Chapter 228: Cleanly
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
When Pei Zi Yun left, the sky had already turned dark and it was raining. He walked out of the door and looked at the government office across the street. Several restaurants were still open, as the lanterns that hung outside of their doors flickered brightly.
He then snickered to himself, "Ji Bei Hou, Chen Ping, you’ve pitted yourselves against me numerous times. This is a small retribution."
The Governor just needed half a sentence to be reminded that wiping out the pirates was a great deal. Regardless of who it was, they needed to see it through till the end smoothly, without any hiccups.
If Ji Bei Hou and the Japanese pirates were dragged into this situation, it might turn a good and joyous deed into one that entailed consequences. The entire situation would be stained by their deeds and would stink to high heaven. If Ji Bei Hou was dragged into this, he would find every way he could to reverse the blame and place it back on them. A conflict would ensue. When conflict ensued, where then will their rewards go?
Hence, killing those captives involved in this complicated scenario was the best thing to do.
Of course, the matter wouldn’t just end there. Either the Governor will lodge a formal secret complaint, or when this entire situation was over, Ji Bei Hou would be made accountable. Regardless, it was going to be difficult for Ji Bei Hou to maintain innocence.
And there was Chen Ping. If he didn’t do anything, that was fine. Getting involved in the plot along with Ji Bei Hou made him a guilty accomplice and stained him as well.
When Pei Zi Yun walked out, he saw Chen Ping pass by him. The both of them looked at each other as Chen Ping mounted his horse and rode away. His personal guards followed him closely.
Pei Zi Yun then turned around and looked at the official who had been tasked to escort him, "I thought he would have the guts to attack me here."
When he finished speaking, Pei Zi Yun broke out into laughter before he turned around to leave. Seeing such a tense situation, the official’s lips trembled before he gulped.
The pair turned around and left. The entire journey back was rainy, hence there were few people out on the streets. The official couldn’t help but sigh, "The banquet was extremely lively earlier, but it’s so cold now. What a way to come back to reality."
"When a person’s drunk, who can shake him out of it?" Pei Zi Yun smiled and nodded his head in agreement. Before long, they arrived at Fu Mansion. Fu Mansion was almost like his own home already.
After having some tea to dispel the effects of the alcohol, Pei Zi Yun turned around and laughed, "I’ve brought all the gold bars back, look."
As he finished speaking, he waved a hand and brought them into the living room. Indeed, there were many rows of boxes, each of them were filled with gold ingots. When the official saw this, he counted and realized that not a single ingot was missing. He then bowed, "Young master, I shall move this gold to the Crown Prince’s Palace and explain the situation to him. Do you have any other instructions for me?"
Pei Zi Yun nodded his head as he spoke, "I’ve not paid my respects to the Grand Princess in a long time. Can you deliver a note to her Palace, and inform them of my wish to pay my respects to her?"
Pei Zi Yun stood up and thought about what he was going to write before scribbling it down. He then laughed after completing the note, "Here you go, take it with you!"
Seeing the official leave, Pei Zi Yun stopped smiling and lit several candles, which shone brightly. Several moments later, He Qing Qing stepped in along with the old woman from the mountains as they both bowed to him.
"How have you been of late?" Pei Zi Yun asked.
Hearing his question, everything was silent for a moment before He Qing Qing stepped forward, "Young leader, our lives now are pretty good. However, we are not living very harmoniously with the locals here."
Pei Zi Yun then spoke out, "I understand how you feel. I’ve already acquired an island. We actually can move over there soon."
Hearing these words, He Qing Qing’s eyes lit up, "Does young leader wish to set up an independent state?"
Pei Zi Yun shook his hands and laughed out, "No it cannot be counted as independent, but self-sufficient, yes. There are too many dangers and threats to stay in Slow River County."
"Besides, you won’t be able to adapt well here anyway."
"He Qing Qing, I now order you to take charge of matters on Golden Island, and help me to organize the island."
"Yes, young leader. I shall do everything I can." He Qing Qing hurriedly replied.
"I’ve prepared 6,000 silver taels for you. All this shall be used for you to build houses, shrines, monasteries and all the other necessities."
"Yes, young leader."
