【Under the Great Tomorrow】(61)

Author: hui329
Published: 2017/7/21 First Release
Word Count: 17225
Chapter Sixty-One: Framing and Slander
Early in the morning, Ding Shou had breakfast with the women. Jiang Bin, who hadn't slept for days, came to visit. Ding Shou
invited him into the living room for tea and a chat. Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Qian Ning rushed over.
"What?! Liu Yu went to Datong overnight?" Ding Shou, who had been waiting anxiously for a reply all night,
jumped up from his chair.
"Yes, according to the people left at the Governor's Office: Datong Governor Ou Xin, after selecting and training soldiers, has fallen ill from overwork and is unable
to handle affairs. Governor Liu, worried about the border situation, rushed to Datong overnight." Qian Ning reported cautiously, and seeing his master's
furious state, he carefully moved a step closer to the door.
"You old fox, you bastard, trying to cut tofu clean on both sides? Dream on! I'll settle this score with you later
!" Second Master cursed, smashing vases and teacups all over the floor before sitting down, panting
. He turned to look at Jiang Bin sitting below him. "Third Brother!"
"Ah? Young Master, what are your orders?" Jiang Bin's heart skipped a beat when he was swept by that sharp, murderous gaze, and
he stood up involuntarily.
"What's your relationship with Zhang Jun?" Ding Shou's tone was icy.
"General Zhang? He's... he's alright, he appreciates me to some extent." Jiang Bin answered, wiping the cold
sweat from his forehead. He hadn't noticed it before, but how could this young master be so frightening when he got angry?
"Then introduce him to me. I don't believe that someone carrying a pig's head can't find the temple gate." Ding Shou got up
and was about to leave.
"Does the lord intend for Zhang Jun to submit a memorial?" Qian Ning stopped the two of them.
"What? Is it inappropriate?" Ding Shou glanced at Qian Ning.
"This subordinate dares not comment on your actions, sir, but I have something to report." Qian Ning stole a glance at Ding Shou's face
, and seeing him nod, continued, "According to the old records of the Bureau of Records, Zhang Jun had
close ties with high-ranking officials in the cabinet since he took office in Datong. Last year, when the Tartars invaded the border, the Yu Tai Ridge suffered a disastrous defeat, losing two guerrilla commanders and thousands of soldiers. Censor
Guo Dongshan advised: Zhang Jun rushed to the aid despite being ill, and his advice should not be ignored. Only then did the court not punish him."
Ding Shou asked suspiciously, "What is Guo Dongshan's background...?"
Qian Ning nodded, "Your Excellency is wise. Guo Dongshan was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial examination) in the Bingchen year of the Hongzhi reign. The people who presided over the metropolitan examination that year were
Xie Qian, who was then the Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, and Wang Ao, a reader in the Hanlin Academy."
"This is really troublesome. Is there any place in the Ming Dynasty that these fellow students can't avoid?" The Second
Master slumped weakly in his rosewood official's chair, complaining, "Don't these people have any enemies I can
use?"
Qian Ning smiled smugly, "Yes, and they just happen to be in Xuanfu..."
************
"Greetings, Vice Minister Ding! Our garrison is truly honored by your presence."
Miao Kui, the garrison eunuch of Xuanfu, boomed his hoarse voice, warmly taking Ding Shou's arm and leading him to sit down in the front hall
.
Ding Shou secretly sized up this Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Horse Administration. He was tall, with gray hair but a ruddy complexion. If it
weren't for the fact that he had no beard, he would truly look like a real man.
"You flatter me, Your Excellency. You are a high-ranking official in the inner court, holding a position of great power and influence. I have been preoccupied with worldly affairs and have not been able
to pay my respects sooner. Please forgive me."
It wasn't that Master Ding had forgotten this Eunuch Miao; the key was that this Imperial Horse Eunuch was not a member of Liu Jin's faction. The Imperial Horse Bureau
not only controlled the Four Guards Battalion and the Warriors Battalion, these elite imperial guards, but also held pastures, horse farms, and imperial estates. It had both soldiers and
money. Although Zhu Yuanzhang had established an ironclad rule that eunuchs should not interfere in politics, in his later years he expanded the inner court, and the Twenty-Four Offices, like
the Six Ministries of the outer court, checked and balanced each other. The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs issued imperial edicts, the Directorate of Palace Attendants supervised people, and the Imperial Horse Bureau commanded troops. Now that Wang Yue and
Liu Jin were vying for power, this Miao Kui was a third force independent of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs and the Directorate of Palace Attendants.
However, this Eunuch Miao was uninterested in the power struggles within the palace. His idol was the
former Imperial Horse Supervisor who founded the Western Depot, and he longed to make contributions on the border. Therefore, whenever there was an alarm at the nine border regions, he would volunteer. Last year, when the Tatars invaded
the border, Miao Kui was merely a supervisor of the reinforcements. Who knew that once he arrived, he simply wouldn't leave? Liu Jin was also happy that this man wasn't being
courted by Wang Yue, so he arranged for Liu Yu to be a mediator in Xuanfu.
Miao Kui gave an "Oh" as if surprised, and said with a half-smile, "I didn't expect that I, sir, would be so highly regarded by Vice Commissioner Ding.
But since that's the case, sir, you've been visiting me at both the Governor-General's Office and the Provincial Governor's Office these past few days. I
thought that this small temple of the Garrison Command wouldn't be able to welcome such a great deity as you, Vice Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"Eunuch Miao, you..." Ding Shou was startled. He thought that no one knew what he was doing, but he didn't expect that his every
move was being watched by others.
Seeing Ding Shou's astonished expression, Miao Kui chuckled, "Strange, isn't it? Although the Imperial Horse Administration isn't under Eunuch Wang's command
of the Western Depot anymore, its eyes and ears—are still just for show." He then sighed softly, "Lord Ding is both learned
and skilled in martial arts; it's understandable that you look down on us. After all, we're crippled people who can't even be buried in our ancestral graves.
"
Seeing the eunuch's self-pitying appearance, Second Master Ding felt quite sorry for him. Where did these eunuchs get such
fragile hearts, caring so much about what others think? He quickly comforted him, "Why do you say that, Lord? You defended the borders
, saving countless lives. You are the living Buddha of the people of the nine border regions. Who doesn't admire you?" "
Really?" Miao Kui sniffled, tears welling up in his eyes. This kid is a true friend. "
No way! Your military skills are far inferior to Wang Zhizhen's. You raided Yansui, launched a five-pronged attack, and
only managed to collect fifteen heads in total." Though inwardly grumbling, Ding Shou maintained a serious demeanor, saying, "That's natural. In terms
of ambition, since Eunuch Wang's demotion, Eunuch Miao can be considered the foremost figure in the Ming Dynasty."
Miao Kui's face beamed like a blooming chrysanthemum. "Not at all, not at all! What am I compared to Eunuch Wang
…" His tone shifted abruptly, "If you meant no disrespect, why have you only come to see me today?"
This matter hadn't been resolved yet. Helpless, Ding Shou cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency is wise. Even when burning incense at a temple,
one first pays homage to Weituo, then to the Buddha. Your virtue and prestige are high; you should be the last to be visited."
"Good, good, good!" Miao Kui exclaimed repeatedly. "What a wonderful way to first pay homage to Weituo and then to the Buddha! Assistant Magistrate Ding is truly
a kindred spirit. Today, I will drink and make merry with you until we are drunk."
The cups were clinked and the wine flowed freely until everyone was halfway through their drinks.
Ding Shou suddenly put down his wine cup on the table and let out a long sigh.
