Chasing Jade (Zhu Yu)

In the sixteen years of the Great Yin dynasty, although there had been many wars, almost none had reached Jizhou.

Fan Changyu had only heard from the elders about the cruelty of war. After all, battles required not only grain levies but also conscription. Aunt Zhao and Zhao Da Shu’s son had been taken away in a conscription drive years ago and never returned.

An old man said, "Changxin Wang rebelled in Yu Chongzhou, and the court sent troops to suppress it. The battle has dragged on without resolution. I reckon the Great Yin’s days are numbered—the heavens are about to change."

"With Wu'an Marquis dead, what does Wei Yan have left to stabilize the northwest?"

Another chimed in, "I don’t care who becomes emperor, as long as they don’t seize my grain and money or force me onto the battlefield."

Many shook their heads and sighed. "These soldiers have already started forcibly requisitioning grain from nearby villages. By the time the war ends, the officials will have wealth and power, while we commoners will be left destitute and displaced..."

Listening to this, Fan Changyu felt a heaviness in her heart and asked Xie Zheng, "If the court is fighting in Chongzhou, shouldn’t they supply the military provisions? Why are they requisitioning grain from the people?"

Xie Zheng’s tone carried mockery. "The grain supply line is cut. Some are just desperate."

Huizhou had once been his territory. Looking back now, Wei Yan must have begun fearing him long ago. The military provisions for his garrison had always been allocated every three months by the court, and the prefecture itself had no granaries.

As a military outpost, its geographical conditions were naturally unfavorable, lacking fertile fields for grain.

Once the supply line was severed, it was a fatal blow.

The rebellion in Chongzhou happened to be south of Huizhou, cutting off the grain route from the court to Huizhou.

As the battle lines between Chongzhou and Huizhou stretched, he had anticipated that Huizhou would eventually run out of provisions. The quickest solution, of course, was to requisition grain from the people.

After narrowly escaping assassination, he had planned to contact his old subordinates and have them secretly buy up the civilian grain reserves.

Once Zhao Xun appeared, purchasing grain became a test for him. Now that the grain was secured, Wei Xuan’s failures on the Chongzhou battlefield and the inability to requisition grain from the people would surely earn him no favor from Wei Yan.

Knowing Wei Yan, he would not spare his son from punishment.

Letting Wei Xuan suffer Wei Yan’s wrath first was a gift to his cousin before his formal revenge.

With no one left in the northwest, Wei Yan had no choice but to hand the Chongzhou campaign to He Jingyuan. Known as a scholarly general, He Jingyuan would never stoop to the despicable act of letting his soldiers plunder civilian grain.

Moreover, given the Wei Faction’s current reputation, allowing such actions would only hand ammunition to their political enemies.

With those two hundred thousand dan of grain in hand, he now had ample time to proceed with his next plan.

The sudden forced requisitioning by the soldiers was likely another foolish idea from his glory-seeking cousin, trying to achieve something before the military power officially changed hands.

Ordinary people, unaware of these intricacies, shared Fan Changyu’s confusion. Some murmured, "Sixteen years ago, during the Jinzhou battle, it was that treacherous official Meng Shuyuan who delayed the grain transport, costing them the battle. Crown Prince Chengde and General Xie led a hundred thousand soldiers who starved for five days in Jinzhou. By the time they climbed the city walls, they were too weak to stand, allowing the Northern Jue to breach the gates. What’s the problem with the provisions this time, that they have to scrape it off our backs?"

As for the culprit behind the Jinzhou defeat, the name Meng Shuyuan was one every subject of the Great Yin dynasty wished to see dead.Someone immediately cursed, "That Meng Shuyuan deserved to die! General Xie held him in such high regard, entrusting him with the crucial task of escorting provisions. If he hadn't delayed the military operation, the Chengde Crown Prince wouldn't have died in Jinzhou, allowing those Wei dogs to control the court for so many years!"

"The Meng family's extinction is just retribution!"

"Let's hope the grain transport officer doesn't cause any trouble this time in Chongzhou!"

Xie Zheng had known since sixteen years ago that the fatal flaw in the Jinzhou battle's defeat was the delayed arrival of military provisions.

Back then, the responsibility for escorting the provisions fell on Meng Shuyuan, a veteran general under his father's command. His father's old subordinates had told him that while anyone in the world might betray his father, Meng Shuyuan never would.

