Chapter 25: The Filial Son and Virtuous Grandson, Zhu Gaoxu!

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The sky was glooming with dusk. Zhu Gaosui, clad in a four-clawed python-patterned robe, hurried into the Northern Garrison Commander's headquarters and stepped into the residence of the Deputy Commander.

A Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a Garrison Commander, and four Commanders of a Thousand made up the six men, all of whom rose to bow in respect: "We greet Your Highness, Prince Zhao!"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was structured with one Chief Commander, two Deputy Commanders, three Assistant Commanders, two Garrison Commanders, and fourteen Commanders of a Thousand—these men directly or indirectly commanded five thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards in the capital!

Now, these six were Prince Zhao’s closest confidants, his personally cultivated cadre, their status and influence within the Guard so prominent that they could mobilize nearly half the force at will.

"Everything is ready?" Zhu Gaosui paced back and forth, questioning them repeatedly.

"Your Highness, both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Forest Army await your command, ready to act at His Majesty’s behest!" replied Liu Sheng, the Deputy Commander—the third in command within the Guard—his expression tense.

He was a trusted follower, handpicked and trained by Prince Zhao. Though ignorant of the exact plan for the night, he could sense the extraordinary nature of this operation. Tonight might herald a change in the heavens!

"Good, good," Zhu Gaosui said, settling into the grand armchair, lifting a cup of tea to his lips as he watched the last sliver of sunset vanish beyond the window.

The Forbidden City was uncommonly quiet.

Boom!

Suddenly, a thunderous explosion sounded from outside the city!

Zhu Gaosui leapt to his feet and immediately ordered, "By imperial command: the vanguard of the Oirat tribes has raided the capital—His Majesty orders us to protect the palace at once!"

"At your command!" The six men dropped to their knees in unison, then, with a flick of their flying fish-patterned robes, led a mass of Embroidered Uniform Guards to block every gate, sealing off the imperial palace with overwhelming force.

"Northern Garrison Command, routine inspection!" Zhu Gaosui led his men to the palace gates, coming face-to-face with Saihaji, the Chief Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who stood atop the city wall, his expression darkening.

He had not anticipated that Saihaji would personally guard the gates tonight. His resolve wavered.

Saihaji, a Mongol by birth, was fanatically loyal to Zhu Di. He would not have flinched even if ordered to kill his own parents. Getting past him would be nearly impossible.

"What is the meaning of this, Your Highness?" Saihaji demanded, his face severe as he quickly mustered a squad of palace guards behind him.

"By imperial order, open the gates! The Embroidered Uniform Guard is to rotate shifts!" Zhu Gaosui barked.

"I have yet to receive such an order. Please wait, Your Highness; I shall seek His Majesty’s instruction at once," Saihaji replied, unmoving.

"Insolence!"

"Is this realm ruled by the Zhu family or by the Sai family? How dare you defy an imperial command! Guards, seize Saihaji at once! I’ll personally request a reward for you from Father!"

Zhu Gaosui roared, but his voice lacked conviction.

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The palace guards remained motionless. Sensing the shift, Zhu Gaosui’s eyes flicked nervously about. Suddenly, he caught sight of a figure atop the city wall, and his face fell instantly.

"My apologies, Commander Sai, I had too much to drink tonight and wasn’t thinking clearly. Pretend I was never here!"

He shouted in panic, desperately trying to withdraw with his men.

"Stop right there!"

"Come up here and let your father see how much you’ve drunk—enough to rebel against your own father!"

The voice of old Zhu Di rang out like a death knell, sending a cold sweat down Zhu Gaosui’s back.

Forcing a smile, he turned and kowtowed, "Your son greets Father and wishes you good health!"

"My house caught fire, so I was taking the Northern Garrison Command to help extinguish it. Then, hearing the cannon fire, I hurried here out of concern for Father’s safety," he babbled, making excuses from below—anything to avoid going up there.

"Get up here! Did you not hear me?"

"Father, I… I’d rather not," Zhu Gaosui nearly wept, his legs trembling.

In the end, Zhu Di gave the order, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards of the Northern Garrison tied up Prince Zhao and delivered him up.

"Continue!" Zhu Di commanded. "You Guards, block the palace gates! If my second son arrives, let him through. If any officials come, bar their way!"

With that, he disappeared with Zhu Gaosui.

…

Boom!

As the cannon fire reverberated through the city, the civil and military officials grew anxious. Though ignorant of the details, they dressed in formal court attire and hurried to the palace in their sedan chairs.

At this time, the officials were still men of backbone. Had Zhu Youjian witnessed this, he would have been moved to tears—for compared to the so-called gentlemen of the Donglin faction under the Chongzhen Emperor, these officials were men of unyielding steel.

A troop of cavalry thundered past, led by Zhu Gaoxu, whose tiger eyes gleamed with murderous intent as he charged toward the palace, two hundred riders at his back, filling the capital with a chilling sense of foreboding.

"What on earth has happened?" muttered Xia Yuanji, Minister of Revenue, his brow deeply furrowed as unease crept into his heart. He urged his coachman, "Hurry up!"

…

The palace was tightly sealed.

"With cannon fire raging outside the city, something grave has happened. We, as officials, enter the palace to seek audience as required by law. How dare you palace guards obstruct us!" The three Yangs of the Grand Secretariat stood at the front, the assembled officials blocked outside, cursing and spitting in fury.

"Gentlemen, do not blame us. We only act on His Majesty’s command to seal the palace. If His Majesty calls for you, you will be allowed in!" Liu Sheng, the Deputy Commander, cupped his hands in apology, feigning obedience.

On ordinary days, any of these ministers would tremble before him alone, but faced with the assembly of the court, he dared not show any disrespect.

Just then—

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"Make way! Let us through!" Zhu Gaoxu cracked his riding whip and shouted, galloping past.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards immediately cleared a path, letting the cavalry force into the palace without resistance—it all went astonishingly smoothly.

At this point, the matter was nearly settled!

"The Prince of Han rides into the palace—what could this mean?" The civil and military officials were stunned, then erupted in outrage, surging forward to break through the Guards’ formation.

"Don’t stop—break through!" Xia Yuanji’s face flushed, and he clumsily drove his carriage into the ranks of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, opening a huge gap.

"The Prince of Han harbors treacherous designs! We, as ministers of the Ming, cannot let traitors succeed. If you Guards obstruct us, you are traitors yourselves and will implicate your families!" Xia Yuanji stood atop his carriage, shouting furiously to all sides.

"Make way at once! His Majesty’s safety hangs by a thread—there must be no delay!" The three Yangs of the Grand Secretariat were both shocked and enraged, shouting commands.

"We only obey orders," the Guards replied coldly. Having received the Emperor’s command, they held their ground with confidence.

Soon, they re-formed ranks, barring the officials from entry.

…

Within the palace halls.

"Third Brother! Where are you?"

"What do the eunuchs say—Father should still be in the Hall of Heavenly Purity!" Zhu Gaoxu reined in his horse, shouting loudly.

By now, he was both terrified and exhilarated; if he spoke softly, his voice would tremble, so he shouted instead to show his men that the Prince of Han was full of confidence.

Then, in the next instant, Zhu Gaoxu vanished, leaving behind two hundred bewildered cavalrymen in utter confusion.

In the Celestial Palace of Clouds!

It was still bright as day, mist swirling, immortal air drifting.

"What is going on?" Zhu Gaoxu was dumbfounded, his mind blank. He remembered shouting a few times—how had the world changed in the blink of an eye?

…