Chapter Sixty-Four: Temptation

Liangzhou was a rather peculiar place. Here, military and civil authorities governed jointly—at least in name. Yet in reality, Gan Sui’s official rank was several grades below that of General Mu, and it was likely that the general’s word would prevail in all matters. Moreover, General Mu had married a concubine-born daughter of the Wen family, casting further uncertainty over his prospects.

On the second day after Gan Sui's arrival, he received an invitation from the general’s residence—a welcoming banquet in his honor. Having spent his first day cleaning up the mess left by his predecessor, Gan Sui was already exhausted and overwhelmed. When he learned of the banquet, he felt a fleeting urge to decline, but politeness compelled him to accept.

Custom dictated that such occasions be attended by both officials and their wives, for the ladies’ diplomacy fostered friendships as well. Yet Gan Sui was reluctant to bring Banxia. His wife was with child; if she were to suffer any slight at the banquet, it would pain him deeply. “You’re pregnant now. Don’t wait up for me as you used to. Rest early—I’ll have Anzi watch over you,” Gan Sui instructed her as Hanshui loaded gifts onto the carriage.

Banxia nodded, seeing him to the door. Gan Sui had intended to ride horseback, but Banxia worried that he might return late and drunk, making riding inconvenient. So she had Hanshui drive him in a carriage instead.

“Come inside, sister, the wind is cold. I haven’t shared a meal with you in so long. May I dine with you tonight?” Anzi pleaded. Banxia’s condition this pregnancy was severe—she vomited incessantly at the smell of grease and ate only bland foods. Anzi, still growing, had his meals prepared separately by Madam He.

“I’m afraid my food’s too plain for your taste,” Banxia said.

“It’s all right—I’ve been craving something lighter anyway.”

“In that case, I’ll have Madam He prepare extra and bring it to the main hall so we can eat together.”

By the time Gan Sui arrived at the general’s residence, night had just fallen. The entire estate loomed in the darkness, both imposing and opulent—a stark contrast to the huddled townsfolk shivering in thin cotton robes as they hurried along the street. Gan Sui sighed, alighted from the carriage, straightened his robes, and presented his invitation. “Gan Sui, Prefect of Liangzhou, here to pay my respects.”

The steward, who had been waiting at the door, hurried to greet him. “Lord Gan, the general has been awaiting you. Please, come inside.”

“Thank you, Steward.”

Gan Sui followed him in. Laughter and music echoed from within. After several hundred paces, they reached the banquet hall. The room was so brightly lit it seemed like daylight. Gan Sui noted, in addition to the candles, several fist-sized luminous pearls suspended by fine golden threads from the rafters. Just how wealthy was the general’s household?

“Brother Gan, you’re finally here! You’re late—three drinks as penalty!” A burly, rotund man approached, his face flushed with drink. The steward bowed. “General.”

Gan Sui was startled—this was the general? With his corpulent figure, there was no trace of martial discipline about him. Gan Sui lowered his gaze and saluted. “General Mu.”

“I’m a rough man, not one for formalities. Come, Brother Gan, drink with me!” The general pressed a large cup into Gan Sui’s hand. “Fill Lord Gan’s cup!”

“I’m afraid I can’t hold much liquor—this cup is rather large…”

“A man who can’t drink is hardly a man at all. Brother Gan, that won’t do…”

“General, if the prefect can’t drink, don’t force him. Lilian will drink for him.” A syrupy voice rang out.

Gan Sui turned. A woman in a red dress smiled sweetly at him. Though it was early winter and the room was warmed by charcoal, her attire bared a swath of snowy-white chest. Gan Sui averted his eyes. The court had expressly banned officials from consorting with courtesans—did these people care nothing for the law?

“Oh my, Lilian is rarely so eager. Lord Gan, you are truly favored—Lilian is the famed unattainable beauty.”

“Beauties love talented men. Lilian has long admired Lord Gan—the youngest top scholar in our realm. Though my station is humble, I am willing to offer my fortune of recent years and serve in your household, my lord.” The crowd grew even more boisterous. Gan Sui felt a wave of disgust but forced a smile. “I already have a wife at home, and dare not entertain the thought. Miss Lilian, please seek another patron.”

“I would never presume to aspire to the position of wife. I only wish to serve as a maid or concubine, if my lord would allow it.”

“Don’t refuse, Lord Gan. Such a beauty—what a blessing!” General Mu continued to urge him, sounding more like a procuress than a military man.

“General, best not speak further. My wife is a veritable tigress. If I so much as glance at another woman, she makes a scene for half a day. If I brought someone home, she’d tear the roof off… Besides, she’s pregnant…”

“Brother Gan, you don’t understand. You don’t have to bring her home. I have a house on South Street—three courtyards deep. If you like, it’s yours. Let Lilian live there—no one will know. You’ll have both son and beauty—why not?” As he spoke, General Mu slapped Gan Sui’s shoulder, his boozy breath wafting over.

