Volume 1, Chapter 44: Bright

Wang Chengen bowed in assent.
Zhu Youjian walked into the palace and took a seat behind the desk.
"By the way," he added, "go and prepare some tea and pastries."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Chengen withdrew.
Zhu Youjian gazed at the moonlight outside the window.
That evening stroll had brought a sudden clarity to his mind.
Some matters could not be rushed to completion.
Wang Chengen returned swiftly, placing the memorial scrolls, tea, and pastries on the desk.
"You may withdraw for now," Zhu Youjian said.
Once Wang Chengen had retired, Zhu Youjian opened the first memorial.
The moonlight filtered through the lattice window, spilling across the desk.
Zhu Youjian picked up his vermilion brush and began to review the documents.
The rest he had taken that night was more than enough.
What he needed to handle now were matters of greater importance.
The croaking of frogs drifted from afar, but Zhu Youjian had no leisure to attend to it.
He fixed his gaze entirely on the memorials, occasionally lifting his brush to write marginal notes.
The moonlight slowly shifted westward.
Zhu Youjian continued reviewing the memorials.
The tea and pastries remained untouched.
He knew this was no time for indulgence.
That brief respite had sufficed.
It was time to resume the administration of state affairs.
Zhu Youjian picked up his vermilion brush once more.
In the moonlight, his figure appeared exceptionally upright and resolute.
That evening stroll had left him all the more clear-headed.
Certain tasks had to be executed immediately.
The moonlight gradually faded, yet he felt not a trace of weariness.
The eastern sky began to take on the pale hue of a fish's belly.
Zhu Youjian was still reviewing memorials.
That nocturnal walk had already passed into memory.
Yet the insights it brought would remain etched in his heart forever.
He knew what must be done.
A sliver of dawn light now appeared at the edge of the sky.
Zhu Youjian was still reviewing memorials.
The fragrance of flowers, the croaking of frogs, the rustling of bamboo—all had faded into the distance.
Yet the revelations they offered remained forever anchored in his soul.
Zhu Youjian picked up his vermilion brush again.
That single night of wandering was enough.
Some actions could brook no delay.
They must be undertaken at once.

Day had broken completely.
He knew what he must do.
"Your Majesty," Wang Chengen said softly, "it is time for the morning meal."
"No need," Zhu Youjian waved a hand, "wait a little longer."
He continued perusing the memorials with absolute concentration.
That stroll under the night sky had been quite enough.
Zhu Youjian lifted his vermilion brush once more.
Sunlight had already pierced through the lattice window.
Yet he remained immersed in his task.
That brief rest had left him sharper than ever.
Certain matters had to be tackled immediately.
There was no time to wait any longer.
Zhu Youjian kept reading through the memorials, his expression entirely focused.
"Your Majesty," Wang Chengen returned, "it truly is time for the morning meal."
"Wait a little longer," Zhu Youjian said without raising his head, "We still have affairs to attend to."
Wang Chengen retreated with a helpless sigh.
Zhu Youjian went right back to the memorials.
He laid down one volume and picked up another.
Sunlight now streamed into the hall.
Yet Zhu Youjian remained steadfastly at work.
That brief rest was sufficient.
He looked at the document in his hands, his gaze unwavering.
That midnight walk had cleared his mind.
Certain things had to be done right away.
No more waiting.
Zhu Youjian continued to review the memorials.
The morning sun grew bright and strong.
Yet he felt not a shred of fatigue.
That nocturnal walk had lent him strength.
Now was the time to press forward.
Zhu Youjian laid aside one memorial and took up another.
He knew what his duty required.
Those realizations would remain forever in his heart.
Wang Chengen spoke softly, "Your Majesty, the morning meal has been prepared."
Zhu Youjian set down his brush and memorial. "Serve it in the side hall."
"As you command." Wang Chengen bowed and withdrew.
Zhu Youjian stood up, stretching his somewhat stiff wrists. Most of the memorials on the desk had already been reviewed, but many more awaited his attention.
The morning light filtered through the lattice, casting a golden sheen across the desk.
He walked into the side hall and seated himself at the table. Wang Chengen had laid out the morning meal, but Zhu Youjian merely partook of a few symbolic bites.
"These memorials..." he asked Wang Chengen, "when were they all delivered?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, they all arrived last night," Wang Chengen murmured. "The majority concern the region of Jiangnan."
Zhu Youjian nodded. "Has there been any news from Wen Tiren's end?"
"Not as yet, Your Majesty."
"Mm." Zhu Youjian set down his chopsticks. "Bring me the memorials pertaining to Jiangnan first."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Chengen hurried out of the side hall.
Zhu Youjian stood before the window, watching the morning sun slowly rise in the distance.
Before long, Wang Chengen returned, carrying a stack of memorials. "Your Majesty, here they are."
"Set them down." Zhu Youjian returned to the desk and sat down.
He picked up the first memorial; it was a confidential report from the Governor of Jiangnan.
It detailed the movements of various merchant guilds across the provinces. Zhu Youjian read through it meticulously, occasionally making notes in the margins with his brush.
"Bring me the roster from last night," he told Wang Chengen.
"At once."
Wang Chengen quickly fetched a thick bound volume. Zhu Youjian read the memorials while cross-referencing them against the roster.
With every page he turned, he made a mark in the roster. Those names thus highlighted would henceforth become targets for the Eastern Depot.
"This merchant guild..." He pointed to a name on the memorial. "Investigate their background."
"Understood." Wang Chengen noted the name down.
Zhu Youjian resumed his reading with intense focus.
The morning light grew brighter, illuminating the entire hall in dazzling clarity.
Zhu Youjian set down one memorial and picked up another. This was a confidential report from the Prefect of Yangzhou.
Wang Chengen stood quietly to one side, watching the Emperor review the documents.
Zhu Youjian picked up yet another memorial, this one from the Prefect of Suzhou.
It reported that certain merchants were secretly hoarding weaponry.
"Transmit Our imperial decree," Zhu Youjian said coldly. "Strictly investigate all commercial shops across the regions starting from this day forth. Execute without mercy any found in possession of weaponry."
"As you command." Wang Chengen recorded the decree.
Zhu Youjian continued his review, pausing from time to time in deep thought.
He laid down a memorial and took up another. This was a confidential report from the Prefect of Hangzhou.
It documented the suspicious activities of certain merchants.
Zhu Youjian sneered coldly. "These people... truly have no fear of death."
He took up his brush and penned his instruction upon the memorial: "Investigate and prosecute immediately, leaving none alive."
Wang Chengen stood nearby, pouring fresh tea for the Emperor.
wisps of tea steam curled upward, looking exceptionally refreshing in the morning light.
Zhu Youjian picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip.
It was Longjing tea, freshly harvested this year.
He set the cup down and returned to the memorials.
Every single directive he issued was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
The sunlight grew ever brighter, bathing the grand hall in a brilliant, clear radiance.