The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 84 Burning Silver to Cleanse Jiangnan, Cannons Slay the Traitors! (9k)

Act III

[The final battle, the blood and salt of Jiangnan, the traitor's demise]

A large-scale "slave revolt" broke out in the south.
Ancient worker resistance movements.

This also led to salt merchants and powerful local figures resisting the law.

Land, industrial and commercial capital, and bureaucrats combined to evade the supervision of the imperial court.

In the early years of the Jiajing reign, a "battle for tribute" also occurred.

In fact, it was the result of systemic corruption in the south!

We must strike hard!

The Jiajing Emperor was deeply concerned about the serious corruption in the south and his dissatisfaction with the efficiency of civil officials deepened. He became more reliant on eunuchs and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to handle "special affairs".

Emperor Jiajing habitually started with a specific entry point, choosing Sun Shichang, a powerful family in Suzhou Prefecture known as "Half of Suzhou".

Using the salt certificate case as a starting point, we need to investigate the problems in Suzhou Prefecture.

After Huang Jin revealed this idea, the eunuch, who had followed Jiajing since the time of the princes, strongly advised against it, saying it was dangerous.

The Jiajing Emperor was well aware of the dangers, but his mind was made up.

"Heaven and earth are vast, and public opinion can be devastating. Yet, all praise and criticism are but fleeting breezes! What I seek is my own path! The road may be long and arduous, but perseverance will lead to success! Though the task may be difficult, action will surely bring accomplishment!"

The Jiajing Emperor's will was unbreakable!

Chen Hong was summoned and appointed as the Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, concurrently serving as the Director of the Eastern Depot, to investigate the matter.

Chen Hong immediately slid to his knees.

Buho!

If you do this job, not only will your later years be miserable, but you'll most likely not even have a proper old age.

Chen Hong wept bitterly, expressing his wish to serve His Majesty for the rest of his life, and then recommended Chen Mo.

Since investigating Liu Bapi, he has not kept his promise. Fearing that he would lose control of Chen Mo, he intentionally sent him to face danger.

Emperor Jiajing thought of Chen Mo, who had handled things effectively last time, and felt that he was also suitable, so he summoned Chen Mo.

The Jiajing Emperor stated the task of the investigation and also revealed his own ambitions.

"Look at the rushing river, it winds around mountains, surges through gorges, and widens on plains. It never stops because of any obstacle. We should aspire to emulate this water! Perseverance is not the stubbornness of rocks, but the resilience of flowing water!"

Chen Mo replied, "A pillar stands firm amidst turbulent seas, and a main peak rises majestically among towering mountains! This humble servant is willing to be Your Majesty's sharp sword, cutting through thorns and piercing through the darkness!"

This remark greatly pleased the Jiajing Emperor.

Chen Mo was promoted to the position of Director of the Imperial Horse Administration, and was nominally appointed as the Director of the Eastern Depot, serving as the Imperial Commissioner and the Chief Eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot's official duties. His official mission was to "inspect the salt tax in Jiangnan and rectify the officialdom in Suzhou," directly addressing the corruption problem in the south.

The secret mission was to thoroughly investigate Sun Shichang and his protectors.

Leaving Beijing.

Although Chen Mo's title of "Supervisor" was merely nominal, his status had reached its zenith.

The Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Horse Stables, and the Director of the Eastern Depot.

He was dressed in a crimson robe with python patterns, the highest grade of clothing.

The fabric was a heavy gold-woven brocade, which shimmered with a noble metallic luster in the sunlight.

The four-clawed golden-scaled python, depicted in gold thread embroidery and seed stitch embroidery, raises its head on its chest, its scales shimmering in the light, appearing almost alive.

The knee and bottom lapels are decorated with wide gold brocade borders featuring waves and cliffs and ruyi cloud patterns, making them extremely luxurious.

The inner lining is a pure white cross-collar undershirt with an elegant collar.

He wore a wide leather belt with gold and jade around his waist, the belt buckle being a gilded and engraved dragon pattern, which was luxurious and heavy.

Hanging on the table are a dragon-head ivory plaque representing the highest authority and Xu Zhicui's purse.

He wore a black gauze hat with a metal fork on top, the metal fork gleaming with a cold, unapproachable light.

The Dragon Head Hidden Scale Sword, a treasure weapon, hangs at the waist, and the holster for the Dragon Head Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun, another treasure weapon, is even more exquisite and beautiful.

Dressed in bright red, he stood out like a burning flame in the crowd, exuding unparalleled nobility, composure, and a powerful aura of authority.

The departure ceremony was grand in scale and magnificent in spirit.

On the dock.

