Feelings had already changed in nature—at least that’s what Yun Ye believed. In the past, when he wanted money, he would ask the Emperor directly, feeling this was an upright and honorable matter, and the Emperor also felt this was a matter of course.
Now it was different. He had to use some politician’s methods to achieve his goals. This was precisely where Li Tai was dissatisfied. This fellow had locked himself in the laboratory for too long and had become somewhat disconnected from this world. He didn’t know that ten years ago, if the Emperor’s trust in Yun Ye had been at least nine parts, now only six parts remained.
The biggest reason was that the Yun family was growing vigorously. In just a few decades, it had become a top aristocratic family of the Great Tang. Such a rise in speed was astonishing. Which other family didn’t spend a hundred years laying foundations and then slowly growing? Only the Yun family was like forest vines ceaselessly growing wildly, climbing to the highest place by borrowing the sturdy branches of the Imperial Family.
These bitter matters couldn’t be discussed with Li Tai. He lived in his ivory tower, content and happy. The biggest worry in his heart was Hypatia’s distant voyage. Every day he marked on a sea chart where his wife was, placing all his longing on this sea chart.
Li Chengqian already knew that the Yun family needed to be restrained, especially after Zhangsun Wuji retreated behind the scenes—the Yun family appeared particularly prominent. Dugu Mou and Heichi Changzhi emerged in response to this background.
Cheng Wuting, Liu Rengui, and these people had also grown up. Pei Xingjian, Xue Rengui, Sun Renshi, Su Dingfang—these people were now at the time when they could be used. Although Yun Ye was young, he was classified by everyone into another level, destined to be eliminated.
Li Jing now never left his home. Cheng Yaojin, aside from attending court, just crouched at home drinking. Although Li Ji was serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Jingxiang Circuit Army controlling the great army on the grasslands, in these years, because there were no more enemies on the grasslands, the military strength of the Jingxiang Circuit had been depleted by seventy to eighty percent. Instead, the great armies of the Sixteen Guards were strong in troops and horses, fully equipped and at full complement.
The Xuanjia Army once again entered Lingnan, passed through the Meiling Ancient Road, and stationed in Shaozhou. Across the Qushui, they vigilantly guarded Guangzhou and Yongzhou with covetous eyes. The Lianzhou Prefect Zhang Hengtian had continuously received court support these years. Lianzhou’s local garrison troops were the most formidable existence in Lingnan aside from the Yun family and Feng family.
During these years when Yun Ye and Zhangsun Wuji were engaged in their struggle, Li Er had unknowingly completely unfolded his plan to monitor all under heaven. And all of this was what Yun Ye and Zhangsun Wuji could not refuse.
There were fewer and fewer acquaintances in the Court of Imperial Waterways. Qu Zhuo was dispatched to Zhaozhou. Zhangsun Heng was dispatched to Yongzhou. This was Li Er’s art of checks and balances. For a full three years, Li Er had been coldly observing. After even the Wuli Sima had stationed himself at the Martial Research Institute, perhaps the Emperor could breathe a sigh of relief now?
Yun Ye had no intention of rebellion. Zhangsun Wuji had no intention of rebellion. Li Tai still seemed to have no interest in the throne. These three people were whom the Emperor worried about most. As long as these three didn’t cause trouble, Li Er didn’t care about others. For example, Li Ke was now firmly pressed down in the Prince of Wu’s fiefdom. Aside from accumulating some wealth, he made no moves whatsoever.
After King Ying Zheng of Qin annihilated the Six Kingdoms, he collected all the swords and blades under heaven and cast twelve bronze statues, originally thinking that this way he could release the horses to the southern mountains. As a result, the garrison soldiers of Yuyang rose in rebellion, and a massive empire became fragmented in a short time, swept by history’s fierce wind into the depths of memory.
Yun Ye believed that on this night with a bright moon, he was definitely not the only one unable to sleep. He seemed to already see Li Er standing at the entrance of Wanmin Palace singing to the moon, Zhangsun Wuji coughing as he lay on his bed staring fixedly at the bright moon with eyes full of unwillingness, and Dugu Mou perhaps once again singing to wine in his own mansion.
Yun Ye didn’t want to expose himself beneath the bright moon. He hid his figure in the shadow under the eaves, watching the silver moonlight on the ground spread over the earth, always wanting to turn and flee.
That white moonlight was a giant net!
“Husband, it’s late. You should rest.” Xinyue still couldn’t help but come out to urge Yun Ye.
“Alright, let’s sleep. It’s getting late.” Yun Ye pulled at the robe draped over his body. The night was cool as ice—it really was time to sleep. When the morning sun rose tomorrow, perhaps everything would be different…
When the great court assembly of the new year was about to arrive, Xiao Miao gave birth to a son. The little fellow’s crying was loud and clear. He weighed a full eight jin. This was the Yun family’s fourth son. The old ancestor held the child, her face full of wrinkles from smiling. Although she couldn’t hear clearly what others were saying, her mouth hadn’t been idle all day. She spoke almost non-stop, personally entertaining the distinguished guests who came to celebrate from all quarters.
The commotion continued from the child’s birth until the child’s full month. The Yun family was filled with joy. At the entrance, four tall red lanterns proudly announced to everyone that the Yun family now had four sons.
The old ancestor sat in a chair and fell asleep, her mouth still containing unmelted soft candy. Her smile was frozen in that instant. She departed silently and without trace…
Yun Ye’s tears flowed freely. It was this old woman who had given him the courage to live on in this world. It was she who, leading a group of women and children, had given Yun Ye the courage to continue striving.
Others all said it was Yun Ye who brought revival to this family. But only Yun Ye himself knew clearly—it was this old woman who injected a soul into his empty shell.
