Volume One, Chapter 26: Proceed According to Plan

"I obey your command," Lu Xiangsheng said, cupping his hands.

"Remember," Zhu Youjian said with profound meaning, "once any unusual movement from the Jiannu is detected, report it immediately."

"Yes."

Zhu Youjian then turned to Sun Chanting, "You, too, go back and prepare. Within one week, you must secure Jiangnan."

"I obey your command," Sun Chanting said, bowing.

"Go." Zhu Youjian waved his hand.

As the two generals withdrew, only Wei Zhiren and Wang Cheng'en remained in the hall.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren said cautiously, "those merchants..."

"Let them jump around for a few more days," Zhu Youjian sneered.

He stood up and walked to the window. "Go and summon Zuo Liangyu."

"Yes." Wang Cheng'en bowed and retreated.

Before long, Zuo Liangyu strode in. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise," Zhu Youjian said indifferently. "You have been in Jiangnan for many years; do you know the true nature of those gentry families?"

Zuo Liangyu pondered for a moment before replying, "In reply to Your Majesty, these people appear upright and righteous on the surface, but in truth..."

"In truth, what?"

"In truth, they are all shameless scoundrels," Zuo Liangyu sneered. "For the sake of profit, there is nothing they will not do."

Zhu Youjian nodded. "Tell me more."

"These people put on airs in their daily lives, prattling on about the 'pure stream' and noble integrity," Zuo Liangyu said. "In reality, they collude with merchants to line their own pockets."

"Anything else?"

"They also..." Zuo Liangyu was about to continue.

"Wait," Zhu Youjian interrupted suddenly, "go and prepare yourself first."

"I obey your command." Zuo Liangyu bowed and retreated.

Zhu Youjian walked to his desk, picked up his brush, and wrote a secret decree.

"Wei Zhiren."

"This servant is here."

"Go and tell Cao Huachun to dispatch more men."

"Yes." Wei Zhiren bowed and retreated.

Zhu Youjian continued writing the secret decree, his brushstrokes sharp as a blade. Wang Cheng'en stood to the side, watching Zhu Youjian's back. He knew that a grand drama was about to unfold.

"Go and call the Commander of the Jinyiwei," Zhu Youjian said suddenly.

"Yes."

Soon, the newly appointed Commander of the Jinyiwei strode in. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise," Zhu Youjian said indifferently. "Do you know why I chose you?"

"I..." The Commander was somewhat nervous.

"Because you have no roots," Zhu Youjian sneered. "Therefore, I can use you with peace of mind."

"I shall exhaust my loyalty and wisdom for you!"

Zhu Youjian walked up to him. "Jiangnan needs a thorough cleanup."

"Does Your Majesty mean..."

"Send men to investigate, to uncover the true nature of those gentry families," Zhu Youjian said, "especially the conflicts between them."

A glint flashed in the Commander's eyes. "I understand."

Zhu Youjian returned to the dragon throne and sat down. "Remember, make them destroy each other."

"I obey your command."

Zhu Youjian added, "Also, have people keep a close watch on Zheng Zhilong."

"Yes."

"Go." Zhu Youjian waved his hand.

The Commander bowed and retreated.

Zhu Youjian stood up and walked to the window. Moonlight spilled over his imperial robe, reflecting a golden glow.

"Your Majesty," Wang Cheng'en said softly, "would you like to rest?"

"No need." Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "Bring me the secret reports from the Eastern Depot."

"Yes."

"Bring me the ledgers from the confiscated estates," he added.

"Yes."

Wang Cheng'en brought over a stack of ledgers. Zhu Youjian opened them and examined them carefully.

"Your Majesty," Wang Cheng'en said cautiously, "would you like..."

"Bring me the secret reports from the Jinyiwei," Zhu Youjian interrupted.

"Yes."

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

"Bring me the inventory lists of the confiscated items," he ordered.

Wang Cheng'en quickly fetched a pile of documents. Zhu Youjian flipped through them, examining them closely. Every page recorded detailed information.

