Xu Qi’an!?
This name echoed in the minds of the officials, causing their expressions to change as they recalled many unpleasant memories.
Blocking the Meridian Gate to mock everyone; killing dukes at the vegetable market; beheading the former Emperor…
Watching him run amok, flaunting his power, while there was nothing they could do about it.
In the past, it was only because Wei Yuan protected him that he was able to be so arrogant and domineering. Later, after Wei Yuan died, many in the court were waiting for Emperor Yuanjing to settle accounts with him.
Waiting for his entire clan to be executed.
Suddenly, the hall erupted in noisy discussion, the officials glancing at each other and exchanging quiet questions. Some kept shaking their heads, indicating they had received no such information.
Standing at the end of the line, Xu Xinnian heard people whispering mostly along the lines of “Hadn’t he already left the capital?”, “When did he come back?”, “Why has that damned son of a bitch returned?”
The clique leaders, Chief Justice of the High Court among them, all looked grim.
Zhang Xingying turned around in astonishment and looked at Liu Hong. Several former members of the Wei Clique were similarly surprised.
Xu Qi’an has returned?
They had not received even a hint of news.
That guy’s returned to the capital, good, good… At this moment, the former Wei Clique members felt unexpectedly reassured.
Emperor Yongxing curled his lips and signalled the great eunuch to stay silent, deliberately not interrupting the commotion among the officials.
A bunch of old foxes, the man who can deal with you has arrived… Emperor Yongxing felt utterly refreshed, as if all his recent frustrations had vanished.
When the commotion in the hall finally subsided, Emperor Yongxing slowly spoke:
“To our knowledge, Silver Gong Xu left the capital long ago to travel the jianghu. Why has he returned?”
Liu Hong replied loudly:
“Silver Gong Xu witnessed the hardships of the common people on his travels, and out of compassion, recalled Duke Wei’s teachings. He could not help but weep, and so he stopped his wanderings.
“He wishes to take Duke Wei’s place in leading the Nightwatchers and restore peace and order to the court.”
The faces of many nobles and officials changed dramatically, and they cried out:
“Your Majesty, you must not!”
“Xu Qi’an is but a martial brute, how can he lead the Nightwatchers?”
“This man is arrogant and unruly. When he worked at the constabulary, he even dared to barge into the palace. Should he lead the Nightwatchers, there would be no peace throughout the court and the land.”
More than half the officials in the hall voiced their opposition on the spot, their emotions much more agitated than when they were forced to donate money.
Among the nobles, almost all voted against him.
It was clear how little favour that martial brute surnamed Xu had earned.
Of course, there were also those who supported him, such as former Wei Clique members and some members of the Wang Clique.
The latter’s feelings were far more complicated. Xu Qi’an was Wei Yuan’s trusted aide and undoubtedly belonged to the Wei Clique. In the past, the Wang Clique would have risked everything to stop Xu Qi’an from leading the Nightwatchers.
But now…
Everyone knew that Xu Erlang was the future son-in-law of Prime Minister Wang.
With this connection, this once arrogant brute seemed poised to become an ally.
That son of a bitch Xu Qi’an has come back… The Minister of Law looked conflicted.
He had mixed feelings about this martial artist surnamed Xu, he valued him highly for his usefulness, but also resented him for having once written poetry mocking him and repeatedly thwarting his plans.
They were old enemies.
But he had to admit that, at this moment, only that son of a bitch could subdue the entire court.
“Snap!”
The great eunuch cracked his whip on the gleaming floor, producing a crisp sound.
Emperor Yongxing swept his gaze across the officials and said coolly:
“The Nightwatchers are responsible for supervising all officials and protecting the imperial palace and family. Who leads them is for us to decide.
“Since when is my lords’ places to overstep your bounds?”
As he finished, Duke Ding stepped out from the ranks of the nobles and said in a low, steady voice:
“Your Majesty, please reconsider.”
Duke Ding was about fifty, wearing an eight-beam crown and a crimson robe with a jade belt and a multi-coloured sash. Despite his age, his eyes were bright and spirited, his vitality undiminished, clearly indicating formidable cultivation.
Duke Ding said:
“How can Your Majesty appoint someone who has committed regicide to lead the Nightwatchers?”
The whole hall fell silent at this touch upon a forbidden subject.
Duke Ding went on:
“A father is his son’s principle; the late Emperor was, after all, Your Majesty’s father. If Your Majesty names Xu Qi’an as the head of the Nightwatchers, one day when the annals of history record this, it will do nothing for your reputation.
“There would be endless censure in court and among the people.”
