ATPnovel Chapter 19 Decision on the Southern Tour - New
Chapter 19 Decision on the Southern Tour - New
On the 22nd day of the tenth month of the fifteenth year of Chongzhen's reign, at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).
The night was as dark as ink, and the Forbidden City was still asleep.
But the lights in the Qianqing Palace had been on for two hours.
Li Ce stood before the enormous "Complete Map of the Ming Dynasty," holding a vermilion brush in his hand.
The pen tip hovered over the two characters "Nanjing" for a long time without falling.
The lines on the map were already etched into his heart—every river, every mountain, every pass. In his previous six lives, he had failed to leave Beijing. In this life, he would follow this north-south line to the place that was both the softest and the hardest.
"Your Majesty," Wang Chengen's voice rang out from outside the hall, "It's past 3:45 AM, time to change your clothes."
Li Ce didn't move.
He stared at the red line on the map that meandered south from Beijing—the Grand Canal.
A waterway of 1,800 li.
Enough to die many times over.
That's enough... to live once.
"Change your clothes."
At the beginning of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Great court meeting.
The hall was packed with people. Civil officials stood to the east, and military officials to the west, forming two silent seas according to rank.
Everyone knows what we're going to discuss today.
Southern tour.
Three days ago, the Emperor's words in the Western Garden had spread like wildfire throughout the capital: "I am going to Jiangnan to seize the lifeline." No one dared to openly oppose him, but privately, in the offices of the Six Ministries, sighs, whispers, and the sound of teacups shattering never ceased.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
Li Ce emerged from the rear hall and ascended the throne. He wore a twelve-symbol imperial robe, and the beaded curtain on his crown swayed slightly, obscuring half his face, but not the light in his eyes.
"Please speak if you have something to report," Wang Chengen drawled.
A brief silence.
Then, Qian Shisheng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, stepped forward.
"My lord, you have the foundation."
Li Ce looked at him and said, "Speak."
Qian Shisheng took a deep breath, his voice echoing in the empty hall:
"I have heard that Your Majesty intends to make a southern tour. This matter concerns the national dignity and the safety of the empire, and I... dare not remain silent."
He paused, then looked up:
"Emperor Taizu established the rule that the emperor should reside in the capital to reassure the people. Emperor Yongle launched five expeditions to the northern deserts, but Beijing remained the foundation. Now, Liaodong is in danger, and the Jurchen army is at Xuanfu. If Your Majesty leaves the capital and goes south, I fear... the capital will be shaken, and the morale of the troops in the nine border regions will be unstable."
As soon as the words were spoken, seven or eight civil officials stepped forward from the ranks and bowed in unison.
"We second that proposal."
On the military officer's side, Zhang Weixian frowned, but didn't move.
Li Ce waited until they had all finished speaking before slowly opening his mouth:
"Minister Qian."
"Your subject is here."
"You say the Emperor is stationed in the capital to reassure the people—I ask you, are the people's hearts at peace now?"
Qian Shisheng was taken aback.
"The Grand Canal has been cut off, grain prices have skyrocketed, the Beijing garrison has mutinied, and nobles have colluded with the enemy." Li Ce said, enunciating each word clearly, "These things all happened in Beijing, where I am in charge. Does my mere presence bring peace of mind?"
"Your Majesty..." Qian Shisheng's forehead was covered in sweat.
"As for the morale of the troops in the nine border regions," Li Ce stood up, the beaded curtain rustling softly, "General Wang Chengyin of Xuanfu has already opened the city gates to welcome the Jurchens into the pass. Is this what you call 'military morale'?"
The entire hall erupted in uproar.
The news of Xuanfu's fall had not yet officially spread. Hearing it from the emperor's mouth at this moment was like a boulder thrown into stagnant water.
Some people in the military officers' ranks gasped in shock.
Zhang Weixian placed his hand on the hilt of the knife.
"But that's not the most important thing." Li Ce walked down the steps, his boots striking the gold bricks, one sound after another.
He took a scroll from his sleeve and unfolded it.
The paper is yellowed and has burn marks on the edges—it is an original document recovered from a secret compartment in the private residence of Shanxi merchant Fan Yongdou.
"This is a letter Shen Maocai wrote to Fan Yongdou. It's dated August of this year." Li Ce's voice was calm, but every word was like an icicle. "I'll read a few lines to you all."
