Chapter 511: A Secret Message Arrives from the Capital

On the first day of the New Year, regardless of emperor or commoner, every household took a break. Even the custom of paying New Year visits would not begin until the next day. Yet two carriages had already left Liangzhou quietly, heading toward Linzhou amidst clouds of dust. On one of the carriages, besides Heyan Guanyin, who nominally served Xu Fengnian’s daily needs, there was another woman who claimed she merely wished to leave the mansion for fresh air. The two women were equally beautiful. It was natural for scholars to envy each other, and for women to be jealous. However, Xu Fengnian had gone to discuss affairs in Linzhou with Xu Beizhi and paid no attention to them, so it hardly mattered whether the two women got along or were at odds.

According to prior arrangements, several official documents from Beiliang Dao would be delivered to Huangnan Commandery on the sixth day of the first lunar month. Besides Song Yan, the current Prefect, being promoted to the position of Bie Jia (Deputy Governor) of Linzhou, known as the “junior Cishi,” the Wang family of Zijin, represented by Wang Luting, was also to assume the post of Jinlou Weaving Commissioner. Two disciples of the Lingsu Wang family would respectively take up posts as county magistrates in You and Liang prefectures. Additionally, Colonel Jiao Wuyi would enter the Linzhou General’s Mansion and be promoted to the third-highest military officer in Linzhou, the Yanxia Commandant. At that point, even a fool could see that the newly appointed Linzhou General was determined to slowly simmer the current Jinglue Envoy, Old Wang, with a gentle fire.

On the second day of the New Year, Linzhou was bustling with activity. Many high-ranking officials and nobles, who by normal standards should have arrived a few days later due to the distance, all coincidentally rushed to pay respects to Governor Li on the same day. The courtyard of the Jinglue Envoy’s mansion was filled with arriving carriages and bustling servants. Even the particularly astute and resourceful stewards and gatekeepers of the Li household struggled to keep up, wishing they had three heads and six arms. Li Degong had not rested a moment since dawn, working until dusk. Many old friends, former colleagues, and loyal subordinates could only manage a sip of wine in greeting, for even Li Degong, despite his famed tolerance for alcohol, could not withstand the relentless rounds of drinking.

Li Hanlin did not return home for the New Year this year. Instead, he sent a letter written in neat, refined handwriting—clearly penned by someone else—saying he planned to travel to the Southern Court of Beiman. This sight made Li Fuzhen shudder inwardly, wishing he could grab his younger brother by the ear and drag him back home. Setting the letter down and picking it up again, Li Fuzhen felt a deep resentment. Indeed, as his father had said, he did not understand what men truly thought. Why, when they could live peacefully and comfortably, enjoying the benefits of their ancestors’ achievements and smoothly advancing in the bureaucracy, did they insist on risking their lives for fame and glory?

When his father finally had a moment to catch his breath, Li Fuzhen served him a cup of tea to sober him up, massaged his shoulders, and softly asked, “Father, why have so many people come today? Is it because your position has grown so large that everyone must rush to be first? Are they afraid of being punished if they arrive late?”

Li Degong smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Didn’t you notice that the old scholar Yuan Deqing came today? With his lofty demeanor, even if your father were promoted to the Minister of Personnel, the highest of the Six Ministries, that old man would still arrive last, leisurely and deliberately, to appear dignified and noble. The reason they all gathered today is that they’re taking advantage of the current master of our neighbor’s house being away. They fear that if they show themselves after the Prince returns to the Linzhou General’s Mansion in a few days, they might run into him by chance, and that would be most awkward. Your father’s punishment might only slow their career advancement, but our neighbor could make them lose their official hats altogether.”

Li Fuzhen sneered, “He certainly would do something so unreasonable.”

Li Degong chuckled, “Wrong. Very wrong, Zhen’er. I know you’ve never really listened to me, but this time, since I’ve even welcomed Guo Fengfeng into our home for your sake, please listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

Li Fuzhen nodded.

