Volume One, Chapter Six: Three Days Later

“Commander Luo, I have questions for you,” Zhu Youjian said, sitting upright in the main hall of the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Command. His gaze was piercing.

Luo Yangxing knelt on the ground. “Your Majesty, what are your orders?”

Beneath the hall stood over a dozen captains of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, each with bowed heads, avoiding the emperor’s gaze. Zhu Youjian scanned the room and sneered, “Has there been any unusual movement inside or outside the capital recently?”

“Your Majesty, all is peaceful,” Luo Yangxing replied respectfully.

“Peaceful?” Zhu Youjian suddenly slammed the table and stood up. “What about the secret meetings of the Donglin faction? Are you aware of them?”

The assembly was shaken. Luo Yangxing broke out in cold sweat. “This…”

“And what of Li Zicheng’s spies? How many have infiltrated the capital? Have you thoroughly investigated?”

Luo Yangxing hesitated. “That is…”

“Let me ask you,” Zhu Youjian fixed his eyes on him. “Those cases I ordered you to investigate last month—what progress has been made?”

“Your Majesty, investigations are ongoing…”

“One month of investigation, and all you can say is ‘ongoing’?” Zhu Youjian sneered. “Do you all think I am easily fooled?”

Silence filled the hall like a deathly chill.

“Your Majesty’s wisdom is unmatched!” Luo Yangxing kowtowed repeatedly. “We truly…”

“Enough.” Zhu Youjian waved his hand to cut him off. “I have seen through all of you long ago. Outwardly respectful, but behind my back, you merely go through the motions.”

Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.

“I will give you one more month,” Zhu Youjian stood. “If you continue to be so careless, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

“We will obey!” the men kowtowed hastily.

Zhu Youjian stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over them. Some were former followers of Wei Zhongxian, others close confidants of the Donglin faction.

“Dismissed,” he said coolly.

After they left, Zhu Youjian changed into common clothes and quietly slipped out of the palace with Wang Cheng’en. He wanted to see for himself what kind of man Cao Huachun truly was.

The capital’s streets bustled with merchants and townsfolk, the market alive with ceaseless activity.

Walking among the common people, Zhu Youjian observed their faces—some smiling, others furrowed with worry—all toiling for their livelihood.

“Your Majesty, Cao Huachun’s shop is just ahead,” Wang Cheng’en whispered.

Zhu Youjian nodded and approached a three-story storefront.

Outside the shop, workers busily renovated as Cao Huachun personally directed them. Dressed in a pale moon-colored eunuch robe, he appeared remarkably capable.

“Shopkeeper, the signboard should be hung higher,” he instructed. “Right there, exactly that spot.”

Zhu Youjian watched from across the street in a teahouse.

Cao Huachun turned to his assistants. “Bring the porcelain inside carefully—don’t break anything.”

“Yes, Shopkeeper.”

A middle-aged man in a brocade robe approached. “You must be the new Shopkeeper Cao?”

“Indeed,” Cao Huachun bowed. “May I ask your name?”

“My surname is Wen. I own the silk shop on this street,” the man smiled.

Zhu Youjian’s eyes brightened. Could this Wen be related to Wen Tiren?

“Ah, Master Wen,” Cao Huachun greeted respectfully. “My shop is still under renovation. I hope for your kind support when it opens.”

“Of course,” Wen replied. “What business do you plan to run?”

“Tea leaves, porcelain, calligraphy, and some exquisite trinkets,” Cao Huachun explained.

“Excellent choice!” Wen nodded. “This street has long lacked such a shop. I’ll be sure to visit on opening day.”

“Thank you, Master Wen,” Cao Huachun bowed again.

After cordial exchanges, Wen departed.

Zhu Youjian nodded inwardly. Cao Huachun certainly knew how to navigate social relations.

“Shopkeeper!” An assistant hurried over. “Master Zhao sent someone.”

Cao Huachun quickly went out to meet them. The visitor was a burly man with a knife at his waist.

“Master Zhao sent me to see if everything is running smoothly here,” he said.

“Thanks to Master Zhao, all is well,” Cao Huachun said, pulling a pouch from his sleeve. “Please thank Master Zhao on my behalf.”

The burly man weighed the pouch and nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Master Zhao said as long as Shopkeeper Cao follows the rules, no one will trouble him on this street.”

“Many thanks,” Cao Huachun bowed repeatedly.

Zhu Youjian smiled faintly at the scene.

“This fellow certainly knows how to handle matters,” he murmured.

Wang Cheng’en replied, “Yes, in just half a day, he’s already secured the street’s alliances.”

Zhu Youjian observed a while longer. Cao Huachun bustled about, directing workers, arranging the shop’s interior.

“Let’s go,” Zhu Youjian stood.

“What do you think of Cao Huachun, Your Majesty?” Wang Cheng’en asked.

“He seems loyal enough,” Zhu Youjian said coolly. “But we must still keep a close watch.”

“Understood.”

As they prepared to leave, a commotion erupted nearby—several ruffians were harassing a local woman.

Zhu Youjian frowned. “Where are the Embroidered Uniform Guards?”

“They’re usually in the teahouses drinking,” Wang Cheng’en replied helplessly.

Zhu Youjian snorted. These guards were nothing but drunkards and idlers.

“Return to the palace,” he said, turning. “I want to see how long these men can get away with neglect.”

As they moved, Cao Huachun suddenly strode out of his shop.

“Stop!” he shouted. “Making trouble in front of my shop—do you not respect Master Zhao?”

Hearing Master Zhao’s name, the ruffians immediately wilted.

“Ah, this is Shopkeeper Cao’s territory. We apologize,” their leader smiled apologetically.

Zhu Youjian watched and nodded. “This fellow does have some courage.”

“Should we…” Wang Cheng’en hesitated.

“No need,” Zhu Youjian waved his hand. “Let him stir up his own troubles. I want to see how far he can go.”

They turned and left. The street noise gradually faded behind them, leaving Cao Huachun standing at his doorway, lost in thought.

“Shopkeeper!” an assistant ran up. “Master says the shop will open in three days. What about these goods…”

“No rush,” Cao Huachun smiled. “Take your time and arrange everything carefully.”

He glanced back at the shop. “By the way, move the tea leaves to the second floor. If anyone asks, say it’s the finest Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao.”

“But Shopkeeper, that’s not…”

“Do as I say,” Cao Huachun said calmly.

Zhu Youjian sat in his sedan chair, listening to Wang Cheng’en’s report.

“This Cao Huachun does have some skill,” he nodded. “However…”

“Your Majesty worries about him…”

“No matter,” Zhu Youjian smiled. “With that ledger in hand, he won’t be able to cause too much trouble.”

The sedan slowly made its way back to the palace. The street’s clamor faded, leaving only the sound of horse-drawn carriages.

Cao Huachun stood at his shop’s entrance, watching the departing sedan thoughtfully. He touched the ledger in his bosom and glanced back at the shop, a complicated expression flickering in his eyes.

“Shopkeeper, should we…” the assistant hesitated.

“Get back to work,” Cao Huachun waved him off. “The shop opens in three days—nothing must go wrong.”

The assistant nodded and left. The street bustled with people, each striving for their livelihood.

Cao Huachun watched it all and let out a quiet sigh.