He raised his eyes and looked at the assembled civil and military officials:
"This year's cast tiger-squatting cannons number three hundred and are stored in a private dock in Zhenjiang. Over ten thousand servants are practicing firearms. All thirteen branches of the grain transport guild have been secured, and intelligence is readily available in all the prefectures and counties along the river."
The hall was deathly silent.
Even their breathing stopped.
"And this is another line," Li Ce continued, "'If the Northern Court presses us too far, we will cut off the grain transport and defend ourselves. The Jianghuai region is a natural barrier, and our armor and provisions will last for three years. At that time, instead of the south sending grain and money to the north, we will have to beg the north for supplies from the south.'"
He put down the letter and his gaze swept over every face:
"Did you hear that? This isn't tax resistance, it's treason. This isn't bargaining, it's armed separatism."
Qian Shisheng's face turned deathly pale: "Your Majesty... is this letter genuine...?"
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has seized Fan Yongdou's handwritten confession, the Shen family's secret seal, and the account books related to the Grand Canal Gang." Li Ce handed the letter to Wang Chengen, "Pass it around for review."
The letter was passed between civil and military officials.
With each person who passed by, another pale face appeared.
"Now," Li Ce walked back to the throne, turned around, "you still expect me to sit here and wait to die?"
No one answered.
"Jiangnan's taxes account for forty percent of the nation's revenue. Jiangnan's iron and saltpeter supply seventy percent of the Ming Dynasty's weapons. Jiangnan's grain transport sustains the soldiers of the nine border regions." Li Ce's voice suddenly rose. "Now, someone has the Ming Dynasty by the throat, sharpened their swords, and prepared their cannons—you expect me to wait in the capital, waiting for them to come with their swords and cannons to 'purge the court of corrupt officials'?!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" a voice rang out.
Minister of Revenue Ni Yuanlu stepped forward and knelt down, his voice choked with emotion:
"As the Minister of Revenue, I know the national treasury is empty and the border supplies are nonexistent. Without funds, grain, iron, and saltpeter from Jiangnan, in three months, the soldiers on the nine borders will have no pay, no food, and no guns! At that time, let alone defending the national borders, even the capital... will be in chaos!"
Li Ce looked at him: "Ni Yuanlu."
"Your subject is here."
"If I were to make a southern tour, how long could Beijing hold out?"
Ni Yuanlu gritted his teeth: "Your Majesty, I... will do my utmost to buy you two months. Within those two months, the Ministry of Revenue can mobilize all existing silver and grain reserves to maintain order in the nine border regions, the capital garrison, and the capital city. But after two months..."
He didn't finish speaking.
But everyone understood.
two months.
Either the emperor would bring back money, grain, iron, and saltpeter from Jiangnan to quell the rebellion, or... the Ming Dynasty would collapse.
"That's enough." Li Ce nodded. "Two months is enough for me."
He looked at the assembled civil and military officials:
"Effective immediately, I will make a southern tour to Nanjing. The Crown Prince will oversee the state, but since he is young, I have ordered Zhang Weixian, Ni Yuanlu, and Li Banghua to form a cabinet to remain in the capital and report to the emperor at the Wenhua Hall every five days. Military and political affairs will be handled by Zhou Yuji on the northern front, Zhang Weixian in charge of the defense of the capital, and Li Ruolian in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and intelligence."
He paused, then his voice turned stern:
"During my absence from the capital, anyone who makes irresponsible remarks about the southern tour, undermines the morale of the army, or secretly communicates with the north and south will be executed immediately, along with their entire clan."
The chill, like that of the hottest days of summer, instantly permeated the main hall.
"Dismiss the court."
Li Ce turned around, and the beaded curtain swung out in an arc.
At 9:00 AM, in the Kunning Palace.
Empress Zhou sat in front of the mirror, and a palace maid was combing her hair.
Her hair was as black as ink, combed straight through.
"Your Majesty," the personal maid whispered, "His Majesty just finished court and went to Qianqing Palace. I heard... it was decided at the court meeting that he will depart in three days."
The empress remained silent.
She looked at herself in the mirror—in her early thirties, with fine lines already appearing at the corners of her eyes. In the past six years, she had watched her husband transform from a spirited young emperor into the silent, cold, and abyss-like man he was today.
She had no idea what he had been through.
But she knew he had changed.
It became...like a drawn sword, impossible to sheathe back in.
