Chapter 508: The Death of Li Deming

As they chatted freely, the scouts who had gone ahead to reconnoiter came bounding back as if walking on flat ground, reporting something to Li Jixun. Liu Chengyou noticed and immediately asked, "What's happened?"

Li Jixun came over at once and reported, "Your Majesty, there's a situation up ahead! An army has set up a checkpoint at a strategic pass and blocked the road. There was some conflict — it should be soldiers from Qingliu Pass!"

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou exchanged a glance with Wang Pu and smiled slightly. "I never imagined there'd be guards even on these wild, remote paths!"

"Who is the commander of Qingliu Pass? To have patrols reaching even this road — one could call him diligent!" Wang Pu said.

At Qingliu Pass, beneath the northern gate tower, An Shouzhong stood with his men, waiting respectfully before the pass. Before long, the Fengchen Battalion guards appeared, and at their center, like stars around the moon, were Liu Chengyou and his party.

Seeing the imposing young man in a black robe, wrapped headcloth, and jade belt, An Shouzhong hurried forward and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant An Shouzhong greets Your Majesty!"

"Rise!" Liu Chengyou waved a hand, sweeping his gaze over An Shouzhong twice, and said, "You've done well as commander of Qingliu Pass!"

"Wasn't Your Majesty at the county seat? How did you come around to the northern pass? When I first received word, I was truly astonished!" An Shouzhong asked respectfully.

"I merely had some leisure, and on a whim, climbed the mountains and crossed the wilds to explore the small paths!" With An Shouzhong guiding him, Liu Chengyou strolled slowly into the pass, saying, "I never expected to be nearly captured by the soldiers you'd stationed in the mountains!"

Hearing this, An Shouzhong was startled and hurriedly said, "My men offending the imperial carriage deserves death — I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

"Not only are you without fault, you deserve reward!" Seeing that he had misunderstood, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and laughed. "For their loyal devotion to duty. Now that Huainan has fallen and the false Tang has submitted, Qingliu Pass lies in the rear, yet you still maintain thorough defenses without the slightest negligence. That's rare! I am very pleased!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. We were merely doing our duty!" An Shouzhong said.

"Come! Show me the defenses of Qingliu Pass!" Liu Chengyou said.

"This way, Your Majesty!"

While the Northern Han was methodically taking over the lands north of the Yangtze and withdrawing its troops at leisure, the turmoil and clamor in Jinling showed no sign of abating — on the contrary, it grew ever louder and more intense by the day.

Throughout the court and the realm, all were indignant and dissatisfied with the peace treaty between Han and Tang, discussing it endlessly and attacking it fiercely. Unlike before, this time the authorities made no effort to control or suppress such loose talk about state affairs.

At the Han residence, Han Xizai was truly ill this time — ill at heart. Since the peace agreement had been concluded, he had remained in his residence for over ten days, not setting foot outside, not hearing of affairs beyond his gates, obeying the sovereign's command and resting his mind in peace.

In the main hall, there was the sound of strings and flutes. Two concubines, ornately dressed, danced gracefully. Han Xizai lay on his side on a couch, ladling wine with a scoop and drinking, his face flushed with drink, his eyes hazy, his fingers tapping on his knee as if keeping time with the dance — a picture of dissipation.

Before long, a middle-aged official in purple robes was led up the hall by a household servant. Seeing the scene in the hall, a trace of displeasure flickered across the man's plain features. He walked straight to Han Xizai and gave a light cough. "Lord Han!"

Han Xizai glanced at him and immediately smiled. "It's Dingchen! Come, sit — let us share a cup together!"

The visitor was named Xu Xian, holding the office of Vice Censor-in-Chief. He was one of the few Jiangnan scholars friendly to the northern-origin officials like Han Xizai. He had composed essays at age ten and had long enjoyed a reputation for talent, ranked alongside Han Xizai — the two were called "Han and Xu." Together with his younger brother Xu Kai, they were known as the "Two Xus of Jiangdong."

Seeing Han Xizai's drunken state, Xu Xian made no effort to hide his displeasure: "The state suffers misfortune — ceding territory and calling ourselves vassals, losing battles and surrendering sovereignty. All worthy men throughout the court and realm are indignant. You are a minister of the Great Tang, yet instead of thinking of serving the state, you lurk in your residence, dejected, drinking and seeking pleasure..."

As he spoke, Xu Xian made to turn and leave. Seeing this, Han Xizai's drunkenness seemed to vanish at once. He called him back and also ordered the music and dancing dismissed.

Personally guiding him to a seat, Han Xizai smiled bitterly. "How could I not know of the state's suffering? As a minister, how could I not feel it piercing my heart? But things have come to this — what use is lamentation? Besides, I am still confined at home by illness. When I can even leave this residence, I must await a summons from the palace!"

Hearing Han Xizai's words, Xu Xian could not help but heave a heavy sigh. Thinking of the turmoil in state affairs during this period, and the forceful remonstrances that Han Xizai and other ministers had made, he too felt a sense of powerlessness.

"What is the situation at court now?" Han Xizai asked.

