Upon hearing these words, Xu Zhengning smiled faintly to himself.

He was one of the Privy Council’s twelve divisions, specializing in secret missions with ears everywhere. He knew a bit more than others about the officials throughout the court, high and low. Take this Jiang Yong, for instance – though he now put on an appearance of military simplicity, his family foundation was actually quite solid. Before he and young Master Qi arrived, it was said he had been feasting on lamb and beef in the army. Now making this frugal display before them was nothing more than trying to earn a good official reputation.

Xu Zhengning secretly glanced at Qi Ying, seeing his expression calm, as if completely unaware of these schemes. There was even a hint of approval in his eyes as he said: “The General speaks too seriously. Now is a time of war – it should indeed be thus.”

Jiang Yong caught that fleeting hint of approval in Qi Ying’s eyes, feeling both settled and somewhat pleased with himself.

He didn’t know this newly appointed Vice Director of the Privy Council, Second Young Master Qi, very deeply. The Qi family was Great Liang’s foremost aristocratic family, their children proud and precious. Someone of Jiang Yong’s background rarely had opportunities to interact with aristocratic children. He had only met this famous Second Young Master Qi twice, both times at banquets hosted by princes. At those times he had followed behind Han Shouye, borrowing his prestige for such opportunities.

This Young Master Qi was always surrounded by crowds, truly a case of youthful success with the spring breeze beneath his horse’s hooves. Not only was he born into limitless wealth and nobility, now he had even gained real power, controlling the Privy Council’s military and governmental authority.

Such a figure was envied by all, but Jiang Yong harbored a trace of contempt in his heart.

What was so remarkable about Qi Jingchen? If he weren’t the Qi family’s legitimate son, if he didn’t have a father who was Left Chancellor, how could Qi Jingchen sit in such a high position at such a young age? Jiang Yong had fought for half his life to achieve today’s foundation, while Qi Jingchen, merely a yellow-mouthed child, had easily become his superior simply due to his aristocratic birth. He still had to bow and scrape, waiting for hours below the mountain slope to welcome him into the city – how unfair it was!

Jiang Yong felt resentful in his heart, yet didn’t dare offend Qi Ying. His face showed complete deference as he exchanged pleasantries with his superior, then tentatively asked: “Young Master Qi has come thousands of li to Nanling – I wonder if this is…”

Qi Ying put down his chopsticks, took a teacup from Qing Zhu’s hands and held it, answering indifferently: “General, rest assured. I come with no other purpose. It’s just that I was recently transferred, and Shicheng is currently of great importance, so naturally I must come take a look.”

His expression was indifferent, appearing flawless. Jiang Yong couldn’t tell for the moment whether his words were true or false. He feared Qi Ying was deceiving him, worried he had come on the Emperor’s orders. After all, even Xu Zhengning, known as “the executioner” in the Privy Council, had come along, which inevitably made one’s courage fail.

Who was Xu Zhengning? He specialized in secret missions, with countless lives under his hands. Over all these years, how many traitorous ministers of Great Liang had died at his hands? Simply uncountable.

Jiang Yong’s hair stood on end, though he had to maintain his composure on the surface. The welcoming banquet inevitably tasted like chewing wax as a result, and he remained dazed even when escorting the two superior officials to their guest quarters.

Returning to his room from the guest quarters, Jiang Yong pondered Qi Ying and Xu Zhengning’s words and expressions all the way, especially Xu Zhengning’s, fearing he had already discovered his secret surrender to Wei. His heart remained uneasy throughout. When he entered his own room, he saw a black shadow sitting in the main hall, frightening him out of his wits.

Jiang Yong drew his sword from his waist with a “whoosh,” shouting in a low voice: “Who goes there!”

The black shadow approached Jiang Yong unhurriedly. The pale moonlight from outside revealed the person’s face – Jiang Yong recognized him as one of Great Wei’s spies planted in Shicheng.

Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief, sheathing his sword. But his brow remained tightly furrowed as he cursed in a low voice: “Have you lost your mind! The Privy Council people are right here in the mansion and you dare come find me! Do you want to have your head cut off and thrown in the river!”

The black shadow was expressionless, his voice cold: “General, being so timid, no wonder you haven’t been able to get the Liang army to fight for months. Acting this way, aren’t you afraid of making General Gu doubt your loyalty to Great Wei?”

Hearing these words, Jiang Yong knew Gu Juhan was already dissatisfied with him, and couldn’t help but cry bitterly in his heart.

He had originally had no intention of surrendering to Wei. It was only when Shicheng suffered a great defeat last year that he was captured by Gu Juhan. That young general of the Gu family seemed like some military star descended from heaven, killing the Liang army until they retreated step by step. After being captured by him, Jiang Yong thought he would surely die, but unexpectedly Gu Juhan was willing to accept his surrender, asking him to reveal the whereabouts of General Han Shouye. With a path to life before him, how could he not take it? Jiang Yong naturally confessed immediately, resulting in his benefactor Han Shouye nearly losing his head.

