Fish Meat – Chapter 159

The Third Year of Zhao Wu

The Lamp Behind the Curtain, the Sword in its Case (18)

In summer, Runing was scorched by intense heat with parasols raised high. During daytime, merchants in both the East and West markets had sparse customers. Only when the sun began its descent from its zenith westward did crowds gradually emerge, and both marketplaces slowly came alive.

Originally, the Jinwu Guards would ring the bell for curfew at the Second Watch [9-11 PM], but with merchant caravans from the Liuhuo Kingdom arriving continuously at Da Yu, bringing many novelties that greatly enriched Runing’s markets, trade became increasingly active. Li Yanyi issued a decree to delay the curfew, granting great benefits to the Liuhuo merchant caravans, allowing them to prosper in Da Yu, encouraging them to continue trading despite the risks. Meanwhile, resources like gold and jewels from Liuhuo Kingdom trickled into Da Yu, helping this impoverished country gradually recover.

Seeing the benefits, Li Yanyi was eager to quickly complete the Path of Ten Thousand Directions.

The sooner the Path of Ten Thousand Directions was completed, the sooner more wealth would flow into Da Yu’s treasury.

Li Yanyi consulted with Situ Weilun and Grand Honglu [office of diplomatic affairs] Bo Lan, and all agreed to increase the service period. Throughout Da Yu, all slave-class citizens, both male and female, from ages fourteen to sixty would need to serve labor duty for three years.

With the new decree issued and labor duties sharply increased, the country’s largest workforce was entirely devoted to the Path of Ten Thousand Directions. Li Yanyi wanted to complete this road within the third year of Zhaowu.

She couldn’t help but hurry.

After Mid-Autumn Festival in the third year of Zhaowu, the Hu tribes in the northern borders began stirring again. Several battles had already been fought at the frontier, though these were merely probing attacks from the Hu tribes. With constant harassment and uncertain timing of full-scale war, Li Yanyi worried that Da Yu had barely stored any food, granaries weren’t filled, and the population was very thin. If war broke out again, not only would supplies be insufficient, but the population would be depleted. At that time, pushing for the new law of female-female marriage would certainly face strong opposition, making this already seemingly absurd law even more difficult to implement. Even if no one opposed it, Li Yanyi herself knew it was inappropriate.

The foundation of everything was gold and money! Li Yanyi knew how important money was, and knew that opening the Path of Ten Thousand Directions meant reserves of gold and market-circulating silver and jewels would pour in frantically.

She dreamed of it. The Path of Ten Thousand Directions must be completed quickly.

Meanwhile, the selection of northern frontier military commanders once again caught the attention of various central power factions.

Luan Jiang and other followers of Geng Bai submitted a memorial requesting to go to war, and Li Yanyi asked if they had suitable candidates for commander. Needless to say, Luan Jiang and others naturally nominated Geng Yu, Geng Bai’s legitimate eldest son [first son of the primary wife], to lead troops in the northern frontier against the Hu raiders.

Luan Jiang had already planned how to persuade Li Yanyi after her expected refusal, but surprisingly, Li Yanyi agreed against her usual behavior, greatly exceeding Luan Jiang’s expectations. However, the title Li Yanyi gave Geng Yu wasn’t Defender-General of the North [a second-rank commander position] or similar high command, but rather as Bo Qin’s deputy commander stationed at the northern frontier.

Bo Qin was the elder brother from a branch family of the current Grand Honglu Bo Lan, now forty-two years old and in his prime of strength and valor. Previously, Bo Qin was just an unremarkable Dongchun Changshi [an administrative position], but before Li Yanyi ascended to the throne, she had traveled far and wide, noting many talented individuals, with Bo Qin being one of them.

In his youth, Bo Qin had aspirations to serve the country, but unlike the Bo family of Runing, the Bo family of Dongchun was insignificant under the shadow of the powerful Xie and Zhangsun families. Under the official selection system based on birth, Bo Qin remained unknown, still just a Changshi at thirty-six or thirty-seven, nearly forgetting his youthful ambitions.

Others might have given up by then, but Bo Qin persisted, diligently practicing martial arts and studying extensively. Li Yanyi had people secretly observe him, and seeing he was truly capable, transferred him to Runing two months ago to train the Imperial Guards. Li Yanyi personally confirmed his great talent and exceptionally promoted him to Building Might General [a fourth-rank position], giving him the tiger tally [a military command token] to guard the border.

