Chapter 5: Serving Wine
Xiao Yi adapted to the ancient environment and practiced martial arts daily while Shi Deyuan was taking his nap, once his injuries were healed.
One evening, as he was practicing until he was drenched in sweat, hurried footsteps sounded behind him, followed by a boisterous voice.
“You creature, are you healed already and practicing to death?”
Xiao Yi turned around and saw Zhang Mantun arriving, wearing a bright set of armor, looking imposing.
“I’m healed, and I have to thank Brother Mantun. The injury looked serious, but it healed quickly.”
“Shh, if people know it’s that loud noise, there won’t be good fruit to eat.”
“Then I’ll keep it in mind.”
Zhang Mantun asked, “Do you know what happened to that scholar fellow?”
“What happened?”
“Come with me first, and I’ll tell you on the way.”
“Once Second Young Master wakes up…”
“Who cares about Second Young Master? He hasn’t left the mansion gate in five years. Let’s go, we’re going to a banquet with the Marshal!” Zhang Mantun couldn’t help but grin, his suppressed joy no longer hidden, and asked, “Guess who is using this incident to scheme against the Marshal?”
“Who?”
“Su Fengji. Everyone calls him ‘Su Niupi’. He even taxes the sale of cowhide. This donkey ball player is also a Minister of State, a Prime Minister. He must be trying to gain power against the Marshal and stabbing him in the back.”
“And then?”
“Coincidentally, Grand Commandant Wang is hosting a banquet today. The Eldest Young Master said to let that scholar expose Su Niupi, and the Marshal agreed, asking me to escort him. Since we need servants to attend anyway, I won’t leave you behind.”
“I owe Brother Mantun another favor.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
Although Xiao Yi received twenty caning strokes, he had ultimately won the gamble in this matter and gained an opportunity.
The two men talked as they walked and reached the front courtyard, where the entourage for the banquet had already gathered.
As Xiao Yi was observing the situation, someone suddenly bowed deeply before him; it was the scholar whose life he had saved.
“Thank you for saving my life. I am Feng Sheng, courtesy name Mingyuan, from Bai Ma County, Huazhou.”
“You don’t need to thank me. It wasn’t me who saved you, but the Marshal’s keen insight.”
Feng Sheng was surprised to hear this and quickly said, “Thank you, Benefactor, for your guidance.”
As they spoke, Shi Deyu strolled over and asked Feng Sheng, “At the banquet, do you know what to do?”
Feng Sheng’s voice was passionate as he replied, “I will expose Su Fengji’s corruption!”
“Do you have proof?”
“This…”
Shi Deyu was impatient and scoffed, “You, a mere scholar, can convict a respected official?”
Feng Sheng was unsure what to do at the banquet and was momentarily distressed.
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and made a decision, whispering, “I surmise that the Young Master wants you to use your talent at the banquet to outshine Su Fengji’s disciples who passed the imperial examinations, to expose his flaws publicly and raise questions. The Marshal can then use this opportunity to investigate the case thoroughly.”
Feng Sheng looked up and saw Shi Deyu nod slightly. He quickly said, “I understand.”
Xiao Yi was unsure of the outcome of this intervention and stood with his eyes lowered after speaking.
After a moment, he felt Shi Deyu’s gaze on him, and then heard him say something with a look of appreciation.
“Xiao Yi, pour wine for your Father tonight… Chun Tao, find him some decent clothes to change into.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi knew he had made the right bet. When he looked up again, Shi Deyu had already turned and left.
Not long after, Chun Tao quickly came over and placed a set of clothes into Xiao Yi’s embrace.
“The Marshal is leaving, there’s no time. Here, you take that carriage, change on the way…”
Chun Tao pointed hastily, then quickly ran off to help Shi Deyu onto his horse.
After dismounting, Shi Deyu remembered something and asked, “I ordered you to investigate him, were you able to find out?”
“Replying to the Young Master, he was originally a servant in Li Song’s mansion. He was confiscated three years ago and brought to our mansion, where he did odd jobs in the front courtyard. Half a month ago, Second Young Master killed someone by his side, so he was transferred to this courtyard.”
