Huo Mingji had actually arrived only one day earlier than them. Shortly after his arrival, he received a fast-horse dispatch informing him that his parents and younger sister were about to reach Luoyang. He immediately ordered the entire mansion to be thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom.
He swept the house to welcome his parents.
A sturdy steed halted before the wide-open main gates of the estate, its jet-black mane gleaming under the sunlight. Recognizing a familiar person, Wu Ye let out a snort as a greeting.
Compared to Huo Zhizhang, who still retained a considerable youthful air, his elder brother Huo Mingji was evidently much more steady and mature. Adhering strictly to etiquette, he bowed respectfully with a composed demeanor that left no room for fault: "Your son respectfully welcomes Father to Luoyang."
Huo Tingshan gave an acknowledging hum and dismounted. "How long have you been in Luoyang?"
Huo Mingji replied, "I arrived only yesterday."
The carriage door a few steps behind opened. A young lady wearing glass and gold filigree earrings and dressed in a goose-yellow curved-hem robe descended from the carriage first. "Eldest Brother, it's been a long time."
Huo Mingji smiled. "It has been a long time, Ling'er."
After his daughter alighted, Pei Ying followed.
They had left Youzhou last winter. Now, as the tail end of summer was about to fade, half a year had passed in the blink of an eye.
Looking at Huo Mingji, whom she hadn't seen for six months, Pei Ying felt that the youthful awkwardness belonging to a teenager had diminished even further in this son of hers.
He was growing up rapidly.
"Your son respectfully welcomes Mother," Huo Mingji said, cupping his hands and bowing.
Having overheard Huo Tingshan's question earlier, Pei Ying knew her eldest son had also just arrived. "You've made the long, arduous journey from Youzhou. You must be weary from travel. We are family; there's no need for such formalities. Let's enter the mansion first."
They arrived in Luoyang precisely at noon, right at mealtime. Huo Mingji had already instructed the household to prepare a meal.
In private family settings, they no longer dined separately but shared a single round table.
Conversation flowed casually over the meal. Huo Mingji spoke of the changes in Youzhou.
The new Chanyu of the northern Xiongnu had been installed with Huo Tingshan's support. Since the conclusion of the northern campaign, the Youzhou border had become exceptionally peaceful.
With the border secure, merchants naturally grew more active, and trade between the two sides gradually increased. Merchants transported cloth, ceramics, and grain from Youzhou, exchanging them for the Xiongnu's cattle, horses, sheep, and various animal pelts.
The merchants, filling their coffers, were all smiles. The common people on both sides, having their needs met, were also delighted.
After all, more merchants meant more competition, and competition drove prices down. The common folk had only so much silver; naturally, the more they could buy, the better.
When the topic turned to refined steel, Huo Mingji showed keen interest. "...Is that Iron-Spine Serpent Spear truly so miraculous?"
Pei Ying said, "The spear was brought along. You can go take a look after the meal."
After eating, Huo Mingji went, following behind his father.
The serpent spear hadn't been stored in the armory of the Governor's mansion. Instead, it had been transported along with Pei Ying's luggage to the main courtyard and placed on the stone table there.
Huo Mingji knew at first glance that this spear was no ordinary weapon. It gleamed with a cold, sharp light, seemingly capable of filling the sky with its brilliance.
"Try it yourself," Huo Tingshan said, noticing the interest in his eldest son's eyes.
Huo Mingji drew the dagger he carried at his side. He pressed one hand on the serpent spear and held the short blade in the other.
Although he didn't frequent the battlefield as often as his younger brother, both brothers had inherited Huo Tingshan's large frame. Huo Mingji clearly had the makings of a military officer.
Clang! With a forceful strike, two or three fine cracks actually appeared on the short blade in Huo Mingji's right hand.
He struck again, and more cracks spread. After the fifth impact, a web of cracks covered the short blade. Without needing another test, Huo Mingji knew the blade couldn't withstand another blow.
Huo Mingji was utterly amazed. "Father, this spear is a divine weapon. Perhaps you should consider switching your ring-pommel sabre for this serpent spear."
He was aware that his father was proficient in more weapons than one could count on both hands. The reason he consistently used the ring-pommel sabre was, as Huo Mingji had heard, because the gift from his grandfather upon his father's capping ceremony had been a ring-pommel sabre.
That gifted sabre was carefully preserved, stored away in a high place, but ever since, his father's most commonly used weapon had become the ring-pommel sabre.
