SEHE Chapter 117

Mountain Rain

Wang Lingche moved quickly. In less than three days, he had transcribed the cases involving the Zheng faction over the past twenty years and delivered them to Pei Yanci.

Pei Yanci rapidly flipped through these cases. Many of them were simplified to just the cause and effect. Wang Lingche had thoughtfully attached small tabs beside each case, briefly noting the people involved, charges, and outcomes. Most of them ended with the Zheng faction winning, while the losers each met miserable fates.

Corruption cases, abuse of power cases, forcible abduction of civilian women cases, reckless horseback riding on streets cases, treating human life as worthless cases. Back then, the Zheng faction had attacked and impeached many court officials. There were also Censorate officials and others who reported members of the Zheng faction for committing all manner of misdeeds. The back-and-forth conflicts gradually became more moderate eight years ago after the establishment of the Elu Bureau.

Because the Zheng faction began to suffer setbacks, and the Censorate gradually defected toward the Eunuch faction and Minister Cui.

“Have you discovered anything?” Wang Lingche sat to one side reading scriptures, occasionally lifting his head to look across. Through the curling wisps of bluish-gray incense smoke that rose and dispersed, a few stray strands of hair hung beside his jade-carved cheeks, partially obscuring his crescent-moon eyes that were focused with complete concentration.

Pei Yanci looked up, his entire face brightening with clarity. “There’s one thing, though I’m not sure if it counts.”

Wang Lingche immediately set down the Buddhist scripture and leaned his upper body forward. “Which case is it? Tell me about it.”

With this movement, he stirred a subtle breeze in the air. Pei Yanci sniffed the scent of the incense burning on the table. It felt very familiar—sandalwood with added notes of herbs, orchid, and musk that were pungent yet sweet and cloying. By the time he became aware of it, he had been smelling it for at least an hour, yet he didn’t feel any bodily heat or restlessness, so he dismissed his doubts.

However, thoughts of Tang Xizhui came to his mind.

The words on the tip of his tongue paused, and he refused. “There are some court matters you don’t understand. Go back to your own room first. Once I’m certain, I’ll tell you.”

Wang Lingche made an “oh” sound and dejectedly collected his Buddhist scripture. When he turned to take the sandalwood box from the table, he thought for a moment, withdrew his hand, and pushed the box toward him instead.

“The autumn and winter weather is damp and cold. The room isn’t often ventilated, so burning incense regularly can eliminate odors,” he said with a smile. “I have plenty, so I’ll give these to you first.”

“In that case, many thanks.” Pei Yanci paid it no mind and accepted the sandalwood. He also found the scent quite pleasant.

Wang Lingche’s eyes grew even more delighted.

He was the only Buddhist monk chanting scriptures around Pei Yanci. Every time he smelled the sandalwood, how could he not think of him?

After the person left, Pei Yanci looked back at the case files.

It was a minor case.

It stated that a year ago, someone filed a complaint accusing the Crown Prince of extravagance and excess—having over four hundred servants in his mansion, all serving only Gu Jiuqing alone. Not only was this wasteful and ostentatious, but the Crown Prince might be accepting bribes and amassing wealth through unclear channels on a large scale.

For the heir apparent of a nation, accepting bribes, broadly speaking, meant forming factions for personal gain. Large-scale wealth accumulation could go a step further—potentially buying soldiers and armor, plotting rebellion.

Unfortunately, when the case reached the Dali Temple, before any further investigation could proceed, several unfamiliar names took the blame and the matter was dropped.

This was Gu Jiuqing’s usual tactic, just like when he had tried to push Pei Yanci to the Elu Bureau.

Through this matter, Pei Yanci couldn’t help but recall the doubts he’d had when he was at the Crown Prince’s mansion.

The Emperor did not treat Gu Jiuqing generously, and his usual rewards were not many. To maintain three to four hundred retainers and death warriors at his mansion—even as Crown Prince, he would inevitably struggle to make ends meet. Why did he insist on supporting these people? They were rarely useful in daily life, and it didn’t align with his consistent reputation for frugality and simplicity.

This question remained unanswered no matter how much he pondered it.

Before he could figure out this problem, Jiang Yi sent someone to notify him that the injuries of the two brothers rescued from Tang Xizhui’s mansion had mostly healed, and they wanted to see him.

****

Lu Fang and Lu Lie were sparring in the front courtyard of Jiang Manor. Lu Lie, despite missing half his left hand, could still wield his sword well with his right hand. The two brothers exchanged blows back and forth, going dozens of rounds without determining a winner.

“Excellent!” Applause rang out from the long corridor under the eaves. Pei Yanci clapped his hands several times and approached together with Jiang Yi.

The Lu brothers bowed to Jiang Yi, their vigilant gazes turning toward Pei Yanci.

“Don’t you have something to say?” Jiang Yi led the three to a nearby pavilion for rest, warmed wine for them, and said, “I’ve brought the person you requested. Speak quickly about the matter.”

Lu Fang cupped his hands. “Pei Daren, to be honest, my brother and I don’t entirely trust you. But we have no connections in court. You saved both our lives and have carried out major reforms at the Imperial Academy. We believe your nature isn’t bad. General Jiang says you navigate between the Eunuch and Zheng factions but don’t belong to either side. That’s why we decided to take the risk and trust you.”

“What matter do you need me to handle?” Pei Yanci asked.

Lu Fang hesitated, then went to his room and soon returned with a wooden box. “This is evidence of the Elu Bureau’s eunuchs illegally selling salt and iron at the border.”

