Xiao Chiye not only got scolded but also got beaten. Yet he had already anticipated this in his mind and hadn’t thought to hide it from his family. He stood in the military tent to accept his demotion, while the generals sneaked glances at Xiao Fangxu before leaving, only to find the prince even angrier.
Zuo Qianqiu examined the arm wrap carefully, then gave Xiao Fangxu a slight thumbs-up. “I can’t see anything wrong.”
Xiao Fangxu, standing with his hands behind his back on the other side, said, “You think I don’t know what kind of arm wrap he used? At most, it’s just worn dog leather. He’s relying on his thick skin and won’t bother making it any fancier.”
Zuo Qianqiu hesitated, then looked at Xiao Chiye. “…Why didn’t you mention this to your family when you were in Qu Du? Now, you should tell your master, so we can be… prepared.”
“Prepared for what?” Xiao Fangxu turned back. “He already planned everything and has been waiting for me to take the bait!”
“Sooner or later we have to meet,” Xiao Chiye said, hands behind his back as he took the scolding. “Everything that needs handling will be handled. This year, I still want to bring him home to meet Mother.”
“You’ve arranged everything so neatly,” Xiao Fangxu mocked, “might as well let me call you Dad.”
Xiao Chiye didn’t dare respond.
“Where is he from?” Zuo Qianqiu set the arm wrap down. “Qu Du?”
Xiao Chiye answered honestly, “Zhong Bo.”
“That’s fine, not too far,” Zuo Qianqiu said to Xiao Fangxu. Then he asked, “How old is he?”
Xiao Chiye replied, “Twenty-one. Still young.”
Zuo Qianqiu felt the description was strangely familiar but didn’t think much further. He only said, “The arm wrap is well done—is he in this line of work?”
Xiao Chiye said, “…No.”
Xiao Fangxu sneered, “Do you dare repeat what you just said outside to your master?”
Xiao Chiye cleared his throat lightly.
Xiao Fangxu said, “I demote you, and you go stab me in the heart?”
Xiao Chiye heard the words before and didn’t fall for it. “I didn’t. I wouldn’t dare.”
Zuo Qianqiu, still curious about what kind of man this was, asked, “What’s his name? Is it a familiar surname?”
“Familiar,” Xiao Chiye paused, “His name is Shen Zechuan.”
Several days later, Kong Ling and Yu Xiao returned to Luoxia Pass. Cizhou wanted to negotiate a long-term partnership with Luoxia Pass. The letters had already mostly settled the terms; this trip was to finalize things, aiming to reach Huaizhou by the end of August.
But in August, the original commander of Fanzhou rebelled, declaring himself king, and even sent troops to seize Dengzhou first, trying to threaten Cizhou. He also demanded that Cizhou redirect the grain sold to Chazhou to him, claiming it was “borrowed grain.”
Shen Zechuan naturally ignored this. He ordered Zhou Gui to draft a proclamation to Chazhou, calling for joint suppression of bandits and labeling all Zhong Bo armed groups, except his own, as “bandits.” The self-proclaimed “Wing King” of Fanzhou naturally refused and traded insults from afar, with aides exchanging letters cursing each other’s ancestors, portraying the other as treasonous rebels while portraying themselves as reluctant defenders of the people.
Shen Zechuan stayed busy. Time was precious, so during the verbal skirmishes, he had Cizhou officials repair horse trails and relay stations connecting the states—a large project, not due for completion until the end of the year. Meanwhile, Cizhou’s garrison troops continued their rapid expansion.
“The money from selling grain, after covering Huaizhou’s needs, can go toward the horse trail repairs. But grain distribution to households will inevitably decrease. Come winter, the number of displaced people will increase. I can’t turn them away in good conscience,” Zhou Gui said, presenting a report to Shen Zechuan. “With the weather turning cold, more displaced people are coming from Dancheng.”
“Speaking of Dancheng refugees,” Shen Zechuan looked at Yao Wenyu, “Yuan Zhuo came from Dancheng. He knows the current situation better than us. Why has the number of displaced people suddenly increased?”
Yao Wenyu, cloaked against the cold, said seriously, “After the late emperor’s death, Chancellor Han tried to convince the Empress Dowager to create official positions for noble families’ descendants, funded by the treasury. The list numbered tens of thousands, but the Empress Dowager refused. To preserve resources, noble families led by Han exploited farmland, falsely reporting its size and hiding thousands of acres. Ordinary people had no land to cultivate and still had to pay household taxes. Many fled.”
“By law, once household registration is fixed, leaving without proper documents could result in conscription at minimum, execution at worst,” Shen Zechuan considered. “For these people, coming to Zhong Bo is safest to evade officials. But Cizhou’s capacity is limited—relying on official grain distribution alone isn’t sustainable. We can’t feed everyone.”
Moreover, some arriving displaced people had grown accustomed to getting free food. Using delays in registration as an excuse, they lingered at government offices, idling and relying on handouts.
“I specifically inquired with registration officials. Many of these people are young and strong, causing trouble in the streets. Security was good before July, but after August thefts increased. Officials captured them, yet they rolled and raged in prison. Later, they realized they could eat in jail, so they became even more audacious,” Zhou Gui worried.
