The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 131 For my use

Upon returning to the Zichen Palace, the coffin had already been moved into the palace.

Xiao Yi stood under the corridor, while An Yuanzhen, like a puppet, led a group of palace servants in mourning.

Old Pan arrived and whispered, "General, the craftsmen have been chosen; they are right outside the palace gate."

Xiao Yi thought to himself that things had come to an end and this trouble could be avoided, but then he thought again that it might not be a bad opportunity.

"Let's go."

"Yes, I chose the old stonemason who spoke with the general that day. His name is Zhao Chu. He has a large family, and the craftsmen all think he is reliable."

As he walked and listened to Old Pan, Xiao Yi was actually thinking about something else.

About the Li brothers.

Now that we've tried sitting on the dragon throne and tasted the plum blossom ointment, and found it quite comfortable, the risks weren't taken for nothing. It's time to put it into action.

Upon exiting the palace gate, he first glanced at the old stonemason Zhao Chu. Seeing that the man was wrapped in a short coat and waiting in the cold wind without any impatience, he seemed to be an honest man.

Over there, Zhao Chu looked over and immediately knelt down in the snow.

"This old man greets my benefactor and thanks him for saving my life."

Xiao Yi stepped forward to help them up and asked, "How have you been lately? Has anyone been giving you a hard time at the Imperial Workshop?"

"Alright, alright, I'm busy, busy making things to welcome the new emperor."

"I have a personal matter I'd like to ask you to handle."

“Just give the order, my benefactor. I will do my best to save your life without batting an eye.”

Xiao Yi remained silent, his gaze deep, indicating that this matter was highly confidential.

Zhao Chu was slightly taken aback, then realized what he meant and said, "Don't worry, my benefactor, I'm a reliable person."

"Very well, the Empress Dowager has passed away. Three days later, she will be sent to Ruiling Mausoleum to be buried with Emperor Gaozu. The matter of sealing the tomb will still be left to you."

“Those little people…”

"Don't worry, I'll ensure your safety. However, the Empress Dowager's last wish was to be buried in Yuci, which is against the national rites. I plan to switch the coffin and cremate the body after arriving at Ruiling Mausoleum. Can you do that?"

“Old man…” Zhao Chu’s eyes showed horror, but he gritted his teeth and replied, “Yes, we can. We need to get manpower to dig a tunnel and build an incinerator.”

"Alright, you find the people. After the job is done, each person will receive ten strings of cash."

"I dare not accept the general's reward, I only need clay and pine wood..."

“Money is not a problem.” Xiao Yi turned to Lao Pan and instructed him, “Just give him the necessary funds.”

Old Pan reminded him, "General, we need to use the 1,000 strings of cash that were withheld. Have you looked at the previous accounts? Mr. Li has already spent 300 strings of cash on his attempt to build a telescope."

Xiao Yi said, "No need to touch our money, I'll give you the change later."

"Will you find the money soon?"

Back at the palace gate, they could hear Li Hongjian crying in the distance.

Xiao Yi turned his head and saw Li Hongyi and Li Hongjian, dressed in hemp clothing, helping another person down from the carriage.

This man was in his fifties, tall and robust, also dressed in mourning clothes, yet he couldn't hide the murderous aura emanating from him; it must be Li Hongxin.

Xiao Yi stopped and waited for the three brothers to come forward. When his gaze fell on Li Hongxin, who had not yet noticed the palace gate, he was deep in thought, his left hand stroking a silver ring on his right thumb.

"Ah, it's General Xiao."

"Greetings, everyone. This must be General Li of Shanzhou. I have long admired your name."

"It must be because I, Li, have long admired General Xiao's name and admire his daring in his youth."

After Li Hongxin finished speaking, he looked at her with a meaningful gaze, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes seeming to be probing.

Sure enough, he must have just received the thin coffin from "Wu Shangshi".

Xiao Yi felt Li Hongxin's gaze fall on the plum blossom-patterned jade pendant at his waist and asked, "When does the General plan to return to Shanzhou this time?"

The two were trying to have a serious talk, but Li Hongjian pretended they were just chatting idly. Wiping away his tears, he came over and interrupted, saying, "General, you tell me, Third Sister has caused so much trouble! How can we just abandon her at this time? What if she angers the new emperor?!"

