Chapter 538: Taian City Two Smiles and Two White Clothes

In Liyang officialdom, there's a strong emphasis on "three affinities": having the same teacher, hailing from the same hometown, and passing the imperial examination in the same year. Zhao Yourou, the Minister of Personnel, and Yuan Guo, the Vice Minister of Public Works, happened to share all three. Both were disciples of Zhang Julu, both came from humble backgrounds in Jinmen Commandery (formerly of Northern Han), and both participated in the imperial examinations during the Yonghui era, with one becoming the top scholar and the other the second. This overnight success brought immense renown to Jinmen Commandery, a place that had previously produced very few successful candidates. Adding to their bond was a "fourth affinity"—their shared interests. Their mansions were only two or three hundred paces apart, and their frequent visits to each other's homes were a common sight to their neighbors.

Today, Zhao Yourou's mansion was host not only to Yuan Guo but also to Zhao Yourou's in-law, Yin Maochun. These two prominent court officials had brought their children, who were all around the same age and mostly friends. Some time ago, Wang Yuanran, the youngest son of Wang Xionggui (Minister of Revenue), had, while drunk, propositioned Zhao Yourou's second daughter. This, of course, stirred up a hornet's nest, especially since he also assaulted Han Xingyan, the only son of the Vice Minister of Justice, who had kindly intervened. Wang Yuanran had managed to provoke four families at once. However, "misfortune turned into fortune," as this incident solidified Wang Yuanran's reputation as the capital's foremost playboy. Although his father, the Minister of Revenue, later made him kneel outside Zhao's mansion for half an hour, this did not prevent Young Master Wang from becoming the most talked-about figure in Tai'an City for a time.

Despite having no wife or children, Yuan Guo paradoxically had the best rapport with the younger generation. While Zhao Yourou and his in-law Yin Maochun brewed tea with aged "winter snow" water, Yuan Guo mingled with a large group of young men and women, drinking and personally serving them hot wine without a hint of condescension. The dozen or so youngsters were accustomed to this, considering it perfectly natural. Yin Changgeng, Yin Maochun's eldest son, used to urinate on "Uncle Yuan's" neck as a child, and the two would playfully agree that Yin Changgeng would care for Vice Minister Yuan in his old age. Han Xingyan, when he first visited a brothel as a youth, was coaxed there by the mischievous Yuan Guo. This had infuriated the scholarly Han Lin (Han Xingyan's father), who, in a rage, ran barefoot to Yuan Guo's tightly closed gate and cursed for a long time. Yuan Guo, completely unfazed, opened the door, digging earwax with one hand and holding a wine jug he had casually taken from the brothel in the other, cheekily asking Vice Minister Han if he wanted a drink. This so enraged Han Lin that he broke off all ties with Yuan Guo. However, Han Xingyan would often sneak off to Yuan Guo for a drink afterward, and Han Lin, unable to control him, eventually decided to put it out of sight, out of mind.

Yin Changgeng and Han Xingyan, being proper capital officials, had attended that morning's court session. However, their official ranks were too low to enter the main hall, so they could not clearly hear the significant discussions unfolding within. At this moment, Yuan Guo sat on a couch, holding Yin Maochun's eldest grandson on his lap. He dipped his chopsticks in wine for the child to taste while vividly recounting the "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" of the imperial court (a metaphor for various officials each displaying their unique skills and strategies). Vice Minister Yuan's embellished storytelling kept everyone gasping in surprise. Just then, Grand Secretary Zhang's unmarried daughter, Zhang Gaoxia, and Vice Minister Yin's younger daughter, Yin Heyun, also entered the room. Yuan Guo, like an old prankster, shamelessly asked the two girls to massage his shoulders and back. Zhang Gaoxia, "notorious" among Tai'an City's official circles, glared at him, drew her sword two inches from its sheath, and then slammed it back in with a resounding thud. Vice Minister Yuan, familiar with this "heroine's" temper, could only offer a wry smile. Fortunately, Yin Heyun was much more compliant; she sat gracefully by the couch and massaged her uncle's shoulders.

