The Emperor Reigns Them All

Chapter 326 Differentiation

Li Keyong was the commissioner of Hedong, and he controlled the military and political power of Hedong. The official position of magistrate in Taiyuan was also in his hand. Apart from Li Keyong, the two vice magistrates in Taiyuan Prefecture had the highest real power.

Zhong Meili was one of those two young vice magistrates. He was in his fifties and was from prominent family in Taiyuan. His cultivation remained stagnant after reaching the Qi-refining Level 4, thus he had no hope of being promoted to the Qi-refining Level 5.

However, this did not hinder his stature. On the contrary, as a core figure representing the power of the Taiyuan native family and controlling power in the government office, Zhong Meili had a solid “mass foundation.”

All this could be attributed to his transcendent wisdom in the ways of the world.

Because of this, Zhong Mansion was always a place that was crowded with visitor. There were many high ranking officials, dignitaries and rich businessmen who would come and go during the ordinary days. Those who were not high in status and wealth did not have the privilege to enter Zhong Mansion, much less see Zhong Meili, who “ran everything”, and had a relationship with him and do business.

On this day, it was fine and windy. Zhong Meili’s favorite concubine, Wei, was leaning on the armchair and enjoying the sight of the blooming peony in the courtyard with a bunch of maidservants.

Wei was as beautiful as flowers and plump, but at the age of twenty-four to five, she was mature and charming. She was leaning against a wooden rail with her legs folded. Her voluptuous body saved nothing for the imagination. Her dress and makeup were extremely precious. None of her possessions were vulgar. The whole person was like a moving treasure house.

A maidservant dressed in silk and satin, holding a treasure box in her hand, quickly walked to Wei with pleasure, and handed the box with her hands. “Master, this is the best thing we received today.”

Wei slowly stretched out her hands that were as white as jade. She received the treasure box with her orchid fingers. Happiness immediately appeared on her face soon as she opened it. Inside was a jasper bracelet. The flower decoration was exquisite beyond comparison, which was the work of a great master.

Of course, the bracelet was not a big deal, and the essence was that this was a very high-ranking magic tool. An object like that was not usually available to someone of Wei’s identity

“What kind of person sent this?” Wei took up the bracelet, and she couldn’t let go of it, caressing it and trying it on.

The maidservant replied, “The man claims that he is a distant relative of master, and he has come especially to visit the master.”

Soon, a young man came to Wei.

This person was so good-looking that the word handsome could be used justly on him. He was the type of man that every woman was attracted to.

Wei smiled slightly. “Why don’t I remember I have a relative like you?”

The young man was well mannered. His smile was mild and kind, which made people feel extra gracious. “Madam, a great woman forgets many things. It’s not surprising that you cannot remember me, but my memory of you, madam, is so fresh.” Then he took out a treasure box with both hands. “This is my token. I believe that Madam will remember me your cousin when you see it.”

It was naturally not a token in the box, but a more precious magic tool than the bracelet. It was a jade hairpin, with both decorative and technique effects. Its value was at the state that even Zhong Meili could rarely see it.

Wei was a little ‘overwhelmed’. After accepting this magic tool smilingly, she suddenly “remembered” this distant cousin.

“Just tell me, what do you want me to do?” Wei asked cheerfully after receiving the gift.

She was quite experienced with the situation. Many people couldn’t directly contact Zhong Meili, so they would take the circuitous approach. Bribing and associating the wife and concubine were the most common choices. And Wei, as Zhong Meili’s favorite concubine, naturally a lot of people would fawn on her and give her gifts.

“As long as Madam introduces me to Vice Magistrate Zhong.” The young man bent his body and replied, and his smile was mellower.

“Who are you and where do you come from?” After a moment of groaning, Wei didn’t agree right away.

Anyone who could easily give away such a precious magic tool as a meeting gift was definitely someone powerful. At least their financial resources were still above Zhong Meili. What kind of things did such people need Zhong Meili to do?

The young man was straight forward. “Chang’an.”

The next day, the young man visited Zhong Mansion again. This time he enjoyed a completely different treatment from the day before. He was directly led by Wei’s maidservant to Wei’s courtyard, and Wei served up tea and cakes.

On the third day, when the young man went to Zhong mansion again, he saw Zhong Meili as he wished.

They sat across from each other. This time the young man did not pull out the magic tool, but directly presented a gift list.

The value of the gift list was priceless enough, but not too much to frighten Zhong Meili, so the two talked very well.

