MSW Chapter88

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Ever since the young emperor moved south, King Xin began the reconstruction of Yu’an to build a new imperial city. King Xin was the late emperor’s eldest brother, a concubine-born eldest son, and had once vied for the throne. Unfortunately, he lost and left Liangdu disheartened.

 

Princes of Daliang were not permitted to leave their fiefdoms without an imperial decree.

 

King Xin was gone for many years, and he harbored an unusual obsession with Liangdu. He wanted to rebuild an imperial city in Yu’an, a city that was less for the young Emperor Xiao Xun and more for himself. The human resources, materials, and finances consumed by the imperial city’s reconstruction were extraordinary; even the wealthy Yu’an found it quite strenuous. The officials under King Xin naturally advised against it, but he was always autocratic and simply wouldn’t listen.

 

No one expected that the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the first to be built, would collapse like that, and on the day of ‘Dragon Head-Raising[mfn]A traditional festival[/mfn]’, no less. It felt like an ominous sign, causing widespread panic. Though it was said to be nearing completion, it was merely the roughly constructed main hall. Even so, the collapse of the Hall of Supreme Harmony’s main hall was no small matter. Over a hundred laborers were trapped inside and had yet to be dug out. Public sentiment was inflamed. In the imperial court, the implicated officials from Liangdu and the officials in charge of Yu’an blamed and shirked responsibility, fiercely bickering and tearing at each other.

 

Ever since Li Chengyi took on duties before the emperor, he would often visit Mu Peixuan when he had nothing to do. Now, he hasn’t come for several days already. Mu Peixuan, as a prince, found it inconvenient to interfere with Yu’an’s affairs, so he discreetly ordered people to quietly investigate the collapse of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Wenfeng Yuan was showing initial results. In a few days, they had grasped most of the situation, and it was Ruan Xiu who came to report.

 

Ruan Xiu, who was disguised, respectfully said, “The reconstruction of the imperial city was a joint effort between the Ministry of Works and King Xin’s subordinates. The nanmu wood, glazed tiles, golden bricks, and other materials used were all purchased and transported by King Xin’s retainers.”

 

Duan Linzhou asked, “Where did the silver for rebuilding the imperial city come from?”

 

Ruan Xiu replied, “King Xin Mansion and the national treasury each contributed half, and it’s said that the Ministry of Revenue even issued a receipt for the silver from King Xin Mansion.”

 

Duan Linzhou tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, “They certainly play their abacus well.”

 

And indeed, it was a good calculation. The court’s hasty relocation had already caused instability among the people. Upon arrival, such massive construction of an imperial city could only lead to public resentment. Ruan Xiu said, “Boss also knows that with such a large project, there are many tricks involved. Liangdu and Yu’an were already at odds, and now that they’re forced to work together, they trip each other up every so often.”

 

“It’s these conscripted laborers who are truly pitiable. They hadn’t even had a peaceful New Year before being drafted,” Ruan Xiu continued. “The overseer is a distant relative from King Xin’s concubine’s family, a concubine-born son of the Meng clan. To finish the work early and curry favor with King Xin, this man not only withheld the laborers’ rations but also forced them to work at least seven or eight hours a day, rotating shifts day and night. They were already doing heavy labor, and with the laborers constantly hungry and cold and so exhausted… bodies are dragged out every night in the dead of darkness.”

 

After reporting, Ruan Xiu quietly withdrew.

 

Mu Peixuan softly said to Duan Linzhou, “In a few days, the situation will likely worsen. At that time, the Jinyiwei and King Xin Mansion will both get involved. Have the Wenfeng Yuan personnel withdraw first.”

 

Duan Linzhou nodded.

 

Unexpectedly, later on, it wasn’t just the Jinyiwei and King Xin Mansion that got involved; even the Three Judicial Bureau became embroiled.

 

“The people crushed inside were just commoners serving in corvée labor. In any dynasty, there have always been deaths during corvée, so no one really took this matter to heart. Who knew that a commoner named He Xingge would strike the Dengwen Drum[mfn]The drum for grievances[/mfn] to appeal for justice? Where did she get such courage to dare strike the Dengwen Drum?”

 

Li Chengyi arrived, rain-soaked. The day after the Hall of Supreme Harmony collapsed, it started raining in Yu’an City. The late winter rain was cold, drizzling down, with dark clouds overhead as if no light could penetrate. He had been busy for days, looking a bit tired, with dark circles under his eyes. He sat by the incense burner, warming his hands, while complaining. He worked in the imperial barracks, so this matter shouldn’t have involved him, but somehow, he was pushed into it. With the collapse of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there were countless intertwined tasks: rescuing people, apprehending suspects, investigating the case, and so on. Li Chengyi was responsible for digging people out of the ruins. Pity him, a young master from a noble family, who hadn’t endured such hardship even during the southward migration.

