The next day, before dawn, Shen Zechuan rose. The courtyard was cool, and he draped himself in a plain white robe as he examined Yao Wenyu’s prescription at the table.
“This body was ruined by poison,” Qiao Tianya said, holding the teapot and pouring a cup of coarse tea for Shen Zechuan. “It’s remarkable he survived at all.”
Shen Zechuan accepted the tea and said, “Given Xue Xiuzhuo’s methods, whoever sent this must have been an assassin.” He furrowed his brow for a moment. “…Is the leg irreparable?”
Qiao Tianya tapped the teapot, lifted the lid, and replied, “It cannot be healed.”
Shen Zechuan found he couldn’t even eat; he set the teacup back on the table and said, “And his condition? He should stay in the residence for now. Don’t spare any medicine—whatever the doctor prescribes, give it. Also, assign a few careful attendants to look after him; he must not be neglected.”
Qiao Tianya was silent for a moment.
Shen Zechuan realized that Yao Wenyu’s body must also be failing; during their conversation last night, Yao Wenyu had been coughing blood repeatedly. After a pause, he said, “Has he risen? I will pay my respects.”
When Shen Zechuan arrived, he saw the maid waiting silently under the eaves. He maintained his composure, lifted the bamboo curtain, and entered. The room was unlit, filled with an inexplicable chill; inside was stillness, and only Yao Wenyu’s solitary back could be vaguely seen.
Sensing someone, Yao Wenyu half-turned and, speaking through the curtain, said, “Tongzhi, please enter.”
Shen Zechuan lifted the curtain, bowed his head, and stepped in. Qiao Tianya instinctively stayed in the outer room, leaning against the wall, listening to the birds in the corridor.
“Autumn is approaching in Cizhou. Tongzhi, you’ve been thinking about Huaizhou matters recently,” Yao Wenyu said. Though severely ill, he had dressed neatly and refused to appear disheveled. His leg was immobile, and despite his efforts to conceal it, the bruises on his hands were clear.
Shen Zechuan seemed not to notice and said, “Indeed, this matter is troubling. Going too early would be unwise, going too late would also be improper. Even after discussing with Lord Zhou for several days, no conclusion has been reached.”
Yao Wenyu nodded slightly. “The Huaizhou matter has two difficulties: one concerns Jiang Qing Shan, the other concerns the Luoxia Pass checkpoint. If these two issues remain unresolved, the tea-and-huai trade route will struggle to form. In my opinion, though, neither is particularly difficult.”
Shen Zechuan listened attentively.
Yao Wenyu looked toward the new window screen; the birds outside were noisy. He coughed a few times and said, “When Xue Xiuzhuo served as an officer in the Household Department, he became acquainted with Jiang Qing Shan. These two have cooperated for years, diligently ensuring that the deficits in Juexi were fully recovered and transforming the thirteen cities of Juexi into granaries for the Great Zhou. Only with Jiang Qing Shan stationed in Juexi can governance remain sound; there won’t be another scandal like the grain case earlier this spring. In other words, Jiang Qing Shan cannot leave Juexi. Xue Xiuzhuo will surely transfer him back to continue as Juexi’s governor, so Tongzhi’s concern that Huaizhou would be shifted northward is unfounded.”
Xue Xiuzhuo had stayed long in his Household Department post and implemented many local projects, so he knew the local affairs thoroughly, which is why he could inspect Hua Siqian’s accounts with Hai Liangyi. Similarly, Yao Wenyu, though never an official, had traveled widely and observed regional governance. Though their positions differed, both understood the populace better than officials who resided constantly in the capital, such as Kong Qiu or Cen Yu.
“As for Luoxia Pass,” Yao Wenyu continued, withdrawing his gaze, “it has long been outside the capital’s control. Luoxia Pass was the predecessor post of the Libei cavalry, and the stationed troops there are all former soldiers of King Xiao Fangxu of Libei. They have long been formally loyal but actually independent from the capital. Given the current situation, the Zhongbo restoration benefits Libei only, and Luoxia Pass would be eager to assist rather than obstruct.”
