Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Jiangzhou, the Bolang Sect.
Jiangzhou bordered Mount Lu to the south and the Yangtze River to the north. The Yangtze River and Poyang Lake converged there, giving rise to the saying, “One mountain rises alone, while two waters flow together.”
A century ago, the Bolang Sect had helped the Imperial Court suppress the rebels of Poyang Lake. In recognition of its service, the Imperial Court granted the sect land and special permission to establish itself in Jiangzhou.
Through the tireless efforts of several successive Sect Masters over the following decades, the Bolang Sect gradually grew from an insignificant organization with only a few dozen disciples into a great sect that dominated Jiangzhou and inspired awe throughout Jiangnan.
Inside the Bolang Sect’s Council Hall, Sect Master Sha Yongchuan sat in the seat of honor with a grave expression.
A calling card lay quietly on the side table beside him. Written upon it were the words:
Li Zhen, Chief Supervising Eunuch of the Imperial Palace.
Several Elders occupied the seats on either side of the hall. They whispered among themselves, and none of them looked pleased.
“Enough.”
Sha Yongchuan interrupted their discussion. Picking up the calling card beside him, he said heavily, “Elders, speak your thoughts plainly. What result can possibly come from arguing among yourselves?”
The Elders below fell silent. They looked at one another until an Elder with a head of snow-white hair finally asked, “Sect Master, why has Eunuch Li come here? Did one of our disciples offend someone he should not have? Or have we overstepped some boundary without realizing it? How are we supposed to prepare when we know nothing?”
Sha Yongchuan was fifty-two that year. Although his hair had long since turned gray, his body remained sturdy, his voice was strong, and his eyes were clear. He showed little sign of age.
More than twenty years had passed since he inherited the position of Sect Master. He had experienced incidents both great and small, but this was the first time a Chief Eunuch had personally come to his door.
He picked up the calling card again. Its wording was exceedingly courteous, yet he could not shake the faint sense that Eunuch Li had come to demand an accounting.
“I heard that Eunuch Li killed several Gang Chiefs at Riverside Tower. I suspect that one of them had some connection to the Bolang Sect.”
Sha Yongchuan sighed and put down the calling card.
He then asked solemnly, “Elder Qi, what do you think?”
Elder Qi sat in the first seat on the left. He had a pale, beardless face and wore white robes, giving him the appearance of a scholar.
Although he was only the Fourth Elder, the other Elders all turned to look at him when Sha Yongchuan asked for his opinion. It was clear that Elder Qi held considerable standing within the sect.
That was indeed the case. Elder Qi was nearly seventy and had served under two generations of Sect Masters. He possessed both seniority and powerful Martial Arts, as well as considerable intelligence. He could truly be called accomplished in both the literary and martial disciplines.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Elder Qi could no longer remain silent.
“This old man has a humble opinion. At Riverside Tower, Eunuch Li killed only a few people. Clearly, he has not come here seeking all our lives. The other Gang Chiefs and Sect Leaders were permitted to return alive, which means they must have paid a considerable price.”
“I have also heard that the frontier is unstable. The only things we possess that might interest him are men and money.”
Elder Qi paused to take a sip of tea before continuing.
“As for men, our few people would not even be enough to fill a gap at the frontier. We could not hold a city wall for fifteen minutes. That leaves only money…”
“The question is, how much does Eunuch Li want? Or rather, what exactly does he expect us to surrender? In this old man’s opinion, the matter will not be so simple.”
After hearing this, Sha Yongchuan looked around at the solemn faces of the others.
He rose and declared with authority, “Wealth is merely a worldly possession. As long as we can overcome this crisis, it does not matter how much we lose. We will simply consider it the price of averting disaster!”
“I refuse to believe that silver cannot satisfy the appetite of a rootless man!”
The Elders were reassured by their Sect Master’s bold words. They let out long breaths of relief and finally began to smile as they voiced their agreement.
Only Elder Qi released a long sigh, cutting through their newfound optimism.
“I fear he wants more than money.”
The sky gradually darkened as snowflakes drifted gently through the air.
Snow in the south was not as fierce as it was in the north. Most of the time, only a few flakes would fall, as though even the snow could not bear to disturb Jiangnan’s small bridges and flowing streams.
