“Jinyang hasn’t seen such a scene in a long time. It’s all thanks to Liang Zixi reclaiming lost territories that the states and counties are now peaceful.” In the mild weather of March, Guo Tong had already picked up a feather fan. With wide robes, large sleeves, and luxurious attire, he exuded an air of refined elegance. Even his voice carried a sense of nobility.
Liang Feng smiled faintly, “Master, you praise me too much.”
In the spacious hall, the two sat side by side on a couch elevated above the others. More than a dozen young men were scattered below, all dressed in exquisite clothing and displaying graceful manners. Today was the day of the county-level examinations in Jinyang, and Guo Tong chose to hold the assessments not in the outskirts’ woodlands but in the Guo residence. This century-old mansion, even more splendid and luxurious than the governor’s mansion, showcased the deep heritage of the Guo family, reflecting their meticulous care.
Upon hearing Liang Feng’s humble words, Guo Tong chuckled, “Back then, Wang Zhengzhong also promoted Liang Zixi to the top tier at a gathering. I wonder today, how many talents we can select for the court.”
His words carried a hint of arrogance. In truth, Liang Feng hadn’t participated in the previous assessments, and the designation of being in the top tier was privately mentioned by Wang Wen. It had nothing to do with Liang Feng’s current achievements.
However, Guo Tong and Liang Feng both knew the reality, while many of the young aristocrats below might not be aware. Hearing these words, a gleam of ambition shone in many eyes. If one could be rated as top-tier, could they also receive promotions and titles, becoming important figures in the court?
Having displayed enough grandeur and basked in the admiring gazes from below, Guo Tong, without waiting for Liang Feng to respond, twirled his beard and said, “This time, it’s the court’s selection of talents, also an observation of the gentlemen’s characters. Let’s start with calligraphy and poetry. How about composing a poem with the title… ‘Spring Willows’?”
In the courtyard, the new buds of the willow trees were just unfolding, displaying a delightful shade of emerald green. Choosing it as the theme for poetry could be considered a refined topic. Considering that assessing calligraphy and poetry was a customary practice, especially crucial for determining the grade, Guo Tong’s choice of this topic adhered to conventions. However, Liang Feng subtly raised an eyebrow, as such an exam question made cheating remarkably simple.
For the coveted position of the Grand Zhongzheng, Guo Tong had invested considerable effort. Fortunately, being a relative through marriage to Wang Yan, he ultimately reaped the benefits. Aligned with Wang Yan’s path, his criteria for selection naturally underwent some changes. It wasn’t difficult to guess what Wang Yan favored the most.
As expected, after the poetry composition, several high-born youths stood out. Subsequently, they engaged in erudite discussions, focusing on topics like Laozi and the Book of Changes. There were even a few individuals with outstanding skills in playing the zither and chess, who presented their talents on the spot. Despite being a crucial assessment concerning state affairs, it lacked any trace of mundane allure. However, among the assembled individuals, such an evaluation method was more customary, garnering even more respect for Guo Tong.
Two hours passed in the blink of an eye, and Liang Feng had only asked a few questions, making it seem almost like a mere formality. Guo Tong might not possess the talent and knowledge of those literati, but considering that most residents in Bing County were distant relatives or minor gentry, there weren’t many exceptionally outstanding individuals. So, his role as the Grand Zhongzheng was quite manageable. Individuals from the Wang, Guo, and Sun families were designated as top-tier, while those from the Li, Chen, He, and Feng families were rated as middle-tier. The rest, whose family backgrounds were deemed insufficient, were categorically assigned to the lower tier.
Advertisement
Faced with this kind of ranking assessment, many individuals wore expressions of disappointment. While Guo Tong’s adjudication seemed effortless, for scholars, it determined their future ranks in officialdom. In just these two hours, their fate was sealed and unchangeable. But who had a solution? If one didn’t hail from a prestigious family, how could they attain a top-tier status? Instances like the fortunate Liang Prefect were ultimately rare.
“The assessment for scholars should be conducted like this,” Guo Tong sighed deeply after indulging in the satisfaction of his authority. “The way the Prefect conducts the imperial examination might corrupt the scholarly atmosphere.”
Guo Tong had long wanted to express this sentiment. Last time, the imperial examination only attracted commoners, so it was somewhat forgivable. But this time, unexpectedly, some unruly members of the minor gentry dared to participate! Even the smallest gentry could join the assessment, and even if they were placed in the lower tier, couldn’t they still become officials? Why choose such a prestigious method that led to a loss of dignity? Guo Tong completely shut out all those who participated in the imperial examination, intending to let everyone know that the imperial court’s talent selection process wouldn’t tolerate such disdain!
