Chapter 510: Secret Letter from the Capital

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, regardless of whether they were emperors, nobles, or common vendors, every household was at leisure. Even New Year's greetings were scheduled to begin the next day. Yet, two carriages had quietly left Liangzhou, traveling tirelessly towards Lingzhou. In one carriage, besides Huyan Guanyin, who was nominally responsible for Xu Fengnian's daily needs, there was another woman who said she wanted to leave the princely manor for some fresh air. Both women were equally beautiful. It is human nature for scholars to scorn each other and for women to be jealous, but Xu Fengnian had gone to discuss Lingzhou affairs with Xu Beizhi and paid them no mind, so it didn't matter whether they got along harmoniously or were at odds. As agreed, several official appointments for Beiliang Province would be issued to Huangnan Commandery on the sixth day of the New Year. Besides Prefect Song Yan's promotion to Lingzhou Commandant, also known as "Little Governor," Wang Lüting of the Zijin Wang clan was to take office as the Supervisor of Gold Thread Weaving. Two disciples from the Lingsu Wang clan were also to serve as magistrates in a lower-tier county and assistant magistrates in an upper-tier county in Youzhou and Liangzhou, respectively. Coupled with Commandant Jiao Wuyi's entry into the Lingzhou General's Residence, rising to the position of Yanxia Colonel, the third-highest military officer in Lingzhou, even a fool could see that the new Lingzhou General was determined to slowly make things difficult for the Grand Administrator, who also held the concurrent title of Lingzhou Governor.

On the second day of the New Year, Lingzhou was bustling. Some high-ranking officials and nobles, who by convention lived far away and could have called on Lord Li a few days later, all coincidentally rushed to visit on the same day. The Grand Administrator's residence was teeming with carriages and horses. The Li family's steward and gatekeepers, though already exceedingly shrewd and adaptable, were still overwhelmed, wishing they had three heads and six arms. Li Gongde had not rested a moment since early morning, working until dusk. Many old family friends, trusted protégés, and former subordinates could only manage a quick drink; otherwise, even with his great tolerance, Li Gongde couldn't have handled the continuous stream of guests. Li Hanlin had not returned home for the New Year this year. A letter, written in neat handwriting with deep skill, clearly penned by someone else, had arrived, stating that he intended to travel to the Southern Dynasty of Beimang. This made Li Fuzhen's heart pound with anxiety; she wished she could drag her brother home by his ear. She picked up and put down the letter repeatedly, feeling a touch of resentment. Indeed, as her father said, she didn't understand what men were thinking, why they would risk danger to earn fame and fortune when they could enjoy peace and stability and a smooth official career benefiting from their fathers' merits. When her father finally caught his breath, Li Fuzhen offered him a cup of hangover tea, massaged his shoulders, and softly asked, "Father, why are so many people here? Is it because you've become such a high-ranking official that everyone has to rush to see you? Are they afraid of arriving late and being put in a difficult position by you?"

Li Gongde smiled wryly and shook his head, "Didn't you see old scholar Yuan Deqing came today? With his immense stature, even if your father became the Minister of Personnel, now the head of the Six Ministries, that old man would still be the last to arrive, to show his integrity. The reason everyone rushed here together is that they seized the opportunity while the current owner of our neighbor's residence is away. They're afraid that if His Royal Highness returns to the Lingzhou General's Residence in a couple of days and they show up then, it would be extremely awkward if the new Lingzhou General happened to run into them. Your father 'puts people in small shoes' merely by hindering their career advancement, but our neighbor can directly make them lose their official positions."

Li Fuzhen sneered, "He certainly is capable of such arrogant and unreasonable acts."

Li Gongde smiled, "Wrong, completely wrong, Zhen'er. I know you never take my words seriously, but since I've allowed Guo Fufeng into our home for your sake this time, why don't you listen carefully to a few heartfelt words from me?"

Li Fuzhen assented with a hum.

