At dawn on May 27th, as soon as the morning bell struck, half of Jinan’s residents left their homes with the elderly and children in tow. Whether on foot, driving donkey and ox carts, or riding in various sedan chairs, they streamed towards Daming Lake in the northern part of the city.
Jinan Prefecture was built with its southern end higher than its northern end. The city’s seventy-two famous springs gushed day and night like scattered pearls and jade, their seventy-two streams following the terrain northward to form a vast lake. This body of water was called “Lotus Lake” during the Tang Dynasty, and “Four Views Lake” in the Song Dynasty, and only began to be known as “Daming Lake” during the Jin Dynasty.
Daming Lake was expansive, with connected pavilions and embankments, making it Jinan Prefecture’s most renowned scenic spot, unrivaled in all of Qi and Lu. Today, however, the citizens of Jinan didn’t stop at any other attractions. Without exception, they all gathered near a hexagonal pavilion at the lake’s southeastern shore. This pavilion was called “Heaven’s Heart Upon Water,” built by the great Yuan Dynasty poet Yu Ji. During his stay in Jinan, he lived by Daming Lake. Being a man of refined taste, Yu Ji had an island built in the lake and erected a pavilion on it, naming it after Song Dynasty poet Chu Shao-yong’s verse “When the moon reaches heaven’s heart, and wind comes across the water’s surface.”
Starting from the Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion, a series of winding peninsulas stretched into the lake, all artificially constructed with varying shapes, extending to the eastern Zeng embankment. This stretch of shoreline was shaded by weeping willows, their green ribbons luxuriant, interspersed with yellow locust trees. When in bloom, these trees were covered in silky flowers like wisps of smoke, which, combined with the misty lake surface, created an otherworldly scene.
The hexagonal pavilion wasn’t particularly large, so the Jinan residents who had rushed there lined both sides of the lakeshore. Looking out, the entire southeastern shore of Daming Lake appeared to be rimmed in black, with a sea of bobbing heads creating a bustling scene. Even the early summer heat couldn’t dampen the citizens’ enthusiasm.
“Little Errand Boy, do you know why so many people have gathered at Daming Lake today?” Tang Sai’er asked.
She sat cross-legged on a large single-wheeled cart made of jujube wood, fingering a string of wooden beads. Today, the Buddhist Mother wore a patched jacket and an old headscarf, looking exactly like an elderly Buddhist devotee, completely unremarkable in the surging crowd. Pushing her cart was Liang Xingfu, who had unusually subdued his violent nature, hunching over and silently gripping the handles.
“I don’t know.”
“Aren’t you curious at all?”
“The Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth of the fifth month is already past, and the Heaven Observance Festival on the sixth of the sixth month hasn’t arrived yet. Why should I, a person from Jinling, know about Jinan’s local temple fairs?” Wu Dingyuan replied tersely.
Tang Sai’er chuckled and gestured at their surroundings. “Look around, what’s different about them compared to usual?”
Wu Dingyuan had noticed earlier that all the citizens around Daming Lake, regardless of age or gender, carried willow branches similar in length to those placed in the Guanyin’s jade vase. Even Zuo Yehe and Wu Yulu, who followed behind the wooden cart, each held one.
Zuo Yehe had bought some snacks – sour jujube powder, lotus seed cakes, and sugar rolls – which he shared with Wu Yulu as they ate happily.
Many people who couldn’t squeeze into the Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion stuck their willow branches in the soil by the road and knelt to kowtow. All along their route to the lake area, the roadside was densely packed with willow branches of varying lengths, forming what looked like several willow fences. Wu Dingyuan found this puzzling – planting willow branches was typically a Qingming Festival custom, so why were the people of Jinan doing this in late May? Were they commemorating someone?
He also noticed many White Lotus followers mixed among the crowd, approaching those who knelt to chant sutras quietly, taking the opportunity to recruit new believers.
Tang Sai’er explained, “We’re now on the south shore of Daming Lake. On the north shore, there’s the North Pole Temple, which enshrines the Great Lord of True Martial Prowess. Every year on his birthday, the twenty-seventh day of the fifth month, Jinan’s citizens come to plant willow branches by the lake, treating it as planting a willow tree, worshiping and praying for a peaceful year.”
Wu Dingyuan blurted out, “Nonsense! The Great Lord of True Martial Prowess’s birthday is the third day of the third month. What kind of random date is the twenty-seventh of the fifth month?”
Tang Sai’er smiled. “You’re right, it is nonsense.”
This response made Wu Dingyuan snort.
Tang Sai’er sat on the wooden cart, narrowing her eyes. “Do you know about the connection between the Great Lord of True Martial Prowess and Zhu Di?”
“No!”
“When the Prince of Yan rebelled, he claimed to have received the blessing of the Northern True Martial Lord, using this to manipulate people’s hearts. After he took the throne, he bestowed a new title on the True Martial Lord: ‘Northern Pole Heaven-Stabilizing True Martial Dark Heaven Supreme Emperor,’ and mobilized three hundred thousand laborers to renovate the temples on Mount Wudang, erecting a statue of the True Martial Lord at the peak of Tianzu Mountain. They say that the deity’s face looked exactly like Zhu Di’s. Since the emperor showed such devotion, True Martial temples were established everywhere. This North Pole Temple in Hubei was built in the third year of Yongle’s reign – so as long as they use the True Martial Lord as a front, the officials won’t interfere.”
Wu Dingyuan slowed his steps dramatically upon hearing the final sentence. Tang Sai’er’s words contained significant information. Since the North Pole Temple was only built in the third year of Yongle, it meant that Jinan’s custom of planting willow branches by Daming Lake on the twenty-seventh of the fifth month wasn’t an old tradition. The origin of this custom had nothing to do with the True Martial Lord; he was merely being used as a front.
Could this date have been established by the White Lotus Sect? He had just seen many followers secretly proselytizing – perhaps this was a White Lotus assembly disguised as the True Martial Lord’s birthday celebration?
Tang Sai’er neither confirmed nor denied this. “I brought you here today to tell you that what’s hidden behind this True Martial Lord’s birthday celebration has deep connections to your roots.”
With that, she patted the cart’s side and returned to her role as a lazy, homebody old woman. Liang Xingfu straightened slightly and pushed the wooden cart through the crowd, accelerating toward the busiest Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion. The surrounding citizens, seeing this imposing man, scattered in fear. Wu Dingyuan hesitated for a moment before hurrying to follow.
