Court
The sun rose from the horizon in the east, piercing through the clouds and mist with an irresistible brilliance, casting dazzling golden hues on the scattered rooftops of Nandu. It penetrated through open windows, illuminating the previously dim rooms with brightness.
Luo Xian’s hair was styled into a dignified bun behind her, adorned with several elegant jade hairpins. Glancing at the morning light streaming in from outside the window, she knew it was time. So she gathered the splendid jewellery on the table into a jewellery box and handed it to her maid Xiaoyun behind her, saying, “These are for you, along with everything else in this room. They are yours from now on.”
Xiaoyun held the heavy jewellery box in bewilderment, her face filled with confusion.
Luo Xian stood up, adjusted her dark blue clothes, washed her hands in the basin, and then took out incense from the cabinet. She lit it in front of the tablet enshrined in the room, and the smoke gently wafted over her beautiful features. Those were a pair of eyes that always held a gentle smile, regarded by countless dignitaries as eloquent and understanding, the eyes of a woman who embraced all the troubles of the mortal world.
But now, those eyes lacked their usual tenderness and smiles, shrouded in a mist like distant mountains.
Holding the incense in her hands, she slowly knelt down, deeply bowing towards the tablet. She murmured softly, “Father, your daughter is leaving.”
Xiaoyun looked at Luo Xian in astonishment and asked softly, “Miss Luo Xian, where are you going?”
Luo Xian did not respond. She walked to the censer and solemnly inserted the incense into it. Suddenly, there was a commotion downstairs, and the door burst open. A servant, sweating profusely and out of breath, said, “Miss Luo Xian… there’s a carriage downstairs to pick you up… It’s… from the palace.”
Xiaoyun was greatly surprised, but Luo Xian just nodded calmly. She picked up her bundle and walked out of the room. Pausing briefly at the doorway, she turned to Xiaoyun and said, “Go home, back to Luozhou.”
In the main hall, with courtiers in attendance, the morning court was about to begin.
Luo Xian waited outside the grand hall, listening to the discussions and debates emanating from the most solemn and serious place in the world. Among the crimson robes intermingling with various patterns of different ranks, someone subtly glanced outside the door, meeting her gaze. In just a moment, they smiled faintly and withdrew their eyes.
Duan Xu, the third young master of the Duan family, and General Duan.
Luo Xian remembered the end of the second year she met Duan Xu when he came to the Jade Tower as usual, ostensibly to drink and gather intelligence from her. He swirled his wine glass and suddenly asked her if Miss Luo wanted to return to Luozhou.
Luozhou had long fallen into enemy hands, so even if she wanted to return, it would be impossible.
But what if Luozhou was reclaimed?
If I, in this lifetime, witness the liberation of Luozhou, I will definitely return, to honour my ancestors, refine Tianluo, and expel the invaders.
Duan Xu smiled. He was always smiling, and a few words from him would always bring a smile to his face. She suspected he was mocking her overestimation of herself, but she was already accustomed to such disregard and saw no need to defend herself.
However, Duan Xu said, “I do not doubt Miss Luo. How could a young lady who has been entrusted with important tasks by my father and holds sway over both the rivers and the capital be an ordinary person? Hearing Miss Luo’s words, I feel nothing but agreement and admiration. I wonder if we should turn this wish into reality?”
She was very surprised but remained calm, saying that currently, Lord Duan, Prime Minister Du, and His Majesty had no intention of heading north.
“They don’t, but a friend of mine and I do,” said Duan Xu. “Luo Xian, would you like to join us in reclaiming Luozhou?”
“When the Huqi people captured Luozhou, they slaughtered seven to eight out of ten civilians, and almost none of the Tianluo craftsmen survived. The former Minister of Rites, Duan Chengzhang, searched everywhere and finally found the descendants of the Tianluo craftsmen and the book on ore refining. Now that Luozhou is recovered, we should present the book to His Majesty and reopen the Luozhou mines.”
A voice from within the hall spoke, sounding older, deliberate, and dignified.
Luo Xian thought it was Prime Minister Du.
A eunuch carrying a duster emerged from the door and kindly said to her, “Miss Luo, please.”
Luo Xian nodded. She lifted her skirt, turned, and stepped into the doorway, feeling countless eyes on her. The grand hall, with its massive crimson pillars, intricate carvings on the ceiling, and high steps, was filled with esteemed figures below and the most revered middle-aged emperor in yellow dragon-patterned robes above. As a renowned beauty in Nandu, many people in the court were familiar faces to her. Nevertheless, she walked steadily to the centre of the grand hall, knelt down, and raised a yellowed scroll high above her head.
