Chapter 7 Li Bai, the Poet Immortal
Xiao Xiangzi is quite skilled at grinding ink; he grinds it quickly and finely.
Chu Jiubian walked to the desk and sat down.
Since the goal is to spread fame, the poem must be stunning, and nowadays, the literati of the Great Ning Dynasty value fame more than life itself.
Therefore, if Chu Jiubian wanted to be highly regarded by scholars and writers, the poems he wrote could not be too down-to-earth. Instead, they had to express the integrity, nobility, and resilience of scholars. In short, they had to be highbrow and refined.
Xiao Xiangzi, who was serving at the side, saw that Chu Jiubian seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, so he did not disturb him. He just quietly gave a wink to the two palace maids who were guarding not far away.
The two palace maids, named Shui Qing Shui Yun, had known Xiao Xiangzi for many years. So, with just a glance from him, they understood what he meant: they were to prepare some tea and snacks for Chu Jiu Bian.
So the two of them silently left through the door.
Chu Jiubian noticed their interaction, but didn't pay it any mind.
After a long pause, he finally decided what to write: that person's poem, since the name sounded more impressive.
Once he had made up his mind, he no longer hesitated, dipped his brush in ink again, and began to write.
On the rough, yellowed paper, a few lines of vigorous and powerful characters slowly emerged—
[My friend, this is a work by the poet Li Bai.]
A golden goblet of fine wine costs ten thousand coins, a jade platter of delicacies is worth ten thousand more...
Xiao Xiangzi's gaze fell on the page. At first, he was just curious about what Chu Jiubian was going to write, thinking that he would remember it and report to his master later.
However, upon seeing Chu Jiubian's sharp and skillful handwriting, he couldn't help but exclaim in his heart, "Well done!" His handwriting was comparable to that of Prince Ning.
After reading the contents more carefully, his round eyes widened instantly, and he couldn't help but lean closer.
"...Wanting to cross the Yellow River, the ice blocks the way; wanting to climb Mount Taihang, the snow covers the mountain." He couldn't help but read it aloud in a low voice, and the scene before him seemed to have changed from the sweltering heat of June to a world of ice and snow.
==
The Imperial Palace, Cining Palace.
On the spacious chaise lounge, a graceful and elegant woman leaned back with her eyes closed. She was around forty years old, dressed in a light and thin golden palace dress, her long hair styled in a simple bun and adorned with gorgeous gold ornaments.
On the low table beside the tatami was a small bowl of clean ice, some of which had already melted.
The palace maid knelt before a low table, holding a palm-leaf fan, fanning herself repeatedly to send cool air forward.
Liu Mama, dressed in a dark dress, walked slowly from outside the palace with a letter in her hand. She stopped in front of the imperial concubine's bed and said softly, "Your Highness, the family has sent some more ice. I have already sent someone to deliver it to the Prince."
The woman addressed as "Master" slowly opened her eyes.
Granny Liu reached out and helped him sit up. The maidservant immediately brought him a teacup, and Granny Liu then helped him rinse his mouth.
After the woman had shaken off some of her sleepiness, Granny Liu handed her the letter, saying, "This is a letter from home. Please take a look."
The woman took the letter and scoffed, "Three ice deliveries in one day, what do you need from me now?"
Granny Liu smiled and said, "The family is thinking of you and the Prince. Besides, only our Xiao family can use ice every day. I heard that in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, only the main room can use ice for a short time each day. It's so hot that His Majesty cries at night."
Empress Dowager Xiao Ruohan smiled and then opened the letter to read it.
The few lines of text only describe the events of the morning court session.
Minister Xiao brought up the matter of building a dam, pressuring Qin Xiao to find a way to replenish the national treasury. He also said that if Qin Xiao really managed to get the money to give to the Ministry of Works to repair the dam, then they would see if there was an opportunity to let the Prince of Jiannan go out and practice his skills to win over the hearts of the people.
The letter concluded by mentioning the strange man who appeared in the coronation hall yesterday.
The other party was not an assassin sent by the Xiao family, but after investigation, it was found that the person was not from any other force, and the Xiao family could not find any information about the person's identity.
It was as if the other party had appeared out of thin air.
Xiao Ruohan closed the letter and handed it to Granny Liu, who then read it and put it into her sleeve.
She frowned slightly and looked at Xiao Ruohan, asking, "Master, I heard that the man yesterday had the ability to predict celestial phenomena and even claimed to be a deity. Now that we can't find any information about his identity at home, could it be...?"
