Chapter 205: Duan Prefecture

Qi Zhuyin submitted a memorial to the capital, but it wasn't until February that she received a reply. Reading it in her mansion in Cang County, she told Qi Shiyu, who was lying on his bed, "I suggested attacking the Qingmu Department, but the Military Department disagreed. The Empress Dowager is concerned about military expenses and wants me to wait. But now that the war has already broken out in Zhongbo, I can't afford to wait any longer."

Qi Shiyu, who had been improving lately, spoke with difficulty from his bed, holding a handkerchief as he said, "Y-You're anxious."

Misinterpreting his words, Qi Zhuyin set down the letter and replied, "Yes, I'm anxious. How could I not be? If we calculate the consequences, a defeat for the Northern Army wouldn't be beneficial for Qidong."

Only then did Qi Shiyu complete his sentence, "A-Anxious about what!"

Leaning back in her chair, Qi Zhuyin heard the wailing of the concubine in the courtyard. She had just spent half the night riding to get here, relying on strong tea to keep her awake. She would have to return later, and the crying annoyed her. Addressing Qi Shiyu, she said, "Can you make her stop?"

This concubine had given birth to Qi Shiyu's son, and now she wept like a pear blossom in rain, leaning on her maid and calling out to the room in a mournful voice, "Master... Can't I even see Master? Commander, how ruthless you are!"

Standing by the eaves, Qi Wei watched the concubine cry until her eyes were swollen, almost falling to the ground. He clicked his tongue softly, shifting his feet to turn away from her, his head aching from the sound.

Qi Shiyu recognized which concubine it was. Before his stroke, he had been known for his affection towards women. Now, he clutched his handkerchief tightly, his chest heaving violently as he shouted with all his might, "S-Silence!" After catching his breath, he covered the corner of his mouth with the handkerchief and addressed Qi Zhuyin, "Libei, Bei... no..."

"That was so many years ago," Qi Zhuyin interjected. "You're already at an advanced age. Are you still holding a grudge against the old Duke? The main commanders of the Libei War Camp have their own intentions now, and they're not the same as they were over a decade ago."

"Well, Xiao Jiming, and... Xiao Chiye," Qi Shiyu struggled to speak, causing even himself to frown in effort. He tried to articulate clearly, "Can they defeat A'muer? If you send troops now to clean up the mess, you'll be suspected by the Empress Dowager. Once the war is over, see how they'll hold you accountable!"

Decades ago, Qi Shiyu was the dream man of the Da Zhou princesses. Born into a prominent family, he was handsome and charismatic. Among the four great generals of the Yongyi era, he gained fame earliest in Qidong, and Feng Yisheng once served under him. He had been on track for an imperial title, but Xiao Fangxu's sudden rise at Luoxia Pass and the Northern Iron Cavalry's displacement of the Qidong garrison's prestige forever cast Qi Shiyu into the shadows.

They didn't have any personal grudges, but they were always competitive, even engaging in fights in Qudu. Qi Shiyu looked down on Xiao Fangxu's background, while Xiao Fangxu had once called Qi Shiyu a pretty, empty-headed fellow. When Feng Yisheng was still alive, he was the eldest among them and had made significant efforts, along with Lu Pingyan, to maintain the brotherly relationship between Qidong and Linbei for many years.

Out of stubbornness, Qi Shiyu had once considered marrying Qi Zhuyin off to Xiao Jiming, but his heart couldn't reconcile with the idea, so he never brought it up.

"What will they hold us accountable for?" Qi Zhuyin sheathed her knife. "If Linbei falls, Zhongbo will fall too; if Zhongbo falls, Dancheng will follow. Who will the Empress Dowager hold accountable? Herself? Xiao Jiming and Xiao Chiye are, after all, the sons of an old prince. With Han Cheng's capabilities, how could he stop the Border Sands cavalry? We might as well all go down together."

Qi Shiyu was left gasping from her sharp words.

Pouring a cup of tea, Qi Zhuyin said, "Take a break."

"No!" Qi Shiyu rallied, throwing his handkerchief at Qi Zhuyin like a child. "You foolish girl! Bargain with the Empress Dowager, at least secure a title before you go!"

