Chapter 53: Stuffing Mud into Your Pants

After long and careful planning, Ma Jun had finally secured his foothold in the world of The Deer and the Cauldron. Whether with the Heaven and Earth Society or the House of Duke Mu, he now maintained close ties. The foundation for seizing the spotlight had been firmly laid, and all that remained was to reap the rewards.

Yet, for all his calculations, Ma Jun had never anticipated that the House of Duke Mu would actually betroth Mu Jianping to him! This unexpected development gave him quite a headache. The little flower would always jump out, brimming with jealousy, accusing Ma Jun of playing coy despite taking advantage.

Still, as the saying goes, the cart will find its way around the hill when it gets there. After a night of fretting, Ma Jun cast the matter from his mind. At worst, he thought, he could marry the little girl and treat it as a sham wedding. Mu Jianping was young enough that she should be easy to hoodwink!

Having rested well through the night, Ma Jun was at breakfast the next day when Qian Moduo came to report.

"Boss, our people have begun spreading the rumors. In a couple of days, all of the capital will know! Also, the agent in the palace has carried out that matter as well!"

"Excellent!" Ma Jun nodded in satisfaction.

Of the two tasks he had arranged, the matter of spreading rumors had also been communicated to the Aoki Hall, but only he and Qian Moduo knew about the business within the palace.

With capable subordinates, many things became far easier—no more need to handle everything personally.

Lighting a cigarette and taking a pleasurable drag, Ma Jun said, "Old Qian, don’t forget to gather more precious medicinal herbs. We can use them back at our main base!"

"Don’t worry, boss. Our people have been collecting and buying them constantly!"

Ma Jun owned a grand restaurant in the capital, bustling with people every day—a perfect place to spread rumors. And should the authorities try to investigate, it would be nearly impossible to trace.

These days, there were always diners huddled in pairs and trios, whispering furtively as if afraid of being overheard. In truth, they sat among the crowds, and though their voices were low, word still spread.

"Brother Lian, did you know someone tried to assassinate His Majesty in the palace recently?"

"Who could be so bold?"

"I hear from friends among the palace guards that it was someone from Yunnan!"

"What? Are they plotting rebellion?"

"Keep your voice down. The forces in Yunnan are powerful and clearly ambitious. You know, some of their people are here in the capital right now!"

"You mean Prince Pingxi’s son, Wu Yingxiong?"

"Hush, not so loud!"

With deliberate efforts to fan the flames, the common folk followed suit. Sure enough, within just two days, the rumor had swept across Beijing! Even the ministers at court were all well aware, and none dared associate with Wu Yingxiong any longer.

Still, most of those officials had already accepted bribes from Wu Yingxiong, and all kept silent before the emperor, not daring to discuss the matter in court. A few who wished to speak out did not dare offend the entire assembly of officials.

But Kangxi was no ordinary emperor; he had his own means of learning the truth. Furious, he found that despite his orders to suppress news of the assassination, the rumors had still spread. The court was not yet under his full control, and his immediate priority was to pacify Wu Sangui, intending to deal with him slowly in the future. These were his thoughts, guided by wise counsel from those behind him.

The one most vexed by the rumors was, of course, Wu Yingxiong.

In fact, Wu Sangui had sent his son to the capital precisely to gauge the court’s attitude toward their family. He still leaned toward not rebelling, preferring to remain his own local sovereign. As for rebelling in the future, that would only be out of necessity—his power was simply too great, and Kangxi would not allow such a force to exist.

So now, with Wu Yingxiong in a bind—having just established connections with several influential ministers—news of an assassination attempt on the emperor had surfaced. Instantly, no one dared associate with him. Though flush with wealth, he could not give it away, and spent his days in his temporary lodgings, worried and despondent. He sent letters seeking information, determined to pay a heavy price if necessary to uncover the truth.

Late one night, Wu Yingxiong finally received a letter. By lamplight in his study, he read, his expression shifting between joy and distress.

Suddenly, a commotion outside erupted. His guards shouted, "Assassins! Assassins!"

