“Reward,” Li Jian Ting thought rapidly, closed the memorial, “Helian Marquis has merit in gathering grain. I will heavily reward Helian Marquis.”
Kong Qiu prostrated himself, secretly nodding, and said respectfully: “Your Majesty is wise.”
Relief grain, no matter what, cannot be taken back. At this moment, rewarding Helian Marquis would make the rumors dissolve on their own. Since Shen Zekuan wanted to fight a battle of righteousness with her, then they would see.
“Han Cheng abused power and sought to usurp the throne, his crimes are unforgivable and cannot be pardoned,” Li Jian Ting said, “The Great Marshal protected my safety for me and captured the rebel Han, this is indeed a great merit. Not only that, she led troops against the Qing Shu Tribe and returned in victory. Both publicly and privately, I must confer titles upon her.”
Kong Qiu said: “The Great Marshal guards the border regions, suffering extreme cold and hardship. As early as the Xian De era, she already had the merit of campaigning to protect the throne. It is only unknown how Your Majesty intends to confer her title?”
“I have heard the Great Marshal is known as ‘Wind that Leads the Fierce Wilderness’,” Li Jian Ting said, taking up a brush and writing two characters neatly on the paper, “Why not confer upon the Great Marshal the title ‘Eastern Fierce King’?”
Kong Qiu suddenly raised his head and said in shock: “That would be……”
“Qi Zhuyin, three times marched out from Qidong to protect the court, wind-led border fires that burned thirteen camps, single-handedly went deep into enemy territory to rescue her father. Since she took command as Great Marshal of the Five Prefectures of Qidong, one prefecture with double passes has been as solid as a fortress. From the Xian De years to the Tian Chen years, not a single soldier of the Twelve Border Sand Tribes has been able to invade our Qidong territory.” Li Jian Ting lifted her eyes, “Such a loyal and fierce general—what is wrong with me conferring her as king?”
“But Great Marshal is a woman,” Kong Qiu said, “Ascending the Jade Dragon Platform to receive imperial conferment is already an extraordinary exception. If she is further granted the title of a vassal king, the whole realm will surely be in uproar. Your Majesty, please reconsider!”
Li Jian Ting looked at Kong Qiu and said: “When Grand Preceptor taught me, he said, ‘Ruler and minister share governance of chaos and order, share safety and danger.’ I must accept loyal remonstrance, and also treat the worthy with kindness. Now that Qi Zhuyin can guard all directions for me, and can also capture rebels for me, she treats me with such loyal sincerity—if I still cling to distinctions of male and female, would that not chill the hearts of all worthy talents in the world?” She left her seat and came to support Kong Qiu, speaking sincerely, “Teacher, she is a woman, yet she is willing to wear armor and kill enemies. Beyond her loyalty to the country, there is only devotion to the sovereign. Moreover, I am also a woman. Teacher, you have taught me everything without reservation and assisted me in governing the realm. Are men and women truly that important?”
Li Jian Ting shifted from “I, the Emperor” to “I,” but Kong Qiu could not shift from “Grand Preceptor” back to “Teacher.” The new ruler wanted to confer Qi Zhuyin title, not only because of her heartfelt words, but also because at present, Zhongbo and Lubei were both strong in military power. Du City relied only on the Eight Great Garrisons to defend its gates, which was like striking an egg against a stone. Only Qi Zhuyin—only Qi Zhuyin, who held the 300,000 troops of Qidong—could contend with the rebels.
“The imperial decree of reward is already a great favor to Qidong, but this rank is truly too high,” Kong Qiu said. It was not that he did not understand the situation—on the contrary, he understood too well. Once Qi Zhuyin was made king, the current Great Zhou would no longer have any military force capable of balancing Qidong. The fate of the entire dynasty would depend on her 300,000 troops. If they won, how could Qi Zhuyin ever be granted further titles in the future? She would already stand at the same level as Xiao Fangxu—there would be nothing higher to grant her, and there would also be no Lubei left to counterbalance her.
