Chapter 617: Gao Jiancheng Has a Fine Son Indeed!

Outside, the weather was bitterly cold, cold enough for dripping water to freeze. Inside, it was warm as spring.

After returning from Prince Sheng’s Residence, Wuxin did not rest. Instead, he went back to the lifelike clay mannequin standing in the hall and tied a strip of cloth over his eyes.

Guo Man had just set down her things. Turning and seeing him, she asked in surprise, “Sir, you’ve been working all day. Aren’t you going to rest?”

Her own complexion was not good either. Having personally witnessed the treatment, she was still fighting waves of nausea.

“No need. Let’s begin.” Blindfolded, Wuxin shook his head. Holding a silver needle, he began inserting needles into the mannequin without sight. Wherever a needle pierced the layer of wax coating its body, if it struck one of the concealed holes precisely, water welled out.

Guo Man could only stand beside him and begin recounting the news she had gathered.

This had already become routine. Whenever Wuxin practiced blindfolded needlework, he deliberately had her talk about other matters to distract him, training himself to divide his attention between two tasks at once.

Guo Man told him about the affair currently drawing the attention of every major power: Nanzhou of Yan had gone to war with the imperial court. For some inexplicable reason, even she grew somewhat excited as she told the story.

After finishing the account at an unhurried pace, Guo Man watched Wuxin’s expression carefully, then tested the waters. “There’s also been happy news spreading through the Qi capital lately. It concerns the imperial clan. They say Prince Ying’s newly wed Princess Consort is pregnant. The Qi Emperor was delighted and bestowed quite a few rewards on Princess Consort Ying. Many ministers’ families have gone to Prince Ying’s Residence to offer congratulations.”

The moment she said this, Wuxin visibly trembled. His cheeks tightened, and the silver needle in his hand immediately lost its steadiness. He tried to regain control, but several needles in succession failed to find the wax-sealed holes accurately.

...

After hiding for two days, Niu Youdao returned to Maolu Villa.

He had not been back long and was chatting cheerfully with Shang Shuqing when Yuan Gang brought over a secret letter. “Master Dao, a letter from the Prince.”

Shang Shuqing’s bright eyes flickered. She had been following the war between Nanzhou and Dingzhou closely. With Uncle Meng personally taking the field, the campaign had gone smoothly, leaving Dingzhou almost unable to fight back. She did not know whether this new message brought good news or bad.

Niu Youdao opened the letter. It was indeed from Shang Chaozong, but it was relaying Meng Shanming’s opinion.

The fighting had now stopped. Once the gains were tallied, Nanzhou’s forces occupied somewhat more than three commanderies’ worth of territory. Dingzhou had twelve commanderies in total, which meant roughly a quarter of the province had fallen into Nanzhou’s hands.

Even Niu Youdao clicked his tongue in amazement at the result. In only a few days, they had somehow taken so much land. Was this even conquering territory? They had practically been staking claims at a gallop. The speed was astonishing, far beyond his original intention of taking only a single commandery.

At first, even he had found the result difficult to believe. Only after confirming it repeatedly did he accept that it was true. He admired Meng Shanming, and he admired Xue Xiao too.

He admired Meng Shanming for remaining so formidable in old age, and Xue Xiao for being enough of an idiot to lose this badly.

The reason for the letter was Meng Shanming’s judgment that there was no need to hold every inch they had taken. Places that ought to be yielded could still be yielded. Positions that were difficult to defend could be abandoned in favor of strategic and tactical strongpoints, terrain from which they could attack when advancing and defend when retreating. That would be far more worthwhile and would save Nanzhou from having large numbers of troops tied down unnecessarily.

Calculated that way, they would give up some territory, but what remained would still amount to three commanderies.

Niu Youdao, however, had declared from the beginning that no territory already taken was to be surrendered. The letter was therefore asking for his agreement. If he absolutely refused to yield, even Meng Shanming could do little about it.

Niu Youdao casually handed the letter back to Yuan Gang. “Reply to him. Marshal Meng is peerless beneath Heaven. I trust his judgment. Do as Marshal Meng proposes.”

