“Sigh~”
After sighing repeatedly, Zhu Jianshen rose from his seat.
“I have much to consider. I’ll retire first. Please rest well.”
“I’ll escort you.”
At Zhu Jianshen’s words, Wang Chong immediately stood up, but Zhu Jianshen raised his hand to stop him.
“I’ll go alone. Stay where you are.”
“But—”
“That’s an order.”
At Zhu Jianshen’s firm command, Wang Chong slightly bowed his head and stepped back.
After Zhu Jianshen left the room, Lady Zhu let out a small, prolonged sigh.
“His Majesty’s dragon heart seems quite troubled.”
Wang Chong immediately responded to Lady Zhu’s remark.
“It seems so due to the suddenness of this news. However, as one who inherits the dragon’s blood, he will soon rise up and ascend to the heavens.”
Lady Zhu nodded at Wang Chong’s words.
“Yes, certainly! He will definitely do so. That’s the kind of person he is.”
Meanwhile, a secret agent from the Secret Police who was eavesdropping outside clicked his tongue inwardly.
Tsk! Dragon heart this, dragon that… it seems everyone here suffers from middle school syndrome…
***
Back in his room, Zhu Jianshen lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling and sighing.
“Sigh~ Revenge is easier said than done…”
He could understand why Lady Zhu called for revenge and why Wang Chong supported her.
But from Zhu Jianshen’s perspective, “revenge” was a distant concept. He had no memory of his father, Ju Kijin, and his current life in the Empire lacked very little.
“And… even if they’ve summoned me to Nanking for their own self-preservation, how am I supposed to take revenge?”
Despite hearing comments about having “middle school syndrome” or being a “thundering knucklehead,” Zhu Jianshen had his own grasp of reality.
- The power-holders in Nanking want to install me as Emperor partly because of bloodline, but mainly to preserve their own authority.
- Having lived in the Empire all this time, I have nowhere to turn—I’m completely isolated.
- They will use my situation to consolidate their power.
- If I show even a hint of hidden ability, they will try to eliminate me.
His conclusion was half truth, half middle-school-syndrome fantasy. Nevertheless, Zhu Jianshen was convinced his assessment was most accurate.
“Sigh~”
After lying on his bed sighing, Zhu Jianshen stretched his arm toward the ceiling and clenched his fist tightly.
“Anyway, my ascension is decided! I am no longer a Hidden Dragon! Therefore, I shall create my own empire!”
Having firmed his resolve with middle-school-syndrome bravado, Zhu Jianshen got up from his bed and moved to the writing desk in the corner.
“If I move without any preparation, I’ll just end up being a puppet who moves as directed. I need to know what I can do and what I should prepare in advance.”
Zhu Jianshen began writing various items on a blank sheet of paper.
-Fluent in Ming language. -Skilled in imperial etiquette.
Though he had almost no chance of leaving the Empire in his lifetime, Lady Zhu and Wang Chong had taught him the Ming language and imperial etiquette.
As a result, Zhu Jianshen was proficient in the Ming language and well-versed in imperial etiquette. He had even earned pocket money occasionally by helping at his friend’s father’s shop, dealing with Ming customers. Of course, he had to carefully conceal his identity as Zhu Jianshen.
After writing those two sentences, Zhu Jianshen frowned.
“Are these two my only advantages? Then what cards can I obtain or demand?”
After pondering for a moment, Zhu Jianshen added new sentences to the blank paper.
-Ming court organizational structure. -Current situation in the Ming court. -Current internal situation in Ming.
“I can request this information from the Administration Office. They’ll tell me because if they know the Empire, they’ll want to avoid troublesome matters in advance. All because of ‘that dreaded overtime work.'”
Empire officials were known to hate increasing their workload, to the point where a saying circulated: “Everything is forgivable to avoid overtime work. Just choose your methods wisely.”
Therefore, if he asked for help to avoid future headaches with Ming, they would surely assist him wholeheartedly.
“Of course, they’ll think this will make me pro-Empire. But… my situation is quite interesting.”
Zhu Jianshen muttered with a self-deprecating smile.
Despite heading there as Emperor, Zhu Jianshen kept referring to it as “Ming.” He still didn’t feel it was his homeland. Yet he didn’t consider the Empire his country either.
In a way, he belonged to neither Ming nor the Empire.
Recalling his rootless existence like duckweed floating on water, Zhu Jianshen soon composed himself and added another line.
- Need my own loyal faction.
“This is the problem. Building one in Ming would take time, and finding the right people would be difficult. Those in the palace are already bound by various connections. Even if I sought talents from the countryside, they’d be filtered out during the selection process. I would do the same in their position.”
Contemplating the “building of a loyal faction,” Zhu Jianshen wrote one term on the paper.
‘Hidden Dragon Society’
The name referred to those who associated with him.
“They’re not lacking in talent, just in opportunity…”
Zhu Jianshen held the members of the Hidden Dragon Society in high regard.
The western region of Seoul where Zhu Jianshen lived was mainly populated by the middle class.
While Seoul’s northern district was traditionally home to high-ranking official families, the southern district housed artisans and military families connected to Area 51. The eastern part was where commoners involved in livestock breeding and agriculture gathered.
