To Rule in a Turbulent World Chapter 30
62
Apr 27, 2020
Book 3: The Whole River Red
INFO MAP
Song Dynasty Political Structure
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Song Dynasty Political Structure
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Three Departments and Six Ministries
CENTRAL SECRETARIAT: Main policy-formulation agency; drafts and proposes imperial decrees, and exercises executive authority of the Emperor. Drafts are written by Hanlin Academicians, the highest literati of the country.
DEPT OF STATE AFFAIRS: Controls the six ministries
CHANCELLORY: Advises the Emperor and the Central Secretariat; reviews commands and edicts ** Chancellor/Prime Minister is the head of the Three Departments
CENSORATE: Supervision and control of officialdom, direct report to the Emperor, independent of the three departments, and second highest office after the Chancellor/Prime Minister.
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Ministry of Personnel: In charge of appointments, merit ratings, promotions, demotions, and granting of honorific titles
Ministry of Revenue: In charge of gathering census data, collecting taxes, handling state revenues, and managing currency
Ministry of War: In charge of appointments, promotions and demotions of military officers, maintenance of military installations, equipment and weapons, as well as the courier system. In times of war, MoW also serves as strategists and advisors to the frontline commanders, sometimes even serve as frontline commanders themselves
Ministry of Justice: In charge of judicial and penal processes but has no supervisory role over the Censorate or the Supreme Court of Justice
Ministry of Works: In charge of government construction projects, hiring of artisans and labourers for temporary service, manufacturing government equipment, the maintenance of roads and canals, standardization of weights and measures, and the gathering of resources from the countryside
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Supreme Court of Justice (Court of Judicial Review): One of nine courts. Agency under the Central Secretariat; in charge of reviewing judicial proceedings at all administrative levels, and singling out cases for retrial by court officials or the Emperor himself. Works closely with the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice.
Sources:
Wikipedia
China Knowledge
Chapter 22
Late spring at the Capital, ten miles of peach blossoms
What You Miao loves the most of the Capital is the spring and autumn; the flurry of peach blossoms in the late spring and the flaming red maples of deep autumn are unlike Jiangnan, where it's willow vines everywhere, flying all over smothering faces relentlessly, smearing and muddy in the spring, what a pain in the behind.
The Capital has barely changed in the past three years; the city gates are a bit more rundown, carriages going in and out, and some people crying by the entrance.
You Miao has already seen a number of starving people along the way, setting up tents by the official roads, but he didn't expect the inspection of the Capital would become this strict.
"Where from?" The soldier takes the travel papers, and You Miao answers, "Liuzhou Prefecture, here for the exams."
"Well now, a Juren are you?" The captain says, "Keep your head down once you enter the city, there's a curfew at night, no outside activities after hours."
A night curfew even? You Miao thinks, there's never been this rule in the past. The captain then questions the people in the back, "What about you?"
Zhang Wenhan glances at him and hands his travel document, and the captain says, "A Juren too. Go on then."
You Miao enters the city along with his personal servants. Chang Yuan turns his head back and asks, "Young Master, where do we go now?"
"Get inside." You Miao smiles, climbing out of the horse carriage. "Li Zhifeng and I will drive. Shao Wei, you can just follow me."
The corners of Li Zhifeng's lips curl slightly, and he takes over the reins, sitting shoulder to shoulder with You Miao on the driver's seat, urging the horse crisply, "HAH!"
The horse carriage crosses through the main avenue of the city. The houses alongside the road in the Capital seemed to have been renovated, incredibly magnificent, but in You Miao's eyes, they have a whole other air about them.
"You remember that place?" You Miao pats Li Zhifeng's shoulder, "Look over there, the Bamboo Alley, where they sell porcelain."
On the right is a large establishment of three floors, and Li Zhifeng chuckles, "I remember. Which road shall we take? Cross the east market?"
"Sure." You Miao says, "Let's go to the Directorate of Education first, then I'll go meet that uncle of mine a couple days after."
The two carriages first cross Zhenglong street, then go down Qianqiu bridge towards the north of the city. One verdant stream traverses through the entire city, and petals of peach blossoms float upon it in abundance. The markets are full of people, pushing and crowding, and the ladies of Ting'yu Pavilion are gathered leaning against the bridge watching the passersby lazily on this spring day.
"Well now." One of the girls smiles sensually in full charm, "Even the driver is this handsome, I wonder who's sitting inside the carriage?"
You Miao, appearing like a full rascal with one foot raised and resting on the front of the carriage, tilts his head to look at them, finding the whole thing hilarious, and whistles, "Is that little bastard Li Yan not keeping you company, Liu Shaling?"
A soft and delicate woman looking twenty something in age, her appearance charming and quiet, can't help but give You Miao a second look when she heard him, her countenance full of shock, then she soon recognizes him, and exclaims in surprise, "It's you?!"
It's been three years since You Miao's gone, and now he looks inexplicably candid and unbridled, flashing her a polite smile as the horse carriage passes through the bridge, entering the west street. Along the way there are many soldiers passing by, the armed security stricter by threefold in the entire Capital compared to three years ago. You Miao only steals a look and he is noticed.
"Who goes there?!" A patrol guard comes over on horseback, and You Miao can only stop. The soldier demands, "Where from?"
You Miao brings out the travel papers once more, but that soldier is staring at Li Zhifeng suspiciously, "What about him?"
"He's my servant." You Miao says.
Li Zhifeng looks back at the soldier unfazed. The troop share looks, disputes rising, and one of them says, "A barbarian?"
"No." You Miao denies, "A Quanrong."
"How can you bring a Quanrong in?!" The captain demands, "You're called You Miao, are you? Come with me to the Supreme Court of Justice."
You Miao is irritated now, and he demands, "Why are we going to the Supreme Court of Justice?"
"The Capital is investigating every barbarian to prevent spies mixing in! You get it?" The captain reproaches.
Li Zhifeng finally speaks, "I'm a slave, he bought me three years ago."
"And the slave deed?" The captain pushes, "How can you prove he's a Quanrong slave?"
You Miao is furious inside, and unease creases his brows, looking at Li Zhifeng unspeaking. However, Li Zhifeng is very calm, and he easily peels off his upper robe, revealing the wolf tattoo on his back and the word branded on the side of his neck.
Only then do the soldiers stop asking questions, and that captain looks at Li Zhifeng, then at You Miao, and in the end he only throws out a warning, "Mind your servant, don't cause trouble!"
Once the troop is gone, You Miao curses inwardly, son of a bitch, I'll report you to Nie Dan later to fuck you up completely. You Miao was originally in a good mood, but now he's filled with stifling fire within.
"Don't be mad." Li Zhifeng says.
And it's Li Zhifeng who's comforting him instead. Something stirs in You Miao, and he looks around before driving the carriage into a small alleyway. As the voices of people gradually fades, Li Zhifeng sidles over and gently pecks his cheek.
"It doesn't matter what the outside says of me, as long as you don't take me for a slave."
You Miao feels a bit better, and replies, "I never took you for a slave in the first place…" But what Li Zhifeng says flickers a string deep in You Miao's heart——If he doesn't take Li Zhifeng for a slave, then what does he take him for?
"Hey." You Miao nudges him with his elbow, "What are you thinking about?"
Li Zhifeng keeps spacing out, and with the poke he snaps back, "I was thinking about the spies thing. Are there spies in the city?"
Li Zhifeng's words reminded You Miao, and he quickly regathers his straying thoughts, remembering Sun Yu's teaching before he left. He's no longer the same proud and ignorant child, and he can't always act based on his own pleasure.
The Capital being this strict in investigating barbarian spies, what does this imply?
"Is war coming?" You Miao wonders.
Li Zhifeng doesn't respond, and the horse carriage exits the alleyway, coming into a large, quiet street of some place. It's now close to evening, there's barely anyone about now, only scatters of servants sweeping the front doors.
The Directorate of Education has been established for centuries, and it governs all the national exams as well as locations for talent screening. The main building is situated on Sanqi street, close to the six ministries, and the place they've come to is the institution established by the Directorate of Education, called the National University. In the previous dynasties, they also called this place the Imperial College, and so the students go by the old name and call it Imperial College. Back then when You Miao was in the Capital, it was the Moxiang Hall he attended here.
"The couple of you." You Miao dismounts the carriage ahead and says, "Chang Yuan, you and Shao Wei can drive one of the carriages away and head to Changlong West Lane. Tuck away the shopping list xiao-jiu gave you guys properly and go stay at an inn for the night. Tomorrow, go do the shopping after you've come for the morning greeting. Only Li Zhifeng needs to stay here to serve."
The two boy attendants Chang Yuan and Shao Wei bow in acknowledgement, then move all the stuff in the carriage to the other, emptying one out before driving it away. You Miao then turns to Li Zhifeng "Go along here to the back and find the backyard beyond the enclosure wall, then park the carriage there. I'll go find Professor Jiang now."
Li Zhifeng mn's, then hops onto the carriage to start unloading the luggage.
You Miao thus takes Zhang Wenhan inside. There aren't many people inside the school, only a few sporadic poor students in coarse clothing, some sitting in the corridors reading and some playing cuju# in the yard. It's dusk, and most of them have gone to eat. There's only about over a thousand students within the National University; there's a giant faculty building at the front, and there's also a school hall in the back. Going deeper to the back is the library, then after reaching the backyard, there's the dormitory where the students reside.
The dormitory has three entrances and six courtyards containing hundreds of rooms. At its peak, it can accommodate up to hundreds of thousands of people. There are also crab apple trees growing in the yard, and with Sun Yu's letter as well as his and Zhang Wenhan's courtesy invite cards in hand, You Miao goes to meet with the teacher in the Professors Hall on the west side of the National University. When he meets with the head of faculty, he abruptly discovers it's the old confuscian scholar who had once taught him as well as Li Yan and their band of gongzi chums.
"Sir." You Miao smiles, "Pray Teacher is in good health?"
The professor nods slowly, and rips open the invite card. Then, he looks to have remembered something, "You Miao, You Ziqian, citizen of Liuzhou Prefecture…?"
"That's me. The one sir punished three years ago by standing outside the class but then ran off on my own, You Miao."
Memory instantly returns to Professor Jiang, and he points at You Miao, unable to speak for the moment.
"YOU… YOU…" Professor Jiang exclaims angrily, "I was wondering why you don't look like a good person!"
You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, and can only very respectfully kowtows before Professor Jiang, "Student was naughty and unruly in youth, pray Teacher have mercy and forgives student."
Professor Jiang gives You Miao a look, a little surprised, then a moment later he nods, "R...rise."
"It's been ten years… since Sun Cheng'yan# left, hm...Jinshi of the third year of Qingshuo, he was my...my peer…"
Professor Jiang sways his head as he rambles on, then takes the letter out to read, but under the dimming sunlight, his old eyes are blurred, so You Miao speaks up, "Let me read it for Teacher?"
"Oh." Professor Jiang nods, then leans back on the bamboo chair, his eyes squinting half closed.
You Miao thus reads the letter in measured cadence, all of its content being Sun Yu reminiscing past peer affections, then mentions You Miao was appointed the Jieyuan of Liuzhou Prefecture. Professor Jiang is rather surprised, and blinks open his eyes, "Oh? You got Jieyuan? Your dad didn't buy that title did he?"
You Miao smiles, a little embarrassed, "This I don't know."
"The Interview Exam will take place in August, I hope you've thought it through. We're not like your Liuzhou here." Professor Jiang cautions.
"Yes, yes." You Miao then continues to read, "There's another presumptuous request, to please allow my little disciple and Zhang Wenhang to stay at the National University…" Having read to this point, You Miao plays a small trick and slips Zhang Wenhan's name in there too.
Professor Jiang nods, "The backyard isn't full, the two of you can go find a place to stay yourselves. The keys are at the Student Faculty."
You Miao acknowledges respectfully, and Professor Jiang says, "Go on then. Compose an essay for me in a few days, I want to see what Sun Cheng'yan has taught you."
You Miao was going to bow and take his leave when he remembers something, and he asks, "Professor, am I allowed to visit the library?"
"Naturally." Professor Jiang replies, "But you cannot bring books in, and you cannot bring books out. There will be a body search before entering the library."
Having received permission, when You Miao gets out he and Zhang Wenhan head for the back courtyard. Zhang Wenhan asks, "he's a teacher here in the Imperial College?"
"There are many teachers here in the National University, each teaching a different course. He doesn't do many lectures anymore, probably because he's getting on in age. Back in the days he didn't teach; it was Chancellor Li who requested for him especially to educate me, Li Yan, and our band of gongzi bros at Moxiang Hall."
Zhang Wenhan nods slowly, and You Miao goes to the Student Faculty's concierge to collect the keys. The students' residences are all single rooms, and a large house has about twenty four rooms, one person per room, with a rather surprisingly quiet and calm environment.
"Here for the exams or for studies?" The concierge asks.
You Miao smiles in response, "Both."
"Are you a Juren?" The concierge inquires.
You Miao mn's, then takes a step aside to show Zhang Wenhan who is behind him, "He's a Juren too."
"The sixth yard on the west side, Riverside Orchid House."
The two each get a room, and something comes to You Miao's mind, so he asks, "Do all Juren's come here to stay?"
"Not everyone." The concierge replies, "Only those without a place to stay come to the National University. There's a curfew in the Capital, once the night hits you're not allowed to go out anymore. Follow the rules, you hear me?"
You Miao nods, then hears voices out in the courtyard and thinks, no wonder, all the Juren's of the country have come to take the exams, and when they entered the Capital they probably didn't have a place to stay, so they've all come pouring into the National University.
"Where's Li Zhifeng?" Zhang Wenhan asks.
You Miao rarely came here back then, so he doesn't quite remember the way, and says, "Go around to the back over there to see? Li Zhifeng! LI ZHIFENG!"
The two stand in one of the yards, and You Miao is too lazy to search too, so he just starts yelling over the walls. A moment later, a whistle blows from the east side, and so You Miao sends Zhang Wenhan to go find the man and bring the luggages in.
But with all the yelling, all the students living in the yard come out, all of them staring at You Miao.
You Miao gives a quick wave and introduces himself, "You Ziqian, from Liuzhou Prefecture."
There are five to six students living in this place, so they all cup their hands toward You Miao and give their own names. Some are from the Sichuan area, as well as Vietnam and Jingzhou regions.
Zhang Wenhan opens the door connecting their two neighbouring rooms, quickly cups his hands towards the yard and says, "Zhang Mohuai of Yangzhou." Then he quickly goes off to find Li Zhifeng. The students all come clamoring around You Miao to make conversation, and so You Miao smiles and starts to chat with them. He's always been easygoing, plus he's handsome, so naturally he's eye-catching. All the Jurens here are from all over the country, and they've come to stay in the institution because they're poor. If they had even a teeny bit of money they would've gone to stay at the inns. A majority of them are all wearing the coarse student robes with a cloth cap tying their hair, a dangling copper coin tied by the waist as a pendant, and seldom are there any who's dressed so brightly like You Miao.
You Miao chatted about anything under the sun for a while, up until Li Zhifeng comes in carrying several large chests, and someone asks You Miao, "You brought this much stuff with you to the Capital?"
You Miao quickly replies modestly, "Nothing but sundries, and there's also native produce brought from home as gifts for friends in there."
He says as he tells Li Zhifeng to open a chest, then offers some to the students. Some wave to decline, others approach to grab, then thanks You Miao as they collect the food. Li Zhifeng and Zhang Wenhan are busying about while You Miao only stands there chatting. After they finish moving, more students gradually come after having their meals, and they greet the newcomer You Miao.
"Well, damn." One of the tall and lanky students took a glimpse at You Miao's luggage then smiles, but doesn't say anything else.
You Miao knows that he's already become a young master in everyone's eyes, but he can't be bothered to explain himself, so he just turns to Li Zhifeng, "Where's the horse and carriage?"
"In the stables." Li Zhifeng replies, "The carriage is parked by the backyard's wall."
Zhang Wenhan comes over, "Young Master, everything's in place."
"Let's go eat then." You Miao turns to the crowd, "May I ask the good brothers whether if the National University covers meals?"
The students are all watching Zhang Wenhan and You Miao, trying to guess his origin. When Li Zhifeng comes back out he locks behind him, "I saw there's a cafeteria. It's on the northside, let's go."
You Miao nods cheerfully then takes them to the cafeteria. The food the National University offers is only simple rice and salted vegetables, the meat are put into very small bowls with very few fatty bits, and if you want more you'll have to spend money. Yet even if you buy more, there's only that bit of dried pickled mustard and crumbs of fatty meat bits, and You Miao is having a hard time swallowing this all down.
There aren't many people left inside the cafeteria. The student sitting in the far end of the long table is eating while watching them three, and Li Zhifeng asks, "What do you want to eat? I'll go buy it."
"Don't worry about it… it's late, the curfew will be soon." You Miao says dejectedly.
"It's fine if I'm quick." Li Zhifeng says.
"We'll see tomorrow." You Miao says, "Let's just fill our stomachs and go to bed."
There's nowhere to take a bath at the institution either, they can't boil water, so all baths will need to be taken outside in the bathhouses. You Miao is travel-worn and dirty, but he can barely keep his eyes open, so once curfew begins he shuts the lights, going to bed early holding Li Zhifeng as he drifts off.
The next day, when You Miao wakes up there's already breakfast available. The fog of the early morning hasn't fully dispersed, and Zhang Wenhan is outside unpacking while Li Zhifeng sweeps the front corridor. The front doors of the other Jurens are all a mess, only You Miao's front door is swept perfectly clean.
You Miao has only just woken up and Li Zhifeng comes in to tend to him. Zhang Wenhan on the other hand, comes in with the clothes and shakes them open, waiting for You Miao to dress. A few students are hanging around by the door peeking in, looking like they're seeing something strange——and it's indeed a strange thing, a Juren serving another Juren.
You Miao notices too, and says, "Zhang Wenhan, you don't need to mind me, just worry about yourself. It won't sound good if word gets out."
"Who cares what they say." Zhang Wenhan says, "Young Master will always be Young Master."
"You were never my boy attendant in the first place," You Miao reasons, "We kept each other company back at the estate, and I've only taken you for a friend in these past few years."
Zhang Wenhan replies, "If it wasn't for Young Master taking me in, Wenhan can only drift around with a straw mat and a few books, how would have what I have today?"
You Miao knows Zhang Wenhan is a man who treasures friendships and affections, and knows to repay grace, so there's no persuading him. But then his thoughts turn, and he still chides, "You can't be like this when we see officials outside though."
Zhang Wenhan nods, and You Miao stops forcing him, trying instead to send him out to eat breakfast.
"What's there to eat at the cafeteria?" You Miao asks.
"Dough balls, pickles." Li Zhifeng replies.
You Miao feels nauseous just hearing it, "I don't wanna eat that."
Li Zhifeng brings over a robe and drapes it over You Miao, "I know you won't, so I bought chicken porridge and some cakes."
Instantly You Miao's claws flash out, and he goes out to sit down in the corridor. There are three food boxes outside, and Zhang Wenhan sets out the dishes and hands out the chopsticks. There are three bowls of hot chicken porridge, a stack of nine osmanthus rice-flour cakes steamed in small baskets, aromatic and waxy, a plate of pulled barbeque duck, and a bowl of tea eggs.
"Let's dig in." The three of them begin to eat, and in the front of the corridors are students coming out to wash up, greeting them as they go, but when they pass by their eyes can't help but linger. You Miao's feeling incredibly uncomfortable by all the staring, and is just thinking of moving back into the room to eat, but then he's reluctant to leave such a beautiful spring morning, so he comments, "Man, it's hard no matter where you live. Rich people have rich people problems and poor people have poor people problems."
Li Zhifeng grins, and Zhang Wenhan laughs, "Who cares what they think."
"Guarding against talk is more important than guarding against the river." You Miao taps the bowl with his chopsticks and points at Zhang Wenhan, "Don't relax, otherwise you'll get reported before the exams even start."
Zhang Wenhan is laughing so hard he's having trouble holding onto his chopsticks, then he replies, "I hear Young Master thrives in the Capital, who'd dare report you?"
You Miao pretends to be stern, "Who said? Nothing of the sort."
"I heard my teacher say so." Zhang Wenhan says, "He said Young Master gets around in the Capital, and even the gongzi of the Chancellor's residence needs to be courteous and polite with you."
You Miao replies, "I just have a few playmates back then, that's all. That guy Li Yan would be courteous to me? Please…"
Just as they are chatting, the two boy attendants Chang Yuan and Shao Wei have come from the outside, stopping in the yard. Chang Yuan starts, "A good morning to Young Master."
There are gradually more students getting up, and all of them are standing there looking like they're laughing at You Miao, that he's brought all that pomp at home to the National University, heh, interesting.
You Miao doesn't hide from them either, and questions, "Have you guys had breakfast?"
"We just got up, here to wait for orders." Chang Yuan replies.
"Take the shopping list with you and go to the west market street, eat whatever you want, and take from the public account. Bring me that gift case of oolong over later, it was forgotten during the unloading yesterday."
Chang Yuan bows and heeds then takes Shao Wei with him to leave. You Miao didn't eat his fill the night before, so he inhales five pieces of the rice-flour cake in one go, downing a large bowl of porridge and devours three tea eggs before he says in satisfaction, "Boil some water, let's brew some tea."
Li Zhifeng puts away the table and Zhang Wenhan goes to retrieve the coal pot for fire while You Miao sits in the corridor. A band of students returned from breakfast and are just discussing where to go play. When they see You Miao's personal servants busying about all morning, they all found it rather amusing, and right then someone comes over to greet, chuckling, "I hear you people of Liuzhou can't live without tea."
You Miao smirks, "It's just habits. Isn't it the same as you people of Jizhou loving hot spice? Please, Zheng-xiong."
You Miao shuffles to give room for the man to sit, but the band of students are just discussing where to go, so someone asks, "You-xiandi, Zheng Yong, Zhang Mohuai, do the three of you want to join us to go admire the spring sceneries?"
"Nah, I've just gotten to the Capital, I haven't acclimatized yet, so I'm too lazy to move. You guys go play."
Zheng Yong tells them, "I'll be studying for a bit."
Zhang Wenhan doesn't even bother talking, only waving his hand as he continues to pour tea. Just then, someone else has come from the outside, and it's a middle-aged man dressed in elegant robes with a jade pendant hanging off his belt, as well as a jade thumb ring on his finger. All around him are a bunch of household bodyguards escorting him, and all the students jump in surprise, thinking it's the government here to arrest people, so they all fall silent.
"What is it?" People are blocking You Miao's view so he couldn't see.
"An official has come, does Young Master know him?" Zhang Wenhan says.
Li Zhifeng suddenly speaks up, "It's someone from the Chancellor's residence, the third housekeeper Li Mo."
That middle-aged man asks the yard, "Excuse me, is the You-gongzi from Liuzhou here?"
"Here." You Miao responds, "What's going on? You guys move aside, I can't see… Ah! I was wondering who it was! So it's you, come come, drink some tea."
That middle-aged man pulls out an invite from within his sleeve, and approaches to hand it to You Miao, "My Young Master has invited Ping Xi of the Ministry of Revenue, Sima Huang of the Supreme Court of Justice, the gongzi of Academician Ling, Qin Shaonan of the Ministry of Rites, as well as a few other Jurens of the Capital. On April fifteenth, a feast and a play will be held at Qinhe Lodge to welcome Young Master You back. I shall decline the tea, I must head into the palace later."
You Miao takes the invite, "Fine. Go back and tell Li Yan that I'll definitely show when the time comes." Then his mind spins, and giggles teasingly, "That little bastard Li Yan went to Ting'yu Pavilion last night, didn't he? How dishonest."
You Miao can guess just by thinking about it. There's no way Li Yan could know he's come to the Capital so fast, but yesterday upon the bridge, You Miao showed his face to Liu Shaling of Ting'yu Pavilion, and he did it on purpose. That way, when Li Yan goes to sleep with his old fling, Liu Shaling would bring it up.
He hadn't expected that Li Yan would go the very night. After learning You Miao has returned, he immediately sent out the invite to have them all meet.
That middle-aged man looks awkward at You Miao's words, and bows before taking his leave.
None of the students know who You Miao's backing is, so they whisper among themselves, the way they look at You Miao changing. At first they thought he was just your average young master, yet that housekeeper rolled out a list of names whose official positions had stunned the entire crowd.
-
That day, after the students have left and You Miao's had his round of tea, he's re-energized again and exchanges a few pleasantries with Zheng Yong, but seeing the expression on You Miao's face, the man doesn't dare try to butter him up, so he takes his leave, saying he's heading back to his room to read. "Does Young Master have errands to run today?" Zhang Wenhan asks.
"Naw, I'll just stroll around the Imperial College." You Miao says, "Wait here til Chang Yuan brings the tea leaves then you can go do what you want."
Zhang Wenhan is just thinking of going to the library to read, so he nods in acknowledgement. You Miao then changes his robes, ties on the waist pendant, and takes off with Li Zhifeng.
You Miao just simply wants to walk around Imperial College, it's been years since he was last here after all, and at the time he was still young. When he first arrived in the Capital he acquainted Li Yan in Moxiang Hall. They spent the first three months studying properly, yet once they got closer, he was led astray by those rascal friends, deserting proper studies and went screwing around instead.
"Look it here." You Miao peeps into a yard from the outside, telling Li Zhifeng, "This used to be where we studied."
"Didn't you escape your studies?" Li Zhifeng asks.
You Miao laughs awkwardly, "I still gotta come from time to time. You wanna meet Li Yan in a few days?"
"Might as well." Li Zhifeng replies.
"Do you still hate him?" You Miao asks.
"Nothing to hate over." Li Zhifeng replies, "If it wasn't for him buying me, I wouldn't have met you either."
You Miao smiles and mn's. He's not the same as he was before, and when he meets Li Yan, what he should say and what should be mentioned of their friendship of the past all need to be carefully considered before anything leaves his lips.
The friendship he shares with Li Yan, Ping Xi, and others is no longer as simple as it once was when they were young, there's much too many complicated elements mixed within. Should You Miao attach himself to him, or maintain the current proper drifting distance? This is truly a huge deal that's giving You Miao headaches. Three years ago, You Dechuan and You Deyou had already nagged that he needed to stand firm his foothold, but even now You Miao still doesn't have any plans…
After all, Zhao Chao is also here in the Capital.
You Miao has mulled this over, but he knows this very well in his heart that he and Zhao Chao share a much deeper bond and friendship. Li Yan and this group can only share joy together but not suffering. After all, everyone has been a degenerate wastrel since young, when there's money and power they can all gather and deign each other brothers, calling each other gege didi as sweetly as honey, but in truth everyone has the mind to seize the most advantage for themselves. In other words, this is a mutual exploitation. The Li father and son are powerful, and so all the other factions lean towards them for their own benefits.
If anything is to happen however, everything will for sure fall apart.
Zhao Chao on the other hand, is the one who genuinely cares for their friendship, the only thing dragging him down being his current bad luck and his life destined to be full of obstacles.
You Miao stares at Li Zhifeng but doesn't speak.
Li Zhifeng's brows quirk, but he doesn't voice his question either, and the two stand there simply in quiet. You Miao's eyes dart all over like a little fox, then he turns around and silently walks out of the yard, deep in thought as he walks.
If he must stand with a faction, then he's already on Zhao Chao's side. Recalling three years ago, the gongzi chums in the Capital had already often told him that the Third Prince took a glimpse of You Miao during the Lantern Festival and desired to summon him into the palace as a Study Companion right after. Perhaps from that time forward, even if You Miao didn't want to he'd have no choice but to join Zhao Chao's team.
Later while beyond the snow blowing frontier, Zhao Chao desperately risked his own life to protect him, and one of his molars was forcibly broken.
That was the first time You Miao had ever met someone like Zhao Chao. A complete stranger, someone he's never seen before even, never mind a situation that couldn't say who owed who, would protect him. In the times after that, You Miao would often think of this incident.
Exchanging letters with Zhao Chao, talking about the war situation on the Goryeo expedition made it seem as if they often saw each other in those passing years, going from strangers who never interacted at the beginning to becoming comrades in arms gradually. But no matter how close he became later with Zhao Chao, nothing will ever match the rattling shock he felt that night whilst imprisoned, and Zhao Chao tongued a molar into his own mouth.
He must protect Zhao Chao, no matter whether if he ascends to power or falls into disgrace.
But when is the best time to go find him? You Miao still can't make up his mind. He will meet with Zhao Chao no matter what, but he must detour around Li Yan and that group, otherwise it'd just ruin things.
You Miao walks to the front halls of the Imperial College, that's the place where students meet guests, and there are chess counters and chess pieces. You Miao absentmindedly picks up the chess pieces and places them in a formation. Quite a number of students have gathered here this morning, at least a hundred people, and voices buzz, no one noticing him sitting in the corner.
Have Li Zhifeng deliver a letter? Set a time? You Miao is completely in the dark on what status Zhao Chao holds in the Capital, and he doesn't know what he can do either in order to help him. If all goes well and he can land a Gongshi, then once he passes the Palace Exam he can enter the court as an official. Maybe he'll still need to go curry favour with Li Yan, and help Zhao Chao after he's become an official.
The situation in the north isn't stable, he's already heard on the journey over. Everyone's on edge within the Capital, perhaps in the next few years war will break out. You Miao kind of wants to enter the Ministry of Revenue, can the Ministry of Revenue help Zhao Chao? No, the Ministry of Revenue is pretty much the Ping family's domain… these are the kind of things that if one hair is pulled the entire body is affected. There are millions of thoughts but organizing them isn't easy.
In the past, it's always been Sun Yu talking and You Miao listening, but now comes the day that he himself is faced with a repeating, difficult problem, and finally he's feeling the hardship of not having enough brains to go around. Just as he is deep in thought, Li Zhifeng nudges him with his elbow.
"Wh" You Miao is bewildered, lifting his head out of the chess formation to look at Li Zhifeng.
"Tang Hui." Li Zhifeng gestures for You Miao to look to the side, and when You Miao snaps back to reality, he realizes the entire great hall has fallen silent, all of the chatting students have quieted down. Not far away stands a military officer, and outside the hall are all geared up soldiers. Judging by their getup, they're the imperial guards.
"What place? Lead the way." That military officer demands of a student.
The students were just about to lead the way for the military officer when You Miao calls out, "Tang dge!"
When Tang Hui looks over and sees You Miao, his face lights up, and starts to make his way over, "I've been looking all over for you. Why didn't you say anything if you were coming up to the Capital, staying here at the Directorate of Education instead?"
"Teacher made me stay at the Imperial College. Isn't that perfect? There's still several months left, so I can just study. Who are you looking for?" You Miao asks.
"Looking for you, who else?" Tang Hui replies.
"How did you know I've come?" You Miao is curious.
Tang Hui replies, "I was on duty this morning, and heard the people at the Chancellor's residence say that you're currently staying at the Imperial College… good going, eh, the Jieyuan of Liuzhou…"
You Miao's heart stops. Tang Hui is the right hand imperial guard, but he heard the news from the Chancellor's residence?
"Wait a sec." You Miao stops him, "Where did you hear again?"
"What?" Tang Hui says, "I heard the people from the Chancellor's residence talking while patrolling the city. San-Dianxia heard you've returned, and is just on his way over…"
You Miao inwardly gripes that this news is probably purposely leaked out from Li Yan to Zhao Chao, for the sole purpose of testing to see his reaction. Fucking hell, why are these people so calculating? This is too shady.
The hall is so quiet one can hear a needle drop, everyone is trying to listen in on You Miao and Tang Hui's conversation, and You Miao says, "Tang dge, just wait here for a moment. Let me go change, and you can take me to San-Dianxia's residence in a bit."
Tang Hui quickly says, "No worries, you go do your thing. Gege will just send someone to pass on the message. San-Dianxia did say that he is coming personally to see you though."
"I'll go back to my place and wait for him then." You Miao says, "You just lead him to Riverside Orchid House later." Then he rises to head to the dormitory in the back courtyard. There just so happens to be a tea table carved from the roots of a tree by the corridor, and Zhang Wenhan and Zheng Yong are there chatting leisurely. You Miao speaks up, "Zhang Wenhan, go back to your room, let me have the table, I'm meeting a guest."
Zhang Wenhan gets up to leave and Zheng Yong goes with him. You Miao hasn't sat down for long before many of the students outside are stretching their necks and looking, a great number of people gather all of a sudden, seeming to all think, wow, this must be a man of great power.
A moment later, the shouts of the imperial guard sound from outside the yard, chasing the students away. Tang Hui orders soldiers outside the courtyard to stand guard as one man comes in, then stops in his steps to look at You Miao.
It's Zhao Chao.
---
Chapter 23
It's been three years since they parted at Yanbian, and now that they've reunited once again at the Capital, You Miao has thousands of words, millions of mixed emotions, but none of it is able to leave his lips. He slowly rises to his feet, his heart drumming. He's imagined countless times how he and Zhao Chao would meet again, but he had never thought it'd be at a place like this.
Zhao Chao is dressed in black long robes without any accessories, his skin tanned much darker than before, and he's lost weight, looking unbearably languished. His brows are tightly knit, a sharp killing intent in his eyes, almost like a bald eagle watching its prey.
"Zhao… San-Dianxia." You Miao greets.
"Sit down." Zhao Chao says, "Why the politeness."
The rims of You Miao's eyes are growing hot. In these three years, they've exchanged over a dozen letters between them, and every time Zhao Chao wrote, he called him You Miao-xiandi#, then it became xiandi, and in the end, even xiandi is thrown out, simply calling him di. When You Miao responded, he'd also address Zhao Chao as xiong, and the back and forth between them has always been very natural.
But now that they're face to face, suddenly You Miao doesn't know what to say.
It's as if this isn't the Zhao Chao he knows. Back then, Zhao Chao's skin was chalk white, his brows straight, and the leather armour he wore couldn't hide away his air of valiance, the tone of his voice fearless and stern. Now, he's darkened quite a bit, and much skinnier. You Miao is having a hard time connecting that youth who stayed with him in that small dark cottage in his memories with the man before him now.
"Is there tea? Zhao Chao asks, "I don't drink green tea."
"Yes." You Miao replies, "Riverwave Oolong."
The corners of Zhao Chao's lips twitch uninhibitedly, and he turns to Li Zhifeng, "I remember you."
Li Zhifeng answers darkly, "I remember you too."
You Miao whispers, "Call him San-Dianxia."
Zhao Chao snorts and waves his hand, "It's fine." Then he sits down in a sweeping martial artist fashion.
You Miao suddenly feels Li Zhifeng seems to hold some sort of animosity towards Zhao Chao, and he looks at Li Zhifeng, then at Zhao Chao. Zhao Chao is only focusing on the tea leaves swirling inside his cup, looking to have something on his mind. He abruptly says, "Is this the Beauty's Kiss your xiao-jiu grew?"
You Miao smiles, "Yea."
"How's the estate?" Zhao Chao asks.
"Alright, I guess." You Miao replies, "A couple thousand silver a year, enough to feed myself and with leftovers."
"A lot of leftovers. I only get two hundred silver a year for my government salary." Zhao Chao says.
You Miao is amused, "How much do you need? If there's not enough to spend you can just ask me."
"We'll see." Chao Chao says disinterestedly.
You Miao raises a cup with both hands and places it in Zhao Chao's hands. When their fingers touch, You Miao's heart starts beating rapidly, an indescribable feeling begins to sprout in his heart.
Zhao Chao however, doesn't appear to be moved, and only briefly wets his lips with the tea, "I heard you donated a hundred catty of food supplies last year, is that right?"
"Can't really call it donation." You Miao says, "Got five coins per catty, I've gotten some returns for it. As long as it helped."
Zhao Chao snorts, "Don't be so dumb in the future. A hundred thousand catty of rations is only enough to feed my two hundred thousand men for half a day."
"Better than nothing, yea?" When You Miao hears him, he feels a little depressed, but still tries to force a smile, "I wasn't able to help you much, but I… Oh yea, you…"
The two fall silent.
Zhao Chao flashes a smile, "Tell me honestly now. That year when I summoned you into the palace to be my Study Companion, you scorned my lack of power and influence and declined, do you remember?"
You Miao feels a little guilty, but doesn't understand why Zhao Chao would bring up this ancient history that's never been spoken of before, "I wasn't scorning you, my uncle wouldn't let me, and before the year was over, dad called me home…"
Zhao Chao is only staring at You Miao, looking like a thuggish soldier, his fingers pinching the tip of the teacup, rolling it around playfully, "That Lantern Festival, you didn't even know me then."
"Mn." You Miao agrees, "Right."
Zhao Chao says, "If we can do this again, and return to that Lantern Festival three years ago, if you knew me and I summoned you to my side, would you come? Think it through before you answer me."
You Miao laughs. It's the laughter of a young man, a laugh that seems to make the whole world bright.
"Do you even need to ask?" You Miao teases, "No."
Zhao Chao's face darkens.
You Miao ignores him however, and pulls out the teacup from Zhao Chao's hands and softly places it back onto the table properly before he fills it with tea once more, then with two hands raising it, he puts it back into Zhao Chao's hands. Then he says sincerely, "Had I known you're such a good person, of course I'd come."
"Oh, I didn't dote on you for nothing then." Zhao Chao casually takes a sip, then splashes out the rest of the cup to the side.
"So?" You Miao asks, "Who went to become your Study Companion after?"
