The word 'Zuo' and 'Yue' forms part of the Chinese character 'Sui'.
Therefore, it was natural to assume that it had something to do with
the Sui Empire.
After Yang Jian succeeded the throne, he made the title he used to
own as the Prime Minister of the county and named the era
'Kaihuang'. On the second year of the Kaihuang era, after the Jiejian
Bureau was established for half a year, another agency by the name
of 'Zuoyue' appeared.
They were similar to the Jiejian Bureau and wielded a power outside
of the Three Departments and Six Ministries; however, they were not
under the orders of the Emperor. They were under the command of
the Empress.
This Empress contributed to the country, as well as shared the
burdens with the Emperor, who was loved and respected: Empress
Dugu. She made something her predecessors never did, that was to
establish a system to work under her orders.
Sometimes called Her Holiness, this was not utterly an empty name.
The power Empress Dugu held surpassed any previous Empresses
before her time, including Empress Lu. What made her different from
Empress Lu was that Yang Jian both feared and respected this
Empress.
Ever since the establishment of the Zuoyue Bureau, their power was
no less than the Jiejian Bureau. Their mission was the same: trading and sending coded messages across the Northern and Southern
Dynasty. There were no restrictions for them. However, since both
Emperor and Empress were loving and respectful of each other,
Empress Dugu knew her place and would not surpass the Emperor's
authority. So she gave the Zuoyue Bureau a slightly different duty:
they will take care of anything related to the Jianghu province.
The Zuoyue Bureau had one Commander and two Vice-
Commanders. Their ranks were fewer and thinner, but they carried
out their tasks in secrecy, often not appearing in front of the public
eye. Even the most trusted advisors of the Emperor only knew of the
Zuoyue Bureau's name, yet did not know who its members were, or
what they were doing.
However, during their missions, they would sometimes clash with the
Jiejian Bureau. Although they held no animosity towards each other
and belonged respectively to the Emperor and Empress, they often
wanted to fight for the achievement of claiming the glory.
Because of a few cases in the past, Pei Jingzhe crossed paths with
the Zuoyue Bureau; he knew how difficult it was to determine who
they were.
Pei Jingzhe worked under the Jiejian Bureau, so he knew a little
about the Zuoyue Bureau. He never saw the alliance's Commander,
but he saw both its Vice- Commanders. One was delicate and slim,
like a wealthy man's daughter; the other was silent and quiet, like a
monk in mediation. Although the Jiejian Bureau and the Zuoyue
Bureau were agencies hiding incredibly skilled people, people like
those two Vice- Commanders were rare to see in a place like this.
That also went for the Commander of the alliance who never showed
himself. Pei Jingzhe never saw him with his own two eyes, but
regardless, it was difficult to link him with a sickly man like Cui Buqu. Women may be skilled in martial arts. And quiet people may be
capable of claiming one's life with only a single move. However, this
Cui Buqu who could not even pick a fight, how could he be a spy of
the Zuoyue Bureau? Since his health was not good, and him using
the identity of a Daoist to back himself up, would it not be convenient
for him to lay low?
Pei Jingzhe contemplated out loud, "Are you considering that the
Zuoyue Bureau placed spies among those who attended the Linlang
Guild's auction, where all the pugilists would gather? If he indeed is
someone from the Zuoyue Bureau and knew that we are people from
the Jiejian Bureau, why did he not say so?"
Feng Xiao, "The old Zixia Daoist Temple might be allying with Qin
Miaoyu, but this man only came to the Zixia Daoist Temple two
months ago. The time interval between the time of his arrival and
when Qin Miaoyu left the City of Six Crafts is four to five years. I had
never assumed he was related to the case, but two months before
now, the Imperial Court seemed to be determined to make a move
against the Göktürks."
Pei Jingzhe suddenly spoke, "So, since the beginning, you merely
desired to find information regarding his background? If he is
genuinely from the Zuoyue Bureau, did we not just make enemies
out of our people?"
Although both agencies often bickered, they were still subjects of the
crown and the Imperial Court. To go all out like this towards one of
their own, surely that was not a wise course of action?
Feng Xiao looked indifferent, "If we become enemies, then so be it.
There are more than a handful of those that despise me. Adding him
into that category does not affect the situation much. Did you think
that they were not thinking of getting involved in this case of the
Khotan ambassador's murder?" Although their existence was faint, they had eyes and ears spread
out all over the capital and were updated with all kinds of news and
happenings that were going on.
A few days ago, the Emperor and his officials had just moved into
the new capital, Daxing City, and preceding that, the citizens had
already moved into it. The old capitol had been there for many
generations and had become incredibly stuffy; when it rained, drains
and sewers were flooded everywhere. So after Yang Jian ascended
the throne, he ordered the old capital to be set aside for a new one
to be built. Two years later, the new capital was built. The Sui
Emperor made orders that the scrolls and manuscripts which had
been forgotten and scattered due to the war, to be recollected and
relocated in the imperial library, so that they would not be lost again.