Li Jian Ting understood as well, but Qi Zhuyin was allied with the Xiao clan of Lubei. The only thing she could give was this.
“A tongue is a dragon spring, killing without shedding blood.” Yao Wenyu held a pair of scissors and trimmed the potted plant on his lap into an ugly shape. “Once rumors arise, they are difficult to eradicate. The new emperor’s heavy reward of Helian Marquis is forced by the situation; her intent to kill Helian Marquis has already been decided.”
“I see that the new emperor acts neither like Xue Xiuzhuo nor like Kong Qiu,” Shen Zekuan bent down and picked up a broken branch from the ground, “She has a strong sense of self.”
“She has just ascended the Purple Pole and already sees the rivers and mountains of the world,” Yao Wenyu said, “How could she still be willing to be a chess piece? Her conferring the Great Marshal as ‘Eastern Fierce King’ is basically a desperate gamble. Although the Lord has gained some advantage in the grain relief of Yong City, it has also made You Tan’s position dangerous. If Helian Marquis, under severe punishment, confesses him, then the internal agent in Liu Prefecture will be ruined.”
“In the future, the new harbor of Liu Prefecture will trade across the entire realm,” Shen Zekuan tossed the broken branch into the courtyard pond, “The silver and tax channels are extremely important. You Tan is not a good choice. Besides, since Xue Xiuzhuo is determined to investigate accounts, let him focus on that. After all, his family accounts are already a mess; I fear he will be unable to take care of himself when the time comes.”
You Tan is greedy for money. This person is convenient to use, but inconvenient to keep. The most convenient line Shen Zekuan had in western Yanxi was the Xi clan network, yet he still chose You Tan to deal business with Helian Marquis.
This was the intent of the master. Yao Wenyu could not speak further. Even if he saw through it, he could not say it outright. The potted plant on his lap was trimmed more and more bare. Yuan Zhuo said: “From the latest news from Ge Qingqing, Xue Da has already gotten what he wanted.”
“The inner granary of Du City is a very good position—managing the city’s material inflow and outflow. With some manipulation, one can make a fortune. Xue Da has been a young noble his whole life; suddenly making him a fallen petty official, how could he bear it? Xue Xiuzhuo is extremely cautious in matters of promoting and favoring the Xue clan, unwilling to favor his own family, and has already caused clan criticism.” Shen Zekuan said this as he looked toward the end of the corridor where, unexpectedly, Xiao Xun was chasing and playing, “After that day, he never came to find you again?”
“Xue Xiuzhuo acts meticulously. If he intended to kill me, he would not leave mercy. Even if the great master were still alive, this leg and this poison have no cure. Since I am still young, Lord need not trouble himself further over this matter.” Yao Wenyu said calmly, “There is no need to force it; let heaven decide.”
Xiao Xun fell to the ground, then quickly got up again and ran off with grass clippings in his arms.
Yao Wenyu put down the scissors, not indulging in sentiment, and continued: “The young lord is healthy, neither spoiled nor delicate. I see he is intelligent by nature and studies well. In the future, with proper instruction from various teachers, he will surely live up to expectations.”
Shen Zekuan did not speak.
Yao Wenyu smiled and handed the potted plant to Shen Zekuan: “Lord is still hesitating.”
Shen Zekuan raised his left hand holding a folding fan and pointed westward: “The world is a prison.”
Du City is the freest place under heaven, and also the most unfree place under heaven.
“Dragons born from the same brood all differ,” Yao Wenyu said, “Must the wolves of Lubei only run across the grasslands? The young lord is intelligent—why not ask him himself?”
Xiao Xun grew tired from playing but still forced himself to stay alert, letting Shen Zekuan hold his hand as they walked back. He passed the pond and pointed at the water surface, saying to Shen Zekuan: “Second Uncle, this is a mirror.”
He called Xiao Chiyed “Second Uncle,” so Xiao Chiyed taught him to call Shen Zekuan “Second Uncle Shu.”