Qi Zhuyin fell silent for a moment, understanding that Qi Shiyu was looking out for her. She had been the Commander of the Five Prefectures of Qidong for quite some time but still lacked a title. If she were injured or disabled, the Empress Dowager could dismiss her with a single order.

"At least be born with a name, and when you...," Qi Shiyu's voice trembled, "when you die, have a position!"

Otherwise, after a hundred years, she, Qi Zhuyin, would merely be known as "Miss Qi," despite her illustrious military achievements, and her true reputation would not be preserved.

With a gentle grip on her teacup, Qi Zhuyin traced the patterns on its rim and spoke, "I am prepared to die for my country on the battlefield, there is no need for me to return in a horse's hide2." Raising her head, she smiled at Qi Shiyu, "Qidong is bound by others, we must negotiate with Qudu for every matter. If the Empress Dowager is willing to provide military provisions, I have no need for fame, it's as simple as that."

Qi Shiyu, perhaps due to his advancing years, unexpectedly shed tears. He didn't allow Qi Zhuyin to wipe them away as he lowered his head and sobbed, "If only you were a son..."

Qi Zhuyin neatly folded the handkerchief and placed it by the bedside. When Qi Shiyu was a bit better, she continued, "Countless soldiers have fallen in battles before, but not all of them have left their names in history. General Feng didn't even receive a title. I'm telling you this so that you understand the situation. This year, we're really going to war. Before the new year, I heard that Chen Zhen wasn't in good health. That's why the military department didn't approve my request to march. With his support weakening, we'll have few allies left in Qidu once he steps down. I'm worried that it will be even harder to secure the military pay. We should cut back on expenses wherever possible in the estate. Don't let those concubines sway your decisions anymore. They have manors and shops—your sons won't starve even if I were to pass away."

Qi Shiyu huffed with exasperation, "I gave you the Zhuangzi Du... all of it..."

"All of it has been filled in," Qi Zhuyin pondered for a moment before reassuring, "There is still a small plot of land, about a third of an acre, preserved. My mother uses it to cultivate flowers and herbs; she hasn't been willing to sell it. We can still manage to make ends meet in the future with it."

The concubine outside the chamber had fallen silent, and as afternoon descended with overcast skies and dense clouds obscuring the sun, the room grew even more dimly lit with hanging drapes drawn. Qi Shiyu sat on the couch observing his daughter, her slender shoulders stark against the faint window light, adorned with a hairpin once belonging to his late wife.

Qi Zhuyin inherited her mother's features; without the overpowering presence of her brows and eyes, her smile held a captivating charm. The Commander was not as heroic as rumored.

Qi Zhuyin waited until Qi Shiyu had fallen asleep before leaving. She changed her shoes under the eaves; her deerskin boots sank into the snow. Turning to Qi Wei, she asked, "Where is he?"

"Madam has been seen off," Qi Wei mentioned, following behind.

Qi Zhuyin returned without having seen Hua Xiangyi. For a moment, she hesitated before passing by Hua Xiangyi's courtyard, where she could hear the sweet chatter of women. Through the latticed gate, she caught a glimpse of Hua Xiangyi between the branches of a plum tree.

Hua Xiangyi was wrapped in a fox fur robe that seemed to have originated from Qiu Du, pure white without any blemishes. The soft fur accentuated her delicate cheeks, making her bright, autumnal eyes even more vivid. She appeared to be a pampered lady, her fingertips resting on her plum-blossom-shaped fan as white and untouched as porcelain.

Without reason, Qi Zhuyin turned her head slightly, observing for quite some time.

"The accountant in our manor has prepared the ledger and is waiting for you in the office. Our expenses last year…" Qi Wei recited, but when she noticed Qi Zhuyin wasn't moving, she followed her gaze.

Qi Zhuyin lifted her Zhujiu sword, using the scabbard to block Qi Wei's view.

Over there, Hua Xiangyi held a plum branch, a floral mole resembling a petal adorning her brow. She chuckled softly as she whispered to her attending maid, then gracefully leaned aside and disappeared from view.

Without turning his head, Qi Zhuyin addressed Qi Wei, "Come on, let's go."

Qi Wei saw nothing out of the ordinary and repeated, "Leaving?"

