Chapter 33: Good Brothers
One sentence—“Great Qian law”—actually made the entire hall fall silent.
Could anyone say he was wrong? He was defending the laws of Great Qian. Someone so loyal and devoted would usually have to be rewarded.
But now, no matter how one listened to it, it sounded unpleasant. Even if he had seen the situation clearly in his heart, could he not wait until the confrontation with Lu was over before saying it?
Gan Xun could not help asking Shang Wangshu beside him, “He knows the Great Qian law so clearly. Is he from the Ministry of Justice? With such poor judgment, I wonder how he was promoted.”
Shang Wangshu’s expression also did not look good. Perhaps after the banquet, he would have to busy himself for a while. He answered, “Usually, he seems quite clever. Aside from being a little too fond of clinging to others to climb upward, he is not like this. Why is he so unable to understand the situation now?”
Gan Xun made an “oh” sound. “Then that means he was not born without judgment. That makes things interesting.”
Was that not so? At such an important moment, in order to bite Chen Zixiu and Mountain Lord, he actually dared step forward. Just how deep of a hatred did he have?
Or perhaps… how much resentment did the person behind him have toward Chen Zixiu and Mountain Lord?
Gan Xun’s “interesting” was especially meaningful.
The two looked at each other and said no more.
On the Lu envoys’ side, the corners of Zuo Qiu’s mouth lifted. He raised his cup. “I have long heard that Great Qian’s laws are the strictest among all countries. I did not expect that today I would actually have the opportunity to witness them.”
Just now, several times when he had tried to stir up a topic, Great Qian officials had come over to offer toasts and suppress the matter. He had not expected that now, someone would deliver the opportunity to him on their own.
After speaking, he even raised his cup toward Chen Bai. “As Grand Scholar Zhaoxue of Hongwen Pavilion, knowingly breaking the law is rather serious. I wonder how you intend to defend yourself?”
Chen Bai: “…”
This Zuo Qiu really did not let go of any opportunity to stir up trouble. Had he already started trying cases for Great Qian?
The official who had started the trouble shrank his head slightly. “I am merely seeking truth from facts. I ask Grand Scholar Zhaoxue to explain clearly. Were these wines of yours truly brewed privately by your teacher?”
Chen Bai narrowed his eyes. What a fine “seeking truth from facts.” At a time like this, in front of envoys from every country, he came to question him, to uphold the impartiality of Great Qian law. Was he trying to let all countries know how impartial and iron-faced Great Qian law was, or was he… deliberately targeting him?
Chen Bai did not even know this person. To be honest, he had no idea when he had offended him.
Chen Bai frowned. Should he admit this charge or not?
Now, this was no longer about comparing whose wine was better. This concerned Great Qian’s dignity, the face of the nation.
“This wine was indeed brewed by my teacher,” Chen Bai said. “However, if one says it is wine, then it is wine. If one says it is not, then it is not.”
Everyone froze. What did that mean?
Even Zuo Qiu laughed. “Just now, what we were comparing was whose wine was stronger. Grand Scholar Zhaoxue also went to fetch wine. Why are you now saying this is not wine? Then what exactly are you having us drink?”
Either Chen Zixiu would use this excuse to escape responsibility, or this thing was not wine at all, in which case how could it be compared with Lu’s wine?
Two choices. No matter which he chose, there would always be one that benefited Lu.
Chen Bai said, “Please allow me to finish. Last time, when I entered the palace to treat the empress dowager’s legs, I discovered that the empress dowager suffered from an illness called rheumatism. This illness is somewhat troublesome, but it is not untreatable. If combined with acupuncture and a strong medicinal wine to dispel dampness and pain, the effect is extremely quick.”
“After I left, I mentioned it to my teacher. Only afterward did my teacher brew this strong liquor.”
“So one may say it is wine, yet also not wine. It was originally brewed for medicinal use. If the Lu envoys had not insisted today on comparing whose wine was stronger, it would not have been brought up here as wine.”
“Therefore…” Chen Bai looked toward the official pursuing the matter. “You say my teacher privately brewed wine, but Zixiu cannot agree, because what my teacher brewed was clearly medicine.”
After speaking, he looked toward Zuo Qiu again. “Of course, in this current situation, it may also be used as wine to compete with Lu.”
“I wonder whether everyone is satisfied with this explanation.”
Zuo Qiu controlled his expression carefully. “Whether it is wine or medicine is all decided by your words alone. Zuo Qiu has only just arrived in Shangjing and did not know how capable this Grand Scholar Zhaoxue of Hongwen Pavilion was. But today, I have witnessed how skilled you are at sophistry. With one mouth, you can turn black into white. Is this how Great Qian tries cases? Zuo Qiu has truly broadened his horizons.”
