Chapter 161 Chapter 161 is the only genuine version...

"It's useless for Miss Gu to put on airs here. We all know the Gu family's background."

"Where did this king of a different surname come from in Daqi?"

"Is Miss Gu having a hysterical attack?"

When Yang Quan smiled, the others followed suit and laughed so hard that they fell over.

So boring. Gu Zhizhuo crossed his arms and looked at them as if they were idiots.

Perhaps it was because she looked too indifferent, and as she laughed, Yang Quan couldn't stop laughing. He always felt like a monkey in a circus, and the only guest was not satisfied with his performance.

Gu Zhizhuo sneered, "You don't even know that the Duke of Zhenguo has been promoted to the King of Zhenbei. No wonder you are only a deputy commander at your age." She emphasized the word "deputy".

Gu Zhizhuo's every word pierced his heart: "Are you trying to use me as a soft persimmon to please your master in exchange for a promotion?"

Yang Quan's face turned pale and blue.

He is already forty-four years old. As a military commander, if he cannot be promoted to a regular position, it will be time for him to retire.

Gu Zhizhuo looked him up and down, chuckling mockingly, "No one else is moving, but you're the one rushing to the front. Do you know why?"

"Why?" Yang Quan asked subconsciously.

"Because..." Gu Zhizhuo kindly told him, "You're stupid."

Qingmei laughed in amusement: "So stupid, no wonder he has always been deputy!"

Gu Zhizhuo nonchalantly stroked the embroidery on his sleeve. "Isn't this just a rush to make a name for yourself? It's a shame that most of those who step out first are stupid and foolish, and end up in a bad way."

At the very least, they needed to understand the reasons behind the East Factory's attack. Whether impeaching them or forcing them to release the prisoners, there had to be a legitimate reason. But he couldn't wait to jump out on his own, thinking he could force Shen Xu that way? It would be more effective to catch a cat and use it to force Shen Xu.

The most outrageous thing is that he left the Imperial Household Department and Shen Xu's house to cause trouble and came to her Tianxi Tower. Did he think she was easy to bully?

No, I’m so angry!

She was angry, and Yang Quan was even angrier. The anger and shame after his thoughts were exposed overwhelmed his rationality.

His forehead was hot, and he asked, "Miss Gu, are you determined to harbor a criminal?"

"The prisoner? Who is it?"

"Chen Xu."

"Where's the imperial edict? Where's the official document? You're accusing me of harboring a criminal when there's nothing. Who are you trying to fool? Are you having a fit of hysteria?"

She responded to Yang Quan's nonsense in the same tone.

Gu Zhizhuo flicked his sleeves and said coldly, "I don't have time to argue with you. If you have the guts..."

She took a step forward and walked down the stairs. Although she was still a girl who had not yet reached marriage age, her aura was greater than that of all of them combined.

"Go block the Imperial Household Department."

Every time she took a step, Yang Quan took a step back, and beads of sweat unknowingly seeped out of his neck.

They all say that Miss Gu is amazing, no less capable than the Crown Prince. It's really... weird. A little girl who's this fierce, isn't she afraid of being unwanted?

"Kill the chicken to scare the monkeys. If you don't choose the right chicken, be careful that your eyes will be pecked out."

"Meow."

The cat bared its fangs, threatening him.

If he was frightened by a little girl, he would never be able to hold his head up in the Yulin Guard again.

Yang Quan stopped his retreating steps and suddenly ordered, "Charge in! Anyone who dares to stop us will be killed without mercy!"

This "kill without mercy" was obviously directed at Gu Zhizhuo.

But then, a stern shout rang out from behind: "Kill without mercy? Who are the Yulin Guards going to kill without mercy?"

Yang Quan's heart tightened and he went to look in the direction of the sound.

The Jinyiwei in Feiyu uniforms rode out from the alleys on both sides of the street and surrounded the Yulinwei from the outside at an extremely fast speed, staring at them eagerly. The one who spoke was a Tongzhi.

Sheng Jiang also came out of Tianxi Tower and walked to Gu Zhizhuo's side. After thinking for a while, he silently took a half step back and stood on her right.

"The governor doesn't know yet." Sheng Jiang said quietly.

