Chapter 49

Chapter 49: The Forty-Ninth Episode

The two brothers slept in their clothes, and Lian Xiusheng held Third Brother, enjoying a rare, sound sleep.

The next day, Lian Xiusheng rose first. Lian Cheng stretched his neck to look outside the window—the sky had not yet brightened. He half-opened his eyes, thinking, “If only my younger brother were more sensible,” he wouldn’t have to work so hard every day to report for duty.

But he had no choice. Lian Cheng still got up. He skillfully put on the spring uniform issued by the yamen before the Qingming Festival—a blue-green *yesa* robe with meandering water and cloud patterns—and donned his *futou* headdress. Turning around, he saw Lian Xiusheng already dressed in his crimson round-collar robe with the egret rank badge and black gauze cap. After a moment’s thought, he still found the civil official attire more appealing.

“Young master, drink the medicine before you go.” Tong Xue came over from the other small courtyard, carrying some pastries to settle his stomach and a bowl of steaming medicine.

Lian Cheng, thinking of their hard work getting up early to brew it, drank it down, barely suppressing a gag.

After leaving the house, at the point where they had to part ways, Lian Cheng reined in his horse, bent down, and lifted the curtain of Lian Xiusheng’s sedan chair. “I’ve no objection to that blueprint, but I have another idea—you need to leave me an empty space in the outer courtyard. I have a use for it.”

Lian Xiusheng asked what for. Lian Cheng said he wanted to grow sweet potatoes. Lian Xiusheng, showing rare disdain, said, “Third Brother wants to grow sweet potatoes—why not have someone open a few acres in the estate and plant them there? It would be more proper to plant flowers and trees in the courtyard.”

“Put away that impractical, otherworldly attitude of yours! I said I’m planting sweet potatoes, so I’m planting sweet potatoes.”

Having said that, Lian Cheng ignored Lian Xiusheng and rode off—he was planting sweet potatoes in his own courtyard, not in Lian Xiusheng’s. So it wasn’t like he was bullying the younger. On the contrary, Lian Xiusheng was too out of touch.

He had already thought it through: if the sweet potatoes really could be grown, they could be popularized. The wealthy might not care for them, but those who couldn’t afford food wouldn’t look down on them. However, he couldn’t be the one to appear in this matter, nor could any member of the Lian family. He had to find a farmer with a clean background, lest it arouse the emperor’s suspicion and bring disaster upon himself—he was a subject, not an emperor. Winning the people’s support would bring disaster upon him.

Thinking along these lines all the way, by the time he arrived at the Southern Yamen of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, not only had he mentally crushed that mere Lian Xiusheng, but even the entire feudal age had been trampled under his feet.

He handed his horse over to the stable, then strode into the yamen. Ji Xing and Qiao Yuer greeted him, informing him that the Northern and Southern yamen were about to merge, and the imperial edict would arrive shortly.

Lian Cheng sat down on the steps of the courtyard. “What’s there to merge? The internal and external affairs are kept separate anyway. Wouldn’t merging just complicate things?”

“Hey, you can’t say that,” Ji Xing said while biting into a meat bun. “The merger isn’t for convenience in handling affairs. What they want is manpower.”

Lian Cheng rested his chin on his hand, remembering how reluctant Lou Lan had looked about the merger. He asked, “The Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Meng Chong, is Eunuch Wu’s man. What about Commissioner Lou? Which side is he on?”

“Our Commissioner? Who knows. Anyway, he’s definitely not on Eunuch Wu’s side. He doesn’t get along with the Northern Commissioner or the Commander,” Qiao Yuer whispered.

Lian Cheng asked why.

The three huddled together. Qiao Yuer said, “Chiliarch, if I tell you, you mustn’t spread it around. Well, actually, if you’ve got a big mouth, it’s not a big deal—most of the old-timers know about it, they just don’t talk about it openly.”

Ji Xing added, “Qiao, the shorty, is telling you. Don’t get angry, Chiliarch.”

“Why would I get angry? Just say it. I’m listening.”

