Chapter 196: Unrelenting Until Shocking Words Are Spoken

“If I find out who dares to assassinate the King of Han so brazenly, I will never let him go!”
“I deserve these eighty lashes. It’s our fault for failing to protect the King of Han, allowing the assassin to get so close. In the end, it was even the King of Han who killed him—what use are we as guards then? Sir, did you ask if the assassin had been seen before? That’s pointless. If we had seen him, we would have captured his entire family long ago. How could we wait until now?”
“Since you’re here by order to investigate, I certainly won’t hide anything. All those servants were killed afterward, but before that, I tortured them. They said they didn’t know how the assassin managed to get in… Ugh, a bunch of useless scum! That assassin failed in his attempt and resorted to such despicable methods—nothing but a thief and scoundrel!”
Zhang Yue met with over a dozen guards, all still lying in bed recovering from their wounds, each speaking in an indignant tone. Moreover, Zhu Zhan Tan, who accompanied him, had someone lift the blanket off one of the hundredmen so Zhang Yue could see the injuries from the lashes. Though more than ten days had passed, the hundredman’s buttocks and thighs were still covered in bruises, with not a single spot unharmed—proof of the severe punishment. Yet, the hundredman remained strong and unbroken.
“Sir, I’ll tell you the truth. The King of Han has always been generous to us guards. Even if it meant eighty lashes or having our heads cut off, it would still be deserved! As for that damned assassin, if I knew his background, I would exterminate his entire family! As for turning him into meat paste—back then, everyone was too angry to care about such things!”
Although Zhu Zhan Tan felt unsteady on his feet, he showed no sign of fatigue. Only after accompanying Zhang Yue out of the last room did he softly sigh, “Our father has always treated his guards well, which is why they’re willing to die for him. As you just saw and heard, even after those eighty lashes, they don’t resent our father—they hate the assassin deeply. Speaking of which, since our father was gravely injured, I wish I could take his place…”
“Your Highness, the prince has sent someone!”

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden uproar arose outside the courtyard. Soon after, a eunuch in his thirties entered through the moon gate. Zhang Yue, who had been lost in thought, quickly raised his head. The eunuch, ignoring the thick layer of snow on the ground, strode forward and bowed respectfully before kowtowing. Then he said solemnly, “Your Highness, the King of Han has ordered me to convey his decree, asking Lord Zhang to enter the garden for a conversation.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yue found it strange, and Prince Zhu Zhan Tan’s expression changed abruptly. Fortunately, his face was already pale, so it didn’t seem too out of place. He forced a smile and said, “I thought Father was still recovering and had stayed behind to talk during the Festival. I never expected someone would disturb him. I’ve asked to see him ten times, and at most he agrees twice or three times. My younger brother gets to see him only once in ten attempts, let alone the other princes who often block his schedule. Yuanjie, you’re really lucky!”

He wished he didn’t have such “luck”! Although Zhang Yue had met the emperor more than once and seen many royal relatives like the crown prince Zhu Zhanji, it was only during his last meeting with the King of Han that he truly felt fear. After all, though Zhu Di was cruel and violent, he always showed respect for Zhang Fu and was cautious himself, ensuring things went well each time. But the King of Han was different.

Zhu Zhan Tan didn’t notice Zhang Yue’s slight distraction. After pondering for a moment, he gave an order to another eunuch nearby. Soon, someone brought over a magnificent brocade robe adorned with dazzling embroidery. He waved his hand to have it given to Zhang Yue, then said with a smile, “There’s still a long way to go from here to the garden. I can’t send you in a sedan chair. With just that thin cloak you’re wearing, you might catch a cold. This brocade cloak with golden phoenix patterns was just delivered from the capital. Wear it to keep warm so you don’t sneeze too much when you see Father. That way, I won’t get scolded as much!”

Though he found it inappropriate, since Zhu Zhan Tan was joking, Zhang Yue reluctantly put on the cloak and followed the eunuch who had come to summon him. As soon as he left, Zhu Zhan Tan’s smiling face vanished, replaced by deep gloom, as he muttered to himself, “If I find out who talked too much, I’ll cut out their tongues!”

