Night Pearl 3

This group of people is arguing again.

Xiao Congzhi rested his forehead on his hand, leaning against the armrest of the dragon throne. The crown he wore concealed his impatient expression.

Diagonally behind the dragon throne was Empress Dowager Jiang, who was ruling from behind a curtain. She sat upright and coughed softly.

Upon hearing the noise, Xiao Congzhi finally sat up straight and spoke up to stop the two sides from arguing.

"General Qi, Minister Feng, there's no need to be so agitated."

General Qi, also known as General Qi Ming, who commands the mighty army of the dynasty, knelt down with his robes lifted, his voice booming: "Your Majesty, the Xiongnu in the west have been invading us year after year, and the border is in constant turmoil. I request that we send troops to catch them off guard and solve the problem once and for all."

Minister of Revenue Feng Jue hurriedly knelt down and complained to Xiao Congzhi: "Your Majesty, the national treasury is empty and cannot support a war."

"With such favorable weather in recent years, why is the national treasury so empty?" Qi Ming questioned.

Feng Jue tried to salvage the situation: "It's true that the weather has been favorable these past few years, and it's also true that bridges and roads have been repaired for the people, and taxes have been reduced or exempted."

The Minister of Works stepped forward and echoed, "What Lord Feng said is absolutely right. Over the years, the Emperor's grace has been boundless, with taxes being reduced or exempted many times, and roads being repaired for the people. Indeed, there is not much silver left."

The Minister of War disagreed, stepping forward to say, "Taxes cannot be reduced indefinitely. Isn't it a mistake in your planning, Feng Jue, to spend money until the national treasury is empty?"

"This was His Majesty's decree back then! Are you questioning His Majesty's decision?"

In just a few words, the group started arguing again.

Xiao Congzhi, seemingly annoyed, said, "I think that driving out the Xiongnu in the summer is indeed a good opportunity to solve the problem once and for all. Why don't you, Minister Feng, draft a plan on how to increase this year's tax revenue and replenish the empty treasury?"

Qi Ming was overjoyed. He bowed down and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise! I will surely drive the Xiongnu back thirty miles and guarantee that they will not dare to invade our Central Plains for ten years!"

"Absolutely not!!" Prime Minister Jiang stepped forward, his expression serious and his tone stern. "Increasing taxes must be justified, otherwise it will inevitably provoke resentment among the people. Besides, the Xiongnu only raid the border in winter now. If we were to launch a preemptive strike, it wouldn't sound good. Furthermore, the Xiongnu royal family will be presenting gifts during this year's court audience, a gesture of seeking peace. How can we allow the General Who Guards the West to incite war at this time!"

Xiao Congzhi frowned, took a deep breath, remained silent for a while, and then politely asked Empress Dowager Jiang, "What does Your Majesty mean?"

"This matter is of great importance; let's discuss it later."

Qi Ming looked up anxiously and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this..."

"Enough." Xiao Congzhi raised his hand to stop Qi Ming from speaking. "I am tired. I will adjourn the court for today. We will discuss this matter later."

Xiao Congzhi returned to the Imperial Study rubbing his forehead. Before he had even sat down for a quarter of an hour, Prime Minister Jiang and his entourage came to request an audience.

Although he claimed to be seeking an audience, the Imperial Study was not a place where Prime Minister Jiang could come and go as he pleased.

Xiao Congzhi put on a perfectly appropriate smile and politely invited Prime Minister Jiang in.

Following behind Prime Minister Jiang Yangze were Minister of Revenue Feng Jue and Minister of Works Tao Ran, who were openly Jiang's faction.

Their trip was nothing more than trying to reason with him and appeal to his emotions, arguing that the national treasury was empty and that war was costly and exhausting. They seemed genuinely afraid that Xiao Congyi would act unilaterally.

Xiao Congzhi appeared very easygoing, but inwardly he sneered. Over the years, the money in the national treasury had been pocketed by these people under the guise of repairing bridges and roads, so naturally he was unwilling to give up this huge sum of money now.

Seeing that Xiao Congzhi had been persuaded to the point of being almost completely convinced, Feng Jue and Tao Ran took their leave.

Xiao Congzhi hadn't expected Prime Minister Jiang to stay behind alone, and asked with a smile, "Does the Prime Minister have anything else to discuss?"

"Your Majesty, this old minister does not know whether Your Majesty still acknowledges me as your teacher."

"You flatter me, my dear minister. I will certainly not forget the Prime Minister's earnest teachings."

