Meng Jianqing soon understood what Gao Qianhu meant.

Three days later, when the Crown Prince’s concubine selection entered its final round, Meng Jianqing’s sister, Meng Jianhong, got into a dispute with another candidate. In her anger, she injured the other girl, losing the gentle and compliant virtue expected of women. The Crown Prince’s side consort, who was overseeing the selection, condemned her as a “shrew” and eliminated her. Fortunately, Meng Jianqing’s reputation still carried weight, and since the incident arose from the other candidate’s insolent words that insulted Meng Jianhong’s reputation and chastity, no charges were pressed. She was simply sent back to the Meng residence.

When news of Meng Jianhong’s elimination reached them, Gao Qianhu was in the middle of conducting a handover with Meng Jianqing. The Imperial Academy had originally been Gao Qianhu’s responsibility, but since the Crown Prince’s affairs had become busy recently and Gao Qianhu, who had escort duties, was overwhelmed, Shen Guangli had ordered a temporary transfer to the currently idle Meng Jianqing. Upon hearing this news, the corner of Meng Jianqing’s mouth twitched slightly. Gao Qianhu sighed: “Please accept my condolences, Centurion Meng. Your sister is exceptionally talented and beautiful. This small flaw is insignificant.”

Though the phrase “accept my condolences” sounded rather grating, Gao Qianhu’s sigh was quite sincere. Meng Jianqing smiled: “Thank you for your kind words, Gao Qianhu. People face unexpected fortune and misfortune. When truly encountering such matters, one can only accept them with resignation.”

But then another message arrived: Gao Qianhu’s daughter had been discovered by the examining matron to have body odor under her arms and was also eliminated.

Gao Qianhu’s expression immediately darkened. When did Meng Jianqing prepare this move? Body odor… this reason was going too far. Meng Jianqing glanced at him with a half-smile while flipping through documents, lamenting with regret: “It seems both our families’ daughters have no destiny with His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The atmosphere in the hall was very strange, with attendants on both sides keeping their heads down, not daring to make a sound.

This handover between Gao Qianhu and Meng Jianqing took ten days to complete. Either the accounts didn’t match, or documents were incorrect, or else Gao Qianhu was busy with official duties, or Meng Jianqing had other urgent matters and couldn’t accommodate the other party. When the handover was finally completed, both men’s subordinates felt greatly relieved.

When Shen Guangli heard his subordinates’ reports about this cold war, he merely smiled indifferently.

At this time, with spring warming the rivers and pufferfish coming to market, after Shen Guangli finished smiling, he sent invitation cards to both men for dinner. The location was Linjiang Pavilion by Xuanwu Lake, famous for its pufferfish dishes.

The group all changed into casual clothes. Only the three of them sat in the private room, with their escort guards stationed in the adjacent rooms. Looking out the window, the lake surface was broad and the spring breeze gentle – truly a rare scenic treasure.

Gao Qianhu and Meng Jianqing each toasted Shen Guangli first, then toasted each other. Gao Qianhu wore a beaming smile while Meng Jianqing showed respectful demeanor – after all, Gao Qianhu held a higher position and had greater seniority.

After they finished their round of toasts and sat down, Shen Guangli said with a smile: “Today is a private banquet. We won’t discuss official business.”

Shen Guangli indeed only made small talk, though the conversation was gradually steering toward Meng Jianhong and Gao Qianhu’s daughter.

Both Meng Jianqing and Gao Qianhu understood clearly that they had to pass this test today.

But the commotion outside the private room grew louder and louder, causing Shen Guangli to frown. Meng Jianqing listened intently for a while and said, “It’s Imperial Academy students fighting over seats.”

Gao Qianhu smiled slightly: “Centurion Meng is indeed young with a good memory. Having just taken over the assignment, you can already recognize the voices of Imperial Academy students.”

Meng Jianqing also smiled in response: “Gao Qianhu flatters me. I recognized those Southeast Asian students’ voices – their accents are quite distinctive.”

He stood up and opened the door. Across the corridor, he could see the opposite commotion.

The upstairs guests and staff had all run far away, leaving only a group of brawling Imperial Academy students. The seven Southeast Asian students were easily recognizable, all having gleaming brown skin, lean builds, and bright clothing. Their movements were quite agile during the fight. The seven or eight Imperial Academy students facing them were unable to hold their ground.

