I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 457: Confiscation of the Marquis' Mansion

Chapter 457 Confiscating the Marquis's Mansion

At the Zhongyi Duke's residence, the two sides were still locked in fierce fighting. The 3,000-strong battalion was actually there to "stand guard" and provide support; they didn't actually attack. The troops attacking the Zhongyi Duke's residence were all Hou Xun's personal guards.

The servants of Zhong Yigong's mansion were either guards from the sedan chair carriers' battalion or elite soldiers from the special forces. If Wang Wenzhou hadn't ordered them to only defend, they would have rushed out long ago and slaughtered Hou Xun's servants like cutting melons and vegetables.

Hou Xun pointed at Yang Hezhi's nose and angrily rebuked him, "Why don't you lead your men and charge!"

Yang Hezhi was the deputy commander of the 3,000-strong battalion. Without an imperial edict, how could he dare to order an attack on the Zhong Yi Duke's mansion? The Duke was the highest rank in the Ming Dynasty, and Wang Wenzhou was enjoying the Emperor's favor. He did not want to lose his life because of this. The reason he brought his troops here was because he received an order from the Ministry of War to conduct an inspection. There was no problem with the procedure.

"Lord Hou, this humble general did not receive any orders. Please forgive me," Yang Hezhi said respectfully, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Hmph!" Hou Xun snorted coldly, knowing he couldn't command the three thousand battalion, and hurriedly shouted to his servants, "Listen up! Break into Zhong Yi Gong's mansion and capture Wang Wenzhou alive, and I will reward you handsomely! The first person to break down the gate will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver!"

With such a generous reward, Hou Xun's servants were immediately in high spirits and charged forward with great bravado.

Suddenly, a large group of people surrounded them.

Yang Hezhi frowned and immediately ordered his men to be on guard. He shouted, "Who goes there?!"

Wang Wenzhou immediately ordered his men to shout: "Listen up, you over there! I, Wang Wenzhou, have come by imperial decree to arrest Hou Xun. Lay down your weapons immediately, or you will be punished for treason!"

"Hmph!" Hou Xun said coldly, "Don't listen to the nonsense of this mad dog Wang Wenzhou. It is Wang Wenzhou who has rebelled against his superiors. General Yang's traitor Wang Wenzhou is right in front of us. Are you going to sit idly by and do nothing?"

Yang Hezhi was at a loss for what to do. One was Hou Xun, the Minister of Revenue and a bigwig in the Donglin Party, and the other was Wang Wenzhou, who was enjoying the Emperor's favor. He could not afford to offend either of them.

Wang Wenzhou shouted, "The person in charge on the other side, come forward and speak!"

Yang Hezhi thought for a moment. Wang Wenzhou said that he had received an imperial decree. Although he was not sure, he still had to go and see. Otherwise, if Wang Wenzhou accused him of rebellion, he would be in danger.

Yang Hezhi quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "This humble general Yang Hezhi greets Lord Wang."

Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Little Wolf, Little Jiongjiong, this is the accomplice. If it weren't for him, the princess wouldn't have been injured."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang cracked his whip and struck Yang Hezhi across the face.

The Three Thousand Battalion was the Imperial Guard. Yang Hezhi knew that the two children on the way were the two princes, so he immediately knelt down.

Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Young Prince, please don't be angry. This man must have been misled by Hou Xun, which is why he committed such a treasonous act. Ignorance is no excuse, and we can't condemn him outright. We should give General Yang a chance to redeem himself through meritorious service!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Hezhi immediately kowtowed and said, "Please, Your Highness, have mercy and allow this humble general to atone for his crimes through meritorious service."

Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "What are we waiting for? Hurry up and arrest that old bastard Hou Xun."

"Yes!" Yang Hezhi accepted the order and hurriedly ran back.

In no time, Hou Xun was brought over, bound hand and foot.

At this moment, Hou Xun turned pale. He suddenly realized that he had fallen into Wang Wenzhou's trap.

Wang Wenzhou looked at Hou Xun and said with a smile, "Isn't this Lord Hou! Old Hou, you're really bold, daring to commit treason!"