It was still snowing outside. Zhang Yue put on a brocade cloak embroidered with the pattern of the Golden Roc, which kept him warm. Yet as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, the eunuch who had brought the message waved his hand, and immediately two young eunuchs in blue robes approached. One put wooden clogs on Zhang Yue’s feet and a green bamboo hat on his head, while the other draped a golden-threaded raincoat over him. The first eunuch then held up a thick oil-paper umbrella, shielding Zhang Yue’s head completely, before the group headed toward the back garden.

As they walked, Zhang Yue noticed that the eunuch holding the umbrella had snow all over his clothes and his face was purple from the cold, yet he continued to hold the umbrella high to protect him. This made Zhang Yue feel some pity, and he said with a smile, “I already have a bamboo hat and a raincoat, and the Crown Prince still gave me a cloak. Since it’s not snowing heavily now, sir, you can just keep this thick umbrella for yourself.”

“Lord Zhang, you’re too kind. You are a distinguished guest of the prince. How could I dare neglect you?” Although he said this, when Zhang Yue gently pushed the umbrella handle to cover his cold head, the eunuch was deeply grateful and became even more earnest in his words. “The Crown Prince was right. I’ve served the prince for ten years. Even when officials like the governor come, the prince never pays them attention, and the princes themselves are unpredictable in their visits. But the prince treats Lord Zhang even better than his own relatives…”

After hearing the eunuch’s long speech, Zhang Yue finally understood that the Han King, Zhu Gaoxu, knew of his arrival because Wang Bin, the commander of the Tiance Guards, had blurted it out—Zhu Zhan Tan might not be able to see Zhu Gaoxu at all times, but this commander could see him whenever he went there. Right now, he was waiting for Zhang Yue in the Xuanren Hall in the garden with the Han King.

This was Zhang Yue’s second time entering the Xuanren Hall and his second time meeting Zhu Gaoxu. The first time, Zhang Qian and Mu Ning were with him, but this time he was alone, with Wang Bin, a burly and strong commander, standing beside Zhu Gaoxu. The eunuch who brought him in left quietly at the door. When he stepped inside and bowed, he found that there wasn’t a single servant in the large hall.

“Get up. You can sit wherever you want.” Zhu Gaoxu’s tone was not as harsh as before, and there was even a gentle smile on his face. “This time is different from last time; there are no outsiders. I and Zhang Fu fought side by side many times on the battlefield—like brothers. Since you are his nephew, I consider you almost like my own nephew. So there are some things I can’t say to outsiders, but I can be honest with you.”
After getting up, Zhang Yue glanced at the eight nanmu chairs arranged in rows on either side and sat down on the first one on the west side. Yet as soon as he sat down, he heard this unexpected opening remark, leaving him at a loss for what to say. Fortunately, someone spoke up right away.
“Lord Zhang, I heard it’s you who’s investigating the prince’s assassination?” When Zhang Yue nodded, Wang Bin showed a delighted smile. “For the prince’s assassination, I, as the commander of the guards, bear significant responsibility. Unfortunately, the prince wouldn’t let me resign, and the emperor has pardoned my crimes. I really wish I could catch the mastermind right away and strangle them as an apology! Those sycophantic civil officials are untrustworthy—since you are the direct descendant of the Duke of Ying, I’m counting on you!”
After saying that, he bowed slightly to Zhu Gaoxu and said, “My lord, I’ve said everything I should. I’ll go train my guards right away. The prince has always spoiled them with food and drink, turning them lazy. This time, I’ll train them rigorously so they understand why they get twice the salary and why they can have food and drink every day!”
Wang Bin left with grand promises, while Zhang Yue remained uneasy. Now he finally understood why the emperor had assigned him such a tricky task—a task that seemed impossible for anyone but him to handle, as no one else could win the trust of the Han King’s faction. But while this trust seemed valuable to others, he wasn’t so sure about it.
“You must have met everyone you wanted to see since returning to the prince’s mansion. Do you have any clues?”
Seeing Zhang Yue shake his head, Zhu Gaoxu didn’t show anger but merely smiled sarcastically. “Those guards haven’t even realized anything yet—the assassin knocked them out with a punch. Of course, they know nothing. As for the leader, he’s always half-dead. Even if he knew something, he wouldn’t tell you the truth. Expecting him to help is like trying to fish in the air! If you want clues, you should come to me directly. There’s no need to waste time on others!”

