Chapter 64: Two Geese Exchanged for the Grand Yellow Gate

Xu Fengnian did not give Lady Xu the opportunity to write her "Goose Roasting Post" that evening. This was because Ning Emei, wielding his great halberd, led a hundred light cavalry from the Fengzi Camp towards Yingchuan County town at dusk.

It appeared there had been a conflict along the way with Deputy Commandant Tang Shan and his military forces. The incident began when Tang Shan, seeing the light cavalry approaching the city from afar, ordered the gatekeepers to close the city gates ahead of time. Legend has it that Ning Emei uttered not a word. Instead, he drew a dozen short halberds from his large satchel and, one by one, forcefully plunged them into the city gate, creating a resounding clamor. Before Ning Emei had even used his last short halberd, the Deputy Commandant finally yielded and opened the gates. The hundred light cavalry then galloped inside. With a single strike of his distinctive iron halberd, Ning Emei unseated Tang Shan, who had considered himself a formidable fighter. He then held his great halberd against the Deputy Commandant's mouth, rendering him motionless and utterly humiliated.

After meeting the Young Master, they left Yingchuan County town together. Inside the city, Zheng Hanhao, the chief civil official, claimed illness and did not appear. Tang Shan and the rest of Gu Jiantang's former subordinates were as silent as cicadas in winter, daring not to show their faces. Only the Third Master, Jin Lanting, whose residence had been thrown into chaos, arrived at the city gate with a bitter expression. He watched the Young Master's dashing figure, dual-wielding swords and riding a white horse. Then, he inadvertently caught sight of the lady beside him who had adamantly insisted on seeing him off. Her eyes seemed distant, as if she was reluctant to part. The henpecked Third Master Jin felt a suffocating frustration, wishing he could slap her. Yet, this lady was the legitimate daughter of the Xu clan, one of Yongzhou's most prominent aristocratic families, so he dared not lay a hand on her, nor even speak in a slightly stern tone. She had not borne an heir for the venerable Jin family, a fact Jin Lanting had to grudgingly tolerate. Even matters within the bedchamber were equally miserable. She dictated their intimate positions, always prioritizing her own comfort. To this day, he had never experienced the "old man pushing the cart" position, always being forced into the most strenuous "old tree wrapped around roots." The pitiable Third Master Jin, weak and frail, found marital intimacy a painful chore, feeling as though he could die. To whom could he confide such sorrow and indignation?

Meanwhile, at the old Jin family residence, the atmosphere was similarly grim. The Old Master sat in a tranquil small pavilion with Zheng Hanhao, the Yongzhou Assistant Fiscal Officer, who was supposedly ill and recovering in bed. Several young, beautiful maids attended to them, massaging their shoulders and legs. The two elders sat in silence. Their families shared the strongest intergenerational ties in Yingchuan. Otherwise, Zheng Hanhao would not have gone to such lengths to welcome the Young Master into Third Master Jin's private residence. Unfortunately, it now appeared they had gained no favor whatsoever from the Northern Liang King's residence. Instead, Third Master Jin had fainted twice, a peach tree had been cut down, a white goose cooked, and even the limited supply of high-quality Lanting Xuan paper had been plundered. Furthermore, there were the veiled implications of the two ladies having been harassed. Zheng Hanhao, being a man of reason, did not resent his nephew, Third Master Jin, for holding grievances against him.

Zheng Hanhao offered a wry smile. "I had assumed that someone as brilliant as the Grand Marshal, and even if the Young Master wasn't quite as astute, he would at least be a discerning young man. Alas, this time I overstepped."

