Pu Jiu Lin froze for a moment. Finally, from the farthest corner of his memory, he recalled that the Ministry of Justice had mentioned a series of arson cases in the city and that the capital prefecture wanted to investigate them jointly.
To avoid being overheard, Emperor Jianhong said nothing more on the way, which also gave Pu Jiu Lin time to prepare his answer.
Once they boarded the carriage and Emperor Jianhong raised the matter again, Pu Jiu Lin had already organized his thoughts. He answered cautiously, “Recently, a number of people have been setting fires and filling in wells, damaging homes throughout the city. Fortunately, there have been no civilian casualties, but the arsonists remain at large. The capital prefecture and Ministry of Justice are investigating together. I believe we will soon uncover the truth.”
Emperor Jianhong asked, “What is being done about the damaged houses?”
Pu Jiu Lin replied, “Every effort is being made to rescue and repair them.”
Emperor Jianhong said, “The arsonists are damaging houses but not harming people. There may be a deeper purpose. Why not turn their scheme against them?”
Pu Jiu Lin blinked. “What does Your Majesty have in mind?”
“Move the affected families into temples for the time being. Do not repair the houses yet. Wait for the culprits to return, and see what they are plotting.”
On careful consideration, Emperor Jianhong’s plan was riddled with problems. If the arsonists never reappeared, were the people supposed to live in temples indefinitely? But Pu Jiu Lin, ordinarily so shrewd, did not object.
As he saw it, Northern Zhou’s most urgent concerns were the northern coalition and Southern Yu’s provocations. Minor matters such as damaged civilian homes did not even merit a memorial at morning court, much less private discussion between sovereign and chancellor. Since Emperor Jianhong had raised the issue personally, it must be more important than it appeared. Pu Jiu Lin did not know the details and dared not rush to judgment, so he agreed.
Once again, they entered the Qinling Escort Agency through the back door, using the imperial token. The chattering children were nowhere to be seen. Only birds twittered in the branches, making the place feel rather deserted.
Qiu Xi Hong had known two visitors were coming the moment they entered the gate, and had already prepared tea.
Pu Jiu Lin had long heard of the Qinling Patriarch, but this was their first conversation face-to-face. Naturally, he offered the usual pleasantries about having long admired the man’s reputation.
Qiu Xi Hong returned a few polite remarks.
Emperor Jianhong casually mentioned the many problems facing his court and the endless worries they caused. He could not stay long today. Taking the hint, Pu Jiu Lin brought up Southern Yu’s border incursions and expressed concern about the western and northern fronts.
“Every soldier of Northern Zhou is brave in battle and fears no death. If this were simply a war between states, I would not be worried. What frightens me is the prospect of martial experts joining the fighting. Then the outcome becomes impossible to predict.”
Qiu Xi Hong understood why they had come. “What news has the chancellor received?”
Pu Jiu Lin looked to Emperor Jianhong.
Emperor Jianhong said, “I would like to ask the venerable immortal to make a journey to the western frontier.”
Qiu Xi Hong said nothing.
Unaware of the secrets behind advancement from Martial King to Martial God, he believed that as someone at the peak of the Martial God Stage, fighting recklessly would mean gambling with his life. Naturally he was reluctant.
Emperor Jianhong said, “Of the western frontier states, only the City of Ten Thousand Beasts is a jianghu faction. Its leader, Tong Fang Yu, is Consort Rong’s junior martial sister. Their martial skills should be comparable. With your reputation, venerable immortal, you would not need to fight. She would flee at the mere sound of your approach.”
Qiu Xi Hong shook his head. “The person most feared in the City of Ten Thousand Beasts is not Tong Fang Yu, but the White Tiger King. It is said that his martial skills are unfathomable, far above hers. He simply has no interest in power or everyday affairs, which is why Tong Fang Yu became the city lord.”
Emperor Jianhong said, “If he has no interest in power or ordinary affairs, he probably will not take part in the war either. I know I am asking a great deal, but the survival of Northern Zhou is at stake, and I must swallow my pride to ask. If you agree, I will designate the Qinling Mountains the Sacred Mountain Protecting the Nation.”
