Although Fu Hua was angered by Luo Wei for a while, she was not a brainless unmarried woman. She knew that Luo Wei’s words were not wrong, and still did what Luo Wei said.
After Luo Zhiqiu placated his wife, he went to find Luo Wei again. When he arrived at the door to the study room, he heard Luo Wei complaining to Luo Ze within. “What is mother thinking, wanting to compete with the Chang family? Does she suspect our Luo family is still not conspicuous enough? Isn’t it fine as long as we can live well with what we have? Should our lives have to be made for public scrutiny?”
“Xiao Wei,” Luo Ze said, “I can’t understand you at all right now, why are you that cautious? Is there anyone else wanting to harm our family? Who is it? (Who) made you so fidgety?”
“Second Brother!” Luo Wei felt anxious, yet didn’t know how to explain it to his older brother.
“No need to shout,” Luo Ze said, “If you have something to say, just say it. Xiao Wei, to tell you the truth, I still don’t understand most court matters. You tell me about it.”
Luo Wei thought for quite some time before finally saying to Luo Ze, “This is similar to going to battle for you guys, Second Brother. Isn’t there this saying ‘an arrogant army is bound to lose’? It is the same with conducting one’s behaviour; an arrogant, extravagant person will ultimately not have a good outcome.”
Luo Zhiqiu pushed the door and entered the room. Not waiting for his two seated sons to stand up, he said to Luo Wei, “What you said was correct, but you cannot speak that way to your mother. I know you disapprove of this marriage, but this is what his Third Highness requested. His Majesty has agreed, so father has no way to oppose.”
“Why disapprove?” Luo Ze felt even more puzzled, “The grand wedding is in three more days. You all disapprove?”
“I was just overthinking it,” Luo Wei gazed at Luo Ze with a smile, “Second Brother need not worry. How could our Luo family be harmed by anybody? However, Second Brother needs to keep in mind that occurence in the Western Mountains hunting grounds. Don’t be outplayed again someday.”
“You said that Su Jing was the Second Highness’s cohort,” Luo Ze said, “If you hadn’t said to keep him, I would have driven him out of the Capital army long ago.”
“Wasn’t this Su Jing the one who led you to the mountain pass—otherwise how would Second Brother have encountered Consort1 Xu?” Luo Wei spoke, “Do I even need to say whose follower he is?”
“Then why must I keep him?” Luo Ze said, “When I see him now, I feel uneasy all over.”
“If you drive him out, his Second Highness will pull someone unknown to us to fill his place. Then we might as well just let Su Jing stay in the capital’s army.” Luo Wei said, “This way, we will know who we are guarding against. Moreover, Second Brother had just been penalised. If you turned around and punished the subordinate who led the way, if word gets out, what will others say about Second Brother?”
“It’s as if (you) were born to be a worrywart,” Luo Ze snarked.
Luo Zhiqiu took a look at these two sons, and thought of the eldest son who was still on his way to the capital. Two of his sons thought too little, while one son thought too much—if these three sons redistributed their temperaments more uniformly among them, it would be better. “Your mother will do according to what you said,” Luo Zhiqiu said to Luo Wei, “She regards (Luo Wan) as her own daughter, it would be difficult to not want the best for her. You should try to understand her a bit.”
The young page from Luo Ze’s courtyard came to find him at this time. Generals from the army came to visit Luo Ze.
“I’ll go to receive the guests,” Luo Ze had to leave first. After he left Luo Wei’s study room, Luo Ze finally recalled that he had followed Luo Wei there for the purpose of ameliorating Luo Wei’s relationship with Fu Hua. Luo Wei’s relationship with his mother had always been fluctuating without warning. When Luo Wei went to Northern Yan, Fu Hua worried everyday, and could not help kneeling daily in front of the Bodhisattva in prayer. Now that Luo Wei was here in person, he became an opponent again. Luo Ze had not anticipated that before he could get a few words in, he would get lectured for another round by Luo Wei.
“The second young master is going back?” Xiao Xiao, who stood in the yard, saw Luo Ze had just come outside, and quietly asked Luo Ze, “What happened to our young master this time? Why does (your) complexion seem so unpleasant again?”
“Go!” Luo Ze gave the back of Xiao Xiao’s head a push, “Go ask your young master yourself! Where did you learn to gossip behind people’s backs, you little brat?”
Xiao Xiao was someone who did not fear a beating. When he was shoved back a few steps by Luo Ze, he drew close in front of Luo Ze again, “I heard that my young master had been told off by the madam.”
“No such thing happened,” Luo Ze while uttering those words, in his mind he was thinking, it would have been better if mother did indeed admonish that son! He took a few steps forward, noticed that Wei Lan’s bedroom door was open, he stopped again and asked Xiao Xiao, “Your Wei-dage is inside the room?”
“What is he doing?” Luo Ze feared he had misheard.
“He’s practising writing,” Xiao Xiao said, “Wei-dage’s characters were all personally taught by the young master. His writing is quite good, they look just like the young master’s.”
“There was even such a thing?” Luo Ze inquisitively strode into Wei Lan’s room. He heard that nobody in the Qilin Villa shadow guards was literate, yet this Wei Lan was educated?
