Originally, it was agreed to wait quietly for one month, until troops from other provinces arrived at the border of Jing Province, before jointly launching the campaign against Jing. But not long after, Li Xiaotian changed his mind.
Xiong Mao frowned deeply: "What is Li Xiaotian's intention? Previously, he spoke of waiting a month for the troops from various provinces, and now he changes his mind, talking about taking the lead and setting an example, about advancing south to attack Jing ahead of schedule. He's had his say on both the good and the bad."
Only two days had passed since the last council meeting. Li Xiaotian's attitude had changed rather too quickly.
Ke Quanshui smoothed the feathers of his feather fan. "Where there's an unusual event, there must be a trick. If those people truly came from Chang'an, then Governor Li's change of decision is somewhat understandable now."
Ji Xianbai controls the Emperor. Having recently executed several generals of the Cui family, it wouldn't be wrong to say Ji Xianbai now holds sole power in Chang'an. As long as Li Xiaotian hasn't truly decided to rebel, it's highly likely he will follow Ji Xianbai's orders.
Gongsun Liang said, "My lord, attacking Jing ahead of schedule is not a bad thing for us. Just as Governor Li said, it is an act of setting an example."
Chen Shichang nodded in agreement. "Recently, my lord pacified the northern lands, greatly enhancing your reputation. If you now take the lead in attacking Jing Province, the people of the realm will only see your utmost loyalty and dedication in serving the state."
Gongsun Liang smiled slightly. "A reputation for loyalty and righteousness is good. The more sincere and loyal my lord appears now, the easier it will be later to eliminate the traitor Ji."
The successful ascension of the eight-year-old Tenth Prince meant the other two competitors for the throne had met with unexpected deaths. As for other members of the imperial clan, over the years they had either fallen ill or died, leaving only the lines of Prince Huikang and Prince Jiang.
Prince Huikang was Emperor Zhao's younger imperial uncle. He later died in Shi Lianhu's residence in Bing Province. He did leave behind several young children in Chang'an, but all his offspring later died of "unexpected" illnesses.
The line of Prince Huikang was effectively severed.
The old Prince Jiang was Emperor Zhao's younger half-brother. After his passing, his legitimate eldest son—the one who married Ning Qingying, who was sent far away to Xu Province—inherited the princely title. However, this younger Prince Jiang, who indulged in pleasures, also later passed away.
The line of the old Prince Jiang left a secondary branch born of a concubine, which was several degrees removed and, being of illegitimate birth, was practically non-existent.
Therefore, the current Tenth Prince was the undisputed sole seedling of the imperial house.
Gongsun Liang bowed with clasped hands. "My lord, whether we wait quietly for a month or act in advance, both are excellent choices for us."
The others all voiced their agreement.
Ke Quanshui glanced at Huo Tingshan and noticed his lord's expression was cold and somber, not sharing their cheerful demeanor.
As a strategist, it was his duty to share his lord's burdens and resolve his worries. Ke Quanshui thus asked, "Does my lord have concerns? Please feel free to share them with us."
The generals and strategists all turned their gaze to Huo Tingshan.
"It's nothing. You may all withdraw. Taihe, you stay," Huo Tingshan said.
The others filed out of the study.
Ke Quanshui and Chen Shichang sighed with a hint of envy. "Our lord holds Gongsun Taihe in very high regard."
"Of course," Chen Shichang said with a laugh. "After all, Taihe came early. He has been by our lord's side for years longer than my own worthless son. Moreover, he is no mere pretty face. Naturally, it's difficult for others to compare."
Remembering the talk outside mocking Ke Quanshui as a servant of the five great families, Chen Shichang quickly added, "Our You Province is not bad, right? Our lord is wise and magnanimous. Now that you're here, settle down well and don't go wandering off again."
Back when Ke Quanshui was first accepted into their ranks, Huo Tingshan had specifically issued an order forbidding anyone to belittle him over his past; violators would be fined and receive forty lashes.
Ke Quanshui shook his head.
Chen Shichang's heart skipped a beat, and he was about to offer more persuasion when he heard him say, "I won't run anymore. You Province is very good. Our lord is also very good."
He had drifted through many provinces and met many governors. Here with Governor Huo of You, he saw something very rare—
Compassion.
This compassion wasn't about how generously or kindly he treated those around him, but rather his compassion for the common people.
Those in high positions are born into noble families. They reside in the lofty halls of power; not understanding the sufferings of the mortal world is the norm.
Even when they implement policies benefiting the people, for them it's often just letting a few crumbs fall from their fingers as a superficial gesture, never touching their core interests.
