Chapter 7: The Future Intelligence Chief

In the late Ming, Beijing was divided into four rings—the Outer City, the Inner City, the Imperial City, and the Forbidden City. The general layout of Beijing's Inner City in later generations actually began to take shape during the Ming dynasty.

During the Jiajing reign, Beijing's permanent population exceeded one million. By the Tianqi reign, it had broken through 1.2 million. In this era, Beijing was not only China's largest city but also the world's largest.

But by the Chongzhen years, this once-prosperous metropolis had grown desolate. It all began with the Jisi Incident.

In the second year of Chongzhen, the Great Khan of the Jianzhou barbarians, Hong Taiji, led his army on a thousand-li detour through Mongol territory, sweeping through the passes to pillage. From the outskirts of the capital to deep within Shandong, nowhere escaped the scourge of war.

That day, Li Tingbiao came to the Zhuangyuan Tower with some apprehension. The tavern's facade was luxuriously decorated, yet not without elegance.

Two waiters stood before the Zhuangyuan Tower, greeting passersby with smiles—those leaving were sent off with cheerful faces, those entering were warmly welcomed. They were very diligent.

Li Tingbiao was a proud man at heart. Today he wore a half-new, half-old blue cotton straight-cut robe, somewhat loose and long. Coming here in such attire made him look shabby, and he feared the waiters would look down on him.

Hesitating slightly, Li Tingbiao finally gritted his teeth and thought to himself: I've come this far anyway. For the sake of my grand ambitions, what is face worth? I haven't been restored to my old post for so many years now—might as well try anything, even a dead horse as a living horse.

Originally, Xu Sheng had only gone to Li Tingbiao's residence to inform him that His Highness the Crown Prince wished to see him. Li Tingbiao was stunned at the news, not knowing why the Crown Prince sought him out, and began probing Xu Sheng with indirect questions.

But Xu Sheng was a man of principle. No matter how Li Tingbiao asked, Xu Sheng simply would not speak.

Li Tingbiao had no choice. At Xu Sheng's insistence, he swore a solemn oath, and only then did Xu Sheng reveal the situation.

Finally, Xu Sheng added that if Li Tingbiao leaked this matter, then he, Xu Sheng, would no longer acknowledge this brother—and no matter where he fled to the ends of the earth, he would take his head.

Then Xu Sheng said: "His Highness the Crown Prince heard that Brother Li has ability, which is why he specially summoned you. His Highness is now in a time of need for talent. With your learning and skill, Brother, you will surely be heavily employed by the Crown Prince. His Highness is no ordinary man—he is worthy of our allegiance."

After hearing Xu Sheng's words, Li Tingbiao sank into thought. After a moment, he said: "I understand these principles well enough, but I once offended quite a few people in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I worry His Highness will find it difficult to handle."

Li Tingbiao had formerly only been a Provost of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a rank of the fourth grade. Now he was merely an idle man. Would His Highness use him? Would His Highness go to the Guard Commander Luo Yangxing on his behalf to plead his case?

He was helpless. Such was reality—no matter how great a man's ability, it was useless if he was not given important duties.

When Li Tingbiao reached the door, the two waiters did not despise him for his clothing. They welcomed him with the same warmth as always.

Just as Li Tingbiao stepped into the main hall, a man walked toward him and asked: "May I ask, are you His Honor Li Tingbiao?"

Hearing the soft, effeminate quality of the man's voice, Li Tingbiao knew he was a eunuch. He quickly replied modestly: "I dare not presume—yes, I am Li Tingbiao."

The man said again: "Then please follow me, His Honor Li. My young master is waiting upstairs."

Hearing that the other party was waiting, Li Tingbiao hurriedly followed the man up to the third floor.

Wu Zhong led Li Tingbiao to a secluded private room, opened the door, then stepped aside to invite Li Tingbiao in.

After entering the private room, Li Tingbiao saw a child of eight or nine years, with rosy lips and white teeth, wearing a gentle smile, bearing an air of noble grace, and possessing an extraordinary appearance.

In the room was none other than Zhu Cilang. As Li Tingbiao entered, he too was sizing up the other man.

The man before him was nearly forty, of medium height, on the thin side, somewhat like a Confucian scholar—but he looked sturdy, as if he had trained in martial arts.

