SEHE Chapter 46

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A new day had begun.

Pei Yanci casually picked a shop from a street corner and ordered several lamb flatbreads with a bowl of porridge. The white porridge had milk added to it, with a pinch of sesame seeds sprinkled in the middle. Steaming hot, it paired perfectly with the flatbreads that had been baked with fragrant oil and fermented black beans.

Several men dressed like Qiang carried shoulder poles and hawked their wares everywhere. Among the crowd wearing round-collared narrow-sleeved robes and ru skirts, occasionally one or two fair-skinned men traveling together would appear, along with foreign merchants with veiled faces leading camels.

(TL: 羌 (Qiāng) refers to the Qiang people, an ancient ethnic group that historically lived in western China (especially in today’s Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai regions)

After he finished eating, he bought over ten more flatbreads from the shop owner, wrapped them in oil paper, then went to neighboring shops to buy several pounds of preserved fruits and candied treats, over ten pounds of roasted goose meat, three pots of good wine, and several sets of medicine for internal and external injuries, before heading to Xin Hai’s inn.

Seeing that Cui Nan and Gu Xing had only suffered minor external injuries with nothing serious, he set down the items and took out the property deed, telling Xin Hai he could begin renovating.

The residence didn’t need much work, just a general renovation to quickly house those scholars who had failed the examinations. As for the tavern, Pei Yanci had no heart to haggle over prices anymore. He had Xin Hai accompany him to find the tavern owner and directly gave him the 200,000 wen promissory note, buying the tavern on the spot.

He took Xin Hai on a tour, teaching him how to renovate the tavern. When half the day had passed, he asked, “How’s the search for those courtesans and entertainers?”

“Following your requirements, looking for those whose beauty isn’t outstanding, or who are old and past their prime but have good voices and skills – there are quite a few of them, and it’s all arranged,” Xin Hai said with difficulty in his hoarse voice.

“Good. In a couple of days I’ll have Wuli send you a script. Have them compose music for it first and see how it turns out,” Pei Yanci said.

“As for the street puppet shows, I’ve been observing them for a while. This isn’t difficult – we don’t need to specifically seek out those wandering performers,” Xin Hai said. “After watching several performances carefully, I’ve already learned it.”

“Oh?” He hadn’t expected this skill from him.

Upon reflection, it made sense. Xin Hai was known as the Thief Sage. Besides his excellent qinggong, he was said to possess an excellent Dragon-Seizing Flower-Plucking Hand technique. Being able to subdue the sword and staff experts Cui Nan and Gu Xing with just a few hidden weapon moves, his hand skills were certainly far superior to others.

“Then I’ll go to the labor market to buy some clever children for you to train,” Pei Yanci said. If he could directly buy people to train, that would be even better.

The two went to the labor market, where the brokers all recognized Pei Yanci and smiled so broadly their eyes disappeared when they saw him. Xin Hai only looked at their hands – those with long, strong fingers would do. But Pei Yanci preferred good-looking ones that were pleasing to the eye. Combining both criteria for selection, they chose over ten children, waiting for the renovations to finish before sending them to the residence.

He gave Xin Hai another sum of money for renovation and purchasing puppets and furniture. Since this was their first time doing this, everything required strict standards, which naturally included payment for the three men’s errands.

Seeing his generosity, the three men were overjoyed. After pushing each other around, the youngest, Cui Nan, finally spoke up, “Chief Steward Pei, I heard Wuli call you big brother. How about the three of us also acknowledge you as our big brother?”

Pei Yanci laughed, “I don’t roam the jianghu, so why would I need to be anyone’s big brother? Besides, I’m younger than you all. You elder brothers should rank by age.”

The three disagreed. “Learning and ability don’t depend on age.”

“We’re all jianghu people who value loyalty above all. Not to mention anything else, when you helped us escape Zhang Huairu’s pursuit, that favor alone is enough for you to be our big brother.”

After repeated refusals, Pei Yanci had no choice but to accept.

“Big Brother,” the three said in unison, cupping their fists.

This formally marked their decision to follow him.

“Since you insist on calling me big brother, I must consider your futures,” Pei Yanci said, having already planned this out. “Xin Hai is over thirty and his throat is injured, so he can help me manage the theater. You two are only in your twenties with excellent swordsmanship and staff techniques – I see you’re stronger than many generals in the military camps. It would be a waste not to put your prime years to good use.”

