Chapter 168: The Echoes of the Dead, Life and Death Are Great

The Prince of Jing, originally enfeoffed as the sixth son of Emperor Renzong, established his princedom in Emperor Xuande fourth year and relocated to Qizhou in Zhengtong tenth year, taking root there for over a hundred years.

Leaving aside the farmland estates, even the princely city had been expanded repeatedly, built grandly and majestically, surrounded by nine li and thirty-three steps, with walls eighteen feet high; within its walls stood numerous princely mansions, its scenery exquisite.

Li Wang Shizhen once practiced medicine here; Wu Cheng'en once composed poetry here—it was, in truth, a place of controversy.

This flourishing princely city, upon which anyone would inevitably remark, "Palaces and terraces rise from the earth, towering as grand as the imperial capital," now suffered a sudden, unannounced conflagration.

This fire reduced the central princely residence of the Prince of Jing and the adjacent Tai Ning princely mansion to ashes and charred earth!

The blaze destroyed the Prince of Jing's residence, burned to death the entire family of Prince Tai Ning, who was acting as regent of the Jing princedom, and the flickering flames spread across Qizhou, extending all the way to Wuchang and Changsha.

Sweeping through the entire Huguang region.

Within half a day, the incident at the Jing Prince's court became the talk of the land, known throughout Huguang.

The rumors were certainly not as simple as an accident—otherwise, they would not have become the people's favorite gossip.

Those who spoke of it all spoke with solemn conviction: the second son of the Prince of Jing, now Prince Tai Ning Zhu Zhu Changxin, likely, fearing the massacre of the Min princely mansion at Lishan and the humiliation suffered by the Dong'an Prince of Chu, chose to burn himself and his entire household to death.

As for the source of this claim… Prince Tai Ning Zhu Zhu Changxin had left behind a final letter, entrusted to the Jing Crown Prince Zhu Zhu Changling.

In his grief, the Jing Crown Prince revealed its contents to those around him.

The letter's words were fierce and filled with outrage: "Imperial sons and royal grandchildren, seated southward as princes, facing a dark and tyrannical court, encountering the same fate as the Jianwen era—better to take one's own life than suffer humiliation at the hands of servants."

Just this single sentence left all who heard it stunned and horrified.

These were nearly the exact words spoken by the Xiang Prince, who burned himself to death during the Jianwen era!

Back then, Emperor Jianwen brutally reduced the princedoms, finding a pretext to target the Xiang Prince, sending troops to surround his palace and demanding his arrest.

The Xiang Prince, knowing he could not survive, wet the ground with water, then with his own blood, donned his robes and cap, and walked into the flames—"Alas! I have seen ministers of past dynasties, facing a dark and tyrannical court, when summoned to prison, choose death. I am a son of Emperor Taizu, seated as a prince… shall I now be humiliated by servants? I cannot live thus."

The stele inscribed with the Xiang Prince's story still stands today in Jingzhou Prefecture!

Is history repeating itself!?

Especially when one recalls the recent actions of the Imperial Commissioner in Huguang.

The direct line of the Yueyang Prince had been mostly executed; his estates seized like grass eaten by the very animals grazing on it; the Lishan Prince's mansion was slaughtered before the prince's own eyes by the Embroidered Uniform Guard; the head of Huguang's imperial clan, the Dong'an Prince acting for the Chu princedom, had been imprisoned for days, his fate unknown.

Under these circumstances, Prince Tai Ning of the Jing princedom, unwilling to suffer humiliation, demonstrated the dignity of a prince and imperial descendant, choosing a noble death—this story was inherently compelling.

Already widely discussed, it was further fanned by those with ulterior motives.

Within the shortest possible time, it spread throughout Huguang!

The common folk called it dogs biting dogs, praising it as a good death; the imperial clan mourned like rabbits fearing the fox's fate, filled with resentment; the Huguang bureaucracy, in unspoken accord, collectively pressured the capital—hadn't the Imperial Commissioner caused enough chaos?

In the blink of an eye, the situation in Huguang had changed utterly!

…

The Min Prince's mansion.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao gazed pityingly at his cousin, Zhu Zhu Dingjiong, whom Zhu Zhu Xizhong had taken away in person.

