Chapter 107: Night Banquet

Yuan Fang, who was accompanying Niu Youdao and knew something of the situation, could still take it in stride.

Fang Zhe, who had come with them, was another matter. He stared at Niu Youdao in alarm and uncertainty. What was going on? Kill Song Long?

He badly wanted to drag Niu Youdao outside and demand a clear explanation. You came here to handle business for His Highness, yet now you want to kill another state’s envoy? Are you helping His Highness or making trouble for him?

The men standing behind Zhuge Xun looked at one another.

Zhuge Xun swallowed, hurriedly lifted his tea and took a sip to steady himself and conceal his loss of composure.

Setting down the cup, he smiled. “Brother Niu, are you joking?”

Niu Youdao said, “No. I’m serious.”

Zhuge Xun shook his head. “Whether you’re serious or joking, I’ll pretend I heard nothing. Drink your tea!” He extended a hand in invitation.

“Very well. Tea it is.” Niu Youdao lifted his cup in both hands toward him as a gesture of respect, then slowly drank. He said nothing more. Once the cup was empty, he even gestured for someone to refill it.

Zhuge Xun waited a while, but in the end he was the first to speak again. “Brother Niu, where are you from, and whom do you presently serve?”

Niu Youdao said, “I am from the State of Yan. At present, I serve as a retainer cultivator under Commandery Prince Yongping, Shang Chaozong. The Grand Princess is celebrating her fortieth birthday. His Highness had matters he could not leave unattended, so he ordered me to come in his place and offer birthday congratulations to his aunt.”

Shang Chaozong?

Zhuge Xun gave an “Oh,” his expression turning somewhat complicated. The name was not unfamiliar to him. Back when Shang Chaozong had committed an offense in Yanjing and been thrown into the imperial prison, the State of Han had paid attention to the matter as well.

Prince Ning, Shang Jianbo, had placed tremendous pressure on the State of Han in years past. With ten thousand iron cavalry, he had shattered a hundred-thousand-strong army of the State of Han, sweeping through them like rotten wood, unstoppable. The blow to the State of Han’s morale had been severe. While Prince Ning lived, the State of Han had not dared lightly march south to attack the State of Yan. Zhuge Xun naturally knew of Prince Ning’s sons.

He turned his head and gave a look. Someone immediately withdrew in silence.

Zhuge Xun slowly took another sip of tea before asking, “You and Song Long are both subjects of the State of Yan. Why do you want to kill him?”

Niu Youdao said, “I only arrived in Jinzhou Prefectural Capital today, and Song Long immediately tried to kill me. I escaped by luck, but my brother was captured. I had to ask the Provincial Inspector’s Residence to intervene before I could get him back. He wants to kill me. Why can’t I kill him?”

Zhuge Xun found that strange. “Why would Song Long suddenly want to kill you?”

Niu Youdao said, “I was originally a disciple of the State of Yan’s Shangqing Sect. Song Long’s nephew Song Yanqing and I were fellow disciples. Even after I was expelled from the Shangqing Sect, Song Yanqing still refused to let me go and ambushed me along the road. I killed Song Yanqing in self-defense, and that was how the feud began.”

A cultivator behind Zhuge Xun’s eyes flickered. He leaned close and murmured into Zhuge Xun’s ear, “Now that he mentions it, I remember something. I think the Shangqing Sect did have someone surnamed Niu involved in an affair like this. In the announcement the Shangqing Sect issued to the cultivation world, one of its accusations against the Song family concerned this matter. It didn’t mention whether the disciple who killed the Song family’s son had been expelled from the sect, though. Not long ago, we received word that the Shangqing Sect has already thrown its lot in with Shao Dengyun, Provincial Inspector of Beizhou in our State of Han.”

Zhuge Xun looked thoughtful. Then, seeming to sigh with emotion, he said, “No wonder. So Brother Niu has such a grievance with the Song family. Song Long is an envoy of a state, yet instead of putting affairs of state first, he lets a private feud drive him to this sort of behavior. It is truly improper.”