He didn’t know that at that moment, two familiar gazes swept across this area. Unfortunately, there were too many people, and these eyes failed to identify Wu Dingyuan’s figure among them, quickly scanning past before withdrawing. The two people casting these glances were standing atop a city tower at the northeastern corner of Daming Lake.
This was originally a watergate exit in Jinan’s north wall. When Daming Lake’s water level rose too high, it would drain through this gate into the Xiaoqing River outside the city. Above the water gate in the city wall stood a viewing tower called Huibo. From its top, one could see the entire lake view.
At sunset, one could see the interweaving waves dyed orange-red, which people of the time called the “Evening View of Converging Waves.”
However, the two people standing on the tower top weren’t in the mood to appreciate the scenery.
“Everything is ready, we just need an east wind!”
Zhu Zhanji rested his arms on the tower’s railing, overlooking the entire lake area with confidence. Su Jingxi stood beside him, her expression still calm, though her brow showed a slight tension.
They had parted ways with Yu Qian at Anshan Lake on the evening of the twenty-fifth, paid a hefty sum to take a fast boat, and arrived at Wokou Town near Jinan in just a day and a night. Upon arrival, the Crown Prince settled Su Jingxi at an inn before going out alone, returning close to midnight with a jubilant expression, saying he had already formulated an initial plan.
Su Jingxi could see clearly. The Crown Prince was so proactive because Yu Qian, his constraint, had left, finally giving him a chance to prove he wasn’t an incompetent ruler, and that he could solve problems independently even without his ministers present.
However, Zhu Zhanji wouldn’t reveal exactly what the plan was, only saying they should go to Huibo Tower the next morning to find out. Su Jingxi didn’t press further; there would have been no point. The Crown Prince’s reluctance to reveal too much too soon stemmed from his fear that others might interfere with his first independently formulated plan.
Now standing high on Huibo Tower, hearing the Crown Prince say “Everything is ready, we just need an east wind,” Su Jingxi understood he was hinting that she could now ask questions. “Kongming borrowed the east wind to burn Cao Cao’s warships. Where does Your Highness intend to direct this borrowed wind?”
This question hit just the right spot. Zhu Zhanji proudly pulled out a copper lotus from his chest: “You remember this, don’t you?”
“Kong Eighteen’s?”
“Correct. Every White Lotus incense altar has one of these copper lotuses as a token. With this, any altar in the north or south will treat you as one of their own. Yesterday in Wokou Town, I used this lotus to find a branch altar and inquired about the situation in Jinan Prefecture. They’re just a small branch altar and don’t know about Wu Dingyuan’s situation. But the altar master told me that on the twenty-seventh of the fifth month, the people of Jinan will all come to Daming Lake to commemorate the True Martial Lord’s birthday.”
At this point, Zhu Zhanji deliberately lowered his voice: “Actually, the so-called True Martial Lord’s birthday is just a front to deceive the officials. This gathering is a White Lotus assembly for secret preaching, and it’s said some high-ranking members will attend. Jinan’s various branch altars are busy preparing to use this day at Daming Lake to recruit followers.”
Su Jingxi’s brow furrowed even more.
“I don’t know why the Sick Buddha Enemy brought Wu Dingyuan to Jinan, but we have no foundation or helpers here. The best method is to create chaos. The bigger the chaos, the more opportunities we’ll have. This assembly is our best chance to shake up the entire situation. What do you call this? Shake the mountain to startle the tiger, fish in troubled waters!”
Zhu Zhanji’s palm struck the railing heavily.
Before Su Jingxi could ask how to create chaos, Zhu Zhanji was already enthusiastically explaining: “Last night I wrote a letter, which should now be on the desk of Shandong Military Commissioner Jin Rong.”
Su Jingxi was shocked and stepped forward: “Your Highness! Director Yu repeatedly warned you not to reveal your identity to anyone.”
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand impatiently: “How could I not understand this principle? The letter was sent anonymously; he doesn’t know who sent it. It only said one thing: the Buddhist Mother, whom the court has long wished to eliminate, will appear on the shores of Daming Lake. Shandong has experienced White Lotus rebellions before, and officials are most sensitive to such matters. Jin Rong will certainly mobilize troops to search and arrest. When that happens, Liang Xingfu won’t be able to hide, and we’ll have our chance to find Wu Dingyuan.”
The Crown Prince was reusing a tactic Yu Qian had employed in Huai’an.
At this point, he suddenly revealed a cunning smile: “Advisor Su, you don’t know that this move of mine has a deeper meaning; it’s a plan to kill two birds with one stone.”
Su Jingxi was startled – what other schemes did the Crown Prince have?
“Why did Yu Qian tell me not to reveal my identity? Because we don’t know who else is involved in the two capitals’ conspiracy. This anonymous letter can perfectly test Jin Rong’s true loyalty. The White Lotus Sect is one of the main forces in this conspiracy – if he drags his feet and doesn’t arrest the Buddhist Mother, he must be in league with the usurpers. If today the Shandong Military Commission puts full effort into the investigation, it proves he’s clean – then we can reveal ourselves to Jin Rong, and whether it’s rescuing people or heading to the capital, there won’t be any problems.”
Su Jingxi couldn’t immediately find any flaws in this plan, but something still felt amiss. Seeing her prolonged silence, Zhu Zhanji’s face darkened: “Advisor Su, if you see any problems, feel free to speak up. I’ve always been open to advice.”
“Um… no.”
“If there’s no problem, why do you still look troubled? Is it just because this plan was made by me, so it’s not as reliable as Wu Dingyuan’s?”
Su Jingxi noticed his underlying anger and lowered her head. “I was just thinking, what if Jin Rong doesn’t send troops to suppress this, and chaos doesn’t break out – what should we do next?”
Zhu Zhanji gazed at the crowd on the distant south shore and heaved a long sigh. “If by noon the officials haven’t appeared, it means Jin Rong is indeed compromised. Then we’ll head straight back to Wokou Town and rush to Dezhou to meet up with Yu Qian – as for Wu Dingyuan, I’ve done all I can for him, the rest is up to his own fate.”
