Volume 1, Chapter 25: Shanhai Pass

He turned to Wang Chengen and said, "Go, fetch Cao Huachun."

"As you command."

Before long, Cao Huachun hurried in. "This servant greets Your Majesty."

"Rise and speak," Zhu Youjian said indifferently. "How are your preparations coming along?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the shops everywhere have been properly arranged. Should there be any suspicious activity, it will be reported immediately."

Zhu Youjian nodded. "Very good. Keep watching."

He walked to his desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a secret edict: "Effective immediately, strictly investigate the merchant guilds in all regions. Anyone showing signs of dissent is to be executed without mercy."

"This servant obeys the decree," Cao Huachun said, bowing.

Zhu Youjian set down the vermilion brush. "Go. Do not disappoint Me."

"Yes." Cao Huachun withdrew.

Zhu Youjian walked to the window, gazing into the distant night. He knew a grand performance was about to begin.

Wei Zhiren said cautiously, "Your Majesty, should we prepare..."

"No need," Zhu Youjian interrupted him. "I have my own plans."

He turned to Wang Chengen and said, "Fetch the secret reports from the Eastern Depot."

"As you command."

These were the latest developments concerning merchants across the Jiangnan region. Every page was filled with detailed intelligence.

"Interesting," he sneered. "These people truly have no fear of death."

"Go tell Sun Chanting and the others," Zhu Youjian suddenly commanded, "I want them alive."

"This..." Wei Zhiren hesitated.

"What? You find it inappropriate?"

"It is just..." Wei Zhiren weighed his words, "I fear it might..."

"Might what?" Zhu Youjian sneered. "I wish to see just how bold these people truly are."

"Yes."

He set down the reports and walked to the window. The moonlight spilled onto his dragon robe, reflecting a golden glow.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren spoke again, "Should we..."

He turned to Wang Chengen and said, "Fetch the inventory lists of the confiscated properties."

"As you command."

Wang Chengen handed over a thick volume. Zhu Youjian opened it and examined it carefully. Every page contained detailed records compiled by the agents of the Eastern Depot.

Wang Chengen soon returned with a stack of documents. Zhu Youjian reviewed them closely, nodding from time to time. These testimonies revealed quite a bit of useful information.

He returned to his desk, picked up his brush, and wrote another secret edict: "Effective immediately, conduct a thorough investigation of all officials in the Jiangnan region."

Wang Chengen took the edict and was about to withdraw.

"Yes."

He walked to the window again, watching the night in the distance. Every detail was under his control.

He turned to Wang Chengen and said, "Fetch the secret reports from the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"As you command."

***

Wang Chengen soon brought a sealed document. Zhu Youjian broke the seal and read it carefully.

"Interesting," he sneered. "These people are still struggling in their death throes."

Zhu Youjian returned to the desk, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. He was contemplating his next move.

"Bring the intelligence sent by the Embroidered Uniform Guard," he said again.

Wang Chengen handed over a sealed document. Zhu Youjian opened it and examined it closely. It contained the latest updates on officials across the Jiangnan region.

"So that's it," he sneered. "These people really do not fear death."

Zhu Youjian stood up and walked to the window. The moonlight spilled onto his dragon robe, reflecting a golden glow.

"Bring the account books from the confiscations," he ordered.

Wang Chengen quickly fetched a pile of ledgers. Zhu Youjian opened them and examined them carefully. Behind every ledger lay hidden secrets.

"These accounts..." he sneered, "are their undoing."

Zhu Youjian walked back to the desk and wrote a secret edict: "Effective immediately, thoroughly audit all account books in the Jiangnan region."

He set down the vermilion brush and looked at the memorials on his desk. These were his weapons.

"Bring the personnel roster of the Eastern Depot," he added.

Wang Chengen handed him a thick volume. Zhu Youjian opened it and examined it. Each page contained detailed information on the agents of the Eastern Depot.

"These individuals..." he marked several names, "can be put to great use."

He stood up and walked to the map. His fingers traced across the Jiangnan region, as if playing a game of grand strategy.

"Bring me the testimonies of the captives," he commanded.

Wang Chengen soon brought a stack of documents.

Zhu Youjian reviewed them carefully, nodding occasionally. These testimonies revealed significant information.

"So that's how it is," he sneered. "These people have confessed quite a lot."

Zhu Youjian returned to his desk and wrote another secret edict.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren said cautiously, "Should we..."

"No need," Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "I have my own plans."

He continued writing the edict: "Effective immediately, strictly investigate the merchant guilds in the Jiangnan region. Anyone showing signs of dissent is to be executed without mercy."

Wei Zhiren took the edict and was about to withdraw.

"Wait," Zhu Youjian added. "Tell Sun Chanting and the others, I want them alive."

"As you command."

Zhu Youjian walked to the window and looked out into the night.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren hurried over, "the secret report from the Eastern Depot."

"Read it," Zhu Youjian said indifferently.

Wang Chengen stepped forward. "This servant will read it on your behalf."

"The merchant guilds in Jiangnan have begun to contact each other, preparing to..."

"Wait," Zhu Youjian suddenly interrupted. "Go fetch Sun Chanting."

Wang Chengen bowed and withdrew.

Before long, Sun Chanting strode in. "This subject greets Your Majesty."

***

"Rise," Zhu Youjian said, looking at his trusted general. "How long do you think Jiangnan can hold out?"

Sun Chanting pondered. "In my opinion, no more than half a month."

"Half a month?" Zhu Youjian sneered. "Too long."

"This..." Sun Chanting looked troubled.

Wei Zhiren chimed in from the side, "Your Majesty, if we act too hastily..."

"I cannot wait," Zhu Youjian interrupted him. "One week. It must be taken within a week."

"This subject obeys the decree," Sun Chanting said, clasping his hands.

Zhu Youjian stood up and walked to the map. "Who else do you think is supporting these merchants from behind the scenes?"

Wei Zhiren said cautiously, "According to the secret reports, the Donglin Faction..."

"It is not just the Donglin Faction," Zhu Youjian said coldly.

"Does Your Majesty mean..." Sun Chanting probed.

"The Jiannu," Zhu Youjian said, enunciating each word.

The hall fell into silence.

"Go fetch Lu Xiangsheng," Zhu Youjian suddenly commanded.

Before long, Lu Xiangsheng hurried in. "This subject greets Your Majesty."

"How is the situation at the border?" Zhu Youjian asked directly.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Jiannu have begun mobilizing their troops," Lu Xiangsheng said gravely. "It seems they intend to..."

"Intend to use this opportunity to march south?" Zhu Youjian sneered.

"Exactly," Lu Xiangsheng nodded. "I believe they want to..."

"Want to fish in troubled waters," Zhu Youjian interrupted. "That is why I said we cannot wait."

A flash of insight crossed Sun Chanting's eyes. "Does Your Majesty mean..."

"Strike first," Zhu Youjian turned to look at them all.

"But..." Wei Zhiren started, then stopped.

"What? You think it is inappropriate?" Zhu Youjian sneered.

The group lowered their heads in silence.

Zhu Youjian continued, "Tell Zheng Zhilong he must blockade the sea routes within three days."

"This..." Wei Zhiren said, concerned. "Regarding Zheng Zhilong..."

"What? You think he is unreliable?"

"I dare not," Wei Zhiren quickly said. "I am only worried that he..."

"Worried he might play both sides?" Zhu Youjian sneered.

"Yes," Wei Zhiren replied, bowing his head.

Zhu Youjian returned to his throne and sat down. "It is of no consequence. I have my own arrangements."

He turned to Lu Xiangsheng and said, "Depart immediately and return to Shanhai Pass."