"Put your hair in a simple bun," the Empress said softly. "I'm going to see His Majesty."
Early noon, in the West Warm Pavilion of Qianqing Palace.
Li Ce is reviewing the last batch of memorials.
These were all urgent matters that had to be addressed before the southern tour—the allocation of provisions, the arrangement of post stations along the route, the list of accompanying personnel, and the detailed rules of authority for the remaining staff…
The pen tip scratched across the paper, making a soft, rustling sound.
Suddenly, light footsteps came from outside the hall.
He looked up.
The Empress stood at the door, alone, without any maids. She wore plain, everyday clothes, and her hair was simply styled with only a jade hairpin.
"Your Majesty," she bowed.
Li Ce put down his pen: "Why is the Empress here?"
"Your Majesty... has something to say."
Li Ce looked at her, and after a moment, waved to Wang Chengen.
Wang Chengen bowed and withdrew, gently closing the door behind him.
Only two people remained inside the hall.
The light from outside the window filtered through the latticework, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
"Sit down." Li Ce pointed to the chair opposite him.
The Empress did not sit down, but instead walked to the imperial desk and her gaze fell on the unfolded map.
"Your Majesty," she began, her voice calm and clear, "I request permission to accompany Your Majesty on your southern tour."
Li Ce frowned almost imperceptibly: "Reason."
"Your Majesty, I have three considerations, all of which concern the success or failure of Your Majesty's southern tour." The Empress raised her eyes, her gaze clear as a mirror.
"Firstly, it establishes legitimacy. If I remain in the capital, the villains of Jiangnan will surely seize the opportunity to spread rumors that I have been placed under house arrest, or to act in my name, thus undermining the legitimacy of Your Majesty's 'pacification of Jiangnan.' If Your Majesty personally arrives, the rumors will be dispelled, and Your Majesty's trip can be called an 'imperial tour' rather than a 'forced southward journey.'"
"Secondly, to broaden our horizons." She lightly pointed to the location of Nanjing on the map. "The gentry in Jiangnan place great importance on family visits. As Empress, I receive noblewomen and inspect the textile factories. In these private conversations, unintentional remarks often slip out. Such information may be of reference to Your Majesty's decision."
"Thirdly, to eliminate future troubles." Her voice was low, but each word was clear. "Your Majesty's plans are far-reaching and you have considered everything thoroughly. However, if I am left in the capital, I may become a hindrance if the situation changes. If I accompany Your Majesty, Your Majesty will not need to be distracted by the north and can focus all your efforts on dealing with the affairs of Jiangnan."
She paused, meeting Li Ce's scrutinizing gaze:
"Therefore, I suggest that, outwardly, the imperial carriage and entourage should proceed slowly by land with great fanfare to appease the public. In secret, I may change my attire and choose another route south. This would be a 'phoenix lead' to attract attention from those in the shadows; this would be a 'stealth' journey directly to Jinling. This is all I can do, and I hope Your Majesty will consider it."
Li Ce listened in silence, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.
Every point she made hit the nail on the head. Keeping her around would indeed put them in a politically passive position; taking her away, though risky, would turn that passivity into an active one. She not only considered accompanying her, but also how to maximize her value—as both an open target and a covert mole.
"Have you considered how dangerous this road is?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
"I've thought about it," the Empress said frankly. "That's why I suggested a two-pronged approach, one overt and one covert. The imperial carriage can be used with great fanfare, but I don't need to be inside."
A sharp glint flashed in Li Ce's eyes.
"I adopt your strategy." He nodded slowly, "but how to implement it will depend on my arrangements."
He stood up and walked to the window: "The imperial carriage and entourage will proceed as usual. I will arrange a reliable person inside the carriage, someone of similar build to you, skilled in adaptability. She will ride in the imperial carriage, proceeding slowly along the official road; this will be called 'Ming Yin' (明引)."
He turned to the Empress: "And you, lead a small group of your most trusted confidants, change your clothes, and blend into my entourage. I have ordered Li Ruolian to select twenty loyal, reliable, and skilled women from among the Imperial Guards and the noble families of Xun Gui, to be organized into the 'Kunwei,' under your direct command, specializing in protection and the delivery of secret messages."
"Your Majesty..." The Empress was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to have considered this.
