SEHE Chapter 65

Holding the Advantage 

The pomegranate flowers blaze red and seductive in May, while green willows hang heavy with rain.

When Gu Jiuqing brought Pei Yanci up to Qinzheng Tower, most of the high officials on the platform had already arrived.

As soon as they saw the current Crown Prince, many people immediately surrounded them to pay their respects.

“Father Emperor will probably take a while longer to arrive. How are the preparations below?” Gu Jiuqing asked.

A minister nearby hurriedly replied, “Everything is ready.”

Originally, there was no river flowing through Anjing. It was the Great Yu’s founding emperor who, to ensure that goods from north and south could be transported smoothly to Anjing, carved out an artificial river over twenty zhang wide from the Yuechong River,

which was still called the Yuechong River. It flowed from the commercially prosperous western part of the city toward Qinzheng Tower in the southeast, then curved south outside the city to rejoin the main channel of the Yuechong River. Both upstream and downstream had embankments controlling the water volume,

ensuring that Anjing would not suffer from floods.

For today’s dragon boat race, dozens of dragon boats would set off from the western part of the city, with the city gate of Qinzheng Tower as the finish line. Pei Yanci looked out from the tower, where black-tiled white walls were neatly arranged along the crisscrossing streets. Every household had colorful silk ribbons hanging from the black eaves and doorways, fluttering gently in the drizzle and breeze. Even the corner towers of various wards were decorated festively.

Along both banks of the river, the streets were empty of residents—everyone had come out, a sea of people, the fragrance of hundred-thread zongzi wafting through the air.

Almost all the city’s residents had come to watch this event. People wore their most vibrant, light summer robes. Young ladies and women wore the most fashionable makeup of the day, their hair piled high and adorned with delicate flowers, laughing boldly and happily, not at all shy about the admiring gazes cast their way.

Most of Anjing’s prosperity was laid out before their eyes.

This was an inclusive, open, and prosperous Anjing.

This was the Great Yu under the rule of a wise emperor.

Several drum beats came from the distant palace, followed by horn blasts.

The officials on the platform became solemn.

In the past, the emperor enjoyed leaving the palace to share in the people’s joy. He had specially built Qinzheng Tower and Huae Tower. Each time he came out, the common people would inevitably kneel and bow. The emperor, compassionate toward his subjects, specially built a covered corridor between the palace and Qinzheng Tower. Each time he left the palace, the imperial carriage would take that corridor.

The common people below the tower heard the drums and cheered in unison.

They would see the most sacred sovereign, catch a glimpse of the imperial countenance.

Many eunuchs around them busied themselves. Behind the crowd, Pei Yanci looked around for quite a while before finally spotting the person he was looking for. Seeing that Gu Jiuqing was still entangled with others and hadn’t noticed him, he quietly withdrew from the crowd.

Not far away, an elegant man in purple official robes stood quietly in a corner, whispering to the attendant he’d brought with him. He leaned one side of his body against a solid, massive red-lacquered pillar, his gaze amiable as he watched the overly polite flattery of those people on the platform.

Under the close surveillance of the Elu Bureau, at occasions like this, all they could say were boring pleasantries. This official was clearly uninterested in such things, yet his eyes always remained on everyone on the platform.

Zhang Dongqin quickly noticed that someone was walking toward him.

But he didn’t look up.

If he made eye contact with the other person when they were still a long distance away, he would have to walk a few steps to meet them, which would easily attract others to come over and chat as well. He had deliberately chosen this corner precisely to avoid this.

If that person’s official rank and status were much lower than his own, and their eyes met across the long distance, he would have to do something to ease the atmosphere, and the other person would also have to quicken their pace to approach and bow as quickly as possible, to avoid the awkwardness of being unable to converse during those few steps. Both would be exhausted.

The best approach was to wait until he noticed someone drawing near, then raise his head as if just noticing—this was already routine for people like them. They had to survey the entire scene, not missing a single movement, while also appropriately displaying a certain “slowness to react.”

But when Zhang Dongqin raised his head, the figure approaching him had disappeared.

Not far ahead, Pei Yanci had been blocked by someone.

“Yude Daren,” he bowed.

“Chief Steward Pei, have you seen His Highness?”

The viewing platform was large. Besides several banquet halls on the left and right, the center and sides formed a huge platform supported only by rows of red-lacquered pillars.

“After settling in at the traveling palace later, Yude Daren can go to Qinan Hall to find His Highness.” This was not the place to discuss serious matters.

Qin Xiong thought for a moment, then led him to a corner, asking quietly, “Did His Highness summon me this time because of Hu Daren’s recent situation?”

Pei Yanci smiled at him without giving a definite answer. “His Highness truly needs assistance at present.”

Qin Xiong’s breathing quickened.