Miao Kui, who was in high spirits today, was surprised to see this and asked, "Lord Ding, why do you sigh? Is there something you need my help
with?"
"I am deeply grateful for your hospitality, but I am simply indignant on your behalf," Ding Shou said ,
his brows furrowed.
"What do you mean? What grievance do you have?" Miao Kui asked, leaning against the table, half-drunk.
"Back then, you fought the enemy in Yansui, and more than ten thousand soldiers were rewarded by the late emperor. Everyone witnessed it. But later, when the Tartars invaded
Datong, the people suffered. You volunteered again, but Liu Daxia slandered your past achievements before the late emperor, saying that you only
captured a few dozen women and children and luckily returned with your entire army. This discouraged the late emperor from sending troops to defend against the Tartars, and he just watched the border people suffer.
What did the people of Datong do wrong! What did you do wrong, sir!" Ding Shou spoke with great passion and indignation.
"With the great feat of Eunuch Wang during the Chenghua era, who traveled a thousand miles to raid a stronghold, our little tricks are naturally insignificant
. No wonder we've given people ammunition to criticize us," Miao Kui sneered.
"But you, Eunuch, have undeniable achievements, yet the officials in the court turn a blind eye. Just
the year before you left for the border, the chieftain of the Mengguolejin tribe, Huosai, raided Datong, plundered for eight days, and returned laden with spoils. Guerrilla General Zhang Jun
led six hundred cavalrymen to follow him out of the pass, but didn't even get a single head. Yet the Ministry of War reported him as a hero, saying that six hundred men had repelled
thirty thousand cavalry, and promoted him to Vice Commander-in-Chief, General of Datong. How unfair you were treated, Eunuch!"
He downed a cup of strong liquor, let out a long breath, and said softly, "The eunuchs have been looked down upon for a long time
, Your Majesty..." " When Eunuch Wang conquered the Jianzhou Three Guards, he won a great victory, but his rice rations increased by only thirty-six shi.
What does our situation amount to?"
Ding Shou chuckled inwardly, tapping his wine cup lightly with his chopsticks. "If you, old eunuch, were truly so carefree, you wouldn't be constantly bickering with Zhang Jun and Che Ting in
Xuanfu." "But this Zhang Jun, when you were supervising Yansui
, sent a proclamation to Xuanfu and Datong to send scouts, he refused to send his troops. Although you impeached him, the late emperor pardoned him and
ordered the troops to be dispatched, but by then the strategic opportunity had been lost. Otherwise, the battle of Yansui wouldn't have ended so hastily."
"In the end, it's also because we are incompetent. We don't have Eunuch Wang's ability to lightly cavalry out of the pass and raid the Khan's court.
This is all old news, let's not mention it." Miao Kui's anger seemed to have gradually subsided.
"Oh dear, old eunuch, your composure is truly remarkable. Since you keep mentioning Eunuch Wang, then I'll
add fuel to the fire," he deliberately sighed heavily. "But even with a talent as extraordinary as Eunuch Wang's, what good is it? Eunuch Wang
wanted to sail the Western Ocean again, annex Annam, and replicate Emperor Taizong's great achievements, but Liu Daxia thwarted him in every way, hiding the map and refusing
to report. Otherwise, Eunuch Wang's achievements wouldn't be limited to the Nine Borders. Wouldn't the Imperial Horse Administration
be as revered as Eunuch Zheng's Imperial Household Department back then? Alas, I wonder when Eunuch Wang's regrets in life will be fulfilled..."
"Liu Daxia, I will never let you get away with this!" Miao Kui slammed his hand on the table,
enunciating each word fiercely.
Thinking he had a chance, Ding Shou reached for his cup, but as soon as he touched it, a crashing sound rang out
, the cup and plate shattered on the ground, and the hardwood round table was reduced to fragments.
"The Bone-Melting Palm?!" Ding Shou looked at Miao Kui beside him in surprise, whose face had turned from red to purple with anger. This old 　　eunuch 　　was 　　actually 　　a 　　master
of internal martial arts 　　from Xingxiu Sea 　　.
********** 　　... 　　"Who could be as audacious as Shou-ge'er? Liu Yu has already been thoroughly dealt with by Liu Da-xia and his men, 　　so naturally, safety is the top priority," Gu Dayong said, shaking his head as he looked at the letter. He sighed, "You should give Shou- 　　ge'er a heads-up, Father-in-law. He's only been in Xuanfu for a few days, can't he at least give us old folks a break? 　　" 　　"This is feasible," Qiu Ju interjected suddenly after reading the letter. 　　"Old Qiu, what are you thinking? The inner and outer courts are keeping a close eye on us men these days, what kind of 　　trouble are you trying to cause?" Gu Dayong asked, puzzled. 　　"It's precisely because we're being watched so closely that we have to create this mess to divert the attention of those scoundrels 　　. It's also fortunate that this matter involves the Imperial Horse Administration, so we can take advantage of the situation and make it seem like they're doing us a favor. Even if things don't work out, 　　Miao Kui, that tall guy, will take the fall," Qiu Ju said, glancing at Liu Jin's expression. He continued, "Shou 　　Ge'er is merely investigating a case under orders; it's not a major offense." 　　Liu Jin, holding a round winter fan, fanned himself lightly a few times and said with a smile, "Then do you think Miao Kui and those Mongol 　　Tartars will implicate Shou Ge'er?" 　　"This…" Qiu Ju dared not give a definitive answer. 　　Liu Jin stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, looked at the bright moon in the sky, and calmly said, "If this matter is to be handled, it should be handled as an ironclad case. 　　The heavens 　　of Xuanfu—it's time for a change." 　　********** ... 　　The young emperor lay listlessly on his desk, fiddling with the Yongle Tongbao coin he had worn smooth and shiny from constant 　　handling. He would chuckle absently one moment, then sigh deeply the next. 　　Even the eunuchs serving him, including Liu Jin, who had raised him, were baffled by Zhu Houzhao's behavior 　　. 　　"Your Majesty, is something troubling you?" Liu Jin asked worriedly, looking at the young emperor. 　　"Ah? No, nothing. Old Liu, what is it?" the young emperor asked, straightening up 　　. 　　"Regarding the request for a title by the Doyan Guards, what does Your Majesty think should be done?" Liu Jin bowed and reported. 　　"What else can be done? I have already shown them great favor by not pursuing their previous invasion. To still dare to covet their original titles is 　　truly insatiable, showing no sense of propriety." Zhu Houzhao slammed his hand on the desk in anger. " 　　However, the court unanimously agrees that the Doyan Guards have protected Ji and Liao from the Tatars for many years, serving as a bulwark for the capital."

"We should be generous in our favor to secure our position."
"Nonsense," Zhu Houzhao scoffed. "You say the Three Guards defend against the Tatars and prevent them from harassing Ji and Liao, but why don't you mention that the court
also has to defend against their repeated border raids? Have all the officials in the court become stupid from reading too much?"
"The ministers in the court are all very shrewd. They may not be stupid, but they may have ulterior motives," Liu Jin said in a low voice
.
"What do you mean?" Zhu Houzhao sensed something was wrong and asked. Liu
Jin took out a memorial from his sleeve and said, "Miao Kui, the garrison commander of Xuanfu, has submitted a secret memorial."
Zhu Houzhao took the memorial suspiciously, read it carefully, and then angrily said, "Opening a horse market privately, how dare Che Ting be so bold
?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. This is not without precedent. It is possible that Governor Che has some unspeakable difficulties," Liu Jin
advised in a benevolent manner.
