Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 627 The Secret Telegram Plot: A Disgrace!

After reviewing the important telegram translation and making a decision, he walked out of the hall and asked Lai Wen'an and Wen Yuanliu, who were waiting outside, about the key aspects of telegraph technology.

Although the telegraph now uses binary encoding, it is still essentially a form of plaintext communication.

To Zhu Yunwen, a time traveler from later generations, this was undoubtedly a communication security system riddled with loopholes and practically non-existent.

His vision extends far beyond this.

Although, looking at the world today, apart from the Ming Dynasty, no other country has been able to decipher the secrets of this code.

However, Zhu Yunwen also knew that there are no permanent barriers in technology, and any lead is only temporary.

Once telegraph technology spreads, today's convenience may become tomorrow's weapon.

Planning ahead is the best course of action.

"How is the matter of encrypting the telegrams progressing?" Zhu Yunwen asked in a calm tone.

Wen Yuanliu bowed respectfully and replied, "Your Majesty, we have successfully completed our mission and developed three encryption methods, all of which can provide comprehensive protection for telegrams."

“Even if the enemy intercepts the encrypted message, without the corresponding codebook and decryption scheme, it will be like reading a book from heaven, with absolutely no possibility of deciphering it.”

He paused briefly before continuing, "Furthermore, we are also researching a completely new encryption paradigm. If this method is successful, the cracking of encrypted messages will be unrelated to the decryption method itself."

"At that time, even if the encryption method and the codebook are obtained by the enemy, they will not be able to decipher the message in the slightest."

Changing the subject, Wen Yuanliu frankly said, "However, there is still one regret about this matter."

"Regardless of the encryption method used, the time required for sending, receiving, and deciphering messages will increase exponentially."

"The more complex and sophisticated the encryption process, the more astonishing the time it takes."

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the jade railing beside him, producing a crisp and rhythmic sound.

He knew that this was the inevitable price to pay in the pursuit of ultimate security under the current technological conditions.

To conceive of a message encryption system based on this foundation is a remarkable achievement that transcends its time.

As for time...

"Safety comes first, and a little time loss is nothing to worry about." He made the final decision. "After all, even if it's slow, it's still far better than the urgent dispatch of messengers on horseback."

His gaze swept over the two of them, and he said, "After you have reviewed and approved these encryption methods, you should immediately submit them to the Military Affairs Department and the Political Affairs Department, and they can choose the appropriate method to use based on the confidentiality level of the intelligence."

"The higher the security level, the more stringent the encryption layer needs to be."

"Documents that do not need to be kept confidential should still be transmitted in plaintext to save time."

Upon hearing the imperial edict, Wen Yuanliu and Lai Wen'an both became solemn and bowed to receive the order: "Your subjects will obey the imperial decree."

Zhu Yunwen's thoughts did not stop there, and he spoke again: "In addition, the archive room for the wiretapping messages needs to be rebuilt."

"It must be so secure that not a single piece of paper can be leaked; it must also be so that I can quickly access and verify it when necessary."

After this incident, Zhu Yunwen gained a deeper understanding of telegram interception.

His principle of "not checking unless necessary" remained unchanged, and the government office responsible for monitoring continued to record but not translate.

But Zhu Yunwen also increasingly understood that when the country faced potential threats, this "necessary" boundary must be firmly grasped by him, and only by him.

It can be accessed and viewed at any time when necessary.

"Your Majesty, we obey!" Wen Yuanliu and Lai Wen'an responded again.

With the imperial edict issued, Zhu Yunwen lingered and turned to leave the Academy of Sciences.
……

Outside the city of Jinling, a mansion covering more than ten acres stands quietly.

The exterior walls are simply made of blue bricks and white tiles, unadorned, just like an ordinary household.

However, once you enter the inner gate, you'll find waterside pavilions, rockeries, winding paths, and secluded spots—a veritable hidden paradise in the Jiangnan gardens.

This is the private residence of Ji Gang, the Director of the Anti-Theft Division of the Ministry of Justice.

A physician is merely a fifth-rank official, hardly a distinguished figure in the capital city where dignitaries gather.

However, the weight of the name "Ji Gang" in the martial arts world far surpasses that of most officials in the imperial court.

He once personally led the constables of the Anti-Thief Division to wipe out countless martial arts sects and bandit leaders like a whirlwind sweeping away fallen leaves. His ruthless methods were so terrifying that people were terrified.

Rumors in the martial arts world say that this man is a ruthless killer with countless blood debts, a lackey of the imperial court, and his hands are stained with the blood of the martial arts world.

But it was precisely this fearsome reputation that made those unruly martial arts figures tremble with fear of him.

