In the third month, when flowers bloomed like smoke, Gu Zhao set out south for Yangzhou under a secret imperial decree.
A few days earlier, the Ministry of Revenue had completed its spring audit. Compared to previous years, salt tax revenue had dropped by nearly one million taels, with the greatest deficit coming from the Liangjiang region.
Illegal salt trade in the Huai region had grown increasingly rampant. Even execution by slow slicing failed to deter the desperate smugglers. One Hu Xiaofeng had been executed, yet another Lei Dawu had emerged. Official salt could not be sold, taxes could not be collected, and Lei Dawu had remained at large for over half a year. Meanwhile, the hidden mastermind behind it all had yet to be uncovered.
None of the Emperor’s orders had been properly carried out. The Yangzhou Transport Commissioner, the Salt Inspector, and the Governor-General of Liangjiang all submitted memorials pleading guilty.
But what use was pleading?
The Emperor was furious and summoned Gu Zhao.
“Cousin, go to Yangzhou for me. I grant you authority to command troops and execute first, report later. Make an example of them—cut down this corrupt wind in Yangzhou.”
Since it was a secret mission, Gu Zhao traveled quietly, bringing only a few attendants and a dozen guards, boarding a hired boat from Tongzhou Port.
Only a few hours into the journey, as evening approached, the boatman dragged in a man.
“Master, this fellow was hiding in the cargo hold. Shall we hand him over to the authorities?”
The man showed no fear and grinned.
“Cousin, why didn’t you take me along for your outing? Give me a ride.”
Gu Zhao frowned slightly.
“Xie Ze, does your family know you are here?”
The boatman quickly released him upon realizing they were acquainted.
Xie Ze, disheveled but unconcerned, waved it off.
“No matter. I’m starving—I missed lunch hiding all day. When do we eat?”
Gu Zhao signaled the boatman to prepare dinner.
Xie Ze collapsed onto the bed in Gu Zhao’s cabin with a satisfied sigh.
“Ah, this is comfortable!”
Seeing he had no intention of leaving, Gu Zhao asked again:
“Does the Empress know? Does the An Yuan Marquis know?”
Xie Ze, the young marquis of An Yuan and the Empress’s younger brother, was eighteen—an age to begin a proper career. Yet he refused both study and martial training, even declining official posts.
He laughed.
“Cousin, you’re too clever. I’m hiding from my sister, of course. Tell me, are you escaping marriage too? Since we’re both fugitives, why not travel together and find our true loves?”
Gu Zhao knew immediately this was nonsense—Xie Ze simply wanted to travel.
At the next dock, Gu Zhao arranged for him to be sent back.
But Xie Ze ran away, leaving a letter:
“If you force me to leave, I’ll just run. If I disappear, how will you answer to my sister? Better to keep me with you!”
Gu Zhao, who had always lived by strict discipline, found Xie Ze utterly exasperating.
Unable to scold or punish him, he instead wrote to the An Yuan Marquis, informing him of the situation.
A few days later, at the next dock, Xie Ze reappeared—waiting.
“Cousin, you won’t chase me away now, right?”
Gu Zhao replied calmly:
“I’ve already written to your family. Until they arrive, you stay with me. Travel is dangerous.”
Xie Ze was delighted. Following Gu Zhao meant comfort and convenience.
As for being caught later—he would deal with it then.
They left the capital in early spring, still wearing padded jackets. By the time they reached Yangzhou in early summer, the weather had warmed.
That night, their boat glided through Yangzhou’s waterways under a gentle breeze.
Xie Ze lay on the bow, humming and admiring the starlit sky and lantern-lit banks.
Even in the quiet of midnight, the signs and lanterns hinted at the city’s daytime splendor.
Inside the cabin, Gu Zhao was discussing lodging arrangements when suddenly—
“Assassins!” Xie Ze shouted.
Water splashed as figures climbed aboard.
Gu Zhao drew his sword and rushed out.
Blades clashed as guards fought masked attackers.
At the bow, a black-clad assailant pinned Xie Ze down, driving a blade toward him—
The tip had already pierced into his abdomen.