Chapter 117: You Truly Have No Shame

After a light snowfall, Chang'an felt somewhat cold.

Pedestrians hunched their shoulders, scurrying along the edges of the streets. Where the ward walls stood, it was warmer; but where the walls had been torn down, cold gusts of wind whipped through, chilling people to the bone and making them long for the warmth of their quilts at home.

Zhao Sanfu rode his horse through the street.

"Does your family have any shame left?"

"What do you mean my family has no shame?"

"People are all flocking to your shop! What about the business I’ve been waiting for? No one does business like your lot—this is just... ruthless!"

"Your food tastes terrible. What the hell does that have to do with my family?"

This was the Guangfu Ward.

As Zhao Sanfu rode past, the sign for "Yuanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles" stood out prominently amidst the gaps in the wall. A crowd of customers stood outside, stamping their feet and rubbing their hands in the queue, while the shops on either side were empty, devoid of patrons.

Lin Fan was ranting loudly. But he had clearly met his match.

"Your own food is poorly made, your heart is black, and you charge such exorbitant prices," Wang Shun said, one hand on his hip, pointing a finger at Lin Fan. "Have you heard the saying?"

Lin Fan subconsciously asked, "What saying?"

Wang Shun spat out each word clearly: "When a man is useless, he blames his own groin."

Lin Fan’s face turned as red as a piece of crimson cloth; he covered his face and fled in shame.

Wang Shun sneered, "Try competing with me!"

Seeing such a splendid argument early in the morning, Zhao Sanfu felt invigorated.

He arrived at the mirror stand and stood before a large bronze mirror to adjust his attire.

"Hey! How long has it been since this mirror was polished?" Seeing his own somewhat blurry reflection, Zhao Sanfu’s spirits plummeted again.

A minor official smiled, "Master Zhao, the mirror was just polished."

"Then why is it so blurry?" Zhao Sanfu felt his handsome face looked distorted.

The official looked at him, "Master Zhao, you... you haven't washed your face, have you?"

Zhao Sanfu froze, "I suppose I haven't!"

After washing his face, Zhao Sanfu was shivering from the cold and quickly huddled near Xin Quan’s small clay stove to warm up.

"Director, you stew a pot of meat all day long—don't you ever get tired of it?"

The charcoal in the small clay stove burned brightly, and the little copper pot on top acted like a radiator; crouching beside it was comforting.

The fine lines on Xin Quan’s face relaxed, "What is the point of living? To eat meat, drink wine, and sleep. Having meat to eat is like being an immortal."

Zhao Sanfu leaned in closer and whispered, "Director, the tide of impeachment against the Left Chancellor has risen again in the court lately, but it’s the same old routine—nothing new. What is the meaning of 'One House, Four Surnames'?"

"Why do you concern yourself with so much?" Xin Quan held his hands over the copper pot, the warmth slowly spreading from his palms. This was happiness.

Xin Quan continued, "The Left Chancellor stands firm and righteous, which is why they cannot find any real grounds to attack him. He stands there like a pillar..."

Zhao Sanfu sneered, "Yet those people attack him relentlessly. Do those officials have nothing better to do? They only care about factional strife."

"You are becoming cynical." Xin Quan sat up straight and picked up bamboo tongs to adjust the charcoal. The fire popped and crackled, the glow reddening his face, making the fine lines seem to flush with color.

Zhao Sanfu was indignant, "Director, the Great Tang is currently beset by internal troubles and external threats. Instead of worrying about the country, those officials spend their days fixated on attacking the Left Chancellor. If this isn't factional strife, then what is it?"

"You must stand higher to see further." Xin Quan rubbed the glowing tip of the bamboo tongs against the floor and said, "You only see the incompetence and shamelessness of those people, but there are many more who are guarding this Great Tang. Look, the Left Chancellor remains the backbone of the court. Even when faced with constant attacks, he endures humiliation to move forward. Why is that? Isn't it for the sake of the Great Tang?"

"Look at our Mirror Pavilion. Those agents gather intelligence everywhere, braving wind and rain. Some grumble, but once they’re done, they mount their horses and ride off again. What is this?"

Xin Quan said slowly, "This is dedication to duty. Everyone hopes the Great Tang will become better, so they give their all. That is why the Great Tang you see is still moving forward; even if it is covered in wounds and sickness, it has not fallen. It is supported by countless people who are devoted to their duties."

Zhao Sanfu looked up, "Director..."

"You brat!" Xin Quan laughed, "One of the twelve directors of the Mirror Pavilion is currently vacant. Are you eyeing that position?"

Zhao Sanfu nodded, "Director, you often say that I am a source of trouble and that I will eventually drag you down. I was thinking, why not try? Maybe I could succeed?"

