The black-canopied boat sped swiftly out of the narrow river bend, and almost at once the whistling signal-arrows of government troops sounded, followed by the din of fighting.
The sounds of pursuit still trailed behind them, but the boat, familiar with these waters, slipped smoothly into a foul-smelling fish market up ahead, wound its way through the chaotic waterways, and finally came to rest beside an abandoned house. “Hero” Nian Tong, his wounds now roughly bandaged, entered the ruined house with three companions and found, in the courtyard, a middle-aged man—blind in one eye, his face marked with a fierce, violent air.
“The Fish King’s come out of retirement himself—no wonder things went so well. My deepest thanks for this great kindness.”
“No need for such words, Hero Nian. I simply can’t stand to watch what’s become of Fuzhou any longer, so I took the risk. Just don’t blame me for arriving so late.” The Fish King patted his shoulder, walking with him further inside, his voice kept low. “How did the operation go?”
“Damn it all, don’t even ask! The Liao family was ready for us—the moment we made our move, we were surrounded. We lost seven brothers…”
“Ah, even with the court’s coffers running dry and its strength nearly spent, it still commands two great armies. Going up against it head-on just isn’t feasible… That black-hearted Chen woman is too eager for results, pushing for action, and the ones above her are anxious too, but none of them treat the men risking their lives below as anything but expendable… We were all old friends once, and seeing you like this, I’m worried too.”
“You’re right… If it comes to taking to the mountains, why not do it directly? That’s our own territory anyway. Once we’re up there, what can the court possibly do to us? Drag it out a year or two, and it’ll collapse on its own…”
“Slow and steady, slow and steady—that’s the proper way.” The Fish King patted his hand.
“Even if it has to be done in the city, it shouldn’t be done like this. That black-hearted Chen woman doesn’t trust us—no organization, no plan, she just sent us off to kill people on our own. Honestly, if I didn’t owe someone a debt of gratitude, I…”
“Everyone on the road knows Hero Nian is a man of deep loyalty and honor, but as things stand now, even the old masters only look out for themselves.” The Fish King lowered his voice. “The court’s coffers are empty, and if it forces a military campaign, they’re afraid the Emperor will turn his blade on them like slaughtering New Year’s hogs. Truth is, the worst that happens to the old masters is retreating to the mountains—it’s you who’s putting up your life.”
Nian Tong’s eyes reddened, but he only shook his head, saying nothing. The two walked on a while longer before a somewhat younger man appeared, leading several martial artists striding toward them. Nian Tong immediately cupped his hands. “Young Master Pu, you finally came out.”
“I’ve dragged everyone down with me, Hero Nian. Thank goodness you’re alright.”
Pu Xingui walked over, and the two men clasped hands.
Nian Tong said, “This can’t go on like this. There are plenty of people in the city—if we’re really going to act, we need organization, we need to share information. Young Master Pu, why haven’t you brought this up with your superiors?”
“I don’t really know what to say either. Elder Ai has already reprimanded me, telling me to fall in line with Miss Chen and stop wavering. But you know how it is—Miss Chen doesn’t trust me. Since coming to Fuzhou, I’ve only met her in passing twice, and now, when I actually need to reach her, I can’t get through. She doesn’t trust anyone. What I’m doing right now, secretly saving people on my own, already counts as defying orders. If Miss Chen manages to pull this off, who knows how she’ll deal with me.”
“How is she supposed to pull anything off? How? She doesn’t trust us, yet she wants us to lay down our lives for her? My seven brothers… all dead…”
“The life you owe belongs to Elder Ai.”
“I want to see Elder Ai…”
“You can’t. Everyone’s like a startled bird right now. Elder Ai, Duke Fei, Elder Yao—no one knows where they’re hiding. As long as nothing’s been accomplished and you’re still alive, who’s to say you haven’t turned traitor?”
“He…” Nian Tong ground his teeth, at first bewildered, then said, “Is he not afraid I really will go inform on them, expose everyone?”
“Expose what, exactly? Those old masters behind the scenes—do you really think the government knows nothing about them? They’re the inner circle, the ones who do the dirty work for the great clans. If something goes wrong and they retreat to the mountains, the respectable figures out front, you can’t touch them anyway.” Having said all this, Pu Xingui sighed. “We’re all pawns… just slightly bigger pawns.”