The latter lay on his bed, covered in wounds, nearly lifeless.

Seeing the Min Prince enter, Zhu Zhu Dingjiong struggled to rise and pay his respects.

Prince Zhu Zhu Dingyao quickly pressed him down: "Do not disturb your vital energy—just lie still."

After thanking him, Zhu Zhu Dingjiong smiled bitterly, his voice extremely weak: "The Northern Capital Security Office let me return only because they knew I wouldn't last two more days—they were merely doing me a favor."

The incident at the Jing mansion had already reached Prince Wugang Prefecture.

Both of them knew exactly what had happened.

Had it not been for this tense moment, Zhu Zhu Xizhong would never have released him—only to let him die elsewhere.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles white.

He spat in fury: "I will kill Zhu Zhu Xizhong! If I do not avenge you, I will not call myself a man!"

Finding a loyal retainer in the mansion was easy; finding a capable one was not so simple.

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong had grown up beside him, serving him faithfully—his loyalty and trust were unmatched by any outsider.

Otherwise, he would never have entrusted him with the care of water bandits.

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong was exceptionally gifted from childhood and one of the Min mansion's foremost talents.

As the second son, Zhu Zhu Dingyao's succession to the Min princedom owed everything to him.

Even as a child, Zhu Zhu Dingjiong began devising strategies with Zhu Zhu Dingyao to cultivate their filial reputation.

The former was known for "cutting flesh to cure his mother"—"As a youth, he served his mother Huo with filial piety; when she fell gravely ill, he cut flesh from his thigh."

The latter was praised for the tale of "continuing his father's will, supporting his mother and raising his younger brother."

The two were closer than brothers.

Seeing Zhu Zhu Dingjiong near death, Zhu Zhu Dingyao's rage surged.

Yet Zhu Zhu Dingjiong, with great effort, seized the Min Prince's hand and shook his head fiercely.

He gasped for breath: "Your Highness, do not act on impulse!"

"I've already severed all ties to the water bandits— the Embroidered Uniform Guard can trace them no further than Lishan Prince's mansion; nothing connects to you."

"Now that the Jing mansion has echoed the Xiang Prince's story, the Embroidered Uniform Guard dares not act rashly."

"The central court now seeks to reduce princedoms—seven out of ten. Your safety, Your Highness, depends entirely on you—do not act recklessly!"

Zhu Zhu Dingyao dismissed this with a cold snort: "Reduce princedoms? There may be no chance left!"

"Zhu Zhu Xizhong returned overnight to Wuchang; I hear Wu Wu Jinghe has returned too—each is too busy with his own troubles to care for us."

"I have no intention of striking now. Once we pass this crisis, I will settle accounts with the Chengguo Duke's mansion for Lishan's blood."

"Rest assured—so long as we unite and pressure H Hai Rui and others, we will drive them out of Huguang."

He had every reason to believe it.

After the Jing mansion incident, the Imperial Commissioner could no longer act alone.

After all, the Xiang Prince's story wounded the Emperor's moral authority!

Would these ministers place the current child-emperor in the same position as Jianwen?

Only by retreating half-heartedly and appeasing the imperial clan can the Emperor wash his hands clean.

Then, one day, he would surely avenge himself on the Chengguo Duke's mansion!

No sooner had he spoken than he felt his hand gripped tighter.

He looked at Zhu Zhu Dingjiong and saw only opposition in his eyes.

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong forced himself upright, coughing violently twice.

After catching his breath, he whispered weakly: "This incident was almost certainly orchestrated by Zhu Zhu Xianhuan."

"We merely followed this uncle's persuasion, giving him a nudge—now that the Imperial Commissioner has traced it to him, he panicked and struck with such brutality."

"But last time was one thing; this time, we cannot follow his lead any longer."

Those Imperial Commissioners may not be helpless after all.

Moreover… Zhu Zhu Xianhuan struck so brutally against the Jing mansion—why would he still trust that the Chu Prince would protect the Min princedom's interests?

There's no point in fetching chestnuts from the fire for others.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao frowned: "You mean…"

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong gripped the Min Prince's hand tightly, his voice more earnest: "Your Highness, the central court's reduction of princedoms—once begun, it will not stop."

