Chapter 149 – The Wind and the Tiger

As Saint Longevity approached, heaven blessed the capital with a fortunate snowfall, blanketing the city in a thick layer of snow overnight. By dawn, the world was cloaked in silver, trees adorned with ice, and everything bathed in a crystalline clarity.

Xie Yi rose early that morning and gave instructions, and due to the heavy snow, court was canceled, but he summoned several key ministers separately at staggered times. He skimmed through official documents and selected important ones to review before returning to Suiyu Hall.

Upon entering the inner chamber, he first shed his cloak, chilled from the cold. He glanced at Liu Shun, who stood quietly nearby. Liu Shun whispered, “There was some noise, but no one was called.”

Xie Yi stepped into the room behind the screen and saw the apricot-yellow curtains hanging on golden hooks. Xu Chun, however, still lounged in bed, unclothed, nestled under the blankets. He lay on a soft pillow, holding up the dragon pendant Xie Yi had unclasped last night and examining it repeatedly. His shoulder and most of his back were exposed, while the golden armlet on his arm shimmered brilliantly.

Despite his languid state, the inner hall was indeed not too cold. Xie Yi found it amusing but also felt that the jade color was well-chosen. Originally, they had picked duck egg green, thinking it would complement his official robes, but now it seemed to match his skin tone perfectly. If they had made a string of jade beads at the time and wrapped it around this flesh…

His thoughts wandered aimlessly as he asked Xu Chun, “What are you looking at? What’s so special about it? It’s the same material as yours.”

Xu Chun’s eyelids were still slightly swollen as he said lazily, “I noticed your dragon pendant doesn’t have any characters carved on the amulet underneath. I was wondering what word would be good to engrave.”

Xie Yi replied, “Hmm, I haven’t thought of anything yet, so I left it blank. What do you think would be good?”

Xu Chun said, “I thought of a few, but none were quite right. How about ‘Dragon Virtue in the Field’? ‘Flying Dragon in the Sky’? ‘Dragon Hidden in the Abyss’?”

Xie Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “Forget it, let’s leave it blank.”

Xu Chun deflated but gritted his teeth. “I must come up with something good!”

Xie Yi looked down at him. “Fine, take your time.”

Xu Chun chuckled, glancing at the sky. Suddenly, he exclaimed in surprise, “Brother Nine, why did you dismiss court so quickly today?”

Xie Yi explained, “Yes, the snow is so heavy. To prevent the ministers from slipping and catching a chill, I ordered a day off from court today. Let them clear the snow first.”

Xu Chun sat up energetically. “Then I’ll spend the whole day with Brother Nine today!”

Xie Yi chuckled. “But I did summon several key ministers and envoys from various families for individual audiences.” As Xu Chun sat upright, the soft silk quilt slid down. The biting light of winter illuminated the room through the bright windows, casting a radiant glow on the young man’s beautiful abs and making his body lines all the more tempting. Xie Yi regretted it slightly, realizing that meeting those people didn’t seem so important after all.

Xu Chun was disheartened. “Brother Nine, you’re really diligent.”

Xie Yi countered, “I specifically summoned the Prince of Nong that you recommended, wasn’t it for your sake?”

Xu Chun immediately perked up. “That’s great, Prince Nong must be very happy.”

Xie Yi watched as Xu Chun’s feet stretched out comfortably from under the brocade quilt, with no intention of getting dressed. He sighed. “Get up and put on some clothes. I had them prepare fish soup noodles for you.”

Xu Chun perked up at the mention of food, clumsily pulling on his clothes. Xie Yi stepped forward to tie his sash. “It’s cold, don’t be reckless, wear more layers. I had some feather gauze cotton clothes made for me, they’re light and won’t make you look cumbersome when worn inside. Have them bring them to you.”

Xu Chun brushed it off. “Got it, but Brother Nine should also wear more clothes, it’s cold, don’t go horseback riding alone.” He suddenly remembered Fang Zixing. “Where’s Big Brother Fang?”

Xie Yi replied, “He’s escorting his sister-in-law to Zhe Province. Fang Zijing has to assume office there first, Princess is pregnant, so she needs to travel slowly, and they have a lot of luggage.”

Xu Chun nodded. “Ah, right, the princess needs to be cautious during her first pregnancy.”

Xie Yi added, “It’s not her first… In earlier years, Zixing mentioned that they lost one, and since then, conceiving has been difficult. Now that they’ve finally had another one, they treat it even more preciously.”