Even more extreme, some privately referred to him as the "uncrowned king" or "underground emperor" of the Ming Dynasty.

While this is undoubtedly an exaggeration by the common people of the martial arts world, it truly reflects the deep-seated fear that those so-called righteous sects and leaders of the common people harbored towards Ji Gang.

Of course, this is only from the perspective of someone in the martial arts world.

In the eyes of those powerful officials who truly held authority and overlooked the court, Ji Gang was nothing more than a vicious dog kept by the emperor, dedicated to tearing apart the common people and having no respectable status whatsoever.

At this moment, inside the grand hall deep within the mansion, music and dance filled the air, and the aroma of wine permeated the atmosphere.

Ji Gang was all smiles, treating a young civil official with the utmost hospitality.

The table was laden with delicacies, a dazzling array of dishes, while several graceful dancers gracefully swayed their flowing sleeves and danced.

"Lord Wang's presence today is an honor to my humble abode! Let me first offer you a toast!" Ji Gang raised his wine cup, his words and demeanor revealing an almost obsequious eagerness.

The person before him was Wang You, the cousin of Wang Zuo, a minister of state affairs.

Ji Gang went to great lengths to host this banquet today, precisely because he valued Ji Gang's blood ties with important officials in the court.

In the past, Ji Gang would never have shown any respect to such people.

He knew better than anyone that his current position was entirely due to the Emperor's trust and support.

What His Majesty wanted him to do was to wield the sharpest and most unbridled blade hanging over the heads of the martial world.

If he were to collude too much with court officials, it would arouse the emperor's suspicion, which would be detrimental to his future.

However, times have changed.

His Majesty the Emperor encountered a mutiny in Shandong. Although the court downplayed the incident by saying that "His Majesty was frightened but there was no serious harm," the information Ji Gang gathered was far from that.

Since that day, His Majesty has not summoned any foreign officials.

On the long journey back to the capital, not a single person was able to see the Emperor's face.

The atmosphere in the capital was even more eerie.

All the senior officials of the Political Affairs Department and the Military Affairs Department remained on duty at the Hall of Diligent Governance, and did not return home day or night.

At the same time, all departments and offices of the imperial court have received orders from both places to enter the highest level of emergency alert.

In addition, there is an official document jointly issued by the Department of Political Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs, which is approved by the Empress. During the period when His Majesty is not involved in state affairs, all political and military affairs shall be decided collectively by the Department of Political Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs.

All of these signs point to an impending storm, hardly resembling a picture of imperial health and well-being.
Ji Gang's mind was already in turmoil. He had no power base in the court, and in the past, relying on the emperor's favor, he acted arrogantly and suppressed the martial arts world, offending countless people in the process.

With His Majesty as his powerful backer, he naturally had nothing to fear.

But now... things seem to be changing.

If something were to happen to His Majesty and a new emperor were to ascend the throne, would those forces he had offended in the past ever let him off the hook?

At that time, what he will have to worry about is probably not just his official hat, but also his own head!
An unprecedented sense of crisis, like a persistent boil, made Ji Gang extremely uneasy.

These days, he has long since abandoned his former arrogance and is anxiously seeking ways to find a safe haven for himself in the impending political storm.

However, how could someone like Ji Gang, who had risen from the ashes by risking his life and crawling out of the mire, possibly catch the eye of those self-proclaimed upright civil officials?

Wang You slowly picked up the jade wine cup, held it to his nose and sniffed it lightly before taking a small sip. He closed his eyes slightly, as if he were savoring some rare and exquisite wine.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, his tone full of amazement: "This is 'Five Grains Abundance,' isn't it? I've heard it's the masterpiece of the Ming Academy of Sciences, which blends scientific methods with ancient brewing techniques to create this fine wine."

He casually exclaimed, "Tsk, it truly lives up to its reputation."

"The aroma is intense upon entry, followed by a mellow and sweet aftertaste, and then a clean and crisp finish, perfectly blending the essence of the five grains into a harmonious whole, reaching the pinnacle of perfection."

"Truly, it is the finest nectar, the ultimate taste in the world!"

Ji Gang forced a smile and echoed him repeatedly, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Unexpectedly, Wang You abruptly changed the subject, his face, which had just been filled with admiration, instantly turning icy.

He slammed his wine glass down on the table with a loud thud, and said coldly, "The wine is indeed fine, and quite valuable."

"However, it seems that Lord Ji has forgotten how eccentric and ruthless you have been in the past few years. Have you ever given a second glance to any of your colleagues in the court?"

His voice was not loud, but every word was like a needle piercing Ji Gang's heart: "Now that you realize the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, you think of coming to burn incense and pray to Buddha, trying to curry favor with others."

