Volume Two: The Great and the Small, Chapter Forty-One: Extermination

The days have been truly difficult for the Embroidered Uniform Guard lately. This hardship manifests in every aspect—from the various criticisms, suppressions, and purges by officials in the imperial court to the unrest brewing within their own ranks.

The assassination attempt on the provincial commander Nie Qingyao might seem insignificant to outsiders; few even cared whether he lived or died. But within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it was nothing short of a catastrophe, causing widespread anxiety about their future, with little hope left to cling to.

What hit them hardest was the loss of their authority due to impeachment and suppression. Without legitimate duties, their income sharply dwindled. You might say they could survive on the standard soldier’s pay, but that’s a luxury only in theory. In a city like Beijing, whether centuries ago or later, supporting a family on such meager wages was nearly impossible.

Moreover, military pay during the Ming Dynasty was notoriously low and often subject to deductions or delays—even for the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Now, stripped of their extra unofficial earnings, this was a crippling blow. Even Huang Bingkun, now promoted to captain, found himself tight on funds, frequently sighing in despair, even before Huang Ming.

“Captain Huang, have you run into trouble lately?” Huang Ming asked him bluntly upon meeting.

Huang Bingkun did not try to hide it from the young master, smiling wryly, “Life has been hard for all of us brothers recently…”

“I might be able to help,” Huang Ming offered.

Huang Bingkun hurriedly waved him off, “Young Master Huang, you have already helped us many times. How could we dare ask for more silver?”

Huang Ming smiled at him, “Listen, I’m not talking about giving you silver outright. I want you to help others deal with their enemies and gain some benefits in return.”

“If anyone dares offend Young Master Huang, just say the word. We will handle it for you without charging a single coin…”

“You will still be paid,” Huang Ming said, producing a silver note and sliding it toward him. “This is a deposit. The rest comes after the job is done.”

Huang Bingkun was about to refuse again, but when he saw the amount on the note, the words caught in his throat. Five thousand taels—just half of the total?

Ten thousand taels was a small fortune for the Embroidered Uniform Guard at their peak, but now it was enough to help many brothers through this crisis.

Yet such a large sum made Huang Bingkun wonder what task Huang Ming had in mind. Spending such money surely meant the matter would not be easy.

Sensing his question, Huang Ming explained that the Twelve Towers had funded them to thoroughly investigate the official brothels run by government offices. The goal was to shut them down completely, even implicating the Music Bureau overseeing them.

“That’s all?” Huang Bingkun asked, surprised—not because it sounded difficult, but because it seemed far too simple.

Everyone knew these brothels were rife with gray and black market dealings, vulnerable to investigation. Even if some were clean, once the Embroidered Uniform Guard took action, innocence could turn to guilt. And these were just a few brothels—a minor matter for the Guard now.

“Exactly,” Huang Ming nodded. “You know better than anyone how complicated the relationships in the capital are. These brothels belong to the Music Bureau under the Ministry of Rites, so no other agency would help us. After much thought, only you Embroidered Uniform Guard can bring justice for those poor women. By exposing everything openly, you won’t be criticized—instead, you’ll be heroes rooting out evil.

“A win-win, gaining both fame and profit. What could be better than that?”

Indeed, nothing could be more worthwhile. Huang Bingkun was excited, then quickly recovered himself and said, “Thank you, Young Master Huang, for this opportunity!”

As he bowed in gratitude once more, Huang Ming reached out to steady him. “This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, unspoken but understood. Remember, your investigation must be for the public good—to maintain peace in the capital and bring justice to the innocent, nothing else.”

“Understood, sir. We will handle everything impeccably!” Huang Bingkun vowed, his eyes shining with determination.

…

On the noon of the Dragon Boat Festival, the normally bustling South Xun Alley became even livelier. Suddenly, hundreds of Embroidered Uniform Guards, clad in full armor and armed with swords, spears, and dozens of bows and crossbows, marched through the street.

Their arrival sent a shiver through the crowd gathered for leisure or to visit the Twelve Towers to gamble and tip. After all, the Guard’s fearsome reputation still lingered among the common people.

But soon, relief spread. These soldiers were not there to trouble the patrons or the twelve thriving brothels. Instead, they headed straight for the deserted official brothels.

Surrounding two of them, their captain shouted, “Upon investigation, the Jade Tower is rife with illegal activities. They collude with traffickers, harboring innocent girls forced into prostitution, a flagrant violation of the law.

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard is here by orders to investigate. All unrelated persons, disperse!”

After stating their purpose, the captain raised his hand, and dozens of fierce guards burst through the doors, immediately causing a commotion in the once-quiet brothel.

The noise quickly attracted a crowd of onlookers, who, upon hearing the charges, gathered at a safe distance to watch the search. The guards outside paid them no mind.

The brothel manager hurried out, bowing repeatedly and insisting these were baseless rumors. But his words fell on deaf ears. With another command from the captain, the guards began a thorough search.

Under the experienced eyes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the brothel’s many secrets were uncovered. Among them were twenty or so girls as young as thirteen or fourteen, with even more unable to recount their origins.

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