Chapter 460: Tense Atmosphere

Old Zhang Tou has been sharpening his knife every day recently.

He received notice to prepare, as he might be called upon to perform the lingchi execution during the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony.

The higher-ups likely have several plans ready and a group of skilled executioners on standby; Old Zhang Tou is one of the backups. Who actually carries out the lingchi on the day of the Heaven Sacrifice will be decided by official notice. This is a precaution against someone being bribed to tamper with the execution and cause the sacrificial victim to die prematurely.

Chen Guanlou asked Old Zhang Tou how likely he was to be chosen for the lingchi duty.

Old Zhang Tou shook his head. "Hard to say. The Embroidered Uniform Guard trusts their own people more. The Emperor trusts the Embroidered Uniform Guard. For the Ministry of Justice to even land the job of guarding Great Ming Wang is already rare. To also take on the Heaven Sacrifice lingchi? The Embroidered Uniform Guard won't agree, and neither will the palace."

Assigning different duties to different departments ensures mutual checks and balances—that's the safest way.

The Ministry of Justice is controlled by a bunch of scholars; their thoughts and secret intentions are hard to fathom.

But the Embroidered Uniform Guard's absolute loyalty to the imperial power and the old Emperor is unquestionable.

At critical moments, the old Emperor will rely only on his right and left arms—the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"If you're drawn to carry out the execution…" Chen Guanlou hesitated, "… "

Before he could finish, Old Zhang Tou waved him off. "I only follow orders. I don't get involved in any schemes or calculations."

Chen Guanlou gave a self-deprecating laugh, embarrassed. "I'm just a lowly jail clerk—what schemes could I possibly have? You're overestimating me. For something this big, just being present at the scene is more than I deserve."

"Good. You understand."

Old Zhang Tou firmly refused, and Chen Guanlou, being sensible, dropped the subject.

Qi Wuxiu was persuaded by Chen Guanlou's reasoning and didn't resign from the Embroidered Uniform Guard—he decided to stay on duty. But he learned how to slack off.

Recently, he was assigned to maintain order and ensure security at the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony.

He tried to find an excuse to avoid it, but his superior shot it down immediately.

One word from his superior—and even if it meant walking into a blade, he had to go.

Qi Wuxiu came to Chen Guanlou at midnight and asked, "Should I go?"

"If you want to go, go." Chen Guanlou's attitude was always the same—why overthink it?

"But I don't want to go."

"Then don't go."

"But this is a rare opportunity. If I complete the duty well, there will be many benefits afterward."

Chen Guanlou: …

"So do you want to go or not?"

"I don't know. I haven't decided yet."

"Then go," Chen Guanlou said, going along with it. "It's a rare spectacle—go see it, gain some experience. Like me—I might want to go, but whether I can depends entirely on what the higher-ups arrange."

"Great Ming Wang is held in Tianlaomiao—you can definitely go."

"But if the Embroidered Uniform Guard comes to retrieve him early, I won't get the chance."

"No, they won't. The Ministry of Justice won't agree," Qi Wuxiu said firmly, as if he had insider information.

Chen Guanlou didn't really care either way.

If he didn't go, he could find his own way to watch the ceremony—just put on a disguise, a simple matter.

If he went, he'd just be there for the spectacle, to gain experience. Such a grand event was worth writing about at length.

With the holiday over, the yamen resumed work, and every day the Ministry of Justice sent people to visit Great Ming Wang in Tianlaomiao.

After several days, Sun Daoning arrived. First, he personally confirmed Great Ming Wang was still alive, then summoned Chen Guanlou to speak.

"Can Great Ming Wang hold out until the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony?"

Chen Guanlou nodded. "He'll hold out. The physician lives and eats in Tianlaomiao every day, ready to respond at any moment, ensuring Great Ming Wang's safety."

"Excellent! I don't want any accidents before the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony."

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow slightly—this was different from last year's attitude. Had he changed his mind? Or was there something else going on?

He didn't believe Sun Daoning was a loyal minister devoted to the old Emperor. But from another angle, Sun Daoning was certainly loyal—to the court, to imperial power, to the scholarly tradition. Only not to the man on the throne.

He had his own beliefs and principles.

The old Emperor's insistence on deposing the Crown Prince had broken too many hearts, shattered rules, and stirred unrest.

Sun Daoning was surely among those disturbed by it.

Such a perfect opportunity as the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony—wouldn't these people want to do something? It fits their interests.

But he said nothing, only nodded. "Your Excellency, rest assured—I'll guard Great Ming Wang carefully and ensure his safety. When will the Embroidered Uniform Guard come to retrieve him?"

"No need. On the day, Tianlaomiao and Liufanmen will jointly escort Great Ming Wang to the altar. You're responsible for Tianlaomiao's side. Don't worry about Liufanmen—just do your own duty."

Chen Guanlou was slightly surprised. "Your Excellency, Tianlaomiao is weak. If danger arises on the road, can Liufanmen handle it?"

Sun Daoning looked at him with deep, unreadable eyes.

Chen Guanlou: …

He wanted to curse, but didn't know where to start.

It was his own fault—he hadn't kept his true identity hidden, and it had been exposed.

He pretended to wipe sweat from his forehead. "Your Excellency overestimates me. Since my injury last year, I've never fully recovered. Now I'm hardly better than a cripple."

"Modesty doesn't suit you. I believe that even injured, you're far stronger than ordinary martial artists."

Sun Daoning insisted Chen Guanlou take on the heavy responsibility; Chen Guanlou kept complaining—he had no money, no men, no good health, and lacked everything.

Sun Daoning wasn't fooled—he was determined and wouldn't budge.

Chen Guanlou had met his match.

He could only nod helplessly. "I'll do my best. But if something goes wrong, Your Excellency won't blame me, right?"

"Don't worry. I won't blame you. I'm not the kind who confuses right and wrong."

In the following days, the Ministry of Justice sent people again to discuss the route. They personally led Tianlaomiao personnel on two trial runs, even timing every moment precisely.

"Don't be early, don't be late. On the second day of the second lunar month, follow the rehearsal exactly. Strict adherence to timing is mandatory—no slack. Liufanmen handles security along the route; you only need to escort the prisoner. Also, one day before, bathe and clean the prisoner's face. Two meals before, stop feeding him. One meal before, stop giving him water."

"Why these rules?" Chen Guanlou asked, curious. A man to be lingchi'd had so many rituals? It was strange.

"The Imperial Astronomical Bureau demands it. Just follow orders. Don't neglect this—it affects whether the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony proceeds smoothly. If your negligence causes an accident, everyone will suffer the consequences. Understood?"

"Please repeat it once more—I'll write it down. You know, everyone in Tianlaomiao is uneducated; we're afraid of making mistakes."

"Fine. I'll say it again—listen carefully!"