Chapter 173 : A Gamble

Xia Jun’s eyes darkened, and his eyes betrayed his emotion for a split second. In the blink of an eye, though, he smiled coolly and asked, “Elder Cousin, what do you mean?”

“Cousin and I both have Xia family blood running through our veins, so we should deal with one another frankly, and there’s no need to speak in riddles. Cousin, that you have fallen to such a dire state, unable to enter officialdom, and can only do Eighth Highness’ work in secret without the possibility of ever achieving the official position and honour that is due to you- all of this is thanks to whom?” Jiang Chao laughed and said, “You and I are both well aware of what the answer is!”

Xia Jun observed Jiang Chao with a slight smile. He and Jiang Chao were not the same – although Jiang Chao was working for Xuan Li and his official career seemed to be on the upward trend now, at best, Xia Yan had protected him too well because he was not shrewd enough to handle officialdom. Moreover, Jiang Chao had also inherited Jiang Quan’s cowardly and fickle temperament, and had on quite a few occasions thought himself pretty clever. For example, from what he had just said, Xia Jun knew without a doubt that Jiang Chao had deliberately spoken those words for him to hear. However, he remained silent.

“It is my honour to a.s.sist Eighth Highness, so I don’t dare to complain. As for Elder Cousin’s promotion, that is Elder Cousin’s good fortune. My fortune is not good, and there’s no one to blame,” Xia Jun said.

Jiang Chao closely regarded Xia Jun when he heard these words. Xia Jun was an enigmatic and unfathomable person. While unable to become an official due to the imperial edict, he had unexpectedly become Xuan Li’s helping hand on the outside. By now, Jiang Chao had clearly figured out some of Xuan Li’s habits, and he never made use of someone who was incompetent. Xia Jun’s position had already been special, but for Xuan Li to sit up and take notice of him, he must possess great capability. Jiang Chao was a naturally petty and narrow-minded person. Although he viewed interacting with Xia Jun as a taboo, the situation had changed, and he had no other option but to conspire with him.

“Truth be told, Cousin, this meeting is Eighth Highness’ idea.” Knowing that continuing to play taichi[1] would not be beneficial to him, Jiang Chao decided to speak frankly. He said, “Eighth Highness gave me a command, but I feel that we can take this matter further. However, I need Cousin’s help.”

[1] 打太极 (dǎtàijí) – to practice tai chi. fig. to avoid responsibility / to pa.s.s the buck.

Xia Jun leisurely stretched out his hand and poured himself a cup of wine. The wine swirled around lightly, emitting a faintly alluring, intoxicating fragrance. Xia Jun picked up the cup but was in no hurry to drink. Instead, he narrowed his eyes slightly, as if sniffing the light aroma of the wine. Taking his time, he said, “Oh? Then, Elder Cousin, what benefit do I gain from partic.i.p.ating in this? How far can we take this?”

He was not anxious to ask what was to be done, or how it was to be done. The first thing he asked about was the end point. This made clear that Xia Jun was not the type to be concerned about methods. Whatever the situation, his only requirement was that it had a satisfactory outcome.

Jiang Chao lowered his voice, and his expression turned cold briefly. “The outcome? That would depend on how much Cousin dares to gamble.”

“What if I dare to gamble the entire Xia family?” Xia Jun smiled slightly.

Astounded, Jiang Chao carefully scrutinised the person before him again. Xia Jun’s face was handsome and bright, but there was something melancholic about his eyes. Those eyes gleamed all of a sudden, like a starving wolf on its last legs in the wilderness which had unexpectedly caught sight of prey; there was a kind of crazed excitement. Jiang Chao suppressed his shock with difficulty, for his instincts told him that his cousin was truly someone who had gone insane. Yet, on the surface, he solemnly continued, “Then, I promise Cousin, after this matter has been concluded, this world will no longer have the General fu, and neither will it have the Jinyi Guard. Even more so, it will not have . . . Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xin Zhi, that pair of siblings.” He continued, “At that time, I will personally deliver Hong’an Junzhu into Cousin ’s hands. Then, whatever Cousin wants to do, go ahead and do it.”