The two men stood in the courtyard for a while, faces grim, before Pu Xingui turned to him. “I can’t bear to watch this happen. I want to do something too—at the very least, save a few more lives. Hero Nian, will you help me?”
The question was blunt, but it landed at just the right moment. Nian Tong nodded. “Who else would I help?” After a moment, he added, “There are only the four of us brothers left.”
“From now on, we’re all brothers.”
Pu Xingui stepped forward and cupped his hands solemnly to each of them in turn. Nian Tong nodded. “Good. It was Chen Shuangran who wronged us first. Young Master Pu, we’re with you.”
He was an old hand who’d wandered the martial world for years, and for the moment he didn’t ask exactly what Pu Xingui had in mind. Pu Xingui drew closer, said a few more words to him, then had one of his men lead them off to rest. But just as he was about to leave, Nian Tong turned back.
“Young Master Pu, when I boarded the boat, I caught sight of Wei Sanhua. That man’s ruthless by nature, but in the brief glimpse I got, I saw him being cut down—might I ask who that young hero was?”
Pu Xingui’s brow furrowed slightly, but then he nodded. “Ah, that’s a young hero who came from outside, surname Sun, given name Wukong. His skill is formidable, his character outstanding, and yes, he’s an ally of ours.”
“From outside… can he be trusted?”
“He and his elder brother came to Fujian to kill Tie Tianying. The day before yesterday, the ambush was laid at Jiuxian Mountain, and it only succeeded with this young man’s help. But in doing so, he offended Chen Shuangran’s people, and they betrayed him—that same night, the court brought out cannon and killed his elder brother at Huaiyun Ward. Young Hero Sun managed to escape with our help, and I can personally vouch for him.”
“The cannon fire at Huaiyun Ward, I know of that… So that’s what happened…”
Hearing this account, Nian Tong felt a chill of alarm. He then exchanged respectful bows with Pu Xingui, nodding to each other in mutual understanding.
He understood now.
Nian Tong turned and left. Not long after, signals were sent from atop the old building in the ruined house, and several more righteous men were rescued.
Pu Xingui clenched his fists, quietly marveling to himself.
For the first time in months of struggling against Chen Shuangran, he felt he’d finally gained the upper hand…
…
“That bastard Pu’s been stirring things up behind our backs. Wei Sanhua and Xu Shizhao are dead.”
Noon had passed, and the sunlight had grown harsh. Chen Yan walked into the courtyard with her head lowered, entered the room, and reported this to Chen Shuangran.
Inside, Chen Shuangran was pouring tea. She paused briefly at the news, and beside the window, the meditating monk Tunyun opened his eyes and looked over.
“What about Nian Tong?”
“They killed Wei Sanhua and rescued Nian Tong.”
“A pity… Nian Tong was one of Elder Ai’s men, someone who could originally be trusted…” Chen Shuangran turned her teacup slowly in her hands. “Killing Wei Sanhua and Xu Shizhao… did Qian Dingzhong make a move? He doesn’t follow the rules—isn’t he afraid the old masters will come after him?”
“No.” Chen Yan paused. “It was that boy surnamed Sun from Jiuxian Mountain who did it. The Fish King rescued the men. It seems they’ve all joined forces with that Pu fellow. According to Xiang Yongxun, when the boy killed Wei Sanhua, his blade-work was extraordinarily vicious, struck in genuine fury—he split open Wei Sanhua’s head, face, and upper body. If the government troops hadn’t arrived, he probably would have kept hacking away at the corpse in the street.”
“Struck in fury? Was there really that much anger behind it?” Chen Shuangran’s brow furrowed. “It was only a minor scuffle at the foot of Jiuxian Mountain—I never even sought revenge myself. Why would he hold such a narrow-minded grudge!”
“Since yesterday, there have been some strange rumors circulating in the martial world, and I have a guess.” Chen Yan said. “According to Xiang Yongxun, regarding the cannon strike at Huaiyun Ward the day before yesterday, people in the underworld have been saying it was us who informed on the Long and Sun brothers. Today it occurred to him that this rumor was too consistent to be coincidence—it was likely Pu Xingui who spread it deliberately. And considering how Sun Wukong has now joined forces with him and turned hostile toward us, it seems… from the very start, we underestimated Pu Xingui.”