Han Shouye managed to save his life, and Shicheng later returned to Great Liang’s hands. Gu Juhan stationed his troops north of the river, preparing to fight again after spring returned. He sent Jiang Yong back to Shicheng. Because Han Shouye was injured and had to return to Jiankang for treatment, Jiang Yong became the defending general of Nanling. Gu Juhan had planted him as a hidden nail, encouraging the Liang army to come out and fight. Jiang Yong was actually unwilling in his heart, but having once betrayed Han Shouye, he had left a handle in Gu Juhan’s hands. Now he could only let him manipulate him. If he showed the slightest disobedience, Gu Juhan would expose his surrender to Wei, and then without Gu Juhan lifting a finger, the Privy Council people would separate his head from his body.

Gu Juhan eagerly awaited battle and had already sent him messages several times over these months telling him to open the city gates and fight. Jiang Yong also wanted to cooperate, but ever since that Qi Jingchen took office, the Privy Council had issued seven successive documents forbidding battle, leaving him with no options.

Caught in the middle, Jiang Yong was in agony. He yielded to the black shadow: “Please tell General Gu to calm his anger. This matter… I have truly done my utmost in this matter. It’s just that Great Liang’s Privy Council has always been inflexible. That Qi Jingchen has now personally come to Shicheng. Though I have the heart to advocate for war, I really am…”

Jiang Yong poured out his heart, but the black shadow remained coldly expressionless: “General Gu is not unreasonable and deeply understands the General’s difficulties. But our Wei army has already been delayed here for months. If there is still no battle, General Gu will also find it difficult to answer to our Emperor.”

Jiang Yong nodded repeatedly, then heard the black shadow say: “General Gu has a word of advice for you.”

Jiang Yong quickly said: “Please speak, sir.”

The moonlight was cold and stern, the black shadow’s voice carrying murderous intent: “Turn crisis into opportunity, use killing to provoke war.”

Jiang Yong looked puzzled: “This…”

The black shadow narrowed his eyes, murderous intent floating in them: “Kill Qi Jingchen.”

Jiang Yong was shocked and horrified!

He truly hadn’t expected Gu Juhan to have such thoughts! Who was Qi Jingchen? The son of Left Chancellor Qi Zhang, the most outstanding figure among Great Liang’s aristocratic families, and now a minister trusted by His Majesty! If they killed Qi Jingchen, never mind the court – just the Qi family alone, how could they possibly let this pass!

But after the initial shock passed, Jiang Yong did understand Gu Juhan’s intention.

If Qi Jingchen died, he could claim this was done by Gao Wei, and could immediately stir up military sentiment to open the city and advocate for war. Even if he couldn’t stir them up at the time, Great Liang’s court would be furious, and war between the two countries would become unavoidable.

But…

“But,” cold sweat seeped from Jiang Yong’s forehead, his voice somewhat trembling, “General Gu perhaps doesn’t know – this Qi Jingchen’s connections are extremely significant. If he should die, Great Liang’s court will never let this pass. When it also involves the aristocratic family’s fury, I fear it won’t be something a single battle at Shicheng can appease…”

The black shadow smiled faintly: “General, Great Wei has never feared war. If this matter can provoke greater conflict, it would better suit our Emperor’s wishes. The General need only carry it out, no need for excessive worry.”

Jiang Yong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and was about to persuade further, but was interrupted by the black shadow: “What? The General has already become a traitor to Great Liang – does he now want to become a traitor to Great Wei as well?”

The words were sharp and cold, leaving Jiang Yong speechless. He repeatedly said he wouldn’t dare, watching as the black shadow left through the door and disappeared into the darkness.

The moon was cool as water, river tides sounding continuously.

Xu Zhengning walked to Qi Ying’s door and saw candlelight still burning in his room. Just as he was about to knock, he had barely raised his hand when the door opened from inside. Young Master Qi’s personal retainer Bai Song stood at the door opening it for him, holding a sword as he said: “Master Xu, the young master asks you to come in.”

Xu Zhengning raised his eyebrows.

He had long heard that Bai Song had extraordinary hearing, but hadn’t expected him to be acute to this degree. He was also a martial artist, his steps and breathing very light, yet he had still been discovered early on.

Xu Zhengning nodded to Bai Song, then stepped through the door.

Inside the room, his superior was playing chess alone, with the blue-robed boy standing behind him. Seeing Xu Zhengning arrive, Qi Ying very courteously rose to welcome him and invited him to sit.

Xu Zhengning sat across from Qi Ying, seeing black and white pieces intricately intertwined on the board – a game that had been played for quite some time.

He heard Qi Ying ask: “Master Xu visits late at night – has there been some movement over there?”

Xu Zhengning answered: “Your foresight was correct – Jiang Yong is indeed a traitor, meeting secretly with Gao Wei spies in his room tonight. Following your instructions, I didn’t alert them, but to prevent their wariness, I couldn’t get close, so I don’t know what they’re plotting.”

Qi Ying placed another stone, his expression unmoved, nodding: “Master Xu has worked hard.”

Seeing his composure, Xu Zhengning couldn’t help asking: “Perhaps you already know what they’re planning?”

