CH 3.1

The sudden change left everyone under the Xuanjin Bridge stunned. Only one-third of the group were well-trained guards from the security office, their immediate reaction being to rush onto the bridge to rescue their commander. The remaining two-thirds were a makeshift assembly of musicians, ceremonial attendants, doorkeepers, sedan carriers, and errand boys. They screamed and scattered, trying to distance themselves as quickly as possible. Each person went in a different direction, and the three pathways between the two stone lions instantly fell into chaos.

Yu Qian struggled and shook off the distracted soldiers, charging straight to the overturned sedan under the bridge steps. Before he could extend a helping hand, Zhu Zhanji had already struggled to climb out by himself. With furrowed brows and fierce eyes, his gaze brimming with a fierce determination.

Zhu Zhanji wasn’t the kind of delicate prince raised within the confines of the palace. He had accompanied his grandfather on campaigns against the Northern Yuan, and within him lay the spirit of a valiant warrior. In less than an hour, he had faced two attacks, both occurring in the heart of the Ming Empire. This audacious provocation, pushing him beyond his limits, brought forth Zhu Zhanji’s fiery temperament.

He first kicked over a flagbearer who had been incessantly shouting on the ground, then shouted with authority, “Get into the water and save people!” The guards snapped out of their stupor, swiftly removing their armor and dropping their weapons, and splashed into the water to retrieve Zheng He.

Beside him, Yu Qian also raised his voice in the name of the Crown Prince, ordering the onlookers to take their places. His volume far surpassed that of Zhu Zhanji, resonating like a resounding bell, commanding the restless crowd to gradually retreat and make way. The situation at the bridgehead, now more aptly referred to as the Broken Bridge, slowly regained order.

The rescue operation in the Qinhuai River quickly yielded results. A scarlet cloak was lifted from the water by the swimming personal guards. Among the group, there was a medical officer who quickly examined Zheng He and found that his breathing was still ongoing, and he had no apparent injuries. However, he seemed to have been suddenly impacted, with his eyes tightly shut, unable to respond to calls at the moment.

Yu Qian did not let his guard down due to Zheng He’s rescue. He anxiously protected Zhu Zhanji, but his eyes were fixed on the wreckage of the Xuanjin Bridge, as if searching for some clues.

When Emperor Hongwu entered Jinling, the threat of the Mongolia invasion hadn’t been completely resolved. Therefore, numerous hidden military tunnels were dug throughout the city gates, fortresses, inner and outer walls, and important river bridges. Under the Xuanjin Bridge, craftsmen ingeniously constructed a hidden tunnel using an arch structure. However, after the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, these hidden tunnels were no longer needed and gradually sealed off.

Clearly, the explosives used to blow up the bridge must have been stored in one of these hidden tunnels beneath it. Fortunately, due to the humid environment, the gunpowder became damp, resulting in a partial explosion that only caused the collapse of the stone bridge structure. If it had exploded fully, Eunuch Zheng He and everyone around would have perished.

However, there was one thing that puzzled Yu Qian.

The route and timing of the ship’s journey were carefully planned, allowing the rebels to make advance arrangements. But they couldn’t predict when the crown prince would pass through the Xuanjin Bridge. How could they have prepared so much gunpowder in advance?

Unless…

Unless this was a well-calculated contingency plan. As long as high-ranking officials in Nanjing managed to survive the ship explosion, they would quickly enter the capital city, and the Xuanjin Bridge was a must-pass route. By arranging a follow-up attack in advance, they could ensure that any escaped fish would be struck down.

The layout of these attackers was unexpectedly meticulous, displaying an unwavering determination to kill!

Yu Qian suppressed his shock and quickly realized another problem. While the contingency plan was clever, its timing couldn’t be predicted. Therefore, someone had to be hiding in the hidden tunnel beneath the bridge, ready to ignite the explosives when the target arrived. This meant that during the recent explosion, there must have been someone who saw the procession passing by and hastily ignited the explosives. That person must still be nearby!

