Sha Po Lang

But not yet waiting for Jiang Chong to catch it, Chang Geng once again casually praised as if nothing happened: “Minister Fang is truly talented, a great officer who could govern the world in peace time*.”

*There was an old saying: a great officer in peacetime, a traitor in war time

Yan Wang spoke lightly and applauded sincerely, as if the killing intent that could not be described just now was Jiang Chong’s own imagination. Only the words ‘in peace time’ was used very subtly.

Fang Qin’s paper pointed directly to the concerns of Emperor Long An. He did not comment on whether it was good or bad to classify the refugees into factories. He only held on to the safety problems of Ziliujin supervision, and even dragged Gu Yun into this: “The thing that tens of thousands of Black Iron Camp generals who fought hard in the front line to bring back, how could we use them freely? Would that not make the loyal soldiers and generals feel disappointed?”

Gu Yun himself would not care too much about it, but Li Feng’s scales were greatly provoked*. When Chang Geng advised Zhang Feng Han to concede on the Ziliujin matter, he also said, to an Emperor, Ziliujin resembled another national seal, starting from the beginning of the wise and godly Emperor Wu. Moreover, the royal private treasury accumulated in Jinghua Garden for generations was burnt in an hour. Since then, it was natural that Li Feng would only feel insecure.

*to provoke someone’s scale is to touch at a topic sensitive to them

Later, Fang Qin gave a detailed list of the possible consequences of selling Ziliujin to private businessmen.

For example, after opening this gap, how would they be able to identify the Ziliujin in the hands of private businessmen whether they were bought from the court, or were smuggled?

If the price of Ziliujin smuggled by foreigners was lower, then the profit-seeking businessmen would naturally favor the illegal goods. Private collection, private sale, and smuggling of Ziliujin had been prohibited repeatedly but could not be eliminated, would it not become even more out of control in the future?

For another example, if there was no accident, the factory building industry would last longer than the ordinary people’s lifetime. Even if the court only granted these thirteen private business permissions, what would their descendants do?

The place that required Ziliujin would only grow more and more in the future, otherwise it would be difficult to continue on. Thus, must the court give their children and grandchildren permission as well? What about the separation of children and grandchildren? What if the factory was bought? If the permission could also be sold, then was it not too convenient for criminals to hoard steel armor and firearms for rebellion in the future?

But if this kind of permission could only be granted once, to the person and not the factory, then when the thirteen people with the permit died and the factory would be dismissed, would it not return to the scene of refugees running rampant?

Now this generation of refugees knew that it was the foreign enemies who caused them to run astray. It was the court that had given them food and a place to be. But what would they think if after decades, refugees reappeared once again? They would only think that it was the court that had forcefully withdrawn their permit, smashing their means of making a living… In this way, would it not solve the temporary crisis but planted endless disasters?

In addition, there were various other concerns, Fang Qin finally concluded in elegant terms: in summary, those who encouraged the sale of Ziliujin to private merchants were either simple-minded, worrying about the head but not the tail, only looking at the present but not how the future would end, or simply a stick stirring shit up, fishing in troubled waters, there was no telling what their intention was.

Minister Fang was incredibly skillful with a pen, a long paper with each and every sentence poking into the heart of Emperor Long An.

“If this paper was sent to the Grand Council first by the usual way, we would still have the ability to stop it,” Jiang Chong exclaimed, “but… alas, the Fang family’s power is deeply rooted in the court.”

Chang Geng suddenly laughed.

Jiang Chong was baffled by his laughter.

Yan Wang slowly took a sip of the tea from the table and said, whether consciously or unconsciously, “What Minister Fang spoke of was a matter of urgency, not a bunch of nonsensical praises and virtue. His words were very reasonable, there was nothing wrong with them. Even if it was sent to the Grand Council, what reason do we have to stop it? Han Shi, was what you said logical? What is the Grand Council? Is it a place used to cheat and disrespect the people up and down? Taking advantage of power to throw off the proper order?”

Although he spoke in a mild tone, his words were heavy. Jiang Chong was shocked: “Your Highness…”

Chang Geng, with a slightly restrained look, interrupted him faintly: “Today’s words that came from your mouth, flowing into my ears, they will not reach a third person, let’s forget it. But I do not want to hear similar words again in the Grand Council.”