The young man claimed that he was a businessman in Chang’an. He had multiple cargo vans between Sanjin and Guanzhong. This time, he asked to see Zhong Meili because one of his vans was seized by the Taiyuan army, so he asked him to help release it.

During the war, this kind of thing was very common. After asking the cargo van’s name, size and varieties of goods, Zhong Meili agreed on the spot. Although Zhong Meili did not hold military power, but relying on his contacts in Taiyuan, as long as the cargo van was not out of line, this kind of thing was easy to him.

Soon the cargo van was released, and the goods were all returned. A few days later, the young man came to offer thanks with generous gifts, and Zhong Meili naturally welcomed him.

Gradually, they became familiar.

A young man who roamed all over the country would always have rare things. Some of them were not very valuable, but they were also interesting, and he would give Zhong Meili some from time to time.

In addition, he was well-informed and eloquent. And he had such graceful bearing, which was quite to Zhong Meili’s taste, so the relationship between them gradually got closer.

The young man’s shops and cargo vans in Taiyuan City were therefore taken care of by Taiyuan Mansion, which was very convenient.

On this day, the two banqueted at Zhong Mansion.

After drinking for a while, the young man sighed. “The world is changing and the battle fires are endless. I and other businessmen are finding it more difficult to survive. Right now, Prince An has invaded Hedong, even more than ten counties have been attacked within ten days. The battle fire has almost reached Taiyuan city and it’s not stopping any time soon. I’m afraid that my businesses in Hedong will not be able to continue, so I’d better be preparing to leave…”

Zhong Meili’s expression changed. “In ten days, more than ten counties have been conquered.” Of course, they were talking about the Imperial Army taking nearly ten counties in Qinzhou and Fenzhou, and many counties in Yizhou.

With the momentum of the Imperial Army, Taiyuan City would soon be attacked, which was concerning. Everyone would migrate to avoid military disasters, and businessmen must prepare early. Because after the army breaches the city, they would plunder the city, the first victims would be merchants with wealth.

Zhong Meili certainly did not want him to withdraw his shops and cargo vans in Taiyuan City. The two hadn’t known each other for a long time, but Zhong Meili had gained a lot of benefits from him. As long as they got along, he would have a steady stream of wealth in the future. But If he left, the benefits would be gone.

Zhong Meili hastened to persuade, “Hedong’s soldiers are strong enough, and General Li Cunxiao has been promoted to the rank of senior general of Militarism. No one under Li Ye’s command can match up with him. This battle will definitely not be lost. The opponent’s soldiers cannot attack to Taiyuan City. Brother Zhou, don’t worry!”

The young man’s name was Zhou Chuanwen, and he shook his head and sighed. “I’m afraid I can’t agree with vice magistrate’s words. Who is Li Cunxiao? I haven’t heard of him before. As for Prince An, the vice magistrate must have heard of him. Be it the old Prince An or new Prince An, have they ever been defeated when they fought the world from north to south?”

Zhong Meili froze for a moment, and he was unable to speak because it was a fact.

Zhou Chuanwen’s tone was heavy, “I have traveled the length and breadth of the country, making friends with heroes, and I have friends everywhere. Pinglu’s old friend wrote to me that the Prince An was ready to take the lead and would give Hedong a fatal blow at any time.”

“Chang’an also got wind that Your Majesty is about to send troops to aid Li Ye. Although they’re not exactly strong, they do have the imperial order. Thus they have the right to judge right and wrong. They will announce Hedong commissioner’s crimes before the battlefield, which would send a lethal blow to the soldiers!”

Zhong Meili opened her mouth. The weight of these two pieces of information was heavy. “Is that true?”

Zhou Chuanwen added, “It’s true! So I plan to collect the goods and prepare to leave. You know the saying, a cunning rabbit has three holes, it’s always better to be ready for the escape.”

Zhong Meili was silent for a long time, and then bitterly added, “A cunning rabbit has three holes, Brother Zhou is a wonderful person, and you still have a way out, but Hedong does not have one!”

Zhou Chuanwen’s eyes flashed. “Hedong doesn’t, but you, vice magistrate do!”

Zhong Meili frowned. “What do you mean, Brother Zhou?”

Zhou Chuanwen added, “In fact, Hedong has always had a second choice. The one that has no choice is Hedong commissioner!”

The meaning was quite clear.