His voice noticeably wavered on the last sentence, betraying uncertainty. Since things had been said this far, Su Jingxi could only turn her gaze toward Daming Lake’s south shore. It was exactly the hour of Mao, with the rising sun half-suspended in the sky, pure but not dazzling, highlighting the clear mist rising between the lotus leaves on the lake’s surface. There was no sign of the impending chaos.
Meanwhile, Wu Dingyuan found himself deeply confused.
Their group passed the Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion without stopping, instead pushing through the crowded masses to step onto a narrow dyke blooming with pink lotuses. The dyke extended about a hundred paces into the lake before curving back toward shore, forming a hook-shaped islet. Though seemingly close to shore, it was surrounded by water on all sides, isolated from the world – a perfect place for conversation.
Liang Xingfu, being too large, remained at the shore with the wooden cart while the others followed Tang Sai’er to the end of the dyke, where stood a Taihu rock inscribed with four characters: “Washing Feet in Surging Waves.”
“What are we doing here?”
Wu Dingyuan finally couldn’t hold back. Since yesterday, Tang Sai’er had been mysterious. Now that they’d reached the end, surely there would be an explanation?
Tang Sai’er said to Zuo Yehe, “This old woman can’t remember all those verses, you tell him.” Zuo Yehe smiled demurely, gracefully walked before him, and pointed at the water with her willow branch. “The waters of Daming Lake are fed by Jinan’s seventy-two springs, warm in winter and cool in summer. When Zeng Wenzheng governed Qizhou, he once washed his feet here and personally inscribed these four characters. Since then, Jinan’s citizens like to wash their feet here, saying it purifies the heart and extends life.”
Wu Dingyuan didn’t know who Zeng Wenzheng was, hadn’t heard of the “muddy waters of Canglang” reference, and didn’t understand what “washing feet” meant. He snapped impatiently, “Speak plainly!”
Knowing his limited knowledge, Zuo Yehe smiled and said, “This is a local custom, Young Master Wu. Why not experience soaking your feet in the lake?”
Wu Dingyuan frowned – they’d gone to all this trouble just to have him soak his feet in Daming Lake? What kind of joke was this? He wanted to refuse, but unexpectedly, Wu Yulu suddenly laughed beside him, “Brother, you’re not afraid the water’s cold, are you?” Zuo Yehe stroked her shoulder affectionately, “That’s right, besides your brother, there are no other men here. Yulu, why don’t you try first? They say this water beautifies and purifies the heart. Let’s set an example for your brother.”
Wu Yulu’s eyes lit up. She quickly removed her shoes and socks, sat at the dyke’s edge, and dipped her bare feet into the water. She let out a small gasp at first, but soon began splashing her legs, showing absolute contentment. Zuo Yehe, not minding Wu Dingyuan’s gaze, revealed her snow-white calves and sat beside Wu Yulu to soak her feet as well. She even pulled out two oil twists, sharing them with Wu Yulu as they soaked and ate.
Wu Dingyuan sighed inwardly. His little sister was so innocent, completely unaware of the murderous intent around her, thinking this was just recreation. Wu Yulu turned her neck and waved to him with a crisp voice, “Big brother, come down quickly, the water feels wonderful!”
Wu Dingyuan had no choice. He bent down to remove his cloth shoes, pulled off his socks, rolled his trousers to his knees, and stepped into Daming Lake under everyone’s watchful eyes. As soon as his feet entered the water, a cool sensation enveloped them. True to its reputation as water from seventy-two springs, it was refreshingly cool without being cold, dispelling the summer heat without any biting chill.
The lake wasn’t very deep here, barely covering half of Wu Dingyuan’s calves. He had no interest in enjoying it and didn’t want to get close to the two splashing girls, so he stood stiffly in place, as if in a water prison.
After about the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, Tang Sai’er said, “That’s enough, come up.” Wu Dingyuan felt relieved and hurriedly climbed back onto the dyke. As soon as he reached shore, he suddenly noticed another person had appeared beside the Taihu rock.
This was a thin, elderly woman with snow-white hair. She was trembling all over, her chin shaking especially violently as if she’d seen something shocking. But when Wu Dingyuan looked closer, he noticed her eyes were covered with a white film – she was blind from cataracts.
Supported by Tang Sai’er, the old woman shakily walked to Wu Dingyuan’s front, crouched down, and reached for his wet right calf. Before he could lower his trouser leg, her calloused hands touched him, causing a slight scratching sensation. He looked questioningly at Tang Sai’er, who gestured with her eyes to remain calm.
The old woman felt very carefully, particularly focusing on the outer side of his calf, touching it repeatedly. There was a scar there, not very deep but quite long, like a leech clinging to his leg.
Wu Dingyuan didn’t remember when he got this scar. According to Wu Buping, it happened when he was six years old, from playing with an iron ruler. However, after growing up, he had privately compared it and thought a constable’s iron ruler couldn’t have made this kind of scar. As the old woman kept touching it, she suddenly let out several anguished cries: “It’s him! It’s him! It’s him!”
“Who?”
Wu Dingyuan was bewildered, but Tang Sai’er and Zuo Yehe in the water simultaneously showed expressions of relief, as if a great weight had finally been lifted from their hearts. Tang Sai’er looked, asking Wu Yulu to help the emotionally agitated old woman away, and soon only the three of them remained on the narrow dyke.
“How long are you going to keep up this act?” Wu Dingyuan asked irritably.
“No need anymore, everything is clear now.” Tang Sai’er let out a soft breath, her wrinkled face showing a strange expression. She slowly sat down in front of the Taihu rock and patted her leg. “Let this old woman think about how best to tell you, my dead grandson.”
Zuo Yehe said from the side, “Shall I tell him?” Tang Sai’er nodded, “That’s good, you deserve the greatest credit in this matter, you should tell it.”
Wu Dingyuan had no good feelings toward this woman who had killed his father, and only coldly glared at her. Zuo Yehe finished her oil twist, wiped the crumbs from her hands, picked up the half-willow branch from the ground, stuck it in the soil, and formally bowed three times.
“Master Wu, this is a long story. We need to start with the custom of planting willows on the True Martial Lord’s birthday.” Zuo Yehe’s voice was clear, no worse than those songstresses in Qinhuai’s brothels, and her storytelling rivaled the professional storytellers in the entertainment districts. Wu Dingyuan crossed his arms, waiting to see what she would say.
