(Two Years Later)
At the end of summer, during the hour of yin, a mass of bright white appeared on the horizon—it was the break of dawn, yet the lamps inside Liuzhao Pavilion had been burning all night.
Vice Censor-in-Chief Yan Xiu stood outside the pavilion, holding this morning’s newly obtained gazette, military reports, and urgent correspondence, lightly knocking on the door.
“Come in.” After a moment, a cold, clear voice came from inside the pavilion.
Yan Xiu pushed the door open and entered: “Minister Liu, today the Office of Transmission and the Ministry of War simultaneously sent several urgent letters.”
Liu Chaoming was reviewing memorials. He lifted his brush and dipped it in ink, not raising his head: “Tell me the important ones.”
“Yes.” Yan Xiu said, “Huguang has repeatedly suffered peach blossom floods in recent years. After the Grand Secretariat decided to rebuild the embankments, the people the Ministry of Works sent to inspect the river dikes have sent back to the capital the estimated costs for repairs—one million five hundred thousand taels more than projected.”
Liu Chaoming’s brush didn’t stop: “Has Shen Qingyue been informed?”
“Minister Shen has already been notified. Minister Shen’s response said that he will send people from the Ministry of Revenue to Wuchang Prefecture for this matter. However, since this matter is of great importance, he still had your subordinate come inform the Chief Grand Secretary.”
Liu Chaoming said: “Understood.”
This was the tacit understanding that had long existed between Shen Xi and Liu Chaoming.
Since the ninth month of the first year of Jin’an, when Zhu Nanxian reorganized the Grand Secretariat and appointed them as Chief and Assistant Grand Secretaries, over the past two years, all government affairs related to civil administration and financial resources had mostly been handled first by Shen Xi. Beyond this, if matters involved criminal case reviews, official performance evaluations, or military and political affairs, such memorials would be delivered first to Liu Chaoming’s desk.
Yan Xiu continued: “Two months ago, His Majesty achieved great victory by crushing the two hundred thousand troops led by Damur, the Third Prince of Chili. Now he has led the Northwest New Army in pursuit beyond Liusha Pass, once again defeating Damur’s ‘Iron Eagle Division.’ The Grand Secretariat already sent a letter of congratulations to His Majesty in the fifth month. Should we send another letter now?”
Hearing these words, Liu Chaoming’s brush paused slightly.
Zhu Nanxian truly was a rare military talent.
Two years ago, after he traveled light and simple to arrive in the Northwest, Damur took advantage of his lack of time to rest and reorganize, assembling one hundred thousand troops to launch a general assault on Liangzhou Guard. At that time, the Northwest was at the height of military grievances. Zhu Nanxian executed three commanders in a single night to severely restore military discipline, then took advantage of the cold weather to have soldiers pour cold water on the city walls. The cold water froze instantly, making the walls slippery and difficult to climb, successfully blocking the siege. He then gathered ten thousand archers to rain arrows down, wearing down Damur’s one hundred thousand troops considerably before personally leading light cavalry out of the city. In one decisive push, his smaller force defeated the larger enemy, achieving victory in the first battle and greatly boosting morale in the Northwest army.
The following spring, Damur regrouped four hundred thousand troops and returned. Although Zhu Nanxian was defeated in this battle, he also severely damaged the Iron Eagle Division, buying time to wait for reinforcements. In the following two months, the Ministry of War and the Commandery rapidly integrated the North Main Camp garrison and military guards from various posts to campaign in the Northwest. Zhu Nanxian named this force the Northwest New Army and led them in a surprise attack on the Iron Eagle Division occupying Liangzhou Guard, winning a great victory and recapturing the strategic location of Liangzhou.
From then on, the two sides clashed repeatedly, with the Northwest New Army winning more than losing. Until this year, the fifth month of the third year of Jin’an, Zhu Nanxian utterly defeated Chili’s two hundred thousand troops at Shazhou Guard and led his forces in pursuit beyond the pass, dealing the enemy bandits a painful blow.
Liu Chaoming said: “After this campaign, His Majesty should reorganize the army and return to the capital, correct?”
“Yes.” Yan Xiu said, “The confidential letter sent from the Northwest to the Ministry of War states that His Majesty will probably depart to return to the capital in early autumn.”
Liu Chaoming said: “No need to send an additional letter of congratulations. Inform the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Revenue of His Majesty’s return date and itinerary, and transmit orders to the prefectures and counties along the route to prepare to receive the imperial procession.”
“Yes.”
After Yan Xiu responded, he sorted through the urgent letters and gazettes in his hands, took out two ordinary letters resembling family correspondence from the very bottom, and continued: “There are also two other letters that the Office of Transmission delivered. One of them was written by Minister Su to you, Minister.”
Liu Chaoming’s brush paused again, but he made no sound. He steadily added several more lines of commentary to the memorial, then drew a long diagonal stroke to finish, before saying: “What did it say?”
