Huang Wan had never expected that the one to stand up for her and speak out on her behalf would be the newly appointed Governor of Yi Province, Liu Zhang, also known as Liu Jiyu. She had heard some rumors from the streets, and her elder brother had mentioned this new governor in passing. The general consensus was that Liu Zhang was gentle and benevolent, though somewhat weak-willed.
But today, seeing Liu Zhang step forward for her and speak with such righteous conviction, she realized he carried an air of heroic dignity that defied all the idle gossip. It just went to show that one couldn't trust hearsay—to truly know a person, you had to meet them face to face.
Once the matter was settled, she gracefully stepped forward, bent at the waist in a bow, and turned slightly to offer separate salutes to Liu Zhang and Gan Ning.
"This humble woman of the Huang family thanks Governor Liu and Commandant Gan for your righteous intervention, sparing me from disgrace."
The master and servant pair had not left early, and now this young lady, Huang Wan, stepped forward to express her gratitude. Though only sixteen, she carried herself with poise and dignity, showing not a trace of timidity. Her eyes shimmered as she bowed deeply to Liu Zhang.
Influenced by his past life's experiences, Liu Zhang blurted out without thinking, "Hmm? Why haven't you left yet, young lady?"
Huang Wan smiled faintly, her youthful face blooming like a flower. Without hesitation, she answered his question. "The matter was not yet resolved—how could I leave prematurely? I had intended to stay as a witness until the market official arrived I never imagined the governor himself would be here. It seems my worries were unnecessary."
Faced with such straightforward honesty, Liu Zhang felt a pang of guilt. He coughed awkwardly and turned to his steward, Pang Jing, with an order. "Uncle Pang, I still have some matters to attend to. Could you escort Miss Huang home on my behalf?"
As he spoke, he noticed that the young woman and her servant were empty-handed. A thought struck him, and he gestured for Huang Wan to wait a moment. He strode over to a shop selling Shu brocade, picked out an elegant bolt of fabric, paid for it, and then returned to place it in Huang Wan's hands.
Huang Wan was taken aback. She cradled the brocade in one arm while covering her slightly parted lips with her other hand in surprise. "Governor, what is the meaning of this?"
"As an apology."
"An apology? What does the governor have to apologize for?"
Liu Zhang offered a regretful smile and explained, "As the governor of Yi Province, I failed to restrain my subordinates. Today, you nearly suffered humiliation because of it. Hence, this is my apology—please do not refuse."
In truth, Liu Zhang was apologizing for his own cynical thoughts. He shouldn't have applied his 21st-century assumptions to a noble lady of this ancient era.
After seeing off Huang Wan and her servant, Liu Zhang turned his eager gaze toward Gan Ning.
Women? He couldn't care less about them. No woman could compare to Gan Ning—a hundred princesses wouldn't be worth a single Xingba. Gan Ning was a peerless warrior of the Three Kingdoms, and today, Liu Zhang was determined to win him over.
He extended an invitation. "Xingba, would you care to join me at my residence for a discussion?"
Gan Ning cupped his hands in salute. "How could I refuse?"
The governor's carriage soon arrived, and Liu Zhang pulled the slightly hesitant Gan Ning into the same coach.
With a shout from Pang Que, the carriage creaked forward along the cobblestone road, flanked by armored guards whose weapons clinked softly with each step.
Gan Ning sat stiffly, not daring to move recklessly. Many of Yi Province's commoners were watching from the sides of the road, pointing and whispering. He didn't dare act carelessly, lest he tarnish his own reputation.
To share a carriage with the governor—what an honor! As a mere commandant, Gan Ning felt as though he had reached the pinnacle of life. Within a few days, his name would surely spread throughout Chengdu, and before long, the entire land of Ba and Shu would know of him.
To make a name for himself, to leave a mark in history—that was Gan Ning's dream.
He stole a glance at Liu Zhang, who sat upright in the carriage, gazing straight ahead. The governor's refined features carried an undeniable authority, his sharp brows piercing straight into Gan Ning's heart.
At that moment, a thought struck Gan Ning.
Liu Zhang might just be the man he had been searching for.
His lord.
——
Zhao Residence.
The estate of Zhao Wei, Chief Military Officer under Yi Province's high-ranking officials.
A heated debate was taking place.
"Father, why did you support that useless Liu Zhang for the governorship?"
