Meng Hewu En's influence in the south was relatively small, numbering only around a thousand people. Yangzhou was a major city, but it had only ten Imperial Guards.
Of those ten Imperial Guards, only the Executive Factory's director had truly been trained by Kublai Khan. The others were loyal men selected from the army and then disciplined by the director.
The soldiers surrounding Liu Family Manor at that moment were merely local garrison troops borrowed for the occasion.
"Captain Qian, no one has come out, right?" Executive Factory director Hatu led his men to Liu Family Manor and asked.
"No. It's strange, really, Lord Hatu. I sent men over the wall into the Liu residence, but not long after they entered, they let out a scream. Then I sent several more brothers in, yet not one came back out. The brothers are all terrified," Captain Qian said.
"Didn't I tell you to surround the place, but not go inside?" Hatu said.
Captain Qian gave an embarrassed laugh. "Well, we were curious. I've surrounded this place for two hours. The Liu residence has such a large gate and courtyard, yet not a single person has come out. I shouted questions from outside, but no one inside answered, so I sent people in to take a look. Who could have known... It's truly sinister! The men I sent were all experts from the army!"
"Lord Director, what exactly is your Executive Factory investigating, now that His Majesty has established it?"
Hatu said, "You don't need to worry about that. Smash the gate open!"
"Yes, sir!"
Captain Qian waved his hand, and a few soldiers immediately stepped forward to break down the gate. The copper-studded wooden door of the manor was already half-open, so there was no need to smash it. One kick