A special thank you to my patrons:
—Cain, Shahzaam, kevin Williams, Jose Carrillo, Jose Sierra, ManyEB, Zhandos Kauzhanov, Vora, kurtis newman, 66835, Alex Rushing, Fredrik Dahlman.
You can read 50 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
—————————————————————
Fei Qian watched the Hu people working alongside the Han soldiers to tidy up Pingyang county town, his mind brimming with thoughts…
Humans live between heaven and earth; the upper lip eats from the sky, the lower lip eats from the earth. Everything in between tries every means to stuff into their mouths and eat.
Later, people discovered hunting involved too much luck, truly unable to guarantee bountiful harvests every time. So they gradually began domesticating animals and plants.
Only, those settling in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River initially chose to domesticate plants, while those in the less fertile lands north of the Yellow River chose to domesticate animals…
Initially, there was no right or wrong. But later, differences emerged. Because plants had stable growth cycles, stable yields, and stable cultivation sites, those choosing plant domestication began having stable lives, with leisure time to gradually ponder other things.
Thus came writing, music, bamboo scrolls, rituals, and these things passed down generation after generation.
Of course, stable life also made the entire agrarian nation less aggressive externally; most of the time, they were defensive counterattack types…
The Hu people were the opposite. Their nomadic social structure made their concept of land far less intense than the Han's. In their hearts, perhaps wherever they went, pitching a tent made it home.
Hu people possessed an inherent exploratory aggression that Han people lacked. Perhaps for Hu people, there was no such concept as "aggression." Under the same sky, taking was taking; whoever had bigger fists had the right, the logic.
So currently, Hu people wouldn't feel any discomfort or have different thoughts about serving Fei Qian. In other words, in such situations, if a Han person or other group stronger than Fei Qian appeared, these Hu people would also turn against him without hesitation.
That was the Hu people's character.
Therefore, before domesticating, well, assimilating these Hu people, Fei Qian must maintain his powerful side, preventing these Hu people from getting ideas. Then gradually imprint this powerful impression onto these Hu people. Naturally, this process required some ample manpower; otherwise, relying solely on himself was basically an impossible mission.
Just then, soldiers from the outpost reported that the second batch of provisions had arrived, escorted by Jia Qu, styled Liangdao…
Jia Qu, styled Liangdao?
Wasn't Jia Qu in Anyi? How did he get here?
Shortly, Jia Qu arrived with a guard-like person.
Fei Qian looked at Jia Qu, then at the guard Jia Qu brought, frowned, and said: "Who is this?" Normally, Jia Qu coming to see him—not some enemy commander—moreover, in the relatively safe camp, why bring a guard?
Therefore, this guard was likely someone using Jia Qu's trip to hide their tracks, specifically coming to see him.
Seeing Fei Qian noticed, Jia Qu bowed with clasped hands, slightly withdrew to the side, revealing the guard behind. Though saying nothing, the meaning was clear: let this guard speak with Fei Qian personally.
The guard removed his helmet, revealing his face, and smiled slightly: "Inspector Fei, have you been well since we last met?"
Fei Qian looked closely and suddenly remembered—this person was actually Hedong Commandery Governor Wang Yi!
"Ah! It's actually Commandery Governor Wang!" Fei Qian hurriedly stood to welcome him. "Why such appearance? Please take the seat of honor!" He then invited Wang Yi to sit in his own seat.
Normally, Fei Qian was currently only an acting Shang Commandery Governor, at least half a rank below a full governor like Wang Yi. So Fei Qian inviting Wang Yi to the seat of honor was appropriate. But Wang Yi wasn't a fool; of course he couldn't casually sit there. This was Fei Qian's camp. Brazenly taking the host seat would, without Fei Qian even needing to express any attitude or say anything, naturally have someone teach Wang Yi how the character "Wang" (King) was written horizontally…
Therefore, Wang Yi resolutely declined.
The two politely declined for a while. Finally, Fei Qian called for another desk and mat to be added at the tent's upper end. Only then did Wang Yi willingly sit in the guest seat side-by-side with Fei Qian.
Sometimes indeed, the butt decides everything.
Meeting naturally meant business. But couldn't jump in asking anxiously what's the matter? That would make the other side think one not steady enough, and also seem to imply say it quickly and get lost…
Therefore, they first chatted a bit, discussing some local conditions along the journey, then served tea. After a few sips, Fei Qian said: "Commandery Governor Wang coming here—has Anyi changed?"
This was almost obvious. Even without asking, Fei Qian could guess. Otherwise, Wang Yi wouldn't have disguised himself like this. It was just using such words to open serious discussion. Moreover, Fei Qian now sounded an internal alarm. If Lu Chang's death was a yellow alert, then Wang Yi's disguised arrival undoubtedly a higher-level red alert!
This battle might be more tricky and troublesome than Fei Qian originally anticipated.
North of Anyi lay Linfen, then Pingyang. Wang Yi even unwilling to take this direct route, instead detoured via the Beiqu route. What did that indicate?
Not just Anyi, even Linfen's troops might already be unreliable, at least no longer under Wang Yi's control!
Wang Yi closed his eyes, habitually wanting to use his sleeve to cover his face. But raising his hand halfway, he realized he wore military attire without large sleeves. So made do extending his palm to block his face, just for show, revealing trembling beard and wrinkled nose and mouth, appearing somewhat sad. "Anyi is in danger, Hedong is in danger! Pity the people of Hedong! Not suffering natural disasters, yet encountering man-made calamities. About to become displaced, without clothing or food. Thinking of this, extremely sorrowful, hard to express in words…"
"Commandery Governor Wang's concern for the state, worry for the common people—truly a model for us! Commandery Governor Wang traveled far, tired from the journey, and so emotionally distressed, easily harms health! Better rest early. Matters can be discussed tomorrow without delay!" Fei Qian said with a face full of concern towards Wang Yi, his expression sincere, as if truly caring for Wang Yi's health.
You, Wang Yi, who are you fooling? Pretending to be sad?
Now the situation's like this, still talking about people becoming displaced in front of me?
It's you who's displaced, right?
Can't you speak properly? I initiated the opening and started discussing matters! What, looking like this, do you want me to cling to you, pat my chest listening to your commands, striving lifelong for Hedong's people and livelihood?
If you still won't speak properly, then nothing to discuss. Go rest well. When you figure out whether to speak and what to say, come talk again.
Wang Yi lowered the hand covering his face, looked at Fei Qian, slightly embarrassed.
Fei Qian opened his eyes wide, not speaking, indicating he sincerely wanted Wang Yi to go rest first…