“That year, when the Prince of Yan rebelled in Beiping, his army marched south, and the imperial forces couldn’t resist. He fought in Jinan City but was firmly stopped by one man. This man’s surname was Tie, given name Xuan, courtesy name Dingshi, and he served as Assistant Administrator of Shandong, a loyal minister of great courage. The characters ‘Dingshi’ were personally bestowed by the Hongwu Emperor himself. Tie Xuan lived up to his name Dingshi (meaning ‘tripod stone’); he rallied all Jinan’s military and civilian forces to defend the city. The Yan army attacked for three months, suffering heavy casualties, but couldn’t take the city. Tie Xuan even personally mounted the city walls, displaying the Hongwu Emperor’s spirit tablet and denouncing the Prince of Yan as a usurping thief. Unable to attack or besiege effectively, the Prince of Yan had no choice but to withdraw, never daring to approach Jinan again.”
Wu Dingyuan hadn’t heard this story before, but the name was somewhat familiar. Hearing Zuo Yehe’s telling, he couldn’t help but feel stirred.
“After the Prince of Yan’s retreat, Tie Xuan held a feast at the Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion by Daming Lake to reward the military and civilians who defended the city. Because there were too many attendees, they had to cut down some nearby willows. After the feast, Tie Xuan paid from his pocket to replant them. The people of Jinan were deeply grateful for Tie Xuan’s great kindness, revering him as the city god, and the replanted willows near the pavilion became known as Lord Tie’s Willows.
“But good and evil, loyalty and treachery, had yet to see their final reward. After the Prince of Yan retreated to Beiping, he bypassed Jinan and went south directly. Unfortunately, the emperor and ministers in Jinling were incompetent, and the Yan forces eventually broke through the capital, usurping the throne and establishing the Yongle era. After ascending the throne, the Yongle Emperor’s first act was to dispatch troops to attack Jinan again. Tie Xuan, refusing to surrender but unwilling to endanger the entire city, resolutely led his troops out of the city, fighting in various places, but ultimately was overwhelmed by superior numbers and captured in Huainan the following year. When Tie Xuan was brought to the capital, he showed no fear and cursed loudly at the usurping thieves. The Yongle Emperor had him crushed to death in the marketplace, his day of martyrdom being the twenty-seventh of the fifth month.”
At this point, Zuo Yehe’s voice trembled slightly, seemingly unable to control her emotions. Wu Dingyuan suddenly remembered a game children in Nanjing liked to play, knocking two pieces of Yuhua stone together, calling one Iron Stone and the other Square Stone. He had only known that Square Stone referred to Fang Xiaoru; he hadn’t realized that Iron Stone was Tie Xuan.
“When news of Tie Xuan’s death reached Jinan Prefecture, the entire city was grief-stricken and outraged. But the Yongle Emperor had already sent officials to watch over them, forbidding memorial services or crying. Some scholars came to the Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion, kneeling before Lord Tie’s Willows to secretly burn incense and mourn. When officials came to question them, they claimed they were worshiping the True Martial Lord, and the officials dared not interfere. But the people of Jinan knew in their hearts this wasn’t worship of the deity, but mourning for Tie Dingshi. From then on, every twenty-seventh day of the fifth month, Jinan’s citizens would gather at the Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion to pay respects to Lord Tie. As more people came, citizens began carrying willow branches to plant in the soil along Daming Lake’s shore before kowtowing in worship. Over time, it became a tradition. The people of Jinan’s respect for Lord Tie never wavered, all expressed through these lakeside willows.”
So that’s how it was. Tie Xuan’s reputation in Jinan was so high that even children in Nanjing mentioned him alongside Fang Xiaoru… But then what? What did this story have to do with him? Wu Dingyuan wondered.
Zuo Yehe gave a cold laugh: “Zhu Di was the type to take revenge on entire families. After Lord Tie’s death, his parents were exiled to Danzhou and died there; his eldest son Tie Fu’an was exiled to Hechi for border duty; his second son Tie Fushu became a slave and disappeared; his wife Lady Yang and two daughters were thrown into the official brothels – the entire family was scattered. Even the neighbors and friends of the Tie household were implicated.”
Hearing this, Wu Dingyuan felt a wave of horror. While he didn’t know much about Tie Xuan, he was very familiar with Fang Xiaoru’s story, having even met some who witnessed it. The scene was so brutal that people in Nanjing still discussed it, and Tie Xuan’s family suffering such persecution must have deeply affected the people of Jinan.
Zuo Yehe continued, “What I’ve told so far is known to everyone in Jinan Prefecture. But what I’m about to tell comes from a painstaking investigation from Hongyu.”
At this name, Wu Dingyuan’s eyes flew wide open, and he lunged like a fierce tiger, grabbing Zuo Yehe’s collar tightly. “You… what did you do to her?”
Zuo Yehe frowned, “Oh my, could you let go first? You’re hurting me.”
Wu Dingyuan loosened his grip slightly, but his fingers remained at her delicate neck, ready to snap it at any moment.
Zuo Yehe lifted her chin, smiling slightly: “Remember that night in Nanjing? You kept ruining my plans, and I became curious – how could such an infamous ruffian be capable of disrupting our holy sect’s affairs? I knew that Qin Gu from Fuleyuan had a close relationship with you, so I went to have a chat with her.”
Wu Dingyuan growled deeply, “If you’ve harmed her, I’ll risk my life today to strangle you!”
“Aren’t you curious about what I learned from her?” Zuo Yehe asked. Wu Dingyuan hesitated, unsure whether to squeeze. Zuo Yehe burst out laughing: “You don’t know her at all, or you’d have guessed that I wouldn’t take her life.”
Wu Dingyuan didn’t bother distinguishing truth from lies in her words and urgently asked, “What exactly did Aunt Hong tell you?” For all these years, he had wanted to ask Aunt Hong about his background and hers, but each time she had threatened suicide, leaving him confused. Who would have thought this truth would one day come from an enemy’s mouth?
“Do you know who Hong Yu is? She was originally from Jinan Prefecture. Her mother was a wet nurse in the Tie household, and she helped care for Lord Tie’s young sons and daughters. After the Tie family incident, even this wet nurse’s family was implicated. Hong Yu was only sixteen then, and was escorted to Jinling with the Tie family relatives, all thrown into the official brothels.”
