Chapter 64: Secret Conversations in the Tower

The young man’s appearance suggested he was not yet twenty, though his attire marked him as someone from the underworld. He wore a sullen expression, deliberately trying to seem mature beyond his years. Lu Xin was all too familiar with this type—more often than not, such men were idle ruffians lurking in the city’s alleys. These unemployed youths were countless in every era and impossible to eradicate. Normally, Lu Xin would avoid such people altogether. Tu Chengli was a prime example: talented in his youth, he fell in with the wrong crowd and nearly ruined his bright future.

Yet Li Chunfeng walked straight toward the young man. On seeing this, the youth immediately raised his head warily, narrowing his eyes with undisguised hostility.

“Mister, I heard you say just now that a great disaster is coming in a few days. Did you receive some news?”

“Sigh, it seems my master is once again worrying about the people of Chang’an. The slightest stir, and he’s instantly concerned. That’s just his nature,” Lu Xin thought with a wry smile. His master always seemed indifferent, spending his days napping and showing interest in nothing. But whenever the people’s safety was at stake, he leapt into action, as if he truly bore the world on his shoulders. Such men were rare throughout Chinese history; at least in modern society, Lu Xin had never met anyone who cared for the common folk as much as Li Chunfeng.

“Who are you? Damn it, was I talking too loudly just now? Someone actually overheard me?”

The young man frowned, speaking more to himself than to them, not even bothering to look up. Li Chunfeng, observing this, reached into his sleeve and handed over seven or eight copper coins. The youth’s spirits instantly lifted. He grinned sheepishly and quickly pocketed the coins.

“Sir, you seem like a man of great distinction—surely a sage! What would you like to know? My name is Zhao Li, known as the Capital’s All-Knowing. As long as you have money, there’s nothing I do not know.”

“Oh, so you possess the eyes that see a thousand miles and ears that hear the wind?” Li Chunfeng chuckled, “But I only want to know—when you spoke just now of a coming disaster in a few days, what exactly did you mean?”

Li Chunfeng watched the young man with an inscrutable, leisurely air, showing no impatience. At last, the youth lowered his voice, adopting a conspiratorial seriousness.

“I’ll tell you, since you’re so generous with your Kaiyuan coins. In about three days, the Turkic diplomatic delegation will enter the city. There are rumors that the demonic sect from the north—the Nether Daoists—will use the opportunity to infiltrate Chang’an. You’ve heard of them, surely? They rule the northern steppes, command countless powerful sorcerers, and are worshipped as deities by the Turks.”

“The Nether Daoists? Forgive my ignorance—I’ve never heard of them. Are you saying their people plan to stir up trouble in Chang’an?” Li Chunfeng feigned ignorance, hoping to glean more information. His bewildered expression was so natural that even Lu Xin nearly believed him.

The youth glanced around furtively, then pulled Li Chunfeng into a corner.

“It’s not that simple. You don’t understand. Since Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, countless eyes have been fixed on the capital. Not to mention the internal revolts, the Turks and Tibetans have been coveting our lands. In the past few days, envoys from Byzantium, Goguryeo, Silla, and Japan have all arrived, each bringing their own champions. Officially, they claim to be here to celebrate the Tang Emperor’s longevity, but who knows what schemes they’re plotting in secret?”

“Japan?”

Li Chunfeng frowned—this time, it appeared he genuinely didn’t know.

“Oh, that’s what they used to call the Wa Kingdom. But now they’ve changed their name to Japan. They come to pay tribute every so often, but don’t think for a second their intentions are pure. Did you see those men from the Ministry of Justice rushing out of the city? I’ll tell you, there have been several killings in town, and they’re out hunting the culprit.”

“How do you come by all this information?”

“Huh, that’s not for you to know. The point is, Chang’an is now a den of dragons and snakes. With Master Xuanzang journeying west to India, there’s no one left to keep the peace in the capital. I wonder how the imperial examination in ten days will proceed. You two look like newcomers to the city. Take my advice—leave while you still can. I’m warning you for your own good.”

Li Chunfeng let out a sudden peal of laughter, sweeping his wide sleeves as he turned to go. “The Capital’s All-Knowing truly lives up to his name. Thank you for the warning. We’ll be careful. Farewell!” The youth called after them, “You haven’t paid yet!” But seeing no one respond, he spat on the ground in frustration and returned to his seat by the street.

Half an hour later, master and disciple found themselves in a tavern deep within Vermilion Bird Avenue, choosing a seat on the fifth and highest floor. From the balustrade, they gazed out over the western quarter, with the palace’s Vermilion Bird Gate just a few hundred meters to the south.