However, the gazes of all three men fell upon the Imperial Academy student sitting obediently in the corner.

That young man in plain cloth robes, clean and refined, blinked a pair of jet-black eyes and sat there quietly watching the battle.

Shen Guangli observed him for a moment, then turned his inquiring gaze to his two subordinates. Gao Qianhu shook his head apologetically – in the months before the handover, due to escorting the Crown Prince on his inspection of the northwestern frontier, he had stopped managing Imperial Academy affairs. Only after Gao Qianhu shook his head did Meng Jianqing speak: “That’s Chu Bitian.”

Chu Bitian was the youngest son of the president of the Luzon Chinese merchant guild and also Yun Yanjiao’s junior fellow disciple. His birth mother was a daughter of the King of Luzon. Due to his special status, when he first entered the Imperial Academy to study, a file had already been established for him at the Imperial Guard office. However, neither Shen Guangli nor Gao Qianhu had seen him before.

Shen Guangli made a “hmm” sound and studied Chu Bitian thoughtfully, while noting that Meng Jianqing didn’t seem eager to stop this brawl in front of him. Since all three of them showed no indication of action, the other guards dared not act on their initiative. After all, seven or eight out of ten of these Imperial Academy students were official students from various regions, many being sons of local chieftains and tributary kings with delicate identities that were inconvenient to handle rashly.

Did Meng Jianqing want to carefully observe the true nature of these Imperial Academy students?

While he was pondering, someone suddenly shouted from downstairs: “Boss, right here! Let’s hurry!”

Following that, several more Imperial Academy students rushed upstairs. Once they joined the melee, the seven Southeast Asian students began to panic. Among the newcomers, one person struck particularly fast and ruthlessly, especially drawing attention. Gao Qianhu said that the person was named Duan Siming, a descendant of the former Dali royal family’s Duan clan. He had excellent character, was accomplished in both literature and martial arts, and came from a good family background, naturally making him somewhat arrogant. Since entering the Imperial Academy, he had always been a source of great headaches for the instructors. The sons of Yunnan and Guizhou chieftains and tributary kings in the Imperial Academy had always followed Duan Siming’s lead. Naturally, this also multiplied Duan Siming’s opportunities to instigate fights, making him a key focus of Imperial Guard attention.

Now the situation was becoming one-sided, yet Chu Bitian remained a bystander. Both Shen Guangli and Gao Qianhu looked at Meng Jianqing. Chu Bitian appeared so quiet and well-behaved – had Meng Jianqing already warned him not to cause trouble at the Imperial Academy? After all, Chu Bitian could be considered one of Meng Jianqing’s people, and if he caused problems, Meng Jianqing wouldn’t be able to handle the situation well.

However, Chu Bitian was quickly drawn into the melee and unexpectedly began a one-on-one fight with Duan Siming, much to the students’ surprise.

The accompanying students stood on both sides, eagerly cheering and stomping so hard the floorboards shook.

Shen Guangli, who had been sitting opposite watching the battle with great interest, secretly frowned inwardly. Gao Qianhu laughed: “Centurion Meng, when two tigers fight, one must surely be injured.”

Meng Jianqing smiled and walked out.

When the Burmese sword and golden chain clashed again, they were deflected by Meng Jianqing’s Hundred-Fold Sword.

Upon seeing him, Chu Bitian was startled and hastily put away his golden chain, retreating with an embarrassed smile. Duan Siming hadn’t expected someone to deflect both his and Chu Bitian’s weapons with one strike. He raised his eyebrows, about to ask questions, when Meng Jianqing had already raised an identity plaque. Duan Siming had dealt with the Imperial Guard for quite some time and recognized the plaque. He was momentarily stunned before involuntarily sliding his Burmese sword back into his boot.

The group of excited Imperial Academy students had all quieted down now, staring blankly at Meng Jianqing.

Meng Jianqing said little, only having them compensate the shop for damages before letting them leave. As Duan Siming and Chu Bitian went downstairs, they looked at each other, both sensing the other’s anxiety, not knowing what punishment awaited them. They felt a sense of shared misfortune, and looking at each other again, found each other more agreeable.

