Speed was of the essence.
The soldiers assigned to escort the relief supplies had been personally selected by Jun Dingyuan. Every one of them was a seasoned veteran who had come through the Southern Border battlefield, their formidable skills forged amid flashing blades and flying arrows. They knew without Shen Zheng or Wen Zhuo needing to say a word where to conserve provisions and where to guard them, and could minimize losses along the way.
Shen Zheng was generous as well. Knowing how hard the grain escort worked, he had provided them with an especially hefty allowance for this relief mission—enough for them to return home and celebrate the New Year in grand style.
Everything was ready. All that remained was to set out.
Before dawn the following day, the capital lay shrouded in deep blue morning mist. The streets and alleyways were utterly silent. The capital’s officials in ceremonial robes and armor had yet to crawl out of their warm beds when Shen Zheng led the convoy away.
The horses’ hooves struck the main road, splashing only a little of the morning dew clinging to the withered grass.
By the time Prince Xian, Shen Chen, and the other officials learned what had happened, the relief convoy had already vanished without a trace.
Everyone traveling with them had been selected from the best of the best.
Wen Zhuo brought Jiang Mannü, along with the two house stewards, Liu Qiying and another, as well as ten capable men assigned by Emperor Shunyuan from the capital garrison.
Shen Zheng was accompanied by Huang Ting, his Junior Palace Attendant, a Mohist disciple sent by Mo Shu, and a group of guards carefully chosen by the Yongning Marquis’s residence.
Liangzhou was not far from the capital to begin with, and the convoy traveled quickly. They had set out at dawn, and by the time the afterglow of sunset had stained half the sky red, they had already arrived outside Liangzhou City.
Wen Zhuo raised a hand and lifted the carriage curtain, gazing ahead in the light of the setting sun.
Though Liangzhou lacked the grandeur of the capital, it was still one of the foremost prefectural cities in the north. Its gray-blue walls stretched for several miles, imposing and majestic. The city gates were filled with noise and bustle, with many travelers from out of town still hurrying to enter before the gates closed, forming a long line.
He remembered that He Ruqing, the Prefect of Liangzhou, was a slippery eel. After years of maneuvering through officialdom, he had no lofty ambitions. All he had ever wanted was to keep the official cap on his head, embrace his wealth of gold and silver, and live out the rest of his days in comfort.
Fortunately, he was adept at getting along with everyone and skilled at keeping all sides happy. By playing dumb and pretending not to understand under Prince Xian’s threats and inducements, he had managed to survive to this day.
“How long ago did the envoy we sent arrive?” Wen Zhuo asked from inside the carriage.
Huang Ting lifted a corner of the carriage window, looked up at the setting sun, and counted on his fingers for a moment. “It should have been about an hour ago.”
Long before they arrived, an envoy had ridden ahead at full speed with the imperial decree, racing all the way to the Liangzhou prefectural office to deliver the notice.
Leaning against Wen Zhuo, Shen Zheng asked casually, “He Ruqing should have come out to welcome us by now. But is he one of Prince Xian’s men?”
Two carriages had been prepared for the journey—one originally for Shen Zheng and one for Wen Zhuo.
But Shen Zheng had insisted on sharing a carriage with Wen Zhuo, claiming that they could discuss important matters concerning the relief effort along the way.
How could Huang Ting dare occupy a prince’s carriage? He had therefore insisted on accompanying Shen Zheng. Shen Zheng declined several times, telling him not to stand on ceremony and to enjoy himself in peace. Huang Ting, however, was so moved that tears filled his eyes, and he swore he would remain at Shen Zheng’s side to the death.
Shen Zheng was left speechless.
As a result, Liu Qiying and Jiang Mannü had no choice but to move to the other carriage. Fortunately, they were both women, so traveling together was actually more convenient, and no one had a word to say about it.
Thus, Huang Ting could hear the conversation between Wen Zhuo and Shen Zheng. Upon hearing Shen Zheng’s question, he hurriedly gave a detailed answer. “He Ruqing belongs to no one. Prince Xian tried several times to win him over through Liangzhou Military Commissioner Shi Liangui, hoping to bring him into his camp. But at the time, the Former Crown Prince was also at the height of his power. He Ruqing was shrewd enough not to cut off his escape route while the outcome was still uncertain.”
“Gong Zhiyuan once considered bringing He Ruqing over to the Former Crown Prince’s side, but after discussing it, the Crown Prince’s faction ultimately gave up. This man was born without the word loyalty in him, and he would never truly serve anyone. At heart, he is merely an opportunist. Whichever side wins, that is the side he will turn to.”
Shen Zheng pondered this. “So would a man like that be considered a good official or a bad one?”
The carriage fell silent for a moment.
