At this village, the morning was chilly and cozy. The morning mist still did not completely disappear yet, it slightly obscured the morning sun yet not blocking the view. The morning dew could be seen hanging on the leaves, forming small, beautiful spheres like crystal balls. People had started to be busy with activities, the morning is always busier than at dusk. In the inn where Zhu Su was staying, there were only two other guests - the same people they met yesterday. This inn was very quiet. The girl also still remained alone at the receptionist desk, sometimes she wiped glasses and plates.
At the dinner table, Zhu Su praised Master Shao Rong nonstop.
"Shao Rong is amazing! He is still young but has mastered Bu and Yi very well. He even knows the medicinal herbs not recorded in ancient medical books. Many of our skilled physicians are confused by the new plants we just find. I intend to recruit him into the Team of Wellbeing. He will give big contribution in providing beneficial information to our research."
Wu Qi protested. "But Your Highness, he isn't physician, he is a witchdoctor. He cures people just based on uncertain magic!"
"Have your wound been cured, Wu Qi?"
"Ah. Well... it doesn't swell like yesterday..." The swelling on his hand was indeed deflated.
"Then it means that his ability is proven to be reliable even though he doesn't have a medical background."
"More important… Your Highness…" Wu Qi stiffened. "He is from Mao Shan Sect."
This time Zhu Su's expression changed. "How do you know?"
"The altar behind him, as well as the writing of the talismans on the wall, are all the hallmarks of Mao Shan Sect."
"Oh, really?! I was too focused on his medicinal herbs collection yesterday and forgot to pay attention to other things!..." Zhu Su supported his chin, perplexed. "But his talent is amazing and I think he won't mind being a member of the Team of Wellbeing..."
"You and he may have no problem, but others will make a fuss about it, Your Highness..."
Zhu Su nodded slowly. The Mao Shan Sect was well known all over this country as a sect which used black magic and other terrible things. The Ming government was also very strict when it came to sect management. Anyone who used the methods of a certain sect which was suspected to make any turmoil would immediately be arrested, and once a little more problem appeared during the trial, he would immediately get punishment.
"Actually Mao Shan Sect is a good sect. What makes it be labeled as a black magic sect are its irresponsible wrongdoers. One rotten apple will spoil the whole barrel..." Zhu Su pulled his gaze outside the window. "I'll try to get a solution, because he's really amazing..."
Wu Qi was sullen. This was the trait he disliked about his lord - too anti-mainstream. And more, audacious to do something which was not in line with social norms. Just as he was doing right now, leaving Kaifeng only to look for strange plants. It seemed that one bad luck was not enough to deter him, he then repeated it once again. And even more, he also intended to recruit a practitioner of the Mao Shan Sect with an uncertain identity to become an official of the Zhou Fan Wang Guo. It was not only vulnerable to gossip, it would be even ended up in severe punishment.
"You better consult it first with other members of Team of Wellbeings as well as Kaifeng officials, Your Highness," It was what Wu Qi said at last. He hoped that this suggestion would limit Zhu Su from being too reckless in making decision. In any case, whether he was commoner or noble, one who did anti-mainstream action in Ming would always end up in big trouble.
"Yes... of course, I will discuss it with them." Zhu Su realized that Wu Qi disagreed with him. "However, our research aims to free people from starving and dying due to food poisoning, and to destroy that anarchism. Otherwise, for what reason must I sneak out of Kaifeng? It is an urgent case. I hope you understand."
"Yes... Your Highness..." Wu Qi answered reverently.
Zhu Su took a sip of tea. "Such a pleasant morning. Let's rest for a while, after that we return to Kaifeng."
Hu Nayin and Wu Qi nodded their heads when a strange event appeared.
"What is that?!" Zhu Su got stunned as he saw a large group of soldiers wearing royal military suits suddenly emerged. Their appearance on a massive scale at this remote village was indeed shocking, but what they did afterward was more shocking. Since they banged on the house and forced the people to come before them.
"They are harassing villagers!" Wu Qi soon got to his feet.
Now the three of them glared at the soldiers. One of the soldiers shouted, "Take all beautiful women in here!"
All soldiers quickly heeded the orders. The streets that once were deserted were now filled with screams. The soldiers pulled the beautiful girls forcibly. Although the girls kept screaming, they had no power to run away. Because those soldiers were not ordinary men, they were even not ordinary soldiers. They were the soldiers trained to fight in battle. The qualified royal army.
"Royal army are catching the commoners?!" Zhu Su watched everything with wide eyes. This time the soldiers even entered the inn they were relaxing in. And immediately approached the waiter girl.
"You, come with us!" A soldier grabbed the girl's hand. The girl's eyes went round, still did not understand with what was going on.
"Sir... I'm not doing something wrong... Why do you catch me?..."
"Shut up, just come with us!"
"Sir... I don't get it?!..."
On the other hand, another soldier approached Hu Nayin, intended to catch her.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Zhu Su instantly hindered the soldier's barbaric intention.
"We are ordered to take all beautiful women here. So, this woman has to come with us!"
"It is an honor for her as she is chosen to enter the palace, anyway," Another soldier said.
"What?! Who gives such an order?!"
"Yi Wang."
Zhu Su sighed furiously. So it was apparently Zhu Yi's job?!
It was not surprising then, he should not be surprised since it was all Zhu Yi's damn job.
Zhu Yi was the 25th son of Hongwu Emperor, who was also his youngest brother. Their ages were very far apart, Zhu Yi was now only in his late teens. Being the youngest son allowed Zhu Yi to grow up in indulgence. Different from his brothers who were educated so hard that they became the talented and ethical Fan Wangs, Zhu Yi was the most annoying Fan Wang. Let alone giving useful contributions to the country, what Zhu Yi did was instead tormenting his people. He often oppressed the people, for example, he would take his sword to a busy street and stabbed anyone who could not escape. Zhu Yi liked to wear clothes covered in the blood of his victims. Then, Zhu Yi often had sex parties. Men and women had parties without wearing any clothes, and they did the immoral parties in the great hall at daytime. Many officials had reported Zhu Yi to the emperor and even suggested to demote his title. To Zhu Su's surprise, the emperor ignored the report, and still gave Zhu Yi permission to oppress the people. If he were the emperor, he would immediately overthrow this annoying younger brother even before the officials asked him.
"You can't!" Zhu Su replied coldly, immediately made himself the shield to protect Hu Nayin. Hu Nayin herself, quickly hid behind Zhu Su's back.
But the soldiers paid no attention to Zhu Su. "You have no right to do so!" They kept trying to pull Hu Nayin.
"You!... How dare!..."