Xiao Ruohan glanced at her and smiled, "These rumors in the palace are always spread and misled by people with ulterior motives. How could you believe them?"
"It was my ignorance," Liu Mama said, her brows relaxing. "Just now, our people reported that Prince Ning sent that person to Yaotai Residence. I was afraid that the person might have some supernatural abilities, which would unnecessarily give Prince Ning an extra advantage. But now it seems that Prince Ning may have done it on purpose."
“Qin Xiao never does anything in vain.” Xiao Ruohan’s eyes were slightly cold. “All this talk of gods and ghosts is just a way to intimidate all sides.”
It's possible that the man was someone Qin Xiao himself hired, deliberately having someone descend from the sky during the coronation ceremony, claiming to be a god, and then later having that man stand with them to solidify the illusion that Baili Hong, the young emperor, had been recognized by the gods.
The common people are ignorant and easily misled into believing it.
Granny Liu understood and lowered her voice, saying, "Perhaps Prince Ning also knows that the young emperor's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and he feels guilty about it."
Xiao Ruohan's gaze drifted into the distance, and she couldn't help but recall the past.
Back when she was still Empress, that old bastard Emperor Chengzong indulged in debauchery, had a harem full of concubines, and fathered one son after another.
King Seongjong himself was not good, but his sons were all exceptionally talented.
This led to an unstoppable struggle for the throne when these princes grew up.
Xiao Ruohan herself had no children. Fortunately, she was cautious in her actions and, with the help of the Xiao and Qin families, she managed to place Emperor Yingzong, who was not of Xiao blood but was most beneficial to her, into a high position, and she became the Empress Dowager in peace and stability.
However, the Qin family, with its 300,000-strong army, was a sharp weapon in the struggle for the throne. But after ascending to a high position, they became the biggest threat to Xiao Ruohan and even the entire Xiao family.
As long as the Qin family exists, the Xiao family will not be able to completely control Emperor Yingzong.
Fortunately, Emperor Yingzong was close to Xiao Ruohan, and under her repeated instigations, Emperor Yingzong and the late Empress Qin Feng gradually developed a rift, and the Qin family became his biggest worry.
Of course, everyone changes over time, let alone the emperor.
Emperor Yingzong naturally changed as well; he became even more suspicious.
He was wary of the Qin family's military power, as well as the major aristocratic families and vassal kings. Although he was grateful for Xiao Ruohan's care for him and his mother when he was young, he did not completely trust or rely on the Xiao family.
He became isolated and tried to balance the relationships between these forces, but his abilities were limited and the results were unsatisfactory.
Those who aren't family can't be of one mind.
Xiao Ruohan never expected Emperor Yingzong to take care of her in her old age, which is why she brought the eldest prince, born to Xiao Ruohan and Emperor Yingzong, to her side.
She planned to wait until the eldest prince, Baili Hai, grew a little older and the Qin family's power was further eroded, then find an opportunity to replace Emperor Yingzong and place Baili Hai, who had Xiao family blood, on the throne.
But Xiao Ruohan isn't the only smart person in the world. Qin Feng is clearly smarter and more daring.
She had long known that Emperor Yingzong wanted the Qin family's military power, but she always pretended to be innocent and harmless, and was always jealous of Consort Duan and others, making herself seem like a love-struck fool, so that Emperor Yingzong would lower his guard.
Emperor Yingzong did indeed have feelings for her, and thus, under her gentle persuasion, he softened.
Thus, Qin Feng finally had the opportunity to give birth to the Fifth Prince, Baili Hong, a prince with the blood of the Qin family.
At that time, the eldest prince, Baili Hai, was being raised by Xiao Ruohan and was already thirteen years old. In order to appease the Xiao family, Emperor Yingzong bestowed upon Baili Hai the title of prince.
However, these methods could not appease the Xiao family, nor could they appease anyone else.
From the moment a prince with Qin family blood was born, various forces began to stir.
Everyone knew that a storm was brewing.
But nowadays, fame is everything, and everything must have a "just cause," so no one wants to be the first to stick their neck out. Everyone is waiting for the right opportunity, and this wait has lasted for three years.
Just as the Fifth Prince Baili Hong celebrated his third birthday, and just as all forces were on edge, an unexpected event occurred!
