Chapter 63: Lord Liu, how do you propose we punish them?

"Please rest assured, Your Highness. If I cannot produce the best formula within three months, this humble subject is willing to die to atone for my crime." Song Gui's eyes were resolute as he made a solemn military pledge on the spot.

Judging by his demeanor, he seemed determined to come up with the optimal gunpowder formula within three months, even if it meant forgoing food and sleep.

Truly, a scholar dies for one who truly appreciates him.

"Very well! We await your good news," Zhu Yunsong nodded gently.

Without lingering any longer at the gunpowder workshop, he took Jiang Huan directly back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Upon returning to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, he immediately had Jiang Huan summon Yun Qi.

"Go outside the city and find a plot of land, then relocate the gunpowder workshop and firearms workshop there as quickly as possible. From now on, you shall be the Chief Administrator of the Logistics Department within the Ministry of Military Affairs."

When Yun Qi heard these words, he was struck dumb with overwhelming joy.

Although he could be considered the very first person to pledge allegiance to Zhu Yunsong, he had been harboring anxieties these past few days that Zhu Yunsong might shelve him due to his former status as Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang's personal attendant.

He had even secretly asked Ma Sanbao to sound things out for him, but ultimately failed to glean any useful information.

Yun Qi had already grown somewhat disheartened, even entertaining the notion of retiring to his hometown due to advanced age.

Yet never had he expected such a sudden turn of events—Zhu Yunsong was actually appointing him to an external post, and directly as the head of the Logistics Department in the Ministry of Military Affairs at that.

"Your Highness... This old servant... this old servant will surely guard Your Highness's purse strings well, and will never let anyone misappropriate even a single cash or fraction of a cent." Regaining his senses, Yun Qi immediately dropped to his knees, making a tearful pledge.

"Hahaha! Splendid. Remember what you have said today. We are entrusting the military's purse strings to you. If in the future we discover that soldiers are going hungry, suffering from the cold, or entering the battlefield without fine weapons, we shall have heads rolling," Zhu Yunsong said jokingly.

In truth, appointing Yun Qi as the chief of the Logistics Department was a calculated move on his part.

First, Yun Qi was a palace eunuch, and moreover, a former trusted confidant of Zhu Yuanzhang. Now having gained Zhu Yunsong's trust, even Blue Jade and his faction would not dare to look down upon him.

Second, being a eunuch, any desires for power or wealth could only be fulfilled through attachment to the imperial authority; thus, even if he harbored any ambitions, he would not dare to cross the line.

Naturally, there were many other benefits as well, which need not be elaborated here.

After beating his chest and making a series of guarantees, Yun Qi bowed and backed out of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Taking a detachment of Embroidered Uniform Guards assigned by Zhu Yunsong, he headed straight outside the city to select a site.

"Your Highness... Your Highness, this old minister is guilty! This old minister is guilty!"

Not long after Yun Qi left, before Zhu Yunsong could even enjoy a moment of leisure, a figure stumbled frantically into the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Proclaiming his guilt at the top of his lungs, the newcomer dropped heavily to his knees upon the golden bricks the moment he entered the palace.

Zhu Yunsong raised his head to take a look and almost failed to hold back a chuckle.

Who else could it be but the elderly yet ambitious Liu Sanwu?

He must have caught wind of the situation regarding Tian Youde from somewhere, which was why he had rushed over to Zhu Yunsong to voluntarily confess his wrongdoing.

"What brings Liu Gong here?" Zhu Yunsong feigned ignorance, suppressing a smile as he looked at Liu Sanwu.

Liu Sanwu raised his head slightly, and a single glance told him that Zhu Yunsong was undoubtedly waiting for him to speak.

Clenching his teeth, he bluntly stated, "This old minister is guilty. I failed to judge a person's character correctly, condoned my relatives' unruly behavior without promptly realizing and stopping it, and caused serious damage to the gunpowder workshop. I beg Your Highness to punish me."

