Chapter Fifty-Two: The Divinely Supported Wife

Li Shan, as the Grand Stablemaster, was in charge of the empire's horse administration. To put it nicely, he was one of the Nine Ministers; to speak plainly, he was merely the chief of horse-keeping. With the Prime Minister intent on launching a northern expedition, horses had become crucially important. Li Shan would often personally visit the Grand Stable Bureau to inspect the affairs of horse management across the land. Not only that, he demanded strict standards nationwide. Yet, with the expedition looming and many demands on provisions, the share allotted to the Grand Stable Bureau was scant. It was expected that he should breed the finest warhorses across the empire with the smallest sum of money.

Thus, every day, he and all the officials at the Grand Stable Bureau lived in constant anxiety, unable to exploit their positions for personal gain. For the Prime Minister would occasionally appear in person, and to try to deceive Zhuge Liang was simply impossible. The previous Grand Stablemaster had been executed by Zhuge Liang after being caught embezzling horse fodder. Only then had Li Shan been promoted.

Therefore, Li Shan's residence was not overly lavish, nor was it located in the center of Chengdu. Early in the morning, the Li household was abuzz with activity, for the Emperor was to visit that very day. Li Shan, excited, summoned everyone at dawn and issued a flurry of instructions.

"Woman, your dress is far too extravagant. Change it at once—wear the green gown from last year. No, from the year before!" Li Shan stamped his foot as he spoke to his wife.

"Oh, Mother, your clothes are so worn out! Didn’t I buy you new ones last year? Why are you still wearing the old ones from the year before? If His Majesty sees this, he’ll think I am unfilial—what then?" His daughter frowned at her father, seeing him still dressed in patched garments from two years prior.

"You child, you complain your wife dresses too finely, and your mother too poorly. Why such fuss?" the old woman retorted, displeased.

Li Shan was speechless. His mother had always been frugal—not out of his own neglect—and his wife enjoyed dressing up. Two extremes, both subject to criticism. But whether mother or wife, both were forces to be reckoned with. Though decisive in matters of importance, in small affairs he was powerless to oppose them.

He stomped his foot again and declared, "Fine! If you want His Majesty to think me unfilial, letting my mother wear rags while my wife wears new clothes, do as you please! Go ahead and make trouble! I have other matters to attend to—do as you wish!"

With that, he left the main hall, where four servants awaited orders outside.

Li Shan said, "His Majesty will arrive soon. Be alert. Aunt Liu, lunch is in your hands. The dishes need not be lavish, but must taste exquisite. Ah Da, fetch some wine from the street. Ah Er, you two must sweep the courtyard once more."

After these instructions, Li Shan heard his wife tell his mother, "Aunt, please listen to Shan Lang. This concerns his future. Once you’ve changed, let me comb your hair. We mustn’t let him lose face!"

"Hmph, all useless talk. You’ve been married nearly two years, yet no child has come. I must economize—soon I’ll arrange for Shan Zi to take another wife. How can we go without children?"

Outside, Li Shan felt the world spin. "Dear heavens, not again! Is this the time for such talk?"

Near noon, the gates of the Li residence were finally knocked upon. Li Shan, already waiting, opened the door himself. It was indeed the Emperor, though dressed in plain clothes and with no attendants. Clearly, the Emperor was incognito, and it was best not to make a fuss. Li Shan led the horse and ushered Liu Tan into the courtyard.

After shutting the gate, he instructed the household to pay their respects.

Liu Tan dismounted with a smile. He held great expectations for this masterful aide.

Surveying the courtyard, he saw it was simple, yet meticulously clean.

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At the center of the courtyard, flowers and grasses had been carefully tended.

"Your Majesty, please follow me inside," Li Shan bowed.

Inside, Li Shan immediately had tea brought in, and since it was nearly noon, he ordered wine and dishes served as well.

Liu Tan lifted his tea. "Today, I’ll drink this tea and eat these dishes, but as for wine, I’ll abstain—I must ride later!"

Drinking and riding, like driving, do not mix.

"Quite right, Your Majesty's health is paramount! I’ll toast you with tea instead," Li Shan raised his cup respectfully.

After drinking, Liu Tan said, "I’ve come today for an important task for you."

Seeing the Emperor's solemn expression, Li Shan rose and half-bowed, "Your Majesty, please command me!"

"It’s not a major matter—just that you are to recruit personnel for the Eastern Bureau."

Li Shan replied, "I have the recruitment order ready and await Your Majesty’s instructions. I will commence immediately."

Liu Tan continued, "There’s another matter. As you recruit for the Eastern Bureau, pay special attention to those of honorable background and exceptional martial skill. Remember: observe discreetly, note their names, and report them to me."

"Yes, I understand," replied Li Shan.

"Li Shan, would you like a change of post? For instance, to become commander of my personal guard?" Liu Tan suddenly asked, swallowing a mouthful.

Li Shan stared, nearly leaping from his seat.

"I am willing, but I am a civil official—might I not be unfit for such a role?"

He was indeed eager. In these times, who would not wish to draw closer to the Emperor? To command the imperial guard was a hundred times better than supervising horses, free from worries about dead warhorses, and the risk of losing his head.

"What of civil officials? The Prime Minister is a civil official and commands the armies!" Liu Tan laid down his chopsticks and produced a token, tossing it to Li Shan. "If you accept, this token is yours!"

"This!" Li Shan hurriedly caught it. It was the Emperor’s personal token, granting unrestricted passage within the palace.

Of course, except for the inner palace!

But the Emperor’s harem was small, with only three consorts.

The Prime Minister had one such token.

Li Shan’s hand trembled as he held it. To share an honor equal to the Prime Minister—how could he refuse?

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He felt he could not refuse.

But the woman pouring tea and wine in the room was unwilling. Seeing Li Shan’s eager expression, she bit her lip and knelt.

Both Liu Tan and Li Shan were stunned.

She wept, "I beg Your Majesty to revoke your command!"

"You... you..." Li Shan was terrified. He had never expected his wife to be so bold. Mouth agape, he could only stammer, "How dare you!"

To offend the imperial dignity—he dared not imagine.

Liu Tan was puzzled. In this age, who would not wish to climb closer to the Emperor?

Yet he was not angry, merely curious about her reasoning. He asked, "Tell me, why do you wish me to withdraw my command?"

The woman trembled all over. Her impulsive words had escaped, and now she was filled with fear, head bowed, not daring to meet the Emperor’s gaze.

Now, questioned by the Emperor, she had no choice but to answer.

She bit her lip, kowtowed three times, and said, "Your Majesty, my husband often labors late at the Grand Stable Bureau, rarely doting upon me. Though we have been married nearly two years, we have no children. If he becomes Your Majesty's close attendant, he will have even less time for me, and my hopes for children will grow ever fainter!"

She wept, continuing, "Among the three great unfilial acts, having no heirs is the worst. Aunt is already preparing to find my husband another wife to carry on the family line! So..."

At this point, she thought, "Let it all out!" She looked up at Liu Tan and pleaded, "So I beg Your Majesty for mercy!"

"You ignorant woman! A man’s duty in life is to achieve merit and success—how can you speak of such private matters before His Majesty?" Li Shan pointed at his wife, his face red with anger.

Compared to Li Shan’s fury, Liu Tan merely smiled. So that was the reason—not that she despised him or wished to keep her husband distant, nor that she looked down on him. That was all that mattered.

Liu Tan waved his hand, "Very well! Rise, and let me finish. If, when I am done, you still feel the same, I will revoke my command."

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