When leaving the city, Huo Qi Lang had worried that having only one half-blind, half-deaf old man driving the cart wouldn’t provide enough protection, but after getting off the cart she discovered that Yuan Shaobo, Song Yinghui, and other military officers were all waiting outside in plain clothes.
Through the veil hanging from her mili, Huo Qi Lang observed the surroundings. The ox cart had stopped in the wilderness near a rammed earth platform base—the ruins of some abandoned city wall from an unknown dynasty. Close to the earthen platform stood a three-story viewing pavilion under renovation, with a three-character plaque hanging above its main entrance and couplets on both sides.
Two men dressed as wealthy merchants stood at the pavilion entrance to welcome them. Upon seeing Li Yuanying’s arrival, they immediately prostrated themselves in greeting.
Huo Qi Lang noticed that the leader had a portly figure and a round, pale face with medium-length whiskers, looking extremely familiar. She grabbed him and dragged him into the sunlight for closer examination.
This time she remembered—during her last leave, when she went out drinking and carousing with Yuwen Rang, she had seen this man haunting city taverns wearing a false beard. But even then she had found his face familiar, so today should be their third meeting.
She tried hard to erase the bearded image from her mind and finally remembered who he was—this was the Palace Administration eunuch who had come from Chang’an during the Double Ninth Festival to deliver the external stipend subsidy to Prince Shao. At that time he still had the beardless appearance of a castrated man.
From pale-faced and beardless, to wearing a fake beard, to growing real whiskers—this was why it took three meetings to recognize him. Could eunuchs also grow full beards? Puzzled, Huo Qi Lang reached toward his crotch to investigate.
Li Yuanying shouted sternly, “Let go! How dare you touch everything!”
Yuan Shaobo stepped forward to rescue the round-faced man. Seeing that the person behind the veil was tall in stature and sounded like a woman but wore a sword at her waist, he couldn’t guess her identity and didn’t dare struggle, keeping an ingratiating smile plastered on his face.
Huo Qi Lang asked in confusion, “Isn’t this the eunuch who came to deliver the external stipend subsidy?”
Following Li Yuanying’s glance, the man smiled apologetically, “This humble citizen is surnamed Zhao, named Yuanbao, nicknamed Zhao Jiuhu. These whiskers are natural—that day I was ordered by Your Highness to shave my beard and pretend to be a eunuch. They’ve only grown back halfway now.”
Huo Qi Lang was even more confused. Li Yuanying led his subordinates into the pavilion. Though scaffolding still surrounded the exterior, the interior was fully furnished with complete tables and seating—it was a magnificent and elegant viewing pavilion in classical style.
The guests scheduled for today had not yet arrived. After Li Yuanying was seated, he decided to tell Huo Qi Lang the truth: “The eunuch was fake, and the external stipend subsidy was also fake. No matter how unwilling that man in Chang’an is to see me, how could he suddenly have a change of heart and send subsidies?”
Huo Qi Lang asked in surprise, “Then who really sent the silk?”
“I sent it myself.”
Li Yuanying sipped the tea Zhao Jiuhu presented to him. “If I maintained the original situation, Prince Shao would just be a discarded pawn exiled to the frontier under house arrest. Liu Kun and Ruan Ziming would join forces to monitor and suppress me. But as long as the emperor changes his mind, they would have to adopt the attitude of dealing with an imperial heir, allowing me to truly participate in Youzhou politics and possess enough attraction to win over generals and staff.”
Recalling the grand spectacle when the external stipend arrived at the residence, Huo Qi Lang was utterly astonished and asked, “But so many people witnessed the public delivery of subsidies—weren’t you afraid Chang’an would discover it was all an act?”
Li Yuanying replied, “Ruan Ziming has already allied with me. Others won’t specifically send couriers to Chang’an to confirm with the emperor again whether he sent anything to his son. If common people spread this as an interesting tale, with news traveling with merchant caravans to Chang’an and indirectly reaching the palace, it would take at least a year. By then the overall situation will be decided, and it won’t matter if he knows. The vast distance between the capital and frontier, with difficult correspondence, can also be used to my advantage.”
“So the news about your brother being enfeoffed as Prince of First Rank and your uncle being made Duke—were those all fabricated lies too?”
Li Yuanying smiled calmly, “Those were actually true news. When lying, one must always mix truth with falsehood to confuse the target.”
Huo Qi Lang was so shocked she was speechless, her mind unable to process this for a moment. After staring blankly for a while, she looked at Zhao Yuanbao who stood nearby diligently serving tea, and sighed, “You’re quite bold yourself, daring to help fabricate such an enormous lie.”
