Chapter 91: The Son Of Heaven Flees West
The hall was empty and grew colder the longer I stayed.
Soon, an old eunuch entered the hall with a gilded tray, offering hot tea, but there was only one cup.
The tea cup steamed, seeming like a form of privilege, inexplicably making one want to drink it.
Empress Dowager Li personally took it, cradled the cup, and took a small sip. She said in a casual tone, “It’s late tonight, so I won’t keep you all. If you have free time, I’ll summon General Xiao to taste tea.”
“Thank you for Empress Dowager’s grace.”
Xiao Yi felt this woman was adept at winning hearts. First, she bestowed a great reward, then cast a small lure, deliberately creating a psychological suggestion that doing things for her would yield endless benefits.
But these were minor tactics; Guo Wei possessed true strength.
Empress Dowager Li glanced at him, seemingly disappointed by his calm reaction. She rubbed the rim of the cup with her fingertips and spoke slowly.
“Li Ye, Su Fengji, and others have deceived the emperor and thrown the imperial court into chaos. Summon Guo Wei, the Military Governor of the Tianxiong Army, to lead troops to ‘Remove Corrupt Officials’ and order all civil and military officials to their posts. The capital region’s military and civilians must not be disturbed. Wait quietly for Guo Wei to bring order… Draft the imperial decree.”
After the Battle of Liu Zibei, she represented the Imperial Court more effectively than Liu Chengyou, and regardless of how effective this imperial decree was, it was the Imperial Court’s stance.
With her words finished, Empress Dowager Li seemed to lose her strength, and the tea cup made a light “clinking” sound.
Feng Dao and Li Tao spoke in praise.
“Empress Dowager is wise. This old minister will immediately send someone to inform Guo Wei and arrange an escort to welcome Guo Wei into the city.”
“Empress Dowager is wise. This old minister will immediately send someone to persuade His Majesty… to come to his senses.”
Empress Dowager Li nodded and said, “You may all go.”
“This old minister takes his leave.”
“Your subordinate takes his leave.”
Xiao Yi had originally thought he would have to give Empress Dowager Li a long lecture tonight, but it turned out to be this simple; he was granted an official position.
Perhaps this was Feng Dao’s political wisdom: everyone benefits, and things proceed naturally.
Leaving Zi Chen Hall, he heard the palace clock chime from afar. It was only late at night, not too late.
The snow was still falling. Standing on the high white jade steps, he looked out. Although the lights in Kaifeng City were sparse, the distant city walls resembled a fire dragon.
This Imperial Palace was grander and more imposing than the Imperial Guard Headquarters.
“Let’s go.”
Silently, they left the palace. Li Fang was still waiting outside Cheng Tian Gate.
The carriage moved slowly.
Li Fang must have known the outcome by observing their expressions. He said, “The war and suffering of the people have been avoided. Duke Xin Chen and Duke Feng have done their best, and congratulations to Xiao Lang for adding new merit.”
Li Tao sighed, “The Empress Dowager considered the overall situation.”
Feng Dao was clearly tired and closed his eyes to rest.
Xiao Yi asked, “Why does Li Youniang have a connection with the Empress?”
Just as Li Fang was about to answer, Li Tao waved his hand and said, “The Empress Dowager did not lie to you. In the second year of Kaiyun of Jin, Li Song and An Shenqi were both Chancellors and jointly presided over the Battle of Anshui River. The women of both families had contact then. After that, Li Song was unjustly killed, and An Shenqi was demoted to Military Governor of Xiangzhou. Recently, Empress An heard of the whereabouts of her former close friend and invited her for a reunion, not with any ulterior motives.”
“So that’s how it is.”
Li Fang smiled faintly and said, “Are you reassured?”
“I am not worried, merely curious.”
“So that’s how it is.” Li Fang offered no comment but smiled faintly and said seriously, “It’s still busy tonight. Duke Feng needs to go to the Provincial Office to arrange matters for welcoming Marshal Guo. Shall we go together?”