Chen Bai smiled. “This Grand Scholar Zhaoxue may indeed not have much ability, but I still know that Great Qian’s legal cases do not need to be judged by envoys from another country. I also know that, as an envoy of another country, interfering in another nation’s internal affairs is rather improper.”
These words were quite direct. Zuo Qiu, know your place. Why are you fanning flames and stirring fires? Even if I truly am guilty of monstrous crimes, it is still not your place to judge.
Zuo Qiu raised his cup again and looked toward the earlier official. “I am merely speaking reason. How this should be judged is naturally for you to decide. I see this gentleman seems quite familiar with Great Qian law. What do you think?”
In any case, he refused to let this topic end.
Sweat began to drip down that official’s face. He had only inserted one sentence. His goal had merely been to let everyone know that Mountain Lord had violated Great Qian law by privately brewing wine, and that this could not be tolerated by the law.
How could he know that these people would insist on dragging him out to explain clearly? He only wanted to flatter the crown prince a little. The crown prince had finally given him such an opportunity. For an insignificant official like him, he would never normally have the chance to speak on such an occasion. But now, he had actually become the focus of everyone’s attention.
Gan Xun and Shang Wangshu sighed. He was being used as a spear, and by different people from different positions at that.
The official kept wiping his sweat. Even his voice became halting and stammering. “In any case… in any case, this is how it is written in Great Qian law.”
Chen Bai was also thinking deeply. Who exactly was it that would not forget to drag him into the water even at a time like this?
A person he did not know at all suddenly tried so hard to make him bear a crime. Added to that inexplicable wine-serving attendant who had tripped him earlier—if he had not prepared enough wine, he would probably have been unable to escape blame.
These palace attendants could not be ordered around by just anyone. Such a mistake, whether intentional or not, would probably mean death in this kind of situation.
Knowing that death was likely yet still going forward without hesitation meant that the person behind it must have an extraordinary identity.
And… that person was probably here at this banquet.
Chen Bai’s eyes shifted, and his eyelids lowered.
The people of Lu were waiting to see how this would be judged. At this moment, from the high seat above, the king suddenly spoke. “All of you have actually argued so long over such a trivial matter? It rather disturbs the mood.”
“This wine was brewed by Mountain Lord at my command, for the purpose of treating the empress dowager’s legs. Is there anything improper about that?”
Chen Bai froze. In the end, the king took the blame?
After all, what he had brought really was wine. No matter how he defended himself, it was only an explanation. If someone clung to it relentlessly, there was nothing he could do. Someone had to give him a step down, and the person giving him that step had to possess a status absolutely beyond question.
Chen Bai could not help looking toward Qi Zheng. Last time, he had asked Qi Zheng to tactfully pass a message to the king, saying that at this banquet, the people of Lu would definitely make things difficult for him, and that the king had better shield him a little.
Qi Zheng nodded. He had delivered the message. As for whether it had been tactful or not, in any case, he had repeated the original words.
A moment of silence.
Then Gan Xun said, “Your Majesty’s filial piety is something all of us in Great Qian should emulate…”
The king said, “Grand Scholar Zhaoxue, why are you not quickly letting the Lu envoys taste your wine?”
Zuo Qiu smiled. “Today has truly broadened my horizons.”
In the end, Chen Bai personally poured wine for him. Let’s see if he could not shut this man’s mouth. This Zuo Qiu was simply a shit-stirring stick. Today, Chen Bai would guard this Zuo Qiu and drink with him the entire time. Let him try to stir up more waves.
Chen Bai held the wine and quietly said to Zuo Qiu, “Earlier, I felt a little sorry toward you, but today, you are not giving way either. You are also trying your hardest to drive people to their deaths.”
Zuo Qiu froze. What was wrong with this Grand Scholar Zhaoxue? Everyone knew these things in their hearts. Was it not awkward for him to say it so directly?
Just as he was about to speak, Chen Bai said loudly, “Envoy of Lu, since you have just arrived in Shangjing, do you dare drink this bowl of wine with me in great mouthfuls?”
Zuo Qiu: “…”
This sudden enthusiasm—why was there not the slightest bit of a scholar’s restraint?
Chen Bai did not care about him. He tilted his head back and drank with full momentum, but only took small sips. This was high-proof liquor. If he really drank a whole bowl, he would probably end up with a perforated stomach.
Zuo Qiu snorted coldly and raised his head to drink.
In the end, with a “pfft,” he spat it out.
His face turned bright red, burned by the liquor.
Chen Bai laughed loudly. “Is my wine strong?”
When the others saw this, they could not help freezing. Was it really that strong?
At this moment, the palace attendants serving the wine had basically reached their seats too. “This wine is actually so clear? Its color is like clear water, but when one smells it, the fragrance of wine overflows.”
