Chapter 110: Adopted Son
The next day, the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month.
Early in the morning, Xiao Yi personally supervised the drills. Before leaving, he understood the progress of the drills and arranged everything clearly to avoid future worries.
The soldiers under his command were becoming more elite day by day. At least their stance was already proper, and giving commands was like commanding his own arms.
Finally, everyone stood at attention to receive his instructions.
“I need to leave the capital on official business. I am entrusting the safety of the palace gates to you. Can I trust you?”
“General, rest assured!”
“Good, I will trust you this once. While I am away, Hua Nong will be responsible for military discipline and duty rosters, Old Pan will manage general affairs, and Tie Ya will supervise the drills. There must be no mistakes.”
“Understood.”
“Now, I will select twelve people to accompany me on this mission. Those whose names are called, step forward.”
Xiao Yi scanned the ranks, calling out names one by one.
“Jin Sanshui, Wang Jiu, Lu Chou, Shou Tao, Yu Douzi, Tang Bing… You are granted half a day’s rest to settle your families and recharge your spirits. We will depart at any time upon orders starting tomorrow.”
“Understood!”
Those whose names were called were all beaming, full of energy and eager to make a name for themselves. Others cast envious glances; if not for military discipline, they might have started a quarrel.
At noon, Xiao Yi returned to his quarters to change out of his sweat-soaked clothes, preparing to request an audience with the Empress Dowager.
Zhang Mantun, Hua Nong, and Old Pan came over.
“General, why do you only pick new recruits, and not-so-good ones? Their names are also unlucky, they sound like food. Aren’t you sending them to be eaten?”
“They are the soldiers most eager to prove themselves. Jin Sanshui and Wang Jiu fell when they followed me into the woods the night before last and were deeply ashamed. The army has already begun to mock them, and I know about it.”
“General knows everything about them.”
Old Pan stepped forward and said in a low voice, “The young ladies from both families have sent people to wait outside the gate. The General did not see them yesterday, they must have come to demand an explanation.”
“Just say that we’ve been visiting too often, and I’m afraid people will misunderstand.”
“This…” Old Pan immediately understood and was greatly alarmed, blaming himself, “It was my fault for speaking incorrectly last time. General, please ignore this foolish servant.”
“No, fortunately, you reminded me in time.” Xiao Yi patted Old Pan and said, “I should pull back from the brink.”
Zhang Mantun actually understood and exclaimed, “The General is doing the right thing! We are proper men, how can we let young ladies tie us down? The thing I regret the most is…”
“Stop talking.”
“I mean, the Xuanwu Gate is blocking them. If they have the ability, they can break in.”
“Shut up.”
Hua Nong then asked, “General, what preparations do you need to make for your departure?”
“I can handle it myself.”
“I don’t think so. Your funeral boots are still here, they’ll stink later.”
“They’re not your stinky feet.”
Old Pan saw this and picked up the boots to wash them. With a “ding,” a key fell to the ground.
Xiao Yi then remembered picking up the key from Li Ye.
After further thought, Wang Jun’s words were harsh but reasonable. Li Ye must have a lot of money, and this key might be used to hide it. Where was it?
Li Ye’s movements were likely limited to passing through the imperial treasury, exiting through the west city’s Liang Gate, and returning to the capital to hide it in the pawn repository. After that, it would be the West Market, and then Li Hongjian’s residence.
Hesitating for a moment between turning it in and keeping it, Xiao Yi called three trusted subordinates forward and whispered, “Take some time to go to the West Market and see what this key can open.”
“Young Master, rest assured.”
“…”
In the afternoon, Wang Yan came to deliver an imperial decree, bringing a tribute bowl, a brocade saddle, and Shu brocade bestowed by the Empress Dowager. He also brought a tailor to measure him for clothes, intending to make him look splendid in public.
“General Xiao, you are truly favored.”
“It is the Empress Dowager’s grace.”
“You must repay her well, hahahaha.” Wang Yan said with a laugh, “Let’s go, the Empress Dowager wishes to see you.”
The previous two audiences were held in the Zichen Hall, but today he entered the inner court.
Upon entering the West Palace, the palaces had three gates, surrounded by corridors. The further he went in, the fewer palace servants there were, giving it a quiet and secluded feel.
A small courtyard was created in front of the sleeping quarters, planted with many plum blossoms. In the wind and snow, they revealed their buds. The plum branches were strong, like the character of the Empress Dowager.
Two strings of copper bells hung under the eaves. Two rows of palace servants rang the bells, signaling Xiao Yi to enter alone, while Wang Yan led the palace servants away.
