Chapter 66
After the Duke of Ying's mansion was seized, the situation in the capital temporarily stabilized. However, Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu both knew that this was only a superficial peace. The Duke of Ying's mansion had been operating for many years, and its influence was deeply entrenched. Although its main members had been imprisoned, their remaining followers were certainly still active in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to launch a counterattack.
Sure enough, not long after, several strange incidents occurred in the capital. First, several branches of Yunjian Pavilion were attacked by unknown assailants, their shops were smashed, and their goods were stolen. Then, several members of the Donghai Security Company were assassinated on the streets of the capital. More seriously, a grain transport ship of the Royal Maritime Trading Company was blown up while passing through the Grand Canal, and all the grain on board sank into the river.
These events heightened tensions in the capital once again. Everyone knew that this was a counterattack by remnants of the British Duke's faction.
In the council hall of the Prince of An's residence, Tang Pu sat in the main seat, his face ashen. Looking at the intelligence report in his hand, he roared angrily, "These damned remnants! How dare they be so arrogant! I will drag them out and tear them to pieces!"
The generals and officials in the hall all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe. They all knew that Tang Pu was currently furious, and no one wanted to provoke him.
Cui Yunshu sat to the side, quietly looking at the intelligence report in her hand, her fingers lightly tapping the table. She knew that the remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction were so arrogant because they wanted to disrupt the order of the capital, create panic, and also take revenge on her and Tang Pu.
"Tang Pu, calm down first," Cui Yunshu said calmly. "Anger won't solve anything. What we need to do now is to find the hiding place of the remaining members of the Duke of Ying's faction as soon as possible and wipe them out in one fell swoop."
Tang Pu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down: "Master strategist, you're right. So what should we do now? These remaining followers are elusive and ruthless; it's very difficult for us to find them."
Cui Yunshu looked at a general in the hall and asked calmly, "General Li, you are in charge of investigating the attack on the Yunjian Pavilion branch. Have you made any discoveries?"
General Li bowed and said, "Your Highness, we found some special markings at the crime scene. These markings are very similar to those used by the private soldiers of the British Duke's Mansion. Moreover, we also discovered that the attackers were all highly skilled martial artists. After the attack, they quickly withdrew without leaving any useful clues."
Cui Yunshu nodded, then looked at another official: "Lord Wang, you are in charge of investigating the assassination of members of Donghai Security Company. Is there any progress?"
Lord Wang bowed and said, "Your Highness, we found a special poison on the deceased. This poison is a specialty of the Western Regions and is rarely seen in the capital. Moreover, we also discovered that the assassin's methods were very professional, suggesting that they were specially trained killers."
Cui Yunshu continued, "Lord Zhang, are there any leads regarding the case of the grain transport ship being bombed?"
Lord Zhang bowed and said, “Your Highness, we found some explosive remnants at the scene. After examination, these explosives were determined to be military-grade. We suspect that these explosives were stolen from the military by remnants of the British Duke’s faction. Furthermore, we also discovered that before the grain transport ship was bombed, an unidentified vessel was loitering nearby, which is very likely the perpetrator’s ship.”
After listening to everyone's reports, Cui Yunshu had a general idea in mind. The remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction not only colluded with underworld figures and assassins, but also might have connections with some people in the military, and could even obtain military-grade explosives. This indicated that the Duke of Ying's faction was more powerful than they had imagined.
"It seems that the remnants of the British Duke's faction have formed a vast network," Cui Yunshu said gravely. "They not only have江湖人士 (jianghu figures) and assassins, but also military personnel as insiders. If we want to wipe them out in one fell swoop, we must devise a meticulous plan."
She paused, then continued, "First, we must strengthen the protection of important institutions such as Yunjian Pavilion, Donghai Security Company, and Royal Maritime Trading Company to prevent them from being attacked again. Second, we must intensify our investigation of the underworld forces in the capital and find those who are colluding with the remnants of the British Duke's faction. In addition, we must investigate the military's management of explosives and find those who smuggled explosives to the remnants of the British Duke's faction."
She looked at Tang Pu, her tone firm: "Tang Pu, you will be responsible for strengthening the defenses of the capital, as well as investigating the military's management of explosives. I will be responsible for investigating the underworld forces in the capital and strengthening the protection of important institutions. We will work together to find the remaining members of the Duke of England's faction as soon as possible."
Tang Pu nodded, his tone firm: "Okay! We'll proceed according to your plan. I will definitely investigate the truth behind the theft of military explosives and find the traitor as soon as possible."
Over the next few days, Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu began their operation according to plan. Through the intelligence network of Yunjian Pavilion, Cui Yunshu quickly ascertained the situation of the Jianghu (martial arts world) forces in the capital. She discovered that several major Jianghu gangs in the capital had connections with the remnants of the Duke of Ying's mansion and had even provided them with considerable assistance.