At first, he thought this Governor Huo of You was the same. Until he witnessed the implementation of the new land policy firsthand. Tenant farmers were liberated; they regained their own household registrations and farmland. Just this point alone was an act of compassion.
Ke Zuo sighed softly. "But now it's no longer a question of whether I will stay, but whether our lord will use me."
Chen Shichang laughed. "Quanshui, don't be impatient. The right time simply hasn't come yet. When the time comes that he needs you, I'm afraid you'll be working by candlelight, Quanshui."
Ke Quanshui gradually brightened. "I hope so."
In the study.
After the others had left, Huo Tingshan looked at Gongsun Liang. "Taihe, recently there is one matter that has caused me great unease."
"What matter troubles my lord?" Gongsun Liang asked, greatly surprised.
That something could cause his lord unease, and "great unease" at that... Could it be that the covert agents in Chang'an reported some new move by Grand Marshal Ji?
Huo Tingshan briefly recounted the incident and told Gongsun Liang about it. The latter was momentarily stunned, not expecting the matter to involve Pei Ying.
The thought that someone in Chang'an had designs on their lady made Gongsun Liang restless.
The lady was not just the lady; she was also the wealth-bringing deity of You Province. If this deity were lost, it would be like severing the vital arteries supplying You Province, a crippling blow.
"My lord, this matter is of utmost importance. Even if there is only a one-in-ten possibility, we must treat it as something that will happen in the future," Gongsun Liang said gravely. "Moreover, I privately believe that Governor Li's sudden change of stance actually confirms your suspicion, my lord. The other party suspects you have learned of the arrival of people from Chang'an, thinks you will take precautions afterward, and has therefore altered his strategy."
Huo Tingshan said, "There will be a farewell banquet before the army departs."
Gongsun Liang pondered for a moment. "My lord, although, knowing they have already alerted you, the likelihood of an incident at the farewell banquet should be small, we cannot let our guard down. Luoyang is Governor Li's territory, and his governor's mansion even more so. We cannot rule out the other party taking a risky move, doing the opposite of what's expected. For instance, seizing an opportunity during the banquet to abduct our lady, then producing a woman with a similar figure to our lady, claiming she is the lady of You Province. At that point, even if we deny it, any dispute would surely put us in the wrong."
Because not many people had seen the lady.
The senior generals of You Province would recognize her and could prove she had been swapped, but so what? The Si Province side could simply insist that You Province was "making trouble without reason."
After all, isn't the person right there? How could she not be?
If that woman, in front of everyone, were to then pitifully call out "husband" to our lord, the situation would become even more difficult to manage.
Given our lord's regard for the lady, this matter would inevitably blow up into a major incident.
Once a conflict erupts between the two provinces, the Si Province side could seize the opportunity to declare to the world that the Youzhou army was picking a fight on the eve of the campaign against Jing, seemingly having reached some agreement with Jing Province, and then brand them all as rebels.
They would have abducted the lady of the house and also made Youzhou shoulder the blame. It's possible they would then directly besiege them within Si Province.
A single arrow hitting three targets—what a vicious scheme.
Gongsun Liang earnestly suggested, "My lord, on the day of the farewell banquet, simply find an excuse for the lady not to attend, eliminating the problem at its root."
Huo Tingshan nodded, "I will speak with her."
Gongsun Liang stroked his beard, "After their plan for the farewell banquet fails, I suspect they will have another scheme."
Huo Tingshan raised his long eyebrows. In his exchange of glances with Gongsun Liang, he saw a conjecture identical to his own.
"If I were Governor Li of Si Province, I would, like you, my lord, bring my wife on the campaign and then look for an opportunity to act along the way."
Here, Gongsun Liang paused briefly, "For the entire journey to the border, the lady will be within our army, so it would be difficult for the other side to act. My lord, what we must guard against is after we arrive at the Jing Province border."
Military life is austere; women do not move about freely, making it too hard to attempt anything.
But once at the border, that's where multiple forces will converge. If they create a diversion in the ensuing chaos and we are unprepared, they might very well succeed.
Huo Tingshan narrowed his slender eyes, "Taihe, if someone seeks to steal my wife, it wouldn't be excessive for me to kill his son, would it?"
Gongsun Liang was slightly taken aback.
He was called the "Prodigy" not only for his exceptional talent but also for being exceedingly clever. Hearing Huo Tingshan's words now, he knew his lord had no intention of simply enduring this insult.
Perhaps they could turn the enemy's scheme against them.
Pei Ying was quite surprised to hear the departure date had been changed, "Didn't you say the other day it would be set for a month later?"
"The situation has changed, plans need adjustment," Huo Tingshan replied.
