Li Cheng'an and his men unexpectedly made a fortune.

Even though an unknown surnamed Zhu threw in ten thousand taels, it was still unable to withstand the sheer number of people at the Qingming Festival at Qujiang Pond. In the end, the odds were adjusted to nearly three to one.

Li Cheng'an proudly tucked a bunch of silver bills in his sleeve. With a grand gesture, he intended to invite his subordinates to Huifeng Tower for drinks that night.

"Deputy Commander, you should be the one inviting General to drink," someone chuckled when they returned joyfully to the Garrison Command. "Today's winnings are all thanks to General!"

Li Cheng'an kicked him in the leg.

" What kind of place is Huifeng Tower? Dare to lead General there? Are you not afraid Princess will skin you alive?" he retorted.

The man exclaimed as he rubbed his sore thigh, "General has only been here a few days, yet you've already learned this Shadowless Kick..."

As the group laughed and joked, they heard Fang Linyuan's voice at the door.

"Why are you standing here? Didn't I say to assemble at the drill ground?" he asked.

They turned to see Fang Linyuan stepping over the threshold of the Garrison Command, his sword at his waist catching the evening light as his robes fluttered in the breeze, emitting a gentle glow.

Everyone greeted him with smiles.

"Deputy Commander won big today and wants to treat us all to drinks at Huifeng Tower!" someone said with a smile.

Fang Linyuan glanced at Li Cheng'an and asked, "Since when did you start gambling?"

"I'm not gambling, it's polo!" Li Cheng'an immediately argued. "It's approved by the Imperial court, not some random game."

"Oh, how much did you win?" Fang Linyuan asked casually as he continued towards the drill ground.

Li Cheng'an proudly pulled out a thick stack of silver bills from his sleeve.

This surprised Fang Linyuan slightly, causing him to pause and look at him.

"You won this much?" he asked.

"I bet everything I had on it, betting that you would win," Li Cheng'an grinned. "How about that? Pretty gutsy, huh?"

Fang Linyuan nodded absentmindedly, trying to shake him off.

Li Cheng'an followed beside him, behaving like the hunting dog Fang Linyuan had kept at Hulao Pass. Unlike the dog, Li Cheng'an loved to chatter.

One of the guards nearby chimed in, "That's right! Besides that Zhu person, Deputy Commander won the most today!"

"Zhu?" Fang Linyuan asked.

"Yeah!" The voices around him grew more enthusiastic as they eagerly told Fang Linyuan, "He bet ten thousand taels on you! If it weren't for him, the odds could have gone up to ten to one!"

This time, even Fang Linyuan's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"How much?" he asked.

"Ten thousand taels!" one of the Sixteenth Guards beside him exclaimed. "Seems like an old friend from your border days? To throw such a large sum, could it be a jeweler from Tianzhu or a spice merchant from the Western Regions?"

But Fang Linyuan never knew any wealthy merchants, let alone someone surnamed Zhu. Besides, there were probably very few people in the world who would bet ten thousand taels on a horse ball game.

"Don't know him," Fang Linyuan replied truthfully.

It could have been some rich young master throwing around his family's money. Luckily, he won. If all that money had been lost, he wondered how that person would explain it when they got home.

Fang Linyuan didn't think much about this person. It was the Sixteenth Guards who were very interested in him, chatting excitedly. That wealthy merchant who threw around ten thousand taels was already being talked about as a royal heir in exile.

*

After finishing up at the Garrison Command, Fang Linyuan let the Sixteenth Guards who were eager to go to Huifeng Tower for drinks.

After taking his horse to the stable, it was already dark.

Lanterns were lit at the gate of the Garrison Command. Just as he exited the stable, he saw a figure standing under the lantern at the gate, dressed in brocade with a pattern of flying fish.

Li Cheng'an and others happened to pass by and immediately noticed him.

"Lin Zizuo?" Li Cheng'an's smile disappeared, his expression turning unfriendly.

He never liked the Brocade guards who behaved like wolves, biting everyone they came across. After the conflict at Green Qi Building last time, his impression of Lin Zizuo was even worse.

