Chapter 73

Zhao Ti took the letter, unfolded it, and saw it was written by Duan Zhengming.

The text was brief, the tone humble.

After reading it in moments, Zhao Ti raised an eyebrow: Jiumozhi had returned to Dali again—this time not entering openly, but sneaking into the Heavenly Dragon Temple to steal the Six Meridians Sword Manual.

Since the last incident, the Heavenly Dragon Temple had been on guard; Jiumozhi was discovered by the monks, humiliated and enraged, he attacked violently and kidnapped Duan Yu, who was training inside the temple.

Jiumozhi suspected Duan Yu knew the Six Meridians Sword Manual’s secrets; before leaving, he declared he would take Duan Yu to the Murong family estate in Suzhou, demanding he recite the Six Meridians Sword Manual—or have Dali send martial arts texts to ransom him—or else burn Duan Yu before Murong Bo’s grave to honor his departed friend’s spirit.

Duan Zhengming was anxious, but could not leave Dali due to his status; he begged Zhao Ti to investigate Jiumozhi ’s whereabouts, promising he would dispatch men to rescue Duan Yu, and if Zhao Ti lent aid, he would repay him handsomely.

Zhao Ti set down the letter and pondered: even apart from Duan Zhengming’s plea, did the Murong estate in Yanziwud, Suzhou, even deserve to exist? It seemed not.

Since the founding of the empire by the Taizu, and the Taizong’s southern campaigns, the Jiangnan martial world had grown too long in peace, forgetting the days when cavalry trampled the jianghu; once-hidden martial clans and secret sects now emerged, stirring up chaos.

If he didn’t go to Jiangnan, fine—but if he did… even a place as mighty as Nanshan Shanhaiguan, with its countless masters and boundless martial arts, had not escaped the iron hooves of soldiers or the reach of military orders.

Willows like smoke, painted bridges, wind-blown curtains of green, osmanthus in autumn’s third moon, lotus stretching ten miles—amid whistling arrows, how could such blossoms be plucked? Only fallen petals and fading fragrance filled the lake.

Zhao Ti pondered a moment, then called Zhou Dong to summon Yang Yunchong from the Golden Wind Tower; Yang Yunchong had personally severed Yin Muzhang’s cultivation the night before, leaving no path back.

After a while, Yang Yunchong entered the study and knelt: “Criminal submits before Your Majesty.”

Zhao Ti told him to rise, speaking coolly: “In two days, you will accompany me to Jiangnan. Think of a way to explain your time in Dongjing, then return to the Ming Cult’s main temple—don’t let anything slip.”

Yang Yunchong was stunned: “Your Majesty intends to…”

Zhao Ti said: “You are Deputy Commander of the Golden Flag of the Ming Cult’s Five Elements, directly under the Cult Leader—returning will be easy to cover. Just send secret messages when the time comes.”

Yang Yunchong hadn’t expected Zhao Ti to target the Ming Cult’s main temple—was he planning to destroy the Ming Cult?

Zhao Ti added: “If this mission succeeds, your status will change. I will petition for an official post for you—henceforth, you will change your lineage, alter your identity, and bring blessings to your descendants.”

“Criminal, criminal understands!” Yang Yunchong froze, his heart surging—change lineage, alter identity, bless descendants—wasn’t this the very goal of life? At this moment, the Ming Cult, the Great Ming Lord—all vanished from his mind. No, no—the teachings said to seek light, reject darkness—wasn’t this light? His actions were surely righteous, perfectly aligned with the Cult’s doctrine!

“Your Majesty, as the ancients said: wise birds choose their trees, wise ministers choose their lords. Criminal obeys Your Majesty’s command—though I die, I will not hesitate.”

Zhou Dong watched him expressionlessly: “Yang Young Master, you may now be called ‘subordinate.’”

“Yes, subordinate—subordinate is utterly loyal, with no second thoughts…”

Zhao Ti waved his hand; Yang Yunchong rose cautiously, bowed again, and turned to leave.

Zhou Dong murmured: “Your Majesty, this man…”

Zhao Ti smiled faintly: “To save others is to save oneself; to cultivate the Buddha is to cultivate the self. Wherever one’s eyes find their wish, there lies light—he has not violated the Ming Cult’s scriptures.”

