Danyang Prefecture was located south of the imperial capital Jiankang, less than a hundred li apart. Though the city was small, it had all essential facilities. As the southern defensive position for the imperial city of Jiankang, it normally stationed soldiers, and with important figures from Jiankang frequently passing through, the local people were always better informed than elsewhere.

In early April of this year, on this day, the gates of Danyang Prefecture were wide open, and the area near the city gates was as bustling as a marketplace. The people had gathered early on both sides of the road outside the gates, craning their necks to gaze toward the distant south while heatedly discussing without pause.

A few days ago, news had arrived that Prince Linchuan’s rebellion, which had lasted most of the year, was finally suppressed. In the final battle, Prince Linchuan was defeated and forced to retreat and defend within the city. After the city gates were breached, Prince Linchuan fled on horseback but was struck by an arrow and fell from his mount. Pursuing soldiers surrounded him and killed him with random blade strikes. The remaining rebels were also all killed. The Gan River basin, which had been turbulent for most of the year, finally regained peace.

The people of Jiangnan now all knew that the situation north of the river was tense, with enemies strong and themselves weak, and warfare could break out at any time. In the teahouses and taverns of Danyang Prefecture, the idle people who sat there daily most often discussed how fierce and brutal the Jie barbarians were. According to those who had previously fled from the north, they had red hair and protruding fangs, appearing like evil demons, and eating human flesh raw was commonplace for them. With such talk spreading, everyone inevitably felt threatened, and even when children cried at night, parents would frighten them with stories of barbarians. When mentioning the Gao family, who were currently recruiting and preparing for war in Guangling north of the river, everyone praised them. When mentioning Prince Linchuan, who had rebelled while taking advantage of the chaos, everyone gnashed their teeth in hatred. After all, the nation’s fortune was already difficult, and if Prince Linchuan’s rebellion had made things worse, leaving the court unable to respond to threats from north of the river, should the Jie barbarians truly cross south over the river, it would still be the common people who suffered. Therefore, when this news was learned, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Today, National Uncle Minister Xu was leading his army to Danyang, and Minister Gao would also come from Jiankang to personally welcome and reward the meritorious officers and soldiers.

Such an opportunity was truly rare to see normally, so the people had come early to wait here, both to observe military might and to personally see the legendary bearing of Dayu’s chancellor.

As the sun gradually rose higher, a commotion suddenly arose near the city gates. Everyone looked up and saw that on the watchtower above the city wall, besides the row of armored soldiers holding halberds who were there before, several more figures had appeared, all with the appearance of court officials.

The middle-aged man in the center wore a black scholarly cap and crimson gauze official robes. His face was clean as jade, with phoenix eyes slightly raised and a gaze brilliant as divine light. He seemed to be gazing into the distance, and the jet-black beautiful beard beneath his chin fluttered gently in the wind. Standing there, he was as deep as a tranquil pool and as majestic as a mountain, naturally imposing without anger.

“Minister Gao has arrived!”

Someone on the road exclaimed.

One told ten, ten told a hundred, and soon everyone knew that the middle-aged man who had just ascended the city wall was none other than the world-renowned Chancellor Gao. Indeed, his reputation was well-deserved, with transcendent bearing. The crowd immediately became excited, and passersby rushed over, wanting to get closer to see more clearly.

Below the city gates, a commotion arose.

“The army has arrived! The army has arrived!”

Just then, several people came running down the road opposite the city gates like streaks of smoke, shouting loudly.

The crowd became even more excited and turned back to look eagerly. Indeed, after a short while, they saw the shadow of a formation slowly appearing at the far end of the road, with banners fluttering at the front.

It was National Uncle Xu Mi, leading the meritorious officers and soldiers from suppressing the rebellion as they marched to their arrival.

Amid cheers, Gao Qiao’s face showed joy. He quickly descended from the city wall, abandoned his horse to walk on foot, exited the city gates, and strode quickly toward the approaching army on the opposite road to welcome them.

At the very front and center of the approaching formation was a yellow piebald steed. Mounted on it was a fully armored man with a yellow beard, flanked on both sides by military advisors and deputy generals, with complete ceremonial equipment and imposing divine authority. All the way along, seeing the people welcoming them along the road, his eyes faintly revealed a proud expression.