He spoke very tactfully, the implication being, if you appoint your father’s killer to high office, it will sound terrible when spread. And in the future, it will be recorded in history, bringing you criticism from future generations.
Emperor Yongxing cared most about his reputation.
“Your Majesty, Duke Ding speaks with reason, please reconsider.”
“Your Majesty, this matter is indeed improper.”
Many officials echoed in agreement.
Just as the crowd erupted in heated debate, Emperor Yongxing said coolly:
“Silver Gong Xu entered the palace this morning. Bring him to the hall.”
The protests faded at once, and the hall fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.
You’ve already invited him into the palace, why didn’t you say so sooner…? The officials stared blankly at Emperor Yongxing, their faces plainly saying:
Are you toying with us?
No one spoke again.
Duke Ding was left frozen in place, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
At the door, Xu Xinnian covered his mouth to stifle his laughter.
All their fierce opposition, their clamour against a regicide, ceased the moment they heard his elder brother had entered the palace, as if they had been cursing safely from behind a wall, only to watch their target climb over with a ladder, and immediately shrink back.
In the suffocating silence, the officials heard footsteps crossing the high threshold.
They all looked sideways to see a figure in splendid azure robes enter, calm and composed, gentle in gaze. For a fleeting moment, many almost thought the former “Great Azure Robe” had come back to life.
In the stillness, the unhurried footsteps echoed as he advanced to the throne, stopping beside Duke Ding.
Tap!
Xu Qi’an halted, turned his head to look at Duke Ding, and said:
“We have heard of slaying a traitor, but never of regicide.
“What does Duke Ding think?”
Duke Ding’s face burned with shame and embarrassment. He forced himself to retort:
“Xu Qi’an, you, …”
Before he could finish, his knees buckled and he fell to the ground.
Xu Qi’an sneered, “Mortal folk are not fit to speak with me.”
With a wave of his hand, he swept Duke Ding aside, leaving him unconscious on the floor.
A dignified duke, suffering such humiliation in Jinluan Hall… At once, a member of the imperial clan, unable to stomach the slight, shouted:
“Xu Qi’an, how dare you act violently in Jinluan Hall!”
This shout was loud and clear, and the officials waiting outside the hall heard it all, craning their necks to peer inside.
“Xu Qi’an actually dared to use force inside Jinluan Hall?”
“Absurd! This is where His Majesty discusses state affairs with the ministers, this is the very centre of the dynasty. Silver Gong Xu has absolutely no sense of propriety.”
“This brute grows bolder by the day, who can restrain him in the future?”
The officials outside began whispering, and even some of the civil officials who supported Xu Qi’an felt he had been too reckless and brought disgrace to the scholarly class.
At this moment, they heard Silver Gong Xu’s wild laughter coming from inside the hall:
“That day, when I entered Jinluan Hall with my sabre and killed Yuanjing, why did none of you blame me for committing violence before the throne?
“Yuanjing colluded with the Church of the Warlock God, plotting to overthrow the legacy left by our ancestors. I, Xu, slew him, and yet in your eyes, I became a regicide?
“I repelled the joint armies of Yan and Kang at Yuyang Pass and beheaded the foolish emperor Yuanjing in the suburbs of the capital. Only thus did I prevent the Great Feng from being consumed by the Church of the Warlock God. Was it just so you useless lot could gorge yourselves on the people’s blood and sweat?
“A mere national duke even dares to criticise me in the hall. He should consider, the only reason he can still swagger in the court is because of whose accomplishments.”
There was utter silence inside the hall.
On both sides of the vermillion steps and across the square, the capital officials exchanged glances.
Someone muttered, “What’s the big deal about taking out a duke? He even beheaded two at the city marketplace.”
“That’s right. Silver Gong Xu’s contributions to the realm can match Duke Wei in his day. How could he possibly be slandered by a mere duke?”
“Now refugees are causing chaos everywhere and the nation is unstable. Only with a third-rank martial artist keeping guard can the realm find peace. If His Majesty and the rest have any sense left, they should understand what choice to make.”
The civil officials who supported Xu Qi’an all spoke up, while those unsatisfied with him remained silent.
Inside the hall, Xu Qi’an stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp gaze sweeping across the dukes, nobles and the imperial clan. Sneering, he said:
“I risked my life again and again to safeguard the Great Feng’s realm. Not to feed a group of useless men like you.
“Whether you agree or not, the Nightwatchers Constabulary will from now be under my command. If you remain stubborn and refuse to understand, don’t blame me for being harsh.”
The faces of all the ministers in the hall darkened as they ground their teeth in secret, yet they were powerless.