With Huang Ting present, Wen Zhuo restrained his usual ease before Shen Zheng and sat upright as he slowly replied, “Your Highness, whether an official is worthy or foolish, kind or wicked, is the sort of matter discussed in the streets. Your Highness bears the weight of the empire and should judge people according to the methods of kings, rather than reducing them to the simple terms of ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ Emperor Taizong of Tang said: ‘From the wise, take their schemes; from the foolish, take their strength; from the brave, take their might; from the timid, take their caution. Let each be put to use according to his nature.’ Thus, a good craftsman does not discard any material, and an enlightened ruler rejects no capable man. Whether this person is good or bad depends entirely on how Your Highness employs him. Used properly, he can become an able official who protects the people; used poorly, he will become a pest who brings chaos to an entire region.”
Huang Ting listened from the side, inwardly clicking his tongue in amazement.
In the past, whenever he offered advice to the Former Crown Prince, he had always been exceedingly cautious, breaking his words apart, smoothing their edges, and warming them before daring to speak. Even then, the Former Crown Prince might not have listened.
Shen Zheng was twelve years younger than the Former Crown Prince and at an age when his blood still ran hot. He ought to be handled with even greater care.
Huang Ting was just about to say something tactful to ease the atmosphere when he saw that Shen Zheng had already propped his chin on one hand, gazing at Wen Zhuo with his deep, dark eyes without so much as a blink.
A smile curled at the corner of Shen Zheng’s lips. “Just how many books has Teacher memorized? You must have studied terribly hard when you were young. Did you get a little red flower from your teacher in every lesson?”
Wen Zhuo’s eyes widened slightly. He turned to glance at Shen Zheng, a hint of confusion between his brows, apparently unable to understand why Shen Zheng had suddenly asked such a question. Nevertheless, he answered seriously, “What is a little red flower? My teacher did indeed favor me greatly.”
Shen Zheng sighed with feeling. “You make so much sense whenever you speak. If I were your teacher, I’d favor you too.”
Wen Zhuo’s heart suddenly gave a violent jolt. He hurriedly turned his head toward the curtain outside the carriage.
He knew that the “favor” Shen Zheng spoke of referred only to a teacher’s partiality toward an outstanding student. Even so, when those two words rang in his ears, he still could not remain entirely unmoved.
Huang Ting, sitting nearby, was already so touched that he could hardly contain himself. He raised his sleeve and dabbed at the tears glimmering in the corners of his eyes.
Emperor Taizong of Tang had merely been willing to listen to Wei Zheng’s frank remonstrances, and that alone had made him an emperor for the ages. Yet Shen Zheng not only did not grow angry when Wen Zhuo corrected him, he had even showered his subject with lavish praise. A ruler like this could not be found even with a lantern!
Just then, the sound of hooves drew nearer, chaotic and urgent.
He Ruqing appeared, leading the officials of every rank from the Liangzhou prefectural government, all of them hurrying toward the convoy.
“Fifth Highness! Director Wen! Upon hearing that Your Highness had arrived, this humble official hurried to have the prefectural office swept and cleaned and the main hall cleared so that the two honored lords might rest. I was delayed by these preparations and failed to welcome you in person. I beg your forgiveness, your forgiveness!”
He Ruqing had a broad face, two thick lips that curled slightly upward, and a pair of small eyes that darted constantly about. He looked somewhat greasy, but that did not stop him from smiling as cheerfully as a New Year’s painting. With his hands clasped in greeting, he looked exactly like a plump Laughing Buddha.
At his words, Shen Zheng gave a quiet laugh, then turned and exchanged a glance with Wen Zhuo before lifting the carriage curtain and stepping steadily down from the carriage.
His tall figure stood straight, his ink-black robes billowing in the evening light. He asked casually, “Why bother cleaning the prefectural office? I have come under Father Emperor’s orders to open the granaries and collect grain. The moment the provisions arrive, we will set out. When did I ever say we would stop at your Liangzhou prefectural office?”
He Ruqing’s smile abruptly stiffened. Then he tilted his head toward the sky, gesturing at the setting sun sinking toward the horizon. His tone was both embarrassed and ingratiating.
“Th-this, Your Highness, just look—the sky is nearly dark. With your personage worth ten thousand gold, how could you possibly deign to spend the night in that shabby relay station? Why not stay here in Liangzhou instead? I’ve already prepared a modest banquet. You and Director Wen have endured a long and arduous journey by boat and carriage; you should have a good meal and a sound sleep. It won’t be too late to deal with the grain tomorrow.”
Before Shen Zheng could agree, He Ruqing whipped around and barked at his subordinates, “Is the banquet at Yanyun Tower ready? His Highness and Director Wen have traveled all this way. If they aren’t properly attended to, neither of us will be able to atone for it even with a thousand deaths!”
