Relocating the capital.

Since ancient times, the misty rain-shrouded Jinling—capital of six dynasties, Jianye of the Three Kingdoms, Jiankang of the Western Jin, Jiangning of the Southern Tang, and now Yingtian Prefecture—had always been the governing center of Divine China.

The two simple words “relocate the capital”—how could they involve merely changing the capital city?

From the imperial territory and court appearance above, to water conservancy, canal transport, transportation, and population below—all would have to change accordingly.

It wasn’t as if there were no precedents for establishing Beiping as the capital in ancient times—for instance, the Liao and Jin dynasties, or the Great Capital of the Liang period. But these were all nomadic foreign peoples who originally lived in the harsh cold lands of the northern frontier.

Now Great Sui was vast and abundant, governed by Han people, yet they wanted to move the capital to Beiping. In future generations, hundreds and thousands of years hence, would millions of Chinese descendants also be affected by this?

For a long while, no one in the carriage spoke.

The advantages and disadvantages were too complex, the implications too far-reaching—not something the three of them could discern clearly in this brief moment.

After a long time, Su Jin only asked, “Has it been decided?”

Shen Xi said, “With Zhu Yushen and Liu Yun already in Shu, it means the recovery of Annan and establishment of the thirteenth Yunnan-Guizhou Circuit have succeeded. Probably within these two days, it will be proclaimed to the world—establishing Annan as Great Sui’s Jiaozhi, establishing the Southwest Grand Military Commission, changing Beiping to the capital, and beginning construction of the Beiping Sui Palace.”

“When the new Sui Palace is completed, Zhu Yushen will change Beiping to Shuntian Prefecture and immediately have court ministers relocate there.”

Zhu Nanxian asked, “If Beiping is designated as Shuntian Prefecture, what about Yingtian Prefecture?”

Shen Xi said, “After all, Yingtian Prefecture was conquered by the former Emperor Jingyuan. Ancestral institutions cannot be abolished, so it will serve as the secondary capital, still the capital Yingtian.”

“To distinguish them, Yingtian Prefecture’s capital will henceforth add the word ‘South,’ becoming Nanjing, while Shuntian Prefecture’s capital will add the word ‘North’ before ‘capital.’ From now on, Beiping will be called Beijing.”

“Having both Beijing and Nanjing as parallel capitals governing together was Liu Yun’s proposal. Relocating the capital cannot be accomplished overnight. Even years later, when the capital truly moves to Beijing, both sides will each maintain their own set of court administration and official systems, with some governmental affairs still directly administered by Nanjing.”

“Only when the realm truly stabilizes will all administrative affairs gradually and progressively be fully incorporated into Shuntian Prefecture.”

Su Jin said thoughtfully, “Court positions are already short-staffed. If both northern and southern capitals each establish offices, won’t the court be severely lacking in personnel?”

Shen Xi said, “The imperial examinations were held in the second year of Yongji. Normally it’s once every three years, but Zhu Yushen and Liu Yun may have already had the idea of relocating the capital long ago. Last year they held a special examination, and this year, because of the expedition to Annan, there was no spring examination, but there will still be an autumn one. Next year they’ll hold another special examination. Even so, talent must be carefully selected—it cannot be done carelessly. After selection, they must be sent for probationary posts, but there’s no rush. Beijing’s Sui Palace hasn’t been built yet, and relocating the capital will take several years.”

“However—” Shen Xi paused here, “though the capital relocation has been decided, dissenting voices in the court and realm have been difficult to quiet, especially those led by Minister Luo and Minister Liu, who say this corrupts ancestral institutions and will bring divine punishment. Before Zhu Yushen’s expedition last year, Duke Gong even personally entered the palace. If not for Marquis Wenyuan coming to persuade him, he might have knelt endlessly before the Fengtian Hall.”

Historically, any reform inevitably raised dissenting voices and encountered obstacles—this was to be expected.

However, when Su Jin heard the three words “Marquis Wenyuan,” her heart clenched. Something extremely important seemed to flash through her mind, as if something she had never understood all along had suddenly become clear.

Just as she was about to ponder carefully, the carriage suddenly jolted, causing her entire body to tilt forward.

By the time Zhu Nanxian helped her sit properly again, that fleeting thought had vanished like smoke.

Su Jin felt somewhat regretful and forced herself to recall it, but no matter how she traced back to the source, her thoughts only reached more than three years ago, when Qi Boyuan told her that the jade pendant Liu Yun’s father had given her was actually meant for Liu Yun’s first wife.

She had gone to return the jade because of this, and was then imprisoned in the study at the Liu residence.

Seeing Su Jin’s expression change, Shen Xi called out, “Shiyu?”

Su Jin, remembering there were more important matters at hand, had to abandon that thought and shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Shen Xi then said, “Now that the capital relocation has been decided, Shu’s importance as the southwestern gateway needs no elaboration. Zhu Yushen values the imperial throne extremely highly. He wants to establish here a Grand Military Commission commanding hundreds of thousands of troops—how could he allow an imperial grandson of pure Great Sui bloodline to reside here? Lin’er is not young anymore. With the emperor far away in this remote place, what if he seizes Yongji’s troops? This is precisely why I personally came to Shu—to take Lin’er away.”

“It’s just that I didn’t expect…” Shen Xi paused and looked at Zhu Nanxian. “You would also be in Shu.”

After returning to the Sui court, he had also sent people to examine Emperor Jin’an’s “remains” and inquire about Su Shiyu’s situation in Ningzhou. Though Shen Xi had guessed that Liu Yun would protect Su Jin, he could never have imagined he would also save Zhu Nanxian.

