Volume Two: Lord and Grandson Chapter 54: The Straight Pool
Qujiang Pool, located at the southeastern corner of Chang’an city, was originally a royal retreat in the Qin dynasty and later transformed into an imperial garden by Emperor Wu of Han. During the Sui dynasty, when Daxing city was constructed, Qujiang was incorporated into the city, and the Tang dynasty expanded it on an even grander scale, creating a thousand acres of shimmering water and a stretch of palatial pavilions amidst the Lotus Garden.
Wei Fufeng was familiar with Qujiang Pool and the Lotus Garden, renowned as one of Chang’an’s finest vistas. It was said that when scholars passed the imperial examination, they would gather in groups to feast and drink by Qujiang Pool, a celebration known as “Qujiang Flowing Banquet,” an event most coveted by the literati.
Yet upon their arrival, disappointment prevailed. The imagined scene of endless pavilions, willows dipping into clear waters, blossoms and shadows of people in dazzling beauty was nowhere to be found. Instead, they saw devastation everywhere: ruined walls, broken remnants, and the air thick with the scent of decay.
Wei Fufeng and the two women stood in silence, while their ten subordinates curiously looked around, unmoved by any sense of regret. Most were refugees from war, humble folk, lacking the sentiments of nobles or scholars.
“Let us go. We’ll stroll through the nearby districts,” Wei Fufeng said with regret. He did not mention buying a house in the vicinity, fearing that the local neighborhoods would be far worse than Xinchang Ward.
...
After noon, not long after Wei Fufeng departed, his prospective father-in-law, Li Ji, returned.
Li Ji, a scholar at the Court of Ceremonies, had little actual work, but attended daily at the temple, walking home near midday. Upon returning, his noble-born wife greeted him gently. The couple were always harmonious; she respected him deeply and never complained about his lack of success in officialdom.
Yet today, she was somewhat vexed, murmuring, “Master, Fourteenth Daughter’s fiancé came by just now.”
“Oh? Where is he?” Li Ji responded at once.
“He took Fourteenth Daughter out. Such disregard for propriety,” his wife said, displeased.
“You didn’t say anything?” Li Ji asked quickly.
She paused. “At first I refused Fourteenth Daughter’s request, sending word through the maid. The young gentleman explained he was soon to depart for Hedong and asked to take Fourteenth Daughter out. I permitted it.”
“He’s to campaign in Hedong?” Li Ji said, surprised.
“Is something wrong?” his wife asked, anxious.
Li Ji turned, speaking gently. “I heard recently that the young gentleman’s grandfather seized Jinzhou...”
His wife exclaimed, “To seize Jinzhou and be appointed its military governor!”
Li Ji nodded. “My father paid little heed to the matter. When the young gentleman came to request the post of Jinzhou’s chief administrator, it was clearly unusual. I heard it was Prime Minister Du who recommended his grandfather as governor of Jinzhou.”
“So, your father didn’t grant the chief administrator post, and the young gentleman’s grandfather turned to Prime Minister Du,” she said.
Li Ji nodded, sighing. “I advised my father to cultivate local influence, but he only appointed a deputy county magistrate, a miscalculation.”
“It may not have been a mistake. Even if Jinzhou was won, it might not be held,” his wife replied.
Li Ji nodded. “Tell the staff outside that when the young gentleman returns, he is to come see me.”
She replied, turned to give instructions at the door, then returned softly, “Fourteenth Daughter’s betrothal has not yet been formalized.”
“That’s no matter. The match is decided by the young gentleman’s grand-uncle. Prime Minister Wei would never renege on account of a junior’s marriage, lest he damage his reputation. Besides, we have already discussed the marriage with his parents,” Li Ji answered.
...
As dusk approached, Wei Fufeng and his group returned to the Li residence. Their walk had only brought disappointment; the neighborhoods near Qujiang Pool had become slums, deserted and bleak, for Chang’an had lost much of its population to war.
The gate servant respectfully invited Wei Fufeng inside. Hearing his prospective father-in-law wished to see him, Wei Fufeng could not leave, so he entered, heading to the familiar hall—this time, his father-in-law was not there.
Soon, Li Ji arrived, and the two exchanged greetings before sitting.
Li Ji asked directly, with gentle concern, “I hear you are involved in the campaign against Hedong?”
“Yes,” Wei Fufeng nodded.
“If you are to campaign in Hedong, is your Fufeng army up to the task?” Li Ji asked.
Wei Fufeng hesitated. “I only assist the court in quelling rebellion, not as the main force. If things go awry, I must retreat.”
Li Ji nodded. “I know little of warfare, only wish for your safe return.”
“Thank you for your concern, Uncle,” Wei Fufeng replied respectfully.
Li Ji nodded. “In fact, you shouldn’t be campaigning against Hedong. Your forces should be used to guard Jinzhou.”
“To guard Jinzhou? Why?” Wei Fufeng asked, perplexed.
Li Ji paused. “Your grandfather has seized Jinzhou and become its governor.”
Wei Fufeng frowned, thoughtful, then nodded. “So Grandfather truly intended to claim Jinzhou?”
“You didn’t know?” Li Ji was surprised, not believing him.
Wei Fufeng nodded. “I did not know. I have been reorganizing troops in Lantian County, and my Fufeng army has never informed Grandfather.”
“How is that possible?” Li Ji questioned.
