Since their youngest son was "invited" away, Prefect Shi's wife had wept daily, and Shi Xiangsong himself could neither eat nor sleep in peace.
Yet the Regional Governor's residence was as impenetrable as an iron barrel. Forget about slipping a servant inside; even the often-overlooked maidservants couldn't infiltrate it in the slightest.
Three days of restless, anxious torment passed.
On the third day, guards from the Regional Governor's residence came to his door, delivering a verbal message to Shi Xiangsong. Upon receiving it, he immediately changed his clothes and went out.
Shi Xiangsong went to the Regional Governor's residence alone.
Unlike last time when he hadn't seen the man, this time he laid eyes on Huo Tingshan.
Shi Xiangsong only dared a quick glance at the man seated above before lowering his eyes, his heart secretly trembling.
To be honest, this new master of Si Province had been residing in Luoyang for quite some time now, but this was Shi Xiangsong's first time seeing him. The last time was several months prior, when Huo Youzhou led his troops south, forming a joint force with Li Sizhou to campaign against Jing Province once more.
At the farewell banquet held just before their departure from Luoyang, he had caught his first glimpse of this widely renowned Huo Youzhou.
But looking at him now, Shi Xiangsong felt a world of difference.
Whether it was because the man had come to Luoyang as a guest then, or because he was of equal rank with Li Sizhou, back then Huo Youzhou had merely seemed like a military man in stature, yet rather straightforward and informal, quite easy to get along with.
However, the man seated above now was the same person, still wearing the same black robes from memory, yet his aura was as different from before as heaven from earth.
It was as if he no longer needed to restrain himself. A heavy, oppressive pressure rolled in like a tide beneath a moonless night, its movements elusive yet impossible to ignore.
Sitting on the soft chair, Shi Xiangsong felt as if he were on pins and needles. "Might I ask why Huo Youzhou has summoned this humble official? Whatever you command, even if it means breaking my neck and spilling my brains, I will strive to accomplish it."
As these words fell, Shi Xiangsong heard the man above laugh. The laughter was like the sun breaking through clouds, dispersing the thick, dark overcast sky.
"Prefect Shi, there's no need to be so formal. Today, I merely asked you here for a casual chat, and to introduce someone to you," Huo Tingshan said with a smile.
Shi Xiangsong didn't believe a single word of the first part.
But introducing someone...
What was this Huo Youzhou planning?
Shi Xiangsong was filled with doubt.
At that moment, a man emerged from the side corridor. He wore white robes, his spine as straight as a green bamboo, his face as beautiful as a woman's, looking to be around thirty.
"Prefect Shi, this is the newly appointed Military Affairs Officer and Chief Secretary, Gu Tan, styled Qinghuai. From now on, Gu Qinghuai will assist you in handling affairs and sharing your burdens. Prefect Shi, don't go easy on the young man; feel free to assign him any tasks," Huo Tingshan introduced.
Shi Xiangsong verbally agreed repeatedly, but as he took another look at this newly appointed subordinate, an inexplicable sense of strangeness arose within him.
This person... it seemed he had seen him somewhere before.
Having navigated the official circles of Luoyang for over twenty years, Shi Xiangsong was not without real ability. His memory was excellent, and as he multitasked, seriously pondering in his mind, he truly managed to recall.
This Gu Tan had first appeared beside Registrar Zhao. As the saying goes, officials and merchants are inseparable; during their occasional small gatherings, they would let the merchants close to them pick up the tab. This man had entered their circle back then using his identity as a wealthy merchant, through Registrar Zhao's connections.
For those few months, this man had settled the bills for all their gatherings. Later, this wealthy merchant surnamed Gu simply disappeared.
As for why he disappeared or whether he went elsewhere, Shi Xiangsong had never concerned himself with such matters.
All the world comes for profit; all the world bustles for profit. People came and went around him; it was commonplace. Perhaps the man had found a better path, pursuing other riches and honors.
Seeing this person again now, Shi Xiangsong felt a sudden, illuminating clarity.
Wealthy merchant? Minor character? It was all false. This man had likely been Huo Youzhou's covert agent in Luoyang all along. Otherwise, why would he be appointed Military Affairs Officer and Chief Secretary the moment he appeared?
This Gu Tan had now moved from the shadows into the light, stepping completely onto the stage. Shi Xiangsong knew this was a blatant, open scheme, yet even knowing, he was powerless to refuse.
