The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 86 Civil Officials (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Kaifeng has lost its former liveliness.

Most of the houses and shops along the streets and alleys had their doors and windows tightly closed.

Xiao Yi could sometimes see eyes peering through the cracks, and sense the city's numbness and fear of war.

The Shi Mansion appeared at the edge of the field of vision. The stone steps were covered with thick snow, the gate was sealed, and the bloodstains on the walls had congealed into black, presenting a scene of decay. The once bustling mansion of a powerful minister was now like a huge and silent tomb.

He remained completely unmoved by this.

As he approached the Li residence and saw that the gate was tightly closed, he felt a little uneasy, worried that the traces he left when he escaped from the Shi residence might implicate the Li family.

Fortunately, the snow on the stone steps of the side gate had been swept away, indicating that the mansion was operating normally.

"Tuk-tuk-tuk."

Xiao Yi knocked on the copper ring.

The doorman peeked at him through the crack in the door and then came a fawning voice.

“My master has been retired for many years and does not receive guests. Please leave.”

"Please inform Lord Xinchen or Brother Mingyuan that Xiao Yi has returned from the north and has sent a reply."

"Hold on."

After a while, the side door was opened, and the doorman welcomed them in and immediately went to close the door.

Xiao Yi had been here once before. Without waiting for the gatekeeper to lead the way, he strode straight inside.

As soon as they reached the corridor, Li Fang walked towards them, wearing a blue official robe. He looked more composed and melancholic than before. When they met, he stopped, put his hands in his sleeves to warm them, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"You're still as rude as ever. Last time you climbed over the wall, this time you just barged in."

"The matter is urgent, so I won't stand on ceremony with Lord Xinchen and Brother Mingyuan."

"That's fine, it's best to keep clear accounts. I was just thinking yesterday that it's time to start collecting interest on the money I lent out."

After exchanging a few words, Xiao Yi approached, a smile appearing on his face, and bowed solemnly.

"Brother Mingyuan, how have you been?"

"You've grown taller and stronger in just half a month?"

"The Northern Army has good food. I was just worried about whether you encountered any trouble after I left that night."

"I can resolve this myself."

"How was it done?"

“It’s simple. We proactively told the Imperial Guards that someone had broken into the residence and fled north… I created quite a few false impressions.”

"Impressive."

"You've lost the precious sword I gave you?"

Xiao Yi was taken aback, then replied, "I gave it to someone else, but I have kept Brother Mingyuan's kindness."

"I only hope that my kindness is worth the price I deserve."

"I wonder if this letter is worthwhile?"

Xiao Yi took out Guo Wei's reply.

Li Fang's eyes lit up, a rare look of surprise on his face.

He refused to take it, saying, "You can give it to Lord Xinchen yourself. He was planting plum trees just now and will come after changing his clothes. Hmm, I also sent someone to tell my cousin. I don't know if she has come to see you."

"it is good."

As they were talking, they arrived at the study, but Li Tao had not yet come.

The two sat down, and Li Fang, without calling for servants, lit a charcoal fire to warm his hands and chatted casually.

In reality, they were gathering intelligence on the Northern Army.

"Looks like you came back pretty quickly."

"After all, the royal army's advance was unstoppable, sweeping away all obstacles."

"Is it Dong Zhuo or Cao Cao who's coming?"

"How can you be sure it wasn't Emperor Wen of Sui?"

Li Fang paused, then asked, "You have such a high opinion of him?"

Xiao Yi felt this deeply this time, and said, "What kind of evaluation the commander-in-chief will ultimately receive depends on who assists him. If he has talents like Lord Xinchen and Brother Mingyuan..."

"Wait a minute." Li Fang raised his hand and said, "I'm not buying it."

With a burst of vigorous, hearty laughter, a figure turned past the window into the long corridor and entered the study.

"Haha, Xiao Lang visited me late last night, assuming I was still awake. Now you've arrived before dusk, so you must be sure I haven't eaten yet? Then please stay for a meal."

"Lord Xinchen, how have you been?"

Li Tao, still wearing his worn-out dark blue crane cloak, sat unhurriedly behind his desk, making no attempt to hide the joy on his face or the worry in his eyes.

"I am fortunate to have fulfilled my mission and have come to deliver Lord Guo's reply."

"Good lad, I was right about you. You dared to return from a dangerous place. You've got guts."

