Xie Yanlai, holding the stolen token belonging to Xie Yanfang, barged into the front court, wanting to argue with Deng Yi.
Fortunately, the imperial city guards reacted quickly and stopped him.
“Young Master, if you make a scene, you’re just delivering yourself to the Grand Tutor’s doorstep,” a guard said in a low voice. “Forget about an appointment—you’ll be locked up in prison for a year or two.”
Though it had been over two years since he’d been in the imperial city, the guards still remembered him and used intimate forms of address.
“I, Young Master, don’t deserve an appointment?” Xie Yanlai cursed angrily, pointing toward where the Grand Tutor’s hall was located. “What is that Deng Yi? A gate-guarding minister! Just because he got his opportunity guarding the palace gates for the Late Emperor—if we’re really talking about guarding palace gates, I’m the one guarding the outermost, most important position. Maybe the position of Grand Tutor was meant by the Late Emperor for me but was stolen by that Deng Yi!”
He was truly saying anything now. The guards wished they could cover his mouth and in chaos pushed and crowded him outward.
But some listened with gleaming eyes, recalling past events and couldn’t help muttering, “Maybe so.”
The commander kicked away the guard muttering nonsense, then said helplessly to Xie Yanlai, “Colonel Xie’s bravery—we understand it clearly in our hearts.”
But what could be done? Bravery was simple, but once court politics were involved, things became complex.
He lowered his voice and pointed. “Young Master, go to the Ministry of War. It’s safer than here, and you can make a big scene and vent your anger.”
……
……
As dusk fell, Chu Zhao in the rear palace listened to Xiao Man describe the scene of Xie Yanlai’s rampage at the Ministry of War.
This was different from her dispute with Deng Yi inside the palace. The Ministry of War’s offices were on Imperial Street with people coming and going—word spread in an instant.
“Right now, the streets are full of discussion,” Xiao Man said. “Everyone knows that because of the appointment issue, a dispute has arisen in the court.”
Chu Zhao asked, “What are the people saying?”
This time it wasn’t Xiao Man who answered but Ding Dachui. He said respectfully, “The people are all saying it’s the Xie family and the Grand Tutor fighting for power, that the Empress is being coerced by the Xie family and is caught between them in difficulty.”
Chu Zhao sighed. “Xie Yanlai is helping me out of this predicament.”
Actually, whether he received an appointment or not, he wouldn’t care. By making a scene, this matter extricated her. The people wouldn’t be shocked by the Empress interfering in government, and the soldiers wouldn’t question the Empress having private motives to suppress the Liang family.
After quarreling with Deng Yi, Deng Yi had summoned officials to deliberate. Chu Zhao hadn’t been idle either—she had obtained the records of the Liang father and son. She saw their military achievements were truly steady and solid, impeccable. And compared to Xie Yanlai, the father and son pair had very good reputations, praised by all above and below.
If word truly spread that she had refused to appoint Liang Qiang, public opinion would be secondary—it would affect military morale. If someone fanned the flames, her reputation would be ruined.
The hall was quiet and silent. Even Xiao Man, who usually didn’t care about anything, slightly knit her brows. Following beside Chu Zhao, she was no longer the little mountain bandit from the border commandery. She could sense that this time, both the Empress and the Grand Tutor were different from before.
Ding Dachui, who was also no longer a mountain hunter, suddenly asked, “Your Majesty, do you need us to do something?”
After Ding Dachui entered the capital, he had been enrolled by Chu Zhao into the Dragon Guard. The Dragon Guard had been divided by Chu Zhao into two groups—one group served as guards in the rear palace, while the other was transformed into a secret guard unit dispersed throughout the capital.
Ding Dachui was part of the latter.
However, all along they hadn’t needed to do anything. Xiao Man’s subordinates like Little Rabbit and the others were sufficient.
Chu Zhao glanced at the documents on the table. Earlier, Deng Yi had sent over the new appointment decision. Both Xie Yanlai and Liang Qiang were appointed as Guerrilla Generals, each able to command thirty thousand troops. The regional generals to whom they would report—Deng Yi had also directly designated these, all avoiding Luocheng.
“The imperial seal has already been stamped on this,” A’Le couldn’t help saying in a low voice. “The Grand Tutor also sent word that it will be announced tomorrow morning. He’s very urgent about it.”
What kind of deliberation was this?
This was already Deng Yi taking a step back. Chu Zhao said, “The Grand Tutor knows I’ll agree. Moreover, announcing it early is good—this way the matter can be settled and prevent bigger rumors from arising. After all, it’s still wartime now.”
