Chapter Ten: The Martial Emperor’s Astonishment

"That won’t cause any trouble, right?" Madam Cui suddenly grew anxious.

She had witnessed her eldest son’s little schemes for many years—how could she not know? Such mischief was nothing new; they were trivial at ordinary times, but when life and death hung in the balance, she could still discern what truly mattered.

After all, she knew better than anyone the lavish lifestyle of the General of the Western Garrison’s household. It was worlds apart from the modest means supported by Li Hu’s salary.

"It’s not the first time!" Li Hu, though worried, believed it could be smoothed over. Then, glaring fiercely at his eldest son, Li Siming, he snarled:

"You unfilial wretch! The capital is in turmoil lately. Behave yourself!"

Li Siming, unable to distinguish between the major and minor issues, kept harping on about Li Wenxuan:

"Father! That Li Wenxuan is so arrogant and overbearing, disrespecting his parents and elder brothers. I—"

"You unfilial son! After all the military strategies you’ve learned, don’t you understand the virtue of patience?" Li Hu scolded angrily. "Once this crisis is over, you can deal with him as you please."

"Enough. It’s late; I must leave. I can’t keep my father-in-law waiting!" Li Hu said as he strode away.

Watching Li Hu’s retreating figure, Li Siming hurriedly stood up, wiped the blood smeared across his face with his sleeve, and, though nearly twenty, spoke to Madam Cui in a tone as coquettish as a little girl:

"Mother, I don’t care. I want that brat Li Wenxuan to pay."

Madam Cui looked at her son’s pathetic expression, her eyes filled with venomous hatred.

"Hmph, your father’s courage has grown ever smaller these years... Come closer, let me tell you: first go... then later... I guarantee that boy will wish he were dead."

"Mother, you love me best. I’m going now!"

"Your injury—"

"It’s nothing, mother!"

In a flash, Li Siming was gone.

Madam Cui, as if used to such scenes, brushed off her sleeves and sneered contemptuously:

"You little beast, do you really think because your father swore before our ancestors not to make a move, no one can deal with you?"

***

On Zhuque Street.

Emperor Wu, accompanied by Chief Steward Li and a group of undercover palace guards disguised as ordinary passersby, had just settled at a street tea stall near the Golden Tower when a figure wearing a short coat stealthily approached Chief Steward Li’s ear and whispered something.

After hearing this, Chief Steward Li scratched his itchy warm ear in surprise and said to the informant, disguised as a servant:

"Don’t get so close to my ear next time, it tickles!"

The informant nearly knelt in apology on the spot.

But Chief Steward Li grabbed his arm with one hand and chuckled softly:

"You know me well enough to recognize when I’m teasing. This was handled well; go claim your reward!"

"Thank you, Supervisor!"

The informant, ecstatic, slipped away swiftly, vanishing into the crowd within moments.

Seeing this, a flicker of satisfaction flashed in Emperor Wu’s eyes.

With his keen sight, he had briefly locked onto that informant, but within a few breaths, the target was lost.

This proved that the Eastern Depot’s informants underwent special training.

Only one supervisor knew that the Emperor’s eyesight was never particularly good...

"Master!"

***

Emperor Wu had instructed to be mindful of titles when outside.

"You run the Eastern Depot well."

For Chief Steward Li, these words from the Emperor were the highest praise in the world.

Suppressing his excitement, he prepared to report, but Emperor Wu sipped the coarse tea from the stall and smiled, asking:

"Is it news about that youngster?"

"Your Majesty’s wisdom is unmatched!" Chief Steward Li nodded eagerly, lowering his voice a notch:

"The eldest son of the General of the Western Garrison, upon learning that his second brother Li Sicheng was bullied by Li Xiaoyou, gathered five sons of other nobles from the northern garrison camp and launched a surprise attack on Li Xiaoyou while he was asleep early this morning!"

Li Wenxuan had become Li Xiaoyou—a seemingly casual name, but it indicated Chief Steward Li’s favor for this young man who had unexpectedly drawn the Emperor’s attention.

The Emperor’s preferences were Chief Steward Li’s preferences.

"Oh? If I recall correctly, these men all held nominal military posts, but leaving the camp without permission is no minor offense."

Emperor Wu raised an eyebrow, his stern gaze radiating thunderous authority, but soon he laughed lightly, the rolling thunder dissipating into nothingness:

"Note this down. Let me guess: that boy had these men beaten so badly they couldn’t get out of bed?"

