Volume One: The World’s Focus on the New Orient Chapter 11: The Next Day, Meeting the Court Officials—Trouble Outside the Door

Early the next morning, Zhao Congjian, true to his night owl habits, was nonetheless awakened by the bustling maids: the servants, busy from dawn until dusk, dared not idle for a moment. In the absence of ample artificial light, it was only natural that people worked from sunrise.

The Lord of Sleep had not visited him in the latter half of the night. As the maid urged him to rise and dress, Zhao Congjian recalled that yesterday he had spoken of summoning the acting prefect. In these turbulent times, witnessing the rise and fall of fortunes, the prefect—now stripped of office—must be restless beyond words, surely waiting outside his old stronghold at first light.

Mindful of the teachings of the Duke of Zhou, Zhao Congjian resolved to show respect for the wise and capable. He hurried the maid to help him dress, then called for his page and headed straight to the prefect’s residence. As expected, Linghu Beicheng, anxious about losing his position altogether, was waiting outside with his coachman, though he did not yet appear overly distressed.

Zhao Congjian strode out, and the servants at the entrance immediately bowed to greet their lord. Linghu Beicheng, seated in his carriage, heard the commotion, dismounted, and knelt before the king. Zhao Congjian did not rush to help him up; breathing in the scent of the morning sun, his mind not yet fully clear without a proper wash, he let out a long yawn and stretched lazily—a fitting gesture for the moment.

Linghu Beicheng remained kneeling, his thoughts swirling. He wondered what had prompted this formidable new king to come out personally to meet him, and why he had not yet been invited to rise.

Zhao Congjian approached the former prefect and spoke softly: “You are an elder, and there are no eavesdroppers here. Might you ease my confusion?” Seeing the eunuch was absent, Linghu Beicheng looked up at the king’s chin, frowned slightly, and glanced sidelong to gauge his intent, replying respectfully, “Your servant does not know what Your Majesty wishes to ask. Should I be aware, I will speak without reservation.”

Zhao Congjian had little patience for such formalities and cut straight to the point: “Did the King of Qin send envoys to persuade the local governors to surrender? What are your thoughts—do you wish to welcome me, or Qin?”

Linghu Beicheng was visibly startled; indeed, Qin envoys had come to Dai Prefecture, though he had told no one. Secret dealings with the enemy were punishable by death! Yet the facts were clear: with the news of Handan’s fall circulating for days, none could say when, after repeated sieges by Qin, the kingdom might perish. Everyone had long prepared their own escape routes. For a border official like himself, facing incursions from the Xiongnu and Donghu, with troops stretched thin, it was essential to maintain covert relations with any foreign power. Otherwise, he could lose office and become a commoner—or worse, see his family destroyed.

Should he confess the truth? The new king was no fool, and he should not attempt to deceive him. Yet in the absence of concrete evidence, he was merely being questioned—much as he himself interrogated suspicious agents from the counties. No matter his answer, the decision was not his to make. The only assurance he could offer was this: as a border official, any secret dealings were kept within the realm of countless possible futures; he had never issued a single treasonous order.

“Your Majesty, Dai Prefecture lies at the crossroads, with many comings and goings, and rumors abound. Governance cannot be flawless. If others have whispered to you, please clarify, and I will answer truthfully!” Linghu Beicheng, gifted in intelligence work, was resolute, clinging steadfastly to his position. Whether or not he would receive a new post, he could not afford to let down his guard. Fleeing to Yan, Qin, or even Xiongnu was always an option; such choices could even enhance his later prospects!

Zhao Congjian, seeing his spontaneous questioning yielded little, changed his approach and asked Linghu Beicheng to guide him to sample the border region’s breakfast. Linghu Beicheng’s heart leapt again: there truly were spies in the city!

At the very least, infiltration from Qin had never ceased. From the trade of fur to the smuggling of fine horses and camels, even targeted assassinations and sabotage occurred annually. Let alone the king—such a conspicuous, valuable target! Without hesitation, he refused: “Your Majesty, this is not a trivial matter. Dai’s society is complex and enemy infiltration deep; vigilance is essential! I will have local delicacies purchased and sent to your residence. Please, do not leave the prefecture! The situation is extraordinary, and you are the hope of Zhao!”

Zhao Congjian saw his chance and pressed further: “If spies fill the city, how can you be so negligent? I ask nothing of past faults, only this: do you wish to surrender to Qin or remain loyal to Zhao?”

Linghu Beicheng’s face flushed with shame and anger, just as it had yesterday. Apart from his initial outburst, he had yet to offer any useful advice to the new king. The so-called ‘new appointment’ was likely just a pretext for stripping his power. Having served in Dai for half a lifetime, he had braved both sword and pen, earned his achievements at risk of life, and was loath to relinquish them. Had he closed his doors to the ‘uninvited guests,’ he might still serve as prefect for Qin or Yan...

At this moment, Linghu Beicheng actually considered surrendering to Qin, regretting he had not accepted their envoy’s offer before. Now, not only had the exiles ‘taken over,’ but he risked losing his own head. After a long pause, having shed all concern for honor and disgrace, Linghu Beicheng finally managed to reply: “I am a border man, guardian of Dai, favored by General Li Mu, regardless of origin, and have served as prefect until now. If Your Majesty wishes to remove me, it is within your power. If you wish to keep me, likewise. As for loyalty, whether to Zhao or Qin, I will speak plainly: with the state so near ruin, the people of Dai serve only to guard their land!” He finished, sweating profusely, awaiting his fate.

Zhao Congjian smiled with satisfaction. This old prefect was not a man of eloquence, but he understood practical matters and was far from being dispensable. For officials of Dai, whether power was seized or relinquished, both were acceptable; most important was hearing their true feelings. To be questioned so directly, his answer must be his bottom line.

At that moment, Miao Fengnian hurried from the prefecture, anxious and confused. He had expected a restful night, only to find the king had risen early and was privately meeting a border official!

His power depended on monopolizing communication between the inner court and outer officials—especially local ones. If such meetings became common, the king would learn the truth of the people, and his own wealth and influence would be lost. Embarrassed and annoyed, he rebuked Zhao Congjian: “Your Majesty must not leave the residence so lightly! There are many in the city who would wish you harm. Please, take care of yourself!”

Zhao Congjian waved him off, instructing him to invite Linghu Beicheng in for a meeting, entering the courtyard with a cheerful smile. The former prefect, thus rescued, slumped to the ground, watching the eunuch’s bewildered expression.

Miao then strode forward and pressed, “What did the king ask you just now?” Linghu Beicheng got up and replied coldly, “Nothing—only discussed the nature of loyalty, nothing more.”

Clever as Miao was, he immediately recalled yesterday’s events and quickly surmised: the king must have given him a hard time. Now that they were ‘cuckoos in the magpie’s nest,’ the king’s assertion of authority was not unexpected. This child was astonishingly shrewd... Such an awkward situation—perhaps it was best not to be present. He gestured magnanimously for Linghu Beicheng to follow, and walked into the prefecture.

Soon after, the two passed through the side hall. Linghu Beicheng gazed at the familiar territory he had paced countless times, remembering the joy of holding absolute power when Zhao was strong—the ‘capital near the city’ was indeed a painful and sinful place! Oh Zhao, how have you fallen so far?