Chapter 965: Repercussions

Before the sky had darkened, an ornate carriage drove in along the broad stone-paved road and stopped before the gate of the Prince Yong mansion. A man in princely robes, with a steady and composed bearing, alighted attended by his retinue. He sent word ahead announcing his visit of homage, and soon the central gate of the Prince Yong mansion swung wide open, receiving him with full ceremony.

One who could receive such ceremonial welcome from the Prince Yong mansion was naturally of no ordinary standing. This man was none other than Qian Hongchu, the King of Wuyue, who had come to the capital. In the main hall of the mansion, the Princess of Yong personally made arrangements for his reception.

The Princess of Yong, née Qian, was not yet twenty-three years of age, but was already the mother of two children. She held one in her arms, while her eldest son, Liu Chun, over three years old, followed alongside. Though still too young to understand much, his dark eyes fixed on the visitor, and he called out sweetly, "Uncle." Qian Hongchu naturally understood the gesture, revealed a kindly smile, and immediately ordered gifts to be presented.

"Has my brother-in-law not yet returned to the mansion?" Turning his attention to the Princess of Yong, Qian Hongchu opened a topic of conversation.

"Some official business has delayed him. Ninth Brother, please be seated for a while—I have already ordered provisions for a meal to be prepared. When the Prince returns, we may dine together!" Lady Qian's voice was gentle, her demeanor refined and graceful, bearing great cultivation.

However, having married into the north for many years, her original soft Wu dialect had also changed somewhat. Though they were siblings, their relationship had never been particularly close—Lady Qian had been sent to Kaifeng as a political sacrifice when she had just reached the age of fifteen.

This was, in fact, the first time since Qian Hongchu's arrival in the capital that he had met Lady Qian alone. It must be said, there was a certain sense of estrangement. Though Lady Qian's comely features carried a smile, her gaze remained calm as still water throughout. Seeing this, Qian Hongchu could not help but sigh: "All these years, leaving you alone in a foreign land—you have been wronged!"

Hearing this, Lady Qian shook her head and said with a light laugh: "Ninth Brother speaks too gravely. Born into a princely house, having received its grace and favor, one naturally ought to repay it. Moreover, I must thank Ninth Brother for finding me such a good husband!"

Hearing her say this, Qian Hongchu could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, and also smiled: "That is well, then. Indeed—my brother-in-law's reputation for virtue is widely known throughout the realm, so naturally he would treat you well. You two, husband and wife, live in harmony and mutual respect—this puts my heart at ease!"

Upon hearing Qian Hongchu's words, Lady Qian finally took the initiative to ask: "May I ask what business brings Ninth Brother to visit the Prince this time?"

At this mention, a flash of anxiety crossed Qian Hongchu's expression, and he said solemnly to Lady Qian: "To be frank, it concerns the future course of Wuyue and the safety of our Qian clan—I have a request to make of my brother-in-law!"

Seeing him speak with such gravity, Lady Qian said: "The imperial court and Wuyue are bound by marriage ties, and their relations have always been good. Why does Ninth Brother speak thus?"

Qian Hongchu was somewhat surprised, and asked: "These past two days, the Eastern Capital has been abuzz with discussion—have you heard nothing of it? Has my brother-in-law not mentioned it to you?"

Lady Qian said: "If it concerns matters of state, the Prince has indeed not spoken to me of it, and I have not felt it proper to inquire!"

Hearing this, Qian Hongchu could not help but sigh, and only then recounted the matter of Liu Congxiao having an audience and offering up his territory. To speak of the offering of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, the one most affected was truly Wuyue, its neighbor.

In fact, after the Great Han's northern expedition had achieved a great victory, for the several powers in the south, the question of which way to turn had already become an unavoidable issue placed before them. Though it could not yet be called imminent, anyone with even a modicum of foresight knew that the time was not far off.

Originally, it could still have been delayed a while longer, but Liu Congxiao's sudden move of such great political significance was equivalent to poking through that layer of window paper—one could no longer avoid facing it directly.

Even if Qian Hongchu had remained in Wuyue, he could have pretended not to know and delayed further. However, he was at this very moment in the Eastern Capital. Since Liu Congxiao had already made his stance clear, Qian Hongchu indeed could not fail to make some indication as well. Even if he did not make a direct decision, at the very least the court should know his basic attitude.

But the difficulty lay precisely here—making a decision was hard, and indicating a stance was also hard. Even though Qian Hongchu himself knew clearly that the room for choice available to him was not great, it was still hard to open his mouth.

Although the policy toward the Central Plains dynasties had been established since the era of Qian Liu, and his grandfather's family instructions handed down through generations had long contained guidance for the present situation, truly making the decision to submit was really not so easy.

After all, the Qian clan had stood in Wuyue for several generations, for several decades. Though they occupied but a corner in partial peace, the realm within was prosperous, the people's hearts had support, and staying in Hangzhou as a carefree king—that was true carefreeness.

However, Qian Hongchu also understood clearly that the Great Han could not possibly tolerate the existence of a state within a state. Once the Southern Tang was destroyed, how could he survive alone? Indeed, when it came to destroying the Southern Tang, his Wuyue would even be ordered to dispatch troops in coordination. Reality was just this helpless.

Qian Hongchu could be considered a very wise and pragmatic man, yet for many matters, even when one understood the reasoning clearly and thoroughly, doing it was still that difficult.

