It was gloomy inside the Imperial Prison. Shen Zechuan's hands and feet felt cold. He began to have difficulty breathing. He kept twisting his wrists, but the hemp rope was so tightly wrapped around them that his efforts were in vain.
The sack of earth fell on his chest, making him feel as if he had been thrown into a deep pool. His ears were ringing, and his breathing was irregular. It was so hard for him to keep breathing that it felt like he was drowning.
Shen Zechuan turned his eyes to stare at the candlelight behind the bars.
Several Imperial Guards in the hall were drinking and shouting as they played a guessing game. They were too busy to look back at Shen Zechuan. The sack of earth nailed Shen Zechuan to the crudely made straw mat. Nausea, which came from the symptoms of suffocation, swallowed him like a flood.
His vision seemed to spin. Shen Zechuan raised his head high and gritted his teeth to move his legs. Both his legs had been whipped until they were almost numb; he felt nothing when he stretched them. He stepped on the left corner of the bed made of wooden planks. It had already rotted from termite infestation; in fact, he had already damaged it a little by sitting on it on his first day here.
His breathing grew labored.
Shen Zechuan stepped to the corner and stomped with all his might. But his legs were so weak that his kick didn't even make a sound. The bed board didn't move an inch. Cold sweat poured down until the clothes on his back were soaked.
He wants to live.
A panicked whimper escaped from Shen Zechuan's throat. He bit his tongue until it bled and stepped on the bed board again.
Ji Mu's brutal and unrecognizable corpse was like a horsewhip that triggered his will to live. Ji Mu's voice seemed to still echo in his ears.
He must live!
Shen Zechuan hit the wooden board furiously until he finally heard a "thud". Half of the bed board collapsed, and his body fell sideways. The sacks of dirt fell behind him. He threw himself onto the ground as if he had just broken through the surface of the water and sucked in a large gulp of air.
The ground was icy cold. Shen Zechuan's injured leg wouldn't heed his orders, so he propped himself up on his elbow. Sweat dripped down the tip of his nose. It was cold in the prison, but he felt as if his entire body was on fire. It burned his boiling insides so much. Finally, he couldn't help but lower his head to vomit.
Shen Wei deserves to die.
There were one hundred and twenty thousand military troops in Zhongbo, divided among the Six Prefectures to form a defensive line. After the defeat at Chashi River, the Biansha Cavalry invaded Dunzhou. As the interrogator had said, there was still a chance to redeem the situation. Shen Wei not only had a well-trained and powerful army; he also had a lot of military supplies. There were also garrison troops in the Three Cities of Duanzhou available for his deployment. However, he suddenly left Duanzhou and shrank back like a coward to hide in the Prince of Dunzhou Residence.
The retreat was the beginning of Zhongbo's downfall. The Biansha cavalry slaughtered the Three Cities of Duanzhou, and the morale of the garrison troops plummeted. They fled south in panic. Everyone thought that Shen Wei would fight to the death with the Twelve Tribes of Biansha Dunzhou. But he rose again when he heard the news of their arrival.
The Zhongbo Army retreated in defeat after battle, while the Biansha Cavalry was like a steel knife in its full glory piercing through the territory of the Six Prefectures. They came galloping on their horses and traveling lightly to battle, relying solely on their spoils of war to pursue their way within eight hundred li[1] of Qudu, the Imperial Capital of Dazhou.
[1] 里 li, ancient measure of length, one li = approx. 500 m
If Shen Wei had implemented a scorched earth policy during the retreat and burned the granaries in the city so that nothing was left for the enemy, then there would be no way the Biansha Cavalry would have advanced this far. This was because they did not bring any army supplies and relied solely on the grain from the cities they had captured to replenish their supplies. Once the grain in the city was destroyed by fire, even the toughest Biansha Cavalry would have starved.
A starving soldier would not be able to continue fighting. When the time came, the Libei Armored Cavalry would cross the ice river to intercept the retreat of the Twelve Tribes of Biansha, while the Garrison of the Five Commanderies of Qidong would, from the Tianfei Watchtower, seal off all possible escape routes. The machetes would then be trapped inside their shells like turtles in their houses. They would never survive the winter.
But Shen Wei didn't do that.
He did not give up so easily; he also left all the granaries in the city to the Biansha Cavalry. The Biansha Cavalry relied on Dazhou's provisions to massacre the cities of Dazhou. Thanks to Shen Wei, their horses were well-fed enough to drive the common people and captured soldiers to the Chashi River, where they were all slaughtered[2] by the Biansha Cavalry in one night.
[2]To be more specific, kill enemies and then pile their bodies on top of towers, etc., to show off their prowess and victory.
Shen Zechuan had a very close call with death.
