Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Chapter 8 (part 3)

In the courtyard of the side wing, Yelü Zongzhen is thumbing through the student register while Han Jieli speaks with Yelü Dashi. In total, five young men have been called here: Helian Bo, Cai Yan, Duan Ling, another boy with the Xianbei surname Huyan, and the son of a Liao north-side bureaucrat.

Dean Tang signals to Duan Ling and Cai Yan that they should follow Yelü Zongzhen. “Answer whatever His Majesty asks you.”

Duan Ling’s heart beats wildly in his chest, unable to discern their visitor’s intentions. Did Yelü Zongzhen come to pick someone? What is he picking someone for?

Hands clasped behind his back, Yelü Zongzhen walks in the front and the five of them follow closely behind. Every once in a while, Zongzhen would say something; it’s no deeper than how many years they have spent in Biyong, how have they been faring in their studies and so on, presumably he’s checking on their schooling. Duan Ling is surprised to find that this young emperor doesn’t seem to possess any less knowledge than they do. Evidently, while in Shangjing, he has also toiled hard at his studies.

And outside of Helian Bo, all the others who’ve come are those who written the best essays at the Biyong College entrance exams back in spring.

“I read your essays last night. You all have very good handwriting. Now that we’ve met I see that your calligraphy is just as you are, each charming in your own way. Not bad.”

The five of them immediately bow to thank him.

“You two are Han.” Yelü Zongzhen takes a seat in the courtyard. “Recent news from the south has presumably by now spread far and wide. Let’s hear what the two of you think.”

The director of academic affairs carries in a tray of snacks and tea. Yelü Zongzhen takes a sip of tea, and says to them smilingly, “We don’t have to have so many rules here, just go ahead and speak freely. I’m not expecting to hear anything pertinent — let’s just have a chat.”

Cai Yan speaks up then, “Your Majesty, I’m Khitan.”

Yelü Zongzhen seems startled at first, but then he breaks into a smile. “You’re quite right, subject Cai. No offense, I hope.”

“With the way things in Jiangnan stand, we should not campaign without careful planning. Great Liao has occupied the central plain for a hundred years; better opportunities than this have presented themselves before, but one which gave us the chance to capture the entire south, never.”

Yelü Zongzhen hums in agreement with a nod.

Cai Yan continues, “A fight between two tigers must leave one wounded, Li Jianhong and Zhao Kui are those two tigers. Since Li Jianhong had already received help from Great Liao, we may as well help him control Zhao Kui in exchange for the six counties along the central west road.”

Yelü Zongzhen seems to ponder this in silence. Cai Yan knows he’s said enough, and so he stops there.

“What do you think, Duan Ling? Your essay mentioned ‘Internal sage, external sovereign’, an old concept explained in a fresh new way. It made quite an impression on me.”

Duan Ling can now roughly guess what Yelü Zongzhen’s intention for coming here is — he hasn’t come for the express purpose of meeting Duan Ling, and he’s not here because he’s found out anything new. The young emperor’s reasons for coming to Shangjing is quite simple. He may simply be here to find several study partners to help him pass the time.

“It means to convince the commoners to obey with benevolent rule. Where your Majesty’s heart points you, that is the way of benevolence. Benevolent rule is open and above-board, what’s called ‘overt scheming’. All actions must be led with a virtuous cause; ‘faith’ and ‘justice’ are part of benevolent rule. With Yuan at our borders looking on Great Liao’s territories with greed, now is not the time to break faith with others. A nation cannot stand if people cannot have faith in it.”

Yelü Zongzhen hums low in his throat, nods, and says with a smile, “You came from a merchant family, so you probably see having good faith as the greatest virtue. Only by not breaking faith can one convince others with sincerity. You’re correct.”

Yelü Zongzhen shoots Duan Ling a glance, but Duan Ling is still lost in thought; judging only by this split second’s expression, Yelü Zongzhen has realised that Duan Ling still has something to say, and he sends him an inquisitive look his way. But Duan Ling shakes his head, and smiles back at him.

Yelü Zongzhen answers that with a smile as well, and does not push him further.

“Is everyone here willing to come with me to Zhongjing?” Yelü Zongzhen finishes.

Who’d dare say no when the emperor asks a thing like that? Duan Ling’s heart quietly exclaims oh no, but still, on the outside he has no other option but to assent.

“Very good,” Yelü Zongzhen says, “Then go spend some time with your family for the next little while. When the time comes someone will notify you.”