Qiu Xi Hong’s heart stirred.
He had agreed to lead the Qinling Sect into the court’s service primarily because he believed he had little time left to live. Should he pass away, his disciples and their descendants might lack the strength to uphold the sect’s prestige, and Qinling could decline. With the title Sacred Mountain Protecting the Nation, even if the next few generations produced no Martial Kings or Martial Gods, the sect could rely on imperial support to recruit disciples and wait for a chance to flourish again.
However, declaring Qinling a Sacred Mountain Protecting the Nation and establishing the Qinling Sect as the state religion might sound alike, but on closer examination they were two quite different things.
He tested the waters. “If I leave the capital, I fear others may exploit my absence.”
Emperor Jianhong answered, “Go without worry. I have my own arrangements for affairs in the city.”
Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, Qiu Xi Hong asked, “Would Your Majesty be willing to establish a state religion?”
Emperor Jianhong’s expression hardened. He said gravely, “I respect you too much to deceive you with empty promises. A jianghu sect that grows too powerful at court will inevitably arouse suspicion. Even if I never doubt you, my descendants might not trust yours. The Spiritual Cult is a warning from the past. At its height, a single call brought followers flocking. In its decline, those followers scattered. Everyone I have seen in the Qinling Sect is gentle and upright. Why not pursue a quieter, more lasting course, so that Qinling may endure for generations?”
Qiu Xi Hong’s face had been stern, but he finally smiled. “Your Majesty has spoken with candor, and I am not blind to kindness. The western frontier is far away, and I cannot predict the fortunes or disasters awaiting me. I ask Your Majesty to look after everyone at Qinling.”
Emperor Jianhong said, “Rest assured. I will issue the decree immediately. The Qinling Mountains shall be designated the Sacred Mountain Protecting the Nation. No matter what happens on your journey, so long as Northern Zhou survives, that title shall not change.”
Qiu Xi Hong said, “Take good care of yourself after I leave, Your Majesty.”
Having persuaded Qiu Xi Hong to head west, Emperor Jianhong was in a fine mood. He was in no hurry to return to the palace, and thoughtfully offered to escort Pu Jiu Lin home. Pu Jiu Lin was naturally flattered beyond measure. Before they parted, however, he still voiced his concern.
“Senior Qiu is a pillar supporting the state. If he leaves Haojing, I fear troublemakers will seize the opportunity to cause havoc.” Having said that, Pu Jiu Lin grew even more convinced that the fires in the city were no ordinary crimes.
Emperor Jianhong said, “Tong Fang Yu comes from the Puppet Path, while Zheng Jiao Jiao founded Borrowing from All Living Beings. Both follow unorthodox arts. I intend to ask the Immortal Treasury Palace for assistance.”
Pu Jiu Lin’s eyes lit up. “With Fourth Young Master Fu acting as an intermediary, it should be possible! Why not ask the Immortal Treasury Palace to defend the western frontier?” Compared with that arrangement, he would have felt far more reassured with the Qinling Patriarch, already sworn to the imperial court, remaining in Haojing.
Emperor Jianhong was less optimistic.
After ascending the throne, he had considered using the Immortal Treasury Palace to deal with Tie Rong Rong. But the palace and Tie Rong Rong had a working relationship, and he feared his plans might backfire. So he had not directly revealed her identity. Instead, he appealed to their emotions and tempted them with benefits, hoping to establish a partnership. Unfortunately, he had sent eight letters, all of which disappeared without a trace. He had even invited the division managers stationed in Haojing to the imperial palace, and not one had accepted.
That was how he knew that the Immortal Treasury Palace had no affection for him.
Things were different now, of course. He had Fu Xi Yan as a bridge to the palace. Nevertheless, the memory of Pei Yuan Jin storming the imperial palace single-handedly was still vivid. Emperor Jianhong dared not be presumptuous. For an urgent matter like defending the western frontier, it was safer to ask a familiar ally like Qiu Xi Hong. As for protecting Haojing… he had another plan.