And now, Qudu wanted to settle accounts. It was clear that Shen Wei's deployment orders, while he was still alive, were all made carelessly. It did seem like he colluded with the Twelve Tribes of Biansha to launch attacks from within and without. However, Shen Wei sacrificed himself out of fear of punishment and burned himself to death, destroying all the documents with him. Even the Imperial Guards, who were effective and efficient in their duties, were now at their wits' end.
The emperor wanted to get to the bottom of this matter, so all they could do was continue interrogating the only person left who might know about this, Shen Zechuan. But Shen Zechuan's birth mother was a dancer in Duanzhou. Shen Wei had too many sons, and Shen Zechuan was the eighth Shu son[3]. There really was no place for him in the clan based on his age or rank. So he had long been banished by the Prince of Dunzhou's Manor to Duanzhou to be raised in the wild[4]. Shen Wei himself probably didn't even remember he still had this son.
[3] Children at that time agreed whether they were Di or Shu children. A Di (嫡子) son was born by the first legitimate wife (this was the wife who was officially married into the family, also known as zhengshi (正室)). Being the children of the legitimate wife made them the legitimate heirs. They also had a higher social status and often received better favors compared to Shu (庶子) sons born by concubines. It is advisable to keep this in mind, as it will be a recurring theme in the novel.
[4] 野 养 is basically left to grow naturally and freely without much guidance or interference from his parents. (As opposed to being shaped from a young age to conform to the expectations of his parents and society.)
Someone wants to kill him.
It was no secret. He had been sent here to be a scapegoat for his father. He was the last remaining member of the Shen Clan in Zhongbo, and his son was bound to repay his father's debt. So once the interrogation in the Imperial Prison was over, the Emperor would definitely use his life to offer him as a sacrifice during the memorial service for the thirty thousand soldiers killed at the Chashi River in Dunzhou prefecture, Zhongbo.
However, it didn't have to be through murder like this.
Shen Zechuan wiped the corner of his lips with his thumb and turned his head to spit out the blood in his mouth.
If Shen Wei had indeed conspired with their foreign enemies with the intention of committing treason, then Shen Zechuan would have to die sooner or later. Why take the unnecessary step of killing an insignificant shu bastard like him? There was still someone in the capital who was concerned about the results of his interrogation. If that was the case, then there must be something foul and odd about the defeat of Shen Wei's forces.
Shen Zechuan didn't know anything.
He had a master in Duanzhou, and his brother, Ji Mu, was his master's only son. To him, Shen Wei was just the Prince of Jianxing, who had nothing to do with him. He had no idea whether Shen Wei was conspiring with the enemy.
But he had to deny it.
The ground where Shen Zechuan lay was so cold and his bones were so cold that he was even more awake than before. He was a criminal arrested by the Imperial Guard on the orders of an imperial edict[5]. All the arrest warrants, court orders, and official decrees came directly from above. It took him directly from the hands of Xiao Jiming, the Descended Prince[6] of Libei, straight to the Imperial Prison, even bypassing the Joint Court of the Three Judicial Offices[7].
[5]钦 (提重) 犯, or 钦犯 refers to criminals who were arrested, usually for serious crimes, by order of an imperial edict written and personally approved by the Emperor himself.
[6]Hereditary Prince, or 'Prince Hereditary', (世子, shizi ) Not to be confused with the Crown Prince of the Emperor (太子, taizi ). This was the title given to the eldest dizi (son of Di) – also the legitimate heir – of the first-rank princes. To recap, princes (王), or rulers, during the Ming dynasty were titled and salaried members of the imperial bureaucracy with nominal power over various territories throughout China.
[7]In the Ming Dynasty, the supreme court was known as the "Joint Trial by the Three Judicial Offices" (三司会审), whose rulings had to be submitted to the Emperor for approval. The Three Judicial Offices were the Ministry of Justice (刑部), the Court of Judicial Review (大理寺), and the Chief Supervision Bureau (都察院).
This was clearly an indication of the Emperor's unrelenting determination to never forgive this and to get to the bottom of this matter. But, under such circumstances, who would dare to take such a reckless action to silence him before the Emperor could personally interrogate him?
The cold wind still howled at the window. Shen Zechuan turned his eyes and stared at the wall in the dark. He didn't dare close them again.
The weather was rather cold that day. Shen Zechuan was brought back to the hall again. A snowstorm was raging outside. The Interrogator who had been cold to him the other day was now smiling as he served tea with both hands and waited respectfully beside the taishi chair[8].
[8]太师椅 Taishi Chair or Grand Preceptor Chair, is a classic style of wooden chair in ancient China.
There was an old eunuch, fair-faced, and bearded sitting on a chair. He wore a velvet yandun hat[9], with a mandarin gourd[10] square[11] pattern on his robe. His robe was still draped over him, and he held a beautiful and precious plum blossom[12] in his hand as he rested his mind. He listened to the movement, then opened his eyes to look at Shen Zechuan .
