Chapter Fifty-Eight: Putting the Greater Good First

After Young Master Pei departed, Li Yun did not stand on ceremony. He took the token left behind, studied it carefully, and inspected it in detail. The back of the token was engraved with cloud patterns, while the front bore the character for “Pei” written in ancient seal script, exuding an archaic air. After a moment’s scrutiny, Li Yun tucked it into his robe. This was certainly a valuable prize—after all, the Pei family was evidently of significant standing, and should chaos ever sweep across the land, Young Master Pei would be, at least in name, the honorary chieftain of Cangshan Stronghold! Whether this title would be of use remained to be seen, but one thing was certain: the Pei scion would be infuriated by the thought.

After claiming the spoils of his encounter, Li Yun strode outside and happened to catch sight of Magistrate Xue accompanying Young Master Pei to the gate. The county magistrate escorted him a considerable distance, only taking his leave, with a respectful bow, after Pei gestured for him to stop. Magistrate Xue then turned and returned to the county yamen.

No sooner had Magistrate Xue entered the gate than he saw Li Yun waiting with an amused smile.

“It is rare to see you in such a manner, Magistrate,” Li Yun teased.

Master Xue shot him a dark look. “If you knew who he was, you’d understand. The way I behaved just now already counts as extraordinarily upright.”

Li Yun stepped aside to let Magistrate Xue enter the yamen, then said with a smile, “Tell me, who exactly is this Young Master Pei?”

Hands clasped behind his back, Magistrate Xue walked into the main hall and replied coolly, “The Pei family has been a noble house for centuries. In this dynasty alone, they have produced more than a dozen prime ministers.”

Li Yun’s expression remained calm. “That much I had guessed.”

“His father is the current Minister of Personnel. He himself, just over twenty, has already obtained a sixth-rank post through his family’s influence.”

Xue Song grunted, “With that background, every official in the region ought to be fawning at his feet, let alone the fact that he’s here as an imperial inspector on the emperor’s orders.”

Li Yun clicked his tongue. “No wonder Deputy Magistrate Tian and the others dared not approach him.”

“Why wouldn’t they dare?” Magistrate Xue sneered. “Those fellows barely showed themselves before Young Master Pei sent them away. They haven’t dared show their faces since.”

Li Yun poured a cup of tea for Magistrate Xue and smiled. “Then it’s true—your conduct is indeed above reproach.”

“I have lost all interest in officialdom,” Master Xue said, glancing at Li Yun. “Otherwise, even at the cost of my dignity, I would have squeezed in to curry favor.”

He paused, then looked at Li Yun. “What did Young Master Pei say to you just now?”

Li Yun answered honestly, “He asked me to become his attendant. I refused.”

“And then he simply left?”

Master Xue grunted, “So tight-lipped, you won’t even confide in me?”

Li Yun sighed. “Magistrate, you have no interest in officialdom; I care even less for the affairs of court. Why would I deceive you?”

Master Xue pondered for a moment, then took a sip of tea and frowned slightly, lost in thought. “Indeed, as long as he comes to see you, the matter will be known to the prefecture. By the time he reaches the prefecture, whatever passed between you will be his to report.”

He drew a deep breath. “That young man is truly formidable.”

Li Yun curled his lip. “Formidable? He merely uses his power to coerce others, all to get leverage over Xuanzhou and extort more money, nothing more.”

Magistrate Xue was silent for a long time before speaking again.

“He holds another identity as well.”

Li Yun blinked. “What identity?”

“His elder sister is the Crown Princess.”

Magistrate Xue looked up at Li Yun and lowered his voice. “If he uses you as leverage against Prefect Tian… After he leaves, the prefecture will most likely come looking for trouble with you.”

Li Yun poured himself a cup of tea and drained it in one gulp.

“I wasn’t responsible for this matter in the first place. If they want to take it out on me…” He let out a cold laugh and said no more.

Magistrate Xue lowered his gaze. “I’ll send someone to the prefecture with a letter to explain things. It should reach them ahead of Young Master Pei.”

