Chapter 548: Zhong Mo as Qin Hui

In the commoner's courtyard, simple and small, but kept exceptionally clean and tidy. The ground was not entirely level, with a jujube tree planted in the corner. By the wall stood a deep well, covered with a well lid. Under the eaves, a row of bundled firewood leaned against the earthen wall. A few free-range chickens pecked at food in the yard, surrounded by the "clucking" sounds and a faint smell of chicken droppings, as Zhong Mo taught the two children.

Over the past half month, though he still had to set up a stall in the market from time to time, Zhong Mo's days had become much better—at least his stomach had some measure of security. The host family's surname was Zhang. Though the husband and wife had the typical shrewdness of petty townsfolk, their hearts were still fairly kind, especially the woman—a classic case of a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

Old Man Zhang was already past forty, earning his keep by slaughtering animals for people at the meat market. He rose early and worked late every day, enduring great hardship. Through this work, he could occasionally bring home some meat to add a bit of richness to the family's meals.

The family had migrated from Hedong. Their eldest son had originally been a soldier in the imperial army of the Eastern Capital, holding the rank of squad leader, and had died in battle during the campaign against Du Chongwei years ago. With the eldest son's death, the family's sturdiest pillar had broken, and for the remaining old and young alike, it was like a thunderbolt from the blue.

At the time, the court's finances were strained, and the compensation for fallen soldiers was meager to begin with—and even that was embezzled. The only thing worth celebrating was that Liu Chengyou, then still the Prince of Zhou, learned of such situations and directly dealt severely with the military clerks responsible for distributing the compensation. Only then did the Zhang family receive the ten strings of cash their eldest son had bought with his life.

In the spring of the third year of Qianyou, Liu Chengyou ordered the Bureau of Military Affairs and the State Finance Commission to redetermine the pay and compensation for imperial army officers and soldiers. Mindful of the officers and men who had died fighting for the state in the early years of the dynasty, he specifically ordered the Bureau of Military Affairs to audit the old military registers and provide double compensation to the families of those soldiers who had been killed or wounded at the time.

This move by Liu Chengyou not only greatly pleased the military but also benefited families like the Zhangs, increasing their trust in the Emperor and the court. As Old Man Zhang recounted these matters, Zhong Mo felt something different stir within him. Compared to the Son of Heaven of the Northern Han, the pleasure-seeking ruler of the Southern Tang—though he was more than a dozen years older—was vastly inferior in ability and talent.

Old Man Zhang had two children, a son and a daughter. The son was just ten, the daughter not yet nine, but both had already begun helping with household chores. Zhong Mo had served as an official in the Southern Tang for many years, but it had been a long while since he had taught anyone. Taking up the craft again, teaching beginners their first lessons, he found a certain joy in it.

Mother Zhang had made two simple sand trays to serve as paper, and had stripped the thorns from bramble branches to use as pens—simple yet durable. It was a solution that had never even occurred to Zhong Mo.

"Heaven and earth, dark and yellow; the vast cosmos, before the beginning..."

What Zhong Mo taught was the Thousand Character Classic, and over this period, he had already taught two hundred characters.

"That will be all for today!" After listening to the two little ones recite a passage, Zhong Mo nodded with great satisfaction. A poor family devoted to learning—nothing more, nothing less.

"Thank you, Master!" Seeing this, the two children bowed properly.

As the sky gradually darkened, Zhong Mo returned to his room. At the doorway, he noticed the siblings carefully putting away their "paper and pens," then helping with splitting firewood, drawing water, and lighting the stove...

A thunderous "bang bang bang" at the door shattered the courtyard's tranquility. Smoke was already curling from the kitchen chimney, and the aroma of rice was wafting out. Hearing the unusual commotion, Zhong Mo stepped out and looked at the two men who had nearly barged in. Black robes with crossed collars, dog emblems embroidered on their sleeves, regulation blades at their waists, and sharp, piercing eyes.

The child who had opened the door was frightened by the two men. The men, showing no restraint, swept their gaze across the courtyard and fixed directly on Zhong Mo, who was dressed plainly but neatly: "Are you Zhong Mo?"

"Indeed I am! Might I ask what business the two officers have?" Zhong Mo recognized that these were not clerks from the Kaifeng administration, and couldn't help asking.

Though the Wude Office was renowned, it had not yet reached the point of flaunting itself openly in the streets, so based on their clothing alone, Zhong Mo could not recognize them as soldiers of the Wude camp.

Scanning Zhong Mo twice and seeing his shabby appearance, they said directly: "Good, that's you! Come with us!"

"May I ask what this is about?" Zhong Mo asked.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. Just come with us!"

Feeling helpless, Zhong Mo could only pack up briefly, greet Mother Zhang, and follow them out.