"It does not belong to me," Huo Tingshan said.
Huo Mingji's brow furrowed slightly.
Why wouldn't Father use such a fine weapon? On the battlefield, a divine weapon in hand was like adding wings to a tiger...
Just then, footsteps sounded from behind.
The footsteps were neither light nor hurried, unlike a maid's, nor did they resemble those of a messenger soldier.
Huo Mingji turned his head. He saw a burly man, nine chi tall, appear at the entrance to the main courtyard. The man had a broad face with heavy jowls, and his complexion was slightly paler than average, but he still looked quite spirited.
"Huo Youzhou, why have you summoned me?" Li Qiongqi naturally also saw Huo Mingji.
Huo Mingji's features bore a strong resemblance to his father's. Both had thick eyebrows and deep-set brow bones. Li Qiongqi immediately recognized them as father and son.
He had already met the second son, Huo Zhizhang, so this must be the eldest. Therefore, Li Qiongqi nodded at him in greeting, saying nothing more.
Before coming to the main courtyard, Li Qiongqi had entertained many conjectures. He thought perhaps his wounds had healed enough that he could now serve, and the other intended to employ him.
Seeing Huo Mingji, he then speculated that perhaps Huo Youzhou wanted to pave the way for his eldest son, having him take orders from the young master.
But later, Li Qiongqi realized neither was the case.
Huo Tingshan placed his hand on the stone table, tapping the surface with his calloused fingertips. "You may take this Iron-Spine Serpent Spear now."
Li Qiongqi was stunned, unable to hide his astonishment. "For me?"
In ancient times, communication was slow. Unaware of recent events in Chenyuan Dao, Huo Mingji didn't know the full context. He merely assumed this man was a newly surrendered officer. Seeing his father actually bestow this divine weapon upon the other, he was inwardly shocked as well.
However, surprise aside, the present Huo Mingji rarely revealed his true emotions.
"It was originally your weapon. Previously, you were a general of Jingzhou, and I was of a different faction. Seizing your weapon was only natural. Now that you have pledged allegiance to my Youzhou, this Iron-Spine Serpent Spear should rightfully be returned to its owner. However, let me be blunt upfront: you have just joined the Youzhou army with no achievements to your name. I will not immediately confer upon you the title of general," Huo Tingshan said with a laugh.
Li Qiongqi opened his mouth. For the first time, it seemed a thousand words were stuck in his throat. When there was so much to say, he found himself unable to utter anything.
Huo Tingshan clearly knew the spear's power. He also clearly knew that Li Qiongqi's allegiance to Youzhou was less than half a month old. Yet, he was still willing to return the spear.
Wasn't he afraid Li Qiongqi would take the spear and flee?
The corners of Huo Tingshan's mouth lifted further. "What? Don't you want it? If you don't, I'll take it back. My son wanted this spear, and I didn't even give it to him earlier."
Huo Mingji paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Li Qiongqi grew anxious. Immediately setting aside his myriad thoughts from moments before, he first took the Iron-Spine Serpent Spear from the table.
He had used this spear for three years; he had grown attached to it. Not to mention its ability to shatter metal and stone.
Once the serpent spear was in his hands, Li Qiongqi, his face flushed, changed his address: "Great General, from now on, whatever you command, even if it means climbing a mountain of swords or plunging into a sea of fire, I, Li Qiongqi, will never refuse."
"What do I need you climbing a mountain of swords for? There's nothing for you here. Take your serpent spear and go back to recuperate." Huo Tingshan waved him off.
Li Qiongqi didn't leave, feeling uneasy about receiving the Iron Ridge Serpent Spear without having paid any price.
Huo Tingshan said dismissively, "Didn't you hear me telling you to go back? You're not even seventy or eighty yet, why so dawdling?"
The bit of emotion swelling in Li Qiongqi's chest instantly vanished like a bubble. Clutching the Iron Ridge Serpent Spear, he left in a mix of shame and indignation.
After Li Qiongqi departed, Huo Tingshan turned to his eldest son and concisely recounted the events at Chenyuan Dao, concluding, "...This Li Qiongqi is exceptionally brave. I had someone investigate his past battles, big and small. He knows how to fight. Men who possess both valor and tactical genius are rare. When you encounter such a man, you must secure his loyalty."
"Some men love wealth, some lust after beauty, some disdain worldly things but cherish old sentiments. Everyone has their weakness. How to wield both favor and authority to grasp another's vital point depends entirely on your own skill." Seeing his son lost in thought, Huo Tingshan decided not to elaborate further.