In ancient winemaking, because of limitations in technique, the wine was always somewhat impure. It was extremely difficult to make it clear as water, and it would more or less carry the color of grain.
Quite a few people also looked at the wine in their bowls. “It really is clear.”
Chen Bai said, “The empress dowager may also drink a little. It can help blood flow smoothly.”
Chen Bai was not speaking nonsense. For a patient like the empress dowager, who sat in a wheelchair year-round, drinking a little in moderation was indeed beneficial. It also rounded out his earlier claim that this was medicine.
The old lady glanced at Chen Bai and said, “Grand Scholar Zhaoxue has worked hard today. This wine must certainly be drunk.”
Chen Bai: “…”
This old lady really was…
If he were a little more sentimental, would he not be moved to tears?
The old lady drank a sip in front of Chen Bai. Chen Bai did not dare neglect her and quickly took a large sip too.
Zuo Qiu finally managed to recover his breath. His face was still flushed with wine. Anyone who had been choked by strong liquor knew that the feeling was not pleasant.
Just as he was preparing to speak, Chen Bai handed the wine over again. “Zixiu has long heard of the name of Fourth Young Master Zuo Qiu of Lu. Meeting Zuo Qiu today truly feels like meeting an old friend at first sight. Come, come, come, drink this bowl dry.”
The people around them: “…”
Weren’t they fighting to the death just now? And now it was meeting an old friend at first sight?
Chen Bai did not care. If he let this shit-stirrer speak, who knew what disaster would come next?
After that, everyone watched as Chen Bai and Zuo Qiu drank together with great delight, almost to the point of linking shoulders.
“Zuo Qiu, we have quite a few fun places in Shangjing. How about I take you around tomorrow?”
Zuo Qiu did not want to speak. He had never seen anyone this shameless.
“Zuo Qiu, how about we go roast rabbits in Prince Zheng’s fief? The rabbits there are big and fat. I guarantee you have never seen anything like them.”
Zuo Qiu’s face turned black. In a low voice, he said, “Get lost. Who is going to roast rabbits with you? Our grudge is not over yet.”
“What did you say? What grudge? Zuo Qiu has come from afar. No matter what, I must fulfill the duties of a host. Come, drink another cup.”
Zuo Qiu looked at Chen Bai, who was tugging at his sleeve. How could this person… how could he be so shameless? In front of everyone, they had just been like fire and water, but now he looked as if they were old friends of many years.
Utterly shameless.
He could not help shifting his body to the side.
Chen Bai thought to himself that from now on, if he still allowed this Zuo Qiu to stir up trouble, he would write his name backward.
The banquet finally looked like a banquet. Singing, dancing, silk and bamboo music continued, accompanied by the sound of wine cups clinking.
Only, looking at that Grand Scholar Zhaoxue who insisted on dragging someone else to drink with him, the scene felt a little strange.
That Zuo Qiu could not act up. A huge shadow would probably be left in his heart.
Only when the Lu envoys began presenting the Secret Records of Duke Lu did Chen Bai leave Zuo Qiu’s seat.
Although Chen Bai had only taken small sips of wine, he had still drunk quite a bit and was slightly tipsy.
When he returned to his seat, Sudan could not help saying, “Truly shameless. I felt embarrassed just watching. That Zuo Qiu was just short of flipping you onto the ground, yet you weren’t afraid of losing face.”
Chen Bai laughed. “You still have the nerve to say that? If I hadn’t gone to block his mouth, with his way of hiding blades in his words, do you think he would have spared you? He would have stabbed you full of bloody holes.”
Sudan shivered. “Do you know what we call such silver-tongued officials in Zhao? Ministers of chaos.”
Chen Bai thought: Exactly. If Zuo Qiu were allowed to continue sowing discord like this, he did not know what would happen to others, but he himself would probably be at risk of losing his head at any moment.
…
The king took the Secret Records of Duke Lu presented by the Lu envoys and flipped through it. He could not help glancing at Chen Bai.
It was actually exactly the same as the content Chen Bai had copied from memory, without the slightest difference. Even the diagrams were almost as if they had been carved from the same mold.
The reason Chen Bai had copied it by hand instead of directly printing the photos from his phone was because he knew the king would definitely see the Secret Records of Duke Lu. If he had really printed it out and given it to the king, then “remembering everything after seeing it once” would probably not be enough to explain it.
The king flipped through it and saw the torn-off section at the end. He could not help asking, “I wonder what the Lu envoys mean by this?”
Zuo Qiu thought: You still have the nerve to ask? If he had not guarded against it, who knew what tricks they would play again? Fortunately, he had been cautious at the time. Otherwise, he would have been so upset he would want to cry himself to death.