Xiao Yi then realized that Li Hongjian truly knew nothing.

He looked displeased and snapped, "Nonsense!"

"This……"

"The Empress Dowager was heartbroken because Li Ye had bewitched the late emperor. Now that she has entrusted the country to a wise ruler, she can rest assured and let go. How dare you spread rumors and cause trouble? Aren't you afraid of being punished?!"

"No, I wouldn't dare."

"Furthermore, is the new emperor, with his magnanimous spirit, so easily angered?"

"No no no."

Li Hongjian was horrified by the rebuke, but then breathed a sigh of relief.

A faint smile seemed to flicker across Li Hongxin's face, but it instantly turned into grief as he said something profound.

"What spirit, General Xiao! You have not disappointed me."

Xiao Yi's attitude changed quickly. He bowed and said, "I failed to protect the Empress Dowager. Please forgive me."

Having said that, he seized the initiative in the conversation without waiting for Li Hongxin to make any further probing remarks.

"I have something to say to you all, please."

The four then moved to a secluded spot nearby.

Xiao Yi said, "The Empress Dowager's last wish was to be buried in Yuci. I plan to switch the coffin at Ruiling Mausoleum. Please cooperate."

"what?!"

Xiao Yi ignored Li Hongyi and Li Hongjian's reactions and focused his gaze solely on Li Hongxin.

Originally, they understood each other implicitly, but now he has taken the initiative.

The goal is simple: to use a minor, secret matter to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the two parties.

His biggest asset is his past favor to the Guo family, but favors will eventually fade, so he needs to convert them into strength as soon as possible. The Li family has deep roots; even a centipede with a hundred legs will not die easily. What they lack is Guo Wei's trust, making them the most complementary to each other.

Sure enough, a look of surprise flashed in Li Hongxin's eyes. His eyes darted around quickly, as if he wanted to make a move but was unsure of what to do.

"Why bother? It is only right that the Empress Dowager be buried with Emperor Gaozu."

“Respect for the deceased is paramount; I wish to respect her last wishes.” Xiao Yi asked, “Is Commander Li afraid that the risk is too great?”

Li Hongxin smiled faintly and said, "That's true. My little sister has always missed her hometown. What does she need to do this?"

"Big brother..."

"Shut up."

Xiao Yi said, "For now, we only need to cover the cost of bribing the craftsmen."

Li Hongxin nodded and glanced at Li Hongjian.

Soon, a contract was handed to Xiao Yi.

"With this contract, General, you may withdraw one thousand strings of cash from any 'Jin Di Merchant Guild' in the city." Xiao Yi accepted it without ceremony and casually asked, "Jin Di Merchant Guild? They sell northern goods?"

Li Hongyi waved his hand with a smile first, saying, "It's just a small-scale affair."

They were unwilling to talk about it, and Xiao Yi did not press them for details. He casually remarked, "If Liu Chong were to establish a separatist regime in the future, it would be difficult to obtain northern goods if there were no other channels."

Li Hongjian laughed and said, "If we can establish ourselves in the new dynasty, these are all minor matters."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Hongxin patted him, stopping the conversation from going any further.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi didn't say anything more and invited them into the palace.

That's enough for today. Big deals can't be closed in one go.

Enter the Zichen Hall to pay respects.

Li Hongxin's acting was good; he conveyed grief and fear without overdoing it.

Afterwards, everyone silently observed the mourning period.

An Yuanzhen adopted a dignified and sorrowful demeanor, perhaps because she hadn't expected to have to act as the empress again on such an occasion, and she was unusually devoted to it.

Xiao Yi stood silently at the palace gate. When he saw Zhang Wan bring musicians to play funeral music, she gave him a look, and he followed without making a sound.

After walking for a while, Zhang Wan kept looking around to avoid other people, and finally chose an empty side room in the east corridor of the largest Guangzheng Hall.

Once inside, she closed the door and said, "This is the place where the late emperor killed Shi Hongzhao and others; no one will come here."

"You didn't leave with her?"

“I cannot leave. If Lady Shangyi were to abscond, it would not only attract attention, but you would also be guilty of negligence.”

