Chapter 15: Section Three

"Are you a subordinate of the Prison Guard Bureau or a secret agent of the Inner Depot?" The scholar casually picked up his chopsticks and helped himself to the food. The hand gripping the chopsticks was crisscrossed with veins, weathered and worn, telling the story of its owner's campaigns. He shot a glance at Huang Shi. "No — the Inner Depot's secret agents always use men of unremarkable build and even more unremarkable looks. It seems you are a subordinate of the Prison Guard Bureau."

After taking a bite of food, the killing aura emanating from the scholar grew even more intense, but a trace of regret flickered in the glance he cast over. "Young men, after all, are still too frivolous. You wanted very much to hide your depths, didn't you? A pity that the moment you see someone taking a traitor for a father, you cannot restrain your emotions, and you must witness that person's downfall before you are satisfied. This shows that in your heart, you still regard my Great Jin as transient, and the Ming state as enduring!"

The hand gripping his waist saber was already trembling slightly from the sheer force of his grip. Several times Huang Shi could barely restrain himself from slashing out with the blade, but the scholar opposite him did not even glance at that sharp edge. The calm expression on his face was enough to put every battle-hardened veteran to shame. Huang Shi finally recovered somewhat from his shock and controlled his throat enough to produce a sound: "I am not of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

The scholar gave a soft laugh, his tone brimming with mockery. "I have long heard that the Ming state is a land of outstanding people. I never imagined that even a common soldier of the Guangning Army could write — how rare. And what's more, well-versed in poetry, with a manner of speech comparable to a Provincial Graduate or Licentiate — even rarer."

Hundreds of thoughts had already raced through Huang Shi's mind. Chinese so fluent, steeped in the classical allusions of Huaxia, and exuding the sovereign aura of one who holds the power of life and death — he was now one hundred percent certain of the man's identity. Huang Shi gave a bitter smile and sheathed his saber. There was no hope. After putting the blade away, Huang Shi flexed the five fingers of his right hand, which were on the verge of cramping, and stared at them for a moment. The fingers were slightly deformed from over a decade of rigorous calligraphy practice. That the other man had noticed this detail the very instant he handed over the letter — what astonishing powers of observation.

The two men were clearly not on the same level at all. He had hidden himself so carefully, yet so many flaws had been exposed in an instant. Thinking of the historical records about this man, Huang Shi could only hope that the accounts of his love for talent were true, and not just the Qing emperors whitewashing their ancestors with nonsense.

"This humble one greets the Beile." He performed a dianqian salute, imitating the queue dramas of later ages.

This time it was the scholar's turn to be taken aback for a moment. Then he no longer bothered to conceal it. "How did you learn this Beile's identity?"

Since he had dared to tear through this layer of paper, Huang Shi had naturally already prepared an answer. Li Yongfang's manner and movements had contained no shortage of clues to begin with, and now everything fell perfectly into place. Combined with certain rumors circulating in Liaodong, Huang Shi's explanation sounded quite plausible. Seeing how Huang Shi had pieced everything together from scattered fragments in such a short time, the killing aura on the scholar's face grew fainter and fainter. When Huang Shi finished, he nodded in praise: "Perceiving the whole from the slightest detail — you, sir, are truly a rare talent. Please, sit and speak."

Huang Shi unbuckled his saber and tossed it aside, then sat back down at the table. The scholar waited patiently until he was settled before asking, "What is your surname and given name, sir? And what plans bring you to my Liaoyang?"

Ever since receiving orders to come to the Later Jin as a spy, Huang Shi had realized that an unclear identity could invite enormous trouble, so he had long since fabricated an airtight backstory. When he heard this question, Huang Shi inwardly exclaimed at his good luck and laid out the entire elaborate tale. Had he not prepared in advance, he knew he could never have deceived this master of a generation standing before him.

"Huang Shi is a man of Beizhili, from a family of merchants for generations...

