Chapter 101 – The Path of the King

A thousand riders swept over the flat land, ten thousand banners reflected in the vast sky. This was the Imperial Army’s elite twelve divisions, personally led by the Son of Heaven. They were the finest soldiers selected from the best of the nation’s camps, the cream of the crop, repeatedly honed and nurtured day after day, to produce such formidable troops.

The horn sounded again, evoking memories of the distant frontier. The trumpeters stood in a row below the stage, and upon hearing the command, the armed soldiers, like boiling water, deployed into formation and began their exercises.

Xu Chun stood behind Xie Yi, watching the twelve divisions under the guidance of the vanguard, carrying flags and standards, while the master of ceremonies called out military commands with a loud voice. The display was impressive and dazzling.

The infantry exercises featured a simultaneous volley of crossbows, while the cavalry exercises showcased maneuvers on horseback, flanking, and mounted archery. There were even artillery drills from the Divine Machine Corps, culminating in the thunderous cannonade of the Thunderbolt Corps. Every soldier was robust and valiant, charging forward bravely. As the war drums echoed, they roared in unison, the sound of hooves blending with the drumbeats. When the firelocks and cannons fired, the ground trembled slightly, the morale soaring high.

Finally, Xie Yi awarded each division and encouraged the officers and soldiers, marking the end of the inspection.

As the inspection concluded, the soldiers shouted “Long live!” Xie Yi led Xu Chun down from the grandstand and headed towards the main palace hall of the hunting palace. After a long day, once they returned to the palace chambers, the eunuchs immediately came forward to help Xie Yi and Xu Chun take off their armor and boots. Su Huai had already brought the palace eunuchs to serve ice-cold snow lotus fruits and fresh melons, as well as white poria cakes and apricot seed pastries.

But Xu Chun only grabbed the tea and drank several cups in one go, loosening his belt and opening his robe as he frowned. “Eunuch Su, I need to bathe and change clothes, or I’ll be bothering His Majesty with my stench.”

Xie Yi handed him a bowl of winter melon pigeon soup. “Drink the soup first, eat something to line your stomach before you wash up. Don’t bathe on an empty stomach. Just have them prepare the bath and clothes.”

Xu Chun took the soup and drank it all at once, then hastily took a slice of honeydew melon and ate two bites. Finding it sweet and refreshingly cold, he quickly devoured several slices. Xie Yi fed him a piece of white poria cake.

He opened his mouth to eat it, noticing that although Xie Yi had also taken off his armor and unsheathed his sword, his inner garments remained perfectly neat and tidy. He still used a spoon to drink the soup, his demeanor refined and strict, without a trace of disorder. Xu Chun was once again astonished by Xie Yi’s endurance. On such a hot day, Brother Nine wore multiple layers of silk clothing inside, not to mention the armor. Behind the imperial dignity, the majestic bearing, and the splendid attire lay a level of self-control that no ordinary person could endure.

Brother Nine truly was a heavenly being sent down to earth!

Xie Yi knew he was secretly observing him but ignored it, forcing him to eat some food and drink some tea to aid digestion before leading him to the bathing area.

The bathing area in the hunting palace was known as the “Hundred-Pace Spring,” entirely constructed from white stone, much larger than the baths in the palace, with crystal-clear water visible to the bottom.

Xu Chun, already overheated, hastily undressed and leaped into the pool. Seeing his agile movements, Xie Yi was relieved that his skin hadn’t been damaged. However, when he saw his tall figure, slender waist, narrow hips, and broad shoulders, he noticed that he had grown significantly since the last time he had seen him swimming as a teenager. Now, he closely resembled the physique of a mature man.

Xu Chun turned to look at him, still leisurely undressing on the shore, smiling and raising his face. “Brother Nine, you were so dignified today, riding for so long without moving a muscle. I was behind you, secretly shifting my feet to relax.”

Seeing his flushed face from the heat, as radiant as peaches and plums, and his innocence, unaware of his own allure, Xie Yi replied, “Didn’t they say we were going hunting? Why did you have to conduct a grand inspection?”

Xie Yi smiled. “This wasn’t a grand inspection, just a regular inspection of the Imperial Army. A true grand inspection involves the Son of Heaven making offerings to the ancestral temple, attended by officials, nobles, vassal kings, and envoys from all directions. That would be much more magnificent and awe-inspiring.”

Xu Chun felt a slight yearning, and Xie Yi had finished undressing and slowly stepped into the water. Xu Chun’s gaze immediately fixated on Xie Yi’s lean waist and abdomen, his face growing even hotter. He mumbled in agreement, swimming closer to Xie Yi.

