Chapter 133: The Peerless Beauty Tong Shu and the Poisonous Cookie Queen (Part 1)

Xu Jingzong was talking with Liu Lu and his close-aide vassal Su Mingda.

Su Mingda said, "My lord, the price of grain in the capital has stabilized somewhat."

"Why is that strange? Grain prices have been rising continuously; not only is the capital short on grain, but some landlords are also hoarding and speculating. In fact, there is still some grain in storage. The two sovereigns disregarded protocol and, for the sake of the people, were not stingy with official ranks and titles. Those wealthy merchants of humble origins were naturally tempted. As for right now, once the autumn harvest arrives, grain will pour in more abundantly, and prices will drop a bit further."

There were also some exceptions, but most of those wealthy merchants of humble origins had been tempted. They had money; not only did they possess vast wealth, but they also owned many fields. Yet, once they bore the designation of humble commoners, they were barred from holding official posts, prohibited from taking the imperial examinations, and excluded from many social occasions. The imperial banquet in the palace was merely an emergency measure; otherwise, if grand banquets were routinely held for commoners, the memorializing ministers would kneel all the way from the imperial palace to Tianjin Bridge.

This was truly reaching the end of their wits. Had there been even a sliver of other options, the emperor would not have been forced into this course of action.

Therefore, people of humble status could only remain commoners, generation after generation, even if they were wealthy. Was being wealthy truly wonderful? Not at all. Possessing money without the social standing of the gentry was equivalent to a mischievous child holding a priceless treasure in the middle of a bustling market—it was extremely perilous. The intense enthusiasm of wealthy magnates to ingratiate themselves with officials was also a helpless move. Even when impoverished scholars traveled to the capital for examinations, these merchants would offer financial support without asking for anything in return, hoping merely that by some fluke one of them would pass the examinations and attain high office, thereby offering future protection. Lacking personal connections, the law of the jungle in this era far exceeded that of later generations. Let alone commoners, even a person of high status like Pei Zhi'ang, simply because he held a minor official post and possessed family wealth, had his entire family fortune confiscated by a county magistrate after his retirement, and was beaten to death in a prison cell.

Though their money seemed to roll in endlessly and their material lives were luxurious, it was a hot potato. Handled poorly, turning one's hand yielded clouds and a magnificent facade, but turning it over brought rain, and once the downpour finished, the entire family would face ruin. Only by truly acquiring an official rank or noble title as a talisman to convert liquid wealth into landed property and become a traditional landlord would nobody dare speak ill of them. Their descendants would also bask in the glory for generations.

Ever since the grand imperial banquet, all wealthy commoners began searching for connections, seizing the opportunity to make money in passing.

Once the precedent was broken, ministers and Confucian scholars bitterly remonstrated, spreading the news far and wide. Realizing that the momentum was ominous, the landlords and merchants who had been hoarding grain began releasing their stocks at high prices. With massive amounts of grain sources unknown, the price of grain did not skyrocket further; at the very least, it stabilized.

In fact, that was not all. If those few experimental fields of sorghum yielded a strangely incomprehensible harvest—well, let us not speak of a thousand catties, but if they yielded six or seven hundred catties—it would create a sensation across the entire realm. This new method would then be widely promoted. While massive amounts of agricultural fertilizer were out of the question, planting soybeans to increase the soil's fertility was a principle that could easily be spread, and the number of people planting milk vetch would also increase. Neither of these two methods was difficult. Fields would no longer need to lie fallow, or require large-scale crop rotation, and even if the yield did not reach six stone, achieving three stone per season would be a triumph. Then, should a bountiful year arrive, one could only imagine how far grain prices would plummet.

At least theoretically, this was true. It would be much like paper currency, which—though no one knew in which year it would truly become widespread—had already caused the market price of gold and silver to begin falling. Grain prices would follow the same trajectory.

Therefore, those few plots of land carried far too many hopes. Yet, what happened? Aside from nearby farmers coming over one by one out of sheer curiosity, not a single person paid them any serious attention. If not for the news brought by Yang Min and Xu Lian, the instigator Li Xian himself, preoccupied with various matters, would have almost forgotten about it entirely.

Naturally, yields of three or four stone were quite normal; but six or seven stone would be utterly and extraordinarily freakish...

About all this, Xu Jingzong was not truly anxious. Even without this emergency measure, the imperial court had indeed performed admirably, exactly as Li Xian had predicted—transporting grain from various circuits and allowing disaster victims to seek sustenance in Guan Prefecture. Perhaps a few thousand or tens of thousands of people might starve, but certainly not hundreds of thousands.

What genuinely concerned him was the political fallout of this entire affair.