Wu Dingyuan’s hand slowly loosened, and his heart struck with shock. He knew Aunt Hong had been registered in the brothels and had guessed she wasn’t local, but he never imagined such a twisted tale.
“Hong Yu told me a story. In the second year of Yongle, the Tie family relatives and these unfortunate implicated prisoners were escorted a thousand li from Jinan to Jinling, confined in the official brothel compound outside the southwest corner of the Imperial City. That night, the prisoners were suddenly awakened by the guards – the Yongle Emperor had come for a night inspection. That emperor probably wanted to see his enemy’s relatives in their miserable state with his own eyes. He went first to the cell holding Lady Yang, Tie’s wife. But not long after, that cell mysteriously burst into fierce flames. The guards panicked, rushing to extinguish the fire, barely managing to rescue the soot-covered Yongle Emperor.
“What exactly happened in that cell, no one knows. Rumors say Lady Yang had hidden a vial of oil, and when the Yongle Emperor entered the cell, she lit the straw, intending to die together with the usurper. Unfortunately, she failed – the emperor was only frightened, while Lady Yang was severely burned and died from her injuries soon after. Even more mysterious was that Tie Xuan’s youngest son, just six years old, who was in the same cell that night, disappeared without a trace. According to the jailers, the cell’s air window was quite large, and it’s possible the child, seeing the fire, was scared and crawled out through it. The official brothel’s cells were next to the Inner Qinhuai River, and this child most likely drowned and was carried away by the current.”
As Wu Dingyuan listened to this point, his face grew increasingly pale, and his lips began to tremble.
Zuo Yehe glanced at him, her voice becoming clearer: “After Hong Yu was thrown into the brothels, she played the qin at Fuleyuan. In the thirteenth year of Yongle, she accidentally encountered someone in Nanjing city – an old acquaintance.” Zuo Yehe deliberately drew out her words. “This person was originally a constable in Jinan Prefecture, skilled and meticulous. During the Yan army’s siege, he single-handedly eliminated dozens of spies who had infiltrated the city. Tie Xuan personally awarded him an official’s cap and sash, and even intended to arrange his marriage to Hong Yu. Later, when Tie Xuan was forced to leave Jinan, this constable also disappeared.”
“This person… was my father?” Wu Dingyuan released her neck, his arms falling completely.
“His original name was Zhong Eryong, but fearing Yongle’s purge, he concealed his identity and came to Nanjing, assuming the identity of a migrant from Huaixi, changing his name to Wu Buping.” Wu Dingyuan finally understood. No wonder his father, like the Buddhist Mother, liked to curse “dead grandson” when angry – it was a Shandong phrase!
Zuo Yehe continued: “Meeting an old friend in a foreign land should have been fortunate. However, given the circumstances, neither Hong Yu nor Wu Buping could acknowledge each other. They planned never to meet again…”
“Until I suddenly appeared and ruined everything.” Wu Dingyuan’s mouth was bitter. He had originally thought Hong Yu and Wu Buping had a secret affair, and his curiosity led him to investigate deeply, never imagining their relationship was far more complex than he could have imagined.
“Your interference made Hong Yu suspicious. She found an opportunity to meet with Wu Buping and questioned him about you, unexpectedly uncovering a past event: On the night the Tie family was escorted to the capital, Wu Buping had secretly gone to the official brothel. He couldn’t bear to see Lord Tie’s relatives fall into hell but dared not reveal his identity, his heart torn with anguish. In the end, cowardice won out, and he only dared to kowtow and burn paper money from across the Qinhuai River. But halfway through, Wu Buping suddenly saw a strange fire break out in the cell opposite, and a small dark figure slid out through the grating, splashing into the river…”
“Ah, was it Lady Yang’s cell?” Wu Dingyuan exclaimed.
“Correct, that very one. Wu Buping quickly jumped into the water and pulled him out, discovering it was Lord Tie’s youngest child. The child had been burned by the fire then plunged into cold water, and had fainted from fright. Wu Buping carried the child home and secretly called for a famous doctor to treat him, saving his life, though he had lost all memory of his first six years. Wu Buping then claimed the child had grown up in his old home in Huaixi and had just been brought to Jinling to live. From then on, this child lived as Iron Lion’s son – oh yes, the nickname ‘Iron Lion’ was chosen specifically to commemorate Tie Xuan.”
Wu Dingyuan felt something explode in his head, scattering his soul, his limbs and bones, and his consciousness. Yet Zuo Yehe continued triumphantly: “After I learned of this past event, I immediately rushed to Huai’an to stop that madman Liang Xingfu from killing you. Fortunately, I was in time, and managed to bring you whole to Jinan.”
Zuo Yehe was quite pleased with her actions, speaking animatedly. She pointed at the old woman who Wu Yulu had helped away: “You probably don’t recognize her anymore, do you?”
Wu Dingyuan nodded slightly, his expression seemingly stretched to its limit.
“She was a wet nurse in the Tie household back then. Though her eyes are blind now, she clearly remembers that year, when the Prince of Yan attacked Jinan city, a flying stone, came over the city wall into the Tie family’s back garden. She was holding you in the sun, and the stone struck her, injuring her back and your right leg, leaving that scar. After she confirmed that scar just now, the final piece of my puzzle fell into place. What was ninety-nine percent certain is now absolutely confirmed.”
Wu Dingyuan closed his eyes, waiting for the final judgment.
“You are Tie Xuan, Tie Dingshi’s third son. You weren’t originally called Wu Dingyuan, but Tie Fuyuan.”
This name blew away one mystery after another like a strong wind. No wonder he felt inexplicably close to Hong Yu at first sight – she had cared for him as a child… No wonder he had seizures at the sight of fire – surely a condition from the brothel fire… No wonder his father always indulged him… No wonder Aunt Hong refused to tell the truth even unto death – if this secret had leaked out, everyone’s lives would have been in danger…
The truth blew away the fog but also removed the long-sealed protection. Fear deeply buried in memory awakened again, transforming into threads of intense pain spreading like a spider web under Wu Dingyuan’s skull. For over twenty years, he had been confused about who he was, and now that the truth was finally revealed, it brought not relief but stronger torment. He clutched his head, letting out painful groans, almost overwhelmed by the impact.
Zuo Yehe watched him trembling and suddenly said: “Your Tie family was scattered to the winds, but only you were able to grow up normally. Whether Wu Buping or Hong Yu, all those who knew kept quietly protecting you – truly enviable.”