Yu Qian raised his head and scaned the surface of the river. He soon noticed a dark spot rising and sinking about fifty or sixty steps away from the right side of the Xuanjin Bridge in the Qinhuai River. Squinting his eyes and looking carefully, he could see that it was a person swimming against the current, struggling to reach a distant point.

“There’s the culprit! Quickly!”

Yu Qian urgently called some personal guards, instructing them to chase after the swimmer along the banks of the Qinhuai River. Zhu Zhanji heard Yu Qian’s shout and glanced in that direction. With a serious expression, he extended his thumb, gesturing the distance, and then picked up an bow on the ground. He took out a long arrow from a guard’s pouch, drew back the string, and aimed.

His posture was that of a standard military archer. The bowstring twanged, and the arrow pierced through the air like a shooting star, heading towards the dark spot. Unfortunately, the aim was slightly off, missing the swimmer’s head by half an inch as it plunged into the water ahead. Zhu Zhanji’s eyes filled with even stronger killing intent as he reached for another arrow to take aim.

Yu Qian hurriedly reminded him to leave him alive. But before he could finish speaking, the bowstring twanged again. This arrow carried a sense of grievance and anger, flying across the surface of the Qinhuai River and piercing directly into the back of the dark spot. The person’s chest suddenly jerked forward, struggling for a moment before slowly sinking into the river. The personal guards who had already rushed to the riverbank quickly extended long poles and hooks, dragging him ashore.

Yu Qian hurried over, only to see that the arrow shaft had pierced through the back and right side of the person’s chest, causing instant death. The archery was truly remarkable, but it was also a pity. After all, this may have been the only lead they could grasp.

The deceased was a man in his twenties, with a small bun hairstyle and a wide-brimmed deep-net hat. He wore a blue cloth shirt and pants, along with straw sandals, which weren’t different from the common people of Nanjing. Yu Qian searched his body thoroughly but found no belongings except for a set of fire scythes. Reluctantly, he tore open the dead man’s collar and shockingly discovered a white lotus flower tattooed under his left armpit. The lotus flower was divided into three petals, resembling a gathering flame.

“The White Lotus Sect?!” Yu Qian’s eyes widened in horror.

These three words were a nightmare that haunted the court. Originating from the Song Dynasty, this sect proclaimed the advent of Maitreya and aimed to purify the world through the flames of the white lotus. They frequently incited unrest among the masses, persisting for hundreds of years. From the Song to the Yuan and then to the Ming Dynasty, each dynasty had vigorously suppressed and prohibited the sect, yet it continued to thrive among the people.

The most recent major incident occurred in the eighteenth year of the Yongle reign when the White Lotus Sect launched a massive rebellion in Shandong. Emperor Yongle had to exert great effort to suppress it, demonstrating the sect’s tenacity and obstinacy.

The enmity between the White Lotus Sect and the court could be described as deep as the sea. If they were responsible for this, it would explain their insane intention to exterminate the crown prince and all the officials.

At this moment, Zhu Zhanji also arrived by the corpse and asked in a low voice, “Who is this person? Can you discern any clues?” Yu Qian pointed to the tattoo and whispered a brief explanation. Zhu Zhanji took a sharp breath, having long heard of the infamous cult, causing a slight tingling sensation on his scalp. “Are they responsible for all of this?”

“The situation is unclear now, anything is possible,” Yu Qian looked around, feeling anxious. They didn’t know which corner still harbored fanatics from the White Lotus Sect. Every moment spent outside increased the danger. He urged, “These culprits have grand ambitions; they must have follow-up plans. I implore Your Highness to quickly return to the imperial city and rally the people’s support.”

Zhu Zhanji let out a bitter laugh. Rally the people’s support? His loyal followers in the Eastern Palace were crushed, reduced to ashes. The two great pillars he could trust in the capital, Li Long and Zheng He, were both severely wounded and unable to act. In an instant, the once-mighty Jinling city was filled with dangers, and Zhu Zhanji found himself isolated and without any familiar allies. Standing by the flowing Qinhuai River, the mighty crown prince of the Ming felt momentarily lost and helpless.