In the end, the king returned the Secret Records of Duke Lu to the Lu envoys, because they already had a copy of such a thing.
As for whether weapons would be transferred or not, the king only said it still required discussion. No one knew whether it was a real discussion or merely an excuse to delay.
With that, the banquet came to an end.
When they left, the Lu envoys asked Zuo Qiu, “Are we just going to let this go? I truly cannot accept it. And that Grand Scholar Zhaoxue too—he actually made things difficult for us at every turn.”
Zuo Qiu replied, “It has only just begun. How can you speak of letting it go? We continue tomorrow.”
Chen Bai sat in the carriage, also thinking about who it was that had wanted so badly to drag him into the water on an occasion like today.
Although he had some thoughts in his heart, in the end, he had no evidence.
Meanwhile, in the crown prince’s residence, where Crown Prince Jiao was, an internal affairs attendant hurried in. “Your Highness, that… that wine-serving palace attendant has just been summoned by the Empress Dowager Zhaosheng.”
Crown Prince Jiao froze. “What? Did the king not order him to death? Why was he summoned by the empress dowager again?”
The internal affairs attendant thought: How would I know? The earlier news had indeed been that he was sentenced to death, but the current news was also indeed that he had been escorted to the empress dowager.
The attendant added, “The censor who spoke at the banquet has also been summoned by the Empress Dowager Zhaosheng. He is on his way there now.”
Crown Prince Jiao’s expression changed. He paced back and forth. “Before that censor enters the palace, pass these words to him…”
The internal affairs attendant could not help asking, “Will… will that be useful? That is the Empress Dowager Zhaosheng, the backbone of our Great Qian.”
Crown Prince Jiao: “…”
Finally, his face darkened. “Then make sure he never enters the palace.”
Do not blame him. No matter how formidable the empress dowager was, she could not ask anything from the mouth of a dead man.
…
In the imperial palace, before a palace attendant who had been beaten to death with a staff.
The old lady and the king stood facing each other. The people around them did not even dare breathe.
After a long while, the old lady finally said, “It seems there is no need to wait. He cannot enter the palace, and even if he did, he likely would not be able to speak. He is ruthless, but he rather fails to distinguish what is important, cannot see the situation clearly, and has made himself a laughingstock for nothing.”
After saying this, she no longer waited for the result and had people push her away.
The king felt especially displeased.
In the end, had his choice been wrong?
He said nothing. Instead, he picked up his brush and wrote an edict: “Bestow Crown Prince Jiao with fifteen strokes of the staff.”
He even added one more line: “If he comes to make a scene, there is no need to report it. Bestow another fifteen strokes.”
It truly chilled the heart.
…
The next day, at the Lu State posthouse.
Zuo Qiu was leading people out. But as soon as he stepped out of the posthouse, he saw Chen Bai standing outside with a beaming smile.
Chen Bai had said that if he let this Zuo Qiu stir up trouble again, he would write his name backward. He had not been joking.
“Brother Zuo Qiu, after meeting you yesterday, I truly could not forget it. A kindred spirit is hard to find. How about we tour Shangjing together today?” Chen Bai said.
The Lu people looked at one another. They had never seen someone this overly familiar and shameless. What kindred spirit was hard to find? Yesterday, they had clearly wanted to stomp each other into the mud.
The corner of Zuo Qiu’s mouth also twitched. Just how thick was this Grand Scholar Zhaoxue’s skin?
He was just about to speak when Chen Bai stepped forward and grabbed his sleeve, looking as if they were the best of brothers. “No matter what, today you must let me fulfill my duties as host.”
Behind him followed several students leading dogs. “That’s right, that’s right! Let’s first go to our classmates’ stall for cupping.”
These Lu people had actually dared smash their cups. Some people had even thought their skills were poor and that someone had successfully wrecked their stall. How could that be allowed? They had to make this Zuo Qiu get cupped again.
Zuo Qiu was utterly bewildered. In the end, some grabbed his hands, others hugged his feet, and just like that, they dragged him away.
This was Shangjing, and Zuo Qiu had not brought many people with him when he went out. For example, he had not brought Ran Zhi, the head swordsman. In his heart, the Secret Records of Duke Lu were even more important than his life, so more people had to stay behind at the posthouse to guard the Secret Records of Duke Lu.
When Zuo Qiu was dragged to the stall, the few Lu envoys finally reacted and were about to step forward to stop it. At this moment, several children holding dog leashes fiercely blocked the way in front of them. “Take one step forward, and we’ll kill you.”
They were originally a group of lawless young second-generation heirs, and behind each of them followed quite a few servants.
In the end, the Lu envoys could only watch helplessly as Zuo Qiu was pressed down there.