These actions were noble and modest as expected of an exemplary
ruler. Right now, Emperor Yang Jian decided to push his forces
towards the Göktürks to solve the issue once and for all. Nobody
would question the determination of the Emperor. The Three
Departments and Six Ministries immediately got busy; bringing both
the Jiejian Bureau and the Zuoyue Alliance, both of them received
respective orders and began working. Whoever could achieve the
most conquests in this mission would be the ultimate winner. The
Zuoyue Bureau had always wanted to surpass the Jiejian Bureau, so
of course, they wouldn't have let such an opportunity to slip by.
Cui Buqu stirred in his dreams and coughed a few times.
Pei Jingzhe looked at him. Before this, he was oblivious that he
might be a member of the Zuoyue Bureau, so he did not feel
anything, but right now, he could not help but feel a bit of sympathy.
"Then, should I neutralize the poison in his body?"
Feng Xiao looked at him like he was the stupidest person in the
world, "Why should you? If he refused to admit anything, it would be a good opportunity to make him work with us. Even if he admits it,
you should keep pressing that it is a lie so he would do our bidding.
In the City of Six Crafts, whatever I say is the law."
Pei Jingzhe twitched his lip and nodded.
He knew that his master was not a person who was soft and
empathetic.
…..
Feng Xiao and Pei Jingzhe were discussing Cui Buqu right in front of
him — the one who lay on the bed in pain and agony and having no
idea what was going on.
Cui Buqu had been walking on a very long road, and this road was
endless. However, this road would sometimes grow thorns so he
would quickly withdraw his legs. He wanted to continue walking
forwards, even if he had to bend down to pluck those thorns away
with his hands. However, even with both his hands stained by blood,
those thorns did not grow lesser; instead, it had multiplied.
Those thorns hurt to the bone and left deep scars. His mind reflected
all kinds of pain, but Cui Buqu continued pulling those thorns away
with an expressionless face.
Since he was little, whatever he wanted to do, he would achieve it no
matter the price, no matter how difficult it was. Nothing could stop
him. If he wanted to move forward, he would move forward to see
the end.
Those thorns could not hinder him, and after that, it wilted and faded
away. Cui Buqu did not stare at his bloody hands, because before
him, a grand mansion had appeared. This mansion possessed a history that went back to thousands of
years.
Before the Sui Empire established its rule, the Northern Dynasty was
in a mess, yet the mansion's owner was unyielding. Its house
blossomed and thrived, becoming a place no one was able to forget.
Cui Buqu finally stopped walking.
The doors of the mansion were locked, but atop the stage stood two
people. One had long white hair and looked grim; the other had short
hair and looked much younger. He spoke to the old man, his hands
carrying a baby wrapped up in a blanket.
"Father, please, give him a name!" The young man said.
The old man responded coldly, "Whatever. A-Da or A-Er1 would be
fine. Then be over with it."
The young man begged, "Considering that both his parents had died,
could you spare some sympathy?"
The old man, "He is weak, and I fear he might not even survive for
the next few days, so what if he has a name?"
The young man, "…even if it is true, in the future, would it not be part
of a memory?"
The old man snorted, "Since his parents are dead, who will
remember him in this world?"
The young man, "I would."
As the two spoke for a long time, the old man finally said, "Let us
name him something simple, like a stepping stone — something that
everyone steps on. It would be easy to raise him like this." "What about the genealogy —"
"He is not worthy."
He is not worthy.
These three words had always been in Cui Buqu's mind, refusing to
leave, repeating itself in his mind like clouds and mist.
Cui Buqu laughed bitterly.
His laugh startled the old man and the young man. They turned, but
the fog thickened and spreads around them.
Everything turned dark.
The abyss was hidden within peace, and had never left; but after so
many years, he had already walked into a place even more
dangerous than the abyss.
His chest radiated a sharp pain, blood gathered at his throat. He
wanted to laugh, but he only let out a bitter, raw taste in his mouth.
Then, he woke up.
Through puffed up eyelids, even a little bit of sunlight could cause his
eyes to water. Cui Buqu adjusted to the brightness for a while, before
he could clearly see the gauze blanket in front of him.
It was replaced by a face that was handsome and beautiful, moving
into his central vision.
"You woke up." Feng Xiao looked at him, "How do you feel?" Cui Buqu was too lazy to reply to him, so he closed his eyes and
rested.
Feng Xiao continued talking, "You have the Naihe Xiang drug in your
body, earlier on, and the poison took effect. In two days, it will take
effect once more, if you would work alongside me and cooperate, I
can consider neutralizing the poison for you. What do you say?"
Cui Buqu blinked slowly and answered with a hoarse voice, "Do I
have a choice to refuse?"