Li Degong took a sip of tea, caught his breath, and said slowly, “As the Chief Civil Official of Beiliang Dao, I am the highest-ranking civilian officer. By law, the Linzhou Cishi should be someone else. Yet why do I stubbornly insist on holding this position as well? It’s true that I enjoy holding office, but when the Prince himself has moved into the neighboring house to become the Linzhou General, logically speaking, I should gracefully step down. But I simply cannot let go. Nearly a thousand scholars have entered Beiliang, most of them settling in Linzhou. In the future, the civil and military branches will be clearly divided, and this is the inevitable trend. If I lose the Linzhou Cishi post, my words will still carry weight, but not as much as before. My own scholarly abilities are limited, not as strong as men like Wang Xihua. If I miss this golden opportunity to cultivate loyal allies, when Xu Beizhi or someone else replaces me as Jinglue Envoy, the Li family may soon find itself under someone else’s heel. I’m not afraid of the tree falling and the monkeys scattering—I fear the wall collapsing and everyone pushing it down. At that time, for Hanlin to support our family would be extremely difficult.

Your younger brother has a fierce spirit. I don’t doubt he could become a commandant or even a general, but he’s my only son. He can’t spend his whole life on the battlefield, risking his life. When he returns to civilian life, he’ll face a bureaucratic world he doesn’t understand. A man used to warfare may not adapt quickly to the subtleties of civil governance. Therefore, while I still have influence, I must pave the way for Hanlin’s future, ensuring that whatever mountains or rivers lie ahead, his path will be smoother.

But if I lose the Linzhou Cishi post, do you think those opportunistic and sycophantic officials won’t start doubting? Therefore, even if the Grand General himself came to my house and personally supported the Prince, I would still force myself to swallow my pride and keep the Cishi post for another year or two, mingling with those scholars and officials until I can finally vacate the seat.

As for the Prince, to my surprise, he was indeed patient. If he had truly wanted to confront me openly and directly demand the Linzhou Cishi post, I would have had no choice but to hand it over. Even if he had jokingly said half-seriously that being Linzhou General wasn’t enough and he wanted to be Cishi as well, I would have had to hand it over with both hands. But he did nothing. At first, I thought I had passed this test, but I underestimated the situation. When you told me he had appeared at Song Yan’s house and the two had a pleasant conversation, I knew something was wrong. It’s almost funny—back then, I had always been in open conflict with Yan Jieshi, each of us backing different horses. He bet on Chen Zhibao and lost, while I, with my keen insight, bet on the Prince. When Yan Jieshi realized things were going badly, he immediately packed his bags and fled. Fortunately for him, he escaped from Beiliang. Otherwise, even if I knelt and begged for mercy for three days and nights, it wouldn’t have helped.

At the time, I told him that our Prince wasn’t as helpless as he seemed, and secretly I always thought Yan Jieshi lacked vision. But in the end, I realized I was no better than he was. This time, the Prince went to Huangnan Commandery and won over three clan leaders, plus Song Yan, who would soon become the Linzhou Cishi. Impressive.

Zhen’er, you always thought Hanlin joining the army was the Prince’s doing. But have you ever considered why Hanlin, who used to be so stubborn and narrow-minded, suddenly changed? The reason isn’t complicated. Deep down, you know it, but you refuse to admit it. You told your mother that Hanlin felt ashamed because his old friends Yan Chiji and that Kong family boy had become officials with bright futures, so Hanlin, feeling humiliated, decided to work hard and prove himself. But don’t you remember how, before, Hanlin secretly wished for those three brothers to succeed wildly, so he could bask in their glory, eat and drink freely, and live a carefree life.

To him back then, his brothers’ success was more glorious than his own. Why did he go to the border? Why did he become a scout? Simply because Hanlin realized that the Prince, whom he admired most among the three brothers, had already become someone capable of standing on his own. It was at that moment that Hanlin began to awaken. Plus, he had always imitated the Prince—when the Prince acted recklessly, he did the same. Once the Prince stopped acting recklessly, Hanlin naturally found life dull and transformed into the person neither his father nor his sister recognized.

Zhen’er, dare you say that today’s Li Hanlin doesn’t make you feel proud? Don’t you feel honored? So, why do you resent the Prince so much? After all these years, it’s still because of your heart…”

Li Fuzhen calmly said, “Father, your tea is cold. Let me get you another cup.”

Li Degong handed her the cup and sighed softly. Forced fruit never tastes sweet. What about the fruit he himself twisted? He pulled himself back from his thoughts and murmured, “Well, since things have come to this, it’s probably better not to hold onto the Linzhou Cishi post. Letting it go quickly might earn me a favor from the Xu family. It’s time to restore peace and stability to Linzhou’s bureaucracy.”