“It’s not that we don’t want to, but nowadays soldiers are all hereditary,” Gu Xing said with a bitter smile.

Great Yu was divided into ten circuits, each with an Circuit Commissioner, which was largely ceremonial. Under the circuit system were twenty-four Military Governorships, 226 prefectures, and 1,573 counties. Each prefecture had a Military Command responsible for recruiting and training local soldiers, independent of the prefectural governor but subject to the Military Governor’s deployment.

Soldiers in the Military Command had separate military registration. They served as soldiers in wartime and farmed like other civilians in peacetime. They could be exempted from certain taxes and corvée labor, but in return, they had to provide sons generation after generation to fill casualty gaps. So children of military households knew their responsibilities and duties from birth, cultivating military combat abilities from childhood. This system provided Great Yu with many excellent soldiers, creating the current stable and peaceful situation.

But this system also had shortcomings. Due to hereditary succession, some military households declined over generations, and some poor-quality soldiers were still conscripted. Meanwhile, talented non-military civilians who wanted to enlist and build careers could only do so with recommendations from officers of captain rank or above.

Jianghu warriors like Cui Nan and Gu Xing, despite their skills, found it difficult to enlist.

“We happen to know someone now,” Pei Yanci smiled. “Young General Jiang has returned victorious. His official rank might seem modest in court, but writing two recommendation letters to local Military Commands should be easily manageable.”

Gu Xing and Cui Nan looked at each other, unable to suppress their smiles.

When they met Young General Jiang yesterday, they had actually considered this possibility. But they weren’t very close to Pei Yanci – just nodding acquaintances who took his money to run errands. Moreover, they had previously received orders from Zhang Huairu to eliminate him. Even if they wanted to owe such a huge favor, it depended on whether he was willing to help.

They hadn’t expected Pei Yanci to bring this up himself – what a pleasant surprise.

“Thank you, Big Brother Pei,” the two bowed, much more sincere than before.

Pei Yanci waved dismissively, “We’re all brothers – no need for such formalities. I just hope you two will make good use of your skills in the military and build careers for yourselves. Brother Xin Hai and I will benefit from your success too.”

Cui Nan didn’t dare be presumptuous. “We certainly can’t compare to Young General Jiang’s status, but we can at least make more connections. If Big Brother wants to recommend others for military service in the future, we can provide some support.”

“Excellent,” Pei Yanci said – this was exactly what he wanted to hear. “I’ll go find Young General Jiang. You two should be able to leave the capital soon. As for the theater business, I’ll have to trouble Brother Xin Hai.”

“No problem,” Xin Hai was also happy. For commoners like them, military merit was the easiest way to cross class boundaries. He was optimistic too – with Jiang Yi’s recommendation, Cui Nan and Gu Xing couldn’t possibly start as ordinary soldiers and would have better chances of gaining their superiors’ favor. With these connections, their advancement was just a matter of time.

After giving the three men their instructions and buying some gifts and medicinal herbs, Pei Yanci went to the Jiang residence.

He had intended to submit a calling card and meet in a few days, but when the doorkeeper heard he had come and reported it, he was directly invited in.

Pei Yanci thought Jiang Yi happened to be free, but the servant led him through corridors and courtyards to a spacious martial arts ground.

On the field, Jiang Yi was fighting someone. His long sword, typically a gentleman’s weapon, displayed an ancient, majestic, and domineering presence in his hands. Though he appeared thin and frail, he relied on strength to break through situations.

The other person also looked young, wearing black robes with hair swept back and secured with a black crown. His hair flew with his agile movements as he wielded a red-tasseled spear that seemed to bloom like flowers in his hands, not appearing heavy at all. In the blink of an eye, the spearhead rang out, creating dozens of afterimages as it thrust toward Jiang Yi’s face with ruthless precision, showing no mercy.

Jiang Yi seemed momentarily flustered but quickly regained composure. Instead of dodging, he held his sword horizontally before him, preparing to take the blow head-on.

Point met surface with a thunderous collision. A pair of sharp eagle eyes flashed across the silver-bright sword blade, followed by the sound of metal and stone shattering as the sword broke at the spear tip.

Jiang Yi quickly discarded the broken sword and turned to grab a long blade from the weapon rack, when a sharp cry pierced the courtyard and the frightened servant froze in place.

The broken sword hilt was flying toward him.