Li Gongde took a sip of tea, sighed, and slowly began, "As the Grand Administrator of Beiliang Province, I am the head of the civil officials. By law, the Lingzhou Governor should be someone else. Why then do I stubbornly cling to this position? It's true that I have a craving for official power, but with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince now serving as Lingzhou General right next door, logically, no matter how thick-skinned I am, it would be wise to gracefully step down. But I truly cannot rest easy. Nearly a thousand scholars have entered Beiliang, with most of them in Lingzhou. In the future, the civil and military factions in Beiliang will separate and become distinct, which is the inevitable trend. If I lose the position of Lingzhou Governor, my words will still carry weight, but significantly less. My own scholarship is shallow, not as advantageous as that of someone like Wang Xihua. If I miss this excellent opportunity to cultivate trusted associates, and later Xu Beizhi or someone else replaces me as Grand Administrator, the Li family might soon be trampled upon. It's not about the monkeys scattering when the tree falls, but about everyone pushing when the wall collapses. By then, Hanlin would have a very hard time supporting our family. Your brother has a fierce drive. I don't doubt he can become a colonel or even a general, but he is my only son. He can't spend his entire life fighting on the border, licking blood from blades. When he returns to civilian life, it will be an unfamiliar officialdom governed by civil officials. Hanlin, a martial man accustomed to killing, might not adapt quickly. So, I want to seize the opportunity while my words still carry weight to pave the way and build bridges for Hanlin's future career, so that his path will be smooth, whether he encounters mountains or rivers. But if I lose the Lingzhou Governor position now, do you think those worldly, snobbish people won't feel uneasy? That's why, even when the Grand General personally came to my residence to openly support His Royal Highness, I still forced myself to be audacious enough to brazenly continue as Governor for another year or two, at least to get familiar with those scholars before relinquishing this seat. And His Royal Highness, unexpectedly, is quite patient. If he truly wanted to tear off all pretense and directly demand the Lingzhou Governor position from me, I wouldn't dare refuse. Or, if he jokingly, half-seriously, told me that being Lingzhou General wasn't enough and he wanted to be Governor too, I would still have to offer it with both hands. But he did nothing. I initially thought I had passed this test, but I was thinking too simply. When you told me he appeared at Song Yan's house and they were talking happily, I knew something was wrong. It's funny, back then, I and Yan Jiexu were openly competing, each placing our bets. He was unlucky, betting on Chen Zhiba, while I, with my keen insight, bet on His Royal Highness. When Yan Jiexu saw the situation was unfavorable, he immediately packed his bags and left. But that fellow was lucky; he escaped Beiliang, otherwise, even if I begged for him for three days and three nights, it wouldn't have helped. At that time, I told him that our Crown Prince was not so weak, and privately I always criticized Yan Jiexu for his lack of foresight. In the end, I realized I was just 'laughing at the pot calling the kettle black.' This time, His Royal Highness went to Huangnan Commandery and managed to sway three family heads from there, plus Song Yan, who will probably soon become Lingzhou Governor – that's formidable. Zhen'er, you always think Hanlin joining the army and going to the border was His Royal Highness's doing, but have you ever considered why Hanlin, such a stubborn person who used to be so narrow-minded, suddenly changed? The reason is not complicated; deep down, you know it, you just don't want to admit it. You told your mother that your brother felt left behind because Yan Chiji and that Kong family boy in the capital had both become officials and had promising futures, so Hanlin felt he lost face and determined to work hard. But do you really not know that the old Hanlin wished those three brothers would all become so successful that they would be lawless, and he could just freeload off them and live a carefree, muddled life? For him back then, his brothers' success was more a source of pride than his own. Why did he go to the border? Why did he become a skirmisher? Nothing else. It was precisely because Hanlin realized that among his three brothers, the Crown Prince, whom he was closest to and admired the most, had already become capable of standing on his own. It was at that moment that Hanlin had a sudden realization. Plus, he had always imitated His Royal Highness; if His Royal Highness fooled around, he fooled around. Since His Royal Highness stopped fooling around, he naturally felt bored and thus became the Li Hanlin whom neither his father nor his sister recognized. Zhen'er, can you deny that the Li Hanlin of today makes you feel proud? That you feel honored? So, what good is it to resent His Royal Highness? Ultimately, it's because for all these years, in your heart..."

Li Fuzhen said calmly, "Father, the tea has gotten cold. I'll get you a fresh cup."

Li Gongde handed her the teacup, sighing softly. A melon forced to ripen isn't sweet, but what about a melon that ripens on its own? Li Gongde collected his thoughts and muttered to himself, "Forget it. Since things have come to this, perhaps it's better not to be Lingzhou Governor. I should hand it over quickly; at least the Xu family will owe us a favor. It's time for Lingzhou to have a stable official environment."

Old Steward He Chang stood outside the door with a disgruntled expression. He knocked, and when Li Gongde turned his head, he said, "My lord, there's a fellow at the gate who claims to be your junior disciple, insisting on seeing you. He immediately offered twenty taels of gold, which startled me. Normally, I would have taken this gold for you, but today is hardly the day for him to bother you, my lord. A scholar with no official title, no family background, just some money, dares to flaunt himself at our Li Residence? He really doesn't know his place. Today, even a sixth-rank official can barely get a word in."

