Whilst Anticipating, the Wine Slipped into the Flower
Proprietor Shi had to have a worker set up the table again since he cleared it before Prime Minister Li arrived.
Watching Prime Minister Li approach, I held up a cupped-fist salute and offered a smile. “There are officials who are truly competent, conniving officials, corrupt officials, foolish officials, upright officials, and clever officials, but there is only one Prime Minister Li.”
Prime Minister Li stroked his beard brightly. “This old one has met plenty of folks from the pugilistic world, too, from heroes, to prodigies, but there is none other like yourself.”
“Old fox.”
“Shameless youth.”
Prime Minister Li and I: “Hahaha, have a seat.”
I poured Prime Minister Li a drink, myself one, and then we shared a drink before business.
“This is good.” Prime Minister Li licked his lips, but I had no idea what he tasted that I failed to taste. “This is good. It’s strong, but it leaves a sweet aftertaste. Although it doesn’t originate from a graceful place and takes a bloody style, it’s elegant. Not bad. Not bad at all.”
I nodded. “Perhaps it has been left for a bit too long. I believe this pot was poured in the morning.”
“Still wine.”
The two of us shared three more drinks.
“Thank you for the praise, Prime Minister. It is true that this one does not have a prestigious background, and has been involved in bloodshed, but it is also true that he has no grace.”
“What do you mean? You have the world and its people in your heart. This old one has yet to thank you for your bravery at Nieyao. Had you not taken the risk, we would not be here today.”
I wagged my hand. “It is not this one who has the world in his heart but the unorthodox factions, Cold Mountain Temple, and some others. This one only has pork shoulders, roast chicken, wine and beautiful women in his heart, and that is all he has room for.”
Since we both understood each other, there was no need to continue the topic any longer.
“Prime Minister, this one invited you here to seek enlightenment on some topics.”
“What else would this old one be here for? This old wine of yours?” Despite what he said, Prime Minister Li drank as if it’d be a waste to leave a drop behind.
“This one is your student in name. As your student, this one seeks enlightenment.”
Prime Minister Li set his cup down and chuckled. “This one would not dare to call himself your teacher when Professor Ming is still present. This old one merely helped His Majesty that day.”
Professor Ming? What other travesties has Shifu subjected the capital to? Why does even Prime Minister Li sound scared of him. On second thought, I should just pretend I don’t know. I can’t even pay his existing debts as it is.
“This one wanted to ask for your opinion on the status quo. What big matters are about to implode in the imperial court?”
Following a nip of tea, Prime Minister Li queried, “You are looking to get involved in politics?”
I shook my head.n(/O/.V-)e)(l..b/(I..n
Prime Minister Li had a waiter switch the wine for some vintage nv’er hong. “That was a pointless question. As a bearer of the Ming surname, it is only natural for you to stay away from politics. In saying that, this old one is curious what your opinion is if it were not for that restriction.”
I chuckled. “This one is not interested in any business that involves more than ten people. Any more and you are just asking for trouble. Even if you had the chance to start over, you would be starting over fully blemished. That is the reason this one will not step into the political arena.”
“This old one feels the same way.” Prime Minister Li hit the table, then ordered two fish tails. “The wine here doesn’t impress, but the fish is fantastic. Why are you asking about politics if you are not interested?”
That was how you spotted a brilliant Prime Minister! His strategy of slipping in food discussions whilst discussing business made me almost think he was treating me today. A jug of nv’er hong cost over a hundred, and he asked for the fish tails to be prepared in six different ways.
“This one is merely preparing in case His Majesty asks him about it.”
“This old one heard His Majesty has inquired. How did you respond?”
I recited everything I remembered telling His Majesty since Prime Minister Li’s question was broad. He had the same bright reaction His Majesty had.
“He Shi certainly has learnt well under Principal Huang’s tutelage. That’s rare insight, and it’s even more praiseworthy that he was willing to share it. It would seem that his goal is not to be an official but to leave the world a better place without the honours. An exemplary young man he is.”
“Uh, Prime Minister, I did not ask for the knowledge. I worked for it.”
“He Shi is right about the problems; you can parrot him without concern. With that said, his statements are not without flaws. He deliberately left the flaws there. It would be wise for you to repeat it with caution. His Majesty already has a rough plan for the major matters, so he will not probe too deep into them, especially considering you will be leaving the capital very soon.”
