Chapter 38: The Plan Begins

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In Bingzhou’s Taiyuan, the provincial officials, led by Ding Yuan and Li Yang, had arrived early at the city gates, preparing to welcome the victorious army home.

Naturally, Ding Yuan was not particularly willing to come. Not a single one of those who had gone to war belonged to his faction. Yet if he failed to attend such an important occasion, only his own reputation would suffer. Thus, no matter how reluctant he was, Ding Yuan ultimately came, pinching his nose and enduring it.

Before long, a great banner bearing the character of Han slowly rose in the distance. Following it came countless soldiers clad in black armor and carrying long halberds.

At the very front of the army rode a burly man dressed in a general’s armor, an iron-forged longsword hanging at his waist. He was none other than Fan Neng, the army’s commander in name. Beside him rode a young officer in white robes astride a white horse, a long spear in his hand. A closer look would reveal the youthful innocence still lingering on his face. He was our protagonist, Li Xiang.

“Hahaha, General Fan, you fought a fine battle! By driving back the Xiongnu army, you have rendered a great service indeed.” Ding Yuan forced a smile and offered his congratulations.

“Your Excellency is too kind. This victory was achieved only through the desperate efforts of the entire army and the courage of every soldier. How could I dare claim such merit for myself?” Fan Neng replied with a solemn expression.

In truth, Fan Neng had played almost no part in the battle. Ever since leading the army to Yanmen Pass, he had worked with Li Ming to ensure the army’s logistical support, attending only a few major military conferences. Matters concerning the defense of Yanmen Pass had always been discussed and decided by Li Xiang, Wang Meng, and Meng Tian.

That night, after a full day of commotion, Li Xiang returned to the residence with Li Yang. In order to win the army’s loyalty, Li Xiang had personally gone out during the rewards ceremony and visited nearly every camp.

Upon returning home, he ignored his physical exhaustion and went straight to the study.

“Father, now that the army has returned victorious, it is time to begin the plan we discussed before.” Though his heart was filled with both excitement and urgency, Li Xiang spoke in an unhurried tone.

Li Yang was equally stirred. After all, so long as he could successfully become the Governor of Bingzhou, the Li family would advance another step. Was this not the goal for which most sons of great families devoted their entire lives?

“Next, we should help that Ding Yuan cultivate connections with the Grand General in Luoyang, should we not? How much gold and silver will you need, Xiang’er? I shall arrange it at once.”

Li Xiang smiled. “Father, did you not notice that Mr. Jinglue did not appear when we returned victorious this time?”

Before Li Yang could ask, Li Xiang continued, “I ordered Mr. Jinglue to set out for Luoyang immediately after the battle ended. He will now visit the Grand General in Ding Yuan’s capacity as a member of his staff, carrying the gold and silver we prepared long ago. With Mr. Jinglue handling the matter personally, Ding Yuan’s promotion is already a certainty. Father, I fear Ding Yuan will have to thank you and me properly this time. Without the two of us, he would never have risen to this office.”

Li Yang burst into laughter. “Indeed, indeed! We shall let Ding Yuan take credit for the great victory over the Xiongnu for now.”

The father and son laughed together once more.

Yet not long afterward, Li Xiang’s expression grew serious. He turned to Li Yang and said, “Father, apart from dealing with Ding Yuan, there is one more matter on which you must act if we are to ensure that everything proceeds without fail.”

Li Yang was not surprised. Before the army had departed, Li Xiang had already mentioned his plans in broad outline.

“You mean contacting certain officials at court and asking them to speak on behalf of our family?” Li Yang asked. “Do not worry, Xiang’er. Our family still has connections with many people at court. Besides, you have planned everything so carefully. How could I allow the scheme to fail at the final step?”

Only then did Li Xiang finally set his mind at ease. So long as everything went according to plan, that was all that mattered to him. As for the process, he did not care.

At the same time, Wang Meng had begun to make his move upon arriving in Luoyang.

Before the resplendent gates of the Grand General’s residence stood Wang Meng, dressed in ink-wash robes and wearing a felt cap. From a distance, he looked every inch the refined and elegant young scholar.

“Young sir, this is a gift from Ding Yuan, the Governor of Bingzhou, for the Grand General. Might I trouble you to announce my arrival? His Excellency has sent me to request a personal audience with the Grand General.”

As he spoke, Wang Meng discreetly pressed a gold ingot into the servant’s hand.

Feeling the weight of the object in his palm, the servant immediately smiled. “Rest assured, sir. I shall announce you at once. Since this concerns Governor Ding, I expect the Grand General will certainly summon you.”

Just as the servant had said, Grand General He Jin did indeed agree to receive him. Before long, the servant led Wang Meng into a side hall.

Wang Meng had not waited long when a middle-aged man suddenly entered. He stood eight feet tall, with a waist ten spans around, a broad, square face, and a thick, heavy build.

“You are the man sent by Ding Jiany and, the Governor of Bingzhou?” He Jin asked bluntly the moment he entered.

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As the matter concerned his lord’s vital affairs, Wang Meng did not dare show the slightest negligence. He straightened and bowed deeply.

“Reporting to Your Excellency, I am indeed the man dispatched by Lord Jiany and. I have come especially to present the Grand General with a great gift.”

He Jin smiled with amusement. “The gift your lord has sent is indeed excellent, and very much to my liking. However, Ding Jiany and did not send you here solely for that, did he?”

The Grand General was not a complete fool, as it turned out. Although Ding Yuan belonged to his faction, there was no reason for him to send someone bearing such a substantial gift unless he had some request to make.

Wang Meng pondered briefly, arranging his words with care before speaking.

“Although Lord Ding resides in the frontier of Bingzhou, he often thinks of the Grand General and frequently wishes that he might return to your side to receive your instruction once more. For that reason, Lord Ding has specially sent me to request that Your Excellency summon him to the capital. Ideally, he might be granted one of the offices of the Nine Ministers, allowing him to serve the Grand General more effectively.”

He Jin was stunned. He had guessed that Ding Yuan must have some favor to ask, but he had not expected the man’s appetite to be so great that he would directly seek a position among the Nine Ministers.

“That will be difficult. Even I have no authority over such an exalted office,” He Jin said.

Naturally, he had no intention of readily promising such a position. Moreover, as he had said, the office of a Nine Minister was beyond his control. Only the emperor could confer it.

“Lord Ding would never wish to place Your Excellency in a difficult position,” Wang Meng said respectfully. “This time, he commanded the army to defeat the Xiongnu. He hopes to use that great achievement as a stepping-stone to advancement and humbly asks for the Grand General’s assistance.”

He Jin was startled. “The Xiongnu have actually been defeated?”

Then, as though realizing that he had revealed too much emotion, he quietly exhaled and continued, “In that case, with such merit behind him, Ding Jiany and should have little difficulty obtaining a position among the Nine Ministers. Return for now and tell him to wait calmly for the good news from me.”

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