Chapter 514: Emperor!

When the Qin Wang left the Listening Wind Pavilion, Xue Daoyong looked at the unfinished game on the board, the corner of his mouth twitching, and could not help but say: "Truly, I've already said so much to him, yet he won't even yield a single move in this game."

"Seven years ago, I couldn't beat this lad."

"Seven years later, how is it I can't beat him even more?"

"Could it be that I'm truly a rotten chess basket?"

Xue Daoyong began to doubt himself. After a long while, a shadow appeared silently beside the old man—it was the leader of the Xue family's secret guards, a man whom Xue Daoyong had conquered in his youth while wandering the jianghu.

All the world knew Xue Daoyong of the Xue family as a martial arts grandmaster of the Seventh Heaven.

Yet few living people knew of the ghost behind the Tiger of Troubled Times.

This shadow's Wu Gong realm and internal cultivation were not necessarily above Xue Daoyong's, but when it came to the art of killing, even this Tiger of Troubled Times could not be mentioned in the same breath as him. The old man within the shadow looked at Xue Daoyong, who was indignant over the chess game, and spoke for the first time:

"The foundation of the Xue family is something you accumulated bit by bit over these hundred-plus years, risking your life countless times. Since the Qin Wang has no intention of taking these things from the family head's hands, why must you still offer them up of your own accord?"

"Regarding this matter, I truly still cannot understand."

Xue Daoyong tossed and caught the chess piece in his hand, and laughed upon hearing this: "You feel the pinch too?"

The shadow said: "Among all these gold, silver, and land deeds, there is also the share that we risked our lives for. Before, I thought nothing of it, but having it given away so lightly by you, Family Head, no matter what, there is still some reluctance in my heart."

Xue Daoyong burst into laughter: "You, you—truly dare to speak."

"Truly, you can't see clearly!"

Xue Daoyong wore an expression of lamentation as he looked at this old brother of his, and said: "The child in your eyes is still that young lad who couldn't even detect you back then—merely Li Guanyi."

The Shadow Guard leader was puzzled: "Isn't he?"

Xue Daoyong said: "He is, and he isn't. He is naturally that young lad whom you and I watched grow up, but he is also the Qin Wang who now occupies ten thousand li of territory, beneath whose command counselors gather like rain and fierce generals like clouds."

"You feel the heartache of giving it to Li Guanyi."

"But if you were giving it to the Qin Wang, and if the Qin Wang asked you for it, would you still have the gall to say you can't bear to part with it?"

The Shadow Guard was stunned, and for some reason felt a trace of inexplicable chill.

Xue Daoyong held the chess piece between his fingers. The black and white pieces were like this world, like the human heart. He said lightly: "I've always told you—read more, read more. Looking across the annals of history, have you really not noticed?"

"How many times in troubled eras have there been wealthy merchants and great magnates who held a single city or a single province, willing to offer up thousands upon thousands in gold to back certain figures who, at the time, looked like nothing more than roving bandits of the grass-roots?"

"Not sparing themselves in forging weapons for them, in gathering local militia?"

The Shadow Guard replied: "It is because they, like the Family Head, saw the changing tides of this world, and thus wished to prepare in advance, is it not?"

Xue Daoyong could not help but laugh and curse, saying: "What times are these, and you still have the mind to flatter this old man here—speak of seeing through the troubled era, of betting on the world. Among those in this world who do such things, more than ninety percent are merely doing it for self-preservation."

The Shadow Guard was puzzled: "Self-preservation?"

Xue Daoyong stretched out his hand, his white brows drooping, looking at the two chess pieces: "In a time of great upheaval, if it were still peaceful days, with no blades rising in the four quarters, and hidden dangers within the court, then the Central Plains dynasty would, in most cases, extract from the people."

"Thus there are many harsh taxes and surcharges, pressed step by step upon the heads of the common folk, wearing them out in their living."

"But such means are merely treating the symptoms, not the root."

"It is nothing more than overdrawing a century's worth of foundation to plug the holes of the present."

"And within this world, the monarch upon the dragon throne, the civil and military officials of the court, the wealthy clans of the cities, and the common folk—the contradictions among them are merely pressed down briefly, briefly whitewashed into a false peace."

