Chapter Eleven: Is That All?

Li Yi rode his steed, Dustless, straight back to the "Come Again" inn. Once in his room, he began meditating, waiting for Jiang Lichen.

An hour later, Li Yi was startled awake by a knock at the door. Opening it, he found Jiang Lichen standing there. He ushered him inside, and the two sat opposite each other. Li Yi was first to speak. "Well? How did it go?"

"Yes, it's done! Dai Chunlin gave me five hundred taels of gold!" As he spoke, Jiang Lichen opened his bundle, revealing five hundred gold leaves.

"What? Five hundred taels? And in gold? How did you manage to get so much?" Li Yi was momentarily stunned by the sight. During the Zhenguan era of the early Tang, gold and silver weren't currency, but they could be exchanged for Kaiyuan Tongbao coins. One tael of gold was worth about ten taels of silver, or one hundred strings, ten thousand coins. In modern terms, one tael of silver would be roughly 270 yuan, so five hundred taels of gold would be more than a million yuan!

Jiang Lichen scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "I didn't expect so much either. I went to the Dai residence with Dai Chunlin and relayed your instructions. Without hesitation, he gave me one hundred gold leaves. I followed your advice—didn't accept, didn't speak, just drank my tea. Then he panicked and kept increasing the amount bit by bit. When he reached five hundred taels, seeing he was on the verge of collapse, I accepted it."

Li Yi was full of admiration. This was the makings of a true underworld boss! "It seems you have a real talent for this. But how could the son of a mere Luozhou Assistant Prefect have so much gold and silver?"

"I have no idea. The Dai residence didn't look particularly grand, and judging by how quickly he produced the silver, it was as if the five hundred gold leaves had been prepared in advance. Otherwise, even a bank wouldn't be able to produce so much money at once!"

"A bank? What's that?"

"Banks appeared two years ago. They keep people's money for them, though they charge a small fee. So far, nearly fifteen branches have opened across the Tang Empire. No matter where you deposit your money, as long as you have a receipt, you can withdraw it from any branch—it's very convenient. Rumor has it the banks have a powerful backer!"

"Damn, that's practically an early money house. But charging for deposits? That's hardly savvy economics." After a moment's thought, Li Yi asked, "Lichen, how do you know so much?"

"Well, after my master passed away five years ago, I've been wandering the martial world, so I've picked up a lot."

"So Jiang Lichen is quite the seasoned wanderer—an excellent helper," Li Yi mused. Then he sighed. "I thought we might come into some unexpected fortune, but it seems things aren't so simple. This money has become a hot potato!"

"Brother, what do you mean?"

"Do you really think someone like Dai Chunlin could hand over five hundred taels of gold just like that? There must be more to this. Lichen, it seems we've been drawn into a whirlpool—a dangerous one that could destroy us if we're not careful."

Jiang Lichen laughed. "Brother, I trust you. If you can keep your head with five hundred taels of gold before you, no whirlpool can harm you!"

"Yeah, right! Flatterer! Five hundred taels—so what? One day I'll make real money. Enough of this. Go get another room for the night—we've got an early start tomorrow."

"What? Another room? That's expensive! Why not just squeeze in here?"

"Squeeze? No way! I don't sleep with men—never have, never will! Out! With five hundred taels of gold, and you're still so stingy!"

"..."

The next morning, Li Yi got everything in order, and after he and Jiang Lichen grabbed a quick breakfast, they headed straight for the Prefect's residence. His current priority was to discover why Li Zihao was targeting him.

A quarter of an hour later, they arrived at the gates of the Prefect’s residence. After announcing themselves, they waited at the entrance.

"Brother, something feels off," Jiang Lichen whispered. There was a heavy, oppressive mood in the air, and the doorman's expression had been odd.

"I feel it too. Something big has happened in the Li household. Watch my cues and follow my lead—I've a strong feeling this is a deep and dangerous affair, and if possible, we should avoid getting involved." But Li Yi knew escape was unlikely; he already felt drawn into the storm.

"Yes, brother!"

Before long, Li Xueyan came running out, a look of undisguised panic on her face. Li Yi’s heart sank.

She rushed straight into his arms, like a frightened kitten. Li Yi quickly comforted her. "It's all right, don't worry. Even if the sky falls, your big brother will hold it up for you. No harm will come to you. Now, tell me what happened."

Reassured by his words, Li Xueyan gradually calmed down. She'd only been frightened, nothing more. Blushing, she pulled away, straightened her clothes and hair, and said, "Big Brother, last night Zixuan's elder brother, Li Zimo, hanged himself!"

