Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 473 Right Eye Twitching Disaster, Desert Spy Shadow!
Since leaving Jiayuguan, Chen Cheng's right eyelid has been twitching incessantly, as if pulled by an invisible force.

There's a folk saying: "A twitching left eye means good fortune, a twitching right eye means bad luck."

This sudden change made Chen Cheng uneasy.

He secretly borrowed millions from the bank under the guise of an envoy, and also falsely claimed to have an imperial edict... If he cannot achieve extraordinary feats on this trip, his future will be as if he has fallen into an abyss, with no hope of redemption.

At this moment, a trace of regret welled up in Chen Cheng's heart.

Why did I so readily agree when Li Boyue made the suggestion?
Even if such a risky move were to be taken, one should first send someone to secretly report to the court and wait for His Majesty's approval before taking action.

Although Jiayuguan is far from Jinling, and reporting and waiting for imperial orders would take several months, and there is a risk of the news being leaked, at least it can extricate oneself from this heinous crime and save one's life.

However, upon further reflection, he gritted his teeth.

Since ancient times, wealth and honor have been sought amidst danger. The mission to persuade Beshbaliq to surrender was a mission that involved putting life and death aside.

In the past, it was not uncommon for Ming Dynasty envoys to suffer humiliation or even lose their lives when they went on missions to foreign countries.

During the reign of Emperor Taizu, two groups of envoys sent to Japan were killed in succession, their blood staining a foreign land.

The Ming Dynasty is now at its zenith, far surpassing its former glory. Those barbarians would likely not dare to easily harm the Ming delegation. However, persuading Beshbalik to submit and accept Ming rule involves their most fundamental interests. A slight misstep could anger them and lead to their deaths.

"Being resourceful and decisive, and cautious is always the best policy," Chen Cheng murmured to himself, suppressing his unease as he sat upright on the camel's back, his gaze fixed on the boundless yellow sand ahead.

When the mission departed from Nanjing, it consisted of fewer than a hundred people.

Using a false imperial edict, they borrowed 500 elite soldiers from the nearby garrison at Jiayuguan, increasing the delegation's size to nearly 600 and greatly boosting their prestige.

Moreover, once the news spread, countless merchants followed the delegation westward, hoping to use the authority of the government troops to escort their goods.

Although the trade routes to the Western Regions were highly profitable and tempting, they were also fraught with danger.

Leaving aside natural disasters such as sandstorms.

In the desert, bandits roam freely, thieves frequent, and murder and robbery are commonplace.

If a merchant unfortunately dies in the desert and his goods are looted, the government will not care.

The desert is a land without a master, where life and death are left to fate.

They had no choice but to rely on themselves, travel together, and form large groups to protect themselves.

Now that they have the imperial delegation to rely on, these merchants are naturally unwilling to miss this opportunity.

The accompanying merchant corps numbered over a thousand, a vast and impressive procession that far exceeded the size of the original mission.

The cold wind was biting, and the vast yellow sand raged.

The desert in winter is even more desolate, and the hardships of the journey need no further explanation.

After traveling for more than ten days, the group finally stopped to rest in a small oasis.

This oasis has only twenty or thirty low-lying mud houses and a little over a hundred residents, and it is usually peaceful and serene.

Now, with the sudden influx of over a thousand outsiders, the hustle and bustle has shattered the oasis's tranquility. The houses and alleys are teeming with people, making it seem as if it has suddenly transformed into a bustling town.

In a simple inn, Chen Cheng rubbed his hands together to warm them, his breath rising in wisps under the dim light.

Several charcoal fires burned inside the inn, their faint warmth dispelling some of the chill, but unable to conceal the weariness on the travelers' faces.

Just then, a man dressed in Western Region clothing quietly approached. He walked slowly, his face gentle yet possessing the resilience unique to the inhabitants of the desert, likely due to his long-term residence in the desert.

"Sir," the man said in a deep voice, "I have half a jin of fine wine here, its aroma rich and mellow. Would you like to try a couple?"

Chen Cheng was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but then he understood. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he said, "Two ounces isn't enough. It should be at least four ounces. If we could also add two crystal-clear luminous cups, that would be perfect."

A glint of light flashed in the man's eyes. He quickly lowered his voice and whispered in his ear, "Let's talk in a private room."

After saying this, he turned around, his clothes swaying slightly, and walked straight into the inn.

Chen Cheng remained calm, straightened his clothes, and quickly followed.

The two walked through a narrow corridor, pushed open an inconspicuous wooden door, and entered a hidden secret room.

There was only one oil lamp in the room, its dim yellow light casting shadows on the walls, and a faint earthy smell filled the air.

Upon entering, after Chen Cheng closed the door, the man in Hu clothing immediately turned around, clasped his hands in a respectful salute: "Yi Xiaojiu, a Class B secret agent of the Ming Dynasty Intelligence Bureau, pays his respects to Envoy Chen!"