Pei Ying remembered something else, "By the way, Huo Tingshan, the day after we entered Luoyang, Madam Zhuang visited with her daughter and mentioned the farewell banquet. She wanted me and Nannan to attend."
Huo Tingshan's gaze darkened, "My lady, Si Province has likely set a trap at the farewell banquet. You and the little one should not attend."
Although Pei Ying was somewhat mentally prepared, hearing him say "set a trap" still made her heart skip a beat, "What kind of trap?"
Huo Tingshan: "Someone intends to swap a fish eye for a pearl."
Pei Ying didn't understand at first, but then she recalled what he had told her on the couch days earlier about the veiled beautiful woman, and her eyes instantly widened in shock, "This is..."
Pei Ying was speechless.
Huo Tingshan straightened the slightly curled ribbon in her hair, "It's never wrong to be cautious. Be careful these next few days. Things will be better once we reach the Jing Province border."
Pei Ying didn't understand why things would be better at the Jing Province border, but since Huo Tingshan said so, she wouldn't attend the farewell banquet, "Then I won't go, and Nannan won't go either."
The farewell banquet was scheduled for the next day, a luncheon.
That day, Huo Tingshan deliberately left quite late, arriving at the Governor's mansion almost exactly at mealtime.
The moment Li Xiaotian saw Huo Tingshan, his heart sank. The man had brought his son and Youzhou generals, but not his wife.
It wasn't appropriate for him to ask about another man's wife, so Zhuang Manxiang spoke up, "Governor Huo of Youzhou, why are Madam Pei and Miss Meng not seen?"
"My wife caught a chill last night. Our daughter is now attending to her," Huo Tingshan said.
Attending to a sick parent is an act of filial duty, beyond reproach.
Zhuang Manxiang expressed surprise and offered a few concerned words. Huo Tingshan brushed them off casually.
The luncheon began.
After taking her seat, Zhuang Manxiang gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head to a maidservant across the room. The latter, holding a wine tray, left the main hall.
While the feast was underway at the Governor's mansion, Pei Ying and Meng Ling'er, who had stayed behind at their residence, also began their meal. Winter pairs perfectly with hot pot. The mother and daughter enjoyed a hot pot meal at home, both eating until their cheeks were flushed with satisfaction.
"Mother, eat more. Once we set off south again tomorrow, we probably won't have such comfort," Meng Ling'er placed the shrimp meatballs from her own tray onto Pei Ying's side.
Pei Ying stopped her, "You eat them yourself, why give them to me?"
Meng Ling'er mumbled, "But Father often does the same..."
Pei Ying was momentarily stunned, the tips of her ears slowly turning red.
The day after the farewell banquet, early in the morning, the troops of both provinces set out simultaneously. Pei Ying and Meng Ling'er shared a carriage, with Huo Tingshan and Huo Zhizhang riding on horseback alongside. Behind them marched a column of two thousand black-armored cavalry.
Passing by Li Xiaotian's Governor's mansion, Huo Tingshan's gaze swept over and he saw two carriages.
Li Xiaotian was already at the gate, also clad in armor and riding a tall horse. Noticing Huo Tingshan's look, he smiled, "My humble wife is not accustomed to sharing a carriage with her maids, so I had no choice but to arrange an extra carriage."
Huo Tingshan curled his lips, "He who mistreats his wife finds no wealth enters his home. It seems Governor Li of Si Province also deeply believes in this saying."
Li Xiaotian gave a dry laugh.
Huo Tingshan shifted his gaze with a faint, ambiguous smile.
Once outside the bustling city of Luoyang, Huo Tingshan's group returned to the formation of the Youzhou army. A massive black command banner unfurled in the wind, the character "You" seeming to transform into a fierce tiger or leopard, its menacing display drawing attention.
The two provinces were currently allied, their armies marching side by side. They traveled together during the day, but when making camp at night, both sides maintained a respectful distance from the other with unspoken understanding.
They marched uneventfully for five days.
On the evening of the fifth day, a Si Province cavalry guard arrived at the edge of the Youzhou camp. He said his governor had obtained some intelligence about Jing Province and, as night was falling, invited Governor Huo of Youzhou to bring his wife and children for a bonfire dinner.
When the message reached Huo Tingshan, the burly man twisted a ring on his finger, "Xiong Mao, go and tell Governor Li that since the farewell banquet was already held at the Governor's mansion, it is impolite not to return the favor. This time, it's my turn to host him. Please invite him and his wife."
Xiong Mao: "As you command."
Huo Tingshan looked at Chen Yuan and assigned him the task of preparing the bonfire dinner.
Chen Yuan accepted the order.
