Chapter 76: Hurting Others at One’s Own Expense
For the Southern Zhou, from their inception to the present, they have devoted themselves to a single pursuit—balance.
When Northern Liao was at its peak, Southern Zhou even provided the Tang Dynasty with ample funds and provisions. Once Tang established dominance over the Central Plains, Southern Zhou immediately changed its stance, playing both sides from the middle.
There was a time when Tang considered marching troops against Southern Zhou, and Southern Zhou swiftly waved its moneybags and passionately called out to Northern Liao: “Dear friend, shall we make an alliance?”
Northern Liao promptly stationed troops on Tang’s border, and thus, Southern Zhou averted disaster.
So it was that Southern Zhou thrived, deftly maneuvering between the two great powers, living quite comfortably.
But from the founding of their state, Southern Zhou never once married their royal daughters to foreign lands. In other words, not a single Southern Zhou princess had ever been wed outside her own country.
When the Imperial Consort probed on the matter today, Yang Xuan knew at once that this must be the Emperor’s intent.
Why was the Emperor testing Southern Zhou? Because if Tang and Southern Zhou were to marry into each other’s royal families, Northern Liao would find itself isolated. With Tang’s mighty troops and Southern Zhou’s wealth, the Northern Liao Emperor wouldn’t dare close both eyes at night.
The best excuse for Nian Ziyue to refuse would be that marital affairs are decided by her parents—this way, she could sidestep the issue and allow the Imperial Consort to withdraw gracefully.
The girl’s pleasant voice lingered in everyone’s ears.
She chose to praise Yang Xuan’s competence.
It was a more clever response still.
The Imperial Consort glanced at Yang Xuan, her smile unaltered, but he sensed a hint of amusement in her gaze.
Don’t set me up!
“In that case, it is a good thing,” the Imperial Consort said, brushing past the topic altogether.
The group sat together in the pavilion and spoke of the customs of Southern Zhou.
Yang Xuan ordered his men to keep watch along the covered corridors, while he himself walked the grounds, hand on his sword, inspecting the area.
He circled the walkway, passing through thickets and groves—places well suited for concealment.
His inspection revealed nothing amiss.
“Yang Xuan!”
The footsteps behind him were hurried and furtive.
He stopped and turned.
“My lady.”
Wang Xian’er ran up, patting her chest in relief. “I nearly got lost. Oh, by the way, why didn’t you tell me when you became the county constable?”
Yang Xuan wagered that if he had told her, Wang Douxiang and his brother would have ground his bones to dust.
If word got out that the pampered daughter of the Wang family was secretly meeting a man, they would be shamed beyond recovery.
But Wang Xian’er was innocent and naive, so Yang Xuan could only reply gently, “It wouldn’t be proper for a man to call upon the Wang household.”
“My lady!”
Someone called softly. Wang Xian’er urged, “Next time, remember to mention my name…”
“Yes.”
This girl, raised by the Wang brothers, was sweetly naive; Yang Xuan smiled as he agreed.
When he returned to the front, the meal had already begun.
After eating and sipping a cup of tea, the Imperial Consort prepared to depart.
Yang Xuan and the others accompanied her.
Before she boarded her carriage, Jiao Li came forward to ask, “Her Ladyship wishes to know: back at the mine, why did you dare to approach those who might have been infected with the plague?”
Hadn’t Han Shitou asked this already?
Yang Xuan had given the standard answer—loyalty.
Yet the Imperial Consort asked again.
Was loyalty truly what she sought?
But now, Yang Xuan bore her mark.
If she sought a loyal answer, why send Jiao Li to ask anew?
Yang Xuan made a quick decision and stammered, “At that time… I was only thinking… of making a name for myself, and I forgot the danger.”
Jiao Li showed no emotion, only nodded and returned.
“My lady, he said he wanted to make a name for himself and forgot the danger.”
Inside the carriage, the Imperial Consort leaned languidly, a lazy cat in her lap. Upon hearing this, she remarked, “At least he’s honest.”
