The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 161 First Envoy
"I have been well served by Xiao Sheren; it is time for me to return home."

An Yuanzhen wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, sniffed, and put away her girlish demeanor, adopting an aloof and superior attitude.

Xiao Yi took her hand and said, "I'll take you there."

"No, if your uncle sees you, he'll start a fight."

"It doesn't matter."

"But I'm afraid you'll hurt your uncle."

Xiao Yi smiled and said, "I won't hit him."

After the two left the post station, An Yuanzhen quickly stepped forward and gave a curtsy to An Shenhui, who was sitting in the carriage, and An Shoulin, whose eyes were still bruised.

"I've met my uncle and cousin. I asked them to take me out to relax and cheer me up."

"Get in the car." An Shenhui sighed, "I can't control you. Let your grandfather discipline you when we get back to Xiangzhou."

"Oh."

An Yuanzhen turned back and gave Xiao Yi a deep look before boarding the carriage.

As soon as the carriage curtain was lowered, An Shenhui's face darkened.

“I’ve said it before, if you dare to associate with me again, I will turn my back on you without mercy.”

"Please enlighten me, Lord An."

Xiao Yi didn't think An Shenhui would do anything. Since he and An Yuanzhen had already formed a relationship, it was better for the An family to save face than to turn against each other.

However, the old man was quite stubborn. As soon as he returned to Kaifeng, he took him to see Guo Wei and complained to the emperor. He spoke very bluntly from the start.

"Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has kidnapped and humiliated the former Empress, a heinous crime. This old minister begs Your Majesty to execute him!"

Xiao Yi had no way to argue.

Guo Wei's face turned ashen, and he threw a memorial at Guo Wei's face.

"You wicked child! How dare you!"

The memorial fell to the ground, and glancing at it, he saw that it was yet another memorial impeaching him.

"His Majesty issued a decree to eliminate Buddhism, intending to purify the religious community. Yet Xiao Yi kicked down doors, broke down doors, and set fire to the hall, causing the deaths of novices and filling the courtyard with charred remains. Is this the way of the Holy Dynasty to be lenient towards distant lands? Cao Cao banned Buddhism, but still maintained proper etiquette. Emperor Wu of Zhou destroyed the Dharma but did not kill monks. Xiao Yi overstepped his bounds and took over the reins..."

The rest was illegible; the memorial was surprisingly long.

I didn't see who wrote it.

Unexpectedly, it was Wang Jun who helped him this time.

Wang Jun, who was holding a private audience in the palace, stepped forward to support An Shenhui and advised, "Brother An, why be angry? His Majesty has never regarded your niece as the former empress. Otherwise, how could he allow her to return to her hometown to serve her elderly father?"

An Shenhui said, "This old minister thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

Wang Jun said, "Although Xiao Yi has made great contributions, he has bullied women. His Majesty will surely punish him severely. Brother An, please go back and rest first."

"Old minister, please retire."

As soon as An Shenhui left, Guo Wei smashed a wine pot over there.

Xiao Yi caught it and placed it on the ground.

"You dare block my way? You've gone too far!"

"Your Majesty is frugal. I was afraid it would break, and there was wine inside."

"You idiot, you're always bothering me with your nonsense."

Despite the cursing, Xiao Yi could tell that Guo Wei was genuinely angry, but he already knew about it, so what could he do?

"Your Majesty, calm down."

"Have you read the memorials on the ground?"

"I've seen a little bit."

"You shielded me from disaster, so I won't punish you this time. Your merits and demerits will be forgiven."

"Yes."

Xiao Yi lowered his head, his gaze falling on the abacus that Wang Jun had never put down. He thought to himself, "This time we made a lot of money for Guo Wei, how can we let the good deeds go unpunished?"

Guo Wei tapped the cup.

Xiao Yi stepped forward and poured him a cup of wine.

"You've come at the perfect time. I'm considering letting you lay low for a while, so that the censors won't keep submitting endless memorials impeaching you."

"Your Majesty, I will obey your orders."

Xiao Yi knew perfectly well that the so-called "avoiding the limelight" was just a pretense of concern for him, but in reality, it was Guo Wei's attempt to extend his influence beyond the capital.

Sure enough, Guo Wei said, "Choose one of the two routes, one in the south and one in the north. Go north to Yedu and bring Sanlang back. On the way there and back, check the situation of the suppression of Buddhism in various prefectures."

