Chapter 70

Chapter 70

[The Male Chauvinist’s Victory – 11]

The maid: “…”

As though suffering an internal injury, the maid choked and staggered away.

Li Jiangxue waited anxiously in the bridal chamber for a long time, but only the maid returned.

Unwilling to accept it, she peered behind the maid. Seeing no sign of her cousin, her face darkened. “Where is Cousin?”

“The general remains in the Lady of the Left’s rooms. He did not come.”

Li Jiangxue snapped, “Didn’t you tell Cousin my chest hurt so badly I couldn’t sleep?”

The maid stammered, “I did, but the general said…”

Li Jiangxue demanded eagerly, “What did Cousin say?”

The maid replied cautiously, “The general said you would feel better if you drank more hot water.”

Li Jiangxue: “…”

Li Jiangxue felt as though she too had suffered an internal injury.

Cousin was wonderful in every respect, only far too straight. Even the way he expressed concern was so painfully direct.

She felt depressed but could not storm over and steal him. Watching a red candle flicker nearby while wax tears slowly fell, her mood darkened too. “Had Cousin already gone to bed when you arrived?”

“The lamps were already out.”

The lamps were out.

Li Jiangxue hugged her arms and sat alone on the bed, her slender figure inescapably lonely.

Her gaze traveled around the room. Though the furnishings had been carefully arranged, they were far inferior to her maiden quarters in the Li residence. Yan Hongguang was, after all, a newly established military noble. In depth of wealth, how could he compare with a century-old clan?

Li Jiangxue lowered her eyes and recalled being forced to step aside during the wedding bows, watching Cousin and Li Jiangyue bow to each other. The first experience had already hurt so much, yet she would face days like this for the rest of her life.

If not for Li Jiangyue…

If she had not intervened and stolen Cousin halfway through…

Li Jiangxue drew a deep breath and summoned someone to remove her makeup and change her clothes.

This was only the first day. A long future remained. She had sacrificed everything to marry Cousin. How could she give up easily?

So what if Li Jiangyue was the principal wife?

Li Jiangxue was the one who had exchanged love with Cousin. Hers was the name he called so tenderly in his dreams. How could Li Jiangyue compete with affection between childhood sweethearts?

Just wait and see!

…

The previous day had been filled with guests, and Liu Che had rushed about from morning to night. He inevitably rose late the next morning.

Li Jiangyue woke early and intended to get up, but Liu Che’s arm remained around her waist. “There’s no hurry. Lie down a little longer.”

“We should worship the ancestors at the family shrine today,” she whispered.

Liu Che patted her shoulder and joked, “Another moment won’t matter. Can a wife already married into the family run away?”

Li Jiangyue smiled and did not insist. She lay back down. Husband and wife slept for another half hour before rising together.

Liu Che yawned and held out his arms for Li Jiangyue to dress him, then raised a serious matter.

“The Northern invasions have been repelled twice. They should not march south again soon. But I suspect the court will not let me remain long in the central government. In time, I may be assigned to the provinces. Will you accompany me or remain in Jiankang?”

Li Jiangyue bent to fasten his belt. “Naturally, I wish to remain with my husband. Whether in Jiankang or some distant commandery, so long as we are not separated.”

After a moment’s thought, she added, “If Husband wants to leave your two young brothers here, I can stay. They are still young, and without anyone to care for them, many matters would be inconvenient.”

Liu Che shook his head. “They came here to seek refuge with me. How could I abandon them in Jiankang? Moreover, both children possess remarkable talent. Entrusting them to ordinary teachers would be a criminal waste.”

Li Jiangyue nodded. “Then our entire family will remain together. Does Husband know where you may be sent? I can have clothing made early, lest we arrive and discover we lack proper garments and supplies.”

Liu Che picked up the jade pendant from the table and tied it at his waist. “Most likely one of the northern provinces. The court must guard against another Northern attack and will not send me south.”

Li Jiangyue smiled. “The climate there resembles Jiankang’s. We needn’t fear becoming ill from unfamiliar conditions.”

Then she asked, “Will Master Qu move his entire family with us? Which of Husband’s trusted followers will go, and which will remain? These men campaign throughout the year and inevitably neglect their families. Whether they accompany us or not, we should settle their dependents properly before leaving.”