“But you killed them!” Wu Dingyuan suddenly raised his chin, as if only by shouting could he shake off that boundless pain.
Zuo Yehe touched her forehead: “At that time, we each served different masters, and besides, I didn’t intentionally kill Iron Lion – I was still hoping to use him. As for Hong Yu, Young Master Wu – no, Young Master Tie, think calmly. Now that I knew your background, how could I harm Hong Yu’s life?”
These words restored some clarity to Wu Dingyuan: “What does my being Tie Xuan’s son have to do with your White Lotus Sect? Why did you investigate this? Why protect me?”
Tang Sai’er patted Zuo Yehe’s shoulder, indicating she would explain the rest: “Little Errand Boy, don’t you understand? Tie Dingshi’s reputation in Shandong was extraordinary – if his son were to step forward, he could command the masses and win people’s hearts. Our holy sect could rise to new heights.”
“Cooperate with you? First, give back my father’s life!” Wu Dingyuan roared. Whether he was Tie Xuan’s son still didn’t feel real, but Wu Buping’s tragic state before death was firmly imprinted in his heart – this was a blood debt owed by the White Lotus Sect.
Tang Sai’er stared at him: “We will certainly give you an accounting for Wu Buping’s debt. But you are Tie Xuan’s son – even if you won’t help us, surely you won’t protect that Crown Prince?”
Wu Dingyuan’s expression froze. He finally realized that Tie Xuan had been killed by Zhu Di, and Zhu Zhanji was Zhu Di’s grandson – there should be a deep blood feud between him and the Crown Prince. All his desperate efforts in Jinling, Guazhou, and Huai’an had been a huge irony.
“Little Errand Boy, it’s time you recognized who you are,” Tang Sai’er said.
No, something’s wrong! Wu Dingyuan tried to sort out a key point from his chaotic thoughts.
“The Crown Prince is Zhu Di’s grandson, but isn’t the usurper you’re cooperating with also from the imperial family? For me, wouldn’t joining either side mean siding with enemies!”
Tang Sai’er sighed deeply: “Thanks to you, there is no more cooperation. After our plan to hunt the Crown Prince in Jinling failed, that noble one in the north has probably decided to break with us.”
Wu Dingyuan froze. “Break with you?”
“You’ve seen that Xuan’ni Prince. His taking over the assassination mission in Huai’an was the clearest sign. This old woman understands – that these throne struggles are no different from peasant families fighting over inheritance. You’re either allies or mortal enemies, there’s no fence to straddle. The White Lotus Sect failed in its task, sooner or later we’ll be silenced.”
Tang Sai’er smiled bitterly, pinching her brow. “So when I ask for your help, Little Errand Boy, it’s not to help that noble one of the Zhu family seize power, but to help our holy sect survive – karma is truly mysterious. Our sect failed because of you, and now it may live because of you.”
This turn of events was completely unexpected for Wu Dingyuan. He frowned deeply. “Who exactly is this noble one?”
According to Yu Qian’s analysis, behind this great conspiracy spanning both capitals, could only be Zhu Zhanji’s two brothers – either the Prince of Yue or the Prince of Xiangxian. But insufficient intelligence had prevented a definitive conclusion. Though this no longer mattered to Wu Dingyuan now, he still couldn’t help wanting to know.
“There’s no harm telling you now. That noble one is…”
Tang Sai’er had only spoken halfway when her body suddenly stiffened. Wu Dingyuan was horrified to see a long arrow had appeared in the ground by the old woman’s feet. The arrow was about two feet long, with a black four-sided head carved with four blood grooves, and yellow-brown fletching made from bamboo shoot shells – this was a wolf’s tongue arrow, used only by the Ming military elite.
Where had it come from?
As Wu Dingyuan tried to determine the direction, he saw Tang Sai’er’s face suddenly twist into an iron-gray color. She stumbled half a step forward, clutching her chest as she collapsed.
Suddenly, Wu Dingyuan felt a strong sense of unease and quickly dropped to the ground. The next instant, whoosh-whoosh-whoosh, three arrows grazed his scalp and disappeared into the water. If Wu Dingyuan had reacted half a breath later, he would have been turned into a porcupine.
The crisis dispersed Wu Dingyuan’s confusion and chaos. He forcefully raised his head to look toward Daming Lake’s shore, where countless civilians were fleeing east and west, willow branches scattered everywhere. Large groups of soldiers wearing soft armor had rushed to the lakeside, either swinging swords wildly or shooting arrows from a distance. By their uniforms, they appeared to be from the Shandong garrisons, more specifically, the Jinan Guard banner troops.
With his excellent eyesight, Wu Dingyuan quickly realized these government troops weren’t killing indiscriminately – they had a clear purpose of capturing White Lotus followers hidden in the crowd. He saw more than one follower try to escape through the willow grove, only to be either pierced through the heart by arrows or cut down by swords. Crying and shouting arose everywhere, the scene like an exploded anthill.
Zuo Yehe, hiding behind the Taihu rock, anxiously poked her head out: “How’s the Buddhist Mother?” Wu Dingyuan looked – the Buddhist Mother lay motionless on the ground, only her back rising slightly. The arrow hadn’t hit her but seemed to have triggered some kind of heart condition. Unfortunately, Su Jingxi wasn’t here, and they didn’t know how best to treat her.
“How did the troops suddenly come to Daming Lake? Did you leak information?” Wu Dingyuan shouted.
Zuo Yehe said, “Impossible. Only the Buddhist Mother and I knew she was coming to Daming Lake today, not even Liang Xingfu knew.”
Looking again, Wu Dingyuan found the troops’ movements indeed suspicious. If they were targeting the Buddhist Mother, a heavy force should be rushing here to arrest her. But in reality, the troops weren’t paying any special attention to this area – those arrows had just happened to sweep past.
It seemed the troops were indeed targeting the White Lotus Sect, but didn’t know the crucial Buddhist Mother was also at Daming Lake.
The attack came abruptly and mysteriously, but the urgent matter wasn’t understanding why, but quickly escaping this dangerous area. Wu Dingyuan looked around and saw Liang Xingfu and Wu Yulu crouching behind the wooden cart on the other side of the narrow dyke, temporarily safe, while his wet nurse had disappeared, probably frightened away.