“Second young master?” Wei Lan heard the sound of Luo Ze’s footsteps entering the room, put down the brush in his hand, and was about to salute Luo Ze.
“You’re still standing on ceremony with me?” While talking, Luo Ze arrived in front of Wei Lan’s desk where he was practising writing; it did indeed seem almost a perfect resemblance of Luo Wei’s handwriting. “My younger brother,” Luo Ze held Wei Lan’s writing in his hands, and said to Wei Lan, “I let him teach You’er to write when he had time, and he told me he wasn’t free. Did he not teach you how to write?”
Wei Lan quickly replied, “I have always accompanied the young master, so I was able to learn to write.”
“I’m not blaming you,” Le Ze could discern Wei Lan’s defensive justification for Luo Wei, and laughed, “It seems like here in this courtyard, I am not allowed to criticise our little Marquis Luo. A few of my friends from the military have come to visit. Lan, you can come with me too.”
“I should also go?” Wei Lan did not understand why Luo Ze wanted him to go meet with Luo Ze’s friends.
“Let’s go,” Luo Ze placed the fine paper filled with writing he had been holding back onto the desk, and said, “Are you thinking of scoring to become the next Zhuangyuan2? Lan, ah, since Xiao Wei is that fond of you, he won’t have you simply be a bodyguard for the rest of your life. This is to let you be acquainted with more generals in the army; it’s for your own benefit. Come with me.”
“I-” Wei Lan stood there without moving. It was already serendipity that he could be Luo Wei’s bodyguard for the rest of his life. What else could he hope for?
“Let’s go,” Luo Ze did not wait any longer. Walking outside the room, he said to Wei Lan, “You won’t listen to what I said?”
Luo Ze was also a master. Wei Lan couldn’t disobey his words, and could only go with Luo Ze.
“I just cannot comprehend Xiao Wei’s affairs with those literary officials,” Luo Ze said while walking with Wei Lan, “However in the army, it’s not as simple as a bowl of plain water3. You also need friends so that there will be more doors of opportunity, perhaps even Xiao Wei doesn’t know that.”
When Wei Lan heard Luo Ze say this, his interest was piqued, and asked Luo Ze, “There are even things that the young master doesn’t know?”
“Of course,” Luo Ze said, “I’ll ask you: who should you never offend in the army?”
Wei Lan said, “The Grand Commandant?”
“Wrong,” Luo Ze shook his head.
“Isn’t the Grand Commandant of the three armies the highest official in the army? Is there anyone with a higher position than the Grand Commandant?”
“The official in charge of transporting grains and provisions, the quartermaster, and the medical officer–these three officials are the ones you must never offend.” Luo Ze frankly explained to Wei Lan.
“Don’t these people also have to listen to the Grand Commandant?” Wei Lan asked. While he was in Luo Qi’s army, he had not witnessed what Luo Ze said of these three types of officers having such awe-inspiring authority.
“I’ll slowly explain it to you then,” Luo Ze was not someone who liked to lecture others, but at this moment he patiently started to instruct Wei Lan on the Way of the military. He saw how Luo Wei treated Wei Lan, and certainly thought that Wei Lan could become the next Ning Fei.
In the study room after Luo Ze had left, Luo Zhiqiu finally began to properly discuss the issue with Luo Wei.
“Wan’er is one who doesn’t cause trouble,” After Luo Zhiqiu told Luo Wei about some important personnel transfers and promotions within the imperial court, he spoke to Luo Wei again about Luo Wan, “You don’t need to worry about her engendering anything inappropriate.”
“Then what is his Third Highness’s intention?” Luo Wei said, “Previously, I have not perceived him as being at all close with our family. Now he took the initiative to marry a daughter of the Luo family. How did he have this change of heart?”
Luo Zhiqiu admonishingly gestured at Luo Wei. Some matters were fine just understanding it within one’s mind; there was no benefit to everyone in saying it aloud.
Sorry it’s a day late.
1. 徐氏侧妃: more specifically, (Long Xuan’s) side-consort from the Xu family. Recall the hunting grounds incident of Ch. 138. A side-consort is a wife that is lower in rank than a principal wife and ranked above a concubine. A side-consort, unlike a concubine, has the potential to become a principal wife. [Return]
2. 状元: top scorer in the imperial examinations. [Return]
3. 一碗白开水: something that can be clearly seen through. [Return]
The grass grew longer and the warblers flew1, spring had come to full-term in the blink of an eye. After Su Shiyu left the capital for the inspection expedition, the Chu faction unexpectedly didn’t make any movements. The various boards went about their business as usual, and all was well and stable at court. At the same time that the officials heaved a sigh of relief they were also holding in a breath secretly because they deeply felt this was also strange; it could be seen how difficult this was. They arduously kept up this state for a nearly a month, waiting until things happened at Huainan, then waiting until they received news of the Grand Secretary preparing to return, before it suddenly dawned on them, that Chu Mingyun had really kept within his bounds for so long; he was decisive when discussing business, upholding justice and keeping order, leaving nothing people could reproach him for– it’s just that these days the Grand Marshall always seemed to be a little irritable.
Chu Mingyun propped up his forehead with a single hand, and casually put aside the letter on the table. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he didn’t even look up as he asked: “Is there any news from Su Shiyu’s side?”
