Chapter 26 - Master and Servant
Year 211th of the Ruen Dynasty.
The first snowfall of the year came unexpectedly early. That night, the heavy snow muffled the hubbub of the capital. The imperial city rested like a giant beast slumbering under a snowy blanket.
The current Emperor, Chen Kaiming, was more than sixty years old. In his palace, he lay in bed, covered by a thick golden quilt, resting his tired eyes.
The esteemed Eunuch Yue, Yue Dou, stood motionless by the Emperor's side, his head bowed deferentially. He was unaware of just how long he had been waiting. He wore a sapphire-blue robe embroidered with cranes and a high hat adorned with peacock feathers.
"Your Majesty, the medicine is getting cold," Eunuch Yue said softly.
"Mm…" After a long while, the old man opened his eyes slightly. "Bring it over."
Eunuch Yue bent down to help the old man sit up and placed a pillow behind him. He then carefully picked up a small bowl filled with a dark liquid from a stool behind him. Eunuch Yue meticulously stirred the liquid with a spoon, and the bitter fragrance of the herbal medicine pervaded the room.
Eunuch Yue scooped up a spoonful, lightly blew on it, and brought it before the old man's mouth.
The old man smelled the medicine and drank it with a frown. He said, "Next time, let the imperial physician add more rock sugar."
Eunuch Yue scooped up another spoonful and said with a sympathetic smile, "Your Majesty, I know you dislike bitterness. I have already instructed the imperial physician to add rock sugar, but adding any more might affect the medicine's efficacy… For the sake of preserving your health, please endure it."
The old man coughed hoarsely after swallowing another spoonful as if he had phlegm lodged in his throat.
Eunuch Yue hurriedly set down the bowl and patted the old man on the back to help him breathe more easily.
The old man’s coughing fit calmed down. He sighed deeply and said, "Ah Dou… you know me the best… You’ve been by my side since before I was made crown prince. It's nearly been fifty years…"
"Fifty-two years now... Your Majesty," Eunuch Yue said with his eyes lowered.
The old man gave a slight smile and said, "Yes… it's been fifty-two years…"
Eunuch Yue scooped up another spoonful of medicine and handed it to the old man, who drank it with his head bowed.
"Ah Dou… do you think… I was a wise ruler?" In his bed, the old man looked at the ceiling, lost in thought. "After all these years on the throne… it seems I haven’t accomplished anything significant…"
"Your Majesty, you are being too critical. Under your reign, the country has been peaceful, and the people have been prosperous… Is that not the greatest accomplishment?" Eunuch Yue answered gently as he continued to serve the old man his medicine.
"Ah Dou… don’t try to flatter me. You should know what my greatest regret is," the old man said as he shook his head and pushed the spoonful of medicine away. "No more of that."
"Your Majesty." Eunuch Yue sighed and set down the small bowl. "Your greatest regret is that you were unable to expand the territory of the Ruen Dynasty."
Eunuch Yue remained silent for a few moments before adding, "The crown prince is talented and intelligent. He is certain to accomplish great things in the future."
The old man waved his hand and said, "Xun’er is my son, how could I not understand his temperament? Xun’er’s nature is too soft… In the future, you will need to assist him well."
Eunuch Yue scrunched his nose, forced a smile, and said, "Your Majesty, don’t say such things. You deserve to live for a hundred years."
The old man chuckled but a hint of self-deprecation crept through. "Live to a hundred… Ah Dou… I know my own body."
Eunuch Yue tried to force a light-hearted laugh, but there seemed to be a stone stuck in his throat that prevented him from laughing along.
The ailing Emperor waved his hand. "Forget it… Let’s not talk about this—By the way, have there been any developments with the Ghostbane Association incident?"
"The culprit has been confirmed." Eunuch Yue fixed his expression. "It was Stormqueller."
"Stormqueller?"
"The one with the blade... His name is Ye Beizhi," Eunuch Yue reminded.
"Ye Beizhi? I know him." The old man seemed to recall something, "He is the one from the Flying Mallard Battalion, isn’t he?"
Eunuch Yue bowed and said, "Yes, it is indeed that Ye Beizhi, the sole surviving member from the Flying Mallard Battalion."
The old man sighed, "You speak of peace and prosperity, yet battles break out every year at the border. Every winter, when the northern barbarians run low on food, they raid our borders… The Flying Mallard Battalion incident also happened during one of those winter raids, didn’t it?"
Eunuch Yue became even more respectful. "Yes. Three years ago, the Flying Mallard Battalion held off the enemy's main army and valiantly fought to the death. Except for Ye Beizhi, the other four hundred and ninety-nine members all perished, and the camp was eventually disbanded... From then on, the Flying Mallard Battalion ceased to exist."
"These people… they died for the Ruen Dynasty." The old man sighed again. "What happened next? Was there compensation? Was everything settled properly?"
"About that…" Eunuch Yue thought for a moment, "At that time, I was not in charge of this matter. It was handled by the Ministry of Revenue."
The old man nodded. "Go and inquire about this matter. These people died for the Run Dynasty, and we cannot neglect them."
"I will remember." Eunuch Yue nodded firmly.
"But I don't understand," the old man said in confusion, "Stormqueller doesn’t seem like a man who revels in killing. How could he commit such an act?"
"I can’t figure it out either," Eunuch Yue said. "But people have been sent to investigate, and Minister Qi is also following up on the matter. Results should be forthcoming."
"Qi Zongbi…" The old man frowned at the name. "Qi Zongbi is ambitious and capable, but he cares too much about his personal gains. He has repeatedly advised me to declare a war with the North… War, a war!
"He doesn’t consider whether our soldiers can survive! He only knows that the Northern Qiang forces face food shortages in the winter but doesn’t realize they are accustomed to the cold conditions. How will our soldiers fight them?!” By the end, the old man was so infuriated that he fell into another violent coughing fit. He pounded the bed rail in agitation.
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Eunuch Yue quickly patted the old man’s back to help him get his breathing under control. "Your health is precious. I will persuade Minister Qi again. I believe he is not an unreasonable person…"
"Qi Zongbi is as stubborn as a mule!" The old man’s coughing hadn’t stopped, and he began to curse again. "So obstinate!"
Eunuch Yue soothed the old man’s breathing, carefully helping him lie back down. The old man, having spoken for so long, seemed drained, but there was still some tension in his eyes.
"Ah Dou… keep a closer watch on the Ghostbane Association. We must not let such incidents occur again… You should know… they will be useful in the future…"
Hearing this, Eunuch Yue was momentarily stunned, then softly replied, "I understand, Your Majesty."
The emperor lay on the bed, closed his eyes, and waved his hand.
Although the old man had his eyes closed, Eunuch Yue bowed deeply before he backed out of the room and closed the door behind him.
The old man lying on the bed seemed to be asleep, but he still fretted over the future of the Ruen Dynasty.
"... for my people."
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