I have never seen such a shameless person!
Ding Wu wished he could tear Zhao Quan apart with his bare hands, but outwardly he said, "The Branch Leader has exhausted himself to provide for our sect members—I truly admire that. However, the northwestern border has been stripped bare repeatedly, leaving little profit to be gained. The wealthiest place in the realm is undoubtedly the capital. This time, why not lead Anda Khan's army to attack the capital again? Even if we cannot capture the city, the outskirts alone would sustain us for years, and it would allow the Branch Leader to relive the glory of the Gengxu Year."
Ding Wu dared to incite Zhao Quan like this because Anda Khan had grown old. Having converted to Lamaism in recent years, his temperament was no longer as violent as before. Moreover, he was deeply engrossed in his love for his young wife, San Niangzi, and his fighting spirit had diminished.
While Zhao Quan might boast about attacking the capital, the elderly Anda Khan would likely hesitate to act on it.
If the old Khan, in a sudden burst of youthful recklessness, did launch a second assault on the capital, Ding Wu, as an inside agent, would "diligently" guide the enemy troops—straight into the Ming army's ambush.
Rather than allowing the Ming to suffer passive attacks, it was better to lure the enemy into a trap. By coordinating from within and without, they could lead Anda Khan's forces into a dead end. For this, Ding Wu was willing to risk his life. Only by dancing with the wolf could one discover its weakness and slay it.
Zhao Quan was half-convinced, half-skeptical. "Do you truly despise the Ming so deeply? You've been at the Khanate Court for seven years, yet you've never joined the raids on Ming territories."
Ding Wu sneered with contempt. "What glory is there in plundering defenseless commoners? My hatred is for the Ming dynasty, not the ordinary people. It was the court and the foolish emperor who killed my parents. If we do not march on the capital, how can I avenge them?"
Zhao Quan remarked, "The foolish emperor is dead. Now it's the Longqing Emperor. Upon ascending the throne, he rehabilitated many veteran officials. They say he is a wise ruler."
Ding Wu laughed coldly. "Rehabilitation did not include my parents. Our Ding family remains branded as convicts."
In truth, the Longqing Emperor had intended to clear Ding Wu's father, Ding Rukui, of charges. However, Lu Ying secretly advised the emperor that since Ding Wu was still undercover in enemy territory, rehabilitating Ding Rukui would cast doubt on Ding Wu's loyalty and endanger him. Thus, the emperor postponed the rehabilitation until Ding Wu completed his mission and returned to the capital.
Zhao Quan's gaze sharpened. "Do you regret it now? If you had known the new emperor would restore your family's wealth and status, would you still have defected to Anda Khan?"
Ding Wu retorted, "Does the Branch Leader regret guiding Anda Khan to attack the capital in the Gengxu Year?"
Zhao Quan laughed heartily. "I have no regrets. It was the glory of my lifetime. 'Are kings and nobles born to their stations?' I, a commoner, nearly toppled the Ming court. That is how I gained fifty thousand followers in the White Lotus Sect and vast fertile lands in Bansheng. The life I lead now is no less than that of a Ming prince."
Ding Wu declared, "I have no regrets either. My goal is to destroy the Ming. Last time you attacked the capital, Branch Leader, you were the big winner. If we persuade Anda Khan to strike again, who knows what profits we might reap? I want nothing for myself—only the fall of the Ming."
What a madman! Zhao Quan stared warily at Ding Wu. "Are you lecturing me? I am the Branch Leader, and you are a mere follower. Know your place!"Ding Wu showed no fear of Zhao Quan, snorting coldly, "I thought the sect leader was a hero with grand ambitions! Never expected him to be a frog at the bottom of a well, content with guarding fifty thousand followers and the Bansheng Land!"
With a flick of his sleeve, Ding Wu departed, leaving Zhao Quan deep in thought: Perhaps... it's worth a try? The northwestern border regions have been nearly exhausted by our raids, yielding little profit. With this year's severe drought, where could be richer than the capital?
Returning to the Khanate Court, Ding Wu requested an audience with San Niangzi, claiming to have urgent matters to report.
Jin Ying, known as San Niangzi, summoned him. Currently enjoying Anda Khan's exclusive favor at court, her position was secure—her only awkwardness being her nominal status as the Khan's granddaughter.