Xiao Yi said dismissively, "You're quite considerate of me."

Zhang Wan said, "I only ask that the general keep this a secret for us."

On what grounds?

Zhang Wan lowered her head, adopting a submissive posture, and said softly, "If the general feels that serving the Empress Dowager is not enough, I am willing to serve the general. Furthermore, you can rest assured that once the coffin is placed in the mausoleum, I will commit suicide, and there will be no risk of this matter being leaked."

Xiao Yi said, "I'll ask you a question, and you'll answer it."

"Yes."

"What is Li Hanmei trying to do? Still not admitting defeat? Is she planning to side with Liu Chong and compete with the new emperor for supremacy?"

“No, that’s not it at all.” Zhang Wan stepped forward and said earnestly, “People of a fallen country only seek to preserve their lives and families and lie low to observe the situation.”

How can I trust you?

"Because my father, Li Hongxin, and the various vassal states of the Han dynasty all think the same way. I am a dying man, so why should I lie to the general?"

How many people still know the truth?

"The General, the Empress Dowager, Li Hongxin, and my two trusted palace maids are all unaware of this."

"The Empress was not involved?"

“She didn’t. I originally wanted her to witness the Empress Dowager’s death. It was just an accident that she saw you talking.”

How to shut her up?

Xiao Yi was not actually afraid of An Yuanzhen. As the saying goes, "one should not interfere with one's own family even if one is a stranger." Even if An Yuanzhen exposed his affair with Li Hanmei, he had a way to deal with it.

This question is more of a test.

Zhang Wan answered without hesitation: "An Shenqi's thoughts are no different from my father's and Li Hongxin's. Moreover, because his daughter is in the palace, he is even more anxious. Empress An knows this, and she is actually feeling guilty."

"Is there evidence?"

"There is no evidence that could lead to the new emperor's punishment, but there is evidence of An Shenqi's early correspondence with Du Chongwei, which the Empress Dowager kept and did not take out of the palace."

"give it to me."

Zhang Wan curtsied and asked, "General, are you willing to help us?"

Xiao Yi did not answer, but looked at her intently, pondering in his heart.

He only has subordinates in the army now, but lacks a capable confidant. The woman in front of him is loyal to Li Hanmei and they share a secret.

If there is no conflict of interest with Li Hanmei, it might be possible to recruit her for one's own use.

As for what comes next, we'll talk about that later.

They stared at each other for a long time, until he made Zhang Wan uneasy and her eyes darted away.

"General? Is there something wrong with me?"

“You know my secret, I cannot let you stay in the palace.”

"Yes, we will commit suicide..."

Zhang Wan looked up halfway through her sentence, as if she understood. She lowered her eyes, her eyelashes fluttered a few times, and her voice gradually softened.

"If the general does not abandon me and can rescue me from the palace, I am willing to become his concubine, serve him by his side, and never leave him in life or death."

"Willingly?"

"This servant...this servant trusts the Empress Dowager's judgment, and the Empress Dowager's last order to this servant was to protect the General, and this servant is simply following orders."

"come over."

Zhang Wan hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head, took light steps, and gently leaned into Xiao Yi's arms.

Although she was beautiful, she lacked charisma, showing neither focus nor emotion. Xiao Yi simply hugged her and patted her back lightly, without making any further moves.

At first, her body was stiff, and she was clearly very tense.

After a while, I could gradually feel her relax.

"There is no need to speak of death again."

"Yes, my lord."

"Why did you change your address?"

"My ambitions extend beyond becoming a general."

"So sensible?"

"My lord will understand in the future that the Empress Dowager has trained me very well."

Xiao Yi knew that the Empress Dowager's training certainly did not include matters of love and romance. The Empress Dowager herself had little experience, but she was good at getting emotional.

Once he sensed that Zhang Wan had gotten used to his embrace, he gently pushed her away and said, "Go."

"Yes."

Zhang Wan took two steps, straightened her clothes, turned around, met his gaze, quickly lowered her eyes, and quietly left the side room.

Xiao Yi didn't rush to leave and sat down in the side room.

Thinking of how Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin, and Wang Zhang died here, I felt the danger of serving the emperor.

(End of this chapter)