Meng Shuyuan's delay in delivering provisions wasn't due to betrayal, but because he diverted to rescue 100,000 refugees trapped by the Northern Turks in Luocheng. In the end, he failed to save the refugees, and Jinzhou fell.

When Meng Shuyuan learned of his father's death, he knelt facing Jinzhou and drew his sword to take his own life.

The tragedy of Jinzhou concluded with Meng Shuyuan's death, yet even after more than a decade, people still reviled him when his name was mentioned.

The group of soldiers had already moved on. Xie Zheng withdrew his gaze and said to Fan Changyu, "Let's go."

But he noticed Fan Changyu seemed lost in thought, staring at the people discussing Meng Shuyuan.

He asked, "What's wrong?"

Fan Changyu, holding Changning's hand, pursed her lips and said, "Meng Shuyuan delayed the military operation to save 100,000 refugees. He wasn't as despicable as people make him out to be, was he?"

Xie Zheng's voice turned cold: "His military order was to transport provisions. Failing to deliver them to Jinzhou on time was dereliction of duty. If he had been capable enough to save the refugees without delaying the provisions, he would have deserved universal praise. But he neither saved the refugees nor delivered the provisions on time, leading to the fall of Jinzhou and the deaths of 100,000 soldiers inside the city. That is an unforgivable crime."

He looked up at Fan Changyu: "Do you sympathize with such an incompetent man?"

Fan Changyu shook her head. She didn't understand military tactics or regulations, but she felt that while Meng Shuyuan might indeed have been the main culprit in the Jinzhou battle, he didn't deserve to be vilified as a great traitor by the world—at most, he was just the incompetent man Yan Zheng spoke of.

As they passed a clothing shop, she asked Xie Zheng, "Your cloak is dirty. Should we buy a new one to change into?"

Xie Zheng had already taken off his mud-splattered cloak and had been carrying it folded over his arm the whole way.

He glanced at the colorful fabrics in the shop and said, "No need. The sun's out now, and it's not cold anymore."

Fan Changyu said, "Then how about a hair ribbon? I noticed you didn't seem to like the one we bought earlier—I haven't seen you use it much."

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Xie Zheng staring at her with an inscrutable expression.

Fan Changyu didn't think there was anything wrong with her words. She met his gaze with wide almond eyes, their reflections mirrored in each other's pupils—one clear and bright, the other deep and shadowed.

After a moment, Xie Zheng looked away first and said, "It's not that I didn't like it."

Fan Changyu found his words as cryptic as a riddle. If he didn't dislike it, why didn't he use the hair ribbon? She said, "You've bought so many things for Ning Niang. Why don't you pick a New Year's gift for yourself? I'll buy it for you!"

Xie Zheng's lips thinned slightly: "Didn't you already give me a Red Envelope?"

Fan Changyu replied, "How can New Year money be the same as a New Year's gift?"Xie Zheng stared at her for a moment before saying, "It makes no difference to me."

Fan Changyu took this as his way of refusing her offer to help buy New Year gifts, so she didn't press further.

She glanced at the sun. "If we accompany you to the bookstore for paper and ink first, we'll likely be late visiting Head Constable Wang's family. But if we go later, the bookstore might be closed. Here's what we'll do—you go to the bookstore alone while I take Ning Niang to pay New Year respects to Head Constable Wang first. After you finish shopping, wait for me at the bookstore. I'll drop off the gifts at the Wang residence and then bring Ning Niang to meet you."

Xie Zheng nodded in agreement.

The two parted ways at the fork in the road. Before leaving, Changning waved energetically at Xie Zheng. "Brother-in-law, be safe on your way! If A-jie and I buy something tasty, we'll get some for you too!"

Xie Zheng's brows lifted slightly as he glanced at Fan Changyu. "No need. You two enjoy yourselves."

Fan Changyu thought his words made it sound like she was deliberately sending him away so she and Changning could indulge in treats without him.

As Xie Zheng walked away under her conflicted gaze, Fan Changyu crouched down to wipe the candied hawthorn crumbs from Changning's mouth, amused yet exasperated. "You little glutton, what do you want to eat now?"

Changning pointed her plump, fair finger toward a street vendor selling brown sugar cakes.

