Chapter 399: The Rat Devours the Grain

“Nothing to discuss. Dismiss the court.”

Though the court declared no affairs, the entire dynasty was in a state of stormy tension. Any individual promotion today was enough to stir gossip in the capital for months or even half a year. But when such a deluge fell all at once, it left people dazed. Hundreds of court officials rose and slowly made their way outside. Most of the elder statesmen congratulated Huan Wen, the venerable elder who had transferred to serve as the Left Vice Chancellor of the Menxia Province. The promotion of the The Honest Elder was widely welcomed with joy, free of jealousy or resentment. Meanwhile, the younger rising officials flocked toward Jin Lanting, calling each other brothers with great enthusiasm. Originally, it was thought Jin would remain in his position as the Emperor’s close attendant and chronicler for a few more years before returning to an important post. No one expected him to suddenly become the Right Sacrificial Official of the National Academy, a prestigious third-grade official at just over thirty years old. He had become the leader of tens of thousands of imperial students, achieving instant fame across the land. Everyone knew that this outsider was destined for a meteoric rise in the bureaucracy, prompting speculation: was he the next Zhang Prime Minister prototype?

After returning greetings to the crowd, Jin Lanting quickened his pace toward the venerable Huan Wen and Yao, the newly appointed Left Sacrificial Official and head of the Yao family. He respectfully bowed to both elders, who smiled and simultaneously helped up this young man who could no longer be described merely as a rising star. The three had always belonged to the same academic lineage within the National Academy, and their relationship naturally grew closer, especially since Jin had long been considered half of Yao Bai Feng’s disciples. Outside the exiting courtiers, these three formed a core group. Another group consisted of Zhang Julu, Gu Jiantang, and Chen Zhibao, yet no one dared approach them to exchange even a few polite words. Then there was the “Three Lus”—Lu Daolin, Lu Baijie, and Lu Shengxiang—who would soon form an interesting situation in the Ministry of War with two Lus serving as vice ministers.

The regional princes dispersed separately. Occasionally, they exchanged brief words with capital officials, but these conversations were superficial and harmless. When Prince Zhao Sui of Jiaodong found his heir Zhao Yi, he glanced back at the lone white-haired man walking alone. He did not approach, but when this prince—whose influence in the Two Liao regions had steadily declined—turned his gaze, the Northern Liang heir, who wore a sword at his waist, silently bowed his head with clasped hands in quiet respect. Zhao Sui showed no emotion and turned to walk away. His heir Zhao Yi, a prince’s son with little reputation, was momentarily stunned. At the sound of his father’s soft cough, he quickly caught up.

Xu Fengnian walked in peace, glancing at Jin Lanting ahead, who was now surrounded by admirers. Once a petty county official who had been terrified of him, Jin had now risen swiftly, his career advancing nearly as fast as Chancellor Zhang Julu. Xu harbored no fondness for this schemer who excelled in political maneuvering. “Climb too high too fast, and you might fall hard when the time comes.”

Besides Jin Lanting, Yan Jiexi, who had betrayed Northern Liang and become a royal in-law, also profited immensely. By marrying off a daughter, he secured an imperial relative status and the real position of a Grand Academician of the Hall. This deal was a tremendous success. The old man filled one of the three Grand Academies—the Dongyuan Pavilion. After Huan Wen was appointed the leading academician of the Wenhua Pavilion among the three pavilions, only the Wuying Hall remained vacant, reserved for Zhang Julu after his death. Moreover, Yao Baifeng, whose family roots lay near Northern Liang, had been drawn into the capital and granted high office and generous Salary. Thus, Northern Liang’s civil officials might soon become restless. Xu Fengnian had originally planned to visit the Yao family on his way back to Northern Liang, trying to “persuade or entice” some Yao clan members to serve in Northern Liang, which desperately needed mid-level civil officials. Previously, the Yao family had maintained a coy distance, flirting with Northern Liang but refusing to commit fully. Now that they had openly entered the Zhao imperial bedchamber, Xu Fengnian found it easier to let go.