“I, Luo Xian, of the Luo family of Luozhou, am a descendant of Tianluo miners for five generations, and my great-grandfather, Luo Fenghe, was in charge of the Shixi mine in Luozhou and died at the hands of the Huqi. Before his death, he set fire to destroy the mine and wrote down the secret method of refining Tianluo. The book has been passed down through the generations, and I now offer it to His Majesty to celebrate the recovery of Luozhou and to comfort the souls of the countless victims.”
Her voice was strong and resolute, her chest held high as she lifted the scroll. Luo Xian’s fingers were slender and beautiful, with calluses from years of playing musical instruments. These hands had taken lives, played music, and would refine the best Tianluo from raw ore in the future, just like her ancestors before her.
The eunuch took the scroll from her hands and presented it to the emperor. She remained prostrated on the ground, listening as the emperor spoke, “Miss Luo, loyal and meritorious, you are the only one left with great contributions to the country. Do you have any wishes?”
“I only wish to go to Luozhou and contribute my modest efforts to the mines,” replied Luo Xian.
“Very well, I will appoint you as a county princess, with the title Hua Luo, and you will go to Luozhou to study and instruct.”
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.” Luo Xian bowed before leaving the grand hall under the guidance of the eunuch, the eyes of the crowd following this legendary lady. Neither Duan Xu nor Fang Xianye was an exception. When they withdrew their gazes and met each other’s eyes across the courtiers, Duan Xu nodded slightly with a smile.
Just a few days ago, when he and Fang Xianye told Luo Xian that the time was ripe, Du Xiang was about to report to the emperor regarding her and the Tianluo Mine, Fang Xianye made it clear to Luo Xian that he would also find a way to go to the Yunluo and Luozhou. He bowed to her and said, “Miss Luo, would you be willing to assist me in Yunluo and Luozhou and establish another Jade Tower?”
According to the art of war, when strangeness meets regularity, to recapture the remaining fourteen states, there must not only be open confrontation but also covert assassinations and intelligence gathering. Luo Xian was stunned for a moment, then smiled and bowed, saying, “For the sake of the country’s great cause, to expel the enemy, I am willing to risk my life.”
The emperor’s gaze fell on Fang Xianye, and he said with a faint smile, “Minister Fang’s articles are extremely exquisite. I have heard that you are the foremost figure in the literary world of Nandu, and even the Empress Dowager is very fond of your poems, praising them endlessly. The Qing poems used in the recent celestial ceremony were penned by Minister Fang. Yesterday, auspicious signs appeared, and it seems that your poems have pleased the heavens, so you should be duly rewarded. I grant you a thousand taels of gold, three boxes of pearls from the South Sea, two screens of jade, and five bolts of Yun brocade.”
Fang Xianye bowed in thanks and then said aloud, “It is already a great fortune for me to be appreciated by Your Majesty for my humble writings. I dare not ask for more rewards. However, I have one request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it.”
“Speak.”
“I have heard that Your Majesty is considering candidates for the Yunluo border patrol inspection. I dare to recommend myself to alleviate Your Majesty’s worries.”
Most of the people in the court, including the emperor, showed surprise. Du Xiang was able to maintain his composure, but Zheng An’s surprise could not be concealed. Everyone knew that this position was almost certainly his.
The emperor looked at Duke Pei, who stood silently on one side, then at Du Xiang on the other side, and casually said, “Minister Fang has a unique vision and meticulous thinking. I believe he can come up with new strategies. However, he is still young after all. Minister Zheng, what do you think?”
Zheng An’s expression had returned to normal. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, Minister Fang is indeed a young talent, but unfortunately, he has never been to the two states and is not very familiar with construction and horse affairs. I’m afraid Minister Fang may not be suitable.”
“Minister Zheng, you are mistaken.” Fang Xianye stood up straight and turned to Zheng An, saying, “Each department in the court has its own responsibilities. Even when it comes to financial matters, Prime Minister’s knowledge of the Ministry of Revenue is no better than that of Minister Wang, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Managing a region has always been about knowing and appointing talents. If it’s a professional matter, then a professional should handle it. Should Minister Zheng, as the Minister of the Grand Stables, know about horse affairs, just like Minister of the Ministry of Works knows about construction?”
Zheng An smiled coldly and said, “Minister Fang’s words are sharp, but the premise of knowing and appointing talents is having the right people. Minister Fang, do you know who the talents are that can assist in military and political affairs in the two states?”
Fang Xianye also smiled lightly and said, “It seems Minister Zheng has already planned ahead, deciding who will hold each position in the Yunluo and Luozhou. So, is it not true that you will have sole control over the two states? The two gentlemen involved in the previous corruption case in horse affairs are naturally knowledgeable about horse affairs, but once they become corrupt and fail to supervise, they will protect each other, allowing the powerful to annex the pastures and falsify the number of horses. Minister Zheng, do not repeat the mistakes of the past.”