Fan Changyu sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Let's go."

After purchasing the brown sugar cakes, Fan Changyu stopped by a nearby tavern to buy a jug of fine wine. She had originally planned to give the cured meat to Head Constable Wang but ended up gifting a portion to the scholar as well. Showing up with just one piece of cured meat would have been embarrassing.

Fortunately, Head Constable Wang was fond of drinking, so the wine would suit his tastes.

The Wang residence was located in the southern part of Qingping County. While not the most prestigious area, it was still a two-courtyard house—a property only those of considerable status could afford in such a small county.

After Fan Changyu knocked on the gate with Changning in tow, an elderly maidservant answered. Upon learning they were there to pay New Year respects to Head Constable Wang, she promptly invited them inside.

By afternoon, most of the morning visitors had already left after their meals. When Fan Changyu entered, she only saw Head Constable Wang, his wife, and Wang Laotaitai sitting on the heated kang in the east wing.

Wang Laotaitai appeared to be in her eighties. Unlike the wrinkled faces of rural elderly women, hers was plump and kindly, exuding warmth.

Wang Furen had a sturdy frame but didn't appear overly broad-shouldered. Rumor had it her father had once been a constable, and she herself knew some martial arts. Her features were gentle yet carried a dignified air.

"So this must be Changyu?" Wang Furen beamed at Fan Changyu. "What a fine girl—your build shows you're naturally fit for martial arts."

Fan Changyu smiled and greeted both Wang Furen and Wang Laotaitai.

In Qingping County, there had once been a famous courtesan known publicly as "Yu Niang" (Jade Lady). As a result, local girls whose names ended with "Yu" (Jade) were never directly called "Yu Niang." To do so would imply they were courtesans, carrying a mocking undertone.

Changning clung to Fan Changyu's sleeve, hiding behind her while peeking at Wang Furen with deer-like timidity.

Wang Furen's smile brightened at the sight of her. She grabbed a handful of candies from a lacquered tray and beckoned. "Little Ning Niang is such a sweet thing. Come here and have some treats."

Changning hesitated, looking up at Fan Changyu for permission.Fan Changyu said, "Madam is giving you candy, go ahead and take it."

Only then did Changning trot over to receive the candy from Wang Furen. Being small, her hands couldn't hold much, so Wang Furen helped stuff many pieces into the pockets of her clothes.

Changning said sweetly, "Thank you, Madam."

Wang Furen and Wang Laotaitai exchanged glances, grinning from ear to ear. Unable to resist, Wang Furen pinched Changning's rosy cheeks and said, "How can such a little one be so well-behaved?"

She smiled at Fan Changyu: "Did your elder sister teach you well?"

Fan Changyu smiled bashfully: "You flatter me too much."

She wasn't one for small talk and spoke very honestly. This straightforward nature made Wang Furen and Wang Laotaitai particularly fond of her. Occasionally, when Fan Changyu responded with a few words, they would burst into laughter, leaving Fan Changyu utterly bewildered as to why they found it so amusing.

Wang Furen wanted the sisters to stay for dinner and overnight, but Fan Changyu declined politely, citing that Xie Zheng was waiting for her at the bookstore.

When bidding farewell, Head Constable Wang personally saw her out. "Your parents' case has been officially closed after being taken over by the prefecture. I initially feared they might have made enemies in earlier years. Since it was bandits searching for the Treasure Map, and the map is no longer in your home, you have nothing to fear now. Settle down peacefully in town, and if you ever face difficulties, don’t hesitate to come to me."

Fan Changyu thanked him and asked, "Do you know which official from the prefecture reviewed the case?"

Head Constable Wang, being just a small constable in Qingping County, had no idea. Shaking his head, he couldn’t help but ask, "Why do you ask?"

Worried that her parents' deaths might involve complex conspiracies as Yan Zheng had suggested, Fan Changyu didn’t want to elaborate and risk causing trouble for Head Constable Wang. She simply replied, "No reason, just curious."

To uncover the truth behind her parents' deaths, the best approach was to start with the official handling the case. The surviving bandit captured that night might have confessed something crucial to solving the mystery.

When Yan Zheng asked what she would do if the authorities lied, she had already considered secretly investigating the official in charge. Stories often depicted catching corrupt officials by their weaknesses—sneaking into their homes on dark, windy nights to strike a deal, either for money or clues.