So Qiao Yuer spoke. “Back then, when that fat guy’s father and mine were still alive, the Commander wasn’t the Commander yet. He was just a low-ranking executioner carrying out executions in the Imperial Prison. Because he was always cruel, harsh, arrogant, and stubborn, he was very unpopular. Do you know how he rose up? He rendered great service in the purge of Crown Prince Jiao’s former officials!”

Lian Cheng let out an “ah.” “So Eunuch Wu was involved too?”

“I wouldn’t know about that. Eunuch Wu is a sly old fox. But given how much imperial favor Eunuch Wu enjoys now, he probably killed quite a few of Crown Prince Jiao’s former officials as well.”

Lian Cheng was lost in thought for a moment. He remembered Meng Chong clearly. On the day of the Lantern Festival, Lian Xiusheng had said that Vice Commander Meng Chong of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had broken into his house. So Meng Chong hadn’t started as Vice Commander, just a low-level executioner. To have climbed all the way to Commander, how many innocent people must he have wrongfully killed?

“Then how dare Lou Lan, a mere Commissioner of the Southern Yamen, oppose his own superior?” Since Meng Chong was known to be vengeful and ruthless, why would he allow Lou Lan to remain in the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Could Lou Lan hold some leverage over Meng Chong?

Ji Xing looked around and said, “Chiliarch, have you forgotten? Commissioner Lou’s mother is our Princess Fuhui. Not just the Commander—even facing the current emperor, Commissioner Lou dares to talk back sometimes.”

“The current emperor is really easygoing.”

“Of course. Otherwise, could the former officials of Crown Prince Jiao have been allowed to plot rebellion in the shadows? If they hadn’t gone too far, completely disregarding the law, the emperor wouldn’t have taken their lives.”

Lian Cheng asked in a low voice, “Is there evidence that they rebelled?”

Qiao Yuer chuckled. “How could there be no evidence?”

Ji Xing said, “The evidence was presented by your grandfather himself.”

“…” Lian Cheng felt like cussing.

-

The imperial edict arrived that afternoon. Lian Cheng knelt with everyone else to listen to it. It was the usual official drivel—of course he listened carefully, but only so he could confirm it was all nonsense.

After the edict was read, Commander Meng Chong of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was about to rise and receive it when Eunuch Chen, in a shrill voice, said, “Don’t rush. There’s another edict.”

So Eunuch Chen began reading more drivel from the imperial decree. Lian Cheng could have recited it by heart, until he heard his own name among the drivel.

“…By imperial decree, promote Lian Cheng, Chiliarch of the Southern Court of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to Commissioner of the Southern Court of the Embroidered Uniform Guard…”

“Third Lang of the Lian family, why don’t you come forward to receive the decree and thank His Majesty?”

Lian Cheng was still stunned, but his body reacted faster than his mind. He scrambled up, bent over, shuffled quickly forward, and plopped down on his knees before Eunuch Chen, kowtowing three times. Raising his hands high, he said, “Your servant thanks His Majesty for his great favor!”

Eunuch Chen held the imperial decree a moment longer, seeming to scrutinize the young man kneeling before him. His appearance was even more striking and luminous than when seen on New Year’s Eve—even in a coarse *yesa* robe, he was a rare beauty. A pity his family background was too prominent.

He handed the decree to Lian Cheng, helped him to his feet, and gave the other decree to Meng Chong without offering a hand. This made Meng Chong take a hard look at the young man who had joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard less than three months ago. After the palace entourage had left amid blaring fanfare and music, he summoned Lian Cheng to the Straight Hall for a talk.

Lian Cheng followed behind Meng Chong, winding through the corridors, walking from the picturesque and charming Southern Yamen into the gloomy and eerie Northern Yamen. He watched Meng Chong’s back—taller than him by just a little, but much sturdier. The Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard held the rank of senior second grade (Zheng-er-pin).

Many people toiled their entire lives without ever reaching senior second grade, yet Meng Chong looked at most forty. That meant when he participated in the purge of Crown Prince Jiao’s former officials, he was no more than twenty. The man certainly had guts—Lian Cheng always judged people objectively, evaluating them from multiple angles, which also helped him destroy them more easily later.