The three men upstairs watched them leave, all noticing the subtle atmosphere of friendship born from the conflict between Duan Siming and Chu Bitian. Shen Guangli smiled: “This Duan Siming, though somewhat arrogant, is quite straightforward and understanding. He shouldn’t be difficult to get along with. His family background and character are both good, and I hear he’s not yet betrothed. Jianqing, do you find him acceptable?”

Meng Jianqing was stunned. Gao Qianhu laughed: “You’ve been quite interested in matchmaking recently, sir.”

In this brief interruption, Meng Jianqing had quickly composed himself and bowed in reply: “Duan Siming is indeed excellent. If you’re willing to honor us by serving as matchmaker, Jianqing would be delighted to comply.”

Shen Guangli continued: “Gao Ping, you wouldn’t think I’m being partial, would you?”

Gao Qianhu replied with a smile: “I wouldn’t dare. My daughter is too frail compared to Centurion Meng’s young lady. She really wouldn’t match well with Duan Siming.”

Meng Jianqing glanced at him. Gao Qianhu’s words seemed to hint at Meng Jianhong’s reputation as a “shrew.”

Shen Guangli smiled: “Since your daughter is delicate, naturally, you should choose a scholarly gentleman for her. Duan Siming has a cousin named Duan Sicong, a famous talent in Yunnan. He’s been traveling and studying abroad for the past two years, but will soon enter the Imperial Academy to study. When the time comes, you might take a look. If you’re interested, I’d be very willing to serve as the man’s grand matchmaker again. You two are both my capable assistants, so naturally I must treat you equally to avoid others’ mockery, don’t you think?”

With Shen Guangli speaking so plainly with a half-smile, Meng Jianqing and Gao Qianhu had to make appropriate responses, exchanging toasts and appearing to be heart-to-heart with past grievances forgotten. However, both couldn’t help thinking that by marrying their daughters to the same place, there would inevitably be various frictions in the future – perhaps this was exactly what Shen Guangli was happy to see.

However, these two marriages chosen by Shen Guangli would likely be considered marrying above their station in the world’s view, if not for Shen Guangli personally serving as matchmaker…

Gao Qianhu had to patrol the Crown Prince’s residence that evening and didn’t dare drink too much, so he took leave early. After he left, Shen Guangli looked at Meng Jianqing: “Speak your mind.”

Meng Jianqing smiled: “Jianqing originally thought you would choose Chu Bitian for Gao Qianhu.”

If balance was to be maintained, how could only he alone have close relations with the Overseas Immortal Mountain?

Shen Guangli replied indifferently: “Gao Ping’s daughter, though she has some literary reputation, matches Duan Sicong well enough, but to match Chu Bitian, a promising young master from a prestigious family who cultivates both literature and martial arts, she’s still somewhat lacking.” He turned his gaze to Meng Jianqing: “To win over such first-class talent, one must give him the best people and the best things.”

The implication was that Meng Jianqing was his most outstanding subordinate, which was why he was used to court the Yun family, or that Meng Jianqing also counted as first-class talent, making him worthy of Shen Guangli’s proposal to the Yun family on his behalf.

Shen Guangli rarely praised subordinates so directly. Meng Jianqing felt somewhat at a loss and could only remain silent.

But Shen Guangli continued: “Don’t think no one can see through the tricks you and Gao Ping played this time.”

Meng Jianqing’s heart tightened. He initially wanted to defend himself, but then changed his mind, saying quietly: “Jianqing knows his error.”

He knew well that Shen Guangli always detested subordinates’ deception.

Shen Guangli studied him for a long while and sighed softly: “It seems these past two years have been too smooth for you, making you somewhat complacent.”

Knowing that Shen Guangli was discussing these matters with him face-to-face meant he wouldn’t handle the matter separately, and Meng Jianqing’s tense nerves relaxed slightly. He raised his head: “Your keen observation is correct. Jianqing indeed still needs tempering.”

Shen Guangli rotated the wine cup in his hand and sighed again: “It seems I, too, have grown somewhat old and soft-hearted these past two years. Had this been two years ago, both you and Gao Ping would have been sent to the Criminal Investigation Department by now.”

