The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 158 Xi Xun Gui Takes Advantage of a Downfall

Zhu Yuanzhang valued military power highly. Even if he did not suspect Xu Da of having ulterior motives, he would never allow him to continue to hold power.

Marquis Lu Zhongheng of Ji'an returned to the group of nobles from Huaixi, and Marquis Zhu Liangzu of Yongjia hurriedly spoke beside him.

"Old Lu, what did Hu Weiyong say?"

"Would you like to work with us?"

Marquis Lu Zhongheng of Ji'an snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with anger.

"These guys are not on our side. After what happened last time, they've scared the crap out of them!"

"I just went to test his intentions, but who knew he was still thinking of protecting Xu Da? How ridiculous!"

The others also looked extremely grim upon hearing this.

After the last incident, Hu Weiyong's power was greatly reduced. He even lost the Central Secretariat. Not to mention, his current position as Vice Chancellor of the Central Secretariat has little real power and is merely a nominal post.

However, Hu Weiyong's place in people's hearts remains indelible.

What is particularly noteworthy is his status as a cabinet minister.

If Hu Weiyong could support them, their chances of winning would definitely increase significantly!

"It's a real shame we couldn't secure such assistance!"

Marquis Yongjia, Zhu Liangzu, snorted coldly.

"I always said these scholars are unreliable. They're good at talking, but when it comes to actually doing something like this, they're all just opportunists!"

"Forget it, let's do this ourselves!"

"Back when we were fighting on the battlefield, he was just a clerk!"

"He's not of much use now, let's just ignore him!"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded and rubbed their hands together, eager to seize a piece of the spoils from the power in Yingtian Prefecture or the North.

After the court assembly began, everyone looked toward the row of military officers.

Sure enough, the position of the head of the military generals was vacant. Previously, this position was held by Xu Da, the Duke of Wei, but at this time Xu Da was recuperating at home, so the position was vacant. After this position was Lan Yu, the Duke of Liang.

Several nobles from Huaixi were extremely eager.

Everyone is looking forward to the day when they can gain real power and sit in a certain position.

If that day ever comes, I will surely become famous throughout the world.

As the court assembly began, Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the eager nobles below and sneered inwardly.

"These guys really can't settle down; they've already made their move so quickly!"

Zhu Xiong Ying turned his gaze to Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, Duke Chang Mao of Zheng, and Duke Lan Yu of Liang.

The three of them were in charge of this assassination attempt in the capital, and now it was time to report back.

Duke Lan Yu of Liang hurriedly stepped forward and said.

"Your Highness, the Scout Command heard that Your Highness was going hunting, so they sent a lot of men. In addition to those captured during the assassination attempt, there were 1,372 men from various strongholds. They have all been captured now. Please make your decision, Your Highness!"

Everyone gasped upon hearing this.

Good heavens, this Scouting and Cavalry Command is indeed a powerful organization that has existed since the Northern Yuan Dynasty. It is even more powerful than the current Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In such a short time, they've managed to gather so many men in Yingtian Prefecture. If Yingtian Prefecture alone is this large, imagine how many men they must have if you add up all the scouts and military units across the country.

They were unaware of the existence of the Scouts and Horsemen's Division.

It wasn't until Zhu Xiong Ying and Xu Da revealed the identities of these people at the hunting grounds that they began to investigate.

When they learned of the organization's existence through various channels, they were all terrified.

It's astonishing that this organization has existed for so long and has accomplished so many significant things in the past.

Therefore, upon hearing of this matter, Xu Da immediately mobilized the entire army in the north.

However, many civil officials had never heard of this organization and believed it was just an ordinary assassination attempt by the Northern Yuan.

Xu Da mobilized so many troops for this, which was really making a mountain out of a molehill.

It now appears that things are not as simple as they imagined.

This was said by a general from the Five Military Commands.

"General Fu Youde notified all the garrisons in the north overnight, and with the cooperation of the local Imperial Guards, wiped out all the scouts and spies entrenched in various places. Good news should come in a few days!"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded. According to his investigation, there were quite a few scouts, and they were very well hidden.

Such a significant discovery wouldn't have been made if we hadn't managed to get some of them to talk.

The thought that such a terrifying force, like a venomous snake, was hidden within the territory of their Great Ming Dynasty was unbearable.

It sent chills down one's spine.

At this moment, a civil official stepped forward.

"Your Highness, we were able to escape danger this time thanks to the bravery of all the soldiers, and Your Highness is also blessed with great fortune. But even so, the Duke of Wei should not have mobilized the army without authorization!"

"The army of our Great Ming is not anyone's private army. It can only be mobilized by His Majesty. It is quite improper for the Grand General to mobilize the army without His Majesty's order!"

"Your Highness, please reconsider. Now that the Duke of Wei can mobilize the entire northern army at will because of this matter, what if the Duke of Wei has any other ideas in the future and orders all the troops in the north to come?

Some civil officials nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Although Duke Xu Da of Wei was indeed incapable of doing such a thing, it does not mean that other generals were not.

Now that Xu Da has set this precedent, there's no doubt that others might actually do the same thing. In any case, this unhealthy trend must be suppressed.

Soon, many more officials stepped forward.

Those in the military camp were instantly enraged upon hearing these words.

Many of them had once been Xu Da's subordinates, so they naturally knew that Xu Da was extremely loyal to the Ming Dynasty.

"That's all nonsense. General Xu Da has worked hard for the country and has been summoned to court many times. His Majesty is also loyal to the country. How could he be like what you think?"

"That's right, General Xu Da is a hero of our Great Ming Dynasty. This time, he had no choice but to do this for the sake of our Great Ming Dynasty's future!"

"If any of you dare to slander the General, don't blame me for being impolite!"

The civil officials who had just stepped forward turned red with embarrassment upon hearing the insults from the military officers.

“You are all uncouth. I have never doubted General Xu’s loyalty to our Great Ming. However, this matter is of great importance and cannot be made up for with just a word of loyalty!”

"The general may not be able to do such a thing, but who can guarantee that his men won't?"

(End of this chapter)