Chapter 299

The second master of the Li family returned home, bringing with him a wave of joy. He had been reassigned, leading his entire household back from the south. They would rest in the capital for some time, awaiting the emperor’s next orders. This round of military reassignment meant that most of the generals previously stationed at the border had returned to the capital; the next deployment would likely not occur until after the campaign against the enemy nation.

Because of his second uncle's return, Li Linshan left for the military camp later than usual. As he was about to depart, the second master kept urging his eldest nephew with words of advice, which made the eldest master, standing nearby, visibly annoyed. Linshan was his own son, yet he rarely had the chance to give him any guidance. Steward Mi rolled his eyes in secret, thinking, “Only now do you know to care for your son? What have you been doing all this time?” Linshan was dutiful; whether because of the old master or his reputation, he never allowed anyone to find fault with his behavior, at least on the surface. What he thought in private, no one could guess. If one were to judge by the troubles caused by his late father, Linshan probably harbored some resentment in his heart.

Wang Xiujin and Yachang accompanied Linshan all the way to the outskirts of the military camp before reluctantly saying their farewells. Yachang looked at his father, clenching his small fists, and promised him that he would protect his “little father” until his return. Wang Xiujin smiled, wanting to pat his son’s head, but the boy dodged, leaving Wang Xiujin a bit disappointed. Perhaps it was because Yachang had spent so much time with him lately, but he felt his son was becoming more like a little adult. Not being able to pat, hug, or tease his son made him feel particularly forlorn.

Watching Linshan enter the camp, Wang Xiujin and his son boarded their carriage, turning back three times for every step. No one knew how long Linshan would be gone; war was always the greatest gamble, full of unpredictable twists. Even the strongest armies could not guarantee victory without casualties. All Wang Xiujin could hope for was Linshan’s safe return.

Yachang held his little father’s hand tightly. “Father will surely return safely.”

Wang Xiujin looked at his son’s earnest little face, unsure what to say. He wanted to pat the boy’s head, but recalled how seriously Yachang had refused him earlier, and his lips curled into a smile. “He will definitely return safely. So, Yachang! You must practice your boxing diligently, grow up quickly, and get taller.” He had meant to say, “If I come back late, I’ll help your little father discipline you,” but considering the mindset of this era, such rebellious words could not be spoken. He swallowed them instead.

Yachang looked at his little father in puzzlement. A thought stirred in his mind, and he nodded vigorously. Perhaps he overdid it, for when he raised his head, he bumped it against the carriage wall. “Ow!” He quickly reached back to rub his head.

Wang Xiujin stifled his laughter, reaching out to rub the spot where his son had bumped his head, soothing him as he did. “Just rub it, don’t be scared.”

“Little father, I’m not scared. It just hurts a little.” Yachang stared stubbornly, refusing to let the tears welling in his eyes fall. Yet those big, watery eyes, glistening with unshed tears, were so adorable that one couldn’t help but want to pinch and squeeze them.

Wang Xiujin found his son irresistibly cute, though he could not indulge himself. The sadness he felt from Linshan’s departure was healed by his son. As he rubbed Yachang’s head and watched the boy’s conflicted expression, Wang Xiujin’s mood improved greatly.

After Linshan left, Wang Xiujin did not idle. He had much to do. Although the national treasury was not short of grain, it was still necessary to prepare reserves for emergencies. Who knew what tricks those in charge of military provisions might play? Besides grain, there were clothes and shoes to prepare. As for weapons, Wang Xiujin had no means to help.

He was anything but discreet in his collection of grain and clothing, naturally attracting the attention of certain individuals. Soon enough, an impeachment petition appeared on the imperial desk, and some even accused him in court, claiming the imperial merchant was seizing the opportunity to drive up grain prices and profit unjustly from the people. Yet before the accuser could finish, the emperor ordered twenty strokes of the cane for him, making it clear that Wang’s actions had royal approval. As for the reasons, why not ask the Ministry of Revenue?

The Minister of Revenue, singled out, prostrated himself repeatedly, apologizing profusely and cursing the accuser’s ancestors in his heart. These people had nothing better to do than to seek attention before the emperor, but if they wanted to show off, why did they have to target the imperial merchant? Regardless of whether the emperor was aware of the matter, he would not act against Wang at this time. These fools, whose heads were full of flesh and not brains, implicated him as well. The Minister of Revenue wished he could drown the accuser with a mouthful of spit.