“……Shige.” The footsteps suddenly halted, and there was a strange note in Qin Zhao’s voice.
Chu Mingyun lifted his eyelids and looked over, “En?“
Qin Zhao looked at him with a complicated expression, and after a moment of hesitation he said: “…..You’ve already asked that seven times in the last two days.”
“Have I?” Chu Mingyun lifted his brows lightly, and continued to speak without any change in expression: “How come there isn’t any news even after I’ve asked seven times?”
“Su Shiyu is already on the way back, there wasn’t any incident, so of course there isn’t any news.”
Chu Mingyun nodded expressionlessly, Qin Zhao went up to the desk to put down the report, “Zhou Yi wrote this after he went to take up his duties, said circumstances at the Western border are already within control2 now.”
“En.”
Qin Zhao’s movements suddenly paused, and inhaled a deep breath, then looked at the fortune beast incense-burner lightly wafting smoke, curling upwards in thin threads. He said with some surprise, “Shige, you changed fragrance?”
“En, calming incense3,” Chu Mingyun cast him a glance, “How is it?”
“It’s not bad.”
“Wo–?” Those white fingertips tapped incessantly on the head of the beast outlined in gold, each tap making a light clink. Chu Mingyun said, “How come I feel like this is lacking something, it’s a little bland and odorless.”
“Calming incense has always had this sort of smell.” Qin Zhao said.
“But it wasn’t like this whenever I smelled it back then.” Chu Mingyun sub-consciously responded as he stared at the incense burner.
“Where did you smell it before this?”
A name passed between his teeth, and he almost said it before he stopped himself. Chu Mingyun froze, and immediately regained his wits, retrieving his hand, and ended the topic with a non-committal reply.
After he finished reporting matters in a simple manner, Qin Zhao left.
The patter of spring rain on the roof’s exterior, a blue veil over the Wutong tree4. The fragrant mist and warm smoke entangled within the room, silently binding the unbidden thoughts.
Chu Mingyun lazily leaned against the backrest of the chair, and after a moment picked up the letter at the side, absent-mindedly reading over it word-by-word again.
‘This is the last report,’ The shadow guard who followed wrote, ‘Su Shiyu has already disembarked from Huainan, everything went smoothly without a hitch.
Everything went smoothly without a hitch.
Everything in this past month, including the case of the Huainan King, all went so smoothly, unexpectedly smooth.
When Su Shiyu first arrived, the Huainan King refused in utmost to greet him at the border. The city gate was tightly closed, it was clear how rigid an attitude they had. And there were even troops heavily deployed in the city, creating an opposing formation to the Southern border army Su Shiyu had gathered. The tension was as pulled as taut as a thread by both sides, and mounted with each passing day, seeming like it would explode with the slightest provocation.
But everything overturned within one night.
Over ten thousand elite soldiers took off their armour [T/N: not sure if this is more figurative as in they put down their arms] in unison, the vermillion city gate opened wide; and under the clammy moonlight a man walked out on bare feet, seal raised above his head and coming forward to surrender.
That man proclaimed himself to be the Huainan King’s strategist, and that he was only aiding and abetting such evil-doing5 and rebelling because he was coerced by said king; that he could hardly withstand how it was hurting his conscience. Seeing how the Huainan King was not only commiting heresy and treason but also bringing disaster to the civilians by sealing the city, he resolutely plotted with someone to assassinate the Huainan King, then came to open the city gates and welcome the Grand Secretary without a moment’s delay.
He knelt beneath the towering city walls, and recited his crimes in full: using the opium to implicate Tan Jing, setting up the Eternal Joy Casino in Chang’an, sending Su Xing to assassinate government officials, blackmailing Ji Heng to ambush Mulahe, aiding the Huainan King to stir up troubles.
He said that since most of these malicious plots were his handiwork, he knew he could not avoid a death sentence, and it was only right that he compensate with his life for all the people killed, only pleading that Su Shiyu could have mercy, and let off those loyal and brave soldiers that were kept in the dark and the entire city’s innocent civilians.
This one speech resounded with power, and at the end of these words he kowtowed for a long moment.
There were soldiers with reddened eyes behind him, making the patrolling escort mutter a few lamentations.
Yet Su Shiyu looked calmly at the decapitated head of the Huainan King, the frozen expression on that face that was streaked all over with blood had eyes bulging with violent rage and grievance, in the shadowed light of the gloom it was ferocious and ghastly.
After a long while, Su Shiyu spoke up blandly: “When did I ever say I wanted the Huainan King’s head?”
The strategist lifted his head, and as soon as he opened his mouth he listed in order the ten crimes of the Huainan King, each unpardonable, and marking him neither loyal nor benevolent, with no conscience to speak of, by any human’s standard he was deserving of death.
Su Shiyu looked at him silently for a moment, then smiled faintly, and no longer elaborated.
Huainan was left temporarily to the management of the protectorate general of the Southern border’s army, and after Su Shiyu sorted and collected the evidence he was in no hurry to leave, rather ordering people to investigate the entire territory. He discovered more than a hundred mu6 of opium poppy fields, and after that personally supervised their burning7, till they were destroyed in absolute.
