Chapter 35: Jiang Huan Infiltrates the Ranks of the 'Enemy'
Page 1 of 3
Unfortunately, Zhu Yuntong could detect nothing unusual on Jiang Huan’s face.
Or perhaps the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was simply too skilled at concealing his thoughts for Zhu Yuntong to see through him.
Even so, Zhu Yuntong had no intention of letting him off. After meeting Jiang Huan’s gaze with a cold, severe look for a moment, he suddenly barked, “Jiang Huan, do you know your crime?”
Jiang Huan’s entire body trembled, and he hurriedly lowered his head. “This subject knows his crime.”
No one noticed the bitter helplessness hidden deep in his eyes at that instant.
What crime had he committed, damn it?
Everything had been arranged by Zhu Yuanzhang. What did any of it have to do with him, Jiang Huan? Not even the worth of a single copper coin!
But the circumstances were stronger than the man. Old Zhu had already run away from home—how could Jiang Huan possibly maintain any backbone?
If Zhu Yuanzhang had not ordered him to infiltrate Zhu Yuntong’s side, Jiang Huan truly would have preferred to disappear entirely, conceal his identity, and spend the rest of his life in obscurity.
“Hmm?”
Jiang Huan’s swift admission stunned Zhu Yuntong once more. Frowning, he could not help asking, “What crime have you committed?”
“This subject… this subject should not have informed Zhu Yunwen when His Majesty passed away, nearly allowing the bastard son to usurp the throne. Even if I were to die ten thousand deaths, I could not atone for it. I beg Your Highness to punish me.”
Jiang Huan kept his head lowered, feeling utterly aggrieved.
If he could start over, he would choose Li Bai instead.
Your Majesty, oh, Your Majesty!
You truly have ruined me! Why did you not let me run away from home with you? Why insist on sending me back?
“Heh. I never expected you to be so straightforward.”
Jiang Huan’s blunt admission had genuinely astonished Zhu Yuntong. In their expectations, Jiang Huan would argue, or even deny everything outright and shift the blame onto the late Zhu Yuanzhang.
They had never imagined that he would confess so readily…
The look Zhu Yuntong directed at Jiang Huan grew increasingly meaningful, with even a faint trace of murderous intent within it.
If he had not still wanted the network of covert agents under Jiang Huan’s control, Zhu Yuntong would probably have ordered his men to drag him out and execute him on the spot.
There was simply something about Jiang Huan’s attitude that made Zhu Yuntong feel he was harboring another scheme.
Zhu Yuntong disliked that feeling intensely. Yet on second thought, if Jiang Huan truly had some ulterior motive, killing him or sending him into exile might actually be even more inappropriate.
After thinking it over, Zhu Yuntong could only sigh inwardly.
Page 1 of 3
Page 2 of 3
Damn that Lady Lü. If she had not guarded against him at every turn all these years, how could he have ended up in such a passive position now?
Once he had made his decision, Zhu Yuntong’s gaze softened considerably when it returned to Jiang Huan.
“Jiang Huan, I know you are utterly loyal to Grandfather. Could it be that you did not know whom Grandfather had chosen as his successor while he was still alive?”
Jiang Huan’s heart gave a violent jolt. For a moment, he nearly thought Zhu Yuntong had discovered the truth about Zhu Yuanzhang’s feigned death.
But when he heard the rest, he calmed somewhat and replied with his head bowed, “Your Highness, this subject… this subject did indeed know.”
“Then did you never consider protecting Grandfather’s choice? I am standing right before you. With one move, you might be able to cripple my ability to compete for the throne.”
Smiling warmly, Zhu Yuntong actually walked over to stand before Jiang Huan.
Jiang Huan stared down at his own feet and could not help grumbling inwardly.
I would sooner believe a ghost. Your Highness, I have personally experienced your strength. If I really attacked you, I would probably be seeing the King of Hell after a single move.
Besides, you probably still do not know that the person His Majesty approves of is you yourself!