Though these were spoiled second-generation nobles, those holding military posts must have some skill.

They might not manage ten against one, but defeating three unarmed men wouldn’t be difficult for most.

Of course, Li Wenxuan was no ordinary man; he was once a master renowned across Blue Star’s Earth Village!

Chief Steward Li forced an awkward chuckle.

Emperor Wu’s smile faded slightly, his expression turning serious:

"Could it be these reckless second-generation heirs were beaten to death?"

Damn it!

I finally found a talented young man with literary flair, only to lose him just like that?

Li Hu, Li Hu, just wait for me to punish you!

"Master, you may not know, but Li Wenxuan wasn’t even scratched. Instead, he captured all those who ambushed him and made the General of the Western Garrison ransom them back at one hundred taels each..."

"Clink—"

Emperor Wu’s teacup tipped, the scalding tea spilling onto the table. Only then did he realize, abruptly dropping the cup and widening his dragon-like eyes at Chief Steward Li, disbelief and accusation coloring his tone:

"What! What did you say?"

Startled, Chief Steward Li hastily pulled out a clean, soft silk handkerchief from his sleeve and gently wiped the Emperor’s reddened hand.

"A speck of dust; why lose composure?"

Realizing his lapse, Emperor Wu resumed his grave imperial demeanor, waving his hand and concealing his swollen, burning hand in his voluminous sleeve, his expression growing more haughty...

Damn it!

Damn it!

That burn hurts!

What did Old Li just say?

Oh?

The boy reversed and defeated five mid-ranking officers from the northern camp?

Is that boy just ridiculously abnormal?

Or are my five mid-ranking officers simply too incompetent?

***

Chief Steward Li saw the Emperor’s solemn, ocean-deep expression and withdrew his hand, lowering his gaze:

"Your Majesty, this boy was still asleep when four men broke in through a window and door. He easily turned the tables, scaring Li Siming and another to flee like beaten dogs..."

Chief Steward Li found this too incredible himself. Swallowing nervously, he added:

"Li Xiaoyou was unharmed and even urinated hot urine on one of them’s face—"

Emperor Wu’s face twitched; in his heart, he cursed. It was outrageous that mid-ranking officers from the northern camp were scared into fleeing without a fight by this boy’s tactics!

Preposterous and infuriating!

Will they also run away when facing a stronger enemy on the battlefield?

Chief Steward Li was a capable man. He knew the Emperor had grown deeply interested in this Li boy.

He continued: "One of them threatened the boy by boasting his father’s position as the city gate commander, yet Li Xiaoyou simply kicked him unconscious..."

Though the title 'City Gate Commander' sounded minor, this official was responsible for all city defense affairs in the capital, ranking third grade—half a rank above the fourth-grade General of the Western Garrison, Li Hu.

For an unloved illegitimate son to have such audacity?

"Unafraid of power?" Emperor Wu’s eyes flickered with a faintly feral smile. He looked at Chief Steward Li and said frankly:

"You need more talents like this in the Eastern Depot!"

"Your Majesty is wise. The Eastern Depot lacks exactly such talents!" Chief Steward Li’s heart surged with waves of excitement. The Emperor surely placed too much faith in this boy!

Having served in the palace for years, he had nearly forgotten the hardships of the world.

An unloved bastard from a general’s household dared to trample on the son of a high-ranking official—how much courage must that take?

Chief Steward Li did not know.

But he knew how many posts in the Eastern Depot this Li boy could fill.

Yet, by the tea stall, Emperor Wu, once an illegitimate son himself, knew all too well the courage required.

"I’m just speaking offhand. Whether the second son can enter the Eastern Depot still depends on his performance at home," Emperor Wu smiled.

Chief Steward Li knew exactly what the Emperor meant.

Daring to strike against the powerful—that was the Eastern Depot’s mission.

But they must also uphold justice!

If the wrong-doers entered the Depot, it would be a disaster for the empire.

Perhaps this Li boy understood those second-generation heirs had violated military discipline by leaving camp without permission, thus daring to act as he did.

But if, in some crowded, watchful place, this boy still dared to wield his blade against the powerful in pursuit of elusive justice—how marvelous that would be!

We need talents like you in the Eastern Depot!

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I shall arrange a grand spectacle!"

Emperor Wu switched hands to lift his tea once more, sipped slowly, then set the cup down and rose.

"Excellent. When that boy arrives, I’ll be waiting to watch your grand performance!"