Volume One, Chapter 30: Leverage

"Present the secret missive."

"As you command."

He moved with light steps toward the map of the Jiangnan region spread out before him, his fingertips dancing across the vast landscape like pieces on a chessboard.

"Your Majesty," Wang Chengen’s voice was as soft as a breeze, "there seems to be some unusual activity outside the hall."

Zhu Youjian’s gaze pierced through the night, as if he could capture the fleeting shadows passing by.

"Go and investigate," he commanded calmly.

Just as Wang Chengen was about to move, Cao Huachun hurried in. "Your Majesty, the confidants of Wen Tiren are secretly contacting various wealthy merchants."

A cold sneer tugged at the corners of Zhu Youjian’s mouth. "Let them make their contacts."

Cao Huachun lowered his voice. "They seem to be secretly raising a massive sum of money..."

"What is the amount?"

"According to our secret agents, it is approximately one million taels of silver."

A sharp glint flashed in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. "What is their objective?"

"Still under investigation... but there seems to be an intent to..."

"Intent to do what?"

"Intent to win over certain military commanders," Cao Huachun whispered even lower.

Zhu Youjian stared at the map again, his fingertips sliding slowly across the Jiangnan area. "Tell Sun Chanting to monitor them in secret."

"As you command." Cao Huachun bowed and withdrew.

Wang Chengen looked at Cao Huachun’s retreating figure. "Your Majesty, shall we..."

"No need," Zhu Youjian waved his hand dismissively. "Let them perform to their hearts' content."

His gaze remained locked on the map, as if he were laying out a grand game of chess across the land of Jiangnan.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren arrived in haste. "New intelligence from the Eastern Depot."

"Speak quickly."

"Those wealthy merchants have begun moving their assets; it seems they have caught wind of something..."

"Moving them to where?"

"To one of Wen Tiren’s estates outside the city," Wei Zhiren replied.

Zhu Youjian sneered. "Order Zheng Zhilong to blockade all sea routes within three days."

"As you command." Wei Zhiren turned and left.

The night grew deeper, and a chill set in. Zhu Youjian gazed beyond the palace walls, his mind filled with complex thoughts.

"Wang Chengen."

"I am here, Your Majesty."

"Go and summon the Commander of the Jinyiwei."

"Wait." Zhu Youjian interrupted him. "Let them fall into chaos first."

He turned to Wei Zhiren. "Order Zheng Zhilong to proceed as planned."

"As you command." Wei Zhiren bowed and retreated again.

"Those scholar-gentry..."

"Go," Zhu Youjian said with a light wave.

The Commander bowed and withdrew, leaving a resolute figure in the night.

Zhu Youjian returned to his desk, took up his brush, and wrote a secret order: "Effective immediately, thoroughly audit the ledgers across all of Jiangnan."

He set down the brush and swept his gaze over the memorials on his desk; these documents were like his sharp blades, pointing directly at the dark corners of Jiangnan.

"Present the personnel list of the Eastern Depot," he ordered again.

Wang Chengen handed over a thick register. Zhu Youjian flipped through it meticulously, his fingertips brushing lightly over certain names. "These men... are worth using."

He stood up once more and walked to the map, his fingers tracing paths across Jiangnan, as if weaving a massive web.

"Bring me the confessions of the prisoners," he commanded.

Wang Chengen quickly retrieved a stack of testimonies. Zhu Youjian studied them carefully, nodding from time to time.

The information revealed in the confessions brought a cold sneer to his face. "So that’s how it is... these people have confessed quite a lot."

He took up his brush again and wrote another secret order: "Effective immediately, strictly investigate all merchant guilds in Jiangnan."

Wang Chengen took the order and was about to withdraw.

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

"As you command."

He walked to the window and stared at Jiangnan in the darkness. Everything was under his control.

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

"Speak."

"Everything is ready, awaiting only your imperial decree."

Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction. "Very good."

He turned to Wang Chengen. "Go and summon the Commander of the Jinyiwei."

"As you command."

Before long, the new Jinyiwei Commander strode in. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"Rise and speak," Zhu Youjian said flatly. "How is the situation in Jiangnan?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything is ready. We await only your order..."

Zhu Youjian turned back to Wei Zhiren. "Order Zheng Zhilong to proceed as planned."

"As you command." Wei Zhiren bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian continued, "You are to immediately send men to keep the wealthy merchants under close surveillance."

"As you command. However..." The Commander hesitated.

"Do you have concerns?"

"Those scholar-gentry..."

"Rest assured," Zhu Youjian sneered. "They won't be able to jump around for much longer."

A look of determination flashed in the Commander’s eyes. "I understand."

"Go," Zhu Youjian waved his hand.

The Commander bowed and withdrew, his silhouette vanishing into the night.

Zhu Youjian spoke again to Wang Chengen. "Present the latest intelligence report from the Eastern Depot."

"As you command."

Wang Chengen brought over a sealed report, which Zhu Youjian opened and read. It contained the latest movements of the Jiangnan merchants.

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

He returned to his desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the surface. He was contemplating the next move in his game.

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

Wang Chengen handed over a sealed dossier. Zhu Youjian opened it to examine it closely. It was the latest update on the officials of Jiangnan.

"So that’s it..." he sneered. "These people truly are daring and reckless."

Zhu Youjian stood up and walked to the window. The moonlight spilled onto his dragon robe, as if draping him in a suit of golden armor.

"Bring me the confiscated account books," he commanded.

Wang Chengen quickly retrieved a stack of ledgers. Zhu Youjian opened them to inspect them. Each book was like a treasure trove, hiding countless secrets and crimes.

"These accounts..." he sneered, "are their death warrants."

The night deepened. The game in Jiangnan was unfolding in silence, and Zhu Youjian was the player who held the entire board in his hands.