“But that said, an envoy represents the dignity of his state. No matter which country he is sent to, unless there is a concrete charge against him, no one dares touch him recklessly. Otherwise, it can easily provoke a dispute between two states. Even armies at war do not kill envoys. Brother Niu, asking me to help with this is rather abrupt.”

“the State of Han and the State of Yan may be enemy states, but killing another state’s envoy without cause is rare anywhere. How could I possibly do such a thing?”

Niu Youdao said, “I’m not asking Brother Zhuge to do it, nor am I asking Brother Zhuge to bear responsibility. I only want Brother Zhuge to create an opportunity—an opportunity for me to act.”

Zhuge Xun’s brows rose. If that was all... He lifted his tea again, contemplation appearing in his eyes.

They did not wait long before the man who had left earlier quietly returned. Bending close to Zhuge Xun’s ear, he whispered, “I checked with the guards by the courtyard where they’re staying. That’s right, his name is Niu Youdao. He was indeed sent by Commandery Prince Yongping, Shang Chaozong of the State of Yan, to offer birthday congratulations to Hai Ruyue.”

This was exactly the confirmation Zhuge Xun had been waiting for. He could hardly believe whatever identity Niu Youdao claimed without verifying it first.

Once he knew the situation, Zhuge Xun set down his teacup with considerably more ease. He sighed. “Brother Niu, it isn’t that I refuse to help you. I’m actually thinking of your own good. Consider it: killing an envoy of a state is no small matter. How could the State of Yan possibly let you off afterward? I fear you might not even make it out of Jinzhou.”

“The Song family has already tried to kill me three times. Each time I was the one forced to react. How can this happen once, twice, and then a third time? Even a cornered rabbit will bite!” Niu Youdao raised three fingers for an instant, then lowered his hand. “Does Brother Zhuge think that if I don’t kill Song Long, he’ll simply let me leave Jinzhou? My mind is made up.”

Zhuge Xun smiled, a mysterious curve at the corner of his mouth, full of implications...

At the Yan Lodge, Song Long was likewise reading documents by lamplight. They contained reports sent from the capital of the State of Zhao concerning affairs there. As resident envoy of the State of Yan to the State of Zhao, he naturally had to keep abreast of such intelligence every day, sift through it, and immediately send anything useful back to Yanjing by Goldenwing.

An attendant entered and reported, “My lord, we confirmed it with people from the Provincial Inspector’s Residence. Niu Youdao has no connection with them. He was sent by Shang Chaozong to offer birthday congratulations to Hai Ruyue.”

Song Long leaned back in his chair. After a strange light passed through his eyes, he said, “Ask Huang Xusheng to come.”

“Yes.” The attendant withdrew.

Before long, Huang Xusheng entered. “My lord, you wanted me?”

Song Long said slowly, “Niu Youdao was merely sent by Shang Chaozong to congratulate Hai Ruyue on her birthday. As the host, Hai Ruyue could not possibly ignore trouble befalling a guest who came to celebrate her birthday right under her nose. Naturally she had to intervene. We truly did act too rashly earlier.”

Huang Xusheng said nothing, though inwardly he muttered that Song Long’s present status as an envoy meant he should never have involved himself in such a matter in the first place.

At the same time, he waited for whatever came next. He knew Song Long would not have summoned him merely to say this.

Song Long raised his face and sighed. “I know it was inappropriate for someone in my position to do such a thing. But the opportunity was right there at hand. If I let such an easy chance pass, how am I supposed to explain myself to my third brother when I return? Third Brother had only this one son. I hear my sister-in-law washes her face with tears every day. How could I face her? Brother Huang, keep watch on Niu Youdao. The moment a suitable opportunity appears, get rid of him!”

With that, he rose, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply to Huang Xusheng. “I leave it to you!”

Huang Xusheng frowned, but finally nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

Song Long smiled. “Brother Huang, rest assured. Once this is done, the Song family will certainly show its gratitude!”

Just then, an attendant entered and placed an invitation on the desk before Song Long. “My lord, Zhuge Xun, the State of Han envoy, sent someone with an invitation. He asks you to attend a banquet.”

