Chapter 42: New Troubles
At this moment, Bianjing was filled with lively cheer. Every day, the Great Song Daily would announce the latest events to the people. The citizens were still simple and honest, unburdened by the rumors and internet trolls of later ages. With official reports available, what tension there had been gradually dissipated, replaced by calm.
It turned out that the Jin army was not as terrifying as once believed.
Zhao Huan, too, was in good spirits. He had just received a secret letter from Zong Ze, reporting that Yue Fei had discovered a method to break through the Iron Pagoda Cavalry of the Jin and was currently training the soldiers intensively, preparing for a surprise assault on the Jin forces.
This was undoubtedly excellent news. Although the Jin army’s siege had not breached the city, the threat still hung over them like a sword over their heads—if it could not be removed, disaster might fall at any moment. The shame of Jingkang weighed on Zhao Huan, and he feared that history’s wheels would not change course simply because of his arrival.
He replied to Zong Ze, first verbally commending the generals, then stating that rewards would be bestowed once the Jin were defeated.
Yet, just as Zhao Huan was basking in his good mood, something occurred that filled him with fury.
The two soldiers he had assigned to watch over the group of children had suddenly vanished.
Minister of Revenue Zhu Shengfei and Minister of Personnel Zhao Cheng stood before Zhao Huan, hardly daring to breathe. The emperor’s face was thunderous, and neither wished to provoke his wrath at such a time.
“Give me a reasonable explanation,” Zhao Huan demanded coldly, his gaze sharp as a knife. “How could two grown men and a group of children simply disappear in broad daylight, under the vast heavens?”
Zhao Cheng, a distant cousin of Zhao Huan, had once been on good terms with him before his ascension to the throne. But now, as emperor, Zhao Huan seemed shrouded in an oppressive air that Zhao Cheng could not ignore. He could only steel himself and reply, “Your Majesty, I have already instructed the Prefect of the Capital to spare no effort in searching for them. I believe we will soon find clues.”
“How soon is ‘soon’?” Zhao Huan pressed.
Zhao Cheng felt a headache coming on. Truthfully, he had not paid much attention to the matter at first, not expecting Zhao Huan to be so concerned. He could only answer, “By tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Who knows if they’ll still be alive by then! I don’t care what methods you use—tonight, you must find them.” Zhao Huan’s tone brooked no refusal. A sense of foreboding gnawed at him; he was certain something terrible had befallen that group.
After leaving the palace, Zhao Cheng and Zhu Shengfei rushed to the office of the Capital Prefect. Su Weikang, the Prefect of Bianjing, was surprised and flattered by the simultaneous arrival of two high-ranking ministers and received them with great enthusiasm.
But Zhao Cheng had no patience for pleasantries. “Su Weikang, what kind of Prefect are you? How could such a thing happen under your jurisdiction? This is the imperial capital, and yet people can vanish into thin air—including two Imperial Guards directly under His Majesty’s command. Don’t tell me you have no idea who’s behind this!”
Su Weikang’s initial pleasure evaporated instantly. So, they had come to hold him accountable.
“Prince Zhao, may I ask who these two persons are?” Su Weikang inquired cautiously.
Zhao Cheng recounted the incident in detail, then added, “Minister Zhu and I will wait here for results. Send out all your men—every last one. Before night falls, you must find them. The Emperor is waiting for news. Fail, and you’ll lose your official cap.”
Su Weikang blanched. “Prince Zhao, why has this matter even reached His Majesty’s ears?”
Zhao Cheng shot him a glare. Who knew why Zhao Huan was so invested in this case? “You have plenty of time to talk, it seems. Start searching! And don’t think I’m joking—His Majesty’s temper is not to be trifled with.”
Su Weikang tried to urge the ministers to return and rest, promising to send word as soon as there was news, but Zhao Cheng and Zhu Shengfei refused and insisted on waiting in the office.
Such was the way of the world: ordinary people would struggle endlessly to get things done, but when those in power took an interest, matters often resolved swiftly. Now that the emperor himself was watching, Su Weikang dared not delay. He immediately ordered all constables to search for the missing guards and children.
In an instant, every constable in Bianjing was on the hunt—not only them, but even the city’s guilds and associations joined the search. It was clear Su Weikang was throwing everything he had into the effort; he knew that, at times, the guilds were more effective than the constables.
With such attention from above, efficiency soared. By midday, the two Imperial Guards had already been found.
Su Weikang led a party to the site, only to discover that the two men they had found were lifeless corpses. The guards had been stuffed into sacks and thrown into the river; heavy stones had been added to keep the bodies from floating.
“Who would dare such audacity—to murder the Imperial Guards!” Su Weikang’s voice trembled with anger. Had the men been alive, all would still be manageable, but now, with their deaths, how could he answer to the emperor?
“And what of the children? Where are they?” Su Weikang pressed when no one replied.
“Sir,” reported one constable, “the children are being held in the western market district, which belongs to Lord Cai. We didn’t dare move in, so we came to inform you first.”
“Cai Jing?” Su Weikang frowned.
“Yes. The manager of the western market is a distant relative of Master Cai. We daren’t provoke him. What should we do next?” the constable asked.
You don’t dare, and neither do I, Su Weikang thought to himself. He ordered, “Very well, I understand. Keep a close watch on the children—do not let anyone move them! I’ll report to the two ministers before deciding our next move.”
With that, Su Weikang hurried off to brief Zhao Cheng.