Volume One, Chapter Seven: Continue the Interrogation!

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Inside the main hall of the Eastern Depot, the eunuchs knelt in unison. Zhu Youjian stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the figures prostrate before him.

"Where is the Superintendent?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, the Superintendent is in the back hall, presiding over an interrogation," a senior eunuch replied.

Zhu Youjian nodded. "Take me there."

The back hall was gloomy and oppressive. A tall, stout eunuch was interrogating a prisoner covered in blood.

"Lin Mitian, do you confess to your crimes?"

"I... I did not collude with the enemy..." the prisoner rasped.

"Still trying to lie your way out!" The tall eunuch slammed his hand onto the desk. "The evidence is ironclad. Will you not admit it?"

Zhu Youjian stood at the entrance, watching the scene in silence.

"Your Majesty!" The tall eunuch suddenly spotted Zhu Youjian and hurriedly knelt.

"Rise, Eunuch Wei," Zhu Youjian said calmly. "What case is this?"

Wei Zhiren replied respectfully, "Replying to Your Majesty, this man is suspected of colluding with the Jiannu. I am currently interrogating him."

"Is there conclusive evidence?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, it has been verified. This man has had multiple contacts with Jiannu spies and has transmitted military intelligence."

Zhu Youjian walked a few steps closer and looked at the blood-soaked man. "Do you confess?"

"I am wronged... I am wronged..." the man wailed.

"Someone," Zhu Youjian said suddenly, "take him away."

"Your Majesty?" Wei Zhiren looked puzzled.

"I will handle this case personally." Zhu Youjian looked at him. "Eunuch Wei, I hear you have been investigating quite a few cases lately?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, they are all minor matters," Wei Zhiren said respectfully.

"Oh? And how is the investigation into Wen Tiren's case proceeding?"

Wei Zhiren’s body stiffened. "This..."

"What? Are there difficulties?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Wen holds a high and powerful position; I dare not act rashly..."

"And the case involving the Embroidered Uniform Guard?" Zhu Youjian asked again.

"Replying to Your Majesty, as for the Embroidered Uniform Guard..." Wei Zhiren hesitated, "I have already sent men to keep a secret watch. They have indeed been acting suspiciously lately."

"Speak."

"Commander Luo frequently associates with the Donglin Faction, and furthermore..." Wei Zhiren lowered his voice, "they seem to be plotting something."

Zhu Youjian sneered. "So you have just been watching?"

"Your Majesty, please discern the truth! I dare not—"

"Wei Zhiren," Zhu Youjian snapped, his voice sharp, "have you become just like them, a useless sack of wine and rice?"

Wei Zhiren trembled all over. "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I—"

"Rise and speak," Zhu Youjian said coldly.

Wei Zhiren stood up, trembling. Zhu Youjian paced slowly around him. "Let me ask you, how many informants has the Eastern Depot actually deployed?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, both inside and outside the capital, there are about three thousand..."

"Three thousand?" Zhu Youjian sneered. "With such a small number, you dare claim to monitor the entire world?"

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren gritted his teeth, "in truth... I have another network of secret agents."

"Speak."

"This secret network consists of merchants, beggars, and courtesans... They are spread everywhere, and their information is the most reliable."

Zhu Youjian's eyes lit up. "How many are there?"

"About... about ten thousand."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, these individuals have special identities. If they were exposed..." Wei Zhiren said cautiously.

Zhu Youjian nodded. "Very good. This is more like what a Superintendent of the Eastern Depot should be."

He sat down in a chair. "Tell me, what have these people discovered?"

Wei Zhiren respectfully replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, I have discovered that the Donglin Faction has been meeting frequently, seemingly to discuss some major event. And as for Wen Tiren..."

"What about Wen Tiren?"

"He has been frequenting with merchants from Jiangnan, and furthermore..." Wei Zhiren lowered his voice, "he has purchased a residence outside the city, and people are often seen entering and leaving in the dead of night."

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. "Have you identified who those people are?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, they are all dressed as merchants. However..." Wei Zhiren hesitated.

"Speak."

"I sent men to follow a few of them and discovered they are spies for the Jiannu."

Zhu Youjian stood up abruptly. "What did you say?"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Wei Zhiren knelt. "I have already ordered strict surveillance, just waiting for..."

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting to gather enough evidence so that we can round them all up in one sweep."

Zhu Youjian paced back and forth in the hall. After a long moment, he stopped. "Do not let word of this out for now. Continue to keep your men watching."

"I obey your command."

"By the way," Zhu Youjian added, "that Cao Huachun, do you know him?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, the small eunuch from the Imperial Kitchen?"

"Correct. I have already let him open a shop in the city. Send men to protect him secretly. If anyone causes trouble..."

"I understand," Wei Zhiren said. "I will arrange it immediately."

Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction. "I can rest easy when you handle things."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Wei Zhiren said respectfully. "It is just that..."

"Say what you have to say."

"I have heard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard seems to have become suspicious. They have sent men to watch my people..."

Zhu Youjian sneered. "What is there to fear? Investigate what should be investigated, and handle what should be handled."

"Yes," Wei Zhiren responded. "It is just that I worry..."

"Worry about what?"

"I worry about startling the snake," Wei Zhiren said carefully. "If Wen Tiren finds out..."

Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "No matter. Let them fight it out. I want to see who will be the one to have the last laugh."

He stood up. "By the way, send men to investigate the Imperial Kitchen."

"The Imperial Kitchen?" Wei Zhiren was stunned.

"Correct. I suspect there are problems there as well."

"I obey your command." Wei Zhiren bowed. "Does Your Majesty have any other instructions?"

Zhu Youjian looked at him. "How long have you been in the Eastern Depot?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, it has been fifteen years."

"So, you have been in the Eastern Depot since the Wanli era?"

"Yes." Wei Zhiren nodded. "Back then, I was just a small eunuch..."

"Then do you know Wei Zhongxian?"

Wei Zhiren’s body jolted. "Replying to Your Majesty, I... I was just a nobody; I dared not get involved with the Eunuch Faction..."

Zhu Youjian looked at him meaningfully. "Is that so? Why have I heard that you were once a confidant of Wei Zhongxian?"

"Your Majesty, please discern the truth!" Wei Zhiren thumped to his knees. "I was young and ignorant back then, deceived by Wei Zhongxian..."

"Rise," Zhu Youjian said calmly. "I do not wish to dwell on the past. As long as you serve well from now on..."

"I will surely do my utmost!" Wei Zhiren knocked his head repeatedly.

Zhu Youjian walked to the door, then turned back. "By the way, do you know Liu Ruoyu?"

"I know him," Wei Zhiren said. "He is the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen."

"Does he have any dealings with Wen Tiren?"

"This..." Wei Zhiren thought for a moment. "There seems to be some connection. I will send men to investigate immediately."

"No need," Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "I have my own arrangements. You just focus on watching Wen Tiren."

"I obey your command."

Zhu Youjian walked out of the Eastern Depot gates, looking at the red walls in the distance. These people all thought they were playing a grand game of chess, unaware that they were all merely pieces on the board.

"Wang Cheng'en," he called out.

"This servant is here."

"Go and tell Wei Zhiren that I am very satisfied with his performance."

"Yes." Wang Cheng'en bowed and retreated.

Wei Zhiren stood in the main hall, watching Zhu Youjian’s receding figure, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He knew he had been drawn into a massive vortex.

"Someone!" he called out.

"Superintendent," several eunuchs ran over.

"Bring that prisoner up; continue the interrogation!"