Chapter 1529: The Storm Is Coming

The streets were crowded and bustling, with handcarts laden with goods being delivered throughout the city.

Shop assistants greeted customers with smiling faces, peddlers shouted their wares, hardworking adults sweated through their labor, and children wove through the crowds without knowing the taste of worry.

Here and there, people quarreled over household trifles or accidental bumps.

Nanzhou truly had become somewhat crowded.

With the entire framework of the Yan court relocated to Nanzhou, Nanzhou Prefectural Capital had become extraordinarily prosperous. Land in the city was now worth its weight in gold.

Nanzhou's city could not compare in scale with Yanjing. As large numbers of nobles, powerful families, and wealthy merchants arrived, even crude dwellings tucked into neglected corners of the city became expensive property, and people were willing to pay for them. This was not the capital of Yan. Here, on Shang Chaozong's ground, none of those newcomers from Yanjing dared seize property by force. They could only buy it politely with real money.

Quite a few poor households made a windfall. As for where they would shelter from wind and rain afterward, that was not something people driven by immediate survival could afford to think about. Even if they did think about it, there was little they could do. The urgent need to solve today's hardship inevitably obstructed any long view. The poor could only afford to be shortsighted.

Faced with this situation, Lan Ruoting, who presided over civil administration, found himself in a difficult position as well. He could hardly forbid the common people from selling. They had to live. Was he supposed to give them the money himself? All he could do was arrange resettlement for them in more remote areas.

In short, the city's central districts were steadily being taken over by the wealthy, while the poor were indirectly pushed toward the outskirts.

The entire Nanzhou Prefectural Capital resembled one enormous construction site. Old, dilapidated residences were being torn down everywhere and new mansions raised in their place. Powerful families and wealthy merchants who had bought those shabby properties in forgotten corners could hardly be expected to live in them as they were. Naturally, they enclosed the surrounding land and rebuilt it into something suitable for residence.

For a time, craftsmen from every direction flocked to the city, drawn by unusually high wages. Nanzhou simply did not have enough craftsmen of its own. Without offering high pay, there was no one to hire.

Many inns were packed to capacity. Some had been rented out in their entirety.

At this point in Nanzhou, anyone with sound limbs could find work. The powerful pull of the Regent of Great Yan drew resources from every direction in an endless stream, while Yanjing grew more desolate by the day.

Up in a tower, Gao Jiancheng and Lan Ruoting looked out over the flourishing streets, yet what they discussed was Emperor Shang Jianxiong of Yan, now confined within the imperial palace in Yanjing.

Having lost his freedom, Shang Jianxiong had little to do each day beyond throwing tantrums and cursing. The truly devastating thing was that he had lost his power. Even the young eunuchs attending him would show him a sour face once they grew impatient. The consorts, who now had nothing to do but eat and sleep, no longer treated him with the old deference either. Quite a few had secretly begun sleeping with the guards to relieve their loneliness.

Shang Chaozong never brought up Shang Jianxiong of his own accord. Gao Jiancheng therefore found it inappropriate to raise the subject directly with him. Speaking to Lan Ruoting was more suitable. Once Lan Ruoting knew, Gao Jiancheng trusted that he would naturally inform Shang Chaozong.

Gao Jiancheng still held the office of Grand Minister of Works of Yan, yet he kept his posture very low, reporting everything to Lan Ruoting and seeking his opinion at every turn.

After they finished discussing official matters, Lan Ruoting shifted to something personal. "I heard the Grand Minister's son, Gao Shaoming, has come as well?"

Gao Jiancheng sighed with feeling. "At last he can show himself openly. He no longer has to hide from sight."

Lan Ruoting cupped his hands. "The Grand Minister endured humiliation for His Highness's sake, and your son suffered for it as well. Affairs in Nanzhou are extremely busy now, and I lack capable hands at my side. Would the Grand Minister be willing to part with him and let him come help me?"

