Chapter 130: Numb Legs

Inside the tent, Helian Chun’s narrow eyes opened wider than before.

“Building irrigation projects is a good idea, but if something goes wrong…”

He would have to bear the consequences of shoddy workmanship.

Not even knowing such tactics—truly barbaric.

Yang Xuan replied lightly, “Your Highness, surely there are people in Tanzhou who look down on you?”

Helian Chun nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

This fool!

Yang Xuan asked, “Why not have that person supervise the work?”

“He will surely be corrupt!” Helian Chun was no fool, but when it came to these matters, his talent was nearly zero.

“Precisely because he will be corrupt,” Yang Xuan once again looked down on the plump simpleton but feigned sincerity. “Your Highness works so hard for the country and the people; what harm is there in taking some money? You take the lion’s share, and when that person sees the corruption is too much, the irrigation project won’t even be able to stand—so he can only pocket a small portion.”

Yang Xuan smiled. “Once the affair comes to light, Your Highness will be filled with righteous indignation, immediately arresting the man and confiscating his household…”

“Finding the corrupt wealth, I will be furious and kill him on the spot,” Helian Chun sighed. “I am a charitable man, after all…”

“Your Highness hates evil as if it were an enemy and speaks for the people,” Yang Xuan raised an eyebrow. “You can’t just abandon the irrigation project halfway, can you? If Your Highness demands funds from the court, who would dare refuse? Whoever does becomes the enemy of my Tanzhou’s soldiers and civilians!”

“You are a Tang man!” Zhuque’s green light nearly flickered out.

Brilliant!

Helian Chun’s eyes shone brightly. “No wonder Liu Qing sent you—truly, you are my confidant!”

Just like that, a confidant?

“Xiao Xuan, go buy some Vaseline!” Zhuque’s green light flickered gleefully.

Hua Zhuo had already stepped away from the tent, whispering with several leaders.

“Two thousand sheep from Chenzhou can be provided, but Liu Qing can’t. If he does, the Tang imperial censors will impeach him to ruins,” one leader, familiar with Tang politics, said with satisfaction.

Hua Zhuo remained calm. “Beijing’s Huang Chunhui made rare moves this year, defeating thousands of elite cavalry from Beiliao in a single battle. Helian Chun is not foolish; now that he controls Tanzhou, he should be easing the emperor’s burden… He’s seeking a reason to intervene. If Chenzhou refuses to provide two thousand sheep, then he can freely sell us weapons and grain…”

“And the price is that we must constantly harass Chenzhou,” one leader, considering himself as wise as the khan, said—only to be met with a cold glance.

That look was icy.

“He’s coming out,” someone whispered.

Hua Zhuo turned to see the little old man by Helian Chun’s side enter the tent.

“I’ll go ask,” Hua Zhuo said.

The others followed him to the tent’s entrance, watching him go inside.

“Where’s Langjun?” Wang Lao’er was getting restless, about to barge in.

“Don’t move,” the old thief stopped him, his expression serious for once.

“What if they kill Langjun?” Wang Lao’er’s anger surged.

The old thief said calmly, “Then you run back to report.”

“And you?”

“I’ll run too, then at night dig holes to track down those bastards, killing one at a time.”

Inside the tent, Helian Chun and Yang Xuan sat opposite each other, their expressions calm.

“Your Highness, my Washe tribe’s thousand sheep are ready.”

Hua Zhuo was testing the waters. “Your Highness has had a hard trip. Chenzhou should also be compensated, right?”

He looked at Yang Xuan, waiting for him to explode.

“What compensation?” Yang Xuan frowned. He truly didn’t know what compensation meant.

Hua Zhuo smiled.

“What compensation?” Helian Chun said lightly.

“Your Highness,” Hua Zhuo lost composure as he looked at Helian Chun, “Your Highness, this journey has been hard for you!”

“I’ve had a hard time, but a thousand sheep is enough. Chenzhou has a hard enough time; how could I add to their suffering?” The prince sighed. “I am a charitable man!”

Hua Zhuo’s face flushed instantly. He wanted to question further but dared not… If Helian Chun decided to settle with him, he could simply cut off the annual weapons and grain trade.

He glanced at Helian Chun and smiled, “Your Highness truly is a charitable man.”

Helian Chun chuckled. “Prepare wine and dishes. I want to drink heartily with Yang Xuan.”

After leaving the tent, someone muttered, “Damn it, how did Yang Xuan and the prince suddenly get along so well? They look like brothers!”

“Maybe Yang Xuan secretly offered a bribe? Or used some magic.”

“Silence!” Hua Zhuo snapped, his face dark. “Just wait and see what happens next.”

If Helian Chun and Yang Xuan had struck a secret deal, the Washe tribe would find out.

The old thief, anxious inside, lingered near the tent. Surprisingly, the little old man by Helian Chun’s side did not stop him, allowing him to request an audience.

“Langjun.”

“Old thief! Come in.”