“Where did he learn his skills? I never noticed him before.”
“He probably learned them in the Prime Minister’s mansion. Young Master, is there a problem?”
“Does he look like a servant to you? He’s been in the mansion for three years, and overnight he stands out from the crowd. Strange.”
“When the servant was inquiring, he happened to meet Second Young Master. He said Xiao Yi has always been like this, so it’s not strange.”
“I see.”
Shi Deyu was busy and didn’t ask further, spurring his horse away.
————————
Night fell, and the Grand Commandant’s mansion, where the banquet was held, was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.
A red-robed official was waiting at the gate. Seeing Shi Hongzhao’s entourage arrive from afar, he hurried forward to greet them.
“Yan Jinqing pays respects to Grand Tutor. This humble official was unfortunate and resigned from his post due to mourning. Thanks to Heaven’s grace, I have been reinstated as Director of the Imperial Household Department. I have not paid my respects in a long time and fear Grand Tutor might not recognize me…”
“I know you. You don’t have much ability; you were promoted by relying on the merits of your fierce subordinates.”
Yan Jinqing was taken aback and quickly bowed, “I am ashamed, I am ashamed… This humble official will help Grand Tutor dismount.”
“Giddy up.”
Shi Hongzhao flicked his horsewhip and rode straight past, entering the mansion on horseback.
Afterward, Shi Deyu gave Yan Jinqing a slight smile, dismounted at the mansion gate, and strode in with great composure, but he did not say a word.
Yan Jinqing awkwardly straightened his new official robe. Looking back, he suddenly saw a young man dismount from a carriage.
This young man was dressed simply in a plain, light gray fine linen round-necked robe. He wore no cap or hairpin, and his hair was tied up with a cloth rope. He looked like a servant or an aide of the Shi family, but he possessed an outstanding and unique aura.
“What an aura.”
Yan Jinqing keenly realized that the young man’s identity was by no means simple, so he stepped forward again.
“A pleasure to meet you, Yan Jinqing, Director of the Imperial Household Department.”
“You are too kind, Master Yan.”
“May I know your esteemed surname and given name?”
“I dare not accept such honor. Just call me ‘Xiao Yi’.”
“‘Yi’ from Jia Yi?”
“Yes.”
Yan Jinqing’s expression shifted, and he asked again, “Second eldest?”
Xiao Yi shook his head and retorted, “Master Yan, do you have business?”
“I am here to welcome Grand Tutor. Please follow me.”
“Thank you.”
Yan Jinqing walked ahead, occasionally looking back and noticing Xiao Yi’s demeanor when speaking with the Shi family’s guard generals and retainers, further solidifying his judgment.
Shi Hongzhao arrived last. As soon as he came, everyone stood up to greet him. After a round of pleasantries, the banquet began.
Everyone took their seats at their respective tables. Xiao Yi stood by Shi Hongzhao’s side, pouring wine and observing the banquet.
It was a rare opportunity to understand the current situation, and he had to seize it.
Tonight was entertainment for others, but for him, it was a matter of survival. Therefore, he was uninterested in the dancers, delicacies, or luxury goods, and only listened intently to the high officials’ discussions.
There were four most important people at the banquet, all Ministers of State.
They were: Acting Grand Tutor Shi Hongzhao, Acting Grand Tutor Yang Bin, Acting Grand Commandant Wang Zhang, and Minister of Works Su Fengji.
Their official positions were complex. For instance, Grand Tutor and Grand Commandant were honorary titles, while Chancellor was akin to a concurrent acting Prime Minister, each holding substantive posts and concurrent responsibilities.
Xiao Yi couldn’t quite figure it out for a moment, so he formed a simple, albeit inaccurate, concept to understand the situation more quickly.
