Li Chi was greedy — but the Li Chi of today could no longer be moved to show up in person for a small sum. Three taels of silver or under, at the very least, wasn’t worth his personal attention.
Three taels or above — now that was a substantial sum.
So he came scrambling over eagerly.
What had been unearthed from beneath this shop’s floor — in gold and silver wealth — was so vast that even tripling any superlative would fall short of describing Li Chi’s state of mind in that moment.
A lot — it was genuinely, staggeringly a lot. So much that Li Chi was nearly drooling.
He was no longer the sort of person who would drool over a few tens of thousands of taels. Yet today the drool was truly getting difficult to control.
Irresistible. Absolutely irresistible.
There was no hidden chamber beneath the floor — only a great pit, and beneath the foundation, nothing but heaps upon heaps of gold and silver. So lavishly stored that there hadn’t even been boxes — it had simply been buried directly in the earth.
And so the act of digging it out had a certain exhilarating quality to it.
Scrape back a layer of soil, and there was something gold and gleaming underneath. Basket after basket carried out.
Li Chi sat on top of the courtyard wall, legs dangling, watching his people haul out gold and silver by the basketful, unable to close his mouth.
Gao Xining clambered up the wall with somewhat awkward grace, fished around in her clothing, and produced a cloth bundle, which she unwrapped layer by layer to reveal two flatbreads inside — still warm.
She handed one to Li Chi. She kept one for herself.
And so Prince Ning and the Chief Tingwei sat atop the wall and bit into their flatbreads, eating them with tremendous relish.
Gao Xining: “Looking at this pile of gold and silver right in front of us — it feels like I’m not eating flatbread at all, but a feast of rare delicacies.”
Li Chi said: “Don’t sell yourself short — look at that pile over there too.”
Gao Xining chuckled.
“With this silver, the resettlement of the disaster refugees is as good as secured.”
Li Chi bit off a large chunk of bread, his cheeks puffing out.
“There’s still no news back from Jizhou.”
Gao Xining said: “But as long as we have silver, we can go procure supplies elsewhere — the northwest of Jizhou, or even Yongzhou. Even if the round trip takes a full year, as long as the grain can be transported back, we’ll have just enough to weather the famine through to early next summer.”
Li Chi was pleased. The exact total of the excavated silver was still unknown, but even what had already been loaded into baskets and carried out amounted to well over a million taels.
Li Chi sighed: “The people of the Investigation Bureau truly are all dragons hoarding their plunder.”
Over the years, Liu Yangong had been continuously amassing silver — all for the sake of giving Liu Gumei a guarantee of security for the future. As long as he held money, even if they eventually broke free from the Investigation Bureau, they could still live comfortable, peaceful lives.
And so year after year, the dirty silver he accumulated had been shipped here in a steady stream. And naturally, the man who posed as Liu Gumei’s husband was one of Liu Yangong’s own trusted subordinates.
What Liu Yangong had never anticipated was that this subordinate who had sworn undying loyalty to him had developed designs on that silver.
He tried to poison Liu Gumei — but she discovered it and killed him first. And so the story given to the outside world was simply that the husband had died of illness.
From below the wall, Zhang Tang called up: “My lord — a great deal of jade and rare treasures have also been found, including some extraordinary pieces that predate the Zhou dynasty. I thought we might find a way to sell them.”
These jade pieces and fine curios — even the older bronze antiquities — couldn’t be converted directly into grain. They would need to be turned into money first.
Li Chi smiled: “In a few days, Chancellor Gao will be hosting an event at the Plum Garden. Hold the auction on that same day and put these things up for sale.”
Zhang Tang acknowledged the order immediately, instructing his men to separate the jade and curio pieces and have them carefully escorted back to the Plum Garden.
“We’ll need a reliable person to handle this.”
Li Chi looked toward Gao Xining: “Send word to Advisor Lian in the northwest of Jizhou — tell him to prepare in advance for early grain procurement. Once the silver arrives, settle the payment as soon as possible.”
Gao Xining gave a sound of agreement: “Should we also have General Liu Ge return?”
Li Chi thought it over. There was no active conflict in the northwest for the time being, and Jizhou was at peace. Once the grain procurement was largely complete, having Liu Ge personally lead his troops to escort the supply convoy back would also be sound.
While they were busy excavating silver here, Li Chi’s mind was already turning over another matter entirely.
