Snow fell continuously for three or four days, and Xiao Chiye grew increasingly lax, visiting the drill grounds less and less. Recently, he had befriended a few long-traveling merchants and purchased some precious items—pearls imported from Yongquan Port, jasper from Hezhou—delicate little treasures.
Li Jianheng, by contrast, had grown diligent. No matter how cold the day, he attended court as usual, asking Hai Liangyi to give lectures daily. When he saw Xiao Chiye neglect his duties, he would admonish him, once or twice. It almost seemed as if his character had truly changed.
Xiao Chiye enjoyed seeing this and hunted two deer on Fengshan, offering them to the palace. Li Jianheng, still wary after the previous donkey roasting incident, refused to touch wild game, passing the deer to Hai Liangyi instead.
With the year’s end approaching, sacrifices and banquets for officials were major events. The Six Ministries and the twenty-four courts of the Inner Palace were all overwhelmed. The Directorate of Ceremonial was short-staffed; many matters required clarification from Li Jianheng, who himself was often confused and had to rely on Hai Liangyi and the Ministry of Rites to arbitrate.
Qu Dou grew busy. Seeing Xiao Chiye idle, Li Jianheng entrusted him with heavy responsibilities, assigning the review of the Eight Camps’ rosters. Thus, the patrols and defenses of Qu Dou fell entirely under Xiao Chiye’s control.
Xiao Chiye could not shirk the duty, so he busied himself tirelessly.
Shen Zechuan followed him everywhere, inevitably crossing paths with the Forbidden Army.
One day, after Dan Taihu completed his patrol and had yet to sheathe his swords, he came to the Forbidden Army’s registration room and saw Shen Zechuan standing outside. He rubbed his frozen scarred face and strode over.
Shen Zechuan turned slightly, watching Dan Taihu approach aggressively.
“Shen Ba?” Dan Taihu stopped, speaking coldly. “Your father is Shen Wei, right?”
“Are you looking for my father or me?” Shen Zechuan asked.
“Of course it’s you. Shen Wei’s long burned to ashes.” Dan Taihu paced around him. “Life in Qu Dou is comfortable… see that posture? Could match the girls of East Dragon Street. All pampered and well-fed.”
From the tone, Shen Zechuan knew this was no friendly visit. Chen Yang stayed silent. The surrounding Forbidden Army soldiers peeked to watch.
Dan Taihu continued, “Curved hips, slim waist, peach-blossom cheeks, fox-like eyes—place you in Xiangyun Brothel, you’d be the top courtesan. Yet you run with the governor in wind and snow.”
He fixed his gaze on Shen Zechuan. “Five years ago, Shen Wei licked the hooves of the Northern Cavalry, or else Zhongbo Liu Zhou would have become the dung pits of Biansha’s twelve tribes. Now you follow your father… which part of the governor are you licking? The girls behind brothel curtains are skilled—what skills do you have, standing among seasoned soldiers today?”
Shen Zechuan smiled. “I’m unworthy. Sir Deputy, are you here to confiscate my badge and expel me?”
“Why bother with such effort?” Dan Taihu sneered. “You’re just a dog at the Forbidden Army gate; even a kick honors you. Today I speak a few words for the governor’s face. Being a human ‘thing,’ you must accept you’re not entirely human.”
“I serve by imperial decree, wearing the Jinyiwei badge. That’s public duty, not being anyone’s ‘thing,’” Shen Zechuan said. “Whether dog at the gate or military officer, we all walk Qu Dou under imperial pay. What awareness you speak of, everyone must share.”
Dan Taihu gripped his twin swords, eyes wide. “You say you’re equal to us? Shen Dog is insolent! I was a commander in Zhongbo Dengzhou. When Tea Stone River collapsed, my own brothers died in the pit! Do you know the scene? People skewered alive, forty thousand buried in one hole!”
Shen Zechuan remained calm.
“My mother in Dengzhou… Biansha cavalry attacked. Shen Thief fled, leaving old, weak, and women to the cavalry. Cities slaughtered one after another. My sister dragged, raped at the city gates. Yet you live carefree, well-fed! Spreading your legs for others absolves all sins?”
The cold wind swept the courtyard. Chen Yang hesitated, unable to intervene in time.
Dan Taihu seized Shen Zechuan by the collar, eyes red. “I speak today, and you dare talk back? You are spoiled sons, knowing nothing of that battle, nor of the tens of thousands starving in Zhongbo! Comfortable in Qu Dou? Sleeping well? Who absolves your sins? How to reckon the dead in Zhongbo?”
Shen Zechuan grabbed Dan Taihu’s arm and hurled him to the ground with a thunderous crash, forcing nearby soldiers to stumble back.
