Chapter 104: The Star-Plucking Elder’s Birthday, the Imperial Edict Arrives Again

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: The Star-Plucking Elder’s Birthday, the Imperial Edict Arrives Again

Pei Shaoqing opened his eyes that morning to the feeling of a breeze on his face and instinctively glanced toward the window.

Xie Qingwu stood at the window, gazing out, her black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her body was draped only in a layer of sheer, aquamarine silk. In the sunlight, her seductive form was partially revealed, the curves of her hips and legs especially enchanting.

At the sight, Pei Shaoqing couldn’t help but stand at attention.

No matter how strong the sunlight was, it could only shine upon her surface, but he could pour right inside.

"Autumn is here," Xie Qingwu said softly.

Pei Shaoqing got out of bed and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply. "So what if it’s autumn?"

"Autumn is the most beautiful season. Do you like autumn, my husband?"

"Of course. Your husband loves a fine and breezy autumn day," Pei Shaoqing said as he pressed her against the window. "Perfect for an easy lay."

Xie Qingwu understood instantly. She turned to shoot him a look that was equal parts helpless and coquettish, then placed her slender hands on the windowsill and bent over, arching her back to present herself to him.

As the poem goes: "Deep in the jumbled mountains, a hidden paradise lies; I recall from years past knocking on its door, begging for sweet nectar." — "West Village" by Lu You, Song Dynasty.

After their "morning exercise," the couple washed up with the help of a blushing Qiu Ye, then went to the main hall for breakfast.

After breakfast, Pei Shaoqing rode General Hei at a leisurely pace toward the Hundred Households headquarters. The effect was akin to a luxury sports car roaring down the street, drawing crowds of onlookers who stopped to stare.

He also noticed something: there were significantly more people from the Jianghu around than usual.

The number of beggars on the streets had also increased.

Watching the beggars gathered in twos and threes, Pei Shaoqing sighed. ’I’m such a kind person,’ he thought. ’I can’t bear to see people begging for food. I’ll just have Old Wang drive them away later.’

Upon arriving at the Hundred Households, Pei Shaoqing summoned Chen Zhongyi. "Standard-Bearer Chen," he asked, "do you know why so many people from the Jianghu have shown up in the city these past couple of days?"

"My lord, the men have been monitoring the situation," Chen Zhongyi replied respectfully. "Our inquiries revealed that the ’Star-Picking Old Man’ of Star-Picking Mountain, just outside the city, is celebrating his birthday at the end of the month. These people are all here to offer their congratulations."

Pei Shaoqing had heard of Star-picking Mountain; it faced Phoenix Mountain from across the river. It was home to the Star-Picking Sect, whose Sect Master, the self-proclaimed ’Star-Picking Old Man,’ was known to be a recluse.

He said with some surprise, "From what I’ve heard, this ’Star-Picking Old Man’ isn’t very prominent in the martial arts world."

’So why are so many people showing up for his birthday?’

’I didn’t even have this many people bringing gifts when I was ennobled.’

"My lord, you may not be aware, but while the Star-Picking Sect is neither powerful nor famous, its master has a habit. Whenever any nearby sect has a joyous occasion, as long as the ’Star-Picking Old Man’ hears of it, he will proactively send his disciples to their door with a gift."

"He began sending out invitations for his own birthday last month. The guests who are arriving don’t necessarily have deep ties to the Star-Picking Sect; most are just sending disciples to return the favor," Chen Zhongyi explained with a light chuckle, shaking his head.

It dawned on Pei Shaoqing. ’See? The Jianghu isn’t really about fighting and killing; it’s mostly about social obligations.’

’People in the Jianghu are obsessed with face, just like gangsters. Their opening line is always "Show me some face."’

’After receiving an invitation from the ’Star-Picking Old Man,’ they’d go back, flip through their gift ledgers, and discover that his people had indeed shown up for one of their events. Even if they didn’t know the man and had no desire to, they couldn’t afford not to return the gesture. If word got out, wouldn’t they become a laughingstock?’

’In the end, it was just a matter of sending a couple of disciples on a trip to Tongzhou with a gift. "Might as well," they’d think.’ And that was how Tongzhou City had ended up in its current bustling state.

"This ’Star-Picking Old Man’ is a clever fellow," Pei Shaoqing laughed. ’In his own way, the old man has single-handedly boosted Tongzhou’s GDP and brought prosperity to the city’s merchants.’

Then, his expression grew stern. "Tell the men to be on high alert. ’Vigilantes break the law with their martial arts.’ With so many people from the Jianghu in the city, conflicts can easily erupt, and they’re quick to resort to violence. I don’t want to see that happen."

’These Jianghu types... you have a vendetta against me, I have one against him, and he has one against someone else. With so many people gathering this time, it’s inevitable that bitter rivals will cross paths.’

’When enemies meet, sparks are bound to fly. If they start brawling in public, innocent civilians will inevitably get hurt.’

’And then the Jing’an Guard would have to step in and make arrests.’

"Yes, my lord. Rest assured," Chen Zhongyi said gravely. "I will arrange for the men to increase their patrols on the streets for the next few days to deter those people from the Jianghu."

