Chapter 28: Arrival at Tiao County (Please Vote for Me)

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Qiao County, November.

On the road leading from Qiao County to the Yongji Canal, there were countless common folk and merchants coming and going. Those traveling in small groups pushed two or three wooden wheelbarrows, while larger parties traveled by horse-drawn carriages, flanked by armed guards and covered carts to shield the merchants from wind and rain, presenting an impressive spectacle.

The Fu family moved along the road in silence, glancing at the frost-laden wild grass and thickets flanking the path. They now understood why the travelers they had met said that the heat in July made one reluctant to step outside in Qiao County, yet by October frost would appear, and come November, the cold could be deadly.

As they pressed onward toward Qiao County, none of the Fu family felt like speaking. The cold wind, mingled with fine drizzle, chilled them to the bone. Even Grandfather wrapped himself tightly in a wool blanket, gasping heavily as he struggled to keep pace, unwilling to slow the group.

Fortunately, Qiao County was not far from the Yongji Canal. Once they crossed the Zhangshui Bridge, they arrived at their destination.

Beneath the city gates, Fu Zihou, who was helping his cousin push their cart, finally stopped to catch his breath. He gazed up at the towering, formidable city before them and felt a wave of relief.

“Grandfather, we’re here!”

Fu Zihou turned to his grandfather, feeling both nervous and uneasy now that they had truly arrived.

The Li family of Qiao County, though not as illustrious as the Li clans of Longxi or Zhao Commandery, was still a prominent house. The Fu family had come seeking refuge, fleeing calamity.

Though Grandfather had repeatedly claimed along the journey that the Li family, being of noble standing, had already damaged their reputation by substituting their fourth daughter—originally promised to the Fu family—for the sixth daughter, who was born with a defect, and would not dare to fully break the engagement or act ruthlessly, Fu Zihou could not help but feel anxious at the prospect of meeting them.

After all, no one ever wished to be at the heart of a broken betrothal. Besides, this was his first time in this strange place, about to meet the Li family members he had only ever heard of from his grandfather, and to finally set eyes on his betrothed, a girl he had never met.

At the city gate—

“Where are you from?” The city guard asked as Fu Zihou’s group approached.

“Huaiyang!” Fu Zihou replied, presenting their travel document to the guard.

Although Gao Shida had once raised a rebellion against Sui in Qiao County, he had never harmed the county itself; once his following grew large enough to draw the Sui court’s attention, he had relocated directly to Gaojipo. Thus, the guards at Qiao County’s gates were still Sui soldiers.

“Go on in!” Seeing the document stated they were seeking refuge with the Li family, the guard accepted it without further questions, allowing the Fu family to enter.

This document, issued in Huaiyang, served as their proof for entering Qiao County and was now to be archived at the local yamen.

“Thank you!” Fu Zihou nodded in gratitude, then continued forward with his cousin, pushing the wheelbarrow and leading the family into the city.

Within Qiao County, the streets bustled with merchants and travelers. The flow of carts moved slowly through the throng.

“This city is enormous!” someone exclaimed.

“Yes! Just look at the shops lining the street—there’s nothing here that can’t be found in Wanqiu…”

“Well, Yongji Canal is right here. All the commerce of Xindu Commandery passes through Qiao County. I even heard from the boatmen that Zhao Commandery…”

Listening to the cheerful chatter of his aunt, grandfather, and others ahead, Fu Zihou took in the prosperous and lively scene around him.

After all their hardships, their arrival in Qiao County marked a turning point at last.

“That’s so pretty!”

“Mother, look at that one too…”

Surrounded by the noise and excitement of the marketplace, Fu Zihou gazed at the sturdy buildings, the shops, and the rows of street vendors along the roadside.

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He looked at his grandfather and his cousin, both sweating from the journey, and at his aunt, mother, and cousin’s wife, who spoke animatedly as they pointed at the various stalls.

In Fu Zihou’s mind, no matter what happened with the Li family marriage, the Fu family would settle in this city. Even in the worst case—if the Li family went back on their word—he intended to use the engagement as leverage to secure the Li family’s protection for his kin.

Returning to Huaiyang was no longer an option.

His aunt, mother, and cousin’s wife desperately needed a place to stay, and his grandfather needed somewhere to rest. The past days of wandering and constant anxiety had exhausted the whole family.

After asking for directions along the way, they finally reached the Li family residence.

Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Fu Zihou was still taken aback by the sheer size of the compound. As they walked alongside its high walls, guarded by the Li family retainers, he occasionally glimpsed ancient trees within the grounds.

If only Fu Zihou had felt nervous at the city gate, now his aunt, mother, and cousin’s wife, seeing the mighty Li family home with their own eyes, grew uneasy as well.

The Li family showed no signs of decline!

Would they still honor their betrothal to the Fu family?

“Li Gang, in his youth, first served the Northern Zhou, acting as adjutant to Prince Qi, Yuwen Xian, and later, as a Groom of the Stables to the Sui Crown Prince Yang Yong. The family is, therefore, well-off,” Grandfather explained, sensing everyone’s astonishment.

