Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Jiangnan, the Song Family residence in Lin’an.

The head of the Song Family, Song Yunlian, was already over seventy. His hair had turned entirely white, without a single black strand remaining. He was short and gaunt, dressed in a clean and tidy black cotton robe as he paced before the main hall.

His steps were small. For one thing, Song Yunlian was a scholar who had once attained the Jinshi degree, though he had never risen to any particularly high office. For another, age had weakened his legs. He could no longer remember how many years had passed since he had last been able to walk with long, vigorous strides.

Although winters in Jiangnan could hardly be considered severe, light snow was still falling outside.

The charcoal brazier burned feebly, containing only two or three pieces of charcoal. Yet beads of sweat appeared on Song Yunlian’s face from time to time. Beneath his refined and scholarly bearing lay an unmistakable trace of panic.

A young man strode through the doorway.

When he saw Song Yunlian standing before the hall, he hurriedly called out, “Father!”

“Qi’er, how did it go?”

Song Yunlian turned around. The moment he saw Song Qi, he cast aside all concern for etiquette and hurriedly questioned him.

Song Qi braced himself against a pillar and paused to catch his breath before shaking his head.

“Father, forget Qian Ning—he cannot protect us. Even Grand Secretary Yang has been demoted to Second Grand Secretary. Three days ago, Grand Secretary Yang told me so himself at his residence.”

After speaking, he glanced around.

Song Yunlian immediately understood and dismissed all the servants. Only then did Song Qi move closer and whisper, “Father, Grand Secretary Yang asked me to bring you a message: Keep your head and surrender your money, or keep your money and lose your head!”

Song Yunlian frowned deeply as violent waves surged through his heart.

He and the current Chief Grand Secretary, Yang Ming, came from the same hometown and had studied together. When Yang Ming had traveled to the Capital to sit for the Imperial Examination, Song Yunlian had given him considerable assistance. The two had exchanged letters for many years and could be considered close friends.

Song Yunlian did not believe that such a friend would deceive him, but he still wanted to confirm the circumstances.

“Qi’er, did you meet your Uncle Yang in person? Was he wearing his official robes or casual clothes? Did he meet you alone, or was someone else present? Were you in his study or the main hall?”

“Father, I met Uncle Yang alone in his study. Uncle Yang had only just returned from court and had not even had time to change out of his official robes before summoning me. After delivering the message, he ordered me to change horses and hurry back to Lin’an.”

“I did not dare delay. I traveled for seven days and seven nights and exhausted a fine horse to death before barely making it back to Lin’an. I did not stop to rest and came to see you immediately.”

Anxiety and alarm showed on Song Qi’s face, but he did his utmost to keep his voice steady.

Song Yunlian closed his eyes and spoke sorrowfully.

“Grand Secretary Yang has not forgotten the friendship we shared as fellow students all those years ago. Qi’er, go back and rest. Your father knows what must be done…”

By the end, his eyes were filled with desolation.

The Song Family had amassed an enormous fortune, yet now he could only hope that it would be enough to purchase their lives.

Song Qi saw the dejection in his father’s face, and tears glimmered in his eyes. He bowed and said, “Father, please take care of yourself. Your son will withdraw.”

Within Bianzhou City, panic had already spread through the populace.

Ever since the Imperial Envoy died several months ago, people had been dying almost every day. The enormous Bianzhou Prison was now packed with inmates.

Riverside Tower was the largest and most extravagant Restaurant in Bianzhou. It was renowned even throughout Jiangnan.

The Restaurant stood near the Qinhuai River. Its entire foundation had been constructed from blue stone bonded with glutinous-rice mortar. Every beam and pillar had been fashioned from century-old ironwood.

The structure twisted and turned, each section interlocking with the next. Beams crossed both horizontally and vertically, layer upon layer, yet not a single iron nail had been used. The five-story building was held together by only three hundred and eight wooden pegs. Clear lacquer had been applied over the wood, lending the interior an elegant and welcoming atmosphere.

The outer roof tiles were blue-white porcelain tiles fired in the kilns of Yue. Although they could not compare with the yellow and purple glazed tiles of the Imperial Palace, they were only slightly inferior.

Upturned eaves and beast-shaped roof ridges rose above blue tiles and stone walls. Bamboo, plum blossoms, orchids, and osmanthus complemented one another, creating an elegant and picturesque scene.