"What can't be reported? Am I a tyrannical ruler who won't listen to good advice?" Precedent doesn't mean this matter
isn't illegal. Zhu Houzhao, young and impetuous, didn't have the mild temperament of his father, Zhu Youcheng.
"Since the Doyan delegation is in the capital, Your Majesty can summon the Doyan envoy to inquire about the matter," Liu Jin bowed and reported.
Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath. "Summon the Doyan envoy to an audience."
**********
Gerbolo was led into the Qianqing Palace by the eunuchs, and he kept looking around curiously, especially
interested in the gilded bronze crane incense burner emitting faint fragrance. Even as he approached the throne, he still didn't bow.
"How dare you! To not bow before the Emperor is a serious offense!" Liu Jin, standing before the throne, reprimanded.
Ge'erbolo finally snapped out of his daze and knelt down abruptly on the smooth gold bricks of the hall, kowtowing several
times. "Ge'erbolo of the Doyan Guard greets Your Majesty the Emperor."
Zhu Houzhao was startled to see this burly Mongol suddenly kneel and kowtow. Although the
court etiquette was completely wrong, the thuds of his head were so loud that even the young emperor felt pain through the imperial desk. He
didn't want to blame the man for his rudeness and said gently, "Rise, my dear minister."
But Ge'erbolo didn't stand up. Instead, he leaned forward, making intimate
contact with the gold bricks.
The young emperor looked at Liu Jin, somewhat bewildered. "What... what does this mean?"
"Your Majesty, don't you want me to lie flat?" Ge'erbolo, his nose almost touching the ground,
replied with difficulty in a muffled voice.
Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but chuckle. "Please stand up, sir. Didn't the Ministry of Rites teach you the etiquette of court audiences?"
Gerbolo, getting up, scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly. "Those officials at the Ministry of Rites did teach me quite a bit
, but after drinking mare's milk wine this morning, I've forgotten it all."
Liu Jin scolded, "Outrageous! How dare you utter such foul language before His Majesty! Guards…"
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand. "Alright, Old Liu. This guest has lived in the borderlands for a long time and is unfamiliar with Central Plains etiquette
. Don't take it to heart." He then smiled at Gerbolo and asked, "I heard that on your mission, you traded horses with Governor Che Ting in Xuanfu.
Is that true?"
"Traded horses?" Gerbolo shook his head in confusion. "No."
"Oh?" Zhu Houzhao exchanged a puzzled glance with Liu Jin. Could it be that Miao Kui was seeking revenge and falsely accused Che Ting
?
"Those horses were all gifts for Lord Che; there was no trade," Gerbolo continued.
"Could it be that the Doyan people have so many horses that they can give them away for free?" Zhu Houzhao asked incredulously. The officials in the court
were actually saying that they would use virtue to subdue the barbarians; the Mongols were grateful for the emperor's rule and were offering horses to him.
Gerbolo's head bobbed like a rattle-drum, and he gesticulated wildly, saying, "Last year, the grasslands suffered a devastating white plague.
The mares couldn't find grass, the foals couldn't get milk, and the dead cattle and sheep were as numerous as the stars in the sky. His Majesty the Emperor's
people on the grasslands were freezing and starving. But to prevent the Uriyangkhai from being looked down upon by other tribes, and to ensure they could continue to pay tribute to His Majesty the
Emperor, we still complied with the governor's request."
Gerbolo pulled a letter from his robes, which Liu Jin took and presented to Zhu Houzhao.
Zhu Houzhao glanced at the document briefly, then his anger flared. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Extorting the inner vassal states, arbitrarily granting
official positions—does Che Ting even respect me? Does he respect the laws of the court? I will…"
"Your Majesty…" Liu Jin gestured towards Ge'erbolo, reminding Zhengde that his outburst was inappropriate
.
Zhu Houzhao suppressed his anger and sat back on the dragon throne, saying to Ge'erbolo, "Envoy, please leave."
However, Ge'erbolo showed no sign of leaving, kneeling down and saying, "Your Majesty, the Doyan have already
presented horses as tribute according to the Ming Dynasty's orders. We humbly request that your loyal subject, Hua, be granted the right to inherit the official position."
"This…" Zhu Houzhao was somewhat unable to swallow this insult. He hadn't agreed to the horses and the official position; why should he be granted
it?
"Your Majesty, since Doyan has shown such deference, why should Your Majesty be stingy with your grace?" Liu Jin leaned close to Zhu Houzhao and
whispered in his ear, "Grace comes from the Emperor."
Indeed, grace comes from the Emperor; even the greatest reward is given by me, not by those ministers who use court favors for personal gain
. Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "Gerbolo, I grant your request. I hereby decree that Huadang inherit the position of Governor of Doyan."
Gerbolo kowtowed in gratitude, but before he could rise, Liu Jin continued, "The envoy just now said that the people of Doyan have suffered from
natural disasters, with starvation everywhere. This is truly against the will of Heaven. I request Your Majesty to open another border market near Doyan to provide relief to the disaster victims,
so that the people of the grasslands may also enjoy the Emperor's grace."
It was strange that Liu Jin would suggest such a thing, but seeing the burning gaze in Gerbolo's eyes, Zhu Houzhao
couldn't refuse out of politeness and nodded, "You decide."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor." Ge'erboluo kowtowed repeatedly, making a loud thud several times. "
May the Eternal Heaven bless the Zhengde Emperor, and may your kindness flow like the Onon River, never running dry."
Everyone loves to hear kind words, and Zhu Houzhao was also excited. He said, "I see you are straightforward and honest, so I will also appoint you as a Vice Commander-in-
Chief, hmm, one rank lower than your father."
The previous requests for titles and border markets were all for the entire Doyan people. Even if Hua Dang considered his feelings, the benefits wouldn't be immediately
apparent. This official position, however, was truly his own. He could use his position to lead people to the capital for tribute and
to trade in the border markets. Overjoyed, Ge'erboluo kowtowed again.
After so many hard kowtows against the polished gold bricks on the ground, even a copper head and iron brain couldn't withstand it. Ge'erboluo stood up, feeling a little dizzy and lightheaded. As he turned to leave the hall, he suddenly felt a tremor in his heart, as if two sharp glints 　　flashed past
his side .

Ge'erbolo turned his head and saw the old eunuch who had been serving beside the Great Emperor standing to the side with his head bowed
, seemingly not even glancing in their direction.
Perhaps he was mistaken, Ge'erbolo thought to himself, but that gaze was all too familiar—
the sharp, ruthless, and excited gleam of a venomous snake eyeing its prey on the vast grasslands…
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
“Old Liu, what should we do with Che Ting?” Watching Ge'erbolo leave the palace gates, Zhu Houzhao asked
Liu Jin angrily.
“This old servant believes a thorough investigation is still needed.”
“A thorough investigation is needed? It's all clearly stated in black and white…” Zhu Houzhao waved the letter in his hand
.
“This is only supporting evidence. Besides, we don't know how many horses Che Ting has stockpiled, or what his purpose is
.” Liu Jin spread his hands towards Zhu Houzhao.
Frustrated, Zhu Houzhao threw his winged crown onto the imperial desk, scratched his head, and said, "Then let Zhang Jun investigate this matter.
"
"This old servant thinks it's unwise," Liu Jin explained, meeting Zhu Houzhao's suspicious gaze. "Miao Kui
only served in Xuanfu for a year before knowing about this, while Zhang Jun, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu for many years, never reported it. It's hard to guarantee there wasn't collusion.
"
"Then send the imperial guards to Xuanfu," Zhu Houzhao decided.
