Chapter Thirty-Nine: Zhu Yuanzhang Marches on Zhongdu City

Within the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang felt not the slightest annoyance that his son, Biao, had entered without being announced. He had long ago issued an order that the Crown Prince was free to see him at any time, without any formality or obstruction. In fact, had Biao actually waited to be announced, he would have been displeased, feeling it created a distance between father and son.

Taking the secret letter from Zhu Biao’s hand, Zhu Yuanzhang read it swiftly. Years of reviewing memorials had honed his reading speed to an extraordinary level. He finished it in a moment, a trace of admiration appearing on his face. The letter was from Zheng Shiyuan, the Magistrate of Linhuai. At the very beginning, it stated that the Prince of Qin and his brothers, having arrived in Linhuai disguised as refugees, had been immediately rounded up by the bailiffs of Zhongdu City and pressed into forced labor for the city’s construction. The rest of the letter detailed the darkness surrounding the construction: how Li Shanchang treated human life like dirt, played a double game, colluded with others to deceive those above and oppress those below, and how the common people suffered under his tyranny.

It was not the darkness of Zhongdu that Zhu Yuanzhang admired, but the reaction of Zheng Shiyuan. This man, whom he had found so detestable in his past life, had not disappointed him. He still possessed great courage! By arranging things this way, he had successfully grasped the Emperor's intent and immediately taken up the task. Now, when the time came to act against Zhongdu, he would have a sharp blade at his disposal.

"Father, is... is the situation in Zhongdu truly this severe?" Zhu Biao asked, his voice strained. Before this, through his father’s various arrangements, he had known the issues in Zhongdu were significant, but after reading the letter, he was shocked to realize they were far worse than he had imagined.

"It is worse than you can possibly imagine!"

"Then Father, we must set out for Zhongdu at once! Do not wait any longer!" Zhu Biao urged, his heart racing with anxiety. He was not only worried about his brothers but also eager to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Every day earlier meant fewer lives lost and less suffering for the people. Zhu Biao was a man of benevolence who cared deeply for the plight of the commoners; had he not been, he would not have wept uncontrollably during the northern inspection in the first year of Hongwu upon seeing the ruins of Yangzhou.

"We go! We must go! Your father has long been unable to wait! Ever since I learned of these matters in Zhongdu, I have not wanted to wait a single day longer. Every time I close my eyes, I see countless common people cursing me, raising their sickles and hoes to overthrow me, wanting to drink my blood and eat my flesh. It haunts my sleep!" Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice was heavy.

After speaking, he summoned his attendants: "Pass the order: On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, we shall return to our ancestral home in Fengyang to reunite in Zhongdu, and incidentally, see how the construction of my capital is coming along." He spoke with high spirits, seemingly full of anticipation for the trip.

But once the attendants left and they were alone, Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression darkened instantly. His entire being radiated a stifling murderous intent and fierce determination. In his past life, he had been too impatient and had failed to make thorough arrangements, allowing Li Shanchang and his ilk to clean up the mess and destroy evidence, leaving many key areas unexposed. This time, he had sent three of his own sons to be captured for labor; let’s see how Li Shanchang and his faction try to hide it now! No matter how they tried to conceal their crimes, it would be futile against the very sons they had forced into labor. This was a lethal blow!

Zhu Biao had previously disapproved of his father’s penchant for killing, especially his desire to move against the meritorious officials. But this time, he wished his father would kill even more! These people had truly gone too far. His only concern was how this would end—what negative impact it might have on the Ming Dynasty, and whether it would cause instability that outweighed the benefits. The status of Li Shanchang, the Duke of Korea, was far too transcendent, and the power of the Huaixi faction was too entrenched. Crucially, they were his father's greatest reliance and capital. Regarding this journey and the impending confrontation, he was both expectant and deeply worried.

...

The Emperor was going to see Zhongdu? And he would arrive by the Lantern Festival? This order was far too sudden!

In the Central Secretariat, before that smooth, polished rosewood desk, Right Chancellor Hu Weiyong was momentarily stunned by the news. "I understand," he said, then immediately rose to begin making arrangements. Although the Emperor’s decision was abrupt, Hu Weiyong felt it was within the realm of reason; the current Emperor was impulsive, a man of quick decisions who often acted on whims. It was not strange for him to suddenly want to spend the Lantern Festival in Zhongdu. It was merely a tight schedule that required urgent coordination. Fortunately, Hu Weiyong’s administrative ability was formidable, and after some rapid handling, he organized all the tasks required of a Chancellor in an orderly fashion.

Returning to his seat and seeing that no one was around, the seemingly composed Hu Weiyong suddenly slammed his fist onto the desk with a ferocious expression. He had schemed for so long, even going so far as to deal a death blow to Liu Bowen, all to prevent Li Shanchang from returning to the Central Secretariat as Left Chancellor and overshadowing him. Now, it seemed he had failed. From the fact that Zhu Yuanzhang was making a special trip during the Lantern Festival to see an unfinished city, one could see how much importance he placed on it! The day Zhongdu was completed and the capital relocated would be the day that dog Li Shanchang returned to the Secretariat! He, Hu Weiyong, had worked so hard only to end up having to grovel before Li Shanchang like a dog again! He would have to return this rosewood desk, Li Shanchang’s favorite, to its owner! He was truly unwilling to accept this!

...

The next day, the Emperor displayed his full imperial regalia, took the Crown Prince and a host of officials, boarded the dragon boat at the Long River, and set off in a magnificent procession. Liu Bowen and other officials stood on the shore, watching the dragon boat sail away. Listening to the surrounding talk—full of envy or excitement about how the Duke of Korea was once again in the Emperor’s favor and would soon return to the Central Secretariat—his expression remained calm. But inwardly, he shook his head slightly. In his view, this time, Li Shanchang would not only fail to gain favor, he would likely expose his own ruin.

...

In the Ministry of Works office in Zhongdu, Li Shanchang looked at the urgent message that had arrived by carrier pigeon from Yingtian. He was stunned at first, then fell into deep thought. After careful consideration, a look of wild ecstasy appeared on his face.