He scooped snow twice, looking Dan Taihu in the eye. “How to reckon? With your own. When Biansha cavalry invaded, along the Tea Stone River to Dengzhou, a month passed. Shen Wei cowered without fighting. You iron-blooded men should have snapped his neck and fortified defenses.”
Shen Zechuan stood.
“You humiliate me, hate me—I lose no flesh. Blood debt requires blood payment. Killing me would be justice. But don’t spew nonsense. The city massacre and four thousand soldiers killed? That’s the Biansha cavalry. Before targeting me, clean up their mess. My life is cheap; death matters little. But does my death erase Biansha’s debt?”
Dan Taihu shouted: “Stop excusing yourself! Your father let them in!”
“Then kill me.” Shen Zechuan traced his neck with a finger. “Do it, quickly. Kill me. Kill me, and the Shen Thief line ends.”
Dan Taihu suddenly sprang up, drawing his twin swords to strike.
Ding Tao, just awakened, rushed in. “Tiger! Stop! I must protect him!”
Dan Taihu ignored him; blades sliced the air. Ding Tao leapt, but Gu Jin grabbed his collar, restraining him.
“Tiger lost his family in Zhongbo,” Gu Jin said. “You can’t expect him to spare Shen Zechuan.”
“But that’s all Shen Wei’s doing! How does it involve him?” Ding Tao objected.
Gu Jin hesitated, then stayed silent.
Dan Taihu swung; Shen Zechuan twisted, kicking his wrist, sending a sword flying.
The registration room curtain lifted just as the sword flew. Ministry of War deputy Yang Zongzhi widened his eyes at it.
Chen Yang reached to catch the hilt, but Xiao Chiye was faster. A twist of the scabbard sent the sword crashing into the snow.
The steel blade struck the ground with such force that the entire courtyard of Forbidden Army soldiers dropped to their knees, shouting in unison: “Governor, forgive us!”
Xiao Chiye ignored them, sheathed his sword, lifted the curtain for Yang Zongzhi, and smiled apologetically. “Mismanagement below, Sir Yang, forgive the scare.”
Yang Zongzhi, uneasy, nodded quickly and left the courtyard, mounting his carriage without an escort.
Xiao Chiye turned back to the kneeling soldiers.
Chen Yang, aware of his lapse, hurriedly said, “Governor, it was my fault—negligent—”
“You’ve watched many plays.” Xiao Chiye landed sharply on his shoulder, feeding the hawk some meat. “This is beyond Chaohui’s skill.”
Chen Yang’s face paled.
Xiao Chiye spared him public humiliation. Chen Yang was the chief of his close guard, a confidant. Humiliating him before everyone would destroy his authority, but Xiao Chiye’s words stung nonetheless.
Chen Yang and Chaohui were both men groomed by Xiao Fangxu. Chaohui, steadfast and battle-hardened, commanded respect; Chen Yang, cautious, feared being overshadowed by Chaohui. Today, Xiao Chiye’s words struck both warning and shame.
“Five years ago, when I took office, everyone said the Forbidden Army were rotten scoundrels, disrespecting discipline and governors,” Xiao Chiye said, patting Meng. “Such soldiers I cannot lead. Want to stay? Shape yourself into a disciplined man, or pack up and leave.”
Dan Taihu’s chest heaved. “Governor speaks true, but… I was just correcting him! I am higher in rank! Why offend?”
“He carries the Jinyiwei badge, now serving as my guard. If you were in my place, throwing a face, that would be skill. Do you think yourself right?” Xiao Chiye looked down.
“I’m right!” Dan Taihu said stiffly.
“Then why the fuss? Let’s go.”
Dan Taihu lifted his head, incredulous. “Governor would remove me for this?!”
“I decide the Forbidden Army. Don’t drag me into personal grudges. You act as your own man—I act as governor. Take off your armor, sheath your swords, settle your grudges. In armor, bearing the badge, you obey me. Today, you all performed with courage; what need for military discipline? Go be mountain kings if you wish!”
Heads bowed; no one spoke. Xiao Chiye chewed the meat, eyes sharp on them.
“Usually you mock me for lust and folly? Today I act, confiscate Dan Taihu’s badge, and send him out!”
The Forbidden Army shouted: “Governor, stay your anger!”
Dan Taihu, unwilling to admit fault, trembled as he tore off his badge. “Governor, we’re like brothers; I owe you loyalty! But what wrong did I do? You punish me for beauty? Fine! I, Dan Taihu, accept!”
He placed his badge and helmet on the ground, kowtowed three times, stripped his armor, and looked at Shen Zechuan in his inner clothing.
“Serving with beauty, let’s see how long you live! My vengeance against Biansha, I’ll settle later—but you won’t escape either!”
Dan Taihu wiped his eyes, clasped fists to all around.
“Brothers, farewell!”
He strode off, truly gone.