All she needed was to identify the official, and she’d have plenty of time to dig up their secrets.

As Fan Changyu and Changning neared the gate, Wang Furen hurried after them with two red envelopes. "Take these Lucky Red Envelopes!"

One of the envelopes wasn’t even properly folded, as if prepared hastily.

Unable to refuse, Fan Changyu accepted as Wang Furen pressed them into her arms.

Once outside the Wang residence, Changning eagerly opened her envelope and gasped in delight, showing Fan Changyu: "Elder Sister, it’s Silver Ingots!"

Fan Changyu’s envelope also contained two silver ingots.

Clutching the first red envelope she’d received since her parents' passing, Fan Changyu glanced back at the Wang house, her heart filled with mixed emotions over Head Constable Wang and Wang Furen’s kindness.

Changning handed the silver ingots to Fan Changyu. "Elder Sister, you keep them."Her pockets and small pouch were already stuffed with candies given by Wang Furen, leaving no room for the silver ingots.

Fan Changyu took them and said, "Let your elder sister keep them for you first. I'll put them in your little box when we get home."

Changning had a small box specifically for storing New Year money. However, two months ago, she had contributed it for her parents' funeral arrangements and was only now starting to save again.

Hearing Fan Changyu's words, Changning happily responded with an "Mm-hmm."

Few shops were open on this street, and peddlers passing by were even rarer. Only some children were playing around.

Perhaps news of the grain levy had already reached Qingping County, as teahouses and taverns discussing the recent Chongzhou battle inevitably brought up the Jinzhou battle from sixteen years ago.

Having heard adults talk about it so often, the children incorporated "Meng Shuyuan" into their game of catching the bad guy, where he became the one being chased and surrounded.

In such games, the leader usually played the hero, while the child often bullied and ostracized would be forced to play Meng Shuyuan. Once caught, the leader and other children would push and harass them.

Hearing the children shouting as they chased the one playing Meng Shuyuan, Changning looked up at Fan Changyu and said, "Meng Shuyuan is a great traitor."

Fan Changyu tightened her grip slightly on her younger sister's hand and said, "Changning, you mustn’t play games like that, understand?"

Changning asked, "Why not?"

Fan Changyu patiently explained, "Those children are just using the game to bully the one playing Meng Shuyuan. You mustn’t learn from them."

Only then did Changning nod.

Fan Changyu smoothed the fine strands of hair on her sister’s forehead and said, "Mother and Father never liked seeing children play like that."

Changning immediately declared, "Ning Niang won’t copy them!"

Fan Changyu smiled and ruffled her sister’s round little head, but her thoughts drifted away.

She had always been tough, even as a child, known among her peers for her strength. Boys two or three years older than her had been beaten to tears and run home to complain to their parents.

Her parents always resolved things with reason. If she was in the wrong, they would punish her; if she was justified, they would argue on her behalf.

But there was one exception. Once, while playing the game of catching the bad guy with other children, one child playing Meng Shuyuan was pushed down by another who didn’t know his own strength and scraped his forehead on the ground. The injured child’s parents went door to door demanding an explanation.

Fan Changyu hadn’t pushed anyone or joined in bullying the child playing Meng Shuyuan that time.

But when her mother heard she had participated in the game, she suddenly burst into tears, and her father was so angry he made her kneel in the courtyard all afternoon.

Fan Changyu reflected for a long time and concluded her parents must have disliked her joining in bullying the weak.

That night, when she returned to her room, her mother’s eyes were still swollen. She made Fan Changyu promise never to play the game of "beating the great traitor Meng Shuyuan" again.

Fan Changyu had always felt guilty. She had never seen her mother cry so bitterly—she must have disappointed her terribly.

So when she heard her sister echo the children’s words about Meng Shuyuan being a great traitor, she feared Changning might join the neighborhood kids in playing the game and decided to teach her beforehand.

By coincidence, after leaving Head Constable Wang’s house, Fan Changyu—unfamiliar with the county roads—asked for directions to the bookstore and ended up taking a long detour. Passing by the Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion on this side of town, she ran into Yu Qianqian.Yu Qianqian was dressed in a large fur-lined coat with white fox fur trim, its front and cuffs embroidered with intricate golden patterns. Her straight bangs framed a face as fair as polished jade, making her look no different from an unmarried young maiden.