He said solemnly, "I have already received a secret order from the intelligence bureau, instructing all the spies of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate to report all the intelligence they have collected to Envoy Chen, and to obey the envoy's orders and cooperate with Your Excellency!"

Chen Cheng quickly returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, his eyes revealing a hint of respect, and said in a deep voice, "Brother Yi Xiaojiu, you flatter me."

"You left your homes and went into hiding in foreign lands, risking your lives for the Ming Dynasty and enduring hardships that ordinary people could not bear. Your loyalty and righteousness are evident."

"On behalf of the imperial court and the people of the land, Chen Cheng expresses his gratitude!"

After he finished speaking, he bowed deeply!
Even before his mission, Chen Cheng had already paid a visit to Yao Guangxiao, the unassuming prime minister in black, in Jinling.

In that seemingly ordinary study, Yao Guangxiao, in his usual calm tone, unveiled the mysterious veil of the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency to Chen Cheng.

This institution, which terrified ordinary people and was avoided even by high-ranking officials, was actually controlled by him.

Yao Guangxiao told him that he was on a huge mission to persuade the Eastern Chagatai Khanate to submit to the Ming Dynasty.

The intelligence agency's local network will fully cooperate and provide all necessary assistance.

And the person standing before them, Yi Xiaojiu, was the one who had come to make contact.

Despite knowing beforehand that Chen Cheng was an envoy of the imperial court, Yi Xiaojiu still meticulously used the secret spy code to confirm his identity.

This caution stems from his survival strategy of constantly walking on the edge of a knife.

Infiltrating enemy territory is like walking on thin ice; the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.

Yi Xiaojiu is naturally not his real name.

From the moment he stepped into the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency, his real name was sealed in a secret file somewhere in Jinling and never known to the world again.

In the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, he used the code name "Yi Xiao Jiu" to communicate with his colleagues as spies, walking a tightrope between life and death.

He certainly had another "identity" and another "name" in this place, but it was completely cut off from the identity of the code name "Yi Xiao Jiu" in order to keep it absolutely secret.

Even when facing Chen Cheng, the envoy appointed by the Ming Dynasty and the "superior" officially recognized by the intelligence agency, he remained tight-lipped.

As is customary, Chen Cheng only needs to exchange the coded message to confirm Yi Xiaojiu's identity as a spy; there is no need to delve into his disguise in the Eastern Chagatai Khanate.

After all, the key to survival for spies lies precisely in their secrecy, which no one can see.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency." Yi Xiaojiu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a carefree smile, but a deep-seated weariness flashed in his eyes.

Working in the shadows is extremely arduous. The psychological pressure alone is enough to make many people feel suffocated.

He deftly unfastened his outer robe, took out a sealed envelope from his close-fitting gray inner shirt, and presented it with both hands: "This is a list of envoys specially submitted on the orders of my superiors."

He quickly explained, “This roster contains top-secret intelligence gathered by our Ming Dynasty intelligence agency in Beshbali over the years.”

"It encompasses everything from the movements of the court in Beshbali, the tribal structure, and even the grudges and entanglements between princes, ministers, and tribal leaders."

"Their stances, personalities, and attitudes toward the Ming Dynasty have all been meticulously analyzed for Your Excellency's consideration, so that you may determine who can be won over and who can be used."

"This list also includes some important officials who have long been secretly serving our Great Ming. The identities of many of them are very secretive, and even I do not know them."

Yi Xiaojiu's voice was deep and clear: "This envelope has been in my hands ever since it was handed over, the mimeograph is intact, and it has never been opened."

"I have never pried into anything. Please, Your Excellency, examine the mimeographed seal."

Chen Cheng took the envelope and examined it closely with his eyes lowered.

Under the dim light of the oil lamp, the sealed wax seal was intact, and the seal with its distinct lines was flawless, as if it had just been cast.

He gently ran his fingertips along the edge of the seal, confirming that there were no signs of disassembly, and nodded to himself in approval.

This is only a preliminary check, but it's pretty close to the truth.

To thoroughly verify the integrity of the envelope, we need to rely on a secret technique developed by the Ming Academy of Sciences in recent years.

Specialized tools are used to detect subtle changes in glue residue and paper.

This is a newly created anti-counterfeiting method by the imperial court, and it is ingenious.

No matter how perfectly a letter is restored after being opened without authorization, it will not escape scrutiny.

When Chen Cheng worked in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in his early years, he had delivered secret edicts many times and was already very familiar with the methods of keeping secret letters and the techniques of checking them.

When the prime minister in black met Yao Guangxiao in Jinling, fearing that Yao Guangxiao might not know the full extent of the intelligence agency's secret methods, he explained them to him in detail.