"We do not know whether this is the Emperor's will or the Grand Secretariat's. If the latter, fine—but if it is the former… who knows how many years he has left?"

"Seize this chance to withdraw!"

Zhu Zhu Dingyao fell silent.

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong knew his cousin's stubbornness; he wished to persuade further, but his body could not hold out—he could only speak of essentials.

His injuries were incurable; his voice, already hoarse from speaking too much: "Your Highness, use this opportunity to submit a memorial exposing the Lishan Commandery Prince for harboring water bandits and colluding with Miao troops!"

"Claim you were deceived by him, utterly unaware—yet guilty of negligence—and petition to forfeit your title and stipend!"

Zhu Zhu Dingyao was stunned!

His face filled with confusion: "Why!?"

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong grew dizzy, speaking tersely: "Your Highness, from Wu Wu Jinghe's actions at Yueyang Prince's mansion, you can see his pattern."

"Future stipends will no longer be paid as before—better to forfeit them now."

"As for forfeiting your princely title, it is merely a gesture—likely not enforced."

He ended, pained, tilting his head back and rubbing his temples: "Besides, so long as you retain your position as princedom lord, a commandery prince is the same!"

Since Yueyang Prince's mansion lifted trade restrictions and became self-sustaining, the privileges of rank may no longer be so vital.

As he thought this, his mind grew increasingly foggy.

He barely opened his eyes to see the Min Prince frowning in deep thought, hesitating.

Zhu Zhu Dingjiong could no longer hold back—he nearly threw himself onto the Min Prince, assuming a kneeling posture: "Second brother! I have devoted my life to the Min clan, devising strategies for decades—you and I have been of one heart, relying on me in all things!"

"Now I am broken, my oil spent, my lamp nearly out—can you, in this final matter, turn against your brother!?"

He wept bitterly, his voice piercing.

He looked as if he would not relent unless granted.

Zhu Zhu Dingyao could bear it no longer: "I'll do as you say! I'll do as you say!"

He gently laid him back on the bed, whispering softly: "I'll listen to you. No more schemes. Brother Jiong, rest well, recover slowly—there will be plenty of time for strategy later."

After much soothing, the Min Prince finally calmed Zhu Zhu Dingjiong, who soon fell asleep.

When the room was left only with Zhu Zhu Dingjiong's ragged, breathless sighs, Zhu Zhu Dingyao slowly stepped out.

Outside the door, his calm expression vanished instantly, replaced by grief and fury.

He murmured to himself: "I'll follow you in all else—but your vengeance… if I don't avenge you now, was this throne not given to me by your sacrifice?"

With resolve settled, he strode away, his steps powerful and commanding.

……

The incident occurred at the Jing Yueyang Wangfu in Qizhou, but the vortex of political affairs never lies at the scene—it lies at the center of power.

The greatest center of political gravity in Huguang is naturally Wuchang Prefecture, where the Three Departments are headquartered, the foremost princely house of the imperial clan resides, and the Imperial Commissioner and Censor are stationed.

Almost immediately after news reached Wuchang Prefecture, the Provincial Governor's Prefectural Yamen was struck by the shock.

That day, hundreds of unruly members of the imperial clan roamed the city, swords in hand, shouting outside the Provincial Governor's Prefectural Yamen, demanding justice for the Jing Prince.

After nightfall, their audacity grew even greater—"Each armed with weapons, they stormed the Governor's Prefectural Yamen and bound officials."

Fortunately, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had already been stationed within the Prefectural Yamen and swiftly apprehended the unruly members of the imperial clan.

Though the situation had not yet escalated, it grew increasingly precarious, clearly reaching a critical juncture.

It was at this very moment that the newly appointed Provincial Governor of Huguang, Liang Liang Menglong, arrived.

He tightened the coarse hemp robe he wore—it was deliberately chosen, for fear of being assassinated outside the Provincial Governor's Prefectural Yamen.

Earlier, when he first arrived at the Prefectural Yamen's gate, he had seen utter chaos!

The Prefectural Yamen's main gate was shattered, bearing clear signs of having been attacked by bandits.

Outside, sly, shifty figures watched every person entering or leaving the Prefectural Yamen with murderous eyes.

For safety's sake, he had changed into this attire; only upon reaching the Prefectural Yamen's gate did he display his official seal and enter.

