Chapter 206: 207. Chapter 201: Slaughtering Sheep in the Butcher

207. Chapter 201: Slaughtering Sheep in the Butcher's Shop, A Dog Leaps Over the Wall in Desperation

Gloomy clouds congeal for ten thousand miles, the stench of sheep permeates the imperial court.

……

It had only been two days since the thirty-fourth birthday of Empress Dowager Li, and Beijing should have still been basking in the lingering joy of the celebration. Yet, heaven's winds and clouds are unpredictable; dark, sky-covering clouds descended upon the capital without warning.

With drifting snow and biting winds, the dim sky wantonly rendered a tense atmosphere over the capital, ignoring all decorum.

It wasn't just the sky; various people and events seemed to be deliberately colluding to exacerbate this suffocating tension.

Rumors swirled through the streets, official notices were posted incessantly by various Prefectural Yamen, and the garrisons around the capital mobilized frequently.

Within the borders of Shuntian Prefecture, checkpoints appeared out of thin air. The menacing Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Red Helmet Guard conducted constant searches and interrogations, leaving the populace in a state of panic.

In the Ministry of War, the Five Chief Military Commissions, the Five City Patrol Battalions, and the twenty-four offices of the Inner Court, people were being arrested or executed one after another; officials lived in constant fear.

Successive messengers, their faces solemn, galloped out of the capital, kicking up trails of snow and smoke along the outskirts.

Within a single day:

Following the custom of the approaching year-end, Chen Chen Jingbang, upon taking charge of the Ministry of War, sent urgent dispatches overnight to the governors and coordinators of the Nine Frontiers, ordering them to strictly fulfill their duties.

The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court reprimanded the various vassal princes for their unrestrained and lawless behavior, strictly ordering them to seclude themselves for one month to reflect and cultivate their virtue.

Furthermore, because Li Xiang, a native of Xiangfu in Henan, had initiated the White Lotus Sect, inciting the masses far and near, fabricating heretical books, and recklessly gathering crowds to threaten the Central Plains, Zhang Gelao Shen Shiying, in a rare display of fury, signed a joint directive with the Ministry of Personnel. It sternly ordered the provincial administration, surveillance, and military commissions of every province to draw lessons from this and nip such threats in the bud, forbidding any laxity.

Even so, the situation showed no signs of calming down.

Another plume of smoke rose as a messenger galloped past the long street and out of the city gates.

"The messengers won't stop today, will they? Which one is this?"

"The Grand Secretariat and the various Prefectural Yamen are as anxious as ants on a hot pan. They have to do something; reprimanding all the officials is, if nothing else, a way to stabilize public sentiment."

Two middle-aged men, dressed in opulent robes and bearing the air of officials, stood side-by-side on the city wall of Beijing. Looking down at the direction the messengers had vanished, they chatted with worried expressions.

"But looking at the format of the document that messenger was carrying, it seems to be an imperial edict?"

"Yes, it's a hand-written edict from the Emperor to Viceroy Chen Dong of Three Xuan-Da. I don't know the specific contents; it wasn't sent to the Bureau of Military Appointments for copying."

"Hiss, this isn't just suspecting the Ministry of War anymore; they're even guarding against the Bureau of Military Appointments... The Bureau doesn't have much of a relationship with Minister Shi, why go this far?"

"Sigh, the Minister of War has plotted treason; how could the Bureau of Military Appointments stay out of it? They're using the charge of 'negligence' to hold them accountable, and even Section Chief Jia has no grounds to argue back."

Mentioning Shi Shi Mao Hua left them both looking sullen.

Two days ago, on the day of the *yiyou* cycle in the eleventh month of the seventh year of Emperor Wanli.

That day was the birthday celebration of the Empress Dowager, and it was also the day an event occurred that caught everyone off guard.

After the Emperor received the congratulatory memorials with his mother, while he was hosting a banquet for the military and civilians at the Longzong Gate, a foreign monk named Bu Mang, hiding a poisoned blade, suddenly lunged forward during the banquet to assassinate the Emperor!

Had the Emperor not been agile and dodged in time, a catastrophe would have surely unfolded!

It was truly shocking!

While the act was committed by a foreigner, it was clearly not that simple.

Who had authorized such a treacherous foreigner to have an audience with the Emperor was a massive question in itself.

