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Chapter 105: Return
As Zhai Rang walked alongside Li Jian Cheng, he felt increasingly anxious. It was truly outrageous; he had been caught and sentenced to death for merely sneaking around with a few old acquaintances.
Yet here was Li Langjun, brazenly leading him, a condemned prisoner, through the streets without a single person casting a curious glance in their direction.
Zhai Rang could only perceive the figure ahead as towering as Mount Tai. Eventually, they arrived at a luxurious restaurant where Zhai Rang finally changed out of his prison garb into ordinary clothes.
However, he was still puzzled. After all the trouble of getting out, why weren’t they hurrying to send him out of the city?
Noticing Zhai Rang's confusion, Li Jian Cheng smiled and said, "How could we not welcome Brother Zhai properly?"
Upon ascending to the upper floor, they were greeted by a hall full of guests rising to welcome them. Zhai Rang was taken aback when he spotted his superior’s superior among them, wearing an expression of eager flattery.
No one cared about his appearance or status; they were only concerned that he was the guest of honor at Li Langjun’s banquet. For the first time, Zhai Rang experienced the life of power and privilege he had long yearned for.
With fine wine, delicious dishes, and beautiful dancers, even if he cried tears of joy from excitement, those around him praised him as a true man of great character. Beautiful women approached uninvited, gently wiping his tears with delicate hands and gazing at him with tender eyes.
After the highs and lows of great joy and sorrow came an emptiness. Zhai Rang found himself at a loss for what to do. When Li Jian Cheng finished seeing off the guests, Zhai Rang remained dazedly leaning against the table.
Li Jian Cheng did not rush him but instead sat down nearby and began to play the guqin softly, the sound flowing like high mountains and flowing water.
Zhai Rang gently pushed away from the table and reclined on the sofa. Once the music ended, he spoke up: "Today I understand how precious your status is. I regret being born a commoner, lamenting my ignorance of the law that led to my downfall."
Li Jian Cheng ignored his lamentations and continued speaking to himself: "The place I have chosen for you is located on the southeastern bank of the Yellow River, north facing White Horse Ferry across the river, south looking towards Tongji Canal, and just a hundred miles west across the Yellow River from Yongji Canal."
In a strategic location, anyone with a bit of insight could reflect on the situation. Zhai Rang turned and knelt before Li Jiancheng, saying, "My Lord, this place will surely require the court to deploy troops for control."
Li Jiancheng lightly played with the sounds of the court music. "That area is prone to flooding from the Yellow River, with rolling hills, dense trees, and a network of ditches and rivers. Waterfowl gather in flocks, and reeds grow everywhere, but there is a High Mound that can be occupied for defense."
"I am willing to go," Zhai Rang replied.
"I will send someone to take care of your mother and children. Once you have established a firm footing, you can send for them."
Zhai Rang firmly stated, "Please take them to your territory for their safety. I will reunite with them in the future."
"You know what I intend to do?"
"I do not know, but I am willing to go through fire and water!" Zhai Rang glanced back longingly and added, "I only hope that in the future we can still enjoy such glory as today."
"Go then."
Li Jin led Zhai Rang away, but instead of leaving the city immediately, they went to a chamber where there was the beautiful woman who had just wiped his tears and the enchanting dancer he had gazed at for the longest time.
...
The Emperor issued an edict to excavate the Jiangnan River from Jingkou to Yuhang, spanning over eight hundred miles and more than ten zhang wide, allowing for Dragon Boats to pass through. He planned to set up relay stations and temporary stops along the banks for his eastern tour of Kuaiji.
However, due to the enormous expenses incurred while hosting foreign envoys in Luoyang, the national treasury was depleted, making it impossible to prepare for an eastern expedition against Goguryeo. Thus, an edict was issued commanding all wealthy individuals in the realm to purchase military horses at a price of up to one hundred thousand coins each. They were also instructed to inspect weapons and military supplies, ensuring they were new and well-maintained; any negligence would result in immediate execution by the envoy.
At that moment, Shibi Khan, who had taken over the position of Dong Turkic Khan, came to pay his respects. The Emperor ordered Minister of Rites Yang Xuangan to receive him.
Yang Xuangan had heard that Li Jian Cheng was familiar with the new Khan, so he brought him along, hoping to establish a good relationship with the newly appointed Khan.
The crowd gathered outside the city to welcome them and soon saw Shibi Khan leading thousands of elite Turkic guards, accompanied by Princess Yicheng of the Sui Dynasty. After the death of Qimin, Shibi Khan had followed Turkic customs and married this stepmother, although they were of similar age.
Ashina Tuoji was quite arrogant at that moment, but no one said anything; after all, he could summon hundreds of thousands of troops at any time. Aside from the Emperor of Sui, there was really no one else to fear.
Being young and impetuous, the rulers and ministers of the Sui Dynasty had long anticipated that he would not be as humble as his father Qimin. However, the court could not afford to wage war against both Eastern Turkic and Goguryeo simultaneously, so they could only appease him.
Shibi Khan treated Yang Xuangan with disdain and showed no response to his friendliness, but he was quite amiable towards Li Jian Cheng, constantly looking for opportunities to speak with him. Li Jian Cheng, however, deliberately maintained his distance.
The Emperor learned that a few insignificant prisoners had been released and was too lazy to hold it against him; at most, he would impose a fine of three cups of wine and a few reprimands. But getting too close to the Turkic Khagan was a serious matter.
Shibi Khan followed protocol to pay his respects to the Emperor, who rewarded him with many gold and silver items as well as silk. However, it was clear that the Emperor was not particularly satisfied with Shibi Khan's attitude.
After all, there had been Qimin Khan who would kneel on the ground to clear grass for the Emperor. Naturally, the young and ambitious Shibi Khan was not favored by the Emperor, who did not immediately host a banquet for him but instead asked Empress Xiao to invite the princess into the palace for a conversation.
Then suddenly, he ordered Li Jian Cheng to return to Zhuojun to prepare for a visit; after the New Year, the Emperor planned to tour the Summer Palace.
Li Jian Cheng had no reason to refuse. After making some preparations, he left the capital without bidding farewell to anyone.
A few days after Li Jian Cheng left, Shibi Khan suddenly discovered a letter on his bed. It was unsigned, but it detailed the Emperor's character and warned him to prepare for the future, as the Emperor would undoubtedly seek ways to weaken and divide his power.
After reading it, Shibi Khan laughed, feeling grateful for such a good friend.
...
On the way back to Zhuojun, Li Jian Cheng did not deliberately avoid any places; instead, he stopped wherever he went, sending servants to gather information. Although the campaign against Goguryeo had not yet begun, the common people had indeed reached their limit of patience.
Those who wanted to rebel were no longer hiding their intentions. Some of Li Jian Cheng's old friends even came forward, subtly suggesting that they wished to revolt and hoped that Li Jian Cheng could assist them.
They even promised that if they succeeded in their Great Undertaking, they would honor him as Emperor, while they only sought wealth and power. Without hesitation, Li Jian Cheng ordered them to be captured, and after beheading them, he instructed his servants to present their heads before the Emperor.
This action effectively deterred a group of ambitious individuals who sought to use Li Jian Cheng's name to rally others for rebellion.
Upon returning to Zhuojun, the Emperor's decree arrived as well, promoting him to Golden Purple Grand Minister and appointing him as Governor of Lishu Palace.
This undoubtedly earned the respect of the officials in Zhuojun. Li Jian Cheng naturally reclaimed military and political power in Zhuojun and made some adjustments to let them know that although he had been away for months, he was fully aware of everything that had transpired in Zhuojun.
...
(End of Chapter)
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