Chapter 146: A Dance of Intrigue in the Ancient Palace

Chapter 141: Heavy Rainfall

The bandits never expected the citizens outside the city to rise up against them. The sound of their stomping feet echoed like thunder, intertwined with cries and wails, overwhelming the bandits like a flood. Enraged, they shouted amidst the fighting, "Slay these wicked villains!"

How could the bandits withstand such a multitude? Stones and broken bowls flew in all directions, forcing them to cower and flee. Seeing the situation turn dire, the gang leader planned to escape. But when he turned around, Cai Yu's loyal followers were already retreating!

"Foolish scoundrel!" the gang leader erupted in anger, bolting away himself.

Unfortunately for him, Fei Sheng, with his swift reflexes, caught up to him. This gang leader was merely an ordinary outlaw, no match for the well-trained Imperial Guards like Fei Sheng. He tumbled into the crowd, overwhelmed by the mob, rolling on the ground while covering his face in agony.

The other bandits, now in disarray, saw the citizens as devouring demons. Witnessing their leader being beaten, they deserted their weapons and armor, fleeing back into the city in a panic.

* * *

In his mansion, Cai Yu awaited news. His meal had grown cold on the table when suddenly, chaos erupted outside. He hurriedly rose from his seat and had barely taken a few steps before a panicked servant stumbled in, exclaiming, "Master, many people have arrived outside and surrounded our estate!"

Most of Cai Yu's forces were deployed outside the city, leaving only five hundred men within. He instantly realized the trap, gritting his teeth. "We've fallen into a trap!"

His vulnerability at this moment provided an opportunity for the smaller factions.

Cai Yu promptly responded, "Order the guards and remaining personnel to secure all entrance gates. Bring me my cloak; I'll personally go out to greet them!"

Cai Yu donned his cloak and drew his sword before striding out with his attendants. The mansion gates were tightly shut, and through the cracks, Cai Yu saw torches blazing outside. Though inwardly heavy-hearted, he laughed aloud and said, "Which young friend is this? I have no guests today nor any celebration. Why such grandeur to congratulate me?"

Outside, Luo Mu replied calmly, "I've heard that my elder brother has been plagued by nightmares, unable to sleep well. Therefore, I've summoned our fellow brothers and come specially tonight to dispel the evil spirits in your residence."

Upon recognizing Luo Mu's voice, Cai Yu's expression darkened as he said, "Dream Right, I've offered you my own sister and treated you generously. To repay kindness with enmity seems rather unscrupulous."

Luo Mu remained unperturbed, replying, "Cai Yu, you hoard grain, exploit others in times of crisis, and ignore the suffering of the citizens outside the city. You're no longer a noble thief. As the Governor of Tea State, I've had no choice but to play along for years to lower your guard. Now that you've lost all support, surrender now."

Cai Yu, not skilled in deception, erupted in anger, "You shameless rascal! When you sought my sister's hand, your words were so sincere. Yet now you turn against me. You...you despicable villain!"

Advancing a few steps, Luo Mu was unwilling to prolong the confrontation, "Open the gates immediately or we'll storm it! Surrender while you still can!"

Cai Yu gripped his waist-mounted sword and shouted, "We'll see who dares to attack! My blade is still sharp, and I'll take the life of anyone who dares to challenge me!"

However, despite Cai Yu's intimidating presence, he couldn't withstand the combined assault. His household guards, mere mortals, began contemplating escape at the sight of the gleaming swords and spears outside.

Protected by his guards, Cai Yu dodged the incoming arrows and continued, "To those guards who show bravery, I'll reward them handsomely! In Tea State, I was personally appointed by the Young Master, who even addressed me as 'Grandfather.' Luo Mu, should you harm me tonight, the Young Master will make you pay dearly!"

Before Luo Mu could speak, Kong Ling beside him said, "Whose Tea State is this, anyway? It's one thing for you to be a lackey of the Yan family, but you want all the people of Tea State to become their dogs as well! You've aided the tyrant, causing the deaths of countless innocent civilians! Tonight, we won't let you escape!"

As Kong Ling finished his words, the outer gates of the residence were already being battered down. Cai Yu watched them charge in but refused to surrender. He fought back alongside the remaining loyalists in the mansion, retreating gradually into the inner courtyard within half an hour.

Amidst the dark night, Cai Yu found himself entangled in a web of captivity. Having lived a life of chivalry, he had fallen into the trap of greed for wealth. Now, witnessing his home in ruins and his wife and children weeping, he couldn't help feeling the sorrow of a hero at the end of his journey. However, it was too late for regrets or remorse.