Zuo Qiu stopped struggling too, because it was truly somewhat embarrassing. But he still raised his head and glared fiercely at Chen Bai. “Crude. You are at least a grand scholar of Hongwen Pavilion, yet you actually do such a thing in the street.”
Chen Bai froze. “What is crude about it? This is good stuff. If you don’t believe me, I’ll have someone give me two cups too.”
Zuo Qiu: “…”
The Lu people: “…”
Then there was something that surprised them even more.
They saw a smiling child beside them say, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve even done cupping for Prince Zheng, and also for my father the king.”
So this was actually a prince? A prince setting up a stall by the roadside? Just now, they had even seen him shouting with such a big smile that his eyes almost disappeared.
The customs of Great Qian were far too strange.
Chen Bai was still saying from the side, “Zuo Qiu has come from afar, and with all the effort and worry of the journey, you must be tired. Cupping is just right for you. Oh, and having Gan Thirteen give you a few needles would be even better. Gan Thirteen is Duke Gan’s grandson. Usually, his stall has the best business. His skills are excellent.”
Zuo Qiu: “…”
The nobles of Great Qian were really far too lacking in refinement.
Then he stopped speaking, because several children had begun shouting, “Everyone, come look! Young Master Zuo Qiu of Lu is also getting cupped here! Even Young Master Zuo Qiu says it is good. Yesterday’s rumors that the Lu people smashed our stall were complete nonsense.”
Zuo Qiu: “…”
He had clearly been forced here.
Zuo Qiu was someone who could adapt to circumstances. Seeing that he could not resist, and seeing that Chen Bai was being tormented in exactly the same way, he simply stopped talking.
Cupping was all about fun and enjoyment.
Chen Xiaobu and the others watched for a while, then looked at the short sword at Chen Bai’s waist. “Brother, is this Yuchang, the peerless sword forged by Ou Yezi, the divine smith of Yue? Let us take a look.”
Chen Bai said, “This sword is sharp. Be careful.”
“We won’t draw it. We’ll just hold it and play with it.”
Zuo Qiu: “…”
He really was carrying this peerless famous sword with him. Even in Lu, such a sword would have to be carefully stored away.
Perhaps the cupping really was somewhat effective, or perhaps he was exhausted from traveling and could now lie down for a while, but his body actually did feel a little more relaxed.
Only, why did the other Lu envoys have such strange expressions?
What were those big round marks on their Young Master Zuo Qiu’s body?
Chen Bai continued, “Even if you go to see the king today, you won’t be able to meet him. You might as well follow us around to walk dogs and tour Shangjing. At your age, Zuo Qiu, you probably haven’t traveled much to foreign lands, have you?”
Zuo Qiu snorted. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. You say it as if we really are friends. Aren’t you embarrassed?”
Chen Bai: “…”
Do not say it out loud. Saying it out loud makes it so awkward.
No, how could he be the only one embarrassed? He had to drag Crown Prince Sudan out too.
And so, when Chen Bai and the others went outside the city to admire the sunflowers and lit a fire beneath the city wall to roast rabbits, there was now an additional Sudan leading a large white dog.
Chen Xiaobu and Prince Ning set up easels and painted the sunflowers. The Shang brothers and Gan Xin thought it was fun and helped roast rabbits.
The rabbits had been specially sent over from Qi Zheng’s fief.
Chen Bai, Sudan, and Zuo Qiu sat at a tea stall by the official road and chatted idly.
Chen Bai put down some copper coins, ordered some rough tea, and from time to time asked the old tea seller, “How is business?”
The old man smiled cheerfully. “Ever since these flowers were planted along the road, more people have come to rest their feet. No matter what, they’ll drink a bowl of tea. Life is much better than before.”
Chen Bai also chatted with him happily.
Zuo Qiu stared at Chen Bai in a daze. Over the past two days, he had already investigated Chen Bai’s information very clearly. He knew Chen Bai’s deeds, and he knew very clearly where the title Zhaoxue came from.
It was truly impossible to imagine that the eldest young master of the Court of Judicial Review, a grand scholar of Hongwen Pavilion, would drag him and the Crown Prince of Zhao to sit at a roadside stall like this, and even chat so enthusiastically with ordinary commoners.
He looked around again, first at the smile on the old man’s face, then at the crowds of commoners admiring the flowers along the road.
No one knew what Zuo Qiu thought of, but sorrow appeared on his face. He suddenly sighed. “The sight of Great Qian’s commoners living and working in peace and contentment truly makes one envious. Unfortunately, the commoners of my Lu are still trapped in the flames of war, their homes destroyed, drifting from place to place, their lives and deaths unknown.”
“Grand Scholar Zhaoxue still has the mood to drag Zuo Qiu around for sightseeing. How could you know that Zuo Qiu’s heart is burning with anxiety?”