However, Xie Yi was still lost in his thoughts, contemplating teaching Xu Chun about his intentions. “When the Son of Heaven goes hunting, there is always a military aspect involved. Throughout history, imperial hunts have been used to train troops, demonstrate military prowess, showcase national strength, and deter those who show disrespect.”

“Since it’s the autumn hunt, and you’re about to take up an external post soon, I wanted to show you some military affairs. While you don’t need to understand military matters thoroughly, as an official, you should know about warfare.”

Xu Chun nodded obediently, having swum close to him, and offered to massage his arm with a towel. “Brother Nine, let me give you a massage.” His hands pressed onto Xie Yi’s arm, feeling the firmness of the muscles, growing somewhat intoxicated by lust.

Xie Yi laughed. “Aren’t you tired?” Impressed by his vitality.

Xu Chun said, “A little, but a rest will do the trick.”

Xie Yi chuckled inwardly, thinking that he might cry tomorrow. Xu Chun asked, concerned, “Are we going to start hunting tomorrow?”

Xie Yi replied, “We’ll rest for a day tomorrow. Let them drive the game and set up the hunting grounds; then we can hunt. You must be tired from traveling today, so rest well and don’t wake up early. Tomorrow, I’ll meet with local officials to inquire about agriculture and the livelihood here.”

Xu Chun’s eyes lit up, placing his chin near Xie Yi’s shoulder and whispering, “That means Brother Nine and I can have a good rest tonight?”

His arms boldly wrapped around Xie Yi from behind. Xie Yi was somewhat helpless, thinking that indulging in such pleasures would likely result in unbearable pain in his waist and legs tomorrow. But the young man’s passion burned like fire. Having refused him last night, refusing him again tonight might lead to unpredictable consequences.

He caught Xu Chun’s wandering hand, somewhat exasperated. “I’m covered in sweat, let me wash up first.”

Xu Chun, his hand caught, deliberately pressed his body against Xie Yi. “Brother Nine, I often recall our frolicking in the pool back at the villa.”

Sighing, Xie Yi reached for a towel, turned around, and started wiping him clean. “Stop fooling around. This place is slippery; you might fall and hurt yourself tomorrow during the hunt. Hurry up and wash. There’s a bedroom nearby. Let me check your legs; are they chafed?”

Xu Chun giggled, sitting directly on the jade steps. “No, I padded them with soft cushions, and even sewed in some leather. They’re just a bit red, but rubbing some oil on them later will be fine.” He pointed at his thighs quite generously.

Xie Yi was speechless. This kid was full of energy. Knowing his youth, he indeed seemed tireless.

He draped a large bath towel over Xu Chun’s legs, untied his hair, and took a bath bean to wash his hair. Today, even his hair had been drenched in sweat. Given his fastidious nature, he couldn’t bear to lie on the bed without being clean and refreshed.

Xu Chun also scooped a handful of bath beans from the jade box on the shore and haphazardly rubbed them on himself. He found Xie Yi washing too slowly, so after cleaning himself, he smeared the bath beans on Xie Yi’s body. Occasionally, when Brother Nine washed his hair and closed his eyes, he would sneak kisses on his shoulders and back, the warmth of skin contact lingering fondly.

After such a chaotic bath, the two went ashore together, changed into soft, loose, thin gauze robes, put on wooden clogs, and then walked hand in hand to the adjacent sleeping chamber.

The sleeping chamber was inscribed with three large characters: “Pillow Spear Hall.”

Upon entering the chamber, all the eunuchs retreated at Xie Yi’s gesture, leaving only towels, silver basins, tea, and snacks.

Xu Chun didn’t notice. As soon as he entered, he was attracted by a painting hanging on the wall and couldn’t help but walk over to examine it closely.

Xie Yi wiped his wet hair with a towel and introduced it to him. “This is Emperor Huizong’s ‘Hawk and Hound,’ which I ordered to be hung in the hunting palace to warn future generations.”

Xu Chun exclaimed, “It’s Daojun’s painting! No wonder. The hawk and hound’s feathers are vividly depicted, finely detailed, even the rope is intricately rendered. It exudes a noble aura. The hawk’s eyes are especially fierce, and the slender dog is also robust, with sharp claws. Its head lowered to sniff the ground suggests a state of alertness and vigilance. What a graceful and beautiful painting, truly worthy of being painted by Emperor Huizong.”

Xie Yi smiled faintly without saying a word.

