Chapter Nineteen: The Naïve Youth Speaks of Peace

"Qihan" is not a festival.

It is a term used when the coldest weather arrives, signifying a prayer for the harsh winter to pass as quickly as possible. On this day, people dress in their finest, don various masks, and sing and dance in a performance known as the "Qihan Skill." It is difficult to accurately verify exactly where this dance originated or when it first became popular, though it is said to have come from the countries of the Western Regions.

The specific time for Qihan is roughly in the middle of the twelfth lunar month, after the arrival of "Great Cold."

On the day of Qihan, Zheng Yanqing and his companions did not practice polo. Everyone returned to their respective homes; apart from Shen Guang and Xu Shiji, who remained at the Bamboo Garden, the others went back to reunite with their families. In ten days, it would be the twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month, after which intense training would resume, likely leaving no further opportunity to return home.

Meanwhile, the South Garden drill ground on the outskirts of the city also began to prepare feverishly.

News had arrived from the palace that on the twenty-eighth, Emperor Yang Guang would lead his civil and military officials to the Xuanwu Gate of the South Garden to observe a match.

The South Garden drill ground, also known as the Round Wall City, served as the outer perimeter of the Imperial City, where the Imperial Guard was garrisoned.

Once the news spread, it inevitably caused a sensation. For a time, Mai Zhong and Zheng Yanqing became the focus of all Luoyang. On the surface, the two were competing for a beauty, but in reality, this polo match had evolved into a power struggle between the new and old nobility—a situation no one could stop now.

At the Thunderbolt Hall in the Copper Camel Ward, Zhangsun Sheng received a guest.

"Brother Jisheng, how did such a big commotion come about?"

As soon as the visitor entered the room, he complained in a low voice, "I know that child's temperament; he wouldn't easily jump out to cause trouble. How did he end up in a conflict with the Mai family boy for no reason? And another thing—didn't you promise to take him as your disciple? It’s almost the first lunar month now, so why hasn't there been any movement?"

There were not many people who could speak to Zhangsun Sheng without reservation, or even in a tone of reproach.

Under the lamplight, the visitor appeared to be in his early forties. Perhaps due to overwork, his hair and beard were gray. His face was slightly long, and his lips were somewhat thin. Especially when he pursed his lips in displeasure, he bore a striking resemblance to an old woman.

This man was none other than the Duke of Tang and Governor of Loufan, Li Yuan. Since Yang Guang’s ascension, Li Yuan had served successively as the Governor of Xingyang and Loufan. While in Xingyang, he executed Yang Hao, successfully deterring the restless Shandong gentry and pacifying the He-Luo region. After arriving in Loufan, he repeatedly repelled Turkic incursions.

While defending, he also took the initiative. He ordered his cavalry to dress in Turkic attire and launch harassment and sneak attacks, resulting in frequent reports of victory. However, the Turks eventually discovered his tactics and tightened their defenses, forcing Li Yuan to cease these raids. In any case, during his three years as governor, Li Yuan’s achievements in both civil and military administration were outstanding.

Therefore, as the new year approached, Yang Guang issued an edict for Li Yuan to return to Luoyang to serve as the Junior Secretary of the Palace, and he would be stationed in Chang'an the following year.

In terms of rank, Li Yuan had been promoted. However, in terms of actual power, the Junior Secretary of the Palace was the head of the Palace Department, in charge of court offerings and affairs, holding a third-rank title, which was higher than the Governor of Loufan. Furthermore, being away from the bitter, cold frontier and living in the prosperous capital of Chang'an seemed, by all accounts, to be a sign of Yang Guang's high regard for Li Yuan. But Li Yuan knew that Yang Guang’s move to transfer him back to Chang'an was actually out of suspicion. After all, he had performed exceptionally well in Loufan over the past two years.

Since ancient times, elite troops have come from You and Bing; Loufan not only produced elite troops but also cavalry. Yang Guang was not at ease with Li Yuan holding such a strategic location. Even though Li Yuan was a relative, in Yang Guang’s eyes, he was still a member of the Guanzhong nobility and a descendant of the Eight Pillar Generals, posing far too great a threat.