If one asked what person in this world loved him most, it was undoubtedly this woman who sat in a chair sleeping forever. Now, the one who loved him most had gone. He felt as if his soul had been drained away in an instant.
He gently rested his head on the old woman’s knee. The old woman’s drooping hand fell right upon her grandson’s head, as if the departing she already knew how grieved her grandson would be. Although that hand was slowly growing cold, it remained incomparably gentle…
The celebrating Yun family immediately filled with heaven-shaking cries. The entire Yun Family Manor was covered in white mourning. Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda, who rushed over hastily, stopped Old Qian from wailing and trying to take down the red lanterns.
“The old madam lived past eighty—this counts as a joyous funeral. If you take down the lanterns celebrating the birth of a son, even in heaven the old lady wouldn’t be willing. Just hang them like this—the old lady will be happy seeing them.”
Liu Jinbao, dressed in full mourning garments, led over ten household servants and rode fast horses to swiftly transmit the news of the old ancestor’s passing to Yuezhou, Qizhou, Luoyang, distant Yongzhou, and Liaodong where Yun Huan was.
The court’s envoy came very quickly. Xinyue, on behalf of Yun Ye who was too grief-stricken to control himself, kowtowed in thanks for the Imperial Family’s great grace. The honorific title of Lady of Han—this was already a rare reward…
Yun Ye knelt like a wooden figure beside the spirit tablet, mechanically and continuously kowtowing thanks to relatives and friends who came to pay their respects. His ears couldn’t hear what others were saying. In his mind was only that warm scene when he returned to Chang’an on a snowy night, always thinking of that warm embrace that restored his soul. Whether it was the old lady’s daily nagging or scolding, it all now seemed exceptionally precious. He suddenly felt himself extremely foolish. He clearly could have lived out this life leisurely and carefree—why did he participate in those endless disputes?
He clearly could have spent more time with the old lady—why did he rush about east and west, campaign north and south?
The nobles of the capital, whether past enemies or old friends, all chose to come pay their respects during the time of the old lady’s passing. Zhangsun Wuji came. Zhangsun Chong came. Chu Suiliang came. In the end, even Zhangsun personally brought the Imperial Family’s condolences…
After the commotion, there was boundless quiet. Yun Shou rushed back. Yun Huan also desperately rushed back from Liaodong. Daya, Xiao Ya—all the daughters who had married out also rushed back. Only Li Rong and Li Anlan were still on speeding warships, traveling upstream along the Yangtze River.
Before Li Er lay Yun Ye’s memorial requesting mourning leave. He sighed deeply and said, “He was originally someone of deep feelings. With Lady of Han’s passing, the blow to him will probably be extremely great.”
Zhangsun wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said, “You didn’t see—his whole person was almost deformed. His face was covered in beard, his two eyes red and swollen. Kneeling there, this consort walked past and didn’t even know him. He only continuously returned salutes and kowtowed thanks to guests. Not saying a single word.”
“Mourning leave—this will be a full three years! This consort worries that after three years pass, his heart for entering office will fade completely. Currently serving as this Minister of War is already like driving a duck onto a perch. If we release him for three years of mourning, his heart probably truly cannot be recovered.”
Li Er continued with a sigh, saying, “The Great Tang established the nation on filial piety and righteousness. Compelling him to forgo mourning would probably be inappropriate. These years he has established tremendous merit for the Great Tang. He cannot be left without an ending. The position of Minister of War—let Cheng Yaojin take over. The Duke title should also be given to him. My body is also gradually weakening. Yesterday my heart was unhappy. I wanted to ride Yuhuacong a bit but couldn’t even step into the stirrup. Duan Hong knelt on the ground as a footstool before I could climb onto the horse’s back. After running just two circuits, I was dizzy and seeing stars. Three years from now, who knows if I’ll still be here. What should be given to him—give it all to him.”
Zhangsun nodded and stood up to help Li Er grind ink. Li Er pondered for a long time before writing on the edict: “The Emperor decrees: I consider that governing the world uses civility, quelling chaos uses martial force. Military commanders and generals are truly the court’s pillars, the nation’s bastions. Being able to combine both civil and martial abilities, exerting effort and repaying grace—how can their achievements be buried without bestowing upon them glorious commands?”
“You, Marquis of Lantian and Minister of War Yun Ye, burned firewood until dawn, broke nations in the four directions, campaigned in the four wilds, captured rebel chieftains before the steps. Your military achievements are renowned in the four directions. Rebel people to this day still turn pale with fear upon hearing of them. Granting you the title of Duke of Chuanming is naturally fitting. You emulate the ancient Lian Po and Li Mu, close at hand in the Forbidden City. I hereby specially grant you the title of Duke of Chuanming Chu. I bestow this edict upon you. Ah! Your威 震 the barbarians. Deep regard for the marshal’s outstanding achievements; merit proclaimed throughout China, displaying the banner of the brave. Temporarily bestow martial cap, additionally adding great merit. Respectfully!”
Duke of Zhao, Zhangsun Wuji, personally went to the Yun family to announce this edict. Cheng Yaojin, Niu Jinda, Li Jing, and others all nodded and praised. Just as the palace eunuch took down the plaque authorizing the construction of Marquis of Lantian’s mansion from the Yun family’s gate and replaced it with a golden, gleaming plaque reading “Duke of Chu Who Rests with the Nation,” the manor residents of Yun Family Manor all rushed to spread the news. Only Yun Ye still had that same bewildered appearance. After thanking Zhangsun Wuji, he continued kneeling in the mourning hall keeping vigil, paying no attention whatsoever to matters outside.