“You haven’t even changed your robe, and you’re still carrying your saber. Even if he didn’t recognize you, with a bit of thought, he wouldn’t dare to shout at you so brazenly in the street,” Andrew Bennett said. “Besides, I think his memory isn’t bad—he recognized me clearly enough.”
“I just think it’s too much of a coincidence,” Matthew Lee mused. “We just happened to run into him.”
“Coincidence is exactly what we want.” Andrew Bennett tossed aside the storybook. “This Shen…”
“William Sullivan,” Matthew Lee said.
“Letting him into Zhaozui Temple feels like losing a round,” Andrew Bennett said thoughtfully, a calculating look in his eyes.
* * *
Sophia Reed took off his wind collar and wiped away his sweat.
Outside, George Scott ran in with his legs pressed together, repeatedly saying, “Thank you, thank you! Brother Sophia, I really owe you!”
Sophia Reed said, “It was nothing, we’re brothers.”
George Scott grinned, then turned and shouted to the record keeper, “Old Turner! Mark down Brother Sophia for today—he carried my sedan chair for me. I caught a chill last night and was dizzy this morning. If it weren’t for Brother Sophia’s help, I’d have been in trouble.”
Sophia Reed lowered his head, still wiping sweat. “Since you’ve caught a chill, let’s go to the Xu family’s shop later for some mutton soup.”
George Scott quickly replied, “Great, Brother Sophia’s treating! Old Turner, did you hear that? We’ll go together in a bit!”
“Don’t let this weigh on your mind,” Sophia Reed patted George Scott on the back. “Take care of yourself. If you’re not feeling well next time, don’t keep it to yourself—just tell me.”
George Scott nodded eagerly like a puppy, already too tempted by the thought of mutton soup to care about anything else.
* * *
Chancellor King finally wrapped himself in a quilt at night. Sitting across from William Sullivan, he said, “In half a month it’ll be the Zhengdan Festival. The capital will host a grand banquet for all officials, and the provincial governors and inspectors from all over will come to pay their respects. I’m still unclear about the current situation—tell me what you know.”
William Sullivan, dressed lightly in the snow, held the opening stance of the Ji family boxing style, sweat trickling down his forehead. He said, “The Prince of Libei has been ill for years, so all military affairs are handled by his heir, Charles Bennett. I doubt he’ll come this time either. The five counties of Qidong also contributed to the rescue this time. The first to receive rewards is one of the four generals, Benjamin Harris. In the next few days, Marshal King should arrive as well. So, for now, the two major military powers of Great Zhou are—”
“Hold on.” Chancellor King pulled a ruler from under his quilt. “Who are the four generals?”
“Iron Cavalry and Frozen Rivers Charles Bennett, Beacon Fires and Blowing Sand Benjamin Harris, Windswept Wilds Lily King, Thunder Shakes Jade Terrace Richard Moore!”
“I’ve only heard of Richard Moore. But I also know that Benjamin Harris is probably the son of Lord of the Border Sands, Julia Harris. Although Julia Harris later guarded the borderlands, he was originally from Libei and was sworn brothers with the Prince of Libei, Philip Bennett. If Benjamin Harris has a sister, she must be married into the Xiao family, right?”
“Yes,” William Sullivan replied, sweat dripping. “Benjamin Harris’s younger sister is the heir consort of Libei.”
“Then where do you get two major military powers?” Chancellor King said. “With that connection, the Lu family is the nail Libei has driven into the five counties of Qidong—it’s all mixed up. Besides, the capital still has the Eight Great Camps, and under them, the Imperial Guards. The Eight Camps may not have as many men as Libei or Qidong, nor are they as renowned for their valor, but remember: the capital is the heart of Great Zhou, and they hold the emperor’s command.”
Chancellor King weighed his ruler, took a gourd, and sipped some wine to warm himself.
“Also remember, although the Embroidered Guards can’t be called ‘troops,’ their effectiveness far surpasses that of regular soldiers. When the emperor uses troops, he needs to rely on famous ministers and fierce generals. When a general is out in the field, he may not always obey the emperor’s orders. If you hold them too tightly, they won’t be useful; too loosely, and they may become a threat. It’s a delicate balance, and you must adapt to the situation. But the Embroidered Guards are different—they are the emperor’s fierce hounds, and the leash is held by the emperor alone. Whether it’s tight or loose, whether they’re favored or abandoned, all depends on the emperor’s mood. If you had such a blade, such a dog, would you like it?”
William Sullivan forced himself to hold on a moment longer. “If you like it—you’ll indulge it! Too much favor will bring disaster.”
“Your brother taught you well,” Chancellor King said. “That’s right, remember this—remember it well! Too much favor will bring disaster. Keeping the worthy close and the treacherous at a distance is the way of virtue, but when you’re in the thick of it, black and white are intertwined—how can you always tell who is virtuous and who is treacherous? Besides, even the most virtuous gentlemen can’t do everything. But the treacherous can, the petty can. The emperor, secluded in the palace, must understand the art of balance and listen to all voices. See, with the Embroidered Guards comes the Eastern Depot; with Libei comes Qidong.”
Chancellor King paused for a moment, then continued.
“When water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes. Do you know why the Xiao family hates the Shen Guards so much this time? It’s not just that Libei can’t be rewarded after this battle—the real reason is that, win or lose, the Xiao family has reached the end of the road.”
William Sullivan said, “Win or lose, it’s still a loss?”
“Win or lose, it’s still a loss! Charles Bennett won the battle, but didn’t he immediately lose his brother? From now on, every victory will come with greater risk. This time he lost his brother; next time, it could be his wife, his father, or even himself.”
Chapter 9 Promotion
Since the end of the year, people on the streets of the capital have been wearing “Nao’e” masks made from black-gold paper. With the Zhengdan Festival approaching, ordinary families are busy making pastries and cooked meats. In the palace, preparations for the grand banquet of all officials begin half a month in advance. The Imperial Household Department is so busy their feet barely touch the ground, but the inner eunuchs are making a tidy profit from it all.