Xu Chun realized, “No wonder I wondered why Lord Fang took so long to have children.”

Xie Yi commented, “In noble families, the inner quarters can be complicated. The House of Pingsouth is already considered relatively peaceful.” When Xu Chun had finished dressing, he called for water. Soon, palace attendants entered with hot water in copper basins to assist Xu Chun with his ablutions.

Xu Chun heard the hidden meaning in his words, but when everyone entered, he didn’t press further. Xie Yi went outside to order breakfast.

By the time Xu Chun finished washing up and emerged, a bubbling purple copper pot sat on the table, emitting steam. Beside it, fresh pea shoots, white cabbage, and mung bean sprouts grown in heated greenhouses were arranged neatly. There were also transparent slices of raw fish laid out on ice and slices of lamb.

As it was breakfast, they served lighter dishes. Xie Yi had someone heat up a bowl of thin noodles and personally mixed the seasoning sauce before placing it in front of him. Though he performed this mundane task, his expression was serene, his gaze focused, which made Xu Chun feel as if the bowl of noodles before him was a rare delicacy.

He, in turn, blanched a piece of fish for Xie Yi and watched as the translucent slice curled slightly and turned milky white. He hurriedly dipped it in sauce and offered it to Xie Yi, who opened his mouth to eat.

They fed each other pieces of meat and scoops of egg custard, indulging in their breakfast until an attendant reported that the envoys awaited the emperor’s audience in Jingren Hall.

Xie Yi stood up. “I’ll go see the envoys first. You can listen if you’re interested, or leave the palace if you’re not. You haven’t been back in the capital for a long time, and the New Year is approaching. You probably need to visit your teachers and friends.”

Xu Chun hastily agreed. “Alright, I’ll just quietly listen to the Prince of Guangyuan.”

Xie Yi smiled at him without saying anything.

In front of Jingren Hall, Nong Siji nervously awaited his audience. He hadn’t expected to receive a personal summons from the Emperor on his second day in the capital. Indeed, He Zhizhou truly understood the emperor. Or was Yizhou that important?

He had heard that the Emperor was young but far-sighted, decisive, and ruled alone. Would his promises hold up?

In his heart, he repeated the words on the memorial repeatedly, although He Zhizhou had already told him not to. Still, he worried that the Emperor might ask about them.

An eunuch dressed in blue invited him into the hall. Inside, it was much warmer than outside, but the furnishings weren’t particularly lavish. Only wisps of incense lingered faintly in the air. Unconsciously, he compared it to the grand hall of the Guangyuan Palace, with Persian carpets, columns carved from golden nanmu wood, brocade curtains embroidered with gold thread, celadon jade tripods encrusted with jewels, crystal vases carved with flowers…

Although he thought about it, he still bowed deeply and maintained perfect decorum. As he bowed, he caught a glimpse of the Emperor seated above. Although he couldn’t clearly discern his features, he was undoubtedly quite young.

The Emperor spoke. “Rise. Take a seat. I have read your memorial, and I understand your intentions fully.”

Nong Siji cautiously sat on the chair below, but when he heard this, he hurriedly stood up again. “My position is awkward, I dare not claim loyalty to Your Majesty, I only aspire to emulate the Fang family of Pingsouth.”

The Emperor fell silent for a moment, which left Nong Siji extremely anxious and unsure if the phrase He Zhizhou taught him would work.

The Emperor, however, chuckled lightly. “The one who taught you to say this must have also advised you that I prefer practical and useful people.”

Sweat broke out on Nong Siji’s forehead.

The Emperor sat upright and gestured for him to sit. “Sit down. There are two paths for you to choose from regarding Yizhou. Historically, Yizhou has listened to orders but not proclamations, paid tribute but not taxes. Your current position is awkward, and our dynasty cannot interfere. Therefore, you have two options.”

Nong Siji made a gesture of respect. “I am willing to assist Your Majesty.”

The vast hall echoed only with the young emperor’s voice, slow and clear. “The first path is for you to return to Yizhou, by whatever means necessary, become a king and seize power. The imperial court will issue an edict recognizing you as the legitimate ruler. I can send people to assist you, who will bring the imperial edict, but the power must be seized by your own hands.”