Yin Changgeng glanced at the tall Zhang Gaoxia before quickly averting his gaze, chatting with his wife (who was visiting her parents) about trivial household matters. Han Xingyan remained composed, but sighed inwardly. He knew full well Yin Changgeng's feelings for Zhang Gaoxia. Before Yin Changgeng's wedding, all their friends had congratulated him on becoming Grand Secretary Zhao's son-in-law, saying that the Yin and Zhao families were perfectly matched and that the couple was talented and beautiful. Yet, that night, Yin Changgeng had dragged Han Xingyan to a small eatery to drown his sorrows in wine. Han Xingyan let out a breath; how else could one explain that love is easy to form but hardest to break?

Strangely enough, in terms of looks, Zhang Gaoxia was even less attractive than Yin Changgeng's current wife. She had a pair of green eyes, just like her father, the Grand Secretary. And if a woman without talent was virtuous, then Zhang Gaoxia truly deserved to remain unmarried. She could rival the Crown Princess, known as "Lady Scholar," in intellect, and no man had ever out-debated her. Her sword skills were also exceptionally good; she had successively studied under Song Nianqing, the grandmaster of the Dongyue Sword Pool, and Qi Jiajie, the capital's top swordsman. She was certainly no "embroidered pillow" (a term for someone attractive but lacking substance); even Lu Baijie, the Tangxi Sword Immortal, praised her talent in swordsmanship. The First Prince, Zhao Wu, had even suffered a defeat at Zhang Gaoxia's hands. This woman was truly a "wandering heroine" who could walk fearlessly (literally, "sideways") in Tai'an City. Unarmed, there was certainly no one who could defeat her. And as for family background? Sorry, her biological father was Zhang Julu, her foster father was Huan Wen, and she had a host of influential court officials, like Yuan Guo, who, though no longer part of Zhang's faction, still held affection for him and would support her. Who would dare challenge her?

Yuan Guo was about to use his chopsticks to give wine to Yin Maochun’s infant grandson again when Zhang Gaoxia, unable to watch any longer, snatched the child away. Yuan Guo could only change the subject, asking, "Where were we just now?"

Zhao Wenwei, Minister Zhao's youngest son, a mere youth, eagerly piped up, "Uncle Yuan had just said that Jin Sanlang from the Imperial College somehow got a black eye!"

Yuan Guo chuckled, "Right, that punch came from old man Huan Tanweng! Truly cunning and ruthless. Poor Imperial Sacrificial Wine Jin first angered Lady Yao, and now he's been beaten by old man Huan, who was practically his mentor in officialdom. Misfortunes never come singly, but blessings never come in pairs. So, you brats, remember to walk on eggshells when you become officials and conduct yourselves. Don't get too carried away. There's always someone better. Whether it's Uncle Yuan or your fathers, aren't their hats quite high? Heh, but still, none of them can escape the common fate."

The three families knew each other thoroughly, and with Yuan Guo present, there were no real taboos. Han Xingyan frowned, whispering, "Uncle Yuan, although Imperial Sacrificial Wine Jin enjoys attacking Beiliang to gain fame and reputation in court, and his methods seem a bit base, it ultimately benefits the court and the country. He indeed has many brilliant, far-reaching insights that make one want to applaud. His constant clashes with Lady Yao, both inside and outside the Imperial College, are good for His Excellency Left Prime Minister Huan, aren't they? Why such a violent confrontation? Aren't they afraid of His Majesty hearing about it?"

Yuan Guo took a sip of liquor, instinctively rubbed his ear, and chuckled, "Old man Huan wouldn't care about such trivial matters. You youngsters are too naive. Back when your fathers and I first entered officialdom, the Grand Secretary had an incredibly good temper, while old man Huan was the one who was difficult. Uncle Yuan was often pulled by the ear and harshly reprimanded by him. Oh, by the way, about old man Huan beating Jin Lantian—listen and forget it. Keep it within this room. It would be bad if it got out, or your fathers would nag me to death."