"Why bother with selection? Isn't there a Jinyiwei vice commissioner recuperating in Xuanfu?" Liu Jin smiled faintly and
said softly, "Just issue an imperial edict."
"Ding Shou? How could I forget him?" Zhu Houzhao clapped his hands happily and said, "Quickly draft the edict...
"
"Your Majesty, you mustn't." Liu Jin quickly stopped him, "This Che Tingxin said that someone in the court is helping him.
Although I don't know if it's false, it's better to believe it. If the edict is drafted by a probationary official and then reviewed by the Grand Secretariat and the Six Ministries,
it will not only take a lot of time, but with so many people watching, there's a risk of information leaks."
"The laws of the court are like this, what else can we do?" Zhu Houzhao asked helplessly, spreading his hands.
"Without going through the Grand Secretariat, Your Majesty will personally write the edict, instructing Ding Shou to act as he sees fit." Liu Jin gave
the answer without hesitation.
"You want me to issue an imperial edict?" Zhu Houzhao rubbed his hands, feeling guilty. "This is a matter of great importance. If there is no solid
evidence, what will the court officials think?"
Zhengde also had something on his mind. If he issued a personal edict, and people didn't acknowledge it at all,
where would he put his face as emperor? In fact, according to the rules of the court, only the Six Ministries had the power to reject the emperor's edicts. The Grand Secretariat was only responsible for drafting
suggestions, and officials at all levels were just supposed to receive and execute the edicts. However, since the "Three Yangs," the power of the Grand Secretariat had expanded, and imperial edicts without the Grand
Secretariat's signature were considered shameful.
The young emperor should be thankful that Ming emperors occasionally issued imperial edicts, and as long as they weren't too outrageous, the ministers would reluctantly
accept them. After all, if things really turned sour, it would be bad for everyone's reputation. If this were the Song Dynasty, such an imperial edict would
have been torn up and thrown in your face by a civil official. Under the guidance of the "slip-up" theory of the selfless minister Fan Zhongyan
, Song Dynasty civil officials were already united. Inciting popular uprisings was nothing, losing territory and troops was nothing, and other
things like disregarding human life and corruption were even less of a concern. In reality, Bao Zheng's tiger-head guillotine in Kaifeng Prefecture
could only behead military generals like Di Qing and Yue Fei; it couldn't even touch a hair on a civil official's head.
Hearing Zhengde's lack of confidence, Liu Jin pondered for a moment, then smiled half-jokingly, "If you
can't accomplish anything after receiving the edict, then that kid can stay in Xuanfu and farm."
******************************************
Wang Hua, the Vice Minister of Rites, stormed into the residence of Xie Qian, the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion.
Although Xie Qian was nearing sixty, he was still handsome and dignified. At this moment, dressed in casual clothes, he was enjoying
tea in his residence. Upon seeing Wang Hua, who was covered in sweat, he chuckled and teased, "Shi'an, why are you like this? Did your
precious son upset you again?"
Normally, if Xie Qian joked about Wang Shouren, Wang Hua would definitely argue with him. But this time, he had no interest in such things
. He strode over to Xie Qian, picked up his teacup, and took a large gulp before calming his breathing. "Mu Zhai
, you still have the leisure to sit here?"
These two top scholars of the Ming Dynasty had a special relationship. They were both from the same hometown of Yuyao and close friends who had studied together. However, Xie
Qian had taken the lead, becoming the top scholar in the eleventh year of the Chenghua era, while Wang Hua was six years later. It was his good friend Xie Qian who had admitted him in the metropolitan examination
. The two were both teacher and friend, with an inseparable bond, and they rarely held back in their interactions.
Seeing his old friend so distraught, Xie Qian was also surprised: "What happened?"
Seeing no one around, Wang Hua whispered, "According to news from the Huitong Hall, the Emperor suddenly summoned the Doyan envoy to an audience
, even though it's not yet the appointed time."
"Perhaps he suddenly had a whim and wanted to hear someone explain the scenery of the desert," Xie, well
aware of his student's temperament, said dismissively.
"But when Ge'erbolo returned to the post station, he held a grand banquet. The Doyan Mongols were overjoyed, saying that the Emperor had already
granted their request, and that the horses weren't given for nothing, vaguely mentioning Xuanfu," Wang Hua said in a deep voice.
"Oh?" Xie Qian finally became wary. "This matter is somewhat strange. The Emperor recently said that the Doyan were rude and arrogant
, and refused to allow them to inherit their post. How could things suddenly change?"
"Zhenqing wrote a few days ago saying that Yang Suian's horse breed had been secured. Could this be what he was referring to?"
Wang Hua, worried, stroked his beard and spoke slowly.
Suddenly standing up, Xie Qian decisively said, "Immediately send someone to Xuanfu to have Che Ting clean up the mess
. He must deny everything, no matter what. We'll handle things for him in court." 　　Wang 　　Hua
nodded, about to return to make arrangements, when a voice said, "No one can go."
The two turned to see Li Dongyang standing in the hall, 　　his 　　eyes filled with 　　worry.
********** ... 　　"My lord, I can't even lift my arms, don't you feel sorry for me?" The woman said coquettishly, 　　snatching the book from Che Ting's hands, twisting her slender waist and falling into his arms. "Is this book better than others'?"

"No book, however good, can compare to even a fraction of my Li'er," Che Ting laughed, then wrapped his arms around the woman's
slender waist, kneading her plump, tender buttocks beneath her dress.
The woman was Zhu Li'er, Che Ting's beloved concubine whom he had redeemed from a brothel. Knowing her beauty, she understood that her
master loved her unrestrained passion. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck, and her fragrant lips pressed
against his, her breath sweet as orchids: "Then forget about this rubbish, shall I serve you?"
With such a beauty in his arms, how could Che Ting refuse? He kissed her bright red lips, his
hand that had been caressing her buttocks now slipping under her skirt, stroking her alluring private parts through her underpants.
Their tongues intertwined, Zhu Li'er's full breasts pressed against Che Ting's chest, her small hands not idle either,
untying his belt to reveal his already erect penis, which she began to stroke.
Lord Che was well past sixty, but thanks to his regular nourishment, his manhood was quite impressive. After several
teasing attempts by his beloved concubine, his glans flushed red, his urethral opening slightly open, and he could hardly contain himself. He stuck out his fragrant tongue and gasped, "Li'er, come
, I want it."
"Master, don't be impatient. How about I serve you with the Guanyin Lotus Position this time?" Zhu Li'er said seductively, licking her upper lip with her scarlet tongue
.
"Alright, whatever you say," Che Ting laughed.
Zhu Li'er immediately rose, bent her slender waist, lifted her long skirt, and gently raised her jade legs
, peeling away her damp underpants to reveal her round, plump buttocks.
Seeing Che Ting's burning gaze fixed on her lower body, Zhu Li'er gave him a flirtatious look. "Master, I'm here
." Lifting her skirt, she straddled him, then her body sank slightly, and with a "whoosh," her wet, moist
vulva swallowed his penis whole.
"Mmm!" Juliet felt her empty lower body suddenly filled with a powerful surge, her vagina stretched to its limit
. Before Che Ting could react, she grabbed his shoulders and began to writhe.
Che Ting felt the tip of his penis tightly enveloped by layers of warm, moist flesh. With Juliet's movements
, waves of tingling pleasure surged from his shaft, causing him to let out a joyful
groan, "Oh—".
Unbuttoning Juliet's long coat, revealing her smooth, plump breasts, Che Ting teased, "Soft, warm, freshly peeled
chicken head meat, indeed not bad." He couldn't resist burying his head between her two snow-white breasts, licking and teasing
the two pink nipples.