Disgusted by Luo Mu's actions, Cai Yu fought desperately. Chaos reigned on the streets outside Cai's residence as members from different factions clashed. Cai Yu's supporters were dwindling. Just as he felt all hope was lost and resolved to end his own life, he suddenly heard amidst the chaos, "Big Brother."

Luo Mu sensed danger and called out, "Get Young Lady back home!"

Cai's sister, originally a sheltered maiden, had rushed over without shoes and with a scraped hand. Ignoring her sweat-soaked hair, she pointed at Luo Mu, trembling uncontrollably. Her normally fiery temperament gave way to a choked sob. "L... Luo Mu! You..." She wailed, "You despicable scoundrel!"

Considering Kong Ling was still by his side, Luo Mu couldn't resist taking a couple of steps forward.

Cai's hair was disheveled, and in her panic, she lifted her head to spit at Luo Mu, tears streaming down her face. "I foolishly trusted a dog! I was deceived by a villain like you!"

Cai's sister was much younger than Cai Yu, but despite being his sister, he had raised her as if she were his daughter. The two siblings relied on each other deeply, their bond strong.

Seeing Cai Yu trapped and surrounded, Cai's sister realized there was no escape for him tonight. She covered her face and cried out in despair, "I'm the one who brought harm upon my brother!"

Kong Ling noticed Cai's distress and immediately said, "Quick, stop her!"

But it was too late. Cai used the act of covering her face to pull out the golden hairpin in her hair. In a blink of an eye, blood splattered across the silk. Cai Yu was devastated, tears streaming down his face. Amidst the crowd, he looked up and cried out in grief, "Silly sister, silly sister! It was your brother who brought this upon you!"

With that, he abandoned thoughts of suicide by blade, instead charging into the bandits with a roar, cutting down several before finally succumbing to exhaustion. Even in death, he still shouted, "I am Cai Yu of Tea State, and my time has come!"

Amid the chaos that lasted through the night, dawn broke with the conflict in the city finally subsiding. Half of Cai's residence had crumbled, its former grandeur vanished. Servants and maidservants hastily fled, stealing away the family's valuables in their bundles, disappearing into the darkness.

Kong Ling stood beside Cai, watching as her blood stained his robe. That night, the entire Cai family perished, most at the hands of the bandits. Kong Ling waited for Luo Mu to come and retrieve Cai's body, but he heard from a servant that Luo Mu had gone to inspect Cai's granaries.

Kong Ling stood in the same spot until noon, but Luo Mu never arrived.

* * *

With Cai Yu's fall, the control of Tea State's grain shops fell into Luo Mu's hands. Now, not only did he possess Cai Yu's grain, but also his wealth. The grain carts from Chazhou entered the city, yet the silver Luo Mu had promised them remained unfulfilled. The price of rice within the city still adhered to Cai Yu's old standard of one tael per stone.

In the courtyard, Fei Sheng lamented, "Back when we were in the Imperial Prison, I often heard Han Cheng's brat complain about how tough field work was. The local 'elders' are indeed cunning, just as rumored."

"His tactics surpass those of an official," Qiao Tianya remarked, lying on a stone bench with his arms behind his head, basking in the sun. "No wonder he could hold onto power in Tea State for so long. He's got skills."

Kong Ling was brewing tea by the side, silent and unassuming.

From inside the main chamber, Shen Zechuan emerged, causing the three of them to rise. Shen Zechuan gestured for them to remain seated and asked, "What time is it?"

Fei Sheng eagerly replied, "It's almost noon."

Shen Zechuan held his folding fan and, shielding his eyes from the glaring sun, opened it to cover his face as he said, "With the great victory in Tea State, haven't we yet held a celebration feast? Send an invitation to Luo Mu, telling him to join us for a drink tonight here."

Fei Sheng acknowledged the order and then added, "Master, what if he doesn't dare to come?"

Shen Zechuan revealed a hint of a smile through the slits of his fan and replied, "Not dare to? I think this man has courage in every fiber of his being."

Fei Sheng sensed displeasure and quickly withdrew to carry out the task of delivering the invitation.

Despite his recent indulgence in drinking and gambling, Kong Ling still stood up when he saw Shen Zechuan descending the steps.

Shen Zechuan remarked, "I've heard that Mr. Cheng Feng provided the funds for Cai's burial."

Kong Ling, with his hands folded in his sleeves, felt for the remaining roasted soybeans in his pocket and replied, "Ah, yes, it was me."

Shen Zechuan closed his fan and gazed at Kong Ling for a moment.

Kong Ling assumed that Shen Zechuan was displeased but didn't feel the need to explain further.

To Fei Sheng's surprise, Shen Zechuan let the matter drop there. He sipped half a cup of tea and didn't inquire any further.