A salt-and-pepper-bearded assistant prefect pushed through the crowd, bowing and nodding obsequiously. “In reply to Your Excellency, everything is ready! All the tower’s signature dishes. The owner even dismissed all the other diners so that he could devote the entire establishment to our two honored guests!”
“So the meaning of Prefect He’s proposal is that while the people of Ying and Jing are starving, and the grain soldiers accompanying us are waiting bitterly outside the city, His Highness and I should abandon them and drink and feast here with you?”
A cool, unhurried voice drifted over. Wen Zhuo bent down and stepped out from behind the sedan curtain.
His fox-fur cloak hung open, the soft fur at the collar swaying gently. The hem of his robe billowed in the wind.
He Ruqing only glanced at him before standing there in a daze.
He had long heard that Director Wen possessed a beauty as enchanting as a demon and as flawless as jade. It was true. His features were even more radiant than the sunset on the horizon, and even his cool, indifferent eyes held an indescribably alluring charm.
Compared to him, the four concubines in He Ruqing’s household were utterly vulgar and not worth mentioning.
When had He Ruqing ever seen such a beauty? For a moment, he forgot all about whether Wen Zhuo was a man or a woman. His soul nearly flew out of his body.
He only came back to himself when Shen Zheng reached out and pulled Wen Zhuo to his side. With a dark expression, Shen Zheng pressed his riding crop against Wen Zhuo’s cheek and said flatly, “Prefect He, had enough?”
He Ruqing abruptly awoke from his daze.
He hurriedly hunched his neck and lowered his head until it nearly disappeared into the ground, his eyes fixed on the loess beneath his feet. “Y-Your Highness, I know that you and Director Wen have the disaster victims at heart, but this is merely an expression of the Liangzhou government’s goodwill!”
“Enough nonsense.” Shen Zheng’s tone was casual, yet it carried an authority that allowed no refusal. “I’m taking the grain with me now.”
The riding crop in his hand remained suspended beside He Ruqing’s face for another three seconds before he magnanimously moved it away.
“…Yes, Your Highness. This official understands!” He Ruqing answered hurriedly, as though granted a new lease on life. His agreement was swift enough, but his feet seemed nailed to the ground and did not move an inch.
Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow.
Just as the standoff was reaching its peak, another burst of hoofbeats sounded in the distance.
These hoofbeats were more urgent than the previous ones, yet perfectly orderly. They stirred up billowing clouds of dust as they charged from the opposite side of Liangzhou City, their momentum immense.
Using the final faint glimmer of daylight at the edge of the sky, one could vaguely make out a burly figure breaking through the dust.
The man wore heavy armor. His beard and hair seemed to merge into one, and he had a rough, square face that naturally commanded awe even without anger. He was none other than Liangzhou’s military commander, Shi Liangui.
Wen Zhuo understood. He Ruqing’s earlier stalling and endless evasions had been intended to buy time until Shi Liangui arrived.
With the Former Crown Prince deposed, He Ruqing—whose information was slow to reach him—had assumed that Prince Xian had already won, and so he had rushed to curry favor.
As for Shi Liangui’s late arrival, he had been waiting for instructions from Prince Xian’s side.
Unfortunately, Shen Zheng and the others had departed too early. Prince Xian still believed they were going to Mianzhou to borrow grain, so Shi Liangui was destined to wait in vain for orders.
Shi Liangui dismounted and, still trying to delay them, cupped his fists toward Shen Zheng and Wen Zhuo in greeting.
“Fifth Highness, Director Wen, I was drilling the troops at the training grounds just now. The moment I heard that the two of you had arrived to collect grain, I came straight here. But Liangzhou and Yingjing are separated by a thousand li, with a difficult journey between them. Why would grain suddenly be requisitioned from us?”
He Ruqing remained as slippery as ever. Unwilling to offend either side, he silently retreated and watched the situation unfold.
Shen Zheng asked with a half-smile, “Are you asking me to explain myself to you?”
Shi Liangui’s expression flickered, and he hurriedly replied stiffly, “How could I dare? It’s simply that this matter arose so suddenly that the entire Liangzhou government was completely unprepared.”
“That’s precisely the point. I wanted you unprepared.” Shen Zheng’s smile did not change, but his words struck straight at the heart of the matter, without the slightest attempt to conceal anything. “Otherwise, once Prince Xian sent word, what would stop you from obstructing me?”
He Ruqing was so shocked that his eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. He had spent half his life in officialdom and was accustomed to endless circumlocution. When had he ever seen anyone speak so bluntly?
Shi Liangui froze as well. He had never encountered anyone like Shen Zheng, who refused to play by the usual rules.
His face shifted from green to white, and even his thick beard could not conceal the changing colors of his expression. After a long while, he finally forced out, “…Your Highness must be joking. Why bring up Prince Xian all of a sudden? As a member of the imperial family, he is devoted to the welfare of the realm. How could he possibly obstruct you?”
