Liu Chaoming neither confirmed nor denied: “Just planting a couple of hidden pieces.”

Zhu Yiheng said, “As far as I know, since you and Fourth Brother formed your alliance ten years ago, aside from acting three times because of the jade pendant, you’ve always kept your hands clean. Now the final jade pendant fragment remains in Fourth Brother’s hands. What exactly moved you to finally decide to stand on Fourth Brother’s side?”

Liu Chaoming said indifferently, “That’s my business. What concern is it of yours?”

“Then let this prince guess.” Zhu Yiheng said, “Is it because on the day the Zhaojue Temple incident occurred, Lord Liu allowed personal feelings to have Su Shiyu deliver a message, nearly ruining everything, yet afterward Fourth Brother not only didn’t blame you but returned the third jade fragment after you salvaged the situation?

“Or perhaps because when Thirteen fled the Eastern Palace and Su Shiyu was in danger, you risked your life to help her and were ultimately saved from peril by Fourth Brother?”

As Zhu Yiheng spoke, he smiled and frowned, shaking his head. “But based on this prince’s understanding of you, you wouldn’t change your true intentions over a matter of ‘sentiment.’ Therefore, neither of the above reasons is correct. Ah, is it because at the beginning of this year, at the optimal moment to seize the throne, Fourth Brother chose not to remain in the palace to fight with Zhu Zhaowei and Zhu Nanxian, but resolutely went to war to defend the northern frontier, and thus moved you?”

Liu Chaoming made no sound.

“It seems this prince guessed correctly. On the day Fourth Brother departed for the campaign, you came to see him off, indicating you ultimately recognized Fourth Brother and became his complete and thorough ally?”

Hearing the words “complete and thorough ally,” Liu Chaoming curled his lips into a mocking smile: “You’re gravely injured, confined here by Zhu Nanxian. Your life and death rest entirely on Zhu Nanxian’s whim—you’re no different from a dead man. What’s this talk of allies?”

Hearing this, Zhu Yiheng wasn’t angered.

He knew that when Zhu Yushen formed his alliance with Liu Chaoming years ago, he had made Liu Chaoming three promises.

Later, when Zhu Yushen mentioned to him the agreement with Liu Yun, he had said something—the ten-year agreement is actually a scheme. Among the thousand officials in court, there are many with ambition and wisdom, yet only Liu Yun is truly unique. With this ten-year agreement, what this prince schemes for is Liu Yun alone.

At the time, Zhu Yiheng had asked Zhu Yushen: if it’s a scheme, then are the three promises Fourth Brother made to Liu Yun bait?

Zhu Yushen answered: No. A promise is a promise. This prince will keep them for life.

“When do you plan to make your move?” Zhu Yiheng didn’t continue the previous topic but asked instead.

Liu Chaoming said, “I don’t plan to make a move yet.”

“Why?” Zhu Yiheng said in surprise. “At the beginning of the year, Fourth Brother already missed an excellent opportunity by deciding to campaign. Now Zhu Nanxian is personally leading the campaign, Su Shiyu is on a diplomatic mission. You need only lay plans for half a year, launch a palace coup before they return, and seize power. As for military forces, you needn’t worry. I—”

“As you yourself said, Zhu Nanxian is now campaigning, Su Shiyu is on a diplomatic mission.” Liu Chaoming interrupted before he could finish.

Zhu Yiheng immediately understood.

The nation was wounded, external threats were grave. At such a time, it would not be beneficial to add internal troubles.

Zhu Yiheng smiled slightly. “Another good opportunity will be missed.”

After a while, he asked again, “Then why are you planting people at this time? Thirteen is now Emperor. Aren’t you afraid of arousing his suspicion?”

But as soon as this question left his mouth, he suddenly realized, “Thirteen already suspects you?”

Liu Chaoming was quiet for a moment, then said, “Since bringing troops back, Zhu Nanxian hasn’t rested. His mind is exceptionally clear—he sees through many things more deeply than others. Yesterday when discussing the candidate for Right Vice Minister of Rites, Zeng Youliang proposed Shu Wenlan. Of the seven ministers, aside from Shen Qingyue, the rest had no objections. When the memorial reached the imperial desk, Zhu Nanxian only wrote two characters: ‘Improper.'”

Zhu Yiheng thought briefly. “He guessed that when you used the forged edict to deceive Zhu Zhaowei, the forgery was written by Shu Yu imitating the late Emperor’s handwriting.”

Liu Chaoming said, “Since he could stab you in front of all the ministers in Fengtian Hall, it means regarding the events at the Palace Front Hall and Zhaojue Temple—who laid the plans, who knew what—he already has the answers. He’s simply held back from moving against the Fourth Prince due to the northern frontier warfare.”