"No one. No one else caught my eyes." Zhao Chao replies, "Autumn of that year after I returned from Yanbian, Father made me pick a house to live in the Capital and leave the palace. At first he appointed a marriage for me with plans for the wedding after Autumn, but you know what happened when spring came. We started fighting with Goryeo, so I went out on the expedition personally. When I returned the year before, the lady from the House of Xiong had fallen ill, then poof."
"Death is a natural event, my condolences. When my mom passed, I also…"
Zhao Chao taunts, "I haven't even seen the face of this bride, I didn't mourn. Besides, when my troops died, they died in the hundred thousands, have I not seen a dead person before? Only you scholars make a big deal out of it."
You Miao can't help but find this funny, but then feels his heart squeeze. Zhao Chao continues, "Government compensation for the bereaved hasn't even been released yet, they've been dragging their feet for almost half a year now. Orphans and widows are crying outside the Army Affairs camp everyday, even running over to the front doors of my residence to kowtow, what a pain."
"Find a way to rush them?" You Miao suggests, "I'm gonna be drinking with Ping Xi and the others in a few days, I can go ask about it."
"Ping Xi can't do anything either." Zhao Chao says, "The government doesn't have any more money, a hundred thousand people, if everyone gets two silver, that's already two hundred thousand silver. We only just lost territories at the beginning of the year, and paid up a hundred thousand silver, even if I rush them it'd be pointless, no?"
"Mn." You Miao nods slowly, then asks, "What does gege plan on doing then?"
Zhao Chao ponders for a moment, then replies, "Nothing really, I just wanna go out for a bit, maybe to Jiangnan. Everyone hates me here at the Capital anyway. How about this, why don't you forget about taking the exams, pack up. In a few days I'll put in an appeal to be positioned in the Military Administrative Affairs of Jiaozhou Prefecture, and you go with me. Don't meet with my Brother lest he brings me trouble. Let's go play in the south for a few years. I'm tired. Old. I don't want to spend my days in the Capital anymore."
"If you want to visit Riverwave Estate at any time, of course I'll welcome you, but Teacher told me to come to the Capital and take the exams if I can. Why don't I… think of a way to get transferred to the territorial administration#, and we go back to Liuzhou Prefecture?"
"I'm missing an in-house counsellor in my residence. In a few days, if I ask Father for you, would you be willing to come?"
You Miao furrows his brows slightly, "Teacher told me to write the exams… how about I…"
"If you enter the Golden Bulletin and become a Zhuangyuan, then you'd be a pillar of the nation and I won't be able to ask for you anymore, eh, xiandi." Zhao Chao says.
You Miao is horribly amused, "That's impossible, it'd already be good if I can get myself a Jinshi."
"Jinshi is also a phoenix flying out of reach." Zhao Chao says, "As if gege has the face to ask Brother for you. Don't beat around the bush, give me something straight. Are you willing to follow me, or are you going to take the exams?"
You Miao's heart sinks, but Zhao Chao is still ginning at him with a big smile, gesturing for him to answer.
But You Miao can't answer Zhao Chao's question at all. Studying in Liuzhou for three years, learning so much from Sun Yu, and to give all of that away in a day to follow Zhao Chao to the Military Defense Bureau of Jiaozhou Prefecture to be an army counsellor… On the one hand, it's Zhao Chao, on the other, it's the duty and responsibilities Sun Yu has bestowed on him. Is there no way to compromise here?
"I… let me think about this." You Miao says.
Zhao Chao snorts, "Forget it, do as you like. I know the temperament of you scholars."
"You brought this up so suddenly, I wasn't prepared at all, just let me think on it… My heart sees and knows the affection you've treated me with, I've never forgotten in these past few years. What you gave me before, I still have it. It's kept at home…"
"Oh?" Zhao Chao gets up, "What did I give you? Are you talking about those trunks of goods?"
"No." You Miao laughs, the two of them standing in the corridor. The rays of the sun beams down, gleaming over the young men's forms, warm and kind. They've all grown up, Zhao Chao is practically the same height as Li Zhifeng now, and when he stands in front of You Miao, he's radiating power and deterrence.
Fear pokes its head out of nowhere inside You Miao. Zhao Chao's eyes are heated like a torch, as if he has seen through the words hidden in You Miao's heart, and he says, "I'm off."
"Wait!" You Miao exclaims.
You Miao runs into the room to grab something, and Zhao Chao stops in the yard to wait. You Miao returns and hands him an envelope, "Take this first. I'll come talk to you at your residence in a few days."
Zhao Chao glances at You Miao, his eyes full of distance, and rips open the envelope before You Miao's face. His fingers find two pieces of paper inside and pull them out to see.
Two money bills of five hundred silver worth. A thousand silver.
You Miao secretly moans that he's done something stupid. He hadn't expected Zhao Chao to take it out openly in front of him, doesn't this only show You Miao thinks he's here to shamelessly beg for money? But based on their relationship, he figures the other wouldn't think of it that way.
Zhao Chao on the other hand, only watches him quietly. You Miao can't quite figure him out anymore, and finally realizes that the Zhao Chao that he knew, the one in the letters, isn't the same Zhao Chao before him.
"Everyone else looks down on me." Zhao Chao holds up that envelope, that hand trembling, his entire body shaking with anger, and he hisses darkly at You Miao, "You look down on me too, don't you."
"I didn't mean it like that…" You Miao hastily tries to explain, but immediately, a heavy punch lands on his face, and he cries out falling onto the ground.
Li Zhifeng is just cleaning up the teacups in the corridor, and he didn't expect Zhao Chao would actually raise a hand without warning. The moment Zhao Chao punches You Miao's eye Li Zhifeng had already sensed it, throwing his hand out slinging the cup, but in the end he was still too late and missed by a breadth!
The teacup cracks against Zhao Chao's face, and Zhao Chao roars angrily. Then Li Zhifeng hurls tea plates and tea cups towards Zhao Chao before his entire person leaps out of the corridor, pouncing on Zhao Chao like a crazed tiger.
"I'LL KILL YOU——!" Li Zhifeng roars angrily, smashing a fist squarely on Zhao Chao's face!
Zhao Chao doesn't even have the time to grunt before his entire person is sent flying by Li Zhifeng's punch, crashing onto the wall head first, causing a huge noise. All the soldiers outside are horrified, and Tang Hui rushes in with the guards, the situation a complete pandemonium.
You Miao's head is buzzing and eyes seeing stars because of Zhao Chao's punch, his eye starting to swell, feeling like his eyeball is getting squeezed into his brain, and starts feeling his own face all over. Then he hears Tang Hui yelling, "KNEEL!"
Li Zhifeng is panting slowly, taking grave steps forward with the intent on hitting Zhao Chao again. He jerks away from the approaching Tang Hui then shoulder checks him hard with his body, that powerful force sending Tang Hui flying too. You Miao sees that things are going bad and immediately goes to hold Li Zhifeng around the waist, yelling, "DON'T BE MAD! CALM DOWN! IT'S FINE!"
Zhao Chao is a face full of nosebleed, his eye socket cracked, leaning against the wall as he puked. An entire stomach full of tea and breakfast all come pouring out, and after he's done vomiting he crashes back onto the ground. The soldiers all around have already tacked their arrows onto their bows, and the moment Tang Hui gives the command they will shoot him through the heart.
"DON'T SHOOT! DON'T SHOOT!" You Miao exclaims.
You Miao runs over to pull Zhao Chao up, and with great difficulty Zhao Chao rises to his feet, but then he shoves You Miao away.
"Go." Zhao Chao glares at Li Zhifeng hatefully, his steps staggering, and with the assistance of a couple imperial guards, they leave the yard. Li Zhifeng is still panting, but the flaming fury finally slowly calms.
You Miao is still staring shakenly at Zhao Chao's retreating back, and along the way, there are quite a number of students peeking. The Third Prince is beaten to such an unkempt state, covered in tea and puke, as he leaves the Imperial College.
Once Zhao Chao is gone, Li Zhifeng turns around and stands in front of You Miao, bending down to check over the place Zhao Chao punched. It's already a huge bruise, and Li Zhifeng uses his fingers to gently massage around the shiatsu point on You Miao's nose ridge, then says to Zhang Wenhan, "Go get the cream for physical injuries."
Zhang Wenhan and Zheng Yong have already come out, having been roused by the commotion, and quite a few students within the Imperial College have all witnessed the incident that had just happened, all of them whispering in awe. Zhang Wenhan retrieves the medicinal cream and closes the doors to the yard while Li Zhifeng applies the cream onto You Miao's face.
You Miao is a little disoriented, and Li Zhifeng's voice rings by his ear.
"I didn't think he would have the heart to hit you." Li Zhifeng says, blaming himself, "Does it still hurt?"
Tears are welling up and rolling like the waves around the rim of You Miao's eyes.
"It hurts? I'll be gentler…" Li Zhifeng says.
Suddenly, You Miao reaches out and hugs around Li Zhifeng's neck. Anguish rolls up and overwhelms him, and he bursts into tears, all the complicated feelings pouring into his heart. He cries and cries to the point where he wants to throw up. Li Zhifeng only holds him quietly in his arms until You Miao grows tired from the crying, then sweeps him up to bring him into the room, laying him down.
Wrapped in his blanket, You Miao's thoughts drift to himself, then to Zhao Chao, feeling miserable, and the entire afternoon his head is throbbing, sometimes swelling, sometimes buzzing, and he may have dozed off that way. When he wakes again he hears voices from the outside; all the Jurens who went out today have returned. You Miao's head is in immense pain, and when he blinks open his eyes, Li Zhifeng is there sitting by his bedside, watching him.
"Want to eat something?" Li Zhifeng asks, "I'll have Zhang Wenhan go buy food."
You Miao replies listlessly, "No, you and Wenhan can go ahead."
Li Zhifeng thus stops talking, and at dusk, he gets up and leaves. When he returns he brings with him a bit of plain porridge, placing it on the table in the room, then he strips off his outer robe and climbs into bed to hold You Miao.
You Miao squints open his eyes, one side completely swollen, revealing only a small crack beneath the eyelid, and he faces the wall, remembering that snow-blowing night.
"Those who know me understand my anguish…"
"Those who know me not, wonder what I seek…"
You Miao's raspy voice murmurs as he sings.
-
At ergeng# time, everything is quiet and at peace in the yard, the moon frigid like water.
"I'm hungry." You Miao says.
Li Zhifeng gets up to get the plain porridge. Opening the lid of the food box, there are some small appetizer dishes inside, and he puts the plain porridge over the coal furnace to heat up. You Miao then gets out of bed in a daze, sprawling over the table as he watches Li Zhifeng's back.
The sweet aroma of rice porridge begins to permeate the air, and You Miao cheers up some, pulling the chopsticks apart. Suddenly, Li Zhifeng seems to have sensed something and stands up. A soft knock comes from the lattice window.
"Who is it?" You Miao asks.
"It's me." Zhao Chao responds.
Taken aback, You Miao quickly gets up to open the door, and Zhao Chao comes in. When he enters he looks at Li Zhifeng, then in a low voice, he says, "You… what a heavy punch."
"What do you want?" Li Zhifeng demands.
"He's not here to fight." You Miao says, "Li Zhifeng, help me go over there and watch the door, don't let anyone in."
Li Zhifeng is still a little worried, but You Miao reassures, "Don't worry, listen to me."
Thus Li Zhifeng leaves the bedroom, and sits in front of the screen in the outer room, raising his head every so often, eyeing Zhao Chao.
Turns out everything that happened during the day was all an act, and right then You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Zhao Chao gestures for him to sit down and so You Miao sits. Zhao Chao's left eye is horribly bruised by Li Zhifeng's punch, and the corner of his eye has medicinal powder applied. As for You Miao, it's his right eye that's bruised and swelling from Zhao Chao's punch, and has medicinal cream applied.
The two stare at each other, neither speaking for the moment, but in that instant, You Miao veritably understands everything.
A long time after, Zhao Chao lets out a deep sigh, bends down and pulls You Miao's hands over, burying his face into his hands, stroking and caressing them, and You Miao feels as miserable as a blade cutting his heart.
"Gege lost the battle." Zhao Chao sobs, "A hundred thousand soldiers' lives, all gone. I've killed a hundred thousand people…"
"A hundred thousand lives…"
"I have no face to face their families…"
Zhao Chao's voice is filled with suppressed anger and pain, just like a despairing tiger cub. Tears fill You Miao's eyes, and he pulls Zhao Chao into his arms, patting his back.
A long while after, Zhao Chao finally calms down, and You Miao asks, "What medicine did you apply?"
"Something from the army for physical injuries." Zhao Chao replies, "Li Zhifeng, you punched good. I wanted to do an act this morning, good thing I didn't give you guys a heads up. We've done good, the entire Directorate of Education knows now, and tomorrow, that band of bitches in the Chancellor's residence and the six ministries will know too."
"You were acting." Li Zhifeng accuses.
Zhao Chao replies with a pleased mn.
Li Zhifeng turns his head to give him a look, then ignores him, leaning against the door watching the moon out in the yard.
You Miao goes to find his medicinal cream, "Here, apply this. Use mine."
Zhao Chao gets up himself to grab for a towel to apply the medicine, and You Miao takes the cream and applies it around his eyes before handing him the cream, "Your head smashed against the wall, does it still hurt?"
Zhao Chao tucks the cream away and replies, "I napped for a bit in the afternoon and asked the doctor to prescribe something, so I'm better. Have you eaten? I brought some food for you. Li Zhifeng, you come and eat too."
Li Zhifeng doesn't speak, but gives You Miao a look.
"Leave half for him, let's dig in first, I'm starving, My head's been in pain the entire afternoon."
Zhao Chao pats You Miao head, "Are you alright? I hope you're not angry with me."
You Miao gripes irritatedly, "Of course I was angry, wondering why you changed all of a sudden…"
Zhao Chao starts to laugh, and You Miao sighs, pouring half of his porridge into Zhao Chao's bowl to share. Zhao Chao washes his hands and rips the steamed chicken in half, wrapping half of it with grease paper to keep for Li Zhifeng, and the other half is further pulled into slices for You Miao, dipping them into the porridge.
"So what are your plans?" You Miao asks.
"I gotta get out before the Taizi ascends the throne." Zhao Chao says, "Otherwise I'd have nothing left but to wait for him to make me suffer to death. I don't want to drag you down with me. The act today was because I worry Li Yan is suspicious of you, but now you can openly and grandly go attend his invite. At first I was afraid my act wasn't enough, but after getting beat up by Li Zhifeng, no one will doubt we've fallen out. By the way, think you can get the Zhuangyuan?"
You Miao gives a wry smile, "Are you trying to kill me with pressure?"
"When I read your letters, they were all well composed. The teacher you followed is Sun Yu, eh. My Father banished him back then, but keeps talking about him all the time in the back palace# , but he cares too stubbornly about his face, refusing to summon him back to the Capital…"
"I know Teacher has come from quite the background, but this has nothing to do with me?" You Miao says.
"How does that have nothing to do with you?" Zhao Chao says, "When He sees your essay, He'll ask who taught you, and if you say Sun Yu, He'll probably care more. Sun Yu used to be the Political Advisor#, Father wants to make it up to him."
You Miao nods, worry colouring his brows, "I also think I'll be able to pass the Interview exam, but the Palace Exam may be a little out of reach."
"The interview exam doesn't matter, even if you don't pass it you'll stay at the Capital." Zhao Chao says, "The Grace Exams is this year, so I knew you'd be coming to the Capital, I've planned everything out for you. You just listen, and keep this in your heart."
Zhao Chao drops his voice to a near whisper, and says very seriously, "Right now, coming into the Capital, us brothers have absolutely nothing, no backing whatsoever, so I'm counting everything on you,"
"You're making me super nervous like this…" You Miao says.
"Don't be scared." Zhao Chao says, "I'm counting on you cozying up to Li Yan. If you can't get through to them, we won't be able to move a single inch at court."
"I was thinking that too." You Miao says, "But what post should I grab for? Would Li Yan let me?"
"You just listen to him." Zhao Chao says, "He knows that we've fallen out. You're also Sun Yu's student, you can gain favour with my Father so Li Yan would be all over you. But you can't follow the Taizi, otherwise you'd be fighting Li Yan for favours, you get?"
You Miao nods slowly.
"If my Father is appointing you to be the Taizi's personal attendant, absolutely do not agree." Zhao Chao says, "If you agree to it you'll be in trouble, because then you'll have no power, no influence, and be forced to face Li Yan early."
You Miao is feeling the headache again, "What, so I ignore your dad and your brother if I catch their eye?"
"Just don't talk." Zhao Chao replies, "Right now my Father only cares about refining pills to seek immortality#. If the Taizi sees you're stubborn he won't force you."
"And then?" You Miao asks.
"And then… one step at a time, I guess." Zhao Chao says, "I haven't thought about what comes after. If Li Yan sees you don't agree to the position, he'll try to pull you to his side, so you just follow him. If there are any new plans I'll come find you in secret. Let's think of a way to get Nie Dan back first. Everything is much easier to negotiate if he's around. I was too conceited, thinking that the battle with Goryeo would win for sure, but who knew I'd fall into their trap. Those people at the Ministry of Revenue have all been bought by Li Yan, and so many people died because of it…"
"Taizi doesn't care if Nie Dan sides with you?" You Miao asks.
"He doesn't dare." Zhao Chao replies, "Right now there aren't many who dare provoke Nie Dan. They can only oppress him with rank, but we all depend on him to defend the northern border."
Dread and fear sprout at the bottom of You Miao's heart, and he asks in a hush, "What are you trying to do? You're not thinking of…"
The two stare at each other in silence. Then Zhao Chao knocks You Miao's head and says, "Are you an idiot? Even if I want to take the Taizi down and become the Emperor myself, would Nie Dan agree to it? That guy is loyal to the bone. Protecting me is one thing, he would never touch even a finger of the Taizi."
When You Miao thought about it, he realizes that's true, and Zhao Chao says dejectedly, "The most I'll get in this lifetime is dukedom. The first thing to do is to protect my own life. The Taizi only wants to keep me under his watch so he can toy with me as he wills. Who knows if one day he'd get tired of toying with me and grants me a glass of poisoned wine to end everything. I gotta get out of the Capital before he's done with playing me. Everything will be easier once I'm out. Maybe I'll join you in Liuzhou Prefecture then, and go farm the lands with you."
And here You Miao thought Zhao Chao leaving for Jiaozhou Prefecture is a done deal, he didn't think the situation is this critical, and asks, "Didn't you say you were going to Jiaozhou Prefecture?"
"Jiaozhou? Jiaozhou my ass, more like going to hell." Zhao Chao replies, "Nie Dan had only just submitted his statement and he was transferred to Yanbian. All the officials in court have fallen to the Li faction, and those who want to protect themselves don't dare to say a word. As if the Taizi would actually let the Ministry of War approve the papers."
You Miao nods, "I get it. Figure out a way to let you leave the Capital, and become a vassal king#."
"Very good, you finally understand." Zhao Chao says.
You Miao pfft's and laughs out. The two brothers in adversity, with their one eye bruised each, laugh until their bellies hurt. A moment later, Zhao Chao urges, "Eat."
The two finish the porridge and the half chicken, then You Miao boils water to brew tea for him, Zhao Chao says, "You've been on my mind for three years, and now I can finally have you brew a pot of tea for me."
You Miao grins, "Didn't I just treat you to tea this morning?"
Zhao Chao replies, "The tea this morning is bitter, making my entire heart astringent… I wanted to punch you… Why are you so good and obedient, thinking of me in every way, agreeing with my every word, going "ge", "ge". And here I was thinking of ways to punch you, I'm a god fucking beast, and actually hit you…"
You Miao laughs again, the hand pouring tea shaking.
Zhao Chao picks up the cup and stares at it quietly for a moment, then he mumbles, "I didn't help you much when you went to Jiangnan… I felt so bad I couldn't sleep…"
"You helped me big time." You Miao says, "The water canal is dug by the people Tang Hui sent, and later you even got me thousands of tenants. I was able to pull through during that period because of you, and you wrote me letters too…"
Zhao Chao lets out another long sigh, and You Miao takes the cup in his hand away, heats it up, then pours tea into it, the clear tea within the cup mirroring their reflections.
"Upon my leaving, wept the willow… Upon my return…"
"Those who know me understand my anguish…" Zhao Chao gazes at You Miao, his vaguely cracked voice is low as he sings, "Those who know me not, wonder what I seek…"
You Miao lowers his head, tips the teapot, and the fragrance of tea fills the air.
Zhao Chao watches You Miao's face, then reaches out, brushing his palm against his brows.
"Xiandi, what's your courtesy name again?" Zhao Chao asks.
"You Ziqian." You Miao replies.
"You Ziqian, you've become more handsome than before." Zhao Chao says.
You Miao raises his eyes, then hooks his fingers to pull Zhao Chao's hand down, flattens it, and places the teachup in his palm and smiles, "And you've gotten skinnier."
"I'm scarred all over after the battles, you'd be scared to death if I show them to you." Zhao Chao says.
You Miao is amused, and Zhao Chao brings the teacup to his lips, then as if remembering something, he says, "If gege can survive this in the coming future, I will definitely not mistreat you, didi."
You Miao sighs, "Don't say that. I know how you treat me."
"And I know how you treat me." Zhao Chao says.
Zhao Chao downs the tea in one go, and rises to his feet, "I'm off."
"I'll see you off." You Miao says.
"Don't." Zhao Chan replies, "I'll find a way to come see you again."
Just as Zhao Chao is about to exit the door however, he turns back around, "Lend me some money, I'm all out."
You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry and goes to count the bills, but Zhao Chao pipes up, "Give me proper silver, not the bills."
"Are Taizi's ears and eyes that sharp?" You Miao frowns, "How much do you want?"
"Hard to say." Zhao Chao replies, "How about two hundred."
You Miao opens the chest to count out the silver for him, "You've got two hundred silver for salary and that's not enough? The annual expenses of all the room and board at my Shen Garden is only eighty silver."
"All my salary is spent aiding the families of the deceased soldiers." Zhao Chao explains.
You Miao uses a steel ruler to count, lining the silver out by five taels at a time, and when he hears this he adds more to the pile, "I'll give you three hundred silver, when you run out just send someone to come find me. Grab a cloth by the corner of the wall to cover this up, try not to get robbed on the way home, yea? Think you can lift this?"
Zhao Chao smiles helplessly, "Gege found himself a backer with moneybags too today." He says as he takes the silver. They weigh at least twenty catty, sinking heavily on his shoulder as he lifts them and leaves.
After Zhao Chao has gone, it's as if a huge breath You Miao has been holding deep in his heart has been let out. When the two of them fought and broke off earlier today, there was that flash of a second where You Miao suddenly found everything dull, like his heart was empty.
After all, in the past few years, all of his hard work in studying was all so he can help Zhao Chao. Perhaps You Miao has recognized him as the master a long time ago, and to have run into such a change coming to the Capital was like completely crushing much of the hopes and anticipation he had of the future. That feeling was both heartbreaking and saddening. Now that he's discovered that Zhao Chao is still the same Zhao Chao, despite the fact that the situation isn't optimistic, it still ignited his will to fight.
You Miao glances at Li Zhifeng, and sees he's looking at him, something unreadable contained in his eyes.
"Better?" Li Zhifeng asks.
"Let's go to bed." You Miao lets out a breath, feeling much better. His thoughts suddenly drift to Li Zhifeng, comparing himself to Li Zhifeng. Maybe Li Zhifeng holds the same sentiment as he does, following him all this time.
In the dark of the night, Li Zhifeng suddenly speaks up, "You trust him?"
You Miao turns his head over and ponders the question, then replies, "Do you think he's acting?"
"This morning was acting." Li Zhifeng points out.
"I believe the things Zhao Chao said just now are true." You Miao says, "If he's been acting with me too, then he might never find anyone he can speak the truth to ever again."
Li Zhifeng mn's.
The next day, You Miao goes out to eat with that blackened eye, greeting the other Juren's with a smile like nothing's the matter, and no one dares ask him anything either. When there's nothing to do during the day, he'd spend it reading in the library.
Chang Yuan and Shao Wei finished shopping for goods in the Capital, and are driving a full carriage of stuff back to Jiangnan, delivering mail to Qiao Jue while they're at it. One of them driving, one of them escorting the goods, leaving only Li Zhifeng behind to serve.
Three days later, it's April fifteenth. You Miao changes into a lavish outfit, then tells Li Zhifeng to grab the case as they head out to attend the party. You Miao is still a little nervous meeting Li Yan again, but now he's more grounded. At least now he knows what he should say, and what he should do.
---
Chapter 24
The one master and one servant ride the carriage as it crosses through the west market of Tianlong street, entering Qinghe Lodge. That Qinghe Lodge is a place where dignitaries watched plays and feasted. Built in the northwest of the city, it draws the spring water from Mount Xi, and as the moon surfaces, in the clear and deep night air is the little tune the lead lady is singing, a charming atmosphere.
You Miao enters with his invite, and the gongzi's inside the yard are just laughing boisterously, rowdy and joking about. An announcement from the outside sounds:
"Presenting: You-gongzi——"
And the entire yard falls silent.
You Miao walks in through the arched entrance, shows his face, and it's still that same appearance of a glowing and happy youth. He cups his hands and greets the crowd, smiling, "I'm back."
And the yard explodes, everyone bursts out in laughter; Li Yan pfft's and spits out his wine, Ping Xi is slapping his own thigh, falling over the chair, and the gongzi chums all have their own hilarious reactions as they point at You Miao and howl.
You Miao is also incredibly amused, shaking his head, still looking as shameless and cheeky as before. Li Yan gestures for him to go over, but when he does Li Yan gives him a kick.
"You little bastard! Hahahaha!" Li Yan is shaking in his seat in laughter, pulling You Miao into his arms, rubbing and pinching, "How'd you get this way!"
You Miao sighs and Li Yan prompts, "Who hit you? Tell us? Us gege's will get back at them for you."
All the gongzi chums at the feast are all smiling but none spoke, their eyes on You Miao.
You Miao shakes his head and gives a wry smile, "Don't worry about it."
"Three shots as punishment, three shots!" Ping Xi places the wine cup in front of You Miao, and You Miao replies, "No complaints there."
You Miao picks up the wine cup and downs three shots, and the heated social atmosphere returns to the feast. The party is held today to welcome You Miao back, so the conversation doesn't stray from him very much. First they ask after the estate in Jiangnan, then they ask about You Miao being appointed the Jieyuan. You Miao tells them with embarrassment that the Jieyuan title was bought by his dad.
The crowd doesn't look surprised at all, and Li Yan asks, "Got a Teacher?"
"Yea." You Miao doesn't dare pretend to be a fool on this, since it's something that would come out sooner or later anyway, so he replies honestly, "He's called Sun Yu."
Li Yan looks thoughtful, and someone else asks, "The Political Advisor?"
You Miao replies, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "Let's not talk about it! That old fart isn't nice at all, punishing me by kneeling and whipping, ay——"
Li Yan drapes his arm over You Miao's shoulder and teases, "Come, you're in the Capital now. The ge's got your back!"
Boom, and the whole hall erupts in laughter again, and in between conversations it's as if they've returned to the beautiful times of their youth. You Miao is still that same cheeky face, and he downs a number of shots, knocking cups and clapping bowls imitating his old dad, giving the audience a lively and real re-enactment, making everyone howl.
"The crabs at my place," You Miao says, "Are thiiiisss big. When autumn comes I'll tell my xiao-jiu to send some people to rush deliver it over, and treat you all to a good meal."
"It's been tough for you, eh." Qin Shaonan says.
"Naw, it's like how you grow a garden." You Miao replies, "Gradually it just happens." While that's what he says, only he knows the hardship and pain of how it actually is. Sima Huang cuts in, "Had I known it's that much fun, us bros should also go get ourselves a garden."
"Ain't what's mine is yours?" You Miao laughs, "You can have the hill growing mulberries, the vegetable fields behind Shen Garden for Li Yan, come come come, let's put this on ink and paper."
"Aww yea!" Ping Xi immediately calls out, "Someone bring the ink, bring the brush!"
You Miao laughs as he draws a map on the paper, marking the perimeters of the fields, "Pick wherever you want!"
A number of people immediately crowd over, and Ping Xi jokes, "You can take care of the lands for us bros when we're not there."
Li Yan grips You Miao's shoulder, and uses a brush to circle all of Shen Garden including the field in the back, "This piece is mine now, Miao-zi, remember this, eh."
"Sure." You Miao laughs, "If ever you're free to come by and stay all the time, then that garden is all yours!"
The crowd jumps in and divides off all of You Miao's estate, and You Miao asks for another pile of papers to half-jokingly write land deeds to give those people. Then the gongzi chums start discussing excitedly how to work the fields, rolling up pants and sleeves to plant rice seedlings, taking it all for something new and fascinating. They're talking as if Riverwave Estate is now their own, and then promise that after the Palace Exam is over, everyone will travel in full fanfare down to Jiangnan with You Miao, and spend a few months at his place.
You Miao agrees to all of it, and tells them what's fun to do at the estate. Since leaving the Capital, this is the first time in three years that You Miao drinks until he's fully inebriated, and towards the end, the degenerates all ditch their hats, their boots all removed, swaying about, falling all over themselves, wobbling and insane.
When Li Yan gets really into it, he even crawls under the table pretending to be a dog. The yard is full of the noble gongzi's of the highest officials of the Great Qi, but those who don't know would think they're all madmen.
They party until deep into the night, and at ergeng#, they're all exhausted from the fun, and each of their household bodyguards come, carrying their respective gongzi to their carriage. You Miao is sorely drunk, leaning against Li Yan, waving a wad of money bills.
"Take the money before you leave! Young Master grants you——" The sorely drunk You Miao fusses, distributing all the two hundred silver bills, but the case of tea Li Zhifeng is carrying was never used.
"Let's go." Li Yan says, "I'll take you home. Quanrong slave, go out front and drive for this little master for once."
Li Zhifeng doesn't say anything and climbs into the driver's seat. Li Yan carries You Miao and gets into You Miao's carriage while the carriage from the Chancellor's residence follows right behind at an unhurried pace.
At night, the Capital is incredibly quiet, and there's only these two horse carriages. The patrolling soldiers approach to stop them.
"Curfew is in effect! Who goes there?"
The housekeeper from the carriage in the back flashes the identity waist medal, and the soldiers quickly bow, moving aside to give way.
The carriage sways, and the glass lamp hanging is spinning as it reflects a plethora of colours within the vehicle, shining over You Miao's face. "Drank too much?" Li Yan asks, "I've never seen you drunk before."
You Miao groans, leaning in Li Yan's arms, sprawling over him, and Li Yan slaps his face, "Faker. Keep that up I dare you."
You Miao felt the pain and can only get up, looking at him with a happy grin, swaying back and forth along with the moving carriage. Li Yan squishes his chin, "What were you thinking. Got beaten up by Zhao Chao, did you? Know how good gege is now?"
You Miao's face drops a little, and Li Yan says, "I've long since known you're like this, hiding things in your heart, never telling anything."
"I was wrong. I was wrong, alright!" You Miao whines.
Only then does Li Yan start to laugh, humphing, resting his legs on the seats across, "Come massage my shoulders."
You Miao gives Li Yan a couple of shoulder rubs then says, "Here, this tea is for you."
"Brew some tea, it'll help with the wine." Li Yan says.
And so You Miao calls out, "Li Zhifeng, stop on the bridge. We're gonna chat for a moment."
The horse carriage stops at the centre of the bridge. There are big, red lanterns hanging all along each side, and when You Miao sweep open the carriage curtains, the night breeze of the late spring blows by, making him feel better, his drunkenness dispersing, and he starts the small furnace inside the carriage, drinking tea with Li Yan.
"Tell it to me straight." Li Yan says, "What are you if you run over to Zhao Chao's side again?"
You Miao is amused, "I won't get friendly with him again."
You Miao picks up a cup and easily passes Li Yan the tea, not looking at him, "I've seen through him now."
"Good that you have." Li Yan says, "I know you. You've got plenty of shrewish clever ideas in your mind. The bros will back you, but if one day you sell ge out, don't blame me for having no mercy."
You Miao laughs, "I wouldn't dare. Teacher made me come to the Capital to earn a title, but I still wanna go home after the exams. Why don't you find me a post in the territories, and let me go back to Liuzhou?"
Li Yan clicks his tongue, "You good-for-nothing! Are you going to spend the rest of your life like this?"
You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, and laments, "Then what do you want me to do?"
"I've heard my dad talk about this Sun Yu." Li Yan says, "You just wait til July first and take the Interview exam. After that I'll naturally plan for you."
"And then?" You Miao presses.
"And then you follow me to go see His Majesty." Li Yan replies.
"Are you writing the exams too?" You Miao asks.
Li Yan gives him a weird look, "Of course."
You Miao nods, and Li Yan continues, "Just listen to me and it'll be fine. In the next few months, stay low profile, don't cause trouble, and come when you're called, but go through the backdoor."
"Fine." You Miao laughs.
Li Yan becomes pensive, and You Miao nudges, "What are you thinking about?"
Li Yan glances at You Miao, then puts the cup in his hand back, "You don't understand. There's plenty of things going on at the Capital. If you're not careful, you'll pay up your entire families. Every single step needs to be calculated, don't you start any trouble for me at a time like this."
You Miao doesn't quite understand but he nods slowly, and Li Yan adds, "I had wanted you to stay home for a few more years, but since you're here, then whatever. Don't think about trying to stand out, you get?"
He says as he pokes You Miao's forehead, and You Miao laughs, "It's not like I'm a kid."
Li Yan gives You Miao a long look, then finally speaks, "Follow me, and I promise you'll have a good life. No matter what anyone else promises you, don't listen to them."
"Fine." You Miao agrees, "If I hear anything I'll tell it all to you, is that good enough?"
Li Yan stares at You Miao meaningfully, then quirks his brows, taunting, "If you actually do that then it'd save me a whole lotta trouble, Who knows what sundry little secrets you have hidden in your heart."
You Miao's mind stops, his heart thumping.
"Isn't it just the thing with Zhao Chao?" You Miao says, "Li Zhifeng beat him to a pulp already, what more do you want?"
"I won't argue with you about the whole Zhao Chao thing." Li Yan says, "But what happens in the future? We'll see. Gonna head home to cuddle the wife now. Quanrong slave, take good care of your little master. I'm gone!"
Li Yan dismounts the carriage and goes back to his own, and the two vehicles part ways, each heading back to their own place.
Ever since You Miao came back from the party he's been thinking, and thinking nonstop, of how Li Yan seems to be even more impressive now, and knew that the drunkenness from before was play-acting. He's acting too. Everyone's acting. What did the conversation back on the carriage mean? Was he warning You Miao against hanging out again with Zhao Chao?
No, Li Yan should veritably believe he and Zhao Chao have fallen out, otherwise he wouldn't have made the carriage stop, and tell You Miao all those things. By Li Yan's temperament, if he believes You Miao has joined Zhao Chao, he would still be friendly on the surface, but be plotting against him behind his back. So right now, everything is going smoothly.
The horse carriage stops in the backyard of the Imperial College's dormitory, and as You Miao dismounts, he sighs, turning to Li Zhifeng, "I was only playing along."
"I know." Li Zhifeng says.
When You Miao goes back to the room to clean up, he flips out that map, seeing how the estate is horribly divided like it's been chewed by a dog, he feels incredibly disgusted, shredding that paper into the bits, throwing it out.
Bumping shoulders with these kinds of people all day, You Miao would rather go home and farm. Sun Yu has also mentioned that the political scene is a hypocritical sham, and today You Miao finally experiences it for himself.
Li Zhifeng closes the door, picks up a piece of the paper shred and lowers his head to look at it under the light. You Miao says, "You can have that piece."
"I don't want the estate, I just want you." Li Zhifeng replies.
You Miao's laughter returns and moves over under the blanket. Li Zhifeng thus climbs in and hugs You Miao, shutting the light, the two falling asleep holding each other.
Since that day, You Miao settles down, and remains in the Imperial College to study. The Hidden Collections Pavilion of the Directorate of Education is the place with the most books he's ever seen in his life; astronomy and astrology, all classes of authors, there's so much the place is bursting, impossible to read everything in an entire lifetime. In the evenings as the sun sets in the west, the Jurens would play shuttlecock kicking, and once in a while when he's bored of studying, You Miao would toss the books aside and go out to stroll the Capital with Li Zhifeng, buying something to eat or play, passing his days breezily and free.
After living in the estate for three whole years never visiting the city, his days have become plain. Now that he's back at the Capital, he's starting to yearn once again for this glamorous world.
-
Zhao Chao doesn't come looking for him again, probably to avoid the eyes and ears of others, and You Miao has no idea what he has in store. At the end of June, Li Yan holds another party, but this time it takes place inside the halls of Ting'yu Pavilion#.
You Miao arrives very early on and waits by the entrance for Li Yan. Once Li Yan dismounts the carriage he instructs You Miao to stay close behind him, and if there's nothing then don't speak a word, try not to stand out.
You Miao doesn't get what he's trying to do, so he very obediently follows Li Yan and enters Ting'yu Pavilion. Then, he sees another man of twenty-something has entered. While he is dressed in a long robe brown in colour, it couldn't hide away his air of nobility. All the gongzi chums address him as "Young Master Zhao", and so You Miao understands——This is the Taizi.
The Taizi's name is called Zhao Zhuo, and has only come to seek entertainment with Li Yan, but he's also noticed You Miao, and would make a couple inquiries here and there, to which You Miao only nods without expression, listening to an entire night of songs without saying many words.