“Slander! Wang Wenzhou, stop slandering me!” Hou Xun said hurriedly.

"I can't be bothered with you!" Wang Wenzhou turned around and said to Wang Chengen, "Old Wang, I'll trouble you to take this old bastard to the palace and hand him over to the Emperor for interrogation. I'll take my brothers and confiscate his property right now."

Upon hearing this, Hou Xun's expression changed, and he shouted angrily, "Mad dog Wang Wenzhou, stop your recklessness!"

Wang Chengen thought for a moment and then said, "Lord Wang, the Emperor's decree is to order you to arrest Hou Xun and bring him to justice, not to confiscate his property."

Although Wang Chengen was unaware of the details, based on the information he had, Hou Xun was most likely tricked by Wang Wenzhou. He wanted to speak up for Hou Xun, since Hou Xun was a bigwig in the Donglin Party, and he should give him some face at this time.

Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Old Wang, the Emperor didn't say we wouldn't confiscate his property! You should go back and report first!"

"Brothers! Let's go, let's raid their house!" Wang Wenzhou waved his hand, preparing to lead his men to raid the house.

Wang Chengen quickly stopped him and said, "Lord Wang, His Majesty has ordered this old servant to accompany you. This old servant will immediately order someone to send the two princes and Hou Xun into the palace. Please wait a moment."

Wang Wenzhou was helpless. That old man, Wang Chengen, wanted to keep an eye on him and prevent him from doing anything reckless. But there was nothing he could do, after all, Wang Chengen was no ordinary eunuch.

……

By the time Hou Fangyu's letter reached Liu Rushi, Wang Wenzhou had already led his men to arrest Hou Xun.

Liu Rushi was still very loyal; she went to find Wang Wenzhou as soon as she finished reading the letter.

When Liu Rushi arrived at the Zhongyi Duke's mansion, Hou Fangyu, with a mournful face, told her that Wang Wenzhou had already led people to confiscate the property.

Hou Fangyu knew that things had escalated to this point, and his father's position, let alone his life, was in grave danger. But he couldn't allow Wang Wenzhou to confiscate his property; if that happened, his family would be ruined.

Hou Fangyu pleaded desperately, "Master Liu, please, for the sake of our past relationship, do me a favor. We can't let Lord Wang confiscate our property!"

Liu Rushi nodded and said, "Brother Hou, don't worry, let's hurry, we still have time!"

Hou Fangyu nodded repeatedly and rode his horse closely behind Liu Rushi.

When Liu Rushi and Hou Fangyu arrived at the Hou residence, it was already surrounded by a large group of people.

Zhou Liang, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard responsible for guarding the area, saw two strangers approaching on horseback and quickly stopped them, coldly rebuking them: "Please wait, gentlemen! The Embroidered Uniform Guard is conducting an investigation; unrelated persons must leave immediately!"

Liu Rushi spoke up, "I'm looking for Wang Wenzhou!"

"Who are you?" Zhou Liang asked.

Zhou Liang was one of the men transferred by Wang Chengen. He had never met Liu Rushi, let alone knew about the relationship between Wang Wenzhou and his wives and concubines.

Because she was anxious, Liu Rushi hurriedly said, "Go tell Wang Wenzhou to get out here!"

"What arrogance! Who do you think you are, daring to speak to Lord Wang like that!" Zhou Liang said irritably, "Get lost!"

Liu Ru was very angry, and she quickly said, "I am Wang Wenzhou's concubine!"

"Huh?" Zhou Liang took a closer look and realized that this handsome young man was actually a girl dressed as a man.

"Madam, please don't be angry! I'll go tell Lord Wang right away!" Zhou Liang said and hurriedly ran into the Marquis's residence.

At this moment, all the women in the Marquis's mansion had been stripped naked and were standing in the courtyard, crying and sobbing.

Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Let's stick to the old rules: kill the men, and sleep with the women first before killing them!"

Little Monster 001 and the others hurriedly shouted, "Your Excellency is mighty!"

"Wait!" Wang Chengen shouted, walking up to Wang Wenzhou and admonishing him, "Lord Wang, this is inappropriate!"