Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Pei Family of Hedong

“Greetings, Princess!” Feng Xiaobao announced his arrival.

Hearing the voice, Jian Sanlang turned to see Feng Xiaobao, and his face changed dramatically. Only then did he realize why the princess and her maid had been smiling so pleasantly earlier. Fortunately, Feng Xiaobao paid him no mind, and the princess instructed, “You may withdraw now.”

Jian Sanlang scrambled away in haste, crawling and stumbling. The Princess of Thousand Gold smiled and said, “You’ve certainly caused quite a stir at the manor!”

“It’s nothing worth mentioning,” Feng Xiaobao replied, not even bothering to bring it up as he handed his bright silver spear to her. The princess received it gracefully.

Do not underestimate the princess of the Great Tang—she was adept at polo, agile and skilled. As she accepted the spear, she asked, “Did you get into a fight?”

Feng Xiaobao understood her meaning: “A real fight?”

“Yes.” So, Feng Xiaobao briefly recounted all that had occurred at his small estate that day, including the discovery of the gold.

His earlier victories at Xindu Mountain had naturally already been reported to the Princess of Thousand Gold, and urgent updates from the Green Willow Manor had reached her before Jian Sanlang arrived. In fact, even the matter concerning Tang Tian was already known to the princess. After all, a beautiful young woman suddenly appearing at Feng Xiaobao’s side and intruding into her domain—how could she not feel uneasy? For now, however, she kept her composure.

Yet nothing surprised her more than the events of this day, so whatever Jian Sanlang had to say seemed trivial, and neither of them gave it another thought.

“You said King Jin Dao, Li Jinglong, intervened—ostensibly to block your way, but in truth to give you a hint?”

“That’s right.”

“He claimed he owed someone a favor, so he helped you, but in reality, he did more harm than good?”

“Precisely.”

“Then you encountered remnants from Xindu Mountain and killed them?”

“I did.”

“The cause of all this is that someone at court, together with the criminal underworld (a term coined by Xiaobao), covets the gold in Laizhou?”

“Exactly.”

“You intend to offer the location of the Laizhou gold to the court?”

“That’s correct.”

After a series of questions and clear answers, the Princess of Thousand Gold posed one last question: “Do you really believe there is so much gold in Laizhou?”

She couldn’t help but laugh at herself as she spoke, for the answer was obvious.

If it weren’t true, why would “the other side” mobilize such a massive force? Surely, it wasn’t without reason.

Later, according to Lady Yang’s recollections, the entire commotion had been triggered by a servant of an old capital official who overheard talk of a vast hoard of gold—enough to rival a nation’s wealth—though the location remained unknown. Still, it was astonishing that such a rumor had led to such turmoil... Yet, in truth, the court had indeed extracted much gold from Laizhou.

“Very well. I shall immediately prepare the princess’s retinue, collect Lady Yang from your estate, and proceed to the palace!”

“There’s no time to lose. Let’s act at once!”

…

With the matter now out in the open, the Princess of Thousand Gold summoned the Golden Guards to bolster her escort, and with great ceremony, departed the city.

She arrived at Feng Xiaobao’s small estate outside the city just in time, for the manor was surrounded so tightly by Luoyang’s officials and soldiers that not even a breeze could slip through. If it hadn’t been for the timely reinforcements sent by the Duke of Lu’s household together with Li Jinglong—one hundred retainers and servants—Yang Chengxian and Cheng Boxi would have been overwhelmed.

The reinforcements were coordinated by Li Jinglong, a veteran of many campaigns, decisive and ruthless. Having decided to take Feng Xiaobao as his disciple and knowing the difficulties he now faced, Li Jinglong devised a plan and personally approached the Duke of Lu’s residence to negotiate. Thus, both sides dispatched aid simultaneously, relieving the pressure on either front.

The “opposition” was formidable, but Li Jinglong and the Duke of Lu’s household were hardly to be trifled with. Their status was unassailable; as long as the matter did not implicate rebellion, they could quell even the gravest crises. When the detachment of a hundred men arrived and took their stand before the manor, the officials’ plan to storm the estate dissolved into nothing. No matter how many men or what justification they had, they could only wait.

And so they waited—until the Princess of Thousand Gold arrived.

Pei Zongchao, the Luoyang magistrate, calmly explained the situation to the princess, stating that he bore an inescapable responsibility and that the relevant parties within the manor must be brought in for questioning.

During the Tang dynasty, according to imperial law, princesses, princes, and royal grandchildren were accorded the utmost respect by all officials. Yet, as a matter of principle, royals could not directly intervene in government or civil affairs; the law took precedence, and especially in sensitive capital cases such as this, if any manipulation occurred behind the scenes without evidence, it would be relatively safe. But direct intervention, with so many witnesses present, would draw the attention of the Censorate and bring trouble not only to the princess but to the responsible officials as well.

In the presence of the princess, Pei Zongchao spoke with dignity, “It is not that I refuse to be flexible, but with so many dead, I cannot ignore my duty.”

“You are right—Pei Magistrate is a stern enforcer of the law, upright and admirable.” The princess, matching his tone, then shifted the conversation: “But this matter is of such gravity that it is beyond the jurisdiction of the local authorities. I shall report it to the court myself. Magistrate Pei, you may accompany us to the palace. There, the eunuchs will convey the imperial will and you shall receive proper instruction.”

“If Your Highness says so, then I trust it will be done. In that case, I will return with my men, and ask that the palace send word in due course.” Pei Zongchao smiled, though somewhat reluctantly.

…

“Xiaobao, come up here!”

At the princess’s call, Feng Xiaobao climbed into the fragrant carriage. The princess turned and said, “Pei Zongchao is from the Pei clan of Hedong.”

The Pei clan of Hedong!

The towering, illustrious Pei family of Hedong had long been a prominent noble house in the Three Jin region. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, their glory had stretched over six dynasties, reaching its peak in the Sui and Tang. They had produced countless high officials—prime ministers, grand generals, and more. Their middle-ranking officials were too numerous to count, and through marriage ties with the imperial family, they had become a house of both civil and military distinction, renowned for their virtue and accomplishment—a truly elite aristocratic lineage.

In this dynasty alone, the Peis had produced such outstanding descendants as Pei Ji, a founding meritorious official of Tang, appointed as Right Chancellor and enfeoffed as Duke of Wei.

Pei Ji had passed, but now there was Pei Yan, whose influence was rising rapidly; it was only a matter of time before he became prime minister, and indeed, when Empress Wu later ruled, he would hold great power. There was also Pei Xingben, who had served as Minister of Rites and Acting Chancellor, his career smooth and his influence considerable. And Pei Xingjian, Pei Xingben’s brother, was a great general at court.

There were many other officials as well. In short, the Pei clan’s roots ran deep—if they set their minds to it, they could accomplish anything!

In other words, crushing Xiaobao would be child’s play for them.

Feng Xiaobao’s expression changed. “It might not necessarily be the Pei family, right?”

“It most certainly is!” The princess’s face was grim as well.

“Pei Zongchao is one of their most capable agents, and you mentioned that Kang Anda was involved in the attack on Xindu Mountain—that’s one of the Pei clan’s business affiliates. Moreover, only the Pei family could command someone like Li Jinglong, the King with the Golden Blade. Fortunately, he chose to help you, personally enlisting the Duke of Lu’s household, so the two houses could jointly resist the Peis and lend you support.”

“This is vexing!” Feng Xiaobao felt utterly disheartened. If it truly was the Pei family behind this, vengeance would be nearly impossible!