A thousand-strong imperial envoy's entourage and guards stood in formation, utterly silent, their chilling aura reaching the heavens.

At the very core were hundreds of Imperial Guards dressed in dark blue flying fish robes, led by Lu Bing, with embroidered spring knives at their waists, their cold light gleaming, guarding Chen Mo to the left, right and in front of him, forming a human wall.

Lu Qingluan, dressed in a close-fitting outfit and carrying a short sword, stood guard on the flank.

Chen Mo, the head of the Eastern Depot, brought Xu Zhicui out of hiding and also participated in the investigation, boarding the ship first.

Hundreds of eunuchs of different ranks, dressed in their regular and auxiliary uniforms, were scattered around the perimeter, their eyes sharp, responsible for guarding, spying, and controlling the outer perimeter.

The elite Tengxiang Fourth Guard Battalion, directly under the Imperial Horse Administration, numbered over five hundred. Their helmets and armor gleamed, their spears stood like a forest, and their muskets were at their disposal. They formed a disciplined military formation, occupying a strategic location at the dock, and their deterrent power was astonishing.

More than a hundred officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice, who were in charge of documents and logistics, as well as accompanying servants and miscellaneous workers, waited at the rear of the procession.

Several cannons, symbolizing absolute military power, had been quietly loaded onto the ship, covered with gun covers, and guarded by special soldiers. The dark muzzles of the cannons silently proclaimed the imperial envoy's determination.

Chen Mo stood at the bow of the boat, his bright red python-patterned robe fluttering in the river wind, the golden python seemingly about to take flight.

Reunited with Lu Bing, Lu Bing reminded him, "The Sun family has a grandmaster; should we use the Imperial Guard?"

"A cannon will do."

Chen Moyi's summary is concise.

He had secretly dispatched his trusted confidants to the Imperial Household Departments in Beijing and Nanjing to transfer a batch of cannons and ammunition, providing absolutely saturated firepower support.

Suzhou City.

Bustling and prosperous.

Prefect's Yamen.

Extravagance was evident in the fact that a special painted boat was built on the Slender West Lake specifically for Su Xiaoxiao's appearances.

Sun Garden.

The stronghold of the powerful Sun Shichang was heavily guarded, with even more rules than those in the imperial palace.

[Suffocating suppression! Provocation at the start]

At the Suzhou Prefecture Wharf, the imperial envoy's ship arrived at the shore.

Chen Mo's gaze was deep as he calmly surveyed the dense crowd of people welcoming them at the dock.

Under the oppressive presence of the Imperial Guards and their troops, officials and gentry representatives of Suzhou Prefecture held their breath, their expressions a mixture of awe, fear, and hostility.

This steel torrent of thousands was an extension of his will and a manifestation of his power.

He didn't need to say a word; his extremely noble, formal-colored python robe and the imposing, imposing entourage behind him were enough to vividly demonstrate the overwhelming power of the "Imperial Envoy, Grand Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, and Eunuch in Charge of the Imperial Horse Stables."

At this moment, he was no longer the young man who needed to wait for an opportunity, but a powerful eunuch who held the power of life and death and was capable of stirring up the winds and clouds in Jiangnan.

Under the sunlight, the patch of red, symbolizing the supreme authority of the eunuch, became the most dazzling and unsettling presence on the entire dock.

However, compared to the North, where people may be arrogant, they still follow the rules.

The South is more vibrant!

On the other side of the dock.

The Sun family openly loaded and unloaded their smuggled salt, and the tax officials turned a blind eye.

Sun Shichang even personally "bumped into" Chen Mo and his group, and said with a fake smile, "Father-in-law, in Jiangnan, harmony brings wealth."

Blatant provocation!

[A disgrace to the gentry!]

A banquet hosted by local gentry.

During the banquet, a local gentry member mocked Chen Mo, saying, "What does a castrated dog from the north know about the customs and culture of Jiangnan?"

Lu Bing angrily pressed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Chen Mo then said, "Some officials' basic qualities are not even as good as mine, this castrated dog."

The guards of the local gentry were immediately broken down.

[The officials are disrespectful!]

Officials were even more negligent.

Prefect Zhao Wenhua, preoccupied with Su Xiaoxiao, replied perfunctorily, "Salt administration? It's complicated and requires careful consideration."

Upon hearing the news of Chen Mo's arrival, Su Xiaoxiao's gaze seemed thoughtful.

People are suffering!

The prosperity of Suzhou is like a brocade woven with gold and colors.

This splendor has nothing to do with the ordinary people struggling on the edge of survival; in fact, they are the threads that have been pulled away.