And recently, the Mapo area outside the city walls was becoming popular.
Given these circumstances, Zhu Jianshen appreciated the members of the Hidden Dragon Society. They had decent abilities, but those abilities weren’t enough to break through barriers and reach the upper echelons.
- With my status, entering government service would be easy.
- But I’m far from adequate to reach the top.
“They say during the Grand Emperor’s reign or before it became an Empire, one could rise to prominence with just a well-written petition… but nowadays, even that isn’t easy…”
The members of the Hidden Dragon Society were thundering knuckleheads who played around, a mix of confidence and resignation.
Zhu Jianshen continued writing under “Hidden Dragon Society.”
-Not the best, but decent abilities. -Not being Ming citizens, they will cooperate actively for their survival. -Being Empire citizens, the Empire will devise means to protect them. If used well, this can secure my safety too.
“If there is a strategy of ‘borrowing a knife to kill someone,’ couldn’t the reverse be possible too?”
After muttering to himself, Zhu Jianshen grinned.
“Hah! My brilliance! This is why I must secure my safety even more!”
Had she been there, Geum-soon would have shaken her head in disapproval and given him a smack for such a comment. Nevertheless, Zhu Jianshen added one more name to his list.
-Geum-soon.
“I’ll make Geum-soon my Empress. This is important for my safety too. If I go without a partner, they will surely push their daughters as Empress candidates. As shackles and tools of control. And… Geum-soon is an Empire citizen. If Geum-soon and I have children, the Empire will take interest. That will further guarantee my safety.”
Having calculated that far, Zhu Jianshen solidified his resolve.
“Good! Let’s move according to this plan!”
***
The next day, Zhu Jianshen summoned Wang Chong.
“Your Majesty, you called for me?”
At Wang Chong’s words, Zhu Jianshen reprimanded him in a stern voice.
“Watch your mouth. I haven’t ascended the throne yet. Don’t you know that careless talk could derail everything? Until I sit on the throne, never use that title. If you disobey, I’ll consider it disrespect and punish you severely.”
At Zhu Jianshen’s rebuke, Wang Chong prostrated himself on the floor and lowered his head.
“Please forgive my mistake!”
“Be careful from now on!”
“I will remember it to my bones!”
Having broken Wang Chong’s spirit, Zhu Jianshen moved to the main point.
“Call an official from the Administration Office. I need the Empire’s help.”
“I receive your command.”
About an hour later, an official from the Administration Office came to see Zhu Jianshen.
“I heard you need the Empire’s assistance. How may I help?”
“I need information on Ming’s court structure and the people currently running the court.”
The official questioned Zhu Jianshen’s request.
“Wouldn’t Royal Eunuch Wang know the Ming court structure well?”
“Eunuch Wang has been in the Empire for over ten years. Thus, I need the most current information.”
After considering Zhu Jianshen’s words for a moment, the official nodded.
“I understand. I’ll report to my superiors. A positive response is likely.”
“Thank you. And…”
“Yes. What else can I help you with?”
“I want to pursue my marriage.”
“Geum-soon? Oops!”
The official, whose words had slipped out unintentionally, quickly stopped and lowered his head.
“I showed impropriety! I apologize!”
“It’s all right. Yes, that young lady.”
At Zhu Jianshen’s answer, the official cautiously asked.
“Has the Noble Consort permitted it?”
“I’ll handle that part myself.”
“I understand. I’ll try to push that matter as well.”
“Thank you.”
“Is there anything else you’d like to request?”
“Yes. I’d like to take several talented individuals from the Empire with me.”
“Forgive me, but are you referring to the Hidden Dragon Society?”
It seems the rumors have spread throughout Seoul.
With a bitter smile, Zhu Jianshen nodded.
“Yes. And if I take them with me, I’d also request means to ensure their safety.”
At Zhu Jianshen’s words, the official’s face turned serious as he answered.
“I’ll report that as well. However, I must inform you in advance that there’s a high possibility of a negative response due to potential diplomatic issues.”
“I can resolve diplomatic issues. After all, I am to become Emperor.”
“I’ll include that in my report as well.”
“Then I’ll entrust this to you.”
“I’ll do my best.”
***
After the official left, Zhu Jianshen sought out Lady Zhu to discuss his marriage to Geum-soon.
“That’s preposterous! How could you bring an Empire woman, and one of such humble status, as your Empress? This absolutely cannot happen!”
As the official had predicted, Lady Zhu strongly opposed. But Zhu Jianshen persisted in his persuasion.
As he presented the reasons he had already thought through, Lady Zhu’s expression gradually began to change.
“…Think about it. An Empire woman becomes Empress. And if she bears a child, especially a son who will inherit the throne, the Empire will move to protect their safety. Currently, we face enemies on all sides when we return. At this time, we can secure our safety and proceed with our plans with the Empire’s help.”
“…Give me some time to think.”
“We have much to do and little time. Please make your decision now.”
“And if I still oppose?”
“I am the Emperor.”
At Zhu Jianshen’s answer, Lady Zhu waved the white flag.
“Do as the Emperor wishes.”