Chapter Forty: The Emperor's sons have been rounded up to build the Central Capital? And three of them at once?!!!

Holding the secret letter, Li Shanchang laughed heartily. His laughter was unrestrained and wild. He knew that what he had done was right! He knew that the Emperor would not blame him, but would instead reward him. When it came to understanding the Emperor, no one else even came close!

After his laughter subsided, he immediately summoned his younger brother Li Cunyi, his nephew Li You, his nephew Ding Bin, the Minister of Works Xue Xiang, the Prefect of Fengyang Zhu Xiang, and several other relevant officials and Huai-xi nobles to the Ministry of Works office.

"In the Middle Capital, build a medical center immediately! For the next few days, the laborers will eat three meals a day: one solid meal and two thin gruels! The shanties where the laborers live must also be urgently repaired so they are windproof. The bedding inside must be replaced at once. Remember, all of this must be completed within two days! Also, the bedding should not be brand new; it needs to look semi-worn!" Li Shanchang looked at the group, his expression solemn as he issued his orders.

Hearing this, the group, who were already curious as to why they had been summoned so urgently, became even more bewildered. They had no idea what was going on.

"This... wouldn't this significantly affect the project's progress? Uncle, what has happened?" Ding Bin was a man of military background with a rash temperament. He had been leading the construction work in the Middle Capital, so he was the first to ask.

"Haha, it’s good news! The Emperor is coming to the Middle Capital for a visit and will spend the Lantern Festival here!" Li Shanchang finally stopped playing games and told them the real reason.

What?! After their initial surprise, everyone was overjoyed. They suddenly understood why the Duke of Korea was acting this way! This was a monumental piece of news! It was a great honor for the Huai-xi faction and their greatest victory yet! The Emperor's move to the Middle Capital was now set in stone! There would be no more surprises.

"The laborers in the Middle Capital must also be screened immediately. Pick out the old, the weak, the sick, and those who are disobedient. Transport them outside the city and keep them under secret guard. If you can't find enough space outside the city in such a hurry, you can hide some in concealed areas within the city. You must ensure they do not appear before the Emperor. The Emperor is kind-hearted and cannot bear to see people suffer. So, we shall make sure there is no one suffering in this Middle Capital! Once the Emperor arrives, to avoid exposure, there is no need to send food to those being kept in custody..."

Xue Xiang opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Li Shanchang gave him no chance to speak.

"Going hungry for a few days won't kill anyone. Even if someone does die, it doesn't matter! They are dying for a cause! After working so hard for these years, at this most critical moment, no matter how great the difficulties or how many people die, you must hold the line! You must get this done! Whoever causes a disaster in this matter will be a sinner against our entire Huai-xi faction! They deserve to be executed by us all!" Li Shanchang stopped smiling and looked at them with a stern, final command.

Hearing this, everyone straightened their expressions and solemnly agreed, promising to get the job done right without any errors. Xue Xiang also followed suit.

"Go! Work hard. At this critical moment, no one is allowed to falter! Even if we have to risk our own lives, it is worth it!" With a wave of his hand, Li Shanchang dismissed them.

Li Shanchang took the secret letter from his robe and read it carefully once more. Each time he read it, his smile grew broader. A moment later, he left the Ministry of Works and went into the city himself to inspect the work and oversee the progress.

***

The Middle Capital suddenly became a hive of activity. The body-collection teams began dragging stiff corpses that had piled up in corners of the city onto carts to be hauled outside for burial. Those who were weak and unable to work—but who could have been nursed back to health with a few full meals—were also tossed onto the carts. They were dragged out of the city and buried alongside the corpses. Others were busy cleaning the city. To ensure that the selected laborers who would be seen by the Emperor each had a decent set of bedding, the bedding of those screened and taken into secret custody was stripped away.

These sudden changes in the Middle Capital did not escape the eyes of the three brothers, Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di. They immediately understood what was happening. Their father must have begun his journey and was on his way! He was acting much faster than they had expected! They had been told they would be here for two months, but it hadn't even been five days yet! However, it was better that he was coming early! There was too much darkness in the Middle Capital; they couldn't stand it anymore. They longed to smash that darkness to pieces—using their father’s methods, of course, not the Ming Cult’s.

Witnessing these unusual movements, Shen Jing also realized that something was different. Was a truly extraordinary figure really coming to the Middle Capital? Could it be... was it really the Emperor, just as the Wu brothers had said? Were these brothers actually the Emperor's sons? Otherwise, how could they know these things so clearly? He had only just told him the Emperor would come, and now such massive changes were happening? His heart skipped a beat.

But as his eyes fell on the three Wu brothers—clad in rags and covered in stone dust—the thought was quickly dismissed. The Emperor’s surname was Zhu, while these three were surnamed Wu; it didn't match. Even if names could be changed, the Emperor's sons were royalty of the highest order. How could they possibly come here disguised? How could they perform such labor? Would the Emperor’s sons be whipped and cursed at? It must be a coincidence.

Regardless of whether it was the Emperor or not, he would risk his life to expose the truth if given the chance! The Shen family had been pushed to the edge; there was no way back. If they were going to die anyway, why not fight back?

Li Shanchang’s men were busy rounding up the sick and weak. Fortunately, since he hadn't been there long, he was still relatively strong compared to many others. He wouldn't be locked away. This was his chance!

But a moment later, Li You arrived with his men and seized him.

"What? Did you think your chance had come? Trying to do something? Heh, keep dreaming, give up that thought!" As he spoke, he slapped Shen Jing across the face with arrogant contempt. "I'll be sure to take good care of your sister and your stepmother. I must say, they are truly luscious!"

"Li You, you will die a horrible death!!!" Shen Jing’s eyes blazed with fire as he cursed.

"I’ll die a horrible death? Hahaha..." Li You laughed wildly, as if he had heard a hilarious joke. "The man who can kill me, Li You, hasn't been born yet!"

"Heaven is watching! Heaven is watching!" Shen Jing shouted in rage.

"Heaven is watching? I am the heavens!" Li You retorted. Seeing Shen Jing still making noise, he added with a sinister sneer, "If you dare to let out another peep, I’ll take you back to my estate and make you watch how your stepmother and sister serve me, and see just how luscious they are!"

Shen Jing immediately shut his mouth, biting his lip until it bled, and was led away in utter despair. Li You felt the pleasure of a cat playing with a mouse. He prepared to find the rest of the children of wealthy Jiangnan families who were being forced into labor. As he left, he saw the three lowly laborers nearby watching him. He walked over and lashed each of them with his whip.

"What are you looking at? Get back to work! If anyone says a word they shouldn't, I’ll kill his entire family! I'll exterminate his nine generations!"

Seeing these three lowly laborers cower and lower their heads to work in silence after being whipped, Li You left, satisfied, to continue wreaking havoc on others...

***

In Yingtian Prefecture, at the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince's concubine, Lady Lu, walked with a cold expression toward the infant Imperial Grandson, Zhu Xiongying. In that room, there was no one but her and Zhu Xiongying...