The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Chapter 93 Killing and Punishing the Heart

The torch light lit up half the sky of South City!

The soldiers of the Infantry Commander's Office, holding torches, stood on both sides of Qianmen Street every three steps, forming a human wall.

Prince Zhongshun came in person, and at this time he was riding on a horse with a sullen face, leading the generals of the left and right wings and other generals to escort the Shi family out of the city.

Because of what happened in front of the Duke of Shanguo's mansion, Prince Zhongshun was called to the upper study by the emperor and reprimanded. In the end, he was fined one year's salary, which made him very unhappy.

After seeing Li Hu, he felt even more uncomfortable.

At this time, King Zhongshun discovered a figure lying in the window of a shop.

King Zhongshun squeezed his legs together, spurred his horse and walked over, saying viciously: "What are you looking at! If you look again, I will kill your whole family!"

Before he could finish his words, the lights in the windows of nearby shops and houses went out one after another.

The generals on the left and right wings looked at each other, smiled bitterly, and shook their heads at the same time.

The team was not moving very fast, and Li Hu and Dai Quan also saw it.

Li Hu: "Pah, look how he's showing off, he's nothing but a silver-plated spear head."

Dai Quan was stunned at first, then he laughed, but quickly held it back.

Dai Quan suppressed his laughter and said, "Don't talk nonsense. After all, he is the son of the retired emperor and the emperor's brother. You should respect him and don't bring these private matters out in the open."

What privacy?
Li Hu was stunned for a moment, as if he had thought of something, and said excitedly: "He can't do it?!"

Dai Quan suddenly came to his senses and realized that he had been thinking wrongly. How could Li Hu know the privacy of King Zhongshun?

At this time, King Zhongshun led a group of generals to follow.

Li Hu turned around and examined King Zhongshun from head to toe, then smiled.

This look and smile made King Zhongshun feel a little uneasy. He then subconsciously glanced at the bow and arrow hanging on Li Hu's saddle and thought to himself: I don't have such a great hatred towards him, it shouldn't be that serious, right?
After thinking about it, he pulled the reins and distanced himself.

Li Hu smiled, squeezed his legs together, and the horse trotted forward.

As he walked, Li Hu suddenly looked around.

Dai Quan: “What’s wrong?”

Li Hu did not answer. His eyes quickly scanned the shops and houses on both sides, and his eyes fell on the restaurant with the sign "Youjian Restaurant".

Is this the restaurant that Ni Er mentioned?

Then he looked up at the second floor, scanning the floors one by one, and finally his eyes fell on a box with a half-open window.

Although he couldn't see, Li Hu was sure that there was someone in the box and was looking at him.

Is it Bai Hongzhi?
Through Shaanxi General Yun Guang, Li Hu obtained Bai Hongzhi's information. His identity was similar to Feng Yuan, the son of a small country gentry. His parents died when he was young and he had no brothers or sisters. When Shaanxi was in chaos due to banditry, he sold his property and went to Beijing with his old servants.

There is no problem with the official identity.

His parents died when he was young, he has no brothers or sisters, he is rich, he has a lot of reputation, and he has a lot of buffs. If you say there is no problem, no one will believe it! In addition, he colluded with the Jurchens. Although there is no evidence, Li Hu still guessed his identity, the White Lotus Sect.

This guy is really cruel and vicious. A few days ago, he designed a plan to lure the guards of the Southern Pacification Office into the base of the Jurchen spies. He used the Southern Pacification Office to kill the Jurchens who contacted him, and then killed the guards who survived by chance.

This kid has no idea when it comes to doing evil things. Li Hu was confused by him and had no idea what he was planning.

In addition, Yun Guang also said in the letter that Bai Hongzhi was talented and eloquent, and if nothing unexpected happened, he would definitely get the top spot.

The top three are the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.

During the Dashun Dynasty, these three people did not need to be sent to serve outside the capital, but were all admitted to the Hanlin Academy.