"Your Majesty is of age and there is much talk about it in Yidu. But even if Your Majesty wishes to assume personal rule as soon as possible, you should not intend to start a war to increase taxes in order to show your imperial power."

Xiao Congzhi's smile faded for a moment. Suppressing his anger, he still replied politely and humbly, "What the Prime Minister says is very true. I had underestimated this matter."

"Your Majesty has become quite tainted by the spirit of the martial world over the years, but the imperial court is not the martial world. No matter how much you hate the Xiongnu, you cannot impulsively annihilate them in one fell swoop."

"yes."

After Jiang Yangze left, Xiao Congzhi's face instantly turned cold. He cursed inwardly, "As expected of someone who dares to assassinate the emperor, his arrogance is truly outrageous."

This group of people came here quoting scriptures and allusions, but it was just for show. They weren't really afraid of Xiao Congzhi's willful actions.

Even if he had already issued an imperial decree, Jiang Yangze had plenty of ways to make him retract his order. When he spoke to the emperor, Xiao Congzhi had already anticipated this mess.

Xiao Congzhi never expected that Jiang Yangze would take the opportunity to give him a warning.

The first sentence was a warning to him not to listen to the gossip of the people and think he should take power.

The next sentence was to teach him not to bring his江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) ways into the imperial court.

Jiang Yangze was different from Empress Dowager Jiang. Empress Dowager Jiang almost completely believed Xiao Congzhi and had no other thoughts, while Jiang Yangze was half-believing and half-doubting.

After taking a couple of sips of cool tea to calm himself down, Qi Ming arrived at the door again, requesting an audience.

Qi Ming had been chatting with the Minister of War for quite a while before arriving.

They all agreed that the current emperor was a proponent of war, because over the years they had learned that he yearned for the martial world and possessed the spirit of a chivalrous knight-errant, and would not allow the Xiongnu to bully him.

However, the Jiang faction was too powerful, and the Ministry of Revenue was completely under the control of the Jiang family.

"Minister Qi, I know why you have come. However, the Prime Minister has just visited, and the current dynasty cannot afford to waste resources and burden the people in this way."

Qi Ming knelt before Xiao Congzhi and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Jiang will indeed not agree to fight the Xiongnu, because the Jiang family has always had dealings with the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu give the Jiang family countless gold and silver treasures every year to ensure that our Zhenxi Army is unable to fight on the grasslands."

Xiao Congzhi raised his hand, trying to stop Qi Ming from continuing.

Qi Ming glanced at Xiao Congzhi, then lowered his head and continued firmly, "This year, the Xiongnu came to pay tribute, which was also facilitated by the Jiang family. As for what they wanted to do, I did not investigate it in detail before."

After saying that, Qi Ming bent down and pressed himself to the ground. It wasn't that he suddenly had the idea to attack the Xiongnu, but rather that Jiang Xiang's actions were making him increasingly intolerant. This year, the Xiongnu royal family even planned to set foot in Yidu. How could he possibly stand by and do nothing?

Xiao Congzhi said in a deep voice, "Qi Ming, spreading rumors that the current prime minister has dealings with foreign enemies is a serious crime."

Qi Ming, however, failed to grasp the implied meaning.

"Your Majesty, my grandfather and father both died on the battlefield. Their lifelong wish is also my lifelong wish: to wipe out the Xiongnu and prevent the people on the northwestern border from suffering from war every year."

Xiao Congzhi looked down at Qi Ming, who was kneeling on the ground, and sighed silently. The Qi family was full of loyal and righteous people. They had held military power since the founding of the country, but they never had any rebellious thoughts like the Jiang family.

Over the years, Xiao Congzhi had observed Qi Ming's character closely. Although he was sometimes impulsive, he was courageous, resourceful, and straightforward. Xiao Congzhi originally intended to use the chaos among the Xiongnu to have Qi Ming deal with the Jiang family.

Unexpectedly...

"Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you with all my heart and soul, and I only ask that when Your Majesty takes power, you allow me to go to the battlefield."

Unexpectedly, the man stripped off his clothes and presented himself naked in front of him.

"Minister Qi, I know your heart. General Qi's wish is also my wish. However, the intrigues and complexities of the court are too much for me to bear..."

Qi Ming knew that the current emperor had no interest in court affairs. The people thought that the emperor was only active for three days and then idle for two because he was weak and sickly. As his subjects, they knew that it was because His Majesty had no interest in it at all.