He felt that he had not lived enough, so he did not have the courage to knock on the door and disturb the governor.

After hearing what the shopkeeper said, Sheng Jiang used a special secret sentry to summon the Jinyiwei who were patrolling nearby.

"A bunch of rabble." Sheng Jiang snorted disdainfully, "Let the Jinyiwei teach you what it means to kill without mercy."

The Jinyiwei carried longbows on their backs and wore embroidered spring swords on their waists. At Sheng Jiang's command, they took off their bows and put arrows on them in unison. The arrows, shining with a cold light, were aimed at the Yulinwei.

As deputy commanders of the Twelve Guards, Yang Quan and Sheng Jiang have the same authority. How could Yang Quan give in to the other party's provocation?

He gritted his teeth secretly, feeling somewhat regretful for his impulsiveness today. Now he no longer expected to catch Chen Xu by surprise, but he had to let King Jin see that he was the first one to run for him.

Can't retreat!

At his command, all the Yulin Guards guarding him drew their swords.

The situation is tense.

Both sides refused to give in, and seemed ready to fight to the death if there was any disagreement.

"superior!"

The knife in Yang Quan's hand was pointed at Gu Zhizhuo.

Bang!

There was a loud bang, as if thunder had exploded at this moment, making people's ears buzz.

Yang Quan, who was the first to be hit, almost went deaf for a moment.

After a long pause, he stared blankly down, staring in astonishment at a small hole in the ground, white smoke still billowing from the hole. It was only one step away from him, as if if he wasn't careful, an identical hole would appear on his foot.

Yang Quan was shocked.

He quickly went to look at Gu Zhizhuo. Wait, what was that in her hand? A musket?! When did the musket become so small?

Gu Zhizhuo fired a gun into the sky, and there was another explosion, shocking everyone and making them retreat.

She loaded the gunpowder and this time pointed the gun at Yang Quan.

This musket was given to Cancan by cousin Xing. Since Cancan was not around, she used it first.

It must be said that the lightweight musket is indeed convenient to use. It can be tied directly to the waist instead of a waist knife. In this way, when she goes out, she only needs to bring a dagger.

It’s all Cousin Xing’s fault for not caring about her.

The wind blows, and her skirt flutters.

Gu Zhizhuo was smiling, his smile was simple, elegant and graceful.

Well, what you said was really heartbreaking.

"roll."

Yang Quan: “…”

It turned out to be a musket.

Yang Quan gritted his teeth. At this moment, he couldn't show any weakness.

Yang Quan flew forward, the blade pointing directly at Gu Zhizhuo.

The Yulin Guards were the first to rush towards the Jinyi Guards.

The Jinyiwei also drew their bowstrings to the fullest, ready to strike at any moment...

Bang!

Gu Zhizhuo fired a gun, and the exploding gunpowder kicked out the bullet, hitting Yang Quan's shoulder. The huge impact sent him flying several steps before he fell heavily.

Yang Quan's shoulder was soon stained with blood. He was sweating profusely from the pain, and only one thought was in his mind: How dare she do this?!

Of course!

There are twelve guards, each with 5,000 men. Even if there are only two or three hundred now, once a fight breaks out, it will most likely turn into a bloody fight between two guards. Once the killing gets intense, the capital will be in chaos.

This shot stunned everyone present and they stopped the fight that was about to start.

White smoke was still coming out of the muzzle of Gu Zhi’s fire gun.

Yang Quan covered his shoulder in pain and groaned.

"Everyone, stand still. What are you arguing about?"

"Tell the Jinyiwei to put down their bows." These words were said to Sheng Jiang.

Sheng Jiang: "..." He waved his hand and all the bows and arrows were put down.

"Yulin Guards, surrender your weapons."

The man surnamed Yang didn't understand what he was saying, so Gu Zhizhuo didn't bother to talk nonsense with him and just raised his gun.

The Yulin Guards' hearts tightened. She really knew how to shoot!

How can the flesh and blood fight against the musket?

They hesitantly took off their swords.

"Everyone, go away. What are you doing here?"

After saying that, Gu Zhizhuo's ears moved. He heard the sound of galloping horses not far away, at least a dozen people.