Qi Ying withdrew his hand from the board, looked up at Xu Zhengning, smiled faintly, and answered: “Not hard to guess. The order forbidding battle was issued by me, and now I’ve personally come to Shicheng. Gu Juhan is eager for war, so he probably wants Jiang Yong to kill me, using this to provoke conflict.”

Xu Zhengning was stunned upon hearing this.

Having served in the Privy Council for over ten years, he had long seen much of life and death, yet rarely had he seen someone who could discuss their own life and death so calmly, especially someone so young.

Xu Zhengning frowned, feeling somewhat worried.

He said: “Gu Juhan has been stationed north of the river for months and has long made up his mind about this battle. If your prediction is correct, then…”

Qi Ying understood Xu Zhengning’s meaning but didn’t respond. Xu Zhengning’s frown deepened as he advised: “Before this trip, His Majesty commanded this humble official to ensure your safety at all costs. That Jiang Yong is insignificant – since we’ve already caught his weakness, we might as well kill him. Why must you personally take such risks?”

Xu Zhengning saw that after he finished speaking, Qi Ying placed a black stone with a light “click,” his expression carrying the gentle refinement unique to aristocratic families as he answered: “Master Xu speaks reasonably, but I handle affairs lazily and lack your patience. Since we’ve already come to Nanling, our target is definitely not merely one Jiang Yong.”

Xu Zhengning was stunned and asked: “What do you mean, sir?”

Qi Ying looked up, answering clearly and indifferently: “Our purpose is to make Gao Wei withdraw their troops.”

Xu Zhengning was dumbstruck.

Make Gao Wei withdraw? Gu Juhan had stationed troops north of the river for more than several months, determined to win this battle. He knew young Master Qi was a man with strategies hidden in his heart, but he was after all from a civil background. Could he actually make that divinely skilled military commander Gu Juhan retreat?

Xu Zhengning didn’t believe it in his heart, but seeing Qi Ying’s expression unmoved as a mountain, with a steady and broad bearing that inexplicably made one have firm faith that he could accomplish it.

After a long silence, Xu Zhengning rose and bowed: “If you can save our nation from disaster, then everything shall be according to your commands.”

Qi Ying glanced at Xu Zhengning and rose to help him up.

He knew Xu Zhengning was a sincere person who loved Great Liang more than his own prospects. It was said that a few years ago he had had an opportunity for promotion, to transfer to the Secretariat for a position that was not only higher in salary than a mere divisional official in the Privy Council, but also had the advantage of being leisurely and stable. Yet Xu Zhengning had refused, remaining in the Privy Council to handle those duties that stained hands with blood.

In the few months since Qi Ying entered the Privy Council, each of his twelve divisional subordinates had their strengths and weaknesses. Though Xu Zhengning might not be the most efficient among them, he could dedicate himself wholly to the country. The saying “sacrifice oneself for national crisis” was definitely not empty words for him.

And right now, Qi Ying needed exactly such a person.

He said to Xu Zhengning: “This is not one man’s national crisis, but the national crisis of all the people of Jiangzuo. To eat the ruler’s salary and share the ruler’s worries is my duty. You need not be so formal.”

Xu Zhengning looked up at Qi Ying, his gaze serious. Qi Ying knew he still harbored doubts, but had no intention of saying more, only saying: “The night is already deep. You should return and rest early.”

After Xu Zhengning left, Qi Ying still didn’t rest, writing letters under lamplight until deep into the night.

Qing Zhu had been keeping him company behind him, and noticing his writing movements were somewhat unusual, looked more carefully to see the young master’s face was somewhat pale.

Qing Zhu was shocked and asked: “Young master, is your stomach hurting again?”

Qi Ying didn’t answer, but his left hand couldn’t help covering his abdomen, cold sweat on his forehead.

Qing Zhu was both panicked and self-reproachful. He actually should have thought of it earlier – the young master had traveled all the way from Jiankang to Nanling, and after arriving had to deal with those scoundrels. For several days he had eaten very little, which would naturally trigger this old stomach ailment again.

Qing Zhu said anxiously: “Let me bring the young master some night snacks? Or warm some porridge? What would the young master like to eat?”

Qi Ying didn’t answer immediately.

This ailment had troubled him for a long time, just recently it had flared up more frequently due to exhaustion. This stomach pain wasn’t actually particularly severe, but it would persist continuously. At first it wasn’t obvious – sometimes when he got busy he would forget about it, and then the pain would gradually intensify until he could no longer ignore it.

In the past when the pain came, he had no appetite at all. But when Qing Zhu asked him now, he suddenly remembered the egg custard he had eaten on the morning of the fifteenth day of the first month. That custard had beautiful color, seemed to have a little milk added, with a layer of tender tofu at the bottom of the bowl. It was fragrant and smooth in the mouth, quite comforting to him.

He suddenly wanted to eat that kind of egg custard.

Qi Ying was silent for a while, sighed silently, and said to Qing Zhu: “Just bring me a cup of hot tea.”

Qing Zhu wanted to persuade him further upon hearing this, but saw the young master had already begun writing letters again, his shadow stretching long under the lamplight.

Qing Zhu helplessly went to fetch tea, thinking that tonight, the young master would probably stay awake all night again.

Author’s Note: To eat egg custard, he’ll have to wait a bit longer