The Imperial Prison  

Having carefully laid the groundwork, Fan Li steered the conversation towards Hu Zongxian. He knew his suggestion was logical and wouldn't arouse suspicion.

After all, in the eyes of the Great Ming officials, Hu Zongxian was a member of the Yan faction.

And in Yan Shifan's mind, Hu Zongxian was a general personally promoted by his father, Grand Secretary Yan Song.

One of their own.

"Manager Fan is absolutely right… In my opinion, only Hu Zongxian is capable of retaking Yunzhou City."

"I've read the recent battle reports. If not for… that brat… Crown Prince Wanli rashly venturing out of the city and falling into an ambush, Hu Zongxian wouldn't have been forced to leave the city to rescue him. And Yunzhou City wouldn't have fallen."

Yan Shifan's excitement was replaced by a wave of frustration.

"Hu Zongxian took the blame for Crown Prince Wanli. But that's precisely why it'll be so difficult to rescue him!"

In fact, the Yan faction had already attempted to rescue Hu Zongxian numerous times.

Some officials had submitted memorials, proposing that his past achievements should outweigh his recent failure. They hoped to use his former glories to offset the loss of Yunzhou City.

Others suggested offering a hefty sum of "atonement silver," a practice adopted by other nations to compensate for crimes. If Emperor Jiajing agreed, the Yan faction would readily provide the funds.

Unfortunately, the political landscape of the Jiajing era was fiercely divided between the "muddy stream" and the "clear stream."

Any proposal put forth by the Yan faction was immediately opposed by the "clear stream" officials led by Xu Jie.

Although the Yan faction typically held more power, this time, they were facing an impossible task. Hu Zongxian had taken the blame for Crown Prince Wanli.

Under no circumstances could he be pardoned lightly.

"This…" Fan Li feigned a troubled expression. "How to rescue Governor Hu… It's not something I'm qualified to discuss. It's a matter for Junior Grand Secretary Yan to consider."

Seeing Fan Li's respectful demeanor, Yan Shifan was unsurprised. He merely asked, "Manager Fan, are you speaking on behalf of Duke Jin? I don't want to waste my time and energy only to achieve nothing in the end."

A Chu merchant establishing a production base in the Great Ming? It was a preposterous notion!

Fan Li knew that this business model – similar to modern companies establishing overseas factories to reduce costs – was radical, especially considering the current state of hostility between the two nations. He needed to offer something tangible as proof of his sincerity.

He had, of course, anticipated this.

"Junior Grand Secretary," Fan Li said, "I have a letter, personally written by Duke Jin himself. It can serve as a contract between us. What do you think?"

Yan Shifan's eyes lit up.

"A letter written by Duke Jin? Show it to me!"

In Yan Shifan's eyes, Fan Li's connection to Duke Jin was significant.

Duke Jin of the Great Chu, in terms of official rank and title, even outranked his father, Grand Secretary Yan Song.

Although the Great Ming was undoubtedly stronger than the Great Chu, Yan Shifan subconsciously viewed Fan Li as an equal.

"Junior Grand Secretary, please take a look."

Fan Li retrieved a letter and handed it over. Yan Shifan quickly snatched it.

"My dear Brother Yan, I have long admired your reputation. However, separated by vast distances, I have yet to meet you in person…"

"I have entrusted all matters regarding our trading company in the Great Ming to Fan Zhe. Please, Brother Yan, do not doubt his authority."

"If the situation in Yunzhou City can be resolved, then the wealth of the world… shall be shared between us…"

Yan Shifan read the letter three times, carefully examining the seal. He was overjoyed!

"Hahaha! I've heard tales of Duke Jin's literary prowess. His writing is brilliant, his calligraphy impeccable. Just seeing Duke Jin's handwriting today is worth more than ten thousand essays written by Chen Deyan, the top scholar of the imperial examinations!"

Fan Li smiled without comment, pretending the praise was directed at someone else.

With this letter as proof, Yan Shifan was completely convinced. He put the letter away, keeping it for himself.