Her considerations were thorough and well organized, and Liu Che was thoroughly satisfied. As he replied, he brought up Lady Tan again to needle Zhu Yuanzhang.

“Your former daughter-in-law should come see what a proper household mistress looks like!”

Zhu Yuanzhang: “Heh.”

Liu Che had long known Li Jiangyue could fulfill a wife’s responsibilities. Seeing her adapt so quickly to her new life increased his appreciation. Once they finished dressing, someone reported that the Lady of the Right and the two young masters were waiting outside.

It was the first day of her marriage, so Li Jiangxue dared not act recklessly. Madam Wei and her matron had instructed her countless times. She remembered that she was a secondary wife, and after washing and dressing, obediently went to greet the principal wife.

As for Guan Pu and Guan Sheng, their elder brother had married. As his younger brothers, they naturally came to pay respects to their new sister-in-law.
As a wandering ghost in her previous life, Li Jiangxue had seen the brothers before, but this was the first time she spoke with them face to face after rebirth. She inevitably felt emotional. Knowing Cousin valued them and that neither was ordinary, she naturally refused to offend them. She stepped forward to exchange warm pleasantries.

One did not strike a smiling face. The Guan brothers had previously accepted her gifts and would not treat her coldly. Thus, when Liu Che and Li Jiangyue entered the front hall, they found the three conversing and laughing in perfect harmony.

Li Jiangxue was dressed with exceptional brilliance. Li Jiangyue was no less beautiful. Her true-red dress brightened her complexion, and a golden dangling hairpin secured her hair. Dignified and composed, she possessed the bearing of a household mistress. With both beauties in the hall, even the originally modest room seemed to become dazzlingly magnificent.

Servants brought tea. Guan Pu and Guan Sheng bowed and offered tea to their sister-in-law in turn. Li Jiangyue thanked them with a nod and gave each a gift prepared earlier. Once those rites were complete, it was Li Jiangxue’s turn.

A matron brought another cup. Feeling deeply humiliated, Li Jiangxue bit her lip, carried the tea forward, and slowly knelt. She raised it in both hands.

“Madam, please have tea.”

Li Jiangyue smiled gracefully and accepted the cup. After taking a sip, she said gently, “Please rise,” then signaled her matron to present the prepared gift.

Li Jiangxue’s face was slightly pale. She thanked her, then looked at Liu Che, her expression wounded. Gazing at him longingly, she called softly, “Cousin.”

Liu Che disliked her foolish brain but appreciated her lovely face. He smiled at her. “Jiangxue, does your chest still hurt?”

Her cheeks warmed. “It’s better.”

Liu Che lifted his chin proudly. “See? I told you hot water worked.”

Li Jiangyue nearly laughed aloud. Guan Pu and Guan Sheng turned their faces away to hide their laughter.

Li Jiangxue could tell he was teasing. Embarrassed and annoyed, she stamped her foot. “Cousin, how can you be like this?!”

“You…” Liu Che laughed, sent his brothers back to study, and held out his hand once they had gone.

Flattered, Li Jiangxue rose and approached. He said warmly, “Now that you are married, you’re no longer a child. You should change that spoiled temper of yours. You mustn’t cause trouble like you did last night.”

Hearing the kindness and faint indulgence in his voice melted half of Li Jiangxue’s heart. She cast her half sister a smug look and replied obediently, “I will change, Cousin.”

Liu Che joked with her for a while, then mentioned that he would soon leave the capital for an appointment. “Jiangyue will accompany me. Will you remain in Jiankang or come with us?”

Without hesitation, Li Jiangxue answered, “I want to be with Cousin!”

Liu Che smiled and stroked her face. “Then pack early. That place will differ from Jiankang. If you arrive and discover something missing, you may not find it quickly.”

Seeing him treat her so intimately before her half sister filled Li Jiangxue with pride. She clung to his hand, nearly pressing her whole body against him.

Liu Che indulged her and spoke tenderly.

Emperor Gaozu asked idly, “Zhi’er, has love arrived?”