This bargaining chip . . . It was indeed tempting. Xia Jun pictured a pair of slightly upraised, charming eyes. When those eyes were not looking at someone, they seemed to be veiled behind a thin mist, cold and unperturbed; when looking at someone, they possessed a degree of ridicule, as if sneering at that person’s ignorance and puerility, expressing a type of contempt that was enough to seduce a person into insanity.

In his life, the first half had been lived in the lap of luxury. Everything was smooth-sailing, and he got everything he wanted. However, this state of stable equilibrium was destroyed by Jiang Ruan. Using nothing more than simple stratagem, she brought his splendid life to absolute collapse. Being an official was not really his obsession, but Jiang Ruan had offended his dignity. In his opinion, if he took a fancy to Jiang Ruan, she should have obediently submitted. Who could have imagined that this was no obedient house cat, but a terrifying leopardess who only had to reveal her claws just slightly, and people would have a taste of how awesomely yet ferociously capable she was.

Over the past few years, he had observed Jiang Ruan turn from an unfavoured daughter who had been cast aside and brought up in the rural residence to the Jiang fu’s eldest di daughter whom everyone feared and respected. Then from an official’s daughter to the junzhu whom the Empress Dowager relied upon; he had witnessed her take on and defeat Jiang Li and Jiang Su Su, as well as Xia Yan, and he knew that she must have certainly have had a hand in Xia Jiao Jiao’s situation. He had never met such a woman before, and therefore was greatly interested in her.

Such a woman, capable of profound thinking, powerful and tenacious, with a beautiful and alluring appearance and a rotten heart, was exceedingly appetising to him. But . . . she had dared to reject him, and she had to pay the price she deserved.

Jiang Chao’s proposal was truly tempting.

Something like regret showed in his eyes briefly. If only Jiang Ruan had been willing to cling to him obediently, that would definitely have been great. Unfortunately, he knew what kind of person Jiang Ruan was and she would never bow her n.o.ble head to anyone. Thus, he would just have to chop it off. He said, “Elder Cousin’s proposal is very interesting . . .”

Jiang Chao regarded him tensely. The seconds ticked on before he heard Xia Jun complete his sentence, “We can give it a try.” Only then did Jiang Chao breathe a sigh of relief.

Almost absent-mindedly, Xia Jun peered into his wine cup and said, “What is Elder Cousin thinking of doing?” To catch both the Jinyi Guard and the General fu in one fell swoop was clearly no ordinary matter. Now that the Zhao family and the Jinyi Guard were both far away at the border, any move against them would necessarily have to be on the battlefield.

Jiang Chao’s face lit up abruptly with a treacherous smile. He said, “Logistics comes before military manoeuvres[2]. Even if the Jinyi Guard and the Zhao family are amazingly capable and skilled, they won’t be able to endure a lack of equipment and food.”

[2] 兵马未动，粮草先行 (bing ma wei dong, liang chao xian xing) – lit. before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (idiom); logistics comes before military manoeuvres / an army marches on its stomach.

* * *

Putting the battle with Xirong aside for the time being, there was a wave of good news from the Jinyi Guard. Their morale had improved greatly as several swathes of lost ground had been retaken, one after another; Guan Liang Han’s condition had gradually stabilised, and the morale of the Great Jin’s troops had also settled. In contrast, the Tian Jin troops were no longer bold and fierce. Even with their excellent weapons and tactics, they were unable to recover their losses.

To everyone’s surprise, they discovered that Jinying w.a.n.g, Xiao Shao, the man called ‘The Rebel’ by the Great Jin, was actually able to direct his troops with sound tactics. His advantage in military matters was not the same as Guan Liang Han and Jiang Xin Zhi; he had a totally different style of conducting war: heartless, ruthless, and ensuring an absolutely clean sweep[3] of things. The Jinyi Guards he had brought with him were almost like invincible iron men, any one of these valiant soldiers would be like the lone wolf on the gra.s.slands; no, even the lone wolf could not compare to such a soldier, for he would fight bravely even though outnumbered ten to one. Truly, an irresistible force.

[3] 秋风扫落叶 (qiu feng sao luo ye) – lit. as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves. fig. to drive out the old and make a clean sweep.