[9](天鹤绒) 烟墩帽 (velvet) yandun hat , is a hat worn by eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty. It was made of velvet or silk cloth in winter.
[10] The 葫芦景 is a gourd or bottle gourd pattern used on the mandarin boxes, or rank badges, of official clothing (see next footnote). From the 23rd/24th day of the 12th lunar month to the lunar new year (also known as the Spring Festival), the Ming dynasty's internal ministers had to wear gourd or bottle gourd patterns on their clothing to welcome spring.
[11]子子 rank badge or mandarin box, is a large embroidered badge sewn onto an official's surcoat to indicate the rank of the official wearing it. E.g., the use of boxes depicting birds for civil officials and animals for military officials; there were even "seasonal" boxes such as pumpkins (see previous footnote).
[12] A small portable hand warmer that looks like a small pot. Also known as tangpozi (汤婆子).
"Godfather." Ji Lei, who was acting on imperial orders to interrogate Shen Zechuan, bowed to say, "This is the surviving descendant[13] of the Prince of Jianxing, Shen Wei."
[13]余孽 more specifically, the surviving supporters of an evil cause, but the word 孽 also refers to a son born of a concubine, that is, the remaining descendants, or members of the clan.
Pan Rugui looked at Shen Zechuan and asked, "How did this happen?"
Ji Lei realized that Pan Rugui had not asked him why Shen Zechuan had ended up all dirty and smelly, but rather that he had not yet uncovered why and where Shen Zechuan had come from.
Ji Lei's forehead was drenched in sweat, but he did not dare to wipe it. He maintained his bow and replied, "This kid is a fool. He has been delirious ever since we brought him back from Zhongbo. We don't know who is backing him, but he refuses to confess."
"A fugitive Your Majesty wants someone to order to arrest." Pan Rugui did not accept the offered tea. "A fifteen or sixteen year old child sent to the famous Imperial Prison to be personally interrogated by you, Your Majesty Ji. Yet you still have not submitted a confession."
Cupping the teacup in his hand, Ji Lei said with a bitter smile, "That's precisely why I didn't dare to use torture without permission. He already had a cold and fever when he just arrived. If he died because we didn't hold back the torture, then Shen Wei's case would end up as a cold case."
Pan Rugui observed Shen Zechuan for a moment and said, "We are all our Master's dogs. There is no point in keeping a dog if its fangs are no longer sharp. I know you have your own difficulties, but this is part of your duty. His Majesty wants to see him now. This is his way of showing understanding and consideration for the Imperial Guard. How can you still complain about it?"
Ji Lei hurriedly bowed respectfully and said, "Godfather is right. This child has been punished."
Pan Rugui snorted in gratitude and said, "Clean him up. He cannot seek an audience with Your Majesty with such a dirty appearance."
Shen Zechuan was taken by the servants to be cleaned and have the mangled wound on his thigh simply bandaged before he was given a set of clean cotton clothes to wear. He was in their hands when they ordered him to be. He was too unsteady to walk; it took some effort to even get into the horse carriage.
Pan Rugui finally accepted Ji Lei's tea. He looked at Shen Zechuan's back and said, "He really is the last surviving member of the Shen Clan?"
Ji Lei replied, "That's right. He is the only survivor of the Chashi Sinkhole. The Hereditary Prince Xiao of Libei personally took him under arrest. All this time, he has been held in a prisoner cart[14] of the Libei Armored Cavalry. No one has ever touched him on the way here."
[14]囚车 literally prison/convict train used to transport criminals long distances.
Pan Rugui took a sip of his cold tea. After a long time, he gave a deep smile and said, "Hereditary Prince Xiao is a wise man."
◈ ◈ ◈
Shen Zechuan got out of the carriage and let the Imperial Guard lead him along the long street. Heavy snow blew into his face. The eunuch of the Inner Palace who led the way hurried without saying a word.
The little eunuch who had been waiting respectfully under the eaves came out to receive Pan Rugui when the latter arrived before entering Mingli Hall. He took off his robe for Pan Rugui, helped him change the outer layer of his robe, and then took over the hand warmer in Pan Rugui's hands. They had already announced his arrival inside. Pan Rugui prostrated himself at the door and said, "Your Majesty, this slave[15] has brought the person."
[15]奴婢, or 'slave' was usually the term used by female slaves or servants to refer to themselves when addressing the Emperor or his imperial concubines. During the Ming Dynasty, eunuchs (those who served at the Emperor's side) also used this term to refer to themselves when addressing the Emperor.
A moment later, a low, unhurried voice sounded, "Bring him in."
Shen Zechuan's breath hitched. They had already supported him on both sides. There was incense burning inside, but it was not hot. He listened to the intermittent coughing sounds when he turned his gaze from the corner of his eye and caught a glimpse of two feet inside the hall.
