A Pawn’s Passage

The first three days of negotiations were conducted with utmost formality. Even if it was just a performance, it had to be convincing. Both sides clashed fiercely over irreconcilable issues such as the punishment of war criminals and the surrender of authority.

The Tenmon Sect insisted on the pardon of the royal family and the preservation of its status and power. Only if the Daoist Order conceded this point could the talks proceed further.

But the Daoist Sect would never yield. The true root of Fenglin's upheaval lay not with the Tenmon Sect, not even with the insurgent ronin, but with the royal family itself. To secure lasting peace, their influence must be stripped away, their divine status reduced to mortality. Without getting rid of the source, even if the Tenmon Sect surrendered today, rebellion would surely rise again.

One must treat the root of the problem to cure a disease and not just its symptoms.

On the fourth day, Zhang Qihan summoned Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu for a private audience.

Zhang Qihan gestured for them to sit and activated a privacy barrier with a wave of his hand before speaking. "There are two days left of talks. Yet, I fear these two days will not yield any concrete results."

Qi Xuansu replied, "That was always expected. We're just here as a gesture of formality."

Zhang Qihan shook his head. "That's not my point. I'm talking about another matter. You two have come to Fenglin for the first time, but Deputy Mansion Master Li and I have been here for years. His duties as the Second Deputy allowed him to expand his circle, spanning not only the Chancellor's Office but also the royal family, the Tenmon Sect, and even the Buddhist Sect. Speaking of the Buddhist Sect, do you know of Hinnyo from the Hongan-ji?"

Zhang Yuelu nodded. "I do. Honganji is the head temple of the Fenglin Buddhist Jodo Shinshu Sect. Kennyo was the first monk granted the title of Gon Sojo. Though he was a monk, he was considered one of the daimyos. Now, 13 generations later, his descendant Hinnyo still carries the title of Gon Sojo. When the Sage Commander arrived in Xiujing and summoned all ministers, Hinnyo excused himself with endless reasons and refused to appear."

Zhang Qihan said grimly, "From what we have gathered, Hinnyo has long since cast his lot with the royal family and now stands as a pillar of the Sonno-joi faction."

Zhang Yuelu frowned. "I have never understood. Why would Hinnyo support the Sonno-joi faction? He should know the Daoist Order's strength and that there is no path forward in opposing us."

Qi Xuansu answered in her stead. "There's nothing strange about it. It's because of Shinbutsu-shugo, the amalgamation of kami and buddhas."

Zhang Yuelu froze. She knew what Shinbutsu-shugo meant, but that was the root of her doubt. "In that era, Buddhism took the lead, and the Tenmon Sect was reduced to its vassal. Their main deity was recast as the Buddha's incarnation in Fenglin. It wasn't until Confucian teachings became widespread in Fenglin that the Tenmon Sect slowly broke free from Buddhism. By reason, the Fenglin Buddhist Sect and the Tenmon Sect should be foes. With us striking at the Tenmon Sect, even if the Buddhists did not aid us, they should at least remain neutral. Why would they lend their hand to the Tenmon Sect?"

Since Zhang Yuelu was always diligent, thorough, and exceptionally gifted, chances for Qi Xuansu to show off before her were rare. Now, having caught such a once-in-a-lifetime chance, he was not about to let it slip by.

Qi Xuansu smiled faintly and explained, "The Tenmon Sect's backing lies in the Three Great Kami. Yet those three are not Fenglin's first generation of gods, but the third. Before ascending, they were called the Three Noble Children, as the youngest offspring of the second-generation god. They were commanded to govern the mortal realm and gained incense power, which allowed them to ascend. Even so, they were only vassals of the second generation, hardly worthy of being called supreme gods."

Zhang Yuelu, sharp as ever, pieced it together at once with only this hint, aided by her extensive reading of records. "So it was the Buddhists that helped the Three Great Kami defeat the second generation of Fenglin god and seal them beneath Mount Fuyo, the so-called evil god. That's why the Three Great Kami willingly became vassals of the Buddhist Sect."

Qi Xuansu nodded. "Exactly. The ties between the Tenmon Sect and Fenglin Buddhist Sect are far deeper than they appear. The only difference has been who held the reins between them. The Buddhist Sect dominated in the past, and now, it's the Tenmon Sect. But they have always been one entity. That's why the Fenglin Buddhist Sect will stand with the Tenmon Sect."

Zhang Yuelu asked, "And how did you learn such secrets?"

Qi Xuansu answered honestly, "I simply asked Suzuka Gozen. She has lived in Fenglin for centuries, so she knows everything."

For once, Zhang Yuelu felt defeated. She had buried herself in mountains of records, only to be outdone by a few words from Qi Xuansu. Still, when she had investigated, Suzuka Gozen had not yet sworn fealty to the Daoist Order, so Zhang Yuelu's direction was not wrong either.