In the face of such troops, the Tian Jin army was terror-stricken and suffered defeat after defeat. Xiao Shao’s arrangements were unusual, not at all like wartime strategies, and he repeatedly achieved success almost immediately. Fighting the Tian Jin army was no longer like fighting a war, but was more like a one-sided ma.s.sacre.

But even so, the war between Tian Jin and the Great Jin was not a matter which could be settled overnight. At that time, in order to hasten their journey, the marching troops had packed as lightly as they could to go into battle, and even the army provisions – rations and fodder – they had brought with them were in accordance with the established practice for close combat. The location of their battle against Tian Jin was in a desolate desert, without herdsmen or livestock in the vicinity. Thus, there was a severe lack of provisions. Moreover, the practice of provisioning one’s army with the resources of the occupied territory was only suitable for predatory warfare, where an army plundered the lands it conquered, and this would not be allowed. Furthermore, even if it were allowed, it would be too late to do so. By the established standard of the Great Jin dynasty, the people from the relay stations in the capital would collect the army provisions and transport them together, and the person overseeing this military supply wagon, Zhang Daren, would be responsible for the transport.

Zhang Ji had been the chief of this transport unit for many years, and he ensured that the distance travelled and consumption en route were the least possible. Because the army provisions brought along at the start of the war were almost depleted, and the national treasury at present could not afford to allocate too much from the stored provisions, the provisions that were currently being collected were from the common people. Within a short span of time, these army provisions would be quickly sent on their way to the border of Tian Jin, and these were what remained of the Great Jin’s dwindling reserves. Xiao Shao had to win the war before these provisions were totally consumed, otherwise, they would run out of provisions and be defeated.

In the Jinying w.a.n.gfu, Jiang Ruan put down the book in her hand and looked at the young man clad in purple clothes in front of her. He was sitting opposite her, observing her with a beaming smile and leisurely waving the folding fan he carried. If one were to overlook the wispy beard which covered his face that did not match his age, he was a handsome, elegant young n.o.bleman. Unfortunately, because of that beard, what was a confident and easy action became somewhat comical.

Qi Feng lived in a large courtyard next to the Jinying w.a.n.gfu, which had been arranged for him by Xiao Shao. Xia Qing lived there with him. If it were not for the fear of setting off rumours and slander since Jiang Ruan lived in the Jinying w.a.n.gfu, Xiao Shao would have arranged for the two of them to stay there, too. At present, even though Qi Feng and Xia Qing did not reside in the Jinying w.a.n.gfu, only a wall separated the two residences, so they were very close by.

“Third Sister-in-law,” Qi Feng said as he waved his fan, “you have specially called me over, what are your orders?” Qi Feng cut a highly distinguished figure, but there was suspicion in his eyes. He resided at Bai Zhang Lou all year round, was cold to matters of the imperial court, and usually kept himself hidden. He was not very clear about the goings-on in the Great Jin’s inner palace and the women therein, and thus, was also uncertain about Jiang Ruan. This time, en route to the capital, he had found out several things about Jiang Ruan’s past and present from others. Where the a.s.sessment of Jiang Ruan was concerned, Guan Liang Han found her resourceful and full of stratagems, Mo Cong found her vicious and merciless, and as for Xiao Shao, well, anyone who could cause Xiao Shao to be so lovingly protective must be no ordinary person. Qi Feng was not disdainful of Jiang Ruan, but he felt that, no matter how intelligent, she was still a woman, and women were always a little bit whimsical and p.r.o.ne to fantasies. However, from the time he returned to the capital till now, Jiang Ruan had not shown the slightest hint of longing for Xiao Shao, and Qi Feng found this very interesting. It seemed to him that this was a case of unrequited love, and Xiao Shao was being rebuffed.

Jiang Ruan looked at the young man before her and smiled unhurriedly. She had never been in contact with someone like Fourth Brother Qi. However, since Xiao Shao had said that Qi Feng was well versed in the art of politics in the imperial court, there were some situations which would benefit exceedingly if he gave a hand.

She said, slowly, “Today, I’ve asked Young Master Qi here to ask Young Master Qi to save lives.”