“Do not associate me with something so boring,” Liu Che replied.

Li Shimin asked, “Then what are you doing?”

“Can’t you tell? Amusing her.”

Emperor Gaozu glanced at Li Jiangxue and frowned. “You no longer hold a grudge?”

Liu Che smiled. “A grudge doesn’t prevent me from sleeping with her and squeezing the Li Family dry along the way.”

Zhu Yuanzhang clicked his tongue. “That is the natal family of both your women. Can you truly be so ruthless?”

“Even if it were my own mother’s natal family, anyone who needed killing would still be killed.”

“Indeed,” Li Shimin said disdainfully. “Several chancellors died during Zhi’er’s reign, but what did their suicides out of fear of punishment have to do with Zhi’er?”

“Exactly!” Liu Che answered cheerfully, utterly unashamed.

He remained affectionately entangled with Li Jiangxue. Li Jiangyue sat to one side as though she saw nothing, her smile unchanged.

Finally, Liu Che summoned the household steward and told her, “The accounts were organized long ago. Now that you have married into the household, I entrust every domestic matter to you.”

Li Jiangyue agreed with a smile.

Liu Che felt entirely comfortable placing the household finances in her hands.

Embarrassingly, his present fortune was probably less than half the combined dowries of his wife and concubine. He had no fear of either woman embezzling from him.

The Li Family would have even less interest in his meager assets.

With a wistful sigh, he brought up Lady Tan again to tease Zhu Yuanzhang. “Indeed, a man should marry from a great family. Look-I don’t worry at all that either of them will steal my money to subsidize her natal household!”

Zhu Yuanzhang: “Heh.”

The family shrine was ready. Liu Che took his wife and concubine to offer incense. Because of his wedding, the court had granted him ten days of leave. After the ancestral rites, he did not go out but visited Qu Guangqi in the guest quarters.

Liu Che deserved the foremost credit for the recent victory, but Qu Guangqi’s contribution was also immense. His background prevented him from receiving office, so he was generously rewarded with gold and silver but still barred from government service.

He had anticipated the result and was not greatly disappointed. Hearing that the General Who Spreads Martial Might had arrived, he hurried out to welcome him.

“General, you celebrated your wedding only today. How do you have leisure to visit me?”
Liu Che said, “Those around me are mostly rough soldiers. Few are scholars of such extraordinary courage as Master Qu. I had little leisure in the army, but today I am free and naturally came to visit.”

Qu Guangqi asked, “Jiankang abounds with learned talents. Why does the general favor this old man alone?”

Liu Che grew solemn. “Jiankang flourishes in letters but lacks martial spirit. The aristocratic clans indulge in pleasure and obsess over pure conversation. From emperor and ministers down to the guards at the city gate, everyone wishes only to preserve this small corner in peace. Not one man dreams of a northern expedition. How can that fail to inspire grief? That day, I saw military texts on your table and maps of the northern rivers and mountains upon your walls. I knew that Master Qu and I share the same ambition and look toward the same destination!”

Qu Guangqi studied him for several moments, then suddenly said, “When I first met the general, I was secretly astonished as well. I will not conceal it: this old man possesses some skill in reading faces…”

He lowered his voice and leaned forward. “The general appears to bear the physiognomy of a Son of Heaven!”

Liu Che said, “Stop fooling me. Say something credible.”

Qu Guangqi hurriedly protested, “Not one word is false!”

Liu Che thought, You’re a junior when it comes to manufacturing momentum for a man. The Liu Family exhausted these tricks long ago. Why spout that nonsense before me?

He pursed his lips, leaned back, and said, “Master Qu, keep it simple. Speak more simply.”

Qu Guangqi’s gaze froze before becoming meaningful. “The general truly is no ordinary man.”

“Likewise.”

Their eyes met, and both burst out laughing. A flock of birds startled outside the window. Farther away, the spring breeze blew warm and gentle.

…

On the third day after the wedding, Liu Che returned to the Li Family with his wife and concubine. The moment they reached the gate, waiting servants came forward. Half welcomed them inside; the other half hurried away to announce their arrival.

A daughter was flesh fallen from one’s own body. Now that their daughters had married into another household, how could Madam Wei and Madam Yu not worry?

