In the bustling water transport hub of Lingzhou in the Northern Liang region, crowds surged like tides.
This dock had been extensively expanded under the administration of the former governor Xu Beizhi. The Lingzhou bureaucracy was not without complaints about the wasteful projects that burdened the people—not just the dock, but also the massive granaries rivaling those of the Liyang dynasty’s highest grade. During his tenure, the “Rice-Buying Governor” was known for his grand constructions. Yet, who didn’t know that Xu Beizhi was dubbed “the Most Favored in Northern Liang”? Moreover, Northern Liang had no tradition of censors impeaching officials. At most, scholars in the bureaucracy and the military families grumbled privately, but no one was foolish enough to provoke the ire of the Qingliang Mountain.
Perhaps Xu Beizhi’s reputation in Lingzhou was truly abysmal, for when the new governor Chang Sui arrived and adopted a policy of rest and recuperation, the entire Lingzhou, which had braced itself for further chaos, felt as if bathed in a spring breeze. Praise for this scholar, a disciple of the sages from the Shangyin Academy, was effusive.
Today, under the escort of two hundred of Lingzhou’s finest light cavalry, two carriages arrived slowly at the dock. From them stepped two refined men in official robes—Chang Sui, the governor of Lingzhou and a prized disciple of the literary master Han Guzi, and Lu Dongjiang, the newly appointed Deputy Administrator of the Northern Liang Circuit and father-in-law of the current King of Liang.
Lu Dongjiang had risen to the third-highest civilian position in Northern Liang within a single year, largely due to his daughter’s status. However, Northern Liang’s bureaucracy was pragmatic and cared little for empty titles, unlike the Liyang court with its obsession with scholarly pedigrees and bureaucratic formalities. Though Lu Dongjiang now held the same rank as Song Dongming, their jurisdictions were divided—Lu oversaw Youzhou and Lingzhou, while Song managed Liangzhou and Liuzhou, creating a subtle rivalry. Recently, a member of the Lu family from Qingzhou had remarked at a banquet, “Just as the Zhang and Gu factions once vied in Tai’an City, now Northern Liang has its own Lu and Song factions—though ours is a contest of gentlemen. As for that Wang Linquan, a merchant reeking of copper—what is he worth?” This flattery, with its dual implications, resonated deeply with Lu Dongjiang, who had long felt out of place in Northern Liang.
Though Lu Dongjiang still harbored some resentment toward his ruthless daughter Lu Chengyan, his rapid ascent had broadened his perspective, and he gradually let go of past grievances. He knew full well that the Lu family’s continued prosperity hinged on Lu Chengyan’s position in Qingliang Mountain. Whether she remained loyal or severed ties, the Lu family’s fate in Northern Liang’s bureaucracy would be drastically different.
Recently, Lu Dongjiang had even considered inviting his daughter and son-in-law back for the New Year. After all, family should stick together in tough times. Even if Xu Fengnian was now a prince, surely sharing a harmonious New Year’s meal wasn’t too much to ask?
Unlike the Deputy Administrator’s pristine official robes, Governor Chang Sui’s attire was worn and wrinkled, his once-fair complexion now sun-darkened. Standing side by side, the older but well-preserved Lu Dongjiang appeared the younger of the two. Though their ranks—deputy administrator and governor—were both high-ranking positions in Liyang, the former was a central court official, while the latter governed a region, still a step below. However, Lu Dongjiang was a renowned scholar of the Central Plains, and though he might put on airs with other governors, he treated Chang Sui—a disciple of Han Guzi, a famed scholar of the Shangyin Academy, and Xu Wei’s senior—as a kindred spirit, engaging warmly in conversation.
As the Deputy Administrator overseeing Lingzhou and Youzhou, Lu Dongjiang was aware of the Liyang water transport situation. The court had promised to deliver a million dan of grain to Northern Liang before autumn, yet less than half had arrived in three sporadic shipments, barely totaling four hundred thousand dan. The Liyang water transport system had two main routes, with the horizontal line centered on the Guangling River and Xiangfan City in Qingzhou as a key hub. But no one had expected the young Prince Zhao Xun to rebel alongside Prince Yanchi Zhao Bing and Prince Shu Chen Zhibao, even being proclaimed the new emperor. This left the Zhao court losing control over most of Jing’an Circuit, delaying grain shipments further. Lu Dongjiang could only lament the ill-fated times.
Chang Sui led Lu Dongjiang to the riverside, where boats crowded the water so densely one could almost walk across them. The bustling activity on both shores surprised Lu Dongjiang.
Chang Sui revealed the truth: “The Liyang court publicly claimed to supply Northern Liang with five hundred thousand dan before autumn, but in truth, our prince had agreed with Chief Minister Qi Yanglong on a million dan. In fact, under Qi Yanglong and Huan Wen’s personal supervision, nearly eight hundred thousand dan have already reached Lingzhou’s granaries. We merely claim four hundred thousand dan to save Liyang’s face.”
Pleased by the “favorable weather and clear governance” in his jurisdiction, Lu Dongjiang was delighted—until he noticed Chang Sui’s somber mood.
Chang Sui said calmly, “Lord Lu, as you’ve just taken office, you may not know the full story. Beyond the promised million dan before autumn, the court also agreed to deliver another two million dan afterward. But given the current situation, that seems unlikely now.”
Lu Dongjiang frowned. “With the Central Plains in chaos and Jing’an Circuit under the rebel Prince Zhao Xun, isn’t it understandable that the court struggles to deliver grain?”
