Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Death by Beating

The torchlight in the imperial prison was dim, and Shen Zechuan felt a chill run through his limbs as he struggled to catch his breath. The ropes binding him were tight, and despite his constant rubbing, they refused to budge.

With a bag of soil pressing against his chest, he felt as if he had been thrown into a deep pond. His ears rang, his breathing became disoriented, and he found himself gasping for air as if drowning.

Shen Zechuan's eyes darted around, fixated on the flickering candlelight beyond the bars.

In the main chamber, several guards in brocaded uniforms were drinking and shouting as they played a drinking game, completely indifferent to Shen Zechuan's plight. He was pinned to the rough straw mat by the weight of the soil bag, the nauseating sensation of suffocation engulfing him like a tidal wave.

With blurred vision, Shen Zechuan lifted his head and gritted his teeth as he attempted to move his legs. His thighs, beaten numb by the cane, felt almost lifeless as they rose. He stepped on the left corner of the wooden bed, which was already infested with worms and had been damaged by his weight the day before.

Breathing became increasingly laborious.

Shen Zechuan kicked that corner with all his might, but his limbs were too weak, barely producing a sound as he struck the bed. The wooden planks remained steadfast. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead, soaking through the back of his clothes.

He wanted to live.

A wild groan escaped Shen Zechuan's throat as he bit into his tongue. With renewed determination, he continued to stomp on the bed frame with his foot.

Ji Mu's disfigured corpse served as a whip to fuel Shen Zechuan's will to survive; it seemed like Ji Mu's voice still echoed in his ears.

He must live!

With fierce determination, Shen Zechuan repeatedly slammed into the wooden plank. Finally, a "thud" was heard as half of the bed frame collapsed, and his body slanted, causing the sandbag to roll down with him. He burst through like a dolphin surfacing from water, landing on the ground and gasping for air.

The ground was cold, and Shen Zechuan's injured leg refused to obey his commands. Supporting himself with his elbow, sweat trickled down his nose. The prison was chilly, but he felt as if his entire body was ablaze, burning so intensely that his organs seemed to be churning. Unable to endure it any longer, he lowered his head and dry-heaved.

Damned Shen Wei.

Zhongbo boasts an army of 120,000, with defenses established across six provinces. After the defeat at Tea Stone River, the Border Sand cavalry infiltrated Dunzhou. As the interrogator mentioned, there was still a chance to recover. Shen Wei not only had a strong and well-equipped army, ample provisions, but also the garrison forces of the three cities of Duanzhou at his disposal. Yet, to everyone's surprise, he abandoned Duanzhou and cowardly retreated back to his princely residence in Dunzhou.

That evasion marked the beginning of Zhongbo's downfall. The three cities of Duanzhou were utterly ravaged by the Border Sands cavalry, demoralizing the defending soldiers who retreated south in disarray. It was expected that Shen Wei would make a desperate stand against the twelve tribes of Border Sands in Dunzhou, but instead, he fled once more at the first sign of trouble.

The Central Army was steadily retreating, while the Border Sand Riders were like razor-sharp steel blades that pierced through the entirety of Six Provinces. They rode their horses with agility, lightly armed, and relied on warfare to sustain themselves as they pursued all the way to the capital of Great Zhou, Qidu, eight hundred miles away.

If Shen Wei could have set ablaze the granaries within the city during their retreat and implemented a strategy of scorched earth, then the Border Sand cavalry would most certainly not have penetrated this deeply. Being devoid of supply wagons, they rely entirely on provisions seized from conquered cities; once the city's stores of grain were thoroughly incinerated, even the most formidable of Border Sand horsemen would be left with empty stomachs.

Fighting on an empty stomach is unsustainable, and by then, the Northern Iron Riders will have crossed the frozen river, cutting off the Border Sands Twelve Tribes' escape route. The Eastern Qi's garrison forces from the Five Provinces will seal off any possible flight paths from the Heavenly Phoenix Pavilion, making these curved blades proverbial frogs in a well, unable to survive the winter.

Yet Shen Wei didn't do that.

Not only did he cease resistance, but he also left all the granaries in the city for the BianSha cavalry. Feeding on the grains of the Great Zhou people, they slaughtered their way through the city. Their horses, fattened by Shen Wei's care, were driven across the Tea Stone River to drive the civilians and captured soldiers into pits, where they were killed overnight.

Shen Zechuan had narrowly escaped death.

Now that Qidu was settling accounts, all of Shen Wei's orders before his death seemed hasty, making it seem as if he was collaborating with the twelve tribes of BianSha from within. However, Shen Wei had committed suicide out of guilt, burning himself along with all the documents, leaving even the efficient Imperial Guards, the Jin Yi Wei, at a loss.