“So he’s not moving against you now because state affairs and people’s livelihood cannot do without you?” Zhu Yiheng said, laughing. “Then you’re truly wronged. Truthfully, over these years you haven’t been heavily involved in factional struggles—you only acted a few times because of the jade pendant alliance. But in the past six months, Thirteen has experienced the deaths of Zhu Minda, Zhu Zhaowei, and Zhu Qiyue, endured countless hardships. The brutal cruelty of succession struggles has left deep marks on his heart. He knows well that one realm cannot contain two princes who wish to inherit the throne. Your previous actions—he will inevitably categorize you as part of Fourth Brother’s faction. Regardless of whether you explain, as an emperor, he will never trust you.”

Seeing him circle back to talking about himself, Liu Chaoming grew quite impatient and stood up. “If Chen Jinsheng isn’t the Fourth Prince’s man, then this official will use my own people.”

“He is.” Zhu Yiheng said. “Moreover, this prince can give you some inside information. In earlier years when I planted informants, I placed several in various departments and offices. To prevent mishaps, many lines have long been removed, but there are one or two that have remained hidden, never used. One of them later grew quite close to Su Shiyu. Their friendship is genuine, not directed by this prince, so it will absolutely not arouse suspicion from Su Shiyu’s faction. In these critical times, if Lord Liu can use him, then use this chess piece as well—Zhou Ping, currently Vice Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture.”

After Zhu Nanxian saw off Shen Jun and returned, another guard now followed him—Qin Ruo.

Qin Sang and Qin Ruo were two brothers who had followed Zhu Nanxian since childhood. Eight years ago when Shen Jun married Zhu Yushen as his consort and traveled far to Beiping Prefecture, no one in the Eastern Palace felt at ease. So Zhu Nanxian gave these two personal guards to Shen Jun, having them obey only the Fourth Prince Consort’s commands and protect her completely no matter what.

At the beginning of this year, during the Zhaojue Temple incident when the late Crown Prince and Crown Princess died tragically, the hundred-plus troops Shen Jun brought back to the capital were led by Qin Sang and Qin Ruo. The night Zhu Nanxian fled the Eastern Palace, Shen Jun sent Qin Sang to escort him. Now that Zhu Nanxian had succeeded as Emperor and Qin Sang had become the new Emperor’s personal guard, when Shen Jun was to return to Beiping, unable to bear separating the Qin brothers, she left Qin Ruo behind.

Chief Eunuch Wu Chang of Fengtian Hall saw Zhu Nanxian and came forward to bow. “Your Majesty, this morning Lord Liu came to deliver memorials with preliminary decisions attached and said he had matters to discuss with Your Majesty. Should this old servant summon him for an audience now?”

As Zhu Nanxian walked, he said, “Yes, summon him to Jinshen Hall.”

Wu Chang added, “Commander Liang of the Prefectural Guards has been waiting outside Fengtian Hall, saying he has urgent matters to report to Your Majesty. Should he also be summoned to Jinshen Hall?”

Hearing this, Zhu Nanxian’s steps paused.

The twelve Imperial Guard units were managed by the Northern Encampment and the Guard Command. Even with matters of uncertainty, they would first ask Zuo Qian or Shi Fei. They wouldn’t ordinarily come to him.

The Prefectural Guards? Currently, the most difficult matter in the Prefectural Guards’ hands was guarding Zhu Yiheng.

Zhu Nanxian nodded. “Summon Liang Tian as well.”

Jinshen Hall was the imperial study. Liang Tian had just finished reporting matters to Zhu Nanxian when Wu Chang announced from outside: “Your Majesty, Lord Liu has arrived.”

Zhu Nanxian glanced at Liang Tian and ordered him to stand aside before saying, “Admit him.”

After Liu Chaoming entered the hall and performed his courtesies, he handed the memorials in his hands to You Zi, who then presented them at the imperial desk.

Zhu Nanxian opened a memorial and said as he read, “I heard that Minister Liu has matters to discuss with me?”

Liu Chaoming replied, “Your Majesty, this subject heard from Minister Shen yesterday that Your Majesty has decided to temporarily shelve the matters of reorganizing the Shenji Camp and establishing the Modao Guard?”

Zhu Nanxian’s movements paused. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I don’t wish to shelve them, but state finances are tight, warfare has not ceased, and establishing the Modao Guard requires enormous expenditure. Everything has its priorities.”

Liu Chaoming said, “But this subject believes that border warfare continues because the court lacks the strength to crush the enemy in one blow. Only by strengthening military defenses and making enemy raiders temporarily not dare to harass our borders can we gain respite to recuperate. This subject knows that the Shenji Camp and Modao Guard have considerable costs. Could Your Majesty first establish the national policy and slowly reorganize and establish them?”

