plumnovel Chapter 27 First Clash
Chapter 27 First Clash
As expected of the emperor's personal guard, they received far more supplies than ordinary officials.
Official documents, waist badges, official seals, and Jinyiwei uniforms were issued. A centurion was a sixth-rank official, and he wore a blue robe, a black gauze hat, a plain silver leather belt, and black boots, and was equipped with a goose feather knife. He did not wear the flying fish robe and embroidered spring knife that everyone in the TV series had.
There is another set of court robes, which are only worn during grand ceremonies.
The rest of the military equipment had to be obtained from the Northern Garrison Office in the capital. I heard that in addition to cloth armor, there were also chainmail and crossbows. When going on missions, one could also apply for muskets, making them incredibly powerful.
In addition, the emperor also bestowed upon them a gift: ten taels of silver, and two bolts each of silk and cloth.
Even Jia Min is more generous!
As for the salary, it was 120 shi of rice per year, and that was it!
The price of dry grain remained at 0.5 to 0.7 taels per shi. What could you do with that amount of silver in the capital?
No wonder the Embroidered Uniform Guards are all ruthless and greedy; they were all forced into this state by poverty.
While complaining about the emperor's stinginess, Liu Feng opened the last box.
It was a visiting card, but not the usual visiting card a disciple would use to pay respects to a superior. It was an official visiting card from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. With this, Liu Feng could openly and legitimately meet the Prefect of Jinling.
As Liu Feng was wondering what kind of expression the prefect of Jinling would have upon seeing this visiting card, footsteps suddenly came from the back hall.
Liu Quan entered, bowing low, and said in a low voice, "Warden, Centurion..."
Liu Feng snapped out of his daze: "What is it?"
Liu Quan pulled a letter from his sleeve and handed it over, his hand trembling slightly: "My mother asked me to give this letter to you."
"I don't eat people, why are you trembling!"
Liu Feng took it with a hint of annoyance, but when he opened it, his eyes immediately lit up. It was Lin Daiyu's handwriting.
The letter detailed the history of the Embroidered Uniform Guard: After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he re-established the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a system inherited from the Ming Dynasty, to intimidate officials. The current commander is Captain Qiu, the son of the previous commander.
Although Commandant Qiu inherited the official position, he did not inherit the power and influence of his father. After Emperor Yankang ascended the throne, the Northern Garrison Command was placed under the emperor's direct control and directly administered by the Directorate of Ceremonial. Commandant Qiu was left with only the Southern Garrison Command, which was merely a nominal position.
The letter also mentioned many old grudges and entanglements between the Northern Garrison and the civil and military officials in the capital...
This girl knows quite a lot; hmm, she must have found it out from Jia Min.
Liu Feng felt a warmth in his heart; it wasn't for nothing that he had spoiled her—oops, I mean, the snacks he bought weren't for nothing.
After folding the letter and putting it in his pocket, Liu Feng turned to Liu An and said, "Send these things to my courtyard." With that, he picked up his goose-feather knife, fastened his waist tag, took his visiting card, and went to meet the prefect of Jinling to avoid any unforeseen complications.
......................
The prefect of Jinling seemed to have known that Liu Feng was coming. He sat upright in the main seat of the second hall, drinking tea and quietly watching Liu Feng walk in.
Liu Feng entered the second hall, clasped his hands behind his back, sat down on a guest chair, and went straight to the point: "Your Excellency has excellent skills, always one step ahead of me. I admire you."
The prefect of Jinling slowly put down his teacup, his expression calm: "Liu, you might as well speak frankly, there's no need for all this beating around the bush."
Liu Feng stared at him.
The prefect of Jinling remained calm and composed, showing no sign of distress.
"The imperial court has a clear decree that current officials who frequent brothels will be punished with eighty strokes of the cane."
Liu Feng lightly tapped the tea table with his fingertips, his voice not loud, yet sharp, "In Jinling City, who doesn't know that the Prefect enjoys studying Kunqu opera at Shuyu Academy?"
"To catch a thief, you must see the dirt; to catch an adulterer, you must be in pairs. To make baseless accusations without evidence is unacceptable. Be careful, or I will impeach you." The Prefect of Jinling remained as cold as ever.