Zhao Yuanbao smiled, “To help Your Highness gain power, Zhao Jiuhu is willing to exert every effort.”
Yuan Shaobo explained, “He’s a major tea merchant from Yangzhou. Merchants don’t rise early without profit. In the Central Plains, tea has become a daily necessity like salt and rice for common people, but it hasn’t become popular on the frontier yet. If he can establish himself in Youzhou, this investment could yield a hundredfold return. Unfortunately, Liu Kun is short-sighted—since he can’t get used to drinking it himself, he views it as deception and refuses it.”
Zhao Yuanbao respectfully bowed to Li Yuanying with clasped hands, “Thanks to Your Highness bringing a whole household of Chang’an people to relocate here, along with tea-drinking habits, now Youzhou people compete to imitate the Prince’s residence in dress and style, and tea drinking is gradually showing signs of becoming fashionable.”
Li Yuanying tasted the new compressed tea Zhao Yuanbao had transported from Yangzhou and said slowly, “Actually, the most valuable thing is still future prospects for descendants.”
Zhao Yuanbao’s smile faded as he spoke seriously, “Even if merchants are wealthy enough to rival regions, their status remains lowly, and their descendants cannot enter government service. For my worthless sons to have the qualifications to study and take imperial examinations, money is like dirt—Yuanbao is willing to stake his own head on this.”
Huo Qi Lang understood now. A merchant magnate like Zhao Jiuhu who wanted to change his lowly status would find that spending any amount of money on regional governors or officials was useless—only investing in a capable prince offered hope. It was the same kind of high-stakes gamble, just with stakes vastly different from her cockfighting and dog racing bets.
The sound of hoofbeats came from far outside the pavilion. Yuan Shaobo listened for a moment, signaled everyone to stop talking, and said, “The guests have arrived.”
Li Yuanying reminded Huo Qi Lang again, “Keep your mouth shut and act like you’re mute.”
People in disguise arrived on horseback from various directions. Huo Qi Lang recognized several of them—generals from various states and barbarian envoys she had seen at Liu Kun’s banquet.
Huo Qi Lang bent over and whispered in Li Yuanying’s ear, “Let me say one last thing.”
Li Yuanying frowned, “Make it quick.”
“Your Highness’s scheme… is this what’s called ‘the fox borrowing the tiger’s might’?”
Li Yuanying gave her a cold glance and said nothing more.
This abandoned earthen platform was the remains of the State of Yan from the Warring States period—the Golden Platform. Historical records state that King Zhao of Yan built the Golden Platform for Guo Wei, using it to recruit worthy talents, causing outstanding scholars from throughout the realm to flock to him. Spending a thousand gold pieces to buy bones, scholars competed to gather in Yan, and the state became prosperous and strong. Later generations called the Golden Platform the Youzhou Platform, viewing it as a symbol of ancient enlightened rulers treating worthy men with courtesy.
This viewing pavilion was built by later generations to commemorate the past. It was abandoned after the An Lushan Rebellion, then renovated with secret funding from Prince Shao as his covert base of operations outside the city. The pavilion’s plaque bore the inscription “Youzhou Platform,” and the couplets were Chen Zi’ang’s masterpiece “Song of Ascending Youzhou Platform.”
Chen Zi’ang used the present to mourn the past, lamenting that his political talents went unrecognized, resonating with countless people who felt their abilities were unappreciated. The Tang court was bloated with redundant officials, its chronic ailments difficult to cure. The imperial examination system was monopolized by aristocratic families, and many unable to serve in Chang’an could only seek opportunities by traveling to distant frontiers.
Prince Shao’s renovation of Youzhou Platform meant to emulate King Zhao of Yan in selecting worthy and capable people, secretly gathering learned scholars and extraordinary talents for his own use, then using the open strategy of “self-delivered silk” to rise again from his status as an exiled outcast.
The secret meeting lasted over an hour, with everyone agreeing to act when Liu Kun’s personal troops attempted rebellion. Though Liu Kun was the regional governor, for generals leading troops in the barbarous frontier, advancement paths were ultimately inferior to those in Chang’an. Ambitious military officers all harbored dreams of becoming both generals and ministers—if they could help Prince Shao replace Liu Kun, it would be merit from following the dragon to success.
Crows bringing good fortune heralded the rise of Zhou.