"Remember," Li Ce said calmly, "your value lies not in the imperial carriage, but after you arrive in Jiangnan. Before reaching Nanjing, your identity as 'Daughter of the Zhou Family' is sometimes more useful than your identity as 'Empress.' Your primary task is to arrive alive."
The Empress took a deep breath and bowed solemnly: "Your Majesty... understands."
She paused, then took out a small jade pendant from her sleeve and gently placed it on the imperial desk.
The jade pendant is bluish-white with simple cloud patterns, and has a warm, lustrous sheen.
"This was a gift from my mother, who said it was an heirloom," she said softly. "It might be useful when Your Majesty travels south."
Li Ce picked up the jade pendant and held it in his palm. The warm, smooth texture seemed to carry some kind of power.
"We will depart at Chenshi (7-9 AM) in three days," he concluded. "The imperial carriage will proceed half a day ahead, and you will follow behind. I will have Li Ruolian explain the specific arrangements to you."
"Your Majesty, I obey."
The Empress withdrew from the palace.
Li Ce stood still, the jade pendant in his hand slightly warm.
Having the Empress accompany them and adopting this "dual approach" undoubtedly increased the variables involved.
But as she said, carrying the most conspicuous symbol of "Empress" with her could both legitimize her status and force out the enemies lurking in the shadows.
More importantly, if she could safely reach Jiangnan, she would no longer be merely the Empress of the Ming Dynasty, but also a unique key that could quietly unlock the inner chambers and hearts of the Jiangnan gentry.
Acting on emotion? No, this is a strategic choice made after weighing all available people and emotions on a cold scale.
At 1-3 PM, in the Military Affairs Hall of the Western Garden.
Twenty Imperial Guards stood outside the gate; no unauthorized personnel were allowed to approach.
Inside the hall, Li Ce, Zhang Weixian, Li Ruolian, and Zhou Yuji (who rushed back from Juyong Pass) sat around a huge sand table.
The sand table shows the entire territory from Beijing to Nanjing, with mountains, rivers, passes, and cities marked with wooden blocks of different colors.
"Let's talk about the northern route first." Li Ce pointed to Juyong Pass.
Zhou Yuji was covered in dust, still wearing his armor, and his face was chapped from the wind.
"Your Majesty, I received the latest intelligence this morning—Wang Chengyin opened the south gate of Xuanfu and welcomed Huang Taiji's main force into the city. After entering the city, the Jurchens did not massacre the city's inhabitants, but only seized the weapons and provisions of the Xuanfu garrison. They then divided their forces into two routes: one route, with about 30,000 men, was led by Ajige and stationed in Xuanfu; the other route, with about 50,000 men, was personally led by Huang Taiji and has moved westward, with their target suspected to be Datong."
He paused, his voice heavy:
"I believe that Huang Taiji's true objective is not to launch a direct assault on Juyong Pass. He intends to bypass Datong, breach the western border wall, and march straight to Taiyuan, severing the connection between Shaanxi, Shanxi, and the capital."
Zhang Weixian gasped: "If that's really the case, the western front of the Nine Borders... is in grave danger."
"So," Li Ce looked at Zhou Yuji, "the task I'm giving you is neither to defend Juyong Pass to the death, nor to wage a reckless war."
Zhou Yuji looked up.
"Your strength lies in defense." Li Ce pointed from Juyong Pass towards Xuanfu. "I will give you twenty days. Within twenty days, build deep trenches and high walls around all the passes from Juyong Pass to Xuanfu, so that even birds cannot cross."
He paused:
"But defense is not about cowering. Select your most elite 'night scouts' and send them out of the pass in shifts. Don't aim to annihilate the enemy, just do three things: spy on the movements of the main Jurchen force, harass their cavalry and small supply convoys, and burn their hay storage areas. Make sure they have to sleep with their eyes open every time they take a step."
Zhou Yuji's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty intends to... use offense to aid defense?"
"Yes." Li Ce nodded. "Let them know the pain, let them know that there are still soldiers inside the pass who dare to come out, and they won't dare to recklessly send troops deep into enemy territory. But remember—your foundation is Juyong Pass. As long as the pass stands, you are here; if the pass falls…"
He didn't finish speaking.
Zhou Yuji knelt down: "Your subject will die ten thousand times for this mission! If Juyong Pass falls, your subject will surely die at the pass!"
