Chapter Twenty-Four: Summoned by Changsun

The grand presentation ceremony of the Cuju match had already passed several days ago.

The spirited rivalry between the youths had silently evolved into a power struggle between the old and new nobility, only to fade away just as quietly. Mai Zhong, filled with dejection, departed Luoyang. No one had driven him away, but unwilling to break his word, he took his dozen or so family retainers and returned to Chang'an.

On the first day of the first lunar month, in the third year of the Daye era, Su Wei, the Left Chancellor who had been demoted to a commoner due to his involvement in the affairs of Gao Ying and Heruo Bi, was reinstated to the imperial court. He participated in state affairs with the titles of Grand Master of Ceremonies and Imperial Counselor, and was additionally honored with the title of Administrator of the Secretariat. This was a counter-attack launched by the Guanlong nobility in league with the Guandong gentry, aimed at Emperor Yang Guang’s efforts to weaken the power of the Guanlong clans.

However, while Yang Guang reinstated Su Wei, he simultaneously appointed the idle Yu Julao—a former Commander of Fengzhou, General of the Pillar of State, and Grand General—as the Administrator of Longshan Commandery. He was also granted authority over military affairs, effectively placing all political and military power in his hands. Both the Guanlong nobility and the Guandong gentry remained silent regarding this decree.

Longshan, located in the Shu region between Meishan and Ziyang Commanderies, was an inconspicuous yet vital strategic point for balancing the stability of Bashu. Yu Julao’s appointment as the Administrator of Longshan appeared ordinary, but it possessed the subtle utility of monitoring the Bashu region.

A few days later, Yang Guang set out on an imperial inspection tour to Zhangye. He summoned Mai Tiezhang, the Administrator of Runan, and Yuwen Chengdu, the General of Heavenly Treasures who was stationed in Chang'an, to accompany him. Zhangsun Sheng was ordered to remain in Luoyang to recover his health and, more importantly, to serve as a deterrent against the gentry and military forces of the Shandong region.

Li Yuan departed for Chang'an, accompanied by Dou Wei, who had been appointed as an Imperial Secretary and concurrently as a Director of the Ministry of Civil Service.

Yang Guang also ordered Yuwenshu, the Director of the Capital Prefecture, to return to Luoyang, while Yuwen Huaji accompanied the imperial procession. This Yuwen Huaji had originally been demoted to a servant in Yuwenshu’s household for trading with the Turks, yet within a mere few months, he had found his way back into the imperial court.

Yang Guang’s intentions were indeed unpredictable.

This silent game of chess appeared to be a victory for the Guanlong nobles; Su Wei was re-employed and Dou Wei had been promoted, making their position seem excellent. In reality, however, Dou Wei's promotion had significantly weakened the Guanlong nobility's control over the Luoyang region. Previously, as an assistant to the Capital Prefecture, Dou Wei held a low rank but wielded immense power. While the title of Imperial Secretary sounded prestigious, his actual authority had been greatly diminished. Furthermore, although the Director of the Ministry of Civil Service was a third-rank official with the duty of evaluating the merits of officials, it was merely an oversight role. After this series of shifts, the actual decision-making power remained firmly in the hands of Yang Guang.

This was the art of statecraft! Through a series of personnel changes, Yang Guang had stabilized the Guanlong nobility while simultaneously winning over the important ministers who had come from the south. His methods were truly breathtaking.

Before the western inspection tour, Zheng Yanqing was appointed as a Cavalry Commandant. An imperial attendant delivered a green satin military uniform, a waist tablet, and a seal to Zheng Yanqing with little fanfare. Yanqing did not pay much heed to this minor military title; it held no real power, but it would ensure he received greater consideration should he enter official service in the future. The only other benefit was an annual salary of three hundred shi of grain.

In other words, Zheng Yanqing was now part of the establishment and had begun to eat the "government's rice." However, how far he would go remained to be seen. Even among the eight honorary military titles, there were distinctions in status. For example, Fang Xuanling, who started as a Feathered Cavalry Commandant, only obtained the post of a County Magistrate, whereas Yuwen Chengdu, who also began as a Feathered Cavalry Commandant, was already a personal guard at fifteen and was now the esteemed General of Heavenly Treasures—the difference between them was as vast as heaven and earth.

For Yanqing, Dou Wei’s departure for Chang'an meant he had lost a major protector. However, Fang Yanqian—Fang Xuanling’s father—leaped from the position of Assistant to the Administrator of Xuzhou to become the Mayor of Henan. Jumping from a fourth-rank to a third-rank official, he was promoted three grades in succession. This was an appointment no one had anticipated, naturally leading people to recall Zheng Yanqing’s "Ode to Lime" from four years prior. Ever since that poem was unveiled, Fang Yanqian’s official career had been smooth sailing indeed.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival was held in Luoyang.

Zheng Yanqing had planned to invite Pei Xingyan, Xue Wanche, and others to view the festival together. Unexpectedly, early in the morning, a visitor arrived outside the bamboo garden at Longmen Mountain.

"I am Ma Sanbao, here to pay my respects to Half-a-Fate."