The strange sight of crow flocks circling above Prince Shao’s residence had already spread throughout the city. People speculated in their hearts that this exceptionally beautiful prince probably bore a heavenly mandate and was destined for greatness. Li Yuanying had already recruited wealthy merchants to fund military supplies, had the adopted son sent by the Wugu Khan in hand, and thoroughly understood the personal troops’ movements. With favorable timing, geographical advantage, and popular support, they only awaited the right opportunity.
After the discussions were settled, everyone quietly departed. Yuan Shaobo received his assignment to lead Prince Shao’s personal soldiers in ambush throughout the city as support, while Song Yinghui was ordered to take his place guarding their master.
Li Yuanying climbed to the third floor of Youzhou Platform and stood at the railing gazing south for a long time. The sky was overcast with dense clouds. Huo Qi Lang accompanied him in looking for a while, but truly couldn’t understand what was worth seeing besides the weed-covered earthen platform base—Youzhou city was clearly north of the viewing platform.
“Are you waiting for more guests?” she asked.
Li Yuanying shook his head and slowly walked down, gripping the stair railing.
To prevent information from leaking, Li Yuanying took the ox cart back along the original route with Huo Qi Lang. She was unusually silent on the journey, so much so that even Li Yuanying found it strange.
“Do you think there are flaws in the plan?” he asked.
Huo Qi Lang shook her head, “Your Highness is resourceful and wise—it sounds very thorough.” Despite her words, her expression was clearly not as cheerful as when they had come.
Li Yuanying couldn’t fathom her thoughts and asked, “Speak directly—wasn’t that your own requirement? If you want a share in this matter, just speak up.”
Huo Qi Lang shook her head, rarely showing a trace of something like worry. After pondering for a long time, she looked directly into Li Yuanying’s eyes and asked, “What benefits does the Wugu Khan seek? He wouldn’t give away a son and lend troops for nothing. After success, will Your Highness agree to cede border territory, or allow Khitan cavalry to plunder Youzhou city?”
Li Yuanying suddenly understood. Considering her background and the Tang court’s past history of borrowing troops from the Uighurs, he reassured her, “Don’t worry. What the Khan wants is exactly what Zhao Jiuhu wants to sell. The Khitan people want to use horses produced in barbarian lands to trade for compressed tea from the south, conducting tea-for-horses commerce.”
Huo Qi Lang was startled, “That barbarian chief likes drinking tea?”
Li Yuanying explained, “Liu Kun doesn’t recognize quality goods, but the Wugu Khan does. Tea not only refreshes and relieves fatigue—in winter without fresh vegetables and fruits, drinking tea can alleviate many troublesome ailments. It’s exactly the good medicine barbarians need. And I will obtain war horses from barbarian lands in the future, allowing infantry to become elite cavalry.
The Khitan don’t care who their neighbor’s regional governor is, as long as long-term trade can be established with mutual benefit. I am a schemer, and my actions can’t be called righteous, but when things can be resolved peacefully, it’s best to avoid bloodshed.”
He was silent for a moment, seeming to consider whether to mention that matter, then said after a pause, “Ever since witnessing mother’s death that year, I become stiff all over when I see people bleeding heavily. Though Bao Zhu was young, she was much braver than me.”
After carefully considering his words, Huo Qi Lang let out a long sigh, her shoulders relaxing as some smile returned to her face, “So when Your Highness was reluctant to sell Yule Zhui, it was because the tea trade was more profitable.”
After again passing through the city gate inspection disguised as a woman, they returned to the outer residence in Yandu Ward. Li Yuanying was too exhausted to continue and decided not to return to the main residence, staying at the outer residence for a couple more days.
According to the previous plan, Yuan Shaobo divided the ceremonial personal troops who had stayed at Prince Shao’s residence and accompanied them into several groups, leading them away batch by batch under cover of night, leaving only about ten elite guards to protect their master. He also departed, leaving his deputy Song Yinghui to command in his place.
Huang Xiaoning, Yuwen Rang, and others moved into the outer residence for duty. Learning the truth that there was no concubine at the outer residence, they were shocked to see Huo Qi Lang floating past in a dress, their eyeballs nearly dropping to the ground.
Xu Xing, who had executed missions with her before, was so stunned he couldn’t speak for quite a while. After a moment he asked incredulously, “That tall woman I saw wearing a veil in Yandu Ward at the beginning of the year—that was you?!”
To maintain her employer’s glorious image in his guards’ eyes, Huo Qi Lang readily admitted it and casually made up an excuse, “That’s right, it was me. Once you’re familiar with the business of this outer residence, it’ll be your turns to wear women’s clothing.”