Chapter 31: Taking Up the Post

June 18, the fourth year of the Jianwen reign of the Great Ming. Today is the second day of the reign of the Yongle Emperor, a figure renowned throughout history.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Di convened the first morning court session since his ascension. Unlike yesterday's deliberations, today's session was primarily to announce the outcomes of those discussions. Guided by his advisor Daoyan, Zhu Di changed the era name to "Yongle," retrospectively designating the fourth year of Jianwen as the thirty-fifth year of Hongwu. The coming year would mark the first year of the Yongle era. He then announced a series of reforms and personnel appointments.

Fang Xiaoru, formerly a Hanlin Academician, was transferred to the position of Minister of Personnel. Ru Chang remained as Minister of War, and Wang Dun continued as Minister of Revenue. Zhang Jin, the former Minister of Personnel, was moved to Minister of Rites. Zheng Ci remained as Minister of Works, and the position of Minister of Justice was assigned to Luo Qian.

Having finalized the heads of the Six Ministries, Zhu Di announced that the former Grand Commandery, now known as the Personal Guard Commandery, would be reorganized into the Five Military Commanderies. The Grand Generals Qiu Fu and Zhu Neng were appointed as the Left and Right Grand Commanders, respectively, each overseeing the Central, Left, Right, Front, and Rear Armies. The Military Commissions were reorganized into the Five City Patrol Commissions, tasked with maintaining order in the capital, suppressing bandits, cleaning streets and canals, and managing prisoners and fire regulations. Five command posts were established, one for each of the Central, East, South, West, and North cities. The remaining heroes of the Jingnan campaign and the officials of the former Jianwen administration were also duly rewarded.

History would refer to this as the "Yongle New Deal."

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Chen Kan. He was far too preoccupied with his profound depression over becoming a member of the notorious Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Fang Xiaoru had left for court at the fourth watch, but Chen Kan had dawdled at home until the sun was high in the sky. It was only under the persistent prodding of his teacher’s wife, Madam Zheng, that he reluctantly departed, strolling slowly toward the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters outside the Taiping Gate of the Imperial Palace. He sighed repeatedly along the way.

"What a tragedy. I’m a transmigrator, for heaven's sake! Why is it that other transmigrators end up as princes or dukes, while I, of all people, end up in the infamous Embroidered Uniform Guard? How shameful..."

Chen Kan advanced at a snail's pace, but no matter how slowly he moved, the distance from the Fang residence to the Guard headquarters was short. By noon, he reached the gates.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was divided into the Southern and Northern Commissions. The Southern Commission handled internal affairs, focusing on the Guard’s own legal matters, military craftsmen, and archives. The Northern Commission operated externally, managing the imperial prison, arrests, torture, and surveillance. The chief was the Commander-in-Chief Ji Gang, and the second-in-command was the Pacification Commissioner Li Jinglong. Chen Kan’s current rank was that of a Guard Inspector, falling under the jurisdiction of the Northern Commission. Therefore, to begin his official duties, he first had to report to his immediate superior, Li Jinglong.

"Halt! This is a restricted area of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Unauthorized persons are not allowed near! Leave at once!"

As soon as Chen Kan approached, two guards in flying-fish robes leveled their embroidered sabers at his neck. Cold sweat instantly broke out on Chen Kan's forehead. He knew the Guards were arrogant, but he hadn't expected this—they didn't even ask questions before putting blades to his throat. Anyone would be terrified by such a display.

Trembling, Chen Kan quickly raised his hands. "Brothers, there’s been a misunderstanding! I'm here to report for duty."

"Report for duty?" The two guards looked at him with suspicion.

Chen Kan quickly clarified his identity: "That's right, I am the newly appointed Guard Inspector, Chen Kan. This is my first day."

"Your first day on the job?"

"I mean, I am reporting for my appointment."

The two guards exchanged glances and whispered, "A Guard Inspector? We haven't heard of any new arrival today."

Chen Kan said carefully, "Could you two brothers please lower your blades first?"

One of the guards replied, "You wait here. I’ll go inside and report to the Commissioner."

"Right, right. Much obliged."

The other guard kept his blade at Chen Kan's neck, so he dared not move. A short while later, a man with a slick, powdered face walked out of the yamen, carrying a birdcage. As he walked, he grumbled in annoyance: "I want to see which idiot of a Guard Inspector dares to report at such a time, interfering with my bird-watching. I’ll whip him to death."

Hearing Li Jinglong’s cursing, Chen Kan’s face twitched. "Li... Duke, I am that 'idiot' of a Guard Inspector."

"Oh?" Li Jinglong blinked, shifting his focus from the birdcage to Chen Kan’s face. A flash of delight suddenly appeared. He turned and scolded the guard: "Put your blade down! If you hurt my brother, I’ll have your hide!"

This arrogant and overbearing manner was undeniably Li Jinglong. The guard thought to himself, *Who the hell knows he’s your brother!*

"Ah, marvelous! His Majesty mentioned he was finding me an assistant yesterday, and it turns out to be you, my boy! Come, come, follow me inside."

Li Jinglong acted as if they were long-lost friends, abandoning his birdcage to grab Chen Kan’s hand and pull him inside. Li Jinglong’s overly enthusiastic attitude caught Chen Kan off guard. After all, they had only met yesterday. It was far too intense. And what was with the casual hand-holding?

*Could it be...*

Chen Kan yanked his hand from Li Jinglong’s grip and surreptitiously wiped it on his clothes. He bowed formally and said, "Subordinate Chen Kan pays his respects to the Commissioner."

Li Jinglong said with displeasure, "We are brothers, why the need for such empty gestures? Come, follow me inside. I tell you, I’ve been worried to death lately."

"Uh, Duke, are you this enthusiastic with everyone?"

Li Jinglong paused, rolling his eyes. "Of course not. It's just that I find you likable. I wouldn't bother with anyone else."

Chen Kan gasped. *No wonder he was looking at me strangely yesterday.*

*So he’s a cunning rainbow!* This is a disaster! How could he let his handsome face fall victim to such a greasy man? *Absolutely not. A cute girl with big eyes? She can! Anyone else? Never!*

At the thought that Li Jinglong might have ulterior motives, Chen Kan wanted to flee. But he was here to report for duty.

"Keep moving, what are you standing there for? I’m counting on you to help me share the burden." Li Jinglong urged him impatiently.

Chen Kan had no choice but to follow Li Jinglong into the headquarters, keeping a deliberate distance. Li Jinglong led him through several turns until they reached a room. He pulled a set of clothes, a waist saber, and an ivory pass from a cupboard and handed them to Chen Kan. "Put these on."

"Put them on?" *Uniform fetish? Is he really that perverted?*

Chen Kan asked hesitantly, "Should I change here?"

"Where else?"

"Could the Duke please step out for a moment?"

"We are both men, what is there to fear!" Li Jinglong grumbled, but he stepped out of the room as requested.