A Different Way to Live

After seeing Su Huirong off, Yu Huatian returned to his residence. It took him a long while to calm his tangled emotions.

Then he looked at Zhao Tong, who stood waiting beside him, and said impassively, "Summon Tan Luzi."

"Yes, Governor."

At his command, Zhao Tong hurried away.

Before long, Tan Luzi arrived in haste, already dressed in a brand-new purple python robe. An irrepressible trace of excitement lingered between his brows.

After all, going from second chief to deputy governor of the West Depot was a genuine promotion. In terms of official rank, he had jumped straight from the primary fifth rank to the secondary third rank, so he was brimming with enthusiasm and excitement.

"This subordinate pays his respects to the Governor!"

Tan Luzi bowed before Yu Huatian.

"Rise."

Yu Huatian asked calmly, "Has there been any unusual activity at the East Depot?"

Tan Luzi hastily replied, "We've kept men watching it. Nothing unusual has happened so far, but with all its current leaders gone, the men below them are unsettled and frightened. Even now, none of them dare venture out alone."

"Oh, someone from the East Depot came today seeking an audience with you, Governor. His name is Zheng Yuan. He was an innate expert under Wan Yulou and held the post of squad supervisor. He used to be arrogant and overbearing, but now that Wan Yulou and Li Zhong are both dead, he's come with a very humble attitude. He probably wants to join our West Depot."

"Zheng Yuan? A squad supervisor?"

Yu Huatian narrowed his eyes, then nodded. "Take him in. Have him serve under Zhao Tong for now. Observe how he performs before making further arrangements."

"Yes, Governor."

Yu Huatian nodded and continued, "Also, the Dragon Guard Mountain Villa reported that something major seems to be brewing in the martial world. Even martial artists from other dynasties have entered Ming territory. Investigate it and find out exactly what's going on."

"As you command!"

Tan Luzi cupped his hands in acknowledgment, then asked, "Then, regarding the East Depot..."

Yu Huatian fell silent for a moment, then waved a hand. "Withdraw the men watching it. I went to the palace today, and His Majesty appointed a new governor of the East Depot, a man named Cao Zhengchun. He was the previous head of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and his strength is considerable. Don't provoke him for now."

"What?"

Tan Luzi froze, then frowned. "We finally managed to eliminate the East Depot's leaders after all that trouble. Doesn't this mean he's reaping all the benefits?!"

Yu Huatian waved a hand. "In both strength and cunning, this man may well surpass Wan Yulou. Until we're certain of victory, keeping a low profile is no bad thing."

Tan Luzi still felt indignant. The opportunity they had waited so long for had ended with them sewing a wedding gown for someone else!

But seeing the caution in Yu Huatian's eyes, he could only suppress his emotions for now and nod. "As you command."

Yu Huatian nodded, then changed the subject. "We can leave the East Depot alone for now, but we can start trying to win over the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Cao Zhengchun has only just taken over as governor of the East Depot. He has no men there he can rely on. Before he stabilizes the situation, find a way to bring the Embroidered Uniform Guard under our control."

Tan Luzi's face immediately lit up, and he hurriedly cupped his hands. "Yes, Governor!"

Over the years, the East Depot had been able to do as it pleased, even holding the power of life and death over every civil and military official. Aside from the emperor's favor, its control over the strength of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had played a major part.

Taking advantage of the East Depot's turmoil to win over the Embroidered Uniform Guard before the situation stabilized would greatly increase the West Depot's strength.

Then, even if Cao Zhengchun successfully took control of the East Depot and restored order, its power would be nowhere near that of the West Depot!

Yu Huatian looked toward the sky beyond his residence, his eyes flickering.

Zhu Wushi, Cao Zhengchun, let's take our time with this game. One day, I will tear the Dragon Guard Mountain Villa and the East Depot out by their roots!

For the Ming, one West Depot is enough!

At the same time, in the southwest of the capital, there stood a residence that occupied a considerable area, yet was extremely understated in both layout and decoration.

A youth of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a red python robe, stood at the entrance to the inner residence. He stared blankly toward the imperial palace, his thoughts unknown.

Young though he was, his bearing was extraordinary. An innate nobility surrounded him, and his brows held a measure of authority that did not belong to someone his age.

He was none other than the reigning emperor's younger brother, Zhu Youjian, Prince Xin of the Ming.

The reigning emperor was frail and sickly, and since ascending the throne, he had yet to father any children.

According to Ming law, should the emperor pass away, His Highness Prince Xin was the most likely candidate to inherit the throne.

Yet over the years, Prince Xin had kept an exceedingly low profile. Unless summoned by the emperor, or occasionally entering the palace to visit his ailing elder brother, he scarcely ever stepped beyond his doors, as though afraid people would learn that the Tianqi Emperor had a younger brother.

