Chapter 140: Imperial Rivalry in the Palace

Chapter 135: Earring

The next day, the rain had ceased, but the sky was still overcast.

After being reprimanded the previous day, Lady Cai claimed to be ill and unable to rise in the morning. Luo Mu hadn't slept well either. After finishing his breakfast, he learned from a servant that Cai Yu had sent an invitation for him to attend a gathering.

Luo Mu took the invitation, fully aware of Cai Yu's intentions. He wiped his hands, didn't bother changing his robe, and straightforwardly said, "Prepare the carriage. I'll go now, so as not to keep my elder brother waiting."

Cai Yu was a notorious bandit leader in Tea Province. Yan Heru, from River Province, addressed him as 'Grandfather,' and he was known for his generosity, often supporting various outlaws. Thus, he had a reputation as a righteous and magnanimous man on the road. However, he didn't get along with Lei Changming from Luoshan. The reason behind their conflict was unknown to others; they simply ignored each other at the gatherings of the bandit leaders before Lei Changming's death.

When Luo Mu arrived at Cai Yu's residence, the host had already welcomed a round of guests. Cai Yu's estate was even more grandiose than Luo Mu's, with over a thousand servants. Yet, he wasn't one for formalities, and most of his acquaintances were bandits and thieves. As a result, his banquets typically consisted of meat and alcohol, with roasted meats and strong liquor readily available.

Upon seeing Luo Mu, Cai Yu laughed heartily, leaning back and waving. "Mu came late, so you'll have to drink three cups as punishment. Quickly, take a seat."

In front of Cai Yu, Luo Mu was always deferential. He sat down accordingly and observed the strangers with their unusual attire without asking questions. After Luo Mu finished his drink, Cai Yu said, "I heard your sister-in-law troubled you yesterday?"

Luo Mu's face showed fear. "Brother—"

"Scolding her was the right thing to do!" Cai Yu pressed Luo Mu's arm, smiling. "As her husband, it's your duty to manage the main hall, and indeed, there are many things she shouldn't be meddling in. She's been spoiled at home, and now that she's married, she still doesn't know her place. In the future, when it's necessary, scold her without worrying about my pride. Letting her get away with too much will only encourage her to be even more disrespectful."

Luo Mu's household affairs were well-known to Cai Yu. He held Luo Mu with a gentle grip, but it was this very gentleness that made his control appear effortless. Luo Mu dared not move right if Cai Yu told him to go left. Luo Mu had been an official who had passed the exams and served in the capital before being assigned to Chazhou, but what did that matter? In Chazhou, he was nothing more than a subordinate. The emperor was far away, and during the Yongyi era, banditry in Zhongbo had been rampant. Before the defeat of Zhongbo's troops, they hadn't taken the Jianxing King, Shen Wei, seriously. After the defeat, they cared even less about the capital, Qidu.

A fine sheen of sweat formed on Luo Mu's forehead.

Cai Yu noticed and felt satisfied. He released Luo Mu and continued with a smile, "It's quite a strange tale. I heard two weeks ago that someone new would ascend the throne in Qidu. The Commander of the Imperial Guards, Han Cheng, was so anxious that he scratched his ears and cheeks. He rushed back to his hometown to find a child to serve as the heir, but Elder Hai didn't agree and ended up slamming his head against the hall, splattering blood and brain matter all over Han Cheng, which scared him into wetting his pants."

They all burst out laughing. In these rumors, Han Cheng had long been portrayed as a hunched, despicable figure.

After his laughter subsided, Cai Yu sighed deeply and said, "But as bandits, we still value loyalty and benevolence. Elder Hai's dedication is admirable! It's often said that scholars die for their criticisms and warriors die in battle, yet in the three dynasties of the Great Zhou, few high-ranking officials have shown such resolve."

Luo Mu listened quietly, not interrupting or raising his head. He seemed entirely focused on his food, picking only items close to him with his chopsticks. Despite his handsome appearance, there was an air of weakness and timidity about him.

Cai Yu no longer paid attention to Luo Mu as he spoke animatedly, "But Elder Hai probably never imagined that the throne Han Cheng's child couldn't occupy would now be given to a woman. I don't think anything like this has ever happened since the founding of the Great Zhou. Isn't this a violation of natural law, a disruption of yin and yang? It's a sign of the Great Zhou's decline! I'd rather listen to a naive child than take orders from a woman. Men should stand tall and firm, not bow down to a woman. Qi Zhuyin from Qidong is just lucky; she happened to be in power during the reign of the Empress Dowager. Otherwise, how could she become the commander-in-chief? Another female emperor in Qidu, oh, what a mess!"

The others echoed his sentiments. One bearded man slammed his hand on the table and declared, "Old Cai speaks the truth. That's exactly it. What kind of thing is a female emperor? The previous ones weren't good, but men ruling is the way of nature, as Laozi said. I refuse to accept it too. If the entire court were to kneel and pay their respects to her, they'd be a bunch of cowardly, useless fools. No wonder we've been suffering attacks from the Twelve Tribes of the Border Sands for years."