Xiao Yi clasped his hands in greeting and listened attentively to what was to come, but Guo Wei simply pulled out a memorial and tossed it over.

"See for yourself. Your writing is quite good; you don't need the Imperial Secretary to explain it to you."

"Yes."

Xiao Yi didn't know why Guo Wei praised his literary talent; perhaps it was due to comparison.

He first looked at the envelope, which read "Liu Yan, Military Governor of Wuping Army and Inspector of the Ministry of Works", but when he recalled the various military governors of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he had no recollection of them at all.

Looking at the contents of the memorial again, I didn't quite understand it the first time.

"Your subject Liu Yan bows twice and presents this memorial to the Emperor of the Great Zhou. Since the Ma brothers instigated the conflict in Chu, numerous villains have vied for power, causing unrest in the Five Streams and unrest in the Three Xiang regions. Langzhou, located between Hunan and Hubei, effectively controls Jing and Ying. Now, the military headquarters is without a leader. Although Wang Kui and Zhou Xingfeng are brave and fierce, they are also hot-tempered. The soldiers and civilians fear their tyranny, and the people are in uproar. They have forced me to temporarily assume command. I entered the headquarters alone to temporarily quell the unrest. I dare not harbor any ulterior motives, but truly wish to save this region. Since receiving the appointment, I have carefully pacified the soldiers and civilians, and the territory has initially been at peace, with no offenses committed against the people. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to recognize my foolish loyalty, to pity my difficult situation, and to issue a special decree appointing me Military Governor of Wuping Army, and bestowing upon me the banner, insignia, and halberd, so that I may act with authority to secure the borders and serve as a bulwark for the court. I will be eternally grateful for Your Majesty's grace, and will pay tribute annually to assist the Holy Dynasty in its peaceful endeavors. I am deeply apprehensive and earnest. I bow twice and present this memorial on the sixteenth day of the first month of the first year of Guangshun."

Xiao Yi looked at it again and, based on the place names, deduced that there was a Chu state to the south, whose ruler was surnamed Ma, and whose brothers were fighting for the throne, leading to internal strife.

In the state of Chu, there was a prefecture called Langzhou. The military men there wanted to strengthen their army, so they pressured Liu Yan to become its military governor. Liu Yan was in a precarious position, fearing he couldn't control the situation, and hoped to gain the support of the Zhou dynasty.

But that's not right. The Great Zhou Dynasty has only been established for a month, and today is only the thirtieth day of the first lunar month. Liu Yan can only theoretically submit his memorial in time... "Xiao Yi, what are your thoughts?"

"May I ask, does Liu Yan have any gifts to present?"

“Yes,” Wang Jun said, “but it’s just cinnabar, rhinoceros horn, musk, and kudzu cloth.”

"May I ask how far it is from Langzhou to Kaifeng?"

Guo Wei's expression shifted, and he murmured, "Eighteen hundred li away, in the dead of winter, for an envoy to arrive with such generous gifts in less than half a month is far too fast."

Wang Jun said, "Liu Yan sent an envoy to request the imperial edict from the previous dynasty. It is common practice for the envoy to arrive in Kaifeng and acknowledge the Great Zhou as the legitimate dynasty."

Xiao Yi said, "It is clear that this memorial was written after the envoy arrived in Kaifeng."

"so what?"

"The envoy dared to make such a decision on behalf of Liu Yan, which shows he is a capable person. In addition, he knew that Liu Yan did not care whether he submitted to the Han or the Zhou."

"In that case, I should bestow an imperial decree upon Liu Yan. I ask you, are you willing to serve as an envoy to Langzhou to comfort Liu Yan?"

Xiao Yi knew that Guo Wei was temporarily unable to launch a military campaign against Chu, and that it would be best to support a vassal state that was friendly to the Great Zhou.

He already knew that Liu Yan originally intended to submit to the Later Han, and might even have sent envoys to the Southern Tang and Later Shu at the same time, so the situation in Langzhou must be very complicated.

In comparison, it would be much safer to go to Yedu to pick up Guo Xin.

But Guo Wei said it was up to him to choose, and judging from his attitude, he clearly hoped that Guo Wei would take the initiative to go to Langzhou.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens."

"good very good."

