Chapter 57: The Mysterious Letter

That night, Hong Chengchou walked slowly along the street.

After only a few steps, Hong Chengchou suddenly turned around, but saw no one. At this moment, apart from a squad of Eight Banner soldiers who happened to be passing by on patrol, the street was eerily silent.

Hong Chengchou smiled and shook his head, as if he had seen nothing at all, but the instant he turned back around, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. A clear dark shadow had definitely flashed past the street corner just now—it should be a booi bondservant from the Prince Regent's mansion following behind him.

As for why Dorgon had sent someone to trail him, Hong Chengchou dared not think about it.

To avoid arousing suspicion, he could only force himself to stay calm, walking back at the same slow pace as before, even casually greeting a bondservant of the Han Banner along the way as if no one else were around.

That minor soldier, not understanding the situation, was naturally flattered beyond measure and bowed repeatedly. Only after personally watching Hong Chengchou leave did he shake his head and continue his patrol, paying no attention to the suspicious person who had passed by him.

Reaching the gate of his residence, Hong Chengchou said with a stiff face:

"Bolt the gates tight!"

Hurrying back to his study, Hong Chengchou finally breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing at the desk, he discovered a letter that seemed to have appeared from nowhere. When he opened it, his expression changed drastically.

Hong Chengchou went out furtively and looked left and right, finding no one. He sat back down, breathing heavily in short gasps. After thinking for a long while, he still opened the letter and read it carefully.

Before long, Hong Chengchou burned the letter to ashes, yet a different shade of deep contemplation appeared on his face.

Early the next morning, Dorgon, using an imperial edict in Fulin's name, summoned all the princes, Beiles, and ministers of the Eight Banners to the Dezheng Hall to deliberate on whether to advance or retreat.

In fact, the previous night, Dorgon had already quietly made a trip to the inner palace and only returned in the early hours of the morning.

The others who received the news dared not be negligent. Men like Ajige, Turgel, and Oboi all rushed hastily to the Dezheng Hall, afraid of provoking Dorgon's displeasure.

Only Daišan and Jirgalang came over slowly and leisurely. Although Dorgon was extremely angry, he could not say much and still wore a smile on his face.

After all, Daišan was the eldest son of the old barbarian chieftain Nurhaci—Hong Taiji was only the fourth son—so his status within the Eight Banners was exceptionally revered. Even Dorgon, who now held great power in his hands, would not easily provoke him.

Moreover, Daišan was a man skilled in forbearance. When it came to being cunning and crafty, he was absolutely above Hong Chengchou. Even Hong Taiji had been fooled by him. Although he had retreated behind the scenes, Dorgon still harbored wariness toward him.

Dorgon did not blame the two of them for arriving late. Even if he was angry inside, on the surface he had to appear magnanimous, showing the outside world an image of brotherly harmony. He stepped forward and memorialized:

"Your Majesty, according to the urgent report from Aha, Li Zicheng has already led the roving bandits' great army to besiege Ningwu Pass, and will reach the capital within days. This is a golden opportunity for our Dajin to conquer the Central Plains. I believe it is time to march south!"

Fulin was only six years old and naturally did not understand anything about conquering the Central Plains. Upon hearing these words, he immediately subconsciously looked toward Xiaozhuang, who sat upright beside him.

Seeing Dayu'er's red lips part slightly, speaking on Fulin's behalf:

"This matter is of great importance. Let the Prince Regent say the final word and settle it."

All the princes, Beiles, and ministers in the hall began discussing among themselves. Wasn't this a bit too blatant? Did she really think we don't exist? Were she and Dorgon putting on a two-man show?

Discussing was one thing, being displeased was another. In the end, no one dared to openly step forward and say no, because those who dared to step forward had all already been done in by Dorgon under various pretexts.

In the end, it was Dorgon himself who felt he had been a bit too high-profile, and stepped out to say:

"The Empress Dowager's grace truly overwhelms this humble minister with gratitude. I think it best to let everyone deliberate and come up with a plan to put into action—time waits for no one."