Normally, the top scholar was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a position of the sixth rank. The second and third place winners were appointed as editors in the Hanlin Academy, a position of the seventh rank.

The Hanlin Academy is a place of nobility and seniority, where one accumulates experience. Once one is appointed to other official posts, one is generally promoted.

Under normal circumstances, as long as one is not uncomfortable, after spending a few years in the Hanlin Academy, one can enter a government office with great power in the imperial court. In addition, with the network of connections of the Qingliu people, one can basically become a third-rank official before retirement.

In addition, since the emperor ascended the throne, a practice has emerged in the court that officials who are not from the Hanlin Academy cannot enter the cabinet. Although it is not strictly implemented, it is rare to see officials who are not from the Hanlin Academy in the cabinet.

This shows that the gold content of the head armor is very high.

Thinking of this, Li Hu's eyes flashed. Bai Hongzhi could not move for the time being. He still had to use Bai Hongzhi to find the leader of the Qinglong Hall and other high-level members of the White Lotus Sect, as well as the Jurchens. He had a feeling that Bai Hongzhi would have more contact with the Jurchens.

Although Bai Hongzhi's identity cannot be exposed, he must not be allowed to serve as an official in the court.

There is an unwritten rule in the officialdom that people with disabilities or ugly people cannot be officials because officials represent the court.

Li Hu made up his mind to capture Bai Hongzhi and bring him to the military camp. Before the third prince arrived, he broke his legs and made him crippled.

Dai Quan spoke: "What's wrong?"

Li Hu shook his head, squeezed his legs together, and urged his horse forward.

Dai Quan stared at Li Hu. He saw him take off the bow and arrow hanging on the saddle, pull out an arrow from the quiver, put it on the bowstring, then turn around suddenly, draw the bow to full draw, and with a "whoosh", the arrow left the string.

Suddenly, there was a "thump" sound from behind.

The generals of the left and right wings shouted in unison: "Your Majesty!"

At that moment, Li Hu shot two more arrows, and then screams were heard from the private room.

Dai Quan reacted and shouted, "Catch the assassin!"

Upon hearing this, a group of guards from the Imperial Household Department rushed forward with knives in hand, broke the door with great skill, and then rushed in.

"What are you doing!" someone in the restaurant shouted.

Then there was a scream.

Zhang Cheng led a group of spearmen and rushed over to protect Li Hu, then shouted: "Quickly block the front and back exits, don't let the accomplices escape!"

Li Hu raised his hand and said, "Don't move."

Zhang Cheng: "Yes." He ordered the spearmen: "Be on guard!" At this time, the broken window opened, and a guard from the Imperial Household Department reported to Dai Quan: "Ancestor, the assassin has been caught!"

Before he could finish his words, the sound of running feet was heard, mixed with shouting, "What are you doing? What are you doing?"

"Crack~"

"Why do you hit someone?!"

"Come on, catch them all."

".Blood, Master Sun, Young Master, Young Master."

".My son is a candidate who is going to Beijing to take the imperial examination. Don't hit him, don't hit him. My son has a badge from the Third Prince's Mansion on him."

Countless pairs of eyes were watching.

First, two guards dragged out a corpse, and it seemed that they were the ones who shouted "What are you doing?"

Finally, two guards came out carrying a young man with blood all over his face.

Then, the waiter who was in charge of the restaurant was driven out by the guards.

The old steward shouted, "My son's surname is Bai, his name is Hong, and his surname is Zhi. He is a disciple of the Third Prince, and he has a badge from the Third Prince's Palace on him!"

Dai Quan and Li Hu looked at each other, then turned their gaze to the red-robed eunuch from the Imperial Household Department.

The eunuch in red understood what he meant, walked forward, searched Bai Hongzhi and took out a badge, then walked back to Dai Quan and presented it to him.

Dai Quan took a look at it and handed it to Li Hu.