As Li Tao spoke, he stroked his beard and said self-deprecatingly, "In an era where military men hold power, it is truly rare for Guo Que'er to be willing to reply to an old civil official like myself."

Xiao Yi thought back for a moment and realized that if it weren't for his request, Guo Wei hadn't really paid much attention to Li Tao's letter.

He didn't bring up the matter, but bowed and said, "The commander-in-chief has lofty ambitions and a benevolent heart. He is not the same kind of person as Shi Hongzhao."

"Is that so? Please allow me to take a look."

At this moment, Li Fang took the letter, opened it, and lit a candle.

Li Tao rubbed his old eyes and looked at the scene by candlelight. His usually calm expression gradually became serious.

It was as if every word of this letter weighed a thousand pounds on his shoulders; by the end, the wrinkles on his face had deepened.

"A fierce and powerful army is at the city gates!"

After saying this, he handed the letter to Li Fang.

"Mingyuan, take a look."

"Yes."

After reading it, Li Fang sighed and said, "What a fine line: 'If Prime Minister Li hesitates, the soldiers will be restless after the battle and it will be difficult to control them when the city falls.' Marshal Guo's words are a threat to Lord Xinchen."

Li Tao said, "Is this the difference between Guo Que'er and Shi Hongzhao?"

"Excuse my bluntness," Xiao Yi said, "The commander-in-chief is not threatening Lord Xinchen, nor is there any need for it. He is telling the truth."

"Oh?"

Xiao Yi then truthfully recounted Wang Jun's promise, the soldiers' enthusiasm for plundering, and the opposition from Wang Yin and others.

After listening, Li Tao closed his eyes, as if he was thinking, or as if he was too tired and needed to rest for a while.

After a moment's thought, Li Fang suddenly said, "I dare say that when Marshal Guo ranks the merits, Wang Jun will be ranked first and become the prime minister, in charge of both military and political affairs."

"Why?" Xiao Yi believed that Wei Renpu was the one who devised the plans and put in a lot of effort, and Guo Wei obviously trusted Wei Renpu more, while he was quite polite to Wang Jun, addressing him as "brother" except when issuing military orders.

Li Fang said, "Wang Jun was originally a military supervisor with a superior position. His prestige in the army was second only to Marshal Guo. Now, with the words 'Listen to the plundering for ten days,' he has won over the hearts of the soldiers with ease, and his prestige has grown even higher. Marshal Guo can no longer underestimate him. Once the great cause is established, he will surely be relied upon."

"I see."

"Moreover, transporting grain from Yedu would cost more than ten times as much, and with the national treasury empty, the Northern Army would have no money or provisions to reward them. If the war drags on, they will have no choice but to plunder. At that time, Wang Jun, who proposed allowing plundering, will only gain more prestige."

Xiao Yi was already puzzled as to why such a smooth battle required plundering, and he also had some guesses about Guo Wei and Wang Jun's attitudes. Now, after hearing Li Fang's explanation, he suddenly understood.

"In that case, the only way to stop this is to quell the unrest as quickly as possible, isn't it?"

Li Tao didn't open his eyes, but instead asked, "What if Guo Que'er changes her mind?"

"No," Xiao Yi said. "Although the commander-in-chief has his reasons, he is definitely not that kind of person."

"At that time, he will be the butcher, and the people of the city will be the fish on the chopping block. What use will promises be then?"

"Would you trust me, my lord? I have traveled thousands of miles without ever breaking my promise. I trust my own judgment."

This time, Li Fang was very decisive. He turned to Li Tao and bowed deeply to the ground.

“My lord, things have come to this point, and there is no other way. To relieve the suffering of the people, we must help Marshal Guo stabilize the situation as soon as possible and withdraw his troops. This matter is not about loyalty or integrity, but about the well-being of the entire city. I hope you will make a decision soon.”

Xiao Yi promptly agreed, saying, "Brother Mingyuan is absolutely right. We should surrender the city as soon as possible to save face for the court and prevent further bloodshed."

Li Tao sighed deeply and murmured, "The mandate of heaven is ever-changing; only virtue can guide us."

After that, there was a silence of about three breaths.

The old man opened his eyes.

"Young Master Xiao, I am but a scholar who has resigned from his official post. What do you expect me to do?"

"I did not enter the city alone. My five hundred elite soldiers have now completely taken control of the south gate, captured and persuaded the city's Imperial Guard commander, Li Hongjian, to surrender..."