Guided by Lu Qingluan, Xu Zhicui quietly entered the deep alleys of the city, far away from the pleasure boats and the grand mansions.

The air here no longer carries the scents of cosmetics and tea; instead, it is filled with a heavy atmosphere.

Xu Zhicui entered a household.

It was a family of three. The man was pale and thin, chewing silently, while the woman carefully took out a palm-sized, dark brown, rough-textured piece of cloth from her bosom.

It was vinegar cloth.

The woman carefully laid the cloth on the bottom of the rough porcelain bowl, then picked up the clear soup and slowly poured it onto the cloth.

The dark brown liquid slowly seeped through the fabric, dripping onto the brown rice in the bowl, staining it with a suspicious, strongly acidic sauce color.

This is what they eat with rice.

"You want to eat?" the man scoffed.

Xu Zhicui frowned, but still picked up the bowl and shoveled the distinct grains of brown rice, soaked in vinegar, into her mouth.

Almost vomited.

His brow furrowed at the intense sourness and faint musty smell, but he still swallowed it down.

This sour, rotten smell is the very essence of life for these people at the bottom of society.

It is also the most biting satire of the saying "Above is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou".

Why is West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce so famous?

Because in Jiangnan, where salt is as precious as gold, the daily lives of ordinary people have long been steeped in endless bitterness!

Why is Huaiyang cuisine so bland? Because salt merchants were sick of eating salt!
How ironic!
At this time.

A little boy, about five or six years old, was also holding a rough porcelain bowl that was bigger than his face.

He stared longingly at the dark brown "delicacy" in Xu Zhicui's bowl, his little nose trying to smell the sour aroma in the air, his face filled with confusion and longing.

Vinegar cloth isn't something anyone can eat just because they want to!
Lu Qingluan led Xu Zhicui to another restaurant.

Two salt workers, dressed in worn-out uniforms and carrying iron rulers at their waists, swaggered into the eatery.

They ignored the shopkeeper's apologetic smiles and scanned the unassuming diners with eyes like hawks.

One of the salt workers walked straight to a table, tapped the surface with an iron ruler, and made a piercing sound.

"Hey! What do you want to eat?"

The salt collector glanced sideways at the vinegar cloth that was about to be put away, his face revealing undisguised contempt and greed. "Oh, vinegar cloth? You poor wretch! The government's salt tax is a heavy tax of the country, how dare you unruly commoners use such filth to evade taxes? Tell me! Where is the smuggled salt hidden?!"

This is a completely fabricated frame-up, with the sole purpose of extortion.

The man quickly got up, hunched over, and shakily pulled out the few polished copper coins he had from his pocket, a humble smile on his face.

Salt-grubber grabbed the copper coin, weighed it in his hand, and spat out in disgust: "Poor wretch!"

at night.

Chen Mo saw the reports from all sides and took it all in.

He understood what the likes of Sun Shichang's so-called "harmony brings wealth" was based on.

Salt, the most basic necessity for life, became the last straw that broke the back of the poor in Jiangnan, and a white gold for the powerful and corrupt officials to plunder the people's wealth!

This is no longer simple corruption; it is a poisoning of the very foundation of people's livelihood and a blatant trampling on the "fairness" and "order" promised by imperial power.

We must strike hard!

[Initial victory!]

After learning about the arrogant atmosphere in Suzhou Prefecture, Chen Mo knew very well that this was no ordinary corruption.

We've decided to deliver a thunderous blow!
There's plenty of evidence; there's no need to investigate.

Act decisively!

A private salt warehouse belonging to the Sun family was raided!
Salt at a low price!

Arrest a mid-level leader, interrogate him quickly, and execute him!

Salt prices have fallen! People are happy!

Market.

The people cheered.

"Salt is cheap! Justice Chen is truly righteous!"

[Crisis Escalates!]

However, this stirred up a hornet's nest.

[Public opinion attack!]

Tabloids circulated in the market, slandering Chen Mo as exploiting him and plotting a rebellion.

The scholars and intellectuals were in an uproar.

The court officials impeached him.

Competing with the people for profit!

Bribery and threats!

Sun Shichang sent a large sum of money, 100,000 taels of silver notes, to Chen Mo's headquarters.

They also sent a letter, which clearly stated the matters that Chen Mo had discussed with someone the day before.

The envoy said, "Sir, you should know when to stop. The waters of Jiangnan are very deep."

Chen Mo felt immense pressure.

The corruption in Jiangnan is a systemic, dark corruption that attempts to assimilate and devour Chen Mo's heroic spirit.

Tabloid slander and public opinion campaigns were like a poisonous fog, attempting to distort his image and isolate him from the public.

