Han Qian was also shocked by the schemes of those at Wanhong Tower and the trap they had already laid. In what followed, he dared not make any rash moves. Seeing that Marquis of Linjiang Yang Yuanpu could practice diligently upon his first contact with archery, he took this opportunity to work hard on improving his own archery skills.
Feng Yi and Kong Xirong were bored with nothing to do. Unable to leave casually, they sat under the tree shade and passed the entire afternoon. Han Qian did not leave the Linjiang Marquis’s Residence until dark, returning to the residence in the southern part of the city with Zhao Kuo and Fan Dahei.
Han Daoxun had returned early from his official office today. He prepared food and wine in his room, waiting for Han Qian to return from the Linjiang Marquis’s Residence.
Han Daoxun sent all the attending old servants and household soldiers out, keeping only Han Qian in the room to dine together. He asked:
“Today His Highness left the palace for his residence. You spent the whole day at the Linjiang Marquis’s Residence. How did it feel?”
“…His Highness did not emerge from the palace until nearly noon. He seemed quite fearful about leaving the palace. There were no trustworthy people around him either, and he spoke very little all day. After the meal, everyone went to the rear garden to practice archery. His Highness practiced archery quite diligently, as if he had much resentment to vent. Chen De and Li Chong are both skilled at archery. Feng Yi and Kong Xirong were somewhat distracted. Everyone remained in the rear garden until dark before taking their leave.” Han Qian told his father Han Daoxun about what had happened at the Linjiang Marquis’s Residence today.
Of course, Han Qian did not mention some details related to Wanhong Tower. But aside from that, he spoke in great detail about everything else, particularly Yang Yuanpu’s unconscious display of closeness toward Li Chong, which Han Qian did not conceal.
Yang Yuanpu was still too young and did not know how to disguise his feelings. Han Qian believed that with Guo Rong’s ability and perception, it would not take long before he noticed this point. There was no need to deliberately hide it.
This surprised even Han Daoxun. He had not expected that after just one day of contact with Third Prince Yang Yuanpu and the others at the Linjiang Marquis’s Residence, Han Qian could observe so much.
Of course, no one in the world hoped more than a father that his unworthy son could reform and turn over a new leaf. Regarding Han Qian’s transformation, Han Daoxun was both surprised and gratified, yet harbored no suspicions. His thoughts quickly turned to other matters.
“…”
Seeing his father Han Daoxun’s brows slightly furrow, as if pondering something, Han Qian’s mind stirred and he asked:
“That His Highness fears the female official and Lord Guo beside him is quite normal, after all they are all people sent out by Anning Palace. But today your son learned that the one replacing Zhou Kun as reading companion for His Highness is Marquis Xinchang Li Pu’s son Li Chong, which truly gave me a fright. Your son was recommended to His Highness’s side, and Father had no way to refuse. But who would think to drag the Li family into this dispute? Moreover, seeing His Highness quite close to Li Chong, he seems to know that Li Chong should be more trustworthy than your son, Feng Yi, and Kong Xirong.”
Han Qian asked directly, actually wanting to know how court ministers who did not know about Wanhong Tower’s collusion with Li Pu and Consort Wang would view Li Chong coming to the Third Prince’s side as a reading companion.
He wanted to see what relatively obvious information would be passed among Chu’s high officials and ministers before the true inside story and conspiracy were exposed. Generally speaking, this should be information that Li Pu, Consort Wang, and the master behind Wanhong Tower deliberately leaked to the outside.
“That you can look at the problem this way shows these two months of confining you to the estate to cultivate your mind and nature were not wasted…” Han Daoxun said with considerable gratification.
“…” Han Qian stared at his father Han Daoxun. He had carefully crafted that statement, not to earn this one sentence of praise.
“Li Chong being able to come to the Third Prince’s side as reading companion—I heard that after Zhou Tai’s son fell from his horse, the selection of people for the Third Prince’s side by Anning Palace was short one reading companion. The information transmitted from the palace originally said that if one person was lacking, then so be it. But the day before yesterday, Marquis Xinchang was summoned to the palace for questioning. Consort Wang happened to be present at the time and asked Marquis Xinchang about having a son who had not yet been officially appointed to office, and had Marquis Xinchang’s son fill this vacancy. If it’s as you say, then this matter is not as coincidental as rumored. Perhaps Prince Li Yu of Eastern Zhe has some ideas?”
Han Daoxun thought it would be better to speak plainly.
“Prince Li Yu of Eastern Zhe has always been at odds with Shou Prefecture Military Governor Xu Mingzhen. He also worried that since Xu Mingzhen is a relative by marriage, if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, his tail will become too big to fall off. He once privately advised His Majesty to strip Xu of military power. But somehow, word still leaked out. There were also rumors that Prince Li Yu of Eastern Zhe made this move to persuade the abolishment of the Crown Prince, so that the Crown Prince has never looked favorably upon Prince Li Yu of Eastern Zhe. In the sixth year of Tianyou, when Liang troops invaded the border, Prince Li Yu of Eastern Zhe received the imperial decree to lead troops to garrison Chu Prefecture, forcing the Prince of Liang to withdraw from the flank. Afterward he was transferred back to the capital, and his troops were taken over by Prince Xin. There were also rumors that this matter involved ministers supporting Prince Xin making representations behind the scenes…”
Han Qian inwardly felt this was terrible!
