Chapter Twelve: Heavy Hammer

"Proclaim our decree: Liao Yongzhong’s crimes are unforgivable; he is to be executed. In consideration of his great service, his family shall not be implicated. His son, Liao Quan, shall inherit his title."

Inside the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang, having refreshed himself, issued his order. His decision not to implicate Liao Yongzhong’s family was driven by several layers of calculation.

First, Liao Yongzhong’s contributions were indeed significant, and he was the first among the founding nobility to be executed. Many other nobles would be watching his case closely. Handling it this way would put their minds at ease, preventing any overly intense reactions that might stir up trouble. The dynasty had just been founded, and the power held by the various nobles was formidable. While he could easily deal with one or a few of them individually, taking on the entire class at once would not be so simple. Even he had to employ strategy: kill the few, win over the many. Governance requires the use of force, but it cannot be done blindly or without foresight. Otherwise, instead of creating a clear and orderly world, one would only plunge it into further chaos. He had long understood this truth.

This was why, in his previous life, he had executed nobles, officials, and arrogant generals—the imperial court and the bureaucracy were awash in blood and severed heads. Yet, under his rule, the Ming Dynasty did not fall into disorder; rather, it developed rapidly, and the lives of the people were turned upside down for the better compared to the Yuan Dynasty, especially the late Yuan period. Now, having lived another life—one enriched by fifteen years of modern, novel, and essential experiences—he was even more ruthless than before, yet his actions were far more stable.

Secondly, this move served to lull Hu Weiyong and his associates into a false sense of security, preventing them from sensing the situation in advance and destroying key evidence or going into hiding.

Thirdly, there was the matter of the Chaohu Navy behind Liao Yongzhong. While the Chaohu Navy had committed many offenses, they were undeniably capable in battle. When it came to fighting to the death, engaging in hard-fought battles, and securing victories, the Yangtze River Navy—built with the Wu brothers, Wu Zhen and Wu Liang, at its core—and the anti-Japanese defense fleet simply could not compare to the Chaohu Navy. In his previous life, after Liao Yongzhong was executed, he had marginalized the Chaohu Navy. Even so, after his fourth son became emperor, the toughest naval force in the Ming remained the Chaohu Navy. When the fourth son dispatched Zheng He to the Western Oceans, the backbone of that fleet was the Chaohu Navy. Now, he knew exactly what he had missed by imposing the maritime ban in his past life and understood the wealth that lay overseas. In this life, he would never repeat that mistake. Not only would he abolish the maritime ban and re-establish the Maritime Trade Superintendency, but he would also vigorously develop overseas trade. Thus, the Chaohu Navy became particularly vital. With Liao Yongzhong, the thorn in his side, removed, the remaining men would have to be put to use for his own ends—and made even more compliant.

"Four hours from now, the Crown Prince shall go in person to promulgate the decree!" Zhu Yuanzhang added after a moment of thought.

Having said this, Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes to rest. His mind was churning with thoughts. The fifteen years of modern life had vastly broadened his horizons. Combined with his knowledge of the Ming Dynasty’s two-hundred-year history, Zhu Yuanzhang saw too many problems inherent in his empire: treasure notes, tax transportation, the enfeoffment system for feudal princes, official salaries, the maritime ban, corrupt officials, arrogant generals, the noble class, the north-south divide... There were so many issues, each one requiring a solution.

Many of these were exceptionally thorny. For a moment, a sense of urgency welled up within Zhu Yuanzhang.

...

"The Marquis is back! The Marquis is back!" At the Deqing Marquis’s residence, those who had been waiting with bated breath shouted with excitement.

But a moment later, this surprise turned into intense horror and profound grief. Soon, the sounds of mourning shook the heavens, and the entire household was draped in white. Amidst the sorrow, Liao Quan and the other members of the Liao family, along with those deeply entangled with them, were gripped by panic and terror. Even the Deqing Marquis had been beheaded, and the men of the Imperial Guard still surrounded the residence, showing no signs of leaving. They could not help but worry about their own fates. Many began writing their final testaments or settling their affairs. After the iron fist of Old Zhu had fallen, they no longer possessed their former arrogance. The hours that followed were agonizing, a torment where each day felt like a year.