Xu Chun, however, having spent more time with him, roughly understood that Xie Yi usually harbored some regret and resentment towards emperors who had been captured, often using their examples as warnings. So why did he specifically hang such a hawk and hound painting in the sleeping chamber? Although hawks and hounds were necessary for hunting, it was clearly not just for appreciation. But…what did Brother Nine say earlier? To warn future generations?

He asked, “What is the deeper meaning of this painting? Brother Nine, you mentioned warning future generations.”

Xie Yi dried his dripping hair ends and found a comb to smooth his own hair, speaking calmly. “You also noticed the hawk’s eyes, right? Overbearing and arrogant, as if ready to choose prey and devour it. However, its talons are bound by ropes, unable to soar high.”

Xu Chun agreed, “Yes, it does seem somewhat suffocating and stifling.”

Xie Yi continued, “Now look at the slender dog. It should be a highly skilled and fierce hunting dog, yet it hangs its head in defeat, its neck encircled by a collar. Though it appears somewhat alert, it lacks any ferocity. Though well-trained and robust, it is merely a pet. Hawks and hounds, originally hunters, are now merely confined and cherished by the wealthy. With the decline of hawks and hounds, they have lost the power to fight.”

Xu Chun recalled the historical fact that Emperor Huizong had been captured. “Does Brother Nine mean that when Daojun painted this, he also foresaw that the Song Dynasty would not be able to fight? Therefore, this is a prophetic painting?”

Xie Yi replied, “Perhaps. Literati believe in the connection between heaven and man. As the emperor, facing powerful neighbors, he probably had a premonition at the time. But the reason for this situation is due to a long-standing weakness, unable to find a capable general. The emperor has no hawks and hounds to command, and it is not within Emperor Huizong’s power alone to reverse the tide, let alone his weak character.”

“During Emperor Renzong’s reign, due to repeated advice from officials that imperial hunting was extravagant and wasteful, disruptive to farming, and detrimental to the people, Renzong abolished imperial hunting activities, demonstrating benevolence and concern for the people. According to Song history, afterward, due to the numerous objections, imperial hunting near the capital was stopped, and from then on, until the Jingkang Incident, it was never resumed.”

“From the moment Zhao Kuangyin rose to power and became emperor, he emphasized literature over martial arts, focusing on internal stability while neglecting external defense, laying the foundation for future problems. Abolishing hunting further weakened the military. The humiliation of the Jingkang Incident arose from this.”

“Historical emperors conducted hunting rites, offering game to the ancestral temple, eliminating animal pests to encourage farming, training troops to promote martial affairs, showcasing imperial authority to deter those who dared to defy, and allowing officials and subjects alike to share in the joy of the empire. The hunting rite cannot be abolished; instead, one must always remain vigilant and prepared, not only needing an abundance of brave generals and wise ministers, but also a million-strong army and powerful ships with advanced weaponry. Otherwise, one may become a defeated ruler without knowing when it will happen.”

Xu Chun was slightly shaken, sensing that Xie Yi was imparting some profound principles of governance.

He still held his hair in his hand, looking up at Xie Yi, suddenly understanding the reason behind Xie Yi’s sudden decision to bring him to observe the military exercises. “Does Brother Nine mean that when I become an official, I shouldn’t focus solely on literature and economics but neglect military affairs?”

Xie Yi smiled, thinking that the child hadn’t yet realized that he was teaching him the way of the emperor. He patiently instructed, “You’ve traveled overseas and should know that for a trading fleet, strong ships and advanced weapons are needed to protect trade abroad from pirate attacks.”

Xu Chun replied, “Yes, local officials always suspect that our family maintains a private army, but when engaging in overseas trade, that small private army and the firepower are far from enough. My maternal grandfather’s family has had a hard time.”

Xie Yi looked into his clear eyes, recalling how he had given up the bright future he had laid out for him and resolutely come to the capital. Feeling touched, he earnestly advised, “I’ve been planning maritime affairs for a long time and sent Prince Wu Ying to Minzhou to make preparations for the future. Whether it’s a small trading fleet, the prosperity or decline of a household, or a country, the survival of a nation, all rely on strength. This is what we often say: ‘Establish peace through martial valor, achieve tranquility through cultural virtue.'”

“Not only for the country, but also for a clan or household, whether it’s gain or loss, or even for us individually, we should maintain a healthy body and heroic spirit to be a dominant ruler.”

Xu Chun smiled, his joyful eyes sparkling. “I know that Brother Nine is a wise strategist, heroic and vigorous, indeed a sage emperor and dominant ruler.” His gaze shifted downward, eager to try. “Your Majesty, this subject wishes to serve the dominant ruler.”