Chapter 99: Coming To The Door
It had been much longer than expected talking with Wang Yin, and Xiao Yi had bought a gift, so by the time he arrived at Li Tao’s mansion, it was just past noon.
Braving the wind and snow, he quickly entered the hall. He didn’t bother to brush the snowflakes from his hair before bowing.
“This junior is late, my apologies.”
Li Tao was already seated in the main seat and said with a smile, “At least this time you didn’t climb over the wall or barge in directly.”
“This junior is ashamed.”
“It’s nothing. You kept your word, arriving at noon as agreed, not a moment early, not a moment late. It seems you don’t want to waste too many words with this old man, but you do want to eat my good food.”
Xiao Yi knew he liked to joke and smiled slightly, saying, “This junior isn’t eating for free; I’ve brought a gift. This is an inkstone from Huizhou, imported from Jiangnan. Though not particularly precious, Duke Xin Chen will find it useful after his reinstatement.”
The inkstone was actually quite expensive, a luxury item that cost ten strings of cash, nearly half a month’s salary, but the words “reinstatement” were more important.
Li Tao accepted it with a smile, appearing quite pleased.
Xiao Yi then unbuckled his personal sword and said, “This is a gift for Ming Yuan Xiong.”
“One can tell at a glance it’s an old military item; the sheath carries the smell of blood. I won’t accept it.”
Li Fang chuckled, “I observed the celestial phenomena last night and decided to abandon martial pursuits for scholarly ones. Next time, bring me a set of suitable Four Treasures of the Study. Don’t forget the interest.”
“Oh? Is Ming Yuan Xiong sensing the Marshal’s change and predicting that peace will soon be established?”
Li Fang smiled and waved his hand, “Let’s not discuss current affairs. First, brush off the snow.”
Xiao Yi faintly caught a refreshing, faint fragrance and, with a premonition, turned his head, just in time to see Li Zhaoning enter the hall.
She walked up to him and handed him a towel.
“It’s snowing, and you didn’t even bring an umbrella.”
“Someone else borrowed it.”
“There’s still some on your eyebrow… over here.”
Li Zhaoning looked up, her gaze slightly fixed, as if intending to brush it off for him. She raised her delicate hand, paused in mid-air, then pointed to her own willow-leaf eyebrow.
A single gesture made him notice her beautiful fingers, her eyes, and her curved eyelashes.
Xiao Yi, however, did not get lost in her eyes. He smiled faintly, tilted his head, and brushed away the falling snow from his hair.
The snowflakes drifted down, seeming to carry a sense of unruliness and freedom.
Li Zhaoning softly said “Hmm?” and asked, “Did you bring gifts for Duke Xin Chen and my elder brother too?”
“I brought you a piece of news. Do you want to hear it?”
“After the meal, I’ll take you…”
Xiao Yi rarely had such a refined meal.
He quite enjoyed several dishes, such as Golden Broth and Jade Slices, where the perch slices were steamed and then topped with golden broth. The color was beautiful, the meat tender and fresh, and he found the taste delicious. He only learned afterward that the ingredients included white plum, orange peel, and chestnuts. There was also the Ten Distant Broth, a mixture of three kinds of rich stock with ingredients like stone ear mushrooms, sea laver, and abalone, which was rich and mellow.
Unfortunately, the portions were small as they ate separately. He still felt unsatisfied, and there were leftovers on Li Tao’s table.
After the meal, the bowls and chopsticks were cleared, leaving only the tea water, and conversation was inevitable.
Xiao Yi, fearing the leakage of any secrets, did not discuss current affairs.
The three of them commented on some current officials and discussed matters of money and grain. When he mentioned his personal expenditure to encourage the soldiers, Li Fang smiled.
“Your spending like this, using up today’s resources for tomorrow, without planning for your finances, you will always be in want.”
“Precisely, General Moonlight.” Xiao Yi first made Li Tao laugh, then asked, “Does Ming Yuan Xiong have any advice?”
“Money is like flowing water; if it only flows out and never in, it will dry up. Only with a source can it flow continuously. No matter how much you give to the soldiers, it will end up spent in taverns, brothels, or gambling dens. Since you know about the public fund for your troops, why don’t you know how to make money from public funds?”
Xiao Yi understood what he meant: financial management.