"All of you should help He Qing Qing as well." Pei Zi Yun instructed.
"Yes." The old lady replied.
Seeing them walk away happily, Pei Zi Yun exhaled a sigh of relief. If He Qing Qing manages to settle everything smoothly, they would have their own island to themselves, away from disturbances. They wouldn’t be pressured to conform to the culture here, and continue their own traditions.
He then called for Chen Yuan as well, and handed him a stack of papers before thinking of a title for it, "This is the Pirates Annihilation Journal. Think of a way to publish and spread it!"
This was his way of gaining coverage for his own writings. Chen Yuan hurriedly acknowledged, "Yes, young master."
He then asked suspiciously, "Isn’t young master going to return to Slow River County?"
"Not for now. I have to take my seat in Free Cloud Sect. I shan’t be returning for some time." Pei Zi Yun sighed, he knew that he was facing tough times, in spite of the fact that he had just achieved success. Besides, he had offended several people as well, including Chen Ping.
As he left, he then thought, "I wonder what’s happening within the capital city now?"
Crown Prince’s Palace
The journey to the Crown Prince’s Palace was smooth as it turned dark in the blink of an eye. Several horse carts arrived outside the palace where the official’s men were waiting. Seven or eight men waited outside before they carried the boxes of gold into a side chamber of the palace.
A eunuch left the side chamber after he noticed that everything had gone smoothly. He then entered the Crown Prince’s study room. The Crown Prince read some documents, while his concubine prepared ink.
The eunuch walked in and reported, "Crown Prince, Official Xu has arrived."
He then handed the note over to him. When the Crown Prince took the note, he read it quickly before he shouted in elation, "To the side chambers!"
"Yes, Crown Prince, your Highness."
Several eunuchs led the way to the side chambers while the guards stood along the side. Along the way, the official greeted the Crown Prince and bowed deeply before he took over the task of leading the Crown Prince. When they reached the chambers, he opened a box, "Crown Prince, this is 2,000 taels of gold which has been given to you."
When the Crown Prince bent closer, he saw the gold ingots glimmer in the dark. The sight of this stirred him as he reached a hand out to touch the ingots, and felt that they were extremely cold.
The Crown Prince then ordered, "Open up all the boxes."
The official opened up the three boxes. Seeing that it was all gold, he inhaled deeply and beamed at it without speaking.
A Canton Prince would receive 5,000 taels of silver and 5,000 stones of grain. A Region Prince would receive 1,000 taels of silver and 1,000 stones of grain. King Lu receives 10,000 taels of silver. Additionally, he has several dozens of farms under his name. His total yearly income can amount up to 80,000 taels.
The Crown Prince received an annual income of 20,000 taels per year. As of late, he has gained more people who support his cause, thus increasing his income. However, his daily expenditures are extremely high as well, in order to maintain his lifestyle as befitting of a crown prince. Being under public scrutiny would mean that it would be difficult for him to accept bribes. At this point, receiving 2,000 taels of gold, which was the equivalent of 20,000 taels of silver, the extermination of the pirates and the seizure of their loot was a great help to him!
"You’ve been out at sea, tell me everything that happened. I would never get a chance to be out at sea again." The Crown Prince said.
Hearing these words, the official hurriedly replied, "The Crown Prince is too important and far too valued to ever risk his life out at sea. It’s good that you won’t ever go. It’s good that you won’t ever go!"
"Besides, the battles fought while on the boat are extremely rocky and bumpy. When this humble subject first boarded the boat, he couldn’t sleep for many days." The official spoke in a grave tone, "Crown Prince, this humble subject has seen Top Scorer Pei fight numerous of battles until he completely vanquished the pirates. Although it only spanned a short duration, it wasn’t easy at all."
The Crown Prince sighed, "It must’ve been hard on you as well."
"As long as the Crown Prince has orders, this humble subject will never find it hard." The official replied.
Hearing these words, the Crown Prince laughed, "Haha, even if you knew how to fight, being out at sea must be interesting. It’s such a shame I would never get to see the splendor of the sea."
The Crown Price then picked up a gold ingot and sighed, "Even though I’m part of the royal family, I have people watching me every moment, and have such little freedom. I cannot even do as I please, for fear that someone would report any mistake to the Imperial Court. At least this gold has eased some of my problems."
