The next day, Qian Jiaoniang summoned Xu Yizhao and the others who made daily rounds on the city wall, to meet at the prefectural office. She shared with them the idea she had conceived in the night. Those present, upon hearing it, all wore looks of contemplation.
After a while, one round-faced adviser exclaimed with delight: “Madam’s plan is feasible!”
Another long-faced adviser added: “But Madam’s status is too noble—how can you be used as bait?”
For it turned out, after much thought, Qian Jiaoniang had resolved to use herself as bait, to draw that venomous snake Meng Rang out from his hole.
Meng Rang would soon learn that Xing Muzheng had gone to Tongzhou. He might march there to join his son against Xing Muzheng, or he might turn to attack Pengzhou again. Xing Muzheng had left sufficient forces in Pengzhou to withstand a strong assault from Meng Rang. But that alone was not enough to win. If Meng Rang could be lured into a trap and captured, once the bandit king was seized, Xili would fall into chaos. Yet Meng Rang would not risk himself unless the prey was fat enough. Qian Jiaoniang thought, in the whole of Pengzhou City, who could be a bigger, fatter rabbit—no, bait—than herself?
At the prefectural office, two factions arose and quarreled. Some had long thought of such a plan, but had not dared speak it because of her identity. Now that Qian Jiaoniang had brought it up herself, they argued it was the perfect chance. Others feared for her safety, saying that if anything happened, Xing Muzheng would never forgive them.
Qian Jiaoniang laughed. “Your commander-in-chief has acted as bait himself—why can’t I? Only, I feel my plan still has flaws. All of you go back and deliberate carefully. Once the plan is watertight, we will act.”
The group agreed, and withdrew.
Li Qingquan said to her: “Madam, should we send word to the commander?”
Qian Jiaoniang replied: “The characters aren’t even written yet, no need to tell him. We can’t rely on him for everything. These generals are capable men—let’s see what they can do.”
Two days later, Xu Yizhao invited Qian Jiaoniang to the military camp’s main tent, where they explained the plan they had refined over the past two days. Qian Jiaoniang listened closely, raised many questions, and they answered each one. Some points they had not considered before were worked out on the spot. By sunset, after repeated deliberation, they all felt the plan was flawless.
Qian Jiaoniang struck the final word: “Good. Then we’ll do it this way!”
Li Qingquan said: “Madam, still, it would be wise to inform the commander and hear his opinion.” Though he too felt the plan excellent, he also knew how much Madam meant to the commander. This was indeed casting out a grand lure—but it was also exposing the commander’s greatest weakness.
Qian Jiaoniang said: “Of course he must know. But he will surely agree. I’ll write a letter shortly. Have Wu Shunzi take a few men to deliver it carefully—be sure no word leaks out.”
Having given these instructions, she turned to Xu Yizhao: “General Xu, starting tonight, let’s begin preparations.”
The first step of the plan was to let Meng Rang know that in Pengzhou City lived Xing Muzheng’s beloved wife—the wife so cherished that there was no one above her, nor below.
“How should I speak so that people will believe I am truly favored?”
That night, the prefectural office held a grand banquet, with the honored guest none other than the commander’s wife, Qian Jiaoniang. Qian Jiaoniang drank freely with the prefect’s wife and the gathered women, then beckoned Suier over to whisper her question.
Suier leaned close to her ear and said: “Madam, you cannot tell the truth about how you and the Marquis get along.”
Qian Jiaoniang had only just nodded when Suier continued: “If you told the truth, it would sound too excessive, so much so that people would think it false!”
Qian Jiaoniang turned her head to look at her. Suier spread her hands helplessly: “Madam, do you truly believe that in the whole Great Xie dynasty, there is another wife or concubine more favored than you? You hold both his public and private seals; the key to his private treasury is in your hand. In the inner court, there is no concubine or serving maid but you alone. For nearly two years now, he has abstained for your sake. If you were to ask for the moon, the Marquis wouldn’t give you stars instead! Not to mention others—even Her Majesty the Empress or the Noble Consort do not enjoy such honor. I once served a favored consort in the palace, and though she was said to hold the Emperor’s affection, even that could not compare to a fraction of the care the Marquis gives you!”
Qian Jiaoniang blinked. Could this truly be the blindness of one caught within?
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