Chapter 110: If He Can’t Do It, I Will

In the chilly autumn wind of the early dawn, Han Shitou walked slowly through the palace.

“Greetings, Young Supervisor Han.”

A eunuch ahead stepped aside and bowed.

Han Shitou’s slightly flushed eyes swept over him, he nodded slightly, and continued forward.

Behind him, someone whispered, “This newly promoted Young Supervisor has no superior above him—his power is truly overwhelming!”

Han Shitou heard the flattering tone but remained unmoved.

Arriving before the imperial chambers, he stood outside and spoke softly, “Your Majesty, the time has come.”

From within the chambers came a sigh, almost a moan, full of contentment.

“Second Son, it’s time to attend court.”

The imperial consort’s voice was distinctive—cloying yet innocent.

“Let me sleep a little longer.”

Han Shitou did not urge him, simply waited.

After a moment, the emperor’s voice came from within.

“Send someone here!”

Han Shitou beckoned and led his men in single file.

On the bed, the emperor leaned back, while the consort still lay sprawled, a tangle of dark hair resting on the pillow.

“I am also awake now,” she said as she sat up.

Her ample figure was enough to make one avert their gaze.

Han Shitou kept his eyes straight and reported, “News came earlier from the northern border: the Beiliao invaded again but were repelled.”

The emperor sat on the bed’s edge, turning around and saying, “Hongyan, sleep a little more. I will go ahead.”

Once outside, the emperor asked, “Were the losses severe?”

Han Shitou bowed slightly. “Several villages were wiped out.”

The emperor narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly, “Helian Feng has grown increasingly rampant lately. Is he trying to humiliate me before the year ends? Order Zhang Chumao to lead the troops—wipe the shame off my face!”

…

“The emperor has ordered Zhang Chumao to mobilize troops,” Wang Douxiang said as she entered the study.

Wang Duoluo put down the scroll in his hands with a sneer. “I’d bet my life that the order to send Zhang Chumao out is all for show.”

Wang Douxiang sat down. “When he first ascended, he was also eager to show off, launching attacks everywhere…”

“That’s not mere showmanship,” Wang Duoluo’s brow furrowed deeply in the flickering candlelight. “Some say he seized the throne by killing, but that’s foolish. He took the throne amid rebellion.

“In the late years of Emperor Wu, he led troops into the palace, forcing Emperor Wu to abdicate. His father, now the retired emperor, ascended shortly after. Not long after, he again stormed the palace with an army to seize the throne. Such a man only cares for power.”

“After ascending, knowing his position was unstable, he purged enemies while ordering armies to strike in all directions—an effort to gain prestige.”

“Zhang Chumao is loyal to the Yang clan,” Wang Douxiang narrowed her eyes. “Isn’t the emperor afraid of the Yang family’s power?”

“Gains on one side mean losses on another,” Wang Duoluo smiled grimly. “Hence, the empress’s life in the palace grows ever harder.”

“Father! Second Uncle!” came Wang Xian’er’s voice from outside.

The two men in the study smiled.

“Xian’er, come in.”

Wang Xian’er entered, bowed respectfully, and said, “Father, I heard the Beiliao invaded the Great Tang?”

Wang Duoluo nodded. “Why do you ask?”

“My people are serving as magistrates there!”

“Your people?” Wang Duoluo glanced at Wang Douxiang.

Wang Douxiang smiled, “That youth from Yuanzhou later, by chance, became magistrate in Chenzhou. Xian’er insists he’s ‘her person.’”

Wang Duoluo shook his head with a wry smile. “You’ve spoiled her beyond reason. Chenzhou is the most desolate and dangerous region in the northern frontier; officials avoid it. The Ministry of Personnel sends those who’ve erred there as punishment. Your ‘people’… let’s wait and see if he returns alive.”

Wang Xian’er was stunned, tears welling in her eyes. “Father, you’re lying! I don’t believe it!”

She turned and ran off. Wang Duoluo frowned. “You’ve spoiled her rotten.”

Wang Douxiang shot back, “In spoiling Xian’er, brother, you take first place.”

Wang Duoluo shook his head. “Chenzhou is a cursed place. Maybe it’s for the best—let her learn some truths of the world.”

…

The weather grew colder.

The city was quieter than ever.

Yang Xuan, having nothing to do today, prepared to leave the city with Wang Laoer and the recently returned old thief.

Across from the county office lived the Yue family. Yue Er was in his fifties, timid and shrinking; now he was taking his two sons, nine-year-old Yue Dashu and six-year-old Yue Sanshu, out.

Yue Er cupped his fists, then slapped the backs of his sons’ heads.

Smack!

“Hurry and bow.”

Yang Xuan’s eyelid twitched violently but nodded. “Heading out?”

Yue Er bowed and scraped. “Yes, Your Excellency is also leaving! If you don’t mind, I, a humble servant, will clear the way for Your Excellency.”

Yang Xuan shook his head and mounted his horse.

The old thief grinned, “Don’t be fooled by Yue Er’s meekness. He’s not to be underestimated.”

“Tell me more.”

“Yue Er’s a con artist, skilled at deception. He even scammed the Minister of Rites once. Furious, the minister sent thugs to capture him, and he was exiled to Taiping.”

To think the timid Yue Er was an old conman!

Yang Xuan glanced back. Yue Er bowed respectfully as if seeing them off.

“After arriving here, Yue Er got lucky—he married a criminal’s daughter and had two sons.”

Seeing the old thief’s envious look, Yang Xuan chuckled, “Want me to find a wife for you, Yiniang?”

