The great hall immediately quieted down. No one echoed Li Zhi’s words because he had spoken from the perspective of a son—it could be called personal sentiment. Li’er raised his head and waved his hand for Li Zhi to step down. To Dai Zhou he said, “Hou Junji’s crime is unpardonable. Deal with him according to law. As for the rest, exile them to the miasmic lands of Lingnan—not pardoned even when general amnesties are granted. They shall never be allowed to return home.”

“Your Majesty’s benevolent heart will surely shine gloriously through the ages. We ministers congratulate Your Majesty!” After Li’er’s judgment, even someone like Yun Ye who held prejudices against Li’er wholeheartedly shouted out these words, let alone people like Qin Qiong with tears streaming down their faces.

For the first time, Li’er left the dragon throne silently without declaring the court session dismissed, his expression dejected. Cheng Yaojin pulled Yun Ye aside and pointed at Li’er, meaning he should stay behind to keep Li’er company and comfort the sorrowful Emperor somewhat. They still had to go to the vegetable market execution ground to see off Hou Junji.

The fifty pounds of armor were very heavy, and Li’er walked very far. He surprisingly didn’t go find the Empress but went alone to the Hall of Martial Performance. Li Zhi kept pulling at Yun Ye’s armor, asking questions east and west—very annoying.

“Brother-in-law, why are you going to the Hall of Martial Performance? Father Emperor must be practicing martial arts now. If you go, you’re just looking to get beaten up. Why don’t we go find Qing Que instead? Going to his place would be more interesting. Do you know? Brother Qing Que gave me all the businesses in that Jinyang area. Little brother would like to ask your advice on how to do business.”

This was like Sima Zhao’s intentions being known to all passersby. Having just deceived Li Tai, now he was coming to deceive Yun Ye. This fellow didn’t plan to let any deceptive opportunity pass.

“My family has no business in Jinyang. Even giving you everything wouldn’t amount to much. If you can persuade your elder sister and Jinyang to mutually open low tax rates, you’d earn much more. His Majesty is in a bad mood—I’m actually just a punching bag those old fellows sent up. Understand?”

Li Zhi was a bit disappointed, but Zhang Jianzhi, who attended him, was very happy. Seeing Yun Ye walk away, he quickly grabbed Li Zhi’s hand and said, “Your Highness, hurry and write to Her Highness Anlan about this matter and nail it down. You just write that Marquis Yun has already agreed that Yongzhou and Jinyang will mutually open a low tax system. Without the tax barrier, goods will be much cheaper. Our Jinyang doesn’t have much good to transport to Yongzhou, but good things from Yongzhou can continuously be transported to Jinyang. We originally couldn’t collect much tax anyway. With the advantage of low tax rates, Jinyang will immediately become the northwestern region’s transshipment point for southern goods. Coming in and going out, hehe, what a great advantage! Far better than you asking for money.”

After calculating, Li Zhi immediately caught on. Raising his head to Zhang Jianzhi, he said, “If I don’t mention Marquis Yun in the letter and only use the address ‘brother-in-law,’ do you think my sister will be even happier?”

“That’s certain. Today in the court hall you pleaded for Hou Junji—Duke Yiguo, Duke Luguo, Duke Langye will definitely be grateful to you. These three families are also major financial backers—you can’t pass them up. You’re young now, and no one will criticize you for wanting some benefits. In a few years this method won’t work anymore. We must take advantage of being young and hurry to get money.”

Li Zhi was happy, but Yun Ye was in pain. Entering the Hall of Martial Performance, Li’er threw a lance over at him. Yan Song was already lying on the ground. Li’er held a shield in one hand and gripped a flail in the other, the hammer at the end of the chain as big as a fist. Just looking at Yan Song’s dented armor, one knew how ruthlessly Li’er had struck. Now Li’er shook the flail, staring viciously at Yun Ye through the gap above the shield.

Yun Ye hugged the lance and hid behind the weapons rack, refusing to come out no matter what. Li’er said furiously, “You all came today to plead for Hou Junji. I granted your wishes—now let me beat you a few times to vent.”

“No way. I’m no match for you. What if you accidentally slip and smash me to death with one hammer blow? Hou Junji’s matter doesn’t count—he was your brother from back in the day. The more harshly you deal with him, the more difficult it is for you. I only owe Hou Junji a debt of gratitude, not my life. There’s no need to fill in my own life.”

The phrase “brother from back in the day” struck Li’er’s vital point. He sighed deeply and cast aside the shield and flail in his hands. Taking off his armor, wearing only his undergarment, he stood outside the hall door looking toward the vegetable market execution ground. Three drum beats sounded from far away there. The double-hour of noon, third quarter, had arrived. Hou Junji should now be dead in the underworld.

“Why?” Li’er asked Yun Ye abruptly without context.

“What else could it be? His meritorious achievements and official position continuously increased, but the cultivation and morality that should match them didn’t keep up. This kind of situation appearing was inevitable. Though the matter is regrettable, it doesn’t harm Your Majesty’s benevolent virtue. He sought his own death—who could save him? The Great Tang military families only planned to settle his wife and children properly. No one thought of rescuing him. The deaths and injuries of over a thousand officers and soldiers require an accounting. If even rebellion could preserve one’s life, everyone might as well go rebel. Whether viewed from state law or human sentiment, Hou Junji had to die. If he didn’t die, that would be a great harm to the state.”

Li’er nodded, indicating he approved of Yun Ye’s words. With a “hey,” he smashed his fist against the door frame and asked Yun Ye again, “I’m now vexed and confused—how can I calm down?”