After enduring for so many years, Bo Qin finally saw his day of recognition. His gratitude toward Li Yanyi was beyond words; only serving her until death could repay her grace of recognizing his talent.

Geng Yu was born into a great noble family, and with Empress Dowager Geng’s elevation, the Geng family became even more prominent. As the legitimate eldest son, he had always been proud – how could he tolerate serving as deputy to a commoner? Geng Yu was utterly unwilling.

Geng Bai was also uncomfortable, but Li Yanyi’s exceptional promotion of Bo Qin made him sense something different.

Logically, neither Bo Lan nor Bo Qin qualified for their current positions, and Li Yanyi’s exceptional promotions would face questioning. That Li Yanyi could withstand the pressure and criticism from officials to elevate members of the Bo family showed her clear intentions.

Not only did Geng Bai sense Li Yanyi’s intention to heavily employ the Bo family, but Eunuch You also took notice.

“It seems Her Majesty has begun to be wary of the Wei family.”

The two blue-green peacocks in the Geng Mansion’s courtyard were eye-catching. Eunuch You gazed at the peacocks with narrowed eyes, looking rather inscrutable: “That’s why she’s heavily employing the Bo family, even entrusting such an important task as guarding the border to Bo Qin. Her Majesty wants to use the Bo family to check and balance the Wei family. Hehe, she’s finally opened her eyes.”

Geng Bai played with a gilt peacock-patterned incense box in his hands, his gaze never leaving its exquisite surface: “Something must have triggered Her Majesty to change so completely. She probably heard some news about the Wei family and dares not rely on them wholeheartedly anymore, so she thought of the Bo family. The rise of the Bo family doesn’t just hurt the Wei faction – do you think our Geng family won’t be affected? Hmph, Her Majesty found some rural nobody and made him Building Might General, even making my son his deputy, it’s truly infuriating.”

Eunuch You wanted to say more, but seeing the “new friend” sitting beside Geng Bai put down his wine cup and about to speak, he closed his mouth.

Having spent years by the Empress Dowager’s side, Eunuch You was very observant. From the moment they entered, he noticed this stranger’s distinguished bearing, and Geng Bai seemed to value him highly.

When Luan Jiang visited before, he was only given a small wooden table [low table for sitting], but this friend was different – his table was pure gold, and everything on it from cups to utensils was either jade or agate. What Eunuch You found most remarkable was the pink tourmaline ring on his finger. This ring was once Geng Bai’s prized possession, yet he had given it to this man, showing his high regard.

While appearing to watch the peacocks in the courtyard, Eunuch You was secretly observing this man.

The man wore a cyan robe, with a neatly trimmed goatee, looking around forty or younger. His complexion was ruddy, his thin lips carried a smile, and his whole demeanor was relaxed and at ease, unlike someone participating in important plotting for the first time.

“There’s more,” the man spoke slowly. “Bo Qin, having been exceptionally promoted by the Emperor, must be extremely loyal. The Imperial Uncle has been eyeing military power in the North for some time, and the Emperor is using this opportunity. Your son seems to be serving as Bo Qin’s deputy strategist, but in reality, the Emperor has bound him to the battlefield. If the Imperial Uncle acts against the Emperor, Bo Qin will certainly threaten your son’s life, leaving the Imperial Uncle powerless to retaliate, forced to submit to the Emperor’s will.”

The man’s brief words awakened Geng Bai, who finally put down the incense box.

Growing more alarmed as he thought about it, Geng Bai said: “Huaiyuan thinks more thoroughly – we absolutely cannot let my son go to the northern frontier!”

“This is Her Majesty warning the Imperial Uncle to withdraw early and stop coveting military power.”

Geng Bai said angrily: “I don’t want to covet military power either! But that Wei witch is implementing her Haina Reform, wanting to share power with a group of barbarians! My Geng clan has worked diligently for years, shedding blood and sweat to protect Da Yu’s realm – how can power be divided so easily! Today Her Majesty supports her reforms, tomorrow she’ll agree to eliminate my Geng family! Although the Bo family is being favored, they ultimately can’t compete with the Wei family. Old Wei and the Wei witch are targeting me! Targeting our Geng clan! Once the Geng clan falls, the Wei clan can monopolize court politics – won’t they work hard to reduce my power with their wolfish ambitions? I seek military power not for rebellion, but for self-preservation, just to have some means of protection when the Wei clan tries to eliminate us completely. Is even this not allowed? Why does Her Majesty care so much about outsiders? I am her own uncle!”

