Chapter 220
Book 20 Chapter 3 – The Joining Of The 5 States
The next day Xiang Shaolong used the excuse that he have to rest and tend to his injuries to lead his pretty wives and beloved children as well as the 18 warriors back to the farm. Teng Yi personally led troops to escort them and with Xiao Pan and Lord Chang Ping’s agreement, Teng Yi will take over the Military Token while Xiang Shaolong is not around. At the same time Wu Guo will take over Guoxing’s duties.
If it was in the past, Lu Buwei will certainly object. But now, as long as Xiao Pan has no objections, military appointments are controlled by Lord Changping.
Of course, Lu Buwei still holds actual power as the Premier, it’s just that now the line between the different duties are very clearly drawn and if he insists on interfering in certain matters, he’ll be overstepping his boundary.
No one will be willing to let go of his own power, that’s why Lu Buwei made the last struggle by joining forces with Du Bi and Pu Hu.
Power struggles are still on the rise.
After they rode out of Xianyang City, Ji Yanran urged her horse and came up next to Xiang Shaolong, asking with concern, "They wanted me to ask if Lord Husband’s injuries are still causing you pain?"
Teng Yi, who was on the other side commented with a laugh, "Yanran, don’t you wish to find out too?"
Ji Yanran pouted, "Second Brother, you’re making fun of me."
On seeing her extremely alluring and dainty expression, Xiang Shaolong can’t help but feel energized and he replied with a smile, "It’s just superficial wounds, not worth mentioning."
Teng Yi looked pensive as he said, "After all of you reach the farm, the most important thing is to be careful and set up defenses. I’m really afraid that Lu Buwei will take the risk to sneak an attack again, or get people to deal with you through Du Bi and Pu Hu."
Ji Yanran replied, "His majesty and Lord Changping have just finished studying how they can bring to fruition the plans to control the military. Ever since Lu Buwei appeared, he frivolously made use of the previous king’s trust on him to ensure the generals and military no longer report to the ruler, instead gaining control of the imperial seal privately to mobilize the military. If we can get rid of this bad practice, Lu Buwei can forget about mobilizing troops to deal with us. Otherwise, we’ll just have to move our own warriors and mercenaries out!"
Ever since Shang Yang’s reforms in Qin, the rulers have held tight control over the military, using the system of seal, tally and doc.u.ment.
Seal refers to the ruler’s imperial seal. All military orders and doc.u.ments, if it’s not affixed with the imperial seal, will be rendered useless. But because Xiao Pan has yet to be crowned, his doc.u.ments will need the Dowager, Zhu Ji’s additional seal before it can be considered effective.
Tally refers to the Tiger Tally, made of copper with inscriptions carved on its back. It’s in two pieces, to be held by the ruler and the general respectively. It has to be issued by the ruler and checked to ensure its authenticity before one can mobilize troops. But because of Lu Buwei’s tyranny and his excuse that he had to build up the empire and deal with the continuous wars, he held on to the tally and refused to return it. Many times he used his own premier seal in place of Xiao Pan and Zhu Ji’s imperial seals to mess up and take over the ruler’s authority.
Doc.u.ment refers to the travel doc.u.ment that rulers will issue so that troops from far away will be able to travel unhindered through the pa.s.ses.
The three items: seal, tally and doc.u.ment must all be present in order to be effective. Any mobilization of troops that will amount to more than 50 men must go through this process. But Lu Buwei’s authority is higher than his master and since the time of King Zhuangxiang, he has slowly gotten rid of this requirement. Now Xiao Pan has made use of the Black Dragon’s reputation and finally managed to right the wrong.
Teng Yi furrowed his brows, "But this is still of not much use against great generals like Meng Ao who have been guarding the borders for decades.
Ji Yanran said with a smile, "This may not have any authority over border generals who already hold the seal, tally and doc.u.ments but at least we don’t have to worry a huge army will come to attack the farm. On top of that, with Huan Qi’s swift reinforcement troops, I think we can still get some good days ahead!"