Xin Quan sighed, "You must understand that the twelve directors are the core of the Mirror Pavilion. If you fail, that’s fine; I will continue to protect you. But if you succeed, you will learn many things you never knew, and you will have to do many things you do not wish to do. If your resolve is not steady, you will become a monster you don't even recognize. Are you... still willing?"

Zhao Sanfu said sincerely, "I know you have been protecting me these past few years, but I also want to ask: why do you choose to stay out of everything?"

Xin Quan smiled, "I killed too many people in the Northern Frontier; I do not wish to commit more sins. I saw too much ugliness in the North, so I don’t want to look into those cesspools anymore. Fortunately, my merits from the North were sufficient, so Supervisor Wang tolerates my idleness."

Zhao Sanfu’s gaze grew sharp, "Director, this Great Tang is sick. I originally wanted to contribute, but I gradually realized that if you want to get things done, you must stand high enough, or no one will listen to your words. As for my resolve..."

Xin Quan squinted at him.

Zhao Sanfu said earnestly, "I want to contribute to the Great Tang, even if it costs me my life."

Xin Quan took a deep breath and nodded, "The one competing for the director position is Hu Yunli. He is Zhang An’s man. He was severely injured by me last time and kept a low profile for a long time. It is rumored that his cultivation has made great strides..."

Of the twelve directors of the Mirror Pavilion, aside from the indifferent Xin Quan, all were major figures.

The vacant position belonged to Duan Yun. Not long ago, he had been obsessed with a prominent figure from the 'One House, Four Surnames.' That figure set a trap, and Duan Yun led his men into it, only to find the heads of the four families meeting. Surrounded by experts, Duan Yun was beaten within an inch of his life.

*That idiot. Even if you discovered something, couldn't you have come back to report it?*

Wang Shou sat in the hall, feeling that his subordinates were all troublesome.

Duan Yun's reputation was ruined beyond repair; he could no longer be used. A replacement director had to be appointed. Wang Shou could have made the decision himself, but for the sake of appearances and consensus, it was better to go through the motions.

Wang Shou looked up at his subordinates and asked in a sharp voice, "The twelve directors are the backbone of our Mirror Pavilion. Now that Duan Yun is gone, who is willing to take the position?"

A hand was raised.

Hu Yunli!

This agent had been very steady lately, and Wang Shou quite appreciated him.

The other agents who had wanted to raise their hands saw Hu Yunli and retracted them with bitter smiles. Hu Yunli’s recent performance had been too brilliant; they knew they couldn't compete, so they chose not to stand out and perhaps even earn a favor.

That was the logic: leave a path open for others, and you might meet again. Of course, some people were different; your retreat and forbearance would only make them despise you—forget about favors; there would only be scorn.

Wang Shou smiled, "It seems this is the will of the people!"

Hu Yunli smiled, a sharp glint in his eyes. Since being severely injured by Xin Quan last time, he had reflected for a long time and decided to lie low until the right moment. During this time, he had practiced diligently while honing his temperament. Who wouldn't praise him now?

In life, one must not only have strength but also be well-liked!

After lying low for so many days, it was finally time for him to rise!

At this moment, Hu Yunli felt all his pent-up frustration dissipate with the wind. He couldn't help but look at Xin Quan and nod slightly.

*What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger.*

*Let’s go again!*

Xin Quan didn't look at him; instead, he looked behind him.

A hand was raised high behind Hu Yunli.

"Zhao Sanfu!"

"That’s me!" Zhao Sanfu smiled amiably, "I figured, whether I succeed or not, I should at least try."

Hu Yunli smiled, "Good!"

Wang Shou was also surprised, "The two of you competing shows that my Mirror Pavilion has strong ambition. I am very pleased. Well... there happens to be a case. The concubine of Chen Yunzhou, a director in the Ministry of Works, has died; she was found in a cesspit. The Ministry of Justice performed an autopsy and found signs of torture. Servants said they heard a woman’s screams in the study that day, but no evidence could be found..."

It was an unsolvable case.

"His Majesty is very angry upon hearing the news." Wang Shou thought the killer was incredibly cruel—killing was one thing, but throwing the body in a cesspit? Just thinking about it was chilling. "His Majesty has ordered our Mirror Pavilion to solve this within three days. You two go... whoever solves it will become the director."

This was fair.

The two immediately went to Chen Yunzhou’s house.

They examined the scene, covered their noses while inspecting the remains, and questioned the servants. Finally, they questioned Chen Yunzhou himself.