A lifetime of ups and downs had worn away all his ambition. Between his family’s protection and his own efforts, he had only managed to obtain a fourth-rank idle position. Although the third-rank Left Vice Director was also an idle position, this represented that the Crown Prince was beginning to value him. Being valued by both the emperor and the next emperor was more important than any official rank.

This meant his time to rise to prominence had arrived.

“Earlier I saw His Highness summoning Hu Erlai Zhongyun quite frequently, I didn’t expect this to be the result.” His heart eased, and he remarked with emotion.

“Yes, Hu Erlai Daren values this position greatly.” Pei Yanci said. Although Hu Minlai had not yet left this position, what mattered was power. With one word of displeasure from the Crown Prince, the power of the Left Vice Director could fall into someone else’s hands. Then even if Hu Minlai occupied the position, it would be in name only.

Being sidelined like this was common in the court. After all, officials weren’t household servants who could be dismissed and dealt with at will.

“The world truly is unpredictable.” Qin Xiong said. Those who strived desperately ended up with nothing; he who fought for nothing had good fortune fall into his lap.

“Does Daren truly believe you have such good luck?” Pei Yanci sighed softly. “How many people in the world have such good fortune?”

His expression paused slightly. “What do you mean by that?”

Looking him up and down, shock appeared in his eyes that he couldn’t suppress. “You recommended me?”

Pei Yanci neither confirmed nor denied it. “I know Daren has no desire for power struggles, but Hu Erlai Daren won’t think so. Intercepting the fruits of someone else’s efforts halfway will earn their resentment. For Daren to take over with peace of mind, I can help mediate between you.”

This would mean owing Pei Yanci a favor.

No—by recommending him to the Crown Prince without his knowledge, he already owed one when he was still unaware.

“Are you threatening me?” Qin Xiong’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing. “Since you know I don’t like getting involved in conflicts…”

“Does Daren wish to refuse His Highness’s important appointment?” Pei Yanci said. “Daren has long experience in officialdom—you must know what this means.”

If he refused this time, when the Crown Prince next sought someone to work for him, he would no longer be considered. He would be completely passed over, never again having a chance to advance.

Qin Xiong felt as if something was stuck in his throat.

He had ambitions, but at the same time, making this decision for him without consultation was undoubtedly forcing his hand, which made him very dissatisfied.

Moreover, sitting in this position, he would have no choice but to go to war with Hu Erlai, becoming enemies from then on.

He wasn’t afraid of that foreigner, he just felt such conflicts were unnecessary.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell His Highness and Hu Erlai about this, that you’re the one manipulating everything from behind?” Being threatened by a servant, Qin Xiong felt he’d never lost such face in his entire life.

“Daren may go ahead and tell them,” Pei Yanci said calmly. “His Highness never cares who he uses. Between you and me, who is closer to him—I need not elaborate. As for Hu Erlai Daren, you’re the one replacing him. If I say I’m manipulating things, he’ll more likely believe you paid a higher price to bribe me. After all, in their eyes, you’ve gained concrete benefits, while what have I gained?”

Qin Xiong choked on his words.

He had never imagined that this close attendant of the Crown Prince would one day seem even more frightening than Gu Jiuqing himself.

“Then why are you helping me…”

A sharp call rang out from below Qinzheng Tower, drowning out his unfinished words.

The emperor had arrived.

“His Highness awaits Daren at the traveling palace.”

After leaving this sentence, Pei Yanci hurried to stand at the outer edge of the crowd.

Everyone bowed in unison.

“Rise.” A low voice commanded.

As Pei Yanci stood up, he secretly observed the distant sovereign.

He wore a dark black, fitted, wide-sleeved long robe with five-clawed golden dragons embroidered on the front, back, and shoulders. On his head was a ceremonial crown with hanging beads. His frame was lean and tall, with a circle of black beard connecting his upper lip and chin, making his expression stern and dignified, impossible to read.

“Tang Xizhui, give the order for the dragon boat race to begin.”

Hearing this name so suddenly, Pei Yanci instinctively raised his head, but couldn’t find his figure among the colorfully dressed ministers.

At some point, distant cheers and shouts from the common people had begun.

Following the emperor’s steps, the assembled ministers moved toward the viewing platform.

As the crowd shifted, he saw someone slowly walk to the side, seemingly uninterested in all this.

This was the person he had been watching for a long time.

Finally, slowly, isolated once more.

He approached silently.

When still three steps away, that person alertly turned around.

“Chief Steward Pei?” Zhang Dongqin’s expression remained as always, slowly revealing a kind smile.

“Might Zhang Daren spare a moment to speak?”

He had finally encountered this person. Who knew when they would meet again? He didn’t have much time.

“What instructions does His Highness have?” Zhang Dongqin followed him to an even more secluded spot.

“With Daren’s talents, serving as a mere Crown Prince’s Retainer is truly a waste. His Highness wishes to promote the worthy and capable, yet Daren has declined repeatedly. With no other choice, His Highness had someone retrieve Daren’s records, and unexpectedly made a surprising discovery. So he sent me to ask and clear up his confusion.”

