Chapter 8: Evidence in the Form of a Picture

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Chai Xiao appeared utterly indifferent.
The courier dispatch was the main text and had to be concise.
First, it mentioned the emperor’s urgent edict to raise funds to save the people of Taizhou from flooding—a serious matter, not some frivolous scheme.
Then it stated that those who gathered the initial ten percent would be rewarded, a profitable opportunity guaranteed by the state, with no worries of loss. Why not make money if you could?
Moreover, the Second Prince’s pledge of fifty thousand taels was the best proof of sincerity.
Attached at the end was the seal-stamped certificate.
Wasn’t this just like the modern practice of sending a “main text” plus “attachments”?
Clear at a glance, detailed, and credible!
Of course, the root cause was that ancient times were too backward—no television, no live video broadcasts.
No image, no truth!
To make people believe, the courier’s evidence had to be presented as a “single picture,” something more real!
Sending the courier by fast horse reduced delay and increased immediacy, like a “live image” right before their eyes!
As for how such an idea came about, besides the Second Tutor’s reminder, “It would be good if everyone gathered in one place,”
it was also inspired by the Second Prince’s mention of using “Eight Hundred Li Express” to send urgent news about the Taizhou breach!
One horse galloping through dust, the concubine smiles, yet no one knows the peaches have arrived.
Since the Tang Dynasty’s Yang Yuhuan, transporting goods had become fast and convenient.
Though there was no live-streamed sales, the logistics system was sound.
Litchis were frozen to preserve them, then rushed eight hundred li without pause.
The plump beauty in Chang’an Palace could enjoy fresh fruit within days.
No slower than modern e-commerce platforms.
Of course, it was criticized because the Eight Hundred Li Express was meant for urgent military and official dispatches.
She distracted Emperor Xuanzong with litchis, neglecting state affairs.
That was called “ruining the country”!
Now, using the Eight Hundred Li Express to rush funds was truly “saving the country”!
“All written, attachments included, ready to depart!”
Su Zhongjing watched Zhang Bao pack the courier letters and stamped certificates into courier pouches, releasing a long breath.
Consort Yun Shufei asked,
“Xiao’er, you haven’t said why the Second Prince slowed down after leaving the city gate? When he saw the courier catching up, he didn’t block but urged him onward? Isn’t that the real gamble?”
Chai Xiao was about to answer when Su Zhongjing sighed.
“Consort Shufei! We lost!”
“The Second Prince rushed back to the capital overnight, fearing I would persuade the emperor otherwise.”
“Now that it’s a done deal, he’s glad to rest after leaving the city gate.”
“As for not blocking but urging the courier, it’s because he saw the courier letter and stamped documents—money to be made, so why not?”
Consort Yun shook her head fiercely.
“No!”
“If he urges the courier onward, wouldn’t that help Xiao’er complete the second task, ruining his own plan?”
Su Zhongjing’s eyes gleamed.
“Exactly!”
“The Second Prince is greedy, wanting both wealth and fame.”
“If the emperor raises the full million, he loses nothing, gains ten thousand taels, and because he pledged first, he leads other princes and officials to follow.”

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“Then everyone will stir up a fuss, boasting that the emperor will likely establish the Crown Prince because of this!”
Chai Xiao also sighed.
“Indeed! The calculations are meticulous! Raise a million, I earn a hundred thousand, he gains all the merit plus ten thousand! Moreover…”
Consort Yun finally understood.
“Moreover, you took the second task, which besides this also requires cutting expenses and immediately carrying out the first task—going to Taizhou to face the starving people.”
At this, she looked steadily at Chai Xiao, tears welling.
She still couldn’t comprehend why her son chose the second task and also the first—wasn’t he courting death?
“Mother! We’ll take it step by step!”
Chai Xiao gently embraced her shoulder, whispering close.
“By the way, may I use the silver note I just won from you as a reward?”
Consort Yun was taken aback.
“Of course! But reward whom?”
Chai Xiao pulled out a hundred-tael silver note and waved it at the courier.
“I just gave a small token before departure; this is the grand reward for a safe return!”
“Remember, once the courier letter is delivered, sign and seal!”
“Those who pledge, register their names and return immediately; the Ministry of Revenue and the Censorate will follow up!”
“Those who hesitate or refuse, don’t force them, move on to the next place!”
“Understood!” The courier saluted. “It’s my duty; thank you, Your Highness!”
Then he turned his horse and galloped away.
Soon, twenty couriers holding torches emerged from the southeast, east, west, and north gates in batches, rushing to various destinations.
…
The Second Prince’s party left the city gate.
Less than a mile ahead, the Second Prince yawned and ordered,
“Camp here! Sleep! The Ninth Prince is mad; we won’t join his madness. Sleep until you wake naturally, then swagger back!”
“Yes!”
The attendants and guards yawned in response.
Accustomed to this Eighth-Bead Prince’s frequent changes, they showed little reaction.
At last, they could rest.
After a day of endless toil, finally some peace!
Once the camp was set and sentries posted, they had just closed their eyes when urgent hoofbeats sounded, sharp in the quiet night, chilling and startling.
“Clop! Clop! Clop!”
“Who goes there? Form ranks! Defend!”
Though exhausted, the guards were well-trained, jolting awake, wishing to slap themselves to open their eyes fully.
“You! What’s your business?”
A guard lifted his torch and, upon seeing the visitor’s courier uniform, puzzled but brought him before the Second Prince.
“Report! It’s a courier!”
The Second Prince squinted, finally recognizing him.
“A courier! Why have you come?”
The courier bowed.
“Your Highness, I am en route to the capital with an Eight Hundred Li Express dispatch!”

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The Second Prince was stunned.
“To the capital, and Eight Hundred Li Express? What matter? Why was I not informed? May I see the dispatch?”
The courier was prepared, opened the pouch.
“You may see it!”
“Oh?”
The Second Prince took the dispatch and leaned toward the candlelight.
“The Taizhou dyke has breached; the matter is urgent…”
“Did the Ninth Prince send you?”
“Yes!”
At this, the Second Prince finished reading the entire dispatch and then the attached stamped certificate.
“What did the Ninth Prince say?”
The courier replied, “The emperor said that after you read the dispatch, you would not block us but urge us to speed up!”
“Is that so?”
The Second Prince’s face showed a faint, barely perceptible smile.
“Go!”
“Yes!”
The courier left the Second Prince’s tent, mounted, and galloped away.
Almost simultaneously, a command sounded from inside the tent.
“If any more couriers pass by, do not question them—let them through immediately!”
“Understood!”
The guards and attendants replied, then returned to their dreams.
Only Chief Eunuch Huang Zhongyong couldn’t sleep. He paced outside the Second Prince’s tent, hesitating to enter.
The Second Prince ordered the maid to extinguish the lamp, then called out,
“Sleep! Your petty schemes are insignificant compared to my plan to establish the Crown Prince!”
Huang Zhongyong paused, saluted,
“Yes!”
Turning away, he kept glancing back to confirm no further response before sighing deeply and entering his own tent.
…
Chai Xiao, Consort Yun, and Zhuque returned to the residence.
Chai Xiao found a pretext to send Zhuque away to fetch a thick robe for his mother.
Then, with great solemnity, he said to Consort Yun,
“Mother, there’s another reason I sent the courier instead of Zhuque.”
“What?”
“She’s too beautiful!”
“Beautiful?”
Consort Yun’s eyes nearly dropped from her head, then, suddenly realizing something, she asked softly,
“Son, the lady you wish to marry... is it her?”