In between the feast there are a few people talking about affairs of the south, and it's Qin Shaonan who started the conversation, "I hear the floods of the Yangtze is particularly vicious compared to years before, I wonder how Yangzhou and surrounding regions are doing."
That immediately catches You Miao's attention, and he asks in a hush, "What do you mean? Is Jiangnan flooding?"
Jiangnan and Jiangbei flood every year. You Miao remembers there was one year when he was little, all of Peixian County was flooded, the waters going as far as the Tea Horse Road. Thankfully, Sunshower Jade Estate sits on higher elevation so it's never been submerged. As for Riverwave Estate, while there is a part of land that's in lower elevation next to the river, it's a fortunate spot on a hill. Unless half of all of Yangzhou Prefecture is flooded, otherwise the water level won't reach Shen Garden.
You Miao has the mind to act casual in his inquiry, but the moment the question leaves his lips Li Yan shoots him a glare, and so he knows not to say more.
The Taizi toasts and drinks with the happy crowd, and You Miao does his best to stay hidden, making sure the Taizi doesn't notice him, yet he's a little confused about the situation until during one of the rounds, the Taizi points at him with his folding fan with a humming smile, "You Miao?"
"Ziqian? Young Master is calling you." Li Yan calls him.
You Miao mn's, and the Taizi says, "Pour him some wine, drink up."
You Miao downs the wine then nod, and one of Li Yan's arms rest on his shoulder and turns to him, "Why the long face? Have we treated you inadequately or what?"
You Miao gets it now. Li Yan isn't really trying to hide him away, otherwise he wouldn't have brought him here, but is instead trying to sculpt an impression of him before the Taizi… the impression of someone who doesn't talk much, of someone stern?
And so You Miao only gives a quick smile but doesn't speak, and the Taizi laughs, "It's fine, don't force him, let him do as he wishes."
Li Yan puts down the cup and softly pats You Miao's hand, and You Miao knows this means he's done well.
That night, after the Taizi returns to the palace, since Li Yan is married with a wife, he's not staying out either, so when they emerge from the pavilion, he turns to You Miao, "Go back and tidy it up. When you write the exam in a few days, don't embarrass me."
You Miao's rascal personality accidentally rears its head again hearing that, and he counters cheekily, "Please, is that even possible? You probably can't even write essays as well as me."
"You lookin' for a fight!" Li Yan yells, ready to jump down the carriage to punch him, but You Miao laughs and hides, hopping onto Qin Shaonan's carriage. The carriage was going to drive off but stops. Li Yan looks on for a moment, and knows You Miao plans on inquiring about the flooding, so he gets on his own carriage and leaves.
You Miao questions Qin Shaonan; Qin Shaonan's father is the Minister of Works, and this was news he's heard from his father after the morning court assembly. After You Miao finished his questioning he was going to ask Li Yan too, but Li Yan is already gone, and so he can only go home with a heavy heart.
Li Zhifeng didn't follow along today. One, because a Quanrong is eye-catching and You Miao didn't want him to be seen by the Taizi; second, Li Yan ordered him not to go, so all that time, Li Zhifeng has been sitting in the yard. The fireflies of a summer night are flying here and there, the Jurens are chatting in the yard drinking sour plum juice, and the moment You Miao returns he calls out to him, "Li Zhifeng."
Li Zhifeng is just having tea with Zhang Wenhan and Zheng Yong, and when he sees You Miao has returned, he rises to go wash a towel.
You Miao follows him inside however, and says, "I heard today that Jiangnan is flooding."
Li Zhifeng furrows his brows slightly, "Is Yangzhou affected?"
You Miao's voice is full of worry, "I don't know. What do we do?"
You Miao changes out of the stuffy with sweat silk brocade robe and puts on a thin cotton student robe as he walks out, and Li Zhifeng comes over holding a wet towel for him to wipe his face, asking, "Will Riverwave Estate be inundated too?"
Zhang Wenhan is just by the side and hears them, "There's a flood?"
You Miao nods, his brows knit tightly, and Zhen Yong says, "Surging waters come fast but retreats fast too, so that's not a problem. The real issue is waterlogging."
"How about I go back today and check?" Li Zhifeng suggests.
"If it's a flood then it shouldn't be a problem." Zhang Wenhan says, "My ma and pa have farmed the lands of the estate for decades and had never seen water pouring over. It'd at most get to Anlu, but Guozhuang should be safe."
You Miao relaxes a little and nods, "That's good then. What about the other places?"
"Jiang Prefectural City is close to the river so it's hard to say." Zhang Wenhan says, "Sunshower Jade Estate is above the Tea Horse Road so it'll be fine too. Is it raining? I worry for waterlogging, if the rain keeps coming down nonstop it'll affect the harvest."
You Miao can't be sure either, and Zheng Yong nods understandingly, "A livelihood dependent on the heavens, it's not easy being farmers."
You Miao glances at Li Zhifeng, and coincidentally Li Zhifeng is also looking at him, and You Miao says, "What I worry about the most is our waterwheel. Master Huang said back then that it's only complete if it can withstand at least one major flood."
Li Zhifeng contemplates for a moment then says, "Let me go see if I can get more news of it."
"Where are you going to get news on this?" You Miao asks, "Only the six ministries know about this right now, I heard Qin Shaonan say they've only just brought this up during this morning's court assembly."
"Young Master, don't worry." Zhang Wenhan comforts, "Qiao jiu-ye is a capable man, if there's anything, he will definitely send someone over to deliver word. If no one's come to the Capital then it means everything's alright."
You Miao thought that's logical and slowly nods his head. Zhang Wenhan says, "It's the Interview Exam in a few days. Once it's done I'll make a trip back."
"I'm not afraid of anything else, only that the waterwheel won't be able to hold against the surging water." You Miao says.
Li Zhifeng sits down by the side and says, "If it's just water rising it will be able to hold."
"There's more water in the upstream," You Miao points out, "That part of the river by the estate's north and south shores is also super narrow, if the water surges then we're in trouble."
Li Zhifeng grunts, "Then nail in four spikes to stop the waterwheel for now."
There's nothing but worry colouring You Miao's brows, and he adds, "Only you and I know the blueprints, xiao-jiu doesn't know yet."
Zhang Wenhan speaks up, "It's fine, there won't be a flood that big. Young Master just rest easy. It wouldn't be too late if I go back to check after the Interview Exam is over."
You Miao is full of worry but there's nothing else he can do either, so he can only let the subject rest for now.
Days later, it's July first. The scorching summer day is like fire aflame on the ground, and all the Juren's head to the Directorate of Education for the Interview Exam. One room per person, it's been years since You Miao has suffered this torment. All the screaming cicadas in the yard are annoying as hell.
The examiner presents the subject, and amazingly enough, it's the phrase 'The Path is not far from man. When men try to pursue a course, which is far from the common indications of consciousness, this course cannot be considered The Path' from "The Doctrine of the Mean". You Miao has suffered gravely over this line, and the moment he sees it he can see clearly in his mind the scene of Sun Yu's ferocious expression followed by the book that came flying over and hit him. Hilarious and woeful, but above all else You Miao sighs for his good luck, and thus he raises his brush to begin the writing of his essay.
Halfway through the exam, he hears someone talking outside the exam hall that vaguely sounds like Cheng Guangwu's voice. You Miao is even more anxious now, and hastily finishes writing. After being baked in the room for two days, when he comes out to hand in his scroll, the heat outside still makes him sweat heavily, almost like a giant steamer.
You Miao sees that it's indeed Cheng Guangwu there and says, "Let's talk when we get back, don't panic."
Once back at the Imperial College, Zheng Wenhan has also finished and comes out, and they see Cheng Guangwu covered in sweat, the robe sticking to his person, like he's been fished out of the water. He starts, "Young Master, Jiangnan's flooded."
"I know." You Miao says, "I heard people in the government talk about it. Tell me first how things are at home."
"The estate is fine, the water won't rise all the way up there." Cheng Guangwu reports, "But it's still raining, nonstop for six days now. The day I left the estate, the water level of the Yangtze has already risen to over thirty meters high."
You Miao is alarmed, and frowns, "And the waterwheel?"
Cheng Guangwu replies, "It's fine for now, but if the water keeps rising then it'll break for sure. Jiu-ye told me to ride over to let Young Master know that our estate isn't short of money, so if it breaks we can just have people make another one of the same."
But all the craftsmen back then were brought from all over Jiangnan, and Old Craftsman Huang left once the waterwheel was constructed. Later when You Miao wanted to request for him to build a mill he couldn't find the man, so where is he going to hire the craftsmen?
"There's another thing that will need Young Master's decision." Cheng Guangwu says, "Jiu-ye doesn't dare open the granary, and wants to see what Young Master says."
"Open the granary for what?" You Miao asks.
"Relief efforts." Cheng Guangwu explains, "It's been raining for two months straight, all over Yangzhou and south of Liuzhou, even Suzhou is completely inundated. All the farmlands of the people are gone. Anlu has become an ocean, flooded so high there are only rooftops left visible, and who knows how many people have died from starvation…"
You Miao is in disbelief, "That serious?!"
"A great flood rarely seen in fifty years." Zhang Wenhan says, "I heard people talking a couple days ago too."
Only now does You Miao understand the severity of the situation, but it seems his own waterwheel should still hold.
Cheng Guangwu continues, "Jiu-ye sent some small boats out and brought over everyone from all the nearby villages. He got them to build tents by the foot of the hill on the east side. But jiu-ye doesn't dare decide on the food supplies, which is the reason why he sent me here to the Capital, to ask."
"It's well within reason." You Miao replies, "We can't ignore people in danger. You go back and tell xiao-jiu to just leave enough food that can feed the estate for one year, then open the granary and stew porridge to distribute."
"Let me go back, and leave Cheng Guangwu here to serve you." Li Zhifeng says.
"You go back… mn… that won't do, how long would you be away?" You Miao asks.
You Miao kind of doesn't want to let Li Zhifeng go, but Li Zhifeng reasons, "I was there during the construction of the waterwheel. No one else would know how to nail four iron spikes into the gears to make it stop, and old man Huang did say that if the river water rises to the line, employing this method will prevent it from water damage."
Back then during the construction of the waterwheel, the wooden wheel would rise along with the water level, but there's also a top line on the wall of the cliff, and if the water is to rise over that line then there's a chance the waterwheel can break. You Miao questions, "And if that doesn't work?"
"Then we'll remove the water scoops and reinstall them after the water retreats." Li Zhifeng replies.
This point does remind You Miao of the instructions, "Yes, but…"
"I'll be back before the Palace Exam." Li Zhifeng asserts.
Today is the third of July, there's still a month before the Palace Exam taking place on August fifth. You Miao doesn't want Li Zhifeng to leave, but he also doesn't want the waterwheel to break.
"Oh yes," Zhang Wenhan says, "How did Young Master do?"
Only then does the group remember that was a thing, and You Miao really doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"I can probably get Gongshi." You Miao replies, "Dunno about anything else."
Li Zhifeng changes inside then comes out, smiling, "Of course you'll get it."
"Don't hurry to leave yet, will you be able to make it?" You Miao asks.
"I'll ride the horse at top speed and take the north road. Without taking too many breaks I should get there in ten days. It's the middle of summer so there's no snow."
Cheng Guangwu speaks up, "I came by way of the north road, there are wandering barbarians everywhere, it's too dangerous."
"Why don't you take the south road then?" You Miao says, "Cross through the mountains of Cangzhou Prefecture."
"I'm a Quanrong, they won't give me trouble." Li Zhifeng says.
The moment he says this, the group finally remembers Li Zhifeng's identity. "I'm off." He says.
"Wait!" You Miao chases after him, "Watch over things there, xiao-jiu must be swamped on his own, don't hurry back to the Capital. Since you're going back, it's fine if you settle everything first before you come back."
Li Zhifeng nods from the horseback, and You Miao raises his head, the sharp rays of the summer day making him squint, "If I do get Jinshi, then I'll most likely have to stay in the Capital until spring next year anyway, so you don't need to rush."
Li Zhifeng, "Mn."
You Miao's brows twitch, wanting to say more, but Li Zhifeng's large form is blocking the sun.
Then Li Zhifeng's handsome figure lightly tilts, his legs squeezing the sides of the horse, half of him leaning downwards like he's performing an acrobatic bow, and he lowers his head before You Miao, brushing a soft kiss on his lips.
You Miao brightens at this gesture.
"I'll fix the waterwheel." Li Zhifeng pulls on the reins and shouts, "Hah!"
The sound of hooves clack and Li Zhifeng leaves the Imperial College, entering the long street, leaving behind clouds of dust.
On the second day after Li Zhifeng has gone back, a thunderstorm finally crashes on the Capital, and even the Imperial College has flooded. The students waiting for the exam results roll up their pants to wade in the water in the yards, there are even those who'd strip naked to shower in the rain.
You Miao is sitting in the corridor, hugging his knees and watching the rain. The raindrops flowing from the roofs are coming down in strings, the world nothing but a hazy white pounding of the storm. Wonder where Li Zhifeng is now, You Miao thinks.
Taking the north road to go down to Jiangnan will need to pass by the Fortress of Yanbian and Zhengliang Pass, wonder what he's feeling as he crosses through the vast lands beyond the border. If it was You Miao, maybe he'd come to a jolted stop for a moment before riding home. Would he want to go home for a quick look? And be the master of his own fate for the remainder of his life?
The fragrance of tea begins to permeate, and Zhang Wenhan calls out, "Young Master, come have some tea."
You Miao responds, "I'm feeling for something blander today, kinda craving for green tea… Li Zhifeng!"
Cheng Guangwu comes out and answers, "Young Master."
You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. He's called out of habit and couldn't change over for the moment. He instructs, "Go bring over the Sunshower Jade Qingfeng from the shelf."
The two sit facing each other drinking tea, and You Miao says, "Wenhan, if both of us get appointed Gongshi, then the entire Jiangnan won't dare to look down on our house, eh."
Zhang Wenhan laughs, "Young Master donated a hundred thousand catty of food supplies last year, and now you're having Li Zhifeng go back to open the granary for disaster relief. There's already no one in Yangzhou Prefecture who'd dare look down on Young Master."
You Miao shakes his head, smiling, "That old dad and cheap brother of mine, I wonder what they're doing right now."
They chatted leisurely for a moment, and from the outside there comes the sound of hooves. The deep voice of a man asks, "Excuse me, does You Ziqian live here?"
You Miao thinks that voice is vaguely familiar, and sits up straight, responding, "I'm here! Who is it?"
The visitor flips off the horse outside of the yard, then comes in wearing a bamboo hat, standing in the yard looking at You Miao. He's donned in military attire, decked in armour, a long sword hanging off his waist, his left hand resting on his waist while his right lifts the bamboo hat slightly.
"General Nie?!" You Miao is shocked, and asks, "When did you come back? Please, come in."
The man who's come is indeed Nie Dan, and he gives You Miao a curt nod, "Nie Dan was summoned back to the Capital today, and was just on my way to the Ministry of War. I heard You-xiandi has come to the Capital for the exam, so I stopped by to ask for a cup of tea."
Nie Dan now holds the position of the Shuonan Pacification Commissioner# of the third rank, the Grand General Wude#, driving the barbarians to beyond the border on his own powers alone, his name thunderously renown, and the students of the yard all emerge, hoping to steal a look of this incredible man.
Zhang Wenhan concedes his seat and quickly invites, "General, please."
Nie Dan comes over and sits down, his bamboo hat still dripping with rain. You Miao knows Nie Dan is already aware he and Zhao Chao are friendly, and sees You Miao as one of his own, so You Miao is just about to pull out fresh tea leaves when Nie Dan stops him, "There's no need to brew fresh tea."
And so You Miao pours him the tea that's already been sitting, and asks, "How come Nie dge came back all of a sudden? How's the warfront in the north?"
Nie Dan replies quietly, "The north is fine. I was just going to ask you, can you manage to get information from the son of the Vice Minister of War?"
"I'll go find out in a few days. Dge, please." You Miao replies.
You Miao passes him the tea, and Nie Dan downs it in one go, "More, I'm thirsty."
You Miao sees he's travel-worn, and only then does he realize Nie Dan probably came all the way from the north without stopping, and hasn't drunk a single drop of water yet. What is so serious that the chief commanding general is summoned back alone from such a great distance?
You Miao's heart is heavy with thoughts, and he asks, "How did Nie dge know I'm living here?"
"San-Dianxia has written me a letter back in May and talked about you." Nie Dan replies.
You Miao nods, swapping the teacup for a tea bowl, and pours it full for him. Nie Dan drinks it all and continues, "July seventh, if you're free, do you want to come to my residence for a drink?"
You Miao is taken aback, and in that split second, countless thoughts cross through his mind, but immediately he knows Nie Dan has things he wants to say to him, so he replies readily with alacrity, "Sure."
Nie Dan nods, then rises to re-enter into the rain, and when he exits the entrance he hops onto the horse and leaves. Almost all the Juren's hanging in the corridor run out to look, some even following Nie Dan out, watching his disappearing back.
"You Ziqian!" Someone comes inquiring, "Was that General Nie?"
"Yea." You Miao smiles.
"How did you acquaint him? Another person asks, "He's a great hero, you know!"
"I…" You Miao remembers that past history, and replies, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "We had a dispute outside the city gates three years ago, that's how."
At first You Miao didn't care for this man named Nie Dan, he felt nothing for him. It was only after that he learned of Nie Dan's position as Commandant of the City Defense Army of the sixth rank, a military officer responsible for the city's defense. When he personally inspected the merchant caravan, it was You Miao the one who was blind.
Later, he heard Nie Dan was transferred to Yanbian to fight against the horseback barbarian bandits, achieving miraculous feats, and that was when You Miao began to sprout some respect for the man. In the past three years, Nie Dan fought courageously and bloodily, climbing steadily up in ranks, and now, the fact that the barbarians beyond the border haven't yet formed a large scale invasion is all thanks to him keeping things under control. Even Sun Yu's evaluation of him is high, remarking that the way he commands troops is unconventional, but somehow forms his own order naturally.
Visit Nie Dan on July seventh. There's a number of thoughts spinning about in You Miao's mind; since Li Yan's faction is on guard against Zhao Chao, worried he's going to make a come back, then no doubt they'd pull in Nie Dan who's on Zhao Chao's side. Maybe Nie Dan being transferred back to the capital in the last minute is Chancellor Li's idea,
Then the news of Nie Dan stopping at the Imperial College first on his way back today would not have escaped the Taizi's faction's eyes and ears. You Miao's got ideas now, and thinks for an entire afternoon. The next day when he gets up early, the rain has stopped, and so You Miao gets Cheng Guangwu to prepare the carriage, then heads to the Chancellor's residence.
---
Chapter 25
The carriage passes through to the West Alley of Changlong Street, the Capital is sunny just after the rain, the air fresh, and the cicadas by the side of the roads are noisy once again. You Miao arrives at the Chancellor's residence and goes straight for the backdoors. The boy attendant guarding the door actually still remembers him and bows, "Good morning, Young Master You."
You Miao nods and enters, crossing straight through the garden. When a maid sees You Miao, she gives a light curtsy, not knowing why he's there, but when You Miao gets to the door to Li Yan's chambers ready to push in, the maid's face instantly changes and she hastily exclaims, "Young Master, you can't…"
"Ay——go away go away——"
You Miao shoos her as he pushes in, then goes around the screen to mess with Li Yan. In the past when You Miao would come to find Li Yan, they were both still boys; sometimes when You Miao got tired of waiting in the hall, he'd enter his room to cause havoc, sneaking under his covers to grope him, to the point where Li Yan had to get up.
It's been years since then, but now You Miao's here again, and still he hops onto Li Yan's form to pull at his blanket, hollering as he does so, "GET UP GET UP! LOOK AT THE TIME!"
Li Yan reaches out to block him, but You Miao burrows under the blankets instead, and suddenly, there's a woman's shriek.
"OLD MASTER——"
You Miao actually forgot Li Yan is already married, and under his blankets sleeps his wife!
Li Yan is completely wide awake now, and he yells, "YOU LITTLE BASTARD!"
The three of them tumble and tangle together into a ball, You Miao's face immediately pales, and he pushes the blankets away in a hurry, running out of the bed, stumbling and knocking the screen over in his haste, causing a huge racket as he flees.
Li Yan gets up to chase after him, grabs a copper bowl that's right there and hurls it out, crashing through the window, and it cracks over You Miao's head.
An hour later, You Miao is heh-heh-ing as he rubs his head, and Li Yan's face is dark, the two of them sitting in the main hall.
Li Yan's wife Madam Tang changes and comes out, looking to be quite the beauty with the grace of a respectable lady, and she doesn't appear to feel awkward in meeting You Miao, only inclining her head as the greeting etiquette.
"Come greet your saozi#." Li Yan humphs irritatedly.
You Miao quickly greets, "Hello saozi."
Madam Tang gives a smile, and Li Yan turns to his wife, "Miao-zi got used to messing with me when we were young."
"It's fine, I know you brothers share a good relationship." Madam Tang replies.
"You can go have breakfast now, there's no need to wait on me." Li Yan says.
Madam Tang mn's and takes her leave with the maids, and You Miao praises, "Your wife is pretty, where did you find her? How come I never run into the beautiful ones?"
Li Yan glares at You Miao, "Just out with it, enough with the ass kissing."
You Miao ponders for a moment then says, "Nie Dan came to find me yesterday."
"Oh?" Li Yan replies with a nonchalant air, "What did he say?"
"He wants me to go visit his house on Qixi#." You Miao replies.
Li Yan looks like he couldn't believe his ears and says, "How come even Nie Dan fancies you?!"
"I don't think that's possible either, what's good about fancying me?" You Miao says.
"Isn't that guy's wife dead already?" Li Yan wonders.
"Maybe he wants to take my hand in marriage to add to his household?" You Miao suggests.
"..."
You Miao snickers and Li Yan contemplates for a moment then says, "Nie Dan isn't a guy you can mess with, he's got military achievements under his belt, so just go. If he wants you to do anything, just take it in first. I bet he knows you and Zhao Chao fell out, so he wants to hold a feast and have the two of you make peace."
"Aah." You Miao nods wisely, and praises Li Yan you're so smart to guess that. Li Yan puts a piece of braised duck into You Miao's bowl then adds, "That guy isn't completely on Zhao Chao's side, so just listen to what he has to say. Tell Zhao Chao that everything's water under the bridge and be done with it. I was going to put you up as a Personal Attendant… but now, there's actually something else I can have you do."
"What?" You Miao asks.
"Let me think on it first before I tell you." Li Yan says, "Don't come visit me so often, no need to be this diligent."
You Miao says, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "I've only made one visit so far, I'm here to steal some food…"
"You throw money away in the thousands and you're missing meals?" Li Yan accuses.
"Other people's cooking ain't as good as your residence's." You Miao proclaims.
"Fine. I'll send someone to deliver food to you." Li Yan says, "Put your head down and stop running over here."
"Why are you like this?" You Miao whines, "I come visit because I miss you, yea? How about you personally deliver me food in the future then?"
Li Yan glares at You Miao, not saying a word for the moment, but You Miao knows Li Yan falls for this kind of thing. While his lips are constantly scolding him for no reason, he dotes on him on the inside, and You Miao flashes a pleased smile in spite of himself.
"You better put that glib and cutesiness of yours away…" Li Yan's voice is lowered to a quiet hush, "Spring next year, I'm gonna have you enter the Censorate…"
You Miao stops, and stares at Li Yan in disbelief.
"Then in five years, you'll be the Censor-in-Chief." Li Yan enunciates each word, "You understand? This isn't a position anyone can take. All those other guys are hopeless; they've got officials in the family so they have to avoid arousing suspicion, so you put away that glibness, act a little more holier-than-thou, and I don't care if you're only pretending, but you better look unyieldingly lawful."
"I understand." You Miao nods immediately.
And what kind of position is this Censor-in-Chief? You Miao is completely shaken. Li Yan actually wants to assist him into becoming the strict and iron-fisted Supervisory Inspector whose job is to scrutinize and impeach all officials! Within the Great Qi dynasty, from top to bottom there is a strict supervision system to manage the officials, the lowest of the censors watch over the regional officials, and when governors see a censor they must all be courteous and polite.
You Miao's teacher is Sun Yu, and Sun Yu is an unyieldingly lawful grand confucian scholar who was once the Political Advisor, which means, as long as You Miao pretends to be virtuous and self-righteous and gains the Emperor's fancy during the Palace Exam, then there's a very high chance Li Yan's intentions will come to fruition, and the Censorate ending up in his pocket. That would mean the Li clan will truly be invincible within the government with none who would dare provoke them and steal their thunder.
"You, Zi, Qian! You're not a kid anymore." Li Yan yanks on You Miao's ear, and hisses, "Finish eating and get the hell outta here!"
You Miao starts to laugh, and Li Yan scolds, "Keep laughing! Once you're out those doors, don't you dare laugh anymore!"
"Okay. Okay." You Miao schools his expression.
You Miao certainly is the best choice if Li Yan wants to put someone into the Censorate——all the other faction members have officials in the family, only You Miao has no connections whatsoever. And the fact that his teacher is Sun Yu is also extremely advantageous.
Li Yan's ambition is too great; dependence on the Taizi isn't enough, figures he probably wants to take his old man's place and become the Chancellor, and if Li Yan becomes the Chancellor, then in the future, he will most definitely have You Miao impeach every official that's against him, and banish everyone home to farm lands…
"Oh yea." You Miao pretends to remember something, and whispers a question, "Wasn't Nie Dan defending the border? Why is he back?"
"That guy's military achievements are too great, not easy to rein in, so the Taizi convinced His Majesty to let the man enjoy a few years of luxury, and so the Ministry of War summoned him back first before they're sending him off to defend Northern Shanxi. Someone else has replaced him in Yanbian." Li Yan says.
"Replaced with the Taizi's people?" You Miao asks.
Li Yan just stares at him without answering, and You Miao gets it, not asking anymore.
Li Yan says, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "Little master, how can I pull you up if you ask questions like this? The officials will devour you if you attend the assemblies."
You Miao quickly surrenders, "Alright, alright, my mouth is sealed. I can at least eat, right?"
After breakfast that day You Miao returns to the Imperial College, the plans in his head spinning, so he forgets about studying altogether, and when he got drowsy he dozes off leaning in the corridors.
After Li Zhifeng left, You Miao can't find anyone to lean against, and right then he feels uncomfortable all over. He eyes Cheng Guangwu, but then feels embarrassed, so he can only let it go.
This is the first time in three and a half years that he's separated from Li Zhifeng. It's only been two days and he's already incredibly not used to it. Although generally Li Zhifeng doesn't really talk when he's next to him, but with someone around, You Miao feels much more confident talking and doing things.
The sunny skies only last for half a day before rain comes down once more, pitter patter, incredibly aggravating.
"Li Zhifeng." You Miao looks up and calls after having spaced out for a while.
Cheng Guangwu replies, "Young Master."
You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Sorry Guangwu, I'm too used to it I can't change over for the moment."
"What is Young Master's command?" Cheng Guangwu asks.
You Miao ponders for a moment, forgetting what it was he wanted Li Zhifeng to do, so he can only say, "Nothing, never mind."
You Miao is quiet for a moment, then asks, "Guangwu, did you go to Jiang Prefectural City? How's the flooding there?"
"The pier is completely destroyed, none of the boats have anywhere to dock." Cheng Guangwu replies.
Well this is vexing, You Miao thinks to himself, he should've gone back with Li Zhifeng in the first place, now he's regretting it. But Li Zhifeng must've thought the journey would be too exhausting; taking a dozen days to go back to Jiangnan then another dozen days to return to the Capital, if it's by horse carriage though it'd be a journey of over a month one way. A speedy horse can do a roundtrip in a dozen days, but no matter how good You Miao's physical condition is he wouldn't be able to take it, never mind that midway through the journey there's the release of the exam results plus waiting for the Palace Exams…
"Young Master, tea time." Zhang Wenhan smiles, spreading out the tea set.
You Miao moves his legs off of the corridor bench and says lazily, "Well you're relaxed and having a good time."
Zhang Wenhan chuckles, "Young Master is worrying for nothing, but you've been so sullen these past few days you can't even study anymore. There's still the Zhuangyuan waiting for you, eh."
You Miao laughs, "It's not sullenness, it's just, I'm not used to not having Li Zhifeng by my side, so I can't concentrate."
Zhang Wenhan washes the cups, stirs the leaves, and chuckles, "People yanno, one accompanies another, going in pairs, if one day one leaves, it really does feel like a piece of the heart is missing."
"Mn, you're right." You Miao says, "You've been single your whole life, so how did you come to think of this?"
"My pa left us early, and my ma sat there by herself everyday, crying "my son, my son", and it didn't take many years before she's gone too. And so at the time, I thought, when two people are together for so long, their fates become intertwined…"
You Miao ponders this for a moment, then says, "But how come when my mom left, my dad still eats well sleeps well, living the good life?"
When those words come out, even Zhang Wenhan feels awkward, and You Miao laughs, "I'll stop clowning with you. Your dad and your mom were in love, that's a real married couple. My dad didn't love my mom, so of course nothing matters, and I daresay he couldn't wait for the scary wife to die faster."
"Don't say that." Zhang Wenhan laughs as he pours You Miao tea, then offers it to him respectfully.
You Miao adds, "Ol' hubby, ol' wifey#, right? It all depends on how much care there is. If you don't care, then it doesn't matter how long you're together, you'll always find the other annoying."
Zhang Wenhan doesn't dare answer that train of thought and only smiles, and as You Miao chatted, he feels his feelings stir. Watching the rain makes him think of the situation at home, which makes him think of Li Zhifeng, then of his waterwheel. He kind of wants to throw everything away and go home now.
Through that hazy rain, it's as if You Miao can catch a glimpse of the nonstop rainstorms and the vast floods of Jiangnan. The people have met disaster, their houses completely submerged, and the little boats are shuttling all over the waters. If it isn't for You Miao's grain for disaster relief, countless people would have starved to death or drowned. You Miao sighs, and Zhang Wenhan says, "I hear the court is still in dispute, and dragging their feet in approving this year's food supplies for disaster relief."
Scholars love to discuss politics, and Zhang Wenhan visits the library everyday, so naturally he's heard the peers talk, most of it being the corruptions of the government. You Miao huffs indignantly, "Asking for a bit of ration is like asking for their lives. Back then when they're pushing for food donation for Goryeo it was like they're crying for mom and dad, and now that Jiangnan's in trouble, who knows how long this'll take."
"Yea." Zhang Wenhan sighs, "By the time the food supplies are released and the financial aid makes it, it'll probably be winter. Who knows how many will have starved to death by then."
You Miao nods, remembering the heavy duty and responsibility Sun Yu has bestowed upon him before his departure, and his heart grows a little bigger again.
-
Days later, it's July seventh, and the rain has stopped. Within the Capital, many have come out for the Crafter's Festival, and crowds of beautifully dressed young men and women have formed pairs by the river#. You Miao heads off to Nie Dan's residence to attend the invite, and when the horse carriage stops at the front entrance, he digs out a bit of money and sends Cheng Guangwu out to enjoy himself before he enters the residence.
There are two guards standing outside Nie Dan's residence, but the yard inside is tall with weeds, obviously unattended to for many years. The front doors are wide open, so You Miao calls out as he crosses over the threshold, standing by the second entrance with his hands tucked in his sleeves, "Nie dge!"
"NIE DGE!"
Nie Dan comes out, wearing a long robe of rough fabric, and when he sees You Miao he says, "Dinner isn't ready yet, have some tea first."
"All good, don't mind me." You Miao laughs.
You Miao brings out a case of tea from his sleeves and rests it upon the stone table in the garden, and Nie Dan turns around, going back to get busy in the kitchen. You Miao spots a copper tea set on the table and he helps himself to brew a pot.
"Li…" You Miao realizes there's no one beside him, so he can only go out to find the carriage to grab the jug of wine that's stored in it.
"Nie dge." You Miao calls, "Are there wine bowls?"
Nie Dan is over the stove opening the pot cover and answers, "Next to the jugs."
You Miao grabs a couple wine bowls and inspects them over the light. They're completely covered in dust. Nie Dan explains, "It's been years since I returned to the Capital, I haven't cleaned much of the house, hope xiandi doesn't mind."
You Miao quickly says, "It's fine, it's fine."
Nie Dan puts the vegetables into the pot to steam, and finally emerges from the kitchen to take a break, sitting down to have a drink with You Miao, watching him without speaking but his eyes shine with amusement.
You Miao quirks an eyebrow, and stares back at Nie Dan. There are blade cuts on his wrists that have only just healed, and there's a change in his appearance too compared to years ago. The winds and sands of the Great Desert are unforgiving on people, and in the past few years, Nie Dan's skin has tanned darkly, his looks noticeably more aged.
"I knew back then that you didn't care for me." Nie Dan takes a gulp of the wine and says flatly, "So why the sudden "dge", "dge" endearment?"
"I've the temperament of a child back then." You Miao says, "General Nie is a generous lord, pray you forgive me."
With those words from Nie Dan, You Miao can't really get in good with him anymore, but Nie Dan then lightly taps their bowls together, and says, "Don't take the things in the past to heart, if you don't scorn me, then do still call me "dge"."
And so You Miao smiles again, "Nie dge."
You Miao's address is genuine. Nie Dan has nothing but his bare walls, a just and straight forward character, and You Miao has also heard Sun Yu talk about him in the past, so he is in awe of Nie Dan from the bottom of his heart.
He knows that Nie Dan called him over today because he has things to say to him, and if he didn't guess wrong, then it's got something to do with Zhao Chao. Li Yan thinks Nie Dan is holding a dinner to have him and Zhao Chao make peace, but since he and Zhao Chao never fell out, there's naturally nothing to talk out. Maybe Zhao Chao has already told Nie Dan everything in his letter.
So now the ball's in Nie Dan's court.
Sure enough, Nie Dan hums for a moment before speaking up, "San-Dianxia went and sought you."
"Yes." You Miao nods lightly. He doesn't know what the relationship is between Zhao Chao and Nie Dan, and how much they divulge to each other, so naturally he doesn't dare open his mouth rashly.
"The battle at Goryeo isn't his fault, there are many elements within, and half of it is the factions within the government tying him down… I heard your estate isn't big, but still donated a hundred thousand catty of food supplies. Nie dge toasts you with this bowl of wine."
You Miao understood what he's trying to say, and quickly smiles modestly in return, "It's within my duty. Don't we study for the sake of serving the country?"
Nie Dan nods slowly, then says, "Xiandi's official career path is bright. Please don't mind dge's overly familiar words, but in the future, please carve this into your heart. Once you're well-read, it's best to use all that you've learned to serve the country."
You Miao gets it now. Nie Dan didn't call him over to lecture him, but from the standpoint of serving the country, he certainly would be a bit worried that You Miao would get pulled over by the Li faction. No doubt Zhao Chao said something similar in his letter to Nie Dan too. These soldier types are all straightforward characters, they don't know how to play mind games with the civil officials at court, but all their hearts and souls are for the greatness of the Great Qi, and so they fight courageously on the frontlines.
"Yudi# will absolutely bear this in mind. Dge, come, drink."
The two are drinking wine on an empty stomach, and after a few gulps, signs of inebriation colours Nie Dan's heroic face, and he says, "San-Dianxia is also feeling suffocated in the Capital. You've met him, he's never really had any companions since he was young, so if you're free, do socialize with him a bit more. But of course, studying is priority."
You Miao mn's, and realizes Nie Dan is an incredibly principled man and not that fun, drinking and chatting with him, the back and forths are all talks of proper conduct, pretty boring, no wonder he doesn't gain much favour at court.
Nie Dan gestures for him to wait a moment again, then heads back to the kitchen to check on the food. He comes back out with the dishes and sets them properly over the table, placing two sets of chopsticks down, and this is when You Miao knows Zhao Chao won't be coming.
However, Nie Dan says, "Enjoy, xiandi. Please excuse dge for a moment."
You Miao is feeling a little confused but Nie Dan just ups and leaves through the backyard. Just as You Miao is about to dig in facing an entire table of food however, another person emerges from the side corridor. It's Zhao Chao.
"Sorry for the wait…" Zhao Chao comes over, holding a package wrapped in grease paper, and explains, "I went over to the Ministry of War around evening and got held up."
When You Miao sees it's Zhao Chao, he smiles, "What about Nie dge? He made all this but he's not gonna have a bite?"
"He's got things to do, don't mind him. We'll eat." Zhao Chao says as he goes to close the door to the yard. Qixi festival, from beyond the enclosure walls drifts the laughter and conversations from the outside. Fine wine is poured, a lamp hangs under the tree, emitting a warm, yellow glow, shining on the two over a table of food.
"I got someone to inquire." Zhao Chao says, "Coincidentally, Li Yan is inquiring too. Your exam scroll is approved for Gongshi, just waiting for the results to be announced now. August fifth is the Palace Exam, are you prepared?"
You Miao lights up. While he thinks he can pass the exam, when he hears the actual news he's still very happy.
"How do I prepare?" You Miao asks.
Zhao Chao replies, looking troubled, "I don't study, I've only read a few books on military strategies and tactics, so how would I know? Use this month to read more books from the library, I guess."
You Miao is horribly amused, and Zhao Chao raises his cup, "Come come, gege toasts you, come back with a Zhuangyuan."
