'%3e%3cclipPath%20id='prefix__a'%3e%3cpath%20d='M0%200h1080v1080H0z'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3cg%20clip-path='url(%23prefix__a)'%3e%3cpath%20d='M1033.05%20324.45c-.19-137.9-107.59-250.92-233.6-291.7-156.48-50.64-362.86-43.3-512.28%2027.2-181.1%2085.46-237.99%20272.66-240.11%20459.36-1.74%20153.5%2013.58%20557.79%20241.62%20560.67%20169.44%202.15%20194.67-216.18%20273.07-321.33%2055.78-74.81%20127.6-95.94%20216.01-117.82%20151.95-37.61%20255.51-157.53%20255.29-316.38z'%20fill-rule='nonzero'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Imperial Guard |
| Alias(es) | 锦衣卫 |
| Type | Imperial law-enforcement and investigative organization |
| Affiliation | The Emperor and the Great Ming Dynasty 28 39 |
| Occupation/Role | Investigations, arrests, interrogation, prison administration, and suppression of threats to imperial authority 13 28 37 |
| Status | Active 50 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 7 |
Organization
| Position | Number / Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battalion Commander | 1; at least a Sixth Grade Warrior in Qingshan County | County-level leader and a Seventh Rank official. Leng Hanshuang holds this post. 7 28 |
| Captain | 10; at least a Seventh Grade Warrior | Each Captain commands ten Officers. 28 |
| Officer | 100; at least an Eighth Grade Warrior | Subordinate to Captains. 28 |
| Guards | Unfixed | Auxiliary personnel attached to the county force. 28 |
| Total formal complement | 111 | One Battalion Commander, ten Captains, and one hundred Officers. 28 |
| Entry requirement | Ninth Grade Warrior | All regular recruits are Warriors. 28 |
Authority and Reputation
- The Imperial Guard serves the Emperor directly and is described as the Emperor's “loyal hounds.” 28
- In certain circumstances, its agents may execute first and report afterward. 28
- Its name carries enough weight to intimidate officials, civilians, and martial artists; Ning Chuan repeatedly uses Leng Hanshuang's token to compel compliance. 12 13 14
- The organization maintains the Heavenly Prison, where captives are restrained with hooks and dragon-binding ropes and subjected to coercive interrogation. 37
- Its authority is contested by the Qingshan County Yamen and the Han family, particularly over custody and interrogation of bandit leaders. 38 39
Equipment and Facilities
- Flying Fish Robe — Standard uniform issued to Imperial Guard personnel; it visibly identifies the wearer and commands public fear. 28 29
- Embroidered Spring Saber — Standard saber carried by Imperial Guard officers and commanders. 7 28
- Imperial Guard token — Identifies an agent's authority; Leng Hanshuang's personal token bears “Imperial Guard” on one side and “Leng Shuanghan” on the other. 7
- Heavenly Prison — The Guard's prison and interrogation site, equipped with torture devices and secure restraints. 37 40
History
Leng Hanshuang, the Qingshan County Battalion Commander, encountered Ning Chuan after he killed the Second Boss of Three Tiger Mountain. She offered him a vacant Captain position while threatening him with her Embroidered Spring Saber, then issued her personal token and ordered him to complete his registration within one month. 7
Before formally joining, Ning Chuan used the token to deter pursuers and assert Imperial Guard authority during the Qingshi Town incident. The token briefly stalled the attackers, though their Silver Armored General dismissed it as stolen and continued the assault. 12 13
Ning Chuan formally entered the Qingshan County Imperial Guard as a Captain under Xiao Lian. He received a Flying Fish Robe, an Embroidered Spring Saber, official housing, and a monthly salary of ten taels of silver. 28
The Guard's internal factionalism soon affected Ning Chuan. Ma Dayuan's faction arrested Shopkeeper Li and members of the Joint Defense Camp, confiscated their property, and accused them of treason in an effort to implicate Ning Chuan. Ning Chuan killed Ma Dayuan and his subordinates; Leng Hanshuang subsequently cleared Ning Chuan's name and promoted him to Squad Leader. 31 32
Under Leng Hanshuang's command, Ning Chuan and Xiao Lian captured six bandit leaders connected to the Han family's dealings with bandits. The Guard imprisoned and interrogated them in the Heavenly Prison while defending custody of the prisoners against County Magistrate Han Zhang. 37 39 40
Internal Politics
The Qingshan County branch is divided by a power struggle between Leng Hanshuang and Lord Ma's faction. Zhang Chao warns Ning Chuan that openly associating with Leng's faction can attract trouble. 27
Ma Dayuan acts against Ning Chuan by using Imperial Guard personnel to arrest Ning Chuan's associates and fabricate charges. His death weakens his faction, while Ning Chuan's subsequent promotion strengthens Leng Hanshuang's position. 31 32
Relationships
- Leng Hanshuang — Battalion Commander of the Qingshan County Imperial Guard; recruited Ning Chuan, later protected him from political pressure and promoted him to Squad Leader. 7 32 39
- Xiao Lian — Captain and Ning Chuan's immediate superior upon his entry; she oversees his onboarding, leads Guard personnel during the search for his siblings, and later undertakes secret missions with him. 28 29 40 41
- Ning Chuan — Captain recruited by Leng Hanshuang and later promoted to Squad Leader after killing Ma Dayuan's faction. 28 32
- Ma Dayuan — Imperial Guard captain aligned against Ning Chuan; orchestrated arrests and false accusations before Ning Chuan killed him. 31 32
- County Magistrate Han Zhang and the Han family — Political adversaries contesting the Guard's authority and seeking the custody of bandit leaders whose testimony could expose their collusion. 34 38 39