"What?" Li Tao exclaimed in surprise, "You actually managed to do that?"

“That’s right.” Xiao Yi said calmly, “I intend to kill Li Ye and Liu Zhu. In this way, the chaos can be quelled in one fell swoop. You only need to contact the respected ministers in the court and persuade Empress Dowager Li to go out of the city to welcome the commander-in-chief when he arrives. Once the cause is established, Kaifeng will be safe.”

Last time, in the trivial matter of whether or not to save Xiao Yi, Li Tao's power was like a mountain; now that Guo Wei's army is approaching, Li Tao's power has become like a withered leaf.

Without hesitation, he finally nodded and said, "Very well, I will step forward to persuade the officials of the court and Empress Dowager Li."

Xiao Yi bowed again and said, "In that case, I entrust everything to Lord Xinchen."

"It's kind of you to give me face. Actually, I know that no one can stop Guo Wei from entering the city. In this world, civil officials are as insignificant as a feather. You've come here more to repay a favor to me."

"No." Xiao Yi said seriously, "Everyone says that the emperor is the one with the strongest army, but we don't see emperors changing as quickly as water. Life is too difficult. If we want the world to improve, we can't rely on military men alone. We need to give equal importance to both civil and military affairs. That is the way to long-term stability. I have come here today to sincerely ask all the civil officials to step forward and do their part for the country."

Li Tao remained silent for a long time, then looked deeply at Xiao Yi with his weathered old eyes and nodded slightly.

Even Li Fang's gaze towards Xiao Yi changed.

They said nothing more; everything was understood without words.

"I have other important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

“Very well, I’ll visit your residence again when I have time, and we can have a drink together. I won’t see you off today… Mingyuan, prepare the horse, I’m going to see Lord Feng.”

"Yes."

Li Fang laughed and said, "It seems my cousin isn't coming."

Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback, then bowed and prepared to leave.

Turning around, I saw a figure running quickly across the corridor outside the paper window. The figure stopped just before reaching the door, tidied its hair, and then slowly walked forward.

Even though it's just a blurry silhouette, you can still feel her graceful demeanor.

"Lord Xinchen, the snow is heavy today, and the lady said you forgot your umbrella..."

Li Zhaoning, still wearing her blue sable cloak and holding a paper umbrella, strolled to the door with elegant steps.

She raised her bright eyes, which had been lowered, and saw Xiao Yi. She showed just the right amount of surprise and said, "It's you? I had no idea who it was."

Xiao Yi nodded slightly and said, "Long time no see."

"Long time no see... Shall I give you a ride?"

"it is good."

The two walked out of the mansion.

After a while, Xiao Yi took the umbrella from Li Zhaoning and held it up to shield himself from the snow.

"What impressive armor! You've become a general in the Northern Army?"

"You guessed right, but these are Imperial Guard armor."

"You've entered the city not to capture Li Ye, but to seek his help?"

"It is, but it isn't."

Li Zhaoning said, "That's true. Since we've come to find Lord Xinchen, it's not for fame or fortune, but for loyalty and peace."

Xiao Yi was surprised that she would say that. He turned to look at her and saw that her beautiful eyes seemed to be filled with a knowing smile.

"You guessed right again?" Li Zhaoning asked. "Then what about Su Fengji?"

"Once the overall situation is settled, we will take it down."

"Then...may I come with you?"

Xiao Yi shook his head and decisively refused.

Li Zhaoning deliberately looked at him with her eyes that seemed to hold the autumn water.

Xiao Yi said in a low voice, "Don't worry, I come from the Li family and have received favors from your grandfather. Su Fengji is also my sworn enemy. I will definitely hand him over to you."

Li Zhaoning asked, "But what if he surrenders to Guo Wei?"

"So what? I have a grudge against him, and I won't be able to eat or sleep if I don't kill him."

"Thank you. I know it's your right not to help, but it's a favor if you do. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and perhaps we can kill someone together someday?"

Xiao Yi nodded, knowing that she was deliberately trying to please him and that she had some ulterior motives, but he also knew that she had a tragic background, unlike Guo Xin.

"it is good."

"It's a word."

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the side gate.

Li Zhaoning said, "Take the umbrella with you."

"No need, a little wind and snow won't bother me."

"It's fine if you cover your face, I'll return it next time."

"Too."

Xiao Yi strode out the door, leaving behind the brief peace of the Li residence, and continued his life of risking his life.

(End of this chapter)