Pei Shaoqing waved his hand to dismiss him.

But unexpectedly, Chen Zhongyi, who had just left, came rushing back. "My lord, an imperial edict has arrived!"

"What?" Startled, Pei Shaoqing shot to his feet and strode outside. "Quickly, prepare an incense altar to receive the edict!"

"Yes, sir!" Chen Zhongyi immediately hurried off to make the arrangements.

Pei Shaoqing made his way to the front courtyard of the Hundred Households.

"Baron Pingyang, we meet again." The head eunuch broke into a warm, brilliant smile upon seeing him.

Pei Shaoqing laughed heartily in return. "I didn’t expect it would be you again, sir. This must be fate! You left in such a hurry last time that I never had the chance to ask your name."

"This one is named Chen Zhuo, and I serve in the Ritual Department. Baron Pingyang may simply call me Little Zhuo-zi," the eunuch said in a delicate, high-pitched voice, his eyes crinkling with a smile as he held his fingers in a dainty orchid gesture.

"Ah, so it is Eunuch Chen," Pei Shaoqing said, clasping his hands in a salute. "You’ve arrived remarkably quickly this time, sir. You’ve caught me quite unprepared."

"His Majesty was in a great hurry this time. And thanks to you, Baron Pingyang, this one had the once-in-a-lifetime fortune of riding a treasured Dragon’s Blood Horse," Chen Zhuo cackled, his voice sharp and shrill.

Just then, Chen Zhongyi came out, leading two Jing’an Guards who were carrying the incense altar required for receiving the edict.

Chen Zhuo’s smile vanished. He straightened his sleeves, turned, and took the imperial edict from a brocade box held by an attendant eunuch.

"By decree of His Majesty, Baron Pingyang, receive the edict!" he called out in a formal tone.

"Your humble servant is present," Pei Shaoqing said, sweeping his official robes aside as he knelt.

Behind him, Chen Zhongyi and the others all knelt in unison.

Chen Zhuo slowly unfurled the imperial edict and read aloud:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:

I, who have inherited the divine Mandate to rule over all creation, have toiled day and night, ever mindful of the hardships of My ancestors... Yet the Yan Family, vassals of Shu, who for generations have bathed in Imperial grace and enjoyed the wealth of the realm, harbored the hearts of beasts, defying morality and coveting the divine authority of the throne...

Baron Pingyang, Pei Shaoqing, whose loyalty and bravery reach the sun... whose merits have served the state... is hereby promoted to Hundred Households Commander of the Jing’an Guard, awarded one Lower Grade Dragon’s Blood Horse, one Qilin Robe, and granted a seat at the Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet, to enjoy the full moon with Us on the fifteenth day of the festival...

Rebellious subjects and traitors, even those of ducal rank, shall not escape the axe; loyal and righteous men, even commoners, may be raised to high honor. Let all Our subjects take this as a lesson, uphold their duty, and not betray Our trust!

Let this be proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know of it.

The 28th day of the 8th month, in the 30th year of the Jingtai reign of the Great Zhou."

"Your servant, Pei Shaoqing, receives this decree! I kowtow in thanks for Your Majesty’s immense grace! May my Emperor enjoy eternal peace and reign for ten thousand years!" Pei Shaoqing prostrated himself, his hands flat on the ground, his voice booming like a great bell.

Outside the gates of the Hundred Households, the crowd of commoners and Jianghu folk who had been watching the spectacle erupted into a clamor of discussion.

"So that’s a Dragon’s Blood Horse Lord Pei is riding!"

"Lord Pei is such an incorruptible official, and the Emperor is truly an enlightened monarch who knows how to appoint capable men!"

"With such an enlightened monarch on the throne, how could King Shu still plot rebellion and war! Thank goodness Lord Pei exposed him first, otherwise my home, Shu State, would have been laid to waste."

"Congratulations, Baron Pingyang. His Majesty truly holds you in high favor," Chen Zhuo said, beaming as he handed over the edict.

Pei Shaoqing rose and accepted it. He held it with both hands, passed it solemnly to Ye Hanshuang for safekeeping, and then said, "I can only strive to serve diligently, so as not to disappoint the Emperor’s great favor. You’ve had a long journey, Eunuch Chen. You left in a rush last time, so you must stay and enjoy yourself for a few days. I will arrange for your entertainment."

"You’re too kind, you’re too kind! In that case, we shall impose on you, Baron Pingyang," Chen Zhuo agreed with a hearty laugh.

"We all serve His Majesty; it’s no trouble at all." Pei Shaoqing turned to Song Youcai. "You’re in charge of hosting Eunuch Chen and his party."

’I’ll have to be sure to arrange for some lentil-filled mooncakes,’ he thought.

"As you command!" Song Youcai rose and walked over to Chen Zhuo, offering an innocuous smile. "Allow me to find lodging for you gentlemen first. This way, please."

"Then I’ll trouble you, young man." Chen Zhuo flicked a silk handkerchief in front of him, then sashayed out with a twist of his hips.