Meng Jianqing dared not speak further, lest he misspeak.

After seeing off Shen Guangli, he remembered he had forgotten to ask about one doubt.

Duan Siming was considered a tribal prince’s son. The court had always been lenient toward these chieftains and tributary kings. If Duan Siming truly refused to give Shen Guangli face, Shen Guangli probably couldn’t rashly use his authority to pressure him. Why then had his tone been so certain?

However, his doubt was soon answered.

Half a month later, entering the Imperial Academy along with Duan Sicong was also a group of northwestern tribal princes’ sons, including Jiang Wuji, whose uncle was the Luohe Qiang King. To show imperial favor, the court enfeoffed a batch of officials’ daughters as county princesses and bestowed marriages upon several unmarried tribal princes’ sons, including Jiang Wuji, Duan Siming, and Duan Sicong. The one bestowed in marriage to Jiang Wuji was naturally Shen Muchen.

It was said that when the Hongwu Emperor reviewed the list, he smiled and said that Monk Shen finally showed some human feelings this time, knowing to consider both public and private interests for his daughter’s sake. Naturally, no one dared spread such words.

At this point, the stone of worry in Meng Jianqing’s heart finally settled, and he supposed Gao Qianhu felt the same.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but privately wonder about Shen Guangli’s behavior. What exactly did Shen Guangli want to do? Why would he make such uncharacteristic arrangements?

The imperial marriage edict caught Duan Siming completely off guard, while Chu Bitian was quite pleased, feeling his friendship with Duan Siming had deepened another layer. Duan Siming felt both depressed and puzzled – depressed because he had no choice in the matter, having delayed with his pickiness only to receive an imperial marriage decree; puzzled because his information sources were quite good, and he knew that Meng Jianqing’s beautiful sister had been on the Crown Prince’s candidate list earlier. How had she ended up falling to him? Had she been pushed out by someone? With Meng Jianqing’s capabilities, how could he just watch his sister be pushed out? In any case, the Crown Prince’s residence was surely a path to success, wasn’t it?

Three days after the imperial marriage decree was issued, news spread of the Crown Prince’s serious illness.

In April, Crown Prince Zhu Biao died of illness.

Duan Siming’s first reaction upon hearing this news was: With the Crown Prince’s death, the Ming’s situation would surely change dramatically.

Chu Bitian’s first reaction was: Fortunately, Meng Jianqing had betrothed his sister to Duan Siming; otherwise, she would have become a widow now. Perhaps this could be considered a blessing in disguise.

The next news left them stunned.

The Hongwu Emperor decreed that all childless concubines and attendants in the Crown Prince’s residence should be buried alive with him.

Burial sacrifice… hadn’t such barbaric and cruel customs long been abolished in the Central Plains? Hadn’t Confucius said in his time that even using human figurines for burial was an unforgivable crime?

Strangely, Duan Siming had another thought: With Meng Jianqing’s well-informed network, had he known early that the Crown Prince would have problems, which was why he took a loss to have his sister removed from the selection list?

He looked at Chu Bitian, who was thinking the same thing.

If this were true, Meng Jianqing was truly audacious. If the Hongwu Emperor knew of this, he would probably think Meng Jianqing had long determined the Crown Prince would die soon, which was why he found ways to remove his sister from the Crown Prince’s selection list. With the Hongwu Emperor’s current grief, Meng Jianqing would certainly meet a bad end…

The two dared not continue their speculation.

Mourning for the Crown Prince was a state affair. The entire Imperial Guard was mobilized, and all other matters were temporarily suspended. Meng Jianqing happened to be assigned to patrol shifts with Gao Qianhu. During the midnight shift change, their eyes met and paused. Gao Qianhu said, “Your sister’s wedding is approaching. When will you invite us for a congratulatory drink?”

Meng Jianqing replied: “Gao Qianhu’s cup of wine certainly cannot be forgotten.”

Gao Qianhu squinted at him: “You’ll settle accounts with me for just one cup of wine?”

Meng Jianqing remained unmoved: “I will continue to strive to be a worthy opponent for Gao Qianhu.”

Gao Qianhu was stunned and stared at him for a long while before suddenly sighing: “Exactly, exactly. Some matters truly can only be handled by one’s opponents!”