Shen Zechuan had already made a decision. “They’re audacious because Cizhou has been tolerant and hasn’t set penalties for them. All offenses are treated as if they were local citizens. But now things are different. Starting today, have officials draft notices strictly forbidding displaced people from shirking registration. By mid-August, anyone not registered will be expelled. Notices will be posted everywhere, and officials will explain the law to illiterate citizens. After that, any offenders will face severe punishment without leniency.”
Since arriving in Cizhou, Shen Zechuan had always been mild and approachable. Even regarding the Chazhou matter, he hadn’t made a show of force. But now, he acted decisively and with speed.
Zhou Gui hesitated. “But imposing strict penalties—won’t that lose the people’s support? Cizhou only recently welcomed the displaced with tolerance.”
“These are two separate matters,” Yao Wenyu said aptly. “Welcoming refugees is compassion. Losing authority because of it is misplaced priorities. Before handling external threats, internal stability must be secured. Cizhou must eliminate internal hazards quickly or risk future troubles.”
“Now Fanzhou already has a ‘Wing King,’” Shen Zechuan set down the report. “He aims to establish a small Zhong Bo court in the southeast, consolidating Fanzhou and Dengzhou forces against Cizhou, using us as a granary. Next spring, the situation will worsen. We cannot yield under the banner of ‘benevolence.’”
“Moreover, this is also an opportunity,” Yao Wenyu said to Zhou Gui. “Repairing horse trails and relay stations requires manpower; displaced people fill that gap. Officials can pay them grain based on work done. They’ll be fed, productive, and won’t cause trouble.”
Zhou Gui nodded. “Once household registration is complete, the government will know the exact population. Field surveys starting in late August can finish before next spring. If no disasters occur, Cizhou’s granary will remain sufficient.”
“This is the first year,” Shen Zechuan said with a good mood. “Next year, Chazhou must be addressed. Additionally, new horse trails from Luoxia Pass to Huaizhou must be prepared.”
Zhou Gui was surprised. “Aren’t we borrowing passage from Li Bei?”
“Yes, but long-term, Luoxia Pass deserves proper reward,” Shen Zechuan explained. “Luoxia Pass lies above Quancheng. Once trade along the route prospers, current roads won’t suffice. Besides, the northern hunting grounds are becoming a garrison. New trails are essential.”
“And next spring, military grain must be addressed,” Yao Wenyu said, his legs aching in the cold but his expression steady. “First, Qidong is the biggest threat south of Zhong Bo. This year, due to the late emperor’s assassination and Lu Guangbai’s defection, we couldn’t deploy troops. Now, with Hua Qi marriage alliances, if grain is sufficient next spring, they may very likely attack north. Second, Li Bei has broken from Qu Du’s control; northeastern grain routes no longer reach the Xuexi granaries. Li Bei handles northern cavalry entirely. Military logistics must be resolved before spring.”
Advisors discussed matters in the study’s partitioned room, separated by screens. Years indoors had many smoking pipes; the smoke lingered, stifling the room.
Shen Zechuan called Qiao Tianya. “Take Yuan Zhuo out for some fresh air.”
Yao Wenyu, seated in the four-wheeled cart, slightly bowed to Shen Zechuan as Qiao Tianya pushed it out. Shen Zechuan instructed Zhou Gui to open windows so the advisors could rest; the air indoors was too heavy, so he went out to breathe the cold wind himself.
It was the rainy season in Cizhou; clear days were rare and cold. Ji Gang worried Shen Zechuan might fall ill again, so he watched him add layers, and Fei Sheng followed him everywhere, extremely cautious.
Seeing Shen Zechuan outside, Fei Sheng stepped forward with a large cloak. Shen Zechuan draped it and walked along the corridor. The locust trees in the courtyard had long since finished blooming; the branches were bare under the gloomy sky, looking desolate.
Fei Sheng tried to lighten the mood. “Master, the Zhou household has a bronze basin just like ours, with a few koi inside. Your cat can’t stop circling it, drooling.”
Shen Zechuan glanced over. “Ours was a housewarming gift from Madam Zhou.”
The chill cleared Shen Zechuan’s mind. Seeing the time approaching, he began returning to the study’s eaves. Qiao Tianya and Yao Wenyu hadn’t returned yet, so he waited a while longer. Zhou Gui came rushing, gesturing for Shen Zechuan to enter.
It was nearly the hour of the Rooster. If discussions continued another quarter-hour, the advisors would disperse. That night they would draft new documents overnight. At dawn, Shen Zechuan would review details in the study and finalize posting by midday the day after.
“When winter comes, trade with Li Bei must resume,” Shen Zechuan said to Zhou Gui at the doorway. “Negotiate with the Yan family if possible; if not, detour from Huaizhou to Xuexi. Though the route is long, we can use the waterways of the Di and Hua families. Military grain will also—”
At that moment, Ding Tao entered through the courtyard gate, leaping over the railing. Shen Zechuan paused the discussion and signaled him to speak first.
Ding Tao’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. “Master, the heir’s consort has arrived!”