She thought to herself, "Again?"

Sheng Jiang shook his head, indicating that he hadn't called them. He was about to have someone raise their bows and arrows to warn them when Gu Zhizhuo glared at him.

I had finally managed to quell the riot, and he still came?

"No one is allowed to move."

Gu Zhizhuo snorted, "Otherwise, I'll complain to Sister Yin."

Sheng Jiang: "..."

"I say, mighty Miss Gu, could you please stop thinking about complaining all the time?"

"What's wrong with saving time and effort?"

After a few words, the sound of galloping horses was getting closer and closer. Looking again, it was the Jinwu Guards. There were more than a dozen Jinwu Guards. Coming with them were Prince Li and Xie Yingchen.

Prince Li's face turned pale with anxiety. He galloped away on his horse, shouting, "Stop, stop!"

He spoke in a stern voice, and Gu Zhizhuo felt anxious for him.

Prince Li ran over in one breath. His old bones were almost unable to recover from the shaking on the horse's back. He was afraid that if he arrived too late, he would see a river of blood.

If the Twelve Guards were to start fighting each other, there would be chaos in the capital.

But when I got there, I saw that there was no fighting?

On one side were the Jinyiwei, and on the other side were the Yulinwei. They kept to themselves and were all doing fine. There was no bloody fight and no deaths.

Prince Li deliberately ignored the person rolling on the ground. No one else was injured, only he was injured, so it must be his fault!

Looking again, it was Gu Zhizhuo who was standing among these people, looking relaxed and at ease.

She greeted cheerfully, "Your Majesty! Young Master."

"You, you, you...why are you here too!?"

When Prince Li saw her, he was furious.

He was originally in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, no, now he should be in the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion. He wanted to talk to the third master of the Gu family and ask them to keep a low profile. After all, he was the first king of a different surname in Daqi.

As a result, the third master of the Gu family looked confused, and seemed to find this matter even more incredible than him.

"You."

Prince Li really didn't know what to say to her. She had such a big idea.

But that doesn't matter.

He dismounted and demanded with a fierce face, "What's going on? You dare to fight among yourselves in the capital! You are truly remarkable!"

Prince Li looked around and found that he could only question Yang Quan.

"you say!"

Yang Quan was in so much pain that tears burst out: "Prince, Your Majesty."

He started out with no official name, just as Gu Zhizhuo said, he wanted to be the first to attack Shen Xu. In this way, Prince Jin would definitely be able to see his loyalty. As long as the prince was willing to give him a hand, he could also get rid of the title of deputy.

He gritted his teeth and said righteously, "Your Majesty, Chen Xu has imprisoned Prince Jin for no reason. I am very angry after hearing this and have come to ask for an explanation."

"Oh." Sheng Jiang sneered.

He is not even worthy to see his master, yet he still demands an explanation.

"I was just anxious for a moment." Sending troops without orders is a big taboo, so Yang Quan could only accept it for now.

He covered his shoulder, and the blood that flowed out dyed his hand red.

The bones in the shoulder are broken, and there is a high probability that this arm will be useless.

He was afraid he would have to retire.

Yang Quan was unwilling to accept this and maliciously tried to drag Gu Zhizhuo into the water as well: "Your Highness, Miss Gu has ulterior motives. She deliberately said that the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion is the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion. The Gu family is hiding muskets and has treasonous intentions!"

"Please, Your Majesty, conduct a thorough investigation!"

Prince Li looked at the musket in Gu Zhizhuo's hand, then looked at Xie Yingchen who came with him, and gave Xie Yingchen a look, meaning, did you know that your wife is so fierce?

Xie Yingchen smiled slightly: "Very good."

Prince Li: “…”

One is willing to fight, the other is willing to be beaten. He is too lazy to care.

"Yang Quan," Prince Li cleared his throat and said seriously, "The Emperor has decreed that the Duke of Zhenguo be promoted to Prince of Zhenbei, enjoying the title of Prince."

Prince Li's words were neither too loud nor too soft, but they were loud enough for everyone around him to hear clearly and look shocked.

King of Zhenbei! ?

What is the difference between a prince with military power and stationed at the border and a foreign king?

