“Your servant Wei Fu submits this memorial upon being dispatched to Longsha. I departed after taking leave of Your Majesty on the twenty-eighth day of the tenth month last year, and arrived to assume my post on the first day of the twelfth month. I now respectfully present the following account regarding the governance and stability of that state:
The Longsha Crown Prince Yu Gong Lie is twenty-one years of age, dignified in bearing, courteous and respectful. He personally led the civil and military officials outside the capital to welcome the diplomatic mission, providing lavish hospitality and exceedingly generous treatment. After consultation between the Ministry of Rites and the diplomatic mission, the enthronement ceremony was held on New Year’s Day, and he formally ascended as the new king. The central administration of Longsha is governed through a Grand Secretariat overseeing state affairs, with its ministers drawn from the heads of the various ministries, comparable in structure to our dynasty’s Council of State Affairs. Upon my arrival, by imperial command, I have assisted the new ruler, directing the Grand Secretariat and standing foremost among the ministers. All important military and state matters are submitted for my participation and judgment. The national situation has only recently stabilized, but government decrees still circulate effectively.
Since the war with Yan Yuan, Longsha has spent several years recuperating, and its vitality has only somewhat recovered. Yet in recent years floods and droughts have struck repeatedly, harvests have failed year after year, and the common people possess no surplus grain. Many have been forced to sell sons and daughters. The court has done everything possible to organize relief, even purchasing grain from Dongyu. Though this alleviated immediate hardship, the lifeblood of the nation is now constrained by dependence upon others, which is truly a grave hidden danger.
Longsha borders the Qionghai Sea to the east and possesses excellent ports such as Pingdu, Lian’gang, and Wushan. Merchants from north and south crowd the waterways in endless streams, with ships packed bow to stern, and goods from every region gathered together. The profits of trade surpass all other industries a hundredfold. Unfortunately, in former years when Yan Yuan sought marriage alliance with Qiyun, the cities of Pingdu and Lian’gang were ceded as betrothal gifts. The great bulk of maritime taxes therefore fell into Qiyun’s hands, placing Longsha’s strategic throat under another’s control while the national treasury steadily emptied. Now Qiyun’s power grows ever greater. Having obtained the seaports, they now seek influence within the Grand Secretariat as well. Their intentions are obvious, and cannot be navigated without utmost caution.
Longsha has, since ancient times, been the principal supplier of salt to the northern states, and our dynasty likewise relies heavily upon its convenience. Investigation shows that Yan Yuan and Longsha formerly maintained a salt-for-horses trade agreement, but this ceased after the war, leaving Longsha in urgent need of alternative markets. Dongyu is likewise abundant in salt production, meaning Longsha cannot exchange salt for grain there and instead faces direct competition. What Longsha lacks is precisely what our dynasty possesses in abundance. The two states are therefore ideally suited to complement one another’s strengths and deficiencies, allowing mutual benefit.
Longsha borders Xiling to the north, Dongyu to the south, and Yan Yuan to the west. In former years when Yan Yuan invaded, the late king sent his second son Yu Gong Ming into Dongyu as a hostage in exchange for military aid. Though the enemy was repelled, Dongyu forces still occupy two southern border cities to this day, controlling strategic passes and threatening the capital from afar. To the west, Yan Yuan watches like a tiger stalking prey, and no one knows when they may launch another invasion. Military defense concerns the survival of the state itself and cannot be delayed even for a moment.
Examining the present situation as a whole, Longsha’s foremost priority in governance lies in “strengthening the foundation and nourishing vitality.” When righteous energy remains secure within, external evils cannot invade. Thereafter it must cultivate strong relations with neighboring states, restrain powerful regional factions, reorganize military preparedness, and guard strictly against foreign enemies. Should the nation stand secure, it will become a protective barrier for the southern frontier, while the vast seas stretching thousands of li may serve as maritime thoroughfares. Your servant received this command from Your Majesty and therefore dares not fail to devote his utmost efforts in assisting the new king.
Longsha is rich in local products and also possesses rare foreign curiosities. Attached respectfully for Your Majesty’s inspection are ten crates of assorted seafood, sixty tins of tea, five barrels of fresh fruit, two chests of purple crystal carvings, two chests of porcelain, two chests of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, ten foreign-made flower-pattern carpets, one pair of foreign parrots capable of singing mountain songs, one pair of lion cats skilled at catching mice, and one pair of large-eared hunting dogs adept at rabbit hunting.
Your servant remains stationed far along the maritime frontier, vigilant day and night without slackening. The realm is presently at peace. I only pray that Your Majesty’s sacred health remain strong and that you cherish and care for yourself well. I respectfully submit this memorial and humbly await Your Majesty’s enlightened judgment.”
Mu Heng sat within the warm pavilion reading the memorial Wei Fu had sent back. A snow-white lion cat with odd-colored eyes lounged lazily across his lap, yawning. Another cat, pitch black except for its four snow-white paws, had leapt onto the imperial desk and was presently strutting around curiously with its fluffy tail held high.