Li Hu took a look at it and turned to hand it to King Zhongshun.

Hey, where are the people?!
Li Hu was stunned for a moment, then he saw Prince Zhongshun standing on his horse, supported by the left-wing general.

Prince Zhongshun had an ugly look on his face. He was supported by the left wing general and supported his waist with his other hand.

Could it be that this old guy fell off his horse?
Li Hu suddenly remembered that when he was shooting arrows, he heard a "thump" sound behind him. Did this old guy think he was going to kill him? !

Oh, he thinks too highly of himself.

Li Hu suppressed his laughter and said, "Come on, take the prince to the clinic."

King Zhongshun was so ashamed and angry that he said, "No, no need!"

At this moment, the general of the right wing ordered several soldiers to carry a door panel.

Dai Quan spoke: "Quick, send the prince to the clinic."

The general of the right wing: "Yes." Then he ordered several soldiers to carry King Zhongshun onto the door panel, and then ran towards the medical clinic in the distance.

Li Hu couldn't help laughing, and then a burst of laughter broke out on the street.

Dai Quan smiled, then stopped smiling and coughed.

It immediately became quiet.

Dai Quan looked at Li Hu and shook his head.

Li Hu understood that Bai Hongzhi was a disciple of the Third Prince. No matter whether he was an assassin or not, he could not be an assassin at this time, as this would drag the Third Prince and the royal family behind him into the water.

Li Hu looked at the badge in his hand, then looked at Bai Hongzhi whose face was covered in blood. He had missed this opportunity, and he didn't know if he would have such an opportunity again!
Dai Quan: "It seems like the left eye is bleeding?"

Left eye?

Li Hu dismounted, walked up to Bai Hongzhi, took up his left hand, and wiped his blood with his own sleeve.

Li Hu's eyes lit up, and the feather arrow pierced Bai Hongzhi's left eyeball, turning him into a one-eyed dragon!
".Ah~"

Bai Hongzhi let out a scream and woke up.

"Young Master!" The elderly steward looked anxious.

Bai Hongzhi: "My eyes, why can't I see?" Then he fainted again.

The elderly steward said: “Young Master! Young Master!” But he was stopped by the guards.

Dai Quan came over and looked at Bai Hongzhi who had fainted from the pain. After a while, he said loudly, "The ancients said, 'Since ancient times, most talented men have been romantic. If they are not romantic, they are not talented.' Today, I have seen it with my own eyes. Mr. Bai is willing to risk his life to spy on the women of the Shi family. What a romantic talent he is!"

When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

Li Hu was also stunned. Dai Quan's move was truly murderous.

Being romantic becomes vulgar when it is brought out in the open.

Bai Hongzhi is finished. The nobles have no place to vent their anger and will definitely submit a memorial to impeach him. The upright people will also step on him for the sake of the reputation of the scholars. Not only will the Third Prince not protect him, he will also draw a clear line with him.

There was only one outcome for him: he was stripped of his official title by the imperial court.

Dai Quan: "Send him to the clinic quickly."

The guards then made way, and the elderly steward directed several servants to lift Bai Hongzhi up and run towards the clinic.

Dai Quan approached Li Hu and said softly, "You have offended the Third Prince to death."

Li Hu smiled: "Is it not good?"

Dai Quan smiled and turned to walk towards his mount.

Li Hu suppressed his smile. The development of the situation was completely beyond his expectations. If Bai Hongzhi was forced out of the capital, how could he find the leader of the Qinglong Hall and other White Lotus Sect leaders? He could only hope that Bai Hongzhi would be strong and not flee the capital because of such a small matter.

At this time, Zhang Cheng came over leading the horse.

Zhang Cheng: "General, do you want to send someone to keep an eye on it?"

Li Hu: "No need, let's go back to the camp." After saying that, he mounted the horse, squeezed his legs together, and rode after Dai Quan.

(End of this chapter)