“Save lives?” Qi Feng scrutinised Jiang Ruan and discovered that she was not joking around. After a moment of quick thought, he continued with careful consideration, “Third Sister-in-law, this humble person is not a doctor. If you need to save someone’s life, then you should seek out Fifth Brother Xia.” He had not yet ascertained Jiang Ruan’s temperament, and he was different from Xiao Shao. Xiao Shao trusted Jiang Ruan because of his love for her, but Qi Feng had only a superficial acquaintance with Jiang Ruan as yet, and thus was rather wary of her. If Jiang Ruan intended to seize the opportunity afforded by Xiao Shao’s absence to make trouble and do something to harm Xiao Shao or the Jinying w.a.n.gfu, then Qi Feng would not stand by idly. He would take action to stop her, even if it cost him his life.

“If it were one person’s life, Young Master Xia would definitely be able to save him, but now, we’re talking about tens of thousands of lives; how would Young Master Xia save them all by himself?” Jiang Ruan said lightly.

Qi Feng frowned slowly, his previous jovial expression completely vanishing from his face. He said, “What does Third Sister-in-law mean? I really don’t understand.”

“Young Master Qi is intelligent; there is no need to beat around the bush with me.” Jiang Ruan’s words were unceremonious and direct. “Young Master Qi and Xiao Shao are disciples of the same master, and naturally have a deep friendship. At present, someone is scheming against Xiao Shao, and I believe, with Young Master Qi and Xiao Shao’s close friendship, you will absolutely not look on without lifting a finger. Whether due to emotional ties or reason, can you help him?”

“Something has happened to Third Brother Xiao?” There was a shade of doubt in Qi Feng’s eyes, for he had not received any disquieting news about Xiao Shao or the Jinyi Guard in the past few days. Jiang Ruan’s words were indeed highly suspicious. If something had happened to Xiao Shao, he would definitely be the first to know.

“Nothing has happened to him yet, but if things continue as they are, something will happen very soon.” Jiang Ruan spoke heavily as she looked directly at Qi Feng, and a trace of ridicule sparked in her beautiful eyes. The ridicule was fleeting and the dark gleam disappeared in an instant, transforming into a bright, glittering gaze, that if one lingered to look, it seemed filled with charm and grace. She said, “I believe Young Master Qi must have heard about me before you arrived here. There is enmity between me and Jiang Chao as well as Marquis Xia fu. I caused Jiang Chao to lose a finger, and I made it impossible for Xia Jun to become an official.”

Qi Feng originally started to smile, as he had indeed collected information on Jiang Ruan before he arrived, but realised that this expression would be inappropriate at the moment. However, he did not understand why Jiang Ruan would bring up these two events at this point in time. After a pause, he said, “So what? What does this have to do with Third Brother Xiao? Don’t tell me that they are going to orchestrate some wicked plan in order to exact revenge?”

“No,” Jiang Ruan said as she stared fixedly at Qi Feng. His heart trembling under the weight of her gaze, Qi Feng heard her continue, “What I want to say is, the hostility which Jiang Chao and the Xia family have for me is merely for appearance’s sake. Jiang Chao and the Xia family are doing Eighth Prince, Xuan Li’s, work, and Xiao Shao has already become a thorn in Xuan Li’s side. Since Xiao Shao is unwilling to cooperate with Xuan Li, and his power and influence is beyond Xuan Li’s control, Xuan Li only has one choice: to kill.” As Jiang Ruan spoke of such secret happenings, she appeared totally serene, as if she was not speaking of major events to do with seizing the throne and beheading, but merely discussing the state of the weather.

Qi Feng’s expression had grown rigid. He heard Jiang Ruan indifferently and serenely continue from opposite him, “Thus, on the surface, it looks like Jiang Chao and Xia Jun want to go against me, but in truth, it is Xuan Li who wants to deal with Xiao Shao. Or, to put it another way, Xuan Li wants to deal with the Jinyi Guard. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“You . . .” Jiang Ruan’s words were so blunt that Qi Feng had absolutely no idea how to respond. He suddenly felt that Jiang Ruan was truly suitable for Xiao Shao. Jiang Ruan looked to be someone who was incredibly calm and capable of preserving the accomplishments of previous generations, but her offensive power was quietly concealed. From her eyes, Qi Feng could discern strength and tenacity.

