The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 26 Decisive
The Guo residence gradually became brightly lit.

There were still only a few people in the flower hall. After Guo Tong left, all that could be heard outside the hall were the hurried but orderly footsteps of the guards and servants.

Chai Shouyu beckoned Guo Xin over and said softly, "Go to my room and bring me the box from the bedside."

"Yes."

“Xiao Yi,” Chai Shouyu turned to Xiao Yi and said with emotion, “You risked your life to warn us, and the Guo family has once again received a great favor from you.”

"It's what I should do."

"The Guo family is too busy to repay us in the short term. I have a little money, please don't think it's vulgar, take it to save your life. If my husband can survive this calamity, I will reward you handsomely."

Xiao Yi understood Chai Shouyu's intention to protect him.

For him, hiding for now and waiting for Guo Wei to become emperor before seeking some reward would be the safest option.

But he answered without hesitation, "This junior is willing to escort Madam north."

Chai Shouyu asked curiously, "How did you know I would be heading north?"

Xiao Yi didn't know, but was advising her to leave, saying, "I have also offended Su Fengji and Li Ye, and I know that they are narrow-minded and wolves who will never let the Guo family go. Madam is a woman who is not inferior to men, so you should make a decision quickly."

"The Shi family has suffered a great calamity. Since you were able to escape, why not flee far away instead of continuing to get involved? Aren't you afraid of a terrible disaster?"

Xiao Yi felt Chai Shouyu's scrutiny, met her gaze frankly, and revealed his schemes and ambitions.

He knew that a person with desires was easier to control than someone driven by "loyalty" or "loyalty".

"To be honest, Madam, I am also looking for a way out for myself. I have always admired General Guo Jie. Only by joining him can I protect myself in this turbulent situation and even make a name for myself."

"It's impressive that you have such a broad perspective."

Chai Shouyu nodded, his eyes showing even more appreciation.

She was decisive and, without saying anything else, raised her hand to stop Guo Xin, who was about to leave.

"Your official robes are unworthy of the message you delivered tonight, nor are they worthy of your courage. When you arrive in Yedu, my husband will reward you handsomely."

"Thank you ma'am."

Xiao Yi understood the underlying meaning in her words.

Since the topic of official robes had come up, he took out his official document and handed it to Chai Shouyu.

“This was given to me by a righteous man when I fled. It is not appropriate to involve him now. He will deliver a letter to Commander Guo when we reach Yedu.”

"This person must be extraordinary."

Chai Shouyu didn't press further, but sighed.

She took the document, glanced at it, nodded, returned it with both hands, and asked, "Your surname is Xiao? And your given name is Yi?"

"Yes."

“I have noted it down.” Chai Shouyu said frankly, “I was wondering if you were Shi Erlang, with your magnanimity, courage, and determination to go north.”

“Madam misunderstands. I am just Xiao Yi. I have no background or connections, and I have nothing to hide.”

"it is good!"

Chai Shouyu gave a thumbs-up, then muttered something to himself after a moment.

The voice was very soft, and Xiao Yi couldn't hear it clearly, but it sounded vaguely like something like "what a pity".

Immediately afterward, Chai Shouyu's regret vanished, and she pulled Guo Wuniang, who was standing beside her, closer.

"Fifth Sister, have you thanked your benefactor? Last time in front of the Great Xiangguo Temple, if it weren't for Xiao Lang, my daughter and I would have been hit by the frightened horse."

“My mother said last time that there was no need for unmarried women to show up and express their gratitude.”

"Times have changed, listen to me."

"Oh."

Guo Wuniang stepped forward honestly, curtsied, and said, "Thank you for saving me twice."

Xiao Yi said, "Young lady, you're too kind."

Guo Wuniang blinked, as if signaling him not to reveal her gambling, then gave a barely perceptible "humph" and returned to Chai Shouyu's side, her eyes curiously scrutinizing him.

The sound of hurried but deliberately light footsteps came from outside the hall.

Guo Tong changed into a suit of armor and led two guards back to the flower hall.

He wasn't wearing the same bright armor that Zhang Mantun wore when he broke through the siege, but rather leather lamellar armor, with a breastplate, iron arm guards, and iron trousers, covered by a thick velvet cloak—lightweight and practical.

“Mother.” Guo Tong said with a solemn expression, “It wasn’t just the Grand Tutor’s mansion that was raided; the residences of Yang Bin and Wang Zhang were also raided.”

"What about Lord Yang and Lord Wang?"

"They entered the palace with the Grand Tutor before evening and have not come out since. I'm afraid... their fate is grim." Chai Shouyu showed no surprise, but sighed and said, "To execute a regent without question is too cruel. This will surely cause everyone to live in fear and the world to fall apart."