Emperor Yingzong and Empress Qin Feng, who were only thirty years old, were assassinated in their bedroom and both died.
Almost at the same moment that all sides received the news, the Imperial Guard, composed of the former Qin family army, surrounded the palace, captured batch after batch of so-called assassins, and killed them without mercy.
Blood flowed in front of Shenwu Gate for three days and three nights.
Then, Qin Xiao, holding the blood-stained imperial edict, went before the officials, confirming Baili Hong's legitimate status and placing him on the throne.
The officials naturally didn't believe it, but after looking around, they discovered that the words were indeed written by Emperor Yingzong himself, and there was also the imperial seal.
Everyone knows there's something fishy going on, but no one can find any evidence.
Those spies and informants planted in the palace by various powerful forces might have known something, but Qin Xiao killed them all as assassins, leaving no way to verify their identities.
Xiao Ruohan knew perfectly well what was going on. Others might not understand Qin Feng, but she had fought against him for many years and knew that woman's methods very well.
She was certain that Emperor Yingzong's death was most likely caused by Qin Feng, and there was no assassin at all.
But Qin Feng himself died, which made it impossible for anyone to find fault with him. After all, most of the direct descendants of the Qin family had died in battle, and now only the siblings Qin Feng and Qin Xiao remained.
How much Qin Xiao cares about and protects this older sister is something anyone could ask on the street.
Therefore, even if others spread the rumor that Qin Feng and Qin Xiao joined forces to kill the emperor, few people believed it.
Everyone felt that Qin Xiao couldn't bear to see his only blood relative die. After all, even when Qin Feng accidentally sprained her ankle, Qin Xiao went to Emperor Yingzong to make a scene. How could he bear to see her die in such a tragic way?
This is where Qin Feng's brilliance lies; she may not have told Qin Xiao that she was going to die at all.
Qin Xiao and the Qin family actually had a chance to protect her, but by then, the Qin family would have confirmed their wolfish ambitions.
Compared to Qin Feng's life, Qin Xiao, as the head of the family, could naturally put aside those so-called reputations and integrity.
But once their reputation is ruined, the spittle of great scholars and literati can drown the Qin family, and all the military achievements and prestige they have built up over the years in defending the border will be destroyed in an instant.
So Qin Feng died.
This eldest daughter, cherished by the Qin family, preserved the Qin family's honor with her own death and the hideous scar on her throat, paving the way for her son to ascend the throne with her own blood.
Now, Qin Xiao, the eldest son who seemed to have been spoiled by the Qin family, has changed overnight. He has grown from an unruly playboy into a powerful minister with a deep mind.
Compared to what others said about "growing up overnight," Xiao Ruohan believed that Qin Xiao was always like this, and that his previous unreliability was just an illusion. Otherwise, Qin Feng would not have died so easily.
“The Qin family…” Xiao Ruohan’s expression was cold and stern.
They are really difficult to deal with.
Seeing that she was in a bad mood, Granny Liu quickly changed the subject in a gentle voice: "Master, if the dam repair project is successful, wouldn't our Prince gain a lot of popular support?"
Xiao Ruohan's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.
She raised her hand, and Granny Liu immediately stepped forward to help her up.
The two walked slowly inside the house. Xiao Ruohan felt much better and said, "In previous years, the money for building the dike never reached the local area. If Ah Hai had gone this year, the dike would have been completed. Who among the people wouldn't remember his kindness?"
"That's right, our Prince is the best of the best."
Xiao Ruohan chuckled and said, "That child is good, but he's too kind. Have someone cook some of his favorite dishes tonight. I need to teach him how to handle things, otherwise he'll be bullied when he goes somewhere."
"yes."
The two walked outside the hall and looked towards the horizon.
The blazing sun after the rain made people feel hot and stuffy.
A white dove braved the scorching sun, flew across the streets and alleys of the imperial city, flapping its wings as it flew into a grand courtyard.
The servant reached out and took the white dove, snatched the note from its claws, and handed the dove to others to feed, while he himself hurried toward the study.
Inside the study, Su Sheng, the Minister of Revenue, held a black chess piece, his brow furrowed as he placed it on the chessboard.
Opposite him, the strategist Fan He, dressed in a light black robe, stroked his beard with his left hand, placed a white piece with his right, and then picked up his teacup with a smile.
Su Sheng stared at it for a while, then shook his head and chuckled, "Sir, your chess skills have improved again."
"The same goes for you, sir." Fan He said meaningfully.