“Good. Then there’s no problem.” Shen Zheng could not be bothered to waste any more words on him. After making his startling declaration, his tone abruptly darkened as he pointed straight at the crux of the matter.
“Take me to the granary.”
Shi Liangui still clung to a sliver of hope and tried to struggle for a little more time. “Your Highness may not know this, but the government granary, the ever-normal granary, the emergency granary, and the military granary each have their own procedures for opening. Taking inventory, checking the ledgers, loading the carts, and inspecting them—every step is tedious. Even if the granary director worked day and night with his men, it would take at least three days to complete.”
Shen Zheng truly did not know the details. He immediately turned to Wen Zhuo at his side.
A cold smile touched Wen Zhuo’s eyes. “As it happens, I came here to streamline those procedures for you. Before we set out, I anticipated that the officials of Liangzhou might be so incompetent that they would delay disaster relief. That is why the grain soldiers I brought with me are all seasoned veterans of the southern battlefields. Their skill at managing provisions is far beyond that of ordinary men. They can load Liangzhou’s grain onto carts and take it away in three hours.”
Wen Zhuo paused, then beckoned to Jiang Mannü.
Understanding his signal, Jiang Mannü hurriedly retrieved the Imperial Sword from the carriage and deftly handed it to Wen Zhuo.
Wen Zhuo took the sword and examined it with interest as he calmly continued, “To prevent anyone with ulterior motives from continuing to shirk responsibility and cause delays, His Highness Fifth specifically requested this Imperial Sword from the Emperor. Any official along the route who delays disaster relief may be executed first and reported afterward. Lord Shi, is there anything else you would like to say?”
Shi Liangui: “…”
He Ruqing backed away again and again, shouting from a safe distance, “Oh my, what else is there to say? Quickly summon the granary director and have him take His Highness and Director Wen to the government granary at once!”
Shi Liangui turned his head.
He Ruqing was gone.
Looking again, he saw that He Ruqing had already retreated thirty paces.
Shi Liangui: “You—”
After all, the Liangzhou government was ultimately under the prefect’s authority. Even with military power in his hands, Shi Liangui would not be foolish enough to pit his troops against an imperial prince.
He had followed Prince Xian to enjoy a life of comfort, not to be executed by an Imperial Sword.
All he could do was watch helplessly as He Ruqing ordered the men to open the government granary, then secretly instruct a trusted subordinate to hurry to the capital and deliver a message.
Wen Zhuo had been right. In six hours, the grain soldiers had loaded every bit of grain that could be taken away.
By then, night had fallen completely. Bonfires blazed, and the small hollows by the roadside had already formed a thin crust of ice. The damp mud had hardened until it was as solid as stone.
He Ruqing tried once again to persuade the two of them to stay in Liangzhou Prefecture and rest, and this time, he was sincere.
But Shen Zheng had not been joking when he said they would travel day and night.
He knew all too well how devastating the locust plague had been in the history of the Qian dynasty.
Back then, the relief mission had fallen to Prince Xian. Carrying Liangzhou Prefecture’s relief grain, he took nearly a month to reach Xingjing.
By then, Xingjing and Jingzhou were littered with corpses. Horrors such as parents exchanging children for food could be seen everywhere. Driven to the brink by hunger, people had lost all morality and humanity, and the region had become a living hell.
After Prince Xian arrived, what he called disaster relief was, in truth, suppression.
The refugees who fought over food were branded rebels and beaten down. Those driven to sell their sons and daughters were punished under the laws of Da Qian.
The number of people Prince Xian killed was little different from the number who starved to death. The disaster had not been quelled—it had simply disappeared.
The history books left behind only a single line: “In former times, Xing, Jing, and Mian Prefectures were desolate, nearly reduced to empty cities. After Emperor Shengde relocated the people of Ping and Liang Prefectures there, smoke and fire gradually returned to the land, and human voices were heard once more.”
Even so, after Prince Xian returned to the capital, Emperor Shunyuan praised him for his meritorious service in providing disaster relief.
Before he transmigrated, Shen Zheng had never felt anything too deeply about the lives and deaths glossed over in the history books. A few sparse strokes of the brush could drown out the lives of tens or even hundreds of thousands of people.
But now that he was truly here, he could no longer stand apart from it all.
Because those lives, light as feathers in the historical record, belonged to Granny Wang, who had spent ten years making date lianggao at a little shop in Huiyang Gate; to the loud-voiced proprietor of the eastern building on Guanqi Street; to the good-natured carpenter who repaired the Yongning Marquis’s residence; and to that poorly mannered young couple who quarreled late into the night…
They had flashed by only briefly, yet they had lived on vividly in his memory.
He wanted to keep them alive.