Hearing the Crown Prince speak this way, the official stood by his side and didn’t speak for some time. After a while, he then spoke again, "Crown Prince, this is the record of the voyage."
The Crown Prince took the documents and looked at it for a long time before asking, "What else has he asked you to do?"
"Crown Prince, Top Scorer Pei has requested for me to deliver 1,000 taels of silver to the Grand Princess." He then continued, "And 300 taels of silver to Minister Li."
"Oh? Is that so?" The Crown Prince took several steps before laughing, "I understand. Be on your way then."
"Yes, Crown Prince."
Grand Princess Palace
The night brought along a wave of silence with it. A single oxcart arrived outside the main entrance of the palace. As the oxcart halted, several shadows could be seen moving boxes into the palace.
The Grand Princess was within one of the rooms, where long red curtains draped the interior of it and lined her bed frame, blocking her from view as she lay down on the bed.
Several servants stood by the side as a young serving maid was massaging the shoulders of the Grand Princess. The Grand Princess held onto a single grape as the other hand flipped through some documents. The documents pertained to the matter about Pei Zi Yun being conferred the title of Dao Master.
At this point, the Grand Princess was frowning, but the official didn’t dare to look up. He was on his knees, and waited for her to speak to him first.
After a long pause, the Grand Princess asked, "Pei Zi Yun requests to be given the Dao Master status?"
The official replied, "Yes, Grand Princess, your Highness. After Pei Zi Yun helped the Governor to exterminate the pirates, the Governor agreed to request for the title on his behalf. This time, he’d hoped you would endorse it as well."
Hearing these words, the Grand Princess laughed, "I know. You can leave now."
"Yes, Grand Princess." The official replied before leaving.
A True Sovereign was the equivalent of a Count, and was of the third rank. A Dao Master was only of the seventh rank. This was simple. The Crown Prince didn’t need to endorse this for it to be passed. In fact, the Grand Princess didn’t even have to do much.
At this point, she called out, "Who else did Pei Zi Yun ask for these silver taels to be delivered to, apart from myself and the Crown Prince?"
Hearing this question, the official stopped in his tracks and replied, "Grand Princess, your Highness, there’s also Minister Li, to whom 300 taels of silver will be given."
The Grand Princess paused. With the Governor’s recommendation to the Emperor, along with Minister Li’s support, this matter can be resolved easily. Then giving these silver taels to her and gold to the Crown Prince, was purely just giving it freely, without needing anything in return.
The Grand Princess paced several steps as she sighed, "You helped the Crown Prince to monitor everything that happened on board, there must’ve been some records. Tell me everything that happened then. I would like hear your stories for my amusement."
The official then retrieved a notebook, "Grand Princess, all the details of this attack on the pirates are recorded here within this book. You can read it anytime you are free."
"Oh, there’s a notebook where everything is recorded? Give it here." The Grand Princess instructed as the official handed it over to her. Seeing that there was nothing left to say, he backed away and left.
Realizing that nobody was around anymore, she picked up the notebook and read it.
The penmanship was average at best, and the person who wrote this wasn’t particularly talented in literary skills as well. However, it was extremely detailed, with more than 10,000 words written. Everything was described in painstaking detail, and was so accurate it almost felt lifelike.
"Acquired the Emperor’s Banners, chose his own captains, beheaded a disobedient soldier to make an example out of him."
"Left for sea abruptly and struck expeditiously with devastating effects. Managed to attack Sentry Island and won a quick victory which gave morale to soldiers."
"Intentionally left the islands much later, so as to entice the pirates to chase after them, slaughtered the pirates in the rain."
"Rushed to the next island, conquered the island within a single night and killed the lead pirate."
"Fought off and defended against the pirate’s counterattack."
"At last, waited outside the port for the Governor to welcome them."
When the Grand Princess had finished reading this, her body trembled. She didn’t really understand military affairs, and yet understood that the methods used this time was extremely deliberate and efficient.
"He’s such a talented person. Only a pity that he was born ten years too late…" She then looked far into the pitch-black night, before she let out a sigh after a long time.