Turgel was a rough man. He had originally supported Hooge, the eldest son, ascending the throne. Now that the status of the Two Yellow Banners had been weakened, he was already displeased with Dorgon. Seeing Dorgon and Xiaozhuang carrying on openly before everyone, he immediately shot back harshly:

"You are His—you are the Prince Regent. The Empress Dowager already said you can settle it with a single word of your own. Then why call us here at all? Just take over the entire state policy of this Dajin yourself—it's not like it would be the first time!"

Hooge coughed once, stepped forward, and rebuked:

"Turgel, how can you speak to His—to the Prince Regent like that!" Saying this, Hooge turned and bowed, then added: "Withdraw at once! Beware the Empress Dowager's wrath—she could have your entire clan executed!"

First it was Dorgon and Xiaozhuang putting on their show, and now it was Turgel and Hooge. The various Beiles, princes, and ministers in the hall exchanged glances, understanding each other without words.

That was what he said, but hearing Turgel push back against Dorgon, Hooge was absolutely delighted inside. Judging from his trembling shoulders after he stepped back into place, he was indeed struggling hard to contain his laughter.

Turgel quickly seized the opportunity to back down, saying with great trepidation:

"Empress Dowager, forgive me! Prince Regent, forgive me!"

Dorgon looked at the smug smiles on the nobles of the Two Yellow Banners and felt like killing them all on the spot. However, on the surface he still wore a faint smile and said:

"What is Prince Su saying? The Empress Dowager is magnanimous—how could she quibble over such a trivial matter."

Xiaozhuang coughed twice. Once the hall fell silent, she asked Fan Wencheng:

"Does Master Fan have anything to say?"

Fan Wencheng had been extremely excited ever since leaving the Prince Regent's mansion the previous night, feeling that his spring had finally arrived—nothing like Hong Chengchou's nervousness.

He had drafted a detailed memorial overnight, containing complete arrangements and regulations. Hearing Xiaozhuang's question, he quickly stepped forward a few paces and handed it to the eunuch.

After everyone had finished passing it around, Ajige, however, disagreed and shouted boisterously:

"Why waste a full month assembling troops? Since time is pressing, give me three thousand iron cavalry, and within half a month I will surely take Shanhai Pass and bring Wu Sangui's head to the Prince Regent!"

Ajige belonged to the Two White Banners and was Dorgon's staunchest supporter. His temper was even more rash than Turgel's—a reckless Zhang Fei with none of the roughness tempered by cunning.

His words were also extremely arrogant. He neither mentioned Fulin nor Xiaozhuang, saying directly that he would deliver the head to Dorgon. The intent to provoke and challenge could not have been more obvious.

Hearing this, Daišan finally showed some anger. He stepped forward and said with a chuckle:

"Prince Ying still lacks a bit of maturity, I fear. You should know that even the late emperor would not lightly attack Shanhai Pass. What qualifications do you have to take Shanhai Pass with three thousand cavalry in half a month? I fear you are dreaming!"

Seeing that even the steady and prudent Daišan was angered, Dorgon immediately stepped in to smooth things over. The nobles of the Two Red Banners also sneered and mocked. No one had expected a proper deliberation to devolve into infighting among the Eight Banners.

Xiaozhuang frowned deeply. Catching sight of Hong Chengchou cowering in the corner, she raised her voice and said:

"Does Master Hong have anything to say?"

"Ah?"

Hong Chengchou looked utterly bewildered. This was truly being hit while lying down.

He had remained silent precisely to avoid being called upon, never expecting that what was coming could not be avoided. Seeing everyone around focusing their gazes on him, Hong Chengchou had no choice but to steel himself and step forward:

"I report to the Empress Dowager—this minister already discussed the matter with the Prince Regent last night. Perhaps you should ask the Prince Regent."

Upon hearing this, Xiaozhuang immediately cursed him inwardly as an old fox. After all that circling around, it came right back to Dorgon. Before she could speak, she heard Dorgon laugh heartily and declare in a loud voice:

"In that case, I will speak frankly."