Li Yuan understood Yang Guang’s intentions well enough. Without a word, he sent his family to Chang'an while he himself came to Luoyang. However, he had only just arrived and had not yet found his footing when he heard about the conflict between Zheng Yanqing and Mai Zhong. Li Yuan could have asked Dou Wei, but it was already late and the city gates were closed, so he had to come to Zhangsun Sheng first.

"Shude, this is a long story. Sit down first and listen to me slowly."

Zhangsun Sheng felt a bit strange. Why would the usually cautious and steady Li Yuan care so much about a boy with a different surname?

He ordered wine to be prepared and closed the door.

"Shude, since my return, due to my health, I haven't been able to summon Zheng Yanqing immediately. Who would have thought that just as my health improved, rumors started circulating in the streets that Zheng Yanqing had molested the daughter of Pei Renji, Pei Cuiyun, in public. You know how much I detest such behavior. If it weren't for that, why would I have declined when the Duke of Puyang wanted his grandson to study under me?"

"Pei Cuiyun? Is that the talented lady of the Hedong Pei clan?"

"Exactly!"

As soon as Zhangsun Sheng finished speaking, Li Yuan shook his head immediately: "That’s impossible. How old is Yanqing? How could he do such a thing? If he were that kind of person, how could he write the poem 'A scholar would rather burn to death than be a Duke'? I wouldn't have recommended him to you either."

"Shude, listen to me... this matter was later proven to be a rumor. The conflict between Zheng Yanqing and Mai Zhong happened during the time I was hesitating. I found it strange at the time; although the Mai boy is arrogant, he wouldn't easily stir up trouble. He really does like Pei Cuiyun, which is no secret in Chang'an. When Pei Renji was in Chang'an years ago, Mai Zhong pursued Pei Cuiyun, but was rejected, and she later returned to Hedong."

"And then?"

"Speaking of this, it was also the meddling of the old pillar general, Master Yu. It was a simple matter, but once he got involved, it became complicated. Later, Pei Xingyan, Xue Shou, and that group of youngsters got involved. Added to Zheng Yanqing's background, I don't know how it spiraled into the current situation. You know that both the Zheng family and the Pei family, as well as the Hedong Xue clan, are all Guandong aristocratic families; whereas the origin of the old pillar general Mai is not quite 'clean,' and he is a southerner, so many in the court are not convinced by him... Slowly, this polo match turned into a dispute between the new and old nobility. To the point that even His Majesty is unwilling to come forward to mediate."

Li Yuan thought to himself: He certainly wouldn't come forward to mediate!

As an emperor, whether it be the rising nobility like Mai Tiezhang or the established clans like Pei Shiju, he would be happy to see them in conflict. In Yang Guang's heart, he likely hoped for them to fight, and the harder they fought, the better. Only when they had exhausted each other would he step in to mediate, further strengthening his control over both sides. As a descendant of the Eight Pillar Generals, it was impossible for Li Yuan not to understand such imperial strategy.

"Jisheng, that’s not what I'm asking. I mean, who spread the rumors?"

Zhangsun Sheng frowned. "That is also why I didn't come forward. I originally wanted to observe a little longer to see who was playing tricks in the dark... but for some reason, the rumors suddenly stopped. I hadn't even had time to arrange things before I had to stop the investigation. Brother Shude, you should know that if I had come forward, and if someone really were meddling behind the scenes, they would have immediately lowered their profile. I don't want to create an enemy for no reason. If I can't find out clearly, I won't act."

"Then you mean..." Li Yuan's tone was somewhat unpleasant.

This made Zhangsun Sheng even more curious. Li Shude was famously good-tempered and rarely spoke in this tone. Even when Yang Guang called him "Granny Face" to his face because of his appearance, Li Yuan never got angry.

