Zhu Yu – Chapter 36

Over the past sixteen years of the Great Yin Dynasty, although there had been numerous conflicts, few had reached Ji Prefecture. Fan Changyu had only heard about the cruelty of war from the elders. After all, war not only required grain requisitions but also conscription. Madam Zhao and Uncle Zhao’s son had been drafted years ago and never returned.

An old man said, “King Changxin has rebelled in Chong Prefecture. The court has sent troops to suppress it, but the battle remains unresolved. I reckon the Great Yin’s fate is sealed, and a change of dynasty is imminent.”

“With Marquis Wu’an dead, how can Wei Yan hope to stabilize the Northwest?” someone added.

Another chimed in, “It doesn’t matter who becomes emperor, as long as they don’t steal our grain or force us onto the battlefield.”

Many shook their heads and sighed, “These soldiers have already started forcibly requisitioning grain from nearby villages. By the end of this war, the officials will have both money and power, while we commoners will be left homeless and destitute…”

Listening to this, Fan Changyu felt a heaviness in her heart. She turned to Xie Zheng and asked, “Shouldn’t the court supply military provisions for the Chong Prefecture campaign? Why are they requisitioning from the people?”

Xie Zheng’s voice carried a hint of mockery, “The supply lines are cut. Some are merely making desperate moves.”

Hui Prefecture had once been his territory. In retrospect, Wei Yan had likely been wary of him for some time. The military provisions for his garrison were usually allocated by the court every three months, and the prefecture itself had no granaries.

As it was a military outpost, the geographical conditions were not naturally advantageous for grain production.

Once the supply lines were cut, it would be a fatal blow.

The current rebellion in Chong Prefecture, just south of Hui Prefecture, had severed the supply route from the court to Hui Prefecture.

As the battle lines between Chong and Hui Prefectures extended, he had anticipated that Hui Prefectures would eventually run out of provisions. The quickest solution, of course, was to requisition from the civilians.

After surviving the assassination attempt, he had planned to contact his former subordinates and have them secretly buy up the civilians’ grain reserves.

When Zhao Xun appeared, buying grain became a test for Zhao Xun. Now that the grain was in hand, Wei Xuan had suffered defeats on the Chong Prefecture battlefield and failed to requisition grain from the civilians.

Knowing Wei Yan as he did, Wei Yan would surely be displeased with his son.

Letting Wei Xuan face punishment from Wei Yan first was his gift to his cousin before formally exacting his revenge.

With the Northwest unattended, Wei Yan could only let He Jingyuan take over the Chong Prefecture campaign. He Jingyuan, known as a scholarly general, wouldn’t stoop to letting his troops forcibly take grain from civilians.

Moreover, given the current reputation of Wei’s faction, allowing subordinates to rob civilians of their grain would undoubtedly hand Wei Yan’s political opponents another weapon.

With his twenty thousand stone of rice, he had enough time to begin the next phase of his plan.

The sudden forced grain requisition by the officials was likely another foolish idea from his glory-seeking cousin, trying to make some achievements before officially handing over military authority.

Ordinary civilians, unaware of these inner workings and sharing Fan Changyu’s confusion, discussed among themselves: “Sixteen years ago at the Battle of Jin Prefecture, it was that great traitor Meng Shuyuan who delayed the supply delivery, leaving Crown Prince Chengde and General Xie’s hundred thousand troops starving in Jin Prefecture for five days. When the soldiers finally climbed the city walls, they were too weak to stand, allowing the Northern Yue to breach the gates. What’s gone wrong with the supplies this time that they need to squeeze us?”

Regarding the culprit behind the defeat at Jin Prefecture sixteen years ago, everyone in the Great Yin Dynasty cursed Meng Shuyuan’s name.

Someone immediately began cursing, “That Meng Shuyuan deserved worse than death! To think General Xie trusted him so much, entrusting him with the crucial task of delivering supplies. If he hadn’t delayed the battle, how could Crown Prince Chengde have died in Jin Prefecture, allowing that Wei dog to control the court for so many years!”

“The Meng family’s extinction is karmic retribution!”

“Let’s hope there’s no mishap with the supply officer for Chong Prefecture this time!”

Sixteen years ago, Xie Zheng had known that the fatal flaw in the Battle of Jin Prefecture was the delayed arrival of military supplies.