"Oh, so beautiful—Master—ah—I can't take it anymore—", overwhelmed by pleasure, Juliet
let out seductive moans, tightly embracing Che Ting, and quickening her movements with her large buttocks, helping his thick
penis to thrust in and out with a "plop plop" sound.
"My lord, I'm going to die!" Juliet, resting her head on Che Ting's shoulder, let out a seductive moan .
Her wet vaginal fluids gushed out, and the intense contractions of her vagina made Che Ting's body tense with pleasure, his semen spurting out and
splashing all over his beloved concubine's delicate flower garden.
The two, having enjoyed their passion, embraced tightly, savoring their recent lovemaking.
"My lord, your ginseng soup is ready." A soft voice came from outside the door.
"Xiuhong, come in." Che Ting wiped the sweat from his brow and said wearily.
With a soft knock on the door, a middle-aged woman in an ivory-white high-necked jacket and skirt gracefully entered carrying a tea tray
.
"My lord, this is something I personally prepared; please nourish your body." The woman had delicate features and a gentle, frail appearance
. She was Xiuhong, a concubine Che Ting had taken in years ago. Although she was getting older and her beauty was fading, her excellent soup-making
skills still won Che Ting's favor.
Che Ting nodded, took the soup bowl, and before he could even drink, Zhu Li'er, still straddling him, said coquettishly, "
Master, I was so tired just now, I need to replenish myself."
Before Che Ting could speak, Xiu Hong said softly, "This soup contains ginseng and deer antler, which are very nourishing. I'm afraid it's
not suitable for you, sister." After saying that, Xiu Hong lowered her head and stood to the side, her eyes falling on the section of Zhu Li'er's fair and smooth
calves exposed under her skirt.
Zhu Li'er glanced at Xiu Hong disdainfully. She was old and faded. If it weren't for her good cooking skills, she would have been kicked out of
the mansion long ago. What was she so arrogant about? But she smiled and said, "It's rare for you to be so kind, sister. Come, Master, quickly drink this bowl of soup
. After you've replenished your strength, I'll test your prowess again tonight..."
"Tonight?" Che Ting looked at Xiu Hong, who was standing meekly beside him, and felt a little embarrassed. He had agreed to stay in
her room tonight.
"Is it okay?" Juliet wriggled against him playfully, while secretly straining her lower abdomen. Che Ting
felt his half-erect member being sucked hard a few more times, sending shivers of pleasure through him.
"Okay, okay, whatever you want," Che Ting pleaded.
Juliet smiled charmingly, glancing triumphantly at Xiu Hong.
Xiu Hong was displeased, but didn't show it on her face, smiling and saying, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you tonight, little sister.
"
Juliet was helpless against the other woman's slippery advances, feeling utterly frustrated.
Che Ting wasn't oblivious to the two women's scheming, but he pretended not to notice, planning to
mediate later when he had more free time.
A soft cough rang out, and a kind-faced noblewoman slowly entered the study. Seeing Zhu Li'er and her companion embracing
, she frowned slightly and scolded, "A family of scholars and gentlemen, what kind of behavior is this?"
Zhu Li'er quickly rose and straightened her clothes, bowing along with Xiu Hong, "Greetings, Madam."
Che Ting also hurriedly rose, using his robe to cover his unsightly bulge, and said awkwardly, "So, Madam has arrived. Please sit
."
The woman was Che Ting's wife, Chen, also a lady of high birth. She and Che Ting had been husband and wife since their youth, deeply devoted to each other
. Seeing his indulgence, she couldn't help but scold, "Master, you are not as young as you once were. You should cherish your health and refrain from such
dissolute behavior."
"Madam is quite right," Che Ting replied eloquently, "I had intended to quiet my mind and cultivate myself today. Just yesterday, Jiang Bin sent me some storybooks from the market
, which I'll use to pass the time." Having tidied himself up, Che Ting spoke fluently, transforming once again into the learned and refined
official he once was.
"Jiang Bin? What's he doing here?" Madam Chen seemed rather dissatisfied with her nephew-in-law.
"He's going back to Dushikou in a few days, bringing several boxes of local specialties to show his filial piety," Che Ting
said with a smile, as if he'd thought of something pleasant.
"Yu Niang is pregnant, and instead of staying home to take care of her, he rushed off to the border wall in such a hurry—what's he up to?" Madam Chen asked.
" Annoyed," she said.
"Defending the borders for the country is a general's duty," Che Ting said solemnly, stroking his beard.
"It's all your fault for marrying Yu Niang to such a boorish man," Chen snorted, then suddenly remembered something
. "What good books could he possibly send over?"
"This book is quite interesting; it tells the story of Zhuangzi's enlightenment through drumming on a basin," Che Ting said with a smile,
handing the book to Chen.
"Zhuangzi? Drumming on a basin? Is this story from the 'Zhuangzi: The Chapter on Ultimate Happiness'?" Chen thought for a moment and immediately recognized
the source.
"Indeed, this is the story. When Zhuangzi's wife died, he sang while drumming on a basin. This text uses this as its foundation and expands upon it.
" Che Ting took a sip of ginseng soup to moisten his throat. "It tells the story of Zhuangzi's wife, who was young and beautiful. Zhuangzi faked his death, transforming into a handsome young man
to seduce her. He falsely claimed to have a terrible disease that required eating human brains to be cured. The woman, for the sake of her new lover, actually tried to split open the coffin to get
the brains. Zhuangzi then came back to life, and the woman, ashamed, committed suicide."
After listening to this story, Chen Shi pondered in silence.
"That Zhuangzi treated his wife so cruelly; it was truly despicable," Zhu Li'er said bitterly.
Xiuhong said indignantly, "That woman has no shame! She didn't remain faithful after her husband's death, and instead tried to dispose of his body to save her lover
. Utterly shameless!"
Zhu Lier realized she had sat crookedly, cursed under her breath, and quickly said, "Sister is right. That
woman should be drowned in the river. Letting her commit suicide is too lenient."
Che Ting looked at the women with interest: "It's easy to draw a dragon or a tiger, but hard to draw their bones; it's easy to know
a person's face, but hard to know their heart. How many couples are loving in public, but death solves everything? As the saying goes, 'Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; they fly away separately at dawn.'"
"Master, we would never do such a thing," Zhu Lier and the other woman quickly declared.
Che Ting laughed heartily, "I am over sixty years old. Seventy is a rare age in life. If Heaven truly does not grant me long life,
how can you two, in the prime of your youth, bear the loneliness of an empty room? I hereby declare: if that day truly comes, you will be free.
"
"Master!" The two women hurriedly knelt, "If you say such a thing again, we will have no choice but to die to prove our loyalty."
"Alright, get up. Master was just joking with you," Chen Shi said, giving Che Ting a reproachful
glance.
Seeing Che Ting's mischievous smile, the two women breathed a sigh of relief. Just as they were about to help each other to their feet, a servant
rushed in in a panic.
"Master, the Imperial Guards... the Embroidered Uniform Guards have come to deliver an imperial edict."
**********************************
Ding Shou, holding the yellow silk imperial edict, stood calmly in the courtyard. Behind him were dozens of brightly armored Embroidered Uniform Guards
, even Wang Liu, dressed in blue cloth armor, followed behind.
Seeing Che Ting and the others rushing out, Ding Shou smiled slightly. "General, please receive the
imperial decree." "Vice Censor-in-Chief Che Ting, Governor of Xuanfu, has disregarded the Emperor's grace, coerced vassal states, and illegally opened a horse market. He treats the court as
nothing and disregards the law. Ding Shou, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is hereby ordered to thoroughly investigate and act as he sees fit. Local civil and military officials are to provide their full
assistance and must not disobey."