Unconsciously, Xu Fengnian lagged behind everyone else, stepping out of the palace threshold and pausing at the top of the stairs. He saw Yan Chiji, the newly appointed Yellow Gate Official, walking beside his father. Yan tried several times to go back but was subtly restrained by his father. Xu Fengnian smiled, thinking how fortunate the young man was to have a sister who was about to become the crown princess. Otherwise, with his timid and kind nature, he would have long been devoured by the capital’s aristocratic youths.

Xu Fengnian looked around but did not see Kong Wuchi, whom he hadn’t met in many years. Presumably, his rank was still insufficient for court attendance. Xu rested one hand on the carved dragon balustrade, well aware that the seven people who did not kneel in the court today owed much to himself—or more precisely, to the Emperor granting a huge favor to Xu Shao. However, after offering a sweet plum, the Emperor had delivered several heavy blows: luring the Yao family into the capital, promoting Jin Lanting to spite Northern Liang, and temporarily appointing Chen Zhibao to the Ministry of War, which would not hinder his future enfeoffment as the King of Shu. The Emperor simply favored Chen too much, hence the additional gesture of appointing him, akin to a man who finally wins the heart of a long-admired woman and wishes to lavish her with all manner of luxuries to prove his sincerity. Furthermore, the court could not afford to miss this rare opportunity. Entrusting Chen with the Ministry of War, a tightly controlled department, would satisfy the officials and subdue the unruly bureaucrats. It also provided a graceful exit for both the court and Gu Jiantang. Even if Gu was honored as the sole Grand Commander of the dynasty, handing over such a powerful position as Minister of War without a capable successor would still be a great embarrassment. In matters of statecraft, everything must be intricately connected.

Xu Fengnian rested his hand on the Northern Liang sword at his waist and murmured with a smile, “Master, no wonder you said that statecraft has two treasures: a sword and a knife. The knife hidden in the sleeve, and the sword concealed behind honeyed words.”

As Xu Fengnian descended the stairs, he turned back to gaze at the palace eaves where three men had once sung and drunk together on the roof. Several eunuchs were sweeping the square, picking up jade pendants left behind by careless officials. When they saw the white Python Robe man leaving the palace last, they felt a sense of fear. Regardless of his infamous reputation, he was a man who carried a sword to court, not someone these minor eunuchs could provoke or mock. Moreover, even a fool could see that with Chen Zhibao leaving Northern Liang, it was clear who would inherit the title of Prince of Northern Liang. After Xu Fengnian exited the palace gate, he spotted the unmistakable figure of a crimson Python Robe waiting for him. Many officials deliberately kept their distance, eager to witness a spectacle.

Chen Zhibao, who had journeyed alone to Shu and then returned to the capital single-handedly, was perceived by all as someone who could wield immense power without overstepping.

The son of the Butcher of Men and thirty thousand iron cavalry, Xu Fengnian, was widely believed to be better off becoming a carefree Prince Consort, ending his ambitions.

As Xu approached, the two walked side by side along the wall. Xu asked softly with a smile, “Last time you went to Shu, I didn’t get a chance to see you off. Don’t hold it against me, do you?”

Chen replied gently, “It’s fine. When you become the Prince of Northern Liang, I may not be able to attend the ceremony either. We’ll be even.”

Xu smiled and let it go.

Chen Zhibao, no longer in white but now in white Python Robe beside the white-haired man, remarked calmly, “You’ve done well as the heir of Northern Liang. Do you have the confidence to be its prince?”

Xu retorted, “If I don’t, are you going to take over?”

Chen turned to look at the Northern Liang heir, with whom he had little interaction, and smiled, “Your temperament is indeed like the General’s.”

Xu cut to the chase, “How many years will you serve as Minister of War before becoming King of Shu? Will you still oversee the Ministry from afar?”

Though mortal enemies, Chen Zhibao spoke with candor and integrity, “First, I will be enfeoffed as King but not immediately take up the post for one or two years. Then, I will assume the title and govern Shu while still overseeing the Ministry of War for another year or two. Therefore, you have a few years to build up your strength. However, when I lose patience, the Northern Meng will likely launch a major southern campaign. At that time, you will face attacks from both fronts. If you still haven’t Opening the Western Regions, you’ll end up exhausting the General’s hard-earned legacy. But I can assure you, should you fail to defend your inheritance and the Xu family has to flee to Western Regions, I will be the first to intercept and kill you. Dying by plum wine would be a fitting end for you, better than being secretly assassinated by the court.”