Yuan Guo noticed Yin Changgeng about to speak, so he quickly drained his cup, shouting his satisfaction. He extended his cup for Han Xingyan to refill, then picked up a peanut and dropped it into the full cup. The wine was fine, clinging to the glass, so even though it was above the rim, not a drop spilled. Vice Minister Yuan lowered his head, gazing at the ripples, momentarily lost in thought. He then looked up, regained his composure, gently swirled the cup, and smiled, "I know what you most want to ask. This matter isn't impossible to discuss, it's just..."

The "heroine," who was still playing with Yin Maochun's grandson, retorted irritably, "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

Yuan Guo chuckled, then tilted his head back and drank the strong liquor in one gulp, chewing the wine-soaked peanut with a look of rapture. "Wu Feng Eighteenth. The character 'Li' (厲), originally a truly negative posthumous epithet. When Old Master Song compiled 'Explaining Posthumous Titles,' the late emperor instructed that this character be changed from negative to positive, though it was ranked last among the eighteen 'beautiful' epithets. The old Grand Secretary, who was Uncle Yuan's mentor's mentor—ah, that would be Zhang Gaoxia's father's teacher—always held a great grudge against the Prince of Beiliang. The late emperor's action was not without its unique intention. This intention only truly surfaced during the Jingzhe solar term this year. The current emperor's bestowal of this character was even more deliberate. With His Majesty's magnanimity, he certainly wouldn't give General Xu a negative posthumous epithet. If he had magnanimously given one of the other seventeen beautiful epithets, the main hall that day would have been in utter chaos. We've talked about the court, now let's talk about Beiliang. For that young man, the Crown Prince, who is to inherit the title of Prince of Beiliang, this awkward, neither-good-nor-bad epithet – should he accept it or not? If he doesn't accept the imperial decree..."

Han Xingyan laughed, "Does that fellow want to tell the world that the Xu family is going to rebel?"

Yuan Guo set down his wine cup, dismissing Han Xingyan's remark with a smile, and continued, "If Beiliang swallows its pride and accepts this imperial decree, then given Beiliang's loyalty to the old prince, the new prince would undoubtedly lose the trust of the army and the people. It would be tantamount to tearing down their own house. So, with Uncle Yuan explaining it this way, do you think that young Prince of Beiliang should accept or reject the imperial decree? Xingyan, I'm asking you!"

Han Xingyan pondered for a moment, then smiled, "I bet that fellow still wouldn't dare refuse. He'd just try his best to downplay the severity, act nonchalant, and suppress the issue of the posthumous title."

Yin Changgeng frowned, "Difficult. The scholars traveling to Beiliang are all watching. Even if Beiliang blocks news, and the common people don't know much, how could so many scholars not have access to information? The greater difficulty lies in this: accepting the decree would be unfilial to the deceased, and the three hundred thousand cavalry would look down on the new prince. Not accepting would be disloyal to the emperor, and many scholars flocking to Beiliang would also have their opinions. In any case, the new prince is destined for a tough time. One misstep, and he'll displease both sides, caught between a rock and a hard place."

Yuan Guo glanced at Zhang Gaoxia, idly spinning his wine cup, and chuckled softly, "This is merely the opening move in the court's new chess game with Beiliang. Next, the new prince must observe three years of mourning. No one in the court is willing to request an early return to office for the new prince. This mid-game, which takes three years, is even more of a headache. Even if they get through the mid-game and solve the internal problems, they will probably face a hurried endgame. If Beiman insists on attacking Beiliang first, heh..."

Yuan Guo stopped speaking.

Han Xingyan quietly remarked, "It sounds like this new Prince of Beiliang will have quite a miserable time ahead?"

Yin Changgeng sneered, "Extremely miserable."

