Chapter 16: Hands Without a Sword

Wang Maozhong was no brute. On the contrary, he was coarse on the outside but delicate within, possessing sufficient cunning and wit. However, he was overly conceited and prone to arrogance from being pampered. As a Goguryeo man and a domestic slave to Li Longji, his ability to climb from the lowest rung of servitude to his current high position as General of the Longwu Guard was certainly not ordinary.

Yet, Wang Maozhong was consumed by ambition. He was unsatisfied with being a mere Longwu general; he craved the rank of Grand General, desired a title of nobility, and longed to transition from a military commander to a high-ranking minister, achieving fame and glory. All of this required massive accomplishments to satisfy his appetite. At the same time, he was well aware of his own limitations. He could handle petty squabbles within the circles of the Imperial Guards, but he lacked the courage for true battlefield combat against the fierce and crafty Turks or Tibetans. Thus, he focused all his energy on clinging to Li Longji, serving him with all his might and never missing an opportunity to display his merit.

In this planned coup, the greatest variable was the Yulin Guard, controlled by Chang Yuankai and Li Ci. Although the Southern Capital Imperial Guard was also under the control of Princess Taiping, it was not easily mobilized. It required a formal military dispatch document sealed with the Chancellor’s seal, followed by confirmation from the Grand General, and the gathering of troops by the Sixteen Guards commanders before the soldiers could act. In such a rush, without prior preparation, it would be impossible to gather a large force and enter the inner palace in a short time. The Yulin Guard, however, was different. Responsible for the safety of the palace, they were stationed near the Xuanwu Gate of the inner palace. As soon as the commander gave the order, the army could move immediately. Controlling the Yulin Guard became an imperative step, and to control them, one had to first kill Chang Yuankai and Li Ci. In the eyes of Wang Maozhong, this was the greatest contribution one could make to the "Dragon-Ascending" cause, aside from the leadership of Li Chengqi, Li Chengyi, Li Longfan, and Li Longye, or the planning of figures like Guo Yuanzhen, and it was also the easiest to obtain.

Greed is a powerful motivator. How could Wang Maozhong be willing to let this hard-won accomplishment fall into the hands of others, while his three hundred soldiers served merely as a stepping stone for someone else?

It was not just Wang Maozhong; his subordinates were also filled with dissatisfaction. After all, when Wang Maozhong ate meat, they could drink the soup; but if Wang Maozhong only drank the soup, what would be left for them?

Wang Maozhong and his subordinates plotted to squeeze out the outsider, Pei Min.

Wang Maozhong understood Li Longji. Li Longji was a very pragmatic man who liked to follow his impulses. When he favored you, he would treat you with total sincerity and grant your every request. But if his impression of you turned sour, he would view your strengths as flaws and magnify your weaknesses indefinitely.

Wang Maozhong knew that Li Longji trusted him deeply, and he believed that Li Longji’s favor toward him far exceeded that of Pei Min. A slight overstepping of authority would not have a major impact, provided he handled matters cleanly. If he successfully eliminated Chang Yuankai and Li Ci, everything else would be a non-issue.

Such was the arrogance born of favor!

Thus, the scene of his subordinates' discontent occurred. While their dissatisfaction was real, without Wang Maozhong's indulgence, his subordinates would never have dared to challenge someone in front of Li Longji.

Pei Min's words left Li Longji, Li Longfan, and Li Longye stunned. They had only heard of Pei Min's swordsmanship and had never truly witnessed his strength, whereas Wang Maozhong’s abilities were plain for all to see. His position as General of the Longwu Guard was earned through genuine skill, and the claim of "three moves" seemed overly boastful.

Wang Maozhong, ever the opportunist, did not feel slighted by Pei Min’s "wild words." Instead, he saw it as an opportunity—a chance to drive Pei Min away. Without hesitation, he said, "Then let me experience Young Master Pei’s swordsmanship."

Since both parties had agreed to the duel, Li Longji knew that attempting to persuade them would be a waste of time. It was better to let them have their way. Besides, he was not entirely confident in Pei Min himself and could use this opportunity to see for himself exactly how "earth-shattering" the swordsmanship described by Guo Yuanzhen really was.

Wang Maozhong drew his blade. His weapon was a uniquely Goguryeo style—more curved than a Tang dao, yet straighter than a Japanese sword; it was somewhat of a hybrid. "Draw your sword!"

Pei Min smiled and said, "There is no need. We are all serving His Majesty; there is no reason to damage our rapport."

A flash of anger finally appeared in Wang Maozhong's eyes. As a General of the Longwu Guard, being looked down upon twice by a junior left him with no face. With a roar, his curved blade danced—one slash high, two low, two to the right, one to the left—he hacked toward Pei Min. Though he was sturdily built, his blade technique was agile. In one breath, he unleashed six strikes. Each blow was forceful and direct, seemingly without structure, yet it utilized the characteristics of the curved blade to the fullest.

But how could he compare to the lightness of Pei Min? Stepping left, retreating right, moving as if strolling through a garden, Pei Min avoided every single strike.

Wang Maozhong, having failed to touch even a corner of Pei Min's clothes after six strikes, roared in anger, "If you have the skill, don't run!"

Pei Min squinted and smiled, "Very well, I shall not run!"

As Pei Min spoke, Wang Maozhong had already launched another strike. By the time the word "run" left his lips, the blade tip was already closing in on Pei Min.

As Pei Min spoke, he had already prepared his counterattack. He held the scabbard, resting the end of it against the back of the blade, and followed the momentum of the strike, adding a bit of his own force. Wang Maozhong’s expression changed drastically as his blade, now beyond his control, swung toward Pei Min's body. Just as everyone’s heart leaped into their throats, Pei Min tilted his body backward, forming a perfect right angle and narrowly avoiding the blade.

