To ascend the throne with sword at one's side and shoes on one's feet, to have one's name omitted when addressed in court, and to hold the authority to inspect the inner palace—this is how a true man should live.

Black smoke billowed over Cai Family Alley.

"Fire! Fire!" many voices cried out.

A nearby watchtower immediately sounded the gongs to warn the city. The imperial guards grew tense, their eyes shifting toward the Shunzhi Emperor.

Young Shunzhi, noting that the smoke was at least sixty zhang away, waved a hand, signaling for them to continue their tea.

Before long, the Southern City Fire Brigade arrived at the scene like a whirlwind and began their work. The brigade was well-drilled and orderly; they first cleared a firebreak around the perimeter.

"One, two, pull!"

With a thunderous crash, the hook-and-sickle spears brought down a house that had just caught fire.

They then doused the area with water from nearby ditches. Once the three burning houses had collapsed and the flames were scattered, the surrounding ground was soaked, leaving nothing left to fuel the fire. The remaining embers were quickly extinguished.

Shunzhi watched with great interest, finding the entire spectacle novel. The firefighting method was simple and brutal, yet highly effective.

***

"Master Jiang has arrived!"

Someone shouted from the edge of the crowd, and the onlookers promptly parted to make way. Jiang Qingyun sat on his horse, surveying the now-contained scene.

"Brothers of the Fire Brigade, you have worked hard. Make sure to douse every last spark to prevent the fire from rekindling."

"For the Great Qing! For the Southern City!"

The slogans were recited in perfect unison. Shunzhi, listening from afar, was delighted. Truly, a loyal subject.

A runner hurried to Jiang Qingyun’s side and whispered, "My lord, that group of men over there looks suspicious."

Jiang Qingyun turned his gaze toward the tea stall, and his internal alarm bells rang instantly. Dozens of men in plain clothes were fanned out in a semi-circle. They possessed a sharp, seasoned air, and their eyes were keen. Some had bulges at their waists or beneath their robes—clearly concealing blades.

"My lord?"

"Order the civilians to disperse and return home at once."

***

Jiang Qingyun was almost certain that men with such bearing were either officials or rebels. It was unlikely they were rebels; the probability of them being officials was far higher. A bold conjecture formed in his mind, his heart hammering against his ribs. This might be a golden opportunity.

"Giddyap."

He reined in his horse and slowly approached the tea stall.

Halfway there, he made a new discovery. Although their clothes varied, their boots were identical. Furthermore, the way they looked at him was haughty—the look of a superior glancing at an inferior.

Imperial guards! The Emperor was here.

Realizing this, Jiang Qingyun hooked his saber to his saddle, nimbly vaulted off his horse, and walked forward, step by step.

Ten zhang... seven zhang... four zhang...

A man on the opposite side reached out to block his path, remaining silent. Jiang Qingyun reached into his waist, pulled out a copper seal, and handed it over without a word.

"You, stay where you are," the man said in a calm tone. He took the seal and turned to walk into the tea shed.

***

Inside the tea shed, the proprietor sensed something was wrong; his hands began to tremble. A guard, noticing this, stepped forward to take the copper kettle from him and gestured for him to leave.

Now, aside from Shunzhi, no one else was seated in the shed.

"Your Majesty, Jiang Qingyun, Commander of the Southern City Military and Horse Department, requests an audience. This is his official seal."

"How did he know?"

"The True Dragon is here, shrouded in purple clouds; it is no surprise that he would notice," the guard replied, offering a subtle compliment.

"Let him come forward."

"As you command."

Moments later, Jiang Qingyun strode into the shed. He fell silent, knelt, and kowtowed. Though reluctant, he had no choice. A superior officer crushes his subordinate, and this was the Emperor himself.

A thought flashed through his mind: "To enter the palace with sword and boots, to be spared the mention of one's name in court, to patrol the inner chambers—a real man should aspire to such heights."

***

"Raise your head."

"Grant him a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jiang Qingyun keenly sensed that the young Emperor held a favorable view of him. He did not know why, but his intuition rarely failed him.

"You have done well in the Southern City. You are a credit to the sons of the Two Yellow Banners."

"To eat the Emperor’s salary is to share the Emperor’s burdens. Doing what I can for the people of the Southern City is merely my duty, not worthy of praise."