"Lord Ji, don't you think... it's already too late?"

Ji Gang's smile froze instantly, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and explained, "This humble official... this humble official was new to officialdom and inexperienced, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. If I have offended you in any way, I hope that Lord Wang will remember our friendship as officials in the same court and forgive me!"

"Have any leniency?" Wang You scoffed, his eyes full of mockery and disdain.

He suddenly raised his hand, and with a "splash," a full glass of fine wine was splashed all over Ji Gang's face.

Wine dripped down Ji Gang's astonished face, soaking the front of his clothes.

Wang You clapped his hands and laughed loudly, his voice sharp and grating: "Easy, easy!"

"It's very easy for me to forgive you."

"Now, kneel down and lick my boots clean, then give my legs a good massage."

"If you serve me well, I might be in a good mood and take pity on you, Lord Ji, and spare your life!"

Laughter echoed through the hall, and the dancers, already terrified, retreated to a corner in silence.

Ji Gang stood there, stunned, the cold liquid on his face mingling with the burning humiliation welling up inside him.

He didn't say a word, but his fists, hidden in his sleeves, were clenched so tightly that the knuckles turned white.

Wang You glanced at him contemptuously, his sneer widening: "What? You're not convinced? Still clenching your fists, do you want to hit me?"

He stepped forward, lowered his voice, and said slowly and deliberately, "Let me tell you, Ji Gang, times have changed."

"Although the court has not issued a formal announcement of the death, anyone who is not blind can see that His Majesty... has probably already passed away."

"The imperial entourage that returned to the capital from Shandong probably didn't carry a living monarch, but rather a cold imperial coffin!"

"Keeping the death a secret was simply to stabilize morale and plan for the future."

"You, Ji Gang, have been in officialdom for many years. Don't you think you can see through this little trick?"

He straightened up, paced a couple of steps, and sized up Ji Gang as if admiring prey, then continued, "A new emperor brings a new court; I don't need to teach you that, do I?"

"The late emperor has passed away without an heir."

"Your biggest backer, Ji Gang, has fallen!"

"You are now like a stray dog!"

"You should think carefully about how many enemies you've made over the past few years."

"In the imperial court and in the martial arts world, how many people hate you to the bone and wish to get rid of you as soon as possible!"

A cruel pleasure gleamed in Wang You's eyes: "My uncle is a minister of state affairs and a veteran of two dynasties. He has deep friendships with all the princes."

"His Highness Prince Jin is rushing back to the capital from Fujian day and night. Considering his bloodline, his prestige in court and among the people, and his seniority and status, who else but him deserves the throne of the supreme ruler?"

"At that time, my uncle will surely be the pillar of the new dynasty, and my Wang family will also rise in status!"

He walked up to Ji Gang, lightly tapped Ji Gang's cheek with his fan, and said arrogantly:
"If you know what's good for you now and obediently become my dog, wagging your tail and begging for mercy, I might put in a good word for you with my uncle and save your life and that of your family."

"Otherwise... Hmph, the day the new emperor ascends the throne will be the day your head rolls!"

"Not only you, but the entire Ji family, young and old, none of them will live!"

“Exterminating the entire clan is an ancestral rule of our Great Ming Dynasty!”

"Ji Gang, I have shown you the way."

"Whether you live on your knees or die standing, you'd better think it through!"

The flames of humiliation burned in Ji Gang's heart, but the instinct for survival extinguished his last shred of dignity.

His clenched fist, his knuckles white from excessive force, eventually loosened little by little.

With a "thud," the clerk of the Anti-Theft Division, who struck fear into the hearts of the entire martial arts world, slammed his knees heavily onto the cold ground, the dull thud seeming to shatter all his pride.

He lowered his head deeply, his voice hoarse and hollow: "Lord Wang, please understand! I, Ji, have absolutely no intention of disrespecting you."

"From now on, I, Ji, am willing to be your vanguard and your most loyal dog."

"Hahahaha!" Wang You laughed wildly, his laughter filled with a morbid pleasure and satisfaction.

He looked down at Ji Gang kneeling at his feet as if admiring a rare trophy, and said mockingly, "I've heard that those roughnecks in the martial world all respectfully call you the 'Underground Emperor'?"

"If they saw you begging and groveling like this today, I wonder what they would think?"

Before he could finish speaking, the butler hurriedly pushed open the door and entered, reporting, "Master, a guest has arrived, specifically requesting to see you."

……

P.S.: I'm really sorry, I missed another update yesterday. Starting today, I will update twice a day to catch up on all the previous updates.

……

(End of this chapter)