The weather in Chang’an during winter was very regular—as long as the north wind howled through the night, the next day there would surely be heavy snow falling. After compiling nearly twenty years of meteorological changes, Yushan Academy had reached a conclusion: the weather in Chang’an these years was gradually becoming colder. And the climate on the grasslands had become even more severe. Na Rimu reached out to catch snowflakes falling from the sky, saying sorrowfully to her husband: “There must be another white disaster on the grasslands.”
“There aren’t many people on the grasslands now, and most are gathered in places where water and grass are most abundant. The dry grass stored in autumn will definitely help the herders get through this disaster. Our family’s pasture is on the back side of Yin Mountain, where the climate is warmer and the snow won’t be too heavy. Don’t worry—the local garrison will continue patrolling on sleds. If things truly become unbearable, they won’t just stand by and watch.”
Na Rimu nodded. The pasture belonged to her—most of her wealth came from the pasture. Lingdang had shares in the Lingnan merchant convoy and also had her own source of income. As for Xiao Miao, basically all business in the Western Regions belonged to her. These years she had gained considerable benefits from He Shao, making a fortune from petroleum.
In Xinyue’s eyes, whether it was Na Rimu’s property or Lingdang and Xiao Miao’s, she viewed it all as belonging to the children they bore. She stubbornly believed that aside from their own jewelry boxes, concubines had nothing that belonged to themselves.
This view had no market in the Yun household. Even Yun Shou himself didn’t recognize it. When calculating the Yun family’s assets, he never included the possessions of the several aunties. Even when Xinyue sometimes lost her temper, Yun Shou remained unwavering.
“Only this concubine is a pauper!”
Whenever Yun Ye heard Xinyue say this, he knew her petty temper had erupted again. If it wasn’t from seeing Na Rimu moving things into her storeroom, then it was from seeing Xiao Miao showing off by taking out her treasures to sun them—she had been provoked.
At such times, Yun Ye would always say with a smile: “The entire Yun household belongs to you. You’re used to lording it over everyone at home. You make decisions about tens of thousands of gold coins. How have you become a pauper? If Xiao Miao and the others had even a fraction of your money, they would long ago be famous wealthy women of Chang’an City. Don’t be fooled by Xiao Miao always sunning her treasures—she’s just a silly girl. Look how many are actually valuable. Which item pulled from the great treasury isn’t more expensive than those things she got from the Western Regions?”
Whenever her husband said this, Xinyue was always extremely proud. Puffing out her chest, she would glance disdainfully at Xiao Miao sunning her treasures, snort, and walk away in triumph.
Xiao Miao had originally planned to sun her treasures today—many silver items also needed to be soaked in medicinal solution, as they were all starting to turn black. Now with the snow beginning to fall, nothing could be done. She could only direct the Elis sisters to move everything back.
Dugu Mou got up very late. When he saw Yun Ye, he was still constantly shaking his head.
“Such strong liquor! I feel like when I was drinking last night, I was tricked by you and Cheng Chumo, wasn’t I? There’s no reason your alcohol tolerance should be better than mine. I get it now—you still remember when I threw you in that stinking ditch years ago.”
Yun Ye chuckled and said: “You picked the wine yourself—it has nothing to do with us. The Yun household’s wine is famously strong. It’s not like you don’t know. Did you think the name ‘throat-burning blade’ was called that for nothing?”
As they spoke, maids brought up much food. Without a word, Dugu Mou first drank two large bowls of millet porridge. Only then did he say to Yun Ye: “Millet is still what nourishes people. I almost drank myself to death yesterday. I’m counting entirely on this stuff to revive my soul.”
“The method for making these buns still came from your household. My family also makes them, but they’re just not as authentic as yours. Our venerable ancestor often says that only during festivals can he eat the delicious food your family sends as filial offerings. Such a pity! You should send them regularly in the future!”
This was clearly to mend relations. Yun Ye understood in his heart and nodded, saying: “That truly is us juniors being remiss. When an elder wants to eat a couple bites that suit his taste, this is only proper. Changfeng, you should just directly send someone to the house to get it. The Yun household’s kitchen is actually prepared for these elders of the capital. The old generals of the army and Prime Minister Fang, Prime Minister Du—they all do this. After Lord Wei passed away, Shuyu comes less often. In the future, no matter what time, when the elder wants to eat, just come get it. The Yun household can also fulfill our filial duty.”
Dugu Mou nodded. He ate an entire plate of buns in succession, then poured a small dish of pickled vegetables into his mouth and washed it down with rice porridge. After this, he stared at Yun Ye and said: “Give me a straight answer—after Zhangsun Wuji’s downfall, what do you plan to do?”
This was not the time to hesitate. Yun Ye also looked at Dugu Mou, saying word by word: “I originally had no great ambitions—I was forced to this position by others. If the Yun family has no opponents, I myself become dangerous. So as long as the Yun family is out of crisis, I will immediately go to Yushan Academy to teach. This is what I should be doing. Leading troops in battle, mixing in the court—these are all stepping stones I’ve laid for this ideal of mine.”
“Moreover, from now on Great Tang will never again have powerful ministers. As soon as such a person appears, shall we jointly attack them?”