Jiang Chong responded hurriedly: “Yes, this lowly officer has gone too far.”

Chang Geng’s face softened down and told a lie: “My experience is limited. When I encounter a problem, my experience and self-cultivation are insufficient. I regard you as my own family thus I have not considered my words, whether they are too light or too heavy. Brother Han Shi, don’t take it to heart.”

Jiang Chong continuously said, “I dare not”.

He was promoted by Yan Wang. Others would assume that he was his trusted servant, but he himself felt more and more unable to see through the superior he owed a lot to.

It was certain that the forces headed by Fang family would not sit back and watch the new patch of officials who took advantage of these opportunities when the country lacked money to raise up, they would spare no effort to suppress them.

Others may not be clear, but Jiang Chong knew that these so-called ‘new officials’ were precisely supported by Yan Wang — from the reform of officials, and even earlier, from when the issue of Feng Huo tickets begun, it was already paving the way.

If he had prepared slowly for so long, then what was his final goal?

Was His Royal Highness Yan Wang truly selfless, was everything he did to alleviate the country from the temporary crisis? Did he really have no desire just as how he had always shown himself, and when the foreign enemy would withdraw, he would immediately go home to be an idle prince who ate royal salary?

If that was the case, why did he have to work so hard to lay out such a large foundation?

But if Yan Wang was only deceiving the world with this great lie, and that he had another plan in mind… what else could he calculate?

He was the only living relative of the current Emperor , and the only prince of Great Liang. If he wanted to go further, the only thing left….was that position.

But this was totally unreasonable. If Yan Wang really intended to become the Emperor, when Emperor Long An personally told him to succeed, why did he resist the decree?

To say the least, even if he refused at that time then started to regret it, why did he use the status of Yan Wang to offend all the most important ministers of the court? Wasn’t it more rational to pull more people to his side?

In confusion, Jiang Chong asked carefully, “But your Highness, even after this officer read the paper, I am also full of doubts about the establishment of private factories, let alone the Emperor? But if this cannot be carried out, then how can the court appease to the people who have made great contributions to the country like Master Du, and how can the refugees be settled down?”

“You were wrong about this matter,” Chang Geng said with a profound laugh. “The Emperor will only be full of doubts about the sale of Ziliujin to private merchants after he sees it. Now that Master Fang has made it so clear that the sale of Ziliujin for merchants is not feasible, why don’t we think about how to solve this problem. Would that not satisfy both parties?”

Jiang Chong was stunned.

Chang Geng: “Go back and prepare for it, the gentlemen should arrive a little earlier tomorrow. The Grand Council will discuss this matter before the court meeting. Don’t let my Royal Brother down.”

Jiang Chong responded then stood up to say goodbye. For a moment, from Yan Wang‘s very calm words, he could hear some indescribable certainty in them. It seemed as if he had already anticipated this paper from Fang Qin and had already thought of the solution to deal with it next.

But… if he already had a solution, why did he not start by putting it forward? Why must he take a roundabout way?

What’s the use of this route, besides intensifying the contradiction between the newcomers of the Feng Huo tickets and the noble families?

“Oh, by the way, Han Shi.” Chang Geng called him.

Jiang Chong, who had a heavy heart, came back to his senses, thinking that he had something important to instruct him. He listened attentively.

Chang Geng: “Ask Wangnan Building to wrap up two kilograms of fried small yellow croaker with salt for me. I’ll take it back later. Thank you very much.”

Master Jiang slipped and almost rolled down the stairs.

At this time, Gu Yun, who was kept behind by Emperor Long An, was able to leave before the door of the palace was locked.

The deployment of battle equipment could only be submitted to the Emperor for approval by the Grand Council after it was reviewed by the Marquis of Order. The latest Ziliujin deployment plan should be handed over to Gu Yun after the court, who knew that the Emperor had kept him behind until this hour. Shen Yi had to wait until the night was approaching. As he was yawning in boredom, he saw Gu Yun slowly walking out.

“What took you so long?” Shen Yi stepped up. “I even assumed you were quarrelling with the Emperor again over something.”

Gu Yun took the paper he was going to present and turned it over. “I will look at it after I get home — what is there to quarrel about, already at this age.”