“No.”
Xiao Yi had earned enough merit and learned a great deal from Feng Dao, so he intended to digest it slowly. He said, “It is more appropriate for me to return to the Imperial Guard Headquarters to maintain order.”
“As you wish.”
Li Fang was familiar with him and spoke informally. “Then I won’t see you off. Go ahead. Your official document and talisman will be sent to you shortly.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
The carriage stopped slowly.
Xiao Yi bowed and said, “Duke Xin Chen, Duke Feng, this junior takes his leave.”
Just as he was about to lift the curtain, he saw Feng Dao suddenly open his eyes and murmur as if in a dream.
“Dong Zhuo murdered the emperor and usurped the throne; the world united against him. It would be better if Emperor Xian resided in Xu, preserving the Han sacrifices.”
Xiao Yi paused his movements, understood the meaning of the words, and realized it was an indirect plea for him to advise Guo Wei not to kill Liu Chengyou.
Unfortunately, this Han was not that Han.
After getting out of the carriage, he walked back to the Imperial Guard Headquarters in the wind and snow. Upon entering, Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned by the scene in Yi Ting.
Boxes filled with gold were stacked, and four rows of Imperial Guards stood with their backs to the entrance.
A wooden frame was inserted into the pile of boxes, and on the frame was bound a… skeleton with flesh.
It was like the meat and bones hung in a butcher shop, but the difference was that Liu Zhu seemed to be alive, his scalp peeled back, yet his eyeballs were still moving.
Tang Jin was sitting by the campfire sharpening a knife. Seeing Xiao Yi return, he stood up and said, “Commander Xiao, look, we’ve hung it here. Let’s see who dares to steal the gold.”
Xiao Yi also felt a chill down his spine, but his tone was calm. “Good craftsmanship.”
“Heh heh.”
“Where is San Lang?”
“He’s sleepy and sleeping in the council hall.”
Xiao Yi walked through the long corridor behind the main hall and saw that the council hall door was open, with candlelight inside.
Guo Xin was not asleep. He lay on his back with his arms propped up, staring blankly at the beams.
“You’re finally back.”
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“I can’t sleep. I’m thinking about future plans. My mother always tells me to read more and plans to find me a wife. My second brother said he wants to travel to Yan Yun, Jiangnan, and Xishu. I plan to do this: travel for my second brother, and when I return, I’ll get married, have children, and then study. What do you think?”
“According to custom, don’t you have to observe mourning?”
“I don’t know. I’ll ask Mister Wei then. You’re here, let’s discuss traveling.”
Xiao Yi was not interested in this and did not believe Guo Xin could do as he pleased. He said, “It’s good that you’re not sleepy. Soon Feng Dao will send someone to announce the decree and deliver a message. You’ll let them out of the city.”
“Heh heh, are they behaving now? Don’t worry, I can handle this small matter.”
“I’m going to the side room in the rear palace to sleep. Call me if there’s anything important.”
“You, let’s sleep side by side…”
The side room where he had stayed last time was still there. The bedding was new, Meng Ye’s bloodstains had been washed away, and it smelled of mugwort incense.
After taking off his armor, Xiao Yi drew a basin of water, washed himself, returned to his room to dry off, examined his increasingly strong muscles, and massaged the accumulated lactic acid with his fingers.
Footsteps were heard in the corridor, steady, followed by the sound of a door opening. It was likely Guo Xin coming over.
Without turning his head, he said, “If you’re tired, don’t sleep side by side. Get some good rest.”
But there was no movement behind him.
Xiao Yi put on his inner robe and turned around. The door was still open, but no one was there.
On the ground, however, lay a new official document and talisman. Someone must have delivered them. Seeing him changing, they didn’t make a sound to disturb him; they were quite bashful.