That strategist suddenly hurried over and sought an audience on the last day, greeting Su Shiyu extremely solemnly, (T/N: this could mean that he was kneeling or bowing deeply) and repeated his plea to spare the innocent once more in a resounding voice. Then, turning around he swung himself, leaping into the blazing sea of flames that was the ignited poppy fields. The inferno grew for a moment, and the figure of a person turned to ash within moments.
Within the city of Huainan, everyone tsked and sighed, saying that that strategist wasn’t a evil person after all, he was one with sentiment and righteousness.
Chu Mingyun snorted upon hearing this. Amidst the scene of chaos at that time, the shadow guard paid special attention to Su Shiyu’s reaction. The Grand Secretary who was being fought over by the inspection retinue in a protective circle only froze slightly, then lowered his eyes and laughed lightly with unknown meaning.
Others did not know what Su Shiyu meant, but Chu Mingyun particularly understood: Before contact could be made the Huainan King was dead, ending all opportunities to interrogate him in detail. There was no way to tell whether that strategist’s words were true or false, because he admitted guilt and killed himself before even being escorted to the capital for the hearing.
This was again another round of theatrics where the suspects died and no testimony was left.
This case appeared to have gone smoothly, and even had some inspiring and moving embellishments since justice was served, but in truth other than a head and a handful of bone-ash they had no other gains. Su Shiyu didn’t encounter a dangerous scenario, and it wasn’t the trap to ensnare the suspect with his own actions like they expected. The contradictions between the irrefutable evidence and the suspicious motive grew deeper, yet there was no longer any avenue to set about [investigation].
If they were not overthinking it, then unfortunately this case wasn’t as simple as what was shown to the common people.
The cause for suspicion was revived, but even thinking about it yielded no solution.
Chu Mingyun stared at the snow-white letter and spaced out, his gaze subconsciously landing on that person’s name, the traces of ink carving out thin strokes, each sweep, curve and downward slant8 revealing that gentleness.
One could just envision the humid gentle Southern winds passing between his fingers, the faint hint of a smile hidden between flaps of his flying sleeve; the flame-coloured poppy flowers in front of him incinerated into flitting butterflies fleeting in the wind, the mountain fires stretching unbroken for ten li (~5km), brilliant and inextinguishable. It was boundless elegance.
— Then Master Su should remember to return sooner, lest my longing becomes lovesickness.
It was obviously a coincidental turn of phrase, a he joke made unwittingly. The spring rain outside the window grew larger, making a sound with each time it knocked on the Wutong leaves, falling below the eaves. Chu Mingyun suddenly put out the incense burner with a cup of cold tea, threw the letter onto the table, and raised his hand to press between his brows. Longing becoming lovesickness, what kind of joke is that. ……who would actually think of him.
After a few days passed, Chang’an didn’t get to wait for the Grand Secretary, but rather the arrival of an unprecedented guest. An embassy visit from the Xiongnu, and the ambassador was even the Ninth Prince Yuwen Sun9.
Since the start of the dynasty, Daxia was at constant war with the Xiongnu; who knew how many loyal souls were lost in the dusty wilderness of Mongolia10, the heaping bones along Wuding River’s banks that all belonged to Daxia. Even the ladyfolk, young and elderly gnashed their teeth and pounded their chests11 when mentioning the Xiongnu. Even if because of Chu Mingyun in these recent years the Xiongnu had a reason to avoid acting out rashly, both sides of that border remained a strictly-defended stronghold, and no intercommunication and dealings had ever been allowed.
Yet now the Xiongnu had suddenly sent a prince over here; the court was astounded, and hurriedly received them according to customary etiquette, at least not disgracing their demeanour. The ninth prince Yuwen Sun’s spoken Han was unexpectedly accurate and fluent, andafter a simple rite was passed in the golden palace, he expressed their purpose frankly and straight-to-the-point12:
They wanted Daxia to carve out five cities from Xibei to be given to the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu‘s attitude was quite a clear display of arrogance. Simply put they were taking advantage of the opportunity while relations between Daxia and Loulan were troubled; half-threatening and half-negotiating as they attempted to haul some profits. And this Xiongnu prince was all the more a expert in rhetoric, speaking a whole round of sentiment, logic and reason in sequence; one could say that he was as eloquent as to make lotuses bloom from his brilliant tongue13. A strange silence fell within the palace, the officials of the court looking at each other blankly. After a moment, Li Yanzhen spoke up: “Then according to what Ninth Prince says, after five cities are carved out and acceded to you, the Xiongnu will promise to never invade again?” ”Of course.” Yuwen Sun smiled, “Actually we don’t really hold much of a grudge against Daxia, the many times we advanced southward was but to find a way to survive. You all also know, we have been nomads living off the grassland and water for many generations, sandstorms cuts off both these means of subsistence; but we can’t let so many people in the tribes just starve to death. So many people died fighting battles southward, but only snatched a bit to eat, it’s truly not worth the cost, but there isn’t any other way either. He paused, and said: “I’ve heard that the emperor of Daxia is magnanimous, Father is also unwilling to continue the war, and so quickly sent me to negotiate peace with you.” Li Yanzhen didn’t manage to reply before Chu Mingyun said coldly: “Since you’re here to negotiate peace, then naturally [we] are on equal terms; what right does the Xiongnu have to make us accede territory?” ”Didn’t I already say earlier, we had no choice but to go to war in order to live. Daxia’s lands are expansive and fertile; divvying out a bit is no great loss to you, but to us it would mean not letting people starve. Both parties can also