Han Jieli approaches now to respectfully lead Yelü Zongzhen out, and they all walk him out of Biyong College. The dean, as well as all their directors also come to see him out. Yelü Zongzhen boards his carriage, and leaves the college behind.

It’s only once they’re gone that Duan Ling realises that sweat has soaked through the clothes on this back. Everyone is shooting glances at each other; the eyes of those young men who haven’t been chosen filled with envy, while those chosen are burdened by their own worries.

Dean Tang tells him, “Since you’ve been chosen, you can go home today. If you want to stay at Biyong College, that’s alright as well. Do whatever you like, just don’t leave the city.”

If he has a choice Duan Ling would really rather not go. He believes that Yelü Zongzhen hasn’t figured out his identity, and Yelü Dashi may have never even told him about Duan Ling. Judging by the Northern Prince’s preoccupied expression, he must have been busy with winning the political power struggle between himself and Han Jieli’s father, and hasn’t had any time to spare to think about him.

But what’s of vital importance is whether his father can win this war in the south. As long as Li Jianhong wins, then all these problems can be solved as easily as a knife splitting bamboo. It doesn’t matter whether he remains in Shangjing or travels to Zhongjing with Yelü Zongzhen. With his father’s abilities he can sneak in and get him out anytime he wants.

However if Liao decides to send troops right now and march on the central plain in a large scale invasion while Li Jianhong and Zhao Kui are at an impasse, everything is going to become even more complicated.

When he returns to his room, Duan Ling sits on his bed and lets his mind wander as sunlight slants through the window panes.

Cai Yan has returned as well. He takes out the jade arc and sets it on the table. It touches down with a light clink.

“It’s good stuff. Don’t lose it.”

“Thank you,” Duan Ling replies, and gives him back his copper. Cai Yan seems to want to say something, but holds his tongue. He thinks Cai Yan must have figured it out, but as long as Duan Ling doesn’t say it, Cai Yan’s not about to ask either.

“Where do you plan to go next?” Cai Yan lets out a long breath and sits down on the bed.

In spite of it all, Duan Ling would like to stay at Biyong College since he can hear about what’s happening in the south that way. He gives this some thought. “Dad’s not back yet. It’s more lively here.”

“You should go home. We’ve been chosen as study partners so some people are going to get jealous. They may even gossip about you and cause you trouble.”

Thinking about it, Duan Ling realises that’s true too. He packs his things and leaves alongside Cai Yan.

“I’ll come over to your house tonight and we can chat,” Cai Yan adds.

Duan Ling says, “I’ll come over to your house.”

“I’ll come over to your house,” Cai Yan repeats.

Duan Ling nods, and arranges to meet Cai Yan at sundown on the bridge first, where they’ll head to a restaurant for dinner, then to the bathhouse for a bath before staying at Duan Ling’s house for the night.

It is the sixth month, and Shangjing’s plants are beautifully green and lush this time of year. Duan Ling only gets to go home once a month, but he never comes home to see the plants withered, and someone has been watering them regularly. Perhaps the Viburnum has received instructions from his father to come look after their estate from time to time.

The peach tree has given many unripe fruits, but they never quite managed to get all that big. Duan Ling takes a nap first; he dreams of Li Jianhong, who’s still in the south, but as for the particulars of the dream, he’s basically forgotten it all by the time he wakes up. Duan Ling must let Li Jianhong know as soon as possible that he’s been chosen to go to Zhongjing. So Duan Ling writes a letter, using the same In stormy weather I descend the west pavilion alone to hint at his father that he may be moving.2 He’ll give it to Xunchun. She’ll probably get someone to take the message to Li Jianhong.

He’ll have to make a trip to the Viburnum before the sun sets. Duan Ling tucks the letter in his clothes, and as he’s about to leave, there is suddenly a knocking at the gate.

“Duan estate?” A guard comes in, looking at Duan Ling.

“Yes it is,” Duan Ling replies.

A carriage from the northern administration is stopped on the avenue outside his home, and the guard gestures palm up, if you’d please. Duan Ling still has that letter on him and so he says, “I’ll come once I get ready.”

With a wave of his hand the guard stops Duan Ling. “Come right now.”

This chapter is scrapped from readlightnovel.org

Duan Ling is starting to get nervous, but there’s nothing he can do but board the carriage. To his surprise, the curtain opens to reveal Yelü Zongzhen’s face.

“Your Majesty!” Duan Ling says, astonished.