Not to mention how he managed to smuggle a sharp weapon past the security checks, or how he secured a seat close enough to the Emperor—these were even more suspicious details.

Sure enough.

Before the court officials could speculate for long, the news followed: Minister of War Shi Shi Mao Hua had plotted treason and fled to avoid punishment. It was a bombshell!

Before anyone could react, the various secretaries and directors of the Ministry of War, along with the supervising secretaries of the Bureau of Military Appointments, were suspended from their duties by the Grand Secretariat, forbidden from entering their offices until the case was closed.

Although they were innocent bystanders, no one dared to take it lightly.

Thus, these officials from the Ministry of War could only scramble to gather information and pull strings, terrified of becoming deaf and blind to the situation.

"Being guarded against is the best-case scenario. I heard that the Junior Vice Minister was taken away by Hai Yushi-in-Chief Wen Chun last night and hasn't returned yet. It looks grim for him."

The "Junior Vice Minister" referred to the Vice Minister of War. The one they were discussing was not the newly appointed Chen Chen Jingbang, but the Left Vice Minister, Luo Luo Fengxiang.

"Shi Shi Mao Hua... Luo Luo Fengxiang... I don't know if it's true or if the Emperor is just using this as an excuse."

The assassination attempt was one thing, but who was actually behind it was uncertain. How could such a heaven-shaking case pull in a Minister of War overnight?

Regardless of what others thought, he deeply suspected the Emperor was acting opportunistically, intentionally finding trouble for Shi Shi Mao Hua—even if it turned out to be someone else, it wouldn't stop him from cleaning house.

"Wait? Is that Shen Li?"

One of them looked down at the gate verification area.

"It really looks like him. Isn't he supposed to be in mourning at home? Why has he entered the capital?"

The other followed his gaze, puzzled.

"You don't know, Renjia? Last year, when his three-year mourning period for his father ended, the Emperor gave him the post of Vice Minister of War to patrol the provinces. The document had just been sent out when Shen Li's mother passed away. Now that the hundred-day mourning period has passed, the Emperor has invoked the 'no avoidance for military service' rule."

"Tsk, another loophole. The Emperor corrupts the rites; does he have no descendants?"

"Cough... Renjia, that remark is biased. Whether it's 'no avoidance for military service' or the shortened mourning period for the Imperial Observatory, these are all ancestral laws. You might as well use this time while suspended to study mathematics and apply for a concurrent post as a doctor at the Imperial Observatory."

There was a reason for this "also"—the Emperor had recently ordered the officials of the Third Rank to pursue advanced studies, and the Bureau of Military Appointments, despite its low status and high power, had been allocated two spots. The tone of the conversation naturally shifted.

"Forget it, I don't want to argue with you. According to you, Shen Li's return to the capital is to take over Luo Luo Fengxiang's post as Left Vice Minister of War?"

Shen Li certainly had the seniority.

But having him as a direct superior wasn't necessarily a good thing; Chen Chen Jingbang would have been better.

"No, looking at the edict copied by the Six Offices, he's appointed as a Hai Yushi-in-Chief to patrol the land survey. As for the Left Vice Minister of War, Luo Luo Fengxiang hasn't necessarily fallen yet, so it's too early to talk about a successor."

"That's just self-deception. With the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat determined to implicate them, if Luo Luo Fengxiang doesn't fall, he'll surely drown."

"Sigh, in the end, it's Shen Shiying's incompetence. The matter should have ended with the foreigner; how could he let the Emperor implicate the Minister of War? Now everyone is covered in filth!"

"Who says otherwise? And that Wang Wang Xijue in the Ministry of Personnel, running around more actively than a eunuch. He must have gone mad after his daughter died; how is such a person fit to hold the position of Minister of Personnel?"

"Hmph, Wang Wang Chonggu can't escape either. If he didn't nod, Shen Shiying couldn't hold the pen to draft the edicts. Wang Wang Chonggu doesn't even protect his own faction; who will dare to rely on him in the future?"

"What kind of people are attending the morning court at the Zhao Wenhua Hall now!"

Rebellions are common in the Great Ming. Prince Ning, Zhu Chenhao, raised an army of one hundred thousand, declared himself Emperor, and changed the reign title to Shunde—that was sixty years ago. The *Renyin* Palace Mutiny, where the Shizong Emperor was nearly strangled, was only thirty-seven years ago. More recently, Shi Shi Shangzhao raised a banner of rebellion, gathering seventy thousand followers to seize cities—that was only twenty-six years ago. The most recent was the second year of Emperor Longqing, when two thousand soldiers in Xuanfu mutinied for rewards—that was only eleven years ago. Such is the state of affairs in a feudal dynasty; no matter which Emperor is on the throne, there will always be someone attempting to rebel.