But he was unfamiliar with the ways of the world, so he asked, “Are there any avenues for generating money?”
Li Fang said, “It’s simple. From now on, for any captured spoils or rewards, set aside enough for daily expenses and emergencies. The remainder can be used for renting out land to collect rent, investing in reliable businesses, or at the very least, lending it out for interest.”
“If others heard your words, Brother Ming Yuan, they would scoff. In these chaotic times, one’s life is uncertain; everyone is accustomed to living for the day. But I am different. Since I know the Marshal will establish a stable situation, I should be preparing assets in advance.”
“Since you’re willing to listen, I’ll say one more thing. Instead of giving rewards directly, it’s better to subsidize the soldiers’ families. Many in the army are bachelors with no dependents, ‘one person is full, the whole family is not hungry.’ Allowing them to start families and build their lives means the money is truly being used effectively.”
“That makes sense, it clears the fog.”
Xiao Yi understood the principle, but he still needed to think about the specific implementation, and he lacked someone trustworthy and skilled in financial management.
Perhaps he could visit the West Market another day and also look into getting a pair of glasses made for Hua Nong.
After chatting for a while and strengthening their bond, he stood up to take his leave.
Li Tao and Li Fang did not see him off.
As he exited the side hall, Li Zhaoning was standing under the corridor, admiring the snow. She turned her head as he approached, her beautiful eyes flickering.
“Were today’s dishes to your liking?”
“The taste lingers on my lips and teeth, the aftertaste is endless. How about you? Have you eaten?”
“Yes, there’s only one umbrella left. You take it.”
“Let’s go together. Would that be impolite?”
“Is there news about Su Fengji?”
“I suspect he’s hiding in Kaifeng City.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I examined the search map carefully. He could only have returned to Kaifeng to hide. The Kaifeng Prefecture has arrested everyone in Su’s household, but no useful confession has been extracted yet.”
Li Zhaoning stopped, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly said, “I might have a clue.”
“Oh?”
“Do you remember Ge Yanyu?”
“You said he was a servant of your father’s household, and it was he who testified against the Li family to Su Fengji.”
“Ge Yanyu used to manage our family’s properties. He was skilled in commerce and trusted by my father. He was often involved in falsifying accounts and embezzling money. When my father found out, he had him flogged. He harbored resentment and found Su Fengji’s guard general, Li Cheng, and conspired to frame my father. This person has not yet been arrested by the Kaifeng Prefecture.”
“How do you know this?”
“Ever since I left the Shi Residence, I’ve had people keeping an eye on him.”
Xiao Yi glanced at Li Zhaoning. Her hair ornament was gone, only a wooden hairpin holding her hair. Under her blue sable cloak, she was still wearing the embroidered skirt she had on when they last met. He figured all her money must have been spent on revenge.
She didn’t notice his gaze and spoke earnestly.
“After Ge Yanyu defected to Su Fengji, he was greatly favored and managed Su’s properties. Our dynasty recovered Bianliang from the Khitan. In over three years, they occupied many unclaimed estates. On the eighteenth, the day you entered the city, he didn’t flee with Su Fengji but went to Xingning Ward, to the mansion of Princess Qin Guo.”
“That’s… the mansion of Imperial Son-in-law Song Yanwo?”
“Yes. I suspect that Ge Yanyu, seeing the army was about to enter the city, preemptively pledged his loyalty to the Song family’s household with Su family’s assets.”
Xiao Yi couldn’t help but chuckle, “He’s quite good at choosing.”
From Ge Yanyu’s perspective, choosing to defect to Song Yanwo was indeed the best option. Among the noble families of various dynasties, it was stable and respectable.
“This scoundrel has always been cunning. I suspect he knows Su Fengji’s whereabouts, but… it might be difficult, right?”
“I will go and ask for him.”
“Is that feasible? What if you offend the Princess and the Imperial Son-in-law?”
“We’ll find out by trying.”
“You’re going to all this trouble for me, how can I thank you?”
“It’s a small matter. Besides, I owe the Li family a great debt, so I should do this. It also upholds my reputation for loyalty and righteousness.”
“So it’s all for reputation.”
“Do you have ink brush and ink? I need to write a visiting card.”
The two turned back into a side room. Li Zhaoning brought the ink brush and ink and elegantly ground the inkstone, then handed the brush to Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi didn’t take it, saying, “My handwriting is ugly, you write it.”