This matter had originally been one of his earlier priorities — but it had been delayed, first by the arrival of the Holy Blade Sect’s sect master in Jizhou, and then by the case being largely wrapped up. With only Liu Gumei still not yet in custody, it no longer warranted Li Chi’s direct attention and energy.
“You’re frowning.”
Gao Xining said.
Li Chi blinked: “Am I?”
Gao Xining: “Whenever you frown, it means you’re up to no good.”
Li Chi: “Am I?”
Gao Xining: “Are you thinking about stirring up trouble south of the Great River?”
Li Chi smiled — and in those eyes of his, a mischievous glint shone through.
Gao Xining said: “This time I absolutely have to go with you. Think of it as a holiday you’re giving me. Didn’t you just say yourself that you felt sorry I’d been working so hard? This time counts as leisure travel.”
Li Chi shook his head: “It’s too dangerous over there. Cross the river and you’re in Yang Xuanji’s territory. His reinforcements have already arrived — total forces at least seven or eight hundred thousand. Going there is asking for trouble.”
Gao Xining shook her head too.
Li Chi considered that this girl was going to be difficult to talk out of it… the only way was one thing against another.
And so an hour later, Chancellor Gao — summoned by word of mouth — came hurrying over and, with great huffing and puffing, carried Gao Xining off with him.
Li Chi saw the look Gao Xining shot at him as she was led away. He thought to himself: *Go ahead and glare. Glaring at me is still a form of love.*
—
Meanwhile, south of the Great River, at the Heaven’s Mandate Army camp.
The Mandate King Yang Xuanji had been in rather good spirits lately. Over the past month, he had dispatched subordinates to prepare for crossing the river — boats, grain, and supplies had all been gathered in adequate measure.
The season was midsummer as well, with southerly winds prevailing. When the time came to cross north, he would have both the advantage of the season and the terrain.
Xun Youjiu had been guarding his every word and action these days — not daring to make even the smallest show of pride, nor the slightest lapse in diligence.
He was no longer certain where he stood in the Mandate King’s eyes. Advisor Zhuge’s death had allowed him to keep his position under Yang Xuanji — but the words that Prince Ning’s people had left behind before departing were like a thorn lodged in his heart. What he feared most was that the same thorn might be lodged in the Mandate King’s heart as well.
Fortunately, the Mandate King’s attitude toward him appeared unchanged. Overall, he seemed to trust him even more than before.
This was the remarkable quality that set Yang Xuanji apart. As long as no one could replace Xun Youjiu, he would never move against this capable advisor.
Just as he would not have moved so lightly against Zhuge Jingzhan without Xun Youjiu to take his place.
“Advisor Xun?”
Yang Xuanji called twice before Xun Youjiu snapped back to awareness. He apologized quickly.
“This subject was just thinking through the details of the river crossing — I lost my focus for a moment. Please forgive me, my lord.”
“Think nothing of it — Advisor is scheming on my behalf.”
Yang Xuanji said with a smile: “When does Advisor think would be the best time to cross?”
Xun Youjiu said: “Sooner rather than later. Prince Ning Li Chi is a man of decisiveness and cunning. If we delay much further, there’s no telling what complications might arise.”
Yang Xuanji gave a sound of agreement. “I think so too. Who does Advisor think should serve as vanguard general?”
After a moment’s consideration, Xun Youjiu answered: “General Jing Yangshu — both his strategic mind and martial ability are equal to the task.”
Yang Xuanji turned and smiled at Jing Yangshu: “Did you hear that, General Jing? Advisor Xun has called you out by name for the vanguard.”
Jing Yangshu immediately rose and clasped his fists: “Many thanks to my lord, and many thanks to Advisor Xun.”
Xun Youjiu was startled. That remark from Yang Xuanji was far from innocent.
By saying it publicly in those terms, he was establishing that it was Xun Youjiu who had recommended Jing Yangshu as vanguard. If the battle went well, the glory naturally belonged to Yang Xuanji’s eye for talent — not to Xun Youjiu’s recommendation. But if it went badly?
Then naturally it would not be the Mandate King’s fault — it would be that Xun Youjiu’s recommended man had failed, and in the future, this could become the very handle by which Yang Xuanji would deal with him.
Yet what could Xun Youjiu do? One must bow one’s head under another’s roof.
“Very well.”