However, while rebellions are frequent, they usually involve degenerate members of the imperial clan, deluded peasants, rogue temporary soldiers, or hot-headed rank-and-file troops.

A rebellion by civil officials is simply too shocking!

How many years has it been since we heard of a civil official rebellion? Even if it happened in reality, it was rarely labeled as such; listing ten or eight major crimes and executing them was the standard.

If one had to find a precedent, one would have to go back to Hu Hu Weiyong—if the "Seizing the Gate" incident doesn't count.

What was the Hu Hu Weiyong case? It implicated tens of thousands of people, with countless deaths, more than half of whom were scholars!

How could the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat have the heart to repeat such a tragedy!?

If Shen Shiying, Wang Wang Xijue, and the others had any conscience, they should have stopped the matter at the foreigner and covered it up. As for Shi Shi Mao Hua's affairs, they could have just listed ten major crimes to vent the Emperor's anger. Why make such a scene and terrify the common people?

The Shizong Emperor faced death many times, but we never saw him casually accusing civil officials of treason.

One can only say that the officials in the Zhao Wenhua Hall are becoming more crooked by the day!

As they were speaking.

A plume of dust approached from afar, heading toward the capital.

The two instinctively looked over. After a mere glance, before they could even pause their discussion about the city wall, they saw a troop of men galloping past, arrogantly led by personal guards, escorting the leader into the city.

The two frowned in unison, looking with disgust at the troop that had just entered.

"These military officers, relying on the Emperor's favor, have become increasingly rampant in recent years. They truly fear power but do not cherish virtue!"

Galloping into the city—how arrogant!

The atmosphere has been deteriorating more and more in recent years.

When military officers come to the Ministry of War to report, even if they don't perform the three-kneel-nine-kowtow ceremony, shouldn't they at least show the basic respect of kneeling?

Yet, in recent years, those regional commanders and generals, holding the Emperor's orders, claim that officials of the Third Rank and above don't need to kneel to outsiders, and they actually dare to stand upright in the Ministry of War!

And that Gu Gu Huan, a mere noble, stands in the Zhao Wenhua Hall during court deliberations all day, advocating for military officers. He is truly an eyesore; I don't know when he'll die.

"Looking at the insignia held by the guards, it seems to be Qi Qi Jiguang? No wonder they are so arrogant. He brought three thousand southern troops with him this time. If anyone offends him, the city guards might not even be enough to fight him."

One of them sneered, his tone filled with contempt and sarcasm.

While it was understandable that these visiting officials were anxious to see the Emperor after hearing about the assassination attempt, arrogance is arrogance, regardless of the reason.

Furthermore, the Emperor's safety is not something these military officers should be worrying about.

"Yu Yu Dayou was so flamboyant in Fujian, killing and destroying families at will, yet he kept his tail tucked when returning to the capital, bringing only two attendants. Qi Qi Jiguang, on the other hand... hmph, he isn't afraid of being unable to carry such a heavy burden."

"Who told the Emperor to rely on him? The night Shi Shi Mao Hua's incident occurred, I heard there were unusual movements in the Capital Garrison and the Five Chief Military Commissions. Plus, with Gu Gu Huan dying, the Emperor is likely planning to hand the Capital Garrison over to Qi Qi Jiguang."

"Unusual movements in the garrison... I've heard that too these past two days, but it seems more like rumors."

Mobilizing the garrison isn't that simple.

Not to mention the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat, it requires the eunuch of the Imperial Horse Bureau to issue the imperial edict and fire-tablets to the Ministry of War, and then transfer them to the Five Chief Military Commissions.

Even Shi Shi Mao Hua couldn't pull off such a long chain of procedures.

"I don't know, but I heard rumors in the Bureau of Military Appointments about forged fire-tablets."

"Forged fire-tablets!? How could they be so insane!?"

"Heh, it's not that strange. Didn't the Duke of Qian, who was executed by slow slicing six years ago, do the same thing? It's a pity we're suspended now; the news we hear is all obscured, and we can't see clearly what's true or false."

