Chapter 97
Chapter 97
“If the King sentences Li Wenzheng to death, it will signal his intention to compromise slightly with the venerable aristocracy, and the New Policies will be temporarily suspended. If he does not sentence Li Wenzheng to death, it means the New Policies will continue, and perhaps even more aggressively than before.”
“Prince Gong’s rebellion started a war between two states. Surely the King would want to ease domestic conflicts. Why would he implement the New Policies more aggressively?”
“That is too dogmatic a view. Politics is like wind or water; it follows the flow and is not unchanging. It is true that Prince Gong’s rebellion triggered this war. But couldn't the King use this war as an opportunity to spill the blood of the venerable nobles on the battlefield? Now that a rebellion has broken out, the aristocracy has a duty to dispatch troops. If the King issues a decree ordering the venerable nobles to lead their armies to the Southern Ou Nation to quell the rebellion, wouldn't that deplete their private forces?”
“But that would be an incredibly dangerous move.”
“Indeed, extremely dangerous. Only someone of profound wisdom could control such a situation; otherwise, they would endanger themselves. One ancient emperor, in an attempt to weaken the power of the noble clans, sent them to the battlefield under the pretext of conquering foreign lands. He made them bleed and consumed an astronomical amount of resources. In the end, not only did he meet a violent death, but his dynasty also soon collapsed—no, it was utterly destroyed.
So, let us wait and see whether the King will execute Li Wenzheng. That will be the most crucial signal determining how the political landscape of the State of Yue will change!”
* * *
The Count had penned two memorials. The first was to request that the King dishonor Prince Gong, branding him a traitor and a rebel. The second was to petition the King to make an example of the Silver-Clad Imperial Censor, Li Wenzheng, by sentencing him to the ultimate penalty according to the law, as his involvement in the rebellion had been exposed.
The Count asked.
“Lang'er, are there any issues with the two memorials I have written?”
Shen Lang accepted the documents, adopting the posture of a student of politics. As brilliant and formidable as he was, he knew he was no match for the Count in such political intricacies. After reading the memorials, he replied.
“Father-in-law, if my predictions are correct, the King will agree to the first memorial, though it may cost him some face. The key is the second one. If he sentences Li Wenzheng to death, it means he intends to ease internal conflicts and focus on quelling the Southern Ou Nation. The King will compromise with us, the venerable aristocracy, and temporarily suspend the New Policies.”
The Count nodded in agreement.
“If the King does not execute Li Wenzheng, it means the New Policies will continue, and with even greater fervor. With a rebellion abroad, the King will strike more fiercely and sharply at home to intimidate the venerable nobles.”
For instance, a lion, the king of his pride, usually lounges about, looking down on the other lions from on high. But when a threat to the pride emerges, he will do one of two things. He might soothe the other lions to reassure them, or he might pick an unruly member of the pride and beat it to death, ensuring no one else dares to act recklessly.
Therefore, at a time like this, the Count of Xuanwu had to step forward and test the waters himself. To not send the memorials and act as if nothing had happened would make the Jin Clan appear weak, easy to bully, and incompetent. To send them would be a contest of strength with the King, a move that could place them in a perilous situation.
Most people would choose not to submit the memorials to avoid provoking the King's wrath. But would appearing weak be advantageous in the current climate? No, it would only hasten their demise. Does a lion spare a rabbit simply because it kneels and surrenders? Of course not. The lion decides whether to eat the rabbit based on its hunger.
The Count of Xuanwu slammed his palm on the table and declared.
“We will send them! The foundation of the Jin Clan was built by my ancestors, not bestowed upon us by the Ning Clan. On what grounds does the King think he can take what is ours? I, Jin Zhuo, may not be a man of extraordinary talent, but I am no coward.”
At this, Shen Lang bowed deeply to his father-in-law.
“Rest assured, Father-in-law. I have also prepared contingency plans for this matter. Plans more incisive than ever before.”
A quarter of an hour later.
A group of cavalrymen carrying the Count of Xuanwu's two memorials galloped out of the estate, heading for the capital. Without a royal decree, not even the venerable nobles could enter the capital at will.
* * *
Zhang Chunhua was known as the foremost beauty and talent of Nujiang Prefecture. Of course, Mulan, whose beauty and noble status were beyond compare, was never ranked. Unlike Mulan's fiery figure, Zhang Chunhua was a classic, delicate beauty, slender as a willow. Her oval face and stunning features could stir any heart—in short, she was like a vixen. Her fox-like beauty had often been a disadvantage.
Prefect Zhang Chong sighed deeply as he looked at his daughter.
‘My daughter’s problem is that she is far too beautiful.’
Of course, beauty itself was not the issue, but her bewitching, vixen-like allure was. It was said that a wise woman was fit to be a wife, while a beautiful one was fit to be a concubine. A woman with looks like Zhang Chunhua's, which seemed destined to bring disaster, could not marry the King's son, nor could she marry the son of Governor Zhu Rong.
For a time, Zhang Chong had tried to cultivate his daughter's talents in poetry, prose, song, and verse, hoping to dispel her vixen-like aura. After much effort, she finally earned the reputation of being the foremost talent of Nujiang Prefecture, becoming a role model and an idol for the daughters of noble families. But that was only when others were around.
In front of her father, the foremost talent of Nujiang Prefecture was lounging languidly in her chair, legs crossed. Her innate vixen-like nature made any pose she struck utterly captivating. The sight made Prefect Zhang Chong's eyelids twitch with irritation. He adored his daughter, but every time he saw her, he couldn't help but scold her. His two sons were both proper and obedient, but this precious daughter of his was clever, cunning, and disobedient.