"But these contradictions will inevitably continue to accumulate, just as upon a chessboard."

"The disadvantage accumulates little by little, until it finally transforms into a torrential momentum. By that time, there truly is no room to maneuver. And so, at some unknown moment, one man raises his arm and shouts, and the world answers."

"A troubled era is at hand."

"At this moment, the common folk are the hearts of the people, and the hearts of the people are the foundation. When one can no longer continue to extract from the people, guess what these mighty figures of the world will do?"

The Shadow Guard fell silent.

Xue Daoyong stood with his hands behind his back, and said lightly: "They will extract from the merchants."

"As you said, the Xue family is vast, seemingly possessing merchant guilds that stretch to every corner of the realm—different provinces, commanderies, and counties—with all manner of shops and all manner of accumulations. It appears incomparably prosperous, but—"

"So what of it?!"

This aged Tiger let out a weary sigh, and said:

"The present age is a troubled era!"

"What makes one a hegemon? A strong army and sturdy horses. What gold and silver, what foundation—as long as one sets aside the convictions in one's heart and takes up the blade and sword in hand, the Xue family's merchant guilds would be nothing more than the granaries of those mighty lords and warlords."

"In his old age, Jiang Wanxiang slaughtered the renowned civil and military officials of the court until blood flowed like rivers. Beneath the Qin Wang's command are thousands of troops and ten thousand horses, and among them, those who could kill you and me within ten moves in a direct confrontation—more than can be counted on two hands."

"Across the dynasties, how many of the top merchants of troubled eras have met a good end?"

"Guanyi is too kind-hearted."

"The Qin Wang does not take, only because he is still a monarch who values old ties; he keeps to the bottom line and the rules in his heart."

"But you must not think it is because he has no way to take."

"And you must not think that what you give away is a favor bestowed upon the Qin Wang."

"And you must not grow proud of your merit because of it, nor grow complacent because of it."

"Moreover… within Tiance Prefecture, it is not only Guanyi alone. Now that the winds of the world are rising and the clouds surging, the Qin Wang and the State of Ying stand facing each other like blades and swords in hidden opposition, and no one knows when a great battle will erupt. Guanyi will not force us to hand things over."

"But in the eyes of those tiger- and wolf-like fierce warriors under his command, we hold gold and silver in our hands, while the Qin Wang lacks them. The four sides are locked in stalemate, soldiers go to their deaths, yet we sit high in our towers, not speaking a word, not giving a single coin."

"What do you think Master Wen Qingyu, Master Yan Daiqing, Pojun, Wen Lingjun, and these others would think?"

Cold sweat broke out on the Shadow Guard's forehead. After a long silence, he said:

"The Qin Wang values old ties."

Xue Daoyong laughed heartily: "At a time like this, you speak to me of old ties again?"

"I've already said it—how many times can even the greatest of affections be used?!"

"Are you still planning to use these favors to trade for another three hundred years of prosperity for the Xue family? How is it that in broad daylight, you've already started dreaming?"

"What you said is right, not wrong at all. Guanyi values old ties; he likely won't care about these things. But there are too many people in the Xue family. Even if I do my utmost to watch over them, there will inevitably be scoundrels who throw their weight around on the family's prestige."

"Should any trouble arise at that time, those who have long looked askance at the Xue family will seize upon it. What then?"

The Shadow Guard was lost in thought.

In a daze, it seemed he had already seen that scene.

The peaceful days that had been maintained all along—even a shadow-walker like him, moving through the shadows, had subconsciously believed that the power of money could rival blade and sword, and had overlooked the raging chaos of these times.

Xue Daoyong casually released his hand, and the two chess pieces fell onto the board with a crisp clink. He said, "Guanyi is a good child. This old man will surely die a good death. But after I'm gone, how long can these descendants of the younger generation survive?"