Yao Wenyu coughed again; Shen Zechuan handed him tea, which he accepted with thanks and continued, “The Huaizhou matter is practically guaranteed. Mr. Chengfeng and Lord Yu can handle it. In my view, Tongzhi’s immediate concern should not be the north but internal Zhongbo. Eastern Dūn and Duan prefectures can be considered later, but Fanzhou must be taken swiftly.”
They spoke until midday, when Fei Sheng arrived with medicine, and Shen Zechuan finally stepped out. He surveyed the maids at the door and said to Qiao Tianya, “Nothing urgent lately; have Fei Sheng and Ding Tao follow me. You stay here and take good care of Yuan Zhuo.”
Fei Sheng had thought he would be assigned this task; after all, Qiao Tianya managed the imperial guard and was indispensable to Shen Zechuan. He did not expect Shen Zechuan to leave Qiao Tianya behind with Yao Wenyu. On the other hand, this emphasized Yao Wenyu’s importance; with Qiao Tianya there, no one would neglect him.
Shen Zechuan had another consideration.
Yao Wenyu was proud and aloof. Though his leg was broken, he was still a noble scion of the capital and would not allow himself to appear helpless. That morning, he had refused any attendants to avoid showing his injured state. Fei Sheng would be unsuitable; his ingratiating nature could only backfire. Qiao Tianya shared Yao Wenyu’s understanding of circumstances; only he could properly handle many matters.
Qiao Tianya acknowledged and stayed.
The Huaizhou issue required further discussion with Zhou Gui. For the following days, Shen Zechuan remained in Zhou Gui’s study. Though Yao Wenyu was renowned, Cizhou’s aides were eager to see him, but Shen Zechuan refused, citing his illness.
Xiao Chiye received a letter and told Wu Ziyu to find a military craftsman to make a four-wheeled carriage for Yao Wenyu in Cizhou.
Wu Ziyu had been following Xiao Chiye for a month. His troops got along best with the imperial guards and gradually developed a sense of camaraderie. The combat camp soldiers looked down on them, but they didn’t bother trying to curry favor; each time supplies reached the camp, they were inspected, verified, and returned, retreating to the frontier camp to avoid conflict with other units.
“What four-wheeled carriage?” Wu Ziyu asked, shirtless, trailing behind. “Is it for the siege, for transporting supplies, or—”
Dan Taihu turned and punched him lightly, laughing and scolding, “Are you going or the craftsman? The master gave orders—just do it!”
Wu Ziyu said, “I have to confirm the details, prepare the materials before mounting.”
Libei’s craftsmen were skilled, using materials from the Hongyan Mountain lineage; they disregarded Zhongbo’s local materials.
“It’s for transport,” Xiao Chiye, just dismounting and covered in grime, said. They had been traveling for six days after the battle and were exhausted.
Wu Ziyu went to instruct others, while Chen Yang and the others followed Xiao Chiye into the command tent. The original furniture was removed, leaving space for a new sand table.
“Gu Jin,” Xiao Chiye quickly removed his outer robe, tossed it to Chen Yang, and leaned on the edge of the sand table. “Report.”
Gu Jin wiped the sweat from his helmet and pointed to the Tu Dalong flag’s position. “This time, for the supply run, I led cavalry to circle Tu Dalong. As expected, Hu and Lu were reassigned to the southeast, making way for someone named Hasan. According to Wu Ziyu’s inquiries, this Hasan is Amur’s son in the Hanzhe tribe. Earlier this spring, the frontier cavalry raided Camp Three; Hasan, as Amur’s vanguard, engaged Chaohui, causing 800 casualties in the three major Liu Yang camps.”
Chen Yang took a folding chair, and Xiao Chiye sat. “So he’s severely wounded.”
“Correct,” Gu Jin adjusted his soaked hair and continued. “This man fights cunningly and fiercely, not rashly. At the time, the heir was heavily injured by Amur, trapped, and Chaohui rushed to support, only to be ambushed on the grasslands; the entire unit was scattered.”
