The Commissioner’s mansion.

Zeng Ling sat behind his writing desk, head bowed over a letter in his hands. The letter had arrived at the outer gates of the Commissioner’s mansion several days ago — the person who brought it had set it down and left immediately, not daring to linger.

The handwriting was somewhat erratic, clearly written in haste by someone who was agitated — someone who could be imagined as not only anxious but furious, utterly beside themselves with fury.

It was clear this letter had not been sent by someone who had been inside Jizhou City before; rather, it was someone who had recently returned to the city.

At present, two of the southern gates and one of the eastern gates of Jizhou City were closed. Only the west gate and two of the northern gates were open, so whoever had entered the city had most likely come through the north gate.

The reason for this inference was that the person who had delivered the letter had some connection to the Yanshan Camp’s Green-Brow Army to the north.

The letter’s contents exposed Li Chi. On the surface, it portrayed four academy disciples; in reality, they were the third-ranking commander of Yanshan Camp, working to cooperate with Yu Chaozong from within to seize Jizhou.

The letter also claimed that Li Chi was a ruthless and cunning individual who might bring harm to the Commissioner, and urged the Commissioner to be on his guard.

This was a letter meant to kill with a borrowed sword.

So Zeng Ling had been pondering all along: who was this person who wanted to use him to eliminate Li Chi? Thinking it through, the probable answer was that this person was also from Yanshan Camp.

And likely someone who had been overshadowed by Li Chi — perhaps one of Yanshan Camp’s original commanders who had been surpassed by Li Chi as a latecomer and resented it.

Or perhaps they feared Li Chi was claiming too much glory and wanted to seize this opportunity to eliminate him, thereby consolidating their own standing within Yanshan Camp.

If what the letter said was true — that Li Chi was indeed Yanshan Camp’s third commander, and that there was a second commander somewhere in Li Chi’s carriage and horse company — then Li Chi truly was an unfathomable figure.

But then again, this informant was rather amusing. Did they really think this scheme would eliminate Li Chi?

Such a tactic also betrayed the writer’s utter desperation.

Zeng Ling tossed the letter onto the desk and narrowed his eyes slightly. The more one thought about certain things, the more interesting they became.

Just then came a knock at the door. Zeng Ling asked: “Is that Jinzu?”

“It’s me, Commissioner,” said the voice outside.

“Come in.”

General Jinzu entered and turned to close the study door behind him.

“Any movements on Li Chi’s end?”

Zeng Ling asked.

“In reply to the Commissioner, none detected,” said Jinzu. “The three-day deadline has passed one day already, and it’s unclear what he intends to do.”

Zeng Ling smiled. “Xiahou has the highest regard for him. I know Xiahou’s character well — when he says Li Chi is capable, it is absolutely true.”

“Set aside watching that end,” said Zeng Ling. “I’m sending you to look into something.”

Jinzu bowed his head. “Commissioner, please instruct.”

Zeng Ling pointed at the letter on the desk. “Read that.”

Jinzu went over and picked up the letter. As he read, his expression shifted. He looked at Zeng Ling. “The Commissioner wishes me to investigate whether Li Chi is truly a Yanshan Camp operative?”

“No need. He certainly is.”

Zeng Ling smiled. “Looking back now, certain things seemed accidental, seemed coincidental — but they are all connected. So there’s no need to investigate that. Whether Li Chi is Yanshan Camp’s third commander matters to me only as a distinction between meaningful and more meaningful, not between meaningful and meaningless.”

Jinzu understood at once. “Investigate who sent the letter?”

“Yes.”

Zeng Ling gave a small nod. “This is a favor.”

Jinzu said with a smile: “Commissioner, you are making use of Li Chi — and while it does cost some silver, one could say you owe Li Chi a favor. This letter, the person who delivered it, the person who wrote it — through them, the Commissioner repays Li Chi that favor.”

“I originally thought he had climbed up step by step only by riding on Xiahou’s coattails,” said Zeng Ling. “And he had climbed up fast — in a blink, he’d already appeared rather formidable. Now it seems that as Yanshan Camp’s third commander, his formidability is still rather understated.”