Outside the Bolang Sect, a carriage sped along the road.
Inside the carriage, Eunuch Li leisurely drank tea. Despite the carriage’s speed and constant jolting, the tea in his cup remained as still as a tranquil lake. Not the slightest ripple appeared while the cup rested in his hand.
Only the slowly rising steam proved that the cup was not empty.
Outside the Bolang Sect’s main gate, Sha Yongchuan waited with several servants.
When he saw the carriage approaching, his expression grew even more solemn. Although he had already made preparations, it would have been a lie to claim that he felt no anxiety now that the moment had arrived.
The carriage came to a perfectly steady stop before them.
The eunuch driving the carriage lifted the curtain and said with fawning respect, “Ancestor, we have arrived at the Bolang Sect.”
Eunuch Li handed his cup to the driver and stepped down from the carriage with narrowed eyes.
Another eunuch immediately approached from behind, holding a padded robe, and draped it over Eunuch Li’s shoulders.
“Ancestor, it is cold outside.”
“Little Miao, how thoughtful of you. During this journey through Jiangnan, you have been the most pleasing one to have around. Once this matter is concluded, do not remain at the Imperial Gardens Bureau. Come with me to the Imperial Stables Directorate.”
Little Miao was overjoyed. He immediately dropped to his knees, kowtowed, and cried several times, “Thank you, Godfather!”
Moving from the Imperial Gardens Bureau to the Imperial Stables Directorate could not merely be described as receiving several promotions. It was practically a single step into the heavens. Among the Twelve Directorates, Four Offices, and Eight Bureaus, the Imperial Gardens Bureau was mainly responsible for storing vegetables for the palace and tending its flowers, fruit trees, and other plants. The Imperial Stables Directorate, by contrast, held authority over the Imperial Guard. More importantly, of the seven senior eunuchs currently serving in the Directorate of Ceremonial, all except Eunuch Feng had originally come from the Imperial Stables Directorate.
A peasant in the morning, a courtier in the Son of Heaven’s hall by evening!
Eunuch Li’s smile faded. “Sect Master Sha, this is not very considerate of you.”
“Sect Master Sha, you must have been waiting for some time. The snowy roads were slippery, and I am already old, so I did not dare have the horses run too quickly. Making you wait so long after your generous welcome truly leaves me ashamed.”
Sha Yongchuan knew that this eunuch could not be offended, so he could only smile repeatedly.
“Eunuch Li, you are far too courteous. Traveling slowly is better. The carriage remains steady, and the journey is more comfortable. I am the impatient and impetuous one, unfit for refined company.”
“You are truly kindhearted, Sect Master. I cannot compare.”
Eunuch Li stepped forward and walked beside Sha Yongchuan.
As they entered the hall, the two men showered each other with praise.
“Eunuch Li remains hale and vigorous despite your age. Your bearing is as impressive as ever.”
“Sect Master Sha, your fame spreads far and wide. Your contributions are truly immense.”
Inside the hall, the Elders had been waiting silently. When Eunuch Li entered, they quickly rose to greet him, offering every manner of compliment.
Eunuch Li responded indifferently and seated himself in the place of honor without invitation.
Sha Yongchuan did not show any displeasure. Instead, he ordered the servants to bring tea.
“This is spring tea from Jiangzhou. It cannot compare with the tea of the Capital, so I hope Eunuch Li will forgive its shortcomings.”
“Why would I? I am merely an ox that works the fields, except my fields happen to lie within the Imperial Palace. How could I possibly understand tea? I only covet its sweetness.”
Although Eunuch Li spoke modestly, the pleasure in his eyes was obvious to everyone.
How could Sha Yongchuan fail to understand?
He summoned a servant and quietly instructed him to place ten jin of spring tea inside Eunuch Li’s carriage.
Seated in the place of honor, Eunuch Li pretended not to notice any of it.
Only after the servant had left did he speak.
“Sect Master Sha, you are putting me in a difficult position.”
“Do not worry, Eunuch Li. We grew it ourselves, so it is not worth much. It is merely something to quench your thirst.”
“It is good that it is not valuable. Heh heh. If it were valuable, I would not dare accept it.”