“Father, I hope the Lis won’t turn their backs on us like the Leis did! Now that we’re down on our luck, what if the Li family treats us as Lei Nian did and refuses to acknowledge us? We’d have nowhere to go!” Zhang, the eldest daughter-in-law, said anxiously.

“Never!” Grandfather waved his hand, reassuring Zhang that the relationship between Li Gang and the Fu family was not so easily dismissed. The Fu family had helped Li Gang in the past; given his character, he would not renege on their bond.

“That’s easy to say! Didn’t they already…” Zhang scoffed, but Grandfather cut her off.

“That matter had little to do with Li Gang!” he said impatiently, explaining that Li Gang had spent those years serving at court, not in Qiao County.

“Then why are you still angry with him?”

“I’m angry at the Li family, not Li Gang himself! What do you know?” Grandfather snapped, annoyed at Zhang’s questions. He was angry at the family’s snub, not at Li Gang, and, after all, the Li family were all his descendants. Was it so wrong to direct his anger at Li Gang too?

“Fine, have it your way!” Zhang gave up the argument.

Old Liu, watching them bicker, was used to it. Thinking of Li Gang, he showed a look of respect as he gazed at the grand residence.

“By now, Li Gang must be sixty-eight! I’ve heard that, years ago, after Yuwen Xian was killed, all his old subordinates avoided involvement, except for Li Gang, who clung to the coffin, weeping bitterly, and, despite risking his own life, buried him himself! He even spent his own money to help Yuwen Xian’s daughter escape. For his righteousness, Li Gang is universally praised,” Old Liu remarked, reminding Zhang of Li Gang’s reputation and integrity.

Grandfather nodded, telling Fu Zihou and Fu Zhi that it was during those days—before the Fu family’s decline—that they’d forged a bond with Li Gang. He added, with some emotion, that when Emperor Xuan of Zhou had planned to execute Yuwen Xian, summoning his staff and fabricating charges, Li Gang had refused to yield, nearly beaten to death for his loyalty.

As Grandfather reminisced, the Fu family finally stood before the main gates of the Li residence.

Seeing six servants on guard outside, even Tao, Tai, and Zhang couldn’t help but glance nervously at their meager belongings, comparing the modest bundles and luggage on their cart to the imposing estate before them.

The contrast was daunting.

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“Don’t be afraid! Wait here,” Grandfather said, passing his wool blanket to Tao and signaling Fu Zihou to assist him.

Fu Zihou understood at once and hurried to support his grandfather as they approached the servants—though before he could speak, Grandfather called out,

“Is Li Wenji at home?”

His words made the six servants exchange bewildered looks.

For Li Gang’s courtesy name was Wenji.

“Who are you, to address Elder Li by name?” the head servant demanded, frowning. He eyed the old man and the young one, then glanced at the family members gathered in the distance. Their attire was even humbler than his own, and their direct address to the master’s personal name was unprecedented in the household.

“We are old friends of the Li family—the Fu family! If Li Wenji is at home, tell him to come out and meet me!” Grandfather ordered, making it clear the servant should go inside quickly and announce their arrival.

Fu Zihou hadn’t expected his grandfather to be so blunt. Normally, Grandfather was courteous to all, even those he disliked, always acting with decorum. This was the first time Fu Zihou had seen him so forthright.

Yet seeing Grandfather like this, Fu Zihou felt reassured. Clearly, his grandfather and Elder Li had known each other well; otherwise, he would never have dared speak so freely.

“Elder Li is not at home,” the head servant replied, now more polite, for the names the old man mentioned were not ones a stranger would know.

“Then what about his sons—Li Shuyun, Li Shaozhi, Li Liyan? Are any of them here?” Grandfather asked, disappointed but not surprised, as he’d heard that Li Gang had retired to Hu County, farther away near Chang’an.

“Old sir, you’re not from around here, are you?” The servant was now thoroughly puzzled by the names Grandfather listed, but realized these people might truly be old family friends. He sent someone inside to inform the masters.

Soon the servant returned to report: two years prior, the third son, Li Shuyun, had been killed by bandits on his way back from Chang’an; the fourth and fifth sons were in Wuyang Commandery; only the second son, Li Jingjie, was currently in charge at home.

“Why is he still here? How could Li Shuyun have been murdered by bandits? Who would be so heartless?” Grandfather asked, frowning in dismay at the news.

Fu Zihou hadn’t expected that—of Li Gang’s five sons, the third had been killed two years ago. On the journey, Grandfather had mentioned that the eldest, Li Chongli, had served in Nanhai and died young, and that only the third and fifth sons were easygoing, while the second and fourth were either inept or narrow-minded.

To arrive and immediately hear of Li Shuyun’s murder was a shock.

“I heard it was someone surnamed Xie…” the servant replied, his face darkening with anger, as did those of the other retainers. All had benefited from Li Shuyun’s kindness; they longed for revenge on the Xie who had killed him.

As Fu Zihou supported Grandfather and talked with the servants, a man in his forties, dressed in silk, soon appeared in haste from the garden within the gates.