Chapter 409: Startled Tao Gu

In early spring, the bustle of the city was already visible everywhere. The Bian River ran through the capital, peach blossoms blooming along both banks, willow catkins drifting in the air. Among the pavilions and towers, figures moved to and fro, and the clamor of the marketplace filled the streets.

At the southeastern wharf, many official and military vessels were moored. This was a dock reserved exclusively for government ships, with tight security. Compared to the civilian piers, there were fewer tax collectors about.

After nearly ten days of travel—changing ships at the border, transferring goods and valuables—the party that had accompanied Tao Gu on his mission to the Southern Tang finally returned to the Eastern Capital.

"Finally back!" Stepping once again onto the soil of the Eastern Capital, gazing at the familiar city, Tao Gu could not help but feel a trace of wistfulness.

Whether from the fatigue of the journey or some other reason, Tao Gu's complexion was somewhat pale, his spirits low, and his steps a little unsteady.

After arranging for the attendant officials to disperse and sending the escorting soldiers back to their respective posts to report in, Tao Gu finally turned to give instructions to his own servants.

"Take all the silk, brocade, porcelain, tea, and those other specialty goods brought back from the south, and sell them all in the market!" Tao Gu whispered to his household servants: "Be quick about it, and don't make a fuss! If anyone asks when you leave the dock, say they're my personal belongings!"

"Yes!"

Four or five boxes of varying sizes were successively carried off the ship, waiting only to be loaded onto carts and hauled away. Some of these goods had been purchased in Jiangdong, some were gifts received. Making a bit of profit on an embassy trip was only natural. Still, it bordered on smuggling, so a pretext had to be devised to cover it up.

"The rest of you, head back to the residence and settle in!" Tao Gu's gaze lingered deliberately on the two beautiful young women for a moment, then he said sternly: "I must enter the palace to seek an audience with the Son of Heaven!"

"Master, what about the gifts from Chancellor Feng?" Another seven or eight boxes were carried off the ship, and a servant asked.

What Feng Yansi had given, besides gold and silver, was all fine Runzhou silk, which commanded no small price in the Eastern Capital. Tao Gu's eyes burned with desire for it, but he forcibly suppressed his greed and said: "Find two carts and come with me to the imperial city!"

Though it pained him, Tao Gu still had a taut string in his heart, holding to a bottom line. Smuggling goods on the side already touched the law; he truly could not afford to appear overly greedy—especially with what Feng Yansi had given, as it involved foreign affairs.

Arriving at the palace gate, he presented himself at the court, straightened his cap and robes, and awaited the summons.

"Tao Drafter, His Majesty summons you!" Zhang Dejun came out in person to convey the order.

"I am obliged to the Senior Eunuch!" Tao Gu did not dare look down on this young eunuch. Returning a bow, he noticed the upgraded color of his robes, put a smile on his face, and quietly produced a piece of white jade from his bosom: "I have yet to congratulate the Senior Eunuch on his promotion. A trifling token, just a small expression of my regard..."

In the past, Zhang Dejun would have accepted it. But this time, he seemed not to notice Tao Gu's little gesture at all, keeping his eyes straight ahead and saying flatly: "Tao Drafter, His Majesty is still waiting for you!"

Slightly taken aback, a small trace of embarrassment showed on Tao Gu's face. This was before Chongzheng Hall—how could he dare make any excessive move? Tao Gu very sensibly withdrew the gift.

Stepping forward, he probed again: "May I ask the Senior Eunuch, how is His Majesty's mood today?"

Zhang Dejun stopped in his tracks and glanced sidelong at Tao Gu. On that young face there actually appeared a faint, elusive smile, but the words he spoke made Tao Gu shiver: "Tao Drafter, no sooner have you returned to court than you inquire about His Majesty's condition—what is your intention?"

"This official would not dare! This official has overstepped!" Tao Gu denied it repeatedly.

Zhang Dejun went on ahead, and Tao Gu followed behind, gazing at his back, muttering inwardly: "What's gotten into this eunuch? When did he become so cold and impersonal?"

Zhang Dejun's reaction cast a shadow over Tao Gu's heart.

Entering the great hall, he bowed in obeisance. Lifting his eyes, he saw the Son of Heaven of the Great Han as usual, seated upright at the imperial desk. Pen in hand, writing upon the realm, still so composed and steady, as if nothing had changed at all.

"Sit!" Liu Chengyou seemed quite pleased at Tao Gu's return, having a palace eunuch hand him a bowl of tea, his manner cordial: "This is tea brewed by the Noble Consort. Have a taste!"

Tao Gu felt flattered by the unexpected favor. He took several sips, tea leaves and all, and naturally lavished praise.

"This trip to Jinling, the back-and-forth travel—you've worked hard!" Liu Chengyou offered a perfunctory word of encouragement.

"To serve the state, how dare I speak of hardship?" Tao Gu knew very well how leisurely his days in Jinling had been. He hurried to speak, somewhat eager to change the subject: "This official has returned precisely to report to Your Majesty and give an account of his mission!"

