Chapter 35: I Shall Depart

Zheng Shiyuan’s body could not help but tremble. It was as if he had suddenly been dealt a heavy, crushing blow. His mind went blank for a moment, and he stood there, stunned and motionless.

"You... what did you say? Is all of this true?"

A moment later, having regained his senses, he looked at Commander Xu and asked, his voice laced with urgency. He unconsciously took a step toward Commander Xu, closing the distance between them. Gone was his previous composure, that indifferent and unruffled demeanor.

In truth, Zheng Shiyuan knew that what Commander Xu told him had to be true. Otherwise, the man would have to be a fool to travel such a great distance just to tell him these things. Yet, knowing it was one thing; he still could not help but seek confirmation from Commander Xu. The news was simply too staggering and the implications too vast—so vast that if he didn't confirm it, he would find it impossible to believe.

Seeing Zheng Shiyuan’s reaction, a faint smile appeared on Commander Xu’s face. At last, he was no longer the only one bearing the weight of this shock! He saw in Zheng Shiyuan a reflection of himself from a few days ago. When the Emperor had summoned him and revealed this in secret, his own reaction had been so similar to the current state of Zheng Shiyuan.

"The Emperor has ordered Prince Qin, Prince Jin, and Prince Yan to disguise themselves as migrants, change their names, and come to Linhuai. You heard me correctly, and everything I have said is true."

*Hoo!*

Hearing Commander Xu’s words, Zheng Shiyuan let out a long, shuddering breath. Yet, the various emotions and the profound shock within his heart did not dissipate with that breath; instead, they grew even more intense. Such an absurd thing was actually true! This... the Emperor’s methods were truly beyond all expectation. Throughout history, had there ever been another sovereign who operated this way?

"The Emperor said that you and I are the only ones outside the palace who know of this. No one else must learn the true identities of the Princes. It is up to the two of us to watch over them and ensure their safety."

Zheng Shiyuan’s eyebrows first arched in shock, then furrowed tightly together. A moment later, this typically calm Magistrate of Linhuai turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Commander Xu asked, looking at him in confusion.

"Commander Xu, wait a moment. I must handle the migrant registration myself! The officials from the Ministry of Works are waiting at the site. If I don't do something, the Princes will surely be pressed into labor to build the Central Capital!" His voice was frantic.

"There is no need," Commander Xu said, catching him by the arm. "The Emperor’s intention was for them to go and build the Central Capital."

Zheng Shiyuan’s steps faltered, and he was once again frozen in place. He had initially thought the Emperor had sent his own sons disguised as migrants on a whim, perhaps to let them live like common peasants and gain some life experience. Who could have imagined it was actually to have them labor on the construction of the Central Capital!

This result, which once again defied his expectations, was simply too startling. The thoughts that had been scattered by the sudden, explosive news now rapidly returned to him, and he realized much more. This time, the matter was likely far from simple. The Emperor must have heard whispers regarding the construction of the Central Capital, which was why such an unexpected arrangement had been made! This was aimed directly at the Duke of Korea!

If that were not the case, he would never have sent three of his own sons at once to undertake such an endeavor!

"The Emperor has ordered that the two of us are to report the whereabouts of the three Princes to him daily, independently. Shortly, there will be special carrier pigeons sent to you, Magistrate Zheng."

Requiring them to report separately was, in fact, an excellent method of oversight. Watching Zheng Shiyuan, whose brow was now knitted in deep concern, unable to maintain his composure any longer, Commander Xu felt his own mood lighten significantly. This life-or-death mission—which could lead to his own execution or even the slaughter of his entire family if not handled perfectly—was something he no longer had to bear alone!

He knew the Emperor’s temper all too well. If any of the three Princes suffered the slightest harm, neither of them would survive. Even his status as the Emperor’s godson would offer no protection. Moreover, if something truly went wrong, even if the Emperor said nothing, he would not wish to live; he would surely follow the Princes to the grave. To do otherwise would be a betrayal of his own conscience.

"Let us work well from here on out. We must complete this task, even at the cost of our lives, to ensure the safety of the three Princes. Unless it is an absolute emergency involving life or death, we must never reveal their true identities!" Commander Xu set aside his smile, now looking at Zheng Shiyuan with solemn intensity.

"Please tell the Emperor, and rest assured, Commander, that even if I must sacrifice my life, I will protect the three Princes! I will ensure they do not reveal their identities and that they live safely within the Central Capital!"

By the time Zheng Shiyuan finished speaking, his eyes were red and brimming with tears. Commander Xu was slightly taken aback, yet he could understand the man’s emotions. Anyone who was living a quiet life only to be suddenly thrust into such a perilous mission—with an even more dangerous, underlying objective—would be deeply unsettled. Even a man like Zheng Shiyuan, who had once pressured the Emperor to execute his own nephew, could not remain indifferent to this.

