Chapter 86: Civil Officials
Kaifeng City had lost its former liveliness.
The houses and shops along the streets and alleys were mostly shuttered.
Xiao Yi could sometimes see eyes peeking from the gaps, sensing the city’s numbness and fear towards war.
The Shi Residence appeared at the end of the line of sight, its stone steps covered in thick snow, the main gate sealed with paper, and the bloodstains on the walls congealed into black, a scene of decay, the once bustling mansion of a powerful official now like a huge, silent tomb.
He felt no stirring within his heart at this.
It was only when he approached the Li Residence and saw the main gate tightly shut that he felt a twinge of unease, worrying that the traces he left when escaping the Shi Residence might have implicated the Li family.
Fortunately, the snow on the stone steps by the side door had been cleared, indicating that everything in the mansion was as usual.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Xiao Yi knocked on the bronze ring.
The gatekeeper’s eyes peered through the crack in the door, and a fawning voice came from inside.
“Esteemed sir, my master has retired from official life many years ago and does not receive guests. Please return.”
“Kindly inform Duke Xin Chen or Ming Yuan Xiong that Xiao Yi has returned from the north with a reply letter.”
“One moment.”
After a while, the side door was opened, and the gatekeeper welcomed them in before immediately closing the door.
Xiao Yi had been here once before, and without waiting for the gatekeeper to lead the way, he strode directly inside.
As he reached the corridor, Li Fang came to meet him, wearing a blue official robe. He seemed more composed and melancholic than before. Upon seeing each other, he stopped, placed his hands in his sleeves for warmth, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
“You are still as impolite as ever. Last time you climbed over the wall, and this time you barged right in.”
“The matter was urgent, so I did not stand on ceremony with Duke Xin Chen and Ming Yuan Xiong.”
“That’s fine, let’s settle accounts. I was thinking yesterday that the money I lent out should be earning interest.”
After a brief exchange, Xiao Yi had come close, a smile appearing on his face, and he bowed respectfully.
“Ming Yuan Xiong, I hope you have been well.”
“After only half a month, you’ve grown taller and much sturdier?”
“The food in the northern army is good. Just now I was worried if you encountered any trouble after I left that night.”
“I was able to resolve it myself.”
“How did you do it?”
“It was simple. I proactively informed the Imperial Guard that someone had trespassed into the mansion and fled north… I created many false trails.”
“Impressive.”
“The precious sword I gifted you, did you lose it?”
Xiao Yi was taken aback and replied, “I gave it to someone else, but I kept the sentiment of Ming Yuan Xiong.”
“I only hope that this sentiment is worth the price it deserves.”
“I wonder if this letter is worth it?”
Xiao Yi produced Guo Wei’s reply letter.
Li Fang’s eyes lit up, showing a rare look of surprise.
However, he did not take it, saying, “You can hand it to Duke Xin Chen yourself. He is currently planting plum blossoms and will come after changing his clothes. Hmm, I’ve also sent word to my cousin; I don’t know if she’ll come to see you.”
“Alright.”
As they spoke, they arrived at the study, but Li Tao had not yet arrived.
The two sat down, and Li Fang, without calling for servants, stoked the charcoal fire, warming his hands, and chatted casually.
In reality, he was probing for information about the northern army.
“Considering the time, you’ve returned quite quickly.”
“After all, the imperial army is like a bamboo breaking through, unstoppable.”
“Was it Dong Zhuo who came, or Cao Cao?”
“Who’s to say it wasn’t Emperor Wen of Sui?”
Li Fang paused and asked, “Do you have such a high opinion of him?”
Xiao Yi, having experienced it deeply, said, “The marshal’s ultimate evaluation will depend on who assists him. If there were talented individuals like Duke Xin Chen and Ming Yuan Xiong…”
“Hold on,” Li Fang raised his hand and said, “I don’t buy that.”
With a strong, hearty laugh, a figure passed by the long corridor outside the window and entered the study.
“Haha, Xiao Lang, you visited late at night last time, expecting the old man to be awake. This time you arrive before dusk, surely you know I haven’t eaten yet? Then stay for dinner.”
“Duke Xin Chen, I hope you have been well.”
Li Tao was still wearing his slightly worn dark blue crane cloak, and he sat unhurriedly behind the desk, not hiding the joy on his face, nor the worry in his eyes.
“Your junior has not failed in his mission and has come especially to present Duke Guo’s reply.”
“Good lad, I didn’t misjudge you. To go into a dragon’s den and return, you have courage.”
