Jinyiwei's psychic case: the opening is Lingbo Weibu

Chapter 1223

Outside the Cui family ancestral home in Qinghe!

More than ten of the Cui family's direct descendants stood in groups of three or five outside, waiting for the old man inside to summon them.

Following closely behind them were the heads of Cui's businesses throughout the Ming Dynasty.

These people directly and indirectly controlled the decision-making power of merchants in northern China and parts of the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty.

It's no exaggeration to say that they hold the power to set prices for essential goods like grain, salt, and winter clothing.

The reason we've all gathered here today is directly related to the massacre of the Cui family of Wucheng by mountain bandits.

The death of Master Cui, in particular, enraged the entire Cui family.

"The Cui clan of Wucheng and their network of relatives were slaughtered overnight."

"Those henchmen of the imperial court actually have the audacity to claim that it was the work of the 'Fengshan bandits'?"

"Do they really think the Cui family is easy prey?"

"that is!"

"Looking across the entire north, let alone mountain bandits, even the army and even the Tartars, would give way as soon as they saw the merchant flag of our Cui family."

"Not to mention, he killed someone."

When a member of the Cui family spoke these words with righteous indignation, Cui Hao, the eldest son of the Cui family standing at the head of the group, slowly turned his head and said with a cold expression, "When they killed my Cui family members, they used the Embroidered Spring Knife."

To put it bluntly, I never intended to hide my identity.

"The reason they used the name 'Fengshan Mountain Bandits'..."

"They're openly avenging that Jinyiwei commander from Wucheng!"

Wei He, who reported the Cui family for smuggling and aiding the enemy, was massacred by Cui Ran's men under the guise of "Fengshan bandits".

Even if an ordinary person knew that it was Second Master Cui who did it, they could only swallow their anger and accept the situation helplessly.

Over the years, without exception!

But now?

The Imperial Guards from the capital used the same methods to carry out their revenge against the Cui family.

In fact, their methods are even more ruthless and cruel.

To everyone in the Cui family, this was nothing short of a blatant provocation.

In particular, at this critical juncture when the Northern Liang army's logistical supplies desperately needed the Cui family's intervention, they dared to act in this way...

This made the Cui family even angrier.

"You dare to overturn the table with the Cui family of Qinghe just for a centurion?"

"So what if it's an imperial envoy?"

"This time, we absolutely cannot let this go."

As someone finished expressing their indignation, someone else reminded them, "Li Yuanfang, the commander of the thousand-household unit, is not a threat."

"But his master, Xu Shan, is the real troublemaker."

"With his humble background, he was able to bring down the Donglin Party and the Eastern and Western Depots, and even bring Jiangxi and Sichuan back under the control of the imperial court."

"He is truly capable."

After he finished speaking, the Cui family's direct descendants, who were used to being domineering, immediately retorted with dissatisfaction: "So what if you have real skills?"

"how?"

"Does he still intend to cover up everything within the Cui family's small territory?"

As the people below were discussing amongst themselves, Cui Hao, who had faintly heard footsteps after the door opened, immediately stopped them, saying, "That's enough."

"This matter will be decided by the old man."

'squeak!'

Just as Cui Hao finished speaking, the tightly closed red door was pulled open from the inside by the old butler.

He leaned forward and bowed to the crowd, saying, "Everyone, the old master invites you!"

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Yuan."

Facing the old butler, whose face always wore a kind smile, everyone in the Cui family treated him with utmost respect.

He has served his master faithfully for decades. It is said that even Zuo Gu Zi (a legendary martial arts master) is ashamed of his own abilities.

His "Iron Blood Hall" has recruited hundreds of martial arts masters.

Therefore, he was also hailed as the pillar of the Cui family of Qinghe.

As Cui Hao led the way into the back hall of the ancestral home, the rest of the Cui family members and the head of the sect followed closely behind.

"Greetings, sir!"

Upon arriving at the main hall, they bowed in unison.

Grandpa Cui waved his hand, gesturing for them to sit down.

After they sat down, Old Master Cui got straight to the point: "I've already heard about what happened in Wucheng."

"The second son is at fault in this matter."

"what?"

When Old Master Cui came up and said these words, the Cui family members and the head manager present were all stunned.

Before they could even react, Old Master Cui added, "Although there was a mistake, it wasn't a capital offense."

"Are the Imperial Guards from the capital trying to establish their authority by targeting my Cui family?"

"They even want to thoroughly investigate the Cui family of Qinghe..."

"This is just too much."

After Old Master Cui finished speaking, Cui Hao quickly stood up and said, "Old Master, this matter is a bit tricky."

"After all, these Imperial Guards who entered Wucheng this time were acting under the guise of imperial orders."

"Open retaliation would give others a handle against us."

Upon hearing this, Old Master Cui revealed a sinister smile and said, "Our Qinghe Cui family has been passed down for so many years."

"He has always been loyal and devoted; how could he possibly antagonize the imperial envoy?"

"Not to mention revenge."

"But the bandits of Fengshan Mountain are too rampant."

"First, they slaughtered the entire family of a hundred commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Then, they killed my Cui family's descendants and assassinated local garrison commanders and officials."

“Even for the sake of the local people’s peaceful life, this bandit should be wiped out.”

"so……"

"Third brother, in the name of the Cui family, donate money and supplies to the garrisons in Yizhou, Dezhou, and Dongping. Ask them to send troops to suppress the bandits."

"Tell them that speed is of the essence in war!"

"We must not allow even one member of the 'Fengshan bandits' to escape."

When Old Master Cui finished speaking calmly, the eyes of all the Cui family members present lit up instantly.

The military commanders stationed in these areas were either members of the Cui family, in-laws through marriage, or had their interests tied to the Cui family.

Since Grandpa Cui has spoken, they will definitely do their best.

Should we send troops to suppress the rebels?

Is speed still the most important factor in warfare?

The implication was that the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) from the capital would be completely trapped within Wucheng.

"I've heard that there's a grandmaster-level expert among these 'mountain bandits'?"

"Otherwise, with several trusted followers around him, the second son wouldn't have been so cruelly murdered."

"so……"

"Old Yuan, send someone to go there personally to cooperate with the local garrisons in suppressing bandits."

When Grandpa Cui finished speaking, the Cui family members instantly showed relieved smiles.

Did Yuan's Iron Blood Hall personally take action?

Even if Li Yuanfang, who was leading the team, was a highly skilled fighter, he was probably in grave danger.

"Okay sir!"

"This time, let the Three Elders of the Earthly Fiends go."

"They are extremely righteous and hate evil."

After the old butler, Yuan Qingshan, finished speaking, Old Master Cui nodded with a smile.

'Hiss.'

Those below couldn't help but gasp in shock.

The Three Elders of the Earthly Fiends?

This is an elder of the Iron Blood Hall.

It is said that each of them possesses power approaching that of divine punishment.

The three of them, working together, once killed a foreign expert who was close to the ninth rank, making them famous in one battle.

Send them?

This means they're not planning to let Li Yuanfang and his group leave Wucheng alive.

The garrison besieged the city under the pretext of suppressing bandits, while the Three Elders of the Earthly Fiends were responsible for targeted mopping-up operations.

Even if the Imperial Guards who came here had three heads and six arms, they would not be able to escape.