 

Both Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou had heard about someone striking the Dengwen Drum, but they didn’t know the details very well, so Mu Peixuan asked, “Did someone from this He Xingge’s family also go to serve in corvée labor?”

 

Li Chengyi said, “Exactly! I heard her brother is trapped inside. Although this He Xingge is a tianqian, she’s just a commoner. Who knows how she even thought of striking the Dengwen Drum? And she claims she wants to appeal for justice for the people buried under the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Now, the public was already buzzing about this matter, and suddenly, it exploded.”

 

Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou exchanged glances. Mu Peixuan thought for a moment, then said to Li Chengyi, “Has construction stopped now?”

 

“Yes, it has,” Li Chengyi replied. “With things like this, who can still focus on it?”

 

Mu Peixuan mused, “For the next few days, make sure you have more personal guards with you, and carefully appease the conscripted laborers.”

 

Li Chengyi initially wanted to say that they were just common folk and what could they possibly do, but the words caught in his throat when he met Mu Peixuan’s gaze, and he swallowed them. He wasn’t stupid. After a brief thought, he said with a strained voice, “You mean…”

 

Duan Linzhou said, “The common people are easily incited, especially when they’ve been deeply oppressed and harbor resentment. Think about the bodies buried under the Hall of Supreme Harmony. With that shared grief, if someone incites them, it’s hard to guarantee that things won’t take a turn.”

 

Mu Peixuan added, “You should have also heard about what happened in Longzhou last year. It was the rebels who incited the people to riot then.”

 

“Past events are a guide for the future.”

 

Li Chengyi had been staying there these past few days, and the mere thought of thousands of laborers revolting at the imperial city construction site instantly sent shivers down his spine. He said, “…I understand. I’ll be careful.”

 

After Li Chengyi left, Duan Linzhou saw Mu Peixuan remain silent and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

 

Mu Peixuan raised his eyes to look at Duan Linzhou, took his hand, and rubbed it, saying, “These matters in Yu’an City remind me of someone.”

 

Duan Linzhou naturally understood his thoughts and said, “Yun Zhuo?”

 

Mu Peixuan nodded, a shadow clouding his brow. They had turned several prefectures upside down back then, yet they still couldn’t catch Yun Zhuo. It was as if he had vanished without a trace. Mu Peixuan certainly didn’t believe that this Kunze was dead. Because of Mu Peizhi and Li Yue, Mu Peixuan utterly detested the Jiulian Sect and wished he could kill Yun Zhuo quickly. But this person’s ability to hide was truly remarkable.

 

This was a thorn in Mu Peixuan’s heart, one that he couldn’t rest until it was removed.

 

Mu Peixuan took a deep breath and said, “He better stay hidden his whole life, otherwise, I will surely kill him.”

 

Duan Linzhou gently massaged Mu Peixuan’s unconsciously clenched fingers and said, “If they could extend their reach to Ruizhou, they might very well have extended it to Yu’an. And in my opinion, this person’s way of doing things suggests he isn’t someone who would be content to live in obscurity forever. Don’t worry, I’ll have someone investigate. As long as he’s in Yu’an, he’s bound to leave traces.”

 

Mu Peixuan looked at Duan Linzhou, smiled at him, and said, “En, no rush.”

 

In the imperial court, there was a huge uproar over why the Hall of Supreme Harmony collapsed. Furthermore, with He Xingge striking the Dengwen Drum, the matter became widely publicized. Immediately, the young emperor issued an imperial decree, ordering the Three Judicial Bureau and the Jinyiwei to jointly investigate the case.

 

Yu’an was gripped by an alarm.

 

That day, Mu Peixuan was summoned to the temporary palace by Xiao Xun. As he was leaving the grand hall and heading out of the palace, he unexpectedly ran into Xiao Yuanqi, King Xin’s heir.

 

Mu Peixuan had been in Yu’an for some time already, and they had naturally met before, but this was the first time they had encountered each other alone. The two had been at odds even back in Liangdu. Both were young and hot-blooded. Xiao Yuanqi’s status outranked Mu Peixuan, yet Mu Peixuan was arrogant and domineering in Liangdu, never showing Xiao Yuanqi any courtesy. Even on occasions where Xiao Yuanqi, as the heir, might have taken the lead, Mu Peixuan’s presence made his status less effective. Under this accumulated resentment, the two had even come to blows twice.

