On the eighth day of the twelfth month in the twenty-second year of Shun’an, the Emperor died in Chongming Palace.
His posthumous name was designated as “Huan.”
“One who opens territory and makes distant lands submit is called Huan; one who shows respect and diligence toward the people is called Huan; one who expands territory and annexes kingdoms is called Huan.”
During Emperor Huan’s reign, Western Rong submitted, and the Hanli Hanmo yielded to Da Qian’s territory—this could be considered opening territory and expanding frontiers. The recovery of Yannan counted as “making distant lands submit.”
Initially, the Ministry of Rites proposed posthumous names of “Xiao” and “Zhen.”
“One who pacifies the five clans is called Xiao; one who shows kindness and love to relatives is called Xiao; one who harmonizes timing and establishes prosperity is called Xiao; one who holds virtue without wavering is called Xiao.”
“One who maintains purity and guards integrity is called Zhen; one who accomplishes great plans is called Zhen; one who conceals nothing and bends not is called Zhen.”
Tie Ci threw the former memorial directly down from the Golden Hall. The assembled ministers were awed.
The latter was also rejected by Tie Ci.
Though these were beautiful posthumous names, they emphasized personal character and provided no benefit to the civil and martial achievements that an emperor truly needed.
She would not allow any association with his puppet years in historical records and people’s judgments after Father Emperor’s death.
The ministers prostrated at the foot of the steps and finally acquiesced to the character “Huan” that the new emperor had determined.
The new emperor yielding her own territorial expansion achievements to the late emperor was both compensation and filial piety—history would ultimately judge.
Emperor Huan’s temple name was Renzong.
After the spirit ceremony on the twenty-seventh day, Emperor Renzong’s coffin was moved to Zhaoyuan Hall on Jing Mountain, awaiting burial in the imperial mausoleum after three years.
On the tenth day of the twelfth month in the twenty-second year of Shun’an, the new emperor ascended the throne before the coffin in Chengqian Hall. The era name was Zhiming.
Under supreme heavenly will, only light was visible.
On the ninth day of the twelfth month of the same year, Liaodong emerged from Yongping Pass, declared independence, and Prince Da’an proclaimed himself emperor with the kingdom name Da Feng and era name Xiansheng. Using the Lei Mountain range and surrounding eight hundred li as boundaries, heavy troops were stationed, and from then on, the realm was divided with Da Qian into two countries.
…
Thirty li from the outskirts of Ruzhou city.
In heavy snow, one could vaguely see undulating hills and several seemingly precarious houses below the slopes. From the broken thatch on the roofs, these appeared to be hunters’ temporary shelters, abandoned and uninhabited for a long time.
Yet at this moment, muffled coughing sounds continuously emerged from the small houses, with dim candlelight glowing at the windows.
Someone approached through the snow, boots crunching with each step, yet walking steadily because they carefully carried a bowl of hot soup.
She knocked gently on the door, the knocking following a rhythm when listened to carefully.
The door creaked open, and Zhao San stood at the entrance.
The interior was crude and dilapidated, lit only by an oil lamp, but empty of people.
Zhao San took the medicine bowl and continued inward, pushing open what appeared to be a completely earthen wall door. Heat and brightness immediately rushed forth.
His boots sank silently into soft deep red carpet. The surrounding walls were completely different from the earthen house used for concealment—fine blue bricks densely laid, embedded with beast-shaped bronze wall lamps whose wicks burned not oil but enormous pearls.
At the end of the passage, dozens of people stood at various heights, blocking the considerable space completely. Only muffled coughing could be heard continuously from the center of the crowd.
Murong Yi reclined against soft cushions in the warm interior, wrapped in a thick fur coat, with braziers placed at both ends of his couch.
He appeared much thinner, cheekbones protruding, eye sockets deeply sunken, face pale as snow. Even the warm glow of the braziers couldn’t reflect the slightest color on his features.
His long fingers pressed on scrolls, pointing to a location on the map.
“The Grand Marshal’s second daughter marries tomorrow. With many guests in the residence, it’s the best opportunity to infiltrate. Group D has already disguised as craftsmen and entered during the previous renovation of the Grand Marshal’s residence. When the time comes, they’ll coordinate from inside and out… No other requirements, just kill.”
“Guests that day will be either wealthy or noble. Tell them to ignore everything—factions, leanings, relationships… pay no attention. Just kill anyone wearing vermillion robes with purple sashes. The higher their position, the more honor they receive, the more they must be killed.”
Someone acknowledged and departed with orders.
“The Grand Marshal is cautious with many guards. If he can’t be killed immediately, that’s fine. Group A, station yourselves near Dingzi Alley and block both ends. The Grand Marshal will definitely go there once that day.”
Chazi couldn’t help asking: “Why?”
With a daughter marrying, how busy it would be—how could he possibly go out that day?
“Because this favored second daughter is actually an illegitimate child, brought home immediately after birth and raised under the primary wife’s care. This daughter’s mother, that mistress, is said to be extremely beautiful, beloved by the Grand Marshal for years without decline. When her biological daughter marries, she cannot appear publicly and will surely weep in sorrow. Our devoted Grand Marshal will certainly go comfort her personally.”