The smile on Chen Bai’s face stiffened.
He knew what Zuo Qiu meant. Accusation and rebuke were no match for the sorrow in these words.
He was saying that Chen Bai knew only the joy before his eyes and did not know the suffering of others.
Sudan spoke. “Even without us, Great Qian could not possibly transfer weapons and armor to you. Not to mention offending Ba, just the fact that these are important instruments of the state means they cannot be so simply given to another country.”
Zuo Qiu looked at the two of them. “Not even in exchange for the complete Secret Records of Duke Lu? Do you know how important the Secret Records of Duke Lu are to Great Qian?”
Chen Bai, Sudan: “…”
In the end, they had relied on their own abilities to destroy Lu’s hope. They had indeed not acted very generously.
Fortunately, the rabbits roasted by the Shang brothers and Gan Xin were ready. They cut the meat with small knives, placed it on plates, and carried it over.
For the next few days, Chen Bai kept accompanying Zuo Qiu like this, wandering around Shangjing. Bonfires roasting rabbits could often be seen beneath the walls of Shangjing.
They drew the soldiers guarding the city wall to glance over from time to time.
At some point, Zuo Qiu actually began introducing Lu’s customs to Chen Bai and the others.
Lu was originally a country with flourishing culture and education. It followed the rites of Zhou, and was quite admirable.
Only now, it was engulfed in endless war.
As for what Lu’s elegance was like, Chen Bai also saw it in Zuo Qiu.
A man in blue robes, with a long zither. His music made those who listened utterly enchanted.
The Lu envoys even said proudly that their Young Master Zuo Qiu was the best at playing the zither among the Four Young Masters of Lu.
So it turned out that this Young Master Zuo Qiu, aside from having a sharp tongue, also had such a refined interest.
He had heard that the people of Lu were elegant and that most of them knew at least a little about musical instruments.
Chen Bai also learned a little from Zuo Qiu, only…
“Brother, why does your zither playing sound like a pig being slaughtered?”
“Exactly, exactly. Zuo Qiu plays much better.”
Chen Bai’s face turned black.
Over these few days, playing the zither, sketching, and wandering around had been rather nice. It seemed as though they had forgotten all those annoying matters and the conflicts between them.
But what had to come would come eventually.
“Tomorrow is the day I formally submit the state letter to the king of Great Qian.”
Beneath the city wall, Chen Bai, Sudan, and Zuo Qiu were eating roasted rabbit and drinking wine.
Today’s Zuo Qiu looked somewhat lonely. Perhaps because he had drunk too much, his face was slightly tipsy.
At the previous banquet, they had merely briefly mentioned the purpose of their visit. But formally submitting the state letter meant Great Qian would give its answer. Once the answer was given, it would not change.
Zuo Qiu gulped down wine in large mouthfuls. This wine had been bought by Chen Bai, and its alcohol content was not low. It burned the heart.
Zuo Qiu drank far too fiercely, and his expression looked almost deranged. “How innocent are the commoners of my Lu? Why must they suffer the pain of war…”
Wine soaked his lapels, and his voice was filled with unwillingness and anger.
Zuo Qiu’s state was wild. “The wine is good wine, and the meat is good meat. Unfortunately, the ones drinking this wine are not good people.”
Hiss.
After getting along for the past few days, on the surface, they could at least be considered harmonious. Added to the fact that Zuo Qiu had told Chen Bai and the others about Lu’s customs and taught them how to play the zither, and since Zuo Qiu was slightly older than Chen Bai and Sudan, these past few days he had indeed seemed a little like an older brother.
But now…
Taking advantage of the wine, Zuo Qiu had torn away all pretense and spoken everything aloud.
Perhaps Zuo Qiu was drunk and did not feel anything, but Chen Bai and Sudan felt somewhat…
Speaking of it, the fact that Lu could not obtain weapons and armor from Great Qian was something they bore at least some responsibility for.
Chen Bai and Sudan simply watched the frenzied Zuo Qiu. It was as though that elegant Fourth Young Master of Lu no longer existed.
“Do you know of Lu’s white moon flowers? Although they are not as dazzling as Great Qian’s sunflowers, not as bright and brilliant beneath the sun, they are still very beautiful. They bloom across the mountains and fields, across the riverbanks. But now, those white white moon flowers are covered in the blood of Lu’s commoners…”
Chen Bai’s body trembled. A scene actually appeared in his mind: a field of grass filled with little white flowers, stained with blood.
Amid Zuo Qiu’s frenzied voice, Chen Bai said in a voice as thin as a mosquito’s buzz, “Actually… actually, making the king agree to transfer weapons and armor is not completely impossible.”