The Emperor wanted to uncover the truth, so they could only continually interrogate Shen Zechuan, who might know something. But Shen Zechuan's birth mother was a dancer from Duanzhou, and Shen Wei had too many sons; he was the eighth-born among them, insignificant enough to be expelled to Duanzhou and left to fend for himself. It was likely that even Shen Wei himself had forgotten about this son.

Someone wanted him dead.

This wasn't a secret. He had entered Qidu to take the blame for his father. As the sole remnant of the Zhongbo Shen family, he would pay for his father's debts. After the interrogation in the imperial prison, the Emperor would surely use his life to mourn the thirty thousand soldiers who perished in the battle of Tea Stone River in Zhongbo Duzhou.

But this kind of assassination shouldn't have happened.

Shen Zechuan wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb and spat out the blood in his mouth.

If Shen Wei had indeed conspired with the enemy to rebel, then Shen Zechuan would have died sooner or later anyway. Why bother assassinating an unknown, lowly concubine-born son? If someone in Qidu was still worried about the investigation, then there must be something fishy about Shen Wei's defeat.

Shen Zechuan knew nothing.

He had a master in Duanzhou, and his brother, Ji Mu, was the master's only son. To him, Shen Wei was merely Duke Jianxing, unrelated to his life. Whether Shen Wei had conspired with the enemy or not, he had no idea.

Yet he had to insist that he knew nothing.

The ground was bitterly cold, but Shen Zechuan lay there, the chill making him more alert than during the day. He was a high-profile prisoner of the Imperial Guards, with all arrest warrants, summonses, and imperial decrees directly conveyed, bypassing even the joint examination by the three supreme judicial organs, straight into the Imperial Prison from the hands of Prince Libei, Xiao Jiming.

This already demonstrated the Emperor's resolve to spare no one and thoroughly investigate. But who dared to take such a risk under these circumstances, attempting to kill him before the Emperor personally interrogated him?

The cold wind howled through the window, and Shen Zechuan rolled his eyes, staring at the dark wall, not daring to close them again.

The following morning, the air was crisp as Shen Zechuan was brought back to the main hall. Snow fell heavily outside, while the interrogator who had been stern with him now stood respectfully by the side of a grand chair with a smile on his face, offering tea with both hands.

Seated on the chair was an elderly eunuch with a fair, beardless face, wearing a Heavenly Crane velvet cap and a robe adorned with a gourd pattern. His overcoat was still draped over him as he held a jadeite and gold pomegranate warmer, dozing off. Hearing the noise, he opened his eyes and looked at Shen Zechuan.

"Dad," Ji Lei, who had been tasked with the imperial investigation, bowed, "This is the remnant of Duke Jianxing, Shen Wei."

Pan Rugui examined Shen Zechuan and said, "How did you end up like this?"

Ji Lei knew that Pan Rugui was not asking about Shen Zechuan's state of dirt and stench, but rather about the lack of progress in the investigation.

beads of sweat formed on Ji Lei's forehead, yet he dared not wipe them away, maintaining his bowed posture as he said, "This ignorant child came back from Zhongbo in a confused state and has refused to confess, likely under someone else's influence."

"Not a single confession from the high-profile prisoner the Emperor personally ordered," Pan Rugui declined the offered tea, "A teenager, thrown into the renowned Imperial Prison, being interrogated by you, Sir Ji, and still nothing after all this time."

Ji Lei presented the tea with a bitter smile, "It's precisely because he's a high-profile prisoner that I dare not use excessive torture. He arrived with a cold; if anything were to happen to him, Shen Wei's case would become an unsolved mystery."

Pan Rugui studied Shen Zechuan for a moment before saying, "We are all dogs beneath our masters. If our teeth lose their sharpness, we become useless. I understand your difficulties, but this is your duty. The Emperor wants to see the prisoner – this is already lenience towards the Imperial Guards. You shouldn't be complaining."

Ji Lei promptly prostrated himself and said, "Father-in-law, your words are most astute. I have learned my lesson."

Pan Rugui grunted noncommittally and said, "Clean him up properly. How can he present himself before the Emperor in such a filthy state?"

Shen Zechuan was taken away by the servants to be cleaned. His leg wound was bandaged, and he was dressed in clean cotton clothing. With his body still weak, mounting the carriage proved to be a challenging task.

Pan Rugui finally accepted Ji Lei's tea, his gaze fixated on Shen Zechuan's departing figure. He asked, "Is this truly a remnant of the Shen family?"

Ji Lei replied, "Indeed. He is the sole survivor of the Tea Stone Pit, captured personally by Northern Li's Prince Xiao and kept in custody within the Northern Li Calvary's prison carriage. No one else has laid a hand on him throughout the journey."

