The Longest Day in Chang’an: A Race Against Time - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Shen Zheng (16:00-16:59) Part 3
Translator: DragonRider
Feng Dalun said after a second of hesitation, “The man to be transferred is named Zhang Xiaojing, who was a soldier in western area, and was promoted to the Commandant of the Indecent in Wannian County. In October, the second year of Tianbao period (743 DC), the lands of Dunyi Fang were requisitioned by the imperial court to build hotel for ambassador from Little Bolor. A Wen’s Incense refused to move, and in the negotiation with the officials of the Yu Division (division of the Ministry of Works), the shopkeeper Wen Wuji died inexplicably. Zhang Xiaojing, who was his comrade in the army, insisted that the shopkeeper was murdered and must figure thing out. Finally, he killed his superior, the Administrator of Wannian County in an argument and was put in prison.”

Yuan Zai listened, keeping smiling. What Feng Dalun said must be taken with discount: there might be many interests behind like “hotel building and land acquisition”; the “negotiation” between Yu Division and the shopkeeper of the Wen’s Incense was probably not gentle. The last thing: not a word had Feng Dalun mentioned about the role of the King of Yong (Li Lin) played in the event….

But…well, Yuan Zai didn’t care about the truth at all, what he really concerned was what the King of Yong wanted.

He tapped the corner of bronze Jue (a tripod vessel or goblet used to serve warm wine) with his finger nail, “He was sentenced to death in October last year and normally should be executed in the last winter. Why is he still alive?”

“He is waiting in jail for reviewing of execution.” Feng Dalun was quite helpless.

Yuan Zai made an understanding nod. Since the Taizong succeeded to the throne, the court advocated punishment fitting the crime, a death sentence must be reviewed five times in Chang’an. It was not uncommon for the execution of a case to be delayed from last year to this year.

Feng Dalun continued, “Today, Zhang Xiaojing had his shackles removed by Jing’an Department, taken out of Wannian County Prison and walked through fangs as if he was pardoned!” He involuntarily pinched spoon. Yuan Zai noticed that his tension grew.

“Jing’an Department….” Yuan Zai chewed the unfamiliar name, “Why do they need Zhang Xiaojing?”

“I’ve no idea. Anyway, we must bring him back to prison.” Feng Dalun said, with a hint of anxiety. Had done so much to manage to send the Yama into prison in the case last year, they could never let him off.

The context of the event glimmered in Yuan Zai’s heart. The “dissent” of Zhang Xiaojing must have scared the King of Yong and Feng Dalun, so they were afraid of him being free from prison. Getting down to this point, other details mattered little. Yuan Zai took a sip of Langguanqing (a wine) from Jue, organizing his thoughts.

“There must be someone authorizing Jing’an Department to take him out of county prison. Dali Temple alone will be rejected.”

“How do you think…?”

“How about asking censors in Yushi Tai to impeach….”

“No, no.” Feng Dalun immediately denied, “The King of Yong doesn’t want to bother those mad dogs in Yushi Tai (the office of censors).”

The job of censor was to find fault with other people, no matter who. If you wanted to use them as sword, be careful not to hurt yourself. “Eh? Since you ask me to pick on others, you must have problems. I’ll have to check!” The censors all thought so. They were at best too harsh and at worst mad dogs.

Yuan Zai laughed at Feng Dalun’s embarrassing expression, “Bro, you know construction well, but strange at lawsuit. The cases Dali Temple handles must be submitted to Yushi Tai for filing. What we need to do is to make an excuse to get the case taken over by Dali Temple, and then I’ll slightly tamper with the submitted documents, the diligent censors will go make trouble with Jing’an Department….”

Feng Dalun couldn’t help nodding his agreement. The operation was indeed flawless that no one would associate it with the King of Yong. He mused and asked, “What kind of excuse is better?”

The excuse must be powerful enough to be accepted by Dali Temple and Yushi Tai, but kept himself and the King of Yong out of the affair.

Yuan Zai dipped his finger in the wine, then wrote on the desk, “How can a man who is guilty of doing evil and breaching justice being released without emperor’s pardon?” Feng Dalun broke into cheers. These words avoided house removal, only said that Zhang Xiaojing killed the county magistrate, and also implied that some people openly bent the law to protect him. In particular, the words “being released without emperor’s pardon” was to censors as blood was to flies.

The simple sixteen words contained several layers of meaning and covered all bases. No wonder he was a clerical official good at writing.

As long as the censors intervened, Jing’an Department had to hand over Zhang Xiaojing. As for whether he was brought to county prison, Dali Temple or Yushi Tai, who cared.

Yuan Zai smilingly applauded, “I’ll do it after the Lantern Festival.” Feng Dalun was impatient, “You’d better settle it down today….” Yuan Zai never thought that he was in such a hurry, but now it was Shen (15:00-16:59), officials of Dali Temple had all gone home to watch lanterns, no one was on duty.

Feng Dalun bowed, “I’ll offer you great reward for your help,” He stressed the “great reward”. As long as Zhang Xiaojing was alive, he would live in absolute terror.

Yuan Zai thought it over again, and sighed, “Time is urgent. we need a catalyst, if you want bring Zhang Xiaojing back today.”

“What do you mean?”

“Is it the Wen’s Incense that abetting Zhang Xiaojing’s crime? If someone in Wen’s family is willing to turn himself in, the Dali Temple can legitimately accept this case for once today.”

Feng Dalun clapped hands and laughed, “What a coincidence! The daughter of Wen’s shopkeeper is captured by us and held next door. I’m too busy to greet her, how about going with me?”