"It must be fake. Could there really be such a massive conspiracy?"

"Hard to say. This time the Emperor went on an inspection tour, the Temple of Imperial Ma Pi official died mysteriously, and Wang Wang Chonggu had a huge argument with Shi Shi Mao Hua. In my opinion, it's not unrelated."

"Sigh, forget it. I don't know if it's true, but I know the Emperor is taking this opportunity to seize complete control of the Capital Garrison."

The speaker's expression was complex, particularly filled with apprehension.

"Rebellion, after all—if both sides don't act against each other, how can it be called a rebellion? Who is rebelling against whom has never been easy to say."

As the words left his mouth, the two sighed in unison.

Looking at each other, they felt endless anxiety for the bleak future of the Ministry of War and the Bureau of Military Appointments.

……

"Eunuch Sun Hai of the Directorate of Ceremonial? The Inner Court is also implicated!?"

Shen Shiying's expression was solemn as he took the case file handed to him by Hai Yushi-in-Chief Wen Chun, exclaiming in shock.

Wen Chun nodded, speaking bluntly: "In the case of the illegal occupation of imperial estates in Daxing County, the person behind Yao Zhong, the eunuch in charge of the Directorate of Palace Delicacies, is this man."

"Because he heard that the Emperor intended to continue the investigation after killing Yao Zhong, he feared the Emperor's wrath. He took advantage of Shi Shi Mao Hua's opportunity to secretly loosen the security checks before the foreigner's audience."

At this point, he paused and continued: "This is currently just a speculation based on the confessions of several suspects by the Censorate. There is no conclusive evidence, but he seems to have caught wind of the situation. I'm afraid that if we delay, things will change. Should we arrest him or not?"

Whether it followed protocol was a secondary matter.

The two had worked together as Vice Ministers of Personnel and were close, with a good personal relationship. Furthermore, one was now the head of the Grand Secretariat, and the other led the Censorate—a natural balance of power, as the dynasty's custom dictated that if the Senior Zhang Gelao was a Southerner, the head of the Censorate must be a Northerner to maintain equilibrium. Their status was evident.

Thus, there was little restraint in their conversation.

Shen Shiying stood up from his chair and paced back and forth in the Grand Secretariat's office; it was clearly troublesome that the Inner Court was involved.

Not until the case file in his hand was crumpled did Shen Shiying grit his teeth: "Arrest him! Don't care who he is! If the investigation leads to him, arrest him!"

"Take my note and arrest him first. Don't let him run away like Shi Shi Mao Hua. I'll draft the memorial and get the Emperor's approval later!"

Wen Chun nodded and turned to leave the Grand Secretariat.

"Wait."

Wen Chun turned back, only to see Shen Shiying calling him back.

"Arrest Zhao Zhao Yongxian, the Right Advisor of the Capital Garrison, as well!" Shen Shiying said this out of the blue.

Wen Chun frowned.

Puzzled, he asked: "Is Zhao Zhao Yongxian also implicated?"

Shen Shiying's expression shifted uncertainly.

After a long while, he turned his head away in embarrassment, facing away from Wen Chun so his expression couldn't be seen: "Possibly."

Even if he wasn't, things had reached this point; it was time to consider the bigger picture and the Emperor's mood.

During the Zhang Zhang Juzheng mourning controversy, Zhao Zhao Yongxian had publicly agreed but privately conspired, acting in bad faith.

The Emperor had originally planned to send him to Zhejiang to fight pirates after the New Year, but since this incident had occurred and there were signs of unrest in the garrison, he could only be thrown into prison.

This was certainly not honorable, but since Shen Shiying had entered the Grand Secretariat, there had been too many times when he had to prioritize the bigger picture; one more time wouldn't hurt, even if it was a small, willful exercise of power.

Wen Chun read the complex power struggle in Shen Shiying's reaction.

He remained silent for a moment before nodding slowly.

Seeing Wen Chun's reluctant response, Shen Shiying forced an awkward smile, trying to comfort him: "Jingwen, we've worked together for many years; you know me. I am acting for the public good."

"Possibly," also known as "maybe," or "trumped-up charges"—the name didn't sound good.

Even if the starting point was different from someone else's, it was still a moral stain.

Wen Chun glanced at Shen Shiying, seeing his awkward posture, and discreetly put his hands behind his back.