Inside the golden cage perched two gray-feathered parrots with red tails. One bobbed its head while reciting, “The east is sunny while the west is raining, yet whether there is sunshine or not, there still seems to be sunshine,” while the other enthusiastically sang, “Walk a hundred steps after meals and live to ninety-nine.”
Zhong Yi crouched below the steps teasing the little hunting dogs. The two short-legged, flower-backed, large-eared dogs chased each other around his legs, their staggered barking echoing through the entire palace hall. The peculiar rhythm drilled straight into the brain, so irritating that every eunuch and palace maid in the hall shut their eyes and frowned, unable to bear listening further.
Probably not even the Eastern Market of Fengdu was this noisy.
Amid complete chaos of barking dogs and shrieking parrots, Mu Heng maintained superhuman composure. With vermilion brush in hand, he wrote upon the memorial: “Understood. Maritime trade and salt administration are matters of importance. You have only recently arrived in Longsha and have not yet had time to investigate in full detail. Once familiar with state affairs, submit a further memorial containing detailed proposals. If the local products prove satisfactory upon trial, procurement may be approved according to circumstances. As for overly noisy creatures, there is truly no need to send more. Remember this well.”
One of the little hunting dogs abandoned Zhong Yi and wandered curiously over to Mu Heng, stretching its muzzle beneath the emperor’s robes and sniffing back and forth before suddenly biting down on the leg of the imperial desk with a crunch. Zhong Yi quickly pulled out a strip of dried meat from a leather pouch to tempt it away. “Shh, come here. Don’t disturb His Majesty.”
The black cat atop the desk instantly lit up at the sight. It kicked off with lightning speed, pounced, snatched the dried meat in one bite, and swallowed it whole.
The little hunting dog: “…”
Mu Heng finally finished reading the memorial, set down his brush, and rubbed his temples, his mind tied into knots by the noise. Sweeping his gaze over every living creature in the hall, he ordered coldly, “Hurry and get these things out of here. Otherwise I’ll call the Imperial Kitchen and have them stew the whole lot in one pot.”
Zhong Yi coaxed the little hunting dogs back to his side and looked up with a smile. “At least it was Shuchen’s heartfelt intention. Your Majesty should accept them graciously.”
Mu Heng asked indifferently, “Do you know what I hate most in this life?”
Zhong Yi replied, “I would be honored to hear.”
Mu Heng said, “What I hate most are things that cannot understand human speech, things that are noisy, and things that are both noisy and unable to understand human speech.”
Zhong Yi: “…”
He lifted the little hunting dog, who was bouncing anxiously at his feet, holding it before Mu Heng with complete seriousness. “Your Majesty has never cared much for hunting. Shuchen understands Your Majesty’s wishes best. The pets he sent back are all intelligent and gentle creatures, perfectly suited for amusement during busy moments. Please look, Your Majesty. This little dog has an innocent face and pure eyes. It is surely a loyal and devoted hound.”
The puppy stared with round black eyes and wagged its stubby tail while barking loudly and innocently at him.
Condescending to lower himself, Mu Heng reached out a finger and pinched the dog’s soft floppy ear, casually wiping his hand afterward on Zhong Yi’s sleeve. “I grow sentimental at the sight of objects associated with people. Looking at this thing is like looking at Wei Shuchen himself. Too noisy. Take it farther away.”
The snow-white lion cat on his lap lazily rose, stepping across the emperor’s memorial as it strolled toward his teacup. It lowered its head to sniff and was just about to boldly sample a few mouthfuls when Mu Heng covered the cup with his hand. “No manners. Jiang Ling, carry it away and give it water. And where did that ‘Black Cloud Treading Snow’ run off to?”
Zhong Yi said, “Over here.” He casually fished the black cat out from a patch of darkness where its body was nearly impossible to distinguish and handed it over together with the other cat.
Jiang Ling exclaimed, “Oh my!” The weighty solid cat dragged his body downward, yet he still sincerely praised, “Commander truly has excellent eyesight. This servant searched with eyes wide open for half the day and still couldn’t tell there was a cat there.”
“Wei Shuchen only knows how to create trouble,” Mu Heng said. “What exactly have those parrots been taught all day? He’s supposedly an elegant noble official, yet the parrots he raises only know how to sing mountain songs. I’m embarrassed for him just hearing it. Take them away and retrain them!”
The palace maids struggled desperately not to laugh as they hurried forward to remove the golden cage.
The two parrots alternated loudly singing, “Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, eat ginger at night and it surpasses ginseng…”
Mu Heng flew into a rage. “They even mixed up the sayings!”
Unable to endure any longer, Zhong Yi lowered his head and laughed so hard his entire body shook. When he finally finished laughing and raised his head again, he found Mu Heng glaring at him with utter condemnation.
Holding up the puppy’s paw in a bowing gesture, Zhong Yi crouched on the floor and asked, “Your Majesty, what about these two?”