The rubbing of the founding emperor’s calligraphy had been sent south, and Qiu Xi Hong was already on the road west. Haojing temporarily returned to peace. Yet the arsonists responsible for burning civilian houses had still not been caught. Because Emperor Jianhong had taken an interest, Chancellor Pu now paid attention as well. Pressure on the Ministry of Justice and the capital prefecture grew enormous. They waited for their quarry so long that the proverbial stump was practically about to bear fruit, but still there was no news.
Just then, terrible news arrived from the northern frontier: Yulin Town had fallen!
Alongside that terrible news came reports that the Prince of Longnan was still alive. The Prince of Pingluo’s memorial had already reached the emperor’s desk, but not one of the civil or military officials, Pu Jiu Lin included, dared mention the matter during morning court. Instead, Emperor Jianhong raised it himself. “The prince claims that the Prince of Longnan remains among the living. What do you all think?”
The Minister of Rites, caught by the sweep of his gaze, cursed his own luck. Yet he answered without a moment’s hesitation, “It must be a plot by the northern lands, passing off falsehood as truth to confuse the people!”
Emperor Jianhong asked, “If the Prince of Longnan truly is alive, would your own heart be thrown into confusion?”
The Minister of Rites hurriedly dropped to his knees and begged for mercy. “This minister… this minister spoke wrongly. The Prince of Longnan is a Martial God, while I am merely a civil official!”
“A Martial God?” Emperor Jianhong let out a cold laugh and swept out of the hall.
The Minister of Rites was so frightened that his legs would not support him. The Minister of Personnel took pity on him and, together with the Vice Minister of Rites, helped him up.
Pu Jiu Lin looked at the man and sighed softly.
Even in the face of a calamity as grave as Yulin Town’s fall, Emperor Jianhong had remained preoccupied with news of the Prince of Longnan. That showed how deep his obsession ran. Most of the aristocratic families and courtiers associated with the Prince of Yunzhong and the Prince of Longnan had long since been purged. Nearly everyone attending court today was one of Emperor Jianhong’s own people. Yet even his own people still respectfully called the Prince of Longnan a Martial God. That was why the emperor’s old wound had never healed.
As Pu Jiu Lin stepped outside the hall, the Earl of Le’an and several other military officials called him over to discuss the situation.
The details of Yulin Town’s fall had been set out in a memorial sent to the Ministry of War.
According to the Prince of Pingluo, he had accidentally captured Wen Hong Xuan’s daughter, Wen Ping, and demanded a withdrawal in exchange for her. Rong Yue conducted the negotiations. He pretended to agree, requesting a face-to-face peace meeting and an exchange of hostages. But on the day of the meeting, Rong Yue launched an attack. He personally shot Wen Ping dead to bolster morale. There was also a collaborator inside Yulin Town who opened the gates for them.
“One of the Prince of Longnan’s former men?”
Pu Jiu Lin frowned.
The Earl of Le’an said, “Afterward, rumors began circulating that the Prince of Longnan had never died and was the true master of the Northern Alliance.”
Pu Jiu Lin asked, “Has anyone seen him?”
The Minister of War said, “Apparently not. Otherwise, the Prince of Pingluo would not have called it a rumor. But the collaborator who opened the gates killed himself afterward, saying he could not honor both loyalty and righteousness, and could only sacrifice his life for the latter.”
The Earl of Le’an sneered. “I think his head was full of lard, and someone fooled him completely! If the Prince of Longnan were truly alive, he would have appeared long ago. Why would Wen Hong Xuan need to strut about deceiving people in his name?”
Pu Jiu Lin coughed softly. “Mind your words.”
At a time like this, it was better not to touch Emperor Jianhong’s sore spot.
The Minister of War said, “The Prince of Pingluo has rallied the survivors of Yulin Town and is holding Yanzhou against the enemy. Our chief concern now is that the northern forces may circle behind Yanmen Pass. Yanmen is the gateway defending us against Mengwu. If Mengwu attacks again at the same time, the garrison will be trapped between wolves in front and tigers behind, an isolated island.”
Pu Jiu Lin asked, “Is there any way to rescue them?”
The Minister of War replied, “Perhaps we can transfer troops from Shimen.”