Ji Feihua said, "Family ties are thinnest among royalty, let alone friendship. You may not know Chu Fufeng, but you must know the Heavenly Secrets Bureau."
Hu Xiaotian nodded. The Heavenly Secrets Bureau was Great Kang's most powerful intelligence organization. How could he not know it? The Old Emperor's successful restoration had also depended on Hong Beimo of the Heavenly Secrets Bureau. One could say that Ji Feihua had fallen at the bureau's hands.
Ji Feihua said, "The man who founded the Heavenly Secrets Bureau was Chu Fufeng! His learning spanned heaven and earth. Geography, astronomy, Mechanism Arts, divination-there was nothing he had not mastered. He founded the Heavenly Secrets Bureau and rendered outstanding service in helping Long Xuan'en ascend the throne. But once Long Xuan'en took power, he feared that Chu Fufeng's achievements would overshadow his own. Suspecting him of plotting to usurp power, he laid a trap and conspired with Chu Fufeng's disciple to murder him."
Hu Xiaotian drew in a sharp breath. In truth, he had already anticipated such an outcome. Those who occupied the imperial throne would stoop to any vile, shameless deed to preserve their rule. He had heard far too many stories of bows being put away once the birds were gone, and hunting dogs being cooked once the hares were dead.
Ji Feihua said, "The Long-Life Buddha you went looking for today was erected by Chu Fufeng to pray for blessings when his son was born. Long Xuan'en did indeed accompany him here and witnessed him erecting the Long-Life Buddha for his son. Long Xuan'en even gave the boy his name."
Hu Xiaotian asked, "What was his name?"
Ji Feihua said softly, "Chu Yuanhai!"
Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted. *Chu Yuanhai! Wasn't that the Minister of Revenue who preceded my father? The man whose