"What?" Both Li Yi and Jiang Lichen were stunned. Li Yi had sensed something unusual, but not something this complicated—a dignified son of the Luozhou Prefect, heir to a noble title, had hanged himself in his own home. There was no way this was as simple as it seemed; Li Yi would bet his life on it.

After a moment’s thought, Li Yi realized that Li Xueyan couldn’t leave right now—after all, Li Zimo was her cousin, and it would be unseemly to leave at a time like this. So, neither could he. He considered the matter, then forced a wry smile and said to Li Xueyan, "Is your father here? Take me to see him."

Li Xueyan agreed and led Li Yi and Jiang Lichen through the residence to the main hall.

There, seated in the place of honor, was a man of about fifty, square-faced and thick-browed, his frame lean, dressed in sumptuous robes, exuding authority without anger—none other than the Prefect of Luozhou, Li Junqian. He was giving instructions to a steward. The sorrow flickering in his eyes betrayed the turmoil within; after all, his own son and heir had hanged himself at home. That he could maintain such composure was remarkable.

"Uncle," Li Xueyan said, entering and bowing.

Li Junqian saw it was her and nodded. "It's you, Xueyan. Are you all right? I wanted so much to entertain you, but this... If only I knew what led Mo’er to this. I’m just glad you’re safe."

"Uncle, you and my father are as close as brothers. We’re family. I’m deeply saddened by what happened to my cousin, but the dead cannot return—please, uncle, take care of your health."

He sighed. "Perhaps I am getting old, unable to see things clearly. But I can bear it. And who are these two?" He looked at Li Yi and Jiang Lichen with curiosity.

Li Yi quickly introduced himself. "I am Li Yi, courtesy name Wenyong, a disciple of Mount Mao. This is my good friend Jiang Lichen. We are both friends of Zihan and Xueyan. We had planned to travel to Chang’an with Xueyan, but upon hearing the news, we came to offer our condolences. Forgive the intrusion."

"Oh, you are friends of Xueyan and Zhang’er. Please, call me uncle. Sit, please. The household is in chaos with all this—please forgive any lack in hospitality."

"Uncle, please, there’s no need for formality. No one wanted this to happen. Zihan and I are close friends—we’re all family here."

Li Junqian nodded, and they all took their seats.

"Wenyong, you say you’re a disciple of Mount Mao. Do you know Master Wang Yuanzhi?" Li Junqian suddenly asked.

"Why, yes—he is my teacher!"

Li Junqian was startled. He had once seen Emperor Taizong himself receive Wang Yuanzhi, and the emperor had been deeply impressed by him. If even the Son of Heaven held him in esteem, Wang Yuanzhi must be a man of extraordinary talent. In those days, people still believed in the mystical.

"So you are the disciple of a great master—you must be quite capable, with a bright future ahead!"

"Not at all, uncle. I am still young and unworthy of such praise." Li Yi demurred, then looked around and asked, "If I may—why is there no mourning hall for Zimo?"

"Ah, since you are friends of Han’er, I’ll not conceal it from you. The truth is, I do not believe Mo’er took his own life."

"What?" The three of them were shocked.

"Do you have any evidence, uncle?" Li Yi asked seriously.

"If I had proof, I would not be sitting here now. But as his father, I knew him well. Though Mo’er was upright, strict with himself, and rather old-fashioned, he was of strong mind—he would never have killed himself. But my heart is in turmoil, and I cannot investigate. So I have asked Shouzhi, the Assistant Prefect, to look into it, with Zihan and my third son Zihao assisting him. The mourning hall has been prepared, but not yet set up. I am waiting for the results." As he spoke, a murderous glint flashed in Li Junqian’s eyes. If Li Zimo had been murdered, Luozhou was about to be shaken by a storm of blood.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside. Li Yi looked out and saw Li Zihan, Li Zihao, Li Zixuan, and a stern-faced elder walking toward the main hall. When they arrived, Li Junqian asked anxiously, "Shouzhi, what have you found?"

Shouzhi was Dai Shunde’s courtesy name. He bowed, then announced in a clear voice, "Prefect, I have just examined the body with the two young masters. His eyes were closed, lips dark, mouth shut, teeth clenched—he died of suffocation. The windows and doors were locked from the inside, and there was no sign of a struggle. Thus, the conclusion is that he did indeed hang himself."

Li Yi frowned. "Is that all?"