Futile Devices Scans

Fengdu, Xiling.

Hanxiang Palace was as warm as spring. Wei Fu held a black Go stone between his fingertips and lazily propped his head up with the other hand. He had no semblance of proper sitting posture and yawned incessantly in the heat. One glance told Mu Heng that playing Go with him was no different from feeding fish. Wei Fu might as well scatter the stones wherever he pleased. “Did you go thieving last night?”

Wei Fu drew out his voice mournfully. “It is difficult to sleep upon a lonely pillow, Your Majesty.”

His Majesty scoffed. “How promising.”

In truth, His Majesty was also sleeping upon a lonely pillow. That autumn, the Kingdom of Zhending had attacked the border, and Zhong Yi had been reassigned as Military Commandant of the Lingzhou Valiant Cavalry Command and sent north to lead troops in battle.

“This subject understands everything.” Wei Fu sighed gloomily. “This subject shares Your Majesty’s suffering. There is no need to pretend to be strong.”

“…Do not use that sour, sentimental mind of yours to speculate about me. Do you think everyone is as incapable of living without someone as you are?” Mu Heng could not stand his lovelorn, half-dead manner. “You’ve spent so many years gaining experience abroad, yet all day long you do nothing but mourn spring and grieve autumn. Can’t you attend to something serious?”

After being scolded, Wei Fu’s eyelids, the corners of his mouth, and his nonexistent ears and tail all drooped simultaneously. He turned his face aside. “Anger born of embarrassment,” he muttered.

Mu Heng: “…”

How did I end up saddled with this debt collector?

Xiling’s southern frontier had remained peaceful over the years, and trade had flourished. Wei Fu’s years of work in Longsha deserved a great deal of credit. Since his return, the most popular subject among court officials had been guessing how His Majesty intended to reward him. A senior ministry post was practically guaranteed; the only question was which one he would enter. They also remarked that this elegant young gentleman had delayed marriage until now for the sake of state affairs, so naturally His Majesty would need to choose a suitable family for him as well.

Yet although Wei Fu entered the palace every few days to attend His Majesty, there had been no movement from the throne. When several chancellors from the State Affairs Hall tentatively raised the matter, Mu Heng dismissed them with a single sentence: “He has traveled and labored for years. Give him two months’ leave first.”

At least His Majesty had offered an explanation. The household of the Duke Who Stabilizes the Nation said nothing whatsoever. Whenever anyone asked, their answer amounted to: Let him do as he pleases. His appointment is entirely up to His Majesty. It was almost as though they had adopted this son out to the emperor and Wei Fu no longer belonged to their family.

“Have you paid respects to your parents these past two days?” Mu Heng decided to change the subject. “Is the site to your liking? If not, have the craftsmen alter it.”

Wei Fu dawdled for a long while before reluctantly placing a stone. “This subject thinks it is very good. The terrain is high, the scenery beautiful, and there is a pleasant breeze.” “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”

Years ago, after Wei Fu emerged from the Heavenly Pit and returned to Xiling, Mu Heng had promised to build a tomb for his father. Later, Yeguang and the Crow Guards took turns raiding the stronghold at Yun Lake, and Yugong Zhaoye entered the mountains to search for Jiang Fengxun again. But she had already disappeared without a trace. Perhaps she had decided the location was no longer safe and retreated deeper into the mountains.

Wei Fu silently accepted that explanation. The next time he wrote to Mu Heng, he added one request: that cenotaphs for both his parents be erected together.

The few remaining relics were buried as well. The old residence was left completely empty.

When Wei Fu returned to Fengdu this time, the house could only be described as having four bare walls. Wei Rong, who had watched the residence for him, had grown old and hard of hearing. One practically had to shout for him to understand. Even so, Wei Fu settled there peacefully.

He had grown accustomed to the silk curtains, brocade quilts, soft pillows, and high beds of the Chancellor’s Residence in Longsha. Yet lying inside that old, familiar house while listening to the wind shake the trees and rattle the roof tiles— he still had a wonderful dream.

The following morning, as soon as court ended, Mu Heng sent someone to drag him into the palace. “What happened?” Mu Heng frowned. “Weren’t you staying perfectly well at the household of the Duke Who Stabilizes the Nation? Why did I hear you ran back to Liuzhi Alley alone last night?”

After several years of tempering abroad, Wei Fu’s appearance had not changed much. His bearing, however, had become considerably steadier. Unlike his formerly excitable self, he answered calmly: “This subject is a useless man. It would be wrong to sully another family’s honored name.” “Naturally, I returned to where I came from.”

“Speak like a normal person.” Mu Heng said, “Why are you sulking at me? You returned to court covered in achievements. Who dares call you useless?”