He was not stubborn about it. He knew perfectly well that he understood nothing about warfare. He could not even make sense of what counted as vital military terrain. Meng Shanming was the expert in such things and understood the gains and losses involved. Listening to the expert when appropriate would not be wrong.

Yuan Gang nodded, turned, and left.

...

Inside the Imperial Study of the Yanjing palace, Shang Jianxiong was discussing affairs with several ministers. The atmosphere was relatively relaxed.

A message had arrived from Dingzhou saying that Nanzhou’s forces had already stopped their offensive. Clearly, intervention by the three major sects had produced results, allowing everyone here to breathe easier at last.

“Your Majesty, the Grand Minister of the Masses requests an audience,” a eunuch entered and reported.

A short while later, Gao Jiancheng came in.

Seeing his haggard face and swollen, reddened eyes, several people in the room exchanged looks.

Shang Jianxiong asked, “Grand Minister, why do you look so worn down?”

Gao Jiancheng bowed deeply and said in a grief-stricken voice, “This old minister heard that my son Gao Shaoming became involved in the attack on Maolu Villa, fell into Niu Youdao’s hands, and has already been killed by him. This old minister failed to discipline my son, allowing that rebellious child to act recklessly. I have come specifically to plead guilty before Your Majesty!”

The moment the subject came up, the atmosphere turned awkward. The other ministers immediately lowered their eyes and kept their faces blank.

Everyone knew perfectly well that the attack on Maolu Villa was already an open secret. Gao Shaoming had certainly acted on His Majesty’s orders. Yet no one dared puncture that layer of paper. Doing so would only make the Emperor fly into rage from humiliation.

As for the rumors, everyone present had heard them. Gao Shaoming, unwilling to implicate his family, had smashed his own head against a wall until his face was unrecognizable and killed himself. It was enough to make one sigh.

The room remained quiet for a while before Shang Jianxiong said slowly, “Such a thing actually happened? Could it be only rumor?”

Gao Jiancheng wept. “When this old minister first heard the news, I too found it impossible to believe. Because of that, I acted selfishly once. I went to Prince Long and borrowed one of the imperial clan’s large flying mounts, then had my steward personally rush to Qingshan Commandery and search in secret. He found the body and confirmed it. It truly was that rebellious son. This old minister failed to discipline my son and thereby implicated Your Majesty. I also acted for private reasons and used an imperial-clan resource without authorization. I beg Your Majesty to punish both offenses together!”

The ministers remained silent and showed no reaction. Had this been some other matter, people would probably already have seized the chance to attack Gao Jiancheng.

The office of Grand Minister of the Masses stood among the Three Excellencies, and more than a few people present coveted it. Everyone had thought there would soon be a spectacle to watch. Lately, whenever His Majesty discussed major military or state affairs, he had stopped summoning this Grand Minister, one of the Three Excellencies. The sign could hardly have been clearer.

Everyone had assumed Niu Youdao would certainly use Gao Shaoming to make trouble for Gao Jiancheng. Who could have expected Gao Shaoming to kill himself?

Now it seemed the dead man would have to shoulder the entire blame. His Majesty owed the Gao family an enormous debt.

Those with sharp eyes could not help sighing inwardly. Gao Jiancheng had raised a fine son indeed!

Tian Yu quietly observed Shang Jianxiong’s reaction.

Naturally, the palace had also received word of Gao Shaoming’s suicide. For that reason, the head of the Intelligence Directorate had even been summoned and questioned about whether Gao Shaoming was the sort of man who might kill himself. Gao Shaoming had served in the Intelligence Directorate for many years, so they knew something of his temperament.

Their answer was that a miserable life was still better than a good death, and ordinary people might find it difficult to make themselves commit suicide. But operatives sent into the field by the Intelligence Directorate all underwent special training. Most carried poison concealed in their molars. Gao Shaoming had been no exception. If some sudden crisis threatened to expose their identities or other secrets, they were expected to kill themselves.

The Intelligence Directorate’s judgment was that Gao Shaoming absolutely possessed the resolve to do it. His suicide was entirely plausible.