His words resonated with many scholars present and even the thoughts of their influential families behind them. Faced with Guo Tong’s questioning, Liang Feng chuckled, “Talent comes in different sizes, and ranks vary in height. The Grand Zhongzheng is chosen by the court and should be treated with due care. The imperial examination is just for local governance; there’s no need to make a fuss about it.”
While Liang Feng’s words seemed conciliatory, Guo Tong frowned, feeling that there was more to his words than met the eye. Liang Feng’s appointment of Guo Xing as the Yumen Commandery Prefect during the last reshuffle had irked him somewhat. However, Yumen was bitterly cold, with the constant threat of northern barbarians, so contesting for the position of Prefect was not a significant matter. Giving it to Guo Xing was acceptable. As long as the power to decide the rankings remained in his hands, was there anything to fear about his lineage not gaining prominence?
With a seemingly regretful shake of his head, Guo Tong said, “The Governor has indeed put in a lot of effort for Bing County. After the local assessment restarts, you won’t need to labor like this.”
Observing Guo Tong’s self-satisfied smile, Liang Feng suppressed a cold sneer deep within. The Nine-Tier Imperial Examination was the most crucial means of selecting officials in the current era, defining the future and fate of these influential families. However, did he have to use the people Guo Tong selected? Reporting to the court or entering Luoyang, whether they had the ability or their position’s relevance to Bing County—did it matter?
These were indeed talents selected for the “court,” but Guo Tong failed to see the distinction. Those nobles who disregarded the local assessment and audaciously participated in the imperial examination were the ones he needed to pay attention to and treat well. This time, the number of scholars admitted through the examination had more than doubled, and among the top five, three were from noble families! This trend would not stop here. As these individuals climbed the ranks in the Bing County officialdom and even in Ji County and Si County, the momentum would solidify. This was precisely the “new class” he needed.
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A class that would move in sync with him!
Dealing with Guo Tong’s perfunctory remarks, Liang Feng’s mind had already flown to other matters. How was the situation in Ji County? Could Yiyan take more counties before Wang Jun?
Military intelligence arrived faster than expected. That evening, upon returning to the Provincial Governor’s Residence, Zhang Bin hurriedly welcomed him, “Lord, General Yi intends to go to Qinghe to confront the rebels!”
“What?” Liang Feng was also surprised. “How many troops does he have under his command, and why the urgency?”
“It seems he wants to seize the enemy’s main force before Wang Jun arrives,” Zhang Bin explained, frowning. “Shouldn’t we send a message asking him to delay his attack?”
Faced with this suggestion, Liang Feng thought for a moment and shook his head, “A capable general should not be restrained by his superior. There must be a profound reason behind Boyuan’s actions.”
This statement echoed the words of Sun Tzu, akin to “When the general is abroad, he should not receive orders from his sovereign.” Frontline military matters could only be handled by the frontline commander. Intervening excessively from the rear could likely lead to disaster. He believed in Yiyan’s military capabilities and trusted his strategic insight. There was no need for undue interference.
However, before Zhang Bin could respond, Liang Feng added, “Order the Hedong troops to be prepared for battle. If needed, they should immediately support Ji County!”
This was the only thing he could do…
※
Advertisement
“What does that Bing County army intend to achieve?” Inside a rudimentary tent, Shi Le questioned himself.
Previously, he led his forces to capture Xindu, completely crushing the last remnants of defense in Ji County. The provincial governor, Ding Zhao, fled in panic and sought refuge in Qinghe. Ji County was a crucial city for the Jin Dynasty, with many princes and marquises holding territories there. Consequently, the wealth accumulated in these cities was astounding. However, Shi Le did not allow his soldiers to plunder recklessly. He set a limited time for pillaging, withdrawing his camp in just two days and continuing the march towards Qinghe. This was a lesson learned from a previous disastrous defeat. Without truly defeating the enemy, soldiers couldn’t afford to slack off. Only by eliminating the Ji County provincial governor could control of this region be truly lost.
Now, inside his simple tent, Shi Le pondered the intentions of the Bing County troops.
As he was about to attack Qinghe, news arrived from the rear. The Bing County troops that had stayed in Ye City moved along Zhao Commandery into Ji County, initiating the cleanup of marauding bandits. In just a few days, Zhao Commandery was taken, and subsequently, this army mysteriously disappeared.
What’s going on? Shi Le had never studied military strategy, but he possessed an innate talent for marching and fighting. He immediately sensed that something was amiss. However, his army consisted mainly of refugees, and reconnaissance wasn’t their strong suit. Several days passed without confirming the enemy’s whereabouts, deepening his unease.