"Oh! So Liu Gong has come because of Tian Youde's affair!" Zhu Yunsong finally put on an expression of sudden realization.

Yet the look in his eyes as he regarded Liu Sanwu lacked the warmth of his tone, carrying instead a sharp, piercing edge.

Zhu Yunsong did not believe that Tian Youde, someone who relied on his daughter to climb the social ladder, possessed the audacity to act entirely on his own. Coupled with Liu Sanwu's proactive confession, the matter likely wasn't that simple.

Seeing that Zhu Yunsong indeed remembered Tian Youde, Liu Sanwu hurriedly continued, "Your Highness is wise. This old minister was also deceived by that scoundrel for all these years. Had this old minister known earlier..."

"Enough! Liu Gong, you are a pillar of the state from my imperial grandfather's era; how could we punish you over such a minor matter?" Zhu Yunsong waved his hand with a smile.

He then signaled Ma Sanbao to help the old man up.

Hearing Zhu Yunsong speak thus, Liu Sanwu wiped away his cold sweat and stood up with Ma Sanbao's assistance.

Yet before he could voice his expressions of gratitude, Zhu Yunsong's voice sounded once more in his ears.

"As for Tian Youde's case, we shall wait until the Embroidered Uniform Guards have finished their interrogation before reaching a verdict. If he hasn't committed any grave crimes, for Liu Gong's sake, we will make the executive decision not to push him to annihilation."

"Liu Gong, how does that sound to you?"

...

Liu Sanwu's mind went completely blank. If not for Ma Sanbao supporting him, he probably would have collapsed back onto his knees.

Logically speaking, Tian Youde was merely a distant relative of his concubine; even if serious crimes were involved, they shouldn't implicate Liu Sanwu personally.

Yet while that appeared to be the surface reality, Liu Sanwu alone knew the inner truth.

Tian Youde was merely his white-glove proxy. Liu Sanwu knew better than anyone whether or not the gunpowder workshop had shady dealings.

Furthermore, he was acutely aware of just how much wealth he had amassed through the gunpowder workshop over the years.

That was why, upon hearing that Tian Youde had been sent to the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison, he had panicked and rushed over to confess. His true purpose wasn't fear of being implicated, but rather a desire to use his own prestige to make Zhu Yunsong spare Tian Youde.

Unfortunately, while Zhu Yunsong was indeed giving him face by ensuring he wouldn't be implicated, he had no intention whatsoever of letting Tian Youde off the hook.

"What? Is Liu Gong dissatisfied with our handling of the matter?" Seeing Liu Sanwu remain silent, Zhu Yunsong asked again with narrowed eyes.

Hearing this, Liu Sanwu finally snapped back to his senses, cursing bitterly in his heart: *Satisfied? How could this old man be satisfied?*

Yet his face bloomed into an unsightly smile as he repeatedly said, "Your Highness is wise. If that scoundrel truly committed acts against the imperial court, this old minister is willing to execute him with my own hands."

"Heh! Liu Gong is truly willing to sacrifice family for righteousness!" Zhu Yunsong let out a cold laugh.

Just as he was about to speak, another figure walked in through the doorway.

"Your Highness, that fellow has confessed."

The newcomer strode in with the bearing of a dragon and the strides of a tiger. Reaching the center of the hall, he bowed without turning his head and spoke.

His words caused Liu Sanwu's body to tremble slightly.

He turned his head slightly to look at the newcomer.

Liu Sanwu did not recognize the man, but the embroidered uniform he wore, coupled with the gloomy, sinister aura emanating from him, gave Liu Sanwu a deeply unsettling feeling.

The corners of Zhu Yunsong's mouth turned up slightly. His gaze lingered on Liu Sanwu for a moment before shifting to the newcomer.

"Speak! What has he confessed to?"

"Yes, Your Highness!" The newcomer bowed again, drew a memorial from his bosom, handed it over to Ma Sanbao, and slowly began to speak...