TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR, the streets of Qudu teemed with people in their finest nao'e headdresses, cut from silk or gold paper into the flowers and insects of the new season. As the Spring Festival that marked the new year approached, the common folk prepared pastries and cooked meat at home in anticipation. The palace, of course, had started procuring ingredients for the Court Officials' Feast a fortnight in advance. The entirety of the Court of Imperial Entertainments was scrambling like mad to get everything done, yet only the eunuchs managed to line their pockets in the process—through skimming off the top.
As Xiao Jiming dressed, Xiao Chiye riffled noisily through a book of accounts. "When these local officials enter the capital, they'll doubtless have to offer up ice respects15 to the capital officials. But Pan Rugui is truly impressive in this regard; he's drawn up such a well-organized list. Only after they shell out are they allowed to proceed."
"And this is merely small change at the start of the year." Lu Guangbai brushed aside the foam on his tea. "Let me give you an account: the money a junior eunuch pockets in one year under Pan Rugui far exceeds the funds allocated for a thousand-man battalion stationed at the frontier for two years. Meanwhile, year after year when our Great Zhou deploys troops, the Ministry of Revenue grovels and pleads with us like a child to his father each time they ask us to fight. Yet when the battle is over, we're treated like bastards coming to collect a debt."
"The ones with the money are the real masters," Xiao Chiye said with a smile.
"When we came to the emperor's rescue this year, our Libei troops marched through ice and snow," said Zhao Hui. "The men and horses are tired, and repairs on the armored cavalry's equipment must be completed before spring. The payments we owe the workshops are long overdue. Everything requires money." He carefully did the calculations in his mind. "Before we entered Qudu, the Libei Garrison Troops worked the land where we were stationed and sold the surplus harvest to supplement our funds. We have to count every cent and make every cent count. Our heir's consort can't splurge on fine clothing for the household even for the New Year holiday. The money a palace eunuch like Pan Rugui rakes in exceeds what the entire prefecture of Duanzhou collects in tax. Those investigating censors throw their weight around when they're sent to audit the local governments, but they don't dare utter a word about this corruption when they're at home in Qudu!"
"But what can we do? We're broke," Lu Guangbai lamented. "We worry over money year after year. At least with Jiming in the capital this year the Ministry of Revenue can't drag their feet; they submitted the request for funds to the Grand Secretariat long ago. Pan Rugui has also behaved himself and signed his approval. Libei will likely see the money before he leaves the capital."
Xiao Chiye set aside the accounts and turned to Lu Guangbai. "We have my brother, but what are you going to do?"
"His Majesty won't see me," Lu Guangbai admitted. "The Lu Clan is unpopular in Qudu. The Eight Great Clans have always regarded us as uncouth desert dwellers. The Hua Clan especially can hardly bear to look us in the eye. Even if you advised me to pay every kind of 'respect' to Pan Rugui, I don't have the money to do it; as it is, we've barely enough to put food on the table. Other garrisons can work their land to tide them over the bad times, but Bianjun Commandery is yellow sand for miles. No farmland at all.
"This time, we mustered the troops in a hurry, but all the provisions for the men and horses during the journey were paid for out of Grand Marshal Qi's personal savings. To put it bluntly, if it wasn't for Marshal Qi's generosity, my troops would have never made it past Tianfei Watchtower. But how much money does Marshal Qi have? She's dipping into the dowry given to her by the old consort mother. Her private troops are on the verge of selling their own pants! The Ministry of Revenue passes the buck every day—I've gone round in circles with them till I'm dizzy. Dereliction of duty is what it is: they keep refusing to release the funds, figuring a country bumpkin like me can't do anything about it."
It was rare that Lu Guangbai showed his temper, but he couldn't help it. The Bianjun Commandery defended the empire's desert frontier; aside from Libei, they were the garrison troops who clashed most often with the Biansha Horsemen. They ran themselves ragged sprinting from one place to another year-round, eking out a living under the sharp edges of scimitars. They barely slept and never ate their fill. Yet Qudu snubbed the Earl of Biansha so pointedly that he had become an infamous pauper among princes. His clan kept nothing of the rewards bestowed upon them; every bit had been sold and the money used to replenish military provisions.