Gao Jiancheng understood. This was not Yanjing. The old order had been broken and a new one was being built, without the capital's entrenched corruption. Given Gao Jiancheng's own position especially, it would be inappropriate for him to arrange a post for his son through favoritism. If he set that example, everyone below him would imitate it, and Shang Chaozong might well be furious.

Now Lan Ruoting had personally asked for the man. This was repayment for everything Gao Jiancheng had done before.

Gao Jiancheng immediately cupped his hands in return. "For him to serve at the Chief Administrator's side would be his good fortune. I could ask for nothing better!"

Chief Administrator was Lan Ruoting's current office in Nanzhou. Under normal circumstances, its rank could not remotely compare with Grand Minister of Works, but these were hardly normal circumstances.

Lan Ruoting continued, "I also heard the Grand Minister's entire household is still staying at an inn. His Highness ordered me some time ago to find a suitable place for you to settle. Only recently did I finally find somewhere appropriate. It may not be as spacious as your residence in Yanjing. I hope the Grand Minister will not disdain it."

Speaking of this, Lan Ruoting found the man almost excessively thorough. Gao Jiancheng had arranged neither a post for his own son nor a residence for his family. Lan Ruoting refused to believe he lacked the money to buy one. Look at Shang Yongzhong: the first thing that man had done was secure a large mansion and bring his household over.

How could the family of a state's Grand Minister of Works go on living in an inn indefinitely? In the end, even Shang Chaozong had grown embarrassed enough to arrange something for him personally.

Gao Jiancheng looked flattered but did not refuse. "The Regent has shown this old minister great favor. I am deeply humbled and dare not decline. This old minister thanks the Regent for his grace."

After the two parted, Gao Jiancheng returned to the inn and immediately had his household pack up and move.

Once his family had settled into the new residence, Gao Jiancheng changed into plain clothes and quietly went to the Maolu compound, ostensibly to visit Guan Fangyi, who presided over affairs there.

He had already been in Nanzhou for some time. Only after getting everything arranged had he finally come to call.

He had always maintained secret contact with this side, and the visit had been arranged in advance. Guan Fangyi was already waiting inside.

The two exchanged polite courtesies on the surface. Guan Fangyi then invited him in to talk. Once they were out of sight of others, she led Gao Jiancheng into the hidden passage.

Inside the secret chamber, Niu Youdao was already waiting with a smile.

The moment Gao Jiancheng saw him, he hurried forward and saluted. "Master Dao."

Niu Youdao smiled. "Lord Gao, at last we meet again." He turned and gestured for him to sit and have tea.

Old acquaintances meeting again, they spoke at length. When the subject turned to when Shang Chaozong should proclaim himself emperor, Niu Youdao shook his head. "That isn't something I need to consider. When His Highness becomes emperor, and what should happen afterward, are matters for court officials like you to worry about. I have no intention of interfering."

Stroking his beard, Gao Jiancheng pondered. "Once His Highness becomes emperor, it won't be something this old man needs to worry about either. After matters settle smoothly and everything I can do for His Highness has been done, it will be time for me to retire."

Niu Youdao gave an "oh." "Lord Gao sounds dispirited. Have you been pushed aside here? My words may still carry a little weight with His Highness. If something has happened, feel free to say it plainly."

Gao Jiancheng quickly waved both hands and leaned slightly forward, speaking from the heart. "Master Dao, each new sovereign has his own ministers. Among His Highness's people, the man most suited to sit in my present position is Lan Ruoting. Blessings must not be exhausted if they are to endure. I have not been pushed aside, nor have I grown disheartened. I truly am old. I have genuinely begun to think of withdrawing."

Niu Youdao understood. He lifted the pot and poured tea for him. "Lord Gao understands affairs of court better than I do. Your decision must have been considered carefully. Decide for yourself. If you need anything, you may contact me at any time."

...

Inside a pavilion in Song, Zi Pingxiu and Jia Wuqun sat facing each other, one speaking and the other writing.