The Jin family's Old Master, who had entrusted Zheng Hanhao with hundreds of gold to navigate the Yongzhou official circles, gently pushed away a maid's delicate hand. He rubbed his temples and sighed, "If it were merely a matter of spending some gold and silver, it would be a minor concern. Even our overt display of closeness to the Young Master, which displeased those martial men in Yingchuan, is a small matter. However, those regional governors and inspectors who are at odds with the Grand Marshal are now coldly watching our misfortune. Ultimately, it was I, this dizzy, half-dead old man, who acted on my own accord, wishing to take a gamble, but I have dragged you into this, Hanhao. Originally, your chances of securing the position of Fiscal Officer were still fifty-fifty."

Zheng Hanhao had served as an official for decades, and the Jin family had consistently provided generous financial and practical support. Despite several near-misses for promotion, he had long adopted a philosophy regarding the position of Fiscal Officer: "What I gain is my fortune, what I lose is my destiny." Zheng Hanhao had already made one misstep by following the Old Master, but he could not afford another, especially as he was aging and could not risk alienating the powerful Jin family. So, he promptly shook his head and smiled, "Old Master Jin, you speak too gravely. Hanhao can assure you that before I retire, I will secure a splendid future for my nephew, Third Master Jin. Fan Ping, the second son of the old Prefect of Jiuquan Commandery, has long coveted my humble position as Assistant Fiscal Officer; I shall simply cede it to him. Fan Ping is the esteemed mentor of Zhu Jun, our new Prefect of Heyang Commandery. Third Master Jin is not without talent; as long as someone recognizes it, he will surely ascend rapidly."

The Old Master Jin said with relief, "Hanhao, you are truly considerate."

Zheng Hanhao, who had been caught in the rain thirty li outside the city the previous day, tapped his fingers on the table and glanced at the maids nearby. The Old Master, understanding his unspoken cue, waved the young maidservants – barely old enough to be his great-granddaughters – out of the elegant small pavilion. Only then did Zheng Hanhao lower his voice. "Old Master Jin," he began, "in recent years, General Gu has steadily placed his former subordinates in Yong and Quan provinces, subtly creating a defensive encirclement. We have all observed this, though we've remained silent. Given that Grand Secretary Zhang has fallen out with the Northern Liang figure, is there some deeper meaning behind that person's arrival in the capital at this specific time? Old Master Jin, your unique insight and infallible judgment naturally allow you to see further than I do. Could you perhaps offer some elucidation?"

The Old Master said gravely, "This matter cannot be discussed, and frankly, I cannot fully comprehend it. The way this individual from Northern Liang conducts himself is truly... never mind. That great tree is not one we can simply cling to just because we desire it."

Zheng Hanhao likewise fell silent.

The Old Master suddenly chuckled. "I believe that no matter how unfavorable the overall situation appears for Northern Liang, one must never underestimate them. Tang Shan is considered a fierce general under General Gu, yet what happened when he confronted Ning Emei, one of the 'Four Teeth' of Northern Liang? Just a single halberd strike."

Zheng Hanhao recalled this incident, and his mood improved considerably. The Northern Liang army was unparalleled in warfare; whether this was a good or bad thing mattered little to them. What was truly vexing, however, was the arrogant and overbearing conduct of Tang Shan and other subordinates of Grand Marshal and General Wuyang Gu Jiantang in Yongzhou, who showed absolutely no respect for the local gentry.

The next day.

The Jin family's Old Master was in his study, engrossed in copying the "Green Goat Stele of Immortal Wu Taiji Zuo," a text that had only recently gained popularity among scholars at the beginning of the year. Zheng Hanhao, forgetting all decorum, burst in frantically, exclaiming with delight, "Old Master Jin, wonderful news, truly wonderful news!"

The Old Master, rarely seeing Zheng Hanhao in such a state of excitement, felt his interest piqued. He set down his brush and asked, "What is this good news?"

Zheng Hanhao wiped sweat from his brow, built up the suspense, and then excitedly asked, "Does the Old Master know Chu Lushan, the one the Young Master nicknamed 'Fatty Lu'?"