Wei Fu wore the shameless expression of someone whose face plainly said It certainly wasn’t my fault. His mouth said: “It was entirely this subject’s fault.”

“When this subject returned home yesterday, the elders of the family wanted to arrange a marriage for me.” “I told them I already had someone I loved, and that his home was in Longsha.” “They urged me to give him up and choose a young lady from an aristocratic family who could benefit my career.” “I said I had returned this time precisely because I intended to resign.” “Grandfather and my uncles flew into a rage and accused me of willingly sinking into depravity and lacking all ambition…” “What else was there?” “I’ve forgotten.” “In any case, they gave me a thorough scolding, so I returned to the old residence.”

“…” Mu Heng felt as though some enormously important piece of information had just slipped past his ear. “What did you say you intend to do?”

Wei Fu stared innocently back at him. His mouth shaped every syllable enormously and distinctly. “Re—sign—from—office.”

Mu Heng slowly supported his forehead and sat down before anger made him faint and topple over with a thud.

No wonder that expression looked so familiar! The two little monsters Zhong Yi had raised had looked exactly the same after chewing through their cage, running wild through the imperial gardens for an entire afternoon, trampling countless flowers, and finally getting caught!

“Wei Shuchen, you really are promising.”

Countless people went their entire lives without ever seeing the imperial countenance. Wei Fu had known the emperor for twenty years and had even shared life-and-death experiences with him. He had not entered officialdom through ancestral privilege, either. He had served abroad for years and returned covered in achievements. Such uniquely favorable circumstances. Such a bright and open future. And he wanted none of it. He was determined to become a hopeless romantic.

People said children were debts owed from a previous life. Mu Heng had merely lived in the household of the Duke Who Stabilizes the Nation for a few years. Apparently, the rest of his life now had to be spent looking after the duke’s child.

Clack!

Mu Heng captured a large group of Wei Fu’s stones. Wei Fu furtively tried to hide his hand beneath his sleeve and steal one back. His Majesty caught him on the spot and slapped away the dishonest paw.

After the crisp smack, Wei Fu resentfully rubbed the back of his hand. “I brought two bottles of earth from their graves back with me this time.” “That way, it can count as though they’re accompanying me.” “When will Your Majesty let me leave?”

He had repeated that exact question every day for the past month. Mu Heng’s ears had practically developed calluses. His rejection was equally practiced. “How many times must I tell you not to be impatient?” “You spent years managing Longsha on my behalf. If you come home and immediately start wailing about resigning, what will the world think of me?” “How will they judge you?” “Will they say I mistreated a meritorious minister?” “Or that your heart belongs to a foreign kingdom?”

“Then how does Your Majesty intend to arrange matters for me? Any position will do.” “Find another excuse to send me to Longsha.” “Or I could become Market Magistrate at one of the border markets…”

To fall from Minister-Regent all the way to Market Magistrate— how was that different from exile?

With the Minister-Regent’s return, the suzerain-vassal alliance between Xiling and Longsha had entered an awkward, ambiguous state. Would they preserve the existing arrangement? Negotiate a new one? Or completely part ways? Everything depended upon what the two sovereigns could ultimately agree upon.

Longsha was Xiling’s southern buffer against Dongyu, an important source of salt, and a vital maritime route. Strategically, it was indispensable from every direction. Especially now, with war raging along the northern frontier, stability in the south was critical. Abandoning Longsha would leave Xiling threatened from front and rear. Dongyu would immediately smell blood and sink its teeth in.

Mu Heng had to keep Longsha close. If sending Wei Fu there would be useful, he would do so without hesitation. But what if Longsha no longer wished to regard itself as a vassal kingdom? What if it demanded equal footing with Xiling? Or simply boarded Dongyu’s pirate ship and severed ties with Xiling completely? Then there would no longer be any such office as Minister-Regent. Even stationing a permanent envoy in Longsha might become impossible.

How to negotiate. Whom to send. How much to offer. What outcome to pursue. All of it required lengthy discussion with the ministers and subsequent negotiations with Longsha. None of this could be accomplished overnight. Wei Fu could roll around throwing tantrums before him every single day and it would still be useless.

“Your ambitions are either selling candied hawthorns yourself or supervising somebody else who sells them.” Mu Heng’s head hurt whenever he considered this debt collector’s future. “Are you destined to spend your entire life entangled with candied hawthorns?” “Can’t you distinguish yourself properly and make Yugong Zhaoye marry over here instead?”

Wei Fu thought: When did I mention candied hawthorns even once? Deeply wronged, he protested: “If I bring an assassin back here, would Your Majesty ever sleep at night?”

Mu Heng snapped: “If you can sleep, why shouldn’t I?”