Court affairs these years had been no easier than during the Jin’an reign. From the imperial examinations at the start to the later land reclamation system, unexpected situations kept arising continuously. He truly had no time to spare.

Su Jin understood Shen Xi’s meaning.

The current perilous situation was no longer simply a matter of one former emperor and one legitimate imperial grandson needing to leave Shu.

She and Zhu Nanxian had become entangled in the land reclamation case and been exploited by Shu Wenlan, exposing their identities prematurely. Even with Shen Qingyue’s overwhelming power and influence, he might not be able to protect them in this Shu region where the emperor’s great army was stationed.

Zhu Nanxian asked, “If we can successfully protect Lin’er and get him out of Shu, where do you plan to send him afterward?”

Shen Xi said, “Depart from the East Sea and go to Japan.”

He actually wanted to send him away from Great Sui.

“Back then, after Third Sister finished keeping vigil at your tomb and learned that Shiqi was still in Qingzhou, she secretly had old military acquaintances take him away and sent him to Tianjin Crossing.”

“Later something happened—Shiqi was discovered by Zhu Yushen’s trusted confidants. For some reason, Zhu Yushen also didn’t have anyone stop him, allowing Shiqi to successfully reach Japan.”

Hearing these words, Zhu Nanxian made no sound.

On the night he immolated himself at Minghua Palace, he had met with Zhu Yushen once, exchanging the abdication edict for two agreements—to protect A’Yu and to protect Shiqi.

Now it seemed his fourth brother had not broken his word.

“Shiqi is grown now. He suffered considerably these past years, but now in Japan he can stand on his own feet. I’ll send Lin’er and Shuxiang to him—at least he can look after them.”

As Shen Xi spoke, his voice grew heavier. “The taste of being in a foreign land is bitter, but over these dozen-plus years, court affairs have undergone dramatic changes almost every year or two. Now with the capital relocation, having Lin’er remain within Great Sui territory is too dangerous. When he’s older and the court more stable, if he wants to return, I’ll find a way to bring him back.”

Zhu Nanxian looked at Shen Xi, thinking of these three years when all their old friends had scattered, leaving only him alone to manage affairs in the deep palace. Ultimately, it was all for the Shen residence, for their home in the Eastern Palace. The hardship and desolation within—how could words suffice to describe it?

But there was no need for thanks. Having grown up together, the word “thanks” was too distant.

Shen Jing and Zhu Minda were gone, and the beautiful harmony of the Eastern Palace in former days was also gone. But good or bad, as a family reaching this day, though scattered and dispersed, they could still watch over and help each other.

This was enough.

Su Jin said, “Since you’ve already planned to send the young prince to Japan, there must be people waiting to receive him outside Shu. But the current difficulty is—how do we leave Jianmen Pass?”

She looked at both Zhu Nanxian and Shen Xi. “Zhu Yushen’s personal guards will catch up within three hours, but we need at least half a day, even a full day, to leave here.”

Zhu Nanxian thought for a moment. If Lin’er hadn’t encountered him, Shen Xi could have smoothly collected Lin’er and Shuxiang. The pursuing soldiers existed entirely because he had exposed his identity prematurely.

Since he had exposed his identity, then the target of these pursuing soldiers was actually him.

“I have a method that can buy Lin’er one day.” Zhu Nanxian said, “We split up. I’ll go with Zhai Qiguang and continue toward the outside of Jianmen Pass. A’Yu, you take Lin’er and Shuxiang and leave by a side road.”

“Since those pursuing soldiers are coming for me, after seeing me, they’ll certainly relax their vigilance. I have my own way to delay them for a day. You seize that day and leave as quickly as possible.”

However, hearing these words, both Su Jin and Shen Xi said simultaneously, “That won’t work!”

Shen Xi said, “If your identity is taken back by Zhu Yushen’s people, would you still have a way to survive? Liu Yun saved you once back then, but may not save you a second time. Moreover, his current circumstances are also extremely difficult. Even joining forces with me, he doesn’t have the ability to protect you.”

Zhu Nanxian said, “I have no intention of sacrificing myself, nor do I wish to depend on anyone to preserve my life. It’s just that given the current situation, splitting up is the best and most secure method. Rest assured, even if I’m taken away by those soldiers, there may not be no opportunity along the way. As long as I can buy one day’s time, no matter what, I will definitely survive to see you.”

Su Jin pondered for a moment and said, “I have a method. Though somewhat risky, if successful, it can both safely send away the young prince and save His Majesty.”

She raised her eyes to look at Zhu Nanxian and Shen Xi. “As His Majesty said, we split up. But not into two groups—into three. I’ll be the one to go with Qiguang and draw away the pursuing soldiers.”

“Absolutely not!” Zhu Nanxian immediately said, “You and I share life and death together. How could there be any reason to let you take risks for me?”

Su Jin said, “Your Majesty, Qingyue—the three of us have walked together these past years, experienced how many life-and-death trials, weathered how many dangers together? Every time, if any one of us had been missing, none would have survived.”

“Your Majesty, do you know how A’Yu alone made it through those years when you were gone? Have you asked Qingyue how he got through these years alone in the deep palace?”

“Now that we’ve finally reunited, everyone staying alive is what matters most. At worst, I’ll endure a few years of imprisonment. After waiting several years, when we meet again, we can be together again.”

She looked at Zhu Nanxian. “Your Majesty, you and I are not only… husband and wife, but even more so companions who share life and death, weathering adversity together. Life and death are greater than heaven itself. A’Yu has waited an entire lifetime—why would she care about this brief moment?”

“You and the young prince are legitimate imperial family, which is why Qingyue cannot protect you. But I’m different. I’m merely a minister, merely a commoner. Even if I fall into Zhu Yushen’s hands, my hope of survival is greater than yours.”