The hall was divided into outer and inner sections. The outer hall was not extravagant but felt quite comfortable. The hall pillars had shed their gaudy colors and were only maintained with tung oil, giving them a refined luster that suited the owner’s temperament.
A screen embroidered with a scene of wind, snow, and cold plum blossoms stood there. The floor was made of blue bricks, with a carpet in the center. A prayer mat was placed nearby, and beside it was a sandalwood bookshelf, holding scrolls and memorials.
Empress Dowager Li lifted the curtain and emerged.
She had removed her mourning clothes and changed into a plain silk long dress. Over it, she wore a jacket that, though without elaborate embroidery, exuded nobility. Her hair was styled in a flying-heaven bun, adorned with a plum blossom hairpin. There was no trace of the grief of losing a son and a brother; only the solemnity and composure of a nation’s mother.
There was no one else in the hall. The imperial palace was filled with an air of mystery.
Xiao Yi thought again that the Empress Dowager receiving him here was deliberately meant to put psychological pressure on him. Unfortunately, where had he not been? There was nothing to be nervous about.
“Greetings, Empress Dowager.”
Empress Dowager Li sat down on the prayer mat, picked up a memorial as if no one else were present, and said faintly, “What is it?”
“I request an imperial private letter from the Empress Dowager, to be sent with a trusted eunuch, stating that Bianjing is safe, so that your subordinate can go to Xingzhou to invite Liu Yun.”
“Granted.”
Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback. He had expected it to be difficult to persuade the Empress Dowager, but she had agreed so readily.
Did she not know that Liu Yun would become a puppet once he entered the capital, his life controlled by Guo Wei? Impossible.
After another thought, Xiao Yi understood. The Empress Dowager did not care about Liu Yun’s loss or his life. It was only useful to her if Liu Yun ascended the throne and could contend with Guo Wei. If he died, she would simply find another emperor.
However, although the Empress Dowager agreed, she did not write the letter. She continued to read the memorials, neither acknowledging him nor asking him to leave.
Xiao Yi did not know what this meant, but having spent years enduring hardship, he remained calm and composed.
After a long while, the Empress Dowager glanced at him and said, “Pour me a cup of water.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi saw a kettle and cups on the tea table nearby and went to pour a cup of water.
Thinking that women often drink warm water, he specifically placed the kettle on the stove to heat it. He then brought the water and presented it before the prayer mat.
Empress Dowager Li took the cup, took a shallow sip, and said, “A Yue ware celadon kettle, and you actually put it on the fire.”
Xiao Yi went back and picked up the kettle, only to find the bottom of it blackened by soot. He was speechless for a moment.
“Never mind, the water is still warm.”
Empress Dowager Li finished the water in the cup, elegantly raised her wrist, and held up the empty cup. Xiao Yi was initially stunned, then understood, and went to take the empty cup.
“Does the Empress Dowager want more?”
“The wool carpet from Hedong tribute, you’ve stepped on it three times.”
Xiao Yi followed her gaze. On the clean, white, and soft carpet, his large footprints were particularly noticeable, covered in snow and mud.
He then looked at the Empress Dowager’s feet, clad in soft silk shoes with immaculate soles.
His moving around in armor in this hall must have given her a sense of destruction… like chaotic soldiers entering a city.
“Your subordinate has been disrespectful. I ask the Empress Dowager for forgiveness.”
“But I don’t see that you feel guilty, nor are you the least bit frightened.”
Xiao Yi then realized that these were still the Empress Dowager’s little games – establishing psychological superiority through details, suppressing, bestowing favor, and winning loyalty.
“Your subordinate is terrified.”
“It’s alright. Since you are working for me, losing some objects is not important.”
Empress Dowager Li’s phoenix eyes swept over him, and she lightly smiled, dismissing the matter.
The two of them had been biding their time until now, and finally, one of them ran out of patience.
“This memorial states that the Khitan ruler is advancing south, harassing our Zhenzhou and Xingzhou. Guo Wei wishes to lead troops north to resist. Ha, is this true?”
“It is likely true.”
“Xiao Yi, why are you loyal to Guo Que’er? Speak your mind.”
“My Lord should be the ruler of the state.”
“The situation is not yet settled. The Liu clan still has strength. I am presiding over the court and balancing Guo and Liu, and I can still control the situation. Perhaps in your eyes, I am the weakest, but by assisting me, you can gain the most.”
The truth was revealed: he only wanted a letter, but she wanted to win him over.
Xiao Yi shook his head.