Li Yun started, then offered a sincere bow. “Thank you, Magistrate.”

“No need for thanks,” Magistrate Xue replied, rising to leave. “Helping you is helping myself—and all of Qingyang.”

………………

Three nights later, at the Ningcui Pavilion in Xuanzhou.

Young Master Pei sat at the head of the table, attended by Prefect Tian Guangzu and the assembled officials of Xuanzhou. Pei glanced at the lavish dishes, then at the officials, and smiled. “This meal must have cost a fair sum?”

Prefect Tian kept his head bowed, replying respectfully, “With the imperial envoy’s arrival, we dared not be negligent.”

Yet Young Master Pei did not pick up his chopsticks. He smiled and said, “I have heard that the commoners of Shidai rebelled because the taxes and levies were so heavy that they could not survive, and so were driven to desperation.”

“When the people live in such hardship, and yet we sit here feasting on rare delicacies…” His smile faded. “Frankly, I find this food hard to swallow.”

Prefect Tian lowered his head further and hastened to reply, “My lord, this year Xuanzhou collected only three hundred coins in taxes.”

“I visited Shidai myself these past two days,” Pei continued calmly. “Shidai collected eight hundred coins in taxes.”

“Did you know of this, Prefect Tian?”

Prefect Tian’s expression shifted, but after a deep breath he replied, “I only learned of this recently. The taxes I ordered collected were merely three hundred coins. It is those rapacious officials in Shidai who have acted with such cruelty.”

“The county magistrate of Shidai, Du Ping, was killed by the rebels for this very reason. His death was well deserved!” Prefect Tian declared, his indignation righteous.

Young Master Pei smiled faintly. “That is not what you reported to the court in your memorial.”

“At the time, I was deceived and unaware of the truth. I will draft a supplementary memorial to set the record straight, but…”

Prefect Tian looked at Young Master Pei and said gravely, “Even if there were irregularities in Shidai’s tax collection, the people could have come to the prefecture to lodge a complaint, not murdered officials and rebelled. They stormed the county yamen and killed imperial officers—such crimes are unforgivable!”

“Therefore, I believe the government acted properly in the matter of Shidai.”

Young Master Pei set down his chopsticks and rose, casting Prefect Tian a glance and smiling. “Well then, we shall see if the court shares your view.”

With that, he left the table and walked out, hands clasped behind his back.

Prefect Tian understood and subtly gestured for the others to remain seated, then quietly followed Pei outside.

When they reached the railing of the Ningcui Pavilion, Prefect Tian, head bowed, produced a list from his sleeve and handed it to Pei. “My lord envoy, this is a small token of respect from the officials of Xuanzhou.”

Pei accepted it without hesitation, glanced at it, then looked at Prefect Tian and asked with a smile, “How old are you this year, Prefect Tian?”

Prefect Tian replied, “I am thirty-eight.”

“Do you mean to remain in the provinces forever?”

Prefect Tian was startled, looked up at Pei, then quickly lowered his head. “If the imperial envoy is willing to sponsor me, I would serve you with all my heart and soul!”

“Not to serve me,” Pei replied.

Prefect Tian’s expression changed slightly. He fell silent, then looked up at Pei, who remained impassive.

Prefect Tian lowered his head again, his voice hoarse. “What do you mean, my lord envoy?”

“You and I both know the truth behind the Shidai affair,” Pei said coolly, hands behind his back. “But for the sake of the greater good, stability in the provinces must come first—there’s no need to stir up a major case.”

Prefect Tian understood and bowed his head. “Yes, yes. Rest assured, my lord, our token of respect will be doubled…”

“This token is not for me,” Pei said, clapping Prefect Tian on the shoulder with a smile. “When your term as prefect ends and you go to the capital to report to the Ministry of Personnel, I will take you to meet the real power behind the scenes.”

Prefect Tian kept his head down, but his eyes were solemn. He knew exactly who stood behind this imperial envoy.

After a long, reflective silence, he bowed deeply.

“I am at your command.”

“Good, good.” Pei clapped his hands and beamed.

“Come, let us return to the banquet.”