This stratagem had been conceived by the Crown Prince, and it was the Crown Prince who had endured the vilification. Yet, while grain prices stabilized, the ultimate political credit would be reaped by the Emperor and Empress. Though it seemed a loss on the surface, in Xu Jingzong's eyes, the Crown Prince had actually profited immensely. This invisibly dissolved the accumulated resentment that the two sovereigns held toward the Crown Prince.

Tugging at his beard in deep thought, Ming Chongyi had blundered so miserably this time that Xu Jingzong could not afford to make any overly conspicuous moves. He said, "The Empress wrote a decree to me a few days ago, rebuking me for recommending Senior Official Ming. She also implicitly expressed dissatisfaction with the Pei family maiden I recommended."

"My lord, I have heard whispers of this. On that day, the Pei family maiden, along with the young master of the Yang family and the young master of the Xu family, accompanied the Crown Prince to pay respects to all the lords," Su Mingda said.

***

"It was precisely because of this incident that the Empress felt somewhat disappointed."

Liu Lu said, "My lord, since the Empress is dissatisfied, perhaps we should suggest another family's young lady. Besides, the Pei family has never expressed any gratitude to you whatsoever."

"This cannot simply be brushed aside; the Pei family is a distinguished and influential clan. My physical constitution is already that of a man past his prime—if I am to offend someone, I shall do so. Even against the Five surnames and Seven clans, I would not cower. However, my health dictates that my days are numbered, Yanbo lacks capability, and Zhongbo and Shaobo are still far too young; their innate talents fall vastly short of their eldest brother's, and I certainly cannot count on them to uphold the honor of the Xu household. The Pei family is not something Yanbo is capable of managing. Having already recommended them, I cannot retract it. But this does not stump me. The reason the Pei family shows no gratitude is primarily because the young master of the Yang family lacked discretion, and his household happens to be another illustrious clan. However, certain matters require the leveraging of subtle external force."

"Yet it is very—"

The document clearly recorded that this daughter of Wei Xuanzhen had been intelligent since childhood, possessed striking beauty, and was deeply favored by the other elders in her family. Yet she was only six years old...

"The Crown Princess has certainly not been finalized, but what is the purpose of selecting a six-year-old child?" Though young, this girl's intellect was not inferior to that of Shangguan Yi's granddaughter in the Eastern Palace. When she grew up, she might well become another Consort Wei, though her height would likely fall short.

Upon hearing the two words "height," Liu Lu and Su Mingda exchanged knowing, subdued chuckles. Consort Wei was also of Jingzhao descent; she had first married Li Zizang's son, Li Min. After Li Zizang raised troops in rebellion alongside Yang Gao and failed, she entered the palace as a palace maid. After Li Yuan established his rule in Chang'an, she entered Li Shimin's household as a woman of a good family. Because of her exceptional character, she won Li Shimin's deep favor and was appointed as one of the Four Virtuous Consorts. In reality, ever since the death of Empress Zhangsun, she had become the de facto Empress of the inner court, lacking only the formal title. Just a few years after her death, Li Zhi personally performed ancestral sacrifices for her, and Li Ji and Cheng Zhijie escorted her spirit to her imperial tomb.

It was only that she was exceptionally tall, standing at nearly six chi and four cun (approximately 1.95 meters), towering a full head above ordinary court ladies. Consequently, she rarely ventured out of the palace to avoid attracting gossiping tongues.

Xu Jingzong could not help but find it amusing. A woman of such stature, aside from an emperor with peerless martial prowess like Emperor Taizong, was likely not favored by ordinary men. Finishing his chuckle, he said, "This young girl also has two older brothers who accompanied their father to his official post, but because she is still young, she remains in Wannian. I summoned her family and the girl herself yesterday for a lengthy conversation; she showed an appreciation for my favor. Young though she is, not only is she blessed with good looks, but she is also exceptionally quick-witted and adaptable."

Quick-witted and adaptable—it could not be discerned clearly right now, much like Shangguan Wan'er at her age, yet with his keen eye, Xu Jingzong could still perceive a certain potential.

Su Mingda hesitated and asked, "My lord, what is your intention?"

"Nothing else. Within the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, there is that criminal granddaughter of Shangguan Yi, as well as Jiang Bi'er, who hails from a lowly background. Both of these maidens hold no goodwill toward me. As concubines to the Crown Prince, their status is already humble, so I recommended this Wei family maiden to the Eastern Palace. When the concubines are eventually selected, given the Wei family's status and prestige, she is bound to secure a place. Should the Crown Princess misbehave in the future, years from now, she might well prove to be an excellent candidate for Crown Princess."

The two men still did not entirely understand.

