The forty-eighth year of Qianlong’s reign, the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month.
Fucha Mingxing, the Governor of Shandong, wore a grim expression, alternating between glancing at the official document in his hand and the Prefect of Yanzhou, Wu Zude, who stood with his body bowed.
The document in Fucha Mingxing’s possession detailed Emperor Qianlong’s plan to depart the capital for Jiangnan on the twenty-first day of the first lunar month.
Wu Zude, standing before Fucha Mingxing, reported that a band of rebels had emerged in Ningyang County, not only throwing the entire county into chaos but also causing significant damage to Wenshang County in Jining Prefecture, which bordered Ningyang.
“So, I am currently arranging for the paving of roads with yellow earth and the sprinkling of streets with clean water in all prefectures and counties along the route for the imperial procession, and you come to tell me that there are rebels within Shandong’s jurisdiction? And that my brother-in-law, Xu Yaozu, the Circuit Intendant of Yizhou, Yanzhou, Caozhou, and Jining Prefectures and the Military Preparedness Commissioner of Yanzhou, has been beheaded?”
Fucha Mingxing flung the document at Wu Zude’s face, his expression darkening. “The Emperor has set the twenty-first of the first month for his departure from the capital, and rebels have appeared in Ningyang County.”
“Then you tell me, how am I to account for this to the Emperor! Are you asking me to tell His Majesty that your administration is incompetent, resulting in the appearance of rebels aiming to overthrow Qing and restore Ming? Hmm!?”
Wu Zude panicked and immediately knelt down, kowtowing. “Your subordinate is incompetent! Your subordinate deserves death!”
Fucha Mingxing snorted, about to continue reprimanding Wu Zude, when a figure appeared outside the hall. The person was clad in dark attire, wore a bamboo hat, and had a blue veil obscuring their face.
Fucha Mingxing’s heart skipped a beat, and he stood up. The figure casually tossed a waist token towards Fucha Mingxing. After Fucha Mingxing inspected the token, the black-clad figure retrieved it, glanced at the kneeling Wu Zude, and coldly snorted, “Scram.”
Wu Zude was bewildered.
What did that mean?
He was, in rank, a Prefect of the fourth grade. Just one step higher and he would be a Circuit Intendant, and a mere two steps away from becoming a Provincial Governor or Governor-General. Today, he had been cursed at like a dog?
As Wu Zude looked at Fucha Mingxing in utter confusion, he saw that Fucha Mingxing’s impatient expression was tinged with a trace of nervousness.
Fucha Mingxing waved Wu Zude away, cursing, “Get lost! I will handle the matter in Ningyang County myself.”
After Wu Zude had scrambled away, Fucha Mingxing bowed to the black-clad figure and asked, “May I know what Master’s command is?”
The black-clad figure coldly snorted, “Master will depart on the twenty-first of the first month, and is expected to reach Tai’an Prefecture on the second day of the second month, the Dragon Head Raising Day. Therefore, you must eliminate Zhu Xiaosong before Master leaves the capital.”
“Remember, this is an opportunity that Master Fu has secured for you with His Majesty. If you fail to seize it, then,呵呵.”
Fucha Mingxing shivered at the unconcealed killing intent in the black-clad figure’s words and hastened to say, “Your subordinate will immediately arrange for the Governor of Rivers and Canals in Jining Prefecture to lead the river patrol to Ningyang. Furthermore, I myself will personally lead eight thousand Green Standard Army soldiers to Ningyang. We will absolutely not disappoint Master.”
The black-clad figure sneered again and said, “It is best if it is so.”
With that, the black-clad figure turned and left, showing no regard for Fucha Mingxing, a powerful provincial official.
It was only after the black-clad figure had been gone for a good quarter-hour that Fucha Mingxing finally came to his senses and repeatedly called out, “Someone! Summon Wu Zude, the Prefect of Yanzhou, and Sun Yu, the Commander of the Provincial Guard!”
Coincidentally, Wu Zude had been waiting outside. Hearing Fucha Mingxing’s summons, he immediately scrambled into the hall, knelt down with a thud, and bowed, “Your subordinate is present!”
Fucha Mingxing had regained the composure of a provincial official, no longer as tense as he had been before the black-clad figure. Seeing Wu Zude’s demeanor, Fucha Mingxing casually gestured to a nearby chair and said, “Sit down and talk.”