Dugu Mou’s pupils contracted once again. He extended his hand, popping out one word at a time: “A gentleman’s word…”
Without hesitation, Yun Ye slapped his palm and said: “…is a swift horse’s whip!”
“No bloodshed—can that be done? At least not shedding the blood of our own people.”
“If I weren’t concerned about bloodshed, I wouldn’t have endured to this degree.”
“After the New Year, I will assume the position of Minister of Finance. The newly formulated Commercial Code will also be thoroughly implemented. One tax in thirteen—this is the new commercial tax. As an additional condition, to ensure there is no tax evasion, the punishment of flaying and stuffing with grass will be reactivated. You have no objection, right?”
“You must guarantee this punishment only applies to the Commercial Code and doesn’t involve other matters! Additionally, merchants’ legitimate property shall not be violated—this also needs to be written into the Commercial Code.”
“I agree to the first condition, but don’t guarantee the second. Imperial authority is supreme!”
Yun Ye nodded understandingly. This condition wasn’t something the two of them could decide anyway. The power of life and death, honor and disgrace, was originally Li Er’s inviolable right. On this point, Li Er would not tolerate anyone’s interference. The so-called rights of “wind may enter, rain may enter, but the Emperor may not enter”—speaking of such rights now was truly too early. They could only be raised at least when imperial power was at its weakest, not before such a powerful emperor as Li Er. No matter who said it, beheading would be their only outcome.
“It can only be thus. His Majesty is beginning to allow merchants to rise, but has also placed shackles on them. You must be the supervisor and executor His Majesty selected, right?”
Dugu Mou said earnestly to Yun Ye: “For these ten years, I’ve observed coldly for ten years, and also read books for a full ten years. Actually, I spent most of my time immersed in Yushan Academy’s library. I even have a private room there.”
“I’ve read Iron-Faced Sir’s writings the most. Ultimately, I comprehended one principle from them—that heaven and earth have their own natural laws. From the revolution of sun, moon, and stars to spring, summer, autumn, and winter—this is the Great Way.”
“The wolf’s management system doesn’t suit Great Tang, because the Turkic wolf clan has already vanished into smoke and clouds. The social relationships of ants and bees also don’t suit Great Tang—that would be too ruthless. Qin Shi Huang already did such things, and ultimately it proved he also failed. So we have nothing to draw from. Today’s Great Tang is unprecedented. National power is far stronger than Qin or Han. Moreover, I believe the current government and systems are most appropriate. Military and civil administration are completely separated. Imperial power is also constrained to a certain degree. Actually, even now I admire your arrangements on the distant islands with complete devotion.”
“Because everyone has a way out, imperial power cannot oppress us excessively. In prosperous times we jointly promote prosperity. When emperors are tyrannical, we distance ourselves, remaining on the distant islands to watch the changing winds and clouds. Once things reach an irretrievable state, we return to reclaim our lost territories, reestablish an emperor. After all, we are the world’s second greatest power.”
“As long as we ourselves aren’t greedy, we can perpetually extend the prosperous age. There may be setbacks in between, but we can ensure all of Great Tang keeps moving forward. We’re already far ahead of others now. As long as we don’t stop walking ourselves or take the backward road, we will forever be this world’s nobility—true nobility!”
Yun Ye clenched his fist and said to Dugu Mou: “Since we’ve already started walking, then let’s not stop! If we walk long enough and our strides are large enough, someday we’ll walk toward the sea of stars. That’s the good place to display our ambitions.”
“Bring wine! I want to drink again. Don’t bring anything too strong—moderately fierce will do. I, Dugu Changfeng, have searched my entire life for a kindred spirit. I never imagined my kindred spirit was thrown by me into a stinking ditch years ago. The foul smell covered his heroic spirit, so I didn’t see it. Yun Ye, let’s finish another jar together. From today forward, our footsteps will never stop. No matter who dies, the other continues walking forward. I really want to see what kind of scene it will be at the end. For a great man to act thus—nothing surpasses this. How satisfying!”
“Clang!” Two wine jars collided, then were drained in one gulp. Yun Ye had never before downed an entire jar of forty-five proof liquor in one breath. Barely suppressing his churning stomach, with reddened eyes he looked at Dugu Mou across from him. Dugu Mou’s face was like a piece of red cloth, likewise staring at Yun Ye with a fierce expression.
Neither man spoke, just glared at each other like this, like two angry fighting cocks.
Wine began pouring from the corner of Yun Ye’s mouth, along with the breakfast he had just eaten. Dugu Mou was the same. The two simultaneously pounded their own stomachs with a fist. Both were masters of drinking—how could they not know that drinking this way was too damaging to the body? Vomiting it out early was the right principle. A healthy body would still be useful later—it couldn’t be easily damaged!
Yun Ye collapsed face-down on the table. The gushing vomit instantly covered the table. Dugu Mou fell backward, tilting back. The filth from his mouth spurted a full two feet high. After falling, it covered his entire body.
Old Qian, who was serving at the side, and the leader of Dugu Mou’s household guards exchanged strange glances, then simultaneously shouted for help…