A man’s name is like a tree’s shade. This brute had killed dukes, beheaded an emperor, and when he went mad, cared nothing for kith or kin.
To expect the rules of officialdom and the laws of the Great Feng to restrain him was wishful thinking.
If he were to control the Nightwatchers, the entire bureaucracy would be at his mercy… At this thought, not just a few in the hall were already considering resigning.
There was no meaning in staying in such a government. To have someone who would not abide by rules in control of the bureaucracy was a terrifying thing.
Xu Qi’an then changed his tone and said:
“If all of you are willing to assist His Majesty with dedication and govern diligently for the people, I naturally will not make things difficult for you. Otherwise, what befell the Duke of Cao and the Duke Protector yesterday shall be your fate tomorrow.”
The hall grew quiet. No one argued, no one responded.
Silence was a statement in itself.
The nobles and ministers all bore expressions of reluctance, but perhaps because of Xu Qi’an’s final words, their emotions were at least temporarily stable.
One man suppressing the many officials, in the Great Feng today, only the Jianzheng or Xu Qi’an could manage it… Seeing this, Emperor Yongxing amiably changed the subject:
“With Lord Xu overseeing the Nightwatchers Constabulary, we can be at ease. In future, we will trouble Lord Xu to assist us often.
“Court is dismissed.”
Smiling, he rose and left Jinluan Hall with his personal eunuch.
The court session ended. The civil and military officials left the square in silence, while Liu Hong and Prime Minister Wang stood atop the vermillion steps of Jinluan Hall, gazing down at the dejected officials one by one, as if they had been defeated in battle.
Xu Qi’an emerged from the hall and nodded in greeting to the two.
Prime Minister Wang nodded in return and asked, “How goes the collection of Dragon Qi?”
Xu Qi’an sighed, “A long and arduous task lies ahead.”
The Prime Minister was silent for a while, then gave a deep bow and turned away.
“Sir Liu, shall we find somewhere for a drink?”
Xu Qi’an grinned. “I happen to have something to ask you, Sir Liu.”
Liu Hong smiled as well and declined Xu Qi’an’s invitation:
“Better not. If someone impeaches us for drinking, we’ll lose a month’s pay.
“Let’s go to the Nightwatchers Constabulary. We can chat over tea instead.”
…
Tower of Noble Spirit, seventh floor tea room.
Xu Qi’an sat behind the desk, raising his cup in greeting to Zhang Xingying and Liu Hong, and teased:
“Congratulations on your promotion, Sir Zhang. You’re treating us to tunes and revels at the Goulan tonight.”
Liu Hong joked, “With your status as Silver Gong Xu, of course you must visit the Jiaofangsi for flower wine, not a mere Goulan.”
Xu Qi’an shook his head. “Before Fuxiang’s death, I promised her I would never set foot in the Jiaofangsi again.”
Liu Hong and Zhang Xingying exchanged glances and both sighed.
Not because they mourned Fuxiang’s tragic fate, but because they lamented the fleeting nature of things.
Zhang Xingying felt this most keenly. Back then, as an inspector general, he went to Yunzhou to investigate a case.
At that time, Xu Qi’an was just a junior Bronze Gong at the peak of Refining Qi, just attempting a breakthrough into Refining Spirit.
In the space of a single year, Duke Wei was dead, Emperor Yuanjing as well, and the once lowly Bronze Gong Xu Qi’an had become something transcendent, a true figure of power.
“There’s something I’d like to trouble you with, Sir Liu.”
Xu Qi’an put down his teacup, his tone solemn:
“You know I’m collecting Dragon Qi. It has scattered across the central plains. To gather it all in a short time is no different from searching for a needle in a haystack. Originally, having the authorities take charge would have been the simplest and most effective way.
“But now, with disasters all over, I fear the government is incapable of proper intelligence gathering and might let our enemies reap the rewards. I need a more covert and effective intelligence organisation to help.”
Liu Hong understood, “You want the Nightwatchers’ undercover agents?”
Seeing Xu Qi’an nod, Liu Hong shook his head gravely:
“I never inherited the Nightwatchers’ network.”
Xu Qi’an was taken aback. “What?”
Liu Hong explained:
“When I took over the Nightwatchers Constabulary, I visited the archives to find the files on the distribution of undercover agents across the regions, but found they had already vanished.
“The official overseeing the archives told me that Duke Wei had already taken them away before he departed for campaign.”
Xu Qi’an frowned deeply, “Duke Wei took the agent records away?”
Liu Hong nodded, “I thought he would pass the Nightwatchers’ network on to you. Now it seems Duke Wei had other plans.”