"Do your work well," Commander Xu consoled him.

Zheng Shiyuan nodded firmly, though his thoughts were entirely different from what Commander Xu imagined. It was not the sudden burden of a mission that could cost him his life or his clan that brought tears to his eyes, nor was it merely the resolve to carry out his orders. It was because he had seen hope; he had seen a sage monarch!

Did he not know of the series of atrocities and the reckless disregard for human life occurring in the Central Capital? Of course he did. More than once, the thought of gathering evidence and reporting it to the authorities had crossed his mind. But that impulse, though it surfaced repeatedly, was always suppressed. It was not that he lacked the will, but that it was impossible.

First, he was no longer a Censor-in-Chief; he lacked the authority to oversee and memorialize the throne. Second, the scale of this matter was simply too vast! The Emperor had ordered the construction of the Central Capital and had even placed it in his ancestral homeland. The Duke of Korea, Li Shanchang, a man of the highest standing, had personally gone to the front lines to oversee it. From the fourth year of the Hongwu era until now, for over three years, he had spent most of his time at the Central Capital. Numerous Huai-Xi nobles had enthusiastically invested themselves in the project.

At the time, there had been a fierce struggle over whether the capital should remain in Yingtian Prefecture or be built anew at the Central Capital. The faction led by the Count of Cheng-yi, representing the people of Jiang-Zhe, had clashed with the Huai-Xi faction led by Li Shanchang. The result was a crushing defeat for the Count of Cheng-yi, who was forced to leave the court and return to his home in Qingtian. If even a man like Master Qingtian could suffer such a fate, what chance did a lowly Magistrate of Linhuai have? Opposing such a thing was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Of course, if these were the only reasons, his nature would have led him to find a way to expose it regardless. But there was one more crucial, decisive reason: the Emperor himself favored the Central Capital. He wanted to see it built well so that he could move the capital there. Under such circumstances, could exposing Li Shanchang’s actions have yielded any results? Absolutely not! On this grand endeavor, the Emperor was on their side!

Throughout the past year, he had heard of too many injustices and witnessed too much darkness. Yet, because the Emperor and Li Shanchang were of one mind on this, there was no way to resolve these issues. He could only suffer in silence, forcing himself to look away from the happenings in the Central Capital, trying his best to focus on his own duties and bring what little relief he could to the people. He had cursed Li Shanchang and his ilk countless times in his heart, and even cursed the Emperor. He had felt a profound despair for the world and for the Emperor, believing that the current ruler was no different from those of the Yuan Dynasty.

But now, after hearing these revelations from Commander Xu, he realized with a jolt that he had completely misunderstood the Emperor! The Emperor was not on the same side as Li Shanchang and his faction! The Emperor was willing to stand up for the people! He was the Emperor of the entire world, not just the Emperor of the Huai-Xi faction!

Even though this matter involved the Emperor’s most cherished dream of moving the capital, even though it involved the Duke of Korea, Li Shanchang, and the immense power of the Huai-Xi noble group behind him—a group that formed the very foundation of the Emperor’s power—the Emperor had not turned a blind eye once he learned of these things! He had chosen to act, and he was absolutely resolute! Otherwise, he would not have sent three of his own sons into the Central Capital in such a manner.

And as for himself, being chosen to secretly protect the three Princes meant his responsibility would go far beyond mere protection. When the time came for the Emperor to settle accounts with Li Shanchang and the others regarding the Central Capital, he would undoubtedly be the Emperor’s blade! Otherwise, the Emperor would not have sent Commander Xu to tell him this. He was but a Magistrate of Linhuai. If the Princes remained in Linhuai, he could protect them, but they were heading to the Central Capital. Protecting them there would be truly difficult. It would have been more appropriate for Commander Xu, a third-rank Commander of the Fengyang Guard and the Emperor’s godson, to do this. Yet the Emperor had assigned the task to him—the implications of this were clear!

This was a charge against the Huai-Xi nobility, led by Li Shanchang! Was he afraid? Of course he was. But more than that, he felt a sense of duty that could not be shirked! The darkness he had witnessed over the past year, the countless innocent people who had perished for the sake of the Central Capital—the constant agony he had endured—all drove him forward.

He would accept this mission without hesitation and prepare himself. When the Emperor needed it, he would launch an unceasing assault upon Li Shanchang and his faction! Even if he were to be shattered in the process, or if the Emperor were to cast him aside later to quell the rage of the Huai-Xi nobles, he would have no regrets!

This, Zheng Shiyuan would do! Even if there be millions against me, I shall go!