Li Tao stroked his beard and said self-deprecatingly, “In an era ruled by martial men, Guo Que’er is willing to write back to an retired scholar like me. This is truly rare.”
Xiao Yi recalled that if he hadn’t asked, Guo Wei had indeed not paid much attention to Li Tao’s letter.
He didn’t bring this up and instead clasped his hands, saying, “The Marshal has grand ambitions and a benevolent heart; he is not the same kind of person as Shi Hongzhao.”
“Is that so? Allow me to take a look.”
At this moment, Li Fang took the letter, opened it, and lit a candle.
Li Tao rubbed his old eyes and looked at it by the candlelight. His usually calm face gradually became solemn.
It was as if each word of the letter carried a heavy burden on him, and by the end, the wrinkles on his face deepened.
“A tiger and wolf-like army is at the city gates.”
After sighing this, he handed the letter to Li Fang.
“Ming Yuan, you read it.”
“Yes.”
After reading it, Li Fang sighed and said, “A good sentence: ‘Should Prime Minister Li hesitate, on the day the city falls, the officers and soldiers will be agitated from battle and difficult to control.’ Marshal Guo’s words are a threat to Duke Xin Chen.”
Li Tao asked, “Is this the difference between Guo Que’er and Shi Hongzhao?”
“If I may be so bold,” Xiao Yi said, “the Marshal is not threatening Duke Xin Chen, nor is there any need for him to do so. He is stating the facts.”
“Oh?”
Xiao Yi then truthfully explained Wang Jun’s promise, the soldiers’ enthusiasm for plunder, and Wang Yin’s opposition.
After listening, Li Tao closed his eyes, as if contemplating, or perhaps as if he was too tired and needed to rest.
Li Fang thought for a moment and suddenly said, “I dare to assert that when Marshal Guo ranks merits, Wang Jun will be ranked first and become Prime Minister, leading all military and political affairs.”
“Why?”
Xiao Yi believed that Wei Renpu was the one who strategized and worked tirelessly, and Guo Wei clearly trusted Wei Renpu more, treating Wang Jun with considerable politeness, addressing him as “brother” except when issuing military orders.
Li Fang explained, “Wang Jun was originally the supervisor, holding a transcendent position, and his prestige in the military was second only to Marshal Guo. Today, by saying ‘listen to ten days of plunder,’ he has won over the hearts of the soldiers without effort, his prestige growing even further, making it impossible for Marshal Guo to underestimate him. Once the great cause is established, he will undoubtedly be relied upon.”
“I see.”
“Not only that, but transporting grain and fodder from Ye Du, the cost of the journey is more than tenfold, and the national treasury is empty. The northern army truly has no money or grain for rewards. Once the war drags on, the only option will be to let the troops plunder. At that time, Wang Jun, who proposed allowing plunder, will only gain more prestige.”
Xiao Yi had already been puzzled why such a smooth campaign required plunder, and he had also had suspicions about Guo Wei and Wang Jun’s attitudes. Hearing Li Fang’s explanation now, he was enlightened.
“If that’s the case, the only way to prevent this is to quell the rebellion as quickly as possible, isn’t it?”
Li Tao, without opening his eyes, retorted, “What if Guo Que’er goes back on his word?”
“He won’t,” Xiao Yi said. “Although the Marshal is in a difficult position, he is absolutely not that kind of person.”
“At that time, he will be the butcher, and the entire city’s populace will be the meat. How can promises have any use?”
“Can Duke Xin Chen trust me? I traveled a thousand miles back and forth without breaking my word. I trust my judgment.”
This time, Li Fang was decisive. He turned to Li Tao and bowed deeply.
“Duke Xin Chen, at this point, there is no other way. To relieve the suffering of the common people, we can only help Marshal Guo stabilize the situation as quickly as possible and cease hostilities. This matter is not about loyalty or integrity, but solely about the lives of the city’s populace. I hope you will make a swift decision.”
Xiao Yi cooperated in time, saying, “Ming Yuan Xiong is absolutely right. Surrendering the city as soon as possible will preserve the court’s dignity and prevent the massacre of innocent lives.”
Li Tao let out a long sigh and murmured, “Heaven’s mandate is not constant; it favors the virtuous.”
After that, there was a silence of about three breaths.
The old man opened his eyes.
“Xiao Lang, I am merely a scholar who has resigned from office. What do you expect me to do?”
“The junior did not enter the city alone. My five hundred elite soldiers have now completely secured the South Gate and have captured and persuaded the commander of the Imperial Guard in the city, Li Hongjian…”
“What?” Li Tao exclaimed in surprise, “You have actually achieved this much?”