The visitor was about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a simple black robe. With a respectful demeanor, he handed a calling card to Dang Shijie. This Dang Shijie was one of the three who had originally accompanied Shen Guang. Xiong Dachui had brought four men; excluding Shen Guang, the other three were brothers. The eldest was Dang Shijie, followed by Dang Shiying and Dang Shixiong. Because Pei Xingyan and others had moved into the bamboo garden during the challenge between Zheng Yanqing and Mai Zhong, it had become crowded. Zheng Yanqing had Mao Wang build a row of bamboo huts at the edge of the grove, where the three Dang brothers resided, serving as guards and managing guests.

Mao Wang had been growing older, and the incident with Little Eight had left him somewhat absent-minded. Zheng Yanqing did not fault him, merely tasking him with purchasing supplies and cleaning the grounds. Yanqing knew Mao Wang was an honest man, and despite his mental state, he was diligent in his errands. Thus, Mao Wang and his wife lived in the second hut, responsible for cleaning and cooking.

Xue Shou and Yao Yi had moved out after the Cuju match to travel. Pei Xingyan and Xue Wanche visited occasionally, but not frequently. Pei Cuiyun had also visited once to check on the injury to Yanqing’s hand, but after exchanging some poetry, she left with her maid. There were many rumors in Luoyang about Yanqing and Cuiyun, mostly painting them as a gifted scholar and a beauty. Even with the relatively open social customs of the time, Pei Cuiyun had to avoid suspicion. She did indeed like Yanqing, primarily because of his literary talent, but as he was significantly younger, she had to maintain her reserve. As for Yanqing, he was fond of her, but talking about romance right now was simply too impractical. Thus, while they ignored the rumors, they were careful not to meet too often to avoid unnecessary trouble. Mai Zhong’s fate was a warning they could not ignore.

"You are Ma Sanbao?" Yanqing looked at the youth in the bamboo pavilion. He felt the name was strangely familiar. Ten years had passed, and some memories were beginning to blur. Although he had secretly recorded some events and figures to remind himself, he could not remember everything. Some people and events only came to mind when he encountered them.

"I am indeed Ma Sanbao, sent by General Zhangsun to invite Young Master Zheng to the mansion for a talk."

Hearing this, Zheng Yanqing felt a surge of joy. Was Zhangsun Sheng finally ready to act? Even with the title of Cavalry Commandant, Luoyang was filled with powerful nobles and influential figures. That title would only provide benefits later; at present, it could not compare to the value of Zhangsun Sheng’s recognition. With Yang Guang away on his inspection, Zhangsun Sheng was the supreme military commander in the Luoyang region.

"Since the General has summoned me, may I ask what the instructions are?" Yanqing asked.

"The General said that once Young Master Zheng arrives, you will naturally understand."

"When should I go?"

"Before noon."

Zheng Yanqing nodded. "Please tell the General that I will arrive on time."

After Ma Sanbao bowed and left, Zheng Yanqing called Xu Shiji over to tell him they could not meet as planned. Xu Shiji had some inkling of the situation and did not blame him. He was pleased that Yanqing had been invited by the Thunderbolt Hall. He understood Yanqing’s situation; despite defeating Mai Zhong, he had offended many powerful southerners. A Cavalry Commandant title was not enough to protect him, but with Zhangsun Sheng as a shield, Yanqing’s life in Luoyang would be much improved.

"Yanqing, since the General has summoned you, you cannot go empty-handed."

"Hmm, Brother Xu is right!"

It is a common saying that one can never be wrong by being overly polite. Whether or not they accept the gift is one thing, but not bringing one is another. Everyone in Luoyang knew that Zhangsun Sheng never accepted gifts, but that did not mean Zheng Yanqing could arrive empty-handed.

What should he bring? It required some thought. Zhangsun Sheng would certainly not care for gold or silver. A man of his status would likely be more interested in horses or weapons. Yanqing had horses, but was reluctant to part with them; as for weapons, Yanqing himself was still searching for a top-quality horse lance.

Xu Shiji offered suggestions, but in the end, they could not settle on a suitable gift. As the time approached, Zheng Yanqing gritted his teeth and ran up to the study. Xu Shiji followed, watching as Yanqing spread out a sheet of white paper, dipped his brush in thick ink, and wrote with vigor:

"The moon of Qin shines on the Han-era pass,
Ten thousand miles of march, the men have yet to return.
Now that the Flying General of Dragon City is here,
How dare the Hu horses cross the mountain pass."

As Yanqing finished writing, Xu Shiji finished reading. He nodded repeatedly, "If we speak of the General’s achievements, even the Flying General of old would struggle to compare."

Indeed, Zhangsun Sheng’s achievements were concentrated in his campaigns against the Turks. From the Kaihuang era onward, Zhangsun Sheng had been omnipresent in the wars against them. From striking and dividing to deterring and expelling, his accomplishments were truly beyond those of Li Guang, the Flying General of the Han Dynasty. Using this poem as a gift was highly appropriate. After all, after Zhangsun Sheng’s death, when Emperor Yang was surrounded by the Turkic Khan Ashina Duoji during his northern inspection, he had remarked: "Had Zhangsun Sheng been alive, he would not have allowed the Xiongnu to reach this point."