The Straight Hall in the Northern Yamen had no flowers, trees, or murals. White walls, a few lamp stands in the corners, and windows wide open on all sides, illuminating the large black-lacquer desk in the center with a dark gleam.

Meng Chong invited Lian Cheng to a chair, but Lian Cheng didn’t sit. Instead, he made a bow with clasped hands. “Your subordinate will stand and listen to your instructions, Excellency.”

Meng Chong sat down. The golden thread on his robe gleamed along with the desk. “No wonder you’re Lord Lian’s child.”

Lian Cheng’s eyebrow twitched slightly. Was he implying his father was also a bootlicker in public?

Seeing Lian Cheng silent, Meng Chong asked why he had joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Lian Cheng replied, “To serve His Majesty, to ease the people’s troubles, and to bring peace to the world for all ages.”

“Ambitious.” Meng Chong gave a perfunctory compliment, then asked, “In the Embroidered Uniform Guard yamen, there are normally only two Commissioners—one in the Southern Yamen, two in the Northern. Now that the two yamen are working together, the regulations are fixed. But with you added, the yamen now has three Commissioners. What do you think His Majesty’s intention is?”

Lian Cheng said he dared not guess the emperor’s intentions.

“No matter. Just say it.”

Lian Cheng paused for a moment, then said calmly, “Maybe His Majesty’s lucky number is three?”

“…” Meng Chong let out a laugh, leaned back in his chair. “You study Daoist teachings often?”

“I read it in a storybook,” Lian Cheng said.

Meng Chong stared silently at Lian Cheng standing in the center of the hall. His features were refined, like a jade statue—very beautiful. But a pity, he was a blockhead. Not wanting to continue, he waved his hand and sent him away.

Lian Cheng withdrew, closed the door, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Above him was a narrow strip of sky. Lian Cheng walked along the corridor of the Northern Yamen, head down. He wondered why the emperor had suddenly promoted him to Commissioner of the Southern Court. Was it deliberately to annoy Lou Lan? Or to use him to squeeze Lou Lan out? But given Lou Lan’s stubborn, prickly nature, would he resign voluntarily?

Still, he had to admit the dog emperor’s control was tight. Even in a tiny place like the Southern Court, he couldn’t tolerate anyone who defied him, even if that person was his own nephew.

Lian Cheng left the Northern Yamen and returned to the Southern Yamen. He didn’t start working immediately. Instead, he sat down under the huge banana tree, where no one would gossip with him. He grabbed a handful of pebbles and, head down, sorted them into factions.

One side was the emperor, another the literati-official faction, and yet another was Crown Prince Jiao.

The Lian family was unquestionably the emperor's people, and he himself was openly so, which is why he had been promoted beyond the usual ranks this time. So Lou Lan wasn't the emperor's man—at least not in the emperor's mind. But it was hard to say if Lou Lan belonged to the scholar-official faction or Crown Prince Jiao's faction; perhaps he was simply a staunch righteous man?

Eunuch Wu was definitely on the emperor's side. Even if the man himself wasn't, the eunuchs' interests were bound to the emperor's—maintaining the emperor's power was also consolidating their own.

There were surely emperor's plants among the scholar-officials too, so this faction mainly referred to the old clique headed by Grand Secretary Ye and the like. Figuring that out was tough—Lian Cheng didn't even know who all the civil officials were. He'd have to ask his younger brother; his brother would know everything clearly.

Crown Prince Jiao—that was even harder. Lian Cheng didn't believe his old loyalists had been completely wiped out. Regardless of whether Cai Hao was an upright minister or whether Crown Prince Jiao was a wise prince, even if this game was bound to be lost, there might still be followers who would face death without flinching.

It was just that the moment hadn't come yet, so they remained hidden beneath the surface.

Lian Cheng looked at the three small empty spaces he'd scraped out with his hand. Only the spot for Crown Prince Jiao was completely empty. He pondered for a long time, then nudged a stone over—having spent so much time with Lian Xiusheng, he thought that if Lian Xiusheng were to act, he certainly wouldn't be confined to the Lian family. What exactly did he want? Lian Cheng had an idea, but didn't dare to think too deeply.