He had seen Gao Qiao leading a group of Jiankang officials walking to welcome them from afar, but deliberately slowed his horse’s pace. Only when the two sides were merely several zhang apart did he spur his horse forward. Upon approaching, he dismounted and was about to bow to Gao Qiao: “Jingshen entrusted his worthy nephew to me, yet I failed that trust and nearly lost the worthy nephew! This is entirely my fault! If the worthy nephew had been harmed, even ten thousand deaths could not absolve me of guilt!”

How could Gao Qiao allow him to bow? With laughter, he stepped forward and supported the man with both hands.

“How can Brother Xu speak such words? Life and death are matters of fate, beyond human power to control, let alone in the midst of fierce battle? I blame myself for not considering things thoroughly for Brother Xu. While Brother Xu was exhausting himself suppressing the rebellion, you still had to be distracted by my dull-witted nephew, putting Brother Xu in a difficult position! I am the one who should be ashamed!”

The yellow-bearded man was Xu Mi from the Xu family, one of the three great immigrant noble clans of the current dynasty, and the elder brother of the current Empress Xu.

“If Jingshen doesn’t blame me, that would be my great fortune!”

Xu Mi grasped Gao Qiao’s hands, extremely affectionate.

Several generals accompanying him nearby, except for one dark-faced man with a full beard, were all from noble families and knew Gao Qiao. They all dismounted and paid their respects to him.

Gao Qiao was in high spirits and consoled each one.

The onlooking people couldn’t hear clearly what was said, but from a distance they only saw Minister Gao and National Uncle Xu holding hands and talking with laughter, ministers and generals in harmony. The crowd couldn’t help but become excited, and another round of cheers arose from the roadside.

After Gao Qiao finished his consolations, his heart still remembered that matter, so he said: “My foolish nephew was fortunate enough to return this time. I heard he was rescued from the battle line by someone named Li Mu in your army. Did this person return with the army today?”

Xu Mi smiled: “Naturally!” He looked toward the dark-faced burly man beside him.

The burly man had long heard of Gao Qiao’s name but was seeing his true appearance for the first time. He quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Gao Qiao.

“This humble general Yang Xuan pays respects to the Chancellor. Li Mu is a Company Commander under this humble general’s command. This humble general will immediately summon him to pay respects to the Chancellor!” Saying this, he hurried away.

Gao Qiao looked ahead. After a short while, he saw Yang Xuan leading someone back. The nearby soldiers all looked at that person with admiring gazes and voluntarily made way, knowing that person must be Li Mu.

He focused his gaze and couldn’t help feeling somewhat surprised.

Though a Company Commander in the army was only a fifth-rank low-level military officer, commanding usually no more than several hundred private soldiers, unlike noble sons who joined the military and could often obtain positions of Captain or even Commandant of fourth rank or above from the start, it was not easy for ordinary soldiers to advance through military merit to the fifth-rank Company Commander position where they could command private soldiers.

When Gao Qiao had previously led troops, the youngest Company Commanders he knew were often close to thirty years old.

But the military officer who came with Yang Xuan appeared very young, looking only about twenty years old, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, completely martial bearing, walking with steady and vigorous steps as he approached.

Beside him walked a youth of fifteen or sixteen, beautiful and refined, clearly at first glance a young master from a prominent family, yet wearing armor, his two shoulders appearing even more frail against the wide armor. This was his nephew Gao Huan, whom he hadn’t seen for most of the year.

Gao Qiao looked at the young military officer gradually approaching, initially surprised, then thinking of the scene of him single-handedly rescuing his nephew from the battle line, his confusion immediately cleared.

Without extraordinary courage, martial skills, and even killing intent, how could he possibly break into enemy lines with his own strength and sweep in all directions under the circumstances of two armies facing each other?

Having such exceptional ability, advancing to Company Commander at just over twenty years old was perfectly natural.

“Uncle!”

