Chapter 33

Nightfall, the Er Zhu residence.

Er Zhu Zhao, Er Zhu Dulu, and other Er Zhu clan youths, clad in armor and helmets, wielding long swords and holding torches, gathered in the courtyard.

"Uncle, just say the word—I'll lead men to storm Jiuyuan City, kill that old scoundrel Wei Qingbin, and rescue Ying'e!"

At this moment, under the corridor eaves, Er Zhu Rong stood in the center, Yuan Tianmu and Li Shuang flanking him on either side.

Er Zhu Rong's face was grim; he said nothing, made no decision.

But Yuan Tianmu shouted out in rebuke.

"Enough!"

Er Zhu Zhao, stung by Yuan Tianmu's rebuke, was resentful and opened his mouth to speak—but Yuan Tianmu cut him off.

"Wei Qingbin enjoys immense prestige; he is a descendant of the Prince of Yuyang, and now serves as Inspector of Si Province, stationed in Jiuyuan. To attack him would be tantamount to treason. Tianbao must not let a moment's humiliation drive him to such an unwise course."

Er Zhu Rong's face darkened; he clenched his fists.

"I know why Wei Qingbin came—I won't do anything foolish! Tianmu, Tianba, return to your territories and strengthen your defenses. Wei Qingbin won't strike only at me."

Though drunk, the two dared not delay; they took their leave.

After Er Zhu Rong marched south and seized Si Province, the territories he gained were mostly his own—but the two greatest beneficiaries besides him were Yuan Tianmu and Li Shuang.

After they left, Er Zhu Rong looked down at the array of imposing Er Zhu clan youths before him, his chest tight with rage, and cursed:

"You fools! Take off your armor—you're making a spectacle of yourselves!"

Si Province, Jiuyuan.

Si Province was established in the seventh year of Taiping Zhenjun of Northern Wei, its provincial seat located in Jiuyuan City.

Several years ago, Jiuyuan City underwent expansion—but due to the Wanzi Qizhen rebellion, it suffered damage, and its former glory faded.

After Er Zhu Rong marched south, he focused entirely on governing Southern Xiurong, paying little heed to this city.

Taking advantage of Er Zhu Rong's distraction, Wei Qingbin rode in with his subordinates, swiftly seizing control of the provincial capital.

Inside the Inspector's residence.

Wei Qingbin sat upright; his Secretary Yao He approached with a ledger in hand.

Er Zhu Rong's southern campaign had alarmed the court, prompting them to send Wei Qingbin to counterbalance him!

Wei Qingbin was no fool; while Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu were campaigning south against Suhe Poluanxian, he sent spies ahead to scout the state of Si Province.

Once all preparations were complete, he appeared in person, catching Er Zhu Rong completely off guard.

The ledger in Yao He's hand recorded the crimes of the Er Zhu clan youths.

"How is it?"

"The Er Zhu clan's land seizures, oppression of commoners—evidence and witnesses are all thoroughly documented."

Wei Qingbin took the ledger, glanced through it, and sneered at the myriad crimes of the Er Zhu youths.

"What of Yuan Tianmu?"

"Yuan Tianmu did not act as recklessly as the Er Zhu youths, but there were still over a dozen cases of his retainers seizing farmland and abusing women. I've also gathered the witnesses."

Yao He's face was cold, his tone mechanical.

Wei Qingbin listened, then let out a cold laugh.

"This boy never learned decency since childhood—his reputation and character were always mediocre. I thought joining the army and heading north might reform him. Instead, he's become Er Zhu Rong's sworn brother—shameful to the imperial clan."

Wei Qingbin continued flipping through the ledger, skimming quickly until he reached the end—and paused, puzzled.

"What about that little bandit, Li Shuang?"

Yao He's expression finally flickered; he bowed respectfully.

"Your Excellency, forgive me—I've investigated for days but found no evidence of that little bandit's crimes."

Wei Qingbin's face showed a trace of surprise.

"He's just a mountain bandit—seized land, robbed homes—surely someone must have grievances?"

"Your Excellency, around Tai Ping Village, over a hundred thousand mu of farmland have all been planted this spring. Moreover, they've built several waterwheels, installed sluice gates, diverted the Ketuo River into reservoirs, and channeled water through irrigation ditches. Everywhere I've seen, the fields are fertile and the people content."

"Could such a thing be true?"

