CALID Chapter 56

Enemy of the Court

The first morning court session that Duan Xu attended in the Southern Capital was when he encountered Fang Xianye in the ante-chamber before the court session began.

Originally, the courtiers who were chatting and laughing with Duan Xu noticed Fang Xianye’s arrival and observed the atmosphere between the two, toning down their smiles.

Both men were wearing crimson official robes. Fang Xianye’s robe was adorned with the pattern of clouds and geese, indicating his civilian status, while Duan Xu’s robe bore the tiger pattern of a military officer. Among a group of middle-aged men dressed in crimson official robes, they stood out as conspicuously youthful.

They were the top scholar and second-ranked scholar of the same year’s imperial examination, the most promising young talents in the court. It was a pity that they belonged to different factions and were engaged in fierce rivalry. If they could reconcile their differences, they would be the pillars of the future Daliang.

Minister Lu from the Ministry of Justice, who had just been conversing with Duan Xu, sighed inwardly. The rivalry between these two factions had persisted for many years, seemingly with no end in sight. It appeared that reconciliation was still far off.

Duan Xu politely greeted, “Master Fang, it has been a long time. I heard that you have risen swiftly in the ranks and are now a Fourth Rank Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Congratulations.”

Fang Xianye modestly returned the greeting, saying, “General Duan, you are too kind. Your leadership turned the tide in a recent battle, leading the army to cross the barrier first. I have heard of it even in the Southern Capital. His Majesty has summoned you back to report, surely with intentions of rewarding you. Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance.”

The two exchanged pleasantries and then took their seats, following the mantra of “out of sight, out of mind,” with one sitting at the far left and the other at the far right. The left side was mostly occupied by civil officials of the Du faction, with Fang Xianye added into the mix, while the right side was dominated by military officers of the Pei faction, but Duan Xu seated among them.

The atmosphere in the ante-chamber was tense for a moment, causing even the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, who was delivering messages, to break into a cold sweat.

During the morning court session, the Emperor indeed praised the returning generals from north of the barrier, lavishing them with countless rewards of gold, silver, fine fabrics, and promotions. Qin Huanda was elevated to Duke of Wei, while Duan Xu was appointed as General of Loyalty and Martial Prowess. Then the Emperor commended the Ministry of Revenue for its efforts in raising funds and supplies, also rewarding them generously. By the end of the morning court session, both sides, Du and Pei, had their faces saved.

Now that the border situation had stabilized somewhat, according to the Emperor’s indication, Qin Huanda and Duan Xu were not likely to be dispatched again in the coming years. Duan Xu speculated that this was probably arranged by Du Chengzhang and Minister Du, allowing him to stay in the Southern Capital, the centre of power, leveraging his experiences to potentially advance to the Privy Council and take charge of military affairs.

What many dreamed of as a smooth path was, for Duan Xu, just a sigh. Half a year away from the Southern Capital had made him somewhat unfamiliar with the situation in the court. So after the morning court session, Duan Xu headed straight to the Jade Tower.

The Jade Tower was the most elegant and bustling tavern among the seventy-two towers of the Southern Capital, renowned for its fine wine, cuisine, and beautiful women, the three excellences. It attracted the nobles and elites of the Southern Capital for entertainment, and even the Emperor had visited for leisure. The aristocratic youths of the Southern Capital were regular patrons of the Jade Tower, and Duan Xu had been no exception before leaving the city.

As soon as he entered the Jade Tower, he was warmly welcomed by the attendants. He waved his hand and asked, “Where is Miss Luoxian?”

Miss Luoxian might not be the leading courtesan of the Jade Tower in terms of looks, but she was a talented woman renowned in the Southern Capital. She excelled in poetry, music, painting, and calligraphy, matching or even surpassing men in these arts, and she never sold her body for art. Duan Xu had a close relationship with her, once spending a large sum to buy her time for an entire month.

Before the attendant could reply, someone interjected, “Isn’t this Young Master Duan? It’s been quite a while. During your absence, the beauty was snatched away by that top scholar!”