Li Dongshan respected his wife, adored his concubine, and had married his two favorite daughters to the same man. Unable to rest easy, he specially took a day off and waited at home for his daughters and son-in-law.

Under most circumstances, Liu Che was considerate. After greeting his parents-in-law, he said he needed Li Dongshan’s advice on official affairs and accompanied him to the study. He signaled for his wife and concubine to spend time privately with their respective mothers.

Madam Wei and Madam Yu were delighted with the arrangement. Only Li Dongshan felt somewhat resentful, but no one paid him attention. They were all busy cherishing their daughters.

After three days apart, Madam Yu had endless questions. “Are you living well? Does your husband treat you kindly? Have the two sides quarreled? Are those two boys easy to get along with?”

Li Jiangyue smiled. “Everything is well. Mother, don’t worry.”

Madam Yu relaxed, then asked, “Where did the son-in-law sleep these three nights? He didn’t especially favor the other side because of what happened before, did he?”

“The first night and last night were with me. The night between was over there. As for whether he especially favors her…”

Li Jiangyue paused meaningfully. “He shows her some affection, but whether he is merely amusing himself or means something more, I cannot say. I control the household finances, and Husband entrusted the families of his subordinates to my care. Everything due to the principal wife is in my hands. She may have the rest.”

Madam Yu was reassured.

Elsewhere, Madam Wei asked her daughter, “How does Hongguang treat you?”

Li Jiangxue blushed. “Very well.”

Madam Wei nodded inwardly. “And Jiangyue hasn’t mistreated you?”

Li Jiangxue looked smug. “Cousin dotes on me so much. How would she dare?”

Madam Wei’s heart settled too.

Liu Che had not lied about seeking his father-in-law’s advice. He would soon leave the capital. While in the provinces, he needed support in the central government, lest some hidden arrow strike without his even knowing whose hand destroyed him.

Li Dongshan plainly knew of the impending assignment. Once in the study, he advised, “This is a good thing. With your ability and two great victories, once you achieve results in the provinces and improve your record, His Majesty will presumably recall you to Jiankang for important use.”

Then he added, “You have always excelled in military matters, but you must change that now. Associate more with learned, upright scholars. Invite talented local clansmen to a banquet for pure conversation after taking office. Let the world know you are no crude soldier ignorant of letters…”

Liu Che thought, What damned use is pure conversation? It has filled Jiankang with empty absurdity. The Northern states have nearly beaten you into dogs, yet you still sit at home talking!

He held his contempt inside. Instead, he asked where the court intended to send him and carefully inquired about local customs and former officials.

Liu Che did not hurry away that day. After asking everything necessary, he requested his father-in-law’s support at court. He ate dinner at the Li residence, then returned home with his wife and concubine.

Seven days later, he ended his leave and attended court. The emperor immediately issued a decree appointing Yan Hongguang, General Who Spreads Martial Might, as Inspector of Shouzhou, to assume office formally three days later.

The Inspector of Shouzhou held lower-fourth rank, matching his current grade.

The dynasty divided its commanderies into upper, middle, and lower prefectures by population. Those with more than forty thousand households were upper prefectures, governed by a lower-third-rank administrator. Those exceeding twenty-five thousand were middle prefectures, governed by a fourth-rank inspector. Those below twenty thousand were lower prefectures, governed by a lower-fourth-rank inspector.

Shouzhou lay directly north of Jiankang and was a lower prefecture with fewer than twenty thousand households.
Even before the decree arrived, Liu Che had begun investigating Shouzhou, from its population and farmland to taxation, corvée, and waterworks. Once he formed a general picture, he confidently left Jiankang with his household to assume office.

Guan Pu and Guan Sheng naturally accompanied him, as did the Li sisters. Qu Guangqi and most of Liu Che’s other trusted followers moved their entire families. After three days of travel, the group safely entered Shouzhou.

Liu Che left the household details to Li Jiangyue, then rode with Qu Guangqi and several attendants to inspect the city’s outskirts.

It was the third month of spring. Wheat grew lush and green, already reaching mid-calf. Two or three farmers remained bent among the fields pulling weeds, their backs stooped and faces sallow and dark.

