Chapter 36

Although it is already autumn now,

But need to keep the comma? The line ends with a comma in Chinese. We should keep punctuation? The instruction: keep each translation on a single output line. We can keep punctuation as appropriate. We'll translate naturally: "Although it is already autumn now,"

But the rear garden still has several kinds of flowers in full bloom, a riot of purple and red, their fragrance enchanting.

The Retired Emperor was currently embracing the newly taken Consort Yang, drinking and making merry; Duke Cao accompanied him, while Dai Quan attended nearby.

The Retired Emperor's life these past two years has been unpleasant; Liaodong has won successive victories, greatly increasing Jing Sheng Di's prestige,

Moreover, Jing Sheng Di has been on the throne for a long time, and the court, both high and low, has gradually come to accept this ruler.

Besides,

Jing Sheng Di has, over the past two years, strongly suppressed officials loyal to the Retired Emperor's faction, no longer showing the former forbearance; this has also caused the forces available to the Retired Emperor nearby to dwindle day by day.

After all, the current Jing Sheng Di is the legitimate ruler of the state, the sovereign of the nation, holding the righteous mandate.

If it were not for the New Policies enacted by Jing Sheng Di damaging the interests of many officials and scholars, causing these people to gather around the Retired Emperor in united resistance,

At this point, the Retired Emperor has completely lost the ability to turn the tables and restore his rule!

But even though many civil officials, scholars, and clansmen still gather around the Retired Emperor now, he has lain low these past two years, not openly opposing Jing Sheng Di.

Each day he either composes poetry and paints, or drinks and makes merry, taking consorts and fathering children.

Consort Yang is the newly taken consort of the Retired Emperor, a daughter of Duke Cheng's household, and is greatly favored by the Retired Emperor.

After three rounds of wine, the wise Consort Yang, seeing that the Retired Emperor wanted to discuss state affairs with Duke Cao, took her attendants and went to the garden to admire the flowers.

"How has Duke Cheng been lately?" the Retired Emperor signaled Dai Quan to have people guard the surroundings, then asked Duke Cao Li Long.

The Duke Cheng he referred to was naturally Yang Wei, the former Military Governor of Bashang Daying.

Now Yang Wei has been dismissed by Jing Sheng Di, and his son Yang Rong has also been executed by the court; his situation is dire.

Precisely for this reason, the Retired Emperor took a Yang family woman as a consort, in order to console Duke Cheng's heart.

"Your Majesty, rest assured! Although Duke Cheng lost his son in middle age and is grief‑stricken, he has now pulled himself together."

"He told me that he is deeply grateful that the Retired Emperor could take Consort Yang, and that the Yang family wishes to forever follow the Retired Emperor!"

"The commanders of Bashang Daying are all promoted by Duke Cheng personally; they will not lose control."

Duke Cao Li Long understood the Retired Emperor's meaning.

The Retired Emperor mainly wanted to ask whether Duke Cheng could still retain control over Bashang Daying.

Shenjing City has two major military forces: one is the Jingying, the other is the Bashang Daying.

The Jingying has always been loyal to Jing Sheng Di; if Bashang Daying were also taken by Jing Sheng Di, then the Retired Emperor would have no troops usable in Shenjing City!

"Hmm! Let Duke Cheng not be in a hurry! I will find an opportunity to let him regain command of Bashang Daying."

"Although he is presently idle at home and cannot go out, he must not be lax; the military authority of Bashang Daying must be firmly kept in his hands!"

Duke Cao felt a twinge of envy upon hearing this.

You should know that he has been dismissed by Jing Sheng Di due to a battlefield defeat, and it has already been two years without his being able to return to office.

Although the Retired Emperor often summons him to the palace for drinks and discussion, he has never said he would restore him to his former post.

Of course, he also knows that he differs from Duke Cheng.

First, he was dismissed because of a defeat in battle, with heavy casualties among soldiers and civilians, a grave fault, unlike Duke Cheng, who is implicated only through his son and himself bears little blame.

Second, Duke Cheng is a rare commander of troops among the Jingnan lineage, of considerable ability, and together with Duke Zhao and a few others has always been a core figure of the Jingnan War Merit; his status and rank are far superior to his.

Therefore, the Retired Emperor treats Duke Cheng with special favor; although he feels a bit sour inside, he still understands.

"Yes! I will convey the imperial decree to Duke Cheng!" Duke Cao nodded, his expression somewhat unnatural.

"Hmm! Your matter also need not be rushed; an opportunity will come!" The Retired Emperor, seeming to understand Duke Cao's thoughts, made a light promise.

Duke Cao's face lit up with joy, and he laughed:

"Being able to attend the Retired Emperor each day is already more than enough for me!"