Li Ce helped him up, then looked at Zhang Weixian:
"Beijing is yours. Of the 36,000 men in the Beijing Garrison, I will leave 20,000 to you. Of the remaining 16,000, I will take 3,000 with me, and the remaining 13,000... will be sent to the various garrisons along the nine borders."
Zhang Weixian was startled: "Your Majesty, the capital garrison is already weak, and if we divide the troops further..."
"Beijing can't be defended, not because there aren't enough soldiers," Li Ce interrupted him. "It's because of the people's hearts. If the people's hearts are at peace, even 10,000 soldiers can hold the city. If the people's hearts are in turmoil, even 100,000 soldiers are just chickens and dogs."
He paused:
"After I leave the capital, you shall do three things: First, open soup kitchens every day to prevent people in the capital from starving to death; second, post battle reports on the city gates every three days—only post reports of victory, and even minor victories shall be described as major victories; third, if any gentry cause trouble or spread rumors, arrest them, kill them, and hang their heads on the city gates."
Zhang Weixian took a deep breath: "Your subject...accepts the decree."
Finally, Li Ce looked at Li Ruolian.
"Your task is the most important," he said. "You will be in charge of the intelligence network in Beijing, the smuggling routes of Shanxi merchants, and the secret agents of Jiangnan in the north. I will give you the power to make decisions on the spot—if things get urgent, you can mobilize the Beijing garrison, execute officials, or... take the first step."
Li Ruolian knelt on the ground, her voice trembling:
"Your Majesty... I am unworthy and unworthy..."
"Because I trust you." Li Ce looked at him. "In our past life, you accompanied me to the very end. In this life, I entrust my back to you."
Li Ruolian's eyes were red-rimmed as she kowtowed deeply.
"Your subject... will repay this with his life!"
"Don't die." Li Ce helped him up. "Live and watch over Beijing for me."
After the three left, Li Ce stood alone in front of the sand table.
He looked at the winding canal.
Looking at the vast rivers and mountains of the south.
Then, he reached into his pocket and took out the jade pendant.
Hold on tight.
Late Shen hour, Qianqing Palace.
Li Ce was reviewing the last batch of secret reports.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.
Li Ruolian returned, her face ashen, holding a copper tube in her hands.
"Your Majesty...something has happened."
Li Ce looked up: "Speak."
"I had just returned to the Northern Garrison when a guard reported that a body had been pulled from the moat outside the Xihua Gate," Li Ruolian said quickly. "It was a eunuch from the Imperial Kitchen named Liu Shun. He drowned, but there were ligature marks on his neck, indicating that the body was dumped after death."
"Go on."
"I ordered my men to search his residence, and they found this hidden in the bed frame." Li Ruolian handed over the copper tube.
Li Ce took it and unscrewed it.
Inside was a small note, made of silk, with extremely small handwriting:
"The plan was decided on the 22nd, and the journey began on the morning of the 24th. The Emperor and Empress split up, proceeding by both land and water. There were three passenger boats on the water, with twenty people disguised as merchants accompanying them."
At the end of the note, there was a small symbol drawn—like a plum blossom.
Li Ce's eyes turned cold.
"Time, route, number of people, all correct." He said slowly, "The plan I just finalized this morning was sent out by secret letter this afternoon... There's an ear in this palace that's always pressed against the wall."
Li Ruolian knelt down: "I have failed in my duty!"
"It's not your fault." Li Ce shook his head. "I knew long ago that the Forbidden City was riddled with holes."
He picked up the note and looked at it against the light.
The silk cloth was very thin, and the ink was fresh.
Do you recognize this symbol?
Li Ruolian leaned closer to take a look and shook her head: "Your Majesty... I have never seen it before."
"Go investigate." Li Ce handed the note back. "Investigate the origin of this silk, the formula of this ink, and who in the palace used plum blossoms as a mark. But—don't alert them."
"Yes."
"There's more." Li Ce paused, "Liu Shun's death was a cover-up. This means the messenger knew I would investigate and took precautions beforehand. Follow this lead and dig deeper. But be slow and steady. Wait until I leave the capital... before you act."
Li Ruolian was taken aback: "Your Majesty means..."
"Once I leave, some people will lower their guard," Li Ce sneered. "They'll make moves, they'll slip up. You wait and see, remember this. When I return from Jiangnan—I'll settle accounts with them all at once."
"Your subject understands."
Li Ruolian withdrew.
The hall returned to silence.