Wei Fu immediately climbed the pole offered to him. “Since Chuiyun has been promoted, Your Majesty could give the command of the Egret Guard to our Highness.”

Mu Heng kicked him straight back down. “Get lost.”

While his mouth continued fanning the flames to distract Mu Heng, Wei Fu took the opportunity to steal one of his white stones and throw it aside. “Your Majesty certainly works people ruthlessly.” “I’m afraid Chuiyun could labor conscientiously his entire life and still never manage to secure himself the position of Empress.”

“Become Longsha’s Queen first and show me how it’s done.” Mu Heng sneered. “Yugong Zhaoye is an assassin, and you’re a thief. You two really are perfectly matched.” “Now return my stone, you hopeless Go player.”

Sovereign and minister attacked each other from both directions, arguing furiously. Then Jiang Ling, who was attending outside, approached quickly and reported from beyond the partition: “Your Majesty, Commander Xiao of the Egret Guard requests an audience.”

Mu Heng gave Wei Fu a condemning glare and tossed the stone in his hand into the bowl. “Let him enter.”

Wei Fu hurriedly prepared to rise and withdraw, but His Majesty raised a hand and signaled for him to remain seated. The newly appointed Commander of the Egret Guard entered with his head bowed, dressed in a pale-red military robe. “This subject, Xiao Kai, pays respects to Your Majesty.” Then he cupped his fists toward Wei Fu. “Greetings, Lord Wei.”

Wei Fu returned the greeting. “Commander Xiao. It has been a long time.”

They had met several times before but were not particularly familiar. Xiao Kai had previously served as Commander of the Egret Guard’s Eastern Frontier Division, overseeing the eight eastern cities. He was shrewd and quick-witted. Mu Heng later promoted him to replace Zhong Yi as Commander of the Egret Guard.

“You may dispense with the formalities, Minister Xiao.” Mu Heng asked, “What is it?”

Xiao Kai presented a sealed wooden box in both hands. “This morning, Commandant Zhu Ling of the Egret Guard’s Xia Army delivered this object to this subject.” “He said someone left it with him during the night and instructed him to present it to Commander Zhong Yi of the Egret Guard, so that the enclosed letter might be delivered before the throne.”

Wei Fu’s eyes were sharp. The instant he caught sight of the crescent-moon mark in the upper-right corner of the lid, his heart gave an inexplicable leap.

Like a bluebird messenger caught between two parties, Xiao Kai explained tactfully: “Commander Zhong has already been transferred to the northern frontier.” “Zhu Ling feared delaying an important matter, so he specially entrusted this subject to seek an audience and explain the circumstances to Your Majesty.”

Not just anyone would dare ask for Zhong Yi by name. The object’s origin might be unknown, but Zhu Ling had once accompanied Wei Fu on his mission to Longsha, and anything involving Zhong Yi could ultimately be handled only by His Majesty. After considering the matter briefly, Xiao Kai had hurried into the palace and responsibly presented this distant hot potato for imperial inspection.

Mu Heng’s eyes shifted. Jiang Ling immediately understood and stepped forward to accept the wooden box. Yet for some reason, the lid was sealed so tightly that not the slightest gap remained. There was no lock. He struggled with it for some time and still could not open it.

Everyone: “…”

Wei Fu could no longer bear watching. Covering his face, he gave a hollow cough. “It may have been sealed with fish glue. Warming it over a flame should loosen it.”

“Oh.” Mu Heng gave an enlightened sneer. “Longsha deliberately sent this thing over just to waste my time, did they?”

Wei Fu: “…Haha. Your Majesty is truly amusing.”

A short while later, Jiang Ling finally opened the box. Mu Heng unfolded the letter inside. The sneer gradually froze on his face.

Wei Fu desperately wanted to stretch his head straight over the page. Unfortunately, with Xiao Kai and a floor full of attendants present, he did not dare overstep his station. He could only sit obediently while enduring the sensation of a hundred claws scratching at his heart, constantly stealing glances at His Majesty’s expression.

“…At New Year this year, King Yugong Lie of Longsha abdicated on the grounds of grave illness in favor of Prince Xiaohui, Yugong Zhaoye.”

Wei Fu abruptly froze.

Mu Heng’s long brows twisted more and more severely. “This is a letter written personally by Yugong Zhaoye.” “On behalf of Longsha, he wishes to maintain friendly relations with Xiling and continue recognizing our dynasty as its suzerain.” “He also requests to engage you as State Chancellor for a term of… twenty years?!” “Su Wu only herded sheep for nineteen!” “And when the term expires, he wants to renew it?!”