Shi Hongzhao and Yang Bin handled military and state affairs. Among them, Shi Hongzhao was more assertive, while Yang Bin considered the overall situation, acting as Shi Hongzhao’s gentle counterpart. Wang Zhang was the host of this mansion, responsible for collecting revenue. Su Fengji served as a deputy in the central government and was a jack-of-all-trades.
The four had conflicts and cooperated, working together to undermine the young Emperor.
Additionally, there was one important figure who was frequently mentioned but not present—Guo Wei.
The first topic of the banquet revolved around Guo Wei.
Xiao Yi roughly grasped the situation. Guo Wei’s honorary title was Acting Minister of Works, and he held the concurrent post of Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. His actual position was Military Governor of the Tianxiong Army. After the New Emperor ascended the throne, rebellions were rampant. Shi Hongzhao ordered Guo Wei to quell rebellions everywhere, essentially making him Shi Hongzhao’s enforcer.
This year, Guo Wei was stationed in Ye Du. Shi Hongzhao strongly supported him, and under the guise of suppressing the Khitan, he handed over the Command Seal, which could mobilize troops across the land, to Guo Wei.
This event became the biggest point of conflict among the Ministers of State.
Yang Bin had served as Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs in his early years. Su Fengji slandered him to the Late Emperor, leading to Yang Bin’s dismissal. Su Fengji then temporarily took over the “acting” position of the Bureau of Military Affairs himself. Thus, as soon as the Late Emperor passed away, Yang Bin directly supported Shi Hongzhao and Guo Wei, who held significant military power, preferring to lose the position of Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs rather than give it to Su Fengji. Wang Zhang was caught in the middle, feeling pressured, and had been saying he wanted to be transferred out.
In short, it was a story about five men fighting over a piece of stone.
As they talked, Su Fengji gradually began to make veiled accusations.
“We should be receiving news of victory from the north soon. Grand Commandant Wang works hard to supply the army, and Grand Tutor Shi is even more decisive in entrusting him with the Command Seal. If Guo Wei wins, he should be the first to pay his respects to Grand Tutor.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi immediately picked up the wine pot on the table.
As expected, Shi Hongzhao slammed his wine cup onto the table, splashing wine everywhere.
“Guo Wei is defending the border for the country. Giving him the seal is for state affairs. If you are not satisfied, you can go to Ye Du yourself and lead the troops.”
“Grand Tutor, please calm your anger.” Su Fengji feigned distress, “This humble official is just a civilian official, how could I lead troops? Grand Tutor, with your magnanimity like Yi and Huo, I fear the Emperor is young and does not understand Grand Tutor’s painstaking efforts like the Duke of Zhou assisting Cheng. Once there is a defeat, slander…”
Shi Hongzhao interrupted him before he could finish, “Why don’t you impeach me directly!”
The atmosphere tensed. Wang Zhang quickly tried to smooth things over, laughing, “You are all speaking too harshly and have strayed far from the topic. Guo Wei has achieved brilliant military successes, how could he not win?”
“If that is the case, this humble official will apologize to Grand Tutor.”
Su Fengji picked up his wine cup, walked around the table to Shi Hongzhao’s seat, bowed, and drank the wine in his cup.
Xiao Yi did not understand his behavior at first. After thinking about it, he understood. Su Fengji was putting on a show. If Guo Wei won, he would be seen as concerned about state affairs and offering sincere advice. But if he lost, the wine he drank today would force Shi Hongzhao to reciprocate.
The next moment, the empty cup was handed to Xiao Yi.
Su Fengji said, “Pour wine. This old man will toast Grand Tutor two more cups.”
Xiao Yi held the wine pot slightly raised, then stopped.
A fleeting thought crossed his mind, causing him to feel a sudden chill.
If he poured this cup of wine, he might not be able to withstand Shi Hongzhao’s anger. Su Fengji’s small action would be a terrible disaster for someone as insignificant as him.
The empty cup remained before him.
After a moment, Xiao Yi reached out, took the cup from Su Fengji’s hand, and replied in a calm yet polite voice.
“Minister Su, the Marshal’s wine is too strong for you to drink.”
The moment he spoke, all eyes at the table turned towards him.