Wu Dingyuan smiled bitterly. He didn’t want any involvement with the White Lotus Sect. But circumstances forced his hand – when the troops noticed this area and forgot about himself, Wu Yulu would likely face death. For his sister’s sake, he had to reluctantly cooperate with the White Lotus Sect this once. After observing for a moment, he suddenly had an idea and told it to Zuo Yehe. She was shocked by the plan’s boldness but, being a decisive person, immediately judged it was probably their only way out.
“Stay here and watch over the Buddhist Mother carefully!”
Zuo Yehe gave this instruction before crouching and rushing out from behind the Taihu rock. Risking being targeted by the troops again, she ran quickly across the narrow dyke to the wooden cart. After she said a few words to Liang Xingfu, he didn’t say anything but simply raised both arms and lifted the entire wooden cart.
Liang Xingfu held the cart at an angle, like a massive wooden shield. Wu Yulu and Zuo Yehe hid behind him as they quickly moved toward the Taihu rock. After everyone gathered, Wu Dingyuan looked at Liang Xingfu, expressionlessly explained the plan, and then carried Tang Sai’er on his back.
He did this not out of concern for the Buddhist Mother’s life, but to prevent Liang Xingfu from suddenly going mad. This madman was determined to “help” the Wu family cross over to the Western Paradise, probably only fearing the Buddhist Mother. Carrying her provided a shield.
Liang Xingfu said nothing, flexed his arms, and entered the lake water holding the cart. Then Wu Dingyuan, carrying Tang Sai’er, followed Zuo Yehe and Wu Yulu into the water, gathering near Liang Xingfu. The cart’s structure was very simple – the main body was an open jujube wood box with a wooden wheel underneath. Liang Xingfu turned it upside down, like a large hat covering everyone’s heads, or like holding up a huge oil paper umbrella. When washing his feet earlier, Wu Dingyuan had learned this area of Daming Lake wasn’t very deep. He had everyone submerge their bodies in the water, trying to keep only their heads above water, then told Liang Xingfu to press the cart frame down, letting the main body slowly submerge.
The overturned cart body trapped enough air for the group to use temporarily. They waded forward slowly – outsiders couldn’t see any people, at most only a small overturned wooden wheel and the occasionally visible cart bottom. Moreover, Daming Lake’s lotus leaves stretched as far as the eye could see, making detection even more difficult.
This method was something Wu Dingyuan had heard from Wu Buping as a child. During military marches, when encountering shallow rivers with rapid currents, soldiers would overturn leather boats over their heads, four men to a team, wading across – called “turtle formation.” Being curious, Wu Dingyuan had gathered some friends to try it in the Qinhuai River, and they’d almost been swept away. Wu Buping had been furious, raising his iron ruler to strike, but in the end had sighed, put it down, and gone door to door apologizing to people.
Thinking of this, Wu Dingyuan’s heart ached again, intensifying his hatred for these White Lotus Sect leaders in the cart. Wu Buping had raised him for so many years – this blood debt for killing his father was real and wouldn’t be lessened by learning about his true identity.
If not for Wu Yulu’s presence, he would have considered simply overturning the cart and dying together with these people, saving much trouble. But thinking of Tie Xuan and Hong Yu, he felt anger surge toward the Yongle Emperor, wanting to use the White Lotus Sect for revenge – but this revenge would involve Zhu Zhanji, and thinking of that small incense burner they had sworn over, he became confused again.
Now with the cart overturned underwater, their vision was completely dark. In this cramped, narrow space, everyone’s breathing could be heard clearly, as if observing their internal organs. The Buddhist Mother’s was intermittent; Wu Yulu’s was sobbing and panicked; Liang Xingfu’s was heavy and heaving as he bore over ninety percent of the weight; Zuo Yehe’s nose breathing maintained a steady rhythm, showing no disorder.
And Wu Dingyuan’s breathing was like leaking bellows, irregular in strength and length, fully displaying his internal contradictions.
The chaos at Daming Lake’s shore was only increasing. This time the troops seemed determined to eliminate the White Lotus Sect. They would immediately shoot arrows at anyone slightly suspicious, without even a warning. Beside the archers were large groups with short swords and spears, combing like a fine-toothed comb from Zeng’s embankment to the Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion, not letting even an ant escape.
However, from the Heaven’s Heart Upon Water pavilion westward, the search forces notably weakened, as this section wasn’t part of the “True Martial Lord’s birthday” willow-planting area and had relatively fewer civilians. No one noticed that between the Lake Heart pavilion and the Fan Face pavilion on the vast lake surface, a small round head bobbed up and down, occasionally showing a spine, crossing inconspicuously like a finless porpoise playing in the rippling waves.
Not only did the troops not notice, but even the two people originally on Huibo Tower to the north hadn’t noticed this small detail. All their attention was focused on the Jinan Guard’s movements.
“Advisor Su, look, they’re indeed Jin Rong’s troops!” Zhu Zhanji exclaimed excitedly.
From this height, he could see the Jinan Guard’s forces divided into three groups, converging from the east, southeast, and south, mercilessly sweeping the shores of Daming Lake. From their actions, this was not just going through the motions – obviously, their superiors had given strict orders.
But after watching for a while, Zhu Zhanji suddenly felt something was wrong. He said angrily, “My letter only mentioned the Buddhist Mother – they should just search for her. Who told them to start this indiscriminate killing, harming so many innocents?”
Having learned in Huai’an that most White Lotus followers were just poor people helping each other, seeing the troops’ slaughter made him suddenly regret his rash action. Zhu Zhanji slapped the railing: “Jin Rong is reliable, that’s certain – let’s quickly go find him and have him stop this!” With that, he turned and ran down the tower.
Su Jingxi followed behind her brows slightly furrowed. Though she had reservations about the Crown Prince’s plan, she couldn’t immediately refute it. She could only slowly descend the stairs step by step, hoping to buy time to think things through more carefully.
“Advisor Su, why are you so slow? Hurry! Hurry!” the Crown Prince stood at the bottom of Huibo Tower’s stairs, urging impatiently.
“Your Highness, your arrow wound hasn’t healed. You mustn’t move too vigorously,” Su Jingxi said, stalling.
The Crown Prince touched his right shoulder. “Yesterday while applying medicine, I could already feel the arrowhead. Didn’t you say after two or three more days, it would fall out on its own?”