Pei Yanci glanced at Jiang Yi, who quietly nodded to indicate he had already seen it.

“Why are you so certain it’s Tang Xizhui selling salt and iron, and not someone else?” he said. “As far as I know, the Elu Bureau doesn’t have much contact with military generals in court.”

“It’s definitely him,” Lu Fang said with hatred. “Otherwise, how do you think that eunuch affords his extravagant lifestyle?”

“These are courier station documents and evidence of the salt and iron sources. They can prove that the Elu Bureau used its heaven-reaching authority to secretly withhold government salt and iron, then transport it to the Northern Frontier.”

“The border commanders have long been bought off. They use a special method of sending messages to notify the Great Xi generals on their side. This is evidence of transactions with Great Xi, proving they’ve been doing this for several years—it’s become a pattern. No matter which general rotates to guard the border, they’re all bribed with large sums of money by the Elu Bureau upon taking office, becoming their lackeys. Our poor common soldiers—Great Xi eats our salt, uses our iron to forge weapons, and in the end, it’s our lives they harvest.”

Lu Lie said indignantly, “The Elu Bureau and those generals together caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Great Yu soldiers!”

Jiang Yi also pounded the table in anger. “Not a single good one among them! How hateful that I was at the border for several years and never discovered it.”

“This is truly detestable—lawless, simply parasites of the nation!” Pei Yanci also followed with an indignant comment, echoing their emotions, before continuing, “The Elu Bureau arrested and tortured your younger brother precisely to force you to hand over this evidence, right? Have you shown this evidence to anyone else? Do you have backup copies?”

“Backup? Well… no.” The Lu brothers hadn’t thought of this and scratched their heads. “We’ve only shown these things to you two.”

“I understand. I may need to send someone to make a trip to the Northern Frontier.” Pei Yanci said. “If you trust me enough, you can temporarily leave this evidence with me for safekeeping.”

Lu Fang felt somewhat uneasy but still pushed the box toward him.

Pei Yanci accepted the box. “You are important witnesses. Looking at your current injuries, they’ve mostly healed. The Elu Bureau within Anjing City is still secretly searching for your whereabouts. If they discover you’re at Jiang Manor, it will inevitably implicate innocent people.”

Lu Fang glanced at Jiang Yi and said to Pei Yanci, “Does Pei Daren have a way to temporarily get us out of the city?”

“I’ll find a way to give you new identities,” he said. “After that, I may still need you to join the army and go to the border.”

“If there’s anywhere we can be of use, my brother and I will not shirk our duty.” Lu Fang clasped his fists.

“Many thanks,” Pei Yanci returned the gesture. “To have such loyal ministers and good generals as yourselves is Great Yu’s fortune.”

He discussed with Jiang Yi the details of subsequently settling the Lu brothers, cautioning him not to mention this matter to the Fifth Prince yet.

“He’s gotten mixed up with the Eunuch faction. I don’t even know what he’s thinking anymore,” Jiang Yi sighed. “It feels like everyone who enters Anjing becomes complicated. Why must there be factions?”

“You rejected their recruitment and have no faction. Can your name still be heard in court now?” Pei Yanci said. “At the beginning of the year, you were still the young general with unmatched prestige, full of vigor and spirit. Anjing was filled with tales of your brilliance. The year isn’t even over yet, and aside from reporting to the Ministry of War and collecting your monthly salary, what else have you done? Who still remembers you?”

Jiang Yi’s expression grew dejected. What ambitious young person would want to waste away like this?

“Now I don’t even have the opportunity to train troops at the regional Military Governor offices.”

“After following me, you feel it’s very hard, don’t you?” Pei Yanci smiled.

“I absolutely don’t mean to blame you,” Jiang Yi quickly waved his hands. “This was also my choice.”

Pei Yanci represented the loose, non-factional third party, secretly wedged between both sides, struggling to survive. Their occasional mutual assistance was only natural.

“Don’t worry. Soon you’ll have work to do,” Pei Yanci said.

Military power—how could he not compete for it?

****

On the way back, Pei Yanci carefully examined all the evidence. The more he read, the more suffocated he felt.

All the evidence indicated that the Elu Bureau colluded with border commanders to illegally sell salt and iron.

While he was pondering this, the carriage shook violently, followed by chaotic sounds outside.

“Move aside, move aside! Eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch! All idle people move aside!”

Pei Yanci lifted the carriage curtain and only caught a glimpse of a vanishing silhouette and the receding sound of galloping hooves.

Soon, he learned what had happened.

By evening, news had already spread.

The southwestern rebel army had captured ten cities and was advancing with overwhelming force.

When the common people of Anjing heard this news, they were almost all filled with disbelief.

They couldn’t understand why anyone would rebel instead of enjoying these prosperous and peaceful times.

The current Emperor was so enlightened and tolerant—only treasonous subjects and thieves couldn’t stand to see Great Yu have such a benevolent ruler.

Upon further inquiry about the rebel army’s slogan: “Down with the Eunuch faction, clear the ruler’s side.”

Then it made sense.

The saintly and virtuous Emperor—any mistakes he made were all because the Eunuch faction deceived the sage’s hearing and committed misdeeds everywhere.

By evening, Pei Yanci received news from Wuli’s Jinwu Guards that the Emperor had dispatched Jiang Yi southward, bearing the fish tally and documents authorizing him to mobilize troops from six southern Military Governor offices to suppress the rebel army.

The situation was beginning to develop in an uncontrollable direction.

And at the grand court assembly the next day, their reckoning with Tang Xizhui would only just begin.