"These things..." he sneered, "are the evidence of their crimes."

He set down the lists and walked to the map. His fingers traced across the Jiangnan region, as if he were playing a grand game of chess.

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

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

He returned to the desk and wrote a secret decree: "Effective immediately, conduct a strict investigation of all officials in Jiangnan."

Wang Cheng'en took the decree and was about to withdraw.

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

"Yes."

He walked to the window and gazed into the distant night. Every detail was under his control.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren said cautiously, "would you like..."

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

He turned to Wang Cheng'en. "Go and bring me the secret reports from the Jinyiwei."

"Yes."

Wang Cheng'en quickly brought a sealed document. Zhu Youjian broke the seal and read it carefully. It was the latest update on officials across Jiangnan.

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

Zhu Youjian walked back to the desk, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. He was considering his next move.

"Bring me the intelligence sent by the Jinyiwei," he said again.

Wang Cheng'en handed over a sealed document. Zhu Youjian opened it and examined it closely. This was the latest update on the merchants of Jiangnan.

"So that's how it is," he sneered. "These people are truly not afraid of death."

He set down the report and walked to the window. The moonlight shone on his dragon robe, reflecting a golden light.

"Bring me those confiscated ledgers," he ordered.

Wang Cheng'en quickly brought a pile of ledgers. Zhu Youjian opened them and examined them carefully. Behind every ledger lay a secret.

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

Zhu Youjian walked back to the desk and wrote a secret decree: "Effective immediately, thoroughly audit all accounts across Jiangnan."

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

"Bring me the personnel roster of the Eastern Depot," he ordered.

Wang Cheng'en handed over a thick volume. Zhu Youjian opened it and examined it carefully. Every page recorded detailed information about the Eastern Depot agents.

"These people..." he made marks next to certain names, "can be put to great use."

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

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

Wang Cheng'en soon brought a stack of documents.

Zhu Youjian examined them carefully, nodding occasionally. These testimonies revealed a wealth of useful information.

"So that's how it is," he sneered.

"Wei Zhiren," Zhu Youjian suddenly spoke.

"This servant is here."

"Tell me, is there anything improper about this move of mine?" he asked indifferently.

Wei Zhiren bowed. "Your Majesty has great foresight; this move is excellent. First, cut off the trade routes in Jiangnan, then..."

"Wait," Zhu Youjian interrupted him suddenly. "What is that noise outside?"

Wang Cheng'en peered out. "Returning to Your Majesty, General Zuo Liangyu requests an audience."

"Summon him."

Zuo Liangyu strode in and cupped his hands. "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have just received news. Jiangnan has already..."

"Already what?" Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes.

"Already begun mobilizing the grain transport."

Zhu Youjian sneered. "As expected."

He stood up and walked to the map. "Tell me, how do they intend to move?"

Zuo Liangyu pointed to the map. "According to scouts, they are preparing to move from here, here, and here..."

"A three-pronged advance?" Zhu Youjian mused. "A bold stroke indeed."

"Indeed," Zuo Liangyu sighed. "Without the support of the gentry, these merchants would never dare to act like this."

"Is there any news from Sun Chanting?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, General Sun has already..."

"Wait," Zhu Youjian raised his hand suddenly. "Wang Cheng'en."

"This servant is here."

"Go and summon Lu Xiangsheng."

Before long, Lu Xiangsheng walked in quickly.

Zhu Youjian got straight to the point. "How is the preparation in Yangzhou?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, the naval forces are in position. As soon as the command is given..."

"Not yet," Zhu Youjian interrupted. "Let them make the first move."

Lu Xiangsheng was puzzled. "But Your Majesty, if we let them strike first..."

"Do you think," Zhu Youjian sneered, "that I would actually give them that chance?"

Zuo Liangyu's eyes lit up. "Does Your Majesty mean..."

"Exactly." Zhu Youjian turned to Wei Zhiren. "Go tell Zheng Zhilong to proceed according to the plan."