Seeing him standing alone in front of the Garrison Command, Li Cheng'an became more vigilant and led a few men to approach.

"It’s not your Brocade Guards yamen?" he said. "What are you doing here?"

Lin Zizuo glanced at him faintly, his expression blank.

"I'm not looking for you," he replied.

"I don't care who you're looking for. This is our Sixteenth Guards' territory. Without reporting in, no one can enter," Li Cheng'an retorted fiercely.

Lin Zizuo said nothing more.

Seeing that this person seemed hostile, Li Cheng'an crossed his arms in front of his chest, becoming even more aggressive.

"Li Cheng'an."

Before he could say anything, Fang Linyuan's voice came from behind.

Everyone turned around to see Fang Linyuan leading Flowing Fire out from inside. Li Cheng'an noticed the slight frown on his face as he looked displeased, clearly annoyed that he was causing trouble.

Li Cheng'an awkwardly stepped aside, leaving the position in front of Lin Zizuo to Fang Linyuan.

Lin Zizuo first bowed to Fang Linyuan. "General Fang."

Fang Linyuan returned his gesture with a bow and then glanced at Li Cheng'an, saying, "Aren't you going for drinks? If we delay here any longer, Huifeng Tower might not have any seats left."

Li Cheng'an awkwardly nodded and quickly bid farewell with his subordinates.

He really was like his hound, always eager to bite someone if not held back for a moment.

Fang Linyuan rubbed his forehead and turned to Lin Zizuo. "Sorry about that. Do you have business at the Garrison Command? If you need to see someone, I can take you inside."

Lin Zizuo shook his head and bowed to him again respectfully. "I came here today specifically to thank General."

"Thank me?" Fang Linyuan paused.

"Thank you for guiding us through that day, which allowed us to quickly resolve the case," Lin Zizuo said.

It was about the incident at Green Qi Pavilion, which surprised Fang Linyuan.

"You found out?" he asked.

Lin Zizuo nodded.

Fang Linyuan admitted, "I didn't expect you to move so quickly. I thought my hint was quite subtle."

"The clues provided by General were quite clear," Lin Zizuo said solemnly, shaking his head. "If General is free now, I would like to treat you to a meal to express my gratitude."

Fang Linyuan wasn't eager to go.

But seeing his sincere expression and the time he had waited at the gate, Fang Linyuan hesitated for a moment. He raised his hand and called over Yan Ting, who was waiting at the gate, and handed Flowing Fire to him. "Tell my wife I'll be back later. She doesn’t have to wait for me for dinner."

Yan Ting acknowledged and led Flowing Fire away.

"May I ask what kind of food and drink General prefers?" Lin Zizuo asked.

"I've only recently arrived in the capital and am not very familiar with the area," Fang Linyuan replied as they walked out of the Garrison Command together. "I'm not picky. I'm a bit hungry though. Just find a place nearby, and we can have something casual."

Lin Zizuo was not like Li Cheng'an, who preferred extravagant places. The two entered a tavern at the street corner and sat down by the window on the second floor.

After two cups of wine, they gradually started conversing.

It turned out that there were officials in the court suspected of colluding with foreign powers, selling information from the palace and court to the Turks. Upon learning of this, His Majesty ordered the Brocade Guard to quickly investigate the case.

They focused on several suspicious officials but had not found their means of communication. His Majesty was urging for results, yet the case remained unresolved, leading to repeated rebukes from the court.

This heightened their urgency, almost turning the capital upside down. Among the suspicious officials, there was one from the Ministry of Revenue who visited brothels, especially favouring the exotic dancers at Green Qi Pavilion. On that day, they used the pretext of inspection to investigate Green Qi Pavilion.

This time, the case was closed because they discovered that the dancer who kept a parrot was actually a spy sent by the Turks. With solid evidence, they traced and arrested many individuals.