As Chen Yan finished speaking, understanding dawned on Chen Shuangran’s face. She tapped the table lightly with her teacup, and beside her, Tunyun crossed his arms, also seeming to realize the same thing.
“No wonder… Last night when I saw him charging toward the Princess Imperial’s residence, I meant to spare his life out of respect for his talent, wanting to save him—yet his attitude toward me was so hostile. So it seems he’s laid the blame for his brother’s death at our feet.”
Chen Shuangran said, “We did indeed intend to inform on them, but we were a step too slow…”
“It seems now that it may well have been Young Master Pu who beat us to it.” Chen Yan said. “That boy escaped the Princess Imperial’s residence the day before yesterday, then went out to assassinate someone again last night, and afterward showed no regard whatsoever for the great master’s attempt to rescue him. This alone tells us that by then, he already had allies and an escape route, and had already firmly convinced himself that we were the ones who informed on Huaiyun Ward… To understand us so well, and to have planned so far in advance—it seems only Young Master Pu could have done it. It’s even possible he was the one who informed on them, the one who rescued them, and the one who spread the word—all at once. If so, this whole scheme of borrowing flowers to offer the Buddha, using our own strength against us, was really quite masterfully done…”
Chen Yan had originally looked down on Pu Xingui, but now, realizing the man might not be so simple after all, her tone carried a touch more respect.
Chen Shuangran thought it over. “With the reckoning against the court drawing near, and everyone on edge, sticking your neck out to take charge of things right now is still foolish.”
Tunyun also considered this, then said, “As for the misunderstanding between that boy and myself, and that fish who keeps sticking his nose in—I can handle that on your behalf.”
“Does the great master intend to kill that boy?”
“This one values talent, and has no wish to add to the killing needlessly.” Tunyun said. “But my last two encounters with the boy have perhaps been a bit too lenient, which may only make him arrogant. I can kill that so-called Fish King, or kill this Pu fellow, right in front of him—he’ll certainly understand my methods then. And once I tell him the truth about who really informed on him, even if he doesn’t believe it at first, doubt will take root, and he’ll go seek confirmation. In time, there may yet come a moment for reconciliation.”
Having said all this unhurriedly, Tunyun’s figure moved, vanishing from the window. Chen Shuangran was startled for a moment, then reached out a hand.
“Don’t kill Pu Xingui… he’s worked so hard…”
She murmured to herself.
…
“So, at this point, Pu Xingui has already taken the bait…”
At the Princess Imperial’s residence.
In the back-courtyard study, where a massive sand-table model of Fuzhou had been laid out, three people had gathered: Jun Wu, Zhou Pei, and the ruthless, murder-loving Cheng Zhouhai. Jun Wu was giving Cheng Zhouhai a hard time.
“…Where are they now?”
“Even with people watching them constantly, word can’t reach us instantly. According to information from the Ministry of Justice, about an hour and a half ago, Ning Ji killed the notorious bandit Wei Sanhua at Qingyu Ward in the southeast, and along with the Fish King and others, rescued a bandit named Nian Tong. This means Pu Xingui is now competing with Chen Shuangran for the same people.”
“Well fought!” Jun Wu said. “What exactly is the background on this Fish King?”
“Just a minor figure from the streets, real name Gao Xingzong, previously operating around the fish market in Yinqiao Ward…”
“I’ve been to that fish market.” Jun Wu said to Zhou Pei. “Quite chaotic.”
“Indeed…” Cheng Zhouhai cupped his hands. “When Ning Ji and Miss Qu had their stall in Yinqiao Ward, they crossed paths with this Fish King a bit. Getting him involved in this rescue was likely accomplished by threatening his whole family…”
“Mm, he has family, that makes him one of ours.” Jun Wu nodded. “So, Master Cheng, you should keep an eye on his family, so he’ll work hard on Ning Ji’s behalf… Also, since Little Sun needs to earn Pu Xingui’s trust, couldn’t we help set something up for him? For instance, next time Chen Shuangran sends someone to commit violence, have the government troops arrive a little late, so he has more chances to show himself…”
“Your Majesty.” Cheng Zhouhai frowned, cupping his hands. “Forgive my bluntness, but these are all small matters, and besides…”
“Don’t be so impatient with me, I’m just showing concern.” Jun Wu turned his head toward Zhou Pei, complaining. “You see, I ask just a couple more questions and he already gets impatient with me. Whatever you say, I’m still the Emperor.”