“Indeed,” Xiao Yi said with a composed expression. “I intend to execute Li Ye and Liu Zhu. This will put an end to the chaos in one fell swoop. Duke Xin Chen only needs to contact the esteemed officials in the court, persuade Empress Dowager Li, and when the Marshal arrives, ride out to welcome him. Once the nominal authority is established, Kaifeng will be peaceful.”
Last time, on the minor matter of whether to save Xiao Yi, Li Tao’s power seemed like a towering mountain; now, with Guo Wei’s army approaching, Li Tao’s power had become as thin as a dead leaf.
With no room for hesitation, he finally nodded and said, “Very well, I will come forward to persuade the esteemed officials of the court and Empress Dowager Li.”
Xiao Yi bowed again and said, “Since that is the case, everything is entrusted to Duke Xin Chen.”
“It’s difficult for you to still give me face. Actually, I understand that no one can stop Guo Wei from entering the city. In this world, civil officials are as light as feathers. Your visit here is more to repay my kindness.”
“No,” Xiao Yi said earnestly. “It is said that the Son of Heaven is whoever has the strongest army, yet we see the Son of Heaven change like flowing water. Life is too difficult. For the world to improve, relying only on military might is not enough. Civil and military integration is the path to lasting peace. I am here today to sincerely ask all the civil officials to come forward and contribute to the state.”
Li Tao was silent for a long time. His aged eyes, which had seen much of the world, looked deeply at Xiao Yi and he nodded slightly.
Even Li Fang’s gaze towards Xiao Yi changed.
They said nothing more; everything was understood without words.
“The junior has other important matters. I bid farewell.”
“Very well, when you have time, come to my residence again for a drink. I will not see you off today… Ming Yuan, prepare the horses, I am going to see Duke Feng.”
“Yes.”
Li Fang smiled and said, “It seems my cousin will not be coming.”
Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback and bowed, preparing to leave.
As he turned, he saw a figure run past the long corridor outside the paper window. They stopped just before reaching the door, tidied their hair slightly, and then walked forward slowly.
Although just a vague silhouette, one could sense her graceful posture.
“Duke Xin Chen, the snow is heavy today, Madam said you forgot to bring an umbrella…”
Li Zhaoning was still wearing that blue sable cloak, holding a paper umbrella, and walked to the door with elegant steps.
She lifted her lowered, clear eyes and, upon seeing Xiao Yi, showed a perfectly appropriate surprise, saying, “It’s you? I was wondering who it was.”
Xiao Yi nodded slightly and said, “Long time no see.”
“Long time no see… Shall I escort you?”
“Alright.”
The two walked towards the outside of the mansion.
After a while, Xiao Yi took the umbrella from Li Zhaoning and held it up to shield them from the snow.
“What impressive armor. Have you become a captain in the northern army?”
“You guessed correctly, but this is Imperial Guard armor.”
“Did you enter the city to capture Li Ye?”
“Sort of, but not exactly.”
Li Zhaoning said, “Indeed. Since you came to see Duke Xin Chen, it’s not for achievements, but for sentiment and stability.”
Xiao Yi was surprised that she would say this. He turned to look at her, but saw her beautiful eyes seeming to hold a knowing smile.
“Guessed correctly again?” Li Zhaoning asked. “Then what about Su Fengji?”
“Once the situation is settled, he will naturally be apprehended.”
“Then… may I go with you?”
Xiao Yi shook his head, firmly refusing.
Li Zhaoning then deliberately looked at him with her eyes like autumn water.
Xiao Yi said in a low voice, “Rest assured, I came from the Li Residence and received your father’s favor. Su Fengji is also an enemy I cannot coexist with. I will surely hand him over to you.”
Li Zhaoning asked, “But what if he surrenders to Guo Wei?”
“So what? I have a feud with him. If I don’t kill him, I won’t be able to sleep or eat peacefully.”
“Thank you. I know that not helping me is your duty, and helping is kindness. I wish you a bright future, and perhaps we can kill people together in the future?”
Xiao Yi nodded, knowing she was deliberately trying to please him and was somewhat calculating, but he also knew her tragic background, unlike Guo Xin.
“Alright.”
“It’s a deal.”
Unconsciously, they arrived at the side door.
Li Zhaoning said, “Keep the umbrella.”
“No need. A little wind and snow are nothing to me.”
“It’s good to cover your face too, so you can return it next time.”
“That’s true.”
Xiao Yi strode out the door, leaving the brief tranquility of the Li Residence, continuing his life of fighting on the edge of a blade.