Their side had likewise remained locked in a contest with Emperor Wu Gongling of Song. Shang Jianxiong of Yan had suffered a coup and fallen from the clouds in an instant. Together with what had happened to Mu Zhuozhen, one warning after another had made Wu Gongling extremely wary. He had begun stripping power from Zi Pingxiu.

Zi Pingxiu refused to surrender that power, and behind his refusal stood Jia Wuqun's counsel. The result was that Wu Gongling could neither coax him into yielding nor easily use force, and had remained unable to do anything about him.

Faced with this deadlock, Jia Wuqun wrote a single line:

Do not hesitate to sacrifice the foundations of the state. Put the interests of the Three Great Sects first and hold fast to that as the root of your strategy. To move against the Chancellor would then be the same as moving against the Three Great Sects, and the Wu clan will have no way to deal with you!

After reading it, Zi Pingxiu sighed. "If this goes on, sooner or later one side will have to die. When will it end?"

Jia Wuqun wrote another line and pushed it across to him:

The storm is coming!

Zi Pingxiu tested, "Soon?"

Jia Wuqun nodded.

...

Jin's relocation of its capital was complete. Just as Shao Pingbo had predicted, Taishu Xiong had moved Jin's capital to the former Wei Capital and established his court there.

Across a vast sweep of farmland, wheat rolled in waves. A convoy stopped, and Taishu Huan'er climbed down with Shao Liuer, two youths, and a smaller child running along behind them.

The group followed a winding stream through the wheat fields, admiring the sight of the harvest soon to come.

"Brother! Brother..." The youngest child had short legs and called after the others from behind.

Taishu Huan'er's bright chatter and laughter carried from ahead. She waved toward the fields and told Shao Liuer that all of this belonged to their household.

They had already gone to inspect the properties Shao Pingbo had acquired early in the new capital. Naturally, Shao Liuer had been given a residence of her own, while Taishu Huan'er had chosen one she liked as well, provoking no small amount of envy from her brothers and sisters. Seeing the vast acreage belonging to their own household now put her in an even better mood.

Wrapped in a cloak, Shao Pingbo strolled slowly along the grassy edge of the fields and gazed into the distance. "Old Shao, have Ziyu and the others all received their allocations?"

Walking beside him, Shao Sansheng said, "Everything has been divided up. It's just that they feel embarrassed accepting such a heavy favor from Young Master."

Shao Pingbo said, "Explain it clearly. I'm not giving those things to them. I simply bought them in advance on their behalf. They still have to pay the original price. There is nothing to be embarrassed about."

Shao Sansheng smiled bitterly. "I explained. I even showed them the deeds proving the price was paid in full at the time of purchase. They still felt embarrassed, saying they were taking advantage of Young Master. In the end, I practically forced them to accept."

So long as they had accepted, that was enough. Shao Pingbo said no more. He bent down, plucked a head of wheat, rubbed a few newly filled grains loose in his palm, blew away the chaff, tossed the kernels into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Looking across the fields, he sighed with feeling. "Another year of good harvest. If only there were no more wars beneath Heaven. If only the common people could live and work in peace, and this sight before us could endure year after year."

Shao Sansheng said, "Young Master knows Qiyun Sect has little choice in the matter, so Jin's eastern campaign is plainly unavoidable. Who knows how much longer this war will continue? Still, something is strange. Nearly half a year has passed, and compared with before, everything beneath Heaven seems far too quiet. The states are leaving one another alone. The sects of the cultivation world are all behaving themselves. The secular world has stopped making trouble, and the cultivation world has stopped making trouble. Everything seems quiet."

Shao Pingbo gazed into the distance, worry entering his eyes. "Is this a world that can truly remain quiet? The quieter it gets, the less normal it becomes. Beneath the calm lies a whirlpool. This is plainly the sign of a storm approaching. Looking at the larger situation beneath Heaven, I have the faint sense that every side is waiting, all of them waiting for some opportunity to arrive. I fear the beginning of Jin's eastern campaign may be that opportunity, the spark that unleashes a violent storm. And that storm may sweep across all beneath Heaven!"

[End of Chapter 1529]