With a swift pace, Qi Zhuyin set off, leaving Qi Wei utterly baffled. However, he dared not inquire further and hurriedly followed. Qi Zhuyin went straight to the office to reconcile accounts with the ledger keeper. Without the luxury of time to sit, she stood and flipped through several pages.

"Has the household steward been replaced?" Qi Zhuyin inquired suddenly.

Bowing slightly, the accountant whispered, "In response to Commander, nothing has been exchanged."

"That's odd," Qi Zhuyin flipped through a few more pages. "In previous years, the accounts were always a tangled mess, as if they wished they could make it even more confusing. Why is last year's record so clear?"

Not only was the account meticulous, but it even had a separate ledger for this year's advance expenses, detailing the expenditures of each household in the estate with crystal clarity. At Qi Zhuyin's request, the ladies' cosmetics expenses were halved once more, and even the obscure manors that Qi Shiyu couldn't explain were listed in detail. It was a more impressive accounting than what one would find in the Ministry of Finance's records.

"Initially, our estate's accounts were intricate and the various households' statements were unclear, leaving the scholars at a loss on where to begin." The accountant took the teacup and presented it to Qi Zhuyin. "When Commander requested the estate to practice frugality, the calculations for the subordinate manors were confusing. The monthly tributes were mixed haphazardly with the logistical expenses."

Qi Zhuyin lifted his gaze to the accounting office.

"It was Lady Dowager who oversaw the calculations this time," the accountant hurriedly explained, fearing Qi Zhuyin's displeasure. "She manages the household, and all the accounts have to pass through her. A special envoy was sent to inform us that the records are too disorganized, especially with your military expenditure. They need to be redone. We've rushed through it several times, but the concubines wouldn't stop causing trouble. Many of the courtyards are hiding their manors and are reluctant to reveal the truth."

Indeed, that was the case.

The concubines were all fearful of Qi Shiyu's demise, gripping tightly onto their own manors and shops while attempting to extract more resources from the estate. Whenever it came to accounting, they never spoke the truth. As Qi Zhuyin didn't reside in the inner courtyard, and Qi Wei, along with his confidants, were outsiders, they couldn't intervene effectively, leaving the accounts in a perpetual state of chaos, causing her endless headaches.

This Hua San seems capable.

Holding the ledger, Qi Zhuyin asked, "Do the concubines really listen to her so obediently?"

"At first, she was giving the First Lady the cold shoulder," the accountant explained. "As a woman who had borne a son, she relied on the Master's affection and refused to settle accounts while causing a ruckus in his quarters. Didn't Commander give Miss Hongying to the First Lady? The First Lady then instructed Miss Hongying to escort the weeping concubine back to her courtyard and summon a physician. When the doctor couldn't diagnose any illness, the First Lady had the concubine buried in the courtyard."

Qi Zhuyin didn't react at first. After a moment of stunned silence, she asked, "Buried in the courtyard?"

"The body has been interred in the courtyard!" the accountant reported. "Now, all the concubines are weeping uncontrollably, saying they will complain to the Commander."

"Ahh," Qi Zhuyin remarked, "You want to lodge a complaint?"

"The First Lady granted them the horse and opened the gates to let them pass."

Concubines usually required attendants to help them dress; who among them knew how to ride a horse? Qi Shiyu wasn't interested in that sort of thing! On such a cold day, if anyone dared to wail in Qi Shiyu's courtyard, Hua Xiangyi would bury them in her own garden like a carrot; it wouldn't take long for the concubines to freeze into unconsciousness.

The ladies-in-waiting around Hua Xiangyi were all carefully chosen by the Empress Dowager. If the concubines dared to act out, these ladies would have no qualms about punishing them in various ways. The concubines were made to kneel in the corridors to set an example, without even catching a glimpse of Hua Xiangyi. Once they returned to their own quarters, weeping, it was time for their sons to step in.

"It's my son," Hua Xiangyi said softly from behind a screen. "I hear he recently incurred a debt of several hundred taels of silver and hasn't paid it back. People have even come chasing to our home. How can this be allowed? As the head wife, I feel compassion for you brothers and have instructed the lady-in-waiting to settle the debt first. Don't be afraid, the IOUs are signed with fingerprints, and I'll keep them safe. This will prevent any attempts to deny the debt later, should the creditors come looking for Father... Son, aren't you sitting down?"