There was nothing Yu Qian could do in such a situation. He could only instruct a few personal guards to collect the cultist’s body and send it to the nearest shelter for investigation. Then he pulled Zhu Zhanji back to the Xuanjin Bridge.

Now, only the remnants of the bridge foundations remained, slightly tilting upwards like two broken finger bones, completely impassable. Xuanjin Bridge was the only route to enter the imperial city. With it broken, one would have to detour either northward to the Bamboo Bridge or southward to the Baihu Bridge, taking a large detour.

However, in this situation, who could guarantee that there were no ambushes under those two bridges? Even if the bridges were safe, what about along the way? This area was filled with shops, restaurants, and residential houses. It would be too easy to hide a dozen assassins.

After careful consideration, Yu Qian believed that the best choice was to stay in place and wait for other influential officials to come for rescue. However, now that all the higher-ranking officials in Nanjing were left uncertain about their fates at Dongshui Pass, it required some thought as to whom to seek help from.

At this moment, one of Zheng He’s personal guards reminded them that when the incident occurred, Eunuch Zheng He immediately sent word to the imperial city, ordering the Commander of the Imperial City Defense, Zhu Buhua, to close the city gates tightly and prevent the enemy from launching a surprise attack. He should be safe and sound.

Zhu Zhanji’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. He knew this Zhu Buhua, the eunuch who served as the commander of the imperial horse stables in the capital. He had been transferred to Jinling earlier in the year, bringing with him a special force called the Warrior Battalion to guard Nanjing.

This unit was different from other military forces. It was established during the Yongle Emperor’s reign and mainly consisted of young men who escaped from the grasslands, known for their excellent horsemanship. Emperor Hongxi assigned this unit to serve the crown prince, indicating how much thought was put into it.

During the explosion on the ship, Zhu Buhua remained in the city and was unharmed. Therefore, Zhu Zhanji immediately wrote a letter on the spot, instructing someone to quickly deliver it to Zhu Buhua, requesting him to bring the Warrior Battalion to provide support.

The guard took the order and left. Yu Qian was still not at ease and commanded the others to disperse, using the bridge as the center point, guarding the area, extending their defense perimeter to the shops along the street, about a hundred steps away. He also sent a few agile individuals to climb up to the rooftops nearby, preparing for possible crossbow attacks.

Although Yu Qian was just a small runner, he distributed tasks and commands in an orderly manner. With the authority of the crown prince, both the guards and Embroidered Uniform Guards, as well as the sedan bearers and buglers, all obediently followed his orders. In no time, a tightly sealed barricade area was set up at the bridgehead. Now, unless the White Lotus Sect called forth a cavalry charge, it would be extremely difficult to threaten the crown prince.

As the commotion gradually subsided, onlookers emerged from nearby shops, peering over with curiosity. Zhu Zhanji didn’t want them to witness his disheveled appearance, so he stumbled and sat down on the steps between two stone lions, his eyes resembling that of an abandoned puppy.

With everything arranged properly, Yu Qian approached the crown prince before reporting. However, Zhu Zhanji suddenly looked up and asked, “How did you know that the White Lotus Sect had set up an ambush on Xuanjin Bridge?” He still remembered the shout from this low-ranking official as they were about to cross the bridge, causing him to hesitate for a moment. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been just Zheng He who fell into the water.

Yu Qian took out a piece of paper from his pocket and respectfully handed it over. “After Your Highness left the Embroidered Uniform Guards, I received information that there might be hidden enemies in the city, posing a threat to Your Highness. That’s why I caught up to warn you. Worried about strict palace restrictions, I prepared a letter to be delivered, but I didn’t expect…”

Zhu Zhanji glanced at the letter and felt warmth in his heart. Although it was the duty of officials to be loyal and diligent, for a mere small runner to go to such lengths, he could truly be called a loyal and pure servant.

