Volume 1, Chapter 29: The Aristocratic Clans

"Understood." Wei Zhiren bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian continued to study the secret reports on his desk. Hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty!" Cao Huachun entered with quick strides. "There is movement from Qian Yongzhen's side!"

A sharp glint flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes. "Speak."

"He has just moved a batch of goods overnight, transporting them out of the city," Cao Huachun said, lowering his voice. "And..."

"And what?"

"And he has sent men to contact Zheng Zhilong."

Zhu Youjian sneered. "As I suspected."

He stood up and walked to the window. "Tell Zheng Zhilong to proceed according to the plan."

"Yes!" Cao Huachun bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian then turned to Wang Cheng'en. "Go and summon the Commander of the Jinyiwei."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Before long, the Commander strode in. "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Zhu Youjian said calmly, "Go and investigate the true background of Qian Yongzhen."

"Yes. But..." the Commander hesitated.

"Is there a problem?"

"Those merchants..."

"What? Are you afraid too?" Zhu Youjian sneered.

The Commander knelt down hurriedly. "Your subject would not dare!"

Zhu Youjian stepped before him. "Remember, I want them alive."

"I understand."

"Go." Zhu Youjian waved his hand.

The Commander bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian then said to Wei Zhiren, "Tell Sun Chuanting to have his men ready."

"Yes." Wei Zhiren turned to leave.

"Wait," Zhu Youjian said suddenly.

"I am here, Your Majesty."

"Tell him, I want them alive."

Wei Zhiren bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian walked to the window, gazing into the distant night. Every detail was under his control.

Wang Cheng'en whispered, "Your Majesty, should you not take a rest?"

"No need," Zhu Youjian waved him off. "Go and bring me those secret reports."

"Yes."

Wang Cheng'en soon returned with a stack of documents. Zhu Youjian broke the seals and read them carefully.

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

Zhu Youjian set aside the reports and walked to the window. Moonlight spilled onto his dragon robe, casting a golden glow.

He turned his attention to the latest developments regarding merchants across the Jiangnan region. "Interesting," he sneered again. "These people are still struggling in their death throes."

He returned to his desk, fingers lightly tapping the armrest as he considered his next move. "Bring me the intelligence sent by the Jinyiwei."

Wang Cheng'en handed over a sealed document. Zhu Youjian opened it and read it closely—it contained the latest news on officials throughout Jiangnan.

"So that is how it is," he sneered. "These people truly have no fear of death."

He rose and walked to the window. Moonlight washed over his robes. "Bring me the ledgers from the confiscated estates," he commanded.

Wang Cheng'en quickly fetched a pile of account books. Zhu Youjian opened them and examined them meticulously. Every ledger concealed a secret.

"These accounts..." he sneered, "they are the leverage I need."

Returning to his desk, he picked up his vermilion brush and wrote an imperial decree: "Effective immediately, conduct a thorough investigation into the ledgers of all regions in Jiangnan."

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

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

Wang Cheng'en handed over a thick volume. Zhu Youjian flipped through it, studying the detailed profiles of the Eastern Depot agents.

"These men..." 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 he were playing a grand game of chess.

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

Wang Cheng'en soon brought a stack of papers. Zhu Youjian examined them, nodding from time to time. These confessions revealed much useful information.

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

He returned to his desk and wrote another secret decree: "Effective immediately, strictly investigate all merchant guilds in Jiangnan."

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

"Wait," Zhu Youjian said. "Go and tell Sun Chuanting and the others: I want them alive."

"Yes."

He walked to the window and looked out at the night. Everything was under his control.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren hurried in. "News from Zheng Zhilong."

"Speak."

"He says all is prepared, awaiting only Your Majesty's command."

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction. "Very good."

He turned to Wang Cheng'en. "Go and summon the Jinyiwei Commander."

"Yes."

Soon, the newly appointed Commander strode in. "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise and speak," Zhu Youjian said calmly. "How are the preparations in Jiangnan?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, all is ready. As soon as Your Majesty gives the word..."

"No rush," Zhu Youjian interrupted. "Let them make the first move."

Zhu Youjian turned to Wei Zhiren. "Tell Zheng Zhilong to proceed according to the plan."

"Yes," Wei Zhiren bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian continued, "You are to dispatch men immediately to keep those merchants under close surveillance."

"Yes. But..." the Commander hesitated.

"Is there a problem?"

"The gentry families..."

"Do not worry," Zhu Youjian sneered.

"They won't be able to jump around for much longer."

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

"Go." Zhu Youjian waved his hand.

The Commander bowed and withdrew.