Thus, a poem had been written:

A white wild goose drifts down as all else withers;

Within Riverside Tower, spring remains locked away.

Its extravagance was evident.

Yet at that moment, not a single guest could be seen inside Riverside Tower. Only the cooks and waiters remained, hurrying about their tasks.

A lone man sat at the main table on the fifth floor.

His hair was graying, and he possessed hawklike eyes and a hooked nose. He wore a brilliant red official robe embroidered with a Flood Dragon.

He was none other than Eunuch Li, the Pen-Holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

After finishing a cup of tea, Eunuch Li beckoned with his hand.

A eunuch in blue-green robes standing behind him immediately presented a warm, damp towel.

“Ancestor, please wipe your hands.”

Eunuch Li smiled and nodded. He accepted the towel and asked, “What time is it?”

“Ancestor, it is almost the end of the Shen Hour and nearly the You Hour.”

“Mm.”

Eunuch Li wiped his hands, his expression relaxed.

“Are the Jade-Carving Gentlemen and Golden-Thread Ladies waiting?”

“They are all waiting, Ancestors. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is also standing by in the courtyard!” the blue-green-robed eunuch replied respectfully.

“Have them eat in shifts. Do not let them eat too much. Should a full stomach cause them to delay our business, I will have their heads removed!”

Outside Riverside Tower, several carriages came to a halt.

A group of rugged but prosperous-looking middle-aged men stepped down and followed a eunuch toward the fifth floor.

“Eunuch Li, it has been a long time. Have you been well lately?” asked a broad-browed, large-eyed middle-aged man walking at the front, his face wreathed in smiles.

“Thank you for your concern, Chief Xu. You gentlemen have endured a tiring journey. Please take a seat. We will wait a little longer,” Eunuch Li replied calmly.

Before long, middle-aged men, young men, and elders arrived on the fifth floor one after another and found places to sit.

When Eunuch Li saw that nearly everyone had arrived, he stood and cupped his hands.

“Gang Chiefs and Sect Leaders, I am Li Zhen, Pen-Holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Riverside Tower is one of Jiangnan’s most celebrated establishments, offering countless fine wines and exquisite delicacies.”

“Liu An, pass down the order. Serve the wine and dishes.”

Everyone rose and returned his greeting.

A short while later, the tables were laden with food and wine. The guests sampled only a few mouthfuls before setting down their chopsticks.

Someone was the first to stand.

“Eunuch Li, may I ask why you have gathered us here? What orders do you have for us?”

Eunuch Li had been enjoying his meal. Naturally, he was displeased at being interrupted.

He raised his eyes and asked, “And you are?”

“I am Fu Xie, Deputy Gang Chief of the Qingsha Gang. Eunuch Li, please tell us what you require so we can put our anxious hearts at ease.”

Fu Xie wore a smile, and his tone remained gentle.

“Heh heh.” Eunuch Li gave a chilling laugh. “I invited the Gang Chief. Why has a mere Deputy Gang Chief appeared instead?”

Fu Xie remained neither servile nor overbearing. “Chief Qian is unwell, so I attended the banquet in his place. Whatever business Eunuch Li has may also be discussed with me.”

“Can a Deputy Gang Chief make decisions?”

“Naturally, I would still have to consult the Gang Chief. After all, I am not the Gang Chief myself.”

Eunuch Li sneered, his viciousness no longer concealed.

“So you were sent merely to dismiss me!”

“Eunuch Li—”

Before Fu Xie could finish, Eunuch Li vanished.

When he reappeared, a slender, well-defined hand was already pressed against Fu Xie’s face.

As Eunuch Li slowly withdrew his hand, Fu Xie collapsed like a puddle of mud.

A palm-shaped depression had been crushed into his face. It was neither too large nor too small, perfectly matching Eunuch Li’s hand.

Everyone was horrified.

Fu Xie had been considered one of the stronger martial artists among them. At only forty-two years old, he had already reached the Upper Fourth Rank. Advancing to the Third Rank in the future had been almost guaranteed.

Yet such a powerful man had failed to withstand even a single move. In truth, he had not even survived half a move.

Most terrifying of all, none of them had seen Eunuch Li attack.

“Since everyone wishes to hear why I summoned you, I will speak frankly.”

Eunuch Li wiped his hands and spoke indifferently, as though he had not just killed a man but merely crushed an ant beneath his foot.