"Some have impeached you for being arrogant and maintaining a private army. Do you have a defense?"

"My conscience is clear. In the capital, one only makes enemies by doing actual work. If I did nothing at all, I could easily maintain a facade of peace."

Shunzhi was satisfied with this answer and waved for the guards to stand further back. The four guards who had been standing at their posts—two behind the Emperor and two behind Jiang Qingyun—quietly withdrew.

***

Shunzhi beckoned for Jiang Qingyun to come closer. Only a crude tea table stood between them, mere inches apart.

"I ask you, is there danger in the capital?"

"Yes."

"Speak."

"The Two White Banners and the Plain Blue Banner are filled with the partisans of the Prince Regent. They are not loyal to Your Majesty; they will not accept defeat."

"What do you suggest?"

"Kill them."

"I am the Emperor of the Great Qing. The Eight Banners are the foundation of the dynasty. To kill three banners would leave only five. Would that not be digging my own grave?"

"Your servant means only to execute the officers of those three banners."

"Do you also believe that even if Dorgon were dead, his partisans would not be loyal to me?"

"Your Majesty is wise. Your servant will offer an analogy: trust is like a woman’s chastity—it is either there from the beginning, or it never exists at all."

Shunzhi fell into deep thought. The metaphor was vulgar, but intriguing.

"Your Majesty is a sage ruler and should hold the reins of power alone. Your servant is willing to charge into battle for you and clear away the obstacles."

Shunzhi’s breathing noticeably quickened, but he immediately reined in his emotions, staring gently at Jiang Qingyun.

"I verbally authorize you to recruit two or three hundred elite soldiers from the Han Army troops who have been discharged in the Zhili region. When necessary, you may also reach into the counties of Daxing and Wanping to ensure the loyalty of the Southern City. But you must obey the laws of the court and keep a low profile. I will never mistreat those who are loyal. I shall leave now."

Shunzhi spoke in the softest of whispers, but the content was incredibly bold.

***

Jiang Qingyun sat at the empty tea stall for a long time. The most fitting verse for the moment was: "The mountain rain is about to fall, and the wind sweeps through the tower; dark clouds press upon the city, and the city is about to crumble!"

As he sipped his tea, he pondered the implications of Shunzhi’s words. On the surface, the young Emperor was wary of Dorgon, but beneath it all, was there not also a wariness toward the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang?

The phrase "holding the reins of power alone" had clearly struck a chord deep within the young Emperor’s heart.

Just as the young Wanli Emperor had felt helpless, torn between love and hate for the Empress Dowager Li, so too did Shunzhi.

No third party had been present for their conversation, and there had been no written edicts or gifts bestowed. This showed that Shunzhi still harbored his own fears.

"My lord?"

The tea stall proprietor returned, looking terrified.

Jiang Qingyun tossed down a small piece of silver and said kindly, "Forget what happened today. Do not think of it, do not speak of it, and just go about your business."

"This commoner understands."

"Also, if you ever notice anyone or anything suspicious in the future, feel free to report it to the Military and Horse Department. If you are wrong, no harm done; if you are right, there will be a reward."

"This commoner understands, I certainly will."

***

After leaving the tea shed, Jiang Qingyun’s expression returned to normal.

He slowed his horse and patrolled along the Heavenly Bridge, turned into Zhushikou Street, and finally arrived at Shijia Alley near Chongfu Temple (renamed Fayuan Temple during the Qianlong era).

The construction site was bustling, with over two hundred craftsmen at work.

"It’s nothing for you to worry about, continue with your work," a clerk from the Military and Horse Department hurried over. "My lord, why have you come?"

"I was uneasy."

"My lord, look. This is the Puji Hall, this the Nursery Hall, and this the Shelter for the Destitute. The craftsmen are following your designs strictly—clear water, red bricks, every brick laid to the top. The monks of Chongfu Temple say you have the heart of a Bodhisattva and the methods of an Arhat."

Jiang Qingyun frowned and asked, "Which monk?"

"I don't know his name. But he is exceptionally tall, standing there like a green pine. His appearance is solemn and majestic; he is clearly a good monk with deep cultivation and great compassion."