Chapter 40 Old Stories Ah Xun, you, like me... are human. ...
Back in the study.
Zi Jing lifted his robe and sat down on the long couch before slowly unfolding the letter sent by carrier pigeon.
The letter was short, and the first thing that caught his eye was the familiar handwriting:
My son Jing:
I have already learned of the imperial edict summoning you back to court. I am greatly comforted that you have been able to relinquish your military power to reassure the new emperor and prevent our family from being suspected.
My father and I have spent half our lives serving our country in the military. Since I took command of all military affairs, both domestic and foreign, powerful families have long coveted our power. Now, you have humbled yourself for the sake of the family, and my heart is truly broken. But please bear it with me. After I have pacified the various tribes and foreign states, crushed the Southern Yin, and unified the four seas for the Emperor, I will surely plead for my son's restoration of his title and regain control of the Xuan Ce Army's Tiger Seal.
Now that you have returned to Jian'an to take up your post, you should rest and bide your time. Regarding the Zhao family case in Huaiyuan, I have already asked Yang Zhongshu to draft a memorial to the Emperor, explaining that my son's determination to eliminate traitors is purely for the sake of the country, and he has no intention of disobeying the Empress Dowager's decree, and has no other motives.
If the Prince of Yan launches an attack on your journey to the capital, send a trusted confidant to inform me immediately. Even though I am far away on the border, I will certainly stand up for you.
Written by my father at midnight on the 12th day of the sixth month of the first year of Xuande (1431) at the Military Headquarters.
After scanning the words on the letter, Zijing folded the heavy paper and put it back into the envelope.
Xie Cheng cautiously asked from the side, "What are the Grand Commander's thoughts on the Commander's desire to return to Jian'an?"
Regarding the imperial decree summoning Zijing back to the capital, he drafted a letter the next day to inform his adoptive father, Yan Yue, and also explained that he was going to eliminate Zhao Shuhuai this time, while reporting the case to Yan Yue, who was far away in the Military Governor's Office.
That's why we have this reply today.
Zijing stroked the seal on the letter and said, "My godfather understands my intentions. He has now asked Yang Zhongshu to submit a memorial to the emperor to say a few good words for me in the matter of Zhao Shuhuai. No matter how much pressure the Prince of Yan's mansion puts on me, I don't think it will implicate me."
Recalling the ruthlessness with which he killed Zhao Shuhuai yesterday, and Zhao Shuhuai's words about "revenge," Xie Cheng couldn't help but sigh, "Back then at the Jian'an banquet, Zhao Shuhuai publicly humiliated the Grand Commander for his humble origins. Now, you disobeyed the imperial decree and risked your life to personally kill this villain when the imperial decree arrived in the palace, to avenge this humiliation. The Commander has gone to such lengths for the Grand Commander. And the Grand Commander has even made an exception to plead for you. Such deep father-son affection is truly unparalleled."
Zi Jing's smile was not deep. Anyone who knew that Zhao Shuhuai and Yan Yue had a grudge would immediately think that his persistence in pursuing Zhao Shuhuai was due to an old grievance, and would not have any other guesses.
That's perfect. That's exactly the effect he wanted.
He wanted Yan Yue to see, and the whole world to see, that his actions were merely to preserve this "father-son relationship."
Now that Huaiyuan's case has been closed, Xie Cheng suddenly looked troubled after speaking.
Seeing that he had been silent for a long time, Zi Jing lazily raised his eyes and saw that he was full of worry. He could roughly guess the reason.
After putting the letter away, he asked, "Is Guard Xie worried about the 'secret letter'?"
Having his internal concerns guessed so accurately, Xie Cheng hesitated for a moment before asking, "Commander, aren't you worried?"
He said, "After all, that secret letter was written by He Chenlao, who imitated Zhao Shuhuai's handwriting. If it's discovered later, then..."
"No one can find out."
Before Xie Cheng could finish speaking, Zi Jing interrupted, "Although... there are no secrets in this world. But He Chenlao wrote the letter himself, not because we forced him. And even if he said we forced him, who can testify for him?"
"The money and valuables in the back mountain, as well as the confessions of the Rouran generals, can prove that he colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. Even if He Chenlao regrets it later, who will believe his lies after repeating them over and over again?"
"Besides, if someone holds your life in their hands, wouldn't it be safer to kill them?" he said calmly. "Killing He Chenlao would be as easy as crushing an ant, but he's still alive..."
Zi Jing glanced at Xie Cheng, who was standing in front: "The Censorate has always valued physical evidence over confessions. You have compared that letter countless times. Every pause and ending is exactly the same as Zhao Shuhuai's original handwriting. There is no problem with the physical evidence. If you were in the position of Censor-in-Chief... would you overturn this ironclad evidence because of a prisoner who has switched sides and is trying to save his life?"
Xie Cheng was lost in thought, his breathing unconsciously becoming sluggish.
In this context, preemptive strikes are sometimes more convincing than silencing the victim.
“Moreover…” He then proceeded to dissect all the possible problems and the implications layer by layer: “Zhao Shuhuai was brought to justice because of the ‘evidence’ he provided, which led to the accusations made by the Prefect’s staff. In other words, Zhao Shuhuai’s death was largely due to his contribution.”
"If he tries to turn on us, if you were the Prince of Yan, who deeply loves his son, would you believe a fickle lackey, or would you rather have him torn to pieces?"
At this point, Xie Cheng already had his answer.
He gradually stopped worrying that He Chenlao, this troublemaker, would one day affect them.
Since the sky turned cloudy yesterday, it has finally started to rain heavily now, with torrential downpours pouring down.
