The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 110 Adopted Son
The next day was the 29th of the 11th lunar month.

Early in the morning, Xiao Yi personally supervised the training, checking on the progress before leaving and making arrangements to avoid any worries.

His soldiers became increasingly elite, at least their military posture was already quite good, and they could issue orders as easily as if they were his own arms.

Finally, everyone stood at attention to receive the instruction.

"I need to leave the capital on official business. Can you trust me with the safety of the palace gates in your care?"

"General, don't worry!"

"Alright, I'll trust you this once. While I'm away, Hua Nong will be in charge of military discipline and platoon duty, Lao Pan will manage general affairs, and Tie Ya will supervise the drills. There must be no mistakes."

"Here."

"Now I will select twelve men to accompany me on my mission. Please read the names and step forward."

Xiao Yi scanned the list and read out the names one by one.

"Jin Sanshui, Wang Jiu, Lü Chou, Shoutao, Yu Douzi, Tangbing... You are allowed to rest for half a day, settle your families, and get plenty of rest. You can be dispatched at any time starting tomorrow."

"Here!"

Those whose names were called were all beaming, eager to give it their all. The others cast envious glances; if it weren't for military discipline, they probably would have been arguing amongst themselves.

At noon, Xiao Yi returned to his duty room to change his sweat-soaked clothes and prepared to see the Empress Dowager.

Zhang Mantun, Hua Nong, and Lao Pan, come here.

"Why does the general only pick new recruits and bad soldiers? Their names are also unlucky, and they're all just food. Aren't they just going to be sent to be eaten?"

"They are the soldiers who most want to hold their heads high. Jin Sanshui and Wang Jiu followed me into the forest the night before last, and they fell down. They were extremely ashamed, and the army has already started to laugh at them. Don't think I don't know."

"The general knows them all very well."

Old Pan stepped forward and whispered, "The two young ladies sent men to wait outside the gate. They must have come to demand an explanation for the general's absence yesterday."

“Just say that we’re seeing each other too often and people might misunderstand.”

"This..." Old Pan suddenly realized what was happening and became very anxious. He blamed himself and said, "I misspoke last time. General, please don't mind this fool."

"No, thankfully you reminded me in time." Xiao Yi patted Lao Pan and said, "I should have pulled back from the brink."

Zhang Mantun understood and exclaimed, "The general did the right thing! How could a fine man be tied up by a young woman? My biggest regret is..."

"do not talk."

"I mean, even if Xuanwu Gate is blocking the way, they have the ability to break in."

"you shut up."

Hua Nong then asked, "What preparations should the general make before going out?"

"I can do it myself."

“I don’t think that will work. The boots you wore to the funeral are still there; they’ll stink in no time.”

"It's not your stinky feet."

When Lao Pan saw this, he picked up the boots to wash them together, but a "clink" sounded and a key fell to the ground.

Only then did Xiao Yi remember that he had picked up the key from Li Ye.

Upon further reflection, Wang Jun's words, though harsh, made sense. Li Ye must possess a large sum of money, and this key might be used to hide that money. But where is it?
Li Ye's route was nothing more than that: passing through the Imperial Treasury, exiting through the Liang Gate of the West City, returning to the capital and storing the goods in the pawnshop's vault, then going to the West Market and Li Hongjian's residence.

Hesitating for a moment between handing it over and keeping it for himself, Xiao Yi beckoned three trusted confidants forward and whispered, "Take some time to go to the West Market and see where this key can open."

"Don't worry, my lord."

"..."

In the afternoon, Wang Yan came to deliver an imperial edict, bringing with him a tribute bowl, a brocade saddle, and Shu brocade bestowed by Empress Dowager Li. He also brought a tailor to take his measurements and make clothes for him, so that he could be glamorous in front of others.

"General Xiao, you are truly favored."

"It is the Empress Dowager's grace."

"You'd better repay me properly, hehehe." Wang Yan laughed, "Let's go, the Empress Dowager summons you."

The previous two audiences were held in the Zichen Hall, but today the audiences were held in the inner garden.

Upon entering the West Palace, one finds three gates and a surrounding corridor. The further one goes in, the fewer palace servants there are, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

A small courtyard was set aside in front of the sleeping quarters, where many plum blossoms were planted. The plum blossoms bloomed in the wind and snow, and the plum branches were strong and vigorous, just like the spirit of Empress Dowager Li.

Two strings of copper bells hung under the eaves. Two rows of palace servants rang the bells, signaling Xiao Yi to enter alone, while Wang Yan left with the palace servants.