 

Xiao Yuanqi was no match for Mu Peixuan, and over time, minor grievances escalated into animosity.

 

Enemies meeting always sparks animosity.

 

Their close attendants held umbrellas for them. The rain fell, drumming against the umbrella fabric with a continuous patter. Xiao Yuanqi looked at Mu Peixuan, giving a chilling smile, and said, “Mu Peixuan, if I were you, I’d stay properly holed up in Ruizhou. Yu’an—is not where you belong.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Under heaven, there is no land that is not the king’s. Yu’an is not yours, Xiao Yuanqi, so why can’t I come?”

 

Xiao Yuanqi retorted, “I’m just afraid you’ll have a life to come here but not a life to return.”

 

Mu Peixuan smiled faintly and said, “I’ve always been quite long-lived, so there’s no need for Shizi to worry.”

 

Xiao Yuanqi stared at Mu Peixuan. They held each other’s gaze for a moment before Xiao Yuanqi suddenly chuckled, brushed off his clothes, and said, “I heard you got married.”

 

“You married a merchant, and a zhongyong at that as well?” Xiao Yuanqi sneered, “Tsk, Mu Peixuan, you’re at least a prince personally enfeoffed by the late emperor. How did you fall so low? Or has your Marquis Annan Mansion fallen to the point of selling yourselves for wealth?”

 

“If that’s the case, why don’t you talk to me properly? Perhaps I could even lend you thousands or tens of thousands of taels to help you out.”

 

A hint of gloom appeared in Mu Peixuan’s eyes. He looked at Xiao Yuanqi deeply and sneered, “Prince Annan Mansion is naturally not as wealthy and generous as the King Xin Mansion, throwing out tens of thousands of taels at a whim. Now that the Hall of Supreme Harmony has collapsed, the court is about to provide relief to the common people. Since Shizi is so generous, I presume you won’t be stingy either.” He turned his head to Zhao Xi, who was escorting him out, and said, “Eunuch Wei, has His Majesty taken note of this?”

 

Xiao Yuanqi’s face immediately fell.

 

Zhao Xi glanced at Xiao Yuanqi, then at Mu Peixuan, and smiled without daring to respond.

 

Xiao Yuanqi stepped forward, lowered his voice, and sneered, “Mu Peixuan, today is not like yesterday. Look further ahead, lest disaster befall your entire clan in the future.”

 

Mu Peixuan looked at him and smiled, saying, “Today, the world belongs to His Majesty. The only one who can punish my Mu clan is the Son of Heaven.” He swept his gaze up and down Xiao Yuanqi, his eyes filled with inexpressible mockery. “Who do you think you are?”

 

Xiao Yuanqi’s mind reeled, provoked by that look. The old memory of being pinned down by Mu Peixuan, unable to move, flashed before his eyes. He gritted his teeth and said hatefully, “What are you shouting about? How long do you think you can be arrogant? The Emperor, hmph, the Emperor! When my father gets that position—”

 

The moment Xiao Yuanqi uttered those words, the palace attendants beside him felt a chill down their spines. One of them exclaimed, “Shizi!”

 

Too late. A slap landed with the sound of “Shizi.” It was Mu Peixuan, who had mercilessly slapped Xiao Yuanqi, rebuking him, “How dare you!”

 

The slap was not light; Xiao Yuanqi took it squarely, his eyes widening in disbelief. The surrounding palace attendants were also stunned by this sudden turn of events.

 

Xiao Yuanqi hissed furiously, “Mu Peixuan, you dare hit me!”

 

Mu Peixuan said coldly, “I’m hitting you, you disrespectful wretch who defies your sovereign and disregards hierarchy!”

 

Xiao Yuanqi was practically driven mad with rage. Ever since King Xin had been welcomed back to Yu’an, Xiao Yuanqi had been flattered to the point of losing all sense of direction. How could he endure such humiliation? He wished he could tear Mu Peixuan apart. He, too, practiced martial arts. As the two started to fight, the palace attendants nearby stamped their feet in panic, looking at Zhao Xi and asking, “Eunuch Zhao Xi, what should we do?”

 

Zhaoxi watched the two men fighting in the rain and said, “Send someone to fetch King Xin and the Grand Tutor.”

 

Mu Peixuan and Xiao Yuanqi’s fight ended up in front of the emperor.