The two clink cups, but You Miao's mind is still on something else. A moment later, he speaks up, "Li Yan summoned me a few days ago, and I told him about Nie dge inviting me over today."
Zhao Chao's brows arch up, looking like he's thought of something, then after, his eyes shine with delight, "Brilliant. That's a clever move!"
You Miao sighs, "Li Yan wants me to stay in the Capital after the Palace exam, and plans for me to enter the Censorate."
Zhao Chao is stunned, then he mumbles, "Well this guy's got a big appetite. He ain't got the ability. Xiandi, entering the Censorate will depend on you."
"What do you mean?" You Miao asks.
Zhao Chao hums for a moment, one of his legs bent and the foot stepped on the stone bench, sitting casually at ease, pointing at You Miao with his chopsticks and replies in a hush, "It's not him putting you in there, it's him wanting to use you to gain favours with my Father. Your parents are officials in the Capital, plus you're the former Political Advisor Sun Yu's student, so if you achieve one of the top three in the exams, then you can be appointed an investigating censor, posted out in the territories for three to five years, then transfer you back to take the Vice Censor title, and in ten years, be promoted to Censor-in-Chief… When that time comes, the Li father and son can report whomever they wish, and whoever they don't like can be reported."
This is exactly the same as You Miao had speculated, and he nods slowly, "So I'll just go along with him?"
"You just go along with him." Zhao Chao says, "This is great, if Li Yan has these plans, it means he's actually guarding against my Brother too. Listen to everything Li Yan tells you to do for now, and come spring next year when you enter the Censorate, connect with my Brother secretly and obey Him. That Brother of mine doesn't treat me that great, but he's super evil. Once you're secured in your position, you won't need to depend on Li Yan anymore, so if you obey my Brother then, you and him can topple the Li faction together, and everything will become simpler."
"What about you?" You Miao asks, "When do I find a way to transfer you out of the Capital?"
"No rush." Zhao Chao says, "Nie dge is trying to find a way right now. Figure out how to keep yourself safe first, don't be too impatient. After the mid-autumn Palace Exam, my Father will be holding a banquet, and whether you get the top three or not you'll definitely have a seat. I'll teach you a few things to say when the time comes."
"First, my Father will ask where you're from, what your background is like, right? Once Father starts the conversation with you, you just keep bringing the subject over to, hm, I still gotta think on this, but definitely have him remember how good my mother was to him in the past."
It takes You Miao no time to understand, and he and Zhao Chao gaze at each other for a long time, each seeing that familiar look in each other's eyes.
In that moment, You Miao feels his heart ache inexplicably. They share practically the same fate, and Zhao Chao's life experience is not too far from his own.
Zhao Chao smiles self-deprecatingly, "Let's not talk anymore about this on a festive day. Drink, come, eat."
You Miao mn's, and the two start reaching for the dishes. You Miao is hungry too, and he cleans the plates like a whirlwind stealing the clouds away. Zhao Chao then asks, "Where's Li Zhifeng?"
"Went back." You Miao replies, "It's flooding at home, he's the housekeeper, and my xiao-jiu can't handle everything by himself."
"Over hundreds of thousands died in Jingzhou and Liuzhou Prefectures but the government is still dragging their feet releasing the food supplies, all the papers are stuck in the Ministry of Revenue."
"Cuz there's no money." You Miao says.
"It's true that there's not much left in the treasury." Zhao Chao says, "All the money is in the hands of those few senior officials. The Pings, the Lis, the Qins, those families that hang around with you all have hundreds of thousands in savings."
You Miao shakes his head helplessly, and Zhao Chao says, "Why do we keep talking about these depressing things, if not home affairs then state affairs. Whatever. There's no curfew out tonight, I'll take you to listen to songs, let's go."
On Crafter's Festival the milky way in the sky is like a ribbon, and the river cutting through the Capital is full of floating lanterns. The lovers of the mortal realm form pairs, and Zhao Chao and You Miao stroll along, coming to Qianqiu Bridge. Below the bridge, canopied boats languidly float by, and from the decks come the sound of guqin.
You Miao leans over the edge of the bridge to look down, and right at that moment, the glamour of the Capital is far away, leaving only himself watching the floating lights in a trance as they sway with the waves of the river.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhao Chao is also leaning over the railing of the bridge, touching shoulders with him.
"Nothing much." You Miao mumbles.
This scene itself is already like a dream, and in that moment, You Miao's mind really is blank, his eyes reflecting only that river full of lights. As he watches the lanterns, You Miao can't help but ask, "Your mom… was she good to you? What kind of person was she?"
Zhao Chao replies apathetically, "She passed when I was very little. I don't remember."
"Was your dad good to her?" You Miao asks.
"Which Emperor has ever stayed with only the one until the end? It's already good that she ate well and lived well. What about your old man? How'd he treat your mom? I remember you mentioning it in the letters, not great either."
You Miao nods, and he suddenly notices a silhouette by the rivershore. It's Nie Dan.
Zhao Chao puts his arm over You Miao's shoulder, and pulls him in for an embrace, "Why don't you stay with me from now on? I won't be fickle like my Father…"
Something stirs in You Miao's heart, and he tilts his head to look at Zhao Chao, finding a foreign emotion in his eyes. Zhao Chao smiles, "When we each form a family, take in a wife, we can still be together…"
You Miao laughs out in spite of himself, "San-Dianxia, you're joking."
Zhao Chao straightens, "I'm serious."
You Miao's heart starts thumping in his chest. He understands what Zhao Chao means, but he doesn't know how to respond in that moment. Male homosexuality is common in the Great Qi, You Miao knew this since he was young, and dignataries having cut sleeve# pastimes is nothing extraordinary. He and Li Yan used to share something sort of like that. But ever since he got Li Zhifeng, he's sunken in deep, even throwing out the idea of marrying, only spending his everyday in Li Zhifeng's company, letting himself be spoiled all day like a married couple, their life together charming in its own right.
And there's only Li Zhifeng who understands him. You Miao doesn't want to go court anyone either. Joking around is one thing, if he actually has to strip and climb into bed to go at it with Zhao Chao like how he and Li Zhifeng do it, You Miao would feel inexplicably awkward. He and Li Zhifeng have gotten used to seeing each other bare, but how can he do that with other people? It's impossible.
Having only Li Zhifeng keep him company in this lifetime is enough. Yet now Zhao Chao is speaking so earnestly, there's almost the feeling of a romantic engagement, and this being the first time in You Miao's life ever being confessed to so honestly, he can't help but feel awkward. Just as he's thinking of how to reject him, Zhao Chao continues to smile happily at him, "Lantern Festival night that year, you were standing in the lantern market watching the lights. I was riding through the lantern market entrance, and inadvertently, I saw you. One glance, and you've stayed on my mind for years."
You Miao can feel his cheeks burning up; nodding is no good, shaking his head is no good either, but it seems Zhao Chao enjoys him looking like this, and keeps teasing him. You Miao stammers, "Don't… don't say that."
He looks down to the Nie Dan who's by the rivershore under the bridge, and changes the subject intentionally, "What's Nie dge doing there? Let's go say hi?"
"Don't." Zhao Chao stops him, "Nie dge is mourning his wife."
You Miao suddenly feels affected and asks, "Dsao# passed away?"
Zhao Chao looks at Nie Dan in the distance, and replies pensively, "It's a long time ago. He and dsao first met at Wanshui Bridge on Qixi, then later they got married and dsao became pregnant with child. Nie dge was transferred to the battlefield to fight the Tartars at the last minute, and in the end, she suffered a bad labour. The son was lost and the woman died too. Before she died she kept calling Nie dge's name. Half a year later when he finally returned to the Capital, both the wife and the child were gone."
You Miao's eyes are wet, and Zhao Chao murmurs next to his ear, "Afterwards, every Qixi, as long as he can return to the Capital, he will always come here."
You Miao can almost see that scene from many years ago, a woman riding a boat languidly passing under the bridge, coming ashore where Nie Dan is standing now, and he extends a hand, waiting for her by the riverside.
For some reason, Li Zhifeng who's back home is on You Miao's mind again.
The brilliance of lanterns outshines moonlight's glory, As the drumming of dramas and shows last into the wee hours.#
The reflection of lantern lights below the bridge is sparkling. Who knows how Li Zhifeng is doing now, has the waters subsided? If the water's subsided then he should be drinking plum wine chilling under the tree with Qiao Jue, but that guy probably won't be so free as to chill around… he's probably already on the way back to the Capital. If he's here by his side right now, he'd probably just stand there quietly without saying a word.
If it's Li Zhifeng keeping him company right now, then he'd probably disappear when You Miao turns around.
But when You Miao turns around again, he'd reappear behind him, holding a lantern, passing him a candle, and letting him go down to release a river light.
You Miao starts to laugh. Li Zhifeng always likes to buy him odd little things, coaxing and spoiling him like a child, but that's exactly what he falls for too.
"What are you laughing about?" Zhao Chao is a little surprised.
"Nothing." You Miao snaps out of it and gives an embarrassed smile. Zhao Chao says something else after, but You Miao hears none of it.
"Come over to my place to spend the night tonight?" Zhao Chao ventures.
"No, I've gotta get back." You Miao replies.
Zhao Chao is taken aback at first, then he nods and asks, "Did you hear anything I just said?"
You Miao gives a quick smile, "San-Dianxia."
Zhao Chao seems to have realized something, and his brows begin to furrow. You Miao thinks about Nie Dan, then thinks about Li Zhifeng. In those years, maybe Nie Dan often regretted, thinking he should've stayed by her side. And now in the present, Li Zhifeng has left him, and for the first time in three years, You Miao realizes his importance.
You Miao says, "My heart…..mn, is taken. I'm heading back."
You Miao turns around and leaves. Zhao Chao is dumbfounded and shouts, "YOU ZIQIAN! WAIT!"
You Miao disappears into the massive crowd of carriages and people over the bridge, but the noise and liveliness around all seem to be so distant that he doesn't hear Zhao Chao calling him from behind.
Everything is the same as it has been as always, Except my state of mind and feelings have differed from that of the middle-aged.#
Qixi night, the streaming fireflies fill the secluded yard of the National University. Most of the examinees have gone out, leaving only Zhang Wenhan and another student chilling underneath a tree. When Zhang Wenhan sees You Miao has returned, he comes over to help him change his robe.
"Where's Guangwu?" You Miao asks.
"Didn't he drop Young Master off at the general's residence? You didn't come back together?" Zhang Wenhan replies.
You Miao smacks his head and laughs at himself, "Well I've lost my head walking."
That student who was also drinking tea laughs, "Anything fun out there?"
"Pretty men and women." You Miao laughs, "River lights as bright as day, a dazzling world, a glamourous Capital."
Zhang Wenhan teases, "Then why didn't Young Master have some more fun before coming back?"
You Miao snorts, "It's boring, there's no one to keep me company, it's not fun."
You Miao goes into his room, and Zhang Wenhan takes a bit of money to send someone to deliver a message to the general's residence, telling the carriage-driving Cheng Guangwu to come back. You Miao takes a cold bath, then comes out leaving his hair dripping wet, and sees Cheng Guangwu has returned.
Cheng Guangwu rolls up his sleeves and chuckles, "Did Young Master not have a good time? It seems if Housekeeper isn't around it still won't do."
You Miao only smiles, not responding, and all of a sudden he wants to pick up the brush and ink to write a letter home.
The night gradually sinks into quiet.
When crowds scatter and city noise disappears, Close creeps the season of melancholy.#
---
Chapter 26
The Jurens come back one after the other, clamoring energetically outside. Cheng Guangwu comes in to chase the mosquitos out, let down the muslin curtains, and put up the mosquito net for You Miao. The whole time he's doing that, You Miao is zoning out while staring at a blank piece of paper.
"Young Master," Cheng Guangwu says, "it's late, get some rest."
"Mm." The cup of tea next to him has already gone cold. It's You Miao's first time writing home to the estate. He wants to write something, but doesn't quite know what to write to Li Zhifeng. It's funny, thinking about it—the two of them have always been together ever since they met all those years ago, and they don't usually talk much anyway, so what tone should he take for this penpalling business?
You Miao puts down a couple of lines, but whatever he writes just feels weird and cringy, even to himself. He keeps at it until midnight but seriously cannot squeeze out the words, so he finally gives up and simply scrawls, "Miss you, come back soon".
He seals the envelope and gives it to Cheng Guangwu to mail out the next day, then goes to bed smiling.
Tossing and turning all night, You Miao feels a stirring in his heart, and his hips grind down against the bed of their own volition through the thin layer of his underpants. In the haze between sleep and wakefulness he dreams of Li Zhifeng kissing him again, and a rush of heat surges up from the bottom of his heart, wells out uncontrollably. He wakes up the next day to a cold, wet spot in his pants, and, red-faced, has to ask Cheng Guangwu to wash it.
The rains have stopped, and the cicadas start chirping again outside. Three days later, on the tenth of July, the list of successful examinees is put up in public, and a mass of people gather in the Capital to see. You Miao doesn't care about it much for himself, since he knows he's passed it for sure, but he's a little worried about how Zhang Wenhan fared.
"Young Master! Young Master!" Cheng Guangwu charges in hastily where Zhang Wenhan and You Miao are currently playing chess. Both of them look up, and Zhang Wenhan immediately says with a smile, "Congratulations Young Master!"
Cheng Guangwu says, "Young Master and Zhang Er both qualified as Gongshi!"
You Miao is delighted at the news, giving Zhang Wenhan a thumbs up as he says, "Now we can pack up and go for the Palace Exam together."
Zhang Wenhan is elated as well, replying, "It's cause the heavens know that, going into the palace, the Young Master will need a companion. Wenhan just got lucky that the Young Master's glory rubbed off on him."
The two of them share a laugh, and You Miao thinks that he's lucky to have such a friend in him. Cheng Guangwu then takes out a letter from his robes and hands it over to You Miao, saying, "I also have a letter from Qiao-jiuye here. Hurry and write back with the good news, Young Master!"
You Miao's heart lurches, immediately asking, "Who delivered it?"
But it's the boy servant named Yao Guang who had come and is currently standing just outside. He's polite but doesn't speak much, only bowing with a, "Congratulations to our Young Master."
You Miao takes out some money to reward Cheng Guangwu and Yao Guang—even if they're from his own household, this is something worth celebrating. You Miao waves Yao Guang over while opening the envelope, asking, "Come over and tell me how things have been back home."
Yao Guang's personality is just like Li Zhifeng's, usually just standing there quietly until called upon, says what needs to be said and not a word extra, doesn't joke around, and with a stoic, deadpan expression all the time, he's You Miao's favorite amongst the boy servants. Covered in dust and worn out from travelling, he comes over to wash the cups and refill them with tea for You Miao and Zhang Wenhan as he answers, "Everything's fine at home. The waterwheel almost broke when it flooded last month, but the housekeeper saved it."
You Miao reads the letter while listening to Guang Yao. The flood drowned more than half of Yangzhou Prefecture, but luckily Riverwave Estate made it out unscathed. Li Zhifeng had made it back in time, or else the waterwheel would've broken and gotten washed away. But even then, a small part of the waterwheel still got damaged, and the chain had come undone and sunk into the river. Li Zhifeng is currently leading people in fishing it out.
It had taken Qiao Jue and his people three days and three nights to draw the rain-accumulated water from the canals. Fortunately the expert craftsmen who had helped build the project at Riverwave Estate were prepared for this—the canals can also drain water on top of delivering it. Hearing that, You Miao's heart that had been hanging in mid-air could finally come back down to ground.
Finishing Qiao Jue's letter, he finds another inside the envelope. He shakes it open absently, and can't help smiling when he sees.
You Miao's letter was only sent out three days ago, and probably hasn't gotten to Riverwave Estate yet, but Li Zhifeng's letter has already arrived here first. It's in Li Zhifeng's own handwriting, disordered and harsh-looking, the few lines written with too much pressure, such that the strokes etch nearly through the paper in same parts, clearly the penmanship of someone who rarely writes. The contents read: "There are still some things to take care of at home, but I'll be back soon. Miss you so much it feels like my heart is on fire, so many things to say but don't know how to say any of it, or who to say it to. Take this letter the same as seeing me, and take care of yourself. —Feng"
You Miao can't help bursting out in laughter as he reads, and the more he thinks about it the funnier it gets. He himself boasts of great learning, but struggled to write much of anything at all even after racking his brains. Meanwhile, Li Zhifeng is just the opposite, with so much to say but unable to express it all due to his limited literary ability; this is all so funny.
Seeing You Miao's mirth, Zhang Wenhan teases, "Let me see? What'd brother Li write?"
Zhang Wenhan starts laughing as well upon reading it, tapping on the tea cup while singing loudly, "I'll be away for years——fine hours and scenes——no longer charming as they should! Though my love's e'er so deep and true——to whom can I say this, but you?"#
You Miao's stomach hurts from how hard he's laughing as he tries to take the letter back from him, saying between laughter, "No no, it's 'I'll send a message to my dear, but endless ranges and streams sever us far and near'!# Gimme! Gimme already!"
Zhang Wenhan is in quite the good mood, clowning around with You Miao for a good while as several students watch on, laughing. One of them teases, "Letter from Madam You?"
Smiling, You Miao folds the letter back up and puts it away with a "mhm" and no further explanation, then goes back to his room.
That day, You Miao takes Li Zhifeng's letter and reads it over and over for a while, thinking to take him around once he gets here to the Capital in a couple more days, and after the Palace Exam is over. He should be here by August fifteenth at the latest, and when the Emperor holds his banquet for the officials, he'll take him into the palace, broaden his horizons a bit.
The Palace Exam is on August tenth, which is a month away. After getting the letter, You Miao perks up and goes to study in the library everyday.
Now that there's Yao Guang here to serve too, between him and Cheng Guangwu there's enough hands to go around. Once the exam results came out, all the students who didn't pass have gone home, and all of a sudden the National University is left in quiet. The majority of the Juren's only wanted to earn a title, so achieving Gongshi is far enough for them. Those who remain to prepare for the Palace Exam seriously are all those with ambition and aspirations. Comes the day of August tenth, Li Zhifeng still hasn't come back, and so You Miao brings Yao Guang with him to attend the exam.
The topic of the Palace Exam is personally drafted by the Emperor, and the test itself is only a dissertation on the policy in question. The examinees enter the exam hall at dawn, and bow as their names are called. The crowd of them fill the Palace of Yangxin, and as they're called they are led to their seats by the Personal Attendants.
You Miao is feeling a little nervous. Without Li Zhifeng around, it feels like something is missing.
As the exam subject is unrolled, You Miao is taken aback. It's actually on the affairs of the border!
You Miao can't help but look up and scan around the room at all the other Gongshi in the hall, and surprise is on everyone's faces. This policy dissertation is the last round of the exams, the topic itself devised by the Emperor himself, and the question presented within the topic is thus the Emperor inquiring after the thoughts of the people, asking for the Gongshi's to express their own views while infusing all that they've learned in their lifetimes in order to give their answers, and thus is the "policy countermeasure".
You Miao had imagined what the test question would be countless times, and Sun Yu has also discussed the policy dissertations with him. It's usually about people's livelihoods, restrictive governance, government integrity, etc. There are precedents of the exam topics entering the main subject through specific cases and asking for the illustration of the big picture by utilizing the small, and vice versa, where the topic speaks of the world but drills down to the nitty gritty.
But discuss the war strategy of the frontier? This is something You Miao had never expected. With the way the barbarians are bombarding the border and beyond right now, the situation is much more severe in comparison to years before. Perhaps the Emperor of the Great Qi drafting this topic is also a sign of urgency.
When it comes to the subject of the border, You Miao is confident that there aren't many in all these examinees who would know more about the current events than he does.
But what's really making him troubled is: does he speak his mind? He's been exchanging letters with Zhao Chao for three years and has studied the art of war with Sun Yu, but there are many things that aren't easy to discuss, and some that shouldn't be discussed at all, only because they're all too sensitive of subjects, and can easily provoke the Emperor or any one of the high officials at court.
You Miao looks up again to scan his surroundings, then raises his eyes to look at the front of the hall. He exhales a heavy sigh.
The topic of the Palace Exam seems to be displaying You Miao's future, or perhaps there really is a pair of eyes watching him from above. From the Quanrong Li Zhifeng to the Third Prince Zhao Chao, to the education received from Sun Yu and all of his own aspirations in serving the country, all of them are connected with millions of ties to the northern frontier.
As the sun rises, the rays spill through the glass shingles of the the Palace of Yangxin, scintillating and blinding.
You Miao puts his foot down and raises his brush, beginning his dissertation with the thesis "the supreme art of war is to subdue enemies without fighting". Every single stroke of his writing is prim and proper, each word weighed and each line deliberated.
As high noon climbs, everyone is covered in sweat, and the drops drip onto the papers, but You Miao's seat is situated under a tree, swaying gently providing breezes, looking very calm and at ease.
As the sun slowly sinks into the west in the afternoon, You Miao is also writing slower and slower. In the end, he hums for a moment, then scrunches up the paper, rolling the dissertation he's been writing since early morning into a ball then chucks it to the tree. There are already many examinees around who have finished, and they watch You Miao in bemusement, snickering like they've discovered something fascinating.
You Miao pulls out another paper and writes down the words: Going to war to end wars is acceptable despite it being war#.
This time he writes very fast, and his written words not as carefully crafted as before, but the content is everything Sun Yu has taught him though none of it abides by Sun Yu's construct. You Miao mentions the battle with Goryeo from years ago, brings up the Quanrong tribe, then mercilessly points out the nation's internal conflicts, the restrictions that come as a result of faction disputes, his words carrying the implication of accusing the Li faction as well as blaming the Emperor.
At dusk, the drum drums thrice, and the examiner comes to take the scrolls. You Miao is the last one, looking forlorn as he leaves the palace.
The setting sun is like pooling blood, dragging his shadow long down the stone tiles.
Yao Guang tidies up and follows after You Miao.
You Miao stretches and lets out a long breath, then smiles.
"If it doesn't work out we'll go home." You Miao says, "After having reached this stage I don't have any regrets."
That day when You Miao gets back, Zhang Wenhan asks what You Miao wrote, and when You Miao tells Zhang Wenhan in detail what he's handed in, Zhang Wenhan's face immediately falls.
"Young Master," Zhang Wenhan doesn't even know what to say for the moment, "Young Master certainly is brave!"
You Miao however, only sounds bored, "Who cares."
He knows very clearly in his heart that the first thesis was the best; not only does it go along with Chancellor Li's hopes, it also matches the Emperor's desires. The supreme art of war is to subdue enemies without fighting. Isn't that what everyone at court is hoping for? Sun Yu also said that a capable official can stop millions of fierce soldiers. But what Sun Yu also said is to fight! Beat the barbarians down before negotiating peace. Those who excel at wars don't care for battles, but it doesn't mean they're afraid, and this is the complete opposite of what Li Yan and his dad are doing.
At this point, the northern frontier needs to hold steady, and the only thing they can do is to fight. Just the thought of how tragically Zhao Chao lost makes You Miao burn with fury. He and Li Zhifeng have been with each other for years, and from what Li Zhifeng had described, You Miao can guess a thing or two. Among all the barbarians, the Tartars are the most brutal, and the Hans giving them money and silk will not make them grateful in the least, they'll only think the Hans are scared of them.
They have to beat down the barbarians causing havoc along the border with an iron fist while bestowing mercy upon them, that's the only way they can reclaim the centuries of peace.
Whatever. You Miao gives up, and downs two cups of tea after getting back, his head a little dizzy and he's got no appetite either. "I'm gonna go nap a bit, I'll skip dinner."
You Miao's mouth is dry, his tongue parched, and he lays in the bed until midnight, his forehead burning, calling for Yao Guang who's asleep on the floor to pour him water. Cheng Guangwu starts to notice things are amiss and comes over to feel his forehead, then the colours of his face change, "It's probably a heatstroke! Go call for the doctor!"
Yao Guang is shocked. After all, the time he's served You Miao is the shortest, and he's not as attentive as Li Zhifeng either, so in his carelessness, he didn't even realize when You Miao got heatstroke. He hastily crawls up in a hurry and runs out into the night to find a doctor. You Miao's face is pale, unable to even sweat. Sure enough he's sweated too much during the Palace Exam, overworked and exhausted to the extreme and forgot to drink water, so in the heat of Indian Summer he's gotten heatstroke. Once he's collapsed in bed, he stays down for a whole three days.
-
"Is Li Zhifeng back yet?" You Miao asks weakly the moment he wakes the next day.
Yao Guang brings the doctor back for a check up and replies, "To answer Young Master, Housekeeper is probably on his way back right now."
"Still not here…" You Miao mumbles listlessly.
The doctor prescribes the medicine and Zhang Wenhan is thoroughly freaked, running in and out helping around, and going up to try and beat up Yao Guang too, but You Miao waves his hand dismissively gesturing not to blame the poor boy. After downing a bowl of medicine for chasing away the heat of summer and staying empty-stomached, soon he feels more at ease. He hears voices from the outside of people visiting, but Cheng Guangwu is declining them, "My Young Master got a heatstroke, he's lying in rest right now."
You Miao's eyes are closed in rest, but he's heard everything, and asks, "Who was it? Did someone come from the estate?"
"Someone sent over from the Chancellor's residence." Cheng Guangwu replies, "They wanted to invite Young Master out to drink."
You Miao doesn't even have the energy to respond, so he just lies there. In the evening he takes another round of medicine, feeling a little better, but still feels his chest a little tight, so he stays in bed. When night comes he hears a familiar voice.
"Didn't you sit under a tree? How did you get a heatstroke?" Li Yan's voice comes, "Open the bed curtains more, don't stifle yourself."
Li Yan's cool fingers touch You Miao's forehead, "Think you can eat some porridge? I think this is all caused by hunger, sit up and try."
You Miao lets out a huff and Li Yan personally leans over to help him up. You Miao's head is spinning, but after a few gulps of porridge he feels better.
"Haaaahhh——" You Miao lets out.
Li Yan replies exasperatedly, "See? You just don't have the energy because of hunger. The heat's already past."
Li Yan isn't clowning around with him now, and after You Miao regains some energy, he takes over the bowl and starts to eat up on his own, his thoughts flying all over the place, suddenly remembering he almost arraigned the Li father and son in his policy dissertation. Hopefully he'll never find out.
You Miao wants to start a conversation but doesn't know what to say, and Li Yan teases, "Why are you so weak?"
"Ay." You Miao replies, "Who can predict this sun of the Capital? I've never experienced such vicious heat when I lived in the Capital, and back in Jiangnan I rarely went out the door. I've left my martial arts practice for months now."
"I'll have someone stew some ginseng broth and have it sent over, and you just drink that soup." Li Yan says, "You'll have to enter the palace for Mid Autumn in several days, don't go out and tire yourself."
The Palace Exam is back on You Miao's mind now, and knows Li Yan has his way of getting news, so it seems You Miao's passed. Maybe he's even landed a Jinshi with a specific degree, and so he asks, "How'd I do?"
Li Yan is about to speak when he hears Cheng Guangwu's voice outside, greeting, "San-Dianxia."
Li Yan is taken aback at first, then flashes You Miao a sly smile, wriggling his brows. You Miao gestures that he'll take care of it and Li Yan pats You Miao's hand, rises to his feet and pats down his robes, "I'm off."
As Li Yan is taking his leave, Zhao Chao comes in pushing aside the screen curtain, and the two come face to face.
Li Yan cups his hands in greeting and smiles too, "San-Dianxia."
"I'm here to check on You Ziqian. Sit for a bit longer?" Zhao Chao says.
Li Yan quickly declines, "Father asked me to make a trip to the Ministry of Rites. I happened to pass by so I came over to visit Miao-zi."
Zhao Chao looks thoughtful but Li Yan bids farewell again in proper courtesy, and so Zhao Chao watches him leave with a smile, but the moment he turns around to sit down his face changes completely.
These people really do change faces like flipping pages through a book, changing at will, You Miao thinks to himself, and found it both hopeless and funny. Zhao Chao's ears twitch unnoticeably, making sure Li Yan really has left before he frowns, "How did you get a heatstroke? What were your servants doing?!"
"I'm the one who was careless. I'm better now." You Miao says.
Zhao Chao reaches out to feel his forehead, and You Miao eats up the porridge, feeling his energy return, "What are you doing here?"
"Nothing." Zhao Chao replies, "I heard you fell ill so I came to check on you. What was he doing here?"
You Miao replies, amused, "He probably wanted to teach me how to say a few things, but with you here, he had to leave."
Zhao Chao thinks for a moment, then says, "I also went over to the Ministry of Rites but didn't hear anything. You got second class# in the Palace Exam?"
You Miao is clueless too, "He didn't say, only told me to get better so I can attend the banquet in the palace for Mid Autumn."
Zhao Chao understands, "Then that means you got Jinshi."
The two sigh to each other and You Miao huffs another breath. It should've been a happy occasion but how come he's feeling so empty? Not a single soul to celebrate with him, back when he got Jieyuan it was so much better.
Zhao Chao grins, "Isn't this a good thing? Why are you sighing like that?"
You Miao replies derisively, "I don't know either."
Zhao Chao pats his knee, "Let me tell you some stories."
An oil lamp is lit that night. There's pitter-pattering outside as rain begins to fall once more, washing away the tightness in You Miao's chest, the air much more refreshed. By ergeng# time, someone from the Chancellor's residence arrives to deliver a food box and ginseng broth, and You Miao wolfs it down, re-energized.
Zhao Chao selects a few tales of the traditions and lifestyles of beyond the border to tell him, and as he talks, both of them end up in the bed, huddling under one blanket, snuggled together. Zhao Chao doesn't mention the things he said at Qixi, like nothing has ever happened, returning the natural friendship they shared before to what it used to be.
As You Miao listens he grows drowsy, his head drooping on Zhao Chao's shoulder, only half responding here and there. Zhao Chao lays him down gently and watches his sleeping face for a long time.
His breathing quickens and he slowly leans down, gazing at You Miao's lips. However, a moment later, with eyes downcast, he doesn't do anything and rises, quietly pulling the door close behind him as he leaves.
Couple days later, once You Miao's head has cleared up some, he's in the middle of drinking ginseng broth when he breaks into a cold sweat thinking back to that night when Li Yan and Zhao Chao both came to visit him and bumped into one another, thinking that was close.
You Miao isn't sure if it's the heatstroke or a momentary impulse that made him write that for his policy dissertation during the Palace Exam! That's practically begging for death! But unexpectedly, by sheer dumb luck, the contents of his writing actually aligned with both sides' wishes.
What does Li Yan want? Someone who appears unconnected to the Li faction, who's capable of assuming the position of the Censor-in-chief, and who's not afraid to say anything. His dissertation had criticized not only the Li faction but the Emperor as well; Li Yan would only think that he had done that on purpose, and wouldn't suspect him at all.
What does Zhao Chao want? Someone to help him speak in front of his father the Emperor… the more he thinks about it the more You Miao feels like he lucked out—considering what he had written that day at the Palace Exam while feeling all light-headed, there's really no other explanation aside from the protection of his mother up in heaven. What an auspicious sign for his future career as an official, even he himself can't help but admire his own good luck.
The results of the Palace Exam come out that day, but it's the examiner himself who comes by personally with an imperial edict to read out.
"By imperial decree——"
"From Liuzhou Prefecture, Peixian County, You Miao, You Ziqian, father You Dechuan, mother Madam Qiao——"
"First Class Tanhua! By grace of the Emperor!"
You Miao is frozen in dumbfounded shock, while the entire National University erupts in an uproar, the students rushing about and spreading the news, and countless people crowding into the courtyard, falling over one another to get a glimpse at the Tanhua. The examiner says with a smile, "Hurry and express your gratitude!"
You Miao hastily snaps out of it and kneels in gratitude.
The examiner then shakes open another imperial edict to read, "From Yangzhou Prefecture, Anlu Village, Zhang Wenhan, courtesy name Mohuai, is bestowed the status of Jinshi, Third Class Chuanlu#, by grace of the Emperor…"
Zhang Wenhan's eyes are red and he can't stop shaking. Teary-eyed, he kneels hastily in a dreamy daze to express his gratitude, crying, "Dad! Mom! Can you see me from up in heaven? Zhang Er is a Jinshi now——!"
You Miao can hardly believe it—he's gotten Tanhua?! Zhuangyuan, Bang'yan, Tanhua, third place of First Class, one of the top three, what does this mean?! The Emperor read his dissertation, and still decreed him Tanhua!
"Congratulations Young Master! Congratulations Young Master!" Cheng Guangwu is so excited he can hardly even speak anymore, turning to instruct Yao Guang, "Quickly, fetch some loose silver to reward everybody with!"
You Miao accepts the edict, and the examiner continues, "It's August fifteenth# today, the Emperor will hold a banquet in the Imperial Garden this evening. Remember to go to the palace at youshi#, someone will come to pick you up then."
You Miao replies with a bow, "I will bear it in mind."
The examiner glances You Miao over again and says, "Collected and self-possessed, you will be a great pillar of the country yet!" Then clamps You Miao on the shoulder before heading back to report.
Zhang Wenhan is busy muttering to himself, still in a dream-like daze of excitement, while You Miao goes back to his room with a gloomy expression and a sigh.
"Tanhua." You Miao suddenly finds that there isn't really anything to be happy about, and he hardly feels any security in his heart either.
Cheng Guangwu comes in with a grin, saying, "Young Master! Our family's finally made it now!"
You Miao is starting to get a headache from the crowd of people clamoring outside. "Alright alright everybody out, I need some peace and quiet."
Cheng Guangwu asks, "Is the Young Master not happy? Hurry and burn incense, take a bath, get ready for the banquet at the palace tonight!"
You Miao carelessly tosses the imperial edict aside and yells, "Yao Guang! Yao Guang! Get in here!"
Yao Guang is outside giving out money to the students, the courtyard filled with a constant stream of people coming and going like a bustling market, and even the common people nearby have heard the news and rush over to get a glimpse of the Tanhua and some reward money. But Yao Guang hears the anger in You Miao's voice and hurries inside, not daring to speak.
You Miao slams the door shut with a bang, scaring everyone gathered outside, who then hear the Tanhua scolding his servant inside the room. You Miao roars furiously, "Go get a horse and ride back to the estate right now! Tell Li Zhifeng that if he doesn't come back right now then I'm just gonna buy another servant here at the Capital! He said he'd be back before the Palace Exam, so what the hell is this?!"
You Miao pauses, wondering what's gotten into him; what is he being this mad for?
Yao Guang got a scare too, and doesn't even dare answer. You Miao smiles wryly and says, "Nevermind nevermind, forget I said anything."
Finally having vented the thing that's been weighing on his mind, You Miao feels the anger subside a bit. He's not actually mad because Li Zhifeng didn't come, but because he feels like he didn't care for him.
He's done well enough already, always doing whatever You Miao tells him to. And besides, him going back to the estate was just following You Miao's instructions too. Li Zhifeng lives for him and thinks only of him, it's simply unjustifiable to work him to death, but You Miao just feels put off and upset anyway. Not because Li Zhifeng didn't come, though it's not like he did anything wrong.
"Go buy some lemon grass," You Miao says. "Look at how sweaty you are. Heat up some water and take a bath, change your clothes. Which of you two wants to go to the palace with me?"
Yao Guang and Cheng Guangwu exchange a glance. Cheng Guangwu gives a slight shake of his head. Yao Guang seems to want to say something, but is stopped by Cheng Guangwu.
You Miao notices the subtle exchange immediately, asking, "Is there something you want to say?"
Yao Guang starts, "Young Master…"
Cheng Guangwu interrupts with furrowed brows, "Yao Guang, go heat up the water."
But You Miao insists, "Tell me first, what did you want to say just now?"
Yao Guang hesitates for a moment, then says, "It's not… it's not that Li Zhifeng doesn't care for the Young Master, but that he fell off the cliff during the flood…"
Yao Guang's only just started talking, and You Miao is already frozen with shock.
"...and broke his leg," Yao Guang finishes.
The sunlight filters into the dark room as You Miao sits there in a hollow stupor.
In the courtyard, Zhang Wenhan wipes his tears as he accepts the congratulations from the other students, nodding to each.
A moment later, there's suddenly a loud bawl from inside the room as You Miao bursts into tears, crying miserably.
The people look at one another, all murmuring that the Tanhua is really something.
Didn't cry when receiving the edict.
Didn't cry when being congratulated.
Only crying once he's back in his own room with the door closed, truly a talent!
Afternoon that day, You Miao lies exhausted in a warm bath with his eyes closed, hair undone and drifting in the water.
Yao Guang says while cutting his hair, "Li Zhifeng said to not disturb the Young Master, and that he'll come back to the Capital as soon as his leg is better."
You Miao instructs, "Go make a trip back, tell him to stay home and rest, I'll go back myself tomorrow morning."
Yao Guang says, "Young Master, Li Zhifeng and Jiuye had me keep quiet about it because they were worried you'd rush back. If you were to go back now, it'll be my leg that's broken next."
You Miao doesn't even know whether to laugh or cry at that, and in the end settles for angrily splashing Yao Guang with a faceful of water.
Yao Guang lets out a rare laugh, then leaves with a nod and a bow, switching with Cheng Guangwu who comes in to attend to You Miao and wash his back.
You Miao hollers, "Call Yao Guang back in here! I'm not done grilling him yet!"
Cheng Guangwu says with a glum expression, "Young Master."
You Miao, impatiently, "What is it now?"