Shen Yi: “…”

He looked at Gu Yun in shock, his tongue tied together: “Al…Already at this age? Marshal, are you okay? What did the Emperor say to you?”

How did it turn the ‘northwest flower’ showing his beauty all day long to become ‘already at this age’!

Gu Yun glanced sadly at his shoulder. The little prince’s drool was still wet from lying on him.

If a person was single for a long time, it was always easy to feel that they were still in their youth. Unknowingly, he had moved up to the rank of being a ‘granduncle’. It suddenly reminded him that if he were to be someone with a short lifespan, he had already gone through half of his life.

“Nothing.” Gu Yun said absently as he walked along, “Maybe he was frustrated by the noisy court arguments, grabbing me to say a few tiring words… From childhood, the Emperor had always loved to fight for power and was eager to win. He must overwhelm others in everything he did. When he first came to the throne, it was not like he never thought about coming to Mt. Tai presenting his merits to the heaven, yet over the years he had become like this, He…well, it had not been easy either.”

Shen Yi, with his hands behind his back, listened silently. Every time as it came to these damn rotten things involving royalty, he always felt incredibly tired. With Emperor Yuan He who had already entered the Imperial Mausoleum as the leader, that one was more capricious than the other. Three joyful days, he would bestow upon one immense grace, brought them to power that could command the world. Two hateful days, he would turn one into a prisoner in the blink of an eye. If one did not do a good job, there was no telling whose blade their life was hanging onto.

Taking a look at Emperor Yuan He, if he had been able to be resolute from the start, Gu Yun who had been reborn again would be old enough to get married already. However, on one hand, the man wanted to eliminated the Gu family, yet time and time again, he did not have the heart to do it. Like a cold-hearted hunter who had sealed off the tiger’s den, everything had already been done, yet he had softened in front of the trembling tiger cub, taking it home instead and raised like a cat. Genuine killing intent, but also genuine adoration — in the end, it had raised one Gu Yun with deep sentiment. He really did not know whether it was a success or a failure.

Shen Yi sighed, “We do not know the difficulties in the court since we have always been fighting outside. We can now see it had not been easy for His Highness Yan Wang over this half a year. Guess what, my father still said to me yesterday, saying that I was a ’Cylon who lost his horse, perhaps it could be a blessing’. Although my family was not famous, we have participated in the imperial examination for generations, rightfully earning royal salaries. At that time, I stubbornly insisted on entering Ling Shu. The old man was fine, but my aunts and grandmother were crazy. Later, I ran out of Ling Shu to join the army with you, becoming even worse… tch, let’s not mention it anymore. In short, in the eyes of my aunts and uncles, I truly am a hopeless family disgrace.”

Gu Yun disapproved: “You have earned real military merits, how can it be a disgrace?”

“That’s to say, but now my old man felt that this is fortunate,” Shen Yi said. “He said that nowadays there are hidden forces everywhere, the situation is getting more and more complicated. Instead, it’s better and more certain to follow you out there to battle. At least the point of the muzzle is aimed directly at the enemy.”

Gu Yun, on the other hand, did not feel at ease, but more stuck. He did not know what role Chang Geng played in this chaotic court. So far, the Grand Council seemed to be only meant for a special period. The entire country using ‘prioritizing battle’ to coordinating the national strength and the ministers, although they imitated the system of the former dynasty, serving as the center directly presenting the papers to the Emperor, commanding six departments, but each of the people inside still retained his or her original position as if the Grand Council could be abolished at any time once the war situation had subsided.

With Yan Wang as the leader, the Grand Council had been revolving around the needs of the Emperor and the major military regions. The intent of its members seemed to be covered in a thick fog.

“Let’s not talk about these bad things anymore,” Shen Yi interrupted his thoughts. “By the way, does His Highness Yan Wang still live in the Marquis’s manor? What on earth is going on between the two of you?”

Gu Yun: “…”

Shen Yi wasn’t able to catch the expression of ‘one word could not describe it all’ on his face. He chattered to himself: “I heard that in the past, His Highness Yan Wang always lived in the Grand Council for a long time. Recently, he started to come home on time. It seems to have started with your return to the capital… Even if he does not take it seriously, he would not dare to use you as an entertainment either.”