Wu Zude first thanked him for the grace and then cautiously half-sat on the chair, cupping his hands towards Fucha Mingxing. “May I ask, Governor, regarding Ningyang County…”
Fucha Mingxing heavily set down the teacup in his hand and coldly snorted, “As for Ningyang County, I will personally lead eight thousand Green Standard Army soldiers there to quell the rebellion. The Governor of Rivers and Canals in Jining Prefecture will also lead three thousand river patrol soldiers.”
Hearing this, Wu Zude became curious again about the identity of the black-clad figure from earlier. However, after racking his brain, he couldn’t come up with any clues, so he tentatively asked, “Then…”
Fucha Mingxing glanced at Wu Zude and said in a tone that was neither warm nor cold, “Knowing too much is not good for you. You only need to remember to diligently serve His Majesty.”
If it weren’t for the gifts that Wu Zude had brought, Fucha Mingxing might have even slapped Wu Zude to death.
A mere nobody, who couldn’t even be considered a lackey, let alone a Prefect of the fourth grade. Even if you rose to be a Grand Scholar in the court, you would still be a nobody!
Do you think I’ll tell you that person was from the Imperial Guard’s Directorate of Ceremonial? Do you think I’ll tell you that Zhu Xiaosong has already caught the Master’s attention?
If a nobody doesn’t know their place and act like a dog, they still want to pry into the Master’s affairs?
Pah!
…
Zhu Xiaosong calmly looked at the unremarkable farmer before him, who in turn was quietly observing Zhu Xiaosong.
The farmer standing before Zhu Xiaosong had inexplicably appeared at the foot of Jade Emperor Mountain. He only shouted that he wanted to see the great leader of Jade Emperor Mountain. However, when the guards at the foot of the mountain questioned him about his purpose, the man refused to say a single word, only stating that he had confidential matters to discuss and could only do so upon meeting the leader himself.
The guards at the foot of Jade Emperor Mountain, after asking for a long time without getting a clear answer, were about to drive the man away. But the man repeatedly returned to the foot of the mountain and continued to insist on seeing the great leader of Jade Emperor Mountain.
After a long silence, Zhu Xiaosong broke the quiet between the two. “Since you’ve been pestering to see me, and now you’ve seen me, you can just state your business.”
The farmer looked at Zhu Xiaosong again and suddenly asked, “Does the great leader here have any potent medicinal paste that can clear evil toxins and restore sight to the blind? A paste called ‘Qing Du Fu Ming’?”
Hearing such a coded phrase, Zhu Xiaosong was momentarily taken aback and blurted out, “Yes, we do, but the price is too high, three taels of gold and three taels of silver.”
The farmer’s eyes lit up. He then asked, “Will you sell it for five taels of gold and five taels of silver?”
Zhu Xiaosong retorted, “Where do you come from?”
The farmer, delighted, replied, “From the East.”
Zhu Xiaosong sat up straighter and asked, “What proof do you have?”
The farmer replied, “A poem as proof.”
Zhu Xiaosong asked, “What does the poem say?”
The farmer straightened his back, crossed his hands by his sides, and replied, “The sun and moon rise together in the East, a million soldiers escort my journey. The hall is filled with true gentlemen, loyal and righteous, serving as officials.”
Zhu Xiaosong then asked, “Did you come by land or by water? How many paths did you take?”
The farmer replied, “First land, then water. Three paths were taken on my arrival. I chose the middle path, as it was the widest. Along the way, I saw a temple dedicated to Ling Wang, with a couplet inscribed: ‘Loyalty is the only way to enter the temple; without righteousness, why offer incense.’”
Zhu Xiaosong asked again, “Do you have any further proof?”
The farmer replied, “A poem as proof: ‘Upon leaving, I saw three roads. I, in the middle, sought heroes. Along the way were all brave men, protecting my sun and moon, the great Ming dynasty.’”
After reciting the poem, the farmer brought his thumbs and index fingers together on both hands, forming a triangle, while the other three fingers remained extended. He then placed the tips of his extended fingers slightly upward against his chest and said, “I am Ke Mingzhi of the Green Wood Hall. I have burned three and a half incense sticks. May I ask if the great leader is here in Xuan? Which hall’s brother are you? And how many incense sticks have you burned?”
Zhu Xiaosong looked at the farmer and suddenly said, “I am not in any hall, nor do I burn incense. Even Wan Yunlong would have to address me as Young Master.”