Song Long casually picked it up and opened it. After reading it, he frowned. “A banquet this late at night? What trick is that Zhuge brat playing? Did they say what it’s about?”

The attendant replied, “Nothing in particular. They only said it was a night banquet for flowers, moonlight, and refined pleasures. Invitations were sent to the envoys of every state.”

“Everyone?” Song Long looked suspicious. If he alone had been invited, he would have had to consider what Zhuge Xun intended. But with all the envoys invited, he became even more vigilant. He could not let the others join hands and sell him out behind his back. He had to attend and see what was really going on.

As an envoy himself, he understood these people far too well. Every one of them was prepared to use any means necessary for the interests of the state behind him.

A gathering of men each harboring his own schemes, supposedly to discuss nothing but flowers, moonlight, and refined pleasures? Only a fool would believe that!

He checked the time written on the invitation. It was almost upon them, so he immediately ordered his attendants to make brief preparations.

Hundred Flowers Pavilion stood in the garden at the center of Liufang Guesthouse, beside a small lake. Pavilions, terraces, and towers looked especially elegant beneath the brilliant lights.

The guests had not yet arrived, but the host was already there. Zhuge Xun paced with his hands behind his back beside the railing of a waterside pavilion. Several singing girls nearby played the qin and xiao flute. The qin notes drifted lingeringly, the flute slow and soft, beneath the vast night sky.

They did not wait long. The envoys of the various states arrived one after another, timing their entrances almost exactly. Song Long was naturally among them.

Those who arrived early asked Zhuge Xun what the occasion was. Zhuge Xun merely smiled and answered that they would know soon enough.

When he turned, his gaze briefly met that of Tu Huaiyu, envoy of the State of Song.

Once everyone had arrived, fine wine and delicacies were brought out one after another. Zhuge Xun invited them into the long pavilion and had them take their seats.

Only after sitting did they notice one place remained empty. Sui Pai, envoy of the State of Wei, asked, “Zhuge, did you invite someone else as well?”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Zhuge Xun clapped three times.

The qin and flute below the steps stopped at once. At the other end of the long pavilion, closed doors swung open. Niu Youdao walked out, followed by Fang Zhe and Yuan Fang, who limped along with a sword cradled in his arms.

Some looked suspicious, others puzzled. Song Long narrowed his eyes and shot Zhuge Xun a cold look.

Yuan Fang and Fang Zhe stopped outside the pavilion instead of following Niu Youdao in. The other envoys’ attendants had likewise remained outside, so it would have been improper for them to make an exception.

No one seemed particularly worried that Niu Youdao might cause trouble. With so many experts nearby, only someone tired of living would dare try anything.

After entering, Niu Youdao cupped his hands to the assembled men. “I am Niu Youdao, serving under Commandery Prince Yongping in the State of Yan. His Highness should have come in person to congratulate his aunt on her birthday, but circumstances prevented him from leaving, so he specially sent me in his place. To have the fortune of meeting all you distinguished gentlemen here is an honor of three lifetimes!”

Expressions varied around the pavilion, but no one spoke. Zhuge Xun gestured, and Niu Youdao took the empty seat between Chu Xiangyu, envoy of the State of Jin, and Sui Pai, envoy of the State of Wei.

He had barely sat down when Song Long gave a cold laugh. “Everyone seated here is an envoy of a state. What are you supposed to be? You think you’re fit to sit among us?”

Niu Youdao remained calm, eyes lowered, saying nothing as he let the ridicule pass.

The others watched.

Zhuge Xun pressed a hand downward, signaling Song Long to remain calm, then smiled. “Before we discuss serious business, there is one small matter I should explain to everyone. In fact, I met Brother Niu on the road to Jinzhou, and we already knew each other. We regretted only that we had met so late! Earlier, Brother Niu came to me and told me about a grievance between himself and the Song family of the State of Yan. He neither wishes nor dares to oppose the Song family, but matters have already come this far, so what can he do? He asked me to serve as peacemaker and resolve the grievance. Since everyone happens to be here, you can all serve as witnesses. Brother Song, what do you think?”

[End of Chapter 107]