“Mm,” Shen Zekuan said, “Looking in a mirror corrects one’s attire.”
Xiao Xun faced the water and patted his robe clean.
At his age, Xiao Chiyed was still chasing after colts and wished to sleep in grass nests all day. Xiao Xun looked like Xiao Jieming, but according to Xiao Chiyed, when Xiao Jieming was this age, although he did not get beaten, he was not this quiet either.
Shen Zekuan then asked: “Did you come to find the teacher today to learn reading and writing?”
Xiao Xun nodded. “Reading brings wisdom.”
“There are so many teachers in the residence,” Shen Zekuan lightly tapped his folding fan toward Yao Wenyu’s room, “Why did you choose this one?”
“Teacher Cheng Feng said Teacher Yuan Zhuo has the best learning,” Xiao Xun paused, then looked up at Shen Zekuan, “I want the best teacher.”
Shen Zekuan fell silent slightly, then said: “If there were no Yuan Zhuo?”
“Teacher Yuan Zhuo said, ‘those who tiptoe cannot stand, those who stride cannot walk.’³” Xiao Xun pointed at himself, “Even if I want the world’s best teacher, I must also be able to understand what he teaches. I cannot be so overly ambitious.”
He spoke with an old-fashioned seriousness. Only seven years old, yet far beyond his peers. The residence teachers, influenced by Yao Wenyu, would sometimes discuss matters in the pavilion when there were no official duties. Xiao Xun did not like those discussions. But whether it was Xiao Chiyed handling military affairs or Shen Zekuan discussing governance, he would sit nearby and listen.
“Are you working so hard because you want to become the best teacher?”
Xiao Xun showed a strange expression. He shook his head at Shen Zekuan and said: “Xun is not a teacher. Xun wants a teacher.” He then pointed at Fei Sheng, “Xun is not a general either. Xun also wants a general.”
He wanted “the best” in both civil and military matters—this was ambition to gather all worthy talents in the world.
Shen Zekuan squeezed Xiao Xun’s hand and said nothing further.
After the new emperor’s general amnesty and departmental reshuffle, Xue Da was promoted to Inner Granary Overseer. That day, he held a grand banquet on East Dragon Street, inviting relatives and neighbors, venting his long-suppressed frustration. He drank himself into a stupor and, supported by Ge Qingqing, staggered home, saying: “Fortune turns with the wheel. I am a man with luck, still the legitimate eldest son.” He raised a finger and said to Ge Qingqing, “My courtesy name is ‘Pingjing’—Ping, Jing! Xue Xiuzhuo’s courtesy name is ‘Yanqing’—who is he purifying? Who is he extending purity for?” He patted his chest and laughed, “Mine, mine! I am his elder brother—I should be, hic—I should be higher than him!”
Ge Qingqing swayed with him and kept agreeing: “Yes, what the master says is right.”
“Master,” Xue Pingjing said loudly, “Correct, I am the master! Why should I, I, I look at his expression? He is only a concubine-born son, yet he seized, seized my position as family head, split the family, kicked all of us out one by one—he is truly the most, most cold and ruthless person.” He waved his hand as if unwilling to even mention Xue Xiuzhuo, “Look at him—once he rose to become an important court official, he still refuses to help us… is that, is that something a human does?”
Ge Qingqing did not respond.
Xue Pingjing became more and more heartbroken, finally clutching the wall and vomiting loudly.
“He said I favor concubines… neglect my son’s studies… and forbid us father and son from meeting…” Xue Pingjing cried without regard for his filthy appearance, covering his face and wailing, “He is truly heartless! My son—even if he becomes a useless degenerate in the future, he is still my son! He steals other people’s sons—he is not human!”
Ge Qingqing comforted him: “Master has now been promoted as well. Even the palace eunuchs speak with you now. Naturally there will be chances to bring the eldest young master back.”
Xue Pingjing wiped his tears, grabbed Ge Qingqing’s arm tightly, and said bitterly: “I want to see him stand on a high platform, and also see him fall from ten thousand zhang!”