Gao Huan was in high spirits all the way, occasionally talking about something with the young military officer beside him as they followed. The officer appeared somewhat silent and didn’t respond much. He didn’t mind. Suddenly seeing Gao Qiao, his eyes lit up and he ran over excitedly. When he got close and saw him staring coldly without saying a word, he felt somewhat embarrassed, slowly lowered his head, stood aside, and said nothing.

Yang Xuan led the person forward.

The young military officer performed a military salute to Gao Qiao, kneeling on one knee with steady breathing: “Company Commander Li Mu pays respects to the Chancellor!”

Gao Qiao’s face showed a smile as he looked him over, said “at ease,” then stepped forward to personally help him up with a gesture, smiling: “You single-handedly charged into enemy lines at the battle front and rescued my nephew. Such courage that none can withstand—even the ancient Meng Ben and Xia Yu would probably not dare compete! I am extremely grateful. I heard your ancestors were the Li family of Xuyi. Though my Gao family had no deep friendship with your father and grandfather, I have heard of your father and grandfather’s heroic deeds even here in Jiangnan, and hold them in great esteem.”

Gao Qiao praised him so publicly, not concealing at all in his words his appreciation and affection for this young military officer who was a Li family descendant.

“The Chancellor’s praise is excessive for this humble officer, who dares not accept it. This humble officer also thanks the Chancellor on behalf of my late father.”

The position of Company Commander was still several grades away from Commandant, the lowest general-level officer position, so this young military officer referred to himself as “humble officer” before Gao Qiao.

This response seemed ordinary but was actually quite sophisticated.

He humbly declined Gao Qiao’s praise of himself, but regarding his father and grandfather’s matters, he clearly held them in great respect and would not let them be buried.

Those with keen ears could all perceive this.

Gao Qiao appreciated this even more and nodded: “You are Minister Xu’s man, and military rank advancement all comes from the Minister. With your ability, I’m sure the Minister also has a keen eye for talent, so I won’t interfere unnecessarily. Besides this, whatever reward you want, just tell me!”

After speaking, he looked toward Xu Mi nearby: “Brother Xu, Li Mu has great kindness toward my Gao family. If I give him some reward, you won’t blame me for stealing your thunder, will you?”

Xu Mi laughed heartily: “How could I dare? This foolish brother is also extremely fortunate to have such a capable person under my command, which allowed me to face you today.”

He turned toward Li Mu: “The Chancellor has spoken thus—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whatever other reward you want, just speak!”

The surroundings quieted down, and countless envious gazes focused on the young military officer named Li Mu.

“This humble officer currently has no other requests and thanks the Chancellor for his kind intention.”

The young military officer replied.

Everyone around was surprised.

Yang Xuan became somewhat anxious and secretly gave him meaningful looks from the side.

Not only Yang Xuan, but Gao Huan on the side was also puzzled, seeming about to speak but looking at his uncle and closing his mouth again, though his eyes showed confusion.

Li Mu seemed completely unaware and his expression remained normal.

Gao Qiao was stunned, then smiled: “Rewarding merit with awards is military regulation. Otherwise, how can we encourage soldiers to brave blades and fight bravely? With your merit toward my Gao family, whatever you request today would be your due. I must reward you! Whatever you desire, tell me—don’t be shy about speaking!”

The surroundings quieted again.

Yang Xuan quickly coughed several times.

Li Mu was silent for a moment, then raised his eyes to meet Gao Qiao’s smiling gaze: “The Chancellor commands, and this humble officer dares not refuse. However, today this humble officer truly needs nothing. If the Chancellor doesn’t mind, could the reward be delayed? In the future, if this humble officer has any request, I will boldly petition the Chancellor.”

Gao Qiao was stunned again, then nodded and stroked his beard: “Very well! In the future, if you have any request, just speak!”

Li Mu knelt on one knee again and solemnly bowed.

“Thank you, Chancellor. This humble officer will remember this in my heart. When I think of something, I will certainly petition the Chancellor, and hope the Chancellor will grant it then.”

He said in a deep voice, his tone respectful.

Gao Qiao was in high spirits and laughed heartily: “Naturally! In the future, no matter what matter, as long as you speak, I will certainly grant it!”