Pei Yanci quickly pulled the terrified servant back, but suddenly a figure appeared before them, deflecting the sword hilt with a spear thrust. Captured by the spear tip’s cold gleam, Pei Yanci didn’t notice his footing and was about to fall sideways.

Everything went dark, then he felt resistance at his waist.

An arm steadily caught him around the waist.

Their eyes met, both momentarily stunned.

“Brother Pei, are you alright?” Jiang Yi’s voice came from far to near. “Sorry, sorry, I was focused on fighting and forgot there were people nearby.”

“I’m fine, that sword hilt wasn’t coming toward me,” Pei Yanci said, quickly regaining composure after being startled by the sudden appearance. He pushed against the other’s arm. “Thank you.”

The arm didn’t budge.

He frowned slightly, “Please…”

“Oh!” The person seemed to finally react and quickly released him.

Seeing the servant was also unharmed, Jiang Yi had him take Pei Yanci’s gifts away and patted the black-robed young man’s shoulder. “Good thing you reacted quickly. If someone had been injured today, that would have been terrible.”

“You have an honored guest – I shouldn’t intrude,” Pei Yanci said.

“What’s inconvenient about it? I’m tired of you Anjing people’s formalities. Perfect timing to make introductions.” Jiang Yi pointed across the way: “This is the Chief Steward of the Crown Prince’s Mansion, Pei Yanci.”

“And this,” he patted the black-robed young man’s shoulder, “is my sworn brother, also the Fifth Prince of Great Yu, Grand General, Pillar Supporting the State, His Highness Prince Qi.”

Gu Wanchong.

The person Tang Xizhui wanted to support for the throne.

Instantly, Pei Yanci thought of this and studied the young man before him more carefully.

Gu Wanchong had a heroic, upright face with sharp features, eyes like cold stars, and a gaze sharp as a blade. Wheat-colored skin glistened with crystalline sweat drops that traced from his temples to his jawline, ready to fall.

Anyone who saw him would never doubt whether he had been on battlefields. Those hands that gripped the long spear had distinct, powerful knuckles covered in thick calluses, as if carrying the flying dust and bloody scent of battlefields, yet somehow conveying steadiness and reliability.

With just a glance, Pei Yanci formed a preliminary assessment and paid him no more attention, turning to Jiang Yi. “I won’t disturb your entertainment – just need to speak with you briefly.”

Jiang Yi followed Pei Yanci aside and belatedly realized. “You’re the Crown Prince’s man, and the Fifth Prince is close to the Elu Bureau. Did seeing a political opponent make you uncomfortable?”

“Aren’t you also the Crown Prince’s man?” Pei Yanci smiled meaningfully.

Jiang Yi felt somewhat awkward. “I just owe him a favor, but the Fifth Prince…”

“The Elu Bureau didn’t mention you were the Fifth Prince’s sworn brother when they arrested you.”

“Wanchong hadn’t returned to the capital then – they didn’t know our relationship,” Jiang Yi said. “We’re all serving the court. Why must we distinguish between you and me? Isn’t it enough to do our jobs well?”

“Your thinking aligns perfectly with mine,” Pei Yanci smiled, then grew serious. “Unfortunately.”

Jiang Yi knew what he regretted and couldn’t help sighing too. “Tell me, what brings you here this time?”

He felt like he was betraying his sworn brother, but there was no helping it. This psychology made him want to play the quail, dragging things out day by day.

Pei Yanci spoke honestly, “This time I’m not here for the Crown Prince’s business, but for the Crown Prince’s Mansion’s business.”

He told him about Zhang Huairu’s persecution of the three men, concluding: “You saw their situation last night. They didn’t fall behind even facing so many assassins. It would be a waste for them to remain buried in obscurity.”

“Easily done.” Jiang Yi was also straightforward and valued talent. After last night’s exhilarating fight and subsequent drinking together, he had developed friendship with the two men. Realizing this wasn’t the Crown Prince ordering him to do something, he secretly felt relieved and immediately agreed. “I’ll write two recommendation letters right now.”

Soon he had finished writing, and Pei Yanci left satisfied with the recommendation letters.

Jiang Yi remembered the person in the courtyard and walked toward Gu Wanchong after leaving his study.

“Let’s continue….what are you looking at, so absorbed?”

He followed the gaze and caught sight of Pei Yanci’s straight back just disappearing under the eaves.

Gu Wanchong closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were clear and bright.