Chapter Sixty: Fierce Confrontation

“Do you have more to say?” Yang Qi’s brows knitted together as he spoke coolly.

Pang Liang bowed low, replying with utmost respect, “Master, during my recent travels for business in Ganluo, I came across a startling piece of news and some important military intelligence, so I returned at once to report to you.”

Yang Qi grunted in acknowledgment. “Sit down and speak.”

“Master, I wouldn’t dare.” Pang Liang kept his posture, voice deferent. “While on the road, I heard that Lord Guo Ziyi, Duke of Fenyang, memorialized the Emperor and the court, recommending the scholar Kong Sheng from Jiangning in the Southern Circuit for an official post. I found this strange and made multiple inquiries, only to learn that this Kong Sheng is none other than your son-in-law. I even had someone copy a few poems and essays said to be written by Kong Sheng—they seem rather impressive, though I can’t attest to their authenticity.”

His tone was tinged with incredulity. It was only natural—half a year before, when Pang Liang last left Jiangning, Kong Sheng was still known merely as “the Yang family’s kept man.” How could he have known that Kong Sheng had since become the most celebrated scholar of the South?

Pang Liang watched Yang Qi closely for any reaction.

To his surprise, Yang Qi did react, but only at the mention of Guo Ziyi’s recommendation, not because of Kong Sheng himself.

“Guo Ziyi recommended Kong Sheng to the court?” Yang Qi was taken aback. He pondered a moment, then said indifferently, “It must have been Sima Chengzhen’s doing. Otherwise, Guo Ziyi would have no reason to recommend a southern scholar to the court—there’s no connection between them. This young man’s fortunes have certainly turned.”

Pang Liang’s mouth fell open in confusion. He’d not yet been home since returning to Jiangning, nor had he spoken with anyone else; he was entirely in the dark about these matters. Yang Qi’s words only deepened his bewilderment, but he dared not ask further.

“Master, An Lushan the traitor is mustering his forces, ordering Shi Siming and Cai Xide to lead a hundred thousand troops against Taiyuan. People along the Ganluo and Hedong lines are filled with dread, entire families fleeing south over the mountains. I cannot say whether the rebels will next invade the South, so I ask for your wise judgment.”

Pang Liang, after all, was a merchant of humble origins. Skilled in calculation, perhaps, but his perspective and judgment were limited. Yang Qi, upon hearing the news, immediately saw through An Lushan’s true intention: to seize Taiyuan, then march north to attack Lingwu from both sides.

As for the South… Yang Qi sneered. “An Lushan’s rebel army is stretched too thin—nothing but a rabble. He can’t even secure Guanluo and the Central Plains, and with Guo Ziyi’s army bearing down on him, how could he possibly have the strength to invade the South?”

Pang Liang nodded, then added, “Master, I also heard of a strange affair. Apparently, Kong Sheng, the southern scholar, submitted a petition to the court requesting that the capital be moved to Jinling. I had someone copy the memorial—please, Master, have a look.”

As he spoke, Pang Liang drew out the document from his sleeve. But when he looked up, he saw Yang Qi’s face dark as storm clouds; Yang Qi had already risen, advancing toward him with each step, his anger and fury growing ever more pronounced.

“Give it to me!” Yang Qi thundered.

Pang Liang trembled in terror, hastily presenting the memorial.

Yang Qi barely glanced at it before tearing it to shreds in a fit of rage. He turned away, his face livid, breathing heavily, unable to contain his fury—a most uncharacteristic loss of composure for a man of his usual depth and restraint. Clearly, his wrath had reached a breaking point.

Pang Liang, terrified, dared not linger. Bowing hastily to Yang Qi’s shaking back, he withdrew quietly.

Not only Pang Liang, but even Yang Kuan, standing guard outside, was left deeply unsettled, unable to fathom the reason behind Yang Qi’s uncharacteristic outburst.

