"Young Prince!"
Xin Yi lay on a haystack with his hands tucked behind his head, soaking in the sun. Hearing the voice calling him, he simply raised a hand and waved it in the air to signal his presence. His hand was still wrapped in gauze, making the gesture quite conspicuous against the sky.
"Hu-zi is calling us for dinner." Meng Chen brushed the bits of straw off his robe and said, "It’s also time to change your bandages."
Xin Yi flipped over and jumped down, shaking the debris off his shoulders before walking back with Meng Chen.
This particular pasture was used for raising Rouhui’s horses, and several hounds were running loose. Seeing Xin Yi about to leave, they immediately crowded around him affectionately, jostling for a chance to be fed.
"Greedy things!" Meng Chen patted one of the dogs on the head. "If you want meat, go hunt it yourselves."
The dog lolled its tongue, and whether it understood or not, it continued to wag its tail vigorously.
Meng Chen laughed in exasperation. "Their eyes are only on the Young Prince, just waiting for rabbit meat." He then turned to Xin Yi. "Once we leave in a couple of days, they’ll have to behave."
Xin Yi smiled as well. "They really do need proper training. They couldn't even stop Chiye last night." He leaned down to scratch one of the dogs under the chin. "Watch the yard well." Chiye was currently allowed to run free, and these dogs didn't dare go near it, let alone stop it.
Speaking of rabbit meat, Xu Qingniang had indeed roasted some for lunch. Xin Yi and Meng Chen followed the scent into the courtyard. Xu Hu hadn't returned from his patrol yet, but Xu Qingniang had already prepared everything.
"Young Prince, Brother Meng, please start first." The bells at Xu Qingniang’s waist jingled. Ever since Xin Yi had rescued her, she had been going out of her way to prepare a variety of dishes for him. "I don't know when Hu-zi will be back. I’ve kept a portion warm for him on the stove. You two eat first."
Xin Yi and Meng Chen didn't stand on ceremony; the aroma of the roasted meat had long since made their mouths water. The three of them chatted idly during the meal, and it wasn't long before Xu Hu returned. After they all finished eating, there was nothing to do in the afternoon. Xin Yi changed his dressings and then retreated to his room, feeling drowsy.
He wouldn't be staying in Rouhui much longer. The capital had already sent messengers to urge his return. Xin Yi decided to leave the day after tomorrow, heading from Rouhui to Lizhen. He wouldn't stop at the Prince of Yan’s manor; instead, he would pass through Xiajin and Dezhou to return directly to the capital. Beiyang and Shanyin were quite far apart, and he had no reason to take such a long detour, so he had to give up on that idea for now.
Just as he was drifting off to sleep, Xu Hu suddenly pounded on the door, startling Xin Yi and giving him a headache. Upon opening the door, he saw Xu Hu’s frantic face. "Young Prince, that man is dead!"
The sleepiness vanished from Xin Yi’s face. "Let’s go see," he said.
Of the people who had kidnapped Xu Qingniang that day, only the leader had been kept alive; the rest had vanished without a trace. But even in captivity, the man had remained stubborn, refusing to utter a single word of confession.
The man was in the Rouhui prison, but by the time Xin Yi arrived, the body had already been carried out. Meng Chen knelt to pull back the cloth, gripped the man’s jaw to inspect it, and said to Xin Yi in a heavy voice, "He committed suicide by biting his tongue."
"Not a moment sooner or later, but right now." Xin Yi frowned. "Who was on guard last night?"
Xu Hu replied, "I was guarding the door myself. No one else entered, and not a word was passed to him. He still seemed somewhat spirited this morning, but when I checked again after lunch, he was dead."
Xin Yi’s eyelid began to twitch. He felt an inexplicable sense of unease, yet he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong. A sensation akin to a premonition surged in his chest; he felt as though something was about to happen.
"Uncle Meng." He turned abruptly. "Prepare the horses. We’re leaving now!"
Meng Chen was stunned but immediately followed. Xu Hu also chased after them, asking, "Is the Young Prince returning to the capital?"
"The capital is useless right now." Xin Yi strode out of the prison. "Go to Lizhen first."
Chiye would come at a whistle. Xu Qingniang prepared water and bundles of food. Even though he didn't know why they had to leave so suddenly, Meng Chen didn't question him for a moment.
Xin Yi hurried toward Lizhen, his whip never ceasing as they rode through the night, the unease in his chest still festering.
The man from Dayuan was dead.