He rose, as though tired of sitting, and spoke while stretching his limbs: “Jizhou has too many enemies now. Cui Yanlai of Qingzhou no longer has Qingzhou; Liu Li of Yuzhou no longer has Yuzhou. They all want to come and take my Jizhou. Jizhou’s Zeng Ling… cannot be without Jizhou.”

He looked at Jinzu. “So Yanshan Camp must not be drawn here as an adversary. If it is drawn here, I must find a way to have Yanshan Camp come as my ally.”

Jinzu bowed. “Understood. Our attitude toward Li Chi should be even more cordial than before.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard you hold Tang Pidi in high regard as well?” said Zeng Ling. “The men below say you’ve praised Tang Pidi more than once — calling him a rare figure of this age.”

“Yes,” said Jinzu, not daring to deny it, bowing his head. “Tang Pidi’s generalship surpasses mine. I am sincerely convinced of it.”

Zeng Ling laughed. “Which is exactly why I’m sending you to look into this matter. Do you understand?”

Jinzu understood. Among the Commissioner’s people, the two closest to Li Chi’s side were Ye Zhangzhu and himself.

Master Ye, because of his connection with Xiahou Zuo, was on even closer terms with Li Chi — but precisely because of that closeness, the Commissioner didn’t dare deploy him too freely.

As for himself, his relationship with Tang Pidi was decent — not too close, not too distant — and Tang Pidi and Li Chi were not hostile toward him, so he was the most suitable.

“I understand how to conduct myself with Li Chi and his people. Commissioner, please be at ease.”

“Good. Root out the person who sent this letter as soon as possible. Li Chi said three days to give me an answer. Once those three days pass and that matter is settled, I’ll need to return the gesture — it would be ungracious to delay. Both sides can be pleased that way.”

“One more thing,” said Zeng Ling. “Issue an order up and down the ranks: all military affairs must pass through my approval. Not a single soldier may be moved without my direct military order, regardless of who issues the command.”

Jinzu’s heart stirred — he understood what the Commissioner meant. He was about to go to war with Prince Yu.

“I’ll transmit the order immediately.”

After issuing his instructions, Zeng Ling dismissed Jinzu, who bowed and left the study. Outside, he raised his face toward the sky and let out a long breath.

These suffocating days were finally over. To all appearances, his relationship with Prince Yu’s faction seemed closer — in truth, he was Zeng Ling’s man.

Zeng Ling’s grip on the Jizhou Army, from top to bottom, was far tighter and more secure than most people could see. The Jizhou Army was the foundation of his existence — he would never let anyone simply take it.

“Li Chi…”

Zeng Ling sat by the window and murmured to himself, then let a faint smile curl at the corner of his mouth.

“Young men. Truly formidable.”

—

The carriage and horse company.

Li Chi looked at Yu Jiuling returning from outside, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Master Yu had not come back last night. It appeared he had undergone treatment according to a full course — one night to a course — and judging by his bearing, this course had been rather effective.

The others sat watching Yu Jiuling come through the door, smiles hanging at the corner of every mouth. Yu Jiuling actually felt a rare flush of embarrassment.

As he sat down, he instinctively reached a hand out to steady himself.

Li Chi, Tang Pidi, and the others let out a synchronized sound.

“Ugh!”

Yu Jiuling pressed his hand downward. “Keep it quiet. Keep it quiet.”

Tang Pidi grinned. “That doctor had quite some strength, did he?”

“It was fine, it was fine.”

Zhuang Wudi sat there in his stolid way and said flatly: “Got treated.”

“Pfft!”

Yu Jiuling shot back immediately: “I’m the one who treated the doctor!”

Li Chi pressed his hand downward. “Keep it quiet. Keep it quiet.”

Yu Jiuling chuckled, his face turning a rare shade of pink.

“Aside from the treatment,” Li Chi said with a smile, “you didn’t forget the other business?”

“As if I would!”