Zhu Nanxian said, “Once a national policy is established, it should be implemented. Since you heard of this matter from Shen Qingyue, he must have told you that to obtain sufficient funds, we can only increase levies and add taxes. People’s livelihoods are difficult, bandits are rampant everywhere. How can I raise taxes at such a time?”

Liu Chaoming said, “One reason for the difficulty in people’s livelihoods is that at the beginning of the Jingyuan era, to increase finances, private land ownership and consolidation became severe. Many farming households had no land to cultivate. Though reforms were later ordered, they were never truly implemented. Combined with years of natural disasters, we’ve reached today’s situation. Your Majesty need not actually increase taxes—you can use land as the unit of assessment rather than household registration.”

“That would be changing national policy.” Zhu Nanxian supported his forehead and thought. “Once national policy changes, dissenting voices will inevitably rise from all quarters. Moreover, how to change it, what regulations to determine—all require careful deliberation. Not to mention the enormous upheaval, there’s no guarantee of good results.”

Reaching this point, Zhu Nanxian said, “Minister Liu’s proposal—once the northwest warfare eases, I will consider it carefully.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Liu Chaoming bowed to Zhu Nanxian and then prepared to take his leave.

When he had retreated to the entrance of Jinshen Hall, Zhu Nanxian suddenly called out, “Minister Liu.”

He came out from behind the imperial desk, walked up to Liu Chaoming with his hands clasped behind his back. “In two days, I must personally campaign. Afterward, state affairs will greatly trouble Minister Liu. I know Minister Liu is someone who keeps promises. Since I’ve summoned you here today, may I ask you to make me one promise?”

“Your Majesty, please speak.”

“I want you to help me safeguard the realm and its people.”

Liu Chaoming cupped his sleeves and bowed. “Your Majesty’s wish is also this subject’s wish.”

Zhu Nanxian looked at Liu Chaoming. After a long moment, he suddenly smiled. “Good. I trust Minister Liu.”

After Liu Chaoming left Jinshen Hall, Zhu Nanxian stood in the distance for a moment before turning back, hands clasped behind him.

When he sat down again at the imperial desk, the smile on his face had completely vanished. “Liang Tian, did you have someone bring the two palace maids serving Zhu Yiheng in the Orchid Garden this morning?”

“Your Majesty, they’ve been brought.”

In a moment, the two palace maids were escorted by guards and knelt prostrate in Jinshen Hall.

Zhu Nanxian asked, “I heard that today the Imperial Censor Liu from the Censorate went to visit my tenth brother?”

“Your, Your Majesty, yes.” The two palace maids dared not raise their heads and answered trembling.

“Oh, then what did they say?”

Hearing this question, one palace maid trembled violently all over. The other answered, “Your Majesty, they said nothing, nothing at all. Lord Liu only inquired about the Tenth Prince’s condition.”

Hearing this, Zhu Nanxian’s expression gradually grew cold.

After a moment, he slammed the jade ruler in his hand onto the imperial desk. The resounding bang startled all the guards and eunuchs in the hall into kneeling together.

“Zhu Yiheng’s capabilities truly reach the heavens!” Zhu Nanxian said in fury.

Even the palace maids he had casually placed in the Orchid Garden could be Zhu Yiheng’s people.

No one in the hall dared respond. After a moment, Qin Sang asked, “Your Majesty, shall this humble subject take these two for interrogation?”

“Interrogate what?” Zhu Nanxian said. “They must know nothing—they’re merely telling lies to deceive me.”

He waved his hand impatiently. “Drag them out and beat them to death with rods.”

Zhu Nanxian raised his hand to rub his brow. After sitting quietly at the imperial desk for a moment, he suddenly said, “All of you, leave.” Then, to the one person who remained, Qin Sang, he said, “Bring me my private seal.”

Every emperor, besides the imperial jade seal, had his own private seal for use when drafting secret edicts to verify authenticity.

The secret edict by which the former Emperor Jingyuan established Zhu Nanxian as Crown Prince bore his private seal, which was why no one questioned it.

Now that Emperor Jinan was using his private seal, he must be drafting a secret edict.

Zhu Nanxian unrolled a bright yellow edict. When his brush touched paper, his gaze was as calm as if he were merely copying fine calligraphy.

When Qin Sang received the edict from his hands and looked at it, he was shocked and horrified.

“I now personally campaign, with no time for state affairs. To prevent treacherous officials from usurping power and the court losing balance, I specially order my personal guard Qin Sang to hold my崔嵬 sword. During my campaign, should Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Chaoming commit any act of rebellion, by this secret edict, execute him without mercy.”