“Shh.” Yelü Zongzhen gives him a smile. “Come on in.”

Duan Ling calms down a bit, and under the escort of several bodyguards they drive down the avenue towards the eastern district. Yelü Zongzhen says, “Batu wrote me a letter before. The letter spoke of you.”

How Yelü Zongzhen refers to himself has changed subtly from “me” to “me”. Duan Ling has noticed this as well.

“Is he doing well? But actually, he’s never written to me.”

“He’s doing pretty well. A long time ago, him and I met a few times. He said that you’re his anda.”

“Actually, it doesn’t really count. I haven’t given him an item as a token yet.”

Yelü Zongzhen starts to laugh. Duan Ling too, smiles back, a bit embarrassed.

Zongzhen has inherited Empress Xiao’s eyes. There was once a rumour that this emperor was conceived out of wedlock between Han Weiyong and Empress Xiao. Years ago, everyone in Zhongjing was talking about it. Only once he grew up and his features matured, his thick eyebrows automatically bringing to mind the bold, rugged markings of the Liao great ancestor, that all of those speculations were dropped.

He has a warrior’s eyebrows, nose, and lips. When he’s quiet there’s a calm, restrained deadly coldness to him that’s just barely discernible, and when he smiles it disappears in an instant, like a knife wrapped in candy. He likes to smile very much, and his smile is full of friendliness, but from time to time the look in his eyes seems to suggest that he has a lot on his mind.

“What were you going to say earlier that you didn’t end up saying?” Yelü Zongzhen is leaning against the wall next to the window, absentmindedly tapping his fingers on the latticework.

A brazen idea suddenly emerges out of Duan Ling’s heart.

Batu has closed their distance. That means there are some things he’s allowed to say now.

“I …” Duan Ling ponders for a moment.

“Speak your piece, Duan Ling. I often think about how there really is no one in the world who’s able to speak much of their minds. Do not disappoint me.”

Duan Ling understands now.

“The Han family wishes to dispatch an army. Before they finish fording the river, attack them on the water.”3

“Correct,” Yelü Zongzhen replies.

“The Northern Prince wants to reestablish friendly relations with Southern Chen and continue the Treaty of Huai River.” Duan Ling continues, “He wants to fight the Mongolians together.”

“Correct.”

Presumably both the southern and northern administrations have gone over the big picture of the current situation countless times. In practice, the one who has real power in this country is Empress Xiao. Yelü Zongzhen is nominally the emperor, but he can’t make any real decisions. Yelü Zongzhen has probably come to Shangjing at a time like this for nothing so simple as picking a few study partners — perhaps his real intention is to meet with Yelü Dashi.

In the end, Duan Ling says, “The Han family … yes, the Northern Prince …”

Yelü Zongzhen glances at Duan Ling. Duan Ling can feel something complicated in Yelü Zongzhen’s gaze, something he thinks he’s seen in someone else’s eyes before.

Cai Yan. In that instant, the look in his eyes is a bit like that he’s seen in Cai Yan’s, but it’s gone in a blink. Duan Ling can tell that it is helplessness, anger, and indignance. Yelü Zongzhen must be at the end of his rope when it comes to the relationship between Empress Xiao and Han Weiyong, and having the power of the sovereign fall into the hands of an outsider must fill him with hatred even more so.

“That’s why now is not the time to march. If they do, things will really get out of hand. In the best case scenario, Liao annexes Jiangzhou and the surrounding areas, while Xichuan goes to Chen, and the areas north of the Great Wall goes to Yuan. If that happens, Chen and Yuan will ally and invade our sovereign territory. In the worst case scenario, Liao will end up both unable to take Jiangnan, and can’t get back to the central plain either. In that case the Mongolians will launch a full-scale invasion.”

Yelü Zongzhen hums in agreement.

Duan Ling doesn’t say anymore, and Yelü Zongzhen adds, “Let’s go do a bit of sightseeing at Shangjing’s most famous Viburnum this evening.”

“Sure,” Duan Ling replies with a smile.

I do not monetise my hobby translations, but if you’d like to support my work generally or support my light novel habit, you can either buy me a coffee or commission me. This is also to note that if you see this message anywhere else than on tumblr, do come to my tumblr. It’s ad-free. ↩︎

It’s the fourth line from a poem called “Farewell at the Xie Pavilion”, by Xu Hun. I’ve translated the whole thing here. ↩︎

From the Commentary of Zuo. Duan Ling mentioned he was reading it when he first met Li Jianhong. ↩︎