Lu Bing encouraged them, saying, "The sea is turbulent, the enemy is fierce, and my colleagues are cowardly, but in my eyes, they are nothing more than a bunch of scheming and despicable people!"

Chen Mo made up his mind: "Even if life and death are unknown ahead, and there are doubts everywhere, I will use the sword in my hand to cut through the path ahead!"

Thus, the soul of the hero is complete!
With a broken body, he commands a complete soul!

In his fight against the corrupt order, he embodied not only imperial power itself, but also the fairness, order, and hope that imperial power should represent.

They have initially developed a heroic creed.

"With my disabled body, I protect the mountains and rivers; I uphold the laws of the Ming Dynasty and safeguard the faint light of life for the people."

【break!!!】

In response to bribery and threats.

He publicly threw the silver notes into the large salt-boiling cauldron in front of the government office, symbolizing his certain victory on this mission.

The firelight illuminated his resolute face.

"This thing is filthy; it should be burned to cleanse the Jiangnan region!"

This is an open declaration of war against darkness!

[Violent Killing!]

That night.

Darkness descends!

An assassin infiltrates!

A night raid on the government office!

There were many black-clad assassins, and their martial arts were ruthless!
Chen Mo's Hidden Scale Sword trembled and whistled, transforming into a ghostly shadow, causing blood to gush from the throats of the assassins wherever it passed!

He held the Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun in his left hand, infused it with internal energy, and the jade lotus platform appeared for the first time, with flashes of fire appearing at the black gold nozzle.

Hero weapons are ready!

The Dragon Head Hidden Scale Sword, a royal treasure, not only interferes with the high-frequency vibrating sound, but can also resonate with internal energy at specific frequencies, temporarily paralyzing the enemy's nerves or disrupting the flow of internal energy.

The Dragon Head Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun, a treasure bestowed by the emperor, is not only a firearm but also an instrument for purifying darkness.

Heroic abilities revealed!

The Realm of Still Candles.

He had been practicing a certain footwork since he was a low-ranking eunuch. As he rose to become a top-tier figure in the world, he was now able to create a small, stable domain that isolated him from the noise and raging winds of the outside world.

It greatly weakens the perception, speed, and attack power of enemies within the domain. The cost of using this domain is a huge consumption of internal energy.

Resonance of light.

As a figurehead of imperial power, Chen Mo will always be a dark fighter walking between light and darkness.

At the same time, because of his own tragic experiences, he is keenly aware of individuals in despair, fear, and pain, especially the lower classes and the oppressed.

The sacred power of imperial authority and the hope in the hearts of the common people both gave him strength.

This is the core perception of his "protection" ability.

"Bang! Bang!"

Kill the enemy at mid-range!

Lu Bingxiu's spring blade was as swift as thunder and lightning, its blade energy surging forth!
Lu Qingluan protected Xu Zhicui and was unexpectedly caught up with Su Xiaoxiao, using her short sword to kill nearby enemies.

[Breaking through in succession!]

Kill the assassin!

Break through the night!
Stay safe!
The bodies of the black-clad assassins were scattered everywhere.

Among them are Japanese ronin and grassland werewolves, indicating collusion between the North and the South.

Chen Mo's python-patterned robe was stained with blood, and the jade lotus platform of the Nine Yin Lotus Cannon in his left hand shimmered with a ghostly light, with faint blue smoke still rising from its black gold nozzle.

The scales of the Hidden Scale Sword on his right hand were faintly visible in the moonlight, and the high-frequency vibrato gradually subsided.

Lu Bingtian's punishment musket barrel was also glowing red, and the smell of gunpowder permeated the air.

He frowned.

"Desperate measures! The Sun family is desperate."

Lu Qingluan protected Xu Zhicui and Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao's face was pale, but her eyes were unusually firm.

She came here not unintentionally, but because she saw the possibility of dawn.

"Father-in-law, they are scared."

Chen Mo's eyes were icy cold.

"Afraid? This is just the beginning. Qingluan, protect them. Brother Lu, it's time to close the net."

"Bring the cannons over and blast them to smithereens!"

[Ultimate Move: Death Girl! Crying Temple! Grandmaster! Despair!]

The next day.

Suzhou Confucian Temple.

A grand spectacle unfolds: the clan sacrifices a daughter from a branch of the family!
Dead girl!

The Sun family drove a marginalized illegitimate daughter to her death in an attempt to stir up public opinion in the literati!
Sun Shichang and Zhao Wenhua instigated this from behind the scenes.

Hundreds of scholars and gentry prostrated themselves on the ground and wept bitterly.