Looking at the embarrassed Shen Shiying, he said directly: "Ru-mo, no need to explain. I understand. You fear a repeat of the Shizong story and are willing to dirty your hands for the sake of the bigger picture. I am not Chen Chen Wude; how could I stand here and talk without feeling the weight?"

Shen Shiying's awkward expression shifted several times, finally settling into exhaustion and emotion.

The Shizong story—who didn't fear it?

They hadn't seen the Shizong Emperor in his early years, but they had heard of him—land surveys, clearing imperial estates, opening the seas, suppressing pirates—in Hai Rui's eyes, he was a wise and martial ruler; he couldn't be called a foolish tyrant.

Yet, after the *Renyin* Palace Mutiny, he stopped attending court, sought immortality, and lost his humanity.

What Shen Shiying feared most now was not a minister rebelling, nor the forgery of fire-tablets in the Five Chief Military Commissions; he was particularly worried that the Emperor might be stimulated to emulate his ancestor.

After the Shizong Emperor escaped the fire, the imperial physicians who treated him died suddenly, and the officials involved were promoted, all of which the Shizong Emperor had long suspected.

The current Emperor's suspicion was no less than Shizong's, and as he grew older, it only intensified.

At such a time, if the Grand Secretariat didn't take a firm stance to show their loyalty and appease the Emperor, how could Shen Shiying be at peace?

He sighed deeply: "Sigh, the Emperor has been on his inspection tour for only a month, and I have sat by and watched this brew under my nose. My guilt is unforgivable."

"When it's time to dirty one's hands, how can one begrudge one's reputation?"

Wen Chun shook his head.

He thought for a moment and comforted him: "No one could have expected Shi Shi Mao Hua to be so insane. Ru-mo, you shouldn't blame yourself so much."

Shi Shi Mao Hua was at an age where he should have been waiting for a peaceful end; who could have imagined he had other plans?

Shen Shiying pursed his lips, silent for a moment, then continued to blame himself: "Before the Emperor sent the oral edict back, when Zhang Gelao Wang informed me he was going to investigate the Ministry of War's horse pastures, I should have nipped it in the bud and been careful of someone jumping over the wall in desperation."

Wen Chun didn't know how to respond.

The two remained silent. After a while, Wen Chun bowed and took his leave.

This time, Shen Shiying didn't ask him to stay.

After Wen Chun left, the Grand Secretariat's office fell into silence once more.

Shen Shiying sat back in his chair, continuing to draft the memorials, meticulous as ever.

……

In stark contrast to the struggling Grand Secretariat was the cold yet bustling Ministry of War.

It was cold because half the secretaries and directors were suspended pending investigation, leaving the offices half-empty.

It was bustling because, as the center of the Shi Shi Mao Hua treason case, it naturally attracted too much attention.

Just like now, Wang Wang Chonggu and the only remaining Ministry of War official, Chen Chen Jingbang, were deep in discussion in the main hall.

"In the fourth year of Emperor Wanli, 36,200 taels of horse-purchase silver from the Court of Imperial Stud were sent to Ningxia for market use; 20,000 taels were given to the Liaodong Garrison for rewards; 12,000 taels were allocated to the Datong Garrison for next year's market capital; 9,600 taels were released to Miyun for purchasing carts and mules; 80,862 taels were sent to the Three Xuan-Da military command..."

"In the fifth year of Emperor Wanli..."

Wang Wang Chonggu recited the items one by one.

Chen Chen Jingbang checked them against the official documents.

Not until he finished counting the seventh year of Emperor Wanli did Wang Wang Chonggu stop. Chen Chen Jingbang put down the file, sighing: "Occupying pastures, embezzling horse-purchase silver—millions of taels have been devoured by these people since the first year of Emperor Wanli. Truly a great parasite of the state!"

Wang Wang Chonggu didn't respond.

He had heard rumors of this when he was the Viceroy of Three Xuan-Da—he himself had other legal sources of income, but most of his colleagues did not.

For example, fellow Shanxi natives like Shi Shi Mao Hua and Luo Luo Fengxiang.

In the past, he could pretend not to hear, but now that the Emperor had forced him to choose, he had to follow the path of righteousness.

Things had reached this point; there was no turning back. Wang Wang Chonggu couldn't help but feel complex emotions and didn't want to comment further.

