From a time so distant it had become legend, the people here had called this place the heartland of the realm.

In the oldest recorded histories, the earliest known use of the term “Central Plains” could be traced back over four thousand years to the ancient nation of Xia.

After the Zhou dynasty established its rule, this name — which had once referred specifically to the Yuzhou region — was extended by the Zhou to encompass the entire territory under imperial control.

Yet in the hearts of Yuzhou’s people, regardless of dynasty, regardless of emperor, the Central Plains meant Yuzhou. Anyone who argued that Yuzhou’s conception of the Central Plains was too narrow still had to concede that Yuzhou was its very center.

Yuzhou’s ten-thousand-li fertile plains had always been contested ground throughout history.

At this moment, on the walls of the city, Tang Pidi stood with both hands resting on the battlements, fingers tapping in a light, rhythmic pattern.

Beside him, the blood-red Ning Army battle flag snapped in the wind.

Measured against the whole of Yuzhou, the territory the Ning Army had taken thus far was perhaps only four-tenths of it.

Yet having seized the administrative capital was tantamount to declaring that all of Yuzhou now fell under Prince Ning’s domain. With the provincial seat bearing the Ning flag, resistance from the subordinate cities and towns would amount to nothing.

What Li Chi and Tang Pidi — these two young men — were creating was not a miracle. It was a legend.

Young Marquess Cao Lie stood with his hands behind his back not far from Tang Pidi. He was not looking toward the horizon as Tang Pidi was. Instead, he was gazing upward at that great banner, blazing like a sheet of living flame against the sky.

From the outside, it appeared as though the Cao family had spent ten million to preserve their enterprise.

But in truth — so long as the Cao family’s holdings remained intact, was that river of silver truly so significant, in the grand scheme?

“Young Marquess, what are you thinking?”

Tang Pidi asked suddenly.

Cao Lie smiled and shook his head. “Best left unsaid.”

Tang Pidi said, “Could it be you’re still resentful that my lord struck too harshly?”

Cao Lie said, “Honestly? Not too harsh.”

Tang Pidi asked with a smile, “Not too harsh? Then what is it you’re brooding over?”

Cao Lie said, “It’s not that he struck too hard. It’s that he struck too dirty.”

There was a gap between cruel and dirty — after all, no one was injured or killed, so it couldn’t quite be called cruel. But dirty? Unquestionably.

Tang Pidi couldn’t help laughing.

He turned to look at Cao Lie. “I do have one idea that might let Young Marquess earn some of that silver back from my lord.”

Cao Lie said, “Then I humbly ask the Grand General to enlighten me.”

Tang Pidi said in all seriousness: “Starting today, work for my lord. Collect a salary that my lord pays you.”

Cao Lie sighed. “And I could indeed earn a little back that way.”

The words “a little” were spoken with just a touch more weight than the others.

Tang Pidi said, “In truth, from what I understand, not much of the ten million Young Marquess must prepare actually comes from the Cao family directly. And if Young Marquess comes to collect a salary from me, bring more people along — the more people, the more pay.”

Cao Lie said, “As for where that silver comes from, best left unsaid as well.”

Tang Pidi said, “I won’t mention it to Prince Ning.”

Cao Lie smiled. “Prince Ning squeezes money out of Cao Lie, and Cao Lie doesn’t dare refuse, because Prince Ning is strong. I squeeze money out of Yuzhou’s merchants, and the merchants don’t dare refuse, because the Cao family is strong.”

He paused, then lowered his voice slightly. “In the end, it’s all just bullying.”

Tang Pidi laughed.

Cao Lie was nursing some grievances — understandable, given the circumstances. That was no trifling sum. Ten million taels. With that kind of capital, two years of cultivation in Yuzhou’s fertile land, with its vast fields and tens of millions of subjects, could produce a trained and equipped force of two hundred thousand elite soldiers without difficulty.

“The bond between you and Prince Ning is something rare.”

Cao Lie said, “Prince Ning trusts you enough to let you command his armies without any checks or restrictions whatsoever. To have that kind of trust from a lord must be a good feeling.”

The words carried no real admiration. He was simply venting — mildly, harmlessly.

There are times when venting releases pressure without giving offense; in fact, it can communicate that one no longer harbors any serious reservations.

Growing up in a household like his, steeped in its culture from childhood, Cao Lie had long since learned which manner suited which person.

