Volume 1, Chapter 40: Something Terrible Has Happened!

"Yes." Wang Cheng'en carefully stowed away the documents.

Zhu Youjian searched the cellar once more to ensure nothing had been overlooked.

"Let's go."

The group slipped quietly out of the small courtyard and returned to their carriage.

"Back to the Eastern Depot," Zhu Youjian commanded.

The carriage began to move slowly, disappearing into the night.

Zhu Youjian looked at the documents in his lap and sneered, "Wen Tiren, you cannot escape this time."

He opened a secret letter and read it carefully by the light inside the carriage. It was a letter written by Wen Tiren to the Jianzhou Jurchens, detailing their entire plan. After reading it, Zhu Youjian gave a cold laugh. "Such unmitigated gall."

The carriage soon arrived at the Eastern Depot. Zhu Youjian walked into the main hall and placed the documents on the desk.

"Issue the order," he said coldly. "Place the entire city under martial law. Do not let a single person slip through."

"Yes!"

He turned to Wang Cheng'en. "Go and summon Sun Chanting."

"Yes."

Zhu Youjian sat at his desk, carefully examining every document. These were ironclad proofs. Neither Wen Tiren nor his cronies would be able to escape.

Just as he was about to speak, a commotion erupted outside.

"Report!" A secret agent ran in. "Rebels have been discovered in the south of the city!"

"Where?" Zhu Youjian asked.

"At the Jubao Pavilion! They are burning documents!"

Zhu Youjian sneered. "Let them burn. The most important evidence is already here." He gestured to the papers on his desk. "Go and tell Wei Zhiren to continue the search."

"Yes!"

Zhu Youjian picked up a roster and studied it. These people were all within his grasp. Not one would escape.

As he was about to speak again, Sun Chanting strode in. "Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise," Zhu Youjian said indifferently. "How is the city's defense deployed?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, everything is prepared."

"Very good." Zhu Youjian nodded. "Take your men and search the secret chambers in the west of the city."

"Yes." Sun Chanting turned to leave.

"Wait," Zhu Youjian added. "Find the living, or bring back their corpses."

"I obey your command." Sun Chanting departed.

Zhu Youjian continued to review the documents. Each one served as a handle to drag down a traitor. He let out a cold laugh. "Wen Tiren, your good days are at an end."

Wang Cheng'en approached. "Your Majesty, would you like to rest?"

"No need." Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "Bring those monks in."

"Yes."

Before long, several monks were brought into the hall. Zhu Youjian picked up a roster. "Do you recognize this?"

The monks took one look, and their expressions changed drastically.

"Speak," Zhu Youjian sneered. "What were these people doing?"

The monks knelt on the ground. "Returning to Your Majesty, these people..."

"Speak!" Zhu Youjian commanded sharply.

The monks trembled. "They are... they are all associated with Lord Wen..."

"Associated in what way?"

"Some delivered ordnance... others delivered secret letters..."

"Continue."

"There are also... also those who communicated with the Jianzhou Jurchens..."

Zhu Youjian sneered. "Very good." He waved his hand. "Take them away."

After the monks were led off, Zhu Youjian looked at the map again. Every stronghold in the city was clearly marked. He sneered, "Wen Tiren, you may run, but your temples cannot."

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside.

"Report!" A secret agent ran in. "We have found Wen Tiren's confidant!"

"Where?" Zhu Youjian asked.

"In a residence in the south of the city. They are..."

"They are doing what?"

"Burning documents!"

Zhu Youjian sneered. "Let them burn. Everything that needed to be captured has already been captured." He looked at the documents on the desk. "These are the most important pieces of evidence."

Wang Cheng'en approached. "Your Majesty, should we first..."

"No need." Zhu Youjian interrupted him. He stood up and walked to the window. The sound of the night watch echoed from afar; it was already the fourth watch.

Zhu Youjian stared into the night and sneered, "Wen Tiren, your good days are over."

He turned to Wang Cheng'en. "Go and summon the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Yes."

Moments later, the newly appointed Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard strode in. "Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise and speak," Zhu Youjian said calmly. "Take your men and search the shops in the south of the city."

"Yes." The Commander turned to leave.

"Wait," Zhu Youjian added. "Do not let a single corner go unsearched."

"I obey your command." The Commander departed.

Zhu Youjian looked back at the map. "How many traitors remain in the city?" He sneered. "I will catch you all in one net."

Wang Cheng'en approached. "Your Majesty, should we..."

"No need." Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "Bring that young monk here."

"Yes."

Soon, a young monk was brought into the hall. Zhu Youjian pointed to the map. "Do you recognize these places?"

The monk took one look, and his face turned pale. "This... this is..."

"Speak!" Zhu Youjian shouted.

"These are... these are Lord Wen's strongholds..." the monk stammered.

***

Li Fu, a close confidant of Wen Tiren, sat in his brightly lit study, a pile of account books spread before him. From time to time, he looked out at the moonlight beyond the window, his expression restless.

"Sir," a man appearing to be a steward entered. "That shipment..."

"Shh!" Li Fu stood up abruptly. "Keep your voice down."

The steward lowered his voice. "The shipment has already been delivered to Qingyun Temple."

Li Fu nodded. "How are the arrangements?"

"Everything is prepared according to plan. It's just that..." the steward hesitated.

"Just what?"

"The men from the Eastern Depot have recently..." The steward stopped mid-sentence.

Li Fu sneered. "What is there to fear? We have Lord Wen backing us from above." He walked to the window and looked at the courtyard bathed in moonlight. "And the muskets?"

"They are all hidden in the cellar."

"Very good." Li Fu nodded with satisfaction. "Go and call Manager Huang."

Just as the steward was about to turn away, he seemed to remember something. "By the way, sir. About the wharf..."

"What about it?" Li Fu frowned.

"I hear Zheng Zhilong's ships have been spotted nearby."

Li Fu's expression shifted. "When did this happen?"

"Just today. And..." the steward swallowed hard, "they seem to be searching merchant ships."

Li Fu was silent for a moment. "Go and burn the account books."

"But..." the steward hesitated.

"Burn them!" Li Fu commanded sharply. "Not a single trace must remain!"

The steward hurriedly agreed, gathered the books from the table, and prepared to leave.

"Wait," Li Fu added. "Tell the men below to be careful over the next few days."

The steward nodded and quickly exited the study.

Li Fu sat back down and pulled a letter from his robe. It was one Wen Tiren had sent a few days ago. He unfolded it and read it carefully by the candlelight. After he finished, his face grew even darker.

"Someone come!" he suddenly shouted.

A man who looked like a servant entered. "Sir."

"Go and prepare the horses. If..." Li Fu paused, "if there is any sign of trouble, notify me immediately."

The servant acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Li Fu paced back and forth in the study, glancing out the window from time to time. The night grew deeper, the moonlight spilling onto the stone slabs of the courtyard, reflecting a silvery white.

"Sir," Manager Huang walked in quickly.

"Sit." Li Fu gestured to a chair.

Manager Huang sat down and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Sir, you wanted to see me..."

"What do the Jianzhou Jurchens say?" Li Fu interrupted.

Manager Huang looked around. "They... they say the goods are ready. They are just waiting for..."

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for our signal."

Li Fu nodded. "Tell them to wait a few more days."

"But sir," Manager Huang said anxiously, "they say they cannot wait any longer. If..."

"If what?"

"If we don't act now, they will..."

"Will what?" Li Fu sneered. "Do they dare to..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside.

The steward ran in, panic-stricken. "Sir! It's terrible!"