The moment he stepped inside the Provincial Governor's Prefectural Yamen, he caught a faint scent of blood—truly startling him.

Liang Liang Menglong nervously stroked his beard, accidentally pulling out two hairs, but paid them no mind.

Appointed in a crisis, he had come to Huguang fully prepared to inherit a mess.

Previously, when he took over Henan as Provincial Governor, he had done the same.

In Henan during Emperor Longqing Fifth Year, natural disasters were rampant, taxes crushing: "With tax collection urgent and harsh, farmers lost their livelihoods, and gangs rose everywhere."

The people rebelled in small-scale uprisings annually; officials, instead of governing, delighted in arresting "rebels" to gain merit.

Added to this were the White Lotus Sect stirring unrest, turning Henan into a tangled mess.

Liang Liang Menglong had quelled that fire.

Surely the fire in Huguang could not be worse…

Yet upon arriving in Huguang, he heard of a Commandery Prince burning himself alive and unruly members of the imperial clan surrounding the Prefectural Yamen; seeing the destruction and decay, it surpassed even his worst expectations.

The situation in Huguang was far more complex than he had imagined!

How could a Right Vice Censor-in-Chief with the title of Provincial Governor possibly handle this?

Without the additional rank of Vice Minister of War, those hundreds of imperial clan members outside the gate might well storm in and cut him down!

Fortunately, he need not shoulder this alone, as he had in Henan.

Those Imperial Commissioners must be even more desperate.

He kicked aside the wood shavings at his feet, drew a deep breath, hoping those Imperial Commissioners would not flee and leave this mess to him, the Provincial Governor.

……

The moon shone bright, stars sparse—the time for rest.

Yet under these circumstances, timely sleep was a luxury.

Liang Liang Menglong, burdened with this crisis, could not rest; barely had he arrived when he was summoned by the Imperial Commissioners.

It was now midnight, yet the main hall of the Provincial Governor's Prefectural Yamen remained brightly lit.

Liang Liang Menglong sat on the Governor's seat, feeling as if seated on needles.

He glanced at the four Imperial Commissioners, their expressions unreadable, and hesitated to speak.

He felt uneasy—why had they given him the main seat? Was this a setup to make him take the fall while they escaped?

Liang Liang Menglong grew increasingly uneasy and finally couldn't hold back, probing: "Your Excellencies, the people of Chu are fickle and prone to unrest—difficult to pacify."

"The Jing and other princely houses have multiplied; Wuchang and its vicinity now host over five thousand members of the imperial clan. Though many are virtuous, the violent are numerous."

"These men recognize neither the Provincial Governor nor the Censor, nor the Imperial Commissioners—what do they fear?"

"The Provincial Governor is not a military commander; he has no troops to rely on. During the Bozhou campaign, a temporary Commander of Pianqiao was appointed, but was dismissed once peace was restored—thus, no one fears authority, and rebellion recurs."

"Now the Prefectural Yamen hangs by a thread. Your Excellencies, men of noble birth, should wisely avoid this danger."

The Huguang imperial clan had all erupted; his Prefectural Yamen had no proper troops—only the Embroidered Uniform Guard stood guard.

If the Imperial Commissioners meant to flee, they should say so now; if they vanished without a word, they would be shifting the burden onto him—intentionally harming him.

To be honest, Liang Liang Menglong, transferred from Henan to Huguang, had little understanding of Huguang's current situation or how it had reached this point.

Was it the Imperial Commissioners' eagerness for merit that implicated the innocent, or had certain men, cornered and desperate, unleashed such brutality?

He could only speak obliquely.

All present were shrewd men—they understood perfectly.

Among the Imperial Commissioners, Li Li Zaiting was the youngest and least senior; he should have been the one to explain and soothe.

Li Li Zaiting shook his head: "If this matter cannot be clarified, the Emperor's virtue will be obscured by treacherous men—how will the world and future generations ever know the truth?"

"What are our insignificant lives worth? As ministers, if we bear the stigma of greed, ignorance, and silence, how can we assist in Heaven's justice?"

These words were severe—anyone who fled now would be branded disloyal, betraying the Emperor.

It was nearly an oath sworn before Heaven.

Hearing this, Liang Liang Menglong relaxed.