Mu Heng waved dismissively. “They’re yours now. Take them back for the Egret Guards to raise.”
The corners of Zhong Yi’s lips immediately threatened to rise again. Feigning reluctance, he said, “That hardly seems appropriate. They were tribute personally sent from thousands of li away by Shuchen. How can this subject monopolize them alone? Why not keep one, Your Majesty?”
Mu Heng replied decisively, “Its barking could probably be heard from the front court. I absolutely refuse to permit something this loud inside the palace.”
Zhong Yi smiled. “Then what if Shuchen learns of this and throws a tantrum?”
“Raise them without worry. He probably wishes those dogs could bark loudly enough for the whole world to hear.” Mu Heng snorted coldly. “If you bring them out for the spoiled young masters of Fengdu who parade around with hawks and dogs to see, he’d probably thank you instead. Hmph. I know exactly what he’s plotting.”
Zhong Yi rubbed the puppy’s head, folding its ears into different shapes. “This subject is dull-witted and begs Your Majesty’s instruction.”
Mu Heng flicked the memorial Wei Fu had submitted. “Most of the local specialties he sent back came from Lancang City. Guess what that place is most famous for?”
“What is it?”
“Yu Gong Zhao Ye.”
Mu Heng smiled with an expression that looked almost murderous and softly said, “Lancang City is Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s fief.”
Zhong Yi: “…”
“Lancang City is nowhere near the sea and possesses no harbor. Three parts mountains, three parts rivers, and four parts farmland. One of those mountains is Xiaohui Mountain, where his mother once became a bandit.” Mu Heng continued, “Among Longsha’s sixteen cities, Lancang cannot be considered prosperous. It survives only by relying on its mountains. But look at the things Wei Shuchen sent back: tea from Xiaohui Mountain, porcelain from Xiaohui Mountain, purple crystal from Xiaohui Mountain, rabbit-hair and wolf-hair brushes made from rabbits and wolves of Xiaohui Mountain… perhaps even those rabbits hunted by your two dogs.”
“He has set his heart on elevating Lancang City and raising Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s status. When those local products arrive in Fengdu and are distributed among the ministers by imperial favor, they become goods personally recognized by the throne. Once word spreads, merchants will inevitably scramble to purchase them. As soon as trade routes between the two nations fully open, many of Lancang’s remote towns will transform from impoverished backwaters into thriving market centers. At that point, who would still dare sneer about bandits? And how could the local people not feel grateful toward him?”
Zhong Yi asked in confusion, “But isn’t Prince Yu Gong…? Given his identity, he shouldn’t want too much fame or prominence.”
This time Mu Heng did not answer immediately. Instead, he gazed at Zhong Yi with calm gentleness, smiling faintly in a manner tinged with helplessness.
Zhong Yi did not understand, and perhaps even Yu Gong Zhao Ye himself would not have understood. Only Mu Heng could empathize with Wei Fu’s concerns and instantly see through his intentions.
“To plan deeply for another’s future—this is not merely the love of parents for their child.”
“Chuiyun,” he sighed softly, “you may be part of the Egret Guards now, but that does not mean I intend for you to remain only an Egret Guard your entire life.”
Bihan City, Longsha.
The sky had already darkened. Within Yeguang Hall, rows of lanterns were lit one after another while attendants raised long poles to hang pale lanterns beneath the eaves.
“Your Highness, aside from Kui Yue, from whom there is still no news, all secret reports from the Moon Envoys stationed abroad have arrived on schedule.”
Inside a rear courtyard chamber, Yu Gong Zhao Ye accepted the long rectangular box handed to him by Ying Yue. He fiddled with the mechanism and slid open the lid for a glance. “Fine. I’ll read them tomorrow. Go rest.”
Seeing Ying Yue hesitate without moving, Yu Gong Zhao Ye looked up and asked, “Worried about your sister?”
Ying Yue nodded somewhat awkwardly. Yu Gong Zhao Ye had just opened his mouth to comfort him when Ying Yue spoke indirectly and tactfully instead. “Also… Xu Ri, whom Your Highness assigned to secretly protect Lord Wei, asked me to pass along a message. Tonight, the resident envoys from Pingdu and Lian’gang hosted Lord Wei at Huifeng Tower on Kaiyang Street. Your Highness previously asked him to keep count. This already makes the tenth time this month.”
Going out drinking ten times in one month—why didn’t he just move into the winehouse altogether?
Not counting Wei Fu, Longsha’s Grand Secretariat contained nine members total. Since he had only recently arrived, it made sense that each would host him once for the sake of introductions. But where exactly had these two suddenly appeared from tonight?!
Yu Gong Zhao Ye exchanged a look with Ying Yue, both seeing identical helplessness reflected on the other’s face. Every tiny expression seemed to say, “The child has gone wild outside and refuses to come home. He’s probably causing trouble again.”
He rose, grabbed the outer robe from the rack, and strode toward the door while putting it on, issuing an order without turning back. “I’m going out for a while.”
Futile Devices Scans 
Leave a comment