The imperial decree closed, and Ding Shou grinned maliciously. "General, accept the decree and express your gratitude."
Upon hearing the decree, Che Ting swayed, nearly collapsing. Supported by his servants, he stood up unsteadily and
asked in a trembling voice, "May I ask how Lord Ding intends to deal with me?" "
I will immediately search your residence. During this time, you will inevitably have to suffer some hardship, General." Ding Shou still smiled broadly
, but Che Ting found it utterly repulsive.
Che Ting closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "May I borrow the imperial decree to take a look?"
"Please, General." Ding Shou handed it over with a smile.
Che Ting gritted his teeth, slowly unfurled the imperial edict, then suddenly widened his eyes, scrutinizing it carefully from top to bottom
. He said, a mixture of surprise and delight, "Without the cabinet's signature, you're issuing a reckless order."
"General, be careful what you say. This is His Majesty's decree," Ding Shou's expression turned cold, staring intently at Che Ting. "Which
law of the Ming Dynasty says that an imperial edict must be co-signed by the cabinet? Are you defying the decree?"
Hold on, or it's all over. Che Ting forced himself to stay calm. "Fine, I'll talk to you about
the law. Does your Embroidered Uniform Guard have a warrant from the Ministry of Justice to arrest someone?"
"No," Ding Shou replied curtly, leaning closer to Che Ting and coldly saying, "Imperial authority grants special permission to act expediently.
"
"I won't grant you that privilege," Che Ting sneered, shouting, "Where are your personal guards?
"
"Present!" A thunderous reply followed, the sound of armor plates clashing echoing as squads of soldiers surged forward , following a burly military officer
, forming a fan shape around Ding Shou and the other Imperial Guards.
The officer stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Gui Yong, the guerrilla commander of the Fubiao, obeys my orders."
Pointing at Ding Shou, Che Ting smiled smugly, "This man is falsely claiming to be acting on imperial orders, attempting to disrupt the proceedings. Seize him with me."
If he could get through this, Governor Che would have plenty of leverage to take legal action before the Emperor.
No one moved.
Che Ting turned to look at his generals, their eyes filled with astonishment, and shouted sharply, "Seize him with me!"
Still, no one responded.
With a light cough, Ding Shou pointed his chin at Che Ting, "Disobeying the imperial order, seize him."
"Yes, sir." Gui Yong responded, waving his hand, and several military officers pounced on Governor Che, pinning him to the ground
and binding him tightly.
"You... oh dear... I've wasted my time raising you all!!" Che Ting's face was pressed to the ground as he roared in anger.
Xi Yong, who had just tightened the rope, chuckled. "Lord Che, next time you have someone risk their life for you, remember
to treat them like human beings." With that, he shoved Che Ting's head down hard, knocking off his headscarf
.
Standing up, Xi Yong let out a long sigh of relief. "That was satisfying! I've been wanting to do this for ages!" He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Gui Yong
. "Brother Gui, thank you!"
"We're all family, no need for formalities," Gui Yong replied politely, then quickly bowed to Ding Shou, who was approaching
. "What else do you need, sir?"
"Keep an eye on the people in this mansion," Ding Shou patted Gui Yong on the shoulder. "Well done.
Please give my thanks to Eunuch Miao."
"Serving you, sir, and Eunuch Miao is my honor," Gui Yong said, his obsequious smile incongruous with his tall stature
.
"Gui Yong, you're one of Miao Kui's men?" Che Ting, lying on the ground, asked in surprise, then gave a desolate smile: "So
, my letter didn't reach the capital."
"What are you saying, sir? If it weren't for disobeying an imperial decree, I would still be a guerrilla under your command. How could I dare to disobey orders so easily? The letter itself... "
"It has indeed been sent to the capital." Gui Yong said, sounding quite aggrieved.
"Oh?" This surprised Che Ting.
"However, the messenger I sent was useless; he may have delivered it to the wrong place." Gui Yong scratched his head.
************
A plain letter lay quietly on the desk.
Two Grand Secretaries and a Vice Minister of the Ming Empire sat facing each other in silence.
"What is Liu Jin's intention in sending this letter?" Wang Hua glanced at his two superiors and asked.
"If you don't want to be caught in the crossfire, mind your own business." Li Dongyang's cloudy eyes flickered.
"Leaving this letter is like holding a sword in your hand; let's see who he points it at."
Xie Qian glanced at the words on the envelope: To my esteemed teacher, Master Muzhai, your student Che Ting respectfully presents. The calligraphy was vigorous and
powerful; he admired this student's calligraphy the most, but now he had put him in a difficult position.
"But we don't know what's written in this letter. Perhaps it's just Zhenqing's greetings." Wang Hua was genuinely
worried about his classmate.
"Perhaps he said many things he shouldn't have." Li Dongyang flicked
away a flying insect that was about to land in his teacup with his slender fingers. "We can't let him implicate more people."
Wang Hua paced back and forth a few times, then said sullenly, "Raising horse breeds is also a national act for Zhenqing
. Why can't he report it to the court and request an imperial decree?"
Li Dongyang's eyes widened, not expecting Wang Hua to say such a thing. Xie Qian gave him a bitter smile. Shi'an was an honest
gentleman, unfamiliar with the ways of officialdom. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stopped at the mere position of Vice Minister of Rites. Border trade
involved many conflicting interests. If it were brought to the court openly, the Court of Imperial Stud would take over, which would cut off the livelihoods of many people
.