The Tang imperial palace was divided into the “Palace City” and the “Imperial City.” It was first built by Emperor Wen of Sui in the second year of the Kaihuang era and named Daxing Palace, located on the northern axis of Chang’an. The southern gate was the Vermilion Bird Gate; the north, Xuanwu Gate, was where Li Shimin launched his famous coup. Li Chunfeng sat watching the palace, claiming to be observing the flow of energy. Lu Xin, not versed in such matters, watched the crowds below. Only after ten minutes did Li Chunfeng withdraw his gaze.

“What did you see, Master?” Lu Xin asked.

“There are two dragon auras within Daxing Palace, soaring to the heavens. It means the Crown Prince has been born, and the Tang dynasty’s fortunes are at their height. Even if, as Zhao Li said, disaster is coming to Chang’an, it will not shake the foundation of the Li family. However…” Li Chunfeng trailed off, a trace of worry and confusion clouding his brow. His gaze wandered to the setting sun, as if his thoughts had drifted far into the depths of time.

Lu Xin, curious, pressed him, “However, what?”

“However, sixty years from now, a woman in the harem will seize power and plunge the Li family into crisis. If they survive, the Tang will flourish; if not, chaos will reign and the people will suffer. This calamity is no small matter. Yet the will of Heaven is vast, and with my current abilities, I cannot see clearly.”

“Sixty years—that’s a full cycle. Let me think—what do the history books say?” Lu Xin was not as versed in history as his cousin Lu Tingfang. For the Tang dynasty, all he remembered was the Xuanwu Gate Incident, which he’d studied in school. The rest came from TV dramas and mobile games—a muddled collection of facts. Li Chunfeng, seeing his disciple deep in thought, settled into silence as well. Having come from a thousand years in the future, Lu Xin lived in an era where the Tang dynasty’s centuries of turmoil were long past. Perhaps the youth before him truly knew something.

After a long while, Lu Xin opened his eyes, scratching his head sheepishly with a wry smile.

“It’s my own fault for not studying harder. I know very little about Tang history.”

Li Chunfeng laughed. “It matters not. The so-called histories have always been written by the victors. Every word and deed, subject to their embellishment. If you believe them true, then they’re true; if you believe them false, then they’re false. Even if you memorized them all, you might not know the real story. Historians are officials, after all—paid by the emperor, a sword hanging over their heads. There can be no utter impartiality, no lack of bias or allegiance.”

Seeing that Lu Xin had recalled nothing more, Li Chunfeng simply smiled and thought no more of it. Lu Xin nodded gratefully, then lowered his voice.

“If I’m not mistaken, after Li Shimin, the next emperor is Li Zhi. His empress, from the Wu family, will supplant the Tang and become the first true empress in history. Yet the records say that during her reign, the realm remained peaceful and the Tang dynasty flourished.”

“Li Zhi?” Li Chunfeng’s expression turned grave as he began to calculate on his fingers. After several minutes, he finally stopped, his face even more serious.

“That one is of lesser birth, and should not yet be Crown Prince. It seems a contest for the throne will soon erupt… Wu? Judging by the signs in the heavens, this woman is destined for greatness—she has the dragon’s eyes and the phoenix’s neck. And she has already been born.”

Turning to face the northeast, Li Chunfeng’s tone and expression were solemn. Lu Xin was stunned, all the more impressed by his master’s insight. With just a few words, Li Chunfeng had deduced so much—truly, the skills of the ancients were uncanny.

“Master, do you wish to assist Emperor Taizong? Does that mean you’ll take the imperial exam in ten days?”

“I am not a scholar, and that is not my path.” Li Chunfeng shook his head, pausing before continuing. “Emperor Taizong is partial to the Buddhist clergy and is surrounded by talented men; to approach him directly would be difficult. Besides, the court has established the Temple of Divine Guardians specifically to suppress all practitioners of yin-yang arts. If I were to enter the court abruptly, things would backfire. Achieving my aim will require a gradual approach.”

“So Master means to start with the ministers?”

“A minister is always just a minister—they can never be the true ruler. My purpose in entering the court is not for the Li family’s empire, but for the common people. Only the Son of Heaven can usher in a golden age for the Tang. Taizong favors the Buddhists; his successor may not. To support the young lord might be a wise strategy. But everything is still uncertain. We must proceed with caution.”

“You’re right, Master. When Xuanzang departed for the West, Li Shimin saw him off personally—proof of his trust in the Buddhist order. Our Daoist sect, on the other hand, mostly opposes the court, and is bound to arouse Taizong’s suspicion. Now that we know Li Zhi is the next emperor, things should be easier.”

“Taizong has four sons: the eldest and Crown Prince Li Chengqian, the second Li Tai, and the third Li Ke, all of whom are over ten and about to come of age. As for the Li Zhi you mentioned, he must be the source of one of those dragon auras. But he is still an infant—how could assisting him not seem a farce?”