I just nodded after every sentence. I didn’t understand, and His Majesty wouldn’t ask me. What would he do if I was wrong?
“Your nonchalant response shows that you are actually interested in something else, correct?”
Seriously, Prime Minister Li’s observation skills were almost on my shifu’s level. I wasn’t too concerned about His Majesty asking for my thoughts on politics. I wasn’t going to be in the capital for much longer, after all.
“There is one thing this one must know. His Majesty wants Vice-captain Shen and this to leave for training and to expand Liu Shan Men’s influence. Both are necessary, but they are time consuming. It could take up to five years to see the desired results. It would not have been considered a long time in Yan Shisan’s era.”
Prime Minister Li had a taste of the big-head carp served up. “It is unlike you to pad your question with so many prefaces. What is it that you want to ask, Duke Ming?”
“What changes in the capital can we expect during our absence?”
“You are interested in the capital.”
“A tiny bit absolutely interested.”
Prime Minister Li gave a condescending look, smiled, took more bites, then questioned, “You are not worried about the capital. You are worried that you will miss out on information, correct?”
He was good.
“There... certainly are things to pay attention to down the road. If we are talking about years, there are three.”
“This one is listening.”
“The imperial exam is one. The results of the latest exam will be visible within two years. Otherwise, His Majesty’s effort to host a special one would have been for naught. He will promptly select talent he can trust. If you leave for longer than three years, it is possible there will be one or two new trusted officials upon your return. Since you also participated in the exam, it would be wise for you to befriend a few you evaluate highly.”
The exams... the exam results... will be okay... right? Some of them took the exams properly... It’ll be okay... I think...
“The second matter is obviously the conflict with the White Princes. His Majesty does not want war. While the circumstances leave him with no alternative, he is soft at heart. The confrontation was anticipated. Howbeit, it is only a question of how long.”
“What is considered long? And what is considered short?”
Prime Minister Li contemplated prior to answering, “Long, could be as long as the end of time. Short, could be as soon as tomorrow.”
“You are saying that the White Princes are battling serious internal strife, which means there is still time to be bought regardless of the path.”
“Very little time. Cold Mountain Temple’s situation is self-explanatory. As long as Ling Hanzhong is leading Mount Lu, their destruction will only take a short time. If it was his son in power, they would be an unpredictable variable. Valley of Yearning have always been a group that acted on emotions. They do have old grudges with the imperial court. Now that Bronze Mask is involved... Gold and Silver Sect, and Song Clan are friends with everyone and friends with nobody. Therefore, they cannot be trusted. Dark Robe Brotherhood... this old one is not the right person to ask.”
I bobbed my head. “Baima is the one to ask.”
“Buying time is only possible if Dark Robe Brotherhood do not turn. Otherwise, it will be one battle after the next.”
This wasn’t a conversation for court. The White Princes were akin to seven people in a tiny box. They had very little room to manoeuvre. Even though Song Clan had indicated that they did not want to oppose the imperial court, there was nothing to guarantee that they wouldn’t down the road. The only way to avoid war was to have all seven give up resistance.
If the leaders of the insurgence, namely Cold Mountain Temple, Mount Lu Sword Sanctuary, and Valley of Yearning, changed their minds, then the White Princes had no hopes of winning. Dark Robe Brotherhood had a vast network in the imperial court. Despite not having a fief or an army, they were even worse to deal with than the other six if they were to revolt. Hence, the only way to make the other five contemplate, thereby granting the imperial court time, was to secure the support of Dark Robe Brotherhood. In turn, that would reduce the chance of war. Expecting Baima to keep them all in line, however, was a tough task even for him as he was unlikely going to have the luxury of leaving the northern border.
“... What is the third matter?”
“The third matter would be...”
Frigid sword qi suddenly came down from the ceiling. I caught the sleeve of my assassin and pressed his face onto the table, resulting in his sword dropping onto the ground.
“You’re an assassin?” I asked of the assassin looking at me.
“D-die?”
Glossary
Nv’er Hong – In case I haven’t covered it somewhere yet, it’s just the name of a wine that you’ll likely see in every wuxia.
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