After a while, Lian Cheng nudged another stone over—he was Lian Xiusheng's elder brother, and no matter what, he would help Sixth Brother.

Later, Lian Cheng herded the entire Lian household over there. Debts of blood—bring it on!

Lian Cheng's face flushed red, sweat pouring down his head. He rolled up his sleeves and kicked out several more stones. The womenfolk were blameless. Then he kicked out Eldest Brother—after all, Eldest Brother still had a wife and daughter to support. Without him, how would they live? Second Brother also had a wife and daughter. Second Brother was out too.

Lian Pu was up in years—out. Ceng Gui wasn't even a Lian—out. Then only Lian Tao and Lian Xiao, the two brothers, remained. Tsk, what could two little ankle-biters accomplish? Out!

Lian Cheng sat cross-legged on the ground, propping his chin on both hands, silently staring at the two stones nestled together. He let out a long sigh.

After all his calculations, in the vast world between heaven and earth, only Lian Cheng himself was left to rely on and be with Lian Xiusheng.

Forget it, forget it. Lian Cheng stroked each stone with his finger and thought to himself: Third Brother loves you best. Don't ever say you're sweet on Third Brother again, or Third Brother won't have your back.

Lian Cheng's promotion was good news for the entire household. More importantly, the Southern Yamen had formerly been a sinecure with little real power. Now that the two yamen had been merged, his words would carry weight. And Lian Cheng, the Third Young Master, had happened to become Commissioner at just the right time—the best news ever—great, great, great!

-

For this, the family held a day-long feast, setting up a stage for operas that lasted the whole day. Zhang Ailian was so happy she even cried, until a few maids went up with lucky sayings to cheer her up.

At the banquet, Lian Cheng toasted his parents and also Old Master Guan Lian. He had a silver tongue, moved even Guan Lian, who always hated smooth talkers, to tears, making the old man wish he could pour all his life's knowledge into Lian Cheng's head right then and there.

On this day of joy for the entire family, a servant stepped into the main courtyard, carrying two bamboo cages—each holding a big, burly rooster. The servant looked at the banquet, set down the cages, and bowed with clasped hands. Just as he was about to speak and Sixth Madam began to stand, there was a crash of shattering cups.

Lian Cheng, who had been leaning arm-in-arm with Eldest Brother and lecturing him, was startled. He turned to see his mother's face ashen and was about to ask what was wrong.

But before he could, Zhang Ailian demanded coldly, "Where did these chickens come from?"

Seeing the tense atmosphere, the servant knelt and knocked his head on the ground. Just as he was about to explain, a sharp "Well, well!" rang out. Sixth Madam, wringing her handkerchief, walked around her chair and into the courtyard. She backhanded the servant and pointed at him, saying, "You thieving cur! Don't you know the Madam strictly prohibits any livestock in the house? And you bring these two beasts before her on such a happy day! Looking for a quick death? Someone drag him off and give him fifty lashes!"

Lian Cheng reacted fast. He set down his cup, went over, and pulled Sixth Madam aside, examined each of the two roosters carefully, then patted the servant on the back. "You're new to the household, aren't you? These must be for the kitchen. You came the wrong way. Go find someone to take you to the kitchen, and don't let it happen again."

The servant was stunned. He looked up, shocked, tears welling in his eyes. Finally, he knocked his head on the ground several times, picked up the two chicken cages, and ran off.

The atmosphere was about to die down. The two elders upstairs were silent, and Sixth Madam was drenched in cold sweat. Lian Cheng spent a while livening things up again. Zhang Ailian couldn't bear to scold him harshly. She pulled him aside, pinched his cheek, and asked softly, "Whoever gets into trouble, you cover for them. How old are you? How strong are you?"

Lian Cheng grinned and said, "If they deserve punishment, punish them; if they deserve a scolding, scold them. The servants know nothing—they just follow orders. If they do the job and still get beaten, that's not right."

Zhang Ailian paused for a moment, then let him go. Her eyes cut through Sixth Madam like knives.