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu’s tone, Zhang Yue suddenly grew tense, filled with an indescribable sense of absurdity—could it be that Zhu Gaoxu himself had guessed who the assassin was? Facing his sharp, piercing gaze, he calmly joked with himself, “I also wanted to ask the prince directly, but since everyone says the prince doesn’t see outsiders often, I had no choice but to settle for this. If the prince can give me some guidance, I will surely do my utmost to live up to your expectations.”

“Good, truly worthy of being the protégé Zhang Fu values!”

Zhu Gaoxu slammed the table hard, his smile disappearing completely. “My reputation in Shandong isn’t good, but since you’ve come to Le’an, you must have seen the bustling shops and crowded streets outside—so you should know not everyone hates me. Of course, there are dissatisfied commoners, but they lack the strength and ability! Many officials in Shandong have been humiliated by me, but they can’t overcome my loyal guards! As for the White Lotus Sect, they don’t even have the time! As for those with the ability and strength to assassinate me…”

He suddenly raised three fingers, bending the first one first. “My elder brother, the crown prince, was the most suspicious at first, but he pretends to be kind-hearted—he wouldn’t stoop to such despicable acts. However, my third brother, the Prince of Zhao, is highly likely—the talented people under his command are no less than mine.”

Then he bent the second finger, sneering, “The second suspect is my newly married queen. I have a reputation for killing my wives, and I usually treat her coldly. She probably thinks if I die, she’ll be freed! But if I really die, does she think she can escape being buried with me?”

Finally, he bent the third finger, his face now showing a fierce expression. “Although Zhu Zhanqi, the Prince of Shouguang, is my younger son, he’s always competitive and resentful that I killed his mother. It’s not impossible he might act on impulse and try to assassinate me.”

After the Prince of Han said this, the room fell dead silent, as if even the sound of a needle falling could be heard. Zhang Yue never expected the three possibilities the Prince of Han had mentioned to be so bizarre—one was his own brother, the Prince of Zhao, Zhu Gaosui; the other was the queen, Wei; and the last was even his own son. At this moment, rather than being surprised, he felt terrified. He really wanted to know whether this man had anyone he could trust.

By this time, Zhu Gaoxu was already in high spirits and had no interest in noticing Zhang Yue’s expression. He simply stood up with his hands behind his back, a haughty look on his face: “That good-for-nothing third brother is neither good at literature nor martial arts, yet he still dares to compete with this prince! It’s nothing but daydreaming! The second brother has only inherited this prince’s brutality; he hasn’t learned a thing about martial arts or strategy. He’s even worse than his sickly brother—at least the eldest brother can handle the external affairs on behalf of this prince. As for Princess Wei… Hmph! Zhang Yue!”
He suddenly turned and strode over to Zhang Yue, looking down at him and saying, “As long as you investigate this to the bottom and give an explanation to our father the emperor, this prince will surely not treat you unfairly! Not to mention anything else, once you become an official in this region of Shandong, you can act as you please! If you can help this prince in the future, the title of Duke of Zhang will not be limited to Zhang Fu alone!”
Act as I please… Do you think I’m a crab? If I investigate in these three directions, that Prince of Shouguang seems unimportant, and there probably aren’t any powerful figures in Princess Wei’s family to back her up. But dealing with Prince Zhao might get me into serious trouble!
Just as Zhang Yue was about to make a half-hearted response, suddenly there was a commotion outside. He was puzzled, but soon recognized a voice that shocked him greatly—it was Peng Shisan’s distinctive loud voice. Finally, under Zhu Gaoxu’s fierce shout, the noise outside subsided. But then Peng Shisan boldly rushed in and knelt on one knee.
“Your Highness, I am a soldier from the Duke of Ying’s household, tasked with protecting Lord Zhang. On our way here today, we heard someone sounding the alarm, saying there was an ambush ahead, so we took a detour. The two men who went to investigate earlier have only one who returned, covered in blood. He just said, ‘There’s an ambush by the Zishui River,’ before passing out! Since the area around Le’an is under Your Highness’s jurisdiction, how could there be such reckless fools? I implore Your Highness to stand up for our lord!”