Guo Wei was clearly pleased. He pointed at Xiao Yi and said to Wang Jun, "How about that? I knew this kid wasn't one to back down from trouble."

Wang Jun kept a straight face and said, "The court has no time to look south. If Liu Yan requests reinforcements to attack Tanzhou, An Shenqi can be sent to lead the troops."

"heard it?"

"Yes."

"Then I will not mobilize troops. You go to Xiangzhou first, confer the title of Prince of Nanyang on An Shenqi, and order him to provide support to Liu Yan."

"Your Majesty, I have offended An..."

"Brother Xiufeng, this lad is asking for favors. What official position do you think he should be given since he's been sent on this mission?"

"He could be promoted to Attendant-in-Ordinary, an important position under the Ministry of Personnel. As a court official, he could serve as an envoy to demonstrate the Great Zhou's emphasis on Langzhou. He could also serve as the Pacification Commissioner of Shannan East Circuit and Wuping Army, carrying the imperial edict to read out imperial decrees, comfort the soldiers and civilians, and investigate public opinion."

"That's not enough," Guo Wei said. "Add the title of Acting Minister of Works. Otherwise, how can we get things done if our rank is insufficient?"

Xiao Yi knew that this was Guo Wei's response to the censor's impeachment.

The limelight can be avoided, but the temples will continue to be raided.

In the end, he got promoted. Although this trip was dangerous, he was able to make a name for himself and expand his business and influence, as well as gain experience and knowledge.

"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."

“Go to the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial and select two officials to accompany you on your mission.”

"Your Majesty, I already have someone in mind."

Xiao Yi responded too quickly, and after he finished, he noticed that Wang Jun had clearly frowned.

It seems that Wang Jun originally wanted to install officials, but this old man is too nosy and difficult to get along with.

He pretended not to see it.

"Yan Jinqing, Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, and Li Fang, Left Advisor."

"allow……"

Xiao Yi left the palace and first went with Wang Jun to receive his official appointment.

His current official titles include Loyal and Courageous Meritorious Official, Baron of the Founding County, General of Loyalty and Martial Arts, Grand Master of the Court, Commander of the Palace Guard, Attendant Censor, Pacification Commissioner of Shannan East Circuit, Pacification Commissioner of Wuping Army, and Acting Minister of Works.

The title of Tongshi Sheren was changed to Geshizhong, and he enjoyed the treatment of a third-rank official.

The Pacification Commissioner was a temporary official, and he was given a bamboo insignia and an imperial edict.

He needed to bring many things to Liu Yan: the imperial edicts appointing him Military Governor of Wuping, Grand Tutor, and Chancellor; gilded bronze banners, axes, swords, and canopies; and gold and silver jewels as a reward.

There were even two beauties among them.

"You must not touch these two women." Wang Jun gave the order with a cold face, then changed his tone after a moment and said, "Unless you can make them devoted to you and offer themselves to Liu Yan."

"If I cannot do that, I will certainly not touch them."

Wang Jun reiterated, "Even if they climb on top of you, you have to endure it."

Seeing his rambling, Xiao Yi replied, "Don't worry, Lord Wang, I am not easily swayed by women."

Wang Jun watched coldly without saying a word.

Xiao Yi was confident and composed.

After a long pause, Wang Jun said, "From now on, when you recommend officials, you must discuss it with me first. Do not act on your own initiative."

Xiao Yi thought to himself that he had some mediocre subordinates and didn't want to get himself trapped in the State of Chu, so he gave a few perfunctory words and took his leave.

After leaving the Privy Council, preparations began for the journey.

He selected fifty elite soldiers, including Zhang Mantun, and entrusted camp affairs to Hua Nong, while keeping Feng Sheng by his side as an advisor. He had already made a telescope that was temporarily usable, although it was still a bit blurry, but it was better than crystal. He took one with him and instructed Lao Pan to keep it a secret, and to deliver it on schedule in March. The suppression of Buddhism was on track, and he handed over Yin Cheng to Fan Zhi. He sent a message to the palace, telling Zhang Wan that when he returned, he would risk offending Guo Xin to bring her out.

He made sure to arrange everything, big or small, within two or three days. On the first day of the second month, after receiving his salary, he hosted a feast at Fanlou for all the generals of the Palace Guard.

The next day, as dawn broke, he mounted his horse and rode through the sleeping city of Kaifeng.

(End of this chapter)