Should he continue the attack on Qinghe, or should he cut his losses, withdraw from Ji County, and turn towards You County or Yan County? In the current state of affairs in Yu County, Wang Mi was leading an active campaign, tens of thousands of imperial troops guarded Xuchang, and General Gou Xi was engaged in battles—a tough nut to crack. It wasn’t easy to enter or exit hastily. However, the defense in Qinghe was relatively weak, and there was also the powerful Cui family. If conquered, how much war loot could he gain?
To win the soldiers’ hearts, he needed to let his troops taste victory. Such a fat lamb should not be missed.
After a brief contemplation, Shi Le stood up and declared, “Break camp, attack Qinghe!”
At this stage, he couldn’t abandon the campaign halfway. He was determined to take control of Ji County and exchange it for merits in the Han Kingdom. Even if the Bing County troops came for a surprise attack, what could they do? According to the scouts, the forces that previously invaded Zhao Commandery were not too many, barely enough to form a ten-thousand-strong army. Could this force shake his large army?
As long as he remained vigilant, there would be a way to deal with them.
Having made up his mind, Shi Le moved swiftly. With many cavalry under his command, his favorite tactic was to swiftly capture cities while the defenders were unprepared. In just one day, his bandit army seized two counties like lightning, and Qinghe was within sight.
On the way, Shi Le was accustomed to seeing terrified city defenders flee and abandon their posts. However, unexpectedly, the remnants of Ji County defending Qinghe boldly came out of the city to face the enemy. But what use could a few thousand soldiers be? It seemed like they were only providing an opportunity for the provincial governor Ding to escape. Shi Le made a quick decision, ordering a detachment to engage the defenders while he himself bypassed the enemy forces and headed towards Qinghe City. Surprisingly, Qinghe City gates were tightly shut, and resolute soldiers were guarding the walls. Could these be the private soldiers of the Cui family?
However, such a limited military force posed no threat to a warlord of Shi Le’s caliber. These bandits, well-fed and greedy for the city’s wealth, were eager to attack Qinghe’s not-so-high walls. Mounted on his horse, Shi Le squinted his eyes. At this rate, within two days, he should be able to conquer the city.
While he thought so, in less than two hours of fighting, a scouting party returned in a sorry state, bringing with them billows of smoke.
“Commander! The flanking force fell into an ambush!”
“Jinyang hasn’t seen such a scene in a long time. It’s all thanks to Liang Zixi reclaiming lost territories that the states and counties are now peaceful.” In the mild weather of March, Guo Tong had already picked up a feather fan. With wide robes, large sleeves, and luxurious attire, he exuded an air of refined elegance. Even his voice carried a sense of nobility.
Liang Feng smiled faintly, “Master, you praise me too much.”
In the spacious hall, the two sat side by side on a couch elevated above the others. More than a dozen young men were scattered below, all dressed in exquisite clothing and displaying graceful manners. Today was the day of the county-level examinations in Jinyang, and Guo Tong chose to hold the assessments not in the outskirts’ woodlands but in the Guo residence. This century-old mansion, even more splendid and luxurious than the governor’s mansion, showcased the deep heritage of the Guo family, reflecting their meticulous care.
Upon hearing Liang Feng’s humble words, Guo Tong chuckled, “Back then, Wang Zhengzhong also promoted Liang Zixi to the top tier at a gathering. I wonder today, how many talents we can select for the court.”
His words carried a hint of arrogance. In truth, Liang Feng hadn’t participated in the previous assessments, and the designation of being in the top tier was privately mentioned by Wang Wen. It had nothing to do with Liang Feng’s current achievements.
However, Guo Tong and Liang Feng both knew the reality, while many of the young aristocrats below might not be aware. Hearing these words, a gleam of ambition shone in many eyes. If one could be rated as top-tier, could they also receive promotions and titles, becoming important figures in the court?
Having displayed enough grandeur and basked in the admiring gazes from below, Guo Tong, without waiting for Liang Feng to respond, twirled his beard and said, “This time, it’s the court’s selection of talents, also an observation of the gentlemen’s characters. Let’s start with calligraphy and poetry. How about composing a poem with the title… ‘Spring Willows’?”
In the courtyard, the new buds of the willow trees were just unfolding, displaying a delightful shade of emerald green. Choosing it as the theme for poetry could be considered a refined topic. Considering that assessing calligraphy and poetry was a customary practice, especially crucial for determining the grade, Guo Tong’s choice of this topic adhered to conventions. However, Liang Feng subtly raised an eyebrow, as such an exam question made cheating remarkably simple.
