Chapter 120: Heritage and Advancement

"A man does not shed tears easily; he simply has not reached the depth of his sorrow."

The overwhelming surge of grief, guilt, and agitation shattered the defenses of Lu Lelia’s heart. Tears streamed down his face instantly, and he pulled the two young eunuchs into a tight embrace. The two young boys, like orphans lost for years who had finally found their kin, lowered their voices and wept uncontrollably.

"It was five years after being abducted by that female thief before I returned to Jinshui Town. I had inquiries made at the Yangzhou Prefecture infirmary, but there was no news of you two. I never imagined I would have the fortune to encounter you in my own home today. Is Heaven finally giving me, Lu Lelia, a chance at redemption?"

Leading the two young eunuchs into a nearby room, Lu Lelia wiped his tears with his sleeve, his emotions still turbulent.

"The night before my father’s execution, he and Uncle Dou told us both that we could not blame you, Brother Lelia. You willingly became a slave to save everyone and were taken away by that demon woman. All of this was fate; if there is blame to be cast, it lies only with the poverty of us hunters and the cruelty of that power-hungry corrupt official."

The young eunuch, Huo Xiaohu, had red-rimmed eyes filled with a fierce intensity of hatred.

"Brother Lelia’s father, Uncle Lu, such a kind physician, also died. How could we blame you? Xiaohu and I were in the Yangzhou infirmary for less than a year when palace officials came to select servants and took us both away. We had no one to look after us in the palace and spent two years relying on each other before being sent to the Prince of Guangping’s estate. Since we were illiterate, we could only do menial labor. As the eldest great-grandson of the Emperor grew older, he wasn't considered the primary heir and didn't receive much attention, so he had us sent to serve him."

Although the eunuch Dou Erdan had an unappealing name, he was bright and refined, explaining their situation clearly in just a few sentences.

"Illiteracy is no matter; I will teach you in the future. Not only will I teach you to read, but I will also teach you martial arts. Didn't you once want to be grand heroes of the Jianghu, roaming free and powerful?" Lu Lelia patted their heads, making up his mind.

"Brother Lelia, with us like this, can we still be heroes?" Dou Erdan felt a mix of self-pity and longing.

"Yes! Why not? But you two don't even have proper names; how can you become legendary heroes? Let me name you both. Erdan, you look refined and scholarly, so let’s call you Wenchang. Xiaohu, you are quiet, but when you do speak, you will stun the world—let’s call you Xianming."

"Dou Wenchang, Huo Xianming. Heh, I never have to use that ugly name Erdan again. Brother Lelia, what kind of powerful martial arts are you going to teach us?" Dou Erdan laughed happily, looking at Lu Lelia with anticipation.

Lu Lelia had decided to teach them the most profound and swift Qi-cultivating techniques from the *Seven Yin Arts*. As he pondered, his eyes caught sight of the golden autumn hollyhocks outside the window, blooming brightly in the sun.

"The art I will teach you, once mastered, will make your bodies like ghosts and your movements as swift as lightning, catching any opponent off guard. I shall call it the *Sunflower Manual*. But remember, except for your closest kin, you must never pass it on to others."

"Xiaohu and I—no, Wenchang—we are men of the palace now; we have no close kin left in the outside world. How about we add a preface to this *Sunflower Manual*: 'To master this divine art, one must first castrate oneself'?"

Huo Xianming truly lived up to his name; his idea was so ruthless that even Lu Lelia was awestruck.

(A salute to the old man in the sky!)

Under a dim, hazy moon and faint starlight, Lu Lelia, his heart finally at peace, played a soaring, melodic tune on his zither. But as the ghostly figure of Li San appeared, the music cut off abruptly.

"From the Taiyi Hall of Zhongnan Mountain, Wang Xuanyi of Mount Taibai petitioned that he saw the Emperor Xuanyuan and was told of a miraculous jade talisman in the Treasure Immortal Grotto. The Emperor ordered Zhang Jun, Minister of Justice, to seek it, and upon obtaining it, the court rejoiced.