"Fortunately, operating a border market privately isn't a major crime. It's just a demotion and reprimand. Even if he's dismissed, he can be reinstated in a few years 　　." Xie Qian 　　was 　　n't
sure if he was comforting Wang Hua or reassuring himself. Li Dongyang's 　　white eyebrows 　　twitched . 　　Operating
a border market privately, was that all... 　　? **************** 　　... 　　"Second Master, um, I, I, could I..." Wang Liu stammered, trying to explain. 　　"Trying to sneak in and make some extra money?" Ding Shou saw right through his servant's thoughts. 　　"Second Master is wise, you can tell what I'm doing just by looking at my bottom..." 　　"Alright, alright, your language is filthy and vulgar, truly unfit for polite society." Ding Shou took 　　the fan hand-painted by Tang Bohu from his hand, kicked him in the backside, and said disdainfully, "Go." 　　Taking advantage of his master's kick, Wang Liu dashed off towards the inner quarters. Based on his years of experience as a servant 　　, he knew the wealthy were always the master, and where the master would hide money would be somewhere he could see it even while sleeping 　　—definitely in the bedroom. 　　Ding Shou had brought a small number of Imperial Guards to Xuanfu, and they were searching each courtyard, paying particular attention to hidden passages 　　and mechanisms. This meticulous work ethic allowed Wang Liu to arrive at his destination first. 　　He casually tossed precious Song and Yuan dynasty porcelain pieces to the ground, and in Wang Liu's eyes, calligraphy and paintings by ancient masters were nothing more than a pile of ink blots 　　, useless and worthless, discarded like worn-out shoes 　　. Exhausted and sweating profusely, he only managed to collect a few silver coins. Wang Liu wondered, could this governor be an honest official after all? 　　Having come all this way for nothing, Wang Liu angrily smashed a Jun ware porcelain vase to pieces. With a loud crack, he heard 　　a soft gasp. 　　"Who is it? Come out!" Drawing his sword, Wang Liu slowly passed through the circular light barrier in the bedroom. Inside, 　　there was only a large, carved rosewood bed with blue gauze curtains hanging around it. 　　Wang Liu used his sword to brush aside the curtains, but saw no one. Perhaps he had misheard. Turning to leave, he suddenly turned back and 　　ducked to the ground… 　　Several screams rang out, and three richly dressed women lay trembling beneath the bed. 　　"Come out, or I'll chop you up with my sword!" Wang Liu shouted. 　　"No...no...we're coming out." Amidst the pleas, one woman after another crawled out 　　. 　　"Hmm?" Wang Liu saw that each of them was carrying a box and shouted, "Give us your things. 　　" 　　The women were Che Ting's wife and two concubines. Hearing that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had raided their home, they had taken their valuables and 　　hidden under the bed, intending to wait until this ordeal was over before making further plans. They hadn't expected to be discovered by this weasel-faced soldier 　　. 　　Xiu Hong and the other two hesitated whether to hand over their boxes, as they were their means of survival. Chen 　　Shi, however, handed them over first. The two women were indignant; "You have your family to rely on, what about us?" But they had no choice but to hand them over as well 　　. 　　Opening the three jewelry boxes, the gold and jewels inside immediately dazzled Wang Liu's eyes. He nervously 　　closed the lids. He was overjoyed at his newfound wealth. Looking at the three women huddled to one side like quails, a lewd smile crept onto 　　his face. 　　"Sir, the box is all yours. Please let us go," Xiu Hong pleaded. 　　"Come on, today I want both the treasure and the women." Wang Liu turned and jumped onto the bed, saying smugly, "Come 　　and serve me." 　　He called out, but no one came. Wang Liu drew his sword. "Are you coming or not?" 　　Xiu Hong asked timidly, "Which one of us does the sir want to serve you?" As she spoke, she leaned back, 　　leaving Zhu Li'er in front of her. Anyone with eyes could tell who was younger and prettier. 　　"Which one? I want them all." Wang Liu had a big appetite. 　　Xiu Hong and Zhu Li'er had no choice but to reluctantly walk towards Wang Liu. Wang Liu looked at the bewildered Chen Shi. 　　"You come here too." 　　"Me? I'm nearly sixty. I can't serve the general anymore." Chen Shi didn't expect this soldier to be so indiscriminate in his affections, 　　even considering her.

"Sixty? Not bad, looks like you're only in your forties. Sixth Master isn't picky." Wang Liu said casually ,
putting his arm around Xiu Hong and the other two women.
Seeing that Chen Shi was still hesitant, Wang Liu got angry: "Do you know who Sixth Master is? Do you know
who Sixth Master's Second Master is? He's the Imperial Envoy! If you don't serve me well, Sixth Master will throw you into the Xuanfu Garrison
for rotation."
The three women were already confused by the titles "Sixth Master" and "Second Master," but
they clearly heard "Imperial Envoy" and "rotation," and quickly came closer.
Zhu Li'er looked up with her delicate face, smiling ingratiatingly: "Sir, you can do whatever you want, just don't hand me
over to those rough men."
"That depends on whether you know how to serve people." Wang Liu pinched her tender face and lewdly laughed.
Juliet winked seductively, squatted down, unzipped Wang Liu's pants, and took his ugly penis into her mouth. Her
nimble tongue danced around the glans, while one hand gently kneaded his scrotum, and the other
hand quickly stroked the base of his penis.
Wang Liu gasped in pleasure, "So good, so fucking good! I didn't know the official's wife was so good at blowjobs. Oh
, so good! You, you all take off your clothes, or I'll send the slow ones to the barracks."
Upon hearing this, the two Chen women hurriedly stripped off their clothes, even Juliet, who was sucking his penis,
writhed like a snake, throwing her clothes to the ground one by one.
Wang Liu beckoned for the other two women to sit on either side of him, one in each arm. "You're from an official family
, after all. Your skin is so smooth and supple, you could practically squeeze water out of it."
As he spoke, he gripped and kneaded the two women's plump buttocks forcefully. The women, though in pain, dared not cry out,
forcing smiles as they rubbed their snow-white breasts against his chest.
"You're well-maintained, your breasts are so white and big. Although you've gained a little weight around your waist, it still looks festive." Wang
Liu teased Chen Shi, licking her mature, snowy breasts with his foul mouth.
Chen had never suffered such humiliation before, yet she dared not resist. One person being humiliated was better than a thousand or ten thousand. Holding her
large breasts, she offered her nipples to Wang Liu's mouth, saying, "Since you don't mind my age and ugliness, sir, I will serve you with all my might.
"
Wang Liu laughed maniacally, pressing Xiu Hong's head down to his crotch, "It's your turn to suck."
Zhu Li'er spat out his penis, took a breath, and with a flirtatious glance, gently pressed her nipples against Wang Liu's knee.
Xiu Hong brushed aside her disheveled hair and lowered her head to take his penis into her mouth. Her skill wasn't
as refined as Zhu Li'er's, but she was very dedicated. She didn't use her hands to support it, but simply used her mouth to move up and down on Wang Liu's penis, her
breasts pressed tightly against his thighs.
"Good, good, not bad," Wang Liu groaned comfortably.
Pushing the two women aside, Wang Liu straddled Chen, his penis nestled between her full breasts,
supporting her with both hands as he thrust in and out, laughing, "How about it? Never played like this before, have you?"
Chen, indeed unfamiliar with this, saw the mushroom head bulging from between her breasts, the pungent smell assaulting
her senses, yet she feigned happiness, saying, "No, my husband isn't as skilled as you, sir."
The slippery sensation from her lower body made Wang Liu almost unable to hold on, and he withdrew, saying, "You all bend over, let me
decide which one to fuck first."
The three women, though somewhat embarrassed, climbed to the edge of the bed, swaying their snow-white buttocks, displaying their private parts
to the man.
Zhu Li'er's buttocks were snow-white, plump, and incredibly elastic; Xiu Hong's figure was slender, but fortunately, her bones and flesh were firm; Chen
's buttocks were large and round, with dark pubic hair interspersed between her thighs, a striking contrast of black and white.
Wang Liu, dazzled by the sight, thrust his hips towards Xiu Hong's buttocks, and with a soft "plop," his penis
entered her wet vagina through her buttocks.
Xiu Hong, gripping the edge of the bed, swayed her hips and arched her back, trying to cooperate with Wang Liu's thrusts. "Ah... oh
... Master... it hurts... slower... don't be too... too rough... my wet... vagina
is... torn... oh... so comfortable... so good..."
Her lewd words drove Wang Liu even more frenzied. Even Zhu Li'er and the other woman were puzzled; Xiu Hong
, usually so dignified and quiet, was now so wanton.
"I... am... so beautiful... Master... comfortable... am I comfortable? Stay... I'll...
serve... Master... okay..." Xiu Hong cried out loudly, twisting her body to facilitate the entry and exit of his penis.
The two women blushed and their hearts pounded, realizing that Xiuhong was looking for a way out for them.
Wang Liu, exhausted and drenched in sweat, chuckled, "You're so slutty, so damn slutty! I love slutty girls . I'll
ask Second Master for a reward later and keep you here."
"Master, come quickly! My pussy is so itchy, I want to be fucked..." Zhu Lier
shook her snow-white, plump buttocks repeatedly, which indeed aroused Wang Liu to pull out his gun and fuck her.
With a gentle thrust, he plunged in, then withdrew his penis, bending down to look at the slightly parted vulva. He asked in surprise, "
Why is your cunt so wet? It went all the way in in one go?"
