Chapter 35: Autumn Wind and Autumn Rain, Sorrow Enough to Kill (4)

Gazing at Yang Qi, the Commissioner of Jiangnan, who exuded an intimidating aura in his rage, a fleeting, knowing smile touched the corner of Kong Sheng’s lips. He was now certain that Yang Qi harbored ambitions to carve out his own domain amid the chaos in Jiangnan; otherwise, he would never have reacted so violently to Kong Sheng’s mere suggestion to petition for moving the capital to Jinling.

Yet Kong Sheng was not so foolish as to expose Yang Qi’s ambitions to his face. Having tested Yang Qi’s attitude, he abruptly shifted the conversation, no longer pressing the argument.

After all, he was now but a solitary, unsupported youth; however much he might be hailed as a gifted scholar, it was near impossible to contend with a man of Yang Qi’s rank and power. To pit himself as a mantis against a chariot would be courting certain ruin; for now, the only prudent course was to preserve himself.

He could sense clearly that Yang Qi had already developed a faint murderous intent towards him.

A mere unfinished memorial had, perhaps unwittingly, touched Yang Qi’s most sensitive nerve. Were Kong Sheng not to lower his stance, what awaited him would be annihilation as crushing as Mount Tai.

At this thought, Kong Sheng suddenly smiled and spoke softly, “My lord, this was merely a passing idea of mine, nothing more. As you yourself have said, I am but a scholar in plain robes—how could I possibly memorialize the court? The notion of moving the capital to Jinling is but a fantasy of mine.”

Seeing Kong Sheng yield, the storm of anger in Yang Qi’s heart gradually subsided. In truth, much of his fury had been an act; he would not have been so incensed by an incomplete memorial alone. Rather, Kong Sheng’s “wild notions” had put him on his guard—and he needed to thoroughly intimidate this youth, to quash such thoughts before they could take root and never allow them to surface again.

Had Yang Qi known that Kong Sheng’s memorial had long ago been entrusted to Sima Chengzhen to be delivered to the court through Guo Ziyi, he would have erupted in true fury and might well have resolved to eliminate Kong Sheng!

To propose relocating the capital to Jinling seemed utterly absurd and unrealistic; even if it reached the imperial court, the emperor and his ministers would surely treat it with scorn and ridicule. Yet the heart of the matter lay in the unexpected: what if, by some remote chance, the new emperor was moved by the idea, and the center of imperial power shifted to Jiangnan? For an ambitious man like Yang Qi, this would spell disaster.

Indeed, if the central court were to be established in Jiangnan, how could Yang Qi ever hope to rule as a warlord in his own right? At the slightest sign of disloyalty, he would be branded a traitor and become the target of all under heaven.

“You have the country’s plight at heart—this, at least, shows a pure and loyal spirit, and for that, I commend you. But remember well: matters of state are not to be discussed or spoken of carelessly, lest you bring calamity or even death upon yourself!” Yang Qi’s tone softened, taking on the air of a kindly elder instructing a younger generation.

Kong Sheng sneered inwardly but replied with deference, “I am grateful for your guidance.”

Outside the hall, Yang Xueruo supported her mother, Lady Zheng, listening anxiously to the sharp exchange between her father and Kong Sheng. She had thought her father summoned Kong Sheng for her marriage prospects, but to her surprise, the cause was quite different—it was a piece of writing by Kong Sheng that had provoked her father’s wrath, enough to summon him to the house for a stern rebuke. Fortunately, Kong Sheng had not insisted, but accepted the admonition, allowing the girl to breathe a sigh of relief.

Lady Zheng, however, frowned slightly. She thought her husband was making too much of a trifle; why trouble himself over a boy’s fanciful, naive essay?

The mother and daughter entered the hall of the prime minister’s residence. Yang Xueruo’s eyes, limpid as water, fell upon Kong Sheng, while Lady Zheng’s gaze held a faint, concealed disdain. Unlike her daughter, Lady Zheng’s dislike for Kong Sheng ran deep and could not be erased by a few poems and essays.

