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Inside Pingyang City, Fei Qian and Wang Yi sat facing each other across separate tables, with Jia Qu seated to Fei Qian's lower side.
After settling matters in Xiangling, Wang Yi had brought a small force to link up with Fei Qian. The main purpose, of course, was to discuss post-battle arrangements…
In truth, it was simply about dividing the spoils. Both Fei Qian and Wang Yi had been thoroughly played by the Hedong Wei clan. People with the same enemy naturally found it easy to sit down together.
Wang Yi wore a look of sorrow on his face and had just finished sighing over the displacement of Hedong's common people. But Fei Qian could see clearly that the sadness was only skin-deep. In his heart, Wang Yi was secretly delighted by this victory. The attempt to hide it was as obvious as a courtesan claiming she only sold sheaths, and any other services were merely after-sales guidance on proper usage.
Still, in this refined Han era, one had to observe proper foreplay.
"Lord Wang, this battle was extremely perilous. Had fortune not favored us, we would not be sitting here speaking face to face…" Fei Qian naturally would not be the first to bring up specific terms. He still held a psychological edge—after all, it was his reinforcements that had saved Xiangling.
Wang Yi let out a long sigh and cupped his hands. "Lord Fei's talent and strategy surpass all others of our time. Your heroism and righteousness leave me deeply impressed. I have yet to properly thank you for saving my life." With that, he made to rise and perform a deep bow.
Fei Qian quickly stood and stopped him. "I dare not accept such praise from Lord Wang. Had our positions been reversed, you would surely have aided me as well. Mutual support in times of need—how could one claim credit for it?"
Jia Qu added from the side, "Lord Wang is virtuous and respected, renowned across Hedong near and far. Your benevolence and righteousness are unmatched. Truly a blessing for the people of Hedong." When flattering someone, it was always better to lift the sedan chair together.
Wang Yi received the praise from both Fei Qian and Jia Qu. Though the words were somewhat exaggerated, who didn't enjoy hearing nice things? He accepted them with visible pleasure, laughing heartily. For a moment, the atmosphere became perfectly harmonious.
Amid this shameless mutual flattery, they gradually moved toward more substantial issues.
Wang Yi narrowed his eyes, deep smile lines creasing his face, though shadows seemed to dance within those wrinkles. "May I ask what Lord Fei plans to do from here?"
Hearing the question, Fei Qian pondered for a long while before sighing. "To be honest, when I first arrived in the north, I sought nothing grand—only a place to settle. I never expected to become entangled in such bloody misfortune. Now my mind is in chaos and I have no direction. I wonder if Lord Wang has any guidance for me?"
Wang Yi's smile lines froze for a split second, then he said slowly, "The chaos in Hedong was never our wish. Only through Lord Fei's sincere cooperation were we able to survive this ordeal."
Wang Yi's words carried deeper meaning, which Fei Qian naturally understood. He replied, "Lord Wang is steady and measured, insightful in worldly affairs, experienced and wise. If you can guide me through this confusion, I will naturally follow your lead."
With the conversation reaching this point, Wang Yi—being older and wanting to display his own wisdom—thought deeply for a long time before saying leisurely, "Heaven is exalted, earth is lowly; thus Qian and Kun are fixed. The lowly and exalted are arrayed, and noble and base find their places… What does Lord Fei think?"
Fei Qian felt he had seen this passage somewhere before, but for a moment he couldn't recall it…
Jia Qu, seeing this, lowered his head slightly and whispered words audible only to Fei Qian.
Already… Western Shrine?
No—Book of Changes, Appended Statements.
The short passage Wang Yi quoted was from the "Xici" (Appended Statements) of the Changes.
Taken at surface value, it simply stated that heaven is high and earth is low, extending to the concepts of noble and base, implying that from birth, social order and hierarchy are predetermined.
In simple terms, it was the ancients' philosophical view on life, principle, and the world.
So what was Wang Yi trying to express with this line?
The Hedong Wei clan regarded the Changes as their family classic, and the "Xici" was its summary and elaboration. By quoting it here, Wang Yi was subtly expressing his attitude toward the Hedong Wei clan.
"Heaven exalted, earth lowly; thus Qian and Kun are fixed. The lowly and exalted are arrayed, and noble and base find their places."
Who was exalted? Who was lowly? Who was noble? Who was base?
There was no real question about that. Wang Yi would never place himself among the lowly and base. In effect, he was saying that noble and base had their proper order, and anyone who disrupted that order was guilty…
Who had disrupted the order?
The Baibo…
And the Hedong Wei clan, who had ignored hierarchy and colluded with the Baibo.
Fei Qian remained silent. The concept of hierarchy and proper order was truly an ancient "fine tradition" that had never been broken…
After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Lord Wang speaks truly. As the saying goes, 'The way of the gentleman is to think of obedience and honor the worthy; thus he receives help from Heaven, and all is auspicious with no disadvantage.'"
Although Fei Qian was not as familiar with the Book of Changes as he was with the Zuo Zhuan, he had still studied it. With Jia Qu's prompt, he was able to recall a suitable line to respond.
"Thus he receives help from Heaven, and all is auspicious with no disadvantage." This was also from the Changes, and Confucius had commented on it: "What Heaven helps is the obedient; what men help is the trustworthy. One who practices trustworthiness and thinks of obedience, while also honoring the worthy…" The meaning was very direct, and an excellent response to Wang Yi's words.
Wang Yi's eyes flickered with approval. Once their attitudes were aligned, it was time to discuss concrete measures…
Wang Yi chuckled. "In that case… 'Treading on the tail of the tiger, yet it does not bite; the lowly one is punished by having his toes cut off'?"
What?
Was Wang Yi really so magnanimous?
Fei Qian glanced at him and noticed an inscrutable look in his eyes. His heart stirred. Wang Yi was probably testing him with this line. It made sense—after all, as the legitimate Administrator of Hedong, he had been forced to the brink of death by the Wei clan. Lu Chang's death could also be laid at their door. Would he really be satisfied with a small token?
Fei Qian smiled in return. "Why not go further—'Tied to the mulberry tree'?"
Wang Yi was momentarily stunned, then his smile bloomed across his face. He clapped his hands and laughed heartily in praise: "Lord Fei is truly a wonderful man! We must drink a full cup to this!"
Jia Qu quickly bowed and said, "Gentlemen, please wait a moment while I go prepare. I will arrange a small feast." He then excused himself to prepare wine and food. Some comfort supplies had recently arrived from Linfen and could be used to entertain Wang Yi.
Conversations among the gentry—especially on important matters—were never straightforward with clear points one, two, three, four. Those who understood were insiders; those who didn't… well, they could go play in the mud.
In their final exchange, each man had used lines from the Book of Changes and their extended meanings to affirm and supplement the other. Wang Yi's final clap essentially set the tone and decided the plan of action.
With a unified opinion reached, the rest became a matter of implementation. As the two victorious administrators, they could now sit down, enjoy fine wine and delicacies, relax a little, and celebrate…