Tang Pidi smiled. “In truth, Prince Ning cares more about Young Marquess as a person.”

Cao Lie said, “Then if Prince Ning had to choose — would he rather have me, or that ten million taels of gleaming silver?”

Tang Pidi said, “The way Young Marquess phrases that, it’s almost as if Prince Ning would actually choose.”

Cao Lie said, “He wouldn’t?”

Tang Pidi said, “Of course Prince Ning wouldn’t choose. Prince Ning will take both.”

Cao Lie: “…”

After a moment of silence, he said, “I’ve heard there are already some rumors circulating in Yuzhou City that are unfavorable to the Grand General.”

Tang Pidi said, “I’ve heard a few as well. I’m just not sure if they’re the same ones you’ve heard.”

Cao Lie said, “Some people in the city have been whispering in private. They say the Grand General now has well-trained troops and abundant provisions, along with ten million in funds, a major city, and countless subjects… and they fear the Grand General intends to break away from Prince Ning and declare independence. After all, the bulk of Prince Ning’s forces are in the Grand General’s hands, and most of the Ning Army obeys the Grand General’s commands first.”

Tang Pidi smiled. “Young Marquess is suggesting that the Ning Army follows my orders — and not Prince Ning’s?”

Cao Lie said, “Roughly speaking, yes.”

Tang Pidi asked, “Has Young Marquess heard anyone say that the Ning Army follows my orders — and that Prince Ning follows my orders as well?”

Cao Lie’s expression flickered.

Tang Pidi said, “What Young Marquess just told me matches closely with what I’ve heard as well. But since the mouths belong to those people, I can hardly forbid them from speaking.”

Cao Lie said, “Surely the Grand General isn’t unconcerned that if these rumors spread far enough, people will begin to believe them. The saying that three men can make a tiger seem real is no idle exaggeration.”

Tang Pidi said, “For talk like that originating in Yuzhou to reach Prince Ning’s ears in Jizhou — that’s quite a long way.”

Cao Lie said, “It will reach him eventually.”

Tang Pidi pointed toward the area beyond the city walls. “Young Marquess, do you know why I invited you up to the city wall for this conversation today?”

Cao Lie said, “I don’t know why the walls specifically, but I do know that the Grand General has little time for idle conversation. There must be something important.”

Tang Pidi said, “Come and see for yourself.”

Cao Lie stepped forward and looked down below the walls. He saw quite a number of contingents departing the city — carts and horses stretching out like a great dragon.

Tang Pidi smiled. “These people in Yuzhou wanted to sow discord between me and Prince Ning. That’s a bit far to accomplish from here. So I’ve decided to help them along — I’m sending them to Jizhou so they can say it to Prince Ning’s face. Wouldn’t it be much better to speak their piece in person?”

Cao Lie froze.

The appearance of these rumors had, in fact, been orchestrated by the Cao family.

Because this sort of thing was, in truth, the most effective means of poisoning a relationship.

Cao Lie’s great-uncle Cao Zansong had once said that he had never believed any ruler in this world would unconditionally trust those beneath him. Once a subordinate’s power exceeded that of the ruler, a single lie — a single whispered provocation — was enough to plant the seeds of doubt deep in the heart.

Li Chi’s push south was dependent on Tang Pidi. What they called the Ning Army’s elite force was, in practice, Tang Pidi’s elite force. If they could make Prince Ning and Tang Pidi grow suspicious of each other, gradually growing apart, until finally Prince Ning stripped Tang Pidi of his military authority out of suspicion — what would there be left to fear from the Ning Army?

But what he had never anticipated was that Tang Pidi’s countermeasure would be to simply send every single one of those people to Jizhou.

Tang Pidi smiled and asked, “Young Marquess, do you think this is an appropriate way to handle things?”

Cao Lie gave a slight bow. “The Grand General has an open and honest heart. The handling is entirely appropriate. I have nothing but admiration.”

Tang Pidi continued, “These people are actually somewhat pitiable. Before I invited Young Marquess here, I made a point of meeting with a few of them.”

“Upon inquiry, I found that most of them have, to varying degrees, commercial ties to the Cao family.”

Cao Lie’s heart tightened.

Tang Pidi said, “I’m new to Yuzhou and don’t know them well, but I’m willing to do something practical for them.”