Empress Dowager Li smiled and calmly asked, “Do you think I cannot do it?”
“It is not difficult for the Empress Dowager to do it, but what is the point of balancing Guo and Liu? It will always be walking on thin ice, maintaining a fragile situation, and barely presiding, not truly governing.”
“The art of ruling lies in balance.”
“Art is a minor path, not the great path of a ruler.”
Empress Dowager Li’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. “Then tell me, what is the great path of a ruler?”
“To prosper the nation and govern the people, and end these chaotic times.”
Xiao Yi inexplicably felt that this was not enough. Perhaps he should do better.
He then took the opportunity to speak his mind.
“If one does not aim to unify the realm, to expel the Khitans, recover Yan and Yun, and then expand territory, strengthen the nation, enrich the people, and lay the foundation for the eternal prosperity of China under heaven and earth, how can one be called a ruler?”
“You…”
“Since the Empress Dowager has no such ambition, clinging to the minor art of balancing the power of your subordinates, it would be better to abdicate and let a virtuous person take your place.”
Empress Dowager Li’s hand movement paused, her gaze fixed on him. After a while, she retorted, “Does Guo Que’er have this ambition?”
Xiao Yi did not know. He only knew the direction of history.
What he had just said was perhaps his heart’s desire, hoping that his transmigration would bring about greater changes.
In this moment of hesitation, Empress Dowager Li spoke again.
Her eyes were bright, with a certain light within them.
“If I had this ambition, would you be willing to sincerely serve me?”
“No.”
“I haven’t even told you what I can give you yet.”
“The foundation of our dynasty’s establishment lies in the meritorious deeds of Ming Gong in pacifying the three prefectures, his achievements cover the court and the army, like a divine needle stabilizing the sea, no one can shake it. He who is worthy of the throne is none other than Ming Gong.”
This was absolute strength. Empress Dowager Li, upon hearing this, finally closed her eyes in dejection.
After a long while, she sighed softly.
“I underestimated you after all… Grind the ink.”
“The Empress Dowager understands righteousness.”
Xiao Yi turned his head, saw a desk with brush and ink on the side of the hall, walked over, ground the ink, and spread out the yellow hemp paper.
Afterward, Empress Dowager Li came over to sit down, took the brush, and wrote a letter.
Her calligraphy was excellent, with neat strokes and a powerful, grand style, showing no hint of being a woman’s handwriting.
“The Late Emperor was assassinated, and the nation is in peril. You are the nephew of Gaozu. I regard you as my own son, and I wish to adopt you as my heir, to inherit the ancestral rites of Gaozu, and to be the legitimate successor of the imperial line…”
First, Liu Yun would be adopted as her son, and then it would be stated that Guo Wei had no intention of rebelling, so that Liu Yun would have no doubts and would rush to the capital.
After writing, Empress Dowager Li made a motion to hand it over.
Xiao Yi reached out to take it.
However, she did not hand over the letter directly but held it between two fingers, suspended in mid-air. She leaned forward slightly and asked in a low voice.
“The great path of a ruler, how do you know of it?”
“I was once adopted and taught by Li Gongsong.”
“Is that so? But in my opinion, you are speaking from inspiration, from the depths of your heart.”
Xiao Yi was startled. He could feel Empress Dowager Li’s intense gaze, full of probing intent, as if she wanted to pierce into his very soul.
Today, he would likely say too much and make a mistake.
Before he could answer, she released the letter and then unfastened a jade pendant from her waist, handing it to him.
“Take this. This is the plum blossom patterned pendant gifted by Gaozu at the founding of the dynasty.”
“To be given to Liu Yun?”
“No, it’s for you. To be my trusted confidant and to receive my adopted son, there should be a token as proof.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager.”
Xiao Yi took the jade pendant. It was warm and smooth to the touch, clearly an extraordinary item.
Empress Dowager Li said, “I supported the legitimate son as emperor, and let my brother manage power, but both failed to handle the great task. To this day, I have no choice but to adopt another son. Liu Yun is not related to me by blood, and I do not know what kind of person he is… If he were half as capable as you, my heart would be at ease.”
Xiao Yi vaguely felt she had another deeper meaning. He looked at her and saw her dignified and noble demeanor, her eyes majestic yet showing appreciation.
She was testing whether she could adopt him as her son, not to establish him as emperor, but to exchange political resources, such as Li Ye’s power, for his service.
Xiao Yi understood her unwillingness to admit defeat, but this attitude was something he could only dismiss with a smile.
She still underestimated him.