"You are the supreme ruler, the only son of the late emperor, and you are about to come of age. I beg Your Majesty to shoulder the heavy responsibility and uphold the court." After saying this, Qi Ming bowed deeply to the ground again and did not get up for a long time.

These words were exactly the same as those in Xiao Sizhao's writing. Xiao Congzhi sighed and said, "Rise, my dear minister."

Qi Ming raised his head, wanting to say something more, but Xiao Congzhi said again, "I am tired."

Qi Ming had no choice but to perform another deep bow to express his sincerity, and then got up and left.

Xiao Congzhi's voice came softly from behind Qi Ming: "My dear minister, what I said today must not be spread."

Qi Ming turned around abruptly. The imperial study was somewhat dimly lit, making it difficult to discern the Emperor's expression. Was what he had discussed today about the Jiang family, or about the Emperor's personal rule?

Suddenly, Qi Ming realized that the ruler he served was not as simple as he had thought.

After that day, no one mentioned the campaign against the Xiongnu again, as if the idea that the emperor rarely raised in court was so trivial as to not exist.

Time quickly came to the day when the vassal states paid tribute. This year was special, as in addition to the Khitan, Xia, and Jin, the Xiongnu royal family also sent people to pay tribute, saying that they were joining in the grand occasion.

The Khitan sent Crown Prince Yelü Yun, the Xia Kingdom sent its second son Xia Nanchi and fourth son Xia Nanrui, and the Jin Kingdom sent Crown Prince Bai Luoan.

The Xiongnu were even more impressive, arriving in a grand procession including princes, princesses, and high-ranking officials, with Crown Prince Qi Wuxuan at the head.

These members of the royal family and the envoys who came to offer their congratulations were all entertained by the Ministry of Rites. Prince Rong was indeed as busy as he said, and it wasn't until the congratulatory banquet that he was able to sit down and have a proper drink of water.

Because the Xiongnu royal family had come to offer their congratulations this year, the banquet was of an exceptionally high standard and was exceptionally grand. Xiao Congzhi, dressed in a deep purple embroidered gold robe, layer upon layer, heavy and cumbersome, sat at the head of the table, watching the grand feast of song and dance below. His face was expressionless, but his mind inexplicably turned to Xie Mowen.

They said they would come to Yidu before the Mid-Autumn Festival, but more than a month has passed and there is still no trace of them.

After the meal, the singing and dancing paused, and then came the most anticipated part of the gift-giving ceremony.

Xiao Congzhi showed little interest, letting the chief eunuch Ge Yun report one by one.

The Xia Kingdom was located by the sea and was not wealthy. Every year at this time, it was the first to offer gifts to avoid being crushed too badly.

"The Eastern Pearl of Xia Kingdom, Ten Days".

"reward!"

"Twenty bolts of Khitan brocade and one jade fan."

"reward!"

"The Jin Kingdom has a thousand taels of gold, ten bolts of silk, and a dancer..."

"Oh~?" Xiao Congzhi smiled as he looked at the Jin envoy.

Before the Jin envoy could say anything, the seated Jin Crown Prince Bai Luoan said with a smile, "I have heard that Your Majesty has come of age this year and should have more experience."

"Hahahaha! The Jin Kingdom is indeed open-minded. I am very pleased. Reward them!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This dancer is extremely skilled. Why don't you invite her up and have her perform a song?"

"Excellent!"

A woman dressed in light pink gauze stepped forward with graceful movements, her face behind the veil revealing a beauty that could rival the most beautiful women in history.

As the music began, the woman swayed her waist and danced gracefully, leaving a faint fragrance in her wake. When the song ended, many people looked on with delight.

Xiao Congzhi's smile remained unchanged, seemingly very satisfied, and he said, "Excellent, reward me! Confer upon me the title of Beauty and grant me residence in Chuxiu Palace."

He wanted to see what the Jin Kingdom was planning, and Xiao Congzhi glanced at Bai Luoan with a smile.

Next up on stage was the Xiongnu envoy. He didn't have Ge Yun read out the gift list, but instead presented a brocade box with both hands, saying in a slightly hoarse voice, "This item is a sacred treasure of the Great Desert. I present it to seek a lasting alliance between the Great Desert and the Central Plains."

"Bring it here."

Ge Yun stepped forward, took the brocade box, and handed it to Xiao Congzhi.

Anticipating that the Xiongnu wouldn't dare to tamper with things in front of everyone, Xiao Congzhi held his breath and opened the brocade box.