Zhu Li'er then realized she had just finished making love with a man and hadn't even had time to wash before hiding here. She dared not
say such a thing, grabbing his penis and shoving it back in, shaking her long hair and uttering lewd words, "This servant...look...
look at you fucking...that slut...can't hold back...I'm coming...I want...you...
to fuck me too..."
"Indeed a slut, Sixth Master will grant your wish." Wang Liu slapped her round buttocks hard, bent down
, grabbed Zhu Li'er's two hanging breasts and kneaded them roughly, thrusting his whole body forcefully.
"Good...Master's...cock...so...oh...so big...fuck me to death..."
Compared to her wantonness in bed, who could compare to Zhu Li'er, a woman from a brothel, swaying her hips, squeezing and sucking, occasionally turning
her head to throw a few seductive glances at the man behind her.
Wang Liu had never experienced such a sensual encounter. His previous wife, Qian Niang, was naturally blessed with a treasured hole, and he was finished in no time
. Only now did he enjoy the pleasure of conquest in bed. Moreover, the woman beneath him was of noble status, something he had never dared to dream
of before. He thrust forcefully over two hundred times, hearing a series of moans and groans. Wang Liu felt an unbearable tingling sensation throughout his body
and immediately felt the urge to urinate.
Taking a breath, he forced himself to hold it in, pushed Zhu Li'er aside, and moved behind Chen Shi, aiming at her large, white
buttocks and thrusting inside. Chen Shi was old and her hole was loose, so it was easy to pass through. After a dozen more thrusts, he slammed into her,
pushing her down onto the bed. With a shudder, he ejaculated.
Wang Liu lay on Chen's smooth, white flesh, groaning comfortably. Although Chen was uncomfortable from being pressed down,
she dared not get up, letting him grope her breasts and crotch.
"Liu'er, how dare you!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Wang Liu jumped up from Chen and knelt on the ground, "
Second Master, spare me, spare me..." "
Stop talking about death all the time, it's a downer." Covering his nose with a handkerchief, the familiar smell of sweat and semen mixed together
made Ding Shou very uncomfortable. He kicked Wang Liu lightly and pointed at Chen on the bed, "You can even eat this old slut
?"
Wang Liu scratched the back of his head embarrassedly, "Second Master doesn't know, my old cunt is cooling."
Ding Shou smiled disdainfully. After he found out the identities of the three women on the bed, he said in surprise, "Liu'er, you have good taste
. You've fucked all the governor's wives and concubines."
"I deserve to die, I should have saved them for Second Master." Wang Liu kowtowed with a fawning smile.
Ding Shou remained noncommittal, observing the three women on the bed with great interest.
The three naked women, seeing Ding Shou's unabashed gaze as he wore a flying fish robe, felt ashamed but dared not cover
themselves, cowering at the foot of the bed in terror.
"My lord, we've found them," Du Xingye reported from outside the door.
Ding Shou nodded, kicked Wang Liu to the ground, and said, "Stop lying there like a corpse, keep having fun." He turned and left with his men
.
Seeing that Ding Shou and the others had disappeared, Wang Liu got up, looked at the trembling women, and gave a triumphant thumbs-up
. "See that? That's Sixth Master's master, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Imperial Envoy, isn't he impressive?
"
Cautiously glancing behind him to make sure no one was coming, Wang Liu still whispered uncertainly, "These are the girls Sixth Master
raised himself. They obey my every word and serve me obediently. You'll get your share of the benefits, understand?"
The three women nodded blankly. Wang Liu pulled Chen Shi over, pressed her down between his legs, and said, "Suck me until I get hard, then I'll fuck you
again."
With the ugly, fleshy rod covered in semen and vaginal fluid in her mouth, Chen Shi swung her tongue wide, desperately swallowing and spitting…
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Che Ting had been helped to sit up, glaring resentfully at the treacherous lackeys who had persecuted him so badly—
at least, that's what Lord Che thought.
"Lord Che, according to your ledger, the number of horses you've acquired is far more than just Duoyan. Can you really handle such a large quantity by yourself
?" Ding Shou asked Che Ting with a smile, flipping through the ledger he had just copied.
Che Ting snorted coldly and turned his head away.
"Lord Che is a true friend; even now, he doesn't forget to protect others," Ding Shou praised, pointing to a square
black lacquered bookcase and demanding, "What's this?"
Qian Ning clasped his hands in a fist salute. "My lord, these are just some idle books from the marketplace, copied from the Che family's study."
"Lord Che, you're a learned scholar; how could you read such miscellaneous books?" Ding Shou glanced at Qian Ning.
"My lord is absolutely right; there must be something fishy about this." Qian Ning meticulously examined the bookcase,
and soon exclaimed, "Found it!"
Qian Ning took out a letter from a hidden compartment in the bookcase and presented it to Ding Shou. Ding Shou unfolded it and his expression changed drastically.
Even Che Ting was curious about what was written in the letter.
Ding Shou rushed forward, standing close to Che Ting, and pointed at his nose, cursing, "Che Zhenqing, you, as
a high-ranking official of the court, have colluded with the enemy! You have wasted your studies of the sages, unjustly received the emperor's salary, and disregarded the emperor's grace!"
"Ding... Lord Ding, what makes you say such a thing?" Che Ting broke out in a cold sweat; he couldn't bear this accusation.
Ding Shou brandished a letter in his hand, "This is a reply from the Tatar prince Batu Mengke, who colluded with you, exchanging fine horses from the northern deserts for
salt and iron. It was found in your study, and you still dare to deny it?"
"This... this isn't mine! Someone has framed me!" Che Ting cried out hoarsely. If the accusation were true,
he would be despised by the world, and no one would help him.
"Who has such a deep grudge against Lord Che, daring to frame him for the heinous crime of treason?" Ding Shou sneered.
"Jiang Bin, it's Jiang Bin! He framed me! Lord Ding, you must investigate!"
"Jiang Bin? What a joke! He's your relative. Today's events might very well affect him. Why would he frame
his own powerful backer?" Ding Shou sneered.
"He...he...is because..." Che Ting hesitated.
"Because of what?" Ding Shou pressed.
Che Ting stammered for a long time, too ashamed to give his reason. It was immoral and despised by the world;
death and disgrace would be far better.
"Speechless now, aren't you? Men, pack the evidence, put the prisoner in the prison cart, and send him to the capital." He then
leaned close to Che Ting's ear and whispered, "Lord Che, you're quite the ladies' man. Your wives are having sex with my servants in the backyard.
Tsk tsk, quite uninhibited."
"Pfft—" Che Ting spat out a mouthful of blood, his face ashen. Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes,
they fly away separately. His words had come true.
Several Imperial Guards stepped forward and took Che Ting away. Qian Ning approached, a sly smile on his face, and said, "Your Excellency is brilliant
. Colluding with foreign barbarians and illegally opening border markets—just stick to those eight words, and Che Ting will be skinned alive, if not dead."
Ding Shou replied calmly, "I just learned it on the spot, from a senior figure in the Ming Dynasty."
"May I ask which master this esteemed person is, and if I may come to learn from him?" Qian Ning was very ambitious and eager to learn.
"Indeed a master, but it's not easy to learn from him." Ding Shou rubbed his nose. "He has a son named
Yuan Chengzhi."
PS: Che Ting had a good reputation as an official. He was dismissed in the second year of Zhengde's reign. During the Hongzhi and Zhengde periods, he
was the only governor of Xuanfu who was removed by imperial decree, so he's a bit of a grievance.
In the fourteenth year of Hongzhi's reign, during the Battle of Yansui, I watched a segment of "The Forgotten Golden Age," and I almost thought I was watching another
parallel universe, full of nonsense, so I wrote a few more sentences.

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