhengchun and more than thirty disciples of the Zixiao Palace, who had been reviewed and exposed each other, and were determined to be beheaded according to the law, were all disheveled and wearing prison uniforms, their hands and feet bound with iron chains.

The lower abdomen of their prison clothes was stained with blood - they had been pierced with nails into their Qi Sea in prison to destroy their cultivation.

Lu Zhengchun was awake. At this moment, the once infinitely glorious warlock had disheveled hair and a heavy yoke around his neck.

His face was haggard and his eyes were fierce.

Under the **** of a group of soldiers, he looked up at Zhao Du'an, who was riding a horse, and suddenly cursed:

“Zhao family lackey! You will not die well… Ah!”

Next to him.

Vice General Yuanji, whose figure was almost like a mountain of meat, punched him hard, smashing the old Taoist, whose magic power had been sealed, into a bow like a shrimp, kneeling on the ground and vomiting violently, but because he had not eaten for seven days, he could not vomit anything.

“Da da da…” Zhao Du'an reined in his horse and stopped, looking down at Lu Zhengchun condescendingly, and said sarcastically:

“Palace Master Lu, what did you say just now? This official didn't hear clearly.”

Lu Zhengchun dry heaved on the ground, trying to raise his head, staring at him fiercely, without saying a word.

Zhao Du'an smiled, ignored the dying man, and looked at Prefect Luan Cheng, who was welcoming him.

Today, Prefect Luan also wore a scarlet official robe and a black gauze hat, followed by Zhang Jian, a guard with a long and a short saber hanging from his waist.

“Young Protector Zhao, the prisoners are all here, you can go to the execution ground immediately.”

Luan Cheng said, paused, and then said with a worried expression:

“This official received news that there has been some unrest in the city in recent days…”

“It doesn't matter,” Zhao Du'an smiled faintly, pointing to the clear sky above: “Today's execution, soldiers will block when soldiers come, and earth will block when water comes.”

“...Okay.” Luan Cheng could only nod, but he was still uneasy in his heart.

As a civil official, he had rarely experienced such a murderous battle in his life as an official.

The group marched mightily towards the autumn execution ground.

The most famous execution ground in the capital is “Caishikou”, which was established because of the dense flow of people.

Fengcheng does not have Caishikou, but it also has a special “autumn execution ground”.

The purpose of public beheadings is to be seen by people, so as to clarify the law and deter the people.

Now it is not after autumn, but Zhao Du'an holds a gold medal, so everything is simplified.

The execution ground is located near a crossroads. At this moment, there are already many people waiting around.

Mainly those local families who came to take sides and show their attitude, and outside, there were Jianghu people who came to join in the fun, and the common people who came to watch the excitement.

In an era of entertainment scarcity, what a spectacle it was to have a dignified “immortal” killed?

And when Yuanji, wearing armor and carrying a war hammer, arrived with a large number of officers and soldiers, sealing off the entire execution ground, the forest of swords and guns created its own power.

“Go in!”

The officers and soldiers waved their whips, driving Lu Zhengchun and more than thirty evil Taoists into the execution ground, knocking them down one by one and kneeling on the ground.

The executioners waiting here inserted execution wooden plaques behind their heads.

Immediately, they carried the beheading knives and stood behind the prisoners.

Zhao Du'an and other officials, including Prefect Luan, sat at the table and chairs where the supervising officer was located.

The cold wind in late winter was blowing gently, but today was a rare sunny day. The entire execution ground was solemn and majestic. The surrounding crowd whispered, pointing fingers at the dying Taoists.

“Young Protector Zhao,” Prefect Luan sat next to him, glanced at the sky, and said softly:

“Do we have to wait until three quarters past noon? It's still early now, I'm afraid we'll have to wait a long time.”

Zhao Du'an said faintly: “Since it is a beheading according to the law, we should abide by the time.”

Luan Zhifu hesitated and said: “Can you give this official a hint, if the rebels take action today…”

Zhao Du'an smiled and said:

“Does Prefect think that these people under this official can flatten the Zixiao Palace, but can't defend this mere execution ground?”

“No, no… This official just thinks that Zhuang Xiaocheng is a deep-minded person, so blatant, what if he doesn't come?” Luan Cheng worried.

Zhao Du'an smiled and said: “They will come.”

Seeing that he was so sure, Luan Cheng had to shut his mouth. He thought helplessly that although he was the nominal supervising officer today, he actually didn't know what arrangements Zhao Shaobao had made.

Did he not trust himself?

Luan Cheng glanced at the nearby officers and soldiers, and the several “experts” behind Zhao Du'an, and thought, I'm afraid that in the eyes of this young protector, he, the prefect, is also suspected of colluding with the rebels.

He is sitting here today to supervise the execution, just like those local forces' family heads watching below, who are all taking sides?

Time passed by.

The sun slowly slid into the sky.

More and more people gathered around the execution ground, and the surrounding flags drooped loosely.

There was not even a breeze in the air.

Zhao Du'an closed his eyes and sat in the supervisory seat, as if he was asleep.

Finally.

When the time came to three quarters past noon, a clerk beat a gong and shouted:

“It's three quarters past noon!”

Zhao Du'an suddenly opened his eyes and said calmly:

“Prefect, give the order.”

Luan Cheng took a deep breath, expressionless, threw out the token in his hand with the word “斩” written on it and a circle drawn on it, and said calmly:

“The time has come, execute!”

On the execution ground.

The Taoists kneeling one by one cried out in horror, trying to break free, but they were fixed and unable to move.

“Master!”

“We don't want to die…”

“Zhao thief, you will not die well…”

Some begged, some cursed, and some shed tears in despair.

Lu Zhengchun narrowed his eyes, slowly raised his head, and looked at the dazzling sun in the blue sky.

He felt the wooden sign behind his neck being pulled out and thrown down. The burly executioners picked up the strong wine, sprayed it on the blade with their mouths, and then moved their arms, slowly raising the execution knife.

“Zhuang Xiaocheng, aren't you going to do it yet.” Lu Zhengchun murmured, finally revealing a trace of panic in his eyes.

At this moment.

A sudden roar spread from the crowd: “Do it!!”

Buzz!!!

In the distance, many archers hidden in the dark simultaneously released their bowstrings, and dense arrows fell like rain towards the execution ground.

“Rob the execution ground!”

Thanks to the good person 111 for the 172 points of currency reward... Why is there a fraction...