CCWAD – Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen: Returning the Scheme

Epigraph:

“I thought Li Shishi’s plan was already a risky gambit, until Tong Guan’s secret envoy showed up, hinting that he could help me replace Song Jiang. I smiled and agreed, then turned and soaked the secret letter in vinegar—revealing the second piece of intelligence for Li Shishi.”

—

The secret meeting by Jinming Pool was like a massive stone dropped into Yan Qing’s heart lake, its ripples lingering long after. She knew she had embarked on a path of no return, with the safety and future of her Liangshan brothers on one side, and Li Shishi’s world-shaking plan on the other. She had to tread carefully, as if on thin ice.

Just as she was repeatedly pondering how to subtly influence Liangshan’s attitude towards an amnesty without arousing the suspicion of Song Jiang and Wu Yong, an unexpected “opportunity” presented itself.

One day, Yan Qing was in her small courtyard, reviewing copies of court gazettes sent by Li Shishi, detailing the court’s financial straits and the arrears in border troops’ pay. The courtyard gate was knocked upon, neither too loudly nor too softly. It wasn’t Li Shishi, nor Shi Xiu.

She rose alertly and peered through the crack in the door. She saw a middle-aged man in ordinary cloth clothes, unremarkable in appearance, standing outside, his expression calm.

“Whom do you seek?” Yan Qing asked through the door.

“Is this Young Master Yan Qing from Hebei?” the man outside asked, his voice not loud but conveying a sense of competence. “An old friend asked me to deliver a letter.”

Yan Qing pondered for a moment and opened the door. The man quickly slipped inside, closed the door behind him with a swift, clean motion. He glanced around the simple courtyard, then took a letter sealed with wax from his怀, and offered it with both hands.

“Which old friend?” Yan Qing did not take it immediately.

The man smiled slightly and lowered his voice, “My master’s surname is Tong. He has long admired your talent and sent me to pay his respects.”

Tong?!

Yan Qing’s pupils contracted. The powerful Eunuch Prime Minister of the current dynasty, in charge of the Bureau of Military Affairs, commanding the Western Army, one of the “Six Evils” alongside Cai Jing—Tong Guan!

Why would he approach her? And so secretly?

Yan Qing calmly took the letter. It felt substantial. Seeing her accept it, the man said no more, merely cupped his hands, “My master awaits your favorable reply.” With that, he departed as silently as he had arrived.

Yan Qing bolted the door, returned to her room, her heart pounding. She carefully examined the letter; the seal was intact, with no special markings. She opened the envelope, revealing a thick stack of paper.

Unfolding the paper, she found a letter written in courteous, even appreciative, official language. It first praised the talent and reputation of “Wanderer” Yan Qing, lamenting that such a bright pearl was hidden in obscurity (implying her position in Liangshan). Then, the tone shifted, subtly criticizing Song Jiang for being “hypocritical” and “incapable of great deeds,” hinting that Lu Junyi, “though a dragon among men, is constrained by others.” Finally, it presented an extremely tempting yet extremely dangerous proposition—

If Yan Qing were willing to “abandon the darkness and embrace the light,” secretly serve Grand Commandant Tong, provide accurate intelligence on Liangshan’s internal movements, and “cooperate” at the “appropriate time,” then upon the court’s pacification of Liangshan, Tong Guan would ensure Yan Qing was credited with the greatest merit. Not only would her past transgressions be forgiven, but she would be granted official titles, and even… replace Song Jiang as the recognized leader of Liangshan by the court!

The letter also included a small “meeting gift”—a bank note for five hundred taels of gold, redeemable at any bank in Eastern Capital Bianliang.

Reading this letter, Yan Qing was first shocked by Tong Guan’s extensive knowledge (he had accurately located her hidden residence). Then, a chill ran down her spine. This was a naked ploy of division and bribery! Tong Guan, that old fox, clearly knew more about Liangshan than he let on. He intended to use her, a leader who appeared “discontented” and “injured,” to dismantle Liangshan from within!

After her initial anger, Yan Qing quickly calmed down. Danger often came with opportunity. Did Tong Guan’s action not indicate that the court was not monolithic in its approach to Liangshan, and that internal strife and opportunities existed there as well? Moreover, this letter itself was a potent weapon.

She recalled Li Shishi mentioning that Tong Guan and Cai Jing had disagreements on how to deal with Liangshan. Tong Guan favored military suppression to gain merit, while Cai Jing might have been more concerned with the cost and subsequent impact of an amnesty.

A bold plan quickly formed in Yan Qing’s mind.

She did not immediately destroy the letter or report it to Liangshan (which would only alert them and perhaps even arouse suspicion), nor was she blinded by the five hundred taels of gold. She smoothed out the paper, then fetched a bowl of vinegar. Using a clean brush dipped in vinegar, she began to write on the back of the seemingly blank letter.

This was a simple secret writing method taught by Li Shishi: it left no trace when dry and would only appear when heated (such as by candlelight).

On the back, she meticulously recorded the physical characteristics of Tong Guan’s secret envoy (whom she had deliberately observed), the time of his visit, the key points of their conversation, and importantly, analyzed Tong Guan’s intention—to sow discord among Liangshan’s leaders, pave the way for his strategy of suppression, and possibly use this to undermine his political rival, Cai Jing. She suggested that they could exploit the rivalry between Tong and Cai to steer the amnesty agenda in a direction more favorable to Liangshan.

After writing, she let the paper dry, ensuring no trace was visible, then refolded it and placed it back in the envelope with the bank note.

That evening, Li Shishi arrived as arranged. Yan Qing recounted the day’s events and handed the letter to Li Shishi, unopened.

Upon hearing Yan Qing’s story, a flicker of surprise crossed Li Shishi’s eyes, which then transformed into admiration. She took the envelope but did not immediately read its contents. Instead, she looked at Yan Qing, a smile playing on her lips, “You have grown faster than I imagined. This calmness and adaptability are rare.”

She walked to the candlelight and carefully warmed the back of the letter. Soon, Yan Qing’s neat handwriting appeared. Li Shishi read it carefully, mused for a moment, and nodded, “Your analysis is sound. Tong Guan is cunning; this move kills two birds with one stone, aiming to both dismantle Liangshan and gain political advantage in court. This letter is indeed a valuable asset.”

She then ignited the letter with the revealed writing over the candlelight, watching it turn to ash. She then held up the original letter and the bank note, “Keep the original and the bank note for now. Act as if you are tempted but undecided. I have my own arrangements for how to deal with Tong Guan’s people. This intelligence will be put to good use.”

She paused and added, “As for Liangshan, for now, remain inactive. Simply, at appropriate moments, casually express ‘worries’ about the prospects after an amnesty, especially… concerns about being disbanded or used as cannon fodder. The rest will be handled by others who will help stir the waters.”

Yan Qing nodded in understanding, her mind suddenly clear. Li Shishi truly had eyes and ears within the court, and their influence was considerable.

Tong Guan’s stratagem of division had instead become an opportunity for them to use his own plan against him and stir up trouble.

After seeing Li Shishi off, Yan Qing carefully hid the letter that could ruin her reputation and the hot potato of the bank note.

She knew she was playing with fire, dealing with Tong Guan’s envoy while trying to extract concessions from a tiger, subtly planting seeds of doubt within Liangshan, and closely cooperating with Li Shishi to find a sliver of hope amidst the undercurrents of the court.

Yet, for some reason, the initial fear was gone, replaced by an unprecedented fighting spirit and clarity.

In the chess game of Eastern Capital, she was no longer a passive piece waiting to be moved, but was beginning to attempt to make her own move.

—

(End of Chapter Eighteen)