The old thief entered to see his own Langjun flushed from drinking. Worse, Helian Chun had his arm around Yang Xuan’s shoulder, both laughing…

“I’ll leave later,” Yang Xuan waved dismissively.

Helian Chun snorted coldly. “Stay the night.”

“Troublesome!” Zhuque said.

Yang Xuan shook his head. “Your Highness, I’m a light sleeper. Staying here one night, I’m afraid I won’t sleep.”

Helian Chun chuckled, his plump cheeks trembling. “Then tonight I shall share your bed.”

Yang Xuan’s cheek twitched. “Your Highness, there’s no need. We can correspond later. I have plenty of ideas to mull over once I return.”

I’m supposed to share a bed with you? That’ll be utterly disgusting.

Helian Chun patted his shoulder regretfully. “Bring them in!”

The little old man entered.

Helian Chun ordered, “Give Yang Xuan fifty fine horses from our stock.”

Yang Xuan sighed, “Is this necessary?”

Helian Chun sneered, “Refusing is to insult me!”

Yang Xuan knew Helian Chun was trying to win him over with fifty fine horses and maintain their friendship, hoping he’d come up with more advice later. He pretended reluctance, refusing a few times before finally accepting.

The old thief was dumbfounded.

Later, Helian Chun escorted Yang Xuan out, ignoring the perplexed and angry gazes of the Washe nobles. “Safe travels.”

Yang Xuan mounted his horse, cupping his hands. “Your Highness, until next time.”

The sound of hooves faded into the distance.

Helian Chun then left with a thousand sheep, like a client pulling up his pants and leaving without a backward glance.

The tent still reeked of wine and meat, pungent and sharp.

Hua Zhuo looked at his trusted men and said gravely, “We must quickly find out what kind of deal Helian Chun and Yang Xuan have struck.”

“Yes!”

Wa Hai sat silently in a corner, watching his elder brother.

“Khan,” someone said, “Helian Chun’s sudden goodwill toward Chenzhou is not good for our Washe tribe.”

“There’s no goodwill, only exploitation!” Hua Zhuo’s face remained calm, without a trace of anger. “Believe it or not, if the three great tribes and Chenzhou lived in peace, Helian Chun would be restless.”

One trusted aide suddenly understood. “Of course—if we and Chenzhou stayed at peace, Chenzhou, no longer constrained, could support other regions in the north.”

“Even Huang Chunhui would lose a place to worry about.”

“So he accepted a thousand sheep and agreed to continue selling us weapons and grain this year, letting us keep harassing Chenzhou.”

Hua Zhuo raised his hand until the others quieted, then spoke slowly: “We stand between the Tang and Beiliao. If one falls, our only fate is to be swallowed by the other, with no second path.”

He looked at everyone. “So—harass Chenzhou when needed, burn the grasslands near Tanzhou when needed. Hmm!”

All nodded vigorously.

—Every autumn, the grasslands of Tanzhou would catch fire, leaving the Beiliao herders in despair. Helian Chun was troubled, but no one knew who set the fires.

Wa Hai smiled faintly in the corner.

Every year, he would visit Tanzhou, ghostlike, wandering around the grasslands, leaving patches of light behind.

…

After Yang Xuan left, Liu Qing fell into a state of irritability.

Everyone at the prefectural office treaded carefully, trying not to make mistakes that might draw the ire of this increasingly volatile man.

Someone unlucky enough to commit a major blunder last time was sent to clean latrines and ended up bedridden for days, vomiting bile.

“Is the prefect worried about Yang Xuan?” Lu Qiang guessed his old friend’s thoughts.

“Why would I worry?” Liu Qing’s face was stern.

Lu Qiang didn’t press. “A friend in Chang’an just sent a letter.”

Liu Qing knew Lu Qiang wouldn’t mention it without reason and looked up. “What did it say?”

Lu Qiang scratched the scar on his face. Spring made it itch. “The emperor set up some sort of Pear Garden in the palace, spending his days singing and dancing with musicians and courtesans. Quite the merriment.”

Liu Qing was silent.

The emperor sought pleasure; local officials could, of course, petition. But what good would it do?

“Someone is impeaching the imperial uncle, Yang Songcheng.”

Liu Qing was startled. “Bold. Is this from the chancellor’s faction?”

Lu Qiang said, “This person claims the Yang family of Yingchuan rose during the Chen state period. Their ancestor was tutor to the last Chen emperor, but when Chen fell, the Yangs rebelled—betraying their former lord, utterly disloyal. Now that the Chen surname is restored, Yang Songcheng, Minister of Revenue, allies with four powerful families, a rebel in all but name…”

“The Yang family did rebel and held territory. When they saw Tang’s rising power and kingly aura, they switched allegiance without hesitation. That’s why they preserved their wealth,” Liu Qing pondered.

“This isn’t from the chancellor’s faction.”

“Of course not, they wouldn’t be this reckless,” Lu Qiang shook his head. “I’ve thought long and hard but can’t guess who it is.”