As Wei Qingbin marveled, his bodyguard arrived outside to report.

"Your Excellency, Er Zhu Rong has arrived!"

"Did he come alone?"

"He brought Er Zhu clan youths with him."

"Tell them to wait—bring Er Zhu Ying'e in first!"

Er Zhu Ying'e had not suffered greatly, but she was far from well-treated.

Murong Shaozong stood beside her; as soon as they entered the room, her suppressed emotions erupted.

"What crime have I committed? Why have you arrested me?"

Wei Qingbin sneered.

"You intruded into the imperial pasture and rode to hunt—was that not a crime?"

"That was just wasteland—no one lived there anymore."

"Law is law. If you moved to a new home and your old house stood empty for years, would it be right for someone else to move in and claim it as their own?"

"You're twisting the truth!"

Murong Shaozong seized the furious Er Zhu Ying'e, lowering his posture completely.

"Your Excellency is right—we admit our fault!"

But Murong Shaozong's humility did not appease Wei Qingbin—it only provoked more scolding.

"Your Murong clan is a great family. Once, Murong Ke and Murong Chui were heroes. Now their descendants sink to clinging to the Er Zhu clan?"

Though Murong Shaozong was usually quiet and kind, Wei Qingbin's words stirred anger within him.

Saying this, Wei Qingbin looked toward Er Zhu Yinge again.

"Your mother, née Yuan, came from a fallen house and had no choice but to marry down to Er Zhu Rong. But you carry imperial blood in your veins—don't grow into nothing but a pretty shell and pick up Er Zhu Rong's barbarian ways."

"What gives you the right to talk about my father like that?"

Er Zhu Yinge had grown up in Er Zhu Chuan, hearing nothing but praise for her father from those around her, and had taken Er Zhu Rong as her role model in her heart.

But the Er Zhu Rong, famed across the grasslands, was a completely different figure in the mouth of this present Rear General.

"Nothing but a horse-breeding mongrel Hu!"

Emperor Xiaowen's Sinicization reforms listed the eight Xianbei surnames and four Han surnames as the first rank of noble houses.

Wei Qingbin was the most steadfast supporter of these Sinicization reforms.

The reason was simple—his own surname, Wei, was one of those eight Xianbei surnames, originally Yu Chi.

Wei Qingbin's grandfather Wei Juan had followed Emperor Mingyuan, Tuoba Si, in his early years, and later, during the reign of Emperor Taiwu, Tuobao Tao, he had risen to sit among the Eight Seats, managing confidential affairs.

His family was the genuine article—old Xianbei through and through, proper Northern Wei celestial-lineage people, a world apart from fringe tribes like the Er Zhu clan.

At this moment, Er Zhu Rong walked in, and seeing the atmosphere in the room, knew at once what had happened.

"Greetings, Rear General!"

"What business brings you here?"

"This subordinate recently discovered that several Er Zhu clan youths, relying on their military merits, had committed many unlawful acts. I have had them bound and brought here, to be dealt with as the Rear General sees fit."

Wei Qingbin looked at the meekly deferential Er Zhu Rong and said coldly:

"Understood. You may withdraw."

Seeing her father dismissed like a servant by Wei Qingbin, Er Zhu Yinge stepped forward, deeply indignant.

"Father, why be so meek and servile? Do you know what that old man just said about you?"

"Hold your tongue! You must not be rude to the Rear General!"

Er Zhu Rong roared.

Er Zhu Yinge, who had never seen Er Zhu Rong turn so fierce on her, instantly reddened around the eyes.

"My daughter is unruly—she trespassed onto the imperial ranch and committed a grave offense. I beg the Rear General to punish her!"

"I did nothing wrong!"

Wei Qingbin's face darkened, and he ordered:

"Stubborn and incorrigible—lock her in the government prison and keep a close watch on her!"

Hearing this, Er Zhu Rong clenched his teeth, fury surging in his chest, but in the end he said nothing, his face darkening as he swallowed the insult.

"Many thanks, Rear General!"

Er Zhu Rong said no more and left, taking Murong Shaozong with him.

Yao He stepped forward and whispered:

"Yuan Tianmu has sent in a visiting card, requesting an audience with you!"

"Won't see him. The disgraceful wretch!"

Having used Er Zhu Rong to establish his authority, Wei Qingbin tossed the document in his hand aside and said:

"I do want to see what manner of man this Li Shuang truly is."