Recalling the wound on Shen Zechuan's left palm from that night, Kong Ling felt even more exhausted. He had accomplished nothing on this trip, yet it drained him more than staying in Cizhou.

Contrary to Fei Sheng's expectations, Luo Mu arrived alone that evening. The cook in this residence was newly hired, with decent culinary skills. Shen Zechuan didn't demand anything extravagant, merely requesting slightly more refined dishes for the feast, given the current situation in Tea State, where famine still persisted. Shen Zechuan's own meals were simple.

After a few rounds of wine, the atmosphere between them was amicable. Fei Sheng observed that both Shen Zechuan and Luo Mu appeared cordial, showing no signs of resentment from the recent delay.

Lifting his cup, Luo Mu proposed a toast, "Everything is now in place. The grain issue can be negotiated. I just wonder when the Magistrate plans to return? With a date, my advisors can prepare accordingly."

Three days had passed since Cai Yu's death, and the plan had already been finalized before their actions. Luo Mu's reluctance to fulfill his part as agreed upon was a ploy to buy time, hoping to engage Shen Zechuan in a game of wits. As he had explained to Kong Ling, lowering the price of grain by a measure meant real money. Now that these substantial funds were in his hands, it would be challenging to part with them as he had initially intended.

In the main hall, a girl sang alongside her blind father playing the erhu. Shen Zechuan watched the old man play, his fingers lightly resting on his fan as if he didn't hear the music. Only after the song ended did Shen Zechuan smile and say, "My schedule is tight, just two more days."

Luo Mu's expression showed difficulty, "Two days are too rushed. Can the Magistrate extend your stay a little longer? There are many scenic spots in Tea State that you haven't seen yet."

Shen Zechuan's gaze shifted and landed on Luo Mu's face as he said, "My family is anxious, and I'm eager to return home."

Despite Shen Zechuan's gentle tone, Luo Mu inexplicably restrained his frivolous demeanor. He sat up straight and replied seriously, "That makes sense. Why don't you, Assistant Magistrate, go back first? When I finish drafting the plan here, I'll send it over. Cheng Feng can stay behind to oversee the evidence."

Kong Ling wanted to say something, but when Shen Zechuan's fan lightly tapped the edge of the table, he held his tongue.

Shen Zechuan leaned on his fan, staring at Luo Mu while addressing the blind old man, "Let's change the tune and sing a song from Tea State. Isn't there a 'Song of Killing Thieves' in Tea State?"

The blind old man nodded slightly and moved aside, allowing his granddaughter to switch to a pipa and begin playing.

Shen Zechuan ignored Luo Mu's attempt to engage him, and Luo Mu, sitting opposite, didn't dare to bring it up again. He had been able to look Shen Zechuan in the eye before, but as the melody grew more intense and filled with a murderous aura, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Shen Zechuan lifted the lid of his tea bowl and said, "This tea was a gift from someone high-ranking, isn't it good? Is it from River State?"

Luo Mu forced a smile and replied, "It was all seized from Cai Yu's residence. I don't know much about tea, but it's a fitting tribute for Assistant Magistrate."

Shen Zechuan chuckled and said, "I don't really enjoy drinking tea."

The girl's fingers danced across the strings, producing a sharp, metallic sound like a knife being struck, echoing in their ears and urging them forward. The notes exploded, causing Luo Mu's back to be drenched in sweat. This song seemed interminable to him; the dishes on the table had grown cold, with the lion's head dish being the most prominent. By the time Luo Mu got up to leave, his legs were numb.

Shen Zechuan stood beneath the eaves and said to Fei Sheng, "I'll see you off, it's quite a journey ahead."

Luo Mu barely managed a bow, glancing at Kong Ling several times before finally being escorted out by Fei Sheng. That very night, just two hours later, the promised documents and silver were delivered to Shen Zechuan's residence. As he lay in bed that midnight, only one thought filled his mind: Shen Zechuan knew what he was up to.

Luo Mu had delayed the meeting to ensure Shen Zechuan's departure, waiting for news from Yan Shi, who should have contacted Cai Yu. Though Cai Yu was gone, Luo Mu had risen in his place, capable of doing what Cai Yu could for Yan Shi. The grain prices in Chizhou were indeed low, but that only benefited common folk; it held no advantage for Luo Mu, who might not even enjoy the small benefits he'd once received while in Cai Yu's service.

He had assumed that since Shen Zechuan hadn't brought many men with him, he wouldn't dare touch Luo Mu. Thus, by the time Shen Zechuan returned to Chizhou, Luo Mu would have aligned with Yan Shi, giving him the confidence to reject any further demands from Chizhou.