He ignored Chen Chen Jingbang's topic and continued: "The number of people involved is extremely wide. Currently, only a portion has been identified: Minister of War Shi Shi Mao Hua, Vice Minister of War Luo Luo Fengxiang, Court of Imperial Stud Minister Wu Kong Shangxian, Ministry of Revenue Grassland Management Physician Gao Shi, Ministry of War Physician Miao Boran, Shaanxi Regional Military Commission Assistant Tang Yao, Liaodong Central Army Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Wei……"

The number of people involved wasn't large—relatively speaking, at least not as bad as the salt administration case.

But hearing the names, Chen Chen Jingbang had a realization.

He muttered: "Shi Shi Mao Hua... he must have realized he was being investigated, right?"

Otherwise, he wouldn't have fled so quickly.

And he had even pulled a ruthless move before leaving.

Wang Wang Chonggu remained noncommittal: "Perhaps."

Seeing the Zhang Gelao didn't want to talk about it, Chen Chen Jingbang didn't press, continuing with the business at hand: "What about the horses? Were they never purchased?"

Wang Wang Chonggu shook his head slowly: "Of course not. If they hadn't purchased the horses, they wouldn't have been able to deceive the local governors, the censors, and the imperial guards for so many years."

"They were purchased, but then immediately sold off."

Chen Chen Jingbang was stunned: "Sold to whom?"

Wang Wang Chonggu looked at him expressionlessly: "Who else? The Mongols, the Jurchens, and in recent years, the White Lotus Sect in the Baisheng area."

Wang Wang Chonggu was well-informed and spoke casually.

Chen Chen Jingbang, however, suddenly flushed red.

He slammed the table, eyes wide, trembling: "Betraying the country! This is treason!"

The horse administration was originally intended to weaken the enemy; who could have imagined they would resort to buying them back!

As for the price, it went without saying—since it was fencing stolen goods, it had to be lower than the market price for the foreigners to buy them back.

This turned into the officials and the foreigners splitting the state treasury's money!

Preposterous!

A Minister of War committing treason—how could such a thing happen!

The Gengxu Rebellion, the Shizhou Incident, the Jizhou Rebellion—each caused tens of thousands of deaths and left the people in misery. Did these people have no sense of loyalty to their country at all!?

To be so willing to lead the barbarians—were they nostalgic for the Jin dynasty's rape and pillage, or were they itching to shave their heads and change their clothes!?

Wang Wang Chonggu's expression was complex—regretful, disappointed, and more than anything, melancholy.

He sighed: "Not everyone can distinguish between friend and foe as clearly as you and I."

After a long while.

Chen Chen Jingbang finally calmed down.

He sat back down: "No wonder, no wonder Shi Shi Mao Hua, a Minister of War, dared to do such a thing. So that's why."

"Heh, the Emperor's first order upon returning to the capital will be to execute this batch of people."

The Emperor had killed many people during his inspection tour, truly terrifying many.

No wonder Shi Shi Mao Hua panicked and jumped over the wall in desperation.

Just then.

There was a commotion outside the Prefectural Yamen, which was particularly noticeable in the now-quiet Ministry of War.

The two looked up.

A man walked in with the force of wind and thunder, charging straight into the main hall of the Ministry of War.

"Your subordinate, Qi Qi Jiguang, has returned the tally, entered the capital to see the Emperor, and pays respects to Zhang Gelao Wang and the Junior Vice Minister."

Chen Chen Jingbang and Wang Wang Chonggu looked at each other.

The latter smiled and gestured for him to rise.

The former nodded reluctantly, feeling a hint of displeasure.

Qi Qi Jiguang was rumored to be very polite, always kowtowing when arriving at the Ministry of War. Why was he so ignorant of etiquette today when seeing him, Chen Chen Jingbang?

But with such a major event, the Ministry of War was busy, and he didn't have the energy to bicker with these military officers. He waved his hand dismissively: "Commander Qi, you've traveled far; rest well today, and enter the court to see the Emperor the day after tomorrow with Regional Commander Yu Yu Dayou."

He then called a secretary to lead Qi Qi Jiguang away to handle the official business—this was the current civil-military dynamic; they wouldn't even return a greeting, let alone look them in the eye.

Wang Wang Chonggu noticed the displeasure in his tone but said nothing, as Chen Chen Jingbang was the rightful head of the Ministry of War.

Qi Qi Jiguang, hearing this, refused to wait until the day after tomorrow, insisting: "Junior Vice Minister, your subordinate wishes to see the Emperor immediately!"

