Chapter 21: Trouble Comes to the Door

“Battalion Commander, someone outside has come with your name card, claiming to be your fellow townsman.”

Hearing this, Li Mu, who had been discussing the two factions’ power struggle with his colleagues, frowned slightly.

After arriving in the capital, he had indeed sent out numerous name cards to fellow townsfolk.

A proper visit should have been arranged by sending a formal invitation to Hou Fu to set a time, not by showing up at the Five Cities Military Commission with his name card.

“Bring the man to the rear courtyard; I’ll join him shortly.”

In a society built on personal connections, even when you know trouble is coming, some things cannot be avoided.

He only hoped the matter wouldn’t be too troublesome—his small arms and legs couldn’t bear the weight.

…

“Chen Jichuan, when did you arrive in the capital?”

Seeing the visitor, Li Mu asked with slight surprise.

Military families also valued education; Chen Jichuan had been his classmate at the private academy.

After his mourning period ended, he had visited Li Mu’s household.

In just over three months, he never expected to meet again in the capital.

“This matter is long-winded.

Not long after you arrived in the capital, I received a letter from Master Xiang inviting me to come to the capital to study.

But upon arriving, I learned the terrible news that Master Xiang had been arrested and thrown into prison.

To gather information, I visited many fellow townsfolk, but all were turned away.

I had no other choice but to come to you, Brother Li, for help!”

Chen Jichuan spoke with obvious embarrassment.

Though they had once studied together at Guanzhong Academy, Chen was Master Xiang’s formal disciple, while Li Mu had merely attended a few of his lectures.

There was a faint connection, but not much.

After arriving in the capital, Li Mu had never considered visiting Master Xiang.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand social etiquette—it was simply that their relationship wasn’t strong enough.

They had never socialized at the academy; even if he sent a name card, the recipient might not even know who he was.

“Master Xiang is in prison.

When did this happen?

Do you know what crime he’s accused of?”

Li Mu asked, feigning surprise.

Master Xiang came from a prominent Guanzhong clan; under normal circumstances, he should have been closer to the Qin Party.

The Qingliu Faction, now fighting the eunuch faction, was mainly composed of officials from the southeast coast and the Hubei-Hunan region.

Northern officials, including those in the Qin Party, due to their own interests, had drawn closer politically to the eunuch faction and were not within the scope of persecution.

The only possible reason he was implicated was that he failed to read the situation and joined the Qingliu Faction.

Political alignment carries a price; Master Xiang’s decision to join the Qingliu Faction was, in itself, a betrayal of the Qin Party.

Not joining in the persecution was merely old comradeship.

To expect them to actively rescue him? That was wishful thinking.

“Master Xiang served in the Censorate; he likely brought this upon himself with his recent impeachment.”

Chen Jichuan spoke nervously.

He dared not even mention “overthrowing the eunuchs”—the Eastern Depot was arresting people everywhere.

Hundreds of court officials had been arrested; as a juren in the capital, he was nothing.

“Brother Chen, don’t worry. Good people always have divine protection.

The Eastern Depot has arrested so many; they can’t possibly execute them all.

Perhaps they’re just intimidating him—they’ll release him soon enough.

With this matter so public, the Grand Secretaries won’t sit idle. Just wait patiently.

I’ll send someone to find out where Master Xiang is being held.

As long as he’s not in the Imperial Prison, we can arrange for someone to look after him.”

Seeing Li Mu only say comforting things and avoid mentioning any rescue attempt, Chen Jichuan felt helpless.

The official world was the most pragmatic; a faint connection like theirs was enough to inquire, but nothing more could be expected.

The eunuch faction was currently at its peak—without sufficient benefit, who would dare offend them?

Deep inside, Chen Jichuan for the first time thought his master’s disciple-selection strategy was flawed.

While scholarly ability was primary in passing on the lineage, personal connections mattered just as much.

“Then I’m counting on you, Brother Li!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Secretary Yan burst in.

“Battalion Commander, disaster! Eastern Depot agents have arrived.

They claim a relative of a convicted official entered your office just now and demand we hand him over!”

Hearing this, Chen Jichuan nearly fainted.

He had only just arrived—less than a cup of tea’s time—and the Eastern Depot was already at the door.

Clearly, his recent efforts to deliver name cards and rescue Master Xiang had been exposed.

Thinking of the terrifying rumors about the Imperial Prison, his body trembled uncontrollably.

“If you’re looking for relatives of convicted officials, go to the jail—they’re everywhere there.

How could the Five Cities Military Commission have any such person?

Forget it. Tell them to wait in the main hall; I’ll be there shortly.”

As a good leader, Li Mu had no intention of burdening his subordinates.

Expecting a mere clerk to stand up to the Eastern Depot was too much to ask.

“Brother Li, this…”

Chen Jichuan was deeply anxious.

He feared implicating Li Mu, yet also feared Li Mu would crack under pressure and hand him over.

“Don’t worry. Even the Eastern Depot must follow reason—they can’t arrest people at will!”

Li Mu’s reassurance didn’t calm Chen Jichuan—it made him even more uneasy.

The Eastern Depot had a terrible reputation among scholars; Chen Jichuan didn’t believe for a moment they cared about reason.

…

“Eunuch Mai, what wind brings you here?

What are you standing there for? Quickly serve Eunuch Mai tea.

My men are unpolished; please forgive them, Eunuch Mai.”

Li Mu smiled amiably.

Since it was someone he knew, matters would be easier.

If you could cooperate once, you could cooperate twice—eunuchs understood social obligations too.

“Li Da-ren, no need for formalities.

There’s always time for tea—let’s deal with the matter first.

You know why I’m here.

You’re not Master Xiang’s disciple; there’s no need to defend him. Hand over Chen Jichuan, and this ends.”

As Mai Qinghu finished speaking, the atmosphere in the main hall turned heavy.

“The Eastern Depot’s intelligence is indeed formidable—within such a short time, they’ve mapped out the connections.

I’m not refusing to honor you, Eunuch, but your men arrived mere moments after my classmate walked in—this is too coincidental.

Is this truly about capturing remnants of a convicted official, or is it aimed at my Five Cities Military Commission? That remains to be verified.

As I understand it, last night your men clashed with the Dongcheng Battalion Command, injuring two of my men.

Marquis Wuyang is extremely displeased about this!

He issued strict orders: any matter involving the Eastern Depot requires his explicit authorization.

We’re all serving the Emperor, Eunuch—don’t make things hard for me.”

Li Mu skillfully deployed his classic “pass the buck upward” tactic.

Marquis Wuyang had indeed issued orders—but the wording had been slightly altered by the time it reached Li Mu.

“Battalion Commander Li, are you trying to use the Imperial Uncle to pressure me?!”

Mai Qinghu spoke angrily.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, imperial relatives couldn’t intimidate civil officials or frighten military commanders—they could only cause trouble.

“Eunuch, that’s going too far.

We’re all serving the Emperor—what talk of pressure? If this spreads, it’s merely embarrassing—but if the higher-ups think you’re incompetent, that’s a serious problem.

Some things aren’t worth insisting on. Giving others convenience is also giving yourself convenience.”

(End of Chapter)