Zhou Pei couldn’t help but laugh helplessly. “I think what Master Cheng means to say is, if we actually go and orchestrate this, it’s bound to leave traces. After all, coordinating that many people, it’s inevitable that word will leak out somewhere along the way.”
“That’s exactly my meaning, Your Highness.” Cheng Zhouhai sighed and cupped his hands. “And forgive my bluntness, but this second young master of the Ning family is fierce indeed—an ordinary person truly wouldn’t be his match.”
“No matter how fierce he is, he’s still a child.” Jun Wu said, frowning. “And he’s not playing house—he’s dealing with the most vicious bandits in this city, he could die at any moment. Master Cheng, you call this a small matter, but I don’t agree—is this really a small matter? If our teacher’s son were to die here in Fujian—or let me put it plainly, if Ning Yi’s son were to die here in Fujian—how would the Zuo family see it? How would the whole realm see it? How would the Black Banner see it? Cheng Zhouhai, don’t let the fact that you’re close with our teacher make you take this lightly.”
Cheng Zhouhai hesitated. “What Your Majesty says does have some merit…”
“I have a point.” Jun Wu said. “So we need to bring the same dedication to this that one brings to accompanying the crown prince at his studies…”
“Your Majesty.” Zhou Pei cut in. “You are the Emperor.”
“But my domain isn’t half as big as our teacher’s, and I’m living off his leftovers besides. When he comes to settle scores someday, I’ll be hoping he spares this dog’s life of mine.”
“…” Zhou Pei blinked, at a loss.
Cheng Zhouhai stepped back. “Your Majesty, this humble servant cannot bear to hear such talk. I still have a great deal of business to attend to…”
“See, first you say I’m the Emperor, then you get impatient with me anyway.” Jun Wu pursed his lips. “Fine, go on then, go find out the full picture of this whole affair before reporting back to me. I want to know exactly what Little Ning is up to, and I want to be involved—I can offer strategy too.”
“…Yes.” Cheng Zhouhai sighed helplessly, turned to take his leave, but as he reached the door, he heard Jun Wu speak up once more. “Wait.”
“…” He turned back.
“Master Cheng, you have a clear picture of this whole affair in your mind, don’t you?”
“…Yes, this servant has it well in hand.”
“Good, then go.”
Cheng Zhouhai left the study, closing the door behind him. Jun Wu pursed his lips and muttered to himself. “So ruthless, kills without blinking, yet finds me too talkative. Am I really that talkative? I’m not that talkative… Once he’s old, I’ll push him out, kill the donkey once it’s done turning the mill. He’ll regret it then…”
Grumbling to himself, he picked up a small flag beside the sand table and stuck it into the model.
“This is Yinqiao Ward… the Fish King’s territory… Chen Shuangran, that great swindler… Tunyun went out early this morning to try to assassinate Puyang… Wei Sanhua, died here… Nian Tong, heading north, joined up with that foolish little Pu fellow, likely somewhere around here…”
Zhou Pei leaned in as well, taking a small brush and writing on the flags as she planted them one after another. “According to the Ministry of Justice and the Zuo family’s assessment, a few households here might be attacked next; the Ministry already has a grasp of that… Also, Yin Ping and I discussed it—if Ning Ji really means to find an opportunity to clash with Chen Shuangran, it’s most likely to happen somewhere between the southern part of the city and Jiuxian Mountain, since that area is more complex, and there are a few spots the Ministry of Justice hasn’t been able to respond to quickly enough.”
“These are all small matters, and you’re asking about them too, Sister—it’s beneath your standing.”
“What can I do, accompanying the crown prince at his studies? And besides, you’re right—if that man’s child really did come to harm under our watch, the Black Banner wouldn’t spare your life.”
“I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Our teacher is a reasonable man, after all.”
The siblings continued planting flags, piecing together, for the moment, the full picture of the underworld factions within the city, chatting idly all the while. After a time, Jun Wu glanced outside. “Why isn’t he back yet… it’s so hot out.”