He could be certain that Prince Li Yu of Eastern Zhe would not collude with Wanhong Tower in any way. But if news of Li Chong’s closeness with Third Prince Yang Yuanpu spread, it would mislead a large number of military officials at court, even mislead Emperor Tianyou into thinking that Prince Li Yu of Eastern Zhe was participating in the succession struggle.
This was perhaps precisely the effect needed by Wanhong Tower, Li Pu, and the Consort. Through intentional or unintentional misdirection, they would change court and public expectations of Third Prince Yang Yuanpu, even making it impossible for Prince Li Yu of Eastern Zhe to remain uninvolved, ultimately forcing him to support Third Prince Yang Yuanpu in the succession struggle.
It was just that these matters had not yet spread. Han Qian had not expected that his father would be the first person he misled.
At this moment there was no way to explain. Han Qian hastily swallowed down his food and said to his father Han Daoxun:
“Today seeing Li Chong, Kong Xirong, and Feng Yi—their archery and martial arts are all excellent. Your son lags far behind and wishes to catch up. But this residence is narrow. I fear that studying martial arts with Zhao Kuo and the others at night would disturb Father’s rest. Moreover, leaving all the household soldiers at the estate outside the city without anyone to supervise them—over time, they will inevitably become lax and undisciplined. So your son was thinking of acquiring several more courtyards nearby…”
Seeing his father Han Daoxun still hesitating somewhat, Han Qian thought that if he could not get support even for such a small matter, how could he act freely in other matters in the future?
He persisted, saying: “Your son has twelve cakes of gold. If I don’t use them on these proper matters now, I fear they will somehow be squandered away again without my knowing…”
Han Daoxun hoped more that Han Qian could study practical learning diligently, so that one day he could become a minister governing the realm in the court. Even if he wished to lead troops in battle, what he should learn was the art of deploying forces and formations, not wasting time on martial pursuits.
However, compared to when he first arrived in Jinling, Han Qian had already shown great improvement. Han Daoxun did not want to demand too much of him and dampen his rarely seen vigor, so he did not constrain him too much.
Additionally, Han Daoxun had also considered what Han Qian mentioned.
Regarding Fan Wucheng’s death, no matter how much Han Daoxun comforted Fan Xicheng on the surface, in his heart he somewhat felt that Fan Wucheng had shown signs of arrogance and indiscipline.
This was the difference between close and distant relations.
“Acquiring several more courtyards is good. You instruct Fan Xicheng and Zhao Kuo to handle it…” Han Daoxun nodded, essentially agreeing.
……
……
After using Zhao Wuji’s hand to kill Fan Wucheng, Han Qian had never dared to slack off.
After giving the Black Cloud Bow to Zhao Wuji, Han Qian prepared a yellow poplar longbow for himself, as well as a horse-cleaving saber and a set of leather armor for self-defense and daily archery and horsemanship training. Even after returning to Jinling City, he dared not slacken in the slightest.
Now Han Qian spent his days on duty at the Linjiang Marquis’s Residence. Whatever private matters he had could only be handled at night.
At this moment, Han Qian returned to his room to don his leather armor, shouldered the yellow poplar longbow, gripped the horse-cleaving saber, and walked to the front courtyard.
“Young Master, where are you going?”
Fan Xicheng and Han Laoshan sat under the scholar tree in the courtyard chatting. Seeing Han Qian emerge fully equipped with blade and armor, they were startled, thinking the young master intended to go out at night for some robbery. They hurriedly stood and asked.
Han Laoshan had been a book boy following Han Daoxun since his youth. Now over fifty years old, he currently remained at this residence with his wife Zhou Shi to attend to Han Daoxun’s daily needs. They had originally raised two sons, but both unfortunately died in the chaos of war when following Han Daoxun to his post in Chu Prefecture.
“It’s still too early to sleep. Not wanting to disturb Father’s rest, I thought to practice blade and bow in the front courtyard.” Han Qian removed the yellow poplar longbow and leaned it against a tree stump. He then said to Han Laoshan: “My father said we need to acquire several more courtyards nearby and transfer as many household soldiers as possible to live in the city. Uncle Han, tomorrow you and Master Fan go out and see if there are any vacant residences for sale nearby.”
“There are families living all around. I haven’t heard of anyone moving out to vacate their courtyards!” Han Laoshan said uncertainly.
“It doesn’t have to be immediately adjacent. Lanting Lane or nearby lanes would work, as long as they can be summoned quickly when needed.” Han Qian said.
There was a saying in the dream realm: in this world, there has never been love without reason, nor hate without reason.
Over this past month, Han Qian had also seriously reflected.