"In times of chaos, gold and silver without the protection of magnanimity and blade and sword are nothing but King Yama's life-snatching chains. Add to that maternal relatives, add to that arrogant wastrels, violating the law—in the founding year, such a situation is a calamity that will destroy the clan and wipe out the seed. Do not forget…"

Xue Daoyong turned his gaze sideways to look at his old partner, his eyes clear, like a hunting tiger: "The Xue family."

"Is also a several-hundred-year-old noble house."

Boom!!!

Almost like Lei Ting galloping, the Shadow Guard's mind went blank. Raising his head to look at the old man before him, Xue Daoyong said calmly: "Even the Murong clan itself has already been dissolved; the Murong family residence has been put to use as a workshop for the Fire Qilin army's craftsmen."

"The Xue family's holdings are too many, the scope too vast. Even if you and I hold the reins, in these past hundred-plus years, you and I have been true to our own hearts, but in different places—can they truly be as clean as the white snow and autumn frost of this world?"

"You might as well say Chen Dingye is a fine, upright man."

"Rather than offending the generals of the entire Tiance Prefecture army on the eve of battle."

"Rather than, when the realm is at peace, having the four directions investigate and settle these filthy old scores of the past."

"After this old man passes away, let the Xue family end up with the execution of the entire clan."

"Let Guanyi and Shuangtao, their bond of fate severed, completely fall apart. Better that this old man do this thing himself."

"Hand over everything completely, retreat bravely from the torrent, and my Xue family will not fare poorly either."

Xue Daoyong's bearing was composed. The Shadow Guard was silent for a long time, dazed for a long time, then said:

"I finally understand what the family head meant—when everyone wants to take a step forward, one must take a step back. Even if the Xue family could become true imperial in-laws who unify the realm, even if the Xue family could truly become a thousand-year noble house."

"Even when you yourself, Family Head, could withdraw completely unscathed—must you still take one more step back?"

Xue Daoyong leaned against the curtain of the Listening Wind Pavilion, saying:

"What is it that we seek?"

"Seeking fame—could it be that my present conduct leaves not the slightest trace in the annals of history? Seeking wealth—even if the Xue family hands over all of this, the remaining surplus is enough to let the family's children live without worry of food and clothing."

"Or seeking power—going to wrest power from that generation of contemporary heroes of the founding year, whose claim to the realm is unprecedented in its legitimacy, or to toy with the Fire Qilin's whiskers?"

"Since we seek none of these, then what does wealth enough to rival a kingdom add to me?"

"Besides, Guanyi holds ten thousand li of territory, and the pace of recuperation is actually very fast. This old man's wager this time merely saves him three to five years."

"Wealth enough to rival a kingdom is still just a merchant guild—how many springs and autumns can it rival?"

The Shadow Guard said: "Then, what is it that the family head is betting on this time?"

Xue Daoyong said: "Bet?"

"I bet that my Xue family will not be wiped out, that this realm can be greatly settled."

"I bet on the beginning of an eternal peace."

"I bet on a—"

Xue Daoyong's voice paused, then the corner of his mouth curved up, carrying the composure and smile of a fierce tiger: "An unrivaled sovereign who unifies the realm before the age of thirty!"

"When he rides the Fire Qilin, roams the realm, and the four directions are at peace."

"I, in this Listening Wind Pavilion, raise a cup from afar in mutual toast."

"That can also be considered worthy of this life of mine."

……………………

The various procedures of the Xue family's merchant guild were all briefly transported into Jiangzhou City, to that gentle and harmless Mr. Wen He. Mr. Wen He looked at them for a long time, and on his harmless, sincere face appeared an expression that could not quite be described.

"…………Impressive."

In the end, Wen He only sighed in admiration and said the one word.

When the Shadow Guard had delivered the things and was about to leave, he was called back by Mr. Wen He, who said: "Sir, please stay a moment."

"Please stay a moment."

The Shadow Guard was puzzled. That harmless gentleman smiled and said: "Old Mr. Xue has sent such a generous gift; we cannot fail to give a response. It happens that I have some things here—let them serve as a return gift for Old Mr. Xue."

Wen He handed over a letter. The Shadow Guard instinctively assumed it was money.

But he weighed it between his fingers.

If it were money, this little weight would really be rather paltry.