Old steward He Chang stood outside the door, his face full of anger. He knocked lightly and, when Li Degong turned around, said, “Master, a man claiming to be your junior insists on seeing you. He gave me twenty taels of gold right away, which startled me. Normally, I’d just hand the gold over to you, but today, who has time to deal with him? He’s just a scholar with no official rank or family background, only money. How dare he show off here at the Li estate? Not even a sixth-grade official can get a word in today.”

Li Degong waved his hand dismissively, and He Chang turned to leave. Then he remembered something and exclaimed, “Oh, right, Master, that young man in his thirties says his name is Xu Hun, from Dan’yang County in Linzhou. He even boldly claimed that just saying his name would make you agree to see him.”

Li Degong was sipping tea absentmindedly when he heard this, his fingers trembling. As He Chang prepared to drive the presumptuous young man away, to his surprise, the Jinglue Envoy suddenly raised his head and calmly said, “Bring him here.”

Old steward He Chang uttered an “Oh,” dared not say more, and hurried away. As he turned, he heard Li Degong quietly ask, “Is the Linzhou General’s Mansion still empty?”

He Chang nodded, “Yes, the Linzhou General hasn’t returned yet.”

Li Degong nodded. After the loyal steward left, he placed the teacup on the table, stood up, and teased Li Fuzhen with a smile, “Father still has a guest to entertain. You always complain that I look down on poor scholars like Guo Fengfeng. Take him to meet your mother. Once a girl grows up, she can’t stay at home forever. I’ll turn a blind eye and pretend I’ve reluctantly let you go.”

In the past, Li Fuzhen would have shown joy on her face, but now, sensing something, she quietly asked, “Father, who is this Xu Hun from Dan’yang County?”

Li Degong smiled faintly, “The descendant of an old friend. I must see him.”

Li Fuzhen left the room with suspicion and concern. The loyal steward quickly brought Xu Hun, who looked unremarkable, to the room. The seated Jinglue Envoy narrowed his eyes and examined him carefully. After a moment’s hesitation, he picked up the teacup lid with two fingers and gently swirled the slightly cooled tea.

The old steward prudently stepped aside. Xu Hun, with an ordinary appearance, stepped lightly into the room and, without permission, closed the door behind him. Smiling, he said, “Xu Hun thanks Uncle.”

Li Degong remained silent the entire time, sipping his tea. Inside, however, he was already in turmoil. Xu Hun was virtually unknown in Linzhou, and probably few people recognized him. Even those who had seen him once wouldn’t remember him. But Li Degong was different. When the Jinlou Weaving Bureau was established in Beiliang, it was located in Dan’yang County. According to the original intention of the imperial court, the Weaving Commissioner Li Xifeng should have reported all military, administrative, financial, and personnel matters, as well as the dynamics of scholars and local customs, to the imperial study in the capital. However, Li Xifeng, perhaps because he was under someone else’s roof and knew that Xu Xiao was not to be trifled with, remained idle and turned the once-powerful Weaving Bureau into a quiet, deserted office. He only made symbolic visits to local officials like Li Degong and Yan Jieshi during holidays. Once, when Li Xifeng was traveling through the mountains and rivers of Beiliang, he met by chance with Li Degong, who was then the governor of Fengzhou. At that time, Li Xifeng suddenly introduced a carriage driver as a distant relative’s descendant named Xu Hun.

Li Degong remained silent for a long time before finally raising his head to meet Xu Hun’s gaze. Xu Hun handed something to the Jinglue Envoy: “It’s a personal letter from Chancellor Zhang Julu, with a note from Huan Wen of the Menxia Province.”

Seeing that Li Degong had no intention of accepting it, Xu Hun smiled, carefully placed it on the table, and calmly said, “If the Envoy doubts the letter, you can discreetly verify the handwriting and seal. If you doubt Weaving Commissioner Li Xifeng, you can hand me over to the Linzhou General’s Mansion next door. If you doubt me, you can send me to the Weaving Bureau and then to Chu Lushan. If you doubt the imperial court, the Envoy can read the letter first before making a decision.”

Li Degong responded with a cold smile.

Xu Hun remained calm.

After the time it took for a cup of tea to cool, Li Degong glanced at the desk and asked indifferently, “Why are there two sealed letters? What do they contain?”