Liu Feng laughed in anger: "The Prefect's mistress is still locked up in prison."
"Are you threatening this government?"
"I wouldn't dare."
The Prefect of Jinling snorted coldly, lightly tapping the visiting card on the table with his fingertip: "I am a fourth-rank official, a proper high-ranking court official. Without an imperial edict or a formal invitation, your Northern Garrison Command doesn't even have the right to question me, let alone try to control me. A visiting card is only good for intimidating minor officials; it's useless before me!"
Good heavens, he knows more than I, a mere centurion of the Northern Garrison. It would be strange if there wasn't something fishy going on.
Liu Feng thought to himself, "Lin Daiyu also mentioned the imperial edict in her letter. It's very powerful; it represents the emperor's own order."
However, this thing was under the control of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, and before it could be used, it required the emperor's approval and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs' official seal, which was equivalent to an arrest warrant issued by the emperor.
"The imperial court has clearly stated that the vulgar words of prostitutes should not be trusted."
The prefect of Jinling slowly rose, placed the visiting card beside Liu Feng, and added casually, "Let me remind you again, the upright officials in the capital love to target the Embroidered Uniform Guard, especially the Northern Garrison."
Liu Feng raised an eyebrow: "Is the Prefect threatening me?"
The prefect of Jinling turned and sat back in his chair, his tone indifferent: "Commander Liu will soon be going to the capital to take up his post. I have nothing to give him, only a few kind words."
Liu Feng waved the visiting card: "With this visiting card, you should be able to go to the canal boatmen's guild and get the person, right?"
The prefect of Jinling's eyes flickered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and said slowly, "The peach blossom season in March is here, with swift currents and high waves. Commander Liu, please be careful."
Has the defense been breached?
Liu Feng smiled inwardly. He really didn't dare to go, but he didn't back down: "They all call me Liu the King of Hell. Whoever I set my sights on will die. I want to see if anyone in the boatmen's gang will die." He stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and strode out.
The butler came out from the back room and made a throat-slitting gesture.
The prefect of Jinling raised his hand slightly: "He is now a centurion of the Northern Garrison. Killing him would be tantamount to declaring war on the imperial power, which would be a losing proposition."
The butler grew impatient: "Are we just going to let him continue this nonsense?"
The prefect of Jinling sneered: "That man in the Qianqing Palace is a cold-hearted person. At most, if they can't find anything within six months, that will be his death day."
The butler nodded.
"Is everything alright with the boatmen?" the prefect of Jinling asked again.
The steward bowed and said, "Don't worry, sir. Every time we transport goods, we sneak into the ship convoy at night. They have no idea what's on board."
"That's good." The prefect of Jinling closed his eyes. "Lin Ruhai has cut off the capital's source of income, and they urgently need money. Sell off all the properties under his name, and as soon as the Ministry of Personnel's document arrives, we'll set off for the capital immediately."
"Go to the capital?!" The steward's voice suddenly rose. "With that Liu fellow causing such a scene, the palace will definitely be watching you, sir. Going to the capital now would be like pushing you into a fire pit!"
The prefect of Jinling was silent for a moment, then said, "I went there precisely to attract the attention of the palace. It's easier for me to act while they remain hidden in the shadows."
Butler: "But..."
The prefect of Jinling raised his hand to interrupt: "I have always been a loner and have no ties with anyone. They won't find a single clue. Besides, there's nothing about me that they can use against me."
Helpless, the butler could only bow and retreat.
The prefect of Jinling slowly closed his eyes and murmured, "A scholar will die for one who understands him..."
......................
As Liu Feng walked out of the government office gate, he smiled.
He wasn't acting on impulse; he had thought it through carefully. The imperial edict had arrived, and the emperor's spies were surely there too.
He did it on purpose for the emperor's benefit.
Whether he has the ability or not is another matter; his attitude must be correct first, and he must let the emperor see his "daring." As long as he has this courage, the emperor will use him.
After taking a few steps, Liu Feng suddenly turned around and looked into the depths of the government office gate.
He had a feeling that they would meet again in the capital, and perhaps then, right under the emperor's nose, they would have a showdown to determine the victor...