Zijing's gaze passed through the window, watching the drizzling rain quickly turn into a dense, impenetrable curtain of beads, wetting the vibrant peonies in the courtyard.
He had always hated rainy days. The pervasive dampness seeped into his skin, always making him feel as if he were stained with blood.
Inside the study, only the sound of rain falling on the eaves spread in the silence.
Suddenly, without warning, he spoke: "Given Xie's unwavering loyalty and upright character, shouldn't you feel a great sense of guilt for fabricating evidence?"
As soon as he spoke, even Lu Jinshi's eyes were drawn to Xie Cheng.
Xie Cheng had always disapproved of and disdained such despicable tactics as framing someone.
Hearing the question from the person on the bed, he remained silent for a long time before saying, "Your subordinate... will certainly act in accordance with the law, but I also understand that for people like Zhao Shuhuai, the law is just a formality."
"The commander's actions are nothing more than giving him a taste of his own medicine. Zhao Shuhuai has committed numerous evils and has blood on his hands. He should taste what it's like to be falsely accused."
“I don’t think so…” he said firmly, “What’s wrong with using such methods to kill evil people?”
The echo of that reply lingered in the air for almost a moment before Xie Cheng heard the person looking out the window say, "It's good that Guard Xie thinks this way."
Zi Jing continued gazing at the scattered peonies outside the window, his voice carrying a calm that had been tempered by ice: "You should know what kind of person I am. I only care about achieving my goals, not the means. The righteous people that the world talks about have nothing to do with me. Don't think of me as some kind of upright person who eliminates evil and promotes good."
He turned back and said, "Since Guard Xie has chosen to serve me... I think it's better if you know these things sooner rather than later."
The sound of raindrops hitting the roof was exceptionally loud.
For a moment, Xie Cheng remained silent, lost in thought. The memory of that night at the Taoist temple, when he had spared Xie Cheng's life, was still vivid in his mind.
He knew very well that the person in front of him had never done anything to bully the weak, usurp authority, or commit any heinous acts.
He even had a gut feeling that, had it not been for the urgent imperial edict and his accidental alerting of Zhao Shuhuai, they would still have time to find evidence of Zhao Shuhuai's crimes.
………
A bolt of lightning struck, and Xie Cheng knelt on one knee on the floral carpet, bowing his head and holding the sword in his hand. He said in a deep voice, "I have long entrusted my life to you, young master. I will face any danger, no matter how great."
Driven by what he wanted, those were those four words.
If others made this statement, its veracity might be questionable. But if Xie Cheng said it, then there is no doubt about it.
He spared his life precisely because he valued his loyalty and character.
If this trip can achieve its purpose, then his scheme will not have been in vain. On the night he sneaked into He Renzhi's study, he deliberately did He Renzhi a favor and let the maid leave alive.
He had a knife in his hand, but he didn't kill because he didn't want to. He showed mercy because it was useful, not because he was giving anyone face.
After Xie Cheng pledged his loyalty, Zi Jing smiled faintly and said in a light tone, "With Guard Xie as my right-hand man, what great things can't I accomplish? From now on, I will be invincible."
Before Xie Cheng could reply, Zi Jing turned his head and looked back at the flowerbed.
The cold rain fell like pearls, splashing onto the floor tiles and creating large water droplets.
Amidst the raging wind and rain, he gazed intently at the cold raindrops and calmly continued, "We'll set off early tomorrow. I intend to transport Zhao Shuhuai's ill-gotten gains back to Jian'an intact. I don't trust anyone else to check them; you'll have to oversee it yourself."
Xie Cheng lowered his eyes and replied, "Yes, Commander."
After Xie Cheng left, only Zi Jing and Lu Jinshi remained in the large study.
Seeing him enjoying the rain like this, Lu Jinshi stepped forward and said, "Commander, shall I get you a cup of tea?"
Upon hearing this, Zi Jing's gaze remained fixed on the depths of the rain: "No need. You and your wife and daughters are rarely together. This time when you return to Jian'an, you should bring back some personal items."
"Although Huaiyuan is a small town, it has some things that are hard to find in Jian'an. Go and pick carefully, don't mistreat them."
Having served him for many years, Attendant Lu knew that he always meant what he said.
He said no more, bowed and replied, "Your subordinate... thanks the commander for his consideration."
The sound of rain grew heavier, and the footsteps in the study gradually faded away.
Zi Jing looked for a while, then lay down on the long couch fully clothed.
Since dealing with the cases of He Renzhi and Zhao Shuhuai, he has not been able to sleep soundly, and has not closed his eyes properly for several days. Whenever he is extremely tired, he can only take a short nap on this small bed.
The dim light reflected on his jade-like handsome face, making him appear somewhat serene beyond his years.
The rain outside the window pattered softly, like pearls falling onto a jade plate.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but he vaguely heard that familiar voice again in his mind, like the gentle chirping of swallows and orioles, softly entering his ears:
“Huan Xun… Ah Xun, that’s your name…”
“But Ah Xun was never alone, nor was he a wild beast hunting in the mountains and forests. Ah Xun was not a jackal or a tiger.”
“Ah Xun is not a jackal or a tiger. Ah Xun, you are just like me... a human being.”
Gradually, the bloody scene reappeared: the woman lay prone in the muddy soil, soaked with blood, her clothes gushing from her mouth, her gentle voice replaced by a desperate scream.
"Run! Ah Xun..."
"run--"
The crimson tide surged forth, overwhelming everything and threatening to engulf him.
Suddenly, the person on the bed opened their eyes, and a thick, inky darkness pressed down, so dark that one could not see their own hand in front of their face.
He steadied his breathing and turned his head to look out the window.
Before I knew it, it was already dark.
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