Cheng Guangwu says, "We only brought four sets of clothing from home, two of which were just laundered and aren't dry yet, the other two are casual clothing, and there isn't enough time to get anything tailored now, should we go to the store and buy ready-made clothes?"
You Miao replies, "I'll just wear whatever, who cares?"
Everything's been so busy outside that it only just dawned on Zhang Wenhan and Yao Guang that You Miao is to go into the palace for a banquet today! The clothes they brought from Riverwave Estate aren't exactly up to the occasion, and it's already too late to have new ones made now. You Miao usually knows to pamper himself, but he's been rather preoccupied with other things since arriving at the Capital. He says offhandedly, "Whatever's fine, just grab a set of hemp robes or something, doesn't matter really. For all we know the Emperor might even praise me for living modestly."
A moment later, another person comes by outside. It's Chang Yuan, the oldest servant boy in the household, having a whispered exchange with Yao Guang in the hallway. You Miao says, "Chang Yuan? Get in here."
Chang Yuan comes in with a smile, saying, "Congratulations Young Master, Qiao-jiuye knew the Young Master would definitely place high in the exam and worried that you'd be short on money, so he sent me all this way to deliver silver notes to the Young Master."
You Miao says, "How's Li Zhifeng's leg? Be honest with me or I'll send you both to the army."
Chang Yuan's smile freezes, while You Miao continues, "He's the one who sent you here to the Capital to try and keep me here, am I right?"
You Miao's thoughts were all jumbled up before, but now that his head's cleared up, his gears turn faster than anyone's, guessing it all right on the head. Chang Yuan says in a hurry, "The housekeeper's leg is fine, he just can't ride horses right now. He thought about coming back by carriage, but knew he'd just make you worry if he came like that, and so decided to heal up at home before coming."
You Miao grills Chang Yuan thoroughly, asking about everything from how Li Zhifeng fell to where he's injured, getting to the bottom of it all, grilling him til he's vowing high and low on pain of being struck by lightning that he's said everything already before finally feeling somewhat reassured and getting up to get dressed. Chang Yuan respectfully offers up a letter and three thousand silver notes.
You Miao says frostily, "Is this three thousand actually from xiao-jiu, or is it from that cheap old man of mine?"
Chang Yuan replies hastily, "The Young Master is very sharp, two of the three thousand was indeed sent to us from Sunshower Jade Estate. Jiuye said it's free money anyway, might as well use it, so he had me bring it along."
You Miao, eyes reddened, doesn't even spare the silver notes so much as a glance, opting instead to shake open Li Zhifeng's letter. It's Li Zhifeng's reply to that letter he wrote on the night of Qixi.
There's a poem in the reply——"After Passing the Exam" by Meng Jiao#.
"I now needn't brag about my wretched yesterday, Since I am all free and gay for romance today! In spring breeze, my horse runs proud and fast; All flowers in Chang'an I've in a day flown past."#
Under that is a single line: Wait for me. —Feng
And folded inside the letter is a small handful of crushed osmanthus flowers.
You Miao is caught between laughing and crying as he reads; his heart feels all warm and a stream of heat wells up in his throat. Back when he used to spend all day playing around and goofing off in the Capital, Li Zhifeng had always kept him company, and now that he's scored first class as the Tanhua, Li Zhifeng borrows Meng Jiao's words to express his heartfelt sentiments, and for a moment, a hundred mixed emotions well up in You Miao's chest, with sadness blended in between.
Chang Yuan notices that something's off with You Miao and immediately says, "Young Master! Jiuye has one more thing for you, let me… let me just…"
Chang Yuan glances meaningfully toward Yao Guang, who picks up his meaning and quickly hands over a wooden box. Chang Yuan opens it to show You Miao, saying, "We made these mooncakes at the estate ourselves, Jiuye said… they'll bring you luck to attain Zhuangyuan, but I didn't get here in time and you only got Tanhua… it's all this one's fault, this one deserves punishment…"
You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry at these goofy servant boys. He smacks Chang Yuan's head and says, "Nevermind that, go prepare the outer robe, it's time to go to the palace!"
Chang Yuan takes out another cloth bag and says, "Housekeeper Li personally went to Yangzhou and had these clothes made for the Young Master."
Good save! The looks on everyone's faces melt into one of "thank heavens" as Chang Yuan shakes out the set of new robes. The robes are a deep blue with patterns in green, made with the best needlework in the Jiangnan region, looking tastefully elegant without ostentation, and the lapels are embroidered in gold with an auspicious snake pattern that's subtly visible.
You Miao puts on the robes, and Chang Yuan takes out an agate ring to put on him, then opens a small box—inside is his mother's jade pendant, the one that Li Zhifeng had kept with him all this time since You Miao gave it to him three years ago to save his life. Then they fasten a girdle ornament of white jade to his waist, and You Miao looks himself over in the mirror while everyone else mutters appreciatively.
You Miao was going to just go to the palace in plain cloth robes—plain clothing has its own charm, after all—but since Li Zhifeng went to the trouble of having Chang Yuan bring him these robes, it feels quite meaningful to be wearing these instead.
Evening of the Mid-autumn festival#, and the moon is round as a cake. Chang Yuan had brought several big boxes of mooncakes from the estate, so You Miao invites the other students to admire the full moon and drink tea together in the courtyard.
The horse-drawn carriage sent by the palace to pick him up pulls up outside. You Miao climbs in, not bringing anyone else with him, only leaving a couple of short instructions before closing the curtains and heading off to the palace.
---
Chapter 27
The palace is alight as replendant as day, ten miles of lily ponds, three seasons of osmanthus. While the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms doesn't drift like in Jiangnan, it's thick with the air of the central plains. You Miao knows the banquet tonight is extremely important; he can't say a single wrong word and he can't make a single wrong step, He plays the words he'll have to say later over and over in his head, up until the horse carriage enters the inner side gardens before he dismounts nervously.
"Tanhulang#, please." A eunuch beckons respectfully, holding a lantern.
You Miao nods. Even now this all still feels like a dream, that everything is surreal. Has he really gotten First Class and became the Tanhua? News was coming too fast this entire day, one after the other, and for the moment he's still hasn't wrapped his head around anything. His mind is still going up and down but his thoughts are entirely with the home in Jiangnan. By now, Qiao Jue is probably admiring the moon, toasting his glass with Li Zhifeng as they drink to the moon.
You Miao sighs, looking a bit glum.
That eunuch is leading the way holding the lantern in front, and he turns his head back, "Is Tanhulang troubled with something?"
You Miao mentally reprimands himself for showing too openly, after all, he's here to attend the banquet invite of the Emperor, and so he quickly smiles, "I wonder who the Zhuangyuan-lang is this year?"
"Chancellor Li's gongzi." The eunuch smiles, "And the Bang'yan is a gentleman from Sichuan, Hengshan County."
You Miao nods slowly, looking thoughtful, and the eunuch leads him to somewhere quiet in the Imperial Garden. You Miao notices there's someone inside the gazebo next to the Taiye Pond, his back facing him, standing with his hands courted behind, and next to him is another tall man, seeming to be a military officer.
The military officer is just conversing with that distinguished gongzi, and it only takes You Miao a second to recognize them——it's Nie Dan and Zhao Chao!
"Tanhulang, please." The eunuch who is leading the way brings him here then bows to stand down. You Miao walks down the corridors, heading towards the gazebo. Nie Dan and Zhao Chao were halfway in their conversation when they notice You Miao coming their way.
Nie Dan's attire is still very plain, dressed in a deep blue military robe that's faded with wash, and You Miao hops into the gazebo with a smile, "San-Dianxia!"
You Miao is just about to greet the two when "Zhao Chao" turns around, coming to face You Miao, and it isn't Zhao Chao but the Taizi!
You Miao jolts in shock and quickly bows respectfully his greeting, "Taizi-Dianxia."
The one who was conversing with Nie Dan is indeed the Taizi Zhao Zhuo, and when he sees You Miao his smile widens, "Tanhulang, it's been a while." He says, giving You Miao a wink.
You Miao knows the Taizi is referring to their frolic at the brothel with Li Yan and others, but this is something the Taizi can say openly while he himself can absolutely not, so he can only return an embarrassed smile, replying awkwardly, "Your Highness is jesting."
Nie Dan continues on, "I still must return to the defense garrison soon."
The Taizi hums for a moment then replies unhurriedly, "I will advise my Father, General Nie needn't worry."
Nie Dan nods, then gives You Miao a long, meaningful look before he courts his hands to take his leave.
After Nie Dan's left, the Taizi doesn't speak, only looking You Miao over calculatingly with a smile in his eyes. You Miao returns to that disinterested look, standing aside ready to heed orders. While Zhao Zhuo may be the Taizi, You Miao understands his own position too——Zhuangyuan, Bang'yan, Tanhua… including all the Second Class special degree Jinshi's attending the banquet tonight, they will all become pillars of the country. In other words, everyone will be entering court in the future.
And the Emperor of the future is Zhao Zhuo. They're bound to see each other often, and in some ways, this means the Taizi will have to be courteous to him too.
You Miao ponders for a moment, looking like he has something to say, but the Taizi speaks up first, "Why do you look so glum?"
"This subject daren't." You Miao smiles, "News came too fast today so I am overwhelmed for the moment, and dismayed."
The Taizi's smile brightens, and pats You Miao on the shoulder, "Your dissertation was very good. After Father saw your countermeasure, he sat in the Palace of Taihe for an entire night last night. Your teacher is Political Advisor Sun, Sun Yu?"
You Miao quickly replies modestly, "It is indeed Teacher this subject followed and studied under back in Liuzhou Prefecture."
The Taizi grins, "Back then it was also Teacher Sun who began my studies."
You Miao's eyes brighten, and asks in wonder, "Your Highness was also… also…"
"Mn." The Taizi chuckles, "I've been disciplined by him, and disciplined harshly too. Come, I'll take you around the palace. We can walk and talk."
You Miao sneaks some hurried peeks at the Taizi, not daring to stare too closely, but he feels while the Taizi and Zhao Chao aren't born of the same mother, there are still some resemblance, the biggest difference between them being Zhao Chao is straightforward in both action and speech, but when talking to the Taizi, it feels much more at ease and natural.
As expected, the Emperor of the Great Qi establishing the principal and favouring the Taizi isn't without reason.
The Taizi takes You Miao along as they traverse through the Imperial Garden, the smile on his face unfading, and their conversations full of wit and humour. Soon, You Miao begins to be more open, bringing up some past stories of Sun Yu, talking of how he used to be disciplined, punished to copy books, and towards the end both are sighing in grief.
"Policy Advisor Sun is a good teacher." The Taizi remarks pensively, "When I was young, I hated him to death, but now when I look back, it's hard to find someone like him again."
You Miao grins and nods, "Fortunately this subject was seventeen when entering Teacher's tutelage, and understands this truth."
The Taizi then turns around to look You Miao over, smiling, "Which is why when I see you, it feels as if we are old acquaintances. Sure enough it's because you were taught by Teacher…"
"This subject is dismayed. When this subject sees Taizi-Dianxia, I also feel a sense of familiarity." You Miao replies.
The Taizi is a little surprised at first, but he soon discerns the meaning behind You Miao's words, and he flashes an understanding smile, "I do indeed somewhat resemble san-di#."
You Miao nods languidly, and the Taizi brings him to enter where the banquet is set up in the Imperial Garden, where many have already been seated. He smiles, "Thank you for waiting, everyone. Father is just paying respects to the ancestors in the Palace of Renhe. He will join us shortly."
The crowd nods and the Taizi motions for You Miao to enter his seat while he himself approaches another table, sitting down with some old officials, but their conversations nothing more than the affairs of the young.
The head seat of You Miao's table is empty, figures it's for the Emperor, and Li Yan is sitting in the first seat to the right, not meeting eyes with You Miao. The next seat down is the Bang'yan of the Palace Exam, another man dressed in a brocade robe, but his skin is rough, dark and tanned, looking weathered, probably someone from an impoverished background.
Below the head table seats all the Second Class Jinshi's, including Qin Shaonan from the Ministry of Rites. He inclines his head slightly towards You Miao, and after exchanging greetings, You Miao goes to enter his seat, starting an on and off conversation with the Bang'yan.
Both sides exchanged their names; the Bang'yan is named Chen Qing, and after a few questions, You Miao discovers he's also from a renown clan! Although Chen Qing's family throughout the generations are dedicated farmers, their ancestor is the Grandmaster Chen Tuan#. You Miao can't help but feel solemn respect, but after a few exchanges, he discovers the way this Bang'yan speaks is quite strange. Say he's taking on the appearance of an otherworldly sage but not quite, stammering and stuttering the way he does. Say his heart is filled with the world, but everything he talks of are ancient history and pill-refinement. You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry at all.
"Harvest this year isn't good." You Miao sighs in lament, "From Sizchuan to Liuzhou, Yangzhou… there's probably going to be a famine."
"The heavens and earth are amoral, and they care not for any living in the world." Chen Qing says, "Sometimes the heavens… won't care for the changes in the mortal realm, for example, it's like this now, but it'll be another way another time… in the eyes of heaven, all living beings, are all… are all… going by the will of heaven, and thus die without regrets."
"Yes, yes." You Miao accepts his wisdom with a face full of reverence while cursing out this guy's mom in his head.
Chen Qing gives a smile, then turns to Li Yan, "What does Li-xiong think?"
"Heh." The corners of Li Yan's lips twitch without mirth, not bothering to even exchange meaningless words. You Miao scrunches up his face in dreadful pity, knowing that this guy Chen Qing must've matched the heart of the Emperor of the Great Qi in talking about Daoist arts#, which is how he ended up on the Golden Bulletin.
After a few exchanges You Miao lets the conversation die and turns around to start chatting with the Jinshi on his right, but the man certainly is deterrently respectful. A moment later, the chatter of the garden comes to a stop, and everyone rises from their seats. The Emperor of the Great Qi has come.
The Emperor of the Great Qi is sixty-one this year, just past the great sixy, and spends his days drunken with books and art. In recent years, he also got himself a cultivator from who knows where egging him on, so he's started refining pills in the palace in search of immortality, wearing a daoist cap tagged with a yellow talisman and dressed in the robe embroidered with dragons; not like a Daoist, and not like an Emperor. He only makes a simple perfunctory greetings before having the officials sit down.
"Happy Mid Autumn, be at ease my beloved officials, and enjoy yourselves." The Emperor of the Great Qi Zhao Mao's smile is affable and good-natured.
The palace maids come to bring out the dishes, and You Miao can't help but sneak a few peeks at Zhao Mao, thinking this is the Emperor? It's also his first time seeing the Emperor, but he doesn't resemble the Taizi and Zhao Chao that much? Or maybe a little bit.
The Emperor of the Great Qi speaks a few casual words with Li Yan, but is instead very interested in Chen Qing.
"I've seen what you've written in your dissertation." Zhao Mao says, "The Way to Achieve the Heavens. Who taught you all that?"
"To answer Your Majesty, this is something this subject learned when little with an otherworldly cultivator back home on a mountain of Hengshan."
You Miao hears the exchange between the Emperor and the Bang'yan, but his mind is distracted, seeing there's another empty seat next to the Emperor of the Great Qi but the one that seat belongs to still hasn't shown up.
Whose seat is it? You Miao turns his head to look at the other two seats. Zhao Chao isn't here, so that spot is most likely Zhao Chao's.
Zhao Mao strokes his beard pensively, "And how old is that man?"
Chen Qing replies respectfully, "To answer Your Majesty, when this subject left Hengshan, shifu is already one hundred and thirty-one years of age."
Everyone at the banquet stirs, and You Miao can't help but wonder, "There are actually people in the world who can live to such a great age?"
It's not that You Miao doubts Chen Qing, but his words sound like doubt in the ears of many, and Chen Qing explains, "Minimal worries and desires, going with the way of the heavens, to live for nothing… c-can of course allow one to live to a great age. But... living for however long and living however well isn't something to be compared. For example… mn, for example, a mayfly is born in the morning and dead by night, but still it makes part of the living of the world, can it not be considered equal to a tortoise of heron? Of course it can."
Zhao Mao hums for a moment and smiles, "Makes sense. And your words contain the truth of Daoism, so living for however long isn't something to be forced. And you're You Miao?"
You Miao quickly answers, "This subject is. A citizen of Liuzhou Prefecture, You Miao You Ziqian."
Zhao Mao remembers now, and glances on the left of the banquet at the great scholar of the Directorate of Education. That old man nods his head languidly, and Zhao Mao continues to ask You Miao, "We# have seen your background history. Your You family is by the Yangtze, considerably a great clan. All the tribute teas in the palace are produced from Sunshower Jade Estate."
Why isn't Zhao Chao here yet? You Miao wonders mentally, never mind. Since He's asked, I'll go with the flow.
"This subject has left home since young and studied in the Capital for a few years before going back." You Miao answers, "Presently I don't get on well with my father and have been kicked out of home."
"Oh?" Zhao Mao chuckles, "As a son, one must do one's duty to serve the parents. I see the rhetoric of your dissertation flows with the sharpness of Sun Yu, but he's experienced in his old age, and you're but an innocent newborn calf. You're proud and your ambitions far, that's true, but you understand roughly of the great principles, so how did you end up getting kicked out of home by your father?"
You Miao sighs, and it's Li Yan who chuckles, "Your Majesty doesn't know, but back when You Ziqian was at the Capital, he's also run around with this subject for a few years. Later when he went home, he almost lost his status as the eldest principal son, and it was thanks to his mother who left him with an estate that he was able to afford the expense of studying. It actually wasn't easy for him to return to the Capital."
When Zhao Mao hears his face immediately darkens, "What's going on? How can the eldest principal son be deposed like this? You Miao, tell us in detail now, and if there's an ounce of injustice, we will back you!"
There's mirth in Li Yan's eyes, signalling You Miao to just tell his tale, and You Miao thinks mentally Li Yan you little bastard are certainly ruthless. He picks out a few incidents to tell Zhao Mao in detail, including his parents, that older brother who came after, as well as Shen Garden. Finally, he talks of how because of his mother, his father never liked him.
"Everything can only depend on oneself." You Miao finishes with a smile.
Zhao Mao is slightly surprised listening to this, then after turning it over in his head, he seems to have recalled something and lets out a deep sigh.
"A day together as husband and wife should bring a lifetime of devotion. Your mother is at the very least your father's legal wife, how can he ignore this affection? Even if the relationship between the parents goes downhill, as the child, what wrong have you?" Zhao Mao says.
"Now they say there are two eldest principal sons at home, and I no longer have any care to fight my dge. Besides, not all of my thoughts are on farming. I purchased a loyal servant in the Capital back then, and it's thanks to him being by my side that I was able to slowly come through in all these years. I hope to request for Your Majesty's grace to remove his identity as slave, and have him enter citizenship."
Zhao Mao humphs derisively, "That's not a problem, nothing but the effort of a single word, we accept your request. But that father of yours, neglecting the convention of the sages, scorning the difference between the legal and the common#, disregarding the natural reverence for the Heavens, the Earth, the Ruler, the Family, and the Teacher#, how is that acceptable?!"
It's You Miao's turn to be stunned, and he quickly urges, "Peace, Your Majesty, peace."
"An outrage!" Zhao Mao exclaims, "If all marriage proceedings follow your father as example, having two principal wives and two eldest principal sons, isn't that a complete derangement of proper order? Say something on the matter, Minister Huang…"
"Peace, Your Majesty." That great scholar from the Directorate of Education soothes, "This affair is indeed unconventional. The Liuzhou Prefectural Government can take care of it."
"Un." Zhao Mao nods slowly.
The Jinshi's were all talking among themselves in low voices, but when they hear Zhao Mao enraged, they all stop to look, not knowing the reason for his displeasure. You Miao's voice earlier wasn't loud, so not many have heard.
Although within the court of the Great Qi, all follows after the conduct of those on top, and since Zhao Mao believes in Daoism, the entire nation seems to be airy and sage-like, taking after the philosophy of Do Nothing, nonetheless, the convention of etiquette passed down for thousands of years from the ancestors is deeply rooted, and therefore untouchable.
Not even the royal family can go against the code of conduct and ethics, so You Dechuan's actions are entirely unthinkable, no different than heresy, a complete neglect of proper etiquette conventions, so how can Zhao Mao not be outraged?
Zhao Mao then turns to Li Yan, "We'll leave this for you to take care of. Tanhulang's family is also considered scholarly, so how can such a thing be allowed? Isn't it just asking for the world to laugh?"
Li Yan quickly answers, "Yessir. You Ziqian, quickly and thank His Majesty for his grace."
"Take… Take care of?" You Miao is a little shocked, and snaps out of it first and says, "Thank Your Majesty for the grace!"
But how does something like this get taken care of? You Miao can't figure it out. Can Zhao Mao actually back him in his own family affairs? No… he quickly realizes, of course Zhao Mao can. Because he's the Emperor.
You Miao wants to ask after a few more things, but Li Yan eyes him to signal not to ask anymore, and so You Miao doesn't continue the conversation. At the same time, Zhao Mao also sinks into a deep contemplation, as if he's remembering something.
Right at that moment, the atmosphere of the banquet is peculiar, and none of the Jinshi know what You Miao had said.
Li Yan on the other hand, is taking full care of You Miao, spooning him some lily shrimps, something You Miao loved to eat best back then at the Capital. You Miao thus nods as he eats. When the subject of his mother came up just now, You Miao can't help but feel a little wistful. In all these trials and obstacles of the past few years, whether good or bad, he never really felt at peace. Now that the subject has opened up his melancholy, having heard the Emperor say "We'll back you", the rims of his eyes unconsciously grow red.
Ever since he was young he has never felt a moment of doting love or familial affection from his parents, and the more he thinks, the more You Miao feels he's rather pitiful. Thank goodness Li Zhifeng is by his side… coming up with different ways to humour him all the time.
Zhao Mao hums for a long while and suddenly speaks up, "Where's Chao-er? Why isn't he here yet?"
You Miao's heart stops. It seems the plan's worked.
Zhao Mao sends for people to go search, and a moment later, Zhao Chao has come.
Today Zhao Chao is donned in a military robe of striking black, and he enters the Imperial Garden in hurried steps, his expression dark with distress, causing quite a stir. Compared to the Taizi, he emits a contrasting aura of a military man.
You Miao looks up to stare, wondering why he's come so late? And when Zhao Chao approaches the table, all the Jinshis are exchanging looks with each other too, no one knowing who he is. Just as they are about to rise to bow their greeting however, Zhao Chao has already bent down by the Emperor's ear to whisper a few words, his eyes absentmindedly sweeping over the table, seeming to be looking for someone until his eyes land on You Miao.
You Miao meets Zhao Chao's eyes, and Zhao Chao tells him not to worry with a look, but the Emperor of the Great Qi, the great scholar of the Directorate of Education, and Li Yan who is sitting the closest all dropped their faces at the same time!
Once Zhao Chao is done passing his message he turns and leaves. You Miao is still confused but Zhao Mao immediately rises to his feet, knocking over the wine cup while he does so.
"Enjoy yourselves, dear officials." Zhao Mao says, "We will be taking leave first."
Everyone rises to respectfully send the Emperor off. At the other table, Li Yan's father also receives news and exits the banquet with Li Yan hastily following after him, and in that moment, a number of high officials all leave down the corridors with the old emperor.
Surprise is colouring the faces of all the special degree Jinshis but none dare to comment, yet everyone knows very clearly that something big must've happened. What could've happened? It was Zhao Chao who came to report. You Miao's mind spins lightning fast; war must've broken out at the border!
It's been almost a month since Nie Dan was transferred back, so the border has been missing a commanding officer. Before, Li Yan and the Taizi were scheming, planning on transferring Nie Dan to the South, so figures the barbarians would be tempted to make a move now, thinking of encroaching on the cities by the frontier of the Great Qi. Is this good or bad for Zhao Chao? And for the Taizi's faction? To Nie Dan? Countless thoughts enter You Miao's mind, rendering the food he's putting in his mouth tasteless.
Another moment later, before the wine is chilled, a hand comes to rest on his shoulder.
You Miao has been deep in thought the whole time, so he didn't notice someone has come to his side. When he snaps to look up, he sees it's the Taizi. The Taizi only throws him a look before he turns around, leaving the Imperial Garden. You Miao hastily puts down his chopsticks and says, "Excuse me." before he quickly gets up to follow the Taizi out of the Imperial Garden.
The Taizi is walking in front of him, and following behind is a team of eunuchs. You Miao runs up to catch up to him then pats down to straighten his robe. The Taizi instructs, "In a minute, you won't be asked to speak, so just listen."
The Taizi's expression is unreadable, and he takes You Miao to cross through the front corridors, coming to just outside of the Imperial Study. There are two guards stationed outside, and the Taizi lets out a breath outside the doors, shaking his arms out. You Miao takes the cue and quickly approaches to help him straighten his robes. The guard was going to announce their arrival, but the Taizi waves his hand signalling not to do so, then takes You Miao into the Imperial Study from a side door.
The moment they enter Nie Dan's voice comes.
"...The five barbarian tribes are completely lawless now, arrogant to the extreme, if we don't dispatch the troops this year, then I'm afraid all of the west of the Great Wall won't be able to hold steady until next year!"
Chancellor Li's voice exclaims, "But how to send troops?! General Nie, why don't you tell us…"
Nie Dan's voice is practically an angry roar, "CHANCELLOR LI! War is upon us! Once the West Pine Pass is broken through, other than Sichuan, the entirety of the great plains of West Liang is unarmed land! If the barbarians enter West Liang, then they can barge right in and onwards!"
"Past West Liang is Yushui! And once they cross Yushui, we'll only have Mount Xiao left as a barrier. Lan Pass, Zhengliang Pass, the official roads going from Northwest to Jiangnan… Mount Ke and An Ridge…" Ni Dan's breathing grows harsh, "Including the two prefectures in the Northeast will all fall under the control of the barbarians."
"And if they cross the Yellow River," Nie Dan declares, "They will invade the Capital!"
Not a soul makes a sound within the study. The Emperor of the Great Qi's eyes are half-lidded and his person unmoved.
"General Nie is exaggerating." A long while after, a civil official speaks up, "The barbarians are barbarians, they survive by way of plunder, the many times they've crossed the border is evidence. These barbarians usually only pillage, they don't overtake the cities, and after they've robbed the resources they need they would retreat to beyond the border…"
Many in the crowd mutter their agreement, and Nie Dan clenches his fists, veins growing visible on his arms.
Another military officer takes a step forward and says coldly, "So by Lord Lin's words, you mean to say we should open the plains of West Liang for them to rob as they will?!"
Chancellor Li speaks up, "The lands of Jiangnan are suffering a flood disaster this year, all of the southern armies are aiding the people in rebuilding their homes, draining the floods and reclaiming land, how can they possibly be pulled out and transferred to the Northwest? Besides, that means military food supplies will need to be levied which would take at least three months. The supply collection from the Spring and Summer harvests still haven't entered storage yet…"
Nie Dan is beyond outraged, "IF IT WASN'T FOR THE DELAY IN FOOD SUPPLIES FOR THE BATTLE AT GORYEO, HOW WOULD WE SUFFER THIS PERIL TODAY?!"
"Peace, General Nie." The Taizi steps forward. Nie Dan is panting heavily but gradually calms down. The Taizi says, "Father, we cannot allow the barbarians to continue pillaging West Liang, otherwise this will for sure affect the Capital's food tax next year. We cannot keep evacuating citizens either. The great number of refugees who have poured in from the cities of Yanbian in previous years are now causing chaos in the central plains this year."
Chancellor Li bows towards the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, this subject has an idea."
Zhao Mao doesn't raise his eyes at all, and mumbles, "Speak. And don't argue anymore, beloved officials, it gives us a headache. Keep your voices down."
"Pull out fifty thousand men from the Northeast defense army and transfer them to General Lan, mainly infantry, and have them intercept the five barbarian tribes outside the Fortress of Pinghuang. General Nie will lead ten thousand cavalry of the Capital to assist accordingly." Chancellor Li explains, "The Imperial Army will still be led by Captain Tang Hui…"
"No!" Nie Dan disagrees, "There's only a total of eighty thousand in the defending troops guarding Zhengliang Pass of the Northeast and beyond Yanbian. They're to rotate defense next year, if the Tartars charge southward, what troops will we have to block them? When the Capital Army leaves there will only be eight thousand of the Imperial Army# left behind, the defense of the Capital will be hollowed. If anything happens, who will be responsible?!"
Li Yan cuts in, "The new recruits from Jiangnan can be transferred back to the Capital. Flood disaster aid doesn't require too much time; the soldiers of Yizhou, Jiaozhou, and other prefectures can move northward now, and join the Capital Army when the time comes, so there isn't a need to worry."
The Taizi glances at Zhao Chao then nods in agreement, "San-di can reorganize the new troops into the Capital Army, and if there's any movement at the border when the time comes, he can station troops by the northern shore of the Yellow River."
"The key of this battle is speed." Chancellor Li says, "As long as General Nie and General Lan can drive out the barbarians completely before winter comes, all will be well and the troops can withdraw. Then by spring next year, we can negotiate peace with the five barbarian tribes."
Nie Dan doesn't speak for the moment, and the Minister of War pushes, "Unless General Nie has a better idea?"
Nie Dan can only reply with, "None at the moment."
Zhao Chao hums for a moment then speaks up, "Father, this subject son has a plan."
Zhao Mao opens his eyes and says however, "There's no need for Chao-er to say more, we shall go with this plan. Huang-er# will help coordinate matters with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. Chao-er will take over the transfer and management of the Imperial Army and the Capital Army. The two of you will need to cooperate properly."
Zhao Chao's brows are slightly furrowed but Zhao Mao doesn't allow him to say anymore, and instructs, "All of you are dismissed. Submit your proposals and appeals tomorrow morning during the assembly. Nie Dan and Lan Hong will organize troops tonight, everything must be in order by tomorrow, and we will send the two generals off in tomorrow's assembly."
The officials all take their leave, but the Taizi uses his eyes to signal for You Miao to remain in the Imperial Study instead of leaving with the masses.
After the room is cleared, the Taizi speaks up, "Father."
Zhao Mao's eyes are closed, but he says, "You are dismissed as well. Take rest early."
The Taizi is taken aback, but he can but reply, "This subject son will take his leave."
You Miao knows the Taizi and Zhao Chao both have things to say but Zhao Mao won't allow them to. After the Taizi exits the Imperial Study, he is silent. Li Yan is just waiting in the corridor, and he gives a slight bow.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chao and Nie Dan are on the other side of the garden speaking, and when they see the Taizi and company approaching they don't shy away either. The Taizi comes up to them, "San-di."
"Dge." Zhao Chao inclines his head. The Taizi says, "You've worked hard."
Zhao Chao nods, then looking like something's come to mind, he says, "I want to ask dge for a person. Affairs at the Military of War are cumbersome, my hands are too full, can you lend You Ziqian to me for a month?"
The Taizi starts to laugh and gazes over at You Miao, and You Miao blanks, feeling somewhat hesitant, not knowing what plans Zhao Chao has now that he'd dare ask the Taizi to his face for him. The Taizi asks, "You Ziqian, will you go? If you're willing then go. Either way, your appointment papers won't be issued in the next coming days. Li Yan will be assisting me in managing the matters at the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War; if you want to stay by my side that's fine too, or have Li Yan go and assist san-di? It'll be beneficial to have contact for communication within the palace."
The moment Zhao Chao hears this he says, "Naturally I'm fine with anything."
You Miao glances at Li Yan and answers knowingly, "I daren't disobey His Highness' orders."
Zhao Chao nods and waves him over, and You Miao goes to him. The Taizi chuckles again, "San-di, this time we must win."
Zhao Chao gives a smile, "Dge needn't worry."
Then the two brothers separate and go off in their own ways. Zhao Chao only just turned around and his face darkens, walking out of the garden of the Imperial Study with You Miao. Horse-drawn carriages are already prepared within the palace, and Zhao Chao instructs, "Back to the residence." And the two mount the vehicle.
Mid Autumn night, the full moon in the night sky is particularly round, but You Miao only feels that dealing with these people truly is exhausting. Every single one of them talks in a roundabout way, their words containing words. He sighs tiredly.
"Did you drink?" Zhao Chao asks, "How are you feeling? You just got better from your heatstroke the other day, I was worried the Imperial Study would stifle you."
You Miao shakes his head, then says, "Well the Taizi sure is easygoing, lending me to you."
"Did you actually think he's helping me?" Zhao Chao says, "If he wants to question you about anything, you think you can say no?"
That's true, You Miao thinks, the Taizi isn't simple either, and he most likely thinks You Miao's already on Li Yan's side. Who knows what Li Yan's said to the Taizi either, so the impromptu scheme of placing You Miao by Zhao Chao's side, a measure such as this… Zhao Chao didn't wait for him to bring it up either, simply requesting for You Miao directly.
"I've discovered I don't quite know how to read your dge now." You Miao says.
"Now's not the time to play mind games with him." Zhao Chao replies, "Since you've come over, then let's take things as they come, and do what we need to do. In the future if Father and him ask, you just tell the truth."
The horse carriage rocks as it goes, and You Miao is still feeling a little weak, so he leans over the window, watching the brightly coloured streets and the bustling crowd of mid-autumn night.
Zhao Chao brings You Miao back to his residence, and it's filled with military officers inside, sitting in a row, waiting for Zhao Chao to return.
"San-Dianxia!"
"San-Dianxia…"
Tang Hui sees You Miao and nods to him in greeting. You Miao knows that there's nothing for him to do at the moment, and Zhao Chao most likely won't be letting him go tonight either, so he goes out to call for a bodyguard, instructing, "Go to the secluded courtyards of the National University, go through the backdoor, and find a man called Cheng Guangwu. Tell him to deliver some food and tea over, and a servant to heed orders."
The bodyguard goes. In the hall, Zhao Chao is still talking with the military officers, the subject all on the affairs at the border. On the side, You Miao is holding and looking over one of his maps; there's a number of them, and they're all vellum maps of the frontier stretching all the way to the central plains, going into detail of the distribution of mountains and rivers, going as far as where there are forests, plains, hills, valleys, everything is marked.
You Miao looks as he listens. Zhao Chao discloses the Emperor's plans, and the military officers are all dismayed and dispirited.
"It's all new recruits that are being transferred back here from Jiangnan, how can we fight like this?" A military officer gripes.
Another one adds, "In the event Nie Dan and Lan Hong's armies aren't enough, they can only draw more from the Capital Army, but once the new recruits enter the battlefield, they're definitely going to…"
That military officer doesn't continue his thoughts, and everyone falls silent. Zhao Chao however, is still nonchalant, "I will submit another appeal tomorrow at the assembly."
"If that really can't go through, then we might as well have all the officials sign a petition!" Another suggests.
Zhao Chao immediately says, "No no no, Nie dge might not be held back, who knows. We'll see. If the situation doesn't look good then I'll call on you all again. Go back and make preparations, I'm afraid none of us will be able to rest easy tonight. Go home and give a heads up to your wives and children that there will be people from the Ministry War coming. At daybreak tomorrow we will be reorganizing the troops."
The military officers all cup their hands to take their leave, and suddenly, the hall is quiet once more.
You Miao is sitting at the desk, flipping through all the maps, "You've been making these preparations in all these years?"
Zhao Chao says without a care, "I refuse to believe I will stay in the Capital all my life, There'll be one day when I'll lead the army on an expedition to avenge myself."
"Earlier in the Imperial Study, were you planning on requesting to lead troops?" You Miao asks.
Zhao Chao gazes at You Miao without a word, his eyes deep with meaning, and in the end he gives a heavy nod.
"But Father won't permit me to go on the expeditions." Zhao Chao says, "I want to lead the army to meet the barbarians encroaching the Northwestern checkpoints. The geography of West Liang is all plains, my troops are perfect for fighting in plains, and the barbarians can't deal with guerilla attacks either, but unfortunately he's still unwilling. Did you talk to him about those things today?"
You Miao nods, "I think he should be moved."
Zhao Chao sighs, "We'll see. I do think he's nicer to me today too. Usually he won't even let me in the Imperial Study to hear those things."
You Miao hadn't realized Zhao Chao is so lacking in favour, and is trying to think of something to comfort him but doesn't know what to say. A moment later, something seems to come to Zhao Chao's mind and he asks, "Has your Teacher ever taught you how to write appeals?"
"Yes." You Miao bucks up and smiles, "What do you want to write? Let me do it."
Zhao Chao leads You Miao to the study, "No rush, let's organize a few things first."
That night, Zhao Chao takes out the military reports on Zhengliang, as well as the detailed analysis on its geography and military force. You Miao has learned the art of war with Sun Yu too, so it takes no time for him to understand everything. After going through the particulars with Zhao Chao, You Miao opens a memorial to the throne#, listing each point one after the other, discussing the issues for an entire night.
"We're really only making theories up on paper you know." You Miao grins.
Zhao Chao is feeling a little exasperated, "What you've learned from Sun Yu isn't only theory. We'll just have to do all we can and leave the rest to heaven's will."
You Miao's writing is much more beautiful than Zhao Chao's, the characters small and proper, pleasant to the eyes. He also references the appeals Zhao Chao has written before in the past, trying to emulate his wording style, and writes down nearly a thousand words. He knows that the armies will be dispatched in this morning's assembly, so in order to affect the Emperor's will, everything will have to be simplified and concise. Otherwise, who has the time and energy to read thousands of words during the morning assembly?
If Zhao Chao does gain military leadership, then parting will be inevitable in the morning. You Miao is feeling a little begrudging over it.