"The Sage Emperor Xuanzong further ordered the officials to build a residence for An Lushan in Qinyiren Ward, with an imperial decree that it be as magnificent as possible, sparing no expense, going to great lengths to win over this commander of two northern frontiers who held immense military power. This commander is quite interesting; in return, he went so far as to kowtow to the noble Consort as his mother, and swore brotherhood with her nephews."

"The one in the Daming Palace does these things for me to see. I have been so busy that I haven't summoned you for over twenty days. You have been at the Armory Bureau for ten days now; what are your insights?"

Li Fulin stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the painting on the wall behind his desk, not turning even as Lu Lelia was brought in.

"The military equipment of our Great Tang is meticulous and refined; naturally, it is invincible in battle," Lu Lelia replied, feeling insecure and breaking into a cold sweat.

"Very well, then let me ask you: for a unit of ten soldiers in our Great Tang, how much logistical equipment is required to be fully outfitted?" Li Fulin turned, staring unblinkingly at Lu Lelia.

Lu Lelia wiped the sweat from his brow, stammering for a long time without an answer.

"Six pack horses, two each of tents, iron basins, shovels, chisels, baskets, axes, pliers, and armor racks; one each of pots, fire drills, salt bags, and mortars; and three sets of horse reins."

Li Fulin recited the list effortlessly, leaving Lu Lelia stunned and speechless.

"In the past, the Emperor Gaozu of the former Han evaluated the three heroes of the founding: for planning strategies in the tent and determining victory a thousand miles away, Zhang Liang is first. For stabilizing the nation, pacifying the people, and ensuring a constant supply of military provisions, Xiao He is first. For winning every battle and conquering every objective, Han Xin is first. In terms of primary merit, Xiao He should be ranked first.

"Later, Zhang Liang retired into seclusion, Han Xin was executed by Empress Lü, and only Xiao He remained steadily as Chancellor. It seems you have failed to understand the deeper meaning of my placing you as Assistant Director of Military Equipment."

Li Fulin did not directly scold him, yet Lu Lelia felt a cold chill run down his spine.

"Uncle, this disciple knows his mistake. I will certainly mend my ways, settle my heart to study governance, and never waste my time again."

"Do not underestimate these miscellaneous items. Not only are the soldiers in the army inseparable from them, but every single item is tied to the national economy and the livelihood of the people!" Li Fulin shook his head, looking weary.

"Uncle, are you alright?" Lu Lelia asked with concern.

"I am fine. We shall stop here for today. Until you can calculate what lies behind those miscellaneous items, remain in your position as Assistant Director of Military Equipment."

With a wave of his hand, Li Fulin dismissed him.

How much refined iron is needed to craft a crossbow? How much labor is required to mine this iron? How much for the transport costs? How much time and wages for the craftsmen? It was a chain of cause and effect, and every other item was the same.

Calming his mind, Lu Lelia poured all his energy into this, and before he knew it, another month had passed.

During her pregnancy, Tang Xiaoqi’s emotions became quite unstable. On his days off, Lu Lelia set aside all matters to carefully accompany her for walks in the courtyard. Only when he was by her side did she feel at ease, occasionally stroking her swollen belly with a motherly glow on her face.

During a moment of midday leisure, while Lu Lelia was instructing the two young eunuchs, Dou Wenchang and Huo Xianming, in swordsmanship, Guo Yan of the Beggar Sect snuck in mysteriously.

"Brother Lu, I simply cannot stand it anymore. I have issued a strict order to the Beggar Sect disciples forbidding anyone from abducting children or breaking their limbs to make them beg on the streets. Yet, that old ghost Chen Pipi of the Beggar Gang in the East City still captures many children to beg. He keeps insisting that this is a rule and skill passed down by their ancestors, and he dares not abandon it."

Upon hearing this, Lu Lelia flew into a rage: "It has been so long, and you have actually allowed such a wicked person to continue acting this way!"