Wu Ziyu, returning, donned his coat. “In our terms, Hasan is Amur’s legitimate son. Though Amur has many sons, he only keeps a few in mind. Hasan’s mother is the most esteemed, from the Hanzhe tribe. Amur raised him personally; he will inherit the title ‘Great Esusu of Day.’ It is said—just so you know—he is well-versed in military strategy, even Hu and Lu fear him.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Dan Taihu touched his facial scar. “If I’d known he was this formidable, I wouldn’t have returned from Tu Dalong Flag.”
“Then you’d have been bringing your head,” Wu Ziyu said. “His fighting style… actually resembles the governor’s.”
“He shouldn’t be stationed there either,” Xiao Chiye said, adjusting the bone abacus, “likes to provoke, right?”
The others said nothing, inwardly noting the young master’s self-awareness.
Gu Jin cleared his throat. “Before this year, he wasn’t the frontier commander opposing Libei. Hasan had mainly been stationed in the southeast of Great Zhou, clashing most with Qidong. Coincidentally, the one who severely injured Qi Shiyu and nearly captured him was Hasan.”
It was him!
Dan Taihu gasped. “I’ve heard of him; the one who fought him was Marshal Qi! Qi Shiyu was trapped in the eastern side of the Camp Three chain, his sons dared not deploy, so the marshal requested reinforcements from Chijun, Bianjun, and Cejun. Cejun refused, and only after persuasion by the Lu family of Bianjun and Suotian Pass did the marshal gather troops to rescue.”
This was Qi Zhuyin’s famed battle. She had burned ten miles of Camp Three supplies using the wind, earning her the nickname “Wind-Bringer Zhuyin.” But the fight was tough; later accounts often omit that after rescuing Qi Shiyu, Hasan pursued her across a thousand miles, and the Qidong garrison returned drenched in blood.
Xiao Chiye’s eyes glimmered. “I understand. I recognize him now.”
He was Lu Guangbai’s rival.
“Three days ago, Chaohui led the three major Liu Yang camps north to Tu Dalong Flag to replace Guo Weili and confront Hasan.” Xiao Chiye rotated the bone abacus. “This means we now have no reinforcements behind us. The two Libei camps in the southeast are us and Guo Weili. Our victory over Hu and Lu must have reached Amur; this is an opportunity. If he hasn’t altered his plan, by mid-August the frontier cavalry will strike Camp Three again. Stay alert and push Guo Weili’s forces, keep him sharp.”
“Uh,” Wu Ziyu interjected, “Guo Weili won’t sleep; he’ll be excited. That’s the problem. He’s easily provoked; if deceived into leaving and slaughtered, what do we, the logistics troops, do?”
The three others turned and said in unison, “Fight.”
Wu Ziyu wiped his spit. “According to current orders, we lack the authority. I don’t mean to dampen morale, but the previous Camp Three victory was half luck. Hu and Lu were another Guo Weili, frightened after being lured out. But how many troops do we have now? The frontier people know; Amur won’t repeat past mistakes. Next charge will be a full-scale siege, no longer in our favor.”
“So,” Xiao Chiye was concise, “while pushing Guo Weili, tighten his collar. If he dies, let it be by strangulation.”
No one wanted to deal with Guo Weili. During the Camp Three handover, they nearly clashed. Chen Yang and Dan Taihu remembered Gu Jin’s account; Guo Weili had ignored Xiao Chiye entirely. Such disunity was dangerous; without a united will, success is uncertain. Even with Xiao Chiye’s talents, the enemy was clever; the perched old vultures were far from foolish.
Xiao Chiye tilted his head, staring at the tent’s ceiling, silently cursing.
Infuriating.
Chen Yang, who had remained silent, opened a booklet and said in a serious tone, “Currently, a message from Cizhou for the master, delivered by the young master, reads—”
Xiao Chiye abruptly turned, saying, “I’ll read it myself.”
“The Hua-Qi marriage will take place in three days…” Chen Yang paused, emotionless, then continued reading Shen Lanzhou’s exact words, “Marshal Qi has gained a bride. What shall we send as a gift?”
Xiao Chiye smiled faintly and replied dismissively, “Congratulate her.”