Shang Jianxiong remained silent for a while before saying slowly, “Grand Minister, your words are too severe. As I understand it, Gao Shaoming joined the Intelligence Directorate when he was young and went undercover in the State of Zhao. Under Directorate rules, he could not contact his family without authorization. After he returned to court, he was sent to Zhao again as an envoy. Over several decades, he spent very little time at your side. It was inevitable that you would have little opportunity to discipline him.”

“So one matter cannot simply be lumped together with another. What Gao Shaoming did is Gao Shaoming’s affair. It has nothing to do with the Grand Minister. As for using an imperial-clan asset without authorization, men are not grass or wood. Who can be without feeling? He was your eldest son. You borrowed the mount to determine the facts, which was also done with the court’s interests in mind. Remember the lesson and do not repeat it.”

So His Majesty really did intend to make his son shoulder the blame without clearing his name. Gao Jiancheng sneered inwardly, but outwardly he wept and cupped his hands. “This old minister will remember. This old minister thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace!”

“However!” Shang Jianxiong’s tone abruptly hardened. “In recent years, members of the imperial clan have indeed become increasingly unruly. Since you are responsible for supervising them, you must keep a much tighter rein. Supervision in words alone is useless. There must be concrete action before anyone will feel deterred.”

“I authorize you to establish an Imperial Clan Punishments Directorate. From now on, all legal punishments involving members of the imperial clan will fall under your exclusive jurisdiction!”

So that was how it was. The ministers quietly exchanged glances.

Not only had His Majesty cleared Gao Jiancheng of blame, he had also handed him authority over punishing the imperial clan. From now on, all those imperial relatives and noble clansmen would have to cultivate this man’s favor and show him proper respect.

This was plainly compensation for the death of Gao Jiancheng’s son.

To some extent, the new arrangement stripped authority from someone else. A few people stirred, tempted to object, only to shrink back the instant Tong Mo swept them with a cold glance.

Thinking it through, they understood. His Majesty was presently preparing to push responsibility for the Maolu Villa attack onto Gao Shaoming, hoping to calm the matter both within and beyond the court. Objecting now would be nothing less than pressing directly on the Emperor’s sore spot and inviting trouble.

They could only sigh inwardly. For quite some time to come, no one was likely to shake Gao Jiancheng’s position.

The reason was simple. Gao Shaoming was not some ordinary official’s son. He was the son of the Grand Minister of the Masses, one of the court’s Three Excellencies. No one was a fool. Afterward, who would not know that Gao Shaoming had taken the blame for His Majesty? The man’s son had given his life for the Emperor and could never even have his grievance cleared. If anyone now tried to move against Gao Jiancheng too, His Majesty would have to consider what every other official at court would think.

“Yes. This old minister obeys the decree!” Gao Jiancheng bowed once more to accept the order.

Just then, a shout came from outside. “Report!”

A eunuch brought in a memorial. Shang Jianxiong read it and instantly erupted in fury. “That bastard Xue Xiao! What kind of war did he fight? In only a few days he managed to lose three of my commanderies. He deserves ten thousand deaths!”

Shang Jianxiong paced back and forth in rage, his face ugly.

The ministers were puzzled. They had known the state of the war for some time. Why was His Majesty suddenly raging over it again?

The memorial was passed around for them to read. Only after Gao Jiancheng saw it did he understand.

Xue Xiao reported that Nanzhou’s forces had indeed stopped attacking. But after withdrawing a short distance, they had stopped retreating. They were now holding key positions, with no sign whatsoever that they intended to return the three commanderies they still occupied to the imperial court.

That left Xue Xiao in an awkward position. Nanzhou had stopped attacking, and he had likewise received a court decree ordering a ceasefire. With matters now like this, recovering the lost territory by force would mean starting the war all over again.

But if he did not recover it, was Dingzhou simply supposed to hand three commanderies over to Nanzhou?

Xue Xiao had no solution and asked the imperial court to decide.

What was the court supposed to do? Issue an edict? As if Nanzhou would obey it!

Retake the territory by force? The crucial problem was that even if they restarted the war, they might still be unable to defeat Nanzhou. If they could win, would things have become this embarrassing in the first place?

It was not difficult to understand His Majesty’s fury. It seemed he would once again have to swallow his pride and beg the three major sects to intervene.

[End of Chapter 617]