“This is precisely when we must be most careful.” Su Jingxi had already thought through everything during this brief moment and said, “Your Highness, you’ve lost your jade pendant. How will you convince Jin Rong that you’re the Crown Prince?”
Zhu Zhanji laughed heartily. “Advisor Su needn’t worry about this. I know Jin Rong well. He once served under Emperor Yongle and distinguished himself at Baigou and Puzikou during the Jingnan Campaign. I’ve met him several times in the capital – he’ll recognize me.”
“Zhu Buhua was also a close minister, even more familiar with Your Highness.”
“In the eighteenth year of Yongle, Jin Rong participated in suppressing the White Lotus uprising in Shandong. Besides, look at how ruthlessly he’s dealing with the White Lotus Sect – how can he be compared to that dog traitor Zhu Buhua!” The Crown Prince was displeased.
Su Jingxi observed the Crown Prince’s agitated brow but didn’t press further. Since their flight began, this was his first independent plan. Further questioning might wound the Crown Prince’s fragile pride. So she lowered her hands and said softly, “If that’s the case, please forgive this humble woman for temporarily not accompanying the Eastern Palace.”
The Crown Prince froze, then anger welled up. You’re abandoning your duty just because I won’t take your advice? Su Jingxi brushed aside her fine hair and smiled, “Your Highness misunderstands. I only said temporarily leave, not abandon altogether.”
“Why?”
“How certain are you about this meeting with Jin Rong?”
“If not completely certain, at least ninety percent.”
“Even a ten percent risk cannot be ignored. I volunteer to stay outside precisely to keep another path open for Your Highness. If he proves trustworthy, all will be well; if we encounter that ten percent possibility… at least Your Highness won’t be completely isolated. I can rush to Dezhou to get Zhang Hou and Director Yu to come to your rescue – Your Highness’s precious person requires perfect planning, leaving no room for oversight.”
Hearing how Su Jingxi’s careful consideration was all for his safety, Zhu Zhanji was immediately moved and couldn’t help grabbing her hand, saying, “Advisor Su, you, you’re truly, truly thoughtful of me.” Seeing Su Jingxi’s cheeks flush slightly as she tried to withdraw her hand, he gripped it even tighter.
“Your Highness, your arrow wound hasn’t healed. You mustn’t use force,” Su Jingxi said softly.
The Crown Prince had to let go, saying resentfully, “After we rescue that Wu Dingyuan fellow, he’d better thank us properly.”
After leaving Huibo Tower, they headed straight for the Shandong Military Commissioner’s office. Most of Jinan Prefecture’s government offices were distributed in the east of the city, concentrated in the Fuguan area north of West Gate Street, barely a street away from Daming Lake. Zhu Zhanji and Su Jingxi deliberately avoided the chaotic Zeng’s embankment, heading directly for Fuguan.
At this time, there were few pedestrians on Fuguan Street, but messenger riders passed one after another. Strangely, although the road was covered with a layer of fine yellow earth, there was no dust in the air. Jinan had many springs, and both sides of the streets had dust-suppressing water channels that could regularly sprinkle water to keep the loose soil down. This was rare in the generally water-scarce north – only a naturally blessed place like Jinan Prefecture could afford such luxury.
After walking for a while, they first saw a series of government offices including the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission, Grain Supervision Circuit, Salt Transportation Commission, and Jinan Prefecture Office. Next to the Prefecture Office, they could see a gate opening in a figure-eight shape, with five large red banners in front – impossible to mistake.
Su Jingxi suddenly slowed her pace and pointed to a tea stall by the road. Zhu Zhanji nodded: “I’ll come find you at this shop within half an hour. If there’s no movement after half an hour…” He paused, took out the copper lotus, and handed it to Su Jingxi, “You know what to do.”
After these instructions, Zhu Zhanji walked straight to the gate. The gate guards saw his coarse cloth clothing and started shouting to drive him away. Zhu Zhanji put his hands behind his back: “Go tell your Military Commissioner that the Crown Prince is waiting for him here.”
The guard was startled – in all his years of guard duty, he’d never seen such an imposing visitor. Crown Prince? He looked him over, thinking this person must be mentally ill and quickly grabbed his sword from the nearby rack, full of wariness.
Seeing his stupid behavior, Zhu Zhanji impatiently decided not to waste words and simply shouted: “Jin Si! Come out!”
This shout nearly made the guard drop his sword. Jin Rong was the fourth child in his family, and only close elders would call him Jin Si – almost no one outside knew this. How did this shabby-looking, dark-faced servant know the commander’s childhood name?
“I told you, I’m the Crown Prince. Quickly have Jin Si come to receive me,” Zhu Zhanji repeated.
Even though slow-witted, the guard could tell this person was no ordinary visitor. Whether he was bragging or not wasn’t for a lowly soldier to decide. So he quickly led Zhu Zhanji through the gate. Inside was a huge banner platform with an impressive military banner reading “Royal Command – Shandong Military Commissioner Jin.”
The guard ran to the rear compound to report, leaving Zhu Zhanji standing alone beneath the great banner. It was nearly noon, and the sun was harsh. Yet Zhu Zhanji neither dodged nor avoided it, standing perfectly straight with his chin raised. Since going into exile, he had been hiding his identity, and changing personas, and it had truly stifled him. He decided that for this meeting with Jin Rong, he would stand here clearly and openly with his dignity as Crown Prince.
Laozi said: “To destroy something, one must first raise it; to seize something, one must first give it away.” When the Eastern Palace tutors had explained this, Zhu Zhanji had only half-understood. Now he finally comprehended – if he hadn’t lost his position as Crown Prince, he wouldn’t have truly appreciated its value.
Before long, the sound of chaotic footsteps came from within the gate. First came more than ten armored soldiers with straight swords, then an equal number of spearmen. After reaching the gate, they spread out in a large circle, isolating the surroundings. Then the guards surrounded a long-faced man like stars around the moon as he walked out. He had a long beard on his chin and a high nose bridge – he would have been quite imposing if not for the shallow hollow where his right eye should have been.
“Jin Si!” Zhu Zhanji called out, involuntarily stepping forward to greet him.
But Jin Rong’s expression was stern, and he completely ignored the Crown Prince. Instead, he raised his left arm and commanded in a deep voice: “Men, seize him!”