Yu Jiuling said: “Looked into everything. Young Lord Yang Zhuo used to have a few favorite companions at the Three Moon Tower, but after the Three Moon Tower was destroyed, those women were all taken away by Prince Yu’s people. Yang Zhuo apparently was too embarrassed to ask his father for them back.”

“So these days he frequents Twin Stars Tower most often. I’ve already found out which girl he’s most familiar with there — she’s stopped seeing other clients now, just waiting for the Young Lord to come calling. She’s full of herself about it, and even the madam at Twin Stars Tower has to coddle her.”

Li Chi gave a small nod and glanced at Tang Pidi. Tang Pidi shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I’m not going. If you want to go, go yourself.”

Li Chi looked at Yu Jiuling. Yu Jiuling spread his hands. “I’m not in any condition either.”

Li Chi looked him over very carefully, then nodded. “Not as unattractive as I’d thought. The taste in clothing is a bit lacking, and the… bearing is also slightly deficient. But it’s not beyond remedy.”

Yu Jiuling said: “Bearing can be remedied?”

Li Chi pulled out a thick stack of banknotes and handed them to Yu Jiuling. “Tuck those away.”

Yu Jiuling took them without quite understanding and stuffed them into his breast, then asked Li Chi: “What are you sending me to buy?”

Li Chi shook his head. “They’re all yours. Three thousand taels.”

Yu Jiuling’s eyes went wide in an instant. His expression became extraordinary to behold — even his brows and eyes seemed to bloom open.

Li Chi said: “See? Different bearing entirely.”

Yu Jiuling grinned: “You know, having this and not having it — the feeling really is different.”

“Three thousand taels is an estimate. If it’s not enough, take more,” said Li Chi. “Tonight, go back to Twin Stars Tower. Ask for that girl by name. If the madam won’t allow it, throw her a thousand taels.”

Yu Jiuling burst out laughing. “Throwing money at someone like that… has a certain satisfaction to it.”

Li Chi continued: “Business at pleasure houses hasn’t been good lately. A thousand taels will be enough to make that madam look at you in an entirely new light. Tell her to arrange a private meeting between you and the girl — you won’t breathe a word of it to anyone. She’ll agree.”

Yu Jiuling asked: “And then what?”

“When you meet the girl, don’t speak at first. Hand over a banknote for a thousand taels. Then say: I’ve taken up your time, and truly feel uneasy about it, so this small sum is a small token of apology to you.”

Yu Jiuling thought this through carefully, then nodded. “Handing over that thousand taels and then saying ‘small sum’ — that’s the crucial part. Those two words are the key. The key to bearing.”

Li Chi nodded with a smile. “A teachable young man indeed.”

Yu Jiuling laughed heartily, then said: “I know what comes next. After we’re done, I give her another thousand taels and tell her: I’m sorry, miss, was I not tender enough? This thousand taels — please use it to restore your strength…”

He spoke and laughed, cunning and roguish all at once.

Then he put on a show of reluctance: “Though I’m somewhat wearied from last night’s campaign, for the sake of our great endeavor I suppose another visit tonight shouldn’t be beyond me… devotion to duty…”

Li Chi shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. There’s nothing to be done, so what ‘done’ are you talking about?”

Yu Jiuling froze.

Li Chi said seriously: “When she grows curious about you, she’ll ask your identity. Tell her: Miss, please forgive me first — in truth I have come entrusted by another. General Luo Jing of Youzhou has long admired you from afar. I’ve come at the General’s request to ask whether you would be willing to meet him once.”

Li Chi went on: “At this point, take out that last thousand taels and give them to her. Tell her: Miss, this thousand taels is also from General Luo. Before meeting, one always brings gifts — please use this as you see fit.”

Yu Jiuling was dumbfounded. “So what exactly am I there for? I take three thousand taels of our money and lay the groundwork for Luo Jing?”

“No, no, no.”

Li Chi smiled. “Luo Jing doesn’t know a thing about it.”

Yu Jiuling: “Oh damn…”

—