Only when they arrived at the Wude Office was Zhong Mo told that the Emperor wished to see him. His originally calm state of mind was immediately disrupted. Having lived nearly two months of destitution in the Eastern Capital, if he claimed to be truly content with it, that would clearly be impossible.

After settling in, he had considered how to rise again and escape his predicament, but had never reached a decision. Now, with the sudden summons from the Han Emperor, his mood involuntarily grew fervent. He had a premonition that this was a golden opportunity—one he absolutely had to seize.

Chongzheng Hall was not unfamiliar to Zhong Mo. The last time had been before the great war between Han and Tang, when he had been sent as an envoy. Now, however, he was prostrating himself before the Han Emperor as a captive in commoner's garb.

Liu Chengyou remained as lofty as ever, holding in his hand the Wude Office's report on Zhong Mo's circumstances over these past days. His gaze was full of scrutiny as he sized him up and asked: "Zhong Mo, have you grown accustomed to living in the Eastern Capital?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, though it is thin gruel and simple dishes, hidden away in the bustling city, I am content and at ease!" Zhong Mo's expression was composed, neither humble nor overbearing.

Hearing his answer, Liu Chengyou said: "Vice Minister Zhong, you truly possess the bearing of a worthy scholar!"

"Your Majesty, I am now but a commoner in plain clothes. I would never dare to accept the title of Vice Minister!" Zhong Mo bowed his head.

Liu Chengyou couldn't help but laugh: "Li Jing over there hasn't dismissed you from your post yet. You are still an envoy of the Southern Tang, merely residing in Kaifeng!"

Zhong Mo immediately said: "Since I came north, I am a subject of the Han!"

"The dignity of a scholar-official, high office and generous salary—yet you drifted to the Eastern Capital, without food or clothing, impoverished and destitute, making a living by writing. Do you not feel it shames the scholarly tradition?" Liu Chengyou said.

"In reply to Your Majesty, I have read books all my life and prided myself on grasping their profound meaning. But having had this experience in the marketplace, I now realize how narrow my vision was before. Poetry and books in governing—that is nothing but idle talk that ruins the state. As Mencius said, to torment one's mind, to labor one's sinews, to starve one's body—having personally experienced these, I now know that my former self was merely affected and pretentious..." Zhong Mo said.

"It seems Vice Minister Zhong has had quite an extraordinary experience these past days!" Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh. "Hidden among the common folk, what are your reflections?"

Zhong Mo answered fluently: "I feel, first, gratitude for Your Majesty's grace and good governance, which showers blessings upon the people; second, admiration for the court's laws and regulations, strict and well-ordered; and third, sympathy for the good and simple people of the Eastern Capital, whose livelihoods are not easy..."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou studied Zhong Mo a few more times, then sighed leisurely and said: "Vice Minister Zhong, compared to before, you have gained quite a bit of the common touch. But I find it very agreeable. If you were to serve as an official, governing a region, you would be a good minister!"

"Your Majesty overpraises me; I would not dare to accept!" Finally, Zhong Mo's composure began to crack.

"I wonder, Vice Minister Zhong, what are your views on the current situation in the realm?" Somewhat abruptly, Liu Chengyou asked again.

At the question, Zhong Mo considered seriously for a moment, glanced cautiously at the Emperor, then clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, after the great Huainan campaign, the Great Han has taken all the land north of the Yangtze, and its national strength has surged. With Your Majesty's brilliant wisdom and strategic genius in governance and warfare, given time, you will surely unify the realm and remake heaven and earth!"

"I accept your auspicious words!" Liu Chengyou seemed pleased, looking at Zhong Mo and saying: "Your family is all in Jinling. Now that you are separated by such distance, you must miss home greatly!"

A trace of emotion showed on Zhong Mo's face. He sighed and replied: "Is there any person who does not miss their family?"

Nodding, seemingly satisfied with Zhong Mo's attitude, Liu Chengyou said: "I intend to release you back to Jinling, to be reunited with your family!"

Zhong Mo was somewhat stunned, his gaze filled with confusion. According to his speculation, if the Han Emperor wanted to use him, he would likely give him a post in the Eastern Capital, to serve as a consultant on "Tang affairs."

Thus, hearing that the Han Emperor wanted to send him back to Jinling, Zhong Mo was greatly surprised. Clearly perceiving his bewilderment, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "You need not harbor doubts. I am releasing you back to Jinling only so that you may deliver a letter to Li Jing."

"Moreover, if you can continue to serve in the Tang court, would you not be able to serve the Great Han even better?" Liu Chengyou said, his voice somewhat ethereal.

At these words, Zhong Mo fully understood. Almost without hesitation, he prostrated himself: "I am willing to serve Your Majesty!"

Liu Chengyou's use of Zhong Mo carried the intent of employing him as a Qin Hui—though of course, if he complied, after the great unification, the pages of history would record him in a very different light......