His mind racing, Shi Xiangsong, after agreeing with Huo Tingshan, immediately steered the conversation elsewhere. "Huo Youzhou, I wonder if my worthless son has been behaving and causing no trouble during his stay at your esteemed residence these past few days?"
Huo Tingshan's smile was profound. "Your son is diligent, disciplined, quick-witted, and eager to learn. Prefect Shi, you may set your heart at ease."
Shi Xiangsong could not set his heart at ease in the slightest.
This youngest son was born to him in his old age. With two older brothers shouldering responsibilities, the boy had been doted on by him and his wife to the point of not knowing the five grains, developing a lazy bone through and through.
A person who usually slept until the sun was high at home, who would lie down if he could avoid sitting—how could such a one be diligent, disciplined, quick-witted, and eager to learn?
Impossible.
The more he looked at the smile playing on Huo Tingshan's lips, the more Shi Xiangsong felt the man harbored ill intentions. His heart burned with anxiety, and he couldn't help but say, "Huo Youzhou, might this humble official be permitted to see that disgraceful spawn of mine?"
The other had just planted someone beside him—a slap followed by a sweet date. Logically, now that he had made a request, the other should agree.
But Huo Tingshan never followed the usual path. He refused outright, clean and sharp. "Prefect Shi, don't be impatient. Your son is doing very well at my residence. In a little while, you will see a completely different him."
Shi Xiangsong was dumbfounded.
Completely different?
Could it mean beaten to the point where even his own father and mother wouldn't recognize him?
But before Shi Xiangsong could speak, he saw the man above take out two sheets of mulberry-bark paper. "Prefect Shi, these are ship diagrams drawn by my wife. One month from now, I hope to see fifty ships of each of these two types. If the construction schedule is delayed, this matter will determine when you and your son are reunited."
Shi Xiangsong's pupils contracted slightly.
Gu Tan beside him promptly took the diagrams from Huo Tingshan's hand and passed them to Shi Xiangsong, saying with a smile, "Don't panic, sir. It's merely one hundred ships. This subordinate will certainly exert all efforts to assist you in completing the task."
Shi Xiangsong stood frozen in place. The two sheets of paper in his hand felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds, making the hand holding them tremble uncontrollably.
Huo Tingshan stepped down from his seat and walked straight up to Shi Xiangsong, personally straightening his lapel for him. "Prefect Shi, don't wear such an expression. You have served as an official in Luoyang for twenty-two years, with a vast and influential network and connections to countless people. A mere one hundred ships will surely be a trifling matter for you. I have faith in you."
The slack flesh on Shi Xiangsong's face trembled violently. "Huo Youzhou, this humble official..."
"Besides the shipbuilding matter, I also have a small task for you, Prefect Shi." Huo Tingshan paid no heed to whether the other agreed or not, continuing on his own. "Let me give you a hint: I dislike this Liao Pingwei and will certainly move against him later. Prefect Shi, don't get too close to him. Oh, and not just you—remember to tell your close associates to keep their distance from Liao Pingwei as well."
Without looking at the expression on Shi Xiangsong's face, Huo Tingshan turned away. "Gu Qinghuai, see your superior out."
Gu Tan gestured slightly with his palm, indicating the way. "Prefect, please."
Having settled one matter, Huo Tingshan headed towards his study.
The study door was open, and all the windows were unshuttered as well, suggesting someone was inside.
Indeed, that was the case.
Pei Ying was alone in the study.
She sat before a long desk, a stack of mulberry bark paper beside her. A small bamboo basket nearby held many crumpled, discarded sheets. On the desk lay a paper with a half-finished drawing.
Thinking of something, Pei Ying pushed the paper aside to clear space for ink and brush, took a fresh sheet, and began revising her work based on the previous one.
Hearing footsteps, Pei Ying didn't look up, nor did she stop her hand's movement, but asked, "Have you sent that Prefect Shi away?"
"Yes, he's gone." Huo Tingshan walked to her side and sat down, his gaze falling on the paper before picking up the stacked sheets beside it to leaf through.
No matter how many times he looked, Huo Tingshan was filled with awe.
The ships on the drawings were marked with dimensions, ranging from large to small. The large ones were like the "Lady's Pleasure Barge" they had once taken, measuring about sixty to seventy feet from bow to stern—capable of carrying not just people, but horses as well without issue.
The small boats were shaped like shuttles, with upturned ends, bearing only a single bamboo mast and wooden sail, less than ten feet long, suitable for only about two people.