The sound shook the rooftops! The old scholar, the leader of the Sun family's retainers, beat his chest and stamped his feet in frustration.

"Eunuchs are disrupting the government! They're bringing disaster to Jiangnan! Where is the ancestral law and morality?!"

This is the ultimate move launched by the corrupt forces!

The wailing of hundreds of gentry created immense political pressure!
They attempted to break Chen Mo and Lu Bing's will and induce self-doubt within them.

And they've prepared an even bigger blow!
A persuader came to the door; he was a former high-ranking official of the Six Ministries and a renowned scholar of the time.

High status!

Hopefully they will back down, we can give them 500,000 taels of silver.

Lu Bing slammed his fist on the table in anger.

"Corrupt officials! Corrupt bureaucrats! Evil gentry! They should be executed!"

The lobbyist's expression changed slightly, but he still looked at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo said in a deep voice, "I am repaying the emperor's grace and the country's honor, upholding the laws of the Ming Dynasty, and acting under the special permission of the emperor! I am here to handle the salt permit case! Those who obstruct me are not the people, but traitors to the country!"
The great scholar, enraged and humiliated, cried out: "You eunuch! You are a scourge to the country and its people! We, the scholars of Jiangnan, will never submit to your tyranny!"

With a flick of his sleeve, he emphasized, "We scholars will never yield to the swords and spears of eunuchs!"

Chen Mo said, "If only you had been this brave when facing the Mongol cavalry back then."

The elderly scholar, his face ashen, gave a cold laugh and left.

The negotiations broke down.

The crowd was in uproar that day, with their anger directed at Chen Mo and Lu Bing.

The onlookers were given money and instigated and coerced by the local gentry.

Some stayed indoors, looking bewildered and fearful.

Chen Mo and Lu Bing were blocked at the camp by the servants of a powerful family.

Outside, the wailing was deafening, and foul language was incessant.

Lu Qingluan said, "We must strike hard!"

Several years have passed, and she has grown up.

Chen Mo remained unusually calm, his fingers lightly tapping the table, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

“Crying? Good! Looks like they’re desperate! Perfect timing to lure them out. Brother Lu, keep a close eye on the dock and Zhao Wenhua. Qingluan, protect Miss Su, she’s the key to breaking this deadlock. Xu Zhicui, prepare medicine for wounds, a great battle is imminent.”

"Inspect the firearms and cannons, the more the better! If a grandmaster dares to come, kill him!"

late at night.

Sun Garden Mansion.

"Please, Grandmaster, make your move!"

Sun Shichang's face was now contorted with rage, all traces of his former refinement gone.

"Cry at the temple to hold them off! Elder Wu, it's your turn to act! Once Chen Mo is eliminated, everything will be over!"

Central Hall.

Wu Zhenhai, the withered old man, slowly opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. His thin body exuded a suffocating pressure, and the air seemed to freeze.

He spoke in a hoarse voice: "During the Yongle era, one family killed more people than you have eaten salt. A mere eunuch dares to overthrow the heavens?"

[Climax Showdown: The Power of Firearms! The Torrent of Time!]

Inn.

The moon was dark and the wind was high; the river flowed mournfully.

Chen Mo and Lu Bing stood side by side.

Hundreds of agents from the Eastern Depot served as guards and spies, while over a thousand elite soldiers from the Tengxiang Four Guards directly under the Imperial Horse Administration acted as protectors.

Lu Qingluan and Xu Zhicui were looking out from a high slope in the distance.

Su Xiaoxiao was "protected" in the safe house, looking nervous.

The Sun family burned down the inn!

Murder the imperial envoy!

Wu Zhenhai appeared like a ghost, and with one step, the blue bricks on the ground cracked inch by inch!

An invisible aura surged, causing Chen Mo and Lu Bing's robes to flutter loudly!
The withered old man roared, "Youngster, kneel down and accept your death, and I'll leave you with a whole corpse!"

The voice wasn't loud, but it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

Grandmaster crushed!

Wu Zhenhai moved swiftly, leaving behind an afterimage!

The withered claws aimed straight at Chen Mo's face!

The powerful energy tore through the air!

Chen Mo and Lu Bing had a plan in place: they would never get close!

Lu Bing roared.

"Old ghost, take this!"

The Heavenly Punishment Thunderfire Spear roared!
Blinding red flames spewed from the dragon's head nozzle!

The scorching bullet tore through the night, shooting straight at Wu Zhenhai with a piercing shriek!
"A mere trick! What good are treasured artifacts? Ultimately, the realm of cultivation is paramount!"

Wu Zhenhai caught the bullet with one hand and chuckled.

