Chapter Thirteen: The First Round

A graceful maid dressed in lilac stepped outside and ordered the gate guards to admit Ye Xi and her party into the residence. “No need to worry. Tusi Ye and Lord Chen have been waiting for the young lady and her entourage for quite some time.”

The woman was strikingly beautiful, her speech gentle and demeanor refined—a rare kind of allure. She exuded a subtle virgin fragrance that only a connoisseur could discern. It seemed that Master Chen had exercised restraint and refrained from making advances toward her, despite her closeness to Chen Yuchong.

Upon entering the Tusi’s main hall, Yun Zheng saw the five chief Tusi of Chishui Commandery gathered: Jin Kai Jia of the Metal Tusi, Huo Kuang Yan of the Fire Tusi, Shui Rou Qin of the Water Tusi, Tu Huai Chen of the Earth-Wood Tusi, and including Mu Chuansheng, the Wood-Earth Tusi who had accompanied Yun Zheng’s party. The five prominent Tusi of Chishui were all assembled in one place.

Besides them, three unfamiliar figures also clad in Tusi attire stood among the crowd, likely allies Chen Yuchong had cultivated during his years of dominance in Chishui.

Amid the throng, Yun Zheng quickly identified the opponent they were to face—Chen Yuchong.

From tales alone, one might imagine Chen Yuchong as a gaunt, stern-faced old man with a harsh countenance and a brooding aura, given his schemes to seize the Ye family’s ancestral estate, his ruthless extortion throughout Chishui, and his indulgence in his subordinates’ oppression of the locals.

However, Yun Zheng found before him a middle-aged man in a dark Confucian robe, with sharply defined features, thick and vigorous eyebrows, a straight nose, and narrow eyes radiating a calm and refined bearing.

Several Ye family retainers silently thought, “He’s presentable enough—that’s probably why this façade can mask his wolfish ambitions.”

Yun Zheng noticed that Chen Yuchong’s left ear was noticeably larger than his right, which bore a large blue patch, creating an asymmetry that seemed off. As a perfectionist, Yun Zheng felt an urge to stretch that smaller right ear with tongs and burn away the blue stain with glowing coals, much like how some people feel compelled to straighten a crooked manhole cover marked with a chalk line.

As Yun Zheng’s gaze swept over Chen Yuchong, the latter was equally appraising the handsome dark-skinned youth opposite him. Half a lifetime of trials had honed his instincts sharply, allowing him to almost immediately discern who, besides Ye Xi, was the most significant figure among the group.

“Your servant Chen Yuchong greets General Zhaowu,” Chen Yuchong said, bowing to Ye Xi.

Chen Yuchong’s formal title was Deputy Commissioner of Pacification for Chishui, a sixth-rank official, so he addressed Ye Xi as a superior rather than with servile humility.

In the Ming Dynasty, Tusi ranks were generally low. For instance, the Ye family’s hereditary title of Pacification Commissioner of Chishui was fifth rank, though they held the nominal third-rank title of General Zhaowu.

Many Tusi wielded actual power comparable to provincial officials. Thus, the court often granted honorary titles to elevate important Tusi’s official ranks.

For example, during the Wanli era, the rebel “King Yang” Yang Yinglong of Bozhou commanded over a million people and tens of thousands of elite troops, operating independently of the border generals. His official title was third rank as Pacification Commissioner of Bozhou, but he also held court-bestowed second-rank titles such as Commander-in-Chief and General of Cavalry, enabling him to stand unflinchingly before imperial generals.

Chen Yuchong then turned his gaze to Yun Zheng:

“So this is the young General She Fangshu. Over these years, the young lady has truly been under your care. I’ve heard that you recently led your troops personally to slay the two notorious bandit leaders who had terrorized Chishui for years—truly a heroic feat that clears the skies and calms the mountains!”

Mu Chuansheng, who had just pledged allegiance to Ye Xi by his actions, inwardly felt uneasy.

When had he ever seen Chen Yuchong show such a sticky, Tai Chi-like side?

In the past, Chen Yuchong had ruled Chishui with an iron fist, his will absolute—a man of sheer tyranny in Mu’s eyes. But now, Chen’s indirect approach unsettled him, as if matters were heading in an unfamiliar direction beyond his comprehension.

Mu Chuansheng was not worried that Chen Yuchong could defeat Ye Xi’s party—otherwise, he would not have chosen to side with her. What frightened him was the prospect of Chen Yuchong, the old fox, reaching some accord with Ye Xi. If Chen survived this encounter by luck, wouldn’t Mu himself be left exposed and vulnerable thereafter?

Summoning courage, Mu Chuansheng stepped forward and bellowed:

“Chen Yuchong, honest men do not speak in riddles. Who are you putting on this act for? None here are fools. For years, that ‘Demon Monk’ and ‘Master Li’ have run rampant in Chishui—who has been sheltering them? Whose authority do the blood debts they’ve accumulated truly uphold? Evil deeds bring their own ruin; today is the day you face justice!”