“Minister Su said she has some urgent business to handle and needs to postpone her originally scheduled return date by two days. She won’t return until five days from now, on the twelfth of the seventh month.”
Liu Chaoming was silent for a moment: “Did she say what urgent business?”
“She didn’t mention it.” Yan Xiu said, “But the people from the Office of Transmission said that after Minister Su sent you a letter, she also sent another to Minister Shen. Whether she clearly explained the content of the urgent business in that one, your subordinate doesn’t know.”
Liu Chaoming didn’t respond to this, asking instead: “Didn’t you say there was another letter?”
“The other letter was from the Fourth Prince Consort, saying that the Fourth Prince fell ill again on his journey back to the capital. Their party needs to rest in Jinan Prefecture for some days, so the date to return to the capital to report will also be delayed, but they can still make it in time for the autumn ceremonies in the eighth month.”
“Good that they can make it.” Liu Chaoming said, “Reply telling them to prioritize the Prince’s health and travel slowly.”
Yan Xiu acknowledged this, then sighed: “What a pity. The Fourth Prince guarded the northern frontier for over ten years, was full of strategies, brave and skilled in battle, yet ended up in such a state. Not only did he develop dementia, but he also contracted this troublesome head ailment. Back when the Prince fell from his horse and was injured, you sent him a letter urging him to recuperate properly in Beiping Prefecture. If the Prince had been willing to listen to your advice, the Great Sui wouldn’t have lost another military talent.”
Two years ago, on the eve of Zhu Nanxian’s personal campaign, Zhu Yushen was struck by an arrow and fell from his horse.
The following summer, after Zhu Nanxian led the Northwest New Army in a surprise attack on the Chili army, Damur’s Iron Eagle Division was once in complete disarray. Later, scouts reported that Chili and Northern Liang intended to jointly attack the Great Sui. Zhu Nanxian and Zhu Yushen therefore decided to simultaneously lead their armies in an offensive to disrupt the enemy’s conspiracy plan. Though they each won victories, because Zhu Yushen had been fighting while injured all along, in this battle he personally served as vanguard, leading the army to defeat the enemy. When he pursued them to Huichun Ridge, he unfortunately suffered the enemy’s ambush, falling from his horse and tumbling off a cliff.
The Fourth Prince Consort Shen Jun led personal guards in searching day and night at the base of the cliff for three full days before finding Zhu Yushen. At that time, Zhu Yushen had only a breath left. It was fortunate that he had practiced martial arts for years and had an extremely strong constitution, allowing the accompanying physician to save his life. Even so, when Zhu Yushen awoke, he had become an imbecile, neither speaking nor recognizing people or remembering events.
Liu Chaoming said: “All things have causes before they have effects. If the Fourth Prince hadn’t led troops to defeat the Northern Liang army and together with His Majesty prevented the alliance plan between Northern Liang and Chili, the northern border wouldn’t have had these years of peace. If military expenses were burdensome, where would the money come from to rebuild the river embankments in the Huguang region?”
Yan Xiu said: “Though that’s the reasoning, when your subordinate thinks of the Fourth Prince’s current condition, I can’t help but feel heartache.”
Liu Chaoming took another memorial from his desk. He opened it and had just read two lines when his brows suddenly furrowed. He asked: “Su Shiyu said she’s postponing her return to the capital by two days?”
“Yes.” Yan Xiu said in surprise, “Is something improper?”
Liu Chaoming thought briefly: “Bring me the prefectural and county gazetteer of the capital.”
The prefectural and county gazetteer marked it very clearly—from south of the Great Sui back to the capital, the best official road to take passed through Ao City. Yet not only was Su Jin detouring through Suzhou on this return to the capital, she was even postponing by two days?
Liu Chaoming’s gaze fell on a very inconspicuous county called Qinghe in the upper right of Suzhou Prefecture.
“So that’s why Shen Qingyue isn’t waiting for Zhu Nanxian to return to the capital but is having the Fourth Prince come to Yingtian to report at this time. Turns out he and Su Shiyu have already sensed something amiss and plan to move against the Prince and me.” Liu Chaoming said coldly.
Hearing this, Yan Xiu was greatly shocked: “Minister, what do you mean by this?” He also looked toward the prefectural and county gazetteer spread on the desk. “Does this Qinghe County have your and the Prince’s secret agents?”
Liu Chaoming didn’t answer this question. He stood up from the desk and instructed: “Send word to Shen Qingyue that I have an urgent case to handle and will be away for three days. Have him preside over court discussions.”
“Are you personally going to Qinghe County, Minister?” Yan Xiu said in shock. “But Ministers Shen and Su have already grown suspicious of you. If you go to Qinghe County, won’t you be alerting the enemy and deepening their suspicions even more?”
But this question still received no answer. Liu Chaoming had already pushed the door open and left.
