Chapter 155: Shangguan Jun and Liang Qi

In mid‑spring, Chang'an was shrouded in twilight.

Liang Qi removed his Purple Robe and jade sash, and slipped the turtle talisman denoting rank into his brocade pouch.

He brushed his sleeves lightly to disperse the lingering ink fragrance on the desk, rode his Zaojia Horse through Zhuque Avenue. The hooves struck the Qingshi Shiban, rattling the eaves' copper bells; the ding‑dong clatter wove together with the night‑market shouts into a melody.

Turning into Lotus Alley, where bamboo shadows swayed, the vermilion gate stood half‑open.

Old friend Shangguan Jun had been waiting in the porch; the wine stain on his blue robe was still wet, and he burst into laughter on seeing him: "Brother Liang, you finally arrived; I've been waiting for you for ages…."

The bronze lantern hanging in the corridor swayed, casting a wash of rose‑like rouge across the courtyard.

In the hall, a gilt beast furnace exhaled incense of dragon's brain, and a blue‑ceramic wine jar was already set on the table.

Shangguan Jun himself opened the altar; as the amber‑hued Lanling fine wine poured, its aroma mingled with the fresh‑baked Hu‑cake scent, piercing straight to the lungs, and he laughed: "Today we must have a proper drink!"

Liang Qi slipped off his soap‑clad boots, sat cross‑legged on the couch, his fingertips grazing the ice‑cracked cup, and clasped his fists to apologize: "Brother Shangguan, please forgive me!"

"It's not that I wanted to be late; it's just official duties weighing me down!"

"Punish yourself with a cup first!"

Having said so, he lifted the brimming blue‑ceramic wine jar and downed it in one gulp.

"You being busy is understandable…"

Shangguan Jun sat cross‑legged, refilled Liang Qi's wine jar, and laughed: "Lord Zhao, Laoren, only today on the court eliminated several of Yuwen Hu's capable henchmen; now is precisely the moment for you to exert your strength!"

His words were filled with ease and pride.

Shangguan Jun, Right General.

"The evidence against Qin Zhao and his cohorts is already as complete as possible…." Liang Qi nodded slightly, chuckling, "Even if Yuwen Hu keeps pressing down, it won't stall for long!"

Liang Qi serves as the Qiu Government Office's County Physician, overseeing law enforcement.

Today the Imperial Censor impeached in court the case of the junior Minister of Justice and Physician Qin Zhao and others; the matter was handed to him to preside over.

And those airtight, virtually unappealable "evidence" were also gathered at the order of Lord Zhao, the veteran Pillar of the State, then passed to Liang Qi for individual review before being handed to the Censor.

This major corruption case was a left‑hand against right‑hand affair; turning it into an ironclad case was a foregone conclusion.

No matter how the Grand Minister of the Tomb strained every brain cell to stall, the outcome would remain the same…

Hence Liang Qi could speak with such unwavering certainty!

"We old subordinates should also lend Lord Zhao a hand, share the burden…"

Shangguan Jun lifted the blue‑ceramic wine jar, twirled it, the liquid sloshing, met Liang Qi's eyes, and laughed: "Brother Liang, how about tomorrow on Chang'an's streets, spreading the news that our Grand Minister of the Tomb is dying to protect corrupt officials?"

Back in the days of southern campaigns and northern battles, Shangguan Jun had always followed Zhao Qian's side, a stalwart among stalwarts, a core of the core.

When the senior superior makes a move, how could he not lend a hand to the arena?

It's the perfect chance to stir the wave, launch a public‑opinion offensive on Chang'an's streets, fan the flames, push Qin Zhao and the others to the very brink, force Yuwen Hu to comply, leaving him no choice but to make a heroic sacrifice—Abandon the Carriage to Save the Commander…

Otherwise, we'll see how this fellow blocks the common folk's endless chatter!

"Brilliant!"

Liang Qi, hearing this, paused briefly, fully agreed, and mused: "Let Yuwen Hu be left in a mess…"

"Damn!"

Having said that, he lifted the blue‑ceramic wine jar.

It is well known that the common folk are the easiest to incite, for they lack subjective judgment, take every rumor as truth, and are most susceptible to public opinion…

They also despise corrupt officials the most…

Yet they won't notice that someone is using them as knives to cut away political enemies.

"Hahaha!"

"Cheers!"

Shangguan Jun burst into hearty laughter, raised his blue‑ceramic wine jar in a toast, downed it in one go, then picked up bamboo chopsticks, pointed at the table laden with sumptuous dishes, and said, "Brother Liang, eat the dishes, eat the dishes!"

He paused, the chopsticks hovering over a dish, and emphasized, "This braised bean‑pod with bone is a new recipe our kitchen has crafted; please taste, please taste!"

"Fine."

Liang Qi, hearing this, immediately speared the braised bean‑pod with his bamboo chopsticks.