She seemed about to depart by carriage, with several steward-like figures standing before her, bowing and nodding as they listened to her instructions.

The moment Yu Qianqian finished speaking, she looked up and spotted Fan Changyu approaching from the street corner, leading a doll-like little girl. Her face lit up with joy. "I was just planning to return to town to find you—what luck to run into you right at the shop's doorstep!"

Fan Changyu greeted her with a cheerful "Happy New Year" before asking, "Did you need something from me, shopkeeper?"

Yu Qianqian replied, "I’ve got a big deal tomorrow, and I’ll definitely need your help!"

The largest bookstore in the county remained open even on New Year's Day.

When Xie Zheng stepped inside, the bookstore manager, fiddling with an abacus, asked, "What would you like to purchase, young master?"

Xie Zheng let a jade ring with a hanging cord dangle from his fingertips. At the sight of it, the manager’s demeanor instantly turned respectful. Bowing, he gestured with an inviting hand, "Please, young master, let us speak upstairs."

The manager led Xie Zheng to an elegant room on the upper floor. By the window stood a Huanghuali wooden table, upon which rested a slender-necked white porcelain vase holding a branch of half-blooming red plum blossoms. Against the backdrop of delicate snowflakes drifting beyond the carved wooden window, the scene carried a certain poetic charm.

"Esteemed guest, please wait here for a moment. I shall fetch the proprietor," the bookstore manager said before withdrawing. Just then, a servant entered with tea.

Wei Yan was highly skilled in the art of tea, and Xie Zheng, having been raised under his tutelage for sixteen years, had acquired some knowledge of tea appreciation.

The fragrance of this tea alone could rival the finest imperial tribute.

Lowering his gaze to the red plum blossoms in the vase, Xie Zheng tapped the tea lid lightly with his fingers.

Before long, Zhao Xun pushed the door open and entered, his charming face adorned with a practiced smile. "My apologies for not welcoming the Marquis properly upon your arrival."

"You flatter me, Young Master Zhao."

Seated in the Grand Tutor chair with an air of ease, Xie Zheng’s words carried an almost domineering presence, as if he were the host rather than the guest.

Zhao Xun said, "The matters the Marquis entrusted to me have all been carried out discreetly. You need not worry—even if officials investigate, they will find nothing."

Xie Zheng lifted his eyes. "There is one more task for your men."

"What is it?"

"Expose Wei Xuan’s act of allowing soldiers to seize grain in Jizhou—bring it directly to He Jingyuan’s attention. In the capital, use the deaths of innocent civilians during the grain seizures to stir public outrage and denounce the Wei Faction."

The louder the public outcry, the more effective the censors’ impeachment in court would be.

Hearing that this was another move against the Wei Faction, Zhao Xun hastily bowed. "I shall order my men to act at once."

But as he raised his head, he noticed a faint smile playing on Xie Zheng’s lips as he regarded him.

Zhao Xun hesitated before asking, "Why does the Marquis look at me so?"

Xie Zheng took a sip of tea from the cup before him. "Qingcheng Snow Bud—plucked with only one bud and one leaf, reserved as tribute for the imperial family. I never expected to find such fine tea in a small place like Qingping County."

Zhao Xun replied, "As a businessman, I went to some expense to acquire such rare goods. Knowing the Marquis was coming, of course I had to offer it in your honor."Xie Zheng's lips pressed into a tight line: "Even ordinary merchants couldn't have purchased two hundred thousand dan of grain so flawlessly without alerting local officials. With your family's wealth reaching such heights, and Grand Tutor Li's faction in court still available to rely on if you truly sought revenge against Wei Xuan, your elaborate efforts to seek out this marquis suggest you're less interested in borrowing my hand for vengeance and more attracted to the prestige I command among the hundred thousand troops in Huizhou."

His phoenix eyes locked onto the unqualified merchant before him like a wolf confronting a hyena: "What you covet is this Marquis's military power. Since we're cooperating, I don't care for an alliance that keeps secrets."

Zhao Xun fell silent for two breaths, then suddenly burst into laughter, shedding his previous submissive demeanor as he took a seat opposite Xie Zheng. "As expected, nothing escapes the Marquis's sharp eyes."