The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion

After running back and forth between the government office and the Northern Detective Department twice and discussing the case with Lu Hui, Sun Shaozong returned home late at night.

He got off the carriage at the corner gate and was about to call for a maid, holding a raincoat and hat, back to the backyard. Although this was an easy task for Sun Shaozong, which master from a wealthy family wandering around the house carrying a raincoat and hat these days?

As the words reached his lips, he suddenly remembered the young man Li Xian from the West Cross Courtyard Room. He quickly changed his voice and called out to the gatekeeper, asking if Li Xian had ever left.

"He left in the morning."

The newly appointed gatekeeper Wang Jin was already waiting by the side when he heard Sun Shaozong's call. He quickly stepped forward and said, "Young Master Li said that his father was sick in bed, so he didn't dare to stay outside for too long. He even said that he would come to our mansion to thank you when you rest, Second Master."

Upon hearing this, Sun Shaozong was slightly disappointed. He had originally planned to strike while the iron was hot and take this prodigy, who seemed to be a historical celebrity, as his disciple. Although taking a literal disciple with the identity of a martial official, the profession was not very relevant. However, Sun Shaozong had several successful candidates under his command, and with Xiong Guang, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations, as his disciple, taking a literal disciple would not be considered a big deal at the moment.

Speaking of Xiong Guang, yesterday, Xue Pan and his companions were completely drunk, and he didn't know if they remembered his entrustment.

*Forget it, it's only a few days left for Liu Xianglian's wedding. If that silly guy really forgets, I can just bring it up again when the time comes.*

"Erlang!"

As he was pondering about helping Xiong Guang run for official positions, he heard someone in the corridor ahead greet him with great enthusiasm, "The food and drinks are all cold, waiting for you, come here. I have something to discuss with you!"

As he spoke, he turned around and walked towards the front hall.

*Is there something new happening here?*

Sun Shaozong hurriedly caught up from behind and was about to ask the truth when his Big Brother raised his hand and said, "Let's wait until we go in and sit down."

Sun Shaozong had to first shut his mouth and follow his Big Brother step by step into the living room. Before he could even sit down, he saw a small booklet lying flat on the dining table. He didn't need to look at the text on it. Just by looking at the unique layout, he knew it must be a palace newspaper.

Looking at this, the matter that his Big Brother wanted to discuss with him should be related to the latest issue of the palace newspaper.

However…

There seemed to be nothing closely related to the Sun family, right?

Sitting in front of the banquet full of doubts, Sun Shaozu raised his chin and pointed his beard at the palace newspaper, asking, "You should have read the newspaper yesterday, haven't you? Today, I heard rumors that His Majesty may mobilize the Shenji Camp to go south to suppress the rebellion and test the power of this new type of firearm."

As he spoke, he leaned forward and asked enthusiastically, "What do you think if I take the initiative to take on this task and make some contributions? At least to remove the *'authority'* of the commander, who always prevents me from being in a higher position in the Shenji Camp!"

Upon hearing these words, Sun Shaozong's nervous heart immediately felt relieved for more than 80% of his thoughts. He lazily spread himself on the back of his chair and smiled, saying, "Big Brother, don't listen to the saying that wind is rain. Don't say that this matter is probably a rumor; even if it is true, you must definitely not get involved in it."

Seeing his Big Brother's eyes widen, he seemed somewhat dissatisfied. Sun Shaozong quickly explained, "When I returned from Qianxiang Country, I went to Huguang. Although it was still some distance from the Wuxi barbarian tribe, I knew that there were deep mountains and forests everywhere. Not to mention that firearms were difficult to use in the forest, even if they could be used, the ammunition supply would still be a problem."

Upon hearing Sun Shaozong's simple description of the mountainous terrain in Hubei and Guangxi, his Big Brother immediately vented his anger. He had been in the Shenji Camp for several months and had a preliminary judgment on the advantages and disadvantages of new firearms. Upon hearing this, he knew that Shenji Camp had designated no place to use it.

"Damn it!"

He poured and drank a glass himself, slammed the glass onto the table, and cursed, "Since they are barbarians from the mountains, what kind of name did they call themselves? The Wuxi Barbarians? I've heard people say that this place is not far from Dongting Lake, so I thought they were a group of water pirates!"

"Damn it, these bandits really know how to pick a time. If I'm still in the patrol camp, no matter if he's a mountain bandit or a water bandit, I will just go ahead and eliminate them all at once!"

"That's good, I just gave the credit to others for nothing!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Shaozong couldn't help but feel amused. No wonder his elder brother was just enthusiastic. This firearm was inconvenient to use in the mountains, but water warfare could be considered a sharp weapon.

However, on the other hand, although the suppression of the rebellion did not require the use of the Shenji Camp, there was a possibility that a portion of the troops might need to be transferred from the patrol or urban defense camps.

After all, most of the troops and horses in the southwest were now stationed in the areas of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. If they were to be sent to Hubei and Guangxi to suppress the rebellion at this time, it was highly likely to provide an opportunity for the six counties in southern Xinjiang to take advantage of.

And the troops and horses in the southeast…

At present, the defense against Japanese pirates was not enough. How could they transfer them to Huguang to suppress the rebellion?

Not to mention the northern side, unless absolutely necessary, the court would never send the border army south.

So those who had spare resources to withdraw to Huguang to quell the rebellion were naturally the ones who would be sent. It wasn't right!

Also, the Capital was also full of crises, and the troops and horses of the patrol and city defense camps might not be easily mobilized.

Mobilizing troops close to the Emperor might cause him to misjudge the situation. If they mobilize the emperor's confidants, the royalist party would be at a disadvantage in the patrol and city defense camps. If they need to draw another group of people southward, wouldn't it be to seize the military power in the Capital?

***Tch!***

Thinking about it this way, the court might only be able to follow the recruitment route.

However, in Sun Shaozong's view, this move might also be a way to quench thirst by drinking poison. If the conditions given were poor, the barbarians of Wuxi might not agree. If the given conditions were good, it might give other young people the illusion of a *'golden belt'* for killing and setting fire.

One should know that the ethnic minorities within the territory of the Zhou Dynasty have been suppressed for more than a century. Once they developed the illusion that *'rebellion is justified, plundering is meritorious,'* it would not be a joke.

This situation was a dilemma!

If he were responsible for quelling the rebellion, how should he choose?

Zhao'an would definitely not be recruited, and surrender was still about the same…

"Erlang."

Sun Shaozong was scolding fiercely in his mind, but he couldn't help but listen to his elder brother say, "Tomorrow, I'll accompany you to Prince Zhongshun's Residence. Although the Prince is a cautious person, as long as the money is in place, I'm not afraid that he will hold grudges."

"Don't worry for now."

Sun Shaozong shook his head and said, "Now, Prince Zhongshun is probably in a rage. Moreover, he will force us to confront the Niu family face-to-face, and there is no room for maneuver."

After finishing speaking, seeing that his elder brother was still full of concern, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, with the protection of the Crown Prince, even if Prince Zhongshun wants to move me, it won't be so easy. Besides, our brothers are also in front of His Majesty. With the current situation in the Capital, how can Your Majesty allow him to come around recklessly?"

His Big Brother thought about the same principle and felt a little relieved before lifting his wine cup and drinking with Sun Shaozong.