But the man before him was under the Qin Wang, and this led to the possibility that this little weight carried a slightly subtle meaning.

Mr. Wen He said with a gentle smile: "You may tell Xue Lao."

"No need for thanks."

The Shadow Guard grumbled inwardly—such a small thing, and he says no need for thanks—but on the surface he still replied with considerable respect and courtesy, then quickly returned to the Listening Wind Pavilion. He took out the letter, and what was written inside was merely a list of names.

All of them were from the Xue family.

The Shadow Guard saw Xue Lao's lips curve into a slight smile as he said: "Young man, has some skill. Not bad."

Then he had the Shadow Guard make another trip, also with a simple letter.

Mr. Wen He was still thinking about how to handle so many things, how to—ahem, not how to tease, but how to have a proper talk with Master Yan Daiqing, when he discovered another visitor. While feeling a touch of curiosity in his heart, he saw what that Shadow Guard produced.

It was a letter, and inside, just like the one Wen He had given, was a list of names—only on this letter, many had already been crossed out.

Wen He's expression froze slightly, then a hint of being moved showed.

He understood: that fierce tiger of the Xue family had also long ago begun to notice the problems within the Xue family, and had been dealing with them all along.

The meaning of Xue Daoyong's letter was already very clear.

This fierce tiger of the chaotic age would personally cut away the rotten flesh within the Xue family, and hand over all the Xue family's gold, silver, and merchant guild to the Fire Qilin army, showing full support—yet without inserting any of his own sons into Tiance Prefecture.

The Shadow Guard said to Mr. Wen He: "The family head says, sir need not thank him."

Wen He paused, then said: "The old gentleman's methods are masterful."

"Master Wen Qingyu admits complete defeat."

The shadow guard paused, then said: "The master said, if Mr. gives this answer…"

"Then I must ask Mr. one more question."

Wen He said: "I am all ears."

The shadow guard said: "Why didn't you say it was Yan Daiqing of the Western Regions this time?"

Wen He fell silent, sighed with a smile, and said: "Indeed, each generation produces its own talents. Wen Qingyu, I yield." In front of the shadow guard, he lit the letter given by Xue Daoyong and burned it to ash; only then did the shadow guard leave.

Time passed, and it was already the end of June.

The hottest period had passed; rain increased steadily in frequency, and drizzle fell over Yicheng, pattering against the trees lining the roads with a soft rustling sound.

The sound of rain brought quiet to the heart, yet the people on both sides instinctively quickened their steps to avoid getting drenched by the sudden downpour.

This rain came unexpectedly, catching many off guard.

The old shopkeeper of Huichun Hall had been out delivering medicine and hadn't brought an umbrella; when he encountered the rain on the road, he frowned and decided to find shelter—he was white-haired and no longer as strong as he had been years ago.

But for the moment, there was nowhere nearby to take cover.

Just as he frowned, the rain suddenly stopped, yet he could still hear the patter of falling drops, and still saw beads of water threading down, splashing into tiny arcs on the ground.

He looked up and saw an umbrella.

The old shopkeeper turned and saw a young man holding it—a youth in blue robes, a leather belt around his waist, his hair tied with an ancient jade hairpin, standing calmly in the rain.

The old shopkeeper hesitated, then felt the young man looked familiar.

But he was a quiet man by nature; he merely thanked him. The youth smiled and said: "Shopkeeper, didn't bring an umbrella today?" The old shopkeeper replied: "I was rushing out to deliver medicine."

"Just see me to the eaves up ahead."

"I'll wait there a while."

"This kind of rain comes fast and goes fast."

"Alright."

The youth walked under the umbrella, the old shopkeeper carrying his medicine satchel; they strolled through the rain, which grew heavier, falling on leaves and ground, as if separating the world beneath the umbrella from the world beyond.

The youth brought him to the eaves, closed the umbrella, leaned it against the wall, shook off the rain, then stood beside the old man, watching rain slide down the roof tiles in strings.

The old shopkeeper chatted idly with the youth.

After a while, hurried footsteps came through the rain—a stout man in a straw hat and cape trudged through the downpour, breathing heavily from his haste.