He had never eaten it before, so it felt rather novel…

"These beans are a bit old!"

Shangguan Jun also picked up a few beans, put them in his mouth, chewed lightly, furrowed his brow, and muttered, "Hard to bite, a bit fibrous…"

For some reason, Shangguan Jun found the texture terribly off, far from the chef's bragged‑up deliciousness.

"Who said these beans are old?"

"These beans are fantastic!"

Liang Qi, seeing this, pretended to chew heartily, offering Shangguan Jun a compliment: "I just love eating things with this chewiness!"

Immediately, he scooped several more bites of beans and bone into his own bowl.

The two have been friends for decades.

There's no need to ruin the atmosphere over such a trivial matter and embarrass an old friend.

"Damn!" Shangguan Jun brushed past the beans, lifted his wine jar again.

After three rounds of wine, Liang Qi seemed to recall something; his face flushed slightly from the alcohol, and he remarked, "The young Imperial Censor on today's court truly showed commendable bravery…"

"He actually dared to openly challenge that Yuwen Hu scoundrel!"

"Only wonder, how long he can still live…"

His tone, besides admiration, also carried regret…

If it were Liang Qi, he wouldn't have the nerve to be so bold, for he values his life.

Who exactly is Yuwen Hu?

He is an overbearing, autocratic Imperial Clan power‑broker, the patriarch of the Yuwen royal house.

He still controls a yamen such as the Mingjing Office.....

To cause a public incident like this, to lose his face, the young Censor's death has become a certainty; he could never be let off!

"It's just a petty Censor!"

Shangguan Jun lazily leaned against the table, gave a contemptuous smile, and said dismissively.

He paused, then continued: "To overthrow Yuwen Hu's great undertaking for Duke Zhao, the old man, and offer that insignificant life, is his honor!"

"He even granted him so much gold, silver, fields, and property; even being torn apart by five horses would not be a loss!"

According to Shangguan Jun, Zhao, the old Pillar of State, truly gave a lot; it was wealth that could not be scooped up in any number of years....

Sacrificing one's own life to secure the family's rise, this deal is well worth it!

"That's not wrong!"

"Trading one life for so many of Yuwen Hu's direct lineages, nothing could be more profitable!"

"Hahaha!"

Liang Qi brushed away his melancholy, deeply agreed with the statement, and laughed heartily.

The trusted direct lineages holding high positions under Yuwen Hu are far more valuable than the life of a petty Censor.....

For Zhao, the old Pillar of State, this battle is a blood profit no matter how you look at it!

Shangguan Jun exhaled a breath of foul air, his eyes went vacant, full of daydreams, and asked: "Brother Liang, you say after Duke Zhao and Duke Dugu ascend, wielding Great Zhou's authority, what sort of scene will we be in?"

"Need I say more?"

Liang Qi lifted his wine cup, took a sip, laughed exuberantly, and said loudly: "You and I, the old followers of those two, our promotion is unquestionable....."

"Perhaps we could even scoop up a title!"

Saying that, he pointed at Shangguan Jun, then at himself.

As the saying goes, when one attains the Dao, even chickens and geese rise to heaven.

When the senior superior reaches a high position, of course he'll promote his old subordinates, consolidating his base!

If we don't let them rise, should we let outsiders rise?

"Count?"

"Marquis!"

Shangguan Jun, tipsy, his gaze hazy, lightly patted his belly, and laughed: "Give you the Southern General title, give me the Eastern General title!"

"Hahaha!"

Liang Qi propped his hand on the table, took the cue, and added: "Also the Chief Commander with Credentials, opening the office with the same ceremony as the Three Departments, and the commander of ten provinces' military affairs!"

After each honor is added, the two of them will become renowned generals of the age.....

Leaving two lines of names in the annals of history.

Shangguan Jun raised the celadon wine cup and declared resolutely: "As long as we overthrow the brothers Yuwen Hu and Yuwen Heng, that day will not be far off!"

Liang Qi also raised his, clinked it, and said, "Then I wish the two old Pillars of State an early… um!"

Before he could finish, a "clang" was heard.

The celadon wine cup in his hand fell to the ground.

Immediately after, Liang Qi's legs gave way, his vision went white, and his whole body fell backward.

"Brother Liang, Brother Liang, what's wrong with you?"

Shangguan Jun, in a mildly drunk state, was startled by the scene, his tipsiness instantly waned, and he hurriedly lunged to help him up, shouting: "Don't scare my brother!"

"It hurts, my abdomen hurts!"

"Dizzy!"

"Vomiting!"

Liang Qi's complexion turned ghastly, his voice weak, limbs numb, his body still convulsing continuously.

Shangguan Jun forced himself to stay calm and shouted toward the hall: "Quick!"

"Quick, call the household doctor!"

"Hurry and summon the household doctor... um!"

Shangguan Jun, just halfway through his command, felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Immediately after, he collapsed beside Liang Qi.....