“Have you read this book?”
Zhang Chong pointed to a copy of *Boundless Wind and Moon* on the table.
“I’ve read it ten times, I practically have it memorized. Father, if you’re bored, I can recite a passage for you!
‘We swore our love was as constant as the mountains and seas, yet now she teases with a graceful touch. Once shy in our union of clouds and rain, now she kneads it with a seductive charm. The sound of chirping orioles lingers by the ear, as sweet nectar flows and blossoms on the tongue’s tip...’”
Not only did she recite the poem, but she chose a particularly suggestive passage. Zhang Chong’s eyelids twitched again. He frowned and said.
“That’s enough. How can a young lady like you be so wanton?”
“When have I ever been wanton? I’ve never even been touched by a man’s fingertip. For all you know, people see me as a model of aristocratic virtue, the very image of a proper lady.”
“So, what do you think of the book?”
“It’s good, really good, exceptionally well-written. It’s the highlight of my days lately.”
“Have you heard of its author, Shen Lang?”
“Oh, I’ve been communing with him spiritually for a long time now. We’ve shared deep connections in the book, and even in my dreams.”
Prefect Zhang Chong’s eyelids twitched once more. It was a wonder he had managed to refrain from raising a hand to this daughter of his.
“I want you to get close to Shen Lang. If the opportunity arises, bring him over to my side. He's just a son-in-law of humble birth who hasn't even consummated his marriage with Jin Mulan yet.”
Zhang Chunhua was delighted.
“Father, does this mean I don’t have to marry that oaf, Zhu Wenhua? If you’re ordering me to seduce Shen Lang, that’s my specialty. I’ll go and wrap him around my finger right away.”
Zhang Chong felt another wave of numbness wash over his scalp.
“This is a very serious matter. If an opportunity presents itself, you must seize it quickly, but do not needlessly… your…”
“Stop! Father, politics is your specialty. But seducing men is mine!”
As if uncomfortable in her seated position, she shifted her graceful body languidly, reclining fully in the large chair. Her exquisite body, combined with her delicate and beautiful face, was enough to make one’s heart race. A true vixen, a vixen, a vixen!
“I trust you will do well when the critical moment comes. If you judge Shen Lang to be worthy of entrusting your life to, then… be bold and act immediately…”
Peeling an orange, Zhang Chunhua said in a coquettish voice.
“For a man like you, Father, to tell me to seduce a man, you must mean for me to kiss him, to sleep with him, right? I can make the critical moment happen! Here, Father, have an orange.”
With her slender fingers, she picked up a slice of orange and held it to Zhang Chong’s lips. Her hand was endlessly beautiful.
“I don’t want it.”
Zhang Chong said with a stern face.
“Father…”
Zhang Chunhua whined, swaying her body from side to side. Zhang Chong had no choice but to eat the orange slice from her hand.
“Oh, I forgot. I used this hand to pick up dog poop earlier.”
Zhang Chong could bear it no longer and waved his hand dismissively.
“Go, go! Get out of my sight!”
Zhang Chunhua rose gracefully, tapped her foot lightly on the ground, and flew out the window, landing safely in the garden.
“Seduce that male vixen? How interesting. They say dry wood catches fire easily. This will be fun!”
A moment later, Zhang Chunhua wiped all traces of coquettishness from her face and instantly transformed back into the daughter of a prestigious family. Every movement and expression exuded the reserved, demure grace of a proper lady. She returned to her room, packed her belongings, and an hour later, a carriage left Nujiang City, heading toward Xuanwu City.
* * *
The memorials were sent. An unusual silence fell over Xuanwu City and the entire Nujiang Prefecture. Like wolves and leopards crouching with their claws retracted, the two great figures, the Count of Xuanwu and Zhang Chong, remained quietly in seclusion. They were waiting for a signal from the capital, for the King’s decree, ready to leap into action and fight when the time came. It was like a dormant volcano, quietly biding its time before a massive eruption. As an unprecedented period of tranquility settled over Xuanwu City and Nujiang Prefecture, Shen Lang found himself with some leisure time.
Day and night passed uneventfully, but Shen Lang’s eyelids kept twitching, giving him a premonition that something was about to happen. It was said that a twitch in the left eye meant wealth was coming, while a twitch in the right foretold disaster. But what did it mean when both the left and right twitched together? Was this a sign of a romantic entanglement? The next day, Jin Zhong came to report with a strange expression on his face.
“Young Master, my lady, Prefect Zhang Chong’s daughter, Zhang Chunhua, has come to see you, Young Master.”
Upon hearing this, everyone present turned to look at Shen Lang. Jin Mulan, in particular, looked as if every hair on her body was standing on end, her beautiful ears even perking up. She resembled a tigress on the verge of having her prey snatched away. Seeing this, Shen Lang grew tense and said.
“My lady, I have never known this Zhang Chunhua. I have no connection to her whatsoever. I am innocent.”
“She is Prefect Zhang Chong’s daughter. The foremost talent and beauty of Nujiang Prefecture.”
“Fabricated, it’s all a fabricated reputation. My lady, listen to me. Reputations like ‘foremost beauty’ or ‘foremost talent’ are all manufactured, all fake. Remember, only two things are true.”
Mulan looked at her husband with expectant eyes, anticipating a compliment.
“The fact that I am the most handsome man is the truth. That is something that cannot be fabricated. The Creator made it so, and we mortals cannot defy it. Of course, it is a great burden for me, having to bear such immense pressure at such a young age.”
For a moment, the expressions of Mulan and Xiao Bing stiffened slightly. Even if it was true, they hadn't expected him to boast so openly.
“And what is the other truth?”