“Imperial Uncle, stop speaking such angry words,” the goateed man advised, “Although you’re honored as Imperial Uncle, in the monarch’s eyes there’s only the relationship between ruler and subject. She is the monarch and you are the subject, even if you’re her uncle.”

“…I naturally know this. Ah.” Geng Bai sighed deeply, “It’s all because the Wei witch has bewitched Her Majesty! The Wei clan should be cut into a thousand pieces!”

“Making the witch die isn’t actually difficult,” the man said, “Wei Tingxu is now in court, and since she’s taken office, there are more handles to grab.”

Geng Bai said: “But that Wei witch is full of schemes, I fear it won’t be easy to find leverage against her.”

“Wei Tingxu’s weaknesses may be hard to grasp, but finding leverage against another person is quite easy.”

“Oh? You mean…”

“Wei Tingxu’s close friend, Zhen Wenjun. Zhen Wenjun is now a close attendant to the Emperor, responsible for the Emperor’s safety during outings. This is a privileged position close to the Emperor, but also the most dangerous position where one could lose their head. If anything happens to the Emperor, Zhen Wenjun would be the first to be held responsible. As I know, Wei Tingxu and Zhen Wenjun are as close as gold [extremely close], if Zhen Wenjun is accused, Wei Tingxu definitely won’t stand idle. Zhen Wenjun is the key to driving a wedge between Wei Tingxu and the Emperor. Once the Emperor suspects the Wei witch, Your Grace need not exert effort – the Emperor will naturally have countless ways to eliminate her.”

“You!” Geng Bai wanted to say something but stopped, glancing at Eunuch You. Eunuch You immediately understood and closed all the doors and windows.

“You’re planning to assassinate Her Majesty?! And then pin the crime on Zhen Wenjun?” Geng Bai’s beard nearly stood on end as he pointed at the man.

The man smiled calmly: “Of course not a real assassination – Her Majesty need only suffer a slight flesh wound. Once Her Majesty bleeds, the Imperial Uncle can lead private troops to protect her, and then you can claim the highest merit for saving her. Of course, you can’t have too many private troops, or it would seem like rebellion – just twenty elite soldiers will suffice.”

“But the Emperor’s movements are always kept secret – how would I know where she’s going? Moreover, who has the ability to get close to the Emperor? Those women of the Zhuiyue Army around the Emperor are all formidable – I fear the assassin would perish before making the Emperor bleed.”

“Imperial Uncle need not worry about these details. If you trust me, let me handle it.”

Eunuch You stood aside, dumbfounded. Who was this person, so bold as to scheme against the Emperor herself! And planning assassination! If discovered, it would be a capital offense that would get entire families executed!

Geng Bai laughed: “How could I not trust Brother Huaiyuan! But…”

“But is the Imperial Uncle afraid?”

“What do I have to fear? Enter the tiger’s den to catch the tiger cubs [meaning: nothing ventured, nothing gained] – if we can bring down the Wei clan, it’s worth the risk.”

After the goateed man left, Eunuch You indirectly asked Geng Bai who the man was, why the Imperial Uncle trusted him so much, and whether he feared deception.

“Others might deceive, but not him,” Geng Bai said.

“Oh?”

“He’s Xie Fuchen’s man.”

“Xie Fuchen?” Eunuch You involuntarily covered his mouth upon hearing this name.

“Yes, he was one of Xie Fuchen’s strategists during his prime, Fang Huaiyuan, known as Lord Yunmeng. He stayed hidden with few knowing of him, and after Old Xie fell, he emerged and wandered the lands – actually, he was in exile. I had long heard of his exceptional talent and capabilities. It was a waste to see him so destitute, so I brought him under my wing with a bowl of rice.”

“A bowl of rice?”

“Yes, a bowl of rice. When people are destitute, they have no dignity to speak of. Getting such a valuable asset for a bowl of rice – that was my luck. It was also this Wei witch who brought down the Xie family back then. Yunmeng harbors hatred toward the Wei family; he wants the Wei witch dead even more than I do.”

Li Yanyi wasn’t confined to the Forbidden Garden; on the contrary, she frequently traveled between the Forbidden Garden and Huaichen Mansion, needed to visit Mount Wangjun for ancestral worship, and occasionally went to Yijing Garden to view flowers and go boating to lift her spirits.