Back then, the person responsible for escorting the provisions was his father’s old general, Meng Shuyuan. His father’s former subordinates had told him that while anyone might betray his father, Meng Shuyuan never would.

Meng Shuyuan’s delay in transporting supplies wasn’t an act of betrayal, but rather an attempt to rescue a hundred thousand refugees trapped by the Northern Yue in Luo City. In the end, he failed to save the refugees, and Jin Prefecture fell.

When Meng Shuyuan learned of his father’s death, he knelt towards Jin Prefecture and took his own life with his sword.

The tragedy of Jin Prefecture concluded with Meng Shuyuan’s death, yet even after more than a decade, people still cursed his name vehemently.

The group of officials had already walked far away. Xie Zheng turned back to Fan Changyu and said, “Let’s go.”

He noticed Fan Changyu seemed lost in thought, staring at the people discussing Meng Shuyuan.

He asked, “What’s wrong?”

Fan Changyu, holding Changningg’s hand, pressed her lips together and said, “Meng Shuyuan delayed the battle to save a hundred thousand refugees. Perhaps he’s not as despicable as people say?”

Xie Zheng’s voice turned cold, “His orders were to transport supplies. Failing to deliver the provisions to Jin Prefecture within the deadline is a dereliction of duty. If he had been capable enough to save the hundred thousand refugees without delaying the supply delivery, he would indeed deserve praise from all. But he neither saved the refugees nor delivered the supplies, resulting in the fall of Jin Prefecture and the deaths of a hundred thousand soldiers within the city. This is an unforgivable crime.”

He raised his eyes to look at Fan Changyu, “Do you sympathize with such an incompetent?”

Fan Changyu shook her head. She didn’t understand military tactics or regulations but felt that while Meng Shuyuan might indeed have been the main culprit in the Battle of Jin Prefecture, he didn’t deserve to be labeled a great traitor by the people. At most, he was incompetent, as Yan Zheng had said.

As the three passed a ready-made clothing shop, she asked Xie Zheng, “Your cloak is dirty. Why not buy a new one to wear?”

Xie Zheng had already removed his mud-splattered cloak and had been carrying it folded over his arm.

He glanced at the colorful fabrics in the shop and said, “No need. The sun’s out now, and it’s not cold anymore.”

Fan Changyu said, “Then how about a hair tie? I noticed you don’t seem to like the one we bought earlier. I rarely see you use it.”

As she finished speaking, she noticed Xie Zheng staring at her with a peculiar expression.

Fan Changyu didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she’d said. She met his gaze with her almond-shaped eyes, their reflections mirrored in each other’s pupils.

One pair clear and bright, the other deep and obscure.

After a moment, Xie Zheng looked away first and said, “It’s not that I dislike it.”

Fan Changyu felt his words were like a riddle. If he didn’t dislike it, why didn’t he use the hair tie? She said, “You bought so many things for Changningg. Why don’t you choose a New Year’s gift for yourself? I’ll buy it for you!”

The corners of Xie Zheng’s mouth straightened slightly, “Didn’t you already give me a red envelope?”

Fan Changyu replied, “How can New Year’s money be the same as a New Year’s gift?”

Xie Zheng stared at her for a while and said, “They’re the same as me.”

Fan Changyu took this as his refusal to let her buy him a New Year’s gift and didn’t insist further.

She glanced at the sun and said, “If we accompany you to buy paper and ink at the bookstore and then go to Constable Wang’s house, we might be late. Later, we might worry about the bookstore closing. How about this: you go to the bookstore alone to buy things, and I’ll take Changningg to pay New Year’s respect to Constable Wang first. After you finish shopping, wait for us at the bookstore. Once I’ve delivered the goods to Constable Wang’s house, I’ll bring Changningg to meet you.”

Xie Zheng nodded.

The two parted ways at the intersection. Before leaving, Changningg waved vigorously at Xie Zheng, “Brother-in-law, be careful on your way! My sister and I will buy some snacks for you too!”

Xie Zheng raised an eyebrow and looked at Fan Changyu, saying, “No need, you two enjoy them.”

Fan Changyu thought to herself that his words made it sound like she had deliberately sent him away to eat snacks with Changningg.

As Xie Zheng walked away under her conflicted gaze, Fan Changyu crouched down to wipe the tanghulu residue from Changningg’s mouth, asking with a mix of exasperation and amusement, “You little glutton, what do you want to eat now?”

Changningg’s plump, fair finger pointed toward a vendor selling brown sugar cakes on the street.