avoid going to war, there’s no harm either way.” Yuwen Sun then added, “Besides we also heard that previously that just because a woman from Loulan died, his Majesty the Emperor was willing to compensate them with three cities. Yet we would be able to avoid the deaths of over ten thousand people for want of only five cities, surely this can’t be considered too much to ask?” These words were simultaneously hinting that Loulan had actually already made contact with the Xiongnu. Chu Mingyun’s expression darkened, Li Yanzhen quickly raised a hand to stop him from speaking, and said to Yuwen Sun: “What the Prince has said does have reason, but this matter is not a trivial one, We are unable to give you a reply immediately. You have made the arduous journey here, why not rest for a few days, and wait for the result of the discussions.” Yuwen Sun smiled and readily agreed, dismissing himself from the court, and was led to his residence by a palace maiden. On this end Li Yanzhen summoned a few high-ranking officials, moving to the Xuanshi Hall to have a secret discussion. Once all had taken their seats Li Yanzhen looked around him with a complicated expression, then spoke up: “……What do all of my beloved subjects think?” ”Does this matter even need to be considered?” Chu Mingyun laughed coldly. Li Yanzhen moved away his gaze to avoid that sharp edge, “What about my other beloved subjects?” After a bit of hesitation, the Minister of the Board of Revenue, whose hair had grown white at his temples stepped out of the rank, bowed deeply in greeting and said: “This Old subject thinks…we can consider it.” Chu Mingyun’s eyes darted over. ”May beloved subject go ahead and elaborate.” Li Yanzhen said. Wei Song seemed to ponder before slowly speaking: “The terms the Xiongnu has drawn, are actually not bad. Also since Xibei often experiences natural disasters throughout the years, requiring countless taels and grains needing to be drawn out for disaster relief each year, the country’s coffers are not quite flush any longer. If we were to accede it to the Xiongnu, this would save the trouble of disaster management. And those lands are barren, incapable of feeding that many Xiongnu people; it would just be a hot potato to deal with if we keep them, but if we don’t keep them…it wouldn’t really be a great loss to us.” ”Because Master Wei finds it troublesome, you can throw away those few cities’ civilians?” Chu Mingyun said coldly. ”How can you call it throwing them away,” Wei Song sighed, “With the Daxia’s power laid there, and the protectorate generals at the border, the Xiongnu also wouldn’t dare do anything to civilians.And not to mention, in recent years, a few lands like Liangzhou have merchants that have secretly been in frequent contact with the Xiongnu, their relationship is more harmonious than you might think.” Some harshness suddenly erupted from those deep-coloured pupils as Chu Mingyun said: “The lands I fought to death on the battlefield and sacrificed countless soldiers to reclaim, was just for you all to give out so freely?” The other officials had been sporadically whispering among themselves, and seeing the current state of affairs someone couldn’t help but sigh lowly: “It really isn’t easy for Master Chu, but after all present circumstances are not the same as the past, if both countries can negotiate peace and establish bilateral relations that could only be a good thing. Looking at it from the big picture, it is also so that there will be no more people sacrificed ah……” ”How do you know they will keep to their promises?” Chu Mingyun swept him a glance, then lowered his head and no longer spoke. Wei Song shook his head and said, “But if we don’t give it a try, how would we prove it to be genuine or not? A chance to break the ice with the Xiongnu doesn’t come easy, it won’t do [if we] can’t even dole out a bit of trust. ”Master Wei is so far-sighted, I truly don’t understand it.” Chu Mingyun laughed without any feeling. Wei Song glanced at Chu Mingyun, and sighed helplessly. Li Yanzhen also said undecidedly: “Since the Xiongnu have already come forward, and the one they sent is even a prince, it can be seen that they are indeed sincere about this, if we just reject them like this, the path to amiability will unfortunately be thoroughly broken ah.” Chu Mingyun slowly lifted his eyes upon hearing these words, and looked directly at the one seated upon the imperial throne within the palace, laughing coldly, “His Majesty is sentimental, yet unexpectedly can treat those under the heavens (the civilians) so heartlessly.” ”What does Beloved Subject Chu mean by this?” Chu Mingyun turned away his gaze, “His Majesty naturally understands.”
Li Yanzhen’s expression was not very pleasant, but he didn’t get angry14, simply looking at the people beside him, and hesitantly speaking up: “Judging by this, perhaps [we] should still……” ”Your Majesty,” Lu Shi stepped out of the rank and bowed in greeting, “This subject thinks Grand Marshall Chu’s words are reasonable, the Xiongnu cannot be trusted!” ”This……” Li Yanzhen looked at him. ”This subject will definitely not agree to this,” Chu Mingyun’s smile slightly dimmed, and said slowly, “May His Majesty be prudent.” Li Yanzhen’s desire to speak was then shut down. Wei Song bowed deeply in greeting, and said earnestly: “Your Majesty, the larger interests should be prioritised!” As these words were spoken, they were immediately followed by several chorusing in agreement behind him. Li Yanzhen was placed into a difficult position, seeing Chu Mingyun standing with his back straight, and staring right over at him without a hint of giving in, his heart quaked once, and couldn’t help but look towards the right anterior where the placement stood vacant. Chu Mingyun followed his gaze and looked over as well, his expression calming a little subconsciously, and for a moment nobody spoke. Li Yanzhen waved his hand, saying: “Forget it, forget it, this isn’t something that can be decided within a moment’s notice. Beloved Subject Su is already on the road back to the capital, it’s not too late to wait for him to come back before we discuss this further.” Among these few civil officials there were more from the Su faction, and naturally they had no disagreement with this, after responding in concurrence they looked towards Chu Mingyun in unison. It was only then that Chu Mingyun retracted his gaze, saying casually, “That’s fine too.”