At this, Xu Xian roused himself somewhat and said in a bitter tone, "The lands north of the river have been completely handed over. We now rule only south of the river. The river defense forces have been gradually withdrawing to the southern bank. At present, the court is busy raising the annual tribute, conscripting labor, and exchanging prisoners with the Han army..."

"The officers and soldiers we lost in battle haven't even been given compensation yet, but we must scrape together money and goods to pay the annual tribute. Heh..." Han Xizai's tone could not hide his sorrow.

Somewhat "reasonably," since the war had just ended and the treasury was empty, the Han emperor had agreed that this year's tribute could be paid half upfront. Before the Han army in the north of the river had withdrawn on a large scale, this was the Southern Tang court's most pressing concern.

Xu Xian said, "We paid such a heavy price just to end the war. What we seek now is simply to avoid any mistakes."

"I hear there's no small amount of criticism outside?" Han Xizai said.

Xu Xian nodded. "In Jinling, from the highest ministers to the common people, all regard this as a disgrace. More than half the officials at court are uniting to remonstrate directly at the risk of death, petitioning His Majesty to execute Li Deming, that great traitor who sold out the state!"

"Why didn't they remonstrate unto death before the peace was concluded?" Han Xizai said with considerable contempt. "Now that things have reached this state, they beg to kill a mere Li Deming — isn't that just putting His Majesty in a difficult position?"

"Alas!" Xu Xian spoke a plain truth: "Signing such a ruinous treaty has incurred public wrath. Popular resentment is boiling over — there must be an outlet for it."

"At a time like this, stabilizing the people's hearts is the foremost priority. Reassure the people, comfort the army, restore peace to the state, and let the common folk return to their farming! Dredging up this matter only wastes the court's energy and stirs up the people's hearts!" Han Xizai said, his mind still evidently clear.

Hearing this, Xu Xian immediately said, "Lord Han's words show an understanding of the larger picture and consideration for the whole. You should speak to His Majesty and have him issue an edict to quell the disorder!"

Han Xizai spread his hands. "I am in His Majesty's disfavor — I cannot even set foot outside my door!"

Seeming to understand Han Xizai's meaning, Xu Xian took his leave and departed. After he left, Han Xizai sat behind his desk, pondered for a while, sighed silently, and then ordered the music and dancing to resume...

Within the Jinling palace grounds, at the Chengxin Hall. During this period, Li Jing had been resting here, ignoring state affairs and receiving almost no one. He was truly ill — ill at heart. Thinking of the loss of his state and dignity during this time, of begging and fawning, his chest was knotted with grief, his heart heavy with sorrow beyond words.

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Feng has returned from across the river and requests an audience!" a palace eunuch announced.

Li Jing forced himself to rally and ordered him brought in. Feng Yansi entered with small steps, covered in dust from travel. Before he could even pay his respects, Li Jing asked urgently, "How is the situation north of the river? Has the Northern Han withdrawn its troops?"

During this period, Feng Yansi had remained mostly north of the river, coordinating with some Tang officials the handover of prefectures and towns. Hearing the question, Feng Yansi immediately spoke to reassure him: "To answer Your Majesty, the Han army has already withdrawn more than half. Most of the conscripted laborers have also returned north!"

"There's still half the Han army?" Li Jing said.

Feng Yansi said, "When your minister came south, the Han emperor had already toured to Yangzhou. I heard he has also made preparations to return to his capital, awaiting only the annual tribute from Jiangnan to be sent north..."

"Give it to them — give it to those bandits!" Li Jing said, somewhat agitated yet also fearful, and finally sighed.

Resting on his couch for a moment, Li Jing looked at Feng Yansi and said, "Minister Feng, these past days, the court officials have repeatedly petitioned me, saying Li Deming's crimes are monstrous — that he betrayed his sovereign and his state — and asking me to kill him! What is your view on this matter?"

Hearing this, Feng Yansi's brow furrowed slightly as he took note of Li Jing's expression. He clearly observed that although Li Jing's tone was hesitant and his face somber, his eyes flickered with unmistakable hatred.

After deliberating briefly, Feng Yansi said cautiously, "Since returning to Jinling, your minister has also heard the talk. At present, the court and the realm are seething with indignation, popular fury is overwhelming, and there is no one who does not hate Li Deming. Your Majesty might as well kill him to appease the public anger and return the state's governance to its proper course!"

After hearing Feng Yansi's suggestion, Li Jing slowly lay back down and was silent for a time, as if still considering. Just then, a palace eunuch came to report that the Prince of Yan, Li Hongji, had taken men and arrested Li Deming.

During this period, Li Deming in Jinling was like a rat crossing the street — everyone shouted and beat at him. He dared not go to his office, dared not receive guests, and simply hid at home.

Hearing this news, Li Jing seemed to wave his hand somewhat wearily and ordered, "Issue the edict: behead Li Deming and expose his body in the market. The Prince of Yan shall oversee the execution!"

In truth, after the peace agreement was reached, it was impossible for Li Jing not to feel regret. Feeling humiliated, and thinking back on Li Deming's conduct throughout, he could not help but grow hateful, feeling that he had been bewitched by this man into such a humiliating end. He had long harbored the intent to kill.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Feng Yansi said.

"If I were wise, how could I have brought the state to such ruin?" Li Jing mocked himself.