Liu Chengyou nodded, signaling him to continue. Seeing this, Tao Gu immediately gave a detailed report of the situation in the Southern Tang.

Though he had always said he did not care how the Southern Tang's ruler and ministers reacted or what choices they made, now that the matter had truly been accomplished, Liu Chengyou's satisfaction showed plainly on his face.

The more energy, troops, and wealth the Southern Tang poured into Hunan, the less resistance the Han army would face in the future campaign north of the river. On this point, Liu Chengyou had a very clear understanding.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and Liu Chengyou's affability seemed to increase by another ten percent. He said to Tao Gu: "Your merit in the Tang mission, I have noted it. Consider this a good start for the Huainan campaign!"

"However, from what you've described, we cannot be too optimistic about the false Tang's ruler and ministers. Until they actually commit their troops, this strategic deception cannot be counted as a success! We must not celebrate too early!" Liu Chengyou added.

Hearing this, Tao Gu naturally nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty speaks with great wisdom. Your Majesty's keen discernment fills this official with admiration."

"But a fish that's taken the hook isn't so easily free of the bait! I need only wait quietly for events to unfold!" Liu Chengyou was perfectly at ease, his bearing composed, and he smiled lightly: "Besides, doesn't the false Tang still have capable ministers with schemes in their bellies like Feng Yansi? With him there, I doubt I'll be disappointed!"

"Feng Yansi—a man of mere outward show!" Tao Gu spoke up, also expressing his contempt for him.

The results agreed upon during the mission to the Tang had already been reported to Liu Chengyou beforehand. He did not place particular weight on that "agreement," and hearing Tao Gu's oral account, he was even more certain in his mind.

For a moment there was no conversation, and the hall fell quiet. Liu Chengyou, however, set aside his upright posture, leaned slightly to one side, and asked Tao Gu in a relaxed tone: "Tao Qing, I'm rather curious—'Xichuan dog, common folk's eyes, horse-wrapped bundle, imperial kitchen fare'—what exactly do these four phrases mean?"

The moment these words fell, Tao Gu's body tensed, his cheeks burned, cold sweat already seeping from his brow. Flustered, he rose and knelt to the ground: "This official... this official is deeply ashamed. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Seeing his exaggerated reaction, Liu Chengyou appeared quite surprised: "Why is Tao Qing acting thus?"

"This official... this official..." Tao Gu was clearly extremely ill at ease, as if he wished to bury his head in the floor.

"Rise first. Let me show you something!" Liu Chengyou said to Tao Gu.

Rising with an anxious expression, Tao Gu watched as Liu Chengyou had Zhang Dejun hand him a memorial, saying: "This is a censor's impeachment of you. It says that you, Tao Drafter, as an envoy of a great power, conducted yourself improperly while on the mission to the Tang—lingering in brothels, bringing shame to the dignity of a great dynasty. Moreover, you were overly familiar with the false Tang's chancellor Feng Yansi, accepting bribes..."

Liu Chengyou spoke lightly, but the words struck Tao Gu's ears and threw him into a panic. He suddenly knelt again, his slightly parted lips trembling. Liu Chengyou simply watched him calmly.

Knitting his brows, a desperate idea came to him, and Tao Gu kowtowed: "This official, while in Jinling, recklessly spoke rash words, criticizing the Great Han's court affairs in order to mislead the false Tang's ruler and ministers. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

"Is that so?" Liu Chengyou was surprised.

Tao Gu immediately recounted the situation at the night banquet at Feng's residence, including those details he had subconsciously omitted, holding nothing back.

"Heh heh..." After hearing it all, Liu Chengyou laughed, showing not the slightest sign of anger. He waved his hand at Zhang Dejun: "Hurry and help Tao Qing up!"

Once Tao Gu had been helped back to his position, Liu Chengyou said: "Before you departed that day, did I not tell you that as long as the goal is achieved, the process and means don't matter? Tao Qing merely employed a stratagem to deceive the enemy. Considering its effect, I am quite satisfied—how could I punish you for it!"

"This official thanks Your Majesty for his leniency!" Hearing this, Tao Gu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Having said that, he continued: "Your Majesty, before I returned north, Feng Yansi gave me lavish gifts. I dare not keep them. I have already ordered them transported to the palace, wishing to turn them over to the imperial treasury!"

"That Feng Yansi is quite generous! Beauties, gold and silver, silks and satins..." Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said: "Keep the things for yourself. Distribute a portion to the attendant officials and soldiers who accompanied you—consider it the reward for this trip!"

"This official bows in gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness!"

Only after walking out of Chongzheng Hall did the fog in Tao Gu's mind begin to clear. His shock barely settled, he raised a hand to wipe the fine sweat from his brow.

Tao Gu was a clever man. A moment's reflection on the questions and answers in the hall revealed a problem. He had only just returned to the Eastern Capital and come straight to seek an audience—how could someone already have impeached him, and with such detailed knowledge of his affairs...

He abruptly turned his head, gazing at the high-hanging plaque reading "Chongzheng Hall," majestic and solemn, and muttered to himself: It couldn't be that the Son of Heaven arranged all this, could it?