A map of Yizhou City lay on Yang Jingyuan’s desk at Mingyue Residence. Sang Shisi pointed at it with his folding fan, extremely pleased with himself: “Well? Your Brother Fourteen keeps his word.”
Yang Jingyuan gave him a sideways glance and continued copying.
“Why are you copying it again? Can’t you just mark Sheng Fengze’s movements directly on this map?” Copying a map, even simplified and scaled-down, would take two hours—Sang Shisi was bored waiting.
“Such a detailed map—besides the Governor’s Office and Prefecture Office, you won’t find a third copy in all of Yizhou. No one uses this map now, and you used your father’s position to steal it from the office—it needs to be returned soon. Be careful about keeping maps privately; you could be accused of treason! If Sheng Fengze knew about it, he might kill you in the street and take it.” Yang Jingyuan continued drawing without looking up.
“Then why draw it so detailed? Wouldn’t a rough sketch do?”
“I have a feeling I’ll need this map later. Don’t disturb me.”
Sang Shisi sat drinking tea and eating snacks, staying quiet only briefly before speaking again: “You haven’t visited the Ji family for half a month, right? I heard Ji Yingying was injured and hasn’t left home—aren’t you going to visit?”
Yang Jingyuan’s wrist trembled, dropping ink on the bamboo paper. He incorporated the ink drop into a line and said flatly: “She just twisted her ankle. Rest at home will suffice.”
“Oh? How do you know she twisted her ankle rather than catching a cold or… pining away with lovesickness? Have you been secretly checking on her?”
“Do you think I’m like you? You used to treat Niu Qi’niang like the plague, but now you find excuses to visit the Niu family daily. It’s unlucky to meet before marriage—would my visit magically heal her foot?”
Yang Jingyuan tried to maintain his usual carefree manner, but his thoughts scattered at Sang Shisi’s words. He drew mechanically while thinking about sneaking to see Ji Yingying. Then he secretly resolved that after exposing Sheng Fengze’s plot, he’d let that girl properly admire and look up to him. His lips curved slightly—with her injured foot, these days were perfect for her to reflect at home. He was her future husband; she should trust and rely on him completely.
Lost in thought while drawing, he suddenly saw a face lean in close. Yang Jingyuan startled: “What are you doing?”
Sang Shisi’s eyes sparkled as he tilted his head to study Yang Jingyuan’s expression, smiling: “Keep pretending! See if you can fool your young master! Brother Fourteen doesn’t believe a word you’re saying.”
“Ungrateful! Don’t disturb me. This map needs to be returned quickly. If discovered, your father will lose his official hat.” Yang Jingyuan pushed him away angrily and continued drawing.
“Who would check the maps? When I took it, it was covered in dust. If I’m not worried about implicating my father, what are you afraid of?” Sang Shisi sat back unconcerned, propping his chin. “If Nanzhao plans to revolt, why wouldn’t Sheng Fengze steal this map? The prefecture office is so lax—stealing a map of Yizhou isn’t difficult.”
Indeed, why didn’t Sheng Fengze just steal the map? To understand Yizhou’s layout, one map would tell all. Yang Jingyuan thought and concluded: “A stolen map would be a major incident. He doesn’t want to alert anyone. Besides, he’s toured almost all of Yizhou these past two weeks. Personally surveying the terrain is more vivid than looking at a map.”
Sang Shisi deliberately argued: “He admires Tang civilization and is experiencing Yizhou’s culture. By your logic, all foreigners in Chang’an are surveying its terrain? Nanzhao isn’t as powerful as Tibet or as fierce as the Khitans. If Tibet and the Khitans haven’t breached the borders, who’d believe a small country like Nanzhao would revolt?”
“I believe it!” Yang Jingyuan reviewed the map once more, silently noting areas he couldn’t detail precisely. He finished the final stroke and set the original map aside.
“Finished?” Sang Shisi perked up and moved closer.
Yang Jingyuan took out a notebook containing times and locations gathered by hired watchmen.
He began marking circles on his newly drawn map. After a short while, the map was covered with Sheng Fengze’s footprints.
“The Zhao family at Sandaoyan, the Ji family. The Zhou silk merchants in the north city, the Tian weavers in the south, Dyeing Street, eight banquets at Sanhua Tower. The Military Commissioner’s mansion in the east, the Prefecture Office, Vice Governor Niu’s residence, General Tiger’s mansion, the Assault Commander’s residence, the Valor Commander’s residence…” Yang Jingyuan muttered, glancing at Sang Shisi. “In all four quarters of the city, from court officials to brocade workers, eight banquets at Sanhua Tower in half a month attended thirteen return banquets. He’s busier than the courtesans in the Floating Brocade Riverboats.”
“He visits silk and brocade merchants to buy gifts. Given his status, he’s either being invited by officials or returning their hospitality. I don’t see anything wrong.”
Sang Shisi truly saw nothing amiss.
Yang Jingyuan pointed at the map: “He visited the Military Commissioner and Prefecture Office once each for courtesy. If Nanzhao plans a rebellion, he’s mostly meeting and dining with military commanders. He’s assessing Yizhou’s military strength and understanding these officers. As for the silk and brocade merchants—why not visit the Yang family? We’ve held the Brocade King title for over twenty years. If he’s buying brocade, besides the Zhao family, he should especially visit us.”
This puzzled Yang Jingyuan.
He marked several more circles on the city walls: “He’s visited all these places, staying for varying lengths. I’ve checked personally—they’re all places where the walls have collapsed or deteriorated.”
Yang Jingyuan had a new idea: “Fourteen, Sheng Fengze came prepared, with careful planning and ruthless methods. Even knowing his intentions, we can’t get evidence. Why not petition the Military Commissioner to repair the deteriorated walls? Even if Nanzhao won’t revolt, the walls need repair.”
“Good idea!” Sang Shisi snapped his fan shut, smiling, “Third Brother can persuade Uncle Yang and your eldest brother to lead the wealthy households in raising funds. If the brocade merchants contribute and officials gain merit, why wouldn’t the Commissioner agree?”
With newly repaired walls before his eyes, Sheng Fengze would have to reconsider the costs of attacking Yizhou. If this deterred him from expansion, maintaining his current domain would be best.
After their discussion, Sang Shisi left to return the map to the prefecture office. Yang Jingyuan went to Lefeng Garden to find his father.
He found no one there.
Concubine Liu, rarely seeing him alone, spoke reluctantly: “Third Young Master, the master went to the main hall for a meal. I heard the house is hosting a banquet for the Nanzhao prince…”
Just after discussing how Sheng Fengze hadn’t visited the Yang family, he came. Yang Jingyuan couldn’t sit still and turned to leave.
“Third Son!”
Concubine Liu rarely called him this way. She usually addressed him as “Third Young Master” like a servant in public. Yang Jingyuan felt a twinge in his heart and turned back: “Does Mother Liu have instructions?”