Cao Lie thought to himself: is what the Grand General is doing practically for them sending them off to Jizhou?

How very practical.

But of course he couldn’t say that aloud.

From the tone of Tang Pidi’s voice, it sounded as though he already knew the Cao family had a hand in this — and was here to deliver a warning.

“They do have business dealings with the Cao family,” Cao Lie said with a smile. “But it depends on how one looks at it. The Cao family’s enterprises touch every aspect of daily life — food, clothing, everyday necessities — every person in Yuzhou depends on the Cao family’s business in some way. So one could say every single resident of Yuzhou has ties to the Cao family.”

He then deliberately weighted his next words: “More than just ties — they’re inseparable from us.”

Tang Pidi made a sound of acknowledgment. “Then why doesn’t Young Marquess help them?”

Cao Lie thought: help with what?

Tang Pidi said, “It seems Young Marquess has misunderstood me. I’m newly arrived here, and I’m still willing to do something practical for them. Young Marquess has known them for years — you should do something for them too. I’m sending escorts to see them to Jizhou — the travel expenses and provisions should be covered by Young Marquess. That’s not asking too much, is it?”

Cao Lie: “????”

Tang Pidi smiled. “I’ve had word from my men that Young Marquess’s family has decided to send the Princess Consort out of Yuzhou in a few days?”

Cao Lie replied, “That’s correct.”

Tang Pidi said, “I’ve already arranged for General Dantai Qi to personally lead ten thousand elite cavalry to escort the Princess Consort’s carriage to the border between Yuzhou and Jingzhou.”

Cao Lie’s brow furrowed, but he quickly bowed. “Many thanks to the Grand General, and to Prince Ning for this arrangement. That said, the matter of escorting my aunt need not require the mobilization of a great army — the Cao family is quite capable of ensuring she returns to Jingzhou safely.”

Tang Pidi said, “I know the Cao family has many skilled fighters and private forces. Escorting the Princess Consort to Jingzhou should pose no difficulty. However, no matter how many skilled fighters the Cao family has, no matter how large the private forces, if they must travel in two separate parties, they would be stretched thin.”

Cao Lie blinked. “Why would there need to be two separate parties?”

Tang Pidi said, “Because the other party from the Cao family must escort Young Marquess north to Jizhou.”

Cao Lie’s eyes snapped wide open.

Tang Pidi said, “My lord has said that since Young Marquess was kind enough to donate his family’s wealth in support of the Ning Army, my lord is deeply grateful to Young Marquess, and therefore wishes to invite Young Marquess to Jizhou so that my lord may offer his thanks in person.”

Cao Lie let out a long, heavy breath. “Prince Ning plays his hand well.”

Tang Pidi said, “You see those people out there beyond the walls — they’re about to make their way to Jizhou to report to Prince Ning in person, to tell him I harbor ambitions of independence.”

“Young Marquess will be following not long after. You can tell Prince Ning to his face — that Prince Ning plays his hand well.”

Cao Lie went quiet.

After a long while, he could no longer keep his frustration from rising.

His voice carried an edge of barely-suppressed anger as he said, “Deploy ten thousand elite cavalry to escort my aunt back to Jingzhou — Prince Ning earns a fine reputation. Send someone to ship me off to Jizhou — the Cao family no longer dares to harbor divided loyalties…”

He looked at Tang Pidi and asked plainly: “I only want to know — is this truly Prince Ning’s intention, or the Grand General’s?”

Tang Pidi smiled and said nothing.

That kind of silence only made Cao Lie more irritated.

He looked at Tang Pidi. “And if Cao Lie is unwilling to leave Yuzhou?”

Tang Pidi said, “Then Cao Lie stays. The Cao family moves to Jizhou.”

Cao Lie’s expression froze.

Tang Pidi’s hands rested on the battlements, his fingers tapping in their steady, unhurried rhythm.

“Young Marquess, I recall telling you something a few days ago — that my lord is not with the army. And just now I told you something else — when you come to collect a salary from Prince Ning, bring more people, collect more.”

The corner of Cao Lie’s mouth twitched several times. He turned and walked away.

“My profound thanks to the Grand General for this generous arrangement. When I arrive in Jizhou, I will thank Prince Ning in person.”

Tang Pidi remained where he stood, facing forward, watching the long procession streaming out through the city gates.

—