Yang Xuanji said: “These past few days the weather has been overcast — not ideal for a river battle. We’ll wait a few more days. Once the weather clears and the roads are no longer muddy, the army can cross north. I leave the burden of vanguard general to General Jing.”
He looked toward Jing Yangshu and smiled: “If you go on to earn the great merit of capturing Youzhou, don’t forget — it was Advisor Xun who recommended you.”
Jing Yangshu’s heart was full of excitement, too pleased to notice the trap buried in those words.
He turned at once to offer Xun Youjiu his thanks. Xun Youjiu felt increasingly that he might need to begin making some preparations. If this battle ended in Jing Yangshu’s defeat, the first to die would likely not be Jing Yangshu — but Xun Youjiu himself.
Yet he was unwilling to simply accept this. He wanted to gamble. Those who are content with an ordinary life never need to gamble — settling for what they have is enough.
It is those who hunger for great achievement and great ambition who, from one day to the next, from one thing to the next, are always gambling. Gambling on themselves. On worthy lords. On victory and defeat. On their fortunes and their lives.
Yang Xuanji said: “I will personally hold the center. Advisor Xun serves as military campaign supervisor — on all matters, you may consult me, or you may consult him. The decision to march is now fixed.”
He rose, and every general stood along with him.
Yang Xuanji said: “Since ancient times, those who moved from south to north never held their gains for long — but those who moved from north to south all reaped great advantage. Advisor Xun told me: first secure the north, then strike south — and great success is certain.”
He swept his gaze across the assembled men: “You had all better remember this — the credit belongs to Advisor Xun. When the great deed is accomplished, I will raise this point again.”
“Yes!”
The assembled generals bowed: “Our lord’s wisdom is supreme. Advisor Xun’s wisdom is supreme.”
Yang Xuanji looked toward Xun Youjiu and took his hand: “Come, come — let us drink a few cups together with the generals. After today’s banquet, every one of you must put your whole heart into preparing for the decisive battle. No more drinking after this. The next banquet will be the victory feast to celebrate the destruction of Prince Ning Li Chi!”
“Our lord’s might shall prevail!”
A roar of voices rose up.
—
Thousands of li away, at the border between Jingzhou and Suzhou.
In the camp of the Dachu Imperial Army, Prince Wu Yang Jiju stood beneath the sun, head tilted upward, staring at the sky — he had been staring for quite some time.
“What are you thinking?”
Princess Wu Cao Qingli walked to his side and handed him the cup of tea she carried.
“Last night I observed the heavens — the celestial energy was like two warring stars crashing into the Central Palace…”
Prince Wu turned to look at his wife: “Dachu… I’m afraid Dachu can no longer hold on.”
The princess looked at her husband, her eyes filled with aching tenderness.
For ten long years, her husband had barely stopped to rest. Wherever rebellion broke out across the length and breadth of Dachu — north or south — he had taken his troops and gone there.
Everyone called him the War God of Dachu, and forgot that he, too, had grown old.
Prince Wu was silent a long while before continuing: “The summer harvest is now ripe. Once Brother Li Hu has brought in the grain, he will press his attack. And on our side, the granaries are running dry — word came from the supply officer yesterday that we have less than ten days’ provisions left. If this battle continues, defeat is all but certain.”
The princess’s expression shifted: “Then what do we do?”
Prince Wu exhaled long and heavy: “I want to gamble.”
He raised his head again to look at the sky: “If I win, Dachu can be kept alive for at least another ten years. If the Emperor shows his worth and uses these ten years to turn the tide — that may yet be possible. But if I lose… I will be Dachu’s great sinner before history.”
The princess placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder: “If you lose, Dachu will have no history left to speak of — and no one will have the standing to call themselves Dachu’s sinner. No one except you.”
She looked into her husband’s eyes: “Whatever gamble you choose to make — I will follow you.”
Prince Wu gave a firm nod: “I intend to take advantage of the moment when Brother Li Hu’s forces are fully occupied with the harvest and have no heart for battle. While that window holds, I will lead the army in retreat back to Daxing.”
The princess’s expression changed entirely. She had not expected that what her husband meant by gambling would be something so desperately dangerous.
For that was nothing less than opening the door to let Li Hu’s million-strong host pour into Jingzhou.
“A tiger in the south, a wolf in the north — drive the tiger to devour the wolf…”
Prince Wu said: “It is the only plan I can think of to save Dachu one more time.”
—