Yuan Guo rose from the small couch, swaying as he walked. "Drunk, drunk. Time to find your fathers for some sobering tea."

Yuan Guo habitually rubbed his earlobes and stumbled out of the room. The spring wind still carried a chill, and he shivered as it blew past him. He turned to see Zhang Gaoxia following behind him, so he slowed his pace and self-deprecatingly remarked, "I, Yuan Guo, am the most useless of the 'Spring of Yonghui' generation. Old man Huan scolded me the most and most fiercely back then, and I also disappointed the Grand Secretary."

Zhang Gaoxia coldly uttered a single sentence, then turned back towards Yin Changgeng and Han Xingyan.

"You were indeed the biggest disappointment!"

Yuan Guo acted as if he heard nothing, continuing to walk with a staggering gait.

This Vice Minister Yuan, who had merely muddled along in the Ministry of Public Works, the second-ranked scholar of his year, stopped before a two-person-tall boulder by Spring God Lake and laughed heartily.

It was strange how Grand Secretary Zhang Julu, within his large family, was neither a strict nor a kind father. He never intervened in household matters and always maintained a detached attitude towards his children, letting them fend for themselves. His eldest son did not seem to have inherited his father's scholarly talent; he was unremarkable, serving as a county magistrate in a remote county with fewer than three thousand households on the outskirts of the capital region. He had held this post for a full six years without any promotion. In fact, to this day, officials in that prefecture were unaware that he was the Grand Secretary's son. His second son was merely a bookworm, unable to leverage family influence to enter the Hanlin Academy and become a Yellow Gate attendant; he remained completely obscure. His youngest son was simply idle, not even possessing the courage to commit a minor misdeed. Over time, even though he was Grand Secretary Zhang's youngest son, the capital's young scions like Wang Yuanran, whose family backgrounds were significantly inferior to his, stopped wanting to play with him, finding him too useless and embarrassing to be seen with. Grand Secretary Zhang's daughters married into ordinary families. Whenever they returned home, they often did not even get to see their father. Even when Zhang Julu was at leisure at home, he remained steadfastly in his study, never making an appearance. His daughters, bringing their husbands (who were so nervous around the Grand Secretary they could barely stand still), would only dare to stand outside the study door, timidly offering a few greetings through the closed door. Grand Secretary Zhang would, at most, give a soft "hmm," and often did not respond at all.

Zhang Julu would only show a faint smile when he occasionally saw his grandchildren who had just learned to walk. Therefore, within the mansion, the only one who could exchange a few words with this all-powerful father was his unmarried daughter, Zhang Gaoxia.

The Grand Secretary, with his purple beard and green eyes, sat alone in his dimly lit study today. This study was like a forbidden zone in the Zhang mansion; even his daughter, Zhang Gaoxia, rarely entered. Over the years, only a handful of people had been allowed to sit there. Huan Wen was one, because there was only one chair in the room, meaning that if someone sat, the Grand Secretary himself would have to stand.

Zhang Julu had no interest in fine food or wine, nor did he take concubines. His wife was the daughter of his mentor, the old Grand Secretary. When she married Zhang Julu, there was a saying in the capital: "The Grand Secretary's daughter, the top scholar's wife." After her husband also became Grand Secretary, she was revered to the utmost. Even the current Empress Zhao Zhi treated her with proper respect. Yet, their relationship was as bland as water; they barely exchanged a few words all year, respecting each other more like ice than guests. Zhang Julu was not interested in the game of Go, but he was utterly fascinated by Xiangqi, or Chinese chess, invented by Huang Longshi. However, besides his old friend Huan Wen, he rarely played against others, preferring most of the time to play against himself. He had played for twenty years and had never grown tired of it. At this moment, Zhang Julu was moving red and black pieces on the board. This expensive chess set, with pieces and board carved from ivory, had been a gift from Yuan Guo years ago.