Zheng An couldn’t believe that Fang Xianye dared to bring up the horse affairs corruption case, and couldn’t help but angrily say, “Fang Xianye! You dare to slander me!”
However, Fang Xianye ignored him, turned to the emperor, and bowed down, saying, “Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the two states. Without relying on personal connections, I will select and employ local talents. Even if the Huqi people have thoughts of surrender, they can still be used. In the Danzhi area, the news of Your Majesty’s benevolence has spread, and the Han people look to Your Majesty’s army. The Huqi people are also willing to surrender without a fight. Additionally, the Yuzhou pastures occupy a vast area, which is not within the jurisdiction of the internal territory. The situation is special. I request Your Majesty to appoint a Yuzhou pastoral supervisor, with a position equivalent to that of the Minister of the Grand Stables. They should report directly to Your Majesty without going through the border patrol envoy, and the same should be done for the Luozhou mine supervisor. I am willing to ensure the stability of the border and the prosperity of the capital and Chang’an.”
Behind the crowd, Duan Xu smiled as he looked at Fang Xianye kneeling on the ground. A few days ago, they discussed today’s rhetoric. Luo Xian’s analysis was correct: the emperor actually had no intention of heading north. If not for the fact that the Huqi people had reached their doorstep, they wouldn’t have counterattacked and pushed back north of the passes.
Even the attack on the two states was due to the horse affairs corruption case. The emperor feared that if the Danzhi learned of the weakness of the Daliang cavalry, they would come to attack. Therefore, he hastily took Yunluo and Luozhou to demonstrate his strength.
The current emperor was a leader who maintained the status quo as he aged. Building horse ranches and mines was to showcase national strength rather than actually planning to attack the Danzhi. Persuading him wasn’t about making grand promises of accomplishments, but rather about avoiding war altogether and still gaining territory.
On the other hand, the intensifying factional disputes in the court naturally resulted from the emperor’s tolerance. He enjoyed watching officials squabble and balance each other out to avoid endangering his own position. However, as the time came to establish a crown prince, the factional disputes would inevitably evolve into a struggle for succession. He wanted them to compete, but not to the extent of causing chaos.
Over on Duke Pei’s side, he had just suffered a severe setback due to the horse affairs corruption case, and Du Xiang was taking advantage of the situation. Naturally, the emperor couldn’t allow Du Xiang to become too powerful.
Sure enough, the emperor smiled and said to Fang Xianye, “Minister Fang’s words are very appropriate.”
Zheng An anxiously said, “Your Majesty!”
But the emperor waved his hand to stop him and said, “In that case, Zheng An will be the border patrol envoy, and Fang Xianye will be the deputy envoy. They will go to the two states together with Princess Hua Luo. As for what Minister Fang said about employing local talents and appointing a supervisor for Yuzhou pastures and Luo state mines, it shall be done according to his instructions.”
Fang Xianye smiled and bowed, saying, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You might still not win against Zheng An,” Duan Xu whispered.
During the discussion, Duan Xu had mentioned that Zheng An was older and more experienced, and the emperor had already discussed it with Du Xiang, so he was unlikely to change his mind on the spot.
The goal was to compromise. Being appointed as the deputy envoy and preventing Zheng An from placing all his people in Yunluo was the target. As long as he wasn’t the sole authority, going together with him, with Luo Xian’s help, would eventually provide an opportunity to gradually sideline him.
Returning to his position, Fang Xianye smiled faintly.
The rest of the court proceedings passed with a few matters. There was a report of mountain bandits causing trouble in Hu state, so Duan Xu volunteered to raise troops to suppress the bandits in Hu state, and the emperor readily agreed.
“As for me, I now want to establish my own army and train it from scratch according to my own ideas,” said Duan Xu on that day.
After everything was rehearsed, it was already late at night, with the sky pitch black without stars or moon. Duan Xu leaned against the window and let out a long sigh. He turned his head to ask Fang Xianye, “Do you think this world can really become what we want it to be?”
Fang Xianye was somewhat surprised, as it was Duan Xu who had initially convinced him. He remained silent for a moment, then blew out the candle on the table and spoke in the darkness.
“Whether we succeed or not, we must try. As we journey through the depths of the night, there will eventually be dawn.”
After the morning court ended, the ministers filed out of the hall one after another. Duan Xu and Fang Xianye met on the narrow path, neither looking at each other as they walked into the vibrant summer sunlight.
They appeared as strangers to each other, but their shadows overlapped on the ground, following along the same path.
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