The farmer’s expression changed drastically, and he shouted, “How dare you! The great leader is raising his banner on Jade Emperor Mountain. Since I have come with sincerity to assist, I did not expect the great leader to be so dismissive of Wan Yunlong! If that is the case, the great leader may kill or butcher me as he pleases!”
Having said that, the farmer let out a cold laugh. “However, if the great leader is deliberately provoking me today, Ke will not enlighten you. In the future, the Hung League brothers will avenge me at the Red Cliffs!”
Zhu Xiaosong chuckled and stood up from his chair, looking at the farmer. “Thirteen provinces gather in Hung Ying, laying the foundation for two capitals. The plan to destroy Qing is a thousand-year aspiration; when sovereign and minister meet, peace will be established.”
“I said that even Wan Yunlong would have to call me Young Master, and that is considered disrespect to him? Since sovereign and minister trust each other, do you know who is the sovereign, and who is the minister?”
The farmer’s expression changed again. Zhu Xiaosong, however, took out the keepsake left by his dear father and signaled Zhu Erdan to hand it to the farmer.
The farmer took the keepsake and examined it with an uncertain expression for a long time, but he could not confirm its authenticity. For a moment, he became flustered.
If this keepsake was genuine, then this young leader, who seemed too young to be true, would indeed deserve to be addressed as Young Master by Wan Yunlong.
But if this keepsake was false, and he made a wrong judgment, then not only he, but all the brothers in the hall would be implicated.
Zhu Xiaosong, however, was unconcerned. He merely signaled Zhu Erdan to take back the keepsake and said, “It’s alright if you’re unsure of its authenticity. It’s also alright if you have doubts. In another month and a half, I will find a way to contact you.”
After finishing, Zhu Xiaosong instructed Zhu Erdan, “See the guest out!”
As far as Zhu Xiaosong was concerned, if the Tiandihui, or the Hung League, could be of use, it would be best. If not, he would let them be and deal with them later.
The farmer, however, hurriedly said, “Wait!”
Zhu Xiaosong asked, “Is there anything else?”
The farmer replied, “Regardless of whether this item is genuine or fake, and regardless of how the great leader learned these coded phrases, the great leader’s opposition to the Qing is undeniable.”
“I came here specifically to inform the great leader that the Tartars’ Directorate of Ceremonial has their eyes on the great leader. I hope the great leader will take care of himself.”
Zhu Xiaosong was not at all surprised that the Tiandihui knew about the Directorate of Ceremonial. After all, they were an anti-Qing organization that had been active until the fall of the Qing dynasty. It was not unusual for them to have their own intelligence sources.
The name Directorate of Ceremonial was also not surprising, as it was the Qing government’s premier intelligence organization. Along with the Ladakh Directorate, if the Directorate of Ceremonial’s subordinate, the Blood Droplets, were also included, their strength would likely be no weaker than that of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
This incident today served as a reminder to Zhu Xiaosong: just as the Ming had the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Qing had the Directorate of Ceremonial. It was time for Zhu Xiaosong to establish his own intelligence system.
After careful consideration, Zhu Xiaosong suddenly instructed Zhu Erdan, “Tell the brothers at the foot of the mountain to speed up. While the Tartars haven’t reacted yet, sweep through those villages.”
“Tell the brothers on the mountain to also prepare themselves. We will find an opportunity to smash the Jining Prefecture River Conservancy Office.”
“Also, we should prepare to evacuate Jade Emperor Mountain.”
Zhu Erdan was startled and asked, “Where are we retreating to?”
Zhu Xiaosong replied, “We’re retreating towards Mount Yimeng. Although we’re operating under the banner of punishing corrupt officials, it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that we are rebelling against the Qing.”
“Emperor Qianlong is heading south to Jiangnan. The Qing court will absolutely not tolerate a band of rebels like us operating around Mount Tai.”
“Let’s retreat to the Mount Yimeng area for now and lie low for a while, to avoid the Tartars sending a large army to encircle and suppress us like mad dogs.”
Zhu Erdan doubted, “That doesn’t seem right. Even if we retreat to Mount Yimeng, won’t the Tartar government still bother us?”
Zhu Xiaosong laughed heartily, looking in the direction of Mount Tai, and said, “For the sake of ensuring Emperor Qianlong’s smooth journey to Jiangnan, as long as we lie low and don’t cause trouble, they will turn a blind eye to us.”