The hall is divided into inner and outer sections. The outer hall is not luxurious, but it feels quite comfortable. The pillars have lost their bright colors and are only maintained with tung oil to give them an elegant color, which also suits the owner's temperament.

The screen is embroidered with a picture of plum blossoms in the wind and snow. The floor is made of blue bricks, with a carpet in the center and a futon placed there. Next to it is a sandalwood bookshelf with books and memorials on it.

Empress Dowager Li lifted the curtain and stepped out.

She had changed out of her mourning clothes and into a plain silk dress, over which she wore a simple yet elegant outer garment. Her hair was styled in a flying phoenix bun, adorned with a plum blossom hairpin. She showed no signs of grief over the loss of her son and brother, only the solemnity and composure of a queen.

There was no one else in the hall, and the palace was filled with a sense of mystery.

Xiao Yi thought for a moment that Empress Dowager Li's audience with him was a deliberate attempt to put psychological pressure on him. Unfortunately, he'd been everywhere before, so there was nothing to be nervous about.

"Meet the Queen Mother."

Empress Dowager Li sat down on the prayer mat, picked up a memorial as if no one else was around, and said indifferently, "What is it?"

"Please send a private letter from the Empress Dowager, instructing her to send a trusted eunuch to say that Bianjing is safe, so that I may go to Xuzhou to invite Liu Yun."

"Yes."

Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback. He had thought it would be difficult to persuade Empress Dowager Li, but she agreed without hesitation.

Did she not know that once Liu Yun entered the capital, he would become a puppet, his life in the hands of Guo Wei? It was impossible for her not to know.

Upon further reflection, Xiao Yi realized that Empress Dowager Li did not care about Liu Yun's loss or life. Liu Yun's ascension to the throne and his ability to contend with Guo Wei were what made him useful to her. If he died, she would simply replace him with another emperor.

Empress Dowager Li agreed but did not write it down. She was reading through the memorials herself, ignoring him and neither driving him out.

Xiao Yi didn't know what this meant, but he had endured years of being sidelined and was used to it.

After a long while, Empress Dowager Li glanced over and said, "Pour me a cup of water."

"Yes."

Xiao Yi saw a kettle and teacups on the tea table next to him, so he went over and poured himself a cup of water.

Knowing that women often drink warm water, he specially placed the kettle on the stove to heat it, carried the water, walked to the cushion, and handed it to her.

Empress Dowager Li took the cup, took a small sip, and said, "You actually put a Yue kiln celadon teapot on a fire."

When Xiao Yi went back and picked up the kettle, he was speechless to find that the bottom of the kettle was blackened by smoke.

"Never mind, the water is still warm enough."

Empress Dowager Li finished her drink, gracefully raised her wrist, and held up the empty cup. Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback at first, then understood and went over to take the empty cup.

"Would the Empress Dowager like to drink some more?"

“You walked back and forth three times on the wool carpet that was presented as tribute from Hedong.” Xiao Yi followed her gaze and saw that the large footprints on the white and soft carpet were particularly obvious, covered with snow stains and mud.

Then look at Empress Dowager Li's feet, which are a pair of soft silk shoes with spotless soles.

His armored figure moving about in the hall must have given her a sense of destruction...like a chaotic army invading a city.

"This humble general has been disrespectful; please forgive me, Your Majesty."

“But I see that you are not aware of your guilt, and you are not even afraid.”

Xiao Yi then realized that these were all Empress Dowager Li's little schemes, using details to establish a psychological advantage, suppressing, bestowing favors, and winning over.

"This humble general is filled with trepidation."

"It's alright. Since they're doing this for me, losing a few items is no big deal."

Empress Dowager Li glanced at it with her phoenix eyes, smiled lightly, and let the matter pass by.

After much back and forth, one of them finally ran out of patience.

"This memorial says that the Khitan ruler has advanced south and harassed our Zhenzhou and Xingzhou. Guo Wei wants to lead troops to the north to defend against them. Is that really true?"

"It must be true."

"Xiao Yi, why are you so loyal to Guo Que'er? Tell me what's on your mind."

"You are the rightful ruler to govern the country."

"The situation is not yet settled, and the Liu family still holds considerable power. As I rule as regent, I can balance the power between Guo and Liu and still maintain control of the situation. Perhaps in your eyes I am the weakest, but by assisting me, you can gain the most."

The true intentions were revealed: he only wanted a letter, but she wanted to win him over.

Xiao Yi shook his head.