Why die now? If it wasn't an order received after his imprisonment, then he must have received word long ago. Dayuan wanted to ensure there were no living witnesses, wiping themselves clean at this seemingly ordinary moment—unless they were afraid of being implicated in something and having the capital notice too early. Chagetai had only just married the princess and become a son-in-law of Dalan; not even a year had passed. Why was he in such a hurry?
Who was using threats or incentives?
Or was someone else making a move first, forcing him to move his pieces as well?
Chiye ran for an entire night. At dawn, the two took a brief rest before setting off again. It wasn't until the following afternoon that they reached Lizhen.
The moment Xin Yi saw Ji Baiyue, he asked, "What news is there from Jiangtang recently?"
Ji Baiyue was slightly surprised. "The King of Tang’s side? Autumn is approaching, so he must be inspecting the grain harvests. I heard that last year’s dam breach caused this year’s harvest to be poorer than usual, so he just bought three shiploads of grain from Xuhang."
Xuhang?
The explosion at the New Year’s banquet suddenly flashed before his eyes.
Xin Yi said, "No matter how bountiful Xuhang’s harvest is, it can’t fill Jiangtang’s granaries. Where did Yan Jueshu get that much grain?" As he spoke, he exchanged looks with Meng Chen and Ji Baiyue, suddenly remembering the "Xuhang business" Wu Yu had mentioned.
"Wu Yu only sells him grain." Ji Baiyue saw Xin Yi’s expression was off and feared he might be disgusted by Wu Yu’s involvement in shady business. "Xiajin has the most land now, but with so few people, the grain would just rot in the granaries without government subsidies. Selling it is the only way to get some silver for the people below."
"Does Yan Jueshu do business with Shangjin?"
"He does." Ji Baiyue frowned. "Although this man came from the Hanlin Academy and serves as an official, the businesses he handles are diverse and numerous. He even dares to touch the official salt trade."
Yan Jueshu, Jiangtang, Shangjin, Dayuan.
A clear line of connection could be drawn on a map. Yan Jueshu was using the needs of the Crown Prince, the King of Tang, and Chagetai to act as a middleman for three-way smuggling. He used money to open the Shangjin trade route for the Crown Prince, secretly facilitated gunpowder deals for the King of Tang, and finally used the trade routes to make a fortune from Dayuan. He also bought up surplus grain from various regions at high prices to hoard, fearing the world wasn't chaotic enough—he was likely waiting for conflict to break out among the three parties so he could rake in millions more from military provisions and equipment!
Using money to throw the world into chaos, and then using money to drive the world—this man was both terrifying and formidable.
Xin Yi gripped his teacup and remained silent for a few moments, the unease in his heart intensifying. The King of Tang’s true intentions were almost on the tip of his tongue!
However, at that very moment, news arrived from outside that exceeded Xin Yi’s expectations.
As dusk fell, the messenger knelt on the ground and said urgently:
"Young Prince, General, Sun Baiping of Dezhou has rebelled!"
The scar on Ji Baiyue’s brow twitched. He said in shock, "Sun Baiping?"
Sun Baiping dared to rebel!
Dezhou was located near Xiajin, which was so poor it was practically empty land. The territory was small and the population sparse. Sun Baiping himself was a coward; usually, when he went to the capital, he wouldn't even dare to make a sound in a crowd. He dared to rebel? How could he? Dezhou’s prefectural army was barely ten thousand strong; Xiajin could crush him in the cradle just by lifting a finger. How did he have the courage?
Was he instigated, or was he coerced?
Jiangtang and Xuhang were like fishbones stuck in Xin Yi’s throat, and he had spent the whole journey focused on those two places, yet now he was told the one who rebelled was Dezhou. The feeling he had now was subtle and strange, but the tension in his mind tightened further. He even began to speculate: was this a precursor for the King of Tang, or a distraction created by Yan Jueshu?
"The Prince of Pacification has two more sentences for the Young Prince!" The man on the ground looked up, his eyes bright. "The Young Prince may return to the capital this very day; His Highness awaits the Young Prince’s return home in the capital. Alternatively, the Young Prince may remain in Beiyang, immediately consolidate the Beiyang Army of the Three Jins, and stand ready. In two days, the investiture will arrive!"
Ji Baiyue stood up abruptly. "Investiture..." He looked at Xin Yi. "The Prince of Yan!"
That title was like a fire, roaring up from his chest, sending a violent tremor through his fingertips. Xin Yi bit his lip, remembering the hand Bai Jiu had placed on his shoulder, telling him over and over again.
*Don't lose your head.*
*Don't be impatient.*
"This is a beginning," the voice that had lingered by his ear seemed to whisper again. "You can walk back, step by step."