Yang Xuan escorted them all the way to the outer gates of the palace.
Back at the county office, he ordered Cao Ying to gather news.
“What did the Imperial Consort mean by this? It’s baffling,” Yang Xuan mulled over the matter for some time but remained at a loss.
Before he left his office, Cao Ying returned with news.
“Southern Zhou merchants have arrived in Chang’an and are opening shops. Liang Jing’s plot of low-lying land has been filled and is under construction. Southern Zhou merchants are flocking there. My lord, Liang Jing… he’s made a fortune.”
Yang Xuan understood at once. “The Imperial Consort has heard that my brother is rich and fears I may have ulterior motives? Tch! These nobles and their convoluted schemes!”
The Old Fox sighed, “If only we could have done it ourselves.”
Yang Xuan stood up. “Do you think, with our current status, we could hold onto such a fortune?”
The Old Fox shuddered. “You’re right. In Chang’an, there are so many powerful families. If we held such a lucrative plot, the envious would tear us to pieces.”
Yang Xuan had already stepped outside. “Let’s go home!”
“My lord, it’s not yet time.” Cao Ying hurried after him.
“I’m going to patrol the streets.”
Not long after Yang Xuan arrived home, Liang Jing came to visit.
“Fifty thousand coins,” Liang Jing stated bluntly. “If you refuse, our brotherhood is over.”
A solid pile of fifty thousand coins sat in the front yard. Liang Jing sprawled on the steps. “Bring out the good wine and dishes—we’ll drink ourselves merry tonight.”
Two jars of wine, one for each.
“Here’s to it!” Liang Jing raised his bowl and downed it in one gulp.
Yang Xuan took a sip and paused, then drained his as well.
After a whole jar, Liang Jing was already tipsy.
Clinging to Yang Xuan, he wept, recounting how he’d been belittled back home, and how, after his sister became a noble, those same people fawned over him.
“And… there was this official—damn him! He even sent his own woman to me. Bah!” Liang Jing spat in disgust.
Yang Xuan said, “You must have refused.”
“I confiscated her,” Liang Jing replied, raising his eyebrows wickedly.
The words sounded the same, but in tone and meaning, they couldn’t be more different.
After Liang Jing left, Yang Xuan picked up the wine jar. “Who watered this down?”
The Old Fox shuffled over. “I know you value brotherhood, my lord, but Yi Niang worried you’d drink too much and harm yourself, so she had me make a small hole…”
“Well done.”
Even watered down, the wine had gone to his head.
He slept soundly that night, and woke the next day refreshed and ready for anything.
“Still sleeping? Get up! Old Fox, fetch water. Cao Ying, sweep the floor. Wang Lao’er, Wang Lao’er…”
“Here!”
“Hurry up and get out of the privy and chop some firewood.”
At dawn, the house was in uproar.
Yi Niang had them all running circles, only Yang Xuan, the master, could enjoy a rare moment of peace.
When breakfast was finally laid out, everyone took a deep breath.
Then, including Wang Lao’er, all eyes turned to Yang Xuan.
This was Yi Niang’s rule—no one ate unless Yang Xuan took the first bite.
He picked up his chopsticks, tasted a slice of lamb, and then the feast began in earnest.
“I’m off, Yi Niang.”
Yang Xuan headed off to his office.
“Come home early,” Yi Niang called as they left the gate.
Across the way, Lord Xie immediately bowed his head, “Young Magistrate Yang is off.”
“Mm!” Yang Xuan nodded.
To have someone at home who cares for you in the morning, neighbors exercising across the street, families bustling in the lanes, birds perched on the trees watching the commotion, occasionally trilling…
It was a lovely morning.
At the same time, He Huan had just finished breakfast and was strolling slowly in the courtyard.
“The physician said the young master’s foot is healing well, but he should still be careful and avoid running,” his attendant said with satisfaction.
He Huan stamped his foot, feeling no pain, and knew the wound was nearly healed.
“They say Yang Xuan opened a noodle shop?”
“Yes.”