Wherever she went, her itinerary was absolutely confidential, and the Zhuiyue Army always guarded her. Security was strict – getting close to the Emperor was harder than ascending to heaven.

As the Zhuiyue Army’s Central Commander, Zhen Wenjun had to follow Li Yanyi whenever she left the Forbidden Garden, ensuring the Emperor’s safety was her responsibility.

Today before departure, Zhen Wenjun received orders that the Emperor would meet Mengda Khan at the Grand Honglu’s residence, but when it was time to leave, Li Yanyi said she wanted to go to Yijing Garden to relax. The previous itinerary had been a feint, just an extra layer of precaution.

The Left Army responsible for scouting had already departed. Zhen Wenjun rode Xiaoxue at the front of the procession, followed by a very modest and ordinary carriage that looked like any official family’s transport.

Li Yanyi finally had time to brood inside the carriage.

Regarding the conscription of labor to build the Path of Ten Thousand Directions, Li Yanyi received countless memorials from various parties. Though none dared speak directly, between the lines were mountains of complaints against the massive increase in labor duties. Li Yanyi could hear wails of protest pouring from every memorial she opened.

She had anticipated much opposition, but without the slightest retreat, she rejected all these memorials and sent them back.

These short-sighted fools questioned her construction of the Path of Ten Thousand Directions as draining the pond to catch fish [meaning: seeking short-term gains at the expense of long-term disaster], but these old fools were like summer insects doubting ice [meaning: narrow-minded]. The benefits of the Path of Ten Thousand Directions couldn’t be seen overnight – if they couldn’t endure the hardships of its construction now, how could they taste its sweetness later?

Li Yanyi knew these ministers weren’t completely ignorant of her intentions, nor were they unaware of the many benefits the Path of Ten Thousand Directions could bring to Da Yu. However, since Wei Tingxu was the primary contributor to the Path of Ten Thousand Directions, their opposition to it was fundamentally opposition to Wei Tingxu. Which current high official wasn’t born into an aristocratic family? They all felt Wei Tingxu’s Haina Reform was sucking their marrow. Wei Tingxu had become the number one enemy of all great families, and they saw the Path of Ten Thousand Directions as an important handle to prosecute her. As for the road’s construction, these old ministers had likely calculated carefully, waiting to overthrow Wei Tingxu so they could take over, returning the benefits to the great families entrenched in the central government. Unfortunately, none of them had Wei Tingxu’s courage and vision. Right now, she absolutely couldn’t let Wei Tingxu be defeated by these fools. As long as the Path of Ten Thousand Directions was completed successfully, she believed that within ten years, Da Yu could return to its prosperous peak of national strength and public wealth!

Li Yanyi faced these people with towering ambition and without a hint of hesitation. Though no one in the world could constrain her, whether she was Emperor or Crown Princess, there was still one person who could affect her. Moreover, this person could make Li Yanyi obsess day and night, restless and agitated, without saying a word or showing their face.

Wei Tingxu also had times of miscalculation.

Previously, Wei Tingxu had Li Yanyi send word to the northern frontier that her arm was broken, hoping to use this ruse to provoke Ah Xin to return, but unexpectedly, Ah Xin still didn’t return to Runing. Strangely, they hadn’t seen any letters from Alai either.

Li Yanyi sent two more people to gather news from the north. The north was too far – even riding fast horses day and night, the round trip would take more than forty days, so it was normal that no news had arrived yet.

While thinking it was normal, she also found it unbearable. Li Yanyi even began to wildly speculate whether Ah Xin had truly fallen in love with someone else – why couldn’t even her broken arm earn a meeting with Ah Xin?

Remembering years ago when she had merely caught a cold with some coughing, when this news reached Ah Xin’s ears, she rode through the night for over a hundred li to find her. When they met, Ah Xin couldn’t help but burst into passionate tears. Recalling those many feelings from back then brought much emotion – she was no longer Crown Princess Huaichen, and Ah Xin was no longer her obedient girl.

To avoid crowds and hidden assassins within them, Li Yanyi always preferred taking small alleys.

As the autumn wind swept by, Zhen Wenjun sensed something was wrong.

She smelled an iron rust scent in the wind.

This scent came from weapons that had tasted blood for years, and it was the kind of smell that only appeared when many such weapons were gathered together.

“Stop.” Zhen Wenjun halted her horse.

Li Yanyi, sitting inside the carriage, found it strange that the carriage had stopped without her order.

She too sensed the murderous intent.

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