Feng Xiao: No.
Cui Buqu: I have no knowledge of martial arts. There is nothing
much I can help you with.
Feng Xiao hummed, "Do you not hail from the Liuli Academy Palace
of Fangzhangzhou? I have heard that people born from that place
are knowledgeable about all things in the world. For the Linlang
Guild's auction, I need such a man. You can assist me in recognizing
everyone on the way; tell me who everyone and anyone is."
Cui Buqu went silent for a moment, "No problem. However, I have a
request."
Feng Xiao responded, "Neutralizing the poison is not a valid
request."
Cui Buqu coughed, "…I am hungry. You motherfucker, you would not
even let me eat, and you want me to do something for you?"
He glared at the bowl of white congee and a plate of fermented
vegetables, practically unable to control the look on his face.
Feng Xiao was looked at him from one side 'lovingly', "Please eat,
why are you not eating?" Cui Buqu, "Although I am a prisoner in your eyes and am free to let
you do as you please, in the end you need my help. I have yet to
recover from my illness, and you want me to eat this?"
Feng Xiao asked curiously, "What's not good about this? You know
you couldn't eat anything heavy. I'm afraid you might have digestion
issues, and then you wouldn't be able to wake up tomorrow."
Cui Buqu; I don't want any exquisite dishes; I only want fresh
vegetable soup. Surely you have something like that?
Feng Xiao: My apologies. I am a poor man, so there is none.
Cui Buqu: …
He really wanted to pour this bowl of congee on top of the other
man's head and slap the plate of vegetables onto his face.
He was not sure what Feng Xiao was thinking about, but it was
definitely nothing good. Feng Xiao was not in a hurry, and he didn't
want to leave; he even thought that Cui Buqu was very interesting,
he was not afraid that he would provoke Cui Buqu. He wandered
here and there, looking at the windows and flowers, turning the
books on bookcases around and around, as if he was waiting for Cui
Buqu to slam the table and exclaim that he was from the Zuoyue
Bureau.
However, after a long time, Cui Buqu said nothing. He simply took
the bowl silently and drank all the congee which flowed down his
throat.
Feng Xiao knew that he would not have chosen the wrong person.
This Master Daoist Cui had a fairly good control over his temper. The
last time they met, he proclaimed himself innocent and hid a lot of
secrets from him. He only could not believe that despite having a weak and fragile body, the Naihe Xiang drug had been unable to do
anything to him.
A man such as this, even without the skills of martial arts, could hold
an esteemed position in the Zuoyue Bureau.
Feng Xiao grew even more interested.
Cui Daozhang swallowed carefully. He used an entire hour to finish
the congee. Feng Xiao was patient, waiting at his side until he put
down the bowl.
"May I ask what is expected of me, my lord?"
Feng Xiao said, "No need to be so formal. I've already relayed my
name to you. I am the second among my siblings; you can call me
Feng-er2 or Er Lang3."
Cui Buqu did not care to respond; instead, he answered, "I have
been in the City of Six Crafts for two months. I've heard of a few
things. However, if you want me to assist you in the Linlang Guild's
auction, surely you need to tell me a few things first?"
Feng Xiao smiled, "That is a given."
After obtaining Feng Xiao's approval, Pei Jingzhe told Cui Buqu
everything about the Khotan ambassador's murder, which was
discovered by a travelling merchant, who fled to the city to report his
discovery."
Cui Buqu listened closely. After Pei Jingzhe finished talking, he
asked, "Then, the plum blossom scent in the horse carriage. Was it
investigated?"
"Yes." Pei Jingzhe could not help but glance towards Feng Xiao.
Despite himself, he speculated that these two followed the same trail of thoughts. Feng Xiao, too, thought that the plum blossom was a
crucial clue of the case, but the truth had let them down.
"We have asked every perfume stall in the city and checked
everything in their stock. In the end, we could not find the plum
blossom perfume in the horse carriage. That perfume…" Pei Jingzhe
thought for a long moment before he managed to say something, "It
is similar to the scent of the Naihe Xiang drug. As long as you
smelled it once, you will never mistake it for anything else."
After he finished speaking, only then did he realize that something
was not right. Cui Buqu had just experienced the Naihe Xiang drug's
torture. If he said something like this, would it not be equivalent to
pressing salt onto someone else's wound?
Nonetheless, Cui Buqu showed no expression. He only nodded and
coughed two times; he didn't ask more.
======
[1] A-Da or A-Er: These are very common and 'simple' names. It
means 'A-big' or 'A-second' like the eldest or second child. It
indicates that the old man was quite apathetic to the baby.
[2] Feng-er: Feng as in Feng Xiao, and Er mean 'Second'. This can
mean that he might have an older brother, thus he is named Feng-er,
or, 'Second Feng'.
[3] Er-lang: Er here also means 'second' and Lang is usually used to
address a male.