The Old Master's heart clenched. Throughout the dozens of commanderies in Liang, Yong, and Quan, who didn't know Chu Lushan? Regarding his infamous reputation, this "Fatty Lu," corpulent as a pig, was only marginally less notorious than the "Human Butcher," Grand Marshal Xu. He was known for drinking women's "fresh water" and, in the army, for flaying and killing people at the slightest provocation. During the chaos of the autumn war, while this corpulent brute wasn't the most prolific killer among Northern Liang's fiends, Xu Xiao was willing to entrust almost all of Northern Liang's most covert, depraved, and villainous deeds to this adopted son. When Eastern Yue and Western Shu fell, more than a dozen imperial concubines were cruelly murdered by this "Fatty Lu." It was even rumored that six princesses of Western Shu were tortured to death by him in a single night! The Old Master, who had witnessed countless rises and falls, felt cold sweat break out on his forehead. No wonder he couldn't maintain his composure. How could anything related to "Fatty Lu" possibly be good news? Had Zheng Hanhao lost his mind?!

Noticing the Old Master's bewildered reaction, Zheng Hanhao instantly snapped back to attention. He dared not beat around the bush any longer, laughing heartily, "Old Master Jin, this is truly monumental news! 'Fatty Lu,' along with the new Prefect Zhu Jun, has arrived at Third Master Jin's residence, do you know?! Third Master Jin has been promoted two ranks and is going to the capital to become a Huangmen Attendant!"

The Old Master was dumbfounded. Third Master Jin's greatest lifelong ambition had been to serve as an official in the capital. To secure a position as a Grand Huangmen, which surpassed even that of a Junior Huangmen, was an immense honor for any cultured scholar. Both Junior and Grand Huangmen roles were crucial stepping stones for eventually entering the Grand Secretariat as a Grand Academician. Hadn't Zhang Julu, the current Grand Secretary, who humbly referred to himself as a mere disciple of the Old Grand Tutor, quietly served in the esteemed position of Grand Huangmen for a full sixteen years?! For scholars from the Imperial Academy entering the capital, the Huangmen positions had historically been the preferred choice. How incredibly fortunate was Third Master Jin to suddenly leap into this blessed place, renowned as the "Little Dragon Pavilion"? The Old Master asked in astonishment, "Is this real? Is this truly happening?!"

Zheng Hanhao exhaled slowly, then smiled. "Although the official appointment has not yet been issued, 'Fatty Lu' stated that the Grand Marshal has already written a recommendation – and it's in the Grand Marshal's own hand!"

The Old Master slapped his thigh. "This matter is settled! The position of Grand Huangmen is now as good as secured for my Third Master Jin!"

Who in the world would dare to defy the Grand Marshal, who so rarely recommended officials?

His Imperial Majesty the Emperor?

The Old Master neither wished nor dared to ponder that question deeply.

By the lake at Jin Lanting's residence, the Third Master, Jin Lanting, was prostrate on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Standing before this Yongzhou scholar-official, who had long considered his talents unappreciated, were two immensely significant figures of vastly different physiques.

Chu Lushan, smiling with narrowed eyes.

And the visibly nervous Heyang Prefect, Zhu Jun.

"Fatty Lu" slowly departed the residence, laboriously climbing into his carriage. He then let out a sound of surprise, turned to the respectfully standing Prefect Zhu, and chuckled, "I hear your household has a beautiful concubine who just gave birth to an extraordinary son for you, Master Zhu. I imagine she has plenty of 'water'."

Prefect Zhu Jun, a dignified official, turned ashen, his Adam's apple bobbing. He lowered his head and gritted his teeth, "I humbly implore General Chu to return to my residence with me."

To Prefect Zhu's surprise, "Fatty Lu" burst into loud laughter. He then climbed directly into his carriage and remarked, "Never mind. This trip is for the Young Master's business; I can't spare time for such a small pleasure."

Zhu Jun watched the carriage kick up dust and the Northern Liang iron cavalry thunder out of the city, his body trembling.