A thought lingered in his mind. “The emperor favors the consort. Could it be…”

If the emperor wanted to depose the empress, he’d first attack Yang Songcheng.

Liu Qing shook his head. “That would cause massive upheaval. With Beiliao nearby, eyes sharp, the emperor wouldn’t do that.”

A coalition of four powerful families: if the emperor tried to crush them, the cost would be enormous, and Beiliao and Southern Zhou would pounce on the chaos.

“This kind of matter… we cannot meddle in,” Lu Qiang smiled. “Yang Xuan’s visit has left the prefect troubled. If that kid knew, he’d be overjoyed.”

Liu Qing said lightly, “Why would I be troubled by him?”

Footsteps approached.

“Prefect, Yang Mingfu requests an audience.”

Liu Qing stood abruptly, then sat calmly. “I’ve been sitting too long—legs numb.”

Yang Xuan entered. Liu Qing glanced at him and asked solemnly, “Well?”

“Helian Chun wants to mediate the dispute.”

“He wants to extort,” Liu Qing sneered. “What does he want?”

“Nothing.”

Liu Qing made a light sound of surprise. “That greedy fat man changed his tune?”

“He even gifted me fifty horses.”

…

At the Beijiang Chenzhou prefectural office, Liu Qing and others were astonished.

Meanwhile, in the southern borderlands, the clash of arms was underway.

The southern tribes, once scattered, had begun uniting. With newfound strength, they first bared teeth at Tang forces.

Over two thousand mixed cavalry and infantry were attacking a small city.

The garrison was light; even civilians had taken to the ramparts.

“Once we take the city, money, grain, and women will be ours!”

Amid cheers, the barbarians charged up the walls.

Sparse arrows failed to deter them. As ladders were raised, a brutal fight ensued.

Occasionally, someone fell from the walls, their agonized cries turning the civilians pale.

“The Tang army is failing.” Several breaches on the ramparts meant collapse was imminent.

The defenders looked despairingly toward Chang’an. “Your Majesty!”

But this was the southern border; Chang’an was out of sight and out of reach.

“Who’s that?” someone pointed to the right, shouting.

Dust billowed in the distance.

A large banner emerged faintly in the swirling dust.

“At least two hundred riders!”

The commander hacked down an enemy, glanced quickly, and shouted joyfully, “Reinforcements!”

The defenders’ morale soared; the enemy faltered and retreated.

“Regroup!”

The enemy general urged his troops, facing the rapidly approaching Tang cavalry. “Ten to one, we can win!”

Two hundred horsemen charged in.

The leading cavalry bravely blasted a path forward, with the following troops flanking to kill.

The enemy fought fiercely, refusing to retreat.

“Kill!”

The Tang cavalry commander, a burly man, led relentless charges. His mastery of the spear rendered him unbeatable.

When he shook the severed head of an enemy general wildly, the enemy collapsed.

After the battle:

Prisoners knelt, but the commander coldly ordered, “Kill them all, bring me ears as proof!”

Amid cries, heads rolled.

The defending commander came forward to thank him. “Vice General Ashina!”

The commander named Ashina Shiming wiped blood from his face. “The rest is yours to handle. I’m leaving.”

He carried ears and spoils, dust trailing, to the military governor’s office.

The gatekeeper smiled upon seeing him. “Ashina!”

He tossed a small silver coin. Ashina asked, “Is the governor in?”

“In.”

The southern frontier military governor Zhang Huan held the honorary title of chancellor, thus called “Governor.”

The deputy was Zhang Chumao, who had just returned from a tour of the northern frontier.

“Greetings, Governor!”

Ashina Shiming entered, bowing respectfully.

Zhang Huan stroked his beard, smiling. “You wild man, happy to have made merit?”

Ashina Shiming grinned shyly. “Yes, Governor. I led the army to break the siege, killed over a thousand enemies. Too many heads to bring back, so I took their ears.”

“Let me see.”

Sacks were brought in and emptied; ears spilled onto the floor.

A strange smell filled the air.

“Good!” Zhang Huan nodded.

Ashina Shiming knelt again. “I’m dull-witted. All thanks to your instruction.”

Zhang Huan laughed heartily.

“This merit should be enough for you to be promoted to general.”

Ashina Shiming beamed. “Really?”

Zhang Huan nodded. “I’ll petition Chang’an soon. But you need a better name. Take a Tang name or promotion will be difficult.”

Ashina Shiming looked up seriously. “I’ve wanted a Tang name, but I’m rough. Please grant me one.”

Zhang Huan stroked his beard, thinking. “Ashina Shiming is no good anymore. How about Shi Zhongtang—'Shi' meaning stone, loyal to Tang?”

Ashina Shiming—no, Shi Zhongtang kowtowed deeply. “Thank you, Governor. I and my descendants will forever be loyal to Tang!”

…

“Drunken Lantern,” thanks to the boss of the Silver Alliance for the tip.

“Pang Huang,” thanks to the boss for two alliance leader tips.

“Drunken Lantern,” thanks again for the alliance leader tip.