Liu Che drew rein, dismounted, and spoke with them. Only then did he learn they did not own the land but were household slaves of its proprietor. Further questions revealed that the dozens of acres of wheat before him belonged to one family-and represented only a fraction of that family’s holdings.

Liu Che visited several more places and traveled dozens of li. Only when dusk had deepened did he lead his people back to the newly acquired residence.

The moment Li Jiangxue saw him, she pouted and hurried forward. “Why did you come back so late? It’s already dark.”

Li Jiangyue said, “When it grew late, I had your brothers eat first. Jiangxue and I waited here for you.”

Preoccupied, Liu Che had no interest in conversation. He swallowed several mouthfuls of food, then met with Qu Guangqi and his trusted men.

“Shouzhou is a lower prefecture, so the court’s census must show fewer than twenty thousand households. Whether it truly contains fewer, or whether great households conceal part of the population to avoid taxation, is unknown.”

Liu Che spread out a roughly sketched map. “Land concentration is more severe than I imagined. With no fields to cultivate, commoners must sell themselves into slavery. Registered households decrease, taxation declines, and Shouzhou decays, while local magnates grow fat. Their power rises, and the wealth accumulated across generations grows ever greater.”

“Shouzhou is like this, but is the rest of the Southern Dynasty any different?”

Qu Guangqi smiled bitterly. “What are great clans and generations of refinement? Merely generations of exploitation that make families increasingly prosperous. Without the blood and tears of commoners laboring for them, where would they find leisure for pure-conversation gatherings?”

Another confidant advised, “Shouzhou lies only three days from Jiankang, and its great clans possess countless ties to powerful people in the capital. My lord must proceed slowly and not act rashly.”

Liu Che asked Qu Guangqi, “What does Master Qu think?”

“Very simple.” Qu Guangqi smiled. “Confronting every magnate at once is the most foolish choice. It would immediately force them to unite, and local officials would likely obey openly while resisting secretly. The proper method is to make most magnates believe my lord has come as their friend and poses no threat.”

Stroking his chin, Liu Che smiled slowly. “Draw one group close, strike another, and defeat them one by one.”

“Precisely.”

Three days after arriving, Liu Che held a banquet and invited Shouzhou’s great clans, especially those with old ties to the Li Family. He treated them with exceptional warmth. What they discussed after eating and drinking their fill was not for outsiders to know.

After governing for a month, Liu Che finally bared his fangs. He struck mercilessly at selected targets, arrived with secretly gathered evidence, arrested them, interrogated them, obtained signed confessions, and executed so many that heads rolled. Before they could react or seek help in Jiankang, he freed their slaves and tenants, distributed half their land, and fed the rest to other great clans. His thunderous speed shook all of Shouzhou.

Powerful clans had long concealed tenants and slaves. Those few households alone contained thousands. Liu Che used the opportunity to increase his reputation and gain tangible benefits. Along the way, he became a good friend in the eyes of the remaining magnates, frequently visiting with wine whenever free and behaving with extraordinary intimacy.

The following year, he repeated the same maneuver and sent heads rolling again.

Li Shimin clicked his tongue. “Zhi’er, aren’t you afraid this will get away from you? If you do this every year, even a fool will see something wrong!”

“Drawing one side close while striking the other never fails unless your own methods are inadequate.”

Liu Che smiled. “To secure the throne for his eldest grandson, how many meritorious officials did Old Zhu kill? Why didn’t those officials unite and rebel? The reason is simply those six words: draw one side close, strike the other. Before the blade falls on their own necks, everyone applauds. When it finally reaches them, it’s too late to cry.”

Zhu Yuanzhang: “…”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s hair stood on end. “Screw your mother, Liu Wild Boar! Do you know you’ve dragged me into this far too often lately?!” He grabbed a saber and charged at him.

Emperor Gaozu and Li Shimin seized him from either side. “Big Brother, forget it! Calm down! Don’t lower yourself to his level!”

Ying Zheng also said, “Old Zhu, calm down first!”

Then he drew a gleaming blade from behind his back and handed it over, eyes sharp. “Use mine. This one is keener!”