“In your opinion, what should we do next?” The Crown Prince, unconsciously, had already regarded this eighth-ranked official as a counselor for consultation and strategy.

Yu Qian replied, “The situation at hand is unprecedented and catastrophic. I believe the immediate priority is to dispatch trustworthy confidants to investigate. We must understand that the enemy has made meticulous preparations. If there is any delay or indecision, we may never have another chance to uncover the truth.”

Yu Qian had urged the Embroidered Uniform Guard to proceed with the investigation promptly because he feared that a slight delay would cause many clues to vanish without a trace.

Zhu Zhanji shook his head. As for the first matter, he had some ideas in mind, but sending trusted confidants to investigate? He was now all alone, where could he find such confidants? Yu Qian understood his predicament and quickly reassured him, “Your Highness, don’t worry. The Five Army Command, Nanjing Guard Yamen, the Five Garrison Command, Ying Tian Prefecture, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard all have experienced investigators who can be employed under your command.” Zhu Zhanji remained silent for a while before uttering four words through gritted teeth, “I don’t trust them.”

Yu Qian was initially startled but quickly understood.

It wasn’t surprising that the crown prince was so wary. Since the White Lotus Sect was able to infiltrate the treasure ship and smuggle gunpowder, bribe the guards of the Left Defense Battalion to cover up their actions, and set an ambush on the Xuanjin Bridge, who could guarantee that they didn’t have insiders within the government? In fact, one of the reasons why the White Lotus Sect persisted despite repeated crackdowns was that they always had devotees working as insiders within the government, including high-ranking officials.

Now, in the city of Nanjing, there was probably no one who dared to guarantee that they had no connection to the White Lotus Sect.

On one hand, there was a shocking major case that required a thorough investigation. On the other hand, the entire city was filled with suspicion, and there was no one trustworthy. Both of them sighed simultaneously, looking towards the imperial city across the flowing waters of the Qinhuai River.

Although it was already past noon, the scorching heat from the sun showed no signs of easing. The rows of glazed tiles on the vermilion walls shimmered with radiant colors, exuding a majestic and dignified aura. However, as the brightness intensified, the contrasts grew stronger. Amidst the crowded alleys and bridges, the areas where sunlight couldn’t reach were particularly conspicuous. Deeply embedded within the fabric of the capital, they outlined an indescribable malice.

However, at the edge of the palace walls, there was still a grey area that existed in the transition between light and shadow, neither fully black nor white, quite ambiguous. Yu Qian gazed into the distance, and suddenly a figure flashed through his mind. “I recommend someone who is suitable for this task,” he said.

“Hmm?” raised an eyebrow the crown prince.

“It’s the constable from Ying Tian Prefecture who saved Your Highness under the Fan Bone Terrace. His surname is Wu, and his name is Wu Dingyuan.”

Upon hearing this name, Zhu Zhanji’s hand trembled, and a mix of embarrassment, shame, and anger surged onto his face. Yes, that guy did save his life, but he had also insulted the Great Ming’s Crown Prince. Zhu Zhanji had never experienced such mistreatment before in his life, sparing him was already showing tremendous grace—what on earth was going through Yu Qian’s mind?

Yu Qian, seeing that the Crown Prince was about to get angry, remained composed. “Your Highness, think carefully. How many people in the entire capital can be confirmed as having no connection to the White Lotus Sect?”

Zhu Zhanji made a hesitant sound. If they were to consider who was least suspicious in the entirety of Nanjing, it was indeed Wu Dingyuan. If he was a member of the White Lotus Sect, he could have just waited for the crown prince to drown in the Qinhuai River without going through all this trouble.

Seeing Zhu Zhanji’s silence, Yu Qian took the opportunity to continue, “I had a conversation with him in prison. It is true that he has a peculiar personality, but his insights are quite extraordinary. The reason I was able to rush to Xuanjin Bridge is because he warned me that Your Highness was still in danger. This shows that he is a capable individual.”

“If he is so capable, why is he only a constable? Why isn’t he the chief constable?” Zhu Zhanji asked.