Xiang Shaolong chortled happily, "But if Learned Lady Ji wants to use the smooth water of the hot spring to wash her creamy skin*, you’d better be careful during the journey."
*A verse from Tang Poet Bai Juyi’s poem, Song of Everlasting Regret, depicting the tragedy between Emperor Xuanzong and Concubine Yang of Tang dynasty
Ji Yanran sighed, "Using the smooth water of the hot spring to wash her creamy skin. Hai! My husband is so refined that it delights Yanran’s heart."
Xiang Shaolong’s enthusiasm was stirred as he sang loudly, "Using the smooth water of the hot spring to wash her creamy skin, this was when she first received the emperor’s favor." and at the same time urged his horse forward with a slap.
During the next few days, Xiang Shaolong enjoyed a carefree life. After practicing his swordplay everyday, he’ll either tour the area with his beloved wives, maids and child or practice his horseriding and archery skills. When he’s free, he’ll study the military stratagems in the Mohist Addendum or discuss world events with Learned Lady Ji to increase his knowledge in the various areas.
Looking at Bao’er growing up stronger and stronger day by day, that sense of joy and satisfaction is something that nothing else can replace.
His father-in-law Wu Yingyuan was busy keeping in contact with Wu Zhuo, who was outside the farm, and would occasionally leave to purchase supplies.
Tao Fang will personally come to the farm regularly to tell him about the latest news in Xianyang.
During this period he only returned to Xianyang twice, to conduct the grand wedding feast of Jing Jun and Lu Dan’er and to attend the wedding of Yang Duan and Ying Ying.
Time flies as summer left and autumn came. On this day, w.a.n.g Ling and Lord Changping suddenly came to the farm to visit him. After not seeing one another for such a long time, it was naturally a joyous reunion.
After dinner, while w.a.n.g Ling and Lord Changping were chatting with him in the main hall, the former said solemnly, "The Crown Prince will be 17 years old in a few months, it’s time for him to get a Crown Princess. Lu Buwei strongly supports marrying the young princess from the state of Qi and we are strongly opposing."
Xiang Shaolong has already guessed that their sudden long journey to visit him would surely entail some important matter so he asked languidly, "What is the Dowager’s opinion on this?"
Lord Changping smiled, "It should be what is Lao Ai’s thoughts and opinion on this. Last month, the Dowager suddenly left for Yongdu and before that, she has stopped attending court sessions for more than 10 days. It seems that Lao Ai has become her spokesperson."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly sighing. Of course he knows that Zhu Ji is hiding in Yongdu so that others will not find out she’s giving birth to a child of Lao Ai’s. He asked quietly, "Did Lao Ai go with her?"
w.a.n.g Ling shook his head, "No! He is now in a fierce struggle with Lu Buwei, how can he leave so easily?"
Looking at their expressions, he knew that they are having suspicions about Zhu Ji’s sudden departure from Xianyang.
He tested them, "So who do both of you think is suitable to be the Crown Princess?"
w.a.n.g Ling replied, "Meixiu, the granddaughter of w.a.n.g Chi. She’s just turned 15, very pretty, virtuous and knowledgeable. No one else is more suited than her to be the Crown Princess."
Xiang Shaolong agreed, "If that is the case, she is indeed very ideal. But it’s best that you make arrangements for the Crown Prince to meet her. If he’s happy with the choice, it’s easier for us to talk. The only worry now is that the Dowager will disagree."
Lord Changping said, "This is precisely the reason why we’ve come to look for you. We’ve tried to ask the Dowager about this on many occasions, and before the Dowager left the city, she once told the Crown Prince that if she’s not around, Xiang Shaolong can make decisions on her behalf on all matters."
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback, "Really!"
w.a.n.g Ling said, "The Crown Prince said it himself. The Dowager even told him that she trusts Shaolong’s eyes and knowledge the most."