Chen Mo shifted to the side at the same time, his internal energy erupted, and the Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun's jade lotus platform shone with light, its nine petals slightly opening!

The Azure Star Bullet shot out silently, enveloping Wu Zhenhai's major acupoints!
Wu Zhenhai sneered, and with a wave of his withered claw, a powerful aura formed a wall!

The crimson bullet struck, exploding into a cloud of fire, but failed to penetrate!
The nine azure stars struck the protective energy, emitting a soft "hissing" sound, and were mostly dissipated!

Even with only two or three points of penetration, it was deflected by the protective true energy!
Chen Mo and Lu Bing used the Quiet Candle Step and the Embroidered Uniform Guard's movement techniques to move swiftly among the abandoned cargo piles at the dock, refusing to engage in direct combat!

The Hidden Scale Sword's high-frequency vibrating sound interfered, while the Embroidered Spring Blade's blade energy launched a fierce and disruptive attack!
The Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun flickers with emerald flames, while the Heavenly Punishment Thunderfire Spear roars with crimson flames!
Flames and roars filled the dock!
The Death of a Grandmaster!

Wu Zhenhai, frustrated and enraged after failing to break through Wu's defenses for a long time, was now in a state of
He let out a long roar, unleashing his full power of energy, shattering a large section of the warehouse!
The withered claws made a series of grabbing motions from a distance, and several condensed qi energies, like invisible giant hands, reached out to grab the two of them!

Speed ​​and power increase dramatically!

Chen Mo's eyes flashed, and he shouted at Lu Bing, "Brother Lu!"

It's now!

Bomb him right under his feet!

Lu Bing understood immediately, and aimed the Heavenly Punishment Thunderfire Gun at the old wooden boxes scattered at Wu Zhenhai's feet, igniting the discarded gunpowder and oil buried underneath.

Boom!

Crimson flames exploded, igniting a vast area!
Almost at the same time!

Upon receiving the signal, the artillery, which was already prepared, fired in unison!

They were all blasted towards the giant wooden piles supporting the water at the dock!

The ammunition was embedded in the wooden stake!

Crashed!

boom!
Crack!
Flames rose from the ground, temporarily obstructing Wu Zhenhai's view.

The giant wooden stake groaned under the weight and snapped with a crash!

The entire dock and pier collapsed instantly!

The giant tree beneath Wu Zhenhai's feet shattered, and the spot where he stood vanished instantly!

However, a master is no ordinary person; he displayed a tenacious vitality!
He soared into the sky, leaping several meters in one bound!
"put!"

However, Chen Mo would not allow him to catch his breath.

Artillery fire swept the ground again!

Wu Zhenhai roared and tried to escape into the air, but his old strength was exhausted and no new strength had been generated. He could only fall and endure the roar of the cannons.

However, a grandmaster is a grandmaster after all!

A deafening roar, and shattered pieces of wood from the pier.

In the heart of the saturation bombing zone, a figure is defying the ironclad law of life and death, waging an inhuman struggle!
Wu Zhenhai's left shoulder, along with a small portion of his chest, was almost completely obliterated by the violent shockwave and scorching shrapnel!
The stark white bone fragments pierced through the flesh and were exposed to the air. The shattered lung tissue was faintly visible. Where the heart should have been, there was only a huge, charred, and bleeding hole!
However, an extremely dense, viscous, and almost tangible dark green light was bursting forth wildly from Wu Zhenhai's dantian and the remaining major meridians!

The blood vessels and meridians, which were originally as withered as dry branches, suddenly swelled and expanded as if they had been forcibly infused with boiling lead and mercury!
Dark green light surged rapidly within him, producing a muffled roar like a great river bursting its banks, as if a cataclysmic event was unfolding inside his body!
The light even penetrated his skin, illuminating his half-invulnerable body and the edges of his broken wounds in an eerie, inhuman green!

Driven by this violent internal energy, those broken and drooping blood vessels were forcibly pulled as if by invisible, scalding green threads!

The broken edge hissed and emitted eerie blue smoke.

The surging, viscous internal energy, as thick as liquid jade, is brutally reshaping Wu Zhenhai's mutilated body with the terrifying foundation he has cultivated for over a hundred years!

The exposed, stark white bone fragments, enveloped in dark green internal energy, appeared as if countless invisible blacksmiths were brutally forging and piecing them together. New bone tissue, like forcibly grown vines, proliferated, spread, twisted, and reshaped wildly at the break points!
The torn and charred muscle tissue, under the pull of the raging internal energy, seemed to gain independent life!
Wu Zhenhai used his century of cultivation to demonstrate the primitive, savage, and powerful vitality of a grandmaster!
"Come! Fight!!"