A long time passed before the study doors were abruptly flung open. Yang Qi emerged, his words cold and clipped: “Summon Kong Sheng to the residence. I have questions for him.”

Half an hour later, led by Yang Kuan, Kong Sheng walked slowly into the Yang estate. Passing through intricately carved corridors and courtyards, he made his way to Yang Qi’s study at the heart of the inner residence. With his newly won fame and the affections of the Yang family’s daughter, and with a two-year engagement promised by Yang Qi, the household staff now regarded him once more as the family’s prospective son-in-law, bowing in respect as he passed.

Kong Sheng was puzzled by the abrupt summons. He could not refuse, but the reason for it eluded him. The grim look on Yang Kuan’s face, however, left him uneasy.

Once inside, Yang Kuan closed the doors behind them.

Kong Sheng steadied himself, glancing at Yang Qi, who sat rigid and severe, his gaze cold as steel. Kong Sheng bowed. “Nephew Kong Sheng greets Uncle Yang.”

“And you still have the gall to call me uncle? You ungrateful wretch! You insolent, presumptuous brat!” Yang Qi’s rebuke was furious, his emotions raw.

Kong Sheng frowned, but replied calmly, “May I ask, Uncle, what provokes your anger?”

With a sharp crack, Yang Qi slammed the table and sprang to his feet. “Kong Sheng, how dare you deceive me! When I questioned you, you assured me the memorial requesting the capital be moved to Jinling was nothing but idle fancy, an unfinished draft. Then tell me, why has your memorial spread throughout the land?!”

Kong Sheng gasped, his face draining of color.

He had not intended to deceive Yang Qi—self-preservation had been his motive. Yet he had not foreseen the news spreading from afar back to Jiangnan, reaching Yang Qi’s ears. Now, Yang Qi’s fury was easy to understand.

But, in the flicker of an instant, Kong Sheng regained his composure. Not only was he unafraid, he even felt a thrill of excitement. If the memorial had spread across the country, it must have reached Guo Ziyi and been submitted to the court. His opportunity was at hand.

However, he knew full well that admitting this would be disastrous—if Yang Qi confirmed his deception, retribution would be swift and merciless. The real reason for Yang Qi’s rage was not the memorial itself, but its potential repercussions. If Li Heng’s court adopted the suggestion and moved south, the dream of Yang Qi carving out his own dominion in Jiangnan would be dashed.

Unlikely though it was, the possibility remained.

After a brief pause, Kong Sheng replied with perfect composure, “I truly do not know how this memorial spread, Uncle. I beg you to investigate thoroughly.”

Whether Yang Qi believed him or not, denial was his only path.

Yang Qi sneered, pointing accusingly. “You cunning, shameless brat! Do you think I will trust you again? After all I’ve done for you, even offering you my daughter’s hand, and this is how you repay me? Bah! Ungrateful little beast!”

His words, in his fury, were harsh indeed. Kong Sheng’s brows drew together. He knew that enduring in silence would not appease Yang Qi—what must come would come. Since the matter was out in the open, why shrink back? He wished to see what crime Yang Qi would lay at his door, even if he had penned the memorial.

Besides, Kong Sheng was certain Yang Qi would not dare harm him—for now. With the memorial in circulation, Guo Ziyi’s recommendation, and the court’s eyes upon him, if the imperial decree came, how could Yang Qi answer for Kong Sheng’s removal? Unless Yang Qi intended open rebellion, he was constrained on every side.

“Since you see fit to insult and humiliate me so, Master, I must ask: what is my crime? Even if I did submit a memorial urging the capital’s relocation, it springs only from a heart concerned for the nation’s fate. What fault is there in that? What truly lies behind your anger?”

Kong Sheng’s reply was icy, his challenge clear. The hidden implication in his words only stoked Yang Qi’s rage, but forced him to suppress it. Ambition was one thing, but the time was not yet ripe. Even in his own home, Yang Qi dared not betray his intentions.