A Hongmen Banquet

The Crown Prince was indeed tall. Even seated, his large, muscular frame was impossible to miss. When he did not smile, his gaze was even colder and more distant.

Some lowered their heads, while others pressed fingers to their brows, all waiting for another colleague to start a conversation.

The rain outside beat down in a hurried clamor, while the charcoal fire suddenly made the room feel stiflingly hot.

Tea boiled atop the brazier. Xiao Hanye poured himself a cup, propping an elbow on the armrest. "Why has everyone gone mute the moment I arrived? Do you all think I am unworthy of sitting here and listening to you discuss state affairs?"

The others forced awkward smiles. "No, no."

Xiao Hanye wanted to cross his legs, but after looking around and failing to find a footstool, he could only stretch them out. "Bandits are causing trouble in the Southern Four Commanderies. Even the iron cavalry cannot stand against the bandit forces taking shape there. Will adding one Tiger Roar Battalion really be enough?"

Everyone turned to look at Xie the Grand Secretary.

Xie the Grand Secretary said, "The Tiger Roar Battalion is valiant and battle-hardened. It will naturally be able to settle the matter. If that is still not enough, we can mobilize the southwestern garrison. No matter how fierce and unruly those vagrants and mountain bandits may be, they are no match for the imperial court's elite."

Xiao Hanye nodded and took a sip of tea. "True enough. Then send the Tiger Roar Battalion."

Xie the Grand Secretary had thought he would stir up trouble and obstruct the matter. He had not expected such a swift agreement, and could not help giving him a look of mixed feelings.

Xiao Hanye ran a finger around the rim of his teacup. "Harsh mountains and foul waters breed troublesome people. The Southern Four Commanderies have always been well governed, and their past evaluations were all excellent. So why have bandits suddenly appeared this year? Could it be that the previous Censorate commissioner took some silver, stuffed it into his pocket, and simply checked off the evaluation?"

Xie the Grand Secretary knew he was no easy opponent and immediately replied, "Censorate evaluations are of the utmost importance. No matter how muddleheaded a commissioner might be, surely he would not gamble his family and life over a few worldly possessions. Besides, even under the Son of Heaven's feet, theft and unrest occur from time to time. It is hardly unusual for a few troublesome people to emerge in local counties and commanderies."

Xiao Hanye looked as though he had heard a joke. "Fortune is found in danger. Who enters official service without seeking fame and profit? Do not prattle on about how even the capital is unsafe. Stop trying to muddle things with me. The bandits in the Southern Four Commanderies must be suppressed with troops, but a civil official must also be sent to investigate. I want to see just how a well-governed place bred bandits."

The room fell silent for a moment. Chu the Grand Secretary stroked his beard. "Your Highness is right. Then we shall send—"

Xiao Hanye cut him off directly. "Xue Luanjin serves in the Censorate. His work involves field assignments throughout the realm, and he knows how to deal with the local snakes and demons. Sending him to supervise the investigation would be most suitable."

Over the past few years, Xue Luanjin's record had been quite impressive. Once the year-end evaluations were submitted, Xie the Grand Secretary could transfer him to Wuzhou, where he would guard the great trade route and oversee the northeastern horse-and-grain road as well as the checkpoints for merchant caravans.

That was an extremely lucrative post.

It was precisely the crucial moment for a promotion. If he were sent away now, with the Crown Prince watching like a tiger, Xue Luanjin would likely have no chance at Wuzhou.

Moreover, the Southern Four Commanderies were tangled in a web of complicated interests and countless unspeakable matters. Xue Luanjin had no authority there. If he could not stabilize the situation and instead became entangled by every faction, he might even lose his life. Then a chess piece painstakingly cultivated would be ruined.

Xie the Grand Secretary frowned. "The Censorate is short on manpower. Xue Luanjin is busy investigating the land tax and cannot get away..."

Xiao Hanye set his teacup down on the table with a clang. He used too much force, and tea spilled over the memorial beside it.