Instead of immediately taking action against these gangs, Cui Yunshu decided to start with one of them to find the hiding place of the remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction. She chose the largest gang in the capital—the "Green Dragon Gang".
Cui Yunshu had someone contact the leader of the Azure Dragon Gang, inviting him to meet in the private room on the top floor of the Cloud Pavilion in the name of the Cloud Pavilion. The leader of the Azure Dragon Gang knew the power of the Cloud Pavilion and dared not refuse, so he had no choice but to go on the appointment.
Inside the private room, Cui Yunshu sat by the window, gazing at the street scene outside. The leader of the Azure Dragon Gang entered the room and, upon seeing Cui Yunshu, immediately bowed respectfully: "This humble subject greets Your Highness. May I ask what brings Your Highness to summon me here?"
Cui Yunshu turned around, looked at the leader of the Green Dragon Gang, and said calmly, "Leader, there's no need for formalities. I've summoned you here to ask you where the remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction are hiding now?"
The leader of the Green Dragon Gang's expression changed, and he hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I do not understand what you mean. I have no connection with the remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction."
Cui Yunshu smiled, her tone carrying a hint of threat: "Chief, do you think you can hide this from me? I have evidence proving that you have connections with the remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction and have even provided them with considerable assistance. If you confess the truth now, I can spare your life and preserve the Green Dragon Gang. Otherwise, you should know the consequences very well."
The leader of the Green Dragon Gang was pale. He knew that since Cui Yunshu had said this, she must have solid evidence. He hesitated for a moment, but finally chose to compromise: "Your Highness, this humble subject is willing to confess. The remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction are currently hiding in an abandoned manor on the outskirts of the capital. Their leader is Zhou Ming, the Duke of Ying's nephew."
Cui Yunshu nodded and said calmly, "Very well. Take me to that abandoned manor now. If you dare to play any tricks, I will make sure the Azure Dragon Gang is wiped out completely."
The leader of the Azure Dragon Gang nodded hurriedly: "This humble subject dares not. This humble subject will take the princess there immediately."
Cui Yunshu immediately sent someone to inform Tang Pu, instructing him to lead his men to the abandoned manor on the outskirts of the capital. At the same time, she also led a group of guards from the Cloud Pavilion, following the leader of the Azure Dragon Gang, towards the abandoned manor.
They soon arrived at the abandoned manor. Cui Yunshu had the manor surrounded and then sent someone to inform Tang Pu.
Upon receiving the news, Tang Pu immediately led his men to the scene. Looking at the abandoned manor, a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "The remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction, we've finally found you!"
He said to the general beside him, "Pass down the order to launch an attack! Make sure to wipe out all the remaining comrades inside!"
"Yes!" the general replied quickly and turned to relay the order.
At Tang Pu's command, the soldiers immediately launched an attack on the abandoned manor. Although the remaining members of the British Duke's faction inside the manor put up a resistance, they were quickly defeated by Tang Pu's army.
After several hours of fierce fighting, the remaining members of the British Duke's faction in the manor were finally wiped out. Zhou Ming was captured on the spot, while the other remaining members were either killed or taken prisoner.
Looking at the captured Zhou Ming, Tang Pu said angrily, "Zhou Ming, your Duke of Ying's mansion is truly heinous! Not only did you collude with pirates and hijack the royal fleet, but now you even dared to send people to attack Yun Jian Pavilion, assassinate members of the East China Sea Security Company, and blow up grain transport ships! You deserve to die!"
Zhou Ming's face was pale, but he still stubbornly insisted, "Tang Pu, don't be so smug! Our Duke of Ying's mansion will not fall like this! One day, we will take our revenge!"
Tang Pu sneered, "Revenge? You have no chance. His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation into the crimes of the Duke of Ying's mansion. You remaining followers will also receive the punishment you deserve."
With that, Tang Pu ordered that Zhou Ming and the other captured accomplices be taken back to the capital and imprisoned in the imperial prison.
With the remnants of the Duke of Ying's faction dealt with, the situation in the capital finally stabilized. Cui Yunshu and Tang Pu stood in the courtyard of the Prince of An's residence, looking at the distant sky, with relieved smiles on their faces.
"Master strategist, we've finally succeeded!" Tang Pu exclaimed excitedly, his voice brimming with emotion.
Cui Yunshu nodded, a smile appearing on her face: "Yes, we succeeded. However, we cannot let our guard down. This incident has shown us the complexity and danger of the court situation. We must be even more careful in the future."
Tang Pu nodded, his tone firm: "Rest assured, strategist, I will remember this lesson. In the future, I will be more careful and will never let anything like this happen again."
Cui Yunshu looked at Tang Pu, secretly relieved. Fortunately, she had Tang Pu as an "ally." Although he was somewhat impulsive, he always stood shoulder to shoulder with her in crucial moments, facing difficulties together. She knew that as long as they were of one mind, there was no problem they couldn't solve.
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