Empress Dowager Li smiled and calmly asked, "Do you think I can't do it?"

"It's not difficult for the Empress Dowager to do this, but what if she manages to balance Guo and Liu? She's always walking on thin ice, maintaining a fragile situation. She can barely be considered to be ruling as regent, but she can't actually govern."

"The art of rulership lies in balance."

"Technique is a minor skill, not the great path to becoming an emperor."

Empress Dowager Li glanced at him with her phoenix eyes and said, "Then tell me, what is the Great Way of the Emperor?"

"To revitalize the nation and govern the people, ending the era of chaos."

Xiao Yi felt inexplicably that this was not enough, and perhaps he should do better.

He then took the opportunity to express his thoughts directly.

"If one cannot take unifying the world as one's own responsibility, be determined to drive out the Khitan, recover Yan and Yun, and then expand the territory, strengthen the country and enrich the people, and lay the foundation for China to be forever strong under heaven, how can one be called an emperor?"

"you……"

"Since the Empress Dowager has no such ambition and is fixated on petty tricks of balancing power among her ministers, it would be better for her to abdicate and yield the throne to a more worthy successor."

Empress Dowager Li paused, staring blankly at the scene for a long while before asking, "Does Guo Que'er have such ambitions?"

Xiao Yi didn't know; he only knew the course of history.

What I just said was perhaps a deep-seated hope that my time travel would bring about even greater changes.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Empress Dowager Li spoke again.

Her eyes were bright, with a certain gleam in them.

"If I had this ambition, would you be willing to wholeheartedly serve me?"

"Do not."

"I haven't even said what I can give you yet."

"The foundation of our dynasty lies in Your Excellency's pacification of the three towns. Your achievements are unparalleled in the court and the country. You are like a pillar that stabilizes the sea, and no one can shake your position. You are the only one who should be in power."

This was absolute power. Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Li finally closed her eyes in despair.

After a long silence, she sighed softly.

"I underestimated you... Grind the ink."

"The Empress Dowager is a woman of great wisdom and righteousness."

Xiao Yi turned his head and saw writing brush and ink on a table on the side of the hall. He walked over, ground the ink, and spread out yellow hemp paper.

Afterwards, Empress Dowager Li came over, sat down, picked up a pen, and began writing a letter.

Her handwriting was excellent, with neat strokes, a powerful and majestic style, and you couldn't tell at all that it was written by a woman.

"The late emperor was assassinated, and the country is in grave danger. You are the nephew of Emperor Gaozu, and I regard you as my own son. I wish to adopt you as my son so that you may continue the ancestral rites of Emperor Gaozu and become the legitimate heir to the throne..."

First, he adopted Liu Yun as his son, then he told Liu Yun that Guo Wei had no intention of rebelling, so that Liu Yun would have no doubts and go to the capital overnight.

After writing it down, Empress Dowager Li made a gesture as if to hand it over.

Xiao Yi reached out to take it.

Instead of handing over the letter directly, she held it between two fingers, suspended it in mid-air, leaned slightly forward, and asked in a low voice.

"How do you know the path to imperial power?"

“He was adopted and educated by Li Gongsong.”

"Is that so? But as I can see, you spoke from the heart, from the depths of your soul."

Xiao Yi was taken aback. He could feel the Empress Dowager Li's intense gaze, full of scrutiny, as if she wanted to pierce into his heart.

I'm afraid I'll make a mistake by saying too much today.

Before he could answer, she unwrapped the letter and then took a jade pendant from her waist and handed it to him.

"Take this. It is a plum blossom patterned pendant given to you by Emperor Gaozu at the beginning of the founding of the nation."

"Transfer it to Liu Yun?"

"No, it is for you. You are my trusted confidant, who took in my adopted son. There should be a token as proof."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

Xiao Yi took the jade pendant; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, clearly an extraordinary piece.

Empress Dowager Li said, “I supported my legitimate son to become emperor and entrusted power to my own brother, but neither of them is capable of shouldering the great responsibility. Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to adopt another son. Liu Yun is not related to me and I do not know anything about him... If you were half of him, I would be at ease.”

Xiao Yi sensed that she had a deeper meaning. He looked at her and saw that she was dignified and noble, with an air of appreciation in her eyes.

She was testing whether she could adopt him as her son, not to support him as emperor, but to exchange political resources, such as the power of Li Ye, for his use.

Xiao Yi understood her unwillingness to admit defeat, but he simply laughed it off.

She underestimated him.

(End of this chapter)