Xie the Grand Secretary instinctively paused, his brows drawing tight.

Xiao Hanye gave a soft laugh. "What? Can I not even decide to dispatch someone now?"

Ever since the Crown Prince had begun assisting with government affairs, his forcefulness had become increasingly apparent. Few could withstand it. Even the Emperor could no longer control him.

The officials exchanged looks.

The Crown Prince handled matters with decisive speed. He ordered the eunuchs to bring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, drafted the transfer order on the spot, blew the ink dry, then took the heir apparent's seal from his wide sleeve and stamped it. Everything looked thoroughly prepared in advance.

Xiao Hanye glanced at Xie the Grand Secretary, whose expression was dark and unreadable. With a derisive snort, he left in high spirits.

The Gyrfalcon flew across the boundless gray expanse, then dove down with a piercing cry and landed on Xiao Hanye's shoulder. Clutching his robes, it rubbed its wet claws clean.

Xiao Hanye clicked his tongue, smoothed its feathers, and took it to the Imperial Guard camp.

By the time Shen Tingjue reached the Imperial Guard Bureau duty office, it was already the third quarter of the hour of the Monkey. As for being late again, Shen Tingjue remained perfectly calm. A pile of snacks was enough to coax the soldiers below him into delighted smiles.

Lian Su had drilled soldiers for half the day and was drenched in sweat. He was rinsing his feet with cold water when he saw Shen Tingjue appear wrapped up like a cicada cocoon, and could not help laughing. "Does my lord fear the cold that much?"

Shen Tingjue tugged at his fox-fur cloak. "My mother keeps a close eye on me. If I do not dress warmly, she will force a whole bellyful of deer antler soup down me. I have no choice."

Lian Su looked envious. "How nice."

Deer antler soup was not something one could have whenever one pleased.

Lian Su asked, "Does the Eldest Princess still need a son?"

Shen Tingjue showed no mercy. "A rough brute like you? Even if you came with a dowry, my mother would not want you."

Lian Su clutched his chest, deeply wounded.

Shen Tingjue hung up his waist token and led his subordinates out to patrol the streets. The rain had already stopped. Pedestrians and carriages filled the roads, and the city was bustling. Dark Seven had removed his black face covering and dressed as a guard as he followed behind Shen Tingjue. Unaccustomed to such a crowded, exposed life, he walked with the same hand and foot on one side, his entire body tense.

Shen Tingjue could not stand to watch any longer and bought him a candied hawthorn skewer. "Relax. Why are you wound so tight? Here, have a candied hawthorn. You probably have never eaten one before, right?"

Dark Seven truly had never eaten one, but he was too embarrassed to eat something only children ate in the middle of the street. Rubbing his hands together, he said, "Perhaps this subordinate should return to hiding in the shadows..."

The rest of his words were stuffed back into his throat by the candied hawthorn shoved into his mouth.

"I do not need a hidden guard." Shen Tingjue slung an arm around his shoulders. "Stick with me, and I will make sure you eat and drink well."

Lian Su hurried over, waggling his brows. "What about this subordinate?"

Shen Tingjue felt around his waist and realized he had not brought the folding fan he used to put on airs today, so he could only let it go. Raising a brow, he said, "Those extra two jin of flesh you have put on lately? You only gained them because I fed you after joining the Imperial Guard Bureau."

Lian Su chuckled. He failed to notice someone beside him and accidentally bumped shoulders with the man. When he turned, he found that it was Zhao Zhichao, the commanding commissioner of the Tiger Roar Battalion.

Zhao Zhichao spat, his tone aggressive. "Damn it, are you blind?"

Lian Su's tone was no better. "No. Unfortunately, I only see people with these eyes."

It was the first time Shen Tingjue had heard the usually blunt and boisterous deputy commander speak so sarcastically. He found it novel and watched the two with interest.

Zhao Zhichao noticed his gaze and turned his head. After seeing his waist token, he nodded and slowly curved his lips at him.

