Chapter Ninety-Nine: Contest of Power (Thirty-Three)

No matter the dynasty, life on the borderlands is always equally hard to endure.

The resplendent mansions at the heart of the Central Plains, the cultured revelry of wine and poetry south of the Yangtze, the latest hairstyles trending among the maidens of Luoyang, the literary fashions sweeping the world of letters—none of these things belong here.

Here, there is only coarse food, harsh weather, rain that chills to the bone, and a band of fierce, brutal men for whom killing is a way of life.

Yet it is these very men who shoulder the border defenses of the entire central empire, generation after generation born and dying here. And whenever civil strife erupts in the heartland, all those vying for ultimate victory are desperate to recruit them as their own blades.

But Liu Wenjing, a mid-level figure in the aristocratic power structure who yearned to climb still higher, found himself unable to hide his loathing—for these men, and for this place.

The rain had ceased, the sky had already darkened, and the air was crystalline. Above, the stars shone with dazzling brilliance, and the Milky Way arched across the zenith in magnificent splendor.

Standing atop the carriage roof, Liu Wenjing gazed silently at the vast expanse overhead, yet he still could not muster the slightest fondness for this place.

With a sigh, he finally waved his hand and ordered, "Pack up. Prepare to depart."

His captain of the personal guard, a man from the Six Armies, assented at once, then looked up in surprise.

Why leave now? Their purpose in coming, escorting this distinguished guest, was to meet Liu Wuzhou, to win over this formidable ally for Hedong so as to pin down Wang Renqiong, thereby giving the Duke of Tang peace of mind to raise his army.

But since Liu Wenjing’s arrival, Liu Wuzhou had avoided meeting him, even camping outside the city. The official explanation was to avoid leaks, but the real coldness of the reception could not be clearer.

Now, with nothing accomplished, after only a few days outside the city, after watching the bustle of Yunzhong, they were to leave?

The schemes of such nobles were forever unfathomable to a mid-level officer of the Six Armies like him. Serving the proud and aloof Liu Wenjing these past days had been torture. Since the nobleman wanted to leave, best to hurry back as well.

Seeing the officer hesitate, Liu Wenjing snorted with displeasure. "What? Reluctant to leave? I could write you a letter of transfer to the Heng’an Eagle Battalion, how about that?"

The officer hastily bowed, not daring to say a word more, and hurried off to direct his men to pack up.

The Heng’an Eagle troops were fine soldiers; their presence on the battlefield brought reassurance, and if encountered in Jinyang, he would gladly buy them drinks. But to be stationed with them? What a joke. That was a life spent daily in peril and hardship. He still hoped to follow the Duke of Tang and earn himself a better future.

His subordinates began rushing about, packing swiftly and trying not to make a sound lest they disturb the noble Liu Wenjing.

Liu Wenjing remained atop the carriage, his expression growing ever darker.

Liu Wuzhou’s cold avoidance was understandable. The Duke of Tang sought to win him over not to reward him for his arduous defense of Yunzhong, but to use him, to tie down Wang Renqiong.

Though the Duke of Tang was a scion of the Eight Pillars, his birth far above Liu Wuzhou’s, with the Sui now crumbling, every warlord with power and soldiers lusted after the prize that had fallen to the world. All were now contenders; why should Liu Wuzhou risk everything for the Duke of Tang? The Duke of Tang’s aim was to march west for Chang'an, not to help Liu Wuzhou attack Wang Renqiong from both north and south. If it came to a head, Liu Wuzhou would be left to face Wang Renqiong alone.

For Liu Wuzhou, the optimal strategy was to let all three sides eye each other warily, locked in stalemate. In such a deadlock, whoever struck first would lose. And if it delayed the Duke of Tang from raising his army and marching west, what business was that of Liu Wuzhou’s?

Though he understood all this, Liu Wenjing could not forgive such insolence from a man of such lowly birth as Liu Wuzhou.

Yet here on these wild, rugged borderlands, Liu Wenjing, who always prided himself as an elegant scion of the nobility, found himself powerless before Liu Wuzhou, who commanded four thousand of the empire’s finest troops.