While top scholars, second-ranked scholars, and third-ranked scholars appeared every year, the group of "young talents" who emerged into the court's view during the brief four years of the "Spring of Yonghui" were now powerful ministers, each holding significant authority in the imperial court. They were destined to leave an indelible mark in historical records with extensive praise. Among these now-aging influential figures, Yuan Guo was the most "interesting." He was widely recognized as the most talented, yet his reputation was the least prominent. His personality was the most unrestrained, the most dissolute and immoral. For an ordinary civil servant, this might be called the charm of a free-spirited scholar, but for an official aspiring to a cabinet position, such an image was fatal. Therefore, when it came to who should inherit the mantle of the Zhang faction or whose surname should grace the "Zhang Mansion," no one even considered Vice Minister Yuan, who was merely idling in the Ministry of Public Works. Not to mention Zhao Yourou, Wang Xionggui, and Yin Maochun, even Han Lin, who held a similar rank, was considered more outstanding than Yuan Guo. It was hard to imagine that Yuan Guo was the first of these five to cross the threshold of the fourth rank. Unfortunately, a good start is useless without sustained effort in the greater scheme of things; officialdom is a place that emphasizes gradual progress, where momentum becomes increasingly important, otherwise, one faces a dismal, anti-climactic end.

Zhang Julu held a chess piece between two fingers, lightly tapping a stack of "captured" pieces on the edge of the board. He muttered to himself, "The game is good, but it lacks refinement. It cannot be called a brilliant move that can be freely controlled. It's too restrictive now; the next step is either no release or too much release. But it's only human nature. After losing for so many years, if I don't win a round now, I won't even have a chance to beat him again later."

The Grand Secretary looked at the scattered chess pieces on the board, lost interest, and stood up. He walked to the window. The green willows in the courtyard were just beginning to turn yellow in uneven patches; indeed, spring had arrived.

Zhang Julu fell into thought, then turned back to the chessboard and picked up a red chess piece engraved with the character "相" (xiang, meaning minister or elephant).

Zhang Julu smiled.

"Before Yuan Benxi's plans are fully realized. A trade, object for object. It's time to give this to you."

As the imperial decree was likely nearing the border of Beiliang Province, a lone rider quietly departed the capital at dawn. The white-robed man, carrying a flask of plum wine slung over his shoulder, rode directly out of the capital along the imperial road.

That day, at the morning court, amidst the dull spring thunder rumbling outside the main hall, Song Tanglu, the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, solemnly read three imperial decrees:1. Lu Daolin, Minister of Rites, resigned from his office to retire to his hometown. Yuan Guo, Vice Minister of Public Works, was appointed to fill the vacancy.2. Chen Zhibao resigned from his office, was enfeoffed as King, and granted a fief in Western Shu. Lu Baijie, Vice Minister of War, was promoted to Minister of War.

The capital was shaken.

Rumor had it that several upright old officials staggered forward and knelt, weeping uncontrollably. They directly admonished the Emperor in court, speaking without any pretense, bluntly stating that Chen Zhibao absolutely must not be allowed to "release the tiger back to the mountains" (a metaphor for letting a dangerous person escape). They argued that Beiliang served as a stark warning, and it was bad enough to nurture such a threat once; how could Chen Zhibao be allowed to gain power again?

His Majesty the Emperor responded with four words: "Dismissed. Court adjourned."

Consequently, Yuan Guo and Lu Baijie, the newly appointed ministers who had each risen a rank, received very few congratulations.

In the twilight, a middle-aged monk in white robes and a woman strangely entered the city together. At that time, everyone knew the court was vigorously suppressing Buddhism. The city guards stared at the pair with wide, incredulous eyes, thinking: Is this monk coming to Tai'an City to seek death? Even the capital's seasoned residents turned their heads, their gazes akin to looking at monsters.

The ordinary-looking woman playfully teased, "Back then, when I wanted to see you, I couldn't even if I stood on tiptoes; I had to jump."