Duan Xu turned to look and saw that it was the fourth son of Minister Wang from the Ministry of Revenue, who happened to be drinking flower wine at the Jade Tower. He indeed looked like a talented individual, but unfortunately, he was known in the Southern Capital as a prodigal son who squandered his family’s wealth. Duan Xu had some superficial acquaintance with these young gentlemen in the past, so he smiled and said, “Master Wang, are you referring to Fang Xianye?”

As Master Wang was ignorant and often mocked the scholars who had achieved success in the imperial examinations, he always referred to Fang Xianye sarcastically as the top scholar. After Duan Xu ranked second in the examinations, Master Wang began to dislike him as well, as if he were thinking, “We used to enjoy drinking and feasting together. Why didn’t you fail like the rest of us?”

However, no matter what, Duan Xu came from a noble background just like them, unlike Fang Xianye, who came from a humble family. Master Wang sneered disdainfully and said, “The top scholar is truly naive. He finally gained some status and wealth, and now he can’t take his eyes off Miss Luoxian. He’s pestering her every day. Unfortunately, no matter how much money he spends, he can’t wash away his poor aura. I suspect Miss Luoxian is tongue-tied, waiting for your return! I saw the top scholar come in just now, probably going to find Miss Luoxian again!”

Duan Xu, feigning anger, exclaimed, “It’s one thing for you to oppose me in court, but now you’re also competing with me for Miss Luoxian. This is intolerable!”

With a sweep of his sleeves, he called out Luoxian’s name and headed upstairs. Master Wang wore a look of anticipation, while the attendant was frantic in his attempts to stop Duan Xu.

Upon reaching the upper floor, Duan Xu pushed open Luoxian’s door and indeed found Fang Xianye sitting inside. Both men looked surprised at the sudden intrusion. The attendant, smiling apologetically, said, “Young Master Duan! Master Fang arrived first… We have rules here at the Jade Tower…”

Duan Xu tossed a gold ingot to the attendant and said, “The rules at the Jade Tower are about money, aren’t they? I insist on seeing Miss Luoxian right now. Master Fang, do you mind?”

The surprised expression on Fang Xianye’s face faded away, replaced by a mysterious smile. “General Duan, you’ve only just been promoted, yet you’re already so domineering?”

“If not for Master Fang, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have this confidence.”

As the two men confronted each other, Luoxian spoke from behind the beaded curtain. She was a gentle and graceful woman, and she gently persuaded, “Why must you both be angry? Appreciating music together is also a joy. Luoxian is willing to play and sing for both of you.”

Neither man was willing to back down, so they both decided to sit down and listen to the music. The attendant, holding the gold ingot, was both happy and worried, fearing that the two men would start a fight. He instructed Luoxian with concern, and she smiled and agreed before closing the door.

Standing at the door for a moment to make sure the attendant had left, Luoxian then calmly returned behind the beaded curtain, picked up her pipa, and began to play a lively and rapid melody, which drowned out most other sounds.

Fang Xianye, the Assistant Minister from the Ministry of Revenue, sat upright like a tall pine, holding his tea cup. After tapping the lid of the cup a few times, he turned his head to look at Duan Xu and said, “General Duan.”

“Master Fang.”

The two men exchanged glances for a moment, with the sound of the pipa ringing in their ears like beads falling on a jade plate. Fang Xianye furrowed his brow and said, “You are so wilful and reckless, yet you managed to come back alive. It’s truly a miracle.”

There was much dissatisfaction in his words, but Duan Xu just smiled openly and said, “It’s not that serious. My fate seems to turn bad luck into good, but how could it turn good without encountering any bad luck?”

“You will meet your end sooner or later inside,” Fang Xianye retorted, “If you want to die, you don’t need to bother me to send you there.”

Everyone talked about the unlucky third son of the Duan family, who, despite serving dutifully as a functionary, was transferred to a military position and sent to the border camp as soon as his new position warmed up. He was then made the bait on the north bank of the river, leading to a series of hardships.

But only Duan Xu and Fang Xianye knew that, apart from the surprise attack at Danzhi, all the hardships were orchestrated by Duan Xu himself.

During a military feast discussing military strategy, he was transferred to a military position; he fought publicly with the son of the Minister of War in defence of Xia Qingsheng sister and was dispatched to the border camp after being accused by Fang Xianye.