Eunuch Li’s voice grew heavy as he put down his teacup.
“Excellent tea. However, Sect Master Sha, I have come on important business. You cannot expect to send me away with only a few cakes of tea.”
Sha Yongchuan exchanged glances with the Elders.
Just as they had expected.
Sha Yongchuan smiled and said, “Eunuch Li, I am not a man who fails to understand the gravity of a situation. I heard some time ago that the frontier had become unstable. I was so anxious that I could not sleep for several nights, fearing that I would be unable to share His Majesty’s burdens.”
“I worried day and night. Fortunately, Eunuch Li has arrived. The Bolang Sect has prepared a small token. Even if it merely allows the soldiers at the frontier to enjoy a filling meal, it will have served a purpose.”
“I sincerely hope that Eunuch Li will not refuse it. You must accept it on behalf of the soldiers!”
“Men, bring it in!”
As soon as he finished speaking, several servants carried eight or nine large chests into the hall.
The smile disappeared from Eunuch Li’s face.
“Sect Master Sha, this hardly demonstrates much sincerity.”
“Eunuch Li, this is only a small token. There is a far more meaningful offering to come.”
“Sect Master Sha, that makes the matter even less agreeable.”
“You have misunderstood my meaning, Eunuch Li. That is not what I meant.”
Eunuch Li chuckled. “Then what else do you mean?”
“Naturally, I must also offer Eunuch Li a personal token of appreciation.”
His meaning could not have been more explicit.
Yet instead of smiling, Eunuch Li’s expression darkened. He tapped a finger against the side table.
“Sect Master Sha, this is all rather disappointing.”
Sha Yongchuan frowned.
Did the eunuch expect them to give him the greater share?
Sha Yongchuan had not lost his mind.
He could only ask, “What exactly does Eunuch Li mean?”
Elder Qi released a long sigh. His eyes lowered, but his voice was resolute.
“We cannot give Eunuch Li what he wants. Even if we could, we must not.”
Eunuch Li looked pleasantly surprised. He burst into laughter, and even his eyes revealed his appreciation for Elder Qi.
“I never expected the Bolang Sect to possess such a talented man. You have mastered both literary and martial arts, yet remain overlooked among the common people. That is a failure on the part of the Ministry of Personnel.”
“What a pity for such a bright pearl to remain buried in dust…”
“Elder Qi, what does Eunuch Li—”
A younger Elder seated opposite him asked in confusion, but Elder Qi interrupted before he could finish.
“He means that he wants everything.”
Elder Qi looked dispirited as he continued, “The fields, the land, and the residences. All of it.”
The other Elders stared in shock.
Was this old eunuch not being far too greedy?
Did he truly not fear that the Emperor would have his head cut off?
Were rootless men always this courageous?
Sha Yongchuan was still the Sect Master. Despite his shock, his voice remained calm.
“Eunuch Li, the Bolang Sect is no paper tiger. Our Old Ancestor has been in seclusion for many years and may already have reached the First Rank.”
“Leave now, and the Bolang Sect will still provide the promised benefits. What do you say?”
“A paper tiger?”
Eunuch Li burst into laughter.
“A paltry Bolang Sect dares call itself a tiger? Your Old Ancestor may have reached the First Rank? It is not as though I have never killed a First-Rank expert!”
Eunuch Li rose to his feet.
True Qi surged from his body, shattering the teacup. Tea splashed across everyone nearby.
“The Bolang Sect colluded with officials and merchants, embezzled disaster-relief funds, manipulated market prices, seized farmland by force, produced illicit salt, secretly smelted copper and iron, hoarded prohibited weapons, and plotted rebellion!”
“The investigation is complete, and the evidence is irrefutable!”
“The Bolang Sect received the favor of the Late Emperor, yet grew arrogant under that favor and committed every manner of evil.”
“By decree of the Emperor, all those involved are to be apprehended immediately. All illicit funds and stolen property are to be confiscated and transferred to the state treasury.”
Eunuch Li stared at Sha Yongchuan.
“Sect Master Sha, I have come by Imperial Decree to confiscate your entire estate.”
“Surely you understand my meaning now?”