Pan Rugui sipped his cold tea, maintaining a forced smile after a moment's silence. "Princeling Xiao is a cautious man."

* * *

Shen Zechuan alighted from the carriage and was carried through the long path by the Imperial Guards. The heavy snow blew against his face, and the eunuchs guiding the way walked swiftly without unnecessary conversation.

Upon arriving at Mingli Hall, a respectful junior eunuch waiting under the eaves hurried over to greet Pan Rugui. He first removed Pan Rugui's cloak, then replaced it with a face veil. After taking the warm hand warmer from Pan Rugui, he announced that the guest had arrived. Inside, the news had already been conveyed, and Pan Rugui bowed at the entrance, saying, "Your Majesty, your servant has brought the person here."

After a while, a low and slow voice echoed, "Bring him in."

Shen Zechuan's breath caught as he was escorted inside. Incense filled the air, but it wasn't suffocating. He heard sporadic coughs and glanced at the feet on either side of the hall.

Emperor Xiande wore a dark blue Daoist robe, revealing his thin frame. His health was frail, with illnesses big and small since ascending the throne three years ago. Seated in his chair, his elongated face, drained of color, appeared particularly refined and delicate.

"Ji Lei, how many days have you interrogated him?" Emperor Xiande glanced at Ji Lei, who was kneeling behind. "Have you uncovered the truth?"

Ji Lei bowed and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this boy's testimony is inconsistent and riddled with inconsistencies. The accounts he's given these past few days are contradictory and cannot be trusted."

Emperor Xiande said, "Present his confession."

Ji Lei took out the carefully compiled testimony from his chest pocket and handed it over to Pan Rugui with both hands. Pan Rugui then stepped forward quickly and respectfully offered it to Emperor Xiande.

Emperor Xiande read through the report and, upon reaching the part about the Tea Stone Pit, he covered his mouth and coughed, a streak of blood appearing on his lips. He refused Pan Rugui's assistance, instead wiping the blood away with his handkerchief. In a solemn voice, he declared, "Thirty thousand soldiers lost their lives in that pit, yet Shen Wei survived. It outrages both heaven and humanity!"

Shen Zechuan closed his eyes, feeling his chest throb rapidly. As expected, Emperor Xiande spoke next.

"Raise your head!"

Shen Zechuan's breath quickened as the palms of his hands, pressed against the ground, felt icy cold. He slowly lifted his head, casting a cautious glance at the emperor's boots.

Emperor Xiande gazed at him and asked, "You're Shen Wei's son and the only survivor from the Tea Stone Pit. Do you have anything to confess?"

Tears welled up in Shen Zechuan's eyes as his body trembled slightly. He remained silent, sobbing softly.

Emperor Xiande maintained his expression, commanding, "Answer me!"

Shen Zechuan abruptly lifted his gaze, tears already streaming down his face and dripping from his cheeks. He raised his head for just an instant before forcefully banging his forehead against the ground again. His shoulders and arms shook, accompanied by the muffled sobs in his throat.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty! My father had the country's best interests at heart. After the defeat, he was ashamed to face our nation and his fellow citizens, so he set himself ablaze to atone for his sins!"

Emperor Xiande rebuked, "You're spouting nonsense! If he truly cared for the country, why would he retreat again and again?"

Shen Zechuan's voice cracked with sobs. "My father sent all his sons to the battlefield. My eldest brother, Shen Zhouji, was dragged behind a horse by the Biansha people on the Tea Stone Road and tortured to death! How could he have done this without an unwavering loyalty?"

Emperor Xiande responded, "How dare you mention the Battle of Tea Stone? Shen Zhouji deserted his post, a crime that cannot be forgiven."

Looking up at Emperor Xiande, tears streaming down his face, Shen Zechuan rasped, "In the Battle of Tea Stone, blood flowed like a river. Though my elder brother was incompetent, he held the line for three days. In those three days, military intelligence reached Qidong and Linbei. If not for those three days..."

He was choked with emotion and couldn't continue.

Emperor Xiande studied the confession in his hand. The hall was silent except for Shen Zechuan's sobs. Amidst the endless silence, Shen Zechuan's fingertips dug into his flesh.

Suddenly, Emperor Xiande let out a long sigh. "Did Shen Wei conspire with the enemy?"

Shen Zechuan answered firmly, "Never."

To his surprise, Emperor Xiande put down the confession, his voice turning cold. "You cunning boy, attempting to deceive the emperor. You cannot be spared! Pan Rugui, take him away and execute him by cane at Duancheng Gate!"

"Your servant obeys!" Pan Rugui promptly accepted the order and bowed before stepping back.

It was as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over Shen Zechuan's head, leaving him numb with shock. He struggled violently but was tightly gagged by the Imperial Guards and quickly dragged out of the Mingli Hall.