Thus, these past two days at the guest residence, Qian Hongchu had been anxious and restless, unable to sit still. Though Liu Chengyou had already reached a decision regarding Liu Congxiao's request, it had not been disseminated, being confined to a small circle of high officials and senior ministers. The reason it had not been publicly announced was also to observe the reactions of these people.

Qian Hongchu deliberated for a long time, ultimately trapped in it, unable to arrive at any plan that satisfied both sides, and not daring to go directly to see the Emperor. After much thought, he still came to the Prince Yong mansion, hoping to sound out the court's attitude through people like Liu Chenghsun.

On Liu Chenghsun's side, before returning to the mansion, he had already heard of Qian Hongchu's visit, and therefore hastened his return. Moreover, upon arriving home and seeing Qian Hongchu with worry knitted upon his brow, he revealed a smile like spring breeze transforming rain, as if seeking to dissolve the other's melancholy.

In this household of bell-ringing and tripod-feasting, Liu and Qian took their seats as host and guest respectively. Lady Qian kept them company for a while, and knowing they had important matters to discuss, took the initiative to withdraw with the children.

When the two were alone, Qian Hongchu did not mince words, and with a hint of hope, asked Liu Chenghsun: "Regarding the matter of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou offering up their territory, may I ask what the court's attitude is? Could you reveal a little of it?"

Meeting Qian Hongchu's gaze, Liu Chenghsun wore an expression of understanding, took a drink of wine, and said: "What has the matter of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou to do with Wuyue? Why is Elder Brother so anxious?"

Seeing this, Qian Hongchu's tone became somewhat agitated, and he said: "Though I am dull-witted, I do know a little of the situation under heaven. The present Son of Heaven is a heroic sovereign of the realm; one day, the four seas will be unified and all quarters will submit. If the court accepts Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, then how is Wuyue to conduct itself? Since this news spread, my heart has hung like a suspended stone, lost and not knowing east from west. I earnestly beg the Prince of Yong to instruct me!"

As he spoke, Qian Hongchu had even adopted honorific forms of address, his emotional agitation clearly evident. Seeing this, Liu Chenghsun raised his hand in a gesture, still not answering directly but instead asking in reply: "Since Elder Brother sees the situation of the realm so clearly, then what decision do you intend to make?"

This question struck precisely at Qian Hongchu's most agonizing point. He hesitated for some moments, yet did not know how to answer. Only then did Liu Chenghsun say in a subdued tone: "On this matter, His Majesty has not yet issued any instruction, but I can tell Elder Brother frankly: whether Wuyue comes or goes does not rest with the court, but with the Qian clan, with Wuyue itself. Your attitude is what matters more!"

Hearing this, Qian Hongchu seemed lost in thought, then suddenly gritted his teeth, clasped his hands in salute, and said: "If the court intends to accept our territory, I shall personally offer up the registers and maps of Wuyue's prefectures and counties; if the court has no such intention, I shall as always guard the southeast for the court, coming to pay homage every year, with tribute unceasing year after year!"

In saying this, Qian Hongchu seemed to have made a great resolution. Liu Chenghsun finally smiled, and said with slight curiosity: "Since Elder Brother has such resolve, why not go directly to have an audience with His Majesty and state your intentions?"

At this, Qian Hongchu gave an awkward smile.

Liu Chenghsun did not dwell on this matter either, but seriously considered for a moment, and still in a comforting tone said: "Regarding this matter, I am not in a position to decide, nor can I give you a precise answer. However, Elder Brother's intentions—I can serve as a messenger and state them to His Majesty on your behalf."

"Many thanks!" Qian Hongchu's expression showed slight delight, and he hurriedly said.

Thinking it over carefully, with the Prince of Yong as a brother-in-law at court, so long as he did not overstep, no matter what, the outcome for his Qian clan could not be too bad. As for a good outcome, how good it could be—as Liu Chenghsun had said, it would depend on Wuyue's own performance.

Liu Chenghsun pondered a moment, then added: "Elder Brother need not be overly anxious. You may return to the guest residence at ease and await news, without bearing too heavy a burden. Between Wuyue and the court, there has always been frank and sincere dealing; all matters can be resolved through consultation to reach consensus."

Perhaps he had somewhat come to terms with things himself, or perhaps Liu Chenghsun's words had taken effect—after that, the atmosphere relaxed considerably. But fine wine and delicacies ultimately could not conceal a heavy heart. When the meal was finished, Qian Hongchu took his leave in haste.

Qian Hongchu was fraught with worry and hesitation, and the two Military Governors from the northwest were not much better off in comparison.

By contrast, Gao Shaoji was more straightforward. He occupied but a single Yanzhou, with sparse land and a poor populace. After all these years, with the central court growing ever stronger, he harbored no unrealistic delusions. Being the unquestioned authority in Yanzhou was certainly fine, but if the court truly wanted to take it back, he would not oppose it too strongly. Going to the Central Plains to live as a carefree lord of ease and plenty was not bad either.

The enmity between the Gao clan and the Tangut Li clan ran deep. If he were to turn against the court, there would be no good fruit to eat. Indeed, Gao Shaoji somewhat hoped the Dingnan Army would act foolishly and thereby cut themselves off from the court—at that time, he could borrow the court's power to strike back and settle old scores.

As for Li Yiyin, his feelings were even more complex—apprehension mixed with regret, and a trace of fear.......