Clang!
Just as Jiang Huan was cursing inwardly, the crisp sound of a blade leaving its sheath rang out beside him.
The gleaming Embroidered Spring Saber was immediately laid against Jiang Huan’s neck. Then Song Zhong spoke in a voice brimming with killing intent: “Your Highness, allow this subject to kill him directly, so that your hands will not be dirtied.”
Jiang Huan…
Who the hell have I offended? We are both merely carrying out our masters’ orders. Why do you get to kill me?
“Heh.”
Zhu Yuntong gave a cold laugh and waved Song Zhong away before turning once more to Jiang Huan.
“Since you knew your own crime, why did you not flee before we found you? Do not tell me that the dignified Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was incapable of leaving Yingtian without anyone noticing…”
Your Majesty!
What kind of monstrous grandson did you raise? This mission is impossible!
Jiang Huan’s heart was bitter beyond words, yet he could only keep his head lowered and answer, “Your Highness, this subject did consider fleeing.”
“Oh? Then why did you not?”
“Because… because this subject believes that Your Highness is the true legitimate heir of the Great Ming. Even if I were to leave, I could not simply walk away like that.”
“Then what was your purpose in staying?”
“This subject stayed because I wished to hand the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s covert network over to Your Highness.”
Page 2 of 3
Page 3 of 3
“Were you not afraid that I would kill you after you handed over the network?”
“This subject was afraid! But the Embroidered Uniform Guard is the Emperor’s personal army, an institution His Majesty spent a fortune creating. I could not flee merely because I was afraid. Of course, I also have a selfish motive. I do not wish to see the brothers within the covert network lose forever their chance to serve the court loyally.”
…
Zhu Yuntong studied Jiang Huan once more. He had never expected the man, notorious for his sinister and devious nature, to utter such lofty and righteous words.
Naturally, Zhu Yuntong was highly skeptical of what he had said. In fact, he did not believe a single word.
Yet the more unbelievable Jiang Huan’s words were, the less Zhu Yuntong wished to kill him immediately. Perhaps keeping him by his side would prove more interesting.
As for whether retaining Jiang Huan nearby would be dangerous—whether Zhu Yuntong might one day let down his guard and be assassinated by him—
Zhu Yuntong was not worried in the slightest.
He did not know why, but Zhu Yuntong’s original body should have been extremely frail. Yet after crossing into this world, he discovered that his body was several times stronger than that of his peers. His strength and recovery were both far beyond those of anyone in the Great Ming.
That was how he had been able to subdue Jiang Huan with a single move, and it was naturally why he had no fear of Jiang Huan plotting against him from the shadows.
“Very good! I did not expect you to possess such awareness. Since that is the case, cut off one of your fingers and hand the entire covert network over to Chief Song.”
“From this day onward, you are no longer the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Stay by my side and serve as my personal guard. Are you willing?”
Jiang Huan…
That is all? That is all?
I have infiltrated the enemy’s ranks this easily? This commander still has plenty of surrendering tactics he has yet to use.
Your Highness, why not hold out a little longer? That way I could put on a better performance for His Majesty to see.
“What? Unwilling? Do you feel that serving as my guard is beneath you?”
Zhu Yuntong’s eyes suddenly sharpened.
Jiang Huan hurriedly came back to himself and shook his head repeatedly. “No… willing! This subject is willing to remain by Your Highness’s side. From this day onward, this subject will be Your Highness’s most loyal dog. Anyone who dares harm Your Highness will have to step over my corpse first.”
Clang!
As he spoke, he suddenly raised his hand and seized the Embroidered Spring Saber in Song Zhong’s grasp. Then, gritting his teeth and stamping his foot, he pressed his left ring finger and little finger against the sharp edge.
Both fingers were cleanly severed.
Jiang Huan clutched the wound as blood gushed forth in torrents, yet he clenched his teeth so hard that he did not make even a sound.
…
Page 3 of 3