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Luo Zuo was taken aback, quickly turning to Yu Yan with a look of confusion.
However, Yu Yan remained calm, slightly raising his hand to instruct that Lin Quan be cremated and his ashes sent to Luoyang alongside Qin Ping's. He conveyed the message that general Lin had passed away due to excessive worry and stress, and the funeral procession continued on, while the ambushed soldiers returned to their posts.
Outside the woods, only Yu Yan and Luo Zuo remained. Luo Zuo stepped forward, cupping his fists in greeting and said, "How could the Yuchang Sword have vanished? Such a divine weapon is truly a loss."
Yu Yan smiled faintly, his hands clasped behind his back. "I have said before that no matter how powerful a weapon is, it is ultimately just an object. A true man with a heart of benevolence can uphold justice even without a weapon; a despicable person, even if given the Xuanyuan Sword, would merely wield it as an instrument of murder. Lu Bu was unmatched in valor, while Wang Mang was unparalleled in wisdom. If both had used their abilities wisely, they would not have met their eventual fates."
"I told the guards of the sword last night to drink and feast without concern for any noises from the room. I believe the Yuchang Sword has already been sent to its rightful owner," Yu Yan said, slightly lifting his gaze toward the distance, his eyes revealing a hint of deeper meaning.
"Could there be an unseen mastermind behind this case?" Luo Zuo asked quietly, furrowing his brow.
"For Lin Quan and Xue Cen to conspire in this matter, they must have acted in unison without any mistakes. Consider this: Lin Quan is the leader of Jinyiwei, while Xue Cen serves as Liu Du's Minister of Works. They hold no official ties nor personal friendships... What force could compel them to work together so closely?" Yu Yan pondered, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Could it be... the Emperor?" Luo Zuo gasped in surprise, lowering his voice instinctively.
"This matter must not be publicized. I sense that something significant is brewing within the court; hence I did not conduct the investigation publicly," Yu Yan replied gravely, shaking his head gently.
"What do you mean by that?" Luo Zuo hesitated to continue.
"After returning, you must not inform anyone at the Marquis Residence about solving this case. Just say that I am ill and keep them uninformed for a month or two while we deliberate further..." Yu Yan leaned closer to Luo Zuo and whispered urgently.
In the Yongle Emperor's military camp, a swift horse galloped in. The rider dismounted hastily and presented a package to the Emperor, who lay weakly on his sickbed. The Emperor extended a frail hand to examine the item and nodded slightly, a barely perceptible smile gracing his lips.
In July of the year 1424, the Yongle Emperor passed away on his way back, known as Emperor Taizong. The Crown Prince ascended to the throne and changed the era name to Hongxi. When this news reached Yanzhou, Yu Yan stood in the courtyard, sighing deeply with a look of regret on his face.
The officials in the Marquis Residence had been confined for several months, each one furious, pacing back and forth in their rooms, cursing all day long. However, Yu Yan merely feigned illness and stayed indoors. Luo Zuo returned to ask Yu Yan for a strategy. Sitting in a chair, Yu Yan gently tapped the armrest and smiled, saying, “My achievements are complete; it is time to ensure my own safety.”
Luo Zuo looked puzzled, scratching his head in confusion. Yu Yan continued, “I now understand the late Emperor's intentions... Marquis of Resolute Valo is a bold man, and he has connections with officials in court and military generals at the borders. Most importantly, he has ties with Prince of Han. The Jinyiwei have eyes and ears everywhere; how could the late Emperor not know? He anticipated that his end was near, and his only concern was Prince of Han, fearing that he would raise an army to rebel. The Crown Prince is kind-hearted and not skilled in warfare; it could lead to another Jingnan Campaign...
The late Emperor feared that Qin Ping would conspire with Prince of Han and intended to eliminate Qin Ping. However, due to Qin Ping's immense achievements, killing him without cause would tarnish his reputation. Thus, the late Emperor specially bestowed upon Qin Ping the Yuchang Sword to test him. The Yuchang Sword is inherently rebellious; it symbolizes regicide and patricide. If Qin Ping understood its implications, he would surely refuse it. But Qin Ping is a martial artist; how could he grasp the late Emperor's intentions? He took possession of the sword and cherished it dearly. Left with no choice, the late Emperor resorted to this underhanded tactic, secretly summoning Lin Quan and Xue Cen to devise a scheme against Qin Ping.”
“As for whether Lin Quan is indeed the Tian's son from years past, who besides the late Emperor and Qin Ping could possibly know? The late Emperor allowed Qin Ping to retreat to Yanzhou precisely because he wanted me to detain the officials who came to pay their respects; only I had such audacity. If Prince of Han intends to usurp power, he must rally Qin Ping and these officials together. But since these officials are detained in Yanzhou, even if Prince of Han knows that the late Emperor has died, he would not dare act rashly…” Yu Yan slowly rose and began pacing within the room as he spoke.
“I see now… Sir! What should we do next?” Luo Zuo asked anxiously.
“I have submitted my resignation letter; I hope Your Majesty understands my intentions…” Yu Yan walked over to the table and took a sip from his teacup.
The newly enthroned Emperor Hongxi received Yu Yan's memorial and opened it to find only four lines of poetry:
Since ancient times, what can kings do? Bestowing grace yet leaving bloodshed behind. Always remember the deeds of Taizu Liu Ji; Do not become like Wu Zixu of Spring and Autumn.
After reading the memorial, the Emperor Hongxi sat silently on his dragon throne for a moment before calling for Yang Shiqi to discuss matters together. After reading it, Yang Shiqi stepped forward slightly bowed and advised, “The late Emperor was wise…”
The Emperor suddenly realized something important, slapping his thigh repeatedly as he exclaimed, “Father's intentions were profound… Father's intentions were profound… I am unworthy of even a fraction of them.”
“And what about what Yu Hanyun reported?” Yang Shiqi asked softly.
"The court is fortunate to have such a wise minister at this time, and it would truly be a pity to send him back to the countryside," the Emperor said, his brow slightly furrowed, revealing a look of regret.
"The officials who have been under his house arrest must be seething with anger. Once they return, they will undoubtedly write petitions to accuse him. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne; Yu Hanyun only wishes to spare you from difficulties. Do you really want to see him become another Wu Zixu? It would be better to grant his request first and, after a year or so has passed, when your imperial authority is firmly established, issue an edict to summon him back," Yang Shiqi suggested.
With the imperial decree issued, Yu Yan was permitted to return home for recuperation, and was granted five thousand taels of silver as travel expenses.
On the day of Yu Yan's departure, the people of Yanzhou, upon hearing the news, flocked to the streets to bid him farewell, their cries echoing for ten miles.
Dressed in plain clothes, Yu Yan stepped out of his residence with reddened eyes. After expressing his heartfelt gratitude repeatedly, he finally parted ways with the people in tears.
As the sun rose high in the east, casting warm rays of light, Yu Yan and his family of over ten boarded three horse-drawn carts and slowly set off, gradually disappearing into the official road.
As for the Yuchang Sword, no one knew its whereabouts thereafter. Rumors circulated that it was buried with Emperor Taizong in Changling...
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