"Cute little girls should be suitable for home life and marriage," Cai Yu commented wistfully. "If you love them, it's fine to spoil them a bit. But letting them fight battles and govern is disastrous." He paused, adding, "I hear the students in Qidu are also supportive. I suppose they've been educated to the point of foolishness, unable to distinguish right from wrong."

Their conversation transitioned from Qidu politics to Qidong military matters, then to the Northern Li war, ultimately landing on Lei Changming.

The man with the bristly beard said, "Lei Changming also got lucky by chance, helping Young Master Yan when he was in trouble. That's how he rose to prominence. But he can't maintain it for long; he's too domineering. What if he were part of the regular army in Luo Mountain? Wouldn't he have been finished as soon as he encountered the imperial guards?"

Cai Yu snorted coldly.

Someone nearby commented, "Master Cai and Lei Changming were both renowned figures in Zhongbo, but how could he compare? He's far beneath him!"

Cai Yu wasn't swayed by the flattery. He stretched out his arms and relaxed into his chair, saying, "Do you know why I look down on Lei Changming? I think he's despicable." He emphasized the last word. As a maid approached with a smoking pipe, Cai Yu took two puffs before continuing, "Lei Changming used to be a bodyguard, as you all know. But why did he stop? He told people it was because he married his sister off to the Zhu family of Duanzhou and wanted to enjoy life without working. That's not true. He has a... peculiar hobby."

Luo Mu had put down his chopsticks at some point.

Cai Yu reminisced amid the smoke, "When I first started this line of work and was about to graduate from my master's tutelage, he taught me that even bandits and thieves should abide by principles and avoid certain things. They're detrimental to one's karma. For years in Chazhou, there were many merchants and travelers with families, but whenever I encountered widows and orphans, I would never touch them. Lei Changming is different. He used to escort families too. Once, on a mission to Dengzhou, the head of the family died halfway through the journey, leaving behind a widow and an orphan who couldn't afford the escort fee. When they arrived in Dengzhou, the original in-laws only wanted the grandson, not the daughter-in-law. The woman refused to separate from her child and, desperate, considered suicide. Lei Changming took them in and claimed he would raise them."

"At the time, I was still a thief in Chazhou. Hearing this, I viewed Lei Changming as a human being, someone different from me, a hero as my master described. I admired him and kept an eye out for him, hoping to find a chance to become sworn brothers. But when I went to Dengzhou, I heard he had stopped. I tracked him down and discovered that the woman and child had died. How did they die? He assaulted them while drunk, targeting the five- or six-year-old child. When the woman resisted, he beat her to death. The child didn't survive much longer, suffering immensely before passing away."

Cai Yu waved away the smoke and frowned, gesturing for the maid to take away the smoking pipe.

"He moved to Duanzhou, but his habit didn't change. He cares a lot about his reputation and would never do such things openly. When Lei Changming saved Young Master Yan, the latter was still young. At that time, I was friends with Yan Da Ye and had received help from the Yan family. Even though I had never met the young master, I cherished him as if he were my own child. Upon hearing what happened, I rode for four days and nights to catch up to them in Luo Mountain and bring the young master back. He wore a bright jade earring and had delicate features; he was clever and immediately called me 'Grandfather,' tugging at my heartstrings. Seeing that the young master was unharmed, I didn't confront Lei Changming."

After that, Lei Changming felt inferior around Cai Yu. Since Cai Yu looked down on him, Lei Changming avoided approaching, and they maintained their distance.

"Lord is an admirable young man, deeply grateful for Lei Changming's life-saving grace. Hence, you've repeatedly extended aid to the Luoshan bandits," Cai Yu had intended to inquire about Kong Ling through Luo Mu today, but the reminiscence of old tales had derailed their conversation. By the time he recalled his original purpose, Luo Mu was already gone.

* * *

Luo Mu boarded his sedan chair and, after a short distance, changed course to visit a cosmetic shop, intending to buy some fashionable powders from Qiuju as a treat for Cai. The largest cosmetic store in Tea State was owned by a merchant from Juxi, and Luo Mu was a regular customer. Upon his arrival, the manager promptly greeted him, serving tea and water with practiced ease. He then bowed and said, "Apologies, Lord Luo, it's unfortunate that we're out of stock today. Our finest products are stored in the shop on the east side and haven't been delivered here yet. Would it be acceptable if we send them to your residence tomorrow?"

Luo Mu nodded, preparing to leave. However, recollecting Cai Yu's earlier gesture, he changed his mind and asked, "Which shop on the east side?"

The manager called for a server, personally guiding Luo Mu to the other store.

Upon reaching the location, Luo Mu observed that the shop was of modest size but strategically located near a horse track for convenient unloading. Entering, he noticed the sparse number of customers inside. The server led him to a courtyard and offered him tea while he waited.

After a brief moment, the curtain was lifted, revealing Kong Ling entering the shop.