"We brought the parrot back to Beizhen Commandery and discovered that this bird was not a parrot but a migratory bird from the Western Regions. It is said that this bird has colourful feathers, can fly thousands of miles a day, and can recognize routes. It is often used by people from the Western Regions to send messages, hence it is called a homing pigeon (NT: Columbia livia domestica, the domestic pigeon basically)," Lin Zizuo explained.

"I've seen one twice at Hulao Pass, but it's too conspicuous. The Turks don't like to use it," Fang Linyuan remarked.

"But there's one thing I don't understand," Lin Zizuo leaned forward, propping himself on the table, looking seriously at Fang Linyuan.

"What is it?"

"The homing pigeon looks exactly like a parrot, and only the wingspan when flying can distinguish it," Lin Zizuo said. "You only knew we were investigating enemy spies. How could you identify so quickly what we were looking for and accurately recognize its species?"

Fang Linyuan took a sip from his wine glass.

"The bird was in a cage, so of course, I couldn't see anything," he said. "But when you took it back, you must have seen it. It had circular marks around its ankles, which couldn't have been left in just one or two days."

"Yeah," Lin Zizuo nodded in agreement.

"If it had been a bird tied to a perch, the silver ring on its foot would have been loose to allow the bird to fly freely on the perch, making it look good when kept," Fang Linyuan continued. "Such a silver ring would not leave marks, especially since it was kept in a cage and did not need a foot ring. So, what could leave a ring mark on its foot?"

Lin Zizuo paused for a moment. "A message tube tied to its foot?"

Fang Linyuan smiled and nodded.

Lin Zizuo suddenly realized, and in his enlightenment, he raised his cup to toast Fang Linyuan.

"General, you have a sharp mind," he said. "I didn't expect you to detect such subtle traces from such a distance."

Fang Linyuan smiled modestly. "I've always had sharp eyes."

Lin Zizuo's expression turned solemn. "It's just a pity that a military talent like General, who excels on the battlefield, cannot be fully utilized. Otherwise, if you were to join our Brocade Guard, there would be no case you couldn't solve."

He genuinely showed a mutual respect, which made Fang Linyuan feel a bit embarrassed by the praise. He quickly raised his head, emptied his cup of wine, and changed the subject.

"By the way, since you were out to capture spies, why did you make such a big show of it?" he asked.

Lin Zizuo paused slightly, casting a complex glance at Fang Linyuan.

If they were only investigating spies, they should not have been so conspicuous.

However, the reason they had gone to Green Qi Pavilion that day was because Qiu Shuo, the Salt Transport Envoy of the Ministry of Revenue, had informed him that his colleague, who often visited brothels, had gone to Green Qi Pavilion to meet with their informant, and they were together at the time.

In such a situation, they naturally needed to swiftly apprehend them in the act.

But after they rushed to Green Qi Pavilion that day, Lin Zizuo realized that he had been deceived. The official was not present. If it weren't for Fang Linyuan pointing out the homing pigeon, Lin Zizuo would have come up empty-handed, risking losing face.

With Sang Zhixin overseeing the situation, he could only swallow this humiliation.

Lin Zizuo pursed his lips slightly and sighed, "It's just some dirty affairs in the court. But General, what were you doing at Green Qi Pavilion that day?"

"Ah, I was investigating the Hu bandits who caused trouble on Rongchang Street during the Flower Festival night," Fang Linyuan replied. "Speaking of which, you've uncovered quite a few Turkic spies this time. Are any of them related to this matter?"

"Hasn't this matter already been resolved?" Lin Zizuo looked puzzled. "Why, are there still people fleeing outside?"

"The mastermind we discovered escaped from the city, and we haven't caught him yet," Fang Linyuan explained. "I have always felt there was something strange about this."

Lin Zizuo nodded thoughtfully at his words.

He felt apologetic for what happened at Green Qi Pavilion that day, and now that Fang Linyuan had helped him so much, he wanted to do something in return when he asked about it.

"Those people are still being interrogated, and there's no conclusion yet," Lin Zizuo said. "When I go back, I'll ask for General's sake. If there are any clues, I'll definitely inform General."