“Your Highness sees things accurately. Wu Dingyuan’s father is none other than Wu Buping, the chief constable of Ying Tian Prefecture. With his family background and scholarly heritage, can a tiger father beget a dog son?” Yu Qian deliberately downplayed Wu Dingyuan’s “reputation” to avoid increasing the Zhu Zhanji’s concerns.

“But even if he is resourceful, what can a minor character like him uncover?” Zhu Zhanji frowned, still unable to get over that hurdle in his mind.

“White Lotus Sect has many spies. If we send the guards everywhere, it might startle the snakes in the grass. We must let the lowly criminals deal with the rats hiding in the city,” Yu Qian suggested.

Zhu Zhanji was about to find another excuse when Yu Qian suddenly became serious. “In the past, Guan Zhong pulled a bow and tried to kill the Duke Huan of Qi. Although Duke Huan had grievances with him before, he put it aside and employed him, leading to his domination of the Central Plains. Your Highness is intelligent and astute, you should learn from history.”

Zhu Zhanji stared at Yu Qian. This low-ranking official had a straight nose and a wide chin. Although he was around the same age as Zhu Zhanji, his tone and demeanor were as old-fashioned as an elder from the Council of State. After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Zhanji couldn’t help but sigh. “Alright, for now, I will temporarily appoint you as the Right Deputy to the Chancellor of Youchun District, allowing you to act freely.”

The position of the Right Deputy to the Chancellor of Youchun District was only one rank higher than that of a runner. However, this position involved accompanying the crown prince closely and being responsible for impeachment and reporting matters. It held much greater prospects than being a runner. But Zhu Zhanji only granted Yu Qian a title and didn’t mention Wu Dingyuan at all, evidently still harboring resentment. Yu Qian understood that Zhu Zhanji wanted him to monitor Wu Dingyuan’s actions, so he bowed to the ground and said, “I will not disappoint Your Highness’s trust.”

Zhu Zhanji unwillingly wrinkled his nose. “I hope neither of us is mistaken today, or else…”

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of galloping hooves came from the distant street. Soon, a large group of shining-armored imperial guards rushed in, stirring up clouds of dust. The leader of the cavalry was a man with a broad face, his features mostly concealed by a white cloth covering half of his face and his narrow eyes. At first glance, it seemed like a criminal about to commit a crime.

However, the banners on both sides indicated that the arrival was none other than Zhu Buhua, the Eunuch in charge of guarding the Nanjing. Zhu Zhanji remembered that he was a Mongolian who had been living in Yunnan. His original name was Tuotuo Buhua, but after entering the palace, he received the bestowed surname Zhu and took charge of the Imperial Guards. He was one of Emperor Yongle’s trusted confidants.

Now that Eunuch Zheng He and Earl Xiangcheng were absent, Zhu Buhua naturally became the person in charge of the city. Seeing him rushing over, Zhu Zhanji stood up from the stone steps, his expression relaxing slightly. This ordeal could finally come to an end. He lowered his arm and gently waved his hand. Yu Qian understood and knew that Zhu Zhanji didn’t want to expose this thread too early, so he tactfully stepped back a few steps and blended into the crowd.

The cavalry of the Warrior Battalion arrived at Xuanjin Bridge in an instant. These knights were strong and well-trained, honed on the grasslands. When they galloped, their momentum was astonishing, leaving people breathless.

Without waiting for his horse to steady, Zhu Buhua rolled off the saddle and approached thecCrown prince with a fearful expression, apologizing. Zhu Buhua explained that he had developed ulcers on his face recently and had to cover it with cloth, fearing it would startle His Highness.

It was fortunate that he fell ill and couldn’t go to Dongshui Pass to receive Zhu Zhanji. This allowed him to escape disaster. Zhu Zhanji maintained a calm expression as he reassured Zhu Buhua and suggested proceeding to the Imperial City first. Zhu Buhua bowed and personally helped him onto his horse, while also having the unconscious Zheng He lifted into a carriage with thick curtains. The surrounding knights immediately formed a dense guard.