By this time, the sky had completely brightened. A golden glow descended, and the palace pavilions were no longer silent. The lamp-lighting palace attendant in front of Xuanyuan Terrace had just extinguished the wind lantern in his hands when he saw a person of cold, clear bearing approaching from ahead. Recognizing it was Liu Chaoming, he hurriedly knelt to pay respects: “This humble one pays respects to the Chief Grand Secretary.”
Liu Chaoming paid no attention and walked straight toward the palace exit.
What did it matter if he alerted the enemy?
The decree of “execute without mercy” had been hidden in this deep palace for two years already. Without disturbing the grass, the snake was already alarmed. Since it was so, he should conduct himself as he ought to conduct himself.
After all, born as a human being, coming and going alone, he had never feared anything.
After Su Jin received Shen Xi’s letter, she ordered the accompanying guards to station themselves outside Suzhou Prefecture. She changed into different attire and, taking only Tan Zhaolin, headed toward Qinghe County.
The two wore plain clothes. They hired a carriage at the courier station and traveled for a full day.
Upon entering the county seat, Tan Zhaolin said to Su Jin, very puzzled: “Minister, I truly don’t understand—you’re already such a high official now, so why does Minister Shen still need you to personally handle cases? It’s just a small county magistrate. Couldn’t you just write an order and send people to round them all up in one sweep?”
Hearing these words, Su Jin laughed: “You think the county yamen is a bandit’s lair?” After a slight pause, she added, “This case requires me to investigate personally.”
Hearing this, Tan Zhaolin suddenly understood: “Could it be that the case we investigated in Annan for half a year finally has a lead?”
Su Jin nodded: “Correct.”
Tan Zhaolin rubbed his hands together: “I really want to see who this wealthy landlord rich enough to rival a nation is.”
The “wealthy landlord” in Tan Zhaolin’s words truly existed.
During Su Jin’s diplomatic mission to Annan, she discovered many Great Sui goods there—silk, tea, porcelain, and countless others. She originally didn’t pay much attention, but later upon reflection, the Great Sui and Annan border was plagued by roaming bandits—trade shouldn’t be so prosperous.
She found Hu Yuanjie and asked him to help her investigate. What she didn’t know before investigating, she learned after: these Great Sui goods had been sold in batches to Annan starting from several years ago, all from the same source. Yet just as the clues were about to reach the crucial step, the trail went cold, and they couldn’t determine who this Sui merchant was. Hu Yuanjie was skilled in accounting, so he helped Su Jin calculate an account. If calculated over ten years, this merchant selling Sui goods to Annan had already earned a hundred million taels of silver—enough wealth to rival a nation.
Su Jin knew deeply that this matter was not simple. Moreover, what a person possessing such an enormous sum of money wanted to do or could do within Sui territory was immeasurable. She immediately claimed illness and stayed in Annan territory for more than half a year, collecting evidence and account books, having people bring them back to the Great Sui for Shen Xi to use the power of the Ministry of Revenue to investigate nationwide.
Just a few days ago, Su Jin received Shen Xi’s confidential letter saying this matter seemed related to Liu Yun. He also urgently instructed her to go to the residence of the Qinghe County magistrate in Suzhou Prefecture, saying this county magistrate probably knew some insider information.
Although Su Jin rushed to Qinghe County without stopping, in her heart she instinctively felt Liu Yun shouldn’t be the merchant they were looking for. But since Shen Xi had investigated, even if it wasn’t Liu Yun, the matter must have some connection to him that couldn’t be severed.
Su Jin was therefore cautious and careful. She and Tan Zhaolin changed their attire and inquired with the carriage driver along the way about the county magistrate’s character. Learning that he was honest and loved the people, greatly respected Confucian scholars, and particularly enjoyed associating with learned people, they claimed to be a scholar and his attendant from the south, coming to the residence to present articles and request instruction.
The servant who answered the door was quite courteous, saying: “Since you two honored guests have come all the way from Qizhou, why not first come sit in the main hall for a moment. My master most enjoys associating with learned people and loves poetry and literary writings above all else. When he returns from duty, he will surely have an excellent discussion with Young Master Jia.”
By this time, the sky had begun to drizzle with rain, though the rain threads were sparse and slow, dampening clothes without soaking them.
Su Jin bowed: “Thank you for the trouble, young brother.”
The servant led Su Jin along into the residence, circling past the courtyard, gesturing “please” toward the main hall, then said: “I forgot to tell Young Masters Jia and Su earlier—this morning, there happened to be a gentleman who came from Hangzhou, surnamed Zhen with the given name Liu, to visit my master. He’s of jinshi background. If Young Master Jia finds the wait tedious, you might chat with Young Master Zhen for a moment.”
Hearing this, Su Jin looked from the hall entrance inside, her gaze falling on the person sitting on the right side, slowly sipping tea from a cup.
Dressed in a blue scholar’s robe, with cold, clear features—it was none other than Liu Chaoming.