Having written for an entire night, by sigeng# time You Miao is plagued with drowsiness, and he spreads over the desk while Zhao Chao leans against the window, the two of them falling fast asleep.
---
Chapter 28
An unknown amount of time passes, and it's the commotion outside that jolts You Miao awake.
"Young Master, it's morning." Cheng Guangwu says from outside the door.
Zhao Chao has already gone to who knows where, and You Miao sits himself up, finding Zhao Chao's outer robe draped over his shoulders, and there's a note with Zhao Chao's writing: "I'm off to the morning assembly. Stay in my residence for the time being, you can sleep in my room. We'll talk more when I come back."
You Miao yawns then walks out of the study. The sun of August is radiant, the Indian Summer retreating silently, and within the yard of the Prince's Residence, there are a number of boy attendants who are tidying You Miao's things.
"How did I move in just like that?" You Miao questions, "What about Zhang Wenhan?"
Yao Guang is just organizing some stuff, and replies, "It was people from the Third Prince's Residence who'd come to tell us to move, isn't Young Master staying here now? Wenhan is still staying at the National University waiting for the appointment papers."
Just as well, You Miao thinks, since everything is already moved over then whatever. Chang Yuan goes to clean the room. Not a moment later, a housekeeper of the Zhao Residence comes over and says respectfully, "San-Dianxia has instructed to inquire what Young Master wishes to eat for every meal so the residence can go purchase any needs."
"Anything is fine." You Miao replies, "I'll be eating with Zhao Chao, so I'll have whatever he has."
Then You Miao's mind spins, and he adds, "Guangwu, go open the money box and bring over two hundred silver."
After Cheng Guangwu brings the money, You Miao easily takes the notes and puts them in the hands of the housekeeper. After the results of the Palace Exam are released, it'd take at least three months before he would receive his Jinshi appointment#, and in these three months, even if he's given no tasks to do as an official, he still needs to find a place to live in the Capital instead of muddling along with thick skin in the Imperial College even though he got Tanhua. So he might as well stay in Zhao Chao's residence.
This way, it now looks like You Miao is the one supporting Zhao Chao's entire household instead, and just the thought of it makes You Miao amused. Ever since You Miao returned to Jiangnan he hadn't managed a household, all the money was passed through Li Zhifeng's hands, so he doesn't know how long two hundred silver would last. He says, "Come find me when you run out."
Certainly, certainly, the housekeeper says in succession, going off to make purchases after receiving the silver notes. You Miao's thoughts go back to Li Zhifeng, and utters an "oh no" mentally.
"Tell Zhang Wenhan to come over, I've some things to say." You Miao quickly instructs.
Zhang Wenhan comes, and You Miao tells him about the affairs at the border, charging him to make a trip back to Yangzhou Prefecture, pay respects to his ancestors while he's at it, then remind Li Zhifeng to not take the north road when coming to the Capital, that he must take the south road that passes through Sichuan and West Liang before entering the central plains.
Zhang Wenhan nods his head at every instruction, then You Miao writes a letter home for him to take along. When You Miao sends him off to the intersection of the west market, they bump into the armies setting out. By the time You Miao gets back it's already high noon, and the housekeeper serves up lunch. After finishing his meal, You Miao's head hits the pillow and goes back to sleep.
Zhao Chao never came back in all that time, and when You Miao wakes he stays lazing on the bed, wondering whyever he's not back yet. It isn't until dusk before voices come from the outside, and it's Zhao Chao asking after You Miao's eating and living, so You Miao rolls out of bed, gets dressed and goes out.
Zhao Chao is both tired and hungry, and when he sees You Miao approaching, he says, "Let's eat first, I'm pooped."
You Miao sees that there are four food boxes laid out on the table and opens them up curiously to glance inside, "Got something good?"
"Dishes Father granted." Zhao Chao replies, "I'm starving, starving, eat first talk later."
The housekeeper sets the rice down, and Chang Yuan stands behind You Miao to serve the meal. Zhao Chao grins, "Heh, well your boy attendants are certainly nicely cleaned up, looking prim and proper."
You Miao starts to laugh, "How come you came back so late? What's all discussed during the morning assembly?"
Zhao Chao has gotten used to living in the army, and when he eats he doesn't follow any etiquette, using a large bowl out of habit, shoving and dumping food as he sees fit, and gives You Miao an account as he eats.
Early morning when Zhao Chao went to attend the assembly, the memorial to the throne You Miao put together was still fresh with ink. After the Lord Emperor read through it he deliberated for a long time while the officials argued fiercely, and in the end Zhao Mao didn't let Zhao Chao take on troops to go into battle. However, he did adopt several of his suggestions——including preparing an ambush on Tucheng Hill of West Liang, then sealing the escape routes of the barbarian army on the west side of the Great Wall, keeping them within the pass, and evacuate the people from parts of towns and villages; the scheme of clearing the field and leaving no provisions for the enemy.
Nie Dan entered court to receive the army, and after the assembly was over he left immediately to go on the expedition, taking two hundred thousand men of the Capital Army with him to leave the Capital. Lan Hong, on the other hand, went northward alone to maneuver the troops. Just as Zhao Chao was lamenting the hopelessness of ever going into battle, Zhao Mao surprisingly had the third son stay to have lunch together.
Zhao Chao was rather overwhelmed by the unexpected favour, and stayed in the palace for lunch. In between the meal the father and son talked about the border, directing troops, and other such topics, and Zhao Chao voiced the thoughts on his mind.
Zhao Mao seemed to have remembered many of the affairs of the past, and for a time, he was choked up with mixed feelings, even bringing up the subject of Zhao Chao's mother, the Imperial Consort Wang who had passed for many years.
Ever since Zhao Chao lost the battle against Goryeo three years ago, escaping back to the Capital after suffering heavy casualties, Zhao Mao no longer cared for the life and death of this son. To have lost this gravely, paying an indemnity of silver and silk plus the loss of face in order to negotiate peace caused Zhao Mao to vent all his anger unto him. Now that Zhao Mao was remembering the past, he finally toned down some, and had Zhao Chao remain to guard the Capital, manage the Capital Army properly to train himself, and told him not to rush into battle.
Zhao Chao says derisively, "I was still too impatient."
"No matter what, let's observe the situation for now." You Miao comforts, "If Nie Dan ends up needing support, we can submit more appeals then."
Zhao Chao nods, his eyes bloodshot, so drowsy he can't even talk anymore, and goes to bed early. From this day onwards, You Miao begins to live in Zhao Chao's residence, aiding him in managing military affairs.
Nie Dan hasn't even gone for half a month and military reports come rolling in southward like snowballs, and You Miao is greatly alarmed and terrified reading through them. There's casualties everyday; the plains are weak against guerilla warfare, and when the five barbarian tribes ran into Lan Hong's head-on charge, they immediately disperse, adopting the tactics of divide and strike with mobile cavalry, fighting nastily with the Han army.
The weather is growing cold, and You Miao is counting the days everyday. Pulled muscles and broken bones take a hundred days to heal; July, August, September, it's been three months and Li Zhifeng should be better now, but he doesn't dare to have Li Zhifeng come to the Capital right now, so he sends Yao Guang back to pass on the message, telling those over at Liuzhou not to bother rushing to travel to the Capital. However, the day before Yao Guang is to depart, the newest military report arrives: The three roads of Yanbian in the Northeast, Zhengliang Pass has fallen!
You Miao is instantly dumbstruck.
"Young Master, I'll take the south road, I won't go the north road. It'd take a bit longer but I'm sure I can get to Liuzhou without problems." Yao Guang comforts.
"The south road is dangerous too." You Miao says, "The south road passes through West Liang to enter Sichuan, and West Liang is currently engaged in battles, how are you going to cross through?"
Yao Guang is adamant, and You Miao gives it much consideration. His own boy attendants have studied martial arts with Li Zhifeng for years, and while they aren't as skilled, there shouldn't be any issues when it comes to self-defense.
You Miao instructs Yao Guang that he must tell everyone in Jiangnan and Jiangbei to take the south road instead, otherwise if the north falls into chaos, who knows how many people will run into trouble. Only then does he send Yao Guang off apprehensively.
Yet once the boy has gone, it's been a whole month and there hasn't been any letters nor any news.
All there is are people continuously fleeing down south from the north, and even those of Jizhou Prefecture have escaped to the central plains dragging their entire families. With every new wave of people they bring fresh news. The barbarians are continually coming closer and closer.
October twentieth, the court receives the newest report from the frontlines: The Tartars have broken through the defense of Jizhou Prefecture. Everyone's thrown into panic.
That day, You Miao is practicing archery in the yard, and although he hasn't touched weapons or trained for half a year, when he picks up the bow and arrow, he can still hit the target. Just as he pulls the bowstring, Zhao Chao comes rushing through the door and says, "Quick, bring the military register with you and follow me to the palace."
You Miao immediately puts away the bow and arrow and follows Zhao Chao into the palace for a meeting. He can tell everyone is wearing an expression of grave unease, looking on edge, and he asks, "Didn't warfare settle down a few days ago?"
Zhao Chao gives You Miao a look, contemplates for a moment, then says with a shaky voice, "Don't let this news out yet."
You Miao nods.
A few breaths later, Zhao Chao says, "General Lan is sacrificed, he died in battle."
You Miao, "..."
"What about Nie dge?" You Miao feels a chill down his spine. When he was still studying in Liuzhou, Sun Yu once said that with the two generals Lan Hong and Nie Dan defending the east and west of the Great Wall respectively, then twenty years of peace at the frontier would be assured. But now Lan Hong is dead?!
"Nie dge is currently mobilizing the troops, assimilating the remnant soldiers to resist the Tartars." Zhao Chao replies, "With Lan Hong dead, the entire defense line of the north has fallen. This time I really might have to go into battle."
"When?" You Miao asks.
"You don't have to follow the army, I'll send you back to Liuzhou tomorrow morning."
You Miao is instantly furious, "What do you mean?"
Zhao Chao's emotions are a little out of control and he grits, "This isn't up to you! You just obey me!'
You Miao, "..."
Zhao Chao pants heavily, neither of them budging for the moment, then he breaks the silence, "Never mind, let's talk about that later. The news only just came in, and with Lan Hong's death, all the deployment plans in the next few days are messed up!"
Zhao Chao explains as they walk. Turns out, the moment the Tartars invaded, Lan Hong assembled forces to go support the northern line. But with the army pulled out, West Liang immediately became hollowed. Nie Dan and Lan Hong clashed over drafting the resistance route; Nie Dan told Lan Hong to retreat to south of the Yellow River to stand guard and wait for the reinforcements from the Capital Army, and to have Tang Hui lead the Imperial Army northward.
Otherwise if Lan Hong was to go off to fight the Tartars on his own, he would for sure face attacks on two fronts.
However, Lan Hong was too arrogant and turned the troops around to head to Zhengliang Pass. On route halfway up Mount Lan'guan, he was suddenly ambushed by both the Tartars and the Jies. The casualties were significant; Lan Hong was shot dead by an arrow, and the lieutenant general Wang Xin attempted to retaliate by flaring the morale of the grieving soldiers, but unfortunately the Tartars retreated the moment they've made the first blow.
Wang Xin retreated to the northern shore of the Yellow River, intending to engage in battle with his back facing the waters.
The current situation is critical to the extreme, and when Zhao Chao and You Miao enter the Palace of Taihe directly, all the officials are present, each of them in heated discussion. Zhao Mao isn't on the throne however, and there's only the Taizi who's standing in the centre, his brows deeply furrowed.
"The soldiers are outside the city now." Zhao Chao reports, "There's about fifty-four thousand that are transferred over from Yangzhou Prefecture."
"Where's General Tang Hui?" The Taizi questions.
Tang Hui takes a step forward then bows, "This lowly general is present."
You Miao's heart stops and he immediately blurts, "That won't do!"
Although You Miao doesn't personally lead troops, he's very familiar with military designations. Zhao Chao knows very well too; the army Tang Hui leads is the Imperial Army, their responsibility is to escort and guard, the emphasis on defense not offense, so how can the Imperial Army be sent to the frontlines? The Taizi has only just spoken and You Miao can guess what these people are planning. They must be thinking of having Tang Hui take the Imperial Army to the frontlines, assimilate Lan Hong's remnant troops to form one force, then march northward to face the enemy.
But the Imperial Army absolutely cannot do this!
You Miao's "That won't do" was practically blurted, and only after he's said it does he check himself mentally. Everyone within the Palace is staring at him; as a subject without an official position this is already an overstep of his status, and even if he does have a position it's nowhere close his turn to speak, so You Miao hastily apologizes for his offense, "This subject has spoken carelessly, this subject is guilty of crime worth a million deaths#."
The Taizi smiles it off and doesn't get into it, but Zhao Chao speaks up in a loud and clear voice, "The Imperial Army is not suitable for moving northward. One, the geography of the northern shore of the Yellow River is complex, second, the Imperial Army isn't suited to fighting guerilla warfare. General Tang Hui is still best guarding the Capital and surrounding areas.
Chancellor Li replies, "If the Imperial Army cannot go to the frontlines, then we can only assign the new recruits to the Northern Frontier Army and have them enter the battlefield. But General Tang Hui…"
"Let me lead the troops, and have Tang Hui remain in the Capital." Zhao Chao says.
No one speaks within the palace, and a long time after, Chancellor Li advises, "San-Dianxia, the new recruits are disorderly, not easy to manage, and now with the Capital Army pulled, there really will only have eight thousand of the Imperial Army left within the Capital. In this subject's view...it's still…"
One can almost hear a pin drop. The Taizi speaks up, "San-di, can you win this battle? This entire Capital, one hundred thousand of the people's lives and families would all be on your shoulders."
Zhao Chao's pupils contract slowly, and You Miao's heart freezes. It's practically like he can read Zhao Chao's mind, and in that moment, he knows Zhao Chao lost courage.
The Taizi shakes his head languidly with a smile, his eyes deep with meaning, and he's seen through him.
You Miao sighs inwardly.
"Well then." The Taizi says, "San-di will stay in the Capital to lead the Imperial Army, General Tang Hui will lead the new recruits of the Capital Army northward and take on Lan Hong's remnant soldiers of the Northern Frontier Army. You have a hundred thousand lives in your hands, you must drive the Tartars out of the central plains."
Tang Hui bows, "This lowly general has received the command."
This time, Zhao Chao doesn't raise anymore objections. Everyone in the palace knows, and You Miao even more so——Zhao Chao lost again, and it isn't to the Taizi, but to himself.
"You Ziqian stay." The Taizi says, "Everything else will be discussed in tomorrow's morning assembly."
The officials take their leave one after the other, and the Taizi gestures for You Miao to follow him, and so You Miao hugs that stack of registers that never came to use and follows the Taizi out of the hall, crossing through the Imperial Garden to head towards the study.
When they pass through the Palace of Chang'le, there's clouds of smoke surrounding the building, and there's the faint chanting voices of daoists. You Miao is somewhat curious and peeps, but the Taizi softly waves a finger, and You Miao furrows his brows.
"Originally your posts aren't supposed to be appointed until the coming of spring." The Taizi enters the side palace, washes his hands, then says impassively, "But now the frontier warfare is urgent, the appointment papers for the three First Classes will be issued early, do excuse the overstep."
You Miao understands that this means he's going to be appointed an official position, and quickly says, "Thank Your Highness for the grace."
The Taizi smiles but doesn't mention You Miao's appointment, and only asks, "You must be exhausted lately. My san-di has always been this way since he was little, once he's set his mind to something, he won't budge until he smashes his head against the south wall."
It isn't You Miao's place to comment on Zhao Chao, so he only gives a smile.
The Taizi passes him a small case and says, "This is the tribute tea from your family. Let's brew a pot."
You Miao takes the case cheerfully, within it is the Sunshower Jade Qingfeng from the year before. The Taizi continues, "Now that all six roads to Jiangnan are closed off, we can only wait until next year for more, so drink it sparingly."
You Miao mn's. Being with the Taizi feels so different than with Zhao Chao, he understands why the court all support the Taizi now, he's indeed a man with some talents. A man like the Taizi, he might not be genuine, but when interacting with him, no matter what he might think deep down, the impression he gives is always pleasant.
And there's no need to be on edge for fear of saying the wrong thing. Zhao Chao's emotions are too extreme, and while it's still fairly well concealed before the other officials, when hanging out with You Miao, he's like a child who can't grow up, much more genuine but also much more capricious.
You Miao picks out a glass teapot, and when the water is boiled the glass changes colours. Then after a moment, and only when the lustre of the see-through teapot faded some does You Miao pick up a touch of the Sunshower Jade Qingfeng, sprinkling the leaves in. The Taizi is slightly amazed, "You know how to do this too?"
You Miao smiles, "Sunshower Jade Qingfeng has to be brewed like this for it to taste good. It's no good if the water's too hot, and no good if it's too chilled either. Eight parts boiled, the taste of the tea would be just right."
He says as he tips the glass teapot and pours into the cup. The Taizi takes a sip, and an expression of praise shows on his face, his smile becoming brighter.
"Earlier in the palace, it's not that I didn't want you to speak." The Taizi says, "But the court officials were all present."
"This subject understands." You Miao replies.
The Taizi gives a slight nod, "I figure you understood right then as well, so it's fine as long as you remember going forward. What did you want to say during the assembly today? Why don't you tell me now."
You Miao contemplates for a moment, watching the Taizi, but the Taizi doesn't mind, and orders, "I'm letting you speak, so speak."
"San-Dianxia should be allowed to lead the army."
The Taizi grins, "What?"
You Miao says, after thinking through carefully, "None of the strategies the court officials drew up the other day are useful now. In the beginning, Chancellor Li mentioned that this war needs to be a fast one, but now we're entering winter and General Nie is powerless in ending the war before spring next year, so we'll need to prepare for fighting all the way to spring next year."
The Taizi nods slowly, and You Miao adds, "Besides, Nie Dan doesn't have enough soldiers on his hands, so since the situation has changed, the plans must change accordingly."
"But what you don't know," The Taizi takes a sip of the tea, and explains languidly, "Is the barbarians won't be passing winter within the border. They will go back to beyond the border when winter comes."
"But what if they don't go back?" You Miao asks back, "It's precisely because everyone thinks the five barbarian tribes and the Tartars would return to beyond the border after they've pillaged enough that we time and time again lose our offensive hand, and pushed to be led along."
The Taizi sighs, not saying anything, and the two put their focus on the tea leaves floating and sinking within the glass teapot, neither speaking for the moment. You Miao knows the Taizi has understood what he's trying to say; from the very beginning the imperial court has never taken this war seriously. Of course You Miao also understands that a part of the reason why that is is because the government has no money. With consecutive annual deficit, plus the Goryeo battle, then adding the southern flood disaster onto the pile, the government of the Great Qi is at its limit in disbursing military food supplies.
If they can't assemble troops, then they can only be oppressed by others as they will.
In order to solve all this, the only way is to actively attack. However, with Tang Hui leading the offense, he must follow the orders of the imperial court. Only with Zhao Chao entering the battlefield can all of the problems be solved. But no one in court would give him the military power——there's no other reason; the loss Zhao Chao suffered three years ago at Goryeo was precisely because of the trouble with new recruits. No one can tell for sure if he would repeat the same mistakes. Even Zhao Chao himself hasn't the courage to take on this heavy burden.
"What do you think of the character of that san-di of mine?" The Taizi asks, sounding very interested.
You Miao, "..."
Naturally, You Miao knows what the Taizi means by asking this; a question such as this indeed means he's taken him for one of his own. But you Miao doesn't know how to answer, only feeling that no matter what he says it'd be wrong.
"San-Dianxia…" You Miao finally says after much deliberation, "Has the disposition of a great commander."
The Taizi doesn't show whether he agrees nor does he show if he disagrees, only arching his brows and stares at You Miao. You Miao then quickly follows his statement with an explanation that's just right, "A commander is valuable in their self-awareness, knowing what battles they can fight, and who they cannot defeat, unflaunting of contending ferocity with courage, that is the way of the general. But San-Dianxia's talents are… uh, still rather insufficient, but maybe with time, he'll have… he'll have…"
"Hm." The Taizi hums ambiguously to respond, and casually picks up the data material You Miao brought, asking disinterestedly, "Did he order you to do all this?"
"Yes." You Miao replies.
The Taizi flips through it for a bit, most of it being the matter of personnel assignment and transfers within the Capital Army, so he doesn't care to look more, stacking the registers up in a pile, "He still needs more practice. I'm not at ease giving him control of the army."
You Miao and the Taizi smile at each other, keeping the silence. The Taizi then chats with him some more before suddenly asking, "What do you think of Li Yan?"
"Very smart." You Miao replies without needing to think.
The Taizi looks at You Miao with that same expression still, his eyes holding a smile, seeming to expect him to supplement a few more words, and of course that's not all You Miao has to say, so he smiles, "There's never been anyone capable of stopping him or holding him back since we were little. A smart person often insists on having their own way."
The Taizi nods and says, "You will take on the position of Investigation Censor for the time being, and observe Father's edict to follow the army and audit as see fit. The matter with the Capital Army is now handed to you."
You Miao immediately bows to thank for the grace, and the Taizi adds, "It's not easy being an Investigation Censor, but I know the character of my san-di. Those who can talk to him can say anything, the only thing being whether you dare say it."
You Miao quickly replies, "This subject will for sure do his utmost to fulfill Your Highness' expectations."
The Taizi chuckles finally, "It's the position Father bestowed, you'll have to enforce military discipline and communicate any dealings. Before my san-di, voice what you must, and remember that cowardice is forbidden, as well as bending the law for personal interest."
You Miao keeps nodding, and the Taizi gives him another encouragement speech before dismissing him.
Hugging that stack of appeals and military register as he heads out, You Miao passes by the Palace of Chang'le again on his way back. This time he gives it a few more looks out of curiosity. The eunuch leading the way knows he's a greatly favoured figure before the Taizi so he doesn't interfere. Either way, none of the eunuchs are strangers to what Zhao Mao does in the palace.
You Miao sees that the Emperor of the Great Qi is standing before an altar outside the Palace of Chang'le, wearing a seven-starred daoist cap, holding a jade ceremonial tablet in his hands, making a great show of being earnest as he recited, and that newly appointed Bang'yan Chen Qing is standing there on the side, burning talismans in the fire as smoke circle around. You Miao recognizes that that ritual; Sun Yu also mentioned it before in the past too, this is something all the cultivators looking to achieve immortality love to do called "Verdant Verse"——prayers written for the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, the Heavenly Emperor and other such gods. After the prayers are written they're burnt, hoping the wishes will be heard by the heavens.
Back then the Emperor of the Great Qi had also ordered Sun Yu to write one too, for no other reason than the fact Sun Yu has beautiful writing. However, Sun Yu has always felt incredibly disgusted with the Emperor seeking the ways of immortality, so he accused the Emperor of inquiring after spirits instead of the people, and the two had a huge fight that ended with them parting ways in displeasure. You Miao doesn't know whether to laugh or cry at the sight; a grand nation in the midst of war in the north but the ruler doesn't care at all, and instead is cultivating immortality with the new Bang'yan...completely outrageous.
"Tanhulang?" That eunuch leading the way asks carefully, and You Miao knows he can't look on much longer, so he follows the man out of the palace. On the way, he still questions in spite of himself, "Has His Majesty not attended the assemblies in the past few days?"
"His Majesty is praying for the wellbeing of the millions of citizens in the northern frontier." The eunuch answers, "Pray that our brave soldiers of the Great Qi will return victorious."
The expression You Miao bears appears unnatural. Although the Taizi has appointed him a censor, and he'll have to pretend to act unyieldingly lawful, but the genuine concern he has at the bottom of his heart would not disperse. Even after he returns to Zhao Chao's residence his face is still dark.
The moment he enters the Prince's Residence there's a horse-drawn carriage already waiting in the yard, and when the housekeeper sees You Miao he rushes inside to announce, "Young Master You has returned!"
You Miao passes the registers to a boy servant, and calls as he enters the main hall, "Zhao Chao, I got appointed…"
"Why did you only return now?" Zhao Chao is frowning deeply, and he demands furiously.
The moment Zhao Chao sees You Miao he goes up to him, holding a fur mantle and wrapping it over You Miao, catching him a little unawares, and he asks "We'll talk in the study? What are you doing? Wait! I just came back from outside…" But Zhao Chao isn't listening, and demands, "Where's the hat? Bring the hat!"
Zhao Chao forces You Miao to put on coats, and You Miao is completely confused, "Where are we going?" But Zhao Chao isn't allowing any objections at all, helping You Miao dress, and pushing him onto the carriage in the yard. Cheng Guangwu is the one driving, and they leave the Prince's Residence through the backdoor. You Miao is completely baffled, and Zhao Chao puts a cloth bag on You Miao's lap, "I've got the travel permit for you, and this here is my personal seal." He says as he shows You Miao a seal made of lantian jade, and upon it is carved the words "Third Prince Zhao Chao". He then instructs, "Take it, and if you run into any soldiers of the Great Qi, just show them the papers and you can pass. If that doesn't work then show them the personal seal. If you lose the papers then draw another one up yourself…"
You Miao finally senses something amiss, and he exclaims, "Wait! Where are you making me go?"
"Out the city!" Zhao Chao replies, "The northern road is now closed off. If the Capital falls, then it won't be safe here either!"
You Miao suddenly realizes an extremely serious problem, "Is the situation on the battlefield that serious now? Don't go just yet! Let me off the carriage!" The carriage is just passing Xuanzheng'he Lane where the six ministries are situated, and Zhao Chao argues impatiently, "You have to go! I'm making you leave the city tonight, and when you reach the official roads take the south route, pass through Sichuan and take the ferry to Jiangnan after you reach Baling…"
You Miao is speechless for a good while, then leans back on the seat laughing.
Zhao Chao's brows are deeply furrowed as he stares at You Miao.
"Don't be silly, I can't leave." You Miao states.
"YOU MUST LEAVE!" Zhao Chao exclaims.
"I just received the Inspection Censor position!! How can you have me leave?!"
"IS YOUR LIFE MORE IMPORTANT OR IS YOUR OFFICIAL POSITION MORE IMPORTANT?!" Zhao Chao yells angrily.
You Miao yells back at Zhao Chao, "IS THE SURVIVAL OF THE COUNTRY MORE IMPORTANT OR IS ONE LIFE MORE IMPORTANT?!"
"..."
Zhao Chao never expected You Miao would yell at him, and is stunned for the moment. You Miao thinks his startled expression is really funny so he can't help but point at him and laugh out loud, then he instructs, "Guangwu, to the Ministry of Personnel, I need to pick up my papers."
Zhao Chao seizes You Miao by the collar and says with a suppressed voice, "I'm not joking with you, You Ziqian. The Tartars have already fought all the way to the shores of the Yellow River. If Tang Hui can't hold them back, the Capital will fall, and when that time comes the Capital will have to migrate… you must go back first, otherwise when things are blown into chaos, if anything should happen to you, you… I…"
"I'm not joking with you either, Zhao Chao." You Miao replies seriously, "Your dge just appointed me to a position today, and if the Inspection Censor escapes back to Jiangnan before the battle's even started my entire family is going to get screwed!"
"You don't have to worry about the Taizi!" Zhao Chao exclaims, "I'll go find Father, and after the fighting's over you can still come back to the Capital to be an official…"
You Miao is instantly offended. Space is very tight in the vehicle, and the two of them are kind of squished sitting together. You Miao indignantly wants to express himself somehow, so he slaps Zhao Chao across the face, unable to hold back, and yells angrily, "I'VE COME ALL THIS FUCKING WAY TO THE CAPITAL, AND YOU THINK IT'S TO BE AN OFFICIAL?!"
Zhao Chao is dumbstruck, and You Miao yells again, "CHENG GUANGWU! STOP THIS CARRIAGE!"
Cheng Guangwu pulls the carriage to a stop, and You Miao hops down the vehicle. By now it's late dusk, it flurried the night before, and the sunset has dyed the long street into a shade of dark yellow. You Miao doesn't know where they are, but he's so angry with Zhao Chao he's shaking, and he stalks forward without a word.
"You Miao!" A voice shouts from behind.
You Miao's face is clouded, and he continues his walk in the snow without looking back. Zhao comes chasing after him and shouts again, "YOU ZIQIAN! WAIT UP!"
Zhao Chao catches up and reaches out from behind, making a move to grab for You Miao's shoulder, but You Miao moves faster than he does, and spins around in form, soundlessly as a fist comes swinging out of his sleeve. Zhao Chao immediately blocks his move, then their arms borrowed momentum from each other and pushed, breaking away from one another.
You Miao only stares at Zhao Chao coldly, and Zhao Chao is just about to say something else when You Miao can't hold back anymore and starts going off, sending him a spinning kick, spatting angrily, "You think I'm here to be an official? What do you take me for? If not for you, who wants to come to the Capital?! The moment something happens in the Capital you make me run away, if I go back like this, what face will I have to face Teacher?!"
Zhao Chao gazes at him for a moment, then says, "I'm not making you run away, I'm just scared that if things go bad, I won't be able to protect you."
"I'm not leaving." You Miao says firmly, "I was just appointed the army censor, so if you don't want me to get you in trouble then you'll never speak of this again."
Zhao Chao pfft's and laughs out, and You Miao is livid, eyeing him frostily.
"If not for my sake, then at the very least for the sake of that Quanrong family slave of yours, no?" Zhao Chao reasons.
You Miao is instantly silenced, having his weakness struck by Zhao Chao's words.
Zhao Chao's gallant brows are tightly knitted, his eyes bearing a trace of sadness, "Go back, Ziqian. You'll be able to help even at home. The news I've received is the Capital is going to migrate, and the move will surely be southward. Go back to Yangzhou Prefecture first, that way when the Capital takes the extreme measure of migrating south, you'll be able to help."
You Miao is actually wavering now, not because of Zhao Chao's words, but for Li Zhifeng's sake.
Zhao Chao trying to find ways to send him home is to protect him, he knows that, but unfortunately he's come to the Capital full of aspirations, and now that he's been given the title Tanhua by royal decree, if he flees when the country is in trouble, how can he face Sun Yu when he returns? But for Li Zhifeng's sake, he does have to protect himself well. You Miao is rather troubled now, not knowing what to do, and he can't imagine at all that in the event he dies, what reaction Li Zhifeng will have.
"That family slave of yours," Zhao Chao suddenly says, "If you got killed by the Tartars or the barbarians, he will definitely go to the frontlines and fight to the death. If you don't go back, won't you be worried that he'd think you're dead and go confront the Tartars with his life?"
These words finally make You Miao nod.
"Though I hadn't thought of the issue with your Teacher." Zhao Chao says, "How about this: you stay for today, and in three days I'll organize something else. Father is going down to Jiangnan, so you just go with him, and then it'd be perfectly reasonable for you to return home then. That way Sun Yu won't be able to say anything."
"Alright." You Miao replies helplessly.
At this point, what more can You Miao say?
Zhao Chao sighs, his face still bearing the red mark of You Miao's strike, and suddenly You Miao's feeling a little guilty.
"Sorry." You Miao says.
Zhao Chao smiles it off, looking faintly forlorn, and who knows if he's laughing at You Miao or laughing at himself. You Miao feels guilty, so he can only obediently follow Zhao Chao back to the Prince's Residence. However, the moment they enter the residence they see Yao Guang standing there waiting in the yard. You Miao knows he's here to deliver letters from home, so he quickly asks, "How are things at home?"
Yao Guang is looking a little glum, and You Miao's mood darkens. How come every time Yao Guang comes he's always delivering bad news not good news? The name itself wasn't good in the first place, next time he'll have to tell Qiao Jue to change it. Sure enough, Yao Guang says, "Li Zhifeng is already on his way, he left right after me, just two days off."
You Miao is immediately dumbfounded, and he asks urgently, "Did he take the north or the south route?"
"Housekeeper Feng took the north road." Yao Guang replies, "Jiu-ye didn't know what was happening then. This time he had me take the south road."
The north road is the area that covers Zhengliang Pass and Yanbian! With an urgent horse it'd only take ten days! Last time when Li Zhifeng went home, he didn't take even half a month, so how come he's still not here right now?
"The north road is closed off." Zhao Chao says, "Not even military reports can make it through, but Tartars don't dare to mess with the Quanrong, so relax. He might have detoured around to East Liang Pass, Ziqian, don't worry!"
You Miao's feeling a little faint, and Zhao Chao says, "Let's talk inside, let's not just stand here."
All these series of events are making You Miao's head spin, and he only feels too much has happened today. First, the old Emperor is going to flee. What does this imply? The Tartars have already reached the shores of the Yellow River, and if Tang Hui can't hold them back, then the great barbarian army will invade the Capital completely. The court officials all understand deep down what the old Emperor means by doing this; once the Capital is in danger, the only option left is to migrate the Capital.
The Taizi granted him the position of Army Censor, which also means that he is to stay in the Capital along with Zhao Chao and the Taizi. The old Emperor can flee, but the Taizi and the Third Prince cannot. Since You Miao's status hasn't reached the stage where he can attend the assemblies, plus he's been staying by Zhao Chao's side in the recent days, he hasn't really set foot out of the residence. Now that he thinks about it, the morning assemblies must be plagued by a state of anxiety about to lose control.
And what's worse, Li Zhifeng is already on his way to the Capital!
"What other roads can enter the Capital?" You Miao asks.
Zhao Chao gestures for him to look at the map, and points to the area north of the Great Wall. You Miao himself can read the maps too——after all, in these past days, he has been practically living with the maps and troop maneuvers. Since Li Zhifeng took the north road and exited East Liang Pass, then it'd be too late to turn around to retake the south road. The only possibility is to go beyond the border through the Fortress of Yanbian that the Tartars have overtaken, and go along the Great Wall, detour for thousands of miles,twisting and turning heading westward, before re-entering through Yanmeng Pass of West Liang.
Under these circumstances, You Miao has no choice but to remain in the Capital to wait for him, otherwise if he goes home on his own and Li Zhifeng comes searching for him after detouring all that way around the Great Wall only to miss him, the consequences would be even more severe.
"He's a Quanrong." Zhao Chao says, "The Quanrong has always been experts beyond the border, and know very well the geography north of the Great Wall since age ten. You don't need to worry for him."
"I'm not going back anymore." You Miao declares.
Zhao Chao frowns, "No! I'll keep him here in the Capital, and you can leave a letter for him…"
"If the Capital really does migrate, and the man you send has never seen Li Zhifeng before, how will he find him?" You Miao says, "And worse, if the Tartars invade and everyone in the Capital is dead, what will you do then?"
Pain in the ass, Zhao Chao mutters inwardly, his brows furrowed deeply.
"I'll stay in the Capital to wait for him." You Miao says firmly.
"Alright." Zhao Chao inhales deeply, knowing that with the circumstances as they stand, the best decision really is to have You Miao stay. As long as Tang Hui can hold steady, then everything will naturally be no problem.
Zhao Chao is scared, but You Miao is even more so. If Li Zhifeng comes and the entire Capital is already overtaken by the barbarians, and Li Zhifeng thinks he's dead… he'll go crazy for sure… You Miao doesn't even dare to imagine what that'd be like. No matter what, he must stay in the Capital.
---
Chapter 29
That night, You Miao makes a trip to the Ministry of Personnel himself and collects his appointment papers, then he goes to the Ministry of War to pick up his seal. On the way back inside the carriage, complicated and ambivalent feelings overtake him. He's someone with an official position now. Three years ago he would've never imagined the glory he'd have today, but behind this glory contains so much danger.
"Young Master," Cheng Guangwu asks from the driver's seat, "Are we heading back to the Prince's residence?"
"No." You Miao says resolutely, "To Chancellor Li's house."
When You Miao arrives at Li Yan's house however, the man isn't there, and the house guard replies manneredly, "Young Master is out."
You Miao watches how the people inside the residence are packing and gets somewhat of an idea of what's happening then asks, "Is your Old Master going somewhere?"
The house guard doesn't dare answer, and so You Miao knows Chancellor Li must have heard word too, and is going to follow the old Emperor in his southern patrol. Then he asks, "Where's Li Yan gone?"
"Young Master didn't say, he went out with the second housekeeper right when evening fell." The house guard answers, "Maybe Young Master You would like to come inside for some tea?"
You Miao knows the moment he hears, and instructs, "To Ting'yu Pavilion."
Cheng Guangwu drives the carriage to Ting'yu Pavilion and You Miao sees the Li's carriage is just parked there, so he goes up and unapologetically pulls the window curtains open, but the one sitting inside is Li Yan's housekeeper. When he sees You Miao he makes to dismount but You Miao waves dismissively and goes straight inside Ting'yu Pavilion to go find Li Yan who's currently patronizing prostitutes.
The mistress of the brothel is plastered with cheer as she approaches to welcome him but You Miao stops her, "I'm here to look for someone." Then he climbs up to the second floor with familiarity, and the pimp drops his face in a panic, trying to stop him, "Gongzi please cease your step, there's a VIP inside…"
"It's fine, I just have some things to say to him… move aside." You Miao says.
A few of the pimps come to block him off, and inside, Li Yan's angry voice comes shouting, "JUST MAKE HIM WAIT OUTSIDE…"
Before the whole sentence is out however, You Miao has already kicked open the door. The girls inside rush to make way, and Li Yan is just about to blow up but when he sees it's You Miao, he forcibly swallows his words. He dismisses Liu Shaling who's by his side and gestures for You Miao to go over.