Being an easygoing man, Zhang Qihan took no offense at the two juniors debating before him. Only after they finished did he speak in a calm voice. "That is precisely what I meant to raise. Hinnyo is here in Tsu Castle. Yesterday, he contacted Deputy Mansion Master Li, hinting that he wished to 'return to the right path.' Deputy Mansion Master Li has agreed to meet him in private today."

What he meant by "returning to the right path" was to surrender and defect to the Daoist Order.

Zhang Qihan paused, his tone turning grave. "I feel uneasy about this. I fear this may be a ploy to assassinate Deputy Mansion Master Li. Yet my hands are tied, and I can't leave without drawing attention. So I want the two of you to go and cover him."

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu exchanged a glance. Then Qi Xuansu asked, "Great Sage, we just need to cover him?"

Zhang Qihan raised a brow. "And what else do you think you can do?"

Qi Xuansu unconsciously lowered his voice. "If Hinnyo truly harbors ill intent, then could we not simply—"

He raised his hand and mimed a chopping stroke.

Zhang Qihan did not take offense. Instead, he pointed at Qi Xuansu and laughed.

"No wonder they say you carry the air of a wild Jianghu swordsman, Qi Xuansu. I can see it now. Still, the Daoist Order was born of the Jianghu, so such a temperament is hardly a fault."

Qi Xuansu cautiously asked, "So...does that mean you approve?"

Zhang Qihan replied, "Self-preservation comes first. There is no need for reckless risks. But you may adapt as the moment demands. If a chance presents itself, and your safety is not endangered, I permit you to eliminate any obstinate fools."

"Yes, Great Sage." Qi Xuansu answered in a low, firm voice.

Zhang Qihan continued, "The rendezvous is set on the beach by the harbor area. Deputy Mansion Master Li will leave marks along the way. These marks are only recognizable by Daoists, so it won't be hard to find."

Tsu Castle was a port city. Half of it was facing the sea, and one-third of its territory was wharves and docks, bustling daily with ships. This was precisely how the Sonno-joi reinforcements had landed here.

For various reasons, the Daoists had not dispatched their navy to blockade Tsu Castle. Only after Spirit Guard Jia Shen's forces began the siege did the Donghai Navy seal the port. But with peace talks now underway, and to show the Daoist Order's sincerity, the Daoist Order halted its assaults and even lifted the naval blockade. This was so they could win the people's hearts.

With that, Zhang Qihan rose and departed, preparing for the next round of negotiations.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mansion Master Li Tiangang, clad in a plain Daoist robe, had already arrived at the docks Zhang Qihan had mentioned.

There, a distinct briny tang of seawater filled the air.

The harbor was crowded, with people bumping into each other's shoulders. Even in wartime, its bustle and liveliness did not cease.

When Daoist forces had attacked Tsu Castle, they had exercised notable restraint, launching only probing strikes. A full-scale assault would have seen thousands of heavy cannons bombarding the city walls and the Donghai Navy's warships supporting from behind. After all, the navy's artillery were much larger in caliber than the cannons on land. Their shells could travel over 50 kilometers, enough to engulf half the city in fire.

On land, the weight and bulk of artillery were limited due to geographical challenges, like hills, slopes, marshes, and shoals. Thus, the bore size was scaled with length, weight, and mass, which affected mobility. Armies depended on mobility to break lines and fortifications, so oversized cannons would bog everything down.

At sea, however, such problems vanished. Ships need not worry about load-bearing or mobility, making large-bore naval cannons the undisputed standard.

Moreover, the Daoists commanded a vast fleet of flying ships and held absolute control of the skies. If need arose, they could rain down Phoenix Eye Bombs, turning the city into an inferno.

The Sonno-joi faction understood that they would not be able to hold Tsu Castle for long, hence their plea for talks.

Thus, Li Tiangang had chosen the beach near the docks for his meeting with Hinnyo. Though technically within the city, the Donghai Naval Fleet loomed offshore. Should anything go awry, he could flee straight to the sea.

Of course, Li Tiangang was not acting on his own. He had already reported the matter to his superior, Zhang Qihan, and sought his counsel.

Soon, Li Tiangang arrived at the agreed meeting spot.

It was a secluded stretch of beach, with no docked ships and no passersby. Only a lone monk in black robes stood there with his back to Li Tiangang, gazing out at the sea.

Stopping a short distance away, Li Tiangang spoke bluntly. "Master Hinnyo, are you speaking for yourself or on behalf of another in this meeting?"

The monk turned slowly and replied, "Namo Amitabha...what does it mean to speak for myself or on behalf of another?"

Li Tiangang answered, "When the Daoist Order defeated the Confucian School, we reformed the land system and struck down the gentry. In that process, only a handful of gentry betrayed their class—never all at once. Today is no different. I have never believed that the Fenglin Buddhist Sect would stand wholly on the Daoist Order's side. But I do believe some monks can discern right from wrong and, from their own stance, choose the correct path."