'It seems Fan Li isn't as cunning as I thought. Leaving this letter behind… this is evidence of his treasonous collaboration with a foreign nation. In the future, if the Great Ming wages war against the Great Chu, I can use this letter to sow chaos within their kingdom. What a glorious achievement!'

Yan Shifan resolved to rescue Hu Zongxian. In fact, there was a way, but it would require a significant sacrifice. Was he willing to make it?

He kept his plan a secret, even from his father.

"Manager Fan, rest assured. I will rescue Hu Zongxian!"

Hearing his confident tone, Fan Li nodded inwardly.

Excellent! As expected of the infamous Junior Grand Secretary, the man who had once thrown the Jiajing era into chaos. He hadn't disappointed.

However, simply rescuing Hu Zongxian wasn't enough. Fan Li hoped that the former governor, disillusioned with the Great Ming, would willingly follow him to the Great Jin.

"Junior Grand Secretary, I have one more suggestion," Fan Li said.

"Oh? Please speak, Manager Fan."

Yan Shifan smiled, seemingly patient.

"I've heard… Governor Hu is a proud and unyielding man?"

"Indeed. Why do you ask?" Yan Shifan nodded.

It was precisely because of Hu Zongxian's personality, his refusal to flatter and fawn, that Yan Shifan, despite acknowledging his talent as a military commander, had kept him at a distance.

"I worry… that if the 'clear stream' officials send people to humiliate him in prison… he might… act rashly…"

Fan Li remembered that in his previous life, Hu Zongxian, unable to bear the humiliation, had committed suicide in prison.

"You're worried he might kill himself?"

Yan Shifan was perhaps the least likely person to understand the concept of suicide. As long as he was alive, he could enjoy his lavish lifestyle and indulge in his pleasures.

Why would anyone choose to die when life was so enjoyable? If one faced hardship, surely they should simply endure it?

"Yes!" Fan Li said solemnly. "I ask that Junior Grand Secretary send someone to the imperial prison to reassure Governor Hu. Remind him of the heavy responsibilities he bears. He must not act impulsively."

Yan Shifan was skeptical of this suggestion. However, with the prospect of immense future profits hanging in the balance, he decided it was worth considering.

"Alright! The imperial prison is under Lu Bing's control. But I'll inform him. He wouldn't dare to refuse my request. Tonight, I'll send someone to relay a message to Hu Zongxian."

Fan Li's words, "heavy responsibilities," sparked another idea in Yan Shifan's mind.

"Manager Fan, do you… fear the imperial prison? If not, I'd like you to accompany my messenger. You can serve as a witness, and emphasize the gravity of the situation to Governor Hu. If he kills himself, it would be a betrayal of my father's trust and years of support!"

"I wouldn't dare to refuse your request!" Fan Li replied instantly.

A visit to the Great Ming's imperial prison?

This was an unexpected opportunity!

…

The Northern Pacification Office, Imperial Prison.

A dark and gloomy dungeon, a labyrinth of cells resembling tombs.

Instruments of torture, stained with blood was in every chamber. The prisoners' fates, however, were unknown. Some were still strapped to the torture devices, while others lay motionless in the corners of their cells. Only in the deepest cell was a single candle lit, illuminating a table and chairs.

A broad-shouldered figure, his back ramrod straight, was engrossed in writing. Hu Zongxian, Supreme Commander of the Great Ming's Northern Border, has a face full of hardships of countless campaigns.

Surprisingly, although Hu Zongxian bore scars, they weren't severe. Clearly, the 108 tortures of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's imperial prison hadn't been fully inflicted upon him.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard experts guarding the prison didn't look at Hu Zongxian with the same disdain they reserved for the other prisoners, those they deemed no better than animals.

Their eyes held tension, even a hint of reverence, and a deep concern for the Great Ming's future.

Even they understood. Governor Hu shouldn't be imprisoned here. He should be at the border, defending the nation!

"Excuse me." Hu Zongxian spoke slowly and stopped writing. "The candle has burned out. Could someone bring me more oil?"