Knowing that the man before him must be Li Tingbiao, Zhu Cilang gave him a slight nod.

As soon as Li Tingbiao saw Zhu Cilang, he quickly lifted his robes and knelt in prostration, saying: "Your subordinate Li Tingbiao pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince, may you live a thousand years."

Zhu Cilang was, after all, a transmigrator—he had seen plenty of scenes in later-era films and television of wise rulers meeting worthy ministers.

Zhu Cilang rose and stepped forward to help Li Tingbiao up, saying: "Please, rise quickly. Today I meet with you, sir, as a private gathering—there is no lord-and-subject formality between us. You may simply call me young master. Let us sit and talk first."

In the Ming dynasty, calling someone directly by their full name was a sign of disrespect, much like pointing at someone's nose and saying: "Hey, Li!"

Although as Crown Prince he had the right to address people by name directly, since Zhu Cilang had said this was a private meeting, he had no intention of putting on the airs of the Crown Prince.

After Li Tingbiao stood up, he repeatedly said he dared not presume. Zhu Cilang did not stand on ceremony either—he sat directly in the seat of honor and ordered the dishes to be served.

Then Zhu Cilang said again: "I heard from Xu Sheng that you, sir, are an upright man of considerable ability, with ambition in your heart. I have long admired you from afar, and today I finally have the chance to fulfill that wish."

Li Tingbiao, flattered by Zhu Cilang's courteous words, felt greatly honored. He hurriedly stood up and repeatedly said he dared not presume.

Zhu Cilang pressed his palm down slightly in a gesture for him to sit, telling him not to be too constrained.

Li Tingbiao did indeed have extraordinary qualities. He quickly regained his composure and sat down to eat and chat with Zhu Cilang.

As the conversation continued, Li Tingbiao found himself quite astonished by this Crown Prince of the reigning dynasty.

Though the Crown Prince was young, his speech was refined and elegant, without the slightest timidity of a child. He chatted and laughed freely, his demeanor composed and at ease, without any of the arrogance of royalty. He treated others with courtesy and grace, bearing the manner of the sages of antiquity.

Such was Li Tingbiao's assessment of Zhu Cilang.

The two talked most pleasantly together. Once they had grown familiar, Zhu Cilang suddenly asked: "Tingbiao, if I restore your position as Provost of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and have you take charge of intelligence matters on my behalf, would you be willing?"

Li Tingbiao was startled by these words, then immediately bowed his head in prostration, declaring that His Highness's grace in recognizing his worth would never be forgotten, and that he would gladly die in service to His Highness the Crown Prince.

Zhu Cilang quickly helped him up with both hands, putting on the appearance of one delighted to have gained a worthy minister. Both were greatly pleased.

Then, during his conversation with Li Tingbiao, Zhu Cilang discovered that Li Tingbiao had a quick mind, clear thinking, unique insights, and a cool head in the face of trouble—a truly fine talent. Perhaps it was because of his circumstances that he had been buried in history.

After fully understanding Li Tingbiao, Zhu Cilang decided to entrust this intelligence system to him to operate, with Xu Sheng responsible for liaison between them.

Once the decision was made, Zhu Cilang handed over the materials he had compiled to Li Tingbiao and discussed specific details with him.

During the discussion, Zhu Cilang discovered that Li Tingbiao's intelligence abilities were extremely strong—truly worthy of being an experienced old hand of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Moreover, he understood some of the later-era ciphers at a glance, grasping them with a single hint. Zhu Cilang was secretly quite thrilled.

Zhu Cilang told Li Tingbiao that from now on, intelligence would be divided into three parts: one concerning beyond the passes, one concerning the roving bandits, and one for monitoring the ministers.

The task currently assigned to him was to secretly develop his own people and quietly investigate some of the capital's high officials.

Li Tingbiao was taken aback—the Crown Prince's ambitions were quite grand indeed. But the Crown Prince was the heir apparent; one day the whole world would be his. As a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he was by nature the Emperor's hawk and hound. Now, by following the Crown Prince, he would also earn merit as one who aided the future sovereign's rise.

However, investigating ministers was something that had to be done with utmost secrecy—if it got out, he would be finished. But regarding his own abilities, this future intelligence chief was still quite confident.

Please, brothers, throw in some recommendation tickets! A thousand thanks!