Kong Sheng drew a deep breath and bowed deeply. “Kong Sheng greets Madam and Miss.”

Within the Yang household, it would not do for Kong Sheng to be disrespectful before Yang Qi’s wife. Any lapse in manners would give his enemies a handle against him, planting seeds of future trouble.

Lady Zheng ignored him and walked towards her husband, saying, “My lord, this is but a child prattling about state affairs—why take it to heart?”

Yang Qi glanced at his wife, thinking to himself, “What do women know of the dangers at play here? You make light of this Kong boy at your peril. For him to have conceived of petitioning for the capital’s relocation to Jinling, his vision and ambition are far beyond the ordinary.”

“Kong Sheng, come and sit,” Yang Qi said, his anger now spent and his appreciation for Kong Sheng’s talent—along with his desire to keep him close—rising once more. He feigned a kindly air and gestured to a seat. “Since you are here, stay for supper.”

Lady Zheng’s brows furrowed deeply. She had not expected her husband to invite Kong Sheng to dine—a gesture of special favor and intimacy, and clear proof that, in his heart, Kong Sheng’s standing was growing.

She was deeply displeased, but could not voice her objections in public.

Yang Xueruo, on the other hand, was filled with delight. Her father’s invitation meant he no longer viewed Kong Sheng as an outsider—surely, her own hopes for a happy union with him had now grown much brighter.

Seeing Kong Sheng still standing, lost in thought, Yang Xueruo smiled sweetly and urged him gently, “Kong Sheng, please sit down—why are you still standing?”

Kong Sheng pretended hesitation, but inwardly remained extremely cautious. He knew that Yang Qi had harbored the thought of killing him; any misstep would provoke a fierce backlash, so he dared not be careless.

He bowed deeply to Yang Qi, then, with an appearance of deference, seated himself in the place of lower honor.

Yang Qi laughed heartily, as if the veiled threats and murderous undercurrents of their earlier conversation had never occurred. He conversed with Kong Sheng in a casual, sometimes meaningful, sometimes warm manner, inquiring about his recent life. On these points, Kong Sheng answered truthfully; after all, every move he made in Jiangning Prefecture was under Yang Qi’s watchful eye—there was no point in concealment.

Hearing that Kong Sheng devoted his days to study, martial training, and riding practice with unwavering persistence, Yang Qi’s smile grew ever wider. “My worthy nephew, it is rare indeed that you possess both civil and martial virtues, and such lofty ambition to serve your country. If you do not object, I shall memorialize the court tomorrow to secure you an official post here in Jiangnan. What say you?”

Kong Sheng detected the hidden meaning in Yang Qi’s words. Though he spoke of recommendation, what he truly wanted was for Kong Sheng to remain in Jiangnan—he wished to draw Kong Sheng into his own service. Remembering Yang Qi’s secret ambitions, Kong Sheng understood perfectly: this crafty old fox merely wanted to make him a tool for the Yang family.

But what Kong Sheng sought was a stage of his own, not a life of servitude. To serve Yang Qi was an utter joke! Yet as he caught the joyful, affectionate gaze of Yang Xueruo, his heart was flooded with conflicting emotions, leaving him somewhat unsettled.

Ahem.

Yang Qi cleared his throat, fixing Kong Sheng with an imposing gaze.

Kong Sheng knew what Yang Qi wanted—a clear declaration of willingness to serve. At this juncture, open refusal would bring nothing but disaster.

He was not the sort to be blindly stubborn; at times, one must yield to circumstance.

He stood up and bowed deeply. “Should I ever achieve the slightest success, I shall never forget the favor you bestow upon me today, my lord.”

Even as he spoke, he was sneering inwardly: It will not be long before I leave Jiangnan behind—let the fish swim in the vast sea, the birds soar in the boundless sky. What can this old schemer do to stop me?

Yang Qi was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, his demeanor becoming ever more cordial. “We are all one family. Your father and I were dearest friends—ever since you were a child, I have regarded you as one of my own. It is well that you appreciate my intentions.”

Hearing her father’s words, Yang Xueruo was so moved and delighted that tears nearly welled in her eyes.