Zhu Zhanji, on his horse, pointed at Yu Qian with the tip of his whip and said to Zhu Buhua, “This person has meritoriously protected me. Reward him with a horse and plaque.”

During Emperor Taizong’s reign, it was common to bestow horses and plaques to deserving officials. The “horse” referred to a palace horse adorned with purple brocade reins, allowing one to ride freely within the city. The “plaque” referred to the iron pass plaque with the words “Passing the City” inscribed on its front. With these two items, apart from the Forbidden Garden of the Imperial City, there were no restrictions on where one could go within the capital. By granting this reward, Zhu Zhanji was following ancestral customs, which didn’t seem out of place.

Zhu Buhua thought to himself that most likely this low-ranking official had coincidentally saved the crown prince’s life, and he didn’t want any further involvement, hoping to settle this favor cleanly on the spot. So he instructed the knights beside him to give up a piebald strong horse and handed Yu Qian a bell-shaped iron waist plaque taken from his belt.

Yu Qian bowed to the Crown Prince to express his gratitude, and Zhu Buhua quickly mounted his horse again. The large group of people then surrounded Zhu Zhanji and thunderously left. In front of Xuanjin Bridge, a group of onlookers remained, exchanging puzzled glances.

Yu Qian was about to leave when he encountered an embarrassing situation – he didn’t know how to ride a horse.

Growing up in Hangzhou, he was familiar with boats and ships, and had often ridden donkeys and mules, but riding a horse was a completely new experience for him. Yu Qian intended to avoid the gaze of those around him, but time waits for no one. He had no choice but to find a mounting stone from an unknown mansion nearby and clumsily climb onto the saddle.

The well-trained horse felt the weight on its back and started moving forward automatically. Before Yu Qian could put his feet into the stirrups, he was frightened and almost fell off.

The key to horseback riding is to tighten the hips and keep the legs close together, while keeping the buttocks slightly lifted and leaning forward to lower the center of gravity and maintain balance. Yu Qian had no knowledge of these techniques and did the opposite. His legs were spread apart, his buttocks firmly pressed against the saddle, causing his whole body to sway from side to side. His hands clung tightly to the reins like a drowning person grabbing at straw, making the horse unsure of what to do.

With Yu Qian swaying left and right, he and the horse continued along the street towards the south, presenting a comical sight. However, compared to the awkwardness of riding the horse, Yu Qian’s mood was even more fluctuating and uneasy. He had only intended to warn Zhu Zhanji of the danger, but unexpectedly ended up in the Council of State, receiving an imperial mission.

This imperial mission was not an easy task. The brutality and cunningness of the enemy, as seen from the explosion of the ship, far exceeded Yu Qian’s imagination, and the court was currently unable to provide any support. Trying to stop a heavy vehicle with the strength of a mantis arm was likely to result in being crushed into pieces before receiving any reward.

As a small official without power or influence, Yu Qian suddenly bore such a heavy burden, naturally feeling fearful. However, he was inherently naive and stubborn, firmly believing that someone had to step forward in times of crisis. Otherwise, Yu Qian wouldn’t have left the Office of Runners to meddle with the affairs of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

“In times of defeat, I am entrusted; in times of danger, I am commanded…” Yu Qian softly recited these two lines which he liked the most from the “Memorial of Departure.”1 It was strange, but as soon as the words left his lips, his anxious mood gradually calmed down. As the ancients said, aspirations arise from words, and thoughts are expressed through writing. Truly, it wasn’t deceiving him. With these thoughts, Yu Qian’s eyes ahead became brighter. His hands, tightly gripping the reins, slowly relaxed into a loose grip.

From the tension of the reins, the horse beneath him sensed the determination of its master. It moved more steadily and resolutely than before.

Translator’s Note: 1 “The Memorial of Departure” is the document that Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, wrote to Emperor Liu Shan before deciding to lead a northern campaign against the kingdom of Wei and recapture the Central Plains.