Su Sheng met his gaze and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Just then, a servant announced loudly from outside the hall.
"Enter."
The servant bowed and entered, handing the note to Su Sheng before exiting the hall again.
Su Sheng quickly read the words on the note and then handed it to Fan He.
After reading it, Fan He put the note into his sleeve pocket.
“Your Excellency and the Prince are becoming increasingly in sync,” he said.
“It seems that the task of building the dike is best left to the Prince of Jiannan.” Su Sheng took a sip of tea and said meaningfully, “This is a great undertaking that will benefit the people, and it will surely bring him a good reputation.”
"I hope so." Fan He smiled and then asked, "By the way, have you heard about the man from yesterday, sir?"
"You mean the person who predicted the rainfall?"
"good."
"What's wrong with him?" Su Sheng asked curiously.
As a high-ranking official, he was standing closest to Qin Xiao and the others yesterday, so he personally heard the strange man predict the time of the rain.
He glanced at the sky; it was sunny and almost cloudless, so there was no chance of rain.
So when he saw the rain arrive as scheduled in the main hall of Fengtian Hall, he could not hide his shock.
A glint of light flashed in Fan He's eyes: "That person predicted the rain would stop right again, not a second off."
Su Sheng's heart skipped a beat: "Really?"
"Absolutely true."
Su Sheng immediately realized, "No wonder Qin Xiao invited him to Yaotai Residence; he must have seen something extraordinary about him."
Fan He stroked his beard and said, "I don't think so."
Su Sheng hurriedly asked, "What do you mean?"
Fan He: "Qin Xiao doesn't believe in heaven and earth, he only believes in himself. He released the man and then swaggered over to send him to Yaotai Residence, as if he wanted to announce it to the whole world."
"Does the gentleman mean that Qin Xiao did this intentionally, intending to use this person as bait?"
“Indeed. If that man is truly capable of predicting celestial phenomena, then he might have other abilities as well,” Fan He said in a deep voice. “Such a person is extremely attractive.”
"If that's the case, should we still send someone to contact that man?"
Since Qin Xiao slaughtered the "assassins" for three days and three nights, most of the spies planted in the palace by various forces have been lost, and those that remain are the well-hidden mobs.
Now that the Imperial Guards are heavily guarding the palace, it's extremely difficult for outsiders to plant anyone inside.
Therefore, if any forces want to contact that man, they must use covert tactics, which inevitably carries the risk of being discovered by Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao is determined to completely eradicate the spies planted in the palace by all the major powers.
Fan He frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "Let's wait for now."
Let's see how others react first.
==
"No response?" An Wuji looked at the person sitting beside him with some surprise.
Qin Chaoyang nodded and said, "There hasn't been a sound at all; these people are very cautious."
An Wuji looked up at the man in the main seat.
Qin Xiao sat on a wide chair in his study, holding a handkerchief in his right hand, inside which was a piece of saltpeter the size of his palm.
There was not a trace of surprise on his face, as if he had expected it all along.
"My lord," An Wuji said impatiently, frowning, "if these people don't take action, how are we supposed to find out about those spies?"
Qin Xiao said calmly, "I never expected them to take the bait so quickly."
Just because Chu Jiubian predicted the weather correctly twice doesn't necessarily mean he's really capable; those people wouldn't take that risk.
"Then what do we do?" An Wuji asked.
“Naturally, we should increase the stakes.” Qin Xiao looked at the saltpeter in his hand.
He didn't know what Chu Jiubian wanted to do with the saltpeter, but he could tell that the other party did have some extraordinary abilities. Perhaps with the help of the saltpeter, he could create some kind of "miracle".
Of course, using Chu Jiubian to lure out the hidden spy was just a spur-of-the-moment idea of his. If it didn't work, he would just let it go and find other ways.
Suddenly, a palace servant's voice came from outside the study: "My lord, the palace servants of Yaotai Residence have important matters to report."
"Send it," Qin Xiao said.
Soon, the palace maid Shuiyun entered the hall and bowed in greeting.
Qin Xiao put down what he was holding and asked, "What is it?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, the young master has composed two poems, claiming they were written by his celestial friends, the poet Li Bai and the poet Li Qingzhao. Eunuch Hong has instructed me to deliver them to Your Excellency."
"Poetry?" An Wuji asked curiously, "Was it written by the Poet Immortal and the Hermit? Quickly, read it to me."
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