Miss also agreed? A’Le breathed a sigh of relief. This matter was finally over then.
Chu Zhao looked toward Ding Dachui and said, “You—”
Was this answering his inquiry? Ding Dachui looked at Chu Zhao, feeling somewhat puzzled. Why did she start speaking then stop? Did it seem very difficult to say?
Chu Zhao lowered her eyes for a moment, then raised them again and continued, “—watch the Grand Tutor.”
……
……
The excitement that occurred in the capital during the day couldn’t be stopped by nightfall from spreading. Liang Qiang, staying at the capital garrison, also learned of it.
Deep into the night, visitors continuously came to his lodgings.
Even the kitchen sent over a late-night meal.
This was completely different from the coldness when he first arrived.
Back then, when they heard his name but he didn’t have an official dispatch, the people at the capital garrison had been indifferent, giving him lodgings to dismiss him and even making him pay for his own three meals a day. Then they continued enthusiastically discussing Xie Yanlai with their companions.
“Quick, tell us more about the parade scene?”
“Were there really that many people shouting about the brave hero?”
At that time, the entire capital garrison had been talking about Xie Yanlai.
And at this moment, the entire capital garrison was asking about Liang Qiang.
Who was Liang Qiang, what had Liang Qiang done—his past history was all dug up, his achievements were also mentioned. Some were excited for him, some indignant on his behalf.
“Young Master Liang, you’ll definitely receive an appointment.”
“You should receive the appointment. Your achievements are set in stone.”
“Should you be discriminated against because of your previous criminal status?”
“I’m indignant on Young Master Liang’s behalf! What right does that Xie Yanlai have—”
“You can’t say it like that. Xie Yanlai also has real achievements—”
Quarreling and arguing continued from deep night until dawn broke in the east. And definite news also arrived with daybreak.
“—Liang Qiang is summoned to enter the palace and attend court—”
Though the details weren’t stated, entering the palace to attend court meant he would receive an appointment.
The capital garrison erupted in excitement again. Countless people surrounded Liang Qiang expressing congratulations.
Liang Qiang’s expression remained calm as he thanked everyone. Surrounded by over a dozen guards, he mounted his horse. Seeing his composure, the surrounding guards exclaimed, “Truly the bearing of a distinguished young master—” “This must be what they mean by remaining unperturbed by favor or disgrace.”
When Liang Qiang on horseback arrived at the city gate again, daylight was fully bright with people coming and going. Seeing this young general surrounded by guards, they all cast curious glances.
“Is he from the border army?” an idle person called out loudly.
Liang Qiang glanced at him and nodded. “Yes.”
This time he didn’t say again that he was in a private capacity, nor did he remove his military robe. Instead, he spurred his horse forward.
The streets didn’t have as many people as that day, nor were there people waiting to watch him. There were no flowers scattered his way either. But neither was Liang Qiang passing in silent obscurity.
“Look, it’s Liang Qiang.”
“Young Master Liang—you’ve finally returned—”
“Brother A’Qiang, it’s me, your Big Brother Huang—”
“Quick, beat the gongs and drums! Beat them all! Welcome Young Master A’Qiang’s return—”
“We should say welcome Little Hero Liang’s return—”
Many of his old friends from years past emerged on the street. They stood at the roadside, in wine houses and teahouses, calling out with enthusiasm and excitement, even having servants and attendants beat gongs and drums.
They were moved to tears seeing him again.
“A’Qiang, why didn’t you tell us earlier—we brothers would have given you a ten-li welcome—”
Liang Qiang, sitting on his horse, couldn’t help but smile slightly. Earlier? If it had been earlier, they probably wouldn’t have. They would likely have pretended not to know him.
Though these young masters’ shouting and their gongs and drums weren’t as beautiful as the scene that day, they attracted people to gather and ask questions. Combined with yesterday’s news, discussions immediately arose everywhere.
“This is Liang Qiang?”
“The one Xie Yanlai made a big scene about at the Ministry of War yesterday, saying his appointment was stolen?”
“So it’s him? Oh, he’s quite good-looking too—”
“Is he the one the Grand Tutor strongly recommended? The Xie family, to prevent his appointment, even forced the Empress to help them?”
“He’s that formidable—”
“Hey, he’s Liang Qiang, a member of Minister Liang’s family. Have you forgotten what happened to Minister Liang back then?”
“Never mind what happened back then. If he can receive an appointment, he must have achievements.”
“Hey, hero and brave man—take off your robe and let us see—”
The morning streets gradually grew boiling and seething, surrounding that young general as he slowly headed toward the imperial city bathed in morning light.