Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 16 : Rainstorm

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The wind rose a while later, followed by the fall of rain. 

Xiao Chiye braved the rain and galloped his horse through it. He arrived at the Imperial College just in time to hear Gao Zhongxiong shouting with his head raised. “As long as the traitor is not executed, the wrath of the public will not be appeased!”

The students at the back kowtowed and echoed in unison. “As long as the traitor is not executed, the wrath of the public will not be appeased!” 

The rain spattered upon the earth, soaking the students’ robes and hair. 

Xiao Chiye reined in his horse, and the horse trod its hooves on the same spot. He looked at them for a moment, then said in a loud voice, “What have you been doing earlier? If all of you gentlemen here had kneeled to make your case back then when that surviving descendant entered the capital, then he would never have lived to this day.”

Gao Zhongxiong’s chest heaved. He said, “Viceroy, as they say, it’s better late than never. This surviving descendant is still wet behind the ears, and he has yet to spread his wings. As long as His Majesty is willing to retract his order and deal with him severely, it will still be a consolation to all the loyal souls of Zhongbo!”

“There is absolutely no reason to rescind an imperial edict of the Son of Heaven.” Xiao Chiye said, “By kneeling, you are not beseeching His Majesty to revoke his decree, but forcing him into it. The various gentlemen here are all loyal and filial men of the world. There are a hundred ways you can use to make your appeal, so why insist on making such an unwise move?” 

“Your Excellency.” Gao Zhongxiong looked up. “Men who wield brushes die in remonstrations, while men who wield swords die in battles! If we have to watch helplessly as His Majesty is deceived into handling affairs in such a muddleheaded way, then we might as well spill our blood on the imperial terrace tonight to die for our beliefs!” 

Xiao Chiye said, “Using the threat of death at every turn. Is that all civil servants since ancient times are capable of?”

The rain intensified. The students did not budge. 

Xiao Chiye dismounted and squatted before Gao Zhongxiong. The heavy rain poured like a waterfall. He leaned in and asked, “Who is the instigator?”

With a look of great resolve, Gao Zhongxiong said, “My loyalty to my sovereign is what drives me!” 

Giving off the air of a ruffian, Xiao Chiye said, “I don’t think so. Of course, if you want to protect an outsider, you can. It’s just that your action tonight has implicated all those three thousand fellow students behind you. If the Emperor flies into a rage and turns tonight into a bloodbath, then you will be no different from that last descendant of the Shen Clan—all of you will be sinners condemned through the ages. And this isn’t even the scariest thing. What’s worse is that His Majesty would still be unwilling to rescind his edict even if your head rolls. You persevered in your studies despite the hardships for twelve years, all just to do the dirty work for another?” 

Gao Zhongxiong lifted his arm and wiped away the rainwater on his face. He said, “What I’m doing is a matter of loyalty and righteousness. It’s completely different from the Shen Clan’s traitorous act! Even if all three thousands of us were to die here tonight, even if our blood were to overflow the imperial terrace, we are doing it all for His Majesty!”

Xiao Chiye said, “The situation now is that the palace has neither withdrawn its order for Shen Zechuan to take up post, nor have they sent out an imperial edict to appease the students. Do you still not understand His Majesty’s intention from this?”