Zhao Wei's son, Zhao Xi, asked indignantly. "The Third Young Master, Liu Mao, is shrewd, capable, and decisive. Wouldn't he have been a better choice?"
"Moreover, there's the matter of seniority—how could it ever be Liu Zhang's turn, that coward?"
Zhao Xi couldn't understand why his father, Zhao Wei, had joined with Wang Shang, the Chief Clerk, to endorse Liu Zhang as governor. In terms of character and ability, Liu Mao was leagues ahead of Liu Zhang—they were as different as clouds and mud.
He didn't get it. Why would his father pass over the glorious clouds in the sky to pick a lump of mud from the ground?
Having just returned to Chengdu from their ancestral home in Ba Commandary, Zhao Xi hadn't even taken time to bathe before rushing straight to his father's study, desperate for an explanation.
Zhao Wei, who had been reading, frowned at his son's loud, unrestrained outburst.
Still immature. That was his assessment.
His son could only see the surface of things, never the deeper layers.
But since he was his only son, Zhao Wei set his book aside and answered with a question of his own.
"The late Governor Liu Yan was also shrewd and capable. Did you like having him as governor?"
Zhao Xi shook his head. Liu Yan had been domineering. After arriving in Yi Province, he executed Wang Xian, the Administrator of Ba Commandary, and Li Quan, a prominent local clan leader, just to establish his authority. The Zhao family, being natives of Ba Commandary, had marital ties with other powerful clans. Seeing their peers killed had left them uneasy, fearing they might be next.
"So, between Liu Mao and Liu Zhang, of course I would favor the weaker Liu Zhang. With him as governor, we Shu natives will suffer less."
Zhao Xi pondered this and found it reasonable. But soon, another thought struck him.
"Father, why can't we Shu natives hold power ourselves? Yes, the 'Three Mutual Laws' prevent us from serving as governors of our own province, but we could nominate someone from Shu who isn't technically a native—someone whose ancestral records place them elsewhere. Why must we always endorse these outsiders as governors? These foreigners never treat us Shu natives with respect. They're always calling us 'worm-bellied' and 'untrustworthy.'"
Zhao Wei sighed. Other than Liu Mao and Liu Zhang, what choice did they have? What other choice dared they make?
"Do you know what happened that day when Liu Yan suddenly died without naming a successor? While we ministers were deliberating, the Dongzhou soldiers got wind of it. Armed to the teeth, they stormed the courtyard where we were meeting, nearly breaking into the hall itself. Those Dongzhou brutes shouted that they owed their lives to Governor Liu (Yan), and if we didn't appoint one of his sons as his successor, they'd burn everything to the ground."
Zhao Xi fell silent. He hadn't realized the situation had been so dire. Under such pressure, endorsing Liu Zhang as governor had been the best option—for the Shu natives, at least.
Recalling the scene, Zhao Wei smirked slightly. When the ministers had finished their discussion and summoned Liu Zhang to assume the governorship, the young man had been utterly terrified, stammering.
"You—you've doomed me!"
Zhao Wei narrowed his eyes, pleased. A mediocre coward like Liu Zhang was the perfect fit for the governorship—otherwise, how would he ever get his chance?
Let the boy sit in the governor's seat for now.
Just then, the Zhao steward entered after requesting permission and reported news from their spies in the Chengdu market. the Dongzhou soldiers were causing trouble again.
Zhao Xi immediately erupted. "In broad daylight, under the heavens' watch, those Dongzhou dogs dare to act lawlessly and bully us Shu natives? Father, as Chief Military Officer, you can't let them run wild anymore! You must strike hard and teach them a lesson!"
But Zhao Wei merely stroked his beard, looking almost pleased. Far from troubling him, the news brought him a sense of satisfaction.
"You don't understand. The Dongzhou soldiers are paving the way for us."
"Paving the way?" Zhao Xi didn't get it.
Yes, paving the way. Zhao Wei didn't elaborate. He was in high spirits, thinking gleefully that the Dongzhou soldiers were clearing the path for him to ascend to the governorship.
All he wanted to say was. Let them riot. Let them riot until things spiral out of control. Let them riot until the Shu natives can take no more. Let them riot until the hearts of Ba and Shu burn with fury.
That would be his moment.
Then, Yi Province would belong to its rightful ruler—him, a true son of Yi.