The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 40 Prince Su Led the Enemy into a Trap

Seeing these people hurling insults at him, Tu Chengyu felt there was no need to continue the assassination scene; these insults were enough for Jia Jing to get by.

So he planned to leave first, go back and call for help, then capture these guys who called themselves Yingmao Army, hand them over to his father, and let his father follow the clues to eliminate these guys who were embezzling salaries.

Unexpectedly, just as Tu Chengyu reached the Qin family's door, he heard the gang leader surnamed Li stand up and shout:
Stop them!

Upon hearing their leader's words, the thugs all dropped their bowls and chopsticks and rushed forward in a swarm, fearing that Tu Chengyu and his men would escape.

Tu Chengyu thought to himself, "Good heavens, I haven't even thought about making a move yet, but you guys have already made your move. In that case, let's do it."

The guards following behind Tu Chengyu reacted the fastest. Before Tu Chengyu could give any orders, they had already turned around and blocked the doorway, shielding Tu Chengyu behind them.

These thugs were best at fighting and brawling. Seeing that there were only a few of them, they rushed forward and unleashed a barrage of wild punches on the guards.

Unfortunately, the gate was too narrow, and even with their large numbers, they couldn't squeeze through. A few of the smarter ones, seeing that they couldn't be hit from this side, climbed over the wall to block their retreat.

Surrounded from both sides, there was no way for him to leave now. The guards had no choice but to split into two groups and protect Tu Chengyu tightly in the middle.

Although Tu Chengyu's side had fewer people, the guards were skilled, and with the walls and doors on both sides providing cover, they only needed to deal with the enemies in front and behind.

In the short term, they managed to fight to a standstill with these people.

Because he was protected and did not participate in the fight, Tu Chengyu kept a close eye on the situation outside.

When he saw the thug, with the help of the scholar in the scholar's robe beside him, hurriedly get up, climb over the wall, and escape, he knew that the deed was done.

After waiting a moment and confirming that the guy had escaped, Tu Chengyu said to the guards, "Now there's nothing to hold back, let's use our knives."

These guards all carried short knives, concealed within their clothing. However, Tu Chengyu had previously instructed them not to use their knives, which is why they were now using the stolen table legs to fight back.

Now, upon hearing the order to use a knife, they draw their short swords skillfully without hesitation and rush forward.

The difference in lethality between guards with swords and those without is like night and day. When they have swords in hand, the thugs in front of them become mere practice tools.

Before long, a large group of thugs were lying on the ground, clutching their hands and feet and groaning in pain.

The other green-skinned animals, seeing this, were also frightened and retreated repeatedly.

They'd seen fights and knives before, but they'd never seen anything like this—clean, efficient, and aimed at crippling someone in one strike.

The thugs, though simple-minded, weren't stupid. When they realized their boss had run away, they all scattered.

Seeing that there was no danger, the guards put away their swords. Old Yao walked over and asked, "Fifth Master, what do we do now?"

Tu Chengyu said, "Since I have been assassinated, of course I must report it to the authorities."

The guards immediately understood and escorted Tu Chengyu toward the Shuntian Prefecture government office.

All that remained was a scene of utter devastation and a bewildered Qin Ye.

Old Qin couldn't understand how his family had ended up like this when he had only been passing on a message for an old friend.

Leaving aside Qin Ye's side for now, let's talk about Tu Chengyu and his group. They entered the Shuntian Prefecture government office by using the guards' waist tokens.

The first thing they said was that Prince Su had been assassinated, and they were ordered to send out their constables to capture the assassin. The magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture was filled with disbelief. He couldn't understand how someone could assassinate a prince in broad daylight.

Could it be that the struggle for the throne has begun again? The magistrate made wild guesses, calmed Tu Chengyu and the others down, and then ran to the backyard of the government office to find the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture.

Whether the assassination attempt was real or not, it was not something that a lowly official like him could decide.

The judge left quickly and returned just as quickly, reappearing in the main hall in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. A middle-aged official in a red robe walked in front of him.

This was Zhu Shiguo, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. Back then, Zhu Shiguo had met Tu Chengyu at the new emperor's enthronement ceremony, so when he came out from the back hall, he recognized Tu Chengyu at a glance and knew that what the judge said was true.

He hurriedly stepped forward and greeted the prince: "This humble official, Zhu Shiguo, Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, greets Your Highness Prince Su."

Tu Chengyu waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. I've come here today to report a crime."

Zhu Shiguo said, "Your Highness, please speak."

Tu Chengyu said, "Someone in the capital is trying to assassinate me. You, the Prefect of Shuntian, must help me catch the murderer."

Zhu Shiguo said, "Such a thing has happened. Has Your Highness been injured?"

Tu Chengyu replied, "Fortunately, I have the palace guards by my side, which protected me. Alright, Prefect Zhu, let's not worry about these things for now. The most important thing is to send people to capture the assassin as soon as possible."

Zhu Shiguo cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness is right. I will arrange the manpower immediately."

Then he turned around and assigned tasks to his subordinates and officers who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Tu Chengyu wasn't interested in how he planned to capture the assassin. The reason he remained at the Shuntian Prefecture office was to make the whole act a success. He couldn't let anyone see him wandering the streets, saying, "Weren't you supposed to be assassinated? Why are you still wandering around?"

Therefore, Tu Chengyu had to wait for his father to send someone to pick him up, so that it would seem more real.

Not long after, a group of palace guards arrived. Tu Chengyu recognized the leader; it was Dong Da, who had fought alongside him before.

This former head of the guards of the Prince of An's mansion has now become a minor official in the imperial palace guards.

Dong Da was quite pleased to see Tu Chengyu. He walked over in a few steps and said loudly, "This humble servant Dong Da greets Prince Su."

Tu Chengyu pulled Dong Da up, looked him up and down, and said, "I haven't seen you in a long time. Where have you been working all this time?"

Dong Da replied, "Your Highness, I did not go to take up any other post. I was only seriously injured that night and have been recuperating at home ever since. Today, my injuries have healed, and His Majesty has bestowed upon me the honor of serving as a third-class guard in the palace."

Tu Chengyu then remembered that Dong Da seemed to have been captured with him that night. Later, when Liu Shigui fired a barrage of arrows, he ran into the house while Dong Da and the others were outside.

Thinking of this, Tu Chengyu felt very guilty. He patted Dong Da on the shoulder and said, "It's good that you're alive. If you need anything in the future, come to me."

Dong Da was filled with gratitude. To be remembered by a prince and to receive a promise of help in the future was a blessing he had accumulated over many lifetimes.

Dong Da wished he could kneel down and kowtow to Tu Chengyu, but he was bound by imperial orders and could not kneel to anyone at will.

Tu Chengyu was aware of this situation, so he asked, "Did Father send you here to take me back to the palace?"

Dong Da replied, "His Majesty sent me here not to escort the Prince back to the palace, but to take him to the military camp outside the city for a meeting."

Tu Chengyu was stunned. What was his father going to do? The Yingmao Army in the city had only just begun making arrests, and he was already in such a hurry to inspect the troops?
(End of this chapter)