Xu Qi’an drummed his fingers lightly on the table and said slowly, “Who do you think he entrusted them to?”
Liu Hong and Zhang Xingying exchanged glances and both shook their heads.
A little disappointed, Xu Qi’an frowned in thought for a long time before changing the subject:
“I’ll be leaving the capital tomorrow. The Nightwatchers Constabulary will be in your care for now, Sir Liu.
“Don’t forget to submit a memorial to inform Emperor Yongxing, so he won’t worry this martial artist will use the emperor to rule the realm.”
Hearing this, both Zhang Xingying and Liu Hong shook their heads and laughed.
At this point, His Majesty would never truly let Xu Qi’an control the Nightwatchers Constabulary.
One of the basic tenets of an emperor’s strategy was “balance”. Xu Qi’an could suppress all civil and military officials, but who could suppress Xu Qi’an?
A man without a counterweight, Emperor Yongxing would never allow such a person to hold actual power; otherwise, even his sleep would not be peaceful.
In this, Xu Qi’an was merely a tool.
Mainly, his focus at present was not the court, not the capital.
“If all goes as expected, there’ll be a small court meeting before lunch. By then, the matter of donations should be settled.”
“That’s a good thing,” said Xu Qi’an.
It was indeed good, which was why he was willing to be a tool.
After a few words of idle chat, Xu Qi’an stood to take his leave. At the door of the tea room, he stopped and looked back at the decor, unchanged from before.
He suddenly recalled the winter last year, just after joining the Nightwatchers and clinging to Duke Wei’s patronage.
Each time he came to see Duke Wei here, he felt nervous inside.
Where is the face now? Peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze… Let’s go find Brother Chun, and Song Tingfeng, Zhu Guangxiao, for a few drinks together.
…
As soon as the morning court ended, news that Silver Gong Xu had beaten Duke Ding in front of everyone in Jinluan Hall and furiously berated the many officials spread swiftly through the officialdom of the capital.
It had been over a month since Emperor Yuanjing was slain.
During this period, Silver Gong Xu had kept an extremely low profile, never appearing in public. There were all sorts of rumours about him circulating in the capital.
Among the common people, it was said that Silver Gong Xu, having killed a tyrant, had been spurned by the court and forced to wander the jianghu.
Others said that he had been grievously wounded and was at death’s door after that earth-shattering battle, so he had gone into seclusion to recover.
In fact, even within officialdom, many officials of insufficient rank in the capital did not know Silver Gong Xu’s whereabouts.
Now that he had appeared again, he had instantly done something that shocked both the court and the public.
“Silver Gong Xu has finally come out. We said all along that he is the conscience of the Great Feng. If the lords refuse to donate, there would naturally be someone to force their hand.”
“Severe cold disasters have struck various regions, the people are destitute. Silver Gong Xu could stand by no longer.”
“So long as Silver Gong Xu remains, there is still hope for the Great Feng.”
“Silver Gong Xu has finally regained his official position. This old man is quite excited.”
As soon as the news spread, righteous officials who supported the donations were greatly encouraged. They no longer needed to care about their colleagues’ attitudes, nor did they fear inciting public anger, they could openly state their positions.
Sure enough, before lunch, the cabinet spread news that His Majesty had decided to call upon all officials to contribute in three days, with no one objecting.
…
Jingxiu Palace.
As noon approached, Noble Consort Chen was sitting inside the warm chambers, repeatedly glancing towards the door.
“Why hasn’t His Majesty come yet?”
The alluring and graceful consort glanced at her daughter and said, “I wonder whether Xu Qi’an coming forward will be of any use.”
Lin’an spoke instinctively, “Of course it will, everyone is afraid of him…”
Suddenly, her pretty face tensed up and she feigned indifference, “What does his business have to do with me? I cut all ties with him long ago.”
Noble Consort Chen looked her daughter up and down for a moment, then shifted her gaze with some puzzlement and continued looking at the door.
What had happened at the morning court was already all over the place, and of course, she could not be kept in the dark.
Upon learning that Xu Qi’an had stepped forward to help, Noble Consort Chen was both surprised and elated. She was very clear, at this moment, the only one who could help Emperor Yongxing was Xu Qi’an.
As for why he was willing to help, at root, it was probably for Lin’an… Noble Consort Chen withdrew her gaze and glanced at her daughter, her eyes tinged with complicated emotions.
Emperor Yongxing’s figure appeared in the courtyard, striding across and entering the house.
Noble Consort Chen had already gone to wait at the door, and her first question upon seeing him was an urgent one:
“How did it go?”