Zhong Meili’s gaze was deep. “The Lord of Longxi is a talented man with a bright future…”

Zhou Chuanwen smiled. “In terms of brilliance and future, how can the Lord of Longxi County compare with Prince An?”

Zhong Meili was silent again. Even if he was optimistic about Li Keyong, he could not lie with his eyes open.

Zhou Chuanwen continued, “Furthermore, the Prince An represents the imperial court and has a righteous name.”

Zhong Meili did not speak for a while, and Zhou Chuanwen stopped speaking. Both were silent.

Suddenly, Zhong Meili looked at Zhou Chuanwen, his eyes were sharp like a sword, as if he wanted to see through him. “Who are you, really?”

Zhou Chuanwen was still smiling. “A businessman.”

“You are not quite an average businessman!” Zhong Mei Li said in a cold voice.

Zhou Chuanwen smiled a little brighter. “A businessman like a cunning rabbit with three caves naturally has friends at the court.” “For the people in the world, the biggest escape route in this world is the imperial court. Is there any reason to ignore it?”

Zhong Meili’s eyes were gloomy. “You really are a man of the imperial court! No, you are the Prince An’s! Tell me, what were you trying to do when you got close to me?”

He had the look that as long as there was a single jarring note in the conversation, Zhou Chuanwen would not be able to walk out of this room.

Zhou Chuanwen converged his smile with righteousness, and solemnly added, “I am the imperial court’s man, aren’t you, vice magistrate? It is the world of the Tang Empire. As a subject of the Tang Empire, is it not our duty to lend our allegiance to the imperial court?”

When he smiled, he gave people an intimacy feeling like a spring breeze. But when he was stern and righteous he was steady like a mountain, giving off a sense of admiration.

He slowly sipped his drink. Zhou Chuanwen looked at Zhong Meili, whose eyes were constantly changing. “As for why I am here, of course, I want to save the vice magistrate! Without me, vice magistrate’s life will be in danger. Because of my presence, vice magistrate will be able to realize your potential and shine in the future!”

This sentence was overbearing.

Zhong Meili’s face changed, and he added angrily, “Such big words! I want to see how you are worthy of saving me?” Then, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Zhou Chuanwen!

A 2.7-meter hand condensed with Spiritual Qi, carrying wind and electricity, came towards him in an instant. Its mighty power made you think that the other opponent would be crushed in the next moment!

At this moment, Zhong Meili’s cultivation was undoubtedly exposed. He was actually not of Qi-refining Level 4 that everyone knew, but Qi-refining Level 6 that had touched the upper threshold of Qi-refining high-level!

It turned out that he had been hiding his strength.

Zhou Chuanwen sat motionlessly, as if he didn’t notice the danger. Only the corner of his mouth moved slightly, he seemed in disdain. When he waved his sleeves, it was like fanning dust.

The big 2.7-meter hand made a slight noise, and disappeared instantly.

Zhong Meili, who was about to stand, suddenly felt like a large mountain was pressing down on his body. He fell back to the seat, and could not move anymore.

This shocked him so much. The opponent’s cultivation was so high that he could not compete with it at all. However, a cultivator of high-level Qi-refining already had the qualifications to take up the post of commissioner. How could he just be a merchant?

Zhong Meili’s words were difficult. “You, you…”

Zhou Chuanwen’s smile returned to mild, but his eyes had become playful. “Now does the vice magistrate thinks I am qualified to save you?”

Cold sweat rolled down Zhong Meili’s forehead.

Naturally, he didn’t attack out of anger and wanted to teach him a lesson. What he wanted was to probe his ability, to see if this guy with an extraordinary background was worthy of bragging.

It turned out that he was.

Since he was worthy, things were different.

The other party represented the imperial court, and it was likely that he represented Prince An!

The battle was in a stalemate, and the situation was not good for Hedong. It was hard to pronounce the results of battle. But at least Prince An had captured more than 10 counties in Hedong at present.

If Zhong Meili wanted to have a backup plan for himself and Zhong family. He had to be like a cunning rabbit with three holes. He had to think over carefully about what should be done at this moment.

Zhou Chuanwen retracted his coercion, Zhong Meili felt the pressure on his body disappear. But the pressure on his heart was even heavier.

After a moment, Zhong Meili got up and left his seat. He saluted to Zhou Chuanwen respectfully and said, “What instruction does Brother Zhou have? Just say the word and if it’s within my ability, I’ll consider it done!”

If Zhong Meili wanted to buy himself a backup plan, of course he had to pay the price first and submit the head of an enemy.