It was all a perfect performance from start to finish.

When Duan Xu stationed in Liangzhou, he wrote a secret letter to Fang Xianye, asking him to find a way to send him to attack the north bank and attach a battle plan. Fang Xianye replied with just three words – “You’re crazy.” Not long after, Duan Xu received an order from General Qin to attack the Danzhi territory and cut off the reinforcement route on the north bank.

Fang Xianye would curse, but he rarely refused Duan Xu’s requests, no matter how absurd they seemed.

Later, when he successfully lifted the siege, Fang Xianye, with the help of others, exposed a case of corruption in the Ma administration in the Southern Capital. Duan Xu took the opportunity to submit a memorial to the Emperor, which led to the Emperor reconsidering his decision to attack the Yunluo provinces.

“General Qin told the Duke, that you previously intended to conceal your strength, but this time you acted deceitfully and mercilessly in the military, showing courage and skilful in uniting hearts. In the future, whether in the military or in the court, you will surely become a great trouble.” Fang Xianye said.

“I have never received any praise from General Qin,” Duan Xu replied, “I didn’t know he was praising me behind my back like that. If you want to praise someone, you should do it to their face. How can they know if you praise them behind their back?”

Fang Xianye still couldn’t get used to Duan Xu’s joking tone of speech. He said coldly, “Be serious.”

Duan Xu’s playful expression faded, and he said, “Recently, the Minister of Revenue gave you some tax records with traps hidden inside. There are several discrepancies. If you don’t notice them, he will seize on your negligence. If you investigate further, it will involve the matter of Duke Pei’s son encroaching on land. Be careful.”

“I discovered some significant deficits in the accounts a while ago and used it to threaten him. Naturally, he holds a grudge against me.”

“You threatened him too?”

Fang Xianye glanced at Duan Xu and seemed to be at a loss for words. He pointed towards the direction of the military camp. “Do you know how much money and provisions this war has consumed? The Ministry of Revenue, under the control of Minister Du, has been shouting about the empty state treasury and lack of funds and provisions. If it weren’t for me catching the handle of the Minister of Revenue and forcing him to persuade those wealthy merchants in Jiangnan he sheltered to donate rice and provisions, you would be drinking the northwest wind up north.”

This usually gentle and reserved Fang Xianye, who could turn malicious words into praises, always seemed to change personalities when he met Duan Xu, using cold words. Duan Xu often wondered whether Fang Xianye’s brilliant speeches against him in the court were just acting or sincere.

Duan Xu tapped his teacup against Fang Xianye’s and said, “You’ve had a hard time at the Ministry of Revenue. Thank you for your efforts.”

“Write me fewer letters, and maybe I’ll have less of a hard time,” Fang Xianye retorted, not buying into the sentiment.

Every move Duan Xu made was like walking on thin ice; one misstep could lead to irreversible consequences. Even if he pretended to be at odds, he didn’t need to do it so convincingly. Fang Xianye almost believed that Duan Xu enjoyed the feeling of licking the blade’s edge.

Duan Xu chuckled as expected. “That’s just my way of waging war. As long as I win, it’s fine. You’ll get used to it.”

His unapologetic demeanour left Fang Xianye speechless.

The two exchanged many details about both military and court affairs. After a while, Duan Xu suddenly thought of He Simu. There was a fleeting moment of trance, as if he were observing them from an outsider’s perspective.

From the viewpoint of immortal beings like He Simu, who lived for thousands of years, the meticulous scheming and plotting of mortal beings with only a few decades of life might seem ridiculous, like watching crickets hopping around in a jar.

He didn’t think there was anything wrong with his life of planning and scheming, but he couldn’t stop He Simu from feeling that his life was meaningless.

Duan Xu’s momentary distraction was immediately caught by Fang Xianye, who tapped the table. “Are you daydreaming?”

“I was thinking… Did you meet Jingyuan a few days ago?”

“Yes, we met by chance at Jin’an Temple while seeking shelter from the rain.”

“Do you like her?”

Fang Xianye choked on his hot tea, unable to stop himself from coughing uncontrollably. **Nomad: Is he going to set them up >_<