The Emperor’s decision to bring such a magnificent Treasure Ding into the palace with such great pomp and circumstance, quite predictably, drew significant attention and discussion.
What exactly this vessel was became the most pressing topic of interest. The high-ranking officials and nobility were the most concerned, and they began acting immediately to sniff out information. Zhu Yuanzhang made no effort to hide it, and they soon obtained the definitive facts from the soldiers who had transported the Treasure Ding: General Xu Da had defeated the Yuan army and unearthed it by chance.
Upon learning the origins of the vessel, Li Shanchang and Song Lian immediately grasped the truth: this was almost certainly a Yin-Shang ritual vessel. Li Shanchang, in particular, grew even more convinced of his deduction when he learned that the Emperor had summoned Ma Yu immediately upon the ship’s arrival at the docks. At the same time, he felt deeply indignant. Whenever similar matters arose in the past, the Emperor would always summon him for consultation first. This time, however, he had been kept in the dark from start to finish. Even now, he, the Chancellor, remained completely ignorant.
Chapter 39