Since the end of the year, the streets of Qu Du had been bustling with people wearing “Nao’e” decorations cut from black paper. With the New Year approaching, ordinary households were busy making pastries and cooked meats. In the palace, preparations for the grand feast for all officials began half a month in advance. The Ministry of Public Works was so busy that their feet hardly touched the ground, yet palace eunuchs managed to skim plenty of profit from the process.
Xiao Chiye flipped through the account ledger with a “whirring” sound. “When external officials enter the capital, they always have to present their ‘ice tribute.’ But Pan Rugui is formidable; he lists everything clearly. Only by following his list and paying in full can one ensure peace.”
“That’s just the ‘small silver’ at the start of the year,” Lu Guangbai remarked with a smirk over his tea foam. “Let me tell you something. The junior eunuchs under Pan Rugui collect more silver in a year than the frontier thousand-house guard units earn in two years. Whenever the Great Anniversary deploys troops, the Ministry of Revenue begs us to comply like doting uncles. Once the campaign is over, we become the ones chasing debts.”
“Only the rich are masters,” Xiao Chiye laughed.
“Before the New Year, we marched in snow for the imperial rescue. The soldiers were exhausted, and the iron cavalry gear needed repairs before spring. Workshops had long-standing debts everywhere, money was needed at every turn,” Chaohui calculated quietly. “Before entering Qu Du, the Li Bei garrison had to budget carefully even with their yearly grain converted to silver. Our Crown Princess couldn’t even buy proper festive garments for the household. Pan Rugui, as an inner eunuch, already collected more than the total tax silver of Duan Prefecture. Inspectors sent to the provinces were all tyrants, yet in Qu Du they dared not act!”
“So poor,” Lu Guangbai sighed. “Every year we worry about money. This time, entering the capital, at least for the sake of his face, the Ministry of Revenue dares not delay. They presented it early to the Grand Secretariat; Pan Rugui approved it. By the time we leave the capital, the funds should be allocated.”
“We have our elder brother,” Xiao Chiye said, putting down the ledger and looking at Lu Guangbai. “What’s your plan?”
“The emperor won’t see me,” Lu Guangbai replied. “The Lu family isn’t welcome in Qu Du; the Eight Great Houses always treated us like desert savages, and the Hua family never looked us in the eye. I don’t even have the silver to pay Pan Rugui. Other places can cultivate military granaries as a temporary solution, but our border prefectures are deserts, with no farmland. During the rapid campaign, our twenty thousand troops were fed with Commander Qi’s private funds. If it weren’t for his consideration, my troops wouldn’t have made it past Tianfei Que. But how much silver can Commander Qi spare? She’s using the dowry left by the Late Empress. Even her personal soldiers have to sell their gear! The Ministry of Revenue plays ping-pong with me, refusing to act. They sit on my accounts, refusing allocation. I, Lu Guangbai, am helpless.”
Lu Guangbai rarely lost his temper, but this time he did. As commander of the border garrison on the desert frontier, he was constantly interacting with the Li Bei forces and the desert cavalry. Exhausted from endless campaigns under the curved sword, barely sleeping, barely eating, he could never get ahead. The capital pressed down on him, and the border baron was known as the perennial pauper. All of his rewards were immediately converted to silver to supplement military needs.
Xiao Jieming, fully dressed, prepared to depart with the maids in line. Only the four of them remained inside. He raised his teacup, took a sip, and said leisurely, “This year brings a good opportunity—the New Year banquet for all officials. Qi Zhuyin should have arrived?”
“Yes. I was worried before, but then I thought, let them delay. By the time the commander arrives in Qu Du, they can only rely on themselves,” Lu Guangbai replied.
“Right now she is the most influential in Qu Du. Even the local ruffians who collect ‘tiger-skin silver’ must give her face. The previous debts can be repaid, but you can’t rely solely on her. The border prefectures are critical, and this year the Ministry of Revenue wants you to recruit soldiers again.”
“Recruit? Forget it. After the chaos in Zhongbo Six Prefectures, they’re scared to death, worrying the border will be attacked by the Twelve Desert Tribes. They think my twenty thousand troops aren’t enough. But can they provide money? I can’t support them. Even if they hold a knife to my neck, I won’t do it this year,” Lu Guangbai said.