"Shude, don't misunderstand. I never said I would go back on my word. In fact, this Zheng Yanqing is indeed young but exceptionally talented, and his vision and insight are far beyond the ordinary. Look, this is the 'Treatise on Peace' that Xue Shou wrote not long ago. Haha, according to that old man Xue Daoheng, Xue Shou was inspired by Zheng Yanqing to write this... And this sentence: 'The gentleman says: When dwelling in the high temple, worry for the people; when far away in the rivers and lakes, worry for the ruler; to worry before the world worries, and to enjoy only after the world enjoys.' Do you know whose words these are?"

Li Yuan thought for a moment and said in surprise, "Could it be from Zheng Yanqing?"

Zhangsun Sheng smiled, "It seems you know Zheng Yanqing quite well... That's right, these words came from him."

"Three years have passed, and the child of the past has actually grown to this extent?" There was a trace of envy and a trace of relief in Li Yuan’s words.

This led Zhangsun Sheng to wonder: Could it be that this Zheng Yanqing is Li Shude’s illegitimate son? Otherwise, why would he speak in such a tone?

"However, don't be too happy yet." Zhangsun Sheng poured a bucket of cold water on him: "Xue Shou's 'Treatise on Peace' did not make His Majesty very happy. When I was accompanying him two days ago, His Majesty said to me: 'Two greenhorns, what do they know of the world's great affairs? How dare they talk loosely about "Peace"?'"

Hearing this, Li Yuan could not help but gasp.

"Don't be nervous. Although His Majesty is not very happy, he won't do anything to Zheng Yanqing and the others. Moreover, His Majesty highly appreciated this warning from Zheng Yanqing and even said that if all the civil and military officials could be like this, he could rest easy... I estimate that His Majesty will not employ them for the time being, and might even suppress them a bit. But in the future, they will definitely be of great use."

Li Yuan rubbed his cheeks. "Also, it's probably not appropriate for him to write a 'Treatise on Peace' at this time. Suppressing him a bit is fine, it can temper his spirit. Relying on a little talent to talk nonsense, it’s inevitable that trouble will follow."

He didn't know if he was talking about Xue Shou or Zheng Yanqing.

In any case, both Li Yuan and Zhangsun Sheng knew very well...

"Regarding the rumor, although there is no clue, I have already formed a judgment. As far as I know, the grandson of the Poye Tou family also pursued Pei Cuiyun and was beaten up by Mai Zhong for it. I suspect privately that this matter has something to do with Yuwen Chengzhi... Mai Zhong was merely incited by Yuwen Chengzhi and is now riding a tiger, unable to get off."

"Yuwen Chengzhi?" Li Yuan frowned and said softly, "I don't like that child. As for the children of the Poye Tou family, I prefer General Tianbao. At such a young age, he is decisive in battle. In the war against Tuyuhun earlier this year, if it weren't for this child slaying the enemy generals and seizing their flags, I'm afraid Old Xue wouldn't have defeated Fuyun so easily. It's just a pity that Fuyun escaped."

"Haha, that's Old Xue's business, it has nothing to do with us. I plan to take him as my disciple after this polo match."

Li Yuan could understand Zhangsun Sheng's thinking. After all, if he came forward now and announced he was taking Zheng Yanqing as a disciple, he would easily be drawn into the whirlpool of the struggle between the new and old nobility. If he won the match, taking him as a disciple would be a natural progression. If he lost, taking him as a disciple would allow him to stay in Luoyang. No matter the result, it would be beneficial for Zheng Yanqing. Would Mai Zhong dare to run to the Thunderbolt Hall and demand that Zhangsun Sheng kick Zheng Yanqing out? Not to mention Mai Zhong, even Mai Tiezhang wouldn't have the guts.

Li Yuan set his worries aside and chatted with Zhangsun Sheng for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, Li Yuan prepared to leave.

As he was about to step out, Zhangsun Sheng suddenly asked, "Shude, what is your relationship with this Zheng Yanqing?"

This question left Li Yuan opening his mouth, not knowing how to answer...