Since the general direction was clear, he stopped probing and finally addressed the matter at hand.

Liang Liang Menglong opened the case files and raised the matter he had previously noted: "During this fire at the Jing Mansion, Prince Tai Ning drenched himself in water, then in blood, donned his robes, and walked into the flames to die; the entire palace followed him. The first to seize control of the mansion was Zhu Zhu Changling, the Jing Prince's heir apparent."

After sealing the scene, Zhu Zhu Changling barred outsiders from entering.

Even palace servants sent to extinguish the fire were delayed.

Fortunately, he lacked popular support; once other Commandery Princes arrived, he slunk away.

But immediately after, numerous Commandery Princes rescued two survivors from the flames!

Though the survivors remained unconscious, this made the Jing heir apparent all the more suspicious.

Zhu Zhu Xizhong, seated in a wheelchair, looked up at Liang Liang Menglong and shook his head expressionlessly: "We've already sent men to the Jing Mansion. The survivors remain unconscious; Zhu Zhu Changling has vanished. Yet… no matter what, the key issue lies elsewhere."

"Even if ironclad proof showed this Jing heir apparent was responsible—not Tai Ning's self-immolation—it would make no difference."

This was cryptic; Liang Liang Menglong frowned, puzzled.

After long thought, a sudden insight struck him.

This was not a local criminal case—it was a high-level imperial affair!

The latter presented facts, reasoned, and appealed to the people and gentry.

The former ignored facts entirely—it cared only for consequences.

Even if they captured the true culprit, outsiders would suspect the arrest was staged to quell unrest.

Worse still, someone might say: "See? As expected—they forced the Prince to death, framed the heir, and sought to exterminate the Jing line! What a cruel Emperor!"

In political cases, all sides hold fixed positions and believe only what they wish to believe.

In other words, once this incident occurred, the Emperor's virtue was inevitably open to doubt!

No wonder the four Imperial Commissioners looked so troubled.

At that moment, Wu Wu Jinghe suddenly turned to Hai Rui and Li Li Zaiting: "Minister Hai, Commissioner Li."

The two men met his gaze.

Wu Wu Jinghe paused, then spoke slowly: "This matter is of grave importance. Might you two return to the capital first, present the case to His Majesty, and then deliberate further?"

Hai Rui and Li Li Zaiting exchanged glances.

They understood Wu Wu Jinghe's meaning perfectly.

This was not a request to report to the Emperor—it would take two months round-trip; by then, all would be long over.

This Imperial Son-in-Law wished to protect them—he intended to handle the matter himself with Zhu Zhu Xizhong!

Hai Rui answered without hesitation: "Precisely because this matter is grave, I cannot betray the Emperor's trust and allow His Virtue to be tarnished."

Li Li Zaiting fell silent for a moment, then shook his head: "Imperial Son-in-Law, this suggestion need not be raised again. Let us proceed directly to the matter at hand."

"Our immediate priority is to prevent the Emperor's virtue from being stained with the accusation of persecuting his kin."

"I shall visit the Jing Mansion tomorrow to pay my respects to Prince Tai Ning."

Even if the gesture yields little, it must be made—no one can hide behind the excuse of "doing nothing to avoid blame."

Wu Wu Jinghe's goodwill was rejected; he nodded without pressing further: "I shall accompany you to show grace to the Jing imperial clan."

Though they had not forced this tragedy, Wu Wu Jinghe's own mandate now required action: with both the Prince and his heir gone, this was an opportunity to act.

He could also "show grace" to the lower-ranking members of the imperial clan, restoring some reputation.

Yet even this was insufficient.

In political cases, the incident itself matters far less than its aftermath.

The current aftershocks: the restless imperial clan members outside the Prefectural Yamen, the armed men in prison, the emerging cohesion among the Huguang imperial clan, and the subtle maneuvers by Huguang officials to drive them out.

One misstep, and all efforts would be wasted.

The men debated strategies back and forth.

Zhu Zhu Xizhong seemed lost in thought, saying nothing.

After a long while, he finally returned to himself, raised his head, and surveyed the room: "It is not enough."

His words drew every eye.

Zhu Zhu Xizhong spoke calmly: "I must lend you my head."

(End of Chapter)