He talked about his feelings. Gu Yun did not know whether he was expressing his feelings for Yan Wang‘s difficulties, that the surname Gu should quickly go with him, or was he warning Gu Yun that this love would shock the world, that he should stop when it should be. Gu Yun could not grasp his meaning, He frowned and said, “I don’t understand, what do you mean?”

“It means I don’t know what to do about this either,” Shen Yi said, scratching his ear, “I am only worrying about you.”

Gu Yun: “…”

He felt that Shen Yi was not worrying about him, but simply bringing further more discomfort to him.

But either way, they had already slept together, Shen Yi’s words were already eight lifetimes too late. Although Marshal Gu had a thick skin, it was not convenient to announce this to the world either.

Seeing that Shen Yi was still following him, and did not seem to want to go back to his own house, he raised his eyebrows angrily and said, “What are you following me for? Are you going come to the manor and watch how I worry?”

Shen Yi let out a stiff laugh and said, “Zi Xi, we have been friends for so many years. Let me have a meal?”

Gu Yun said in surprise, “Your family is too poor to cook?”

Shen Yi, contrary to his usual broken mouth, hesitated for a while before saying, “My father… recently, he wanted to arrange a marriage for me, um… he was a little too enthusiastic, I can not provoke the old man, hence I had to hide everywhere — hey, do you have enough, stop laughing, is there anyone who would repay kindness with betrayal like this? Hmp, when you are sorrowful, I am there with you, when I am sorrowful, you rejoice in my misfortune…”

In the middle of his speech, Gu Yun laughed until he was unable to breathe: “I… truly had my eyes opened. For the first time, I saw a general who had to go ask for a free meal due to being forced to marry.”

Shen Yi: “… Gu Zi Xi, are we still friends? Just shut up and treat me to a good meal, then I will forgive you.”

He regretted not taking good advantage of when Gu Yun was unable to get out of bed to take revenge. Truly — good and honest people always got bullied.

After Gu Yun was tired with laughter, he comforted him just for the sake of it. “Come on, please count your blessings. Someone was there to urge meant that your parents are healthy, I do not have anyone to urge me even if I wanted.”

Shen Yi listened with a somewhat lonely look and said, “My father may be afraid that I will die on the battlefield and was anxious to reserve a descendant for Shen family. For so many years, I truly had never managed to cease his worry, that is… I know for myself that I am very particular by nature, if I had a wife and children, I’m afraid it would be difficult for my mind to stay focused in the frontier. You’re already lonely enough. If I were to leave as well…”

Gu Yun did not laugh, he stopped and looked back at him from two steps away.

Shen Yi: “Recently I can see that you intend to quit after you succeed. When the foreigners had been driven back, the Emperor can not trouble you anymore. Besides, His Highness Yan Wang, who was careful and righteous since childhood, towards you, he…  I’m sure he can take care of you. I have been drifting for so many years, it’s time for me to settle down and start a family.”

“Ji Ping,” Gu Yun said, “Is it possible that…”

Shen Yi waited for him to speak.

Gu Yun: “… You are also secretly in love with me?”

Shen Yi tripped over the rocks on the ground.

Gu Yun shook his head and sighed, “Natural beauty is hard to abandon, being too handsome is also a crime.”

At last, Shen Yi could not bear it. He roared, “Do you still know shame!”

In an instant, all of General Shen’s concern and sorrow turned into a rage. He quarrelled with Gu Yun all the way back to the manor. Unexpectedly, they met Yan Wang who had just returned from Wangnan Building at the gate.

In front of General Shen, Chang Geng greeted him very politely and handed Gu Yun the pack of small yellow croaker. “These just came out of the pot  Last time, yifu said it was delicious, I had bought a little along the way.”

Shen Yi laughed stiffly.

Gu Yun let out a dry cough.

Chang Geng’s gaze and expression – Shen Yi felt that his decision to come to the Marquis’s Manor for a meal was very wrong, even his eyes had gone blind. Gu Yun already felt his waist ache as he heard the words ‘yifu’.

His Royal Highness Yan Wang had immediately defeated two generals who were jumping about with his appearance, and with a smile, he led them into the door.

To be Continued…