Watching him quietly leave, Meng Jianqing leaned back in his chair and exhaled deeply, staring at the ceiling beams in a daze. The lamplight flickered, casting unclear shadows on his face.

With the Crown Prince’s passing, countless overt and covert personnel matters would be affected.

The mountain rain was coming, and the wind filled the building.

In the ninth month of the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu, the Hongwu Emperor established the Crown Prince’s legitimate son, Yunwen, as Imperial Grandson. Imperial Guard Commander Shen Guangli requested to become a monk and travel to the snowy mountains of Usang for cultivation, praying for the Imperial Grandson’s welfare. This move by Shen Guangli disrupted countless people’s overall plans.

In the twenty-sixth year of Hongwu, the new Imperial Guard Commander Jiang Ye accused General Lan Yu of treason. Over fifteen thousand people were implicated and executed. The Hongwu Emperor immediately decreed: “No internal or external prisons shall report to the Imperial Guard; all cases, large and small, must go through the judicial departments.” The once all-powerful Imperial Guard quietly vanished.

In the twenty-seventh year, the Hongwu Emperor killed Marquis of Dingyuan Wang Bi, Marquis of Yongping Xie Cheng, and Duke of Ying Fu Youde. In the twenty-eighth year, he killed the Duke of Song, Feng Sheng. By this point, those in the court and military who held high positions and a great reputation, who were brave and strong, and whom the young emperor would find difficult to control in the future, had been eliminated.

In the thirty-first year, fifth month, the Hongwu Emperor died of illness. The Imperial Grandson ascended the throne and changed the era name to Jianwen the following year.

Meng Jianqing had been transferred to Qin Youming’s department when Shen Guangli became a monk and Jiang Ye took over, assisting Qin Youming in managing the storehouse, effectively being sidelined. No one found this surprising. With each new emperor came new officials. As Shen Guangli’s capable assistant with no connection to Jiang Ye, Meng Jianqing’s sidelining was expected. That Jiang Ye transferred Meng Jianqing to serve under Qin Youming, who had been close to him and would not make things difficult for him, could be said to show sufficient respect for Shen Guangli.

When the Imperial Guard office was abolished, the storehouse was transferred to the Yingtian Prefecture Rear Army Commander’s Office. When Emperor Jianwen ascended the throne, Qin Youming resigned due to old age and illness, and Meng Jianqing succeeded him, promoted to Chiliarch. At the same time, Zhang Dasheng was promoted to Rear Army Commander, and Yun Yanran was formally appointed as Admiral of the Fujian Navy.

When the promotion orders were issued, Prince Yan raised troops in Beiping under the banner of “clearing the imperial side,” beginning the Jingnan Campaign.

Yun Yanran, focused on training his navy, returned to Fujian after his duty report without commenting on front-line military affairs.

Meng Jianqing remained guarding the storehouse, quietly watching the Yan forces sweep southward from the north through Qilu territory like a crushing force.

In the spring of the second year of Jianwen, after another major defeat of the southern army, the desperate Ministry of War mentioned to Emperor Jianwen the Imperial Guard he had always detested, believing that though the Imperial Guard was not an honorable force, military strategy involved deception, and the Imperial Guard as an auxiliary force should still be competent.

Emperor Jianwen hesitated for a long while before instructing that the Imperial Guard’s name could not be revived.

This name that struck fear into the people’s hearts was equally distasteful to Emperor Jianwen.

The Ministry of War understood and made arrangements accordingly.

Meng Jianqing’s name, dormant for several years, was the first to be brought up.

Compared to other experienced but increasingly conservative senior Imperial Guard officials, Meng Jianqing’s record proved he had more courage and ability to break formations and kill generals. Those ambitious young newcomers lacked his experience.

When Meng Jianqing received the imperial decree and walked out of the storehouse, he looked up at the vast sky, high and clear with clouds, light, northern geese flying south. For a moment, he felt his heart as broad as the sky itself.

The Ministry of War’s Left Vice Minister, examining his composed demeanor and the gleaming light in his eyes, suddenly thought of two unrelated phrases: “A fierce tiger emerging from its cage, the sky high enough for birds to fly.”