Chen Chen Jingbang finally looked at Qi Qi Jiguang properly.

He naturally understood the mindset of these visiting officials—they were just anxious because the Emperor had been assassinated.

This was not something to blame, but his attitude was still unsatisfactory.

Chen Chen Jingbang frowned and reprimanded: "Some matters are not for you military officers to interfere with. You only need to know that the Emperor is unharmed."

Qi Qi Jiguang flushed red at the reprimand.

In the past, he would have retreated, but now he had to bite the bullet and plead: "Junior Vice Minister, your subordinate..."

Before he could finish, Chen Chen Jingbang showed impatience.

He waved his hand: "The Emperor went to Zhang Gelao Gao's residence today and is not in the palace; you won't be able to see him."

As soon as he finished, Qi Qi Jiguang's expression changed drastically, and he blurted out: "The Emperor was just assassinated; how can he still be out of the palace!?"

Without even saying goodbye, he turned and left, heading straight for Gao Yi's residence to see the Emperor.

Chen Chen Jingbang looked at Qi Qi Jiguang's back and snorted coldly: "Ignorant of etiquette!"

Wang Wang Chonggu, on the side, casually defended him: "Only those who are loyal can take charge of the Capital Garrison. Gongwang, don't be too harsh."

Chen Chen Jingbang bowed reluctantly to Wang Wang Chonggu, giving him some face.

Qi Qi Jiguang, who had turned to leave, ignored them, strode out of the Ministry of War, didn't even bother to call his guards, mounted his horse, and galloped toward Gao Yi's residence.

……

Meanwhile, at the residence of Zhang Gelao Gao Yi.

Unlike what outsiders expected—that the Emperor would be furious, calling for blood, or terrified—the Emperor was currently accompanying his teacher, Gao Yi, in the courtyard, playing a leisurely game of chess.

"Didn't I have the Senior Zhang Gelao tell you before? I said I would come to visit you and Elder Lu after I finished the inspection tour."

Zhu Zhu Yijun reached out and moved his pawn forward.

The accompanying secretary set aside the *Daily Records*, changed to a new notebook, and began writing busily.

If one looked closely, one could see he was recording the chess game: "The Emperor respects his teacher, inviting Gao Yi to play the red pieces. Gao Yi plays Cannon 2 to 6; the Emperor plays Horse 8 to 7, lightning fast; Gao Yi plays Horse 2 to 3; the Emperor plays Chariot 9 to 8, without hesitation; Gao Yi plays Pawn 3 to 1; the Emperor plays Pawn 3 to 1, evenly matched; Gao Yi plays Elephant 7 to 5; the Emperor plays Horse 2 to 3, blades clashing."

Zhu Zhu Yijun let the secretary write his unofficial history; he wouldn't flip the chessboard, so he didn't fear being recorded.

Since Gao Yi's stroke, he couldn't walk and had to play chess with the Emperor from his wheelchair.

His mind was still clear, though his speech was a bit slurred: "With the current situation, Your Majesty doesn't look like someone who can hide away for peace. You should return to the palace as soon as possible."

"Chariot 1 to 2."

When Gao Yi was the Secondary Zhang Gelao, there were many in the court who thought the Emperor was putting on a show, using Gao Yi's voice.

And now? Gao Yi was a cripple, yet the Emperor's favor remained undiminished. What could prove his sincerity better than this?

He had spent his whole life teaching such a student.

Precisely because the Emperor was a good ruler, he couldn't bear to see him waste his energy on him.

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head: "It's fine. I was just caught off guard upon returning to the capital. Now that everything is arranged, there's nothing major."

"By the way, it's deep winter; I've brought two palace servants to take care of you for a month, until spring."

"Elephant 3 to 5."

His teacher had no wives, concubines, or children, only two old servants. In the winter after his stroke, he always needed people from the palace to take care of him.

Gao Yi didn't refuse; he had grown tired of refusing over the past two years.

He looked at the Emperor with a solemn expression: "Don't be careless. This assassination attempt—the Ministry of War sending foreigners to the banquet, the Directorate of Ceremonial providing cover, and the Five Chief Military Commissions even forging imperial edicts and fire-tablets to mobilize the garrison—it doesn't look like a spur-of-the-moment act."

As he spoke, he moved a piece: Horse 8 to 9.