Yang Quan's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "Impossible!"

"I still need to discuss the Emperor's will with you."

Prince Li's face turned stern as he shouted, "The Imperial Guards have mobilized troops without permission. Are they plotting a rebellion? Withdraw them immediately. Everyone, take off your armor and await punishment."

Yang Quan's shoulder hurt so much that he refused to accept the situation. "What about the Jinyiwei?"

"Jinyiwei..."

Prince Li hesitated. It would be a shame to punish only the Yulin Guards without punishing the Jinyi Guards. But if he punished the Jinyi Guards, Shen Xu would definitely turn against him, and the matter of Prince Jin would be even more difficult to say.

He could suppress the Yulin Guards, but he definitely couldn't suppress Chen Xu.

We can't just sit back and watch the internal strife.

"The Jinyiwei are responsible for patrolling and arresting. The Yulinwei have no right to use troops in the capital without authorization. The Jinyiwei have the right to arrest." Xie Yingchen calmly explained the law. "No offense."

"If anyone in the Imperial Guards is dissatisfied, please have Commander Qian come and speak to me."

There was no intention to shield anyone in his words and sentences, and no one could find any fault with them.

"What are you standing there for?" Gu Zhizhuo glared at Sheng Jiang. "Let the Jinyiwei withdraw first."

He has no idea of ​​adapting, just like his master.

Sheng Jiang clearly saw disgust in her eyes.

I am the deputy commander of the Jinyiwei... Never mind. Sheng Jiang decided to take advantage of the situation. He made a gesture and the well-trained Jinyiwei retreated to the alleys on both sides of the street like a tide.

The Jinwu Guards took Yang Quan away, and the Yulin Guards also retreated to await punishment.

The streets, which were extremely congested, soon returned to their quiet state.

It was as if the bloody battle that was about to break out had never happened.

Gu Zhizhuo ran over with a relaxed pace and said with a smile, "Sir, why are you here too?"

After saying this, he didn't forget to say to Prince Li: "Your Highness, please take it easy next time. You've already had a stroke. If you have another one, even gods can't save you. Also..." He emphasized this point, "If you want to ride a horse to your death, that's fine, but don't let me ride with you."

Prince Li: “…”

So angry.

Xie Yingchen pulled her aside and explained briefly, "The court has launched a massive attack, accusing Supervisor Shen of abusing power and disrupting government, deceiving the emperor and ignoring the law, framing loyal officials, and arbitrarily torturing and extracting a confession from Master Changfeng, the Zhengyi Dharma Master. They've disregarded the courtesy shown to the Dao by the Taizu and the late Emperor, and are attempting to destroy the Dao. They're demanding his removal as Supervisor of the East Factory and a joint trial by the Three Courts."

Gu Zhizhuo: “…”

"Girl," Prince Li asked, "Is Governor Shen really inside?"

Gu Zhizhuo answered readily: "Yes."

Prince Li was shocked: "You are involved too?"

Gu Zhizhuo smiled: "I got involved."

She was still the mastermind. But she didn't dare say this, for fear that the prince would not be able to bear it.

Prince Li was almost speechless. She wanted a title of prince, and he got it for her. But the next moment, she got involved in the affairs of the East Factory.

"You girl!"

Prince Li tapped her forehead hard, speechless with anger. No wonder Sheng Jiang, who usually looked down on others, was so respectful to this girl just now.

"How did you get involved with the East Factory?"

What do you mean by mixed together? That's really not nice to say! Gu Zhizhuo covered his forehead with both hands and asked, "Has the prince gone to see Changfeng?"

"not yet."

"Changfeng is at the Meridian Gate now. Your Highness, why don't you go and take a look first?"

Prince Li:?

"Changfeng is a demon, you will know it at a glance." Gu Zhizhuo said, and then said, "Your Highness, you haven't forgotten about the emperor, right?"

"The Emperor's business, the Emperor's business..." Prince Li paused and said in surprise, "Are you saying that Changfeng is behind this?!"

Gu Zhizhuo grasped Xie Yingchen's sleeve and said, "More than that, do you still remember why the late emperor suddenly wanted to depose the crown prince?"

Destiny has returned to its rightful place, and some things should be put right.