Li Gongde waved his hand, and He Chang turned to leave. Then, He Chang let out a sound of surprise, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh, that young man, about thirty, said his name is Xu Hun, from Danyang Commandery in our Lingzhou. He brazenly swore that if I just mentioned this, you, my lord, would surely see him."

Li Gongde was distractedly lowering his head to drink tea, and his finger twitched. Just as Old Steward He Chang was about to drive the impudent young man out of the residence, the Grand Administrator unexpectedly looked up and calmly said, "Bring him here."

The old steward let out an "Oh," not daring to say more, and turned to leave. Then he heard Li Gongde softly ask, "Is the Lingzhou General's Residence still empty?"

He Chang nodded, "Yes, it's empty. That Lingzhou General hasn't returned yet."

Li Gongde nodded. After the loyal old steward left, he placed the teacup on the table, stood up, and playfully smiled at Li Fuzhen, "I still have guests to attend to. Don't you always complain that I look down on people and scorn Guo Fufeng because of his humble origins? Take him to meet your mother. A daughter grown up cannot stay at home forever. I'll turn a blind eye and consider it painfully pouring this basin of water out of the house."

Ordinarily, Li Fuzhen would have shown her happiness openly. But this time, trusting her intuition, she quietly asked, "Father, this guest from Danyang Commandery named Xu Hun...?"

Li Gongde smiled calmly, "A descendant of an old acquaintance. I must see him."

Li Fuzhen left the room, still skeptical and filled with worry. The old steward quickly brought Xu Hun, who looked nothing like a nobleman. The Grand Administrator, who had already returned to his chair, squinted and observed him carefully. After a moment's hesitation, he picked up the teacup lid with two fingers and gently swirled the now slightly cool tea.

The old steward discreetly withdrew. The ordinary-looking Xu Hun stepped lightly into the room, self-importantly closed the door, and smiled faintly, "Xu Hun thanks you, uncle."

Li Gongde remained silent throughout, drinking his tea with his head down. His heart, however, was already in turmoil. This Xu Hun was a complete stranger to most of Lingzhou; probably few would recognize him, and even fewer would remember him after a single meeting. But Li Gongde was different from ordinary people. When the Gold Thread Weaving Bureau was first established in Beiliang, located in Danyang Commandery, its original purpose, according to the imperial court, was for Li Xifeng, the supervisor of the bureau, to submit detailed, timely secret reports to the Imperial Study in the capital regarding all developments in Beiliang, including military affairs, governance, finance, impeachments, scholar recommendations, and local customs. However, Li Xifeng, perhaps feeling beholden to others and knowing that Xu Xiao was not to be trifled with, had remained idle, effectively turning a powerful, secretive weaving bureau into a dormant, insignificant office. He would only symbolically visit local magnates like Li Gongde and Yan Jiexu during festivals. Li Xifeng often traveled through the mountains and rivers of Beiliang and never deliberately concealed his movements. Once, he coincidentally met Li Gongde, who was then the Inspector of Fengzhou. On that occasion, Li Xifeng, for no apparent reason, had a stableman appear and, seemingly casually, introduced him as a young man from his distant relative's family, named Xu Hun. Li Gongde remained silent for a long time, then finally looked up and met Xu Hun's gaze. Xu Hun handed something to the Grand Administrator. "It's a personal letter from the Grand Secretary Zhang Julu, with an addendum from Huan Wen of the Chancellery."

Seeing no indication that Li Gongde would take the items, Xu Hun smiled and carefully placed them on the table. He said calmly, "If Your Excellency the Grand Administrator distrusts the secret letters, there's no rush. You can privately find a way to verify the handwriting and seals. If you distrust Li Xifeng, the Supervisor of Gold Thread Weaving, you can capture Xu Hun and send him to the Lingzhou General's Residence next door. If you distrust Xu Hun, you can send him to the Gold Thread Weaving Bureau, and then forward him to Chu Lushan. If you distrust the imperial court, Your Excellency can first examine the secret letters before making a decision."

Li Gongde responded with a cold sneer.

Xu Hun remained composed.

After the time it takes for a cup of tea to cool, Li Gongde glanced at the desk and calmly asked, "Why are there two secret letters? And what is written inside?"

Xu Hun smiled, "Xu Hun is merely a messenger; even if I die, I won't know what's in the letters. Li Xifeng also never touched the secret letters from beginning to end. As for why there are two secret letters, since Your Excellency asked, it shows sincerity, so Xu Hun must die."