"How did you...?" Luo Mu asked, surprised.

But Kong Ling didn't respond. Instead, he held the curtain aside, making way for a figure in white who entered with a slight bow. As Shen Zechuan lifted his head, Luo Mu stood up.

Shen Zechuan had arrived via sedan chair and was thus dry from any moisture. He looked at Luo Mu, gesturing for him to sit. Following behind, Qiao Tianya came in to replace the tea, serving it warmly to Shen Zechuan.

Kong Ling noticed Luo Mu still standing and said, "Mengzheng, this is—"

"Lieutenant Governor Sir," Luo Mu bowed respectfully and replied, "I've long heard of your esteemed reputation, Student Luo Mengzheng is honored to receive your guidance."

"With a smile, Shen Zechuan remarked, "I'm no longer the Lieutenant Governor of the Imperial Guards, having relinquished my badge and official position. I am now just an ordinary civilian, so it should be me paying my respects to you."

Luo Mu dared not accept such honor. As a close advisor to the emperor, Shen Zechuan's mere title as the Commander of the Northern Bureau of the Imperial Guards was enough to instill fear in local provincial officials. In the past, the Imperial Guards, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Board of Censors, would investigate financial accounts and assess performance at the local level. Shen Zechuan had also formed friendships with Censor Cen Yu from the Board of Censors and Kong Jiu from the Ministry of Justice. Luo Mu had not only heard of him but knew much more. For officials like them, who were dispatched to the provinces for training, their promotions to the capital, potentially becoming a high-ranking official, relied on their achievements and seniority. Shen Zechuan held sway over their evaluations and, by extension, their lives.

The significance of this was evident when Luo Mu addressed himself as "Student."

Shen Zechuan was unlike the previous Inspectorate Deputy, for he didn't have an "honorable" birth. His biological father was Prince Jianxing, Shen Wei, who had been defeated in Zhongbo. Back then, he was captured by the Jin Yiwei from the Northern Iron Riders and was rumored to be sentenced to death. However, not only did he survive, but he also gained the Emperor Tianchen's repeated promotions, eventually becoming the North Inspectorate official – a position crucial to both factions in Qudu. Even Hai Liangyi approved of him, and with his young age, he became all the more formidable.

Luo Mu finally realized that Kong Ling's assurance wasn't empty talk; it was genuine confidence.

Fortunately, Shen Zechuan only spoke out of courtesy and didn't actually kneel. Luo Mu composed himself, standing before Kong Ling with his hands hanging loose, saying, "Your Excellency personally visiting Chazhou, I've failed to welcome you properly. I'll immediately send someone..."

"I left the capital alongside Duke Dingdu, so I'm already considered a traitor to Qudu," Shen Zechuan said after sipping the warm tea, his throat feeling better. "I've been in Zhongbo for quite some time, and I've long wished to meet you, Lord Luo. Today, I'm grateful for Mr. Cheng Feng's company."

Kong Ling looked at Luo Mu and chuckled. "Mengzheng, there's no need to be so formal. The Deputy is now the backbone of Cizhou, and this visit is to address the bandit problem in Chazhou. We're all on the same side."

Luo Mu looked at him, his gaze less blatant than the day before. He spoke cautiously, "How did you know I would definitely come?"

"Tea State isn't that big. With just a bit of inquiry, many things can be found out. Your fourteenth concubine comes from an influential background and has quite a temper. She's fond of Qu'du Water Powder. You're known for catering to others' preferences, so naturally, you'd come personally to please your wife," Kong Ling shook his head at Shen Zechuan with a smile. "Did you know, when Mengzheng was still at the academy, he was very popular among the ladies. He's quite a ladies' man, and even before entering officialdom, he understood these things."

Hearing Kong Ling mention the academy, Luo Mu relaxed slightly. "I was well-behaved when studying. I spent my days with you, where did this 'ladies' man' reputation come from? On the other hand, you have countless acquaintances and can become close friends with anyone."

Their conversation eased the atmosphere, and Kong Ling led Luo Mu to take a seat.

Shen Zechuan sat in the highest seat but didn't speak as aggressively as Luo Mu had anticipated. He said, "I believe Mr. Cheng Feng has already discussed our intentions with you. Yesterday wasn't an appropriate time for a deep discussion, so it's understandable that you had concerns. Today, please feel free to express yourself openly. If there are difficulties, we can discuss them."

Shen Zechuan's tone was gentle, his expression natural, but his last sentence left no room for negotiation. Underneath his seemingly calm demeanor was an unyielding determination. Luo Mu understood Shen Zechuan's meaning after hearing just one sentence.

"If Assistant Magistrate can solve the bandit problem in Tea State, I'm willing to follow your lead," Luo Mu said, his earlier hesitation gone. "But Cai Yu is not Lei Changming, and you don't have Lord Hou's 20,000 strong soldiers. It's truly challenging to rely solely on your own strength."

Shen Zechuan replied calmly, "Our meeting today is worth a million strong soldiers."