Chapter Fifteen: Reaching a Fever Pitch

Under Yun Zheng’s enigmatic gaze, Huo Kuangyan flipped open the golden nanmu wooden plaque.

“Apologies, Miss. Three years ago, when the Shuixi rebels planned another invasion of Chishui, it was Commissioner Chen who used his connections within Shuixi to advise against the attack. Otherwise, my domain would have been caught in the crossfire and ravaged again. Commissioner Chen’s network of alliances across the southwest gives me a sense of security.”

Emblazoned on the plaque were the two characters: “Yiwen.”

Yun Zheng sighed inwardly. “Sure enough, favors are never to be relied upon.”

Earlier, when Yun Zheng and his party were barred at the Tusi’s mansion by Tu Huaichen, it was Huo Kuangyan who ordered his men to persuade Tu Huaichen to withdraw. It seemed that afterward, Chen Yuchong had promised him more benefits.

Or perhaps, Huo Kuangyan’s actions at the Tusi’s mansion were merely a performance designed to showcase his bargaining value and extract greater gains from Chen Yuchong.

No one could forgive a traitor, especially one who switched sides at such a critical moment. Was this not Huo Kuangyan’s pledge of allegiance to Chen Yuchong?

Mu Chuansheng’s expression grew somber as well. Huo Kuangyan’s earlier stance at the Tusi’s mansion had led him to believe Huo Kuangyan would side with Yun Zheng.

But now, he remained calm. Having resigned himself to the worst, he was ready—if the vote went against them—to follow Yun Zheng’s command for a bloody reckoning.

“Well, after all this, we still have to resort to the old Tusi way of solving problems. If we lose, I’ll just take my family to Guiyang. The once-mighty Shui’an clan of Shuixi is like a candle flickering in the wind—on the verge of extinction. Following General Yun and the young lady, how could we fail to claim some land?” he thought.

“No need to look,” Mu Chuansheng said carelessly, revealing his wooden plaque.

Unsurprisingly, his vote was for Ye Xi.

So far, Golden Earth representative Jin Kaijia, Wood Earth representative Huo Kuangyan, and Fire Earth representative Mu Chuansheng had revealed their choices. Only Water Earth representative Shui Rouqin and Earth Earth representative Tu Huaichen had yet to disclose theirs.

All eyes turned to Shui Rouqin and Tu Huaichen.

Shui Rouqin was a middle-aged beauty who concealed half her face behind a veil of twilight purple. She bowed gracefully and said, “I must admit I harbor some personal bias in this vote. I agree with General She’s reasoning and greatly admire General Yun. But my family has brewed wine for generations, and for the sake of our livelihood, the continued growth of the Mao Town winery benefits us.”

An Miao Tong sneered coldly, “At this point, still trying to please both sides.”

With only Tu Huaichen left to reveal his choice, the outcome seemed clear.

Mu Chuansheng rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to turn hostile. At Yun Zheng’s command, the Tusi’s great hall would be stained with blood.

The Yun family retainers held their breath, the air thick with tension.

A retainer of Chen Yuchong mocked, “You came in full force, and I thought you meant business. Turns out, you’re just paper tigers, utterly defeated and humiliated.”

Another jeered, “Chishui has long been under Chen’s control. Some still lost in the young lady’s fantasies refuse to wake up?”

“Don’t be so harsh. They used to be prosperous. But nowadays, strength speaks louder. Who remembers her now?”

Seeing Yun Zheng’s group seemingly out of options, Chen Yuchong’s followers grew more insolent.

The maid who had once been cowed by An Miao Tong’s gaze now looked at her with triumphant eyes.

The Yun retainers glared, about to draw their blades.

But Yun Zheng’s expression remained calm. Fixing serene eyes on Tu Huaichen, who had yet to reveal his vote, he said gravely, “Tu Huaichen, Earth Earth representative, what is your choice?”

Chen Yuchong suddenly felt a wave of unease.

Why was this man so composed still? Did he truly believe that the handful of troops he brought, combined with Jin Kaijia and Mu Chuansheng’s ragtag forces, could defeat the army of Chishui? Moreover, he still held a trump card; if he dared act, this time he would suffer a heavy loss.

Tu Huaichen took a deep breath and stepped forward slowly.

At that moment, a scene flashed through his mind:

“General Ye asked me to convey this: In the end, fine wine and beautiful women are mere trifles. Whether His Majesty’s mood turns to wrath or joy over this outdated winery depends entirely on his temper. Let me speak frankly—His Majesty’s realm faces so many troubles these days that one more is hardly significant.”

“So what?” Tu Huaichen replied. “No matter how much money you make, you must have the life to spend it. This painful lesson was learned when Chishui fell to the Shuixi rebels.”

“Are you afraid to die?”

“Those who survive these times have witnessed horrors far worse than death. Why fear it? As for making money, Chishui was prosperous under the Ye family’s stewardship. Nowadays, the winery’s profits are but a pittance.”

“More than a pittance—it’s like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

“Indeed. Although Chishui still has the winery, the Tusi’s oppressive levies have impoverished the people. The low-yield glutinous rice occupies much of the fertile land. These factors keep Chishui’s prosperity only superficial, nowhere near the glory of Ye Tianwang’s era.”

“Then I’m curious—if you recognize Chen Yuchong’s harm, why support him?”

“Because I know that prosperity is unreliable. In these times, only villains can lead the majority to survive.”

“Please elaborate.”

“Before the Shuixi rebels invaded, not a single Tusi warned us. Otherwise, with Chishui’s defenses, even a hasty battle would not have led to such an easy defeat. The Ye family would not have perished with the city.”

“And why not?”

“The other Tusi envied the Ye family and wanted a share of the spoils after their downfall. Also, the Ye family cared for the people, unlike those who treated them as slaves. This made them stand apart.”

“So, you’re bold enough to criticize the former Tusi?”

“No disrespect. After Chen took office, he actively allied with surrounding Tusi, ending Chishui’s isolation. Once, he even mediated to repel the Shuixi rebels defeated by General Yun. Recently, he has connected with Shao Jiechun, the Right Councillor of Sichuan. Only such a villain can lead most to survival.”

The newcomer finally chuckled wryly. “Such petty scoundrels call themselves villains in these chaotic times? Have you seen a true villain?”

“Could it be that you represent the true villain this time?”

“Indeed.”

“May I ask your honored name?”

“My family name is real, but I have no given name. I am Yun Si, the fourth-ranked retainer of General Yun Zheng’s mansion.”