Chapter Fifty: A Display of Authority

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Li Wenyuan sat atop his horse, watching a crowd of officials in formal attire pouring out from the distant city gate. Zhang Juntao noticed them as well and smiled at Li Wenyuan, saying, “General, it seems the officials of Wuwei Commandery are well aware you are to be their new governor, and have come out to greet you.”

Li Wenyuan gave no direct response. As someone from a later era, he actually despised such displays of formalism, yet when the moment arrived and the flattery was directed at him, he found it oddly gratifying—after all, flattery always finds its mark.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Wuwei Commandery, the army set up camp. Though many soldiers were eager to enter the city and enjoy its pleasures, none dared violate military discipline, and all dutifully pitched their tents. Li Wenyuan rode a circuit around the camp, found everything in perfect order, and then, with Xue Renyue and a few loyal guards, made his way to the city gate. Zhang Juntao and Wudelü were more than capable of managing the army, so he could turn his attention elsewhere.

Yet Li Wenyuan knew that the truly troublesome matters were just beginning.

As he drew near the crowd, Li Wenyuan slowed his horse, cupped his hands in greeting to the officials assembled at the gate, and said, “Gentlemen, this is hardly the place for conversation—shall we continue inside, to the governor’s residence, and speak at leisure there?”

The officials, suffering under the blazing sun themselves, were all too eager to return home for a cup of cool well water to dispel the heat. Hearing Li Wenyuan’s suggestion, they nodded their assent. Li Wenyuan watched them head into the city, then turned to Xue Renyue and asked, “Tell me, which among these men are corrupt, and which are upright?”

Xue Renyue mused, “That official in the silk robe is surely corrupt, while the one with the worn official uniform must be honest.”

Li Wenyuan laughed. “You’ve missed the mark. The one in silk, though best dressed, walks with such care for fear of soiling his clothes—likely he wears this ceremonial robe only for major occasions, lest frequent washing ruin it. As for those in shabby uniforms, it’s hard to say—some honest, some corrupt. We are new here and know too little to judge.”

Xue Renyue glanced thoughtfully at the officials ahead, seeming to grasp the lesson. Li Wenyuan continued, “The waters of officialdom run deep. Every word, every gesture within these walls is watched by countless eyes. The slightest misstep can bring about a most tragic end.”

Xue Renyue frowned. “Master, perhaps I’d be better off staying with the army—life there is free from such empty formalities and far more carefree.”

Li Wenyuan shook his head. “Your father entrusted you to my care, and I promised he would not see you placed in danger. You must remain in the city.”

Suddenly, Xue Renyue said, “Master, how about you stop calling me ‘Young Master’ from now on? Since my father has asked you to protect me, why not conceal our relationship? Let me pass as a youth by your side—just call me by my name.”

Li Wenyuan looked troubled. “That may not be appropriate…”

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Xue Renyue replied, “It’s no matter, Master. This way, I’ll accompany you into the city.”

Weighing the pros and cons, Li Wenyuan relented. “Very well, as you wish. Renyue, come, let’s go in.”

At the governor’s residence, all necessary arrangements had already been made. Li Wenyuan sat in the seat of honor, with Xue Renyue at his side and slightly behind, observing the assembly. Whenever someone met his gaze, Xue Renyue would smile and nod, his every move exuding the bearing of a true scholar.

Li Wenyuan plucked a piece of fruit from the platter beside him, ate it, and spoke to the officials, “They say one should not speak at table nor talk in bed. Yet after so long among the ranks, and with today’s march leaving me parched, I confess I cannot help myself. Forgive me, gentlemen.”

The officials dared not object, and all responded with customary flattery: “The Governor is burdened with affairs of state—why be constrained by empty rituals? Such candor is refreshing and free from bureaucratic airs.”

Li Wenyuan surveyed the hall. “Why do I see no one from the Commandery Guard? Who is in charge of the Guard now?”

At this, all officials fell silent, and in an instant, the hall was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Li Wenyuan set aside his half-eaten fruit, his expression darkening. “You all were quite talkative just now. Why the silence at a crucial moment? Where is the governor?”

A man stood and addressed him, “Governor, I am the governor of Wuwei Commandery.”

“Good. Then tell me, who is in charge of the Commandery Guard?” Li Wenyuan demanded.

“It is Li Gui who oversees the Guard,” the governor answered truthfully.

“Then why is Li Gui not present?”

“Li Gui—well, Lord Li has taken ill with a cold and is resting at home,” the governor replied, head bowed.

“Oh? Very well. Where is the deputy governor?” Li Wenyuan pressed.

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“I am the deputy governor of Wuwei,” another rose to reply.

“Good. You have three days to report to me the population of Wuwei, the number of grain stores, and the current prices of goods. In three days’ time, compile your findings and present them to me.” Without waiting for a response, Li Wenyuan turned to the governor:

“I must trouble you to escort me to Commander Li’s residence—I wish to visit him in person.” Li Wenyuan rose and addressed the governor.

The governor, having heard from friends in the capital that Li Wenyuan enjoyed the emperor’s favor, dared not offend him and nodded his assent.

Seeing the governor agree, Li Wenyuan cupped his hands to the others. “Then I must trouble you all with the tasks I requested.” He then summoned Xue Renyue and the guards, saying,

“You will accompany Renyue to assist the deputy governor in his survey—be as thorough as possible.”

“Rest assured, Governor—I will do my utmost,” Xue Renyue replied with a bow before departing.

Only then did Li Wenyuan nod, gesturing politely to the governor. “After you, Governor.”

The governor shuddered slightly, forcing a smile. “This way, sir. Please.”

Inwardly, Li Wenyuan reflected that Li Gui must have already heard of what happened in Yongdeng County and was using this illness as a pretext to give him a taste of local resistance, a reminder that he, Li Gui, still held significant military authority in Wuwei.

You wish to intimidate me? You must be mistaken in your calculations, Li Wenyuan thought with a cold smile.

Before long, with the governor leading the way, Li Wenyuan arrived at the gates of Li Gui’s residence. The governor called out, “Gatekeeper, inform your master—the Governor has come to call.”

Understanding, the gatekeeper sent a servant to deliver the message and personally escorted Li Wenyuan and the governor into the guest hall, ordered tea to be served, and said with an ingratiating smile, “Please wait here, gentlemen. My master has been unwell and bedridden for days. I have already sent someone to fetch him.”