Chapter 33: Suddenly, a Madman Sharpens His Blade in the Night

Chapter 33: A Madman Sharpens His Knife in the Night

"Since this project belongs to both of us, how can you let your nephew work for nothing? You should at least give him something to signify his status," Empress Xu remarked, her tone measured and calm.

Zhu Di paused for a moment. Noticing the Empress’s gaze fixed on his waist, he suddenly understood and unhooked the saber he was wearing.

"I don't have a Shangfang sword, only this precious blade from the previous dynasty. You said you would present me with a divine sword, so I shall bestow this precious blade upon you in return. Take it."

As Zhu Di spoke, he tossed the weapon to Xu Jingchang. Xu Jingchang hurriedly caught it; the saber had a significant heft, its hilt inlaid with numerous gemstones and engraved with what appeared to be strange, mystical characters.

Xu Jingchang did not recognize them, but they were Phags-pa script—a protective incantation for averting disaster and prolonging life.

"Jingchang, this blade was bestowed upon His Majesty by the founding Emperor. It is said that your grandfather seized it in Beiping; it was an imperial item from the palace of the former Yuan dynasty. This is far more useful than any Shangfang sword. If anyone treats you with disrespect in the future, just draw it and cut them down," Empress Xu said with a smile.

Xu Jingchang was even more astonished. Passed from the Yuan to the Ming, from Zhu Yuanzhang to Zhu Di, and from Xu Da to his own hands—two dynasties and two families, the lineage was truly mysterious.

He hurriedly expressed his gratitude, buckled on the saber, and left in high spirits.

Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, followed closely behind Xu Jingchang, his eyes burning with rage. He was clenching his teeth, furious to the core. He had expected Xu Jingchang to be soundly beaten, but not only did the kid escape unscathed, he had also walked away with a precious saber—the very weapon he himself had requested from his father multiple times, only to be refused.

Why was it that despite all his own hard work and the risks he took, he could never obtain it, while this kid got it so easily?

Jealousy twisted Zhu Gaoxu’s expression. He gripped his fists so tightly he could have crushed them, itching to pounce on Xu Jingchang and tear him apart.

It seemed Xu Jingchang felt the Prince’s malevolent gaze, but he remained remarkably calm—after all, he had just been given a sword!

"Your Highness, the Prince of Han, can we talk?"

Zhu Gaoxu froze for a moment before finally nodding. "Fine."

They did not return to the Office of Transmission but instead found a small tavern. They requested a private room in the back, sat down, and ordered four side dishes and a pot of cloudy wine.

"Truth be told, in my heart, we are still cousins. I don't understand why you are so hostile toward me."

Zhu Gaoxu’s eyes widened in fury. "Xu Jingchang, don't play the fool! Haven't you harmed me enough? One word of yours ruined my succession... and you still dare to play dumb with me?"

Xu Jingchang replied, "If that is what you think, you are miles off the mark. It wasn't me who obstructed you, but two other things."

"What things?"

"Your cerebrum and your cerebellum. Your current symptoms suggest your cerebrum is not fully developed, and your cerebellum hasn't developed at all..."

"You!"

Zhu Gaoxu was so enraged that he exerted force and shattered his wine cup. With eyes glaring, he prepared to strangle Xu Jingchang.

This guy really is a fierce tiger!

Xu Jingchang hurriedly raised the sword he had been given. "Don't be reckless. If you start a fight here, you’ll be in real trouble. Actually, I have a way to truly help you."

Zhu Gaoxu did not trust Xu Jingchang, but the kid did have a streak of crooked talent, and he couldn't openly defy the wishes of his father and mother to kill him.

"Speak!"

"Very well. Let’s use an analogy. Imagine a great family with three sons, all wanting to inherit the estate. The eldest is naturally favored, having been born a few years earlier, which gives him the advantage. If the second son wants to defeat the eldest, he needs two things: first, the parents' favoritism; second, the eldest must make mistakes. Only when you are certain your parents truly love you more than the eldest can you make your move. Furthermore, you need the eldest to keep making mistakes, to become detested by everyone, only then will there be hope for success. By the way... do you know about Emperor Yang of Sui?"

Zhu Gaoxu furrowed his brow, pondering Xu Jingchang’s words. It seemed he possessed neither of the two requirements. His father told him to work hard, which didn't seem reliable at all, and his mother certainly wasn't on his side. Plus, the eldest brother's reputation was...

"Emperor Yang of Sui? The foolish tyrant who dragged boats across dry land?"

Xu Jingchang smiled. "The world knows him as a tyrant, but they don't realize that his maneuver to replace his older brother as the Crown Prince was brilliant. It’s textbook material; you really should find it and study it. If you had even a shred of intelligence, you wouldn't be mixed up with trash like Qiu Fu. People like that can't help you; they are only a burden. They want to squeeze benefits out of you without ever intending to do anything for you."

