Chapter 81: Prince Wei, Li Tai

Prince Wei’s Residence.

Li Tai was reading late into the night by lamplight, his eyes fixed on The Analects, pondering the passage on filial piety and brotherly respect.

“The Master said: ‘At home, a young man should be filial, abroad, respectful to his elders; he should be prudent and trustworthy, love all equally, but develop close ties with the virtuous. If he still has energy left, he should devote it to the arts.’ The way of the Sage, the way of the Sage... alas!” With a long sigh, Li Tai set the book gently upon his desk. The sage’s teachings were admirable, yet they did not suit the ways of imperial households. Rising, he paced back and forth, then finally halted at the window. Waving a hand to the servants attending him, he ordered, “You may all leave.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Bowing to Li Tai, the servants withdrew in succession.

“Master, Yao Hong requests an audience!” came a deep, respectful voice from outside the window.

“Very well, come in.” Li Tai nodded, then returned to his seat by the desk. As a man dressed in black slipped in through the window, Li Tai’s expression darkened and he rebuked him, “Why come to my residence so late at night? I have made it clear, unless absolutely necessary, you are not to show yourself within these walls.”

Kneeling on one knee, Yao Hong did not attempt to explain, but reported directly, “Master, He Qing is dead.”

“What?!” Li Tai sprang from his chair, disbelief written across his face as he questioned Yao Hong, “What did you say? He Qing—he’s dead?”

How could this be? The number one swordsman of the Secret Bureau, a man who could escape unscathed even when surrounded by hundreds or thousands of soldiers—He Qing, dead?

“Yes, Master.” Yao Hong proceeded with a more detailed account: “This morning in Sanyuan County, He Qing was killed by his target. His body is now at the Gongsun residence in Sanyuan.”

“The Gongsun residence?!” Li Tai slumped back into his seat, barking at Yao Hong, “Gongsun Wenda?! Why was the body sent to the Gongsun estate? What does this have to do with their family?!”

“Master, during the mission, He Qing also killed Gongsun Helan, who was in the company of Liu Yitiao. Gongsun Helan was gravely wounded. Gongsun Wenda is aware of this affair and is dispatching men to investigate it in secret.” Regardless of Li Tai’s reaction, Yao Hong’s tone remained calm. “But you may rest assured, Master; nothing can be traced from He Qing back to you. However, the plan to assassinate Liu Yitiao will have to be put on hold.”

Li Tai nodded, replying, “With Gongsun Wenda now involved, it is indeed unwise to act further. But this Liu Yitiao is but a farmer and an idle physician. He may have some skill in medicine, but how could such a man possibly defeat the Secret Bureau’s foremost assassin? And how did he become connected to the Gongsun family? Why would that old fox Gongsun Wenda take notice of him?”

In a low voice, Yao Hong answered, “Master, I have looked into it. Liu Yitiao’s forebear served as a personal guard to Yang Su, the Duke of Ying under the former Sui dynasty. His martial skills come from his ancestors and are far from ordinary, though I would not claim he could certainly defeat He Qing; perhaps there are hidden reasons yet unknown. Furthermore, Liu Yitiao is closely allied with Yang Bofang, Yang Su’s grandson. Yang Bofang has no desire for office, but because of his lineage, many of the old noble families and ministers from the previous regime look after him. He has some influence in official circles—he must not be underestimated.”

“As for his ties to the Gongsun family, while Yang Bofang played a role, the key lies with Liu Yitiao himself. You may be unaware, Master, but though he is a farmer, Liu Yitiao is also a gifted poet and scholar. His literary achievements are said to rival any of the current scholars. This is precisely to the taste of Gongsun Wenda, a warrior who cherishes the arts. He is exceedingly fond of Liu Yitiao, and even arranged for his son, Gongsun Helan, to become sworn brothers with him. Gongsun Helan also holds him in great respect.”

“Oh? Is there truly such a man in Sanyuan County?” After hearing Yao Hong’s report, Li Tai rose and left his desk, musing aloud, “A man of letters, arms, and medicine; one who wins the favor of Gongsun Wenda with his poems, defeats He Qing with his martial skill, and can save the Crown Prince from the brink of death with his medical arts—how has a man like this never come to my attention before?”

Yao Hong replied, “Master, Liu Yitiao is by nature reserved. Until he was seventeen, he was unremarkable and no different from any other farmer’s son. Only after he was severely beaten by Wang Shuai a month ago did he begin to show his abilities. First, under the pretext of self-defense, he crippled Wang Shuai with a single blow. Then, by cunning, he brought ruin upon Wang Shuai’s entire family. Wang Shuai’s father, Wang Kui, was even executed by beheading. If not for Wang Kui’s brother-in-law, Liu Peng, speaking on his behalf before the Crown Prince, Wang Kui would have been killed outright.”

“Oh?” Li Tai’s eyes lit up. “So, Liu Yitiao has a feud with Liu Peng?”

He pondered a moment, then said, “Liu Peng is an old retainer of the Crown Prince, ever loyal to him. Though he has now lost the Prince’s favor, every time I have tried to summon him, the old fox has flatly refused. Hmph. Arrange matters so that suspicion for this affair falls on Liu Peng. Make sure Gongsun Wenda’s anger is redirected entirely toward him. Even if we cannot kill Liu Yitiao this time, we must bring down that old fox Liu Peng!”

“Master is wise. I shall see to it at once.” Yao Hong rose, bowed to Li Tai, and vanished through the window.

“Liu Yitiao, Divine Physician... Hmph. I’ll let you live a little longer yet!” Li Tai returned to his desk, gazing at the chapter on filial piety in The Analects, and murmured, “Mother, it’s not that I am heartless, but you have always favored the Crown Prince over me. If you were still here, Father would never dare consider deposing him, and I would never have this chance. So, Mother, forgive me for my lack of filial piety. We are, after all, but pawns of the palace.”

Sanyuan County, Gongsun Residence.

Gongsun Wenda was sharing wine with Liu Yitiao.

With a smile, Gongsun Wenda filled Liu Yitiao’s cup to the brim and, handing it to him personally, said, “Come, my worthy nephew, let this old man toast you, in gratitude for saving my son’s life!”

“Uncle Gongsun, you are too kind.” Liu Yitiao quickly received the cup with both hands. “Since Helan and I are sworn brothers, it was only right to face danger together. In truth, I was merely saving myself at the time; I hardly deserve such gratitude.”

Gongsun Wenda laughed. “Be that as it may, it was you who slew the assassin, giving that rascal a chance to survive. That alone earns you this old man’s respect.” He gestured for Liu Yitiao to raise his cup, and they drank together.

Setting down his cup, Gongsun Wenda poured again, saying, “Moreover, had you not tended to that boy’s wounds so promptly, he would never again have been able to practice martial arts, and his life would have been ruined. For this, I offer you another toast.”

Looking back, Gongsun Wenda still felt a lingering fear. When Gongsun Helan was carried home, his chest was soaked in blood, his internal organs displaced, and his leg bone badly fractured. Had Liu Yitiao not set the bone immediately after the injury, Helan’s leg would have been crippled for life.

“It was just a simple treatment. I am glad Helan is well. Please, Uncle Gongsun.” Liu Yitiao raised his cup with both hands and drank it down.

Gongsun Wenda followed suit, a flush rising on his face. Picking up his chopsticks, he took a bite of food and said, “You are too modest, my nephew. The physician who tends to Helan told me your technique in setting bones is unparalleled—not something just anyone can do. By the way, are your own injuries all right? You look a bit unwell. Would you like one of the household doctors to take a look at you?”