 

The Young Emperor, Xiao Xun, sat silently on his dragon throne, watching the two kneeling before the imperial steps. Both King Xin and Qin Qiong had arrived. With palace attendants having witnessed the event, the exact details of who was right and wrong were made clear. King Xin, Xiao Shao, listened to the full account, his face darkening. He raised his foot and fiercely kicked Xiao Yuanqi, sending him sprawling, then lifted his robes and knelt, saying, “This minister has failed in raising his son. This minister asked Your Majesty to mete out punishment.”

 

Xiao Xun said, “Which position was Shizi referring to when he mentioned King Uncle taking up that position, hmm?”

 

Though young, his demeanor was imposing from his elevated seat. With a stern face, he exuded a surprising sense of authority.

 

Xiao Yuanqi lay prostrate on the ground, his body aching from Mu Peixuan’s beating. Unwilling to yield, he argued, “Your Majesty, it was clearly Mu Peixuan who provoked me into saying it! He deliberately set me up!”

 

Xiao Xun raised his voice, saying, “Shizi, the Mu Peixuan you speak of is the Junwang of Jingnan, personally enfeoffed by the late emperor, and he has rendered great service in quelling the Southwest rebellion!”

 

Xiao Yuanqi still wanted to explain, but he was silenced by a glare from King Xin. He had no choice but to stop. Mu Peixuan, who was standing to the side, calmly said, “It’s one thing for Shizi to be disrespectful to me. However, in all the world, only Your Majesty can punish this minister. For Shizi to threaten this minister in such a way, could it be that King Xin genuinely intends—”

 

King Xin immediately cut him off, “Your Highness, you’re being too harsh.”

 

“My dog son is ill and confused, spouting nonsense,” King Xin said, then he fiercely kicked Xiao Yuanqi again, sending him sprawling. “Rebellious son, why aren’t you begging for forgiveness?!”

 

Xiao Yuanqi slammed his head against the ground and said, “Your Majesty, this was all this minister’s nonsensical rambling. This minister begs for your leniency.”

 

Xiao Xun lowered his eyes and remained silent.

 

Xiao Yuanqi then turned to look at Mu Peixuan, meeting his gaze. He gritted his teeth and said, “It was unintentional. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

 

After a long while, Xiao Xun said, “Since you need to recover, then recover properly in your mansion.”

 

Xiao Yuanqi replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Earlier, about the silver that Shizi mentioned for disaster relief and aid for the laborers…”

 

Xiao Yuanqi began, “What did I—”

 

“It is this king’s duty to serve His Majesty and alleviate the nation’s concerns,” Xiao Shao said, a slight upward twitch at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Mu Peixuan. “Your Highness, rest assured, this king will personally send people to deliver it to the Ministry of Revenue.”

 

Mu Peixuan smiled and said, “Your Highness’s generosity is most excellent.”

 

Once King Xin and his son left, Xiao Xun gripped Mu Peixuan’s arm and said, “Xuan Gege, you’ve been wronged.”

 

A smile appeared on Mu Peixuan’s face as he softly said, “This minister is not wronged; Your Majesty, you are the one who has suffered wrong.”

 

Xiao Xun froze, staring blankly at Mu Peixuan. He wanted to say something, opened his mouth, but only managed to say, “Xuan Gege, your clothes are all wet. Go change.” He called out, “Zhao Xi, go fetch a change of robes for His Highness.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. It’s no problem.”

 

Xiao Xun replied, “What do you mean it’s no problem? What if you catch a cold…”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “This minister is a military man, a little chill won’t bother me.”

 

Xiao Xun pursed his lips and whispered, “Zhao Xi told Zhen everything. You offended King Xin because of Zhen.”

 

Mu Peixuan smiled and said, “King Xin and this minister were never on the same path to begin with.”

 

Xiao Xun’s expression shifted slightly as he looked at Mu Peixuan and asked, “Then, Xuan Gege, are you on the same path as Zhen?”

 

Mu Peixuan looked at the young emperor before him and said, “Naturally.”

 

Xiao Xun smiled, gripping Mu Peixuan’s arm tightly, and said, “Prince Annan Mansion is a pillar of the nation. Zhen trusts you, Xuan Gege.”

 

“Oh, and Xuan Gege, Zhen hasn’t properly rewarded you for quelling the Southwest rebellion yet,” Xiao Xun said. “Just tell Zhen what you want, Xuan-gege, and if Zhen has it, Zhen will surely bestow it upon you.”