Every word he spoke was factual, yet to other ears, it sounded like the Crown Prince wanted to find evidence of wrongdoing, using this matter to pressure him into compliance.

“What matter?” Zhang Dongqin’s expression became serious.

“When Daren previously served as Censor-in-Chief, you were upright and incorruptible, repeatedly offering remonstrance. Before that, you served as Prefectural Secretary in Binzhou and as Assistant of Household Affairs in Xiangzhou. For the previous twenty-some years, Daren was obscure and unknown. In the nine years after, your promotion speed was extraordinarily fast.”

“In youth, at your age, Chief Steward, how would one know how to earn merit?” Hearing this, Zhang Dongqin looked like a caring elder regarding a junior, his face full of kindly concern. “You’re still young, at the prime of life, full of vigor, wanting to make your mark in the world. But you must also be careful not to be rash.”

He slowly moved closer by a step. “Is what Zhang Daren calls ‘earning merit’ stepping over others’ corpses nine years ago to gain favor from above?”

“Chief Steward Pei seems very concerned about events from nine years ago.” Zhang Dongqin smiled slightly. “Zhang knows his own limited abilities. I’m accustomed to leisure and cannot catch His Highness’s eye. His Highness need not expend effort investigating.”

“Would it not matter if His Highness obtained evidence of some of Daren’s activities nine years ago?” Pei Yanci said with interest. “This concerns Daren’s career. Over nine years, Daren has proceeded carefully step by step to reach your current position—not easily done. If this matter were exposed, I’m afraid His Majesty would be extremely disappointed in Daren.”

Faint, dense drum beats from the dragon boats echoed from the distance.

Zhang Dongqin said calmly, “Has His Highness discovered that Pei Yan and I were sworn brothers?”

Pei Yanci remained expressionless. He couldn’t immediately tell if this was true or false.

“Pei Yan committed the crime of embezzlement. His Highness must believe that given my relationship with him, I must have been involved as well. Perhaps he even suspects I deliberately reported him and caused his death.”

Zhang Dongqin had guessed his internal reasoning.

“Daren seems to have a different view.” Pei Yanci said.

Zhang Dongqin sighed. “As the saying goes, the law cannot punish the masses. If His Highness now dredges up old accounts, wanting to use this to attack and convict me, then the Provincial Governor, Chief Administrator, Chief Clerk, and Assistant Clerks of Xiangzhou at that time—from top to bottom, not one could escape. With His Highness’s current foundation, if you truly wish to serve your master loyally, you should advise His Highness that it’s better not to make an issue of this matter.”

Indeed, Pei Yan was merely the one pushed forward as a sacrifice, an insignificant tip of a massive iceberg of embezzlement.

“Did he truly embezzle?” Pei Yanci asked, though he already had the answer in his heart.

The drumbeats on the Yuechong River grew more and more rapid, mixed with the boatmen’s unified shouts.

Zhang Dongqin sighed. “In that environment, if you didn’t reach out to take the silver, you probably wouldn’t survive to that point, let alone rise through the ranks.”

Only by touching the darkness could you prove you were one of them.

Sometimes it wasn’t a matter of being able to refuse just because you didn’t want to be corrupt.

Pei Yanci frowned silently.

This was tricky.

As he had thought, the entire case implicated people from top to bottom. Those he had to deal with were officials of all ranks throughout the province, even aristocratic families rooted there for thousands of years.

Moreover, Pei Yan had indeed embezzled.

Overturning the case would be useless. Proving that others were corrupt couldn’t prove Pei Yan wasn’t—the result would only further confirm his guilt.

If he wanted to overturn this and clear his name, to escape his slave status, what he needed to do was far too much, far too complex. With his current power, it was impossible to accomplish.

The common people by the river below the tower cheered jubilantly. The assembled ministers laughed with each other, offering congratulations and mutual flattery, harmonious and joyful.

From the emperor to the officials, from eunuchs to commoners—all was peaceful and prosperous.

Zhang Dongqin patted Pei Yanci’s shoulder. “Our affairs don’t concern you. Don’t make things too difficult for yourself.”

Pei Yanci froze.

This person knew his identity?

Knew that everything he’d just asked was asked in the Crown Prince’s name for his own purposes?

Zhang Dongqin nodded at him warmly, as if confirming his doubts, and also as if bidding him farewell.

Pei Yanci turned and watched him pass through the crowd, walking straight to the emperor to offer congratulations. He followed, just in time to hear him paying respects and greeting the Crown Prince.

Not a word was mentioned about him, this remnant of a criminal slave.

This person was very difficult to read.

Of what he’d just said, which parts were true and which false—he couldn’t tell.

Just as he couldn’t yet determine whether this person was friend or foe.

What he did know was that for now, he couldn’t gain any advantage from this person.