There was another, even more ingenious type: a large vessel housing a smaller boat within its hull. The former was stable, capable of carrying many soldiers and horses; the latter was agile, highly maneuverable. Huo Tingshan saw the small characters "Mother-Child Ship" written beside it.
"My lady, there were actually so many types of ships in later times," Huo Tingshan couldn't help but remark.
Pei Ying replied, "Not that many. This is just a small fraction. I've forgotten a great many."
Her curiosity seemed greater than most. As a child, she constantly pestered her older brother with "whys." Eventually, her brother, unable to bear her pestering, bought the young girl a set of "One Hundred Thousand Whys." When she grew older and gained free access to a mobile phone, for a long time afterward she loved watching videos from various science channels.
She had seen many things, but as the years passed, she had forgotten much, remembering only what left a deep impression or had simple principles.
The presence of the person beside her was overwhelming. After finishing a few more strokes, Pei Ying had to stop. "What did Prefect Shi say?"
Huo Tingshan's lips curved. "What could he say? His precious youngest son is in my hands. He has no choice but to agree. I gave him one month to first build a hundred ships. Let's see what happens after a month."
"Building a hundred ships in a month... isn't the time a bit tight?" Pei Ying murmured.
Huo Tingshan continued flipping through the papers in his hand, finally pulling out two sheets.
If Shi Xiangsong were here, he would certainly recognize these two drawings as the ones he had previously received from Huo Tingshan.
Looking them over carefully again, the man said, "Luoyang City has a population of nearly five hundred thousand. Shi Xiangsong has been here for over twenty years. As long as he can mobilize all the city's carpenters and craftsmen, plus muster a private force of one or two thousand men to work day and night, a hundred ships can be built."
Pei Ying turned to look at him, stared at him for a moment, and blurted out, "If Prefect Shi finishes ahead of schedule, does that mean he still has spare capacity?"
The curve of his lips deepened. "My lady is clever."
Pei Ying felt a complex mix of emotions. This man really was...
"I'll be going out this afternoon and likely won't be back for the evening meal. Don't wait for me." Huo Tingshan changed the subject.
Pei Ying's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Are you going boating again?"
Huo Tingshan didn't deny it. "This seasickness needs to be resolved quickly. Taking more boat rides will help me get used to it."
Pei Ying: "...Fighting poison with poison, is it?"
Ever since that day they went boating together on the river and he discovered his seasickness, he had taken time out every day since to go out. He went nowhere else, only taking boat rides on the river.
Pei Ying admired this stubborn determination, but kept her distance.
"Huo Tingshan, this isn't the way." Pei Ying thought for a moment. "I've heard sour jujubes or sour plums are remarkably effective for seasickness. You could try that."
The man, who had been about to rise, paused upon hearing this. Suddenly, his long arm reached out and pulled the person beside him over.
They had been sitting side by side. Now, unable to withstand the force, Pei Ying tumbled into his arms. Huo Tingshan's hands clasped her waist and easily lifted her, settling her sideways on his lap. His arms were long; one wrapped around her back and rested on her lower abdomen.
The sensation beneath her was worlds apart from a soft cushion—warm, solid, and firm. Pei Ying was flushed with embarrassment. "What are you doing?"
"My lady has been working hard lately. I'll give you some interest in advance, and reward you properly when I return later tonight." He said with a hooked smile.
Sitting on his lap, Pei Ying was slightly taller than him now. Looking down at him gave her a lofty position, though with her jade-like cheeks flushed red, her gaze held no imposing air.
Hearing his words, her brow twitched. "Huo Tingshan, you wait..."
He couldn't wait. The man tightened his arm, pulling her fully against his chest, tilting his head up to kiss her.
A wave of scorching heat washed over her. Her red lips were fiercely pressed and conquered, her defenses breached. Even from his lower position, looking up, Huo Tingshan was as domineering as ever.
Pei Ying's tongue went numb from his kiss. Her hands rested on his shoulder blades, both clinging and pushing him away. Yet, whenever he sensed her pushing even a fraction away, his actions would intensify by a measure—ferocious as a wolf or tiger, nearly devouring her whole.
When the kiss ended, Pei Ying leaned against his shoulder, panting heavily.
Huo Tingshan pinched her chin, lifting it, and kissed her swollen lips again. "Don't go to sleep so early tonight, my lady. Wait for me to return."
Pei Ying averted her eyes. "I won't. I'll rest at my usual time."
He chuckled softly. "Then I'll return early."