Fang Linyuan nodded. "Thank you very much."

"Speaking of which, that group escaped from the West City Gate," Lin Zizuo pondered for a moment, then added, "The commander of the city gate who let them into the capital is an old friend of mine. If General has any questions, I can act as an intermediary and recommend you."

Such a good opportunity!

Fang Linyuan's face lit up with joy, and he raised his wine cup. "Then I must trouble the Commandery Chief, and I should toast you for this."

Lin Zizuo quickly lifted his cup as well.

"This is what I should do," he said. "That day, because of the case investigation, General's treatment was delayed, and I still feel guilty about it. Is General's injury better now? The Beizhen Commandery has many imperial medicines; I'll have some sent over these two days."

"Never mind that." Fang Linyuan chuckled. "The medicine my wife gives me is incredibly effective, she..."

As he spoke, he lifted his cup with one hand and extended the other, intending to demonstrate the remarkable effect of Zhao Qing's medicinal treatment to Lin Zizhuo.

However, as his palm turned upwards, the faint pattern of a jade hairpin on the silk handkerchief shimmered elegantly in the candlelight.

Fang Linyuan paused slightly.

Across from him, Lin Zizuo was still waiting for his continuation.

"How is Princess?" he inquired.

Fang Linyuan's expression visibly grew awkward, and then his hand quietly retreated.

"I forgot..."

"What?" Lin Zizuo asked.

Fang Linyuan awkwardly placed the wine cup back on the table.

"She forbade me from drinking," he admitted.

*

However, they had already consumed most of the two jars of wine on their table, and now recalling Zhao Chu's instructions seemed a bit late.

Considering Zhao Chu's vengeful nature, Fang Linyuan feared that when he returned home tonight, he wouldn't escape the fate of being given medicine by him.

Fang Linyuan's face fell.

Lin Zizuo across from him also seemed flustered.

"Oh, it's my fault. I invited you out for drinks before your injury was fully healed," Lin Zizuo apologized. "What should we do now?"

Fang Linyuan sighed and waved his hand. "It's fine."

In any case, Zhao Chu wouldn't make a big deal out of this, right? Even if he did, it would just be a temporary inconvenience.

Moreover, it was already late, and Zhao Qing was probably asleep and wouldn't bother about his drinking now.

With a sense of relief in mind, Fang Linyuan bid farewell to Lin Zizuo and returned home.

Little did he expect, the moon was high in the sky, but the lights were still on in the Huaiyu Pavilion. Just as he arrived at the door of the Fuguang Pavilion, he saw Juansu waiting there, saying to him, "Master, Princess invites you to have a bowl of sobering soup."

...She was indeed waiting for him!

Fang Linyuan sighed in frustration, regret, and resignation.

Though they were married in name, they were merely a façade in public. Why did Zhao Chu have to be so meticulous and diligent?

*

Zhao Chu wasn't actually waiting for him.

The news from Jiangnan had already come back, and everything was under his control. He had set up a long-planned situation, and now he could see the net closing in.

This was the first thing he did after leaving the palace.

Although he had his own influence in the court, the key positions controlling real power were still held by those trusted by Emperor Hongyou. The Jiangnan faction, self-proclaimed as a group of upright officials, had entrenched themselves in the court for decades. To sever their roots, the first step was to break Emperor Hongyou's trust in them.

Zhao Chu flipped through the intelligence reports from Jiangnan, silently calculating the timing in his mind.

At this moment, Juansu brought the account books from Huaiyu Pavilion.

These account books were sent by various tenant farmers and farms of the Anping Marquisate since the beginning of spring. Now that Zhao Chu was in charge of the household affairs, the annual accounts were all sent to him by the new year for his decision.

Accompanying them were the silver notes sent by the grain market.

Including the principal, a total of forty thousand taels of silver, neatly packed in a sandalwood box, were delivered to Zhao Chu's desk.

Zhao Chu opened the account book.