Along the walkways of the palace, Wei Song slowed his steps, and then came to a complete stop. He held the railing and gazed distantly at the blue sky and green tiles, his troubled brows not easing. A voice suddenly sounded out from beside him, “Is Master Wei still troubled over the matter with the Xiongnu?” Wei Song turned his head towards [the sound] and realised it was the Minister of the Board of Works Yue Yuxuan. After Tan Jing was executed, he who had originally been the Assistant Minister of the Board of Works had been promoted to this rank. Wei Song steadily nodded his head, paused, and said: “Although Master Chu is a person of martial background after all, not being able to see the wood for the trees and not understanding the interests at large, but what he said…..is indeed somewhat reasonable.” ”How so?” “The civilians of those five cities, are at the end of the day Daxia‘s people, if we abandon them to the Xiongnu like this, perhaps it really is……” ”So Master Wei is troubled about this thing,” Yue Yuxuan laughed, “Master Chu is only finding excuses for his own self-interests, you don’t need to take his words too seriously.” Wei Song looked at him in astonishment. This person had always done things in a very low-key manner ever since filling in his current post, wandering in the boundary between the Chu and Su faction with no clear allegiance; not offending anyone, so who knows why today he would express an opinion so matter-of-factly, and he could not help but pursue it, asking: “Why do you say that?” Yue Yuxuan opened his mouth yet paused again, looking all around him, then getting up close and lowering his voice, “Master Wei doesn’t know this, but that Master Chu is a person from Liangzhou, now that you want him to accede his old homeland to the Xiongnu, he will definitely be unwilling, why would he bother with the interests at large.” ”So that’s how it is,” Wei Song nodded, “I was wondering why he would suddenly care so much about the sufferings of the civilians, it seems…..I overestimated him after all.” Yue Yuxuan laughed, “It is as Your Honour says, those military officials are all riding on a moment of gallantry, with no foresight to speak of. And what’s more, if we get on good terms with the Xiongnu, would Grand Marshall Chu still have his current standing? You can just listen to his words for the sake of it.” Wei Song muttered non-commitally, so Yue Yuxuan took a step back and parted in greeting: “The trouble Master Wei has taken, most of us understand, no matter what Master Su’s opinions are later, I will still definitely be in support of yours.” Wei Song was visibly moved, patted his shoulder and spoke no more, walking outside with him.
T/N: Joke’s on you, Chu Mingyun. Sorry this is 3 days late. I’m beginning to think that most of this novel is based in the Sixteen Kingdoms period (since you have Daxia) but borrowing elements from later dynasties. I discovered that my translations are still being uploaded to aggregator sites, so I might look into moving off WordPress and getting my own website. Please help support by donating on ko-fi so that I can raise a budget for the site :’)
1.草长莺飞- Idiom describing the scenery of spring in Jiangnan at dusk. Comes from《与陈伯之书》, a long essay-letter written by Qiu Chi advising the duke to return to Liang from Wei during the first years of the Liang dynasty. [Return]
3.安神香; mentioned in that chapter they were sharing a bed. [Return]
4. I suspect this is a reference to the line: 碧纱秋月，梧桐夜雨，几回无寐 from《撼庭秋·别来音信千里》which is a poem about the poet’s longing and missing their lover but not knowing when they will reunite. [Return]
5.助纣为虐 – literally, ‘to aid King Zhou in his tyranny’, a metaphor from the story about 商纣王 in《红楼梦》(“Dream of the Red Chamber”). [Return]
6.亩 – unit of measurement for area of farmland. 1 mu is equivalent to 0.165 hectares. [Return]
7.付诸一炬 – idiom meaning to ‘put a torch to something’. [Return]
8.横折转撇 – ‘heng zhe zhuan pie’ – referring to four of the basic strokes in writing chinese characters. [Return]
10.荒漠胡尘 – so strictly speaking it’s not exactly Mongolia, because this phrase is referring to all the lands on the Northern and Western borders where foreign tribes lived, including Mongolia. [Return]
11.切齿拊心 – idiom meaning to hate someone/something so much you have a visceral reaction to it. [Return]
12.开门见山 – literally, ‘to see the mountain upon opening the door’. [Return]
13.舌灿莲花 – idiom that literally translates as ‘tongue brilliant lotus flower’. [Return]
14.动怒 – more precisely speaking, this means that he may or not have gotten angry, but at least he didn’t express it is a manner that everyone has to stop the discussion to placate him. [Return]
The emperor, the princes, and the civil and military officers all left the city to welcome the great army upon their victorious return. The Imperial palace guards, the Feathered Forest1 Imperial army, and the Six battalions of the East and West were all mobilised; the spectacle was so large that it rendered people speechless. Outside the northern city wall, Luo Wei, who had been conferred Brocade Marquis on the spot, was doubtlessly the one in the limelight2 that day. The third young master Luo, still in his teens, had been bestowed the rank of marquis while also possessing outstanding beauty. That day as he walked past on the streets that had been rinsed clean, it was not known how many young girls’ hearts he captivated, or in how many young men’s hearts he invoked envy.