Xu Jingzong continued, "The Wei family holds official posts in the imperial court, commands local prestige, and is located close to the capital. Since I am the one who pushed for this, they naturally feel a sense of gratitude. Furthermore, the Crown Prince is benevolent and talented, which pleases the entire Wei family. In the past, Consort Wei was able to serve Emperor Taizong and win his favor; why could the daughter of Wei Xuanzhen not do the same? Once the Wei maiden enters the Eastern Palace, the Pei family will naturally feel a sense of tension. However, because of the affair regarding Senior Official Ming in the court, the selection cannot be finalized immediately. If things remain stagnant for too long, they will fear I might make other moves, forcing them to recognize my importance and take action accordingly."

At this point, he looked rather pleased with himself. A multitude of variables existed in this situation, and with variables came counter-strategies. Besides, the status of palace maids residing in the Eastern Palace was somewhat too lowly to match the dignity of the Crown Prince. Since the Wei maiden was still young, it was precisely the right time for her to enter the palace.

Even men like Hao Chujun would find it difficult to raise objections.

"And as for the attitude of the Wei family..."

"The Wei family seemed somewhat hesitant at first, but in the end, they agreed. Such an opportunity is rare; the Crown Prince is a golden phoenix, and the Wei family cannot remain worldly-detached—they naturally wish to attach themselves to him. Besides, what have I ever done to the Crown Prince? I merely impeached the Yang family maiden. Was she not deserving of impeachment? Or when I recommended Senior Official Ming, that too was done for the sake of His Majesty's health."

"Indeed."

"If we speak of a one-season fish taking the bait, there is no immediate rush. But a two-season fish taking the bait requires some promptness. It is just that among the Wei family's fine daughters, most are already betrothed; though this maiden is excellent, she is somewhat too young." Xu Jingzong felt a twinge of regret. She had to be young, otherwise entering the palace would not be about serving the Crown Prince, but rather sealing a marriage alliance. Still, she was merely a bit young; if she were two or three years older, it would be perfection itself. Overall, however, he was quite satisfied. He added, "The Wei family of the capital, the Pei family of Hedong—this play is becoming increasingly interesting. After all, I remain utterly loyal to the Crown Prince; otherwise, why would I unearth all these fine maidens one by one for him?"

***

"Yes, indeed..." Though the two men muttered inward slanders, they dared not voice them.

"Mingda, grind the ink for me; I shall immediately submit a memorial to the Empress regarding this matter."

"Understood." Su Mingda began grinding ink for Xu Jingzong.

Looking at Liu Lu, Xu Jingzong said, "Today I originally should not have summoned you here. But I have received word that Duan Quezi and his men have been restless of late and frequently venture outside. Is this true?"

"It is, but their faces are unfamiliar, and now that the capital is at peace and so much time has passed..."

"Even if so much time has passed, they must continue to stay put. Being recognized would not be a wonderful thing. Wait a few more months. Once the autumn harvest arrives and the wealthy commoners once again pull every string to transport grain into the capital, the capital will become a melting pot of good and bad alike. After a few more days pass and this matter calms down, I will arrange for you to be transferred to Yangzhou. Though it falls short of the two capitals, it is still one of the most prosperous places under heaven. I have already had people purchase some properties there. You can manage them on my behalf, and as for the profits earned, use them for your own expenses. Then, endure a little longer. Though my time in this mortal world will not be long, the Empress will surely remember my contributions and grant my grandson some path forward. Besides, the Crown Prince's harshness toward Yanbo is also a form of tempering him; one does not suffer a loss without gaining wisdom, which will ultimately benefit him in the future. After a few years, when the political climate shifts once more, you may return to Yanbo's side and continue serving together. For now, however, patience is required."

"Yet the Crown Prince..."

Su Mingda had finished grinding the ink. As Xu Jingzong wrote his memorial, he continued, "The Crown Prince is of no consequence. He cannot be overthrown just yet. But His Majesty's health remains a constant worry, and Senior Official Ming will not suffer any grave misfortune; I have already pointed out a direction for him. His future achievements will certainly not be something you can look down upon. With a man like him around, the Crown Prince will find it difficult to endure for long."

However, he omitted any mention of the matter concerning "aphrodisiacs for nourishing the body."

"And as for yourself, though you were not present at Mount Taibai, as a former vassal of Helan Minzhi, government investigations are rigorous, and even more people will recognize your face. You must exercise an extra measure of caution."

"Understood," Liu Lu replied, completely convinced and submissive. Xu Jingzong's succession of intricate stratagems filled him with endless admiration.

Naturally, had it not been for Di Renjie, this elaborate web of stratagems would have been exceedingly difficult for Li Xian to handle. Yet, brilliant though Xu Jingzong's intellect was, he had underestimated Di Renjie. The peace of this political arena had already begun to collapse the moment Helan Zhenzhen arrived in Chang'an, though Xu Jingzong remained utterly oblivious to it...

Yet this Wei family maiden would prove to be a most agonizing figure—far more troublesome to Li Xian than Xu Jingzong could possibly imagine. Of course, her beauty was one thing they need not worry about.