Guo Tong said, "Things have come to this point, and it's difficult for my father to remain unscathed. I'm afraid the officials will take action against us."

"Does he dare?" Guo Xin said indignantly, "Yedu has well-trained and well-supplied troops, and my father holds the seal of office. If he dares to harm us, isn't he afraid that my father will march into Dongjing?"

"Shut up," Guo Tong snapped. "If Your Majesty had any sense of propriety, would things have come to this tonight?"

His face grew even uglier. He took a few steps forward and leaned down to whisper in Chai Shouyu's ear.

"Mother, there's one more thing. General Wang has returned from the previous campaign..."

Seeing this, Xiao Yi thought to himself that Guo Tong was probably avoiding him, an outsider.

But in the current situation, what could be worth whispering about now?

Looking over, I saw Chai Shouyu shake his head and say in a low voice, "There's no need to worry about your grandfather for now."

"Yes."

Xiao Yi heard that the matter concerned Guo Wei, and that it was mentioned after Guo Xin had said "the troops are well-trained and well-supplied," "he holds the key position," and "weaponized to march into Tokyo," so he guessed that something had gone wrong in some part of the process.

The Guo family didn't have much time to discuss things.

Chai Shouyu made a decision quickly.

"Leave the capital immediately and head to Yedu."

"Yes."

"Do not pack up your household belongings. Take some gold, silver and dry food with you. Prepare the necessities for the journey. Before you go, have someone prepare horses."

"Yes, I will have someone arrange it right away."

Xiao Yi inwardly applauded Chai Shouyu's decisiveness, but then he saw her fall into thought, her brows furrowing.

"Xiao Lang."

"Please give your instructions, Madam."

Chai Shouyu asked, "You say Liu Zhu betrayed you, but do you have any concrete evidence?"

“No,” Xiao Yi said firmly. “But I heard Yan Jinqing say with my own ears that His Majesty intended to take action. After that, Yan Jinqing was taken away by Liu Zhu. If he wasn’t an accomplice, why would he have condoned what happened tonight?”

Chai Shouyu murmured, "If that's the case, it's too disadvantageous."

"Mother asked the Prefect of Kaifeng, is it because you're worried about not being able to leave the city?" Guo Tong's eyes also revealed deep worry, but after a moment, it was replaced by determination, and he said, "Your son will swear to protect Mother with his life."

“Relying on courage and strength is useless.” Chai Shouyu shook his head.

After a long pause, she pondered for a moment and then uttered another name.

"Wang Yin, the Commander of the Imperial Guards Infantry, you must have heard of him, Young Master Xiao? Do you know anything about him?"

Xiao Yi's mind raced, and he realized that Chai Shouyu had immediately grasped the key point.

He had some understanding of the Imperial Guard's strength at the Shi residence, since the Imperial Guard was under the control of Shi Hongzhao.

The Imperial Guard comprised several units, the most important of which was the Personal Guard, which was further divided into infantry and cavalry. The infantry was responsible for combat and city defense, while the cavalry was responsible for mobile assaults. In addition, there were the Yabing (private guards), the Jingji Patrol Army, and some small elite units, such as the Tingzidu and the Silver Spear Elite Army.

Among them, the Imperial Guard Infantry was the main force, responsible for the defense of Kaifeng.

Shi Hongzhao personally served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry and Cavalry; Wang Yin was the Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry; and Wang Yin's deputy, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry, was concurrently held by Liu Zhu, the Prefect of Kaifeng.

In addition, the Imperial Guards were divided into infantry and cavalry, as well as left and right wings. Nie Wenjin, who defected this time, was the commander of the right wing.

In short, Nie Wenjin and Liu Zhu controlled the Imperial Guards and the defenses of Kaifeng, and the only one who could hold their own against them was Wang Yin.

Xiao Yi said, "Madam, Wang Yin is not in Kaifeng. I heard that he led his troops to take charge of the Yellow River defense in preparation for a winter attack by the Khitan."

"Not in Kaifeng? It seems they had planned this all along." Chai Shouyu murmured, his eyes finally dimming. "The Emperor's cunning is deeper than I expected."

She pondered for a long time, as if she had made a decision, and then slowly spoke.

"Young Master Xiao, I have a request that I cannot make."

Xiao Yi said, "If Madam wishes to contact Wang Yin, I am willing to go."

"No, it's too late. I have other requests to make, and although I fear I may be a burden to you, I sincerely hope that you can fulfill them."

“Please speak freely, Madam. I will do whatever it takes to do what I can.”

Chai Shouyu nodded, but didn't say anything immediately. Instead, he took Guo Wuniang's hand and patted it gently.

In this tense situation, even a moment of silence seems like a luxury.

"Fifth Sister, go change into some light clothes, take Yi-ge'er, and wait at the back door."

(End of this chapter)