Soon after Emperor Xingwu, without reservations, awarded each of the subjects who returned from Black Frost City with accomplishments. The Luo family’s eldest son Luo Qi and second son Luo Ze, after Luo Wei, were also granted the title of marquis. Luo Qi was the Grand Commandant of the three armies this time, so to be conferred a marquis title for his military exploits was beyond question. Luo Ze’s marquis title conferment drew many remarks, however, Emperor Xingwu clarified in the edict that bestowed Luo Ze as the Dingwu Marquis, his conferral was because of his many years of service guarding the capital. This reason made everyone only able to whisper secretly behind their backs, not daring to speak openly in public.
Luo Zhiqiu’s three sons were all conferred marquis titles. The Senior Chancellor’s Luo estate was for a while unparalleled in their fame; the numerous visitors that came to offer congratulations and well-wishes nearly trampled down the Chancellor estate’s doorway threshold.
Luo Wei was not in the mood to pay attention to the liveliness at home. With the excuse that his body needed to recuperate, he did not go to greet the guests who came to add flowers to the brocade3, except for Zhao Henian—the Zhao clan brothers who were old family friends of the Luo family. Only then did Luo Wei come out to meet them for a bit; during the rest of the time he just stayed within his own courtyard.
Of course, Luo Wei could not have possibly slept the whole time he stayed in his own courtyard; he spent the whole day with Wei Lan so close they might as well be rubbing their fringes together4. Luo Wei did not go outside for several days after returning to the capital, and invited Ning Fei over to consult for a couple of days. Soon after, Great Zhou’s Jianghu gave rise to stormy waves, and Mingjian Villa was shut down by the authorities. The villa master Ning Shuying, from being the leader among the righteous martial arts community, became a criminal declared for arrest by the imperial court overnight. The Yu Zhou mine case, which had already been closed, was once again unearthed by local authorities. After (the investigations of) Yu Zhou’s officials, Mingjian Villa became the first aristocratic martial family implicated in the Yu Zhou mine case.
Just when people were still startled over Mingjian Villa’s tumultuous collapse, the martial families with close ties with Mingjian Villa were also investigated in succession. Commoners do not fight the government5—the people of the Jianghu were also merely commoners, even with many skilled heroic figures among them, yet when faced with this type of suppression from both above and below, there was not much they could do. Either they simply admit defeat at the mercy of others, or they abandon their families and businesses, desperately fleeing to the ends of the earth.
When the influence of one party collapses, there will be another new power to replace it. The people of the past thought it was the Qilin Villa’s turn to unify the Jianghu. No one expected the Qilin Villa to remain silent during this time, close its doors, instead passing their days honestly, maintaining an overall disregard for the Jianghu’s affairs. During these days, the biggest news people heard from Qilin Villa was that Luo Tingchao’s eldest son Luo Haisheng became gravely ill. This illness left him almost permanently in bed6, becoming handicapped.
Since the Qilin Villa’s master did not make an appearance, the various clans and factions of the Jianghu began another round of disputes. Anyone could become the martial community’s next Mingjian Villa. Another episode of bloodbath7 within Great Zhou’s Jianghu seemed inevitable. The memorial reported to the imperial court from the local officials all mentioned that the carnage among the Jianghu was increasingly intense.
Just when the people of the Jianghu had already gone berserk8‘, the feudal reign of Mingjian Villa was already dissolved by the local officials. All the properties of Mingjian Villa were returned to the already second-class ranked general Ningfei, who was granted a position as Xuanwei General, Ning Zizhou. The people of the Jianghu who had been killing to their hearts’ content finally understood that the presumed reinvestigation of the Yu Zhou mine case, which had rendered Ning Shuying—this type of figure in the Jianghu who stirred up trouble9—into a criminal by imperial decree, and raised such a ruckus, were all just a pretext for Ning Zizhou, this sixth young master who had already severed all ties with Mingjian Villa, to be able to take control of Mingjian Villa.
After Ning Fei obtained Mingjian Villa, shortly after, he married Xiangdong prefectural governor Fu Jingzong’s daughter10, and became the Quyu Fu family’s son-in-law. For a dancer’s11 son to rise to such a position like this today, people couldn’t help but sigh emotionally at Ning Fei’s good fortune and excellent future prospects.
Long Xuan watched Fu Yun displaying each piece of clothing he would be wearing on his grand wedding day while listening to the scouts reporting on Ning Fei’s wedding scene.
“Did the third young master Luo also attend?” Long Xuan asked.
“He went,” the scout replied, “except he did not go to the main hall, but only stayed in the rear hall.”
“You may leave,” Long Xuan had the scout retreat. It was as if he wasn’t concerned about Ning Fei’s wedding, but was concerned about whether Luo Wei had attended the occasion.
