Chapter 331

Chapter 332: He Sent People To Kill Me

A few dozen steps from Ning Xiang Courtyard, in Ning Cui Courtyard, five young men were listening with open delight to Tang Mo. They had never heard any of the unsavory rumors about him; they only knew this cousin served outside the household and was capable, and they had long wanted to meet him.

Seeing the wind-and-frost marks across his face and his lips dry and cracked, even after he had done his best to tidy up, they could tell at a glance that he had suffered bitter hardship. The thought flashed through them that a marquis’s son who lacked for nothing could still endure so much; [their own studying was not truly diligent, and there was room to improve].

Even Tang Yu looked at Tang Mo with new respect.

Tang Yu asked: “I heard your post often deals with people from all walks of life. Is it dangerous?”

Tang Mo, doing his best to project steadiness, answered: “There is some danger. The capital has a million people, and all kinds of characters. It is inevitable we encounter the vicious and ruthless. But if we do not stand at the front, the ones who suffer will be the common folk. The Emperor will not tolerate evildoers running wild beneath his very eyes. There is some danger, yes, but it truly tempers a man.”

He added, speaking frankly to his uncle: “To be honest, I used to be mediocre in both letters and arms, far inferior to my younger cousins. When I first went to the Northern Garrison Army I was ill at ease everywhere. After getting through it, one simply grows used to it.”

Tang Yu knew a fair bit about Tang Mo and nodded with considerable approval, saying: “You can put aside your airs and you can endure hardship. Then you deserve a place in the Northern Garrison Army.”

He continued with earnest weight: “I only hope your younger cousins learn even a fraction from you. Though the marquisate is a support, you must still do your utmost in the tasks at hand. Only when you have sufficient ability will the marquisate’s help be icing on the cake. Otherwise, even if the marquisate gives full support but you yourself are not up to the task, it will all be for nothing.”

All five young men nodded in agreement; they felt this truth deeply.

At home they occasionally mentioned that they were connected to the marquisate, but they knew in their hearts that the marquisate was distant and the light they could borrow was limited. Over these years the marquisate had not taken the initiative to lift them; the attitude was plain enough to see. The attention they enjoyed now had come because they had first stood on their own feet, and the marquisate had seen value in them.

Tang Mo asked with interest: “I heard you younger cousins will go to Qian Men Academy after the New Year to study?”

Tang Yu’s face warmed with a smile as he said that Tang Gang had already arranged everything. The five brothers had also passed the Scholars’ Academy dean’s entrance assessment and would complete their admission after the New Year.

Tang Mo immediately introduced Wang Shi: “My cousin studies at Qian Men Academy and is a favored pupil of their master. I will introduce you. Later, when you move on to the Imperial Academy, he can also look after you.”

He added: “And you have met my cousin Yao Ming, yes? He is someone who passed the Imperial Examinations in proper form. I will invite him to give you a few pointers as well. As long as we prepare well, two years from now your names will certainly be on the list.”

The five young men cupped their hands in thanks: “Many thanks, Cousin.”

Tang Mo laughed, waving off the formality: “We are all one family. No need for politeness. In a couple of days I will take you out for a few rounds of wine. Since you will remain in the capital, do not bury yourselves solely in books without minding anything else. You must also cultivate the give-and-take of social ties and make good friends. It will help your official careers later.”

At this moment Tang Yu could not have been more satisfied with Tang Mo. The five young men had to build friendships in the capital, and the first steps had to be led by the marquisate. Originally he had placed his hopes on Tang Rong, but now, even if Tang Rong intended to take them out to make connections, he would not feel at ease. In these few days, with all he had seen and heard, and coupled with the rumors outside, he weighed matters carefully and kept his own scale in mind.

He urged the five: “Hurry and thank your Second Cousin properly. With him leading you, it will be a tremendous help. Who besides family would think of you like this?”

The brothers offered another round of thanks. Just then Xin An arrived with three young ladies to invite them to dine.

Tang Mo smiled: “I was just saying I should introduce Cousin Wang Shi to you, and here comes the opportunity.”

He added to his younger cousins with a grin: “Your sister-in-law’s Herbal Cuisine Pavilion serves excellent broths, truly nourishing. Remember to drink two extra bowls.”

The five young men thanked him cheerfully. Xin An teased with a laugh: “Do not listen to your cousin too much. His skin is thick. Whatever belongs to him, once he starts boasting, there is no stopping him.”

The three young ladies curved their eyes with smiles. They had met Second Cousin earlier and already felt he was a rather amusing person.

Husband and wife spent the whole morning tucked away in Ning Cui Courtyard talking. When Tang Gang returned to the manor and sent someone to summon Tang Mo, Tang Mo went to the front court in high spirits. Tang Rong had made a move against him again and was spreading rumors. He needed to go make a few barbed remarks in front of the old man to stake out his stance, [he had to step before the old man and let his meaning be clear].

He grumbled as he went: “He is very good at picking his moment. Every time he chooses when I am not around. What, does he think that if I am away he can gain some great advantage?”

He added dryly: “He says I did this and that to him and how pitiful he is, whereas I have faced repeated assassination attempts. Can I not say it was he who sent the killers?”

He sneered: “He hides in his own courtyard and never goes out. The moment he sees me show the least bit of promise he grows murderous. Explain it that way and it sounds perfectly reasonable.”

He looked at his father and asked with provocative seriousness: “Father, do you think it was he who sent people to kill me?”

Tang Gang had meant to discuss his next steps with him, but before he could say a single word, this rascal had already run his mouth at length. He snapped: “Nonsense. Can you say such things at random?”

In his heart he thought that even if the elder son disliked the second, he would not go so far as murder. [He prided himself on understanding Tang Rong.]

Tang Mo held his ground: “Anyway I think so. Father, investigate for me and you will know. Best of all would be if those men come to kill me again. Let me catch one alive and the person behind it will not be able to hide.”

Tang Gang glared: “Can you not wish yourself something better?”

He shot him a look: “Sit properly. You are a deputy commander. What sort of posture is that? Sit right. I have serious matters to tell you.”

The Emperor had a mind to have Tang Mo work under Liao Zhi. This was not necessarily a good thing for the marquisate, but it was certainly not wholly bad either. Even aside from Tang Mo, Tang Gang had to plan for the marquisate’s future.

He said gravely: “There are matters you must understand, or you will blunder about like a hothead and not even know when you are being sold.”

Tang Mo immediately drew his legs in and sat up straight, adopting a posture of respectful attention. He was more than willing to listen to anything that would benefit him.

Tang Gang first laid out the situation at the Imperial Court, the various factions, then focused on the Emperor’s temperament and on Liao Zhi’s role in the Emperor’s eyes: the favor was real favor, and the wariness was real wariness.

He continued: “The Liao family’s old master is a formidable campaigner, but he lost his head. His household was a mess, and he even fancied he could sway the Emperor’s thinking. Liao Zhi’s father was even more foolish. When Liao Zhi was already being heavily employed, the father schemed to cut his own son down. Father and son together tried to put Liao Zhi to death.”

He went on: “Liao Zhi is ruthless. He knew exactly where the Emperor’s patience lay, and he knew that without him, those two would sooner or later drag the whole clan into ruin. So he simply entered the palace. On the second day after he left the palace, the Liao father and son were thrown into the imperial prison, one after the other. The heads may have fallen by the Emperor’s blade, but the evidence that guided the blade was provided by Liao Zhi.”