The Emperor’s tone was stern and cold. Sweat trickled down Nong Siji’s back as he suddenly left his seat and knelt again. “Father may not be kind, but son dares not be disobedient. I dare not commit patricide. That is why I came thousands of miles to seek Your Majesty’s favor. Please forgive my sin.”

He bowed, his back drenched in cold sweat.

The Emperor seemed to pause for a moment before saying slowly, “This is the quickest path. If you are unwilling, then the second path is the only option.”

Nong Siji said, “I wish to hear about the second path.”

The Emperor continued, “The second path is for you to remain in the imperial court as a general under the identity of Prince of Guangyuan, to pacify the seas and clear the maritime routes for me. Once you have established military achievements and gained military authority, if the King of Guangyuan wants to depose and replace you, he must first pass through the imperial court. Unless he wants to openly break ties with the imperial court, which would conveniently provide the imperial court with an excuse to subdue the rebels.”

Without hesitation, Nong Siji declared, “I choose the second path.”

The Emperor didn’t seem surprised. “Then you should prepare yourself. An opportunity will arise soon. At that time, you will be appointed as the Fujian Navy Commander, under the jurisdiction of the Zongdu of Fujian and Zhejiang, and Wu Yinghou, Fang Zijing.”

Nong Siji was taken aback, hesitating for a moment. Finally, he mustered the courage to speak. “I have a bold request.”

The Emperor above seemed slightly displeased. “Speak.”

Nong Siji felt a chill run down his spine but still suppressed his fear. “I have heard that Lord Fang is a capable warrior and oversees the military affairs of both Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. As a newcomer, I’m unfamiliar with Lord Fang’s temperament. I’m only concerned that we won’t cooperate well and delay military affairs. Since the East Sea is about to undergo changes, could I first go to the Jinhai Navy to familiarize myself? Jinhai Port is also near the sea, and it would be convenient for me to go there.”

The Emperor fell silent for a moment before saying, “Didn’t you say you wanted to emulate the Fang family? Why are you bargaining with me? You’re simply worried that the Fang family’s influence is too strong, and you won’t be able to display your talents once you go there. And in Jinhai, the military is lax, and the commander is mediocre. Although it’s only a fourth-rank position, he controls the eight camps independently. You’re close friends with Prince Xu Chun, so you can take charge of military affairs alone, which would give you room to maneuver and aid Xu Chun, repaying his kindness. Is that not right?”

Nong Siji was stunned that his calculations were revealed so easily. He hurriedly knelt down. “Your Majesty is magnanimous, I deserve death. I was indeed worried about not getting along with Lord Fang. I usually command troops with decisiveness, and my temperament has never been favored by my father… Military opportunities are fleeting, and generals often make decisions on their own when outside. I was afraid of delaying military matters.”

The Emperor reassured him. “Rest assured, Wu Yinghou Fang Zijing will get along well with you. As for Xu Chun recommending you, it was for the good of the country, not seeking repayment. No need to say more, go.”

His tone was decisive and clearly did not allow further objections.

Nong Siji dared not speak further. He knelt to express his gratitude before slowly retreating.

Xie Yi noticed that Xu Chun had disappeared behind the screen and smiled inwardly, not bothering to pay attention to him. He merely instructed someone to call the next person.

He spent the entire morning busy, meeting several envoys and key cabinet ministers, before returning to the inner chamber. Su Huaibai reported to him, “Prince Xu said he would go back to his residence to handle some matters and come back to accompany the Emperor in the evening.”

Xie Yi noticed, however, that his dragon pendant was now placed neatly on the table, the vermilion characters on the amulet beneath still fresh. Xu Chun had picked up a vermilion brush from his desk and written the four characters “Wind Tiger Cloud Dragon” neatly.

Holding it in his hand, Xie Yi remarked to Su Huaibai, “Is he comparing himself to a virtuous minister?”

Su Huaibai responded, “Why wouldn’t he be a virtuous minister? Young Master’s tiger-like eyes are so prominent, truly the appearance of a virtuous minister! With Your Majesty, the Sage Ruler, it’s exactly like the wind and the tiger, the clouds and the dragon, a perfect fit! Moreover, now the imperial court is filled with virtuous ministers like clouds and famous generals like stars. The momentum of the wind and the tiger, the clouds and the dragon, has already formed. Your Majesty’s grand plans are about to unfold, and the unification of the four seas is imminent!”

Xie Yi laughed. “Sweet-talking, always trying to please me. Send it to the jade carver and have them engrave the words as they are.”