When the banquet ended, she called Sixth Madam alone to the Orchid Garden. No one knew exactly what was said, but word spread through the household that Sixth Madam wept all night after returning to her courtyard.

A few days later, Lian Pu summoned Lian Cheng to Liufang Pavilion for a talk.

Lian Cheng had been in high spirits lately—it couldn't be described in just a few words.

His promotion brought not only money but also several dozen acres of fertile land. These were the obvious perks. Secretly, there was no shortage of people trying to bribe him. And since the Embroidered Uniform Guard usually went after officials, local gentry, and wealthy families, those who came to offer bribes often presented lavish gifts.

But Lian Cheng refused them all, and every time he refused one, he would quote the classics and hold forth to Lian Xiusheng on how he was incorruptible and unmoved by wealth.

So when he went to Liufang Pavilion, he hummed "Today Is a Great Day" all the way. Huqiu had never heard this song, but found it catchy, and soon master and servant were humming it together.

Lian Pu stood at the window, hands behind his back, watching the two smug fellows. He threw a book at them. "Slouching around! What a sight!"

Soon, Lian Cheng was seated in Lian Pu's study. Fu Guang brewed tea for him. While he sipped it, Lian Pu asked how things were going at the office. Lian Cheng nodded and said fine, except he couldn't get along with Lou Lan. Lian Pu asked about his health. Lian Cheng also said fine. "That fainting last time was an accident. Father, why are you still asking about it today?"

Lian Pu hesitated. He had wanted to tell him the truth, but then remembered Lian Jiao's warning not to worry Lian Cheng. He swallowed the words he had been about to say, sighed, and remarked, "Your sixth brother still cares about you deeply, always thinking of your well-being. You should act like a proper elder brother."

Lian Cheng nearly choked on his tea. Why had his father, out of the blue, brought up Lian Xiusheng?

"Is that all you called me here for, Father?"

Lian Pu said, "Of course not. I wanted to warn you: in that vicious office, beware of people like Meng Chong."

Lian Cheng said bluntly, "People like Meng Chong—aren't they just people like our Lian family?"

Lian Pu's expression gradually darkened. After a long pause, he squeezed out, "Impertinent child! Nonsense!"

After a moment, Lian Pu brought up Meng Chong again. "No matter what you think, you must not oppose him. This man rose from humble origins and especially resents the nobility. Nine out of ten who oppose him come to no good. Even if he were open and aboveboard, it would be one thing, but he uses nothing but filthy tricks. I'm afraid he'll stab you in the back."

Lian Cheng took this seriously. He set down his teacup and said, "Father, rest assured. I've been keeping a low profile at the office. I don't flaunt myself."

Lian Pu looked at his face, hesitated again, and finally couldn't hold back. "The commoners now call you the Pan'an of the Avici Hell and the Song Yu of the Yellow Springs Road. The children of my colleagues have been writing letters to me, asking me to pass them along to you... Such a nuisance, a real nuisance!"

"Father, is this really worth worrying about?"

"A good man born between heaven and earth should aspire to lofty ambitions. How can he make a name for himself through beauty?"

Lian Cheng wasn't yet troubled by it. He was used to being told he was handsome, and the ancient people were very reserved—he could say a few casual words and they'd blush and run away.

He wasn't polite to those who were disrespectful either. Even though he'd only learned basic martial arts by now, it was more than enough to deal with rogues. So he thought Lian Pu was just too idle and worrying unnecessarily.

Therefore, he wanted to take his leave. Today was his day off, and he had an appointment with Zhang Xian and the others to drink and watch a play.

Lian Pu had already made up his mind. He called out to Lian Cheng, who was pretending to leave, and declared, "The flowers in the Orchid Garden are all in bloom. In a few days, your mother will host a flower-viewing banquet."

"Mm," Lian Cheng nodded.

Lian Pu continued, "She's sent invitations to many ladies and misses from various families. When the time comes, you should help your mother attend to things in the Orchid Garden. Don't wander off."

Lian Cheng made a sound of surprise, about to say it would be inconvenient with all women present, but Lian Pu added, "You've also reached the age for marriage. You can use this chance to pick someone you like."