When Xiao Jiming had finished dressing, the maidservants filed out, leaving only the four of them in the room. Xiao Jiming took a sip of tea and remarked languidly, "It's good timing this year—the Spring Court Officials' Feast. Qi Zhuyin should be arriving any day, right?"
"That's right," Lu Guangbai answered. "I was worried at first, but on second thought, let them drag this matter out as they please. If they delay until the grand marshal enters the capital—well then, good luck to them."
"They all love her in Qudu right now," Xiao Jiming said. "Even the local thugs and loan sharks in Qudu respect her. Maybe these current accounts can be settled, but you can't keep relying on her. The Bianjun Commandery is of great strategic importance. I heard yesterday that the Ministry of Revenue will be asking you to recruit again this year."
Lu Guangbai stroked the rim of the teacup. "Recruitment? Don't even think about it. Everyone's petrified after what happened in Zhongbo. The Ministry is concerned about Bianjun getting skewered by the Biansha; they worry my twenty thousand troops and horses can't hold them. But if we recruit more soldiers, will they grant us the money to pay them? I certainly can't afford it. Even if they hold a blade to my throat this year, I won't do it."
"That's right." Xiao Chiye straightened up. "In the past, however slow they were to provide for other regions, the Ministry of Revenue was always quick to grant funds and rations to the garrisons in Zhongbo. Now that they're all dead, forget the money—what about the grain? There's no way the Biansha Horsemen could carry it all as they fled."
The other three looked at him.
"Silly boy, you can forget about that," Lu Guangbai said. "All the recovered grain was used to pay salary arrears in the thirteen cities of Juexi this year. Do you see why the Ministry of Revenue keeps dodging the issue? The Eight Clans have spent the better part of the last decade building up the Eight Great Battalions, and their equipment and budgets are the best in our Great Zhou. But all the money came straight from tax funds—over two million taels. Anyone could tell you how insane these numbers are! But if both the empress dowager and Secretariat Elder Hua turn a blind eye, who in the Ministry of Revenue would be brave enough to bring the matter up? The thirteen cities were hit with a plague of locusts last year—not a single grain was harvested. With this bite taken out of the state treasury, where would the Ministry of Revenue find the funds to carry Juexi through the hardship?
"They've only scraped by thanks to the Provincial Administration Commissioner, Jiang Qingshan," Lu Guangbai continued. "He forced the prefectural officials of every rank to open their private granaries and distribute food to the affected commoners. Jiang Qingshan saved hundreds of thousands of people, yet he's loathed by every one of Juexi's officials. Before the new year, I heard debt collectors were banging down his door trying to get their money. The man's a provincial official of the second rank, yet his eighty-year-old mother still has to weave to pay off their debt! They'd be forced to their deaths if Qudu didn't pay up. In the end, it was Secretariat Elder Hai who submitted a report and fought the Grand Secretariat and Pan Rugui for a fortnight, and they still barely managed to make up the shortfall."
Zhao Hui couldn't help but chime in. "These capital officials claim to be poor, but the bribes come in such large figures while the ones doing the real work must tighten their belts. We're walking on eggshells here; we might as well not have made this trip to Qudu. It's disheartening."
Outside, snow was falling, but there was no festive atmosphere within. Messes piled up one after another, and the bright sights of Qudu were like gauze skimming the surface of an open wound, hiding the injury even as pus dirtied the ground. The snow came at a perfect time: concealing everything so beautifully one could pretend not to see the filth beneath, allowing all to keep living like drunkards in this fool's paradise.
In the middle of the night, Pan Rugui sat on the settee with his eyes closed. A paper napkin folded in the shape of a flower sat beside him so he could wipe his hands after meditation. Xiaofuzi didn't dare even breathe too loudly as he waited on the footrest, a brush case in his hands.
After an hour, Pan Rugui exhaled and opened his eyes. Xiaofuzi immediately presented the brush. Frowning in concentration, Pan Rugui wrote a few words in Xiaofuzi's palm.
Xiaofuzi wasted no time buttering him up. "Thanks to His Majesty's recent teachings, Lao-zuzong is becoming more ethereal by the day. Earlier, this little one even saw a wisp of purple smoke rising from your head—how auspicious!"