“I understand Xuan Li very well; he will use every single opportunity, especially at this critical juncture. Now that Xiao Shao has left the capital, and only Zhao Yi and a few others remain in the General fu, this is the best opportunity. Xuan Li will certainly think of all ways and means to make things happen.” She looked at the book in front of her and said, “I sent the secret bodyguards Xiao Shao gave me to monitor Jiang Chao; Jiang Chao met Xia Jun a few days ago.”

“They have forged an alliance?” Qi Feng asked, “The Xia family is no longer what it was, how could they dare to act rashly?”

“The Xia family naturally dares not; unfortunately, Xia Jun is a lunatic.” Coolly, Jiang Ruan continued, “Recently, Zhang Ji, head of the military supply wagon, seems to have been exceedingly industrious, and he has also been very liberal in spending money. All at once, he has purchased three huge houses and five stores in the east of the capital, and he has stored a considerable number of silver banknotes in Four Seas private bank[4]. Young Master Qi, in your opinion, isn’t this highly odd?”

[4] 钱庄 (qiánzhuāng) – old-style money shop (a type of private bank that first appeared in the Ming dynasty, flourished in the Qing, and was phased out after 1949) / informal financial company, often operating at the edges of what is legal.

“Zhang Ji . . .” Qi Feng’s expression turned severe. He had studied the art of court politics, so he was naturally very familiar with the ministers of the imperial court. Zhang Ji had been in charge of the military supply wagon for a long time. He conducted himself in an upright manner, was very talented, and had transported army provisions for so many years without error. Jiang Ruan’s words clearly indicated that she suspected Zhang Ji. On one hand, Qi Feng felt amazed, and on the other hand, he thought it was unbelievable. “Zhang Daren is a good official; if the water is too clear, there will be no fish; this silver currency may not have anything to do with Xuan Li. Provisions and fodder for the troops and horses is a major undertaking; Zhang Daren is not going to destroy his own future. He knows that if anything goes wrong, he is the first person that His Majesty will blame.”

“He is indeed a good official, but it’s such a pity that he has a disreputable son,” Jiang Ruan said coldly.

“His three sons are all relatively talented and handsome young men, how could you say they are disreputable?” Qi Feng asked as he furrowed his brows.

“Zhang Ji has a mistress whom he dotes on; she has a son who spends all day drinking and carousing outside. Zhang Ji’s furen is Marquis Mu Yang’s daughter, a formidable lady. Zhang Ji does not dare to tell his furen about his mistress and her son, but he can’t support the way his son spends money like water. Those houses and shops on the eastern side of the capital, even the silver currency, are all in preparation for that son. I believe Young Master Qi also knows how much Zhang Daren loves his sons.”

Of course, Qi Feng knew Zhang Ji was a henpecked husband, but he had not known when Zhang Ji had begotten an illegitimate son. He surely did not know how Jiang Ruan had discovered this information. It had always been evident that Zhang Ji loved his three sons dearly, so, for this child born of his mistress, he must have harboured such guilt that it caused him to dote on this son even more. However . . .” Qi Feng said, “But this is too risky. For the sake of some money, to place your future at stake, to gamble your entire family’s lives . . . smart people wouldn’t do this.”

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly as she said, “Indeed, if it were merely for some money, he would definitely not find it worthwhile. However, what if, because of this, his career soared to meteoric heights? He would no longer have to do things in order to please his furen’s family, the Marquis Wu family, he would be able to show his magnanimous spirit in welcoming his dearly loved illegitimate son into the fu, and he might even be able to obtain future prospects for that son. Do you think this gamble is worth the risk?”

Qi Feng was astounded.

Jiang Ruan continued, coldly, “Who doesn’t want to gamble if the stakes include boundless riches and glory? What’s more, what if one wins the gamble? The world will change: the Emperor will no longer be the Emperor, the imperial court will no longer be the imperial court, so who will be left to investigate and accuse someone of deceiving the Emperor?” Slowly, word by emphatic word, she said, “The weight of the criminal charge is only borne by the one who loses. However, no one knows yet who will emerge victorious to seize the kingdom. Therefore, he dares to gamble.”