Zhu Zhu Yijun seemed not to notice: "Cannon 8 to 4."

"I understand. This is the backlash from the Southern Suburb sacrifice and the land survey. It just happened to coincide. As for who is involved... I will find them one by one."

He knew the situation was grave.

But as an Emperor, who hasn't encountered a rebellion during their reign?

One gets used to it; there's no need to be overly terrified.

Gao Yi paused, holding a piece: "Anything else is fine, but those who forged the imperial edicts and fire-tablets in the Five Chief Military Commissions—kill the innocent rather than let one escape."

No one dared to take the forgery of fire-tablets lightly, especially since the messengers were officers of the Five Chief Military Commissions. Who could tell the difference?

The danger was self-evident.

Coupled with the fact that the mid-level officers who delivered the orders committed suicide afterward, the level of organization was truly shocking.

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded slightly: "It depends on which noble family it is. Shi Shi Mao Hua was likely sent out by them. The first time I execute three clans during my reign will likely start with this."

Gao Yi was lost in thought.

The servant on the side habitually wiped the corner of his master's mouth with a handkerchief.

Gao Yi reacted, adjusting his expression: "Does Your Majesty have any suspicions?"

As he spoke, he moved his cannon: Cannon 8 to 7.

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded: "I left the palace today to verify this. After visiting you, I will go and ask them personally."

"Chariot 1 to 2."

There are many fools among the nobles, but few have the guts to forge fire-tablets.

Plus, with them serving in the Five Chief Military Commissions, a little investigation would give him a good idea.

Gao Yi sighed.

Being busy with ten thousand tasks is not just talk; a single trip out of the palace often involves three or five things at once.

And this was just after experiencing an assassination attempt. If this isn't a wise ruler, what is?

Thinking of this, Gao Yi suddenly reminded him: "Your Majesty will be eighteen next year; you can be more frequent with your concubines."

This time, although it was just a false alarm, it had terrified many people.

The Emperor still had no heirs!

As an imperial teacher, he had to give this advice, even if he was about to enter the grave.

The secretary on the side wrote down: "Gao Yi plays Pawn 7 to 1."

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked calm and nodded: "Teacher is right. I understand. I was with my concubine just last night."

"Horse 3 to 4."

There was nothing to avoid; he should say it to put the officials at ease—after the assassination attempt, the officials had to show their stance, and the Emperor naturally had to show his.

Gao Yi was relieved.

He thought for a moment and reminded him: "Your Majesty, we are in the middle of the land survey. Don't implicate too many people in the Shi Shi Mao Hua case. You should let Shen Shiying know to exercise restraint."

As he spoke, he moved a pawn: Pawn 7 to 1.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's dark eyes revealed a hint of intrigue, and he replied softly: "Teacher, don't worry. I will stop at the right point."

As for where that point was, he didn't explain, simply playing his piece: Horse 4 to 5.

Gao Yi was about to respond when he suddenly froze.

After deducing for a long while, Gao Yi finally saw the situation and looked up at the Emperor helplessly: "Your Majesty is indeed stopping at the right point. I concede."

The secretary, Wang Wang Yingxuan, also understood the game and exclaimed in surprise: "Your Majesty won in nine moves! Truly divine calculation!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled without a word.

Just then.

Suddenly, the sound of blades clashing erupted without warning.

The shouting grew louder outside the residence, accompanied by chants of "The Unborn Mother, the Vacuum Hometown."

Jiang Jiang Keqian, the Assistant Regional Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, hurried in, the scene of battle outside flashing by.

Gao Yi's expression changed drastically, and he almost stood up from his wheelchair: "Quick! Escort His Majesty out the back door!"

The secretary, Wang Wang Yingxuan, realized the danger and, ignoring etiquette, grabbed the Emperor's arm to drag him away.

But the Emperor just frowned, shook off Wang Wang Yingxuan, and walked toward Jiang Jiang Keqian, mocking: "Who is jumping over the wall in desperation?"

Jiang Jiang Keqian didn't look panicked, bowing: "It's not clear, but it should be Liu Liu Shiyan."

Zhu Zhu Yijun sneered: "Cheng-yi Earl Liu Liu Shiyan, it really is him... His news is quite fast. It seems he knew I was coming to his door."

This chess game is from the 2016 Fei Shen Cup, Wang Wang Tianyi vs. Wang Yang; I borrowed it.