Fan Changyu helplessly rubbed her forehead, “Alright, let’s go.”

After buying the brown sugar cakes, Fan Changyu also bought a jug of good wine from a nearby tavern. She had originally planned to give the cured meat to Constable Wang but had given one piece to that scholar. She felt embarrassed to bring just one piece of cured meat as a gift.

As Constable Wang was fond of drinking, buying a jug of wine seemed appropriate.

Constable Wang’s home was in the southern part of the county town. While not in the best location, it was a two-courtyard residence. In a small place like Qingping County, it was the kind of house only people of some standing could afford.

After Fan Changyu and Changningg knocked on the door, an old woman came to open it. Upon hearing they were here to pay New Year’s respects to Constable Wang, she quickly invited them in.

It was already afternoon, and most of the morning visitors who had come to pay respects to Constable Wang had finished their meals and left. When Fan Changyu entered, she saw only Constable Wang, his wife, and the old Mrs. Wang sitting on the kang in the east wing.

Old Mrs. Wang appeared to be in her eighties or nineties. Unlike the wrinkled faces of rural old women, hers had a kind of wealthy roundness, looking quite benevolent.

Madam Wang had a robust frame but didn’t appear burly. It was said that her father had also been a constable, and she knew some martial arts. Her face looked extremely kind, with a hint of heroic spirit between her brows.

“So this is Changyu?” Madam Wang smiled upon seeing Fan Changyu. “What a good child. Look at that sturdy build, perfect for martial arts training.”

Fan Changyu smiled and greeted her and Old Mrs. Wang.

Qingping County once had a famous courtesan known as Madam Yu.

In the county, girls whose names ended with “Yu” were never directly called “Yu Niang” by others. Instead, they were addressed by their full names.

Calling someone “Yu Niang” directly was akin to indirectly calling them a courtesan.

Changningg clutched Fan Changyu’s skirt, hiding behind her and peeking out with doe-like eyes, shyly looking at Madam Wang.

Seeing her, Madam Wang’s smile brightened. She grabbed a handful of candies from a colorful lacquered dish and beckoned to Changningg, “Little Changningg looks so adorable. Come, take some candy.”

Changningg didn’t dare go directly. She looked up at Fan Changyu.

Fan Changyu said, “Madam is giving you candy. Go ahead and take it.”

Only then did Changningg trot over to accept the candy from Madam Wang’s hand. Being small, her hands were also tiny and couldn’t hold so many. Madam Wang helped stuff many candies into the pocket of her jacket.

Changningg said in a crisp voice, “Thank you, Madam.”

Madam Wang and Old Mrs. Wang exchanged glances, grinning from ear to ear. Madam Wang couldn’t resist pinching Changningg’s chubby pink cheeks and said, “How can such a tiny person be so well-behaved?”

She smiled at Fan Changyu, “Is it because her sister taught her well?”

Fan Changyu smiled bashfully, “You flatter me.”

She wasn’t skilled at casual conversation and spoke frankly. This straightforward nature greatly endeared her to Madam Wang and Old Mrs. Wang. Even Fan Changyu’s occasional responses made them laugh heartily, leaving Fan Changyu herself bewildered as to why they found her so amusing.

Madam Wang wanted to invite the two sisters to stay for dinner and spend the night. Fan Changyu declined, explaining that Xie Zheng was waiting for her at the bookstore, thus politely refusing the kind offer.

As they bid farewell, Constable Wang personally saw her out, “Regarding your parents’ case, now that the prefecture has taken over, it’s officially closed. I was worried your parents might have made enemies years ago, but since it was mountain bandits looking for a treasure map, and the map is no longer in your home, you have nothing to fear. Feel free to stay in town, and if you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

Fan Changyu expressed her thanks and then asked, “Do you know which official at the prefecture is reviewing this case?”

Constable Wang, being just a small-town constable in Qingping County, truly didn’t know and shook his head before asking, “Why are you inquiring about this?”

Fan Changyu, fearing that her parents’ deaths might involve many behind-the-scenes players as Yan Zheng had suggested, didn’t want to say too much and bring trouble to Constable Wang. She simply replied, “Nothing, just curious.”

She wanted to uncover the true cause of her parent’s deaths, and the best way was to start with the official handling of the case.

That night, when the soldiers brought back a survivor if she could find out what that person had confessed, she might be able to solve the mystery surrounding her parents’ deaths.