“Your Highness,” Fu Yun cautiously and gently asked Long Xuan, “Are you satisfied with the clothes?”
“These were sent by the Hall of the Gracious Phoenix,” Long Xuan said, “In what way could I be dissatisfied?”
Fu Yun didn’t dare speak. This time Luo Zhiyi simultaneously prepared for Long Xuan and Long Xing’s grand weddings. From Fu Yun’s viewpoint as a person who was entirely devoted to Long Xuan, Luo Zhiyi handled this issue flawlessly. Everything regarding Long Xuan’s was rushed here first, that Long Xing on the contrary, couldn’t see how much this empress cared about her own son.
“Go put them all away,” Long Xuan said.
Fu Yun quickly had someone come to put away all the items that were laid out.
Peace had finally been restored for Long Xuan when Long Xiang suddenly came to visit. Long Xiang was delighted about his older brother’s grand wedding. When he entered Long Xuan’s study room, he said to Long Xuan, “Brother, today I saw our mother.”
Long Xuan’s usually indifferent facial expression suddenly revealed astonishment at this. He said, “How did you enter the Hall of Blossoming Beauty?”
Long Xiang said, “I requested from the empress, and she allowed me to go. She also said that if brother wishes to see mother before the grand wedding, you can also go see her.”
“How was mother when you saw her?”
“Shang Xi from the Hall of the Gracious Phoenix followed, so I wasn’t able to get closer.” Long Xiang shook his head and waved his fist, “Mother was sleeping on a daybed. The curtains weren’t lifted, so I couldn’t see our mother’s appearance.”
“How does this count as seeing her?” Long Xuan said.
“What else could I do?” Long Xiang said to Long Xuan, “You’re the one who told me to respect the empress, otherwise our mother will have to suffer.”
“Then what did you say to our mother?” Long Xuan asked again.
“Mother said she was fine right now. She has always been taking the medicine sent by the Imperial Medical Ward,” Long Xiang repeated the words back like a parrot10, “She said that with the empress looking after both of us, she can be at ease and focus on her recovery. And also, she said she really missed the Empress Dowager. I also don’t know how the Empress Dowager is, so I had difficulty answering our mother.” When Long Xiang said this, he was slightly vexed again. “Brother, otherwise next time I will go request the empress to have her allow me to see the Empress Dowager.”
“You need Imperial Father’s decree in order to see the Empress Dowager,” Long Xuan said, “What use is there to seek the Empress Dowager?”
Long Xiang sat down in a chair across from Long Xuan and said, “Your place is so cold and cheerless. Long Xing’s place is much more lively. Brother, I saw that Luo clan’s daughter. That saying was so accurate, ‘Youyan’s beautiful girls are aplenty’—she was a great beauty.”
“Aren’t you so bored?”
“Not like I wanted to see. Yesterday, she was over at the empress’s, okay. When I went in, I only saw the profile of her face,” Long Xiang said, “I also asked the empress. This Luo clan’s girl is older than Luo Wei by a few months. She could be considered Luo Wei’s older paternal cousin.”
“So what?” Long Xuan said, “What exactly are you trying to tell me?”
“I’m saying the Luo clan is so impressive right now,” Long Xiang thought about it and felt it was unjustified, “If this time you had brought me along to Northern Yan, I could also establish an outstanding battle record. Even if I couldn’t compare to either you or Luo Wei, I’m at least stronger than Ning Fei? That brat managed to rise to second-class general rank in one go! What kind of reasoning is this?”
Long Xuan said, “Based on the way you currently idle around when attending the Study, you can’t compare to him!”
When Long Xuan mentioned attending the Study, Long Xiang stopped talking, and immersed himself in eating the snacks on the nearby tea table.
For Ning Fei to be able to receive a second-class general rank, Luo Wei must have exerted his resources considerably. On Ning Fei’s behalf, it could be said that Luo Wei exhausted all his tricks and scheming. Long Xuan also couldn’t see any reason for Ning Fei to not wholly dedicate his utmost to the Luo family. (Long Xuan) had originally believed that Luo Wei would destroy the Mingjian Villa, but had not anticipated that with a sleight of hand, Mingjian Villa would be sent to Ning Fei. This move was undoubtedly brilliant.
Next update on Tuesday will resume the normal update schedule.
1. 御林军: a division of imperial bodyguards. See more here. [Return]
3.锦上添花: figuratively, it means to be amiable when the other party is in a good situation; to lend a helping hand when none is needed. [Return]
4.耳鬓厮磨: sharing close intimacy, especially between men and women. Origin of this phrase is from “Dream of the Red Chamber.” [Return]
5.民不与官斗: the first part of a common folk proverb 民不与官斗, 贫不与富争后面几句 (commoners do not fight the government, the poor do not fight with the rich). [Return]
6. 都将与床为伴: the more literal translation of this phrase is “practically made him into the bed’s companion” [Return]
7. 腥风血雨: lit. foul wind and blood rain; reign of terror or carnage. [Return]
8. 杀红了眼: entered a state of mind where the eyes have turned red and only thinking of killing. [Return]
9. 呼风唤雨: chengyu, lit. call the wind and summon the rain. [Return]