Xiao Chiye suddenly sat upright. “Right. Previously, the Ministry of Revenue allocated funds fastest to Zhongbo Six Prefectures’ military pay and rations. This time, the people are dead, money isn’t mentioned, and how much grain can the desert cavalry take?”
The other three stared at him.
“Fool, don’t hope for it. The recovered grain will go to cover last year’s arrears for the thirteen western towns. The Ministry of Revenue’s excuses are unpredictable. In recent years, the Eight Great Houses became the Eight Camps. Their equipment costs are the highest in the realm. All the money comes directly from tax silver—two million in total. Anyone would know these accounts are insane. But the Empress Dowager doesn’t pursue it, Master Hua doesn’t pursue it; who in the Ministry of Revenue dares raise it? The treasury is empty in this sector. Last year, the thirteen western towns suffered locusts, yielding nothing. How could there be funds for relief? It all depended on the provincial governor Jiang Qingshan forcing officials to open private stores for disaster relief. He saved hundreds of thousands but incurred the hatred of local officials. They even blocked his gates seeking repayment. He, a second-rank provincial governor, had eighty elderly mothers still weaving to repay debts. If Qu Du doesn’t provide funds, it pushes people to death. In the end, Master Hai petitioned, negotiating with the Grand Secretariat and Pan Rugui for half a month, just to barely cover the shortfall.”
Chaohui couldn’t help but say, “Calling it poor, yet bribery involves huge sums, and those who do real work carry the risk on their heads. Coming to Qu Du, it would be better not to come at all—it discourages people.”
Outside, snow fell; inside, there was no festive atmosphere. Messes piled up, the new appearances of Qu Du were just superficial smoke. Though wounds were not healed, they had to be concealed, leaving pus and filth everywhere. Snow fell neatly, masking the ugliness; left and right, appearances were kept, while people drowned in indulgence.
Late at night, Pan Rugui sat with eyes closed on the couch. Colored paper flowers lay by his side, ready for him to wipe his hands after meditation. Xiao Fuze dared not breathe, sitting carefully on the footrest with a pen case in hand.
After half an hour, Pan Rugui exhaled and opened his eyes. Xiao Fuze immediately presented the pen, and Pan Rugui carefully wrote a few characters on his palm.
Xiao Fuze flattered, “Ancestor, recently you have received the emperor’s true teachings. You’ve become even more immortal and transcendent. I could faintly see purple qi rising just now!”
Pan Rugui wiped his hands. “Do you know why you can’t enter the Ministry of Ceremonial Supervision?”
Xiao Fuze said, “Ancestor favors me.”
“Favors you is one thing. Having no sense of timing is another.” Pan Rugui tossed the paper flowers into Xiao Fuze’s lap. “The emperor has been contemplating the Dao for two years, yet no purple qi rises. I am merely a servant; how could I rise before him? That would be overstepping.”
Xiao Fuze handed Pan Rugui hot tea, grinning. “Ancestor is my master. Seeing you meditate is like witnessing the Supreme Lord descend. How could I think too much?”
“Hm,” Pan Rugui said, rinsing his mouth. “Your filial piety is commendable. That alone counts as skill.”
Xiao Fuze chuckled, pressing against Pan Rugui’s leg. “This New Year, I must properly honor you. When procuring gifts earlier this year, I saw an extraordinary beauty in Prince Chu’s manor. I intend to investigate and, since the emperor won’t use her, present her to you first.”
Pan Rugui asked, “How extraordinary? Can she surpass Third Miss? Besides, she belongs to Prince Chu, whose temper is domineering. Not easy to negotiate.”
Xiao Fuze said, “Prince Chu may be noble, but can he surpass the emperor? The emperor hasn’t said anything; presenting her to you is the most important thing. Don’t worry; I’ll arrange it before spring. Whether she accepts is up to fate.”
Pan Rugui set down his tea. “No rush. I am not one to covet wealth or women. Since you mention Prince Chu, how is that unruly Second Young Master Xiao lately?”
Xiao Fuze massaged Pan Rugui’s legs. “He’s astonishing! Ever since arriving in Qu Du, he’s been drinking and feasting continuously from the first night until today. No serious matters, just wine and play. Prince Chu and his circle enjoy him; birds of a feather flock together.”
