Chapter 51: Thrown into the Pit of Filth

“Minister Tang He pays respects to Your Majesty and inquires about your well-being.”

Tang He immediately bowed deeply to Zhu Yuanzhang, showing utmost respect.

According to protocol, in response to such a routine greeting from a subject, Zhu Yuanzhang would normally reply, “I am well,” or “I am doing fine.”

But this time, it was clearly different.

“Well-being? What well-being! I’m so furious I could die!” Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice was filled with anger.

“You came at just the right time. You and I need to have a serious talk about what’s going on with Zhongdu City. I sent you over to help oversee the repairs, to keep an eye on things and stop them from running amok.

Yet here we are, with such a huge problem in Zhongdu City, and you’ve kept it all hidden—didn’t even give me a single hint!”

Compared to his usual demeanor with others, Zhu Yuanzhang was far more casual with Tang He—no beating around the bush.

After all, Tang He had been his loyal companion since childhood.

Back when hunger drove him to kill the butcher Liu’s cattle to feed everyone, Tang He had been among those who ate the beef.

Later, when Zhu Yuanzhang was still a green recruit, Tang He had already risen to the rank of battalion commander.

Tang He always addressed him affectionately as “Heavy Eight,” and despite Tang He’s high rank, he would let Zhu Yuanzhang sit at the head of the table and heed his words.

Truly a comrade through and through.

That was why, the moment it was decided he would go to Zhongdu, he sent secret orders for Tang He to take control of all the troops in Fengyang and entrusted him with the task of eradicating the Ming Cult.

When it came to military prowess, Tang He didn’t measure up to veterans like Chang, his nephew Bao’er, Deng Yu, Feng Sheng, or even Liao Yongzhong and Fu Youde.

But when it came to trust, after the great general Xu Da, Tang He was first in line.

Even the old Chang had to step back in this regard.

“My lord,” Tang He said cautiously, a little foolishly, “I’ve been ill lately. My health has deteriorated unexpectedly, and I fall ill every few days. I simply can’t stay in Zhongdu anymore...”

His voice carried the wheeze of a cold, punctuated by occasional coughs.

It was clear he was genuinely unwell.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” Zhu Yuanzhang tapped Tang He’s forehead three times with his right index finger.

“Still trying to fool me?

When did you turn into some delicate maiden who can’t stand wind or water, who falls over at the slightest breeze?”

Tang He shrank his neck under the taps.

“Brother, I understand your meaning.

Li Shanchang is truly dedicated to building Zhongdu City.

I’m not defending him, but speaking purely about the quality of construction—

He’s just too impatient, focused solely on finishing the city in the shortest time possible.

For that goal, everything else can take a backseat.

That’s where I disagree with him.

I’ve told Li Shanchang more than once to slow down, to give the laborers a breather.

There’s no need to rush so much.

If it gets done within the time you set, that will be a great achievement.

But Li Shanchang refuses to listen. He wants to exhaust every effort to build the finest capital in the shortest time.”

“He even says I don’t understand.

He’s the one in charge of Zhongdu’s construction and holds a high position.

I had no choice but to fall ill, to stop wandering around Zhongdu, so I wouldn’t add more trouble for myself or annoy Li Shanchang.”

“So you just stood by and watched Li Shanchang run amok? Watched countless citizens die because of him? Watched him ruin my reputation and let the people curse me?”

Zhu Yuanzhang gave Tang He two more taps on the forehead.

He knew Tang He didn’t truly think that way, but it didn’t stop him from asking.

His impression on them was so deeply rooted that Tang He, though seemingly naïve, was actually very perceptive.

If Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t ask, Tang He might think he was secretly blaming him and quietly holding a grudge.

By asking directly, Tang He would feel reassured.

He would need many warriors going forward.

He couldn’t afford to lose a steadfast ally like Tang He.

Hearing this, Tang He silently breathed a sigh of relief.

“Brother, you know me well. How could I think that way?

Zhongdu City is your capital. You want to move the capital there.

If I had clashed openly with Li Shanchang over the city, I’d fear ruining your grand plans and making things difficult for you.

If it weren’t for that, I would have told you everything long ago.

He doesn’t have that much face with me!”

Tang He’s voice was resolute.

“I know you have my trust, that’s why I summoned you alone,” Zhu Yuanzhang said, a faint smile flickering before fading.

Then he tapped Tang He’s forehead twice more.

“You have good intentions, but you still don’t fully understand me.

You don’t know what truly matters to me.

I hate corrupt officials above all else. I hate those in power who don’t see people as human.

Even as emperor, I have never changed on this point.

Even Zhongdu City’s construction can never outweigh the lives of innocent citizens.

You must remember this—engrave it in your heart and never forget!

If one day you find that I have changed or forgotten this original intention, then slap me hard a few times and remind me of today’s words.

Make me regain my resolve!

I would never blame you—I would be grateful!”

Hearing this, Tang He’s heart shuddered.

Not only because he suddenly realized how gravely mistaken he had been about the matter and how shallow his understanding of His Majesty was,

But also because he sensed another meaning behind His Majesty’s words.

Could it be… that His Majesty intended to abandon the construction of Zhongdu City?

If that were true, it would be utterly astonishing!

Li Shanchang’s reputation would be utterly torn down and thrown into the gutter.

Given Li Shanchang’s temperament, there was no way he would accept this quietly!

The thought was so shocking that Tang He broke out in a sweat.

He quickly banished the unreliable idea from his mind.

Zhongdu City had been under construction for so long, at such great cost—there was no way His Majesty would just scrap it.

...

“Brother! Brother! You have to intervene in this matter!

He’s your own nephew!

You can’t just watch him be skinned alive!”

In Li Shanchang’s mansion, Li Cunyi pleaded tearfully with his elder brother.

Their home had been ransacked, and the newly built grand residence sealed off.

Li Shanchang remained silent for a long, long time before speaking.

“I will go to see His Majesty first thing tomorrow morning and use the iron certificate of immunity to save You’er’s life!”

Upon hearing this, Li Cunyi finally relaxed.

His son’s life could be saved! There was no need to worry!

This iron certificate of immunity was personally issued by Zhu Yuanzhang, and he would certainly honor it.

...

“Father, even if Zheng Shiyuan is appointed prefect of Fengyang to seek justice for the people, I fear the situation won’t be easy.

There won’t be many who dare to file complaints against these powerful nobles,” Zhu Di said, looking at Zhu Yuanzhang inside Xingfu Palace.

In the past, he would never have voiced such doubts.

He would have believed that with the emperor’s personal command, the oppressed people would get justice.

Those going to court would throng the government offices.

But after this deeply etched experience, Zhu Di no longer thought that way.

His father’s control over the realm was not as deep as he imagined.

Many seemingly loyal subjects below were brazen enough to collude and deceive the emperor.

Led by Li Shanchang, the nobles of Huai West had deep roots in Fengyang.

Their influence was vast and intertwined, overshadowing everything.

Their authority was intimidating.

Many with grievances dared not stand up and accuse them.

Zhu Yuanzhang was pleased that Zhu Di could speak so frankly.

It showed that bringing his second son and others here and letting them witness this ordeal had obvious benefits.

Not only did it deliver a fatal blow to Li Shanchang and his allies, but it also taught them a profound lesson.

In his previous life at this age, the fourth son never had such insight.

“You’re right,” Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement.

“But we have our own means here to ensure that those wronged have no worries.

They can bring forth their grievances and boldly accuse these lawless men!”