"Madam Sui said that last year's weather was unfavourable, causing not only disaster in Jiangnan but also affecting the harvests in the northern estates of the Anping Marquisate," Juansu said. "Now it's time to collect rents, and Madam Sui asks how Your Highness intends to collect this year's rents."

Zhao Chu opened the account book and browsed through it roughly, quickly grasping the situation.

"How have we collected in the past?" he asked.

"Madam Sui said that in previous years, rent reductions ranged from ten to thirty percent, depending on the circumstances of the year. However, this year's disasters were more severe, and she has not handled such a situation before."

Zhao Chu nodded with lowered eyes.

He had heard about the disasters last year: floods in Jiangnan and droughts in the north. The Qintian Observatory reported to Emperor Hongyou every month, and the emperor was extremely anxious, offering sacrifices several times, believing his own virtue was lacking, which he thought had brought divine punishment.

(NT: The Qintian Observatory (秦天观 ‘Heavenly Observations’) is a historical observatory. Its primary function was astronomical observation, particularly for tracking celestial phenomena and calendar calculations.)

Zhao Chu found it laughable.

If divine punishment came from a lack of virtue, he would have been struck by lightning decades ago and wouldn't have lived to see today.

However, the severity of the disasters across the regions was indeed not to be underestimated.

The northern provinces were naturally colder, with fewer months suitable for farming compared to Jiangnan. Last year's drought had almost halved the harvest in many counties and prefectures. Even with a fifty percent reduction, it was likely not enough.

"Anping Marquisate's accounts can afford to waive how much of the rent?" Zhao Chu asked.

"Not even half," Juansu replied.

Zhao Chu merely nodded lightly, picking up the thick stack of silver notes from the sandalwood box and inserting them into the account book.

"This year's rent for the fields is fully waived for them," Zhao Chu said, placing both the silver notes and the account book on the desk.

Juansu was utterly astonished.

She didn't speak for a while, and Zhao Chu, lifting his eyes calmly, saw even the usually composed Juansu looking stunned, staring at the account book.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"...Nothing," Juansu hurriedly replied, cautiously taking the account book. "It's just... Your Highness, are you intending to cover all of Anping Marquisate's rent?"

Zhao Chu lifted his eyes calmly.

"This money was earned by the Marquis of Anping," he said. "Giving it to him to use, what's wrong with that?"

The silver was indeed earned by the Marquis of Anping, but Your Highness, you're even giving away the principal along with it?

Juansu thought to herself but dared not ask further.

She acknowledged quietly, taking the account book with both hands.

At that moment, a maid reported from outside that the Marquis of Anping had arrived.

As the announcement fell, Fang Linyuan's figure appeared at the door. A breeze blew in, carrying the scent of aged wine from his clothes along with the falling peach blossoms. Zhao Chu raised his head and saw his embarrassed expression, full of guilt written all over his face.

Zhao Chu's lips twitched slightly, suppressing a subtle upward curve.

"The Marquis is back?" he asked, rising.

"Yes," Fang Linyuan replied. Before Zhao Chu could continue his questioning, Fang Linyuan sat down beside him and deliberately changed the subject.

"I heard an interesting thing outside just now," Fang Linyuan said. "Today at the polo field, a boss placed a bet of ten thousand taels of silver on me at the grain market. Do you know about this?"

Zhao Chu nodded faintly, seemingly taking the bait.

Changing of topic was successful!

Fang Linyuan smiled, picking up the sobering soup on the table and continued, "I heard he made thirty thousand taels of silver. With such a large sum of money, I wonder how he'll use it..."

As he spoke, he glanced sideways and happened to see Juansu holding the thick account book, which seemed to have something inserted inside that was threatening to burst it open.

"What are you holding there?" Fang Linyuan immediately asked curiously.

 

--

The author has something to say:

Fang Linyuan: With so much money, I wonder how Mr. Zhu will spend it?

Zhao Chu: Surely, he's spending it on his wife.

Fang Linyuan: ?! With so much money, will his wife be able to spend it all??

Zhao Chu: (laughs)

 

Translator : DarNan