Chang Sui shook his head. “Not quite. Jing’an’s main forces—its elite troops—were already depleted by Zhao Xun. The current governor, Hong Lingshu, is a leader of the Qing faction, and the deputy military commissioner, Ma Zhongxian, is the son of General Ma Fulu. Together, they could have managed the two million dan, even if not fully. But the fact that even two hundred thousand dan are delayed suggests collusion with the Zhao clan and nobles who’ve controlled Liyang’s water transport for twenty years. They don’t want Northern Liang to get those two million dan for free. In peaceful times, that grain would mean massive profits—now, in wartime, they can demand exorbitant prices, whether from the court or the rebel princes.”
Lu Dongjiang was stunned.
Chang Sui suddenly smiled. “Did you notice the shops along the main road on your way here? Their business rivals even Lingzhou’s capital. Aren’t you curious?”
Lu Dongjiang nodded. “As the saying goes, ‘In peace, collect treasures; in war, hoard gold.’ Before coming from Liangzhou, I heard Lingzhou’s wealthy families were selling antiques and artworks at bargain prices, even rare pieces thought lost in the Hongjia Northern Exodus. Many Jiangnan merchants have come to buy low and resell at astronomical prices back home, amassing fortunes. Frankly, I’m tempted myself.”
Chang Sui’s smile turned wry. “Oh? Then you must take a look. From the Dafeng Dynasty to the Nine States of the Spring and Autumn period—Lu Gang’s jade, Lü Aishui’s gold, Zhu Bishan’s silver, Bao Zhiran’s rhinoceros horn, Zhao Liangbi’s pewter, Wang Xiaoxi’s agate, Jiang Baoyun’s bamboo carvings, Yang Sun’s porcelain—any single piece would be a priceless antique. Yet now, on this unremarkable street in Northern Liang’s Lingzhou, such treasures abound. No wonder the saying goes, ‘While Central Plains’ martial masters gather at Wudang Mountain, Liyang’s scholars and connoisseurs yearn for Lingzhou City.’”
Lu Dongjiang’s interest was piqued.
Chang Sui, his expression cooling, teased, “But these shops first check buyers’ identification papers. Locals pay in silver, while outsiders… Well, let’s just say a clean-handed official like you might be disappointed.”
Lu Dongjiang laughed. “No matter. Even just looking is a pleasure. Like admiring a peerless beauty—gazing from afar is enjoyment enough.”
Chang Sui then led the Deputy Administrator to a nearby shop by the dock.
The shop was small, not even the size of a study in a mid-tier military family’s home. Yet the moment Lu Dongjiang stepped inside, his eyes widened in astonishment.
Treasures everywhere!
With his discerning eye, Lu Dongjiang hurried to an antique waist-high kang table with beast legs, atop which lay over a dozen exquisite items. He carefully picked up a lacquered wooden bowl adorned with interlocking geometric patterns in deep crimson.
His fingers trembling, the high-ranking official turned the bowl over—and sure enough, he saw the gilded inscription ” In the same cup of murky waters.” (Sharing the Same Cup) in bold relief.
The shop’s attendant, a burly young man, noticed the two officials but, seeing no entourage, paid them little mind. In Lingzhou, commoners were used to dealing with unruly military scions and pitied the often-disrespected civilian officials more than they feared them. Besides, in recent months, their humble shop had hosted many eccentric Central Plains customers, making the young attendant feel worldly. He stepped forward, casually lifting a delicate gold pot by its spout.
“Honorable sir,” he said cheerfully, “an elderly scholar from the Central Plains recently fancied this piece but couldn’t afford it. He begged us to hold it while he returned to Jiangnan to raise funds—but we didn’t oblige. If you like it, twenty taels of silver will do. Of course, that’s the local price. Outsiders pay more!”
Lu Dongjiang carefully set down the lacquered bowl and took the gold pot with cloud-dragon designs, examining it closely before exclaiming, “This is a genuine imperial artifact from the Southern Tang Dynasty! Even the arrogant Grand Preceptor Li Mi of Chu praised it as ‘Wine and spirit, toppling an era’! How much? Twenty taels?!”
The attendant grinned. “Twenty taels is enough. But we only take silver, not notes.”
Lu Dongjiang turned stiffly to Chang Sui. “Governor Chang, do you have any silver on you?”
Chang Sui shook his head. “I didn’t bring any.”
Lu Dongjiang’s face twisted in regret. “No! Please, Governor Chang, lend me some—a thousand taels! No, ten thousand! The more, the better!”
Chang Sui chuckled. “Lord Lu, no need for such distress. Objects like these are everywhere on this street. Not just here—from this dock along the river to the Guangling River and all the way to Xiangfan City in Qingzhou, every water transport hub has shops like this.”
Lu Dongjiang suddenly realized, aghast. “This… was the prince’s idea?!”
Chang Sui nodded. “Half of these came from the Xu family’s vaults in Qingliang Mountain.”
The Deputy Administrator, now half a member of the Xu family, stomped his foot and cried, “Prodigal! Prodigal!”
Chang Sui burst into laughter and left Lu Dongjiang in the shop, walking alone back to the dock.
Inside, Lu Dongjiang picked up a white jade bowl, holding it up to the candlelight. It gleamed like snow, with yellow speckles resembling scattered chestnuts, charmingly natural.
With every treasure he admired, he muttered, “Prodigal.”
Especially when he learned that outsiders could only acquire these items by negotiating with Liyang officials overseeing the Guangling River’s transport—exchanging grain for what should have been priceless artifacts, now valued at mere hundreds of dan.
Lu Dongjiang’s heart bled.
Meanwhile, Governor Chang Sui stood at the dock’s edge.
The world was dividing the Xu family’s wealth.
Would Qingliang Mountain’s riches scatter and never return? Never return!
Chang Sui didn’t know what the Deputy Administrator thought, but he knew one thing—he was willing to live and die for this Northern Liang.
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