Her father was both son-in-law and father-in-law; her mother both daughter and mother-in-law. Yet under the weight of authority, none dared mention this. San Niangzi remained the most esteemed woman in the Khanate Court.
In public, she appeared as a noble lady wearing the Ox Horn Headdress, but privately she dressed in Taoist Robe and Fujian Headscarf, adopting the attire of Ming women—elegant and beautiful.
In his later years, Anda Khan, much like the Jiajing Emperor, became captivated by young, beautiful women, granting boundless affection and tolerance. However San Niangzi dressed in private was left to her preference—her happiness was all that mattered.
Since the White Lotus Sect began cultivating wastelands in Bansheng Land and harvesting grain, Anda Khan had settled in Fengcheng, ordering sect artisans to fire bricks and construct a city. Replacing grand tents with stone-and-timber palaces, he fulfilled San Niangzi's preference for High-legged Furniture—all her desks, beds, and furnishings indistinguishable from those in Central Plains.
Holding a scroll, San Niangzi asked without lifting her eyes from the text, "What matter do you report?"
Ding Wu replied, "Since spring began, the drought has plagued both pastures and Bansheng farmland. This year's harvest looks bleak. Today I sounded out Zhao Quan, who implied they'll surely hunt southward this year—meaning raid—and might as well target the Central Plains' greatest prize: the capital, to relive the glory of the Gengxu Year. One such hunt could sustain us for years."
Zhao Quan: I didn't, I wouldn't, you're lying!
But San Niangzi wouldn't hear Zhao Quan's defense.
After stirring dissent in the White Lotus Sect, Ding Wu came to San Niangzi to secretly accuse Zhao Quan. If Anda Khan indeed led troops to attack the Ming capital again, it would be Zhao Quan's doing—nothing to do with him.
So he came bearing intelligence. San Niangzi finally looked up from her scroll. "Does the Khan know?"
Ding Wu said, "I came immediately to report to the Hatun upon learning this."
San Niangzi's honorific in the Khanate Court was Zhongjin Khatun.
She understood well: with the severe drought persisting, war come autumn and winter would be inevitable.
Attacking the capital again... San Niangzi recalled the bright-eyed youth in the capital. When the time came, serving different masters, they'd inevitably fight to the death.
The thought troubled her. Having lived several years in the capital, she knew its prosperity largely belonged to ordinary people living simple lives—they'd be the first to perish in war, while the powerful always found ways to survive.
Would this conflict truly never end?
Returning, Ding Wu swiftly dispatched another intelligence report: Anda Khan might invade the capital come autumn/winter. He promised to leak the Khan's military plans, urging the Ming to prepare early and set traps.In the Forbidden City, Zhu Xixiao, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, received intelligence from Ding Wu and promptly delivered it to the emperor.
The Longqing Emperor was diligent and hardworking in his role as sovereign, attending to myriad affairs of state. He held daily morning courts and regularly consulted with his ministers on governance—a stark contrast to his father, who had secluded himself for over thirty years during the Jiajing era to pursue Daoist immortality. Upon learning from Ding Wu’s report that the northwestern frontier faced imminent crisis, the Longqing Emperor immediately summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures.
Still new to the throne and untainted by cynicism, the emperor cared deeply about his reputation. Fearful of a repeat of the Gengxu Incident that would condemn him to infamy as an incompetent ruler, he asked, “…Honorable ministers, what should be done?”
Nearly all officials present had lived through the Gengxu Incident and understood its grave implications. A sense of dread fell over the assembly as they hurriedly proposed strategies.
Grand Secretary Xu Jie stated, “The north lacks seasoned commanders renowned for valor. Now that the Japanese Pirates along the southeastern coast have been suppressed and maritime restrictions lifted, the coastal regions are secure. This humble minister suggests transferring Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou to the northwest to train troops and maintain vigilance.”
True generals are forged in battle. Over the years, the names of Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou had become terror to the fierce Japanese Pirates, and both enjoyed Xu Jie’s patronage. Beyond safeguarding the northwest, Xu Jie sought to secure meritorious opportunities for his allies.
