The Secret Passage was dark and winding, leading into the unknown.
Without a moment's hesitation, Zhu Zhanjun stepped inside.
Ji Gang immediately followed close behind with a squad of elite Embroidered Uniform Guards, torches in hand.
The Secret Passage wasn't long. After walking about a hundred paces, they came upon a spacious Stone Chamber.
The Stone Chamber was sparsely furnished, containing only a desk and a bookcase.
Half a candle still burned on the desk, as though someone had been here not long ago.
Zhu Zhanjun's gaze went straight to the bookcase.
He walked over and pulled a copy of the Analects from among a row of books that looked ordinary.
He turned to a certain page and gently pressed it with his finger.
"Click."
A soft sound came from behind the bookcase, and a Secret Compartment slowly sprang open.
Inside lay an iron box wrapped carefully in Oiled Paper.
Zhu Zhanjun took out the iron box and opened it.
Inside was a thick register.
He casually flipped it open and saw that it was densely filled with names.
From Prince Han and Prince Zhao to Zhu Yong, Duke of Chengguo, Zhang Ji, the younger brother of the Duke of Dingguo, and the various generals of the Capital Garrison, as well as the officials of the Ministry of War...
Every name represented a powerful force.
The list encompassed nearly a third of the military officials and nobles at court.
It was chilling to behold!
"Keep this list safe."
Zhu Zhanjun handed the iron box to Ji Gang.
"Not a single person on it can be allowed to escape."
"I... obey!"
Ji Gang took the iron box, his hands trembling.
He knew that once this list was made public, the entire Great Ming court would face an unprecedented, bloody purge.
Just