Hours later, when news arrived that Crown Prince Zhu Biao was coming with the Crown Prince's personal guard, Liao Quan was so terrified he nearly took his own life, fearing the entire Liao family was doomed to be wiped out to the ninth degree of kinship. It was for this reason that when he heard from the Crown Prince that only Liao Yongzhong would be executed, that no one else would be implicated, and that he would inherit the title of Deqing Marquis, Liao Quan felt as if joy had descended from the heavens. He nearly fainted, his body completely drained of strength. He hurriedly kowtowed repeatedly, thanking the Emperor for his divine grace and the Crown Prince for his benevolence. The others reacted much the same way.

Zhu Biao observed this, offering words of comfort while filled with admiration and reflection. *Truly worthy of being my Imperial Father, he holds the hearts of men firmly in his grasp! This method of wielding both grace and power, especially the decision to make me wait several hours before announcing the decree, is truly ingenious!* Remembering that his father had specifically sent him to deliver the decree, he felt deeply moved. His father’s care for him touched every aspect of his life. His father took on the role of the villain, while leaving the act of bestowing grace to him. This was something a Crown Prince in any other dynasty would not even dare to imagine!

...

"Minister Hu, come, look at these letters! Damn it all!" Inside the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had napped for an hour and was now full of vigor, beckoned to Hu Weiyong, the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat, who had just been summoned.

After offering a humble apology, Hu Weiyong did not stand on ceremony and began to read. After only a few pages, his expression shifted repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, this... I dare not read any further. This Liao Yongzhong deserves to have his nine generations executed!"

"Continue reading. It is of no consequence." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling Hu Weiyong to proceed.

What is imperial favor? This was favor! On such a momentous matter, among all the civil and military officials, only he had the standing to be called by the Emperor to view the incriminating evidence that had been uncovered! What were Liu Bowen, Li Shanchang, the late Yang Xian, or the demoted Wang Guangyang? They were far behind him! Moreover, Liu Bowen would soon be dead as well!

"This dog Liao Yongzhong! He deserves to have his nine generations executed! The many generals within the Chaohu Navy should also be implicated!" After reading for another half-hour, Hu Weiyong could not help but speak up again, filled with righteous indignation.

"Minister Hu, take a look at this." Zhu Yuanzhang did not respond to Hu Weiyong, but instead handed him several more letters. These letters had a distinct characteristic: they were incomplete, having been partially burned. Three of them were written by Liu Bowen to Liao Yongzhong.

In his previous life, it was because of these three burned letters that he had flown into a rage and tacitly allowed Hu Weiyong to poison Liu Bowen. Later, he learned that Hu Weiyong had deliberately had the letters burned to make him increasingly suspicious of Liu Bowen, thereby driving him to his death. After Liu Bowen died, he had felt much regret. Now that he had returned to the eighth year of the Hongwu reign and knew the cause and effect, he would never let Hu Weiyong use this tactic to harm Liu Bowen again.

"Who would have thought that a man of such integrity as the Count of Chengyi would secretly correspond with a traitor like Liao Yongzhong!" After carefully examining the remnants of the letters, Hu Weiyong spoke with a mixture of reflection and indignation. "Although these letters have been largely burned, it is not hard to see from what remains that Liao Yongzhong sent large quantities of valuable goods to Liu Bowen on three occasions. Liu Bowen accepted them and wrote back to thank Liao Yongzhong."

Hu Weiyong naturally knew that the original intent of the letters was certainly not that. Liu Bowen had likely been politely thanking Liao Yongzhong for his generous gifts and then refusing them. He knew Liu Bowen’s character all too well. However, that did not stop him from saying this. Only the one who wrongs you knows just how wronged you truly are!

"Minister Hu thinks so too? This Liu Bowen, he really is full of surprises!" Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice carried a strange undertone.

Hearing this, Hu Weiyong was overjoyed. The matter was completely settled! Liu Bowen was surely doomed!

"Someone, go and summon Liu Bowen! I shall ask him myself what exactly he has been whispering about with this Liao Yongzhong!"

As soon as this order left Zhu Yuanzhang’s lips, Hu Weiyong froze, as if he had been struck hard by an invisible hammer!