Chapter 28: Descending Further into Chaos

Sometimes, things should not go too smoothly, for when everything falls into place too easily, it often leads people to lower their guard.

Jiang the Elder came to report to Zhao Yu that the Jiangnan Canal Guild wished to meet with Zhao Yu. Considering future plans for Jiangnan, Zhao Yu simply asked about their basic situation and agreed to the meeting.

From a logical perspective, Zhao Yu’s decision was sound. After all, here in the capital, from the Emperor himself down to the common folk, he had already managed to settle matters. What trouble could a few outsiders possibly cause?

Yet, there is always the possibility of the unexpected...

The meeting was set for tomorrow between three and five in the afternoon, at the same little tavern that had become Zhao Yu’s exclusive place for entertaining guests.

After sending Jiang the Elder off, Zhao Yu—accompanied by Yang Xu and Liu Hei, among others—took a walk around the construction site. He inspected the progress and considered what improvements might be needed.

“Your Highness, the schedule is still too tight. Many facilities cannot be perfected,” someone lamented.

“There’s no helping it,” Zhao Yu replied. “Father’s birthday falls on the tenth of October. We have just over a month left; time is indeed pressing. We’ll have to keep things simple. This will be the first battle for the National Football Club—we must make a name for ourselves. By the way, Hei, Jiang the Elder mentioned they have idle men. See if you can find some work for them. If they earn a wage and we gain hands, progress will quicken.”

Recently, Zhao Yu and his followers had thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of running the underworld in Bianliang. To say they were making a fortune every day would not be an exaggeration; money was never an issue.

Liu Hei, acting like a secretary, carefully noted Zhao Yu’s instructions.

Yang Xu then asked, “Does Your Highness intend for His Majesty to attend the match with great ceremony, or in disguise?”

It was a dilemma. Zhao Yu wished for his royal father to come incognito, but since the final was scheduled for the Emperor’s birthday, how could the Emperor sneak out unnoticed?

Before Zhao Yu could answer, Yang Xu smiled and said, “Actually, it’s not impossible for His Majesty to come in disguise. The timing of the match matters, but more importantly, Your Highness must arrange for someone who would entice His Majesty to attend incognito.”

Zhao Yu was momentarily stunned. The match timing was easy to adjust, but who might draw the Emperor out in disguise?

Caught by Zhao Yu’s questioning gaze, Yang Xu lowered his voice and uttered a name.

“Li Shishi.”

Upon hearing Yang Xu’s words, Zhao Yu suddenly understood. Li Shishi! Was she not the Emperor’s secret flame? The woman who, in the Water Margin, disappeared with Yan Qing in the end? He had been so busy lately that he had overlooked such a key figure.

Yang Xu’s suggestion was indeed precise. If, on the Emperor’s birthday, they avoided the palace celebrations and used Li Shishi as bait, the Emperor might truly come incognito.

Unable to restrain himself, Zhao Yu nodded. “Excellent idea. I’ll pay a visit to Miss Li Shishi myself.”

A legendary woman, renowned through the ages, was certainly worth Zhao Yu’s personal attention. Moreover, Zhao Yu wondered if, through Li Shishi, he could reach Yan Qing—another Liangshan hero dear to Zhao Yu in Water Margin.

Perhaps sensing Zhao Yu’s intent to seek out Liangshan heroes, he turned casually and saw Shi Qian approaching from afar.

After delivering something to Gao Qiu’s study for Zhao Yu, Shi Qian had left on his own. Zhao Yu was used to his elusive behavior, but he had been waiting for Shi Qian these days, hoping to bring back Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong.

With Yang Xu at his side, Zhao Yu already felt as though he had wings. If he could add Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong—masters of martial prowess—his actions would be even less restrained.

To Zhao Yu’s surprise, Shi Qian returned this time seeking help. A good brother of his, caught for plotting to steal the birthday tribute, was now being escorted to Kaifeng Prefecture.

This man’s surname was Pang, given name Wanchun, and his nickname was Young Yang Youji.

Hearing this name, Zhao Yu was taken aback. In Water Margin, Pang Wanchun was one of Fang La’s Eight Heavenly Kings, while Shi Qian represented Liangshan and the imperial side; they were mortal enemies. How did these two become friends?

Shi Qian, fearing Zhao Yu might be reluctant, continued, “Brother Pang once saved my life. I know he violated the law, so I dare not ask you to rescue him outright—just spare his life if possible.”

Zhao Yu laughed at this. Things were indeed chaotic: Fang La’s men mingling with Liangshan’s. But it was timely—he could use more talented hands!

“Brother, what are you saying? If he saved your life, he is also my savior. Rest assured, I will handle this.”

Hearing Zhao Yu’s promise, Yang Xu frowned. He was uneasy about Zhao Yu’s closeness with these men of the martial world and still could not grasp the young prince’s true intentions.

“Brother Yang, when prisoners arrive in the capital, are they sent straight to the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review?”

Zhao Yu, ever the impostor, had never quite figured out Song Dynasty judicial procedures.

Yang Xu frowned. “Heavy criminals escorted from the provinces, unless they are officials, are sent to the Ministry of Justice’s prison. But this man was caught for robbing the birthday tribute. Your Highness, if you intervene, it may displease His Majesty. I urge you to think carefully.”

Zhao Yu had worked hard to build a positive image before his royal father. If he were impeached for this, all his previous efforts would be wasted.

“Minister Yang, living in the bustling capital, do you know what the birthday tribute is? And how it comes about?”

Even thieves have their code; Shi Qian, though a master thief, acted with a sense of justice, targeting only the wealthy, never the common folk.

Yang Xu was no fool, and he despised the deeds of Cai Jing and his ilk. Yet, as Zhao Yu’s adviser, he had to consider everything from Zhao Yu’s perspective.

Hearing Shi Qian’s blunt question, he responded coldly, “Is that your justification for breaking the law?”

“You!...”

“All right, enough. Both of you, stop arguing. The man must be saved, but I truly cannot intervene directly.”

Zhao Yu stopped their quarrel, turned to Yang Xu, and said, “Brother Yang, I must trouble you to handle this. As far as I know, in the Cai family, no problem exists that cannot be solved with silver. Find someone who can speak with Cai Jing or Cai Tao. As long as the man is freed, any sum is acceptable. Of course, the person you find should not go unrewarded.”

Fang La’s men likely lacked not silver, but a go-between. The crime of robbing the birthday tribute was too serious.

Yang Xu, resigned, replied, “I’ll do my best...”