Li Gongde frowned, "What do you mean?"

Xu Hun calmly replied, "Rest assured, my lord, Xu Hun managed to evade all Lingzhou spies on this journey. To be frank with you, the attack on the Lu family in Qingzhou, which caused heavy casualties to the Beiliang rangers and even more so to the Zhao Gou agents, was not primarily intended to stop the Lu family from going to Liangzhou. Its main purpose was to draw Lingzhou's attention, ensuring Xu Hun's mission would be foolproof. But that's not enough. The imperial court instructed me to explain why there are two secret letters only after you, my lord, show an intention to accept them. One is genuine, and one is false. The one with the heavier vermilion clay seal is genuine, and the lighter one is false. The false letter is intended for Your Excellency to deliver to the Crown Prince of Beiliang. Of course, one secret letter alone isn't enough to clear Your Excellency of suspicion. Therefore, Xu Hun must die, and Li Xifeng, the Supervisor of Gold Thread Weaving, must also die. Even the entire Gold Thread Weaving Bureau will cease to exist from now on. But Li Xifeng has taken a fall; one weaving bureau, in exchange for one more pillar of the court for the imperial government and one less Grand Administrator for Beiliang, is worth it!"

Xu Hun spat out a highly poisonous pill meant for temporary suicide. After peeling it open, a small wad of paper was revealed. He tucked the broken pill into his sleeve, read the contents on the paper, then stuffed the wad into his mouth and swallowed it, stating expressionlessly, "The day after tomorrow."

Li Gongde said nothing.

Xu Hun explained, "The Crown Prince of Beiliang will arrive in Lingzhou the day after tomorrow. Xu Hun will quietly leave today and return the day after tomorrow. At that time, Your Excellency will bind Xu Hun and deliver him to the Lingzhou General's Residence. After Xu Hun's death, a contingent of remaining loyalists from the Gold Thread Weaving Bureau and a group of elite Zhao Gou agents will escort Your Excellency out of Beiliang. However, they can only take eighteen people at most. To ensure a smooth departure, Lord Li must also cooperate with us: first, relinquish the position of Lingzhou Governor, then stay in Lingzhou for at least another half a year. During this period, you should go out often for leisure to relax the surveillance of Beiliang's spies. When it's precisely appropriate for the Zhao Gou to act, someone will naturally inform Lord Li."

Li Gongde sneered, "It seems the imperial court accidentally forgot about my son, Li Hanlin!"

Xu Hun smiled, "Young Master Li has already received military orders to conduct secret operations in the Southern Dynasty. He will first stop in Guse Province, then travel east along the northern border of Youzhou and Liangzhou, enter Jizhou, and finally rendezvous with Lord Li in the capital."

Li Gongde closed his eyes, tapping the edge of his teacup lightly with the lid, and said with a hint of self-mockery, "Last time, Yan Jiexu only managed to take out sixteen people. The imperial court seems to be very concerned about this official."

Xu Hun remained silent.

Li Gongde chuckled, "Let me calculate. Currently, I, Li Gongde, am a Grand Official of the second rank, governing a frontier region. To rise further in Beiliang is out of the question. But there aren't many positions available in the capital either. Among the Six Ministries, besides the Minister of Personnel, who recently gained half a rank, the others are not impressive. Hmm, I suppose the false secret letter would at most promise the position of Minister of Personnel, or perhaps even be more petty, like Minister of Revenue or Minister of Justice. But I am curious, before I open it, what reward is truly promised in the genuine letter? Zhang Julu presides over the Department of State Affairs, so that won't change. Huan Wen has just been promoted to the Chancellery, so that won't change either. That leaves only the Secretariat. Besides taking charge there, it seems I might also gain the honorary title of Grand Academician of the Cabinet. I've always had a significant craving for official power in my life, but I never truly imagined I'd one day reach such a high position, on par with great figures like the green-eyed Sun Xiji."

Xu Hun remained silent when he was not supposed to speak.

Li Gongde asked with a smile, "Aren't you afraid that I'll hand you and the letters over to His Royal Highness right now?"

Xu Hun calmly replied, "Death is death. What does it matter if Xu Hun dies two days earlier?"

Li Gongde stared intently at his face for a moment, then nodded.

"Thank you, Lord Li, for allowing Xu Hun to die a meaningful death."

Xu Hun bowed deeply, then quietly opened and closed the door, silently leaving the Grand Administrator's residence.

Li Gongde stood up, walked to the table, and extended a hand, quickly retracting it as if burned. Then he slowly extended it again, but kept it hovering a few inches above the two secret letters, his expression unreadable.