Wang Maozhong, just about to breathe a sigh of relief, realized his hand was still beyond his control, following the force Pei Min had applied and hacking into thin air. He wanted to pull back his blade, but it was too late. Pei Min flicked his wrist; the Qin Emperor Sword slid out of its scabbard. Half remained hidden in the sheath, while the other half was already resting against Wang Maozhong’s shoulder. At this moment, Pei Min’s word "run" had only just finished echoing.

Feeling the icy chill emanating from the blade, a flicker of terror crossed Wang Maozhong’s eyes.

Forget three moves—he hadn't even managed to land a single strike before he had already lost.

Pei Min flicked his wrist again, and the sword returned to its sheath. From start to finish, he had not even gripped the hilt.

Swallowing hard, his face cycling between green and white, Wang Maozhong sighed, "His Majesty has great foresight. My skills are inferior; I have nothing more to say."

Pei Min smiled warmly. "General Wang’s blade technique is swift. It is only because your armor is somewhat cumbersome that you were hindered." He had, to some extent, preserved Wang Maozhong’s dignity.

Li Longji, Li Longfan, and Li Longye exchanged glances. Pei Min defeating Wang Maozhong did not surprise them; although Pei Min was young, his bearing did not suggest he was a man of empty words—he surely had something to rely on. They were only surprised that he had won in a way that so thoroughly humiliated his opponent, leaving the loser in such an awkward position.

Li Longji looked at Pei Min with burning intensity. Thinking of Wang Maozhong’s character, he smiled with sudden understanding. He felt unexpectedly settled, thinking to himself: "With Pei Min here, at least when emergencies arise, there will be someone to consult."

As for Wang Maozhong, he felt a touch of resentment. Wang Maozhong had once been a great favorite, and he had gradually entrusted him with heavy responsibilities, even tasking him with winning over the Ten Thousand Cavalry. But his character was too prone to vanity. Give him an inch, and he would take a mile. The Tanglong Coup was the same—at the critical moment, Wang Maozhong had "avoided coming," and though they had agreed to storm the palace together, he had vanished for three days before reappearing. Fortunately, it hadn't ruined the plan. Remembering his past merits, Li Longji had not punished him and continued to entrust him with important tasks. Yet, here he was again, causing trouble just because the soldiers were his own men?

Li Longji said in a deep voice, "We have witnessed Pei Min’s swordsmanship, and I trust there is no one left who is unconvinced. Everything shall proceed according to the plan. Whoever dares to ruin my affairs at the critical moment—Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother—do not hold back. Execute them immediately without mercy."

Wang Maozhong shivered, realizing he had overplayed his hand; his face turned as pale as paper.

Li Longji continued, "Securing the Northern Army is the most critical step. There can be no mistakes. While there are varying degrees of merit, as long as you work for me with a single heart, I will never treat you unfairly."

Hearing this, Wang Maozhong’s complexion improved significantly. He had been thoroughly intimidated by Pei Min’s transcendent swordsmanship, and with Li Longji’s combination of carrots and sticks, he dared not harbor any other thoughts. As for his subordinates behind him, they were already too terrified to utter a single word.

This matter did not take much time. Li Longji led Li Longfan and Li Longye toward the rear palace. The front gate of the Wude Hall was adjacent to the Changle Gate, where the commander was a confidant of Princess Taiping; going around the front to the Lingyan Pavilion was too dangerous. They took a shortcut through the back door, leading directly to the Lingyan Pavilion. The Lingyan Pavilion was a high tower built by the Tang Dynasty to honor meritorious officials, featuring their portraits. Usually, no one lingered there, and even the patrolling soldiers rarely inspected it, making it very safe.

Li Longji had already accounted for these details.

The backyard of the Wude Hall was where the female attendants lived; typically, only eunuchs and Li Longji himself were permitted there.

Pei Min, Wang Maozhong, and the others kept their eyes focused on their own noses, not daring to look around.

Li Longfan and Li Longye, however, had no such reservations. The relationship between the brothers was genuinely harmonious, and they were accustomed to speaking freely.

Li Longye, the youngest and most playful, looked left and right, shaking his head. "Third Brother, your backyard is far worse than my manor; it doesn't fit the status of the Son of Heaven at all. Why don't I put up the funds to renovate it for you?"

Li Longji shook his head. "The current political situation is unstable. Strengthening the army and managing the horses—which of these doesn't cost millions? Besides, there are few people in my palace; it's better to save where I can. There's no need to spend money. If you have the heart, drop some money and goods into the national treasury; your Third Brother won't think it's too little."

Pei Min, listening from behind, felt a twinge of emotion. Li Longji, who was so frugal now, why did he become so excessively extravagant later? Did it truly live up to the saying, "It is easy to move from thrift to luxury, but difficult to move from luxury back to thrift"?

Li Longfan laughed. "Third Brother, by saying that, haven't you just blocked Fifth Brother's mouth?"

Li Longji thought of Li Longye’s temperament and smiled. "So that’s the real motive. Speak up, then. What have you set your sights on? A fine horse, or a palace maid?"

Li Longye’s face flushed red.

Pei Min, Wang Maozhong, and the others could only offer wry smiles. At such a critical juncture, these brothers could still laugh and joke. They did not realize that this was their unique method of relieving pressure; during their days of confinement under Wu Zetian, the more difficult their situation, the more they would joke with each other, facing the world with cheer. That was how they endured the hardships and survived until today.

Li Longfan added, "Just a while ago, Fifth Brother told me that there is a palace maid in your residence who is skilled in medicine and quite lovely! The one who prepares your Red Arrow Powder..."