Xu Fengnian ran his hand along the wall, saying nothing.

The once notoriously talkative Northern Liang heir was now silent, while the usually stoic Chen Zhibao spoke more. “I waited for so many years, hoping you would die an untimely death, but I don’t mind waiting a few more years for you to perish in the clash of two dynasties. The thirty thousand iron cavalry of Northern Liang rightfully belonged to my Godfather, and as his former Righteousnessson, I neither sought nor dared to claim them. But you, who have never experienced the Spring and Autumn wars, no matter how skilled you are in Bide one’s time and hide one’s strength or how refined you appear, cannot easily obtain them. There are many things in the world that seem rightfully yours, but this one is not among them.”

Xu Fengnian touched the cool wall with his fingers and calmly said, “I’ll wait for you.”

Chen Zhibao smiled faintly and turned to leave.

Neither cursed nor fought, their encounter disappointed the onlookers, who quickly dispersed to avoid being noticed and remembered by the new Minister of War.

Xu Fengnian continued walking along the wall and encountered the disguised Princess Sui Zhu, who had been waiting for him. She couldn’t help but mock, “It’s just that when comparing goods, standing side by side, the difference is like between heaven and earth. I feel ashamed for you.”

Xu Fengnian bluntly replied, “You never change your ways.”

Sui Zhu Princess angrily retorted, “Xu, do you dare say that again?!”

Xu Fengnian suddenly pointed at the top of the wall, “Look, another sparrow.”

As Sui Zhu walked over, she kicked Xu Fengnian, only to hurt herself. On the way back to the palace from the Xiama Wei Inn, Zhang Huan, a member of the royal family from the fallen Eastern Yue, admitted that the Northern Liang heir was quite skilled, but Zhao Fengya, who was stubborn and unwilling to believe without seeing the coffin, refused to accept it.

Xu Fengnian boldly reached out to pinch her delicate nose, covering the sprinkling of playful freckles, teasing, “Now you finally look a bit better.”

Zhao Fengya flailed her arms and legs in anger. After Xu let go, she foolishly said, “Don’t keep using your ineffective beauty tactics on me. I can’t possibly marry you as a Prince Consort, would you like to marry into Northern Liang as a prince’s wife?”

Zhao Fengya spat, “Look at yourself in the mirror!”

Xu Fengnian smiled with narrowed eyes, “Be careful, you might end up marrying Chen Zhibao.”

Sui Zhu Princess was taken aback, her autumn water eyes revealing unmistakable fear and panic.

Xu Fengnian turned and walked away, saying, “I was just kidding. But I usually have a jinx.”

Zhao Fengya chased after him and Fiercely punched his back.

Xu Fengnian showed no reaction and turned toward the carriage.

Sui Zhu Princess gritted her teeth, “Do you know there’s a six-character prophecy from the Astronomical Bureau? Rats eat grain! Shu eats Liang!”

Xu Fengnian turned and smiled, “Then why don’t you hurry up and become the Princess of Shu?”

Zhao Fengya sneered, “Can you really allow this to happen? Once Chen Zhibao becomes a royal in-law, even if you become the Prince of Northern Liang, will you have any peace?”

Xu Fengnian winked, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “Father Xu also asked me to tell you, if you’re really forced to go to Western Shu, let him know.”

Sui Zhu Princess, surprisingly not arguing, blinked and whispered, “You’re not lying to me?”

Xu Fengnian solemnly replied, “Of course I am.”

Zhao Fengya was almost enraged to death, shouting she would kill him, leaving countless footprints and dust on his once dignified white Python robe.

She helplessly leaned against the wall, watching the scoundrel walk further away, cursing, “Rats eat grain, eat it all! The King of Shu kills the King of Liang, kill him!”

Unexpectedly, that bastard walked a short distance away, turned around, and silently mouthed three words.

“It’s true.”

Zhao Fengya found herself, for the first time, not disliking her enemy before her.

She told herself it was out of pity for him, after all, he had turned white-haired at such a young age.

And after turning white-haired, he didn’t look bad, in fact, he looked even better.

Zhao Fengya wrinkled her nose, squatted by the wall in a daze, feeling like crying and laughing at the same time.