Emperor Xiande wore a dark blue daopao[16]. He was emaciated to the point of being just skin and bones, and his body was weak. Large and small illnesses had never stopped bothering him in the three years since he ascended the throne. He sat on a chair, his square face looking very soft and delicate due to the lack of vital energy and blood[17].
[16] 道袍Daopao ; not to be confused with the Daoist priest's robe . This is a common robe usually worn by men in the Ming Dynasty.
[17]气血 Deficiency of vital energy ( qi ) and blood. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), sufficient amounts of qi (or vital energy) are needed to maintain the yin and yang of one's body. When a person dies, pain, suffering, and disease can occur. Deficiency of blood is a condition that underlies many diseases and is mostly related to the liver, kidneys, heart, and spleen. They may seem similar to anemia, but anemia is caused by substances in the blood, whereas low blood is.
"Ji Lei has been trying it out for several days." Emperor Xiande glanced at Ji Lei, who was kneeling behind him. "Has a conclusion been reached?"
Ji Lei prostrated himself and said, "To answer Your Majesty, this young man's words are incoherent and full of loopholes. Everything he has confessed these past few days is contradictory and cannot be trusted."
Emperor Xiande said, "Show me everything he has confessed."
Ji Lei took out a neat scroll of confession documents from his bosom and presented it with both hands to Pan Rugui. Pan Rugui hurried forward again and respectfully presented it to Emperor Xiande.
Emperor Xiande took one look at it. When he reached the part about the Chashi Sinkhole, he covered his mouth and started coughing. He refused to let Pan Rugui wipe it for him; instead, he wiped the blood between his lips with a handkerchief. He said in a deep voice, "Thirty thousand soldiers lost their lives in the sinkhole but not Shen Wei. This really makes one's blood boil!"
Shen Zechuan closed his eyes, and his chest began to pound. Sure enough, the next moment, he heard Emperor Xiande's order.
"Raise your head!"
Shen Zechuan's breathing quickened. The palms of his hands on the floor that supported him felt cold. He raised his head slowly, his eyes carefully landing on Emperor Xiande's leather boots.
Emperor Xiande looked at him and asked, "You are Shen Wei's son and the only survivor of the Chashi Sinkhole. What should you be able to say now?"
Shen Zechuan's eyes were red. His body trembled slightly as he cried and said nothing.
Without a change of expression, Emperor Xiande demanded, "Answer Zhen!"[18]
[18]朕 Zhen. The imperial term for "I" that the Emperor uses to refer to himself. I will just use "I", "Me", "myself", etc., in the text for easier reading, but the Emperor in this novel always uses "Zhen" when referring to himself.
Shen Zechuan suddenly raised his eyes. Tears flowed down his cheeks. He raised his eyes for a moment, then kowtowed heavily to the ground. His shoulders shook, and the sobs in his throat rose along with the shaking.
"Your Majesty… Your Majesty! My father was loyal to the country. He was too ashamed to face the country and Elder Zhongbo after the defeat of his troops. That's why he sacrificed himself to atone for it!"
Emperor Xiande rebuked, "What nonsense are you spouting?! If he is so loyal to the country, why does he keep withdrawing his troops?"
Shen Zechuan's voice was hoarse from sobbing. "My father sent all his sons to war. My eldest brother, Shen Zhouji, was tortured to death by the Biansha people who dragged him behind a horse along the Chashi public road! If it weren't for his loyalty, how could he have been treated to such an extent?"
Emperor Xiande said, "How dare you bring up the name of the Chashi battle with him? Shen Zhouji had already fled before the battle. His crime is unpardonable!"
Shen Zechuan looked at Emperor Xiande with tears streaming down his face. He said in a hoarse voice, "The battle of Chashi was a bloodbath. My eldest brother may be disabled and incompetent, but he defended Chashi for three days. It was during these three days that the military intelligence agency of the war situation was sent to Qidong and Libei. If not for these three days…"
He was so choked with emotion that he couldn't continue.
Emperor Xiande looked at the confession document in his hand. The entire hall was silent except for the sound of Shen Zechuan's sobs. In the midst of this incredibly long silence, Shen Zechuan dug his nails into his flesh.
Emperor Xiande suddenly took a deep breath and asked, "Has Shen Wei ever colluded with the enemy?"
Shen Zechuan's answer was firm and clear. "Never."
Unexpectedly, Emperor Xiande put down the confession document and said in a voice that suddenly turned cold, "This boy is cunning and has the intention to deceive the sovereign. I must not let you live! Pan Rugui, drag him away and whip him to death at Duancheng Gate!"
"This slave will obediently carry it out!" Pan Rugui immediately accepted his orders and bowed to retreat.
Shen Zechuan felt cold as if he had been doused with a basin of ice water. He suddenly resisted, but the Imperial Guard covered his mouth and quickly dragged him out of Mingli Hall.