"So it is," the accountant reported to Qi Zhuyin after his conversation with Hua Xiangyi. "The Lady holds all the accounts for the sons. If she just informs us, all the sons' shops will be transferred under her name. Who would dare to cause trouble then?"

Closing the ledger, Qi Zhuyin stood for a moment before reopening it. She commented, "She certainly has a strong will."

The accounting was truly impressive, Qi Zhuyin thought. If military accounts were managed with such efficiency, she wouldn't have to worry about the cunning old timers at the Ministry of Finance. But Hua Xiangyi was the Empress Dowager's favorite, so after some contemplation, she decided against it.

* * *

As February progressed and snowfall lessened, Chizhou saw more sunny days. Shen Zechuan took advantage of these moments to stroll with Yao Wenyu in the outskirts of the city.

On this cloudless day, the sky was a brilliant blue, and the snow in the woods had started to thaw, with the sound of melting streams trickling. Ding Tao, eager to enjoy the crisp air, brought Li Xiong to play near the forest edge.

"Your appearance suggests you haven't been well lately," Shen Zechuan commented as he wiped his hands on the snow. He glanced at Yao Wenyu. "Did you not sleep well at night?"

Yao Wenyu's pale face was framed by frosty leaves. He smiled slightly at Shen Zechuan and replied, "It's just the cold, making my legs ache..." He paused. "Second Master has been in Dunzhou for half a month now. Has Lordship received any news?"

"Duan Taihu discovered remnants of bandits lurking in Luoshan, causing Cezhuan's delay there. But the night before last, he reported that the Luoshan bandits had been eradicated, and the Northern Iron Cavalry now occupy the area," Shen Zechuan shared. Today, he wore a narrow-sleeved jade robe topped with a long velvet jacket, giving him a youthful appearance. His right arm bore a dog-skin bracer, and with a raised arm and a whistle, a falcon swooped down from the woods and landed on his arm.

Meng was too heavy for Shen Zechuan to hold for long. After feeding the messenger bird some meat, he released it to play again.

"Luoshan is no longer a concern," Yao Wenyu observed Meng flying off. "The challenge lies in Duanzhou."

Duanzhou bordered the Teashoulder River directly, and its borders had been severely eroded by the Border Sand Cavalry in recent years. No one knew how many scorpions still lurked within. Xiao Chiye had only taken five thousand imperial guards with him, while the rest were Northern Iron Cavalry. He refused to abandon the Northern heavy armor completely, so he would need to find a solution to deal with the scorpions in the battle for Duanzhou.

Shen Zechuan's heart was hanging on the fate of Duanzhou.

"Given the smooth operation of the relay stations, we can immediately send reinforcements if the situation changes," Yao Wenyu reassured Shen Zechuan, noticing his grave expression. "Besides, Second Master is a fortunate man and will surely be protected by heaven."

"Lu Guangbai mentioned that A'muer has cultivated crops across the Tea Stone River," Shen Zechuan brushed aside a dead branch from his ear. "I'm worried he's been wary of Zhongbo for a long time, positioning his grain fields near Gedale to prepare for a protracted battle with Duanzhou."

Libei could not afford to prolong the conflict. If Duanzhou couldn't be taken, Sanying Camp would be in grave danger, and Zhongbo would find it impossible to fully shut its doors. With such a long-term vision, Shen Zechuan felt that A'muer had the entire land, from south to north, under his scrutiny.

Recalling last year's battles, A'muer had first employed Hu Helu to occupy Guo Weili, giving Hason time to head north. Back then, the Scorpion had infiltrated Zhongbo to smuggle supplies, preparing for the conquest of Libei. Now, using Hason to eliminate Xiao Fangxu, he had significantly reduced the pressure on the northern front, bolstering his confidence against Qi Zhuyin. By using the Scorpion to hold off Libei, and his cavalry to engage Qi Zhuyin, Zhongbo became a vulnerable underbelly. Once he freed up his resources, he could stomp down on the newly stabilized frontline.