Xiang Shaolong was suddenly enlightened. He knows that Lao Ai must have someone else in mind and Zhu Ji can’t twist him around and knowing that if Lao Ai gets his way, her relations.h.i.+p with Xiao Pan will worsen so she’s pus.h.i.+ng this problem to him.
In view of the current situation, even Lao Ai would have no choice but to give some face to Xiang Shaolong.
Xiang Shaolong said happily, "Then we’ll proceed with your wishes. Hey, are you going to send me back to Xianyang under escort?"
The both of them smiled on hearing that.
Lord Changping suddenly changed the topic, "Lord Xinling and King Anli died within two days of each other. The Crown Prince has ascended the throne as King of Wei and the Queen is Dan Meimei."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly shocked, Although he and Lord Xinling were enemies, but he was still saddened on hearing news of his death. Henceforth the lives of Lady Pingyuan and Lord Shaoyuan will surely be difficult.
w.a.n.g Ling continued, "Lian Po has indeed escaped back to Chu. Accordingly it was Lord Longyang who let him off, otherwise I’m afraid he’d have become the burial accompaniment of Master Wuji."
Xiang Shaolong tried his best not to think about things beyond his control and asked, "Has Lu Buwei been up to anything lately?"
Lord Changping sighed, "Lu Buwei and Lao Ai are having minor quarrels every other day and big fights every other week. Meng Ao is leading troops to attack Han and has taken down 15 cities in a row, his reputation is growing rapidly. The Yans and the Zhaos have started fighting again. The Zhaos are using Li Mu as their commander, and how can the Yans be his match. The cities of Wusui and Fangcheng have all been taken by Li Mu. Luckily the King of Zhao was afraid of Li Mu getting stronger and have ordered him to halt his troops, otherwise maybe he’ll have attached the capital of Yan by now."
Xiang Shaolong thought of Price Dan and was feeling perplexed as he asked, "Qi and Yan are not fighting, instead it’s Zhao and Yan fighting. What is going on?"
w.a.n.g Ling said, "We’re not sure either, seems like it’s still a fight over land. Ever since the Yans joined Chu to target Qi, they’re now thinking of getting back the land that was taken over by the Zhaos, thus the fights."
Lord Changping added, "Now Meng Ao is busy making preparations to attack Wei with Lu Buwei’s support. We objected strongly because this matter will sooner or later lead to another joining of the five states. But Meng Ao is away and Lu Buwei strongly argues that if we do not continue with our military efforts, it’ll be difficult for us to maintain our strong advantage and protect the Three Eastern Commandery*. It wasn’t easy for us to argue against him because ever since Han and Wei allied themselves together, they’re indeed tempted to move and are up to no good. w.a.n.g Chi is now at the border of Zhao to keep the Zhaos in check."
*Three Eastern Commandery is in modern day Shannxi
Lord Changping continued, "The Crown Prince once mentioned that he hopes Shaolong will be able to lead the army, to stop Meng Ao’s reputation and power from growing stronger day by day, which will make it even for difficult for us to move Lu Buwei."
Xiang Shaolong smiled wryly, "Let’s please settle the matter of the Crown Prince’s marriage! Have Du Bi and Pu Hu been up to anything lately?"
w.a.n.g Ling replied, "They’re still trying to expand their power. Cheng Qian gave the excuse that he has to deal with border security to keep on recruiting soldiers and with the financial backing of Pu Hu, sooner or later there’ll be trouble. Now the battles in the east are increasing and no one has the time to bother with them."
Xiang Shaolong signed, "Let’s drink! These matters will be settled sooner or later, I’ll go back with you to Xianyang tomorrow."
The two of them were ecstatic.
Three months later, Zhu Ji returned to Xianyang from Yongdu and she really accepted Xiang Shaolong’s suggestion to disregard Lu Buwei’s objections and let Xiao Pan appoint w.a.n.g Chi’s granddaughter w.a.n.g Meixiu as the Crown Princess