Huo Tingshan walked towards the main tent area, where Pei Ying was setting up camp with Meng Ling'er. "My lady, Governor Li and his wife will be coming over for dinner later."
Hearing this, Pei Ying stood up. After glancing at her daughter, who was still busy with the tent, she didn't avoid her, "Why are they coming?"
"They say they have some Jing Province intelligence to share with our army," Huo Tingshan saw the worry in her eyes, "Set your mind at ease, my lady. Within our Youzhou army, they cannot stir up any trouble."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly, "For the sake of our future plans, there is one matter where I still need your cooperation..."
Over there, Meng Ling'er pricked up her ears, but a wind picked up just then. All she heard was a rush of sound, nothing else.
As dusk approached, cauldrons were set up. Li Xiaotian arrived with Zhuang Manxiang and several Si Province guards.
"Madam Pei, I heard you caught a chill earlier. Are you feeling better now?" Zhuang Manxiang asked gently.
"I have fully recovered, thank you for your concern, Madam Zhuang." Pei Ying smiled. "Speaking of which, I heard from my husband that the farewell banquet was quite grand. It's a pity my health failed me; missing it was truly regrettable."
A few paces away, Huo Tingshan, who was chatting with Li Xiaotian, turned his head slightly. His gaze swiftly swept over the beautiful woman not far off, and the smile at the corner of his eyes seemed to deepen a little.
"Falling ill is unavoidable. There will be another time. Such banquets certainly won't be a one-time affair," Zhuang Manxiang said with a light laugh.
Pei Ying nodded. "That's true."
"In just over half a month, spring will arrive. This long winter is finally passing," Zhuang Manxiang sighed.
"Spring is good. It's the season of revival when a hundred flowers should bloom." Pei Ying steered the topic towards flowers, asking as if casually, "Is Madam Zhuang fond of flower viewing?"
"Naturally, it's a pleasure," Zhuang Manxiang replied.
Pei Ying expressed regret: "There's a saying, 'In Luoyang's third month, flowers brocade the scene; how much effort was woven to make this sheen?' It's a shame we've left Luoyang now, otherwise I would truly love to admire its rare and exquisite blossoms."
Zhuang Manxiang seemed to suddenly remember something, covering her mouth with a soft laugh. "Speaking of which, some years ago I accompanied Li Lang south to visit a friend. We accidentally discovered a garden on the border between Jingzhou and Sizhou. It was spring then, and words could not capture even a tenth of its magnificence and awe-inspiring beauty."
Pei Ying immediately asked for the location.
Zhuang Manxiang adjusted her fur coat. "That was several years ago. I can't remember the exact spot anymore. However, if you are interested, Madam Pei, I can ask Li Lang about it."
Pei Ying smiled and said it would be a trouble.
The bonfire feast was enjoyed by both hosts and guests.
And this day seemed to mark a beginning. In the following marches, the leaders from both sides gathered every few days, both to exchange information they had collected and to deepen their interactions.
There were only three women of noble status in the armies. Among them, Pei Ying and Zhuang Manxiang were roughly similar in age. Coupled with Zhuang Manxiang's enthusiasm, they became friends over the next half month, always chatting for a long time whenever they met.
Unconsciously, the armies of the two provinces arrived at the border of Sizhou.
The two armies set up camp adjacent to each other. On this day, the generals of Youzhou and Sizhou once again dined together. After the meal, the Sizhou party departed.
Pei Ying looked at the man beside her. "Huo Tingshan, just now Madam Zhuang invited me to view flowers at their manor the day after tomorrow. I followed what you taught me before and expressed concerns about safety to her, but haven't given her an answer yet."
"My lady, I will discuss the other matters with you in detail later." Huo Tingshan looked at Huo Zhizhang, who was listening with a confused expression. "Zhizhang, you come with me."
The Huo father and son left the tent.
Night had fallen, enveloping the world in darkness, the air still carrying the scent of cooking smoke. The spring chill was sharp, and the night breeze still held a biting cold, but neither father nor son paid it any mind.
Huo Tingshan strolled forward, with Huo Zhizhang following closely behind.
When they reached a small clearing, Huo Tingshan turned to face his son. His dark eyes in the night were profound like deep, mysterious pools. "The day after tomorrow, I have a task for you."
Huo Zhizhang's spirit shook.
A solo mission? It had been a long time since he had received such an assignment!
The earlier confusion was set aside for now. Huo Zhizhang eagerly said, "Please tell me, Father."
Not far away, torches were mounted for illumination by the tents. The firelight cast its glow over, falling on the man's sharply defined face. His high-bridged nose served as a dividing line, casting one side in light and the other in shadow.
"Kill Li Kangshun."