Zhu Gaoxu listened intently and even nodded silently. It was true—as soon as he fell on hard times, those people abandoned him and stopped coming around...

"I understand! For the sake of what you just said, I will forget the past for now."

In the Ming Dynasty, making Zhu Gaoxu see the light was no less difficult than making Lu Bu see it in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. Though it was just cheap wine and simple dishes, Zhu Gaoxu ate with relish, feeling as though his entire being had been elevated.

While they were chatting, a gaunt middle-aged man entered the tavern. He wore a long gown, his eyes downcast, and said faintly, "Bring me half a catty of wine."

He then sat at a table by the window.

A while passed, but no wine was brought to him.

The man looked up at the waiter and the owner, only to find them turning their heads away, refusing to meet his eyes, leaving him ignored.

After a moment, the man laughed self-deprecatingly: "Is the shop out of wine? Or are you unwilling to sell to me?"

The owner hesitated for a moment before finally bringing a pot of wine, trembling as he approached.

"Master Jing, my shop is small and humble. When you came before, it was an honor for us, but now we dare not serve you. Consider this pot of wine on the house. In the future, please go elsewhere; it is inconvenient for my shop to host you."

The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment, then took the wine and downed it in one gulp.

"Refreshing! Good wine! Your loyalty is commendable, shopkeeper; your business will surely flourish. I take my leave."

With that, he strode away.

By this time, Xu Jingchang and Zhu Gaoxu had finished their drinks. Being in a private room, the man, Master Jing, naturally hadn't noticed them.

"Jing Qing! It is said he had vowed to die for the country along with Fang Xiaoru," Xu Jingchang whispered.

Zhu Gaoxu said bluntly, "Die for the country? Isn't he alive and well? I recall he surrendered early and begged for mercy. What a thing! He is nothing but a hypocrite seeking fame."

Xu Jingchang pondered for a moment before saying, "You cannot judge solely by that. Consider his character. If a man were truly cowardly and afraid of death, he would likely not refuse money or beauty. Listening to what was just said, he frequently comes here to drink, unlike us who are just passing through. A man like that may not necessarily be a coward; he might have other plans."

Xu Jingchang smiled. "Shall we make a bet?"

"Bet then. If I win, you give me the precious sword."

"And if you lose?" Xu Jingchang asked with a chuckle.

"If I lose? I'll give you twenty fine horses!" Zhu Gaoxu declared decisively. He knew he wouldn't lose this bet.

"Deal!"

Xu Jingchang agreed readily. He then feigned being half-drunk, ordered another pot of wine, and invited the owner over to share a drink and chat.

"What is the story with that Master Jing? I’m just curious, nothing more."

The owner paused, sighed, and said, "Years ago, he was a good official who stood up for the people. Everyone respected him and called him a 'Blue Sky' judge. But recently, we heard he broke his word—he claimed he would die for the country but chose to live on in disgrace, which is despicable. If people knew he was treated with respect in my shop, someone would smash the place to pieces."

Xu Jingchang nodded, then left with the Prince of Han.

"So, did you figure anything out?"

"No," Zhu Gaoxu answered honestly.

"This is what you call 'social death'," Xu Jingchang sighed. "Someone like Fang Xiaoru chose death over surrender, preserving his integrity and maintaining a place among the literati. But once someone is abandoned by the literati—when even a tavern owner can despise him—that person can no longer live in this world. Even if he holds an official title, in such a vast court, who would take him seriously?"

"As long as Jing Qing has a shred of courage left, he won't be content to let things continue like this. There is an eighty percent chance he is planning a desperate gamble."

Xu Jingchang smiled. "Your Highness, if we take some men there tonight, we might just perform a great service."

...

As night fell, Jing Qing lived in a dilapidated little courtyard, very shabby—somewhat incongruous with his status as the Censor-in-Chief.

The Jianwen reforms had imitated Wang Mang, renaming official titles; even the Censor-in-Chief, which Zhu Yuanzhang had abolished, had been brought back.

What a pity, he chose to imitate the wrong person.

Around the second watch, the sound of a knife being sharpened drifted from the inner room. Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Though his status was awkward, he would have a chance to see Zhu Di. Once he tied the dagger to his calf and brought it into the palace, he could draw it and strike while congratulating the Emperor, thus avenging his former master!

I, Jing Qing, have endured humiliation and shame only for this moment!

He finished binding the blade and returned to his study. Just as he pushed open the door, he discovered a burly young man sitting in his chair, looking at him with a smile. "Old thief, you truly have the gall of a beast. It is a pity that this Prince will not let you ruin the Mid-Autumn festivities."