“The city’s going to be in an uproar all day, and knowing this Little Ning’s temperament, mixing it up with scoundrels like Pu Xingui is far more entertaining than sitting here.” Zhou Pei said. “What, are you the Emperor and you want to go see him directly?”
“As his senior in learning and an elder, I really ought to impart a bit of life experience to him.” Jun Wu said. “And speaking of accompanying the crown prince at his studies, it makes me think—this Little Ning’s martial skill is so high, if the two of us happen to hit it off, and we swear brotherhood down the line, couldn’t we actually support him as crown prince? By the way, what’s the eldest Ning brother’s temperament like?”
“Don’t even think about it. Ning Xi is steady and composed, raised in the mold of a family head. This Little Ning being so wild and unrestrained clearly means our teacher never intended for him to manage the household. And besides, why would his high martial skill make you two hit it off… that makes no sense at all.”
“That’s exactly the point—we corrupt his son, send him back to fight for the succession, and won’t that give our teacher a headache? Heh heh heh heh heh… Sister, look how conscientious an Emperor of Wu I am, thinking of the dynasty’s interests at every turn—we won’t even need to fight, and the Black Banner will fall into chaos on its own, hahahaha… What great strategic vision I have.”
He put his hands on his hips.
“Keep carrying on like this and Master Cheng will team up with Wenren Buer and depose you.”
“Ha, depose me, and then what, he’ll take the throne himself? Look how murderous he is.” Jun Wu stood with hands on hips, unafraid, then, seeing Zhou Pei heading outside as well, asked, “Sister, where are you off to?”
“Master Cheng has the air of a lone loyal minister about him… As for accompanying the crown prince at his studies, that reminds me of something.” Zhou Pei stood at the doorway, turning back. “…Our crown princess here is clever, and seems to have a good temperament too. I happen to have a few memorials from the Ministry of Finance and the Secret Investigation Bureau that need reading—I’ll have the crown princess accompany me at my studies.”
“Makes sense.” Jun Wu followed her out. “See, we really are siblings, thinking exactly alike.”
The two of them walked together through the courtyard gate and out into the yard beyond, where they found Zhou Fuyang playing with Zhao Xiaosong. Zhou Pei called Zhao Xiaosong over to ask about Qu Longjun’s current whereabouts, while Jun Wu scooped up Zhou Fuyang, preparing to plot with his daughter their campaign to “reclaim the hard candy.”
Father and daughter chatted as they walked off into the distance, Jun Wu bringing up the topic of “winning over your enemies with love.” Zhou Fuyang held up two hands. “Twenty-two, I’ll use twenty-two… I can count to twenty-two now…” Jun Wu said, “Twenty-two works too, Zhou Fuyang is so clever.”
“Hehe, Auntie taught me to count,” Zhou Fuyang said. “Papa, why is Auntie so happy today?”
“You noticed Auntie was happy too?”
“Mm-hm.” Zhou Fuyang nodded firmly. “When she talks to me, she’s always smiling.”
“Yeah. Even when she’s scolding me, she’s smiling too.” Jun Wu nodded as well. “Well then, let’s just let her… be happy for a few days.”
“Mm, happy for a few days!”
…
Elsewhere, Zhao Xiaosong told Zhou Pei where Qu Longjun was, then reported a few other matters within the residence, before finally asking, “Your Highness, His Majesty… he’s seemed a little different today, somehow…”
“…Can you tell?”
“More relaxed than usual.” Zhao Xiaosong hesitated, then said quietly, “It’s just… a bit less of his usual dignity.”
She came from a family of great scholars, and this remark was partly idle chat, partly a gentle word of caution. Zhou Pei glanced at her, then shook her head.
“I’ve already spoken with him about it.”
“Oh?”
“…Never mind.” Zhou Pei said. “He’s borne the weight of being sovereign for years now, and it’s worn on him badly. Let him have a few easy days.”
Having said this, she walked on ahead, meaning to fetch the “crown princess” to go over memorials with her…
…
Past the middle of the afternoon, Tunyun, accompanied by two lackeys, stepped into the territory of Yinqiao Ward. They circled the market area for a while before entering the Fish King’s dried-goods shop…