Pan Rugui wiped his hands and asked, "Do you know why you couldn't get into the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs?"
"Because you dote on me," Xiaofuzi replied.
"My doting on you is one thing." Pan Rugui tossed the paper flower into Xiaofuzi's waiting hands. "You not being able to read the room is another. His Majesty has been enlightened for two years, yet even he still doesn't give off a purple aura. I'm a mere servant. How can I ascend first? Is that not overstepping my bounds?"
Xiaofuzi handed a cup of hot tea to Pan Rugui with an ingratiating smile. "You are my master, my heaven. Seeing Lao-zuzong meditate is like seeing Taishang Laojun himself! Why on earth would I think more of it?"
"Mm." Pan Rugui rinsed his mouth. "This filial piety of yours is about the only worthy skill you have."
Xiaofuzi snickered as he leaned close to Pan Rugui's leg. "The Spring Festival is almost upon us; it's only right I show my filial respect toward Lao-zuzong. While I was making New Year's preparations earlier, I spied a breathtaking beauty in Prince Chu's manor! I made some inquiries and thought, if His Majesty has no use for her, she really ought to be offered to you instead."
"How breathtaking could she be?" Pan Rugui wondered. "Can she compare to Third Lady Hua? Besides, isn't she in Prince Chu's possession? The prince has an obstinate temper; I'm afraid he won't let her go without a fight."
"No matter how noble Prince Chu is, he can't very well be nobler than His Majesty, can he? His Majesty didn't speak against it, so why shouldn't I present her to you? No need to worry; all the proper arrangements will be made before the start of spring. By the time you lay eyes on her, only her good or ill fortune will determine whether or not you accept your gift."
Pan Rugui set the teacup aside. "There's no hurry. I'm not an avaricious or lecherous man. But speaking of the obstinate Prince Chu, how is Second Young Master Xiao faring in the capital?"
Xiaofuzi kneaded Pan Rugui's legs. "Ha! That Second Young Master Xiao is really something. He's been carousing every night since the moment he entered the capital! Aside from eat, drink, and make merry, he hasn't done a single thing. Prince Chu and his ilk have readily adopted him into their company; birds of a feather really do flock together!"
"That's all well and good, but he's still a member of the Xiao Clan. His Majesty placed him in the Imperial Regalia Service, but it feels too close for comfort—the idea makes me uneasy." Pan Rugui considered for a moment, then broke into a smile. "I've just thought of the perfect spot for him. Put on my shoes. I'm going to Mingli Hall to serve His Majesty!"
The next day was the Court Officials' Feast of the Spring Festival. After several uneventful hours, the feast had begun to wind down when the Xiande Emperor raised his voice. "A-Ye, have you been comfortable in Qudu?"
Xiao Chiye stopped peeling a tangerine to answer. "Yes, Your Majesty, I have."
The Xiande Emperor turned to Xiao Jiming. "We've been thinking. Assigning A-Ye to the Imperial Regalia Service is a waste of his skills. He's a talented lad who has served on the battlefield. Keeping him so close at our side is too restrictive. How about this: let A-Ye go to the Imperial Army. Xi Gu'an used to command the Imperial Army, but now he's overseeing the Eight Great Battalions. He's up to his neck in work, so A-Ye can take his place as supreme commander."
Lu Guangbai immediately frowned. At the very least, the Imperial Regalia Service worked under the nose of the emperor. If anything should happen, His Majesty couldn't ignore it. What good was the Imperial Army? These days, they might as well be the errand boys of Qudu. Was this a reward? How could it be considered one?!
But before Lu Guangbai could rise to his feet in protest, Xiao Chiye was already bowing his gratitude.
"Supreme commander sounds awfully impressive, almost like a marshal." Xiao Chiye flashed a careless grin. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Secretariat Elder Hua laughed boisterously. "His Majesty is wise! Now here's a young hero in the making, Shizi."
The sounds of congratulations rose and fell through the banquet hall like the tide. Xiao Jiming smiled but said nothing as he gazed at Xiao Chiye.
"This arrangement may as well be a knife at Jiming's heart," Lu Guangbai murmured to Zhao Hui as he put his head down to drink.