“To be honest, Uncle, I come from southern Sichuan and was ordered to pay tribute to His Majesty. As a younger son, I petitioned for the title of Marquis of Fufeng. I did not want my family to know of my army, fearing the elders would take control of it,” Wei Fufeng explained.
He knew he was only muddling the truth, but he had to mislead, for now required some sophistry.
Li Ji frowned in thought. In truth, mentioning the Fufeng army was a probe; he had heard of it, but never connected it to his prospective son-in-law until today’s talk of the Hedong campaign raised suspicions.
Their conversation was brief. Wei Fufeng excused himself on military business, left the Li residence before the city gates closed, and returned to Lantian County by night.
After sending Wei Fufeng off, Li Ji returned to the hall to ponder, piecing together what he knew. He concluded that his prospective son-in-law was deliberately obfuscating, that the matter of Jinzhou was connected to the Fufeng army.
Having settled this, Li Ji understood Wei Fufeng’s evasions; he was drawing a clear line between himself and Jinzhou, perhaps hinting at secrecy.
After thinking it over, Li Ji sought his father, for matters of family rise and fall could be hidden from wife and children, but not from father and elder brother. Though he and his brother often disagreed, family interests required unity.
In the study, Li Ji found his father, recently returned, told him his son-in-law was commander of the Fufeng army, governor of Qianzhong, and acting governor of southern Sichuan, then invited his second brother to join the discussion.
Li Xi’s expression showed surprise as he ordered a servant to fetch Second Master, then silently drank tea.
After a short while, Li Xian arrived, magistrate of the Court of Justice.
Li Ji greeted him, repeating the story.
Li Xian was also surprised, frowning in thought. After a moment, he asked their father, “Father, do you think this is all part of Wei Zhaodu’s strategy?”
Li Xi spoke softly, “Prime Minister Wei has always acted uprightly; this doesn’t seem his doing, more likely his younger brother’s.”
“Father means Prime Minister Wei’s brother used the Fufeng army to seize Jinzhou,” Li Xian said.
Li Xi shook his head. “The Fufeng army numbers only a thousand. They may have borrowed several thousand troops from southern Sichuan. I suspect the ducal household was attacked by Prime Minister Wei’s brother, framing Yang Shoubo.”
Li Xian nodded. “A most clever tactic.”
Li Xi frowned. Li Ji changed expression. “If true, it’s rather ruthless.”
“To confront an enemy with mercy is to invite disaster, especially when purging the minions of traitors,” Li Xian replied, full of righteous conviction.
Li Ji glanced at his brother, speechless. He meant the slaughter at the ducal household, but saw no reason to argue for outsiders, feeling some frustration. “Second Brother blocked the chief administrator appointment. What now?”
“My opposition was not wrong. Our principle is to avoid calamity, the doctrine of moderation. Wei Zhaodu sought marriage; we agreed. His brother sought office; we granted it. Thus, we are not at fault, only that future rewards may be less,” Li Xian argued.
Li Ji was silent, turning to his father. Li Xi spoke softly, “One thing puzzles me: as far as I know, the governor of southern Sichuan was appointed at Yang Fuke’s insistence. Why did Yang Fuke favor the Wei clan, and now Prime Minister Wei’s brother opposes him?”
Li Xian said, “Father, in my humble opinion, perhaps it’s the result of mutual exploitation. Wei Zhaodu and Yang Fuke’s adopted son cooperated to establish the southern Sichuan governorship, but after its creation, their interests diverged and they turned hostile.”
“Nonsense, how could Prime Minister Wei cooperate with Yang Fuke?” Li Xi scolded.
“Father, recall that Wei Zhaodu was suppressing rebels in western Sichuan, commanding the military of the Mountain South Western Circuit. I hear that Wang Jian has grown powerful in western Sichuan; faced with such a strong threat, even adversaries may cooperate temporarily under pressure,” Li Xian replied.
Li Xi seemed thoughtful. Li Xian continued, “Father needn’t speculate; let someone investigate and the truth will emerge. I suggest Third Brother go to southern Sichuan as an official.”
Ah? Li Ji looked at his brother in surprise.
Li Xian met his gaze, serious. “Third Brother, this is an opportunity. You used to advocate for developing local influence. If you are posted to southern Sichuan, you can gain high office and discern the truth. Once Father knows the truth, he can make the right decision.”
Li Ji frowned. Li Xi spoke, displeased, “Sichuan is in turmoil. How could you go?”
“Father, if the campaign against Hedong fails, Chang’an may never be peaceful again. It’s necessary for Third Brother to go to Sichuan and learn the truth. His son-in-law is acting governor; he can surely grant his father-in-law high office. If Third Brother’s posting is unsuccessful, he can return to the Court of Ceremonies,” Li Xian explained.
“But his daughter is not yet married. How can this be?” Li Ji protested, embarrassed.
“If you cannot ask, I will speak. If Third Brother becomes an official in Sichuan, he can compensate for previous mistakes and show our sincerity,” Li Xian said.
Li Ji looked at his brother in silence. Li Xian continued seriously, “Third Brother, I truly wish the best for you. You cannot spend your life as a scholar in the Court of Ceremonies. A stint in Sichuan will earn you promotion, and when you return, even if you hold only a nominal post, it will sound better than scholar of the Court of Ceremonies.”
Li Ji was awkwardly silent, but indeed tempted, though he was too embarrassed to nod in agreement.