“That’s acceptable… but he is of the Xiao family. The emperor placed him so near the ceremonial carriage unit; it worries people,” Pan Rugui said thoughtfully, then smiled. “We’ve found a perfect place to send him. Put on your shoes—I’ll serve the emperor at Mingli Hall!”
The next day, at the New Year banquet for all officials, nothing noteworthy occurred until Emperor Xian De spoke:
“Ah Ye, has your stay in Qu Du been comfortable?”
Xiao Chiye paused peeling a honeyed tangerine. “Your Majesty, comfortable.”
The emperor turned to Xiao Jieming. “I considered it carefully; placing Ah Ye in the ceremonial carriage unit is a waste of talent. He’s experienced the battlefield; staying before the emperor is stifling. Better to assign him to the Forbidden Guards. The commander used to be Xi Guan’an, but he now has to manage the Eight Camps and cannot handle both. Let Ah Ye take his place.”
Lu Guangbai frowned.
The ceremonial carriage unit was near the emperor; any incident could not be ignored. But the Forbidden Guards? They were now mere servants of Qu Du. Was this a reward? Could it even be called a reward?
Lu Guangbai rose, but Xiao Chiye had already bowed.
“The title of commander sounds imposing, like a general,” Xiao Chiye said casually, “thank you, Your Majesty!”
Old Master Hua laughed heartily. “The emperor is wise! Crown Prince, this is truly a hero among the young.”
Congratulations flowed like waves. Xiao Jieming smiled silently at Xiao Chiye.
Lu Guangbai lowered his head to drink, whispering to Chaohui: “…This arrangement clearly stings Jieming’s heart.”
After the banquet, Xiao Chiye disappeared.
He celebrated his promotion with friends, drinking until the third watch. When he left, everyone staggered from the revelry.
Prince Chu Li Jianheng, a few years older, was a true scoundrel. Before boarding his carriage, he grabbed Xiao Chiye’s sleeve, drunk, and said: “You rebel! Forbidden Guards? You needn’t worry about patrols. Your pay continues, you needn’t risk your life. The best things in the world are yours to seize! Enjoy it secretly!”
Xiao Chiye laughed mischievously. “Indeed, so I invite you to drink. From now on, let’s rampage through Qu Du together!”
“Yes, yes!” Li Jianheng slapped Xiao Chiye’s shoulder. “That’s the spirit! In a few days, come to my manor; I’ll have people celebrate again…”
Xiao Chiye watched the carriage retreat, mounted his horse—a steed he had trained from wild stock in the Hongyan Mountains, fierce and black, save for a white patch on its chest.
He urged the horse forward. Shops along the street lit lanterns in his honor. He raised a hand: “Extinguish them, don’t shine.”
Shopkeepers exchanged glances, obeying. One by one, the lanterns went out. Only the dim glow of cold moonlight on ice and snow remained.
Xiao Chiye whistled; a sea-eastern blue falcon dove from above. He spurred his horse; steam puffed from its flanks as it charged.
The wind struck violently, washing away the warmth of the wine in Xiao Chiye’s body. In the darkness, he felt like a cornered beast, hooves pounding like thunder. He tore a grin across his face, leaving only cold, lonely silence.
After what seemed like endless galloping, Xiao Chiye suddenly fell. He smashed into the snow, head down, freezing for a moment.
The horse reared, circling him cautiously, lowering its head to touch him. Hai Dongqing paused on its back, tilting its head, inspecting him.
Xiao Chiye endured, propped himself up, coughing. After a long while, he leaned against a wall. One of his knuckled finger rings had come off, lost in the snow. He searched, hearing someone whisper nearby: “Who’s there?”
He ignored it.
A Forbidden Guard, Xiao Qi, held a lantern. “How dare you be here at night… Sir?”
Xiao Chiye turned. “Recognize me?”
Xiao Qi shook his head honestly. “Don’t know which sir you are…”
“I’m your elder brother.” Xiao Chiye tossed off his dirty cloak, lowering his gaze to continue searching for his ring. Irritated, he cursed, “Give me the lantern, the rest can leave.”
Xiao Qi cautiously approached. “Second Young Master, don’t—don’t…”
“I told him to come out and sing!” Xiao Chiye suddenly threw the lantern aside; the light vanished instantly. He stood in the darkness, eyes sharp and menacing.