He looked at the old man outside the shop, soaked through, and said:

"Ha! Old Medicine Man, if you're coming, why not warn me ahead? If my neighbor hadn't told me you were waiting here, I wouldn't have come out today. Such heavy rain—better to stay in the courtyard, warm a pot of tea, roast a few peanuts."

"Who is this…?"

He glanced at the youth, eyes puzzled: "Your acquaintance?"

The old shopkeeper said: "A kind soul who lent me his umbrella." The tavern owner had met Li Guanyi only once; even as manager of Huichun Hall, he had seen countless apprentice physicians come and go over decades.

Seven years had changed too much—they didn't recognize the young man, yet still opened the tavern door and invited him inside. The owner moved quickly, drawing the window curtains shut, filling the interior with warm light.

He fetched celery and peanuts, vinegar-soaked peanuts, minced garlic jelly, and a smoked-and-braised pig's head, sliced it onto a plate, and laboriously dragged out a small brazier: "Today calls for elegance—let's drink good wine."

The old shopkeeper's face broke into a rare smile: "If you want wine, just say so."

"What's this talk of elegance?"

"What elegance is there in this place?"

The fat tavern owner protested: "You say that? Does elegance depend on gold? Listen well—I have three elegant pleasures today."

"I didn't plan to come—but I came anyway. That's the first."

"I thought only you, Old Medicine Man, would show up—but now there's a new friend. That's the second."

The fat tavern owner fell silent.

The old shopkeeper, expecting a joke, deliberately asked: "Where's the third?"

The fat owner stammered for a moment, then only laughed: "Making up elegance just to justify drinking? That's elegance itself!"

"Hahaha, none of this matters."

"Come, come—drink, drink!"

The fat tavern owner poured the wine—not a fine vintage, nothing to rival the imperial liquor of Chen Emperor's palace—but with its own clear, crisp bite; they drank to the rain, chatting idly.

The old shopkeeper said: "This young man seems familiar."

"But I've never seen him around here."

"What have you been doing these past years?"

The youth raised his cup, gazing at the old man, his old friend, yet gave no clear identity—only drank, smiling: "Not much different from what you do, old sir."

A fine drink, a quiet talk, accompanied by the clink of cups and the patter of rain—carefree indeed. But the rain, as the old shopkeeper said, gradually slowed, coming fast and going fast as always.

The youth watched the rain lessen, rose to take his leave.

The old shopkeeper smiled and asked if he was also a physician. The young man replied:

"You could say so."

He wore blue robes, lifted the umbrella, and walked out—the rain still drifted down.

"After all, it's just healing, saving lives."

The tavern owner and the old shopkeeper watched the youth walk away with his umbrella, growing smaller and smaller. The tavern owner turned back, smiling at the old man: "I think he's your acquaintance, Old Medicine Man—don't you remember?"

The old shopkeeper merely said: "I don't remember."

"I've helped so many, met so many—how could I recall every connection from years past?"

"So what if I don't remember?"

"If I helped him back then, it wasn't so he'd remember me to repay me. If we had any bond before, today's rain, this good wine—it's enough."

The fat tavern owner laughed loudly: "You're so careless!"

The old shopkeeper replied: "That's what's proper."

The two old friends exchanged a glance, but they shared the thought without saying it aloud. They raised their cups and drank together. The old shopkeeper gazed outside, where rain fell like silk threads, then tipped his head back to drink and murmured to himself: "Cure the illness, save the people — what a fine 'cure the illness, save the people.'"

"Fine wine."

"Truly intoxicating!"

…………

In Zhongzhou, Prince Ji Yanzhong held the imperial edict in his hands. He heard the words at his ear, yet his mind was blank and bewildered.

"You feel that Guanyi's merits — defeating the enemy, winning the victory, breaking Jiangzhou, driving out Emperor Chen —"

"May he be called 【Huang】?"

"A sovereign is one whose radiance blazes like fire. He has already been enfeoffed as Qin Wu, and now his fame stirs the world, his renown shakes the four corners. He should be called —"

"Qin Huang."

"What say you all?"

?? Begging for monthly tickets, friends~