When Yan Zheng asked her what she would do if the authorities lied, she had considered secretly finding the official in charge of the case.

Wasn’t this how it always happened in stories and novels? Catch a corrupt official’s weakness, sneak into their mansion on a night, catch the official alone, and negotiate – either for money or for the clues she needs.

She just needed to know which official was handling the case, and she would have plenty of time to slowly investigate their weaknesses.

As Fan Changyu was about to reach the main gate with Changningg, Madam Wang hurried after them with two red envelopes, “Take these New Year’s red envelopes!”

One of the envelopes wasn’t even properly folded, looking as if it had been hastily prepared.

Fan Changyu couldn’t refuse and was forced to accept them into her arms by Madam Wang.

After leaving the Wang family’s gate, Changningg immediately opened her red envelope and poured out its contents, excitedly showing Fan Changyu, “Sister, it’s silver ingots!”

The red envelope given to Fan Changyu also contained two silver ingots.

Fan Changyu held the first red envelope she had received since her parents’ passing, looking back towards the Wang family’s house. She felt a mix of emotions regarding the care shown by Constable Wang and his wife.

Changningg handed the silver ingots to Fan Changyu, “Sister, keep them for me.”

Her jacket pocket and small purse were already full of the candies Madam Wang had given her, leaving no room for the silver ingots.

Fan Changyu accepted them, saying, “Then I’ll keep them for you for now. When we get home, I’ll put them in your little box.”

Changningg had a special small box for keeping New Year’s money, but two months ago, to pay for their parents’ funeral, she had contributed the box as well. Now she was starting to save again.

Hearing Fan Changyu’s words, Changningg happily responded with an “Mm.”

There were few open shops on this street, and even fewer peddlers passing by. Only some children were playing on the street.

Perhaps because news of the grain requisition had already reached Qingping County, people in teahouses and taverns discussing the current Chong Prefecture campaign inevitably mentioned the Jin Prefecture battle from sixteen years ago.

The children, having heard adults talk about it often, made “Meng Shuyuan” the villain to be caught in their game of catching bad guys.

In these games, usually, the leader of the children played the hero, while the child who was often bullied and ostracized played the role of Meng Shuyuan. Once caught, they would be pushed around and bullied by the leader and other children.

Hearing the children shouting as they chased the child playing Meng Shuyuan, Changningg also looked up at Fan Changyu and said, “Meng Shuyuan is a great traitor.”

Fan Changyu squeezed her sister’s hand slightly and said, “Changningg, you’re not allowed to play such games, understand?”

Changningg asked, “Why not?”

Fan Changyu patiently explained, “Those children are just using the game as an excuse to bully the child playing Meng Shuyuan. Changningg shouldn’t learn from them.”

Changningg nodded in understanding.

Fan Changyu smoothed the soft wisps of hair on her forehead, “Your parents didn’t like seeing children play like this either.”

Changningg immediately said, “I won’t learn from them!”

Fan Changyu smiled and rubbed her round little head, her thoughts drifting.

She had always been tough as a child, and among her peers, she was famous for her strength. She had even made boys three or five years older than her cry and run home to complain to their parents.

Her parents always believed in reasoning. If she did something wrong, they would punish her. If she was in the right, they would argue on her behalf.

But there was one time when she played a game of catching bad guys with other children. A child playing Meng Shuyuan was pushed down by another child who didn’t know his strength, hitting his forehead on the ground. The injured child’s parents went door to door to argue.

Fan Changyu hadn’t pushed anyone that time, nor had she joined the other children in bullying the child playing Meng Shuyuan.

But when her mother heard she had participated in this game, she suddenly cried. Her father was also very angry and made her kneel in the courtyard for an entire afternoon.

Fan Changyu reflected for a long time, thinking her parents must have disliked her joining in bullying the weak.

That night when she returned to her room, her mother’s eyes were still swollen. She made Fan Changyu promise never to play the game of beating the great traitor Meng Shuyuan again.

Fan Changyu had always felt very guilty. She had never seen her mother cry so sadly before, and she must have deeply disappointed her.

So when she heard her little sister echoing those children calling Meng Shuyuan a great traitor, she feared Changningg might join the neighborhood children in playing such games and decided to teach her in advance.

As luck would have it, after leaving Constable Wang’s house, Fan Changyu, unfamiliar with the county town’s roads, asked for directions to the bookstore. After taking a roundabout route, she passed by the Yixiang Lou in this part of the county and ran into Yu Qianqian.