Come on!!!!!!!!!

Wu Zhenhai roared with fury from his mangled body!

"One more round!"

Chen Mo didn't advance at all, and instead mobilized the artillery again.

"That damned eunuch has no martial ethics!"

In the firelight, Wu Zhenhai glared angrily, accusing Chen Mo of insulting the honor of martial arts.

Dead!

Only the sound of the river lapping against the shore and the crackling of flames could be heard.

Wu Zhenhai's eyes widened as his inner energy was finally consumed by the flames.

He opened his mouth, but ultimately failed to utter a sound; his emaciated body melted away inch by inch.

Even grandmasters fear cannons, and ultimately they were buried!

The Grandmaster has fallen!

"I'm a eunuch, and you're a grandmaster."

Only after confirming that Wu Zhenhai was dead did Chen Mo chuckle and cup his hands in a respectful gesture.

This sentence completed Chen Mo's unconventional declaration of heroism.

This means that he doesn't care about the empty fame of so-called foul language; he only wants to fight against darkness and practice his own ideals.

As an agent of imperial power, as a sword that strikes against the enemy's will.

Since it is a machine of violence, it must be prepared to be even more ruthless and vicious!

Moreover, the enemy's slander was not a curse, but a praise of his unwavering beliefs.

With their morale soaring, the team began to eliminate other assassins!
Chen Mo's Hidden Scale Sword transformed into a dark bolt of lightning that tore through the night sky, its high-frequency tremor reaching its peak!
After a frenzied killing spree.

Chen Mo slowly sheathed his sword, the scale-like patterns on the blade flashing and disappearing in an instant.

His face was slightly pale, but his breathing was even more deep and heavy.

Lu Bing holstered his gun, looked at the river, and let out a long sigh.

"happy!"

The formidable enemy has been annihilated!

On the high slope, Lu Qingluan excitedly clenched her fist!
Xu Zhicui clasped her hands together, her eyes glistening with tears.

Su Xiaoxiao saw this scene from behind the window, covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock and hope.

[Time for reckoning!]

The corrupt official has been brought to justice!

Chen Mo and Lu Bing led their men straight to the prefectural government office.

Zhao Wenhua was about to destroy the secret letters between him and the Sun family when he was caught on the spot!

"You're treating a geisha that a businessman has already discarded like a treasure!"

Faced with overwhelming evidence, some of which was secretly provided by Su Xiaoxiao, the majority of which was collected by Chen Mo.

Saturation-style anti-corruption campaign!
Zhao Wenhua was limp as a board!
[Capture the ringleader!!]

With their protective umbrella taken down, the next target is the Sun family!

Chen Mo summoned agents from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot, who stormed into the incomparably luxurious Sun Garden like wolves and tigers.

The Sun family's loyalists put up a stubborn resistance!

Chen Mo, his python-patterned robes fluttering, his Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun flashing with emerald flames, led the way!
Those who resisted were either killed or wounded!
Sun Shichang hid in a secret room, but Lu Bing kicked open the steel door!
The once refined and ruthless leader now appears to be insane.

"You can't kill me! I am... and I am richer than a country!"

Sun Shichang revealed the name of the current Grand Secretary.
Chen Mo coldly replied, "Your country is a prison!"

[Stolen goods recovered!]

The secret basement has been opened!

Dazzlingly golden!
Mountains of gold bricks, silver ingots, and jewels!
There were even whole boxes of salt certificates, land deeds, and house deeds!
And secret letters and nautical charts exchanged with Japanese pirates!
It's even related to the Shanxi merchants in Xuanfu!
Retract the foreshadowing!

[Public Trial! Blood Salt Group Collapses!]

Suzhou City Central Square.

Sun Shichang, Zhao Wenhua, and other ringleaders were escorted to the capital, their faces ashen.

After capturing Sun Shichang and Zhao Wenhua, Chen Mo's momentum reached its peak.

The python-patterned robe was spotless, its protective beliefs were even stronger, and it exuded an aura of power that made villains dare not look directly at it.

Standing before the mountain of stolen goods, Chen Mo publicly announced the charges, presented some of the evidence, and released the official salt.

"Justice!"

The people cheered that the villain had been executed!

Large quantities of government-manufactured salt were released to the market at extremely low prices, and the people cheered with joy!

"Justice!"

"There's salt to eat now!"

"No need to eat vinegar anymore!"

When the cheers of the crowd surged forth, Chen Mo felt an unprecedented joy.

It was a feeling of security, a burning passion as countless sparks of hope were ignited.