Emperor Yongxing knew what she meant and smiled, “In three days, we shall personally call upon the officials to contribute, and edicts shall be issued to the provinces, requiring both officials and local gentry to donate money and grain.”
A great weight lifted from Noble Consort Chen’s heart, and her face bloomed with a radiant smile:
“Your Majesty must be hungry. The dishes have already been prepared, let us order the servants to bring them in at once.”
She held Emperor Yongxing’s hand and led him to the table. The beautiful woman could not stop smiling:
“Your Majesty may finally be at ease for a while, and we are glad as well. We owe this all to Xu Qi’an. Though we have never liked him, credit must be given where it is due.”
Lin’an’s pretty, round face broke into a sweet smile as well.
Emperor Yongxing was in fine spirits and joked:
“Lin’an deserves some credit too. If it weren’t for her, we would be in dire straits and our reign would be a sorry one.”
“It has nothing to do with me.” Lin’an immediately withdrew her smile, imitating Huaiqing with a cold, aloof expression.
Emperor Yongxing was both amused and baffled, “What’s wrong with Your Highness Lin’an?”
“Nothing, just that we and Silver Gong Xu are no longer connected. In future, may our imperial brother not misunderstand and think we have any sort of ambiguous relationship.” Lin’an kept up her cold façade.
Oddly enough, in this icy, unfeeling manner, the once charming and affectionate lady suddenly became a cool, alluring little queen.
Noting her daughter’s odd mood, Noble Consort Chen quickly said, “Alright, let’s eat first.”
She made a mental note to ask her about it after the meal.
…
Dexin Court.
The elegantly furnished study, hung with calligraphy and paintings and decorated with porcelain and jade trays.
Huaiqing sat behind her desk. After hearing the captain of her guards’ report, she nodded slightly:
“Now that he has stepped in, there will be no further problems with the donation matter.”
The captain was a little excited, “His Majesty has handed the Nightwatchers Constabulary to Silver Gong Xu. Your Highness, you ought to interact more with Silver Gong Xu. With your relationship, the Nightwatchers will be yours sooner or later.”
Huaiqing frowned slightly and replied coldly:
“His path and ours are not the same, and we shall not work together.”
With that, as if unwilling to say another word about him, she turned to the book on her left, pulled out a list, and instructed:
“Send invitations to the lords on this list in our name, and be discreet about it.”
These were officials she had selected by observing the court’s reactions to this affair.
…
As for Xu Qi’an, who should have been the centre of attention, he was currently leading his little mare down the official road outside the capital.
On the horse sat the plain-faced princess consort, her body rocking gently with the movement of the mount.
Having been confined to the cold palace for days, Mu Nanzhi was finally seeing the light of day again.
“It’s so uncomfortable, there’s something ahead that’s making me uneasy… it’s righteous energy.”
The little white fox in her arms said in a delicate voice.
Right, Baiji was out in the world again too.
“Nanzhi…”
Mu Nanzhi pressed her palms together, her tone utterly emotionless:
“Benefactor Xu, a monk does not speak of names, a Daoist does not speak of age. This humble monk has entered monastic life, please do not call us by our old name again.”
Xu Qi’an corrected:
“You should refer to yourself as ‘this humble nun’.”
None of your business! Mu Nanzhi almost broke character, took a deep breath, and replied coolly:
“Whatever you prefer, benefactor.”
She had been like this ever since they came out of the Stupa tower.
At any moment, she would press her hands together and chant the name of Buddha, declaring that she had entered the monastic life, and had from now on severed all ties with a certain unfaithful man who had betrayed a wife for her best friend.
“Nanzhi, since we have come back to the capital, let’s buy some storybooks to take along. When you are bored on the journey, you can read them. These books in the capital are the best.” Xu Qi’an suggested.
Mu Nanzhi recited a Buddhist chant, “This humble nun has no such worldly desires.”
She was quick to learn, already referring to herself as she should.
“No such worldly desires.”
Baiji echoed.
What karmic retribution is this? My fishpond has exploded, and all the fish are set on cutting ties with me… National Teacher, you cannot blame me for humiliating you so much these past few days. Making you do all those shameful poses was just payback… In any case, I must slip out of the capital before tomorrow, or my very life will be in danger!
After walking for a while, Qingyun Mountain came into view.
This time, his reason for visiting the Cloud Deer Academy was to seek out Dean Zhao Shou, to ask why Wei Yuan had been willing to risk his life to seal the Warlock God.
And while he was there, he would try and obtain a few sheets of paper recording the confucian “laws follow commandments”.
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