Elio’s Notes: Su Wu was a Han-dynasty envoy detained by the Xiongnu for nineteen years and is traditionally remembered for herding sheep during his captivity. The source Author’s Note jokes that Su Wu does not actually exist in the novel’s fictional world, making the comparison deliberately meta.

Everyone: “…”

What kind of “engagement” was this supposed to be? Once they engaged their State Chancellor away, were they ever getting him back?

With the dagger at the end of the map finally revealed, His Majesty flung the letter aside and furiously announced: “Longsha is finished!”

Wei Fu frantically caught the letter. Then, absolutely delighted, he shoved the Go board aside and completely destroyed the game. “I accept!”

In the third month of the eleventh year of Chenghe, Xiling sent envoys to Longsha to invest the new King and State Chancellor.

It was the most luxuriant and brilliant season in Bihan City. A sea of flowers bloomed throughout the capital— peach, plum, apricot, peony, and herbaceous peony; pale crimson and powdery white, deep violet and light jade-green. Even the dandelions in the corners raised clusters of tender yellow petals, blooming contentedly amid the lively overlapping clatter of horses’ hooves.

The envoys’ carriages followed the red carpet toward Longxiao Palace and slowly stopped outside the main gates.

An inner attendant rolled up the curtain. The former Minister-Regent and newly appointed State Chancellor leaned out of the carriage in brilliant scarlet court robes. Ignoring the hand offered to assist him, Wei Fu stepped directly into the warm, radiant sunlight of spring.

He raised his eyes across the broad square and solemn ranks of civil and military officials. At a single glance, he found the sovereign waiting above the vermilion steps— likewise dressed in vivid scarlet robes.

The distance he had to cross toward that person was very long. Yet there was only one thought in Wei Fu’s mind. And somehow, in the blink of an eye— he was already there.

The King descended the steps to receive him personally. Wei Fu had barely begun to bow when a pair of hands he knew better than any others firmly supported him.

Merely looking at that cold, jade-pale face sent a hot ache into Wei Fu’s eyes. He felt Yugong Zhaoye gently squeeze his forearm. Then he heard him say, in a voice only the two of them could hear: “Shh.” “This is a joyous day.” “You’re not allowed to cry.”

Wei Fu’s shimmering peach-blossom eyes met those pale amber irises. Neither said another word. Yet everything was contained within that single look— the longing on the verge of overflowing, the love that could no longer be restrained, even the trembling call of A’Ying… Thousands upon thousands of words had already been spoken.

Wei Fu blinked away the mist in his eyes. He lowered his gaze and smiled. Then, with docile warmth, he addressed Yugong Zhaoye: “My Sovereign.”

Every accompanying minister’s mind went blank simultaneously. You certainly never addressed the King that way before!

What a shameless flatterer! The moment he arrives, he outdoes every one of us!

Then they watched helplessly as their solemn, austere, and imposing new King’s expression shifted. A smile appeared— almost warm enough to be called gentle.

“My dear minister.”

It’s over. The King likes it.

With this glib-tongued fox spirit constantly beside the sovereign— surely Longsha was not actually going to be finished?!

Beneath their sleeves, their palms met. Their ten fingers intertwined. Yugong Zhaoye turned with Wei Fu’s hand in his own and, before the eyes of the entire court, led him step by step up the stairs toward the towering palace halls beneath the vast sky, their magnificent roofs rising in layered double eaves.

Years ago, upon a subterranean cliff, the blood that flowed over their tightly clasped hands became the red thread of fate, binding together a single breathtaking glimpse amid the fleeting illusions of the mortal world. That threadlike red had once stretched across ten thousand li. It had flown over countless mountains. Looping and circling again and again, it finally closed within their joined palms— becoming their broad sleeves and robes tangled together in the wind.

The fluttering qilin sashes matched the scarlet carpet beneath them. They wound through layer upon layer of palace gates before flowing into the endless blossoms filling the entire city— where spring was as deep as the sea.

Jade City’s twelve balustrades wind and turn;
Rhinoceros horn wards off dust, and jade wards off cold.

In Langyuan, letters are often borne by cranes;
On Mount Nüchuang, every tree shelters a luan.

Stars sink beneath the sea, seen before the window;
After rain, the River’s source gleams across the seats.

If only the dawn pearl shone bright and steady,
I would face the crystal disc all my life.

—Li Shangyin, Three Poems of the Jade City, No. 1

Elio’s Notes: The novel’s title, 辟寒城, echoes the opening couplet of Li Shangyin’s poem, particularly 玉辟寒, “jade wards off cold.” The final chapter title comes from its closing couplet, bringing the novel’s recurring jade, moon, and “cold-repelling” imagery full circle. The poem itself is famously enigmatic, so the translation preserves its imagery rather than forcing a single interpretation.

—End of the Main Story—