By fortune, here emerged the extraordinary talent Xu Le! Who could have imagined such a figure would arise in a place like Mayi?

Liu Wenjing had watched the recent upheavals closely. Proud as he was, his judgment was keen and swift. How could he fail to see that the Qianyuet Division had the backing of the Turks? Otherwise, how would they dare plot against the other eight tribes on Liu Wuzhou’s turf? Nor could it be that Qianyuet Division had surrendered to Liu Wuzhou; the steppe peoples respected only strength, and Liu Wuzhou, weak even in Mayi, would hardly attract these desperate survivors.

It was the Turks behind Qianyuet, and Liu Wuzhou, wary of the Turks and perhaps seeking their favor, had turned a blind eye to Qianyuet’s moves.

But Xu Le had thrown everything into chaos. Liu Wuzhou had now thoroughly offended the Turks. Would Wang Renqiong let such an opportunity slip? He would surely seek a decisive battle with Liu Wuzhou and resolve the Mayi situation in one stroke.

At last, the two sides would come to blows; and wouldn’t that finally allow the Duke of Tang to march west with peace of mind, securing Guanzhong and casting a hungry gaze over the tumultuous Central Plains, paving the way for great achievements to come?

A faint smile finally softened Liu Wenjing’s brooding face. Absently turning the jade ring on his finger, he murmured, “This is for the best… yes, for the best. As for the Heng’an Eagle troops, there will be plenty of chances to win them over in the future…”

Thinking thus, how could he not be grateful to Xu Le?

Such a man—how could he not gather him to his own side, to serve as his own fierce tiger and claw?

If Xu Le remained in Mayi, even with Liu Wuzhou’s favor, how far could he go? A talent like this belonged on the grand stage of contention for all under heaven, to serve Liu Wenjing—or rather, to serve Liu Wenjing’s master—as a loyal hound and stalwart blade.

And perhaps, in time, he might win himself a respectable official post, and his descendants could climb another rung in the towering web of power woven by the gentry.

In truth, Liu Wenjing was helping him!

His mind made up, Liu Wenjing raised his hand in summons. At once, a man in a leather coat climbed onto the carriage, standing by with hands respectfully folded, awaiting orders.

This man was a native of Mayi, scraping out a living in Jinyang. For this journey north, Liu Wenjing had hired him as a guide—a man famed for his uncanny knowledge of the region.

Though the man had done his best to clean himself up, standing close, Liu Wenjing could not help but wrinkle his nose and edge away, his tone cold as he asked, “Are you familiar with Shanyang?”

The man, all craftiness on the road but now meek and forthright, replied, “Shanyang is the seat of Mayi county, sir. I spent years there in my younger days—I know the land and the people well.”

Liu Wenjing waved his hand. “Take a fast horse to Shanyang. Find your contacts and spread the word: Liu Wuzhou has taken the great general Xu Le into his service at Shenwu. Xu Le has joined forces with the Zhibi Division to rout the Nine Tribes. The Turks and Liu Wuzhou are now in league. Xu Le will lead the vanguard south to seize Shenwu!”

The man nodded, turned, and hurried off to find a swift horse and prepare provisions for his mission.

Years on the road, and now finally a foot in the door with the gentry—this was his chance at fortune. Just to spread a rumor? Even if Liu Wenjing wanted him to serve as his personal attendant, he’d have bent over backwards to oblige!

Liu Wenjing allowed himself a faint, cold smile and murmured, “Master Le, oh Master Le, I am helping you in truth! Though you broke the Qianyuet, you’ve ruined Liu Wuzhou’s plans. Now Shenwu is no longer safe for you. The sooner you leave Mayi, the better. I hope you’ll soon don armor for the Duke of Tang, and serve with all your might!”

He looked up. The Milky Way spanned the heavens, the borderland scene vast and mighty even in the night.

Yet Liu Wenjing still felt no fondness for it.

At last, he was leaving this accursed place. Let these borderland brutes slaughter each other as they please!