Duanzhou would be a brutal battle.

Just as Yao Wenyu was about to speak, Fei Sheng rode over. He dismounted and bowed to Shen Zechuan, reporting, "Master, Yan Heru is here."

Shen Zechuan knew that after inspecting the river transport in Hezhou, Yan Heru must have come to complain. The matter regarding the new port in Juxi Lushui had yet to be settled. Turning around, he said, "Let's go back."

* * *

As expected, Yan Heru had indeed come to vent his frustration. Arriving late, Zhou Gui and a few others accompanied him, discussing matters related to Lushui. When Shen Zechuan returned, Yan Heru fell silent and began recounting the situation in Hezhou.

"The official in charge of the water transport in Hezhou under the Ministry of Revenue was Liang Cuishan, who also oversaw the salt taxes in Juexi. Last year, he and Jiang Qingshan intricately arranged matters in the Thirteen Cities, making our business rather difficult. These two individuals were the masterminds behind it." Yan Heru, finding the chair too hard, shifted a bit before continuing with a vibrant expression, "Oh dear, Lord, I'm quite worried! This person is not easy to deal with – an unyielding character who doesn't accept bribes. But can you guess what happened? Before I could come up with a strategy, he was transferred. They say he's now investigating farmland issues in Dancheng with the Supreme Court, and the imperial court has inadvertently done me a huge favor."

Shen Zechuan recognized the name and asked, "Leang Cuishan?"

"Liáng Cuìshān, style name Chóngshēn," Yan Heru leaned on the table, fluttering his eyelashes at Shen Zechuan. "You know him? You should have mentioned it earlier! Then I wouldn't have been worried."

Shen Zechuan, of course, recognized the man. He had been the one to recommend Xiao Chiye to promote him, so he asked, "Did you transfer him to Dan City to investigate the farmlands?"

"Yes, Pan Lin is currently challenging Xue Xiuzhuo on the arena. Xue Xiuzhuo is a true man, stirring up a hornet's nest," Yan Heru said enigmatically. "Lord, can you guess how much land the Eight Cities have amassed over the years? If Xue Xiuzhuo were to settle this account, not only the Pan family but even the Empress Dowager would be implicated. The aristocratic families are all hoping for his demise now."

Noble families have been encroaching on peasant lands, leading to an increase in displaced people. All those who flooded into Zhongbo last year were forced out of their homes. Qi Huilian attempted to curb this issue with the implementation of the Yellow Register, but it had little effect in the Eight Cities. Now, Xue Xiuzhuo is using Yao Wenyu's case as a pretext to make the first move against the Pans in Dan City.

Even Yao Wenyu has to admit that Xue Xiuzhuo possesses great audacity.

"Liáng Cuìshān was promoted by Pan Lin," Shen Zechuan realized promptly. "The noble families are likely counting on Liáng Cuìshān to use his position in the Ministry of Revenue to hinder Xue Xiuzhuo's land investigation and buy time until spring."

"A fine spectacle of a dragon versus tiger battle," Yan Heru clapped gently and said to Shen Zechuan with a smile. "Let them engage in a ruthless conflict until Zhongbo stabilizes. Then, our Lord Governor will be free to teach them a lesson!"

"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Shen Zechuan replied, using his folding fan to gently push away Yan Heru's fingers as they reached for him. "This Liáng Cuìshān..."

A sudden commotion erupted beneath the eaves, causing Shen Zechuan to halt his speech. All the scholars within the room turned to look. Zhou Gui rose slightly and inquired, "What is the ruckus? We are in the middle of a discussion!"

Fei Sheng swept aside the curtain, his gaze passing over the crowd as he fixed his eyes on Shen Zechuan. With a pale face, he said, "Master..."

The dark sky allowed a draft to seep through, fluttering the corners of the curtain. The wind was so strong that the scholars had to lift their sleeves to shield their faces. Shen Zechuan stood up, sensing trouble in Fei Sheng's expression. He even took a few steps forward, staring at Fei Sheng under the flickering candlelight.

"It's an urgent message from eight hundred miles away," Fei Sheng announced solemnly, "from the Second Master—"

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Author's Note:

1: Extracted from "Beyond the Frontier"