Chapter 1185: Action
"I didn't do it on purpose!"
"Then apologize! Can't you even say sorry?"
"For a tiny bump? What kind of apology do you expect? Are you that delicate?"
"Damn it!"
"Come on, want to fight, do you?"
The four Embroidered Uniform Guards immediately squared off, throwing wild punches with a raucous clamor that drew a crowd. Real workers, scores of them, were pulled in by the spectacle, forming a dense circle around the brawlers.
Commander Mi barked, "Move!"
The Embroidered Uniform Guard who had deliberately taken on heavy labor swiftly exited his dormitory. Under the cover of two comrades, he crouched low and slipped into the flowerbeds outside the building. He crawled forward on all fours for a stretch, then rose, already concealed behind a tree. Again, he bent low, navigating a drainage ditch for several more meters before disappearing.
Meanwhile, across in the small copse of trees, one of Bin Sheng's Labor Models stiffened, his head snapping to his companion. "This is bad," he whispered. "I just saw three intruders head for the dormitory entrance, but the commotion distracted me for a moment. Just that one moment, and when I looked back, only two of them were left. The third one vanished."
The brave Embroidered Uniform Guard soon reached the guesthouse.
With practiced ease, he pried open a window, slipped inside, and darted into the room where Zhu Yujian had slept the previous night.
On the table, the scholarly tools lay spread out.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard leaped forward, snatched up Zhu Yujian's writings, and scrutinized them: "The people are the foundation of the state; governance should align with the people's will. Laws and measures disliked by the populace must not be forcibly implemented, lest they provoke public resentment and dissatisfaction."
"The rise of a nation depends on the people's support. Without trust, a person cannot stand; without integrity, a business cannot endure."
"Advanced productivity will drive the development of production relations..."
"Igniting the enthusiasm of laborers is far more effective than forcing them to work with swords... Those in power should heed this."
"Achieving incorruptible officials is no easy feat; it requires diligently establishing mutual supervision among various functional officers. For example, financial officials should be divided into two roles: cashier and accountant. The cashier manages the money, while the accountant calculates it. The one who calculates cannot manage, and the one who manages cannot calculate."
"The duties of a county magistrate are too onerous, making them akin to local potentates. Powers must be appropriately delegated. The legal advisor should also be integrated into the official system to share the magistrate's authority, preventing them from monopolizing power... Considering this, is the emperor's authority also too vast? I believe the concept of collective governance should be introduced here..."
The Embroidered Uniform Guard clutched the papers, his hands trembling. "What... what in the demon's name is this? Is... is this Zhu Yujian researching how to govern the country? So, when he raised his army, it wasn't to aid the emperor after all, but to commit treason! He intends to overthrow His Majesty and claim the dragon throne for himself!"
The Embroidered Uniform Guard glanced at the massive factory outside, a jolt of alarm going through him. *This is Zhu Yujian's arsenal, manufacturing all sorts of iron implements. I even delivered a cartload of iron plates yesterday! These plates are definitely for forging armor and weapons for his rebellion!*
He never imagined that a simple mission to apprehend a minor, deposed prince would uncover such a terrifying conspiracy of treason.
Panic surged in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. *Could he possibly escape here alive?*
He gritted his teeth, stuffed all the papers into his tunic, then pushed open the window and crept out.
The moment his feet touched the ground after leaping from the window, he came face to face with the Labor Model who had been searching for him.
The Labor Model's expression was grave. "What are you doing in this room? This is the guesthouse, where guests stay. As a new factory employee, why are you here?"
A wave of panic hit the Embroidered Uniform Guard. "I just found this building unique and wanted to take a look inside."
The Labor Model's gaze dropped to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's chest, where a corner of paper poked out from a seam in his clothes.
The Labor Model sneered. "You're here to steal information, aren't you? What technology did you steal from our Chang'an Automobile Factory? Which faction do you belong to?"
The Embroidered Uniform Guard let out a grunt and swung his left fist at the Labor Model's face. Simultaneously, a small dagger slid from his right sleeve into a reverse grip, its blade following the punch with a deadly thrust.
But the Labor Model was prepared. He wouldn't be struck so easily. His left hand flicked up, sharply parrying the Embroidered Uniform Guard's fist with a crisp *thwack*. At the same instant, a dagger slid from *his* own sleeve, lunging back in return.
Both daggers flashed out almost simultaneously, aiming for each other's vital points. Neither wished to perish with the other, so they both sidestepped, dodging the attacks.
*A tricky opponent!* they both thought at the same time.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard dared not call for help. He knew when he undertook this mission that he might be exposed and captured, and Commander Mi had already stated he would deny knowing him. Calling for aid would be futile.
But the Labor Model would call for help; this was his home turf.
The Labor Model shouted loudly, "Spy! Get help!"
With that shout, the Embroidered Uniform Guard knew he was finished.
He dove violently to the side, rolling several times. Using the momentum of his fall, he snatched a piece of paper from his tunic and swiftly stuffed it into a crevice in the ground.
Another roll, then he scrambled to his feet and sprinted wildly into the distance.
"Don't you dare escape, scoundrel!" the Labor Model yelled, lunging after him with an arrow-swift stride.
The two figures vanished into the distance in moments. Then, the Labor Model's reinforcements arrived, followed by the factory's security department, and a throng of militia and ordinary workers eager to help. In less than ten minutes, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was pinned to the ground, bound hand and foot.
What they didn't know was that Commander Mi had, in the meantime, arrived at the spot where the Embroidered Uniform Guard had rolled. After a quick search on the ground, he pulled a piece of paper from a stone crevice.
After scrutinizing the contents of the paper, Commander Mi gasped sharply. "So, Zhu Yujian's ambitions are truly immense! This is no small matter. It seems we've uncovered a major conspiracy of rebellion."
Commander Mi returned to his dormitory and addressed his subordinates. "Our task now is not to apprehend Zhu Yujian, but to get out of this den of traitors alive and bring the intelligence of Zhu Yujian's planned rebellion back to the capital. Remember, gentlemen, our goal now is simply to survive! Even if it means abandoning a comrade, you must strive to keep yourselves alive and deliver this message back to the capital, to repay the Emperor's grace."
The Embroidered Uniform Guards' faces were grim. "To repay the Emperor's grace!"
Commander Mi continued, "Starting now, disperse and escape. Use every means possible to get out of the Chang'an Automobile Factory, to get out of Xi'an. You must return to the capital alive. Gentlemen, this is the moment to prove your mettle."
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