At this moment, his broken body seemed to be filled and repaired by this light, and the guardian and the protected achieved a spiritual resonance and sublimation.

Heroic spirit! Subtle aftershocks!

The Sun family garden, which was being cleared out, and the cheering crowds faded from the screen.

An inconspicuous little boat departs from the harbor.

on board.

Su Xiaoxiao had changed out of her gorgeous clothes and was now dressed in plain clothes. Looking back at Suzhou, her eyes held a complex mix of relief and wistfulness.

She was clutching a small package tightly in her arms.

There were valuables, as well as some evidence of self-preservation.

Xu Zhicui was organizing thick files inside the headquarters, and the title of one of them was faintly visible.

A compilation of doubts surrounding the case of the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

Her eyes were firm.

Beijing.

The family of a certain Grand Secretary of the current dynasty.

The exquisite teacup is broken!
Supervisor of Ceremonies.

An urgent report, delivered by imperial edict, concerning the great victory in Jiangnan, the defeat of Sun Xiao, and the recovery of a huge sum of embezzled funds, was placed on the desk of the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

The report was signed by Imperial Envoy Chen Mo.

The Jiajing Emperor, in high spirits, shouted his approval!

pier.

The seized Sun family's ship is being sealed off.

Chen Mo's robe, adorned with a golden python pattern, seemed poised to take flight in the river breeze.
He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the vast river.

"A lone sail departs, its robes fluttering. A farewell song blends with the azure waters, as clouds surge across the cold river. Stars turn with the waves, and the azure dragon returns, treading the waves."

"A young man walks freely, laughing and talking as if breaking through mountains. His gaze sweeps across the vast land, his heart holds the myriad phenomena. The true realm of humanity need not be confined to mountain peaks."

"Excellent poem, excellent poem!" Lu Bing praised. "Brother Chen's decisive actions in this battle have shaken Jiangnan. After returning to the capital, the position of Director of Ceremonial Affairs is just around the corner."

Chen Mo's lips curled slightly, but his eyes were unfathomable: "Jiangnan...it's not over yet."

His gaze swept over the ships and the distant horizon.

Japanese pirates?

Maritime merchant?

Chen Mo turned around, the hem of his python-patterned robe drawing a sharp arc, and walked towards the waiting, magnificent official ship.

The sunlight shone on his face, making him appear bright and dignified.

Hidden in the shadow of his hat brim, he appeared deep and unfathomable.

The struggle is not over yet, and the road ahead remains unpredictable!

The movie is a little over two and a half hours long, totaling 150 minutes.

When the theme song of "The Lone Warrior" played, Guo Fan got goosebumps and deeply understood the meaning of "lone warrior of the times, first-class in the world".

"It's packed with Hollywood-style information; every shot carries a message. The plot, special effects, and metaphors are all top-notch!"

Before watching the movie, he had already mentally prepared for the worst.

The story of "eunuch hero" is either extremely good or extremely bad; given the production level of domestic films, it's highly likely to be bad.

However, the reality is not good, but shocking!

After watching it, Guo Fan felt the same shock he had when he watched "Terminator" in his youth.

At the age of 15, "Terminator 2" gave him a science fiction dream.

In the film, Schwarzenegger, who travels from the future, carries a machine gun and saves the future leader of Earth.

Guo Fan was completely engrossed in the plot, his blood boiling with excitement, and he couldn't sleep all night. His mind was filled with images of the first-ever liquid metal robot.

As a young boy, he secretly resolved that he would become a science fiction director when he grew up and make science fiction films that were better than those in Hollywood.

Guo Fan's first choice for university was the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy, but that year the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy did not have a recruitment plan in Shandong, so he chose to study law at Hainan University.

After working at Hainan TV for three or four years, I resolutely came to Beijing.

For someone from Shandong, making this decision was no easy task.

Guo Fan originally planned to apply for a master's degree in directing, but now he has changed his mind.

I'm applying for a graduate program in management!

The novel "The Eunuch" had a profound impact on him.

He never imagined that he could gain such insights from Chinese films.

My mind was filled with the scene of the Grandmaster's death in the final Grandmaster battle, the shock of the surging internal energy and the intertwining of flesh and blood, just like back then, or even more shocking.

Because this time, it is China's heroes who are saving others.

"This movie is awesome!"

The friend who came with him uttered these words, and then quickly made phone calls to call on his friends.

Great movie, come watch it now!

A dragon has appeared!
Chinese cinema has produced a dragon!
"It's going to explode! It's definitely going to explode!"

Many audience members who came out of the first show were excited.

Indeed, that feeling is correct.

"The Grand Eunuch" is a hit!
(End of this chapter)