“How’s the business?”
“It’s booming.”
He Huan narrowed his eyes. “Was it he who saved the Wang family from their recent peril?”
His voice was calm, but the servant bowed his head as if struck by thunder. “Yes.”
He Huan turned. “To receive and not reciprocate is discourteous.”
His advisor hurried over, and after hearing He Huan’s orders, hesitated. “Young master, if we cut prices to suppress Yang Xuan’s business, that’s hurting ourselves for the sake of hurting him. The He family can afford it, but what of the other noble houses…”
He Huan’s handsome face showed disdain. “Their plot against the Wang family failed—they must be fuming in secret. The Sunyu family’s ancestral tomb was desecrated, and rumor has it Sunyu Shan killed several concubines in a rage… But where can they vent their anger? Looking around, there’s only Yang Xuan, a small fry… Taking him down would not only ease their frustration but serve as a warning to others. We’ll deal with him.”
The advisor rushed to Guangfu Ward, stood before Yuanzhou Noodle House, looked up at the sign, and sighed, “Good days don’t last.”
Soon, Lin Fan and others received invitations.
“The He family.”
Those two words erased all resistance from Lin Fan.
In his restaurant, the advisor sat at the head, his gaze deep and inscrutable.
“With Yuanzhou Noodle House opening here, you must feel helpless, yes?”
The others chuckled awkwardly.
Merchants cared about profit; merchants were cunning…
A look of contempt flashed in the advisor’s eyes, then vanished. “What else can you do?”
“Arson!” one merchant suggested, raising his hand.
“Foolish,” the advisor rebuked, and the man sheepishly lowered his hand.
Lin Fan sighed, “Yuanzhou Noodle’s prices are high. Only by slashing prices can we compete.”
The advisor nodded—he had no wish to linger among these money-grubbing merchants. He stood. “The He family will cover half the cost. The rest is up to you. Lower the prices; crush him.”
Before noon, more than ten shops beside Yuanzhou Noodle House had hung banners.
“Massive price cuts!”
Han Ying heard the news and showed no emotion. “It doesn’t matter.”
Wang Shun returned from gathering information, his face pale. “Madam, they’re selling at nearly half price.”
Han Ying’s body trembled. “Half price… They can’t afford that, can they?”
Yet the half-price sale went ahead.
At lunchtime, both rows of shops beside Yuanzhou Noodle House were so crowded that even petty officials came to enjoy the bargains.
Han Ying looked at the half-empty restaurant and gritted her teeth. “They’re hurting themselves to hurt others.”
…
Yang Xuan was extremely busy.
A man had died in his district.
And not just any man—a government official.
“Qin Jian, Assistant Director of the Ministry of Revenue. Last night he spent the night at a brothel. In the morning, the courtesan woke to find him stiff and cold.”
In the brothel room, a middle-aged man lay naked on the bed, while a courtesan knelt nearby, weeping, “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me…”
“The coroner,” Yang Xuan ordered.
The coroner came forward, examining the body, even prying open Qin Jian’s mouth to scrape his throat with a small tool.
At once, the room was filled with retching.
The coroner inspected the sample, sniffed it deeply, and even tasted it with his tongue.
Yang Xuan turned away, thinking this was truly a hard profession.
The Old Fox whispered, “That fellow’s appetite is nearly as formidable as mine.”
The coroner smacked his lips. “Magistrate, there’s no poison.”
“No poison?” Yang Xuan nodded. The courtesan looked up. “Magistrate, it wasn’t sudden death from overexertion.”
Yang Xuan asked, “How can you tell?”
The courtesan replied confidently, “I’ve seen sudden deaths before.”
Clearly an old hand.
Cao Ying rushed in and whispered in Yang Xuan’s ear.
“Yesterday, someone in court raised an objection—a discrepancy in the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts, and Qin Jian handled the matter.”
Yang Xuan raised his eyebrows. “And what’s that got to do with us?”
Cao Ying spoke even more quietly, “Qin Jian was a man of the Left Chancellor.”