As soon as the eunuchs had departed, Chen Zhongyi and the others immediately crowded around Pei Shaoqing. "Congratulations, my lord! Our sincerest congratulations!"

"This is a happy occasion for all of us brothers! As is tradition, tonight at Qunfang Garden is on my tab. Everyone have a great time!" Pei Shaoqing announced, looking around at his men.

"Our lord is mighty!"

"We wish our lord even greater successes to come!"

Beaming, all of his subordinates cheered in unison.

Back in his office, Pei Shaoqing had Ye Hanshuang close the door, then eagerly changed into the Qilin Robe.

The robe was a brilliant, vivid red, embroidered with a qilin pattern that exuded an overwhelming air of nobility. On Pei Shaoqing’s already tall frame, it created an even more imposing presence.

The Qilin Robe, Bullfighting Robe, Flying Fish Robe, and Mang Suit were not standard Official Uniforms. No one could wear them unless they were specially granted by the Emperor.

In essence, when the Emperor bestowed such a robe, he was granting the right to use the qilin motif. In the future, Pei Shaoqing could choose to have the qilin pattern embroidered on his clothes.

"Sister Shuang, how do I look?"

Pei Shaoqing spun around in front of Ye Hanshuang.

Clothes make the man, as the saying goes. In the Qilin Robe, Pei Shaoqing’s attractiveness stat went up by at least one point. Ye Hanshuang’s beautiful eyes shimmered as she nodded. "You look so handsome, Big Brother."

"Haha! Let’s go. To the County Government Office." Pei Shaoqing was in no mood to work. He had to go show this thing off first.

The imperial edict had only just been delivered, so County Magistrate Wang hadn’t heard the news yet. He was stunned for a moment when he saw Pei Shaoqing swaggering in wearing a Qilin Robe. "Brother Pei, you’re..."

"Old Wang, how did you find out so quickly that His Majesty promoted me to Hundred Households Commander and bestowed upon me a Dragon’s Blood Horse, a Qilin Robe, and a seat at the Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet?" Pei Shaoqing cut him off, spinning around with a ridiculously smug look on his face.

County Magistrate Wang: "..."

The thought that the Holy Sect was half-responsible for that Qilin Robe made the sight of it unbearably jarring.

He immediately sneered. "Hmph! You have your methods, don’t you, Brother Pei? Using me and the Holy Envoy to build your own reputation."

"What else was I supposed to do? Should I have just told you that we’d captured King Shu’s Heir? That King Shu was planning to rebel?" Pei Shaoqing shot back, completely unrepentant. He then added, "Our friendship is one thing, but our allegiances are another. I keep my public and private lives separate."

County Magistrate Wang was so angry he was left speechless, yet he couldn’t find a rebuttal, because he actually agreed with the sentiment.

"By the way, Old Wang, have you found your Saintess?" Pei Shaoqing asked, feigning ignorance.

A glint flashed in County Magistrate Wang’s eyes. "No. At this point, I fear the worst for Her Highness the Saintess."

’So, Old Wang,’ Pei Shaoqing thought, ’you’re being guarded with me now.’

"So, are you guys holding a funeral banquet? I can chip in. I don’t mind sitting at a table with the widows. Does your Profound Yellow Sect have a lot of widows?" Pei Shaoqing asked with a straight face.

County Magistrate Wang snorted. "If you have time to worry about the Saintess, Brother Pei, you should probably worry more about yourself. The Holy Hall will definitely send someone else to avenge the Kaiyang Saint Heir."

’I can’t stand seeing this guy so smug,’ Wang thought. ’A little threat should do the trick, make him live every day in fear.’

The smile on Pei Shaoqing’s face slowly faded.

Seeing this, a smile slowly spread across County Magistrate Wang’s face. "Brother Pei, you don’t look so well. Are you feeling alright? You must take care of your health."

"It’s looking at you that’s making me sick," Pei Shaoqing replied, his face dark. With a cold snort, he turned and stormed away, flicking his sleeve in disgust.

Beaming, County Magistrate Wang stood on his tiptoes and called after him, "Leaving so soon, Brother Pei? Why not stay a while? You haven’t even had a sip of tea!"

He couldn’t see the grin that had returned to Pei Shaoqing’s face. ’Oh, Old Wang,’ Pei Shaoqing thought. ’You’re still a little too green to mess with me.’

Only after leaving the County Government Office did Pei Shaoqing remember something. He’d forgotten to teach Old Wang his method for eliminating poverty and the "low-end population": drive all the beggars out of the city.

"Ah, whatever," Pei Shaoqing muttered to himself. "Those beggars are earning a living through their own skills. It’s a form of self-reliance, after all. I won’t drive them away. Instead, I’ll just arrange for someone to collect income tax from them. Anyone who can’t pay can be put to work helping me expand my residence."

The original stables were too small; his groom had said General Hei felt cooped up. So, he was planning to just buy out the properties on either side of his and expand the entire estate.

’I’m a baron now. I need to live in a big house!’

’Those beggars might be dressed in rags, but they looked able-bodied and energetic. They should make for a decent workforce.’