But tonight, Shen Zechuan's intentions were clear – he wasn't swayed by Luo Mu's tactics. He was on a tight schedule, and if Luo Mu couldn't deliver or relied on the Yan family in Hezhou, Shen Zechuan would not hesitate to eliminate Luo Mu, as evidenced by the unmistakable message conveyed through the melody.

With his eyes closed, Luo Mu recalled Shen Zechuan's actions outside the city. A man who dared to use himself as a stake in a gamble would not hesitate to kill him. Before they acted against Cai Yu, Shen Zechuan had said, "We're here to do business." Looking back now, Luo Mu realized that this statement might have been an early warning from Shen Zechuan.

* * *

Two days later, Fei Sheng remained in Tea State, serving both as a scribe and keeping an eye on Luo Mu. The grain carts from Cattail State were stored in the granaries, with the former cosmetic merchant taking charge of the accounts. Thus, the grain trade between Cattail and Tea States was settled. Shen Zechuan had initially agreed with Zhou Gui and others in Cattail for a price of one tael per stone and eight bushels. Now, it was slightly higher at one tael per stone and six bushels, which was already lower than in Qu Capital.

Having purchased the grain from Cattail, Luo Mu not only needed to set up shelters and distribute porridge but also find ways to spend the money effectively. The top priority in Tea State was also to re-register its residents. With the grain he held from the small bandits, he could enroll them into the defense force. There were still some issues to address, but they could be discussed once the large shipment of grain from Cattail arrived. With Fei Sheng present, they could keep a close watch on the Yan family's movements in River State.

Shen Zechuan had already eliminated two key forces of the Yan family in Zhongbo. This debt was now etched in the Yan family's minds. Though they had previously had no connection, their attention was now drawn to Zhongbo and, more specifically, to Shen Zechuan.

Shen Zechuan made no delay and set off in his carriage that very day. They were almost out of the borders of Tea State when they heard the sound of another carriage pursuing them from behind.

Qiao Tianya lifted the edge of the carriage curtain and whispered to Shen Zechuan, "It's Luo Mu."

Luo Mu had come to see them off, but upon learning that Shen Zechuan wasn't feeling well that day, he decided against it. His main purpose was to bid Kong Ling farewell. The two of them alighted from their carriage and walked along the official road for a while.

Luo Mu took out a package of pastries wrapped in oil paper from his bosom. "You loved these back at the academy. I saw someone selling them on my way out, so I bought some for you to eat on the journey."

Looking at the oil paper, Kong Ling said, "That was quite a few years ago, and you still remember."

Luo Mu smiled wistfully. "Yes... I should remember. Will you be here to meet the grain convoy next time?"

Kong Ling took the oil paper and walked a few steps without responding.

Luo Mu gazed at Kong Ling, just as he had done many years ago.

Kong Ling held the pastry package in his hand and said inexplicably, "When we left the academy, you asked if I would join you in Qidu. I didn't answer then. After we parted ways, did you ever go back to have a look?"

Luo Mu replied, "I left the academy and headed west with my family, spending several years in Qidu..."

Kong Ling turned around and finally met Luo Mu's gaze. He said, "It was a dream."

Luo Mu waited for a moment but received no response, so he couldn't help laughing. "Later, when I was in Qu Du, I heard that you had pledged your allegiance to Tan Tailong. He's an excellent official, and you two accomplished great things... Why haven't you taken a spouse?"

Why haven't I taken a spouse?

Kong Ling repeated the question in his mind, slowly smiling. He was already old, yet at this moment, a touch of his youthful grace emerged. For some reason, in his now-clouded eyes, there was still a spark of determination. Gripping the package of pastries tightly, he said, "...I should be going."

The wind rustled through the grass, and Kong Ling turned away without waiting for Luo Mu's reply.

Luo Mu stood in the wind, watching Kong Ling's sleeves sway, feeling a tightness in his throat. Unable to resist, he took a step forward and even reached out his hand. The strands of white hair mixed in Kong Ling's hair bun vanished in the breeze, hidden by fluttering leaves. Luo Mu was momentarily lost in a memory from many years ago.

Kong Ling had missed out on many things in his life, but not because he hadn't tried. Once, due to an invitation, he tossed and turned in his bed, eventually wandering around the academy, only to be greeted by a July rain. In that rain, he waited until his eyes were wet, and from then on, he left for foreign lands.

Luo Mengzheng was a man of charm.

This was what Kong Chengfeng realized during that rainy day, and many years later, he waited again, but only ended up with bloodstains on his robe. Neither time did Luo Mu come.

After that day, Kong Ling and Luo Mu never saw each other again.