"So this is the young master of the Prime Minister's residence. Zhao has yet to congratulate Young Master Shen on his promotion. To become a commanding commissioner the moment you arrive—you truly enjoy the Emperor's favor. Unlike certain people, who have occupied the post of deputy commander for years and still cannot climb any higher."

His words carried two meanings. He openly mocked Shen Tingjue for rising through influence, while also trying to sow discord and stir Lian Su's resentment.

After being won over by Shen Tingjue's generosity and martial prowess these past days, Lian Su's resentment had long since vanished. He felt that the Imperial Guard Bureau receiving a god of wealth like Shen Tingjue was a tremendous blessing, and he wanted nothing more than to worship him properly. Hearing this, his temper flared. Looking ferocious, he rolled up his sleeves to start an argument.

Shen Tingjue kicked him. "What are you doing? Looking to make trouble? You get angry just because someone said a few things? With that temper, no wonder you have never been promoted. Besides, he was not wrong."

After taking the kick, Lian Su froze where he stood and stared at Shen Tingjue in disbelief, unable to believe he was taking an outsider's side.

Shen Tingjue shifted his gaze to Zhao Zhichao, the corner of his lips rising as he put on an exceptionally disarming show of friendliness.

"General Zhao is right. I have neither talent nor virtue. I gained this office through imperial favor and merely muddle through my days. How could I compare to General Zhao, so young and accomplished, so brave and skilled in battle? Since we have met today, might I have the honor of inviting you for a drink?"

Zhao Zhichao thought highly of himself. Back when he was commanding commissioner of the Palace Front Bureau, he had relied on his background to suppress Lian Su for years. Later, after being transferred to the Tiger Roar Battalion as a general, he grew even more arrogant and self-important because of his achievements. Seeing even Shen Tingjue, a favorite before the throne, flattering him now, he could not help feeling pleased with himself.

A subordinate beside him said quietly, "General, we depart for the Southern Four Commanderies tomorrow. We still need to muster the troops later. Drinking now may be inappropriate."

Zhao Zhichao hesitated and glanced at Shen Tingjue.

Shen Tingjue smiled. "Let the deputy general handle mustering the troops. General Zhao, please grant me the honor of a drink."

Seeing how charmingly he smiled, Zhao Zhichao was briefly swayed. He nodded in agreement and sent his subordinate ahead to the training grounds to muster the troops.

Shen Tingjue brought him to Red Sleeve Pavilion and entertained him warmly. While Zhao Zhichao went to the latrine, an Imperial Guard Bureau lieutenant finally could not hold it in any longer. "Boss, Zhao Zhichao is no good. Why are you trying to curry favor with him?"

Whenever Lian Su recalled Zhao Zhichao's smug, villainous face, his irritation surged. He heavily set his wine cup on the table. "Exactly!"

Shen Tingjue picked at the dishes with his chopsticks and chewed slowly. "What, was I supposed to quarrel with him in the middle of the street over a few words? Make a spectacle for others?"

Another deputy lieutenant frowned. "But there was no need for you to flatter—"

"When I say you have no brains, you truly have no brains." Shen Tingjue took a sip of milk. "Do you know what a Hongmen Banquet is?"

The Imperial Guard Bureau men froze, then nodded in unison.

Shen Tingjue had resolved to help the Crown Prince remove obstacles. Recently, he had been continuously studying the court's situation and the connections among its various factions. His blade had long been sharpened and ready.

"The imperial authority is restrained by the great clans mainly because the Military Affairs Bureau and the Nine Great Camps are all controlled by those clans. To break their monopoly, we have to kick people out. And now, someone foolish enough has walked right into the blade. Heh heh—"

Lian Su scratched his head, let out a wine-scented burp, and leaned closer. "Boss, you mean to..."

He stopped at just the right moment and silently made a throat-slitting gesture.

Shen Tingjue stabbed his chopsticks into a chicken neck and smiled wickedly. "Get him!"

They stared at the chicken neck, their own necks turning cold in sympathy. Swallowing hard, they sat up properly.