He slept very comfortably, and even when he heard the drumbeats, he was too lazy to open his eyes until he was awakened.
“Commander… oh, I should call you General. General, Hu Deng has arrived.”
Xiao Yi pushed himself up and saw a man standing in the room with his hands clasped. His cheeks were chubby; it was Shou Tao, the soldier from the South City.
“Still call me ‘Commander.’ The Imperial Court’s appointment requires the Marshal’s approval… Have Hu Deng come over.”
“Yes, this humble servant has brought hot water and soup noodles for the Commander.”
“Was it you who delivered the official document and talisman last night?”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing. You may go.”
Xiao Yi quickly washed up, ate breakfast, and was putting on his armor when Hu Deng arrived. He eagerly stepped forward to help him, speaking rapidly.
“Commander, Xi Hou is closely watching Chigang. There’s no stopping the movements in the Southern Army’s camp. Old Man Hou Yi is leading the way, and the generals have all surrendered to the Marshal; they can’t accept them all. Last night, an imperial decree was issued in Kaifeng. Everyone thought the emperor’s brat had obediently surrendered, but the situation seems wrong.”
“How is it wrong?”
“The imperial chariot set off before dawn, with only Nie Wenjin’s banner following. But it neither went north to see the Marshal nor south back to Kaifeng. It turned west. Xi Hou is still watching.”
“Escaping?”
“The nation and state are here. Where can the emperor’s brat escape to?”
Hearing this, Xiao Yi couldn’t help but glance at Hu Deng, thinking that these words actually had some insight.
Hu Deng chuckled and said, “Commander, don’t look at me. Hu Zhaogu also has some literary talent.”
“Can you read?”
“No, I can’t read, but I like listening to opera. I used to have a lover who was a performer. Guess if they were male or female.”
“Female?”
“Commander, you’re truly divine! Everyone else guessed wrong.”
While they spoke, they did not stop their actions and left the side room.
They happened to encounter a soldier who had arrived, covered in dust, and said, “Commander Xiao, Secretary Wei has a message for you.”
“Where is the message?”
“It’s an oral message. Please lean in… Stop the Emperor.”
Xiao Yi was startled. He reasoned that Wei Renpu was sending a message because only the Nian Battalion was behind Liu Chengyou.
But where would they find the manpower now? He could only do his best.
He hurried to the council hall and woke Guo Xin without a word.
“You remain in the city. If you encounter the imperial chariot entering the city, stop it and bring the Emperor to see the Marshal.”
Guo Xin was extremely sleepy, unable to open his eyes. He mumbled, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m going to the city gate to check the situation…”
Passing through the main hall, in Yi Ting, Liu Zhu on top of the gold boxes was nowhere to be seen. Only over a dozen greyhounds were dozing by the campfire.
Tang Jin, with his giant body, had fallen asleep on the pile of boxes, snoring loudly.
Xiao Yi did not pick anyone from the Imperial Guard. He only took Shou Tao, Hu Deng, and his two scouts. He mounted his white horse, raised his spear, and exited the city through Suanzao Gate in the northwest.
Arriving at the city gate, he indeed did not see Liu Chengyou returning to Kaifeng; he must have already received the news.
He requested Jin Sanshui and Wang Jiu from the Nian Battalion under Zhang Mantun.
“Let’s go in the direction Xi Hou is heading.”
Not long after leaving the city, they met a returning scout who reported, “Commander, Xi Hou is heading towards Mutuo Hill.”
The group of riders then sped in that direction.
From afar, they saw Mutuo Hill and heard a whistle. Looking down, Xi Hou and a scout were waving flags, pointing to the other side of Mutuo Hill.
“Report—”
“Song Yanwo and Nie Wenjin are fighting over there!”
The ten riders converged and galloped up a gentle slope.
Xiao Yi reined in his horse and stood, looking out. Through the swirling snow and mist, both sides of the engagement were cavalry, banners waving, warhorses neighing.