Outside the palace, Wang Xiujin was unaware of the situation at court. He had the collected grain loaded onto carts and sent to the seaport. When General Li, who had not attended court, heard about it, he could not help but sigh. Inside the palace, after the two Li brothers had prostrated themselves following the Ministry of Revenue’s humiliation, they paid no attention to appearances and began recounting past hardships of leading troops without provisions. If not for fear of being accused of impropriety before the throne, they would have been shedding tears and snot to illustrate their struggles. Several officials from the Ministry of Revenue knelt, wondering if they lost their positions today, they would go cry at the accuser’s home tomorrow.

The palace was lively, but outside, things were calm. Wang Xiujin sent off the convoy escorted by Steward Wang, returned home for a brief respite, and prepared to head to the Ministry of Revenue to clarify things. He did not want them to assume that the supplies he donated meant they could reduce allocations; what he contributed in his own name was to honor and support the military, not to save the ministry money.

When Wang Xiujin arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, the morning session had not yet adjourned. The officials received him warmly, inviting him to tea and conversation. Wang Xiujin found that not all officials were pedantic; those he conversed with were quite agreeable.

Their lively discussion passed the time quickly. When the officials finally returned from court, their first reaction upon seeing Wang Xiujin was to turn and leave. That morning, they had suffered because of him, nearly receiving punishment themselves. Seeing him now made them grit their teeth in resentment.

Wang Xiujin quickly stood to greet them, directly stating his purpose. Though he did not press for faster delivery of military provisions, he still emphasized the importance of timely supplies. Before he could leave, officials from the Ministry of War arrived, loudly demanding grain. Without checking who was present, they declared that the Minister of Revenue had assured the emperor there would be no shortage of provisions and promised delivery to the seaport within the next two days to ensure the army’s readiness.

Only after finishing did the Minister of War notice who was in the room. Seeing the embarrassed faces of the Ministry of Revenue officials, he burst out laughing, patting Wang Xiujin on the shoulder. “If you’re busy, I’ll come back later.”

Wang Xiujin hurried to stand and express his intention to leave, but the Ministry of War officials moved faster. By the time he reached the door, they were already gone, leaving him speechless. He touched his head, then addressed the Ministry of Revenue officials, “If you have matters to attend to, I won’t trouble you further. Farewell!” He cupped his hands in salute and departed.

Meanwhile, as the Ministry of War officials left, one asked a young soldier what news he had overheard. “What did Wang the imperial merchant come to do at the Ministry of Revenue?”

The young soldier stepped forward and quietly relayed what he had heard. The Ministry of War officials laughed heartily, realizing why the Ministry of Revenue officials looked so grim. The more he thought about it, the more delighted he felt. He resolved to return later and urge the old fellows to deliver the provisions quickly. The Ministry of Revenue moved slower than the imperial merchant; this would be entertaining to watch.

Though the emperor never left the palace, he was well aware of everything happening outside. After Liu Xingyun sent off the supply convoy that morning, the emperor heard about it after court adjourned. Recalling the morning’s farce, his expression darkened. He lamented that there were too few officials like the imperial merchant in the court. If all officials were as capable, he would not be so exhausted every day. “Issue my decree: If the Ministry of Revenue fails to deliver the provisions today, they must resign.”

The attendant rushed out to deliver the decree. The envoys from the enemy and neighboring nations detained in the capital sensed the unusual atmosphere, hearing rumors of war. When they asked the locals, the people avoided them, fearful that the target of the campaign might be their own country. They tried to consult officials, but no one paid them any mind; the officials were all busy.

Wang Xiujin wandered through the Ministry of Revenue before heading to the academy, where he conversed with princes and royal descendants. He spoke of the meaning of war, explaining that for those unscrupulous schemers who covet their nation’s territory, one must destroy them before they grow strong. Otherwise, future generations might suffer their invasion. Never underestimate these petty men; they may not conquer a great nation alone, but they can unite with others to breach the wall and divide the spoils, then, after the allies leave, seize the territory for themselves. Remember, whoever has the hardest fist makes the rules. Therefore, a nation’s fist must always be clenched.

What is the fist? The royal children understood without explanation. After hearing Mr. Wang’s words, they devoted themselves to martial arts lessons. Several princes from the palace returned and earnestly repeated Mr. Wang’s advice to their father. Had anyone else spoken such words, the emperor would have suspected ulterior motives. But from Wang Xiujin, he not only took no offense but felt the advice was truly sound. Perhaps martial arts should be made a compulsory subject in all academies: martial arts to strengthen the body, and literature to cultivate the soul.

Wang Xiujin had no idea how far-reaching his heartfelt words would be. At that moment, he was at the pictorial office, discussing with several scholars a painting depicting the enemy nation’s wolfish ambitions.