When the banquet ended, Xiao Chiye disappeared without a trace. His rowdy friends had clamored to congratulate him on his promotion, and he'd happily obliged. When they finally emerged from taverns and pleasure houses long after midnight, it was with unsteady steps.
Prince Chu, Li Jianheng, was a few years older than Xiao Chiye and a true scoundrel. Even as he stepped up to his sedan, he was tugging at Xiao Chiye's sleeve, slurring, "Mighty impressive of you! In the Imperial Army, you won't have to bother with patrols or defenses. It's an idle job with a decent salary. No need to put your life on the line, yet you still get the money. All the best things in the world have fallen into your lap! I bet you'll be laughing in your sleep!"
Xiao Chiye also grinned, sharp and wicked. "That's right. Isn't that why I brought you out for drinks first thing? From now on, we'll storm the streets of Qudu together!"
"Yes, yes!" Li Jianheng sighed blearily and clapped Xiao Chiye on the shoulder. "That's the spirit! Come to my manor in a few days, and I'll…toast you again…"
Xiao Chiye watched the sedan dwindle into the distance before mounting his own horse. He had personally bred this steed from a line of wild horses he'd tamed at the foot of the Hongyan Mountains. It was swift and fierce, with a coat that was pure black save for a snow-white patch on its chest. As Xiao Chiye urged it forward, the shops that lined the street moved to light their lanterns to illuminate his way. He raised a hand. "Put them out."
The shop attendants exchanged glances, but none dared disobey. The lanterns winked out one by one until only the dim glow of the frosty moonlight remained, reflected on the icy road. Xiao Chiye whistled, and his gyrfalcon swooped down from the darkness of night, echoing his call. He spurred his horse forward, and the battle steed snorted a cloud of hot steam and broke into a gallop.
The strong wind battered Xiao Chiye, dissipating the flush from the alcohol. In the dark, he was like a cornered beast trying to break free, the hoofbeats the sound of him crashing against his prison walls. He sped through the deserted streets. The smile on his face dropped away under the cover of darkness until all that remained was a cold, lonely silence.
Who knew how long the horse had been running when Xiao Chiye tumbled off. He crashed heavily into a large snowdrift and remained there, head down. The horse trotted around him, lowering its head to nudge his. The gyrfalcon, perched on his saddle, tilted its head to look quizzically at him.
Xiao Chiye heaved, trying to keep it together, but soon gave up—he propped himself up and vomited into the snow. After several minutes, he finally lurched to his feet and leaned against the wall. The bone ring he wore on his thumb was a little loose, and now he realized it had fallen off during his tumble. He had just bent to search for it in the snow when he heard a low voice from a short distance away.
"Who goes there?"
Xiao Chiye ignored it.
A squad leader of the Imperial Army held out his lantern to light the way. "How dare—ah, Your Excellency?"
Xiao Chiye turned. "You know me?"
The squad leader shook his head honestly. "I'm afraid I don't recognize Your Excellency…"
"I'm your big brother." Xiao Chiye cast away his soiled cloak and dropped his eyes back to the snow, hunting for his thumb ring. He cursed under his breath. "Lantern—here. You—elsewhere."
The squad leader cautiously drew closer. "You're Er-gongzi, aren't you? We just received the decree. It's a little early for an inspection—it's still dark out. Maybe if you come again tomorrow…"
Xiao Chiye held out his hand, and the squad leader handed over the lantern.
"What is this place?" Xiao Chiye asked.
"The wall marks the perimeter of Qudu; this is the Temple of Guilt," the squad leader respectfully replied.
"That'll be all."
The squad leader knew a dismissal when he heard one; he was about to back away when he heard Xiao Chiye's voice ring out once more. "Is Shen Zechuan here? Inside the temple?"
"Yes." The squad leader grew apprehensive. "He's detained in—"
"Bring him out."
For a moment the squad leader was stunned. Then he blurted, "That won't do! Not even if you're the supreme commander! His Majesty strictly forbade—"
"In the Imperial Army, I have final say." Xiao Chiye lifted the lantern.
The squad leader stuttered nervously, "Even so, don't k-kill…"
"I want him to fucking come out here and sing a little song for my pleasure!" Xiao Chiye flung the lantern aside, and the light went out. He stood in the dark, his eyes filling with cruelty.