For the coveted position of the Grand Zhongzheng, Guo Tong had invested considerable effort. Fortunately, being a relative through marriage to Wang Yan, he ultimately reaped the benefits. Aligned with Wang Yan’s path, his criteria for selection naturally underwent some changes. It wasn’t difficult to guess what Wang Yan favored the most.
As expected, after the poetry composition, several high-born youths stood out. Subsequently, they engaged in erudite discussions, focusing on topics like Laozi and the Book of Changes. There were even a few individuals with outstanding skills in playing the zither and chess, who presented their talents on the spot. Despite being a crucial assessment concerning state affairs, it lacked any trace of mundane allure. However, among the assembled individuals, such an evaluation method was more customary, garnering even more respect for Guo Tong.
Two hours passed in the blink of an eye, and Liang Feng had only asked a few questions, making it seem almost like a mere formality. Guo Tong might not possess the talent and knowledge of those literati, but considering that most residents in Bing County were distant relatives or minor gentry, there weren’t many exceptionally outstanding individuals. So, his role as the Grand Zhongzheng was quite manageable. Individuals from the Wang, Guo, and Sun families were designated as top-tier, while those from the Li, Chen, He, and Feng families were rated as middle-tier. The rest, whose family backgrounds were deemed insufficient, were categorically assigned to the lower tier.
Advertisement
Faced with this kind of ranking assessment, many individuals wore expressions of disappointment. While Guo Tong’s adjudication seemed effortless, for scholars, it determined their future ranks in officialdom. In just these two hours, their fate was sealed and unchangeable. But who had a solution? If one didn’t hail from a prestigious family, how could they attain a top-tier status? Instances like the fortunate Liang Prefect were ultimately rare.
“The assessment for scholars should be conducted like this,” Guo Tong sighed deeply after indulging in the satisfaction of his authority. “The way the Prefect conducts the imperial examination might corrupt the scholarly atmosphere.”
Guo Tong had long wanted to express this sentiment. Last time, the imperial examination only attracted commoners, so it was somewhat forgivable. But this time, unexpectedly, some unruly members of the minor gentry dared to participate! Even the smallest gentry could join the assessment, and even if they were placed in the lower tier, couldn’t they still become officials? Why choose such a prestigious method that led to a loss of dignity? Guo Tong completely shut out all those who participated in the imperial examination, intending to let everyone know that the imperial court’s talent selection process wouldn’t tolerate such disdain!
His words resonated with many scholars present and even the thoughts of their influential families behind them. Faced with Guo Tong’s questioning, Liang Feng chuckled, “Talent comes in different sizes, and ranks vary in height. The Grand Zhongzheng is chosen by the court and should be treated with due care. The imperial examination is just for local governance; there’s no need to make a fuss about it.”
While Liang Feng’s words seemed conciliatory, Guo Tong frowned, feeling that there was more to his words than met the eye. Liang Feng’s appointment of Guo Xing as the Yumen Commandery Prefect during the last reshuffle had irked him somewhat. However, Yumen was bitterly cold, with the constant threat of northern barbarians, so contesting for the position of Prefect was not a significant matter. Giving it to Guo Xing was acceptable. As long as the power to decide the rankings remained in his hands, was there anything to fear about his lineage not gaining prominence?
With a seemingly regretful shake of his head, Guo Tong said, “The Governor has indeed put in a lot of effort for Bing County. After the local assessment restarts, you won’t need to labor like this.”
Observing Guo Tong’s self-satisfied smile, Liang Feng suppressed a cold sneer deep within. The Nine-Tier Imperial Examination was the most crucial means of selecting officials in the current era, defining the future and fate of these influential families. However, did he have to use the people Guo Tong selected? Reporting to the court or entering Luoyang, whether they had the ability or their position’s relevance to Bing County—did it matter?
These were indeed talents selected for the “court,” but Guo Tong failed to see the distinction. Those nobles who disregarded the local assessment and audaciously participated in the imperial examination were the ones he needed to pay attention to and treat well. This time, the number of scholars admitted through the examination had more than doubled, and among the top five, three were from noble families! This trend would not stop here. As these individuals climbed the ranks in the Bing County officialdom and even in Ji County and Si County, the momentum would solidify. This was precisely the “new class” he needed.
Advertisement
A class that would move in sync with him!
Dealing with Guo Tong’s perfunctory remarks, Liang Feng’s mind had already flown to other matters. How was the situation in Ji County? Could Yiyan take more counties before Wang Jun?
Military intelligence arrived faster than expected. That evening, upon returning to the Provincial Governor’s Residence, Zhang Bin hurriedly welcomed him, “Lord, General Yi intends to go to Qinghe to confront the rebels!”