"Lü Yun's passing breaks my heart!" Chen Yunzhou’s eyes were red, "I cherished her the most, but... for a white-haired man to bury a black-haired one, how can I bear this! If you two can find the murderer, I... I am willing to offer thirty percent of my family’s wealth as a reward!"

But neither Hu Yunli nor Zhao Sanfu’s expression flickered. Compared to the position of director, thirty percent of a minor official’s wealth was nothing.

Both fell into a state of deep contemplation.

The next day, Hu Yunli brought in the most experienced coroner to examine the body.

Nothing.

Zhao Sanfu, however, was reading the interrogation records.

As they were old enemies, Hu Yunli mocked, "Can you find a flower blooming in those records?"

Zhao Sanfu looked up, "I see that Chen Yunzhou is the murderer."

Hu Yunli sneered, "I see it too, but there is no evidence. What can you do about it?"

Zhao Sanfu looked at him with dark, deep eyes.

The third day.

Xin Quan crouched by his small clay stove and said to Zhao Sanfu, who had approached, "If you can't do it, just report sick. It’s not shameful."

Zhao Sanfu shook his head, warming his hands around the stove, and whispered, "I have a way. Director, do you think the Great Tang is worth guarding?"

"Of course it is worth it!" Xin Quan looked up, "When the Chen Dynasty fell, foreign tribes invaded the Central Plains, burning, killing, and looting, leaving thousands of miles without a soul. Fortunately, the Great Tang rose, expelled the invaders, and restored the Central Plains. If the Great Tang falls, Sanfu, the Northern Liao and Southern Zhou will swarm in, and your loved ones and mine will become slaves, or... rations."

Back when the foreign tribes invaded, they killed so many that there were no roosters crowing for a thousand miles, meaning no one was left to farm. The shortage of military rations puzzled the invaders until someone had an 'inspiration': weren't the Central Plains people just meat?

Thus, the people of the Central Plains, especially women, became military rations—raped at night, eaten during the day.

"It is the Great Tang that protects the Central Plains."

Zhao Sanfu stood up, "I understand."

Zhao Sanfu went to the Chen residence. He went to the study.

"Call Chen Yunzhou here."

Chen Yunzhou arrived. He entered the study with a look of sorrow.

"Close the door."

Zhao Sanfu stood by the bookshelf.

Chen Yunzhou closed the door and turned back, "Has Master Zhao found a clue?"

Zhao Sanfu turned around, holding the horizontal saber that Chen Yunzhou usually hung on the wall as a decoration.

Zhao Sanfu unsheathed the blade and tossed it over.

Chen Yunzhou caught it in a panic, just as he was about to ask a question.

Clang!

"Director Chen, what are you doing? Someone, help—"

*Pfft!*

The door opened, and several Mirror Pavilion agents rushed in, only to see Zhao Sanfu holding the horizontal saber, looking distraught.

On the floor, Chen Yunzhou lay there, his neck half-severed, his eyes dull.

The matter was over.

Hu Yunli watched Zhao Sanfu return to the Mirror Pavilion with malicious joy.

In the main hall, Wang Shou and the eleven directors were all present.

"Well?" Wang Shou asked.

Hu Yunli pointed at Zhao Sanfu, "Supervisor, Zhao Sanfu killed Chen Yunzhou."

*Hm?*

Hu Yunli noticed that Wang Shou was not angry; instead, he looked at Zhao Sanfu with great interest, "Why did you kill him?"

"I was questioning him in the study when Chen Yunzhou suddenly drew his blade against me. I subconsciously killed him with one stroke. I... am guilty."

Zhao Sanfu knelt down.

Xin Quan’s eyes were unreadable; after a long silence, he merely sighed.

Wang Shou smiled, "Tell the truth, and I will not punish you."

Zhao Sanfu looked up, "His Majesty said to 'solve' the matter, not to 'investigate' it. Furthermore, the Mirror Pavilion is His Majesty’s watchdog, and the Supervisor has often said that the Mirror Pavilion is the sharp blade in His Majesty’s hand... and a sharp blade is meant for killing."

The hall was very quiet.

A moment later, a roar of laughter erupted.

"Hahahaha!"

...

Duke Xu Zhang Chuma and Yang Xuan entered Chang'an City one after the other, just in time to see a group of prisoners stumbling past.

The leaders were dressed in rich clothing but were now battered and bruised. They were being driven by men from the Mirror Pavilion, just like a pack of dogs.

The last person suddenly looked back. He was silent when he saw Zhang Chuma, but when he saw Yang Xuan, he suddenly smiled.

Zhang Chuma saw the bronze mirror embroidered with gold thread on the man’s collar and snorted, "A director of the Mirror Pavilion—bad luck!"