You Miao taunts him however, "An imperially appointed official frolicking the brothels when the country's in dire straits, what a disgrace."
Li Yan clicks his tongue and snorts, "Got your position? Come show me your official seal."
"I've only just collected the seal today at the Ministry of Personnel," You Miao says as he passes him his official eal, "Taizi-Dianxia is having me take the position of the Army Censor. I never wanted this position in the first place though…"
Li Yan is a little surprised, and asks, "What do you mean?"
Liu Shaling pulls the door close behind her, leaving only Li Yan and You Miao in the room, and so You Miao tells Li Yan about how Zhao Chao was trying to make him leave the Capital. He knows that this isn't any big deal, but the objective of his coming here is clear——to discreetly find out more about the Capital migration. As expected, Li Yan doesn't say anything, and only listens as he sips on his tea. The moment he hears Zhao Chao tried to send You Miao home he grows outraged, and almost starts an argument with You Miao.
"Is promotion and money more important or is that Quanrong slave of yours more important?" Li Yan demands furiously.
You Miao whines at him, "Well I'm still here, aren't I?" But while that's what You Miao says, inwardly he mutters fucking hell, well where were you guys back then when dad threw me out to Riverwave Estate, huh? Wasn't it still only Li Zhifeng left who stayed with me?
"Let me take a million steps back and say this," Li Yan says coldly, "Based on the cardinal virtues of humanity, justice, propriety, wisdom, and filial piety that your teacher taught you, right now is the time when the country needs talents, so there's no reason to pack up and flee."
"I wasn't going!" You Miao protests.
Li Yan says disdainfully, "So Zhao Chao only has so much resolve, I guess I overestimated him. Let me tell you, You Ziqian," Li Yan lowers his voice and yanks on You Miao's clothes to pull him over, breathing darkly by his ear, "You think this little master ain't scared? But now is absolutely not the time to run. Our lives, our families' lives are all on Tang Hui's shoulders now. If we stay in the Capital, as long as we make it past this crisis, then we'll be promoted and granted nobility, the future would be infinite. We have to bet on this if nothing else, you get?"
You Miao finally coaxed the truth out and he immediately asks, "And your dad, the ministers of the six ministries, are they all leaving?"
"He's leaving. I'm staying." Li Yan replies nonchalantly.
You Miao continues to ask, "What about everyone else? Are they all migrating?"
Li Yan gives him an enigmatic look, then shakes his head slowly, and You Miao understands that this is something even Li Yan can't tell for sure, and sighs in spite of himself. Li Yan instructs, "Go home now, go back and follow Zhao Chao. Now's not the time to bother with him, even the Taizi doesn't have the time to make things difficult for him, but you keep a stern eye on the Capital Army for me, you hear? Any signs of trouble you come and tell me immediately, understand?"
You Miao en's and leaves Ting'yu Pavilion. When he gets back to the Prince's residence, a eunuch has come bearing the Taizi's royal edict to bring grants to You Miao, giving some food and daily needs, and Zhao Chao takes them all. The Taizi also grants You Miao a waist medal so when there's a need, he can carry the medal to attend the morning assemblies.
That day, You Miao takes over the military register and formally begins his life as an official. There's been no news of Li Zhifeng, and You Miao is both agitated and worried, but he can't leave the Capital to go search for him either, so he sends someone to deliver word to Nie Dan's army camp in West Liang to have them keep an eye out.
Three days later, the Emperor sets off for the southern patrol; those with good senses all know what's going on, it must be for dodging the chaos of war, and this envelops the entire Capital in trepidation. You Deyou personally makes a trip to the Prince's residence, still the same heavy-jowled and pot-bellied except his tone of voice is much more respectful now, and the moment he enters his face is plastered with smiles as he calls out, "Aiyah, Lord You!"
Zhao Chao is away for the morning assembly, and You Miao sits there in the Prince's residence, smiling without mirth, taking on the very appearance of head of the household, "Greetings, uncle. It's been many years."
You Deyou heh-hehs and stands to the side when he enters. You Miao knows that while You Deyou isn't anything to look at, his wealth can reach the gods, and all that You Deyou has accumulated in the Capital throughout the years has planted somewhat of a root within the political scene for him, so he shouldn't be slighted, so You Miao beckons, "Please have a seat, uncle."
You Miao brews a pot of tea to receive him, and You Deyou takes a sip then sighs, "People in the Capital love to drink oolong, but it still can't be compared to our green tea."
You Miao no longer plays the part of a cheeky, clowning gongzi of three years ago, and only chuckles, "What business does uncle have? Speak plainly if you have something to say, and if there's anything I can help with then go ahead and let me know."
The moment You Deyou hears this his face is filled with smiles, "Uncle is just thinking of making a trip back to Jiangnan these days…"
You Miao's mind stops for a moment. As expected, You Deyou has come to pay a visit for the rumours going around within the Capital too. Word's going around that the Capital is migrating within days, the hearts of the endowed clans within the Capital are dissipating, and they're finding all sorts of ways to flee. You Deyou wants to pack up and follow the merchant caravans to return to Jiangnan in a nonchalant air, then come back once the warfare in the north is settled.
You Deyou has always dealt with the Ministry of Revenue, it wouldn't be hard for him to get the travel papers, but moving the entire household down south couldn't be justified. After all, it's extraordinary times, and the government has given strict orders forbidding the citizens of the Capital to travel south. Besides, fleeing southward will inevitably cross many heavy military checkpoints, and without the travel papers issued by the Capital Army, it's impossible to travel from the central plains to West Liang, then enter the official roads of Sichuan.
You Deyou is determined to run, and with nowhere else to go, he remembered that he still has a cheap nephew in the Capital who's also appointed the Tanhua. Yet back then, You Deyou was long in the know when You Dechuan established another eldest principle son and never told You Miao, which made him no different than an accomplice in helping You Dechuan deceive You Miao. You Deyou has been around the block for decades, so he knows very well that this nephew of his is an expert in holding grudges. When he heard You Miao's landed the Tanhua, he grieved incessantly; who knew the little ruffian would grow up to show so much promise now? All that he's restricted and scolded have all now become You Miao's capital.
Back then You Deyou scorned You Miao for being too spendy, but that was also precisely how he managed to acquaint Li Yan and the other gongzi chums, and at the time, both You Deyou and You Dechuan had time and time again tried to urge this good-for-nothing brat to stop getting mixed up with the Third Prince Zhao Chao, but in the end, he still has to come beg You Miao who's teaming with the Third Prince.
You Miao knows better than You Dechuan the little devious scheme he has in mind. After coming to the Capital for so long he never paid a visit, pretending he doesn't have this uncle. After all, he's the one who's been swept out of the door by You Dechuan. Everyone's perfectly clear of what's going on in their minds, so You Miao stops acting in front of him altogether, and says lazily, "Si-shu#, my dad's kicked me out the door of the You Family, eh."
"Ay ay," You Deyou immediately chuckles apologetically, "What are you saying, your dad is a bastard. Besides, you've been part of the You Family ever since you were born, he's not the one who dictates the blood in your veins."
You Miao watches him with a smile without mirth, and You Deyou feels uneasy for the moment. You Miao originally planned on making it difficult for him for a while, but unfortunately the truth is things right now are dire, and there isn't time to play too extremely, so he says abruptly, "Si-shu is here for the Capital Army's travel papers?"
"Hehe, yes yes." You Deyou adds, "When I first got word that you've come to the Capital I prepared something for you, but I had to go out with the merchant caravans unexpectedly for a few months so I didn't have the time to come see you at the Imperial College."
As he speaks, the housekeeper next to You Deyou comes forward respectfully to present a case.
Now You Miao finally admits defeat, this uncle is paying up both smiles and money, so he might as well help him this once. You Miao rises to his feet in cheer, and You Deyou gets it, following You Miao into the study in the inner chamber. You Miao picks up the brush and writes up the papers, stamping it with his own official seal, then goes to take out Zhao Chao's seal of the Commander of the Capital Army of his own accord. Either way Zhao Chao's permitted him to use his things as he willed, and then the Third Prince's personal seal is stamped after that.
You Deyou is rendered speechless watching this, and after You Miao's finished drawing up the papers, he shouts, "GUANGWU!"
Cheng Guangwu comes in, and You Miao passes the papers to him, instructing, "Take my uncle to the Ministry of War to find Ping Xi and have him stamp the travel seal. Uncle, take someone with you for me for this trip, he's from the same village as me, and was also appointed a Jinshi this year, named Zhang Wenhan. He's still staying at the National University waiting for his appointment. I'm too busy these days to go see him. Bring word for me too, tell him to go back to the estate first and help me manage some household affairs, and come back to the Capital after winter is over next year."
You Miao is still a little worried after all, and wants to send Guangwu and the other boy servants back too. You Deyou understands, and thanks him profusely as he leaves with the travel papers. You Miao returns to the main hall and sits down, feeling oddly pleased, and now he finally understands why so many scholars would worm their way onto the official path. Indeed, possessing power and the seal, getting money and influence feels pretty great.
He stays pleased for a while, then takes out the case You Deyou gifted him. When he glances inside it however, he's stunned.
A whole two thousand silver in money notes!
You Miao only brought with him about two thousand something from the estate, but with just drawing up this paper alone he earned two thousand. You Miao is shocked. He stares for a moment, then notices Chang Yuan is also watching from the side, and instructs, "Not a word of this, you hear?'
Chang Yuan quickly nods, "Old Master Uncle certainly is rich."
"Flesh and blood of the people, this is all sweat and blood from commerce." You Miao says, "Put this away for now. Then in a few days, make a trip home with Guangwu and bring it back to Jiangnan."
Over two thousand silver. It doesn't make You Miao feel easy, and since the old emperor is going on the southern patrol, he might as well send all the boy attendants home. Li Zhifeng is almost here anyway.
Just as he makes up his mind, someone else has come to the door, and the housekeeper of the Zhao residence announces, "Lord You, it's someone from the Li residence calling."
"Send him in." You Miao replies.
The one who's come this time is the second housekeeper of the Chancellor's residence, that middle-aged man who's often following after Li Yan. Although he's never interacted with You Miao, they're technically old acquaintances. You Miao is confused too, if Li Yan has anything he'd come find him himself, so why send a housekeeper? Sure enough after the two make greetings, the Li housekeeper brings up the subject of his visit: to request for travel papers, not for himself, but for his little mistress to migrate to Jiangnan and seek asylum with her mother and uncle. The blank travel papers that's been stamped by the Military of War is already prepared, naturally it was gotten by the Li housekeeper himself.
For Li Yan's sake You Miao agrees, and stamps his own seal and Zhao Chao's commander seal on the documents. After the Li housekeeper went back, another one thousand silver in notes is delivered to the residence. You Miao knows this is something he'd done half for Li Yan, sake, but he can't help but sigh over just how powerful and influential the Li's are, that even a housekeeper can easily come up with a thousand eight hundred silver.
That evening, Zhao Chao comes home early but looks as if he's laden with much on his mind. At dinner, You Miao tells him about what happened during the day; after all, Zhao Chao never agreed to the business with the Li housekeeper, and You Miao still isn't quite sure of what he'd think, yet unexpectedly Zhao Chao simply mn's to acknowledge that he's heard.
"In a few days my Father will be going on the southern patrol. By then there will be even more major households of the Capital coming to knock on our doors to beg for our seals, so you just stamp as you see fit." Zhao Chao says.
You Miao frowns, "Will it be alright letting them go?"
"If they came to me I wouldn't have let them." Zhao Chao replies, "With the people gone, what morale is there left to talk of? Perhaps there won't be anyone left in the Capital who'd be willing to fight. But they can't not be let go either. If I don't release them on my end, they'll probably go raise hell with my dge, it's an impossible situation, there's no right decision, otherwise why'd you think he made you the middleman support to coordinate action?"
You Miao nods slowly, understanding now that although the government doesn't permit the large, influential families to migrate south, they can't all be stopped either.
"Will there really be danger?" You Miao asks.
Zhao Chao shakes his head, "No one can tell for sure. Even if the Capital really is migrating south, we'd be the last wave of people to go anyway… why don't you still…"
You Miao quirks up a brow and Zhao Chao quickly surrenders, "Fine, fine, I won't rush you to go back, lest you slap me again. Figure it out yourself."
He says and both of them become amused. You Miao recalls all the money he's collected during the day and says, "A couple of stamps and I've collected a few thousand silver. Let me split half with you."
Zhao Chao replies not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "You just keep it."
You Miao then mentions the subject of sending the boy attendants home, and Zhao Chao agrees readily, letting Cheng Guangwu, Chang Yuan, and Yao Guang go with the southern patrol troops, randomly placing them in there. From next day onwards, sure enough the large families of the Capitals have come knocking one after the other, each holding a blank document that's stamped with the Military of War's seal, requesting for You Miao's official seal and Zhao Chao's commander seal, and the handlers have all brought money. You Miao imagines Ping Xi probably received a lot too, maybe past ten thousand silver even, so he unapologetically rips off whoever comes too, and after two and a half days, he actually took in just over ten thousand silver notes, signing away close to ten documents——either way the moment the Emperor of the Great Qi moves the Capital, all the major families will follow, and in the event the Capital manages to hold down fort, those people will return sooner or later anyway, so might as well make some cash.
Three days later, Zhao Mao sets off to go southward, and all of a sudden a good portion of the Capital is emptied. You Miao keeps three thousand silver to use for the Prince's residence, then sends the three boy attendants off. Cheng Guangwu was stubbornly unwilling at first, but in the end You Miao still forces him to return, otherwise he'd be sent packing, and only then does Cheng Guangwu ruefully head off to Jiangnan.
After You Miao sends off the boy attendants he begins to arrange the defense matters of the Capital Army. and with most of the people gone, the only ones left are the great scholars of the Directorate of Education, a number of youths, and some veteran officials of the Ministry of War with the Taizi to supervise the country. Everyone knows what's going on in their minds, but no one dares to say it out loud.
The wounded soldiers coming from the frontlines increase day by day, and the warfront is also more and more urgent with each passing day, until finally, news comes from the frontlines: The Tartars increased fifty thousand iron cavalry of reinforcements, riding straight for the central plains. Panic erupts instantly; it seems this time, the Tartars don't just plan on pillaging Hebei#, their objective is the entire central plains!
"Call Nie Dan back to Hebei immediately!" Zhao Chao says in the morning assembly, "Have him take over Tang Hui's army!"
The officials look to each other, the morning assembly smothered with an ominous air. The Taizi forces himself to calm, and says, "Tang Hui can hold steady still, right now we need to pull troops from Yangzhou, Liuzhou, and surrounding areas as soon as possible to reinforce the warfront in Hebei. How many is left in the Capital Army?"
You Miao answers, "We've got some eight hundred new recruits in the past few days…"
"REPORT——" Outside the Wumen Gate, a scout spurs the horse at top speed, rushing right to the great hall, and instantly the officials drop their faces.
That man is the messenger who followed the Emperor on the southern patrol. When the scout prostrates before the entrance of the great hall, everyone's heart lurched.
Zhao Chao exchanges a look with the Taizi, his eyes filled with shock, his body trembling slightly, and when he gazes outside the doors, the scout speaks up, "The road to West Liang has been cut off by the five barbarian tribes! His Majesty ran into the barbarian army while on route down south at Hanyin!"
"Fortunately General Nie was there to protect the escort! His Majesty is on route now to return to court."
The officials all sigh a breath of relief, but an even deeper shock sinks in right after. The old emperor is coming back, which means the south road has been thoroughly cut off. In an instant the entire Capital is scared and jittery, it's every man for themselves now.
After the morning assembly Zhao Chao hasn't any more mind to ask questions, and heads towards the Imperial Study with the Taizi, summoning Li Yan and others to a meeting, inquiring about the situation at Hanyin County from the messenger. This time, those who entered the Imperial Study are all the confidantes from both sides, but no one has time to care anymore. The messenger gives a broken account of what happened during the southern patrol——The Lord Emperor had only just left the Capital region, entering the borders of Liang Prefecture when they encountered an attack from the Xianbei tribe at Hanyin. There were only one thousand some soldiers under Vice General Lin of the Imperial Army who were escorting the southern patrol, so they immediately requested Nie Dan for help.
Nie Dan never knew about the old emperor conducting a southern tour, Zhao Mao didn't dare to tell either, so by the time Nie Dan learned the Emperor was passing through his area of jurisdiction, heading south for the sole purpose of seeking immortality, he instantly blew up, brazenly exhorting the emperor by force, sending him back to the Capital in detainment.
Zhao Mao returns to the palace in silence but rumours are getting worse and worse. New recruits from Jiangnan continuously pour into the Capital nonstop, and through You Miao's hands, they are assigned into the Capital Army then sent to the frontlines. By December third, Li Zhifeng still hasn't reached the Capital, and the defense army of Hebei also suffered their very first major defeat since winter's begun.
This major defeat was due to Tang Hui's poor command; it's December, middle of winter, and impatient, Tang Hui wanted to end this battle quickly, but in a moment of carelessness, he fell for the Tartar's charging assault and ambush. Nearly twenty thousand new recruits drowned by the Yellow River shore, and Tang Hui took the remaining troops to retreat back to the southern shore of Yellow River in unkempt, the entire line of Hebei fallen.
Nearly twenty thousand new recruits drowned, plus the ones shot dead by the Tartars and the soldiers who trampled themselves, the number of casualties reached thirty thousand, and the numbers of wounded up to over ten thousand. The bodies are sent back to the Capital in this frozen world, and the Capital Army camps are filled to the brim with cries of anguish from the wounded.
It's Zhao Chao who drags You Miao out of bed, leaving only the words, "Tang Hui's army lost. You go to the army camp! I'm going to the morning assembly! Quickly!" before he hurries out of the Prince's residence.
As You Miao stands outside the army camp, he witnesses with his own eyes the cruelty of war. Ever since he's taken the post of Inspection Censor, the back and forth reports between the Capital and the frontline troops were nothing but lists of the number of dead and wounded, but now that the wounded are coming down from the frontlines en masse, creating this startling scene, only now does You Miao realize that these are all people, that they are lives the same as him.
The camps are having a hard time taking in tens of thousands of wounded soldiers, and in the middle of the coldest of winter, many are placed out in the frozen open air crying and groaning. You Miao checks up on each of them, and someone seizes his hand, yelling painfully, "RUN! WE CAN'T WIN! THE TartarS ARE COMING——"
"DON'T YOU UPSET THE TROOP MORALE AROUND HERE!!" A minor general roars.
"Lord You!"
A few of the high-ranking military officers finally finds You Miao, and You Miao instructs, "Send someone to the Ministry of Revenue, tell them to send the wounded soldiers who are out in the open into the city, and have them settle in the side halls of the west wing of the palace. Tell them I said so, quickly!"
Once You Miao distributes the work, he goes to call the roll on the field officers, collecting the military register and dividing the troops, then draws out twenty thousand reinforcements from the Capital Army to Tang Hui. He then summarizes the matters of food supplies and other such affairs, ready to report to the Ministry of War.
"Lord You, the Ministry of Revenue told us to dispatch the troops first…" One of the officers says, "They said the food supplies will follow soon after."
"Don't dispatch any troops without food supplies!" You Miao is furious, "I'm going to go rush them, you all stay here."
You Miao hops onto the horse and dashes straight for the Ministry of War through the flurrying snow. The Ministry of War has been bustling like the markets since three days ago with rowdy people everywhere, and quite a number of them standing outside looking for financial aid for the bereaved families, begging on the support staff. You Miao pushes through the crowd to find the official registrar#, but the official registrar is surrounded by people unable to get away, so You Miao shouts, "WHERE'S PING XI??"
"Vice Minister Ping is in the inner halls…" One of the officials hurries to look for the registry and yells back, "There's no time right now… Why don't you first… LORD YOU?"
"I'm here for the food supplies." You Miao calls back, "I know the papers from the Ministry of Revenue are stuck here with you guys…"
You Miao dashes into the inner halls, and almost runs right into Ping Xi, and he demands hastily, "Where's the papers for the food supplies?"
"There's no food supplies." Ping Xi replies with a darkly solemn face, "I got word from the Ministry of Revenue today, none of the food supplies have reached the Capital yet."
You Miao is furious, and waves his military registry, "TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE! HOW CAN YOU ASK PEOPLE TO GO FIGHT IN THE FRONTLINES WITHOUT FOOD SUPPLIES!!"
Ping Xi stops caring for anything else and starts to fight with You Miao right in the corridors, "THE FOOD SUPPLIES AREN'T HERE, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO??"
"I'VE GOT THE IMPERIAL EDICT IN MY HANDS!" You Miao shouts.
Ping Xi yells back, "LISTEN HERE! IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE NOT ALLOCATING IT, IT'S THAT WE REALLY CAN'T…"
The two take a step back and calm for a moment, then You Miao says, "How about this. I'll go to the Ministry of Personnel, have them detain all the salaried food supplies for the officials for this year to supplement the military food supplies first."
Ping Xi replies ruefully, "Then you'll have to make a run to the palace first and get the manual decree from the Taizi. I personally don't mind, but the other officials…"
The army is just outside the city ready to dispatch troops but the food supplies haven't made it yet. No matter how fast they hurry, dispatch will still have to wait until sundown, You Miao thinks inwardly. Ping Xi contemplates for a moment then adds, "A scout was just sent in from the frontlines, come with me. Then in a bit, after I cleaned up here I'll go with you to the Ministry of Personnel…"
That works too, You Miao thinks, and follows Ping Xi out to the back hall. While this band of degenerate nobles fought each other openly and maneuvers covertly, and didn't deal with the soldiers for that long, but in emergency situations, every single one of them handles matters with meticulous care. This is also precisely why You Miao is willing to deal with Li Yan and the others; while they may be deficient in small matters, they've got a handle on the important matters.
Ping Xi then asks, "Have the people of your household been sent out of the Capital? They didn't come back with His Majesty?"
"Just a few boy attendants," You Miao replies, "After running into the barbarians at Hanyin County, those who wanted to go home were all escorted away by Nie Dan."
Ping Xi nods, "That's good…"
Just as they are talking, a messenger covered in grimy blood from the frontlines stumbles as he barges down the corridors, shouting, "GENERAL TANG HUI IS SACRIFICED! THE FRONTLINE HAS FALLEN!"
White noise fills You Miao's mind, and he feels the world spinning in that moment.
Ping Xi face immediately drops, and he and You Miao stare at each other for a long time.
"Looks like there's no more need to dispatch troops." Ping Xi says.
"Tang Hui's dead?! TANG DGE'S DEAD JUST LIKE THAT?!!" You Miao is in disbelief.
That messenger then gives a general account brokenly. Turns out, heavy snow fell the night before by the river shore, the surface of the river was frozen, and the Tartars wrapped the horseshoes with gunny cloths, sneaking across the river, ambushing the main army camp of the Great Qi. Tang Hui wasn't prepared for enemy attack, but instead of retreating, he led the army to fight back. Both sides battled by the south shore of the river for an entire night, and by morning, the ice of the river broke. Innumerous soldiers fell into the water and froze to death. Tang Hui was shot by an arrow over the river, and died in the waters.
You Miao only feels a mad chill down his spine, his body shaking. The Tartars have crossed the Yellow River, and there's only about four hundred miles between the southern shore and the Capital, which also means…
Ping Xi doesn't care to talk anymore, and rushes out of the Ministry of War in a panic with You Miao following right behind. As they exit the Ministry of War, he instructs the people who followed him, taking out the official seal and passes it to the captain, "Take this and pass on the command. Without my orders, no one is allowed to leave the Capital. Tell Zheng Yong to immediately reinforce the defense of all four gates of the Capital, and every single Capital Army troop is to return to defense!"
That captain is a little surprised, "Lord You, are we not reinforcing the frontlines anymore?"
You Miao waves him off and sends him to pass on the order asap. Ping Xi has already hopped onto the horse, and along the way, neither of them speak, but their minds are already in complete disarray. Even when they enter the palace grounds and it's guards everywhere, they cross through to the Imperial Gardens, and soon the personal guards of the Taizi come up to scold, "Taizi-Dianxia is discussing official business in the study… Lord You?"
"This is urgent! There's no time for an announcement!"
"No! No one is allowed to enter!" The guard exclaims.
From within the study comes the faint sound of the Taizi yelling and Zhao Chao's furious arguing, and You Miao's heart stops. The Taizi has always been pleasant in front of the officials, he's never seen him yelling so violently. It sounds as if it's something serious?
Ping Xi doesn't dare barge in, so he says, "Let's wait outside, I guess."
"That won't do!" You Miao goes forward and pushes the doors in. The guards don't dare to stop You Miao and can only back down to the sides. Without another word, You Miao barges into the Imperial Study, but the situation inside makes him jump.
"You're defying the emperor…"
The voices come to a halt.
Listening from the outside, it sounded as if there were only Zhao Chao and the Taizi present, yet unexpectedly, the entire floor is crowded. The military officers with Zhao Chao as head stood on one side while the civil officials with the Taizi as head stood on the other. The Taizi's expression is terrifyingly dark while Zhao Chao's face is red from the yelling.
Right in that moment the room is scarily quiet, and everyone is staring at You Miao.
"Tang Hui is dead." You Miao states in a low voice, "The Tartar army has already crossed the Yellow River."
The Taizi's voice trembles, "Very good… now no one can leave."
Zhao Chao takes a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his own voice, "You Miao, come with me."
December twentieth, all the defeated soldiers by the Yellow River are withdrawn back to the Capital, and all of a sudden, the entire Capital is filled with the wounded. Looking back from the South Gate, the army camps stand like the forest amidst the frozen air, and cries are everywhere as the flags and banners whip in the wind. The Taizi gives out a strict order to lock down on information, the troops are tightly guarding the city, and fourteen separate troops are sent down to Jiangnan to give the Order of Due Diligence#.
That night, the lamps of the palace remain bright, and military reports flow out like the waters. The Capital Army went outside the city to dig trenches, making pits to trap horses, and the city is packed with soldiers erecting defense installations. Barrels and barrels of boiling oil are transported up the city towers and set down in rows along the city walls. The giant fire pits are lit, and You Miao personally leads the soldiers guarding the city gates, and the gates are crowded with large bands of citizens trying to leave.
"YOU CANNOT LEAVE!" You Miao yells angrily down below to the city, bearing with the frigid winds, "NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE CITY! ARCHERS AT THE READY!"
The archers on the city walls stand at the ready, pointing their arrows down at the people below.
The people immediately blow up, and someone roars, "GO KILL ENEMIES IF YOU'RE SO CAPABLE! HOW DARE YOU POINT WEAPONS AT THE FOLKS!"
You Miao's heart is thumping heavily. He knows the Tartars have already entered the central plains, so fleeing the city now is no different than running to death, and only staying in the city can ensure survival, but he can't tell them this.
And another important point is, Nie Dan is currently leading the army on his way back, and while there aren't many soldiers under Nie Dan's command, they're courageous troops who have spent years fighting the barbarians, each one equalling a hundred men. The Due Diligence troops of every southern prefecture and county are also currently hurrying their way over, so as long as they can hold the Capital steady, the moment the Due Diligence Army arrives and the city gates open to fight, the Tartar army would suffer battle on both fronts, and would surely be driven out to beyond the border in disgrace.
Besides, the Capital is the country's main city, there's been a great number of arrangements built in from previous dynasties for this place, so as long as the defending generals don't make any dumb moves, how would they be driven to abandoning the city? Yet the people of the Capital won't have any of it, their cries of malcontent only getting louder and louder.
"KILL HIM! KILL THAT TREACHEROUS OFFICIAL!"
"THE NATION IS IN PERIL! YOU TREACHEROUS OFFICIAL IS BRINGING RUIN TO OUR GREAT QI!" Another man accuses.
You Miao is instantly outraged, and in that instant, he thinks of something: A spy! There must be a spy instigating discord and inciting a mutiny! He scans the crowd with concentration for a moment, and notices that there is indeed someone there leading the shouting, and when he shouts, the people around would respond and echo, causing a powerful momentum to ripple through. He arches his bow and tacks on his arrow, shoots out, and an alarmed cry comes from the crowd.
"DO NOT LISTEN TO THE LIES OF BARBARIAN SPIES!" You Miao shouts angrily, "WHOEVER WANTS TO OPEN THE CITY GATES WILL HAVE TO CROSS OVER MY DEAD BODY FIRST!"
The crowd falls silent.
"Well done." Zhao Chao's low voice comes.
Zhao Chao has only just returned from outside the city, and runs right into You Miao who's up on the city tower.
"Why didn't you stay inside the palace?" Zhao Chao asks, his eyes bloodshot.
You Miao is also exhausted from all the exertion, and replies, "There's nothing to do for me in the palace. All the officials want to run, Li Yan was afraid he's not able to keep them down, so I came here. What were you guys arguing about today?"
"He wants to assemble an escort troop from the Capital Army," Zhao Chao says plainly, "To send my Father out."
You Miao, "..."
"With Father gone, the military morale of the entire Capital will collapse. He cannot leave." Zhao Chao says.
You Miao mn's. The situation is evolving too fast; a rout is like a landslide overnight, with Tang Hui's death, the entire Capital has sunken into terror. Even though news hasn't arrived from the frontlines yet, the citizens all know they're about to be defeated, what's even more troublesome is the Tartar spies who have infiltrated the Capital are stirring the people up.
Zhao Chao starts, "Go make a trip to the palace…"
Just as the two are talking, in the far distant horizon that is bloodied by the setting sun, the ground is shaking, and in that instant, everyone within the towers and inside the city falls silent. You Miao and Zhao Chao stop their conversation, and notice the dark mass of the Tartar army overtaking the entire plains as they push towards the city gates.
"Do I still go?" You Miao's voice is quivering.
"No." Zhao Chao replies, "Let them come."
The Tartar army inches closer and closer towards the city gates, and within the city, the people can vaguely sense what's happening from the stomping of hooves, so they disperse in a second. A rider is sent out from the Tartar army and he sprints to the city gates, a vellum scroll in his hands, and he yells in the Han tongue, "HEED THIS ORDER, KING OF THE GREAT QI——"
Zhao Chao's face darkens terrifyingly in an instant, and no one responds from the city towers.
That messenger wanders for a moment then shouts again, "BY IMPERIAL ORDER OF THE GREAT TartarIAN EMPEROR——! YOU ARE TO PROMPTLY OPEN THE CITY GATES AND SURRENDER! TO AVOID THE DISASTER OF EXTERMINATION! SHOULD YOU REMAIN STUBBORN! ONCE THE CITY FALLS, NONE SHALL BE SPARED!"
"A Han?" You Miao wonders.
Zhao Chao sneers, "The lieutenant general Lin Jiu of Zhongji camp probably surrendered. What big words."
"Don't underestimate the enemy." You Miao says quietly, "What do we do now?"
When You Miao studied the art of war and policies with Sun Yu, he's read about this before, and Li Zhifeng also mentioned this about the ethnicities beyond the border once upon a time, that the Tartars are all brutal by nature, and the most thirsty for blood. They will slaughter a village when they overtake said village, slaughter a city when they siege said city; in the war by the frontier over a century ago, none of the cities besieged by the Tartars were spared.
"TELL YOUR KING TO COME OUT!" The messenger shouts again, "IF THERE IS STILL NO RESPONSE, DO NOT BLAME THE TartarIAN EMPEROR FOR BEING UNJUST!"
Just as the man was talking, Li Yan hurries up the stairs of the city tower and shakes his head lightly. You Miao knits his brows and Li Yan says, "Defend to the death."
Zhao Chao shouts his order, "BRING ME MY BOW AND ARROW!"
The moment Zhao Chao releases his words You Miao knows this is trouble, and immediately rushes down the tower steps, roaring, "INFORM THE ENTIRE CITY! ALL CITIZENS ARE TO HIDE!"
Just as You Miao issues his order, Zhao Chao arches his bow and tacks on the arrow. The arrow is shot out like a shooting star, and in a flash, that messenger drops off his horse! There is an instant uproar from the Tartar army, followed by a series of arrogant laughter, yet no one charged forward on their horses.
Zhao Chao killed that messenger who had come forward to coax surrender, and he roars angrily upon the city wall, "COME SIEGE IF YOU DARE!"
"Fuckin…" Zhao Chao is shaking from anger, and he twists his head around, "Wait til they're closer, then let loose the arrows down the city tower… You Ziqian, You Miao? Where is he?"
The Tartar army backs away like the tide, and the formation from the back becomes the front as they charge forward but they don't come close to below the city. After the troops disperse they form into a rectangular formation, dividing into two rows, front and back, and the front row of soldiers all fall to lie down in an orderly fashion, their feet raised to the skies, fiercely jerking the step crossbow into the air, and the back row swiftly tacks on the arrows.
Zhao Chao immediately turns around to shout, "TAKE COVER!"
At the same time, the loud shout of the commanding officer from the Tartar army camp comes faintly, and everything is silent within a ten mile radius of the Capital. It's as if time has stopped amidst the flaming red of the setting sun.
A few breaths later, tens of thousands of bow strings quiver at the same time, and tens of thousands of arrows come flying out, shooting towards the clouds!
---
Chapter 30
You Miao dashes madly through the streets on his horse, the orders to have the citizens disperse and go home spreading from one to ten, ten to hundreds. Everything is happening all within an instant; the Tartarian iron arrows shot high into the sky, drawing out a long singular streak, covering the entire Capital! The arrows then plunge down towards the earth from the heavens, a burst of arrow shower comes piercing through each tile and shingle, cutting through every tree.
The piercing sound of the arrow shower is everywhere, the people are screaming in panic with nowhere to run, and those who couldn't get away fast enough are nailed to the ground. All at the same time, one arrow from the skies hit the behind of You Miao's steed, and in a whirling spin, You Miao is sent flying. He unconsciously hugs his head as he crashes into the wall on the side, and another arrow breaks through the roof nearby, shattering the shingles, and debris comes tumbling down. A man darts out from the side, pulls You Miao in with his powerful arms and they tumble, dodging into the house.
"ARE YOU TRYING TO DIE?!" Li Yan roars into You Miao's ears.
You Miao is seeing stars from the fall and after getting hauled into the house by Li Yan, he raises a clay water vat to cover the two of them.
At the same time, the arrow shower is redirected to the palace, shooting through the window lattice of the golden palace. The officials who are in the middle of a meeting scream in panic, and multiple guards rush over to shield the Taizi, bringing him to hide behind a pillar. The glass shingles of the Hall of Jinluan# come shattering down, raising dust and debris everywhere.
When the noise finally quiets down, the cries and screams of the Capital start in waves. Dizzy, You Miao pushes the water vat aside to come out, sneezes, then collects himself, "I remember… Teacher once told me the Tartars would siege a city with arrows…"
Li Yan is covered in dust from head to toe, looking incredibly unkempt, and he tugs You Miao up, "Be careful. Take care of your own little life first before leading the troops."
You Miao pants, "It's fine… there's gonna be some time before the next wave of flying arrow attack."
Right then, the sound of beating drums and shouts come from outside the city. The Tartars have begun to siege the city.
With thundering shouts, the flat plains beyond the Capital have instantly become a battlefield. Li Yan looks everywhere for a horse to go to the palace but the horses have already been shot dead by the arrows. You Miao hurries to rush to the city gates, and just as he is about to climb up he's dragged down, protected by Zhao Chao.
All around are endless soldiers rushing up the city wall, the scene incredibly chaotic; braziers and rolling hot oil are brought to the towers, and Zhao Chao yells by his ears, "GET YOURSELF TO THE PALACE!"
You Miao ignores him and yells back, "NO! WE NEED TO BRING ALL THE PEOPLE TO THE INNER CITY FIRST!"
"THE OUTER CITY CAN HOLD!" Zhao Chao shouts, "WE CAN'T EVACUATE THE PEOPLE NOW!"
Arrows are shooting from beyond the city again, and You Miao exclaims, "LISTEN TO ME!"
The moment the Tartars began besieging the city, You Miao is thrown back to what Li Zhifeng said about the battling habits of the Tartars. The Quanrong and the Tartars have fought for a long time beyond the border, so the Quanrong know their battle strategies like the back of their hands. The Tartars are like ravenous wolves when they first siege enemy cities; first they send a shower of arrows to intimidate the enemy, but iron arrows are costly so the numbers are limited, they aren't able to shoot waves after waves. What immediately follows is driving the surrendered soldiers into assaulting their own city while the real Tartar force remains in the back conserving strength, and when the enemy is exhausted, only then does the main force launch their attack.
So they must take this time to evacuate all citizens to the inner city. Otherwise, since the ones assaulting the city are the surrendered Han soldiers, when they die in the hands of the Capital Army, the Tartars would catapult the heads of those soldiers into the city, which would surely shake up the Capital Army, destabilizing their wills.
You Miao swiftly explains all this, and Zhao Chao huffs heavily, frowning, "Who told you all this?"
"Li Zhifeng!" You Miao replies, "Don't ask anymore now! Quickly! Evacuate the people to the inner city! By the time this set of sieging soldiers are killed, another wave of arrow showers will come tomorrow morning!"
Zhao Chao takes off his seal immediately and passes it to You Miao, and You Miao prepares a horse to enter the palace. It's pandemonium within the palace; iron arrows nailed into the ground can be seen everywhere, and the Taizi's expression is extremely dark, "What if spies infiltrate the palace?"
You Miao replies, "Have someone guard with a troop, otherwise we won't be able to hold when the second wave of arrow showers come."