Mu Si suddenly understood: “No wonder when the Grand Marshal’s second daughter was famous for her beauty throughout Ruzhou, the Great King planned to bestow the eldest daughter in marriage to you. So that’s why…”
Murong Yi slightly raised his eyes, and Mu Si fell silent.
The journey back to Liaodong involved untold hardships and tribulations, not to mention Murong Yi’s suffering along the way—nearly dying several times. This caused Mu Si and others heartbreak while unknowingly making them more silent and submissive due to shock, admiration, pity, and various other emotions.
“After eliminating the Grand Marshal, don’t stop. The entire city will surely search, the Ruzhou Governor will definitely report to the palace three times daily. Hearing that the Great King’s health has been poor recently with violent temperament, he’ll certainly demand reports constantly. The Ruzhou Governor, overwhelmed and exhausted, will be running back and forth. His residence and office are both far from the royal palace, so he might take shortcuts…” Murong Yi’s finger slowly moved across the map, finally stopping at a certain point.
Someone raised a question: “Your Highness, that place is densely populated with both residences and civilian homes. It’s not suitable for ambush…”
The Liaodong King had already declared independence and ascended the throne. On coronation day, he proclaimed Murong Yi’s “great achievements” to the world and established him as Crown Prince.
However, this Crown Prince had not appeared at his own investiture ceremony.
“Call me Master.”
“…Yes, Master.”
“There’s an outdoor roadside earth shrine there with flourishing incense, daily smoke curling, believers coming and going constantly, often blocking roads.” Murong Yi said indifferently, “Behind the earth shrine, there’s space to hide one person… Send Group A’s best assassin.”
“Yes.”
Another group departed with orders.
“Fifteen li west of the royal palace, there’s a famous garden with artificial mountains. Do you know it?”
“Yes, it has many visitors.”
“The largest artificial mountain in that garden—blow it up.”
“Yes.”
Several more hurriedly departed.
“The Embroidered Guard’s secret files of officials hidden in the outer counties—retrieve them, copy them as quickly as possible, and send a copy to each person’s residence.”
“Yes.”
A group quickly left.
Those remaining still waited for their assignments.
Murong Yi opened a new map, but before he could speak, he suddenly coughed violently. The coughing grew more urgent, his body bending further with each cough. Countless people present watched helplessly with worried expressions but dared not approach.
The last person who approached had received ten lashes.
Zhao San held the now-cooled medicine bowl, teeth clenched. When Murong Yi was conducting business, he didn’t even dare urge him to drink medicine.
Murong Yi coughed until his head pressed against the bedding’s edge and stopped moving.
His subordinates exchanged glances and lowered their heads in silence.
Zhao San’s hands trembled.
Mu Si quickly stepped forward and thrust the map into Murong Yi’s hands.
This startled Murong Yi, and his chest produced a long bellows-like hum that made people worry whether he might not catch his breath and expire in that instant.
Fortunately, the next moment he finally raised his head. His face showed some color from violent coughing, his eyes containing moisture, making them more brilliantly rippling with a slight evil aura.
Such a Murong Yi made people afraid to look directly at him. Mu Si turned away, veins bulging on his neck.
“…Here, here… and here at Withered Well…” Murong Yi continued, “The most likely locations of Prince Da’an’s secret guards must be found and destroyed…”
“Master, there are too many targets—hard to manage all of them, and easy to alert the enemy.”
“I have a plan here that can probe which location it actually is. Send Group C to do it.” Murong Yi handed over a paper.
A spirited woman leading Group C stepped forward to receive it with both hands, glanced at Mu Si, who averted his gaze.
The woman smiled ruefully and led her subordinates away.
“Zhao San.”
“Subordinate present.”
“Currently Ruzhou’s imperial merchants are basically all ours, right?”
“Yes, Master. Though they’ve changed faces countless times and don’t all bear the surname Sun, they’re actually all surnamed Sun.”
“After the above incidents occur, order the palace supply cut off. Poison all goods and food sent in.”
Zhao San: “…Yes.”
“The palace will immediately seek new imperial merchants. Many will rush to curry favor. Whoever flatters, kill them.”
“Yes.”
“The Imperial Supply Office eunuchs responsible for palace procurement—some we have dirt on, those we don’t, create dirt. Ensure that whatever they choose goes wrong, whichever family they use meets misfortune.”
“Yes.”
“Hasn’t the Embroidered Guard already been recalled by him? Using the incident of ministers being secretly threatened, contact a group of mid and lower-level officials we’ve had connections with before. Using this chaos, collectively petition to disband and deal with the Embroidered Guard.” Murong Yi smiled expressionlessly, “Demand His Majesty issue a self-reproach edict and deal with the Embroidered Guard chief who oppresses officials and harms loyal subjects.”
“…Yes.”
The new Embroidered Guard chief had also been a high-ranking member of the Embroidered Guard.
Yet would soon meet a miserable end.
The stone that was moved would ultimately crush one’s own foot.
Traitors—Murong Yi would not allow them to live.
The pearl light inside was soft and gentle, yet everyone’s faces were ghastly pale.
Ruzhou was also about to change hands.