“No, no,” the old thief smiled bitterly. “At this age, even if I remarried and had a child, the child wouldn’t live to grow up. That’s death without peace—always worrying about mother and child being bullied.”

Wang Laoer asked, “Sir, this Beiliao invasion—will they attack our Taiping?”

“That’s in Xuanzhou,” Yang Xuan said irritably, feeling Tang’s military response was too slow. They should have counterattacked decisively instead of waiting.

Outside the city, a vast expanse stretched before them.

The three arrived at the training ground at the foot of the mountain.

“Kill!”

Four hundred infantrymen drilled, while one hundred cavalry trained separately.

“Greetings, sir,” Nan He saluted. “Your training methods are indeed effective.”

“Spies!” two riders galloped off to the right.

Two figures dashed swiftly at the mountain’s base.

“Caught them!”

An old man and a boy barely over ten were brought forward, carrying one large and one small basket.

The old man knelt. “I am no spy, sir. I was gathering mountain goods.”

The boy trembled violently.

Yang Xuan approached and saw hazelnuts in the baskets.

“Show me your hands.”

Both stretched out hands covered in scars—some fresh, some old.

Yang Xuan nodded. “Next time, don’t take this route.”

The old man stood joyfully but unsteadily; the boy steadied him with practiced ease, clearly accustomed to this.

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

“I won’t take this path again,” the old man said.

“Wait.” Yang Xuan held out his hand. “Who has money?”

The old man pulled out a money pouch.

Yang Xuan handed it over. “Take this.”

“I dare not!” The old man shook his head anxiously.

The boy burst into tears but still helped steady the old man.

“Take it. It’s for you.” Yang Xuan’s voice rose. “If you refuse, I’ll get angry.”

Only then did the old man accept the pouch.

“Go!” Yang Xuan commanded.

The old man glanced back every few steps, then hurried as he turned the mountain foot. “Third Son, run fast!”

“Father, what about you?”

“You take the pouch and run faster.”

Yang Xuan stood firm as the old thief sighed, “Crafty.”

“Form ranks!”

One hundred cavalry on the flanks, four hundred infantry in the center.

The formation was tight.

Yang Xuan stepped forward, eyes sharp.

“You all witnessed what just happened. Anyone speak?”

A hand rose. Yang Xuan nodded.

“That old man is cunning!”

Yang Xuan raised a hand to silence them. “Yes, he is cunning. But who saw the scars on his hands? Who saw how unsteady he walked, yet still brought his young grandson to gather hazelnuts? At his age, he should be at home resting. That child should be in school. But where are they?”

“Surviving in the mountains!”

“That is a disgrace!”

Yang Xuan had never been this angry. “It’s my shame, your shame, and the shame of the Great Tang!”

The old thief trembled.

“The Beiliao invaded Xuanzhou. Where is Xuanzhou? Just to the left of Chenzhou. And what is the army doing? Defending stubbornly! Damn stubborn defense!”

The soldiers’ faces darkened with sorrow and anger.

“Look at that grandfather and grandson risking the mountains. Why? Because of poverty and hardship. Without the mountains, they starve!”

Yang Xuan gritted his teeth and drew a deep breath. “What should we do?”

Silence.

A hand raised.

“KILL THE ENEMY!”

Suddenly, countless hands shot up.

A roar!

“Kill the enemy! Kill the enemy! Kill the enemy!”

The old thief’s lips quivered. “They’re criminals! How… how can they be like this…”

Yang Xuan approached a soldier.

“Why fight the enemy?”

The soldier bowed his head. “I… I may be a serious offender, but I have family, friends, people I care for. I don’t understand grand theories, only this…”

He lifted his head, trembling all over. “I only know I must protect them!”

“Protect.”

Yang Xuan patted the soldier’s shoulder. “Train well. One day I will lead you galloping into battle, terrifying the barbarians!”

The soldiers looked at him, their eyes plainly questioning the truth of this promise.

Yang Xuan drew his sword, raised it high.

“These words I shall keep!”

He strode back.

Returning to the county office, Cao Ying noticed his troubled expression and asked.

The old thief recounted the events.

“Ah!”

Cao Ying went to the back courtyard to find Yang Xuan.

“Sir, let’s finish dealing with the rebellion first, then we can slowly handle the Beiliao.”

Yang Xuan stood beneath a tree, shaking his head. “Old Cao, you only see a part of it.”

Cao Ying was speechless.

Yang Xuan said, “From Chang’an to Chenzhou, you may not know what I’ve seen, but I see the displaced and suffering people.”

Cao Ying felt ashamed. “The Great Tang has enjoyed peace for years, with growing population, but the land remains limited. Nobles’ land grabs worsen, and more and more people flee…”

“The people cry out,” Yang Xuan said solemnly. “But in Chang’an, from the emperor down to petty officials, all indulge in song and dance, blind to the crisis beneath this so-called golden age. What happens in ten years as more refugees pour in?

“If the Great Tang can’t solve their problems, they will come to solve the Great Tang!”

Yang Xuan’s eyes burned. “And with the Beiliao watching hungrily, what should the Great Tang do but strengthen itself? But that fool does what? He squabbles with noble clans, uses precious courier stations to send fruits to his favorite consort! The Beiliao grow stronger as the Great Tang weakens. This is a crisis of internal strife and foreign threat. The fall of the Great Tang is near!”

Cao Ying smiled bitterly. “But those people can’t see it. No—the pseudo-emperor ignores it all. What can be done?”

Yang Xuan said resolutely, “If he can’t, then I will.”