Lying in the center is a luminous pearl, but it emits a purple light.

Xiao Congzhi looked appreciative: "Truly a rare treasure, very good."

After saying this, he had Ge Yun hold it up and show it to all the officials present.

After the offering of gifts was completed, the singing and dancing began again. Xiao Congzhi sat for a short while before making an excuse that he was not very drunk and returned to the palace first.

That very night, the dancer presented by the Jin dynasty, a newly appointed beauty, died suddenly in the palace. At the same time, the purple luminous pearl sent by the Xiongnu disappeared without a trace.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Rites were forced to get busy, and the Imperial Guards were even busier than usual. Yan Hong, the Right Commander of the Imperial Guards responsible for guarding the palace, was almost entirely responsible for this.

After all, the sudden death of an empress and the theft of treasures are both once-in-a-century events, yet they happened to coincide.

The rumors were rampant among the people of Yidu, with all sorts of speculations circulating.

Xie Mowen casually found a tavern, sat down, ordered a pot of wine, and listened to the idle folks spreading rumors.

"If you ask me, the Jin Kingdom had no good intentions; they probably sent them a vixen!"

What do you mean?

"The Emperor's harem has always been sparsely populated, and there has never been any talk of the Emperor indulging in women. How come a dance at the banquet led to the Emperor being promoted to the rank of a fourth-grade beauty?"

"Indeed, that makes sense."

Xie Mowen almost spat out his wine. Could anyone actually believe in such supernatural beings?

"If you ask me, no. I think this beauty might have been played to death by the Emperor!"

Xie Mowen: ? ? ?

"The palace has been without offspring for a long time, and the Empress Dowager has not made any arrangements for the Emperor to take a concubine, probably because the Emperor has strange fetishes in bed. Now that this beauty is of low status, the Emperor has lost his restraint, and this has led to a death."

The man spoke with such conviction that someone immediately chimed in, "So, I heard that His Majesty left early last night."

"Then there's no way out."

Xie Mowen actually spat out the wine this time. His eyes lit up and he came up with a good idea.

Xie Mowen reached out and called over the waiter, asking where the most popular male prostitutes in Yidu were.

Inside the palace, Xiao Congzhi was surrounded by a group of people, looking miserable.

Yan Hong knelt on the ground to beg for forgiveness. Empress Dowager Jiang demanded that the emperor dismiss Yan Hong and investigate him. Prime Minister Jiang chimed in from the side, and the Ministry of Personnel immediately recommended a replacement official.

The Ministry of War was not satisfied and begged the Emperor for mercy, asking him to give Yan Hong another chance.

Prince Rong frowned and complained about the noise and commotion caused by the Jin and Xiongnu people at the embassy.

Qi Ming was extremely displeased, his eyes cold as he refused to say more, knowing that if he opened his mouth, he might be tempted to insult the Jin and Xiongnu.

Xiao Congzhi was caught in a dilemma, opening and closing his mouth as if he didn't know what to say in this situation.

In the end, Lin Shuo offered a plan: "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to investigate the two cases of the theft of the luminous pearl and the murder of the palace concubine. Why not let Shen Zhuo, the Left Commander of the Imperial Guard, take charge of the case, with Yan Hong assisting him? If the truth can be found out, then it can be considered that Yan Hong has redeemed himself through meritorious service?"

"That's a good idea, let's do it that way!"

After speaking, Xiao Congzhi waved his hand to let everyone leave, as the imperial study was too crowded and stuffy.

The peace and quiet didn't last long before Chen Zhuo climbed in through the window.

"My lord."

"Lin Shuo recommended you to me."

"It was Prime Minister Jiang who went to Prince Rong this morning to bring it up."

Xiao Congzhi tapped the edge of the table with his finger, his eyes unfocused as he stared ahead, clearly deep in thought.

"Let's leave it at that for now," Xiao Congzhi said. "What about the thing I asked you to keep in mind?"

"There has been progress. Young Master Mo is currently at the Flowing Kite Pavilion."

"Where?" Xiao Congzhi looked up at Shen Zhuo, somewhat puzzled. There was a place in Yidu that he had never heard of before.

"Uh... this..." He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Xiao Congzhi's doubts deepened, and Shen Zhuo finally spoke: "He is the biggest male prostitute in Yidu."

"Is he going there to see someone?"

“No, he went there to become a male prostitute,” Shen Zhuo said with difficulty.

"???"