Beauty, Power and Intrigue Chapter 45

“Er…” Marquis of Wey hesitated. “An undertaking this dangerous… surely I should send someone else to do it.”

It was Song Chuyi who had come up with the plan. If anything happened to her, would all their efforts be for nothing? Although Marquis of Wey thought that, despite having devised such a scheme, Song Chuyi was still too young and might not have the ability to control the situation as a whole, he still could not allow a promising young man to come to harm.

“There is no one in Wey who knows Qin or the Qin people better than I do. The key to this plan is whether we can persuade Qin to send troops. If that fails, everything else will have been for nothing.” Song Chuyi had already thought this through. For anyone else, this mission to Qin might be nothing more than a dangerous undertaking. For her, however, it was both a danger and an opportunity.

Marquis of Wey hesitated and turned to Longgu Qing. “General, what do you think?”

Longgu Qing glanced at Song Chuyi. Before today, he had never truly taken her seriously. He had simply thought that Jiyu was far too invested in this person, who was, after all, little more than a child. Even if she had some ability, she would still need time to develop it. But today, his opinion had been completely overturned. This half-grown child possessed the intellect and ability of a fully grown scholar-official.

“I believe this matter is of great importance. We must make certain that nothing can go wrong.” Longgu Qing cupped his hands.

“The old general is right.” Marquis of Wey valued capable people, but if he could avenge himself for that blow, what did it matter if he lost one or two talented individuals? Having been reminded of this, Marquis of Wey immediately agreed.

Song Chuyi raised her brows slightly, lowered her head, and took a sip of tea.

Excited, Marquis of Wey leaned forward. “I shall have your travel provisions prepared tomorrow at once. As our envoy to Qin, will you need money, or perhaps beautiful women?”

Song Chuyi set down her teacup and sat upright. “This is a secret mission, so everything should be kept simple. My lord need only prepare a state letter that will allow me to gain an audience with the ruler of Qin.”

“Good.” The fact that he would not have to provide money or beautiful women pleased Marquis of Wey even more. He immediately said, “General Longgu, I hereby appoint Master Huaijin as Wey’s special envoy to Qin. This mission is to be kept secret. You will make the necessary preparations for his journey. Once I have discussed the matter with the Senior Official, I shall have the state letter prepared tomorrow and sent to his residence.”

Seeing Marquis of Wey say this, Song Chuyi immediately added, “I have one more request.”

Marquis of Wey’s expression grew serious. “What is it?”

“My mission to Qin will inevitably be fraught with danger. Therefore, I ask my lord to keep this matter strictly confidential until I have reached Qin. It must not be allowed to leak. Otherwise, if I am intercepted and killed along the way, I fear…” There was no need for Song Chuyi to spell out the consequences. Her chances of survival would be slim indeed.

“Not even the Senior Official and the others may be consulted?” Marquis of Wey asked, somewhat troubled. In recent years, Wey had lacked the strength to resist foreign enemies, and could only rely on the Senior Official, Gongsun Jian, to handle its diplomatic affairs. Marquis of Wey placed great trust in him.

Song Chuyi said solemnly, “There is no way to guard against loose tongues. This matter absolutely cannot be allowed to leak. Wey has lost most of its territory this time, but fortunately, our army’s fighting strength remains intact, so we still have a chance to fight back. But if we let this opportunity slip, and Wey loses more territory next time, do you think our state will still have any chance of recovering?

“What is more, Wey’s territory borders Wei, and there is little difference between the customs and traditions of the two states. The people could easily be assimilated into Wei. Given enough time, the people of Wey would become people of Wei. Even if we were given the chance to reclaim our territory then, how long would it take Wey to bring the land and its people back under our rule? Could Wey afford to wait that long?”

Once common people became accustomed to another state’s system of governance, changing their ways would require a great deal of time and effort. Sometimes, it could take one or even two generations before newly reclaimed land and its population could truly be reintegrated into their original state.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Wei. If word gets out and our efforts end in failure, would my lord not consider that a terrible waste?” Seeing Marquis of Wey beginning to waver, Song Chuyi continued, “Once I have safely reached Qin, my lord may discuss the matter with the Senior Official. I can wait in Qin for the outcome of your deliberations. If my lord decides that you do not wish to avenge this humiliation, I will have no objection.”