Began schooling as a youth, diligently practiced calligraphy...

My father met with misfortune...

Corrupt officials greedy for bribes...

Sentenced to execution, wife exiled three thousand li..."

The scholar had originally assumed Huang Shi was a secret agent sent by the Ming court to Guangning, in which case killing him would have been a pleasure. Now things were different. Having shared Huang Shi's moving story, he asked with some sympathy, "Huang Shi, with such a tragic background, how can you still harbor feelings of attachment to the Ming state?"

Seeing Huang Shi lower his head in silence, the scholar sighed. "The Ming state is, after all, the land of your parents — it is only human nature. Then how did you enter the Guangning Army, and even become a subordinate of Sun Degong?"

Huang Shi gave another bitter smile. "A man whose family is ruined and who flees into exile, barely clinging to life in chaotic times, seeking only to keep his head on his shoulders and earn a mouthful of food."

"True, true. That should be what you truly feel in your heart, Huang Shi. But fine jade cannot cast itself aside."

The scholar nodded repeatedly and then began to discuss civil administration and military affairs. If he did not prove himself with all his might, there would be no path to survival. Huang Shi rallied his spirits, combining the theories of later ages with present realities, and launched into a series of lengthy discourses. After they had talked for over two hours, the scholar finally broke into a smile toward Huang Shi:

"This is, after all, the Prince Consort's residence — not convenient for talking. Today's matter is a secret between us; no third person will ever know. Tomorrow, slip away to the residence that was bestowed upon you, and do not make the slightest sound about it."

"Yes. This humble one obeys."

After leaving the Prince Consort's residence, Huang Shi did not know how he made it back to the post station. The other man's astonishing presence still shook him to the core; the suffocating sensation was utterly beyond description. Only a single thought remained in his mind: "A hero, a hero, a hero..."

After daybreak, Huang Shi changed into the uniform of a Later Jin Han soldier and slipped over to the property left behind by the merchant spy — now his own bestowed residence. There were few living souls in the large house, only those two singing girls and a few old maidservants and servants. Huang Shi wasted no words and immediately ordered them to sweep the main hall and study and to prepare tea. He noticed a Later Jin soldier at the street corner; the soldier had been watching him the whole time, and the moment he saw Huang Shi enter the gate, he turned and left.

As expected, Huang Taiji, still in a very ordinary disguise, arrived soon after. Huang Shi did not stand on ceremony and accompanied him on a tour around the residence. Once the two entered the study, they continued the previous day's conversation. At this point, the advantage of a modern man became apparent — breadth of vision. Although Huang Taiji privately labeled Huang Shi as "miscellaneous but not profound," he was still somewhat impressed by his eclectic learning.

With ample time today, once the topics were fully unfolded, Huang Taiji judged the man before him to be a talent worth winning over. In an era where the literacy rate was less than five percent, any intellectual was worth recruiting, let alone a Huang Shi versed in so many fields. Huang Taiji wove praise into his words without leaving a trace, which made Huang Shi somewhat lose sight of his own limitations — after all, being consulted in such a manner by a hero of the age was surely something to be proud of.

After the discussion of people's livelihood concluded, the servants brought in tea. Huang Taiji took a sip and let out a sigh that seemed utterly sincere: "Huang Shi, your house is far too small, and this tea is unworthy of the brilliance within your breast."

Was this a hint that he deserved a better station? Huang Shi put on a face of irrepressible emotion: "The Beile honors me beyond my worth."

"This Beile has never misjudged a man," Huang Taiji declared with great confidence, then ordered in a tone that brooked no argument: "Father Khan has already commanded this Beile and Grand Beile Amin to lead the army to Zhenjiang. Huang Shi, you will come with me."

"Yes."

"Since you are to remain by my side for a time, how do you think we should best explain this to Wang Huazhen?" Huang Taiji also intended to take this opportunity to test whether Huang Shi was quick-witted.