Gan Sui lowered his head to mask his revulsion. “I appreciate the general’s kindness, but I truly have no such intentions. With so many matters demanding attention as I settle into Liangzhou, I must devote myself to my duties and repay His Majesty’s favor.”

General Mu’s face darkened. “Lord Gan, are you refusing to honor me?”

“I beg your forgiveness, General.”

“You… you’ve got nerve…” General Mu hurled his cup to the floor, but Gan Sui’s composure did not waver.

“To arrive in Liangzhou and already show such poor judgment… You put me in a difficult position, Lord Gan.”

“No need, General. I dare not presume upon your status. I thank everyone for the banquet, but as I cannot hold my liquor, I must take my leave.” Gan Sui drained his cup and walked out.

“Very well… a greenhorn who doesn’t know what’s good for him.”

The night wind outside stung his face, clearing his mind. Gan Sui realized that in offending the general, his path ahead would be fraught with difficulty. Leaving the estate, he was met by Hanshui. “My lord, you’re finished so soon?”

“Yes, let’s go home.”

Sensing his sour mood, Hanshui drove the carriage silently back. Anzi was strolling with Banxia in the main hall. Hearing Gan Sui had returned, the two exchanged glances and hurried out. Banxia, seeing him so clear-eyed, guessed he’d hardly touched the wine.

“You’re back so soon—you must not have eaten well. Shanzhi, have Madam He make some chicken noodle soup.” Then, turning to Gan Sui, “The wind has roughened your face—go wash up and I’ll apply some cream.” This was a gift from Wang Xiaoshan, who had shipped over a large crate, saying that in Liangzhou’s harsh climate, it would come in handy.

Gan Sui obeyed at once, heading off to wash. Banxia beckoned Hanshui and inquired after Gan Sui. Hanshui, equally perplexed, could only say that Gan Sui had left the banquet almost as soon as he arrived—he must have been displeased.

Madam He moved quickly, and soon Shanzhi brought in a steaming bowl of noodles, topped with mushrooms, greens, and a poached egg—a simple but appetizing meal.

Gan Sui ate heartily, and only after finishing did he feel truly revived.

“Brother Gan, what happened at the banquet?” Anzi asked.

“There was some unpleasantness. I quarreled with the general. I fear things will be hard for us now.”

Banxia understood his nature well. He would not make enemies unless truly provoked. “How hard could it be? Didn’t we survive on nothing but gruel once? If it comes to it, we’ll just go home and farm.”

Gan Sui caressed her soft cheek. “I couldn’t bear for you and our little one to suffer. No matter how hard, I’ll fight on.”

Gan Sui braced himself for the general’s retaliation. But to his surprise, the next day a gift arrived from the general, apologizing for his drunken behavior and asking Gan Sui not to take offense.

Gan Sui didn’t dwell on whether the apology was genuine or a pretense. Year-end affairs piled up, keeping him at his desk until well after dark each day.

As the year drew to a close, the cold deepened. Reviewing old records, Gan Sui noted that the Kele tribe typically raided around this time, owing to food shortages. He sought out the general. The steward led him to the study, where he waited nearly half an incense stick before the general appeared.

“General, the records show that the Kele tribe often attacks Liangzhou at this season for lack of provisions. Should we make preparations?”

“Lord Gan, you’re new and don’t understand. Those barbarians are easy to deal with. They come every year, steal some food, then go home to wait out the winter. It’s nothing serious. Besides, we have thousands of soldiers at the city gates. Why worry about a few hundred Kele horsemen? You needn’t concern yourself.”

“But what of the surrounding counties…”

“The people are used to it. No harm done. I’m busy with year-end matters. If you have nothing urgent, I’ll get back to work. If you’re worried, have your constables patrol the streets—give the people a bit more peace of mind.”

The general left in haste. As Gan Sui was escorted out, he heard the strains of opera drifting across the courtyard, and his chest filled with burning indignation.

With the general so lost in pleasure, it was little wonder that those below him followed suit. The next day, Gan Sui summoned the county magistrates, instructing them to strengthen patrols and guard against the Kele in the cold. They all gave flowery assurances, but as Gan Sui later overheard at a corner, one of them muttered, “Does the prefect not realize how few people we have in each county? The constables can handle petty thieves, but the Kele are powerful horsemen. If the prefect won’t coordinate with the general for troops, how can we defend the city? He’s making things hard for us.”

“Exactly. He’s too young, too inexperienced. I heard he offended the general the other day—now he’s taking it out on us.”

Gan Sui paused at the corner before returning to his study. With no troops under his command, all he could do was order the constables to double patrols and send a letter to the capital.

Half a month later, a heavy snow blanketed Liangzhou. Overnight, everything in sight was covered with a thick layer of white. Banxia, just past her third month, was drowsy; as Gan Sui left, he kissed her gently and slipped quietly out.

Such snowfalls threatened to collapse buildings, but Gan Sui had long since ordered the inspection and repair of all homes and structures in the area. When the storm passed, no news came of collapsed houses or casualties.