Yuan Zai knew that he was also the leader of the Fire. The Fire dared not to fight with Jing’an Department, but often bullied folks. Yuan Zai didn’t expose him, agree to go.

They left Yixiang Pavilion, crossed the courtyard, and came to a low woodshed. Seeing several young loafers from the Fire were frustrated at the door, Feng Dalun frowned, and asked them how could they be like this with only catching a woman. Young loafers looked at each other, talking in confusion, unable to tell what was going on.

While they were talking, Yuan Zai pushed the woodshed door open. A woman in Hu-style robe, with scattered hairs and panic face, was tied to the ground, and her mouth was stuffed with a hemp pit so that she could only make a whine.

When meeting her eyes, Yuan Zai was surprised to notice that there were silver twist and kingfisher feathered dian flowers on her cheeks, and a phoenix pattern nanmu zan pinned on bun.

He stood still, his eyes flickering, and suddenly he made a strange action-turning back and closing the door.

It was really a fantastic world, nothing in which was preordained.

Not long ago, Li Bi imperceptibly drove He Zhizhang away, but now he had to invite the old man back.

The Youxiao Guards’ detaining of Zhang Xiaojing was as subtle as an egg hanging on a rope. No matter Li Bi or the Prince interfered would break the fragile balance and cause the egg to fall off. He Zhizhang, though publicly retired, he had a high reputation and was highly appreciated by the emperor, was the only person who can take egg down without breaking it.

If possible, Li Bi wouldn’t swallow his arrogance to bow to that old man. However, he had a strong feeling Chang’an remained in acute danger, another great crisis was quietly gathering power.

In this situation, he had to put his own honor aside.

He Zhizhang’s house was located in the Xuanping Fang of Wannian County, crossing six intersections to the east and then three intersections to the south to arrive at Jing’an Department. It was not close, and the streets were crowded with people now. Were it not for access privilege of his horse, he might not arrive till midnight.

Li Bi held the rein tight and galloped down street. It was not time to hang lanterns and night out, but whole families in Chang’an had filled the streets, huddling with beautiful ribbon-decorated ox and mule carts. The lantern holders in fangs were undergoing final preparation, while the acrobatics below could not wait to start the performance. All along the way, the streets were bustling with Wanjian, wrestling, horse show, cockfighting. The greasy smell of roasted lamb in the air, accompanied by the spring tune of Hu band, drifted away, echoing the song of girl dancers’ tage.

This was just a small block, and also fangs farther away were immersed in the same excitement one by one.

Chang’an was a piece of plain silks that had been thrown into a dye vat, the boiling dyes crisscrossing the streets as if it flowing over layers of warp and weft yarns. The entire cloth was slowly wet, soaked, and colorful halos gradually spread, soon every yarn was stained with the jubilant atmosphere. The whole plain silks had changed its color, revealing a festive atmosphere.

In the festive atmosphere, only Li Bi, with his lips pursed tightly, advanced against the direction of the flow of people untimely like a stubborn spot. He managed the horse’s head, trying to dash a path through the chaos.

Looking at the excited smiles and prosperous streets, Li Bi knew that he had no choice. For the people in Chang’an, for the future of the Prince, he had to put down his dignity to do a thing he rather unwilling to. This was both responsibility and promise.

“Well, I regard these as secular experience and faith motivation.” Li Bi thought wearily, galloping forward.

The terrain of Xuanping Fang was high and sloped up gently, looking like a flat hill rose abruptly in the city. The hill was called Leyou Yuan and consisted four fangs: Xuanping, Xinchang, Shengping and Shengdao Fang, overlooking the whole city. The gray-white fang walls winded along the hillside; under the wall were full of roses and clovers; willows covering the hill were green in spring and summer, extremely beautiful.

Leyou Yuan and Qujiang Pool were generally known as “Shanshui”, which was scenery that people in Chang’an could enjoy without having to leave the city. On the hill, Yuefang (music workshop), theatre and tavern were everywhere; great temples in included Cien Temple, Qinglong Temple and Chongzhen Temple and etc.; a polo field in nearby Jinggong Fang was one of the few places in Chang’an open to all people, one of the best places to have fun in the city.

He Zhizhang lived in Xuanping Fang, northeastern corner of Leyou Yuan. On the one hand, he chose here because there were many willow trees, which were his favorite trees; On the other hand, there was a medicinal garden serving the prince in Shengping Fang in the south. Out of respect for the old man, the prince chartered medicinal garden to supply him with medicine at any time.

He Zhizhang sold all houses in Chang’an after retiring, only this one was remained. Obviously, he liked it very much.

Li Bi galloped along a broad loess road up Leyou Yuan, and the landscape was continually uplifted. Because of the lush willow trees on the hill, it was even called Liujing (the city of willow). For too many dead branches after winter, hanging lanterns was prohibited by the court, there was no high-hanging lantern in fang or on the roadside. Leyou Yuan was high enough to provide panoramic view of lanterns in Chang’an, so many bureaucrats and their families had climbed up the hill early and occupied a good position. On the road, the noisy horses and non-stop singing were second to nowhere.

Li Bi managed to fight his way out and arrived at the southeast corner of Xuanping Fang. There were few houses there, but the four door pins on the lintels showed that the owners were all born of noble families. With willow trees at the front gate, He Zhizhang’s house was easy to be recognized. He walked directly to a house behind the woods and knocked on the side door. The servant inside recognized him, and led him to the backyard without hesitation.