“Alright, how should I write it?”
“Just ‘Xiao Yi requests an audience with Zhong Jian Xiong’.”
“When paying a visit, it’s customary to state one’s identity and purpose to avoid appearing impolite.”
“Ah, Xiao Yi, Commander of the Second Division of the Tianxiong Army’s Cavalry Formation, Commander of the Imperial Guard, Acting Libationer of the Imperial Academy, Riding Commandant, requesting a drink.”
Li Zhaoning took the brush and wrote with concentration.
Her handwriting was extremely beautiful, delicate yet grand.
Xiao Yi found it pleasing to the eye and thought he should practice his calligraphy too.
Suddenly, he heard her softly say.
“I know you are capable and have earned so much merit… you must have suffered many injuries and hardships, haven’t you?”
“It was alright.”
After finishing the visiting card, they left the mansion together.
Xingning Ward wasn’t too far. They walked at a leisurely pace and arrived before the hour of Shen (3-5 PM).
Xiao Yi stepped forward and handed over the visiting card. As soon as the gatekeeper opened the door, he respectfully bowed.
“General Xiao, please wait in the main hall for a moment. My master should be returning from official duties soon, it will be at most the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”
“You know me?”
“Yes, my master specifically mentioned you. He owes you his life twice. Everyone in the household, no matter where they encounter the General, must show respect.”
“Zhong Jian Xiong is too thoughtful.”
The main hall had a charcoal basin, and the chairs were covered with animal hides, exuding warmth. Not only was the tea water good, but there were even some fruits.
Xiao Yi and Li Zhaoning chatted while eating, and they were not bored.
Before long, Song Yanwo returned. He didn’t even have time to change his clothes before personally coming to the hall, giving off an aura of pleasantness.
“If I had known Xiao Lang was coming today, I wouldn’t have gone out.”
“Forgive my impudent visit.”
Xiao Yi got straight to the point and said, “I am here today for Ge Yanyu.”
“Ge Yanyu? Who is that?”
“A traitorous servant of the Li household. It was he who falsely accused Duke Li to Su Fengji. I must kill this person. I heard he has defected to Zhong Jian Xiong’s service. I have dared to come and demand his surrender, also out of concern that Zhong Jian Xiong might harbor a viper and be bitten by it.”
“Wait a moment.”
Without another word, Song Yanwo paced outside the door and called over the butler. After a few questions, he suddenly exclaimed, “Bring the person here quickly!”
“Yes.”
Having said that, Song Yanwo turned to Xiao Yi and bowed again, saying, “Xiao Lang, this is the third time you have saved me.”
He didn’t even seem to be reciting lines; he just blurted out such a remark.
Xiao Yi was momentarily unable to respond and could only say, “Zhong Jian Xiong is too kind.”
“If you hadn’t reminded me in time, even if the Marshal didn’t blame me, I, Song, would still be vulnerable to harm by this villain in the future. My family, shortsighted and greedy for wealth, actually harbored this scoundrel. I am ashamed.”
“Zhong Jian Xiong is busy with official duties, so a moment of oversight is understandable.”
“Indeed, I am burdened with official duties. The Marshal has ordered me to return to my post in Huazhou and guard the North Gate of Kaifeng. If you come to Huazhou in the future, you must come and find me for a good drink.”
“I will certainly take you up on that.”
“Military affairs are easy to manage, but relatives are difficult to handle. You must have seen my embarrassment today. These mundane matters are likely beyond your experience, and you wouldn’t know their complexity. By the way, may I ask, does Xiao Lang have any relatives?”
“No.”
“In this world, without the support of relatives, it is truly difficult. Even heroes like the Marshal often rely heavily on their in-laws’ assistance.”
Mentioning Chai Shouyu’s help to Guo Wei, Xiao Yi deeply agreed and nodded.
Song Yanwo suddenly asked, “Xiao Lang is likely unmarried?”
Xiao Yi was startled.
If he said no, he feared Song Yanwo might get ideas. But if he said yes, it would also be difficult to explain.
He slightly turned his head, feeling Li Zhaoning’s intense gaze, as if she wanted to see how he would answer.
He picked up his tea cup and took a slow sip.
Finally, as footsteps approached, the butler returned, with two servants escorting a person behind him.