The next day, Zhao Ti received imperial orders and left court, heading to the camp outside the city, selecting troops from the Divine Guard Left and Right Wings, the Tiger Wing Army, and the Martial Guard Army—totaling five thousand—and raising various banners, beginning his march south toward Jiangnan.

Five thousand imperial troops were not many, but true military operations required local garrisons; they could be summoned as needed.

For this campaign, Zhao Ti took only Zhong Pu; the headquarters needed personnel to handle daily military affairs—either the Deputy Regional Military Commissioner or the Chief of Military Police must remain. Zhong Pu, a scion of the Zhong family, would eventually return to the Western Army; bringing him along was a way to build a future channel to the Western Army.

From the mansion, he took Tong Guan, Zhou Dong, Bai Zhan, and Su Da.

From the Golden Wind Tower, he took Hou San, Zhu Si, and Yang Yunchong.

As they traveled south, the scenery gradually changed—the warm wind caressed, willows darkened, flowers brightened, bridges crossed streams, and the culture shifted.

Local officials at every level came out to greet them; though unaware of Prince Yan’s purpose, they saw the armed escort and knew it was significant, so they hosted banquets and secretly slipped him gifts.

Zhou Dong, well-connected in the jianghu, named notable figures in each region; Zhao Ti told him to recruit those with good character to serve.

He had feared resistance, but when Zhou Dong approached them, none dared refuse; Zhao Ti appointed Zhou Dong as captain to lead them, and by the time they reached the Yangtze River, they numbered forty to fifty.

Among them was one whose skill rivaled Zhou Dong’s: from Huainan West Road, a martial sect called the Golden Knife Sect, whose leader called himself “Golden Knife, Soul-Cutting Wang,” wished to bring his entire sect under Zhao Ti’s banner. Zhao Ti saw their numbers were excessive, like vultures circling a feast, and drove them all away—keeping only the leader.

Crossing the Yangtze, the wind changed utterly. The season was perfect; everywhere, scenery was graceful, mountains and rivers clear and tender. Even women of merely eight-tenths beauty gained an extra tenth from their gentle, soft, sweet, and refined aura.

East of the Yangtze, not far away lay Jiangning Prefecture—the capital of Jiangnan East Road, housing both the Pacification Commission and the Prefect’s Office.

Generally, frontier circuits had the Pacification Commissioner also serving as Commander-in-Chief and Prefect. But Jiangnan was not a frontier; some positions were combined, others separate—yet Jiangning Prefecture was combined, and the new Pacification Commissioner had just taken office.

This Pacification Commissioner of Jiangnan East Road was a New Party member named Lü Jiawen; he had previously served as Prefect of Jiangning, but when the Old Party rose, he was demoted to Prefect of Huaiyang Army. Last month, he received orders to return.

Days ago, he received a secret letter from a friend in Dongjing, then the imperial decree—he had already prepared. When Zhao Ti’s army was still twenty li from Jiangning, he led all officials to welcome him.

Though Zhao Ti avoided the New Party, he had now become their de facto leader, the figurehead of restoring the New Policies; many exiled New Party members regarded him as their core.

Lü Jiawen thought the same. Upon meeting, he bowed deeply, offered warm inquiries, and flattered with all his skill, escorting Zhao Ti to the Pacification Commission, serving tea, then saying: “Your Majesty has traveled far—this humble official has many matters to consult, but Your Majesty is weary from the journey. May I first arrange your rest, then prepare a banquet?”

Zhao Ti nodded: “By the way, Lü Pacification Commissioner—who among Wang Wen Gong’s family is still in Jiangning? Tomorrow, I will pay my respects.”

Had Zhao Ti not intended to visit Wang Anshi’s family, he might have bypassed Jiangning entirely, heading straight to Suzhou, then south to Hangzhou.

Wang Anshi’s family home was in Jiangning; most of his brothers were born in Linchuan, but after Wang Anshi served three terms as Prefect of Jiangning, and his brother Wang Anli also served there, the entire clan relocated and settled here.