Yu Qianqian wore a large coat trimmed with white fox fur, its front, and sleeves embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread. Her forehead sported evenly cut bangs, making her face look like a white jade plate, not much different from an unmarried young lady.

She seemed about to leave by carriage, with several steward-like people standing before her, bowing and listening to her instructions.

As soon as Yu Qianqian finished giving orders, she looked up and saw Fan Changyu walking from the street corner with a porcelain doll-like little girl. Her eyebrows lifted in delight, “I was just about to go back to town to find you. I didn’t expect to run into you right at the shop door.”

Fan Changyu smiled and wished her a happy New Year before asking, “Did the proprietress need me for something?”

Yu Qianqian said, “I have a big business deal tomorrow, and I can’t do without your help!”

The largest bookstore in the county town was open for business as usual on New Year’s Day.

As Xie Zheng entered the store, the bookstore owner, fiddling with an abacus, asked, “What would you like to buy, sir?”

Xie Zheng’s fingertip dangled a jade ring with an attached cord. Seeing the jade ring, the owner’s attitude instantly became respectful. He bowed and gestured “please” with his hand, “Sir, please come upstairs for a private word.”

The owner led Xie Zheng to a refined room upstairs. On a yellow pear wood table by the window sat a slender-necked white porcelain vase with a sprig of red plum blossoms about to bloom. Against the backdrop of fine snow outside the carved wooden window, it truly created an artistic atmosphere.

“Esteemed guest, please wait here for a moment. I’ll go call the proprietor right away,” the bookstore owner said as he left, just as a servant entered with tea.

Wei Yan was highly skilled in the art of tea, and Xie Zheng, having been raised by him for sixteen years, understood tea to some extent.

The fragrance of this tea alone was comparable to imperial tribute teas.

He lowered his gaze to the red plum blossoms in the white porcelain vase on the table, his long fingers lightly tapping the tea lid twice.

Before long, Zhao Xun pushed open the door and entered, his refined face wearing a fabricated smile, “I didn’t know the Marquis was visiting. My apologies for not welcoming you from afar.”

“Mr. Zhao is too kind,” Xie Zheng said, sitting casually in the armchair, his tone carrying a hint of dominance as if he were the host rather than the guest.

Zhao Xun said, “The matters the Marquis entrusted to me have all been secretly carried out. The Marquis can rest assured that even if the officials investigate, they won’t find anything.”

Xie Zheng looked up, “There’s one more thing I need your people to do.”

“What is it?”

“Immediately leak the news of Wei Xuan allowing troops to plunder grain in Ji Prefecture to He Jingyuan. In the capital, use this grain plundering incident that resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians to create a big stir and denounce Wei’s faction.”

The louder the public outcry, the more effective the impeachment from court officials would be.

Hearing it was another matter of suppressing Wei’s faction, Zhao Xun hurriedly bowed, “I’ll have my people do it right away.”

As he raised his head, he saw Xie Zheng looking at him with a faint smile.

Zhao Xun hesitated for a moment and asked, “Why is the Marquis looking at me like that?”

Xie Zheng picked up the teacup in front of him and took a small sip, “Qingcheng Snow Buds, only one bud and one leaf picked, offered as tribute to the royal family. I didn’t expect to drink such fine tea in a small place like Qingping County.”

Zhao Xun said, “I’m a businessman. I spent quite a bit of silver to get such a good thing. Knowing the Marquis was coming, of course, I had to bring it out to show my respect.”

The corners of Xie Zheng’s mouth turned down, “An ordinary merchant couldn’t manage to buy twenty thousand stones of rice without alerting local officials. With your family’s immense wealth, if you truly wanted revenge on Wei Xuan, you could still rely on Minister Li’s faction in court. You went to great lengths to find me, not so much to use me to help you get revenge, but because you coveted my influence over the hundred thousand soldiers in Hui Prefecture.”

His phoenix eyes locked onto this unqualified merchant before him, like a wolf facing off against a hyena, “What you’re after is the military power in my hands. Since we’re cooperating, I don’t like an ally who hides things.”

Zhao Xun was silent for two breaths, then suddenly laughed loudly. Gone was his previous modest demeanor. He sat down opposite Xie Zheng, “Indeed, nothing escapes the Marquis’s keen eye.”