What outsiders did not know, however, was that although His Highness Prince Xin appeared to keep a low profile and abide by the law, he had already secretly won over quite a few court officials in preparation for his future succession to the throne.

Among them was Lu Wenzhao, a Thousand-Household Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Northern Pacification Office.

Prince Xin had also received news of the turmoil at the East Depot over the past few days. Even Lu Wenzhao's involvement in its internal strife, helping Zhao Jingzhong kill Li Zhong, had been carried out at his secret direction.

He had planned to use this opportunity to help Zhao Jingzhong become the new governor of the East Depot, then secretly win him over and turn the East Depot to his own use.

Who could have expected the series of events that followed to go so far beyond his predictions?

The West Depot's governor, Yu Huatian, had intervened. Li Zhong, Zhao Jingzhong, and Liu Xi-the three men qualified to succeed as governor of the East Depot-had all died.

The affair had grown so serious that even the emperor had learned of it.

Now, he dared not attempt any schemes and could only wait quietly at his residence for news.

Whoosh-

Before long, a faint sound came from the wall along the side of the residence. A figure stepped across the treetops and landed in the courtyard.

"Your Highness!"

The newcomer was Lu Wenzhao. Looking grave, he approached Zhu Youjian and cupped his hands. "Word has come from the palace. His Majesty did not hold Yu Huatian accountable, but he strictly forbade him from interfering in the East Depot's affairs again."

Zhu Youjian frowned slightly. "Then how was the East Depot dealt with? Does His Majesty intend to heed the officials' petitions and abolish it?"

"No!"

Lu Wenzhao said gravely, "His Majesty appointed a new governor of the East Depot. His name is Cao Zhengchun, and he was the eunuch who headed the Directorate of Ceremonial during the late emperor's reign!"

"Cao Zhengchun?"

Zhu Youjian's frown deepened. "Why have I never heard of him? How strong is he?"

"I've never heard of him either. He probably stepped down not long after taking office."

"As for his strength..."

Lu Wenzhao pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I've never fought him myself, so I dare not say for certain. But if His Majesty trusts him enough to put him in charge of the East Depot, he must be quite strong."

"True..."

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly. The East Depot was responsible for monitoring the realm on the emperor's behalf and handling miscellaneous affairs in both the court and the martial world. It could not do without martial prowess, so its governors throughout the years had all possessed considerable skill.

Of course, there was one exception: Wei Zhongxian, the "Nine-Thousand-Year Lord" who had preceded Wan Yulou.

Yet although Wei Zhongxian's own martial skills had been poor, he had kept many martial experts under his command.

Zhao Jingzhong, the East Depot's first chief who had died at Yu Huatian's hands, and his junior martial sister Wei Ting had been among them.

But to return to the matter at hand...

Now that the emperor had appointed a new governor of the East Depot, his plan to seize control of it had once again gone up in smoke!

At that thought, Zhu Youjian could not help feeling angry.

Yu Huatian, you truly deserve to die!

Couldn't you just manage your own West Depot? Why did you have to ruin my plans!

After pondering for a long while, Zhu Youjian forcibly suppressed his anger and drew a deep breath. "Set the East Depot aside for now. Until we understand this new governor's temperament, don't provoke it. We mustn't stir the grass and startle the snake."

"Yes."

Lu Wenzhao cupped his hands.

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, "I've heard His Majesty plans to leave the palace on a tour in the next few days?"

Lu Wenzhao nodded. "That's right. Word has been circulating at court these past few days. Apparently, the imperial physician said His Majesty's low spirits had caused pent-up gloom to gather in his heart, leaving its fire burning too fiercely. That's why His Majesty intends to leave the palace to clear his mind and observe the people's circumstances along the way."

A light flickered in Zhu Youjian's eyes. After a long while, he said quietly, "This might well be an opportunity..."

Lu Wenzhao frowned, puzzled. Then something suddenly seemed to occur to him, and his expression changed sharply. "Your Highness, you mean to..."

Zhu Youjian did not answer. His face cold, he said, "Investigate His Majesty's route. Which places he'll pass through, where he'll finish, whom he'll take with him-find out everything!"

Looking at Zhu Youjian's icy expression, Lu Wenzhao could not help feeling a chill rise within him. He's your own elder brother...

But as the saying went, once in the martial world, your life was no longer your own.

Though he knew full well what would happen to him if this failed, retreat was no longer an option.

Whether he acted or not, only death awaited him!

Then he thought again of that brutal war all those years ago, and his gaze gradually grew cold and resolute.

To avoid dying like that, I have to find a different way to live...

"This subordinate obeys!"

Lu Wenzhao bowed deeply. Then, with a slight movement, he silently vanished from the courtyard.

Zhu Youjian remained standing quietly at the entrance to his residence, gazing toward the distant horizon without a word.

At the edge of the sky, the setting sun was red as blood. A faint autumn breeze brushed through the little courtyard, stirring threads of bone-piercing cold...

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(End of chapter)