His voice was very soft. Zuo Qiu should not have heard it.
Because Zuo Qiu smashed the wine cup in his hand with a slap and flicked his sleeve as he left.
Wine splashed all over the ground, just like the false friendship between them. It could turn over in an instant.
Chen Bai looked at the ancient zither Zuo Qiu had left behind and only then realized that Zuo Qiu had forgotten to take it.
Zuo Qiu should have liked this zither very much. He played it every day.
Chen Bai picked up the zither and prepared to return it to Zuo Qiu.
At this moment, a Lu envoy walked over. “Young Master once said that this zither is a gift for Grand Scholar Zhaoxue.”
“This zither was given to Young Master by his honored master. Unfortunately, Young Master Zuo Qiu’s master died when the people of Ba massacred a city.”
Chen Bai’s body trembled.
He held the zither, but it felt extremely heavy.
Actually, he could help. He could preserve Zuo Qiu’s righteousness without damaging Great Qian’s interests. He would simply have to take some risks.
…
Zuo Qiu entered the city with a group of envoys. There was no trace of drunkenness left on his face.
The envoy beside him asked, “Will that Grand Scholar Zhaoxue really help us? And why would he help us?”
Zuo Qiu’s face was completely expressionless. “Everyone has a weakness, and his weakness is far too obvious.”
“In these chaotic times among the states, the thing one must have least is a heart that pities the world and mankind.”
As a noble, he would beat the drum and appeal injustice for ordinary commoners. He would smile because an old roadside tea seller sold a few more bowls of rough tea. He would show unbearable pity when listening to Zuo Qiu talk about Lu’s war…
For a person like this, his weakness was far too obvious.
But people like that always made others unable to help wanting to draw closer.
Had these past few days not also been one of the happiest stretches of his life?
The Lu envoy continued, “How can Young Master be certain that he has the ability to help us? Even if he is the eldest son of the Court of Judicial Review, one of the Nine Ministers, and even if he is a grand scholar of Hongwen Pavilion, he would not have a say in something like this, would he?”
Zuo Qiu replied, “He said he had a way. His voice was very soft, but I… heard it.”
The Lu envoy: “…”
…
The next day, in the court of Great Qian.
The king sat above, the Three Dukes stood at the front, the Nine Ministers were arranged in rows, and all officials were in their places.
The Lu envoys submitted their state letter, requesting the transfer of weapons and armor to deal with the war against Ba.
“My Lu is willing to offer the Secret Records of Duke Lu as bargaining weight, along with grain as the price, in exchange for Great Qian’s support in weapons and armor…”
Over the past few days, the king, the Three Dukes, and the ministers had already finished discussing the matter. Although the Secret Records of Duke Lu were important, after weighing the matter, they still could not give away weapons and armor.
If possessing the Secret Records of Duke Lu meant one could become invincible under heaven, Lu would not have fallen to the point of coming to ask for aid.
Besides, had they not already obtained half of it?
The state letter had already been submitted. The request written on it was perfectly clear, stamped with Lu’s jade seal.
Now, it was time for the king to reply with a state letter of his own.
The atmosphere at the scene already said everything. If this trade were going to succeed, the court would not be this silent.
The king had someone begin drafting the state letter, the contents of which had long since been decided.
The Lu envoys looked at one another, their faces dim. In the end, they had come all this way for nothing.
At this moment, an inner attendant suddenly hurried inside.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Grand Scholar Zhaoxue of Hongwen Pavilion is making a commotion outside. The soldiers tried to drive him away, but he would not listen. He says there is some urgent matter that cannot be delayed and must be reported now.”
As soon as the words fell, Chen Shouye shouted, “Nonsense.”
Ancestors above, his son had only been quiet for a few days, and now he was about to overturn the heavens again. Did he think this court was somewhere he could enter just because he wanted to?
If Chen Shouye’s heart were weak, he would probably have collapsed to the ground countless times by now.
Every single thing this boy stirred up—when had it ever not been a matter that could cost him his head?
Chen Shouye stepped out with a dark face. “My ignorant son has behaved improperly. I ask Your Majesty to punish him severely. Give him twenty strikes of the board as a warning to others.”
He had truly worried himself sick.
But unexpectedly, among the Lu envoys, Zuo Qiu suddenly spoke. “That is not quite right. Today, Grand Scholar Zhaoxue has come to this hall at my invitation, so I ask Your Majesty to allow it.”
Everyone: “…”
What did that mean? If that were truly the case, why had he not mentioned it earlier? Why did he need to make things like this?
Even the king froze for a moment. After thinking it over, he said, “Summon him.”
…
Chen Bai had not slept at all the previous night. To be honest, this world was filled with constant war and beacon fires, but what did that have to do with him? Even he himself was living so painfully…
But for some reason, his eyes simply did not dare look at the zither placed in his room.