The white-robed monk stroked his bald head, a warm smile on his face. "At that time, I thought, 'Whose daughter is that with such good stamina, jumping for several *li*!'"

The woman pinched him, grumbling, "Once we're in the capital, flirt less with those vixen-like women!"

"How could I?"

"If any shameless vixen tries to flirt with you, just wait till I get my hands on you!"

"That's a bit difficult... Wife, why don't you start now?"

"Boast, go on and boast! See if anyone recognizes you now? Besides, those women who still cling to memories are already old and faded; I don't care about them!"

"Wife, not caring means you care in your heart, doesn't it? It's better not to keep it in your heart or eyes."

"Looking for a beating, are you?"

"Is there really anyone in this world who believes eating your flesh grants immortality?"

"Sigh."

"If the heart is not sincere, what good are sixty years of vegetarianism and precepts? If the heart is not kind, what use is a hundred years of monastic practice? I think, burning incense and praying to gods and Buddha is not as good as accumulating blessings and becoming a Bodhisattva yourself."

"Oh? Wife, did you also listen to Abbot Huixin's sermon? Isn't that your favorite thing to listen to?"

"Humph! I was there to borrow money from the old abbot. He clearly had money but insisted he didn't, and just rambled on about this! Monks don't lie, it's improper!"

"Haha, wife, Abbot Huixin wasn't lying when he said he had no money. To him, those silver coins are just bricks for the monastery, pages for the sutras..."

"Oh? Didn't you have that silly Nanbei hide those silver coins with the old abbot?"

"Haha, wife, look, look! So many people in Tai'an City!"

"I miss our Li Zi, and Nanbei too."

"Me too."

"Hey, hey! Who are those two men ahead staring at you? Is there another man besides Huang Longshi who wants to steal my man? Be careful, go find me a brick! Are you looking for a slap?!"

"Uh, one is His Majesty the Emperor, the other is Yuan Benxi."

"Then I'm going to buy rouge..."

"Should I go borrow some silver from them?"

"Am I stupid? I can borrow from old abbots and not repay, but from them? Could I possibly not repay?"

"True."

The two men ahead clasped their hands in a gesture of respect. Although neither believed in Buddhism, they saluted the white-robed monk who had once traveled thousands of miles west.

But the white-robed monk turned, smiling, to watch his wife's departing back.

Nanzhao's Huai Prefecture was not peaceful. Along the journey, the sights were of fleeing commoners, collapsed wooden beams, and grave-like piles of dark blue gravel. The ancient timber merchant road on the river where the Five Streams converged had lost its former bustle and vibrancy; not a single boat was docked at the ferry.

A young monk and a girl stood by the stream at the ferry. The girl lay on the ground, leaning forward, using the still clear stream water as a mirror to carefully smooth her messy hair at her forehead and temples.

Exhausted, the girl sat up, dusted off the front of her clothes, and said helplessly, "Silly Nanbei, those refugees are starving; what good is preaching to them? It won't fill their bellies."

"Master says 'intention arises from conditions'..."

"Stop, stop! Listening to you preach just makes me hungrier. If you keep rambling, I'll really starve to death."

"Oh. I'll go find you food!"

Behind the young monk and the girl, sarcastic voices suddenly rose. The girl turned her head, frowning. It was a group of over thirty slovenly thugs, robust and mostly clad in animal skins draped over their shoulders. They were clearly much stronger than common ruffians, likely the so-called Five Streams Barbarians of the jianghu. The girl stood up and tugged the young monk's kasaya sleeve, signaling with her eyes that they couldn't fight them, but they could avoid them. When she used to roam the jianghu alone, she wouldn't have been so agreeable. She was decent at fighting, but since she took "Silly Nanbei" with her, she rarely got into trouble. The Five Streams Barbarians were spouting vulgarities, but the two outsiders didn't understand their difficult dialect. However, the barbarians' gazes revealed everything: they had set their sights on the girl beside the young monk. Due to the "Imperial Timber River Dispute," the Five Streams area of Huai Prefecture had been ravaged by war. Moreover, the Liyang court had poor control over Nanzhao, so some powerful factions engaged in much profiteering, exploiting the chaos to prey on merchants from the central plains. Many estates and shops were completely looted. That was considered lucky; losing money could avert disaster. Many families lost their lives outright.