Grand Secretary Gao Gong countered, “Although the Japanese Pirates along the southeastern coast have been quelled, latent threats remain. Moreover, Yuegang—the first port reopened under the lifted maritime ban—is still under development. If Japanese Pirates or coastal raiders cause disturbances, it could undermine the entire effort to lift restrictions. This humble minister proposes sending only one of the two generals, Qi Jiguang or Yu Dayou, to the northwest, leaving at least one renowned commander to guard the southeast.”
Xu Jie was a veteran Grand Secretary who had served two reigns and triumphed in court struggles by overthrowing Yan Song. But Gao Gong was the Longqing Emperor’s mentor and former lecturer in the Prince Yu’s residence.
Ultimately, the emperor trusted his teacher Gao Gong’s judgment and decreed that Qi Jiguang be dispatched to garrison the northwest while Yu Dayou remained in the southeast.
Seeing Gao Gong oppose him and win the emperor’s favor, Xu Jie grew displeased that his advice was overruled: I am the Grand Secretary. Should I not retain some dignity?
Meanwhile, Gao Gong thought: You were Grand Secretary during the Jiajing era. I am the current emperor’s tutor. Each reign brings its own ministers. By the Grand Secretariat’s unwritten rules, the chief minister should be the sovereign’s confidant after a succession. See how the emperor accepted my counsel today.
If you knew what was wise, you would retire voluntarily and make way for talent. I would ensure your wealth and honor. Yet you show no intention of resigning, clinging obstinately to your post. Must I personally force you out?
Both Grand Secretaries harbored their own calculations. Driven by ambition, their covert rivalry began to surface. Coinciding with the triennial metropolitan evaluation in the first year of the Longqing reign, they exploited the assessment to prune each other’s influence. A storm of factional conflict was brewing at court.
Of course, these events would unfold later.
For now, Qi Jiguang received his transfer orders and rushed to the northwest to prepare defenses against Anda Khan’s forces. Still uneasy, the Longqing Emperor summoned Li Xixiao, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, for counsel:
“The intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard is crucial. If war breaks out, Anda Khan has the White Lotus Sect guiding his forces, but we have your intelligence to break their schemes and lay ambushes. The clash between our armies will essentially be an intelligence war between the White Lotus Sect and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Quickly reinforce personnel and hidden stakeouts at the Khanate Court and the northwestern front. This time, we must win. We cannot allow Anda Khan to besiege the capital again. Otherwise, how could I face our ancestors?”After ascending the throne, Emperor Longqing deliberately reversed every policy of his father, the Jiajing Emperor. He looked down upon his father's obsession with Daoist alchemy and immortality pursuits, convinced of his own superiority.
His father had been defeated by Anda Khan—he must not suffer the same fate! Otherwise, how would he differ from his father? He was determined to surpass and utterly crush his predecessor!
When the emperor voiced his demands, Li Xixiao promptly presented his solution: "In recent years, Lu Ying and Wang Daxia have had the most dealings with the White Lotus Sect. Ding Wu's successful infiltration into the Khanate Court was also part of a cunning ruse they orchestrated together. Sending them to the northwest to establish spy networks for intelligence gathering would double our effectiveness with them on the task."
Emperor Longqing was quite familiar with these names. Back when Prince Jing had used the Dark Spectre and the White Lotus Sect to attempt an assassination at the former Prince Yu's residence, it was these two Embroidered Uniform Guards who had slain the Dark Spectre and thwarted the conspiracy.
They were his lucky generals—there was nothing they couldn't accomplish. Emperor Longqing approved the plan.
When the orders arrived, Wang Daxia was on an extended leave, boating with his new bride Wei Caiwei. They had moved out of the Wang family residence to their new home by Shichahai, enjoying the privacy of their own courtyard. The newlyweds were drifting in their lotus pond when Wei Caiwei, sitting at the bow with her trousers rolled up to her knees, dipped her legs into the water.
Wang Daxia submerged himself and playfully tickled her upturned toes. Wei Caiwei giggled and tried to evade him, kicking at his hands, but he caught her bare foot and pulled her into the water.
This summer, her husband had finally taught her how to hold her breath and swim. While Shichahai Lake might still pose a challenge, their private pond was manageable. Two figures entwined beneath the surface, inseparable as lacquer and glue.
When Lu Ying received the orders and came to find her old partner, she witnessed this scene of lovebirds sporting in their lover's pond.
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