"Sigh!" Guo Yan sighed helplessly, spreading his hands: "Brother Lu, under Chen Pipi's leadership, the East City Beggar Gang's power is no less than mine. Besides, that old ghost learned some wicked and powerful martial arts in his youth; he is quite formidable. How could I be his opponent?"

"Have you told your sister-in-law about this? What did she say?" Wang Liuli now rarely let Lu Lelia intervene in these Jianghu matters, so he asked.

"Sister-in-law said, 'No matter how high one's martial arts are, can they withstand the heavy crossbows of the army? For such a small matter, go find Brother Lu; he can solve it easily.'"

After Guo Yan finished, he looked at Lu Lelia with excitement.

"This woman, she is clearly trying to make me steal from the state by pilfering military crossbows from the Armory Bureau to deal with the East City Beggar Gang. Does she not know that this violates national law and military regulations? She thinks of things so simply."

Lu Lelia muttered to himself, yet he did not want to see Chen Pipi continue his atrocities that angered both gods and men.

"When do you plan to act?"

Seeing that Lu Lelia was willing to intervene, Guo Yan’s face lit up with a smile.

"Such a detestable fellow must not be allowed to live past the New Year. But that guy has many men, and seven sworn sons who act as his accomplices. If we act openly, I fear the matter will blow up and I won't be able to answer to the authorities. Secondly, I fear my brothers will suffer significant losses."

"Hmph!" Lu Lelia snorted coldly: "Don't you like to say 'Jianghu matters are settled by Jianghu rules'? Then just handle it according to those rules."

"Brother Lu, I am no match for that old ghost; aren't you asking me to go to my death?" Guo Yan jumped up anxiously, looking at Lu Lelia with dissatisfaction.

"Come closer, I will teach you what to do." Lu Lelia beckoned to Guo Yan.

In the Misty Valley of Zhongnan Mountain, Beggar Sect leader Guo Yan challenged the leader of the Beggar Gang, Chen Pipi. The two would fight to the death to decide the fate of both groups. At Guo Yan's insistence, the battle was to be conducted secretly, with no more than ten disciples allowed per side.

Chen Pipi’s sworn sons scouted the area and found no ambushes. Finally at ease, Chen Pipi led his seven sons and three capable subordinates into the valley.

"Haha! I wonder if Guo Yan of the Beggar Sect has lost his mind or is just impossibly arrogant. To overestimate himself and challenge you, Foster Father—isn't he just handing over the Beggar Sect on a silver platter?" One of Chen Pipi’s sons laughed brazenly.

Chen Pipi offered a cold, insincere smile, feeling immensely smug. He thought that since the young upstart of the Beggar Sect was so sensible, he would grant him a quick death.

At the agreed-upon spot in Misty Valley, Guo Yan stood alone in front. Behind him, Lu Lelia and his eight personal guards lined up, staring coldly at the ten leaders of the Beggar Gang, who were dressed in tattered robes and looked relaxed and careless.

"Who comes first?" The thin Chen Pipi walked forward with his hands behind his back, looking at Guo Yan with utter disdain.

"We’re all coming at once!" Guo Yan shouted, raising a hidden hand crossbow.

"Swish, swish, swish!" A series of crossbow bolts fired rapidly. Screams erupted from the opposite side, and soon, silence fell.

Hu Laoda looked at his seven subordinates with satisfaction, smiling smugly. None of them had missed their mark, while Lu Lelia had missed one shot.

Guo Yan walked up to Chen Pipi and pulled the blood-soaked crossbow bolt from his body. Drawing his dog-beating staff, he poked it several times into the bloody hole left by the bolt. Then, channeling his internal energy, he struck the corpse of Chen Pipi with a few palms.

"Haha, Hahaha!" Guo Yan laughed loudly: "With one strike of my dog-beating staff and two palms of the Dragon-Subduing technique, the old thief Chen Pipi is dead! Once this is spread, let's see who dares to oppose me, the number one young master!"

Lu Lelia, whose face was already flushed with embarrassment, was completely stunned by Guo Yan’s performance. He had planned the first half, but he never expected Guo Yan to improvise like this.