Even in his dreams, he saw the white moon flowers that Zuo Qiu had spoken of, covering the mountains and plains, only to be dyed red with blood.
“If… if I had not seen that half-volume of the Secret Records of Duke Lu, would the king really have agreed to transfer weapons and armor to them?”
Although even he himself felt it was impossible, who could be one hundred percent certain there had truly been no such possibility?
He worried so much that he tossed and turned.
In the end, he still got out of bed, took out his phone, and stayed awake the entire night.
When Chen Bai entered the hall, the dark circles beneath his eyes were extremely obvious, making everyone stare blankly.
Grand Scholar Zhaoxue had probably gone off to do something last night.
With Zuo Qiu’s words beforehand, although the ministers were puzzled about why Chen Zixiu had entered court, none of them spoke.
Instead, Chen Shouye could not hold back and said, “What kind of behavior is this, disrupting the court? If you have some important matter, hurry and report it.”
His heart was clenched with worry. Look at other people’s sons—could his not just behave himself? Although other people’s sons at this age probably could not become grand scholars of Hongwen Pavilion either.
But as soon as Chen Bai spoke, Chen Shouye truly swayed several times.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Lu envoys coming to Great Qian to exchange for weapons and armor is a tremendous joy. I ask Your Majesty to approve it.”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward Chen Bai. Had they heard wrongly?
They had heard that Young Master Bai had been spending every day recently with Zuo Qiu of Lu, and that Zuo Qiu was famously skilled at schemes.
Could it be that in just a few days, Young Master Bai had been turned?
This Zuo Qiu was far too…
The king was so angry that he laughed. “What joy is there? Why have all the officials of Great Qian failed to see where this joy comes from? If you cannot give a reason today, I am afraid you cannot escape the crime of disrupting court.”
If he really had been used as someone’s spear, then today’s punishment would be deserved.
But Chen Bai shocked everyone again. “The weapons and armor we currently have are garbage to Great Qian. It would be a pity to throw them away, but keeping them would be wasteful. Why not exchange them to Lu and recover some of the cost?”
“Things that are already useless to Great Qian—are we supposed to keep them until they grow mold?”
“Therefore, exchanging these useless things to Lu, who happens to need them, is perfectly suitable. Not only Lu—if the other countries want them, we can exchange them too.”
Stunned!
Weapons and armor were useless to Great Qian?
And anyone who wanted them could exchange for them?
Had Chen Zixiu gone mad? After all, he had been born into a military-merit family and had received guidance from famous teachers since childhood. How could he say such ridiculous words?
This time, sweat really began pouring from Chen Shouye. His son had probably lost more than half his life.
Zuo Qiu was also stunned.
He had calculated that Chen Bai would think of some way to help him, but he had not expected it to be such a wild fantasy.
The king’s face turned black. He had originally thought he would treat this as listening to what brilliant opinion the younger generation of Great Qian might have. In the end, he almost failed to sit steadily.
He was just about to scold him and have him dragged out for several dozen strikes of the board when Chen Bai had already taken a memorial from his sleeve and respectfully presented it.
“Your Majesty will understand after reading it.”
The king received the memorial from the inner attendant. He wanted to see how a perfectly fine Grand Scholar Zhaoxue of Great Qian had become so deranged after spending a few days with the Lu envoys.
But when he opened it and looked, his hand could not help trembling ever so slightly.
The memorial was a long, eloquent piece. The king read it while frowning.
At this moment, the state letter being drafted at the side had already been completed.
“Your Majesty, the state letter has been drafted. Should it be read aloud…”
In the end, the king directly said, “Put it away.”
“…”
The king looked at Chen Bai with a strange expression before saying, “Court discussion is suspended. The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers will follow me behind the hall for a small discussion. Grand Scholar Zhaoxue, you come as well. Everyone else, wait here.”
The hall fell utterly silent.
Everyone’s gaze could not help turning toward Chen Bai.
Could it be that those absurd words he had just spoken actually had some reason behind them?
Then they looked again at the memorial he had submitted.
What exactly was written on that memorial, to make the king suspend court discussion and bring the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers inside to discuss it?
Zuo Qiu’s expression was much the same. His eyes flashed. Could it be that this Grand Scholar Zhaoxue had truly found some turning point?
But no matter how he thought about it, he could not imagine the reason.
Chen Bai followed them behind the hall. The Three Dukes could not help looking toward the king.
“Has there been some change?”
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for the king to overturn the decision they had reached over the past few days.
The king directly handed over the memorial in his hand. “You will understand after reading it.”
On the memorial, the style of writing was very different from the current style of Great Qian essays.
A few large words stood out clearly as the title.
