Chapter 1825: Chapter 1763: Unable to Escape from the Five Finger Mountain

As a marshal, if you don’t want to wield great power, you are not a good marshal. What is a marshal? It means being the first, but if military power is not unified, then being a marshal is pointless; you might as well retire early to enjoy time with your grandchildren.

Marshal Gao came to the Northern Region to be the first Grand Marshal, naturally not wanting Marquis Xuanwu to be an obstacle. In his view, Marquis Xuanwu is like a dog occupying a ditch without doing anything. Now that there’s an opportunity to pull that bastard off his horse, of course, he wouldn’t miss it; he immediately suppressed his barracks with overwhelming force, executing several rebellious leaders and intimidating plenty of unruly men.

Having entrusted the barracks of Yu City to his trusted generals, Marshal Gao took the secret decree from Emperor Yan and proceeded to Marquis Xuanwu’s camp, temporarily assuming the marshal’s position to take charge of all affairs. He arrested several leaders on charges of rebellion for taking troops out without approval.

Marshal Gao’s move was swift and ruthless; those leaders stirring military and civilian unrest were caught before they could celebrate, ending up next to Marquis Xuanwu in prison. As for the remaining soldiers, a mantra of "ignorance is innocence" was declared. Those who surrendered promptly were pardoned; otherwise, they would face charges of rebellion and desertion.

Rebellion is a capital crime leading to the extermination of one’s family. Which soldier would dare shoulder such a charge? Naturally, they returned to camp quietly after being pardoned.

Concerning the incited civilians, those who looted during the chaos weren’t spared; facing beheadings and imprisonment, they dispersed.

Marquis Xuanwu realized the severity only after receiving the news, especially with Marshal Gao holding a secret decree, which unsettled him.

What is a secret decree? It’s confidential, reaching only the designated recipient, known only to them. Why did the Emperor issue this decree? Could he know something?

The saying "suspicion breeds paranoia" fits Marquis Xuanwu well, not to mention his unclean secrets. Seeing that the Emperor might know his secret, panic set in.

Compared to the officials paying him tributes, secretly possessing an iron mine and manufacturing weapons is a capital crime of exterminating his entire clan.

When suspicion arises, one loses composure. Seeing his trusted generals being imprisoned, Marquis Xuanwu used his undercover agents to handle his ledgers and the iron mine.

"... At last, he made a move." Ah Jiu sighed with relief after receiving the report from his subordinates.

He did all this to lure Marquis Xuanwu into the trap for the sake of the iron mine’s location.

Wufu handed him a cup of chrysanthemum and goji tea, smiling: "Even if it were a reincarnation of the Monkey King, he couldn’t escape your Five Finger Mountain as the Tathagata Buddha."

Ah Jiu chuckled, "Been in the Northern Region for almost two months, delayed too long, becoming impatient."

Seeing July arrive and still not settling the matter, his mood was as restless as the scorching weather.

"The prison is nearly full, and it’s close." Wufu remarked, "But this time involves broad officers, casting the entire Northern Region like reshuffling cards; you should be prepared."

Ah Jiu understood what she meant, nodded, and said, "The Princely Heir of Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion, Liang Bang, accompanied me on this trip; I want to position him here."

"Didn’t you say his wife just had a child? So cruel to separate husband and wife?"

Ah Jiu replied, "He’s still young; inheriting is not impossible, but wielding real power differs from inheritance." He squeezed her hand lightly, "I have to prepare solid backing for our future generations."

Wufu twitched her lips, thinking far ahead.

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