“We must have our revenge.” Hearing this, Marquis of Wey immediately nodded in agreement. “Very well. We shall do exactly as you say.”

Song Chuyi bowed. “My lord is wise.”

Marquis of Wey had originally summoned Song Chuyi after hearing her plan and being stirred by General Longgu’s fervor. His blood had been running hot, and he wanted to hear the details of her strategy before discussing the matter with the Senior Official and the others and making a final decision.

But Song Chuyi’s words were simply too persuasive. Before he even realized it, he had agreed to everything with delight.

After leaving the Wey palace, General Longgu Qing invited Song Chuyi to ride with him in the same carriage.

There was little wind among the streets and alleys, and the carriage moved at an unhurried pace through the falling snow.

Longgu Qing studied Song Chuyi at close range for a while before asking, “Master, is it truly because you fear being intercepted and killed by enemy troops that you did not want the Senior Official to know?”

“Of course.” Song Chuyi smiled calmly. The mist from her breath drifted away in the cold air. Since Longgu Qing had his suspicions, she saw no reason to hide the truth. “But I am not merely guarding against an ambush by enemy troops. I am also guarding against an assassination ordered by the Senior Official.”

Longgu Qing had faintly suspected as much, but he was still somewhat surprised to hear it confirmed. After all, Song Chuyi had been in Wei for less than two days. How could she already know so much about the situation there?

“Are you puzzled, General?” Song Chuyi’s eyes curved as she looked at him with a smile. “Actually, it was not difficult to guess. I read through one or two volumes of records in the study, and they were filled with references to the Senior Official. And I heard Wumei and the others say that you and the Senior Official are constantly at odds. I imagine that is because you disagree over whether Wey should go to war or seek peace?”

Gongsun Jian was stubbornly committed to peace and would never permit such a risky scheme. Moreover, he was extremely self-important, believing that Wey would collapse the moment he was gone. How could someone like that tolerate a plan so completely contrary to his own ideas?

“You read them? Weren’t you playing liubo?” Longgu Qing asked in surprise.

Song Chuyi widened her eyes and feigned astonishment. “So you have seen through everything we were doing?”

Longgu Qing froze for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter. He patted her on the shoulder. “You sly little rascal. You led me right into your trap!”

Song Chuyi grinned. “I would never dare.”

The features of boys and girls were often quite similar at that age. Song Chuyi was still at that age herself, and with her mannerisms and bearing so thoroughly masculine, not to mention her learning and breadth of knowledge, it would never have occurred to an ordinary person that she was a girl.

Even after studying her at such close range for quite some time, Longgu Qing had not the slightest suspicion. He simply saw a child about the same age as his own grandson, quick-witted yet possessed of a calmness and meticulousness far beyond her years. Unable to help himself, Longgu Qing felt a genuine appreciation for her talent, and his attitude toward Song Chuyi softened considerably.

“Though I am but a soldier, I have quite a collection of books in my residence. If you have the time, ask Yi Shikui to take you to the main library.”

“Thank you, General.” Song Chuyi cupped her hands.

Longgu Qing nodded slightly and began asking in detail about Song Chuyi’s background. He was genuinely curious what sort of family could produce such a talented young man.

Song Chuyi carefully weighed her answers, saying only that she was from Song, that she no longer had any parents, and that she had left home to study under a teacher when she was young.

Longgu Qing asked again, “Master Huaijin, who was your teacher?”

Song Chuyi answered respectfully and earnestly, “Whether I accomplish anything in this life or not, I will never speak of my teacher or school.”

During the Spring and Autumn period, a hundred schools of thought had competed for influence, and by the Warring States period, the teachings of the various schools and traditions had developed into mature systems. Many schools had unusual rules concerning their disciples. Taking Song Chuyi’s words as simply one such rule of her school, Longgu Qing moved on.

“I have a grandson, my legitimate heir, who is about your age. Unfortunately, he is terribly unruly. Your knowledge and insight are extraordinary, and it is rare to find someone so composed at your age. One day, I shall introduce the two of you. Do me a favor and teach that little rascal a thing or two.”