This was a knowledge that relied on innate understanding. Those lacking it could spend a lifetime being taught hand-in-hand yet never master it.
Huo Tingshan had never had the patience for that, nor would he go to such lengths for his son. Growth depended more on oneself; parents were merely guides.
"Do you know why I summoned you to Luoyang?" Huo Tingshan changed the subject.
When a father acted, why should he explain to his son? Thus, when he had sent word for Huo Mingji to come to Luoyang, he hadn't specified a reason.
Huo Mingji couldn't guess. His father leading campaigns while he remained in Youzhou to handle administrative affairs—this pattern had persisted for a long time.
Huo Mingji shook his head. "Your son does not know."
"You are twenty this year. It is time to marry. Governor Lei of Yuzhou's Lei family ancestors once produced three high ministers over four generations. They have a century-old legacy as a prestigious clan. He has a legitimate daughter, now sixteen. The Yuzhou naval forces are renowned throughout the land, and Youzhou's cavalry is peerless. Both he and I have the intention to form a marriage alliance." Huo Tingshan stated.
Huo Mingji was momentarily taken aback, but he lowered his eyes deferentially and said, "I defer entirely to Father's arrangements."
Parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. He had known from an early age that at the appropriate time, he would obey his father's command and marry a woman from a noble family.
This was his duty, his responsibility as a scion of the Huo family. The path he was to walk was the one his father, grandfather, and others before him had trodden.
Huo Tingshan's tone was placid. "Do you wonder why, when I could have simply decided directly, I still had you come to Luoyang?"
Indeed, he did wonder. This point Huo Mingji hadn't figured out.
With his father personally stationed here, logically all affairs in the south should be orderly. Even if there were disturbances, they would be temporary. There was truly no place here that required his presence.
"Your son cannot fathom it. Please enlighten me, Father." Huo Mingji lowered his gaze, speaking the truth.
Huo Tingshan said unhurriedly, "It was your mother who insisted you make this trip. She feels marriage is a major life event. The wife you marry is, after all, the person who will walk the latter half of your life with you. She worries you might not take a liking to the Lei family's young lady, leading to a joyless future, becoming resentful spouses with her. Therefore, she wanted you to come to Luoyang, and had me send a message to Governor Lei of Yuzhou, asking him to send his daughter here. When you and the Lei girl meet, if she suits your fancy, we will settle on Governor Lei of Yuzhou's legitimate daughter. If you do not like her, we can have them send another Lei girl over. In any case, it must be one you find pleasing to your eye."
Huo Mingji looked up in astonishment.
As he grew older, he had become increasingly adept at concealing his emotions. Just moments before, when Huo Tingshan decided to bestow that serpent spear capable of cutting gold and jade upon a man he had never met, Huo Mingji had still managed to hide his surprise within.
But now, the young man who had just come of age couldn't help but show his astonishment. "Mother, she..."
Huo Tingshan gave a slight smile, a rare softness and helplessness in it. "Back then, I merely suggested you marry the Lei family's daughter. She had ten sentences waiting in response, giving me a headache. 'Parents who love their children plan deeply for their future.' Although she is not your birth mother, she genuinely regards you as her own son."
His wife did not want children, which destined that he and she would have no blood-related offspring. After the realm was pacified, the successor could only be his eldest son, Huo Mingji.
Although he believed he and she would both live to a hundred, what if some mishap occurred and he departed before her? The one controlling the situation afterwards would inevitably be the eldest son.
The funds, stirrups, and high-cantle saddles provided by the Pei trading houses over the years were enough to ensure her wealth and comfort for a century. But that was not sufficient. He wanted the next ruler to respect and care for her sincerely, from the heart.
Was this not also a process of cultivation?
Huo Tingshan was well aware of this.
Now, seeing the moved expression on his eldest son's face, the man's lips curved slightly. "Enough. I won't say more. Make your own preparations. The Lei girl will arrive in Luoyang in a few days."
With those words, Huo Tingshan turned and left.
Huo Mingji watched his father's retreating back, utterly unburdened, and suddenly recalled the words he had just spoken:
"Some men love wealth, some lust after beauty, some disdain worldly things but cherish old sentiments. Everyone has their weakness..."
Everyone has their weakness.
Father had one too.
Huo Mingji let out a soft, deep sigh.