Xu Hun smiled, “I am merely a messenger. I would rather die than know the contents of the letter. Li Xifeng never touched the sealed letter from beginning to end. As for why there are two sealed letters, since the Envoy has asked, it shows that you are serious. Then I must die.”

Li Degong frowned, “What do you mean?”

Xu Hun calmly said, “My journey this time has evaded all the spies in Linzhou. Please rest assured, Master. Let me tell you the truth. The Lu family in Qingzhou was attacked, and many of Beiliang’s Youqun and Zhao Gou were killed. The main purpose was not to stop the Lu family from coming to Beiliang, but to distract Linzhou’s attention, ensuring my journey’s success. But that’s not enough. The imperial court instructed me to explain why there are two sealed letters only after you have decided to accept them. One is genuine, and one is fake. The one with darker vermilion sealing wax is real, while the lighter one is false. The fake letter is meant to be sent by the Envoy to the Beiliang Prince. Of course, one sealed letter alone is not enough to clear the Envoy of suspicion. Therefore, I must die, and Weaving Commissioner Li Xifeng must also die. In fact, the entire Jinlou Weaving Bureau must cease to exist from this day forward. But Li Xifeng accepted it. A weaving bureau gave the imperial court a new pillar of the state, while Beiliang lost a Jinglue Envoy. It’s worth it!”

Xu Hun spat out a potent suicide pill from his mouth, peeled it open, and revealed a small piece of paper. After breaking the pill and hiding the fragments in his sleeve, he read the paper, swallowed it, and said expressionlessly, “The day after tomorrow.”

Li Degong did not speak.

Xu Hun explained, “The Beiliang Prince will arrive in Linzhou the day after tomorrow. I will leave quietly today and return the day after tomorrow. At that time, the Envoy will hand me over to the Linzhou General’s Mansion. After my death, the Jinlou Weaving Bureau will dispatch a group of remaining loyalists and elite Zhao Gou members to escort the Envoy out of Beiliang. However, no more than eighteen people can be taken. To ensure a smooth escape, Governor Li must cooperate with us. First, you must relinquish the post of Linzhou Cishi and then remain in Linzhou for at least half a year. During this time, you should frequently go out for leisure to relax the surveillance of Beiliang’s spies. When it is appropriate for Zhao Gou to act, someone will naturally inform Governor Li.”

Li Degong sneered, “It seems the imperial court has conveniently forgotten about my son, Li Hanlin!”

Xu Hun smiled, “Prince Li has already received military orders to secretly travel to the Southern Court. He will first stay in Gusai Prefecture, then proceed eastward along the northern border of You and Liang prefectures into Jizhou, and finally meet Governor Li in the capital.”

Li Degong closed his eyes, gently tapping the teacup lid against the rim of the cup, and said with a touch of self-mockery, “Last time, Yan Jieshi only took sixteen people with him. The imperial court certainly values me highly.”

Xu Hun remained silent.

Li Degong chuckled, “Let me calculate. Now that I am already a second-rank official governing a region, there are not many positions left for me in Beiliang. In the capital, there are also not many positions available. Among the Six Ministries, except for the recently promoted Minister of Personnel, the others are not impressive. I suppose the fake letter will offer at best the position of Minister of Personnel, or perhaps something even more modest, like Minister of Revenue or Minister of Justice. But I am quite curious. Before opening the letter, I wonder what reward the real letter contains. Zhang Julu is in charge of the Shangshu Province and cannot be replaced. Huan Wen has just been promoted to the Menxia Province and is unlikely to change. That leaves only the Zhongshu Province. Besides taking charge there, it seems I might also receive the honorary title of Cabinet Grand Secretary. I have always loved official titles, but I never imagined I would one day reach the same rank as great figures like Bi Yanye and Sun Xiji.”

Xu Hun remained silent when he should not have spoken.

Li Degong smiled and asked, “Aren’t you afraid that I will hand you and the letter over to the Prince right now?”

Xu Hun calmly replied, “We are all going to die. What difference does it make if I die a few days earlier?”

Li Degong stared at him for a moment, then nodded.

“Thank you, Governor Li, for allowing Xu Hun to die where he should.”

Xu Hun deeply bowed, gently opened and closed the door, and quietly left the Jinglue Envoy’s mansion.

Li Degong stood up, walked to the table, extended his hand, and quickly withdrew it as if burned. Then he slowly reached out again, but his hand hovered a few inches above the two sealed letters, his expression dark and unreadable.