The Retired Emperor did not dwell on this, and changed the subject:

"I have heard that recently in Shenjing City, the young Jia Jing has great fame, having several times defeated the Qing Army, and been ennobled by the Qian Qing Gong as a First‑Class Earl, a rank‑four General titled Zhong Langjiang; do you know this person?"

Duke Cao exclaimed in surprise:

"I never expected that this lad's fame would reach Your Majesty's ears! This person is a grandson of the secondary line of Jia Dashan, and I have not even seen him!"

The Retired Emperor clapped his hands and sighed, looking at Duke Cao:

"That is a pity! I hear this youth is quite martial, yet it is regrettable that he cannot be used by me!"

Duke Cao blinked his eyes and said:

"Actually, it may not be impossible to win him over! I have shared drinks several times with this youth's father, Jia She!"

"Jia She, because he once fled the battlefield, has always been looked down upon by the founding faction's martial merit, and thus has always been at odds with them!"

"From what I hear him say, he harbors much resentment and dissatisfaction, so it may well be possible to draw him to our side!"

The Retired Emperor, somewhat incredulous, said:

"The Jia family is the core of the founding faction's martial merit; as a hereditary title‑holder, can Jia She possibly stand alongside the Jingnan lineage?"

Duke Cao laughed and said:

"Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; within the borders of the state, all are the king's subjects! It is not a matter of letting him stand with my Jingnan lineage, but of letting him stand beside Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor, to serve you—what could be wrong with that?"

"Furthermore, from my observation, this man Jia She is greedy for wealth and lustful; if we lure him with profit, it is still quite possible to win him over!"

A glint flashed in the Retired Emperor's eyes, and he laughed:

"Good! If we can win over Jia She, then, as the saying goes, father is the son's bond—how could Jia Jing not be used by me!"

"Go ahead boldly; if this succeeds, I will permit you to resume your former office!"

The Retired Emperor was quite pleased; if he could win over Jia She, then even if Jia Jing were unwilling, he would have no choice but to stand on our side!

Even if Jia Jing were unwilling, Jing Sheng Di would not feel at ease using the Jia family again.

By then, the Jia family will either have to be loyal to me, or else face purging.

"I receive the edict!" the Duke of Cao exclaimed, delighted to receive the order!

…………

After leaving the imperial palace, Cao Guogong went nonstop to the Cheng Guogong residence.

Then he sent someone with an invitation asking Jia She to come to his residence for an evening drink.

At this time, the Cao Guogong residence had been confiscated by the court; Li Long's favorable street-front location in Dongcheng Dade Fang was newly granted a four‑courtyard residence by the Retired Emperor.

Blue walls and green tiles, carved beams and painted rafters; though not as noble as a duke's mansion, it was extremely luxurious.

Evening,

In front of the main hall of the Li residence, several pink lanterns were lit, lending a somewhat romantic air.

The charcoal fire in the hall burned brightly; even in this cold season one felt no chill at all.

In the hall, Cao Guogong Li Long and Jia She were happily drinking.

Jia She, dressed in a brown clerk's robe, currently had in his arms a woman with almond eyes, peach‑cheeks, a flushed face, and disheveled clothing,

His large hands roamed freely over her body, his face full of a carefree smile.

Beside him, Cao Guogong likewise had a beautiful woman seated, who was holding a wine pot and pouring wine for Cao Guogong.

Besides them, several lovely women were playing and singing in a lively manner.

These were all courtesans that Cao Guogong had specially summoned from the largest brothel in Shenjing, Fanlou, to entertain Jia She, knowing Jia She's fondness for them.

After three rounds of drinks, Cao Guogong then sent the courtesans away and spoke privately with Jia She.

"En Hou brother, don't rush! Cuihong and the others have already gone to your room to wait; the night is still young!"

Seeing Jia She stare fixedly at the departing courtesans, Cao Guogong laughed and tried to persuade him.

"Li brother understands me! Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

"To be honest, this Cuihong is someone I've long yearned for!"

"The last time I was at Fanlou I offered a thousand taels of silver to have her hair done and to take her as my sixteenth concubine, but I failed; I never expected that today Li brother would let me have my wish!"

Jia She narrowed his cloudy eyes, stroked the beard under his jaw, and a hint of urgency showed in his sunken eye sockets.

Cao Guogong Li Long refilled Jia She's cup once more, smiling as he said:

"Haha! En Hou brother, you're being polite! We hit it off at first sight—what's this little thing?"

Then the conversation shifted, and he said:

"Brother, I invited you here actually to ask: regarding the matter we discussed last time, what does En Hou brother think?"