Yun Ye spent a long time getting his armor off and said to Li’er, “Why doesn’t Your Majesty get thoroughly drunk? Consider it a memorial to an old friend. According to your subject’s experience, if paired with appropriate delicious food, your mood will definitely improve.”

“That would be good. I have no heart to handle governmental affairs now. Let me watch you cook.”

When the Emperor arrived at the imperial kitchen, the cooks nearly died of fright. However, after seeing Yun Ye, they put their anxious hearts at ease. Li’er examined the ingredients in the kitchen one by one. Pointing at a huge bighead carp, he said to Yun Ye, “Seeing that big head makes me angry. This one.”

So he wanted to eat chopped chili fish head. This fish was unfortunate enough. Although it didn’t resemble Hou Junji in the slightest, Li’er vented his anger on it. Why did a fish over twenty pounds grow such a big head for no reason?

Making chopped chili fish head was very simple. After Yun Ye had the cook clean the fish, he had it chopped off along with half the body, then split it in two halves. Using cooking wine, salt, and Sichuan peppercorns to marinate it, he himself hid far away, having the fat cook chop the pickled red peppers into fine pieces as much as possible, then cut the ginger into shreds.

Actually, there weren’t many places requiring Yun Ye’s hands. Seeing the fish head placed in the steaming pot, Yun Ye stealthily glanced at Li’er. When the Emperor felt dejected, he was no different from ordinary people. Yan Song, revived, limped along behind the constantly pacing Li’er. Phoenix trees looked very beautiful in summer, but viewing them in late autumn held little poetic sentiment. Large pieces of leaves rustled down continuously. Before long, a thick layer had fallen underfoot. Combined with Li’er’s tightly furrowed brow, it appeared especially desolate.

Li’er was self-confident—so confident he was unwilling to reach the stage of “when the cunning hares die, the hunting dogs are cooked.” Compared to those ministers, his age held a great advantage. He believed that in his lifetime, he could firmly control the ambitions of those proud soldiers and fierce generals. But he had underestimated Hou Junji’s inflated desires. Advancing all the way without any obstacles to the position of Minister of Personnel and Duke Chenguo, there was no possibility of going further. Perhaps even Hou Junji himself believed rebellion was the only path.

Li’er came to the steaming pot and watched the large pot emitting white vapor. Testing with his hand, he said to Yun Ye, “How do you all plan to arrange for Hou Jie and the other two?”

Li’er had already sobered up and now began considering subsequent developments, such as hidden worries like whether Hou Jie would seek revenge.

“The possibility of them coming ashore is probably not great. The families of Xiao Yan, Pei Zhong, and Han De won’t let them go. This is already a private feud. The women and children will be arranged by your humble subject at Meng Family Stronghold. That place is a women’s world where everything is decided by the elders and women. Women who go there won’t suffer and won’t be looked down upon. Most importantly, it’s a paradise away from the world. Living in seclusion there isn’t bad. After all, the Hou family was exiled to Lingnan by Tang law. They shouldn’t think about a wealthy life. From now on, farming and scholarly pursuits will be passed down through the family. Hou Jie and the others will drift on the seas for life. Otherwise, the spirits of over a thousand officers and soldiers won’t rest easy.”

This arrangement wasn’t something Yun Ye said on a whim but was an agreement the military families reached after obtaining understanding from the Xiao, Pei, and Han families. Otherwise, today those three families would have wailed at the palace. Yun Ye told Li’er all these matters without hiding anything.

Li’er nodded. He was also quite satisfied with this arrangement. Hatred as a thing came far more fiercely than other emotions. If the military families hadn’t reached an agreement with those families, today absolutely wouldn’t have had such a result.

Yun Ye lifted the steamer lid. In a huge plate sat that fish head, bright red and looking quite good. Li’er thought it was cooked and planned to taste it, but then saw Yun Ye carry over a large pot of cooked tea oil and pour it over the fish head. A rich fragrance immediately soared into the air. The fresh aroma of the chili peppers was instantly drawn out by that pot of hot oil.

Li’er walked in front, and Yun Ye and Yan Song carried the large plate following behind. Coming to a quiet chamber, Li’er had Yun Ye and Yan Song go out. Closing the door, he retrieved a jar of wine from the corner. First pouring some on the ground, he then took a great drink and began conversing with Hou Junji’s spirit.

Yan Song led Yun Ye far away. Coming under a large tree, he cupped his hands and said, “His Majesty’s heart knot is difficult to untie. Yan Song is but a crude person without Marquis Yun’s nimble thinking, much less this skill of Master Chef Yi Ya. His Majesty has now calmed down. Yan Song expresses his thanks.”

Yun Ye smiled without answering, only finding it very strange where Zhangsun had gone. He hadn’t seen her all day. By rights, the one who should be accompanying Li’er at this time should be Zhangsun, but the imperial family had too many taboos to inquire about. Taking leave of Yan Song, he planned to go home. No matter what, he should attend Hou Junji’s funeral service.

Li Chengqian appeared at the palace gate, apparently waiting for Yun Ye. A small piece of hemp cloth was tied on his shoulder—he was wearing mourning for Hou Junji. His eyes were red and his appearance haggard.

“It’s not your concern. Hou Junji was wildly ambitious—who knows what he would do? I’ll go offer that incense stick for you. The person you should be looking for now is your father the Emperor, not your rebellious father-in-law. You should be able to distinguish between major and minor matters.”

Having finished speaking, without waiting for Li Chengqian to say more, he hurriedly left the imperial palace. The Hou family’s affairs had all been properly arranged. Li Chengqian getting involved wouldn’t benefit anything in the slightest.