The hall erupted in shock; no one had expected such a fiery clash after fewer than three exchanges.

Tu Huai Chen, the Earth-Wood Tusi who had stopped Yun Zheng’s party at the gate, frowned and warned, “Tusi Mu, be cautious with your words. Whether Lord Chen is guilty is for the authorities to decide. Though General Zhaowu holds a high rank, he has no power to apprehend imperial officials.”

Hearing this, Mu Chuansheng’s eyebrows shot up fiercely. At that moment, Yun Zheng’s expression darkened with deadly intent, lending Mu great courage:

“Tusi Tu, you and Chen Yuchong keep invoking General Zhaowu’s title—do you truly dare deny the young lady’s authority as Pacification Commissioner of Chishui?”

“It’s like the mountain tiger is gone, and the monkey claims the throne. Over these years, the young lady has battled on the front lines to safeguard Chishui’s peace, winning countless victories, while you all cower in the rear, scheming to usurp her ancestral estate—a complete betrayal of conscience!”

“I have never seen such shameless people!”

A heavy silence fell.

Tu Huai Chen’s face darkened considerably.

Then, the Ye family retainers who had accompanied Yun Zheng began a chorus of mockery:

“General Ye fights and bleeds on the battlefield, while that old wretch schemes in the shadows to steal her family’s legacy—it’s utterly revolting.”

“When it comes to honor, those words are absent from Chen Yuchong’s dictionary. Our general’s countless battles and feats prove she’s a true heroine, not like some who lurk in shadows and engage in petty thievery.”

“Who in Guizhou does not know General Ye’s renown across the southwest? Even imperial pillars like Zhu Xieyuan and Qin Liangyu praise her courage. In contrast, some only wag their tongues and stab backs.”

“Chen Yuchong, that treacherous old dog, deserves to be rebuked by his own men someday—what a refreshing sight that would be!”

“It’s tragic that our Tusi residence harbors such a scoundrel. Thankfully, the young lady is wise and mighty, blessed by heaven to purge these treacherous villains and restore Chishui City’s clear skies!”

On the other side, Chen Yuchong’s retainers could not remain silent and retaliated:

“Though Lord Chen was born among the Ye family’s retainers, he is an imperial official appointed by the court. We ask all present to watch their words to avoid bringing trouble upon themselves.”

“The Ye family was long ago destroyed by war. The prosperity and peace of Chishui City owe to Lord Chen’s wisdom and courage, not to some illusory Ye family legacy.”

“If the Ye family truly had such power, how could they have met such ruin?”

Feigning magnanimity, Chen Yuchong waved his hand:

“A drop of kindness deserves a fountain in return. The late old Tusi saved me, Chen, from ruin. None here should speak ill of the Ye family.”

“However, succession has always favored sons over daughters, especially in Han customs. Though the young lady holds a noble status, the Ye family is not without male heirs.” He then brought up Ye Yiwen, whom he kept as a puppet.

Facing such blatant falsehoods, Yun Zheng sneered, “What, does your illegitimate son have inheritance rights back home?”

Tu Huai Chen’s face darkened; he said gravely, “General She, be cautious. The current head of the Ye family is a bloodline lost among the common folk, carrying the blood of Ye Tianwang himself! Even the previous Tusi acknowledged this. Should you continue to speak disrespectfully, even as the young lady’s guard, I will show no mercy.”

Ye Yiwen’s father was an ill-fated drunken liaison of Ye Tianwang, Ye Xi’s grandfather. The former Tusi, out of familial sentiment, had secretly sent gifts to support that branch. Tu Huai Chen now wielded this as proof of the Tusi’s recognition of this illegitimate bloodline.

Chen Yuchong remained composed, calm as ever: “The matter General She is concerned with is precisely what we intend to have the world witness today.”

Yun Zheng noticed Chen Yuchong take a sip from a bottle of exquisite liquor, its craftsmanship exquisite, with a translucent luster like a sky clearing after rain.

He saw that each person before the table had such a bottle, accompanied by peanuts, radish slices, and other snacks. The blue-and-white porcelain bottles bore no labels but had the four cursive characters “Mao Town Famous Cellar” kiln-fired directly onto them.

Chen Yuchong flicked a finger toward the three figures dressed as Tusi: “These honored guests are the Tusi of Wumeng, Wusa, and Yongshun—recently aiding the imperial troops in suppressing rebellions near Zunyi Prefecture. I have invited them here today to serve as witnesses. Young Master Ye Yiwen is about to come of age, and under the testimony of these venerable Tusi, he will inherit his ancestors’ estate in Chishui City.”

His tone suddenly grew heavier: “Over these years, I have worked tirelessly without selfish intent—all for the Ye family. After the coming-of-age ceremony, the winery I built in Mao Town will be co-managed with Lord Ye Yiwen.”