“The Northern Hu are raiding the border, and the Imperial Court is also facing difficulties. I wonder whether you gentlemen might raise some provisions and military funds. You would be helping to ease His Majesty’s worries.”

The dozens of people looked at one another, but no one dared speak first.

Eunuch Li swept his gaze around the room before finally settling it on Chief Xu.

Chief Xu wanted nothing more than to slap himself across the face.

Why had he been foolish enough to greet the eunuch earlier?

“Chief Xu, why do you not tell us whether this is a good idea?” Eunuch Li asked.

His words sounded like the summons of a death messenger.

Cold sweat poured down Chief Xu’s body, but he could not remain silent. Who could guarantee that the eunuch would not attack him as well?

Fu Xie’s corpse was still warm.

Chief Xu did not even know the man. There was no reason to accompany him in death.

Besides, he had only recently taken his ninth concubine!

Chief Xu could only rise on trembling legs.

“I am willing to donate thirty thousand taels to help the Imperial Court defend the frontier!”

Eunuch Li smiled.

The lid of the teacup in his hand abruptly shot through the air and embedded itself deep in the table before Chief Xu.

“Mm? I did not hear you clearly. How much?”

“Th-thirty thousand taels.”

Chief Xu’s voice trembled as he dropped to his knees.

When Eunuch Li’s expression remained unchanged, he hurriedly continued, “This humble one misspoke. Forty percent! Forty percent, with one-tenth provided in grain and provisions. Eunuch Li, this humble one is utterly loyal to His Majesty…”

Only after hearing “forty percent” did Eunuch Li nod in satisfaction. His voice carried a hint of reassurance.

“Now that is how a subject of His Majesty should behave.”

Seeing that the matter was settled, Chief Xu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He would treat it as spending money to avert disaster. No matter how much money he possessed, once he died, it would be worth less than the dirt covering his grave.

The others wore equally grave expressions.

They were not like Chief Xu, whose businesses were mostly legitimate. Most of their enterprises operated outside the law.

Earning money had never been easy for them. Every coin had been obtained by Living with Blood on the Blade. Some of the Gang Chiefs also had large numbers of followers to support.

If forty percent of their wealth suddenly vanished, whether they could retain their positions as Gang Chiefs would become uncertain.

“Eunuch Li, though I am a man of little ability, my unworthy son is a disciple of the Bolang Sect. I dare ask you one question: Is this His Majesty’s will, or…”

A tall, thin middle-aged man at the neighboring table rose.

Several middle-aged men nearby, along with some of the men seated beside Deputy Gang Chief Fu’s table, also stood in support.

“Heh. This matter has nothing to do with you. I will pay the Bolang Sect a visit before long!”

Eunuch Li’s voice was sinister, yet his face remained perfectly calm.

The tall, thin man merely smiled meaningfully.

“Unless Eunuch Li explains matters clearly, I dare not make a donation.”

Eunuch Li set down his teacup.

“It appears to me that you dare quite a lot.”

Before his words had finished falling, a chopstick was already embedded between the tall man’s brows.

It passed through his skull and flew out from the back of his head, scattering several crimson droplets through the air.

The men beside him were horrified, but before they could react, Eunuch Li vanished from his seat.

Only the sound of two palms striking in rapid succession could be heard.

Before anyone could clearly see his figure, several corpses had already collapsed to the floor. Blood flowed from all seven orifices, and their eyes remained open in death.

By the time the others recovered from their shock, Eunuch Li was already seated and drinking tea again.

Several people from the table beside Fu Xie seized the opportunity to smash through a window and leap outside.

Those remaining inside heard several screams from below.

Then all fell silent.

A few breaths later, several black-clothed men entered carrying the severed heads of those who had jumped from the window. Blood dripped from them, leaving a trail across the floor.

After seeing this, no one dared resist.

They hurriedly declared that they would also donate forty percent of their wealth to ease His Majesty’s worries.

The corners of Eunuch Li’s mouth rose.

Only after taking another sip of tea did he speak with a smile.

“All beneath Heaven is the sovereign’s land, and all within its borders are the sovereign’s subjects.”

“His Majesty shows consideration for you, so you must also show consideration for His Majesty. You possess everything you have today only because His Majesty permits it.”

“A person must understand gratitude and repay kindness.”

“Remember this well. Deceive the sovereign or defy your superiors, and your head will fall!”