The door burst open, and his trusted aide, Yang Yizhi, appeared with several men. "Young Master, the assassins are powerful. We must get you out!"

This assassination was orchestrated by Ma Jun himself, leading more than thirty men from the Aoki Hall in the attack.

Wu Yingxiong’s entourage were no mere weaklings; Yang Yizhi alone was far more formidable than Wu Lishen of the House of Duke Mu. Thus, Ma Jun left nothing to chance and brought only those of the highest martial skill.

Once this business was done, Ma Jun dared not linger in the capital. He prepared to lead his retreat, leaving some covert agents behind.

In the darkness, the residence of Wu Yingxiong was ablaze with fire, blood splattering everywhere—a scene of utter chaos.

Ma Jun led the charge, shouting, "By the master's command, leave no one alive!"

He wore a tailcoat, with Qian Moduo at his side, along with other formidable fighters of Aoki Hall: Feng Jizhong, Daoist Xuan Zhen, Li Shili, and Guan Shiji. When these men charged, no one could withstand them.

Why did Ma Jun dare to trust Feng Jizhong so much? If you gave him over a hundred thousand taels of silver and had him watched for a long time, you’d trust him too!

The rest of the men fought with reckless abandon, determined to finish the job even at the cost of their lives.

In no time, Ma Jun and his men caught up with Wu Yingxiong’s group near the back gate as they were about to escape.

"Don’t let the traitor get away!"

The group surged forward, clashing with blades raised.

"I am the son of Prince Pingxi! How dare you attempt to assassinate me in the capital? Kangxi will have your entire families executed!" Wu Yingxiong, panicked and hoarse, was protected by Yang Yizhi as he shouted, veins bulging in his neck.

Ma Jun and his men laughed with scorn, as if unconcerned by the emperor.

"Young Prince, run!" One of their men shoved Yang Yizhi and Wu Yingxiong forward, roaring in desperation. The next moment, blood gushed from his mouth as he crashed into the wall, leaving a bloody smear before collapsing motionless.

"Where do you think you’re going!"

Yang Yizhi was just about to lift Wu Yingxiong onto a horse and flee when Ma Jun, Li Shili, and Guan Shiji broke through their pursuers and leapt forward. Li Shili struck the horse’s leg, and Guan Shiji engaged Yang Yizhi in a fierce fight.

Seizing the opportunity, Ma Jun struck with all his might, and Wu Yingxiong’s fine head tumbled to the ground, rolling several times across the earth!

The surviving guards, blazing with fury, mounted a desperate counterattack, but it was a final burst of energy; moments later, the arriving men of Aoki Hall cut them all down.

Qian Moduo rushed forward and ambushed Yang Yizhi. He could not evade in time and fell, pierced through the back by a sword.

At that moment, whether by chance or design, a token slipped from Qian Moduo’s sleeve, landing squarely beneath Yang Yizhi’s body.

When the slaughter was over, Ma Jun and his men gathered before the corpses of Wu Yingxiong and Yang Yizhi.

Guan Shiji whispered with a laugh, "These traitors committed high treason under the emperor’s very nose, thinking they could escape punishment for lack of evidence. Hmph, the assassination—"

"Silence!" Ma Jun barked. "No more talk. We leave at once—others will soon arrive to handle the aftermath!"

The group vanished as silently as they had come, leaving only a yard strewn with corpses and the ruins of the residence.

After a while, movement stirred among the corpses. Someone slowly knelt, picked up the token, examined it closely, and through clenched teeth, seethed with hatred: "Imperial Guard! Damn that dog emperor!"

Staggering to his feet, he leaned on his sword, glanced back at the headless corpse, then turned away and stumbled off into the darkness.

A little later, Ma Jun and his men reappeared at the end of the street. They moved among the bodies, searching the area.

"Chief, Yang Yizhi has vanished, and the guard’s token is missing!" Qian Moduo reported.

"Good!" Ma Jun nodded. "Brothers, clean up the scene quickly. The city’s head guards may already have gotten word and will be bringing men from the Eight Lanes any moment now!"