“What?” Liang Feng was also surprised. “How many troops does he have under his command, and why the urgency?”
“It seems he wants to seize the enemy’s main force before Wang Jun arrives,” Zhang Bin explained, frowning. “Shouldn’t we send a message asking him to delay his attack?”
Faced with this suggestion, Liang Feng thought for a moment and shook his head, “A capable general should not be restrained by his superior. There must be a profound reason behind Boyuan’s actions.”
This statement echoed the words of Sun Tzu, akin to “When the general is abroad, he should not receive orders from his sovereign.” Frontline military matters could only be handled by the frontline commander. Intervening excessively from the rear could likely lead to disaster. He believed in Yiyan’s military capabilities and trusted his strategic insight. There was no need for undue interference.
However, before Zhang Bin could respond, Liang Feng added, “Order the Hedong troops to be prepared for battle. If needed, they should immediately support Ji County!”
This was the only thing he could do…
※
Advertisement
“What does that Bing County army intend to achieve?” Inside a rudimentary tent, Shi Le questioned himself.
Previously, he led his forces to capture Xindu, completely crushing the last remnants of defense in Ji County. The provincial governor, Ding Zhao, fled in panic and sought refuge in Qinghe. Ji County was a crucial city for the Jin Dynasty, with many princes and marquises holding territories there. Consequently, the wealth accumulated in these cities was astounding. However, Shi Le did not allow his soldiers to plunder recklessly. He set a limited time for pillaging, withdrawing his camp in just two days and continuing the march towards Qinghe. This was a lesson learned from a previous disastrous defeat. Without truly defeating the enemy, soldiers couldn’t afford to slack off. Only by eliminating the Ji County provincial governor could control of this region be truly lost.
Now, inside his simple tent, Shi Le pondered the intentions of the Bing County troops.
As he was about to attack Qinghe, news arrived from the rear. The Bing County troops that had stayed in Ye City moved along Zhao Commandery into Ji County, initiating the cleanup of marauding bandits. In just a few days, Zhao Commandery was taken, and subsequently, this army mysteriously disappeared.
What’s going on? Shi Le had never studied military strategy, but he possessed an innate talent for marching and fighting. He immediately sensed that something was amiss. However, his army consisted mainly of refugees, and reconnaissance wasn’t their strong suit. Several days passed without confirming the enemy’s whereabouts, deepening his unease.
Should he continue the attack on Qinghe, or should he cut his losses, withdraw from Ji County, and turn towards You County or Yan County? In the current state of affairs in Yu County, Wang Mi was leading an active campaign, tens of thousands of imperial troops guarded Xuchang, and General Gou Xi was engaged in battles—a tough nut to crack. It wasn’t easy to enter or exit hastily. However, the defense in Qinghe was relatively weak, and there was also the powerful Cui family. If conquered, how much war loot could he gain?
To win the soldiers’ hearts, he needed to let his troops taste victory. Such a fat lamb should not be missed.
After a brief contemplation, Shi Le stood up and declared, “Break camp, attack Qinghe!”
At this stage, he couldn’t abandon the campaign halfway. He was determined to take control of Ji County and exchange it for merits in the Han Kingdom. Even if the Bing County troops came for a surprise attack, what could they do? According to the scouts, the forces that previously invaded Zhao Commandery were not too many, barely enough to form a ten-thousand-strong army. Could this force shake his large army?
As long as he remained vigilant, there would be a way to deal with them.
Having made up his mind, Shi Le moved swiftly. With many cavalry under his command, his favorite tactic was to swiftly capture cities while the defenders were unprepared. In just one day, his bandit army seized two counties like lightning, and Qinghe was within sight.
On the way, Shi Le was accustomed to seeing terrified city defenders flee and abandon their posts. However, unexpectedly, the remnants of Ji County defending Qinghe boldly came out of the city to face the enemy. But what use could a few thousand soldiers be? It seemed like they were only providing an opportunity for the provincial governor Ding to escape. Shi Le made a quick decision, ordering a detachment to engage the defenders while he himself bypassed the enemy forces and headed towards Qinghe City. Surprisingly, Qinghe City gates were tightly shut, and resolute soldiers were guarding the walls. Could these be the private soldiers of the Cui family?
However, such a limited military force posed no threat to a warlord of Shi Le’s caliber. These bandits, well-fed and greedy for the city’s wealth, were eager to attack Qinghe’s not-so-high walls. Mounted on his horse, Shi Le squinted his eyes. At this rate, within two days, he should be able to conquer the city.
While he thought so, in less than two hours of fighting, a scouting party returned in a sorry state, bringing with them billows of smoke.
“Commander! The flanking force fell into an ambush!”