The girl quietly said, "Let's jump into the stream."

The young monk shook his head. "Aren't you hungry? How will you have the strength to swim?"

The girl was so annoyed she wanted to hit the idiot, but the young monk had already walked forward alone, clasped his hands together, and stood in the middle of the road.

A Five Streams Barbarian rushed forward and delivered a direct punch to the head of the "death-seeking little bald donkey." He stumbled back a few steps, shook his wrist, feeling a sharp pain, then turned and jabbered a string of words.

The next Five Streams Barbarian grinned, jogged, leaped high, and viciously kicked the strange young monk in the chest.

The young monk swayed slightly, his expression still calm.

The group of Five Streams Barbarians were clearly shocked. Several of them began to draw sharp, gleaming scimitars.

The girl was about to go forward and drag the young monk into the stream when he turned, grinned, shook his bald head, his eyes firm.

The young monk turned back, silently recited something, pulled his clasped hands about a foot apart, then suddenly brought them together.

The Five Streams Barbarians paused, mistakenly thinking they had encountered a formidable opponent. But after a moment, there was no movement around them, and they burst into laughter. One swordsman tapped his shoulder with the back of his blade and approached with a cackling, sinister grin.

The young monk's kasaya fluttered gently.

"My Buddha, Tathagata."

The calm stream water suddenly churned into an unheralded tempestuous wave.

A terrifying azure dragon, formed from the gathered stream water, appeared in a fierce, guardian-like stance! It lowered its head and roared like thunder at the group of Five Streams Barbarians!

Terrified, they scattered, soiling themselves.

The girl, who hadn't bought a box of rouge since leaving home, sat by the ford. She showed no surprise, but rather a look of sadness.

The young monk scratched his head, squatted beside the girl, and murmured hesitantly for a long time before finally speaking.

"Li Zi, I'm just a monk. I don't know anything, only how to chant scriptures."

"Does chanting scriptures mean you *have* to become a Buddha?! Who cares about your relics!"

"Li Zi, are you hungry? Should I go beg for food for you?"

"Dongxi?"

"Li Dongxi?"

The young monk sighed, resting his chin on his hand, gazing into the distance.

The girl, her back to the young monk, raised her sleeve and wiped her face.

A convoy, escorted by a hundred elite light cavalry, had already reached the Youzhou boundary marker. A few more steps and they would be in Beiliang.

Inside the carriage with bright yellow curtains sat a grand eunuch from the Seal Office, clutching a golden lacquered box that he dared not let go of even in his sleep. Inside the box was the imperial edict of enfeoffment and commendation from the Liyang court to Beiliang.

The closer the old eunuch got to Beiliang, the more his eyelids twitched. He constantly told himself that merely setting foot on Beiliang's territory would be enough; even if he died on the way, at least the imperial decree would have reached Beiliang soil. However, he still harbored hope, unable to believe that the young new Prince would dare to assassinate or refuse the decree.

Then the carriage suddenly stopped. The old eunuch from the Seal Office sensed an unusual atmosphere, lifted the curtain, and his heart sank.

Near the Youzhou boundary marker, countless iron cavalry stretched as far as the eye could see along the post road.

In the first year of Xiangfu, between the spring equinox and the Qingming festival, the convoy escorting the imperial decree, before even entering Beiliang, was driven back three hundred *li* by two thousand Beiliang iron cavalry.

At the same time, an eight-thousand-strong cavalry force advanced on Zhulou military town in Hezhou, and another six thousand troops pointed their spears directly at Tieshuang City in Hezhou.

The imperial decree was not permitted to enter Beiliang by a single inch.