Li Ce walked to the window and looked west.
The setting sun cast long, long shadows of the Forbidden City.
Like a giant beast, it lies prostrate on this ancient land.
And he was leaving.
He left the city that had imprisoned him for six lifetimes and where he had died six times.
"Wang Chengen," he called softly.
"This servant is here."
"Go and summon Zheng Zhibao."
"Yes."
At 5:00 PM, in the rear hall of Qianqing Palace.
Zheng Zhibao knelt on the ground.
His left arm was still wrapped in bandages, a wound from the maritime war, but his complexion had improved considerably.
"How's your injury?" Li Ce asked.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am now out of danger."
"Is it still possible to go out to sea?"
Zheng Zhibao raised his head: "Your Majesty's order, I will gladly die for it."
"Alright." Li Ce nodded. "I need you to do something."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"After my southern tour, you will lead all the ships of the Dengzhou and Laizhou naval forces to anchor in Tianjin Port," Li Ce said slowly. "Prepare sufficient provisions, fresh water, and gunpowder. Keep two hundred elite soldiers on board, ready to be deployed at any time."
Zheng Zhibao was taken aback: "Your Majesty... this is..."
"Just in case." Li Ce looked at him. "If things get urgent in the north, Beijing cannot be defended... My Crown Prince needs a way out."
Zheng Zhibao was startled.
Those words are too harsh.
It was so heavy that he could barely kneel.
"Your Majesty..." his voice was hoarse, "Why has it come to this..."
"Consider defeat before victory," Li Ce said calmly. "If I succeed in this mission, the Ming Dynasty can live for another ten years. If I fail... at the very least, I must leave a seed for the Zhu family."
He paused:
"This matter is known only to you, me, and Wang Chengen. Prepare the ships and select the soldiers, but do not move them. Await my secret order—if you see three red feathers attached to the 800-li urgent message, that is the time to set sail."
Zheng Zhibao kowtowed repeatedly:
"Your Majesty, I swear on my life, I will protect the Crown Prince!"
"Go."
Zheng Zhibao stepped down.
Inside the hall, the candlelight flickered.
Li Ce sat alone in the darkness for a long time, then suddenly took out three documents from his bosom.
This is no ordinary memorial.
It was a secret edict sealed with yellow silk, and the seal was covered with a bright red "Emperor's Seal".
He picked up the first one and unfolded it.
blank.
Apart from the seal, there wasn't a single character.
The second and third portions were the same.
This was a "preliminary order to quell the rebellion" that he had the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs rush to produce overnight three days before leaving the capital. It was in triplicate, with blank pages, just waiting for the targets and numbers of troops to be filled in.
The anti-counterfeiting measures weren't in the text, but in the details: the weaving method of the yellow silk, the formula of the ink pad, and the stitches of the mounting all contained secret marks known only to him and Li Ruolian.
More importantly, there is a triggering mechanism—the bearer of the edict must simultaneously present the other half of the tiger tally, along with three coded phrases.
The other half of the tiger tally is in Li Ruolian's hands.
The code... He had sent it to three people through three different channels: Li Jizhen, Minister of War in Nanjing, the General of Fengyang Garrison, and the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner.
The three coded phrases are useless when separated; only when put together do they form a complete troop deployment order.
This was the safest remote control method he could think of.
"Wang Chengen," he called softly.
The old eunuch bowed as he entered.
"Put these three secret edicts in three different boxes," Li Ce said. "One will be sent through the Embroidered Uniform Guard's secret passage, one through the Eastern Depot's covert network, and the other... have Zhou Yuji send night watchmen to deliver it."
"Yes."
Wang Chengen received the secret edict, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, what if we encounter problems en route..."
"If it's intercepted, it'll just be three blank yellow silk ribbons," Li Ce said calmly. "Without the tiger tally and the code, it's useless to whoever has it."
He paused:
"But if it gets sent to... those people in Jiangnan, they will know that even if I am not in Beijing, my influence can still reach Nanjing."
The sound of the night watchman's gong came from outside the window.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
It's past midnight.
Tomorrow is October 23rd.
There's still one day before we depart.
Li Ce got up, walked to the map, and took one last look at Beijing.
Then, they blew out the candle.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Only a sliver of moonlight shone through the crack in the windowpane, illuminating the jade pendant.
A bluish-white light.
Gentle, yet firm.