"Mobilize the troops of the Three Jins." After only a few moments, Xin Yi looked up again and said calmly, "Assemble the Beiyang Army."
This was only a beginning; the path had already appeared amidst the mist and mountains. He had originally thought he would never be able to set foot upon it, until Bai Jiu helped him up, allowing him to choose between a smooth grand road or a perilous path of thorns. No matter which day it was, that man was waiting for him to come home.
The Prince of Ping was dead, but there were still those who lived.
Xin Yi took a step forward, planting his foot firmly on the stairs.
The sky had darkened, and the starlight was faint.
"I have made my choice."
He murmured softly, though it was unclear who he was speaking to.
***
The flame licked at his fingertips, but Bai Jiu seemed to have no sensation of it. The newly arrived letter turned to ash. He rubbed the dust from his fingers and said nonchalantly to Qu Lao at his side, "Let’s have sweet potatoes for dinner."
Qu Lao smiled, his eyes crinkling. "You’ve been having them for several days now."
Bai Jiu wiped his fingers clean on a handkerchief and smiled. "I just have a craving for them."
Qu Lao chuckled. "Our Young Prince has a craving for them too."
"He’s still growing; there’s nothing he doesn't like to eat." Bai Jiu leaned back against a soft cushion and idly flipped through the dossiers Xin Yi used to read. "But I like him just the way he is. Whatever he likes, I’ll give it to him." As Qu Lao cleared away the ashes, he heard his master suddenly change the subject. "Sun Baiping’s granddaughter married well."
Qu Lao smiled. "Didn't she? She’s Lord Yan’s nineteenth concubine, quite high up in the ranks."
"Nineteenth concubine." Bai Jiu turned a page and saw a notation his Young Prince had made at the bottom of the dossier—the two words "Nonsense" written in fine script. He burst into laughter. "This man, Yan Jueshu, is indeed quite nonsensical."
He wanted both the world’s wealth and the world’s power.
Too greedy; even a dog wouldn't stand for it.
When a stray dog is starving, it dares to snatch anything. If you want to deal with it, you must give it a sound thrashing until it tucks its tail and runs. But if you don't hit it hard enough, you’ll inevitably suffer a mauling.
Yan Jueshu dreamed of several vicious dogs chasing him and biting him. When he woke up startled, the soft curtains were filled with a powdery fragrance, and he could feel his "warm fragrance and soft jade" lying right beside him. He sat up; the man with his hair loose was still quite young.
He had a face that was alluring and blurred; if he were a bit more delicate, he would be the image of a charming young lady. It was just that this "lady’s" tastes weren't quite right—the entire room was filled with glittering gold. He loved gold, and only gold.
Even his wives and concubines had to be as plump as gold ingots to catch his eye.
The nineteenth concubine beside him was sleeping soundly; even though he had been awake for a while, no one paid him any mind. The disgusting image of those drooling dogs was still in his head. A knot of frustration sat in his chest, making it impossible to sleep. He pushed aside the person lying next to him, got out of bed, threw on a robe, and poured himself some water.
What to do when you can't sleep?
Count money, of course.
Yan Jueshu pulled out the money chest he kept in this room. When he opened it, it was full of money—gold, silver, and copper all tossed together. He didn't despise any of it. He held the chest and counted with great relish. He was exceptionally skilled at bookkeeping and counting, rarely making mistakes. Once an account book passed before his eyes, he would never forget it; he would know even if a single copper coin was missing.
But he simply enjoyed counting them one by one, never tiring of it, never bored.
There was one strange thing, however: for a man who loved gold so much, what hung around his neck wasn't a piece of gold, but a piece of agate—variegated and mottled, worth very little. He had to hold this agate while counting his money to be truly happy.
He continued counting until dawn, when someone from outside brought word that Lord Xie Jingsheng of Qingping had sent a gift. He told them to bring it up for him to see. Before he could even take a sip of tea, he saw a servant scurrying over, leading a fierce, menacing large dog.
The lingering fear from last night’s dream remained. His hand shook, and hot tea scalded his hand. The people around him immediately began to fuss and wipe it, but he only gave a cold laugh, pushed aside the meddling concubine, and stared at the dog.
Did Bai Jiu think a single dog could scare him? Never mind a Beiyang dog or a Kyoto dog—even the one on the dragon throne, he treated like a mangy stray!
"Send three more shiploads of goods to Jiangtang." Yan Jueshu wiped his scalded, reddened hand and sneered, "Give them the good stuff."
***
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