At this moment, facing Yi Xiaojiu, Chen Cheng, though holding the envelope, only glanced at the wax seal, gently touched it with his fingers, and briefly examined it.

If we were to take out professional equipment and carefully verify the information in front of Yi Xiaojiu, it would seem as if we harbored suspicion towards this secret agent who had risked his life for us, thus damaging our mutual trust.

Moreover, there is no need for an urgent inspection.

He calmly tucked the envelope into his pocket, nodded slightly, and looked at Yi Xiaojiu with gentle eyes, indicating that he had checked and found nothing wrong.

Yi Xiaojiu added, "The higher-ups also instructed that the Military Intelligence Bureau under the Military Affairs Department should have many spies stationed in Beshbali. They will likely report the intelligence to Vice Envoy Huo Liancheng and be at his disposal."

"The intelligence networks of our Great Ming Intelligence Bureau and Military Intelligence Bureau are independent of each other and do not interfere with each other. Their intelligence is never shared."

"But this time it is the Ming Dynasty that wants to take over Beshbaliq, which is different from before."

"Sir, you can compare and verify this with the intelligence in Lord Huo's possession to ensure a thorough investigation."

"Only one thing: never reveal the identities of our spies."

Chen Cheng's heart stirred slightly.

The Ming Dynasty has mobilized all its intelligence and military spies to subdue the Eastern Chagatai Khanate.

As the old saying goes, "An army is raised for a thousand days, but used for only one."

If the Eastern Chagatai Khanate could be successfully brought under Ming control and incorporated into the Ming Dynasty, these spies hiding in the shadows would no longer need to remain in hiding.

They have successfully completed their mission and can now return to their hometown.

Upon thinking of this, a trace of emotion flashed in Chen Cheng's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and regained the composure of an envoy.

Yi Xiaojiu's words were concise yet logical, clearly demonstrating that he was a well-trained spy who knew how to maintain appropriate boundaries.

After saying this, he said no more, bowed respectfully, and quietly left the secret room. He quickly turned into a shadow and disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the inn, as if he had never been there.

Chen Cheng returned to his room at the inn alone, closed the doors and windows, and took out a specially made magnifying glass and a small box of precision tools from his luggage.

These are inspection instruments specially designed by the Ming Academy of Sciences for the Intelligence Bureau. The needle-thin probes and special solutions can detect any signs of tampering.

He lit the oil lamp and, by its dim light, examined the envelope again closely.

The intelligence agency's secret letter sealing techniques are exquisite, employing at least four covert methods in addition to wax sealing to ensure absolute secrecy.

Chen Cheng held his breath and carefully checked each item to ensure the seal was intact before letting out a sigh of relief and cautiously opening the envelope.

Inside was a thick register.

Although the cover is simple, once opened, it contains top-secret files of important officials of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate.

From royalty and nobility to tribal chiefs and other influential figures, all were prominently featured.

Each person's file is extremely detailed.

Their life stories, family members, personal hobbies, and even trivial anecdotes from the past, as well as their words during court discussions or private conversations, were all meticulously recorded.

Before his departure, Yao Guangxiao had a deep conversation with him, his words revealing a profound and calculating scheme.

He explained the general situation of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate and instructed Chen Chen that specific intelligence would be delivered by a hidden spy once he arrived in the area.

Chen Cheng did not have high expectations for this, only hoping that the secret agents could provide a little bit of assistance.

After all, he was the chief envoy, but he only had the title and knew nothing about the customs and culture of the Western Regions, especially the specific situation in Beshbaliq.

With the help of local spies, even if the intelligence was limited, he would at least feel less lost when he first arrived.

However, when he looked through the list, he was speechless.

The list was far more detailed than one could imagine, encompassing almost every key figure in the Beshbali court and tribes.

Even more shocking is that the archives not only recorded the discussions these people had with the Khan in court, the heated debates between the officials, but even their private conversations with their wives and children were also discovered and recorded by spies.

Even more incredibly, the sheer number of Beshbali nobles and tribal leaders who secretly pledged allegiance to the Ming Dynasty, and the high status of some of them, far exceeded Chen Cheng's expectations.

He closed the register, took a deep breath, and felt a surge of shock in his chest that lingered for a long time.

Who could have imagined that the entire court in Beshbali would be so thoroughly infiltrated by the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency that it was like a sieve riddled with holes?
The Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency in the foreign capital was as well-connected as the Imperial Guard's spies in Nanjing, with eyes and ears everywhere.

They practically treated Beshbali like their own backyard, managing it in every possible way.

What extraordinary abilities did Yao Guangxiao, the black-clad monk who was hiding behind the scenes and in charge of the intelligence bureau, possess to weave such a meticulous network of espionage?

……

(End of this chapter)