If he had remained that temperamental, mean-spirited, ungrateful family scion without any prestige, when his father was beaten to death before the palace hall and he himself became a “fugitive” with a court-issued warrant for his arrest, how could he expect these household soldiers to loyally protect him, let alone expect them to follow him in armed rebellion?
There were many methods of managing subordinates, but to change all this, the first step was to transfer as many of these household soldiers as possible to the city, to his own side, before he could employ both kindness and authority.
“…” Han Laoshan’s eyes unconsciously drifted toward the rear courtyard.
Han Qian pretended not to notice Han Laoshan’s reaction and continued: “Uncle Han, Master Fan, my father said that you have followed him for so many years—you should both have your own places to settle long ago…”
Han Laoshan and Fan Xicheng both slightly froze, then nodded in agreement, saying they would go out tomorrow to look for vacant residences nearby.
Han Laoshan and Fan Xicheng had followed Han Daoxun the longest. Both were advanced in years. Never mind being rewarded with residences—even removing their names from the household register to establish independent households held no interest for them.
They had spent their lives either killing on battlefields or serving others. If they were removed from the register and established independent households, they had no skills—what would they rely on for livelihood?
Fan Dahei, Zhao Kuo, and Lin Haizheng all came running over hearing the commotion in the front courtyard. Fan Dahei and Lin Haizheng in particular were quite excited upon hearing this matter.
They were still young. Even the straightforward Fan Dahei held aspirations for the future and some seemingly audacious expectations.
“Lin Haizheng, come spar with me using blades!” Han Qian picked up the straight-spine saber and, blade and scabbard together, struck toward Lin Haizheng.
“…” Lin Haizheng was startled and hurriedly removed the blade at his waist, using the scabbard to block and parry.
Lin Haizheng came from a military household background and had just turned twenty. His father and brothers had all died in battle. He was a military household member given as a reward, having followed at Han Daoxun’s side for only these past two years. At present, his widowed mother, two younger sisters, widowed sister-in-law, and young nephew were all settled at the estate serving as servants.
Like Fan Dahei, Lin Haizheng had practiced martial arts since childhood. He casually blocked the blade Han Qian struck at him.
Han Qian thought that although he currently faced no mortal danger, there was no guarantee when Wanhong Tower’s schemes might be exposed, or when his father might offend Emperor Tianyou with his stubborn temper of “remonstrating unto death.” He needed to prepare to flee at any moment.
At this time, he needed to secure the loyalty of household soldiers like Fan Xicheng and Fan Dahei as much as possible. But if one day he truly became a rebel party hunted by the court, he would have to rely mainly on himself.
“Young Master, bladed weapons are dangerous. Just practice martial arts!” Seeing Han Qian strike down with one blow—though lacking in technique, it was both vicious and ruthless—Fan Xicheng felt somewhat alarmed and hurriedly spoke up to remind him.
Although Han Qian’s blade had not left its scabbard, the scabbard could hardly be called sturdy. With excessive force, the blade edge could still very possibly break through the scabbard and injure someone.
Moreover, Han Qian’s blade momentum was fierce and his strength quite formidable. Lin Haizheng merely blocking and parrying could not seal off Han Qian’s blade momentum. But if he counterattacked, a momentary slip could also potentially injure Han Qian.
Fan Xicheng thought it would be safer for young master Han Qian to practice martial arts. Otherwise, whether Lin Haizheng or young master Han Qian got hurt, he would have difficulty explaining to the family head.
“No matter how well you fight with flowery fists and embroidered legs, it won’t be true skill for killing enemies on the battlefield!” Han Qian paid no heed to Fan Xicheng’s advice. He smiled at Lin Haizheng and said: “If you don’t strike back and I beat you bloody, don’t blame me for being too heavy-handed.”
The Sixty-Four Forms Stone Duke Fist—Han Qian had already practiced it quite skillfully by this time. But the Stone Duke Fist was mainly for strengthening the body. The true skill for killing enemies on battlefields or intimidating others still required using spears, halberds, and bladed weapons.
There was a saying in the dream world: no matter how skilled in martial arts, one still fears the kitchen knife.
True bare-handed blade snatching could only be achieved when the two combatants differed greatly in physical skill and vital energy.
Moreover, on chaotic battlefields where hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands fought, with several, dozens, or even hundreds of spears thrusting over, where would one go to snatch blades bare-handed?
For strengthening his body, Han Qian practicing the Stone Duke Fist a few times daily was enough. He did not need to pull Fan Dahei and Lin Haizheng to accompany him. But to develop true skills for one day fleeing alone, he still needed to conduct combat drills with blades and bows.
Only through combat drills with bladed weapons would his improvement be rapid, rather than falling into the routines of flowery fists and embroidered legs and becoming smugly satisfied.
Zhao Kuo also squatted to the side. The front courtyard had only two lanterns hanging. The sky held no stars or moon, and the light was dim. From the side, one could not see the puzzled expression in his eyes as he observed this scene before him.