"That won't do!" One of the civil officials exclaims in alarm, "The palace is of grave importance, how can it be so easily opened to the public?! His Majesty is still recuperating in the back palace, if spies infiltrate…"
Taizi, "No… that won't do, it's too risky. Dear minister You, it's not that I don't trust your judgment, but…"
You Miao is outraged, and he shouts, "THE PEOPLE FIRST! Society Second! The ruler is the least in importance!# YOUR HIGHNESS!"
With this shout, the Taizi instantly snaps out of it. The ruler and the subject stare at each other for a long time, it's dead silent within the hall, no one daring to speak a word.
"You're right. We'll go with your way." The Taizi says, "How did you know all this?"
You Miao bows, "This subject has a Quanrong at home, he was the one who told me."
The court officials start raising voices of concern, and the Taizi asks, "Where is that Quanrong now?"
"He's currently on the road to come to the Capital to seek me." You Miao replies.
The Taizi sighs a breath, then pens the imperial edict on the Emperor's behalf, telling You Miao to deliver it to the Imperial Army in order to open the palace gates.
December twenty-first, all the citizens of the city begin to gather, and the gates of the palace open, allowing people to enter the inner city. The city walls of the outer city are teeming with the surrendered soldiers of the Great Qi, and under the whipping and arrows of the Tartars, they begin to assault the Capital. Torches covered the city walls, and ladle after ladles of hot oil is splashed down. You Miao sprints up the city tower steps; Zhao Chao is just directing the Capital Army to defend the city.
"We can't keep this up, material resources will be used up too fast." You Miao's brows are deeply furrowed, watching as the corpses below pile up like mountains. Many of the surrendered soldiers have already been shot to bloodied flesh, and even more completely burnt and cooked by the hot oil, the smell of fire-burnt corpses and the sharp stench of blood drifting into the city.
"Not a single Tartar is dead, right now every single one killed is a surrendered soldier of the Great Qi, goddammit! These bunch of barbarian dogs are fucking ruthless!" Zhao Chao swears angrily, "We've gotta think of something! Otherwise when the Tartars enter the battlefield themselves we'll be all out of oil and boulders!"
You Miao sighs then looks to the outside of the city. There are a whole four to five hundred thousand frontline advancing soldiers, this is basically piling the city walls with Han corpses, but there's the Tartar army in the back watching hawkishly with archers, so anyone who dares to run would be shot to death.
"Your own fellow officer's hot oil and fiery boulders at the front," You Miao mumbles, "And the Tartar's sharp swords behind."
Only with the city sieged is there a way out for these surrendered soldiers, otherwise if they retreat, there is still only death that awaits them. You Miao and Zhao Chao exchange a look; in order to break through this difficult situation, there's only one way——Have the Emperor of the Great Qi come to the city tower, and suppress the surrendered soldiers with the majesty of the ruler. Maybe that'll awaken the hot blood in the soldiers, and take back the lead.
"I'll go talk to Father and persuade him to come monitor the military operations." Zhao Chao says, "Only with Him here will the surrendered soldiers stop assaulting the Capital."
"He might not come," You Miao says, "It's too dangerous."
You Miao doesn't have much hope for Zhao Mao's courage, since otherwise the Emperor wouldn't have used southern patrol as the reason to flee. Zhao Chao however, reasons, "Times are different now, you go rest at the foot of the watchtower, I'll head into the palace."
The sky is lightening soon and the warfront outside has ceased for the moment. While sieging is still happening, the shouting and yelling have gradually weakened. Zhao Chao got the lieutenant general to supervise the operations, and You Miao is also thoroughly exhausted, so he finds a random place, dropping to the ground without removing his armour, and closes his eyes. The sound of killing is still by his ears, but that sound gradually fades away. He dreams that LI Zhifeng has come back and is charging out to the battlefield with a troop from who knows where, cutting down all the Tartars.
He doesn't know how long he's slept, but it's a loud shout that jolts him awake.
"LORD YOU!" Someone is yelling next to his ears, "HURRY AND HIDE!"
The soldiers within the city are running about in confusion, an assistant general carries You Miao up by the shoulder and pushes him down by the city wall with a number of soldiers surrounding him to shield him, and there's rumbling all around. You Miao doesn't know what's happening, and shouts, "WHAT'S GOING ON??"
Rocks start flying in, the next wave of Tartar attack has begun, and this time, tens of thousands of heads are mixed in with the rocks——the heads of the soldiers of the Great Qi who were led by Tang Hui and later captured after the battles by the Yellow River shore.
"WHERE'S ZHAO CHAO??" You Miao demands.
The assistant general answers, "San-Dianxia is supervising the operations by the west gate! They're defending the city there too!"
The flying rocks crash through the roofs, raising dust and debris, and the Tartars start to burn up wolf feces outside the north gate, making the air so suffocating eyes couldn't be opened. You Miao can't tell directions within the black smoke, and runs for a bit before he finds a horse to dash towards the west gate to look for Zhao Chao.
As expected, the Emperor didn't come to monitor the operations. On the night of December twenty-third, Zhao Mao abdicates and passes on the throne to the Taizi, and the news is announced to the entire city. As the skies lighten in thick mist, in the black smoke brought by northerly winds, the Tartars have launched a second arrow shower.
This time, there are close to a hundred thousand iron arrows in the shower; they are all the iron arrows collected from the dead soldiers of the Great Qi at the battle of Yellow River. The rain of arrows cover the entire sky, blanketing the entire Capital.
December twenty-fourth, the surrendered soldiers have finally all died out, and the Tartars send out a messenger to accost the city.
"Lord You!" A military officer of the Capital Army within the inner city calls.
Someone bumps You Miao who is fast asleep. You Miao is completely covered in dust, his face filthy, and he's busied about the entire night the night before, checking on the wounded and the dead, rearranging the Capital Army troops. Exhausted to the extreme, he rubs his eyes when he's woken, and demands, "What's happened? I'm over here!"
The military officer stares at You Miao for a bit before recognizing him, and quickly reports, "His Majesty called for Lord You to enter the palace for a meeting!"
You Miao is confused at first on why the Emperor finally came out, but then he remembers that Zhao Mao has already abdicated, and the Emperor now is the Taizi Zhao Zhuo. He quickly crawls to his feet, prepares a horse, then heads to the Palace of Taihe.
When You Miao arrives outside the Palace of Taihe, everything is quiet inside, and he fixes his armour before entering through the side door with no one stopping him. The civil officials stood with Li Yan as head, the military officials stood with Zhao Chao as head, and Li Yan turns his head to give You Miao a look, signalling for him to not speak.
You Miao gets it and joins the civil official's line. After a long silence, the once Taizi and now the present Emperor Zhao Zhuo sneers, "Your Tartarian Khan certainly has a big appetite."
The messenger says a bunch of gibberish, and cold sweat rolls down the forehead of the Han standing on the side who was brought in, and he stammers nervously, "To report… To report Your Majesty, the Tartarian Khan said… if Your Majesty is unwilling… unwilling to negotiate peace, then the citizens within the city will unfortunately be harmed… what the Khan wants…"
The messenger gives the Han translator a look then starts to talk again, smirking as he speaks, arrogant to the extreme as he gestures. Everyone within the palace has understood those three to four terms, and when the messenger is done, he urges the Han to translate.
"Tell me." The Taizi commands, "What are the terms?"
The Han translator's voice trembles, "First: To… to lower as subject before the Khan, and to honour the Tartarian Khan as Emperor. Order the entire army of the Great Qi to prostrate before the Khan, then send the fifth prince to the northern frontier as hostage."
An uproar erupts among the officials, and after the translator has started, he stops hiding about and continues, "Second: Provide…a thousand rolls… of silk, thirty thousand… thirty thousand gold, a… a hundred thousand silver, three thousand… beauties, dragon jade Bi's#... in order to foster cordial relations between the two nations."
"Third: Offer five thousand… gold, fifty thousand… silver, annually."
"Fourth: People of the Great Qi are forbidden to cross north of the Yellow River…"
"Fifth: Release Quanrong's young prince… Sanado."
The officials start chattering quietly among themselves, and You Miao rages immediately, the hand pressing down on his hand shaking. This is intolerably humiliating!
"You…" The Taizi laughs out in spite of himself, "Did you think that…"
Yet unexpectedly, before the Taizi finishes, that messenger snorts and says another long line of gibberish. The Han translator looks at the messenger, then at the Taizi. The Taizi notices things amiss and frowns, "What did he say?"
The Han translator says, "He said… the Khan knows Your Majesty is waiting for Nie Dan and the Due Diligence Army, but the Tartars and Xianbei, Jie, as well as the other of the five barbarian tribes have formed an alliance, and your esteemed General Nie was already killed by King Chang'yao at Mount Lin…"
In that instant the imperial court is thrown into panic, and Zhao Chao shouts, "MISLEADING LIES!"
The power of his voice stuns the messenger for a moment, but he then jeers.
The Han translator glances at Zhao Chao then turns to the Taizi, "The armies from Jiangnan are also trapped by the snowstorm by Zhengliang Pass. The Due Diligence Army will not make it here within three months. The Capital is singled out without reinforcements, pray Your Majesty consider carefully."
Then that messenger tosses out two items, clacking as they hit the ground, the echoes reverberating unceasingly within the walls of the palace.
They were Nie Dan's vambraces and his waist medal.
Zhao Chao has never been so thoroughly shaken until this moment, and You Miao couldn't speak for a long time. All the officials within the palace are shocked. Even Nie Dan is dead?! How can that be?
The Taizi abruptly jumps to his feet, and Li Yan immediately sends him a look, signaling him to absolutely not do anything impulsive in the moment, and says, "Will the messenger please step down and take rest."
An officer comes and takes the messenger away, and solemn silence blankets the palace. Not a single soul dare speak first in that moment. You Miao scans around, abruptly discovering that somehow, since who knows when, the imperial court is filled with people he's familiar with. The Taizi hums deeply for a long time before speaking, "Minister Qin, you will be responsible in guarding that man, and see if you can coax more information from him."
Qin Shaonan heeds the order and leaves. The Taizi sits back down upon the throne and sighs heavily, the sound echoing in the palace.
"What do my dear ministers think?" The Taizi asks with a dark voice.
After an enduring silence, Li Yan responds, "Annual tribute. Annual tribute has existed since ancient times."
Zhao Chao replies coldly, "So what Lord Li means is, demands such as these, terms such as these, still allow for room for negotiation?"
"San-Dianxia." Ping Xi speaks up, "General Nie's army will not be able to come to do their due diligence anymore."
His words reminded everyone present, and in that moment, all eyes are fixed on Nie Dan's vambraces and his waist medal. Nie Dan who had toasted wine with You Miao, and personally cooked a meal, had died just like that in the blink of half a year.
Tang Hui, the one who had come to the estate back then and laughed with You Miao, calling each other brothers had also died, just like that.
You Miao is a little dazed, staring blankly at the things Nie Dan left behind.
Debates heat up among the court officials again, arguing over whether they should fight or make peace, and Zhao Chao is face red from the fighting, shaking the heavens with his bellowing, "NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO LEAVE! OTHERWISE HOW CAN WE FACE THE ZHAO ANCESTORS IN THE HEAVENS!"
By the time You Miao snaps out of it Zhao Chao's sword is already out of its sheath, ready to rush at Li Yan, and You Miao hastily holds him back. Li Yan furiously pushes Zhao Chao away, fixes his robes that are yanked to disarray, and doesn't bother say more to him, turning to the Taizi instead, "The fourth term," Li Yan's expression is as frigid as the coldest ice, his voice equally frosty, "The Tartars are a nomadic tribe, it's impossible for them to take root in the central plains. Even if north of the Yellow River belongs to them, how would the savages know how to run it? If we can send our officials over to help them manage the land, then at the end of the day, it'd still be the Great Qi's land…"
"BREAKING OUR LAND! LI YAN YOU BEAST!" Zhao Chao bellows angrily as he pulls out his sword!
"TAKE HIM AWAY!" The Taizi stands up angrily, and the guards on both sides rush up, but You Miao stops them, "Your Majesty! We can talk this through!"
Looking at the state of Zhao Chao, it's as if he desperately wants to go up to stab the Taizi, and You Miao really is afraid he's going to cause havoc, and quickly holds him down, pulling him back by his arm.
"In regards to the fifth term," Li Yan continues, "Who is this third prince of Quanrong? Where is he? This subject doesn't know either. Perhaps he's long been dead. We won't be able to release this man no matter what, so with Your Majesty's permission, this subject is willing to enter the Tartar camp to negotiate peace. This subject's family has served the Emperor for three generations wholeheartedly, and now that the nation is in peril, Li Yan only hopes to use this life to exchange for a breath of relief for Your Majesty."
You Miao drags Zhao Chao to the wall and pushes him against it, holding him down. Li Yan isn't scared for even a moment and adds, "San-Dianxia wants this subject's life, then wait until this subject returns from the negotiations. I will for sure offer up my head then."
The setting sun filters in, the rays shooting through the window lattice of the Palace of Taihe. Li Yan is standing in the centre of the hall alone, his tall, slender form carrying an unspeakable forlornness. Outside the hall, Zhao Chao throws his sword on the ground, and leaves the palace without looking back.
-
December twenty-fourth, morning. Small flurries are flying in the air in the Capital. Li Yan rides out of the city by himself to negotiate peace with the Tartar army. Zhao Chao stands upon the city wall, watching him leave with his eyes, his expression seemingly stirring.
This is the most despairing of all the winters. The troops from Jiangnan still haven't arrived, the city is lacking in food supplies, the Taizi ascends the throne and changes the reigning year title to Nanzhao. There is still no news from the army led by Nie Dan, so their only hope now is the troops from Jiangnan.
You Miao sends Li Yan out of the city with his eyes, and in this moment, the impression the man gives off seems to have changed. You Miao can't help but glimpse at Zhao Chao, an indescribable feeling in his heart.
After the Tartar messenger left yesterday Zhao Chao never stepped foot into the palace again. Seeing You Miao coming up, he asks, "So what did they agree on?"
You Miao replies, "They want to negotiate peace, and agreed to the second and third terms. Li Yan is off to the negotiation with the treaty papers."
Zhao Chao snorts, "That royal brother of mine won't agree to subjecting himself properly to the Khan and send a royal blood to be taken hostage, eh?"
You Miao sighs. He also knows that it's impossible to have the Emperor bend himself down as the subject to the Tartar Khan, but even if the Emperor himself is willing to kneel, the soldiers and citizens will never allow it. Having so many troops die in battle, the moment the Emperor kneels, the soldiers will probably all mutiny.
"What about the matter with ceding territory?" Zhao Chao asks, "So many have died, and now we're giving them Hebei?"
"I told them Hebei must absolutely not be ceded." You Miao replies, "The Tartars only want money, even if we give them land they won't know how to farm it, so why not just give them the taxes? Otherwise, if the central plains loses the barrier, we can forget about survival. But Zhao Chao, tell me, if we must cede, what should we do?"
The Tartar army splits to make way, and Li Yan rides, disappearing into the enemy camp.
"If it were you, what would you do?" Zhao Chao asks.
You Miao can't come up with a plan either. Based on the current situation, if they don't negotiate peace…
"If it were me," You Miao says, "I'd say close the city gates, and let's all charge out gloriously to battle. If we die then we die. Thousands of years ago there wasn't any Great Qi in this world, and centuries after, nothing will remain either."
The flurries have blocked their view, gently blanketing the entirety of the Capital. The Capital is still in deep slumber in the crack between war and exhaustion. Zhao Chao mumbles, "But we've already lost the opportunity."
That's true, You Miao only just realizes. Two days ago when the Tartar army was driving the prisoners of war to assault the city, if the Emperor and the Taizi were willing to enter the battlefield themselves, using Zhao Chao as their right arm, and charge out with imperial dignity, they could've surely made the prisoners of war to turn around to fight back, and maybe that battle could've decided their victory or defeat. That's what Zhao Chao had the mind to advise when he went to the palace too.
But the Taizi was slow to respond, precisely because all of his hopes were riding on Nie Dan, waiting for the Due Diligence Army to come to aid. Now all the hopes are dashed, and Li Yan has gone to the negotiations with the heavy burden of the entire imperial court on his shoulders.
This day, high and low of the Capital are caged in a dooming gloom. There aren't many left at court; the Taizi still hasn't spoken, but disquiet is apparent in his eyes.
"Thirty thousand taels of gold, a hundred thousand taels of silver." The Vice Minister of Revenue says, "To report Your Majesty, the national treasury is still in deficit from the previous year. Presently there is only eight thousand gold left, and though we do have two hundred and twenty silver, there's still the indemnity of a thousand rolls of silk on top of that. The tax money from the Jiangnan region still hasn't entered the treasury yet, there's not enough, Your Majesty!"
The Taizi tiredly rubs between his brows, "Find court officials to borrow the missing amount, then once the taxes come in next year we'll pay them back one by one."
The royal family opens the treasury, counting inventory and money while waiting for Li Yan's return. It's been almost a whole day and there's still not a single news from the Tartar army. Zhao Chao has tried sending scouts out to hunt for information but all returned empty-handed; the Tartars have locked down almost every road leading out of the Capital. You Miao scrutinizes the map, vaguely feeling an ominous premonition.
The night deepens, and a eunuch from court comes to ask You Miao for money. You Miao complains, "What money? I've only got two thousand silver left, if you want it take it all."
All of You Miao's money notes were handed to the boy attendants to bring back to Jiangnan, and there's only a thousand taels of silver that were exchanged before the battle broke out. Zhao Chao counts out five hundred taels for the eunuch and has him bring it back to the palace, foregoing the loan note altogether.
"Maybe Li Yan is detained." Zhao Chao says worriedly.
You Miao looks at the map with knitted brows, "Are there secret passages going out of the Capital?"
"There's one, but it's a waterway." Zhao Chao points at the canal behind the palace, "It leads to a cliff by the Yellow River. It used to be used for draining floods, very narrow, practically impossible to traverse. Only one person can squeeze through at a time. Are you thinking of going out to find reinforcements?"
You Miao shakes his head, not knowing what to say exactly for the moment either. He keeps thinking maybe Li Zhifeng will be just outside the city waiting to come save him, yet with the force of millions outside, no matter how valorous he is, it's impossible to fight an army of fifty thousand on his own.
It's just, for some reason, You Miao simply wants to see his face right now. It doesn't matter if he lives or dies tomorrow, as long as they can see each other, it's still better than anything.
December twenty-fifth, a smudge of the remnant moon is smeared across the horizon. The sound of flute drifts in the air from the far distance, and You Miao puts away the map, looking up to glance outside the window, then slowly walks outside, stopping in the yard. The frigid wind blows, it's the coldest time of the year.
"Go to bed." One of Zhao Chao's hand rests on You Miao's shoulder, "Who knows, maybe everything will be solved while you're sleeping, and the Tartars will have gone."
You Miao smiles wryly, "Ain't that the dream. I remember when I was little, there was once I went back to Yangzhou Prefecture with my mom, and it flooded that year, so mom told me to go sleep, and by the time I wake up the waters will have retreated, and all will be well."
Zhao Chao mn's, "Don't be too worried."
Just then, another man has come to the Prince's residence, hastily reporting, "San-Dianxia! His Majesty has requested for you to enter the palace!"
When Zhao Chao hears this he droops, "What does he want now?"
It's a guard that's come to pass on the message, and Zhao Chao knows there's nothing that'll come out of questioning him either, so he signals You Miao with his eyes that he'll be going out.
For some reason, You Miao has an ominous premonition, and he quickly stops him, "Hold on a sec."
He goes back to his room and fumbles around for a while, finding the dagger Li Yan gave him once upon a time, and he hands it to Zhao Chao, "Keep this on you for defense."
"Keep it for yourself." Zhao Chao says.
"Stop your nonsense!" You Miao urges, "You keep it!"
Zhao Chao stares at You Miao for a moment before taking the dagger and stuffing it in his boot, then heads off to the palace.
The music outside has faintly stopped. You Miao goes back to the room to lie down but tosses and turns the entire night. So much has happened in this short half a year, he can only tell himself to go to sleep, and by the time he wakes again, the Tartars will have gone. But when his eyes are closed, he keeps feeling like someone is fighting enemies in the frontlines, protecting the homeland… and even he, You Miao, shouldn't be a child sleeping obediently.
Subconsciously, he remembers Li Zhifeng again, and remembers his home in Jiangnan.
In my dream, the horns a'blowing in unison# is probably describing something akin to his present mindset.
He then dreams of Li Zhifeng commanding troops and fighting on the battlefield, cries of killing surround his ears, filling the air with the tragic scream of soldiers before they fall to their deaths.
You Miao hazily falls asleep until a huge sound jolts him awake. A hand grabs him by the collar and drags him out of bed.
"RUN!" The voice of that man explodes in panic in You Miao's ears, "LORD YOU! THE TartarS HAVE ENTERED THE CITY! LEAVE THE CITY IMMEDIATELY!"
You Miao is still half asleep, and he reaches out to grab randomly, yelling, "WHAT'S GOING ON?! WHERE'S ZHAO CHAO?"
A few soldiers carry him onto a horse ignoring his protests, yanking a robe over, wrapping him in it, and another man shouts, "WATCH OUT!"
"AAHHH——!" A cry from the soldier, his heart pierced through by a flying arrow. The fire alight in the city reflects crimson in the sky, You Miao couldn't open his eyes with all the suffocating black smoke, and more angry shouting comes from behind. The warhorse charges out from the alleyway behind the Prince's residence, running wildly without direction, and all along the way are citizens trying to flee while the Tartars flash out from all the streets, big and small, shooting randomly with their arrows. You Miao dodges the arrows, and a few Tartar soldiers run after him. He then spurs the horse on faster, finding the direction to Zhuque gate, and dashes towards the palace.
The great fires blaze on, burning from the inner city outwards, blanketing a good half of the Capital. The soldiers of the Great Qi are engaged in combat with the Tartars, and You Miao charges straight over, yelling, "WHERE'S ZHAO CHAO??"
The soldiers don't have the time to answer, the iron cavalry of the Tartars have crushed them, spilling blood all over You Miao. In that moment, You Miao finally wakes fully, realizing that the city has fallen.
"ZHAO CHAO!" You Miao barges into the palace, there are bodies everywhere, and he urges the horse to the Palace of Yangxin, the Imperial Garden has already been transformed into a sea of flames, and Ping Xi is leading guards to fight as he runs. When he sees You Miao he roars, "RUN!"
You Miao is shaken watching this scene, but more and more Tartars are gathering, and Ping Xi continues to yell, "DON'T JUST STAY THERE! ESCAPE THROUGH THE BACKDOOR!"
The Capital has fallen, everyone is running for their lives, and You Miao spurs the horse on crazily, charging through the Xuanwu Gate. Any pursuing troops that show up, he'd tack his arrow onto the bow without question and let the arrow shoot right on target. He leans low on the back of the horse as he dashes out to the outer city, black smoke is rolling, and the light of fire in the Capital ranges hundreds of miles as the Tartars charge endlessly into the city.
First year of Nanzhao, December twenty-sixth, the Capital falls to enemy occupation.
You Miao has no idea what all happened while he was asleep, only subconsciously driving the horse on. Feather-sized snow begins to fall heavily in between the world, and after having charged to the General's Ridge north of the Capital, You Miao sees a squadron of soldiers combating the Tartars, and he quickly let loose his arrows.
"RUN——!" The Captain of the Great Qi army yells.
That band of soldiers are completely slaughtered by the Tartars, and more pursuants come rushing over, so You Miao can only change the horse's direction to run westward like his life's depended on it. More and more pursuants are coming from all around, and gradually, a squad of dozens of Tartars soldiers spread out into a fan shape over the snowy field, outflanking them. You Miao drives the horse to dash into the woods, crunching through the snow as flakes fly in his wake.
From his side someone comes lunging out, seizing You Miao and tumbles him to the ground. You Miao's head smacks against hard ground, and his sight goes black, losing consciousness of all that goes on.
A very long time passes, and it's another round of angry spatting that jolts him awake. You Miao is still half asleep when he hears a voice call him, "Ziqian, wake up!"
You Miao blinks open his eyes, his body shaking violently from the cold, and the pale rays of the sun are so sharp he can't stop tearing up. Soon after, a wooden flogging stick comes, jabbing him right in the abdomen, so hard he was going to throw up his entire insides.
"AUH——!" You Miao's eyes are bloodshot as he catches that flogging stick, but is then smacked by it on the nose. Instantly, blood flows from his nostrils, and he falls to the ground.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Zhao Chao roars.
When You Miao hears that voice he quiets down significantly, covering his bleeding nose looking out, and discovers he's situated inside a cage, and all around him are people trapped within, both men and women.
The Tartar soldiers all around burst out in wanton laughter, their forms blocking the sunlight. Several large, burly Tartar soldiers untie the strings of their pants, and start to piss into the cage. The voice of a child shrieks, and You Miao quickly reaches out to hug the child next to him to protect him, his back facing outside the cage, and is splashed with urine.
The wooden flogging stick is then stuck into the cage, giving him a round of solid beating. You Miao has never been beaten so heavily in his life and is instantly seeing stars, heaving incessantly, though he never let go of the boy in his arms. The boy is stunned by this, and cries out, "HELP——HELP——!"
"Don't talk…" You Miao grits out with difficulty.
"Tartar DOG! COME OVER HERE!" Zhao Chao yells furiously, lashing out while gripping the bars of the cage, "YOU HEAR ME??"
Just as the Tartar soldiers are going over to discipline Zhao Chao, the sharp sound of a whistle comes from the distance, and the cage moves, so the Tartar soldiers don't have the time to humiliate the prisoners of war any further, each of them hopping onto their horses, escorting the cages to continue on their way.
You Miao finally breathes a sigh of relief, falling over onto the cage ground. That boy crawls over, thinking of checking on You Miao's injuries but is afraid of getting dirty at the same time, so he asks in a quivering voice, "What… what's your name?"
You Miao glances at him feebly, nods, and that boy adds, "I, I, I… I'm the son of Minister Ji of the Ministry of Works, Ji… Ji Guang…"
You Miao pats his back, soothing him, and Ji Guang continues, "I'll tell my dad…"
"I didn't save you because you're a young master…" You Miao curls up inside the cage and mumbles, "I'm a young master too…"
Wailing wind blows, bringing the cries of the wintery world. The convoy sets off; the fleet containing nothing but cages filled with captured Hans. You Miao doesn't know where they're going, and ever since he's woken, the fleet has been moving. Still, at least he knows one thing: The Capital has fallen.
Perhaps this band of Tartars are planning to bring them to the far north beyond the border, to take them as slaves or hostages, and force the Hans to pay ransom. The only hope is that the Taizi is still alive and has escaped the Capital. This also implies that the Capital will migrate to Jiangnan, and after successfully migrating the Capital, perhaps they'll think of a way to raomson them back.
For as far as the eye can see, besides snow it's still only snow, and they've traveled in this snow for one whole day without a bite to eat. All the urine on You Miao has frozen to ice, so cold he's shivering all over, his eyelids drooping heavily.
"Don't fall asleep…" A voice comes, and You Miao jerks up, his sight nothing but a blur, but he notices it's Zhao Chao.
"If you fall asleep you die…" Zhao Chao says with a heavily suppressed voice, "Hang in there…"
You Miao nods. At noon, his eyes are stinging, continuously tearing up under the sun. The convoy stops, and several Tartar soldiers yell and shout, making them descend the carriages to kneel in the know, then with whips in their hands, they start to lash at each of them, laughing as they do so.
Those whips lash on their heads and faces like the slashing of knives. You Miao notices another person he recognizes——Zhang Wenhan. Zhang Wenhan is the most heavily whipped, his face bleeding all over, and after the Tartar soldiers found entertainment from them, they are then bound into a bundle together before given some doughy bread. You Miao holds it in his hands with difficulty, swallowing the bites down mixed with snow. The break doesn't last even two hours before they are formed into a line following the rope to trudge painfully in the snow.
"Wenhan…" You Miao staggers, whispering at the person lined ahead of him, "Wenhan!"
Zhang Wenhan is in a haze from the whipping, and he leans on You Miao, his complexion grey from agony, "Young Master."
"Wenhan! Why are you captured too? Didn't I tell you to go home?" You Miao questions.
Zhang Wenhan clears up some and replies, "Young Master, we ran into the barbarians in Hanyin County and strayed from the convoy, so we had no choice but to return with His Majesty's escort. The professors of the National University had us pack all the books onto the carriages to bring to Jiangnan, but we didn't expect to run into the Tartars halfway. They killed the professors, the fifty cars of books were burnt too… Young Master, why are you here too?"
You Miao, "..."
"Fifty cars of books…" Someone else says in a quivering voice, his words laced with tears, "Were those all the sacred books of the National University?"
"All the teachers are dead." Zhang Wenhan says numbly, "Professor Jiang was cut down in the carriage by a mess of blades…"
"Oh heavens——"
Another person hears this conversation and bursts out in tears.
"Don't cry!" Zhao Chao's voice comes from behind, "Shut up, all of you! Don't alert the Tartars!"
You Miao feels his nose prickle, but his tears are forced back in fear, and he looks up to scan around. When he sees the Tartars who are escorting the prisoners of war are looking back, he quickly signals everyone around to remain quiet. If they notice them talking then there'll probably be trouble.
"Ziqian," Zhao Chao calls quietly, "Can you hear me?"
You Miao whispers back, "I hear you."
Twenty some people are split into two groups, trudging heavily with one foot deep, one foot light as they move onwards. Zhao Chao tugs on the rope then calls out quietly, "Those in front, walk slower!"
The speed of the group slows, and You Miao falls behind unnoticeably, coming closer to Zhao Chao until both can hear the other clearly.
"Don't look back. Just answer each of my questions." Zhao Chao says.
"Was it you who got people to take me out of the Capital?" You Miao asks.
"Yes." Zhao Chao replies, "I told you to flee southward, why did you run to the General's Ridge?"
"Zhuque Gate was completely sealed by the enemy, I couldn't escape!" You Miao replies.
"Did you see the Imperial Army when you were escaping?" Zhao Chao questions.
"No… Wait! No! I did see them! They were just south of the General's Ridge!" You Miao immediately recalls when he was trying to escape out of the north gate, that troop of Great Qi soldiers beyond the valley seemed to have been the Imperial Army.
Zhao Chao draws in a sharp breath, and says in a trembling voice, "Oh no, did that group manage to escape?"
"I didn't see clearly," You Miao replies, "They might have all been killed."
Zhao Chao trips and falls to the ground, arousing disorder from all around. The leading Tartar soldier immediately notices and comes over with his whip, giving them all a good lashing without questions. However, this group of youths are either commanding officers or scholars, their backbones as hard as can be, and no one made a sound.
Since then, Zhao Chao doesn't speak again. The Tartars are leading them farther and farther north of the Yellow River; You Miao knows this most likely means they're bringing them all to north of the border. Only after they've reached the roads will they be able to find a way to escape.
Night falls, and the vast, empty wilderness is packed with people, carrying suppressed weeping voices. You Miao is exhausted, and sits down along with fellow captives. The Tartar troop is taking a temporary break, so the groups sit together, huddling to block out the frozen winds.
"Zhao Chao… Zhao Chao!" You Miao calls out with a frown. Zhao Chao is still sitting far away, his expression numb, but now he glances at You Miao before saying something to the person next to him, gesturing for them to pass the message over to You Miao.
Another disturbance is roused among the scholars, and You Miao quickly looks up. Someone next to him says, "San-Dianxia's original message: my brother and my Father might have died."
You Miao's mind buzzes. Now he finally understands why Zhao Chao had the reaction he did. If that's the case, then the troop he saw back at the General's Ridge could very well have been the Taizi and the Emperor's guards. No, to be correct, it would've been the Emperor and the Great Emperor's escort. But even if that's the case, they might not have died. Contrarily, they might have been captured instead.
Just as You Miao is thinking, another message is passed on from beside him.
"Li Yan committed treason."
Four simple words, but they exploded in You Miao's ears like the roaring thunder. Sorrow colours the faces of the scholars, but You Miao rebutes, "Don't say that! That might not be the case!"
The Tartar soldier comes over and whips once at the man who is on the furthest edge of the line, tosses him a flatbread before leaving again.
You Miao recognizes him, and calls out quietly, "Shaonan!"
That man is indeed one of You Miao's good friends back in the days, the son of the Minister of Rites Qin Shaonan. His head is bleeding all over from the whipping, but he waves dismissively, his breaths coming short and rapid. After the Tartar left, Qin Shaonan took a bite out of the flatbread, looking battered and sorry. He then passes the flatbread on to Zhao Chao who's next to him.
Zhao Chao also takes a bite, then passes it on to the next person on his left.
"I don't eat handouts!" That man grits out in anger, "Eat if you all must."
"Take a bite!" Zhao Chao says, "You have to live. Live so you can take revenge!"
That young civil official sighs, then takes a bite out of the flatbread.
"If not then why didn't he return?" Someone questions.
The group of them huddle in front of the campfire, joined one after the other by ropes that bound their hands. Northerly winds begin to blow, and almost all the Tartars ahead have entered the tents, leaving two behind to patrol. They are all situated downwind, so while it's so cold they're shivering all over, they can finally talk.
You Miao answers, "If he had wanted to run, he would've been long gone, he didn't need to turn traitor for personal gain."
Zhao Chao watches the campfire and mn's. You Miao proceeds to explain to the group, "There is already no one above the Li father and son except for the Emperor, so even if they sought refuge with the Tartars, there are no higher positions for them to take, unless he's given, given…" When You Miao reaches this point, he silences himself in full awareness. After all, Zhao Chao is still here, so he can't say these treasonous words.
Besides, You Miao feels that although Li Yan thinks and acts differently than they do, someone who possesses the courage to leave the city alone to enter enemy camp for negotiation talks is not one who would submit to intimidation.
If their bodies be already dead, Who would know the genuinity and deceit of their lifetimes?# Wude [武德] means Military Virtue, it's a Prestigious Military Title
Recap: Wife of older brother
Qixi is the Chinese Valentine's Day, but also known as Crafter's Festival, because the celestial weaver in the folktale is said to have expertly nimble hands. It takes place on July 7th on the Lunar Calendar.
"老伴兒" is an endearment old spouses use for each other, the literal translation is "My old companion".
Crafter's Festival is also one of the rare holidays without curfew that allows women to come out of the household and walk the streets, so it's also considered a Valentine's because it's possible to meet your lover on this day.
Foolish little brother -- a self-diminutive address as a form of humility
For those who don't already know, cut sleeve is slang for gay
Elder sister in law; saozi being the wife of the older brother, and da meaning the eldest.
Lyrics to the Raw Haws Melody by Liu Kezhuang, Song Dynasty
Lyrics to the Raw Haws Melody
Lyrics to the Raw Haws Melody
Excerpt from 《雨霖铃·寒蝉凄切》 by Song Dynasty poet Liu Yong; translated by Frank C Yue
Excerpt from 《蝶恋花·槛菊愁烟兰泣露》by Song Dynasty poet Yan Shu; translated by Xu Yuanchong
The Marshal's Method, one of the seven military classics of Ancient China, developed during the Warring States. Within the text it justifies war as a necessity for peace.
Ranking in the Palace Exam is divided into three classes, and the first class only has three people, the Zhuangyuan, Bang'yan, and Tanhua. Second and Third classes can have more people appointed.
9pm - 11pm
Title given to those who receive the title Jinshi in second and third class.
August 15th on the lunar calendar is the Mid Autumn Festival.
5-7 pm
Tang Dynasty poet
Translation by Cheng Jiahui, Cheng Sheng, Wei Xianggang
traditional moon-viewing festival on the 15th of the 8th lunar month
Lang is a suffix that denotes status or function of the preceding noun.
Third little brother
Chen Tuan is a Daoist sage, often seen as an Immortal. He pioneered the Confucian School of Idealist Philosophy in Song Dynasty.
Daoist magic and superstitious arts
The Emperor's self address "Zheng" is plural personal pronoun in English.
A man may marry wives and take in mistresses. A wife is legally signed while a mistress is not, therefore lower in status. Children born of legal wives are "legal", and children born of mistresses are "common". Even if the children may be the same in age, the difference in status is significant.
In confucian philosophy, the Heavens, the Earth, the Ruler, the Family, the Teacher are the five entities of reverence that form the basis of traditional societal values on ethics and morality.
The Capital Army defends the Capital and surrounding areas; the Imperial Army is responsible for the interior security of the Capital.
A more intimate address for the royal prince.
Memorial to the throne is a careful essay presenting an issue to communicate to the emperor, as well as official authorities depending on the circumstance.
1am - 3am
The official position a Jinshi will take within the government.
"Guilty of crime worth a million deaths" is a common saying officials use when apologizing.
Royal older brother
Fourth uncle on the father's side, younger than the father.
Hebei literally translates to north of the river, and it's the area/Prefecture north of the Yellow River.
Office Administrator in present day.
When the Emperor is in trouble, the Order of Due Diligence is given to have all the officials of the country rise to protect the Emperor and the Royal family.
The Emperor's audience hall/throne room
Words of Mencius
Circular jade disk sculpted with dragons. The Bi symbolized many ceremonial things including ranks, and the Bi of the one leading a fighting force hands over their Bi when defeated.
A verse from "Crushing the Enemy Formation" by Po Zhenzi, 1189 Southern Song Dynasty
《放言五首·其三》Lines from the third of the Loose Five Poems by Bai Juyi, Tang Dynasty. Rough interpretation of the whole poem: Only time would tell if one is being genuine or false.