Behind him, Yang Xuan dismounted and walked over with a smile.

The Mirror Pavilion director also walked over with a smile.

"Sanfu!"

"Zitai!"

The two embraced, thumping each other on the back with force.

After a few thumps, Zhao Sanfu struggled, "Damn you, let go... your hand is too heavy, you dog, let go! Help!"

A moment later, the two walked side by side.

"It’s only been a short while, how have you changed so much?" Zhao Sanfu was very curious, "You used to always carry a sense of melancholy, and I would wonder how a young man could be so gloomy. But now, that gloom has been swept away; you look unnaturally bright."

"I just figured some things out. By the way, how did you become a director?"

The days after he turned ten had caused problems with Yang Xuan’s mindset—what Zhuque called psychological issues caused by his upbringing, twisted and abnormal. Later, after discovering his identity, the burden of rebellion weighed heavily on his heart, and these two problems pressed upon him until he went to the Northern Frontier.

That brand-new world allowed him to let go of his inner demons and become a sunny youth.

Zhao Sanfu coughed, "I am so handsome and extraordinary, with such outstanding talent, like a firefly in the dark—I couldn't hide it even if I tried."

Yang Xuan almost rolled his eyes.

"You have no idea, I tried to convince Supervisor Wang that I was still young and needed more tempering, but he insisted... sigh!"

"You really are shameless," Yang Xuan said seriously.

Zhao Sanfu hooked his arm around his shoulder and raised an eyebrow, "Why are you back this time?"

Yang Xuan briefly explained his affairs in the Northern Frontier.

Zhao Sanfu’s arm tightened around his shoulder.

"You guy, you've actually done so well?" Zhao Sanfu was genuinely happy for his little brother, "Once you’re settled, I’ll treat you."

"Deal!"

Yang Xuan also wanted to know the dynamics in Chang'an, and Zhao Sanfu was the best source of information.

Yang Xuan had brought Wang Laoer and a dozen elite Dare-to-Die camp cavalrymen with him. He first went to the Ministry of Personnel to report.

"Magistrate Yang!"

The minor official at the Ministry looked at him with curiosity and led him to report. After seeing a director, Yang Xuan prepared to take his leave when someone approached the door.

"Which one is Magistrate Yang?"

"I am."

The man looked at him curiously, "Minister Luo wants to see you."

*Minister of Personnel Luo Cai wants to see a small county magistrate like me?*

Yang Xuan felt it was like using a cannon to kill an ant. He followed the man to outside the office.

"Come in!"

Luo Cai looked benevolent. He glanced at Yang Xuan, "Yang Xuan of Taiping?"

Yang Xuan bowed, "That is this humble official."

Luo Cai nodded, "Taiping is a place that gives people headaches. That you volunteered to go there makes me quite pleased. But I was also worried that a hot-blooded youth would become discouraged or even shrink back in such a place. Hearing recently that you led those prisoners to crush the enemy, I was quite curious—I wondered what kind of person such a youth would be."

*I am just like this!*

Yang Xuan stood straight, allowing Luo Cai to look him over.

Luo Cai said warmly, "A talented young man. What are your thoughts for the future?"

This was almost asking Yang Xuan, "Little guy, where do you want to go next?"

The minor official on the side couldn't help but feel that the old Minister was being too kind today. But he didn't see the hope in Luo Cai’s eyes.

Yang Xuan said without hesitation, "Chen Prefecture is still dangerous, and the three major tribes are watching like tigers. If I were to leave now, I would never have peace of mind."

Luo Cai looked at him for a long time and nodded, "Go."

Yang Xuan took his leave.

Behind him, Luo Cai said softly, "Current young people, as long as they have a bit of talent, they become arrogant, thinking Chang'an is the only place to display their skills, wishing they could enter the government today and stand in the court to direct the country tomorrow. Yet a young man like Yang Xuan is working solidly in a dangerous place..."

He took a deep breath, "I heard someone wants to target this youth?"

The official said, "It is He Huan of the He clan. He came to the Ministry two days ago looking for someone, wanting to suppress Yang Xuan’s merits so he would remain in Taiping."

"But the He clan didn't expect this youth to voluntarily stay there, did they?" Luo Cai said mockingly, "A bunch of wild dogs!"

The minor official shrank his neck, feeling that the old Minister was in a foul mood today.

Luo Cai’s eyes turned cold, "Go and see Yang Xuan off. Tell him to come to the Ministry to have tea with me when he has time."

The official lowered his head and whispered, "Minister, this will offend the He clan..."

Offending the He clan meant offending the 'One House, Four Surnames.'

Luo Cai picked up his teacup and said faintly,

"To hell with them!"